The 16th Annual
NC State University
Undergraduate Research Symposium
Biological Sciences:
Ecology,
Environmental, Conservation, Botanical
Abstracts
Abstracts are listed in alphabetical order by the last name of the
corresponding author.
- Biological Sciences abstracts
Applied Sciences (Crop, Poultry, Animal, and
Horticultural Sciences)
Ecology, Environmental, Conservation, Botanical
Molecular, Biochemical, Genetics, Cell Biology
Zoology, Physiology, Behavior, Neurobiology
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Student Author(s):
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Abbott, Jessica M.
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Department(s):
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Zoology
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Research Mentor(s):
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Nick Haddad/
Zoology
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Title of
Presentation:
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Larval
Development and Host Plant Preference in Neonympha areolata
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The Georgia Satyr (Neonympha areolata) is butterfly found throughout
the southeastern US that is closely related to the endangered Saint Francis
Satyr (Neonympha mitchellii francisci). N. m.
francisci has a very limited distribution,
restricted to locations on Fort
Bragg. While there have
been previous studies of adult N. areolata and N. m. francisci,
very little is know about the larvae of either species. We conducted a study
with N. areolata
larvae to establish rearing techniques and to investigate host plant preference
and behavior of the larvae. We collected eggs from N. areolata females found at Fort Bragg
during the two N. areolata flight periods in the
summer of 2006. We then reared the larvae on six different potential host plant
species of sedge or grass. For the larvae collected during the first flight
period we found that all the potential host plant species we tested were able
to support larvae to pupation. In addition we examined larval period and found
no significant difference between plant species. Also all the larvae appeared
to emerge as adults in a time period consistent with the time adults were
emerging in the wild. For the larvae collected during the second flight period
we found that all species of possible host plants tested had larvae survive
over winter. The rearing techniques developed in this study will be used this
summer in a similar project studying N.
m. francisci larvae. The information obtained
from this study could be directly applied to conservation of the N. m. francisci
through habitat restoration and augmentation.
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Student Author(s):
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Allen, Martin J.
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Department(s):
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Botany
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Research Mentor(s):
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QY (J)
Xian/Botany
DT
Thomas/Botany
R. Peet/Botany
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Title of
Presentation:
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A Molecular Systematic
and Phylogeographic Study of Nyssa sylvatica in Eastern
North America
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Nyssa sylvatica (Cornaceae) is a common
deciduous tree species found in temperate forests ranging in the eastern United
States from Maine to Florida and as far west as Texas. Commonly referred as a
black gum, N. sylvatica occurs in Piedmont, Coastal,
and Mountain ecosystems within the Carolinas.
Several varieties have been recognized for this species. However, the
morphological characters are inadequate to distinguish among the varieties ,
and between N. sylvatica and N. biflora,
which often overlap in geographical range. This study compares sequences of
five DNA regions from both chloroplast and nuclear genomes which contain 5673 base
pairs for 34 populations of N. sylvatica, N. biflora, and 13 populations from closely related species,
N. ogeche, N. ursina, N. sinensis to help clarify the taxonomy and to determine the
genetic break-up in space in the specie complex invovling
N.sylvatica. Phylogenetic
analyses of sequences from nuclear and chloroplast DNA regions both revealed
that plants from the same varieties do not group together and samples of N. biflora are nested among samples of N. sylvatica.
These results suggest the need of revision of taxonomy to de-recognition of the
varieties and N. biflora. The phylogenetic
pattern based on chloroplast and nuclear genes are different, suggesting
distinct patterns of gene flow via seeds and pollen in the species complex. The
gene genealogies suggest that the most ancestral living populations are from NC
and populations from the northern Appalaichian and Florida are derived,
suggesting both north and southward dispersals from NC. We found no apparent
genetic break-ups corresponding to habitats or geographic barriers. The pattern
found in N. sylvatica will be compared with those
found in other woody plants in the eastern US, the American beech (Fagus grandiflolia) and red maple
(Acer rubrum).
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Student Author(s):
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Anderson, C. Jane
Campbell, Heather M.
Remington, Jeremy D.
Rominger, Andrew J.
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Department(s):
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Fisheries and
Wildlife Sciences
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Research Mentor(s):
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Chris DePerno/Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences
Caitlin
Burke/Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences
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Title of
Presentation:
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Controversial
Discharge of Effluent by Hybrid Striped Bass Farmers in Eastern
North Carolina
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Hybrid striped bass (HSB) are a cross between the
striped bass Morone saxatilis
and the white bass M. chyrsops. HSB display a hybrid vigor
characterized by fast initial growth rates, resistance to disease, and
adaptability to formulated feeds, making them a superior candidate for
aquaculture. These positive attributes combined with a superior shelf life have
resulted in a rapidly expanding hybrid striped bass market. The growing market
for HSB has resulted in annual increases in production of HSB in both the U.S. and North
Carolina over the past twenty years. Our objective
was to interview and survey pertinent stakeholders regarding their opinions
concerning the release of effluent and its impact on aquatic environments.
Aquaculture facilities discharge water from HSB ponds to improve water quality,
remove parasites, and to facilitate the harvesting of fish. The water being
discharged from HSB facilities contains effluent comprised of nitrogenous
compounds, phosphorous, suspended solids, and organic matter, capable of
altering the water quality of receiving streams. If assimilated in a timely
manner these compounds are relatively harmless to aquatic organisms. However,
if allowed to accumulate over a period of time, negative ecological impacts can
occur. Currently, any aquaculture facility that produces over 100,000 lbs of
fish per year or discharges for more than 30 days per year is required to
obtain a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Due to
a lack of monitoring, it is unclear which fish farms are in compliance with the
NPDES. Many residents of eastern North
Carolina are supportive (82%) of fish farming, while
others are opposed (18%) to the practice. Furthermore, citizens feel that many
sources of point and non point source pollution are contributing to the
degradation of state waters. Of those surveyed, 35% felt phosphate mining was
the leading cause of water pollution while others felt agriculture (32%) and
other industries (11%) were responsible for the decline in water quality. Only
11% of the respondents surveyed felt that aquaculture was the leading source of
water pollution. As research advances our understanding of the inherent risks
of discharging effluent into our nation’s waters, future policy and regulatory
statutes must be frequently reviewed and revised to protect our aquatic
resources.
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Student Author(s):
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Anlyan, James M.
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Department(s):
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Parks,
Recreation, and Tourism Management
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Research Mentor(s):
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Carol
Kline/Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management
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Title of
Presentation:
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Best
Management Practices in Green Tourism: Examples from North Carolina
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Tourism in North
Carolina has grown significantly, especially in the
last five years. Many government agencies, non-profit organizations, civic
groups, economic development organizations, and educational institutions are
involved in tourism, however, there are no formal and macro-level programs that
address the environmental impacts of tourism specific to North Carolina. The research done for this
project will lay the groundwork for a larger and collaborative program to
encourage the Greening of NC Tourism. The first step was to create an inventory
of existing practices in tourism in North
Carolina. This inventory was categorized by the
various aspects of Greening Tourism: alternative energy, green construction,
transportation, carbon-offsetting, buy local programs, habitat protection and
resource management, educational and interpretation programs, certifications,
and even marketing. A survey was used to gather inventory information on green
tourism technologies and practices. This survey was then distributed to North
Carolina County Extension Directors, NCDENR representatives, conservation
organizations, NCSU College of Design faculty, and other relevant tourism
groups. The second step was to highlight four of the best management practices
in the state. This was accomplished by conducting e-mail, phone, and personal
interviews with appropriate North
Carolina State University faculty and other experts in
their fields. As a result of this research, a solid foundation of a tangible
directory of green practices in North
Carolina will be created. This will be an ongoing
process that will hopefully receive additions every year. Through this, we hope
to create awareness as to what green practices are going on in North Carolina.
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Student Author(s):
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Averett, Tyler W.
Burnett, Cody
Chadzutko, Michelle
Clark, David
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Department(s):
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Forestry
(Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences)
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Research Mentor(s):
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Chris DePerno/Forestry (Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences)
Caitlin
Burke/Forestry and Environmental Resources
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Title of
Presentation:
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Circle versus
J Hooks: Mortality, Catch Rates, and Conservation Efforts
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Circle hooks
were designed to enhance fishing conservation in recreational and commercial fisheries,
but little is known as to why this gear type has struggled to become popular.
The circle hook is a non-offset hook with the point turned perpendicularly back
to the shank unlike your traditional “J” shaped hook. Circle hooks can lower
gut hooking and fishing mortality from hook injury without decreasing catch
rates by hooking fish in the corner of the jaw. Recreational and commercial
fishermen were surveyed in North Carolina and Virginia to discover the
perspectives of J hooks versus circle hooks. The majority of respondents knew
the difference between a circle hook and J hook and strongly supported
advocating for fisheries conservation. Most of the key people surveyed would
not support mandatory legislation to outlaw J hooks for recreational fishermen.
However, J hook fisherman would switch to a circle hook if it lowered fish
mortality and was overall safer for the environment. Fishermen using J hooks
experienced negative effects (e.g. gut hooking, bleeding from gills, and dead
fish floating on the surface). Circle hook fishermen experienced similar
effects, but in fewer instances. If educational information was provided to
recreational fishermen on how to use circle hooks and the benefits on the
recreational and commercial fishery, circle hooks have the potential to gain
support leading to increased use.
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Student Author(s):
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Burkey, Mary T.
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Department(s):
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Forestry and
Environmental Resources
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Research Mentor(s):
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Terrie Litzenberger/Forestry and Environmental Resources
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Title of
Presentation:
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The
Industrial and Urban impacts on a Surface Water Stream
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One of the
creeks that flow into the Neuse River also runs through a large industrialized
piece of land called Garner Road Industrial Area (GRIA). This piece of land is
a designated Brownfield of the EPA. This means that it is possible to receive
grants to clean environmental contaminants in the area up, in hopes that the
land will be developed, and put to proper use. Because of this the City of Raleigh did several tests
on the area for pollution, along with this, records of several spills from
various companies, and leaks from underground storage tanks were found. Only a
few tests were performed on the creek. This creek is called Walnut Creek. My Mentors and I made it our
project to test the pollutants of Walnut
Creek, and how it has been impacted by the
industrialization. When analyzed for VOCs and Metals,
there were indications of lead, Methyltert-Butylether
(MTBE), Tetrachloroethene, Trichloroethene,
and cis-1,2-Dichloroethene present in the water. There were several other VOCs detected during the rain event too. Walnut Creek was analyzed for nutrients, and
standard field parameters such as turbidity as well. The nutrients indicated
urban runoff, but were within the guidelines set by the EPA. The standard field
parameters were also within the standards set by the EPA, as were the VOCs. However, past tests compared to our tests have shown
that there has been little decrease in the VOCs over
time, or as the water flows downstream. Some of these VOCs
may be able to be traced to polluted groundwater that may be the result of a
spill from the industry up gradient. Either way, the Creek is polluted, and the
VOCs and metals have proven to be a persistent
problem. The Creek should be monitored or cleaned up, along with the rest of
GRIA.
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Student Author(s):
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Cogdell, Benjamin E.
Hill, Chris
Lubejko, Matt
St.
Clair, Matt
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Department(s):
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College of Natural Resources
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Research Mentor(s):
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Caitlin Burke/Forestry
and Environmental Resources
Chris DePerno/Forestry and Environmental Resources
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Title of
Presentation:
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Roadside
Litter in Wake County: An Evaluation of Programs and
Public Perceptions
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Although litter
clean-up programs exist, litter is still a problem along the state-maintained
roadways in Wake County, NC. Our objectives were to assess the litter
clean-up programs in Wake County,
NC, to evaluate the public’s
knowledge and perceptions on litter clean-up programs, and to educate the
public on litter clean-up programs. In NC, two state agencies, Department of
Transportation, and Department of Corrections, administer volunteer programs
(e.g. Adopt-A-Highway, Litter Sweep, Keep America Beautiful, and Swat-A-Litterbug)
to manage roadside litter. We used a survey to evaluate the public’s perception
of roadside litter, and their perception of the litter clean-up programs. A
total of 64% of respondents believe roadside litter is a problem, yet only 36%
correctly identified who is responsible for clean-up. The public was most aware
and had the most participation of the Adopt-A-Highway program suggesting that
advertisement and communication increases program participation. The public can
play a role in prevention by participating in Swat-A-Litterbug program that
educates with the objective of preventing future littering. A majority of
respondents (55%) believe Waste Management is involved in litter clean-up.
Interestingly, Waste Management is a private corporation and is not responsible
for litter clean-up in Wake County,
NC. The results of our study
highlight the need for education necessary to improve public participation in
litter clean-up programs.
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Student Author(s):
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Draughn, Dustin L.
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Department(s):
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Marine, Earth
& Atmospheric Sciences
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Research Mentor(s):
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William J.
Showers/ Marine, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
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Title of
Presentation:
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Water Quality
Changes Associated with the Rocky Branch Restoration Project
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In 1978 the
Division of Water Quality (DWQ) classified Rocky Branch as the state’s most
polluted urban stream. North Carolina Sea Grant and NC State University are
implementing a three-phase stream restoration and greenway plan. The NCSU
Stable Isotope Lab has sampled Rocky Branch Creek before and during this
restoration project. Sediment and nutrient fluxes in Rocky Branch are event
driven, which means that storm flows transport the bulk of pollutants and
sediments downstream to Walnut Creek.
Urban creeks typically have compressed hydrographs and flashy discharge and
flooding patterns. Rocky Branch had been channelized
and suffered from erosion which caused bank failures. During the restoration
project meanders and bends were created in the stream along with riffle and
pool structures. Comparison of rainfall event flows from 2004 and 2007 show
that the C/N ratios of sediments in the stream have dropped, as well as the
nitrate and chloride concentrations. The amount of atmospheric runoff as
measured by 17O-NO3 also shows declines after restoration took place. The
sediment load has not decreased substantially, but the lower C/N ratio of
particles indicates that there are better food sources available to benthic
invertebrates and fish that live in the stream. Overflow pools in the flood
plain retain storm water, which is released during falling discharge, and show
a much different hydrograph than before the stream channel was connected to the
floodplain.
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Student Author(s):
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Fairey, Donta' J.
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Department(s):
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Center for Earth
Observation Forestry and Environmental Resources
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Research Mentor(s):
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Stacy A. C.
Nelson/Forestry and Environmental Resources
Justin M. Shedd/Forestry and Environmental Resources
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Title of
Presentation:
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Implementation
of a GIS Technique for Predicting Unidentified Wetlands along the Blue Ridge Parkway
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The Blue Ridge
Parkway (BRP) is a part of the US National Park Service system which contains
many natural resources that are important to ecological and environmental
productivity. The preservation of natural resources is one of the essential
goals of the National Park Service and having accurate spatial data is
imperative in order to meet this goal. The parkway extends 469 miles through Virginia and North
Carolina and contains a wide variety of natural
resources, one of which is wetlands. Furthermore, accurate spatial data lays
the groundwork for future studies, allowing land managers to monitor changes
that occur over time. The monitoring and assessment of wetland systems within park
boundaries present logistical challenges to the National Park Service due to
their widely distributed locations within local watersheds, and the budgetary
expense, labor and time required surveying these systems over large areas.
These wetlands are home to several threatened, endangered, and rare species,
some species of which are only found along the BRP. The objective of this
project is to develop an effective means of predicting previously unidentified
wetland sites across the Blue Ridge parkway
based on current wetland characteristics. Eighty-Three wetlands within the Blue Ridge Parkway
in North Carolina and Virginia were delineated using the ESRI Arc
Hydro extension tool, using LiDAR elevation date
coupled with pre-identified wetland shape files. All wetlands share the
following in common: water, soil, and plant-life. Modeling variables were
developed from watershed and hydrologic characteristics. Model results are
aimed at facilitating the National Park Service’s inventorying and monitoring
initiatives within the BRP.
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Student Author(s):
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Reeb, Carter W.
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Department(s):
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Environmental
Technology
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Research Mentor(s):
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Elizabeth G.
Nichols/Forestry/Environmental Technology
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Title of
Presentation:
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Use of
Sediment Polarity to Predict Release of Petroleum Contaminants in Vegetated
or Non-vegetated Sediment
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Polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are released to the
environment from anthropogenic sources such as biomass combustion or improper
disposal of petroleum products. PAHs are toxic,
mutagenic, and carcinogenic; they are also non-polar, which explains why they
strongly bind to soils and sediment. Plants are the major source of organic
matter to soil and sediment and can alter the overall composition of sediment
and, thus, affect PAH binding to sediment (sorption) or PAH release from
sediment (desorption). Ideally, the presence of
plants would alter SOM and enhance the release of PAHs
for microbial degradation. Prior research has shown that more PAHs are released from petroleum-contaminated sediment
vegetated with Phragmites australis
than non-vegetated PAH-contaminated sediment. I determined if any link exists
between enhanced PAH release from Phragmites sediment
and sediment composition by determining the “polarity” of the sediment using
elemental analyses. A “polarity index” measure changes to the ratio of oxygen
(O), nitrogen (N), and carbon (C), (PI) = [(O+N)/C]. Other studies have shown
that the polarity index can predict the uptake or release of PAHs from sediments; sediments with increased PI indices
exhibit reduced PAH sorption to SOM and enhanced PAH dissolution into water. I
hypothesized that if Phragmites sediment desorbs more
PAHs than non-vegetated sediments, then Phragmites sediments are more polar and have greater
polarity indices (PI) than non-vegetated sediments.
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Student Author(s):
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Scarborough, Latisha
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Department(s):
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Parks
Recreation Tourism Management
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Research Mentor(s):
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Myron
Floyd/Parks Recreation Toursim Management
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Title of
Presentation:
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Generation X:
What Are We Purchasing that Is Environmentally Friendly or Harmful?
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I surveyed a
sample group from, Garner
Magnet High
School, asking them about which organic and
non-organic products they would buy, and why? I chose this topic because it
seems that we are slowly, but surely, depleting the earth’s natural resources.
When you buy organic food products, you are reducing your risk of exposure to
pesticides and additives. The reason for doing this research is to get people
around my age to stop hurting the earth, and to stop abusing their bodies. We
are buying products, that are not only causing a world epidemic, such as
obesity, but we are putting pesticides, herbicides, chemical toxins and other
harmful bacterias in our body, which our immune
system cannot fight off. I chose tenth-graders through twelfth-graders to do
the survey. I picked two underclassmen classes and two upperclassmen classes,
each having a mix of races, genders, and ages, to do my survey. A majority of
the participants were either thinking about the taste or the price of the
products, but some participants were choosing by the way the products looked.
Another research group did a similar survey and found that women bought more
organic products than men, and that women look at everything, and men, sort of
keep it simple. However, in some cases, I found that men cared more about the
environment when buying products, when compared to women. If this survey was a
“test” survey to help me find out what is more important to survey, I would
probably change some of the products, that I chose to put on the list, and I
would have probably condensed the survey. I would have chosen more organic
produce products, and I would have even put some meat products on my survey.
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Student Author(s):
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Shepherd, Amy
Carver, Ross
Church, Jarid
Turner, Melissa
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Department(s):
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Forestry
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Research Mentor(s):
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Caitlin
Burke/Forestry and Environmental Resources
Chris DePerno/Forestry and Environmental Resources
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Title of
Presentation:
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Trashed: The
Mounting Problem of Municipal Waste
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Waste
generation is increasing in North
Carolina and across the nation. Production of
waste-generating products is associated with pollution from mining and high
quantities of energy needed to manufacture new commodities. Recycling is one
possible solution to this problem. Nationally, recycling diverts 32.1% of
waste, resulting in less energy required to make new products and reduced leaching
and emissions from landfills. Our objectives were to evaluate problems
associated with waste and the public’s attitude about recycling. In 1991, North Carolina set a
goal of cutting municipal solid waste by 40% because of difficulty in selecting
sites for landfills and municipalities facing legal challenges from
Not-In-My-Back-Yard groups. However, per capita waste generation has increased
21% since 1991. In most communities, recycling costs more than landfilling, but the costs are decreasing. Incentive
programs such as deposit-refund systems can resolve some of the economic
challenges of recycling. We evaluated recycling participation in neighborhoods
with low, medium and high average home values across Raleigh. Also, we conducted a house-to-house
survey of attitudes in Southwest Raleigh.
Recycling rates were highest where home values were highest and lowest where
home values were lowest. The primary motivation for recycling was its perceived
environmental benefits followed by reducing waste in landfills. Recycling uses
energy and resources, but it has been shown to reduce pollution from landfills
and use less energy overall than making items from raw materials. Consumers can
encourage development of recycled materials markets by purchasing recycled goods,
which will contribute to development of better technology and efficiency in
recycling technology.
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Student Author(s):
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Shupp, Su Ann
Hughes, Preston
Stephenson, Adam
Summerlin, Christopher
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Department(s):
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Fisheries and
Wildlife Sciences
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Research Mentor(s):
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Caitlin
Burke/Forestry and Environmental Resources
Chris DePerno/Forestry and Environmental Resources
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Title of
Presentation:
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Feral
Hogs/Wild Boars in North Carolina
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Exotic species can
negatively impact the native flora and fauna of an area. This study will
examine the history, background, and impact of feral hogs/ wild boar (Sus scrofa) in North Carolina. Expansion of range,
population growth, and hunting are three important matters that currently exist
regarding feral hogs/wild boar. Potential impacts of feral hog and wild boar
expansion include: car accidents, destroying agriculture, landscape, wetland
areas, habitat, resource competition, potential diseases, and a threat to humans
such as physical harm. We administered a six question survey evaluating public
knowledge about feral hogs/wild boar in