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The Value Of Saltbush Revegetation For Biodiversity In A Highly Fragmented Landscape, Robert A. Davis, Michael D. Craig, Tim S. Doherty, Jonathan D. Majer, Eddie J.B. Van Etten

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Secondary salinization is a significant global issue affecting up to 1 billion hectares of land, impacting biodiversity and particularly vegetation. One form of revegetation that can provide a return to landholders is saltbush (Atriplex spp.), which provides forage for a wide range of livestock. The effectiveness of saltbush plantings in providing useful habitat for fauna in agricultural landscapes suffering from secondary salinity is poorly understood. We aimed to address this knowledge gap by surveying bird, ant, and spider communities, and quantifying vegetation structure and floristic composition in saltbush and native woodlands in agricultural landscapes affected by secondary salinization in Western …

Biomarkers Of Foraging And Reproduction In Captive Adult Female Hawksbill Sea Turtles (Eretmochelys Imbricata), Joslyn Blessing Kent, Kari Renee Dawson, Shingo Fukada, Masae Makabe, Isao Kawazu, Ken Maeda, Roldán A. Valverde

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) are listed as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). To implement best conservation practices for this species, its biology should be well understood. Attempting to characterize the foraging physiology of free-ranging hawksbill sea turtles is complicated by the fact that sampling is typically limited to nesting females during the reproductive season. Without data from non-reproductive periods, it is difficult to determine whether observed physiological values reflect baseline conditions or are specific to the energetically demanding nesting season. Accordingly, in this study, we described the physiology of foraging in …

Study Of Fire Regimes In Southwestern Australia Using Geospatial Techniques, Ana Do Carmo Carvalho

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The Northern Jarrah Forest in Southwestern Australia (SWA), part of a global biodiversity hotspot, is home to fire-sensitive tree species such as marri (Corymbia calophylla) and jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata). As climate change intensifies drought and extreme fire events, understanding the drivers of fire severity is increasingly critical. This thesis analyses fire regimes within the Mundaring drinking water catchment to better understand the spatiotemporal complexity of fire severity in relation to fire history and environmental factors.

The thesis commences with a review of three Fire History Databases (FHDs) used in SWA, highlighting significant inconsistencies and data gaps across time and space. …

Advancing Periodic Time Series Analysis: Application, Bias Assessment, And Optimal Window Selection In The Variable Bandpass Periodic Block Bootstrap Method, Yanan Sun

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Time series analysis is essential for understanding long-term patterns, periodic behavior, and underlying correlations in complex datasets. The periodically correlated (PC) time series is a type of time series where the correlation structure repeats over fixed intervals. The Variable Bandpass Periodic Block Bootstrap (VBPBB) has recently been proposed as a resampling method that preserves PC structures through the use of periodogram, bandpass filters, and block bootstrap resampling. Although promising, VBPBB remains underutilized, and its limitations have not been fully examined. This dissertation advances both the application and methodological development of the VBPBB.

The first project applies the VBPBB to a …

Resilience For Whom? A Study In Pathways And Production Of Unequal Risk In The Rockaways, Aaryan M. Nair

Publications and Research

This paper investigates how climate adaptation policies in the Rockaway Peninsula of New York City produce unequal outcomes despite their ostensibly neutral design, framing resilience as an environmental and climate justice problem. Situated within a landscape marked by stark socioeconomic disparities, aging housing stock, and high exposure to coastal flooding, the study demonstrates that existing adaptation strategies—centered on uniform technical standards, insurance frameworks, and large-scale coastal infrastructure—systematically advantage actors with greater financial and institutional capacity while leaving low-income residents, particularly renters, disproportionately vulnerable.

The analysis identifies three core dynamics underlying this “unequal-by-design” resilience regime: (1) the stratified feasibility of compliance …

Empowering Youth In A Changing Climate: Design, Implementation, And Evaluation Of A Salt Marsh Summer Science Program, Dan Levesque

Graduate Masters Theses

Climate change presents not only environmental challenges but also emotional challenges for today’s youth. This thesis documents the design, implementation, and evaluation of a field-based summer science program aimed at empowering adolescents with coastal salt marsh ecology while addressing climate change emotions and science identity development. The program, based in a Massachusetts salt marsh, was adapted from existing public environmental curricula and guided by place- and experience-based learning principles. Over Spring and Summer 2025, 13 students (ages 13-18) participated in extra-curricular field trips, hands-on research activities, and reflective discussions about the environment and the emotions it brings forth. Pre- and …

Logging-While-Drilling Azimuthal Electromagnetic Measurements For High-Resistivity Coal Seams, Zhao Weina, Zheng Dongfang, Ai Weiping, Xie Xia

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Method To determine the boundary detection capability of logging-while-drilling (LWD) electromagnetic azimuthal measurements for high-resistivity coal mines, this study simulated geosignal responses under varying operating frequencies, transmitter-receiver coil spacing conditions, and formation resistivity values. Then, key parameters for boundary detection for high-resistivity coal seams were optimized. Accordingly, this study proposed design schemes for LWD instruments with short (< 80 inches) and long (approximately 240 inches) transmitter-receiver coil spacing for short-distance (2.032 m) and long-distance (6.096 m) detection, respectively. Results and Conclusions LWD electromagnetic azimuthal measurements exhibit a significantly decreased depth of detection (DOD) in high-resistivity coal seams compared to that in low-resistivity hydrocarbon reservoirs. Consequently, the existing methods for selecting the operating frequency and transmitter-receiver coil spacing are …

Current Status And Future Trend Of Research On Underground Borehole Measurement Technology For Coal Mines, Chen Long, Yang Dongdong, Li Quanxin, Chu Zhiwei, Zhang Jiguan, Chen Xiang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Underground borehole measurement emerges as a core technology for the safe production of coal mines. Its multi-parameter measurements, data accuracy, data transmission rate, and reliability directly influence the timeliness of early warning for disasters, the operating stability of instruments, the accuracy of borehole assessment, and the scientific rigor of intelligent decision-making under complex deep geological conditions. Advances So far, the measurement while drilling (MWD) and post-drilling borehole visualization techniques have developed into a diversified technological system. Specifically, the MWD technique has achieved a leap from wireline to wireless transmission, obviating the reliance on wireline drill rods in traditional measurement …

Key Technical Difficulties, Challenges, And Prospects Of Geologic Co2 Sequestration In Saline Aquifers, Wei Hengfei, Shi Junjie, Nie Xiaodong, Fang Jie, Chen Jing, Zhao Yue, Sun Dawei, Li Xin, Zhang Yong, Guo Pei

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background and Method Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology represents the primary technical direction for large-scale carbon emission reduction. Among various CCS techniques, geologic CO₂ sequestration in saline aquifers holds great potential, establishing it as a major technique for future carbon storage. Based on a review of the current status of research on global geologic CO₂ sequestration in saline aquifers, this study comprehensively analyzed the technical difficulties, challenges, and prospects of this technology, focusing on the dilemma of the application of this technology under complex geological conditions in China. Results and Conclusions A huge gap in both the …

Self-Adaptive Inverse Wavefield Transform And Derived Pseudo-Wavefield Characteristics Under Roadway-Borehole Observation Of Transient Electromagnetic Data, Fan Kerui, Guo Jianlei, Wang Ruoyu, Zhuang Ming, Fan Fangze, Xu Sheng, Zhao Wentao

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective To address the challenge of detecting aquifers outside the roadway excavation contour, this study combined the close-range detection via roadway-borehole transient electromagnetic (TEM) method with the wavefield transform. This will help simultaneously receive detection signals in front of the mining face and outside the roadway excavation contour while also highlighting the boundary information of aquifers. Moreover, to obtain a pseudo-wavefield featuring both reasonable kinematic characteristics and high sensitivity to changes in the electrical structures of strata, this study proposed a self-adaptive algorithm of inverse wavefield transform, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of the inverse wavefield transform of roadway-borehole …

Performance And Migration Path Tracing Of Magnetic Grouts For Fractured Rock Masses, Shang Hongbo, Wang Hao, Wang Xiaodong, Qiao Wei, Wang Tiantian, Sun Junqing, Sun Jie

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective For coal mining areas in the middle reaches of the Yellow River basin, sealing mining-induced fractures via grouting serves as an effective approach to preventing water inrushes from coal seam roofs while also protecting groundwater resources. However, accurately identifying the migration paths of grouts remains a bottleneck for the further application of grouting modification technology to fractured rock masses. Methods This study investigated a coal mine threatened by both water inrushes from the coal seam roof and a short supply of water resources within the Jurassic coalfield in the middle reaches of the Yellow River basin, focusing on the …

An Automated Attitude Control Method For The Rotary Steerable System And Its Validation Through Hardware-In-The-Loop Simulation, Zhang Nan, Ren Bai’An, Li Fei, Liu Ziqi, Lyu Fangxing

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The traditional manual control mode of a rotary steerable system (RSS) faces challenges, including response delay and low control efficiency. To address these challenges, this study proposed a closed-loop automated attitude control method for the RSS and verified its effectiveness through hardware-in-loop (HIL) simulation. Methods This study focuses on the drilling process of a point-the-bit RSS. In the case of deviations between measured and target attitudes, the control parameters were calculated based on the deviation signals using a closed-loop controller, driving the RSS actuator to conduct trajectory correction. Afterward, the actual attitude was yielded and then entered the input …

Supersaturation Effect And Its Characterization In Gas-Rich Intervals Of Deep Coal Seams, Zhou Lihong, Li Yong, Ding Rong, Li Yun, Li Yongzhou, Kong Jintao

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Method High free gas content serves as a key factor controlling the enrichment and high productivity of deep coalbed methane (CBM). However, its direct determination is challenging, making the accurate identification of free gas-rich coal seam intervals a core scientific issue for efficient exploration and recovery of CBM. This study investigated the Daning-Jixian block (also referred to as the Daji Block) within the Ordos Basin. Based on analyses and tests of the gas content, coal macrolithotype, physical properties, and log responses of cores collected from representative wells through pressure-retained coring, this study systematically assessed the vertical heterogeneity of …

Physical Simulation Experiments On 4d Visualization Of Dynamic Methane Diffusion And Adsorption In Low-Porosity And Low-Permeability Coals, Liu Tong, Jiao Baizhuo, Lin Baiquan, Sang Shuxun, Yang Wei, Liu Shiqi, Liu Ting, Li He, Yang Mingxing

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Method The diffusivity of methane (CH₄) in coal seams significantly influences the surface extraction of coalbed methane (CBM) and underground gas drainage. However, the visualized characterization of the diffusion and migration processes of CH₄ in coals remains challenging. To address this issue, this study systematically demonstrated the similarity between krypton (Kr) and CH₄ in their adsorption and diffusion behavior in coals. Utilizing Kr—a gas with high X-ray attenuation—as a tracer substitute for CH₄, this study achieved the transparent observation of the dynamic gas migration process in low-porosity, low-permeability, and heterogeneous coals using …

Organically-Bound Forms Of Alkali And Alkaline Earth Metals In High-Alkali Coals And Their Geological Indications, Wang Xiaoling, Wang Shaoqing, Zhao Yungang, Mu Ruifeng, Shao Yan

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Method Alkali and alkaline earth metals (AAEMs) in coals adversely affect coal processing and utilization. Among the AAEMs, water-soluble and mineral-hosted metals can be largely removed through water washing, flotation, and heavy liquid separation, while organically-bound AAEMs are difficult to eliminate. In this study, high-alkali coal samples with varying vitrinite/inertinite ratios (V/Is) collected from the Zhundong coalfield in Xinjiang were selected to investigate the organically-bound forms of AAEMs. Through sequential chemical extraction, combined with experimental techniques such as ²³Na cross-polarization magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (²³Na CP/MAS NMR) and transmission electron microscopy-energy dispersive …

Real-Time Production Of High-Resolution, Gap-Free, 3-Hourly Aod Over South Korea: A Machine Learning Approach Using Model Forecasts, Satellite Products, And Air Quality Data, Seoyeon Kim, Youjeong Youn, Menas Kafatos, Jaejin Kim, Wonsik Choi, Seung Hee Kim, Yangwon Lee

Institute for ECHO Articles and Research

Aerosol optical depth (AOD) is essential for air quality monitoring and climate research. However, satellite-based retrievals suffer from cloud-related data gaps, and reanalysis products are limited by coarse spatial resolution and substantial production latency. This study develops a real-time, gap-free, high-resolution (1.5 km) AOD retrieval system for South Korea. The system integrates Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) forecasts, high-resolution meteorological fields, and ground-based air quality observations within a machine learning framework. Three models with varying training periods were systematically evaluated using cross-validation and independent validation with 2024 Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) data. The optimal model, trained on 2015–2023 data, achieved …

Synergistic Use Of Sentinel-1 And Sentinel-2 Data For Mapping Of Degradation In Coastal Forests And Miombo Woodlands Of Tanzania, Daria C. Kimaro

Tanzania Journal of Science

Forest degradation is one of the leading sources of carbon emission globally. In Africa, particularly in Tanzania, forest degradation is driven by selective logging and forest fires. Monitoring degradation over large areas is very challenging due to the lack of accurate and reliable methods. This study assessed degradation in miombo woodlands and coastal forests using a synergy of remotely sensed data acquired from sentinel-1 and sentinel-2 achieved by integrating their complementary strength where sentinel-1 enhanced detection of structural changes and sentinel-2 provided spectral insight into vegetation. The 3I3D, unsupervised algorithm analysing trends for three vegetation indices (3I) in a three-dimensional …

Multi-Satellite Image Matching And Deep Learning Segmentation For Detection Of Daytime Sea Fog Using Gk2a Ami And Gk2b Goci-Ii, Jonggu Kang, Hiroyuki Miyazaki, Seung Hee Kim, Menas Kafatos, Daesun Kim, Jinsoo Kim, Yangwon Lee

Institute for ECHO Articles and Research

Traditionally, sea fog detection technologies have relied primarily on in situ observations. However, point-based observations suffer from limitations in extensive monitoring in marine environments due to the scarcity of observation stations and the limited nature of measurement data. Satellites effectively address these issues by covering vast areas and operating across multiple spectral channels, enabling precise detection and monitoring of sea fog. Despite the increasing adoption of deep learning in this field, achieving further improvements in accuracy and reliability necessitates the simultaneous use of multiple satellite datasets rather than relying on a single source. Therefore, this study aims to achieve higher …

Re: Comment Letter For Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft 2026 Interim Site-Wide Groundwater Monitoring Quality Assurance Project Plan (Qapp) (Dated November 18, 2025), Emma Rott

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Comment Letter For Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Interim Site-Wide Surface Water Monitoring Quality Assurance Project Plan (Qapp) (Dated November 24, 2025), Emma Rott

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Macroinvertebrate Community Dynamics In A Recovering, Hypersaline Estuary, Catherine M. Eckert, Claudia A. Tamez, Erin E. Easton, David Hicks

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

The Bahia Grande is a 6,500—acre tidal basin located at the southernmost tip of Texas. Tidal flow into this coastal estuary was cut off in the 1930s, causing the basin to dry up for ~70 y. A pilot channel connecting the Bahia Grande to tidal waters was constructed in 2005, allowing flooding of the basin to occur. Throughout the period reported herein (2005–2019), the system remained characterized by persistent spatial and temporal episodes of extreme hypersalinity (>70)—a critical factor influencing estuarine community composition and driving key ecological processes. With additional rehabilitation actions forthcoming, characterization of the estuary is essential …

Linking Shoreline Change, Environmental Forcings, And Sedimentological Resilience In Nourished Beaches Of Cape May And Wildwood, New Jersey, Usa: A Multi-Decadal Synthesis, Divomi Balasuriya, Greg Pope

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Beach nourishment is a widely used strategy to mitigate coastal erosion, yet its long-term geological impacts remain poorly understood. This study provides a multi-decadal synthesis of shoreline change and sedimentological evolution on the nourished beaches of Cape May and Wildwood, New Jersey, USA. Using shoreline positions from 1991 to 2024, we identify contrasting trajectories: Wildwood exhibits ‘persistent transition’ with severe northern erosion (EPR: −10.0 m/yr) feeding southwards accretion, while Cape May demonstrates a ‘managed equilibrium’ with widespread accretion (mean EPR: +1.15 m/yr). Wave energy correlations account for less than 15% of shoreline variability, indicating natural drivers have been superseded by …

A Comparison Of Airborne Tree Pollen In The Las Vegas Valley From 2017 – 2021, Asma Tahir

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Airborne pollen are a predominant cause of asthma, allergic disease, and respiratory infections. The strong allergenic potential of tree pollen is of a public health concern. Several allergenic trees grow in the Mojave Desert, but not all are native to the region. Concentrations of airborne tree pollen are affected by atmospheric, environmental, ecological, and geospatial factors. Previous research has reported high tree pollen concentrations in the Las Vegas Valley, but long-term comparison studies are lacking. This study measured and compared tree pollen concentrations from five different collection stations in Las Vegas. Pollen samples collected from January 1, 2017, to December …

Modeling The Mojave: A Multiphase, Mixed Methods Phenomenological Investigation Of Novice Understanding Of A Complex Ecological System, Nicole Juliana Thomas

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This research explores early college science majors’ conceptions of the Mojave Desert ecosystem as a complex system. A multi-level, explanatory sequential mixed methods design was employed to study college science majors’ understanding of the Mojave Desert ecosystem to better inform science pedagogy. The first level, the quantitative phase of the study, consisted of developing a mathematical representation of twelve ecosystem variables present within the Mojave Desert. The second level, the qualitative phase of the study, consisted of phenomenological semi-structured interviews with 23 early college science majors. The findings of this research suggest that the Mojave Desert operates as a complex, …

Enviromental Dna (Edna) Tools For Invasive Mosquitofish (Gambusia Affinis) Surveillance At The Shoshone Pupfish (Cyprinidon Nevadensis Shoshone) Refugium, Yusuf Olamilekan Umar

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Spring-fed aquatic ecosystems of the North American Southwest and U.S. Great Basin hosts a plethora of endemic fish species due to the effects of hydrologic fragmentation that resulted from Pleistocene aridification. Threats to endemic fishes worldwide include human intentional or unintentional release of exotic species into their habitats. Early detection of invasive species, while corrective actions are still possible, is critical for management, yet traditional survey methods are often disruptive to sensitive ecosystems, costly, and limited in sensitivity. The recent development of environmental DNA (eDNA) approaches offers powerful alternatives for invasive species monitoring in aquatic systems. In this study, a …

Decarbonizing California Wine: Navigating Scope 3 Emissions Challenges And Opportunities, Olivia Regalia

Master's Projects and Capstones

Climate change is already impacting the California wine industry through increases in extreme weather, such as prolonged heatwaves and atmospheric rivers. For the industry to survive, it is important for California wineries to mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt to current and future impacts. Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions (i.e., emissions generated throughout the supply chain) from glass packaging make up 29% of a typical California winery's carbon footprint, representing both the largest Scope 3 climate impact and greatest opportunity for reductions. This research examined key factors shaping California wineries’ Scope 3 emissions reductions efforts. A mixed-methods approach …

Assessing Water Quality And Algae In Wetland Reserve Easements In The Alluvial Valleys Of Mississippi And Louisiana, Avery June Wissmueller

Theses and Dissertations

Wetlands in agricultural landscapes play a critical role in improving water quality by retaining and transforming nutrients and pollutants. In the Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAV), widespread conversion of bottomland hardwood forests to row-crop agriculture has diminished this natural function. The Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) program restores wetlands on marginal farmland to recover ecosystem services. In this study, I evaluated water quality and algal productivity in WREs compared to natural reference wetlands and crop sites. Restored wetlands showed improved water quality compared to crop sites and were often comparable to or intermediate between reference wetlands. Seasonal variation and hydrologic differences shaped …

Macroscopic And In-Situ Atr-Ftir Spectroscopic Studies Of Metformin Adsorption On Soil, Maheen Mehnaz

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

Emerging contaminants might pose serious threats to the soil and water environment. Metformin, an emerging micropollutant, is one of the most widely used drugs for type-2 diabetes treatment. However, its waste disposal through human excretion is causing environmental concern to the soil and water environment. Yet, knowledge about the interaction mechanism of metformin with soil remains very limited. In this study, we evaluated metformin adsorption mechanisms on model oxide minerals (gibbsite, hematite) and two Tennessee soils (Milan Loring soil and Cheatham County soil) and in the presence of soil micronutrient (molybdenum) using in situ attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared …

Interactive Effects Of Warming And Nitrogen Fertilization On Soil Respiration And Microbial Community Function, Aviyan Pandey

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

Understanding the effects of multiple global change drivers, e.g., warming (W) and nitrogen (N) fertilization, is critical for accurately predicting ecosystem responses to climate change. This study investigates the main and interactive effects of soil warming and N fertilization on soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), microbial biomass, extracellular enzyme activities (EEAs), and soil respiration (Rs) in a switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) cropland located in Middle Tennessee, U.S. The field experiment employed a split-plot design with two levels of warming (ambient and heated) and two levels of N fertilization (zero and 168 kg N ha-1yr-1). Hourly measurements of Rs, soil …

Final Butte Mine Waste Repository Geotechnical Investigation Work Plan, Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.