Natural Resources and Conservation Commons^™

Hydrogen And Carbon Dioxide Kinetic Adsorption And Diffusion Behavior Into Organic-Rich Shale: Implications Of Mineralogy And Organic Content, Amer Alanazi, Hussein Abid, Saleh A. Bawazeer, Norah Aljeban, Israa S. Abu-Mahfouz, Alireza Keshavarz, Stefan Iglauer, Hussein Hoteit

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Geological storage of hydrogen (GSH) is a pivotal technology for advancing an industrial-scale hydrogen economy. Shale formations, known for their impermeable sealing and abundance, offer promising potential for secure GSH applications. However, the complex mineralogy and organic content of shale necessitate a detailed investigation. This study examines the potential of organic-rich shale samples from Jordanian oil source rocks for hydrogen (H2) storage and carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration. Adsorption kinetics were measured at two different temperatures (303 and 333 K) and pressures (15 and 45 bar) using a volumetric experimental approach. Common mathematical models were applied to evaluate the adsorption data …

Visionary Indigenous Training And Leadership For Natural Resources (Vital4nr), Peter D. Howe

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Western Australian Soil Groups - A Diagnostic Key To Identify Soils In Western Australia (5th Edition), Paul Galloway, Dennis Van Gool, Angela Stuart-Street, Edward A. Griffin, Shahab Pathan, Noel R. Schoknecht

Resource management technical reports

The aim of the Western Australian soil groups (WA soil groups) is to classify soils of Western Australia into a limited set using criteria that are easy to recognise in the field. It is a general-purpose classification with a focus on agronomic and rangeland grazing potential. The WA soil groups are designed for WA needs. It complements the Australian Soil Classification (ASC) by grouping the continuum of soils into a limited set of soil types, which simplifies soil variability for generalists, allows soil surveyors to create standardised soil-type legends for mapping products and permits further analyses of spatial data for …

Nuclear Energy Is Clean And Safe Energy, Katie Morland

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

From the grappling fear of horrific meltdowns to the promise of new innovative advancements, nuclear energy has been surrounded by misunderstandings and myths for decades. A non-partisan approach from media outlets is essential for having a well-balanced understanding of how nuclear energy works and why it is good for our consumption.

Despite bias concerns that are leading to misunderstanding, nuclear energy offers a wide range of reliable cleaner types of energy. Moving forward we need to ask ourselves are we going to keep letting misinformation and misconceptions stop us from developing better advancements in nuclear energy for cleaner energy use …

The Case For E15: A Cheaper, Cleaner Fuel, Cassidy Skillett

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

In its name, “E” indicates that the fuel contains ethanol and “15” communicates that 15% of the gasoline blend is ethanol. When Nebraskan drivers pull up to the gas station, they can buy cheaper and cleaner E15. In 43 states - drivers are not so lucky. A new bill would end fuel discrimination of E15 at refueling stations nationwide.

This change is long overdue and would allow E15 to be available year-round in all states rather than just during the winter.

Zoning Regulations Are Harming Nebraska’S Wind Energy Future, Carter Probst

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

Nebraska is a prime location for renewable energy sources, such as wind. According to Climate Central, a policy-neutral non-profit, “While Nebraska ranks fourth among U.S States for potential wind energy generation, it ranks 15th in installed capacity.” What is the number one reason Nebraska has not fully tapped into its potential, which would have numerous economic and climate benefits? Harsh zoning regulations at the county level, fueled by misinformation, have made installation of wind turbines nearly impossible across multiple counties in Nebraska.

Greet Vs. Corsia: The Future Of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Christian Curtis

Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies

With the country buzzing from the shocking result of the presidential election, not much ink is being spilled about the upcoming conclusion of a months-long showdown between agriculture-state lawmakers and environmentalists. The bone of contention? What modeling system will be used to calculate sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) emissions. President Biden’s IRA provides for a $1.25/gallon tax credit for any fuel qualifying as SAF; would it surprise you that environmentalists and big industry don’t see eye to eye on what counts as “sustainable”?

Performance Of Acoustic Telemetry And Space Use Of Pallid Sturgeon In The Lower Platte River, Nebraska, Christopher F. Pullano

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) are centenarian, potamodromous, rheophiles that historically occupied the Missouri River and Mississippi River basins. Listed on the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 1990, population declines are attributed to habitat fragmentation and degradation, as well as overharvest, and hybridization. A knowledge gap exists regarding the extent to which tributaries facilitate key life stages for Pallid Sturgeon. This study evaluated the capacity of acoustic telemetry to monitor the movements of Pallid Sturgeon in a shallow, braided tributary to the Missouri River. The specific objectives were to (1) evaluate the environmental variables influencing the performance of acoustic …

Occupancy Of Fish Species Of Greatest Conservation Need And Temporal Patterns Of Assemblage Occurrence In Sandhills Ecoregion, Nebraska Streams, Braxton M. Newkirk

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Fish species’ occurrence is influenced by environmental conditions across multiple spatial and temporal scales. Alteration to stream systems has the potential to affect occurrence patterns of fish species. Stream systems of the North American Great Plains face threats originating from climate change and anthropogenic activities resulting in negative implications for many fish species. The Sandhills Ecoregion, Nebraska is considered one of the largest intact grasslands in North America, and thus may experience fewer threats than surrounding areas. Stream systems of the Sandhills Ecoregion are home to 12 fish species of greatest conservation need (SGCN). Little context exists regarding the environmental …

Spatial Ecology Of American Bison On Vermejo Park Ranch, New Mexico, Kate Ann Asmus

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

American bison (Bison bison) are a keystone species that impact grassland productivity, plant diversity, and landscape heterogeneity. We used GPS telemetry and a replicate herbivore grazing experiment on Vermejo Park Ranch in northeastern New Mexico to advance understanding of bison spatial ecology and grazing dynamics. First, we evaluated the potentially disparate influences of forage productivity and site fidelity on the size and selection of home ranges of bison. Home range size was strongly negatively influenced by forage productivity. However, home range selection was influenced more strongly by site fidelity than spatial variation in forage, as bison selected home …

Leveraging High-Frequency Water Quality Data And Machine Learning For Monitoring Harmful Algal Blooms, Ibrahim Busari

All Dissertations

Freshwater management is one of the most critical resources on the earth due to the plethora of water use and its limited availability. Increased algae proliferation is one of the significant problems of freshwater bodies that is triggered by nutrient enrichment and enabling conditions such as light and warm temperatures. This algal proliferation is toxic to the ecosystem through their biomass and potential toxin production that can cause hypoxic conditions and is often referred to as Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). Current monitoring approaches include laboratory analysis of water samples to observe algal cells, monitoring of water quality parameters using water …

Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Exchange And Ecosystem Services In Ecosystems Managed For Nature-Based Solutions Using Eddy Covariance, Remote Sensing, And Models, Lucas Clay

All Dissertations

As global temperatures rise due to climate change, nature-based solutions are increasingly being used to restore nature and to remove carbon from the atmosphere. Nature-based solutions draw on methodologies such as ecological forestry and improved forest management to reduce emissions and maximize resilience. These protocols are still in their infancy and additional measurements and case studies are important to optimizing these protocols. Herein this dissertation we describe multiple measurement methodologies for both greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and for ecosystem services. In coastal wetland ecosystems, the need for GHG measurements is paramount to understanding the ability of these ecosystems to reduce …

Understanding Mechanisms For Coastal Marsh Sustainability In A Changing Climate, Ashley R. Booth

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In the Chenier Plain of Louisiana and Texas, coastal marshes are subject to high rates of relative sea level rise (RSLR), restricted sedimentation, and declining elevation attributed to subsidence and decades of intensive management. These marshes were created via mineral sedimentation but now largely accrete via organic matter accumulation. This organic matter accumulation (OMA) – or the balance between plant productivity and decomposition – is essential for maintaining elevation and thus long-term sustainability. However, management for elevation is complicated by a poor understanding of how abiotic factors like flooding and salinity impact processes driving OMA and elevation. To better understand …

Climatological Trends And Effects Of Aerosols And Clouds On Large Solar Parks: Application Examples In Benban (Egypt) And Al Dhafrah (Uae), Harshal Dhake, Panagiotis Kosmopoulos, Antonis Mantakas, Yashwant Kashyap, Hesham El-Askary, Omar Elbadawy

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Solar energy production is vastly affected by climatological factors. This study examines the impact of two primary climatological factors, aerosols and clouds, on solar energy production at two of the world’s largest solar parks, Benban and Al Dhafrah Solar Parks, by using Earth observation data. Cloud microphysics were obtained from EUMETSAT, and aerosol data were obtained from the CAMS and assimilated with MODIS data for higher accuracy. The impact of both factors was analysed by computing their trends over the past 20 years. These climatological trends indicated the variations in the change in each of the factors and their resulting …

Green Certificate Of “Lucid Waters And Lush Mountains” And The Yellow River Demonstration, Guangqian Wang, Deyu Zhong

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Guided by the “Lucid Waters and Lush Mountains are Invaluable Assets”, this work systematically studies the mechanism for realizing ecological value and proposes an implementation plan centered on a Green Certificate system for ecological assets, to be advanced in three stages. The Green Certificate serves as an objective and quantifiable proof of ecological assets, integrating four categories of ecological products—ecological water, soil and water conservation, carbon sequestration, and afforestation (grass planting)—into a unified, tradable rights certificate system. This provides an institutional foundation for transforming “Lucid Waters and Lush Mountains” into “Gold and Silver Mountains” through market mechanisms. Taking the Yellow …

Coordination Degree Of Composite Systems And Its Application, Ke Qi, Jiaojun Zhu, Dexiong Teng, Xiao Zheng, Huaiqing Zhang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

A composite system (CS) is an organic whole composed of multiple subsystems. It has the property of operating in a coordinated manner through the interconnection and interaction between its subsystems, which could be evaluated by the indicator of coordination degree of composite systems (CDoCS). However, there is currently a lack of quantitative methods for CDoCS and the CDoCS-based technology for composite system optimization. As a result, there is a lack of effective solutions to the problems caused by the disharmony of composite systems such as the mountain-water-forest-farm-lake-grass-sand systems (i.e., composite ecosystems) and the social-economic-natural systems. Therefore, the connotation of CDoCS …

Research On Regional Suitability Assessment And Promotion Mechanisms Of Conservation—Based Utilization Models For Black Soil, Xiaojie Liu, Liangjie Xin, Jiliang Ma, Yuxian Wang, Fan Zhang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Black soil represents a high-quality and scarce arable land resource, serving as a critical foundation for ensuring food security in China. However, prolonged development and utilization have resulted in varying degrees of degradation of black soil in Northeast China, directly affecting national food security and ecological stability. Since 2015, China has initiated and progressively intensified efforts in black soil protection. Technical models such as the “Lishu Model” and the “Longjiang Model” have been developed, demonstrated, and promoted, leading to increasingly significant conservation outcomes. Nevertheless, current technical models for black soil protection face dual challenges: unclear suitability boundaries and difficulties in …

Evolutionary Logic And Development Trends Of China’S Ecological And Environmental Fiscal Polocies—Quantitative Analysis Based On Policy Texts, Yu Qi, Wumei Shi, Yankun Xu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The modern fiscal system has a unique role in promoting the development of green transformation, taking into account the different interests of different subjects, linking different governance links, and balancing the distribution of benefits between regions and generations, and has become a tool that is increasingly relied upon to improve the basic system of ecological civilization, sound ecological and environmental governance system, and innovate the mechanism of green and low-carbon development. Through a retrospective study of 1 516 policy texts issued by the central government departments since the reform and opening up of China, which are closely related to “ecological …

Comparison And Enlightenment Of International Renewable Energy Legislation Systems, Lanchun Li, Wei Feng, Wei Chen, Qing Liu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The high-quality development of renewable energy cannot be achieved without legal system guarantees. In the new era, the deepening of national major strategies such as energy revolution, high-quality development, and dual carbon have put forward new and higher requirements for China’s renewable energy legal system. Based on the perspective of “past-now-future”, this study systematically reviews the development process and evolution trend of international renewable energy legal systems, extracts typical experiences of major countries, and compares and summarizes the analyses of China’s legal systems. In light of gaps, it is proposed to further improve the revision of the Renewable Energy Law …

Optimization For Qinghai-Xizang Plateau Ecological Security Barrier System, Bojie Fu, Yanxu Liu, Wenwu Zhao, Xiaoming Feng, Shiliang Liu, Chiyuan Miao, Xuhui Wang, Chunyang He, Changjia Li, Aizhong Ye, Zhongmin Hu, Zhifeng Liu, Dingyang Zhou

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The ecological security barrier system is a composite system to maintain ecological security and sustainable development within and outside the region. This system enables the maintenance of the structure and function of the ecosystem in the ecological security barrier region relatively shielded from or minimally impacted by external environmental threats, so that forms a multilevel and orderly stable pattern. Over the period from 2000 to 2020, the ecosystem water conservation function was on the rise, and the soil conservation function, net ecosystem productivity, and habitat quality were generally stable in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Comparing the previous three national parks and …

Alabama Agricultural Producers’ Experiences With Wild Pigs (Sus Scrofa) And Their Preferences Concerning Wild Pig Management, Hailey E. Ellis, Luren M. Jaebker, Alan D. Bright, Mark D. Smith, Keith M. Carlisle

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Government agencies and landowners use a variety of lethal methods to reduce invasive wild pig populations and resulting agricultural damages. To provide decision-makers with information regarding Alabama farmers’ experiences with wild pigs and their preferences for management actions, we surveyed Alabama Farmers Federation members in 2020. We found that wild pigs were commonly present on livestock, timber, and crop production acreage, but wild pig damages and costs were much more common among crop producers. Respondents' wildlife acceptance capacity for wild pigs was low and all lethal control methods were considered aceptable by most reposndents, particularly those performed by landowners. While …

Assessing Methane Emissions And Soil Carbon Stocks In The Camargue Coastal Wetlands: Management Implications For Climate Change Regulation, Maite Martínez-Eixarch, Pere Masqué, Anna Lafratta, Paul Lavery, Samuel Hilaire, Lluís Jornet, Cyrille Thomas, Arnaud Boisnard, Néstor Pérez-Méndez, Carles Alcaraz, Columba Martínez-Espinosa, Carles Ibáñez, Patrick Grillas

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Coastal wetlands are crucial in climate change regulation due to their capacity to act as either sinks or sources of carbon, resulting from the balance between greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, mainly methane (CH4), and soil carbon sequestration. Despite the paramount role of wetlands in climate regulation few studies investigate both aspects. The Camargue is one of the largest wetlands in Europe, yet the ways in which environmental and anthropic factors drive carbon dynamics remain poorly studied. We examined GHG emissions and soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and accumulation rates in twelve representative wetlands, including two rice fields, to gain insights …

Managing Salinity: Fence And Volunteer Pasture, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Natural resources factsheets

This treatment is recommended for saline sites that can support a mix of salt tolerant species and some non-tolerant pasture species, where livestock are present. It may also be the preferred solution for farmers who wish to see an improvement in their land at low cost.

The department recommends that any dryland salinity management is part of a whole farm, and preferably a whole catchment, water management plan.

Shallow Relief Drains In Western Australia, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Natural resources factsheets

Shallow relief drains are easy to construct and a cost-effective way to:

• remove accumulated surface water from depressions and low-lying land
• divert run-off from land that is prone to inundation or flooding
• remove surface water to a safe disposal area, to reduce the length of time the land is inundated or flooded
• reduce the potential for localised recharge and the development of secondary salinity
• improve the continuity of flow within the catchment along the valley floor.

Wind Erosion Control After Fire In Western Australia, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Natural resources factsheets

First steps after a fire

Act to limit further erosion:

• Remove livestock and keep them off burnt paddocks: they can be put into a confinement feeding area, an unburnt paddock or agisted.

• Minimise vehicle traffic on burnt areas

• Protect highly susceptible and valuable areas, such as house, garden, sheds, yards, gateways and laneways with binding spray, clay, gravel, old hay, or straw to give a full cover. A dust-free living and working environment is particularly important after a fire.

Leave burnt residue on roadsides, revegetation and bush areas to decrease the risk of wind erosion.

Roaded Catchments In Wa, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Natural resources factsheets

Roaded catchments are earthwork structures designed to increase the amount of run-off from the catchment above a receiving farm dam.

Roaded catchments are lined with clay and compacted to make a smooth surface that reduces infiltration and increases run-off. Roaded catchments should discharge into a silt trap and then into a dam (excavated earth tank). This combined structure should be fenced to exclude livestock.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development recommends that roaded catchments are part of an integrated water and salinity management program.

The information in this page is only a guide – seek expert advice before …

Natural Revegetation And No Grazing, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Natural resources factsheets

The department recommends that any dryland salinity management is part of a whole farm, and preferably a whole catchment, water management plan.

Natural revegetation and no grazing are only recommended for sites that are too saline, waterlogged and/or inundated for other treatments to succeed in the south-west of Western Australia. It is also the preferred option for the lowest possible cost.

Saltland Pastures In Western Australia, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Natural resources factsheets

Saltland pastures are associations of salt and waterlogging-tolerant plants that produce fodder for grazing animals from saline and waterlogged soils. Saltland pastures can improve production from saltland sites, reduce salt movement from the site, and improve soil structure.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development recommends that saltland management is part of a whole-farm, and preferably whole-catchment, plan.

Chronological Progress In Enhancing Cigs Solar Cell Performance Through Window Layer Development: Fundamentals, Synthesis, Optimization, Nadia Hartini Suhaimi, Mohammad Nur-E-Alam, Boon Kar Yap, K. Sobayel, Md Helal Miah, Islam, Sieh Kiong Tiong, Narottam Das, Mayeen Uddin Khandakher, Nowshad Amin

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Several factors, particularly the material of the window layer, contribute to the efficiency of CIGS solar cells. To optimize light absorption and reduce energy losses, it is critical to select the appropriate material for the window layer development. Thus, the main emphasis of this review is on the development of window layers, covering fundamental concepts, synthesis techniques, characterization methods, and optimization strategies. Metal oxides and doped metal oxides are critical materials for optimizing charge carrier flow, minimizing energy loss, and elevating sunlight transmission to the CIGS absorber. Despite tremendous progress, difficulties such as increased conductivity, transparency, stability, and cost-effectiveness remain. …

Improving Rice Yield Using Sensor Based Nitrogen Application And Best Management Practices (Bmps) In Rice-Soybean And Rice-Crawfish Rotational Systems, Charles Darnall

LSU Master's Theses

Sustainable rice farming requires effective nutrient management and conservation practices to maintain high yields and minimize environmental impact. Implementing best management practices (BMPs) promotes lower fertilizer application rates, increased N use efficiency, improves soil health, and water quality. Demonstration fields established in two different rotational cropping systems (rice-soybean and rice-crawfish) in Kaplan, LA in 2023. In each rotation system, the benefits of BMPs (sensor based mid-season N management and cover cropping) compared to farmer’s practice (FP) were evaluated using yield, yield components, soil and water quality as metrics. The rice-soybean fields in 2023 and 2024 were both planted with PVL03 …