The Impact Of Urbanization And Land-Use Change In Lincoln, Nebraska,
2019
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The Impact Of Urbanization And Land-Use Change In Lincoln, Nebraska, Andrew Rose
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
This study will take place in Lincoln Nebraska to investigate population density and urban encroachment onto agricultural lands. With urbanization on the rise we will inevitably face land use issues in the future. This research will investigate one strategy on how to build the city of Lincoln while using agriculture as a focal point. Keeping land sparing techniques in mind as we build will be an important component to saving enough land to grow food, shelter, and clothing for a growing population. One important question that will be looked at in this research is how urban expansion has consumed agricultural …
Climate Action Plan Framework For University Of Nebraska–Lincoln,
2019
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Climate Action Plan Framework For University Of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lila Peterson
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
No abstract provided.
Nitrate Contamination And Nitrogen Isotope Compositions In The Bazile Groundwater Management Area: A Water Quality Study. Creighton, Ne,
2019
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Nitrate Contamination And Nitrogen Isotope Compositions In The Bazile Groundwater Management Area: A Water Quality Study. Creighton, Ne, Sydney Corcoran
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
Surface water nitrogen contamination is a pervasive issue in Nebraska, and agricultural practices are the main source of nitrogen input to streams (Spalding and Exner, 1993). Nitrate can come from inorganic fertilizers such as anhydrous ammonia, or animal waste. Studies have been conducted on nitrates dating back to 1947 (Addleman, 1985). The Bazile Groundwater Management Area (BGMA) located in northeast Nebraska has historically had high nitrate contamination. This qualitative study assesses the seasonal sources of nitrogen to stream water. It is predicted that the source of input is from commercial synthetic fertilizers. By using nitrogen- oxygen isotope methods, the source …
Landuse And Soil Property Effects On Infiltration And Soil Aggregate Stability In The Lower Mississippi River Valley,
2019
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Landuse And Soil Property Effects On Infiltration And Soil Aggregate Stability In The Lower Mississippi River Valley, Rebecca Lynn Anderson
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Following European settlement of the Lower Mississippi River Valley (LMRV), agricultural expansion and unsustainable, agriculturally related practices have caused groundwater depletion, soil erosion, and surface water contamination by eroded sediments and sediment-bound nutrients to become major environmental threats to the region. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of common landuses [i.e., native prairie, deciduous forest, coniferous forest, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) grassland, and conventional-tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT) agriculture] on surface water infiltration and aggregate-stability-related properties [i.e., water-stable macroaggregate (WSA) size distribution, total water-stable macroaggregate (TWSA) concentration, and mean weight diameter (MWD)]. The overall infiltration rate …
H2 Control For Improved Stability Of Multi-Area Electric Power System With High Levels Of Inverter-Based Generation,
2019
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
H2 Control For Improved Stability Of Multi-Area Electric Power System With High Levels Of Inverter-Based Generation, Muthanna Abdulkareem Al-Sarray
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Increased generation capacity from non-dispatchable energy resources such as wind and solar has created challenges to ensuring the reliable delivery of electric power. This research develops a systematic three-step method of assessing the reliability of electric power systems under a variety of different possible fault conditions to ensure that overall system stability is preserved in a manner the meets regulatory requirements. The first step is a risk-based reliability method (RBRM) that accounts for the probability of a line outage versus the severity of impact. This allows system planners to judiciously allocate expenses for reliability improvements based on the greatest economic …
The Role Of Dendrology In Analyzing Past Climatic And Historical,
2019
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The Role Of Dendrology In Analyzing Past Climatic And Historical, Anna Sonnenfeld
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
The study of dendroclimatology uses tree growth responses to climate variables to reconstruct regional, national, and global chronologies from tree-rings (Speer, 2010). The species of focus was Q. macrocarpa (bur oak) located in Spring Creek Prairie because of its potential to hold a chronological history of environmental limitations and management practices in the area. The objective of this research is to: 1) determine the impact of available soil moisture on the annual growth of Q. macrocarpa in Wachiska Woods, 2) determine the effect of management practices on Q. macrocarpa annual growth in Wachiska Woods. Eight Q. macrocarpa specimens were identified; …
Consumer Response To Sustainable Practices Within The Fashion Industry,
2019
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Consumer Response To Sustainable Practices Within The Fashion Industry, Gage Mruz
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
This study was conducted online through an environmental company called Greenstain, a registered LLC who provides environmentally sustainable solutions and plants a tree for every item they sell. The purpose of the study is to analyze consumer response to the eco-friendly apparel and other sustainable solutions offered by Greenstain after educating consumers on the extent to which the fashion industry is impacting the natural environment and the practices they can utilize to reduce these negative impacts. The sample size included any person with access to Google, Facebook, and Instagram. Scientists in the world have reached an overwhelming consensus that climate …
Hydroponics: Effect Of Ph On Different Cucumber Varieties,
2019
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Hydroponics: Effect Of Ph On Different Cucumber Varieties, Mikaela Krumrei
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
Plants are generally grown using soil as the main medium to supply the essentials necessary for growth, but as population grows and land decreases it is important to expand the knowledge of other growth mediums such as hydroponics. The purpose of this study is to provide information on hydroponic growing systems, specifically how the pH of the water effects cucumber plant growth and if different varieties of cucumber plants may have varying reactions to the pH. The hypothesis was that the plants would grow efficiently at pH of 5.0 and worst at pH of 7.5. This experiment was conducted in …
The Effect Of Land Development In Small Communities On A People's Sense Of Place,
2019
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The Effect Of Land Development In Small Communities On A People's Sense Of Place, Alivia Michalski
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
Sense of place is an extensively researched concept that refers to the relationship (cultural, economic, societal, spiritual, and physical) between a person and their surroundings. Often a person’s sense of place, or connection to the land, can lead them to develop strong place attachment, or a human-place bond, with certain physical locations. Studies done on place attachment show that people with strong connections to natural areas where they live are more willing to demonstrate environmentally responsible behavior. This kind of behavior is important in the upcoming years, as communities begin to expand, develop more land, and use more resources. In …
A Comparison Of Modern Power: Environmental Impacts,
2019
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
A Comparison Of Modern Power: Environmental Impacts, Seth Adams
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
There are many aspects of environmental influences that must be considered when evaluating power production methods. Over the course of a six-month literature review this study covered the environmental impact and sustainability of four different power production methods: coal, solar, wind, and nuclear. This study then used the information gathered to create a set of criteria by which each would be evaluated. The goal of this study was to determine the power production method that would deliver the most energy with the least amount of environmental impact. Further, the scope of this study is limited to the midwestern states of …
How Do Non-Formal Environmental Education Experiences Shape Pro-Environmental Behavior,
2019
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
How Do Non-Formal Environmental Education Experiences Shape Pro-Environmental Behavior, Megan Petsch
Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses
This paper attempts to define what behaviors are, what motivates behavior, and how environmental education programs can shape pro-environmental behavior using three factors: social interaction, program structure, and various teaching methods. Data was gathered using a systematic literature review that looked at the purpose and objectives of the paper, methods used for collecting data such as demographics (age, race, gender, location, etc.), the papers focused areas of research, and results. A thematic analysis was also used to code collected data into the themes. The themes that emerged while analyzing the data include social interactions, program structure, and teaching methods. Results …
Lighting And Economic Considerations For A Hydroponic S-Based Greenhouse At Tri Cycle Farms,
2019
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Lighting And Economic Considerations For A Hydroponic S-Based Greenhouse At Tri Cycle Farms, Laura Gray
Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses
Hydroponics is an agricultural technology that involves growing plants without soil, instead using other growth media with added nutrients, typically inside a controlled facility such as a greenhouse. Hydroponics-based agriculture has a number of benefits, namely that it is more water efficient, requires less intensive labor, yields higher quality crops consistently in shorter time, and is easier to control. It also has the potential to be economically advantageous, due to its ability to grow certain crops in the off-season. In Fayetteville, Arkansas, a non-profit urban farm known as Tri Cycle Farms has been seeking a way to design, build, and …
From Controversy To Conservation: How The Environmental Movement Shaped The Creation Of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area,
2019
National Parks Service
From Controversy To Conservation: How The Environmental Movement Shaped The Creation Of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Rainey Mckenna
Sustainability Seminar Series
Over the last 145 years, presidents and congress have established over 400 National Park Service sites to preserve and tell the story of our country. Collectively, these places preserve our ecological and cultural heritage and reflect our national values. Writer and historian Wallace Stegner called our national parks "the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst." Yet many of our national parks are forged in controversy. In this presentation, Rainey McKenna will examine how public protest and the emerging environmental movement shaped the creation of Delaware Water Gap …
Watershed Environmental Analysis: Waterflow Function And Vulnerabilities,
2019
University of Richmond
Watershed Environmental Analysis: Waterflow Function And Vulnerabilities, Olivia Hubert
Environmental Studies Senior Seminar Projects
The environmental impacts on the proposed area for the sPower solar panels has been a primary concern from the citizens of Spotsylvania County during the special use permit process. This project will discuss the function of watersheds, specifically within the sPower Spotsylvania County solar panel farm sites, to effectively present the findings from sPower’s permitting process and the concerned citizens of Spotsylvania to answer the following questions: How do the sPower solar farm watersheds function, what are their vulnerabilities, and how is sPower addressing them? The information presented is a collection and analysis of data using ArcGIS software and written …
Is Wind Energy A Better Option For The University Of Richmond?,
2019
University of Richmond
Is Wind Energy A Better Option For The University Of Richmond?, Steven Yu
Environmental Studies Senior Seminar Projects
The purpose of this assignment is to answer the question of: Is Wind Energy the Better Option for the University of Richmond? This question is more than simply if wind power will supply the campus the greatest amount of energy, but also looks at the educational, social, environmental and political benefits that would also be associated with it. In order to understand the feasibility of wind power on the University of Richmond campus, I looked at factors such as: energy production from wind turbines, past wind patterns in Richmond, VA, impacts to the environment. This is only one part of …
Hydropower As A Feasible Option Of The University Of Richmond,
2019
University of Richmond
Hydropower As A Feasible Option Of The University Of Richmond, Gershom Ejoni
Environmental Studies Senior Seminar Projects
As the University of Richmond moves forward in achieving its sustainability goals, it made a decision to invest into a solar array in Spotsylvania, VA in order to offset their energy consumption with renewable energy. However, this solar array has been controversial for many of the residents in Spotsylvania. My senior seminar class has tasked itself with investigating all aspects of the University’s decision to partner with sPower. This paper will analyze the potential alternative energy sources that the University can possible consider, in particular, hydropower; thereby, determining if hydropower is a potential viable option the University of Richmond can …
The Most Environmentally Beneficial Option: An Analysis On Spower’S Solar Project In Relation To The Endangered Species Act,
2019
University of Richmond
The Most Environmentally Beneficial Option: An Analysis On Spower’S Solar Project In Relation To The Endangered Species Act, Victoria Williams
Environmental Studies Senior Seminar Projects
Today, the current impacts of high greenhouse gas emissions due to energy production have been widely discussed in scholarly literature. In 2018, the University of Richmond (UR) announced a goal to match 100% of the campus' electricity demand with solar energy to decrease its carbon footprint. UR partnered with sPower to construct a 500-megawatt solar array in which UR will receive the 20-megawatts worth of energy from the site in Spotsylvania, Virginia. sPower’s solar project engendered various environmental concerns surrounding Fawn Lake and the endangered species found in the proximity of the project. Acknowledging the environmental concerns, the objective of …
Spotsylvania Solar Farm: Watershed Environmental Analysis: Material And Chemical Impacts,
2019
University of Richmond
Spotsylvania Solar Farm: Watershed Environmental Analysis: Material And Chemical Impacts, Colby Prokop
Environmental Studies Senior Seminar Projects
The purpose of this compiled review is to answer the research question: What are the implications of the materials being used in the Spotsylvania sPower solar farm and the impacts of any contributing chemicals? I will approach this question using a theoretical framework to investigate the public participation (PP) process (Munch-Petersen, 2017) in the preliminary environmental analysis research done by sPower (in accordance with their special use permit [SUP]). This will be a context-specific framework, in which I will navigate the discrepancies between the environmental SUP information and citizen concerns about the chemicals and materials used in the sPower solar …
Spotsylvania Solar: A Stakeholder Analysis Of Corporate Involvement,
2019
University of Richmond
Spotsylvania Solar: A Stakeholder Analysis Of Corporate Involvement, Merissa Shebell
Environmental Studies Senior Seminar Projects
This report investigates the major corporations that hold a stake in sPower’s 500-Megawatt Spotsylvania Solar Project through the framework of corporate social responsibility. The major corporations include the investors in the project, Microsoft, Apple in collaboration with Akamai, Etsy, and Swiss Re, and the University of Richmond, as well as the energy provides and distributors, Dominion Energy and PJM Interconnection. Through an evaluation of the investors’ sustainability and environmental reports, the motivations behind their agreements with sPower can be attributed to a desire to meet their renewable energy goals. By purchasing a portion of the electricity generated by the solar …
Maintaining Productive Efficiency Of Solar Arrays,
2019
University of Richmond
Maintaining Productive Efficiency Of Solar Arrays, Grant Woods
Environmental Studies Senior Seminar Projects
With the onset of climate change people are demanding better business behavior. As a result, many companies seek to diversify their public presence by acquiring technologies and behaviors that ultimately strive toward a goal of reducing environmental impacts. One particular focus of this transition has been the acquisition of clean energy technology. Solar photovoltaic arrays are one such technology that companies and homeowners continue to adopt to meet their environmental goals whether those goals are specific, measureable, impactful or whether they are more for self satisfaction and peace of mind. Administration and the Office for Sustainability at University of Richmond …
