Vicksburg National Military Park is best known as a memorial to the American Civil War Battle of Vicksburg in 1863. Because of its size, over 1,700 acres, and its nutrient dense soils, it is also home to a variety of organisms. Alanna Bond worked at the site not to explore its history, but the rich diversity of euarthropods, a group of invertebrates that includes centipedes, millipedes, and chelicerates, such as mites and ticks. Euarthropods can help to pollinate plants, aerate the soil and provide natural pest control. At the same time, they may be vectors of disease, agricultural pests, and contribute to forest depletion.
Alanna collaborated with the team at the park, virtually, to help examine the species of eurathrapada that are in the park, to learn how they are indicators of environmental health in the Mississippi Delta, and to engage the public in learning about them.
Though she was not able to travel to the park, Alanna could manage eurathrapada surveys remotely. She oversaw the documentation of eurathrapads in the park, and she used iNaturalist, a citizen science app, to track the species that have been recorded. She used the data from iNaturalist to develop a pamphlet that will serve as an insect guide for visitors.
This brochure describes the different types of eurathrapada and provides information about how and why they should be protected.
In addition to learning about insects and public education, Alanna also appreciated the mentorship provided by supervisor and biologist Charles Beightol. He provided her with one-on-one training that has made her more comfortable reviewing scientific articles, improved her scientific
writing, and helped her to prepare a personal statement.