Browsing by Subject "Geographic Information Systems (GIS)"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    A Geospatial Analysis of Wind Energy Development and Authorization Policy on US Forest Service Land
    (2009-04-24T14:32:26Z) Schlichting, Kerry
    Abstract: Wind is a renewable source of energy but its development has the potential for significant negative visual, economic and environmental impacts if not sited carefully. Analysis of a wide range of variables associated with wind development need to be included in policy development to ensure simultaneous conservation and support of renewable energy development. The objective of this project is to analyze wind energy development to inform US Forest Service management practices through applicable federal, agency, forest and state regulations as well as mitigation of potential impacts. Geospatial analysis is used to evaluate project suitability and associated impacts through a case study of the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests in North Carolina. This case study is the basis for a spatial decision support system (sDSS) which offers a methodology to consolidate the assessment and authorization process for wind projects on public lands. Based on 16 variables of representing environmental sensitivities, construction requirements, land designations and state policy, this analysis finds that the majority of the study is are highly sensitive or exclusionary to wind energy development. To both promote renewable energy and continued conservation of environmental resources, the Forest Service must take steps to address concerns raised over management practices limiting development potential. Recommendations from this analysis include the need for agency wide clarification of intent and scope of current and proposed Forest Service wind energy management, as well as the prioritization of variable importance in future wind project siting.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Submarine landslide geomorphology, US continental slope
    (Marine Geology, 2000-09-15) McAdoo, BG; Pratson, LF; Orange, DL
    The morphometric analysis of submarine landslides in four distinctly different tectonic environments on the continental slopes of Oregon, central California, Texas, and New Jersey provides useful insight into submarine process, including sediment transport mechanisms and slope stability. Using Geographic Information System (GIS) software, we identify landslides from multibeam bathymetric and GLORIA sidescan surveys based solely on surficial morphology and reflectivity. This method provides useful data in a time- and cost-efficient manner. We measure various aspects of the failures, including landslide area, runout distance, and headscarp height, along with the slope gradient of the runout zone, the failure's scar, headscarp, and adjacent slopes. The largest failures of the four study areas occur in the Gulf of Mexico, adjacent to Mississippi Canyon, and between salt withdrawal basins. Smaller landslides occur within the basins, and at the base of the Sigsbee Escarpment. These smaller landslides tend to have higher headscarps than the larger ones, and often have cohesive material at the base, suggesting a stronger rheology. Oregon has the steepest local slopes, but surprisingly few large failures for a seismically active margin (especially in the north), implying that slope angle and seismic activity may not be the most important slope stability controls. The California continental slope is heavily incised, which makes failure isolation difficult. Most of the landslides occur within the larger canyons (Vizcaino, Pioneer, Monterey) and adjacent to a pock mark field in the Point Arena basin. The majority of landslides offshore New Jersey occur on the open slope between Lindenkohl and Carteret Canyons. Morphometric statistics give us insight into where mass movements occur, how big they are likely to be, their relative importance as sediment transport mechanisms, and the overall slope stability of a given margin. Most landslides occur on slopes less than 10°. Curiously, the steepness of the slope adjacent to the failure tends to be inversely proportional to the runout length. In both California and Oregon, slope failures tend to make the local slope steeper, whereas failures in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore New Jersey will tend to make the local slope less steep. Landslides with rubble beneath the scar are mostly smaller than those without, are deep seated, and make the slope steeper. We use the ratio of headscarp height to runout length as a measure of the failure's dynamic rheology. This ratio in the submarine case is orders of magnitude less than subaerial landslides. Hydroplaning of the failed mass may be responsible for the very long runout lengths. These morphometric relationships give us important insight into landslide dynamics and process in different sedimentary and tectonic environments. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Walking to a Place You Belong: Exploring the Impact of Walkability and Historical Factors on Durham’s Black Wall Street
    (2023-04) Goode, Alissa
    This project investigates the significance of walkability and historical factors, such as redlining, Jim Crow laws, and Durham's Urban Renewal Project, and their impact on the emergence and demise of Durham's Black Wall Street. Additionally, the study examines how these factors contributed to fostering a sense of community and pride within the Black community in Durham. The study utilizes a GIS-based analysis and a GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Story Map that includes historical maps and directories from Durham to visualize and analyze the spatial distribution of businesses and community resources in the Black Wall Street area. The study's results suggest that walkability played a crucial role in the success of Black Wall Street and that historical factors, such as redlining and urban renewal, contributed to its decline. However, despite these challenges, the Black community in Durham fostered a strong sense of community and pride, which has continued to shape the city's culture and identity. Link to Part 2 ArcGIS Online Story Map: https://arcg.is/0e8Sbv