Center for Bay Area Biodiversity

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1 Center for Bay Area Biodiversity Dedicated to the long-term study of the plants and animals of the San Francisco Bay Area Director: Greg Spicer, Professor, Department of Biology, SFSU Hensill Hall Room 755, Team Leaders: Edward Connor, Professor, Department of Biology, SFSU Carlos Davidson, Associate Professor, Director of Environmental Studies, SFSU Gretchen LeBuhn, Associate Professor, Department of Biology, SFSU Mark Reynolds, Associate Director of California Science, The Nature Conservancy Eric Routman, Professor, Department of Biology, SFSU Partnering Institutions: The Nature Conservancy

2 Center for Bay Area Biodiversity The goal of the Center is to study the origin and maintenance of biodiversity in the San Francisco Bay Area. What is Biodiversity? Variation of life forms within a given area. - Taxonomy and systematics to determine the number and variety of species of plant and animal life within a region. - Ecological and conservation biology studies to determine the long-term effects of urbanization and global warming on local plants and animals.

3 Center for Bay Area Biodiversity The area encompasses the counties surrounding the San Francisco Bay, including Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Francisco, and Santa Cruz. Fourth largest urban region in the United States. Large number of rare or endangered species. Diversity of habitats to study: -Completely surrounded by a sea of urbanization (e.g., San Bruno Mountain, the Presidio, San Francisco Bay) -On the fringe of intensively urbanized sections (e.g., Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Tiburon Peninsula, Angel Island, Mt. Tamalpais, Point Reyes Bird Observatory) -Almost completely natural (e.g. Henry Coe SP, Big Basin SP).

4 Center for Bay Area Biodiversity Research Taxonomic aspects Ecology and Conservation Biology Database and Web Undergraduate Teaching and Public Outreach Graduate Outside University Education Public and the web

5 Research Biological Inventory - Taxonomy - listing of species - Systematics - genetic relatedness among species, species determination - Population Genetics - evaluation of genetic diversity, migration among populations Ecology and Conservation Biology Test hypotheses regarding biodiversity: - Management practices - prescribed burning, elimination of feral pigs and cats, native plant restoration - Reserve characteristics - reserve size, degree of urbanization of the surrounding land, connectivity corridors - Influence of exotic species on native species Database and Web Development - Taxon list and identification guides - GIS-based land use maps

6 Teaching and Public Outreach Undergraduate Education - Enhance classroom teaching - Undergraduates involved in field and laboratory research Graduate Education - Provide interesting graduate thesis projects - Learn science by conducting research Outside University Education - Provide courses/workshops for local, state, federal management agencies - Provide courses for the general public Public and the Web - Useful taxonomic identifications - Interactive for public to contribute information

7 Accomplishments - Funded several graduate students to begin work on aspects of the research. * Biodiversity Fellowships * Graduate Student Stipends - Started a list of local parks and reserves for study. - Started a web page that will focus on Bay Area organisms, notably birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

8 Center for Biodiversity Fellowships The College of Science and Engineering sponsors two fellowships for graduate students who are pursuing studies on San Francisco bay area biodiversity Awardees Kathryn Sechrist Steven Micheletti

9 Steven Micheletti, Biology Graduate Student Studying the effect of urbanization on reptiles and amphibians. He is examining parks that have paved trails, unpaved trails and, others that allow or restrict dogs, bicyclists, horses. Compare the biodiversity among the different parks and try to correlate findings with the different restrictions present in parks.

10 Kathryn Sechrist, Biology Graduate Student Studying the effects of urbanization on local bird populations. She is looking at the size and level of surrounding development to determine its effects on the native local birds. In addition, she is examining the parasite loads in nesting birds in these parks to see if urbanization is increasing the incidence of infection.

11 Steven Li, Math Graduate Student Studying the acoustics of bird song. He is developing a computer automated system that, in conjunction with an array of microphones, can recognize different bird species by song and localize them to a specific spot. This technology will be used to assess bird populations.

12 Sarah Hendricks, Biology Graduate Student Studying the mites and parasites of birds. She is examining the level of parasitism of quill and nasal mites on local and migratory birds. Also, looking at the genetic diversity of these parasites to determine their transmission patterns.

13 Amber Nordby, Biology Graduate Student Working on the Bumble Bees. She is trying to determine how the timing of emergence from winter effects the viability and productivity of the bees. Emergence is affected by temperature, so global warming could have a dramatic effect on these bees.

14 Michelle Thompson, Biology Graduate Student Working on the endangered San Francisco Garter Snake. She is examining the effects of burning and non-burning in natural habitats of this snake to see if prescribed burns would be beneficial to the survival of this species.

15 Funding Acknowledgements Center for Bay Area Biodiversity Jaylan Turkkan, Director Office of Sponsored Projects, SFSU Biodiversity Fellowships Sheldon Axler, Dean College of Science and Engineering, SFSU