•  
  •  
 

ONGOING RESEARCH OF THE GGC BIRD LAB

Abstract

Urbanization is rapidly increasing in Gwinnett County, and many previous studies have shown a strong negative correlation between urbanization and biodiversity. Since 2017, the Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) Bird Lab has had two goals: (1) monitor bird biodiversity in Gwinnett County during increasing urbanization and (2) engage GGC students in this research by embedding the project within GGC courses. As GGC is primarily a teaching college, exposing its undergraduate STEM majors to research opportunities can be challenging, but the Bird Lab has created a multifaceted model to integrate both semester-long and ongoing bird conservation research projects to suit diverse student needs. The GGC Bird Lab faculty provide one-on-one guidance and mentoring through senior capstone research courses. Students may work one-on-one with a mentor on a project or elect to take a 12-student Experimental Methods course. This presentation will include an overview and outcome of the variety of student research projects conducted over the years. These individual student projects have been diverse across bird research, from genetic diversity using mitochondrial DNA to territory studies utilizing color-banded birds and bird feeders. The 12-student course is offered each Fall and Spring semester, and it allows students to work in field groups to collect data, analyze results, and present their conclusions by stepping into an established, long-term monitoring study of avian diversity. These impactful learning experiences have been overwhelmingly positive and will be summarized through student course evaluations and comments. In addition to empowering students with research skills, the lab’s goal is to study the influence of urbanization in Gwinnett County on bird biodiversity and its importance in conservation and urban development. The lab’s current bird diversity trends along an urbanization gradient will be discussed, along with where these conclusions lead the future research ambitions of the GGC Bird Lab.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS