ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
STUDENT PRESENTERS
Organized By Discipline
Sean Alioto '22
MAJOR: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR JOHN MCDONALD, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
An analysis of the effectiveness of wetlands to self filter
The goal of this study is to see how effective wetlands are at self-filtering pollutants and contaminants from their water. The location we have chosen for this project is the wetland that runs from the research area behind Westfield State University to the Westfield River. Wetlands, along with being a key habitat location for a variety of species, also allows for a chemical-free filtration process. The key to the self-filtration in a wetland comes down to the flora located within the water of the wetland. As water that contains pollutants and/or contaminants makes its way through the water, the larger molecules, such as silt and sand, slow and settle at the bottom. While the smaller molecules, such as excess nitrogen and phosphorus, move farther down and are absorbed by the root systems of growing plants. To test the effectiveness of this process, we tested three locations along the wetland. A stream beside the Westfield River was used as a control. Using the hydro lab, we collected temperature, specific conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and pH readings. Due to logistical issues, LaMotte kits were used later in the study to collect readings of the concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus within the wetland.
Spencer TeWinkle '22
MAJOR: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR JOHN MCDONALD, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
An analysis of the effectiveness of wetlands to self filter
The goal of this study is to see how effective wetlands are at self-filtering pollutants and contaminants from their water. The location we have chosen for this project is the wetland that runs from the research area behind Westfield State University to the Westfield River. Wetlands, along with being a key habitat location for a variety of species, also allows for a chemical-free filtration process. The key to the self-filtration in a wetland comes down to the flora located within the water of the wetland. As water that contains pollutants and/or contaminants makes its way through the water, the larger molecules, such as silt and sand, slow and settle at the bottom. While the smaller molecules, such as excess nitrogen and phosphorus, move farther down and are absorbed by the root systems of growing plants. To test the effectiveness of this process, we tested three locations along the wetland. A stream beside the Westfield River was used as a control. Using the hydro lab, we collected temperature, specific conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and pH readings. Due to logistical issues, LaMotte kits were used later in the study to collect readings of the concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus within the wetland.
Alivia Gjekaj '22
MAJOR: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENE
FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR LAUREN DICARLO, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
A Comparison of Pollinator Habitat Restoration Techniques in Urban and Floodplain Ecosystems in Western Massachusetts, USA
As ecological restoration becomes more relevant each year, restoration of pollinator habitats and species has become a primary topic of interest. Pollinators provide essential ecosystem services and are responsible for over 35% of global crop and 80% of native plant pollination. Despite this, pollinator species are rapidly declining worldwide due to factors like disease, habitat loss, climate change, etc. While a common goal seeks to increase pollinator numbers, restoring pollinator habitat, including food and nesting resources, is the key factor in the success of pollinator restoration efforts. This project aims to compare available floral resources in restored urban and floodplain ecosystems. We use floral and community data gathered from a planted pollinator garden and a restored floodplain (invasive plant species removed) in western Massachusetts. The purpose of this project is to give insight on how to expand methods of restoration and preservation of pollinator species by creating and improving of pollinator habitat, specifically in Northeast urban and floodplain environments.
Talia Queeney '22
MAJOR: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENE FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR LAUREN DICARLO, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
A Comparison of Pollinator Habitat Restoration Techniques in Urban and Floodplain Ecosystems in Western Massachusetts, USA
As ecological restoration becomes more relevant each year, restoration of pollinator habitats and species has become a primary topic of interest. Pollinators provide essential ecosystem services and are responsible for over 35% of global crop and 80% of native plant pollination. Despite this, pollinator species are rapidly declining worldwide due to factors like disease, habitat loss, climate change, etc. While a common goal seeks to increase pollinator numbers, restoring pollinator habitat, including food and nesting resources, is the key factor in the success of pollinator restoration efforts. This project aims to compare available floral resources in restored urban and floodplain ecosystems. We use floral and community data gathered from a planted pollinator garden and a restored floodplain (invasive plant species removed) in western Massachusetts. The purpose of this project is to give insight on how to expand methods of restoration and preservation of pollinator species by creating and improving of pollinator habitat, specifically in Northeast urban and floodplain environments.
John Renzoni '22
MAJOR: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENE FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR LAUREN DICARLO, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
A Comparison of Pollinator Habitat Restoration Techniques in Urban and Floodplain Ecosystems in Western Massachusetts, USA
As ecological restoration becomes more relevant each year, restoration of pollinator habitats and species has become a primary topic of interest. Pollinators provide essential ecosystem services and are responsible for over 35% of global crop and 80% of native plant pollination. Despite this, pollinator species are rapidly declining worldwide due to factors like disease, habitat loss, climate change, etc. While a common goal seeks to increase pollinator numbers, restoring pollinator habitat, including food and nesting resources, is the key factor in the success of pollinator restoration efforts. This project aims to compare available floral resources in restored urban and floodplain ecosystems. We use floral and community data gathered from a planted pollinator garden and a restored floodplain (invasive plant species removed) in western Massachusetts. The purpose of this project is to give insight on how to expand methods of restoration and preservation of pollinator species by creating and improving of pollinator habitat, specifically in Northeast urban and floodplain environments.
Lily Smith '22
MAJOR: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENE
FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR LAUREN DICARLO, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
An analysis of the effectiveness of wetlands to self filter
The goal of this study is to see how effective wetlands are at self-filtering pollutants and contaminants from their water. The location we have chosen for this project is the wetland that runs from the research area behind Westfield State University to the Westfield River. Wetlands, along with being a key habitat location for a variety of species, also allows for a chemical-free filtration process. The key to the self-filtration in a wetland comes down to the flora located within the water of the wetland. As water that contains pollutants and/or contaminants makes its way through the water, the larger molecules, such as silt and sand, slow and settle at the bottom. While the smaller molecules, such as excess nitrogen and phosphorus, move farther down and are absorbed by the root systems of growing plants. To test the effectiveness of this process, we tested three locations along the wetland. A stream beside the Westfield River was used as a control. Using the hydro lab, we collected temperature, specific conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and pH readings. Due to logistical issues, LaMotte kits were used later in the study to collect readings of the concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus within the wetland.
Haley Wales '22
MAJOR: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENE FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR LAUREN DICARLO, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
An analysis of the effectiveness of wetlands to self filter
The goal of this study is to see how effective wetlands are at self-filtering pollutants and contaminants from their water. The location we have chosen for this project is the wetland that runs from the research area behind Westfield State University to the Westfield River. Wetlands, along with being a key habitat location for a variety of species, also allows for a chemical-free filtration process. The key to the self-filtration in a wetland comes down to the flora located within the water of the wetland. As water that contains pollutants and/or contaminants makes its way through the water, the larger molecules, such as silt and sand, slow and settle at the bottom. While the smaller molecules, such as excess nitrogen and phosphorus, move farther down and are absorbed by the root systems of growing plants. To test the effectiveness of this process, we tested three locations along the wetland. A stream beside the Westfield River was used as a control. Using the hydro lab, we collected temperature, specific conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and pH readings. Due to logistical issues, LaMotte kits were used later in the study to collect readings of the concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus within the wetland.
Casey Noyes '22
MAJOR: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCEFACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR JOHN MCDONALD, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Habitat Usage of White-Tailed Deer
I am investigating white-tailed deer habitat use during the late winter to spring transition. I have selected two areas that are used by white-tailed deer in the Westfield, MA area. My objective is to determine how they use habitats in each area. Both areas are forested and bordered by residential development and agriculture. I will walk transects along a water source counting how many pellet groups there are and the distance they are from the water. My preliminary results indicate deer tended to defecate <10 meters away from the water. I have found more pellet groups <60 meters away from the water rather than closer. The deer seemed to favor the flat ground as indexed by defecation locations as ~80% of the pellet groups found in the first study area were on a slope that was <6%. The terrain in the second area is much rougher and varied at various locations ranging from ~5% slope to ~25% slope. Although the terrain is very different I still ended up finding similar results to the first area. More pellet groups were found in the areas that were ~5% slope.
Conner Polymeros '22
MAJOR: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
FACULTY SPONSOR: PROFESSOR JOHN MCDONALD
“A Comparative Analysis on the Activity of Amphibians in Vernal Pools on Honey Pot Road”
This project focuses on the analysis of the activity of amphibians in two vernal pools that are located off of Honey Pot Road in Westfield, Massachusetts. The first of these vernal pools is adjacent to the road which will represent the pool that is influenced by human activity. The other pool is located about 200 meters off the road in the woods of the Westfield Wildlife Management area and is isolated from human activity. My question is: Does an isolated vernal pool have more amphibian egg masses than a vernal pool that suffers from human impact? Humans can have a significant impact on ecological processes, both directly through things like road mortality and indirect in terms of adding nutrients, for example. I am analyzing the two pools to determine if the impact of humans has an effect on the activity. I will measure variables such as, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, pool substrate, and egg mass count to understand how the pools differ in terms of amphibian activity.
Amber Stearns '22
MAJOR: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
FACULTY SPONSOR: LAUREN DICARLO
Manual removal of winged burning bush (Euonymus alatus) results in increased species richness in eastern floodplain forest, USA
An invasive species dispersing along the East Coast, USA and lacking much research on successful removal is winged burning bush (Euonymus alatus). To combat this invasion and learn more about its impact on the surrounding ecosystem, we initiated a restoration project to determine the best methods to control the species within a floodplain located along the Westfield River in Westfield, Massachusetts, USA. For this study, we intended to address the following research questions: (1) Which removal treatment, root removal or cutting, best controls E. alatus? And (2) how do different removal techniques of E. alatus impact native species establishment, vegetation community composition and other forest variables? We hypothesized (1) that root removal would best control E. alatus. And (2) that increased native species establishment would result from root removal and cutting techniques, percent cover of the canopy and shrub layers might increase plant establishment in plots with less cover, and leaf litter and bare ground percent cover may be positively related to the number of winged burning bush shrubs present in each plot. Within one year of the treatments, we found significant differences in newly established species richness and a decrease in E. alatus presence between removal plots and control plots. These results suggest that cutting or root removal can be effective removal techniques to increase species richness in sensitive areas. This is the first study to examine effectiveness of E. alatus removal techniques on community vegetation establishment.