Examples of Research Projects

Vertebrate Ecology in Shortgrass Prairie: Response to Human Alterations
Characterization of Phytoplankton and Bioassay of Water Quality at Buffalo Lake
Assessment of Chemical Toxicity in Representative Indicator Species
Assessment of Commercial Additives for Control of Gaseous Emissions from Wastewater Treatment Lagoons
Forecasting West Nile virus disease: improving control by anticipating risk

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Vertebrate Ecology in Shortgrass Prairie: Response to Human Alterations,
Dr. Raymond Matlack and Dr. Richard Kazmaier
(Funded by Bureau of Land Management and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department):

OVERVIEW: The Panhandle of Texas is a semi-arid region historically dominated by shortgrass prairie. The most prominent landscape feature of the Panhandle is the Llano Estacado or “Staked Plains”, a vast plateau that contains the highest density of playa lakes, shallow temporary wetlands, in the Great Plains. Along the edge of the Llano, the land gives way abruptly to the rolling plains forming an extensive network of canyons and rough topography. Due to its diverse topography, abundant playa lakes, and location on the edge of the distribution of many eastern and western species, the Panhandle of Texas has a rich vertebrate fauna. However, human activities such as agriculture, water use, and suppression of fire have greatly altered the environment of the Southern High Plains. Only 20% of the historic Texas shortgrass prairie remains [9]. This research examines the ecology of vertebrates (Matlack focuses on mammals and birds and Kazmaier focuses on reptiles and amphibians) with an emphasis on understanding the impact of human alterations of the ecosystem on these animals in order to allow informed decisions relating to land management.

For example, fire was a natural part of the ecology of the Southern High Plains prior to settlement. Due to suppression of fire, woody vegetation has invaded areas that historically contained only shortgrass prairie, changing large areas from prairies into a brush land. Due to years of fire suppression, wildfires burned almost one million acres in the Panhandle in January 2006, destroying homes and infrastructure and killing thousands of heads of cattle. However, properly managed, fire can be beneficial; fire is currently being used to restore prairies in this region. Nonetheless, the influence of fire on plants and animals in this ecosystem is poorly understood. WTAMU has established a large-scale (average plot size > 120 ha), replicated study (3 replicates each of frequent fire, moderate fire frequency, and unburned) to examine the influence of fire and fire frequency on plants and vertebrates. The response of vertebrates to fire is studied by examining survival, abundance, community composition, and demography in different fire treatments. Other research projects under way include the influence of landscape features on the use of playa lakes by waterfowl and shore birds, niche studies of Texas and round-tailed horned lizards, influence of human activity on mid-sized carnivores in a state park, and the influence of the invasion of woody vegetation on a small mammal community.

REU STUDENT PARTICIPATION: Students will examine the response of vertebrates to human alterations of the ecosystem through field studies. Response variables may include behavior, abundance, community composition, and demography with studies designed to ensure that students can complete their research in the time allowed.

Timetable	Tasks
Week 1	Introduction to the area and research sites through field trips and readings; literature research
Week 2	Development of research problem; frequent student-faculty meetings; introduction to techniques necessary to address research problem
Weeks 3-6	Field research; write introduction and methods section of final paper; discuss data analysis
Weeks 8	Wrap up field work; begin analyses
Weeks 9-10	Complete final report and prepare presentation; practice with critique; final presentation

FACILITIES: Students will have access to the internet and personal computers in Matlack’s and Kazmaier’s labs. Both investigators have all necessary field equipment (traps, measuring tapes, global positioning systems, field optics, etc.) for student use and students will have access to vans or trucks for transportation to research sites, and use geographic information system (GIS) maps for all research sites and the software necessary for use of these data. Numerous field sites are available to REU students, including the Crossbar Cooperative Management Area, a 12,000 acre site managed jointly by the Bureau of Land Management and WTAMU. This site is located approximately 45 miles from WTAMU’s campus and is the location of the long-term fire ecology study and numerous other research projects. Other nearby research sites used by Matlack and Kazmaier include Palo Duro Canyon State Park (26, 000 acres; located 13 miles from campus) and Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge (~6,000 acres; located 15 miles from campus). The Gene Howe and Matador Wildlife Management Areas (3 hours from campus) and Caprock Canyons State Park (1.5 hours from campus) provide additional research sites that may be applicable to selected student research problems. Lodging facilities are available at each site.

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Characterization of Phytoplankton and Bioassay of Water Quality at Buffalo Lake,
Dr. Nabarun Ghosh:

OVERVIEW: It is important to find the way for restoration of the water body of the Buffalo Lake once that was an asset to the Texas Panhandle. Eutrophication, water pollution caused by excessive nutrients, will cause algae bloom to starve lakes of oxygen making it impossible for other organisms to survive. Major damage affecting water quality in Buffalo Lake occurred because of eutrophication. With scarce rainfall as the only natural recharge, agricultural water pumping for irrigation from the lake has caused the water table to drop. Since August 1999, water levels in the lake have gradually decreased resulting in very high concentrations of phytoplankton and zooplankton. Periodic monitoring the phytoplankton and assessing water quality is extremely important to determine the sustainability of this important water body that serves as the major water resources to the local wildlife. In a recent study [10]of phytoplankton and zooplankton in a Buffalo Lake water sample, 15 species of phytoplankton were identified that include Cladophora, Pinnate Diatoms, Scenedesmus, Anabaena, Ulothrix, Volvox and Gleocapsa. Many specimens remain unidentified.

REU STUDENT PARTICPATION: Students will collect water samples from various locations in the lake to characterize plankton and bioassay water quality. Standard kits and equipment will be used to measure B.O.D. (Biological Oxygen Demand), characterize and monitor planktons, and assay for coliform bacteria. Phytoplankton and zooplankton collected in water samples will be studied using a BX-40 Olympus Microscope, attached to an Olympus DP-70 digital camera and a computer system equipped with Image Pro 6.0 software to capture images. Organism identification will be accomplished utilizing standard taxonomic key for phytoplankton and zooplankton [11, 12]. Students will utilize a flow-cytometer to characterize cells undergoing photosynthesis, assess photosynthesizing planktons, and water quality. Natural epifluorescence of collected organisms will be studied using a fluorescent microscope. A Phytoplankton Monitoring Kit (Phytoplankton Monitoring Kit: Jellett Rapid Testing) for monitoring the phytoplankton and assessing water quality and a Coliform Testing Kit (Ward’s 4-128) to detect any coliform bacteria in lake water will be utilized. Changes in pH levels of lake water collected from different zones will be monitored and recorded at periodic intervals. A spectrophotometer will be used to assess number of organisms per unit in water samples. The B.O.D. of collected water sample will be determined following standard techniques [12].

Timetable	Tasks
Week 1	Background reading, literature search and indexing the references.
Week 2	Faculty & REU student meet frequently to discuss the research problem. Student will learn to standardize the techniques to collect and analyze the water samples by making slides, microscopic observations and biochemical analyses.
Week 3	Collection of water samples from various locations in the lake.
Weeks 4-6	Microscopic observation on the prepared slides. Capturing digital images, fluorescent-microscopy and photomicrography on collected phytoplankton.
Weeks 6-8	Analyzing the concentrations of phytoplankton using a flow-cytometer and to characterize cells undergoing photosynthesis at different parts of the lake, results to be recorded following standardized procedure and tabulations.
Weeks 9-10	Draw conclusions from the finding, make recommendations based on results. Write research reports, prepare for publications and final presentations.

FACILITIES: Ghosh will work closely with students at Buffalo Lake and in WTAMU laboratories until they have knowledge and skills needed for data collection and analysis and are comfortable using required equipment. Students will be using a BX-40 Olympus Microscope, attached to an Olympus DP-70 digital camera and a computer system equipped with Image Pro 6.0 software to capture images. As students become more knowledgeable and have necessary skills, Ghosh will facilitate more independent work. Student work on this project will contribute to scientific knowledge about the sustainability of life forms in the lake in order to find venues of restoration for Buffalo Lake, previously an asset to the Texas Panhandle, and will have applications to similar bodies of water in the Southern High Plains.

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Assessment of Chemical Toxicity in Representative Indicator Species,
Dr. William Rogers:

OVERVIEW: The field of ecological risk assessment addresses ecological, toxicological, behavioral, physiological and developmental effects of chemicals. WTAMU is a leader in this field, with Rogers serving as technical consultant to the World Bank and United Nations on environmental pollution, remediation, risk and global environmental sustainability. He has a working collaboration with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) risk assessment group and the peer working group. A common method for measuring the levels of various toxins in the environment is to determine how indicator species have responded to environmental contamination. Although toxicity is a concern because of runoff from agriculture chemicals and feedlots, due to the remoteness and unique ecology of the Texas High Plains, there is very little toxicity data available on many of the selected indicator species. For example, golden algae outbreaks indicate significant runoff from agricultural chemicals. Endocrine affects from concentrated animal feeding operations (feedlots) and domestic waste treatment facilities on aquatic systems are demonstrated through impacts on the Spade Footed toad, leopard frog, barred salamander algae, aquatic invertebrates, daphnia, and seed germinations.

REU STUDENT PARTICIPATION: EESHP students will select a toxin and related indicator species and, working with a WTAMU area expert, will develop a structured toxicological study. Students will develop a hypothesis and study design to test that hypothesis. They will conduct toxicity tests in the WTAMU environmental chamber and visit field sites that have been contaminated for long periods to conduct retrospective studies to determine how indicator species have responded to environmental contamination. Using lab and field verification studies, the students will develop predictive dose/response allometric equations that can be used by risk assessors. Students will make use of the environmental chamber (to control confounding variables) and sites on the Canadian River (salt contamination), and various spill sites identified by the TCEQ. This research will require determination of data population distribution, comparison of means between treatments and use of appropriate statistical tools such as ANOVA, t-tests, regression, correlation analysis, and probit analysis. Students will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop their study design after review of similar work and ongoing studies. Rogers will offer concurrence and suggested changes or improvement.

RELATIONSHIP TO ONGOING RESEARH: Student project outcomes will be integrated into an ongoing WTAMU initiative sponsored by TCEQ and the development of "Protective Cleanup Levels” to be used in determining hazardous chemical cleanup levels and establishment of environmental standards. Students will provide valuable, publishable data on the level of environmental cleanliness needed. Data will be used throughout Texas as well as in similar arid and semiarid states. The field of ecological risk assessment is an emerging field that will offer students a unique opportunity to enter into graduate research programs.

Timetable	Tasks
Week 1	Students will review selected papers on toxicological studies and local environmental issues
Week 2	Students will select an area of research and develop a structured toxicological study. They will develop a hypothesis, a design to test that hypothesis, and present their proposed study design before a WTAMU readiness review panel
Week 3	Refine study plan, learn research techniques, and develop a project specific "Health and Safety Plan" based on a template from the WTAMU Health and Safety Plan as well as a "Quality Assurance Plan" meeting EPA "Data Quality Objectives" guidance for the collection and analysis of defensible data.
Week 4-8	Collect the appropriate field samples and conduct the toxicity testing using the WTAMU environmental chamber to control confounding factors and treatments.
Week 9-10	Students prepare their results using the appropriate statistic methods and prepare a paper following an applicable journal/scientific paper format and a PowerPoint presentation of results.

FACILITIES: The student will have access to the following equipment: Full chemical analysis laboratory for organics including GC, GCMS, GCMECD, wet chemistry , a walk-in environmental chamber, toxicity testing equipment, field sampling equipment, advanced water quality field analysis kits, personal protective equipment, transportation.

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Assessment of Commercial Additives for Control of Gaseous Emissions from Wastewater Treatment Lagoons,
Dr. David Parker:

OVERVIEW: Gases emanating from wastewater treatment lagoons can lead to social and environmental concerns. Emission of sulfur and nitrogen oxides can lead to acid rain. Greenhouse gases, methane and carbon dioxide, may lead to global warming. Dry deposition of ammonia can lead to eutrophication of surface water bodies. Volatile organic compounds such as butyric acid and para-cresol contribute to odors and nuisance concerns.

REU STUDENT PARTICIPATION: Many commercial products are currently being marketed for controlling gaseous emissions from lagoons. WTAMU has an ongoing research program in evaluating odor emissions with these products, most of which have been found to be ineffective. EESPH students will participate in a new phase of this project in which products for reducing other gaseous emissions such as nitrogen oxides and greenhouse gases are evaluated. They will be involved from the onset with design of simulated lagoons that will be used as the research apparatus. Odor free air will be passed over the liquid surface (for anaerobic) or bubbled into the bottom of the lagoon (for aerobic) at a rate of 1 L/min. Students will collect gaseous samples in 10 L Tedlar bags for analysis of odors and other chemical analytes. They will have hands-on instruction on the use of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and other portable gas analyzing equipment and will work side-by-side with a qualified GC chemist to analyze the samples. Odor samples will be analyzed in the WTAMU olfactory laboratory using trained human panelists. Students will work side-by-side with human odor panelists to subjectively evaluate the odors by determining hedonic tone on a scale of -4 to +4, with -4 being very unpleasant, 0 being neutral, and +4 being very pleasant. They will also measure hydrogen sulfide (H2S) concentrations in the headspace using a portable Jerome 631-X Hydrogen Sulfide Analyzer. Students will work with Parker to statistically evaluate the data at the completion of the experiments. Pearson correlation coefficients will be used to determine linear relationships between odor concentration and other parameters. Treatments will be compared to the control using paired t-tests.

RELATIONSHIP TO ONGOING RESEARH: EESHP student projects will help identify products effective in the reduction of gaseous emissions from wastewater lagoons, a significant environmental issue in a region supporting hundreds of feedlots and wasterwater systems. Use of human subjects in odor research will follow protocols approved annually by the WTAMU Institutional Review Board.

Timetable	Tasks
Week 1	Students will review selected papers on wastewater treatment and local environmental issues
Week 2	Students will select an area of research and develop a structured study. They will develop a hypothesis, a design to test that hypothesis, and present their proposed study design before a WTAMU readiness review panel
Week 3	Refine study plan, learn research techniques, and develop a project specific "Health and Safety Plan" based on a template from the WTAMU Health and Safety Plan as well as a "Quality Assurance Plan" meeting EPA "Data Quality Objectives" guidance for the collection and analysis of defensible data.
Week 4-8	Collect the appropriate field samples and conduct the olfactory testing using the WTAMU environmental chamber to control confounding factors and treatments.
Week 9-10	Students prepare their results using the appropriate statistic methods and prepare a paper following an applicable journal/scientific paper format and a PowerPoint presentation of their results.

FACILITIES: WTAMU simulated lagoons, the Olfactometry Laboratory, and local wastewater treatment plants.

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Forecasting West Nile virus disease: improving control by anticipating risk,
Dr. Greta Schuster:

OVERVIEW: West Nile virus (WNV), first detected in the New York City area in 1999, caused the largest recognized epidemic of neuroinvasive arboviral illness in the Western Hemisphere ever recorded in 2002. WNV is typically transmitted between susceptible mammals by ornithophilic mosquito vectors. Species that feed on both birds and mammals may act as bridge vectors, spreading infection from birds to horses and man. WNV has been detected in at least 48 species of mosquitoes, over 250 species of birds, and at least 18 species of mammals. Knowledge of vector host feeding preferences is vital for developing successful disease control strategies. WNV has been isolated from a large number of avian species in the United States. Several species of mosquitoes in Texas have been identified including Culex tarsalis, Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes vexans, and Ochlerotatus sollicitans. Wild bird mortality has been the most sensitive surveillance method for detecting the introduction of WNV in areas of the United States previously free of infection, and may precede human cases by up to 2 weeks. Birds are the zoonotic reservoir host; therefore a WNV-infected bird only indicates enzootic transmission. For human transmission to take place, bridge vectors must be present in sufficient numbers. Prevalence of WNV infection in these species more accurately predicts disease risk.

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT: After identifying a research question and study area, students will characterize their chosen physical environment at sites using a geographic information system (GIS). They will collect information on soil characteristics, proximity to wetlands and other water features, and elevation. Climate data will be obtained from meteorological recording stations, interpolated, and climatic conditions at each location up to 90 days preceding each case will be estimated. Similarly, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) will be estimated at each location. The NDVI - has been used to characterize vegetation cover and is indicative of suitable vector habitat. Students will learn to use proportional hazards models to identify time-dependent environmental factors such as climate and vegetation that best describe the risk of WNV disease.

Students involved in this project will assist in collection of the data including information on animals, soil characteristics and other climatic data. They will be trained on the use of GIS/GPS systems and equipment. Students will present data at regional or national scientific conferences. The use of animal subjects will follow protocols approved by the West Texas A&M University Institutional Review Board.

RELATIONSHIP TO ONGOING RESEARCH: Student research in this area will contribute to understanding of transmission of WNV and a range of important, vector-borne diseases that already significantly impact livestock production in the United States, including eastern equine encephalitis and western equine encephalitis. EEE virus produces inapparent or subclinical infections in a wide range of wild birds. EEE virus has caused mortality in glossy ibis and in several birds species in the United States, including pigeon, house sparrow, pheasants, chukar partridge, white Peking ducklings, and emu.

Timetable	Tasks
Week 1	Students will review selected papers on WNV and other vector-borne diseases
Week 2	Students will select an area of research and develop a structured study. They will develop a hypothesis, a design to test that hypothesis, and present their proposed study design before a WTAMU readiness review panel
Week 3	Refine study plan, learn research techniques, and develop a project specific "Quality Assurance Plan" meeting EPA "Data Quality Objectives" guidance for the collection and analysis of defensible data.
Week 4-8	Collect the appropriate field samples.
Week 9-10	Analyze results using appropriate statistic methods and prepare a paper following an applicable journal/scientific paper format and a PowerPoint presentation of their results.

FACILITIES: Most research will be conducted at field sites such as the WTAMU equestrian facility and other equine facilities in the region.