Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio University, March, 2007. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--York University, 2004. Graduate Programme in / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 152-169). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: LINK NOT YET AVAILABLE.

Thesis (M.S.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2007. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Clayton B. Marlow. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 48-52).

No description available.

Sprawling low density housing and retail developments characterize the growth patterns of many communities nationally. These patterns of development have been associated with impairments in ecosystem services that are critical to the functioning of social and natural systems. In response to the negative implications of these patterns, watershed initiatives are taking place across the U.S. These initiatives are characterized by participatory decision making processes involving diverse community interest groups. Studies have indicated that leadership and social capital contribute to the success of these initiatives. A qualitative assessment of community capacity for sustainable watershed management was conducted in two Lower Kaskaskia River watersheds. The study communities of Belleville and O'Fallon, Illinois are located in the eastern metropolitan region of St. Louis, MO. The primary concerns of community managers and planners are related to managing growth and its negative impacts on economic, social, and natural capitals. Six research questions drove this capacity assessment: (1) How do diverse community managers and residents define community health, (2) What role does the natural environment play in perceptions of community health, (3) What are the perceived effects of urbanization on the study communities, (4) What are community stakeholders' beliefs about the level of environmental protection within their communities, (5) What are stakeholders' perceptions of their communities' ability to solve problems and (6) What are critical indicators of community capacity to engage in sustainable watershed management. Study findings suggest that healthy natural environments are an essential element of healthy communities. Indicators of community capacity for watershed management were identified by participants. This list of indicators can be used as a tool by residents that have identified a need for a watershed initiative in their community. Key findings suggest that developing a sustainable vision, networking between groups, and leadership play important roles in the successful implementation of community based watershed initiatives.

Many grassroots efforts across the U.S. are converging on a balance between ecological systems and cultural backgrounds for watershed management. Watershed planning requires the integration of biophysical, social and economic resources and information. Although research and technology are available with the overall intentions of improving water quality, many stakeholders are hesitant to implement best management practices (BMPs). It is important that human dimensions be incorporated into each phase of the planning process to increase a sense of ownership of the plan and successful implementation of plan conservation practices. Effective management plans are inclusive of resources within the respective watersheds but must also include local stakeholder knowledge and values for successful implementation. The objectives of this study were to identify the motivations for and constraints to adopting conservation practices by agricultural producers in the Rayse Creek watershed and secondly, to address the influence of cost-share programs on the producers' adoption behaviors. The study also examined adoption behaviors when cost-share programs were available. Seventeen Rayse Creek agricultural producers were interviewed between June 14 and September 21, 2005. Snowball sampling techniques were used to recruit participants. Those interviewed either rented or owned small farms (800 acres or less) or large farms (1000 acres or more) in the watershed. A short survey was administered to gather participant characteristics such as zip code, age, income, and level of education. Each interview was transcribed verbatim and qualitative analysis procedures were used for coding, extracting themes, and developing a conceptual framework for identifying and interpreting meanings (Marshall and Rossman 1999). The findings from this research reflect the perceptions of the agricultural producers from the Rayse Creek watershed in southern Illinois. The primary motivations for adoption were related to the financial, environmental and time-saving benefits perceived to be associated with implementing conservation practices. Participants admitted that they implemented conservation practices because the cost-share programs supplied them with additional money, the program's practices kept soil on their land and also allowed them to finish their work in the fields quicker. The constraints that emerged were associated with perceptions that producers were already doing enough to conserve, that practices were unsuitable for their land and farming systems, and that these practices caused financial burden and were time consuming. Information about the environmental benefits of cost-share programs was available; however, an individual's values and market economics can take precedence when deciding to adopt conservation practices. The implications from this study need to be considered by agency personnel and land managers when developing policies and watershed implementation plans in agriculturally dominated watersheds similar to Rayse Creek. In addition, cost-share programs should emphasize the long-term benefits of conservation practices versus merely touting the short-term financial incentives.

Master of Arts / Geography / John A. Harrington Jr / Kansas watershed projects have been responsible for reducing floodwater damage across the state since the formation of watershed districts, following the Kansas Watershed District Act of 1953. A total of 80 organized watershed districts now take on the responsibilities associated with watershed management and protecting the land uses within them. Today, Kansas watershed districts face challenges in completing nearly half of the 3,000 structures proposed since 1953. Insufficient funding, burdensome policy changes, and a declining interest from local board members and landowners are key challenges boards must overcome in addition to managing rapidly aging infrastructure and dealing with projects that have exceeded their life expectancy. Research methods used for this report include content analysis of general work plans, relevant federal and state policies, and interviews with local stakeholders. In order to understand the economic, political, social and geographic impacts of watershed development, the following issues are addressed: cost-benefit ratios using monetary and non-monetary benefits, differences between federal and state funding in regards to rehabilitation and best management practices, local perceptions of watershed development, and spatial factors that exist among watershed districts. This study found that watershed projects have the potential to provide up to $115 million each year in monetary and flood damage reduction benefits in Kansas protecting over 35,000 miles of transportation routes while providing recreation opportunities and enhancing environmental conservation efforts. Political and social impacts were identified through in-person interviews with 21 local stakeholders that include landowners, board members and state representatives, representing 21 different watershed districts. Perceptions of political and social issues indicate that when government assistance is available, watershed districts are more willing to deal with increased regulations. However, a lack of financial support that has existed in Kansas watershed districts over the last eight years has contributed to a general opposition of increased federal regulations and reluctance to continue building watershed structures. Spatial factors among watershed districts illustrate the spatial and temporal differences in district development, watershed structure construction, and precipitation gradients that influence land use and ecoregions between western and eastern Kansas.

Orientador: Teresa Cristina Tarle Pissarra / Banca: Humberto Gois Candido / Banca: Sergio Campos / Banca: Maria Teresa Vilela Nogueira Abdo / Banca: Valdemir Antonio Rodrigues / Resumo: O manejo de bacias hidrográficas é uma forma de analisar e monitorar o ambiente como um sistema de causa e consequências na exploração dos recursos naturais. Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo diagnosticar o recurso hídrico do rio Uberaba, como subsídio para a gestão das áreas de conflito ambiental. Com extensão de 2.419,04 km2 e perímetro de 308,04 km, abrange os municípios de Uberaba, Veríssimo, Conceição das Alagoas, Planura e uma pequena porção de Campo Florido. Considerando as características do rio Uberaba e o uso e ocupação do solo, dividiu-se em 5 (cinco) áreas distintas, no qual foram coletadas amostras de água. A partir da aplicação diagnóstica das variáveis físicas conservacionistas identificaram-se as áreas de conflito no rio e em seu entorno. Dentre as análises dos parâmetros hidrológicos da água, os que apresentaram resultado significativo quanto aos conflitos de uso do solo foram: o potencial hidrogeniônico (pH), oxigênio dissolvido (OD), potencial de oxirredução (ORP), condutividade elétrica, temperatura, alcalinidade e turbidez. O principal uso do solo na microbacia foi observado à ocupação com pastagem, seguido de florestamento e agricultura intensiva com as seguintes culturas: milho, soja e cana de açúcar / Abstract: The watershed management is a way to analyze and monitor the environment as a system of causes and consequences of the exploitation of natural resources. This study aimed to diagnose the Uberaba River water resource, as a subsidy for management of areas of environmental conflict. The extension is about 2419.04 km2 and a perimeter of 308.04 km, covering the municipalities of Uberaba, Verissimo, Conceição das Alagoas, Planura and a small portion of Campo Florido. Considering the characteristics of the Uberaba river and the land use and occupation, the river has been divided into five (5) distinct areas in which water samples were collected. From the diagnostic application of the physical variables conservationists, it have been identified the areas of conflict in the river and its surroundings. Among the analyzes of the hydrological parameters of the water, which had significant results regard to conflicts of land use were the hydrogen potential (pH), dissolved oxygen (DO), potential redox (ORP), electrical conductivity, temperature, alkalinity and turbidity. The main land use in the watershed was observed to occupy pasture, followed by forestry and intensive agriculture with the following crops: corn, soybeans and sugar cane / Doutor

In water resources management in South Africa, there is an emphasis on public participation. On a river catchment basis, one of the mechanisms for such participation is the establishment of catchment forums. However, members of catchment forums, particularly those coming from poor or rural communities, cannot be expected to engage in catchment management without having been enabled to do so. This thesis considers the use of GIS in the process of enabling the Kat River Valley Catchment Forum to better participate in catchment management. The research focus is on the use of GIS to facilitate an understanding of the Kat River Catchment and associated catchment concepts, and constructive communication and sharing, among the Catchment Forum. The GIS is used in the context of "GIS for Participatory Research", an outgrowth of Public Participation GIS (PPGIS), which focuses on GIS as a tool for empowerment within participatory processes. The study has used Action Research, situated in the Critical paradigm, as a methodology. The research has included seven Forum workshop processes and one series of in-village meetings. These engagements have involved map-based appraisals, issues and resource mapping, map-based planning, and the use of on-screen GIS for presentation and sharing. The use of GIS has facilitated the creation of customised maps, the integration of village-scale mapping into a catchment scale product, the presentation of synthesised data in digital and hardcopy format and, in so doing, has allowed catchment-scale appraisal. Outcomes enabling participation in catchment management have included developed mapping skills and an enhanced understanding of the catchment as a whole, and developed conceptual access to a decision-making language (or way of thinking), among participants. Furthermore, the Forum as a whole has identified common needs, and has developed a set of map-based action plans. The research process has yielded a number of lessons regarding "GIS for participation" and the participatory framework within which it takes place. Chief among these is that the GIS operator should take on the role of a participatory practitioner.

No description available.