Natural Resources Management Masters Papers

Permanent URI for this collectionhdl:10365/32459

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Now showing 1 - 15 of 15

Improving North Dakota's Arboreta: Utilizing Living Museums to Their Greatest Capacity
(North Dakota State University, 2022) Ahrenholz, Stephen Lee
North Dakota has roughly 20 arboreta, though many of them are in decline. NDSU Extension developed an arboretum improvement project that included field visits, site inventories, and educational programming. North Dakota’s arboreta are a diverse group with over 70 genera and more than 500 tree and shrub species represented. Soil Conservation District (SCD) arboreta have an average of 31 species per arboretum while non-SCD arboreta average about 70. Labeling methods and accuracy, condition, and maintenance varied greatly. We conducted four educational workshops for arboretum managers, but attendance was relatively low: only 21 individuals attended. Attendees include SCD employees, Extension agents, and arboretum managers. A follow-up evaluation indicated that all respondents found the labeling infographic or the arboreta locations map helpful. Roughly 62% of arboretum managers gained knowledge and skills that align with the project’s objectives. However, a change in behavior amongst many arboretum managers is yet to be seen.
Application of Biochar for Carbon Sequestration Mitigating Impacts of Climate Change: An Analysis of Detention Basins in Fargo, North Dakota
(North Dakota State University, 2021) Short, Karensa Jazz
Biochar can be used for many purposes beyond its use for carbon sequestration and is a multifunctional substance. Detention basins are primarily a one-use area utilizing large spaces to hold stormwater, allowing the production of biomass for biochar would allow many uses from the space. Analysis of biochar application in detention basins as a means of utilizing space for maximum benefits. Additionally, helping with mitigation of climate change as well as increased rates of infiltration. In a world where climate change is at the forefront of importance, it is time now, more than ever, to put focus on change to better the world for future generations. In this paper, you will see an introduction of the importance of researching biochar, a literature review of research found on biochar, a feasibility study using an example site, and concluding points.
Scenario Development for Niger Environment Based on Risk and Effect Analysis With Drought, Drought Response, and Population Growth as Drivers
(North Dakota State University, 2021) Mounkaila Siddo, Soumaila
Niger is a landlock country located within the Sahara Desert and Sahel region. The region is subject to extreme climate conditions including heat waves, droughts and floods. Rapid population growth together with institutional incapacity and poor adaptive capacity can exacerbate the consequences of extreme climate. This paper develops four scenarios for the Niger environment based on risk and effect analysis with drought, drought response, and population growth as drivers. Scenario 1 (long-term drought, ineffective institution, rising population) would result in high risks of socioeconomic and environmental consequences as compared to scenarios 2 (long-term drought, effective institution, controlled population growth), 3 (highly variable climate, ineffective institution, rising population), and 4 (highly variable climate, effective institution, controlled population growth). However, with effective social and economic policies, these climatic and environmental conditions could be an opportunity for the country to develop and improve the living conditions of communities.
The Effect of Climate Change on the Predatory Success of Sharks
(North Dakota State University, 2021) Kuerschner, Melina
This literature overview focuses on how shark species, are faring with the anthropogenically induced climatic changes. The ocean is drastically affected by this, which has major implications on the aquatic life. Some effects include increasing temperature, carbon dioxide and acidity levels. This has led to shifts in the predatory success in sharks, which will only increase in severity as climate change intensifies, because changes in climate induce other changes in most aspects of the shark’s life. These can be grouped into three categories: shifts in body functions, behaviors and habitat. Some changes in body function include difficulty integrating sensory cues through reduced neuron receptor function, decreased brain/muscle aerobic potential and changes in growth/development. Behavioral changes include shifted swimming patterns, interacting with different species assemblages and prey behaviors. Lastly, habitat changes affect the shark's ability to capture prey through increases in salinity, degradation of critical habitat and reduction in dissolved oxygen.
The Application of Active and Passive Optical Sensors in Natural Resource Decision Making
(North Dakota State University, 2020) Veverka, Donald Vincent
Remote sensing is becoming a significant tool utilized to study vegetation health and abundance. Vegetation indices (VIs) generated by active and passive remote optical sensors can be implemented in natural resource and agricultural decision-making processes. One such use of vegetation indices is to predict yield and protein contents for various crops. However, the application of VIs is limited due to land use differences and the time period when remote sensing information is most accurate. A literature search was conducted on VIs paying attention to how those are used with sensors mounted on small unmanned aerial vehicles (sUAV). The search found that there was a limited amount of literature being catered towards management decisions compared to scientific studies and systematic reviews. This makes it difficult for decision makers to review and stay updated on remote sensing practices and to incorporate remote sensing into field based management and policy making.
Discrimination of Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) and Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.) Based on Field Spectral Data
(North Dakota State University, 2019) Hooge Hom, Kathryn Marie
Leafy spurge and purple loosestrife are noxious weeds that displace native vegetation. Herbicides are often applied to these weeds during flowering, making it ideal to identify them early in the season. This paper evaluates the spectral separability of the inflorescences and leaves of these plants from surrounding vegetation. Spectral data of leafy spurge, purple loosestrife, and surrounding vegetation were collected from sites in southeastern North Dakota. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to separate the spectral signatures of these weeds in the visible and near infrared wavelengths. Using PLS-DA the weeds were discriminated from their surroundings with R2 values of 0.86 to 0.92. Analysis of the data indicated that the bands contributing the most to each model were in the red and red edge spectral regions. Identifying these weeds by the leaves allows them to be identified earlier in the season, allowing more time to plan herbicide application.
Prediction of Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms in Western Lake Erie Using Artificial Neural Network Modeling Techniques
(North Dakota State University, 2019) Guzel, Haci Osman
Blue-green algae are a major environmental concern in freshwater produce toxins and cause a wide range of problems including oxygen depletion, fish kills, harm or death to other aquatic organisms, and subsequent habitat loss. Cyanobacteria are a type of blue-green algae that form harmful algal blooms (HABs) in water ecosystems. In this study, artificial intelligence techniques, in particular artificial neural networks, were developed to estimate blue-green algae fluorescence for the year-round data collected in 2016-17 from western Lake Erie, USA. Based on the lake’s environmental conditions and available data, eight input parameters including phosphorous, nitrogen, chlorophyll-a, air temperature, water temperature, turbidity, wind speed, and pH were used to run the model. Five different learning algorithms were TESTED, and the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm resulted in the highest R2 values of 0.98 and 0.72 for eight, and three (phosphorous, nitrogen, and chlorophyll-a) input parameters, respectively. Eight input parameters produced the best estimation approach.
The Fire Ecology of Kentucky bluegrass. (Poa Pratensis)
(North Dakota State University, 2011) Schulte, Jeffrey Roy
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is a serious invader found throughout the Central and Northern Great Plains. This paper is a review of prescribed fire effects on Kentucky bluegrass (Paa pratensis). The general approach of the paper is to look for a mechanistic understanding of its response to fire. The first portion of the paper describes the biology of Kentucky bluegrass. The next section of the paper provides an overview of fire ecology in the Great Plains. The changes to the abiotic environment during and post-fire are discussed which identifies several processes that may be responsible for the plant response to fire. Water relations, light limitation, and soil temperatures are all identified as ecosystem components that are altered by fire. The abiotic environment is further altered post-fire by biotic responses. These effects include temporal fluxes in available N, increased evapotranspiration, and increased rhizome production. Species and community responses are highly variable, depending on timing of fire, fire intensity, species identity and plant community composition. Finally, two experiments are proposed that are designed to provide mechanistic explanation for the fire response of Kentucky bluegrass. Understanding the mechanism behind its response will enable the science of prescribed burning to move forward by reducing the confounding factors associated with the use of fire.
A Review of the State of Sharp-Tailed Grouse: With Management Considerations in Minnesota and North Dakota
(North Dakota State University, 2018) Danzl, Matthew Richard
The sharp-tailed grouse is a member of the family Phasianidae and comprises six subspecies. They are a medium sized bird which are pursued as game in most of its range. Sharp-tailed grouse are found in large areas of North America. They occupy vast grassland areas with various amounts of interspersed brushy components and few trees present. Mating and courtship occur on congregating areas called leks or “dancing grounds”. These areas are a focal element of their local population centers and occupy a portion of their relatively large individual home ranges. Due to their large home ranges, researchers have applied the term “indicator” or “umbrella” species to them because of their importance on the landscape to other species. Portions of their range are decreasing and becoming more fragmented. Principle causes are linked to agriculture development, ecological succession, conifer plantations, and energy development. Populations across their range have declined from historic levels.
Multi-Disciplinary Review and Comparison of Project Management for Social Engagement Practices
(North Dakota State University, 2017) Crutchfield, Nicole Boudreaux
This paper explores the practices of natural resources management, community development, and public arts by comparing the integration of social engagement as part of project management. All three of these practices originate from goals of social change and continue to advance in their disciplinary fields. Community-Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) is framed in the natural resources management discipline. Community Development (CD) practice is framed in public participation and city planning disciplines. Creative Placemaking (CP) practice is framed in the public art discipline. These disciplines point to the intent to transform existing culture with the goal of becoming more democratic, socially just, transparent, and inclusive. Through the analysis of project management traits, key components are identified for successful project implementation with the goal of resulting in healthy and vibrant communities.
Summarizing Regional Research Data Contributing to the U.S. Rapid Carbon Assessment in the Northern Great Plains
(North Dakota State University, 2016) Kraft, Edward Alton
Research on soil organic carbon (SOC) within the northern Great Plains has not been clearly documented. Objectives of this study were (i) to inventory literature reporting SOC responses to agroecosystem management, (ii) extract data for the Northern Great Plains Rapid Carbon Assessment, and (iii) summarize data to identify relationships between SOC and land use management. Soil organic carbon at 0 – 15 cm depth was 1.57 – 6.87 kg C m-2, 1.56 – 5.34 kg C m-2, and 1.48 – 5.48 kg C m-2 under grasslands, conservation tillage (CST), and conventional tillage (CT), respectively. Soils with a Productivity Index (PI) of 80 – 100 had greater mean SOC (4.14 kg C m-2) across all managements. Correlation between SOC and PI for CT was significant (r=0.240) (P=0.05) and highly significant (r=0.418) (P=0.01) for CST. Management practices for cropland soils combined with productivity potential appear to relate to the C accrual potential of northern Great Plains soils.
How Can Sustainable Design Insure Resiliency through the Biodiversity of a Boomtown
(North Dakota State University, 2015) Riley, Jesse M
Presently the state of North Dakota is enjoying tremendous economic expansion as well as an increase in population. The development of the Bakken Oil formation has introduced a new set of opportunities and presented a new set of challenges. By studying past boomtowns, ecology, and design, a path for planning, recruitment and maintaining communities with a sustainable approach can be explored. The purpose of this research is to guide current and future stakeholders in the area of energy development communities and wise growth planning. The many articles and books that are devoted to social science, ecology, design and population recruitment will aid in presenting a case for realizing a sustainable future for the state of North Dakota and the use of its natural resources.
Plant Community Composition of Camp Grafton Training Center (South Unit) from 1998-2013
(North Dakota State University, 2014) O'Brien, Peter
A vegetation monitoring study was conducted from 1998 to 2013 at Camp Grafton South (CGS) in Eddy County, North Dakota to assess how climatic, grazing, and military training disturbance affects plant community composition. The objectives of this study were to 1) describe the prairie vegetation at CGS across three topographic positions and 2) explore any shifts in plant community composition in correlation with time. Frequency data was collected at 45 randomly selected transects on lowland, midland, and upland grassland plant communities on native prairie. Plant communities were compared using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) ordination. NMS ordination showed that the three plant communities were distinct from one another, and that the frequency of the invasive graminoids Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.) increased. Increases in precipitation, temperature, and growing season days appear to be the primary influence on the changes in plant communities from 1998-2013.
How Decision-Making Can Inform Sustainable Development of the Expanding Oil Industry of Western Kazakhstan
(North Dakota State University, 2012) Kenzhebekova, Aigerim
This paper explores how decision-making under uncertainty can address opportunities, risks, and uncertainties for sustainable development; how decision theory, resilience thinking, and scenario planning approaches can assist the decision-making process. The paper will focus on decision-making for sustainable development under uncertainty associated with energy development in Western Kazakhstan. The main goal of this work is to demonstrate how different decision-making approaches under uncertainty can facilitate sustainable development of the oil industry in the region. Recommendations for sustainable development are examined for how the different approaches can be used to better inform the recommendations.
Incorporating Adaptive Management and Translational Ecology into the North Dakota Total Maximum Daily Load Program: A Case Study of the Fordville Dam Nutrient TMDL
(North Dakota State University, 2012) Hargiss, Michael John
Translational ecology and adaptive management strategies were incorporated into the Fordville Dam Nutrient Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) case study to determine if these two techniques were compatible to the North Dakota TMDL Program. A case study summary of the Fordville Dam Nutrient TMDL was discussed to provide contrast and comparison of the current TMDL program strategy and systematic improvements that could be made with the incorporation of translational ecology and adaptive management. Translational ecology is an effective way to bridge the information barrier through open communication between the stakeholders and scientists while creating a mutual learning experience. Adaptive management is beneficial to a TMDL implementation plan because it allows stakeholders and resource managers to become involved in management decisions and develop a better understanding of the ecosystem. Therefore, combining translational ecology and adaptive management would make the TMDL process more effective, through better communication and a flexible management plan.

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