In Conversation with the Ancestors: Indigenizing Archaeological Narratives at Acadia National Park, Maine

In North America, Indigenous pasts are publicly understood through narratives constructed by archaeologists who bring Western ideologies to bear on their inquiries. The resulting Eurocentric presentations of Indigenous pasts shape public perceptions of Indigenous peoples and influence Indigenous perceptions of self and of archaeology. In this paper we confront Eurocentric narratives of Indigenous pasts, specifically Wabanaki pasts, by centering an archaeological story on relationality between contemporary and past Indigenous peoples. We focus on legacy archaeological collections and eroding heritage sites in Acadia National Park, Maine. We present the “Red Paint People” myth as an example of how Indigenous pasts become distorted through archaeological narratives influenced by Western ideologies and offer a framework for indigenizing archaeological narratives constructed previously through Western lenses, using Indigenous language and community engagement to carry out the study.

Interactions between sympatric invasive European fire ants (Myrmica rubra) and blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis)

The blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) and the invasive European fire ant (Myrmica rubra) are both expanding throughout their sympatric range in coastal New England. Ixodes scapularis is the primary vector of the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is the causative agent of Lyme disease, and Mount Desert Island, Maine, home to Acadia National Park, currently is affected by a high Lyme disease burden. Ticks have many natural predators, including ants, although no previous studies have investigated interactions between these two species. To test the hypothesis that the presence of M. rubra alters I. scapularis abundance, we collected ticks by drag-sampling at eight ant-infested sites and eight uninfested control sites in Acadia National Park. We found that nymph density was significantly higher at ant-infested sites, while larval density was significantly higher at control sites. In addition, we conducted a laboratory bioassay to measure M. rubra aggression against I. scapularis larvae, nymphs, and adults and Dermacentor variabilis adults, and found that ant aggression was significantly higher against D. variabilis adults than I. scapularis adults. Our findings support the hypothesis that M. rubra has divergent effects across I. scapularis life stages, and we discuss possible ecological mechanisms, including optimal microclimate and predation, that could promote density of nymphs while inhibiting density of larvae.

Differences in the Effects of Storms on Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) in Boreal Lakes during an Early Summer Storm and an Autumn Storm

In boreal lakes, increased precipitation events have been linked to increased concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), however the effects of seasonal differences on DOC and how this may impact storm response remain unclear. We evaluated DOC concentration and a set of DOC quality metrics during an early summer storm and an autumn storm on a suite of six lakes in Acadia National Park in Maine, USA. to better understand differences in seasonal storm responses. Our results revealed differences in the response of DOC quality metrics to an early summer versus an autumn storm, with changes in DOC quality metrics varying by storm and lake features. During the early summer storm, we observed greater changes in various DOC quality metrics in deep lakes with longer residence times, whereas during the autumn storm, lakes with large watershed area to lake area ratios experienced the greatest changes. Land cover was highly correlated with changing DOC quality metrics in the early summer storm but did not play a significant role in the autumn storm response. Our research provides evidence of seasonal differences in the effects of storms on boreal lakes, which are ultimately mediated by a combination of lake and watershed characteristics as well as seasonal differences in climate such as solar radiation and antecedent weather conditions.

Informing good lighting in parks through visitors’ perceptions and experiences

Park visitors’ experiences and outdoor lighting are linked, but no studies have investigated visitor preferences for lighting in these locations, nor reasons for such preferences. Visitors’ preferences for lighting may help parks regulate and utilize lighting in a way that both protects resources and provides for quality night experiences. Brightness, Correlated Color Temperature (CCT), and context affects human perceptions of lighting. This paper examines these variables and related lighting preferences in settings common to parks: pathways, amphitheaters, and restrooms. Experimental lighting scenarios were setup at Acadia National Park for brightness ranges typical of each setting. CCTs were chosen based on those common for outdoor lighting – 3000K (yellow), 4200K (white), and 6000K (blue-white). Scenario light fixtures were operated by control boxes that enabled participants to switch between the three CCTs and to adjust brightness. A survey and semi-structure interviews collected data from visitors. Participants preferred 3000K at both the restroom and amphitheater, but 4200K at the pathway. A 6000K CCT was undesirable for all locations. Visitors’ preferred brightness ranged from 1.4 lux on the pathway to 10.5 lux at the restroom. The most frequently cited reasons for these choices were the desire to provide natural nighttime light levels, maintain natural darkness, create a soothing or subtle setting, and to avoid tripping or falling. Many participants indicated having both negative and positive experiences in parks caused by outdoor lighting. Parks must address outdoor lighting if they are to comprehensively manage the nighttime environment and nighttime visitor experiences common in these places.