Earth Sciences Commons^™

Exploring The Variation In Spatial Landscape Utilisation By Cows In The Pre- And Post-Partum Period Using Gnss Technology, A Z. Chang, M. G. Trotter

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

On-animal sensors refer to systems that monitor the location, behaviour, or physiological characteristics of livestock. These technologies provide a method to overcome many of the challenges that are associated with monitoring livestock within an extensive grazing system. A global navigation satellite system (GNSS) could be used to detect the changes in spatial utilisation associated with when a cow has a calf at foot. In this study, forty pregnant Belmont Red heifers were fitted with GNSS collars programmed to provide a location reading at 5 minute intervals. The data was cleaned and mapped in ArcGIS to identify changes in paddock area …

Sustainable Intensification Of Livestock Systems Using Forage Legumes, José C. B. Dubeux Jr., Lynn E. Sollenberger

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Global human population is increasing and expected to reach 9.7 billion people by 2050. Sustainable intensification (SI) of agricultural systems is key to increase food production while minimizing impact on global natural resources. Forage legumes provide a myriad of ecosystem services (ES) and represent an important tool for promoting SI in livestock systems. Forage legumes associate with soil microorganisms to reduce atmospheric N₂. This N input represents a valuable contribution to increase net primary productivity with reduced C footprint. In addition, forage nutritive value generally increases, resulting in greater animal performance. When forage legumes are integrated into livestock …

Comparison Of The Performance Of The Observation-Based Hybrid Edmf And Edmf-Tke Pbl Schemes In 2020 Tropical Cyclone Forecasts From The Globalnested Hurricane Analysis And Forecast System, Andrew Hazelton, Jun A. Zhang, Sundararaman Gopalakrishnan

Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences Faculty Publications

Better representation of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) in numerical models is one of the keys to improving forecasts of TC structure and intensity, including rapid intensification. To meet this goal, our recent work has used observations to improve the eddy-diffusivity mass flux with prognostic turbulent kinetic energy (EDMF-TKE) PBL scheme in the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS). This study builds on that work by comparing a modified version of EDMF-TKE (MEDMF-TKE) with the hybrid EDMF scheme based on a K-profile method (HEDMF-KP) in the 2020 HAFS-globalnest model. Verification statistics based on 101 cases in the 2020 season demonstrate …

The Optimum Grazing Time Based On Milk Fatty Acids And Yield For Holstein Lactating Cows Through Eco-Pastoral System In Alpine Grassland, M. Kim, J. Y. Kim, M. H. Jo, C. H. Kim, K. Sung

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study aimed to detect the optimum grazing time based on milk fatty acids and yield for the Holstein cow (Bos taurus) through eco-pastoral system in Korean alpine grassland. The treatment of grazing time was 3 levels: Non-grazing, Half-day grazing, Full-day grazing. First, the difference of milk fatty acids (saturated fatty acid, unsaturated fatty acid, Total ω-3, etc.) and milk yield was checked by grazing time via ANOVA. Second, various measurements of milk fatty acids were reduced to principal components for effective and obvious detecting the variation as a grazing time. Final, the variations of milk fatty acid …

Prospects Of Cattle Farming In An Era Of Land Degradation-Perceptions Of The Farmers In The Okakarara Communal Area, Namibia, H. T. N. Heita, D. Gunner

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Livestock farming plays an important role in many rural people s’ livelihoods around the globe. The sector is, however, faced with numerous challenges, particularly land degradation. Namibia, one of the driest countries in the world, is no exception to land degradation challenges, mostly among communal rangeland areas. Several studies and interventions on land degradation have been conducted in the country, however, with limited or no information on farmers' perceptions. Although land degradation may be a physical process, understanding its causes, process, indicators, and effects from the own users’ is indispensable. Here, we assessed farmers' perception in the eastern part of …

Effects Of Seasonal Rest Grazing And Diet Selection Of Sheep On Pasture Composition In Bromus Inermis Improved Meadow Steppe, H. Zhang, Y. J. Zhang, N. Liu

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

To develop sustainable grazing management systems based on highly-productive dominant species, it is critical to maintain pasture growth and prevent land degradation on meadow steppe. A field study was performed to identify the impact of seasonal rest grazing on diet selection of sheep and pasture composition in Bromus inermis improved meadow steppe from 2015 to 2017 in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, China. Three seasonal rest grazing strategies were conducted: R1 included a spring rest from June 15 to July 15, R2 a summer rest from July 15 to August 15 and R3 an autumn rest from August 15 to September 15. …

The Effect Of Hay Supplementation On Performance Of Grazing Alpaca In The Peruvian Andes, M. Enciso, C. Gómez, C. Osorio

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Productivity of alpaca grazing rangelands in the Andes is often limited by the low availability and quality of those pastures during the dry season of the year. The use as supplements of forages cultivated during the rainy season in appropriate areas in the Andes may be a strategy to improve performance of alpacas. Therefore, the supplementation of oat-vetch pellets or oat hay was evaluated and compared with a control group without supplementation. Sixty three female alpacas (15 months of age, 34 ± 1.0 kg BW), divided in three groups, grazing range pastures (6.1% crude protein and 61.3% NDF) during dry …

Analysis Of Skills Sought By Employers Of Bachelors-Level Geoscientists, Gregory Shafer, Karen Viskuptic, Anne E. Egger

Geological Sciences Faculty Scholarship

Bachelors-level geoscientists make up the majority of the geoscience workforce, and positions for entry-level geoscientists are expected to grow rapidly over the next decade, with some jobs anticipating upward of 10% growth (National Center for O*NET Development, 2021). Are geoscience departments adequately preparing undergraduate students to succeed in these positions?

Reykjanes Mantle Convection And Climate: Crustal Objectives, Ross E. Parnell-Turner, Anne R. Briais, Leah J. Levay, Ying Cui, Anita Di Chiara, Justin P. Dodd, Deborah E. Eason, Sarah A. Friedman, Katharina E. Hochmuth, Boris T. Karatsolis, Danielle E. Leblanc, Melody R. Lindsay, David D. Mcnamara, Sevasti E. Modestou, Bramley Murton, Suzanne B. O’Connell, Gabriel T. Pasquet, Paul N. Pearson, Sheng Ping Qian, Yair Rosenthal, Sara Satolli, Jose M. Cuevas, Jamie L. Shamrock, Takuma Suzuki, Saalim M. Syed, Nicholas J. White, Alexandra Yang Yang

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The five primary sites proposed for International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 395, which was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, were cored during IODP Expedition 395C. The Expedition 395C operations, shipboard measurements, and sampling were adjusted to account for the absence of a sailing science party. The Expedition 395/395C objectives are (1) to investigate temporal variations in ocean crust generation at the Reykjanes Ridge and test hypotheses for the influence of Iceland mantle plume fluctuations on these processes, (2) to analyze sedimentation rates at the Björn and Gardar contourite drifts, as proxies for Cenozoic variations of North Atlantic deepwater …

Incorporating Microtopography In A Land Surface Model And Quantifying The Effect On The Carbon Cycle, J. D. Graham, D. M. Ricciuto, N. F. Glenn, P. J. Hanson

Geosciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Northern peatlands are a terrestrial carbon store, with an annual sink of 0.1 Pg C yr⁻¹ and a total storage estimate of 547 Pg C. Northern peatlands are also major contributors of atmospheric methane. Most land surface models do not accurately represent peatland carbon emissions, partly because they do not represent the hydrologic cycle and/or microtopography adequately. Interactions between water table depth and microtopography in peatlands influence decomposition and modulate CO₂ and CH₄ fluxes. A modified version of the land surface component of the Energy Exascale Earth System Model, was recently created to represent the microtopography and …

Analysis Of Skills Sought By Employers Of Bachelors-Level Geoscientists, Gregory Shafer, Karen Viskupic, Anne E. Egger

Geosciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Bachelors-level geoscientists make up the majority of the geoscience workforce, and positions for entry-level geoscientists are expected to grow rapidly over the next decade, with some jobs anticipating upward of 10% growth (National Center for O*NET Development, 2021). Are geoscience departments adequately preparing undergraduate students to succeed in these positions?

Late Triassic To Jurassic Magmatic And Tectonic Evolution Of The Intermontane Terranes In Yukon, Northern Canadian Cordillera: Transition From Arc To Syn-Collisional Magmatism And Post-Collisional Lithospheric Delamination, Maurice Colpron, Patrick J. Sack, James L. Crowley, Luke P. Beranek, Murray M. Allan

Geosciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

End-on arc collision and onset of the northern Cordilleran orogen is recorded in Late Triassic to Jurassic plutons in the Intermontane terranes of Yukon, and in development of the synorogenic Whitehorse trough (WT). A synthesis of the extensive data set for these plutons supports interpretation of the magmatic and tectonic evolution of the northern Intermontane terranes. Late Triassic juvenile plutons that locally intrude the Yukon-Tanana terrane represent the northern extension of arc magmatism within Stikinia. Early Jurassic plutons that intrude Stikinia and Yukon-Tanana terranes were emplaced during crustal thickening (200–195 Ma) and subsequent exhumation (190–178 Ma). The syn-collisional magmatism migrated …

Arsenic Mineral In Volcanic Tuff, A Source Of Arsenic Anomaly In Groundwater: City Of Chihuahua, Mexico, Minghua Ren, José A. Rodríguez-Pineda, Philip Goodell

Geoscience Faculty Research

Arsenic is a naturally occurring trace element that causes many health effects when present in drinking water. Elevated arsenic concentrations in water are often attributed to nearby felsic volcanic sequences; however, the specific rock units to which the groundwater anomalies can be accredited are rarely identified. The groundwater from wells around the city of Chihuahua, Mexico, contains high arsenic content. Arsenic in groundwater increases toward the base rock containing Tertiary volcanic rocks. Through detailed scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron microprobe (EMP) work, arsenic minerals are identified in the cavities of the Tertiary volcanic tuff from the northeast part of …

College Of Natural Sciences Newsletter, February 2022, College Of Natural Sciences

College of Natural Sciences Newsletters and Reports

Volume 3, Issue 2

Page 1 Dean's Message
Page 2 Awards & Recognition
Page 3-4 Media Coverage of CNS
Page 5- 6 Local Boy Scouts Earn Their Chemistry Merit Badges
Page 7-8 Mount Vernon Teacher Wins 2022 South Dakota Outstanding Physical Science Teacher Award
Page 9 Middle Schoolers Visit SDSU
Page 10 Microbiology Club Tours POET
Page 11 53rd Geography Convention
Page 12 Open PRAIRIE Data

Propagation Of Inflowing Urban Stormwater Pulses Through Reservoir Embayments, Megan Fork, Ryan A. Mcmanamay, James B. Heffernan

Biology Faculty Publications

Flashy hydrology and high solute loads in stormflow are well-studied effects of the built environment on urban streams. The physical and chemical interactions between inflowing stormwater of urban streams and their termination in large impoundments, however, is poorly understood. Determining the spatial distribution of urban stormwater in reservoirs is an important step in understanding the effects of the heat and contaminant loads in these systems, which provide multiple services for adjacent cities. Here, we show that signals of stormwater from a small urban stream can propagate more than 800 m from the stream mouth. Stormflow can also break down the …

Geologic Homogenization, Conditioning, & Reuse, University Of North Dakota. Energy And Environmental Research Center

EERC Brochures and Fact Sheets

Fact sheet about the Energy & Environmental Research Center project to evaluate the geologic homogenization, conditioning, and reuse (GHCR) concept of water management. Describes the GHCR concept and summarizes results of the multiyear project.

An Investigation On The Morphological And Mineralogical Characteristics Of Posidonius Floor Fractured Lunar Impact Crater Using Lunar Remote Sensing Data, Imen Ben Salem, Manish Sharma, P. R. Kumaresan, A. Karthi, Fares M. Howari, Yousef Nazzal, Cijo M. Xavier

All Works

Lunar floor‐fractured craters (FFCs) are a distinguished type of crater found on the surface of the Moon with radial, concentric, and/or polygonal fractures. In the present study, we selected the Posidonius FCC to explore the mineralogy, morphology and tectonic characteristics using remote sensing datasets. The Posidonius crater is vested with a wide moat of lava separating the crater rim inner wall terraces from the fractured central floor. Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter’s (LRO) images and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data were used to map the tectonics and morphology of the present study. The Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) data of Chandrayaan‐1 were used …

The Shepherd Mountain Iron Ore Deposit In Southeast Missouri, Usa -- An Extension Of The Pilot Knob Magmatic-Hydrothermal Ore System: Evidence From Iron Oxide Chemistry, Bolorchimeg N. Tunnell, Marek Locmelis, Cheryl Seeger, Marilena Moroni, Sarah Dare, Ryan Mathur, Brandon Sullivan

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Southeast Missouri Iron Metallogenic Province in the Midcontinent USA contains seven major and several minor IOA/IOCG-type deposits and a series of shallow vein-type deposits/prospects, all of which are spatially and temporally associated with early Mesoproterozoic (1500–1440 Ma) magmatism in the St. Francois Mountains terrane. One of the vein-type deposits is the Shepherd Mountain deposit, which consists of two northeast-trending ore veins dominated by magnetite and lesser amounts of hematite. Here we report the findings of a study that investigates the origin of the Shepherd Mountain deposit and a possible genetic link to the nearby (i.e., < 5 km away) magmatic to magmatic-hydrothermal Pilot Knob ore system that comprises the massive-to-disseminated Pilot Knob Magnetite deposit and the overlying bedded and brecciated Pilot Knob Hematite deposit. Petrographic observations, whole-rock data and the trace element and Fe isotope composition of magnetite and hematite show that the Shepherd Mountain deposit formed from at least five pulses of magmatic-hydrothermal fluids with different compositions and physicochemical parameters. Integration of the data for the Shepherd Mountain deposit with new and published data from the Pilot Knob Magnetite and Pilot Knob Hematite deposits shows that the three deposits are genetically linked through two local faults. The Ironton and Pilot Knob faults provided fluid pathways that connected the Pilot Knob Magnetite deposit to the shallower Shepherd Mountain and Pilot Knob Hematite deposits. Consequently, we argue that the Shepherd Mountain and Pilot Knob Hematite deposits are near-surface extensions of the same magmatic to hydrothermal plumbing system that formed the Pilot Knob Magnetite deposit at depth.

The Role Of Slow Slip Events In The Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake Cycle, Juliette P. Saux, Elias G. Molitors Bergman, Eileen L. Evans, John P. Loveless

Geosciences: Faculty Publications

Slow slip events (SSEs) detected on the Cascadia Subduction Zone interface at 30–50 km depth imply a release of accumulated strain. However, studies of interseismic deformation in Cascadia typically find coupling on the upper 30 km of the interface, which is generally accepted as defining the seismogenic zone. Estimates of coupling using net interseismic velocities (including SSE effects) and restricting coupling to the shallow interface may underestimate slip deficit accumulation at depths >30 km. Here, we detect reversals in GPS motion as indications of SSEs, then use SSE displacements to estimate cumulative slow slip from 2007 to 2021. We calculate …

Perceptions On Governance For Effective Adaptation To Climate Change Within Community-Based Wildlife Conservancies In Kenya, S. Kibet, Oliver Vivian Wasonga

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Community-based wildlife conservancies (CBC) represent a broad spectrum of new management arrangements and benefit sharing partnerships in natural resource management by none state agents, but who, by virtue of their collective location and activities, are critically placed to shape the present and future status of these resources. This approach of wildlife management is increasingly gaining popularity as an option for achieving sustainable co-existence and complementarity between wildlife conservation and livestock production in the drylands of Kenya. Despite difference in ownership and governance structure in place, all conservancies have instituted new rules of control and access. This study sought to understand …

The Cleaned Approach For Flagging And Addressing Environmental Issues, A. Notenbaert, B. Paul, R. Van Der Hoek, J. Mukiri

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

While livestock presents an important livelihood strategy for many smallholders, it is also held responsible for important environmental impacts. In this paper, we used an online survey to identify the perceptions of global livestock experts on environmental impacts of livestock and how these might be tackled. We then explored how the CLEANED environmental ex-ante assessment tool (Comprehensive Livestock Environmental Assessment for improved Nutrition, a secured Environment and sustainable Development = CLEANED) responds to this and how it can be used to influence decision making towards more environmentally-friendly livestock production.

According to the survey, there was general agreement between researchers, development …

Survey Of The Farm Management, Focusing On The Regional Difference And Cattle Farming In Burkina Faso, H. Kumagai, T. Kawashima, A. Sienou, F. Nagumo

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In Burkina Faso the history using of cattle as draft power for cultivation is not long. This study was conducted to investigate the farm management, focusing on the regional difference and the presence of cattle farming in the country. Interview was carried out on 30 farms from B Province in the Centre-West Region consisting of 8 non-cattle owners (BNs) and 22 cattle owners (BCs), and on 9 farms of cattle owners from H Province in the Haut-Bassins Region (HCs) in November 2013. The average household sizes of BNs, BCs and HCs were 16.5, 27.2 and 31.3, respectively. The ratios of …

Sowing Date Affects Dry Matter Yield Of Fodder Beet (Beta Vulgaris L.) Crops And Farm Profitability, Edith N. Khaembah, John M. De Ruiter, S. Maley

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is a high yielding and high energy supplementary ruminant feed. Including the crop in a pasture system means loss in production and additional costs during crop establishment, but economic benefits may be recovered with increased seasonal productivity and feed quality. In this study, the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator was used to estimate herbage production of a typical dairy farm in the Canterbury region of New Zealand based on using a ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)-clover (Trifolium repens L.) pasture (“Pasture only”) or pasture in combination with fodder beet …

Snow Cover Variability And Trend Over The Hindu Kush Himalayan Region Using Modis And Srtm Data, Nirasindhu Desinayak, Anup K. Prasad, Hesham El-Askary, Menas Kafatos, Ghassem R. Asrar

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Snow cover changes have a direct bearing on the regional and global energy and water cycles and the change in the Earth's climate conditions. We studied the relatively long-term (2000–2017) altitudinal spatiotemporal changes in the coverage of snow and glaciers in one of the world's largest mountainous regions, the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region, including Tibet, using remote sensing data (5 km grid resolution) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board the Terra satellite. This dataset provided a unique opportunity to study zonal and hypsographic changes in the intra-annual (accumulating season and melting season) and interannual variations in …

Identifying Available Resources And Agricultural Practices Useful In Soil Fertility Management To Support Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato Cultivation On Smallholder Farms In Mozambique, Rafaela Feola Conz, Engil Isadora Pujol Pereira, Abdul Naico, Maria Isabel Andrade, Johan Six

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Orange-fleshed sweet potato is an important source of macro-and micronutrients for humans, particularly in resource-poor rural communities. However, sweet potato cultivation removes large amounts of nutrients from the soil. Hence, soil fertility replenishment is vital to secure long-term food production. The lack of access to fertilizers hinders the ability of farmers to supply and replenish soil nutrients, intensifying food insecurity. This study aimed at identifying locally available organic residues and agricultural practices with potential application in soil fertility management to prevent soil degradation in southern Mozambique. We conducted a survey to gather information on the farmers’ demographics and farming systems …

Dominance Of Diffusive Methane Emissions From Lowland Headwater Streams Promotes Oxidation And Isotopic Enrichment, Andrew L. Robison, Wilfred M. Wollheim, Clarice R. Perryman, Annie R. Cotter, Jessica E. Mackay, Ruth K. Varner, Paige Clarizia, Jessica G. Ernakovich

Faculty Publications

Inland waters are the largest natural source of methane (CH4) to the atmosphere, yet the contribution from small streams to this flux is not clearly defined. To fully understand CH4 emissions from streams and rivers, we must consider the relative importance of CH4 emission pathways, the prominence of microbially-mediated production and oxidation of CH4, and the isotopic signature of emitted CH4. Here, we construct a complete CH4 emission budgets for four lowland headwater streams by quantifying diffusive CH4 emissions and comparing them to previously published rates of ebullitive emissions. We also examine the isotopic composition of CH4 along with the …

Real-World Applications For Virtual Fences – What Are Potential Benefits For Conservation?, F. Riesch, M. Komainda, J. Horn, J. Isselstein

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Livestock grazing can enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes. In many parts of Europe, however, grazing has lost its importance, especially in the dairy sector. Large proportions of permanent grassland have been converted to arable land or intensified by fertilization and frequent defoliation. The disappearance of large herbivores and extensively grazed pastures contributes to the loss of structural, functional and biological diversity and ecosystem services. Modern technologies, which circumvent the cost- and labour-intensive installation of physical fences, could facilitate a precise spatio-temporal management of livestock and promote grazing. We reviewed the literature on the state-of-the-art of virtual fencing, …

Sahiwal Breed In Pastoral Production Systems In Kenya: Future Roles And Existing Gaps In Knowledge And Supportive Technical Logistics; A Review, Samson I. Mwangi, E. D. Ilatsia

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Sahiwal genetic resources is an integral part of the ASALs economy of Kenya. Sahiwal is the largest single dual purpose cattle breed kept by the pastoral communities in the ASALs where livestock products are the main drivers of food and nutrition security, and a source of income to support other household obligations. It was introduced in Kenya to upgrade the low performing small east African Zebu because of its superior productive and reproductive performance. The promising results of this upgrading programme led to the breed gaining preference over the local Zebu among the Maasai pastoralists. Despite the impressive results from …

Potential Of Croton Megalocarpus Nut As An Alternative Protein Supplement For Feeding Of Ruminants In The Tropics, E. K. Njoroge, C. C. Wambui, C. B. Wasike

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Croton megalocarous is a tree native to the arid and semi-arid rangelands of East Africa that produces nuts reported to contain high crude protein (CP). However, they are often neglected as a potential feed due to lack of information on how best to utilize them. This study was conducted to evaluate the chemical composition and in sacco dry matter (DM) degradability of four forms of croton namely whole nut (WN), peeled nut (PN), De-husked nut (DhN) and Defatted seed (DfS). DM of all forms was above 89%, ash content was highest in WN (5.9%) and least in PN (2.2%). Crude …

Polyphenol Concentration Of Native Plant Species, And Its Effect On Blood Antioxidant Capacity In Grazing Cattle In A Species-Rich Vegetation In Japan, S. Ogura, A. Tamura, H. Kakihara, T. Shishido, K. Shimoda

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

It is known that polyphenols in plants have a high antioxidant capacity. However, there is scarce information on its concentration in native plants and the effect of antioxidant capacity to grazing animals. In this study, polyphenol concentration of available plants was investigated in a species-rich grazing area in north-eastern district of Japan. In addition, polyphenol concentration in blood serum of grazing cattle was also measured. Eight beef cows grazed in a grazing area (hill pasture 3.1 ha; forest 16.9 ha) from late spring to mid-autumn (142 days), and four cows among the eight grazed at an orchardgrass pasture in mid-summer …