Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

2017

GIS

Discipline
Institution
Publication
Publication Type
File Type

Articles 31 - 51 of 51

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

The Fight Against Botanical Invaders: Summer Internship With The Montana Conservation Corps And The U.S. Forest Service, Bryan S. Buttigieg May 2017

The Fight Against Botanical Invaders: Summer Internship With The Montana Conservation Corps And The U.S. Forest Service, Bryan S. Buttigieg

International Development, Community and Environment (IDCE)

This paper aims to synthesize and reflect upon my internship with the Montana Conservation Corps, and the U.S. Forest Service during the summer of 2016. The primary responsibilities as an intern under the USFS’s Vegetation Manager included eradicating and monitoring invasive weeds within the Hebgen Lake Ranger District, in West Yellowstone, MT. I gained a wealth of knowledge on how invasive plants take control of landscapes throughout Montana specifically. This opportunity provided me with the chance to develop both hands-on and GIS-based conservation efforts. The following chapters review my summer internship by diving deeper into the structural organization of the …


Data And Geometry; Model Building At Calthorpe Analytics, Samuel M. Upton May 2017

Data And Geometry; Model Building At Calthorpe Analytics, Samuel M. Upton

International Development, Community and Environment (IDCE)

This report documents my Summer 2016 internship with Calthorpe Analytics, a Berkeley CA based urban planning firm. Calthorpe Analytics specializes in scenario development for planning, modeling, and plan evaluation for government and municipal clients. The primary responsibility of my internship was model development and refinement using advanced spatial analytics working in the Python programming language. The internship was extremely successful: it gave me a great opportunity to strengthen my open source GIS skillset, deepen my understanding of data science, and vastly improve my geospatial programming skillset. It also gave me a chance to apply advanced geospatial modeling and spatial statistics …


Geoscientists-In-The-Park Summer Internship Mapping Shoreline Change With The National Park Service, Michael P. Endicott May 2017

Geoscientists-In-The-Park Summer Internship Mapping Shoreline Change With The National Park Service, Michael P. Endicott

International Development, Community and Environment (IDCE)

This project paper details the activities carried out as a Geologist/GIS Specialist in the Gateway National Recreation Area as a part of the Geoscientists-In-The-Park internship program. The focus of this position was on supporting the geomorphological monitoring efforts of the National Park Service. This was accomplished through a combination of field data collection, GIS analysis, report writing, and project work. By the end of the internship, substantial progress was made to the formation of Gateway’s Annual 1D and 2D report for 2015-2016, field data were collected for the 2016 summer season, changes in geomorphology were explored and summarized for the …


Location-Based Modeling And Statistics Internship With Location, Inc., Yixuan Wang May 2017

Location-Based Modeling And Statistics Internship With Location, Inc., Yixuan Wang

International Development, Community and Environment (IDCE)

In the summer 2016, I had the honor to work as a GIS & statistics intern at Location, Inc. It is a Software as a Service (SaaS) private company that builds and delivers location-based big data, analytics, tools, and services. The company’s mission is to create the best location-based technologies to help businesses make well-informed decisions (Location, Inc.). I was chosen by the company’s CEO, Dr. Andrew Schiller, who is also a Clark Alumnus. During the internship period, I worked in the data science team supervised by Jonathan Glick, and my main responsibilities were handling geographical and statistical …


Comparison Of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity Using Geospatial Analysis Of Field And Ssurgo Data For Septic Tank Suitability Assessment, Joshua Randall Weaver May 2017

Comparison Of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity Using Geospatial Analysis Of Field And Ssurgo Data For Septic Tank Suitability Assessment, Joshua Randall Weaver

All Theses

Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) is a soil property linked to ecosystem services and it is often used in septic tank suitability determination at various scales. Field and laboratory measurements of Ksat and septic tank suitability are time-consuming and expensive. Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO) data are available for the United States, but limitations of using SSURGO data for Ksat and septic suitability determination are not fully understood. The objectives of this study were to quantify and compare depth to limiting layer, thickness of limiting layer, and Ksat values for a 147-hectare Cornell University Willsboro Research Farm, located in upstate New …


Beach Form, Change, And Mangrove Interactions Along Galleon Fish Sanctuary, South Coast Jamaica, Kayla Marie Geier May 2017

Beach Form, Change, And Mangrove Interactions Along Galleon Fish Sanctuary, South Coast Jamaica, Kayla Marie Geier

MSU Graduate Theses

Shoreline erosion is a problem around the world that is getting worse as sea level rises and populations expand into coastal areas. It is important to identify areas at the greatest risk for shoreline erosion so environmental planners will have the knowledge and time to mitigate potential resource losses. The Galleon Fish Sanctuary in St. Elizabeth Parish is a 6 km stretch of shoreline along the south coast of Jamaica composed of mangrove forests, sand beaches, and coral reefs. This study assesses shoreline form and composition in the sanctuary in order to provide new information about the relationships between beach …


Comparing Ssurgo Data Versus Geospatial Field Measurements To Estimate Soil Texture And Infiltration Rate Classes In Glaciated Soils, Stephen Austin Cole May 2017

Comparing Ssurgo Data Versus Geospatial Field Measurements To Estimate Soil Texture And Infiltration Rate Classes In Glaciated Soils, Stephen Austin Cole

All Theses

The infiltration rate (IR) of water is a key soil property related to hydrological processes, soil health and ecosystem services. However, detailed measurements of IR in the field and/or laboratory are labor-intensive and expensive to perform. Soil judging in the field provides a rapid and inexpensive method to estimate IR classes based on soil texture, soil organic carbon/matter and soil structure. The objectives of this study were to classify and compare soil texture and IR for the A horizon across the 147-ha Cornell University Willsboro Research Farm using the Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database and field-based measurements. Soil texture was …


Geospatial Grey Areas: Utilizing Gis To Analyze Coastal Land Use Patterns, Steven Frappier, Shayelagh Rooney, Jenna Rondeau Apr 2017

Geospatial Grey Areas: Utilizing Gis To Analyze Coastal Land Use Patterns, Steven Frappier, Shayelagh Rooney, Jenna Rondeau

Academic Festival

Resulting from the regions' rich array of cultures, history, and beautiful landscapes, Dingle, Ireland has become a popular tourist destination within recent years. With tourism only expected to rise in coming years, it is imperative that actions be taken to ensure the persistence of these natural ecosystems and traditions. This research project utilized geographic information systems (GIS) to analyze the Dingle Harbor and Ballyferriter watersheds. The Dingle Harbor and Ballyferriter watersheds are both similar in size and composition of their coastal ecosystems, but the differences between the two are noteworthy. Dingle harbor watershed has approximately 2000 year-round residents, whereas Ballyferriter …


Leveraging The Power Of Place In Citizen Science For Effective Conservation Decision Making, G. Newman, M. Chandler, M. Clyde, B. Mcgreavy, M. Haklay, H. Ballard, S. Gray, R. Scarpino, R. Hauptfeld, D. Mellor, J. Gallo Apr 2017

Leveraging The Power Of Place In Citizen Science For Effective Conservation Decision Making, G. Newman, M. Chandler, M. Clyde, B. Mcgreavy, M. Haklay, H. Ballard, S. Gray, R. Scarpino, R. Hauptfeld, D. Mellor, J. Gallo

New Hampshire EPSCoR

Many citizen science projects are place-based - built on in-person participation and motivated by local conservation. When done thoughtfully, this approach to citizen science can transform humans and their environment. Despite such possibilities, many projects struggle to meet decision-maker needs, generate useful data to inform decisions, and improve social-ecological resilience. Here, we define leveraging the ‘power of place’ in citizen science, and posit that doing this improves conservation decision making, increases participation, and improves community resilience. First, we explore ‘place’ and identify five place dimensions: social-ecological, narrative and name-based, knowledge-based, emotional and affective, and performative. We then thematically analyze 134 …


Myobservatory - An Information Management System For Supporting Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships, Yoram Rubin, Christopher Michaelis Mar 2017

Myobservatory - An Information Management System For Supporting Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships, Yoram Rubin, Christopher Michaelis

Open Water Journal

This paper provides an overview of myObservatory (myO), a free (for non-profit use) web-based information management system that specializes in multi-stakeholder, geospatial projects. myO important features include rich graphic and interactive data display, multiple data entry modes, user-access control tools, project-management tools, built-in and user-defined quality assurance tools, thorough and comprehensive documentation, and flexibility in customizing the system (e.g., by embedding user-defined algorithms) to meet special project needs.


Developing A Flexible Disaster Relief Supply Chain Model, Eric Hoffman Feb 2017

Developing A Flexible Disaster Relief Supply Chain Model, Eric Hoffman

Doctoral Dissertations

Archival abstract submitted


Geospatial Data On Parade: The Results And Implications Of The Gis Analysis Of Remote Sensing And Archaeological Excavation Data At Fort York’S Central Parade Ground, Anatolijs Venovcevs, Blake Williams, John Dunlop, Daniel Kellogg Feb 2017

Geospatial Data On Parade: The Results And Implications Of The Gis Analysis Of Remote Sensing And Archaeological Excavation Data At Fort York’S Central Parade Ground, Anatolijs Venovcevs, Blake Williams, John Dunlop, Daniel Kellogg

Northeast Historical Archaeology

This article presents a case study on the application of geographical information systems (GIS) in the context of military archaeology at the Fort York National Historic Site (AjGu-26) in Toronto, Ontario. By employing GIS to amalgamate data from historic mapping, ground penetrating radar, LiDAR, and 30 years of archaeological investigation, the authors reconstruct the historic landscape at the central parade ground of this national historic site. In doing so, they identify the remains of an early 19th-century vice-regal building that served as the official residence of the lieutenant governors of Upper Canada before the American forces burned it down in …


Revising A Habitat Suitability Model For Spotted Turtles (Clemmys Guttata) In Upstate New York, Caitlin Dailey Jan 2017

Revising A Habitat Suitability Model For Spotted Turtles (Clemmys Guttata) In Upstate New York, Caitlin Dailey

Theses

In order to protect threatened and endangered species, their habitat needs to be adequately documented and assessed for conservation planning. The utilization of mapping programs such as ArcGIS can help researchers in determining the most optimal sites for a particular species in a given area. This research revises a previous habitat suitability model by Correa-Berger (2007) for the spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) in nine counties of upstate New York. Using the same initial parameters for the creation of the seed sites and habitat requirements for spotted turtles that Correa-Berger used in his 2007 analysis, the model utilized updated Land Use/Land …


The Effect Of Site Characteristics On The Reproductive Output Of Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus Ficaria), Justin P. Kermack Jan 2017

The Effect Of Site Characteristics On The Reproductive Output Of Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus Ficaria), Justin P. Kermack

ETD Archive

Ranunculus ficaria L., an ephemeral perennial invasive plant brought over from Europe, is becoming widespread throughout the Northeastern United States. This herbaceous buttercup is able to create extensive dense mats that limit native species growth. Taking advantage of an early growing season and rapid reproduction rates, this species can create dense monocultures, which threatens native communities and ecosystems. Elimination of native spring ephemerals results in decreased biodiversity. A better understanding of how R. ficaria responds to site characteristics is needed to prioritize management efforts toward high-risk sites.

Ranunculus ficaria abundance and reproductive output (seed, bulbil and tuber production rates) were …


Geospatial Analysis Of The Global Supply Chain And Transportation Infrastructure Considering Extreme Weather, Climate, And Sustainable Energy Policies, Craig Freeman Davis Jan 2017

Geospatial Analysis Of The Global Supply Chain And Transportation Infrastructure Considering Extreme Weather, Climate, And Sustainable Energy Policies, Craig Freeman Davis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The basis of this research is an investigation into the demand, costs, and emissions of a container freight shipping route from South America to the Port of Charleston, South Carolina. Ports and shipping routes play the most crucial role in the global supply chain, allowing people to maintain their standard of living. Once ashore, the delivery routes to five major metropolitan market cities were optimized for the lowest shipping costs for road and freight rail. The costs of transportation are a major factor in the ultimate price of consumer goods and thus must be minimized in the transportation process. Increasing …


Using Geospatial Analysis For High School Environmental Science Education: A Case Study Of The Jane Goodall Institute's Community-Centered Conservation Approach, Madison G. Vorva Jan 2017

Using Geospatial Analysis For High School Environmental Science Education: A Case Study Of The Jane Goodall Institute's Community-Centered Conservation Approach, Madison G. Vorva

Pomona Senior Theses

Given my experiences as a young conservation advocate, I saw a need to teach students the importance of interconnectedness, cultural awareness and systems-thinking skills through a spatial lens. I believe these skills are required for holistic, equitable and sustainable conservation decision-making in local and international contexts. This thesis uses geospatial tools to teach conservation ecology vocabulary and concepts from high school environmental science curriculum in two online resources. The purpose of my lesson plan is to show students how conservationists address complex conservation and land-use challenges using the Jane Goodall Institute’s community-centered conservation approach as a case-study. My hope is …


A Landscape Of Water And Waste: Heritage Legacies And Environmental Change In The Mesabi Iron Range, John Baeten Jan 2017

A Landscape Of Water And Waste: Heritage Legacies And Environmental Change In The Mesabi Iron Range, John Baeten

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This dissertation explores the intersection between mining technology, industrial heritage, and environmental history, using iron mining in the Mesabi Range of the Lake Superior Iron District as its core case study. What impact did technological shifts in iron mining and ore processing have on the environment of the Lake Superior basin? How did the environmental changes wrought from low-grade iron ore mining and processing, such as the expansion of open-pits and the production of tailings, affect different communities in Minnesota’s Mesabi Range? And finally, how have the environmental legacies of iron mining been remembered and memorialized, or ignored and forgotten?


Evaluating The Potential Of A Geospatial/Geostatistical Methodology For Locating Rain-Derived Infiltration And Inflow Into Wastewater Treatment Systems In The Minneapolis/St. Paul Metropolitan Area, Minnesota, Usa, Vinson Aaron Williams Jan 2017

Evaluating The Potential Of A Geospatial/Geostatistical Methodology For Locating Rain-Derived Infiltration And Inflow Into Wastewater Treatment Systems In The Minneapolis/St. Paul Metropolitan Area, Minnesota, Usa, Vinson Aaron Williams

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

A significant issue facing municipal wastewater treatment infrastructure (WWTI) is how to manage infiltration and inflow (I/I). I/I of rain and ground water permeate into WWTI after precipitation events, periods of groundwater table rise, and percolation from surrounding surface waters. This can create discharges above the infrastructure's flow capacity, increase costs for processing the wastewater and add undesired stress to aging wastewater networks. In an attempt to assess this problem cost and time inefficient approaches have commonly been applied. This study utilizes a new and more radical methodology to try and make WWTI management more efficient. This study applies ArcGIS …


What Should Go In A Wildlife Professional’S Geospatial Toolbox? (Response Data), William Bean, Ryan C. Baumbusch, Brooke Berger, Matthew Delheimer, Lee J. Hecker, Matthew Lau, Megan C. Milligan Jan 2017

What Should Go In A Wildlife Professional’S Geospatial Toolbox? (Response Data), William Bean, Ryan C. Baumbusch, Brooke Berger, Matthew Delheimer, Lee J. Hecker, Matthew Lau, Megan C. Milligan

Research Data Sets

Geospatial tools have become a critical component to most wildlife studies and management questions. With a diversity of approaches available, current and future wildlife professionals deserve guidance on the most important tools to answer these questions. Younger professionals may be expected to know a separate set of skills from those required further on in their career. We conducted an online survey and a year-long search of job advertisements to identify the most important geospatial approaches, techniques, programs, and ancillary skills for wildlife professionals. We provide the results of these 2 efforts so that wildlife professionals interested in geospatial tools can …


Developing A Gis Tool For Infinite Slope Stability Analysis (Gis-Tissa), Jonathon Sanders Jan 2017

Developing A Gis Tool For Infinite Slope Stability Analysis (Gis-Tissa), Jonathon Sanders

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The Probabilistic Infinite Slope Analysis model (PISA-m) is a widely used computer program that uses infinite slope equations to calculate the spatially varying Factor of Safety of slopes. ESRI’s ArcGIS software and accompanying geoprocessing tools have become a mainstay in spatial data processing, and received full support for Python with the release of version 10. With many of the geoprocessing tools now available as a Python function, the software can be used for physics-based spatial landslide hazard analysis. A model that mimics PISA-m and its processing of normally distributed soil properties was created using the Python utility as a tool …


Coupling Biophysical Complexity And Forest Metabolism In A Floodplain Landscape, Peter Davis Jan 2017

Coupling Biophysical Complexity And Forest Metabolism In A Floodplain Landscape, Peter Davis

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Floodplains are biophysically complex systems that are considered among the most productive and biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. Until recently, quantitative assessment of the relationship between complexity and terrestrial production has been constrained by technological limitation. To address how floodplain biophysical complexity and ecosystem function are related, I employed remote sensing, GIS, and spatial analyses to quantify and couple metrics of complexity and terrestrial production, as well as explore the relationship among complexity, vegetation structural diversity, and terrestrial primary productivity. The study site is a 6.75-km by 1.75-km portion of the Bitterroot River floodplain near Carlton, MT upon which 551 sample …