Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keith R. Merrill and Dr. Craig E. Coleman, BYU Plant and Wildlife Sciences Introduction Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass, or downy brome) is an exotic annual weed (recently?) introduced to the United States (ca. 1890) . Since its introduction, B. tectorum has been extremely effective at invading the Intermountain West, displacing native vegetation and causing extensive loss […]

Benjamin L. King and Dr. Peter J. Maughan, Plant and Animal Sciences DNA barcoding is one of the most important, novel techniques to be introduced in molecular systematics and genetics research in the last decade. Barcoding has been established as a consistent and reliable indicator of taxonomic relationships in eukaryotes, particularly in animals, where a […]

Ryan Christensen and Dr. Bryan G. Hopkins, Plant and Wildlife Science Landscape managers spend substantial resource, both time and money, maintaining aesthetically pleasing landscapes. In addition, athletic events conducted on natural grass playing surfaces are dependent upon having a healthy turfgrass that provide both cushioning and footing stability. Poor field conditions can lead to career […]

Benjamin Brulotte and Dr. Mikel Stevens, Plant and Wildlife Sciences Amplified fragment length polymorphisms are a reliable, straightforward method of determining the genetic diversity of species. Frequently this method of determining genetic diversity has been used in conservation efforts because of its cost effectiveness, and efficiency. We set out to characterize the genetic diversity of […]

Travis Beckett and Dr. Brian G. Hopkins, Plant and Wildlife Sciences Introduction Potato production is an integral part of the agricultural economy of the northwest United States. Under recent pressure to increase profits, growers have been practicing shorter potato rotations—leaving a fewer number of years between potato crops in a given field (Myers et al., […]

Alicia Anderson Abstract Sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) are a critically endangered species. In this study, we will test stable isotope levels of D/H, 18O/16O, and 34S/32S that are assimilated in sun bear hair, feces, and urine to determine if consumption of mealworms, the larval stage of Tenebrio molitor, or house crickets, Achetus domesticus, can be […]

Jimena B. Alvarez and Dr. P. Jeff Maughan, Plant and Animal Sciences Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) is an important crop originally from the Andes of South America. Quinoa grows well in high altitude and high saline conditions, for which it is used as a substantial food source by the farmers of the Altiplano (high plains) […]

Paul R. Neil and Dr. Richard Terry, Agronomy and Horticulture This research project was designed (see Figure 1) and experimented with in hopes of eventually assisting people of third-world countries to refrigerate and store food and medicine for extended periods of time, much the same as conventional refrigeration. Overall, designing and performing this project has […]

Daniel L. Zvirzdin and Dr. Steven Petersen, Plant and Wildlife sciences Introduction Since European settlement piñon (Pinus) and juniper (Juniperus) (PJ) woodlands have expanded their range to more than 40 million hectares; this expansion constitutes one of the greatest afforestations of our time and is due to many factors including high intensity grazing, fire suppression, […]

Katherine Temus When habitats have been destroyed or significantly damaged restoration efforts are often needed to return the habitat to a functional, usable, and healthy state. Use of the correct native plants is paramount to the success of the project. Seeds for use in revegetation projects are either collected from wild populations or harvested from […]