Digital Commons Network^™

Wealth Generation In Metropolitan America: F.I.R.E. As Savior?, Darryl T. Cohen, Keith G. Debbage

The Geographical Bulletin

The current restructuring of the American economy from goods producing industry to service providing industry has been a focus of concern for many social scientists. While some argue in favor of the rapidly expanding service sector, pointing out that growth in services creates employment and generates income, others emphasize that many service sector jobs pay considerably less than comparable manufacturing sector jobs, which continue to be lost in many metropolitan areas. The Finance, Insurance and Real Estate (F.I.R.E.) industry in particular, is a branch of the service sector that is often associated with the generation of affluence and productivity. This …

The Relevance Of Gamma Theta Upsilon To Geography In The 1990s, James A. Tyner, Daniel Donaldson

The Geographical Bulletin

The status of geography has long been a concern to its practitioners. Efforts have been proposed to increase both the visibility and vitality of geography at all educational levels. These efforts include the activities of social organizations such as Gamma Theta Upsilon (GTU). This paper tests the hypothesis that geography departments with active chapters of Gamma Theta Upsilon, a geography honor society, will experience a greater increase in declared geography majors than will departments with inactive GTU chapters. Findings confirm our hypothesis, and suggest that Gamma Theta Upsilon, as a visible and active honor society on university campuses, does contribute …

Projections And Perceptions Editorial Comment: Has Land Use Development Lost Touch With The American Landscape? The Need For Geographers In Planning, William M. Marsh

The Geographical Bulletin

There is a predictable sameness creeping over the fact of the North American landscape. In the past several decades, highways, shopping centers, residential subdivisions and most other forms of development have taken on a remarkable similarity from coast to coast. Not only do they look alike, but modern developments also tend to function alike, including the way they relate to the environment; that is, in the way land is cleared and graded, streets are laid out, stormwater is drained, buildings are sited and designed, and landscaping is arranged. We know that this fa~ade of development masks an inherently diverse landscape …

Global Estimates Of The Storage And Transit Time Of Water Through Vegetation, Andrew Felton, Joshua B. Fisher, Koen Hufkens, Adam J. Purdy, Seth A. Spawn-Lee, Lou F. Duloisy, Gregory R. Goldsmith

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

The time it takes for water to transit from the ground back to the atmosphere affects weather, climate, biogeochemistry and ecosystem function. The transit time of water through vegetation, defined as the age of water transpiring from vegetation since time of entry, is a particularly understudied aspect of the terrestrial hydrologic cycle. Here we use a synergy of satellite remote sensing measurements over a five-year period to estimate global aboveground vegetation water storage to be on average 484 km³, roughly half of which is stored in Earth’s water-limited savannah, grassland and shrubland ecosystems. We then combine these storage …

So You're Thinking About Moving To Europe, Jean Lavigne

Environmental Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

From Land Reform To Landfare: Land Claims And The Welfare State In Kerala, India, Sudheesh R.C

Articles

While large-scale land reform may still be underway in many countries, other contexts have states responding to land claims through scattered land provision measures. This article puts forward “landfare” as a lens to capture such measures and unpacks its features in one location. The article first explains this term, outlining its location in and departure from the land reform scholarship. It next shows how Kerala, India, widely cited in the scholarship for its 20th century land reform, addresses the land claims of its Adivasi citizens in the 21st century through landfare. Through an exploration of Adivasi land claims and an …

From Climate To Conflict: Unravelling Multidimensional Vulnerabilities Of Small-Scale Fisheries In The Jaffna Peninsula Of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Senevi Gunaratne, R. B. Radin Firdaus, Augustine Sosai Sihivaitthasan, Sarjiyanto Sarjiyanto, Mohd Hafiidz Jaafar

The Qualitative Report

Vulnerability studies have often centered on climate change and catastrophic climatic events. Contrary to this trend, this study explores the multidimensional vulnerabilities faced by small-scale fisheries (SSFs) in the Jaffna peninsula of Sri Lanka. We employed the Integrated Vulnerability Analysis for Sustainability (IVAS) Framework for this analysis. Data was collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews using semi-structured questionnaires. We analyzed our data following Reflexive Thematic Analysis using ATLAS.ti software and identified 15 vulnerability drivers across five domains specific to the local context, revealing that SSFs in the Jaffna peninsula are highly susceptible to multiple vulnerabilities. Notably, the …

A Wonderfully French New Year's Eve, Jean Lavigne

Environmental Studies Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Geospatial Machine Learning Approaches For Studying Urbanization Impact, Surface Reflectance Patterns, And Groundwater Health Risks, Bibhash Nath

Theses and Dissertations

Geospatial machine learning techniques have been used to study: the impact of urbanization on land use and land cover change, surface reflectance patterns in boreal regions, and groundwater health risks from arsenic in India. These studies combined spatial data, remote sensing, and predictive models to gain valuable insights for sustainable living and protecting human health.

Using Spatial Network Analysis To Explore Migration Of Extended Families In Historical Research, Rock Miller

Theses and Dissertations

This project proposes a geoinformatics approach for understanding the migration of extended families in historical contexts. It uses full-count longitudinal census data (developed by the Minnesota Population Center) and graph methods to define multi-generational extended family relationships and to model the locational structures of these families as a spatial network. Graph algorithms and mapping methods are used to interrogate these structures as reflections of the patterns of family outmigration and extension over time. The study is based on a set of extended families resident in a 15-county study area in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky in 1870, and their evolution …

Forest Above-Ground Biomass Estimation Using Nasa Gedi Lidar Waveforms And Global Tree Allometry, Ian Grant

Theses and Dissertations

Above-ground forest biomass plays a crucial role in global carbon cycles, yet accurately estimating biomass at global scales remains challenging. This thesis addresses two key challenges in processing NASA’s Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) space-borne lidar data to estimate above-ground biomass density (AGBD): accounting for global variation in forest structure and developing robust physical interpretations of lidar returns. The first component of the thesis analyzes global patterns of tree allometry using the Tallo tree allometry dataset, examining relationships between tree dimensions across biomes, continents, and plant functional types. This analysis reveals consistent allometry across continents for some biomes (e.g., tropical …

Understanding The Nexus Between Food Insecurity And School Readiness: A Comprehensive Analysis In Ghana, Michael Atuahene Djan, Emmanuel Yeboah, Isaac Sarfo, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, Abraham Okrah, Desmond Nii Ayitey Mettle-Nunoo, Ben Emunah Aikins, Asante Vincent Antwi, Clement Issaka Anaba, Clement Kwang

School of Global Integrative Studies: Faculty Publications

This study delves into the multifaceted challenges of food insecurity and its profound impact on school readiness among children in Ghana. Utilizing data from the Ghana Statistical Service and the Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis, and employing ArcGIS for spatial analysis, the research maps high food insecurity areas and overlays population density to prioritize interventions. Findings reveal a stark concentration of food insecurity in northern Ghana, worsened by adverse weather conditions, underscoring the urgency for targeted interventions. The study highlights how food insecurity extends beyond nutritional deficits, affecting socio-economic structures and family dynamics. Children in food-insecure households face significant …

Devising Optimized Maize Nitrogen Stress Indices In Complex Field Conditions From Uav Hyperspectral Imagery, Jiating Li, Yufeng Ge, Laila A. Puntel, Derek M. Heeren, Geng Bai, Guillermo R. Balboa, John A. Gamon, Timothy J. Arkebauer, Yeyin Shi

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Nitrogen Sufficiency Index (NSI) is an important nitrogen (N) stress indicator for precision N management. It is usually calculated using variables such as leaf chlorophyll meter readings (SPAD) and vegetation indices (VIs). However, no consensus has been reached on the most preferred variable. Additionally, conventional NSI (NSI_uni) calculation assumes N being the sole yield-limiting factor, neglecting other factors such as soil water variability. To tackle these issues, this study compared various variables for NSI calculation and evaluated two new N stress indicators in minimizing the impact of confounding water treatment. The following ground- and aerial-derived variables were compared …

Coffee Farmgate Price And Post-Harvest Processing In Honduras., Isaac Desouza

Theses and Dissertations--Agricultural Economics

Volatile commodity markets and changing climate expose coffee farmers to price and production risk. Proponents recommend specialty coffee as a strategy to combat price risk, because its unique attributes differentiate it from commodity coffee. Extrinsic and intrinsic attributes define specialty coffee and affect prices at many levels of the supply chain. Despite much work on extrinsic attributes, little is known about how intrinsic attributes relate to farmgate price. Post-harvest processing is itself an intrinsic trait and driver of coffee quality. In 2024 we surveyed 261 coffee farmers from La Paz, Honduras, to uncover relationships between capital, post-harvest processing, and farmgate …

Humboldt Geographic Issue 3

Humboldt Geographic

This collection of maps showcases the exceptional cartographic work produced by students at Cal Poly Humboldt over the past decade. At the core of the geospatial curriculum, cartography is not just a technical skill but a creative, analytical, and communicative practice that empowers students to visualize data, tell meaningful stories, and engage with the world through spatial thinking. The work featured in this journal represents various styles, formats, and topics, reflecting the rigor and innovation embedded in the department's cartographic training.

Restored Wetlands Show Rapid Vegetation Recovery And Substantial Surface-Water Expansion, Thilina D. Surasinghe, Yin-Hsuen Chen, Kunwar K. Singh

Center for Geospatial Science, Education & Analytics Faculty Publications

Ecological restoration is essential for improving the ecological integrity of degraded ecosystems to enhance ecosystem services and biodiversity. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of wetland restoration on retired cranberry farms by analyzing vegetation recovery and surface-water dynamics using the enhanced vegetation index (EVI) and normalized difference water index (NDWI) derived from Sentinel-2 satellite imagery. To quantify temporal dynamics of both vegetation recovery and surface-water cover, we identified the spectral distinctions among restored wetland plant communities. Our results indicated the emergence of distinct plant communities upon restoration. Restored wetlands in general showed significant and progressive vegetation recovery and expanding …

Unlocking Organizational Potential For Gis Collaboration In Higher Education, Charidy Paige

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Hardware, performance, and complex interface issues are just a few barriers that Geographic Information Systems (GIS) instructors must overcome when collaborative efforts extend beyond their classrooms. As GIS technologies evolve, instructors must adapt quickly to new tools and methods to maintain effective collaboration and ensure students achieve positive learning outcomes. Successful cooperation between departments, institutions, and other organizations requires preparation and sustainability throughout the semester to foster meaningful partnerships and support institutional goals. This dissertation applies the Resource Dependency Theory (RDT) to identify and define the challenges faced by GIS instructors, examining how they navigate these barriers by leveraging internal …

Predictive Analysis Of Arizona Dust Storms (1996–2023): Gis, Artificial Intelligence (Maxent), And Spatiotemporal Data, Soheil Bouzari

CGU Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation looks at how well Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model can predict duststorms in Arizona, United States. MaxEnt is a machine learning tool that was first developed to predict where different species might live. MaxEnt uses presence-only data which makes it especially useful in environments where reliable absence data is hard to find or unavailable. This study analyzes if the combination of MaxEnt within Geographic Information Systems (ArgGIS Pro) and spatiotemporal data can provide data-driven and reliable predictions of dust storms susceptibility in Arizona. The framework that was used for this study is Design Science Research because of its problem-solving …

Life Stories Of Garment Workers In India: Toward A Labor-Centric Labor Regimes Framework, Siobhán Mcgrath, Madhumita Dutta

Geography

This article contributes to a recent wave of literature formulating a renewed labor regimes framework as a means to understand the processes, relations, actors, and institutions through which conditions of work are produced under contemporary capitalism. This scholarship (partially) incorporates a feminist lens highlighting the centrality of social reproduction to the construction and persistence of particular labor regimes, and further calls for “labor-centric” analyses to counter a “capital-centric” tendency. We take up this call through analyzing the life stories of three garment workers in India, centering their own perspectives about their labor and motivations for entering and exiting particular labor …

The Potential For Albedo-Induced Climate Mitigation Using No-Till Management In Midwestern U.S. Croplands, Xian Wang, Mallory Barnes, Landon Yoder, Christopher A. Williams, Jennifer Tank, Todd Royer, Shellye Suttles, Kim Novick

Geography

No-till management is often recognized for its environmental and economic benefits, but its potential to reduce climate warming is still uncertain. Beyond ongoing debate over its effects on soil carbon storage, no-till also leaves plant residue on the surface, which can reflect more sunlight. This increase in surface reflectivity, called albedo, may help mitigate climate change by reducing the energy absorbed by the land. Here, we assessed this climate benefit of no-till across the U.S. Corn Belt using conservation survey records, county-level tillage data, and satellite observations. We found that no-till increased land surface brightness during the dormant season, reducing …

Temporal And Spatial Dynamics Of Urban Heat In The City Of Córdoba, Argentina, Florencia Sangermano, María Lila Asar, Andrés M. Visintin, Elisabet Benítez, Francisco F. Ludueña-Almeida, Elizabet L. Estallo

Geography

Introduction: Climate change is expected to exacerbate the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect in the coming decades by altering the structure and function of urban ecosystems and impacting human health. Methods: This research assesses the dynamics of the UHI effect in the city of Córdoba, Argentina, by analyzing temperature trends over the past 19 years. Urban areas were classified into five classes using satellite imagery. Monthly average daytime and nighttime MODIS Land Surface Temperature (LST) were used to assess thermal differences across urban classes and temporal trends. Results: Daytime urban cooling occurred during the winter and heating during the summer, …

Complexity Machines: New Histories Of North American Automobile Production, 1900-1950s, Kevin A. Moskowitz

History Dissertations - Archive

This dissertation examines the design and manufacture of the mass-produced automobile in North America from its inception at the start of the twentieth century through the height of production in the late 1950s. This network of producers constituted the single largest industry in North America. The success of this market required producing a product that was desirable to consumers in design, affordable to purchase, and could be built in high enough quantities to justify the realignment of the rest of North American society to serve this new method of transportation. This dissertation is a shift away from demand studies concerned …

Dataset Supporting The Manuscript Fire Spread, Intensity, And Emissions Observations By Multiple Satellites: The Southern California Wildfires Of January 2025, Fangjun Li, Xiaoyang Zhang, Mark Cochrane, Shobha Kondragunta, Shuai An

Global Land Surface Season Data Sets

The data is for the paper "Fire Spread, Intensity, and Emissions Observations by Multiple Satellites: the Southern California Wildfires of January 2025" which has been submitted to the journal AGU Advances.

The downloadable file contains:

• README file that provides an overview of all all supporting files and scripts.
• 12 files folders containing the data and scripts

File type : zip/application
File size :  1.2GB

Military Forensic Archaeology: The Process And Recovery Of U.S. Missing-In-Action (Mia) Service Personnel, William Belcher, Luann Wandsnider, Ella N. Axelrod, Finn Kennison, Alicia Lawson

Department of Anthropology: Faculty Publications

The United States (U.S.) Department of Defense's (DoD) Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) is the largest skeletal identification laboratory in the world and receives several hundred cases per year for identification related to Missing-in- Action (MIA) U.S. service members. While there are various sources for these accessions, by far the largest source is through unilateral or bilateral (done in cooperation with another governmental entity or nongovernmental organization) as well as public-private partnership excavations. While the DPAA-style military forensic archaeology follows archaeological principles and recording standards, the work is goal-oriented, evidence/trace-driven, and time-constrained— a common occurrence with cultural resource management sites …

Examining Short Term Drainage Impacts To Soil Health In Hydric And Non-Hydric Soils Of Waseca County, Minnesota, Ely Hartl

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Subsurface drainage is implemented throughout the Midwest United States to remove excess moisture from soil to enhance crop growth. Hydric soils are ubiquitous throughout Minnesota and are commonly drained due to their historically saturated conditions. Changing a soil's hydrology can impact its formation and properties. The alteration of physical, biological, and chemical soil properties can occur to both hydric and non-hydric soils, impacting overall soil health. The purpose of this study is to examine the short-term effects of tile drainage on the soil health of hydric and non-hydric soils in southern Minnesota. Research methods include: 1) collect soil-sediment cores to …

About The Journal, Christopher Meindl

Florida Geographer

No abstract provided.

Letter From The Editor, Christopher F. Meindl

Florida Geographer

No abstract provided.

The Geography Of Care: Rural Versus Urban Caregiver Perspectives On Community Resources For Parkinson’S Disease Management, Rebecca Jones

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study investigated the experiences and perceptions of caregivers for individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) in rural versus urban settings, with particular emphasis on their access to and utilization of community resources. Through semi-structured interviews with 30 caregivers, the research explored how geographical location impacts caregiving challenges, support systems, and resource accessibility. Using Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use as a theoretical framework, the study revealed both universal caregiving challenges and location-specific barriers. While all caregivers reported significant emotional burden and healthcare system navigation difficulties, rural caregivers faced distinct challenges related to resource accessibility and specialized care availability. …

Satellite And Uas Synergy For Large-Scale Crop Canopy Cover Mapping With Deep Learning, Muhammad Ali Irshad

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Factors Contributing To Fatalities In Helicopter Emergency Medical Service Accidents, Jenna Korentsides, Joseph R. Keebler, Mihhail Berezovski, Alex Chaparro

Publications

INTRODUCTION: T his study aimed to update and reinforce previous research on helicopter emergency medical service accidents in the United States. By investigating predictors of fatalities after helicopter emergency medical service crashes through the application of machine learning techniques, we updated existing data sets and sought to uncover patterns that traditional analysis might not reveal.

METHODS: Using the National Transportation Safety Board database, the authors analyzed a dataset of 267 helicopter emergency medical service accidents between 1991–2022. We first calculated fatalities odds ratios for each condition. We then plotted geospatial locations of all reported accidents. Finally, we used XGBoost regression …