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Environment

Effects of High Severity Wildfire on Mycorrhizal Fungi in Boreal Forests

Boreal forests are warming faster than the rest of the globe, leading to more frequent and severe wildfires. A main component of boreal forest recovery is mycorrhizal fungi, which establish mutualistic symbioses with host plants within the roots and soil. However, this symbiosis may be threatened by high severity fires, which burn the canopy of trees and the soil. This review will evaluate the current literature on high severity wildfire and mycorrhizal fungi in boreal forests.

Wash Them Down the Microplastic Sink

Most of us are familiar with the ongoing problem of plastic pollution in our oceans. The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that over 14 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year. Through UV degradation and choppy currents, these big pieces of plastic break down into tiny microplastics (pieces less than 5mm in size) which threaten marine animals that mistake these pollutants for food.

Microplastic Effects on Zostera and the Possible Utility of Zostera as a Bioremediation Crop for Reduction of Microplastics in Coastal Ecosystems

Over 14 million tons of microplastics, pieces of plastic less than 5mm (MPs), have accumulated in the world's oceans to date. Along the California coastline, this is attributed to high urbanization in former wetland habitats. A focal organism in this environmental issue is the eelgrass, a marine plant whose beds were once widespread along the California coastline but has since shrunk by 90% over the last century due to coastal urbanization. The remaining beds of the most common genus, Zostera, concentrate within bays and estuaries that receive an influx of inland freshwater; as a result they collect a large portion of MP-contaminated urban runoff. This paper will elucidate the mechanisms in which MPs get trapped in Zostera beds, as well as examine the ecological impacts this has. These findings will help to discuss Zostera restoration for its possible utility as a bioremediation crop for removal of MPs from water.

Neonicotinoid Insecticide Imidacloprid: Presence in Freshwater Systems, Phytoremediation, and Bacterial Remediation

One of the most extensively used insecticides is imidacloprid, which functions by inhibiting the central nervous system in insects. That mechanism is indiscriminate, so while it harms pest species, it also harms other biota. Current research indicates that imidacloprid is infiltrating freshwater systems as a result of agricultural runoff, adversely affecting both the aquatic environment and persisting into human drinking water. This review will provide an overview of the extent to which imidacloprid pollutes freshwater systems and discuss the efficacy and viability of two sustainable methods of removing it: plant and bacterial remediation.

Predictors of Algae Growth in Estuary Systems: A Case Study in Suisun Bay, California

Eutrophication is a widespread ecological issue affecting freshwater and marine ecosystems globally. California’s coastal regions are particularly vulnerable to eutrophication due to agricultural intensity and dense population centers, while various underlying abiotic factors drive the occurrence of eutrophication. This paper focuses on understanding the drivers and patterns of eutrophication in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, specifically emphasizing individual major algal growth predictors and their collective influence on total algae concentration. USGS water quality data from Van Sickle Island in Suisun Bay, California, collected from June 2020 to May 2023, was analyzed using multivariate linear regression analysis. The study found that the predictors of temperature and turbidity were positively related to chlorophyll concentration. Although considered a predictor, nitrate concentration showed a weaker correlation with chlorophyll. The analysis revealed that the monthly average data for each algae growth predictor best fit the relationship with chlorophyll. These findings suggest that turbidity may be the dominant factor influencing algal growth in the Suisun Bay estuary system, while nutrient availability, specifically nitrates, may not be a primary driver. The results highlight the need to consider waterbody temperature and turbidity as important variables in developing effective management and mitigation practices around eutrophication.

Bird-watching Around Davis during the Holiday Season

Each fall more than a billion birds transverse California’s Central Valley as they travel south along the Pacific Flyway. As these birds travel down the valley, many stop in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region south of Davis where thousands of bird-watchers come to meet them. The article guides prospective bird-watchers on the plethora of parks, preserves, and roadside stops in the areas surrounding Davis for observing all of the aural and visual wonders birds have to offer.

How Dams Affect California’s Anadromous Fishes and Potential Benefits of Dam Removal

Some of California’s iconic freshwater fishes such as sturgeon, salmon, and trout are anadromous. This means that they are born in freshwater, migrate to the ocean as adults, and return to freshwater to spawn. Several species face extinction or severe decline within the next century, an endangerment facilitated by the presence of man-made dams. This review will discuss how dams affect anadromous fishes through habitat fragmentation, reduction in water quality, and the spread of disease.

Vermicompost: The Solution for the Use of Inorganic Substances in our Food Systems

Investigating replacements for inorganic chemical controls of pests and pathogens is essential to preserve the productivity and longevity of our agricultural lands. One solution is vermicomposting, a safe, scalable, and regenerative method of managing organic waste that involves the use of worms to convert organic matter into compost. This literature review examines the effects that vermicompost and vermicompost teas have on harmful accumulations of pests, pathogens, and toxins found within our agricultural systems.

Reducing Methane Emissions in Dairy Cattle

Total methane emissions from both dairy and meat cattle represent 14.5% of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. To mitigate climate change, it is necessary to create solutions to reduce methane emissions from cattle. For long-term solutions, scientists are focusing on increasing feed and production efficiency via genetic selection, as producing the same amount of milk or meat from a smaller herd of cattle will reduce methane emissions. In the short term, there has been a recent surge of studies exploring dietary supplements that could reduce the emissions of cattle in existing commercial farms. This article will primarily focus on the emissions produced by dairy cattle, including in vitro experiments and in vivo feeding trials.