Geography Commons^™

Best Practices For Applying And Interpreting The Total Operating Characteristic, Tanner Honnef, Robert Gilmore Pontius

Geography

The Total Operating Characteristic (TOC) is an improvement on the quantitative method called the Relative Operating Characteristic (ROC), both of which plot the association between a binary variable and a rank variable. TOC curves reveal the sizes of the four entries in the confusion matrix at each threshold, which make TOC curves more easily interpretable than ROC curves. The TOC has become popular, especially to assess the fit of simulation models to predict land change. However, the literature has shown variation in how authors apply and interpret the TOC, creating some misleading conclusions. Our manuscript lists best practices when applying …

Between Borders And Belief: Perspectives Of Aid Workers On Religion In A Migrant Shelter In Mexico, Kendall O. Roy

Senior Theses

This thesis seeks to understand the significance of religion in the Central American migration context through the eyes of humanitarian aid workers. It is based on interviews that I conducted in May of 2024 with staff members at a migrant shelter in Mexico, analysis of prior scholarship, and building upon an understanding of relevant religious history in Latin America. I will delve into trends that the aid workers observed in areas such as religious practices and beliefs of migrants, shelter functions that addressed and nurtured spiritual well-being, and the influence of the Church as an institution on humanitarian aid work. …

Woven By Culture: A Comparative Study Of Traditional Dress Across Regions And The Societal Forces Behind Fashion, James T. Granger

Senior Theses

This study attempts to examine how societal influences that different countries have obtained from years past affect their traditional fashion. By sketching 200 traditional female dresses from every sovereign country in the world, I have taken the time to analyze and create depictions of their sociological and stylistic choices. I have chosen to examine the countries of Cambodia, Republic of Congo, Croatia, Cuba, Finland, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Panama, and Tonga as they all represent different regions of the globe. Breaking down each of their dresses into their specific garments and accessories is essential to better understand the culture and the …

Development Of Al Ain Flash Flood Risk Maps\ Utilizing High-Resolution And Accurate Remote Sensing Data, Khaled Khamis Al Arfati

Dissertations

Al Ain City has undergone significant land use transformations from 1992 to 2022, marked by a population increase of over 50% and extensive development activities. This period has seen the construction of new residential areas, infrastructure, and commercial establishments, as well as enhancements to green spaces. An analysis of the Digital Terrain Model (DTM) revealed an 83% alteration in the terrain due to urbanization and shifting sand dunes, with most elevation changes under 5 meters.

The primary aim of this dissertation is to develop accurate flash flood risk maps for

Al Ain using high-resolution remote sensing data. This research highlights …

The Insurgent Smart City: How A Social Movement Created An Alternative Imaginary Of The Smart City, Andrew Stokols

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

Urban scholars have critiqued smart cities for their association with neoliberal governance, narrow focus on quantifiable aspects of urban systems, and failure to incorporate citizens’ needs or aspirations. The “smart city” remains a contested concept and as such is subject to reappropriation. Here, I analyze the case of an urban social movement, the 2019–2020 Hong Kong Anti-ELAB protests, as an alternative, “insurgent smart city.” Following from an earlier network analysis of Telegram channels used during the protests, I show how the communications system underpinning much of the protest action simultaneously enabled coordination while also remaining open to grassroots decision-making and …

Geo-Ai For Wetland Classification And Evolutionary Analysis, Lirong Yin

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Wetlands, as a crucial component of the Earth's ecosystem, play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance and preserving biodiversity. However, wetlands are currently facing severe challenges, as both natural and human-induced factors are contributing to their global degradation. Gaining a deep understanding of the species composition and biodiversity within wetland-covered areas and accurately analyzing their changing trends not only helps assess the current and future state of wetlands but also provides strong support for the formulation of scientifically sound wetland conservation strategies. In recent years, the rapid development of geospatial intelligence and remote sensing technologies has brought new opportunities …

Advancing Methods For Comparative Urban Research: A City-Centric Protocol And Longitudinal Dataset For Us Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Jason R. Jurjevich, Katie Meehan, Nicholas M. J. W. Chun, Greg Schrock

Urban Studies and Planning Faculty Publications and Presentations

Comparative urban research in the USA has an unacknowledged data and methodological problem at the metropolitan scale, rooted in geographic and definitional boundary changes of urban areas across time. In this article, we introduce a new spatial dataset, decision criteria, and methodological protocol for longitudinal and comparative research with US metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs)—known as ‘metros’—in a way that centers a ‘city-centric’ approach to comparison while significantly reducing spatial error and bias. First, we review gaps and limitations of existing approaches and identify three major but previously unacknowledged sources of error, including a new source of bias we call ‘spanning …

Volume 21 Complete Issue, Robert M. Ward

The Geographical Bulletin

Volume 21 Complete Issue

Cover And Forewords, Robert M. Ward

The Geographical Bulletin

Cover and Forewords

Metrics, And How It All Came About, Harold E. Padelford

The Geographical Bulletin

Surveying? Just use the laser beam for a measuring device; accuracy of one mm to a range of eight km. But why the need for accuracy and what is a meter? The use of the meter as the basis of all linear measurement has been a matter of controversy for several centuries. Some few nations oppose the adoption of the metric system, most nations have adopted it wholly. No effort will be made here to analyze the controversy. However, the controversy leads one to wonder why and how the metric system came into existence. The purpose of this article is …

News From The Chapters 1980-81, Robert M. Ward

The Geographical Bulletin

News from the Chapters 1980-81

The St. Clair River Delta A Unique Lake Delta*, C. Nicholas Raphael, Eugene Jaworski

The Geographical Bulletin

Because of long-term and shortterm lake level changes, the geomorphology and vegetation patterns of the St. Clair River delta are unique. Marine delta studies and Late Quaternary chronology in the Great Lakes have progressed significantly in the past decade and the delta is investigated from the viewpoint of these developments. Although this delta has a shape similar to the Mississippi River delta, several forms and processes are different.

United States/Canada Electricity Exchange: The Case Of The Michigan/Ontario Border, Carl F. Ojala, Elwood J.C. Kureth

The Geographical Bulletin

The energy problem is the first of its kind to have repercussions throughout the world. Driven by unavoidable economic circumstances, it would have developed eventually regardless of the decisions of particular world leaders or consortiums. Energy supply and demand have created new tensions and uncertainties within and among countries. The problem has profound impact on the management of a nation's economy and affects relations between nations. It requires adjustments for all to make; it involves breaking old contacts and establishing new international ties.

Inter-Prefectural Migration Of Older Adults In The Tokyo Metropolitan Area, Katsuyoshi Nakazawa, Shinji Komatsu

Japanese Society and Culture

This study uses population migration data from the 2020 National Census to examine the migration of older adults within the Tokyo metropolitan area and between the Tokyo metropolitan area and other areas. The main results are as follows: In the Tokyo metropolitan area, both older adults aged 65–74 and those aged 75 and over move out of Tokyo to the three surrounding prefectures. This tendency was more prevalent in those aged 75 and over than those aged 65–74. Regarding migration between the Tokyo metropolitan area and other areas, the results show the opposite trend, with those aged 65–74 outflowing from …

Cover And Forewords, Robert M. Ward

The Geographical Bulletin

Cover and Forewords

Volume 23 Complete Issue, Robert M. Ward

The Geographical Bulletin

Volume 23 Complete Issue

Data Collection And Field Research Opportunities And Problems In India, A. K. Chakravarti

The Geographical Bulletin

There are few countries in the world which can provide such a wide range of problems for field study as India. For both macro and micro level studies, spatial variations in physical, cultural, economic and political conditions within a short distance may be phenomenal and provide a complex matrix for analysis. India is divided into linguistic states. A linguistic state in turn may contain tertiary subcultures, each with a different set of conditions within its boundaries. On a linguistic state may be superimposed three distinct areas of tertiary subcultures, viz., urban, rural-and tribal, each with different levels of education, standard …

Protecting Farmland In Maryland: A Review Of The Agricultural Land Preservation Program, Craig Shollenberger

The Geographical Bulletin

During the past ten to twelve years, we have witnessed an acceleration in the conversion of farmland to non-agricultural uses. The rate of conversion averaged approximately three million acres per year between 1970 and 1980. The loss of farmland has been more acute in some states than others. For example, New Hampshire and Rhode Island could lose all their prime farmland by the year 2000 if present rates continue. West Virginia could lose 73% of its prime farmland, Connecticut 70%, Massachusetts 51%, Maryland 44%, Vermont 43%, and Utah 35% if current trends continue.

A Study Of Student Reaction To Overhead Projection Of Map Concepts, Horace Macmahan

The Geographical Bulletin

More often than not, the most conspicuous teaching device in any college or university classroom is the overhead projector. It has become so essential to many instructors that it remains in the room as a permanent fixture. But how effectively do transparencies projected onto a screen convey the ideas that we want to teach? For example, does overhead projection of map images enhance the learning of map concepts? Or would chalkboard sketches of map symbols, elevation contours and so forth be a more receptive teaching medium?

Astronomical Geography: An Examination Of The Early American Literature, James W. Vining

The Geographical Bulletin

Judging from textbooks in geography, there must be educational value in starting with the general and proceeding to the specific, an application of the deductive approach. It is not uncommon today for introductory physical geography and earth science textbooks to precede the examination of the planet's interior, land-water surface, and atmosphere with a brief survey of the fundamentals of astronomy. Not only is this true today, it has been true from the beginnings of American geography, as this study documents. Specifically, this paper examines the information on astronomy in geography school books published before 1850 for the purposes of determining …

The Dark Heart Of Europe: Culture Conflict In Transylvania, Dean Sinclair

The Geographical Bulletin

The Dark Heart of Europe: Culture Conflict in Transylvania

Editor's Comments Guest Editorial Applied Geography: Retrospect And Prospect, Charles F. Gritzner

The Geographical Bulletin

Just as the wayward Christian often seeks atonement and salvation during troubled times of crisis, so too has geography knelt before the altar seeking to be born again. In the judgment of some, we have sinned. We have worshiped false idols and turned our backs to the desperate cries of even our own followers. Now we ourselves plead for understanding, a new perspective, and redemption. A voice calls out, warning us that there is but "one Lord, one faith, one baptism." As Christians, we know we have heard Truth; as geographers, aware of the many perceptions of god held by …

Cover And Forewords, Robert M. Ward

The Geographical Bulletin

Cover and Forewords

News From The Chapters 1982-83, Robert M. Ward

The Geographical Bulletin

News from the Chapters 1983

Volume 22 Complete Issue, Robert M. Ward

The Geographical Bulletin

Volume 22 Complete Issue

Comments On Robert Ward's Apathy, Sharafat Khan

The Geographical Bulletin

I am a firm believer in quality research and teaching. Thus I was very pleased to read Robert Ward's comments regarding "apathy" on the part of the students to produce and submit quality research papers for publication. While I am in congruence with most of the comments, I do, however, feel that Dr. Ward is rather overly critical than one might expect. Dr. Ward fails to consider the many pressures under which most students must work, especially at the graduate level. I am not making .any excuses nor attempting to protect the student body, but I feel that this dimension …

A Crack In The Dustbowl, Robert Garino

The Geographical Bulletin

Dust storms have been a common occurrence in the southwestern plains of the United States. Thus, the name "dustbowl" is an apt one given to a region which includes the central part of the six state area of Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska (Figure 1). Before the 1930s, there had been periodic droughts in this region, but the dusty conditions that accompanied them had always been restricted to the drought stricken area. Since the population of this region was relatively small, and few acres of land were farmed, the dust severely affected only a small number of …

Some Engineering Aspects In Industrial Site Selection*, Stuart Vaughn

The Geographical Bulletin

To begin with, let us separate industrial site development into two broad categories: (1) that which is decided very early in the study by a corporation in its home office involving the general geographic region in which it wants to locate and (2) those field investigations carried on by personnel such as myself where we actually look at specific potential industrial sites in the field. Although many facts influence a decision by our Company on what region to locate a new plant in, the most pertinent are those factors that directly influence the operational costs of the plant. These are …

The Historical Development Of Delta Air Lines, Malcolm Fairweather

The Geographical Bulletin

In 1979, the last year for which complete statistics are available, the airlines of the United States carried a record 317 million passengers over 262 billion passenger miles. Although gross revenues increased to $27 billions that year, net earnings plummeted from $1,197 millions in 1978 to $409 millions in 1979. Soaring fuel costs were the main culprit for the earnings reduction. These increased by 89 percent in a single year and accounted for $2.3 billions in increased expenditures.' In spite of a poor financial year, U.S. scheduled air carriers did provide 84.6 percent of intercity public passenger miles generated in …

Terrain Variables And The Distribution Of Mass-Wasting Sites, Canyonlands National Park, Utah, David R. Butler

The Geographical Bulletin

Canyonlands National Park is located in the wildest part of southeastern Utah (Figure 1). The Park was created by an Act of Congress in 1964. Roughly 1,170 square kilometers of canyons and mesas are preserved in the Park. Included are portions of the Green and Colorado Rivers which join in the southern third of the Park. Several subregions within the Park are recognized.