Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Wild Pigs (Sus Scrofa) On Avian Occupancy And Vegetation Structure, Kenneth Wilson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Invasive species, particularly wild pigs (Sus scrofa), pose a significant threat to native ecosystems through both direct and indirect impacts. Wild pigs are large-bodied omnivorous species that can consume a wide variety of plants and animals and are known for destructive foraging behaviors, which likely threatens avian communities through habitat alteration and can impact the long term structure of ecosystems where they are present.

In chapter 1, we used a combination of avian point count surveys, vegetation assessments, and camera trap surveillance to quantify how the occupancy of breeding birds in bottomland hardwood forests changed in relation to …

Recreational Fishing For Western Rock Lobster: Estimates Of Participation, Effort And Catch In 2023/24, Claire B. Smallwood, Karina L. Ryan, Alissa C. Tate

Fisheries Research Reports

The Western Rock Lobster (WRL) (Panulirus cygnus) is the most commonly caught Rock Lobster (RL) species in Western Australia. Catches from the commercial and recreational sectors are required to determine and monitor Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC), Total Allowable Recreational Catch (TARC) and the proportion of Allowable Harvest Level (AHL) achieved. The TARC is set at 5% of the AHL and evaluated in the harvest strategy based on a 5-year average.

Data for the recreational sector are obtained using phone-recall surveys to provide annual estimates of participation, fishing effort and retained catch (by numbers) from recreational fishers who hold a …

Spatial Ecology Of American Bison On Vermejo Park Ranch, New Mexico, Kate Ann Asmus

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

American bison (Bison bison) are a keystone species that impact grassland productivity, plant diversity, and landscape heterogeneity. We used GPS telemetry and a replicate herbivore grazing experiment on Vermejo Park Ranch in northeastern New Mexico to advance understanding of bison spatial ecology and grazing dynamics. First, we evaluated the potentially disparate influences of forage productivity and site fidelity on the size and selection of home ranges of bison. Home range size was strongly negatively influenced by forage productivity. However, home range selection was influenced more strongly by site fidelity than spatial variation in forage, as bison selected home …

Environmental Impact Assessments (Eia): Analysis Of Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessments For The Development Of A Uniform Teia Model, Nicolas Chapa

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the evolution, processes, and importance of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), focusing on transboundary EIAs and the need for a uniform framework. Originating from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 in the U.S., EIAs have become globally adopted instruments for assessing and mitigating environmental impacts of development projects. This work reiterates historical milestones, strengths, and current limitations of EIAs. Research also included a review of environmental regulations from Mexico, such as the General Law on Ecological Equilibrium and Environmental Protection (LGEEPA). Through several case studies requiring the use of transboundary EIAs, where shared resources and concerns …

Oceano Dunes Community Survey Results, Michele Romolini, Eric G. Strauss, Marni Goldenberg, Keri Schwab

Center for Urban Resilience Reports

This report presents the findings of a 42-question survey conducted by Loyola Marymount University and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo from June 2023-May 2024 among visitors and local residents regarding their perceptions and experiences at California’s Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA). The survey aimed to gather insights into visitor and community demographics, frequency and types of use, barriers to use, environmental awareness and perceptions of use, and familiarity with park opportunities. In particular, we sought to seek responses from communities local to the parks, especially from the community of Oceano itself, and Latino and Hispanic community members. In …

Community Co-Production Of The Meaning Of Local Climate Resilience And Action: A Case Study, Michele Romolini, Mary Hillemeier, Dustin L. Herrmann

Center for Urban Resilience Scholarship

In the face of a rapidly urbanizing and warming planet, there is urgency for local governments to develop community resilience strategies. Successful climate change adaptation will likely require the inclusion of local knowledge, especially from historically marginalized communities. One pathway for this is through research projects and government planning activities that employ processes of co-production to generate actionable knowledge relevant to the community. This paper describes the approach, results, and reflections of a multi-sectoral partnership organized to engage residents of a small municipality to co-produce the meaning of community climate resilience, through methods including individual interviews, cognitive mapping, and a …

Understanding The Influence Of Traffic And Noise On The Wildlife Community Surrounding Fm106 And Sh100 In South Texas, Anna Rose Mehner

Theses and Dissertations

In South Texas, highways create landscape fragmentation, habitat degradation, and result in wildlife vehicle collisions. Vehicle collisions are the highest known cause of mortality of the endangered ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), which led Texas Department of Transportation to install nine wildlife crossing structures (WCS) on Farm-to-Market 106 and five on State Highway 100. These highways are along Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, which is the location of the southernmost breeding population of ocelots in the United States. Many other wildlife species including bobcat (Lynx rufus) and coyote (Canis latrans), are present along these highways and …

Technical Potential And Challenges For Agrivoltaic Development In Nigeria, Ifeoluwa Ezekiel Babarinde

Theses and Dissertations

The co-location of agriculture and solar photovoltaic (PV) infrastructure, known as agrivoltaics, is an increasingly popular practice that offers co-benefits like reduced plant drought stress and improved yields of shade-tolerant crops, particularly in water-scarce agricultural regions. Despite its global growth, knowledge on the technical potential, opportunities, and challenges for agrivoltaic development remains limited in the Global South. Here we address this knowledge gap for Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, by identifying high-potential regions based on the premise that agrivoltaic co-benefits are generally most pronounced in arable lands with both high solar irradiation and water stress. We find that northern regions, …

Examining Hispanic Beginning Farmers And Ranchers In The Rio Grande Valley Through A Community Capitals Framework, Perla Kimberly Schrock

Theses and Dissertations

While existing literature addresses the experiences of beginning farmers and ranchers (BFR), there is a notable gap in research focused on Hispanic beginning farmers and ranchers (HBFR). This study aimed at exploring the unique experiences of HBFR in a predominantly Hispanic region, the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), employed the Community Capitals Framework (Flora et al., 2016). I conducted 16 semi-structured interviews with HBFR and local nonprofit organizations and federal employees, complemented by participant observations. Through thematic and content analysis of the interview transcripts, findings revealed valuable insights into the livelihoods of HBFR. Despite HBFR facing significant challenges, this study demonstrated …

Evaluation Of 3d Beach Profiles: A New Method For Monitoring Changes In Beach Morphology And Grain Size, Kalinda Ellen Roberts

Graduate Masters Theses

Beach profiles are a simple and affordable approach to monitoring changes in beach morphology. However, traditional methods offer limited resolution and dimension. Recent advancements in technologies, particularly structure-from-motion (SfM) and grain size detection models (GSDMs), can be integrated into conventional beach profiling techniques, enabling more detailed spatial and temporal analysis of slope and grain sizes. This research introduces a new technique for coastal monitoring, termed “3D Beach Profiles,” which integrates SfM technology to create high-resolution three-dimensional digital surface models (DSMs) and orthomosaics of beach surfaces. These digital surfaces enable the extraction of beach slopes with orders of magnitude more data …

Assessing Khumbu Region Glaciers Mass Balance Change Using Geospatial Techniques From 2012 To 2024, Yashvi Jagatbhai Shah

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalaya are critical for sustaining the water supply of South Asia's major rivers, upon which over 230 million people, both in the mountainous regions and lowland areas, depend. Climate change is driving rapid glaciers melt near the summit of Mount Everest, located at an elevation of approximately 7,906 meters (25,938 feet). This has resulted in glacier thinning occurring up to 80 times faster than the original ice formation. However, due to their disposition in a complex topographic setting and inaccessible terrain, continuous glacier observations pose significant challenges.

This study evaluated the mass balance of …

Recovery Resiliency Of Interdependent Power Systems Infrastructure Subject To Extreme Events, Partha P. Sarker

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

When Hurricane Maria struck the island of Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017, it devastated the island’s aging power systems infrastructure and inflicted an island-wide power outage that left Puerto Rico in total darkness for an entire week before the system slowly started to recover. This unprecedented failure of the critical power systems infrastructure exacerbated the failure of other critical infrastructures or lifeline systems of the island. This research explores and quantifies the relationships or interdependencies that exist between the power systems and other critical infrastructure systems by investigating the post-hurricane recovery data of these lifeline systems. Subsequently, the research …

Array Of Graphene Solar Cells On 100 Mm Silicon Wafers For Power Systems, Syed M. Rahman, Md R. Kabir, Tamzeed B. Amin, James M. Mangum, Ashaduzzaman, Paul M. Thibado

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

High electrical conductivity and optical transparency make graphene a suitable candidate for photovoltaic-based power systems. In this study, we present the design and fabrication of an array of graphene-based Schottky junction solar cells. Using mainstream semiconductor manufacturing methods, we produced 96 solar cells from a single 100 mm diameter silicon wafer that was precoated with an oxide layer. The fabrication process involves removing the oxide layer over a select region, depositing metal contacts on both the oxide and bare silicon regions, and transferring large-area graphene onto the exposed silicon to create the photovoltaic interface. A single solar cell can provide …

Advancing Grid Modernization Through Data-Driven Resilience Modeling And Hosting Capacity Of Distributed Energy Resources, Oscar Samuel Acosta

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This Ph.D. dissertation focuses on advancing the integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) through concepts surrounding their impacts on power system stability, resilience, and hosting capacity (HC). This dissertation addresses crucial topics in renewable energy deployment, transient fault response, and dynamic modeling. The work begins with the development of renewable energy source (RES) models tailored for offsetting residential heating, ventilation, and air conditioning~(HVAC) and commercial cooling loads. These models utilize solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy systems to produce scalable frameworks adapted across diverse climates and building types in application of a partial-load targeting methodology. The dissertation then transitions from …

A Machine Learning Approach For Estimating Evapotranspiration For Urban Landscaping Vegetation In Semi-Arid Regions, Damian Lorenzo Gallegos Espinoza

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Water management is important for residents in semi-arid urban areas due to increasing demand, water scarcity, and rising costs. It is estimated that in semi-arid regions, 40-70% of the household water consumption is used in landscaping. Therefore, urban landscaping water use can substantially contribute to water conservation. This work aims to estimate the water needs of urban landscaping vegetation to inform residents in semi-arid regions.Evapotranspiration indicates water and energy exchange between the atmosphere, soil, and vegetation. This interaction depends on solar radiation, evaporation, transpiration, and other biophysical parameters. Evapotranspiration has become a reference for water management in agriculture (e.g., crop …

Using The Schism Model And Hf Radar Data To Study Surface Currents In Texas Bays: A Case Study Of Sabine Lake (Sl) And Galveston Bay (Gb)., Cletus Ozoemena Ogbodo

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Surface currents study provides invaluable understanding into the physical dynamics of oceans, bays, estuaries, and nearshore environments, offering critical insights about water movement and related coastal processes. These currents play a fundamental role in understanding the state of estuarine and marine systems, such as their effects on sediment transport, heat distribution and climate change, nutrient distribution, and pollutant dispersal. In addition, surface current data provides significant economic and ecological implications for coastal communities essential for managing resources effectively and ensuring the resilience of coastal regions against environmental and anthropogenic pressures. This study was driven by the need to address the …

Thermal Inequity Along The Us-Mexico Border: An Analysis Of El Paso, Texas, Mia Alexandra Trevino

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The Urban Heat Island effect (UHI) combined with rising average global temperatures invariably results in thermal inequality, the unequal distribution of temperature patterns by different socioeconomic and sociodemographic groups, resulting in an array of negative public health impacts. This thesis research focused on the historical factors that contribute to UHI and tree cover in historically underserved neighborhoods in El Paso, Texas. The impact of maps from 1933-1954 created by the Home Ownerâ??s Loan Corporation (HOLC), a federal selective lending program, resulted in decades of disinvestment and inequality especially in redlined areas. Geospatial analyses of environmental and socioeconomic indicators such as …

Redefining Approaches For Measuring Landscape Subsidence And Permafrost Degradation In Arctic Tundra Environments, Tabatha Lynn Fuson

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

As climate change accelerates in the Arctic, the degradation of permafrost is leading to significant landscape transformation in tundra landscapes. This dissertation investigates the multifaceted responses of permafrost systems to warming, focusing on the dynamics of surface elevation changes and active layer thickness (ALT) across the North Slope of Alaska. In this study, I explore the capacity of repeat Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) technology for modeling tundra features and detecting surface subsidence, specifically how different climate and landscape conditions during scanning impact TLS model precision. We also compare TLS model precision estimates to TLS model accuracy by comparing elevation values …

The New Anthropocentrism: The Problem Of Water Conservation And Water Justice, Benjamin Stuart Milam

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

My objective with my thesis is to argue for and reinforce a type of anthropocentrism that is both environmentally conscious and consumable for an audience that is not necessarily well versed in philosophical literature. In the first chapter I go over philosophical frameworks, such as Anthropocentrism and Biocentrism, and why I believe they do not meet both of those criteria listed. After that I discuss New Anthropocentrism, coined by Clive Hamilton, and why I believe that a slightly modified version possesses qualities that I believe are needed for the crisis at hand. In chapter 2 I use that framework and …

The United States National Security And Policy Implications Of Desertification, Eric Olvera

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Contemporary climate security literature reveals that desertification appears to be overlooked as a climate change security threat to the United States (US). This investigation demonstrates that an inequity exists between sea-level-rise- and desertification-based climate security literature. This inequity may reveal that the US may be ignoring desertification at a time when land use in some dryland areas is reaching a critical point where it can no longer support human activity. Due to the interdisciplinary nature (science and security) of this work, a review of the terminology used in the article is provided to establish a baseline understanding of “desertification” and …

Agricultural Water Use In South Carolina - A Series Of Investigations To Support Long-Term Planning, Charles Pellett

All Dissertations

Agricultural water use in South Carolina has been the subject of some public debate. While there are several sources of information available, the accuracy of the relevant data has been called into doubt. Self-reported estimates may be biased; survey sampling and extrapolation methods yield wide ranges of uncertainty; and reporting compliance or response rate can change over time.

Agricultural water users self-report that their estimates of water use volumes are less accurate than the other major sectors of water use. Center pivot irrigation is the largest and fastest growing kind of agricultural water use in SC. Since the year 2000, …

Heavy Metals In Rural Soils: A Case Study In Jennings County, Indiana, Madeline Hill

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Heavy metals, such as lead and mercury, can be toxic if exposure levels are too high. People are often concerned about lead exposure from water or paint, but soil is another potential exposure avenue for many metals. While some heavy metals, including mercury and lead, are found in emissions from coal-burning power plants and from incinerators, many metals accumulate in soils from past uses (ex. lead paint, leaded gasoline, chemical spills, industrial emissions, and natural occurrences). It is important to have soil tested to check metal concentrations because consumption or inhalation of these metals can lead to permanent damage and …

Landslide Inventory And Unstable Slope Monitoring Along Highways In Eastern Tennessee, Robert Mcsweeney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research introduces an unstable slope management program (USMP) for Tennessee based on federal slope management standards, along with improved methods for landslide monitoring with unmanned aerial systems (UAS) lidar and photogrammetry. In mountainous regions, monitoring slope hazards is a critical function of transportation management. A mobile field assessment form created with Survey123 was used to collect 22 unstable slope ratings in eastern Tennessee. Location points were appended with photographs, notes, and site information. Landslide scores ranged from 325 (Fair) to 1005 (Poor). UAS monitoring of a slow-moving soil landslide along I-40 near Rockwood, TN, produced high-resolution lidar and photogrammetry …

Time Series Decomposition Of Land Surface Temperature For Long-Term Trend Forecasting And Impact On Nesting Sea Turtle Habitats In The Arabian Gulf, Sachi Perera, Rommel H. Maneja, Mohamed Allali, Cyril Rakovski, Erik Linstead, Daniele Struppa, Ali Qasem, Hesham El-Askary

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Improving land surface temperature (LST) modeling is vital for mitigating climate change effects on various ecosystems and marine habitats such as important sea turtle habitats. Over the past decade, extreme temperatures have likely significantly affected nesting sea turtle habitats in the Arabian Gulf, with predominantly female hatchlings creating an imbalance in the sex ratio. Such shifts have profound implications for these habitats’ long-term survival and conservation management. This study leverages statistical machine learning models to measure ongoing temporal variations in LST. We break down the LST time series into trend, seasonal, and noise components using classical decomposition methods like X11, …

Uptake Of Contaminants Of Emerging Concerns (Cecs) By Plants Irrigated With Recycled Waters, Abid Hussain

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The increasing demand for water in arid and semi-arid regions necessitates the use of recycled water (RW) for irrigation. RW is a viable alternative to conventional irrigation water at most locations, but it can be a major route for contaminants of emerging concerns (CECs) to be taken up by the tissues of food crops, thereby leading to their subsequent entry into the food chain. CECs include pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and industrial chemicals that are generally present at low concentrations in environmental waters, hence their common designation as trace organic compounds (TOrCs), and CECs also include microbiological constituents such as …

Experimental Investigations Of Wind Shear From Passing A Vehicle, Hamid Rahai, Assma Begum, Jeremy Bonifacio, Ryan Moffit

Mineta Transportation Institute

Wind energy can be harnessed for various commercial and transportation-related applications. This study assessed experimentally the potential of capturing wind energy from the passage of vehicles for electric power generation. Both wind tunnel experiments and field tests were performed. The wind tunnel experiments were performed in an open-circuit low-speed wind tunnel at a free-stream mean velocity of 23 m/s. Five PVC pipes placed adjacent to the wind-blowing domain were used to simulate the columns under a freeway overpass. A scaled Ahmad body (simplified car body model) was used as the vehicle. The spanwise distance between the Ahmad body and the …

Detection Of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances In Public Water Supply: San Antonio Case Study, David Arambula

Water Resources Science and Technology Theses and Graduate Research Reports (Archived)

This research investigates the detection and influence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the San Antonio water supply system, focusing on two contaminated water entry points sourced from the Edwards Aquifer. Sampling and statistical analyses compare urbanization, geologic features, and groundwater quality between contaminated and noncontaminated sites. Key findings include statistically significant differences in fault lengths, impermeable surfaces, and urban development. Although direct correlations between PFAS contamination and groundwater quality parameters like nitrate and conductivity remain inconclusive due to limited data, the study indicates urbanization's potential role in exacerbating PFAS infiltration through sensitive geological features. Insights from this research …

Constraining Decadal-Scale Erosion And Delivery Of Post-Wildfire Debris Flow Deposits, Casey Langstroth

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Debris flows generated from wildfire pose significant risk to increased sedimentation to instream river networks, degradation of water quality, and accumulated sediment behind downstream reservoirs. Despite an abundance of research investigating the probability of debris flow generation, the constraints on deposit initial volume, and most recently the initial grain size distribution, there remains a significant knowledge gap in understanding the temporal scale at which debris flows supply sediment to river networks after deposition. To provide reliable estimates of sediment delivery from debris flow deposits over time, two important metrics must be constrained: 1) how does sediment delivery to river networks …

Understanding And Influencing Public Concerns About Prescribed Fire Use In Utah, Brooke Richards

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Prescribed fire is beneficial for improving forest health and reducing wildfire risk, which is especially important for residents who live near forested areas. To expand the use of prescribed fire, Utah land managers must first ensure there is public support. Therefore, better understanding public concerns and what shapes their beliefs about prescribed fire can help managers improve outreach and education methods. Through interviews with south-central Utah land managers, private landowners, and Health departments employees, a focus group discussion with Park City natural resource managers, and observation of Summit County public commentary, two outreach messages were suggested to address the five …

Nature-Based Solutions For Flood Risk Mitigation: Mapping And Hydrological Modeling In An Under-Resourced Urban Area On The Mississippi Gulf Coast, Jennifer Makenzie Holifield

Master's Theses

Flooding is the most frequent and costly disaster in the United States, affecting people disproportionately based on environmental, societal, and economic limitations. Through stakeholder engagement, open-access research, and nature-based solutions (NBS), ecology and hydrology can be bridged with local-scale politics to raise awareness of local issues and form strong interdisciplinary bonds. I approached nature-based equity from a ground front, in which I engaged with local stakeholders and city officials to gain insight and calibration on flooding experiences and flooding presence within Moss Point, MS. This engagement helped calibrate GIS models, from which, I found that the flooding hazards of Moss …