Natural Resources Management Masters Theses

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Factors Influencing the Implementation of Community-Wide Recycling Programs
(North Dakota State University, 2010) Fier, Brian James
The purpose of this study was to determine how the social, economic, political, and administrative factors within a community influence the implementation of community-wide recycling programs. More specifically, this study examined how factors such as urban or rural character, population size, and public/private partnerships influence recycling decisions. The study explored the steps that could be taken to implement a community-wide recycling program and examined how factors such as the size ofthe community's population and its urban or rural nature influence decisions to implement community-wide recycling programs. A mixed methods approach, with a focus on interviews with recycling officials, was used to answer these questions. Twenty-eight themes in eleven categories were identified. These thematic categories included factors influencing the implementation of successful recycling programs, social factors, economic/financial factors, administrative factors, partnerships, costs, and community structure. These themes relate directly to factors that influence the implementation of a recycling program; as such these factors must be considered when implementing a community-wide recycling program. Additionally, they should be taken into consideration within communities that already have a community-wide recycling program.
Assessment of Ecotourism on Community Development: Case of Ecotourism and the Ely Community
(North Dakota State University, 2010) Oumarou, Boubacar Hassane
This study evaluated ecotourism in Ely, Minnesota, gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the International Wolf Center. The study used Flora and Flora's (2008) community capitals framework to assess ecotourism effects on the community's capitals namely, natural, cultural, financial, built, human, social, and political capitals. For each of these capitals; postal and email correspondences, phone calls, and internet searches were used to collect government surveys, statistics, and documentary and photographic data. These data were presented in tables and analyzed using a descriptive method. The analyses revealed a positive effect of ecotourism on all the capitals and suggested that the community capital framework is a suitable model for ecotourism assessment and that ecotourism is contributing to the development of the community of Ely. Suggestions for further research were also offered.
Impact of Rogun Dam on Downstream Uzbekistan Agriculture
(North Dakota State University, 2010) Jalilov, Shokhrukh-Mirzo
Strains among the states of Central Asia caused by overuse of the region's scarce water resources have been increasing in recent years. This is especially true for the relations between Tajikistan, upstream, and Uzbekistan, downstream, on the Amudarya River. Major controversy exists over constructing Rogun Dam on the Vakhsh River, a tributary of the Amudarya River. Construction of Rogun Dam, with a planned height of335 m (1099 ft), began in 1976 but was stopped in 1991 with the breakup of the former Soviet Union. The intent of this dam is to supply Tajikistan with energy, but a side effect will be the changed flow regime of the Amudarya River to downstream states (especially Uzbekistan). The major impact will be on the agricultural sector of Uzbekistan. The objectives of this study are to estimate the monetary impacts of Rogun Dam and propose mitigation measures to minimize impacts. The study investigates the nature and extent of those impacts and indicates policy implications to mitigate negative consequences of the possible water shortage in summer by assessing the baseline situation and comparing that situation with future status-quo (no changes) level of water. Future water shortage could cost Uzbekistan annually over US $609 million economic loss in agriculture, reduce the country's GDP by 2.2%, and result in 336,000 unemployed people. If Uzbekistan changes its present water use practice and increases water use efficiency, the future water shortage during irrigation periods will not as seriously affect the country's economy, as adaptive management measures could cut the losses by 40%.
Effect of Aminopyralid on Crop Rotations and Native Forbs
(North Dakota State University, 2010) Mikkelson, Jonathan Randall
Aminopyralid often is used for invasive weed control in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land. As CRP land is returned to crop production, aminopyralid persistence in soil could limit future planting options. Field experiments were established near Casselton and Fargo, ND to evaluate the effect of aminopyralid soil residue on alfalfa, com, soybean, and sunflower planted one or two growing seasons after treatment. Aminopyralid caused no injury or yield reduction to alfalfa, com, and sunflower when seeded 20 or 23 mo after treatment (MAT) in Fargo. However, soybean yield was reduced when aminopyralid at 120 or 240 g ae/ha was fall- or spring-applied 20 or 23 months prior to seeding. In Casselton, aminopyralid applied in September caused much greater crop injury than when applied in June the year prior to planting. For example, aminopyralid at 120 g/ha applied in September caused 95, 94, and 100% injury to alfalfa, sunflower, and soybean, respectively, compared to 10, 8, and 44% injury when applied in June. Com yield was not affected by any aminopyralid treatment when planted 8 or 11 MAT. Com appeared to be the best cropping option for land that was recently treated with aminopyralid. The effect of temperature and moisture content on aminopyralid dissipation in four North Dakota soils was evaluated in growth chamber and greenhouse studies. Aminopyralid dissipated 2 to 8 times faster at 24 C than at 8 C and aminopyralid 50% dissipation rates (DT 50) ranged from 9 d in a Svea-Barnes loam at 24 C to 256 d in a Lamoure loamy sand at 8 C. Aminopyralid dissipation rates were similar in soils with moisture contents of 22.5 to 90% field capacity (FC) when incubated at 16 C and the average aminopyralid DT 50 ranged from 66 to 200 d. Soil conditions favorable to microbiological growth such as warm temperatures, moderate moisture contents, and high organic matter contents appeared to favor aminopyralid dissipation. In greenhouse trials, prairie forb susceptibility to aminopyralid varied by species. Azure aster, blanket flower, closed bottle gentian, purple coneflower, and showy goldenrod exhibited good tolerance to aminopyralid while great blue lobelia, harebell, prairie coneflower, and white prairie clover were sensitive.
Factors Influencing the Current Residential Energy Related Building Practices in North Dakota
(North Dakota State University, 2010) Pedersen, Carl Arne
The aim of the present study is twofold, develop a quantitative understanding of the current residential building practices related to energy efficiency in North Dakota and combine that understanding with an exploratory qualitative evaluation of the perceptions of those involved. in the residential housing industry including homebuilders, realtors, and homebuyers of home energy efficiency. A two part study was undertaken to begin to develop this understanding. A survey of professional home builders was conducted to assess the construction practices that are currently being utilized in North Dakota. Sixteen qualitative interviews with homebuilders, realtors, and homebuyers were conducted to explore how these stakeholders value energy related issues in the residential housing industry. The data from these interviews were analyzed to investigate how energy efficiency was perceived by these stakeholders.
The Evaluation of Soil Carbon Levels on Post-contract Conservation Reserve Program Lands in Southwestern North Dakota using Multiple Agricultural Use Practices
(North Dakota State University, 2010) Sebesta, Eva Lynn
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) removes highly erodible lands from production for a contract period of 10 to 15 years. During the contract period permanent vegetation cover is established, allowing biological, chemical, and physical soil properties to stabilize and potentially improve. As CRP contracts expire, these idle lands may return to agricultural use. Understanding the influence of various agricultural practices on post-contract CRP lands will enable landowners to make the best management choices. This four-year study focused on the potential impacts of livestock grazing, cropping systems, and vegetative cover on soil carbon levels and species composition on post-contract CRP lands in a semi-arid climate. A randomized complete block design (n = 2) was developed using four treatments, including season-long grazing (SL), a one-cut haying system (HAY), barley: com rotational cropping system (CROP), and non-use simulating idle CRP (CTRL). Moderate grazing targeting 50% herbage disappearance occurred on the SL treatment from mid-June through early January. Barley was harvested as hay in mid-July. Com was left as standing stockpiled forage. Cattle grazed the barley stubble and standing com from early January through mid-April. Four 100-meter transects were established in each treatment and were used to collect vegetation and soil data. Soil samples were analyzed for inorganic, organic, and total carbon. Results indicate that grazing, haying, and cropping systems do not adversely affect soil carbon levels after 4 years of agricultural use when compared to idle CRP. Species composition on grasslands also did not change during the study due to grazing, haying, or non-use. The findings of this study support the use of no-till cropping, one-cut haying, and moderate grazing for maintaining soil carbon levels and species composition on post-contract CRP lands.
Developing Machine Learning and Deep Learning Soil Moisture Models for Precision Agricultural Applications
(North Dakota State University, 2023) Zhang, Xiaomo
Monitoring soil moisture is increasingly becoming a research focus in the fields of agriculture, hydrology, meteorology, and ecology. While soil moisture measurements at points (<1 m²) and their estimation at larger scales (100-25,000 km²) have improved considerably, soil moisture modeling at the intermediate scales (10 to 100 m²) needs more attention. In this study, machine learning and deep learning models including multi-linear regression (MLR), support vector machine (SVM), Gaussian process regression (GPR), and convolutional neural networks (CNN) were built and compared for soil moisture predictions at different depths at the weather stations in the Red River Valley using locations, meteorological data, and soil physical properties. The results showed that the GPR (R²=0.80-0.90) outperformed other models including MLR (R²=68-0.82), SVM (R²=0.44-0.60), and CNN (R²=0.66-0.84) for soil moisture prediction. The prediction performance in the topsoil was better than in the subsoils. The GPR outperformed SVM when both models used the same kernel functions and kernel parameters.
Avian Use of Rice Baited Trays Attached to Cages with Live Decoy Blackbirds in Central North Dakota
(North Dakota State University, 2010) Winter, Jamison Brian
The viability of a management program using DRC-1339 (3-chloro-4-methylanaline hydrochloride) rice bait and live decoy blackbirds to reduce avian depredation on sunflower was assessed. In fall 2007 and 2008, observations were conducted at bait trays attached to decoy traps in central North Dakota. Study participants randomly visited the bait sites for 1-h intervals throughout daylight hours to record numbers, species, and ages (when possible) of blackbirds (targets) and nonblackbirds (non-targets) on the bait trays and nearby baited gravel roadsides. Researchers observed the bait trays for 1011 hand recorded 3,888 birds, representing 25 species, 12 families, and 3 unidentified birds. The red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) (n=3,006) was the most common target species, whereas clay-colored sparrows (Spizel/a pa/Iida) (n=12) and savannah sparrows (Passercu/us sandwichensis) (n=12) were the most numerous non-target species observed on trays. The sparrow family (Emberizidae) was the most prevalent of non-target observations, with 50 individuals representing 8 species and 21 unidentified individual sparrows. Overall risk to non-target species appears minimal, and use by blackbird species was minimal in comparison to the local population. Baited roadsides were used infrequently by blackbirds. Based on this research, use of DRC-1339 rice-baited trays with accompanying live decoys and rice-baited roadsides are not cost-effective methods of reducing blackbird damage to sunflower.
Relationship between Visual Obstruction Reading and Herbage Production for Ecological Sites in a Semi-Arid Climate of the Northern Plains
(North Dakota State University, 2010) Woehl, Derek Devonne
Carbon nanotubes have been the main focus in science and engineering fields lately for their extraordinary properties. But carbon nanotube fabrication process is very expensive, particularly for reinforcements and structural composite applications. Instead of working towards developing lower cost nanotubes, an alternate solution to resolve the problem is to formulate a cost effective reinforcement referred to as graphene nanoplatelets. These nanoplatelets have excellent mechanical as well as electronic properties opening up for several applications in various fields. Their structure with carboncarbon bonds make them stronger and stiffer. Single nanotubes can be used as reinforcements in one direction, while the graphite nanoplatelets are effective in two directions yielding a higher degree of stiffness and strength in a matrix. In this thesis, a molecular dynamic computer simulation technique was used to explore the atomic scale and dynamics of graphene nanoplatelets and carbon nanotubes embedded in polyethylene matrix. The mechanical properties of the carbon nanotubes and nanoplatelets polymer composite models were studied individually along with a comparison between composite models. The overall system was modeled using material studio software with the implementation of periodic boundary conditions to determine the properties. The stress strain curves revealed that the length and the volume fraction of the nanotube/nanoplatelets had a significant effect on the mechanical properties of the composite. The stiffness of the composite with long reinforcement length increased relative to the polymer in the longitudinal direction and shows an anisotropic behavior. Significant enhancement was observed in the Young's modulus with the increase in the volume fraction of the nanotubes/nanoplatelets because of the well known effect of the increase in the load transfer between the polymer and the reinforcements. Also increasing the volume fraction of the short nanotubes/nanoplatclets provided very little improvement in stiffness compared to the longer length nanotubes/nanoplatelets. Results also showed that the graphene nanoplatelet reinforced composite properties were very comparable to the nanotubes reinforced composites even under weak vander Waal interactions.
Evaluating Carbon Sequestration in CRP and Restored Grasslands in the North Central U.S.
(North Dakota State University, 2009) Riopel, Jason Allen
The issue of global climate change raises a need for information on the management and mitigation of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). The knowledge of carbon (C) characteristics within land resources can be useful for resource managers and policy makers to make informed management decisions. Depending on land use and management, prairie soils can be considered either a source or a sink for atmospheric CO2. Soil sample cores were taken from seven different regions in the north central U.S. Over 1300 samples were analyzed to determine relationships between grassland age and soil organic carbon (SOC) levels. Sample matrices were built to compare restored grassland age classes to adjacent native grasslands and cultivated croplands in the different study regions. The samples were taken at 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm increments and were analyzed for organic carbon, inorganic carbon, and total carbon. Each region was analyzed using regression analysis to calculate SOC sequestration rates for restored grasslands over time. Restored grassland SOC sequestration rates were found to be highly variable throughout the region ranging from annual losses to annual gains of 0.59 ± 1.81 kg m-2 30 cm-1 with an overall sequestration rate of 0.09 ± 1.92 kg m-2 30 cm- 1 • Overall, as average annual temperature and precipitation increased, SOC levels also increased. Under proper management restored grasslands in the north central Great Plains can be managed and used to store atmospheric CO2.
Management Influences on Plant Community Composition in the Prairie Pothole Region
(North Dakota State University, 2022) Coleman, Carlee
Remnant prairies in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) should serve as repositories of native plant species, yet disrupted ecological process, invasive species, potential nitrogen deposition, climate change, and numerous other factors threaten native species diversity in remnant prairies. This study sought to assess how historical and adaptive management practices influence plant community composition in remnant prairies. We grouped sites based on recent or long-term management histories, and explored differences in floristic diversity, quality, and the abundance of individual species and groups of species between site groupings. Our assessments determined that long-term management history determines present day species composition, and that reinstating native disturbance regimes following extended periods of rest is effective for shifting plant community composition to a more desirable state. A continued commitment to restoring ecological function is likely required to target invasive species and conserve native species diversity on remnant prairies in the PPR.
Adaptive Management as a Tool in the Restoration of Grassland, Wetland, and Riparian Ecosystems within the Northern Great Plains
(North Dakota State University, 2022) Polgar, Monica
Four individual restoration projects were conducted across grassland, wetland, and riparian ecosystems in the Northern Great Plains, with common themes of adaptive management and enhancing native plant species presence. The first project, a grassland restoration, assessed interseeding treatment combinations to evaluated influences on plant community composition. The second grassland restoration focused on revegetation efforts utilizing multiple seed mixes on a highly modified site and looked to understand influences on species establishment and invasive species control. A wetland restoration project was conducted employing varying levels of treatment intensities with goals of establishing native vegetation in an invasive dominated site. The last project evaluated the potential to use riparian grazing as a means of stream restoration with goals of increasing floodplain accessibility and stream stability. Given the essential ecosystem services each system provides, it is important to conduct restoration studies to understand mechanisms supporting the continued rehabilitation of degraded systems.
Recovery of Physical and Biological Soil Properties and Vegetation on Reclaimed Oil Well Pads in Western North Dakota
(North Dakota State University, 2022) Christopherson, Chase
Since 2000, the oil industry in North Dakota has grown to become the fifth largest oil producing and the second largest oil production and reserve state in the country. This increase in growth and activity has contributed to large amounts of ecological disturbance and degradation in western North Dakota. Oil companies are required to complete reclamations on disturbed and degraded lands once well pad activity ceases at a site. It is unclear how successful these reclamations are though as studies have found that significant ecological recovery can take multiple decades. This study assessed the recovery of soil properties and vegetation establishment on reclamations varying in age up to 37 years. It was determined that, at least in western North Dakota, soil microbes in reclaimed areas reflect those of undisturbed areas more over time and that time does not appear to have much effect on vegetation presence in reclaimed areas.
Evaluation of Habitat Selection by Nesting Sharp-Tailed Grouse and Survivorship of Hens, Males, and Nests on the Grand River National Grasslands in Northwest South Dakota, USA
(North Dakota State University, 2011) Houchen, Dean Joseph
Plains sharp-tailed grouse nesting habitat was evaluated on the Grand River National Grasslands (GRNG) in northwest South Dakota, in the spring and summer of 2009 and 2010. Experiment #1 was conducted across the GRNG with hens and males trapped at 11 different lekking sites in 2009 and 2010. Study objectives were to 1) evaluate sharp-tailed grouse nest site selection based on habitat and describe vegetation composition and visual obstruction readings (VOR), 2) compare the use of semi-variance statistics to the commonly used co-efficient of variation to determine patch selection by sharp-tailed grouse, and 3) provide an example of how semi-variance statistical techniques can be used by wildlife scientists to evaluate habitat selection and patch size determination. Experiment #2 was designed to evaluate survivorship of female and male sharp-tailed grouse, and sharp-tailed grouse nests on the GRNG in the spring and summer of 2009 and 2010. Study objectives were to I) estimate nest survival rates of sharp-tailed grouse on the GRNG in northwest South Dakota, 2) evaluate the effects of abiotic and biotic factors on nest survival rates, and 3) estimate survival of male and female grouse during the nesting season. VOR data was collected at 275 random transects (143 in 2009 and 132 in 2010) and 46 used (nests) transects (22 in 2009 and 24 in 2010). Sharp-tailed grouse were trapped and fitted with necklace style transmitters. Over the two year study 163 sharp-tailed grouse were trapped and 100 of these individuals were fitted with radio collars ( 44 males and 56 females). Nests were monitored to determine fate. There was a difference (P:S0.05) in patch selection compared to what was available in 2009, but no difference in 2010. The comparison of semi-variance (SV) analysis to co-efficient of variation (CV) provided a conflicting report as SV showed selection for variability, while the CV showed a selection for low variability and a uniform height distribution of vegetation. Overall 41 of 56 collard hens initiated nests, with 5 hens initiating a second nest following the predation of her first (18 initial nest and 4 re-nests in 2009, and 23 initial nests and 1 re-nest in 2010). Vegetation measurements were taken at 46 nest sites. Overall, nest survival was 30% (29% in 2009 and 31 % in 2010). The best model for nest survival included maximum vegetation height and percent grass canopy cover as vegetation variables most related to nest survival. Nest survival increased with an increase in the maximum vegetation height and with increasing canopy cover of grass. All other models that included other vegetation characteristics as variables were not well supported (i.e., >2 MICc units). The constant survival model had more support than any of the models that included time dependent variables such as linear trend of time, maximum daily temperature, and nest age. The model that included a linear trend of time was the best time dependent model (MICc = 1.21 ). The model that combined a linear trend of time with the best vegetation model, maximum vegetation height plus percent canopy cover of grass, received less support than the vegetation model alone (MICc 0.77). Survival of male and female sharp-tailed grouse was 49% and 65%, respectively. We recommend managers develop strategies to maintain patches of tall dense vegetation structure. Patches of tall grass cover is an important component to sharp-tailed grouse nesting habitat. Thus, we recommend that management of grazing and use of mechanical treatments that leave patches of tall dense stands of grass in grass dominated ecosystems are beneficial to nesting sharp-tailed grouse.
Prairie Restoration outcomes in the Northern Tallgrass and Mixed Grass Prairie Eco-Region
(North Dakota State University, 2011) Larson, Tyler Kjos
Prairie restorations have been implemented using a variety of seeding methods and techniques. The outcomes of these prairie restorations have not been surveyed on United States Fish and Wildlife Service lands in eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota. A survey was initiated to determine the outcomes of these restorations and to provide guidance on what restoration methods and techniques produce desired results. A total of123 sites were sampled across the area in various upland positions. Data collection took place during June, July, and August in 2009 and 2010. Inforn1ation collected from the field and from restoration plans included plant community data, physical data, seed mixtures, planting methods, planting age, and invasive/undesirable species information. Plant composition sampling was conducted using ocular estimation of plant cover percent (%) within three randomly placed 2 m2 quadrats placed in a triangular fashion 12 meters apart. A non-metric multi-dimensional scaling analysis was utilized, featuring correlations of restoration characteristics based on groupings from cluster analysis and multi-response permutation procedures. Logistic regressions were also performed to determine probabilities of membership to certain groups and Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC)was used to compare among factors and models. From these analyses it was found that prairie restorations in the study area can be placed into three significantly different groups (p<0.05). One group (Group 1) consisted of younger restorations that had high variability, which are likely to diverge into one of two other groups. One of the other two groups (Group 2) consists of older restorations, lacking in diversity and high in undesirable grass species. The last group (Group 3) had a variable age, moderate to high diversity, and low invasive/undesirable species which tend to be those most desired characteristics for restorations. A high probability of membership to Group 3, greater than 8 out of ten restorations, occurred when: 1) a minimum of 9 grass species was seeded, 2) ten forb species were included in the seed mix, and 3) broadcast seeding was utilized. Dormant season was the most dependable planting season for membership in Group 3, with winter (10/21 - 4/ 14) being a hundred percent predictor. The results of this survey will guide restoration practitioners as to the probability of their planned restorations developing into the two dominant groups and the characteristics of restorations that have a high probability of meeting desired restoration conditions. Knowledge of these probabilities will assist managers in developing efficient and self-sustainable prairie restorations and can help in the planning of conservation under increasingly high costs and constraints on management.
Rangeland and Pasture Improvements for Southeastern North Dakota
(North Dakota State University, 2011) Huffington, Michael Paul
Degraded pasture and rangelands are becoming increasingly present in southeastern North Dakota and throughout the Northern Great Plains. Problems associated with degraded pasture and rangelands include loss of biodiversity, increased invasive species, reduced forage quality for cattle, loss of wildlife habitat, and reduced soil stability when compared to a healthy, functioning native prairie ecosystem. In an attempt to reverse this trend, three studies were conducted looking at a variety of different management techniques, all aimed to improve the overall health of degraded pasture and rangelands in southeastern North Dakota. The first study analyzed bum season and frequency, replicated in both grazed and ungrazed plots, to determine the most effective burning treatment for the control and reduction of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and smooth brome (Bromus inermis). At this point in the study there have only been two seasons of data collected, but initial results indicate that summer burning, regardless of frequency, is the most effective treatment at reducing Kentucky bluegrass cover. Smooth brome cover has not been reduced using any of the treatments except grazing, resulting in a reduction of its cover compared to ungrazed. The second study was an interseeding trial that analyzed a variety of different pre-seeding treatments including burning, herbicide, seeding only, and a bum herbicide combination. This was the initial year of the trial so results were limited to seedling establishment Herbicide treatment, both in combination with burning and as a single treatment, resulted in the highest overall seedling establishment, but overall treatment success cannot be determined without additional years of community level data. The third and final study analyzed the impact of a patch burn grazing system on disturbed northern tallgrass rangeland. At this point in the study, findings have not indicated a plant community level change under the patch burn grazing management system, but above average moisture may be contributing to the subdued results.
Fire History of the Ponderosa Pine Stand in Southwestern North Dakota
(North Dakota State University, 2007) Beckers, Jesse
A study on the fire history of the ponderosa pine (Pi nus ponderosa P. & C. Lawson) forest in northern Slope County, North Dakota, was completed. The objectives of this study were to determine the pre- and post-settlement fire history of this location and to relate that fire history to topography. Samples were collected in 2005-2007 and analyzed using standard dendrochronological techniques. Three data-reduction methods and three calculation techniques were used to determine fire intervals (Fis). Method 1 assumed that all scars were created by fire; Method 2 required 10% or 20% of samples to have scars in a given year; Method 3 attempted to use visual cues to separate fire-caused scars from those created by other agents. The calculation techniques determined the FI for each tree individually, 1) utilizing or 2) not utilizing the origin-to-scar (OS) interval, followed by averaging all samples, or 3) compositing all samples before calculating the FI. Results of this study varied, depending on data-reduction method and calculation technique. The most realistic results were obtained with Method 2 utilizing the 10% criterion. With this method, the pre- and post-settlement Fis are 28.5 and 52 years, respectively. Composite calculations in Methods I and 3 showed low Fis; utilizing individual Fis with the OS interval showed overly large estimates of the FI. When conservative Method 2 was utilized, the average age of a ponderosa pine when the first fire scar was recorded is 58 years. Fires in 1882 and 1893 traveled the farthest distances, 2893 and 3276 meters, respectively.
Assessment of Prairie Pothole Conditions and Plant Community Composition on FWS Fee-Title Lands
(North Dakota State University, 2021) Jones, Seth
Conditions of wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region have been severely degraded due to anthropogenic disturbances, such as cultivation and climate change. To maintain or restore the diversity and integrity of these ecosystems we must first understand what condition they are in and what current factors are driving wetland conditions on a region-wide scale. This study aimed to assess wetland conditions and determine what the major plant community drivers were on FWS fee-title lands. Assessments showed wetlands in native grassland are in better condition than those in reseeded grasslands and seasonal wetlands are in better condition than temporary wetlands. It was clear plant communities are being largely driven by the cover of invasive species within each given wetland zone. Differences in wetland conditions and invasive versus native species cover are likely the result of past and present disturbance on FWS fee-title lands.
Improving Data and Understanding of Public Water Supply in North Dakota Through Municipal and Industrial Water-Use Information Specifically Focusing on the Bakken Region 2000-2018
(North Dakota State University, 2021) Cleys, Joseph Connor
The Bakken oil boom 2005–2015 has dominated conversations on North Dakota’s water use in the past two decades. This study focused on municipal and industrial water use across 83 different use categories for the Bakken and non-Bakken areas of the state. A phone survey was conducted to determine how industrial permit holders use their water. Additionally, water use databases from the North Dakota State Water Commission and Southwest Water Authority were analyzed to determine correlations between the oil boom and water use in municipal and industrial categories, and determine differences and similarities between water use in the Bakken and the rest of the state. Results show many industrial permit holders use their water for its intended purpose and sell the remaining water to other industries, such as oil, which made commercial water sales increase drastically. Information from this project is useful for future water projections and planning.
Past Flooding Events and a 400+ Year Ring-Width Chronology of Bur Oak Along The Red River in North Dakota and Minnesota
(North Dakota State University, 2021) Schlauderaff, Matthew Bruce
A paleoflood record of the United States portion of the Red River of the North was created utilizing rings of bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa Michx.). Emphasis was placed on the flood of 1826. Samples were collected from standing trees and historic log buildings. All samples were observed for flood rings and measurements were taken for 90% of physical samples. Flood rings for 1826 were disproportionately found at one specific site near Shelly, MN. Ring width measurements were taken from 179 physical samples and combined into a ring-width chronology spanning from modern times back to 1601. The results suggest that the flood of 1826 was not as severe in the United States as in Manitoba. Additional sampling from log buildings and subfossil logs could help further refine the extent of the 1826 flood, as well as extend the paleoflood record and ring-width chronology.

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