divIIIcontract

My Division III project is to be based on a semester of field study in the spring of 2000 at The Institute of Ecosystem Studies (I.E.S), and presented by a thesis paper to be written in the fall of 2000. My field study work is with scientist Dr. David Strayer, on the population persistence and growth patterns of the Dwarf Wedge Mussel, Alasmidonta heterodon, in New England rivers. This rare mussel is an endangered species and little is understood about it’s habitat preferences and why it’s numbers have diminished in the last century. My project will attempt to gain an understanding about it’s population persistence in terms of environmental factors such as water quality, flow and land use that influence their habitats. In addition, I will attempt to find patterns in the growth rate of this mussel based on measurements taken of the third annual ring from mussels in extirpated as well as extant sites.
My field study work began in February of 2000, with research on growth studies of mussels, methods used to age mussels, mussel biology and life history as well as prior population studies of mussels.
I decided to focus on the species Alasmidonta heterodon because it is a federally listed endangered species on which extensive research had not been conducted. I wanted to figure out why there were some places that the mussel thrived, and many other places that the mussel is now extirpated from. I decided to focus on three main possible reasons for the extirpation of the mussels in New England rivers; water quality, hydrology and land use. I spent a lot of time looking up environmental information for the extirpated sites while at IES.
In addition, I wanted to see if there was a pattern in growth rate between rivers, sites, and over time. So I contacted all of the museums that have mussels from rivers in New England both at extirpated and extant sites, and requested to borrow them. I measured each mussel at growth ring 3, and total length. I will run statistical tests on the data to determine if there are differences between extant and extirpated sites, between rivers or over time.
This project will continue through the summer in Amherst, where I will work with Dr. Doug Smith from the University of Massachusetts. He will act as an advisor on this project until school starts again in the fall. This summer I expect to run the statistical tests on the growth data, analyze data sent to me for hydrology from the USGS and water quality information from the EPA. I am going to visit extant sites that are reasonably close to determine habitat characteristics and land use. This fall I will begin to write my thesis, which will include extensive background and focus as to why this study is important, as well as issues surrounding why bivalves are studied, and a complete and through report on the research conducted and a summery of comparative studies.

Indicate responsibilities of committee and additional evaluators, if any, including times and methods of evaluation.
My supervisor at I.E.S. will be evaluating my work at the end of my time there based on the research I conducted. Evaluation will be in written form and will be submitted with my Division III. For the summer work, I will have Doug Smith evaluate what I do with him, again in written form. During the fall semester, I will have weekly progress meetings with my chairperson, and my thesis will be evaluated by my committee when I am finished with it. Evaluation will be in written form, along with a final meeting of evaluation of the entire Division III.

Term: Fall 2000 Course # : Geo 666
Title of Activity (and institution if non-Hampshire): The Water’s Edge – Class, Umass

Description of Activity:
I will attend this class taught by Dr. Rutherford Platt. A brief description by Dr. Platt:
“The seminar deals largely with land and water policy and legal issues concerning watersheds, coasts, wetlands, etc. It usually attracts a good group of grad and undergrad students from planning, geography, forestry, and so forth.”
- Rutherford Platt, Professor.
I will be evaluated by a grade in the class and ask Dr. Platt to provide a written evaluation as well.

Advanced Educational Activity #2:
Term: Fall 2000
Title of Activity (and institution if not Hampshire):Teaching Assisant, Aquatic Ecology

Description of Activity:
Assisting Charlene D’Avanzo in teaching Aquatic Ecology will entail going along with the class on their orientation trip to Cape Cod the week before school starts, attending classes, field trips and labs, stetting up labs, helping to prepare for class, setting up help sessions for students as needed, being there to assist students with Division I projects and to offer my assistance as requested to the students of the class and to Charlene. I will be a resource for the students for ideas for papers, critically reviewing their lab reports and papers, and to answer any questions when Charlene is unavailable. To Charlene I will be available to schedule and set up labs, photocopy readings, and read papers and lab reports when requested. I will request written evaluations of both Charlene and a few volunteers from the class.