Biology With Colleen Dunning
Crime Scene Investigation
For the Crime Scene Investigation project, each pair of students was assigned to investigate and solve the murder of a specially designed crime scene. The main goal of this project was to identify and build a case against the alleged murderer. Throughout this process, we had to log, process, and analyze each piece of evidence recovered from the crime scene. I was partnered with Quinn Haughey and we worked together to solve the murder of a man's body that was found in the woods. To identify to perpetrator, we used fingerprinting, DNA processing, odontology, the analysis of skeletal remains, bloody typing analysis, and forensic entomology.
Personally, my favorite part of this project was we extracted, amplified, and separated the nuclear DNA of a strawberry. Before this project, I had a very minimal knowledge of how DNA analysis works, but now I understand the science behind the process. Also, the fact that you could visually see the DNA that had been extracted from the DNA was mind-blowing for me.
If I could do this project again, I would pay more attention to what my partner was doing throughout the process of the project. I feel like because I didn't pay much attention to what he was doing and learning, I didn't learn everything that I was supposed to know. If I had read the same hand outs that he did and went through the processes with him, I would feel more confident in my knowledge of topics such as mitochondrial DNA and forensic entomology.
Personally, my favorite part of this project was we extracted, amplified, and separated the nuclear DNA of a strawberry. Before this project, I had a very minimal knowledge of how DNA analysis works, but now I understand the science behind the process. Also, the fact that you could visually see the DNA that had been extracted from the DNA was mind-blowing for me.
If I could do this project again, I would pay more attention to what my partner was doing throughout the process of the project. I feel like because I didn't pay much attention to what he was doing and learning, I didn't learn everything that I was supposed to know. If I had read the same hand outs that he did and went through the processes with him, I would feel more confident in my knowledge of topics such as mitochondrial DNA and forensic entomology.
Ecological Solutions
Colony Collapse Disorder and Varroa Mites
Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is a condition where honeybees from all over the world are leaving their hives and never returning. Since CCD was discovered in 2006, researchers haven’t identified a single factor as the cause of CCD, but the following factors may be contributing to CCD: pesticides in hives or on crops, pathogens in hives, invasive varroa mites, new or emerging diseases, and immune-suppressing stress (CCD 2007). Varroa mites are known to transmit diseases, such as Israeli acute paralysis virus, that are affecting honeybee (apis) CCD colonies. These diseases prevent the honeybees from overcoming exposure to pesticides and other harmful pathogens. This qualifies the varroa mite as a main factor of CCD (Kaplan, 2009).
Management Plans - Colony Collapse Disorder
Strategy 1 - Future Apivar use in order to prevent varroa mite infection
a. Details · Apivar, a new French insecticide is currently being tested by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in order to be registered as a legal insecticide to reduce the population of varroa mites in honeybee hives all around the world (United 2012). · Tests have thus far shown that Apivar works to kill varroa mites and beetle in hives without affecting the health of the honeybees (United 2012). · By reducing the population of varroa mites, Apivar improves the health of honeybee hives (United, 2012). · Once the EPA approves Apivar, it will be applied to all hives in apiaries in La Plata County. · Two strips of Apivar should be hung in all hives before October 1st and kept up from 42 to 65 days (News, 2012). · Apivar strips should NOT be present in hives with capped broods or during the summer in order to maintain normal amounts of honey production (Apivar, 2012). To see the full management plan click here. |
Strategy 2 - Further the use of Hop Guard to lessen varroa mite population
Details · Hop Guard is an insecticide that is being commercially produced. It uses beta plant acids to reduce the mite population in hives without harming developing or packaged bees (United, 2012). · Hop Guard leaves no residue of any kind in a honeybee hive (United, 2012). · During the meeting mentioned in Outline One, the beekeepers would be notified of Hop Guard’s potential benefits to hives and the guidelines of use in La Plata County. · It will be mandatory to apply Hop Guard to all hives in apiaries in La Plata County on March 1st every year. · Two strips of Hop Guard are to be hung in the hives. In apiaries, two strips are hung for every ten frames (Varroa, 2012). · The USDA will pay for the supply of Hop Guard. · These actions will be funded by the USDA and will be directed by Durango Buzz Club. · Volunteers from the community, hives’ beekeepers, and employees from the Durango Buzz Club will be responsible for applying Hop Guard to the hives. To see the full management plan click here. |
Strategy 3 - Take precautionary actions against neonicotinoids-infected seeds
The majority of crops that will be planted this year use neonicotinoids, which are highly toxic to honey bees. The neonicotinoids are most harmful to honeybees around the time of planting and research shows that actions as simple as foraging near plants with neonicotinoids can harm the honeybees. Details · Around La Plata County, many farms such as the Animas Valley Farm, harvest corn (Animas, 2012). · Most corn planting in Colorado takes place at or during the last frost, in mid to late May (Powell, 2009). · In a recent study, all dead bees that were found at the time of corn planting were contaminated with high levels of neonicotinoids (Protecting, 2012). · These neonicotinoids are very harmful to honey bees, and it is thought that the bees are flying near crops that have neonicotinoids on them, putting the population of the honeybees at risk (Protecting, 2012). · In solution, it will be encouraged that farmers in La Plata County don’t use neonicotinoids. It is respected that neonicotinoids may be unavoidable in the harvest of corn for several years. To see the full management plan click here. |
Sample Informing Letter
La Plata County Buzz Club
51057 US Highway 160E, 81122
Email: [email protected]
Dear Beekeepers of La Plata County:
I write to inform you of the condition that is impacting honeybee hives all over the world. I am confident that you are aware of Colony Collapse Disorder and it’s potential capabilities to distort the modern world. Currently in the La Plata County, we have no knowledge of whether Colony Collapse Disorder is causing losses in local honeybee hives.
A new insecticide named Apivar is proposing promising data. It has been proven to reduce the population of varroa mites in honeybee hives. The varroa mites may be a main factor of Colony Collapse Disorder.
It has been determined that Apivar should be applied once a year to all of the hives in La Plata County. In 2013, a crew of volunteer and employees will report to your apiary to hang up two strips of Apivar in every hive. This will be happening in September of 2013. If by October 1st, volunteers and employees haven’t visited your apiary that is registered with the La Plata County Buzz Club, please email me at the email given above. After forty-two to sixty-five days of Apivar being in the hives, the crew will return to the apiary and remove the strips from the hives.
This plan has been designed to reduce the population of varroa mites in La Plata County honeybee hives. Varroa mites may be a factor of Colony Collapse Disorder. The overall goal is that the decrease of the population of varroa mites in our local hives will help to decrease the chances of our hives struggle with Colony Collapse Disorder.
If after the Apivar has been removed from the hives in 2012, the population of honeybees in La Plata County has increased by 15%, this plan will be considered successful.
If you know of any apiaries that aren’t registered with the Durango Buzz Club, please inform them of this plan and urge them to register with the Durango Buzz Club so that an adequate amount of Apivar can be ordered.
Thanks Again,
Tina Sebestyen
(970) 884-8190
51057 US Highway 160E, 81122
Email: [email protected]
Dear Beekeepers of La Plata County:
I write to inform you of the condition that is impacting honeybee hives all over the world. I am confident that you are aware of Colony Collapse Disorder and it’s potential capabilities to distort the modern world. Currently in the La Plata County, we have no knowledge of whether Colony Collapse Disorder is causing losses in local honeybee hives.
A new insecticide named Apivar is proposing promising data. It has been proven to reduce the population of varroa mites in honeybee hives. The varroa mites may be a main factor of Colony Collapse Disorder.
It has been determined that Apivar should be applied once a year to all of the hives in La Plata County. In 2013, a crew of volunteer and employees will report to your apiary to hang up two strips of Apivar in every hive. This will be happening in September of 2013. If by October 1st, volunteers and employees haven’t visited your apiary that is registered with the La Plata County Buzz Club, please email me at the email given above. After forty-two to sixty-five days of Apivar being in the hives, the crew will return to the apiary and remove the strips from the hives.
This plan has been designed to reduce the population of varroa mites in La Plata County honeybee hives. Varroa mites may be a factor of Colony Collapse Disorder. The overall goal is that the decrease of the population of varroa mites in our local hives will help to decrease the chances of our hives struggle with Colony Collapse Disorder.
If after the Apivar has been removed from the hives in 2012, the population of honeybees in La Plata County has increased by 15%, this plan will be considered successful.
If you know of any apiaries that aren’t registered with the Durango Buzz Club, please inform them of this plan and urge them to register with the Durango Buzz Club so that an adequate amount of Apivar can be ordered.
Thanks Again,
Tina Sebestyen
(970) 884-8190
Ecological Solutions Reflection: Colony Collapse Disorder
In this project, we had to chose to focus on one ecological issue that is present in the La Plata County. We could choose one problem from the following five: mega-fires in the West, invasive species, Colony Collapse Disorder, the human-bear conflict, or the Pacific Garbage patch. I chose Colony Collapse Disorder and proceeded to research the issue to establish a basic understanding. Then, I proceeded to write three management plans that outlined how to prevent Colony Collapse Disorder in La Plata County. Then, I created a budget and a timeline based on our management plan. I chose Colony Collapse Disorder because it is such a substantial issue in our modern world. The crops that honeybees populate make up fifteen billion dollars of our current industry.
My strongest management plan strategy was the first strategy, which outlines the application of an insecticide called Apivar to all hives in the La Plata County. This is my strongest management plan because it clearly outlines when the insecticide should be hung in hives and for how long. Although the use of Apivar isn’t legal in Colorado yet, I feel that this plan is accurate because it is the most specific. Also, this management plan is the best because it addresses a promising issue. Even though no cause of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has been determined, the varroa mite has been proven to disturb the health of a honeybee hive. Therefore, even if varroa mites don’t contribute to CCD in honeybee hives, reducing the population of the mites in honeybee hives will improve the health of honeybee hives overall.
During this ecological solutions project, I developed technical writing skills, research application skills, in-text citations all of which will prove useful in the future. Also, this project helped advance my knowledge of ecology. I now fully understand the importance of honeybees in ecosystems. Honeybees help establish diversity in our ecosystems. Diversity equals stability because every species has a specific job that contributes to the ecosystem. Honeybees pollinate 85% of our crops including the hay that we feed to our cows. Without honeybees, not only would we not have fruits and vegetables, but we would have nothing to feed to our livestock. Overall, this project has given me a new respect for everything that I use everyday such as cotton, apples, and honey. Having honeybees in ecosystems helps stabilize our modern world.
My strongest management plan strategy was the first strategy, which outlines the application of an insecticide called Apivar to all hives in the La Plata County. This is my strongest management plan because it clearly outlines when the insecticide should be hung in hives and for how long. Although the use of Apivar isn’t legal in Colorado yet, I feel that this plan is accurate because it is the most specific. Also, this management plan is the best because it addresses a promising issue. Even though no cause of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has been determined, the varroa mite has been proven to disturb the health of a honeybee hive. Therefore, even if varroa mites don’t contribute to CCD in honeybee hives, reducing the population of the mites in honeybee hives will improve the health of honeybee hives overall.
During this ecological solutions project, I developed technical writing skills, research application skills, in-text citations all of which will prove useful in the future. Also, this project helped advance my knowledge of ecology. I now fully understand the importance of honeybees in ecosystems. Honeybees help establish diversity in our ecosystems. Diversity equals stability because every species has a specific job that contributes to the ecosystem. Honeybees pollinate 85% of our crops including the hay that we feed to our cows. Without honeybees, not only would we not have fruits and vegetables, but we would have nothing to feed to our livestock. Overall, this project has given me a new respect for everything that I use everyday such as cotton, apples, and honey. Having honeybees in ecosystems helps stabilize our modern world.
Durango Nature Studies Paper
Introduction
In Southwest Colorado, approximately twenty miles south of Durango, lies a nature education center that is spread over 140 acres of spacious, mountainous land. Durango Nature Studies (DNS) provides educational services about the nature of the area to over 6,500 people every year. Throughout the 140 acres lie a variety of habitats including ponds, the Florida River, desert-like hills and plains, and meadows.
Currently in Colorado, the Rana catesbeiana, more commonly known as the bullfrog, is a threat to other organisms because bullfrogs are invasive. An invasive species is a species that is not native to the area that they have inhabited and out-compete other species for resources. A bullfrog is just one example of an invasive species. Russian Olive trees, Multifloral Roses, and the Northern Pike fish are just a few other invasive species in Colorado. Invasive species out-compete native species for resources such as habitat and prey, which causes the native species to begin to die. Due to the overpopulation of bullfrogs in Colorado, anyone with a fishing license is allowed to hunt, kill, and take unlimited quantities of bullfrogs.
The bullfrogs and the bluegill fish, which are both invasive species that inhabit the DNS pond, each complete a task to reduce the amount of leopard frogs in the ecosystem. The bullfrogs overthrow the northern leopard frogs, or the Rana pipiens, from covered habitats, forcing the leopard frogs to be exposed in the open water where the bluegills then eat them. This combination of non-native predators puts the population of leopard frogs on the DNS property at risk for eradication.
Natural History
Rana catesbeiana
Bullfrogs, which are typically green with brown spots, are found in freshwater lakes, ponds and marshes all across the U.S., Canada, Cuba, Mexico, and even in sections of Europe, Asia, and South America. Bullfrogs are willing to eat anything that will fit in their mouths, including snakes and birds. Like most frogs, having a habitat with tall grass is a necessity for the bullfrog. The lengthy grass supplies them with a place to hide from predators such as raccoons, owls, and birds. Bullfrogs become inactive when the temperature drops below 59 degrees Fahrenheit. An adult female bullfrog lays an average of 20,000 eggs at one time, requiring a large body of water to house the eggs: the egg is the first stage of life for the bullfrog. If not eaten, the eggs will hatch and tadpoles will emerge. After about one year, the tadpoles will grow arms and legs and one to two years after the limbs appear, the tadpoles will have completed their metamorphosis to a mature frog. On average, bullfrogs live for seven to nine years total.
Rana Pipiens
The northern leopard frog was once the most commonly found frog species in North America, but as invasive species began overtaking their habitats, the northern leopard frog’s population decreased. Now, the northern leopard frog can be found in numerous states in the United States such as Colorado and New Hampshire. Northern leopard frogs are also found in Canada. As the name implies, the northern leopard frog’s green-brown back is covered in dark chaotic spots. Like the bullfrogs, northern leopard frogs eat virtually anything that can fit in their mouths including smaller frogs (even of their own species), garter snakes, and beetles. Northern leopard frogs tend to live near ponds, marshes, or covered grasslands. The metamorphosis of a northern leopard frog is three stages: the first stage of metamorphosis is the egg stage. In the second stage, the egg hatches, and tadpoles are born into the ecosystem. While in the tadpole stage, tadpoles require a pool of water that can be heated by the sun, but deep enough for the water to stay in the pool for the entire larvae stage. Like a bullfrog, the third stage is when the northern leopard frog then morphs into a mature frog over the span of one or two years. During the winter, northern leopard frogs hibernate in mud, in order to avoid water that will freeze entirely.
To see the full paper click here.