Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 23 of 23
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Distribution Of Green Spaces In Omaha, Nebraska, Sofia Gavia
Distribution Of Green Spaces In Omaha, Nebraska, Sofia Gavia
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
The distribution of parks often depends on the races, ethnicity, and socioeconomic class of a community’s households. Parks and green spaces provides community residents recreational opportunities, economic benefits, and improves community public health. The unequal distribution of parks and green spaces in a city is a social issue found across the country. Limited research has been done on the relationship between green spaces and park access and social justice in Omaha, Nebraska. This study discusses whether there is a difference in how parks are distributed in Omaha, NE in terms of social justice and equitable distribution. Research is done using …
Diversification Of Angiosperms During The Cretaceous Period, Sakia Fields
Diversification Of Angiosperms During The Cretaceous Period, Sakia Fields
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
The topic of the Angiosperms relatively sudden appearance and diversification is a topic that has puzzled plenty of biologists and is even referred to as an “abominable mystery” by Charles Darwin. Up to date, many hypotheses have been proposed using various forms of data to form them. The available knowledge used to evaluate this topic has changed over the years, which has created some theme shifts. Some of the best supported of these hypotheses are more recent, but this does not make older articles unworthy of being evaluated, as they still often have relevant information. In the past, their appearance …
Analysis Of Drinking Water Disinfection Options, Bryce Carlen
Analysis Of Drinking Water Disinfection Options, Bryce Carlen
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
This thesis utilizes existing research to provide a framework that can be used for community and disaster planning. It analyses the critical process of water disinfection for drinking water. It focuses on chemical, distillation, and ultraviolet treatments in both centralized and point-of-use treatment. This thesis aims to provide a method for communities to determine the optimal water treatment, utilizing a framework based on weighted criteria. The decision-making framework is an easy-to-use and flexible process that communities can tailor for their specific needs to find the optimal treatment relative to their needs. In this study’s generalized example, ultraviolet treatment and distillation …
Audit Of Waste Collected Over One Week From Superior Dental Health Of Lincoln, Bryclin Alstrom
Audit Of Waste Collected Over One Week From Superior Dental Health Of Lincoln, Bryclin Alstrom
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
A waste audit of Superior Dental Health of Lincoln was conducted in order to propagate the implementation of sustainable waste management practices within the company. Differentiating between hazardous waste and solid waste is necessary for environmentally friendly waste management and ceasing the spread of infectious pathogens. The audit identified nine different materials contributing to the biomedical waste stream of the company. Of which, personal protective equipment (PPE) is of major concern due to the financial commitment necessary to acquire / dispose of these products, as well as the strain in supply due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. The results of …
Long-Term Impacts Of 2019 Flood Experiences On Nebraskans’ Climate Change Perceptions, Caitlin Kingsley
Long-Term Impacts Of 2019 Flood Experiences On Nebraskans’ Climate Change Perceptions, Caitlin Kingsley
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
This study examines climate change perceptions in Nebraskans who experienced or witnessed flooding in March 2019. The purpose is to determine the impacts of 2019 flood experiences on Nebraskans’ climate change perceptions. The objectives are to determine the influence of flood proximity on changes in climate change perceptions, determine whether 2019 flooding had long-term impacts on Nebraskans’ climate change perceptions, and determine the influence of personal background factors on perceptions. A three-phase interview was utilized to collect background information, climate change perceptions, 2019 flood experiences, and relationships between 2019 flood experiences and climate change perceptions. Background information and climate change …
The Effect Of Drought On The Bird Species Spiza Americana, Emily Nelson
The Effect Of Drought On The Bird Species Spiza Americana, Emily Nelson
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
Climate change is becoming an integral part of our environment. Recognizing its effects on ecosystems and species’ health is important for the future of the natural world. There is an influx of changes that are happening to species, specifically birds due to climate change, and these changes are largely negative. A variation that is happening from the changing climate is an increase in drought conditions, which may have effect on the avifauna community. Drought causes a significant difficulty for species survival in all parts of the globe that includes hardships finding food and unsuccessful nesting. The implications of this problem …
Temporal And Spatial Interactions Between Coyotes And Red Foxes Along The Urban-Rural Interface, Adam Mortensen
Temporal And Spatial Interactions Between Coyotes And Red Foxes Along The Urban-Rural Interface, Adam Mortensen
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
Intraguild competition between predators may cause one predator to alter their temporal activity patterns or occupancy to reduce competition or avoid aggressive encounters. I conducted a temporal activity pattern and occupancy study of coyotes (Canis latrans) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in and around Lincoln, Nebraska using camera traps deployed from September of 2020 to May of 2021. I evaluated the activity patterns of coyotes, red foxes, and humans in urban and rural settings along with the activity patterns of red foxes when sympatric or allopatric with coyotes and determined the coefficient of overlap (Δ) between …
Mental Health Incorporation In Nebraskan Recovery Plans Following The 2019 Midwestern Floods, Isabelle Murray
Mental Health Incorporation In Nebraskan Recovery Plans Following The 2019 Midwestern Floods, Isabelle Murray
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
In March 2019, Nebraska was hit with major floods that caused extensive damage throughout the state. Nebraskans spent the following months recovering from many aspects of the natural disaster. One aspect of emergency response and the act of recovery that is commonly overlooked is the mental health of individuals following the traumatic events. The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate the level of incorporation of mental health care and services in recovery plans following natural disasters. The qualitative analysis of recovery plans focused on Nebraska and the county-level response to the 2019 Midwestern floods. The objectives were to identify …
Mitigation Strategies For Municipal Solid Waste Generation In Lincoln, Justine Mileski
Mitigation Strategies For Municipal Solid Waste Generation In Lincoln, Justine Mileski
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
This study was completed to explore mitigation solutions to Municipal Solid Waste (MWS) in the City of Lincoln. Due to population growth, especially in urban environments, waste generation is an increasingly difficult problem that requires complex solutions. This work is done to explore efficacy of various mitigation strategies such as recycling and composting of waste. This study will be conducted utilizing data found in the City of Lincoln Solid Waste Plan 2040 and applying it to the EPA Policy and Program Impact Estimator. Specifically, withing the EPA Policy and Program Impact Estimator, curbside collection and pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) programming will be …
Impact Of Ethnic Markets On Food Accessibility In Lincoln, Ne, Connor Mcfayden
Impact Of Ethnic Markets On Food Accessibility In Lincoln, Ne, Connor Mcfayden
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
This study used availability surveys and demographic mapping to analyze the impact of ethnic grocery stores on food accessibility in Lincoln, Nebraska. Access to fresh, healthy foods has been shown to be an important factor in public health, one in which low-income and minority populations are more likely to experience barriers such as long distances to the nearest grocery store. A growing body of research has described ethnic markets as important sources of fresh, healthy food for vulnerable populations, but on the whole the contributions of ethnic markets are overlooked in policy and research. In addition, ethnic markets may face …
Relationship Of Land Use Categories And Water Quality For Low Order Streams, Jake Mcenaney
Relationship Of Land Use Categories And Water Quality For Low Order Streams, Jake Mcenaney
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
The relationship of land use categories and water quality was explored in three different streams in the tri-state area of Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri. These streams included: a fourth order stream, Salt Creek, near Waverly, NE, a third order stream, Maple Creek, near Nickerson, NE, and a sixth order stream, Nodaway River, near Graham, MO. Stream order was to be kept relatively low due to the impact tributary rivers have on a given stream's nitrate concentration. Nearby land use is expected to impact nutrient concentrations to a greater extent for smaller rivers than on larger rivers with more tributaries. First, …
The Effect Of Urban Forests On Air Quality And Human Health, Chance Wilken
The Effect Of Urban Forests On Air Quality And Human Health, Chance Wilken
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
Following the industrial revolution, the impacts of climate change have been increasingly impactful on both rural and urban populations around the world. As population density and urbanization increase throughout the globe, the influences of climate change will continue to play a dangerous role in its influence on people's lives. Due to negative health impacts on humans and the economic costs in cities, climate change is one of the most important issues to understand in the 21st century. Air quality and human health are two components of climate change that are impacted most significantly. The bulk of this work is to …
Using The Theory Of Planned Behavior To Understand The Behavioral Use Of Single-Use Plastic Bags By Students At The University Of Nebraska-Lincoln, Josephine Stoessel
Using The Theory Of Planned Behavior To Understand The Behavioral Use Of Single-Use Plastic Bags By Students At The University Of Nebraska-Lincoln, Josephine Stoessel
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
Reduction in the use of single-use plastic bags is a necessary sustainability step as it will reduce pollution of air, soil, waterways, and ingestion by marine animals. The Theory of Planned Behavior is used in this study to determine which components are the influencing factors for why students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln use single-use plastic bags. An understanding of these factors allows for suggestions and recommendations for actions that can be taken by the university to combat this environmental issue. EcoCoin is an incentive-based program created by Penn State, and is the focus of this study. The literature review …
Precipitation Impact On Crop Yield, Ian Ritchie
Precipitation Impact On Crop Yield, Ian Ritchie
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
Climate change is a massive force impacting and changing many weather trends, including precipitation rates. This thesis will study the relationship between crop yield and changes in precipitation. Understanding crop yield is important in determining overall crop supply every year as well as crop prices. Many factors can have either a negative or a positive impact on crop yields. One of these many factors is precipitation. This thesis looks directly at the impacts of changes in precipitation on corn yield in Iowa from 1991-2020. To do this, a regression analysis was performed to compare changes in yearly precipitation rates for …
Investigating Predation Risk Experienced By Wintering Birds At A Supplied-Food Garden, Madison Smart
Investigating Predation Risk Experienced By Wintering Birds At A Supplied-Food Garden, Madison Smart
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
Wintering birds are particularly susceptible to predation while foraging at feeders. The ‘starvation vs. predation’ survival trade-off is felt most acutely in winter because energy demands are higher compared to milder seasons. This study investigated sense of predation risk experienced by members of a wintering mixed-species flock. The objective was to determine which species take on increased predation risk in order to forage at feeders, and if there was bias for one species over another. A raptor (experimental) and non-raptor (control) model were presented to a mixed-flock at feeders within Pioneers Park Nature Center. The first species to return to …
Effects Of Land Use In Nebraska On Insect Biodiversity And Eastern Monarch Populations, Carina Olivetti
Effects Of Land Use In Nebraska On Insect Biodiversity And Eastern Monarch Populations, Carina Olivetti
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
How are Nebraska land use decisions affecting eastern monarch butterfly decline? What are the driving factors causing monarch decline? What are the challenges of insect monitoring and data organizing? The purpose of this exploratory research project was to investigate these questions and simultaneously illustrate the importance of insect biodiversity, focusing largely on the monarch butterfly. The eastern population of the monarch butterfly has declined 80% over the past two decades. The state of Nebraska lies within their migratory path and is therefore critical to their survival. The hypothesis is that monarch populations are declining because of the combined impacts of …
The Effect Of Agkistrodon Contortrix And Crotalus Horridus Venom Toxicity On Strike Locations With Live Prey, Chase Giese
The Effect Of Agkistrodon Contortrix And Crotalus Horridus Venom Toxicity On Strike Locations With Live Prey, Chase Giese
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
This paper aims to uncover if there is a significant difference in the strike location of snake species that have different values of LD50% venom. It is thought that most snakes strike their prey in the anterior (head) area in order for their venom to work quicker in killing them. Venom toxicity is measured by its LD50% value, which is the amount of venom, in mg/kg, to kill 50% of a test population. The Copperhead has an LD50% value of 10.9 mg/kg, and the Timber Rattlesnake has an LD50% value of 1.64 mg/kg. The hypothesis was that if venom toxicity …
Regenerative Agriculture’S Potential Carbon Storage In Nebraska Soils, Jenna Mccoy
Regenerative Agriculture’S Potential Carbon Storage In Nebraska Soils, Jenna Mccoy
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
This meta-analysis investigates the possible carbon sequestration of no-till and cover crop practices on Nebraska farmlands. These management practices are part of regenerative agriculture, a farming method designed to mitigate and adapt to climate change. As climate change is expected to significantly reduce yields in Nebraska, sequestering carbon in farmlands offers a way to adapt to climate change impacts and lower the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. However, changing management practices is difficult and is driven primarily by economics. This study aims to determine how much carbon these practices can sequester in Nebraska soil each year by evaluating …
Designing A Mobile App And Online Directory To Increase The Visibility Of Environmental Organizations In A Community, Kayla Vondracek
Designing A Mobile App And Online Directory To Increase The Visibility Of Environmental Organizations In A Community, Kayla Vondracek
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
Concern for environmental degradation, natural resource depletion, and public health has long been a necessary part of a strongly developed and sophisticated society. Humans are primarily responsible for the depletion of the natural environment as it supplies the commodities required to ensure the long-term survival of civilizations. As cultures continue to evolve, so does the practice of land stewardship and protection of resources. With the necessary expansion of industry and housing needed to support a rising human population, the management of natural resources, pollution control, and the environment has become increasingly important to people worldwide. Bernstein and Szuster (2019) suggest …
Sparking Awareness In Lincoln Electronic Waste Trends And Habits: A Student Behavioral Analysis, Zowie Vincent
Sparking Awareness In Lincoln Electronic Waste Trends And Habits: A Student Behavioral Analysis, Zowie Vincent
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
Nebraska is recognized as one of the few states that have not established any laws or practices managing electronic waste. Along with no e-waste management laws, there is also a lack of studies discussing the behavioral trends and habits towards electronic devices and how to dispose of them once they are unable to function. Continuing to ignore the choice of recycling electronics results in further damage towards the environment, human and animal health, as well as an economic opportunity of a growing market. This study focuses on the trends and habits of electronic consumption, usage, and disposal amongst students at …
The Relationship Between Time And Plant Diversity In Prairie Restorations Within The Prairie Corridor On Haines Branch, Elizabeth Park
The Relationship Between Time And Plant Diversity In Prairie Restorations Within The Prairie Corridor On Haines Branch, Elizabeth Park
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
This study focuses on better understanding the relationship between the age of prairie restorations and their plant diversity. The study looks specifically at the prairie restorations within the Prairie Corridor on Haines Branch, located west of Lincoln, Nebraska. The data gathered from these restorations show a positive correlation between age and native plant diversity. This diversity indicates that the restorations are fulfilling their purpose by bringing native prairie plants back to the area. From the data I came to these four conclusions, 1) Because the study only included two restorations greater than 10 years old, it is unclear if the …
The Formatting Of Science Communication And How It Affects Attraction To And Understanding Of Scientific Information, Connor Nichols
The Formatting Of Science Communication And How It Affects Attraction To And Understanding Of Scientific Information, Connor Nichols
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
This observational study was performed to develop a better understanding of what kinds of communication formats were most preferred as well as which of those formats were most trusted. Studies have shown that many scientific research papers go largely unread by anyone other than their author and editors. With many issues such as global climate change becoming more important every day, it is important that scientists determine the most effective method of communicating their findings with not only world leaders, but average citizens as well. Using an online survey, participants were asked to review three different formats concerned with three …
How Is Remote Sensing Being Used To Prevent Wildfires Today?, Luke Lauby
How Is Remote Sensing Being Used To Prevent Wildfires Today?, Luke Lauby
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
Wildfires frequencies and severities are on the rise. To properly combat and contain them, artificial intelligence should be utilized. An in-depth literature review was conducted in order to evaluate the current state of artificial intelligence specifically relating to wildfire prevention and suppression efforts. The findings in this research sheds further light on the helpful implications that these technologies (both satellites and UAVs) do, and can have on wildfire suppression. If further adopted in wildfire suppression efforts, artificial intelligence can play a more effective role. Through this, fires can become better prevented, more controllable, and better understood using modern technology.