Poster Session

Poster Winners

* Presenting authors are indicated in bold.

High School Poster Abstracts

1. Correlations Between Micro and Macroplastic Accumulation on Mount Desert Rock

Andrea Grossmann
John Bapst Memorial High School, Bangor, ME

This study aimed to compare and quantify macro and microplastics on a remote island off the coast of Maine, Mount Desert Rock. It also aimed to analyze the ways in which currents affect the distribution of plastics on the island. The hypothesis was that the places with the strongest current action would have the highest amount of plastics. There was also reason to support the hypothesis that places with the highest accumulation of macroplastics would correspond to places of highest microplastic accumulation do to macroplastics wearing down. Microplastic water samples were taken on the site, along with a survey of macroplastics on the site. The data was analyzed in aims to find the points of highest density and compare between the micro and macro plastic. Macroplastics were found at high amounts with much of the accumulation similar to that of the microplastics. This supports a hypothesis of macroplastics wearing down to form microplastics and a belief that currents dictate the distribution of marine debris on all levels.

2. The Effect of Animal Colonies on the Biodiversity of MDR Tide Pools

Jennifer Noyes
John Bapst Memorial High School, Bangor, ME

This study looked at the biodiversity found in the tide pools on Mount Desert Rock, an island home to colonies of gulls and seals. The biodiversity of the tidepools are an indicator of the health of the entire island and are affected by a multitude of things, the focus of this study was to find the most influential factors. The island was divided into four sections, each dominated by a different species. One quadrant was dominated by gulls, one by seals, one (the control) was not dominated by either, and the final one was the quadrant with pools of stagnant water. The study concluded that the nutrients that the animals on the island added to the tidepools had minimal effect on the biodiversity of individual tidepools studied. The main cause of varying biodiversity was the location of the tidepools in the intertidal zone. I.e. the pools farthest down with the most interaction with the tide had the most biodiversity. Having baseline counts of current biodiversity in tidepools in these ecosystems is becoming increasingly important. This baseline is needed as a reference point due to rising sea temperature as a way to track the overall effect of climate change on oceanic climates.

3. Microplastics Stink!: A Comparison of Microplastics Counts in Seal Scat Compared to Gull Scat

Soleil Skehan
John Bapst Memorial High School, Bangor, ME

Pollution in air and waterways has been contaminating our environment for decades, threatening the stability of ecosystems across the globe. An increasingly growing concern, however, has risen surrounding microplastics, specifically their presence in marine ecosystems. Not much research has been conducted concerning the effects of these particles on marine life, but we know their presence is affecting marine ecosystem organisms across the board. My research was conducted on Mount Desert Rock, a very small research island located 25 miles off the coast of Maine. There is little vegetation on the island, most dry land being composed of rock. All scat samples were collected from August 6th to 12th of 2018, with mild temperatures and moderate precipitation levels throughout the week. Several months passed where samples were kept frozen until the sieving process began. After sieving through each sample, chemical analyses were used to digest all biological material. Enzyme digestion was the last chemical step, used instead of “oxidizing agents” to avoid degradation of the plastic particles. The final step is analyzing each sample under a microscope and recording counts of plastic particles in each sample. The primary purpose of this experiment is to compare plastic counts in gull scat to those in seal scat and final results will be presented at the conference. However, both squid beaks and fish otoliths were found in seal scat samples, giving insight into their diverse diet.

Undergraduate Student Abstracts

4. Understanding Regional Differences in Citizen Concerns of Maine Aquaculture

Nicholas D. Alvarez (student), Caroline L. Noblet, Erin Brown (student)
School of Economics, University of Maine, Orono, ME

Maine, with its over 3,000 miles of coastline (NOAA, 2016), is poised to further develop its aquaculture industry. Already, aquaculture in Maine generates an estimated $137.6 million in sales and contributes over a thousand jobs with $56.1 million in labor income towards Maine’s economy when multiplier effects are included (Cole et al., 2017). However, citizens voice concerns over current and future environmental impacts of its aquaculture industry. This study has uncovered important regional differences in various opinions relating to these concerns. Understanding the nature and characteristics of these regional differences may provide the key towards crafting and implementing effective political and environmental policy for aquaculture state-wide that can be favored by Maine citizens and viable to its industry.
Our study draws from survey data collected by the University of Maine (831 respondents; 15.6% response rate) that explored aspects of how Maine citizens view expansion and/or restriction of its aquaculture industry along its coastline. We investigated whether attitudes on aquaculture differ across populations within specific regions of Maine and its coastline in relationship to social-political factors. In this preliminary study, we find a statistically significant difference in citizen support for expansion of aquaculture depending upon where that industry is located in relation to where the citizens reside. We are currently investigating how such differences relate to their priorities for the Maine economy. These findings allow insight into how the aquaculture industry might improve the conveyance of information to Maine citizens thereby improving their opportunities for expansion.

5. The Impact of Knowledge on Perceptions of Aquaculture in Coastal Maine Communities

Erin Brown (student), Caroline L. Noblet, Nicholas Alvarez (student)
School of Economics, University of Maine, Orono, ME

At a time when global capture fishery production is stagnant, aquaculture remains the fastest growing food production sector (FAO, 2018). In Maine alone, the aquaculture industry generates approximately $73 million annually and has created over 500 jobs (Cole et al., 2017). Despite the growing importance of the aquaculture industry in Maine’s economy, little is known about coastal Mainers’ perceptions of aquaculture. The purpose of our study is to advance our understanding of coastal Mainers’ knowledge of aquaculture in Maine and to investigate how their current knowledge levels impact their perceptions of aquaculture. To collect this data, a survey was sent to 4,000 households in coastal communities in Maine in Fall 2018, with a response rate of 11.7%. Participants reported a low level of baseline knowledge and a desire to know more. On average, respondents reported a current knowledge level of 26.05, on a scale of 0-100, and a desired knowledge level of 58.73. Preliminary results suggest a strong relationship between reported knowledge of aquaculture and differing perceptions of the risks and benefits associated with it. Additionally, we find that those who reported a high level of knowledge are more likely to feel that aquaculture has positively impacted their use of Maine coastal areas than those who reported zero knowledge of aquaculture. This information can be used to aid decision-makers in addressing the concerns of stakeholders and in the creation of policy for this growing industry.

6. 56 Surf Street: Sea Level Rise, Flood Risk, and Property Values

Stephen Bull (student), Lynne Lewis
Bates College, Lewiston, ME

Using a hedonic property value model, I examine whether flood risk influences homebuyer’s willingness to pay for housing. To this end, I estimate buyer’s willingness to pay for a variety of housing attributes focusing on the willingness to pay to avoid owning a property in locations within FEMA Storm Surge Flood Zone predictions. Utilizing data from 3,420 unique real estate transactions within the towns of Saco, Biddeford, and Old Orchard Beach in York County, Maine, I consider the impact of new variables not found in other scholarly hedonic property value studies. These variables account for a variety of local real estate market characteristics such as overall housing supply and health of the real estate market. The inclusion of the new local real estate market characteristics for hedonic models produce mixed results, as each was evaluated individually based on its usefulness. Results of this research indicate that lack of complete information prevents these three town’s real estate markets from fully capturing the risk associated with owning coastal property. Many houses in the towns of Saco, Biddeford, and Old Orchard Beach lie within potential flooding zones and sell in transactions that do not properly reflect the risk that buyers should associate with the houses. Suppliers of information such as Zillow or local town governments are falling short of close the gap between what sellers know and what buyers should be aware of.

7. Nutrient Content Analysis of Romaine Lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. longifolia) Grown in an Aquaponics System vs. Grown Conventionally

Adeline Casali (student), Brooke Connolly (student), Emma Cost (student), Lily Wade (student)
Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME

This experiment was conducted to research the differing nutrient contents of aquaponic and conventionally grown romaine lettuce, Lactuca sativa var. longifolia. We chose the topic of aquaponics due to its relevance in today’s agricultural society. As adequate farming land and irrigation water sources become increasingly scarce, many farmers are turning towards unconventional agriculture such as aquaponics in order to conserve resources. Our hypothesis was that the aquaponically grown lettuce would contain higher nutrient contents than conventionally grown lettuce. Three beds were constructed; two aquaponics beds circulating with Oreochromis niloticus, Tilapia, and one conventional soil bed. After 5 weeks of growth, the heads were harvested, dried, and then measured for their nutrient content using X-ray fluorescence. The results showed significantly higher amounts of potassium, calcium, rubidium, and zinc in the aquaponics lettuce. Further research is recommended as to what contributed to the high zinc content in the aquaponics lettuce as well as how results may differ in other leafy green vegetables.

8. Acid or Eaten? Impacts on Soft-shell Clam Survival in Downeast Maine

Krista Chandler (student), Hailey Wegner (student), Brian Beal, William Otto
University of Maine at Machias, Machias, ME

Our work examines the relative importance of two aspects of climate change – coastal acidification and predation – on survival, growth, and recruitment of juveniles of the soft-shell clam, Mya arenaria. My arenaria is an iconic, commercially important marine bivalve that is the second or third most important marketable marine species harvested in the state of Maine. Landings, however, have declined by more than 50% over the past two decades. We are investigating the impacts of coastal acidification and predation as the causes of these declines in Downeast Maine. Through field experiments at two sites; Larrabee Cove, Machiasport and Duck Brook Cove, Cutler, effects of predation was measured through results of clam survival in open versus netted plant pots. The effects of acidification were examined through the results of clam survival in both the pots as well as natural recruitment of clams in self-made recruitment boxes. pH and total alkalinity were measured biweekly throughout the field experiment from June 12th – until removal of experimental units at both sites in the month of November. Saturation state (Ω) was calculated using CO2SYS. The saturation state varied over time throughout the study, suggesting an important time dependence between clam development/growth and spat timing and changes in the recorded saturation states.

9. Microplastics in Sebago Lake Drainage Basin

Shaylee Davis (student), Rebecca Regan (student), Dylan Fournier (student), Jarrett Beaulier (student)
St Joseph’s College of Maine, Standish, ME

The purpose of this project is to explore and identify microplastics in freshwater systems. To learn more about this emerging concern, multiple groups of students collected water samples from the lower drainage basin of Sebago Lake. After filtering the samples, microplastics filaments and fragments were identified in all freshwater samples by microscopy and a “hot needle” test. No microplastics were found in a Portland tap water sample (Portland Water District treated Sebago Lake water). Although the risks of microplastics aren’t well-established or commonly known, this project aims in spreading awareness of microplastic pollution and actions that may limit future pollution.

10. UNE is a Living Laboratory for Stormwater Management

Paige Dugan
University of New England, Biddeford, ME

In the Fall 2018, ENV375 “Sustaining Water- Global Perspective, Local Action” undergraduates explored global approaches to sustaining water on the University of New England campus in Biddeford. This class provides an understanding of practices for sustaining water around the world, and the effects of unsustainable practices on people. Students learned about practices used on campus that handle stormwater management. Students participated in a two-part capstone project that required them to create a learning tool easily understood by all people. Each student picked a stormwater best management practice (BMP) in place on the Biddeford campus. Students researched BMPs to determine how they affect the environment and prevent pollution. Students created a one pager that provided an awareness of thirteen BMPs. Research by the students provided information on how these methods worked and the importance of using them has on the environment. This poster illustrates the different methods and the role they play in protecting the Saco River. An overall result of this project was to give an in-depth awareness of the diverse systems used to manage stormwater by educating the public about our living laboratory on campus. Next steps include using the student proposals to build a website, stormwater trail and training opportunities for watershed managers and local students.

11. Past, Present, and Future of the College of the Atlantic Stream: A Small Coastal Watershed Assessment

Patricio Gallardo García Freire (student)¹, Sarah R. Hall¹, Brian L. Henkel²
1 College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor, ME
2 Friends of Acadia, Bar Harbor, ME

In this study, we established a baseline characterization of the COA Stream (COAS) and its respective COA Watershed (COAW). The project was guided by 4 spheres of study: The Spatial, Social, Ecological, and Economic Spheres. We identified changes in land use, land ownership, and water infrastructure through time that may have led to the current configuration of stormwater outlets, drinking water mains, and sewage piping within the COAW. Using GIS, we created a database with relevant geological, hydrological, and ecological data for the COAW, to be expanded through future research questions. Given the substantial landscape changes associated with the recent reconstruction of Rt. 3 and the future construction of the Center for Human Ecology, a new building proposed for the COA campus, we established monitoring stations at all the freshwater outlets of the COAW draining to Frenchman Bay. With this study, we developed a framework for continued monitoring of some useful ecological metrics: discharge, stage, channel geometry, pebble counts, and water quality which enable us to identify hourly, seasonal, and annual trends in watershed conditions. These data and corresponding infrastructure can inform best management strategies and provides an educational resource on the COA campus tied to course curricula as well as opportunities for public involvement through Citizen Science. Beyond the larger stream networks within Acadia National Park (ANP), monitored by ANP and Wild Acadia initiatives, this current study serves as a model to expand monitoring, through a human ecological approach, to other coastal watersheds of Mount Desert Island beyond Acadia National Park that also drain into Frenchman Bay. Continuous monitoring of small coastal watersheds is important for identifying contributions of sediment, nutrient, and pollutant loads from similar watershed systems draining directly to the intertidal zone; these small drainage networks that line our extensive Maine coastline have direct impacts in the ecological, social, and economic integrities of coastal communities.

12. Working Towards Creating a Circular Nutrient System

Skyler Horton (student)
University of Maine, Orono, ME

Currently most food waste is either landfilled or incinerated; but it could be used to feed hungry people or to cycle nutrients back into productive soils. While it is best to redistribute excess food to those in need, not all discarded food is edible, and transportation is a major barrier. Composting and anaerobic digestion provide an alternative to land filling and can recover nutrients from food waste for other agricultural purposes. But, these industries, if not managed sustainably, also have the potential to produce new risks. Contamination of feedstocks is one of the biggest problems facing operators; feedstocks come from a variety of businesses, meaning that the quality of the inputs is highly variable. The research presented aims to understand how nutrient cycling facilities perceive and respond to these risks. Understanding risk perceptions is key to creating a circular nutrient system because these perceptions influence how facilities respond to potential risks, the safety of their product and ultimately, whether or not soil amendments are safe. A survey was developed and sent out to food processing facilities across the New England region to understand operators risk perceptions involved with their businesses and gain insight into how the facilities operate. These risk perceptions are important to identify and address so that mitigation strategies can be developed, and operators can run a more sustainable business that contributes to waste reduction and more sustainable local food systems.

13. The Effect of Providing Economic Information to Consumers Perspectives of Aquaculture

Charles Jones (student)
School of Economics, University of Maine, Orono, ME

Despite its history in Maine and popularity in other parts of the world, aquaculture is still a growing industry with considerable potential in the United States. Expanding industries face many challenges, one of these is consumer perspective of said industry. Consumer sentiment and perspective can be a strong boon to an industry, or a hindrance (Kilkenny, Nalbarte, Besser). The perspective of aquaculture has largely been focused on environmental aspects and economic factors to a lesser extent. With the success of international fisheries, the economic prospects of aquaculture within the United States are growing. Informing consumers of this economic potential can provide the lift a developing industry needs to expand beyond its current limits and change citizen sentiment towards the industry. This is known as the framing effect, a well studied phenomenon of how changing the information provided to an individual or changing the way a choice is presented can affect their ultimate decisions (Kahneman, Tversky 1979). I want to examine how providing consumers with economic information regarding aquaculture affects their perspective of the industry. I will use data collected from a statewide survey conducted by the Economics Department of the University of Maine. The questions in this survey ask the respondent their opinions and experiences with aquaculture and its future in Maine. These surveys come in two forms, one providing aquaculture economic information to respondents, and another without. Preliminary results have shown a difference between the responses of both groups indicating the effect providing economic information can have on consumers.

14. Household Water Consumption: Drought and Revenue Instability

Tala Kasih (student)
Bates College, Lewiston, ME

Water scarcity has led water utilities and governments to implement conservation programs and restrictions to incentivize consumers to reduce water consumption. As a consequence of such restrictions, water utilities have struggled to maintain financial solvency or revenue stability since a large portion of their costs are related to infrastructure (fixed costs). I utilize monthly water usage data along with household characteristics data from three different cities and neighborhoods in Los Angeles County to explore the effectiveness of switching from the current pricing mechanism used in Los Angeles county, increasing block-rate, to either a) consumption-based fixed rate; b) budget-based rates; or c) PeakSet base pricing model. I explore each price structure’s ability to remain equitable and fair, incentivize users to reduce consumption, and provide the utility with stable revenue.

15. Using Industry for Change: Cellulose-based Food Packaging Products

Shayla Rose Kleisinger (student)^1,2, Caitlin Howell¹, Balunkeswar Nayak³
1 Department of Chemical & Biomedical Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME
2 Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, University of Maine, Orono, ME
3 School of Food & Agriculture, University of Maine, Orono, ME

Food waste management is a significant problem faced by the state of Maine, as most surplus food-products are incinerated or landfilled. A contributing factor to the large amounts of generated food-waste is the contamination and/or spoilage of food before it can be purchased and consumed. With pulp and paper having significant history and pre-established infrastructure in Maine, there is opportunity to utilize cellulose-based products as a new approach to addressing the shelf-life of food, along with creating new business avenues for an at-risk industry. This research highlights the use of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), a wood-based product, as an alternative to non-biodegradable plastic food packaging. The incorporation of a physically-bonded layer of food-grade oil will allow for the creation of an anti-adhesive barrier that discourages bacterial growth, while remaining food-safe. The usage of food-grade/safe products gives potential for this material to be integrated into compost, therefore becoming a solution for the increase in non-biodegradable plastic products that are only partially re-integrated into the environment. This dual-layer material has the ability to decrease water adherence, which shows great promise in decreasing contaminant penetration. A lowered level of outside contaminants interacting with food products will lead to an increase in shelf-life and an overall reduction of food-waste. The Process Development Center (PDC) at the University of Maine is already capable of producing materials such as CNF; demonstrating that with the addition of equipment to pre-existing paper-mills, the issues of maintaining Maine industry and food-waste can simultaneously be addressed.

16. The Role of Citizen Stewards in Monitoring the Health and Sustainability of Maine’s Lakes.

Colleen Metcalf (student)¹, Firooza Pavri²
University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME
Muskie School of Public Service, University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME

Maine’s freshwater lakes are a vital natural resource that provide economic, recreational and ecosystem services. Their sustainable management is of utmost importance to both the communities that surround them and the state that depends on them. In this study, we consider the role of citizen scientists and lake residents in gathering data on lake water quality and assess their stewardship activities vis-à-vis lake conservation. In collaboration with the Lake Stewards of Maine, an organization that has trained volunteers to gather water quality data for Maine lakes since 1971, we distributed surveys to learn more about the volunteers, the lake associations that they are involved with, and the factors that motivate them to engage year after year. Data from surveys gathered in 2015, 2016 and 2018 are presented here. The survey instrument collected demographic information as well as the types of activities conducted by lake association residents and citizen scientists and their rationale for engaging in this work. Open-ended questions provided in-depth data on stakeholder knowledge and use of Maine lakes, and insights about the environmental and stewardship issues related to lakes. The results collated from 398 total respondents indicate an overall deep personal attachment to the body of water they monitor, and concern over its health and quality. The results of this work allow us to evaluate the participation and engagement of local residents and citizen scientists in lake and conservation management. Insights from the study will enable us to comment on the factors that influence the long-term participation and involvement of the public in conservation activities.

17. Generation and Recovery of Hospital Food Waste in Maine

Hannah Nadeau (student), Deborah Saber
Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainable Solutions, University of Maine, Orono, ME

This study explores the ways in which food waste is generated and disposed of in hospitals throughout the state of Maine. From single-use gowns and gloves to disposable medical equipment, hospitals are large producers of many types of waste. While there has been little research about hospital food waste, in Maine as much as 43% of the municipal waste stream is composed of organic material, including food waste, suggesting that hospitals also produce significant amounts of wasted food. Food waste in hospitals may come from food preparation, uneaten patient meals, and staff/visitor meals. This study addresses a critical knowledge gap, as in Maine there is little information on the topic of hospital food waste. We developed a survey to understand what hospitals in Maine do with their food waste and whether or not these practices promote the sustainable management of wasted food. Conducted at seven hospitals across the state, our survey creates a picture of food waste management practices and suggests further areas of research and intervention to promote sustainable food waste management practices. The data generated through this effort not only fills a gap in existing research, but suggests applied solutions to issues of food waste in Maine.

18. Bridging the Gap: Community-based Food Scrap Diversion

Taylor Patterson (student)
Ecology and Environmental Sciences and Mitchell Center for Sustainable Solutions, University of Maine, Orono, ME

Food waste is a momentous issue in Maine, taking up more space in our household garbage than any other material. This waste will ultimately end up in a landfill or incinerator, where all of its nutrients will be lost. Composting can be used as an effective materials management practice, to recover nutrients and promote a more circular food system. Maine’s rural geography is a barrier in implementing food-scrap diversion programs throughout the state. Community-based composting programs pose a potential solution to overcoming organic waste management challenges in rural areas. Community- based composting programs recognize the value in organics. By composting food waste locally, these programs benefit all members of a community by providing organic waste management, creating local jobs, conserving landfill space, and circulating capital throughout the local economy. The purpose of this research project is to bridge the gap between a community and food scrap diversion through a composting program, in this case working with a local dairy farm and an enthusiastic couple looking to establish food scrap diversion in their hometown. Through this collaboration, the program is able to provide services for households, businesses, schools, and municipalities in Mid Coast Maine. The intent of this research project is to serve as an example for areas or individuals who are interested in diverting organics.

19. Supporting Public Involvement in Dam Decision Making with Dam Factsheets

Kaitlyn Raffier (student), Sharon Klein, Emma Fox (student)
School of Economics, University of Maine, Orono, ME

Involving the public on dam decision making is a necessary yet challenging feat. Many researchers, practitioners, and citizens alike emphasize the need for citizen support and engagement in dam decision making to ensure all voices are heard. When a hydropower dam project reaches relicensing for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and stakeholders are given the opportunity to voice their opinion on what should happen to the dam, dam information can be difficult to access. The information to determine what decision criteria people value is spread widely across many sources, which takes time and energy to access and understand; two things that stakeholders do not always have. My work addresses the issue of information access a by compiling, organizing, and presenting data in a digestible way for stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds to understand, ultimately creating a series of Dam Factsheets that provide relevant data for dam decisions. I created seven factsheets covering the West Enfield, Medway, Milford, Ripogenus, Ellsworth, Lower Mousam, and Penobscot Mills Project. The Dam Factsheets are available on the Future of Dams blog and accessible to anyone. As one piece of a larger Dam Toolbox being created by the Future of Dams team, these Dam Factsheets are living documents that could be adapted to a variety of other projects anywhere you can find a dam!

20. Quantifying Tidally Driven Transport in the Jordan River Estuary

Gwyneth Roberts (student)¹, Lauren Ross², Sean Smith³
1 Department of Mathematics, University of Maine, Orono, ME
2 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME
3 School of Earth and Climate Sciences & Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, University of Maine, Orono, ME

The Jordan River in Trenton, Maine is host to commercial mussel harvesting activities. These local aquaculture operations are susceptible to point source pollution and freshwater runoff induced closures, which are inherently linked to the dynamics of the estuary. This study aims to characterize the circulation patterns in the Jordan River estuary on various temporal scales to identify the controls of material transport in this system. In order to achieve this goal, a combination of in-situ collected data and analytical modeling was used to understand water level variations and tidal current velocity patterns in the river and to improve understanding of the hydrodynamic conditions and their implications for water quality. The model is based on the horizontal Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equations in the shallow water limit with scaling parameters defined from characteristics of the estuary. Preliminary results of data analysis indicate that ebb velocities are dominant in the intra-tidal dynamics, indicating that subtidal (transport) velocities will be prominent in this system. Model results for subtidal flows show that there is outflow over the shoals and inflow over the channel driven by a combination of advection and Stokes drift. This pattern indicates that pollutants introduced to the system near the banks (from land-based sources) will be advected out of the system while pollutants introduced in the center (or from the seaward boundary) will be advected into the system. Thus, land-based pollutants will spend less time within the estuary. These results can be used to inform management decisions to minimize closure time throughout the harvest season.

21. Development of Environmental DNA Tools for Sustainable Monitoring of Northeast Sea-Run Fishes

Samantha Silverbrand (student)¹, John Kocik², Michael Kinnison³1 School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME
2 NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Orono, ME
3 School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME

Many sea-run fishes support important commercial and recreational fisheries or are targets for extensive restoration efforts in the Northeastern United States. These resources require regular monitoring with emphasis on species distributions, phenology, and population dynamics if they are to be managed in a sustainable fashion. Historically, sampling techniques such as gill nets, electrofishing, and trap nets have been used to monitor diadromous species. These traditional methods are labor-intensive, require special training and permitting, are inefficient for rare species, and can harm captured individuals. Recent advances in molecular biology suggest that environmental DNA (eDNA), genetic material naturally shed by organisms into their environment, can be detected in water samples to provide a less laborious, minimally stressful, and more sensitive alternative. Indeed, environmental DNA sample collection can be conducted by non-specialists, providing an opportunity to increase monitoring participations. However, taxon-specific eDNA assays need to be developed and vetted for many diadromous species. Here we provide results of an effort to develop and test species-specific environmental DNA markers for diadromous fish species in the Gulf of Maine. To date, we have successfully developed and tested eDNA assays for Atlantic salmon, brook trout, rainbow smelt, river herring, American shad, and sea lamprey. Additional research is being conducted to develop genetic markers for four additional diadromous species (shortnose sturgeon, Atlantic sturgeon, striped bass, American eel). Our goal is to make these assays interchangeable and combinable in the same sample reactions to permit co-detection. The development of these new eDNA assays will ultimately provide monitoring and restoration programs with a potentially powerful tool to complement or supplant current sampling methodologies.

Graduate Poster Abstracts

22. Optimizing Strategies to Hydraulically Plant Atlantic Salmon Eggs Based on Fry Dispersal Patterns

Ernie Atkinson (student)¹, Joseph Zydlewski^2,3
1 School of Marine Resources, University of Maine, Orono, ME
2 U.S. Geological Survey, Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Orono, ME
3 Dept. of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology, University of Maine, Orono, ME

The Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic salmon has suffered from habitat loss and exploitation over the last century. Hatchery supplementation has unquestionably prevented the extirpation of the species over the last decades. Stocking older life history stages minimizes early life history mortality but does so at a cost of limiting exposure to a natural freshwater environment. Egg planting is a process by which fertilized eggs from the hatchery are injected into the gravel in the fall, replicating the natural spawning process in streams and provides a natural experience which can be important for adaptation. This methodology has been used experimentally within the region, but significant uncertainties exist in developing the effective implementation of this method at a greater scale. Specifically, the habitat dependent distribution of juveniles after emergence from the gravel would provide information necessary to apply the technique to meet conservation hatchery goals with respect to fall parr densities. We propose to characterize the dispersal pattern of egg planted Atlantic salmon as a function of habitat and use these data to construct a GIS based tool to inform stocking. This work, if successful, can help to optimize the application of egg planting at a management level.

23. Exploring Public Perception and Preferences of Marine Coastal Issues

Amy Bainbridge (student), Caroline L. Noblet, Keith S. Evans, A. Sophie Garbuz (student)
School of Economics, University of Maine, Orono, ME

Understanding public awareness and concerns about marine coastal issues is vital to comprehending the complex relationship between people and the ocean and may help improve sustainable management of our coastal zone. Prior research shows that our relationship with the coastal and marine environment, as well as our knowledge, beliefs, trust in science and government, and educational status can all influence perception of how we see coastal and ocean issues. Our research explores this topic at a regional level, investigating coastal Maine marine perception of coastal issues using survey data. Frequencies, cross tabulation, and logistic regression is utilized to 1) investigate perceptions of policy-relevant knowledge concerning ocean and coastal priority areas listed in the Maine Coastal Program; 2) determine what characteristics may be associated with higher levels of regional coastal and ocean awareness and preference; and 3) determine if perception of current ocean and coastal issues, as well as awareness of ocean policy, interaction with the coast, belief in climate change, and confidence in science plays a role in preference for marine planning and protection. Preliminary results show a clear relationship between an individual’s perceptions of each of the ocean issues, and those corresponding preferences. On average, there exists a significant positive relationship between those that agree with coastal perceptions related to coastal hazards, ocean resources, wetlands, and impacts of development and their preference level for those coastal issues. Results from our research may assist state and local governments to better understand and advocate for regionally specific concerns.

24. A Media Discourse Analysis of Right Whale Mortality Events in Maine

Marina Cucuzza (student)¹, Gabriella Marafino¹, Abby Roche²
1 School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME
2 Dept. of Communication and Journalism, University of Maine, Orono, ME

The North Atlantic right whale is one of the most critically endangered large whales in the world. In 2017, NOAA Fisheries declared an Unusual Mortality Event (UME) for the North Atlantic right whale population after a total of 17 deaths occurred in the United States and Canada, eliminating 3% of the population. To date, scientists, government officials, and the fishing industry have struggled to come to a consensus on the cause of the UME. This has contributed to high levels of uncertainty surrounding the mortalities and impeded preventative policy action to reduce further mortalities. In this exploratory study, we investigate the high level of uncertainty surrounding the cause of the UME by analyzing the portrayal of right whale mortality events in Maine newspapers. We report on the results of a qualitative content analysis of Maine news media during the right whale UME from April 2017 to September 2018. Understanding how the UME is being portrayed and by whom may provide avenues for considering potential barriers in the implementation of effective action in and between various actors such as regulators, scientists, and the fishing industry in both the U.S and Canada. Results from this exploratory study have important implications for local news coverage of complex human-natural systems issues in Maine and beyond. Furthermore, these results carry worthwhile contributions to the science communication and sustainability science fields; particularly, in terms of the efficacy of such methodological approaches in understanding environmental risks and issues of standing and influence.

25. Understanding the Potential for Aquaculture Adoption Among Commercial Fishermen in Maine

Caitlin Cleaver (student)¹, Teresa R. Johnson¹, Samuel P. Hanes², and Karen Pianka (student)¹
1 School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME
2 Dept. of Anthropology, University of Maine, Orono, ME

Aquaculture is a growing industry in Maine and is viewed as a potential diversification strategy for commercial fishermen as well as a way to sustain Maine’s working waterfronts and coastal communities in the face of environmental change. The Aquaculture in Shared Waters program provides an opportunity for commercial fishermen to learn more about shellfish and seaweed aquaculture while also providing an opportunity to understand the types of commercial fishermen who are considering the adoption of aquaculture. The program has run eight times in multiple towns since 2018. We will report results from pre- and post-course structured surveys completed by training program participants with a focus on motivations for considering the adoption of aquaculture, potential barriers to adoption and a description of the demographics and fishing experience of these individuals. Most participants report looking to aquaculture a diversification strategy and are most concerned about learning all aspects of running an aquaculture operation. They report lower levels of concern about environmental uncertainty, the regulatory process, and managing community relations.

26. Is There a Demand for Aquaculture Insurance? An Analysis of New England’s Oyster Market

Avery Cole (student), Nicholas Alvarez (student)
School of Economics, University of Maine, Orono, ME

Aquaculture growers in New England have identified a number of critical impediments to future development of the industry. First and foremost, they identify the risks associated with aquatic crop loss as a burden on existing businesses but also a significant barrier to market entry. One risk mitigation strategy is the introduction of a crop insurance program. In this paper, we consider the plausibility of a regional crop insurance program by examining the willingness-to-pay (WTP) across oyster growers in New England.

We draw from a body of literature in agricultural economics to inform our model. Crop insurance programs are considered an important risk mitigation strategy in agriculture industries and despite espoused grower interest, crop insurance remains unavailable to aquaculture growers. We consider data collected in 2017 survey of aquaculture growers in New England. Using a conjoint analysis, we estimate a WTP for an insurance program that would cover one or several risk factors including storms, disease, both, or all production risks in the event of catastrophic losses. We utilize a generalized multinomial logit model to analyze our survey results. Results suggest that for both storm and disease insurance, grower WTP is approximately four percent of their annual revenue. There is an additional WTP of two percent of annual revenue to cover all other production risks. Preliminary calculations assessing WTP versus the costs of implementing a program indicate that a regional insurance program could operate on an actuarially sound basis.

27. Zooplankton Phenology Variation Along an Elevational Gradient in Remote Maine Lakes

Stephanie Dykema^1,2, Sarah Nelson², Rachel Hovel³1 Program in Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME
2 School of Forest Resources, University of Maine, Orono, ME
3 Department of Biology, University of Maine-Farmington, Farmington, ME

As the Earth’s climate warms scientists are increasingly focused on understanding ecosystem response to environmental changes. Significant climate-driven shifts have already been detected in northeastern lakes including changes in the timing of seasonal events such as ice breakup. The organisms that inhabit a lake are susceptible to these shifts, however we have much more to learn about how different biological communities in lakes react to changes in the physical environment. This research aims to understand how zooplankton communities, in lakes across a range of elevation and climate zones, respond to lake phenology. As these small organisms react quickly to change due to their short life cycles, variation within zooplankton communities may indicate larger ecosystem shifts because of their position at the bottom of the food chain. Zooplankton will be collected in 14 remote Maine lakes along an elevational gradient in order to capture variation in climate and seasons, and lakes will be sampled in each season corresponding with ecologically important events such as ice-out and onset of thermal stratification. Zooplankton phenology will be compared among seasons and among lakes to understand which physical factors influence the phenology of different species. Zooplankton taxonomic groups respond differently to seasonal changes depending on their life-history traits and we will identify how these responses vary across the extremes of climate conditions present in Maine. Disentangling the drivers of zooplankton phenology will provide a basis for understanding consequences of climate change for northeastern lentic food-webs.

28. Environmental DNA for Sustainable Monitoring of Atlantic Salmon Occupancy and Abundance

Brad Erdman (student)¹, Geneva York², Zachary Wood¹, Joan Trial³, Michael Kinnison¹
1 University of Maine, Orono, ME
2 US Fish and Wildlife Service
3 Project SHARE, Eastport, ME

Managing freshwater ecosystems often requires that we understand the distribution and abundance of species on the landscape. However, this core monitoring need is often highly constrained and costly for endangered species like anadromous Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Traditional population monitoring relies on labor intensive capture, requires special permits, and thus can only be conducted by relatively few specially-trained personnel. Environmental DNA (eDNA) testing of stream water provides a promising alternative to survey aquatic species in a more cost-effective, less invasive, and potentially more sensitive way. We provide results of two pilot studies that assess detection limits of salmon eDNA with a caged-fish study and compare eDNA detection rates and relative abundance estimates of Atlantic salmon parr from backpack electrofishing. Caged fish trials supported the ability of eDNA to detect small numbers of salmon at distances up to a kilometer and documented a relationship between fish abundance and eDNA levels. Likewise, both backpack electrofishing and eDNA analysis detected Atlantic salmon at 85% of survey sites. Site-specific detections were largely consistent across methods with positive detections using both methods at 21 sites, electrofishing-only detections at two sites, and eDNA-only detections at two sites. Interestingly, we did not detect a significant relationship between local eDNA concentrations and salmon relative abundance from electrofishing which we hypothesize is due to eDNA transport. Further models that account for eDNA transport are currently being developed and may shed light on the hydrological dynamics of eDNA in lotic systems and improve the accuracy of eDNA relative abundance estimates.

29. Communication and Collaboration within the Atlantic Salmon Governance Structure of Maine

Melissa Flye (student)¹, Carly Sponarski², Joseph Zydlewski³, Bridie McGreavy⁴
1 Ecology and Environmental Science, University of Maine, Orono, ME
2 Fisheries, and Conservation Biology, University of Maine, Orono, ME
3 Wildlife Fisheries, and Conservation Biology, University of Maine, and Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Orono, ME
4 Communication and Journalism, University of Maine, Orono, ME

The Atlantic salmon population in Maine remains critically low despite extensive hatchery supplementation and habitat improvement efforts. In 2000 the Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment was listed as an endangered species with joint listing authority shared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Because, regulators and managers from Federal, State, and Penobscot Nation contexts operate with independent authority, recovery decisions depend upon effective communication and coordination. Using a mixed-methods approach we surveyed and interviewed members of the Atlantic Salmon Recovery Framework (ASRF), the governance structure responsible for Atlantic salmon management and recovery in Maine. The communication network analysis utilized survey results to better understand the flow of information and communication between members of ASRF and found that there is a relatively high network density for individual communication, but that these communications are poorly centralized and may be more compatible with some organizational structures than others. Communicative relationships formed distinct communities falling generally along organizational boundaries, indicating that individual communicative relationships are reflective of organizational affiliation rather than framework structure. Challenges reported by members fit generally into three categories, membership confusion, mismatches between framework and organizational structures, and poorly defined responsibilities. Despite these challenges, participants reported a commitment to maintaining a collaborative governance structure. Individuals reported long-standing relationships and a history of working together within and between organizations. This coupled with the high degree of communication, shows that communication pathways exist and may be built upon moving forward.

30. Assessing Invasive Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) Distribution in Maine Via Trapping and eDNA Efforts

Vaughn Holmes (student)¹, Phillip deMaynadier², Catherine Bevier³, Michael Kinnison⁴
University of Maine, Orono, ME
Maine Dept. Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, Augusta, ME
Biology, Colby College, Waterville, ME
Biology & Ecology, University of Maine, Orono, ME

First introduced in Maine 1939, the common mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) is an invasive, fully-aquatic salamander. Since introduction, there have been many anecdotal reports of mudpuppy captures in lakes in central Maine, but no efforts to assess distribution, population sizes, or impacts on aquatic ecosystem sustainability. It is possible that mudpuppies feed on certain lacustrine species of state conservation concern (e.g. Ephemeroptera, Odonata, Gastropoda) or compete with native fish in the area. This develops survey approaches to assess the extent of mudpuppy invasion in Maine. The combination of being fully aquatic and potentially rare in new colonization sites, presents challenges for traditional survey methodologies. As such, this project paired traditional transect trapping efforts by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife with new environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling methods developed by the University of Maine. Environmental DNA sampling detects the DNA that organisms naturally shed in the aquatic environment, and is thus sensitive to detecting an organism even when it is not immediately present at a sampling site. Both trapping and eDNA approaches have confirmed that mudpuppy have spread widely from their initial introduction site. Our initial data indicate that eDNA sampling has detected the presence of mudpuppies in more waterbodies than trapping methods, indicating that eDNA monitoring may be a more sensitive means to monitor this elusive invader. We are currently refining our eDNA sampling approaches and conducting follow-up eDNA and trapping surveys to further confirm mudpuppy distribution and assess whether eDNA can also provide insight into relative mudpuppy abundances.

31. Modeling Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, and Phosphorus Concentrations in Lake Auburn, Maine

Nicholas Messina (student), Aria Amirbahman, Stephen Norton
University of Maine, Orono, ME

Lake Auburn, Maine is a historically unproductive lake that has experienced multiple algal blooms over the last decade. The lake is the water supply source for a population of ~60,000. In 2011, the lake experienced longer than usual hypolimnetic anoxia that led to internal phosphorus release and an excessive algal bloom; Hurricane Irene preceded the bloom. The 2018 algal blooms were preceded by intense storms that transported phosphorus to the lake from the tributary streams, but no extreme hypolimnetic anoxia. The goal of this study is to model phosphorus concentrations in Lake Auburn by considering the watershed and internal contributions, and to predict the likelihood of algal blooms. A system of linked models containing a stream hydrology and phosphorus loading model and a lake model for simulating physical mixing, biological dynamics, and sediment geochemistry was used to simulate phosphorus concentrations in Lake Auburn from 2011-2018. Stream flow and total phosphorus loads were modeled in the two major tributaries, Townsend Brook and Basin Brook, using the computer program SimplyP. Temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles were modeled using the computer program MyLake and calibrated using the MATLAB Genetic Algorithm. Our results show that simulation of lake temperature, dissolved oxygen, and phosphorus proves an effective means for predicting the loss of water quality under changing land use and climate scenarios.

32. Opportunity Costs and Biological Benefits of Streamside Management Zones in Forested Landscapes

Eric Miller (student), Kathleen Bell, Mindy Crandall, Mitchell Paisker
University of Maine, Orono, ME

One of the most pervasive conservation challenges is balancing land resource utilization and habitat quality. Maintaining streamside management zones (SMZs), otherwise known as riparian buffers, can enhance stream and river restoration. Despite near consensus about the potential of this management tool, numerous questions remain about the use of such zones in practice, especially in forested landscapes. Using experimental data collected from 14 sites in Northwestern Maine, this research advances simulations that contrast the economic value of harvesting timber in riparian areas with the biological benefits resulting from SMZs. We focus on how the width of SMZs influences this contrast. The opportunity cost is dependent on the merchantable species present as well as the width of SMZ, which is reflected in our results. Overall, the presence of SMZs improves stream biological health, but the insect species responses vary across buffer zone widths and the biodiversity benefits diminish eventually as SMZ widens. Forest managers of Maine can use these results to guide their timber harvesting policy as well as providing landowners with insights as to how to protect streams while utilizing their forest lands. Our analysis is relevant for crafting ecological policies and provides insight to incentivizing conservation practices for landowners.

33. Innovative Resources for Small Ruminant Health

Sarah Paluso (student), Ann Bryant, Anne Lichtenwalner
University of Maine, Orono, ME

Caseous lymphadenitis (CL) is a chronic disease of sheep and goats caused by the pathogenic bacterium, Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (Cp). The disease is characterized by the formation of “caseous” abscesses which cause significant decreases in wool, meat, and milk production of these animals, costing the worldwide industry millions of dollars each year. Once shed via ruptured abscesses, Cp remains infective in the environment for long periods of time, where it can quickly spread to the rest of the herd. Antibiotics have had limited success in treating CL, due to the difficulty of penetrating the dry, thick-walled abscesses. The purpose of this project is to find an alternative method of treatment and control of CL using components of essential oils with known antimicrobial properties. Essential oils are complex bioactive compounds that have been increasingly explored as sources of antimicrobial activity as the Food and Drug Administration currently discourages use of medically-important antibiotics in food animals (VFD; www.fda.gov). The minimum inhibitory concentrations of nine essential oil components were tested using a standard disk diffusion assay. Five of these components (thymol, carvacrol, trans-cinnamaldehyde, cuminaldehyde, and B-citronellol), successfully inhibited the growth of Cp in vitro and will be tested for cytotoxicity to mammalian cells. Due to the nature of essential oils, tissue penetration may be possible, and environmental treatment (as disinfectants of farm surfaces, such as feeders or shearing equipment) may be easily done. By maintaining healthy flocks and eliminating the need for toxic disinfection methods, this project could have a positive impact on sustainable agriculture.

34. Does Contamination Increase When Food Scrap Diversion is Required?

Astha Thakali (student), Jean MacRae, Travis Blackmer, Peter Larson, Andrew Flynn (student), Skyler Horton (student)
University of Maine, Orono, ME

A more sustainable food system model is needed to prevent food waste, address food insecurity, and ensure nutrients are recycled back into the soil. A sustainable food system would return nutrients from waste to agricultural soil to produce more food. But there is a possibility of unforeseen, unregulated and emergent risks arising from a mixed waste stream. Contaminants may enter the food supply chain at various points from pesticides applied during production to contamination from packaging materials to poor separation from non-food wastes in homes and institutions. The fate of some biological contaminants is unknown. The purpose of this study is to determine if there is greater risk associated with mandatory separation of food scraps versus voluntary participation. The goal is to identify the emergent risks associated with more cyclical food systems and to identify appropriate management procedures, policies and programs to reduce risks. Food waste was collected from three states (MA, ME and VT) from five sources during summer of 2018. Food scraps were processed to a uniform consistency using a food processor and tested for heavy metals, halogenated organics (EOX), pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Samples from regulated states were more contaminated than the ones from non-regulated state in terms of plastic contamination. None of the samples exceeded any heavy metals contaminants regulatory limits. EOX was also within safe limits. We are working on determining ARGs and pathogens in our sample. Until now, it looks food scrap diversion is better in non-regulated state and food waste is safe to recycle.

35. Thinking at the Margin: Examining the Role of Estuary Margin Watersheds in Coastal Bacteria Pollution Vulnerability

Bea Van Dam (student)^1,3, Sean Smith^1,3, Kate Beard^2,3

1 School of Earth and Climate Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME
2 School of Computing and Information Science, University of Maine, Orono, ME
3 Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, University of Maine, Orono, ME

Bacteria pollution closures of Maine’s coastal shellfish harvest areas have substantial economic and social consequences for more than 1500 licensed harvesters and their communities. To sustainably manage shellfish harvest areas and avoid unnecessary closures, the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) requires coastal data to make science-based decisions. Recent research of land-sea connections in Maine demonstrates correlations between coastal landscape conditions and estuary bacteria levels near non-tidal watershed outlets, providing a proof-of-concept for the use of cluster analyses to group non-tidal watersheds into a limited set of similarly-behaving coastal settings. However, the analysis omitted many near-coast landscape areas bordering the estuaries that did not fall within the 535 non-tidal watersheds used as the domain for clustering, leaving an important data gap.

This poster describes the ongoing work to incorporate the omitted “margin” watershed areas into an upgraded cluster analysis that seeks to assess the vulnerability of varied coupled landscape-estuary settings along Maine’s coast to bacterial pollution. Surface water flow direction delineation within “margin” watershed areas has produced the most complete set of high-resolution flow path data for the Maine coast and from these data the contributing areas to the state’s coastal estuaries and embayments are being delineated. The cluster analysis will incorporate an expanded set of proxy metrics describing the sources, delivery, and estuarine residence time of bacterial pollutants in surface water runoff that cause problematic levels in shellfish harvest areas and provide DMR with improved decision support tools.

Professional Poster Abstracts

36. Conservation Science under Changing Conditions

Sandra De Urioste Stone, Aram Calhoun, Sarah J. Nelson, Linda Silka, Aaron Weiskittel, Adam Daigneault, Dan Hayes, Bridie McGreavy, Laura Rickard
University of Maine, Orono, ME

Global and local changes in environmental, social, and climatic conditions increasingly stress, alter, or degrade ecosystems and human quality of life despite continued efforts to develop integrated natural and human models that help support effective decision-making. In response, many organizations focus on managing for resilient human-natural systems—those that are able to respond and adapt to the effects of rapid change. Our recently awarded National Science Foundation Research Traineeship grant will create a new graduate education model that integrates faculty and students from the social and biophysical sciences in order to prepare the next generation of conservation leaders to address these challenges presented by a rapidly changing world. The University of Maine’s NSF-NRT program will train the next generation of conservation leaders by (1) integrating biophysical and socioeconomic sciences into coursework; (2) fostering collaborative, engaged, transdisciplinary, and solutions-driven research; (3) offering professional development opportunities. Transdisciplinary research and active learning experiences central to the program will address governance frameworks, biodiversity conservation, sustainable rural livelihoods and resource dependent economies, stewardship values, citizen science and participation, and spatial sciences. Our goal is to build a well-trained and experienced workforce to advance conservation solutions that will ultimately lead to enhanced resilience of socio-ecological systems in Maine and beyond.

37. Forecasting the Probability of Future Groundwater Levels Going Below Specified Low Thresholds

Robert W. Dudley¹, Glenn A. Hodgkins¹, Jesse E. Dickinson²
1 U.S. Geological Survey, Augusta, ME
2 U.S. Geological Survey, Tucson, AZ

We present a logistic regression approach for forecasting the probability of future groundwater levels declining or maintaining below specific groundwater-level thresholds. We tested our approach on 102 groundwater wells in different climatic regions and aquifers of the United States that are part of the U.S. Geological Survey Groundwater Climate Response Network. We evaluated the importance of current groundwater levels, precipitation, streamflow, seasonal variability, Palmer Drought Severity Index, and atmosphere/ocean indices for developing the logistic regression equations. Several diagnostics of model fit were used to evaluate the regression equations, including testing of autocorrelation of residuals, goodness-of-fit metrics, and bootstrap validation testing. The probabilistic predictions were most successful at wells with high persistence (low month-to-month variability) in their groundwater records and at wells where the groundwater level remained below the defined low threshold for sustained periods (generally three months or longer). The model fit was weakest at wells with strong seasonal variability in levels and with shorter duration low-threshold events. We identified challenges in deriving probabilistic-forecasting models and possible approaches for addressing those challenges.

38. Effects of Regulation and Urbanization on Historical Flood Trends in the United States

Glenn A. Hodgkins¹, Robert W. Dudley¹, Stacey A. Archfield², Benjamin Renard³
U.S. Geological Survey, Augusta, ME
U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA
Irstea, Lyon, France

Many studies have analyzed historical trends in annual peak flows in the United States because of the importance of flooding to bridges and other structures, and the concern that human actions may increase flooding. To help attribute causes of historical peak-flow changes, it is important to separate basins by characteristics that have different effects on peak flows, however, limited work has been published in this area. We analyzed historical trends by basin type: minimally altered basins, regulated basins (substantial reservoir storage but low urbanization), and urbanized basins (with low reservoir storage). We computed trend significance with methods that consider the possibility of short- and long-term persistence in the time-series data. Although many peak-flow magnitude trends were found in the last century across the conterminous United States, trend magnitude and direction vary by region and basin type. There was a low percentage of significant increases and decreases for minimally altered basins (2-14%, depending on time period and assuming time-series independence) while regulated basins had many significant decreases (24-56%) and the limited number of urbanized basins with long-term records had many significant increases (28-38%). Parts of the Northeast quadrant of the U.S. had high densities of basins with large (>50%) increases, including some urbanized basins. Parts of the Southwest quadrant had high densities of basins with large decreases, including many regulated basins. It is important to consider basin-specific features such as historical reservoir additions and urbanization when computing future design floods for bridges and other hydraulic infrastructure.

39. Combined and Stormwater Sewer Systems Influence Larvae and Adult Mosquito Abundance in Catch Basins, Bangor, ME, USA

Alyssa Marini, Brandon Lieberthal, Allison Gardner
School of Biology, University of Maine, Orono, ME

Culex pipiens and Culex restuans (Diptera: Culicidae) are two mosquito disease vectors that transmit West Nile virus in urban areas in the eastern U.S. These mosquitoes breed in a variety of natural and artificial habitats, including roadside catch basins, which are underground reservoirs designed to reduce the likelihood of flooding by collecting and conducting surface runoff through the subterranean storm drain system. In most urbanized areas of the U.S., older “combined sewer” systems (that accept stormwater, sewage, and industrial waste water) are being replaced by “separate sewer” systems (that separate stormwater and sewage). While it is well-established that urbanization has altered mosquito-borne disease dynamics via multiple ecological pathways, no research has addressed the effects of stormwater versus combined sewer systems on mosquito production. Therefore, our study investigated whether there is a difference in abundance of larval and adult mosquitoes in these two types of sewer systems. From May 30 to August 27, we sampled 20 catch basins in residential neighborhoods in Bangor, Maine (10 in combined sewer systems and 10 in stormwater sewer systems). We found that there is an increase in larval abundance in combined catch basins compared to stormwater catch basins, but the opposite holds true for the adult mosquito abundance, where there is an increase in abundance in the stormwater versus the combined sewers. Future studies will seek to identify ecological mechanisms that explain these patterns. Our findings are relevant to understanding the potential human health impacts of stormwater management practices via production of disease vector mosquitoes.

40. Monitoring the Impacts of Restoring Aquatic Organism Passage at Road/Stream Crossings

Ben Matthews
The Nature Conservancy, Brunswick, ME

Upgrading problem road/stream crossings is an effective method to restore fish passage and reduce flood risk, but the lack of evidence of these benefits can be a stumbling block for the engineers and planners that need to be convinced of the value these projects. The Maine Field Office’s efforts to restore access to critical aquatic habitats provides a unique opportunity to investigate the efficacy of these aquatic organism passage (A.O.P) culvert replacement projects by monitoring the geomorphological changes resulting from our restoration efforts. Conducting pre/post construction surveys on culvert replacements allows us to quantify the impact of our restoration efforts and test the efficacy of A.O.P protocols. Tracking the resultant changes to stream morphology, sedimentation, substrate size class distribution and bed form allows us to directly compare our proposed design to the as-built project, giving stakeholders concrete evidence to quantify the success or failure of these projects. Further analysis of these metrics provides indirect measures of velocity, depth and flow that can be useful in quantifying both flood risk reduction and aquatic habitat connectivity. We will present a detailed look at the methodology and showcase some preliminary results from our first year of monitoring that highlight the benefits and limitations inherent in this method.

41. Recent Flume Facility Studies at the USGS-LSC Conte Anadromous Fish Research Laboratory

Kevin Mulligan¹, Alex Haro¹, Brett Towler², Bryan Sojkowski²
1 U.S. Geological Survey
2 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

This poster presentation will highlight two recent studies in the flume facility at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Leetown Science Center S.O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Laboratory. The first study, beginning in 2016, evaluated the effects of fishway entrance design and flow conditions on the entry and passage of adult American shad. Submergence depth, i.e. the difference in elevation between the tailwater and the entrance gate crest, was the main driver in passage time, followed by river temperature and gate design. The second study, beginning in 2018, evaluated the effects of a standard low-flow USGS gauging weir, commonly found at USGS streamflow gauges across the country, on passage of American shad. Passage rates were shown to increase as the water surface drop across the weir was lowered. The results of these two studies provide fish passage guidance criteria to numerous state and federal resource agencies that will aid in the management of both main-stem hydropower dams and low-head barriers.

42. Reducing Stream Acidification in Eastern Maine: Baseline Data

Emily Zimmermann
Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Augusta, ME

Despite restored access, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) populations in eastern Maine remain low. Loss of fish populations due to surface water acidification in the North Atlantic region has been well documented. Most waters in eastern Maine periodically experience acidic conditions (pH <6.5), resulting in detrimental impacts to salmon, especially during snow melt and spring/fall runoff. Liming acidic waters (using agricultural lime) has increased salmon abundance in Scandinavia and Nova Scotia, and has been recommended as a restoration action for Maine. A 2009 Project SHARE pilot study investigating the efficacy of using clam shells to lime streams suggested a positive trend. In collaboration with the Downeast Salmon Federation, a multi-year project will be conducted in the East Machias River watershed to further investigate the efficacy of this mitigation method, with the goal to increase macroinvertebrate abundance and diversity, and to increase juvenile salmon abundance. The first two years of the project characterized baseline conditions by monitoring water quality May-November using continuous monitoring devices and grab samples. Preliminary data analysis indicates periodic stressful conditions for juvenile salmon, including low pH (minimum of 4.19), high temperature (maximum of 28.46°C), low dissolved oxygen (minimum of 0.06 mg/L), low calcium (minimum of 0.80 mg/L), and high exchangeable aluminum (maximum of 53 ug/L). Dry summers resulted in extremely low stream flows, likely causing further stress to salmon in addition to affecting water quality. Monitoring efforts will continue for at least five years to determine the efficacy of using clam shells to mitigate acidity.

Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions

Poster Session

Poster Winners

High School – First Place

High School – Honorable Mention

Undergraduate – First Place (Tied)

Undergraduate – Honorable Mention

Graduate – First Place

Graduate – Honorable Mention

Poster Abstracts

High School Poster Abstracts

Undergraduate Student Abstracts

Graduate Poster Abstracts

Professional Poster Abstracts