Partner Institution: University of Connecticut

Inventory Bats to Inform Building and Tree Management in Minute Man National Historical Park

Project Description: Roosting sites are important features of summer habitat for most bat species in New England. Bats can roost in groups or solitary. Groups of bats are often maternity colonies for raising young. Solitary roosting can be during the day or for short resting periods during night-time foraging. Males are more likely to be found solitary roosting. Tree snags and loose bark are the common roost types, yet tri-colored bats tend to roost within clusters of dead leaves. Bats may also use man-made structures such as building (both attics and basements), with little brown bats and big brown bats regularly occurring in buildings.

MIMA resource managers need information on the presence of bats at the park to inform the mitigation and timing of potential building removal (17 structures), hazard tree removal near park trails and required regulatory consultations. Understanding which species are likely to be present in these areas would allow more tailored project timing and appropriate mitigation according to the life histories of these species. There is need to determine how frequently and when bats are using these specific habitat features within the park.

The goal of this project will be to assess bat species presence within Minute Man National Historical Park and enhance understanding of how bats are using specific habitat features within the park. The park needs presence/absence information for bats for the areas noted above: sites of future
building demolitions (17 anticipated) and major trails and adjacent public areas subject to hazard tree management (approximately 5 linear miles). While bat surveys have not been conducted in the park, spatial data on wetlands, vegetation, buildings and trails can be provided.

Lead Principal Investigator: Tracy Rittenhouse, University of Connecticut

Partner Institution: University of Connecticut

Federal Agency: National Park Service

Federal Agency Technical Contact: Lisa Nelson

Start Year: 2024

End Year: 2026

Initial Funding Amount: $51,931.12

Federal Grant Number: P24AC00645

Investigating Selenium and Mercury Dynamics and Influence on Aquatic Food Webs of the Western United States

Project Description: The goal of this research project is to address knowledge gaps about Se and Hg as independent and interacting stressors in freshwater systems. These knowledge gaps include: (a) Se biogeochemistry and trophodynamics; (b) the underlying mechanisms of Se, Hg, and Se-Hg toxicity; and (c) the coupling of Se and Hg uptake and trophic transfer along aquatic food webs.

Objectives of the proposed research are to:
1. Elucidate the influence of abiotic and biotic factors on Se uptake at the base of aquatic food webs;
2. Examine mechanisms of selenium toxicity through a combination of field collections and lab-based exposure experiments;
3. Develop biogenic tracers for understanding historic and contemporary exposure patterns;
4. Explore the mediating role of selenium on mercury uptake by food webs, trophic transfer, biomagnification, and speciation in lentic and lotic freshwater systems; and
5. Investigate the mechanisms and manifestations of selenium and mercury co-exposure consequences as they relate to fish health.

Lead Principal Investigator: Dr. Jessica Brandt, University of Connecticut

Partner Institution: University of Connecticut

Federal Agency: U.S. Geological Survey

Federal Agency Technical Contact: Faith Graves

Project Type: Research

Project Discipline: Natural Resources

Project Sub-Discipline(s): Biological (Ecology, Fish, Wildlife, Vegetation, T&E), Natural Hazards & Environmental Quality (NRDA), Water (FW & Marine)

Start Year: 2022

End Year: 2027

Initial Funding Amount: $49,999.00

Federal Grant Number: G22AC00068

Amendments

  • Amendment Number: 01, Year: 2023, Amount: $67,499.00
  • Amendment Number: 02, Year: 2024, Amount: $55,000.00

A sample-based approach for analyzing the driver of coastal tidal wetland changes

Project Description: The goal of this research to utilize spatially extensive remote sensing datasets to evaluate the impact of human activities on coastal tidal wetland and quantify the relevant drivers. Will reply on the recently created coastal wetland changes maps and a set of random samples stratified in tidal wetland change areas and manually interpreted the change drivers including human activities (e.g. human development, altered hydrology derived from management and restoration) and environmental processes. Will also use results to explore the impacts of human activities on coastal wetland ecosystems, which will benefit improving coastal planning and guiding land management decisions.

Lead Principal Investigator: Dr. Zhe Zhu, University of Connecticut

Partner Institution: University of Connecticut

Federal Agency: U.S. Geological Survey

Federal Agency Technical Contact: Faith Graves

Project Type: Research

Project Discipline: Natural Resources

Project Sub-Discipline(s): Engineering, Design, & Sustainability, Water (FW & Marine)

Start Year: 2023

End Year: 2026

Initial Funding Amount: $30,000.00

Federal Grant Number: G23AC00410-00