1. Measuring the Effects of Intensive Forest Management on Innate Immunity Whole blood bactericidal activity in wild deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) in Oregon. Natalie Rogers With the help of: Dr. Rhea Hanselmann In the lab of: Dr. Anna Jolles Department of Biomedical Sciences

2. Background: Ecosystem erosion e.g. intensive forest management (IFM) Ecosystem erosion e.g. intensive forest management (IFM) Health suffers Change in community composition http://sogweb.sog.unc.edu/blogs/localgovt/?attachment_id=5246 http://www.topboxdesign.com/urban-development-project-in- shibam-yemen/urban-development-project-landscape-architecture/

3. Background (Cont.) Immunocompetence Innate immune system The wild deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) Loss of habitat and stressors can impact this species’ ability to fight pathogens Disease transmission

4. Hypothesis Innate immunity in wild deer mice can be negatively impacted by intensive forest management practices. Intensive forest management erodes ecosystem Change in community composition Innate immunity impaired

5. Objective To assess the innate immune system in wild deer mice (P. maniculatus) inhabiting intensely managed forestry sites in the Oregon coast range by measuring the bactericidal activity of whole blood. http://pixdaus.com/?sort=tag&tag=deer%20mouse

6. Methods Location: Two sites Six plots/site Older stands Clearcut control Intensively treated Trapping: Sherman live traps ~180 traps/site http://maps.google.com Site 1 Site 2

7. Sites: Older Stands ControlTreatment

8. Methods (cont.) Whole blood bactericidal assay (BCA) Escherichia coli + Whole Blood + Medium → Agar Bacterial killing capacity (BKC) = (# of colonies on control plates)-(# of colonies on dilution plates) (# of colonies on control plates)

9. Predicted Results BKC of wild deer mice will differ by management level: Older Stands: High BKC Control: ? Treatment: Low BKC

10. Results – What was Caught? http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v472/ n7344/full/472392a.html

11. Results: How does IFM affect innate immunity?

12. Discussion How do the different management levels affect BKC? What could cause this? Herbicides, resource availability, territoriality, etc.

13. Discussion Other dilutions show reversed trend: Could be caused by confounding variables parasites, disease status, physiology etc. 1:47 1:11 Management Levels Older Stands Older Stands Control Treatment

14. Conclusions Trend shows management may affect BKC at 1:23 dilution. This trend is reversed for lower and higher dilutions. Data is preliminary. Ecosystems can have effect on health and immunity, but in which way remains unclear.

15. Special thanks to: Howard Hughes Medical Institute Department of Biomedical Sciences Dr. Rhea Hanselmann Dr. Anna Jolles Dr. Kevin Ahern Jolles lab field crew Thank you for the opportunity!

16. Any Questions?