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
Terms of Use & License Information
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.
Recommended Citation
Palomares Guzman, Elizabeth, "Creeks in Crisis: How Water Diversion Impacts the Mono Basin" (2025). CMC Senior Theses. 3861.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/3861
This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.