Efficient use of water in agricultural production involves accurate assessment and control of the quantity and spatial uniformity of excess percolation. Passive Capillary Samplers (PCAPS), which sample water from the vadose zone have shown potential to provide superior estimates of soil water flux compared to alternative methods. In a four-year study, 42 PCAPS installed in 21 commercial agricultural fields in Lane County, OR, USA were monitored monthly to evaluate their operational characteristics and ability to estimate soil solution flux. The PCAPS showed little evidence of technical failure, with only two of the 42 installed samplers found to operate inefficiently. Installation of 10 of the 42 samplers in locations susceptible to high or perched water tables resulted in submersion of the samplers, rendering them inoperable. On average, the PCAPS measured soil water flux 25% greater than that obtained from a water balance estimate. This discrepancy was attributed to a possible inaccuracy in water balance evapotranspiration estimates, along with a violation of the PCAPS design assumptions which suggests over-sampling would occur in the presence of high water tables. Analysis of the PCAPS collection ability indicates that to estimate the mean yearly recharge at each site with a 30% bound on the mean at the 0.05 confidence level, eight PCAPS are required. This number corresponds closely to the results of Brandi-Dohrn et al. (1996a) and is thought to be due to intrinsic variability of percolation. Spatial uniformity in irrigation water application is essential to reducing excess percolation. Twelve sprinkler irrigation systems used under commercial crop production in Lane County, OR were evaluated for equipment wear and performance. Field measurements of sprinkler nozzle size and discharge rate were recorded for each system and used to estimate water application patterns. New sprinkler nozzles were installed on six of the 12 irrigation systems to compare potential application rate and uniformity with existing system performance. Despite reducing the coefficient of variation in discharge between sprinklers from 10% to 2%, little increase in water application uniformity was attained by replacing the nozzles. A 13% decrease in mean water application rate was documented when new nozzles replaced worn parts. The over-application due to worn or mismatched nozzles gives rise to the potential for increased surface redistribution and deep percolation, resulting in water and nutrient losses. / Graduation date: 1998

No description available.

I offer a personal and prehistoric exploration of the concept of immanence, the principle of a divine force living, remaining, and operating within living creatures, inherent in the human, including the female; a unifying force that connects humans to each other, to nature, and to the earth. I examine the concept in three contexts: First, I share my own awakening to the earthly divine and my re-connection with the life-giving energies of the prehistoric Goddess, with my fellow human beings, and with the earth. Second, I describe the emergence of gender studies in the field of archaeology. Third, I examine a variety of theories that purport to explain the prehistoric shift away from cultures founded on egalitarian, immanent ways of living to the patriarchal, transcendent paradigms that currently dominate Western civilization In my examination of immanence, I highlight the damage done by hierarchical social structures and philosophical systems which separate humanity from the earth and from each other. However, the primary purpose of this examination is to illuminate the joy and the inherent good in rediscovering more egalitarian social structures and in reconnecting with one's own self, with humanity, and with the earth. The chapters are connected by an underlying theme of transformation from a state of separation and transcendence to one of connection and immanence. In chapter 1 I describe my personal, feminist transformation and re-engagement with the world during my journey through graduate school. I share my discovery of the prehistoric, life-nurturing spirituality of the great Goddess, my inquiry into the nature of gender studies in archaeology, and my connection with the Women Studies community at OSU. In the first half of Chapter 2 I detail the emergence of gender studies in archaeology and draw on various archaeological and feminist sources to describe challenges to many of the assumptions about sexuality, gender roles, reproductive priorities, and social structures of ancient cultures which are contained in traditional (androcentric) archaeology. In the second half of the chapter I present theories, gleaned from a review of archaeological and feminist literature, of the documented worldwide prehistoric shift away from egalitarian, life-giving, earth-centered social and spiritual frameworks toward hierarchical, life-threatening, male-centered social and religious frameworks. I conclude with observations about the political nature of my personal transformation and give examples of the trend toward reviving immanent social and spiritual practices in modern Western society. Rather than a definitive argument about the cause or causes of humanity's loss of an immanent world view, my thesis is offered as a sharing of my experiences, feelings, observations. and intuitions It is subjective and emotional as well as academic and rational It is intended to stimulate thought and discussion, and to offer hope to others who are rediscovering the joy of engagement on this earthly plane. / Graduation date: 1999

Graduation date: 2001

The studies of tidal current and sea level variation in the Taiwan Strait are popular topics in recent years. The sea level data, to be applied to data analysis or model forcing and validation, are mostly observed in the near shore region. It is relative not easier to obtain real tidal data in the offshore area. This study intended to obtain sea level data within Taiwan Strait, using in-situ water depth measurements collected by EK500 of research vessels OR1, OR2 and OR3 during 1989-2003. The basic assumption of this work is that the changes of sea level and topographical depth equal to observed water depth. By using a large set of field measurements, it is possible to get bottom topography such that tidal data can be extracted by harmonic analysis of long-term discrete time series of water depth data. A total of 1513 cruises of water depth data were collected, which account for nearly 6 million samples. These data were screened through a series of criteria for quality control. Firstly, data were plotted cruise by cruise ( longitude vs latitude , longitude vs depth , time vs depth), then reasonable range of time, depth and region were choosed manually. Second, outliers, defined as values greater than 3 standard deviations on 5 point moving mean along the cruise track (or time), were replaced by linear interpolation values. Finally, a 2-minute moving average was applied to the along track time series water depth data. This step was trying to remove the effect of surface waves. The original huge records were reduced to about 550,000 valuable samples for the 1513 cruises data. According to the density distribution of water depth samples in Taiwan Strait, 32 sub-region were selected for topography and harmonic analyses. In each sub-region, the bottom topography was mapped by an optimal interpolation method through a Gaussian weighting function. The radius of Gaussian weighting function applied is 3 time of the distance of grid. Water depth samples subtracted topographical depth of nearby grid to form a set of sea level data ready for harmonic analysis. The phase and amplitude of semi-diurnal tides (M2) and diurnal tides (K1¡BO1) in each sub-region were computed for the 32 regions in Taiwan Strait. The water depth measurements derived sea level variations were compatible with that of a global tidal model (OSU) and a set of moored long-term pressure records in the middle of the strait. Especially, the tidal phase among these results were quite close. However, the tidal amplitudes of water depth data derived were smaller. Sensitivity analysis showed that the errors, differences between OSU model and depth derived sea levels, were small with regions of high density of water depth measurements. Both harmonic derived sea level variations and OSU model predictions indicated a southward propagating tidal wave, which matched with the scenario of Kevin wave propagation in Taiwan Strait. Our analysis also showed that the sea level variations in the northern part of the strait were dominated by M2 and K1 components while the southern part of the strait were dominated by M2 and O1 components.

No description available.

No description available.

This study explores private and public campground markets in Oregon. A profile of private and public campgrounds, their prices, location, and amenities, served as the supply side statistics while responses from the 1997 Campground Questionnaire provided data for demand of Oregon campgrounds. The questionnaire inquired about respondents' last camping trip in Oregon, where they camped, how much they paid, the facilities available, the activities in which they participated, socioeconomic attributes, and included a dichotomous choice contingent valuation (CV) question. These data were used to statistically analyze differences in the supply and demand for the private and public campground sectors. First, the inventory was examined using OLS to estimate the effects of campground amenities and location on user fees charged at different campsite types at private, federal, and state campgrounds. Second, I used the survey data (i.e., respondent profiles and campground attributes) to estimate substitution probabilities among campsite type and campground ownership using a nonlinear multinomial logit model. Questionnaire information was also utilized to test for market segmentation and identify the user groups' characteristics. Finally, I utilized responses to the CV question to determine the amount of consumer surplus for Oregon state parks. The significant inventory results were as follows. The model predicted that tent sites at state campgrounds are more expensive, on average than tent sites at private campgrounds. National Forest campgrounds located in eastern Oregon, on average, are less expensive than those at private and state campgrounds. The survey statistical results predicted that users of tent sites appear to be the least price sensitive, for both private and public markets. Recreational vehicle owners are more price sensitive than tent owners in both the private and public markets. Furthermore, those campers that choose a full hookup site are the most likely to use the OPRD reservation system. The contingent valuation data revealed, through linear regression, that campers would be willing to pay $44.71 more than they currently pay for a camping trip if the payment were used to improve and maintain state parks. This research is intended to contribute statistical reference for user fees and general market information to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. / Graduation date: 1999

No description available.

No description available.