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Faculty-Student Research in Natural Resources

Below are examples of of recent faculty-student research in 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 restoration

eegs drcf

Characterizing forest composition and aboveground biomass in the Dead River Community Forest

The Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy (hereafter “UPLC”) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Marquette, Michigan dedicated to the conservation and protection of the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan. As of October 2022, UPLC fully acquired one (2) tract of land south of the Dead River and north of U.S. Highway 41 known as the Bayous Parcel and the Bridges Parcel. These tracts are now the core of the future Dead River Community Forest (hereafter “DRCF”). The DRCF will exist for natural conservation and recreation purposes, as well as serving to promote the local economy. To support the objectives of the forest, EEGS has entered into a long-term collaborative research project with UPLC to help characterize tree species composition, and through the application of basic forest mensuration techniques, estimate the aboveground biomass of trees in the forest. To-date, this work has involved a Freshman Fellow, and 26 students as part of a service-learning project. These data will inform UPLC's forest management schemes.

Years active
2021 - present

Lead faculty research mentor
Dr. Adam T. Naito

Research sponsors
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.

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aerial lidar

Use of aerial lidar survey to support restoration and management of mitigation wetlands in Marquette

In 2011, the City of Marquette and the Marquette County Conservation District constructed four mitigation wetlands to fulfill a Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) permit to restore 4.17 acres of forested wetlands. Repeat quadrat sampling has monitored native and non-native plant species and examined the hydrological connectivity of the four areas. This study aimed to 1) generate a high-resolution digital elevation model (DEM) and Topographic Wetness Index (TWI) using a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) survey of these four constructed wetlands in Marquette, and 2) integrate the DEM and TWI with existing vegetation and hydrological monitoring to compare the four wetlands and improve restoration outcomes. Low topographic wetness appears to impede establishment of invasive species such as reed canary grass that prefer greater amounts of moisture. Because management of invasive species in this area is a concern, TWI variability may increase compositional diversity of these mitigation wetlands and lower the risk of certain invasive species colonizing.

Years active
2021 - present

Lead faculty research mentor
Dr. Adam T. Naito

Research sponsors
City of Marquette, Marquette, Michigan

Student collaborators
Mary Kelly (ENV, 2024)
Rhayna Lillie (ENV, 2023)

Products
Kelly, M, Naito, AT, O'Donnell, M, Van Grinsven, M. 2024. “Use of aerial LiDAR survey to support restoration and management objectives for mitigation wetlands in Marquette, MI, USA.” April 2024. Celebration of Student Scholarship, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan, United States.

Kelly, M, Naito, AT, O'Donnell, M, Van Grinsven, M. 2023. “Use of aerial LiDAR survey to support restoration and management objectives for mitigation wetlands in Marquette, MI, USA." October 2023. West Lakes Division of the American Association of Geographers Annual Meeting, 2023.

Kelly, M, Naito, AT, O'Donnell, M, Van Grinsven, M. 2023. "Use of aerial light detection and ranging survey to support restoration and management objectives for mitigation wetlands in Marquette, MI, USA." June 2023. Society for Wetland Scientists Annual Meeting, Spokane, Washington, United States.

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