DOCSLIB.ORG

Genesis and Morphology of Soil Pendants in Quaternary Landforms of Pahranagat Valley, Nevada

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Genesis and Morphology of Soil Pendants in Quaternary Landforms of Pahranagat Valley, Nevada UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones 8-2002 Genesis and morphology of soil pendants in Quaternary landforms of Pahranagat Valley, Nevada Amy Lynn Brock University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations Part of the Desert Ecology Commons, Geology Commons, Geomorphology Commons, and the Soil Science Commons Repository Citation Brock, Amy Lynn, "Genesis and morphology of soil pendants in Quaternary landforms of Pahranagat Valley, Nevada" (2002). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 1411. http://dx.doi.org/10.34917/3338245 This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. This Thesis has been accepted for inclusion in UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones by an authorized administrator of Digital Scholarship@UNLV. For more information, please contact [email protected]. GENESIS AND MORPHOLOGY OF SOIL PENDANTS IN QUATERNARY LANDFORMSOFPAHRANAGATVALLEY,NEVADA by AmyL. Brock Bachelor of Science Oklahoma State University 1999 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science Degree Department of Geoscience College of Sciences Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas August2002 Copyright by Amy L. Brock 2002 All Rights Reserved Thesis Approval The Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas -----"M..,a.J-y _3,_,. ____~, 20.QZ_ The Thesis prepared by Entitled Genesis and Morphology of Soil Pendants in Quaterrtary Landforms of Pahranagat Valley, Nevada is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Dea11 of the Graduate College Examination Committee Member PR/1017·53/1-00 ii ABSTRACT Genesis and morphology of soil pendants in Quaternary landforms of Pabranagat Valley, Nevada by AmyL. Brock Dr. Brenda Buck, Examination Committee Chair Professor of Geoscience University of Nevada, Las Vegas Five geomorphic surfaces present in the northern Pahranagat Valley, Lincoln County, Nevada range in age from Early Pleistocene to Recent (Ql-Q5) and vary in clast lithology from dolomite to volcanic tephras. Two chronosequences and 5 lithosequences were compared to evaluate micro and macromorphic characteristics and development of soil pendants. This study presents a new interpretation for soil pendant development. Key features observed in the Pahranagat Valley pendants provide evidence for precipitation at the clast-pendant contact suggesting that newer deposits are not always found at the pendant terminus as other studies have assumed. These features include a void at the clast-pendant contact where precipitates such as calcium carbonate, silica and/or fibrous silicate clays may precipitate. Other features present in these pendants include significant amounts of parent clast grains that are incorporated into the pendant, detrital grain and parent material displacement and/or dissolution and presence of the fibrous clay sepiolite. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... iii LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................... vii ACKNOWLDEGEMENTS ................................................................................................ x CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND ................................................ I Purpose of Study .............................................................................................................. I Significance ...................................................................................................................... 2 Study Area Location ......................................................................................................... 5 Alluvial Fan Formation .................................................................................................... 5 Landforms of the Basin and Range .................................................................................. 7 Geologic and Geomorphic History of the Study Area ..................................................... 9 Current and Past Climates of Study Area ....................................................................... II Vegetation ...................................................................................................................... 13 Calcic Soils and Carbonate Horizon Morphology ......................................................... 13 Silica in Calcic Soils ...................................................................................................... 18 Silicate Clays in Calcic Soils ......................................................................................... 20 Sepiolite and palygorskite ............................................................................................ 25 Soil Pendants .................................................................................................................. 26 CHAPTER II METHODOLOGY ................................................................................... 29 Landform Selection and Mapping .................................................................................. 29 Pedon Selection and Sampling ....................................................................................... 30 Texture Analysis ............................................................................................................ 32 Electrical Conductivity and pH ...................................................................................... 33 Macroscopic Techniques ................................................................................................ 33 Microscopic Techniques ................................................................................................ 33 Scanning Electron Microscopy ...................................................................................... 34 X-Ray Diffraction ......................................................................................................... 35 CHAPTER III LANDFORM AND PEDON RESULTS ................................................ 36 Parent Material Lithology and Surface Characteristics .................................................. 38 BLM fan surface characteristics ................................................................................... 41 Mail Summit fan surface characteristics ..................................................................... .41 Q 1 Landforms and Profile Descriptions ......................................................................... 41 Mail Summit Q 10 Backhoe Pit .................................................................................... 42 iv BLM Q 1v Silica Pit ...................................................................................................... 45 Q2 Landforms and Pedon Descriptions ........................................................................ .49 Mail Summit Q2o Merkler Pit .................................................................................... .49 BLM Q1 v BLM Pit ...................................................................................................... 52 Q3 Landforms and Profile Descriptions ......................................................................... 52 Mail Summit Q3o Mystery Pit ..................................................................................... 55 BLM Q3v Last Pit ........................................................................................................ 55 Q4 Landforms and Profile Descriptions ......................................................................... 57 Mail Summit Q4o Shovel Pit ....................................................................................... 57 BLM Q4v Glass Pit ...................................................................................................... 61 Q5 Landform and Profile Description ............................................................................ 61 CHAPTER IV SOIL PENDANT RESULTS .................................................................... 68 General Description and Characteristics ........................................................................ 68 Macromorphology and Micromorphology of Pendants ................................................. 76 Pedogenic calcium carbonate ....................................................................................... 76 Secondary silica accumulations ................................................................................... 81 Sepiolite ........................................................................................................................ 81 Soil pellet features ........................................................................................................ 83 Other amorphous materials .......................................................................................... 91 Pendant size .................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Ecoregions of Nevada Ecoregion 5 Is a Mountainous, Deeply Dissected, and Westerly Tilting Fault Block
    5 . S i e r r a N e v a d a Ecoregions of Nevada Ecoregion 5 is a mountainous, deeply dissected, and westerly tilting fault block. It is largely composed of granitic rocks that are lithologically distinct from the sedimentary rocks of the Klamath Mountains (78) and the volcanic rocks of the Cascades (4). A Ecoregions denote areas of general similarity in ecosystems and in the type, quality, Vegas, Reno, and Carson City areas. Most of the state is internally drained and lies Literature Cited: high fault scarp divides the Sierra Nevada (5) from the Northern Basin and Range (80) and Central Basin and Range (13) to the 2 2 . A r i z o n a / N e w M e x i c o P l a t e a u east. Near this eastern fault scarp, the Sierra Nevada (5) reaches its highest elevations. Here, moraines, cirques, and small lakes and quantity of environmental resources. They are designed to serve as a spatial within the Great Basin; rivers in the southeast are part of the Colorado River system Bailey, R.G., Avers, P.E., King, T., and McNab, W.H., eds., 1994, Ecoregions and subregions of the Ecoregion 22 is a high dissected plateau underlain by horizontal beds of limestone, sandstone, and shale, cut by canyons, and United States (map): Washington, D.C., USFS, scale 1:7,500,000. are especially common and are products of Pleistocene alpine glaciation. Large areas are above timberline, including Mt. Whitney framework for the research, assessment, management, and monitoring of ecosystems and those in the northeast drain to the Snake River.
    [Show full text]
  • Nye County Agenda Information Form
    NYE COUNTY AGENDA INFORMATION FORM Action U Presentation U Presentation & Action Department: Town of Pahrump — County Manager Agenda Date: Category: Times Agenda Item — 10:00 a.m. June 24, 2020 Phone: Continued from meeting of: Contact: Tim Sutton June 162020 Puone: Return to: Location: Pabrunip A clion reqti estecl: (Include whai with whom, when, where, why, how much (5) and terms) Presentation, discussion and deliberation regarding the renewal proposal for the Town of Pahrump from the Nevada Public Agency Insurance Pool (POOL) for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 with a maintenance deductible in the amount ofS2.000.00 and a premium in the amount ofSl33,053.30. Complete description of requested action: (Include, if applicable, background, impact, long-tenn commitment, csisling county policy, future goals, obtained by competitive hid, accountability measures) The maintenance deductible for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 is $2,000.00 and the premium was $172,320.21. provide 20 Any information provided after the agenda is published or tluring the meeting of the Commissioners will require on to for County Manager. copies one for each Commissioner, one for the Clerk, one for the District Attorney, one for the Public and two the Contracts or documents requiring signature must be submitted with three original copies. Expenditure Impact by FY(s): (Provide detail on Financial Foon) No financial impact Routing & Approval (Sign & Date) Dale Dae 1. Dept 6 tlnte Dale D HR 2. ° D. 3. 8. Legal ; Date Dale I 4 9. Finance Dale Cottnty Manager aee on Agenda Dale 5 io. ITEM# — ITEM 9 PAGE 001 NEVADA PUBLIC AGENCY INSURANCE POOL MEMBER COVERAGE SUMMARY Prepared For: Pahrump, Town of Prepared By: LP Insurance Services, Inc.
    [Show full text]
  • Directory of State and Local Government
    DIRECTORY OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Prepared by RESEARCH DIVISION LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL BUREAU 2020 Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS Please refer to the Alphabetical Index to the Directory of State and Local Government for a complete list of agencies. NEVADA STATE GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONAL CHART ............................................. D-9 CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ............................................................................................. D-13 DIRECTORY OF STATE GOVERNMENT CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS: Attorney General ........................................................................................................................ D-15 State Controller ........................................................................................................................... D-19 Governor ..................................................................................................................................... D-20 Lieutenant Governor ................................................................................................................... D-27 Secretary of State ........................................................................................................................ D-28 State Treasurer ............................................................................................................................ D-30 EXECUTIVE BOARDS ................................................................................................................. D-31 NEVADA SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    [Show full text]
  • Drivingwalking06.25.Pdf
    Driving Tours Lincoln County Lincoln County Driving Tours 1 Lower and Upper Pahranagat Lakes Travel approximately 4 miles south of Alamo and turn west at the identification signs. South of the town of Alamo, the run-off from White 50 River flows into an idyllic, pastoral, 50 acre lake. 6 This lake is called Upper Pahranagat Lake and is just over 2 miles long and a half mile wide. It is encircled with beautiful shade trees, brush and grasses. The surrounding land is designated as a National Wildlife Preserve and the area has become a permanent home for birds such as duck, geese, quail, blue herons, and many varieties of smaller birds. Migrating birds include swans and pelicans 19 that pass through in winter and spring. The overflow from the Upper Pahranagat Lake is carried downstream about 4 miles to Lower Pahranagat Lake. This lake is slightly less than a mile and a half long and about a half mile wide. Fishing in early spring and summer is excellent. During the summer months, water is used for irrigation and reduces the 18 level of both lakes. 17 16 Ursine 2 Pioche 15 13 322 Alamo–A Historic Pahranagat Valley Town 318 12 14 Continue north about 4 miles from Upper Pahranagat 11 Lake or south 9 miles from Ash Springs on U.S. 93 to 10 9 319 Panaca the historic town of Alamo. See the Alamo Walking Tour in this brochure for individual attractions. Caliente Rachel 21 93 5 Alamo, the principal town of Hiko 20 6 Pahranagat Valley, was formed around 7 8 1900 by Fred Allen, Mike Botts, Bert 375 Ash Springs 3 4 317 Riggs and William T.
    [Show full text]
  • An Interview with LINA SHARP
    An Interview with LINA SHARP An Oral History conducted and edited by Robert D. McCracken Nye County Board of Commissioners Nye County, Nevada Tonopah 1992 COPYRIGHT 1992 Nye County Town History Project Nye County Commissioners Tonopah, Nevada 89049 Lina Pinjuv Sharp, Blue Eagle Ranch, Railroad Valley, NV 1941 Jim Sharp, Blue Eagle Ranch, Railroad Valley, NV, 1941 CONTENTS Preface Acknowledgments Introduction CHAPTER ONE Lina discusses her parents, Ivan and Anna Lalich Pinjuv, who both came to the U.S. from Yugoslavia; Lina's childhood and youth in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, including memories of the Mikulich family and of a hospital stay where Lina experienced Las Vegas's first air conditioning; Lina's college years in Reno and her first teaching assignment — at the Blue Eagle Ranch; a discussion of the Bordoli family and the Bordoli Ranch; Lina recalls Mary McCann Sharp; the children Lina taught at Blue Eagle. CHAPTER TWO Lina's first year teaching at Blue Eagle; the name Blue Eagle; Lina marries Jim Sharp and becomes a permanent resident of Railroad Valley; the Sharp family's progenitor, Henry Sharp, and his son George (Lina's father-in-law); the route of the Midland Trail, which passed through the Blue Eagle Ranch; some history of the communities near Blue Eagle — Nyala, Troy, Grant, and Irwin canyons; George Sharp purchases Blue Eagle and meets his future bride, Mary- McCann; McCann Station between Hot Creek and Tybo. CHAPTER THREE George and Mary McCann Sharp spend some years in Belmont, then return to Blue Eagle; the children and grandchildren of George and Mary; the Sharps's Blue Eagle Ranch and its grazing land; Lina recalls the Blue Eagle Ranch as it was in 1940; federal government interference at Blue Eagle; drilling for potash near Blue Eagle and finding water; the Locke Ranch; Emery Garrett of Nyala and Currant Creek; some history on Nyala.
    [Show full text]
  • Guide to the Elbert Edwards Photograph Collection
    Guide to the Elbert Edwards Photograph Collection This finding aid was created by Lindsay Oden. This copy was published on August 04, 2021. Persistent URL for this finding aid: http://n2t.net/ark:/62930/f1c03n © 2021 The Regents of the University of Nevada. All rights reserved. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives. Box 457010 4505 S. Maryland Parkway Las Vegas, Nevada 89154-7010 [email protected] Guide to the Elbert Edwards Photograph Collection Table of Contents Summary Information ..................................................................................................................................... 3 Biographical Note ............................................................................................................................................ 3 Scope and Contents Note ................................................................................................................................ 4 Arrangement .................................................................................................................................................... 4 Administrative Information ............................................................................................................................. 5 Related Materials ............................................................................................................................................. 5 Names and Subjects .......................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Jennings County
    JENNINGS COUNTY. PROF. E. T. COX, State Geologist of Indiana: DEAR SIR :-Agreeable with your letter of instructions, of April 21, 1875, I have closely traced the geological formations of Jennings and Ripley counties, Indiana; observed the character and position of pre-historic mounds;. inquired into the agriCllltural and manufacturing interests, and herewith respectfully submit notes on the same. Yours Truly, WM. W. BORDEN. New Providence, Ind., Jan. 1, 1876. I DESCRIPTION. • Jennings county was organized in 1816, and named in honor of Jonathan Jennings, the first Governor of the. State of Indiana. It is bounded on the north by Barthol­ omew and Decatur counties, east by Ripley and Jefferson, south by Je1Jerlln and Scott, and on the west mainly by Jackson and Bartholomew counties. The east and west sides of the county are nearly parallel, but the north and south borders are very irregular. This county contains 375 square miles, or 240,375 acres. Enumeratfon of chil. dren for school in 1874,3,834. The surface of the county bordering all the streams, is very much broken, while rich JENNINGS COUNTY. 147 alluvial valleys and high table-lands or "flats," form the water-shed between the streams. This county is traversed by a number of water-courses, those in the northeastern part, flowing near the summit of the Lower Silurian rocks, and those on the remaining por­ tion, flowing over the Niagara and Devonian formations. All the streams in the western part of the county, flow from a lower to a higher geological horizon. The principal streams are: Big creek, which washes the county on the southwest, Big and Little Graham, uniting, below San Jacinto, the latter rising east of New Marion, in Ripley county, and the former near Versailles, and the North or West Fork of the Muscatatuck, which unites with the South Fork at Old Vernon.
    [Show full text]
  • Pahranagat Wilderness
    WHAT IS A NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE? Pahranagat NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Simply put, national wildlife refuges are places where wildlife comes first. With over 550 refuges throughout the United States, the National Wildlife Refuge System is the only network of federal © U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service lands dedicated specifically to wildlife conservation. The Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex Southern Nevada has four national wildlife refuges all within an hour and a half drive from Las Vegas: Desert, Pahranagat, Moapa Valley, and Ash Meadows. Many wildlife refuges, like Pahranagat NWR, were established to protect and enhance the resting and feeding grounds of migratory birds, creating a chain of stepping stones along major migration routes. Others, like Desert, Moapa Valley, and Ash Meadows, were established to conserve the natural homes of our rarest wild species, including desert bighorn sheep, unique wildflowers, and rare desert fish. © Southern Nevada Agency Partnership Wilderness in Your Backyard Get away from the rush and noise of the city. The national wildlife refuges in southern Nevada PAHRANAGAT National Wildlife Refuge allow you to experience a real sense of wilderness, marvel at the beauty of the Mojave Desert, watch rare wildlife in their native habitat, and know it will be here for generations to come. © U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Few landscapes are as contrasting as Pahranagat Visit this unique oasis during the spring and fall © U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Valley’s lush wetlands and the surrounding Mojave migrations for the best chance to see festive displays America’s Great Outdoors Desert. Life-giving waters from Crystal and Ash Springs of colorful song birds NEVADA 2012 flow through the valley, nourishing the Pahranagat and a diversity National Wildlife Refuge and offering ideal wetland of ducks and and riparian habitats for thousands of migratory birds, other waterfowl numerous birds of prey, deer, and rare fish.
    [Show full text]
  • NV HS East 320006000443 All All All All All Status 5 Not a Title I School DISTRICT NEVADA CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL 3200060 College of So
    State LEA Name LEA NCES ID School Name School NCES ID Reading Reading Math Math Elementary/ Graduation State Defined School Title I School Proficiency Participation Proficiency Participation Middle School Rate Target Improvement Status Target Target Target Target Other Academic Indicator Target NEVADA STATE-SPONSORED CHARTER 3200001 Nevada State High School 320000100608 All All All All Not All Status 5 Not a Title I school SCHOOLS NEVADA STATE-SPONSORED CHARTER 3200001 Silver State High School 320000100614 All All Not All All All Not All Status 1 Not a Title I school SCHOOLS NEVADA STATE-SPONSORED CHARTER 3200001 The Davidson Academy of Nevada 320000100680 All All All All All All Status 5 Not a Title I school SCHOOLS NEVADA STATE-SPONSORED CHARTER 3200001 Nevada Connections Academy 320000100731 Not All All Not All All Not All Not All Status 3 Not a Title I school SCHOOLS NEVADA STATE-SPONSORED CHARTER 3200001 Nevada Virtual Academy 320000100734 Not All All Not All All All Not All Status 2 Not a Title I school SCHOOLS NEVADA STATE-SPONSORED CHARTER 3200001 Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas 320000100742 All All All All All All Status 5 Not a Title I school SCHOOLS NEVADA STATE-SPONSORED CHARTER 3200001 Beacon Academy of Nevada 320000100751 All All All All Not All Status 2 Not a Title I school SCHOOLS NEVADA STATE-SPONSORED CHARTER 3200001 Imagine School in the Valle 320000100759 All All All All All Status 3 Not a Title I school SCHOOLS NEVADA STATE-SPONSORED CHARTER 3200001 Silver Sands Montessori 320000100781 All All All All All Status
    [Show full text]
  • Lincoln County
    Lincoln County Driving Tours and Walking Tours of Alamo, Caliente, Panaca and Pioche Early History Eastern Nevada was home to Native Americans for thousands of years before European exploration. The early Basketmakers and later Fremont people lived in the lush valleys, where they grew crops of corn, beans and squash, and lived in permanent “pueblos.” The more nomadic Southern Paiute appeared in the area around 900 A.D., building no permanent dwellings, but moved with the seasons to hunt and gather nuts, berries, seeds and roots. The Fremont people disappeared by 1200 A.D., reducing the competition with the Paiutes for the same game species which at one time included bison. In 1863, Missionary William Hamblin was scouting new areas for settlement, and while he was in Meadow Valley, a Paiute Indian showed him some rocks which he called “panagari” or “panacker”. In March of 1864, Hamblin brought some men with him and established claims on the “panacker ledge,” which was located eight or ten miles north of the valley itself. A specimen of the silver ore was sent to Salt Lake City, and the area was deemed worthy of more exploration. J.N. Vandermark and Stephen Sherwood undertook the first expedition, "Guns were the only law and Pioche made and along with Hamblin they organized the Meadow Valley Mining Bodie, Tombstone and other better known District in April, 1864. In May, 1864, Francis Lee and six other families towns pale in comparison. It’s been said that moved from Santa Clara, Utah, to Meadow Valley, where they seventy-five men were killed in gunfights established an agricultural settlement that they called Panaca.
    [Show full text]
  • 20120522 Introduction and Notification of WAPA June 19Th Meeting
    BOB COFFIN, Commissioner BRIAN SANDOVAL, Governor STATE OF NEVADA TOM COLLINS, Commissioner GEORGE F. OGlEVIE III, Chairman J. BRIN GIBSON, Commissioner MARYBEL BATJER, Vice Chairwoman DUNCAN R. MCCOY, Commzss,oner HARKINS, P.E., Executive Director JAYNE BERLYN D. MILLER, Commissioner COLORADO RIVER COMMISSION OF NEVADA May 22, 2012 POTENTIAL NEVADA INTERESTED PARTiES Subject: Introduction and Notification of Western Area Power Administration (Western) June 19, 2012 Hoover Power Informal Public Information Meeting The Colorado River Commission of Nevada (CRCN) is the state agency responsible for acquiring, managing and protecting Nevada’s share of water and hydropower resources from the Colorado River. Current contracts for federal hydropower expire September 30, 2017, and legislation called the Hoover Power Allocation Act of 2011 (Act) was recently passed and signed by the President in December 2011. Enclosed is a copy of the Act for your reference. The Act created a resource pool of contingent capacity and firm energy to be allocated to new allotees that will be marketed by Western in the Boulder City Marketing Area. The marketing area includes portions of Clark, Lincoln, Nye, White Pine, Esmeralda, and Mineral Counties in Nevada. The purpose of our letter to you is to ensure you are aware of the potential opportunity to apply for a Hoover power allocation from Western; and that Western is hosting an informal public information meeting to provide more information about the Act and their potential marketing criteria on June 19, 2012 at their office in Phoenix, Arizona. Enclosed is a copy of Western’s meeting notice for your information. The CRCN will begin a similar process to allocate Hoover power to new allotees in Nevada at a later date.
    [Show full text]
  • Geothermal Soil Ecology in Yellowstone National Park
    GEOTHERMAL SOIL ECOLOGY IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK by James Francis Meadow A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Land Resources and Environmental Sciences MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY Bozeman, Montana April 2012 ©COPYRIGHT by James Francis Meadow 2012 All Rights Reserved ii APPROVAL of a dissertation submitted by James Francis Meadow This dissertation has been read by each member of the dissertation committee and has been found to be satisfactory regarding content, English usage, format, citations, bibliographic style, and consistency, and is ready for submission to The Graduate School. Dr. Catherine A. Zabinski Approved for the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences Dr. Tracy M. Sterling Approved for the The Graduate School Dr. Carl A. Fox iii STATEMENT OF PERMISSION TO USE In presenting this dissertation in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a doctoral degree at Montana State University, I agree that the Library shall make it available to borrowers under rules of the Library. I further agree that copying of this dissertation is allowable only for scholarly purposes, consistent with \fair use" as prescribed in the U. S. Copyright Law. Requests for extensive copying or reproduction of this dissertation should be referred to ProQuest Information and Learning, 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106, to whom I have granted \the exclusive right to reproduce and distribute my dissertation in and from microform along with the non-exclusive right to reproduce and distribute my abstract in any format in whole or in part." James Francis Meadow April 2012 iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Funding was provided by a GK-12 Graduate Fellowship from the NSF and the Big Sky Institute, a Boyd Evison Graduate Fellowship from the Grand Teton Association, a dissertation fellowship from the Institute on Ecosystems, and also from a USDA NRICG to Dr.
    [Show full text]