The continental terrace west of Oregon between 43° 50'N and 44° 40' N latitude is 50 to 55 miles wide. It consists of a continental shelf, 16 to 35 miles wide, and a continental slope, 16 to 37 miles wide. The eastern portion of the shelf is a smooth, sediment covered area that slopes very gently west. The western portion of the shelf contains four rocky bank areas. The banks are topographically irregular and appear to be of structural origin. West of the banks the shelf edge occurs at depths of 71 to 90 fathoms. The continental slope extends from the edge of the shelf to the abyssal plain at depths of 1530 to 1610 fathoms. A smooth upper slope of less than three degrees extending to depths of 117 to 250 fathoms occurs north and south of Heceta Bank. West of Heceta Bank the upper slope is formed by a scarp that slopes 10° to 16° to 560 to 725 fathoms. West of the upper slope there is an area of irregular topography, including benches, hills and scarps, which extends to depths of 380 to 1100 fathoms. The lower part of the slope is formed by a north-striking scarp which is 3000 to 6000 feet high and slopes 04° to 15°. The bathymetry indicates that the continental slope was formed by step-type, block faulting. Sediments form a thin surface layer over much of: the terrace. Detrital sand, similar to the coastal sand, covers the shelf from the shoreline to approximately 50 fathoms. The deeper areas on the shelf and upper part of the slope are covered by glauconitic sands and silts on the topographic highs and olive green, clayey silts in the topographic lows. The intermediate and lower portions of the slope are blanketed with olive-green, clayey silt. In these sediments the sand fraction, which generally comprises less than five percent of the sample, is composed chiefly of diatoms, Foraminifera, Radiolaria, and sponge spicules. Sands are also present on the intermediate and deep portions of the slope. Dredge hauls west of Newport obtained sand composed mainly of detrital grains which may have been derived from an underlying friable sandstone. Thin layers of sand occur in cores from other portions of the slope. These sands may have been derived by down slope movement of sediment from the upper slope and the shelf. Sedimentary rocks of Upper Miocene and Pliocene age crop out on the shelf banks and on the continental slope. The banks consist of a sequence of diatomaceous, clayey siltstones with interbeds and concretions of calcareous siltstones. Glauconite sandstone, gray wacke sandstone, and limestone breccia are exposed along with the siltstone, on the northern end of Heceta Bank. Most of the rocks obtamed from the slope are similar to those from the shelf. Friable, wacke sandstone is exposed on the slope west of Newport. Foraminifera, the sand fraction compositions, and textural analyses all indicate that the sediment forming the siltstones from the shelf were deposited at lower littoral to lower bathyal depths. The sediments forming the rocks were deposited in one or more sedimentary basins during the Miocene and Pliocene. The subsidence continued until the. Late Pliocene when the area began to rise. The area was uplifted as much as 1000 fathoms by the Late Pleistocene when the shelf was eroded by transgressions and regressions resulting from sea level changes. The last rise in sea level resulted in the erosion of the shelf to its present form and the deposition of a thin layer of sediment. Sand is presently being deposited on the shallow areas adjacent to the continent, and silt and clay are being laid down on the slope and the sheltered areas of the outer shelf. / Graduation date: 1965

Declining harvest levels, static agency research budgets, and increasing tension among scientists, managers, and industry members are the legacy of the present research and management institutions in the West Coast groundfish fishery. Cooperative research, the active participation of the commercial fishing industry in scientific research, is receiving increased attention as a potential alternative to current practices. Its strongest attributes are its potential to improve the spatial and temporal coverage of fisheries data collection and its potential to reduce marginal research costs. Despite these potential benefits, there are several obstacles to adopting cooperative research on a large scale including concerns about biased data, compatibility and continuity with current data gathering regimes, and the motivations of the participants. This paper examines the role that attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions play in influencing one's willingness to participate in cooperative research. Six focused discussions were held with industry, scientists, and managers in the West Coast groundfish fishery to define the key issues of cooperative research and to assist in designing a written questionnaire. The questionnaire was mailed to scientists, managers, and industry members in the groundfish fishery to elicit responses on issues including the current science and management process, uncertainty, industry-scientist working relationships, and the costs and benefits of potential cooperative research projects. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine response differences among groups, and discriminant analysis was employed to identify characteristics that differentiated among groups formed as a result of their survey responses. Results indicated that both scientists and industry believe cooperative research has potential for improving fisheries science, however there were significant differences between the groups on most other issues. Generally, industry respondents were more critical of the industry-scientist working relationship and scientists' and managers' commitment to cooperation than were the scientists and managers themselves. Scientists tended to be more skeptical than industry about the direct involvement of industry in fisheries science projects such as port interview programs and independent industry scientist research organizations. Both groups demonstrated considerable heterogeneity, although industry tended to hold a greater diversity of opinions and perceptions than did scientists. Significant differences on certain issues were often explained by one's degree of involvement in the management process, state of residence, employer, job description, and gear type. The results of this survey provide useful data for the selection and design of future cooperative research projects and identify areas upon which scientists, managers, and industry need to improve if cooperative research is to play a larger role in fisheries science. / Graduation date: 2000

The atmospheric response to the oceanic forcing in the eastern Pacific along the northern equatorial sea surface temperature (SST) front is investigated in terms of sensible and latent heat flux during the 6-month period 28 July 1999 through 27 January 2000. Of particular interest is the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) response to oceanic Tropical Instability Waves (TIWs) that distort the SST front during May through January in normal years. In previous studies, time series of boundary layer properties clearly show the influence of TIWs but the relationship to spatial patterns of SST and wind stress has been inferred only from sparse in situ data. In this study, satellite observations are used to composite in situ data from moorings to compensate for the lack of a spatially dense mooring array. The variability in the position of the SST front caused by propagating TIWs enables fixed mooring locations to measure the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) response from a large range of locations relative to the front. The satellite data enable determination of the precise location of the mooring relative to the front. The advantage of this strategy is the recurring measurement of the ABL response to the SST front over the six month period considered here. The results indicate that the TIW-induced perturbations of sensible and latent heat flux are spatially shifted in phase towards the east relative to the perturbations of SST. The maximum fluxes are not centered directly over the warmest water, but are shifted towards the portion of the frontal region where a disequilibrium boundary layer is expected due to the advection of colder air from the equatorial region. The changes of sensible and latent heat fluxes across the SST front have magnitudes of about 11 Wm⁻² and 126 Wm⁻², respectively. The sensible and latent heat flux patterns are interpreted in two complementary ways: (1) as an atmospheric response to the change of oceanic forcing as air flows across the SST front; and (2) as the atmospheric response to westward propagating TIWs along the SST front. / Graduation date: 2001

Macroinvertebrates constitute the backbone of megafaunal communities in benthic ecosystems around the globe. Many macroinvertebrates have vital roles in benthic ecosystems, ranging from enhancing habitat complexity to providing staple food sources for other organisms. Regardless of how familiar macroinvertebrates are to the general public, very few studies have attempted to describe benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages across large spatial scale in the continental shelf waters of the Pacific Northwest. This study describes different subtidal macroinvertebrate assemblages off Washington and Oregon based on species-substrata associations and the key species that distinguish one assemblage from another. Two data sets were used for this study: underwater footage collected by the submersible Delta during 1993-1995 geological surveys, and footage collected by the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Hammerhead during macroinvertebrate surveys in late summer 2011. Footages from these surveys were used to document species-substrata associations and distinguish different assemblages based on species composition similarities and dissimilarities. In addition, I determined if a specific group of invertebrates, Asteroids (Echinodermata), were useful in explaining different assemblage patterns, after all other environmental parameters were taken into account. Findings of this study can be used not only to shed light on the structure of macroinvertebrate communities in the Pacific Northwest, but also as baseline data for future research on the direct and indirect effects of potential offshore installations on macroinvertebrate communities across the continental shelf waters. / Graduation date: 2012

Wheat breeders must effectively maintain and manage existing genetic diversity in order to continue the development of superior genotypes. It is therefore fundamental that the genetic relationships and diversity within the germplasm pools be thoroughly characterized and understood. Recently, DNA-based markers have provided powerful tools for genetic diversity analysis. This study investigates the usefulness of nuclear and chloroplast simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers in characterizing Pacific Northwest wheat (Triticum aestivum) breeding germplasm, and explores the patterns of genetic relatedness revealed by these markers. The 15 chloroplast SSRs were effective in differentiating between B-type, D-type, and barley (Hordeum vulgare) cytoplasms. Genetic distance estimates were determined for each pair of lines studied and analyzed using UPGMA clustering. The markers revealed five plastomic types within the B-type cytoplasm studied. Several lines of wheat in this germplasm, including important PNW cultivars like Madsen, were found to contain D-type cytoplasm rather than the B cytoplasm of wheat. Nuclear SSR assays using 24 markers revealed three major clusters of germplasms: PNW soft white winter wheat, Western European-derived lines, and Great Plains accessions, as well as two clusters of more distantly related lines and genetic stocks. The primary defining characteristic of these clusters was regional adaptation. Subgroups of these major groups often clustered together on the basis of pedigree and market class. When nuclear and chloroplast SSR data was combined in analysis, the primary defining characteristic of the dendrogram became the type of cytoplasm rather than regional adaptation, with secondary divisions based on pedigree relationships. Cultivars released prior to 1950 were found to have a minimum of 20% of alleles in common for nuclear and chloroplast data combined, despite being unrelated via pedigree information. Heterogeneity was 2.3% for all marker/variety combinations. Overall, these sets of markers were found to be effective in characterizing the genetic relatedness of PNW wheat breeding germplasm. / Graduation date: 2003

This study sought to understand how post-secondary students experience and process issues of diversity, to discover what those views of diversity are, and how those views might change. The two issues that participants felt most strongly about were homosexuality and scholarships for students of color. Their views on homosexuality ranged from admitted homophobia, to ambivalence, to tolerance, to full acceptance. Religion seemed to play a part among those who were ambivalent, but not for those who were homophobic. Views were not static, but shifted depending on the circumstances. A participant who might object to a homosexual serving in the military might have no problem having a homosexual as a neighbor. Regarding scholarships for students of color, some of the 27 White students agreed that this was fair, while others seemed to resent the idea and questioned its need. Two of the four multi-racial students were somewhat sympathetic to the latter view. A high degree of acceptance on one diversity issue did not necessarily mean high acceptance on other issues. A participant who advocated for gays to have equal admittance and acceptance in the military was against scholarships for students of color. Participants' views were most influenced by their personal experiences. Interventions such as coursework, workshop, panel presentation, and social contact seemed to have a less influence than personal experiences. Those pivotal moments, as discussed by Young Y. Kim, seemed to have caused stress, adaptation, and growth, which resulted in a greater awareness of an issue, of themselves, and of others. The rejection of experiences and interventions might be explained by encapsulation, as proposed by C. Gilbert Wrenn. Encapsulated individuals seem to choose to reject information or experiences that might challenge their views. The implication for educators is to provide more opportunities for students to have personal experiences involving diversity that might lead to pivotal moments. Thirty-one undergraduates at a small, liberal arts university in the Pacific Northwest were interviewed three times over an average of seven weeks. All had participated in a nationally known diversity workshop and had also participated in regular courses that addressed diversity issues. / Graduation date: 2002

This phenomenological research study focused on educational change as perceived by 16 Liberal Arts faculty members at a Pacific Northwest community college. Research data were collected through in-depth dialogic interviews and a follow-up dialogue session with six participants. The principal guiding research questions comprised the following: 1) What is the context of the community college? The institution is facing severe budgetary restrictions, widening diversity of students, the implementation of new technologies and distance learning, changing faculty and administrator roles, competition from the private sector, and the redefining of the community college role. 2) What is the background of the faculty participants? In the past, faculty have experienced a collegial culture and a shared sense of purpose, which no longer seems to exist. Their values are deeply connected to the social responsibilities of education and student needs, which they feel is at odds with the trend toward commodification of education. 3) What are faculty's perceptions of change and its effects? Change is constant; and instructors adapt incrementally. Mandated changes are seen to have fuzzy meanings and hidden agendas, which sometimes go against the core values of higher education. 4) What do faculty want? Faculty want to wrestle with the issues and solutions for dealing with change collaboratively, and they need the time and space to do so. They also want administrators to hear their voice, and to include faculty priorities in educational decision-making. Faculty participants had clear ideas on ways that would make the implementation of change more successful and meaningful in their lives and in the future of their community college: 1) Make change for a worthy or merited purpose. 2) Listen to what faculty have to say. 3) Allow faculty to wrestle with the challenges. 4) Provide faculty with support and recognition. 5) Keep student needs as a central priority. 6) Maintain the human values and social purpose of education. Most important, faculty feel that the human element cannot be discounted or forgotten in the rush to transform higher education, for faculty are the ones charged with the implementation of most change initiatives and they must deal with the consequences. / Graduation date: 2002

Despite many investigations genotype by environment interaction remains one of the least understood factors in plant improvement. Understanding genotypic differences responsible for such interactions could assist in making more informed breeding decisions. The components of yield being less complex than grain yield per se may be useful for selection to improve adaptation of genotypes and enhance grain quality. However, the potential compensatory response among the components of yield could compromise their usefulness as selection criteria. To evaluate this aspect fifteen cultivars, including Soft White, Hard White and Hard Red wheats, were planted at three diverse locations over two growing seasons. Genotypes were ranked based on measurements for specific traits in each environment. The genotype by environment interaction for grain yield, protein concentration and hardness were investigated according to the AMMI model. Influence of environmental factors and genotype by environment interactions on associations among selected traits were determined. The results of this study showed that genotypic differences in adaptation to the Pacific Northwest and resistance to Septoria spp. were responsible for interactions for grain yield. However, no consistent patterns of response were found among the similar cultivars for quality traits. Those environments that favored expression of biomass and grain weight potential provided for enhanced performance of the adapted cultivars. The environments with suppressed biomass accumulation and grain filling interacted positively with the unadapted cultivars. A large compensatory relationship between tillering and apical growth was detected. No or low compensation was observed between grains per spike and thousand kernel weight. Two different strategies were proposed for improvement of Soft and Hard White wheat cultivars under the conditions of the Pacific Northwest. Both strategies accentuate importance of increasing biomass while maintaining harvest index. When selecting for higher yielding Soft White cultivars, plants with larger leaves, stronger stems, larger spikes and heavier grains should be emphasized. For Hard Whites - higher number of tillers and grains m����� is desired, as they provide for harder grains with higher protein content. / Graduation date: 2000

This thesis contains a manuscript describing the implementation of a high resolution wave forecasting model for the coasts of Washington and Oregon. The purpose of this project was to advance the wave predictive capabilities of the states of Oregon and the southwest part of Washington by including the effects of local bathymetric features in the operational forecasts. A 30 arc-second resolution wave forecasting model was implemented making use of the WAVEWATCH III numerical code covering the coastal region from Klamath, CA to Taholah, WA. The wave forecasts extend to the continental shelf at this resolution. To assess the performance of the model, its output was compared against in situ data, with normalized root-mean-squared errors in significant wave height in the vicinity of 0.20 and linear correlation coefficients greater than 0.80. Making use of the resulting validated regional scale wave forecasting system, an evaluation of the model sensitivity to the inclusion of bottom friction and wind input at the shelf level was performed. Results suggest that neither dissipation due to bottom friction or wind generation are significant for long term forecasting/hindcasting in the region. Results from a series of hindcasts suggest that several significant offshore features may affect the nearshore wave field. To evaluate it, a shelf scale SWAN model was implemented and a series of numerical experiments performed. Results suggest that the Astoria and McArthur Canyons; the Stonewall, Perpetua, and Heceta Banks; and Cape Blanco are significant bathymetric features that are capable of producing significant alongshore variability in wave heights nearshore. / Graduation date: 2013

About 7,000 years ago two major tephra-falls blanketed the Pacific Northwest in volcanic ash. These two tephra-falls, identified as the Llao and climatic tephra-falls, were a part of the eruptive events that led up to the collapse of Mount Mazama to form Crater Lake in the southern Oregon Cascades. The tephra-falls occurred about 200 years apart at around 7,000 years B.P. and 6,800 years B.P. for the Llao and climatic eruptions respectively. The effects of the tephra-falls on the flora, fauna, and people of the period have been characterized by different researchers as ranging from minimal to catastrophic. In an attempt to better understand the affects of these two events on the flora, fauna, and people, a model is presented to help organize the various lines of research into a coherent whole and to suggest profitable areas of research which have not yet been completed. The model is based on ecological and anthropological theory with a strong reliance on analogy with modern ecosystems and volcanic hazards research. The model makes use of the ecosystem concept as the framework for the interaction of the abiotic, or nonliving habitat, with the biotic, or living system. The biotic organisms are adapted to the characteristics of the abiotic habitat and in many respects the composition, frequencies, and distributions of biotic organisms are determined by their tolorance levels to these characteristics. Tephra-falls act as environmental disturbances which change the abiotic habitat of the ecosystem. Therefore, any changes caused by such a disturbance in the abiotic characteristics that are not optimal or are outside of the tolorance limits of the biotic (flora and fauna) components should cause changes in the composition, distribution, and frequency of organisms within the ecosystem. The changes brought about by the tephra-falls may be described by successional and evolutionary processes through analysis of pollen and faunal remains, population demography as described by mortality profiles, and research into the reaction of specific flora and fauna within adaptational types to the properties of tephra-falls and the tephra as a soil body. The state factors used to describe the abiotic component of the ecosystem are: time, distribution, material properties, climate, and geomorphology. The state factor of time involves the determination of the occurrence in time of the event(s), the duration of the event(s), the season of occurrence of the event(s), and the residence time of tephra in the ecosystem. This state factor is used to define the specific point in time and duration of the effects of the tephra-fall(s) for individual ecosystems. The state factor of distribution describes the aerial extent and thickness of the air-fall deposits. This state factor determines the extent of the initial disturbance. The state factor of climate describes the specific components of rainfall, wind, and temperature which control ecosystem composition and development, and the changes to the climate which may have occurred due to volcanic aerosols associated with the eruption. The state factor of geomorphology describes the location of tephra and nontephra bodies across the landscape and through time as the tephra is reworked by wind, water, and gravity from the initial air-fall positions. The determination of the long term distribution of the tephra is important in determining post-event influences on ecosystems as described by the material properties of the tephra. It is argued that most people were not greatly harmed by the Mazama tephra-fall events themselves, but instead may have been greatly affected by a loss of food resources during and after the events. Changes in food resource availability and exploitation locations due to the tephra-falls may have resulted in changes in both settlement and subsistence activities. Changes in settlement and subsistence activities may be seen in a corresponding change in differential frequencies of functional tool types across space and time. The kind and amount of expected changes in settlement and subsistence systems are linked to distance from the source of the tephra, the stability and compostion of pre-disturbance ecosystems, the types and intensity of resource exploitation, and the amount of variability in subsistence and settlement traits which were available to the sociocultural system. / Graduation date: 1988