Browsing by Author "Aliff, Meagan"

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    Evaluation Of A Method For Ballast Water Risk-Release Assessment Using A Protist Surrogate
    (2015-08) Aliff, Meagan
    Aquatic invasive species cost the United States billions of dollars annually and are most often introduced via ships' ballast tanks. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted a set of standards that sets limits on the number of viable organisms that can be discharged with ballast water. These standards require scientific research to determining the risk-release relationship (i.e. the number of propagules needed for an invasion). To examine the risk-release relationship a surrogate invader, the diatom Melosira varians, was used. Varying densities of the surrogate were added to 19-L mesocosms containing water from Duluth-Superior Harbor. Each mesocosm was sampled weekly for four weeks and the response of the phytoplankton community was measured via cell counts. Population responses varied by starting conditions but M. varians establishment was generally noted at higher inoculation densities. These findings suggest the mesocosm approach can inform the understanding of risk-release relationships.
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    Rosemount Parks Invasive Species Management and Education Plan
    (Resilient Communities Project (RCP), University of Minnesota, 2014) Aliff, Meagan; Bryan, Rebecca; Burton, Brent; Gill, Cian; Hagsten, Kate; Johnson, Megan
    This project was completed as part of a year-long partnership between the City of Rosemount and the University of Minnesota’s Resilient Communities Project (http://www.rcp.umn.edu). Many communities throughout Minnesota are struggling to manage the growth of invasive species in their parks, open spaces, and on private property. Two invasive species on the rise in the City of Rosemount are emerald ash borer and common buckthorn. The goal of this project was to explore invasive species management options and examine how education can play a role in the management of invasive species in the community. In collaboration with city project lead Tom Schuster, Parks Supervisor for the City of Rosemount, a team of students in EnEd 5325: Sustainability Issues Investigation conducted a literature review, provided recommendations for the development of an invasive species and invasive pest management plan, and created a sustainability education plan for the management of emerald ash borer and common buckthorn in Carroll’s Woods and Schwarz Pond. A final report, presentation, and poster from the project are available.