Digital Commons Network^™

Toward Untangling Thunderstorm-Aerosol Relationships: An Observational Study Of Regions Centered On Washington, Dc And Kansas City, Mo, Mace Bentley, Tobias Gerken, Zhoujun Duan, Dudley Bonsal, Henry Way, Endre Szakal, Mia Pham, Hunter Donaldson, Lucie Griffith

School of Integrated Sciences - Faculty Scholarship

A multi-variable investigation of thunderstorm environments in two distinct geographic regions is conducted to assess the aerosol and thermodynamic environments surrounding thunderstorm initiation. 12-years of cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning flash data are used to reconstruct thunderstorms occurring in a 225 km radius centered on the Washington, D·C. and Kansas City Metropolitan Regions. A total of 196,836 and 310,209 thunderstorms were identified for Washington, D.C. and Kansas City, MO, respectively. Hourly meteorological and aerosol data were then merged with the thunderstorm event database.

Evidence suggests, warm season thunderstorm environments in benign synoptic conditions are considerably different in thermodynamics, aerosol properties, and aerosol …

The Colorado Wolf Reintroduction Portrayal In News Media, Megan K. Mcarthur, Monica V. Ogra

Student Publications

The Colorado gray wolf (Canis lupus) reintroduction began in December 2023 in the hope of restoring this once native population to the area, and it has received mixed responses from the media. By answering the research question of 'How has the wolf reintroduction in Colorado been framed in news media?', this research poster looks at the portrayal of the reintroduction in news articles from six months before and after the first wolves were released. Media is an influential factor in people's opinions and it is important to be aware of the information being shared and any bias within them.

Integrating Remote Sensing And Machine Learning To Determine Past, Current And Future Crop Water Use From The Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System, Moaz Ishag

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The agriculture sector is a significant consumer of water, and sustainable water use begins with monitoring irrigated land. Delineating irrigated land supports decision-makers and promotes the sustainable use of this crucial resource. This study focuses on the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS), the largest aquifers in the world, which spans Egypt, Sudan, Libya, and Chad. The study aims to: 1) quantify the increase in irrigated hectares (both pivot and non-pivot) from 2000-2001 to 2023-2024; 2) identify major irrigated crop types and their water requirements; and 3) quantify groundwater crop water use from the NSAS using remote sensing via the Google …

Formalizing The Santa Fe Water Bank, Walker Williamson

Water Resources Professional Project Reports

Water users depend on institutional flexibility to efficiently allocate water in legally constrained and overallocated basins. Adaptive market-based mechanisms such as water banking proffer flexibility and fairness, but often face practical challenges fueled by empirical and institutional uncertainties. The Santa Fe Water Bank is a case in point. The City of Santa Fe transfers agricultural water rights from the Middle Rio Grande to its municipal Water Bank for sustainable development. Combined uncertainties in this process can obscure latent changes in water balance and foster misunderstanding, potentially provoking transfer protests. This study develops a formal model clarifying the interrelated institutional and …

Missing History Of A Modern Domesticate: Historical Demographics And Genetic Diversity In Farm-Bred Red Fox Populations, Halie M. Rando, Emmarie P. Alexander, Sophie Preckler-Quisquater, Cate B. Quinn, Jeremy T. Stutchman, Jennifer L. Johnson, Estelle R. Bastounes, Beata Horecka, Kristina L. Black, Michael P. Robson, Darya V. Shepeleva, Yury E. Herbeck, Anastasiya V. Kharlamova, Lyudmila N. Trut, Jonathan N. Pauli, Benjamin N. Sacks, Anna V. Kukekova

Computer Science: Faculty Publications

The first record of captive-bred red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) dates to 1896 when a breeding enterprise emerged in the provinces of Atlantic Canada. Because its domestication happened during recent history, the red fox offers a unique opportunity to examine the genetic diversity of an emerging domesticated species in the context of documented historical and economic influences. In particular, the historical record suggests that North American and Eurasian farm-bred populations likely experienced different demographic trajectories. Here, we focus on the likely impacts of founder effects and genetic drift given historical trends in fox farming on North American and Eurasian farms. A …

Ecological Effects On Greenhouse Gas Emissions In Vegetated Estuarine Soils Of The Lower Laguna Madre, David R. De La Garza

Theses and Dissertations

Coastal wetlands are important ecosystems that provide numerous ecosystem services including erosion control, habitat for fauna, and carbon sequestration. Notably, coastal wetlands are producers of greenhouse gases (GHGs) but are able to store significant amounts of carbon relative to their surface area. Mangrove forests are amongst the most effective ecosystems for carbon sequestration. Soil emits (GHGs) containing carbon (such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4)), which are produced by organic matter decomposition and soil organic carbon mineralization, and both are an important component of the global carbon cycle. Soil emissions may be affected by a variety of factors including …

Application Of Multilayer Perceptron Artificial Neural Network (Mlp-Ann) Algorithm For Pm2.5 Mass Concentration Estimation During Open Biomass Burning Episodes In Thailand, P. Paluang, W. Thavorntam, W. Phairuang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Open biomass burning (OBB) is the main cause of air pollution in Northern Thailand, where PM2.5 concentrations exceed Thailand's air quality standards annually during the January–April (dry season). The air emissions from databases that detail the pollutants discharged into the atmosphere from specific sources of air pollution are crucial for monitoring air pollution. However, this data has been poorly studied in Thailand. This study estimated ground-level PM2.5 concentration in Northern Thailand using the Multilayer Perceptron Artificial Neural Networks (MLP-ANN) model, integrating the in-depth data as input variables. The 10-fold cross-validation approach was applied to validate the model's performance. The meteorological …

Transforming Place-Based Management Within Watersheds In Fiji: The Watershed Interventions For Systems Health Project, Stacy D. Jupiter, Aaron P. Jenkins, Joel Negin, Shylett Anthony, Ponipate Baleinamau, Rachel Devi, Sikeli Gavidi, Alice Latinne, Kini Koto Mailautoka, Sangeeta Mangubhai, Kelera Naivalu, Timoci Naivalulevu, Vilisi Naivalulevu, Nabeela Nasim, Sikeli Naucunivanua, Sarah Nelson, Ingrid Qauqau, Anaseini Ratu, Mereia Ravoka, Jacqueline Thomas, Andrew Tukana, Paul Van Nimwegen, Ama Wakwella, Amelia Wenger, Donald Wilson, Pierre Horwitz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Watersheds offer opportunities for place-based interventions to transform systems health via preventative versus reactive approaches to management that achieve multiple co-benefits for public and environmental health. The Watershed Interventions for Systems Health in Fiji (WISH Fiji) project embraced participatory knowledge co-production and action-oriented research to identify risks to public and ecosystem health, prioritize interventions to address risks, and monitor responses of the system to interventions. We used screening filters and local knowledge to collaboratively identify five watersheds for action with high prior incidence of water-related diseases (Fiji’s “three plagues” of leptospirosis, typhoid and dengue) and high risk to downstream environmental …

Problem-Based Learning Model Assisted With A Humanistic-Merdeka Belajar Approach Improved Biology Students’ Learning Ownership, Dita Tri Mulyani, Dwi Listyorini

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

Fostering ownership over learning constitutes a pivotal aspect for students to cultivate a comprehensive understanding, employ cognitive strategies effectively, hone essential skills, and refine learning methodologies. Preliminary studies have underscored a prevalent deficiency in the learning ownership among biology students, categorizing it as notably low. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the effect of the Project Based Learning (PBL) model assisted with a Humanistic-Merdeka Belajar (HMB) approach, in nurturing students’ ownership of their learning endeavors. Employing a quasi-experimental design, the research adopts a pre-test post-test non-equivalent control group configuration, administered both prior to and following the intervention within …

Socio-Economic And Climate Change In Mongolia - Effects On Grassland Ecosystems, C Opp

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In Mongolia, in combination with strong changes of the whole society during the past 76 years, from the feudal system to socialism and from the socialist system of planned development to the market economy, there are a lot of changes in the use of natural resources all over the country. In consequence of this a lot of effects on grassland ecosystems, caused by socio-economic and climate driving factors, were observed and studied in different scales: zonal, regional, local.

The Application Of Multi-Isotope Analysis To Assist In Geoprofiling Unidentified Decedents Within Florida, Liotta D. Noche-Dowdy

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The biochemistry of human tissues can provide information for geoprofiling (geographic birthplace or migration patterns) of an unidentified decedent. Utilizing isotope analyses (both stable and radiogenic) from teeth, bone, nails, and/or hair reveals specific isotopic information that correlates to diverse geographic regions reflecting an individual’s birthplace and migration patterns. Isotope analysis of enamel and bone has been employed in bioarchaeology for decades to reconstruct the diet, health, and migration patterns of past populations. Isotope ratios measured from enamel can then be compared to isotope ratios measured from bone of the individual to track patterns of migration. The enamel from the …

[Discussions] Vol. 20 Iss. 1

Discussions

This issue of Discussions was published for the Spring 2024 cycle.

An Investigation On Inventory Of Sub-Steppic Meadows In Northwestern Iran, Mansour Mesdaghi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The meadows of the Ardabill region with an area of 77,000 hectares, make up about 50% of the total areas scattered in central and western parts of Ardabill. The objectives of this research were to identify and classify the meadows based on vegetation. It was observed that among eight representative stands, Vagah-sara and Samian were more diverse compared to the other stands. The richness increases as soil moisture increases. From the standpoint of life form, hemicryptophytes and therophytes dominated. Productions of dry matter were 3900 and 3700 kg/ha at Arjestan and Khatampboulaghi respectively, and were decreased to 1500 kg/ha at …

A Study Of Reasons For The Endangered Status Of Potaninia Mongolica In Arid Desert Grasslands Of China, Wang Jihe, Peng Hongjia, Shi Qian, Zhang Dongming

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Potaninia mongolica is an endangered plant species of arid desert grasslands of China. Reasons for its decline and opportunities for its conservation were investigated by studying the plant’s distribution, biological characteristics, plant community associations and stress resistance.

Modifying Management Methods To Promote The Reform And Development Of Grassland Based Animal Husbandry Through Better Resource Use, Cui Heng-Xin, Zhang Jiang-Ling, Asya Jiang-Ling

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The development of grassland livestock production cannot rely on the cost of pasture degradation. The stocking rate has to be based on the pasture production and it also has to be under the guidance of law. Changing management methods, development of grassland agriculture and optimization of the utilization of natural resources is the effective way of improving the reformation and development of grassland livestock production.

Restoration Of Degraded Coastal Grasslands In The Falkland Island, J A. Kerr

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In the Falkland Islands the coastal grasslands are the most valuable for wool production and important habitats for wildlife. Tussac grass (Parodiochloa flabellata Lam.) and sandy areas which support an Ammophilia - Elymus association have been degraded by overgrazing, burning and invasion by alien flora and fauna. Traditional approaches to restoration, mainly by replanting, have had limited success. Research on

Climate, Food, And Humans Predict Communities Of Mammals In The United States, Roland Kays, Matthew H. Snider, Andrew M. Wilson

Environmental Studies Faculty Publications

The assembly of species into communities and ecoregions is the result of interacting factors that affect plant and animal distribution and abundance at biogeographic scales. Here, we empirically derive ecoregions for mammals to test whether human disturbance has become more important than climate and habitat resources in structuring communities.

Correlation Analysis Of Highway Traffic Accidents Based On Improved Apriori Algorithm, Qiu Wenli, Yang Haifeng, Zhang Shaobo, Qiu Yu, Zhao Jiao

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

In order to explore the as sociation characteristics between influencing factors of accidents from existing traffic data and provide precise and fine-grained decision support information for highway operation and management departments,a constrained improved Apriori algorithm was established to mine the association rules affecting highway traffic accidents by considering four dimensions:driver,environment,road,and vehicle.On the basis of the traditional Apriori algorithm,the improvement of antecedent and consequent constraints of the rule may increase the accuracy and efficiency of mining association rules.Based on the analysis of 3 178 highway traffic accident data,it is shown that the improved Apriori algorithm reduces the number of invalid association …

Assessment And Prediction Of Meteorological Drought Using Machine Learning Algorithms And Climate Data, Khalid En-Nagre, Mourad Aqnouy, Ayoub Ouarka, Syed Ali Asad Naqvi, Ismail Bouizrou, Jamal Eddine Stitou El Messari, Aqil Tariq, Walid Soufan, Wenzhao Li, Hesham El-Askary

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Monitoring drought in semi-arid regions due to climate change is of paramount importance. This study, conducted in Morocco’s Upper Drâa Basin (UDB), analyzed data spanning from 1980 to 2019, focusing on the calculation of drought indices, specifically the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) at multiple timescales (1, 3, 9, 12 months). Trends were assessed using statistical methods such as the Mann-Kendall test and the Sen’s Slope estimator. Four significant machine learning (ML) algorithms, including Random Forest, Voting Regressor, AdaBoost Regressor, and K-Nearest Neighbors Regressor, were evaluated to predict the SPEI values for both three …

Investigation And Comprehensive Utilization Of Resources In Closed Coal Mines In Anhui Province, China, Liu Feiyue, Chen Wanyun, Yang Ke, Duan Minke, Liu Qinjie, Yang Lingyue

Coal Geology & Exploration

[Objevtive] With the continuously intensive exploitation of coal resources and the structural reform of energy supply, many coal mines in Anhui Province have been closed due to resource depletion or backward production capacity. However, the closed coal mines still host resources such as underground spaces, residual coals, gas, mine water, land, and infrastructure equipment. Hence, reutilizing resources in closed coal mines holds significant engineering value and economic benefits. [Methods] Based on the general information and reutilization status of 59 coal mines in Anhui Province that have been closed since 2013, this study analyzed the distribution characteristics, residual resources, and reutilization …

Winterkill Potential Of Alfalfa Under Different Snow Depths, R H. Leep

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The presence and amount of insulating winter snow cover are key factors in determining the potential of winter injury of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) In the Midwestern U.S. Four alfalfa varieties of varying fall dormancy ratings were planted in the summers of 1993 and 1994. Snow depths above the crop plots were kept constant at depths of 0, 10, and 20 cm during the subsequent winters with framed mesh covers. Winterkill percentages during the two seasons varied dramatically from 0-100% and were significantly higher for the 0 cm treatment than for 10 or 20 cm treatments. Nitro, a nondormant …

Effect Of Grazing And Soils On The Structure Of Mountain Vegetation Communities, I Alonso

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The range of life forms of four grassland communities in the Cantabrian mountains (N. Spain) was studied under grazing and when grazing was excluded in relation to soil characteristics. Hemicryptophytes were the most abundant life form in all communities and they increased their number when ungrazed. Diversity was bigger in the communities with shrubs, which presented a more heterogeneous structure. As a whole, grasslands on calcareous soils were more diverse than those on siliceous soils.

Integrating Satellite Images And Species-Based Vegetation Maps To Manage Native Grasslands, M Hall-Beyer, Q.H. J. Gwyn

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Satellite image mapping of grasslands is problematic when species diversity occurs at a sub-pixel scale. We propose a method, called melody classification, to map ground cover units that group several spectral classes (colours). Melodies are defined as the normalized expected frequencies of each class within the ground cover unit. Starting from an unsupervised classification, an image is created showing the probability of finding each spectral class in the vicinity of each pixel. Each pixel is classified by comparing the melody in its neighbourhood with that of each ground cover unit. Accuracies are greatly enhanced over those of supervised classification. Melody …

Technological Challenges And Development Directions Of Ecological Security Barrier Construction In Yun-Gui-Chuan-Yu Region, Peng Cui, Yongping Yang, Genxu Wang, Bo Zhu, Xuyang Lu, Geng Sun, Xiaoyong Bai, Sirui Zhang, Yonggang Ge, Jiao Wang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The Yun-Gui-Chuan-Yu Ecological Security Barrier is situated in Southwest China, encompassing the provinces of Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou, and Yunnan. It serves as a vital water source conservation area and a core zone for biodiversity protection for the Yangtze, Yellow, and Pearl River basins, playing a crucial role in China’s national ecological security. Since the 18th National Congress of Communist Party of China, under the guidance of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization, the region has made significant strides in water resource protection, soil erosion and mountain disaster control, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem restoration, resulting in noticeable improvements in environmental quality …

Scientific And Technological Measures To Support Sustainability Of Water Resources In Western China, Jun Xia, Xi Chen, Qiuhong Tang, Hongwei Lu, Shaofeng Jia, Genxu Wang, Jingjie Yu, Jinzhu Ma, Xingcai Liu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Under the combined impacts of climate change and human activities, the ecological barrier regions of western China exhibit significant reductions in solid water storage, increases in liquid water, declining water resource stability and non-steady-state characteristics in hydrological systems. Water allocation risks have increased, making it exponentially more difficult to ensure water security. Transboundary water resource development can lead to spillover risks, requiring urgent research on sustainable water resource use and adaptation strategies. The water cycle in western China is driven by both natural and anthropogenic factors, yet fundamental research on water cycle dynamics and resource management under changing environments remains …

Exploration On Path Of Ecological Protection And Economic Development In Qilian Mountain National Park Region, Xinmiao Tian, Qi Feng

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

National parks are a kind of special protected areas established under the leadership of the government with the core objective of protecting the integrity of natural ecosystems and biodiversity, which emphasizes the balance between human activities and nature protection in order to achieve sustainable coexistence of human being and nature. The construction of a system of nature reserves with national parks as the core is a major breakthrough progress in the institutional framework of China’s ecological civilization, and a key area for promoting the construction of Beautiful China and realizing the modernization of harmonious coexistence of human being and nature. …

Perspectives On Modifiable Spatiotemporal Unit Problems In Remote Sensing Of Agriculture: Evaluating Rice Production In Vietnam And Tools For Analysis, Brad G. Peter, Joseph P. Messina, Victoria Breeze, Cadi Y. Fung, Abhinav Kapoor, Peilei Fan

Geosciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Measuring agricultural productivity is a multiscale spatiotemporal problem that requires multiscale solutions. In Vietnam, rice comprises a substantial portion of the cultivated area and is a major export crop that supplies much of the global food system. Understanding the when and where of rice productivity is vital to addressing changes to yields and food security, yet descriptive summarizations will vary depending on the spatial or temporal scale of analysis. This paper explores rice trends across Vietnam over a 19-year period, giving specific attention to modifiable spatiotemporal unit problems by evaluating productivity across multiple time periods and administrative levels. A generalizable …

Assessing The Climate Resilience Of Quercus Garryana In The Portland Metro Region, Jess Rose Nettle Shamek

Dissertations and Theses

In the context of rapid global climate change, understanding the resilience of local tree species is essential for fostering effective environmental stewardship and community hopefulness. Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana), an emblematic species in the Pacific Northwest, has faced significant habitat loss and degradation since settler colonization. However, it also exhibits a predicted resilience to climate change, potentially leading to a range shift and expansion. Species resilience refers to the capacity of a species to persist and adapt in the face of rapid global climate change. Beyond vulnerability assessments and niche models, we know little about this species' …

A Country-Level Primary-Final-Useful (Cl-Pfu) Energy And Exergy Database: Overview Of Its Construction And 1971–2020 World-Level Efficiency Results, Paul E. Brockway, Matthew Kuperus Heun, Zeke Marshall, Emmanuel Aramendia, Paul Steenwyk, Thomas Relph, Michelle Widjanarko, Jeonghoo (James) Kim, Anjana Sainju, Julian Irtube

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Societal exergy analysis examines the flows of energy and exergy through societies, from primary (e.g. oil) to final (e.g. gasoline) to useful (e.g. propulsion) energy stages. By extending the study of energy to the useful stage, new insights into the under-represented role of energy in economic growth have been made. However, currently (a) country coverage is patchy and incomplete, (b) available data are based on varying methods and assumptions including efficiencies based on economic rather than engineering data, and (c) datasets are constructed using piecemeal computational approaches. To address these gaps, we construct a country-level primary-final-useful (CL-PFU) energy and exergy …

The Ecosystem As Super-Organ/Ism, Revisited: Scaling Hydraulics To Forests Under Climate Change, Jeffrey D. Wood, Matteo Detto, Marvin Browne, Nathan J.B. Kraft, Alexandra G. Konings, Joshua B. Fisher, Gregory R. Quetin, Anna T. Trugman, Troy S. Magney, Camila D. Medeiros, Nidhi Vinod, Thomas N. Buckley, Lawren Sack

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Classic debates in community ecology focused on the complexities of considering an ecosystem as a super-organ or organism. New consideration of such perspectives could clarify mechanisms underlying the dynamics of forest carbon dioxide (CO₂) uptake and water vapor loss, important for predicting and managing the future of Earth's ecosystems and climate system. Here, we provide a rubric for considering ecosystem traits as aggregated, systemic, or emergent, i.e., representing the ecosystem as an aggregate of its individuals, or as a metaphorical or literal super-organ or organism. We review recent approaches to scaling-up plant water relations (hydraulics) concepts developed for …