Digital Commons Network^™

Brother Nature: Pursuing Zero-Waster At Casa Maria, Isaiah Charles, Giuliana Porzio Cuenca, Tatiana Flores, Isabella Lopez, Antonio Martinez, Kelly Sawyers

Presentations - 2025

This presentation focuses on evaluating waste production and management at Casa Maria, a Marianist community on campus, with the goal of establishing baseline data and offering sustainability recommendations grounded in the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle. Insights from this initiative aim to inform broader sustainability efforts across the university.

Lawn Nutrient Availability And Run-Off During Establishment Under Enhanced Biodiversity, Masami S. Kanyuk

Environmental Studies Honors Theses

Biodiversity has consistently been found to have positive ecosystem effects, including erosion mitigation and stability of nutrient cycling. For lawns, this can translate to reducing the need for fertilizer application, and reducing soil loss and leaching that can impact water quality. This paper investigates the effects of biodiversity and plant community establishment in a lawn ecosystem on soil erosion, nitrate leaching via porewater sampling, and plant available nitrogen.

In the first growing season of PLEDGE (the Pastures and Lawns Enhanced Drought and Global-Change Experiment), we hypothesized that three-species lawns (tall fescue, dwarf white clover, and creeping thyme) would experience higher …

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Why It Is Important For Children With Autism To Go Outside And How To Do So Safely, Holly Vigil

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Going outdoors contains a multitude of benefits such as improving physical and emotional/mental wellbeing. Unfortunately the outdoor space is not always accessible to children with autism spectrum disorder due to the common symptoms related to the disorder as well as potential challenging behaviors these individuals may display. This capstone considered the research question: How can caretakers create safe outdoor access for children with autism? A guide book was created to help caretakers feel more comfortable taking their child with autism outdoors. The guide includes sections that focus on the symptoms of autism, environmental factors, and planning considerations to keep in …

You Can Never Have Too Many Flowers: Nature As A Support For Survivors Of Genocide, War, And Conflict, Adam Hettler

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

One in five children around the world are surviving war or other violent conflicts. The trauma of disruptions to community, safety, and loss of friends, family, and home can have wide-ranging and life-long impacts on children who survive. While impacts will vary from individual to individual, the trauma can impact mental health, feelings of safety, relationships, ability to learn, and many other aspects of their lives. Many educators in the US and globally are working with refugee students or other students who are navigating the impacts on their brains and bodies of different traumas. This project seeks to answer the …

Implementation Of Storylines In Science Education, Jacob Cooper

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

State standards are constantly changing and it is the job of the teacher to keep up with those changes. Science standards have recently gone through a major change, shifting toward storyline based education models. This had led to confusion among educators. This research and subsequent professional development sessions seek to answer the research questions: Why are we moving to the storylining model? How is the storylining model best implemented in the classroom? The literature review covers the where and why surrounding the origins of storyline based education models, both within traditional education settings and within indigenous communities. It then analyzes …

Spatial And Temporal Trends Of Reburns In Western Us Forests, Jackson M. Boyle

Student Publications

In the Western United States, understanding the role of reburns, or repeat wildfires, has become a topic of increased interest as the damages caused by wildfires have risen. While some forests are adapted to frequent burns, others have fire regimes characterized by few or infrequent burns. While all fires alter ecosystems, reburns have been found to specifically lower seeding probability and accelerate or start the shift from forests to shrublands. Despite these ecological impacts, the temporal and spatial trends of reburns remain understudied. Using Google Earth Engine, I analyzed the Composite Burn Index (CBI) dataset to see if reburns are …

Tracking Phenological Shifts Of Black Guillemots Cepphus Grylle In The Gulf Of Maine, Jocelyn L. Little

Student Publications

Rapid warming in the Gulf of Maine has coincided with changes in phenology across trophic levels. Phenological change has yet to be studied in black guillemots (Cepphus grylle), a widely distributed benthic forager that is showing population decline in the region. Because black guillemots nest in burrows, their phenology can be challenging to study. I developed methods to track black guillemot phenology on Petit Manan Island, a seabird breeding colony in the Gulf of Maine. Specifically, I asked Q1) Can daily tower count data be used to predict black guillemot breeding phenology? Q2) How is black guillemot breeding phenology shifting …

Common Terns (Sterna Hirundo) As Bioindicators For Atlantic Herring (Clupea Harengus) Distribution In The Gulf Of Maine, Logan R. Becker

Student Publications

Effective fisheries management is increasingly challenged by climate-driven shifts in species distribution and by a lack of data on early life stages of key forage fish species. In the Gulf of Maine, Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus), a once economically dominant fishery species and a key prey species for many dependent predators, has declined due to poor early-stage recruitment and warming waters. Despite this decline, current trawl surveys do not inform early-stage Atlantic herring distribution due to mesh size limitations, leaving critical gaps in our knowledge. To address this knowledge gap, I used common terns (Sterna hirundo) …

Perceptions Of Internship Experiences For Environmental Science Undergraduates, Sydney Brock

Senior Theses

Internships are widely recognized as valuable components of undergraduate education, yet their accessibility, impact, and role in shaping student development vary significantly across disciplines and individual experiences. This thesis investigates the undergraduate internship experience within the School of the Earth, Ocean, and Environment (SEOE) at the University of South Carolina, drawing on survey data and reflective responses from students who participated in internships between 2022 and 2024. The study explores the professional, academic, and personal benefits of internships, with particular attention to how these experiences influence students' career direction, confidence, and skill development. Findings indicate that regardless of format, duration, …

Environmental Health Disparities In Pediatric Cancer: A Report From The Fourth Symposium On Childhood Cancer Health Disparities, Manish Arora, Stephen H Linder, Leticia M Nogueira, Amy E Hughes, Lindsay A Williams, Jeremy M Schraw, Michael E Scheurer, Philip J Lupo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The 4th Symposium on Childhood Cancer Health Disparities was held at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas, on September 26, 2023. The symposium registered 94 attendees from different backgrounds (e.g. clinicians, epidemiologists, exposure assessment scientists, geospatial experts) with an interest in environmental health disparities of pediatric cancer susceptibility and treatment outcomes. The focus of the symposium was to provide an overview of the role of environmental risk factors in studies of pediatric cancer, introduce novel exposure assessment tools that can be applied to the field, and highlight opportunities to study the impact of environmental health disparities in pediatric cancer susceptibility …

The Role Of Sustainable Human Resources Management On The Effectiveness Of The Organization: An Analytical Study At The University Of Anbar, Saja Saleh, Mohammed Yaseen Raheem

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

This research aims to examine the influence that sustainable human resource management (HRM) has on organizational effectiveness at the university level. In view of that, the research debates sustainable HRM practices, such as selection, participation, and empowerment, which have a stake in the success of the institution by harmonizing employee development with the long-term goals of the organization. This study used a quantitative survey method to collect data from 169 university employees and analysis through the use of statistical techniques using SPSS. The outcome suggests that sustainable HRM positively and directly affects organizational effectiveness. The evidence supports employee empowerment as …

Cas Honor Symposium Program, Spring 2025, College Of Arts & Sciences Honors Program

College of Arts & Sciences Honors in the Major Symposium

No abstract provided.

Perceived Value And Other Predictors Of Electric Vehicle Adoption In The Philippines, Rosalina P. Tan

Economics Department Faculty Publications

The transport sector accounts for more than a third of global carbon dioxide (CO_²) emissions from end-use sectors, and cars and vans in turn contribute almost half (48%) of the transport sector emissions. Hence, the transition to more efficient and less carbon-intensive road transportation modes, such as electric vehicle (EV), is crucial for climate change mitigation. This paper presents the results of a survey on Filipinos' awareness of and preferences for EV. Following the value-based adoption model and employing the generalized structural equation modeling (GSEM) technique, the study finds that EV adoption intention is positively correlated with perceived …

Environmental Geography And Law: Toward A Synthesis, Michaela Anang-Hadjicostandi, Sophia Borgias, Karrigan Börk, Ann M. Eisenberg, Guadalupe M. Franco, Cinnamon Carlarne Hirokawa, Keith H. Hirokawa, Jonathan London, Melinda Morgan, Jessica Owley, Shannon Roesler, Sonya Ziaja

Articles

This Article introduces the new interdisciplinary field of Environmental Geography and Law, which has deep roots in ecology, social science, and law. Environmental and natural resources laws are situated in specific times and places where the climate, ecosystems, history and political economy influence both the land and the law. These places drive and constrain the way law develops. In turn, the law shapes places, from the dispossession and forced migration of indigenous groups, to land development via railroad land grants, to patterns of resource extraction and infrastructure development. Past efforts to integrate law and geography have focused more on critical …

Decarbonising Digital Infrastructure And Urban Sustainability In The Case Of Data Centres, Felicia H. M. Liu, Karen P. Y. Lai, Bertrand Seah, Winston T. L. Chow

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

This paper critically assesses the complex interplay between urban transitions of digitisation and sustainability. Building on a mixed-method research design, we unpack the challenges of decarbonising digital infrastructure while attending to urban sustainability goals in a land- and water-scarce country facing significant physical climate risks. We identify transferrable lessons on the economic, technological, and environmental synergies and trade-offs behind data centre development and argue that stewarding the global data centre sector towards sustainability requires an ecosystem-wide approach. We identify implementation gaps across five key dimensions: technological innovation, policy and regulation, finance, infrastructure, and people. We find that the progress and …

Bridging Climatology And Energy: Understanding Michigan’S Wind Speeds For A Sustainable Future, Carson Evans

Masters Theses

This study investigates Michigan wind speeds by combining climatology with wind energy, identifying wind drivers and applying them to wind farm infrastructure. Using eXtreme Gradient BOOSTing (XGBoost), this thesis develops a highly accurate predictive model for wind speeds. Coupled with Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis, it is found that proximity to the nearest Great Lake is the ultimate influencer of wind speeds, followed by local environmental variables and finally remote climate phenomena. Other analyses find wind speeds are greatest near the Great Lakes and during fall and winter, while inland summer wind speeds were lowest. Wind energy infrastructure is assessed …

The Utah Statesman, March 31, 2025, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Geo-Ai For Wetland Classification And Evolutionary Analysis, Lirong Yin

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Wetlands, as a crucial component of the Earth's ecosystem, play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance and preserving biodiversity. However, wetlands are currently facing severe challenges, as both natural and human-induced factors are contributing to their global degradation. Gaining a deep understanding of the species composition and biodiversity within wetland-covered areas and accurately analyzing their changing trends not only helps assess the current and future state of wetlands but also provides strong support for the formulation of scientifically sound wetland conservation strategies. In recent years, the rapid development of geospatial intelligence and remote sensing technologies has brought new opportunities …

Enforcement Activities And Profiling Techniques Of Wildlife Rangers In Nigeria's Lowland Forest Reserves: A Mixed-Methods Study On Wildlife Law Transgressions, Norris I. Erhabor, Gloria Aimien Erhabor

Journal of Bioresource Management

This mixed-methods study investigates the enforcement activities and profiling techniques employed by wildlife rangers in Nigeria's lowland forest reserves to address wildlife law transgressions. The research integrates enforcement strategies, socio-economic factors, community involvement, and governance structures to evaluate the effectiveness of ranger activities. Data collection was conducted in the Omo Biosphere Reserve, Gele Gele Forest Reserve, and Okomu National Park, utilizing both primary and secondary sources, including interviews with 24 wildlife rangers. Key findings reveal that unauthorized entry, possession of specific tools, and suspicious behaviors are primary indicators used by rangers to identify potential law violators. Poaching activities predominantly occur …

Volume 21 Complete Issue, Robert M. Ward

The Geographical Bulletin

Volume 21 Complete Issue

The St. Clair River Delta A Unique Lake Delta*, C. Nicholas Raphael, Eugene Jaworski

The Geographical Bulletin

Because of long-term and shortterm lake level changes, the geomorphology and vegetation patterns of the St. Clair River delta are unique. Marine delta studies and Late Quaternary chronology in the Great Lakes have progressed significantly in the past decade and the delta is investigated from the viewpoint of these developments. Although this delta has a shape similar to the Mississippi River delta, several forms and processes are different.

Peter Maurin As The New St. Benedict: A Review Essay, William J. Collinge

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Toward Integral Security: How Environmental Protection Was Incorporated Into The United Nations System And Why It Matters Today And Tomorrow, Patricia M. Mische

The Journal of Social Encounters

How did the United Nations - an international organization built on 19^th century worldviews and state-centric structures, integrate 21^st century challenges of environmental protection into its mission and programs? The UN Charter includes no mandate for environmental protection. Ecological integrity was not included in the scope of peace and security held by member states when they ratified the UN Charter. Yet, despite this and other historical, philosophical and structural limitations, the UN became the leading body for the development of global environmental policy.

University Expands Environmental Studies Program With New Major, Jordan Karnbach

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss - The University of Mississippi is set to launch a new degree program in environmental studies this fall, offering a comprehensive understanding of environmental issues from multiple perspectives.

Integrating Islamic Education With Environmental Programs: Strategies For Sustainable Character Development At Sman 2 And 7 Malang Indonesia, Abdul Malik Karim Amrullah, Ali Murfi, Ahmad Fauzi, Basri Basri

The Qualitative Report

This study aims to investigate the integration of Islamic education into environmental programs at State High Schools 2 and 7 Malang (SMAN 2 and 7). Addressing the environmental crisis in Indonesia, it focuses on how religious education can foster environmental consciousness and character development in students, contributing to sustainable education practices. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed to gain an in-depth understanding of the integration of Islamic education and environmental programs at SMAN 2 and 7. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, including principals, vice principals, teachers, staff, and students. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews, observations of school activities, …

Volume 27 Complete Issue, Robert M. Ward

The Geographical Bulletin

Volume 27 Complete Issue

The Nowruz Oil Spill In The Arabian Gulf: Case Study Of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah S. Ai-Amirah

The Geographical Bulletin

The Arabian Gulf has suffered from hundreds of oil spills, some of them reported but most unreported. In many cases the amounts of the spills and their causes are usually undetermined. During 1978-1979, tanker captains reported to the Japan Oceanographic Data Center about 412 oil slicks in the Gulf and its approaches.' Table 1 shows major oil spills exceeding 3,000 barrels which occurred between August, 1980, and August, 1982. Although these are relatively current, it should be noted that other significant oil spills have occurred since oil was discovered in the region by Iran in 1908.

The Regulatory Triad: Reimagining Environmental Law In The Post-Chevron Era, Shai Stern, Itay Biton

Villanova Environmental Law Journal (1991 - )

No abstract provided.

Spartan Daily, March 27, 2025, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2025

Volume 164, Issue 28

Inferences Of Source Lithologies For Chicxulub Microtektites Using A Bayesian Approach, Jack Carter, Paolo Sanchez, Anthony J. Fuentes, Paul R. Renne, Dale H. Burns, Hermann D. Bermúdez

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The Chicxulub impact on the Yucatán Peninsula at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary (KPB) was a likely contributor to the end-Cretaceous mass extinction. Glassy objects produced by quenched melt from the impact were distributed over a large region centered on the Caribbean basin and have long been known to preserve compositional information that could allow for more robust constraints on the pre-impact target lithologies. The Chicxulub-derived glasses are generally altered in most localities, but a recently discovered deposit at Gorgonilla Island, Colombia, yields a large percentage of unaltered glassy microtektites up to ∼2 mm (There is inconsistent usage of these terms in …