Digital Commons Network^™

Assessing The Impacts Of Gold Mining Deforestation On The Giant Otter (Pteronura Brasiliensis) In Madre De Dios, Peru, Erica Carcelen

Sustainability and Social Justice

Gold mining activity is highly prevalent in the Madre de Dios region, Peru. This activity poses large environmental impacts including deforestation, sedimentation of rivers, and pollution from mercury used during extraction. Mining activity is a major threat to the endangered giant otter as it destroys its preferred riverine habitat. Moreover, mercury used during gold extraction bio-accumulates in fish, which constitutes the entirety of their diet. In order to conserve the giant otter, it is necessary to identify conservation priority areas. In a reactive conservation planning approach, the objective of this work was to prioritize areas suitable as giant otter habitat …

Overcoming Recurring Crisis Through Resilience: An Analysis Of Usaid’S Definition Of Resilience, Leta Branham

Sustainability and Social Justice

This paper analyzes resilience policy employed by the United States’ Agency for International Development (USAID). First, by situating USAID’s resilience policy within a historical context of the 2011 Horn of Africa Famine, and by drawing on existing literature, I show that USAID’s understanding of resilience, and thus its resilience-based policies, are inherently flawed by focusing solely on recurrent crisis. While recurrent crises pose a potential threat to resilience, communities that are exposed to chronic shocks have resilience mechanisms in place against those shocks. Rather, stochastic, or unplanned crises, are larger risks to livelihoods that USAID’s resilience policies do not address. …

Coastal Plastics Abatement On Aquidneck Island, Rhode Island: Stakeholder Perspectives And Lessons Learned, Paige Myatt

Sustainability and Social Justice

This practitioner research focuses on the stakeholder perspectives and lessons learned about mitigating plastic pollution in the marine environment of Aquidneck Island, Rhode Island. It uses a mixed method approach of surveys, interviews, focus groups, and active participation in mitigation strategies to answer four main research questions. These questions aim to gather perspectives on the problem from multiple stakeholders in the community, including the general public, the restaurant industry, and local and state governments. This research also investigates what factors make this community a leader in igniting social change and reducing plastic pollution. The active involvement of the researcher via …

The Transformational Haze: Crisis, Shadow Economies, And Global Civil War On The Venezuela-Colombia Border, Sam Kirsch

Sustainability and Social Justice

This paper presents a counter-narrative to the current migration ‘crisis’ on the Venezuela-Colombia border. Its purpose is to highlight the geopolitical complexities of this event that are de-emphasized by media and neoliberal discourse. The frameworks of crisis narrative, shadow economies, and “global civil war” grants us the analytical lens that will allow us to peer further into the processes that have led to the Venezuelan migration. Through this lens, I will illuminate intricacies in the relationship between Colombia, Venezuela, and the West in a way that justifies the exploration of alternative interpretations to mainstream claims of socialism, tyranny, and intervention.

Ascetical Practice And Ignatian Pedagogy For Sustainability: Tools For Teaching Sustainable Living, James Leighter, John O'Keefe

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

Inspired by Laudato Sí, we outline an application of the Ignatian Pedagogy for Sustainability to our course, Sustainable Practice: The Examined Life. We describe the development of the course in the context a new undergraduate program in the College of Arts and Sciences at Creighton University. In the course, we draw from the notion of ascetical practice, an approach for students as they strive for incorporating more sustainable practices into their daily living. We concentrate on four domains of asceticism: attention, sustenance, materials, and energy. Additionally, we argue that mindfulness through meditation is a necessary activity for students pursuing …

Webster Square Neighborhood Plan, Conor Mccormack

Sustainability and Social Justice

In this study, Webster Square is examined as a neighborhood and commercial node within the City of Worcester, MA. Using a variety of data sources and analyses, the study looks at the characteristics of the area to define the condition and context of Webster Square as it currently exists.Guided by current planning theory, contemporary practice, and key informant interviews, this study then suggests different directions for future development and growth in Webster Square. These visions for the future look to address key issues to help make the neighborhood a more vibrant, cohesive, and walkable community. More broadly, this study highlights …

Native Americans, The California Missions, And The Long-Term Effects Of Colonization, Jasminder Bains

Library Diversity Fellows Publications

This historical essay re-centers the narrative about the California Mission period on the Native American perspective. Areas of focus include the Ohlone, the ecological changes to Santa Clara Valley, cultural hegemony, oppression, and modern-day connections.

Commencement Program, May 2019, Bemidji State University

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Seed Rain Along A Gradient Of Degradation In Caribbean Dry Forest: Effects Of Dispersal Limitation On The Trajectory Of Forest Recovery, Brett T. Wolfe, Raúl Macchiavelli, Skip Van Bloem

Publications

Questions

Tropical dry forests that experience severe disturbances (e.g., fires) often remain degraded for long time periods, during which non-native grasses and trees dominate. One barrier to native tree regeneration in degraded areas may be seed dispersal limitation. To better understand how dispersal limitation influences recovery from degradation, we tested whether the mode and rates of seed dispersal differed in degraded sites dominated either by the exotic tree Leucaena leucocephala or open areas dominated by introduced pasture grasses. We also tested whether L. leucocephala stands facilitate the recruitment of native trees by increasing their seed input compared to open grass …

Utah State University Commencement, 2019 – Main Campus, Utah State University

Commencement Programs

132nd Annual Commencement of Utah State University.

Environmental Insecurity: Another Case For Concept Change, Lee-Anne Broadhead

Peace and Conflict Studies

For decades, scholars and policy-makers have disputed whether environmental degradation caused by human-induced climate change needs to be addressed and reversed in order to prevent conflict, or whether the instabilities generated by such degradation (resource scarcity, reduction of arable land, mass migration of so-called environmental refugees, etc.) provides a compelling new rationale for preparing militarily to fight the "climate change conflicts" of the future. Exploring the tension between these perspectives, the paper argues that any effective practical response implies and requires a change in the conceptual climate of the debate sufficient to discredit a literally devastating circular argument: that environmental …

Losses Of Mineral Soil Carbon Largely Offset Biomass Accumulation Fifteen Years After Whole-Tree Harvest In A Northern Hardwood Forest, Matthew A. Vadeboncoeur, Steven P. Hamburg, Chris E. Johnson, Jonathan Sanderman

All Materials

Changes in soil carbon stocks following forest harvest can be an important component of ecosystem and landscape-scale C budgets in systems managed for bioenergy or carbon-trading markets. However, these changes are characterized less often and with less certainty than easier-to-measure aboveground stocks. We sampled soils prior to the whole-tree harvest of Watershed 5 at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in 1983, and again in years 3, 8, and 15 following harvest. The repeated measures of total soil C in this stand show no net change in the O horizon over 15 years, though mixing with the mineral soil reduced observed …

Sustainable Foodways Of Scandinavia: A Closer Look At Sustainable Food And Beverage Practices In Denmark, Norway, And Sweden, Shandrea Marie Hickok

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Scandinavia leads the world with its devotion to sustainability and promotion of eco-friendly lifestyles. With concerns over climate change affecting the Nordic region, Scandinavian governments have taken an active role in creating national food strategies. So, what can Utah learn from the Nordic region? Ranking 45th in the nation for access to local food, Utah does not produce enough food to sustain itself for the future. With a background in environmental journalism, I traveled to Scandinavia during the summer of 2019 to explore Scandinavia's commitment to sustainable foods as a model for Utah. I examined modern and historical sustainable foods, …

Natural History Field Guide: Common Ground Outdoor Adventures, Casey Ann Trout

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Common Ground Outdoor Adventures (Common Ground) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Logan, Utah. Americorps VISTA volunteer Kate Stephens initially founded Common Ground in 1993 to enhance adaptive recreational opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities in the Cache Valley community. The organization has grown since that time and is now a fully-staffed entity which annually serves 3,600 individuals. It works with individuals with a variety of disabilities, including cognitive, physical, and emotional. Considering that there are systematic and social barriers to individuals with disabilities participating in outdoor recreation activities, the role that Common Ground plays to provide opportunities to these …

Reading The Landscape Of Bates, Ella Bourland

Standard Theses

This thesis uses historical perspectives and contemporary sightlines to read the 21st century landscape of Bates College, and reflect on particular human relationships with the environment throughout the history. Such considerations are valuable for understanding the changing relationships people have to the landscape in which they are set. What's behind these changes can teach us how to modify our perspective of what we think we're seeing, and perhaps even deepen our appreciation of how we utilize our space.

Leaf, Bark, Thorn, Root: Arboreal Ecocriticism And Shakespearean Drama, Jason Charles Hogue

English Dissertations - Archive

Leaf, Bark, Thorn, Root traces the appearance of trees and their constituent parts in five Shakespearean plays: Macbeth, The Tempest, 3 Henry VI, Richard III, and As You Like It. The dissertation shows how these plays reveal arboreal agencies intra-acting with the characters of the play-texts by assessing the mergings of human and arboreal bodies, as well as instances of hacking and hewing inflicted across these bodies. Taking a posthumanist approach informed by ecomaterialism, critical plant studies, and affect theory, I argue that these sites of painful human-arboreal encounter in Shakespeare’s plays initiate potentials for thinking-with and feeling-with, across not …

Reimagining The Potential Of Earth Observations For Ecosystem Service Assessments, Frank E. Muller-Karger

Marine Science Faculty Publications

The benefits nature provides to people, called ecosystem services, are increasingly recognized and accounted for in assessments of infrastructure development, agricultural management, conservation prioritization, and sustainable sourcing. These assessments are often limited by data, however, a gap with tremendous potential to be filled through Earth observations (EO), which produce a variety of data across spatial and temporal extents and resolutions. Despite widespread recognition of this potential, in practice few ecosystem service studies use EO. Here, we identify challenges and opportunities to using EO in ecosystem service modeling and assessment. Some challenges are technical, related to data awareness, processing, and access. …

Stream Channel Monitoring In Northern Great Plains Network, Data Quality Standards, Darren J. Thornbrugh

United States National Park Service: Publications

Executive Summary

The purpose of this report is to document the standards used by the Northern Great Plain Network (NGPN) for activities related to the collection, processing, storage, analysis, and publication of monitoring data as described in the Protocol implementation plan for stream channel monitoring in the Northern Great Plains Network: narrative version 1.0 (Thornbrugh et al. 2019). The plan also serves as a guide for all NGPN personnel who are involved in protocol/program activities and as a resource for identifying memoranda, publications, and other literature that describe associated techniques and requirements in more detail.

Applying The New Theory To Assessment Criteria Of Agricultural Water Management Schemes For Sustainable Rain-Fed Agriculture In Thailand, Anutra Wannaviroj, Thavivongse Sriburi

Applied Environmental Research

This paper describes the selection of assessment criteria to assess agricultural water management schemes for on-farm ponds to support sustainable rain-fed agriculture, guided by the New Theory of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The candidate set of criteria was obtained from several international and national sources related to sustainable rain-fed agriculture and the New Theory. The criteria were reviewed and modified by the expert team based on the goals of the New Theory in order to define an initial site-specific set of criteria that conform with the context of socio-topographical conditions of Thailand. The team screened,assessed, and prioritized the criteria …

Waste Composition Evaluation For Solid Waste Management Guideline In Highland Rural Tourist Area In Thailand, Nittaya Pasukphun, Yanasinee Suma, Anuttara Hongtong, Vivat Keawdunglek, Pussadee Laor, Tawatchai Apidechkul

Applied Environmental Research

This study investigated municipal solid waste generation rate and its compositionincluding the level of knowledge, attitude and practice on municipal solid waste (MSW) management of highland rural tourist area in Chiang Rai Province, Mae Salong Nok Sub-district, Thailand in order to propose the guidelines for effective MSW in rural tourist areas. Samples of MSW were collected during weekdays and several weekends, and separated into 4 categories: general,recyclable, organic and hazardous waste. About 40 % of the MSW consisted of organic waste; plastic bags were widely present, comprising more than 60 % of the mass of the general waste group. Level …

Sustainable Transition Models For Municipal Solid Waste Management: A Case Study Of Saraburi Provincial Administration Organization, Thailand, Siwaree Boonthavornsatien, Dawan Wiwattanadate

Applied Environmental Research

Municipal solid waste (MSW) generation exceeding the capacity of mechanical biological treatment (MBT) plants is a major problem for most municipalities in Thailand. The problem is serious for the Saraburi Provincial Administration Organization (SPAO) as the high daily volumes of MSW sent to the SPAO greatly exceeds the MBT plant capacity of 20 ton d-1. This results in accumulation and ultimately, open-dumping of MSW. Transition from a small (< 50 ton d-1) to a medium-sized cluster (50 - 300 ton d-1) is under consideration to address this problem. Therefore, this study evaluated pre-feasibility information, comparing two possible transition models. Model 1 proposes modification of the existing MBT plant to enlarge its capacity to 50 ton d-1, while Model 2 would require establishing a new medium-sized MBT plant (50 - 70 ton d-1). Results from field data collection as well as mass balance calculation and financial modelling indicate that without additional income from tipping or MSW management fee as well as sale of recyclable materials and scrap metals, both models exhibit negative net present value (NPV) or are not economically feasible due to high initial investment in machinery. However, sensitivity analysis based on an expected fall in future machinery prices indicates that the NPV for both models become positive if prices fall by a minimum 20 %. Due to the much higher initial investment, but the higher capacity with higher separation technology and the higher environmental benefits as well as higher ratings for sustainable development indicators, Model 2 is recommended for a long-term transition. Model 1 can still be recommended for a short - to medium-term transition. Results from in-depth interviews also confirm that Model 1, which offers additional local employment and incomes from selling recyclable materials and scrap metals would be the more feasible option owing to familiarity with the process and its lower initial investment requirement.

Engaged Scholarship For Environmental Justice: A Guide, Chad Raphael

Communication

This guide was written for distribution at the Environmental Justice and the Common Good Conference, hosted by Santa Clara University’s Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education in May 2019. The conference convened representatives from Jesuit and other universities with a broad range of community organizations to strengthen our common understanding and advancement of community-engaged scholarship for environmental justice (EJ). Given its immediate audience, the guide focuses primarily on the U.S. context, although it also discusses the major global causes and impacts of EJ, and how Americans have been inspired by engaged scholars around the world, from whom we have much to …

Patchy Fires Promote Regeneration Of Longleaf Pine (Pinus Palustris Mill.) In Pine Savannas, Kevin M. Robertson, William J. Platt, Charles E. Faires

Faculty Publications

© 2019 by the authors. Research Highlights: Spatial patterns of fire spread and severity influence survival of juvenile pines in longleaf pine savannas. Small areas that do not burn during frequent fires facilitate formation of patches of even-aged longleaf pine juveniles. These regeneration patches are especially associated with inner portions of openings (gaps) and where canopy trees have died in recent decades. Patterns of prescribed fire can thus have an important influence on stand dynamics of the dominant tree in pine savannas. Background and Objectives: Savannas are characterized by bottlenecks to tree regeneration. In pine savannas, longleaf pine is noted …

Ethical Art Waste: Examining Resource Management In The Art Studio, Amanda Peavey

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This paper highlights the lack of education about production and disposal of art materials within the field of art therapy. Failure to educate clinicians creates ethical problems when hazardous materials are used in sessions unknowingly. This paper is grounded in environmental studies and chemical management to supplement the art therapy field’s lack of research and commentary. The literature is dedicated to educating the reader about the hazardous nature of materials, issues surrounding regulations of chemicals involved in production, and consumerism in relation to waste processing. The research data was collected from a community engagement project: an educational presentation was offered …

Investigating The Masking Effects Of Blood On Organic Gunshot Residue Using Gc/Ms, Raman, And Atr-Ftir, Tyler Willits

Master's Theses

Gunshot residue (GSR) can be an indicator for determining the distance of a firearm discharge and linking potential suspects and witnesses to a shooting event. However, the evidentiary value of inorganic gunshot residue (IGSR), commonly used to detect GSR, has been called into question due to the potential for false negatives and false positives. Organic gunshot residue (OGSR) acts as supporting evidence; this increases the overall confidence of the examiner, as well as the value of gunshot residue evidence as a whole.

Current research has focused on three main areas for OGSR. The first is what compounds we should identify …

Sampling Studies For Longitudinal Functional Data, Toni Jassel

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

We study the data setting consisting of functional data sets repeatedly observed over time. The focus is on the dynamic prediction of the future trajectory for a subject. Regression methods based on dynamic functional models are used for dynamic prediction of individual trajectories. We propose strategies for the selection of the study sampling design in the context of longitudinal functional data. An application to simulated child growth data is presented. The height-for-age z-score (HAZ) was the response variable in the functional dynamic models for prediction. The intent was to recommend four months for removal in our initial historic data set. …

Commonsense Knowledge In Sentiment Analysis Of Ordinance Reactions For Smart Governance, Manish Puri

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Smart Governance is an emerging research area which has attracted scientific as well as policy interests, and aims to improve collaboration between government and citizens, as well as other stakeholders. Our project aims to enable lawmakers to incorporate data driven decision making in enacting ordinances. Our first objective is to create a mechanism for mapping ordinances (local laws) and tweets to Smart City Characteristics (SCC). The use of SCC has allowed us to create a mapping between a huge number of ordinances and tweets, and the use of Commonsense Knowledge (CSK) has allowed us to utilize human judgment in mapping. …

Factors Affecting Willingness To Cultivate Switchgrass: Evidence From A Farmer Survey In Missouri, Pralhad Burli, Pankaj Lal, Bernabas Wolde, Shibu Jose, Sougata Bardhan

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Switchgrass is considered as one of the important feedstocks that can contribute towards the attainment of bioenergy goals set under the Renewable Fuels Standard. Yet, the commercial viability of switchgrass based bioenergy is a much debated topic owing to supply side challenges emanating from limited raw materials. It is therefore critical to understand the crucial role of the farmer by studying the willingness to cultivate switchgrass dedicated for bioenergy. To our knowledge, this is the first survey undertaken to assess the farmer preferences and participation in bioenergy markets after the new administration has assumed office, and provides some important insights. …

Vanishing Leaves: A Study Of Walt Whitman Through Location-Based Mobile Technologies, Jesse A. Merandy

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Vanishing Leaves is a location-based mobile experience (LBME), which employs mobile devices equipped with GPS and high-speed wireless internet capabilities to take users to Brooklyn Heights to learn about the poet Walt Whitman and his connection to the neighborhood where he lived, worked, and published the first edition of his masterwork Leaves of Grass. Through this active first-person immersive learning experience, Vanishing Leaves embraces experimental scholarly methods that extend outside the classroom and off the page in order to engage learners and invite them to create meaningful, personal connections to writers and their literary works.

The following white paper …

A Systematic Assessment Of Socio-Economic Impacts Of Prolonged Episodic Volcano Crises, Justin Peers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Uncertainty surrounding volcanic activity can lead to socio-economic crises with or without an eruption as demonstrated by the post-1978 response to unrest of Long Valley Caldera (LVC), CA. Extensive research in physical sciences provides a foundation on which to assess direct impacts of hazards, but fewer resources have been dedicated towards understanding human responses to volcanic risk. To evaluate natural hazard risk issues at LVC, a multi-hazard, mail-based, household survey was conducted to compare perceptions of volcanic, seismic, and wildfire hazards. Impacts of volcanic activity on housing prices and businesses were examined at the county-level for three volcanoes with a …