Search

Search Results

• 1. [Article] International Education in the Public Community Colleges of Oregon and Washington

  There were at least five purposes in pursuing research on international education in the public community colleges of Oregon and Washington states. The first purpose was to fully demonstrate a new and ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: International Education in the Public Community Colleges of Oregon and Washington Author: Cragg, Stephan Ernest Year: 1992 There were at least five purposes in pursuing research on international education in the public community colleges of Oregon and Washington states. The first purpose was to fully demonstrate a new and original taxonomy of ten elements, or dimensions, found in defining and describing international education. A second purpose was to add to the body of knowledge and research on international education practices at the nation's community colleges through an extensive literature search and original research. A third purpose of the study was to identify and describe the current status of international educational programs and activities of the forty-three public community colleges of the two state region through the use of quantitative data obtained in a survey questionnaire. Another purpose was to identify and describe three case studies of the most highly developed community colleges, at least one from each of the two states, in the arena of international education. A fifth purpose of this study was to provide several conclusions and recommendations to those community college leaders interested in improving upon international education programs and practices. Two research questions led the investigator to utilize two different research methods: The survey questionnaire and the case study. The research questions were: 1. What is the current status of international education programs among the public community colleges of Oregon and Washington? And 2. How and why did the international education programs and activities evolve and develop at the three most highly developed public community colleges of Oregon and Washington? The first method was used to survey the field of international education and to select three of the most highly developed community colleges in the two state region. The case study method, or the second method, was used to probe deeply into the international education programs and activities of the three most highly developed community colleges in Oregon and Washington. The results of the research methodology were reported in two different chapters and provide the findings and recommendations about the field of international education. The research was also defined by nine propositions suggested at the outset of the study. It was thought that international education programs and activities of Oregon and Washington community colleges evolved and developed through: The efforts of strong presidential leadership; large community colleges found in urban areas; the presence of international students; the presence of full-time international education administrators; the presence of international education grants from external funding sources; the presence of a strong global curriculum; the presence of strong foreign language programs; the presence of full-time faculty born in other countries; and, the presence of full-time faculty who have lived and travelled abroad. The results of the nine study propositions were mixed. The research led to twelve specific recommendations for those wanting to either evaluate their existing efforts and for those wanting to enter the very dynamic and exciting field of international education Title: International Education in the Public Community Colleges of Oregon and Washington Author: Cragg, Stephan Ernest Year: 1992 There were at least five purposes in pursuing research on international education in the public community colleges of Oregon and Washington states. The first purpose was to fully demonstrate a new and original taxonomy of ten elements, or dimensions, found in defining and describing international education. A second purpose was to add to the body of knowledge and research on international education practices at the nation's community colleges through an extensive literature search and original research. A third purpose of the study was to identify and describe the current status of international educational programs and activities of the forty-three public community colleges of the two state region through the use of quantitative data obtained in a survey questionnaire. Another purpose was to identify and describe three case studies of the most highly developed community colleges, at least one from each of the two states, in the arena of international education. A fifth purpose of this study was to provide several conclusions and recommendations to those community college leaders interested in improving upon international education programs and practices. Two research questions led the investigator to utilize two different research methods: The survey questionnaire and the case study. The research questions were: 1. What is the current status of international education programs among the public community colleges of Oregon and Washington? And 2. How and why did the international education programs and activities evolve and develop at the three most highly developed public community colleges of Oregon and Washington? The first method was used to survey the field of international education and to select three of the most highly developed community colleges in the two state region. The case study method, or the second method, was used to probe deeply into the international education programs and activities of the three most highly developed community colleges in Oregon and Washington. The results of the research methodology were reported in two different chapters and provide the findings and recommendations about the field of international education. The research was also defined by nine propositions suggested at the outset of the study. It was thought that international education programs and activities of Oregon and Washington community colleges evolved and developed through: The efforts of strong presidential leadership; large community colleges found in urban areas; the presence of international students; the presence of full-time international education administrators; the presence of international education grants from external funding sources; the presence of a strong global curriculum; the presence of strong foreign language programs; the presence of full-time faculty born in other countries; and, the presence of full-time faculty who have lived and travelled abroad. The results of the nine study propositions were mixed. The research led to twelve specific recommendations for those wanting to either evaluate their existing efforts and for those wanting to enter the very dynamic and exciting field of international education Close

• 2. [Article] Dynamics of Channel Complexity and Nitrate Retention in Upper Fanno Creek, Oregon

  This study investigates the relationship between channel complexity and nutrient spiraling along 31 reaches of an urbanized watershed in Portland, Oregon. Much research shows that urbanization has an effect ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Dynamics of Channel Complexity and Nitrate Retention in Upper Fanno Creek, Oregon Author: Bean, Robert Allen Year: 2012 This study investigates the relationship between channel complexity and nutrient spiraling along 31 reaches of an urbanized watershed in Portland, Oregon. Much research shows that urbanization has an effect on watershed hydrology and nutrient loading at the watershed scale for various sized catchments. However, the flux of nutrients over short reaches within a stream channel has been less studied because of the effort and costs associated with fieldwork and subsequent laboratory analysis of the surface water samples. In this study I measure channel complexity and uptake velocity of nitrate to determine if this relationship is indicative of a healthy, functioning stream. I take field measurements and samples to determine the complexity and uptake velocity of each reach. Using ion-selective electrodes, the fluxes of nitrate were measured within each reach; when combined with channel geometry and velocity measurements these measurements allow for the transformation of nitrate fluxes into spiraling metrics. Results show that 18 of the 31 reaches had uptake velocity. Discharge and sinuosity were positively correlated with nitrate uptake velocity. Complexity and nitrate concentration were negatively correlated with nitrate uptake velocity. Grass landcover was positively correlated with nitrate uptake velocity and negatively correlated with nitrate concentration. These results indicate that land use and channel complexity both are related to the in-stream processing of nitrate. The implication of this study is that channel complexity is an important driver of nutrient flux in an urban watershed, and that this technique can be applied in future studies to better characterize water quality of stream channels over short reaches to entire catchments. Title: Dynamics of Channel Complexity and Nitrate Retention in Upper Fanno Creek, Oregon Author: Bean, Robert Allen Year: 2012 This study investigates the relationship between channel complexity and nutrient spiraling along 31 reaches of an urbanized watershed in Portland, Oregon. Much research shows that urbanization has an effect on watershed hydrology and nutrient loading at the watershed scale for various sized catchments. However, the flux of nutrients over short reaches within a stream channel has been less studied because of the effort and costs associated with fieldwork and subsequent laboratory analysis of the surface water samples. In this study I measure channel complexity and uptake velocity of nitrate to determine if this relationship is indicative of a healthy, functioning stream. I take field measurements and samples to determine the complexity and uptake velocity of each reach. Using ion-selective electrodes, the fluxes of nitrate were measured within each reach; when combined with channel geometry and velocity measurements these measurements allow for the transformation of nitrate fluxes into spiraling metrics. Results show that 18 of the 31 reaches had uptake velocity. Discharge and sinuosity were positively correlated with nitrate uptake velocity. Complexity and nitrate concentration were negatively correlated with nitrate uptake velocity. Grass landcover was positively correlated with nitrate uptake velocity and negatively correlated with nitrate concentration. These results indicate that land use and channel complexity both are related to the in-stream processing of nitrate. The implication of this study is that channel complexity is an important driver of nutrient flux in an urban watershed, and that this technique can be applied in future studies to better characterize water quality of stream channels over short reaches to entire catchments. Close

• 3. [Article] Agricultural Management Decisions Impact Isoprene Emission and Physiology of Arundo donax, an Emerging Bioenergy Crop

  Arundo donax (Giant Reed) is quickly being developed as a rapidly-growing, robust, and highly productive bioenergy crop, with large scale cultivation of this species planned for the Columbia River basin ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Agricultural Management Decisions Impact Isoprene Emission and Physiology of Arundo donax, an Emerging Bioenergy Crop Author: Maxfield, Jason Charles Year: 2014 Arundo donax (Giant Reed) is quickly being developed as a rapidly-growing, robust, and highly productive bioenergy crop, with large scale cultivation of this species planned for the Columbia River basin of the Pacific Northwest (USA). Despite its potential as a next generation biomass crop, relatively few studies have examined the physiological performance of A. donax under agricultural conditions. Unlike traditional crops, A. donax is known to be a high-emitter of the volatile compound isoprene, which may significantly impact regional air quality, but it has not been widely cultivated in North America and little is known about how this species will perform in the Pacific Northwest. Over two field seasons, we measured isoprene fluxes from A. donax plants in both greenhouse conditions and in an agricultural field setting under a variety of conditions and fertilizer treatments. We also measured several other attributes of A. donax productivity and leaf physiology including chlorophyll content, photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, specific leaf mass, water use efficiency and gas exchange. We found that A. donax physiologically performs well under cultivation in the Columbia River basin, but that it also emits isoprene at significantly higher rates than previous reports indicate. We also found that both isoprene emission and leaf physiology were highly affected by agricultural management decisions, including nitrogen and irrigation management. Our findings indicate that crop management strategies can be developed that simultaneously seek to minimize isoprene emission while maximizing biomass production in this newly emerging bioenergy crop. Title: Agricultural Management Decisions Impact Isoprene Emission and Physiology of Arundo donax, an Emerging Bioenergy Crop Author: Maxfield, Jason Charles Year: 2014 Arundo donax (Giant Reed) is quickly being developed as a rapidly-growing, robust, and highly productive bioenergy crop, with large scale cultivation of this species planned for the Columbia River basin of the Pacific Northwest (USA). Despite its potential as a next generation biomass crop, relatively few studies have examined the physiological performance of A. donax under agricultural conditions. Unlike traditional crops, A. donax is known to be a high-emitter of the volatile compound isoprene, which may significantly impact regional air quality, but it has not been widely cultivated in North America and little is known about how this species will perform in the Pacific Northwest. Over two field seasons, we measured isoprene fluxes from A. donax plants in both greenhouse conditions and in an agricultural field setting under a variety of conditions and fertilizer treatments. We also measured several other attributes of A. donax productivity and leaf physiology including chlorophyll content, photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, specific leaf mass, water use efficiency and gas exchange. We found that A. donax physiologically performs well under cultivation in the Columbia River basin, but that it also emits isoprene at significantly higher rates than previous reports indicate. We also found that both isoprene emission and leaf physiology were highly affected by agricultural management decisions, including nitrogen and irrigation management. Our findings indicate that crop management strategies can be developed that simultaneously seek to minimize isoprene emission while maximizing biomass production in this newly emerging bioenergy crop. Close

• 4. [Article] Implications of Hydrologic Data Assimilation in Improving Suspended Sediment Load Estimation in Lake Tahoe, California

  Pursuant to the federal Clean Water Act (CWA), when a water body has been listed as impaired, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for the water quality constituents causing the impairment must be developed. ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Implications of Hydrologic Data Assimilation in Improving Suspended Sediment Load Estimation in Lake Tahoe, California Author: Leisenring, Marc Year: 2011 Pursuant to the federal Clean Water Act (CWA), when a water body has been listed as impaired, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for the water quality constituents causing the impairment must be developed. A TMDL is the maximum daily mass flux of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still safely meet water quality standards. The development of a TMDL and demonstrating compliance with a TMDL requires pollutant load estimation. By definition, a pollutant load is the time integral product of flows and concentrations. Consequently, the accuracy of pollutant load estimation is highly dependent on the accuracy of runoff volume estimation. Runoff volume estimation requires the development of reasonable transfer functions to convert precipitation into runoff. In cold climates where a large proportion of precipitation falls as snow, the accumulation and ablation of snowpack must also be estimated. Sequential data assimilation techniques that stochastically combine field measurements and model results can significantly improve the prediction skill of snowmelt and runoff models while also providing estimates of prediction uncertainty. Using the National Weather Service's SNOW-17 and the Sacramento Soil Moisture Accounting (SAC-SMA) models, this study evaluates particle filter based data assimilation algorithms to predict seasonal snow water equivalent (SWE) and runoff within a small watershed in the Lake Tahoe Basin located in California. A non-linear regression model is then used that predicts suspended sediment concentrations (SSC) based on runoff rate and time of year. Runoff volumes and SSC are finally combined to provide an estimate of the average annual sediment load from the watershed with estimates of prediction uncertainty. For the period of simulation (10/1/1991 to 10/1/1996), the mean annual suspended sediment load is estimated to be 753 tonnes/yr with a 95% confidence interval about the mean of 626 to 956 tonnes/yr. The 95% prediction interval for any given year is estimated to range from approximately 86 to 2,940 tonnes/yr. Title: Implications of Hydrologic Data Assimilation in Improving Suspended Sediment Load Estimation in Lake Tahoe, California Author: Leisenring, Marc Year: 2011 Pursuant to the federal Clean Water Act (CWA), when a water body has been listed as impaired, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for the water quality constituents causing the impairment must be developed. A TMDL is the maximum daily mass flux of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still safely meet water quality standards. The development of a TMDL and demonstrating compliance with a TMDL requires pollutant load estimation. By definition, a pollutant load is the time integral product of flows and concentrations. Consequently, the accuracy of pollutant load estimation is highly dependent on the accuracy of runoff volume estimation. Runoff volume estimation requires the development of reasonable transfer functions to convert precipitation into runoff. In cold climates where a large proportion of precipitation falls as snow, the accumulation and ablation of snowpack must also be estimated. Sequential data assimilation techniques that stochastically combine field measurements and model results can significantly improve the prediction skill of snowmelt and runoff models while also providing estimates of prediction uncertainty. Using the National Weather Service's SNOW-17 and the Sacramento Soil Moisture Accounting (SAC-SMA) models, this study evaluates particle filter based data assimilation algorithms to predict seasonal snow water equivalent (SWE) and runoff within a small watershed in the Lake Tahoe Basin located in California. A non-linear regression model is then used that predicts suspended sediment concentrations (SSC) based on runoff rate and time of year. Runoff volumes and SSC are finally combined to provide an estimate of the average annual sediment load from the watershed with estimates of prediction uncertainty. For the period of simulation (10/1/1991 to 10/1/1996), the mean annual suspended sediment load is estimated to be 753 tonnes/yr with a 95% confidence interval about the mean of 626 to 956 tonnes/yr. The 95% prediction interval for any given year is estimated to range from approximately 86 to 2,940 tonnes/yr. Close

• 5. [Article] Continuous Deflection Separation of Stormwater Particulates

  Capture of stormwater particulate matter is of concern to watershed managers trying to meet water quality guidelines by removing toxics associated with particulates from natural water bodies. A laboratory ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Continuous Deflection Separation of Stormwater Particulates Author: Schwarz, Tracy S., Wells, Scott A. Year: 1999 Capture of stormwater particulate matter is of concern to watershed managers trying to meet water quality guidelines by removing toxics associated with particulates from natural water bodies. A laboratory investigation into particle removal efficiency of a prototype Continuous Deflective Separation (CDS) device was made in the laboratory. Particle size distributions were obtained for roadway drainage surfaces. These distributions were used to assess the predicted performance of a CDS unit in the field. Flow rates in the laboratory tests ranged from 125 GPM (7.9 l/s) to 270 GPM (17.0 l/s). Screen sizes used for testing were 1200 m and 2400 m. Using four different sand types and the two screen sizes, particle capture rates were determined for the CDS unit. Internal velocities were measured at seventy-two measuring positions within the main chamber of the CDS unit. At 270 GPM capture rates based on particle size ranged from 12% to 100% with the 2400 m screen, and 22% to 100% with the 1200 m screen. Cumulative mass capture rates were 73% and 70% for the 1200 m and 2400 m screens, respectively, at 270 gpm and 84% at 125 gpm for the given particle distribution used. Title: Continuous Deflection Separation of Stormwater Particulates Author: Schwarz, Tracy S., Wells, Scott A. Year: 1999 Capture of stormwater particulate matter is of concern to watershed managers trying to meet water quality guidelines by removing toxics associated with particulates from natural water bodies. A laboratory investigation into particle removal efficiency of a prototype Continuous Deflective Separation (CDS) device was made in the laboratory. Particle size distributions were obtained for roadway drainage surfaces. These distributions were used to assess the predicted performance of a CDS unit in the field. Flow rates in the laboratory tests ranged from 125 GPM (7.9 l/s) to 270 GPM (17.0 l/s). Screen sizes used for testing were 1200 m and 2400 m. Using four different sand types and the two screen sizes, particle capture rates were determined for the CDS unit. Internal velocities were measured at seventy-two measuring positions within the main chamber of the CDS unit. At 270 GPM capture rates based on particle size ranged from 12% to 100% with the 2400 m screen, and 22% to 100% with the 1200 m screen. Cumulative mass capture rates were 73% and 70% for the 1200 m and 2400 m screens, respectively, at 270 gpm and 84% at 125 gpm for the given particle distribution used. Close

• 6. [Article] A National Research Project Revitalizes and Strengthens a SIG’s Membership, Leadership, and the Quality of Research in the Field

  A recent moratorium has temporarily halted the creation of new Special Interest Groups (SIGs) in the American Educational Research Association (AERA). The AERA SIG Executive Committee, the official governance ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A National Research Project Revitalizes and Strengthens a SIG’s Membership, Leadership, and the Quality of Research in the Field Author: Mertens, Steven B., Anfara, Vincent A., Jr., Flowers, Nancy, Caskey, Micki M. Year: 2011 A recent moratorium has temporarily halted the creation of new Special Interest Groups (SIGs) in the American Educational Research Association (AERA). The AERA SIG Executive Committee, the official governance body that oversees approximately 160 SIGs, requested this moratorium, which was subsequently approved by AERA Council. The purpose of the moratorium is to allow the SIG Executive Committee to gather data to facilitate a more critical examination of issues related to SIGs, including low membership numbers, leadership challenges, and specific membership needs addressed by SIGs. This article offers the Middle Level Education Research (MLER) SIG as an example of a SIG that grappled with low membership from the mid-1990s to early 2000; suffered from a lack of leaders willing to invest the time and energy to revitalize, sustain, and expand the organization; and included members who were facing important issues related to the nature and scope of research in their field (e.g., the lack of a national database and the need for large-scale studies to potentially influence policy and practice). In 2003, the officers of the MLER surveyed its membership to ascertain research interests, potential activities, and future directions. Based on the results of that survey, the SIG's officers and council members developed and implemented a five-year strategic plan. The five components of the strategic plan were to (1) Become more active in advocacy work at local, state, and national levels; (2) Disseminate information on middle grades education to policy makers and others; (3) Gather information from SIG members about their expectations and participation in the SIG; (4) Sponsor a symposium or summit to address a current and/or critical issue of middle grades education research; and (5) Sponsor and develop a "national" research project designed and implemented by the SIG membership. This article briefly describes and discusses the fifth component of the MLER strategic plan, the SIG's National Research Project on Common Planning Time. With this initiative the MLER offered its members an opportunity to participate in a national research project, combined with opportunities to present their research findings at national conferences and publish their results in a book series. Other AERA SIGs and divisions may benefit from the lessons learned as the MLER effectively revitalized its membership and leadership and contributed significantly to the quality of research in middle grades education. Title: A National Research Project Revitalizes and Strengthens a SIG’s Membership, Leadership, and the Quality of Research in the Field Author: Mertens, Steven B., Anfara, Vincent A., Jr., Flowers, Nancy, Caskey, Micki M. Year: 2011 A recent moratorium has temporarily halted the creation of new Special Interest Groups (SIGs) in the American Educational Research Association (AERA). The AERA SIG Executive Committee, the official governance body that oversees approximately 160 SIGs, requested this moratorium, which was subsequently approved by AERA Council. The purpose of the moratorium is to allow the SIG Executive Committee to gather data to facilitate a more critical examination of issues related to SIGs, including low membership numbers, leadership challenges, and specific membership needs addressed by SIGs. This article offers the Middle Level Education Research (MLER) SIG as an example of a SIG that grappled with low membership from the mid-1990s to early 2000; suffered from a lack of leaders willing to invest the time and energy to revitalize, sustain, and expand the organization; and included members who were facing important issues related to the nature and scope of research in their field (e.g., the lack of a national database and the need for large-scale studies to potentially influence policy and practice). In 2003, the officers of the MLER surveyed its membership to ascertain research interests, potential activities, and future directions. Based on the results of that survey, the SIG's officers and council members developed and implemented a five-year strategic plan. The five components of the strategic plan were to (1) Become more active in advocacy work at local, state, and national levels; (2) Disseminate information on middle grades education to policy makers and others; (3) Gather information from SIG members about their expectations and participation in the SIG; (4) Sponsor a symposium or summit to address a current and/or critical issue of middle grades education research; and (5) Sponsor and develop a "national" research project designed and implemented by the SIG membership. This article briefly describes and discusses the fifth component of the MLER strategic plan, the SIG's National Research Project on Common Planning Time. With this initiative the MLER offered its members an opportunity to participate in a national research project, combined with opportunities to present their research findings at national conferences and publish their results in a book series. Other AERA SIGs and divisions may benefit from the lessons learned as the MLER effectively revitalized its membership and leadership and contributed significantly to the quality of research in middle grades education. Close

• 7. [Article] Northwest Forest Plan The First 20 Years (1994-2013): Watershed Condition Status and Trend

  We used two data sets to evaluate stream and upslope/riparian condition for sixth-field watersheds in each aquatic province within the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) area. The stream evaluation was based ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Northwest Forest Plan The First 20 Years (1994-2013): Watershed Condition Status and Trend Author: Miller, Stephanie A., Gordon, Sean N, Eldred, Peter, Beloin, Ronald M., Wilcox, Steve, Raggon, Mark, Andersen, Heidi, Muldoon, Ariel Year: 2015 We used two data sets to evaluate stream and upslope/riparian condition for sixth-field watersheds in each aquatic province within the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) area. The stream evaluation was based on stream sampling data collected from 2002 to the 2013 (214 watersheds) as part of an eight year repeating (rotating) sample design. We are currently halfway through our second rotation of stream sampling, and have repeated 110 watersheds since the second rotation began in 2009. The analysis presented in this report uses roughly half the number of watersheds as was originally intended by the sample design since re-visitation will not be completed until 2017. In the meantime, we compare the first rotation of visits (2002-2009) to the first four years of the second rotation (2010-2013) giving us a general idea of current patterns. To evaluate stream condition we used a reference condition nearest neighbor statistical approach to calculate the stream physical habitat scores based on substrate, wood, and pool metrics for each watershed. Macroinvertebrates and water temperature were analyzed separately from physical habitat and provide additional assessment of overall watershed condition. Scores for both stream and upslope/riparian conditions were normalized to fall between 0 (poor) and 100 (good). Title: Northwest Forest Plan The First 20 Years (1994-2013): Watershed Condition Status and Trend Author: Miller, Stephanie A., Gordon, Sean N, Eldred, Peter, Beloin, Ronald M., Wilcox, Steve, Raggon, Mark, Andersen, Heidi, Muldoon, Ariel Year: 2015 We used two data sets to evaluate stream and upslope/riparian condition for sixth-field watersheds in each aquatic province within the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) area. The stream evaluation was based on stream sampling data collected from 2002 to the 2013 (214 watersheds) as part of an eight year repeating (rotating) sample design. We are currently halfway through our second rotation of stream sampling, and have repeated 110 watersheds since the second rotation began in 2009. The analysis presented in this report uses roughly half the number of watersheds as was originally intended by the sample design since re-visitation will not be completed until 2017. In the meantime, we compare the first rotation of visits (2002-2009) to the first four years of the second rotation (2010-2013) giving us a general idea of current patterns. To evaluate stream condition we used a reference condition nearest neighbor statistical approach to calculate the stream physical habitat scores based on substrate, wood, and pool metrics for each watershed. Macroinvertebrates and water temperature were analyzed separately from physical habitat and provide additional assessment of overall watershed condition. Scores for both stream and upslope/riparian conditions were normalized to fall between 0 (poor) and 100 (good). Close

• 8. [Article] The Nisqually Watershed From the Summit to the Sound: A Field Guide

  Occasional Papers in Geography Publication No. 6 This guide begins at the summit of Mount Rainier and, like a drop of water, descends toward the sea. It provides information about geological, hydrological, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Nisqually Watershed From the Summit to the Sound: A Field Guide Author: Hixson, Rebecca D., Bulman, Teresa L. Year: 2002 Occasional Papers in Geography Publication No. 6 This guide begins at the summit of Mount Rainier and, like a drop of water, descends toward the sea. It provides information about geological, hydrological, geographical, biological and historical aspects of the Nisqually watershed. It describes the natural resources in the area and identifies how the use of those resources affects water resources and quantity. In the course of this trip, you will be able to follow the Nisqually River along its journey from the summit of Mount Rainier to the Puget Sound and learn about the changes that have occurred within this 720-square-mile-watershed over the past 200 years, the problems that have arisen and the efforts that are being taken to protect this valuable and scenic area. Title: The Nisqually Watershed From the Summit to the Sound: A Field Guide Author: Hixson, Rebecca D., Bulman, Teresa L. Year: 2002 Occasional Papers in Geography Publication No. 6 This guide begins at the summit of Mount Rainier and, like a drop of water, descends toward the sea. It provides information about geological, hydrological, geographical, biological and historical aspects of the Nisqually watershed. It describes the natural resources in the area and identifies how the use of those resources affects water resources and quantity. In the course of this trip, you will be able to follow the Nisqually River along its journey from the summit of Mount Rainier to the Puget Sound and learn about the changes that have occurred within this 720-square-mile-watershed over the past 200 years, the problems that have arisen and the efforts that are being taken to protect this valuable and scenic area. Close

• 9. [Article] Climate Change Impacts on Precipitation Extremes over the Columbia River Basin Based on Downscaled CMIP5 Climate Scenarios

  Hydro-climate extreme analysis helps understanding the process of spatio-temporal variation of extreme events due to climate change, and it is an important aspect in designing hydrological structures, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Climate Change Impacts on Precipitation Extremes over the Columbia River Basin Based on Downscaled CMIP5 Climate Scenarios Author: Dars, Ghulam Hussain Year: 2013 Hydro-climate extreme analysis helps understanding the process of spatio-temporal variation of extreme events due to climate change, and it is an important aspect in designing hydrological structures, forecasting floods and an effective decision making in the field of water resources design and management. The study evaluates extreme precipitation events over the Columbia River Basin (CRB), the fourth largest basin in the U.S., by simulating four CMIP5 global climate models (GCMs) for the historical period (1970-1999) and future period (2041-2070) under RCP85 GHG scenario. We estimated the intensity of extreme and average precipitation for both winter (DJF) and summer (JJA) seasons by using the GEV distribution and multi-model ensemble average over the domain of the Columbia River Basin. The four CMIP5 models performed very well at simulating precipitation extremes in the winter season. The CMIP5 climate models showed heterogeneous spatial pattern of summer extreme precipitation over the CRB for the future period. It was noticed that multi-model ensemble mean outperformed compared to the individual performance of climate models for both seasons. We have found that the multi-model ensemble shows a consistent and significant increase in the extreme precipitation events in the west of the Cascades Range, Coastal Ranges of Oregon and Washington State, the Canadian portion of the basin and over the Rocky Mountains. However, the mean precipitation is projected to decrease in both winter and summer seasons in the future period. The Columbia River is dominated by the glacial snowmelt, so the increase in the intensity of extreme precipitation and decrease in mean precipitation in the future period, as simulated by four CMIP5 models, is expected to aggravate the earlier snowmelt and contribute to the flooding in the low lying areas especially in the west of the Cascades Range. In addition, the climate change shift could have serious implications on transboundary water issues in between the United States and Canada. Therefore, adaptation strategies should be devised to cope the possible adverse effects of the changing the future climate so that it could have minimal influence on hydrology, agriculture, aquatic species, hydro-power generation, human health and other water related infrastructure. Title: Climate Change Impacts on Precipitation Extremes over the Columbia River Basin Based on Downscaled CMIP5 Climate Scenarios Author: Dars, Ghulam Hussain Year: 2013 Hydro-climate extreme analysis helps understanding the process of spatio-temporal variation of extreme events due to climate change, and it is an important aspect in designing hydrological structures, forecasting floods and an effective decision making in the field of water resources design and management. The study evaluates extreme precipitation events over the Columbia River Basin (CRB), the fourth largest basin in the U.S., by simulating four CMIP5 global climate models (GCMs) for the historical period (1970-1999) and future period (2041-2070) under RCP85 GHG scenario. We estimated the intensity of extreme and average precipitation for both winter (DJF) and summer (JJA) seasons by using the GEV distribution and multi-model ensemble average over the domain of the Columbia River Basin. The four CMIP5 models performed very well at simulating precipitation extremes in the winter season. The CMIP5 climate models showed heterogeneous spatial pattern of summer extreme precipitation over the CRB for the future period. It was noticed that multi-model ensemble mean outperformed compared to the individual performance of climate models for both seasons. We have found that the multi-model ensemble shows a consistent and significant increase in the extreme precipitation events in the west of the Cascades Range, Coastal Ranges of Oregon and Washington State, the Canadian portion of the basin and over the Rocky Mountains. However, the mean precipitation is projected to decrease in both winter and summer seasons in the future period. The Columbia River is dominated by the glacial snowmelt, so the increase in the intensity of extreme precipitation and decrease in mean precipitation in the future period, as simulated by four CMIP5 models, is expected to aggravate the earlier snowmelt and contribute to the flooding in the low lying areas especially in the west of the Cascades Range. In addition, the climate change shift could have serious implications on transboundary water issues in between the United States and Canada. Therefore, adaptation strategies should be devised to cope the possible adverse effects of the changing the future climate so that it could have minimal influence on hydrology, agriculture, aquatic species, hydro-power generation, human health and other water related infrastructure. Close

• 10. [Article] An Environment-based Education Approach to Professional Development: A Mixed Methods Analysis of the Creeks and Kids Watershed Workshop and Its Impact on K-12 Teachers

  This research is an in-depth study of an environment-based education (EBE) professional development program titled "Creeks and Kids" that models how to employ thematic instruction about watersheds using ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: An Environment-based Education Approach to Professional Development: A Mixed Methods Analysis of the Creeks and Kids Watershed Workshop and Its Impact on K-12 Teachers Author: Austin, Tiffany Bridgette Year: 2010 This research is an in-depth study of an environment-based education (EBE) professional development program titled "Creeks and Kids" that models how to employ thematic instruction about watersheds using the environment of a school and its community as a context to integrate teaching and learning about water across core subject areas. This case study investigates the EBE characteristics of the Creeks and Kids Workshop and explores how they adhere to the National Research Council's Standards for Professional Development for Teachers of Science. A mixed-methods analysis gathered qualitative data about the overall experience of teacher-participants during the Creeks and Kids Workshop and employed quantitative measures to identify evidence of success related to teachers' gains in knowledge, affect, confidence and intent to act to implement water-focused EBE curriculum in their classrooms. The findings of the study build upon existing research about what teachers need to implement EBE and their beliefs regarding what professional development should provide in relation to those needs. Qualitative results revealed that teachers need an EBE professional development program to include: 1) practical ways to integrate environmental education into their existing curricula and school settings; and, 2) direct experience with activities and field studies that are interdisciplinary, hands-on and inquiry-driven. Teacher-participants identified these characteristics as vital for them to effect a change in teaching practice and build their confidence to engage their students in EBE when they return to the classroom. Quantitative results revealed statistically significant gains across knowledge, affect, confidence and intent to act variables using the t-test statistic to compare means of participants' responses from the pre- to post-workshop questionnaires. The results of this study have broader implications for future educational research on: 1) the ways in which EBE professional development programs can support teachers to gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to implement interdisciplinary teaching for student learning about the environment; 2) the methods teachers use to employ EBE teaching strategies in the classroom; and, 3) how EBE helps teachers across disciplines collaborate with one another to implement practical and effective ways to improve students' critical thinking skills and knowledge across multiple subjects. Title: An Environment-based Education Approach to Professional Development: A Mixed Methods Analysis of the Creeks and Kids Watershed Workshop and Its Impact on K-12 Teachers Author: Austin, Tiffany Bridgette Year: 2010 This research is an in-depth study of an environment-based education (EBE) professional development program titled "Creeks and Kids" that models how to employ thematic instruction about watersheds using the environment of a school and its community as a context to integrate teaching and learning about water across core subject areas. This case study investigates the EBE characteristics of the Creeks and Kids Workshop and explores how they adhere to the National Research Council's Standards for Professional Development for Teachers of Science. A mixed-methods analysis gathered qualitative data about the overall experience of teacher-participants during the Creeks and Kids Workshop and employed quantitative measures to identify evidence of success related to teachers' gains in knowledge, affect, confidence and intent to act to implement water-focused EBE curriculum in their classrooms. The findings of the study build upon existing research about what teachers need to implement EBE and their beliefs regarding what professional development should provide in relation to those needs. Qualitative results revealed that teachers need an EBE professional development program to include: 1) practical ways to integrate environmental education into their existing curricula and school settings; and, 2) direct experience with activities and field studies that are interdisciplinary, hands-on and inquiry-driven. Teacher-participants identified these characteristics as vital for them to effect a change in teaching practice and build their confidence to engage their students in EBE when they return to the classroom. Quantitative results revealed statistically significant gains across knowledge, affect, confidence and intent to act variables using the t-test statistic to compare means of participants' responses from the pre- to post-workshop questionnaires. The results of this study have broader implications for future educational research on: 1) the ways in which EBE professional development programs can support teachers to gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to implement interdisciplinary teaching for student learning about the environment; 2) the methods teachers use to employ EBE teaching strategies in the classroom; and, 3) how EBE helps teachers across disciplines collaborate with one another to implement practical and effective ways to improve students' critical thinking skills and knowledge across multiple subjects. Close