Digital Commons Network^™

Challenging The “Man” In Mangroves: The Missing Role Of Women In Mangrove Conservation, Alyssa L. Bosold

Student Publications

Mangroves provide valuable ecosystem services including carbon sequestration, pollution filtration, and protection from tsunamis, tropical storms, and coastal erosion. They also supply coastal communities with important natural resources like firewood, medicine, timber, honey, and fodder for livestock. Unfortunately, the world’s mangroves are rapidly degrading due to rising coastal population, climate change, and destruction for coastal development, agriculture, and aquaculture. Considering their value for the environment and coastal communities, mangrove conservation should become a priority and effort must be invested to find new and successful methods for conserving mangrove ecosystems. As it has proven effective in other conservation contexts, a gendered …

Undergraduate Catalog, 2012-2013, Valparaiso University

Undergraduate Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Grts And Graphs: Monitoring Natural Resources In Urban Landscapes, Todd R. Lookingbill, John Paul Schmit, Shawn L. Carter

Geography and the Environment Faculty Publications

Environmental monitoring programs are an important tool for providing land managers with a scientific basis for management decisions. However, many ecological processes operate on spatial scales that transcend management boundaries (Schonewald-Cox 1988). For example, adjacent lands may influence protected-area resources via edge effects, source-sink dynamics, or invasion processes (Jones et al. 2009). Hydrologic alterations outside management units also may have profound effects on the integrity of resources being managed (Pringle 2000). The impacts of climate change are presenting challenges to resource management at local-to-global scales (Karl et al. 2009). This potential disparity between ecological and political boundaries presents an interesting …

Documenting The Delta: Lessons Learned From Film, Charies Lee Parker

Master's Theses

California's Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, "the Delta," is one of the state's most important natural resources. Beginning in the mid 1800s and continuing to the present day, anthropogenic activities radically altered, and continue to affect, this ecosystem. Wetland reclamation and water projects transformed the Delta landscape from a tidal wetland into an artificially homogenous freshwater system. As a result, the health of the Delta ecosystem is in jeopardy. Experts agree that current management practices of the Delta are unsustainable; however, experts cannot agree on a viable solution.

An educational documentary film, "California Kings: Sold Down the River," was used as the …

Ethics And Wolf Management: Attitudes Toward And Tolerance Of Wolves In Washington State, Julie Callahan

Master's Theses

Approximately seventy-five years after extirpation from Washington State, gray wolves (Canis lupus) returned. As of December 2012, eight packs had arrived from adjacent states and provinces. Delisted from the Federal Endangered Species List in the eastern one-third of Washington, state wildlife managers now have the authority to manage wolves without federal supervision. As a result, one seven-wolf pack has been destroyed. The current study was developed to provide information for managers and policymakers to modify wolf management policies to fit the new regulatory context. Effects of a range of cultural and demographic factors on attitudes toward wolves and tolerance of …

Bulletin: General Catalog Issue 2012-2013, Portland State University

Bulletin & Curriculum Change Documents

No abstract provided.

Solar Energy Development On The Federal Public Lands: Environmental Trade-Offs On The Road To A Lower Carbon Future, Robert L. Glicksman

San Diego Journal of Climate & Energy Law

The federal government has endorsed more extensive use of the federal public lands for the production of solar power, both to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and to bolster the security of domestic energy supplies. Spurred by grant money made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in 2010 approved nine utility-scale solar projects on public lands in California and Nevada. These projects were designed to avoid adversely affecting the habitats of endangered and threatened species that frequent the desert southwest and cultural resources important to …

The Politics Of Clean Energy: Moving Beyond The Beltway, Joseph P. Tomain

San Diego Journal of Climate & Energy Law

This Article argues that the United States can achieve a new and smart energy policy and that we are taking active steps in this direction. Off of the Hill, at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, there is clear thinking about clean energy. Consider President Obamas choice for Secretary of Commerce, John Bryson. Bryson has been the CEO of a public electric utility, a founder of the Natural Resources Defense Council, and sits on the boards of such organizations as Boeing and Disney and clean energy firms like Coda Automotive and BrightSource Energy exactly the right job description for a clean energy advocate. …

Determining The Feasibility Of Universal Access To Bus Transportation For Illinois Wesleyan University Students, Liz Kuehn '13

Outstanding Senior Seminar Papers

In a car-based society, transportation has both environmental and economic implications. However, public transportation, and programs like Universal Access that promote public transportation by providing ‘fare free’ access to specific groups in the community, can offer low cost, sustainable alternatives to car-based transportation. The basic concept behind Universal Access is that a community group contracts with the local public transit system to provide unlimited access to public transportation for individuals within the group at a negotiated cost to the group (Toor et. al 2004). The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of creating a Universal Access program …

Project Risk And Appeals In U.S. Forest Service Planning, Marc J. Stern, S. Andrew Predmore, Wayde C. Morse, David N. Seesholtz

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires U.S. Forest Service planning processes to be conducted by interdisciplinary teams of resource specialists to analyze and disclose the likely environmental impacts of proposed natural resource management actions on Forest Service lands. Multiple challenges associated with these processes have been a source of frustration for the agency. One of these challenges involves administrative appeals through which public entities can challenge a Forest Service decision following a NEPA process. These appeals instigate an internal review process and can result in an affirmation of the Forest Service decision, a reversal of that decision, or additional …

Influence Of Carbon And Lipid Sources On Variation Of Mercury And Other Trace Elements In Polar Bears (Ursus Maritimus), Heli Routti, Robert J. Letcher, Erik W. Born, Marsha Branigan, Rune Dietz, Thomas J. Evans, Melissa A. Mckinney, Elizabeth Peacock, Christian Sonne

United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Publications

In the present study, the authors investigated the influence of carbon and lipid sources on regional differences in liver trace element (As, Cd, Cu, total Hg, Mn, Pb, Rb, Se, and Zn) concentrations measured in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) (n=121) from 10 Alaskan, Canadian Arctic, and East Greenland subpopulations. Carbon and lipid sources were assessed using δ¹³C in muscle tissue and fatty acid (FA) profiles in subcutaneous adipose tissue as chemical tracers. A negative relationship between total Hg and δ¹³C suggested that polar bears feeding in areas with higher riverine inputs of …

Effect Of Growth Promotants On The Occurrence Of Endogenous And Synthetic Steroid Hormones On Feedlot Soils And In Runoff From Beef Cattle Feeding Operations, Shannon L. Bartelt-Hunt, Daniel D. Snow, William L. Kranz, Terry L. Mader, Charles A. Shapiro, Simon Van Donk, David P. Shelton, David Tarkalson, Tian Zhang

West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte

Supplements and growth promotants containing steroid hormones are routinely administered to beef cattle to improve feeding efficiency, reduce behavioral problems, and enhance production. As a result, beef cattle manure will contain both synthetic steroids as well as a range of endogenous steroids including androgens, estrogens, and progestogens. A two-year controlled study was conducted in which beef cattle were administered steroid hormones via subcutaneous implants and feed additives and the occurrence of 16 endogenous and synthetic steroid hormones and metabolites was evaluated in runoff from beef cattle feedlots and in manure and soil collected from feedlot surfaces. Samples were extracted and …

Elemental And Isotopic Analysis Of Sediments From Oxbow Lakes In The Mississippi Delta, Pragya Chakravarty

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

From Pond To Pump: Microalgae As A Feedstock For Biodiesel, Anna H. Leavitt

Honors Theses

The global reliance on fossil fuels is an unsustainable practice that has led to the depletion of finite resources and the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, leading to global climate change (Demirbas 2010). Transportation accounts for about a third of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the United States. Demand for oil continues to increase and resources are becoming more uncertain. Increased production of renewable fuels such as biofuels can help ease the dependence on fossil fuels. Although interest and production in biofuels has been increasing in the past decade, current feedstocks do not meet efficiency needs and some …

A Molecular Perspective On The Ageing Of Marine Dissolved Organic Matter, R. Flerus, O. J. Lechtenfeld, B. P. Koch, S. L. Mccallister, P. Schmitt-Kopplin, Ronald Benner, G. Kattner

Faculty Publications

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) was extracted by solid-phase extraction (SPE) from 137 water samples from different climate zones and different depths along an eastern Atlantic Ocean transect. The extracts were analyzed with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) with electrospray ionization (ESI). Δ14C analyses were performed on subsamples of the SPE-DOM. In addition, the amount of dissolved organic carbon was determined for all water and SPE-DOM samples as well as the yield of amino sugars for selected samples. Linear correlations were observed between the magnitudes of 43 % of the FT-ICR mass peaks and the extract Δ14C …

Exploration And Validation Of The Camp Orientation And Experiences Scale, Mckenzie Lynn Martin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

American summer camps have provided significant life experiences for camp counselors and staff for over 150 years. The purpose of this study was to identify and validate scale measures of philosophy, mission, and vision (PVM) with special regard to any differences in camp affiliation and camp counselor alumni (CCA) PVM manifestation. Preliminary assessment of 83 camp PVM revealed five general constructs in the scale and included: relationships formed, community involvement, environmental ethics, participation in healthful recreation, and religiosity. For the purpose of this study, camp affiliation was chosen as the main effect. This study used purposive sampling to recruit the …

The Role Of Forensic Nurses In Communities Experiencing Environmental Contamination, Wendy Robinson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to provide an understanding of the self-perceived physiological and psychosocial needs of persons living in communities which have been exposed to environmental contamination, and to provide an understanding of how forensic nurses can be utilized in these communities.

Background

This study was conducted to provide an opportunity for forensic nurses to advance their profession by finding ways that they can move beyond their traditional roles. Dixon and Dixon's Integrative Environmental Health Model was the theoretical framework.

Research Design

This cross-sectional triangulated study used quantitative and qualitative methods. The Community Environmental Health and Rights …

Comparison Of Charcoal And Tree-Ring Records Of Recent Fires In The Northern Rocky Mountains, Kalispell, Mt, Usa, Ian Hyp

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

In the Northern Rocky Mountains, climate and vegetation histories have been developed using charcoal and pollen deposits in the sediment of lakes to determine the effect of changing climate on species distribution and disturbance regimes through time. However, few studies have been done on the spatial and temporal accuracy of these charcoal and pollen sediment strata analyses. In this study we created a dendrochronological fire history using fire-scarred trees in the watershed of Foy Lake in the Flathead Valley, MT, to determine the synchronicity between two fire proxies: the watershed’s tree fire scar chronology and the dated charcoal in the …

Understanding Incubator Farms: Innovative Programs In New Farmer Development, Brianna M. Ewert

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

With the average age of farmers climbing close to retirement and an increased demand for locally and sustainably grown food, there is a great need for new and beginning farmers, particularly those engaged in alternative production practices. But the barriers to entry for these new farmers are high; land access, start up costs, finding a spot in the market, and a lack of social support all pose challenges. The last few years have seen an increased interest in supporting beginning farmers and the creation of new programs to do so. Incubator farms are one such promising strategy. Incubator farms are …

Upper South Fork Of The Flathead Users: What Social Setting Attributes Are The Most Important?, Forest Waters Moulton

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Previous research has shown that wilderness visitors place much value on an uncrowded social recreation setting. However, the current indicators that the Flathead National Forest has implemented to monitor this setting on the upper South Fork of the Flathead River may not satisfy several of the qualities of a good indicators, particularly “significance.” In an attempt to recommend new indicators to monitor opportunities for quality experience within this social setting, this study assessed the significance or importance of several alternative social setting attributes. It also attempted to provide meaningful qualifications to these evaluations by analyzing variation in three concepts associated …

Regulation Or Litigation: Using The American Legal System To Address Climate Change, Stacy Lynne Boman

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

While a growing scientific consensus recognizes that anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are contributing to the global phenomenon known as climate change, little progress has been made to pass comprehensive legislation addressing climate change. Many concerned with the effects of climate change have turned to the American court system as a means of addressing climate change or reducing greenhouse gases. Similar to the early litigation history of many environmental cases, climate change litigation has thus far been unsuccessful in holding major greenhouse gas emitters liable for the impacts of climate change. Plaintiffs have not given up, however. Many climate change cases …

The Effect Of Random And Spatially Explicit Lightning And Human-Caused Ignitions On Simulated Burn Probabilities At Small Scales, James Lowery

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Our overall goal was to assess the difference between annual wildfire burn probability (BP) generated from simulation models using random ignitions versus spatially explicit ignitions for wildland urban interface (WUI) areas and designated wilderness in the Rocky Mountain West, and infer whether one may be more useful than the other at small scales. We collected all available ignition data from logbooks, spreadsheets and the internet for a 1282 km2 study area within a 10 km buffer of the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area (RNRA) and Rattlesnake Wilderness (RW), Montana, which also included WUI. These ignitions were on small private landholdings, as …

When Cosumer Protection Becomes Preordained: Malcolm V. Evenflo And Montana's Products Liability Standard, Justin Harkins

Montana Law Review

When Cosumer Protection Becomes Preordained: Malcolm v. Evenflo and Montana's Products Liability Standard

Are Subcompact Cars Driving Consumers Towards Sustainable Transport, Enda Mcgovern

WCBT Faculty Publications

Access to private transport is a critical component of the modern industrialized world but it is also recognized as a major source of carbon dioxide emissions, one of the global warming gases contributing to climate change. This paper looks at increased use of subcompact cars as a key component in developing a sustainable transport policy. These cars benefit the environment by emitting reduced levels of carbon emissions due to their smaller engines. This empirical research explores the opinions of Smart car owners in a focus group study. Smart car owners are primarily focused on reducing their costs due to difficult …

Contents, Discovery Editors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Instructions For Authors, Discovery Editors

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Undergraduate Catalog, 2012-2013, University Of South Florida St. Petersburg.

Undergraduate Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Acetylcholine Esterase Activity And Muscle Contraction In The Sea Urchin Lytechinus Variegatus (Lamarck) Following Chronic Phosphate Exposure, S. Anne Boettger, James B. Mcclintock

Biology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

University Of Central Florida Factbook 2011-2012, University Of Central Florida

Historical Fact Book and Enrollment

Historical fact book and enrollment data for the University of Central Florida.

A General Theory Of Climate Denial, Peter J. Jacques

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

The question at hand is, "Why is there a social counter-movement that rejects climate change?" This article begins by first naming this counter-movement "climate denial" and working through the various apparent options by specifically looking at the scholarship on Holocaust denial for insight. Through this insight, we can understand the counter-movement as a reactionary force working to sow confusion for ideological reasons that promote a specific privilege. At the same time, privilege is also protected by the presentation of climate change science as a binary position of "acknowledgement or rejection" that itself promotes privilege and dysfunction across the intersection of …