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Natural Resources and Conservation
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
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Full-Text Articles in Sustainability
Mapping Potential Crp Land And Determining Crp Profitability In Lancaster County, Jamie Pesek
Mapping Potential Crp Land And Determining Crp Profitability In Lancaster County, Jamie Pesek
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
Annually 17 tons of soil is lost due to the erosion of agriculture land. A majority of the soil lost is fertile topsoil, which can render the land unproductive. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) was enacted to reduce the high erosion rates on agriculture land by giving landowners a monetary incentive to let their land lay idle and allow the soil to regenerate. Although there is awareness of the benefits of CRP, little effort has been put toward delineating CRP eligible land. In this project, Geographical Information Systems were used to map CRP eligible land in Lancaster County, Nebraska based …
The Distribution And Life Cycle Of Alliaria Petiolata In Lincoln, Nebraska, Caleb Pharris
The Distribution And Life Cycle Of Alliaria Petiolata In Lincoln, Nebraska, Caleb Pharris
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
Alliaria petiolata (Garlic Mustard) is a biennial alien invasive plant species of the Brassicacea family. It is responsible for displacing native plant species throughout North America and its management has proven to be extremely difficult. Recently several populations of Alliaria petiolata have been discovered in southwestern Lincoln, Nebraska. The spread of Alliaria petiolata is a concern for natural resource managers and the general public. Due to the difficulty of its control, Alliaria petiolata is capable of creating monocultures which diminish the aesthetic value of an ecosystem. While most commonly found in the understory of hardwood forests, it is capable of …
Understanding Bioprospecting: Can Indigenous Populations Benefit From The Search For Pharmaceuticals In Areas Of High Biodiversity, Emily Schwindt
Understanding Bioprospecting: Can Indigenous Populations Benefit From The Search For Pharmaceuticals In Areas Of High Biodiversity, Emily Schwindt
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
Bioprospecting is a controversial issue, and anthropologists and other scientists are quick to take sides. The idea of large corporations pumping money into conservation and development programs, while developing what could be the latest life-saving drug simply sounds too good to be true, and often times is. However, if all parties work together and proceed with caution, these benefits could become more than a fantasy. Looking at case studies from Costa Rica, India, South Africa and Panama this paper attempts to find patterns among successful bioprospecting agreements and note shortcomings and identify risks. This information will be used to suggest …
21rst Century Educational Farmstead, Trevis Carmichael
21rst Century Educational Farmstead, Trevis Carmichael
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
When Europeans began settling in the United States, farmsteads were built across the Great Plains. Out of necessity, these had to function in a self-sufficient manner; meaning the people had to produce their own food, use local materials, and be energy efficient for their transportation. Parents had to teach their children how to do all of the practical work it took to maintain their lives. This was the foundation that America was built upon. Having completed the first decade of the 21st century, the time seems right for a mental re-settlement that follows some of those same principles. Teaching our …
Ecotourism In Costa Rica: Environmental Impacts And Management, Emily Mckeone
Ecotourism In Costa Rica: Environmental Impacts And Management, Emily Mckeone
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
Globally we are witnessing growing environmental destruction, particularly to the natural resource bases of underdeveloped countries. If ecotourism can generate profits for local economies, while protecting and conserving the natural resource base of that community, it could be a strong alternative for numerous countries. Evidence suggests that the ecotourism industry has been expanding at a rapid rate in recent decades (Dasenbrock 2002). It is important to understand the positive and negative ecological impacts of the industry as this rapid growth rate continues.
The main objective of this study is to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the ecotourism industry in …
Educating Young Adults About Sustainable Development, Meghan Lewis
Educating Young Adults About Sustainable Development, Meghan Lewis
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
This qualitative study on the types of environmental education on different age groups was conducted in Lincoln, Nebraska. The purpose of this thesis is to identify what age group and educational methods would be most effective to educate Lincoln citizens on the importance and benefits of sustainable development. Environmental education is an important aspect in implementation of new, environmentally friendly ideas.
Lincoln environmentalists are working to improve the city’s sustainability. Finding a way to consistently educate Lincoln residents on the importance and benefits of sustainable development will increase the public’s awareness of their efforts, leading to a greater interest in …