Pirates for Academic Success

ECU reported in 2019 that the school had an overall retention rate of 83%. Although this percentage seems high, it is nothing compared to UNC Chapel Hill’s overall retention rate of 97.2% or Duke’s rate of 97.6%, (both reported from 2013-2017.) Because of this our group decided to research why ECU’s retention rate was so much lower than surrounding universities and provide resources and information to take a step forward in solving these problems. After spending our first year conducting interviews among students, it was clear that most students were not aware of the resources offered to them on campus. Some were not even aware of their style of learning and how to effectively study for upcoming exams or quizzes. From this we created Pirates for Academic Success. Our goal was to make videos explaining not only what resources were available on campus that you may not know about but also explain different studying techniques and how discovering your style of learning can lead to a more effective study pattern. Doing this allows students who don’t know ECU campus that well or who don’t know many other students a way to find resources in a less intimidating way. This can lead to higher grades, more confidence in coursework and classes, and a higher chance of students staying at ECU for a second year. “Confident students develop relationships with faculty that can lead to participation in research and other developmental activities...this leads further to possible future connections, letters of recommendation, internships, future work, or graduate school� (Croskey, 2021). Our group has set up a vimeo containing videos ranging from how to use different online homework platforms such as cengage to resources at the library students may not be aware of and how to effectively use them. Through this we have established a relationship with the library, marketing our videos and receiving special access to the library to make more videos using their equipment

Effects of Growing Season Fire on Northern Bobwhite Nest Site Selection and Survival

Restoration and management of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) communities necessitates frequent prescribed fire. Prior to human colonization of the southeastern United States thousands of years ago, longleaf pine forests burned primarily during the growing-season as a result of lightning-ignited fires. Growing-season prescribed fire may suppress woody vegetation and promote herbaceous groundcover better than dormant-season fire. Despite the potential ecological benefits of growing-season fire, many land managers use only dormant-season prescribed fire to avoid destruction of ground nests, including those from northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus). Our objective was to determine bobwhite nest survival and nest-site selection in the presence of early, growing-season prescribed fire on a 3-year return interval. We compared vegetation composition and structure at nest sites and paired random sites to identify important predictors of nest-site selection and to evaluate the effects of habitat covariates on nest survival. We captured bobwhite and attached radio transmitters. Radio-marked individuals were tracked to locate nests and determine nest survival. We documented 2 nests that burned during a growing-season prescribed fire. All 14 nests were located within units that were burned at least 2 years prior, putting these nests at a greater risk for being destroyed by prescribed fire that occurred on a 3-year return interval. We suggest that restricting early, growing-season prescribed burning to April through early June should limit an overlap between prescribed burns and the peak of northern bobwhite nesting season, which occurred mid-July at our study site. Additionally, longer fire return intervals may be needed to allow development of woody understory structure selected by bobwhites for nesting, especially on poor soils like those on our study site in the Sandhills physiographic region

Survey of Canada Goose Feces for Presence of \u3cem\u3eGiardia\u3c/em\u3e

As resident Canada goose (Branta canadensis) populations increase throughout North America, so do the health and environmental risks associated with goose feces. Previous studies suggest that goose feces may be a conduit for transmitting Giardia, a protozoan that is parasitic to humans. We surveyed fecal droppings from free-ranging resident Canada geese for Giardia spp. at 9 sites in the Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill) of North Carolina in 2007 and 2008. Samples (n = 234) were tested using the ProSpect® Giardia EZ Microplate Assay, and there were no positives. Our results indicate that risk of zoonotic giardiasis from Canada goose feces in the Triangle area of North Carolina is low

Audience responses to representations of family-assisted suicide on British television

Reflecting on different generic conventions, this study highlights the strengths and weaknesses of documentaries and soap operas in addressing the societal and the personal dimensions of family-assisted suicide. Based on an analysis of YouTube user comments, this study compares how audience members respond to representations of family-assisted suicide in British documentaries and soap operas broadcast between 2010 and 2016. The thematic analysis of comments shows key differences between audience engagement with factual and fictional representations. Markers of a political engagement with this sensitive social issue occur more frequently in comments on documentaries than in comments on soap operas. Comments on soap operas are frequently expressions of emotion, or displays of specialist soap opera knowledge

Re-Evaluating Neonatal-Age Models for Ungulates: Does Model Choice Affect Survival Estimates?

New-hoof growth is regarded as the most reliable metric for predicting age of newborn ungulates, but variation in estimated age among hoof-growth equations that have been developed may affect estimates of survival in staggered-entry models. We used known-age newborns to evaluate variation in age estimates among existing hoof-growth equations and to determine the consequences of that variation on survival estimates. During 2001–2009, we captured and radiocollared 174 newborn (≤24-hrs old) ungulates: 76 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Minnesota and South Dakota, 61 mule deer (O. hemionus) in California, and 37 pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) in South Dakota. Estimated age of known-age newborns differed among hoof-growth models and varied by \u3e15 days for white-tailed deer, \u3e20 days for mule deer, and \u3e10 days for pronghorn. Accuracy (i.e., the proportion of neonates assigned to the correct age) in aging newborns using published equations ranged from 0.0% to 39.4% in white-tailed deer, 0.0% to 3.3% in mule deer, and was 0.0% for pronghorns. Results of survival modeling indicated that variability in estimates of age-at-capture affected short-term estimates of survival (i.e., 30 days) for white-tailed deer and mule deer, and survival estimates over a longer time frame (i.e., 120 days) for mule deer. Conversely, survival estimates for pronghorn were not affected by estimates of age. Our analyses indicate that modeling survival in daily intervals is too fine a temporal scale when age-at-capture is unknown given the potential inaccuracies among equations used to estimate age of neonates. Instead, weekly survival intervals are more appropriate because most models accurately predicted ages within 1 week of the known age. Variation among results of neonatal-age models on short- and long-term estimates of survival for known-age young emphasizes the importance of selecting an appropriate hoof-growth equation and appropriately defining intervals (i.e., weekly versus daily) for estimating survival

Phantoms of the forest: legacy risk effects of a regionally extinct large carnivore

The increased abundance of large carnivores in Europe is a conservation success, but the impact on the behavior and population dynamics of prey species is generally unknown. In Europe, the recolonization of large carnivores often occurs in areas where humans have greatly modified the landscape through forestry or agriculture. Currently, we poorly understand the effects of recolonizing large carnivores on extant prey species in anthropogenic landscapes. Here, we investigated if ungulate prey species showed innate responses to the scent of a regionally exterminated but native large carnivore, and whether the responses were affected by human-induced habitat openness. We experimentally introduced brown bear Ursus arctos scent to artificial feeding sites and used camera traps to document the responses of three sympatric ungulate species. In addition to controls without scent, reindeer scent Rangifer tarandus was used as a noncarnivore, novel control scent. Fallow deer Dama dama strongly avoided areas with bear scent. In the presence of bear scent, all ungulate species generally used open sites more than closed sites, whereas the opposite was observed at sites with reindeer scent or without scent. The opening of forest habitat by human practices, such as forestry and agriculture, creates a larger gradient in habitat openness than available in relatively unaffected closed forest systems, which may create opportunities for prey to alter their habitat selection and reduce predation risk in human-modified systems that do not exist in more natural forest systems. Increased knowledge about antipredator responses in areas subjected to anthropogenic change is important because these responses may affect prey population dynamics, lower trophic levels, and attitudes toward large carnivores. These aspects may be of particular relevance in the light of the increasing wildlife populations across much of Europe

Effects of Plant Phenology and Vertical Height on Accuracy of Radio-telemetry Locations

The use of very high frequency (VHF) radio-telemetry remains wide-spread in studies of wildlife ecology andmanagement. However, few studies have evaluated the influence of vegetative obstruction on accuracy in differing habitats with varying transmitter types and heights. Using adult and fawn collars at varying heights above the ground (0, 33, 66 and 100 cm) to simulate activities (bedded, feeding and standing) and ages (neonate, juvenile and adult) of deer Odocoileus spp., we collected 5,767 bearings and estimated 1,424 locations (28-30 for each of 48 subsamples) in three habitat types (pasture, grassland and forest), during two stages of vegetative growth (spring and late summer). Bearing error was approximately twice as large at a distance of 900mfor fawn (9.98) than for adult deer collars (4.98). Of 12 models developed to explain the variation in location error, the analysis of covariance model (HT*D + C*D + HT*TBA + C*TBA) containing interactions of height of collar above ground (HT), collar type (C), vertical height of understory vegetation (D) and tree basal area (TBA) was the best model (wi¼0.92) and explained ; 71% of the variation in location error. Location error was greater for both collar types at 0 and 33 cmabove the ground compared to 66 and 100 cm above the ground; however, location error was less for adult than fawn collars. Vegetation metrics influenced location error, which increased with greater vertical height of understory vegetation and tree basal area. Further, interaction of vegetation metrics and categorical variables indicated significant effects on location error. Our results indicate that researchers need to consider study objectives, life history of the study animal, signal strength of collar (collar type), distance from transmitter to receiver, topographical changes in elevation, habitat composition and season when designing telemetry protocols. Bearing distances in forested habitat should be decreased (approximately 23% in our study) compared to bearing distances in open habitat to maintain a consistent bearing error across habitats. Additionally, we believe that field biologists monitoring neonate ungulates for habitat selection should rely on visual locations rather than using VHF-collars and triangulation

Prescribed fire affects female white-tailed deer habitat use during summer lactation

a b s t r a c t Prescribed fire commonly is used to manage habitat for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Although the effects of fire on forage availability for deer have been studied, how female deer use burned areas is not well known, particularly as it relates to fire season and the years-since-fire. We used GPS tracking data from 16 adult female white-tailed deer to assess the effects of fire season and yearssince-fire on habitat use during summer lactation. Females selected unburned drainages and older (>1 yr-since-fire) burned areas, and avoided recently burned areas. Individuals with a greater percentage of their summer core area burned expanded the size of their summer home range but did not change summer core area size. Furthermore, summer core area site fidelity (i.e., % overlap between 2011 and 2012 core areas) decreased as the percentage of the 2011 summer core area burned in 2012 increased. Female deer increased selection of burned areas as years-since-fire increased, likely because there was a temporary loss of cover immediately following fire with plants slowly regenerating the subsequent growing seasons. Likewise, to avoid areas depleted of cover, females shifted their core areas away from recent burns when possible but increased their core area size when burned areas were unavoidable (i.e., a large portion of their home range was burned). Burning large contiguous areas may initially have a negative effect on female deer during lactation because of the depletion of cover

Bringing Extension into the Classroom

The dissemination of research-based information has been a hallmark of North Carolina State University’s (NCSU) land grant mission for more than 100 years. Through county Cooperative Extension Centers, NCSU maintains a strong relationship with the citizens of North Carolina. However, many students do not understand the importance of the mission of a land grant university, and most do not know that North Carolina State University has an extension program. Furthermore, students do not understand the extension mission, administrative structure, or approach to educate the public. There are many ways to bring extension into the undergraduate classroom and to encourage graduate students to build strong extension components into their research. As part of undergraduate teaching, we often share our extension experiences and questions and enlist undergraduate students to assist in answering extension-related questions. In an upper level Natural Resources Advocacy course, to introduce undergraduate students to extension and help them gain an appreciation for public education, students conduct a semester-long project focused on a real-world environmental issue. The students gather information from the scientific literature, survey stakeholders, and then reinforce correct perceptions and address incorrect perceptions through popular articles and public presentations. The NCSU Leopold Wildlife Club, primarily composed of undergraduate students, presents hands-on programs to elementary school groups, organizes educational booths at the local wildlife expo, and assists with maintenance of the native plant landscape demonstration surrounding the NCSU Fisheries and Wildlife Program main office. Additionally, graduate students are encouraged to participate in extension so that results of each research project are published and presented to a lay audience. As leaders in extension, we play a vital role in educating tomorrow’s natural resource professionals. We should maximize the time we have with students and teach the importance of public education

Saving the World One Native Plant at a Time

Wildlife habitat is lost as the human population and land clearing for development increase in the South. Remaining habitats are fragmented and contain high numbers of invasive, exotic plants. Suburban, manicured landscapes often lack the plant diversity and complex vegetation structure important to wildlife. Generally, developers and homeowners replant cleared grounds with exotic plants that don’t provide quality wildlife habitat. Instead, individual home or property owners can mitigate wildlife habitat loss in urban areas by landscaping with native plants following proper design principles. Furthermore, many people taking action over a large area (e.g., across a neighborhood) will help connect small blocks of habitat and allow wildlife to move across an urbanized region. Wildlife faculty and students at North Carolina State University, working with other natural resource professionals, developed a program to encourage use of native plants and ecologically sound design principles to retain wildlife habitat in urbanizing landscapes. The program integrates a variety of old and new technology transfer methods including traditional county presentations, Extension pamphlets, a video, an interactive website, and a demonstration landscape