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Theses and Dissertations - Department of Geography

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Browsing Theses and Dissertations - Department of Geography by Subject "Environmental management"

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    Exploring public participation in planning: a case study approach
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2010) Davis, Kara Noelle; Appiah-Opoku, Seth; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    The level of public participation in environmental planning and decision-making was examined using content analysis of specific case studies. Municipalities around the country recently have undertaken many projects in which citizens were unhappy with their involvement in the overall planning process. The objectives of this study were to identify existing laws pertaining to public participation; review the methods of public participation; and determine the extent to which the public was involved in the planning process. Two cases were reviewed with a focus on filtering out lessons in public participation that could be used by community planners elsewhere. Tuscaloosa implemented only four of the nine methods of public participation that Chattanooga also used: form citizen groups or task forces, use outside consultants for new ideas, educate the citizens, and ensure that information is accessible. Visioning proved to be the difference in public participation methods for Chattanooga. Tuscaloosa removed the citizens from the design aspect of its riverfront plans. Downtown revitalization is a prime opportunity for citizens to participate and voice their opinion on the design and function of their city, which would create an opportunity for cooperation with city officials. These missed opportunities for citizen input severely impair a citizen's trust of municipality operation and management of funds, citizen concerns, and natural resources, all of which directly impact the lives of an entire region.
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    The use of habitat classification and mapping of the threatened flattened musk turtle in the shoreline management of Smith Lake, Alabama
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2012) Limbaugh, Joelle M.; Steinberg, Michael K.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    The purpose of this thesis was to develop a habitat classification system indicating suitability of shoreline for the federally threatened flattened musk turtle (Sternotherus depressus). The shoreline of Smith Lake was visually assessed by a biologist familiar with S. depressus. Segments of shoreline were designated "Good", "Moderate" or "Poor" relative to substrate type. Sternotherus depressus prefers large rock with an abundance of crevices which it uses for protection. To ground truth the habitat classifications, 155 sites along the shoreline were trapped for S. depressus for three trapping seasons (spring and fall 2011, spring 2012). A total of 58 S. depressus individuals were trapped at 25 separate sites. Of these 25 sites, 14 were in "Good" habitat, nine were in "Moderate" habitat, and two were located in "Poor" habitat. A chi-square test for independence indicated that there is an association between the presence or absence of S. depressus and habitat type (รท2 = 8.463, N = 155, p = 0.015) at the trap site. The habitat classification system will be used by Alabama Power Company in its shoreline development program to help reduce adverse effects upon S. depressus or its habitat on Smith Lake.
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    Vegetation-environment relationships and species assemblages in three vertical strata after an intermediate-scale wind disturbance in a quercus forest
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2015) Jackson, Charles A. T.; Hart, Justin L.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    Natural disturbance is a fundamental process that exerts a strong influence in shaping forest structure, composition, and function. Canopy disturbances are often classified based on spatial extent and severity along a gradient ranging from highly localized, gap-scale events to stand-replacing or catastrophic events. The overwhelming majority of research on wind disturbance and forest response has focused on events near the two endpoints (catastrophic and gap-scale) of the disturbance classification gradient. As such, a paucity of data is available on intermediate-scale disturbances. Furthering our understanding of these events provides information on natural processes that can be used to make informed management decisions. On 20 April 2011, an EF1 tornado coupled with straight line winds affected portions of the Sipsey Wilderness in Bankhead National Forest. I subjectively established 109, 0.04 ha plots in Quercus dominated stands adjacent to the track of the tornado three growing seasons post-disturbance to quantify damage and possible effects on species assemblages in three vertical strata. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS), indicator species analysis (ISA), and multi-response permutation procedures (MRPP) were used to examine vegetation-environmental relationships in each vertical stratum by species using PC-ORD v. 5.31. Species appeared to be aligned most strongly along elevation and diversity gradients and the effects of the disturbance on seedling and sapling establishment was limited because of the well-developed mid-story layer. The overstory remained dominated by Quercus and Carya spp. However, the disturbance released the shade-tolerant stems present in the understory and mid-story, thereby accelerating succession