SUNY Open Access Repository

The SUNY Open Access Repository (SOAR) is a centrally managed online digital repository that stores, indexes, and makes available scholarly and creative works of SUNY faculty, students, and staff across SUNY campuses. SOAR serves as an open access platform for those SUNY campuses that do not have their own open access repository environments.

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Recent Submissions

  • PublicationOpen Access
    Lyme Disease Prevalence in Ticks in SUNY Broome Natural Areas (2013-2025)
    (2025) Catajan, Pauline; Traore, Ulrich; Curtis, Tracy
    Lyme disease is a common health concern in New York and is spread by black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) carrying Borrelia burgdorferi. Tick samples collected from SUNY Broome Natural Areas between 2013 and 2025 were tested for the presence of B. burgdorferi to estimate yearly infection percentages and assess long-term changes in risk. Annual prevalence varied signficantly but showed an overall positive trend (r2 = 0.397). Similar natural fluctuations in tick-borne prevalence have been described in northeastern ecological studies. Winter climate data from 2013 to 2025 also showed year-to-year variability with a gradual warming trend in Binghamton, NY. This project did not test a direct relationship between climate and infection, but continued campus monitoring can support student safety and future ecological work.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    Beneath the Surface: Assessing the Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Microplastics in Lake Champlain and its Tributaries
    (2025-12-11) Morrow, Allison; Lloyd, Timothy; Calvelli, Grace; Jump, Taygin; Alldred, Mary; Mihuc, Timothy; Garneau, Danielle; Danielle Garneau, Nurjahan Begum, Andrea Stumpf, Arden Degrenier, Grace Massa, Dr. Anne Jefferson
    Microplastics are an increasing concern in the environment, with global plastic production growing at an annual rate of 8.4% from 1950 to 2015. Once discarded, plastics fragment into smaller pieces, including microplastics (<5 mm), which enter ecosystems through land-cover runoff, wastewater effluent, airborne deposition, and improper disposal. These particles accumulate in rivers, lakes, and other waterbodies, potentially affecting aquatic organisms and ecosystem health. This research investigates microplastic pathways, distribution, and loading in Lake Champlain and its tributaries, and retention within local fish communities. Preliminary surveys in 2024 sampled five New York tributaries, while 2025 efforts focused specifically on the Saranac and Ausable Rivers. Historic whole-lake samples from the Long Term Monitoring Program (1992–2025) were analyzed to determine microplastic concentrations across 15 lake stations. Data from previous wastewater treatment plant surveys (2016–2018) across New York and Vermont were used to assess post-treatment effluent contributions. Approximately 103 fish from Lake Champlain were examined to quantify microplastic retention. Results indicate fibers are the dominant microplastic type in New York rivers and across Lake Champlain, with more urbanized areas, especially the Saranac River, contributing the greatest quantities. Wastewater treatment plants were significant microplastic sources, with particle morphology varying by facility. Fish results revealed primarily fibrous microplastic retention in digestive tracts. By identifying pathways, distributions, and retention patterns, this research establishes a baseline for microplastic contamination in the basin and provides information to guide management and public awareness initiatives.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    Furrrreal: Assessing the Impacts of Microhabitat and Trapping Methods on Small Mammal Communities
    (2025-12-11) Collyear, Darby; Domingo, Jason; Owens, Ashley; Andresen, Lillian; Lesser, Mark; Garneau, Danielle; Danielle Garneau, Mark Lesser
    Small mammals serve as seed dispersers, consumers, and prey, shaping food web dynamics. They also drive seed predation, plant regeneration, soil aeration, and nutrient cycling. Their abundance can be driven by annual masting trends, drought, and type of trapping method. In fall 2025, we surveyed small mammal communities in Morrisonville, NY at a property containing a conifer-dominated forest, mixed forest, meadow, and wetland along Riley Brook. At each microhabitat, ten Sherman live traps were set and baited at dusk, checked the next morning, and were baited. The next morning animals were identified, measured (e.g., length, and weight) and any species with ears was ear tagged before release. Live trapping took place three times and bucket game cameras were set to capture still images. CamTrap package in R was used to rename and graph site-specific abundances and diel activity for each species. Peromyscus sp. was the most abundant species across all sites. Based on bucket camera findings, the small mammal community was most diverse (S=8) in the conifer-dominated forest which contains fungal associates that support northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus), while dense understory leaf litter offers seeds and invertebrates which appeal to Peromyscus sp. and Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana). Mixed forests are diverse (S=6) and offer varied resources with denser understory supporting seed predators such as gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), Peromyscus sp., and Virginia opossum. Wetlands (S=5) with their hydric soils and plants supported Peromsycus sp. and northern short-tailed shrews (Blarina brevicauda). Meadows (S=4) support an abundance of herbaceous plants and invertebrates, which facilitates domination by granivorous meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) and insectivorous northern short-tailed shrews. A lone weasel was found in the meadow and rare sightings of raccoons in the conifer forest and wetland. Small mammal communities in the meadow and wetland were the most similar (86%), while the meadow and conifer forest were the least (33%). Bucket cameras consistently detected higher species richness and a broader representation of functional groups than live traps, which primarily captured small rodents. Findings show that microhabitat structure strongly influences small mammal community composition, and that non-invasive bucket cameras captured a more complete representation of the small mammal assemblage than live trapping alone. Bucket camera trapping should be considered when designing experiments targeting small mammals.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    Hoo Left the Lights On? Effects of Light Pollution on Northern NY Owl Species
    (2025-12-11) Oviedo, Elishua; Maughan, Phillip; Alldred, Mary; Garneau, Danielle; Danielle Garneau, Jon Borrelli
    Birds are indicators of healthy ecosystems and serve keystone roles as crucial seed dispersers, pollinators, and regulators of insect and small mammal populations. Since the 1970’s, birds have declined in abundance by 30%, disproportionately represented by passerine species, while waterfowl, upland game birds, and raptors are maintaining. In fall 2025, we aimed to compare differences in owl communities along an urbanization gradient that varied based on light and noise pollution levels. Urban sites included Clinton Community College, Rugar Woods, and the Barracks golf course), while rural survey sites included (Peru, Wickham Marsh, Point Au Roche State Park, and Port Douglas). During fall 2025, we called owls twice weekly for 1-2 hours using a bluetooth speaker connected to the Audubon Bird Call app. Each owl call lasted 10min with 30-50sec pauses while moving through calls of owls with increasing size. We monitored aural and visual responses and confirmed species using Merlin and iNaturalist. When owls responded, we shifted from traditional to juvenile calls to draw species in for visual encounters. Simultaneously, we placed autonomous recording units (ARUs) at each site to continuously record bird soundscapes, specifically targeting owls missed in callbacks that might have been calling later in the evening and in the early morning. At each site, noise pollution was registered using a decibel meter and light pollution using Bortle’s Dark Sky Scale and surrounding habitat was noted. Our results showed that owls are more active (head and seen) during brighter nights when the moon is approaching full, but also in naturally dark habitats such as rural forests. Soundscape analysis showed that owl community richness was similar across all sites ranging from 3-4 species and that this passive technique was more effective at identifying all owl species. Eastern screech owls (Megascops asio) were common at Rugar Woods and aligned with their versatility ranging from urban lots to suburbs that contain tree cavities. Great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) were common at the Barracks, CCC, Port Douglas, and Wickham Marsh which reflects their ability to inhabit forests, grasslands and wetlands. Barred owls (Strix varia) were common at Peru, Point au Roche, and Port Douglas sites with mature forests and nearby waterbodies. Barn owls (Tyto alba) were rare occurrences. Owls in this survey were not as active near artificial light in urban areas. Soundscape and call playback surveys are complementary and these research findings can better inform us about anthropogenic impacts on biodiversity such that mitigation efforts and land management can better support target species.
  • PublicationOpen Access
    Tee Time for Turtles? Community Differences Between the Barracks Golf Course and Point au Roche State Park
    (2025-12-11) Natali Jr., Jack; Rivers, Kendra; Hanosek, John; Crowle, Haylee; Alldred, Mary; Garneau, Danielle; Danielle Garneau, Jon Borrelli
    Painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) are important indicators of habitat quality, and play an important role in freshwater ecosystems. Urbanization impacts turtle populations via land-use changes, fragmentation, and habitat loss which alter freshwater turtle abundance and distribution. Sex ratio and age structure are key demographic parameters of population health. We aimed to compare painted turtle abundance and demographic patterns (e.g., age structure, sex ratio), as well as recapture rates at an urban versus rural wetland. Additionally, soundscape surveys were used to establish pond community diversity as a further indicator of urbanization impacts. In fall 2025, we performed mark-recapture of painted turtles using crab traps at an urban (Barracks golf course) and a rural (Point au Roche State Park) in Clinton County, NY. Following the Ecological Research as Education (EREN’s) TurtlePop 2.0 protocols, we live trapped turtles over a period of three weeks at each site and deployed autonomous recording devices (ARUs) to assess the diversity of avian communities. At each site, 10 hoop traps were used and animals were notched on perimeter scutes, while age structure and sex ratios were determined from body metrics. Site conditions were compared across ponds which included pond area, basking site availability, and water temperature. We also compared bird communities using BirdNet’s AI algorithm and the Sorensen Community Similarity Index.This fall, we captured 45 and 38 unique turtles at Point au Roche and the Barracks, respectively. There were significantly more juvenile turtles at the Barracks (26) than at Point au Roche (13), but not in sex ratios between sites. Point au Roche had significantly more male captures (20) than female (5), as well as recaptures. There was no difference in sex ratios between sites, at the Barracks, or a difference in age structure at Point au Roche. There were also no significant differences in any body dimensions for any cohorts between sites. Across the entire longitudinal study, there have been 122 turtle captures - 66 from the Barracks and 56 from Point au Roche. Painted turtle populations might be more abundant at the urban site due to the nature of the connected pond complex with increased heterogeneity as compared to Point au Roche’s single pond structure. Fewer juveniles at the Barracks could be explained by reduced predation risk due to higher anthropogenic activity, also reflective of bird community soundscapes. Sex ratio differences may be an artifact of small female sample sizes. Painted turtles are bioindicators of ecosystem health and greater protections can be made for turtles near heavily trafficked areas.
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