Brett Goforth, CSU San Bernardino
Mexican land grant diseño records of historical plant geography in Northern California.
From 1824 to 1848, petitions for Mexican land grants submitted to California’s governor included a diseño, i.e., sketch-map, depicting the tract of claimed property. Diseños seldom have precise planimetric scale, but nevertheless include orientation, physiographic symbolization, and descriptive annotations of features in landscapes recorded decades before statewide geographical surveys. Evidence of vegetation recorded on diseños can be analyzed to reconstruct changes in plant geography by corresponding historical land grant boundaries to contemporary mapped data. Previous studies examined diseños to map historical vegetation southward from San Francisco Bay. This study spans northward, from Marin County to the terminus of Mexican land grants in Shasta County. Localities of vegetation labeled on diseños are georeferenced to land grants shown on topographic quadrangles of the US Geological Survey (1:24,000 series) using a geographical information system (GIS), and compared with botanical collections, modern species distribution ranges, geospatial environmental data, and land cover.
Nina Noujdina, Univ. of So. California
HABITAT SUITABILITY MODELLING FOR SIBARA FILIFOLIA – A RARE CHANNEL ISLANDS PLANT
Sibara filifolia (Santa Cruz Island winged rockcress) is a federally endangered annual herb endemic to the Channel Islands. Models predicting potential habitat can be used to support species surveying, population augmentation and reintroduction efforts. We used maximum entropy modelling to predict potential range for Sibara filifolia across its historic range on Santa Cruz Island, San Clemente Island, and Santa Catalina Island. Maxent computes species habitat suitability by evaluating a set of environmental layers coupled with the locations of the species occurrences. The resulting three-island model had a high Area Under Curve (AUC = 0.908) with the greatest contributions to the model from altitude, aspect, and topographic wetness – layers derived from a single source dem. The approach developed for Sibara filifolia can be further exploited to estimate habitat suitability for other rare plants of the Channel Islands, such as Cercocarpus traskiae and Lithophragma maximum.
Mike Luis, CSU Los Angeles
Farmers' Markets
The purpose of the study was to see if white and higher income neighborhoods in Los Angeles (LA) County have greater access to farmers’ markets. The study also sought to determine what areas in LA County have the greatest and lowest access to farmers’ markets. The access to farmers’ markets in LA County was measured using the two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) method. The results from the 2SFCA indicated that most areas in LA County have good access to farmers’ markets. Statistical tests were then used to see what socioeconomic, demographic, proximity, and land use variables affect access to farmers’ markets. The results of the statistical tests indicated that all race and income level individuals have equal access to farmers’ markets. This study suggests that minorities and lower-income individuals choose not to go to farmers’ markets. Future work should concentrate on increasing minority and lower income participation at farmers’ markets.
Guadalupe Maldonado, CSU Fullerton
A T. domingensis bio-invasion in Lake Patzcuaro: Purépecha craft use of exotic reed in Mexico
My research involves the cultural impacts of an invasive species replacing a native one. Janitzio island on Lake Patzcuaro in Michoacán, Mexico has a salt marsh with artificial channels that improves water quality. One salt marsh species, Typha domingensis, has been encroaching on and out-competing the native, Schoenoplectus californicus. Both species are used for weaving and cultural crafts. Inhabitants that are accustomed to using the native plant for traditional weaving have invested more trust into using this species as opposed to the invasive. Inhabitants attempted to remove the invasive but are unsuccessful. Many inhabitants adapted to the invasive as a replacement. There is a division between those who favor the native or invasive. My research goal is to prove that the T. domingensis compared to S. californicus is not detrimental to the inhabitants of Janitzio. My conclusions provide evidence to solve the problem that classifies invasives with a negative connotation.
Carlos Reyes-Andrade, CSU Northridge
Examining the Access to Farmers’ Markets in Los Angeles County
The purpose of the study was to see if white and higher income neighborhoods in Los Angeles (LA) County have greater access to farmers’ markets. The study also sought to determine what areas in LA County have the greatest and lowest access to farmers’ markets. The access to farmers’ markets in LA County was measured using the two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) method. The results from the 2SFCA indicated that most areas in LA County have good access to farmers’ markets. Statistical tests were then used to see what socioeconomic, demographic, proximity, and land use variables affect access to farmers’ markets. The results of the statistical tests indicated that all race and income level individuals have equal access to farmers’ markets. This study suggests that minorities and lower-income individuals choose not to go to farmers’ markets. Future work should concentrate on increasing minority and lower income participation at farmers’ markets.
Mark Adams, Humboldt State University
The World's Foggiest Airport: A Landscape Created by National Needs
The location of the largest airport in Humboldt County, California is known for severe fog conditions and low visibility, yet it was selected as the main site for commercial air service; operating to this day. The purpose of this historical research poster is to answer the question of why such a counter-intuitive location was selected and explain the forces behind that decision. The airport currently suffers from financial problems, which could be mitigated by increased investment. A greater awareness of the national importance of the airport site may attract more attention to fundraising efforts. Applying geographic axioms regarding the functional use of space, historical archives were researched to understand how national needs shaped the use of this landscape over time. Further research, including contemporary articles, participant observation, and landscape textural analysis was also performed to understand the current functional use of the airport.
Garrett Anderson, Humboldt State University
A Spatial Understanding of DUI: The Case of Arcata, CA
One of the most dangerous threats on California roads is the combination of alcohol consumption and operation of a motor vehicle leading to thousands of arrests yearly for driving under the influence (DUI). Over the last five years there have been over 700 first offender DUI. Previous studies on DUIs have generally focused on a behavioral understanding of the reasoning behind DUI as well as spatial relationships of DUI arrests to alcohol outlets. In contrast, this research analyzes public DUI arrest records by mapping the spatial distribution to identify hotspots for DUI activity. From the identified hotspots, observations of possible locational similarities will be conducted to draw conclusions, as to the environmental factors linked to arrest locations. The locations will help police identify areas of high risk DUI activity and combat the consistently occurring issue.
Fahmy Attar, UC San Diego
Understanding Ecohydrological recovery after the 2003 Old Fire in California
Evapotranspiration (ET) is a water flux that transports water from the surface and vegetation to the atmosphere, and it is an important component in hydrologic modeling. This research focuses on the 2003 Old Fire, which burned in the San Bernardino Mountains. The Existing Vegetation Types (EVT; 30x30 meter) and the Operational Simplified Surface Energy Balance (SSEBop; 1x1 Kilometer) ET are used to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of ET after fire. A shift from chaparral to grassland after the fire is observed. To better understand the impacts of vegetation on post-fire ET recovery patterns, elevation and soil burn severity are also incorporated into the analysis. Ultimately, this research aims to improve the spatial and temporal prediction of post-fire evapotranspiration to improve local and regional post-fire water balance estimates.
Alexandra Borunda, CSU Fullerton
Temperature and Precipitation Patterns for Fullerton, California since 1913
No abstract provided.
Rodolfo Cabrera, CSU San Bernardino
All Along The Watchtower: Fire Weather and Smoke Observations spanning the US-Mexico Border from 1984-2005 at the Los Pinos Mt. Lookout, California.
Previous remote sensing studies show significant change in size and number of wildfires between Baja California, Mexico, and Southern California, USA. In Mexico, unmanaged fires are frequent yet smaller compared to California where fire suppression is practiced. This study tests for associations of weather conditions with ignitions using data recorded near the international border from a US Forest Service lookout tower atop Los Pinos Mt. (Elevation: 4,805 Ft. /1,465 meters). The study area is geographically defined by line of sight distances observed from the lookout tower to smoke plumes of wildfires sighted in shrublands of chaparral and coastal sage scrub spanning across the border. A total of 4,639 pages of tower log books are analyzed for daily smoke reports and weather conditions of air temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, lightning activity level, and Burning Index (BI), with azimuth and distance to fires mapped in a Geographical Information System (GIS).
Elise Eberhard, CSU Northridge
Groundwater Pollution Risk from Agricultural Activities in Ventura County: A hydrogeologic assessment using EPA’s DRASTIC model
Ventura County has a long history of agricultural activity which has relied on groundwater as a primary source for irrigation. As groundwater levels continue to deplete and fertilizer loads increase, the potential for nitrate pollution also increases. EPA’s DRASTIC model is a groundwater vulnerability assessment tool which takes into account six hydrogeological factors. By assessing the following factors: Depth to the water table, Recharge rate, Aquifer media, Soil media, Topographic slope, Impact of the vadose zone media and hydraulic Conductivity, the areas most vulnerable to groundwater pollution are inferred for Ventura County. The final groundwater pollution risk map is then cross-referenced with actual incidences of nitrate.
Pablo Estrada, CSU Stanislaus
Evaluating Snow Cover in Central Yosemite National Park using Landsat 8 Data: 2008, 2016
The purpose of this project was to visually differentiate between the snow cover in March of 2008 and March 2016 in Central Yosemite National Park. Sierra Nevada snowpack is important as it melts into roughly a third of California’s water supply. After downloading and layer stacking the bands of the two Landsat images, I was able to take training sites and merge the signatures, then use the signatures to make two supervised classifications corresponding to five land cover types: snow, bare ground, vegetation, mountain terrain, and water. The visual results show the snowpack in 2008 was more abundant than the 2016. In future studies I would like to estimate the area of snow cover and compare it with post-drought 2017 snow cover.
Luis Garcia, CSU of Northridge
Proximity and Network Analysis on the Franchise Fast Food Restaurants of Los Angeles
No abstract provided.
Morgan Holubets, El Camino College
How Eco-Friendly is Ecotourism?
No abstract provided.
Ben Ketron & Hector Martinez, CSU Chico
Constructing a Geodatabase for Fire Analysis
No abstract provided.
Isabella Knori, Humboldt State University
Exploring California Condor Reintroduction in Northern California
The California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is a tremendous success story in species conservation. Once on the brink of extinction, condor populations are steadily recovering thanks to tireless conservation efforts. The purpose of this research is to explore condor reintroduction by comparing land cover of the California condor’s current range within five Northern California counties (Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity, Siskiyou, and Mendocino). The Pacific Northwest was once part of the bird’s vast historic range and the condor plays an important role in the culture of tribes in the region. This research utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze and map land cover that is part of the bird’s current range and that of a new possible range in Northern California. In addition, it also explores the local cultural importance of the bird’s reintroduction to the area.
Kevin Maurer, Humboldt State University
Evaluation of Geocaching as an Education Technique
This research evaluates the GPS-enabled treasure hunting game of geocaching by utilizing methods that evaluates its effectiveness as an education method. A study group of ten to twelve middle school students took part in a preliminary questionnaire to self-evaluate their navigational skills and spatial awareness. The study group will then took part in a geocaching activity where they found five hidden containers of varying difficulty on their school campus (Sunny Brae Middle School, Arcata, CA). The group then took part in a post-activity questionnaire to self-evaluate how they felt their skills improved. An analysis of each student's responses to both questionnaires, as well as qualitative observations of the students' communication skills and interest in the activity was compiled to determine the results of the study.
Josie Medrano , Humboldt State University
Painting The City:Murals in Eureka
This poster looks at how the introduction and effects of murals in Eureka, California, lead to the revitalization of the city.
Solveig Mitchell, Humboldt State University
Native Flora of Pillar Point Marsh
The purpose of this research is to identify various macrofossils, charcoal, and seeds within a marsh core found in Pillar Point marsh. I will be comparing the natural flora found historically and recently in the general geographic location with the data I find within the marsh core. Marsh cores are used to accurately determine these unique wetland habitats timeline throughout history. Our research methods include various research equipment used to extract the soils from the marsh as observe the results. These materials include a 6 centimeter diameter gauge core, microscope, metal strainer, pliers, and test tubes for your results. Based on my findings, this marsh most likely started from a predominantly freshwater marsh, but after a substantial earthquake, the marsh sunk to a degree, leaving it a mixture of fresh and saltwater plants.
Brittany Raizada, CSU Northridge
Linking Secondhand Smoking to Low Birth Weight: A County Level Analysis
The purpose of this study is to identify whether or not secondhand smoking on the county level in the United States has an effect on the low birth weight of an infant. Low birth weight is the result of many damaging external factors in the prenatal period, and is the leading cause of preterm infants or infants with intrauterine growth restriction being born. This low birth weight can be fatal for infants under the age of one and has been noted to be an indicator for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). To analyze where and if smoking was a factor involved with low birth weight infants, several model building tools including OLS, Spatial Autocorrelation and GWR were employed. This study found a positive relationship between smoking and low birth weight, however numerous explanatory factors in this study showed a similar relationship as well.
Dylan Stratton, CSU Fullerton
Diverse Ecology on Alluvial Fans at Zzyzx Desert Studies Center, Mojave Desert
This research measures dormancy trends on alluvial fans at the Zzyzx Desert Studies Center, Mojave Desert, CA. Alluvial zones harbor special conditions for ecological diversity and create niche conditions for biotic life. Dormancy is a selective botanical trait specific to certain plant life as a means for survival in harsh biotic, abiotic and environmental conditions in the Mojave Desert. An incredibly unique region, the Mojave desert is home to strange geological formations and extreme weather that forces adaptation. The characteristic of deposition, the nature of biotic life that thrives upon different sediment deposition and signs of dormant ecology were the primary focus of this study. Particular conditions are suitable for certain ecology and allow cohabitation. Cohabitation is a factor that is seen to influence niche conditions and dormancy. The character of substrate reveals the potential likelihood of dormancy and determines the future development of alluvial ecological opportunities and constraints.
Klaycie Tanedo, Krista Vilimas & Amanda Yepiz; CSU Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton Campus Tree Assessment
This project involved the documentation over 2,000+ trees on California State University Fullerton campus. This information entailed details of the tree’s location, condition, interference with existing structures and the general maintenance required for that tree. The trees were represented on a grid map of campus by black or red plots corresponding to the physical location of the tree on campus. After the fieldwork investigation of each tree, the information was then recorded in a live web-based database to alert Facilities Management of the maintenance required for that tree. Using this database, we were able to plot new trees, add assigned numbers to them, remove dead trees, rate the level of conflict with a scale from 1 to 4 that the tree is presenting, and enter any notes of importance. The results of this fieldwork will save Facilities Management time and money and assist in the upkeep of CSUF campus.
Amanda Winne, CSU Chico
Analysis of Hydrology and Fire Effects of Twin Springs Meadow in Forest Ranch, California
No abstract provided.