Does beaver presence increase wildfire resistance of streams in New Mexico?
Project summary: Beavers (Castoridae) are native to North America and have inhabited streams for millions of years, although over-exploitation during the last several decades has pushed them to the edge of extinction. The beaver’s unique ability to modify aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems provides habitats and resources for many species that utilize wetlands, specifically vegetation. By slowing and retaining water through the process of dam building and channel construction, vegetation in surrounding riparian corridors have increased water availability during extreme events such as drought. Aside from the increased water availability through beaver ponds, beavers construct canals extending from the bottom of their ponds under the surrounding terrain, significantly expanding the terrestrial area in which water is available to vegetation. Vegetation experiencing decreases in water availability results in a higher likelihood of burning during wildfires, therefore vegetation within beaver inhabited riparian corridors is less likely to experience the same degree of impact. Wildfires and their environmental impacts are becoming increasingly concerning. When exposed to wildfires, water resources are disturbed through disrupted stream flows and decreased water quality in exposed areas and downstream outputs. The goal of this study is to understand the impact the North American Beaver (Castor canadensis) has on wildfire resistance of streams in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, NM. Specifically, this project seeks to characterize the water quantity (e.g., water volume stored) and quality (e.g., temperature) in areas with active beaver dams compared to those without. Presumably, areas with an increased number of beaver dams will have increased wildfire resistance which may be reflected by the biotic community. Thus, we seek to examine if there are any differences in stream community structure (fish and macroinvertebrates) between areas with and without beaver dams. This study will provide important insights into how beavers modify aquatic ecosystems in a way that reduces the environmental impacts of wildfires. Moreover, this study can aide in the conservation of water resources and support reintroduction efforts of beaver in New Mexico as a means of watershed management.
Project Lead: Ashlyn Reynolds (graduate student PI), Dr. Zachary Mitchell (faculty PI)
Project Timeline: September 2023- August 2025
Funding Source: New Mexico New Mexico Water Resource Research Institute- Student Water Research Grant Program
Project summary: Beavers (Castoridae) are native to North America and have inhabited streams for millions of years, although over-exploitation during the last several decades has pushed them to the edge of extinction. The beaver’s unique ability to modify aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems provides habitats and resources for many species that utilize wetlands, specifically vegetation. By slowing and retaining water through the process of dam building and channel construction, vegetation in surrounding riparian corridors have increased water availability during extreme events such as drought. Aside from the increased water availability through beaver ponds, beavers construct canals extending from the bottom of their ponds under the surrounding terrain, significantly expanding the terrestrial area in which water is available to vegetation. Vegetation experiencing decreases in water availability results in a higher likelihood of burning during wildfires, therefore vegetation within beaver inhabited riparian corridors is less likely to experience the same degree of impact. Wildfires and their environmental impacts are becoming increasingly concerning. When exposed to wildfires, water resources are disturbed through disrupted stream flows and decreased water quality in exposed areas and downstream outputs. The goal of this study is to understand the impact the North American Beaver (Castor canadensis) has on wildfire resistance of streams in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, NM. Specifically, this project seeks to characterize the water quantity (e.g., water volume stored) and quality (e.g., temperature) in areas with active beaver dams compared to those without. Presumably, areas with an increased number of beaver dams will have increased wildfire resistance which may be reflected by the biotic community. Thus, we seek to examine if there are any differences in stream community structure (fish and macroinvertebrates) between areas with and without beaver dams. This study will provide important insights into how beavers modify aquatic ecosystems in a way that reduces the environmental impacts of wildfires. Moreover, this study can aide in the conservation of water resources and support reintroduction efforts of beaver in New Mexico as a means of watershed management.
Project Lead: Ashlyn Reynolds (graduate student PI), Dr. Zachary Mitchell (faculty PI)
Project Timeline: September 2023- August 2025
Funding Source: New Mexico New Mexico Water Resource Research Institute- Student Water Research Grant Program
Influence of seasonality on the relative importance of abiotic and biotic factors in determining fish survival in isolated pools in New Mexico rivers
Project summary: Over the past two decades New Mexico, and many other regions around the globe, have experienced record-breaking drought conditions. Droughts can have severe ecological, economic, and social impacts. The negative impacts of droughts on river ecosystems are a growing concern because increasing drought frequency and intensity are projected to occur in the coming decades due to global climate change. Droughts decrease water quantity within rivers that often result in the loss of connectivity between aquatic habitats, leaving isolated pools in the streambed. Organisms within these isolated pools are often subjected to an increase in abiotic stressors. Additionally, aquatic organisms within isolated pools can be subjected to increased biotic stressors such as increased predation because species are more vulnerable to predators and cannot easily escape or hide. These abiotic and biotic stressors can lead to increases in mortality rates and substantial shifts in community structure, which could lead to losses in important ecosystem functions provided by these organisms. Less research has examined the influence of seasonality on the relative importance of abiotic (e.g., water temperature) or biotic (e.g., predation) factors in structuring fish communities in isolated pools. Thus, it is important to better understand how seasonal stream drying will impact riverine biota to develop better-informed management and conservation decisions. The goal of this study is to gain a better understanding of relative importance of various abiotic (i.e., environmental filtering) and biotic (i.e., predation) factors in determining fish survival in isolated pools during periods of reduced stream flows. Additionally, this study will examine the influence of seasonality on the relative importance of abiotic and biotic control of fish communities in isolated pools. Project Lead: Brittany Pulcini (graduate student PI), Dr. Zachary Mitchell (faculty PI) Project Timeline: December 2022 - December 2023 Funding Source: New Mexico New Mexico Water Resource Research Institute- Student Water Research Grant Program |
|
Improving Data Literacy in Undergraduate Biology Education
Project summary: This project aims to serve the national interest by increasing data science literacy for life science undergraduate students using new teaching materials that will incorporate data analysis and visualization using computational tools. Undergraduate biology laboratory exercises will be improved by requiring greater critical and quantitative thinking in order to complete the exercises. These data-centric laboratory enhancements will occur at all levels of student learning. While the exercises will still illustrate the same biological concepts, data science will be integrated with the exercises by including data, descriptive statistics, spreadsheet applications, and data visualization tools in the learning activities. In the first and second years of the biology program, students will learn to manage, interpret, and visualize data. Students will be trained in using basic computing tools. As students progress through their biology training, the modules will integrate programming languages as well as more sophisticated data analytic activities. The exercises will facilitate the development and use of quantitative literacy and critical thinking that will also help students gain a deeper understanding of the foundational biological concepts. Findings from this project will guide further curricular improvements in undergraduate biology courses and can potentially be adapted by other STEM fields.
Project Lead: Dr. Zachary Mitchell (PI), Dr. Kenwyn Cradock (Co-PI), Dr. Weizhong Tian (Co-PI)
Project Timeline: July 2022 - June 2025
Funding Source: National Science Foundation; Division of Undergraduate Education
Effects of turbidity on fish behavior and community structure in New Mexico rivers
Project Summary: Increased turbidity is thought to be a significant driver to changes in riverine community structure and a serious threat to riverine biodiversity. The goal of this study is to gain a better understanding of how turbidity impacts fish shoaling behavior and community structure/condition in the Pecos and Canadian River drainages in New Mexico. This study will combine lab experiments and field surveys to address the following objectives. First, lab experiments will be conducted to understand how changes to turbidity level and discharge impact shoaling behavior of cyprinid fish using a large custom-made recirculating system. Second, field surveys will be conducted to compare fish community structure (e.g., relative abundance, diversity metrics) and condition (e.g., body condition, body morphology) between two sites that differ in turbidity levels. Ultimately, this study will add to the dearth of information about the impacts of turbidity on the shoaling behavior of fish in river ecosystems and inform managers of the ecological consequences of turbid water on riverine ecosystem form and function. Project Lead: Aaliyah Salazar (previously Justin Schleusner) Project Timeline: June 2022 - December 2023 Funding Source: New Mexico Water Resource Research Institute- Student Water Research Grant Program |
|
Examining drivers of aquatic ecosystem structure in a disturbance prone river: a long-term study
Project Summary: Hydrological disturbance events, such as drought, are a powerful driver of the distribution and abundance of species in rivers. Although drought events are natural in river ecosystems, prolonged warming associated with climate change and increased water extraction by humans can exacerbate the negative impacts of drought events, which can threaten river ecosystems. Thus, prediction of future changes to river ecosystem structure under varying disturbance regimes (e.g., increased drought intensity) requires an understanding of the factors structuring aquatic communities. The overarching objective of this study is to determine the relative importance of different factors in determining the abundance and distribution of aquatic species (fish, macroinvertebrates, zooplankton) in the Pecos River, NM. This objective will be accomplished by establishing twelve long-term monitoring sites, along the longitudinal gradient of the Pecos River, in which seasonal collection of data on organism distribution and abundance in relation to environmental and spatial factors will occur. This study will greatly improve our understanding about the impact of disturbance events and other factors on river ecosystem structure, which is a crucial knowledge gap that currently impedes predicting species distribution and abundance in future climate scenarios.
Project Timeline: August 2022 - Indefinitely
Funding Source: ENMU Faculty Research and Instructional Development Grant Program
Project Summary: Hydrological disturbance events, such as drought, are a powerful driver of the distribution and abundance of species in rivers. Although drought events are natural in river ecosystems, prolonged warming associated with climate change and increased water extraction by humans can exacerbate the negative impacts of drought events, which can threaten river ecosystems. Thus, prediction of future changes to river ecosystem structure under varying disturbance regimes (e.g., increased drought intensity) requires an understanding of the factors structuring aquatic communities. The overarching objective of this study is to determine the relative importance of different factors in determining the abundance and distribution of aquatic species (fish, macroinvertebrates, zooplankton) in the Pecos River, NM. This objective will be accomplished by establishing twelve long-term monitoring sites, along the longitudinal gradient of the Pecos River, in which seasonal collection of data on organism distribution and abundance in relation to environmental and spatial factors will occur. This study will greatly improve our understanding about the impact of disturbance events and other factors on river ecosystem structure, which is a crucial knowledge gap that currently impedes predicting species distribution and abundance in future climate scenarios.
Project Timeline: August 2022 - Indefinitely
Funding Source: ENMU Faculty Research and Instructional Development Grant Program
Drying Rivers: Responses of Riverine Biota in Isolated Pools during Reduced Stream Flow Project Summary: Physical disturbances, such as drought and anthropogenic dewatering, can play a central role in structuring riverine ecosystems. Stream drying events cause a decrease in habitat availability through streambed drying which often results in temporary aquatic habitats in the form of isolated pools. As drying intensifies, organisms within these isolated pools can be subjected to increased abiotic and biotic stressors (e.g., increased water temperatures and predation) that can cause increased mortality rates. In many places, including the Southwestern US, drought events are predicted to become more frequent, intense, and longer lasting in the coming decades because of global climate change. Furthermore, the effects of drought on aquatic ecosystems will likely intensify due to an ever-growing water demand from humans. Thus, it is imperative to understand how stream drying impacts riverine biota in order to better inform management and conservation decisions. Specifically, water managers and biologists will benefit from a better ecological understanding of species responses in isolated pools during periods of reduced stream flows. The objectives of this study are to 1) examine spatial and temporal variation in community structure of riverine biota within isolated drying pools and nearby perennial (i.e., flowing) habitats within the Pecos River, NM, 2) examine the relationship between community structure and environmental/spatial variables, 3) quantify co-variation and congruence among different groups of riverine biota, 4) compare community structure of riverine biota between isolated pools and nearby perennial habitats, and 5) implement lab experiments to quantify interspecific differences in drought resistant traits (i.e., thermal and hypoxia tolerances) of aquatic taxa. Project Lead: Dr. Zachary Mitchell (PI) Project Timeline: September 2022 - August 2023 Funding Source: New Mexico Water Research Resource Institute- Faculty Research Grant Program |
|
Quantifying thermal tolerances of native fish in New Mexico
Project Summary: Droughts elicit a series of predictable responses within river systems and are predicted to be more frequent and longer-lasting in the coming decades. Of particular concern, are the impacts future drought events will have on the thermal regime of rivers. Over time drought conditions can lead to greater variability of water temperatures with higher observed maximum temperatures. Continued increases in temperature in southwestern rivers could lead to decreased survival and range reduction of riverine species. This study will combine field and lab approaches to quantify the upper thermal tolerances of native fish species and examine how changes to water temperatures within streams might impact their future distribution in New Mexico.
Project Lead: Nichole Sky Webb (M.S. student)
Project Timeline: August 2022 - May 2024
Project Summary: Droughts elicit a series of predictable responses within river systems and are predicted to be more frequent and longer-lasting in the coming decades. Of particular concern, are the impacts future drought events will have on the thermal regime of rivers. Over time drought conditions can lead to greater variability of water temperatures with higher observed maximum temperatures. Continued increases in temperature in southwestern rivers could lead to decreased survival and range reduction of riverine species. This study will combine field and lab approaches to quantify the upper thermal tolerances of native fish species and examine how changes to water temperatures within streams might impact their future distribution in New Mexico.
Project Lead: Nichole Sky Webb (M.S. student)
Project Timeline: August 2022 - May 2024
Examining the spatial and temporal drivers of fish communities in New Mexico rivers
Project Summary: A primary goal in stream ecology is to understand the distribution, abundance, and composition of organisms and communities in riverine environments. Ecological theory has long recognized that the distributions of organisms within streams are usually not random and that communities, subject to various selective forces, usually display various spatial patterns. Metacommunity theory has been a valuable approach for predicting how local and regional factors influence the distribution and community structure of riverine organisms across multiple spatial and temporal scales. The overarching objective of this study is to determine the relative importance of different environmental and spatial factors in determining the abundance and distribution of fish in New Mexico rivers by mining and analyzing existing datasets. This study will lead to a better understanding of the distribution patterns of riverine fish in the Southwestern USA.
Project Lead: Ryan Sheppard-Peery (M.S. student)
Project Timeline: August 2022 - May 2024
Project Summary: A primary goal in stream ecology is to understand the distribution, abundance, and composition of organisms and communities in riverine environments. Ecological theory has long recognized that the distributions of organisms within streams are usually not random and that communities, subject to various selective forces, usually display various spatial patterns. Metacommunity theory has been a valuable approach for predicting how local and regional factors influence the distribution and community structure of riverine organisms across multiple spatial and temporal scales. The overarching objective of this study is to determine the relative importance of different environmental and spatial factors in determining the abundance and distribution of fish in New Mexico rivers by mining and analyzing existing datasets. This study will lead to a better understanding of the distribution patterns of riverine fish in the Southwestern USA.
Project Lead: Ryan Sheppard-Peery (M.S. student)
Project Timeline: August 2022 - May 2024
Effects of catastrophic wildfire on stream macroinvertebrate communities in northern New Mexico
Project Summary: The objective of this study is to monitor, record, and evaluate the effects of catastrophic wildfire on stream macroinvertebrate community structure in the Pecos Wilderness in Northern New Mexico. Habitat alteration caused by wildfire has a significant impact on aquatic communities, specifically organisms that are immobile, such as many aquatic insects that have not reached adult stages. This research hypothesizes that catastrophic wildfire events will negatively influence the development and reproduction of macroinvertebrates, resulting in decreased diversity and abundance in areas impacted by the wildfire.
Project Lead: Jodie Montgomery (undergraduate student)
Project Timeline: September 2022 - December 2023
Funding Sources: New Mexico Alliance for Minority Participation- Undergraduate Research Scholars Program/ Fall 2022 NM WRRI Student Water Research Grant
Toxicity of fire retardant in pulsed exposures to Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout under varying temperatures
Project Summary: Wildfires are increasingly impacting stream habitats and biota, both directly and indirectly. One often overlooked indirect effect on stream fish communities is the usage of wildfire retardants. Although there are regulations preventing the deployment of fire retardants within a certain range of a stream, accidental and special permission intrusions do occur. Much of the research evaluating the toxicity of wildfire retardant chemicals on stream fish have focused on evaluating the impacts of long-term static exposure, which is unlikely to occur naturally in the field. Fish are more likely exposed to increased concentrations of fire-retardant chemicals for brief periods that rarely exceed 5 h. Additionally, many of the existing studies evaluating the toxicity of fire-retardant chemicals on fish do not account for differences in background water chemistry, such as water temperature. The toxicity of fire-retardant chemicals may differ based on the environmental characteristics of the riverscape. Therefore, the goal of this study is to evaluate the toxicity of a commonly used fire-retardant chemical in pulsed exposures to juvenile Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout (RGCT) under different temperature regimes. To the best of our knowledge, there are currently no studies that have evaluated the toxicity of fire retardants on RGCT under varying thermal regimes. Project Lead: Ashlyn Reynolds (undergraduate student) Project Timeline: January 2022 - April 2023 Funding Source: New Mexico Alliance for Minority Participation- Undergraduate Research Scholars Program |
|