Esi Dadzie, Yaw Twumasi, Zhu Ning, Jeff Dacosta Osei, Dorcas Twumwaa Gyan

This study addresses the pressing issue of urban heat islands (UHIs) in East Baton Rouge Parish (EBP), investigating the dynamics of urban green spaces and their impact on spatial distribution. The research, driven by the problem of rising surface temperatures and heat islands in urban areas, employs comprehensive spatial analysis by the use of Landsat images with a 30-year interval to explore the correlation between green spaces and heat island mitigation. Strategically located urban green spaces are identified as crucial in reducing surface temperatures and acting as a natural buffer against heat island formation. Utilizing Landsat Thermal bands, the study pinpoints specific areas in East Baton Rouge Parish where enhancing green spaces can effectively counteract elevated temperatures. NDVI (Normalised difference vegetation index) and LST (Land Surface Temperature) computations are employed, with the LST used to extract urban heat islands based on the use of Average LST and standard deviation to extract thresholds for detecting UHIs in EBP. Spatiotemporal analysis of the NDVI within EBP revealed the dynamics of urban green spaces, while a spatial correlation between NDVI and LST assessed the impact of these dynamics on UHIs. The multifaceted benefits of urban green spaces, not only as temperature regulators but also as contributors to biodiversity, underscore the urgency for sustainable and resilient urban landscapes. 

Dorcas Twumwaa Gyan, Yaw A. Twumasi, Zhu Ning, Jeff Dacosta Osei, Esi Dadzie

Agriculture plays a significant role in global water consumption, accounting for approximately 70% of the water resources in the world. The study explores the critical issue of water stress and its consequential impact on Jefferson Parish, Louisiana crop yield. The study employs advanced mapping techniques to assess the spatial distribution of water stress within the region, considering factors such as precipitation patterns, soil moisture, and vegetation health. The research seeks to gain a thorough comprehension of the fluctuating water stress patterns that have an impact on agricultural regions in Jefferson Parish by leveraging Landsat data and other satellite data. This investigation delves into the correlation between water stress and crop yield variability, acknowledging the vital role that water availability plays in sustaining agricultural productivity. Through statistical analyses and the use of spectral indices, this study identifies areas within the parish that are particularly susceptible to water stress and subsequently experience significant reductions in crop yields. This information is crucial for local farmers, policymakers, and agricultural stakeholders to implement targeted strategies for mitigating the adverse effects of water stress on crop production. Potential adaptive measures and sustainable water management practices that can be employed to enhance resilience against water stress are also explored in this study. 

Aron Stephens

Crawfish/rice ponds span over 280,000 acres in LA; southwest LA contains 47.1% of this total. We gathered data on the presence and diversity of breeding anuran populations through call surveys at ponds located in Roanoke, Mermentau, and Elton. We carried out surveys following a modified North American Amphibian Monitoring Program protocol and calculated Shannon Diversity and Equitability Index scores for each site for the cool (December to March) and warm (March to June) season. We found that diversity was highest during the warm season for all sites with Elton having the highest diversity. We detected 5 species at the ponds including Southern Leopard Frog ([SLF] Lithobates sphenocephalus), Northern Cricket Frog ([NCF] Acris blanchardi/crepitans), Green Tree Frog ([GTF] Hyla cinerea), Bullfrog ([BF] Lithobates catesbeianus), and Gulf Coast Toad ([GCT] Incilius nebulifer). According to calling index data, Roanoke is dominated by NCF and GTF, Mermentau by GTF, and Elton by GTF. The species with the lowest calling indices were BF and GCT at all sites. Species diversity at the ponds is low but increases with the onset of warmer weather. Of the 9 potential species, we documented 5 species utilizing these man-made wetlands, with calling indices suggesting that some of these species occur in high numbers.

Jacob Annan, Yaw Twumasi, Zhu Ning, Raymond Antwi, Gabriel Ahoma

The increasing threat of climate change and its profound impact on sea levels necessitates innovative approaches to anticipate and mitigate potential consequences. As sea levels rise, especially along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts in the United States (US), low-lying areas and coastal communities are experiencing more frequent and severe flooding events. Accurate sea level predictions are crucial for informing coastal planners, infrastructure resilience, and resource allocation. This study demonstrates the efficacy of machine learning in predicting sea level rise in the US, offering valuable insights for climate change adaptation in coastal areas. Utilizing a comprehensive dataset with historical sea level measurements and relevant climatic variables, various machine learning algorithms, including regression and neural networks, were employed. Results indicate that these models show promise in capturing nonlinear trends and identifying accelerating sea level rise patterns. Feature importance analyses provide insights into key drivers of sea level rise, and sensitivity analyses underscore model robustness. The paper recommends that Coastal protection measures such as the construction of sea walls, levees, and the restoration of natural barriers like mangroves should be implemented strategically to help deal with the extreme dangers associated with sea level rise in the United States.

Daniel Azuara, William Storer, Thomas Shields

McNeese State University has fed cattle on continuous conventional corn silage for 20 years. Alternative forage production schemes including rotation to forage and forage soybeans could benefit soils and decrease weeds and pests while continuing to provide a forage source for cattle. These two crops were evaluated as a blended silage alternative to the traditional corn silage diet based on the resulting average daily gain (ADG), ribeye area (REA), percentage intramuscular fat (IMF), and rib-fat thickness (RF) in replacement heifers.  Fifty-nine heifers were fed the conventional corn silage, and 54 heifers were fed the sorghum-soybean blended silage. After 120 days, heifers were examined by ultrasound for carcass traits and initial and final weights were used to determine ADG. The heifers on the corn silage diet outgained the blended silage diet 0.97 lbs/d and 1.72 lbs/d, respectively. The corn silage-fed heifers had an average IMF of 2.88 %, RF of 0.07 inches, and REA of 8.02 square inches. In contrast, heifers fed sorghum-soybean silage displayed lower values across these same measurements, with an average IMF of 2.23 %, RF of 0.03 inches, and REA of 6.40 square inches. In conclusion, the traditional diet outperformed the blended diet, but both diets were adequate to produce replacement heifers and offer alternative forage options to allow for the benefits of crop rotation.

Christine Karugu, Yaw Twumasi, Zhu Ning, Ugwu Peace

This study aims to investigate how urban forests influence the distribution of bird species in Louisiana, with a focus on their habitat preferences and diversity. Urban forests are important ecological niches that provide habitat for a variety of bird species, but their ability to support avian communities can be impacted by factors such as habitat fragmentation, urbanization, and climate change.

The proposed study will be conducted in selected urban forests of Louisiana, including city parks and other green spaces. The research will involve a combination of field observations, point counts, and vegetation surveys to assess the habitat preferences and diversity of bird species in these areas. The study will take place across the four seasons; winter, spring, summer, and autumn. The study will also examine the influence of environmental factors such as temperature, precipitation, and vegetation cover on the distribution of birds.

The data collected from this study will contribute to our understanding of the distribution and ecology of bird species in the urban forests of Louisiana. This information will be useful for land managers and conservationists in developing strategies to enhance the ecological value of urban forests and maintain healthy bird populations. The results of this study can also inform urban planning and design by highlighting the importance of preserving green spaces in urban areas as vital habitats for birds and other wildlife.