Nipomo Mesa Lupine Seed Predation and Herbivory Study

The 2022 Nipomo Mesa Lupine Seed Predation and Herbivory Study analyzed the impact that animals and insects have on the germination success of the Nipomo Mesa lupine. Seed and plant herbivory was monitored at two different sites in Nipomo, California to identify the species that have been predating on the lupine and also compare how different planting locations impact herbivory. The three different treatments monitored were seeds set out in caged plots, uncaged plots near vegetation, and uncaged plots far from vegetation. Seed count data was collected at the beginning of the monitoring process (January 24, 2022) and at the end (May 17th, 2022). This data indicated that caged plots had the most herbivory activity, and then uncaged near vegetation, and lastly uncaged far from vegetation. However, this data is not sufficient to draw conclusions because of the high likelihood that seeds were blown out of the bait boxes by wind. Motion sensor trail cameras were also set up at each one of the 8 plots and video footage was collected. Video footage indicated that uncaged sites near vegetation showed the most seed predation, with kangaroo rats and deer mice being the primary predators. Video footage from the uncaged bait stations far from vegetation showed the most evidence of plant herbivory, mainly by cottontails and several bird species. Lastly, caged bait stations showed little herbivory activity, however birds and rodents were still seen in the cages. There was a high prevalence of insect activity in the caged plots, but it is undetermined what their effect was. The camera’s capture rates were extremely low due to technical difficulties associated with the delay between the trigger and the start of the video and seed data was not collected frequently enough to rule out factors other than seed predation in the removal of seeds from the bait stations. Therefore, further studies should be conducted to analyze the impact of these species on the Nipomo Mesa Lupine due to the limitations of this study

Development and evaluation of a staff training program on palliative care for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) face barriers and disparities at end of life. Among these barriers are limited educational opportunities and a paucity of targeted training materials on palliative care for staff who provide their day-to-day care. This paper reports on a three-phase project undertaken to develop, implement, and evaluate a palliative care curriculum and educational program that is responsive to the unique learning needs of staff providing services and supports for individuals with I/DD living in long-term care settings. Participants\u27 ratings of their levels of preparation and confidence to provide palliative care improved from pretraining to posttraining. Posttraining use of materials and practice changes in palliative care occurred. When training is developed in partnership with the staff who will use these training resources, it has the potential to sustain its use and to alter the care practices to address the palliative care needs of persons with I/DD

Learning How to Ask: Reflections on Engaging American Indian Research Participants

Communication patterns and explanatory processes are culturally specific and not often compatible with research data gathering approaches. Given the opportunity to engage in a communication style that is comfortable, understandable, and culturally appropriate for American Indians, the researcher may find that respondents participate fully and more openly. Learning how to ask the questions and understanding the process of engaging the research participant is essential to obtaining research data among American Indian participants. This paper presents a discussion on utilizing storytelling to collect research data from American Indians and posits that engaging the respondent is just as significant a step in the process as the questions asked. Reflections on utilizing storytelling as a data collection methodology and recommendations on the process of engaging the research participant by learning how and when to ask the question are provided

Assessing seed predation to inform the conservation and recovery of the critically endangered Nipomo Mesa Lupine, Lupinus nipomensis

This poster was presented at the UCSB EEMB research symposium in 2024.Seed predation by granivores limits plant survival and recruitment of new germinates, especially of rare species limited by small populations and increasing pressure from nonnative invasives. The relationship between granivores and native flora at the Dune Protected Area in Callandar, CA is currently shifting away from historic patterns; Nipomo  mesa lupine (L. nipomensis) and other dune stabilizing plant species have been impacted by the habitat-wide colonization by the invasive perennial veldt grass (Ehrharta calycina). Current veldt management practices prevent the use of herbicide to control the grass within a 15-foot buffer of extant lupine populations. Understanding how dense stands of veldt grass may support increased populations of L. nipomensis seed predators can inform the management of veldt grass and the recovery of the endangered lupine. This study assessed seed predation through low profile boxes baited with L. nipomensis seeds and camera traps capturing both video and still images to compare seed predation rates relative to dense stands of veldt grass. Conservation implications were further assessed by considering the role of cages (fencing) in reducing seed predation.  We found that increased proximity to veldt grass modestly increased seed predation, and that uncaged bait stations lost the most seeds (~70% loss rates compared to ~15% in caged plots). The most common seed predators captured on camera were Heermann’s kangaroo rats, Dipodomys heermanni (found outside of cages and away from veldt grass), Deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus (found outside of cages and adjacent to veldt grass), and California towhees (found within cages and away from veldt grass). Our results establish patterns of seed predation consistent with predicted results and emphasize potential vulnerability to seed predation in areas near veldt or areas unprotected by caging

We Don't Talk about It: Cancer Pain and American Indian Survivors.

Pain is a common symptom among cancer survivors, yet is rarely talked about by American Indians. Understanding the reasons for reduced communication by American Indian cancer survivors is important for healthcare providers, family members, and others providing treatment and support for cancer symptoms. Thirteen focus groups with Southwest American Indian adult cancer survivors were audiotaped and transcribed as part of a randomized intervention to remove barriers to cancer symptom management. Constant comparative methods were employed in the data analysis, topic categories were grouped for comparison, and final assessment followed Grounded Theory methods. Findings were categorized into two major groupings: communication with family members and communication with health care providers. Within these two groupings, three themes emerged to describe cancer pain experiences and communication barriers: (1) We don't talk about it, (2) Respect for healthcare providers; and (3) Culturally prohibitive topics on death and pain experiences. Not talking about their cancer diagnosis and cancer-related pain leaves many American Indian cancer survivors without much-needed social support, contributing to reduced treatment compliance and access to healthcare. Findings have implications for educational interventions and quality of life improvement for American Indian and other underrepresented communities

We Don't Talk about It: Cancer Pain and American Indian Survivors.

Pain is a common symptom among cancer survivors, yet is rarely talked about by American Indians. Understanding the reasons for reduced communication by American Indian cancer survivors is important for healthcare providers, family members, and others providing treatment and support for cancer symptoms. Thirteen focus groups with Southwest American Indian adult cancer survivors were audiotaped and transcribed as part of a randomized intervention to remove barriers to cancer symptom management. Constant comparative methods were employed in the data analysis, topic categories were grouped for comparison, and final assessment followed Grounded Theory methods. Findings were categorized into two major groupings: communication with family members and communication with health care providers. Within these two groupings, three themes emerged to describe cancer pain experiences and communication barriers: (1) We don't talk about it, (2) Respect for healthcare providers; and (3) Culturally prohibitive topics on death and pain experiences. Not talking about their cancer diagnosis and cancer-related pain leaves many American Indian cancer survivors without much-needed social support, contributing to reduced treatment compliance and access to healthcare. Findings have implications for educational interventions and quality of life improvement for American Indian and other underrepresented communities