Undergraduate Paper Abstracts

Kevin Ankerberg, CSU Northridge

Field testing Unmanned Aerial Systems for stream discharge measurements

Traditional methods of measuring stream discharge can be invasive, expensive, laborious, and difficult to deploy in challenging flow conditions that are either too high or too low. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) used in conjunction with Large-Scale Particle Imaging Velocimetry (LSPIV) software can overcome such limitations faced by traditional methods. This case study compares LSPIV/UAS-derived discharge datasets against gaging station and field-collected velocity and cross-sectional data using regression analysis for three geomorphically unique streams in Ventura County, California.

Elvis Carrillo, et al., CSU Dominguez Hills

Species specific tree-ring climate response of sub-alpine species from the Nepal Himalaya

The Himalayan silver fir (Abies spectabilis) and birch (Betula utilis) are dominant species of the sub-alpine forest of the Nepal Himalayas. Several studies have been carried out to understand the tree-ring growth pattern of A. spectabilis and B. utilis from the Nepal Himalayas. However, no previous record of study related to the growth pattern of these two species from the Dhorpatan area was found. Therefore, 60 tree ring cores were collected from 30 trees each species from the Rugakharka area of Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Western Nepal. Samples were collected from elevation range from 3300 - 3500 m. Morphometric features such as the diameter at breast height (DBH), height, and canopy diameter were also collected. This study will allow us to compare the results of both species to better understand their annual growth response in this region.

Nicholas Conkle, Grand Rapids Community College

The Inequality of Voter Representation: A Geographical Perspective on the Electoral College and US Senate

In the United States, each person's vote should carry the same weight; however, it is quite unfortunate that this is not the case. The Electoral College and the manner in which states are represented in the Senate act in concert to dilute the votes of Americans from more populated states. As of 2016, approximately 65% of Americans lived in 15 states, and this number is expected to grow to 70% by 2040. Essentially, in two decades, 30% of American voters will determine membership of 70% of the Senate and 40% of the Electoral College. As the Senate confirms federal judges, 30% of Americans can exert disproportionate influence over all three branches of the US government, which is a problem further compounded by gerrymandering. For sure, sound geographical analysis is an essentiality for expediting a move toward equitable representation and away from these obsolete remnants of the past.

Sofia Gomez, CSU Northridge

Gardening and Landscaping with California native plants: Consumer interest and horticulture perception in, the San Fernando Valley

California is known for its natural beauty and considered a biodiversity hotspot. Conservation of California native plants in natural areas has been a key theme to protecting California’s biodiversity. The San Fernando Valley located in Los Angeles County, California makes up the majority of Los Angeles County, urban developed land. The urban landscape scenes in the San Fernando Valley, along with many areas of Southern California are dominated with non-native plants from all over the world. The horticulture industry is responsible for distributing plants used in landscaping and gardening purposes. This study attempts to examine consumer interest in native plants from horticulture perspective. The study also examines the physical availability of plants for sale in the San Fernando Valley boundaries.

Kevin Greer, Humboldt State University

Determining Factors That Contributed to the Carr Fire

The goal of this research was to examine satellite imagery from the Carr fire with the intent of determining which if any factors contributed to the formation of a fire tornado in Keswick. Though these destructive events are not yet entirely commonplace in west coast forest fires, decades of fuel mismanagement has led to dangerous conditions that created a situation like this. Given the fact that this event destroyed many homes and even killed a number of people, it is vitally important to garner information that helps to prevent fires like this in the future. The analysis reveals that the area in which the tornado occurred had significantly more forest area than other zones, among other related findings. This was done with the intention that information like this might help to better inform fuel management decisions going into the future.

Aliza Herzberg, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Urban Water Scarcity in Sana'a, Yemen

Yemen is in a region of the world facing geopolitical conflict, lack of government control, and growing populations. These factors magnify pre-existing regional water scarcity, which are impacting every country in the Middle East, but particularly Yemen. The capital of Yemen, Sana'a, is one mega-urban area threatened by water insecurity. Sana'a is currently reliant on a groundwater aquifer which is rapidly depleting and becoming contaminated from municipal waste. Cultural factors, such as tribal organization and national addiction to Khat, prevent policy initiatives from successfully mitigating future water shortages and obstacles. On a global scale, Yemen is a country in dire need of international support and guidance. While these issues facing Sana'a threaten regional stability, it also serves as an opportunity for potential productive change through positive Yemeni leadership and outside actors to help Yemen out of it's humanitarian crisis.

Danielle Kirkland-Shatraw, Humboldt State University

Cartography and Resistance: Counter-mapping in Palestine

Maps are products of knowledge and therefore are functions of power. Historically maps have been used to advance systemic expulsion and dispossession in settler-colonial states. There is a movement among indigenous peoples to reproduce and redefine the "knowledge" that was constructed to serve as a foundation to hegemonic narratives. Palestinians use counter-mapping to preserve their language, history, and geography, and by mapping their return to their homeland. The construction and representation of physical and cultural landscapes are necessary for advancing claims to territory, and mapping has become an integral part of Palestinian resistance and return.

Ryan Koyanagi, California State University,Fullerton

From Marketplace to Promenade: Gentrification and Place Ownership in Santa Ana

The impact of gentrification on neighborhoods cannot be conceived of purely in terms of physical displacement. The physical displacement and exclusion of the incumbent population is accompanied and preceded by the psychic displacement and exclusion of the incumbent population. This is accomplished through a combined effort of municipal government and propertied interests rebranding space and effecting a transition in place ownership from the incumbent population to a quasi-imaginary privileged class. As this privileged class is not tied to race or ethnicity, younger and more affluent members of the incumbent community's racial or ethnic group are just as likely to be party to the gentrification process.

This presentation examines the correlation between the use of the Spanish language and Latin American aesthetics in businesses in downtown Santa Ana, California, and how these businesses resist, contribute or adapt to the neighborhood's changing place identity.

Jeremy Lorenzen, CSU Northridge

Understanding cultural identity in terms of food

Understanding cultural identity in terms of food identifies important and overlapping concepts, such as assimilation, language, religion, and the transmission of traditional knowledge from generation to generation, after immigration to southern California. The traditional use of Indian spices and herbs also account for an understanding of both ancient and modern uses as medicinal use and knowledge. Connectivity, social media, and community also play a big role in the transmission or lack thereof of not only knowledge, but also the practical use of spices and herbs in Indian cooking.

Bajun Mavalwalla, Sonoma State University

Is Living Small a Tall Order? An Examination of Intentional Sustainable Communities as an Alternative to Hyper-Consumption in America

Emily Oliveira Vaz , Sonoma State University

Analysis of Herbaceous Recovery and Diversity in Burned and Unburned Mixed Oak Woodland Forest and Mixed Douglass Fir Forest After a Wildfire

Northern California's landscape has been shaped by fire for thousands of years, allowing for immense diversity in our forests and vegetation. This study will analyze the recovery of herbaceous ground cover two years after a wildfire. The study site is in Trione-Annadel State Park, located in Sonoma County, California. To analyze ground cover recovery, this study examined a burned and an unburned site in a Mixed Oak Woodland Forest and Mixed Douglas Fir Forest. To analyze the diversity in these mixed forests, the study employed a fifty meter transect and made observations every ten meters to the left and right of the transect line. This method was conducted in both the burned and unburnt areas to quantify environmental differences. The study found that in the burned sites the fire allowed for more diversity in the herbaceous growth than in the unburned sites.

Ryan Reger, Humboldt State University

The Writhing Eel: Correlations Between Cyanobacteria Blooms and the Potter Valley Project

Water diversions at the Potter Valley Project (PVP) hydroelectric power plant contribute to the existing problem of low flow rates in the Eel River which in turn allow Cyanobacteria blooms to flourish throughout the watershed. The PVP is currently undergoing its relicensing process and is up for auction by owners PG&E. This could provide an opportunity for effective restoration to the Eel River, which may necessarily entail a return to natural flows. This goal of this project is to evaluate how much low flows, partly resulting from water diversions contribute to Cyanobacteria incidents in the Eel River. Archival research was conducted to obtain sources of published Cyanobacteria articles or warnings which were then compared with streamflow rates from 2002-2017. The complex political climate surrounding the PVP makes restoration challenging, despite widespread knowledge that the dams serve no ecological purpose, and that economic benefits seem to outweigh the costs of decommissioning.

Sara Schmunk, Sonoma State University

The Effects of Forest Structure Complexity on Avian Species Diversity in Sonoma County, CA

The relationship between foliage height diversity (FHD) and bird species diversity (BSD) was first demonstrated by MacArthur and MacArthur in 1961. The MacArthur study found that the more diverse the vertical structure of a forest, the higher the bird species diversity. The objective of this paper is to test this relationship across Sonoma County, California by performing a geospatial analysis of simulated LiDAR-derived forest structure metrics and citizen scientist sourced bird species data. FHD was obtained from simulated Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) data and BSD was determined using the Shannon index (H’). The results indicate no relationship between FHD and H’.

Mony Sea, CSU Northridge

Utilizing Satellite-Derived Data to Monitor Gross Primary Productivity

Climate change has the potential to affect the health of many ecosystems. Part of monitoring climate change is the measurement of carbon flux associated with plant productivity. Field-based methods for measuring carbon exchange employ data from eddy covariance towers that track vertical air motion and exchange rates of carbon. However, lack of a dense network and poorly-maintained towers limit analysis. Utilizing satellite data to predict productivity offers many advantages. However, most satellite-derived productivity models rely on in-situ meteorological data. The focus of this research is to (1) develop a model using inputs solely from satellite data (2) test the model over known eddy covariance towers. This new model, based on Sims et. al (2008) Temperature and Greenness model, examines ecosystem productivity using eddy covariance tower data from a coniferous forest (34 m) in the Netherlands, an interforest grassland (983 m) in Switzerland, and a grassland (199 m) in central Italy.

Mary Self, CSU Stanislaus

O'Sullivan and Images of Native Americans in Northern Arizona

This research paper explored noted photographer Timothy O'Sullivan and how his European heritage influenced his work with the Wheeler Geological Survey of 1873. I compared and contrasted two specific photos that O'Sullivan took during this survey: Aboriginal Life Among the Navajo Indians and View on Apache Lake, Sierra Blanca Range. When deciphering these two photographs, my comparisons and contrasts included mostly cultural and geographic comments. These included obvious cultural differences portrayed by the subjects in the two photographs, as well as O'Sullivan's use of the camera to depict a harsh landscape in his photos. I came to the conclusion that O'Sullivan's photograph Aboriginal Life portrayed the Navajo tribe as a more assimilated people. In addition to this, O'Sullivan's camera techniques portray the Natives in this photo to be less confrontational as compared to those in View on Apache Lake.

Dakota Whitman, Sonoma State University

How suspended large woody debris affects salmonid habitat in a first-order stream in northern California

Large woody debris is a common obstruction found in stream channels, which is a key variable for the geomorphology of a healthy salmonid habitat. Salmonids are a key species in promoting biodiversity and supporting fishing industries, however salmon numbers have been declining in the West Coast. This study looks into how the presence of large woody debris affects the geomorphic variables of a healthy salmonid habitat, specifically debris that is suspended above the stream. The study site is a first-order stream located in Galbreath Wildlands Preserve in Mendocino County, California. To determine the effects of the large woody debris, three cross-sections, a longitudinal study, two Wolman pebble counts, and the measuring of plunge pools are undertaken. The study found that the debris affected channel shape, grain size, stream gradient, and aided in the formation of plunge pools, all of which foster a healthy habitat for salmonids to spawn in.