Theses and Dissertations in Geography

Exploring the Nature of Space for Human Behavior in Ordinary Structured Environments

Molly Boeka Cannon — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:55:23 PDT

What is the nature of the built environment? Built environments are the settings within which people carry out activities and emerge from the specific combining of spatial conditions with specific social content for the setting. The social content and the spatial conditions form a core-defining relationship that serves to distinguish one structured setting from another. A core-defining relationship such as this refers to the essence of the built environment. What are the implications for human behavior that emerge from conceptualizing built environments in this manner? I argue that space, through its essential relationship with the contexts of daily living (i.e. social content), qualifies, or transforms how environmental information of those conditions appear. In order to interpret and recognize inherent meaning within those spatial conditions, people rely on a shared set of cultural norms and expectations concerning the built environment. Should the relationship between the social content of a setting and the spatial conditions that structure a setting be disrupted or misunderstood, users of the setting will have difficulty interpreting and carrying out their intended activities. To test this assumption, the case study assessed participants’ evaluations of images of ordinary settings in two presentations, first where the spatial conditions remained unaltered and second where the spatial conditions were disrupted in a random non-meaningful manner. A content analysis was employed to generalize participant narratives and provide necessary data to perform a two-factor analysis that assessed the potential for groupings among participants’ evaluation of the images. Results of the study suggest that people rely on spatial conditions for interpreting built environments in their consideration for the potential to carryout activities and social engagements. When spatial conditions are lacking or meaningless, participants express frustration and confusion and are unable to articulate how they might engage in social activity within the image. Further, the study illustrates that the social-spatial core relationship is a necessary component in the environmental knowing process for built environments.

Adviser: Douglas Amedeo

Evaluating Vegetation Response to Water Stress Using Close-Range and Satellite Remote Sensing

Sharmistha Swain — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 06:45:15 PDT

Drought is a weather related natural disaster that occurs in virtually all climatic zones of the world. In the last century, almost all parts of the contiguous United States have experienced several prolonged drought events with considerable impacts on the agricultural economy and environment. With changing climates, the droughts are expected to be more severe, longer, and widespread in many parts of the world including sections of the United States. Understanding the response of vegetation to water stress using remote sensing technologies will enhance our ability to detect and monitor drought. This research evaluates the response of vegetation to drought-related water stress at the leaf, canopy, and landscape scales using remotely sensed reflectance and/or thermal data. At the leaf level, a crop water stress index model was developed using high spatial resolution thermal imagery to estimate Relative Water Content (RWC) in soybean leaves. The model showed a higher accuracy in RWC determination (85%) compared to the raw temperature based RWC determination (69%). At the canopy level, multi-year close-range reflectance based vegetation indices (VIs) were correlated with soil moisture measured at four depths of maize and soybean root zone. Results indicated that maize VIs were significantly related to soil moisture at deeper depths and kept the soil moisture memory up to previous 45-days. Soybeans VIs were significantly related to soil moisture at shallower depths and kept a relatively shorter (5-days) memory of soil moisture compared to maize. At the landscape scale, Terra-MODIS Land Surface Temperature (LST) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) products were used to detect drought-induced stress in vegetation including corn, soybeans, and three grassland cover types across the state of Nebraska. Results indicate that the majority of the land cover pixels experienced significantly higher daytime and nighttime LSTs and lower NDVI during the drought-year growing season compared to the non-drought year. The findings of this dissertation research will contribute toward the development of more robust tools for monitoring drought stress in vegetation.

Advisors: Sunil Narumalani and Brian D. Wardlow

Proximal Sensing as a Means of Characterizing Phragmites australis

Travis Yeik — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 07:10:19 PDT

Phragmites australis is an invasive wetland weed found throughout much of the United States. Documenting and mapping the growth and spread of this emergent macrophyte can be an important step in developing and implementing successful management strategies. Characterizing the phenology of a vegetation species with a sensor capable of hyperspectral resolution, positioned at close proximity to the canopy of interest, is often a first step necessary for understanding the basic species-specific reflectance patterns, and for quantifying the manner in which light interacts with the plants comprising particular communities. Spectral data over a P. australis canopy were collected during 22 field campaigns in 2011. Research was aimed at characterizing the spectral responses of a P. australis canopy throughout a growing season, and then relating the acquired reflectance data to individual stages in the life cycle, as well as changes in the vegetation fraction associated with the plant canopy. A deconvolution of primary constituents comprising the spectral signal upwelling from the canopy aided in understanding the temporal variations in reflectance. Analyses of both spectra and digital photographs of the canopy led to the development of a new transformation, termed the “Albedo Corrected Vegetation Index” (ACVI), aimed at increasing the accuracy in estimating vegetation fraction. Seed production and shoot density, both of which are closely linked with the invasive qualities of P. australis, were estimated using methods involving a simple digital camera as well as dual spectroradiometers. Additionally, considerations and procedures for collecting spectral data in the field were reviewed, and a procedure was developed, based upon concurrently acquired pyranometer data, to correct for incongruities that often occur due to the variable environmental conditions encountered during field campaigns. The findings of this research provide the necessary fundamental steps in the effort to monitor invasive species such as P. australis by means of remote sensing.

A Historical Geography of Sand Island 1870 - 1944

Lucas P. Johnson — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 06:50:24 PDT

This thesis examines the settlement of Sand Island, one of two permanent colonies included within Lake Superior’s Apostle Islands archipelago. Following the introduction and literature review, a summary of Sand Island’s geology, climate and biological features is presented, serving to construct a baseline upon which to build a discussion of the island’s communal life. This foundation gives context to the seventy-four year struggle faced by the predominantly Norwegian immigrants adapting to that environment. It also serves to assist future scholars in studying wilderness recovery after what today is nearly an eighty year absence of the farmer’s plow. Chapter Four includes a description of the pre-colonial exploration and land use, linking the native population with the incoming Europeans. It continues with the discussion of the Sand Island settlers, those who colonized and developed the island from a seasonal fish camp to a place of permanent residence. Much detail about each family is presented. In Chapter Five the study explores the islanders’ cultural landscape as they moved from fishing shacks to family homes. Chapter Six details the community’s livelihoods, predominantly those of fishing, farming, and lumbering. Chapter Seven describes the routine aspects of daily life, a life isolated at times by cultural traditions and intermittently by an impassable body of water. The final chapter includes an examination of this property managed by the Department of the Interior. As the National Park Service missions are refined or redefined, the land management plans for this park have evolved in a process that continues to assess the cultural significance of Sand Island.

Multi-Temporal Analysis of Crop Biomass Using Selected Environmental Variables and Remote Sensing Derived Indices

Nwakaku M. Ajaere — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 06:35:18 PST

Measuring biomass in crops is important for yield prediction, nutrient management and analysis of carbon sequestration. Studying crop phenology via biomass can also provide insight into not only the state of the ecosystem but also environmental factors which may affect crop growth. Remote sensing techniques, as an alternative to traditional in-situ sampling methods for biomass assessment, provide potentially more efficient data acquisition and cost-effective procedures. Numerous vegetation indices (VI) have been developed which use spectral reflectance data to measure plant biophysical characteristics. The first objective of this research was to examine the correlation between crop biomass and selected environmental variables at multiple lag periods of 14, 28, 56, and 84 days prior to biomass measurement. Environmental variables studied were daily soil moisture (SM), growing degree days (GDD) and precipitation, and were correlated to field-measured biomass from 2002 – 2011. The second aim of this research was to compare three VIs for predicting the biomass of corn and soybeans in a rain-fed field. The VIs used were Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Red-Edge Chlorophyll Index (CI_Red-Edge) and Wide Dynamic Range Vegetation Index (WDRVI).Canopy-level spectral reflectances acquired by a field spectroradiometer and digital aerial images acquired by the AISA-Eagle airborne hyperspectral sensor, during the 2002 – 2008 growing seasons, were analyzed in order to address this objective. Results from biomass correlation with environmental variables were more distinct in corn than soybean and showed that as lag periods increased, there was both increase and decrease in correlations with SM and GDD respectively. Prediction of biomass via VIs showed R² values which ranged from 0.72 – 0.99, with NDVI having the highest overall.

Advisors: Sunil Narumalani and Don Rundquist

ASSESSING SEASONAL FEATURES OF TROPICAL FORESTS USING REMOTE SENSING

Roberto Bonifaz-Alfonzo — Mon, 23 May 2011 12:57:04 PDT

Tropical forests are key components of the biogeochemical cycles, complex in structure, diversity and dynamics, also, tropical regions have been deforested and modified by human activities particularly for agriculture. Understanding the inter-annual and intra-annual variation dynamics of tropical regions could give valuable information on temporal characteristics of ecosystems behavior which is important for mapping and monitoring. This dissertation assesses seasonal and inter-annual changes in the tropical land cover that may be related to changes in the natural environment and/or human activities. Research was focused on the Mayan forest located in southern Mexico and Northwest Guatemala, one of the northern-most important tropical areas in the continent. Using vegetation index products from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) from 2001 to 2005, the vegetation condition “greenness” was modeled through temporal profiles. The higher spatial resolution data and the availability of two vegetation indices: the standard Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), designed to improve sensitivity to differences in vegetation from sparse to dense vegetation conditions, offer a great opportunity to model vegetation dynamics in tropical areas. Additionally, the Wide Dynamic Range Vegetation Index (WDRVI) which is derived from the NDVI and designed to enhance the spectral response where the NDVI saturates, is included. Comparison between the different vegetation indices is analyzed by means of cross-plots and a wavelet analysis. Then a Fourier series approximation calculation was applied to extract the main seasonal components (high harmonics amplitude and phase) of the biweekly greenness profiles in order to input to an unsupervised classification to obtain a land use/land cover map and to compare mean amplitude and phase parameters value between years.

Results show differences between indices in terms of seasonal and vegetation response. In terms of mapping the WDRVI was the index with better performance. Fourier parameters mapping, particularly the first harmonic phase, was sensitive to annual variation of environmental conditions (precipitation). The use of multitemporal observations through remote sensing observations, provide a continuous and dynamic view of tropical regions to support monitoring and sustainable development and management of environmental policies.

Advisor: James W. Merchant

USING A GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM TO DEFINE REGIONS OF GRAPE-CULTIVAR SUITABILITY IN NEBRASKA

Ting Chen — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:39:04 PDT

The thesis was undertaken to develop a methodology and digital tool, based upon the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, for delineating specific regions within the state of Nebraska that are suitable for the cultivation of two selected grape hybrids. The successful cultivation of grapes for producing wine requires knowledge of the physical and environmental conditions characterizing the local landscape. GIS technology allows the integration of multiple layers to be analyzed simultaneously, which
can provide prospective grape growers with necessary information upon which to base their management decision. In the study, nine GIS variables/layers including growing degree days, length of frost-free period, minimum winter temperature, aspect, slope, soil drainage, soil pH, organic matter and land use were analyzed in order to determine agricultural suitability in Nebraska for Edelweiss and Cynthiana/Norton cultivars.
There are three primary outcomes of the study: 1) a comprehensive database and map of current vineyard operations in Nebraska; 2) a model / tool, which may prove useful regarding future efforts dealing with potential suitability for viticulture; and 3) a series of suitability maps for highlighting areas where Edelweiss and Cynthiana/Norton should be grown. The research may be beneficial to those involved in Nebraska’s grape and wine industry.

Advisor: Donald Rundquist

Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Malaria in Paraguay

Nicole M. Wayant — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:36:06 PDT

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that has afflicted humans for thousands of years. Today it is considered a re-emerging disease. Malaria is most prevalent in tropical and subtropical parts of the world. The disease has been linked to several environmental parameters, including precipitation, temperature, and deforestation. However, these relationships have mainly been studied in Africa and have not been explored in other parts of the world. The study area for this thesis was the South American country of Paraguay.

Paraguay has experienced an oscillation in malaria cases over the past 20 years, with monthly cases ranging from 0 to 1200. Additionally, the country has experienced vast amounts of deforestation and climate variations. The thesis study area was two Paraguayan departments, Alto Parana and Canindeyú. Both departments had a record of monthly malaria cases for the years of 1981-2003.

It was discovered that there was a positive correlation between malaria and temperature and vegetation strength and a negative correlation between precipitation and malaria. Spatial comparisons of deforestation maps and maps of malaria risk based on the selected environmental parameters, suggests recent deforestation increases the probably of malaria occurrence. Additionally, time series analysis provides evidence that an increase in temperature increases malaria cases every 2-3 years. The annual oscillation of temperature, precipitation, and vegetation change from the wet and dry seasons corresponds with the low and high activity time periods for malaria case rates.

Adviser: Professor James Merchant

Levels of Response In Experiential Conceptualizations of Neighborhood: The Potential For Multiple Versions of This Place Construct

Cynthia M. Williams — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 14:39:19 PDT

In the literature, numerous theoretical perspectives have defined and interpreted what is meant by “neighborhood.” A criticism of these perspectives is a lack of a universal definition, with no one-to-one empirical counterpart. The intent of this dissertation is to develop experiential conceptualizations of the construct neighborhood. Residents, those who experience and interact on a daily bases will provide the meaning and interpretation of what is meant by neighborhood.

The “levels of response” are the means of identifying and interpreting the systematic differences in the cognitive processing involved in the construal of neighborhood. Five cognitive levels of response were identified: Affective, orientation, categorization, evaluation, and adaptation. The incidence of the level of response in the mental representations of participants reveals something about how these everyday surrounds are construed. An assumption is that how we cognitively process, interpret, and attach meaning to neighborhood is directly influenced by who we are (i.e., gender, age, family status, ethnicity, and so on), how we are socialized (i.e., social positions, roles, predisposition, and acculturation), and the form or structure of the environment (i.e., the socio-physical surround). Since the construct neighborhood is a mental representation, it is assumed that there will be multiple versions of the construct neighborhood.

A mixed method approach (i.e., qualitative and quantitative techniques), in association with a comprehensive theoretical framework (person-environment-behavior, social cognition, and feminist perspective), facilitated an in-depth analysis of the experiential conceptualizations of neighborhood. The objective was to link the theoretical component to the empirical component (i.e., open-ended interviewing process relating to the individuals perception of what constituted a neighborhood). The intent here is to establish understanding of what constitutes “social reality” for each participant.

The findings suggest that the levels of cognitive response are useful in determining if distinctive versions of neighborhood exist. In addition, the research demonstrated that gender is a significant factor in the construal of neighborhood renditions.

Adviser: David J. Wishart

Geographies of Indigenous-based Team Name and Mascot Use in American Secondary Schools

Ezra J. Zeitler — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 07:30:41 PST

This dissertation identifies the geographic locations and characteristics of high schools using Native American nicknames and, through the examination of Indigenous-based iconography, analyzes the portrayal of Indigenous peoples in these learning environments. Primary and secondary data collected from archives, newspapers, yearbooks, directories, school websites, and fieldwork are utilized in various ways, including cartographic and quantitative analyses of 1,368 school locations and their attributes, numerous case studies highlighting concocted histories and stereotypical depictions of Native Americans, and a content analysis of Indigenous-based imagery photographed in 125 schools with predominately white student bodies.

The first chapter defines the dissertation topic and provides a literature review of relevant geographic and anti-mascot literature, and Chapter Two stresses the relevance of studying team names. Chapter Three examines the Indian’s role in the development of American identity and argues that the tradition of portraying of Native Americans as “Others” in literature, art, Wild West shows, film, and television continues to this day through the use of team names and mascots. Chapter Four applies Renato Rosaldo’s concept of imperialist nostalgia, Mary Louise Pratt’s idea of anti-conquest, and other theories to explain the selection and continued use of Native American mascots. National, regional, and local geographic patterns of mascot use are mapped and analyzed in Chapter Five, and Chapter Six critiques the portrayal of diverse Native American groups as stereotypical Plains Indians, noble and ignoble savages, masculine warriors, Indian princesses, and other depictions in secondary schools.

The study complements existing geographic and anti-mascot literature in three ways: by approaching the Native American mascot issue from a spatial perspective and mapping the locations and characteristics of these schools for analysis, by strengthening the anti-mascot argument by examining the practice in secondary schools, the next logical step in a movement that has focused largely on professional and collegiate sports, and by advancing knowledge in geography and in the interdisciplinary realm of antimascot literature by using textual evidence from numerous historical periods, and at several geographic scales, to emphasize how race-based ideologies become manifest on the landscape and in life through the use of iconography and ritual.

PRESERVATION ETHICS IN THE CASE OF NEBRASKA’S NATIONALLY REGISTERED HISTORIC PROPERTIES

Darren Michael Adams — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:28:14 PDT

This dissertation focuses on the National Register of Historic Places and considers the geographical implications of valuing particular historic sites over others. Certain historical sites will either gain or lose desirability from one era to the next, this dissertation identifies and explains three unique preservation ethical eras, and it maps the sites which were selected during those eras. These eras are the Settlement Era (1966 – 1975), the Commercial Architecture Era (1976 – 1991), and the Progressive Planning Era (1992 – 2010). The findings show that transformations in the program included an early phase when state authorities listed historical resources pertaining to the settlement of the state, and also to Native American village archeological sites. At that time, authorities viewed road and bridge construction projects as threats to historic sites. After the passage of the 1976 Tax Reform Act, common citizens gained considerable site selection power. Motivated by tax advantages, such citizens favored commercial architecture, changing the geography of the National Register. In addition, in 1992 authorities wrote the Highway Bridges in Nebraska 1870 – 1942 documentation, and layed out plans for the selection of bridges, roads, and for the renovation of entire sections of decaying inner-cities.

As part of the dissertation research, data were gathered using the National Park Service’s national register information system database, and were acquired during personal interviews with state historic preservation employees. Information was also noted while directly in the field. In order to examine how minorities are being represented at sites, a field study was conducted which involved visiting thirty-two minority sites (twenty-two Native American, and ten African American sites). Lewis’ (1979) and Meinig’s (1979) landscape analysis approaches informed the field study, and the researcher used the versatile narrative-descriptive approach (as recommended by Mink [1987] and by Tuan [1991]) to analyze and describe the general datum trends. This dissertation serves decision-makers by providing an evaluation of past trends in historic site selection processes and consequently assists them in discerning historical significance and cultural value. It concludes with prognostication about future patterns in historic preservation and recommends research into areas including the fifty-year rule, and nationally-scaled preservation ethics.

The Changing Landscape of a Rural Region: The effect of the Harry S. Truman Dam and Reservoir in the Osage River Basin of Missouri

Melvin Arthur Johnson — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:21:54 PST

The Harry S. Truman Dam and Reservoir project is of immense size. Many thousands of tons of raw materials were required to complete the construction of the dam and relocations. Millions of dollars were spent to acquire land, compensate those who were displaced, and to pay those who were employed in the planning, purchasing, coordinating, defending, and managing the myriad of contractors, contracts, and legal defenses. The affected area of the project is not only complex physically but also socially and economically. It is, therefore, not surprising that the counties studied (Benton, Henry, and St. Clair) would react in different ways to the same stimulus—the Truman project—from the very beginning, through construction, and finally after completion. This dissertation discusses the reaction of the three counties prior to construction, during construction, and for twenty years post construction. The population changes, changes to the local businesses including farm and non-farm entities, changes to the local tax structures, and finally the visual changes to the landscape are analyzed.

The complexity of the situation at Truman as discussed in this dissertation, presents three distinct scenarios. Benton County, home of the dam and majority of project facilities received the greatest amount of economic resources. With a population which doubled, Benton County has capitalized upon its location to the greatest advantage. Henry County also received significant economic resources. However, Henry County had a more diversified economy in the beginning. With a steadily growing population, Henry County has primarily maintained a growing diversified economy with manufacturing, retail trade, and the services sectors providing the greatest amount of wealth to the county. St. Clair County received the fewest economic resources and has continued to have the highest poverty rates. Understanding these scenarios would be helpful to not only the future planner, but also the public policy decision maker and the general public when considering large scale economic development.

Detection and Measurement of Water Stress in Vegetation Using Visible Spectrum Reflectance

Arthur Zygielbaum — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:51:32 PST

At any scale, from a single microbe to the planet that nurtures us, water defines our place in the universe. It provides the hydraulic forces needed to give plants structure, and the medium enabling photosynthesis, the basis for most life on Earth, to occur. Knowledge of plant water status is vital to understanding the state or condition of vegetation, information which is essential to disciplines as diverse as agriculture, geography, and climatology. Non-destructive and remote sensing of plant water status allows the gathering of such information across wide geographic extents and over long periods of time. Monitoring vegetation remotely requires an understanding of how reflected light may be used to infer the water status of plants. Several greenhouse experiments were performed using maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max. (L.) Merr. – hereafter called “soy”) to examine changes in reflectance as these plants were subjected to water deficiency and, thereby, to water stress. These tests employed a new experimental design which allowed daily hyperspectral radiometric measurements from intact plants to be compared to representative determinations of relative water content and water potential obtained by destructive measurement techniques. It was discovered that a systematic increase in leaf-level visible light (photosynthetically active radiation – PAR) reflectance accompanied increasing levels of stress in maize, and, when relative water content was below 70%, in soy. This finding, resulting from some yet to be identified change in plant cells or internal leaf structure, is unexpected since there is no absorption of light by water molecules in the PAR spectral region. Despite extensive literature searches, no previous publication of the effect has been uncovered. The increase in PAR reflectance was shown to be useful in estimating the water status of maize, and, when RWC was less than 70%, of soy. More work is needed to determine if this effect can be used to estimate water status from the canopy level or above.

Intersections of Place, Time, and Entertainment in Rural Nebraska in the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries

Rebecca A. Buller — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:02:11 PDT

As newcomers developed Nebraska settlements in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they began to shape the space. This study explores the intersections of place, time, and entertainment in rural Nebraska from the beginning of European American settlement in the late 19th century to the end of the Great Depression. Through such examinations, we can better understand the historical geographies of individual and collective human experience. With such knowledge, we can then recognize how entertainment reflected social life, sense of place, place attachment, and the intricacies and larger scale trends of race, ethnicity, gender, age, class, nationality, and religion.

In this work, a variety of sources are mined and examined through primarily qualitative methods. The acknowledgment that research is subjective and selective is present in researching, writing, and producing the narrative. Literature from a variety of disciplines informs the research. Such a study adds to scholarship by incorporating contemporary approaches, methodologies, and theories, such as humanistic, post-modern, feminist, and post-colonial, to the geographic case study approach that has been criticized for being too descriptive and lacking theory.

Each chapter contains an examination of leisure activities. Chapter 1, entitled “Everyday Leisure Activities,” explores a wide variety of common entertainments available to people living in and visiting rural Nebraska. The rest of the study examines specific activities via case studies. The Walter Savidge Amusement Company in the early 20th century is the heart of Chapter 2, “Traveling Shows.” Chapter 3, “Ethnic- Religious Entertainment: The German Russian Mennonites of Henderson” demonstrates how leisure activities could vary from the mainstream depending upon a group’s ethnic, national, and religious characteristics. Chapters 4 and 5 explore the state’s amusement parks in the early 20th century by discovering the personality of The Long Pine Amusement Park during its first eight years. The last section, “The Broader Context,” sifts out themes of race, ethnicity, gender, class, age, nationality, and religion, illustrating how they were manifested in entertainment.
Adviser: David J. Wishart

Patterns and Consequences of Segregation: An Analysis of Ethnic Residential Patterns at Two Geographic Scales

Kenneth N. French — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:20:33 PDT

American cities are diverse, with people from various ethnic backgrounds calling the city their home. Instead of having numerous culturally mixed neighborhoods, many residential areas are segregated by ethnicity. Also, social opportunities, such as access to jobs and quality education, are not evenly distributed in urban space. In short, separate living spaces may not mean equal living spaces. What are the impacts of living in White or African American or Hispanic or Asian neighborhoods? Thus, it is worthwhile to investigate the patterns and consequences of ethnic residential segregation. This dissertation employs several cartographic, geographic information system (GIS), and statistical techniques to analyze ethnic residential segregation at two geographic scales: nationally and locally. At the national scale, segregation levels(dissimilarity index) were mapped and statistically categorized into different regions. Cities in the Northeast are the most segregated, followed by cities in the South, and then by cities in the West. Multiple regression equations reveal regional differences in socioeconomic characteristics that explain segregation within each region. For example,what explains White-African American segregation in the Northeast is different than what explains White-African American segregation in the West. Locally, a case study of Omaha, Nebraska investigates the patterns and consequences of segregation within a city. In 2000, African Americans predominantly reside in North Omaha, Hispanics in South Omaha, and Whites and Asians in the suburbs of western Omaha. A comparison of the characteristics of ethnically-concentrated neighborhoods reveals several social inequalities. Segregated African American and Hispanic neighborhoods generally have lower socioeconomic characteristics, such as lower education and income, than segregated White and Asian places. A positive outgrowth of African American and Hispanic segregation is the development of ethnic businesses, community organizations, churches, and festivals. Nonetheless, ethnic residential segregation in Omaha benefited some groups over others. Overall, this dissertation finds that social inequality and spatial inequality appear to be linked in American urban society.
Adviser: J. Clark Archer

Water Power Development on the Lower Loup River: A Study in Economic Geography

Ralph Eugene Olson — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 09:55:03 PDT

It is the major purpose of this paper to describe the Loup River Public Power District Project, to show how it is limited by and adapted to the natural and cultural environment and to suggest some of the economic and social effects on the local region. Brief consideration is given to the relation of this project to the broader social and economic program of a wise development of natural resources. Prior to this study, no systematic description and interpretation of the Loup Project has been attempted so far as the writer has been able to discover. Aside from the preliminary engineering survey report and non-technical newepaper accounts, little mention of the project has been made in print. For this reason practically all of the investigation, including the field work, had to be done in the immediate vicinity of the project. The writer spent six weeks in Columbus and at various points along the route of the canal during the scorching days of July and August, 1936, and has since been back to the scene of the project several times to check his notes and bring them up to date. He has pored over miles of newspaper columns and puzzled over hundreds of complex engineers' drawings. He has trudged on foot over many sections of the project with shovel, yardstick, and notebook. He has conferred with administrators, engineers, superintendents, foremen, and laborers employed by the District, and has discussed the project with business and professional men of Columbus and with farmers along the route who have favored or fought its construction, depending on the nature of their individual economic interests or prejudices. From a personal standpoint, he has found the study intensely interesting. The following pages will determine whether or not he has increased the content and substantiated the claims of systematic geography.