TITLE: The Future of the Forest: Vegetation Change Overtime and Invasive Plant Species in an Old-Growth Forest

AUTHORS:  Alyssa Beasley, Jessica Arcate-Schuler, and Jim Lewis, The College of New Rochelle

PRESENTER:   Alyssa Beasley

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether active management is having an impact on the Forest’s composition. Between the sampling years of 2001 and 2006 the smallest size class of one particular invasive species, the Amur Corktree (Phellodendron Amurense) had doubled its stem count within the 5 years. In order to prevent the invasive species from potentially becoming the dominant species in the Forest, the Garden fundraised for Forest staff to actively remove the invasive species in 2008. In addition to the Amur Corktree other invasive woody plants species have been actively managed including the Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera Maackii) and Japanese Angelica Tree (Aralia Elata). The results for 2011 have been compared to the sampling year of 2006 to document how the Forest has changed. The comparison for Phellodendron Amurense and Lonicera Maackii show a decrease in basal area and stem count across the Forest. The comparisons for Aralia Elata show an increase in stem count and a decrease in basal area. The results indicate that Forest management does have an effect on the Forest composition by suppressing invasive species growth.

TITLE:  Visual Assessment of Four Sites along the Normanskill

AUTHORS:  Paul Benzing, Amanda Kopet, and John Boyle, The College of Saint Rose

PRESENTERS:  Paul Benzing, Amanda Kopet, and John Boyle

ABSTRACT: The lower Normanskill is located on the western border of the city of Albany, and also borders the towns of Bethlehem and Guilderland.  Its source is the Watervliet Reservoir, which was created by damming the Normanskill, and now serves as a major source of drinking water for the Capital District.   Although much of the landscape surrounding the river is urban and suburban, the river corridor contains a substantial amount of land that has escaped typical urban/suburban development, including parcels owned by the City of Albany, the Towns of Bethlehem and Guilderland, and the Mohawk-Hudson Land Conservancy.   Because of its unique location, it has great potential to serve as a resource for the large numbers of people who live nearby. Our goal is to assess the current condition of the river, and establish a baseline data set that will be useful to help understand the impacts of future changes, which may include further development or restoration and protection of the river.  This poster presents our latest visual assessment of four publicly owned sites along the Normanskill.

TITLE: The Hudson River Experience: Multiple Perspectives on Environmental Responsibility

AUTHORS:   John Cronin, Senior Fellow for Environmental Affairs, Pace Academy for Applied Environmental Studies
Daniel Farkas, Professor of Information Technology, Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems
Robert Goldstein, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Law
Michelle Land, Director, Pace Academy for Applied Environmental Studies
Theresa Lant, Associate Professor of Management, Lubin School of Business
Helane Levine-Keating, Professor of English, Dyson College
Hsui-Lin Winkler, Associate Professor of Information Technology, Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems
Pace University

PRESENTER:    Theresa Lant

ABSTRACT: The revered journalist, Bill Moyers, called the Hudson River “America’s First River.”  Situated in an environmental, financial, political, and media capital, the Hudson transcends all disciplines.  Six faculty members from four different schools at Pace University (Law, Business, Information Systems, and Arts & Sciences) have collaborated to create a course that defies convention.  The Hudson River Experience is an interdisciplinary course being offered at Pace University in the Spring of 2012.  Using a combination of classroom, field, and experiential learning, this course will use the Hudson River Valley and region as its connecting theme and central subject.  The course is being offered to undergraduate students across the university.  Students will learn how American history and art, business and law, science and technology are influenced by the Hudson River.  The Hudson River Experience will include classroom modules taught by individual professors, joint sessions with multiple professors and visiting experts, field trips to key historic and environmental locations, and student projects mentored by faculty members.  To assure that the course is fully interdisciplinary, one of the professors has the sole responsibility of helping students integrate knowledge from across the different disciplines explored in the course.

TITLE:  Stream Water Quality Biomonitoring Project

AUTHORS:  Kelly Dobbins, Senior Planner, Orange County Planning Department
Kelly Nolan, Principal, Watershed Assessment Associates
Ed Helbig, Education Coordinator, Orange County Water Authority

PRESENTERS:  Kelly Dobbins and Ed Helbig

ABSTRACT: Stream biomonitoring involves assessment of water quality in streams using macroinvertebrates as indicators of water quality. Macroinvertebrates are invertebrate organisms large enough to see with the naked eye and include various taxa (groups) including aquatic insects, clams, snails, worms, and crustaceans. These organisms vary in their sensitivity to water pollution, with some types being extremely sensitive to pollution and others being more tolerant. The relative abundance of more- and less-sensitive species, and their diversity, provide a robust and reliable indication of the overall water quality at a given site. 

OCWA is using the water quality ranking system that was developed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Stream Biomonitoring Unit – a methodology that has been approved by the US EPA. OCWA’s utilization of the DEC’s methodology means that Orange County’s results are comparable to the field data collected by the State. The DEC methodology results in a water quality assessment for each sampling site that is expressed numerically as a “BAP score” that ranges from 0-10 (where 10 is the best water quality), and is also described as non-impacted, slightly impacted, moderately impacted, or severely impacted.

The stream biomonitoring project began in 2004 and continues to this day. In the first three years of the project, 210 sites were sampled, producing an inventory of surface water quality that is one of the most comprehensive in the region. The program was initially funded by a grant obtained by Rep. Sue Kelly and overseen by the US EPA Region 2 office, but in 2009 and 2010 the OCWA is continuing this program by directly funding 100% of project costs.

TITLE:    Effectiveness of Intensive Rotational Targeted Grazing with Sheep to Control Invasive Plant Species

AUTHORS:  Girard, C.B., Ph.D student, SUNY University at Albany
LaBarge, E., M.S. student, SUNY University at Albany
Kleppel, G.S.,Professor of Biological Sciences and Director of Biodiversity, Conservation & Policy Program, SUNY University at Albany

PRESENTERS: Girard, C.B., LaBarge, E., Kleppel, G.S.

ABSTRACT:    We are investigating the effectiveness of an Intensive Rotational Targeted Grazing (IRTG) protocol for controlling the spread of a variety of invasive plant species (including Persicaria Perfoliata, Phragmites Australis, Rosa Multiflora and Lythrum Salicaria) at several sites within New York State. At each of these locations 2-12 sheep of various breeds (Ovis aries) are deployed into a system of experimental paddocks at a stocking density of 2-4 tons/acre. The sheep are moved from one paddock to the next at 2-3 d intervals. Ungrazed reference (ref) paddocks are also delineated. A suite of plant community attributes (cover classes, species richness and composition), as well attributes of individual plants for the targeted invasive plant species (stem density, height and inflorescence) are monitored in the experimental and ref paddocks over the course of each grazing season. Results of our studies suggest that IRTG is effective in reducing the cover of targeted invasive species and reducing or eliminating inflorescence (Persicaria Perfoliata and Lythrum Salicaria). Recovery of native and naturalized species is also evident. This protocol can be offered as an alternative to herbicides, mechanical pulling of invasives, and other types of biocontrols.

TITLE:    A Statistical Analysis of Water Chemistry Parameters, Land Use Patterns and Geology in the Kayaderosseras Creek Watershed

AUTHORS:  Judith A. Halstead, Sabrina Kliman, Daniel de la Puente-Ranea, Alicea Cock-Esteb, Kristina Connolly, Kimberly Marsella, Catherine Berheide, and Alexander Chaucer, Skidmore College

PRESENTER:  Judith A. Halstead

ABSTRACT:  The relationships between land use patterns, geology and major solute concentrations in stream water was investigated for the Kayaderosseras Creek watershed (470 km2) in Saratoga County, NY. The study area was 78% natural areas (45% forest and 33% wetlands), 14% of agriculture, 8% urban areas and less than 1% open water. Eight tributary sites were sampled eight times during June to October of 2006, 2007 and 2008, and analyzed for temperature, conductivity, pH, total phosphorous (TP), total nitrogen (TN), NO3-, SO42-,Cl-, HCO3-, K+, Na+, Ca2+and Mg2+. Subwatersheds corresponding to each sampling site were delineated and land use patterns were determined for each of the eight subwatersheds using GIS. The chemistry of the tributaries within the study area was highly correlated with the percentage of urban development present in the tributary subwatershed. There was not a statistically significant correlation with surficial or bedrock geology.

TITLE:  Barriers & Opportunities to Sustainable Shorelines Along New York’s Hudson River

AUTHORS:     Emilie Hauser, Coastal Training Program Coordinator, NYSDEC Hudson River    National Estuarine Research Reserve
Ona Ferguson, Consensus Building Institute
Shawn Dalton, Principal, Thrive Consulting
Betsy Blair, Manager, NYSDEC Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve

PRESENTER: Melanie Moore, NYSDEC Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve

ABSTRACT:  Two social science studies have identified barriers and opportunities in implementing ecologically enhanced shoreline protection structures along New York’s Hudson River Estuary. The studies used key informant interviews and case studies of development projects to examine attitudes and perceptions of key stakeholders in Hudson River shoreline development and management. Key challenges to the implementation of ecologically friendly shoreline structures include the following: design decisions are made early in the development process and are driven by upland land use; design considerations do not include ecological impacts of shoreline structures or sea level rise; and, there are conflicting goals between the stakeholders.  While it is difficult to find regional land planning solutions because of local home rule, railroads present an opportunity since they control a large portion of the shoreline. To help overcome such challenges, decision makers need information on the design, construction, cost, ecological benefits, and engineering effectiveness of ecologically friendly shoreline structures.  They also need a better understanding of projections and impacts of climate change and sea level rise. Key stakeholders such as consulting engineers, developers, regulators, and railroad managers need means and incentives to share expertise. These studies confirmed and clarified existing knowledge about stakeholder perspectives and uncovered new information to inform project outreach and research initiatives. The two consultant studies are part of larger mixed methods study which allow triangulation of findings from multiple independent sources. Other methods include direct observation and the joint fact-finding process whereby advisory groups provide insight and confirmation. The studies were part of the Hudson River Sustainable Shorelines Project, an ongoing multi-organizational, interdisciplinary initiative helping local stakeholders understand the economic and environmental tradeoffs of different approaches to managing shoreline erosion and change. This project is led by the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) and funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through NERRS Science Collaborative.

TITLE: Regional Biosphere Design and Ecosystem Approach to Metro NYC Region

AUTHORS: Peleg Kremer, Ph.D., Zoé Hamstead, and Timon McPhearson, P.h.D., The New School

PRESENTER: Peleg Kremer

ABSTRACT: This poster presents our research of the Metro NYC region as a question of biosphere design, utilizing an ecosystem services approach. New York City is the largest and most dense urban area in the United States. We follow Solecki and Rosenzweig (2004) and the Regional Planning Association (RPA) to define NYC Urban Biosphere from a regional and watershed perspective encompassing some 30 counties in 4 states with populations of over 22 million and a 1.3 trillion economy.  Conceptualizing the region as a combined system of ecological and social networks enables a holistic framework for research and decision making to protect the region’s habitats and biodiversity, and enhance its social and ecological resilience. In this research we undertake a multi-scale analysis of the NYC Metro region, studying land use patterns and the potential for a biosphere design at the regional level, while analyzing green infrastructure and ecosystem services at finer scale within New York City.

TITLE:   Oviposition Preferences of Ochlerotatus Japonicus: Container Size, Infusion Type, and Tree Holes

AUTHORS:  Jessica Kottwitz, The College of New Rochelle, Dr. Richard Falco, Dr. Thomas Daniels, and John Kokas, Louis Calder Center, Fordham University

PRESENTER:   Jessica Kottwitz

ABSTRACT:   Ochlerotatus Japonicus is an invasive mosquito from Asia. This mosquito has the capability of transmitting the West Nile virus. We compared gravid trap infusion types to determine the most efficient way of collecting Oc. Japonicus for viral analysis. Higher numbers of Oc. Japonicus was thought to be trapped in the half infusion than the full and water infusion, because it is found naturally in rock pools. It was found that both the half and full infusion did well in collecting Oc. Japonicus and the water infusion was not sufficient. We studied the most preferable container size for Oc. Japonicus. It was thought that Oc. Japonicus would prefer the small container over the medium and large container because it naturally breeds in rock pools. We found that the small container was not sufficient in collecting Oc. Japonicus. We continued a tree hole survey that was started in 2003 to compare Oc. Japoncius larvae to the native species Oc. triseriatus. Based on the previous years’ trends we believed the percent of Oc. Japonicus larvae would have decreased in tree holes and the percent of Oc. Triseriatus would have increased. From this survey we have found that Oc. Triseriatus is still the major tree hole mosquito.

TITLE:   Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria of Nestling American & Fish Crows in Newburgh, NY

AUTHORS:   James Liporace, Student, Mount Saint Mary College
Douglas A. Robinson, Jr., Assistant Professor of Biology, Mount Saint Mary College

PRESENTER:  James Liporace

ABSTRACT:   The ubiquitous use of antibiotics in human health care and veterinary science has resulted in an increase in the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment.  Evidence indicates species living in close proximity to sites of high antibiotic use (e.g., livestock operations) are very likely to carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria, but the range of species known to carry such bacteria is limited.  We investigated whether two common birds that nest around human dwellings, American Crows (Corvus Brachyrhynchos) and Fish Crows (Corvus Ossifragus) carried bacteria that were resistant to antibiotics used by humans and administered by veterinarians.  In May 2011, we collected cloacal samples from 22 nestling American Crows and 3 nestling Fish Crows in Newburgh, NY.  Bacterial species were isolated following culturing on trypticase soy agar and tested for susceptibility to 12 common antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer method.  All individual nestlings were found to have bacteria that were resistant to at least one antibiotic (mean ± SE = 6.7 ± 0.45; median = 7.0; mode = 8.0).  Greater than 80% of all nestlings examined carried bacteria resistant to five of the tested antibiotics (erythromycin, oxacillin, polymyxin B, sulfadiazine, and sulfathiazole).  Comparable results from a similar study on nestling American Crows in northwestern Iowa suggests crows act as a reservoir for antibiotic-resistant bacteria.  Future work will attempt to identify the bacterial species we tested and whether any of these species are pathogenic in humans.

TITLE:  Monitoring the Watershed—A Service Learning Project

AUTHOR:  Elvira Longordo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Chemistry, The College of New Rochelle

PRESENTER: Elvira Longordo, Ph.D.

ABSTRACT:   At The College of New Rochelle "fostering the concept of education-for-service" is a goal in the mission statement of the College.  Working collaboratively with the Westchester County Department of Planning to measure chemical, biological and physical parameters of the Sheldrake River in the Westchester County watershed was one of the ways in which the freshmen chemistry students and some upper class science major volunteers donated their time.  About 30 students in groups of 6 to 10 took turns to measure the standard water quality parameters on a weekly basis during the entire fall semester and for a portion of the spring semester for the 2010-2011 academic year.  Among the many educational and experiential benefits that the students reaped were:  learning new analysis techniques, enjoying the application of chemistry to real life, understanding the physical principles of nature, appreciation of what it means to do careful scientific field work, learning to work together as a team, learning to plan the work, feeling like a real scientist, enjoying the feeling that their work mattered and was appreciated, enjoying the outdoors, and feeling good about doing the service for the people of Westchester County.  The author acknowledges the chemistry, biology and environmental science majors at the College of New Rochelle who participated in gathering the data presented.

TITLE: Replication of the Smiley- George Transect of 1971

AUTHORS:   Mary M. McEwan and Dr. Thomas Sarro, Mount Saint Mary College      

PRESENTER:  Mary M. McEwan

ABSTRACT:   Mohonk Preserve was the first land trust dedicated to the preservation of the Shawangunk Mountain Ridge and is one of the oldest land conservation organizations in the Hudson Valley.  The research center, founded by Daniel Smiley in 1980, continues to add to the over 80 years of natural and cultural history records and more than 110 years of weather data. This makes up the oldest and most extensive natural history record in the Hudson Valley Region.  Mohonk’s extensive long-term records make it a unique place to do research.  In 1971 Daniel Smiley and Carl J. George conducted a detailed vegetational ecology study along a 1.75 mile transect of the preserved land.  This recent 2011 study serves as a replication of the 1971 Smiley-George Transect.  In both studies the Random Pairs Method of data collection was utilized and the data collected was then analyzed and used to determine importance values for each of the tree species within each section of the transect.  Results show that in general Pinus Strobus (White Pine) decreased in importance value by 5.00% in three out of the seven sections studied and Quercus rubra (Red Oak) and Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) increased in importance value by 5.00% in three out of the seven sections studied.  Based on Simpson’s Diversity Index in three out of the seven sections studied, it appears that diversity has increased.  Based on the Coefficient of Community (Similarity) Index, values ranged from 64.3- 82.0 throughout the seven sections.  To better interpret these changes and find potential explanations, future studies may focus on weather events, anthropogenic causes, and biological impacts.

TITLE: Black Creek Glass Eels Project: Interactions Among University and Middle School Students in Science

AUTHORS:   Rosemary Millham, Ryan Burns, and Michele Hargrove, SUNY New Paltz

PRESENTER: Rosemary Millham

ABSTRACT:   The Black Creek Glass Eel program involves working with the NYSDEC in an ecological study involving middle school students working with scientists and educators. It involves collecting, counting, and releasing of glass eel populations migrating into the Black Creek estuary, research on the Hudson River watershed and students becoming actively involved in scientific research and communication skills. Accepting the invitation to conduct a study of glass eel populations in Black Creek not only created a venue for our science education majors to work closely with middle school students in active research, it has resulted in forcing a closer look at the reasons for the research and additional parameters that may impact glass eel success. As a consequence, integrating middle school and university pre-service graduate and undergraduate students in the program—and adding the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program protocols to understand the environs at Black Creek extends the study beyond catch, weigh, and release of eels—and incorporating research on other environmental factors—both natural and anthropogenic,—this study may provide evidence to factors that may impact glass eel success.

TITLE:    Opportunities at the Huyck Preserve and Biological Research Station: Celebrating 80 years of Conservation and Research in the Hudson Valley Region

AUTHORS:    Dawn M. O’Neal, Ph.D., Director of Conservation Education
Chad Jemison, Executive Director
Huyck Preserve and Biological Research Station

PRESENTERS:   Dawn O'Neal and Chad Jemison

ABSTRACT:   One of the Huyck Preserve’s primary goals is to foster science education and research. Since the Preserve’s establishment in 1931, hundreds of scientists have conducted research here attracted by our diverse habitats and research legacy. The Preserve is well situated to support Hudson Valley institutions through several programs. In honor of Eugene Odum, the father of ecosystems ecology, the Preserve offers the Odum Internship for undergraduate students interested in conducting field research. Interns spend eight weeks with visiting scientists developing original research projects in ecology, conservation or environmental and evolutionary biology. The Preserve also offers 4-5 Huyck Grants each year to select scientists, postdoctoral, and graduate students. We support work in basic and applied ecology, conservation biology, animal behavior, evolution, geology, and other areas of natural science. Grants range from $1,500-$3,500 with preference for projects that involve extended residencies. For well established scientists a Senior Research Fellowship is available. Fellows receive a $10,000 grant and maintain residence at the Preserve for ten weeks, primarily between May and August. While in residence, Fellows conduct research and direct the Odum Internship program. Fellows, along with Huyck Grant recipients, present their work at the Preserve’s annual Science Symposium and participate in educational and outreach activities. We are also well suited for undergraduate instructors to bring courses on day trips or weekend excursions to give students concrete examples of ecological concepts and exposure to research techniques. The Preserve offers housing that can accommodate 30 students, access to all of the Preserve’s 2,000+ acres, and wet and dry lab space. Visiting courses are free to plan their own programming or can receive tailored instruction from our Director of Conservation Education. For scientists still in high school, the Preserve offers Wildlife Ecology Research, a 3-week summer residential program where students learn ecology through hands-on research experience.

TITLE:  Generating Electricity Using Bamboo Exudate in a Plant-Microbial Fuel Cell

AUTHORS:     Gigianna Santiago, Mount Saint Mary College and Dr. Margaret Larrousse, Advisor, Mount Saint Mary College

PRESENTER: Gigianna Santiago

ABSTRACT:     A plant-microbial fuel cell has been built to generate electricity from the plant Dracaena Sanderiana, commonly known as “lucky bamboo”.  The exudates from the plant have been used as a substrate by electricity-generating bacteria. Preliminary data shows a small generation of electricity of 30 µA using carbon cloth electrodes. The research will continue to try to optimize the current by trying different combinations of bacterial species in the anode compartment and modifying electrode design. In addition, exudates will be analyzed under different plant growth conditions using mass spectrometry.  The ultimate goal is to produce a small fuel cell that could power a small appliance or an array of plant-microbial fuel cells that could work in natural settings like the Hudson River.

TITLE:   Using Mark Recapture of Automobiles as a way of Measuring Commuter Numbers at a Suburban Community College

AUTHOR:    Dr. Charles Sontag, Bergen Community College

PRESENTER:   Dr. Charles Sontag

ABSTRACT:   Suburban campuses can be a special challenge to Ecology and Environmental Biology Instructors.  Appropriate field sites may be miles away and many Wildlife Ecology labs are difficult to administer for lack of local animals.  One way to teach Mark Recapture techniques in absence of suitable animals is to use the license plates observed from the pool of cars in a campus parking lot.  It is simple, fairly easy to administer, and does not require IUCAC approval.  But how effective is it in accurately estimating the numbers of commuters on campus?  Using police registration numbers, we found that the technique accuracy varied in accounting for the number of cars on campus during the spring and fall semesters. During some semesters, our class was highly accurate, calculating over 15,248 cars on a campus with an enrollment of 15,057 plus 886 faculty and staff .  Other semesters we were less accurate.  As a tool for measuring student performance, over 80% of the students over 5 semesters were able to estimate the size of a population using the Lincoln-Petersen index on the laboratory quizzes.