Foundation species are important components of ecosystems because they provide habitat and ameliorate stressful conditions for residents. This thesis considers the role of surfgrasses (Phyllospadix spp.) as dynamic foundation species on the coast of Oregon in two studies. Chapter 2, which presents an observational survey of two Phyllospadix congeners, investigates...
As interest grows in developing devices to harvest energy from ocean waves, tidal currents, and offshore wind, concerns over possible environmental effects from such devices also grow. One such concern is over the induced electric fields and the generated magnetic fields from generators and their associated submarine power cables in...
Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies were employed to evaluate cattle occupancy of three landscape attributes on three different grazing allotments administered by the Wallowa Whitman National Forest in Northeast Oregon. Topographic characteristics of slope; 0-4%, 4-12%, 12-35% and >35% were evaluated as well as north...
Establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) has been documented to effectively manage marine resource's diversity and enhance fisheries productivity. However, there must be a critical consideration of how these sites are selected and the actual description of the site itself. Its effectiveness is greatly dependent on understanding these habitats and...
Spatial variation in the diet of the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) influences owl home ranges, and understanding this relationship will aid managers in forest management prescriptions that influence spotted owl recovery. This study describes the spatial variation in owl diet based on 4183 prey collected at 114 owl...
Outreach is a small, but significant component to modern research.
Developing an exhibit for public display can be an effective way to communicate science to broad audiences, although it may be a less familiar method to scientists than writing papers or giving presentations. I outline the process of developing an...
The high productivity of Eastern Boundary Upwelling Ecosystems (EBUE), some of the most productive ecosystems in the globe, is attributed to the nutrient rich waters brought up through upwelling. Climate change scenarios for coastal upwelling systems, predict an intensification of coastal upwelling winds. Associated with intensification in upwelling are biogeochemical...
Variable ocean conditions can greatly impact lower trophic level prey assemblages in marine ecosystems, with effects propagating up to higher trophic levels. Our goal was to better understand how varying ocean conditions influence diets and niche overlap among a suite of low- to mid trophic level predators. We studied the...
Macroinvertebrates constitute the backbone of megafaunal communities in benthic ecosystems around the globe. Many macroinvertebrates have vital roles in benthic ecosystems, ranging from enhancing habitat complexity to providing staple food sources for other organisms. Regardless of how familiar macroinvertebrates are to the general public, very few studies have attempted to...
Continental shelves located along eastern boundary currents occupy relatively small volumes of the world’s oceans, yet are responsible for a large proportion of global primary production. The Oregon coast is among these ecosystems. Recent analyses of dissolved oxygen at shallow depths in the water column has suggested increasing episodes of...