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Comparing the effects of elevated temperatures on flowering of a foundation species in natural versus restored marshes
No full textGlobally, many plants are experiencing elevated temperatures as a result of climate change, which can affect survival, growth, and reproduction and have far-reaching impacts on populations and communities, particularly in plant-dominated ecosystems. In addition, these effects may vary depending on whether a system is composed mainly of a natural population that has existed for decades with minimal human interference versus a restored population that has been created or modified by human activity. Here, we focus on the effects of ambient versus elevated temperatures on the reproduction of Spartina alterniflora, a foundation species in natural versus restored salt marshes, to predict the effects of climate change on a key component of population dynamics – flower production and seed germination. We conducted a field mesocosm experiment exposing Spartina in 3-4 natural versus 3-4 restored marshes to ambient and elevated temperatures during the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons, collecting flowers in the fall of each year to compare flower quality and seed germination of Spartina. We found differences in flower quality (i.e., length and weight) depending on marsh status and temperature treatment, with larger flowers from restored versus natural marshes and larger flowers from ambient versus warmed treatments. In addition, seed germination rate varied depending on marsh status and temperature treatment. These results have important implications for salt marsh resilience under climate change, as Spartinareproduction is critical for maintaining genetic diversity and adaptive potential of populations of this foundation species
Decoding Dolphin Dynamics: Observing Object Play Among Bottlenose Dolphins
No full textWhereas several studies focused on object play in dolphins, few have examined details about observers, i.e., individuals just watching the play event without participating. It has been suggested that calves and juveniles are more likely to observe others engaging in object play, but not enough evidence has been collected. Object play among bottlenose dolphins at the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences was documented from 28 sessions recorded underwater. 692 object play events including observers were analyzed, involving 18 dolphins. We expected calf and juvenile dolphins to be the most frequent observers and longer play bouts to attract a greater number of observing dolphins. Data analyses showed that juveniles were the most frequent observers. However, there was not enough evidence to support the idea of longer play bouts (30-70 s) having a greater chance of attracting observers than shorter bouts (0-30 s). Our result showed that even though juvenile dolphins seem to observe object play more than any other age group, further analyses are required to determine if juveniles are more likely to become actors in the future based on their role as observers
Colt Manufacturing Co.- Samuel Colt
No full textSamuel Colt was a Hartford inventor. On February 25, 1836, Samuel Colt received a patent for a \u27revolving gun.\u27 Both Union and Confederacy soldiers of the Civil War purchased firearms from Colt. His CT factory, Colt Patent Fire-Arms Manufacturing Company was the largest privately owned manufacturing plant in the world. The Colt .45 Peacemaker was manufactured there and became known as \u27the gun that won the West.\u27https://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/didyouknow/1035/thumbnail.jp
Spectrum, Volume 55, Issue 7
No full textHighlights include: New Scholarship to Support Engineering Students -- The Look of Sustainability -- Springing into Registration -- Effect of Social Media on Mental Health -- Say Yes to the Dress: SHU Students at NYCBFW -- Bovardi Breaks Record as Playoffs Nea