This thesis project represents the culmination of my interests in sonic arts, phonography, musical performance, historical preservation, and class equality. The performance Plowing Lacquer and Polishing Noise: A Mudsill's Methodology features the music of Southern Illinois performed on homemade jug band style instruments. The performance also features my sound art sculptures, The Shintonarumori and The Gatlingophone. This paper examines the personal, historical, social, and economic factors that have inspired this media arts thesis project, including my ideological media arts theory entitled The Harakiri Manifesto. This thesis paper concludes with a brief pondering on the democratizing power of music and sound recording.

This project explores the relationships between people, environment, and possibility through two of the world's smallest materials: agricultural seeds and mushroom cultures. While often seen as products of nature, seeds and cultures also embody complex social, historical, political and economic realities as they come into contact with human hands. Through fieldwork on small-scale farms in southern Illinois, including farm tours, agricultural trainings and interviews, as well as an analysis of seed descriptions in a popular heirloom seed catalog, this thesis explores how produce seeds and mushroom cultures become things that are known through place and practice. Planting a seed or inoculating a culture is not a simple action, but one imbued with intention, hope and even revolution.

Naturally-functioning riparian ecosystems provide important habitat for wildlife and serve as corridors for individuals to move from one area of suitable habitat to the next. Site-level quality and landscape-level connectivity of wildlife habitat are of critical importance to myriad species across the landscape in southern Illinois. However, multi-scale analyses of habitat suitability and connectivity of riparian corridors are rare in the literature. The first objective of this study evaluated microhabitat quality at 4 streams (3 treatments, 1 control) restored 30 years ago following strip mining for coal in Perry County, Illinois. Microhabitat differences were very minor among restored and control stream sites. Of the 41 variables measured, 14 differed among sites, 4 of which were uncorrelated: canopy cover, overstory hard mast, bare ground, and herbaceous ground cover; thus, restored riparian buffers were comparable to unmined sites, indicating that restoration efforts were successful. The second objective assessed broad-scale habitat connectivity of stream corridors across the Coastal Plain, Shawnee Hills, and Southern Till Plain Natural Divisions in southern Illinois. Landscape metrics were measured from 3,157 ha of riparian buffers utilizing the 31 longest stream segments across these study sites. Of the 39 variables measured, 17 differed among sites, 3 of which were uncorrelated: mean patch size of forested area, area-weighted mean shape index of wetland patches, and the mean nearest neighbor distance between wetland patches. The Shawnee Hills division had the largest mean patch size of forests, Coastal Plain wetlands had the most connectivity via mean nearest neighbor metrics, and Southern Till Plain wetlands were the most fragmented via their area-weighted mean shape indices. These findings can be useful to land managers when preserving or restoring riparian wildlife habitat in southern Illinois and throughout the Midwest.

Riparian buffers are a commonly utilized best management practice (BMP) for mitigating non-point source pollution from agricultural fields. This practice is most effective when runoff enters the buffer as sheet flow. However runoff from becomes concentrated and forms concentrated flow paths (CFPs) breaking through the buffer in critical erosional areas. These critical areas can be determined prior to the implementation of a BMP such as a riparian buffer through incorporation of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This approach utilizes field characteristics with hydrological processes in order to determine the erosion risk areas from observed field data throughout an entire watershed. In order to re-establish a riparian buffer in critical areas managers need a method that can prevent erosion and the loss of top soil. This study evaluates an innovative method, "Buffer in a Bag", used to restore riparian buffer benefits and to prevent further erosion in CFPs. There were three different treatments initiated for this study the first two treatments the "Buffer in a Bag", and Hand-Planted were implemented prior to the broadcasting of switchgrass seed. The final treatment was the Control, which required no planting within the treatment plot. The "Buffer in a Bag" treatment utilized the placement of giant cane rhizomes within burlap bags along the channel of concentrated flow. The hand planted treatment utilized the placement of giant cane rhizomes planted in the agricultural field adjacent to the path of concentrated flow. The presence of these CFPs breaking through riparian buffers has been noted, but the actual significant soil erosion occurring within the CFP and in the adjacent field has yet to be quantified. Through the use of topographical surveys and geostatistical analysis to produce digital elevation models (DEM) of in-field elevation changes the hydrological processes and volumetric difference for CFPs can be determined. The goal was to define the variability and the spatial pattern from the data as a means of providing comparisons between subsequent survey periods over time and space to estimate the difference and movement of sediment within CFPs. The volumetric differences found when comparing the DEMs between survey periods provide a quantifiable method for evaluating the implementation of a treatment, such as the "Buffer in a Bag". Using geostatistical analysis of volumetric difference between the treatment plots determined that that there was no significant difference between the CFP's over the study period. The mean percentage volumetric difference within the treatment plots between "Buffer in a Bag", Hand-Planted, and Control treatments were -2.49%, -3.72%, and -2.37%, respectively. There was overall net erosion across all treatments with the erosion and accumulation being significantly different across the survey periods for all the treatment CFPs. The mean percentage volume loss across treatments and survey periods varied from positive 10% accumulation to negative 15% erosion for overall loss when looking at each individual survey and CFP. The displayed loss of valuable topsoil and continued expansion of these concentrated flow paths emphasis the need for research in further management applications. There needs to be an effective method developed to address the volumetric difference within CFPs forming in these high risk erosion areas. Using a GIS/RUSLE approach to indicate these high risk erosion areas will hopefully facilitate the prevention of the formation of concentrated flow paths prior to the implementation of a BMP, such as riparian buffers.

The Saline Valley Conservancy District (SVCD) formed in 1980 to provide groundwater to communities in Saline and Gallatin, Counties, Illinois. Sulfate contamination from a nearby coal mine threatens the SVCD’s current well field. Three of the wells are reaching the end of their service and have elevated levels of sulfate. This study investigated multiple well configurations on three different parcels of land to find possible new well locations that do not recharge water directly from the mine site over a 50-year period. A steady-state finite difference groundwater flow model was created using Graphic Groundwater GIS (Krienert and Esling, 2016), a pre and post-processor for MODFLOW (Harbaugh, 2005) and MODPATH (Pollock, 2012). The calibration and sensitivity analysis followed methods from Esling et al. (2008). Hydraulic heads were calibrated to the land surface and a systematic sensitivity analysis varied recharge, hydraulic conductivity, and drain and river conductance to produce composite capture zones. Well locations must also meet SVCD requirements that would minimize distance from current water lines and consider properties they already owned. New wells also needed to be located in areas where the aquifer exceeds 25 m thick and be separated by 305 meters to minimize drawdown. This study also considered the effects of irrigation on the aquifer. Varying recharge, hydraulic conductivity and conductance within reasonable ranges created six capture zones for the proposed wells, each with different geometries. The capture zones were superimposed onto a map to make a composite capture zone which should contain the actual capture zone for the wells. Varying conductance caused subtle changes in capture zone geometry. Low values of conductance caused particle tracks to elongate. Irrigation wells and some proposed well locations caused substantial dewatering in one area of the aquifer. The study discovered several well configurations on each of the parcels that do not source water from the mine site over 50 years.

Since the time of European settlement, land-use history, management practices, the introduction of non-native invasive species (NNIS), and climate change have dramatically changed the successional pathways of Southern Illinois forests. Biodiversity is considered essential for ecosystem health and resiliency, so understanding the impact theses forest changes have on biodiversity is necessary to guide future management decisions. This study was conducted at Touch of Nature Environmental Center (TONEC) in Southern Illinois using the Shannon diversity index (H') to compare the levels of biodiversity in the overstory, shrub, seedling, and herbaceous layers across early, mid, and mature successional stages. Twenty plots were randomly placed within early, mid, and mature forest successional stages for a total of 60 plots. Four circular nested vegetation plots were recorded at each plot location. In the overstory plots (area 314.16 m2), woody stems above 6.5 cm diameter at breast height (dbh), age class, and crown were all recorded. In the shrub layer (area 28.27 m2), all woody stems between 2.5 and 6.5 cm dbh were recorded, while in the seedling layer (area 3.14 m2), all woody stems < 1 cm dbh were recorded. In the herbaceous layer, (area 1 m2) species were measured by percent cover. Shannon diversity index (H') was calculated for each plot. When vegetation layers were combined and mean H' within forest successional stages were compared, no differences were found. However, when successional stages were combined within each vegetation layer, the shrub layer had the least H' increasing to seedling, increasing again to overstory and herbaceous; these being equal. When breaking down the vegetation layers separately and comparing H' across successional stages within each, both the overstory and shrub layers had no difference. Early successional was the least diverse in seedling, rising to mid and mature, which were equal. The herbaceous layer showed an opposite trend with early having the highest H' decreasing to mid and decreasing again to mature. Finally looking at the differences across vegetation layers within early, mid, and mature successional stages. Early-successional had the most variability with the highest H' in herbaceous; this decreased progressively to overstory then to shrub and seedling, which were equal. In mid-successional plots, overstory, seedling, and herbaceous layers were equal with H' decreasing in shrub. In mature plots, all vegetation layers had the same H'. Across all vegetation layers, the highest percentage of NNIS was in early-successional, followed by mid, with notably less found in mature forest. Even in instances where H' values were the same, species composition across forest successional stages were quite different. While overall biodiversity is the same across successional stages, differences in H' can be seen when looking at the vegetation layers. Management should focus on removing NNIS in the early and mid-successional forests paying particular attention to the shrub layer, which has the overall lowest H' with the most dramatic differences in composition and the presence of NNIS across all successional stages. Also of concern is the low H' in the seedling layer in early-successional forest, which reduces the likelihood of successful regeneration of these hardwood stands in the future.

This research delves into the enduring and evolving punk scene in Carbondale, Illinois,examining its hybridity and the experiences of aging punks within the community. Through personal experiences, historical context, and conversations, the study explores how punk culture intersects with the socio-economic conditions and cultural characteristics of Southern Illinois. The conclusion highlights the profound impact of the punk scene on participants' lives, shaping self-identity and community connections. It emphasizes the adaptability of punk ideology, which allows individuals to maintain their identity while embracing their otherwise changing life circumstances. This hybridity of this experience extends beyond music and fashion, reflecting a fusion of punk and regional identities. Ultimately, the punk scene in Carbondale persists as a space for alternative expression and leaves an indelible mark on both the punk subculture and the broader Southern Illinois cultural landscape.

This thesis explores the intersection of framing, crisis communication, marketing, and reputation 2004-2012 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. In measuring reputation as a function of key performance indicators, this case study showed crisis framing didn't affect key performance indicators as predicted by Situational Crisis Communication Theory. Thus, research shows crisis nature is a better indicator of proper response than the SCCT response grid. Further research is needed to explore the multifaceted nature of university reputation, with a focus on enrollment's importance and the factors that impact reputation in a university's secondary markets / Department of Journalism

BRYCE DALE ALLEN, for the Master of Fine Arts degree in Theater, presented on March 30, 2010, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: MANAGING THE MAGIC: TECHNICAL DIRECTION OF THE SECRET GARDEN MAJOR PROFESSOR: Robert Holcombe This project, Managing the Magic: Technical Direction of The Secret Garden, is a detailed description of the process I used as the technical director to help produce the Department of Theater's production of The Secret Garden at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in April 2009. This work is also a study of the artistic collaboration that took place between the design team and me during the execution of the production. Through this project I was able to polish skills that I had learned through careful goal setting and evaluation. Working on The Secret Garden also gave me the opportunity to broaden my experience and develop my strengths as a technical director.

Hicks Dome is a mineralized intrusive center of alkaline ultramafic dikes, plugs and diatreme breccias that produced ~1200 m of structural doming of Paleozoic sedimentary rocks in southeastern Illinois. It is part of an igneous province referred to as the "Wauboukigou Alnöite Province" or "Middle Mississippi Alkaline Province". The 40Ar/39Ar dating of biotite and hornblende from igneous rocks throughout the region has consistently produced crystallization ages of 270 +/- 2 Ma (Early-Middle Permian). Hicks Dome lies near the intersection of two aulacogens, the Reelfoot Rift and the Rough Creek Graben. The igneous rocks in the Hicks Dome area range from dark-green, porphyritic dikes, through dikes with pelletal lapilli, to carbonate cemented breccias with country rock fragments and, locally, phenocrysts or xenocrysts and pelletal lapilli. Magmatic minerals include diopside, pargasite, phlogopite-biotite, titanomagnetite, ilmenite, and apatite, as well as carbonate (ferroan-dolomite - ankerite and calcite) of possible magmatic origin. This mineral assemblage only partly corresponds with other occurrences in the middle Mississippi Valley region igneous province as melilite, garnet, olivine, and perovskite were not identified in the Hicks Dome samples. The Hicks Dome igneous lithotype is defined here as a minette, a type of calc-alkaline lamprophyre. Evidence for this classification includes abundant Al-rich phlogopite-biotite, diopside, and pargasite, and the absence of melilite, garnet, and perovskite. Additionally, plotted Al2O3 vs. TiO2 compositions of biotite-phlogopite form a trend subparallel to that of minettes and alnöites, and Al vs. Ti values for most clinopyroxenes fall in the minette field. Some other igneous occurrences in the region are classified as types of ultramafic lamprophyres. For example, the North Hutson mine (Kentucky) and the Cottage Grove (Illinois) dikes are identified as alnöites and the Wildcat Hills dike (Illinois) is regarded as an aillikite. The Hicks Dome igneous suite contains 23 - 25 wt. % SiO2 and 13 - 21 wt. % CO2, whereas regional igneous rocks contain 33 - 36 wt. % SiO2 and 1 - 2 wt. % CO2. Such high CO2 values and inferred carbonate abundance is likely related to the elevated REE values at Hicks Dome. Finally, Hicks Dome samples show relative depletions in Ti, Nb, Ta, Zr, and Hf on a spider diagram compared to other regional igneous occurrences. These data indicate more variability among provincial igneous rocks than previously realized and perhaps two types of lamprophyres, one a calc-alkaline such as at Hicks Dome, and the other an alkaline ultramafic type. Rock samples from Hicks Dome and the surrounding region that were analyzed far exceed the silica cut-off to be considered a carbonatite (sensu stricto), yet a strong, consistent spatial association of abundant carbonate with igneous rocks throughout the region and similar patterns in LIL (large ion lithophyle), HFS (high field strength) and RE (rare earth) elements with carbonatites worldwide supports that magmatic carbon was part of the lamprophyre system at Hicks Dome. Carbon and oxygen isotope values for carbonate from Hicks Dome and other regional igneous samples do not plot within the field for primary carbonatite or the field for unaltered Mississippian limestone and instead form a broad linear trend between these two reference fields. The observed isotopic trend was possibly due to alteration of primary carbonatite by magmatic-hydrothermal and later low-temperature connate fluids. Parisite and/or synchysite, two REE fluorocarbonates of the bastnäsite group, and xenotime, a Y-(REE) phosphate, were identified in the Hicks Dome samples and occur as fibroradial aggregates in dissolution cavities in fluorite and carbonate and as anhedral crystals infilling microfractures and cleavage planes of phlogopite-biotite and paragasite. These textures clearly indicate the REE minerals are secondary phases most likely resulting from hydrothermal alteration-replacement by magmatic-hydrothermal fluids. A fertile (LREE enriched) lithospheric metasomatized mantle likely sourced the Hicks Dome carbonated alkaline silicate magma that, during emplacement, domed and brecciated the Paleozoic strata, expelled magmatic-hydrothermal fluids, and generated a F-REE mineralizing fluid with abundant carbonate. Igneous activity at Hicks Dome is genetically related to F-REE-base metal mineralization hosted by diatreme breccias, and likely contributed fluorine to the connate brines responsible for the F-base metal mineralization of the surrounding Illinois-Kentucky Fluorspar District (IKFD). Although resource estimates for the Hicks Dome area are beyond the scope of this work, an economic deposit of F, REEs, and/or base metals may be present at Hicks Dome and other igneous occurrences. The igneous lithotype, mineralogy, whole rock geochemistry, and regional geologic context support such a conclusion.