Mississippi’s landscape is comprised of sixtyive percent forest and is a vital artery for the state economy. Each year, an average of 4,000 wildfires occur that burn more than 60,000 acres statewide. This study examines correlations of cumulative precipitation for Mississippi’s nine physiographic regions during 1991– 2005 with total number of acres burned during peak wildfire season in Mississippi. Statistical analyses suggests that significant correlations exist between the cumulative precipitation at one, two, and three months prior to Mississippi’s early wildfire season and the total number of acres burned and the total number of fires. These findings, in conjunction with ongoing Mississippi wildfire research, may be incorporated into a potential predictive fire risk model for the state of Mississippi.

A major tropical storm will strike in the area of West Central Florida. In anticipation of this storm, this study seeks to predict the specific areas within the Baker Canal drainage basin that will be inundated as a result of this expected event. There are few references concerning extreme flooding in small drainage basins within existing literature. For the purposes of this study this event was considered to be a Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) as defined by Crippen and Bue (1977). The Hydrologic Engineering Centers' Geographic River Analysis System was used to develop water surface elevations and flow rates. Maps depicting this potential flooding at various flood stages were produced using the Environmental Survey Research Institute's geographic Information mapping program ArcView3.3. This investigation produced estimates of the surface area of a Probable Maximum Flood and the estimated flood inundated 23.7% of the study area. The estimated extent of Probable Maximum Flood indicates that the flood will affect one thousand and seventy six (1,076) homes and other structures. The study found that eight hundred and sixty three (863) acres or 27% of the land within the PMF flood zone is listed for future development by the County Planning Commission. When this projected development area is added to existing developed land area a total of 85% of all developed land within the estimated flood area will be submerged and subject to damage. An extreme flood study on a small drainage basin prior to the event can be a viable tool for mitigation planning if it is recognized that there are variables that can produce a relatively large range of error. The potential for this type of study is in its' comparison with an actual event affecting the same area. If the predicted study and the real event study agree within reasonable limits then, maximum flood investigations on small basins could be considered a useful tool in hazard reduction.

No description available.

No description available.

The research was undertaken to provide basic information on Mn in Virginia soils and to evaluate rates and methods of Mn application to correct Mn deficiency in soybeans. Soil profile samples were analyzed from catenas representing the Appalachian, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain regions. The exchangeable, easily reducible, and total Mn contents were higher in the Appalachian soils than in the Piedmont or Coastal Plain soils. The total Mn content of the well-drained soil was higher than the poorly-drained soil in the Appalachian catena. No other differences were found between soils varying in drainage. Parent material and time appear to be the soil forming factors that exert the largest influence on total soil Mn. Further research is necessary to fully characterize soil Mn in these broad physiographic regions. / Ph. D.

A utilização massiva dos recursos naturais na atualidade, gera como uma de suas consequências, uma vasta depreciação dos componentes bióticos e abióticos que compõe o planeta Terra. A Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Santa Maria possui uma diversidade fisiografica e constantemente vem sofrendo alterações ocasionadas pelas atividades antrópicas. Há uma demanda, por parte de educadores, técnicos e gestores da região, de informações ligadas a questão ambiental, de forma espacializada e georreferenciada. O presente trabalho possui como objetivo geral analisar e elaborar uma proposta de zoneamento geoambiental, utilizando métodos de mapeamentos automáticos na definição dos parâmetros naturais que servem como base para o estudo e zoneamento geoambiental. A metodologia está baseada na proposta metodológica para zonemanento Geoambiental desenvolvida por Trentin e Robaina 2005, porém como inovação nesse trabalho, optou-se por utilizar a avaliação do relevo através dos Geomorphons os quais serviram de base para a definição de compartimentos do relevo que cruzados com informações referentes a solo e litologias, originaram um mapa com informações fisiográficas. Através da interpolação do mapa fisiográfico com o mapa de uso e ocupação se obteve o mapa geoambiental. Nos resultados foram apresentadas informações sobre a morfometria da área em estudo, também foram definidas três unidades litológicas, três unidades simplificadas de solo, quatro compartimentos de relevo, quatorze unidades fisiográficas, seis classes de uso e ocupação do solo, ainda sete Sistemas e doze Unidades Geoambientais com isso foi possível definir e discutir sobre as potencialidades e suscetibilidades. A elaboração do zoneamento geoambiental, com base na definição de potencialidades e suscetibilidade, são delimitadas a partir de caracteristicas homogeneas da área de estudo, é uma importante ferramenta para avaliação e compreensão das alterações ambientais. Dessa forma, foi elaborado um diagnóstico, no qual foram apresentadas caracteristicas naturais e antrópicas da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Santa Maria. / The massive use of natural resources, generates as one of its consequences, a vast depreciation of the biotic and abiotic components that make up the planet Earth. The Santa Maria River Basin has a physiographic diversity and is constantly undergoing changes caused by anthropic activities. There is an existent demand, by educators, technicians and managers of the region, of information related to different topics in a spatialized and georeferenced. The present work has as general objective to analyze and elaborate a proposal of geoenvironmental zoning, using automatic mapping methods in the definition of the natural parameters that serve as the basis for geoenvironmental study and zoning. The methodology is based on the methodological proposal for Geoenvironmental zonemanento developed by Trentin and Robaina 2005, but as innovation in this work, it was decided to use the evaluation of the relief through the Geomorphons which served as the basis for the definition of relief compartments that crossed with Information on soil and lithologies, originated a map with physiographic information. Through the interpolation of the physiographic map with the map of use and occupation the geoenvironmental map was obtained. The results were presented with information on the morphometry of the study area, three lithologic units were defined, three simplified soil units, four relief compartments, fourteen physiographic units, six use classes and soil occupation, seven systems and twelve units Geoenvironmental with this it was possible to define and discuss about the potentialities and susceptibilities. The elaboration of geoenvironmental zoning, based on the definition of potentialities and susceptibility, are delimited from homogeneous characteristics of the study area, is an important tool for evaluation and understanding of environmental changes. In this way, a diagnosis was elaborated, in which natural and anthropic characteristics of the Santa Maria River Basin were presented.

A utilização massiva dos recursos naturais na atualidade, gera como uma de suas consequências, uma vasta depreciação dos componentes bióticos e abióticos que compõe o planeta Terra. A Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Santa Maria possui uma diversidade fisiografica e constantemente vem sofrendo alterações ocasionadas pelas atividades antrópicas. Há uma demanda, por parte de educadores, técnicos e gestores da região, de informações ligadas a questão ambiental, de forma espacializada e georreferenciada. O presente trabalho possui como objetivo geral analisar e elaborar uma proposta de zoneamento geoambiental, utilizando métodos de mapeamentos automáticos na definição dos parâmetros naturais que servem como base para o estudo e zoneamento geoambiental. A metodologia está baseada na proposta metodológica para zonemanento Geoambiental desenvolvida por Trentin e Robaina 2005, porém como inovação nesse trabalho, optou-se por utilizar a avaliação do relevo através dos Geomorphons os quais serviram de base para a definição de compartimentos do relevo que cruzados com informações referentes a solo e litologias, originaram um mapa com informações fisiográficas. Através da interpolação do mapa fisiográfico com o mapa de uso e ocupação se obteve o mapa geoambiental. Nos resultados foram apresentadas informações sobre a morfometria da área em estudo, também foram definidas três unidades litológicas, três unidades simplificadas de solo, quatro compartimentos de relevo, quatorze unidades fisiográficas, seis classes de uso e ocupação do solo, ainda sete Sistemas e doze Unidades Geoambientais com isso foi possível definir e discutir sobre as potencialidades e suscetibilidades. A elaboração do zoneamento geoambiental, com base na definição de potencialidades e suscetibilidade, são delimitadas a partir de caracteristicas homogeneas da área de estudo, é uma importante ferramenta para avaliação e compreensão das alterações ambientais. Dessa forma, foi elaborado um diagnóstico, no qual foram apresentadas caracteristicas naturais e antrópicas da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Santa Maria. / The massive use of natural resources, generates as one of its consequences, a vast depreciation of the biotic and abiotic components that make up the planet Earth. The Santa Maria River Basin has a physiographic diversity and is constantly undergoing changes caused by anthropic activities. There is an existent demand, by educators, technicians and managers of the region, of information related to different topics in a spatialized and georeferenced. The present work has as general objective to analyze and elaborate a proposal of geoenvironmental zoning, using automatic mapping methods in the definition of the natural parameters that serve as the basis for geoenvironmental study and zoning. The methodology is based on the methodological proposal for Geoenvironmental zonemanento developed by Trentin and Robaina 2005, but as innovation in this work, it was decided to use the evaluation of the relief through the Geomorphons which served as the basis for the definition of relief compartments that crossed with Information on soil and lithologies, originated a map with physiographic information. Through the interpolation of the physiographic map with the map of use and occupation the geoenvironmental map was obtained. The results were presented with information on the morphometry of the study area, three lithologic units were defined, three simplified soil units, four relief compartments, fourteen physiographic units, six use classes and soil occupation, seven systems and twelve units Geoenvironmental with this it was possible to define and discuss about the potentialities and susceptibilities. The elaboration of geoenvironmental zoning, based on the definition of potentialities and susceptibility, are delimited from homogeneous characteristics of the study area, is an important tool for evaluation and understanding of environmental changes. In this way, a diagnosis was elaborated, in which natural and anthropic characteristics of the Santa Maria River Basin were presented.

A utilização massiva dos recursos naturais na atualidade, gera como uma de suas consequências, uma vasta depreciação dos componentes bióticos e abióticos que compõe o planeta Terra. A Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Santa Maria possui uma diversidade fisiografica e constantemente vem sofrendo alterações ocasionadas pelas atividades antrópicas. Há uma demanda, por parte de educadores, técnicos e gestores da região, de informações ligadas a questão ambiental, de forma espacializada e georreferenciada. O presente trabalho possui como objetivo geral analisar e elaborar uma proposta de zoneamento geoambiental, utilizando métodos de mapeamentos automáticos na definição dos parâmetros naturais que servem como base para o estudo e zoneamento geoambiental. A metodologia está baseada na proposta metodológica para zonemanento Geoambiental desenvolvida por Trentin e Robaina 2005, porém como inovação nesse trabalho, optou-se por utilizar a avaliação do relevo através dos Geomorphons os quais serviram de base para a definição de compartimentos do relevo que cruzados com informações referentes a solo e litologias, originaram um mapa com informações fisiográficas. Através da interpolação do mapa fisiográfico com o mapa de uso e ocupação se obteve o mapa geoambiental. Nos resultados foram apresentadas informações sobre a morfometria da área em estudo, também foram definidas três unidades litológicas, três unidades simplificadas de solo, quatro compartimentos de relevo, quatorze unidades fisiográficas, seis classes de uso e ocupação do solo, ainda sete Sistemas e doze Unidades Geoambientais com isso foi possível definir e discutir sobre as potencialidades e suscetibilidades. A elaboração do zoneamento geoambiental, com base na definição de potencialidades e suscetibilidade, são delimitadas a partir de caracteristicas homogeneas da área de estudo, é uma importante ferramenta para avaliação e compreensão das alterações ambientais. Dessa forma, foi elaborado um diagnóstico, no qual foram apresentadas caracteristicas naturais e antrópicas da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Santa Maria. / The massive use of natural resources, generates as one of its consequences, a vast depreciation of the biotic and abiotic components that make up the planet Earth. The Santa Maria River Basin has a physiographic diversity and is constantly undergoing changes caused by anthropic activities. There is an existent demand, by educators, technicians and managers of the region, of information related to different topics in a spatialized and georeferenced. The present work has as general objective to analyze and elaborate a proposal of geoenvironmental zoning, using automatic mapping methods in the definition of the natural parameters that serve as the basis for geoenvironmental study and zoning. The methodology is based on the methodological proposal for Geoenvironmental zonemanento developed by Trentin and Robaina 2005, but as innovation in this work, it was decided to use the evaluation of the relief through the Geomorphons which served as the basis for the definition of relief compartments that crossed with Information on soil and lithologies, originated a map with physiographic information. Through the interpolation of the physiographic map with the map of use and occupation the geoenvironmental map was obtained. The results were presented with information on the morphometry of the study area, three lithologic units were defined, three simplified soil units, four relief compartments, fourteen physiographic units, six use classes and soil occupation, seven systems and twelve units Geoenvironmental with this it was possible to define and discuss about the potentialities and susceptibilities. The elaboration of geoenvironmental zoning, based on the definition of potentialities and susceptibility, are delimited from homogeneous characteristics of the study area, is an important tool for evaluation and understanding of environmental changes. In this way, a diagnosis was elaborated, in which natural and anthropic characteristics of the Santa Maria River Basin were presented.

The Education for All Movement (EFA) premises its commitment on the belief that quality education for all youth will ensure that they have equal access to skills and knowledge that will assist them in getting into gainful employment and enable them to participate fully in their societies. The importance and benefits of providing access to education and lifelong learning opportunities to youth has been acknowledged by a majority of world countries. These countries believe that quality education to youth means the ability to survive, to live and work in dignity, to participate fully in development, improve quality of their lives, to make informed decisions, and continuous learning – requirements for citizens of the 21st century. However, EFA mid-term report shows that as much as 42% of the world’s secondary school going-age youth were not enrolled in 2006, the majority of these youth are found in sub-Saharan Africa. There are a few empirical studies on the extent of school non-attendance and the profile of these youth not enrolled in an educational institution in the region. The study makes use of the Statistics South Africa dataset, Community Survey 2007, to determine the prevalence of school non-enrolment in South Africa among the 16 to 18 year olds. Second, the study attempts to establish the characteristics of the youth not enrolled in an education institution. To this end, the study analyzed the extent of non-enrolment prevalence, vi and the geographic distribution of the problem. In order to determine the geographic distribution of the problem, I first look at the size of school non-enrolment problem, nationally. I then analyse provincial, district and local patterns of school non-enrolment. Lastly, I analyse the data for identifiable individual and family factors that could be associated with the youth not currently enrolled in an educational institution. My analysis shows that the extent of youth between 16 and 18 years not enrolled in school is 16.6%, confirming recent government reports on prevalence among this age cohort. The study reveals physiographic and sub-population characteristics associated with non-enrolment in school. Disability, lack of access to social security grants, the low education level of a parent, or head of household that is not a parent are factors found to be related with low school participation by youth from those households. The study recommends a deeper investigation on the impact that the physiographic characteristics have on patterns of school enrolment.

Experiments were conducted to study variation in the amount of podophyllotoxin in J. virginiana across nine –physiographic regions of Mississippi. The aim was bioprospection of podophyllotoxin from J. virginiana across Mississippi. Experiments were also conducted to utilize biproducts (i.e. needles) as a source of podophyllotoxin and essential oil. Dual extraction of both from the same plant material was obtained in order to develop economic protocol for industrial utilization. Three different experiments were conducted for the bioprospection and byproduct utilization of J.virginana. Experiment I: Study of variation in the amount of podophyllotoxin across nine physiographic regions and the study of contributing factors for the variability. Experiment II: Explore different plant parts as source of podophyllotoxin Experiment III: Establish a dual extraction protocol for extraction of podophyllotoxin and essential oil from J. virginiana.