scholarly journals NASA-NPS Landscape Climate Change Vulnerability Project (LCCVP) Team Meeting at AMK Ranch

2013 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 183-184
Author(s):  
Andy Hansen ◽  
Tom Oliff
Keyword(s):  
Climate Adaptation ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Landscape Conservation ◽  
State University ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Montana State University ◽  
University Of Montana ◽  
Landscape Conservation Cooperatives

A NASA-funded research team met May 19-22 at the AMK Ranch for a semi-annual team workshop. Participants included: Montana State University – Andy Hansen, Tony Chang, Regan Nelson, Nate Piekielek Woods Hole Research Center – Patrick Jantz, Scott Zolkos NPS Inventory & Monitoring Program – John Gross, Bill Monahan Great Northern LCC – Tom Olliff NASA Ames – Forrest Melton, Jun Xiong Guest – Steve Running (University of Montana) Chef – Jodi Stevens The goal of the project is to demonstrate the four steps of climate adaptation planning in two US Department of Interior Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs) using NASA and other data and models. Objectives are: 1. Hindcast and forecast future climate and land use scenarios. 2. Assess the vulnerability of ecological processes and key habitat types. 3. Evaluate management options. 4. Design and implement management adaptation strategies. 5. Facilitate decision support.

scholarly journals Student Loan Information Provision and Academic Choices

2016 ◽  
Vol 106 (5) ◽  
pp. 324-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maximilian Schmeiser ◽  
Christiana Stoddard ◽  
Carly Urban
Keyword(s):  
College Major ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Student Loan ◽  
Student Debt ◽  
State University ◽  
University System ◽  
Montana State University ◽  
University Of Montana ◽  
Academic Choices ◽  
The University

We examine the effect of a student loan information intervention on changes in college major using administrative data from the Montana University System from 2002-2014. Our difference-in-difference-in-differences strategy exploits the relative trends for students at Montana State University above and below the cutoff for receiving a warning letter about their student debt, compared to their counterparts at the University of Montana. We find that students who receive information suggesting they may be unlikely to be able to repay their loans are more likely to switch to higher earning majors, with higher academic performers most likely to choose STEM fields.

scholarly journals Innovative Techniques for Landscape Recovery after Clay Mining under Mediterranean Conditions

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3439
Author(s):  
Diana Turrión ◽  
Luna Morcillo ◽  
José Antonio Alloza ◽  
Alberto Vilagrosa
Keyword(s):  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Mine Reclamation ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Open Pit ◽  
Open Pit Mining ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Restoration Techniques ◽  
Innovative Techniques ◽  
Mediterranean Conditions

Open-pit mining results in profound modifications at different environmental scales that may persist for very long time periods, or even indefinitely. Considerable research efforts in mine reclamation strategies have been made, although reclamation failures are still common. In dry climates, such as in the Mediterranean Basin, successful actions may depend on features related to proper species selection and restoration techniques, which may substantially contribute to provide substrate stability and facilitate the regeneration of the main ecological processes. In this context, we developed the TECMINE case-study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and suitability of innovative restoration practices applied to clay-mine reclamation under Mediterranean conditions. The restoration strategy was designed at the landscape level with two main approaches: the recovery of natural geomorphology shapes and ecological restoration, including vegetation recovery and soil quality, based on proper reference ecosystems. After the geomorphological land remodeling, a combination of several innovative restoration techniques was implemented to reclaim plant communities and ecosystem functioning. These techniques involved: (i) accurate species selection according to microhabitat characteristics; (ii) high-quality plant production; (iii) surface remodeling to improve substrate stabilization; and (iv) implementing rainfall collection to enhance resources availability, soil fertility improvement and the amelioration of abiotic conditions for seedlings. Finally, we developed a monitoring program to assess the success of the implemented restoration techniques over time. The application of these innovative techniques has reported interesting results and represents a step forward in the improvement of mine restoration under Mediterranean climate.

scholarly journals Revisiting the Functional Zoning Concept under Climate Change to Expand the Portfolio of Adaptation Options

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 273
Author(s):  
Samuel Royer-Tardif ◽  
Jürgen Bauhus ◽  
Frédérik Doyon ◽  
Philippe Nolet ◽  
Nelson Thiffault ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Good Communication ◽  
Management Objectives ◽  
Functional Zoning ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Adaptation Options

Climate change is threatening our ability to manage forest ecosystems sustainably. Despite strong consensus on the need for a broad portfolio of options to face this challenge, diversified management options have yet to be widely implemented. Inspired by functional zoning, a concept aimed at optimizing biodiversity conservation and wood production in multiple-use forest landscapes, we present a portfolio of management options that intersects management objectives with forest vulnerability to better address the wide range of goals inherent to forest management under climate change. Using this approach, we illustrate how different adaptation options could be implemented when faced with impacts related to climate change and its uncertainty. These options range from establishing ecological reserves in climatic refuges, where self-organizing ecological processes can result in resilient forests, to intensive plantation silviculture that could ensure a stable wood supply in an uncertain future. While adaptation measures in forests that are less vulnerable correspond to the traditional functional zoning management objectives, forests with higher vulnerability might be candidates for transformative measures as they may be more susceptible to abrupt changes in structure and composition. To illustrate how this portfolio of management options could be applied, we present a theoretical case study for the eastern boreal forest of Canada. Even if these options are supported by solid evidence, their implementation across the landscape may present some challenges and will require good communication among stakeholders and with the public.

scholarly journals Probabilistic Design of Wind Turbine Blades with Treatment of Manufacturing Defects as Uncertainty Variables in a Framework

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trey W. Riddle ◽  
Jared W. Nelson ◽  
Douglas S. Cairns
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Probabilistic Models ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
State University ◽  
Wind Turbine Blades ◽  
Manufacturing Defects ◽  
Montana State University ◽  
Blade Failure

Abstract. Given that wind turbine blades are such large structures, the use of low-cost composite manufacturing processes and materials has been necessary for the industry to be cost competitive. Since these manufacturing methods can lead to inclusion of unwanted defects, potentially reducing blade life, the Blade Reliability Collaborative tasked the Montana State University Composites Group with assessing the effects of these defects. Utilizing the results of characterization and mechanical testing studies, probabilistic models were developed to assess the reliability of a wind blade with known defects. As such, defects were found to best be assessed as design parameters in a parametric probabilistic analysis allowing for establishment of a consistent framework to validate categorization and analysis. Monte Carlo simulations were found to adequately describe the probability of failure of composite blades with included defects. By treating defects as random variables, the approaches utilized indicate the level of conservation used in blade design may be reduced when considering fatigue. In turn, safety factors may be reduced as some of the uncertainty surrounding blade failure is reduced when analysed with application specific data. Overall, the results indicate that characterization of defects and reduction of design uncertainty is possible for wind turbine blades.

scholarly journals Environmental monitoring of radioactive and non-radioactive constituents in the vicinity of WIP

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 269-276
Author(s):  
P. Thakur ◽  
J. Monk ◽  
J. L. Conca
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Monitoring ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Disposal Site ◽  
State University ◽  
Chemical Contaminants ◽  
The Public ◽  
New Mexico State University ◽  
The Us ◽  
Waste Repositories

Abstract The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), a US Department of Energy (DOE) facility, is a deep geologic transuranic waste disposal site designed for the safe disposal of transuranic (TRU) wastes generated from the US defense program. Monitoring is a key component of the development and operation of any nuclear repository and is important to the WIPP performance assessment. Initial concerns over the release of radioactive and chemical contaminants from the WIPP led to various monitoring programs, including the independent, academic-based WIPP environmental monitoring (WIPP-EM) program conducted by the New Mexico State University (NMSU) Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring and Research Center (CEMRC) located in Carlsbad, NM. The mission of CEMRC is to develop and implement an independent health and environmental monitoring program in the vicinity of WIPP and make the results easily accessible to the public and all interested parties. Under the WIPP-EM program constituents monitored include: (1) selected radionuclides, elements, and ions of interest in air, soil, vegetation, drinking water, surface water and sediment from within a 100-mile radius of WIPP as well as in the air exiting the WIPP exhaust shaft, and (2) internally deposited radionuclides in the citizenry living within a 100-mile radius of WIPP. This article presents an evaluation of more than tens years of environmental monitoring data that informed the public that there is no evidence of increases in radiological contaminants in the region that could be attributed to releases from the WIPP. Such an extensive monitoring program and constant public engagement is an ideal model for all nuclear waste repositories anywhere in the world.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Flexible Dam Operation and Sediment Replenishment at Managawa Dam, Japan

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 691-701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katsumi Matsushima ◽  
Makoto Hyodo ◽  
Noriyuki Shibata ◽  
Yoshihiro Shimizu ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flood Pulse ◽  
Demonstration Project ◽  
Scale Analysis ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Fluvial Systems ◽  
Macro Scale ◽  
Dam Operation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

A field demonstration project on flexible dam operation at the Managawa dam in the Kuzuryu River Basin has been implemented since 2000. The goal is to restore flow and sediment regimes in the Managawa River, which flows along the Ono-city and is located below the dam. Flexible dam operation stores inflow discharge into a reservoir, which generally uses part of the flood control capacity and appropriately discharges the stored water to the river, also known as the “flood pulse,” for restoring dynamic fluvial systems and the resulting ecological processes. In addition, other options have been carried out in combination with flexible dam operation, for example, sediment replenishment since 2003 and channel rehabilitation since 2007. This article reveals the positive impacts and effectiveness of flexible dam operation, sediment replenishment, and channel rehabilitation, and discusses challenges and future prospects toward translating the field demonstration project into dam management on the ground level. First, we classified reach types to identify the impact of various management options, e.g., flexible dam operation, sediment replenishment, and channel rehabilitation. These management options can influence respected reaches. We conducted a macro-scale analysis to understand the relationship between the aforementioned management options and dynamic fluvial systems, addressing changes in gravel riverbed, vegetation, and habitat types (riffles and pools). Second, a micro-scale analysis was conducted to understand the relationship between the management option and changes in attached algae to sediment and macro-invertebrates, etc. The results show the effectiveness of the middle-scale flood pulse to restore dynamic fluvial systems, increase habitat diversity, and sustain ecological processes. Furthermore, we discussed the impacts of such options on the flow and sediment regimes in Managawa River and revealed that flexible dam operation reduces the occurrence of low flow and midscale floods. It was also revealed methods such as sediment replenishment and channel rehabilitation play an important role in increasing the effectiveness of the middle-scale flood pulse and restoring dynamic fluvial systems, even though sediment replenishment is not sufficient to restore sediment regimes (i.e., bring then back to pre-dam conditions).

Invisible Community?

2018 ◽  
pp. 931-945
Author(s):  
Sheila Bonnand ◽  
Mary Anne Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Graduate Program ◽  
Library Instruction ◽  
State University ◽  
Web Conferencing ◽  
Underserved Students ◽  
Montana State University ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
Equitable Instruction

In this chapter, Montana State University librarians share how they have expanded efforts to reach out to and provide equitable instruction services for its online graduate students, a population often underserved. After piloting a synchronous, online instruction program using web conferencing, librarians surveyed a targeted graduate program to determine if underserved students became more efficient researchers as a result of library instruction participation via web conferencing and if they are now taking fuller advantage of library resources and services. Students and faculty surveyed were positive about the newly created connection to the MSU community. However, findings revealed that many online graduate students work in research environments lacking the breadth and depth of resources they need. Further, many lack a connection to the MSU community and do not know that their institution's library resources are available to them. This discovery means that academic libraries should strengthen activities designed to build community among online students.

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