Jessica Gezymalla
Major: Biology
Expected Graduation: 2014
Components:
- Field observation Component
- Important Topics in Ecology Component
- ResearchComponent
- Field Work Component
Activities:
- Experiment Design
- Based on individual field observations and following the scientific method. experiments were then conducted and results analyzed.
- Field Data Collection
- Sampling of fish, macroinvertebrates, salamanders, and collection of plant galls
- Life table construction
- Based on cemetery data life tables were constructed to show possible trends between mortality rate and known events from history (war, disease, medical discoveries, etc.)
- Analysis of experimental data
- Using statistical analysis where applicable
- Herbicide application
- To test its effectiveness in removing two types of invasive plants (goutweed and japanese knotweed)
- Wetland management
- Wetland identification, ORAM, delineation
- Data Management
- Maintain and organize field book, transfer experimental data into an easily accessible and organized location.
- Research and Lecture
- On a major topic in ecology to class including discussion of current scientific papers
- Stream Survey
- To asses quality of primary headwater habitat streams
Skills:
- Ohio Rapid Assessment Method (ORAM)
- Vegitative Index of Biotic Integrity (VIBI)
- Conduced in a recently disturbed area as baseline study
- Headwater Habitat Evaluation Index (HHEI)
- Of a recently disturbed stream as baseline study
- Snakeboards
- Set-up for future study and in such a way as to replicate an existing study, some sampling done
- Kick-nets
- For macroinvertebrate sampling
- Study site picking
- including evaluating such factors as ability to effectively conduct experiment, and abiotic factors (temperature, wind, etc.)
- Following standardized protocols
- ORAM, VIBI, HHEI, PHWH
- Adapting to new situations in the field
- Changing sampling methods, experiment design, location, etc. to adjust to differences between the theoretical of experiment design to the reality of the field
- Adjusting methods in the field to procure more accurate results
- Data Management
- Keeping organized field book, transfer of relevant materials to a format which is easily understandable and accessible to other that it could benefit in the future
- Statistical Analysis
- Used to analyze results
- Incorporating outside knowledge to reach conclusions
- Using knowledge from other courses and from previous experiments to determine affects on organisms, species, the environment, etc.