Prescott College. Environmental Studies.

This research centers on a summary of scientifically observed current effects of climate change on water security in China. It postulates that climate change has the potential to affect water security, and therefore, food security, at an increasingly rapid rate in the future, and discusses the climatic mechanisms by which these potentialities could occur. Specifically, it focuses on the relationship of water sources in the Tibetan Plateau with meteorological...

This thesis examines the situation of the farmer widows of Wayanad, Kerala through exploration of the underlying agricultural and economic issues leading to farmers' suicides, the current state of the environment in the Wayanad District of Kerala, India, and an economic model of micro-entrepreneurship to address economic and social issues of the surviving widows. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were performed through the assessment and...

Previous studies have suggested a population limiting relationship between hermit crabs (Coenobita ) and their available shell resources. On the island of St. John, located in the U. S. Virgin Islands (USVI), the hermit crab Coenobita clypeatus is most often observed in shells of the intertidal gastropod, Cittarium pica (locally called "whelk"). Both traditional and recreational fisheries for whelks exist in the USVI and local resource managers suggest...

"A GIS model was developed to determine which areas of Maricopa County are most vulnerable to PM10 pollution due to high potential PM10 levels and the presence of sensitive population groups. The ArcGIS model was developed using the new Rescale by Function tool which provided improved accuracy to suitability models by allowing continuous raster surfaces on a common scale."--leaf 6.

"There are over 650 million acres of federal public lands in the United States that allow access to nature. Public lands are utilized for a variety of different activities, ranging from preservation to resource extraction. Regardless of proximity, public lands belong to everyone in the United Sates. From January to August 2016, I opportunistically and purposively collected sixteen interviews in Arizona, a state with 38.5% federal public lands, and...

"The Mariana crow (Corvus kubaryi), locally and henceforth in this document called Aga, is a critically endangered species endemic to two Northern Mariana Islands. Aga are extirpated (locally extinct) on Guam but still persist on Rota. Multiple studies calculate a 93%-95% population decline over thirty years, with a recent estimate of 170 Aga on Rota. The primary reason for the decline on Rota is unknown, though predation by introduced mammals, habitat...

"In an effort to highlight best practices in the management of wild eastern brook trout, an examination was performed of brook trout management plans and stocking habits for seven randomly selected states within the species native range. Additionally, surveys were distributed to these state's members of Trout Unlimited (TU) in an effort to understand angler motivations, awareness of and attitudes about their state's stocking practices and protection...

"Addressing current environmental, economic, and social challenges requires a transformation in thinking. Education, if reoriented toward sustainability, has the potential to promote environmentally responsible behavior and advance society toward environmental, economic, and social well-being. Teachers have an important role in this shift in education, both as models of environmental sensitivity and as agents of change. Beginning and experienced teachers...

"The transformative benefits of cross-cultural interaction and the 'disruption' caused by the confrontation with injustice, poverty and culture shock for students through immersion experiences are well-documented. In contrast, however, there is very little research that documents the experience of host communities - those into whom the traveler is immersed. What is the experience of individuals from these host communities? What is the value or significance...

"Designers and builders focused on green innovations often struggle to know well the costs and benefits of their proposed projects. As such, some are reluctant to innovate beyond the well known, as even modest projects are costly in nearly all respects. This project is designed to provide data to promote actionable recommendations and strategic decision criteria for commercializing a model for exterior wall assemblies constructed with straw bales...