Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Using Sentinel-2 Imagery And Machine Learning Algorithms To Assess The Inundation Status Of Nebraska Conservation Easements During 2018–2021, Ligang Zhang, University Of Nebraska-Lincoln, Zhenghong Tang

Papers in Natural Resources

Conservation easements (CEs) play an important role in the provision of ecological services. This paper aims to use the open-access Sentinel-2 satellites to advance existing conservation management capacity to a new level of near-real-time monitoring and assessment for the conservation easements in Nebraska. This research uses machine learning and Google Earth Engine to classify inundation status using Sentinel-2 imagery during 2018–2021 for all CE sites in Nebraska, USA. The proposed machine learning approach helps monitor the CE sites at the landscape scale in an efficient and low-cost manner. The results confirmed effective inundation performance in these floodplain or wetland-related CE …

The Possibility Of A Land Bridge Across Nebraska In Mississippian Time, E. C. Reed

Papers in Natural Resources

No abstract provided.

Polycentric Governance In Nebraska, U.S., For Ground And Surface Water, T. Jedd, A. Schutz, M. Burbach

Papers in Natural Resources

No abstract provided.

Longitudinal Assessment Of An Integrated Approach To Large-Scale Common-Pool Water Resource Management: A Case Study Of Nebraska’S Platte River Basin, M. Burbach, W. Eaton, B. Quimby, C. Babbitt, J. L. Delozier

Papers in Natural Resources

No abstract provided.

Farmer Perspectives On Collaboration: Evidence From Agricultural Landscapes In Arizona, Nebraska, And Pennsylvania, W. M. Eaton, K. J. Brasier, H. Whitley, B. C. Julia, C. C. Hinrichs, B. Quimby, M. Burbach

Papers in Natural Resources

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Long-Term Degree-Days Estimated With Several Methods For Corn In Nebraska, Usa, S. Dai, M. Shulski, H. Yang, R. Elmore

Papers in Natural Resources

No abstract provided.

Feasibility Discussion Of Potential Carbon Offsetting Options For Nebraska, Andrew Mwape

Papers in Natural Resources

Conclusion

Highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of carbon offsetting options in the context of the state of Nebraska, this discussion shows that the choice and decisions about which option is better than the other depends on the interests at play and expected outcomes of the participation in carbon markets. However, irrespective of the motive to engage in emission reduction projects for carbon marketing, factors such as cost, and project efficiency can never be overlooked. Given the options discussed in this report, Nebraska has a lot of potential for carbon offsetting or emission reduction projects that would not only reduce and …

Whooping Crane (Grus Americana) Family Consumes A Diversity Of Aquatic Vertebrates During Fall Migration Stopover At The Platte River, Nebraska, Andrew J. Caven, Keith D. Koupal, David M. Baasch, Emma M. Brinley Buckley, Jenna M. Malzahn, Michael David Forsberg, Mariah Lundgren

Papers in Natural Resources

The Aransas-Wood Buffalo population of Whooping Cranes (Grus americana) migrates approximately 4000 km through the central Great Plains biannually, between their breeding and wintering grounds. Whooping Cranes depend on stopover sites to provide secure resting locations and the caloric resources necessary to complete their migration, such as the USFWS-designated critical habitat area in the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) of Nebraska. This area includes braided river habitat characterized by low-elevation and submerged sandbars, which provide important roosting and foraging opportunities for migrating Whooping Cranes. We used long-range photography, videography, and behavioral scan sampling to document forage items consumed by Whooping …

Impact Of Bank Stabilization Structures On Upstream And Downstream Bank Mobilization At Cedar River, Nebraska, M. Russell, A. Mittelstet, R. M. Joeckel, J. Korus, C. Castro Bolinaga

Papers in Natural Resources

No abstract provided.

Transient Streambed Hydraulic Conductivity In Channel And Bar Environments, Loup River, Nebraska, J. Korus, W.P. Fraundorfer, T. Gilmore, K. Karnik

Papers in Natural Resources

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Liberalizing Harvest Regulations On Canada Goose (Branta Canadensis) Demography In Nebraska, T. Lyons, L. Powell, M. Vrtiska

Papers in Natural Resources

No abstract provided.

Geographic Distribution Of Chronic Wasting Disease Resistant Alleles In Nebraska, With Comments On The Evolution Of Resistance, H. Vazquez-Miranda, R. M. Zink

Papers in Natural Resources

No abstract provided.

Reservoir Characterization And Static Earth Model For Potential Co2 Storage In Upper Pennsylvanian Cyclothems, Nebraska, Usa, V.L. Smith, R.M. Joeckel

Papers in Natural Resources

No abstract provided.

Nc3 Nebraska Climate Summary, M. Shulski

Papers in Natural Resources

No abstract provided.

Experimental Assessment Of Predation Risk For Juvenile Green Sturgeon, Acipenser Medirostris, By Two Predatory Fishes, S. Baird, A. E. Steel, D. E. Cocherell, Jamilynn B. Poletto, R. Follenfant, N. A. Fangue

Papers in Natural Resources

No abstract provided.

Annual, Seasonal, And Diel Surface Energy Partitioning In The Semiarid Sand Hills Of Nebraska, Usa, Nathan C. Healey, Timothy J. Arkebauer, David P. Billesbach, John D. Lenters

Papers in Natural Resources

Study Region: The Nebraska Sand Hills consisting of four major land cover types: (1) lakes and wetlands (∼5% for both), (2) subirrigated meadows (∼10%), (3) dry valleys (∼20%), and (4) upland dunes (∼65%).

Study Focus: Examination of surface energy and water balances on multiple temporal scales with primary focus on latent heat flux (λE), and evapotranspiration (ET), to gain a better understanding of the annual, seasonal, and diel properties of surface energy partitioning among different Sand Hills ecosystems to improve regional water resource management. New Hydrological Insights for the Region: Based on surface energy and water balance measurements using Bowen …

River Otter Distribution In Nebraska, Nathan R. Bieber, Samuel P. Wilson, Craig R. Allen

Papers in Natural Resources

The river otter (Lontra canadensis) was extirpated from Nebraska, USA, in the early 1900s and reintroduced starting in 1986. Information is needed regarding the distribution of river otters in Nebraska before decisions can be made regarding its conservation status. Understanding distribution of a species is critically important for effective management. We investigated river otter distribution in Nebraska with occupancy modeling and maximum entropy (Maxent) modeling using 190 otter sign observations on Nebraska’s navigable rivers and 380 historical otter records from November 1977 to April 2014. Both methods identified the Platte River, Elkhorn River, central and eastern Niobrara River, …

Tree Rings Of Pinus Ponderosa And Juniperus Virginiana Show Different Responses To Stand Density And Water Availability In The Nebraska Grassland, R. Aus Der Au, Tala Awada, J. Hiller, G. Battipaglia, M. Saurer, P. Cherubini

Papers in Natural Resources

No abstract provided.

Geological Principles Illustrated In The Art Along The Antelope Valley Hiker/Biker Trail – The Big X (Salt Creek Roadway/Antelope Valley Parkway) South To Q Street, Robert Diffendal, Jr.

Papers in Natural Resources

When the weather is good (and even sometimes when it isn’t) I occasionally walk around the periphery of the UNL city campus, often over the lunch hour, now that the trails and the sidewalks allow one to walk a complete circuit. The walk along Antelope Creek from the Big X to Q Street is beautiful. The designers of the project made nice art works on the floor of the creek and on the retaining walls on the valley sides that add to the beauty of nature.

I am a geologist and wondered about some of the art and its meaning …

Nest Site Selection And Nest Survival Of Greater Prairie-Chickens Near A Wind Energy Facility, Jocelyn Olney Harrison, Mary B. Brown, Larkin A. Powell, Walter H. Schacht, Jennifer A. Smith

Papers in Natural Resources

Rapid development of wind energy facilities in the Great Plains of North America has raised concerns regarding their potential negative impact on the nesting ecology of Greater Prairie-Chickens (Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus). We investigated the effects of a pre-existing, 36-turbine wind energy facility on nest site selection and nest survival of Greater Prairie-Chickens in the unfragmented grasslands of the Nebraska Sandhills, USA. In 2013 and 2014, we monitored 91 nests along a 24-km disturbance gradient leading away from the wind energy facility. We found little evidence of an effect of the wind energy facility on Greater Prairie-Chicken nest site …

A Geospatial Approach For Prioritizing Wind Farm Development In Northeast Nebraska, Usa, Adam Miller, Ruopu Li

Papers in Natural Resources

Being cleaner and climate friendly, wind energy has been increasingly utilized to meet the ever-growing global energy demands. In the State of Nebraska, USA, a wide gap exists between wind resource and actual energy production, and it is imperative to expand the wind energy development. Because of the formidable costs associated with wind energy development, the locations for new wind turbines need to be carefully selected to provide the greatest benefit for a given investment. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have been widely used to identify the suitable wind farm locations. In this study, a GIS-based multi-criteria approach was developed to …

Correction Of Location Errors For Presence-Only Species Distribution Models, Trevor Hefley, David M. Baasch, Andrew J. Tyre, Erin E. Blankenship

Papers in Natural Resources

1. Species distribution models (SDMs) for presence-only data depend on accurate and precise measurements of geographical and environmental covariates that influence presence and abundance of the species. Some data sets, however, may contain both systematic and random errors in the recorded location of the species. Environmental covariates at the recorded location may differ from those at the true location and result in biased parameter estimates and predictions from SDMs.

2. Regression calibration is a well-developed statistical method that can be used to correct the bias in estimated coefficients and predictions from SDMs when the recorded geographical location differs from the …

Field Guide For Nebraska Aquatic Invasive Species (Fg-26)

Papers in Natural Resources

No abstract provided.

Field Guide For Nebraska Invasive Plants (Fg-27)

Papers in Natural Resources

What are Invasive Species: Invasive species are non-native organisms introduced into new ecosystem whose introduction and ability to spread causes environmental or economic harm, or harm to human health. Once established, these species cause irreparable harm, including: introducing disease; competing with native specics; changing the physical characteristics of natural areas; and negatively impacting local and national economies.

Invasive Species Regulations: This guide identifies federal and state-listed noxious weeds. Federal noxious weeds are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture; State noxious weeds are regulated by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Noxious Weed Program. Aquatic invasive …

Bats In And Around Structures, Dennis M. Ferraro, Lisa Pennisi, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Stephen M. Vantassel

Papers in Natural Resources

No abstract provided.

Nest Survival Of Long-Billed Curlew In Nebraska, Cory J. Gregory, Stephen J. Dinsmore, Larkin A. Powell, Joel G. Jorgensen

Papers in Natural Resources

Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus is an imperiled shorebird of western North America. Populations have declined dramatically in the last 150 years from the conversion of prairie to agriculture and it is now listed as a “Tier I at-risk” species in Nebraska. We undertook a 3-year project (2008–2010) to study the nest survival of Long-billed Curlews in Nebraska. We measured vegetation characteristics at each nest site (n = 14 nests) on two different spatial scales and used program MARK to model nest survival as a function of multiple covariates. Apparent nest survival was 29% (n = 4 successful nests) and our …

Nest Survival Of Long-Billed Curlew In Nebraska, Cory J. Gregory, Stephen J. Dinsmore, Larkin A. Powell, Joel G. Jorgensen

Papers in Natural Resources

Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus is an imperiled shorebird of western North America. Populations have declined dramatically in the last 150 years from the conversion of prairie to agriculture and it is now listed as a “Tier I at-risk” species in Nebraska. We undertook a 3-year project (2008–2010) to study the nest survival of Long-billed Curlews in Nebraska. We measured vegetation characteristics at each nest site (n = 14 nests) on two different spatial scales and used program MARK to model nest survival as a function of multiple covariates. Apparent nest survival was 29% (n = 4 successful nests) and our …

Nebraska's Tern And Plover Conservation Partnership -- A Model For Sustainable Conservation Of Threatened And Endangered Species, Mary Bomberger Brown, Mark E. Burbach, John Dinan, Renae J. Held, Ron J. Johnson, Joel G. Jorgensen, Jeanine Lackey, Jeffrey F. Marcus, Gina S. Matkin, Christine M. Thody

Papers in Natural Resources

Implementing successful conservation programs is critical if we are to protect the earth's most imperiled species. These programs must respect state and federal legal concerns as well as local economic and social interests, Here we describe a sustainable partnership approach to Piping Plover and Interior Least Tern conservation in Nebraska, USA. Partners include industry groups, federal, state, and local agencies, and non-governmental organizations. The factor that unifies all partners is a desire to accomplish cooperative threatened and endangered species conservation. We believe that implementing this sort of partnership model could be useful in addressing the protection of other species of …

Estimates Of Duck Breeding Populations In The Nebraska Sandhills Using Double Observer Methodology, Mark P. Vrtiska, Larkin A. Powell

Papers in Natural Resources

The Nebraska Sandhills are an important area for breeding ducks in the Great Plains, but reliable estimates of breeding populations are unavailable. Double-observer methodology was used to estimate abundance of breeding duck populations in the Nebraska Sandhills. Aerial transect surveys were conducted using methodology similar to the cooperative Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Canadian Wildlife Service. Observations by two front-seat observers and one rear-seat observer were used to account for incomplete detectability. Transect-specific population size and detection probabilities were estimated using program SURVIV; estimates were species-specific by type of social …

Long-Term Response Of Groundwater Nitrate Concentrations To Management Regulations In Nebraska’S Central Platte Valley, Mary Exner Spalding, Hugo Perea-Estrada, Roy F. Spalding

Papers in Natural Resources

The impact of 16 years (1988–2003) of management practices on high groundwater nitrate concentrations in Nebraska’s central Platte River valley was assessed in a 58,812-ha (145,215-ac) groundwater quality management area intensively cropped to irrigated corn (Zea mays L.). Crop production and groundwater nitrate data were obtained from ~23,800 producer reports. The terrace, comprising ~56% of the study area, is much more intensively cropped to irrigated corn than the bottomland. From 1987 to 2003, average groundwater nitrate concentrations in the primary aquifer beneath the bottomland remained static at ~8 mg N/l. During the same period, average groundwater nitrate concentrations in the …