The Miccosukee Tribe of South Florida is a federally recognized Indian tribe who reside on a reservation that lies within the Florida Everglades. As such, like many Indian tribes, their modern political history is entangled with the history of the creation of nearby national parks that were previously their traditional hunting territories. Since the beginning of the era of Everglades restoration and the rise in public policy designed to save the “River of Grass” from pollution, encroaching development, and eventual extinction, the Miccosukee have been on the front lines of trying to preserve the area they call home. While the Everglades means many different things to many different people, the Everglades to the Miccosukee Indians are the site and stakes of indigenous sovereignty. I argue that the issue of Everglades preservation is not just a matter of environmental conservation, but also a matter of fundamental human rights. Theoretically, I situate the debate surrounding the Florida Everglades within several theoretical paradigms, including the rights of indigenous peoples, the anthropology of development, and political ecology. I use anthropological research methods such as in-depth interviews with tribal officials and local environmental agencies to gain a complete picture of the current political landscape of the Everglades. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2020. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

This study explored spatiotemporal patterns in movement, diet, and baseline phycotoxin concentrations in immature bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), an estuary of national significance that has been considerably impacted by multiple toxic harmful algal blooms (HABs). Long-term spatial use of the system was assessed for 29 acoustically tagged sharks over a 4 year period (2017–2020). Tissue samples for diet and toxin analysis were collected from a separate cohort of 50 individuals between 2018 and 2020. UPLC-MS/MS was used to screen tissues for 14 algal toxins. Young bull sharks were found to be mainly piscivorous and displayed high residency to the IRL as well as to specific regions of the IRL, with small activity spaces. Multiple phycotoxins were detected in screened tissues, indicating that young bull sharks in the IRL may be compromised by trophic transfer of HABs while they reside in this important nursery. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2021. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The Space Shuttle Program at the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Brevard County made a significant impact on the aerospace industry, but what is unknown is how it impacted the county surrounding it, specifically through land use/land cover (LU/LC) change and population dynamics. This research collected land cover and population data throughout the program to determine the impact, while also creating a record of the state of LU/LC and population in Brevard County in general during the same period. Urbanization and tourism were also evaluated as possible catalysts for change when analyzing the LU/LC maps created in ArcMap and the population graphs from Microsoft Excel. Calculated area for different LU/LC classes were the main focus of this research, which led to the finding that urbanization has been a major factor of change in Brevard County through expanding residential areas rather than tourism and change from the Space Shuttle Program was centered in cities closest to the KSC. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (MS)--Florida Atlantic University, 2021. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Storing almost a third of the global soil carbon pool, wetlands are an essential component of the carbon cycle, and carbon-rich peat soil accumulates when carbon input through primary productivity exceeds output through decomposition. However, woody shrub encroachment in herbaceous wetlands can alter soil carbon processes, potentially diminishing stored carbon. To examine the effects of shrub encroachment on soil carbon, I compared soil carbon input through litterfall and fine root production, output through decomposition, and below-canopy microclimate conditions between Carolina willow shrub (Salix caroliniana) and herbaceous sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) in the Blue Cypress Marsh Conservation Area (BCMCA), FL. To assess the level of production and its response to water level, I compared aboveground green biomass by measuring normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and photosynthetic stress by measuring photochemical reflectance index (PRI) between sawgrass and willow. I collected willow litterfall using litter traps and measured sawgrass and willow fine root production with fine root ingrowth bags. Litter decomposition was measured with decomposition bags deployed using a reciprocal litter placement design at BCMCA and incubated in a greenhouse to examine the effects of char and water level on decomposition. Above and belowground microclimate conditions were measured using sensors installed within sawgrass and willow canopies. Despite experiencing more photosynthetic stress, willow produced more green biomass than sawgrass. However, willow produced fewer fine roots than sawgrass and these roots were deeper within the soil. Willow litter decomposed faster even though sawgrass decomposition increased under drier conditions. Compared to the sawgrass canopy, the willow canopy had greater light availability, lower evaporative demand plus warmer and drier soils; however, litter decomposition did not differ between the canopies. These results suggest that willow encroachment can reduce the amount and alter the distribution of carbon within an herbaceous wetland, likely resulting in a net loss of soil carbon. Although willow encroachment may increase aboveground biomass carbon stocks, these stocks will likely be offset by a loss of soil carbon due to reduced fine root production and increased decomposition. Therefore, the transition from herbaceous wetland to shrub wetland will likely result in a loss of stored soil carbon. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2020. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The need for arithmetic is well nigh universal. Children and adults are continuously confronted with situations involving "how many" and "how much." The "how-manyness" and "how-muchness" of situations lead to the need for counting and measurement. These needs are conveniently called quantitative needs, needs requiring number meanings and skills. / Typescript. / "January, 1956." / "Submitted to the Graduate Council of Florida State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science." / Advisor: W. Edwards, Professor Directing Paper. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 22).

The 1950 Census of Florida shows that only 24.3 per cent of all white residents of the state twenty-five years of age and over had completed high school. A study made by Marshall of the 1952 class at Leon County High School, Tallahassee, Florida, disclosed that 77.1 per cent of the students who entered the seventh grade in 1946 for the first time continued to graduation or one year after class had graduated. This is a higher percentage of graduating students than in many other high schools of the state. It is assumed desirable to have these young people stay in school the allotted time and to provide for them an educational program appropriate to their needs and to the needs of the society in which they live. Drop-outs, for one reason or another, are being thrust into an adult world to face adult problems before they have successfully coped with the problems of teenagers. / Typescript. / "May, 1956." / "Submitted to the Graduate Council of Florida State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts." / Advisor: Edward K. Hankin, Professor Directing Paper. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 39-40).

Every teacher has what he assumes to be a philosophy of education; frequently it is a composite of aspects of conflicting philosophies of education. This philosophy may be virtually unexamined in that little thought is given to its underlying assumptions and its implications for teaching practices. However, everything the teacher does, every technique and method he employs is drawn from or based upon assumptive concepts of his philosophy or conflicting philosophies of education. Without philosophy, which may be considered in terms of its standard of values, every teacher lacks a point of reference from which to orient the education of young people. He is without a defensible method of evaluation or means of interpreting the goals and aims set up as guides in education. Hence, the vital importance of an integrated philosophy or system of values that will give direction to everyday thinking and that will, in reality, constitute an inclusive way of life. / "June 6, 1953." / Typescript. / "Submitted to the Graduate Council of Florida State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science." / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 53-54).

Cattle ranching has been of major significance to Florida since the 16th century; however, few are aware of the historic, ecologic, economic and cultural influence of this industry. This study investigates the origins and impacts of the traditional customs and practices of Florida’s cattle ranchers, who preserve and reinvent this rich heritage today. Ranchers live closely with the land and their animals and, due to the often-uncertain and cyclical nature of the business, must possess resourcefulness and initiative to prosper. The image of the stoic cowboy has long been associated with the American West, yet before longhorn cattle ever crossed the western plains, Florida frontiers were populated with herds of unique “cracker” cows, descendants of cattle left behind by early Spanish settlers. Like the West, Florida experienced conflicts between ranchers and other land claimants, issues that continue in the 21st century. Modern ranchers contend with developers, environmental concerns, and increasing regulation, yet they persevere in passing on their cultural heritage. Agricultural lifestyles can be emotionally fulfilling, but stewardship of land and animals can be stressful and labor-intensive. Motivation to continue these customs may be enhanced by identification with cowboys of popular American media, enhanced by physical immersion in a similar setting. Optimal agricultural practices have been well researched; however, anthropology provides a useful lens to examine customs and practices of Florida’s cattle ranchers. Anthropologists have long been concerned with the dynamic relationship between human culture and the environment, examining how the physical landscape and ecological niches shape and are shaped by those who inhabit them. As globalized trade markets, technology, and economies expand, influencing agricultural practices and destroying natural habitats, diachronic studies of changing environments, economic and sociocultural influences in geographically bounded locales can be helpful in understanding this process. iv However, a key consideration is the fact that culture is not static, but ever changing, thus the most important aspects of tradition and heritage that we choose to retain and reinvent may provide the most telling insight into any society

Megginnis Arm of Lake Jackson in Tallahassee, Florida, has experienced rapid eutrophication as a result of development within the contributing area watershed. Bottom sediments were sampled for purposes of mapping, classifying and designating for removal. Sediment desiccation studies were performed to determine the percent of consolidation and sealing characteristics of the soils in the event of a lake drawdown. Restoration alternatives are presented and compared on the basis of field investigations, laboratory testing and analysis, and the desiccation study. Alternative methods are discussed with respect to the cost, the flexibility and the problems inherent in the different proposals. From the geometry of Megginnis Arm, and construction permit limitations, this study was limited to methods of restoration which include dredging, drawdown and excavation, drawdown and compaction, and drawdown with dredging. By comparing the costs, the practicality, and geotechnical investigation and the flexibility of alternative methods, it is concluded that the drawdown and excavation method is the alternative. The dredging and drawdown and dredging alternatives were determined to be uneconomical and risky. These methods are not recommended.

Today, the engineer is faced with the task of predicting and evaluating the extent of the Nonpoint Sources that pollute our waterways. A mathematical model may be an extremely useful tool in helping the engineer solve problems in the area of water resources. During the course of this investigation, a literature survey related to the Econlockhatchee River Basin and to the "STORM" mathematical modeling technique for runoff evaluation has been conducted. The latter part of this report deals with an application of the "STORM" mathematical model for predicting quantity and quality of surface runoff for the Econlockhatchee River Basin located in central Florida.