Detecting Ambystoma californiense: a comparison of eDNA and traditional net-based survey methods for maximum sensitivity
Working with the Santa Lucia Conservancy, specifically under the guidance of Dr. Christy Wyckoff, I collected bi-weekly water samples from a total of ten ponds across the Santa Lucia mountain range in Carmel, CA. These samples were used to target environmental-DNA (eDNA) of the California tiger salamander and determine the presence/absence of the cryptic, threatened species at each pond. Our study investigates the specificity and sensitivity of eDNA detection methods in comparison to traditional net-based surveys for detecting A. californiense. Click here to view poster presentation board.
Assisting visual surveys for Euphilotes enoptes smithi
I assisted the Santa Lucia Conservancy, specifically Dr. Christy Wyckoff and Avery Calhoun, in performing visual surveys for the endangered Smith's blue butterfly and in collecting GPS data points across the Santa Lucia Preserve.
Assisting trapping and banding of Agelaius tricolor
I assisted Dr. Christy Wyckoff in setting up traps, bird banding, collecting tail feather samples, and recording data for the Santa Lucia Conservancy's annual tricolored blackbird surveys at both the Santa Lucia Preserve and Laguna Seca Mazda Raceway, both located in Monterey County, CA.
Collecting soil samples for grazed v. ungrazed grassland areas
.I assisted the Santa Lucia Conservancy in collecting a variety of soil samples across the Santa Lucia Preserve. Soil samples and data recorded included water retention rate, bulk density samples, core samples, and thatch coverage. These were collected on both grazed and unglazed grassland areas to help assess the impact of the conservation grazing program at the Santa Lucia Conservancy.
Working with the Santa Lucia Conservancy, specifically under the guidance of Dr. Christy Wyckoff, I collected bi-weekly water samples from a total of ten ponds across the Santa Lucia mountain range in Carmel, CA. These samples were used to target environmental-DNA (eDNA) of the California tiger salamander and determine the presence/absence of the cryptic, threatened species at each pond. Our study investigates the specificity and sensitivity of eDNA detection methods in comparison to traditional net-based surveys for detecting A. californiense. Click here to view poster presentation board.
Assisting visual surveys for Euphilotes enoptes smithi
I assisted the Santa Lucia Conservancy, specifically Dr. Christy Wyckoff and Avery Calhoun, in performing visual surveys for the endangered Smith's blue butterfly and in collecting GPS data points across the Santa Lucia Preserve.
Assisting trapping and banding of Agelaius tricolor
I assisted Dr. Christy Wyckoff in setting up traps, bird banding, collecting tail feather samples, and recording data for the Santa Lucia Conservancy's annual tricolored blackbird surveys at both the Santa Lucia Preserve and Laguna Seca Mazda Raceway, both located in Monterey County, CA.
Collecting soil samples for grazed v. ungrazed grassland areas
.I assisted the Santa Lucia Conservancy in collecting a variety of soil samples across the Santa Lucia Preserve. Soil samples and data recorded included water retention rate, bulk density samples, core samples, and thatch coverage. These were collected on both grazed and unglazed grassland areas to help assess the impact of the conservation grazing program at the Santa Lucia Conservancy.
From seining ponds to banding tricolored blackbirds, here are a few highlights from my time assisting a variety of research projects for the Santa Lucia Conservancy.
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