SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
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Small Mammal Consumption of Hypogeous Fungi in the Central Adirondacks of New York
Get PDFThere have been many accounts of small mammals consuming and dispersing subterranean (hypogeous) fungi, yet few studies have been conducted in the Northeastern United States. For this reason, we analyzed several small mammal species including deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), southern red-backed vole (Myodes gapperi), eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) and short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda) to determine the extent of fungal consumption in the central Adirondack Mountains in New York. Analysis of several other species caught infrequently during the study included smoky shrews (Sorex fumeus) woodland jumping mouse (Napaeozapus insignis) and northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus). Examination of 61 fecal samples revealed fungal spores of the hypogeous fungi Glomus spp. and Russulaceae with one sample from eastern chipmunk containing Gautieria and one sample from flying squirrel containing spores of the family Boletaceae and Elaphomycetaceae not found in other samples. We found Russulaceae spores in 66% of eastern chipmunks and 35.7% of red-backed voles. Glomus spores occurred in 35.7% of red-backed voles, 16% of eastern chipmunks, 10% of short-tailed shrews and 5% of deer mice. Comparisons of fungal and insect items to sex, area and species resulted in few statistically significant differences (p \u3e 0.05). However, we believe the data shows biological significance of hypogeous fungi thus, wildlife managers should consider mycophagy when addressing the overall health of forest ecosystems in the Northeast
The Role of genes PA2003 -- PA2005 in the Metabolism of D--3--Hydroxybutyrate in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1
Get PDFPolyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are a common family of biodegradable plastics that are used to create a variety of bulk-‐commodity plastics. Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) belongs to the PHA family of bioplastics and has been the most widely studied PHA member. As presence of biodegradable plastics, such as PHB, become more prevalent in everyday products, it is of increasing interest to understand how these plastics are being degraded in the natural environment. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common soil bacterium that exhibits the ability to degrade PHB and use the monomer of this polymer, D-‐3-‐ hydroxybutyrate (D-‐3-‐HB), as a carbon source. P. aeruginosa converts D-‐3-‐HB into acetoacetate through the enzymatic action of the cytosolic protein D-‐3-‐hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (BdhA). Directly adjacent to the bdhA gene within the P. aeruginosa genome are the PA2004 and PA2005 genes, the three of which are all believed to be the primary genes involved in D-‐3-‐HB metabolism. Using mutant strains of P. aeruginosa lacking the function of the bdhA, PA2004, or PA2005 genes, complementation assays were performed to determine the role of these genes in D-‐3-‐HB metabolism. The experimental results proved that the PA2004 gene codes for a putative transporter protein responsible for the uptake of D-‐3-‐HB into the cell and the PA2005 gene encodes an enhancer binding protein that mediates expression of the bdhA-‐PA2004 gene operon. Characterization of PA2005 gene function, as well as the putative transporter of D-‐3-‐HB, encoded by the PA2004 gene, has provided insight into the genetic and metabolic processes responsible for PHB degradation by P. aeruginosa
Factors affecting primary production and respiration in small forested pools Heiberg Forest, Tully, NY
Get PDFSmall permanent to semi-permanent wetland pools were at one point very abundant in northern temperate regions. Due to habitat degradation there has been a drastic decrease in their numbers. Construction of vernal pools is becoming more common to replace lost pools and help conserve these specialized habitats for abundant and endangered amphibian species. There is little study of factors regulating ecosystem processes in pools, even though factors regulating autochthonous production or respiration levels may affect amphibian success. A subset of 26 (72 total) constructed vernal pools in a mixed second growth forest (Heiberg Forest, Tully, NY) were measured for primary productivity (GPP, NPP) and respiration. It was hypothesized that conditions which reduced light in the water column would be negatively correlated with autochtonous production as estimated by both algal biomass and primary production in the water column, and that higher respiration would be correlated with higher DOC concentrations which should promote heterotrophic bacterial growth. Surprisingly although canopy cover was relatively high and uniform (82 + 4.2% SD), chlorophyll a was relatively high, similar to levels in mesotrophic lakes, and average GPP for all pools was positive, although variable (1.2 + 5.2 mg C m-3 day -1). Average net primary productivity in the pools was negative, although 7 of the 26 pools had positive NPP, suggesting net autotrophy for some of the pools in summer. No simple correlations between NPP or algal biomass and any other measured parameter were significant. Similarly, higher respiration rates in pools were not correlated with DOC concentrations, perhaps because DOC was surprisingly low. Ongoing work in collaboration with other scientists is evaluating additional factors and multivariate models that may help explain differences in autochthonous production and respiration among these constructed vernal pools. Pools with net autochthony and allochthony will also be examined for differences in amphibian breeding success measured by other collaborating scientists
Potential oviposition attractants of Culiseta melanura, the principal vector of eastern equine encephalitis
Get PDFOlfactory cues emanating from oviposition sites have strong potential as management tools for insect pests. The mosquito Culiseta melanura is the principal vector of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and utilizes regionally specific oviposition sites. In the Northeast, these are usually red maple crypts . Volatile organic compounds were collected from red-maple crypts occupied by C. melanura. In the laboratory, these volatiles were then assessed in a behavioral bioassay to determine attraction of female C. melanura. Thirty-seven percent of C. melanura test subjects responded positively to volatiles, none responded to controls, and the other eighty-percent were unresponsive. These results suggest an olfactory role in oviposition site selection in C. melanura; however further testing with more robust sample sizes should be conducted. The threat of EEE transmission from this vector to mammalian hosts including humans is serious and control measures based on environmentally benign semiochemicals rather than insecticides should be developed
Harvesting Shrub Willow Biomass Crops (2014)
No full textHarvesting Shrub Willow Biomass Crops with a New Holland Agriculture 9000 series Forage Harvester and FB 130 Woody Crops Cutting Headerhttps://digitalcommons.esf.edu/hvstgal/1000/thumbnail.jp
Development and Deployment of a Short Rotation Woody Crops Harvesting System Based on a Case New Holland Forage Harvester and SRC Woody Crop Header
No full textBiomass for bioproducts and bioenergy can be sourced from forests, agricultural crops, various residue streams, and dedicated woody or herbaceous crops (USDOE 2011). Woody biomass feedstocks have advantages in the northeastern US where forests occupy 67.4% of the land area (Smith et al. 2007), agricultural production has been in a 20-year decline, and agricultural crop residues are in limited supply because of the high demand for herbaceous forage by the dairy industry. Woody biomass is available year-round from multiple sources, so end users are not dependent on a single source of material or a narrow harvest window; this ensures a year-round feedstock supply, reduces the risk of dramatic price fluctuations, and eliminates the need for complicated and expensive long-term storage of material, which has the added benefit of preserving the quality attributes of the feedstock. As perennial cropping systems, both natural forests and short rotation woody crops (SRWC), like willow (Salix spp.) and hybrid poplar (Populus spp.), produce environmental and rural economic development benefits beyond a renewable source of biomass
Bylaws for Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences (GPES)
Get PDFThe Graduate Program in Environmental Science (GPES) is an interdepartmental graduate program housed within the Division of Environmental Science. The Division is overseen by the Director of the Division. The GPES program is overseen by the Director of GPES
Natural Resource Biometrics
No full textNatural Resources Biometrics begins with a review of descriptive statistics, estimation, and hypothesis testing. The following chapters cover one- and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), including multiple comparison methods and interaction assessment, with a strong emphasis on application and interpretation. Simple and multiple linear regressions in a natural resource setting are covered in the next chapters, focusing on correlation, model fitting, residual analysis, and confidence and prediction intervals. The final chapters cover growth and yield models, volume and biomass equations, site index curves, competition indices, importance values, and measures of species diversity, association, and community similarity
A Test for Genetic Variation for Resistance to Effects of Seawater Acidification on the Skeletal Development of Sea Urchin Larvae
Get PDFRising levels of atmospheric CO2 are altering global ocean chemistry, including a decline in the pH of surface waters. Under more acidified conditions, marine organisms that build shells and skeletons are under increasing risk of a reduction in their ability to deposit calcium carbonate. Relatively little is known about genetic variation in the capacity of organisms to respond to such effects. We examined skeletal growth in larval sea urchins to examine genetic variation in their sensitivity to elevated CO2 under exposure at two life history stages: at fertilization, and during larval development. Using gametes of the purple-spined sea urchin (Arbacia puncutlata), we carried out single-pair crosses in blocks of3 males x 3 females for a total of 9 sibships, repeated over 7 blocks. Fertilizations were done in seawater saturated at either current (392 ppm) or 2.5x-current (980 ppm) CO2, and the resulting embryos from each cross were reared over 3 days to four-arm larvae under each of the same two CO2 conditions. Nine landmarks on larvae were used to calculate both skeletal and soft body measurements. Exposure to elevated CO2 during larval development significantly reduced the length of the postoral arms and body rods and increased postoral arm asymmetry. Surprisingly, exposure to elevated CO2 during fertilization also reduced the subsequent growth of anterolateral arms, body rods, and body length. We found significant additive and non-additive genetic variation for growth of certain characters but no evidence of genetic variation for the effects of elevated CO2 on growth. These results suggest that this population may not have the genetic capacity for an evolutionary response to elevated CO2 under predicted near-future conditions
