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Data Submission Package for Manuscript 'Alaska as a failed socio and ecological state? Some supporting evidence from the absence of carnivorous plant trait conservation using open access and ensemble model predictions'
No full textPlants with carnivorous traits are of great importance. However, it is globally noticed that without effective conservation, a declining number of suitable habitats, and the wide destruction of currently realized niches, their future does not appear bright. In a region that had all possibilities to “get things right” upon its statehood being granted in 1959, Alaska has, up to the present moment, consistently fallen short in stabilizing an effective conservation system for this group of plant traits and its habitats. Coupled with many other socio-ecological issues that persist from the colonial and industrial past and worsen over time, as well as the rise of new issues such as global climate change and “the great acceleration,” Alaska presents virtually all the typical indicators of a failed socio-ecological state (as a term used by The World Bank). For a wider assessment, here we compiled all Open Access data in the public realm related to eight carnivorous plant species in Alaska and overlaid them for an assessment with nine predictor layers. Beyond raw data, we developed ensemble models serving the purpose of indicating generalized hotspots and coldspots of plants with carnivorous traits, also using citizen-science occurrence data. Further, we analyzed the predicted occurrence with the underlaying land ownership/use types as well as mining claims as an example of a leading industrial activity. Alaska actually hosts the majority of the US National Park System, but we find the majority of carnivorous plants located outside, and a higher predicted occurrence within officially designated mining areas than outside. In our assessment, we see no relevant policy, vision, efficient action, or principles of strategic conservation management applied to plants and their traits, specifically carnivorous plants in Alaska and its leadership. Judged by the major socio-ecological metrics, it confirms evidence that Alaska does not present basic performance metrics of good natural resource management, and thus it would meet the definition of a failed state
Alaska Misdemeanor Assault Arrest Rates, by Sex: 1985-2022
Full text linkThis fact sheet presents Alaska misdemeanor assault arrest rates per 100,000 males and 100,000 females, from 1985-2022
STARTRAM - Sensor Technology for Alaska Rural communities Targeting Remote Atmospheric Monitoring
Full text linkMentor: Dayne Broderson
STARTRAM explores and evaluates environmental sensor platforms that are suitable for reliable cold-climate deployments and educational contexts to support ongoing and future environmental monitoring initiatives. Methodology includes both qualitative analysis and experimental testing to identify strengths, weaknesses, and relevant niches of sensor technologies
Mapping Buildings and Structures Using a Rover with an Attached LiDAR System
Full text linkMentor: Dr. Richard Wies, Jr., The project is an semi autonomous rover to navigate and create a 3D map of a building. The goal is to develop a fully autonomous mapping system for preservation, inspection, and exploration of structures
Unearthing the History of Plant Utilization: An Analysis of Botanical Remains Collected from the Chena Townsite
No full textMentors: Dr. Justin Cramb & Lisa Strecker; Participating in site excavation, I investigated the historical plant-use practices of Chena Townsite settlers (1902-1921) by identifying archaeological plant remains obtained from the site. By fusing archeological findings and archival sources (APRCA) with contemporary ethnobotanical practices, this project aimed to vividly depict the evolving ethnobotanical landscape of Interior Alaska
Parasympathetic activity and heart rate in hibernating black bears
Full text linkMentor: Dr. Oivind Toien; This poster presents preliminary results from electrocardiogram data collected from three American black bears for one season between 2008 and 2009. We examine maximum R-R interval and compare parasympathetic activity (measured using RMSSD/RRI) and average heart rate in hibernation and in summer
Mitochondrial complex I function during different physiological states in black bear tissues
Full text linkMentor: Dr. Sarah Rice; My project is on determining the activity in mitochondrial complex I of spring, summer, and hibernating black bear tissue to further understand mitochondrial function during unique states of metabolic suppression in bears
Spatial distribution of genetic diversity within Labrador Tea
Full text linkMentor: Dr. Diana Wolf; Arctic plant species are great model organisms for understanding climate change as they are some of the first to experience its effects. DNA sequencing and analysis of two Labrador Tea species, Rhododendron groenlandicum and Rhododendron tomentosum will provide an overview of their population ranges and possible changes in parts of Alaska, Canada and Russia. Additionally, the project will delve into the possible hybridization of these species in Alaska as previously seen in Canada, or possible environmental reasons for its lack thereof
Total Mercury (Hg) in seabird muscle tissue with respect to 3 auklet species in the Aleutian Islands
No full textMentor: Stephanie Crawford; I'll be looking at the total mercury (THg in ug/g) of 3 seabird species from muscle tissue samples, the Crested Auklet, Least Auklet, and Parakeet Auklet. From that data, I'll summarize my findings into a poster and discuss some patterns or differences if they arise
Predictive modeling of Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) nesting in urbanized subarctic Alaska using GIS Open Access data and Machine Learning
No full textOspreys (Pandion haliætus) are migratory raptors with a global distribution, connecting tropical and subarctic ecosystems along respective flyways. Their populations are poorly managed and, although ospreys are among the most studied raptor, a lack of relevant information remains, while ospreys affect the wider landscape in strong ways. Here, we provide the first open access data and open-source GIS application of an ensemble of five Machine Learning (ML) algorithms (TreeNet, CART, RandomForest, MARS, and Maxent) to analyze the nesting ecology for this species in Alaska, with a special focus on 16 known nests in the municipality of Fairbanks. We used three predictors to determine nest site suitability and produce the first predictive ecological niche model during breeding season (summer). Our model results align with citizen science data, supporting nest site inference. Nest sites are strongly associated with waterbodies, specifically stocked lakes and are usually located near roads on powerline poles. Beyond habitat preferences, we find that ospreys are shot and stressed along the flyway. In Alaska, no specific management beyond the Migratory Bird Act (MBA) exists. The absence of a breeding bird atlas and data, hinders informed conservation planning for anthropogenic climate change, especially in the subarctic breeding hotspot of Fairbanks. Our findings underscore the need for a comprehensive, cross-border, science-based conservation framework that accommodates sustainable activities, climate change adaptation, and species protection.Ye