Digital Commons Network^™

Las Vegas Metropolitan Area Social Survey 2010 Highlights, Robert Futrell, Christie D. Batson, Barbara G. Brents, Andrea Dassopoulos, Chrissy Nicholas, Mark J. Salvaggio, Candace Griffith

Reports (USI)

UNLV sociologists conducted the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area Social Survey (LVMASS) to identify the socio-spatial distribution of attitudes and attributes relevant to urban sustainability in the Las Vegas Valley. The project goal is to understand how Las Vegas residents think about urban sustainability issues across three dimensions: 1) natural environment; 2) community and quality of life; 3) economy.

What Is Clean Cities?, U.S. Department Of Energy

Publications (T)

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Program (VTP), Clean Cities is a government- industry partnership designed to reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector. Clean Cities contributes to the energy, environmental, and economic security of the United States by supporting local decisions to reduce our dependence on imported petroleum. Established in 1993 in response to the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992, the partnership provides tools and resources for voluntary, communitycentered programs to reduce consumption of petroleum-based fuels.

Barrier Coatings For Thin Film Solar Cells: Final Subcontract Report, L. C. Olsen

Publications (E)

This program has involved investigations of the stability of CdTe and copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CIGS) solar cells under damp heat conditions and effects of barrier coatings. CdTe and CIGS cells were subjected to environmental conditions characterized by 60ºC and 90% relative humidity (60/90), and to some extent 85ºC and 85 % relative humidity (85/85). Barrier coating technology developed at PNNL for OLEDs was used to investigate approaches to encapsulation of the two types of thin film solar cells. Moisture barriers consisting of multi-layer coatings involving alternating layers of polymer and aluminum oxide were deposited directly onto the front surface of CIGS cells …

Disturbance And Plant Succession In The Mojave And Sonoran Deserts Of The American Southwest, Scott R. Abella

Public Policy and Leadership Faculty Research

Disturbances such as fire, land clearing, and road building remove vegetation and can have major influences on public health through effects on air quality, aesthetics, recreational opportunities, natural resource availability, and economics. Plant recovery and succession following disturbance are poorly understood in arid lands relative to more temperate regions. This study quantitatively reviewed vegetation reestablishment following a variety of disturbances in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of southwestern North America. A total of 47 studies met inclusion criteria for the review. The time estimated by 29 individual studies for full reestablishment of total perennial plant cover was 76 years. Although …

Education In The Environment: A Strategy For Continued Interagency Outdoor Education Programming: Quarterly Progress Report: Period Ending February 28, 2010, Margaret N. Rees

Reports (PLI Education)

Highlights of the university’s focused efforts during the past three months include the following:

• A total of 56 people participated in a Families in Nature event at the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area
• More than 225 people are expected to attend the Our Places Tell Stories Conference, February 24 -27, 2010
• Forever Earth was scheduled for 19 days this quarter and benefited 622 individuals.
• Nine Discover Mojave Outdoor World events were conducted for 199 participants.

Ensuring Success With Program Reflection, Daphne Sewing

Our Places to Tell Stories

• Present a framework for program reflection
• Share ideas and tools
• Provide an opportunity to adapt for your program

Climate Change And Real Estate: How Environmental Risks And Policies Impact Markets, Adele C. Morris

Brookings Scholar Lecture Series

Climate change could worsen environmental conditions that affect real estate values, such as extreme weather events and coastal erosion. But policies to prevent climate change can also affect real estate values, for example through higher energy prices and land use regulation. This lecture will examine the linkages between the climate change risks, climate policy, and real estate markets. We will also discuss the likely regional economic effects of recent proposed climate legislation.

Junior Recital, Melaney Scarberry, Corene Peltier, Melody Loveless

Junior Recitals

List of performers and performances.

Battle For The Arctic/The Tipping Point, Thomas A. Ipri

Library Faculty Research

Although The Tipping Point: Global Warming at the Arctic Circle and The Battle for the Arctic come from different filmmakers and different distributors, they work well together as companion films. Both films are under 50 minutes each, making them a good fit for many classroom settings.

Southern Nevada Children’S Outdoor Bill Of Rights Initiative, Public Lands Institute

Our Places to Tell Stories

To encourage Southern Nevada’s children to participate in outdoor recreational activities, engage in lifelong learning adventures, and become stewards of the environment.

Algal Biofuel, Feb 5, 2010, Harry Reid Center, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

Biofuels

News in Brief

1. UVa engineers find significant environmental impacts with algae-based biofuel (Jan-21, 2010)

2. IPCC scientist: Global cooling headed our way for the next 30 years? (Jan 11, 2010)

3. Shining a Light on Plants' Quantum Secret to Boost Photosynthesis (Feb 3, 2010)

Understanding The Impact Of Climate Change Media Messages, Susanna Priest

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

7 PowerPoint slides Convener: Nick Lancaster, DRI Session 6: Bridging the Gap- Interdisciplinary Science to Connect Biophysical and Social Dimensions of Climate Change Abstract: -Energy and (in the state of Nevada) water conservation are linked to mitigation of, and adaption to, climate change. -However, these links are not immediate, and individuals may feel powerless to control the future climate. -Further, Nevada residents are less likely than other Americans to believe climate change is “a very serious problem” (50% versus 62%; Maibach, 2008)

Losing The Lake: Designing An Educational Computer Game On Water Resources In Southern Nevada, Michael Nussbaum, Gale Sinatra, Frederick C. Harris, Sergiu Dascalu, Sajjad Ahmad, Kent J. Crippen, Marissa Owens

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

30 PowerPoint slides Convener: Nick Lancaster, DRI Session 6: Bridging the Gap- Interdisciplinary Science to Connect Biophysical and Social Dimensions of Climate Change Abstract: To design and test an educationally useful computer game to educate middle- and high-school students, and the general public, about water and sustainability + effect of climate change on those

Local Land Use Scenario Formulation Using The Ipcc Sres Climate Change Scenarios Within Nevada, Scott Bassett

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

23 PowerPoint slides Convener: Darko Koracin, DRI Session 5: Climate Modeling Abstract: -Develop a methodology for downscaling SRES for use in land use drivers at a regional scale (metropolitan city scale) -Integrate land use drivers into urban growth models (UGMs) and land use change models -Link land use based demand models with river operations to assess potential future water allocations

The Scaling Impact Of Hydrologic Processes On The Integrated Response In Large River Basins, Zhongbo Yu

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

21 PowerPoint slides Convener: Darko Koracin, DRI Session 5: Climate Modeling Abstract: -Hydrologic change in response to the climatic variability (i.e., global warming) -Impacts at global, national or regional scales -Coupled, efficient model systems -Large-scale impacts vs. small-scale hydrology -Needs to bridge the gaps among various scales

Regional Climate Modeling Methodological And Experimental Designs, John F. Mejia

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

21 PowerPoint slides Convener: Darko Koracin, DRI Session 5: Climate Modeling Abstract: This task aims to implement and develop transportable methodologies to improve the applicability of GCMs in climate impact, developing and using a state-of-the-art RCM based in WRF, and to provide these results to the research, education and decision making community.

Dynamical And Statistical Regional Climate Modeling Downscaling, Darko Koracin

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

17 PowerPoint slides Convener: Darko Koracin, DRI Session 5: Climate Modeling Abstract: -Provide improved regional climate models to get accurate climate trends in Nevada (inputs to hydrological models; parameterization of land atmosphere land-interactions; aerosol contribution to climate; feedback interactions among atmosphere, hydrology, and ecological processes; linking physical and economic models) -Assess future resources, variability, uncertainties, and socio-economic impact. Focus on water demand and supply in rural and urban Nevada. Select critical areas model for prediction applications. -Assess impact of climate change on air quality and urbanization -Provide an integrated GIS system (Geoinformatics) for water, energy and energy, economic parameters -Collaborate …

Waterfall Fire Interpretive Trail: Community College Fellowship, Mike Sady, Jay Arnone, Ann Bollinger, Alice Sady

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

20 PowerPoint slides Convener: Franco Biondi, UNR & Michael Young, DRI Session 4: Ecological Change and Water Resources Abstract: Plant Surveys take place at each Study Site along the trail at intervals during the Spring and Summer. There are eight study sites that contain 3 plots each staked 2m x 2m square.

Water Source Partitioning For Shrubland Transpiration Using Innovative Field Methods, Dale A. Devitt, Michael Young, Matthew S. Lachniet, Jeremy Koonce, Amanda Wagner, Brian M. Bird, J. Healey

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

37 PowerPoint slides Convener: Franco Biondi, UNR & Michael Young, DRI Session 4: Ecological Change and Water Resources Abstract: -Climate change models predict a decline in precipitation over the next few decades throughout much of the southwest. -Such change has the potential to shift water uptake dynamics of phreatophytes -If groundwater pumping also occurs, the impact of climate change could be exacerbated. -A better understanding of the forces that drive the coupling and decoupling of phreatophytes to groundwater is needed.

Design And Status Of The Elevationl Transect And Monitoring Systems For Nevada’S Nsf Epscor Climate Change Research Program, Brian M. Bird, Scotty Strachan, David B. Simeral, Richard L. Jasoni

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

15 PowerPoint slides Convener: Franco Biondi, UNR & Michael Young, DRI Session 4: Ecological Change and Water Resources Abstract: -Current status of Transects -Sheep Range Transect (5 sites) fully permitted through Fish and Wildlife Service. -Site access agreement acquired from the Long Now Foundation for Snake Range (sites 1, 2 and 3). -Snake Range site 4 access granted through the Nevada Land Conservatory. -Waiting for site permit approval on sites 8,9 and 6,7 from BLM and GBNP respectively. -Tower installed at North Las Vegas UWCC for testing of sensors and communications. -Installation of towers will begin winter 2010 at lower …

Biotic Responses To Climate Change In The Great Basin And Mojave Desert: Vegetation, David Charlet, Patrick Leary

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

84 PowerPoint slides Convener: Franco Biondi, UNR & Michael Young, DRI Session 4: Ecological Change and Water Resources Abstract: -The Problem -To detect changes in vegetation as it responds to changes in climate, we must first know where the vegetation is now -GAP (Geographic Approach to Protection of Biodiversity) map --National project to map land cover throughout the US. --Nevada map (Edwards et al. 1996) -Southwest ReGAP map --Land cover map for southwestern US (Prior-Magee et al. 2007) to correct problems identified in GAP map

Geovisualization Of Ecological Data For Park Policy Support, Scott R. Abella, Haroon Stephen, Ross Guida

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

12 PowerPoint slides Convener: William Smith, UNLV Session 3: Policy, Decision Making, and Outreach Abstract: -Literature shows upward elevation shifts of biological species as a result of climate change -Effects of climate change expected to accelerate in coming decades -Concern both about species migrating out of parks and the potential inability of species to quickly adapt to the changing conditions within National Parks and other federal land boundaries

Native Americans And Ranchers (Rural Nevada), Karletta Chief, Ahmad Safi, Zhongwei Liu, William J. Smith

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

31 PowerPoint slides Convener: William Smith, UNLV Session 3: Policy, Decision Making, and Outreach Abstract: -Survey: Socioeconomic characteristics, cc perceptions, and relations with nature. -IRB approved work generated in new cc lab. -Packages: 4 pg back-to-back survey, holiday card with local pic, hand-signed personalized letter and a self-add. pre-paid return env. -A list of almost all Nevada ranchers and farmers 1893) were collected from a partner academic institution. -Packages sent on Dec. 29, 2009 -Till now we have approximately 300 (16%) returned surveys and 2 returned packages because of changing career

A Role For Informal Educational Institutions And University, Jenna Zulauf, Robert Futrell

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

3 PowerPoint slides Convener: William Smith, UNLV Session 3: Policy, Decision Making, and Outreach

Business Stakeholders, Mary Riddel, Alan Sanders

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

6 PowerPoint slides Convener: William Smith, UNLV Session 3: Policy, Decision Making, and Outreach Abstract: -Understand the current attitudes about climate change in the Nevada business community -Help develop an advisory board that can serve as an ongoing link between the university and business community on climate change issues and policies -Provide an understanding about the information needs of different industries with respect to climate change -Develop channels to disseminate relevant climate change research to the business community -Develop a channel for business leaders to convey their concerns about climate-change policy costs

Non-Governmental Organization (Ngo) And Government Stakeholders, Derek Kauneckis, Orion Cuffe

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

12 PowerPoint slides Convener: William Smith, UNLV Session 3: Policy, Decision Making, and Outreach Abstract: -Identify relevant policy and organizational stakeholders in Nevada -Examine climate change efforts within NV state government and other western states -Collect empirical data on stakeholder perceptions and priorities in climate change research

Design Of A Software Framework Prototype For Scientific Model Interoperability, Eric Fritzinger, Sohei Okamoto

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

19 PowerPoint slides Session 2: Infrastructure Convener: Sergiu Dascalu, UNR Abstract: -What are models? -Mathematical models used to describe a system -E.g. Atmospheric, Oceanic, Ecological, etc… -Algorithmic calculations which take input and produce estimated results -Weather forecasting, global warming predictions, sea level estimations, etc… -Models are invaluable

Architecture And Usability Aspects Of Environmental Data Portals, Michael Mcmahon, Jr.

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

12 PowerPoint slides Session 2: Infrastructure Convener: Sergiu Dascalu, UNR Abstract: -Web Portal: A web site that acts as a starting point or gateway to Internet content, services, and information. Portals expose this information via a consistent set of visual elements and organizational constructs that improve the user experience and may relate, unify, or otherwise enhance the content. -Data Portal: A web site that acts as a starting point or gateway to Internet content, web/data services, and related information. Portals expose this information via a consistent set of visual elements and organizational constructs that improve the user experience and relate, …

Survey Of Environmental Data Portals: Features, Characteristics, And Reliability Issues, Shahram Latifi, David Walker

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

24 PowerPoint slides Session 2: Infrastructure Convener: Sergiu Dascalu, UNR Abstract: -What is a Data Portal? -Presents information from diverse sources in a unified way -Enables instant, reliable and secure exchange of information over the Web -The "portal" concept is to offer a single web page that aggregates content from several systems or servers.

Goals, Plans, And Strategies Of The Cyberinfrastructure Project Component, Sergiu Dascalu

2010 Annual Nevada NSF EPSCoR Climate Change Conference

15 PowerPoint slides Session 2: Infrastructure Convener: Sergiu Dascalu, UNR Abstract: -Team -Goal and Targets -Strategies and Activities -Progress: Activities & Milestones -Plans