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Western Washington University

College of the Environment on the Peninsulas Publications

Articles 1 - 16 of 16

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Heavy Metals In Moss Guide Environmental Justice Investigation: A Case Study Using Community Science In Seattle, Wa, Usa, Sarah E. Jovan, Christropher Zuidema, Monika M. Derrien, Amanda L. Bidwell, Weston Brinkley, Robert J. Smith, Dale Blahna, Roseann Barnhill, Linn Gould, Alberto J. Rodriguez, Michael C. Amacher, Troy D. Abel, Paulina Lopez Jun 2022

Heavy Metals In Moss Guide Environmental Justice Investigation: A Case Study Using Community Science In Seattle, Wa, Usa, Sarah E. Jovan, Christropher Zuidema, Monika M. Derrien, Amanda L. Bidwell, Weston Brinkley, Robert J. Smith, Dale Blahna, Roseann Barnhill, Linn Gould, Alberto J. Rodriguez, Michael C. Amacher, Troy D. Abel, Paulina Lopez

College of the Environment on the Peninsulas Publications

Heavy metal concentrations often vary at small spatial scales not captured by air monitoring networks, with implications for environmental justice in industrial-adjacent communities. Pollutants measured in moss tissues are commonly used as a screening tool to guide use of more expensive resources, like air monitors. Such studies, however, rarely address environmental justice issues or involve the residents and other decision makers expected to utilize results. Here, we piloted a community science approach, engaging over 55 people from nine institutions, to map heavy metals using moss in two industrial-adjacent neighborhoods. This area, long known for disproportionately poor air quality, health outcomes, …

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Environmental Inequality Dataset, Aran Clauson, Debra J. Salazar, Troy D. Abel Nov 2018

Environmental Inequality Dataset, Aran Clauson, Debra J. Salazar, Troy D. Abel

College of the Environment on the Peninsulas Publications

The Disaggreated RSEI model data (also known as RSEI-GM, or Geographic Microdata) version 2.3.4 was downloaded from the Amazon Web Service created by EPA. The RSEI-GM provides detailed air model results from EPA’s Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators (RSEI) model. The results include chemical concentration, toxicity-weighted concentration and score, calculated for each 810 meter square grid cell in a 49-km circle around the emitting facility, for every year from 1988 through 2014. The data can be used to examine trends in air pollution from industrial facilities over time and across geographies. In order to allow for evaluation of toxic-weighted concentration over time, …

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Risky Business: Sustainability And Industrial Land Use Across Seattle’S Gentrifying Riskscape, Troy D. Abel, Jonah White, Stacy Clauson Nov 2015

Risky Business: Sustainability And Industrial Land Use Across Seattle’S Gentrifying Riskscape, Troy D. Abel, Jonah White, Stacy Clauson

College of the Environment on the Peninsulas Publications

This paper examines the spatial and temporal trajectories of Seattle’s industrial land use restructuring and the shifting riskscape in Seattle, WA, a commonly recognized urban model of sustainability. Drawing on the perspective of sustainability as a conflicted process, this research explored the intersections of urban industrial and nonindustrial land use planning, gentrification, and environmental injustice. In the first part of our research, we combine geographic cluster analysis and longitudinal air toxic emission comparisons to quantitatively investigate socioeconomic changes in Seattle Census block-groups between 1990, 2000, and 2009 coupled with measures of pollution volume and its relative potential risk. Second, we …

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Gentrified Sustainability: Inequitable Development And Seattle’S Skewed Riskscape, Troy D. Abel, Jonah White Jan 2015

Gentrified Sustainability: Inequitable Development And Seattle’S Skewed Riskscape, Troy D. Abel, Jonah White

College of the Environment on the Peninsulas Publications

This paper examines the tensions of sustainable development in Seattle, Washington, a commonly recognised urban environmental leader. Drawing on the perspective of sustainability as a conflicted process, this research expected a negative relationship between gentrification and environmental justice when affluent residents outcompete less affluent ones for neighbourhoods with fewer environmental hazards. The methods combine geographic cluster analysis and longitudinal air toxic emission comparisons to analyse socioeconomic changes in Seattle Census block-groups between 1990, 2000, and 2009 coupled with measures of relative potential risk and pollution volume. The property and development conflicts embedded within sustainability lead to pollution exposure risk and …

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Climate Risk Polycentricity And The Iad Framework, Troy D. Abel, Mark Christopher Stephan, Dorothy Daley Jan 2014

Climate Risk Polycentricity And The Iad Framework, Troy D. Abel, Mark Christopher Stephan, Dorothy Daley

College of the Environment on the Peninsulas Publications

Climate change is commonly cast as a significant governance challenge demanding national and international actions. Subsequently, political science research tends to focus on the policy and politics of nation-states, their domestic institutions, and/or their interplay in international venues. However, thousands of industrial facilities and hundreds of subnational US governments are active in American climate risk governance. Therefore, we argue that more research should attend to climate governance’s subnational policy and politics, their promise, and their performance. In the vacuum of national policies to mitigate and adapt to climate-change, subnational arrangements offer an ideal opportunity to study not only the spontaneity …

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American Chestnut's Role In The Ecological Restoration Of Coal-Mined Landscapes, Jenise Bauman, Caleb Cochran, Brian C. Murphy, Carolyn H. Keiffer Jan 2013

American Chestnut's Role In The Ecological Restoration Of Coal-Mined Landscapes, Jenise Bauman, Caleb Cochran, Brian C. Murphy, Carolyn H. Keiffer

College of the Environment on the Peninsulas Publications

The American chestnut’s fast growth rate, early nut production, and quality of timber make it a valuable tree for use in coal mine restoration projects (Figure 1). This species tolerates a wide range of ecological conditions, including dry soils and low pH, which are typical of some sites previously mined for coal. Experimental planting methods are currently being studied to determine protocols most conducive for establishing chestnut trees on these sites. The Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA) proposed by the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI) recommends the selection of proper soil substrate, a deep rooting zone, appropriate herbaceous vegetation, and the …

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Survey For The Presence Of Phytophthora Cinnamomi On Reclaimed Mined Lands In Ohio Chosen For Restoration Of The American Chestnut, Shiv Hiremath, Kirsten J. Lehtoma, Jenise Bauman Jan 2013

Survey For The Presence Of Phytophthora Cinnamomi On Reclaimed Mined Lands In Ohio Chosen For Restoration Of The American Chestnut, Shiv Hiremath, Kirsten J. Lehtoma, Jenise Bauman

College of the Environment on the Peninsulas Publications

We have been planting blight resistant American chestnut seedlings on reclaimed coal mined areas in Southeastern Ohio, which was once within the natural range of the American chestnut. Towards the goal of restoring the American chestnut, we are testing suitable sites that can aid survival, growth and establishment of planted seedlings pre-inoculated with ectomycorrhizal fungi. Prior to the arrival of the chestnut blight fungus, pathogens of the genus Phytophthora were introduced in the USA that were responsible for the “ink disease” or “root-rot” resulting in wide-spread death of chestnut trees in southern states. Although these pathogens were not observed elsewhere, …

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Macaw Cam: Exploratory Camera Trap Techniques For Monitoring And Conservation Of Scarlet Macaw (Ara Macao) Nests, Derek Schruhl, Tana Beus, Troy D. Abel, Michael J. Medler, Adrian Arce, Kathryn Mork Jan 2012

Macaw Cam: Exploratory Camera Trap Techniques For Monitoring And Conservation Of Scarlet Macaw (Ara Macao) Nests, Derek Schruhl, Tana Beus, Troy D. Abel, Michael J. Medler, Adrian Arce, Kathryn Mork

College of the Environment on the Peninsulas Publications

In this study, we explored new, low-cost camera trap techniques to monitor Scarlet Macaws in one of their last two self-sustaining habitats in Costa Rica. Camera trap monitors have begun to produce new insights in avian research and we use them not only because Macaws are threatened, but their imagery can be used to enhance the public’s understanding of the connections between science and conservation efforts. We mounted camera units on two trees with nesting Macaws in Costa Rica’s Carara National Park and monitored one nest remotely for seven consecutive months.

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Sustainable Landscapes: Evaluating Strategies For Controlling Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus Umbellata) On Reclaimed Surface Mineland At The Wilds Conservation Center In Southeastern Ohio, Shana M. Byrd, Nicole D. Cavender, Corine M. Peugh, Jenise Bauman Jan 2012

Sustainable Landscapes: Evaluating Strategies For Controlling Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus Umbellata) On Reclaimed Surface Mineland At The Wilds Conservation Center In Southeastern Ohio, Shana M. Byrd, Nicole D. Cavender, Corine M. Peugh, Jenise Bauman

College of the Environment on the Peninsulas Publications

Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) was planted during the reclamation process to reduce erosion and improve nitrogen content of the soil. However, since its establishment, E. umbellata has spread prolifically and control measures are difficult. The primary objective of this case study was to evaluate the effectiveness of various control methods on eradication of E. umbellata in varying degrees of infestation. A two-phase case study was conducted at The Wilds conservation center in Cumberland, OH. Phase 1 began in 2007-2008 to evaluate three treatments in areas with moderate cover (15-30%) of E. umbellata: mechanical removal, foliar herbicide, and dormant stem …

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Fostering Ecological Citizenship: The Case Of Environmental Service-Learning In Costa Rica, Jennifer Rebecca Kelly, Troy D. Abel Jan 2012

Fostering Ecological Citizenship: The Case Of Environmental Service-Learning In Costa Rica, Jennifer Rebecca Kelly, Troy D. Abel

College of the Environment on the Peninsulas Publications

The intent of this study was to explore how experiential education fosters ecological or environmental citizenship. In this context, we investigated the impact of international environmental service-learning in a college course. Specifically our research question was does environmental service-learning have an effect on ecological citizenship? Using a multimethod approach of both qualitative and quantitative instruments our study drew on 13 participant interviews, 19 student journals and 10 survey responses. Employing variables from the Value-Belief-Norm Theory our findings suggest that environmental service-learning experiences impact both awareness of environmental consequences and personal normative beliefs. We conclude that ecological citizenship was indirectly impacted …

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Ecotopia's Prism, Troy D. Abel Jan 2012

Ecotopia's Prism, Troy D. Abel

College of the Environment on the Peninsulas Publications

Since 2003, I’ve taken more than 150 students of environmental studies to explore the landscapes, culture and economy of Costa Rica. Costa Rica’s tourism bureau proudly proclaims “no artificial ingredients” to draw visitors from around the world. Situated at the confluence of two oceans and bridging two continents in the tropical latitudes, this small nation hosts some of the greatest concentration of biodiversity anywhere. Costa Rica is about the size of West Virginia, or 0.03% of the world’s surface, yet it holds an estimated 5 percent of the world’s biodiversity. Species from North and South America mixed on this continental …

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Education: Participatory Ecological Monitoring And Environmental Education In 2011, Troy D. Abel Jan 2012

Education: Participatory Ecological Monitoring And Environmental Education In 2011, Troy D. Abel

College of the Environment on the Peninsulas Publications

In the summer of 2011, faculty from Western Washington University’s (WWU) Huxley College of the Environment implemented a five week field course in Costa Rica exploring Participatory Ecological Monitoring and the pedagogies of Environmental Education. Faculty and students completed observational studies of tree diversity, soil composition, avian bioacoustics, collaborative conservation management, and environmental education. Comparative observations were conducted at biological stations in Carara and Corcovado National Park in collaboration with Park staff. We hypothesized that significant contrasts will occur between Carara’s secondary and Corcovado’s primary forests and their neighboring communities. Our results inform Costa Rican conservation and management strategies as …

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Coming Clean And Green: A Geospatial Mapping Tool For Visualizing Industrial Environmental Performance, Jacob Lesser, Troy D. Abel, Mark Stephan Jan 2012

Coming Clean And Green: A Geospatial Mapping Tool For Visualizing Industrial Environmental Performance, Jacob Lesser, Troy D. Abel, Mark Stephan

College of the Environment on the Peninsulas Publications

The mapping of environmental data is rapidly expanding as advocates and scholars offer various platforms to display and analyze geographic environmental information.This working paper describes an online web map that displays national data from the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), Environmental Systems Research Institute’s (ESRI) ArcGIS Server platform, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Risk Screening Environmental Indicators (RSEI), and methodologies from Kraft, Stephan, and Abel (2011) to spatially display the environmental performance of more than 17,000 manufacturing facilities.

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Large And Small: Conserving Single Large And Several Small, Troy D. Abel Jan 2012

Large And Small: Conserving Single Large And Several Small, Troy D. Abel

College of the Environment on the Peninsulas Publications

Huxley College of the Environment’s field course on rainforest conservation traces some of its roots to a seminal 1967 publication. MacArthur and Wilson’s The Theory of Island Biogeography presented two fundamental principles. Larger islands support more species than smaller ones and remote islands support fewer species than less remote ones. Moreover, they also established how habitat can be insulated by not only distance between islands, but anything that divides a landscape such as mountains and climate. But the conservation implications of biogeography became dichotomized during the seventies and eighties into a debate between preserving a Single Large section of habitat, …

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Borders, Barriers, And Breakthroughs In The Cascadia Corridor, Troy D. Abel, Jenni Pelc, Lauren F. Miller, Jacqueline Quarre, Kathryn Mork Nov 2011

Borders, Barriers, And Breakthroughs In The Cascadia Corridor, Troy D. Abel, Jenni Pelc, Lauren F. Miller, Jacqueline Quarre, Kathryn Mork

College of the Environment on the Peninsulas Publications

This project focused on dilemmas of political biogeography through a case study of wildlife conservation and management efforts in the transboundary Cascadia region. Our team examined the interface of political science and biogeography, or “political biogeography,” through its manifestations in the evolving opportunities and barriers to regional wildlife conservation in the shared terrestrial ecosystems of British Columbia and Washington. Our research combined content analysis of policy documents and semi-structured stakeholder interviews and questionnaires. We also produced a series of maps and GIS data layers that provide useful spatial information about the wildlife commons in the Cascadia region. The results of …

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A Value-Belief-Norm Theory Of Support For Social Movements: The Case Of Environmentalism, Paul C. Stern, Thomas Dietz, Troy D. Abel, Greg Guagnano, Linda Kalof Jan 1999

A Value-Belief-Norm Theory Of Support For Social Movements: The Case Of Environmentalism, Paul C. Stern, Thomas Dietz, Troy D. Abel, Greg Guagnano, Linda Kalof

College of the Environment on the Peninsulas Publications

We present a theory of the basis of support for a social movement. Three types of support (citizenship actions, policy support and acceptance, and personal-sphere behaviors that accord with movement principles) are empirically distinct from each other and from committed activism. Drawing on theoretical work on values and norm-activation processes, we propose a value-belief-norm (VBN) theory of movement support. Individuals who accept a movement's basic values, believe that valued objects are threatened, and believe that their actions can help restore those values experience an obligation (personal norm) for pro-movement action that creates a predisposition to provide support; the particular type …

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