Natural Resources and Conservation Commons^™

Potential Of Using Spectral Vegetation Indices For Corn Green Biomass Estimation Based On Their Relationship With The Photosynthetic Vegetation Sub-Pixel Fraction, Luan Peroni Venancio, Everardo Chartuni Mantovani, Cibele Hummel Do Amaral, Christopher M.U. Neale, Ivo Zution Gonçalves, Roberto Filgueiras, Fernando Coelho Eugenio

Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute: Faculty Publications

Crop biomass (Bio) is one of the most important parameters of a crop, and knowledge of it before harvest is essential to help farmers in their decision making. Both green and dry Bio can be estimated from vegetation spectral indices (VIs) because they have a close relationship with accumulated absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (APAR), which is proportional to total Bio. The aims of this study were to analyze the potential capacity of spectral vegetation indices in estimating corn green biomass based on their relationship with the photosynthetic vegetation sub-pixel fraction derived from spectral mixture analysis and to analyze the best …

Ferrihydrite Reduction Increases Arsenic And Uranium Bioavailability In Unsaturated Soil, Arindam Malakar, Michael Kaiser, Daniel D. Snow, Harkamal Walia, Banajarani Panda, Chittaranjan Ray

Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute: Faculty Publications

Redox driven mobilization and plant uptake of contaminants under transiently saturated soil conditions need to be clarified to ensure food and water quality across different irrigation systems. We postulate that solid-phase iron reduction in anoxic microsites present in the rhizosphere of unsaturated soil is a key driver for mobilization and bioavailability of contaminants under nonflooded irrigation. To clarify this, two major crops, corn and soybean differing in iron uptake strategies, were grown in irrigated synthetic soil under semiarid conditions with gravimetric moisture content ∼12.5 ± 2.4%. 2-line ferrihydrite, which was coprecipitated with uranium and arsenic, served as the only iron …

Use Of Multiple Environment Variety Trials Data To Simulate Maize Yields In The Ogallala Aquifer Region: A Two Model Approach, Vaishali Sharda, Mesfin Mekonnen, Chittaranjan Ray, Prasanna H. Gowda

Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute: Faculty Publications

With a long-term goal to optimize use of groundwater in the Ogallala Aquifer Region (OAR) to sustain food production systems, this study was conducted to calibrate Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) and AquaCrop crop modeling platforms to simulate maize production at a regional scale using historic datasets. Calibration of the models with local crop growth data and crop management practices is important, but usually this in-season crop growth information is not available. This study determined the possibility of using maize variety trial data for the evaluation of the CSM-Crop Estimation through Resources and Environmental Synthesis-Maize and AquaCrop models …

Ecowomanism: A Solution To Climate And Social Injustice, Alexis K. Karon

Religion: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

The interconnections of climate justice and social inequalities are paired together in a concept named 'Ecowomanism'. Originally inspired by Melanie L. Harris, ecowomanism uses spiritual theologies, experiences, and memories to discuss the post-modern struggles that women of African and indigenous descent face in society, which can then find solutions to such injustices in a reconnection to nature. In this paper, I argue that adopting an environmental paradigm inspired by the spiritual theology of ecowomanism in the United States, which acknowledges the connection between oppression and violence against communities of color to the violence and domination of the environment, a more …

Ecowomanism: A Solution To Climate And Social Injustice, Alexis K. Karon

Theological Investigations

The interconnections of climate justice and social inequalities are paired together in a concept named 'Ecowomanism'. Originally inspired by Melanie L. Harris, ecowomanism uses spiritual theologies, experiences, and memories to discuss the post-modern struggles that women of African and indigenous descent face in society, which can then find solutions to such injustices in a reconnection to nature. In this paper, I argue that adopting an environmental paradigm inspired by the spiritual theology of ecowomanism in the United States, which acknowledges the connection between oppression and violence against communities of color to the violence and domination of the environment, a more …

Mesozoic Rock Suites Along Western Philippines: Exposed Proto-South China Sea Fragments?, Graciano P. Yumul Jr, Carla B. Dimalanta, Jillian Aira Gabo-Ratio, Karlo L. Queaño, Leo T. Armada, Jenielyn T. Padrones, Decibel V. Faustino-Eslava, Betchaida D. Payot, Edanjarlo J. Marquez

Environmental Science Faculty Publications

An ancient oceanic crustal leading edge east of mainland Asia, the proto-South China Sea crust, must have existed during the Mesozoic based on tectonic reconstructions that accounted for the presence of subducted slabs in the lower mantle and the exposed oceanic lithospheric fragments strewn in the Philippine and Bornean regions. Along the western seaboard of the Philippine archipelago, numerous Mesozoic ophiolites and associated lithologies do not appear to be genetically associated with the younger Paleogene-Neogene ocean basins that currently surround the islands. New sedimentological, paleomagnetic, paleontological, and isotopic age data that we generated are presented here, in combination with our …

Investigating The Phenomenon Of Increasing Surface Air Temperatures Using A Global Climate Modeling Approach, D. Bhattacharya, K. Carroll-Steward, M. Chandler, C. Forbes

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Similar Bird Communities Across Grazing Systems In The Nebraska Sandhills, M. Sliwinski, L.A. Powell, W. Schacht

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Habitat Associations And Co-Occurrence Patterns Of Two Estuarine-Dependent Predatory Fishes, Mariah C. Livernois, Sean P. Powers, Mark A. Albins, John F. Mareska

University Faculty and Staff Publications

Estuarine-dependent fishes experience a wide range of environmental conditions, and most species exhibit distinct associations with particular habitats. However, similar species or multiple conspecifics often overlap spatiotemporally, which can result in ecological interactions that have consequences for behaviors that can shape the structure and function of ecosystems. We used a long-term gill-net data set (2001–2015) to investigate the habitat associations and cooccurrence patterns of two estuarine-dependent predatory fishes, Red Drum Sciaenops ocellatus and Spotted Seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus, in coastal Alabama, USA. Both species were associated with similar environmental conditions, primarily low dissolved oxygen and low salinity, especially when temperature was …

Estimates Of Red Drum Mortality Via Acoustic Telemetry, T. Reid Nelson, Sean P. Powers

University Faculty and Staff Publications

Subadult (age < 3) Red Drum Sciaenops ocellatus support a valuable recreational fishery, and mortality estimates for young Red Drum are needed for proper management. To obtain these estimates, age-1 and age-2 Red Drum were implanted with acoustic transmitters and external Floy tags in two coastal Alabama rivers (Fowl and Dog rivers). Fates of tagged fish were inferred from stationary receiver detections and active relocations over 1 year. These fates were used in a Bayesian multistate model to estimate instantaneous monthly and annual mortality and emigration rates for each river and overall from both rivers. Instantaneous monthly fishing mortality (F) ranged from 0.001 to 0.112 (annual F = 0.414) in Dog River, from 0.001 to 0.126 in Fowl River (annual F = 0.309), and was 0.001–0.054 (annual F = 0.337) overall. Instantaneous monthly natural mortality (M) ranged from 0.001 to 0.002 (annual M= 0.069) in Dog River, from 0.001 to 0.036 (annual M= 0.178) in Fowl River, and from 0.001 to 0.017 (annual M= 0.090) overall. The overall annual estimate of instantaneous total mortality (Z) was 0.435. The median escapement percentage was estimated at 36.3% (95% posterior credible interval = 19.5–56.0%) using M and Z from the overall model. Unfortunately, the error on this estimate was large and inconclusive as to whether the 30% escapement goal for juvenile Red Drum to the adult population from Dog and Fowl rivers is being met. Monthly residency estimates were typically greater than 0.90, and overall annual residency was estimated at 0.716. Fishing mortality estimates from the current study are higher than recent catch curve estimates that did not include young Red Drum. These results demonstrate that young Red Drum need to be accounted for when generating mortality estimates and provide needed data for the Red Drum recreational fishery.

Changes In Students’ Mental Models From Computational Modeling Of Gene Regulatory Networks, Jenny Dauer, Heather E. Bergan-Roller, Gretchen P. King, Mckenzie Kjose, Nicholas Galt, Tomas Helikar

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Background: Computational modeling is an increasingly common practice for disciplinary experts and therefore necessitates integration into science curricula. Computational models afford an opportunity for students to investigate the dynamics of biological systems, but there is significant gap in our knowledge of how these activities impact student knowledge of the structures, relationships, and dynamics of the system. We investigated how a computational modeling activity affected introductory biology students’ mental models of a prokaryotic gene regulatory system (lac operon) by analyzing conceptual models created before and after the activity.

Results: Students’ pre-lesson conceptual models consisted of provided, system-general structures (e.g., activator, repressor) …

Drought Monitoring In The Middle East And North Africa (Mena) Region: Participatory Engagement To Inform Early Warning Systems, Stephen Russell Fragaszy, Theresa Jedd, Nicole Wall, Cody Knutson, Makram Belhaj Fraj, Karim Bergaoui, Mark D. Svoboda, Michael J. Hayes, Rachael Mcdonnell

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

When drought hits water-scarce regions, there are significant repercussions for food
and water security, as well as serious issues for the stability of broader social and environmental systems. To mitigate these effects, environmental monitoring and early warning systems aimed at detecting the onset of drought conditions can facilitate timely and effective responses from government and private sector stakeholders. The study uses multi-stage, participatory research methods across more than 135 interviews, focus groups, and workshops to assess extant climatic, agricultural, hydrological, and drought monitoring systems, key cross-sector drought impacts, and drought monitoring needs in four MENA-region countries: Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon, and …

Consumed Tectonic Plates In Southeast Asia: Markers From The Mesozoic To Early Cenozoic Stratigraphic Units In The Northern And Central Philippines, Karlo L. Queaño, Graciano P. Yumul Jr, Edanjarlo J. Marquez, Jillian Aira Gabo-Ratio, Betchaida D. Payot, Carla B. Dimalanta

Environmental Science Faculty Publications

Tectonic reconstruction models of Southeast Asia all invoke in the early Cenozoic the collision of Mesozoic oceanic plates, which have been fragmented, consumed along subduction zones or emplaced onto the overriding plate. However, with marked variations in these models, we reinvestigate the tectonic evolutionary landscape of Southeast Asia through the lens of Philippine geology. In particular, we present revisions to the more recent models by adopting the unique approach of integrating data that we have gathered for the past 17 years from the Upper Mesozoic to Lower Cenozoic stratigraphic formations in northern and central Philippines. These formations, which resulted mainly …

Gateways-Nd: Demonstrating Institutional Change In Stem Teaching And Learning Within North Dakota State University, J.M.D. Motsenbacher, E. A. Berg, J. Ladbury, R. Reichenbach, M. Hanson, P. Kelter, L. Montplaisir, J. Nyachwaya

School of Natural Resources: Documents and Reviews

No abstract provided.

Ires Track I: Usa-China: International Research Experience For Native American Students In Iot-Enabled Environmental Monitoring Technologies., J. Wang, J.M.D. Motschenbacher

School of Natural Resources: Documents and Reviews

No abstract provided.

Ms Environmental Biology Capstone Project, Bradley Hamilton

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

• Chapter 1 - Literature Review: Hunting as a Management Tool for the Invasive Eurasian-Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
• Chapter 2 - Grant Proposal: Impacts of the Invasive Eurasian-Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) on the Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) in Northeastern Colorado
• Chapter 3 - Journal Manuscript: High Elevations and Cold Temperatures Influence American Pika (Ochotona princeps) Distributions in the White River National Forest
• Chapter 4: Resolving Refugee-Elephant Conflict in Bangladesh via Education and Rebuilding

A Geostatistical Study Of Socioeconomic Status (Ses), Rurality, Seasonality And Index Test Results As Drivers Of Free Private Groundwater Testing In Southern Ontario, 2012–2016, Shahryar Qayyum, Paul Hynds, Harriet Richardson, Kevin Mcdermott, Anna Majury

Articles

Approximately 12% of the Canadian population uses private wells for daily water consumption; however, well water testing rates are on the decline, resulting in an increased risk of waterborne acute gastrointestinal illness. To date, limited research has explored the determinants influencing well testing practices. Accordingly, the current study sought to investigate the drivers of “one-off” and repeat well water testing in southern Ontario during the 5-year period 2012–2016, using the worlds largest private groundwater testing data-frame. Data from >400,000 wells were geospatially integrated with all tests conducted by the provincial laboratory in southern Ontario. The Ontario Marginalization Index (ON-Marg) was …

What Is Happening To Our Common Home: Reflections From One Catholic Scientist And One Theological Ethicist, M. Shulski, D.R. Dileo

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Geographic Distribution Of Chronic Wasting Disease Resistant Alleles In Nebraska, With Comments On The Evolution Of Resistance, H. Vazquez-Miranda, R. M. Zink

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Gulls As Sources Of Environmental Contamination By Colistin-Resistant Bacteria, Alan B. Franklin, Andrew M. Ramey, Kevin T. Bentler, Nicole L. Barrett, Loredana M. Mccurdy, Christina A. Ahlstrom, Jonas Bonnedahl, Susan A. Shriner, Jeffrey C. Chandler

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

In 2015, the mcr-1 gene was discovered in Escherichia coli in domestic swine in China that conferred resistance to colistin, an antibiotic of last resort used in treating multi-drug resistant bacterial infections in humans. Since then, mcr-1 was found in other human and animal populations, including wild gulls. Because gulls could disseminate the mcr-1 gene, we conducted an experiment to assess whether gulls are readily colonized with mcr-1 positive E. coli, their shedding patterns, transmission among conspecifics, and environmental deposition. Shedding of mcr-1 E. coli by small gull flocks followed a lognormal curve and gulls shed one strain >101 …