Summer Environmental Exchange Projects
2004

Tahoe Projects

• Examination of Acid Mine Drainage with Microbial Assessment
  (Kendra Zamzow - University of Nevada, Reno)

  Building on work done by SEE participants with the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board in 2002 and 2003, this project incorporated analysis of invertebrate and sediment samples at abandoned mine sites undergoing remediation. Sediment samples were processed and viewed for a direct count of bacteria under an epiflourescent microscope, and results of the microbial analysis compared with invertebrate bioassessment results.
  Click here to view the project presentation or report.

• Stormwater Basin Study
  (Brent Wolfe - California Tahoe Conservancy and Dr. Alan Heyvaert - UC Davis Tahoe Research Group)

  Urbanization in the Tahoe Basin has had detrimental impacts including higher runoff volumes and flow rates that cause accelerated erosion of sediment and increased mobilization of nutrients. Various agencies throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin have erosion control programs that attempt to mitigate the impacts of urbanization, but more study is necessary to formulate best management practices (BMP). Participants of this project located, mapped, and evaluated effectiveness of stormwater basins, and produced particle size distribution analysis of sediment deposits.
  Click here to view the project presentation or report.

• Tahoe Rim Trail Link
  (Mark Kimbrough - Tahoe Rim Trail Association)

  The project group was introduced to the environmental, planning, and landscape considerations for design and construction of a hiking trail in a mixed-use area including residential, business, and protected lands. The project included a hands-on field lesson in an area proposed to become part of the Tahoe Rim Trail. Work tasks included trail design and building, followed by surveying and GPS mapping to produce a recommendation for the best available trail route.
  Click here to view the project presentation or report.

Baikal Projects

• Ecological Assessment of Lake Baikal near the Settlement of Bol'shye Koty
  (Maxim Timofeyev - Irkutsk State University)

  For the third consecutive year, TBI participants contributed to this ongoing invertebrate monitoring study to evaluate the impact of small shoreline settlements on the ecology of Lake Baikal. Three test plots were studied to evaluate population structure, identify dominant groups and examine particular species representing them.
  Click here to view the project report.

• Evaluation of the Conditions of the Forest Ecosystems in the Baikal Biospheric State Nature Preserve (Aleksey Shekhovstsov - Irkutsk Institute of Geography)

  The purpose of this project was to characterize the plant species occurring in five different study areas and to conduct a dendropathological examination of previously marked trees in two plots. This project was a continuation of the TBI project that began in 2000. In addition, the group traveled to the village of Posolsk in order to learn about the local school’s environmental education program.
  Click here to view the project report.

• Buryatia Ecotourism Study
  (Ivan Bratsev - Hotel-Tourist Complex Geser)

  Participants conducted land-use surveys and interviews with local residents and businesses to evaluate the potential for ecotourism development at a site owned by Geser on the Eastern shore of Lake Baikal. Participants also designed a brochure for visitors to the region.
  Click here to view the project report in English or Russian.