Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons^™

Variation In Native Micro-Predator Abundance Explains Recruitment Of A Mobile Invasive Fish, The Common Carp, In A Naturally Unstable Environment, Przemyslaw G. Bajer, Christopher J. Chizinski, Justin J. Silbernagel, Peter W. Sorensen

Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit: Staff Publications

Why certain species of fish become invasive is poorly understood and a key obstacle to restoring many of the world’s ecosystems. In this study we tested whether variation in biotic resistance exerted by native predators might explain the reproductive success of the common carp, a large and fecund invasive species that typically spawns in outlying and unstable shallow habitat. An initial three-year study of the relative abundance of youngof- year (YOY) carp in interconnected lakes in the Upper Mississippi River Basin discovered that YOY carp are only found in shallow waters that experience winter hypoxia (winterkill) and have low densities …

2012 Nebraska Water Monitoring Programs Report, Marty Link, Mike Archer

Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality: Reports

The following Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality staff have contributed to this report with their photos, maps, numbers, words, and editing. Their efforts are greatly appreciated and gratefully acknowledged here: Mike Archer, Ken Bazata, Dave Bubb, Ryan Chapman, Jason Garber, Patrick Hartman, Tom Heatherly, Dave Ihrie, Dan Inman, Greg Michl, Will Myers, Patrick O’Brien (NARD), Brad Routt, and Dave Schumacher.

Using Lidar To Map Landslides In Kenton And Campbell Counties, Kentucky, Matthew M. Crawford

Report of Investigations--KGS

The geology and topography of northern Kentucky and Cincinnati make the area susceptible to landslides. Decades of development and slope modification have contributed to the area being prone to landslides and having one of the highest costs per capita in the United States for landslide damage. The slow nature of some landslides and incremental damage that can span several decades often result in lack of awareness of the problem, however. Many of the landslides go unreported, and citizens do not take advantage of resources to become educated about mitigating the problem.

Research at the Kentucky Geological Survey developed a methodology …

A New Model For Simulating Climate Change And Carbon Dynamics In Forested Landscapes, Caren C. Dymond, Robert M. Scheller, Sarah Beukema

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Journal of Ecosystems & Management vol. 13 no. 2 2012 news brief .

Effectiveness Of Grass Filters In Reducing Phosphorus And Sediment Runoff, Ahmed Al-Wadaey, Charles S. Wortmann, Thomas G. Franti, Charles A. Shapiro, Dean E. Eisenhauer

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Surface water contamination can often be reduced by passing runoff water through perennial grass filters. Research was conducted in 2006 to 2008 to evaluate the size of cool season grass filters consisting primarily of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb) with some orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata L.) relative to drainage area size in reducing runoff sediment and phosphorus (P). The soil was Pohocco silt loam Typic Eutrochrepts with a median slope of 5.5%. The grass filters occupying 1.1 and 4.3% of the plot area were compared with no filter with four replications. The filters were planted in the V-shaped …

The Weathering Of Oil After The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Insights From The Chemical Composition Of The Oil From The Sea Surface, Salt Marshes And Sediments, Zhanfei Liu, Jiqing Liu, Qingzhi Zhu, Wei Wu

Faculty Publications

The oil released during the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill may have both short- and long-time impacts on the northern Gulf of Mexico ecosystems. An understanding of how the composition and concentration of the oil are altered by weathering, including chemical, physical and biological processes, is needed to evaluate the oil toxicity and impact on the ecosystem in the northern Gulf of Mexico. This study examined petroleum hydrocarbons in oil mousse collected from the sea surface and salt marshes, and in oil deposited in sediments adjacent to the wellhead after the DWH oil spill. Oil mousses were collected …

Standardized Precipitation Index: User Guide, Mark Svoboda, Michael Hayes, Deborah Wood

National Drought Mitigation Center: Faculty Publications

Over the years, there has been much discussion on what drought indices should be used in a particular climate and for what application. Many drought definitions and indices have been developed and attempts have been made to provide some guidance on this issue. With this in mind, the Interregional Workshop on Indices and Early Warning Systems for Drought was organized and held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, United States of America, from 8 to 11 December 2009. It was jointly sponsored by the School of Natural Resources (SNR) of the University of Nebraska, the United States National Drought Mitigation Center …

Implications Of Decade Time Scale Arctic Plant Community Change On Ecosystem Function, Mark Jason Lara

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Almost half the global soil organic carbon pool is found in northern high latitudes. The majority of this soil carbon is stored in a greenhouse inert state within permafrost. As pronounced warming of high northern latitudes ensues, there is a strong likelihood that this substantial soil organic carbon pool will be mobilized to the atmosphere where it is likely to positively enhance greenhouse warming. Modeling studies suggest this positive feedback could alter future climate states of the Arctic and the globe, and affect how humans may need to adapt to climate change. Accordingly, understanding the patterns and controls and the …

Method Development For Detecting And Characterizing Manufactured Silver Nanoparticles In Soil Pore Water Using Asymmetrical Flow Field-Flow Fractionation, Annie R. Whitley

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Recent advances in nanotechnology have led to the production of materials with nanoscale dimensions (nm) and properties distinctly different from their bulk (>100 nm) counterparts. With increased use, it is inevitable that nanomaterials will accumulate in the environment and there is concern that the novel properties of nanomaterials could result in detrimental environmental and human health effects. In particular, there has been concern recently regarding the use of silver (Ag) based nanomaterials as antimicrobial agents in consumer and medical products. Current regulations dealing with the discharge of metals into the environment are based on total concentrations with no consideration …

Using Image Processing Techniques To Estimate The Air Quality, Ernesto Zamora

McNair Poster Presentations

The color of the sky varies depending on the composition of the air. The particles lingering in the atmosphere scatter the components of the light based on their wavelength in relation to particle size. Thus, the color of the sky depends on what wavelengths are scattered while the light travels through our atmosphere.

By analyzing the color of the sky using computer image processing, it is possible to determine the quality of the air in an area. It is possible to classify pictures of the sky into clean or polluted air and have a computer estimate the category any other …

Elk Hunting On Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge: Impacts On Elk Movement And Aspen Regeneration, Christopher E. Dwight

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

"In the arid West, quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) cover less than 10% of the forest landscape, yet support a disproportionate diversity of native plants and animals. When elk (Cervus elaphus) become overabundant, browsing prevents aspen regeneration, reduces survival, and consequently impacts local biodiversity. Given this, Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge (TNWR) initiated a limited annual elk hunt beginning in fall 2010. This study examines whether the hunt affected elk usage of the refuge and, indirectly, aspen growth and regeneration. To determine elk movement and usage of the refuge prior to and following the elk hunt, 34 radio-collared cow elk were monitored …