MS Environmental Biology Capstone: Evaluating Environmental Risks and Conflicts in Golf Course Landscapes

1) This review investigates the relationship between pesticide use on golf courses and in agriculture to determine whether the adverse health effects documented in agricultural settings also apply to golf course environments. While the negative health effects from agricultural pesticide use are well established, golf courses use pesticides with greater frequency and intensity, suggesting a potentially higher exposure risk for both workers and players. 2) This study proposes methods to quantify pesticide bioaccumulation on golf courses and adjacent lands. We hypothesize that areas surrounding golf courses will exhibit a spatial gradient of pesticide accumulation, increasing with proximity to treated sites and with the duration of management activities. 3) This study analyzes neurological symptoms in avian species to improve diagnostic accuracy in wildlife rehabilitation cases. Additionally, we evaluate how can species’ trophic level can influence their susceptibility to urban-avian conflicts and associated neurological symptoms. 4) This report examines the economic, ecological, and stakeholder considerations of a newly approved desert golf course resort. We propose strategies to balance these interests and minimize environmental degradation.