Ph.D., Antioch University, 2020, Antioch New England: Environmental Studies

Conflicts between humans and wolves occur anywhere these two inhabit the same area. This research explored traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of Mongolians and potential opportunities that this knowledge could offer to improve relationships between humans and wolves (Canis lupus) in Mongolia. Research questions include: what is the local understanding of TEK as it applies to wolves; what are the perceptions of different stakeholder groups on the wolves; and what opportunities are there to draw upon TEK to reduce human-wolf conflicts? This research, using the case study and mixed methods, involved 128 individuals who represented four stakeholder groups (herders, urban residents, hunters, and environmental officials). Four sites were chosen for this research, Ulaanbaatar and three provinces that are within the forest-steppe or Khangai region. Findings suggest that Mongolians generally viewed wolves from neutral to positive. Respect towards wolves was high in all four groups. The respect arose from various reasons, including the wolf's role in the ecosystems, the wolf's “intelligence and bravery”, the spirituality of Mongolian people, and the history of Mongolia. Results included findings that most herders live in a type of balance, both harmony and rivalry, with wolves. I also found that there was a broad acceptance among herders that wolves can actually help them become more responsible and accountable in their practices. All stakeholder groups consider the wolf as an ecologically and culturally iconic species and is perceived as a keystone species in keeping the ecological balance. Recommendations from across all stakeholder groups support new comprehensive laws and regulations for managing the wolf population in an ecologically balanced manner.

Committee: James Gruber PhD (Committee Chair); Jean Kayira PhD (Committee Member); James Murdoch PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Environmental Studies

Master of Environmental Science, Miami University, 2016, Environmental Sciences

Place names are vital to orienting ourselves in the world. In ancient times, people must have had names for places like hunting grounds or berry groves. This act of naming roughly delineates geographic features which can be revisited and described to others, affixing an added cultural meaning to that place. Place naming has since come a long way. Official place names for the United States and its territories are managed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), National Geospatial Technical Operations Center (NGTOC). This report details my experience working in the Geographic Names Unit. As a Pathways Career Intern, my main duties were to manage the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), a database containing official place names for features outlined on federal topographic maps. Most of the work involved duplicate names; an issue where there are two name records for one feature, often indicating that one record is a copy and should be deleted. Sometimes the two records were not copies, and the correct locations were identified by visually analyzing historic and recent maps. The coordinates were then updated respectively in the GNIS. I gained valuable experience reading topographic maps, identifying features and managing a large database of geographic names.

Committee: Robbyn Abbitt MS (Committee Chair); Suzanne Zazycki JD (Committee Member); Mark Allen Peterson PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Cartography; Computer Science; Cultural Anthropology; Earth; Environmental Science; Geographic Information Science; Geography; History; Information Science; Information Technology; Language; Native American Studies