Environmental Studies Commons^™

Conservation Easement Policies Across New England, Virginia A. Keesler

Honors Theses

This thesis examines conservation easement policies across the New England states. Conservation easements are legal agreements through which landowners donate or sell some or all of their properties' development rights to conservation entities, typically government entities or land trusts. I specifically ask: How do conservation easement policies compare across the New England states? How can conservation easement policies be reformed to enhance the use of easements as a conservation tool? Although easements allow conservation entities to conserve more land for less money, the ecological and social implications of the increased use of easements have been debated.

I evaluate data availability, …

Cartografía, Corredores Y Cooperación: La Búsqueda De Soluciones Transfronterizas En Las Fronteras Amazónicas, David S. Salisbury, Diego B. Leal, Andrea B. Chávaz Michaelsen, Bertha Balbín Ordaya, A. William Flores De Melo, Pedro Tipula Tipula, Maria Luiza Pinedo Ochoa

Geography and the Environment Faculty Publications

Implementation of conservation and development in the Amazon borderlands requires effective transboundary coordination. Updated, readily understandable, and transboundary cartography becomes increasingly essential in Southwestern Amazonia as residents and decision makers attempt to mitigate the socio-environmental challenges and impacts in the borderlands. The lack of updated borderland cartography complicates the planning of development, integration, and conservation projects at a variety of different scales. The Transboundary Geographic Group of Southwestern Amazonia (GTASO) has created a network to continuously exchange geographic information, resulting in a June 2013 workshop and the creation of five transboundary thematic maps of the Amazon regions of Ucayali and …

Examining The Relationship Between Particulate Matter, Nitrogen Oxide, Carbon Oxides, Sulfur Dioxide And Hypertension In Urban Areas In India: A Review, Hiren Kolli

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

While blood pressure may be decreasing around the world, it has been on the rise in India (Kounteya, 2012). According to the World Health Organization, the average blood pressure went down by 2.7mm Hg among women globally, while increasing by 2.4mm Hg in India. In men, blood pressure decreased by 2.3mm Hg globally in the past three decades but increased by 2.2mm Hg in India (Kounteya, 2012). Almost three-quarters of people with hypertension live in developing countries with limited health resources where there is very low awareness of hypertension, and India is one of these countries. Hypertension is the leading …

Crossing Borders: Two Academic Librarians And A Young Adult Librarian Collaborate To Teach Teens About Sustainability, George J. Aulisio, Sheli Mchugh

Collaborative Librarianship

Two academic librarians from The University of Scranton’s Weinberg Memorial Library partnered with a young adult librarian from the Scranton Public Library to help plan, organize, and implement, a sustainability themed summer series of events for a teen group. This paper discusses experiences of collaborating across traditional library boundaries from perspectives of a technical services librarian, an academic reference librarian, and a young adult librarian united to work together and educate teens about going green. Various resources and literature helped build a successful summer series on sustainability and demonstrated the important role librarians can play in promoting related environmental issues. …

Plant Community Composition And Structure Monitoring For Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, 2012 Annual Report, Isabel W. Ashton, Stephen K. Wilson, Daniel J. Swanson, Michael Prowatzke, Phil Graeve

United States National Park Service: Publications

Executive Summary

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument (AGFO) plays a vital role in protecting and managing some of the last remnants of native mixed-grass prairie in the region. The Northern Great Plains Inventory & Monitoring Network (NGPN) and Fire Ecology Program (FireEP) surveyed 12 long-term monitoring plots in Agate Fossil Beds National Monument in 2012 as part of an effort to better understand the condition of plant communities in the park. We measured plant diversity and cover, looked for the presence of exotic species that may be newly invading the park, and evaluated the amount of human and natural disturbance …

Relating Plant Spatial Pattern, Plant Biodiversity, And Ecosystem Function To Management Practices In Experimental Restored Wetlands, Erika C. Brandt

Honors Papers

Understanding the effects of management practices on shifting relationships between structure and function over the course of ecosystem development should be a central goal of ecosystem restoration. Yet many of these relationships, such as those between plant biodiversity, spatial pattern of vegetation and community metabolism, remain poorly understood. In a decade-long experiment, we investigated the impact of different initial planting treatments and of nutrient enrichment on relationships among plant biodiversity, plant spatial pattern, and ecosystem function in restored wetland ecosystems. In 2003, six identical and hydrologically-isolated 0.18 ha experimental wetland "cells" were constructed in marginal farmland in northeast Ohio. Cells …

A Study Of Renewable Portfolio Standards And Renewable Energy Certificate Prices In Five Northeastern States, Yazhou Li

Honors Papers

A number of US states have passed renewable portfolio standard, a mandate that ensures a certain amount of energy to be generated by renewable sources, to offset carbon emission or create local jobs. While states' renewable portfolio standards have similar features, their designs vary substantially. In this paper, I investigate the design features and renewable energy certificate prices in five northeastern states that are trading in two trading systems to see how renewable portfolio standards are working in those states. The regression on bidding and asking price differences reveals considerable differences among states in Class I renewable energy certificate prices …

Activating Community To Enable Residential Energy Efficiency, David Roswell

Honors Papers

This paper looks into the challenges to and opportunities in enabling residential energy efficiency, with a focus on Oberlin, OH. After laying out a basic framework, the paper has three main sections. First, it reviews and discusses financial barriers to residential energy. Next, it discusses social and psychological barriers, and discusses the Energy Advocate program that has successfully addressed these barriers. Finally, it discusses the physical barriers of old housing stock. It recommends developing a home repair cooperative to address the physical barriers to energy efficiency.

Experiments To Measure The Effects Of Timber Harvesting Equipment On Surface Lithic Scatters, Douglas J. Baughman

All Master's Theses

The importance of cultural resource preservation cannot be overstated; however local economies are at least as important. Due to conservative archaeological site protection practices in Region 5 of the United States Forest Service, the economy of Northeastern California is being adversely affected. In an attempt to help the Forest Service make more informed management decisions and improve the Northeastern California economy, I undertook experiments on the effects of timber harvesting on lithic scatters on Modoc National Forest. The experiments involved placement of 225 glass tiles (proxy lithics) in each of three plots subject to vehicle traffic and log dragging by …

Mapa De Desafios Cartográficos 2013, Gtaso, David S. Salisbury

Geography and the Environment Maps

Mapa de Desafios Cartográficos 2013

Map of Cartographic Challenges 2013

Mapa De Territorios Indígenas Y Áreas Naturales Protegidas En Las Fronteras Amazónicas Entre Ucayali Y Madre De Dios (Perú), Acre (Brasil) Y Pando (Bolivia), Gtaso, David S. Salisbury

Geography and the Environment Maps

Mapa de Territorios Indígenas y Áreas Naturales Protegidas en las Fronteras Amazónicas entre Ucayali y Madre de Dios (Perú), Acre (Brasil) y Pando (Bolivia)

Map of Indigenous Territories and Protected Areas in the Amazon Borders between Ucayali and Madre de Dios (Peru), Acre (Brazil), and Pando (Bolivia)

Mapa Del Corredor Socioambiental De Las Fronteras Amazónicas Entre Ucayali, Madre De Dios (Perú), Acre (Brasil) Y Pando (Bolivia), Gtaso, David S. Salisbury

Geography and the Environment Maps

Mapa del Corredor Socioambiental de las Fronteras Amazónicas entre Ucayali, Madre de Dios (Perú), Acre (Brasil) y Pando (Bolivia).

Map of the Amazonian boundaries between Ucayali, Madre de Dios (Peru), Acre (Brazil) and Pando (Bolivia).

More Studies In Rio Grande Valley History, Milo Kearney, Anthony K. Knopp, Antonio Zavaleta

Studies in Rio Grande Valley Regional History Series

Matamoros' love song to Brownsville : a poem / Milo Kearney -- Con un pie en cada lado : origins of El Rancho San Lorenzo de las Minas / Mary Jo Galindo -- The rise of banking in Matamoros and Brownsville / Louis Benavides -- The daily Brownsville ranchero / Norman C. Delaney -- Maximilian's bed in Brownsville / Don Clifford -- The U.S. consulate in Matamoros and instability in Matamoros and Brownsville in 1870 / César García -- The Lightbournes of the Point Isabel lighthouse / Antonio N. Zavaleta -- Movie theaters for Hispanics in the Rio Grande Valley, …

The Elwha River Restoration: Landscape Change, Salmon, And Sense Of Place, Kelseyanne Johnson

All Master's Theses

Removal of the Elwha River dams to restore the ecosystem and salmon fisheries is the largest project of its kind in the history of the United States. Spanning decades and affecting generations, this project has changed and will continue to change the landscape. This research examined the influence of the anticipated return of salmon on 18 key stakeholders' sense of place of the Elwha River. For almost all stakeholders, changes to the Elwha landscape are welcomed as they expect that salmon will restore the ecosystem to its natural state. Narrative data revealed dominant themes in participants' sense of place expressed …

Plants And Animals As Saviors And Invaders: Changing Perspectives On Invasive Species From The Colonial Era To The 21st Century, Meghan Leann Holmes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Human beings integrate their environment into their group identities. Familiar plants and animals become associated with cultural memories through food, music, and everyday interaction. When species enter a new environment and change the composition of species within a space these plants and animals challenge assumptions of cultural unity and national and regional identities. In the Colonial era European arrivals brought plants and animals for economic and aesthetic purposes to maintain cultural traditions and environmental familiarity. This practice changed following the rise of nationalism in the late 19 th century. Americans continued to grow crops and raise livestock from other countries …

The Geography Of Global Urban Greenhouse Gas Emissions: An Exploratory Analysis, Jochen Albrecht, Peter Marcotullio, Amdrea Sarzynski, Niels Schulz, Jake Garcia

Publications and Research

The purpose of this paper is to describe global urban greenhouse gas emissions by region and sector, examine the distribution of emissions through the urban-to-rural gradient, and identify covariates of emission levels for our baseline year, 2000.We usemultiple existing spatial databases to identify urban extent, greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, N2O, CH4 and SF6) and covariates of emissions in a “top-down” analysis. The results indicate that urban activities are significant sources of total greenhouse gas emissions (36.8 and 48.6 % of total). The urban energy sector accounts for between 41.5 and 66.3 % of total energy emissions. Significant differences exist in …

International Organizations, Free Trade And Environmental Citizenship: Mexico And Chile In Comparative Perspective, Sherrie Baver

Publications and Research

This paper focuses on the potential of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and specific International Organizations (IOs) to promote democratic and effective environmental governance. FTAs are often cited in the political science literature for their negative impacts; yet, they are central to the present stage of economic globalization. Given that U.S. FTAs have environmental requirements as do accession agreements to developed country IOs (e.g. OECD), they remain under-explored institutions providing space for activists to expand environmental citizenship. The specific research question explored here is how might activists use these institutions to promote procedural environmental rights to information, participation, and justice, collectively …

Heavy Metal Accumulation In The Skeleton Of Porites Lutea From Ngam Island, Trat Province, Thailand, Mueanfan Boonkanta, Nathsuda Pumijumnong

Applied Environmental Research

For investigating variation of heavy metal concentration in growth bands of coral skeletons, Poriteslutea samples were collected from Ngam Island, Trat province, Thailand. The skeleton samples were cleaned using oxidative and reductive treatments to effectively eliminate detritus and organic materials and were acid-digested. Five heavy metals, cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), in the growth bands of Porites lutea were analyzed using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS) and Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GFAAS). As a result, the range of heavy metals found in coral skeletons (µg g-1 as dry weight) was: Cd (0.01-0.19), Cr …

Aerosol And Cloud Condensation Nuclei Distribution During Summer Season Over Northern Region Of Thailand, Pakdee Chantraket, Nuenghatai Tantiplubthong, Thitikorn Chanyatham

Applied Environmental Research

Background aerosol and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) measurements are crucial to comprehend the impacts of cloud processes and formations. During summer season from March to May 2012 using all 14 flights of research super king air aircraft, aerosol concentrations (CN) and CCN at super-saturation 0.50 % were carried out over seven provinces in the rural background aerosol of northern Thailand. Aerosol size spectra between 20 nm and 50 \mum were also measured with combining measurements from the differential mobility analyzer (DMA), passive cavity aerosol spectrometer (PCASP) and fast-forwarding scattering spectrometer probe (FSSP). CCN concentrations were measured with CCN Counter. In …

Effect Of Ecological Factors On Vegetation And Carbon Stock On Samaesan Island, Chonburi Province, Thailand, Nathsuda Pumijumnong, Paramate Payomrat

Applied Environmental Research

This study aims to classify this littoral evergreen forest and to analyze the environmental factors that determine its composition and structure and evaluate the potential of carbon stock of each vegetation community. Seventy-five plots were sampled, the plant cover was measured, and the importance value index was calculated. Thirty-seven soil samples were analyzed, and cluster analysis was employed to classify the vegetation communities. Floristic and environmental data were evaluated and ordered using the canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). THEOS was applied to classify the vegetation boundary. Allometric equations were used to calculate the aboveground biomass. The results revealed that the vegetation …

Urban Heat Island Phenomenon In Relation To Land Use/Land Cover In Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Area, Parinya Chayapong, Songkot Dasananda

Applied Environmental Research

The urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon can be found in the megacities around the world where near-surface temperatures over the city core area were notably higher than those over the surrounding rural area. Intensity of the UHI phenomenon (\inline \DeltaT) was usually measured by the temperature differences between urban locations and some refereed rural sites. This situation was resulted mainly from the presence of dense builtup elements, e.g. commercial buildings or houses, as well as human activities that tended to release considerable heat into atmosphere. At present, the UHI monitoring can be done efficiently by using satellite-based thermal infrared (TIR) …

Metal Concentrations In The Water And Bedrock Of Ogun River, Nigeria, Anslem Diayi, Michael Gbadebo

Applied Environmental Research

Parts of the Ogun River basin namely Mokoloki, Brewery, Akomoje, Akin Olugbade, Lafenwa, Oyan, Arakanga, and Kara were surveyed to determine the effects of bedrock metals on the water quality of the river. Physicochemical analyses were done on the bedrock and water samples obtained while bedrock trace metal analyses were determined using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry. Water trace metal analyses were carried out by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). Data obtained were subjected to the Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Results obtained showed that Cadmium (Cd) (0.425-1.990 ppm for bedrock samples and 0.005-0.011 mg L-1 for water samples) …

Livelihood Dynamic In Semi Arid Communities: Adapting To Climate Change Around Kainji Lake, Nigeria, Usman Raheem, Felix Olorunfemi, Olutoyin Fashae, Gbenga Awotayo

Applied Environmental Research

The consequences of climate change and extreme meteorological events, particularly for rural dwellers is the collapse of many natural resource based livelihood systems. Thus as an adaptation strategy, many households often need to change their major occupation or supplement it with some other jobs that may be less vulnerable to during extreme weather conditions. This study examines livelihood diversification consequent on climate change and/or extreme weather events in the semi-arid regions of Nigeria. This is with a view to determining the sustainability of adaptation strategies among rural dwellers. Using a mixed method approach, Focus Group Discussion sessions and structured questionnaire …

Bird Use Of Heterogeneous Native Prairie Biofuel Production Plots, Jarrett D. Pfrimmer

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Changing land use practices and agricultural intensification have driven the loss of >90% of native grassland habitats in the Midwestern U.S.A. Consequently, grassland birds have declined more drastically than any other North American guild. Current biofuel production systems in the Midwest rely on high input monoculture crops that provide little habitat value to most grassland birds. The Tallgrass Prairie Center at the University of Northern Iowa is exploring the feasibility of growing and harvesting diverse mixes of native prairie vegetation for use as a sustainable biofuel in a manner that also provides high quality bird habitat. In 2009, 48 research …