The Upper Niger Basins (UNB) and the Inner Niger Delta (IND) are integral parts of the Niger River Basin, which flows through 10 countries and constitutes the third longest river in Africa. Natural climate variability and human interventions are two major factors affecting the hydrological regime in the UNB and IND. This study focuses on the later factor, by assessing the hydrological impacts of key existing and planned manmade structures and irrigation schemes in the UNB: the Sélingué (existing dam in Mali), four variants of the Fomi/Moussako dam (planned in Guinea), and Office du Niger (irrigation scheme located in Mali). The Fomi /Moussako dam will be located in the headwaters of the UNB and therefore, is expected to alter the hydrological regime in large parts of the watershed. Expected impacts include a reduction of the flood peak which will adversely affect critical ecosystems in the IND, and higher flows directly downstream of the dams in the dry season to sustain irrigation. These higher flows will, however, be consumed by Office du Niger irrigation scheme, leading to possible severe water shortages downstream of the irrigation scheme and in the IND. This is likely to affect the Malian economy and the poorest parts of its population, as the IND is crucial for the socio-economic and ecological preservation and development of the population surrounding it. The hydrological impacts of the dams and the irrigation scheme were evaluated in this study by developing a model of the IND and UNB using SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool). After the model was calibrated, the effects of the dams and the irrigation scheme on selected flow statistics (mean and standard deviation) were determined at fourteen hydrological stations. In general, the results have shown that (1) the Fomi/Moussako dam will noticeably reduce the downstream high flows, and reduce the average flow; (2) if the Fomi/Moussako dam was to be built, the alternatives with the least storage volume (Moussako 388.5') will have the least impacts on the downstream flows. To assist in related decision making for various users, a Decision Support System (DSS) was also developed. The goal of the DSS is to help users analyze the effects of dams and irrigation on the flow regime by performing a comparative analysis (presence and absence of dams and irrigation in the river). A number of potential adaptation measures were also proposed.

The provision of safe drinking water provides a dramatic example of the inherent complexity involved in incorporating environmental justice (EJ) considerations into the implementation and enforcement of new environmental standards. To promote substantive EJ, implementation policy must be concerned with the net risk reduction of new and revised regulations. The regulatory concern is that higher water bills for low-income customers of small public water systems may result in less disposable income for other health-related goods and services. In the net, this trade-off may be welfare decreasing, not increasing. Advocates of Health–Health Analysis have argued that the reduction in health-related spending creates a problem for traditional benefit-cost analysis since the long-run health implications of this reduction are not considered. The results of this investigation tend to support this contention. An evaluation of the internal structure of consumption expenditures reveals that low-expenditure households can be expected to react to an increase in the relative price of housing-related goods and services due to a water-rate hike by reducing both housing and health-related expenditures. That is, the representative low-expenditure household re-establishes equilibrium by not only decreasing housing-related spending, but also by decreasing spending on health-related expenditures in a modest but significant way. These results reflect the fact that expenditures on housing are a major proportion of overall household spending, and that accommodating drinking water surcharges exacerbates both health and food security concerns for low-expenditures households.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / A serra de Maranguape à um maciÃo residual prÃ-litorÃneo, localizado a 25 km de Fortaleza, com altitude mÃxima de 920 m. O tipo de vegetaÃÃo da serra à denominado Floresta SubperenifÃlia Tropical PlÃvio-Nebular e constitui um remanescente de Mata AtlÃntica. Os poucos trabalhos sobre a diversidade biolÃgica da serra, jà realizados, indicam uma biota diferente da existente na caatinga circundante, abrigando inclusive espÃcies das matas atlÃntica e amazÃnica. A temperatura mais amena e a alta umidade favorecem o uso agrÃcola da serra, sendo que atualmente a bananicultura està em evidÃncia nÃo somente por suprir o mercado em Fortaleza, mas tambÃm pelos problemas ambientais causados, como deslizamentos de terra, empobrecimento dos solos, assoreamento de rios e diminuiÃÃo da biodiversidade. A fim de investigar os efeitos da bananicultura sobre a herpetofauna local, comparou-se a diversidade e abundÃncia destes animais em Ãreas de PreservaÃÃo Permanente com matas e tambÃm com bananais. As espÃcies foram catalogadas de acordo com o mÃtodo de registro de encontros visuais (espÃcimes/tempo), tendo sido registradas 18 espÃcies para os bananais: Adelophryne maranguapensis, Anolis fuscoauratus, Bufo paracnemis, Coleodactylus meridionalis, Drymoluber dichrous, Eleutherodactylus gr. ramagii, Hyla aff. decipiens, H. gr. microcephala, H. minuta, H. raniceps, Leposoma baturitensis, Leptodactylus ocellatus, Phrynohyas venulosa, Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis, Physalaemus gr. cuvieri, Placosoma sp., Proceratophris boiei e Scinax x-signata, enquanto que as Ãreas com matas apresentaram somente 12 destas espÃcies. Apenas Adelophryne maranguapensis, Eleutherodactylus gr. ramagii e Hyla aff decipiens foram encontrados em todos os meses de trabalho. Nos meses mais secos, as densidades relativas das espÃcies, com exceÃÃo de E. gr ramagii, pareceram ser maiores nas Ãreas de matas que nas Ãreas de bananais, indicando que as Ãreas de mata podem representar um refÃgio durante os perÃodos secos para as populaÃÃes que, nos perÃodos chuvosos, tambÃm ocorrem nos bananais. Consequentemente, a manutenÃÃo da mata nativa pode ser essencial para a conservaÃÃo destas populaÃÃes da herpetofauna. A diversidade da herpetofauna das Ãreas com bananais e das Ãreas com mata foi comparada, com a utilizaÃÃo do Ãndice de Shannon-Wiener, nÃo tendo apresentado diferenÃas significativas. TambÃm foram discutidas alternativas ao cultivo tradicional da banana, visando contribuir na prevenÃÃo e/ou reversÃo de problemas ambientais causados pelo cultivo irregular de bananeiras nas encostas e margens de rios. Dentre as alternativas o sistema agroflorestal parece ser uma boa soluÃÃo, pois tem sido implantado em bananais no sul do paÃs, em Ãreas serranas, tendo contribuÃdo com a diminuiÃÃo dos deslizamentos de solos e com o aumento de sua fertilidade, alÃm de permitir o sombreamento local, sendo usado inclusive em reflorestamento. O sistema agroflorestal promove ainda, a diversificaÃÃo da produÃÃo, desejÃvel quando se quer resolver problemas oriundos de uma monocultura. TambÃm foram investigadas a visÃo dos bananicultores sobre a questÃo ambiental e sua condiÃÃo sÃcio-econÃmica, tendo sido registrado que boa parte deles nÃo tinha instruÃÃo escolar e desconhecia a gravidade das conseqÃÃncias do cultivo da banana na serra, bem como a autoridade dos ÃrgÃos ambientais e a aplicaÃÃo das leis. A maioria deles nunca trabalhou em algo diferente da agricultura, embora exerÃam atividades paralelas, sendo que boa parte deles trabalha em condiÃÃes precÃrias, sem garantias trabalhistas. / The serra de Maranguape is a pre-litoral residual mountain, located 25 km from Fortaleza, with a maximum altitude of 920 m. The type of vegetation of this mountain range is called Floresta Tropical SubperenifÃlia PlÃvio-Nebular and constitutes a remnant of the Atlantic Forest. The few studies on the biological diversity of the serra de Maranguape already carried through, indicate a biota distinct from the one presented in the surrounding caatinga, and the presence of species of the Atlantic and Amazonian Forests. The mild temperature and the high humidity favor the agricultural use of this mountain range, and currently, the banana culture is in evidence not only for supplying the Fortaleza market, but also for causing environment problems, as landslides, impoverishment of the soil, burial of rivers and reduction of the biodiversity. In order to investigate the effect of the banana culture on the local herpetofauna, it was compared the diversity and abundance of these animals in Areas of Permanent Preservation with forest and with banana plantations. The species were registered according to the visual survey method (specimens/time), and 18 species were registered for the banana plantations areas: Adelophryne maranguapensis, Anolis fuscoauratus, Bufo paracnemis, Coleodactylus meridionalis, Drymoluber dichrous, Eleutherodactylus gr. ramagii, Hyla aff. decipiens, H. gr. microcephala, H. minuta, H. raniceps, Leposoma baturitensis, Leptodactylus ocellatus, Phrynohyas venulosa, Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis, Physalaemus gr. cuvieri, Placosoma sp., Proceratophris boiei and Scinax x-signata, while the forest areas had only 12 of these species. Only Adelophryne maranguapensis, Eleutherodactylus gr.. ramagii and Hyla aff decipiens were found in every worked month. During the driest months, the relative densities of the species, with the exception of E. gr. ramagii, seemed to be bigger in the forest areas than in the banana plantations areas, indicating that the forest areas can represent a refuge, during the dry periods, for the populations that, in the rainy periods, occur in the banana plantations areas. Therefore, the maintenance of the native forest can be essential for the conservation of these herpetofauna populations. The herpetofauna diversity of the banana plantations areas and of the forest areas were compared with the use of the index of Shannon-Wiener, and no significant difference was found. It was also discussed alternatives to the traditional banana culture, aiming to contribute to the prevention and/or reversion of the environment problems caused by the irregular culture of banana plants in the hillsides and edges of rivers. On the alternatives, agroforest system seemed to be a good solution, as it has been implanted in banana plantations in mountain areas of South Brasil, and has contributed to the reduction of the landslides and to the increase of the soil fertility and of the local shadowing. The agroforest system has being used even in reforestation and it also promotes the diversification of the agricultural production, which is desirable when it is wanted to solve problems resulted from monoculture practices. It was also investigated the banana growers knowledge on the environment problems and their social-economic condition, having been registered that many of them do not have a formal education and were unaware of the gravity of the consequences of the banana culture in this mountain range, as well as the authority of the environmental agencies and the application of the environmental laws. The majority of the banana growers never worked in something else, although they have parallel activities, and many of them work in precarious conditions, without working guarantees.

A expectativa de alterações climáticas é especialmente importante para o setor agropecuário, uma vez que se trata de atividade que possui dependência dos ciclos naturais. O objetivo desta tese é avaliar impactos econômicos de cenários de mudança climática para a agricultura brasileira. Efeitos sobre áreas aptas de oito culturas (feijão, milho, soja, algodão, arroz, cana de açúcar, mandioca e café) são avaliados através de um modelo de equilíbrio geral computável, o The Enormous Regional Model for Brazil - TERM-BR, e cenários disponibilizados pela Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária - EMBRAPA, baseados no Painel Intergovernamental para a Mudança Climática - IPCC. Dois cenários são simulados com horizontes distintos, um para 2020 desconsiderando mudanças sociais e econômicas (2020/A2) e outro para 2070 com adaptações sociais e econômicas, nas projeções do IPCC (2070/B2). Para 2020/A2 os efeitos negativos concentram-se nas regiões Nordeste, conseqüência do clima semi-árido e perfil produtivo da região, além dos estados de Mato Grosso e Mato Grosso do Sul, resultado de impactos sobre a área apta para o produto soja. Em oposição, neste cenário, a região Sudeste beneficia-se, pois o produto cana de açúcar observa aumentos de rendimento sob aquecimento climático brando. O resultado líquido aponta para uma pequena redução da atividade econômica (PIB), elevação de preços de gêneros alimentícios e deslocamentos regionais da mão de obra, do Nordeste e Centro Oeste para as demais regiões. Para o segundo cenário, 2070/B2, novamente o Nordeste e o Centro Oeste são as regiões mais afetadas. Porém, os ganhos para a atividade econômica da região Sudeste são menores, uma vez que o efeito benéfico sobre a cana de açúcar desaparece em cenários mais severos de mudança climática. Como conseqüência, há um declínio nacional da atividade econômica superior ao cenário anterior. Naquilo que diz respeito ao mercado de trabalho permanecem as tendências de migração da mão de obra das regiões Nordeste e Centro Oeste para as demais regiões. Contudo, esta migração concentrase, proporcionalmente, nos estratos mais qualificados do mercado de trabalho. A mudança climática, na ausência de medidas de adaptação e mitigação mais intensas pode representar um risco para regiões historicamente subdesenvolvidas ou de desenvolvimento recente. Em especial, demonstra-se que os impactos econômicos no território brasileiro são heterogêneos entre as grandes regiões e os estados que o compõem. / The outlook of climate change is especially important for the farming sector, an economic activity where connection with natural cycles is strong. The objective of this thesis is to calculate economic impacts in scenarios of climatic change for Brazilian agriculture. Effect on appropriate areas of eight harvests (beans, maize, soy, cotton, rice, sugar cane, cassava and coffee) are evaluated through a model of computable general balance, the TERM-BR, and scenes available from EMBRAPA, based on the IPCC. Two scenarios are simulated with divergent perspectives, one for 2020 disrespecting social and economic changes (2020/A2) and another one for 2070 with social and economic adaptations, in the projections of the IPCC (2070/B2). For 2020/A2 the negative effect are concentrated in the regions Northeast, consequence of the several dry climate and production profile of the region, beyond the states of Mato Grosso and South´s Mato Grosso, outcome of impacts on the appropriate region for the soy. In antagonism, in this simulation, the Southeastern region is benefited; therefore the product sugar cane registers increases of income under soft climatic change scenario. The net result points with respect to a small reduction of the economic activity (GDP), rise of prices of foodstuffs and regional migration of the labor force, from Northeast and Center West for the other regions. For as the scenario, 2070/B2, the Northeast and the Center West are the affected regions also. However, the positive results for the economic activity in the Southeastern region are lesser, outcome of the smaller beneficial shock on the sugar cane in more severe scenarios of climate change. In this sense it has a national decline of the economic activity to the previous simulation. In labor market remain the trends of migration of the labor force from Northeast and Center West regions for the other regions. Nevertheless, this migration is intense, proportionally, in most qualified persons of the labor market. The climate change, in the lack of measures of intense adaptation and mitigation can represent a risk for historically underdeveloped regions or regions of recent development. In special, shows that the economic impacts in the Brazilian territory are heterogeneous between the great regions and the states that compose it.

Este trabalho tem por objetivo quantificar o impacto da vegetação nos microclimas urbanos abaixo do dossel, em função das interações solo-vegetação-atmosfera. Essas interações consideram os efeitos: 1) do dossel propriamente dito, expressos pelas variáveis índice de área foliar - IAF (Leaf Area Index - LAI) e distribuição geométrica das aberturas na copa (gap fraction); 2) da cobertura do solo, expressa pela composição do solo, sua temperatura e teor de umidade, e 3) das variáveis microclimáticas locais (temperatura do ar, umidade do ar, radiação solar, temperatura radiante media, temperatura superficial, direção e velocidade dos ventos). Considerando-se que o impacto da vegetação nos microclimas urbanos é função das interações solo-vegetação-atmosfera, e tendo em vista resultados de estudos anteriores, a hipótese deste trabalho é que, para o clima de São Paulo, em função dos processos de evapotranspiração e do sombreamento, a redução na temperatura do ar abaixo do dossel em parques urbanos será de cerca de 1o C e a redução da temperatura superficial será de cerca de 20oC, ambas em relação às áreas não sombreadas pela vegetação, e que esses efeitos limitam-se à borda do parque sob condições de baixa velocidade do vento, de cerca de 1 m/s. O método é 1) indutivo, por meio de medições de campo durante o período de dias quentes e frios no Parque Tenente Siqueira Campos (Trianon), na cidade de São Paulo, para o registro de dados microclimáticos e para o levantamento das variáveis do dossel e do solo; e 2) dedutivo, com a calibração entre dados medidos e simulados pelo modelo ENVI-met 3.1 Beta 5 e a simulação de diferentes cenários, variando-se as características do dossel. Para se estimar a densidade foliar média das copas foram adotados dois métodos não-destrutivos indiretos: a medição do IAF com o equipamento LAI-2000 (LI-COR) e a análise das fotos hemisféricas, utilizando-se o aplicativo Can-Eye. De acordo com os resultados das simulações, variando-se as caraterísticas do dossel, verificou-se uma redução máxima de 1ºC na temperatura do ar e de 19°C na temperatura superficial, ao se comparar os valores obtidos abaixo de uma copa densa (forma elíptica e IAF 5m2/m2) em relação às condições do entorno, fora do parque. Esse efeito se estende por, no máximo, 5m de distância a partir dos limites do parque, com velocidade do ar de 1m/s e umidade de 40% na camada superficial do solo (0-20cm). Foi feita a aplicação do TEP - Temperatura Equivalente Percebida e verificou-se que a redução de 1°C na temperatura do ar pode representar de 3°C a 5°C no conforto térmico das pessoas. Esses resultados comprovam a hipótese inicial e mostram não apenas a importância do tipo de vegetação escolhida (formato da copa, IAF e distribuição geométrica das aberturas na copa) como as características do meio em que ela está inserida (condições microclimáticas locais e de solo). Os resultados podem contribuir para a formulação de políticas públicas visando à mitigação dos efeitos de aquecimento urbano, particularmente diurnos, em climas tropicais. / The objective of this work is to quantify the impact of vegetation on urban microclimates, under the canopy, due to soil-vegetation-atmosphere interactions. It considers the following effects: 1) the canopy itself, expressed by the variable leaf area index - LAI and the geometric openness distribution in the canopy (gap fraction); 2) the soil coverage, expressed by soil composition, soil temperature and soil humidity, and 3) the local microclimatic variables (air temperature, humidity, solar radiation, mean radiant temperature, surface temperature, wind direction and wind speed). Considering the impact of vegetation on urban microclimates as a function of soil-vegetation-atmosphere, and based on the outcomes of preview studies, this work starts from the hypothesis that for São Paulo climate and as a result of evapotranspiration and shadowing process, the reduction of air temperature under the canopy will be between 1°C to 2°C and for surface temperature, it will be around 20°C, both in relation to an area without tree shadowing. These effects are restricted to the borders of the park, especially under the conditions of low wind speed, approximately 1m/s. The methods are: 1) inductive, based on field measurements in summer and winter at Tenente Siqueira Campos Park (Trianon Park), in the city of São Paulo, registering microclimatic data and collecting information for canopy and soil; and 2) deductive, with the calibration of measured and simulated data by ENVI-met 3.1 Beta 5 and the simulation for different scenarios varying the canopy characteristics. To estimate the average leaf density for trees canopy two no-destructive indirect methods were applied: measurement of LAI using the equipment LAI-2000 (LI-COR) and the analysis of hemispheric photographs, using a software application Can-Eye. According to the simulation results, for different characteristics for canopy, it could be verified a maximum reduction of 1ºC in air temperature and 19°C for surface temperature, when comparing the obtained value under a dense canopy (elliptical form and LAI of 5m2/m2) to the conditions on the street. The maximum extension of these effects were up to 5m from the limits of the park, considering 1m/s for wind speed and 40% for soil humidity in the upper layer (0-20cm). The thermal index TEP calculated and it could be seen that the reduction of 1°C for air temperature can represent from 3°C to 5°C in terms of thermal comfort of people. By these results, the initial hypothesis has proven to be correct and showed not only the importance of the type of vegetation selected (canopy form, LAI values and geometric distribution of canopy openness) but also the characteristics of the surrounding environment (microclimatic and soil conditions). Furthermore, it will contribute to formulate public politics aiming to mitigate urban warming effect, mainly during daytime, in tropical cities.

A expectativa de alterações climáticas é especialmente importante para o setor agropecuário, uma vez que se trata de atividade que possui dependência dos ciclos naturais. O objetivo desta tese é avaliar impactos econômicos de cenários de mudança climática para a agricultura brasileira. Efeitos sobre áreas aptas de oito culturas (feijão, milho, soja, algodão, arroz, cana de açúcar, mandioca e café) são avaliados através de um modelo de equilíbrio geral computável, o The Enormous Regional Model for Brazil - TERM-BR, e cenários disponibilizados pela Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária - EMBRAPA, baseados no Painel Intergovernamental para a Mudança Climática - IPCC. Dois cenários são simulados com horizontes distintos, um para 2020 desconsiderando mudanças sociais e econômicas (2020/A2) e outro para 2070 com adaptações sociais e econômicas, nas projeções do IPCC (2070/B2). Para 2020/A2 os efeitos negativos concentram-se nas regiões Nordeste, conseqüência do clima semi-árido e perfil produtivo da região, além dos estados de Mato Grosso e Mato Grosso do Sul, resultado de impactos sobre a área apta para o produto soja. Em oposição, neste cenário, a região Sudeste beneficia-se, pois o produto cana de açúcar observa aumentos de rendimento sob aquecimento climático brando. O resultado líquido aponta para uma pequena redução da atividade econômica (PIB), elevação de preços de gêneros alimentícios e deslocamentos regionais da mão de obra, do Nordeste e Centro Oeste para as demais regiões. Para o segundo cenário, 2070/B2, novamente o Nordeste e o Centro Oeste são as regiões mais afetadas. Porém, os ganhos para a atividade econômica da região Sudeste são menores, uma vez que o efeito benéfico sobre a cana de açúcar desaparece em cenários mais severos de mudança climática. Como conseqüência, há um declínio nacional da atividade econômica superior ao cenário anterior. Naquilo que diz respeito ao mercado de trabalho permanecem as tendências de migração da mão de obra das regiões Nordeste e Centro Oeste para as demais regiões. Contudo, esta migração concentrase, proporcionalmente, nos estratos mais qualificados do mercado de trabalho. A mudança climática, na ausência de medidas de adaptação e mitigação mais intensas pode representar um risco para regiões historicamente subdesenvolvidas ou de desenvolvimento recente. Em especial, demonstra-se que os impactos econômicos no território brasileiro são heterogêneos entre as grandes regiões e os estados que o compõem. / The outlook of climate change is especially important for the farming sector, an economic activity where connection with natural cycles is strong. The objective of this thesis is to calculate economic impacts in scenarios of climatic change for Brazilian agriculture. Effect on appropriate areas of eight harvests (beans, maize, soy, cotton, rice, sugar cane, cassava and coffee) are evaluated through a model of computable general balance, the TERM-BR, and scenes available from EMBRAPA, based on the IPCC. Two scenarios are simulated with divergent perspectives, one for 2020 disrespecting social and economic changes (2020/A2) and another one for 2070 with social and economic adaptations, in the projections of the IPCC (2070/B2). For 2020/A2 the negative effect are concentrated in the regions Northeast, consequence of the several dry climate and production profile of the region, beyond the states of Mato Grosso and South´s Mato Grosso, outcome of impacts on the appropriate region for the soy. In antagonism, in this simulation, the Southeastern region is benefited; therefore the product sugar cane registers increases of income under soft climatic change scenario. The net result points with respect to a small reduction of the economic activity (GDP), rise of prices of foodstuffs and regional migration of the labor force, from Northeast and Center West for the other regions. For as the scenario, 2070/B2, the Northeast and the Center West are the affected regions also. However, the positive results for the economic activity in the Southeastern region are lesser, outcome of the smaller beneficial shock on the sugar cane in more severe scenarios of climate change. In this sense it has a national decline of the economic activity to the previous simulation. In labor market remain the trends of migration of the labor force from Northeast and Center West regions for the other regions. Nevertheless, this migration is intense, proportionally, in most qualified persons of the labor market. The climate change, in the lack of measures of intense adaptation and mitigation can represent a risk for historically underdeveloped regions or regions of recent development. In special, shows that the economic impacts in the Brazilian territory are heterogeneous between the great regions and the states that compose it.

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Over several decades, USU’s Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning (LAEP) Department and Extension specialists have engaged Utah’s rural communities through several design-based outreach activities. These activities are intended to benefit both community partners interested in learning how design can positively impact the community in tangible ways, and students, who are given the opportunity to engage with real-world projects. This study documents, evaluates, and assesses outcomes of community engagement projects undertaken by LAEP Extension to better understand the program’s impact over time and come up with approaches that will enhance the impact of future community engagement projects. This research develops a framework of indicators for assessing the impact of the selected LAEP Extension projects. Selection criteria ensures representation of an extensive array of project typologies and settings undertaken by LAEP Extension. Selected projects’ impact will be thoroughly assessed through detailed physical site examination of selected projects, administration of surveys/questionnaires/interviews with knowledgeable individuals for each project, evaluation of relevant economic data, and analysis of projects’ relationships to other local factors. Expected results include the assessment of issues related to preserving records of Extension projects, recommendations for establishing a model framework for assessing future projects’ impact, and structuring processes of documentation and evaluation for advancing research in landscape architecture, community engagement, and service-learning. It is also expected that this project will illuminate the way each project connects with Extension design engagement, subsequent project funding, and practitioner involvement. Targeted outcomes include a greater understanding of the impact of design on communities’ physical, economic, and social conditions; an increased capacity among community partners to apply design to issues that they identify in their communities; and greater collaboration between USU LAEP and Extension. Outcomes also include developing a model framework that can be used to assess, evaluate, and document the various impacts of university design engagement activities at both USU and other land grant-based design programs by evaluating past design Extension projects and future design engagement activities.

<p></p><p>Sorghum (<i>Sorghum bicolor) </i>is a well-known agronomic crop of global importance. The demand for sorghum as a food crop makes it the fifth most important cereal in the world. The grain of sorghum is utilized for food and feed, whereas the sorghum biomass may have many other uses such as for fodder, bioenergy or even for construction. Globally, sorghum is consumed as a food crop and used for home construction primarily in the developing world. The grain and biomass yield of sorghum is drastically reduced by the parasitic plant <i>Striga hermonthica </i>which is endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa. To date, only one sorghum gene, <i>LGS1</i>, has been characterized as a genetic mechanism that reduces <i>S. hermonthica</i> parasitism by altering the strigolactone composition of the host root exudates which results in a reduction of the parasites ability to germinate. To establish more durable resistance additional genetic variation needs to be identified that reduces the <i>S. hermonthica </i>parasitism in sorghum, but also reduces the parasitic weed seed bank by promoting suicidal germination. To that end, the PP37 multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) population was developed, originally as a recurrent selection population that was developed to recombine sorghum accessions with different putative resistance mechanisms to <i>S. hermonthica. </i>Whole genome sequences were developed for approximately 1,006 individuals of the PP37 MAGIC population. The population was phenotyped for <i>S. hermonthica </i>resistance during the 2016 and 2017 growing season in Northwestern Ethiopia. There was significant spatial variation in the <i>S. hermonthica </i>natural infestations that were partially attenuated for with artificial inoculation. The data was used to conduct a genome-wide association study that detected several subthreshold peaks, including the previously mapped <i>LGS1. </i>The highly quantitative nature of <i>S. hermonthica </i>resistance confounded with the complex spatial variation in the parasite infestations across a given location make it difficult to detect highly heritable variation across years and environments. </p> <p> In addition to <i>S. hermonthica </i>resistance, the plant architecture of the PP37 MAGIC was also assessed at a location in Northwestern Ethiopia that is free of the parasite, as it significantly reduces plant height. To asses plant architecture the total plant height, the height of the panicle base, flag leaf height, and pre-flag leaf height were collected using a relatively high-throughput barcoded measurement system. Sorghum head exertion and panicle length were derived from this data. The actual measures of plant architecture and the derived traits were used to conduct a genome-wide association study. The high heritability of this trait demonstrated the statistical power of the PP37 mapping population. Highly significant peaks were detected that resolved the <i>dwarf3</i> locus and an uncharacterized qHT7.1 that had only been previously resolved using a recombinant inbred line population. Furthermore, a novel significant locus was associated with exertion on chromosome 1. The random mating that was utilized to develop the PP37 MAGIC has broken the population structure that when present can hinder our ability associate regions of the genome to a given phenotype. As a result, novel candidate gene lists have been developed as an outcome of this research that refined the potential genes that need to be explored to validate qHT7.1 and the novel association on chromosome 1. </p> <p>This research demonstrated the power of MAGIC populations in determining the genomic regions that influence complex phenotypes, that facilitates future work in sorghum genetic improvement through plant breeding. This research however also demonstrates a large international research effort. The nuisances and lessons learned while conducting this international research project are also discussed to help facilitate and guide similar research projects in the future. The broader impacts of this research on the society at large are also discussed, to highlight the unique potential broader impacts of international research in the plant sciences. The broader impacts of this research include germplasm development and extensive human capacity building in plant breeding genetics for developing country students and aspiring scientists. Overall this research attempts to serve as a model for highlighting the interdisciplinary nature and complexity of conducting international plant science research, while also making significant strides in improving our understanding the genetic architecture of quantitative traits of agronomic importance in sorghum.</p><br><p></p>

Impact of drops on a dry smooth surface was studied at elevated chamber pressures and low Reynold's numbers to characterize the effect of chamber pressure on drop splashing and spreading. Two drop sizes of methanol, ethanol, propanol, hexadecane and diesel were tested for impact speeds between 1.5 - 3.3 m/s and pressure of upto 12 bars. Splash ratio, unlike the results of Xu et al, increased sharply with decreasing impact speed suggesting that drop speed is a more critical parameter for splash. Drop splashing was also found to be affected by drop shape, with drop distortion having a significant impact on splash promotion or suppression. In accordance with existing theory, drop spreading and maximum spread factor were found to be independent of pressure in the regime tested. These observations provide new insights and comparison data for evaluating and modeling the behavior of alternate fuels like ethanol.