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Topographic Analysis And Predictive Modeling Using Geographic Information Systems, Steven Hall
Topographic Analysis And Predictive Modeling Using Geographic Information Systems, Steven Hall
All Dissertations
This dissertation describes three GIS models developed to better model topographic features and the occurrence of mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The first study presented 'A LiDAR based GIS model to calculate Terrain Shape Index on a landscape scale', attempts to develop a GIS based model to calculate the Terrain Shape Index (TSI). TSI is typically collected in the field using a series of elevation measurements to determine the average elevation change within the study plot. In this study, a GIS model is developed and TSI values compared to those collected using conventional methods. The second …
Wild Pig Habitat Use, Substrate Disturbance, And Understory Vegetation At Congaree National Park, Scott Zengel
Wild Pig Habitat Use, Substrate Disturbance, And Understory Vegetation At Congaree National Park, Scott Zengel
All Dissertations
Substrate disturbance by wild pigs ( Sus scrofa L.), mainly wild pig rooting, was evaluated bi&ndashmonthly over three years in fixed 1,000 m2 plots at Congaree National Park, South Carolina, USA. The study compared hog substrate disturbance among four habitats: three mature wetland floodplain forest types (mixed bottomland hardwoods, cypress&ndashtupelo swamp, seepage floodplain forest), and successional upland pine flatwoods adjacent to the floodplain (including former pine plantation). New disturbance included fresh signs of hog substrate disturbance. Total disturbance included both new and older hog disturbance still visible on the landscape (equivalent to all disturbance that would be recorded under less …
Biodiversity Of Supplemental Wildlife Plantings And Thinned And Burned Pine Habitats In South Carolina, Marguerite Porter
Biodiversity Of Supplemental Wildlife Plantings And Thinned And Burned Pine Habitats In South Carolina, Marguerite Porter
All Theses
Biodiversity conservation is currently an important focus for forest and wildlife management. The overall objective of this study was to compare the diversity of invertebrates and vegetation in white-tailed deer food plots and natural forage areas for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) as indicators of biodiversity. Invertebrates were chosen as the bio-indicator due to their magnitude of contribution to the biodiversity in an ecosystem (Anderson, et al., 2004), ease of capture, and sensitivity to changes in vegetative structure and quality (Hartley, et al., 2007). This study utilized five thinned and burned forested pine sites, five perennial cool-season food plots, and five …
Fuel Dynamics Across Southern Appalachian Landscapes, Horace Gambrell
Fuel Dynamics Across Southern Appalachian Landscapes, Horace Gambrell
All Theses
Although there have been several individual studies measuring hardwood fuels, across the central Hardwood Region and southern Appalachian Mountains, little is known of how hardwood fuels are distributed across the landscape. Understanding this distribution is essential for fire management planning. Previous studies suggest that the decay rate of litter and fine woody fuel is greater on mesic sites as compared to dryer sites. In the southern Appalachian Mountains, northeast facing slopes and protected bottoms are generally the more mesic sites, while southwest facing slopes and exposed ridge tops receive sunlight for longer periods and should be more xeric.
The objectives …
Laboratory Study Of Responses Of Anuran Amphibians To Roundup¨ Exposures: Experimental Design And Role Of Sediment, Latice Fuentes
Laboratory Study Of Responses Of Anuran Amphibians To Roundup¨ Exposures: Experimental Design And Role Of Sediment, Latice Fuentes
All Theses
The contribution of incidental exposures of Roundup¨ herbicide to amphibian declines can be evaluated with carefully designed laboratory tests. Sensitive, sentinel species of larval anurans were exposed to two formulations: the original formulation of Roundup¨ and Roundup WeatherMax¨ in 96-hour acute, aqueous and water-sediment tests. An experimental design was developed that considered and held constant relevant laboratory conditions which produced precise, replicable data. Experimental design factors decreased variability and increased precision by considering and incorporating the following: 1) range-finding tests; 2) reference toxicity tests; 3) the relative sensitivity of the species tested; 4) differences in formulation; 5) the number of …
Three Dimensional Visualization Of Fire Spreading Over Forest Landscapes, Brian Williams
Three Dimensional Visualization Of Fire Spreading Over Forest Landscapes, Brian Williams
All Theses
Previous studies in fire visualization have required high end computer hardware and specialized technical skills. This study demonstrated fire visualization is possible using Visual Nature Studio and standard computer hardware. Elevation and vegetation data were used to create a representation of the New Jersey pine barren environment and a forest compartment within Hobcaw Barony. Photographic images were edited to use as image object models for forest vegetation. The FARSITE fire behavioral model was used to model a fire typical of that area. Output from FARSITE was used to visualize the fire with tree models edited to simulate burning and flame …
Laboratory Studies Of Responses Of Anuran Amphibians To Roundup Exposures: Reference Toxicant And Components, Lindsay Moore
Laboratory Studies Of Responses Of Anuran Amphibians To Roundup Exposures: Reference Toxicant And Components, Lindsay Moore
All Theses
Roundup¨ has been implicated as a possible cause for the declining amphibian populations in North America. Carefully designed laboratory toxicity tests are crucial for accurate risk assessment of the responses of anuran populations to incidental exposures of Roundup¨ herbicides. The overall objective of these studies was to determine the response of North American anuran species to exposures of Roundup¨ formulations and components to support or refute the claim that Roundup¨ is a factor in amphibian decline in North America. Aqueous 96 hour static non-renewal laboratory tests were utilized to (1) evaluate the effectiveness of copper sulfate as a reference toxicant …
Estimating The Economic Feasibility Of Heating Tennessee Broiler Houses With Solar Energy- A Two County Analysis, Matthew Austin Brown
Estimating The Economic Feasibility Of Heating Tennessee Broiler Houses With Solar Energy- A Two County Analysis, Matthew Austin Brown
Masters Theses
Due to rising energy costs, renewable energy sources have become an increasingly important national issue. The rising cost of fuel coupled with the increased environmental awareness of carbon emissions has led to renewed research in renewable energy sources. The agricultural sector, especially broiler production, is an energy intensive industry. Poultry production (broilers and layers) is also the largest confined animal enterprise in Tennessee (Warren 2002). Furthermore, the increasing cost of heating fuel and electricity has put a financial strain on Tennessee broiler producers (Brown 2007; Railey 2007). Finding alternative sources of energy is important to the future financial performance of …
Determinants Of Liberian Farmgate Cocoa Prices, Alicia English
Determinants Of Liberian Farmgate Cocoa Prices, Alicia English
Masters Theses
In an effort to increase growth, employment and diversify farmer portfolios and exports in Liberia, the government is currently focused on opportunities in smallholder tree crops. Smallholder cocoa has the potential to benefit a wide population of farmers by increasing income opportunities and adding to overall household food security. However, the government must contend with a chaotic buyer driven marketplace with limited access to financial and physical capital and relatively little incentive to enhance production capacity and ensure quality. This research describes the characteristics of Liberian cocoa producing and marketing households in order to give context to smallholder marketing decisions …
Influence Of Selected Economic, Demographic And Political Characteristics On Growth In Africa, Richard Ogwal-Omara
Influence Of Selected Economic, Demographic And Political Characteristics On Growth In Africa, Richard Ogwal-Omara
All Theses
ABSTRACT Despite their common sources of development funds, African countries have had varying rates of growth. This study assesses the influence of selected social and economic variables on economic growth in Africa using data from 45 African countries for the year 2005. Regression results show that literacy rate, property rights, net budget surplus and inflation rate significantly influenced on growth in Africa. Judicial independence, number of days to start business and reliability of financial institutions did not show significant influence on growth in Africa. To promote growth, African governments need to redesign their education systems in order to be able …
Financial Impact Analysis Of Ipm With Conventional Sampling And Ipm With Binomial Sequential Sampling Method To Traditionally Operated Farms For Collards, 2007, Myra Clarisse Ferrer
Financial Impact Analysis Of Ipm With Conventional Sampling And Ipm With Binomial Sequential Sampling Method To Traditionally Operated Farms For Collards, 2007, Myra Clarisse Ferrer
All Theses
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has been very successful in directing farming to a more environment-friendly production. However, the extent of its economic impact is an equally-important question. This study looks at the amounts of savings and potential market profitability of using IPM in South Carolina collard production considering alternative scouting methods. Conventional sampling (CS) and binomial sequential scouting method (SSM), a recently developed scouting system for traditionally operated collard farms are compared. SSM is geared towards a more economical execution of scouting without forfeiting the effectiveness of the process. Financial analysis specifically costs and returns methods and sensitivity analysis on …
Using Low Density, Small Footprint Lidar In Forest Inventory Applications In The Southeastern U.S., Ben Graham
Using Low Density, Small Footprint Lidar In Forest Inventory Applications In The Southeastern U.S., Ben Graham
All Theses
Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) is becoming a widely used tool in forestry and natural resource fields. The availability of free and low cost datasets gives LIDAR the ability to save time and money over traditional forest inventory practices. In this study, the effectiveness of low density, small footprint LIDAR compared to forest field inventory measurements from the Clemson Experimental Forest was determined. LIDAR based estimates were analyzed to determine if LIDAR is a viable tool for estimating particular forest inventory features in the Southeastern U.S. and whether a transition could be made to a more GIS based analysis. Standard …
Responses Of Upland Herpetofauna To The Restoration Of Carolina Bays And Thinning Of Forested Bay Margins, Joseph Ledvina
Responses Of Upland Herpetofauna To The Restoration Of Carolina Bays And Thinning Of Forested Bay Margins, Joseph Ledvina
All Theses
Research on the effects of wetland restoration on reptiles and amphibians is becoming more common, but almost all of these studies have observed the colonization of recently disturbed habitats that were completely dry at the time of restoration. In a similar manner, investigations herpetofaunal responses to forest management have focused on clearcuts, and less intensive stand manipulations are not as well studied. To evaluate community and population responses of reptiles and amphibians to hydrology restoration and canopy removal in the interior of previously degraded Carolina bays, I monitored herpetofauna in the uplands adjacent to six historically degraded Carolina bays in …
Evaluation Of Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Habitat Using A Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Foraging Matrix Application, Atul Kale
All Theses
ABSTRACT
The red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) is a listed endangered species, endemic in the southeastern United States. It is a cooperatively breeding species preferring to live in an open, mature and old growth pine ecosystem. The restoration and management of red-cockaded woodpecker habitat is a difficult task within both public and private land. Forest management practices may have adverse effect on nesting and foraging habitat. To delist the red-cockaded woodpecker from the endangered species list, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service developed the 2003 Recovery Plan. The foraging matrix was developed to produce an index or scoring system to classify …
Development Of In Vitro Protocols To Enhance Secondary Metabolite Production From Turmeric (Curcuma Longa L.), Matthew Cousins
Development Of In Vitro Protocols To Enhance Secondary Metabolite Production From Turmeric (Curcuma Longa L.), Matthew Cousins
All Theses
Plant and organ culture can readily be applied to the field of medicinal plant and secondary metabolite production. Many studies that have been conducted attest to the utility of in vitro methods for preservation of genetic diversity, propagation of clonal individuals for use in commercial field planting, and production of metabolites directly from culture. Experiments have also shown that tissue culture is an important tool for enhancement of medicinal compound production utilizing various methods including elicitation. This thesis focuses on production of metabolites using an in vitro system. An overview in the form of a literature review is provided, which …
Environmental Observing Systems For Assessing Impacts Of Land Use Change, Samuel Esswein
Environmental Observing Systems For Assessing Impacts Of Land Use Change, Samuel Esswein
All Theses
The purpose of this research is to evaluate the application of technology solutions for enabling environmental research. This project develops a complete environmental observing system in support of an investigation of the hydrological and ecological impacts of land use change on the coast of South Carolina. The land use change study is an ongoing multi-disciplinary effort involving the collection of a large number of monitored and sampled parameters at Bannockburn Plantation, which is located near the City of Georgetown in South Carolina. Long term monitoring will support a hydrological and ecological assessment of the study site before, during, and after …
In Vitro And In Vivo Techniques For Screening New Natural Product-Based Fungicides For Control Of Strawberry Anthracnose, Maritza Abril
In Vitro And In Vivo Techniques For Screening New Natural Product-Based Fungicides For Control Of Strawberry Anthracnose, Maritza Abril
Dissertations
Seven plant pathogenic fungi (Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum acutatum, C. fragariae, C. gloeosporioides, Fusarium oxysporum, Phomopsis obscurans, and P. viticola) valuable in screening fungicide efficacy were tested. Optimal and reproducible conditions for germination of these selected fungi were established by incorporating Roswell Park Memorial Institute 1640 (RPMI) as a medium of known composition and washing conidia to remove innate germination inhibitors. This step reduced average fungal germination times between 3.5 h and 21.2 h. The natural product-based fungicide, sampangine, seven sampangine analogs (4-bromo-sampangine, 4-methoxysampangine, benzo[4,5]sampangine, liriodenine Mel AMC-XIII-103, onychine, cryptolepine, and liriodenine CDH-II-37), plus seven conventional fungicides (benomyl, captan, cyprodinil, fenbuconazole, …
Feasibility And Desirability Of Ethanol Production In The State Of Louisiana, John David Barreca
Feasibility And Desirability Of Ethanol Production In The State Of Louisiana, John David Barreca
Honors Theses
No abstract provided.
Modeling Electric Fields In Microfluidic Devices, Micah Fincher
Modeling Electric Fields In Microfluidic Devices, Micah Fincher
Honors Theses
No abstract provided.
Colloid Mediated Transport Of Heavy Metals In Soils Following Reclamation With And Without Biosolid Application, Jarrod O. Miller
Colloid Mediated Transport Of Heavy Metals In Soils Following Reclamation With And Without Biosolid Application, Jarrod O. Miller
University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations
Soils disturbed by strip mining practices may have increased colloid loads moving to groundwater resources, also enhancing the transport of contaminants into our water resources. We hypothesize that contaminant transport within soils following mining is enhanced by colloid mobility. Two sites were chosen for this study, a 30-year old reclaimed strip mine in southwest Virginia and a recently mined area from eastern Kentucky. Intact reclaimed soil monoliths were retrieved from sandstone derived soils in southwestern Virginia. Reclaimed monoliths from eastern Kentucky were recreated in the lab. Intact undisturbed (native) soil monoliths representing the soils before mining were also sampled for …
Precision Agriculture: Realizing Increased Profit And Reduced Risk Through Cost Map And Lightbar Adoption, Benjamin Michael Kayrouz
Precision Agriculture: Realizing Increased Profit And Reduced Risk Through Cost Map And Lightbar Adoption, Benjamin Michael Kayrouz
University of Kentucky Master's Theses
This thesis examines the use of two specific types of precision agriculture technologies: cost maps and lightbar. Cost maps visually depict spatial differences in production costs. The visual depictions of these costs are represented using ArcGIS in an attempt to aide farmers in further decision making. Results will show that cost maps have great possibilities in their addition to the set of tools that farmers use in decision making. This thesis will expand the understanding of lightbar from a partial budget study to a whole farm model incorporating competition across different enterprises for labor and capital. The results from the …
Content Preparation Of Pre-Service Agricultural Education Teachers And Its Influence On Their Content Knowledge, Amber Houck
Content Preparation Of Pre-Service Agricultural Education Teachers And Its Influence On Their Content Knowledge, Amber Houck
University of Kentucky Master's Theses
Content knowledge preparation for teachers is a crucial component of the modal curriculum model for education. The purpose of this study was to determine if the amount and quality of coursework preparation of pre-service University of Kentucky agriculture teachers influences their content knowledge as defined by the Praxis II agriculture exam scores. This study concluded that there was variability in coursework preparation of pre-service agriculture teachers at the University of Kentucky. Praxis II exam scores of pre-service teachers indicated that most students are meeting an adequate content knowledge level based on the exam material. It can also be concluded that …
Assessing The Demand For Weather Index Insurance In Shandong Province, China, Lisha Zhang
Assessing The Demand For Weather Index Insurance In Shandong Province, China, Lisha Zhang
University of Kentucky Master's Theses
Shandong Province, renowned as China’s greatest agricultural province, is dominated by smallholders growing rain-fed crops and vulnerable to severe weather shocks that can increase poverty rates. Weather index insurance, an innovative agricultural risk management product, may be an effective mechanism to address vulnerability to catastrophic weather risk in rural regions of China, including Shandong. This project evaluated current household livelihood and risk management strategies and farmer interest in weather index insurance. Data from 174 participants were collected using a methodology that included focus groups, questionnaires, and personal interviews. Despite limited access to formal financial services, Shandong farmers generally employ informal, …
An Analysis Of Kentucky Equestrian Trail Riders: Determining Rider Behaviors And Valuing Site Amenities That Contribute To Repeat Visits, Katharine Auchter
An Analysis Of Kentucky Equestrian Trail Riders: Determining Rider Behaviors And Valuing Site Amenities That Contribute To Repeat Visits, Katharine Auchter
University of Kentucky Master's Theses
The purpose of this travel cost study is to determine how rider behaviors and site characteristics influence repeat visits for equestrian trail riding in Kentucky. Primary data was collected via a survey developed and administered to trail riders in person and online. The average surveyed trail rider tends to be female, about 46 years old, with some higher education, and an annual household income of $65,000. She makes 11 trips to a specified site per year, 8 of which are daytrips, usually in the fall, and traveling 132 miles round trip. From other information gathered, an index of trail characteristics …
Inorganic And Organic Phosphorus Interactions With Hydroxy-Interlayered Soil Minerals, Paul D. Shumaker Ii
Inorganic And Organic Phosphorus Interactions With Hydroxy-Interlayered Soil Minerals, Paul D. Shumaker Ii
University of Kentucky Master's Theses
Phosphorus (P), a necessary plant and animal nutrient, can also lead to eutrophication of fresh waters when in excess. Appropriate P management is necessary to prevent fresh water pollution. Mineralogy of soil clays has been shown to affect P adsorption, desorption, and movement through soils. Specifically, hydroxy-interlayered minerals have been shown to adsorb and retain inorganic P in soil systems. This study was designed to determine the sorption and desorption characteristics of inorganic, organic, and mixed forms of P interacting with soil hydroxy-interlayered vermiculites (HIV) and smectites (HIS), and compare the findings to sorption and desorption processes of natural aluminum …
Quantifying Cellulase In High-Solids Environments, Alicia Renée Abadie
Quantifying Cellulase In High-Solids Environments, Alicia Renée Abadie
University of Kentucky Master's Theses
In recent years, fungal and bacterial cellulases have gained popularity for the conversion of lignocellulosic material to biofuels and biochemicals. This study investigated properties of fungal (Trichoderma. reesei) and bacterial (Clostridium thermocellum) cellulases. Enzymatic hydrolysis was carried out with T. reesei using nine enzyme concentration and substrate combinations. Initial rates and extents of hydrolysis were determined from the progress curve of each combination. Inhibition occurred at the higher enzyme concentrations and higher solids concentrations. Mechanisms to explain the observed inhibition are discussed. Samples of C. thermocellum purified free cellulase after 98% hydrolysis were assayed to determine …
Analysis Of The Impact And Importance Of Re-Wholesalers In The Ornamental Market, Marco Absalón Velástegui
Analysis Of The Impact And Importance Of Re-Wholesalers In The Ornamental Market, Marco Absalón Velástegui
LSU Master's Theses
Sales by ornamental nurseries in the United States have grown, recently, at an impressive rate. For example, sales of the greenhouse and nursery crops component increased about 18% from 2000 to 2006 (USDA, 2007). The evolution of a diverse set of market channel alternatives, including the garden center, landscaper, home center, mass merchandiser and re-wholesaler channels, has been one of the reasons for this growth. Knowledge about growers’ use of the individual marketing channels is indispensable for the development of appropriate sales strategies for better income and profits. Periodic survey data indicates that the re-wholesaler channel is a frequently used …
Estimating The Economic Impacts Of Hurricane Damage On Coastal Fishing Infrastructure, Tanza Erlambang
Estimating The Economic Impacts Of Hurricane Damage On Coastal Fishing Infrastructure, Tanza Erlambang
LSU Master's Theses
Two severe Hurricanes, Katrina and Rita, caused devastating damages in the northern Gulf of Mexico during late summer and early fall 2005. Louisiana was the most heavily impacted state, where both storms made initial landfall. The storms caused billions of dollars in damages to public and private infrastructure, with particularly strong impacts to coastal fishing businesses. Numerous assessments of coastal fisheries infrastructure damage were developed by state and federal agencies following the storms. The range of estimates varied greatly (from $275 million to $3.5 billion), because of a wide range of methods and assumptions. This study describes two alternative damage …
Map-Based Cloning Of An Anthracnose Resistance Gene In Medicago Truncatula, Shengming Yang
Map-Based Cloning Of An Anthracnose Resistance Gene In Medicago Truncatula, Shengming Yang
University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations
Anthracnose, caused by the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum trifolii, is one of the most destructive diseases of alfalfa worldwide. Cloning and characterization of the host resistance (R) genes against the pathogen will improve our knowledge of molecular mechanisms underlying host resistance and facilitate the development of resistant alfalfa cultivars. However, the intractable genetic system of cultivated alfalfa, owing to its tetrasomic inheritance and outcrossing nature, limits the ability to carry out genetic analysis in alfalfa. Nonetheless, the model legume Medicago truncatula, a close relative of alfalfa, provides a surrogate for cloning the counterparts of many agronomically important genes in …
The Role Of Spiders In The Detrital Food Web Of An Eastern Deciduous Forest, Erin Elizabeth Hladilek
The Role Of Spiders In The Detrital Food Web Of An Eastern Deciduous Forest, Erin Elizabeth Hladilek
University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations
Historically, terrestrial food web research has focused on describing the structure of aboveground grazing webs, and determining how interactions among plants, herbivores and higher trophic levels influence primary productivity. Detrital food webs however, play a significant role in regulation of ecosystem dynamics through direct impacts on decomposition. Unraveling the complex nature of detrital food web structure is critical to developing a better understanding of ecosystem function. Therefore the primary objective of this research was to describe the structure of the leaf-litter food web in a temperate deciduous forest, with emphasis on interactions between a community of generalist predators, the forest-floor …