23 research outputs found
Tracking erosion reduction activities on private lands in the Van Duzen River watershed, California, with GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
No full textThesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Natural Resources: Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, 2014National water quality targets have been identified and implemented through the Total\ud
Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) process, and resulting watershed restoration helps mitigate the causes and effects of water pollution. Monitoring progress towards TMDL targets via watershed restoration is a vital accounting step for future conservation and\ud
adaptive regulation. To support tracking of restoration projects, I developed a Microsoft\ud
Access/Esri ArcMap geodatabase tool to monitor road upgrade accomplishments of one watershed group and their success in the implementation of the Van Duzen River Sediment TMDL. The geodatabase tool was designed to facilitate planning, track\ud
implementation, and produce summary reports which were presented to the watershed\ud
group and North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board staff. Both groups confirmed that the resulting tool was an appropriate and effective method to summarize\ud
effects of restoration and to demonstrate achievement towards meeting the TMDL targets. This tool can serve as a framework around which other watershed groups can organize and use to track their efforts and progress toward meeting water quality targets
Effects of bulk density and soil strength on the growth of blue wildrye (Elymus glaucus Buckl.)
No full textThesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Natural Resources, Rangeland Resources and Wildland Soils, 2006The effects of soil compaction on plant productivity have frequently been studied in the context of agriculture, but less information exists about this relationship in the context of rangeland resources. Domestic livestock grazing has been cited as contributing to soil compaction and loss of native species on rangelands. This study used a greenhouse experiment to identify the effects of soil compaction on the productivity of seedlings of Elymus glaucus Buckl. (blue wildrye), a native perennial grass. Compaction was characterized by bulk density and by soil strength as a function of bulk density and water content. Plants were grown in three levels of bulk density (1.00, 1.25, and 1.55 g cm-3) at three water potentials (-33, -500, and -1500 kPa). Shoot production increased significantly at high water potential and moderate bulk density (ANOVA, p<0.05). Root production decreased significantly at high bulk density and low water potential (ANOVA, p<0.05). Soil strengths exceeding 3 MPa and 6 MPa were present in treatments producing the greatest shoot and root biomass, respectively. Similar, intermediate levels of production occurred across the range of bulk densities in this study and across a wide range of soil strength, suggesting that no threshold bulk density or soil strength exists that limits E. glaucus production. Biomass production was greatest when water was readily available. Negative effects of highly compacted soils were often less severe when water was available. This suggests the importance of water in biomass production as well as in the ability of plants to tolerate compacted soil. In field settings, where water availability may be highly variable, soil compaction as it affects water availability to plants may be more important in influencing E. glaucus establishment than physical impedance itself
Viability of wastewaster-derived algae as a source of nitrogen fertilizer
No full textThesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Natural Resources: Wildland Soil Science, 2009Wastewater algae were harvested from the dissolved air flotation unit at the Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Plant in Sunnyvale, CA, to determine algal biomass suitability as a source of plant nutrition, specifically nitrogen. AlgaRhythms, Inc., an Arcata-based company, is interested in utilizing algae from treatment plants to further the development of wastewater algae as a fertilizer for use in retail markets. \ud
The experiment compared the suitability of wastewater algae as a fertilizer by comparing dry shoot biomass production, total Kjeldahl nitrogen content of leaf tissue, and mineralizable nitrogen content of growth medium to inorganic, organic, and commercial fertilizers. Annual ryegrass, Lolium multiflorum, and Wisconsin Fast Plants, Brassica rapa, were used as indicator organisms in a greenhouse potted plant study. Application rates of algae and other nitrogen sources were 111, 222, and 445 kg N ha-1, along with four control groups that tested interactions with phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients. \ud
After 28 days of growth, Lolium multiflorum showed significant differences between fertilizers and application rates, with regard to dry biomass yield, but very little difference was shown in the mineralizable nitrogen in the potting medium or in the total Kjeldahl nitrogen content of the leaves. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy images of algal biomass were obtained to visually characterize isolated algae.\ud
While lower application rates of algal biomass were not competitive with other fertilizers when considering yield, the highest application rate was similar to the\ud
\ud
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444 kg N ha-1 inorganic and commercial treatments, and the lowest application rate of organic fertilizer. With its slower mineralization rate, wastewater algae have the potential to be a useful fertilizer especially where nitrate leaching is common. The algal fertilizer also contains high levels of carbon, which could help depleted soils improve organic matter levels while providing a source of fertility
Viability of wastewaster-derived algae as a source of nitrogen fertilizer
No full textWastewater algae were harvested from the dissolved air flotation unit at the Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Plant in Sunnyvale, CA, to determine algal biomass suitability as a source of plant nutrition, specifically nitrogen. AlgaRhythms, Inc., an Arcata-based company, is interested in utilizing algae from treatment plants to further the development of wastewater algae as a fertilizer for use in retail markets. The experiment compared the suitability of wastewater algae as a fertilizer by comparing dry shoot biomass production, total Kjeldahl nitrogen content of leaf tissue, and mineralizable nitrogen content of growth medium to inorganic, organic, and commercial fertilizers. Annual ryegrass, Lolium multiflorum, and Wisconsin Fast Plants, Brassica rapa, were used as indicator organisms in a greenhouse potted plant study. Application rates of algae and other nitrogen sources were 111, 222, and 445 kg N ha-1, along with four control groups that tested interactions with phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients. After 28 days of growth, Lolium multiflorum showed significant differences between fertilizers and application rates, with regard to dry biomass yield, but very little difference was shown in the mineralizable nitrogen in the potting medium or in the total Kjeldahl nitrogen content of the leaves. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy images of algal biomass were obtained to visually characterize isolated algae. While lower application rates of algal biomass were not competitive with other fertilizers when considering yield, the highest application rate was similar to the 444 kg N ha-1 inorganic and commercial treatments, and the lowest application rate of organic fertilizer. With its slower mineralization rate, wastewater algae have the potential to be a useful fertilizer especially where nitrate leaching is common. The algal fertilizer also contains high levels of carbon, which could help depleted soils improve organic matter levels while providing a source of fertility.Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Natural Resources: Wildland Soil Science, 200
Tracking erosion reduction activities on private lands in the Van Duzen River watershed, California, with GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
No full textNational water quality targets have been identified and implemented through the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) process, and resulting watershed restoration helps mitigate the causes and effects of water pollution. Monitoring progress towards TMDL targets via watershed restoration is a vital accounting step for future conservation and adaptive regulation. To support tracking of restoration projects, I developed a Microsoft Access/Esri ArcMap geodatabase tool to monitor road upgrade accomplishments of one watershed group and their success in the implementation of the Van Duzen River Sediment TMDL. The geodatabase tool was designed to facilitate planning, track implementation, and produce summary reports which were presented to the watershed group and North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board staff. Both groups confirmed that the resulting tool was an appropriate and effective method to summarize effects of restoration and to demonstrate achievement towards meeting the TMDL targets. This tool can serve as a framework around which other watershed groups can organize and use to track their efforts and progress toward meeting water quality targets.Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Natural Resources: Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, 201
Predicting phosphorus retention in two Haplohumult forest soils of northern California
No full textPlant available phosphorus (P) occurs in anionic forms which become unavailable (retained) when iron and aluminum oxides form insoluble phosphate complexes. P-retention is especially likely to occur under acid conditions in soils containing short range order (SRO; poorly crystalline) materials, namely allophane and imogolite. This set of characteristics is common in volcanic-derived forest soils in Pacific Northwest timber regions. P-retention was investigated in Powellton (Fine-loamy, parasesquic, mesic Andic Haplohumults) and Aiken (Fine, parasesquic, mesic Xeric Haplohumults) soil series from Feather Falls and Whitmore "Garden of Eden" sites, respectively. Some soils received heavy fertilization over multiple years; another set of unfertilized soils were compared as a control. Results show that pHNaF (indicator of SRO materials), soil carbon, and New Zealand P-retention decreased with soil depth in both soils. In near-surface horizons, Feather Falls soil had higher pHNaF, carbon content, and P-retention than the Whitmore soil. Unexpected high P-retention at Feather Falls is probably due to the presence of P-fixing organo-metal complexes in Feather Falls surface horizons. TheWhitmore soil shows higher pHNaF and P-retention than Feather Falls in deep horizons. At Whitmore, the drop in P-retention with depth is attributed to decreasing SRO minerals deeper in the profile; at Feather Falls, a simultaneous drop in carbon and SRO minerals contributes to the pattern of P-retention with depth. Fertilized surface soils at Feather Falls showed ten percent less P-retention than unfertilized soils at that site. Fertilization did not affect P-retention at Whitmore. pHNaF was the single best predictor of P-retention, with other important factors including depth, soil carbon, and soil "redness" (a quantitative measure representing iron content) in a mixed-effects regression of P-retention for these soils.Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Natural Resources: Forest, Watershed and Wildland Sciences, 201
Assessment of shipping costs and transportation issues of delivered bulk compost
No full textBulk compost is considered a low-cash value commodity produced by a young and competitive industry in California. One of the barriers associated with marketing this material to help meet state-mandated landfill diversion rates is transportation. A common anecdotal assertion is that a 50-mile (80-kilometer) transportation boundary exists after which point it becomes difficult to market compost. To determine if this barrier is legitimate and to understand other factors that influence delivered compost sales, five compost facility managers in California were interviewed for this project, and customer location and sales information were collected for one year. Results of the study show that collected data support the 50-mile barrier assertion. In addition to calculating distances of delivered compost, statistical analysis was performed to test the null hypotheses that shipping charges paid per yard are not different between customer types or facilities. Results of the analysis indicate there are significant differences between average shipping costs paid by different customer types and between facilities. However, data from only two facilities should not be used to infer statewide results. More interestingly, interviews with the facility managers revealed considerably varied attitudes concerning transportation.Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, 200
Effects of bulk density and soil strength on the growth of blue wildrye (Elymus glaucus Buckl.)
No full textThe effects of soil compaction on plant productivity have frequently been studied in the context of agriculture, but less information exists about this relationship in the context of rangeland resources. Domestic livestock grazing has been cited as contributing to soil compaction and loss of native species on rangelands. This study used a greenhouse experiment to identify the effects of soil compaction on the productivity of seedlings of Elymus glaucus Buckl. (blue wildrye), a native perennial grass. Compaction was characterized by bulk density and by soil strength as a function of bulk density and water content. Plants were grown in three levels of bulk density (1.00, 1.25, and 1.55 g cm-3) at three water potentials (-33, -500, and -1500 kPa). Shoot production increased significantly at high water potential and moderate bulk density (ANOVA, p0.05). Root production decreased significantly at high bulk density and low water potential (ANOVA, p0.05). Soil strengths exceeding 3 MPa and 6 MPa were present in treatments producing the greatest shoot and root biomass, respectively. Similar, intermediate levels of production occurred across the range of bulk densities in this study and across a wide range of soil strength, suggesting that no threshold bulk density or soil strength exists that limits E. glaucus production. Biomass production was greatest when water was readily available. Negative effects of highly compacted soils were often less severe when water was available. This suggests the importance of water in biomass production as well as in the ability of plants to tolerate compacted soil. In field settings, where water availability may be highly variable, soil compaction as it affects water availability to plants may be more important in influencing E. glaucus establishment than physical impedance itself.Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Natural Resources, Rangeland Resources and Wildland Soils, 2006application/pd
Effects of rotational beef cattle grazing on microbial parameters in Elk River, Humboldt County, CA
No full textThe addition of nutrients and fecal coliforms from grazing activities to stream systems has been of great concern to farmers, cattlemen, environmental agencies and advocates, and local citizens. The North Coast Regional Water Quality Board is in the process of developing Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for the Elk River (Humboldt County, California), primarily focused on sediments, however, fecal coliforms may derive from rural septic systems, wildlife sources, and/or livestock grazing. Water samples were collected upstream, downstream, and at a stream crossing of the Westfall Mazzucchi Ranch, a rotational beef cattle grazing operation, over a period of 16 months. Particular attention was paid to wet and dry seasons and the presence or absence of cattle. An additional experiment was performed to characterize the attenuation of fecal coliforms and Salmonella in grazed paddock soils and bovine fecal pats over a period of about one month. An ANOVA revealed that there was no significant difference in fecal coliform concentrations in Elk River as a function of sampling location (p = 0.84). There was a significant difference in concentrations with regards to cattle presence or absence (p = 0.0007). The maximum colony forming unts (CFUs) per 100 mL (occurring June 10th, 2010) were 200, 213, and 285 at upstream, crossing, and downstream sampling sites, respectively. It was inferred that fecal coliform values were higher at the same time that cattle were present on the ranch and not that cattle were the sole contributors of bacteria, as this was an observational study. The maximum value per dry gram of bovine feces was 6.95 x 10 CFUs. Additional ANOVAs showed that there was a significant difference in fecal coliform values found within cowpats as a function of moisture content (p = 1.0 x 10-6). However, there was no statistical difference in fecal coliform concentrations of soils as a function of moisture content (p = 0.1248) or sampling location (p = 0.5036). It was concluded that the Westfall Mazzucchi Ranch utilizes management practices that reduce and/or eliminate microbial contributions made by cattle. However, further investigations would be needed to identify the magnitude of these contributions within the watershed as a whole and other possible sources of contamination.Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Natural Resources: Wildland Soil Science, 201
Response of seeded native forb populations to seasonal grazing Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge, Capay Unit
No full textThesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Natural Resources: Forest, Watershed and Wildland Sciences, 2014An active relay floristic (ARF) design is may be an effective approach to restoration of native forb populations within partially restored native grasslands on the Capay unit of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge. The ARF model is designed to mimic the maturation process of a plant community, similar to ecological succession that is driven by species performance, species availability and site availability. This study examines the efficacy of cattle grazing to improve seeded native forb establishment. Once a month, from March 2013 through October 2013, I measured total species composition and frequency of Spanish lotus (Acmispon americanus), gumplant (Grindelia camporum), sky lupine (Lupinus nanus) and California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) plants that produced reproductive structures. Five treatment areas within a partially restored native perennial grassland at the Capay unit were surveyed: 1) ungrazed and never seeded with forbs, 2) grazed and never seeded with forbs, 3) ungrazed and seeded with forbs in 2010, 4) grazed and seeded with forbs in 2010, and 5) grazed and seeded with forbs in both 2010 and 2012. Thatch depth was measured in October 2013, after the cattle were removed from grazed areas. Cattle grazing increased the cover of Spanish lotus and the frequency of sky lupine plants in flower, but decreased the frequency of gumplant plants in flower or seed. Native forbs likely responded to the disturbance created by trampling and not foraging behavior. None of the native forb species responded positively to the repeated seeding. Sky lupine, the earliest blooming species, had lower cover and fewer flowering plants in the twice seeded site, which is likely due to disturbance to the soil surface from the no-till drill during the germination period. Cattle grazing can be an effective tool for increasing site availability to support successional habitat management of grasslands within the floodplain, as long as the grazing season does not interfere with critical growth phases of the seeded native forbs. A repeated seeding of native forbs as a method for enhancing species availability did not benefit seeded native forb populations
