Emerald Ash Borer: Monitoring and Management (Spring 2015)

The emerald ash borer (EAB) is an exotic beetle that feeds on the inner bark of ash trees, cutting off nutrient supplies to the tree and leading to tree death. EAB has been found in 24 states around the country, as well as in several Iowa counties. In communities throughout the country, damaged ash trees due to EAB lead to public safety, economic, and environmental challenges. Students on this project conducted research on the community’s ash trees to help the City of Iowa City prepare for EAB and develop a response plan. Students used various survey methodologies to assess current ash tree condition and coverage in Iowa City, including counting the trees, recording their GPS coordinates, and measuring their characteristics. Using this data, students created a map of ash tree coverage and identified priority sites in which they recommend that the city implement monitoring and management strategies.

Read their final report and look over their presentation here.

Enhancing Urban Pollinator and Beneficial Insect Habitat (Spring)

Community interest in gardening, edible landscaping, and local food is growing. However, for reasons such as pesticide usage and habitat destruction, the pollinators and other beneficial insects that support such activities are declining. Since pollinators are essential for more than 2/3 of food production and other beneficial insects are integral to reducing the impact of pests on food plants, this has become a concern in the realm of urban agriculture. Students on this project researched bee diversity in Iowa City, compared it to bee diversity in prairie and agricultural settings, and related it to floral diversity in each setting. Students used pan trapping and sweep netting methods to collect bees during their research. Students offered recommendations to the City of Iowa City to help the area maintain and increase urban bee diversity.

Read the final report and view the poster and presentation here.