MA, Kent State University, 2013, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Geography

Pompeii suffered a famous volcanic disaster in 79 AD. This led to a tremendous loss of life. This thesis examines that loss of life and the geography of death left behind by the eruption. Where did the citizens of Pompeii die, and how could they have avoided their fate? These are issues that are examined through geographic methodologies and the use of GIS. The results indicate a people that could have been spared with proper hazards management, and one that shows through mapping the large loss of life that accompanied one of history's most famous volcanic eruptions.

MCP, University of Cincinnati, 2002, Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning : Community Planning

This thesis is to formulate the implementation process and the organizational structure of an enterprise GIS in local government. Management issues are the focus of the thesis. Enterprise GIS is a coordinated geographic information system that supports and promotes coordinated geo-spatial data development across jurisdictional and organizational boundaries. Enterprise GIS is a revolution in local government. To achieve the advantages of an enterprise GIS, several important issues must be addressed: policy, management, and technology. The most efficient way to design an enterprise GIS is to consider the development process as a cycle of several stages with emphasis on organizational structure. The phases of an implementation plan allow an organization to establish a clear set of tasks and responsibilities within an understandable decision-making framework. Organizational restructuring is both a precursor and response to successfully adopting enterprise GIS. Cincinnati Area GIS (CAGIS) is an enterprise GIS implemented to improve service delivery and decision support across various businesses of its participants. CAGIS pioneered the concept of multi-agency cooperation in the development of geographic systems and sharing geographic data in Cincinnati Area. Like other large GIS projects, CAGIS has had both successes and failures. CAGIS is a successful enterprise GIS in terms of improved efficiency, effectiveness and enterprise benefits.

MA, University of Cincinnati, 2012, Arts and Sciences: Geography

Archaeology, like many disciplines, has employed GIS as a tool which allows a diversity of new research agendas, from predictive site modeling to combining of spatial data sets, which were once too cumbersome to be handled in entirety. With the explosion of web mapping applications over the past decade, the opportunity now exists to bring these capabilities, which once required specialized education and software, to the entire archaeological community. The Puuc Region Archaeological Geographic Information System (PRAGIS) is a methodological foray into bringing spatial analysis to professionals regardless of their computer mapping experience. With the combination of data sets pertaining to site location, landforms, modern features, recent land use patterns, as well as several basemaps, it is intended that this type of program will provide the intermediary functionality between the options of static viewing of sites and the full suite of spatial tools, and corresponding knowledge base for their implementation. http://egis.artsci.uc.edu/PRAGIS/

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2018, Geography

One of the greatest challenges faced by modern hospitals is the mitigation of nosocomial infections. Part of what makes their elimination so elusive is that hospitals have yet to fully understand the many facets that allow them to spread so successfully. The synergism of the hospital environment, medical practices, and the patients themselves create an ever-shifting landscape, making the infections difficult to pinpoint. Patient level factors that contribute to the acquisition of illnesses are generally well understood, as are the environmental. However, commonplace medical practices, such as intra-hospital patient transfers, could be propagating nosocomial infections. This research explores if the number of intra-hospital transfers a patient experiences could be associated with the likelihood of them being diagnosed with hospital-onset Clostridium difficile infection, a common nosocomial illness. This is accomplished through mixed methods including logistic regression, social network analysis and spatial analysis utilizing geographic information systems. These indicate that there is a positive association between the number of intra-hospital transfers and diagnosis with hospital-onset Clostridium difficile. Further, local spatial dependency was found when examining the location of rooms associated with the diagnosis of Clostridium difficile. The results provide several potential avenues of intervention including reduction of unnecessary intra-hospital transfers and better targeted sanitization regimes.

Master of Environmental Science, Miami University, 2013, Environmental Sciences

This report summarizes my experiences as an environmental scientist professional with the local government of Hamilton, OH. This report outlines my responsibilities over an 11-month fellowship, particularly in regards to use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It discusses specific projects such as an inflow and infiltration study with the municipality's sanitary system as well as a GIS model constructed to reenact a historic flood event in 1913. This paper presents the steps that initiated the creation of the model and highlights the procedures needed to build an animated model within GIS. This paper discusses some of the challenges and problem-solving processes used in a professional setting.

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2013, Arts and Sciences: Geography

Most studies that examine the equity in spatial access to parks rely on geographic information systems (GIS) and secondary data, and measure access strictly in terms of distance, leaving out other important determinates of access. A need exists for measures of spatial access that include environmental factors such as perceptions of safety, the presence and quality of sidewalks, and heavy traffic, all of which influence levels of physical activity. This dissertation details a qualitative GIS approach that moves beyond distance-based access measures to physical activity resources and engages local adult and youth residents in a participatory research process. The qualitative GIS approach combines GIS-based distance measures with environmental audits, digital photography, Group Level Assessment, and participatory mapping in order to gain local knowledge of the environmental factors that facilitate or inhibit access to the Licking River Greenway and Trails (LRGT), an urban greenway in Northern Kentucky. Including local perceptions of the built environment provides a more realistic portrayal of access, one that includes local insights to the barriers to physical activity and that reveals potential issues related to inequities in access. By identifying equity issues and creating maps that can be utilized by local residents, this research may help ensure that the LRGT is built in a way that improves access for low-income and minority areas.

MCP, University of Cincinnati, 2013, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning: Community Planning

This paper evaluates the newly installed Closed-circuit television (CCTV) at selected sites in Cincinnati, OH, for one year before and after camera installation dates to understand its effectiveness in crime deterrence. In order to determine the expected crime control area a viewshed study was conducted with 2D and 3D GIS mapping. To measure relative impact, the Corryville study area was compared to two other local CCTV areas in Cincinnati. There was minimal total crime reduction after CCTV installation in two selected comparison sites relative to the Corryville study area. To evaluate the different results, this paper analyzes evaluates not only the camera’s location but also social and physical characteristics of the sites to understand other possible factors affecting crime rates. The paper concludes that CCTV is not very effective in deterring certain types of crime. Moreover, the effectiveness is different depending on the physical and social characteristic of a given neighborhood. However, it is still effective in reducing some types of crime, even more so if the study area is a residential area with less mobility and limited accessibility from other high density neighborhoods. It is almost impossible to conclude that crime is reduced by CCTV because this study only considers a one year period and there are many other factors and limitations. Thus, future observation in crime rates for these areas is necessary to determine if there is a lagging effect of CCTV installation.

Master of Arts, University of Toledo, 2004, Geography and Planning

Growing freight has been a major concern for the transportation planning community. Increasing freight movements by all modes of transportation across the nations has lead to congestion and inadequate infrastructure. There is a rising need for Internet based freight management spatial decision support systems (SDSS) exploiting the latest Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) technologies that can assist the transportation planning community in making informed decisions about freight related issues consisting of congestion, demand and capacity. The system being an online or web based system has the advantage of being accessed from anywhere thus making it an easy tool for sharing information across different regions. This can also be utilized for asset management, data dissemination and to model alternative freight management plans and “what if?” scenarios. There is no established framework to date for the development of such systems. A pragmatic approach is taken in this study to design and develop a conceptual framework for an Internet or web based freight management spatial decision support system (SDSS). Different components, features and technology that are required to create such systems were discussed in detail along with a variety of development and implementation strategies. The developed framework was utilized in creating a freight management SDSS for the Upper Midwest Freight Corridor Study currently underway at The University of Toledo encompassing the states in the Midwest. This has given an opportunity to look at the feasibility of implementing such systems and the difficulties faced. The freight management SDSS is currently online and is anticipated to be used by Department of Transportation officials, urban and transportation planners and homeland security officials in making informed decisions. Thus, the conceptual framework developed in this study can be used as the rudimentary framework for creating a robust freight manageme (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2010, Geography

Geographers play important roles in public health research, particularly in understanding healthcare accessibility and individual healthcare experiences. Most geographers recognize the multi-dimensionality of accessibility, including distance to provider, cost, provider availability, service accommodation, and service satisfaction. Most accessibility studies have benefited from the increased sophistication of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the availability of geocoded data. Some studies have been enhanced with semi-structured in-depth interviews to understand individual experiences of people as they access healthcare. However, few accessibility studies have explicitly utilized individual in-depth interview data in the construction of new GIS accessibility measures. Using mixed-methods including GIS analysis and individual data from semi-structured in-depth interviews, I offer satisfaction-adjusted distance (SAD) as a new way of conceptualizing accessibility in GIS. Based on my fieldwork in a predominantly lower-income community in Columbus, Ohio, I find that many residents felt neighborhood healthcare facilities offered low-quality care. Such comments suggested residents may have an added psychological distance as they attempt to access high-quality healthcare facilities. The satisfaction-adjusted distance measure, based on individual level data, accounts for the psychological distance some residents feel as they search for high-quality healthcare in urban neighborhoods. In moving beyond conventional GIS and re-conceptualizing accessibility in this way, I offer a more realistic portrayal of the issues lower income urban residents face as they attempt to access high-quality healthcare facilities. The work has theoretical implications for conceptualizing healthcare accessibility, advances the mixed-methodologies literature, and argues for a more equitable distribution of high-quality healthcare services in urban neighborhoods.

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2005, Environmental Studies (Arts and Sciences)

Olembo and Rham (1987) demonstrated the age-old belief by urban dwellers that urban greens make cities livable although few solid scientific data are available on the measurable benefits of greens on the urban environment. With the advent of GIS and remote sensing technologies, the American Forests Organization has measured the role of urban greens in dollar terms in some selected American Cities. This is seen in terms of physical or tangible benefits, environmental and health benefits, stormwater control, air quality control, energy conservation, social and other non-quantifiable benefits. Similarly the idea of green development in urban areas of developing countries, including Ghana, has come of age, with the call for identification of suitable sites for green development through capture, storage, integration, manipulation, analysis, querying and displaying of data that are spatially referenced. It is in this view that this study analysis problems that are likely to be encountered in the design and implementation of a GIS for urban green development in Ghana. While GIS and remote sensing technologies have the capacity to be utilized in the urban green development, its application in cities of Ghana may not be without problems. Some of the possible problems identified in this study, include data availability, data currency, accuracy and precision. Other data problems relate to data standardization, data merging and the database design and management. In addition to data problems, there are other problems such as personnel, financial and other resources, political and bureaucratic procedures involved and other socio-cultural barriers such as the traditional land tenure system, perception of development and attitudinal factors. In spite of these problems, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a step; it is against this study suggested that a successful GIS development project begins on a pilot basis, involving situational assessment, needs of the end users, softw (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Arts, Miami University, 2008, Geography

We use remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) tools to develop simple predictive models to define relationships between watershed variables known to influence lake DOC concentrations and lake water color in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness in Montana and Wyoming, USA. Variables examined include watershed area, topography, and vegetation cover. The resulting GIS model predicts DOC concentrations at the lake watershed scale with a high degree of accuracy (R2 = 0.92; p = <0.001) by including only two variables: vegetation cover (representing sites of organic carbon fixation) and areas of low slope (0-5%) within the watershed (wetland sites of DOC production). Modeling with Advanced Land Imager satellite remote sensing data provided a somewhat weaker relationship between water color and DOC concentrations (R2 = 0.672; p = <0.001). We compare model predictions to each other to determine success of DOC modeling methods (R = 0.761; p = <0.001).

Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, 2008, Biological Sciences

In this study, a demographic model was developed to perform a population viability analysis (PVA) of the Blue-throated Macaw (Ara glaucogularis), a critically endangered species endemic to Bolivia. PVA simulations were run using individual-based (VORTEX 9.72) and cohort-based (RAMAS GIS 4.0) programs. A baseline simulation allowed the assessment of the status of the species based on estimates of extinction risk and population declines under current conditions of abundance and habitat availability over the next 50 years. The role of multiple demographic, environmental, and anthropogenic parameters was evaluated to assess changes affecting population declines and extinction risk. The baseline simulation showed that the Blue-throated Macaw has a relatively low probability of extinction during the next fifty years, but the consistent declines in abundance, small population size, and the low population growth rates make this species highly vulnerable to any change or threat. Elasticity analysis of the baseline simulation and sensitivity analysis of changes in different demographic parameters demonstrated that increases in adult mortality had the greatest effect on population growth rate and extinction risk. Simulations of anthropogenic impacts showed that small increases in habitat loss (2%) and population harvesting (3%) had drastic effects on population decline. Comparison of PVA outcomes from VORTEX and RAMAS GIS were consistent with previous studies, showing that individual-based programs like VORTEX tend to be more conservative, predicting not only higher probabilities of extinction but lower population growth rates than the cohort-based program RAMAS GIS. Results from this study emphasize the need for conservation actions aimed at protecting breeding individuals (decreasing adult mortality), preventing poaching activities, and promoting the conservation of available habitat (particularly for nesting sites). Active conservation strategies will be essential for the l (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, 2006, Biological Sciences

The Oak Openings Region in Northwest Ohio is one of the few remaining remnants of oak savanna and oak barrens, or “oak savanna complex.” It is a 33,670 ha complex of globally-significant ecosystems and has more listed species than any other similarly-sized region in the state. Agriculture, drainage and fire suppression have reduced its area by half, underscoring the need to locate and prioritize appropriate habitat for acquisition and conservation. Land managers often have difficulty in implementing regional conservation efforts due to a lack of detailed ecological knowledge or habitat quality data. I used ArcGIS 9.1 to build a predictive geographic model (PGM) to detect oak savanna complex remnants and restorable patches by determining significant ecological variables from known remnant patches. Software and data used was constrained to readily available sources and ecological variables investigated included soil type, elevation, slope, topographic position and aspect. This research used predictive modeling in a new way by using it to predict areas of high probability of a rare ecosystem, rather than its typical use for creating predictive habitat models for individual taxa, multiple taxa or vegetative communities. The resulting model succeeded in locating potential remnants and restorable patches at the landscape level, as well as creating a suitability index to rank the probability of accurately predicting oak savanna complex presence at the landscape level. Both simple statistics and regression analysis were used to determine the significant predictors of oak savanna complex presence: suitable soil types; mean elevation and topographic position. Single-variable predictive models reduced the county-wide search area as much as 93% with a predictive accuracy of 87–100%. However, combining these models into a multi-variable model reduced the search area as much as 99%. Regression analysis determined that the model explaining the highest amount of variance used only (open full item for complete abstract)

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Ohio University, 2024, Environmental Studies

This study focuses on perceptions of urban wildlife in different urban settings - a college town and a city. We used surveys, interviews, and geographical analysis to examine each city's perceptions of wildlife. This furthered research because of the absence of similar studies. Data collected from surveys and interviews showed that there was a difference in perceptions about wildlife between the areas of study. Data from geographical analysis showed a stark lack of relevance to key contributing factors to wildlife in urban settings. Results confirmed individual perceptions about wildlife varied between cities. This result is significant since feelings about wildlife in urban areas were similar between cities. Understanding individual and collective perceptions about wildlife can offer significant opportunities to guide policy, governance, and Geographical Information System (GIS) improvements.

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2024, Geography

This dissertation offers a comprehensive assessment of future flood risk in Columbus, Ohio, by quantifying future land use changes and evaluating their combined impact with climate change. Additionally, it investigates the potential of green infrastructure as a strategy to mitigate these risks. Objective 1 examines the impact of static land cover assumptions on flood risk. By incorporating urbanization projections from EPA ICLUS to 2100, the greatest land use change varies significantly depending on the climate model and emission scenario. Each climate model (GISS-E2-R, HadGEM2-ES) and scenario (RCP 4.5, RCP 8.5) projects different land use changes, highlighting the sensitivity of future development and climate. GISS-E2-R presents a wet and warm scenario, while HadGEM2-ES simulates hot and dry conditions. Based on these projections, HadGEM2-ES RCP 8.5 had the most substantial average impact on Columbus communities, with a 19.7% change. GISS RCP 8.5 follows closely at 18.6%. Low-density exurban areas experience a 100% increase in GISS-E2-R. The HadGEM2-ES model projected decreases in high-density exurban and suburban areas and increases in low-density exurban and high-density urban areas. Both models predict decreases in exurban and suburban areas under high-emission scenarios, while high-density urban and commercial areas are projected to expand. Five communities experienced the greatest land use change: Hayden Run, Clintonville, State of Oho, Wolfe Park, and Livington Avenue Area. Objective 2 examines the contribution of climate and land use change on flood risk. In Columbus, Ohio, climate change alone is projected to increase streamflow by up to 22% by the late century based on the Oak Ridge Laboratory's CMIP6 streamflow data. However, when considering both climate and land use change, urbanization exacerbates this impact, increasing streamflow by an additional ~8% compared to climate-induced changes alone. Southern Columbus communities, including West Scioto (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, 2024, Applied Geospatial Science

Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, providing numerous benefits including supporting diverse plant and animal species, capturing/storing carbon, improving water quality, controlling floods, and cycling nutrients. Despite these benefits, wetlands have gradually been lost or degraded. Two of the world's largest inland freshwater systems, Lake Erie and Lake Victoria, have been negatively affected by Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and wetland losses, sparking wetland restoration projects in Lake Erie to limit potential HAB development. Yet, the greater danger from HABs is in Lake Victoria, where a lack of strong protection has put additional stress on wetlands. Wetland restoration, therefore, could serve as part of a solution towards Lake Victoria's algal blooms problem.The primary goal of this study was to perform wetland suitability analysis and identify general suitable lands or areas for wetland restoration projects in the Blanchard River Watershed that connects to Lake Eire and the Nyando River Watershed in the Lake Victoria region. This study used multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) for wetland suitability analysis, where criteria are represented by numeric weight of importance using Weighted Linear Combination (WLC). The weights were obtained from wetland restoration experts from the U.S Great Lakes region. The model was first tested in Blanchard River Watershed and then applied to the Nyando River Watershed. The resulting wetland restoration suitability model was rigorously tested with sensitivity analyses to evaluate the influence of various criterion weights. The results were broken into five classes and used to identify the most suitable areas for wetland restoration which were labeled as highest suitability areas. The results for the Blanchard River watershed show that 47.66% of the watershed has highest suitability for wetland restoration, while the comparable value for the Nyando River watershed had 10.64%. Sensitivity analysis using c (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2024, Geological Sciences

This study investigates the extent, nature, and formation processes of Paleo Lake Buckeye during the Late Pleistocene, located in the Buckeye Creek watershed in the central Appalachian Mountains. This thesis integrates GIS mapping, field methods utilizing sediment coring and trenching, radiocarbon dating and grain size analysis to reconstruct the margins and depositional environments of Paleo Lake Buckeye and its surrounding landscape. Radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating indicate that the lake formed between 20,000 and 40,000 years ago, coinciding with the peak of the last glacial epoch. The stratigraphic analysis shows fine-grained lacustrine deposits, organic rich layers, and episodic coarse-grained beds, which reflects periods of quiet water deposition interrupted by high-energy events. Paleo Lake Buckeye's formation is linked to periglacial conditions, where freeze thaw cycles mobilized sediments and permafrost dynamics influenced hydrological processes. This research not only interpret the paleoenvironmental conditions of the Buckeye Creek watershed during the Late Pleistocene, but also contributes to broader discussions on glacial and periglacial processes, climate variability, and landscape evolution in the central Appalachian Mountains.

MS, Kent State University, 2024, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Geography

Parks play a vital role in promoting physical activity, well-being, and social health in communities. Nevertheless, access to parks is inequitable, with disparities disproportionally affecting marginalized neighborhoods. This master's thesis investigates the experiences and perceptions of park use and constraints among residents in Cleveland, Ohio, focusing on issues of park safety, park quality, and resident perceptions. Utilizing a convergent mixed-methods approach, survey data is analyzed alongside a GIS analysis of park distribution by race and observational assessments from park inventories. This research sheds light on the perceptions of residents overall showing frequent urban park use from participants and a desire for better quality parks. Additionally, findings reveal evidence of significant disparities in park access and use, particularly in black and brown census tracts representing an environmental injustice in park distribution in Cleveland, Ohio, highlighting the need to address these disparities and promote equitable access to greenspace. By providing a comprehensive understanding of park use, accessibility, and constraints in Cleveland, this study contributes to ongoing efforts to create healthier and more inclusive communities.

Master of Arts, Miami University, 2024, Geography

Rapid urbanization and the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect are key global challenges, particularly in the Global South. Dhaka City, Bangladesh, one of the fastest growing and most densely populated cities in this region, facing increasing heat trends which threaten its public health, social and environmental conditions. Mitigating future UHI requires a geospatial analysis of urbanization and temperature trends at the neighborhood-scale. However, proprietary geospatial data and applications are often prohibitively costly for planners. This study combines cost-effective, publicly-accessible geospatial applications and time series satellite data from 2003 - 2023 to analyze land use and land cover (LULC) and land surface temperature (LST) changes in Dhaka City at regional and neighborhood-scales. For monitoring LULC, Landsat images were analyzed through supervised classification at a regional scale, and spectral mixture analysis (SMA) helped understand complex urban development patterns at the neighborhood-scale. This study analyzed MODIS daily LST images to understand diurnal temperature trends and found a strong positive correlation between urban development intensity and increased day and nighttime temperatures, contributing to neighborhood-specific UHI impacts. The study emphasizes the importance of developing publicly-accessible and inexpensive geospatial methods to support UHI mitigation planning that can benefit other similar cities.

Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, 2024, Educational Leadership

This work is a GIS curriculum study and learning system implementation of the first train from the Warsaw ghetto to the extermination camp, Treblinka II, on July 22, 1942. This was part of Nazi Germany's “Final Solution”, the last stage of the Holocaust, the deliberate, planned, mass murder of European Jews. Educational research has shown that it is not effective for students to only hear or read about traumatic historical events. For such an emotionally intense and controversial subject as the extermination camps in the Holocaust, students need to engage their higher order learning skills. GIS enhanced learning has been shown to develop those higher order learning skills. This research study and GIS learning system on the first train from the Warsaw ghetto to the extermination camp, Treblinka II, in July 1942 includes a history of the Nazi design and capacity building of extermination camps, a historiographic review of controversial themes of the Holocaust, a study of pedagogical methods and learning systems relating to controversial topics, and the Holocaust specifically, and the design, creation and implementation of a computer based, GIS enabled, museum learning system that tells this story. This case is significant as it is the first train of many from the teeming Warsaw ghetto of 400,000 to the newly opened Treblinka II camp where 7,400 were taken to their death that day and was the beginning of over 700,000 killed at this camp alone. This learning system is suggested as a pedagogical method for deeper study of the Holocaust and other similar traumatic topics.