Graduation Year

2025

Date of Submission

12-2024

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Biology

Reader 1

Branwen Williams

Reader 2

Diane Thomson

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Terms of Use for work posted in Scholarship@Claremont.

Abstract

Through my summer research I explore how the presence of Beartrack Creek on the Burger's Retreat property in the Mono Basin affects butterfly populations, particularly in relation to their behavior and survival. Water diversions by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) have caused Mono Lake’s water levels to drop, disrupting the entire region’s ecosystem. This research aimed to explore how butterflies are influenced by the creek’s proximity, using transect line sampling to record butterfly activity and environmental factors. The study analyzed butterfly presence through binary data and statistical methods to examine potential correlations with the creek. The results are used highlight the importance of water resources in supporting local wildlife, emphasizing the need for continued conservation efforts to preserve the Mono Basin’s biodiversity and vital water systems.

This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.

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