An Ornithological Investigation Of The Relationships Among Species Assemblages In Diverse Landscapes In Portland, Oregon,
2015
Portland State University
An Ornithological Investigation Of The Relationships Among Species Assemblages In Diverse Landscapes In Portland, Oregon, Trevor Attenberg
Environmental Science and Management Professional Master's Project Reports
This study involves geographic variables of the urban landscape and how they affect bird species assemblage. I utilized bird point count data from observation sites in the Portland, OR metropolitan region provided by Portland Environmental Services. Species data and its relationship with environmental variables were evaluated using Bray-Curtis Dissimilarity measurements together with Non-metric Multidimensional scaling (NMDS) to provide a clear image of the spatial relationships between sites. Land classification, water and canopy in 500 m buffers were quantified in order to describe important geographic variability among collection areas of bird data. Patterns indicating spatial trends in the urban landscape emerged. …
Identifying And Evaluating A Suitable Index For Agricultural Drought Monitoring In The Texas High Plains,
2015
Department of Agriculture, West Texas A&M University
Identifying And Evaluating A Suitable Index For Agricultural Drought Monitoring In The Texas High Plains, Jerry E. Moorhead, Prasanna H. Gowda, Vijay P. Singh, Dana O. Porter, Thomas H. Marek, Terry A. Howell, B A. Stewart
United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications
Drought is a complex and highly destructive natural phenomenon that affects portions of the United States almost every year, and severe water deficiencies can often become catastrophic for agricultural production. Evapotranspiration (ET) by crops is an important component in the agricultural water budget; thus, it is advantageous to include ET in agricultural drought monitoring. The main objectives of this study were to (1) conduct a literature review of drought indices with a focus to identify a simple but simultaneously adequate drought index for monitoring agricultural drought in a semiarid region and (2) using the identified drought index method, develop and …
Understanding Vulnerability In Alaska Fishing Communities: A Validation Methodology For Rapid Assessment Of Well-Being Indices,
2015
Central Washington University
Understanding Vulnerability In Alaska Fishing Communities: A Validation Methodology For Rapid Assessment Of Well-Being Indices, Conor M. Maguire
All Master's Theses
Social well-being indices measure how fishing communities are likely to be affected by social-ecological perturbations, and are a significant tool to identify the primary issues influencing communities’ sustained participation in fishing activities. In an attempt to further our understanding of how communities are affected by such perturbations, we have developed a rapid assessment methodology to test the external validity of a set of well-being indices that measure community vulnerability. This methodology informs how well such indices reflect the communities they represent by measuring elements of well-being through field observations, and comparing them to corresponding index components created from secondary data …
The Effects Of Global Change Upon United States Air Quality,
2015
Portland State University
The Effects Of Global Change Upon United States Air Quality, Rodrigo Gonzalez-Abraham, Serena H. Chung, Jeremy C. Avise, Brian Lamb, Eric P. Salathé Jr., Christopher G. Nolte, Dan Loughlin, Alex Guenther, Christine Wiedinmyer, Tiffany Duhl, Yang Zhang, David G. Streets
Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations
To understand more fully the effects of global changes on ambient concentrations of ozone and particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter smaller than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) in the United States (US), we conducted a comprehensive modeling effort to evaluate explicitly the effects of changes in climate, biogenic emissions, land use and global/regional anthropogenic emissions on ozone and PM2.5 concentrations and composition. Results from the ECHAM5 global climate model driven with the A1B emission scenario from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) were downscaled using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to provide regional meteorological fields. We …
Comparison Of Agency And Volunteer Stream Assessments Using Macroinvertebrate Assemblages,
2015
Eastern Illinois University
Comparison Of Agency And Volunteer Stream Assessments Using Macroinvertebrate Assemblages, David William Petry
Masters Theses
Professional stream assessments can be both time and cost intensive. Many states have developed citizen science programs in an effort to provide reliable data to supplement agency assessments. To test how two of these protocols and their conclusions compare, I sampled 16 sites in seven streams within east central Illinois using techniques from two different organizations: Illinois RiverWatch and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Overall, spring RiverWatch, fall RiverWatch, and fall IEPA sampling all produced unique results and conclusions. Compared to fall IEPA assessments, spring RiverWatch was affected by differences in both sampling protocol and season. RiverWatch sampling in fall reduced …
U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit Road Test: Bridging The Data-Practice Divide A Summary Report By Antioch University New England Center For Climate Resilience And Community Preparedness April 2015,
2015
Antioch University, New England
U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit Road Test: Bridging The Data-Practice Divide A Summary Report By Antioch University New England Center For Climate Resilience And Community Preparedness April 2015, Abigail Abrash Walton Phd, Michael Simpson Ms, Marilyn Castriotta Ms
Faculty Articles
Antioch University’s Center for Climate Preparedness and Community Resilience developed an online Facilitated Community of Practice model (FCoP) to convene 29 end-user decision-makers, working with 25 Eastern United States coastal communities, to “road test” the U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit. FCoP participants (e.g., planners, emergency preparedness and municipal administration personnel, natural resource specialists) represented communities from Norfolk, VA, to Rockland, ME. The project was designed to provide constructive feedback to federal agencies to inform the usability of the toolkit for local decision makers and planners. The project also was intended to contribute to two broader outcomes: 1. building resilience in Eastern …
Participatory Conservation Of Coastal Habitats: The Importance Of Understanding Homeowner Decision Making To Mitigate Cascading Shoreline Degradation,
2015
University of South Alabama
Participatory Conservation Of Coastal Habitats: The Importance Of Understanding Homeowner Decision Making To Mitigate Cascading Shoreline Degradation, Steven B. Scyphers, Steven J. Picou, Sean P. Powers
University Faculty and Staff Publications
Along densely populated coasts, the armoring of shorelines is a prevalent cause of natural habitat loss and degradation. This article explores the values and decision making of waterfront homeowners and identifies two interlinked and potentially reversible drivers of coastal degradation. We discovered that: (1) misperceptions regarding the environmental impacts and cost-effectiveness of different shoreline conditions was common and may promote armoring; and (2) many homeowners reported only altering their shorelines in response to damage caused by armoring on neighboring properties. Collectively, these findings suggest that a single homeowner’s decision may trigger cascading degradation along a shoreline, which highlights the necessity …
The Role Of Citizens In Detecting And Responding To A Rapid Marine Invasion,
2015
Northeastern University
The Role Of Citizens In Detecting And Responding To A Rapid Marine Invasion, Steven B. Scyphers, Sean P. Powers, J. Lad Akins, J. Marcus Drymon, Charles W. Martin, Zeb H. Schobernd, Pamela J. Schofield, Robert L. Shipp, Theodore S. Switzer
University Faculty and Staff Publications
Documenting and responding to species invasions requires innovative strategies that account for ecological and societal complexities. We used the recent expansion of Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) throughout northern Gulf of Mexico coastal waters to evaluate the role of stakeholders in documenting and responding to a rapid marine invasion. We coupled an online survey of spearfishers and citizen science monitoring programs with traditional fishery-independent data sources and found that citizen observations documented lionfish 1–2 years earlier and more frequently than traditional reef fish monitoring programs. Citizen observations first documented lionfish in 2010 followed by rapid expansion and proliferation in …
On Underestimation Of Global Vulnerability To Tree Mortality
And Forest Die-Off From Hotter Drought In The Anthropocene,
2015
USGS Fort Collins Science Center, Los Alamos NM
On Underestimation Of Global Vulnerability To Tree Mortality And Forest Die-Off From Hotter Drought In The Anthropocene, Craig D. Allen, David D. Breshears, Nate G. Mcdowell
United States Geological Survey: Staff Publications
Patterns, mechanisms, projections, and consequences of tree mortality and associated broadscale forest die-off due to drought accompanied by warmer temperatures—‘‘hotter drought’’, an emerging characteristic of the Anthropocene—are the focus of rapidly expanding literature. Despite recent observational, experimental, and modeling studies suggesting increased vulnerability of trees to hotter drought and associated pests and pathogens, substantial debate remains among research, management and policy-making communities regarding future tree mortality risks. We summarize key mortalityrelevant findings, differentiating between those implying lesser versus greater levels of vulnerability. Evidence suggesting lesser vulnerability includes forest benefits of elevated [CO2] and increased water-use efficiency; observed and modeled increases …
Estimation Of Daily Air Temperature Based On Modis Land
Surface Temperature Products Over The Corn Belt In The Us,
2015
Wuhan University
Estimation Of Daily Air Temperature Based On Modis Land Surface Temperature Products Over The Corn Belt In The Us, Linglin Zeng, Brian D. Wardlow, Tsegaye Tadesse, Jie Shan, Michael Hayes, Deren Li, Daxiang Xiang
Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies: Publications
Air temperature (Ta) is a key input in a wide range of agroclimatic applications. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Ts (Land Surface Temperature (LST)) products are widely used to estimate daily Ta. However, only daytime LST (Ts-day) or nighttime LST (Ts-night) data have been used to estimate Tmax/Tmin (daily maximum or minimum air temperature), respectively. The relationship between Tmax and Ts-night, and the one between Tmin and Ts-day has not been studied. In this study, both the ability of Ts-night data to estimate Tmax and the ability of Ts-day data to estimate Tmin were tested and studied in the Corn …
Factors Affecting Emergency Manager, First Responder, And Citizen Disaster Preparedness,
2015
Walden University
Factors Affecting Emergency Manager, First Responder, And Citizen Disaster Preparedness, Tiffany Cooks
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Despite the increased frequency of natural and man-made disasters, there is a problem in the level of preparedness of emergency managers, responders, and citizens to address them. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to explore the factors that affect these groups' preparedness to inform the development of better emergency plans to handle emergency incidences. The conceptual framework for the study was knowledge management, which was used with a grounded theory approach. The study was guided by primary research questions that focused on understanding psychological, material, temporal, organizational, and other factors that affect the preparedness of emergency managers, first …
Rural Year-Round Growing To Ameliorate A Possible Negative Effect From Climate Change,
2015
Walden University
Rural Year-Round Growing To Ameliorate A Possible Negative Effect From Climate Change, Kimberlie A. Brussa
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggested that, as the world population grows, food and water shortages will become even more serious issues (IPPC's 2014 predictions about the future effects of climate change (CC), Year-round growing (YRG) may provide a way for communities to extend growing seasons, expand local farm systems, and provide food year round. This case study included a detailed analysis of responses from representatives of all sectors of rural Mesa County, Colorado, regarding YRG and a local food and farm plan due to CC. The case was bounded by time (6 months of data collection) which …
Monitoring And Understanding Decadal Scale Changes In Hydrology, Productivity And Carbon Balance In Arctic Tundra Ponds,
2015
University of Texas at El Paso
Monitoring And Understanding Decadal Scale Changes In Hydrology, Productivity And Carbon Balance In Arctic Tundra Ponds, Christian Gerardo Andresen
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
The Arctic is known for containing large stocks of soil organic carbon, which exists frozen in permafrost in a greenhouse inert state. With predicted future warming in these high northern latitudes, the mobilization of stored soil organic carbon and release to the atmosphere may increase and induce further positive climatic feedbacks. Previous studies have shown that Arctic wetlands and ponds cover a large percentage of the Arctic Coastal Plain and contribute large amounts of carbon to the atmosphere; however, it remains largely unknown how these systems are responding to a warming climate and how this change will impact regional carbon …
Long-Term Effects Of Land Cover Change On Fish Assemblage Structure In The Piedmont And Coastal Plain Regions Of Virginia,
2015
Virginia Commonwealth University
Long-Term Effects Of Land Cover Change On Fish Assemblage Structure In The Piedmont And Coastal Plain Regions Of Virginia, Samuel F. Stickley
Theses and Dissertations
Changes in land cover and fish assemblage structure were assessed across two spatial and temporal scales in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions of the Chesapeake Bay watershed in Virginia. A long-term, local study (1953 to 2014) on the Tuckahoe Creek watershed used digitized aerial photography and satellite images (Landsat 5 TM and Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS) to quantify land cover change for five nested catchments in 1953, 1990, and 2014. Instream fish collections from 1958, 1990, and 2014 were utilized to assess a variety of fish assemblage metrics for each of the five catchments, and analyses were performed to assess …
Studying Air Pollutants Origin And Associated Meteorological Parameters Over Seoul From 2000 To 2009,
2015
University of California - Riverside
Studying Air Pollutants Origin And Associated Meteorological Parameters Over Seoul From 2000 To 2009, Sunmin Park, Hesham El-Askary, Ismail Sabbah, Hanbin Kwak, Anup K. Prasad, Woo-Kyun Lee, Menas Kafatos
Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research
We investigate the temporal characteristics of major air pollutants collected from 44 air quality stations over the city of Seoul, Korea, namely, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, particular matter at 10 microns, and sulfur dioxide (SO2) between 2000 and 2009. The corresponding satellite datasets, namely, aerosol optical depth (AODsat), Ångström exponent, and fine mode fraction, collected from moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) as well as the Aeronet ground aerosol optical depth (AODaeronet), have been analyzed. Pollutants’ seasonal effect has been inferred from the precipitation and temperature. The four pollutants under study show varying temporal characteristics with different …
U.S. Drought Monitor, December 30, 2014,
2014
USDA
U.S. Drought Monitor, December 30, 2014, Brad Rippey
United States Agricultural Commodities in Drought Archive
Drought map of U.S. for December 30, 2014 (12/30/14) plus: U.S. crop areas experiencing drought (map), Approximate percentage of crop located in drought, by state (bar graph), Percent of crop area located in drought, past 52 weeks (line graph) for: Corn, Soybeans, Hay, Cattle, Winter wheat.
Biodigestor: Rural Power Plant,
2014
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Biodigestor: Rural Power Plant, Felipe Ribeiro Bozza
Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies
Biodigestor: Rural Power Plant
U.S. Drought Monitor, December 16, 2014,
2014
NOAA/NWS/NCEP/CPC
U.S. Drought Monitor, December 16, 2014, David Miskus
United States Agricultural Commodities in Drought Archive
Drought map of U.S. for December 16, 2014 (12/16/14) plus: U.S. crop areas experiencing drought (map), Approximate percentage of crop located in drought, by state (bar graph), Percent of crop area located in drought, past 52 weeks (line graph) for: Corn, Soybeans, Hay, Cattle, Winter wheat.
Social Policies As Subsidy For Environmental Education: A Citizen Behavioral Change Tool,
2014
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Social Policies As Subsidy For Environmental Education: A Citizen Behavioral Change Tool, Gracielle Peixoto
Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies
Social Policies as subsidy for Environmental Education: A citizen behavioral change tool
One Tragedy, One Action,
2014
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
One Tragedy, One Action, Amy Fosler
Op-Eds from ENSC230 Energy and the Environment: Economics and Policies
One Tragedy, One Action
