Environmental Studies Commons^™

The Industrial Impact On Wetlands In Jinja And The Nexus Of Industry, Wetlands, And Community (A Rights-Based Sustainable Development Approach), Ranger Ruffins

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Uganda is a beautiful country filled with an extensive amount of natural resources, one of the most profound being wetlands. It is said that these wetlands are a crucial source of food and water for almost 3 million people (NEMA, 2012 and Oguttu et.al, 2008). They also provide many more invaluable socioeconomic benefits for the country. As Uganda experiences increasing development as well as a rapidly increasing population, the wetlands become increasingly necessary, at the same time they become increasingly threatened. It is written in the 1995 Ugandan constitution that Ugandan policy is aimed at ensuring sustainable development for the …

The Restoration Process: Lessons From A Community-Based Conservation Initiative In Tunkhel, Mongolia, John Wendt

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

As policy makers transition away from central planning, Mongolia’s natural resource professionals are challenged with cultivating community support for stewardship in a time of escalating ecological disturbance. Nutag Action Research Partners has partnered with community members and government officials in Tunkhel, a small village in north-central Mongolia, to develop local resource management capacity and jointly draft a Conservation Plan for a commonly grazed riparian pasture. This study is a preliminary assessment of the ecological and social factors influencing project implementation. Information was collected using a variety of qualitative methods including meeting observation, surveys, interviews, photographs, and a review of previous …

The Himalayan Gold Rush The Untold Consequences Of Yartsa Gunbu In The Tarap Valley, Noah Stone

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Despite the fact that it has been used in tradition medicine for centuries, the caterpillar fungus known as yartsa gunbu (Othiocordyceps sinensis), has only become a popular medical supplement in the last fifteen years. Demand in China has driven what has been dubbed ‘the Himalayan gold rush’, a scramble for the fungus that has utterly transformed the agro-pastoral economies of the remote Himalayan regions where cordyceps is found. In many cases, the locals have prospered economically from the commodification of yartsa gunbu. In one such region of Nepal, the Tarap valley of the Dolpa district, while the villagers have benefitted …

Existential Avalanche The Lived Experience Of Climate Change In Dolpo And Mustang, Nepal, Keegan Mcchesney

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Himalayan communities stand precariously in an era of phenomenological uncertainty. Climate change is merely a lens through which we may observe and begin to understand such localized modern complexities. The people of the Tarap Valley in Dolpo, Nepal have experienced an increase in avalanches, snow leopard attacks and unpredictable precipitation patterns in recent years. In upper Mustang, Nepal, people have endured the harshest winter in generations and suffered from reduced water access. Environmental, climatic and weather related changes in both Himalayan districts have severely impacted traditional livelihoods and led some to adopt modern means of adaptation. Despite the scientific evidence …

Taking Root: An Analysis Of The Best Method For Active Forest Regeneration In The Cloud Forest, Charlotte Startin

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The cloud forest is a biodiversity hotspot and provides many vital ecological and economic services. Unfortunately, deforestation for pastures in the lower montane cloud forest is high. Many pastures become abandoned, leaving highly disturbed open areas of land where natural forest regeneration is poor. Human intervention to encourage ecological restoration is very important to re-establish the proper structure and functioning of the ecosystem. Forest regeneration projects are rare and often unsuccessful, which is why increased knowledge and skills of successful and practical methods for assisted regeneration are needed. The Inti Llacta Reserve in the Pichincha province in Ecuador protects a …

Human Impacts On Water Systems: Biological Assessment Of Water Quality In The Bosque Protector Río Guajalito (Bprg) Using Aquatic Macroinvertebrates, Harrison Smith

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Benthic macroinvertebrates have been extensively used as bioindicators for water quality due to their varying sensitivity to a diverse range of impacts on hydrographic sources. In this study a sampling of macroinvertebrates was carried out in the Guajalito and Brincador rivers and a small creek that runs through the private reserve Bosque Protector Rio Guajalito in order to analyze if the health of the rivers has changed in relation to previous studies. The sampling stations were located upstream and downstream of potential sources of disturbance in each of the three streams sampled in order to determine what level of impact …

Plant Community Composition And Structure Monitoring For Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, 2014 Annual Report, Michael Prowatzke, Stephen K. Wilson

United States National Park Service: Publications

Abstract

This report presents the results of vegetation monitoring efforts in 2014 at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument (AGFO) by the Northern Great Plains Inventory and Monitoring Network (NGPN).

During the fourth full year of field work, crew members from NGPN visited six plant community monitoring plots to collect data on the vegetation at AGFO. This is part of a long-term monitoring effort that will sample six of 15 randomly located upland plots every year, so that each plot is visited for two consecutive years and then rested for three years, on a five-year rotating basis. NGPN staff captured data …

Rohner Creek Flood Control Project: Research, Susie Van Kirk

Susie Van Kirk Papers

Compilation of research materials that include deeds, tax assessments, newspaper references and directories.

Plant Community Composition And Structure Monitoring For Scotts Bluff National Monument, 2014 Annual Report, Michael Prowatzke, Stephen K. Wilson

United States National Park Service: Publications

Abstract

This report presents the results of vegetation monitoring efforts in 2014 at Scotts Bluff National Monument (SCBL) by the Northern Great Plains Inventory and Monitoring Network (NGPN).

During the fourth full year of field work, crew members from NGPN visited eight plant community monitoring plots to collect data on the vegetation at SCBL. This is part of a long-term monitoring effort that will sample eight of 20 randomly located upland plots every year, so that each plot is visited for two consecutive years and then rested for three years, on a five-year rotating basis. Additionally, NGPN staff also visited …

Impact And Correlation Of Environmental Conditions On Pollen Counts In Karachi, Pakistan., Anjum Perveen, Muneeba Khan, Shaista Zeb, Asif Ali Imam

Department of Medicine

A quantitative and qualitative survey of airborne pollen was performed in the city of Karachi, and the pollen counts were correlated with different climatic conditions. The aim of the study was to determine the possible effect of meteorological factors on airborne pollen distribution in the atmosphere of Karachi city. Pollen sampling was carried out by using Burkard spore Trap for the period of August 2009 to July 2010, and a total of 2,922 pollen grains/m(3) were recorded. In this survey, 22 pollen types were recognized. The highest pollen count was contributed by Poaceae pollen type (1,242 pollen grains/m(3)) followed by …

Presentations And Posters From The 2015 Research That Matters Sustainable Food Conference: People, Policy, & Practice, Various Authors

Food and Gardening Working Group

The University of South Florida Sustainable Food Conference: People, Policy, & Practice brought together food researchers from USF and the larger Tampa Bay community to share ideas and findings that will pave the path toward more sustainable and resilient communities. It featured research papers and presentations from all disciplines and methodologies addressing issues concerning food production, distribution, retail, and/or consumption.

Texas General Land Office Parcels: El Paso, Hudspeth, And Reeves Counties, Texas, William F. Stanyard, Larissa A. Thomas, Laura Voisin- George

Index of Texas Archaeology: Open Access Gray Literature from the Lone Star State

In June 2015, Natural Resource Group, LLC conducted Phase I cultural resource investigations within eight parcels that are managed by the Texas General Land Office. The tracts are located in El Paso, Hudspeth, and Reeves counties, Texas and the studies are associated with Phase 1 of the Roadrunner Gas Transmission, LLC (Roadrunner) Roadrunner Project. Roadrunner has entered into an operating agreement with ONEOK WesTex Transmission Company, L.L.C. (WesTex), a subsidiary of ONEOK, to construct, operate and maintain an intrastate pipeline in the State of Texas under the jurisdiction of the Texas Railroad Commission. WesTex plans to construct approximately 205 miles …

Intensive Archeological Survey For Proposed East Pecan Street Widening, City Of Pflugerville, Travis County, Texas, Haley Rush

Index of Texas Archaeology: Open Access Gray Literature from the Lone Star State

In January 2015, an intensive archeological survey was completed in order to inventory and evaluate archeological resources within the footprint of proposed improvements to East Pecan Street in Pflugerville, Travis County, Texas. The proposed project would provide base repairs and include widening a portion of East Pecan Street. The portion of the project area that includes the widening extends from State Highway (SH) 130 to Weiss Lane; base repairs would include a concrete underlay that would extend east of Weiss Lane toward the intersection of Cameron Lane. The maintenance activities associated with the concrete underlay east of Weiss Lane would …

Paisano Drive 48 Inch Transmission Waterline, Archeological Monitoring El Paso County, Texas, Russell Collett, Adam Graves

Index of Texas Archaeology: Open Access Gray Literature from the Lone Star State

El Paso Water Utilities Public Service Board (EPWU) contracted ARCADIS U.S., Inc. to perform preconstruction investigations for cultural resources as part of their proposed Paisano Drive 48 inch Transmission Waterline Project (PTW) in El Paso County, Texas. The PTW is located at the west base of the Franklin Mountains in northwest El Paso and can be found on the Smeltertown 31106G5 (1994) USGS 7.5’ topographic quadrangle (Figure 1). The project area encompasses 3.07 miles between -106.529548, 31.792403 (northwest) and -106.504871, 31.764421 (southeast). The northwestern and southeastern limits of the linear project area lie near the northern bank of the Rio …

Cultural Resources Survey Of The Cross Roads Special Utility District Us Hwy 259 Water Well And Pump Station Rusk County, Texas, Victor Galan

Index of Texas Archaeology: Open Access Gray Literature from the Lone Star State

In July 2015 Deep East Texas Archaeological Consultants (DETAC) conducted a cultural resource management survey of the proposed Cross Roads Special Utility District’s US Highway 259 water well in Rusk County, Texas under Texas Antiquities Permit #7433. Proposed construction includes clearing and leveling a 0.4 hectare (1.0 acre) property to drill a water well and associated pumping structures. The visual inspection of the area found a dilapidated building which was used as a plant shop in the 1970’s or later. The building appears to be made of modern materials and is surrounded with debris associated with potting plants. A total …

An Intensive Cultural Resources Survey Of The Proposed Crabb River Road Widening Project Fort Bend County, Texas, Dana Brown, Mary Jo Galindo

Index of Texas Archaeology: Open Access Gray Literature from the Lone Star State

In June 2015, Atkins archaeologists conducted an intensive cultural resources survey of the proposed Crabb River Road Widening Project near Rosenberg, Texas, which is sponsored by Fort Bend County and involves right-of-way (ROW) owned by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). This investigation provides a basis to identify and assess cultural resources that could be impacted by construction of the proposed undertaking in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act and the Antiquities Code of Texas.

The proposed project would widen Crabb River Road from approximately 0.40 kilometer (km) (0.25mile) south of Sansbury Boulevard to approximately 152.4 meters (m) (500 …

Cultural Resources Survey Of The Proposed Bonnie Wenk Park Phase Ii, City Of Mckinney, Collin County, Texas, Kevin Stone, Joshua Hamilton

Index of Texas Archaeology: Open Access Gray Literature from the Lone Star State

This report documents the substantive findings and management recommendations of a cultural resource inventory conducted by Integrated Environmental Solutions, LLC (IES) for the Bonnie Wenk Park Phase II project in McKinney, Collin County, Texas. As the City of McKinney is a political subdivision of the State of Texas, the proposed project will require coordination with the Texas Historical Commission (THC) prior to construction, per the provisions of the Antiquities Code of Texas (ACT). In addition, as the project will require a Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), it will …

Assessment Of Archaeological Sites 41wb160 And 41wb358 In The Row Of The Proposed 24-Inch Water Transmission Line Laredo, Webb County, Texas, David M. Yelacic

Index of Texas Archaeology: Open Access Gray Literature from the Lone Star State

Intensive pedestrian survey approximately 1,000 linear feet in the vicinity of 41WB160 and 2,000 linear feet in the vicinity of 41WB358 was conducted on behalf of the City of Laredo Utilities Department in advance of the installation of a 24-inch water transmission line. Funds for the project are from the Texas Water Development Board, and Terracon is preparing an Environmental Information Document in support of the project. Accordingly, the archaeological survey and assessment was carried out in coordination with the Texas Historical Commission and under Antiquities Permit Number 7214, issued to David Yelacic.

Pedestrian survey and four shovel test excavations …

Intensive Cultural Resources Survey Of The Pflugerville Independent School District’S Proposed Timmeran Elementary School And Regional Stadium Tracts, Pflugerville, Travis County, Texas, Jeffrey D. Owens

Index of Texas Archaeology: Open Access Gray Literature from the Lone Star State

Horizon Environmental Services, Inc. (Horizon) was selected by Pflugerville Independent School District (ISD) to conduct an intensive cultural resources inventory and assessment of the proposed locations of Pflugerville ISD’s Timmeran Elementary School and Regional Stadium. The proposed Timmeran Elementary School tract consists of an approximately 6.6-hectare (16.3- acre) tract located northeast of and adjacent to the proposed Regional Stadium tract, which covers an area of approximately 15.0 hectares (37.1 acres). These adjacent tracts are located northwest of the intersection of Swenson Farms Boulevard and Farm-to-Market Road (FM) 1825, also known as West Pecan Street, in Pflugerville, Williamson County, Texas. For …

Cultural Resources Reconnaissance-Level Survey Of The Lcra–Saws Water Project Colorado, Matagorda, And Wharton Counties, Texas, Michael Nash

Index of Texas Archaeology: Open Access Gray Literature from the Lone Star State

Atkins conducted a reconnaissance-level cultural resources survey and constraints analysis on behalf of the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) and the San Antonio Water System (SAWS). The LCRASAWS Water Project (LSWP) was a partnership aimed at developing a plan to provide a reliable water supply (up to 150,000 acre-feet/year) to San Antonio for 40 years, with an option for 30 additional years, and to provide a more reliable long-term water supply for the lower Colorado River basin while protecting and benefiting said river basin.

The purpose of this study was to assist LCRA and SAWS in their compliance with the …