Historians and geographers have focused on the study of the images of the West. Their studies have demonstrated that the images of the West were as important as reality itself in understanding the history of western Canada and the western Canadian identity. Both the regions history and identity have been influenced by the images of the West. Another way to look at the history and identity of the West is through climate. This thesis examines the images of the climate of western Canada in order to obtain new insight into western Canadian history and western Canadian identity. This new attempt is considered from three perspectives. First, the way in which Canadian expansionists advertised the West is described. In the latter half of the nineteenth century and the first decade of the twentieth century, Canada needed to dispel negative images of the western climate in order to attract millions of homesteaders. The climate portrayed in immigration pamphlets was all positive. Secondly, the actual experience of pioneer homesteaders is investigated by examining pioneer questionnaires, recorded interviews, and diaries. Settlers encountered the harsh reality of the climate. The real perception of the climate was very different from the idealized climate. Finally, literature and arts of the 1920s and 1930s demonstrate how the climate of western Canada was viewed at that time. The expansionists views were still influential even after the settlement boom. The actual perception was minimized by the ideal climate myth.

<p>The present study focuses on delineation of the southern edge of the middle Devonian Prairie Evaporite (PE) in south-central Saskatchewan. The purpose of this work was to improve the accuracy and resolution of subsurface mapping by including additional information from well logs and seismic data not included in the previous studies.</p><p>Approximately 330 km of 2-D seismic data were integrated with horizon picks from 1334 well logs to improve the delineation of the southern margin of the PE. Thirteen seismic lines were re-processed with an emphasis on high-frequency imaging. The resulting seismic sections show marked improvement in the accuracy and resolution of mapping of the PE salt edges, with the estimated depth resolution improved to ~15 m. Seismic data indicate that salt dissolution structures were created by multistage processes. Salt collapses were identified within the body of the Prairie Evaporite and off-salt.</p><p>Well log data were combined with seismic results and gridded to create an updated map of the Prairie Evaporite. Different gridding methods provided different interpolations of the data set, particularly where the salt layer is thin near its margin. Incorporation of seismic interpretations resulted in 2-9 km changes in the positions of the salt edges derived earlier from well log and limited seismic interpretations. Therefore, integration of the seismic and well log data should increase the accuracy of the positions of the salt edge.</p><p>In order to evaluate the effects of the basin fill on regional gravity signatures and to determine whether the effect of the salt edge could be observed in gravity data, two gravity profiles crossing the salt collapse margin and the Trans-Hudson Orogen and the Wyoming Structural Province were analysed. Regional-scale gravity modeling showed that the transition from the Trans-Hudson Orogen to Wyoming Province was marked by deep-seated structures within the basemen. Detailed gravity modeling of a shorter profile well-constrained by seismic data showed that the salt collapses contribute ~0.4 mgal to the total anomaly of about 4 mgal. Although a direct observation of salt edge by gravity appears hardly feasible, performing high-resolution gravity survey with station interval ~100 m might still be useful to constrain the overburden and thereby help detect salt collapses.

Accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere has triggered research on topics related to causes, effects, and solutions to potential problems associated with global warming. The present research was conducted to determine if grassland plant communities can be managed to promote sequestration of carbon in the soil, potentially mitigating the effects of increasing atmospheric CO2. The effects of shrub invasion or heavy livestock grazing on peak standing crop of phytomass, root mass and soil organic carbon content were therefore studied. These studies were complimented by a study of the decomposition rates of leaves and roots of snowberry and grasses. The effects of snowberry encroachment on peak standing crop of aboveground phytomass, and soil organic carbon content (SOC) were also studied. Total aboveground phytomass in the snowberry community was more than triple that of the ecotone and was 6-times greater than that of the grassland community. Similarly, the mass of large roots was greatest in the snowberry community (1.2 kg m-2, SE= 0.19), intermediate in the ecotone (0.5 kg m-2, SE= 0.08), and least in the grassland (0.1 kg m-2, SE= 0.04). Conversely, the mass of fine and medium roots was not different (P>0.05) among the three communities, averaging 0.7 kg m-2 in all communities (SE= 0.03, 0.07, 0.49 in snowberry, ecotone and grassland, respectively). Greater aboveground phytomass did not correspond with greater SOC in the snowberry community. Soil organic carbon in the upper 50 cm averaged 8.3 (SE= 0.7), 7.9 (SE= 1.0), and 7.9 (SE= 0.7) kg m-2 in snowberry, ecotone, and grassland communities, respectively. Peak standing crop of aboveground phytomass averaged 157 g m-2 (SE= 27) and 488 g m-2 (SE= 48) in grazed and ungrazed grassland, respectively. Conversely, grazing had no affect on root mass. The mass of fine roots averaged 0.9 kg m-2 (SE= 0.04) and 0.8 kg m-2 (SE= 0.06) in grazed and ungrazed grassland, respectively, while that of medium roots averaged 0.6 kg m-2 (SE= 0.07) in both grazing treatments. Total SOC in the upper 50 cm of soil was not affected (P>0.05) by livestock grazing, averaging 5.5 kg m-2 (SE= 0.7) in grazed and 6.8 kg m-2 (SE= 0.9) in ungrazed grassland. Livestock grazing also had no effect (P>0.05) on SOC at the 0-3, 3-10, 10-20, 20-30, and 30-40 cm depths. The SOC in fine- and coarse-textured soils averaged 7.6 kg m-2 (SE= 0.8) and 5.1 kg m-2 (SE=0.7), respectively. Differences existed between decomposition of roots and leaves for graminoids and snowberry. On a monthly basis decomposition was 0.6 to 0.8 % greater in leaves than roots. The decomposition of roots and leaves ranged from 2.2 to 5.0 % month-1. Decay rate constants for leaves ranged from 0.45 yr-1 (SE= 0.03) to 0.71 yr-1 (SE= 0.02) while those of roots ranged from 0.34 yr-1 (SE= 0.03) to 0.47 yr-1 (SE= 0.04). The decomposition of roots and leaves did not correspond with macroclimatic or regional climate data nor with initial C:N content of the plant material. In summary, invasion of snowberry into grassland does not appear to conflict with goals related to maintenance of SOC in Mixed Prairie. Current grazing management regimes also appear to be consistent with goals related to maintenance of existing SOC. Soil texture had a greater effect on SOC than management of the plant community. Decomposition of leaves and roots appeared to be controlled by many interacting factors such as plant organ type, collection year, study year (climate) and physical and/or chemical characteristics of the site.

Wetlands are very valuable ecosystems as they play an integral role in wildlife habitat, water management and greenhouse gas exchange. The exchange of carbon dioxide between prairie wetlands and the atmosphere is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to identify rates and trends in the growing season carbon dioxide flux from the riparian and open-water zone of a prairie pothole wetland. In addition to providing core open water and riparian zone CO2 flux measurements, relationships between variations in CO2 flux and characteristics of the wetland���s biological, biochemical and hydrometeorological state were assessed. The CO2 effluxes from the pond during the summer of 2006 were approximately four times greater than in 2005, but were much lower in the early fall. Algal chlorophyll-a concentrations were greater in 2005 than 2006 for all three algal assemblages. The mean chlorophyll-a concentrations in 2005 for epiphyton, phytoplankton and metaphyton were 2.75 �� 0.62 g m-2, 87 �� 24 �� L-1, and 318 �� 187 g m-2 respectively. In 2006 mean concentrations for the same assemblages were 0.008 �� 0.001 g m-2, 8 �� 2 �� L-1, and 27 g m-2 respectively. The amount of DOC in the open water in August of 2005 (140 mg DOC L-1) was 70 times greater than in July of 2005 (2 mg DOC L-1). DOC ranged from 30 to 52 mg DOC L-1 in 2006. Although highly productive, the pond proper appeared to be a source of DOC which is concurrent with literature from littoral zone and shallow inland waters. Soil respiration increased upslope from the wetland to the cropped upland in 2005. Net ecosystem exchange was greater in the cattail ring surrounding wetland than the grass and sedge zone beyond the cattails. The riparian vegetation may have been water stressed in late-July (at the climax of the dry period) when net ecosystem exchange decreased. Diurnal net ecosystem exchange in the riparian zone indicates uptake during the day and emissions at night. From this data it appears that the riparian zone may have acted as a CO2 sink in June, July and August and a source in April. / October 2008

<p>The present study focuses on delineation of the southern edge of the middle Devonian Prairie Evaporite (PE) in south-central Saskatchewan. The purpose of this work was to improve the accuracy and resolution of subsurface mapping by including additional information from well logs and seismic data not included in the previous studies.</p><p>Approximately 330 km of 2-D seismic data were integrated with horizon picks from 1334 well logs to improve the delineation of the southern margin of the PE. Thirteen seismic lines were re-processed with an emphasis on high-frequency imaging. The resulting seismic sections show marked improvement in the accuracy and resolution of mapping of the PE salt edges, with the estimated depth resolution improved to ~15 m. Seismic data indicate that salt dissolution structures were created by multistage processes. Salt collapses were identified within the body of the Prairie Evaporite and off-salt.</p><p>Well log data were combined with seismic results and gridded to create an updated map of the Prairie Evaporite. Different gridding methods provided different interpolations of the data set, particularly where the salt layer is thin near its margin. Incorporation of seismic interpretations resulted in 2-9 km changes in the positions of the salt edges derived earlier from well log and limited seismic interpretations. Therefore, integration of the seismic and well log data should increase the accuracy of the positions of the salt edge.</p><p>In order to evaluate the effects of the basin fill on regional gravity signatures and to determine whether the effect of the salt edge could be observed in gravity data, two gravity profiles crossing the salt collapse margin and the Trans-Hudson Orogen and the Wyoming Structural Province were analysed. Regional-scale gravity modeling showed that the transition from the Trans-Hudson Orogen to Wyoming Province was marked by deep-seated structures within the basemen. Detailed gravity modeling of a shorter profile well-constrained by seismic data showed that the salt collapses contribute ~0.4 mgal to the total anomaly of about 4 mgal. Although a direct observation of salt edge by gravity appears hardly feasible, performing high-resolution gravity survey with station interval ~100 m might still be useful to constrain the overburden and thereby help detect salt collapses.

Accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere has triggered research on topics related to causes, effects, and solutions to potential problems associated with global warming. The present research was conducted to determine if grassland plant communities can be managed to promote sequestration of carbon in the soil, potentially mitigating the effects of increasing atmospheric CO2. The effects of shrub invasion or heavy livestock grazing on peak standing crop of phytomass, root mass and soil organic carbon content were therefore studied. These studies were complimented by a study of the decomposition rates of leaves and roots of snowberry and grasses. The effects of snowberry encroachment on peak standing crop of aboveground phytomass, and soil organic carbon content (SOC) were also studied. Total aboveground phytomass in the snowberry community was more than triple that of the ecotone and was 6-times greater than that of the grassland community. Similarly, the mass of large roots was greatest in the snowberry community (1.2 kg m-2, SE= 0.19), intermediate in the ecotone (0.5 kg m-2, SE= 0.08), and least in the grassland (0.1 kg m-2, SE= 0.04). Conversely, the mass of fine and medium roots was not different (P>0.05) among the three communities, averaging 0.7 kg m-2 in all communities (SE= 0.03, 0.07, 0.49 in snowberry, ecotone and grassland, respectively). Greater aboveground phytomass did not correspond with greater SOC in the snowberry community. Soil organic carbon in the upper 50 cm averaged 8.3 (SE= 0.7), 7.9 (SE= 1.0), and 7.9 (SE= 0.7) kg m-2 in snowberry, ecotone, and grassland communities, respectively. Peak standing crop of aboveground phytomass averaged 157 g m-2 (SE= 27) and 488 g m-2 (SE= 48) in grazed and ungrazed grassland, respectively. Conversely, grazing had no affect on root mass. The mass of fine roots averaged 0.9 kg m-2 (SE= 0.04) and 0.8 kg m-2 (SE= 0.06) in grazed and ungrazed grassland, respectively, while that of medium roots averaged 0.6 kg m-2 (SE= 0.07) in both grazing treatments. Total SOC in the upper 50 cm of soil was not affected (P>0.05) by livestock grazing, averaging 5.5 kg m-2 (SE= 0.7) in grazed and 6.8 kg m-2 (SE= 0.9) in ungrazed grassland. Livestock grazing also had no effect (P>0.05) on SOC at the 0-3, 3-10, 10-20, 20-30, and 30-40 cm depths. The SOC in fine- and coarse-textured soils averaged 7.6 kg m-2 (SE= 0.8) and 5.1 kg m-2 (SE=0.7), respectively. Differences existed between decomposition of roots and leaves for graminoids and snowberry. On a monthly basis decomposition was 0.6 to 0.8 % greater in leaves than roots. The decomposition of roots and leaves ranged from 2.2 to 5.0 % month-1. Decay rate constants for leaves ranged from 0.45 yr-1 (SE= 0.03) to 0.71 yr-1 (SE= 0.02) while those of roots ranged from 0.34 yr-1 (SE= 0.03) to 0.47 yr-1 (SE= 0.04). The decomposition of roots and leaves did not correspond with macroclimatic or regional climate data nor with initial C:N content of the plant material. In summary, invasion of snowberry into grassland does not appear to conflict with goals related to maintenance of SOC in Mixed Prairie. Current grazing management regimes also appear to be consistent with goals related to maintenance of existing SOC. Soil texture had a greater effect on SOC than management of the plant community. Decomposition of leaves and roots appeared to be controlled by many interacting factors such as plant organ type, collection year, study year (climate) and physical and/or chemical characteristics of the site.

<p>Trumpet repertoire listings currently available to the public are often unsuitable for music instructors as means of adequately selecting repertoire for their students. This thesis will first discuss shortcomings of current trumpet repertoire lists and how a new listing would better serve the purpose of selecting new and appropriate works. A repertoire database design is presented with its many features, both musical and bibliographical. Further, technical considerations and issues concerning the implementation of such a database are discussed.</p> <p> Works for trumpet by Canadian Prairie composers was chosen as a body of repertoire to be cataloged in the database, as a means of presenting a prototype and therefore of limiting the number of initial database entries. Listing only works accessible in libraries and other public holdings warrants that pieces will be available for performance by the database users. </p> <p> As the application of the proposed database to this specific body of repertoire demonstrates, the database will be helpful to trumpet instructors seeking repertoire for students, as well as professionals wishing to create varied programs for performances and recordings, which include Canadian Prairie trumpet repertoire.</p>

Historians and geographers have focused on the study of the images of the West. Their studies have demonstrated that the images of the West were as important as reality itself in understanding the history of western Canada and the western Canadian identity. Both the regions history and identity have been influenced by the images of the West. Another way to look at the history and identity of the West is through climate. This thesis examines the images of the climate of western Canada in order to obtain new insight into western Canadian history and western Canadian identity. This new attempt is considered from three perspectives. First, the way in which Canadian expansionists advertised the West is described. In the latter half of the nineteenth century and the first decade of the twentieth century, Canada needed to dispel negative images of the western climate in order to attract millions of homesteaders. The climate portrayed in immigration pamphlets was all positive. Secondly, the actual experience of pioneer homesteaders is investigated by examining pioneer questionnaires, recorded interviews, and diaries. Settlers encountered the harsh reality of the climate. The real perception of the climate was very different from the idealized climate. Finally, literature and arts of the 1920s and 1930s demonstrate how the climate of western Canada was viewed at that time. The expansionists views were still influential even after the settlement boom. The actual perception was minimized by the ideal climate myth.

Thesis (M.S.)--Eastern Illinois University, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 29-35).

This study assessed the influence of terrestrial invertebrate abundance and vegetation characteristics on northwest Minnesota greater prairie chicken brood success. Radio telemetry was used to determine movements of greater prairie chicken hens and their broods. Invertebrate abundance indices were collected using a sweep net and vegetation data were recorded with overhead and dot-board photographs. Invertebrates were dried, sorted by size and order, and weighed and counted. Vegetation was classified according to life form and height was measured. Greater prairie chicken broods appear to use those habitats most readily available with increased invertebrate resources. Invertebrate biomass was not related to the occurrence of uncultivated forbs which averaged < 17% in Minnesota habitats where greater prairie chicken broods were located. Relatively undisturbed grasslands produce sufficient invertebrate resources to fledge greater prairie chicken chicks. However, location data and invertebrate-habitat indices suggest increased brood success would be likely with improved habitat placement/availability and irregular disturbance regimes that produce beneficial mixed grass/forb vegetation attractive to both greater prairie chicken broods and their invertebrate prey.