Modified items

All recently modified items, latest first.

NM State Personnel Office Job Opportunity: Civil Engineer-Operational (DOT/GO #18860) by webeditor, last updated: Aug 28, 2014 02:04 PM: The purpose of this position is to work in a Drainage Design Unit performing hydrologic studies and hydraulic design in support of NMDOT construction and maintenance projects throughout the State. In addition, this position will develop temporary erosion and sediment control plans and prepare drainage reports for projects.

NMHU Research Day 2014 by Joe Zebrowski, last updated: Aug 15, 2014 03:01 PM: Folder containing presentations and posters presented by NMHU faculty and students at Research Day 2014, April 4, 2014.

Hydrology And Water Quality Monitoring Of The Mora River At Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge by Kathryn Mayan, last updated: Aug 15, 2014 03:01 PM: Poster: To clearly understand the current status of the Mora River at Wind River Ranch a comprehensive water quantity and quality long-term monitoring study is being conducted. The goal of this project is to monitor several hydrology and water quality parameters to determine long-term changes and/or trends in the hydrology and quality of the Mora River at the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge. These parameters will be integrated into a question driven long-term monitoring project that will allow us to investigate specific issues as they are related to climate change and the activities occurring at the Rio Mora Refuge and within the Mora River Watershed. Water quality sondes have been deployed at two sites and have been recording the physiochemical parameters continuously since July 2013. In addition water samples have been collected twice monthly at these sites for nutrient concentration determination. Preliminary data indicates that daily and seasonal fluctuations exist for all parameters measured.

The Impact of the Invasive American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) on Woodhouse Toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii) Demographics in the Rio Mora Wildlife Refuge in Northeastern NM by Alfonso Trujillo, last updated: Aug 15, 2014 03:01 PM: Poster: The introduction of Bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) has a negative impact on native species by out competing them for food and habitat. Woodhouse toads (Anaxyrus woodhousii) are among the native species to the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge (RMNWR) that co-exists with Bullfrogs. Early on bullfrogs were eradicated from a 2,600 meter section of the Mora River to evaluate the impact of their eradication on the local fauna while a control site of the river was left untouched where bullfrog density did not change. A parallel study on the diet of the euthanized bullfrogs found the presence of Woodhouse toads in their diet. The goal of this project is to investigate the impact of bullfrogs on Woodhouse toads by using three methods to determine differences between the control and experimental sites: (1) Determine abundance via two methods: A) a mark-recapture study demographic parameters (rate of increase, survival, capture rate). Distance sampling using random or systematic transects in the study area; (2) comparison of demographic structure using the animals caught in both sites; and (3) radio telemetry to explore habitat use and mobility of the Woodhouse toad as well as how it is affected by the presence of Bullfrogs.

The Response of Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) Population to Bullfrog Removal in the Mora River of Northern New Mexico by Adrian Carter, last updated: Aug 15, 2014 03:01 PM: Poster: Snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) are not well studied in New Mexico, and they have not been studied with relation to invasive species in Northern New Mexico. Recently, there have been many studies on herpetofauna and their responses to the invasive American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) along the Mora River at the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge. In a past study, bullfrogs were eradicated experimentally for a basis to learn about their impacts on native species. Snapping turtles live in the same habitats as bullfrogs and their hatchlings are potentially prey for bullfrogs. After bullfrogs eradication we have found neonate snapping turtles while no neonates were seen in the area where bullfrogs are still present. So I surmise that bullfrogs may have an impact on the population of snapping turtles. In this study I will evaluate the behavior and abundance of both adult and juvenile snapping turtles in response to the presence or absence of bullfrog. I will equip 8 snapping turtles with ATS radio telemetry transmitters and follow them for the next year documenting their preferred habitat, mating and nesting grounds. I will also perform systematic mark and capture throughout the summer to understand their demography and distribution. Understanding the habitat that snapping turtles select will help land managers incorporate protection of these habitats for this unrecognized and elusive species. Not only will this study provide baseline data on the behavior of snapping turtles in this region, it will provide a better understanding of the interactions between invasive and native species.

Plague Dynamics In Small Mammal Communities Of Northern New Mexico by Shantini Ramakrishnan, last updated: Aug 15, 2014 03:01 PM: Presentation: More than 200+ mammal species worldwide are affected by plague, and yet, the dynamics of enzootic plague and its inter-species interactions among rodents are largely unknown. Non-epizootic manifestation of the disease on nocturnal or cryptic species is difficult to quantify, and how the disease persists between epizootic events is poorly understood. Enzootic transmission cycles may be maintained in soils, or by small mammals and/or fleas acting as reservoirs for the disease. If so, the invasive plague bacterium, Yersinia pestis, may be functioning as a non-native predator, whose effects augment natural mortality. We hypothesized that enzootic plague is causing chronic mortality in wild rodent species in northern New Mexico. Our objectives included: (1) measuring survival rates of rodents protected from plague via an experimental F1 antigen vaccine; (2) measuring the effects of flea vectors on host mortality by controlling vectors through the application of a pyrethroid, DeltaDust; (3) testing the efficacy and longevity of DeltaDust by tracking flea abundance on host species; and (4) field-testing the efficacy of the F1 experimental vaccine. Preliminary data indicate that vaccine improved survival of brush mice (Peromyscus boylii) by 66% at one plot without demonstrating any benefit for brush mice at a second plot with similar treatment. Survival was higher in short-tailed Peromyscus spp. on dusted plots than non-dusted plots. Control for vectors and plague vaccinations may improve survival of small mammals and interdict plague transmission.

A Genetic Assessment and Hybrid Status of the Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) Along the Mora River in Northern New Mexico by Jose Griego, last updated: Aug 15, 2014 03:01 PM: Presentation: Rapid alterations to aquatic habitats in the Southwestern US are occurring due to climate change. The dramatic declines of the ubiquitous northern leopard frog, Lithobates pipiens, in the western US is a cause for concern. In this study, we investigate population-level connectivity of L. pipiens across a landscapes of agriculture, acequias, and protected lands and potential hybridization with L. blairi using nuclear (FIBI7 and microsatellites) and mitochondrial (ND1) markers. Interestingly, the nuclear FIB7 sequences demonstrate: 1) presence of an indel in morphologically designated L. pipiens one study believed to be unique in L. blairi, and 2) individuals heterozygous for the indel which may or may not be L. blairi x L. pipiens hybrids. The ND1 sequence analysis revealed close genetic distance of samples to L. pipiens in other western states. Microsatellite analysis indicates that two locally sampled populations, separated by a major interstate and differing in habitat type (mixed oak scrub vs plains) had limited gene flow (FST = 0.235) in comparison with populations along the riparian zone (FST = 0.0001). One sample, with incomplete insetting of the dorsolateral fold, grouped with L. blairi in the phylogenetic analysis of FIBI7 and provides some evidence of hybridization in the Mora Watershed. This study gives further support for what was previously anecdotal evidence of L. pipiens x L. blairi hybridization along the Mora River. Anthropogenic impacts as well as apparent isolation by distance provide some insight into factors influencing genetic structure of L. pipiens in drought susceptible aquatic habitats in the Southwest.

Evaluating The Impact Of The Invasive Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) In The Aquatic Fauna’s Trophic Cascade At The New Mexico Río Mora National Wildlife Refuge by Jennie Guilez, last updated: Aug 15, 2014 03:01 PM: Presentation: Invasive species are known to cause devastating effects in introduced habitats. Invasive species can be introduced on purpose or by accident, most commonly by human activity. They are known to increase competition for habitat and food resources with native species. Invasive bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) were introduced along the Mora River at the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge. We have eradicated the bullfrogs in a section of the river to study their impact on the aquatic fauna. We found that the invasive northern crayfish (Orconectes virilis) is an important component of the diet of bullfrogs. In this study we hypothesized that the removal of bullfrogs in the Mora River will release the crayfish population from predation, which may lead to a mesopredator release. We used systematic sampling to determine the relative abundance and overall size of crayfish in both sites using baited minnow traps. There is a highly significant difference in mass between control (21.63 g) and experimental sites (18.58 g; p-value< 0.0001). However we did not find a significant difference in abundance between both sites. We hypothesize that the size difference between both sites is the results of increase recruitment and survival of young individuals that now suffer less predation, dragging the average down. Cursory evaluation of data on fish density shows a similar pattern where fish. Further examination of the data will provide us insight to the trophic interactions amongst bullfrogs, crayfish and fishes in the Mora River at the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge.

The Impact Of Invasive Bullfrogs On The Demographics Of Northern Leopard Frogs In Northern New Mexico by Robert Ortega, last updated: Aug 15, 2014 03:01 PM: Presentation: Invasive species are able to alter the dynamics of the trophic levels of an ecosystem and have no natural controls. They can displace native species in the food web, and prey on species with no adaptive defenses. The Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge has both invasive Bullfrogs and native Northern Leopard Frogs. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of the presence of the invasive Bullfrog on the demographics of the native Northern Leopard Frog in northern New Mexico. A section of the Mora River in the refuge was divided into two 2000-meter long section a control site containing Bullfrogs and an experimental site, where Bullfrogs were eradicated. Relative abundance surveys were utilized to sample demographic parameters. Fifty one Leopard Frogs were captured, pit tagged, and processed for demographic data. Six frogs were fitted with radio transmitters. Control and experimental regions did not differ in the relative abundance of Leopard Frogs. We did not find a significant difference in the mass of frogs from the two regions. However, preliminary data does show lower average mass and greater abundance in the experimental region suggesting an increase in recruitment of metamorphosis frog into the population. Telemetry data for four frogs in the control region produced a mean home range size of 531.7 square meters. The Telemetry data shows how frogs can have a large range of sizes in their home range area. Further study of the home range will be conducted to determine if there is a difference in home range between the control and experimental areas.

NMHU Research Day 2014 Program by NMHU, last updated: Aug 15, 2014 03:01 PM: NMHU Research Day 2014 Program

Funding Opportunity: New Mexico Invasive Plants Program by Lucca Henrion, last updated: Aug 04, 2014 11:29 PM: This is a posting from the NMIPP for a grant to manage invasive plants

New Mexico Invasive Plants Grant- Legal Notice by Lucca Henrion, last updated: Aug 04, 2014 11:28 PM: This is a legal notice for the funding opportunity offered by the New Mexico Invasive Plant Program.

New Mexico Invasive Plants Grant- Weed list by Lucca Henrion, last updated: Aug 04, 2014 11:19 PM: This is a list of the New Mexico Invasive Plants for the grant oppurtunities.

New Mexico Invasive Plants Grants RFA form by Lucca Henrion, last updated: Aug 04, 2014 11:19 PM: This RFA includes information about the funding opportunities for the New Mexico Invasive Plants Grants

Job Posting: Collaboration Program Manager by Lucca Henrion, last updated: Aug 04, 2014 11:06 PM: This job position is searching for someone to bring together stakeholder groups, facilitate cooperative action, and compile lessons learned from collaboration.

Job Posting: Engineer Specialist/ Supervisor at NMED by Lucca Henrion, last updated: Aug 04, 2014 10:57 PM: The NM Environment Department Drinking Water Bureau would like to announce acurrent job opportunity in Albuquerque, NM:

Playa Post- May 2014 by Lucca Henrion, last updated: Aug 04, 2014 10:55 PM: The Playa Post Newsletter is made as an effort to promote the idea that birds are an integral part of our environment and are essential for the health and beauty of the world. We envision a future when the ecosystems within our region sustain birds and other wildlife in concert with humans and our activities. This issue is from May 2014

Playa Post- June 2014 by Lucca Henrion, last updated: Aug 04, 2014 10:53 PM: The Playa Post Newsletter is made as an effort to promote the idea that birds are an integral part of our environment and are essential for the health and beauty of the world. We envision a future when the ecosystems within our region sustain birds and other wildlife in concert with humans and our activities. This issue is from June 2014

Playa post- July 2014 by Lucca Henrion, last updated: Aug 04, 2014 10:49 PM: The Playa Post Newsletter is made as an effort to promote the idea that birds are an integral part of our environment and are essential for the health and beauty of the world. We envision a future when the ecosystems within our region sustain birds and other wildlife in concert with humans and our activities. This issue is from July 2014

The Union County Hydrogeology Project by Dr. Kate Zeigler, last updated: Aug 04, 2014 01:21 PM: Presentation on hydrogeology project in Union County

« Previous 20 items Next 20 items » 1 ... 47 48 49 [50] 51 52 53 ... 134

Personal tools

Modified items