William James Smith Jr., Ph.D
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Climate Change in Rural Nevada: the Influence of Vulnerability on Risk Perception and Environmental Behavior
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones 5-2011 Climate change in rural Nevada: The influence of vulnerability on risk perception and environmental behavior Ahmad Safi University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations Part of the Climate Commons, Environmental Policy Commons, Natural Resources Management and Policy Commons, and the Sustainability Commons Repository Citation Safi, Ahmad, "Climate change in rural Nevada: The influence of vulnerability on risk perception and environmental behavior" (2011). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 906. http://dx.doi.org/10.34917/2255113 This Dissertation 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 Dissertation 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 Dissertation 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]. CLIMATE CHANGE IN RURAL NEVADA: THE INFLUENCE OF VULNERABILITY ON RISK PERCEPTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BEHAVIOR by -
Speleothem Paleoclimatology for the Caribbean, Central America, and North America
quaternary Review Speleothem Paleoclimatology for the Caribbean, Central America, and North America Jessica L. Oster 1,* , Sophie F. Warken 2,3 , Natasha Sekhon 4, Monica M. Arienzo 5 and Matthew Lachniet 6 1 Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, USA 2 Department of Geosciences, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; [email protected] 3 Institute of Environmental Physics, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany 4 Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA; [email protected] 5 Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV 89512, USA; [email protected] 6 Department of Geoscience, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 27 December 2018; Accepted: 21 January 2019; Published: 28 January 2019 Abstract: Speleothem oxygen isotope records from the Caribbean, Central, and North America reveal climatic controls that include orbital variation, deglacial forcing related to ocean circulation and ice sheet retreat, and the influence of local and remote sea surface temperature variations. Here, we review these records and the global climate teleconnections they suggest following the recent publication of the Speleothem Isotopes Synthesis and Analysis (SISAL) database. We find that low-latitude records generally reflect changes in precipitation, whereas higher latitude records are sensitive to temperature and moisture source variability. Tropical records suggest precipitation variability is forced by orbital precession and North Atlantic Ocean circulation driven changes in atmospheric convection on long timescales, and tropical sea surface temperature variations on short timescales. On millennial timescales, precipitation seasonality in southwestern North America is related to North Atlantic climate variability. -
Threats to Western United States Riparian Ecosystems: a Bibliography
Threats to Western United States Riparian Ecosystems: A Bibliography Boris Poff, Karen A. Koestner, Daniel G. Neary, and David Merritt United States Department of Agriculture / Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-269 December 2012 Poff, Boris; Koestner, Karen A.; Neary, Daniel G.; Merritt, David. 2012. Threats to western United States riparian ecosystems: A bibliography. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-269. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 78 p. Abstract __________________________________________________ This bibliography is a compendium of state-of-knowledge publications about the threats affecting western U.S. riparian ecosystems and is a companion to the website: http://www.rmrs.nau.edu/ awa/ripthreatbib/. The website contains abstracts and access to many of the publications via PDFs, or it directs the readers to websites where PDFs of the publication can be viewed or obtained. The bibliography is ordered alphabetically and the type of threats discussed in each publication is highlighted. These threats include agriculture, climate change, dam construction, disease, drought, invasive species, fire, floods, flow regulation, forest harvesting, grazing, groundwater depletion, insects, mining, recreation, roads, water diversions, urbanization, and water quality. Keywords: ecosystem, riparian, soil, water, watersheds, hydrology, threats, vegetation, wildlife, drought, floods, grazing, invasive plants Authors _____________________________ David Merritt, Riparian Ecologist, U.S. Department of Agri- culture, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Forest Service, Boris Poff, District Hydrologist, Bureau of Land Management, Stream Systems Technology Center, Fort Collins, Colorado. Las Vegas, Nevada. Karen A. Koestner, Hydrologic Research Technician, U.S. Acknowledgments ____________________ Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Flagstaff, This effort was funded by a grant from the U.S. -
Contemporary Uplift of the Sierra Nevada, Western United States, from GPS and Insar Measurements
Contemporary uplift of the Sierra Nevada, western United States, from GPS and InSAR measurements William C. Hammond1*, Geoffrey Blewitt1, Zhenhong Li2, Hans-Peter Plag1, and Corné Kreemer1 1Nevada Geodetic Laboratory, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, and Nevada Seismological Laboratory, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA 2Centre for the Observation and Modelling of Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Tectonics (COMET+), School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK ABSTRACT particular, the EarthScope Plate Boundary Observatory has provided hun- Modern space geodesy has recently enabled the direct observation dreds of new stations in California and Nevada, including about a dozen of slow geological processes that move and shape Earth’s surface, includ- on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada. We processed all available GPS ing plate tectonics and crustal strain accumulation that leads to earth- data to obtain station height time series, and fi t them with a six-parameter quakes. More elusive has been the direct observation of active moun- empirical model including an epoch position, a velocity, and an amplitude tain growth, because geodetic measurements have larger uncertainties and phase of annual and semiannual harmonic constituents (to model sea- in the vertical direction, while mountain growth is typically very slow. sonal effects). To enhance the signal-to-noise ratio, we used GPS vertical For the Sierra Nevada of California and Nevada, western United States, velocities based on over 3 yr of data with 1σ rate uncertainties ≤1.0 mm/yr, the history of elevation is complex, exhibiting features of both ancient and required that the empirical model adequately fi t the data (Fig. -
Student Success
The magazine of the University of Nevada, Reno • Winter 2009 Student Success: Engagement, Curriculum, Support. Joe Bradley Improving the Community Student Algae Research Could Turn Nevada into NEVADA SILVER & BLUE Biofuel Powerhouse Nevada Athletics • Winter 2009 Hall of Fame Class More Than 50 Years of Success From the President All things great and small add up to student success at Nevada In recent months, with the openings of the Joe Crowley Student Union, the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center and the groundbreaking for the Davidson Mathematics and Science Center, we have seen the number of great buildings on The magazine of the University of Nevada, Reno our campus grow dramatically. Yet, it can be argued that it is the “small” www.unr.edu/nevadasilverandblue things—small only in the sense that they are the often overlooked but critically important daily Copyright ©2008, by the University of Nevada, Reno. All elements of a thriving university—that truly rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without Photo by Theresa Danna-Douglas equal success for our students. written permission is prohibited. Nevada Silver & Blue (USPS# Shannon Ellis, vice president of Student Student success has always been one of the 024-722), Winter 2009, Volume 25, Number 2, is published Services, and President Milton Glick. quarterly (winter, spring, summer, fall) by the University of foremost goals for our University. We have been Nevada, Reno, Development and Alumni Relations, Morrill challenged in recent months with a statewide economic downturn that has necessitated deep budget Hall, 1664 N. Virginia St., Reno, NV 89503-2007. Periodicals cuts. -
Why Is Snow Important in the Southwestern United States
Module 1 Educator’s Guide Investigation 4 Why is snow Geography Standards important in the Standard 7: Physical Systems The physical processes that shape southwestern the patterns of Earth’s surface • Describe how physical processes affect different regions of the United United States? States and the world. Investigation Overview Standard 15: Environment In Investigation 4, students role-play U.S. senators from seven western and Society states seeking to find solutions to important water problems in the How physical systems affect Southwest: recurrent drought, which reduces vital snowpack resources, human systems in the face of rapid population growth and therefore increasing demand • Analyze examples of changes in the on those resources. Information from satellite images, in tandem with physical environment that have ground-based perspectives, assist students in playing their roles as reduced the capacity of the environ- senators. Because the investigation uses a case study in the United ment to support human activity. • Apply the concept of “limits to growth” States, all statistics will be in English units. This conscious exception to to suggest ways to adapt to or the standard use of metric units reflects the real-world practice of Ameri- overcome the limits imposed on can water resource managers. human systems by physical systems. Time required: Five to nine 45-minute sessions (as follows): Standard 18: The Uses of Introduction and Parts 1 and 2: One or two 45-minute sessions Part 3: One 45-minute session Geography Parts 4 and 5: One or two 45-minute sessions How to apply geography to inter- Parts 6 and 7: One or two 45-minute sessions pret the present and plan for the Part 8 and Debriefing: One or two 45-minute sessions future • Develop policies that are designed to guide the use and management of Materials/Resources Earth’s resources and that reflect Briefing (one per student) multiple points of view. -
Autumn Precipitation Trends in the Northeast United States
Middle States Geographer, 2000, 33:74-81 AUTUMN PRECIPITATION TRENDS IN THE NORTHEAST UNITED STATES Keith G. Henderson Department of Geography Villanova University Villanova, PA 19085 ABSTRA CT: The northeastern United States experienced significant increases in precipitation from /900- / 999 Precipitation changes have been most prominent in the autumn. In western New York and Pennsylvania. and in coastal New England, seasonal precipitation totals have risen 25-45% over the IOO-year period. Concurrent decreases in temperature indicate that early season precipitation increases may be associated with earlier upper level troughing, while large-scale November changes may be linked to an enhanced subtropical high pressure system. Autumn precipitation steadily increased over the century and has impacted regional hydrology. At least three major rivers have shown increased autumn flow. This impact is potentially important given that autumn is usually a time ofrising river levels before high winter and spring runoffperiods. INTRODUCTION aI., 1996). Karl and Knight (1998) suggest that over half of the measured precipitation increase across the country has been caused by increases in the largest Recent research on global climate change 10% of storms. While precipitation events of all has highlighted precipitation trends as a leading levels have become more frequent, only the signal in change detection. In North America intensities of the largest events have increased (Karl precipitation has increased significantly in many and Knight, 1998). Kunkel et al. (1999) also found regions over the past century. Groisman and significant increases in extreme precipitation events Easterling (1994) found that total precipitation rose over many portions of the United States. -
2012 Nevada Epscor Annual State Meeting Aubrey M. Bonde
2012 Nevada EPSCoR Annual State Meeting Aubrey M. Bonde Poster abstract The Education Component (Clark County contingent) is going into its 4th year of involvement in the EPSCoR program. Our focus is to instruct southern Nevada’s educators on climate change in the southwest through various class activities, field trips, guest lecturers, reading topics, and in-class discussions. We have successfully run three summer institutes with a total of fourteen teacher participants from the Clark County School District System (CCSD). This figure is taking into account that five of our teachers participated in the program for two summers. We expect another five teachers to join the program for 2012. Nearly all teachers come from different middle and high schools around Las Vegas and Boulder City therefore allowing the climate change content to reach the highest amount of distribution throughout the school district as possible (given the limited numbers of teacher enrollment allowable by budget). Each teacher instructs approximately 140 students per day (accounting for an average classroom size of 28 students per teaching period and five class periods in a day). This means we have witnessed a total of 2660 students throughout CCSD that have already been reached with the climate change content available through this grant. This year an additional 980 students will be instructed on climate change when we have a total of seven teachers during the 2012 summer institute. (Important note - These figures do not take into account the maximum capacity of students reached. If we consider that the teachers who were in the program from 2009 and 2010 have taught the content to all their classes in subsequent years (6 teachers in 2009, 6 new teachers in 2010, and 2 new teachers in 2011, this would nearly double this figure for a total of 4480 students reached!) The goal is to disseminate climate change information, activities, and lesson plans to as many schools, teachers, and students as possible. -
A Record-Breaking Trans-Atlantic African Dust Plume Associated with Atmospheric Circulation Extremes in June 2020 Bing Pu and Qinjian Jin
Article A Record-Breaking Trans-Atlantic African Dust Plume Associated with Atmospheric Circulation Extremes in June 2020 Bing Pu and Qinjian Jin ABSTRACT: High concentrations of dust can affect climate and human health, yet our understanding of extreme dust events is still limited. A record-breaking trans-Atlantic African dust plume occurred during 14–28 June 2020, greatly degrading air quality over large areas of −3 the Caribbean Basin and the United States. Daily PM2.5 concentrations exceeded 50 µg m in several Gulf States, while the air quality index reached unhealthy levels for sensitive groups in more than 11 states. The magnitude and duration of aerosol optical depth over the tropical North Atlantic Ocean were the greatest ever observed during summer over the past 18 years based on satellite retrievals. This extreme trans-Atlantic dust event is associated with both enhanced dust emissions over western North Africa and atmospheric circulation extremes that favor long-range dust transport. An exceptionally strong African easterly jet and associated wave activities export African dust across the Atlantic toward the Caribbean in the middle to lower troposphere, while a westward extension of the North Atlantic subtropical high and a greatly intensified Caribbean low-level jet further transport the descended, shallower dust plume from the Caribbean Basin into the United States. Over western North Africa, increased dust emissions are associated with strongly enhanced surface winds over dust source regions and reduced vegetation coverage in the western Sahel. While there are large uncertainties associated with assessing future trends in African dust emissions, model-projected atmospheric circulation changes in a warmer future generally favor increased long-range transport of African dust to the Caribbean Basin and the United States. -
Desertification of the American Southwest: an Analysis of Population, Climate, and Water Management
IQP 2007-2008 Desertification of the American Southwest Desertification of the American Southwest: An analysis of Population, Climate, and Water Management. The Interactive Qualifying Project Report Submitted to the faculty Of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute In partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Interactive Qualifying Project By Kyle Forward, Ryan Blair and Nick Souviney Date: April 3, 2008 Advised by Professor Theodore C. Crusberg Worcester Polytechnic Institute 1 IQP 2007-2008 Desertification of the American Southwest Acknowledgements We would like to thank Professor T.C. Crusberg for his helpful guidance and support in writing this report. His knowledge of the area and first hand experience provided great insight into the region’s current problematic conditions. Worcester Polytechnic Institute 2 IQP 2007-2008 Desertification of the American Southwest Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................................... 2 TABLE OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................................. 4 TABLE OF TABLES .................................................................................................................................... 5 ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................................... 6 POPULATION ........................................................................................................................................... -
Climate Projections for the Midwest: Availability, Interpretation and Synthesis
Climate Projections for the Midwest: Availability, Interpretation and Synthesis WHITE PAPER PREPARED FOR THE U.S. GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH PROGRAM NATIONAL CLIMATE ASSESSMENT MIDWEST TECHNICAL INPUT REPORT Julie A. Winkler1, Raymond W. Arritt2, Sara C. Pryor3 1 Department of Geography, Michigan State University 2 Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University 3 Department of Geological Sciences, Indiana University Recommended Citation: Winkler, J.A., R.W. Arritt, S.C. Pryor. 2012: Climate Projections for the Midwest: Availability, Interpretation and Synthesis. In: U.S. National Climate Assessment Midwest Technical Input Report. J. Winkler, J. Andresen, J. Hatfield, D. Bidwell, and D. Brown, coordinators. Available from the Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessment (GLISA) Center, http://glisa.msu.edu/docs/NCA/MTIT_Future.pdf. At the request of the U.S. Global Change Research Program, the Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments Center (GLISA) and the National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment formed a Midwest regional team to provide technical input to the National Climate Assessment (NCA). In March 2012, the team submitted their report to the NCA Development and Advisory Committee. This white paper is one chapter from the report, focusing on potential impacts, vulnerabilities, and adaptation options to climate variability and change for the future climate sector. U.S. National Climate Assessment: Midwest Technical Input Report: Future Climate Sector White Paper Contents Summary .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... -
The Geology of Western North America (Abridged Version)
THE GEOLOGY OF WESTERN NORTH AMERICA (ABRIDGED VERSION) By JoAnne Nelson, British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines, Victoria, BC, Canada [email protected] The geological history of western North America has siliciclastic strata that are now beautifully exposed in the been, and continues to be, shaped by its position on the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The Mt. Brussilof magnesite eastern rim of the Pacific Ocean. The modern Pacific deposit is hosted by Middle Cambrian carbonate within Ocean’s basin is the successor of the original ocean which this continental shelf sequence. Equivalent platformal split Laurentia - our continent’s cratonic core - away from strata are best exposed in the southwestern United States, the rest of the Precambrian supercontinent Rodinia, an the Grand Canyon being a world-renowned example. The ocean that widened until in late Paleozoic time, it became opening of Panthalassa was not a single event in western Panthalassa, the World Ocean. Unlike the eastern side of North America: convincing Cambrian as well as late the continent, where continental collision was followed Proterozoic rift-related sequences occur, and alkalic to by re-opening of the Atlantic Ocean - the “Wilson cycle” ocean-floor basalts in the miogeocline range through - western North America has always faced the same Ordovician into Devonian age. The implied protracted active ocean basin. Its tectonic evolution has always been nature of this rift event, in contrast to the short-lived and that of an active margin, affected first by multi-episodic efficient opening of the Atlantic Ocean, continues to rifting, and then by plate-margin subduction and puzzle.