海星消瘦疾病研究：对于蛤捕食模式分析

每年，海军学院科学与工程会议都将来自美国各地的本科生聚集在一起，讨论各种科学课题。今年的重点是海洋勘探，保护和海洋极端事件。于我而言，因为北太平洋的极端热浪是导致消耗病的原因，所以我选择了海星消耗病的生态影响的研究以契合今年的主题。

作为以前由URSA资助的学生，我研究了海星浪费疾病的影响以及梯形掠食者的丧失。为此，我研究了蛤上水獭和海星的捕食模式。我比较了水獭和海星在阿拉斯加湾发生疾病之前和期间食用的蛤的比例。通过这个项目，我获得了作为科学潜水员和处理样品的现场工作经验。我还能够从头到尾进行一项研究，并在进程中从挑战获取经验和知识。

Clam predation patterns as a way of understanding sea star wasting disease

Tibor Dorsaz
Mentor - Brenda Konar

Each year, the Naval Academy Science and Engineering Conference brings undergraduate students together from across the United States to discuss varying scientific topics. This year’s focus is on marine exploration, conservation, and extreme events. My research on the ecological impacts of sea star wasting disease aligns perfectly with this year’s theme, as wasting disease is a consequence of the extreme heat wave that affected the North Pacific Ocean. 

As a previously URSA funded student, I researched the impacts of the sea star wasting disease and the loss of a keystone predator. To do so, I studied the predation patterns of sea otters and sea stars on clams. I compared the proportions of clams eaten by sea otters and by sea stars before and during the disease’s occurrence in Kachemak Bay, Alaska. Through this project, I was able to gain experience working in the field as a scientific diver and processing samples. I was also able to carry out a study from beginning to end, and learned of the challenges that accompany preforming research. 

https://uaf.edu/ursa/research-day/