Thesis (M.S.)--Baylor University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 128-136).

The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, South Dakota preserves a unique death assemblage of sub-adult and adult male Columbian mammoths (Mammuthus columbi). Extensive work on the site has led to a detailed understanding of the taphonomy of the assemblage; yet the life histories and ecology of these mammoths remain relatively unknown. Tooth enamel from four Mammoth Site mammoth individuals were bulk sampled with one of the individuals (MSL 742) also serially micro-sampled for 𝛿13C, 𝛿18O, and 87Sr/86Sr. Isotopic results indicate that MSL 742 remained within the southern and western Black Hills year-round with no consistent migration patterns. 𝛿13C and 𝛿18O values contain minimal fluctuations, suggesting drinking water and forage was sourced from the local hot springs and surrounding landscape. This study suggests the high level of sloped landscapes in the region may have resulted in a “bull”-only region, explaining the absence of females and juvenile mammoths at the site.

The morphology of mammoth upper third permanent molars (M3) is used to address regional- and continental-scale patterns in the structure of mammoth populations. Recent refinements to the understanding of Mammuthus phylogenetic diversity south of the Laurentide ice show extensive overlap between regional populations. We assess the underlying geographic structure in Mammuthus tooth morphology in light of these new genetic data. Comparison of regional trends in dental morphology show a single, morphologically variable, population of Mammuthus was present in North America during the Wisconsin glaciation. Within this population, there are no significant differences in degree of hypsodonty or molar shape however, there is a geographic pattern of lower enamel:dentin ratios in Mammuthus from the Channel Islands, West Coast, and Southwest/Mexico as measured by the number of molar lamellae and the standardized thickness of lamellae. These results contrast with historical perspectives of Mammuthus population structure suggesting at least four species of North American mammoths but are consistent with recent phylogeographic analyses of mitochondrial ancient DNA.

This thesis presents a new GIS-based scenario volcanic risk assessment model called RiskScape Volcano (RSV) that has been designed for the RiskScape program to advance the field of volcanic risk assessment. RiskScape is a natural hazards risk assessment software tool being developed in New Zealand by GNS Science and NIWA. When integrated into RiskScape, RSV will add proximal volcanic hazard risk assessment capability, and enhanced inventory design; it presently operates outside of RiskScape by combining volcanic hazard models’ output spatial hazard intensity (hazard maps) with inventory databases (asset maps) in GIS software to determine hazard exposure, which is then combined with fragility functions (relationships between hazard intensity and expected damage ratios) to estimate risk. This thesis consists of seven publications, each of which comprises a part of the development and testing of RSV: 1) results of field investigation of impacts to agriculture and infrastructure of the 2006 eruption of Merapi Volcano, Indonesia; 2) agricultural fragility functions for tephra damage in New Zealand based on the observations made at Merapi; 3) examination of wind patterns above the central North Island, New Zealand for better modeling of tephra dispersal with the ASHFALL model; 4) a description of the design, components, background, and an example application of the RSV model; 5) test of RSV via a risk assessment of population, agriculture, and infrastructure in the Rotorua District from a rhyolite eruption at the Okataina Volcanic Centre; 6) test of RSV via a comparison of risk to critical infrastructure in Mammoth Lakes, California from an eruption at Mammoth Mountain volcano versus an eruption from the Inyo craters; and 7) a survey of volcanic hazard awareness in the tourism sector in Mammoth Lakes. Tests of the model have demonstrated that it is capable of providing valid and useful risk assessments that can be used by local government and emergency management to prioritise eruption response planning and risk mitigation efforts. RSV has provided the RiskScape design team with a more complete quantitative volcanic risk assessment model that can be integrated into RiskScape and used in New Zealand and potentially overseas.

Mammoth Cave National Park (MCNP) contains a diversity of forest types due to a complex mosaic of landform, rock types and land-use history. The point-centered quarter method was used to collect data for a forested vegetation classification. Stratified random sampling was done in each of the various site types found within the boundaries of MCNP. A classification based on the information available in the matrix of species importance values from each site type was constructed using two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN). Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis was used to devise an automated vegetation mapping model that can be used to predict vegetation from environmental variables. A tool to assess the accuracy of model predictions was devised. The predicted vegetation map was stored within the GIS, and allows access to a variety of data associated with inventored, classifed, and predicted plant community types. / Department of Biology

This thesis presents a new GIS-based scenario volcanic risk assessment model called RiskScape Volcano (RSV) that has been designed for the RiskScape program to advance the field of volcanic risk assessment. RiskScape is a natural hazards risk assessment software tool being developed in New Zealand by GNS Science and NIWA. When integrated into RiskScape, RSV will add proximal volcanic hazard risk assessment capability, and enhanced inventory design; it presently operates outside of RiskScape by combining volcanic hazard models’ output spatial hazard intensity (hazard maps) with inventory databases (asset maps) in GIS software to determine hazard exposure, which is then combined with fragility functions (relationships between hazard intensity and expected damage ratios) to estimate risk. This thesis consists of seven publications, each of which comprises a part of the development and testing of RSV: 1) results of field investigation of impacts to agriculture and infrastructure of the 2006 eruption of Merapi Volcano, Indonesia; 2) agricultural fragility functions for tephra damage in New Zealand based on the observations made at Merapi; 3) examination of wind patterns above the central North Island, New Zealand for better modeling of tephra dispersal with the ASHFALL model; 4) a description of the design, components, background, and an example application of the RSV model; 5) test of RSV via a risk assessment of population, agriculture, and infrastructure in the Rotorua District from a rhyolite eruption at the Okataina Volcanic Centre; 6) test of RSV via a comparison of risk to critical infrastructure in Mammoth Lakes, California from an eruption at Mammoth Mountain volcano versus an eruption from the Inyo craters; and 7) a survey of volcanic hazard awareness in the tourism sector in Mammoth Lakes. Tests of the model have demonstrated that it is capable of providing valid and useful risk assessments that can be used by local government and emergency management to prioritise eruption response planning and risk mitigation efforts. RSV has provided the RiskScape design team with a more complete quantitative volcanic risk assessment model that can be integrated into RiskScape and used in New Zealand and potentially overseas.

This project laid the groundwork for an Internet-delivered Public Participation Geographic Information System to facilitate exploration and discovery of the past communities of the Mammoth Cave Park area. The emergence of Internet Web 2.0 design along with distributed GIS services allows for anyone to interact with and add to the information found on central Internet sites. Historical geography often relies upon public participation from individuals outside the academic world to provide narrative descriptions, photographs and manuscripts of past places and events to augment information held by institutions and academia. A public-participation website for the Mammoth Cave Historic GIS (MCHGIS) created a central Internet location for dispersed and disparate data related to pre-park communities to be presented with a geographic context. The MCHGIS project allowed for visualization of the pre-park communities in unique ways and contributed new understandings of this pre-park area.

The 52,830-acre Mammoth Cave National Park, located in the karst region of south-central Kentucky, was formally established in July of 1941, culminating nearly three decades of park creation that displaced several thousand residents of the region. This thesis sampled residents using the 1920 manuscript census for the United States Census of Population and Housing and tracked their migration destinations using the 1930 and 1940 manuscript censuses. Migration patterns for the entire sample, as well as by race and homeownership status, were identified through mapping. Out-migrants generally chose locations north, west, and east of the proposed park area, noticeably neglecting the Deep South. Statistical analyses proved significant differences between proportions of Black out-migrants and White out-migrants moving to urban areas, as well as those of homeowners and renters who were not successfully tracked during analysis. The research underlines unintended consequences of the forced out-migration from the proposed Mammoth Cave National Park and several factors that contributed to it. In the process, the thesis fills a gap in research on Mammoth Cave National Park and sheds light on an important aspect of Kentucky’s history.

Cultural landscape reports (CLR) are commonly utilized by the National Park Service to define the significance of cultural landscapes. This thesis explores the importance of documenting not only physical characteristics of cultural landscapes, but the cultural elements such as associated values, beliefs, ideas, and traditions. My applied research was conducted for Mammoth Cave National located in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky and focuses on the Crystal Cave District. Research explores data collected through archival research, a PPGIS exercise, and ethnographic interviews to examine the experiences and relationships between research participants and the Crystal Cave District. Research findings highlight the ways in which concepts such as place, history, identity, and tradition can act as significant factors in shaping environmental relationships today.

This thesis is an analysis and synthesis of the geologic and archaeological history of the Dickie Carr site, 41PR26, on Mill Creek in north central Texas. Included are analyses of the stratigraphy, sedimentary environments, and soils of the locality. A regional comparison is made with respect to the Late Quaternary geology of the upper Trinity River basin, Texas to interpret the geologic data. Two stratigraphic units were identified that record the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. The buried lower unit is comprised of terrace, floodplain, and channel deposits with extensive pedogenesis. The unit is Late Pleistocene in age and contains the remains of Mammuthus columbi. The upper stratigraphic unit is comprised of terrace and floodplain sediments with well-expressed pedogenesis. The unit is Early Holocene in age with Late Paleoindian and Late Archaic occupations. The archaeological components are compared and contrasted with documented sites from the Elm and East Forks of the Trinity River. The occupations are examined in a geoarchaeological context. The Late Paleoindian occupation is post-depositional and located in terrace deposits. The Late Archaic occupation is syndepositional and located in floodplain deposits.