Student Researchers, Student Projects
Student researchers in the Apple Lab, Fall 2015. From left to right: John Coacci, Meghan Barrett, Bowen Wu, Josh Backhaus, Julian Koob, Nikki Winchester, Hannah Loo, Hannah Mrakovcik, Gina Scandaglia.
Decomposition of leaf litter of native and invasive shrubs
John Coacci
The purpose of this project is to investigate the impacts of invasive species on native ecosystems, specifically using the rates of decomposition of leaf litter. The species used in this experiment will include the native dogwood, the nitrogen-fixing invasive autumn olive, and the non-nitrogen-fixing invasive Asian honeysuckle. All of the decomposition measurements will be made in the Roemer Arboretum. Litter collection and weighing is currently taking place. Litter bags will then be filled with crushed litter and placed under each respective shrub in Spring 2016. Afterwards, the litter will be collected at set time intervals and analyzed for nitrogen and carbon concentration. These measurements will be used to assess the rate of decomposition for each species and to compare their effects on nutrient cycling.
Survey of bee diversity
Meghan Barrett
In this study, I used fluorescent-painted bowls (white, yellow, blue) filled with soapy water to collect bees from four study sites: the College Green, a shaded and a sunny site in the Arboretum, and a site by an unmowed meadow. The contents of the bowls were collected, and the bees are being pinned and identified. The abundance of bees may vary at the different sites due to food availability or habitat quality; other factors such as weather and time of year may also affect capture rates. The site comparison aspect of this study can be used to inform improvements in habitat quality for local bees.
Main Objectives:
• Identify what bees are in this area
• Determine the success of bee bowls in attracting various species of bees
• Compare bee diversity among sites
Comparison of the genetic composition and colony structure of Formica glacialis nests over time
Bowen Wu
Formica glacialis, a common ant species in Geneseo’s Roemer Arboretum, may experience periodic disruption of its colonies from raids by slave-making ants aimed at capturing its brood. Consequently, colonies may stay and endure repeated exploitation and possible colony death, or relocate to a new nest; eventually, vacant nests may become occupied by a different colony. Using microsatellite DNA markers, I am comparing genotypes of workers sampled 5-6 years ago to colonies in the same active nest location from summer 2015. My objective is to detect changes in the genetic composition or colony structure that would indicate the identity of the colony in a particular location has changed.
How invasive shrubs affect soil carbon dioxide emission rates in Roemer Arboretum
Josh Backhaus
In this project I am comparing the effects of three invasive shrubs (autumn olive, common buckthorn, and Amur honeysuckle) on decomposition rates in the Arboretum. To compare decomposition rates, I am using the soda lime method to measure soil carbon dioxide emission rates beneath the canopy of these invasive shrubs as well as native dogwood. Other factors being observed are soil temperature and soil pH, which will indicate how these invasive shrubs alter the soil in their surrounding environment. When these invasive species establish themselves in a new suitable environment, they can alter the cycling of nutrients and outcompete native species.
Spatial ecology of the parasitic plant Monotropa uniflora
Julian Koob
This research project focuses on the spatial distribution of the mycoheterotrophic plant Monotropa uniflora, commonly known as Indian pipe. This plant parasitizes mycorrhizal fungi associated with various forest tree species.
Objectives include:
• Mapping the distribution of M. uniflora by conducting counts of stalks in clusters as a density measure and gathering fine-scale x-y coordinate map data
• Gathering GPS and diameter data for the nearby trees
• Analysis of its spatial distribution to determine the most likely individual tree associates
• Collecting and preparing root ball samples for future extraction of fungal DNA to identify fungal associates
Effects of abandoned ant nests on soil properties and plant diversity and cover
Nikki Winchester
Ants interact with their ecosystem in many ways from soil excavation and redistribution to seed dispersal and as key players in the food webs as scavengers and predators. The ant species of Formica glacialis is abundantly found throughout Roemer Arboretum where they create long-lasting mounds through underground soil excavation. My goal is to further investigate the effects of these ants on soil properties and local flora by comparing recently abandoned nests to the surrounding forest floor. In particular, I am measuring pant species richness and diversity, soil decomposition rates using a filter paper assay, soil pH, and soil organic matter content.
Wolbachia infection incidence and strain identification in free-living, enslaved and slave-making Formica ants
Hannah Loo
Wolbachia are a group of maternally inherited intracellular bacteria. While commonly transmitted vertically (mother to offspring), research has suggested that Wolbachia may be transferred horizontally as well. Close interactions between slave-making ants and their slaves may provide an opportunity for horizontal transmission of Wolbachia between species, as the slave-maker and its host species live together. In this project, I am testing for the presence of Wolbachia in Formica free-living, slave-maker and slave ants. If found, I will compare Wolbachia strains found in slave-makers and their enslaved nestmates to test for the possibility of horizontal transmission
Herbivore damage on native vs. invasive shrubs in Roemer Arboretum
Hannah Mrakovcik
Understory shrubs provide food for herbivorous insects, which are prey for birds, mammals and other higher trophic level species. A potential factor in the success of invasive species in their invaded habitat is that they have escaped their own specialized herbivores. The purpose of my research is to compare leaf insect damage on invasive species (Amur honeysuckle and autumn olive) to native species (dogwood) in Geneseo’s own Roemer Arboretum. Leaf samples were marked, photographed, and digitized to quantify total herbivore damage for the three species. It is hypothesized that the native species’ leaves will be the most damaged since native herbivores are accustomed to feeding on them, whereas the nonnatives are less likely to be fed on by native herbivores.
Utilization of fruits from native vs. invasive shrubs by birds in Roemer Arboretum
Gina Scandaglia
The goal of my project is to determine the utilization of fruits from native versus invasive shrubs by birds in the Arboretum. Previous research has found that fruits of invasive shrubs are typically less nutritious than the fruits of native shrubs. Therefore, I am comparing the consumption of fruits from four different shrubs in the Arboretum: a common native shrub (gray dogwood) and three invasive shrubs (Amur honeysuckle, common buckthorn and autumn olive).
Objectives:
•To quantify the removal rates of fruits from the invasive vs. native shrubs
•To determine if birds choose the more nutritious option when selecting fruits
•To compare the relative abundance of the four shrubs in relation to their selection by birds