C.R.
Senior Thesis
Evidence of Palynomorph Turnover during the Hangenberg Biocrisis in Southwestern PA
Cadence Russell, Department of Natural Sciences, Daemen University
Dr. Domenic D'Amore, Department of Natural Sciences, Daemen University
Using a sediment core from southwestern PA, I sampled shale-rich slices of the core to analyze for palynomorphs to test the popular hypothesis of plant expansion kicking off the extinction spiral during the Hangenberg Biocrisis. Using standard palynological procedures I found significant turnover associated with the late Devonian glaciation, as well as a decline in biodiversity over the extinction interval, supporting more diverse and rich ecosystems before the biocrisis. Additionally, I've placed the Devonian-Carboniferous Boundary higher than previously thought due to the prevalence of Retispora lepidophyta in the upper parts of the core. My results lend support to the plant expansion hypothesis. This research was awarded the Outstanding Research in Natural Sciences recognition from Daemen University in May 2025.
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This project was supported by the Pennsylvania Geological Survey, Daemen Department of Natural Sciences, the Briner Lab, and countless individuals who made this possible.
U-ROCKS @ JMU
Automated Sinkhole Mapping with ArcGIS Using Shape Factors in Harrisonburg, VA
Cadence Russell, Department of Natural Sciences, Daemen University
Dr. Yonathan Admassu, Department of Geology and Environmental Science, James Madison University
Dr. Dhanuska Wijesinghe, Department of Geology and Environmental Science, James Madison University
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Using digital elevation models (DEMs) of Harrisonburg, VA, I tested the applicability of mapping sinkholes automatically using curvature and sphericity for the first time in a wild setting. Liner discriminate analysis suggests that models are able to accurately identify sinkholes ~71% of the time, with maximum curvature being the most powerful. With some manual cleanup, sinkhole identification accuracy increases to ~79%, which is in line with literature findings in controlled settings.
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This project was funded by NSF award #2050819: Undergraduate Research Studies in Cave and Karst Sciences (U-ROCKS) and by James Madison University.
Fitzroy Island, Australia
Coral Bleaching and Biodiversity Data Collecting at Fitzroy Island, Australia
BIO 336- Dr. Jon Good
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With Daemen University in the summer of 2023, I traveled to Australia to survey the Great Barrier Reef at Fitzroy Island to assess reef health status in reefs with heavy human traffic and limited human traffic, coral bleaching, and biodiversity. Data was transferred to the University of Queensland and the Queensland Government to aid in the monitoring of some of the healthiest northernmost reefs in the GBR. Coral bleaching was somewhat subdued, though branching corals were most susceptible, and biodiversity was high including several key species such as the hawksbill sea turtle and Maori wrasse.
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Fitzroy Island is a part of the traditional lands of the Gunggandji People, whom we recognize as the stewards of the region and environment.
