Geography Commons^™

A Study Of The Impact And Mitigation Strategies For Community-Defined Historic Places At Immediate (Within Three Decades) Risk Of Sea Level Rise, Isaac Quaye

All Theses

The rising sea level casts formidable threats on community-based historic places within coastal communities. These community-defined historic places derive their meaning from local values and are more recognized within the local community. Unlike recognized iconic historic places, these resources are confronted with inadequate resources to address the impacts of punctuated climate events. This study investigates the imminent threats posed by sea level rise (SLR) to community-defined historic places within the next three decades (2025) and explores mitigation strategies proposed by stakeholders. The study used a GIS-based (enhanced bathtub model) to model the impact of coastal inundation on three historic places …

A Comparison Of Maxent Models For Aedes Aegypti Species Distribution In South America Utilizing Different Bioclimatic And Environmental Variables, Matthew Beer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Aedes aegypti is the principal vector for dengue transmission across large areas of the world. Understanding where this critically important vector lives is paramount to preventing the continued expansion of dengue globally. Using 1981-2010 bioclimatic (bioclim) variables, as well as additional environmental variables and elevation data, multiple MaxEnt models were constructed for Ae. aegypti within the South American continent to identify ecologically important variables and areas of persistent high suitability. All models had acceptable AUC scores (> 0.70), indicating accurate model fitting. Annual mean precipitation and temperature were found to be important model variables; however, when added, humidity became the …

Identifying Watershed And Climatic Factors That Influence Headwater Streams In The San Bernardino National Forest - A Framework For Adaptive Management And Conservation, Christine Sue Seeger

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Headwater streams play a significant role in overall watershed condition. These streams are critical freshwater resources and are imperative for human and ecosystem health. Seasonal variability in climate patterns is becoming increasingly more common as the effects of climate change are studied. The phenomenon known as “weather whiplash,” prolonged periods of drought followed by a sudden increase in precipitation, creates additional challenges for human and ecosystem conditions. Factors adversely impacting headwater streams include climate change, drought, wildfires, and human influence. While climate change continues to be studied, little is known about how weather whiplash patterns affect headwater streams in Southern …

Drought As An Emergent Driver Of Ecological Transformation In The Twenty-First Century, Wynne E. Moss, Shelley D. Crausbay, Imtiaz Rangwala, Jay W. Wason, Clay Trauernicht, Camille S. Stevens-Rumann, Anna Sala, Caitlin M. Rottler, Gregory T. Pederson, Brian W. Miller, Dawn R. Magness, Jeremy S. Littell, Lee E. Frelich, Abby Frazier, Kimberly T. Davis, Jonathan D. Coop, Jennifer M. Cartwright, Robert K. Booth

Geography

Under climate change, ecosystems are experiencing novel drought regimes, often in combination with stressors that reduce resilience and amplify drought's impacts. Consequently, drought appears increasingly likely to push systems beyond important physiological and ecological thresholds, resulting in substantial changes in ecosystem characteristics persisting long after drought ends (i.e., ecological transformation). In the present article, we clarify how drought can lead to transformation across a wide variety of ecosystems including forests, woodlands, and grasslands. Specifically, we describe how climate change alters drought regimes and how this translates to impacts on plant population growth, either directly or through drought's interactions with factors …

Analyzing The Losses And Gains Of A Land Category: Insights From The Total Operating Characteristic, Thomas Mumuni Bilintoh, Robert Gilmore Pontius, Zhen Liu

Geography

This manuscript provides guidance concerning how to use the Total Operating Characteristic (TOC) when (1) analyzing change through time, (2) ranking a categorical independent variable, and (3) constraining the extent for a gaining category. The illustrative variable is the marsh land-cover category in the Plum Island Ecosystems of northeastern Massachusetts, USA. The data are an elevation map and maps showing the land categories of water, marsh, and upland in 1938, 1971, and 2013. There were losses and gains near the edge of the marsh between 1938 and 1972 and between 1972 and 2013. The TOC curves show that marsh gained …

Voices From The Countryside: Unveiling The Stories Of Rural Teachers In Stem Education, Devan A. Jones

All Dissertations

This narrative study delves into the overlooked perspective of rural communities within the broader educational landscape, highlighting their unique and vital role in education. It primarily aims to gain insights from K-8 teachers working in multigrade, multi-curricular Sustained Deep Rurality (SDR) schools situated in the challenging terrain of the Northern Rocky Mountain area. Employing a methodology centered around episodic narrative interviews and small story analysis, the study uncovers the intricacies and challenges inherent in teaching under the extreme conditions of rural environments.

These SDR schools, situated in remote and isolated regions, serve as vital pillars in rural education, embodying qualities …

Integration Of Urban Climate Research Within The Global Climate Change Discourse, Negin Nazarian, Benjamin Bechtel, Gerald Mills, Melissa Anne Hart, Ariane Middel, E. Scott Krayenhoff, Gaby S. Langendijk, Lei Zhao, Andy Pitman, Winston T. L. Chow

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

Global climate science needs to address a fundamental challenge: the mismatch between the scales of anthropogenic processes driving change and the resulting climate impacts. While projected climate changes and impacts are global in extent, the drivers of this change, and the exposure to its impacts, are concentrated in densely populated urban areas. Despite occupying only 1–3% of the land, urban areas are home to most of the world’s population and responsible for ~70% of current greenhouse gas emissions [1]. By 2050, an additional 2.5 billion people are expected to live in urban areas, with up to 90% of this growth …

Is This Home Truly? Reflections On Singapore As It Turns 59, Lily Kong

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

In a commentary, SMU President Professor Lily Kong shared her reflections on Singapore as it turns 59. She discussed Singapore's nation-building process and offered her views on how the country can strengthen its social compact to make Singapore a home for Singaporeans.

Dengue And Climate Change: Assessing Potential Future Areas Of Concern For Transmission In The United States, Matthew Beer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Global climate change severely impacts human life, particularly health, as rising temperatures and extreme weather affect physical and mental well-being. Climate change can also alter the risk factors and epidemiology of infectious diseases, notably vector-borne diseases (VBDs), including those transmitted by mosquitoes. The Aedes mosquito, responsible for dengue, poses a significant threat due to its prevalence vector. Dengue prevention lacks effective methods beyond vector control, and the current vaccine has limitations, emphasizing the need for intensified research and prevention strategies to mitigate the expanding dengue burden worldwide. The goal of these studies was to establish a novel risk index …

Paths Of Least Resistance: A Geospatial Analysis Of The Integration Of Mississippian Communities In The Northwest Arkansas Ozarks, Joseph Jilek

Anthropology Undergraduate Honors Theses

During the Mississippi period (ca. AD 1050-1500), native groups occupying bluff shelters in the Northwest Arkansas Ozarks constructed three similarly sized mound-and-plaza centers: Goforth-Saindon (3BE0245), Collins (3WA0001), and Huntsville (3MA0022). Similarities in size and number of mounds suggests none rose to a position of power over the other and each integrated a separate community. Previous research hypothesizes that communities in emergent complex societies such as these are best defined by those who you interact with regularly, with mound centers less than a day’s travel from each other likely integrating the same communities. This study uses least-cost analysis, generating likely travel …

Social Capital, Institutional Change, And Rural Development In Transmigration Area, West Muna Regency, Indonesia, Ahmad Imron Rozuli, La Ode Machdani Afala, Muhtar Haboddin, Anif Fatma Chawa

Masyarakat: Jurnal Sosiologi

This study examines the development process in transmigration areas, utilizing the social capital concept in the study of three transmigration villages: Mekar Jaya, Wapae, and Suka Damai. We interviewed stakeholders, made observations, and analysed documents to collect data. Our findings highlight the important role of social capital and institutional change in supporting village development. Three critical factors emerged: First, village development involves the transfer of skills from the area of origin to the area of migration endowed with strong work ethics (etos kerja), particularly in agricultural and business sectors. Second, strong networks formed through ethnic and religious ties facilitate …

The Gender Ideology Of State Ibuism And Women’S Roles In Care Practices At The Rawa Panjang Waste Bank, Bojonggede, Bogor, Marini Purnamasari

Masyarakat: Jurnal Sosiologi

This article examines women's involvement in community-based waste management through the Waste Bank program. It argues that women’s participation in managing waste banks reflects the state’s gender ideology, which reinforces the reproduction of female labor and caregiving roles within society. Applying Suryakusuma’s (2011) concept of state ibuism, this study explores women’s roles in the Waste Bank program in Rawa Panjang, Citayam, Bogor Regency. Employing a qualitative approach, it utilizes methods such as observation, focus group discussions (FGDs), photoelicitation interviews, and in-depth interviews. The findings indicate that the Waste Bank program in Rawa Panjang serves as a contemporary manifestation of state …

Assessment In The Potential Of Sustainable Community Development, Syifa Hanifa, Djati Mardiatno, Dina Ruslanjari

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Global warming causes extreme weather and seawater levels to rise. Long-term climate change prediction has been done in various fields, including disaster management. It forced people to adapt to the consequences of climate change in coastal areas. Mitigation and adaptation are complementing each other in addressing climate change risks. Climate change mitigation supports essential aspects of sustainable development, specifically related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals on climate action (SDG13) and disaster risk reduction (SDG11). Making the community sustainable in a disaster is one of the ways to do this. Community sustainable development can be used to mitigate and adapt …

Assessing Consequences And Relevant Thresholds Of Seismic Events In Puerto Rico To Aid The Future Creation Of Consequence-Driven Scenarios, Yahaira D. Alvarez-Gandia

Geography ETDs

Puerto Rico frequently experiences damaging earthquakes due to its location on the northeastern margin of the Caribbean Plate. Its unique combination of factors, including high population, informal construction practices, and environmental risks, such as tsunamis or landslides, create a heightened risk of loss of life and property. Within this context, earthquake scenarios are vital communication, mitigation, and preparedness tools. They provide the opportunity to think critically about possible alternatives to reduce the risks and impacts of these unpredictable events. As an initial step for integrated earthquake scenario development, this study uses semi-structured interviews and the analysis of government reports to …

Surface Urban Cool Island Assessment In Village-Level Tourism Destinations Using Gis And Principal Component Analysis, Revi Hernina, Arif Wicaksono

Jurnal Geografi Lingkungan Tropik (Journal of Geography of Tropical Environments)

This study describes the process to generate classification of village-level tourism destinations known as kampung tematik in Bogor Municipality based on values from Surface Urban Cool Island (SUCI), Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) ≤ -0.17, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) > 0.3, and Urban Index (UI) < -0.2. SUCI values represent the cool temperature, while NDBI ≤ -0.17, NDVI > 0.3, and UI < -0.2 are associated with dense and healthy vegetation. Herein, Band 10 from Landsat 8 was processed to generate land surface temperature (LST) and further, SUCI image was derived from LST image by employing SUCI algorithm. All three variables, namely NDVI, NDBI, and UI were also processed from Landsat 8 with date 24 May 2020. These four variables of SUCI, NDVI, NDBI, and UI image pixels were superimposed with 39 kampung tematik locations using Geographic Information System (GIS) which resulted in 14 locations containing the area percentage from four variables. The values from four variables in 14 locations were inputted into Principal component Analysis (PCA) using R software version 4.1.3. Based on PCA, it reveals that three tourism destinations are classified with area percentage of SUCI less than 50% while the other 11 destinations are classified with area percentage of SUCI more than 50%. In addition, characteristics of tourism destinations with SUCI area percentage less than 50% are identified to have low area percentage of NDBI ≤ -0.17, NDVI > 0.3, and UI < -0.2.

Identification Of Physical And Social Potential For Ecotourism Development In Neglasari Village, Sukabumi Regency Using Remote Sensing And Geographical Information Systems, Tjiong Giok Pin, Adi Wibowo, Haura Hazema Alya, Afifa Ayu Nastiti

Jurnal Geografi Lingkungan Tropik (Journal of Geography of Tropical Environments)

Identification of physical and social potential needs to be done so that it can be developed as an ecotourism object that has a role in improving the economy of a region. Physical and social potential data can be obtained and interpreted from satellite imagery using remote sensing which is then verified through surveys and direct measurements in the field using GPS and digital maps. Data analysis was performed using the overlay method in GIS. Remote sensing methods using satellite imagery have proven to be superior for obtaining information on an area effectively and sustainably. Landsat imagery 8 and 9 are …

Comparative Analysis Of Land Surface Temperature Between Oil Palm Plantations And Rice Paddies In Southern Sumatra Island, I Kadek Yoga Dwi Putra, Muhammad Qabus Abid K, Cindy Adria A. P, Eko Kusratmoko

Jurnal Geografi Lingkungan Tropik (Journal of Geography of Tropical Environments)

Land Surface Temperature (LST) is a vital metric for understanding thermal dynamics and environmental impacts of land cover types. Influenced by land use, vegetation, and elevation, LST helps assess ecological changes and human impacts on surface temperatures. This study investigates LST variations between oil palm plantations and rice paddies in southern Sumatra, Indonesia, using Landsat 8 remote sensing data. The aim is to compare the thermal characteristics of these dominant agricultural landscapes across elevation gradients (0–1250 meters above sea level). Results reveal significant LST differences: rice fields generally show higher LST values at lower elevations, while oil palm plantations have …

Geospatial Analysis Of Environmental, Tick, And Host Interactions With Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever In The Southwestern United States, Al Ekram Elahee Hridoy

Geography ETDs

This study examines the spatiotemporal distribution and determinants of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) incidence in Arizona from 2006 to 2021. Utilizing climate variables, land cover types, and socio-economic indicators, we employed Negative Binomial Regression, Spatial autocorrelation, and Random Forest-based classification to identify key predictors and patterns of RMSF spread. Results indicate positive correlations between RMSF incidence and precipitation and shrub cover, while veterinary access, forest cover, and relative humidity show negative associations. Spatial analysis revealed significant case clustering, with limited veterinary access associated with higher RMSF incidence. A Random Forest-based predictive model was developed to identify potential tick-host interactions, …

Same-Sex Coupled Households In The Mountain West, 2020 Census, Zachary Billot, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Demography

This fact sheet examines same-sex partnership household data from the 2020 United States Decennial Census. This fact sheet analyzes married and unmarried same-sex households in relation to all partnered households in the five Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.

Spatial Mapping With Polaroid Post-Its, Angela C. Dittmar, Katie Claiborne

Arts-Based Collaborative instructional materials

No abstract provided.