Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Evaporation Estimation Of Rift Valley Lakes: Comparison Of Models, Assefa M. Melesse, Wossenu Abtew, Tibebe Dessalegne

Department of Earth and Environment

Evapotranspiration (ET) accounts for a substantial amount of the water flux in the arid and semi-arid regions of the World. Accurate estimation of ET has been a challenge for hydrologists, mainly because of the spatiotemporal variability of the environmental and physical parameters governing the latent heat flux. In addition, most available ET models depend on intensive meteorological information for ET estimation. Such data are not available at the desired spatial and temporal scales in less developed and remote parts of the world. This limitation has necessitated the development of simple models that are less data intensive and provide ET estimates …

The Monitoring And Assessment Plan (Map) Greater Everglades Wetlands Module- Landscape Pattern- Ridge, Slough, And Tree Island Mosaics: Year 1 Annual Report, James B. Heffernan, Michael S. Ross, Matthew J. Cohen, Todd Z. Osborne, Jay P. Sah, Pablo L. Ruiz, Leonard J. Scinto

SERC Research Reports

In the current managed Everglades system, the pre-drainage, patterned mosaic of sawgrass ridges, sloughs and tree islands has been substantially altered or reduced largely as a result of human alterations to historic ecological and hydrological processes that sustained landscape patterns. The pre-compartmentalization ridge and slough landscape was a mosaic of sloughs, elongated sawgrass ridges (50-200m wide), and tree islands. The ridges and sloughs and tree islands were elongated in the direction of the water flow, with roughly equal area of ridge and slough. Over the past decades, the ridge-slough topographic relief and spatial patterning have degraded in many areas of …

Loaxahatchee Impoundment Landscape Assessment (Lila): Tree Island Experiments And Management; May 1, 2005 To September 4, 2009: Final Report, Leonard J. Scinto, René Price, Michael Ross

SERC Research Reports

Hydrologic modifications have negatively impacted the Florida Everglades in numerous significant ways. The compartmentalization of the once continuously flowing system into the Water Conservation Areas (WCAs) caused disruption of the slow natural flow of water south from Lake Okeechobee through the Everglades to Florida Bay. The ponding of water in the WCAs, the linking of water flow to controlled water levels, and the management of water levels for anthropogenic vs. ecological well-being has caused a reduction in the spatial heterogeneity of the Everglades leading to greater uniformity in topography and vegetation. These effects are noticeable as the degradation in structure …

Little Venice Water Quality Monitoring Project: Epa Assistance Agreement X7-96410604-3 And Fdep Contract Sp674 & Sp678, Joseph N. Boyer, Henry O. Briceño

SERC Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Economic Assessment Of Best Management Practices In The Mara River Basin : Toward Implementing Payment For Watershed Services, George Atisa

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Mara River in East Africa is currently experiencing poor water quality and increased fluctuations in seasonal flow. This study investigated technically effective and economically viable Best Management Practices for adoption in the Mara River Basin of Kenya that can stop further water resources degradation.

A survey of 155 farmers was conducted in the upper catchment of the Kenyan side of the river basin. Farmers provided their assessment of BMPs that would best suit their farm in terms of water quality improvement, economic feasibility, and technical
suitability. Cost data on different practices from farmers and published literature was collected. The …

Woody Plant Invasion Into The Freshwater Marl Prairie Habitat Of The Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow: Final Report, Erin Hanan, Michael Ross, Jay Sah, Pablo L. Ruiz, Susana Stofella, Nilesh Timilsina, David Jones, Jose Espinar, Rachel King

SERC Research Reports

In the fall of 2005, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) contracted with Florida International University (FIU) to study the physical and biological drivers underlying the distribution of woody plant species in the marl prairie habitat of the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow (CSSS). This report presents what we have learned about woody plant encroachment based on studies carried out during the period 2006-2008. The freshwater marl prairie habitat currently occupied by the Cape Sable seaside sparrow (CSSS; Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis) is a dynamic mosaic comprised of species-rich grassland communities and tree islands of various sizes, densities and compositions. Landscape heterogeneity …

2009 Annual Report Of The Water Quality Monitoring Project For The Water Quality Protection Program Of The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Joseph N. Boyer, Henry O. Briceño

SERC Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Hydrologic Restoration On The Habitat Of The Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow, 2008 – Final Report, Jay P. Sah, Michael S. Ross, James R. Snyder, Pablo L. Ruiz, Susana Stofella, Mike Kline, Broke Shamblin, Erin Hanan, Lawrence Lopez, T.J. Hilton

SERC Research Reports

This document summarizes the activities that were accomplished in 2008, the sixth year of the research project “Effect of hydrologic restoration on the habitat of the Cape Sable seaside sparrow”, a collaborative effort among the US Army Corps of Engineers, Everglades National Park, Florida International University, and the US Geological Survey (Florida Integrated Science Center). The major activities in 2008 included field work, data analysis, and presentations. Jay Sah presented the results of 6th year field work at the Cape Sable seaside sparrow (CSSS) Fire Meeting 2008, held on December 2-3 at the Krome Center, Homestead, Florida. In the same …

Exploratory Study Of The Download Speed Of Leading University Hospitality And Tourism Department Websites Worldwide, Steven Chan, Rosanna Leung, Rob Law, Wen Shi

Hospitality Review

Increased broadband penetration (BP) rates around the world have encouraged web designers to include more web content and additional functions on their web sites, thereby enhancing the richness and playfulness of the information. However, it is often very difficult for web surfers who are still using narrowband connections to access such web sites. Many university web sites target international audiences; therefore their download performance should be considered, as it may directly influence the user experience. This exploratory study examined 331 university hospitality and tourism department web sites in 37 countries. The empirical results showed that entry web pages of universities …

Demographic, Behavioral And Perceptual Comparisons Of U.S Visitor Experience With Group Package Tours And Free Independent Travel To China, Mark A. Bonn, Howook "Sean" Chang, Jerome Agrusta, H. Leslie Furr, Woo Gon Kim

Hospitality Review

U.S. visitor demand for the China travel experience is anticipated to rise significantly through 2105, causing the Chinese government to employ 100 million service providers over the next six years and raising concern about service delivery and perceptions of the on-site China experience. In an effort to better understand these issues concerning U.S. visitors, this study investigated two specific types of U.S. travelers to China: Group Package Tour (GPT) visitors and Free Independent Travel (FIT) visitors. Results indicated that GPT visitors were more likely to be older and have higher household income than FIT visitors. Four trip-related characteristics of GPT …