Below are examples of of recent faculty- and student-led projects in the community involving natural resources. Each project provides information on the motivation and objectives of the work, a listing of collaborators, and links for project deliverables and additional resources.
Characterizing forest composition and aboveground biomass | Using aerial lidar to support water resources management
Characterizing forest composition and aboveground biomass in the Dead River Community Forest
Under the management of the Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy, the Dead River Community Forest (DRCF) will exist for natural conservation and recreation purposes, as well as serving to promote the local economy. As part of a collaboration with UPLC, Adam has been leading service-based learning projects with students in GC 401 Biogeography and a student in the Freshman Fellow program in the DRCF. Students have characterized tree species composition and estimated aboveground biomass in both the Bayous and Bridges Parcel of the forest through the application of basic forest mensuration techniques.
Years active
2021 - present
Lead faculty research mentor
Dr. Adam T. Naito
Community collaborators
Freshman Fellows Program, Northern Michigan University
Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy, Marquette, Michigan
Student collaborators
Sydney Chrome (Biology)
Julia Allen (ENSS), Lauren Argetsinger (ENV), Aspyn Burch (ENV), Daniel Burkhardt (Outdoor Rec) , Lauren Clegg (ENV), Lisa Cohn (ENV + Biology), Genavieve Crooks (ENV), Molly Ferris (ENV), Brigid Fornek (ENV), Aubrey Friedrich (ENV), Miranda Gilliam (Biology), Daniel Grooms (Biology), Robbie Joly (ENV), Nathan Joyal (MIS), Lily Julian (ENV), Krystian Knaga (Biology), Eric Mooney (ENV), Lotus Naeglin (Biology), Connor O'Loughlin (ENV), Kendall Phillips (ENV), Sydney Romps (Biology), Serena Soulliere (ENV), Grant Steinacker (MS Biology), Grace Taranko (ENV), Ally West (ENV), Ariana Zimney (ENV).
Products
Naito, AT. 2024. Characterizing community composition and aboveground biomass in the Bridges Parcel of the Dead River Community Forest. Internal report for the Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy, Marquette, Michigan, United States. 18 p.
Naito, AT. 2023. Community composition and biomass estimates from the Dead River Community Forest. Internal report for the Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy, Marquette, Michigan, United States. 15 p.
Chrome S. and Naito, AT. 2023. “Biomass and carbon sequestration in the Dead River Community Forest” April 2023. Celebration of Student Scholarship, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan, United States.
Naito, AT. 2021. Community composition and biomass estimates from the Dead River Community Forest. Internal report for the Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy, Marquette, Michigan, United States. 16 p.
Lidar surveys to inform management of water resources in agricultural landscapes
In 2022, Rhayna Lillie (ENV, 2022) worked with the Seeds and Spores Family Farm to create a high-resolution digital representation of topography of the farm using drone-based lidar. Using Keyline Design principles, Rhayna made recommendations to the owner as to where he might alter his landscape to optimize water flow and management.
Years active
2022
Lead faculty research mentor
Dr. Adam T. Naito
Student collaborators
Rhayna Lillie (ENV, 2022)
Community collaborators
Seeds and Spores Family Farm
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