Summer Environmental Exchange Projects - 1998

Tahoe Projects

• Nutrient Distribution and Food Web Distribution in Lake Tahoe (Sudeep Chandra, TBI '97; U.C. Davis Tahoe Research Group)

  The stable nitrogen isotope N-15 can be used to trace and compare the trophic levels of organisms. In this study, the TBI group used N-15 to compare the delta N of fish from northern and southern Lake Tahoe. Delta nitrogen signatures showed that fish from the south of Lake Tahoe occupy a higher trophic level than fish from the north of the lake. Participants also used stable isotopes to make a preliminary investigation of whether two populations of Mysis relicta (a microinvertebrate) exist in Lake Tahoe. The isotope signatures showed that there are two distinct populations. However, further studies such as DNA analysis must be conducted to verify this claim. The final part of the project located areas along the western shore of Lake Tahoe which have the greatest nitrogen levels. Because of time constraints, the collected isotope signature data was not processed. The data will be analyzed at a later date and show possible areas of heaviest terrestrial nitrogen loading into the lake.

• GIS/GPS Mapping Project: Tahoe Yellow Cress (TYC) Study (Mary Small, TBI '97; Rick Robinson, California Tahoe Conservancy)

  The Tahoe Yellow Cress (Rorippa subumbellata) is an endemic species at Lake Tahoe and only grows on the sandy beaches of Lake Tahoe. For this project, TBI participants learned techniques for surveying TYC using Geographic Positioning Systems (GPS), surveying tools, aerial photos and Geographical Information System (GIS) tools. Participants created their own GIS map of TYC's historical occurrences. This project worked in association with the California State Land Commission's effort to develop a management strategy for TYC and continued work from past TBI projects.

  TYC has only been placed on the California endangered species list, not the Federal list, due to its interference with private and public land use. The aim of this study was to create a GIS map that consolidated spatial information about TYC's geographic location with land ownership, habitat accessibility to the public, and lake water level changes. This TBI project will serve as a basis for future TYC spatial research and monitoring.

• Trout Creek Restoration Project (California Tahoe Conservancy)

• Leviathan Mine Acid Mine Drainage Study (Daniel Fabien, 1998 TBI participant)

  Four TBI participants analyzed environmental problems at Leviathan Mine caused by sulphur deposits. Mine tailings from the site produce sulfuric acid when mixed with rain and groundwater, and cause heavy metal leaching which is often transported into nearby creeks and rivers. Participants sampled creek water and sediments and analyzed whether heavy metals from Leviathan Mine where present. The research was part of a larger study by the US EPA and State of California to assess health hazards from the mine. The Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California brought the mines health hazards to the government by threatening to sue for negligence in cleaning up the site.

• Studying Native People of America (Phil Caterino, Alpen Group)

  The goal of the project was to study the traditions and culture of the Washoe people, as well as their history and problems they are facing today. The Washoe are a Native American tribe of the Sierra Nevada.

Baikal Projects

• Ecology-Ethnology Project at Chernaryd and Khabsagai (Lena Zelinskaya, TBI'95; Erzhen Kamaganova, TBI' 97; Ust-Ordinskiy Regional Administration)

  This project consisted of two parts: developing environmental education programs at Chernarud Village near Irkutsk and develping an ecological/cultural camp in Buryatia. TBI participants worked with the Irkutsk Polytechnical Institute Ecological Camp at Chernarud Village to teach students how to take air, water, and soil samples. Participants also analyzed local flora and fauna and developed an interpretive brochure with the students.

  During the second part of the program, TBI participants traveled to Khabsagai Valley, located in the Buryat Autonomous Republic to learn about Buryat culture and assess how an ecological/cultural camp and school could be developed in the basin. Participants interviewed local villagers about native customs and history and developed recommendations for how this information could be used in the cultural center.

• Geomorphology Research Project on Olkhon Island (Prof. Kuzmin, Geography Institute, Irkutsk)

  This project surveyed anthropogenic impacts at Muhor Bay, the southernmost point on Lake Baikal's Maloye More (Small Sea). TBI participants' mapped anthropogenic impacts such as garbage dumps, tent sites, trails, and car tracks.

• Cape Burkhan Restoration Project on Olkhon Island (Hank Birnbaum, former TBI coordinator; Viktor Vorotintsev, TBI '96; Pribaikalskiy National Park)

  TBI participants worked with Pribaikalskiy National Park to improve campgrounds, build trails, and develop an environmental camp for youths all working towards promoting eco-tourism on the island. TBI participants also took part in a seminar of recreational planners from Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude about the controversial recreational planning history on the island.

• Water assessments, shore restoration, and water bottling analysis (Professor Fialkov, Limnological Museum, Listvyanka)

  This project had TBI participants collecting water samples on Baikal, cleaning up the local village, and providing an assessment of the new "Baikal Water" bottling plant. The TBI group cleared the Listyanka village river, Kamenushka, of all trash and natural obstacles that prevented the free flow of the creek. The history of the creek and surrounding village of Listvyanka was researched by interviewing the older citizens of the village. The village was founded in 1753 four miles from the creek and although the land surrounding Kamenushka was originally used as agricultural plots, it was slowly converted to houses. People drew water from both Baikal and from the creek.

  TBI participants also participated in a series of lectures, lab meetings, and excursions to collect zooplankton samples and analyze them at the Laboratory of Hydrology for identification. Finally, participants analyzed water quality samples of the local water bottling company.