Digital Commons Network^™

Factors Perceived By Multifamily Property Owners And Managers As Beneficial In Improving Energy Efficiency, Alex David Arneson

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Maintaining the existence of affordable housing stock is an important goal for most cities and

communities, as well as at the state and national level. Compared to single-family housing, the multifamily housing sector poses a unique set of challenges and barriers related to investments in energy efficiency. With more than 50 million Americans, many of whom are low income, living in multifamily housing, this sector presents vast opportunities to reduce energy consumption. Reducing our carbon footprint has become an important issue in today’s society. More than ever, there is increased demand to incorporate ‘green’ sustainable design elements and technologies into …

The Effects Of Multilingualism Of Executive Function, Isabella Catalano

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

In today's world, monolingualism is in the minority (Alonso et al., 2017); however, there is still a lack of understanding about the potential effects of being bi- or multilingual, and whether there is an effect of bilingualism in executive function is debated, given multiple contradictory studies (Paap et al., 2015). This study aims to more closely examine whether the number of languages spoken is related to executive function. In this study, sixty-three participants (mean age = 19.9 years, males = 10) completed the Stroop and flanker tasks, measures of inhibitory control, as well as the Language Experience and Proficiency Questionnaire, …

A Trail Plan For The Prairie Corridor, Michaela Daugherty

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

South of Lincoln, Nebraska a conservation project is underway to create a passage between Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center and Pioneers Park Nature Center. The passage way between the two parks will be restored to its natural state of tallgrass prairie. Eventually, a walking and bike path will be constructed through the corridor to join the parks. The passage has the potential to educate the surrounding community about their natural history and to connect them to their environment and their cultural heritage. Through this thesis and a systematic literature review, we examine different modes of outdoor education, interpretations, guided and …

A Systems Perspective Of Changes Within Pastoralist Populations In And Around Sibiloi National Park, Kenya, Cody Willnerd

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

In recent years, pastoralist settlement around Sibiloi National Park in Kenya has increased illegal grazing within the park’s boundaries. This issue stems from a myriad of causes, such as; food aid, sedentism, better access to healthcare, lack of grazing land, increase in number of droughts and increase in number of livestock head. The region has a significant lack of research on the topic and a systems perspective will be constructed in this research paper. The systems perspective will be constructed with the use of past literature and interviews answered by those who live in the East Turkana region. Findings have …

Using The Theory Of Planned Behavior To Understand University Students Recycling Behavior, Vanessa Sonnenfeld

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Improving recycling behavior is an important means to reducing the ever-increasing amount of waste sent to landfills. When discussing sustainable behaviors, such as recycling, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) can be used to explain why people make the decisions they do. The Theory of Planned Behavior utilizes attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control to be the predictors of behavioral intention. Once we can better explain why students decide to recycle or not to recycle we can utilize this data to increase recycling rates. The Theory of Planned Behavior was used as a basis for this study in order …

Assessment Of Total Suspended Solids And Total Phosphorus Removal By Wetlands And Best Management Practices In Lincoln, Nebraska, Deborah Marik

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

The availability and quality of local surface and ground water, as well as water in the world’s oceans is essential to all. Urbanization brings with it changes in landscape that decreases soils capacity for infiltration of rain, and increase contaminants found in runoff conveyed to surface waters including oceans. Stormwater runoff occurs with small to large size rain events, flowing over a diverse range of impermeable surfaces removing and carrying with it total suspended solids (TSS) and total phosphorus (TP). For these reasons, best management practices (BMPs) were developed, and integrated into existing and future development. The objective is to …

Failing Food Supply: Permaculture's Potential, John Faltin

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Conventional agriculture is the currently leading production method to grow crops in the western hemisphere. Long-term sustainability of the system and all the components is secondary to producing high yields each growing season, which leads to issues such as erosion and reduced soil quality. Other agricultural production methods such as permaculture aim to build soil and improve quality every growing season. This experiment intends to look at the potential of permaculture to improve soil quality on small-scales at the end of each growing season. The parameters to gauge success are a larger concentration of macronutrients at the end of the …

Companion Planting: Effects Of Radishes On Squash Bugs, Daniel Dejong

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Throughout history, humans have continuously looked for easier and improved ways of growing our food. Over centuries of hybridizing crop varieties and more recently the invention and implementation of genetically modified (GM) seeds, we have created a food system that is dependent on chemical and seed companies to provide protection from environmental pests. The purpose of this thesis is not to discredit or dissuade someone from using GM seeds, but to take a look at some methods that could protect crops from environmental pests naturally, either for organic farmers or home gardeners. Specifically this review will examine methods of controlling …

Companion Planting: Effects Of Radishes On Squash Bugs, Daniel Dejong

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Throughout history, humans have continuously looked for easier and improved ways of growing our food. Over centuries of hybridizing crop varieties and more recently the invention and implementation of genetically modified (GM) seeds, we have created a food system that is dependent on chemical and seed companies to provide protection from environmental pests. The purpose of this thesis is not to discredit or dissuade someone from using GM seeds, but to take a look at some methods that could protect crops from environmental pests naturally, either for organic farmers or home gardeners. Specifically this review will examine methods of controlling …

How Livestock Production In Eastern Nebraska May Affect Nitrate Concentrations In Platte River, Yuzhe Luo

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

The Platte River is one of the largest rivers in Nebraska and serves as a valuable water source to cities along its watershed. Water is essential for both human life and social and economic development. The human body cannot survive without water for more than 3 days, and many industries require water to function. At a regional scale, the total amount of water is relatively constant, which means if some water sources were contaminated there will be less water available to use.

Land Use As An Indicator Of Stream Habitat Quality In Salt Creek, Adam Brown

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

This study sought to quantify land use types in Lancaster County and identify which, if any, environmental parameters were significantly influencing fish and invertebrate distribution in the Salt Creek basin. Historical sampling data were obtained from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. Watershed land cover maps were created and the percentages of urban/developed, forested, row crop, and grassland use were calculated. This data was combined with NDEQ water quality parameter, fish, and invertebrate sampling data to conduct nonmetric multidimensional scaling. This analysis did not provide significant conclusions about the driving force of fish and invertebrate distribution in this region because …

A Case Study Of Motivating Factors Related To Recycling In The Workplace, Erika Roan

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Improving recycling behavior in the workplace can reduce environmental problems by significantly cutting down on waste being sent to the landfill. A new ordinance in Lincoln, Nebraska that bans cardboard from the landfill beginning April 2018 presents serious challenges to workplaces’ current waste management, including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s. The key to successfully transitioning to comply with this new ordinance is employee participation in recycling programs. To change employees’ current recycling behavior and encourage more recycling in the workplace, it is necessary to have a thorough understanding of what motivates employees to recycle. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) was …

Land Use As An Indicator Of Stream Habitat Quality In Salt Creek, Lexus Wellman, Adam Brown, Arden Cornwell

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

This study sought to quantify land use types in Lancaster County and identify which, if any, environmental parameters were significantly influencing fish and invertebrate distribution in the Salt Creek basin. Historical sampling data were obtained from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. Watershed land cover maps were created and the percentages of urban/developed, forested, row crop, and grassland use were calculated. This data was combined with NDEQ water quality parameter, fish, and invertebrate sampling data to conduct nonmetric multidimensional scaling. This analysis did not provide significant conclusions about the driving force of fish and invertebrate distribution in this region because …

The Relationship Between Urbanization And Eutrophication In Lake Dianchi Watershed In Kunming, China, Xiaoyu Yin

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Due to the rapid economic growth in China, urban area in the City of Kunming has expanded overwhelmingly since 1970s along with dramatic population growth in Kunming. However, the source of drinking water that people of Kunming has depended on, Lake Dianchi, has been seriously polluted since 1990s. I looked at peer-reviewed literature and categorized them based on type of research method. After collecting and analyzing data from literature, the reverse relationship between urbanization and water quality in Lake Dianchi was concluded; the sources of phosphorus load to Lake Dianchi were mainly from human and agricultural activities.

Commonalities In Species Distribution, An Advanced Search For The Elusive Arizona Elegans, Anthony Brunetti

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify ecological parameters which could serve as a basis to more accurately predict the population distribution of the species A. elegans. Population numbers of A. elegans in Nebraska are low, and limited a range distribution has been estimated throughout the state. Due to the elusive nature and limited numbers of this animal, accurately identifying its range in Nebraska is of concern to biologists. Analysis of multiple ecological variables throughout selected counties of Nebraska were used in an attempt to account for current distribution and possible extensions of its known range. Ecological information …

Can A Biogas Production Company Feasibly Exist In Lincoln Nebraska?, Tucker Bonow

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

With a changing energy market and increasing renewable energy ideals, biogas regeneration could rapidly increase to cut costs and increase efficiently. Lincoln, Nebraska could be a prime location for a business to start producing biogas from food waste around the city and sell the resultant product. Through the process of anaerobic digestion, food waste is broken down and turning into methane gas which then can be used to heat homes, power cars or be converted to electricity. For the government of Lincoln, they are trying to find a way to cut cost and prolong the Bluff Road landfill and this …

Sediment Associated Arsenic In Stream And Aquifer Sediments, Christopher N. Elofson

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Arsenic (As) is an element commonly associated with aquifer sediment, with a global concentration 1.7 mg/kg, and can be subsequently released into groundwater. In recent times, increased anthropogenic inputs have contributed to geochemical changes in the subsurface that affect the mobilization of arsenic into subsurface water resources. Concentrations above the EPA’s maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 µg/L have recently been reported in many areas across the United States, including Nebraska. The health risk of prolonged exposure to high arsenic concentrations are skin ailments, like hyper pigmentation and keratosis, and cancer. Furthermore, many rural communities, especially in western Nebraska, lack …

Assessment Of Painted Turtle Size And Age From Long-Term Pond Study, Ellen Dolph

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

In recent years there has been a decline in herpetofauna, sparking an interest in inventory and monitoring of these declining species. Climate and drought affect population dynamics. Growth rates can be indicators of healthy individuals, populations or habitats (Moldowan et. al, 2015; Armstrong and Brooks, 2013), however, growth rates can be hard to obtain for long-lived species with individuals of unknown age, and long-term studies are rare. Mark-recapture sampling techniques can provide growth information from individuals of unknown age (Armstrong and Brooks, 2013). Though painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) are not currently a species of conservation concern and have …

Varying Perspectives On Landscape Diversity, Benet Kinghorn

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Music And Media On Littering Behaviors, Emily Hauck

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

The effects of music and images on littering behavior were studied at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and on Facebook. This study investigated emotional responses to music as a stimulus and how a video impacted likelihood of change of littering behaviors. Because music and images can reach a large number of people quickly, this study can extend to other parts of the world because music and images cut across language barriers. This study can also help create effective and powerful commercials. Littering is an expensive and harmful problem, and music can affect emotions and empathy which can inspire behavior change in …

Developmental Factors Leading To Pro Environmental Attitudes, Adam Fenton

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Human personality is a complex formation of attributes that comprise an individual. These personality traits maintain links to personal attitudes or beliefs about objects, people, and issues that are encountered throughout life. It is a long-standing goal of social research to understand not only personality traits and attitudes, but also the linkage between the two. This research uses survey questionnaires administered to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students to assess the modifying factors of elementary school activity levels, average city/state/national park attendance, and environmental education on personality traits and pro environmental attitudes. Each respondent answered a Big 5 short form personality assessment …

The Environmental Impacts Of Fracking, Nick Nardone

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Hydraulic Fracturing or commonly known as fracking has helped the oil and gas industry making it easier for us to extract oil and gas from the ground. While we have benefited economically from this boom, the process of injecting high amounts of water and chemicals deep into the earth’s surface at extremely high pressures puts an negative effect on the environment. The purpose of my study is to identify and understand the environmental impacts associated with fracking. Analyzing the environmental impacts will give us the needed information and knowledge to help reduce the environmental harm associated with Fracking. The public …

The Involvement Of Arabidopsis Calmodulin In Plant Immunity Against Pseudomonas Syringae, Katherine Lagerstrom

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Calmodulin (CaM) is a calcium-binding protein present in all eukaryotic cells and is essential for many cellular functions. Calcium-specific binding to CaM induces a conformational change in CaM that affects its interaction with different target proteins, influencing the activity of proteins that bind it. Through calcium signal transduction, CaM mediates a variety of important cellular processes, including plant immunity. The Arabidopsis genome encodes 7 CaM genes that are highly conserved and homologous. While the involvement of CaMs in several eukaryotic processes is known, many of their biological functions in Arabidopsis remain largely unknown. Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 is pathogenic …

The Relationship Between Change In Stress Level Due To Nature Exposure And An Individual's Nature Appreciation, Madeleine Schwinghammer

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

No abstract provided.

Population Structure Analysis Of Western Painted Turtles, Charrissa Zuerlein

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Changes in the population structure, specifically the age, size and sex composition, of Western painted turtles can be studied to gain insight into the changes that will occur in closely related endangered species. As species with temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), the sex ratios of new clutches are affected by climate, and this could cause problems for the species as climate changes occur. This study focuses on fluctuations in the population structure of a single population located near Cedar Point Biological Station in Ogallala, Nebraska. Each summer from 2005-2016 turtles were caught using floating basking traps and hoop nets. Results show …

A Climate Change Risk Assessment Of Northern Great Plains Reservations, Matthew Jensby

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Climate change is expected to have varied effects on cultural groups across the United States, with Native American communities considered the most vulnerable due to economic disadvantages. There are more Indian Reservations (21) in the northern Great Plains than in any other region, where water resources are vital to community health and stability. However, climate change stands to directly impact available water resources by altering aquatic ecosystems and degrading the quality of accessible water. As such, the primary aim of this study was to develop a hierarchical vulnerability assessment to compare all 21 reservations by potential water resource alteration as …

Public Perception Of Leadership In The Municipal Solid Waste Sector, Allison Creeger

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Plant Diversity On Pollinator Abundance, Kendra Nelson

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

No abstract provided.

Saving Money While Participating In Urban Agriculture, Jill Wieneke

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

With more and more people pouring into urban areas, many have become unattached to where their food comes from and are disengaged with local food systems. Urban agriculture (UA) can bring people closer to healthy foods and be a potential savings. This will bring more resilience to a community and amend food insecurities Through this case study at the Hawley Hamlet Neighborhood Garden, urban gardeners can understand the capabilities of UA and the effects of food affordability into urban settings. This case study is an example of vegetable outputs and cost savings that can be obtained at a community garden …

Acute Toxicity Study On The Impact Of Chlorpyrifos And Propiconazole In Apis Mellifera, Ryan Becker

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

There are a number of different ways for the decline of Apis melifera or the honey bee. It could be a lack of flowers (food), pesticides, viruses and even parasites. There is an accumulation of things, but this study focuses on the synergism between the fungicide propiconazole and the insecticide chlorpyrifos. These two pesticides are used to dose around 2,100 honeybees with an LD50 test for chlorpyrifos and a relative dose test for propiconazole. The two pesticides are then mixed into a 1:1 mixture ratio of chlorpyrifos and propiconazole and diluted with acetone. The bees are dosed and looked after …