Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, 2021, Spatially Integrated Social Science

The purpose of this research is to explore the interactions of social, environmental, and economic aspects of green infrastructure for inclusion into an ex-ante benefit based conceptual framework that can guide the planning and valuation of multi-use trails in urban areas. GIS was used to analyze factors of the built environment including bicycle network connectivity, population density, and the density of destinations. Landscape metrics, including the division, contagion, and clumpiness indices were calculated using FRAGSTAT to determine the potential for native greenspace development surrounding multi-use trails in urban areas. Additionally, a meta-analysis of hedonic studies, focused on multi-use trails in urban areas, revealed that home values can increase anywhere from 0-27% after a trail is built. Data from the meta-analysis was used to set parameters for a Monte Carlo simulation that provided an estimate of the percent change in home values that can occur after trail implementation. Once created, the conceptual framework was applied to the Chessie Circle Trail (CCT) in Toledo, Ohio. The analysis revealed that opportunity exists for the CCT to enhance bicycle network connectivity and active transit as population and destination density are highest at the north section of the CCT. Green space analysis revealed that high and interspersed patches of developed land limit the potential to reduce habitat fragmentation. Data from the Monte Carlo simulation provides a sensitivity analysis that reveals potential changes in home values after the CCT is built. Application of the conceptual framework to the CCT illustrated that the conceptual framework can aid the planning and valuation of multi-use trails in urban areas. Moreover, ex-ante benefit-based valuation frameworks can be applied as tools that help agencies consider the competing aspects of social, environmental, and economic aspects of green infrastructure.

Committee: Patrick Lawrence (Committee Chair); Kevin Egan (Committee Member); Timothy Schetter (Committee Member); Bhuiyan Alam (Committee Member); Kevin Czajkowski (Committee Member) Subjects: Economics; Environmental Economics; Geographic Information Science; Geography; Public Health; Remote Sensing; Sustainability; Urban Planning

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2022, Geography (Arts and Sciences)

The need for understanding the impacts of off-road vehicle (ORV) usage on trail systems is widely accepted, with few studies being conducted in humid climates and even fewer examining the impacts of unauthorized user-created ORV routes. This research examines cross-trail profile measurements along authorized ORV trails and unauthorized ORV routes in southeastern Ohio over a six-month period in order to calculate erosion rates and understand how each trail type behaves throughout the riding season. Measurements from the two trail types are compared to one another in varying combinations and between data collection periods. Spatial comparisons of soil compaction and soil texture are also analyzed. Results from statistical analyses showed that there is no significant difference in erosion rates between authorized and unauthorized trail segments despite apparent differences in eroded sediments between the two trail types. The highest measured erosion rates on authorized and unauthorized segments totaled 3.65 m3/yr and 15.95 m3/yr, respectively. Few sites were found to have significant geomorphic change along the trail surface during the six-month study period. Soil compaction values were found to be greater on the trail surface compared to the trail-adjacent forest in both trail types. Soil compaction of the trail surface was not found to be statistically different between the two trail types, nor were values from the trail-adjacent forest different between the trail types. The results of this study demonstrate the need for effective management efforts that focus management efforts not only on authorized ORV trails, but also the unauthorized routes that are associated in ORV trail systems.

Committee: Dorothy Sack (Advisor) Subjects: Environmental Geology; Environmental Management; Geography; Geomorphology

Master of Science (MS), Wright State University, 2021, Earth and Environmental Sciences

The non-native invasive shrub Amur honeysuckle, Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Herder (Gorchov and Trisel, 2003), is one of the most prolific invasive plant species across Midwestern and Northeastern landscapes of the United States. The locations of 2,095 individual Amur honeysuckle stems were geolocated using handheld GPS units in the understory of mixed growth forests at two study sites located approximately 5 km apart in northwestern Greene County, OH. Each site has undergone different levels of anthropogenic disturbance through time. The stem position data was used to measure the spatial clumping distribution and the density of Amur honeysuckle. The spatial clumping of Amur honeysuckle stems was measured using the fractal box counting method at each study site without regard for streams, trails, or elevation. The density of Amur honeysuckle (number of stems per square meter) was measured in zones as a function of the horizontal distance perpendicular to the edge of streams, trails, and within elevation (area between contour lines). Amur honeysuckle density is found to be uncorrelated with its proximity to streams, trails, and elevation. The density of Amur honeysuckle as a function of distance from streams and trails does not reveal an edge effect. The fractal dimension (scaling exponent) was computed to be ~1.5 at each of the two sites which means that the spatial clustering is the same for actively managed (partial Amur honeysuckle removal) and unmanaged sites. These results suggest that the invasion potential of Amur honeysuckle is robust, and its distribution may not be constrained in riparian forests by the variables included in this study.

Committee: Christopher Barton Ph.D. (Advisor); David Peterman Ph.D. (Committee Member); Ryan McEwan Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Biology; Earth; Ecology; Environmental Science

MA, Kent State University, 2020, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Geography

Wildlife corridors promote biodiversity, abate landscape fragmentation and – in areas of urban development – are often refuges for fauna. Yet, they appear at odds with their main goal of conserving wildlife's natural habitat, especially when applied to a real-world context, because they are typically located in areas prone to anthropogenic disturbances. The literature varies over how concurrent use affects wildlife. One such space where this occurs is urban parks where wildlife movement overlaps spatially with recreationists. Park visitors utilize formal trails and depart from them to create informal trails. Many negative consequences toward wild biota have been attributed to informal trails, which contribute to anthropogenic-induced fragmentation and, indirectly, disturbances within the matrix. The overlap of trails with wildlife corridors begs the questions: are wildlife using the shared corridors within the reservations or should landscape, resource and trail managers be directing their efforts elsewhere to facilitate wildlife movement? Also, to what degree, if any, will wildlife move through corridors shared with humans? To answer these questions, baseline and biodiversity data needed to be established first. Employing round-the-clock, passive, remotely triggered camera pairs in two urban parks in greater Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A., scenarios were tested along a continuum of wildlife-anthropogenic interfacing that occurs on trails. Formal and informal trails in Cleveland Metroparks were studied, in addition to an area with restored informal trails. Examining the majority of terrestrial, animal wildlife, likelihood of Verified Use was established for each species, guild, and as a whole. Verified Use was defined as any species being detected on both cameras in the pair within a +/- five minute window. I found that non-consumptive, anthropogenic use of trails did not necessarily hinder terrestrial wildlife's movement as suggested in the literature. In situ, not (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: David Kaplan (Advisor); Timothy Assal (Committee Member); Emariana Widner (Committee Member); Patrick Lorch (Committee Member) Subjects: Biology; Geography

Master of Landscape Architecture, The Ohio State University, 2020, Landscape Architecture

The Borjomi-Bakuriani region was once the center of the Soviet science of “resortology,” a system of rest and healing intimately tied to the unique physical characteristics of the alpine region. Every aspect of the landscape – climate, ecology, topography, aspect, hydrology – might be engaged to heal and restore the human body. Accessed by a specially constructed narrow-gauge railway, sanatoria complexes were interfaces between patients and the particular curative properties of this mountainous landscape. Connecting the body to this place – breathing its air, walking its relief, drinking its water – activated latent healing properties embedded in the landscape. After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the associated financial crisis, agricultural and manufacturing collectives in the Borjomi-Bakuriani region were closed and sanatoria were abandoned. Built vestiges of this once thriving system of healing dot the landscape. Spring waters are still collected at their source by the few residents who remain in the villages; the status of these waters as a source of wellness and vitality remains unchanged. While the curative properties of this landscape are understood to remain embedded in place, coherence between the ecological and cultural artifacts has been lost, and opportunities to activate these healing effects are no longer apparent to visitors. Meanwhile, illegal logging and unsustainable development in the region threaten to disrupt the unique climactic and ecological conditions that constitute this health landscape. This project proposes the design of an interpretive trail that might re-inscribe coherence to this historic human-environment system. Responding to critiques of the traditional form of interpretive trail design, it explores the potentials of new strategies that might structure the design process for more effective interpretive trails in heritage landscapes. Specifically, this project asks if cultural practices that have historically structu (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Katherine Jenkins (Advisor); Justin Parscher (Committee Member) Subjects: Landscape Architecture

PHD, Kent State University, 2014, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration

This study sought to determine whether the items that were in use for the TRAILS K-12 information literacy classroom assessments at the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th grade levels could be used to develop a valid and reliable test for each grade level. To determine whether the assessments could be reengineered into valid tests of information literacy, the entire item banks for each grade level were administered to students recruited across the United States. The data gathered were then used to answer three research questions. First, the study sought to determine whether the current item banks could be used to create an efficient and reliable test at each grade level. The Rasch model of Item Response Theory was used to develop each test based on overall scale reliability, item fit to scale, distractor function, lack of bias based on differential item functioning analysis, item difficulty spread, and content coverage. It was determined that reliable tests could be created at each grade level (3rd N = 20; 6th N = 25; 9th N = 30; 12th N = 35) with generally strong psychometric properties at the item level across all four tests. The study then sought to gather evidence of construct validity through two methods. First, content experts at each grade level were presented each item in the draft test and were asked to rate the degree to which it measured its associated TRAILS objective. The results of this study identified items on each test for further examination but found general endorsement at the item and scale level for objective measurement. Additionally, the amount of reading and item difficulty were examined through a correlation study. No relationship was found on any of the tests, reducing the likelihood that reading affects item difficulty. Finally, the study sought to determine the most generally agreed upon proficiency score for each test by using a modified bookmarking standard-setting procedure. This process utilized expertise at each grade level th (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Schenker Jason PhD (Committee Co-Chair); Fitzgerald Shawn PhD (Committee Co-Chair); Harper Meghan PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Educational Tests and Measurements; Library Science

Master of Arts, Miami University, 2014, Geography

The Israel National Trail and Jesus Trail are fascinating examples for geographers to look at in terms of sustainable tourism development. Interviews and participant observation conducted show that hikers and personnel along the trails are becoming more aware of issues within sustainability such as large amounts of trash and lack of water. Surveys conducted show the hikers along these trails are not doing much to be sustainable. These results can be seen from a lack of education and understanding of ecotourism along Israel's trails. Ecotourism is a fast growing sector of tourism and can offer ways to help preserve Israel's Trails environment, culture, as well as help out areas economically. By using the approach of surveys, interviews, and participant observation, this thesis examines how stakeholders perceive and address aspects of ecotourism along the Israel National Trail and Jesus Trail in Israel, focusing on the Lower Galilee and Negev Region.

Committee: Stanley Toops Dr. (Advisor); David Prytherch Dr. (Committee Member); Carl Dahlman Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Geography

Master of Science, University of Akron, 2013, Biology

In recent decades, the urban landscape has been infiltrated by a species once considered to be intolerant of human activity. The coyote has become one of the largest and most successful carnivore species to inhabit human dominated landscapes throughout North America. Parks and green spaces are important and heavily used habitats for humans and wildlife within urban landscapes but remain a relatively understudied component of urban coyote habitat. Concerns for human and pet safety have resulted in the need to understand the spatial and temporal relationship between humans and coyotes in recreational parklands. We examined the potential conflict that exists between coyotes and humans in recreational parklands by investigating the temporal relationship of humans and coyotes along designated recreational trails. In addition, we also examined the spatial relationship of coyotes in proximity to trails. Specifically, we predict that coyotes will shift their activity to more nocturnal periods, and avoid areas of intense human use, particularly designated recreational trails, as a function of human activity occurring within the study area. In order to test this relationship, human and coyote activity was quantified within the Cuyahoga Valley region of northeast Ohio from 2009 through 2012. The study area is 14,052 hectares of public land maintained by the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and adjoining Cleveland Metroparks, and Metro Parks, Serving Summit County. It is located within the Cuyahoga River Watershed in Northeast Ohio between the cities of Cleveland in the north and Akron to the south. The study area receives over 2.8 million visitors a year, and has over 120 kilometers of designated recreational trails. Human use was monitored throughout the study area with infrared trail monitors installed at designated trail heads in 2012, and supported with data collected from traffic monitors installed in parking lots from 2008-2012. As expected, human activity (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Stephen Weeks Dr. (Advisor); Gregory Smith Dr. (Committee Member); Randall Mitchell Dr. (Committee Member); Stanley Gehrt Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Animal Diseases; Animal Sciences; Animals; Area Planning and Development; Behavioral Sciences; Behaviorial Sciences; Biology; Conservation; Ecology; Forestry; Geographic Information Science; Natural Resource Management; Wildlife Conservation; Wildlife Management

MCP, University of Cincinnati, 2008, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning : Community Planning

Urban hiking guides can be a useful tool in the revitalization of a community. Asset-based Community Development works well in the planning of an urban hiking guide. Effective guides are clear, simple, easy to use and easily available. Guides function as planning tools, promoting citizen involvement, creating local pride and interest while encouraging physical activity and healthier living. An urban hiking guide can be a community wide effort. This study analyzes various guides. The analysis is based on particular assets and ideas identified in literature that make urban hiking guides useful in asset-based community development. Urban hiking guides can assist planners in highlighting assets while involving the community in their work. Ideally this study will be used as the start of a handbook for communities. The handbook could be placed on a website for the communities. This way it can always be updated with lessons learned by the communities.

Committee: Chris Auffrey PhD (Committee Chair); Carla Chifos PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Area Planning and Development

MCP, University of Cincinnati, 2008, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning : Community Planning

Across the United States, many conversions of abandoned railroad rights-of-ways into trails have faced opposition from surrounding property owners. Much of the opposition derives from the fear that developing trails would cause a decrease in property values because of loss of privacy, increase in noise, traffic, litter and crime.The objective of this study is to assess the impact of the Little Miami Scenic Trail on property values. To accomplish this task, the hedonic pricing technique was employed to measure the impact of the trail on single-family residential property values in southwest Ohio. Several of the variables used in this model were measured using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. The analysis suggests that, each foot increase in distance to the trail decreases the sale price of a sample property by $7.05. In other words, being closer to the Little Miami Scenic Trail adds value to the single family residential properties.

Committee: Rainer vom Hofe PhD (Committee Chair); Kiril Stanilov PhD (Committee Member); Don Burrell AICP (Committee Member) Subjects: Area Planning and Development; Urban Planning

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2008, Natural Resources

Because park managers must balance the competing interests of conservation and recreational uses of parks in urban areas, consideration must be given to the potential consequences of human disturbance to breeding birds. The central purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which trails affect nest predation and evaluate possible causes. Specifically, I tested the following three hypotheses about the impacts of human use of trails on breeding birds: 1) Human use of trails in urban forests reduces nest survival by reducing parental attendance rates, thereby leaving nests more vulnerable to predation; 2) Relationships between nest survival and trails derive from modified vegetation surrounding a nest, and these changes in habitat drive trail-related impacts on breeding birds; 3) Human use of trails in urban forests influences the sensitivity of breeding birds to disturbance and induces changes in nest placement through habituation and inherent individual differences. From April to August 2006 and 2007, I monitored the fate of 263 Northern Cardinal nests and quantified vegetation structure and composition around nests and at random plots within riparian forests in central Ohio. Trail cameras were utilized at 6 sites to estimate the amount of human recreational activity. One hour parental attendance observations were conducted at 125 nests to estimate variation in nest attendance. Two experimental trials were conducted on 63 nests recording Flight Initiation Distance (FID) as each nest was approached either directly or along a trail. In addition, FID was collected during routine nest checks where the nest was approached directly (n = 160). Results showed that birds were 6x more likely to flush when the nest was approached directly than when an observer passed along a trail. Nest height mediated the tendency to flush somewhat, as higher nests were less likely to flush, but flush tendency was not related to distance to trail. Interestingly, the distance at which (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Amanda Rodewald PhD (Advisor); Stanley Gehrt PhD (Committee Member); Virginie Bouchard PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Ecology

Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, 2010, Geography (Arts and Sciences)

Few studies have researched the effects of off-road vehicles (ORVs) on trail surfaces in humid regions, particularly the ability of soil models to estimate erosion, the geomorphic change in the trail surface, or the effectiveness of grade reversals in reducing erosion. This research examines cross-trail profile measurements of 11 ORV trail segments in southeastern Ohio over a six month period in order to calculate the erosion occurring in both the ORV riding season and the off season. Field measurements are compared to the output of two soil erosion models, WEPP and WEPP:Road. Spatial patterns of erosion, compaction, and soil texture, and the geomorphic change in the trail surface are also analyzed. Results show that both WEPP and WEPP:Road models grossly underestimate the amount of soil erosion measured on the studied trail segments. The highest measured erosion rate totaled 116 kg/m2/yr. Significant geomorphic changes in cross-trail profiles were not detected during the six month study. Spatial patterns reveal the dominance of erosion over the study period for upslope and mid-slope locations, and a tendency for deposition at segment-bottom locations just upslope from grade reversals, proving the effectiveness of some of the grade reversals. Statistically significant higher compaction values were found in the tire ruts and along the inside strip of the trail, compared to the outside edges. Surface materials at the slope bottoms were significantly sandier and contained clay than surface materials at the midslopes or the top of the slopes. Results of this study demonstrate spatial patterns of soil erosion and compaction on the ORV trail surfaces and the need for improved models for predicting soil erosion from ORV trails.

Committee: Dorothy Sack (Committee Chair); James Lein (Committee Member); Geoffrey Buckley (Committee Member) Subjects: Geography

Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, 2008, Geography (Arts and Sciences)

The purpose of this research is to produce a map and develop a model using geospatial technology that reveals the spatial and temporal distribution of ORV trails in the Little Sahara Recreation Area (LSRA) near Lynndyl, Utah, by visually extracting ORV trail features utilizing aerial photographs, spanning a timeframe from 1952 to 1997. The first research objective of this thesis is to map and examine the historical through present-day patterns of ORV trail development in the LSRA, which is located in Juab and Millard Counties, Utah. The second objective of this thesis is to develop a conceptual model that will predict the location and extent of present and future ORV trails in the LSRA and to explore the phenomenon of renegade trails and to validate the performance of the ORV trail prediction model. The modeling portion of this thesis is obtained by modeling user-generated ORV trails and environmental variables which are associated with the propagation of ORV trails using a geographic information system (GIS). GIS data are amassed to identify existing and potential ORV trail locations within the LSRA to produce a final map and model of ORV trails.

Committee: Dorothy Sack PhD (Advisor) Subjects: Geography; Geotechnology