Amphibians are of significant conservation need, but sampling them is historically difficult. We analyzed amphibian populations utilizing Autonomous Recording Units at Iowa's Conservation Enhancement Reserve Program wetlands. We found that sampling is best done at sunset and at the outlet of the wetland, and future study can use this information to make sampling more efficient.
This study aims to investigate challenges in Iowa’s land market by interviewing landowners, farmers, investors, and policymakers. The study seeks to identify critical concerns and trends in Iowa’s land market to inform future policy, research and land management strategies.
Concerns over consolidation in the agricultural industry have been at the forefront of discussion in recent years. Through this project, we will analyze data from the Ag Census to compare the share of products and farm sizes, to find a conclusion on the rate of consolidation in America’s Ag sector.
This study investigates the effectiveness of swine barn agitation and solid removal processes from a scaled deep pit simulator and further the required frequency of manure agitation needed to minimize solids in order to maximize nutrient recovery, reduce environmental risks and ensure sustainable livestock production
The purpose of this project is to analyze how wildlife species interact with solar farms through the use of camera trapping. Research on agrivoltaics systems increasingly emphasizes understanding wildlife and pollinator interactions within shared energy agriculture landscapes. This study analyzes camera trap activity, daily site use patterns, and laboratory identification of bee and syrphid specimens. Early findings provide insight into how solar agriculture environments influence species interactions and inform sustainable land use practices.
Climate change is predicted to cause an increase in the amount of floating aquatic vegetation. An increase in vegetative cover could potentially pose a threat to a turtle’s ability to bask and synthesize vitamin D from sunlight. This project investigated painted turtle habitat preference between vegetation covered and clear water.
The goal of our research was to develop refined production practices for producers to confidently grow a new poinsettia form—tabletop poinsettia trees. To achieve this, we conducted experiments to determine how branch-removal frequency and leaf-removal timing impact plant development and quality. Additionally, we evaluated schedules for 4- and 8-inch poinsettia trees across multiple cultivars.
This study inflammation and oxidative stress in beef steers. The steers were assessed randomly assigned a diet either including or excluding supplemental zinc then trucked for 8 or 18 hours. Post-transit, they received a diet including supplemental zinc. Blood samples were collected to evaluate immune activation and oxidative damage.
Cold stress negatively impacts Solanaceae crops like Capsicum annuum L. Calcium plays a key role in enhancing plant tolerance to abiotic stress. This study tested three different calcium treatments under three cold conditions. Plant health was assessed via chlorophyll content, plant height, and stem diameter.
Utilizing interviews with stakeholders in Iowa’s farmland market, this study aims to examine stakeholder’s experiences, perceptions, and expectations on changing dynamics and the effect on the price of farmland. The research emphasizes emerging social, economic, and environmental factors that influence decision making.
Honey bee apiaries contain millions of individuals. The introduction of this number of non-native bees may increase competition for resources with wild insects. Trap nests were used to measure how an apiary affects Hymenoptera (wasps and bees) reproduction. Results indicate honey bees have differing impacts on wasps and bees.
Five Fusarium isolates were isolated from plants experiencing significant collapse in an Iowa, organic blueberry field. These fungal isolateshave not been reported as a pathogen in Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry). To identify whether these isolates are pathogenic in highbush blueberry, the Koch’s postulates criteria were assessed.
Jaelynn gained valuable work experience as a staff member at the Iowa State Insect Zoo, where she learned the care requirements of over 200 species. She also engaged in extension activities and collected survey data on public attitudes toward entomophagy.
This project encompasses the use and evaluation of DataCamp and “swirl()”, two tools that can be used to learn the data analytic programming language R. DataCamp is an online interface that takes the user through a variety of exercises to practice various functions and familiarize the user with the different commands and arguments within R.
