The forest alpine tundra ecotone (FTE, also known as alpine treeline or subalpine parkland), is a conspicuous feature of mountain landscapes throughout the world. Climate change-driven increases in temperature are believed to result in FTE movement and tree invasion of subalpine meadows, which have been documented throughout the Northern Hemisphere...
More women than ever before survive breast cancer with 89% of those diagnosed becoming survivors (NCI, 2008). However, according to the National Cancer Institute (2005) some groups of women bear a greater burden of difficulty in survivorship. Sexual minority women (SMW), or women who partner with other women in romantic...
Dense hyphal mats formed by ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi are prominent features in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forest soils and have been estimated to cover up to 40% of the forest floor in some stands. Although previous studies have examined various aspects of EcM fungi, little is known about their associated microbial...
The intracellular mutualism between cnidarians and photosynthetic dinoflagellates (genus Symbiodinium) is responsible for the physical and trophic structure of diverse coral reef ecosystems. This relationship, based on nutrient exchange, allows for high productivity in tropical waters, which are generally nutrient-poor environments. Numerous environmental stressors currently threaten the health of corals,...
Since the Industrial Revolution, automated systems have increasingly become a part of everyday life. Automated systems range in scale and scope from simple assists to complete robotic replacements. Inexpensive integrated circuits, sensors and microprocessors have allowed automated systems to become smaller, cheaper and more prevalent. Identifying appropriate opportunities for automation,...
Over the last decade, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has documented a precipitous decline in the Crooked River redband trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) population, prompting this study to address potential factors contributing to the decline. There are two main goals to this project: (1) identify potential factors contributing...
State-and-transition models (STMs) have been successfully used to
describe ecological dynamics in woodlands, shrublands, grasslands, and several other ecosystems. Changes in vegetation and soil are measured to gauge and predict plant community dynamics within ecological states and transitions between alternative ecological states. Ecological states and their boundaries are defined by...
The 100 North Pacific rockfish species in the genus Sebastes are highly diverse. Rockfishes fertilize their eggs internally and release swimming larvae. Complex courting behaviors may allow female rockfish to be selective about their mates and may promote and maintain speciation. In this study, I applied genetic techniques to survey...
Sagebrush steppe ecosystems in the Great Basin have become increasingly threatened by the proliferation of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.), an invasive annual grass. Diverse sagebrush and perennial bunchgrass landscapes can be converted to homogenous cheatgrass grasslands mainly through the effects of fire. Although the consequences of this conversion are well...
The leaf surface is a stark environment for bacterial colonists with limited
availability of nutrients, water and protected niches. Despite these limitations, a
plethora of bacteria appear to have adapted ways to survive and flourish on leaf
surfaces. One mechanism of survival is the formation of biofilms. Biofilms are a...