Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, 2020, Spatially Integrated Social Science

Agricultural runoff from farm fields (specifically dissolved reactive phosphorus) is considered the largest non-point source pollution to Lake Erie and other nearby water bodies leading to algal growth. Previous studies have emphasized that implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) on agricultural fields reduce pollution to water and soil and increase crop yields. Not all farmers support use of BMPs on their fields. The goals of this dissertation are to 1. identify the spatial distribution of BMPs using Remote Sensing and GIS tools, 2. learn about farmers' perceptions and motivations through a survey and face to face survey, and 3. investigate spatial relationship between practices and attitudes. Conservation BMPs, like cover crops, buffer strips and tillage practice, are mapped using Geographic Information System (GIS) and remotely sensed aerial imagery. The results were the visual representation of locations implementing BMPs. The research aggregated farmers' perceptions in Monroe County, MI and the St. Joseph in Ohio - a sub watershed to the Maumee watershed, in relation to the BMPs and Lake Erie's algae bloom. An in-person, semi-structured survey was used to gain insight into social attributes like age group, education level, land ownership and technical attributes such as agricultural practices, land acreage, crop type and motivating factors to use a BMP. Twelve, in-depth interviews on agricultural practices, tile drains and policy implications were conducted in the St. Joseph watershed located in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. A Likert scale and a nominal scale survey questionnaire in Monroe was used to obtain the responses from farmers and open-ended questions were used for farmers in the St. Joseph watershed. Chi square statistical test on the 40 respondents from Monroe County revealed that 17.5% believed that nutrient runoff is not considered a major factor for causing algal blooms in Lake Erie. Forty percent of respondents felt it was likely a problem (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Kevin Czajkowski (Committee Chair); Patrick Lawrence (Committee Member); Mary Beth Schlemper (Committee Member); Daryl Dwyer (Committee Member); April Ames (Committee Member); Saatvika Rai (Committee Member) Subjects: Agriculture; Geographic Information Science; Geography; Remote Sensing; Social Research

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.

Committee: Wendy Eisner Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Changjoo Kim Ph.D. (Committee Member); Farrah Jacquez Ph.D. (Committee Member); Kevin Raleigh Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Geography

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

Between July and October 2005, 42 sites across Ohio Brush Creek watershed were surveyed to assess the spatial distribution of native freshwater mussels (Unionidae). Freshwater mussel shells were recorded at 28 out of 42 sites representing 14 native species. A total of thirteen species were recorded at 19 sites as living or fresh dead. Associations between the presence, diversity, and abundance of freshwater mussels and coarse-scale variables (drainage area, stream gradient, and percent land cover) and fine-scale variables (200 meter stream-reach habitat features based on Ohio EPA's Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI)) were explored using correlation and chi-square analysis. The presence, diversity, and abundance of mussel shells were associated with both coarse- and fine-scale variables. Drainage area and stream reaches with excellent channel development, high amounts of habitat cover, maximum water depths > 1 meter, and riffle depths > 5 cm were all associated with the presence, diversity, and abundance of mussels. Stream gradient was also associated with mussel shell presence and diversity, however was not associated with shell abundance due to the high abundance of fat mucket shells in upper reaches of the watershed. Sites with the highest diversity and abundance occurred along the mainstems of Ohio Brush Creek and the West Fork. Thirty-seven native mussel species have been recorded in the watershed. Unfortunately over 40% of these species are listed as either endangered, threatened, or of special concern. Sedimentation due to agricultural runoff and deforestation of riparian corridors has been identified as the primary threat to freshwater mussels in Ohio Brush Creek watershed. It is imperative to collect data that can be explored to find spatial and temporal patterns that exist amongst the mussel community in Ohio Brush Creek watershed. This data can also be used to help guide stream habitat restoration and native mussel re-establishment projects in the (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: James Dyer PhD (Committee Chair); Timothy Anderson PhD (Committee Member); Gaurauv Sinha PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Ecology; Geography