Showing 1111 - 1120 of 2039 Items
Vulnerability of eelgrass (Zostera marina) to green crab (Carcinus maenas) invasion
Date: 2014-08-01
Creator: Sabine Y Berzins
Access: Open access
- Eelgrass (Zostera marina) is a perennial seagrass that is widely distributed among the shallow subtidal and intertidal Atlantic coastline of the United States and Canada. A highly productive keystone species, eelgrass helps maintain healthy estuarine and ecosystem functions by stabilizing sediments, regulating water flow, absorbing nutrients, and providing critical habitat for animals including commercially important species like soft-shell clams, blue mussels, and migrating waterfowl. Loss of eelgrass beds can therefore result in degraded water quality, shoreline erosion, and reduced fish and wildlife populations. Historically, the Maine coast supported extensive eelgrass beds. However, between 2010 and 2013, eelgrass distribution in Casco Bay declined in area by over 55%. This decline in eelgrass distribution coincides with a regional population explosion of green crabs (Carcinus maenas), an invasive species that physically disturbs eelgrass while foraging for prey. This summer, I collaborated with several Casco Bay Eelgrass Partners including individuals from the Fish and Wildlife Service, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, and the Friends of Casco Bay. Led by U.S. Geological Survey biologist Dr. Hilary Neckles, this project identifies factors that make eelgrass more or less resilient to invasion by green crabs. In June, we established permanent eelgrass survey transects at five locations spanning eastern Casco Bay. Where possible, two transects were established in different types of sediment (fine or coarse/sandy). Most of the eelgrass loss observed over the past decade has been in fine sediments. The question remains; is eelgrass in coarse sediments prone to similar levels of damage? In addition to differences in substrate type, each site also exhibited varying degrees of eelgrass density, shoot height, green crab density and population structure, and other environmental stressors including light availability, temperature, nutrient availability, and natural physical disturbance. I made biweekly measurements of green crab densities at one site, Widgeon Cove in Harpswell. Crap trapping indicated few green crabs occurred near the Widgeon Cove transect, but traps at the other four Casco Bay sites collected as many as 300 crabs within a 24-hour period. Final measurements in the eelgrass transects will be taken in September and data collection will be completed in October. Data gathered this summer will provide information to help move forward with a plan to protect and potentially restore eelgrass in Casco Bay. Additionally, I identified patches of eelgrass in the Kennebec Estuary that might be viable sites for replanting next summer. I hope to continue working on this project next year, thinking about ways to restore eelgrass to the system while identifying ways to increase trapping pressure on green crabs such that their numbers might be reduced. Final Report of research funded by the Rusack Coastal Studies fellowship.
Interview with Christopher Lierle (Class of 1989) by Meagan Doyle
Date: 2019-06-01
Creator: Christopher Lierle
Access: Open access
- Christopher “Chris” Lierle (Class of 1989) discusses adjusting to Bowdoin life from the West Coast and making close friendships despite the culture shock. He speaks about the importance of extracurricular activities during his time at Bowdoin and reminisces on his experiences with the football team and winning the Best Actor award in the One Act play competition. Lierle also reflects on not completing his Bowdoin education and the events in his life that led him to reconnect with the Bowdoin community twenty-five years later. He discusses the cherished relationships he forged during his time on campus and how they defined his time at college.
Interview with Cathy Scheiner (Class of 1979) by Emma Kellogg
Date: 2019-06-01
Creator: Cathy Scheiner
Access: Open access
- Cathy Scheiner (Class of 1979) describes the culture-shock she felt when transitioning to Bowdoin from public high school. She speaks about meeting many different types of people in Hyde Hall and joining various extracurricular activities like the Outing Club, the Sailing team, and the Cross-Country Ski team. She talks about being independent from the Greek system while navigating the fraternity-dominated social landscape. Scheiner reminisces on her classes and professors, adventures around Maine with friends, and being a Biochemistry major. Also, she reflects on the discussions of the time surrounding efforts to not be just a Bowdoin student, but a member of the broader Maine community as well.
Interview with Richard Burns (Class of 1958) by Emma Kellogg
Date: 2019-08-16
Creator: Richard Burns
Access: Open access
- Richard “Dick” Burns (Class of 1958) describes being “very impressed” by Bowdoin when he first visited and the busyness of his first few weeks at the College. He talks about how the social life of the school revolved around fraternities and his own experience joining Chi Psi, despite ambivalence about the Greek system. Burns reminisces about various mentors and memorable professors, including his long-standing friendship with former athletic trainer Mike Linkovich. He talks about his job washing dishes in his fraternity, Ivies Weekend, and the drinking culture of the time. Finally, he comments on his multi-generational view of Bowdoin, Brunswick, and New England, and remarks on some of the most notable ways that the College has changed.
Interview with James Pierce (Class of 1969) by Emma Kellogg
Date: 2019-05-31
Creator: James Pierce
Access: Open access
- James A. “Jim” Pierce (Class of 1969) recounts his sight-unseen arrival to Bowdoin in 1965. He speaks about the fraternity system’s dominance over everything from food and lodging to social life. He describes the fraternities’ drinking culture and hazing rituals, as well as the “eccentric” nature of his own fraternity, Alpha Rho Upsilon. Pierce comments on the milieu of “rugged Christianity” he felt at Bowdoin, especially through mandatory chapel attendance. Additionally, he talks about his experiences with the Glee and Drama Clubs, Bowdoin’s academic rigor, and the prank group the Green Hornet Construction Company. Pierce also reflects on feeling the presence and impacts of the Vietnam War on campus.