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Creating Sustainable School And Home Gardens: Create A Garden Anywhere, Rita Hagevik, Kathy Cabe Trundle

All Current Publications

This fact sheet is part of a series about creating sustainable school and home gardens. It provides information and resources on creating gardens anywhere, such as in containers, towers, raised beds, and forests. It also includes ideas and resources for encouraging beneficial insects and providing food and habitat for pollinators.

Plas 439: Organic Farming And Food Systems Faculty-Led Inquiry Into Reflective Scholarly Teaching Benchmark Portfolio, Christian Stephenson

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

Organic Farming and Food Systems is a senior and graduate level course for students in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture. This course was previously offered but has been significantly modified as I have taken on responsibility for the course. Goals for the course include student comprehension of the methods of organic and regenerative farming and the impacts of those methods on economic, environmental, and social sustainability. An additional goal is to build student competency in the evaluation of primary, secondary, and tertiary information resources and critical thinking surrounding issues in food production. Assessment for the course was through diverse …

Managing The Environmental And Socio-Economic Impacts Of Rohingya Refugees In Bangladesh, Mousume Azad

Master's Projects and Capstones

In August 2017, nearly 1 million Rohingya people fled to Bangladesh to save their lives from the genocide inflicted by the military of Myanmar. At present, over 1.3 million Rohingyas are staying at Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, in 34 overcrowded refugee camps. This research examined the environmental impacts especially the change in vegetation cover and land surface temperature as well as the socioeconomic alteration of the host country after the refugee influx. The research found a 5488 ha or 9.58% decrease in forest area, accompanied by an 8.25% increase in refugee settlement areas, an increase in average land surface temperature within …

Sustainability In Action: Green Infrastructure As A Marker Of Sustainable Urban Development, Brianna Nadine Santiago

FIU Undergraduate Research Journal

The current form and pace of urbanization is an ongoing threat to sustainable urban development. As these problems span social, environmental, and economic realms, it is imperative that any proposed solution is able to address these problems holistically. Although a number of silver-bullet solutions such as electric vehicle adoption have been introduced, they do not respond to the problems with an integrated approach. Tackling this problem will require a solution that can be changed and applied on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, the development of green infrastructure is the most efficient solution when responding to the problems threatening urban sustainability. The …

Stepping Towards Sustainability: Analyzing Walkability In Urban Environments, Elli Lewis

Student Theses 2015-Present

This paper examines path walkability in the urban environment and its various impact levels on different neighborhoods. One of the most accessible forms of sustainability is walking, as it produces zero carbon emissions and can harvest a greater sense of care for the human environment. In a growing urbanized world, providing citizens easy access to clean and safe sidewalks, parks, grocery stores, local restaurants, and religious organizations is essential. Accessible walking routes are vital in large, urban cities. The first chapter analyzes the need for walkable cities concerning ecosystem services and their functions. A brief history of New York’s urban …

Utilizing Biomimicry To Design Sustainable Architecture, Virginia Hammond

Architecture Undergraduate Honors Theses

Nature has an integral relationship with architecture and serves as a sustainable role model and inspiration for designers. The process of biomimicry in architecture has the potential to produce more sustainable design solutions and foster a connection between humans and nature. Existing biomimetic design projects have varying strengths and weaknesses as examples of the process. Utilizing guidelines and references from key leaders in biomimetic design consultancy (Biomimicry 3.8), selected case studies are assessed for their ability to demonstrate the benefits of this design strategy. Using these evaluations, the case studies are diagrammed and critiqued to determine how new projects could …

Threads Of Connection: An Offering To Re-Tangle Humanity And Nature With The Patterns Of Our World, Emily Shelton

Graduate Theses

In our world there are patterns of self-similarity that serve as evidence of the interconnectedness between humankind and the rest of the natural world. They are reflected in our bodies, behaviors, and environments, both natural and manmade, and can be found throughout systems at every scale, micro through macro. These organic, linear motifs branch into smaller iterations that seem to shape our existence on this planet as we gravitate towards experiences that echo these patterns. During everyday acts like shopping in a grocery store or a crowd at a concert, we unconsciously participate in self-similar collective movements as we navigate …

Foraging Culture In Iceland: Understanding The Transfer Of Plant Knowledge And Personal Views On Foraging, Ella Jane Maurer

Whittier Scholars Program

Foraging is a broad topic, practiced in different locations throughout history. This study looks into the specific practices, values, and views of foraging in Iceland. There is little previous research that has been done, working with Icelanders, and hearing their stories. Through conducting several interviews of local Icelanders with different backgrounds and a brief six-question survey via the Inaturalist application, this study looks into exactly that. By compiling stories from the interview and survey data, themes were highlighted collecting similar and contrasting statements on ways plants are foraged, opinions on Icelandic foraging culture as a whole, and ways knowledge is …

Exploring Cation Exchange: Unveiling Its Significance In Biochar And Bioenergetics Applications, Gyanendra Kharel

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Cation exchange, a cornerstone of soil chemistry and nutrient cycling, is a fundamental chemical process that occurs in soils, sediments, membranes, and other solid materials. It involves the interchange of positively charged ions, or cations, between a solid matrix and a surrounding solution. This process is crucial in various natural and engineered systems, leading to a range of applications across different fields.

This dissertation presents an extensive investigation into the applications of cation exchange in the fields of biochar and bioenergetics, encompassing three distinct aims. The first aim concentrates on the surface oxygenation of biochar through ozonization, aiming to achieve …

Forestry, A Valuable Crop For The Pastoral Farmer, N M. Shadbolt

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The integration of forestry into a pastoral system (sheep & beef cattle) will be discussed with respect to the economic sustainability of the system. The cash flow implications for a case study farm of forest development, and methods used through forestry right agreements to facilitate these by reducing risk, will be developed.

Rangeland-Centered Agroecosystems In Indian Central Himalayas: Operationalizing Ecological Sustainability In Mountain Agriculture, Vir Singh

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Himalayan Mountains are home to unique agroecosystems harboring unique inter- and intra-species diversity in uncultivated and cultivated lands. The uncultivated lands are largely the rangelands which are ecologically more stable ecosystems than the cultivated lands which are ecologically prone areas. Rangelands, cultivated areas, and livestock in mountain agriculture are in organic linkages with each other, woven into a complex unitary whole, functionally oriented to produce foods and other life-supporting products – such as feed, fiber, fuel, fertilizers, etc. – and provide vital ecological functions. Rangelands in fragile Himalayan mountains serve as a key component of agriculture and the biodiversity conserved …

Tennessee Master Beef Producer Program Promotes Sustainable Beef Production, K. M. Mason, G. E. Bates, J. D. Rhinehart

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Tennessee is home to 1.75 million beef cattle as of January 2022 (USDA, 2022). The majority of cattle farms in Tennessee are cow-calf operations, with a few stocker-backgrounder operations across the state. Most of the cows in the state are maintained on tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort. pastures, with hay being fed in the winter months and sometimes during the summer. Maintenance of a strong cow herd and sufficient grazing land relies on utilization of sustainable production practices. With urban sprawl creating competition for land area, it is important to use production practices that are efficient and attainable …

Soil Carbon Monitoring Program For Ranches In Dryland Ecosystems, David E. Prado-Tarango, S. Ates, J. Talbot

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Implementation of ranching practices that lead to greater soil carbon sequestration has become increasingly important due to rising atmospheric CO2 levels. Sustainable ranching practices are suggested to improve soil health and sequester more carbon in the soil. However, there is a paucity of measured data from replicated on-farm studies to support this premise. Thus, we developed a soil carbon monitoring program for a ranch located in the state of Oregon. Our monitoring program is focused on measuring the net carbon budget and the soil carbon sequestration totals. To achieve this goal, we combined field-sampling data with the COMET-Farm model. A …

Spring Grass Availability And Silage Supplementation Impact On Dry Matter Intake And Enteric Methane Emissions In Grazing Dairy Cattle, M. Kennedy, S. Walsh, T. M. Boland, M. Egan

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Enteric methane (CH4) emissions were measured in forty spring calving cows offered one of two (n=20) contrasting diets (High Grass; HG, Low Grass; LG) over 10 weeks in early lactation (8th February – 18th April 2021). All cows were blocked for breed and parity and balanced on milk production, economic breeding index (EBI), bodyweight and body condition score and randomly allocated to treatments. The HG grazing treatment cows were offered their full daily nutrient requirement from grazed grass and concentrate with no silage supplementation. The LG grazing treatment cows were offered a restricted (~60%) amount of their daily nutrient requirement …

Regenera+.Uy: Designing A Co-Innovation Process To Apply The Principles Of Regenerative Livestock Production, Oscar Blumetto, M. Bustamante, A. Castagna, D. Caresani, G. Ciappesoni, R. Baptista, I. De Barbieri

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Consumers around the world are beginning to demand products whose production systems have environmental guarantees. Among them, those derived from regenerative agriculture have a growing demand in many markets. A comprehensive environmental assessment was carried out in 9 case studies of mixed livestock production farms (cattle and sheep) in Uruguay as a basis for the development of a system redesign process following the principles of regenerative agriculture. The results show that emission intensity was 16.0, 10.5, and 49.2 kg CO2 eq kg-1 of beef, sheep meat, and greasy wool, respectively. Also, a simulation exercise shows a significative reduction of emission …

A Framework For Promoting Diverse Perennial Circular Forage Systems For More Resilient Agricultural Landscapes: Developing Extension And Educational Tools For Resilience And Sustainability, Cassida K. A., W. Lamp, S. Gruss

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The Resilience CAP Team seeks to use diverse, perennial, circular forage systems (DPCFS) to enhance biodiversity, improve soil and plant health, support ecosystem service, all towards achieving greater resilience to global change and improving the farm economy and quality of life. Our project will design a transdisciplinary framework that combines agronomic, ecological, economic, and sociological factors to achieve greater resilience and stability in agricultural systems through use of DPCFS. In this paper, we describe two of the project’s six objectives. Objective 5 is our extension/outreach arm where we will develop extension media, activities, and actionable decision tools to communicate concepts …

Below Ground Benefits Of Cactus Opuntia Stricta Under Rangeland Conditions In Laikipia, Kenya, K. T. Oduor, Jose C. B. Dubeux, W. O. Owino, M. Ruiz-Moreno, L. M. D. Queiroz, I. L. Bretas

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Cactus Opuntia stricta primarily invades arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), which form more than 80% of Kenya’s landmass. The ability of the plant to tolerate poor soils and accumulate biomass under low precipitation has resulted in studies into its potential use by pastoral communities for biofuel and livestock feed. However, few studies have assessed the below-ground benefits associated with cactus under rangeland conditions. In this study, we evaluated the root contributions of the invasives cactus Opuntia stricta under rangeland conditions in Laikipia, Kenya. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with ten (10) replicates, each measuring …

Performance Of Finishing Nellore Beef Steers In Intensively Managed Pastures And Silvopastoral Systems In Southeast Of Brazil, P. P. A. Oliveira, Neto R. Pasquini, G. S. Pádua, L. H. C. Junior, R. Vechi, A. J. Furtado, G. V. Silva, A. A. Lobo, A. L. Abdalla-Filho, A. F. Pedroso, P. H. M. Rodrigues

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

This study evaluated the average daily weight gain (ADG), stocking rates, and live weight gain per hectare (LWG) in different intensified animal production systems. The experiment was carried out from September 2020 to September 2021 at Embrapa Southeast Livestock, São Carlos, SP, Brazil. Thirty Nellore steers (285±21 kg of live weight and 12±13 months old) were randomly distributed into five treatments, with two replicates: 1) intensively managed and irrigated Megathyrsus maximus cv. Tanzânia pasture overseeded in the dry season with Avena byzantina and Lolium multiflorum (IHS); 2) intensively managed rainfed M. maximus cv. Tanzânia pasture (RHS); 3) intensively managed rainfed …

Grazing Behavior Of The Endemic Lagune Cattle In The Sub-Humid Savannahs Of Benin, E. Sonon, G. G. Alowanou, B. I. Koura, O. J. Makinde, A. B. Gbangboche

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The indigenous Lagune, a breed tolerant to trypanosomiasis, is an excellent candidate to meet the ongoing environmental changes sustainably. This cattle breed could be kept like small ruminants, tethered in grasslands, or free grazing. A study was conducted to assess the grazing behavior of Lagune cattle under the two grazing systems to identify the best systems for sustainable production and conservation of the breed. For this study, four Lagune cattle farms, 02 under free-roaming and 02 others in the tethered system, were selected in the original belt of the Lagune cattle, the agro-ecological (AEZ) zones of Valley and Pobe. The …

Nutrient Cycling And Crop Responses On Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems, José C. B. Dubeux Jr., E. R. S. Santos, J. E. Portuguez-Acuna, L. M. D. Queiroz

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) can bring numerous benefits to crops or livestock systems, such as increase soil C sequestration, farm profitability, and provisioning of ecosystem services. In a changing world, production systems need to become more resilient and sustainable. Specialized agriculture is characterized by a high level of inputs and outputs, and oftentimes specialize in a single crop to simplify management. However, such operational systems stray away from sustainable standards. Furthermore, specialized cropping systems may face problems such as persistence of pests and diseases, loss of biodiversity, stagnant yields, development of herbicide-resistant weeds, soil erosion and consequently loss of soil …

Productivity And Variability Of Pastures And Cover Crops In Lowland Rice-Pasture Rotations In Uruguay, Walter Ayala, J. Terra

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

No abstract provided.

The Future Of Clovers In Forage Systems And As Cover Crops, J. H. Bouton, John R. Caradus

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Clovers (Trifolium spp.) are the most widely used genera of legumes in forage systems, although only a limited number of the hundreds of perennial and annual species are commercially available. The number of varieties available within each of the main commercial species can be high and demonstrates past breeding achievements. Success relates to any clover’s ability to persist in mixtures with other forage species, across a range of soil types, management systems, and climates, while providing animal nutrition and biologically fixed nitrogen benefits. Uses range from traditional pasture mixtures with grasses to inclusion in multi-species mixtures, and as cover …

Coral Cover Percentage And Health Condition In Tioman Island Marine Protected Area, Pahang, Malaysia, Nur Addawiah Mohamad Rodzi, Mohamed Fahmy Yusof, Zaidi Che Cob

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Continuous evaluation and monitoring of coral percentage cover and health status is critical for enhancing coral reef resilience management. The present study aimed to determine the coverage and coral status at important sites of Tioman Island Marine Park, which include Renggis Island, Tiong Point and Tekek. Surveillance video recording and in situ observation were carried out using the Coral Video Transect (CVT) method, which were analyzed using the Coral Point Count with Excel extension (CPCe) software. The overall health status for the study area was considered as “fair” with 41.61% ± 4.46% of mean live coral coverage. Among the stations …

When John Locke Meets Lao Tzu: The Relationship Between Intellectual Property, Biodiversity And Indigenous Knowledge And The Implications For Food Security, Paolo Davide Farah, Marek Prityi

Articles

This article aims to examine the relationship between the concepts of intellectual property, biodiversity, and indigenous knowledge from the perspective of food security and farmers’ rights. Even though these concepts are interdependent and interrelated, they are in a state of conflict due to their inherently enshrined differences. Intellectual property is based on the need of protecting individual property rights in the context of creations of their minds. On the other hand, the concepts of biodiversity, indigenous knowledge and farmers’ rights accentuate the aspects of equity and community. This article aims to analyse and critically assess the respective legal framework and …

Editorial - Contemporary Marine Science, Its Utility And Influence On Regulation And Government Policy, Piers Larcombe, Angus Morrison-Saunders, Peter V. Ridd

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The purpose of this Research Topic is to evaluate the quality of contemporary marine science and to examine relationships between science, regulation and government policy in the marine environment. The quality of marine science matters; not just to advance knowledge on understanding marine ecosystems, but also to guide marine management. ...

Advancing Sustainable Malting Practices: Aquaporins As Potential Breeding Targets For Improved Water Uptake During Controlled Germination Of Barley (Hordeum Vulgare L.), Clare E. O’Lone, Angéla Juhász, Mitchell Nye-Wood, David Moody, Hugh Dunn, Jean P. Ral, Michelle L. Colgrave

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The conversion of raw barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to malt requires a process of controlled germination, where the grain is submerged in water to raise the moisture content to > 40%. The transmembrane proteins, aquaporins, influence water uptake during the initial stage of controlled germination, yet little is known of their involvement in malting. With the current focus on sustainability, understanding the mechanisms of water uptake and usage during the initial stages of malting has become vital in improving efficient malting practices. In this study, we used quantitative proteomics analysis of two malting barley genotypes demonstrating differing water-uptake phenotypes in the …

Circular Food Education: Developing A Food Education Programme Based On Sustainability, Experiential Learning And Pleasure In Irish Primary Schools, Michelle Darmody Dr

Doctoral

This research explored how an expanded and sustained education about food within the primary school curriculum in the Republic of Ireland could be achieved. A constructivist ontology underpinned the project, with multiple theoretical frameworks related to constructivist learning and building agency, informing the study. A multi-method action research methodology was used, providing practical solutions through action, reflection, practice and theory. A narrative review of the literature and existing policy preceded three sections of fieldwork. A scoping consultation with key stakeholders was followed by the development and piloting of a food education programme entitled the Global Citizenship Food and Biodiversity Theme …

A Comparative Study On The Effects Of Varying Concentrations Of Eggshell Tea Fertilizer On Capsicum Annum (Bell Pepper), Anjanette Czyra L. Argonza, Alaissa Riobel D. De Chavez, Raquel B. Supan, Kerry P. Cabral

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

With the increasing worldwide demand for eggs, the continuous accumulation of these poses environmental threats because of their support for microbiological action. However, the fact that eggshells have high calcium content motivated researchers to explore their potential use as fertilizer for various plant species. Despite this, most studies only focused on applying eggshell fertilizers in solid form. Meanwhile, research on boosting bell pepper production remains sparse in the Philippines despite its increasing demand. This study examined the capabilities of eggshell tea, a liquid form of eggshell fertilizer, by determining which concentration would be most effective and least effective in growing …

Grass-Based Supplementation To Reduce Slaughter Age In Dairy-Beef Steers, Jamie O'Driscoll

ORBioM (Open Research BioSciences Meeting)

Background

Reducing slaughter age, while maintaining carcass output, will improve the sustainability of beef production systems. This will result in lower lifetime emissions from cattle, while also reducing the carbon equivalent per kilogram of beef carcass. The objective of this study was to investigate the strategic use of concentrate feed within pasture-based dairy-beef steer production systems, to establish its effectiveness in reducing slaughter age in differing animal genotypes.

Methods

Three contrasting supplementation strategies were implemented: 1) grass only (GO), pasture only diet in the first and second grazing season, 2) intermediate (INTER), concentrate supplementation throughout the first grazing season, pasture …

Urban Homestead Education For Backyard Gardeners In Utah, Andree Walker Bravo

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

The Utah State University Extension Urban Homestead Expo caters to individuals and families interested in maximizing their self-sufficiency while living in an urban setting. The Urban Homestead Expo is designed to provide content to those wanting more than basic gardening classes, but who may not identify as producers. Workshops include backyard chickens, fruit production, water-wise irrigation, beekeeping, vegetable-integrated pest management, water harvesting, and other sustainability-related topics.