Environmental & Conservation Sciences Masters Theses

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Alluvial Fans in the McMurdo Dry Valleys: A Proxy for Melting Along Terrestrial Margins of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet
(North Dakota State University, 2013) Zamora, Felix
Surface melting along Antarctic ice sheet margins is the most poorly understood input in models of future sea level rise. Alluvial fans in the McMurdo Dry Valleys originate from meltwater produced from high-elevation glaciers and snowbanks along these margins but many show no evidence for recent melting. These fans could serve as a record of past melting along terrestrial ice sheet margins, which would help quantify inputs to sea-level rise.To describe how melting has taken place in the past, five representative fans were examined. Fans are composed of thin, planar-bedded gravelly sands deposited by sheetflooding. Geospatial analsysis suggests the distance of the meltwater source from the Ross Sea is the predominant control on fan activity, and that aggradation results when regional climatic gradients shift inland. Geomorphic observations suggest centuries to millennia pass between periods of aggradation. OSL dating indicates that fans are no older than Holocene in age.
Antipredator Behavior and Morphology in Isolated Cyprinodont Fishes
(North Dakota State University, 2018) Snider, Madison R.
For desert fishes in the American Southwest, predation by invasive species has triggered massive population declines for decades, leaving researchers speculating on the underlying cause. It has been shown that Post-Pleistocene isolation of desert fishes in small habitats with limited predation pressure has led to loss of antipredator traits. Determining the status of antipredator behavioral and morphological traits could identify the most vulnerable desert fishes. In aquatic ecosystems, detection and response to chemical alarm cues derived from epithelial tissue increases the probability of predation survival. In chapter two, I evaluate alarm cue responses of two desert cyprinodontids: endangered Pahrump poolfish and Amargosa pupfish. In chapter three, I assess the prevalence and densities of epithelial club cells, the source of chemical alarm cues, for several desert fishes: Pahrump poolfish, Amargosa pupfish, White Sands pupfish, White River Springfish, and Hot Creek Valley tui chub.
Attenuation of Nitrate from Simulated Agricultural Wastewater Using an Immobilized Anaerobic Biofilm
(North Dakota State University, 2012) Anar, Mohammad Jahidul
A number of methods are currently in use for attenuating nitrates from wastewater with varying degrees of efficiency. Bioremediation using bacteria may be an efficient and cost effective method. In an anaerobic bioremediation system, nitrate can replace carbon dioxide as an electron acceptor and aids in nitrate attenuation by assimilatory reduction. The purpose of this study was to investigate nitrate attenuation in a hyperfiltration system using a pure culture of strictly anaerobic, facultative Methanobrevibacter ruminantium bacteria. Filtration experiments were conducted using amalgamated Na- montmorillonite clay-glass beads compacted at 500 psi differential hydraulic pressure with or without a biofilm. A simulated agricultural wastewater of 3.105×10-4 moles/L of NO3- was bioremediated. The use of bacteria in attenuating nitrates offers promising results on a bench-scale.
Bat Population Monitoring in National Parks of The Great Lakes Region and Evaluation of Bat Acoustic Analysis Software
(North Dakota State University, 2019) Goodwin, Katy Rebecca
North American bats face multiple threats, prompting an increase in bat research and conservation efforts in recent decades. Researchers often use acoustic monitoring, which entails recording bats’ echolocation calls and subsequently identifying them to species, typically using automated software. Chapter 1 describes an acoustic monitoring program at eight U.S. national parks that aims to assess changes in bat populations over time. Data collected in 2016-2017 showed that activity levels of the little brown bat (Myotis lucifigus) decreased significantly while other species remained stable. Little brown bats have undergone similar population declines elsewhere due to the disease white-nose syndrome. Chapter 2 investigates whether different versions of bat call identification software are comparable to each other and how accurate they are. For the two software programs tested, agreement among versions was variable and species-dependent. Furthermore, newer versions were more conservative in assigning identifications, though not, on average, more accurate.
Body Shape Divergence Among Wild and Experimental Populations of White Sands Pupfish (Cyprinodon Tularosa)
(North Dakota State University, 2011) Kowalski, Brandon Michael
Reports of contemporary evolution have become ubiquitous, but replicated studies of phenotypic divergence for wild populations are exceptionally rare. In 2001, a series of experimental populations were established to replicate a historic translocation event that led to a case of contemporary body shape evolution in the White Sands pupfish. Using landmark-based geometric morphometric techniques I examined phenotypic variation for seven of these populations, and two wild populations over a 5 year period (5-10 generations) in the field. Significant body shape divergence was observed, but divergence patterns were not parallel, suggesting that the ponds were ecologically dissimilar. Considerable body shape variation found among populations suggests that the observed divergence maybe governed by temporal environmental variance. In this study, body shape variation was correlated with population density. These data suggest that habitat intrinsic factors or unmeasured habitat features may have strong affects on body shape, warranting continuous monitoring of recently translocated fishes.
Characterization of Road Dust in Western North Dakota
(North Dakota State University, 2015) Ljepoja, Danijela
Samples were collected during summer 2014, at three locations: along 15th St. SW near agricultural test plots, along an access road leading to a newly built oil drilling pad, and adjacent to the pad. MiniVol™ TAS Samplers (Air metrics, Springfield, OR) were used for sampling. Total Suspended Particles (TSP), and particulates less than 10 or 5 microns (PM10 and PM2.5, respectively) were collected using quartz fiber filters. Samples were collected both pre and post access road and pad construction. The mass concentration of TSP at 15th St. ranged from 365 - 911 µg/m3 (mean 507 µg/m3). Concentrations at the access road ranged from 8 – 68 µg/m3 and near the pad from 9 – 42 µg/m3. SEM/EDS analyses show most particulates are silicate or carbonate mineral fragments or biogenetic particles. The most common particle size is between 2.5µm and 10µm. The main sources of airborne particulate matter observed were from road dust re-suspension, and biological sources.
Chemical Repellents for Reducing Blackbird Damage on Mature Sunflowers: The Importance of Plant Structure and Avian Behavior in Field Applications
(North Dakota State University, 2019) Kaiser, Brandon Amberg
Across North America, blackbirds (Icteridae) depredate high-energy crops, such as sunflower (Helianthus annuus), placing an economic burden on producers. Chemically-defended crops, in the form of human-applied repellents, may induce birds to forage elsewhere if a learned aversion can be established. However, repellent deployment must be feasible for producers at the scale of commercial agriculture. Thus, my main objective was to evaluate the efficacy of anthraquinone-based repellents applied to ripening sunflower for reducing blackbird damage. I conducted concentration response (no-choice) and preference tests (two-choice) to evaluate repellent efficacy on captive blackbirds using application strategies practical for agricultural producers. I evaluated field application strategies to assess the potential for broad-scale application using new drop-nozzle technology. Additionally, I describe behavior of captive blackbirds as they interact with ripening sunflower to further inform repellent application. Our results support the conclusion that application of anthraquinone-based repellents is not currently a feasible option for ripening sunflower.
Cosmogenic 10Be Surface Exposure Dating and Numerical Modeling of Late Pleistocene Glaciers and Lakes in Northwestern Nevada
(North Dakota State University, 2019) Fleming, Kaitlyn Chelsea
This thesis focuses on the glacial record in the Pine Forest and Santa Rosa Ranges located in the northwestern Great Basin. Seventeen cosmogenic exposure ages in the two ranges are consistent with observations elsewhere in the Great Basin where glacier maxima and lake highstands in the northwestern Great Basin occurred at ~18-17 ka. Developing chronologies of moraines in the Santa Rosa and Pine Forest Ranges has helped to precisely limit the relative timing of glacier and lake maxima. Model results are consistent with previous studies of the LGM (21-20 ka) interval and early Heinrich Stadial 1 (18-17 ka) intervals, such that the northern Great Basin was colder with near-modern precipitation during the LGM and likely greater than modern precipitation during the subsequent interval 18-17 ka. Overall, the chronology of glacial deposits in the northwestern Great Basin and inferred climate during the last glaciation show consistency across the northern Great Basin.
Development and Genetic Regulation of the Novel Abdominal Appendages in the Male Sepsid Fly, Themira Biloba
(North Dakota State University, 2013) Herath, Bodini Jeevanthika
Evolutionary novel structures are structures with no known homology. Novel structures often provide a novel function to the organism. Some species of sepsid flies (family Sepsidae) have evolved novel abdominal appendages on the fourth segment in males and are thought to be used during mating to stimulate the female abdomen. However, the necessity of these appendages for the sepsid flies has not been determined, and a little is known about the genetic basis of these structures. Controlled laboratory experiments were conducted to identify the necessity of these appendages in sepsid Themira biloba. Surgical manipulation of the bristle length of the appendages prevented successful mating, and this was observed when the longest bristles were manipulated; reducing the length of short bristles had no effect. These results indicate that bristle length is important for mating success and that the longer bristles are critical. The genetic regulation of the initial specification of the abdominal appendages in sepsids was also investigated. In situ hybridization was done to examine the expression of abdominal-A and Abdominal-B genes in sepsid T. biloba, to determine whether their expression has deviated in forming the appendages. However, the expression domains of these genes are conserved in T. biloba, and are not different from those observed in D. melanogaster. Overall my research emphasizes the necessity of the abdominal appendages, and provides insight into the genetic basis of these novel structures.
Development and Scale Up of Aqueous Surfactant-Assisted Extraction of Canola Oil for Use as Biodiesel Feedstock
(North Dakota State University, 2012) Tuntiwiwattanapun, Nattapong
In oilseed extraction, alternative extraction media have been studied to replace the traditional solvent, hexane, due to health, safety, and environmental concerns. In this work, aqueous surfactant-assisted extraction was developed and scaled up for hexane-free canola oil extraction. An inexpensive commercial surfactant system was formulated and used as an extraction medium based on the dynamic interfacial tension value. The extraction conditions were evaluated to achieve the maximum oil recovery. The highest oil detachment efficiency was 80% in the absence of hexane at room temperature. The extracted oil had acceptable content of free fatty acids, water and phospholipids for use as a biodiesel feedstock. The biodiesel product passed the ASTM D6751 biodiesel standard for water content, kinematic viscosity, acid value and oxidative stability.
Developmental Changes in Fat Metabolism of Tobacco Hornworm, Manduca Sexta
(North Dakota State University, 2012) Thapa, Gita
Insects fed high carbohydrate diets have increased fat storage, and excess fat storage in insects may have fitness costs. M. sexta larvae reared on 5.6% fat diet had lower body mass and growth rate compared to those on 3.4% fat or 0.4% fat diets. Fifth instar caterpillars fed high-fat diet ate less food but had higher approximate digestibility than the low-fat diet fed caterpillars. Analysis of fat body and fecal pellet lipid content showed high-fat diet fed caterpillars stored and excreted more lipids than low-fat diet fed caterpillars. To test the hypothesis that increased dietary fat alters lipid transport, we measured mRNA expression of apolipoproteins I and II, proteins for transporting lipids. Expression of apolipoproteins I and II did not differ with dietary fat. Negative feedback from fat intake could inhibit feeding via endocrine pathways. This research will increase our understanding of the regulation of feeding in caterpillars.
Ecological and Sociological Considerations of Wind Energy: A Multidisciplinary Study
(North Dakota State University, 2012) Bicknell, Lucas J.
Wind energy is quickly becoming a critical technology for providing Americans with renewable energy, and rapid construction of wind facilities may have impacts on both wildlife and human communities. Understanding both the social and ecological issues related to wind energy development could provide a framework for effectively meeting human energy needs while conserving species biodiversity. In this research I looked at two aspects of wind energy development: public attitudes toward wind energy development and wind facility impacts on local bat populations. These papers present aspects of wind energy development that have been the subject of increasing study. This preliminary research is intended to demonstrate the responsibility we have to making well-informed decisions as we continue to expand wind energy development. Additionally, I hope to generate interest in interdisciplinary study as a means to broaden the scope of research by making use of the diverse tools available within different disciplines.
Economic Analyses of Agricultural Land-Use Change and Agro-Ecosystem Services for Waterfowl in North Dakota
(North Dakota State University, 2014) Zimmermann, Thomas Adam
Understanding the relationship between crop production and wildlife habitat in North Dakota - which contains a large portion of the Prairie Pothole Region - will be essential to the continuation of both in a region facing increasing pressure on its natural resources. This research aims to better understand the relationship through economic analysis of land-use change within the region. Utilizing yield, price and budget data for crops in North Dakota, cumulative distribution functions were constructed to compare crops between nine regions within North Dakota. This research will then be able to suggest regions where crops beneficial to wildlife habitat as well as to the producer - notably winter wheat - could be pursued.
Effects of Nanoscale Zero-valent iron (nZVI) on Bacterial Viability: Roles of Growth Phases and Oxidative Stress
(North Dakota State University, 2011) Krittanut, Chaithawiwat
The effect of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) particles on bacteria from different growth phases was studied. Four bacterial strains including Escherichia coli strains JMI09 and BW25 l l 3, and Pseudomonas putida strains KT2440 and Fl were experimented. The growth characteristics of these strains were detennined. Their cells were harvested based on predetermined time points corresponding to different growth phases and exposed to nZVL The cell viability was determined by a plate count method. The cells in lag and stationary phases showed higher resistance to nZVI for all four bacterial strains, whereas the cells in exponential and decline phases were less resistant and were rapidly inactivated when exposed to nZVI. Bacterial inactivation increased with the concentration of nZVI. Furthermore, less than 14% reduction in viability was observed when the cells were exposed to the leachate of nZVI suspension suggesting that the physical interaction between nZVI and the cells is critical for bacterial inactivation. To understand the physiology that underlines these phenotypes, the responses from various oxidative stress gene knockout strains of E. coli BW25 l l 3 to nZVI were examined. For each of these mutant strains, cells from different growth phases were collected and exposed to nZVI. The viability of the cells was determined by a plate count method. All of the mutant strains exhibited higher susceptibility to nZVI when compared to the wild type strain. The results also indicated that different knockout strains exhibited different levels of susceptibility to nZVI. Strain lacking RpoS, a global stress regulator, showed the highest susceptibility. Among different defensive enzyme mutants, sodA and sodB mutants exhibited the highest vulnerability whereas sodC mutant revealed much less susceptibility, suggesting that nZVI may induce oxidative stress inside the cells via superoxide generation. The inducibility of catalase (hydroperoxidase I) was also investigated by exposing the cells to nZVI and measuring a related gene expression using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results suggested that nZVI repressed the expression of this enzyme.
The Effects of Salinity on Canadian Toad (Anaxyrus hemiophrys) Larvae and Post-Metamorphic Juveniles
(North Dakota State University, 2021) Schlarb, Alicia Michelle
Sodium Chloride (NaCl) production in the United States is at an all-time high. As weather patterns become harsher through climate change and demands on energy and agriculture increase, evidence of long-term NaCl exposure is emerging throughout environments. With a focus on Canadian toads, this research seeks to fill existent gaps of NaCl effects on tadpoles and post-metamorphic juveniles for this species. Chapter 1 of this thesis examined the effects of NaCl on larvae exposed at multiple developmental time periods. Weight, survival, and hatch success were not affected by NaCl, however time taken to complete metamorphosis was extended in tadpoles exposed at an older age. Chapter 2 of this thesis examined the effects of NaCl infused substrates on post-metamorphic juvenile choice, weight, and consumption. Weight gain and decreased consumption rates were observed in high saline treatments, while salinity did not affect the toad’s choice between saline and freshwater substrates.
Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Carbon Nanotubes in Important Crop Species: Plant Growth and Element Uptake
(North Dakota State University, 2021) Passolt, Hannah
Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) have been developed for various uses in the agriculture industry. The effects of ENMs in plant systems are not yet fully understood. Some studies have reported the different effects of ENMs in plants from enhanced growth and nutrient uptake, to reduced root growth or damaged tissues. Zinc oxide nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes are commonly studied ENMs. Each have potential applications in agriculture which could benefit efficiency of farming practices or contribute to solutions for hunger and malnutrition. It is important to gain further understanding of the effects of these nanomaterials within important crop species, to facilitate their development and to support responsible use within agricultural applications. In the present study, it was found that zinc oxide nanomaterials can enhance biomass of wheat, but carbon nanotubes reduced biomass in rice. Element uptake was affected by zinc oxide in wheat and by carbon nanotubes in rice.
Evaluating the Potential Utility of Drones to Deter Birds from Areas of Human-Wildlife Conflict
(North Dakota State University, 2018) Egan, Conor Christopher
Predator-prey dynamics shaped the evolution of morphological and behavioral adaptations that foraging animals use to detect and avoid predators. Wildlife managers can potentially exploit antipredator behavior when attempting to deter animals from areas of human-wildlife conflict. A promising new tool in the field of wildlife damage management is the unmanned aircraft system (UAS; or drone), which might be able to overcome the mobility limitations of other deterrent strategies. The main objective of my study was to determine the behavioral response of blackbirds (Icteridae) to three drones, using a predator model, a standard fixed-wing, and a multirotor as candidate platforms. I evaluated the behavioral response of individual, captive red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) to the three drones approaching at direct and overhead trajectories, and I evaluated their efficacy on eliciting escape and resource-abandonment behavior in free-ranging blackbird flocks.
Evaluation of a Nitrate-Assimilating Bacterium for Potential Use in Nitrate Bioremediation
(North Dakota State University, 2013) Lies, Deidra Angeline
Increasing levels of nitrate (NO3-N) in water resources have brought about the need to find ever more versatile forms of NO3-N removal from contaminated water. The ability of several microorganisms to transform NO3-N has been embraced as an economical form of bioremediation. Free cell and immobilized forms of Methylobacterium fujisawaense ATCC® No. 35065 (M. fujisawaense) were used in this study for NO3-N removal in batch settings. NO3-N removal results were as high as 100% for freely suspended cells after 96 hours and 95% for immobilized cells also after 96 hours. Statistical analyses found no significant difference in overall NO3-N removal rates between free cell and immobilized systems. These findings suggest that the organism is capable of up to full assimilation of 10 mg/L NO3-N in certain settings. The findings also suggest that the NO3-N assimilating ability of M. fujisawaense of 10 mg/L NO3-N is not greatly altered by immobilization.
Evidence of Inbreeding and Divergence in the Western Prairie Fringed Orchid (Platanthera praeclara)
(North Dakota State University, 2018) Tennefos, Sarah Anne
The conversion of grasslands to agriculture land has made the tall grass prairie one of the world’s most endangered ecosystems and has played a key role in the decline of one particular species of rare endangered orchid, Platanthera praeclara (western prairie fringed orchid, WPFO). Loss of genetic diversity, accumulation of mutations, and inbreeding all increase the risk of extinction in endangered species. Through the use of microsatellite markers to characterize allele frequencies in six populations of WPFO, evidence of inbreeding was common and highest at the most extreme northern, southern and eastern populations. Thus, suggesting that in addition to the current conservation objectives, interventions to reduce levels of inbreeding should be an additional conservation objective. The populations that warrant the greatest effort in recovery are the populations located at the edges of the range, where plants are the most likely to experience an extinction vortex.
Ex Situ Analyses of Non-Native Species Impacts on Imperiled Desert Fishes
(North Dakota State University, 2019) Paulson, Brandon
This thesis focuses on interactions between two invasive species, the western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) and the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), and two desert fishes, the Amargosa pupfish (Cyprinodon nevadensis) and the endangered Pahrump poolfish (Empetrichthys latos latos). Chapter one is a literature review on the impacts of invasive species on various desert fishes. Chapter Two reports the results of multiple mesocosm experiments that show poolfish are unlikely to persist in the presence of mosquitofish. Chapter Three reports the results of a mesocosm experiment that tested the combined impacts of crayfish and mosquitofish on poolfish populations. Chapter Three mimics a historic case study in Nevada, where the Lake Harriett poolfish population crashed following the introduction of crayfish and mosquitofish. Chapter Four reports results of a mesocosm experiment that revealed density dependent effects of invasive crayfish on pupfish populations, with pupfish populations negatively affected when crayfish were at high densities.

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Browsing Environmental & Conservation Sciences Masters Theses by browse.metadata.program "Environmental and Conservation Science"