Center for Urban Resilience Research Posters

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Tree Canopy and Environmental Distribution Justice in Los Angeles: A Look Into Tree Planting Groups

Natalie Menicucci

The distribution and maintenance of urban tree coverage in Los Angeles is an issue of environmental justice. Researchers have found that there is a direct relationship between tree coverage and income and race in the city. Los Angeles has a tree planting initiative, called “City Plants,” with a goal that people in every neighborhood have equal access to trees and their benefits. Yet it is not clear how or whether tree planting organizations embody this in their practices. To address this problem, the purpose of this study is to examine how decisions on planting locations are made by planting groups, the challenges barriers these groups face, and whether these barriers led them to plant trees in certain neighborhoods rather than others. The data will be collected through interviewing different groups (both nonprofit and city agencies) involved in planting trees around Los Angeles. Tree planting groups will be able to use findings to help them become more aware of how they approach environmental justice in their practices, and their role in the equitable distribution of urban trees. This information may prompt changes to tree planting approaches, funding, and policy making.
Who Would You Bring Home? People’s Perceptions of Animal Adoptability

Nicole Gaglione

Although the motto “adopt don’t shop” has increased the general public’s awareness surrounding shelters and animal adoption, there is not a whole lot of information based on people’s perceptions of what makes an animal “adoptable” or not and how this impacts shelter animals’ quality of life. In one study, it was discovered how the act of shelter employees labeling each dog based on its breed could have a major impact on the dogs adoptability. So why is this? Why are people so caught up in the breed, attractiveness, age, health, or as one study describes the “sociability” of dogs as the main determinants for a dogs adoption? This research aims to better understand why and how people label animals as “adoptable” and what this means for shelters and the populations of animals within them. Research methods will include: 1) semi-structured interviews with animal care takers in several Los Angeles animal care facilities and 2) an in person survey of the people who enter these facilities. Results will provide information about how animal owners perceive their own pets and/or potential pets based on characteristics of “adoptability,” and how animal care workers view their role in influencing these perceptions. Findings may aid local shelters in promoting adoption and improving strategies to alter the general public’s perspectives on viewing animals as more than just commodity pets but rather see them as individual beings that all deserve to be “adoptable.”
Wildlife Services Coyote Management Project: Owl Pellet Dissection

Grace Riggs

The “Wildlife Services Coyote Management Project” aims to advance the understanding of the urban coyote population in the Long Beach area. In addition to using pre-existing data already gathered by local wildlife services, the team is working to assemble more information on the behavior and distribution of urban coyotes by means of scat analysis. Now in its second year, the project will augment its data through gene=c analysis of scat and building up the repertoire of animal skeletons through means of owl pellets to further study coyote diet. Owl pellets have been proven to be an effective means of finding more complete prey skeletons than coyote scat. Unlike the coyote, which chews its food before it swallows, the owl swallows its prey whole and expels the innutritious ma[er out in a pellet. This makes owl pellets an excellent source of nearly whole skeletons. Therefore, this portion of the Long Beach coyote project will focus on the methodology, results, and analysis of matching skeletons from owl pellets to bones found in coyote scat to be[er understand urban coyote diets. In addition to helping serve the ultimate goal of developing a coyote management plan for the City of Long Beach, the owl pellet analysis will also serve as a way of surveying the biodiversity on LMU’s campus and the surrounding area.
Assessing Urban Parklands: Novel Use of Game Cameras to Study Park User Behavior in the Baldwin Hills

Jorge Gamboa

The preservation and conservation of public open spaces are essential in urban settings as they promote the growth and sustainability of local communities and surrounding environments. The Baldwin Hills Conservancy manages the Baldwin Hills Park System and aims to promote recreation, restoration and protection of urban parks. This study’s goal is to provide park managers a longitudinal study of the attitudes and behaviors of park visitors. The study includes the use of game cameras to examine visitation and access to the parks, which serves as a passive, novel methodology in order to study human movement patterns into and around the park. This poster will describe the methods and summarize preliminary data collected during the period October 30, 2015 through April 30, 2016. A total of 129 days of data were collected in four locations in the parks, which included 7679 images and 133 hours of time lapse video. Of the data collected, a subset of 1,001 images from one location, a park entrance, were selected and assigned into categories. Preliminary analysis of these data indicate several initial trends that are identified and discussed. Ongoing efforts include full-scale data collection. As part of the Baldwin Hills Park User Study, the methodology and findings of this.
Caching Behavior in Corvids: Cognition and Pattern Recognition

Matthew Allegretti and Ethan Flake

Caching behavior in two corvids, American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and western scrub jay (Aphelocoma californica) were recorded using motion-activated cameras and direct observations in order to compare behavioral differences between the two species. Investigating bird caching behavior is important in determining the cognitive capacity of each bird species and displaying how these avian species may have adapted to living successfully in urban ecosystems with highly variable food sources. Both species were baited using peanuts. We video recorded how birds selected peanuts to examine potential size or weight preferences specific to either species. After initial observations of caching behavior with untreated peanuts, food dye was applied to peanuts with a mass greater than 2.5g. contained within a group of undyed peanuts with a mass below 1.5g. By varying which group the dye was applied to, it was possible to examine the extent to which corvids were capable of recognizing patterns associated with their food source in order to optimize caching productivity. The ability to rapidly recognize changes and patterns associated with their food sources could allow for rapid adaptation in feeding that provides corvids with a significant selective advantage in urban environments.
City of Colton Urban Forest Management Project

Nelson Hunter-Valls, Giovanni Di Franco, and Maria Curley

As population growth continues in our urban centers, urban forest management becomes an important priority. Trees are an essential component of resilient and healthy urban communities, providing benefits including mediating the urban heat island effect, storm water management, and energy and water efficiency, carbon sequestration, and city beautification. In order to assess the current status of Colton’s urban forest, interdisciplinary teams of students and scientists from the Center for Urban Resilience (CURes) at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) have assisted Jack Sahl & Associates with an extensive inventory of the tree resources within the City. In gathering data describing the size, distribution, age, health, and energy efficiency benefits of the city’s trees, this study seeks to provide recommendations for best management practices of Colton’s urban forest. Colton has strived to engage the public in an open dialogue about this project. Colton is the first city to deal with the task of conducting an inventory of all the trees located within the public domain, in the future the strategies used here will be improved.
Coyote/Human Interactions in the City of Long Beach, CA

Hayley Hart, Nicole Infantino, and Christopher Jaime

Coyotes (Canus latrans), while an integral part of a healthy ecosystem, have posed prominent problems across the United States in cities and residential areas, including the local neighborhoods of Westchester, Long Beach, and Playa Vista. The abundance of anthropogenic food sources in urban areas increases coyote density and causes more frequent coyote-human interactions. Our study aims to accurately assess the benefits coyote populations bring to an ecosystem as well as their interactions with these communities while also properly managing the threat to their residents and promo*ng coexistence. We plan to educate residents in these communities on how to interact safely with coyotes. Through community reporting and education, we hope to ensure that wildlife feeding regulations will be enforced and the feeding will cease, vastly limiting the anthropogenic food sources available to coyotes and reducing the impetus for interactions between coyotes and humans in these communities. We hope to apply our refined methodologies in the future so that they can be applied on a more general level to mi*gate similar coyote management problems in other urban areas, allowing future research to further analyze the effects of the reduction of anthropogenic food sources on coyote abundance and distribution.
Extensions to a Novel Predator Aversion System Intended to Protect Nesting Endangered Least Terns Sternula antillarum browni at Venice Beach, CA

Alexis Isaev and Armaan Zare

Extensions to a prototype predator aversion system using electric shock conditioning are described using both field and laboratory testing. Responses were recorded and analyzed using various recording equipment capturing digital photographs or video images. The major extension explored in this study is examining sensory cues (aside from touch) associated with using replica bait. The experiment in Venice Beach is further validated by understanding the interaction of corvids and replica bait.
Hummingbird Responses to Predator Decoys

Michael Gloudeman and Erich Eberts

Hummingbirds act as important pollinator species in many Western Hemisphere ecosystems. In urban environments, artificial feeders have become an important food resource.1 Without artificial feeders, hummingbirds move around to different flowers locations to find nectar and thus may be less predictable to a predator. However, as feeders provide abundant food, hummingbirds often habitually return to the same feeder. This provides a unique opportunity to predators. If hummingbirds are not able to properly identify or respond to threats near a feeder, they are likely more susceptible to predation. This may significantly affect hummingbird demographics in urban areas and/or apply selective pressure towards behaviors that minimize predation. In this study, various predators and threats are presented at established feeder sites using both artificial predator decoys and vocalizations. Visitation rates are monitored using video cameras in order to analyze and interpret responses. This investigation aims to enrich the understanding of the broader impacts artificial hummingbird feeders may have within the urban environment.
Influence of Demographics on Use and Understanding of Urban Green Spaces in Los Angeles, CA

E. Simso

Urban ecology is the study of how humans interact with their built surroundings, particularly in cities, which are densely populated and have significantly altered natural environments. Urban green spaces are vital areas that support community health and environmental benefits. In this study, residents from Inglewood, Santa Monica, and Culver City, California were surveyed to determine how demographics affect their use and understanding of green spaces in their neighborhood. Data was collected from 98 individuals at parks, libraries, and farmers’ markets to best represent each city’s known demographics. Statistical analysis was done to determine the differences between these cities and the measured demographic variables of gender, race or ethnicity, income, and age
Patterns of Urban Hummingbird Nest Distribution on the LMU Campus

Amy Weber

Hummingbirds are among the most beautiful, acrobatic and mysterious animals in urban ecosystems, where these synanthropic species provide important benefits to humans such as pollination and biophilia. We plan to evaluate how various abiotic and biotic factors found in urban environments such as the LMU campus may affect hummingbird nesting patterns. Thorough nest searching throughout campus has revealed an apparent clustered distribution of nests, as well as patterns within the microhabitats of individual nests. We plan to complete a detailed inventory through standardized habitat evaluation and nest searching at Von Der Ahe, where a large number of active (15) and previously used (4) nests have been located (as of 3/20/2017). We predict variables such as shelter from rain and wind, vegetation density, and the proximity of flowers may increase the likelihood of nest site selection in a particular area. Determining where hummingbirds may preferentially nest in an urban environment will facilitate the location of active nests for investigation into hummingbird nesting behavior and physiology and also define landscape habitat attributes that will enhance hummingbird presence.
Photodegradation of FD&C Red No. 40 Dye in Synthetic Hummingbird Nectar

W. Muscara and L. Carrington

It is common among many homeowners and bird enthusiasts alike to provide supplemental nutrition for Hummingbirds through nectar feeder set-ups. Often commercially available nectar powders and concentrates contain a variety of red dyes solely to make the nectar look more appealing for the customer. Based on the lack of information regarding the safety of the dyes for the birds, investigation into how FD&C red #40 (the most common red dye) degrades in a sucrose solution exposed to sunlight is warranted. Ultra High Pressure Liquid Chromatography and mass spectrometry were used to identify the chemical structure of FD&C Red #40 and determine ideal ppm concentrations for best analysis of potential metabolites. Ultimately, degradation of dye in the presence of controlled artificial sunlight in a sucrose solution (~25% sucrose) and subsequent analysis will help to determine the degraded metabolites that arise and gain insight into their potential harm to hummingbirds.
Potential Impacts of Artificial Feeders on Hummingbird Behavior

Alyssa Weisblatt and Carolyn Egekeze

Hummingbirds act as important pollinator species in many Western Hemisphere ecosystems. In urban environments, artificial feeders have become an important food resource and may affect hummingbird behaviors that provide important ecosystem services such as pollination. Over the past four years, hummingbirds have been observed and video recorded at feeders on the campus of LMU in order to evaluate how the presence of artificial feeders affect hummingbird behavior and distribution. Additionally, observations are now being recorded at a second Burbank, CA study site where hummingbirds have been consistently fed for the last 40 years and adjacent feeders often attract as many as one hundred birds at the same time. This present study, in part, serves to update and summarize observations from the LMU campus from various independent research projects. We plan to compare basic hummingbird behaviors on the LMU study site with the Burbank location by comparing behaviors and interactions of hummingbirds visiting feeders of varied levels of activity through the analysis of video footage and acoustic recordings. This investigation aims to enrich the understanding of the broader impacts artificial hummingbird feeders may have within the urban environment.
Ratio of Juveniles and Adults of American Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos in Family Groups at Loyola Marymount University and Venice Beach, Los Angeles, CA

Yeon Jae Kim

American crows are highly social animals and display cooperative breeding, where nonbreeding offspring help their breeding parents care for juveniles. (Chamberlain-Auger, Auger, & Strauss, 1990). In order to gain a better understanding of the role of these nonbreeding offspring in raising nestlings and juveniles, crow nests and breeding groups were closely observed on the campus of Loyola Marymount University and at Venice Beach during the early summer of 2016. In each group, juveniles were usually closely associated with a single adult, however, the apparent roles of the adults within the group varied. In these apparent family groups one or two crows simply watched and supervised while the adults closely associated with each juvenile fed the juveniles. These differing apparent roles adopted by adults may ensure juvenile safety while in the process of feeding. Confirmation of these apparent roles would be best determined in future study by color banding resident birds.
Sociobiology of Loyola Marymount University's Red-Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Reproductive Group

Melissa Morado and Caitlin Shafer

As urbanization increases, nesting habitat for avian predators will likely become limited and may cause them to be unsuccessful in exploiting urban areas. Red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) are common synanthropic, top-order predators that appear to thrive in urban environments. The Loyola Marymount University campus presents optimal nesting habitat due to tall trees and built other anthropogenic structures. Anecdotal reports indicate that a single breeding group has nested on the LMU campus for the past eight breeding seasons (years). Remote video monitoring of the nest began in 2015, and indicates continual usage of the area for several purposes including use of these areas for hunting and territorial defense. In addition, observations of raptor soaring behavior were taken throughout the 2016 fall season at the LMU bluff. Several behaviors observed included reproductive behavior, soaring on the bluff, migratory patterns and interspecific and intraspecific interactions. This study suggests further investigation in usage of updrafts in different species of raptors and can contribute to landscape planning and how urbanization affects flight, avian behavior, migratory patterns, courtship behavior, and nest site preference.
The Value of Urban Parklands: A Park User Study of the Baldwin Hills

Jorge Gamboa, Nelson Hunter-Valls, E. Eberts, Peter Auger, Michele Romolini, and Eric Strauss

The preservation and conservation of public open spaces are essential in urban settings as they promote the growth and sustainability of local communities and surrounding environments. The Baldwin Hills Conservancy manages the Baldwin Hills Parks System, and aims to promote recreation, restoration and protection of urban parks. In order to inform significant improvements to the parks system, a longitudinal study of the attitudes and behaviors of park visitors is being conducted. As part of the CURes (Center for Urban Resilience)/ TBF (The Bay Foundation) internship program, numerous LMU students administered a visitor survey over the course of 4 study seasons. This poster summarizes the survey findings from season 3, from June through September 2016. A total of 501 hours were spent in the park allowing for 416 surveys collected and 150 counts completed. Preliminary analyses on this data show several interesting findings, including a decrease in the number of users walking or cycling to the park throughout seasons, an increase in refusal rates by season, and evidence of a diverse user population. Future efforts consist of fully analyzing the collected data, and applying this study to public green spaces in Los Angeles as well as internationally.
Community Gardens and Environmental Justice in the LA Area: A Comparative Analysis

Ann Eme

In the realm of environmental studies, researchers in urban ecology have been able to find that urban vegetation and green space produce beneficial outcomes. Community gardens specifically have also been known to promote healthy relationships with local communities, promote mental wellness, and promote youth empowerment through civic action. By engaging members in their environment in both a holistic and remediating way, community gardening can be a form of environmental justice in urban communities, and particularly in communities of color, which have been known to receive unequal environmental benefits and protection.
Hummingbird Responses to Predator Decoys

Michael Gloudeman, Erich Eberts, Peter Auger, and Eric Strauss

Hummingbirds act as important plant pollinators. In an urban environment, artificial feeders have become an important food resource. 1 Without artificial feeders, hummingbirds would be forced to move around to different flower locations to find nectar and thus be less predictable to a predator. However, as feeders provide consistent food, hummingbirds often habitually return to the same feeder. This provides a unique opportunity to predators. If hummingbirds are not able to properly identify or respond to threats near a feeder, they are likely more susceptible to predation. This may significantly affect hummingbird demographics in urban areas and/or apply selective pressure towards behaviors that minimize predation. In this study, various predators and threats are presented at established feeder sites using both artificial predator decoys and vocalizations, then analyzed and interpreted. This investigation aims to develop a better understanding of the broader impacts of artificial hummingbird feeders within the urban environment.
Social and Biological Interactions of the Culver City Rain Garden

Emily Simso

As climate change progresses, cities are looking for sustainable strategies to address its impacts. Urban ecology has emerged in recent decades as a field that looks at how humans interact with their environment (Pickett et al, 2008), marking a shift towards viewing cities as social-ecological systems versus seeing a city as a closed ecosystem (Wu, 2014). Urban greening projects are increasingly relevant as cities reconsider planning and development to accommodate climate change impacts as well as citizens’ needs. Cities are both a primary cause of environment degradation and a source of innovative solutions (Urban Ecology History); specifically, Los Angeles has been growing its urban ecology programs since April, 2015 (Sustainable City pLAn). Urban greening projects form a city’s “green infrastructure,” and not only provide environmental benefits, such as temperature decreases, but are positively linked to community building and civic engagement, as well (Bowler et al, 2010, Westphal, 2003, Beatley, 2011). Therefore, urban green spaces provide the opportunity for local social cohesion, while simultaneously addressing a global phenomenon. While there are many forms of green infrastructure, this study looked at the Ballona Creek rain garden. Rain gardens help neighborhoods with storm water runoff, biodiversity, and groundwater recharge, as well as direct citizen engagement and education (Church, 2014). Therefore, the goal of this study was to analyze the perceptions and knowledge of residents surrounding the Ballona Creek rain garden to see if there are correlations between green spaces and wellbeing
The Value of Urban Parklands: A User Study of the Baldwin Hills Park System

Stephanie Kim and Edward Hustleby

Urban parklands are well-documented as critical resources that provide users with extensive benefits and protect open spaces and natural habitat. The Baldwin Hills (BH) urban park system serves residents of Culver City, Los Angeles, Inglewood, local unincorporated counties, and the Larger Los Angeles County, as well as tourists and visitors from other parts of the region. This poster represents the pilot phase of an impending 2-year comprehensive survey of BH park user experiences that aims to inform improvements to quality of urban recreational spaces. The pilot study focused on 6 heavily used parks/ riverways within the BH system. Ten undergraduate research assistants (URAs) were trained according to LMU’s Institutional Review Board policies for human subjects research. URAs visited each park and conducted user surveys that included the following: frequency of park use, demographics, park activity engagement, park accessibility, and health/ disposition. URAs also conducted strategic counts of the number of park visitors. A total of 8 visitor counts and 236 surveys were conducted. This study yielded numerous recommendations on how to improve local urban parks, such as: extending the park grounds to surrounding neighborhoods, adding public transit stops nearer to the parks, installing educational exhibits around the sites to increase environmental awareness, etc. Future efforts will be focused on expanding the scope and scale of the survey assessments and narrowing down the questions to more user- specific topics.