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Watershed Management Tools: Hazardous Site Case History, Reference Stream Analysis, And Gis Analysis Of Fire Risk, Patrick Doyle

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

My portfolio explores some tools that are used to protect or assess watershed health and the experiences and lessons I learned during my time in the Environmental Studies program. The first piece in my portfolio is a case study that looks at the history of pollution ad cleanup of the kraft pulp mill along the Clark Fork River. In my study, I look closely at the EPA’s investigation of the site and the community’s reaction to the findings. In my second piece, I describe my field and lab experience working for the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. During this time, …

Taking The Public Out Of Public Lands: Shifts In Coal-Extraction Policies In The Trump Administration, Jessica Owley

Articles

No abstract provided.

Barriers To Teachers' Use Of Environmentally-Based Education In Outdoor Classrooms, Sheri Ruether

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Numerous research studies have shown that when teachers take children outdoors to learn, children show an increase in cognitive, physical, social, and emotional skills. Few researchers have focused, however, on teachers and their decision to use the outdoors as a way of teaching. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore whether life experiences impact a teacher's choice to not use the outdoor environment. Ham and Shuman's model of environmental education commitment and Kaplan and Kaplan's environmental cognition theory served as the conceptual frameworks for this study. The research question was designed to explore the experiences and barriers of …

Perceptions Of Problems, Policies, And Politics Of A Controversial Pacific State Mosque, Frederick Sahakian

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the existence of land use and environmental protection policies designed to provide guidance on land development, some projects can still be contentious. As the number of Muslims and mosques in the United States are increasing, little is known about the problematic conditions that Muslims may experience when attempting to site a new mosque, community center, or cemetery. The purpose of this study was to develop a deeper understanding about the experiences and perceptions of those involved in the failed siting of a controversial mosque, community center, and cemetery project in a U.S. West Coast state. The multiple streams framework …

2018-2019 Undergraduate Bulletin, Rochester Institute Of Technology

RIT Digital Archives

No abstract provided.

The Enduring Importance Of Wildness: Shepherding Wilderness Through The Anthropocene, Patrick Ram Kelly

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Wilderness and wildness have long been essential values at the heart of American conservation. Both have played critical roles in the formation of environmental ethics, providing a conceptual foundation for the belief that the non-human natural world is valuable for its own sake (Nash, 2001). After grounding and inspiring much of 20th century environmentalism, their influence in the current century has grown increasingly tentative. The arrival of what some have called the “Anthropocene epoch” – a term meant to capture the planetary scale impacts of human activity – now threatens the continued viability and relevance of wilderness and wildness to …

Zoning And Complementary Incentives To Protect Farmland: A Case For Missoula County, Kaitlin Mccafferty

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Urban sprawl reflects an inefficient use of land that diminishes both rural landscapes and quality of life turning farms, ranches and open space into siloed suburban communities. This results in less walkable cities with more traffic and air pollution, among other negative consequences. Farmland constitutes a particularly important resource that often faces degradation or loss due to sprawl. Higher quality agricultural soils are particularly desirable for development because they are flat and well-drained. Farmland is also important for urban communities concerning food security, environmental health, and economic well being. As American cities continue to grow, farmland around urban areas has …

Application Of Seismic Radial Anisotropy For Near-Surface Fractures Identification, Jer-Yu Jeng

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Fractures significantly control the groundwater flow and solute transport in geological settings of low-permeable rocks. Fractures also affect seismic wave propagation. For instance, they can create a directional dependence of seismic velocity with respect to their orientations, known as seismic anisotropy. Seismic radial anisotropy as used here is the difference between the velocity of a vertically polarized S-wave (SV) and one polarized horizontally (SH). In this thesis, seismic radial anisotropy was used to evaluate its usefulness for correlating with near-surface fractures. The seismic radial anisotropy models were obtained at two sites from dispersion analyses of the Rayleigh waves, with vertical …

Fill-In-The-Blank-Emotion In Dogs? Evidence From Brain Imaging, Alexandra Horowitz, Becca Franks, Jeff Sebo

Animal Sentience

What is needed to make meaningful claims about an animal’s capacity for subjective experience? Cook et al. (2018) attempt to study jealousy in dogs by placing them in a particular context and then seeing whether they display a particular brain state. We argue that this approach to studying jealousy falls short for two related reasons. First, the relationship between jealousy and the selected context is unclear. Second, the relationship between jealousy and the selected brain state (indeed, any single brain state) is unclear. These and other issues seriously limit what this study can show. It is important not to see …

Defining Denial And Sentient Seafood, Jennifer Jacquet

Animal Sentience

Sneddon et al. address the scientists who reject the empirical evidence on fish sentience, calling them “sceptics” and their work “denial”. This is the first article to frame the question of fish sentience in these terms, and it provides an obvious opening for social science and humanities research in the science of fish sentience. It is also worth asking what practical changes in the lives of fish might arise from the mounting evidence of their sentience. I suggest that the relationship between sentience and our sense of moral obligation is not as clear as we often assume.

Fish Are Smart And Feel Pain: What About Joy?, Becca Franks, Jeff Sebo, Alexandra Horowitz

Animal Sentience

Sneddon et al. rightly point out that the evidence of fish pain is now so strong and comprehensive that arguments against it have become increasingly difficult to defend in balanced academic discourse. But sentience involves more than just pain. Recent research indicates that fish have an impressive range of cognitive capacities, including the capacity for pleasure, in the form of play and other behaviors likely to involve positively valenced experience. Having made the case for pain, research can now focus on other aspects of fish sentience. Doing so will not only provide a more complete picture of the mental lives …

Canine Emotions: Guidelines For Research, Miiamaaria V. Kujala

Animal Sentience

In the target article, I called for a discussion on the nature and extent of dogs’ emotions. The commentators generally agreed on the existence of dog emotions, but the diversity and quality of dog emotions, as well as the influence of human social cognition on perceiving dog emotions, raised more debate. To respond to the stimulating commentaries, I touch briefly on the philosophy of (canine) mind and discuss further the benefits of comparing cognition across species, secondary emotions, and the shaping of canine emotions by evolution, breeding and experience. I conclude with suggestions for future research guidelines on studies of …

Halogenated Parabens And Halogenated Phenoxyethanols As Antibacterial Agents In Cushion Products, Lalisa Dechnitirat

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Halogenated compounds are interesting as antimicrobial agents for cosmetic product. The bromination of methyl paraben and 2-phenoxyethanol were carried out under mild conditions using NaBr and 30% H2O2 yielding methyl 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzoate and p-bromo-2-phenoxyethanol, respectively. Three parameters including the ratio of brominating agent and oxidizing agent, type of solvents, and temperature were optimized. These synthesized products were used as antibacterial agent in cushion product as individual or blend. The challenge test results revealed that methyl 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzoate and p-bromo-2-phenoxyethanol could effectively inhibit Staphylococcus aureus, Candida. albicans, and Aspergillus brasiliensis more than their parents. For stability test, there was no change of the …

The Use Of Dredged Sediment From The Watsongpeenong Canal With Paper Mill Residue To Produce Facing Bricks, Jiraporn Namchan, Nuta Supakata

Applied Environmental Research

The potential to use dredged sediment from the Watsongpeenong Canal and paper mill residue as the primary raw materials for producing facing bricks was studied in the laboratory. Dredged sediment and paper mill residue were chemically, mineralogically, and thermally characterized using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). To evaluate the effects of the contents of the paper mill residue on pore-forming, large amounts of paper mill residue, ranging from 5 to 7 % by mass, were blended with dredged sediments and fired at 700oC. The physical-mechanical properties, including dimensions and tolerances, wryness, deviation of the right angle, water absorption, …

Assessment Of The Sustainability Of Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana, Moses K. Aryee, Nathsuda Pumijumnong, Paramita Punwong, Raywadee Roachanakanan

Applied Environmental Research

Cities have become integral in the quest to achieving universal sustainable development. For example, the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals called for cities and human settlements to be inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable (Goal 11). This was in line with the 2012 National Urban Policy of Ghana which seeks to promote a sustainable, spatially integrated and orderly development of urban settlements with adequate housing, infra-structure and services, efficient institutions, and a sound living and working environment for all people to support the rapid socioeconomic development of Ghana. Six years into the imple-mentation of …

Evaluation Of Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Municipal Solid Waste (Msw) Management: Case Study Of Lampang Municipality, Thailand, Pantitcha Outapa, Veerapas Na Roi-Et

Applied Environmental Research

The issue of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from municipal solid waste (MSW) is important in the context of climate change. Reduction of GHGs from waste disposal systems is one of the management strategies forming part of Thailand's National Economic and Social Development Plan. This project evaluated emissions from a municipal solid waste system covering transportation and disposal in Lampang Municipality, northern Thailand. GHG emissions from transportation were estimated by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) based on the travel distance of the vehicles, using a vehicle emission model and vehicle fuel consumption. GHG emissions during the disposal process were …

Seasonal And Land Use Effects On Amphibian Abundance And Species Richness In The Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, Thailand, Matthew Crane, Colin Strine, Pongthep Suwanwaree

Applied Environmental Research

Habitat destruction and degradation in the tropics have led to a dramatic increase in altered habitats. Understanding the impacts of these disturbed areas on biodiversity will be critical to future conservation efforts. Despite heavy deforestation, Southeast Asia is underrepresented in studies investigating faunal communities in human-modified landscapes. This project assessed the herpetofaunal community in dry dipterocarp forest, secondary disturbed forest, and Eucalyptus plantations in the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve. In May, June, and September of 2015, we surveyed using 10 passive trapping arrays. Both the Eucalyptus plantations and secondary disturbed forest habitats (224 and 141 individuals, respectively) had higher amphibian abundance …

Investigating Reef Contact Rates Of Snorkel Visitors At Koh Sak, Pattaya On Guided And Non-Guided Coral Reef Tours, Wayne Phillips

Applied Environmental Research

Recreational snorkelling is a popular activity at Koh Sak, Pattaya Bay and although most snorkel visitors to the island arrive by speedboat on guided tours, many visitors arrive on tours that do not provide a guide. Because there is widespread agreement that reef-based tourism negatively impacts coral reefs it is important to understand the potential role guides play in reducing visitor impacts. In this study 421 snorkelers (35 % of whom came on non-guided tours) were observed on the reef for a period of 10 minutes. The following information was recorded so that a per person reef-contact rate could be …

Examining The Impact And Influence Of The Leisure Science Literature, Mat D. Duerden, Michael B. Edwards, Michael C. Goates, Justin Dyer

Faculty Publications

This study explored the impact and influence of the leisure sciences literature through an analysis of highly cited articles. Discriminant function analysis identified whether articles had more exclusive impact inside or outside the field. Research themes and methodologies were examined based on these classifications. Results indicate articles with the greatest impact within the leisure literature tended to be quantitative studies drawing upon survey data and non-experimental designs focused on general leisure and outdoor/forest recreation. Articles with the greatest impact outside the leisure literature were more recent and focused on place attachment, psychological motivation, or community parks and recreation and used …

Indigenous Peoples, The International Trend Toward Legal Personhood For Nature, And The United States, Hannah White

American Indian Law Review

No abstract provided.

Biological Factors In The Stem Gender Gap, Yamina Nater-Otero

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The Gender gap in STEM is a long-term problem that has only recently been addressed. Research has just begun to delve into why so few women pursue university degrees in the STEM fields and even less enter the STEM workforce. This research will examine the evolutionary factors which contributed to the gender gap, such as offspring investment, greater investment in male offspring, and female risk aversion. Despite the fact that there are plenty of modern advances which should compensate for these factors, there are societal stigmas against women in the STEM workplace which allow the gender gap to continue. Societal …

Safe Harbors: The Many Benefits Of Marine Monuments And Sanctuaries, John F. Bruno, Whitley Saumweber, Larry B. Crowder, Linwood Pendleton, Stephen E. Roady, Tracy Rouleau, Miyoko Sakashita

Faculty Scholarship

The United States has been at the forefront of marine resource stewardship since the 1970s when Federal officials began to implement a series of national policies aimed at the conservation and management of public trust resources in the ocean. Beginning with the establishment of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in 1970, soon followed by several pieces of landmark legislation, this era marked the start of a continuing effort to integrate ecosystem science with marine resource management. Among the most important bipartisan legacies of this effort has been the steady expansion of marine managed areas in U.S. coastal and ocean …

Bridging Gaps Between Conservation Action And Policy On Small Island Developing States – Case Analog Of The Republic Of Mauritius, Pricila Iranah

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Mauritius, a small island state in the Indian Ocean, is a biodiversity hotspot with highly threatened forest ecosystems. It is also a country where environmental and conservation programs have been successful in the past. However, the issue of funding has received relatively less attention and national park systems are chronically underfunded. As part of assessing the potential for local funding, we assessed the demand for forest recreation. Recreation in forest ecosystems is one of the cornerstones of modern nature-based tourism. Tourism is increasingly a favored tool to promote conservation of natural forests, especially in developing countries where conservation financing can …

Economic And Environmental Assessment Of Advanced Biofuels : Adoption Under Uncertainty, Farmer Willingness, And Land Use Implications, Pralhad Burli

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The production of biofuels offers the prospect of enhancing a country’s energy security by limiting petroleum imports and supporting domestic economic activity by bolstering agricultural and allied sectors. Additionally, advanced biofuels can reduce the reliance on food-grain based first generation ethanol, replace a part of our fossil fuel consumption, and potentially reduce environmental impacts through greenhouse gas emission reductions. However, the cellulosic biofuel industry has not developed as anticipated due to slow advancements in the technology for converting feedstock to fuel, improvements in vehicular efficiency, which has muted fuel demand, and lack of an assured year-round supply of feedstock that …

2017 State Legislative Review, Adrienne Craig

Animal Law Review

No abstract provided.

Integrating Fire And Forest Planning: A Review Of National Forest Plan Revisions, Hailey Graf

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.

Interpretation And Implemenation Of Director’S Order #41, Section 7.2: Determining Best Management Practices For Wilderness Climbing In The National Parks, Kerry E. Sullivan

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Climbing in national parks’ wilderness areas has long created tension for mangers between providing recreational opportunities and maintaining wilderness values. This activity presents a challenge to wilderness management as managers try to balance feelings of solitude in wilderness and opportunities for unconfined recreation. Increased interest in climbing in the national parks lead to management considerations to satisfy Director’s Order #41: Wilderness Stewardship (DO41). In October 2013, the National Park Service (NPS) issued Director’s Order #41, Section 7.2, Climbing (DO41, Sec. 7.2), to clarify management of climbing in wilderness. Climbing in designated wilderness requires management due to conflicts between this growing …

A Decade Of Governing The Blackfoot Community Conservation Area (Bcca): Community Involvement And Landscape Connectivity Through Public Private Partnerships, Alexander A. Barton

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

In recent decades, non-governmental organizations have acquired and established community forests and conservation areas in the U.S. However, there have been few empirical studies on their governance. This study focuses on the Blackfoot Community Conservation Area (BCCA) in the Blackfoot watershed of Montana, created in 2005. The BCCA is a 41,000 acre mosaic of private, state, and federal lands, including 5,600 acres known as the “Core” located near Ovando mountain and owned by the Blackfoot Challenge, a local watershed organization and leader in grassroots conservation. This research examined the definitions, activities and lessons learned over the past decade with regard …

Healing Self And Community: Living Pluralism In The Anishinaabe Paradigm, Andrea A. Fitzpatrick

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Abstract: Healing Self and Community: Living Pluralism in The Anishinaabe

This thesis is a study of pluralism through Anishinaabe writers Winona LaDuke, Basil Johnston, Lynn Anderson, and others, focusing on their perceptions and pedagogies and how those perceptions inform pluralistic living. Anishinaabe methodology tends to be innately interconnected, and pluralistic. As such, it can enlighten, heal self-identity structures, and perceptions of the biosphere. I will contextualize how it is necessary to investigate the stories we learn and those we tell, how it is vital to understand where they come from. Included is analysis of how pluralism shows up in mine …

Transitioning Montana To A Renewable Energy Future: The Social And Economic Impacts, Jacqueline O. Sussman

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Montana is home to the second-largest coal-fired power plant in the West, the Colstrip Generating Station. The value and demand for coal both domestically and globally is quickly diminishing, while the renewable energy industries of wind and solar are booming. As utilities in the Northwest transition their investments from coal to renewable energy, Montana faces a critical decision on the future of its energy system that will impact the lives of generations of Montanans to come.

This five-part report aims to aid in the discussion and decision-making process by reviewing the most up-to-date economic data on renewable energy; discussing the …