Explore the research and discoveries of UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources students in this collection of presentations from the 2026 Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium. Featuring student research in forestry, wildlife, water resources, and environmental science, this booklet highlights the hands-on learning, curiosity, and dedication driving the next generation of conservation professionals. Some presentations include clickable links for additional information and deeper insight into the projects.
2026 Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium
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UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
This booklet and event have been made possible with the support of the James and Kathleen Krause Student Research Endowment
Front Cover Photo: Benjamin Klink Black Cover Photo: Edna Conness Student Booklet Designers: Kylie Lieven and Maura Farrell
Table of Contents
Events Schedule Clive and Beverley David Memorial Scholarship Letter from the Interim Chancellor
5 6 7 8 9 10 -11 12 - 17 18 - 92 94 - 95
Letter from the CNR Dean Letter from the Committee Oral Presentations Times Poster Presentation Times Abstracts Index of Presenters
Acknowledgments University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Interim Chancellor Pratima Gandhi University of Wisconsin Stevens Point CNR Dean Brian Sloss Jacob Weisbrod - Plotter Assistance John Oestreich, Tim Sattler, and Jacalyn Keller - Buildings Logistics
Stacey Bannach - Support, Publicity, and Booklet Proofing CNR and COLS Faculty and Staff - Mentoring and Support Tom Charlesworth - Head Shot Photography Volunteer Evaluators and Moderators
Keynote Speaker Shantanu Pai is currently a Senior Investment Officer at the International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank Group. Prior to joining the World Bank Group, Shantanu worked for an alternative asset manager, where he focused on portfolio management and led the ESG practice for APAC. He also served with the State of Illinois, where he led the Circular and Resilient Systems Group at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center. Shantanu holds a bachelor’s degree with a major in Soil and Waste Resources and minor in communications from UW-Stevens Point and master’s degrees in Urban Planning and Public Affairs from the University of Illinois-Chicago.
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Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium
Schedule of Events April 17, 2026
Oral Presentations 9 - 10 a.m. TNR 120 and 170 Poster Presentations 10 - 11 a.m. TNR West Lobby, South Hallway, TNR 157 Keynote Speaker Shantanu Pai 11 - 11:30 a.m. TNR 170 Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. TNR Central Lobby Poster Presentations 12 - 1 p.m. TNR West Lobby, South Hallway, TNR 157 Oral Presentations 1 - 3 p.m. TNR 120 and 170 Poster Presentations 3 - 4 p.m. TNR West Lobby, South Hallway, TNR 157
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UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
Clive and Beverley David Research Scholarship
This scholarship honors the lives and careers of Clive and Beverley David, Ph.D., who both served on the faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Clive David was a professor of forestry in the College of Natural Resources from 1989 until his death in 2004. A champion of undergraduate research and innovative technology, he was an early advocate for using geographic information systems (GIS) in the classroom and helped launch the college’s CNR Student Research Symposium in 2000. Beverley David, now retired, joined the Department of World Languages and Literatures in 1991 and taught French and Spanish until 2015. Her dedication to students earned her the UW-Stevens Point Excellence in Teaching Award in 2000 and the University Service Award in 2013. This award is funded by the Clive and Beverley David Research Scholarship Endowment, made possible through generous gifts in Clive’s memory from the David family, alumni, and friends.
The 2026 Recipient of the Clive and Beverley David Research Scholarship is: Adrienne Cohoon Hometown: Okemos, Michigan Major: Wildlife Ecology and Management Extra-Curricular Engagement, Research, Presentations & Publications: • UWSP Fire Crew • UWSP Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Risk Management Officer, Black Bear Project, Canid Project • Jim & Katie Krause Research Symposium 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 • Mead Science Symposium 2023, 2024 “I have had the pleasure of working closely with Adrienne for the past three years, and have found her to be one of the most well-rounded and capable undergraduate researchers I have ever worked with. She demonstrates strong leadership across the board, including Fire Crew, (the student chapter of) The Wilderness Society, and our black bear project and has pushed herself to take advantage of as many opportunities as possible, including wildlife work all over the United States, from Pennsylvania to Oregon to Alaska…I cannot recommend Adrienne more strongly for this award. I know she is a remarkable woman, a devoted leader, and a true lover of natural resources who will go far in this field. I find her research to be a 10/10.” Cady Sartini, Associate Professor of Wildlife, Discipline Coordinator • Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, St. Louis, 2025, Fort Wayne IN, 2026 • Wildlife Society International Annual Conference, Alberta Canada, 2025 • UWSP Women’s Rugby Football Club, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
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Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium
From the Interim Chancellor
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UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
From the UW-Stevens Point CNR Dean Welcome to the UW–Stevens Point College of Natural Resources. We are glad you are here for the annual Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium. Today’s event highlights a wide range of student research projects that reflect the curiosity, dedication, and passion that define our college. Our presenters have taken meaningful steps beyond the classroom, exploring new questions, testing ideas, and sharing what they’ve learned. These experiences build confidence and skills that will shape their future careers and contributions to their communities. This symposium is made possible through the efforts of many. Our student planning committee plays a central role in organizing the event each year, and their commit- ment is evident throughout the day. Our faculty mentors, Shelli DuBay, Rob Mich- itsch, and Mike Tiller, provide the guidance and support that help students bring their projects to life. We are also grateful to Jim and Katie Krause, whose generosity has allowed this sym- posium to grow and thrive. Their belief in undergraduate research and in the mission of the College of Natural Resources continues to make a lasting impact. And to all faculty and staff who contribute to this work through mentorship and en - couragement, your role is essential in creating these opportunities. Thank you for joining us, and please enjoy the symposium. Best regards,
Brian L. Sloss Dean of the College of Natural Resources UW-Stevens Point
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Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium
From the Student Research Symposium Committee Welcome to the 27th annual University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium. This year’s program features students who have invested considerable time conducting research in areas such as fisheries and water resources, forestry, environment and society, paper science and engineering, soil and waste management, and wildlife ecology and management. The symposium allows students to present data they have collected, explored, and analyzed during the course of their research. Faculty mentors played an essential role in guiding students through the process in a spirited and educational fashion which expands beyond the traditional bricks and mortar of the classroom. As we proceed with this year’s poster and oral presentations, we honor the memory of Clive and extend thanks to Beverley David, they are true friends to students and faculty. The Davids were extremely significant in building and strengthening the undergraduate research program. Although Clive passed in November 2004, his influence remains to this day. The positive atmosphere he fostered created a venue for students to learn to conduct and present their research. The hundreds of students who have benefited from the symposium over the past 26 years can credit Dr. David for his pioneering efforts. We would like to thank our primary benefactors, Jim and Katie Krause, all of our volunteer evaluators, faculty and staff members in the College of Natural Resources and in the Department of Biology, CNR student organizations, Dean Brian Sloss, Interim Chancellor Pratima Ghandi, and the UW-Stevens Point administration. Congratulations to all our student presenters. Your work is truly outstanding! Our hope is that today can be as enjoyable as it is educational for you, and that you inspire more students to step up to the challenge of undergraduate research. Cheers, CNR Student Research Symposium Committee
Co-Chairs Hannah Kovalaske and Erin Tschida Vice Chair/Judge Coordinator Mary Chesnut Secretary Tyde Messinger Booklet Editors Kylie Lieven and Maura Farrell
General Liaisons Sydney Recker and Ronny Ruedinger Faculty/Staff Advisory Co-Chairs Shelli Dubay, Rob Michitsch, and Mike Tiller Faculty/ Staff Advisory Members Hadi Veisi, Joshua Raabe, and Brian Stezenski-Williams
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UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
Oral Presentations TNR 120
TIME 9 a.m.
Presenters Asher Eccles Aaron Anderson
Title
Prairies Improve Soil Quality in Urban Landscapes
9:20 a.m.
Mary Chesnut Sydney Recker
Evaluation of Proposed Artesol Criteria in Human-Transported Soils within Schmeeckle Nature Reserve, Wisconsin
9:40 a.m.
Benjamin Puuri
Estimating Soil Organic Carbon Storage in Wisconsin Wetland Plant Communities
1 p.m.
Quentin deBoer F. William Coffey
Exploring the Early Sawmill History on Flume Creek to Aid Ecological Restoration
1:20 p.m.
Aaron Anderson Ella Wentz Nick Eidenschink Drew Semling
The Effects of Variable Frequency Prescribed Fire Regime on Red Pine Growth
1:40 p.m.
Michaela Doyle
The Effects of Various Management Techniques on Herbaceous Growth in Southeastern Wisconsin’s State Natural Areas
2 p.m.
Dylan Cariveau
Climate Change and Outdoor Recreation in the Great Lakes: A Literature Review
2:20 p.m.
F. William Coffey
The American Chestnut as Ecological Infrastructure: Socio-Economic Implications of Keystone Species Loss
2:40 p.m.
Adam Klappa
Analyzing PRISM Winter Precipitation Data in Central Wisconsin
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Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium
Oral Presentations TNR 170
TIME 9 a.m.
Presenters Dakota Longsine Anna Kragness Lukas Kroll Ruby Valadez Ellie Peters Michaela Doyle Grace Kearney Olivia Kiecker
Title
How Does Melanism Affect Survival Rate of Eastern Gray Squirrels ( Sciurus carolinensis ) in Schmeeckle Reserve, Stevens Point, WI? Owl’s the Weather? Relationship Between Northern Saw-whet Owl ( Aegolius acadicus ) Migration Timing and Temperature
9:20 a.m.
9:40 a.m.
Sarah Hougard
Determining Daily Occupancy of Black Terns Using Autonomous Recording Units
1 p.m.
Ella Follman
Factors Affecting Aquatic Invertebrate Community Composition in a Managed Wetland System
1:20 p.m.
Hunter Janitch Grace Nelson
Population Estimate and Influence of Environmental Variables on Trap Success of Eastern Gray Squirrels ( Sciurus carolinensis ) in Schmeeckle Reserve. What the Peck? Exploring the Recent Appearance of Overwintering Red-headed Woodpeckers ( Melanerpes erythrocephalus ) in Central Wisconsin
1:40 p.m.
Elizabeth Grove Nat Holcomb Libby Tallmadge Ella Warsaw
2 p.m.
Jena Garceau
Testing Optimal Foraging of Black Bears at Bait Sites: The Influence of Bait Density
2:20 p.m.
Elizabeth Grove
The Search for the Honduran White Bat ( Ectophylla alba ): Using Cluster Analysis to Identify Bat Species
2:40 p.m.
Raymond Miller
The Birds of Schmeeckle Reserve: A Multi-Year Survey
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UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
Presentations 10 a.m.
Presenters
Title
Marguerite Newell Lily Soszynski
Comparing Capture Success of Eastern Gray Squirrels ( Sciurus carolinensis ) in Tomahawk vs. Sherman Traps Comparing the Relationship Between Litter Size and Cub Weight in American Black Bears ( Ursus americanus ) Influence of Stand-Level Forest Characteristics on Ruffed Grouse ( Bonasa umbellus ) Drumming Site Selection at Treehaven.
Nikki Pinter Adrienne Cohoon
Ryan Burmester Skylar Rasmussen Hannah Scherwinski Skylar Rasmussen Hannah Scherwinski Ryan Burmester
Long-Term Ruffed Grouse ( Bonasa umbellus ) Persistence and Forest Management at the Treehaven Property in Tomahawk, Wisconsin.
Rachel Henneman Zoe Forss
Exploring Roving Interpretation as a Tool for Visitor Engagement at Schmeeckle Reserve
Madyln McHugh Jynx Johnson
Kole Monte Cody Hennings
Playing Ruff: Shared Rules and Communication Styles in Wisconsin City Dog Parks
Katie Carlson Julia Vnuk Ryan Burmester
Mast Year Effects on Trap Success of Southern Flying Squirrels in Schmeeckle Reserve 2020-2025
Deagan Wiebel
Chelex-based PCR Sex Identification of Lynx rufus Muscle Tissues
Hannah Kovalaske Julia Lindley Elle Vandenelzen
Brooke Miller Liam Kaplan Lola Gay Mason Johnson
Evaluating Accessibility in Outdoor Recreation Planning within Wisconsin County Plans
Gavin Goetz Hannah Lietz
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Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium
Presentations 10 a.m.
Presenters
Title
Henry Gray Maxwel Wilkinson
Seasonal and Spatial Distribution of Walleye in Big Eau Pleine Reservoir, Wisconsin
Jesse Huckstep
Reroute or Shut Down? Treaty Rights and Natural Resource Risk in the Pipeline 5 Dispute
Sam Coleman Elizabeth Grove
Sydney Wick Leah Rose Lena Fahey Avery Kranzman
Do Habitat Edges Really Concentrate Bat Activity?
Ashlee Lord Nikki Pinter
Holly Gilchrist Taylor Broge Katelyn Sinkovec Meredith Myers Jena Garceau Adrienne Cohoon Alaina Hibbard Sam Kobe
Vaughn Gerrits Cherish Zimmerman
Flea Reloading: Tracking the Rate Fleas Return to Hosts After Initial Flea Removal in Black-Tailed Prairie Dog.
Chloe Rogers Allie Forseth
Investigating the Prevalence of Birdshot in Wisconsin Black Bear Carcasses
Aidan Matson
Hydroclimatic Influence on Groundwater Nitrate Variability in Western Wisconsin Effects of Prescribed Fire on Soil Health in a Mixed Forest Stand in Portage County, WI USA Survey of Tapeworm Prevalence and Abundance in American Woodcock Hunted in Wisconsin Monitoring Fall Migration of Secretive Marsh Birds Using Autonomous Recording Units in the Upper Mississippi River: Preliminary Results of Sora Spatial Variance in Soil Organic Matter the Lost Creek Wetland Restoration
Ryan Winter
Kylie Lieven Madisen Miller
Madelyn Slaven Ava Cross-Weisbeck
Elliot Nimmer
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UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
Presentations 12 p.m.
Presenters Bryson Kautz
Title
Survival to Emigration of Stocked and Wild Steelhead in a Minnesota Tributary to Lake Superior
Jacob Ramirez Max Steinfeldt
A Pulpability and Bleachability Study of Tissue Hardwood Species from Wisconsin
Max Steinfeldt Jacob Ramirez
Investigate Sustainable Hardwood Species for Tissue Products
Matthew Hurley
Analyzing the Impact of Solar Contract Standards on Natural Resources
Vaughn Gerrits
Assessing the Effects of Local Plant Communities on Grazing Selection by American Bison ( Bison bison ) in the South Dakota Badlands
Katherine Garcia Abigail Middleton August Newman Deagan Wiebel
Prevalence of Blood Parasites in Traill’s Flycatcher ( Empidonax alnorum ) from Minnesota
Identification of Fraxinus spp. and Agrilus planipennis infestation using hyperspectral reflectance on leaves and phloem tissues.
Jack Frame
An Investigation of Geologic Influences on Groundwater Quality in Douglas County
Asher Eccles Aaron Anderson
Healthy Grown Farms Prairie Planting Assessment
Madisen Miller Kylie Lieven Alexis Thao
Richness and Abundance of Endoparasites in Dabbling Ducks at George W. Mead Wildlife Area
Will Garcia-Heinrich Ella Niles
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Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium
Presentations 12 p.m.
Presenters Lily Provost Ian Ollhoff Katherine Kuehl Kalia Roemer Dakota Longsine Kayla Witt Madylin Gulley Ella Follman Lana Hynie Dutch Holland
Title
Effects of Prescribed Fire on Soil Invertebrate Diversity and Abundance at the Mcloud Memorial Forest in Portage County WI, USA
Isaiah Bradley Julian Dedow
North American River Otter Occupancy and Habitat Characteristics at Mead Wildlife Area
Hannah Scherwinski Jack Schneider Ella Stangel
Earthworm Habitat Suitability as an Indicator of American Woodcock Abundance
Rylee Gaustad Kat Vogeltanz
More Than Green Space: How Schmeeckle Reserve Supports Sustainability, Education, and Community Well-Being
Lilyann Ogden Katie Carlson
Microaggressions and Sexual Harassment in Higher Learning
Henry Gray Maxwel Wilkinson
Prey Size Selection of Largemouth Bass and Walleye in Northern Wisconsin Lakes
Colin Staley Simon Bienvenue Mason Scheffer
Smallmouth Bass Diet Analysis in a Warmwater Central Wisconsin Stream
Tate Bruckhart
Drone-Based LiDAR for High-Resolution Forest Modeling
Elliot Nimmer
Estimating Groundwater Recharge and Evapotranspiration using the Water Table Fluctuation Method
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UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
Presentations 3 p.m.
Presenters Grace Kearney Elizabeth Grove Nat Holcomb Libby Tallmadge
Title
Pollinator Plants and Butterfly Abundance
Out with the Old, In with the New: Comparing Capture Success Between Old and New Woodpecker Traps
Ella Warsaw Ella Follman
Characteristics and Body Condition of Recaptured Eastern Gray Squirrels ( Sciurus carolinensis ) in Schmeeckle Reserve Tracking the Migratory Routes of Prothonotary ( Protonotaria citrea ), Cerulean ( Setophaga Cerulea ), Blackpoll ( Setophaga striata ), and Golden-Winged ( Vermivora chrysoptera ) Warblers Using ARU’s
Grace Nelson Lanie Zellmer Isabel Sirek Ava Cross-Weisbeck
Cherish Zimmerman
Whatever Floats Your Goat: Kong Toys Impacts on Sedintary Behavior in Goats ( Capra Hircus )
Malha Ganesh
Evaluation of Feed Grind Size on Growth of Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei Effect of Acid Pretreatment on Activated Carbon Surface Properties and PFBS Adsorption Performance Enhanced Adsorption of Short-Chain PFAS (PFBS) on Metal-Impregnated Activated Carbon Events vs Ethics: How Wisconsin Park and Recreation Agencies Use Their Social Media Platforms
Michael Lilla Ben Zobel Jonah Semyonov Ben Zobel Michael Lilla Grace Anderson Kyle Smith Gabriel Bruender Elena Rojas
Lane Boucher Emma Latza Bradley Neve Allie Zerilli
Investigating Blood Parasite ( Haemosporidian ) Infection Levels in Wood Ducks ( Aix sponsa )
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Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium
Presentations 3 p.m.
Presenters
Title
Erin Tschida Ronny Ruedinger Samuel Watson
Sean McCann Soulja Gamble
An Ideal Compost Application Rate for Sustainable Hemp Agriculture in Wisconsin
Elizabeth Hartmann
Student Attitudes and State Regulations Involving the Harvest of Marked Animals Investigating the Importance of Student Organizations to Student Perceptions of Success and Belonging Examining the Intraspecies and Interspecies Communication Between Canid Species in Central Wisconsin
Katie Carlson
Adrienne Cohoon Dutch Holland Julian Dedow Marna Andre
Lily Singers Kayla Allred Katy Hermann
Ryan Poppen Tyler Beitler
Wetland Drawdown Effects on Water Quality and Sediment Characteristics
Holly Gilchrist Taylor Broge Katelyn Sinkovec
Meredith Myers Vaughn Gerrits Cherish Zimmerman
Evaluating White-Footed Mice Ectoparasite Composition in Schmeeckle Reserve
Jocephine Tanner
Bison Grazing as a Potential Tool for Enhancing Endangered Species Habitat
Zach Huebner Calvin Kruger
Tanner Dixon Levi Lohnes
Extent of Regulations for E-bikes in Wisconsin Parks and Trails
Costa Rica Tropical Ecology Interpretive Poster Session
Noah Banach Landon Books Chris Dalzell Amber Denker Elizabeth Grove Morgan Schultz Aubrey Witcpale
Meg Pearson Nikki Pinter Anna Powers
Sienna Jahnke Hunter Mcnulty Maggie Newell Carly Nyholm Madison Paul Lily Soszynski
Skylar Rasmussen Brandon Rodgers Sidney Turczyk Jen Zach
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UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
Analyzing PRISM Winter Precipitation Data in Central Wisconsin
Hydrology Adam Klappa
The amount, timing, and type of precipitation over the course of a year is the primary driver of hydrologic activity in a watershed. While most of the United States receives rain as the primary form of precipitation, high elevations and Northern latitudes receive significant portions of their yearly precipitation as snow. In these regions, quantifying winter precipitation is crucial to understanding the hydrology of a given region. While the snow depth is certainly a valuable statistic, the fraction of snow that is made up of water is more valuable for hydrologic investigations. The snow-water equivalent (SWE) is the melted rainwater equivalent of a given snowfall and is the quantity of water that enters the watershed with spring snowmelt. The varied conditions in which snow forms, along with the impact of wind, create added complexity capturing the true quantity of water that falls, leading to difficulty quantifying winter precipitation using traditional weather stations. Considering all the complex variables that impact snowfall, Parameter-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) may not be a useful tool to measure winter precipitation. To help determine this, new snowfall was sampled by measuring the dimensions and weight of a snow core. These dimensions were then used to measure SWE, snow density, and snow depth, which was then compared to modeled data from PRISM. Ultimately, the goal is to determine if PRISM can be relied on to measure winter precipitation, and if so, what circumstances would the tool be appropriate in.
Advisors: Kevin Masarik, Ph.D.
Subject Area: Fisheries and Water
Type: Oral
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Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium
Climate Change and Outdoor Recreation in the Great Lakes: A Literature Review
Conservation and Community Planning Dylan Cariveau
Climate change is impacting the tourism and outdoor recreation industry throughout the Great Lakes Region because of its close ties to the environment. Understanding the potential impacts of a changing climate as well as key knowledge gaps allows stakeholders to make more informed decisions and helps guide future research. The goal of this project is to better understand the current literature on climate change and outdoor recreation in the Great Lakes Region, with a focus on identifying common themes and gaps in research. To do this, I worked with the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI) to conduct a standardized literature review using the WebOfScience database, where over 200 papers were collected. Searches were based off geographical and recreational variables, such as Wisconsin or Downhill Skiing. Papers were then counted based on these variables and coded based upon their recommended climate strategy (mitigation vs. adaptation). Lastly, papers were analyzed for common themes across region and recreation type. The results of this study are meant to help outdoor recreation stakeholders throughout the Midwest better understand potential climate impacts and identify common strategies for climate mitigation and adaption. Additionally, we hope to guide future research by identifying knowledge gaps and vulnerable recreation pursuits.
Advisors: Austin Holland, Ph.D.
Subject Area: Human Dimensions
Type: Oral
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UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
Determining Daily Occupancy of Black Terns Using Autonomous Recording Units
Wildlife Ecology and Management Sarah Hougard
Black Terns ( Chlidonias niger ) in the Great Lakes region, have been suffering population declines over the past decades. In Wisconsin, Black Terns are listed as an endangered species and a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). During the breeding season, Black Terns are found throughout Wisconsin in shallow freshwater marshes that contain emergent vegetation. Loss and degradation of these wetlands have been a significant threat to this species and the main reason for their decline. More research is needed on Black Terns to better monitor this species and determine overall abundance. This research project aims to estimate the occupancy of Black Terns through daily presence on the Upper Mississippi River. To do this, data were analyzed from autonomous recording units (ARUs) placed along the Upper Mississippi River. These ARUs were placed in a variety of riverine wetlands from May 1st through June 15th. Because ARUs have not previously been used to detect Black Terns specifically, this study will help determine if ARUs are an effective monitoring method.
Advisors: Marie Perkins, Ph.D. Jason Riddle, Ph.D.
Subject Area: Wildlife
Type: Oral
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Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium
Estimating Soil Organic Carbon Storage in Wisconsin Wetland Plant Communities
Ecosystem Restoration and Management Benjamin Puuri
Due to anaerobic conditions, wetland soils accumulate soil organic carbon (SOC) more readily than soils in upland sites. However, carbon stocks in these soils can be difficult and time consuming to quantify, as it requires measures of both SOC and bulk density. This project aims to identify a relationship between site qualities such as vegetation or soil characteristics and SOC stocks. Across the state of Wisconsin, soil and vegetation surveys were conducted for 34 pedons. Vegetation surveys were conducted using a combination of transects and survey plots to determine the cover class of each species. Additionally, percent cover was estimated by vegetation type: graminoids, sphagnum, shrubs, and trees. Vegetation data was used to classify sites by plant community. Soil profiles were described in the field, and samples were collected from each horizon. Soil samples were later analyzed for SOC using the loss-on-ignition method. A strong positive relationship was found between depth of the organic horizon(s) (DOH) and SOC stock (R2=82.36%). Preliminary regression analyses did not detect a relationship between SOC and plant community classification, or cover of graminoids, sphagnum, or woody vegetation. Likewise, no relationship was found between SOC and pH or depth to water table. Additional analyses will be conducted to investigate this further. Relationships between SOC and site characteristics could be used to estimate carbon stocks using field data. The relationship found between SOC and DOH could allow landowners to estimate carbon stocks in their wetlands without the added time and cost of sending samples to a laboratory.
Advisors: Bryant Scharenbroch, Ph.D.
Subject Area: Soil and Waste
Type: Oral
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UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
Evaluation of Proposed Artesol Criteria in Human-Transported Soils within Schmeeckle Nature Reserve, Wisconsin
Water Resources Mary Chesnut
Soil Science and Land Management Sydney Recker
Human-altered and human-transported soils (HAHT) are increasingly common in anthropogenically modified landscapes, yet direct comparisons with adjacent non-HAHT soils remain limited within the United States. U.S. Soil Taxonomy currently recognizes twelve soil orders, but there is uncertainty regarding the placement of HAHT soils within existing taxonomy. The proposed soil order, Artesols , seeks to recognize those soils significantly modified by human activity. The proposed diagnostic criteria of Artesols are currently undergoing evaluation, and the question of whether the criteria can detect known HAHT soils is critical. To evaluate this question concerning criteria and classification, we compared in-field morphology and chemical lab data of HAHT and non-HAHT soils found in the Schmeeckle Nature Reserve in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and assessed their alignment with proposed Artesol criteria. Using historical aerial imagery, we located two sites containing HAHT soils that were part of the same disturbance and transportation. Laboratory tests included texture analysis, heavy metal concentrations using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), pH, and electrical conductivity. Preliminary morphology suggests that the sampled HAHT soils of Schmeeckle Reserve meet the diagnostic criteria of Artesols due to the presence of more than 50 cm of human-transported materials. Lab analysis is ongoing and will be used to evaluate further classification requirements. As anthropogenic soils become more prevalent, refining their taxonomic placement is essential to ensure U.S. Soil Taxonomy remains relevant and accurate in human-dominated landscapes.
Advisors: Bryant Scharenbroch, Ph.D.
Subject Area: Soil Science
Type: Oral
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Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium
Exploring the Early Sawmill History on Flume Creek to Aid Ecological Restoration
Quentin deBoer (Not Pictured)
William Coffey
Ecosystem Restoration and Management
Ecosystem Restoration and Management
To find the information that we needed to create a historical timeline of the site, we used several resources. We used the McMillan Memorial Library Digital Collection, which houses the Malcolm Rosholt Archive, Historic Plat Maps to outline historic site ownership. We also used Our County Our Story, to outline sawmills that were present on Flume Creek, The University Digital Archive to further collect history related to the site, Historic Aerial photos to map Succession, and a Genealogical document of the family who originally built the sawmill located on our site. Through integrating historical documents into an analysis of current stand conditions, we can evaluate how historic industrial logging practices, manipulation of hydrology, and movement to a suppression-based fire management strategy have contributed to current stand structure and biodiversity, as well as overall trends in succession. By understanding legacy effects such as these, and how they apply to a site, we can use this information to guide restoration practices in a plethora of ways, ranging from prescribed burn cycles to diversity targets and invasive strategies. This case study illustrates how historical archival research can aid restoration efforts in forest ecosystems, and why preserving this history is of the utmost importance.
Advisors: Michael Demchik, Ph.D.
Subject Area: Ecosystem Restoration and Management
Type: Oral
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UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
Factors Affecting Aquatic Invertebrate Community Composition in a Managed Wetland System
Wildlife Ecology and Management Ella Follman
Invertebrates are common bioindicators for aquatic systems due to their sensitivity to pollution and important ecosystem roles. Most studies on these communities focus on freshwater streams and lakes, prompting interest in further analysis of invertebrate composition in wetlands. Horicon National Wildlife Refuge is a 22,000-acre freshwater marsh located in Wisconsin. Management includes periodically draining impoundments and using prescribed fires to control invasive cattail. Within Horicon’s Luehring impoundment, a total of 160 invertebrate samples were collected over 4 sampling periods from May-August in 2024 and 2025. Samples were collected at 20 sites. Counts were standardized to a set volume of 23 liters. Invertebrates were identified by taxa, enabling analyses of abundance, diversity, functional feeding groups, and community-level stress tolerance. Approximately 26,000 invertebrates were identified across 44 taxa. Across dates, invertebrate diversity was high, but evenness was low, potentially indicating a system affected by pollution, unable to support healthy populations of many species (M evenness = 0.18, SD evenness = 0.08). Species stress tolerance per sample was weighted by count and showed a dominance of moderately tolerant taxa (n low = 28.0, n moderate = 16544.0, n high = 3454.5; p < 0.001). Stress tolerance values range from 0-10, 0 indicating extreme intolerance and 10 indicating extreme tolerance to pollutants. Across all samples, average tolerance ranged from 4.0 to 8.0 (M = 5.4, SD = 0.9). Tolerance values also increased across sampling dates (p < 0.001). Analyses of potential sources of pollution, including surface water inputs and precipitation runoff, are ongoing.
Advisors: Marie Perkins, Ph.D. Amy Kopec
Subject Area: Wildlife
Type: Oral
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Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium
How Does Melanism Affect Survival Rate of Eastern Gray Squirrels ( Sciurus carolinensis ) in Schmeeckle Reserve, Stevens Point, WI?
Wildlife Ecology and Management Dakota Longsine
Biology & Medical Laboratory Science Anna Kragness
Wildlife Ecology and Management Lukas Kroll
Eastern gray squirrels ( Sciurus carolinensis ) are commonly found at higher densities in urban areas; however, vehicle collisions and other anthropogenic threats can cause mortality. Melanism in gray squirrels is caused by a genetic mutation and is thought to occur at higher rates in urban areas and more northern environments. Melanism has been shown to decrease survival rates in rural forests, possibly due to easier predation of melanistic squirrels. In contrast, melanism has been shown to have no effect on survival in highly urbanized settings. We hypothesize that survival rates of melanistic gray squirrels will be lower than those from other gray squirrels. Students with the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point chapter of The Wildlife Society have been trapping gray squirrels in Schmeeckle Reserve, a 113-hectare urban natural area, since 2020. Squirrels are trapped from February to mid-March of each year, and data including sex, age, and fur variant are recorded. Each trapping season, several melanistic individuals are captured. We will use Program MARK to analyze these data in a Cormack Jolly Seber framework to determine if melanism affects yearly survival of gray squirrels in Schmeeckle Reserve. Preliminary results show that there is no significant difference in survival rates between melanistic and gray morph squirrels. We aim to understand how urban adapted animals, such as the Eastern gray squirrel, evolve with their environment to help managers better understand the impact of urbanization on wildlife.
Advisors: Shelli Dubay, Ph.D. Ben Sedinger, Ph.D.
Subject Area: Wildlife
Type: Oral
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UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
Owl’s the Weather? Relationship Between Northern Saw-whet Owl ( Aegolius acadicus ) Migration Timing and Temperature
Ruby Valadez Wildlife Ecology and Management
Ellie Peters (Not Pictured)
Michaela Doyle Wildlife Ecology and Management
Grace Kearney Wildlife Ecology and Management
Olivia Kiecker Wildlife Ecology and Management
Wildlife Ecology and Management
The Northern Saw-whet Owl ( Aegolius acadicus ) (NSWO) is a mesopredator commonly found within upland ecosystems across North America. NSWO’s migrate in the fall from September to December, peaking around mid-October, making them relatively abundant in central Wisconsin during this time. Our project began in 2007 and continues to operate at Sandhill Wildlife Area in Babcock, WI, and we have captured over 1,300 NSWOs. These owls are captured using call-playback devices and mist nets. The birds are banded using USGS aluminum leg bands, contributing to national banding data on Northern Saw-whet Owls. Our project has previously focused on studying migration patterns and discovered that the migration pattern has shifted over the course of the project. We now want to determine if a relationship between migration timing and weather patterns exists. We will use our previous analysis to compare the shift in migration to the change in temperature using our historical data.
Advisors: Jason Riddle, Ph.D.
Subject Area: Wildlife
Type: Oral
26
Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium
Population Estimate and Influence of Environmental Variables on Trap Success of Eastern Gray Squirrels ( Sciurus carolinensis ) in Schmeeckle Reserve.
Hunter Janitch Wildlife Ecology and Management
Grace Nelson Wildlife Ecology and Management
The Eastern gray squirrel ( Sciurus carlinensis ) is commonly found in both forests and urban settings, including Schmeeckle Reserve, a 113-hectare urban park located in Stevens Point, WI. Mature mixed forests, oak savannas, and wetland complexes are the dominant land cover types in the Reserve. Since 2020, we have trapped gray squirrels on two sites at Schmeeckle Reserve using Tomahawk live traps baited with peanut butter and oats in February and March. We bait traps at 6 a.m. when temperatures are between 13.5℃ and 9.4℃ to reduce risk of hypothermia from snow melt. Traps are checked at 9 a.m., 12 p.m., and 3p.m. When a squirrel is caught, we record its age, sex, ear length, weight, and ear tag number, if present. New squirrels are tagged with a uniquely numbered ear tag. Additionally, environmental conditions such as temperature, wind speed, and cloud cover are recorded at the start of each trap check. We aim to estimate the current population size of gray squirrels in Schmeeckle Reserve and assess how environmental conditions affect trapping success. We hypothesize that the population size of gray squirrels has increased from previous years due to the 2024 mast year. We will use Huggin’s closed capture model with individual random effects to estimate squirrel population size in Program MARK. Analyses are ongoing, but time of day, temperature, and cloud cover have influenced trap success in previous analyses.
Advisors: Shelli Dubay, Ph.D. Benjamin Sedinger, Ph.D.
Subject Area: Wildlife
Type: Oral
27
UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
Prairies Improve Soil Quality in Urban Landscapes
Soil Science and Land Management Aaron Richardson
Urban soils provide important regulating ecosystem services, such as stormwater management and carbon storage, for populations living in urban environments. These soils are influenced by both natural processes and anthropogenic activities, leading to diverse ecosystems and varying soil quality within the urban setting. The vegetation growing in a soil is one natural process that alters soil quality; however, the magnitude of its impact on soil quality in urban environments remains unknown. We sampled the surface horizon from ten urban prairies and adjacent turf grass landscapes in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and measured seven soil quality indicators. A weighted additive soil quality index was created by scoring (1-5) measured values of soil indicators and weighting them based on the distribution of our data and their perceived importance to soil health. We found that topsoil depth increased and bulk density decreased under prairie treatment when compared to soils under turf vegetation, while others, such as pH and wet aggregate stability, remained unchanged. By increasing topsoil depth with prairie vegetation, these sites are increasing the quantity of soil with improved structure and fertility. Our results display a trend suggesting surface soil horizons are not increasing in quality; rather, increasing in quantity when planted and managed as urban prairies. Considering the impact vegetation has on soil health, urban green space can be managed to improve both soil quality and function, thereby increasing soil carbon storage, improving stormwater management, and enhancing urban aesthetics.
Advisors: Bryant Scharenbroch, Ph.D.
Subject Area: Soil Science
Type: Oral
28
Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium
Testing Optimal Foraging of Black Bears at Bait Sites: the Influence of Bait Density
Wildlife Ecology and Management Jena Garceau
Anthropogenic baiting sites offer a unique opportunity to test optimal foraging theory. Foraging decisions related to behaviors at bait sites have been shown to follow optimal foraging in some species; however, tests concerning other species are lacking. In northern Wisconsin, black bears ( Ursus americanus ) have many bait sites available to them during the summer and fall months as they enter hyperphagia. We used game cameras to collect videos of bears from bait sites within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Northwestern Wisconsin. We are analyzing foraging behaviors in the videos to determine the percentage of time bears spent eating at sites. In order to determine the density of bait sites available to bears, we thoroughly searched the area within a 2.3km radius around each of our monitored sites. If bears follow optimal foraging theory, we expect they will spend less time eating at bait sites that have a high density of other sites surrounding them. Fitting bear foraging to a model can help us begin to understand the ecological impact bait sites may have on bear foraging decisions.
Advisors: Hayden Walkush Cady Sartini, Ph.D. Paul Schilke, Ph.D.
Subject Area: Wildlife
Type: Oral
29
UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
The American Chestnut as Ecological Infrastructure: Socio-Economic Implications of Keystone Species Loss
Ecosystem Restoration and Management F. William Coffey
The American chestnut ( Castanea dentata ) was a rot-resistant, fast growing hardwood tree that was once a dominant canopy species across eastern hardwood forests and comprised a significant portion of Appalachian hardwood overstory composition. It functioned as ecological and economic infrastructure, serving as a durable timber source, a reliable producer of mast crops and a crucial component of regional tanning and livestock industries. Following the introduction of chestnut blight ( Cryphonectria parasitica ) into the United States in the early twentieth century, billions of trees were lost within only a few decades. As a consequence, the American chestnut is no longer viable as a large-scale timber or food source. This project argues that the loss of the American chestnut was not merely an ecological collapse, but also a cultural and socio-economic inflection point that altered patterns of subsistence and resource dependence in Appalachia. By removing a multi-purpose resource base, chestnut blight weakened regional subsistence systems and increased economic vulnerability in an already isolated region during a period of broad industrial transition. A review of historical records including economic data, forest composition literature, ethnobotany sources and archives is used to evaluate the ecological and socio-economic consequences of the American chestnut’s decline. The American chestnut’s decline offers a historical case study in how keystone species loss can have consequences that affect social and economic systems, providing insights into how future forest health crises may impact rural economies in an era of increasing globalization and climate change.
Advisors: Holly Petrillo, Ph.D.
Subject Area: Forestry Human Dimensions
Type: Oral
30
Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium
The Birds of Schmeeckle Reserve: A Multi-Year Survey
Ecosystem Restoration and Management Raymond Miller
Schmeeckle Reserve is a 280-acre natural area on the campus of the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. It contains a variety of different habitat types, including forests, wetlands and savannas, and is the site of an active ecosystem restoration project. For this project, I conducted 510 days of bird surveys over a six year period in Schmeeckle, and documented each species I encountered, as well as number of individuals of each species present. I also recorded any evidence of breeding each species exhibited. From this data, I have created a checklist of all of the bird species which occur in the reserve, including seasonality and abundance. This work should help visualize what bird species use the habitats in Schmeeckle and at what times of year, to help inform future management of the site.
Advisors: Michael Demchik, Ph.D
Subject Area: Ecosystem Restoration and Management
Type: Oral
31
UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
The Effects of Variable Frequency Prescribed Fire Regime on Red Pine Growth
Aaron Anderson Forest Management & Ecosystem Restoration and Management
Ella Wentz Ecosystem Restoration and Management
Nick Eidenschink Ecosystem Restoration and Management
Drew Semling Forest Management
Fire has long been a Native American practice and a natural disturbance that serves as a key ecological disturbance that modulates forest site conditions through thermal selectivity that favors fire-adapted species. Fire improves forest health by selectively controlling competing woody vegetation, freeing up essential site resources such as light, nutrients, and water. Post-fire soil amendment of pyrogenic carbon has also been linked to short duration increases in inorganic nutrients and improved water retention. To help elucidate trends in forest site conditions, researchers use dendrochronological techniques to identify fire scars, calculate tree age, and evaluate interannual growth trends in alternating concentric rings of early and late wood. In this study, we investigated tree ring growth in red pine ( Pinus resinosa ) that has been subjected to moderate intensity prescribed fire. The Treehaven prescribed burn project consists of eight treatments replicated three times, with treatments designed to test the effects of burn frequency, thinning, and seasonality on tree growth and health. In this study, we collected three increment bore samples from five random red pine in nine units representing the control and annual and biennial spring and fall burn units. Tree cores were dried and glued on wooden mounts. All analyses were performed in R (version 4.5.3, R Development Core Team, 2026), first to determine age and annual growth of early and late wood using R package MtreeRings and dplR second to evaluate the effect of prescribed fire using linear mixed models to detect potential changes in tree growth related to prescribed burning.
Advisors: Mike Tiller, Ph.D. Artur Stefanski, Ph.D.
Subject Area: Forestry
Type: Oral
32
Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium
The Effects of Various Management Techniques on Herbaceous Growth in Southeastern Wisconsin’s State Natural Areas
Wildlife Ecology and Management Michaela Doyle
Wisconsin’s State Natural Areas (SNAs) are parcels of land set aside for preservation of the state’s native plant communities. Our research focused on vegetation height across multiple SNAs in the Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit and examined the management methods used over the past 15 years. In 2010, a project was established to document annual changes in these SNAs by creating multiple “photopoints” at each site, which were GPS points to be photographed at regular multi-year intervals. A vegetation height reference board was included in the photos to display relative growth, which we used to correlate technique effectiveness. Since the project’s start, we have captured 404 photos of 28 photopoints across seven SNA sites. By comparing the same points over multiple years, as well as multiple points on one site within a single growing season, we were able to analyze vegetative growth trends. We predicted that the most intense management would yield the most drastic results, but we were also curious about which plant species were prevalent only after certain treatments. Our null hypothesis was that management techniques would have no effect on the vegetation height of plant communities. Treatments of the SNAs included prescribed burn, herbicide application, targeted invasive removal, mowing, and the absence of treatment. The distribution of photopoints across a site meant that the received treatment varied, helping us to evaluate effectiveness. Continued photopoint documentation will allow greater insight into future management of the SNAs, allowing for better conservation of Wisconsin’s resources.
Advisors: Cory Peters, B.S. Shelli Dubay, Ph.D.
Subject Area: Resource Management
Type: Oral
33
UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources
The Search for the Honduran White Bat ( Ectophylla alba ): Using Cluster Analysis to Identify Bat Species
Wildlife Ecology and Management Elizabeth Grove
Bats vocalize at supersonic frequencies to hunt & navigate (echolocation) and to communicate within social groups (social calls). This makes bats a unique group to detect and monitor using autonomous recording units. Despite this, vocalizations of many bat species are not well studied. Software like Kaleidoscope can automatically identify (Auto-ID) echolocating calls from many insectivorous bats but not echolocating or social calls from fruit bats like the Honduran White Bat ( Ectophylla alba ). Cluster analysis can be used to find calls from other species of bats that are not able to be identified using Auto-ID. This study looks at using cluster analysis to identify species of bats that cannot be Auto-IDed, especially the Honduran White Bat. Bat detectors were placed at several sites in Costa Rica, including spots where there were likely to be Honduran White Bats. Data was run through Auto-ID software and cluster analysis using Kaleidoscope Pro. Clusters of similar calls were compared to sample calls to try to identify species. Using this method could allow more species of bats to be detected and studied.
Advisors: Chris Yahnke, Ph.D.
Subject Area: Wildlife
Type: Oral
34
Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium
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