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2008 Active Research Permits
1. Genetic variation in migratory versus non-migratory populations of the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), melanin patterning genes in Swallowtail butterflies (Papilio glaucus), and color pattern variation in the introduced Harlequin ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis)
Principal Investigator: Nicola Chamberlain, Harvard University
-Purpose: This project investigates differences between migratory and non-migratory populations of Monarch butterflies at the genetic locus PGI (Phosphoglucose isomerase). Genetic studies are also being done on the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly to look at melanic color patterning genes, and color patterning mechanisms are being investigated in the non-native Harlequin ladybeetle.
Location: Lovells Island, Bumpkin Island, Grape Island, and Worlds End
Status: Ongoing.
Start Date: July, 2008.
End Date: September, 2008.
2. New England Aquarium Collecting Permit for Live Plants
Principal Investigator: Susannah Corona, New England Aquarium
Purpose: This permit authorizes collection of a small number of live plants for the New England Aquarium Boston Harbor Islands exhibit. The exhibit also features live shorebirds, fishes, invertebrates, eelgrass, and sea algae. The plants are under a natural lighting regime and usually last at least one year. Graphics outside the exhibit explain about the Boston Harbor Islands national park area and encourage Aquarium visitors to explore the islands. A few plants, mostly Spartina, are also put in the salt marsh exhibit that features a wide variety of salt marsh fishes.
Location: Calf Island, Great Brewster Island
Status: Ongoing.
Start Date: September, 2005.
End Date: September, 2010.
3. Predicting and monitoring the spread of marine invasive species: Development of approaches and application to the European green crab (Carcinus maenas) and the Asian shore crab (Hemigraspus sanguineus)
Principal Investigator: David Delaney, McGill University
Purpose: This research has three interlinking objectives: 1) to forecast the spread of marine aquatic invaders, 2) to determine the best approach to monitoring invasive species, and 3) to develop a long term volunteer monitoring network. The focus is on invasive species in coastal marine systems, using European green crab (Carcinus maenas) and Asian shore crab (Hemigraspus sanguineus) - invaders that can affect entire ecosystems and cause large economic damages - as initial case studies. The approaches developed for C. maenas and H. sanguineus will be extendable to other marine invaders, such as mollusks, fish, echinoderms, and other crustaceans.
Location: Lovells Island, Grape Island, Georges Island, Little Brewster Island, Long Island, Deer Island, Peddocks Island, and Worlds End.
Status: Fieldwork has been suspended in 2008.
Start Date: May, 2006.
End Date: December, 2008.
4. Studies of Mycetozoan Biodiversity
Principal Investigator: Genevieve Lewis-Gentry, Harvard University
Purpose: The objective of the project is to carry out a survey for mycetozoans (slime molds) in the Boston Harbor Islands as one component of a larger survey for these organisms in a number of National Park Service units throughout the United States. The survey involves collecting specimens of myxomycetes (plasmodial slime molds or myxogastrids) that have developed in the field under natural conditions, along with small samples of dead plant material that would be used to prepare primary isolation cultures for myxomycetes, dictyostelids and protostelids in the laboratory. Primary emphasis of the project is on the myxomycetes.
Location: Peddocks Island, Thompson Island, Long Island, Lovells Island, Grape Island, Calf Island, and Worlds End.
Status: Ongoing.
Start Date: June, 2007.
End Date: December, 2010.
5. Development of a Rocky Intertidal Monitoring Protocol for Boston Harbor Islands NPA
Principal Investigator: Jeremy Long, Northeastern University
Purpose: Rocky intertidal communities provide critical habitat to marine and terrestrial species and are popular places for park visitors. These habitats are threatened by a variety of stressors, including climate change, invasive species, pollution, and human trampling. The park currently lacks baseline data on the health and natural variability of these communities and is unable to predict the occurrence and consequences of such environmental changes. The goal of this project is to develop a long-term, low-cost protocol that will detail procedures for 1) monitoring selected indicator species and 2) correlating changes in species abundance with changes in environmental stress. Species abundance will be surveyed with the assistance of a large volunteer group (including the public and NPS staff).
Location: Little Calf Island, Calf Island, Green Island, Outer Brewster Island, and Middle Brewster Island
Status: Ongoing.
Start Date: April, 2008.
End Date: September, 2009.
6. Identification and Determent of Least Tern Nest Predators on Lovells Island, Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area
Principal Investigator: Lauren Nolfo-Clements, Suffolk University
Purpose: During the 2007 breeding season, the least tern nesting colony on Lovells Island suffered complete decimation due to predation. The causative agent of these nest failures is uncertain. While environmental police noted raccoon sign in the vicinity of the area and attributed the colony’s destruction to that species, the observations of a park ranger and others implicate rats as the causative agent. This project proposes to identify this predator and suggest management actions that will moderate or ameliorate this species’ impact on tern nest success.
Location: Lovells Island
Status: Ongoing.
Start Date: May, 2008.
End Date: August, 2008.
7. Small Mammal Diversity, Distribution, and Habitat Selection on Lovells Island, Boston Harbor Island National Park Area
Principal Investigator: Lauren Nolfo-Clements, Suffolk University
Purpose: This study proposes to conduct a pilot trapping program designed to evaluate small mammal diversity, distribution, and habitat selection on Lovells Island across all habitat types. Based upon the success of this pilot study, similar surveys will be planned for other islands in the future. Additionally, data from this survey will be used to evaluate the need and possible impacts of Norway rat control on the small mammal fauna of this island.
Location: Lovells Island
Status: Ongoing.
Start Date: May, 2008.
End Date: August, 2008.
8. Small Mammal Diversity, Distribution, and Habitat Selection on Bumpkin Island, Boston Harbor Island National Park Area
Principal Investigator: Lauren Nolfo-Clements, Suffolk University
Purpose: This study proposes to conduct a pilot trapping program that will evaluate small mammal diversity, distribution, and habitat selection on Bumpkin Island across all habitat types. Based upon the success of this pilot study, similar surveys will be planned for other islands in the future.
Location: Bumpkin Island
Status: Ongoing.
Start Date: July, 2008.
End Date: August, 2008.
9. Boston Harbor Islands All Taxa Biotic Inventory
Principal Investigator: Jessica Rykken, Harvard University
Purpose: This project seeks to catalog the biological diversity of the Boston Harbor Islands national park area through an All Taxa Biotic Inventory (ATBI). The ATBI is modeled on similar efforts in areas such as Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean, and in the forests of Costa Rica, where the ultimate goals are to quantify and describe the biodiversity of a particular region. The Boston Harbor Islands ATBI will catalog the biological diversity of many major terrestrial aquatic insects and intertidal invertebrate taxa. Public involvement and outreach activities will be included in sample collection and all phases of the project. The data are expected to be fully accessible to the public via an online database and via other media, such as posters distributed to local schools and museum displays.
Additionally, a comprehensive catalog of invertebrate diversity will be important for resource management on the Boston Harbor Islands. Currently, there are limited data for invertebrates (with the exception of Lepidoptera), and information on invasive species, rare species, and focal taxa for monitoring efforts in the park will be critical for effective resource management.
Location: Bumpkin Island, Calf Island, Grape Island, Great Brewster Island, Langlee Island, Long Island, Lovells Island, Middle Brewster Island, Peddocks Island, Ragged Island, Sheep Island, Snake Island, Spectacle Island, Thompson Island, Webb State Park, and Worlds End
Status: Ongoing.
Start Date: July, 2005.
End Date: July, 2010.
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