Assessing Urban Wildlife Water Availability: Investigating Runoff and Evaporation Dynamics in Fort Worth Ponds

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Peyton Harper Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 3, Position 3, 11:30-1:30

Water is an essential resource for urban wildlife, but this water needs to be available and accessible. Fort Worth is an urban area that gets hot and dry during the summer months which can cause many water sources to dry up, making them unavailable for wildlife. However, some water sources in Fort Worth may be more susceptible to drying up than others. This may be affected by runoff which in turn can be a function of different variables such as soil type, impervious surface cover, vegetation cover, elevation, and more. Additionally, differences in location-specific weather may affect evaporation rates of bodies of water. This study aims: (1) to determine the variations in six different pond sites across Fort Worth, (2) to identify the factors that potentially affect runoff and evaporation, and correlate the variables with the rate of changes of the ponds to determine their significance, and (3) use this established relationship to evaluate the susceptibility of other ponds in the area to drying up during summers.

COASTAL EROSION: INTEGRATING GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY TO AID IN THE MANAGEMENT OF EROSION DUE TO RISING SEA LEVELS ALONG US COASTLINES

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Tristan Knowlton Environmental Sciences Miki Nisbet Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Environmental Sciences
Location: Second Floor, Table 4, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

Along the coastlines of America, specifically along the Pacific Coast and the Gulf of Mexico, rising sea levels are causing great levels of coastal erosion, leading to the loss of coastal homes and ecologically valuable land. Climate change affects the rate at which sea levels rise, which in turn determines how quickly coastlines are eroded. The objective is to analyze coastal maps of California and the Gulf of Mexico to determine which coastal factors facilitate or hinder the degradation of coastlines.

Sustainability Progress of Global Companies Using GRI Standards

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Maria Pertz Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Brendan Lavy Environmental Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 5, Position 3, 11:30-1:30

In a recent survey by IBM, 51% of respondents from 10 major global economies stated that sustainability is more important to them today than it was 12 months ago (Emeritus, 2022). Historically, influential corporations have disregarded the triple bottom line and have ignored the effects their supply chains have on the environment, people, and the economy, and in turn, made negative contributions to sustainable development. To reduce and eventually eliminate the harm, many companies are now creating sustainability plans to monitor their progress. Sustainability planning and reporting have gained traction in the last decade given the push for standardization, the need for transparency from consumers, and improved environmental social governance metrics within their business operations. Today, there are over 600 different sustainability reporting standards, industry initiatives, frameworks, and guidelines that have improved the transparency, consistency, and interoperability of sustainable practices (Brightest, 2024). One of the most widely adopted frameworks is the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). GRI created the first global sustainability and social impact measurement standards in 1997, and they help businesses and other organizations take responsibility for their impacts, by providing them with a global common language to communicate those impacts (Global Reporting Organization, n.d.).

The purpose of this research is to examine the contents of 10 sustainability reports across five industries and document their actions towards sustainable development. I will focus on how companies are not only reducing their environmental impacts but also protecting workers and contributing to society. Understanding the degree to which companies are addressing these challenges is crucial to measuring their progress and determining if they are advancing toward sustainability.

Product testing the next generation Song Meter Mini Bat acoustic detector for Wildlife Acoustics, Inc.

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Kaitlyn Roussel Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Tory Bennett Environmental Sciences
Location: First Floor, Table 1, Position 1, 11:30-1:30

Analyzing the calls a bat emits is one of the main ways to identify a species. We use bat acoustic detectors to filter these ultrasonic sounds produced. As technology advances, so do these detectors. Wildlife Acoustics Inc. produces bat acoustic detectors constantly. These detectors are then tested with older models to see if they produce the same results. We, therefore, conducted a study to test the next generation of bat acoustic detectors to the older models by Wildlife Acoustics Inc. We tested all three detectors at the same site, over the same period, and analyzed the results to see if the newest model was. This study took place in the flight room on Texas Christian University's campus between the dates of 03/01 - 03/08/2024, in Fort Worth Texas.

An Assessment of the Connectivity of Parks as Pollinator Habitats in Tarrant County, Texas at Multiple Spatial Scales

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Maddie Rzucidlo Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Brendan Lavy Environmental Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 10, Position 2, 11:30-1:30

Pollinators are essential to the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Approximately 87.5% of flowering plants rely on animal pollination for reproduction (Ollerton, 2017) Due to this, pollinators are vital to the production of human consumed crops and the health of ecosystems. Urbanization drives decreases in pollinator biodiversity, species richness and abundance due to loss of habitat and fragmentation (Turo et al., 2021). Urban characteristics such as densification and impervious surfaces can cause pollinator declines and loss of pollinator services (Wenzel et al., 2020).

Tarrant County has a population of 2,110,640 and encompasses 865.2 square miles in of land north central Texas (United States Census Bureau, 2020). It is also the 15th-most populated county in the United States (United States Census Bureau, 2024). Tarrant County is also located in a major pollinator migratory pathway (National Park Service, 2019). Studies show that both population density and city size impact pollinator populations (Norton et al., 2016; Sivakoff et al., 2018). Such rapid population growth has the potential to impact pollinators and their habitats. Urban green spaces such as parks can be beneficial pollinator refuges (Serret et al., 2022). Connectivity of pollinator habitats is important for species richness and abundance (Graffigna et al., 2023). Due to the rapid population growth, land use change, and densification occurring within Tarrant County and the existence of major pollinator habitats within the area, Tarrant County parks are a compelling place to conduct landscape connectivity research on pollinators. The objective of this project is to assess the connectivity of pollinator habitats in the highly urbanized Tarrant County area. This project strives to understand how urban parks as pollinator habitats connect to one another at a range of distances for pollinator travel.

Austin's Walkability: Tree Canopy Cover of Downtown Austin's Sidewalks

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Zoey Suasnovar Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences Brendan Lavy Environmental Sciences
Location: Second Floor, Table 2, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

As the Capital of Texas, Austin has been a great exemplar in the protection and preservation of trees within their city limits. Austin has had a commitment to these trees for decades, but what do the trees do for the city of Austin? This poster focuses on the sidewalks of downtown Austin, and what percentage of them are covered by the canopy of these trees. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) we calculate the percentage of the canopy cover overlaying the sidewalks. Understanding the canopy cover allows us to also find the walkability score of downtown Austin. A tree's canopy provides shade, and when placed over a sidewalk, it provides an escape from the omnipresent heat in Austin in the Texas summers. People in areas of lower-socioeconomic status tend to have reduced trees (and greenspace in general) compared to those of a higher-socioeconomic status. By determining an area's walkability score, we can also find areas of desire where greenspaces and trees can benefit the people living there.

Can Passive Acoustic Monitoring Effectively Be Used To Inform The Species Diversity And Activity Patterns Of Bats In Big Bend National Park

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Justyn Wallace Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Victoria Bennett Environmental Sciences
Location: Second Floor, Table 8, Position 3, 11:30-1:30

Use of an artificial roost site by multiple bat species in Texas

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Abi Welch Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Victoria Bennett Environmental Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 8, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

The use of roost sites by multiple bat species is well-documented, especially in large structures where different species are partitioned by distinct microclimates within these structures; however, there is limited research on smaller roost sites, especially artificial ones, such as wooden bat houses. With such houses recommended to improve urban areas for bats or mitigation to replace natural roosts lost during construction projects, understanding species-specific roost use is imperative to ensure these conservation strategies are effective. To address this need, we compared the temporal and spatial use of an artificial roost site by bats in a residential neighborhood in Fort Worth, Texas. Since 2017, we have monitored species presence, including the evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis) known to roost in natural roost sites such as the tree hollows, broken branches, peeling bark, and under thick-stemmed ivy, and the Mexican free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis), which tends to roost in caves. In addition, we monitored this roost site almost weekly for a year from 2023-2024 to determine how seasonal use in the abundance of these species varied. More specifically, we addressed whether these species displayed year-round communal roosting or species-specific roost partitioning, as well as species-specific seasonal roost use. Along with providing insights into artificial roost use by bats, this study represents the first to demonstrate multispecies use of a roost site, natural or artificial, by evening and Mexican free-tailed bats. The findings have implications for understanding interspecies competition and artificial roost use and therefore contribute to bat conservation.

Flood Risk Analysis of Anchorage Alaska

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Matthew Froehlich Environmental Sciences Andrew Campola Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 3, Position 2, 11:30-1:30

Alaska is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region notorious for tectonic activity, including earthquakes and tsunamis. This, along with significant tidal fluctuations, and an increasing sea level pose a unique threat along Alaska's coastlines. Our objective is to create a map displaying potential risks and levels of risks in the city of Anchorage. In addition, we plan to analysis the potential economic costs of differing levels of flooding.

Heat Severity Influence on Median Household Income Across Fort Worth, TX

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Audrey Haffner Environmental Sciences Blake Harrison Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences Brendan Lavy Environmental Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 13, Position 2, 11:30-1:30

This research identifies the relationship between heat severity and median household income across Fort Worth, Texas. As global temperatures continue to rise the urban heat island (UHI) effect becomes more severe, especially in low-income communities due to disparity to past discriminatory housing policies. This study utilizes the ArcGIS Pro software to create a series of maps using census data to acquire the objectives of this study.

An equity analysis of tree canopy in Fort Worth, Texas

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Adam Buckmeier Environmental Sciences Manuel de Oyarzabal Barba Environmental Sciences Peter Fahey Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Brendan Lavy Environmental Sciences
Location: First Floor, Table 4, Position 1, 11:30-1:30

Trees provide an array of benefits to urban communities, such as oxygen production, flood mitigation, air pollution reduction, increased property value, cooling effects, and cultural services. Tree distribution, however, varies across cities, impacting the delivery of these services from neighborhood to neighborhood. Research has shown that low-income neighborhoods are more likely to have less trees than wealthier neighborhoods, leaving these neighborhoods more vulnerable to health impacts, such as heat-related and respiratory illnesses. The purpose of this study is to analyze tree canopy cover in relation to a set of demographic variables at the US Census block group level to understand if inequities exist in Fort Worth, Texas. We used a geographic information system (GIS) to assess the extent to which age, race, income, and housing characteristics are related to tree canopy. We conducted a correlation analysis between percent canopy cover and the demographic variables. Preliminary results suggest that majority minority and low-income block groups possess less canopy cover than predominantly white, higher-income areas in Fort Worth.

Spatial Relationship Between Trees and Wildlife in Tarrant County

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Manuel de Oyarzabal Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Environmental Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 8, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

As urbanization continues to fragment landscapes, wildlife become more isolated and find it harder to access the necessary resources to survive. Finding ways to connect fragmented landscapes is necessary for wildlife, but it is important to know what areas wildlife currently occupy. Trees provide valuable habitat for many species, but it is important to know what tree species are the most beneficial, and where these are located. This study used point locations of five tree species, bobcats, and coyotes to identify the density of each in Tarrant County. We identified that cedar elms have the most overlap with both bobcats and coyotes. The areas with high densities of cedar elms are the best for and bobcats, which is an indicator that they will be good for other species. Therefore these areas should be targeted for conservation and restoration.

Improving urban flyways for bats: The importance of tree canopy structure.

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Manuel de Oyarzabal Barba Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Tory Bennett Environmental Sciences Brendan Lavy Environmental Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 9, Position 1, 11:30-1:30

The expansion of urban areas is a threat to wildlife because it fragments habitat and reduces the access to resources. Consequently, there is a need to improve the quality of urban habitats by increasing connectivity between habitats and resources. For volant species like bats, birds, and flying invertebrates, linear features such as tree-lines and/or connected canopies can create corridors that allow these wildlife to move along. In an urban environment, the structure of the urban forest (essentially all the trees in an urban area) can provide connectivity, if appropriate, thereby increasing access to resources and landscape permeability. Thus, in this study we used behavioral observation and acoustics surveys to monitor the commuting activity of bats in Fort Worth, Texas along 15 potential commuting routes. At each route, we measured tree height, percent canopy cover, gap distance, number of gaps, and rugosity or ruggedness of the canopy edge to identify what tree canopy features aided bat movement. Using GLM, we found that routes surrounded with more linear canopy cover and less gap distance resulted in more bats commuting. Moreover, we found that an increase in rugosity negatively influenced route use, as undulating tree canopies increased obstacles that created an inefficient commuting route (i.e., straight lines save energy). Our study demonstrates that the urban environment can be managed to increase connectivity and we provide recommendations on how to better manage the urban forest to increase commuting corridors for bats in this landscape.

Assessing contamination within Boone and Roubidoux Aquifer Recharge Zones in Northeastern Oklahoma

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Colin Dixon Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Michael Slattery Environmental Sciences
Location: Second Floor, Table 6, Position 3, 11:30-1:30

Currently over 1,400 households use the Roubidoux Aquifer in Northeastern Oklahoma as their main source of drinking water. Additionally, the total water demand is projected to increase 56% from 2010 to 2060. This increase in water demand is concerning due to the Boone and Roubidoux aquifers being highly susceptible to surface contamination, containing elements such as lead and zinc, from the Tar Creek Superfund site located (TCSS) in Picher, OK. This study seeks to determine, using spatial analysis tools in GIS, the contamination susceptibility of the Boone and Roubidoux aquifer recharge zones as a result of direct surface contaminants and processes that facilitate their propagation.

Flood Hazard Risk Mapping for Rowlett Creek Watershed using Remote Sensing and GIS-based Flood Hazard Index

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Binita Ghimire Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Gehendra kharel Environmental Sciences Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 6, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

Flood is a major threat to many communities worldwide, despite many areas lacking flood hazard mapping due to data scarcity. Under such a scenario, remote sensing and GIS-based approaches could be a promising solution for assessing and characterizing flood hazard risk. Therefore, the objectives of this research project are to develop a flood hazard risk map for Rowlett Creek Watershed using remote sensing data and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) techniques to identify and evaluate flood risk areas over the study site. The research will involve development of complied flood hazard index (FHI) using GIS software based on flood causative factors such as slope, flow accumulation, drainage network density, distance from drainage channel, geology, land use/cover, soil moisture and rainfall intensity. Filed data of geology will be obtained from SSURGO and other data will be extracted from remote sensing product such as SRTM, NLCD, CROPCASMA and PERSIAN. The expected outcome of the research is the development of flood hazard risk thematic map and further verify it with the inundation area of a historical flood events in the study area, which will help to purpose proper mitigation and management strategies in flood-prone area. This research looks over a remote sensing and GIS-based approach for characterizing flood hazard risk, which will provide valuable information for policymakers, disaster management agencies, and other stakeholders working towards reducing the impact of floods even in data-scarce areas.

An Inside Look into how the Spatial Distributions of City Amenities Affects Household Income and Vice Versa

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Trip King Environmental Sciences Tabby Pyle Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Environmental Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 10, Position 2, 11:30-1:30

The present study is aimed at comparing the annual income per household to amenities in districts within the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex. Several datasets and analysis results including the spatial distribution of public and private schools, school ratings, proximity to health facilities, parks, and other government provided services will be combined to investigate the research question. Some of the data analysis techniques that will be implemented using ArcGIS Pro include creating buffer zones which act as visual guides to better demonstrate comparisons and communicate the findings in an interactive way.

Identifying opportunities and challenges for food recovery in Fort Worth, Texas

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Kaleigh Klosak Environmental Sciences Ashlyn Morrill Environmental Sciences Camilla Price Biology Olivia Sottile Biology
Advisor(s): Brendan Lavy Environmental Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 8, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

Each year, as much as 40 percent of food produced in the United States is wasted by producers or consumers. When food waste is sent to landfills, it competes for limited space and generates the greenhouse gas methane. Globally, food loss and waste represent 8 percent of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Restaurants are known to be a contributor to food waste, both in the kitchen and from consumers. The purpose of this research is to examine food recovery efforts of restaurants in Fort Worth. We sent a survey to 371 restaurants in Fort Worth asking about their food waste management practices. The survey was designed to document restaurants’ current food waste practices, interest in food donation and composting programs, and business characteristics. We analyzed the responses through descriptive statistics and other statistical methods to evaluate how practices varied by business demographics and type of establishment. From this survey, we discovered local barriers to food recovery and from these, we suggest forms of outreach or programming that would help restaurants to reduce food waste. We also used responses to identify and map ideal food waste drop-off locations for restaurants that the city could use to plan recovery efforts.

Assessing Biodiversity and Climate Resiliency of Trees in a Flood Plain Buyout

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Kenna Mollendor Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Brendan Lavy Environmental Sciences
Location: First Floor, Table 4, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

Urban forests are a common way to integrate nature into heavily populated areas. Urban forests provide a range of benefits to urban communities. Trees provide economic, social, and cultural benefits. For instance, trees provide opportunities for individuals to engage with the environment, reduce stress, and increase property values. Trees also contribute to ecosystem services as well by filtering air pollution, providing habitat for wildlife, and mitigating storm water runoff. The purpose of this research is to assess the biodiversity and the climate resiliency of trees in an urban forest in Arlington, Texas that was part of a program for environmental mitigation of a flood plain. To assess the biodiversity and climate resiliency of the area’s trees, we collected the following data: tree diameter measured at 4.5 feet above the ground (DBH), GPS coordinates of trees, species, and tree condition. We analyzed the data using the Simpson’s Biodiversity Index and the Shannon Diversity Index values to assess the biodiversity of present tree species and identify their climate resiliency. We compared these results to two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) to understand the potential impact of climate change on the urban forest. Finally, we offer suggestions to increase the resiliency of this urban forest and the potential for incorporating these findings in future urban forest management plans.

Are Our Creeks Safe? Investigating the presence of bacteria in Village Creek, Everman, Texas.

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Isabella Moreno Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Gehendra Kharel Environmental Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 2, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

At the Water and Society Lab at TCU, we are studying the presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli). The Village Creek tributary of the Trinity River is the subject of this testing, and it is one of the many water bodies monitored by the US Geological Service. Using information provided by the monitoring location alongside the data gathered from our research, we can assess and monitor the concentration of E. coli in the Village Creek.

Through weekly sample collection and analysis, we can determine the prevalence of E. coli in the Village Creek. Our method is to collect water samples, add EPA-approved Colilert testing chemicals, and incubate the samples at 35℃ for 24 hours. During analysis, the presence of E. coli is quantified by colony forming units (CFU). This research indicates whether or not the sample contains unsafe levels of E. coli. According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the US EPA, 126 CFU per 100 mL of water is deemed unsafe. In addition to recording CFU, we also document certain hydro-climatological variables such as ambient and water temperature, rainfall, and turbidity. Through these findings, we can be applied to water management and quality decisions throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth and north-central Texas regions.

A GIS analysis of wildfire risk in Colorado and mitigation strategies using livestock

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Kaitlyn Roussel Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 10, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

Wildfires are a global concern as they are unpredicted fires that cause harm to their surrounding environment, local wildlife, and humans. The negatives of these wildfires outweigh the positives as their occurrence is natural but also caused by human negligence. This past year there were about 69,000 wildfires reported nationally; of these fires, 835 were from Colorado. This study assesses the risk of wildfires in Colorado by using GIS and spatial data to map fire risk and determine possible mitigation techniques through utilizing livestock.
For the past 20 years, Colorado has experienced their largest wildfires, and with no decrease in the number of wildfires each year, mitigation techniques are crucial. In determining what method to use, it is valuable to focus on all the factors that add to these fires, such as the amount of rainfall, elevation, humidity, human activities, and more. Multiple past studies have used livestock as a form of wildfire mitigation. Using grazers to eat the fuel these fires thrive on can decrease the spread of future fires. Grazers are an environmentally stable form of fire mitigation as they eat the vegetation and then process it to become nutrients for the soil. We can determine the areas of high risk in Colorado by assessing how the stated factors contribute to Colorado wildfires and see if grazers are a possible mitigation method.

Enhancing urban areas for bat communities: Water quality influences water availability

Type: Graduate
Author(s): I'Yanna Scott Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Victoria Bennett Environmental Sciences Gehendra Kharel Environmental Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 9, Position 1, 11:30-1:30

Water represents one of the required resources for wildlife to live and thrive in an area. Due to urbanization, we have seen an increase in the transformation of natural water sources (i.e. lakes, streams, and rivers) to semi-natural (i.e. retention ponds, reservoirs, and drainage ditches), for which we create for the urban infrastructure and for animals. The objective of the following study was to assess whether water quality influences the direct use of water sources by terrestrial wildlife in an urban environment utilizing bats as our indicator species. We, therefore, hypothesize that water sources with higher water quality will have an abundant and diverse community of bats using them (i.e., foraging and drinking), while lower quality water sources will have little to no bat activity and lower species diversity. We conducted this study using thermal cameras and acoustic monitoring to determine whether water quality has discernible influences for water resource use by bats at water sources across six urban parks and greenspaces in Fort Worth, Texas. We observed increased bat activity at water sources that were listed as areas with higher water quality standards with very slow moving water, and little activity in areas that have been known to have lower water quality. Understanding how the water quality of urban sources impacts bats, may not only be used as an indicator of water availability for other wildlife species in urban areas, but also provide insights into the environmental health of local parks and surrounding neighborhoods.

Using open source software to quantify the ecosystem services of campus trees

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Chandler Baskerville Environmental Sciences Lauren Trotter Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Brendan Lavy Environmental Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 4, Position 3, 11:30-1:30

Trees provide essential ecosystem services to urban environments. Urban forests attenuate air pollution, mitigate flooding, reduce energy consumption, raise property values, promote community cohesion, and enhance quality of life. To maximize these services, colleges, universities, and associated campus organizations engage in a host of activities designed to enhance the structure and function of their urban forests. These activities include protecting and preserving trees, planting and maintaining trees, and offering outreach on the benefits of trees. Additionally, tree measurements present an opportunity to assess the extent to which campus trees provide important services to the university and the surrounding community. The purpose of this research is to quantify the ecosystem services of trees on the TCU campus. We recorded standard tree measurement variables, including trunk diameter, tree height, and crown width. Next, we used i-Tree Eco, an open source urban forestry software from the USDA Forest Service, to quantify the ecosystem services of campus trees. We calculated the following services: 1) pollution removal and human health impacts; 2) carbon sequestration and storage; and 3) hydrology effects, including avoided run-off, interception, and transpiration. Preliminary results indicate that campus trees provide a range of ecosystem services but vary by species and location. We recommend continued maintenance of campus trees and additional tree plantings to maximize ecosystem services.

Sustainability practices of food, beverage, and textile manufacturers in Texas's four largest metropolitan areas

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Kate Howe Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Brendan Lavy Environmental Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 8, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

Transparency in business operations has increased across industries as consumer demand for companies to share their sustainability practices has expanded. Because of this, businesses have begun to reinvigorate earlier operational goals that involved actions to improve environmental protection, social equity, or economic stability to align with the three conceptual pillars of sustainability – economy, society, and environment. The purpose of this research is to add to the expanding body of scholarly work investigating methods for operationalizing sustainability research and build on a method for visualizing and analyzing the extent to which sustainability practices align with each pillar of sustainability. To illustrate this method, we examined the websites of 164 manufacturing companies that have their headquarters in one of Texas’s four largest metropolitan statistical areas (MSA; i.e., Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, and San Antonio-New Braunfels). We used a quantitative content analysis approach to document occurrences of sustainability practices related to each entity’s business operations. We sorted these observations into one of the three pillars of sustainability and then visualized the occurrences across the four MSAs. The results show how location can influence manufacturer’s sustainability efforts, and that the integration of sustainability practices remain nascent despite consumer demand for transparency and sustainability.

Long-jawed orbweaving spiders (Tetragnatha sp.) as Sentinels of Mercury Contamination of the Trinity River

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Tori Martinez Biology Andrew Todd Environmental Sciences Macyn Willingham Biology
Advisor(s): Matt Chumchal Environmental Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 8, Position 1, 11:30-1:30

Long-jawed orbweaving spiders (Tetragnatha sp.) as Sentinels of Mercury Contamination of the Trinity River

Authors: Tori Martinez, Macyn Willingham, Christopher Allender, Morgan Capone, Matt Chumchal, Ray Drenner, Cale Perry, Robby Peterson, Iris Schmeder, Andrew Todd, Tyler Williams

Human-made sources such as coal-fired power plants and artisanal gold mines have large outputs of emissions containing inorganic mercury (IHg), resulting in an overall increase in environmental mercury (Hg) levels across the globe. IHg is not bioavailable and therefore does not normally pose a risk to organisms. However, the conversion of IHg to bioavailable methylmercury (MeHg) that takes place in an aquatic ecosystem threatens human and wildlife health, given that MeHg is a neurotoxin. To investigate this further, the amount of MeHg must be determined for specific locations given that there is a large variation in inorganic mercury deposition throughout various landscapes and ecosystems. Specifically, this project examines the bioaccumulation of MeHg in aquatic food webs and individual bodies of water, through the use of shoreline spiders as a sentinel species. If excess mercury is present within an aquatic food web, there would be a presence of mercury in emergent aquatic insects. Shoreline spiders, then, prey on the emergent aquatic insects, resulting in an accumulation of mercury within their tissue. Shoreline spiders have been proposed as sentinels of MeHg but there have been relatively few studies examining biological factors that could influence the concentration of MeHg in their tissues. The objective of this study is to determine how spider size and sex can influence MeHg concentrations in the Clear and West Fork of the Trinity River. There is existing evidence that the two forks may have varying amounts of mercury accumulation, based on a study done in 2016. This study focused on the long-jawed orb weaver (Family Tetragnathidae; Tetragnatha sp.) shoreline spider, in which over 1000 were captured from June to August 2019. We preserved spiders in 95% ethanol followed by measurement of leg length (a proxy for body size), determination of spider sex and Hg analysis. In this presentation we will discuss the relationship between spider size, sex, and ecosystem contamination levels on Hg concentration.

The use of swimming pools by bats in a game reserve in South Africa

Type: Graduate
Author(s): James McGee Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Victoria Bennett Environmental Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 1, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

It is generally acknowledged that natural resources are preferentially selected by wildlife and it is only when these resources are unavailable or limited that a species will seek a less preferable option or alternative. While the use of anthropogenic structures and features by wildlife in disturbed habitats or urban environments is well-documented, the use of such resources in natural and semi-natural habitats is not. To address this, we explored the importance of artificial water sources for bats in a semi-natural habitat. We conducted acoustic monitoring surveys at two swimming pools at tourist lodges on the Amakhala Game Reserve in South Africa from 2018 to 2021 and behavioral observation surveys in June of 2021. From the data collected, we determined species-specific activity within proximity to the pools, foraging activity (identified by approach phase calls and feeding buzzes), and drinking activity (identified by the occurrence of drinking buzzes). Seven of 23 locally known species have been identified at the swimming pools, at which both foraging (~1% of calls) and drinking activity (~5%) has been recorded. This study provides insights into how anthropogenic features could be of value to wildlife in a semi-natural habitat.