Master of Science (M.S.), University of Dayton, 2024, Biology

The abandonment of fields once used for industrial agriculture is a global phenomenon that is an increasing occurrence in the American Midwest. Fallow lands that were previously used for agriculture create both a challenge and an opportunity for ecosystem restoration and are an important goal for regional land management organizations. Management practices used in agriculture including large heavy equipment, intensive herbicide and pesticide use, and establishing monocultures of crops results in the loss of biodiversity and poor soil quality which creates obstacles for native reestablishment. In this thesis, I outline the results of a research project that aims to ameliorate the negative influences of industrial agriculture through Ecosystem Restoration. Specifically, I analyzed the influence of prairie seed mixes and soil amendments applied in a fully replicated, landscape scale, on the physicochemical and biological properties of the soil. These treatments were applied with the intent of facilitating succession in a post agricultural field by creating soil conditions that were more reflective of soils had not experienced the degradation associated with industrial agriculture. This project is in collaboration with the local conservation organization, the Five Rivers Metroparks, with a long-term goal of restoring the site to its historical state of a mature native forest. To assist with this transition, we applied one of four mixes of native prairie seeds, and one of four soil amendments (16 total treatments, each replicated 5 times). This study began in the summer of 2019 with the establishment of 20 (50 × 50 m) square plots in a former agricultural field, each of which received one of four native prairie seed treatments that varied by number of species present (diversity) and weight of legume (5% or 20%). These plots were then sub-divided into 4 subplots, each of which received one of four soil amendments which include a whole soil inoculation, a leaf compost trea (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2024, Environment and Natural Resources

Building on the literature surrounding recreational fishing economic valuation techniques and angler behavioral analysis, this dissertation investigates how economic and demographic data can better represent angler behaviors, motivations, and economic contributions across diverse angler groups in Ohio. Through three empirical studies, this dissertation addresses key aspects of angler engagement: economic impact, gender-based differences, and avidity bias in online surveys while also identifying methodological techniques. The findings of this dissertation underscore the potential for targeted angler surveys and avidity-adjusted economic models to produce actionable data that fisheries managers can use to inform resource allocation and policy decisions. Each of the three chapters presents an empirical study that contributes to the understanding of angler behavior in Ohio. In Chapter 2, I apply a non-market valuation technique, the travel cost method to quantify the economic contributions of recreational fishing in Ohio, employing 15 negative binomial models to estimate consumer surplus across five different waterbodies, and ten fish species to conduct a comprehensive economic analysis of recreational fisheries in Ohio. This study illustrates the significant recreational value of fisheries in Ohio that demands for more specific, waterbody/location-based management strategies to support targeted management decisions by resource managers. Chapter 3 builds on the topic by examining gender-based differences in angler behaviors in Ohio. By analyzing responses collected through a balanced, stratified sampling design, this study reveals notable distinctions in the fishing motivations and spending patterns between male and female anglers, underscoring the importance of gender inclusive data in shaping recreational fishing management strategies. Insights from Chapter 3 highlight the substantial contributions of female anglers to Ohio's recreational fishing and underscore the ne (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2024, Plant Biology (Arts and Sciences)

This dissertation enhances a forest gap model (ForClim) by incorporating seed production and seedling establishment processes, addressing a critical gap in understanding forest regeneration under climate change. The regeneration of forests in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) is a key driver of biodiversity, shaping species composition and ecosystem structure, and climate change is expected to significantly alter these processes, leading to shifts in both biodiversity and timber productivity. Simulations in this study revealed that seedling survival plays a more critical role than seed production in determining future species composition, particularly as climate variability increases. Resilient species like Pseudotsuga menziesii and Pinus ponderosa may sustain or increase their dominance, while species such as Abies grandis and Tsuga mertensiana face declines due to reduced seedling survival. Additionally, current forest management practices may need adjustment, with "no management" maximizing harvest volume for Coastal Douglas fir, while Mountain Douglas fir may experience reduced yields under future extreme climate scenarios. These findings highlight the importance of integrating regeneration processes into forest models to predict forest biodiversity and timber industry outcomes.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2024, Civil Engineering (Engineering and Technology)

This research project is intended to prepare an integrated model that can be used as a toolkit for Kabul City in Afghanistan and later for any geographical area to help mitigate the damage due to flooding during the peak-flow period of surface water flow, and also contribute to groundwater recharge as a tool to assist during the drought eras that the city faces. In this project, the surface flow of water over a course of time is assessed, with regards to the volume of flow and the capacity of the water bodies holding it such as river, canals, waterways etc. After the assessment of the volume of flow, this study project proposes areas for water retention during the peak flow period that can provide a sustainable water storage solution, consequently that can contribute to the recharge of the groundwater table for that particular geographical zone as well. The selection of water retention zone is conducted based on the topographical assessment, availability of land, possibility of groundwork and construction and other related factors. In this project, the surface flow of water inside and around Kabul City was analyzed, and accordingly the peak flow periods during the last few decades were examined, which had caused floods and lots of damages inside the city as well. Based on the topographical assessment, land use plan and peak flow simulations, two major sites were selected as water retention zones. These zones were intended to reduce the intensity of water during the peak flow period, retain the water, help mitigate the damage due to the floodings and also contribute in the recharge of groundwater. The wells were established in the selected sites to monitor the groundwater table. The surface flow for the city was simulated to understand its impact on the two selected sites. Based on various mathematical equations, the groundwater recharge was estimated and compared with the actual groundwater table over the time when the wells were monitored. Thi (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science (MS), Wright State University, 2024, Biological Sciences

Excess anthropogenic nitrogen (N), primarily from agricultural field fertilization, causes nutrient runoff that stimulates harmful algal blooms (HABs) in western Lake Erie. As a critical tributary to Lake Erie, nutrient loading from the Maumee River drives the intensity of the annual summer HABs in the western basin. Knowledge gaps around rates of N transformations in the Maumee River currently hinder the calibration of in-river parameters in Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) models for the Maumee watershed. To address these gaps, this research quantified rates of ammonium uptake, ammonium remineralization, nitrification, and bacterial respiration alongside physicochemical parameters of the river. Monthly sampling was conducted along the Maumee River at International Park (river mile 4.53), Mary Jane Thurston (river mile 31.88), and Independence Dam (river mile 59.31) over the course of a year. Ammonium uptake rates ranged from 1.2 to 8.7 µmol N L-1 hr-1 for water samples incubated under light conditions and from 0.2 to 1.9 µmol N L-1 hr-1 under dark conditions, while ammonium regeneration ranged from <0.01 to 12.0 µmol O2 L-1 hr-1. Bacterial respiration rates averaged 525.0 ± 28.5 µM O2. Respiration and both NH₄⁺ uptake & regeneration rates correlated overall with seasonal temperatures and biomass. Respiration rates closely followed temperature, with warmer months having the highest rates. November 2022 samples exhibited higher rates of respiration and both NH₄⁺ uptake & regeneration at all sites as chlorophyll was >200 µg/L during the fall river bloom. Despite not being at peak temperature in the study, the highest rates of microbial activity in April and May., with the lowest observed during the coldest months, January and March. The timing of peak rates at the three sites along the river-to-lake continuum shifted with biomass, indicating the importance of parameterizing the SWAT model with models with spatially and temporally dynamic values. These findin (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)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2024, Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Worldwide urbanization and the concurrent increase in impermeable surfaces, such as parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, and other structures, have led to challenges managing runoff in cities. Improperly managed stormwater poses threats to public health, private property, and the environment. Countries worldwide are adopting the use of nature-based approaches known as green infrastructure (GI) to holistically treat environmental stressors resulting from urban development. GI is designed to mimic the natural, pre-development hydrology of the developed area while concurrently improving runoff quality. There are several GI approaches, including permeable pavements (PP), bioretention cells (BRC), and constructed stormwater wetlands (CSW), which can reduce runoff volume, delay and extend runoff timing, improve discharge water quality, and mitigate peak runoff rates from highly impervious catchments. PPs have been used worldwide for decades, but these systems remain infrequently implemented for stormwater management because of ambiguity related to maintaining their long-term hydraulic functionality due to clogging which reduces the PP surface infiltration rate (SIR) and therefore its performance. Measurements of the SIR can inform the extent of clogging, but at present there is a dearth of guidance on how to incorporate SIR data into dynamic PP maintenance plans. In the first chapter of my dissertation, I conducted a review of existing guidance documents to describe the current state of practice for SIR measurement methodologies, PP maintenance guidance, and the use of SIR outcomes to inform PP maintenance plans. Standard and alternative SIR assessment methodologies were described and compared, and modifications and recommendations were provided to clarify testing methods, streamline testing efficiency, and reduce the burden of SIR monitoring. Suggested modifications included requiring regular SIR testing, shortening the duration of SIR tests, and allowing for usage of mo (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2024, Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

As catchments become increasingly impervious, urban stormwater pollutant loads, erosional force, and flooding increases. The practice of stormwater management is critical environmental protection that became regulated by the US federal government in the 1970s. With the need to attenuate peak flow rates and reduce the excess stormwater volumes generated from impervious catchments, stormwater control measures (SCMs) were developed such as stormwater detention basins, retention ponds, drainage ditches, and subsurface stormwater detention. Having a variety of SCMs available provides stakeholders with the ability to target specific aspects of stormwater management, including runoff quantity, runoff quality, or other ecosystem services. Regulations have evolved over time to have a greater emphasis on stormwater quality. As such, SCM design has evolved to address pollutant removal in stormwater. Green infrastructure (GI) practices, also called low impact development (LID) SCMs, have gained popularity for stormwater management since the start of the 21st century and incorporate principles of ecological engineering into stormwater management. Examples of GI include a variety of practices that use infiltration through filter media such as rain gardens, bioretention cells (BRCs), and high rate biofiltration (HRBF), permeable pavements, green roofs, and constructed stormwater wetlands (CSWs). The use of GI has benefits in addition to peak flow, volume, and pollutant reduction such as creating habitat for pollinators, cooling urban spaces, and adding attractive green space. Pollutant removal mechanisms vary between GI practices with some systems providing greater sedimentation and treatment of particulates and some providing greater treatment of dissolved pollutants through microbially-mediated transformation, plant uptake, and/or adsorption. Performance of SCMs varies based on design, site characteristics (e.g. topography, soil texture and infiltration capacity, depth to wa (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2024, Environment and Natural Resources

Departing from literature on social-ecological fitness and social-ecological network analysis, this dissertation explores the degree to which social-ecological theory reflects underlying social processes of issue engagement and partnership evaluation and identifies pathways for future research to engage practitioners with social-ecological network data. In total, the research presented in this dissertation shows that social-ecological network analysis and theory can both be strengthened by participant engagement and qualitative analyses and can be translated into actionable information that practitioners can use to inform their management decisions. This research – which includes three consecutive empirical studies (chapters 2 through 4) – presents one of the first comprehensive accounts of confirming social-ecological network theory with participant populations. Each of the three chapters seeks to determine how practitioners navigate social-ecological interdependence by assessing whether practitioners' strategies align with social-ecological motifs that are commonly used in empirical network analyses (i.e., small-scale network structures that impart theoretically important processes). Further, all three empirical chapters analyze separate components of a dataset pertaining to climate change adaptation governance in Columbus, Ohio, which is a system comprised of over one hundred unique stakeholder organizations, 19 climate adaptation-related issues, and their interconnections. In the first chapter, I explore how community-engaged network tools can help to overcome fragmentation in environmental governance systems. I helped to develop a network tool that offers personalized partnership recommendations to practitioners that would close “collaborative gaps,” which are instances where two actors who manage the same issue(s) fail to collaborate with one another. Results from focus group conversations with practitioners suggest that engaged network tools can be 1) hampere (open full item for complete abstract)

BS, Kent State University, 2024, College of Public Health

Air pollution disproportionately affects minoritized populations, which has been studied extensively in environmental justice, public health, and environmental policy research. However, due to the complex nature of air pollution management, it is especially difficult to keep under control. While strides have been made since the environmental protection agency (EPA) was formed in 1970, current air pollution levels are still accelerating climate change and those who are producing the most emissions are experiencing the least of their effects. For this research, I examined what is currently hindering progress in air pollution management. I looked at where siloing, or the separation between fields, exists in current air pollution management, and how communication between air pollution experts, community members, and industries can be improved to reduce emissions. After analyzing historical newspaper articles from Northeast Ohio between the years 1870-2020 and conducting interviews with air pollution experts in the fields of environmental justice, environmental policy, and public health, I examined how siloing has evolved over time, and how it shaped the siloing that exists today. I found that siloing is a complex issue with extensive historical context, and that it is faced in nearly every aspect of air pollution regulation. With these findings, I propose strategies to more effectively manage air pollution.

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

Collaborative approaches to biodiversity conservation and management are increasing across the Pacific and are often pushed for by Pacific Islanders as a method for increasing their sovereignty in environmental governance. Simultaneously, collaborative approaches to conservation and management have been critiqued for prioritizing scientific knowledges and for burdening Indigenous and other marginalized populations. In Kanaky/New Caledonia, a southwestern Pacific archipelago, the Indigenous Kanak have also pushed for collaborative approaches to conservation and management. Kanaky/New Caledonia was officially colonized by France in 1853 and remains a French Overseas Territory. Yet, the territory has had an ongoing Indigenous decolonization movement for decades, resulting in increasing levels of political autonomy from France. In this dissertation, I examine the interface between Indigenous sovereignty and collaborative biodiversity conservation/management in Kanaky/New Caledonia based on ethnographic fieldwork conducted in 2022 through three interconnected body chapters written as standalone journal articles. The introduction and conclusion of the dissertation describe the major themes present across the chapters. In the introduction, which constitutes the first chapter, I draw on an experience snorkeling in the lagoon to consider how my own relationality influences my approach to my research, while also describing some of the major social dynamics surrounding conservation and management practices in the territory. Chapter two argues that the French military has always been invested in social-ecological management and explores how their relationship with the Kanak has shifted over 170 years from one of violent conflict to environmental governance partnerships. In chapter three, I analyze five co-management plans from the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kanaky/New Caledonia's lagoons, using both discourse analysis and content analysis to examine how different actors invo (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2024, Management

In a world grappling with energy poverty, Africa, especially sub-Saharan Africa, faces profound challenges marked by extreme disparities in energy access. Study 1 advocates for the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles as a linchpin for alleviating energy poverty by enhancing reliability and affordability and catalyzing low greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It emphasizes the urgent need for a shared language among diverse stakeholders to pursue sustainable energy solutions. Study 2 introduces "coopetition" as a groundbreaking strategy across 54 African nations, combining cooperation and competition to drive energy access while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Challenging prevailing assumptions about the direct influence of financial development through official development assistance and foreign direct investment, the study highlights the pivotal role of transparent regulations and risk mitigation in fostering sustainable energy solutions. Study 3 further explores the interplay of coopetition and climate policy, introducing a model encompassing the Sustainable Development Index, GDP Growth Rate, and Corruption Perception Index. Coopetition emerges as an independent variable, moderated by climate policy, revealing a nuanced understanding of collaborative efforts' impact on energy poverty and emissions. The tripartite exploration underscores the call for a harmonious symphony of ESG principles, coopetition strategies, and tailored collaborations to illuminate the path toward a sustainable and equitable energy future for Africa.

Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, 2023, Biological Sciences

Annually, rivers and channels need dredging to clear shipping avenues and port systems. This dredge sediment (DS) is removed and stored for dewatering or disposal into the system. Several states across the U.S. recently banned open water disposal and are looking for alternatives. Experiments have shown that landfill, environmental, and agricultural landscape restoration with reclaimed DS applied yields beneficial results. Cities, including Toledo, Ohio, aim to manage their DS accumulation with beneficial utilization. DS amendment is a new practice when applied to agricultural environments in Western Lake Erie. This pilot experiment is one of many in the Midwest looking at supplementing agricultural soils with DS. Examining the potential for bioaccumulation in soils amended with DS is imperative. We utilized mesocosm experiments mimicking agricultural fields in a greenhouse to examine this potential impact of DS amendment, and measured soil, and millipede (Narceus spp.), tissue composition from five treatments of varying farm soil to dredge soil. We derived final concentration values from a partial aqua digestion assay where inductive coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was determined and expressed in mg/kg of a wide variety of elements and metals. Results showed concentrations for Ca, Mg, and Zn in millipede tissue increased with higher concentrations of dredge sediment. With an increased level of DS, concentrations of Al, Fe, Cu, Mn, and Cr in millipede tissue decreased. Concentrations for Co and Cd were undetectable with increasing levels of DS. As, Pb and Na were found in trace amounts but not in a consistent pattern as DS increased. As for soil samples collected at harvest, we found that Ca, Cd, Cr, Mg, K, and Mn concentrations increased with higher DS. Al, Co, and Cu in soils decreased with increasing DS. Several elements showed differences between varying levels of DS used from soil samples. Zn, Pb, Mg, and Mn, Ca in ratios of 0% DS to 100% (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2023, Environment and Natural Resources

Mountain ecosystems and communities are undergoing profound changes driven by a complex interplay of environmental, economic, and sociocultural factors, including climate change, natural hazards, land use change, and rapid infrastructure development. These interconnected changes have far-reaching impacts on local livelihoods, the supporting ecosystems, and the overall sustainability of mountain social-ecological systems. While community resilience has been promoted as a collective capacity to navigate change and advance development, empirical studies on its effectiveness within mountain communities remain limited. To bridge this knowledge gap, this dissertation embarks on an ethnographic and citizen science study in the Hindu-Kush Himalayan region, employing a mixed-methods approach comprising interviews, interventions, and ethnography. This dissertation presents an exploration of community resilience within the context of complex mountain social-ecological systems. By illuminating the significance of social capital and participatory knowledge engagement, the study unveils pathways towards community resilience. A novel conceptual diagram aids in untangling the essence of community resilience as a collective capacity, while subsequent case studies dissect the interactions among critical capacities such as social capital, knowledge, and learning. The dissertation underscores the necessity for context-specific approaches and capacity dynamics, as well as the ethical and political dimensions inherent in community resilience initiatives. This work not only enriches the understanding of community resilience from conceptualization to practical application but also provides actionable insights for effective development interventions. Moreover, the empirical study, conducted in a mountain community and employing digital mapping techniques, offers a small-scale perspective on how to facilitate effective learning and knowledge sharing. To finish, this dissertation research (open full item for complete abstract)

PHD, Kent State University, 2023, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of History

Based on a critical reading of colonial archives and extensive use of oral sources, this dissertation argues that indigenous custodians of the landscape in semi-arid regions of the Zimbabwean Lowveld have a longstanding experience of harnessing their environmental literacy and detailed knowledge of nature to combat climate change. Starting with colonial encounters and contested boundaries of knowledge in Southern Rhodesia (present day Zimbabwe) since the early twentieth century, I demonstrate that oral traditions survived the onslaught of colonialism and offered new generations ways of responding to climate change. I use empirical examples to demonstrate that indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) have been obscured under the veneer of colonial historiography, hence, the importance of recovering African cultural achievements and indigenous agency to the historical record. This dissertation examines the adoption of various coping strategies and sustainable agricultural practices initiated by indigenous people to promote climate smart agriculture and identifies the factors that influence adoption of certain adaptive practices. Water has been a central and defining factor of Africa's development trajectory. A growing body of literature has demonstrated that agricultural yields have been declining in developing countries, including Zimbabwe, due to the impacts of climate change. Indigenous experiences, conceptions and perceptions have played a vital role in the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices. Indigenous farmers are at peace with modernity and modernization, but in the absence of modern technologies and state support, they have been going back to traditional forms of development. The interrelated objectives of climate change mitigation, adaptation and food security were simultaneously sustained through the hybrid integration of indigenous and modern farming practices in agricultural production and sustainable development planning. Indigenous knowledge sys (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 0, Mechanical and Systems Engineering (Engineering and Technology)

This research presents a novel multi-objective mathematical model for the design of a three-echelon sustainable supply chain network comprising suppliers, assemblers, and customers. The research aims to optimize three sustainability functions, namely economic, environmental, and social aspects. The proposed integrated optimization model addresses four key decision areas: (1) locating assembly plants and determining their manufacturing capacity and line configurations, (2) selecting transportation modes for the delivery of parts from suppliers to assemblers and the final product to customers, (3) supplier selection, and (4) choosing the source of energy from a range of conventional and renewable options. This research investigates the interactions between sustainability objectives by analyzing the results obtained through a Pareto frontier approach. The study aims to enable decision-makers to select their preferred option from a range of scenarios. To showcase the practical application of the proposed optimization model, a case study involving a US truck manufacturer is conducted. The findings of the study reveal the trade-offs that exist among the sustainability criteria, providing decision-makers with a variety of alternatives to align their business strategies accordingly. The proposed problem is a multi-objective mixed-integer non-linear programming model that incorporates chance constraints to account for energy usage uncertainties in the assembly plant. The integration of robots within assembly plants introduces variability in energy consumption. Factors such as specific robot tasks, variations in product mix or production volumes, and the condition of robot components can all influence energy usage. In order to effectively address these uncertainties, it is essential to formulate appropriate constraints as chance constraints. By incorporating chance constraints, the model can consider the probabilistic nature of energy usage and ensure (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2023, Natural Resources

One of the critical questions in the field of environment and natural resources from a policy perspective is to understand how collaborative processes and beneficial working relationships can lead to improved urban farming practices. While the topic has received attention by scholars across the nation, research on this topic is lacking regarding urban agriculture in low-income settings of Columbus Ohio. In this thesis, I will examine the perceived barriers that historically underserved urban farmers encounter in low-income settings. Specifically, I study the Community Growers Network (CGN), a new collaborative initiative that brings together urban farmers to work on creative solutions to solve their problems. Through interviews and participant observation, I uncover and explain the variables that limit urban agriculture production and help establishing stronger collaborative relationships between urban farmers. According to the interviews there are a plethora of challenges that urban farmers face; however, in this thesis I only highlighted the challenges that were common amongst all interviewees which are, 1) Land management, 2) Access to proper infrastructure, 3) Labor force (access to volunteers), 4) Access to funding 5) Access to specialized knowledge, and 6) Pest control and soil management. I find that he CGN is, in general, well equipped to help farmers face these challenges, and that the inner structure of the network is conducive to such solutions. I conclude by discussing the limitations of this study and potential areas of development for future research. I highlight not only the academic value of these findings, but also the value for individuals working in the development of urban farming in Columbus Ohio.

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2023, Environmental Studies (Voinovich)

Agricultural nutrient pollution is a significant cause of impairment in American surface waters. Wetland restoration projects in agricultural watersheds can provide an effective sink for excess nutrients and potentially improve downstream water quality. Ohio University has partnered with The Stream and Wetlands Foundation to conduct water quality monitoring during the restoration of Bloody Run Swamp, a wetland in a former agricultural field near Columbus, Ohio. This thesis serves as an analysis of the initial water quality impacts of this restoration project. The restoration of Bloody Run Swamp did not significantly impact total dissolved phosphorus, orthophosphate, TKN, or ammonia concentrations. In contrast, both nitrate/nitrate and total dissolved nitrogen concentration and loads were significantly reduced during construction. This may have been due to the dry weather during construction and the removal of drainage tiles from Bloody Run Swamp. Future water quality monitoring is needed to determine the long-term impacts of this restoration project.

Bachelor of Science (BS), Ohio University, 2023, Environmental Studies

Ramps are a type of Onion found throughout the Appalachian region. They have been valued by Native American and Appalachian people for thousands of years, but have recently gained popularity with foodies. This popularity has led to an increase in harvesting, which puts pressure on ramp populations. This thesis deconstructs the impact that the foodie movement has had on ramps and their traditional users, as well as how ramps are perceived as a source of authenticity for foodies to consume. These ideas parallel greater trends of Appalachian resource extraction, media portrayal, and economic and cultural exploitation.

Master of Science in Chemistry, Youngstown State University, 2023, Department of Biological Sciences and Chemistry

X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy is a good analytical method for determination of both trace and major elements in different samples, it has the important advantages of allowing direct analysis of soils and sediments and is also non-destructive. The major aim of this study was to develop an XRF method for the determination of total metal concentrations in soils and sediments. Limit of detection and limit of quantitation were used as the figures of merit to evaluate the method. Standard Reference materials: NIST-2586, NIST-2587, NIST-1645 and NIST-1645 were used for calibration. Different calibration methods were explored. background corrected peak height to Background corrected Compton peak height ratio had the highest correlation coefficient (0.99) for Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Al, Cr, Ca and Pb. The method was applied to measure 120 sediment samples that were collected from the yellow creek watershed Poland, Ohio. The results of the XRF method were compared with those obtained by ICP-MS. Al, Mn, Zn, Fe and Cu had good agreement. A sequential extraction approach was developed for characterizing the availability of metals in the water from the sediments. Ca and Mn were found to be easily extracted under weakly acidic conditions.