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Sea Star Population Distribution and Recovery Patterns
Sea Star Population Distribution and Recovery Patterns
Project Lead August 2023-May 2025
Sea Star Wasting Disease (SSWD) has heavily affected distribution patterns of Pisaster ochraceus. In the last few years there has been evidence of sea star recovery, but there is extreme spatial variation. Classic ecological relationships between a keystone predator and prey species might be upended when a system is not in stasis, such as recovery after a wide-spread disease. In this study we examine how the relationship between Pisaster ochraceus and Mytilus californianus changes during recovery versus when sea star populations are in stasis.
Goat Grazing Impacts on Grassland Bird Communities
Goat Grazing Impacts on Grassland Bird Communities
Project Lead August 2024-May 2025
In the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lands of the Fort Ord National Monument, inland from the Monterey Bay, goat herders keep their livestock there to manage fire hazards of the dry grasslands. Grassland bird communities rely on certain types of vegetation in this ecosystem for food and shelter. We performed point count surveys to understand the impact of goat grazing on bird communities during breeding and nesting season, particularly interested in the Grasshopper Sparrow.
EARLY RESEARCH
EARLY RESEARCH
Urchin Recruitment Dynamics
Urchin Recruitment Dynamics
February-December 2023
Volunteer
Studying urchin recruit (juveniles) populations and densities to help with kelp restoration in the Monterey Bay area. To collect recruits, brushes are deployed at several sites along the Monterey Peninsula where microscopic recruits are likely to settle. Brushes are then filtered and moved into vials, which are later sorted under a dissecting microscope. Data is collected on location, temperature, and count of recruits.
Pismo Clam Distribution
Pismo Clam Distribution
May-December 2023
Volunteer
During low tide, we performed digs along transects on State Beaches in the Monterey Bay going towards the shoreline. We recorded the location, count, and size of Pismo Clams found within the transect, and then return them to the sand. This is to understand the current northern distribution of this popular fishery species.
Research Internship in Molecular Ecology (RIME)
Research Internship in Molecular Ecology (RIME)
February-November 2022
Researcher
Used molecular laboratory techniques to analyze genetic sequences of marine parasites from reef fishes off the coasts of French Polynesia and Hawaiian Line Islands. This project seeks to answer the question: does biodiversity loss from climate change increase the transmission of parasites?
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