Geography Commons^™

Geospatial Informational Security Risks And Concerns Of The U.S. Air Force Geobase Program, Scott A. Bryant

Theses and Dissertations

Technological advancements such as Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) and the Internet have made it easier and affordable to share information, which enables complex and time sensitive decisions to be made with higher confidence. Further, advancements in information technology have dramatically increased the ability to store, manage, integrate, and correlate larger amounts of data to improve operational efficiency. However, the same technologies that enable increased productivity also provide increased capabilities to those wishing to do harm. Today’s military leaders are faced with the challenge of deciding how to make geospatial information collected on military installations and organizations available to authorized communities …

Tackling Biocomplexity With Meta-Models For Species Risk Assessment, Philip J. Nyhus, Robert C. Lacy, Francis R. Westley, Philip S. Miller, Harrie Harrie Vredenburg, Paul C. Paquet, John Pollak

Faculty Scholarship

We describe results of a multi-year effort to strengthen consideration of the human dimension into endangered species risk assessments and to strengthen research capacity to understand biodiversity risk assessment in the context of coupled human-natural systems. A core group of social and biological scientists have worked with a network of more than 50 individuals from four countries to develop a conceptual framework illustrating how human-mediated processes influence biological systems and to develop tools to gather, translate, and incorporate these data into existing simulation models. A central theme of our research focused on (1) the difficulties often encountered in identifying and …

Merging Gps Data With High Spatial Resolution Multispectral Imagery: An Urban Recreation Case Study, Daniel Unger, David Kulhavy, Jerome E. Benson Ii

Faculty Publications

In 1992 a disc golf course was created by Alpha Phi Omega, Nu Sigma Chapter of Stephen F. Austin State University within Pecan Park in the c ity of Nacogdoches, Texas. Using constructs from Landscape Ecology, in cluding structure, function and change within a land mosaic provided the basis for establishment of the course. The addition of the disc golf cour se modified the use of the park promoting cultural cohesion among the disc golf enthusiasts. To aid the recreational enjoyment of golf participants, vector m aps of each fairway were created when the disc course was developed and loca …

Estimation Of The Effects Of Vegetation On Local Climate Using Gis And Remote Sensing Data, Won Hoi Hwang

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

As one of the effective methods to control urban temperatures, the effects of trees and other vegetation have come into focus. Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing data, Digital Orthophoto Quarter-Quadrangle (DOQQ) and Landsat Thematic Mapper (Landsat TM), have been applied in this study to analyze the UHI. The effect of road-side trees on local micro-climate was examined with in-situ temperature measurement and simulated shade. Regression analyses revealed significant negative slopes for all time periods. This trend continued throughout the entire night until sunrise the next morning. The relationship between thermal patterns and vegetation distributions was investigated using the …

Scotland: The New Melting Pot?, Alexandria Rovatsos

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Discussion of population issues increasingly centers on the low fertility rates common in much of the developed world. As a result of these low fertility rates and increased longevity, populations across much of Europe are getting older and in many cases declining in size. In response, governments with low fertility rates have implemented a variety of policies to maintain their population. While many countries have tried to boost fertility, Scotland had opted for a less popular approach, i.e. pro-immigration. This thesis focuses on Scotland and the policy implemented by the government to combat low fertility.

Mapping Khulan Habitats: A Gis-Based Approach, Henrik Von Wehrden, Karsten Wesche

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

This paper focuses on the contribution that a combination of public domain GIS data with extensive habitat data can make to Khulan conservation in southern Mongolia. We describe a dataset taken in the Great Gobi 'A' Strictly Protected Area which represents the driest region within the overall Khulan distribution range. Potential habitats were classified following a phyto-sociological approach based on vegetation samples collected in the field. These data are combined with an open source climate model that allowed assessment of the influences of mean precipitation and temperature regime on habitat conditions. The results are put into a Gobi-wide context providing …

Emerging Near-Real Time Forage Monitoring Technology With Application To Large Herbivore Management In Mongolia, Dennis P. Sheehy, Jerry W. Stuth, Douglas E. Johnson, Jay Angerer, Douglas Tolleson

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

Large herbivore livestock and wildlife in Mongolia depend almost entirely for substance on forage standing crop produced each year on natural pastureland. Consequently, both livestock and wildlife are continuously subject to environmental risk, especially drought and severe winter storms, while livestock are also subject to financial risk. As consumption-based livestock production changes to commercialized livestock production, steps taken by the livestock herder to avert both environmental and financial risk to livestock can increase environmental risk to large wild herbivores. A realistic and workable pastureland and risk management system will be critical for conservation of large herbivore habitat. New technologies are …

Biodiversity In Space And Time: Towards A Grid Mapping For Mongolia, Michael Stubbe, Annegret Stubbe, Henrik Von Wehrden, Nayamsuren Batsaikhan, Ravčigijn Samjaa

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

In the future, grid mapping of animal and plant organisms will also play a major role in Mongolia. Based on geographical coordinates, a grid with a resolution of 100 x 100 km was created, which contained 561 cells. Methods and level of current understanding are exemplified by means of two raptors and three mammal species. This establishes a basis for an initial project, which will summarize all breeding occurrences of raptors based on all records, publications, or diary notes. For the first time, the short toed eagle was verified in Mongolia as a breeding bird in 2004. By 2006, ten …

An Analysis Of Services Provided By Faith-Based Organizations To Cleveland’S Ward 17 Community, Mark Salling

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Spatial Accuracy Of Applanix DssTm Model-301 Sensor Stereo Imagery Using A Survey Gps Ground Control Network, Robert C. Weih Jr., David W. Rowton

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

During the past decade, Geographic Information Systems (GISs) have become widely used in many disciplines and that has created demands for accurate high-resolution digital data, especially digital imagery. Photogrammetry has emerged as one of the most important disciplines employed in the collection of spatially related information for use in GIS databases, especially for terrestrial landscapes. This study assessed the horizontal and vertical accuracy of the Applanix Digital Sensor System (DSS"") 301 orthophotographs. The study area was located on the University of Arkansas at Monticello campus and included 950 acres. To assess the spatial accuracy of the DSS, 56 Ground Control …

Brief Description And Analysis Of The Census Bureau's 2006 Population Estimates For Incorporated Places For Cleveland And Other Ohio Cities, Mark Salling

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

No abstract provided.

Dynamic Gis, Jochen Albrecht

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Key Concepts And Techniques In Gis, Jochen Albrecht

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

An Analytical Overview Of The Factors Influencing Housing Accessibility Of Bangladeshi Immigrants In Kitchener-Waterloo, Farzana Afreen Propa

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This study explores Bangladeshi immigrants’ settlement experiences in Kitchener-Waterloo (K-W) and alyses their housing history, housing search process, barriers and discrimination in accessing housing in the area. It reveals the factors that influence Bangladeshi immigrants housing accessibility in K-W. It also summarises recommendations to support and improve their housing situation. Qualitative research methods were used to collect and document the findings of the research.

The study findings reveal Bangladeshi immigrant households in K-W have comparaitvely higher levels of education compared to mainstream population and better employment condition compared to other Bangladeshi immigrants living in Toronto or Montreal. Many of these …

Lightning Signature Assessment To Forecast Tornado Formation, Mary Snow, Richard Snow, Nicole Kufa

Publications

Recent research suggests that a maximum rate of lightning strikes occurs at least 15 to 20 minutes prior to tornado formation within a supercell storm. These maxima are associated with strengthening updrafts as they appear in radar measurements. An increase in lightning rates correlates with an increase of shear in the lower part of the storm. In combination with a strong updraft or downdraft, this shear can provide the ingredients for rotation and possibly a tornado. Polarity reversal of lightning around the time of tornado touchdown also has been examined. Thus, increasing lightning flash rates and reversal of lightning strike …

Biomass Estimation And Classification Of Secondary Succession Using Radar And Optical Remote Sensing Data Based On Textural And Spectral Analysis In Amazonia, Ping Jiang

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Deforestation that happened during past decades in the Amazon Basin has been potentially affecting the global climate and carbon-cycle by contributing a vast amount of carbon into the atmosphere. Above-ground biomass (AGB) estimation of secondary successional and mature forests using remote sensing technology has been attracting scientists' attention. Optical sensor data are sensitive to forest canopies only, and therefore have limitations in AGB estimation, especially for tropical forests with complex structures and abundant species. Radar signals have the ability to penetrate canopies to detect the sub-layers of forests, and therefore potentially have a better performance in AGB estimation. Based on …

People, Pixels, & Weights: Some Novel Applications Of Remote Sensing And Geographically Weighted Regression For Evansville, Indiana, Eric W. Lafary

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The exploration of urban-environmental changes and how those transformations co-vary with observed socio-economic realities is currently a major research initiative in geography. To that end, this thesis develops an urban-environmental assessment regime that examines how environmental change co-varies with observed socio-economic conditions. Research has demonstrated existing linkages between observed conditions in regard to socio-economic status (SES) and a particular greenness index, as represented by, normal difference vegetation index (NDVI). However, a gap within the literature has been identified concerning the current methodologies that propose to predict SES using remotely sensed data. Therefore, this thesis addresses this gap within the related …

Bias In Severe Thunderstorm And Tornado Warnings Issued By The National Weather Service In The Doppler Radar Era: A Spatial-Temporal Evaluation, Gary S. Votaw

Theses and Dissertations

A climatology of severe thunderstorm (damaging wind and/or hail) and tornadoes in the United States has established the location of the areas of highest frequency of occurrence. This climatology was attained through analysis of a basic data source, that of observed events, which carries many associated biases. Among these biases is the requirement that someone be on hand to witness the event no matter what time of the day or night, the assumption that the observer had sufficient visibility to see the event clearly, and whether there was something available on location to damage. In this study I use an …

Accuracy Assessment Of Land Cover Maps Derived From Multiple Data Sources, Daniel Unger, Hillary Tribby, Hans Michael Williams, I-Kuai Hung

Faculty Publications

Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) supervised classification methods were used to demarcate land cover types within IKONOS and Landsat ETM+ imagery. Three additional data sources were integrated into the classification process: Canopy Height Model (CHM), Digital Terrain Model (DTM) and Thermal data. Both the CHM and DTM were derived from multiple return small footprint LIDAR. Forty maps were created and assessed for overall map accuracy, user's accuracy, producer's accuracy, kappa statistic and Z statistic using classification schemes from U.S.G.S. 1976 levels 1 and 2 and T.G.l.C. 1999 levels 2 and 4. Results for overall accuracy of land …

Spatial Analysis Of Historic Cemeteries: Using High Spatial Resolution Imagery As A Visual Aid, Richard E. Brooks, Daniel Unger, I-Kuai Hung

Faculty Publications

Oak Grove Cemetery, located within the City of Nacogdoches in Nacogdoches County Texas, is one of the earliest cemeteries in the county dating to the early 1800’s. Several historic Texans are interred within this cemetery including Thomas J. Rusk and Charles S. Taylor who was the great-great-grandfather of current United States Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. Due to a fire circa 1910 many of the records for the original section of the cemetery were lost. In the summer of 2006, the GPS coordinates of each grave marker within the cemetery were plotted on a backdrop of 6 inch spatial resolution multispectral …

Foreign-Born Population In Selected Ohio Cities, 1870 To 2000 A Brief Descriptive Report, Mark Salling, Ellen Cyran

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

No abstract provided.

Using The Census Bureau's Public Use Microdata For Migration Analysis, Mark Salling, Ellen Cyran

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

Using the Census Bureau's Public Use Microdata for Migration Analysis, Proceedings of the annual conference of the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association, Vancouver, BC, Canada, September 2006, pp.336-348.

Understanding Global Positioning System Limitations: A Case Study Of Mapping And Survey Grade Gps, Buren B. Defee Ii, Chris Stuhlinger

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

[email protected]

Potential Of Gis Geographical Information Systems As A Tool For Integrating Maritime Environmental Issues And Coastal Zone Management, Fredrik Haag

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Foreign Migration To The Cleveland-Akron-Lorain Metropolitan Area From 1995 To 2000, Mark Salling, Ellen Cyran

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

This report is one of a series on migration to and from the region using the five percent Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) of the 2000 Census of Population and Housing and provides a description of foreign migrants moving to the Cleveland-Akron-Lorain (CAL) Consolidated Metropolitan Area (CMSA) from 1995 to 2000.* The report identifies the countries of origin of migrants and compares the demographic, socioeconomic, and housing characteristics of the foreign migrants to the CAL with other groups, including foreign migrants to Ohio and the nation, and, at times, to domestic migrants to and from the CAL.

Biomass Estimation Using Statistical And Neural Network Analysis Of Aster Data, Vijay O. Lulla

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study assessed the performance of different biomass estimation methods using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) lll data in a temperate forest. Multiple linear regression statistics of spectral band data and derived indices with biomass values were compared with advanced neural network models created with spectral band data and indices to model biomass values. Biomass for the study area was estimated using both of these methods and the results were discussed. The data were analyzed using multivariate statistical analysis. Correlation analysis and regression analysis were employed to understand the relationship of biomass to the spectral data and …

The Changing Demographic, Legal, And Technological Contexts Of Political Representation, Benjamin Forest

Dartmouth Scholarship

Three developments have created challenges for political representation in the U.S. and particularly for the use of territorially based representation (election by district). First, the demographic complexity of the U.S. population has grown both in absolute terms and in terms of residential patterns. Second, legal developments since the 1960s have recognized an increasing number of groups as eligible for voting rights protection. Third, the growing technical capacities of computer technology, particularly Geographic Information Systems, have allowed political parties and other organizations to create election districts with increasingly precise political and demographic characteristics. Scholars have made considerable progress in measuring and …

Remotely Sensed Data To Map Forest Age Class By Cover Type In East Texas, Daniel Unger, I-Kuai Hung, Jeffrey M. Williams, James Kroll, Dean W. Coble, Jason Grogan

Faculty Publications

• Remote sensing in conjunction with ground truthing, can accurately quantify forest composition and age distributions in East Texas.
• Method uses standardized and readily available data available to the general public.
• Method was shown to be effective in terms of time and cost.

An Assessment Of The Impacts Of Climate Change On The Upper Clackamas River Basin With A Distributed Hydrologic Model, David Graves

Dissertations and Theses

The Pacific Northwest is dependent on seasonal snowmelt for water resources that support a significant portion of its economy. Increased temperatures resulting from higher concentrations of atmospheric greenhouse gases may cause disruptions to these resources because of reductions in the annual snowpack and variations of the timing of snowmelt. This study reconstructs and applies a GIS-based distributed hydrologic model at a monthly scale to assess the effects of future climate change on runoff from the Upper Clackamas River Basin (located near Portland, Oregon). Historic flow data and snow measurements are used to calibrate and test the performance of the hydro …

Visualizing Complexity : A Spatial Analysis Of Decorative Geometric Pattern In The Islamic World, 900-1400 Ad, Tracy Elizabeth Harrison

Dissertations and Theses

This study explores how the use of complex decorative geometric patterns in Islamic architecture spatially relates to advances in the fields of science and philosophy in the Islamic world between the ninth and fourteenth centuries. This project examines hypotheses developed by vario~s scholars on the forces that shaped the use of these patterns (known as the geometric mode) in Islamic architecture. The prevailing assumption that advances in mathematics contributed to the use of the geometric mode is used as a starting point for subsequent analysis.

For this study, two spatial databases were created. One contains over two hundred and twenty …