Digital Commons Network^™

Cooperative Conservation: Increasing Capacity Through Community Partnerships: Cultural Site Stewardship Program: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending December 31, 2004, Margaret N. Rees

Cultural Site Stewardship Program

A list of cultural sites unique to each of the four agencies is in the process of being compiled by the project manager. The first round, currently numbering more than 300 sites, is being defined in general categories by location and urgency for attention. Additions, refinements, and corrections will be ongoing.

Trainers for Nevada Heritage Site Stewardship were questioned in order to begin tailoring operating procedures for CSSP recruitment and training.

Cooperative Conservation: Increasing Capacity Through Community Partnerships: Cultural Site Stewardship Program: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Ending September 30, 2004, Margaret N. Rees

Cultural Site Stewardship Program

Although the task agreement formally commenced June 30, 2004, the agreement was not fully executed by both parties until July 22, 2004. Since that date, UNLV met with the Interagency Cultural Resources Team on July 23, 2004. Bobbie Antonich, Government Technical Representative for the National Park Service, and Nancy Flagg, Director of the UNLV Public Lands Initiative, brought the team up-to-date on the status of the task agreement, UNLV’s role in fulfilling the agreement.

Vegetation Characteristics Associated With Small Mammal Populations In The Las Vegas Wash, Christine Therese Herndon

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Percent litter, average litter depth, percent bare ground, vegetation density, vegetation canopy, and distance to an ecotone boundary were measured and compared to small mammal capture locations in the Las Vegas Wash. Neotoma lepida appear to be greatly dependent upon the foliage litter of T. ramosissima. Alternatively, ecotone boundaries appear to be the most important factor affecting Dipodomys merriami distributions. Peromyscus eremicus distributions may be predicted based on vegetation density and increased canopy during shorter, winter torpor periods. Chaetodipus penicillatus were consistently associated with dense, seed-bearing vegetation, although C. penicillatus is extremely opportunistic and vegetation density should not limit their …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Simulation-Based Instruction About Water Resources In Las Vegas, Stephanie Fincher

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study compared the effectiveness of simulation-based instruction to traditional teacher-directed instruction about water resource management in Las Vegas. Subjects, undergraduate students recruited from Psychology and Environmental Studies departments, participated in one of two treatments. All participants were given a pretest prior to instruction, a post-test immediately following instruction, and a retention-test 4 weeks after instruction. Evaluation instruments provided overall scores, gauged student learning in topic areas and different question difficulty-levels as well as attitudes toward the environment and water management. The treatments differed only in how students interacted with the system after receiving background information on Las Vegas valley’s …

A Study Of Invasive Species Cover Near Roads In A Red Rock Canyon Blackbrush Community, Christopher Keough

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The monitoring of Mojave Desert plant communities during and following disturbance is an important process that could provide invaluable information about disturbance/recovery regimes in similar arid environments across the globe. Blackbrush communities are of particular interest because of their low replacement rate, which makes them highly susceptible to disturbance. Roads in the Mojave Desert have been associated with soil compaction resulting in a lack of vegetation as well as an increase in invasive species cover in the immediate proximity. To investigate these statements, eight fifty-foot line transects were established in each of three plot types (perpendicular to dirt roads, perpendicular …

Habitat Preferences Of Four Species Of Lizards Found At The Las Vegas Springs Preserve, Scott Garncarz

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Developing an understanding of the habitat usage of reptiles is important when trying to develop a management or restoration plan that is compatible with what is known of the reptile species that are being investigated. There are many lizard species found in the Mojave Desert, but there are only four known to inhabit the Las Vegas Springs Preserve (LVSP) in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the LVSP, sites are going to be restored with native Mojave Desert vegetation. Since there are many habitat types in the Mojave Desert, we must determine which types would be best suited for the four species …

Defining Soil Type And Habitat Characteristics Of The Arctomecon Californica, Philip S. Childers

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A. californica can be considered a rare endemic species, which is believed to be restricted by unique soil relationships. These relationships make the species vulnerable to anthropogenic habitat disturbance. Although A. californica is listed as critically endangered by the state of Nevada, further research is needed before the species can be listed as federally endangered or threatened. This study used primary observational data and secondary GIS compatible data to characterize A. californica habitat. Representative sampling techniques were used to select observations from derived soil types. Although a majority of A. californica populations were found to occur in gypsic soil types, …

The Effects Of Off-Road Vehicle Use In Desert Tortoise (Gopherus Agassizii) Habitats, Brent D. Clark

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) populations have been in decline and have been placed on the endangered species list. No single factor is ultimately responsible for the tortoise decline. It is a combination of events that collectively have a negative impact. I chose to focus my study on only one factor, off-road vehicles. By evaluating the damage done to the terrain by off-road vehicles, a better understanding of their impact on the tortoise populations can be assessed and protective measures taken.

The amount of available vegetation does not seem to play a role in their decisions of which plants to …

Pathological Gambling And Substance Abuse In The Las Vegas Arrestee Population, Jeffrey Michael Groebner

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

There has been extensive literature on the nature of pathological gambling and substance abuse on criminal offending; however, most of what is known about these disorders stem from clinical populations and the general population. Both of these populations differ from arrestee populations; therefore, our understanding about the disorders remains limited. This is a study among the arrestee population utilizing data collected in Las Vegas detention centers during a federally funded research project that monitors the extent and nature of drug abuse. In addition to the program, a Gambling Addendum was administered to all willing participants; Findings support a greater prevalence …

Client Perceptions Of Child Protective Services, Jerry L Rohleder

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Inductive research methods are used to explore client perceptions of Child Protective Services in Clark County, NV. Interviews with fifteen persons who had experiences with CPS are discussed. The small sample limits the generalizability of the results, but there are indications the type of help offered or received is not always what a particular client perceives is needed, they are dissatisfied with the way they are treated, and they are not aware of any mechanisms available to register disagreements. Many of the clients express feelings of alienation and anomie. Suggestions for improving this relationship include changes in reporting procedures, showing …

The Volcanology And Petrogenesis Of The Northern Lunar Crater Volcanic Field, Nye County, Nevada, Elizabeth Kay Stickney

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The Northern Lunar Crater Volcanic Field (NLCVF) is located along the axis of the Great Basin in Nye County, Nevada. This area of Pliocene to Recent cinder cones, maars and alkali basalt lava flows represents the northern terminus of the Death Valley-Pancake Range Basalt Zone. Basalts from this area can be divided into two distinct groups, those of trace element enrichment relative to Ocean Island Basalt, and those of trace element depletion relative to Ocean Island Basalt, with each group containing a range of compositions. The NLCVF represents a simple volcanic area, with basalts formed by differing degrees of partial …

Pyrite Geochemistry Across The Betze-Post Deposit, Northern Carlin Trend, Nevada, Christine Ann Henkelman

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Petrographic, geochemical, and statistical analyses show that stratigraphy and structural controls promoted ore stage fluid flow. For example, ore stage pyrites occur within brecciated rocks and small-scale fractures within the Wispy Member of the Popovich Formation. Ore stage pyrites have trace element signatures that suggest that the fluid was evolving both temporally and spatially. The associated ore stage trace elements include: Au, Cu, Hg, Tl, As, and Sb. Sb has the highest concentration at North Betze and Betze, suggesting that the J-B series faults transported ore fluids that were chemically distinct. As has the highest concentration along the southern part …

Stratigraphic Evolution Of Las Vegas Bay, Lake Mead, Nevada: 1935--2002, Jonathan George Zybala

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Las Vegas Bay in Lake Mead, NV provides a unique mid-scale natural laboratory to study the effects changes in lake level, sediment supply, fluvial discharge and basin physiography have had on stratigraphy of the basin. Mapping, seismic, sidescan sonar and bathymetry surveys, in conjunction with sediment cores, LPSA and 137Cs analyses were integrated to develop a temporal basin filling model for Las Vegas Bay. The evolution of the basin is divided into two periods based on lake history and stratigraphy data: an early 1935--1964, and a latter 1965--2002 period. Changes in lake history are more clearly preserved during the latter …

Analysis Of Factors Related To Pedestrian High-Crash Locations, Natachai Wongchavalidkul

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This research presents model to identify on-network and off-network factors influencing high pedestrian crash locations. The models are based on statistical analyses of crash data. These are illustrated using pedestrian crash data for the Las Vegas Metropolitan area, in Nevada, USA. Crash data were collected for a five year period (1996--2000) and analyzed. These pedestrian crashes are classified into intersection crashes and non intersection crashes based on distances from the reference street. A Geographic Information System (GIS) software program was used to develop crash density maps to help select high risk intersection locations and non intersection locations. Descriptive analysis technique …

Cultivation Of Fear Of Blacks In Las Vegas Television News Media, Mark Leigh Curry

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This study was a content analysis of Las Vegas television news ( N = 1,145) and was designed to determine whether the potential exists for media consumers in the Las Vegas market to become fearful due to the overrepresentation of crime committed by Black offenders. One research question and two hypotheses were generated for this study. Research question one asked if there was an inverse relationship existing between media reports of index crimes and actual data offered by the State of Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety, and was supported. There was partial support for hypothesis one. Results …

Establishing Uranium Migration Parameters For The Indian Springs Range, Clinton E Abell

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

For the past 24 years, depleted uranium (DU) kinetic energy penetrators used by the US Air Force have been tested and evaluated to develop targeting system algorithms at a site in the Mojave Desert. This two-fold study focused on reducing uncertainties in the environmental parameters used to model DU migration in arid soils through extensive soil characterization; and evaluated potential horizontal migration of DU through close examination of erosion tracts traversing the target area. Model error reduction was achieved by developing site-specific parameters for DU migration on various impacted soil horizons. Parameters determined in this work included distribution coefficients, soil …

Geochemical Interpretation On Groundwater Flow In The Southern Great Basin, Jeremy Edward Koonce

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The study of geochemical processes and integrated water flow can help identify groundwater sources and improve predictions of contaminant fate and transport in groundwater systems. Understanding groundwater flow paths in and around the Nevada Test Site (NTS) is important due to the possible migration of contaminated groundwater to the neighboring communities; Harry Reid Center collected a total of 118 samples from the NTS and surrounding area (e.g., Oasis Valley, Ash Meadows, Death Valley, the Spring Mountains, and Pahranagat Valley) and analyzed for trace elements and major solutes. Cluster analysis and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), along with basic Geographical Information Systems, …

Zero Energy House For The Southern Nevada Area, Elena Nikolaevna Wilkinson

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Las Vegas, Nevada, is one of the country's most rapidly growing cities. With the high cooling loads required in this environment, the summer demand peaks for electricity are particularly severe. The main emphasis of this research was placed on the energy conservation methods for a planned zero energy residential home in the Southern Nevada area with the cost outcome being a secondary issue. The model selected for this study is reflective of the local construction practices, a single-family one story, 1610 ft2 residential house with north facing facade and an attached two-car garage. The computer simulation package Energy 10 version …

Pottery And Mobility: A Functional Analysis Of Intermountain Brownware, Britt J Betenson

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Intermountain Brownware, is a late prehistoric ceramic type made by mobile hunter-gatherers that is found throughout southern Nevada, western Utah and northern Arizona. Most hunter-gather groups around the world are not pottery producers. Through interdisciplinary analysis, I examine the physical and morphological characteristics to understand the amount of labor invested in the construction and production of Intermountain Brownware. I then evaluate these results amongst environmental, historical, ethnological, and archaeological data to conclude that Intermountain Brownware possesses lower porosity, and is thinner and stronger than commonly reported. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) is performed to empirically characterize food residues remaining in the …

A Policy Analysis Of Nevada's Middle School Retention Legislation, Julie Ann Abeyta

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

In 1997, the Nevada State Legislature passed Assembly Bill 376 permitting the State Board of Education to adopt credit requirements that students must meet prior to being promoted from eighth grade to high school. A resulting State Board of Education regulation requires that a student earn one-and-one-half credits in language and one-and-one-half credits in mathematics during seventh and eighth grades to merit promotion to high school; While much attention has been given to the issue of retention and social promotion in large urban school districts such as Chicago and New York City, little investigation has been directed to smaller, rural …

Trace Element Geochemistry Of Groundwater Flow Systems In Southern Nevada And Eastern California, Xiaoping Zhou

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The Nevada Test Site (NTS) was used for underground nuclear tests before the 1960's. Yucca Mountain in southern Nevada has been proposed as the site for the first high-level radioactive waste repository in the U.S. Because groundwater is a likely medium for transporting radio-nuclides to the accessible environment, determining the nature and path of groundwater movement through the aquifers at the NTS and Yucca Mountain is a critical task for assessing the risks and the future performance of the repository. In this study, systematic investigations of major ion and trace [mainly rare earth element (REE)] element geochemistry were conducted on …

Vectors, Polluters, And Murderers: Hiv Testing Policies Toward Prostitutes In Nevada, Cheryl L Radeloff

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This case study explores HIV testing policy and prostitution in Nevada. Three general themes emerge from analysis of Nevada's HIV/AIDS policy regarding prostitution. First, HIV testing policies reflect and reproduce hegemonic sexuality-specifically gender inequality, heterosexist orientation, and negative stereotypes of prostitutes. Second, Nevada's legalized prostitution industry makes visible the effects of economic dynamics, specifically tourism, on policies related to sexuality. Finally, the policymaking process depicts conflict between two approaches to regulation: the punitive control measures favored by law enforcement, and prevention and public health strategies favored by health bureaucracies. Testing prostitutes for HIV became the dominant policy response to an …

Age And Sex-Specific Rates Of Leaf Regeneration In The Mojave Desert Moss Syntrichia Caninervis, Lloyd Stark, L. Nichols, Nicholas N. Mcletchie, S. D. Smith, C. Zundel

Life Sciences Faculty Research

The extremely skewed female-biased sex ratio in the desert moss Syntrichia caninervis was investigated by assessing the regeneration capacity of detached leaves. Juvenile, green, yellow-green, and brown leaves equating to approximately 0, 2, 6, and 12 yr of age, respectively, were detached from individuals of S. caninervis collected from 10 field populations and grown in a growth chamber for 58 d at a light intensity of 33–128 µmol · m–2 · s–1. Younger leaves (0–2 yr old) tended to have a greater viability, regenerate more quickly, extend their protonemal filaments farther, produce shoots (gametophores) more quickly, produce more shoots, and …

The Effects Of Environmentally Relevant Doses Of Perchlorate (Clo4-) On Rana Pipiens Metamorphosis And Development, Andrea N. Golli

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of perchlorate on the development and growth of Rana pipiens. Ammonium perchlorate is a rocket fuel oxidizer that is known to interfere with the function of the thyroid gland and some of the highest United States surface water concentration exists in the Las Vegas Wash, NV. Perchlorate not only blocks the body’s ability to incorporate iodine into T3 and T4 hormones through the sodium iodine symporter system, but also depletes the thyroid glands’ internal stores of iodine. Many of the steps that regulate metamorphosis in amphibians …

Effects Of Residential Xeriscape Conversions On Property Values: A Baseline Case Study, Andréa E. Baker

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The conversion of grass lawns to xeriscape has become more prevalent in the desert Southwest, including here in the Las Vegas Valley. The purpose of this thesis was to determine whether the conversion of residential landscapes from grass lawn to xeriscape influences the property value of a home. This case study involved the comparison of property values for residential homes that had participated in the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s Water Smart Landscapes rebate program and non-participant homes with similar amenities before and after the landscape conversion. The results of the analysis show that xeriscape dose have a potentially positive impact …