Departments: Biomedical | Civil & Environmental | Electrical & Computer | Mechanical

2006-2007

Louis Rushing Manz PhD Thesis Title: A Decision Support System for Village Water Resources in Developing Areas of the World

Supervisor: Dr. Weldon Hammond

Abstract: Water for survival and physical well-being is becoming a major issue of concern as available resources become more and more strained to meet the quantity and quality needs of a growing world population. While the need for safe, adequate water for human use in rural developing areas has received little attention, the results of shortages in these areas are easy to see but difficult to address. The focus of this research and dissertation has been to identify sustainable water alternatives available to a village and then compare the resulting sources in order to make a sound engineering choice on the optimum system.  The results provide a systematic description of the water systems that are derived from different types of water sources. The component parts of each individual system, vulnerable points for contamination, best treatment points, use and disposal were identified. Once the alternative water source systems and their functions were described, they were inserted into the Decision Support System for Village Water Resources (DSSVWR) model for comparison in terms of construction cost, sustained operation and system risk. The DSSVWR model was developed to identify the specific water needs of a village first and compare them to the expected yield of the available water resources. Additional formulas were developed to provide a cost estimate of each component of an alternative system using published engineering cost data and field survey information. The result is a dynamic model that can aid in selecting the most efficient water resource for exploitation.

 

Gwen Young PhD Thesis Title: Potential allelopathic effects of Juniperus ashei on native flora and fauna.

Supervisor: Dr. Janis Bush

Abstract: Allelopathic effects of Juniperus ashei were evaluated in a series of laboratory, greenhouse, and field experiments. Findings indicate that J. ashei negatively affected several of the native species studied, but that the results were species specific.

 

 

Susan Stuver PhD Thesis Title: Quantifying Habitat Health:  A Study To Develop Habitat Health Values Using Protective Concentration  Levels For Wildlife

Supervisor: Dr. Richard French

Abstract: This research is the result of a two year effort to develop a methodology for quantifying habitat health.  This required development of a standardized methodology and tool that could then be used world wide to model habitat health over time. The applied technology resulting from this research is a GIS enabled computer model that uses both descriptive as well as quantitative modeling to establish habitat health values over time.  The study site is an upland and cropland habitat near the Pantex Facility located in Carson County , of Amarillo Texas . The research uses DDT as a contaminate for 18 wildlife species that reside within these habitats.

   

 

Rob Wayne PhD Thesis Title:  Factors Controlling The Distribution Of An Understory Sedge In Juniperus Woodlands

Supervisor: Dr. Oscar van Auken

Abstract: Drought in semi-arid areas imposes survival challenges to plants, particularly herbaceous species that have shallower roots distributions than associated woody plants. Physiological mechanisms allow some plants to adapt to drought related stress, but this is generally not an attribute observed during severe stress, especially for herbaceous plants. The sedge, Carex planostachys, appears resistant to long-term drought, maintaining physiological activity, even during severe stress. Given the stress tolerance of C. planostachys, this has strong implications of the role herbaceous species play in the interactions of herbaceous and woody plants.