http://hdl.handle.net/10090/2872 Search the Channel search http://dspace.nitle.org/simple-search http://hdl.handle.net/10090/3672 Title: Key agricultural laws and regulations in Maryland and Virginia, with a focus on nutrient and sediment pollution and the health of the Chesapeake Bay <br/> <br/>Authors: Sebian-Lander, Cynthia <br/> <br/>Description: A thesis submitted to the McClain Program in Environmental Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Spring Semester 2007. Thesis Adviser: John Seidel, Ph. D. Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:46:32 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10090/3670 Title: Alternative living solutions; ecovillages as a model for sustainability <br/> <br/>Authors: Richardson, Emily Lynn <br/> <br/>Abstract: Ecovillages are communities dedicated to sustainable living and environmental action. The ecovillage movement has spread globally since its grassroots beginning less than thirty years ago. These communities offer solutions for sustainable living that are slowly being spread into conventional society. These solutions are becoming more relevant as the environment continues to decline due to human misuse. Ecovillage communities are leading the way for sustainability. They establish unique social and economic systems and provide an opportunity for significant lifestyle change with the support of a community. Many of these communities are also providing education on permaculture, organic farming, green building and other sustainable topics. Through personal example and outreach efforts, ecovillages are introducing new and creative ideas for sustainability. Linking the ideas presented by ecovillages to general society will create broader opportunities for sustainable living. This thesis will examine the roots of the ecovillage movement, and how it connects to sustainability and intentional communities. It will investigate the design process for developing an ecovillage, along with social and economic concerns. Sustainability techniques and conservation initiatives will also be analyzed, followed by examples of communities from around the globe who are putting these techniques into action. Finally, opportunities for ecovillage philosophy to spread into global society will be explored. <br/> <br/>Description: A thesis submitted to the Program of Environmental Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Spring Semester 2007 Thesis Adviser: Leslie Sherman, Ph D Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:25:37 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10090/3642 Title: Inter-State investigation of two state agencies and their policies on conservation <br/> <br/>Authors: Manen, Michael David <br/> <br/>Abstract: This document addresses the issues of conservation and management techniques exercised by two different state agencies. Both of the agencies, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) have similar techniques and strategies to conserve the populations of their endangered species. This document studies two cases, one pertaining to each department. Both agencies have created a task force to specifically research and study the given species as well make suggestions on regulations specific to the species of that state. The Virginia case study researches the effects of human interactions upon the Wood Turtle (Clemnys insculpta). It also discusses the strategies and techniques with which the departments plan to positively affect their population. Much of the regulations pertain to the protection and isolation of nesting sites for the Wood Turtle mainly due to the communal sites and easy predation to which they are susceptible. The second study pertains to the regulations and their affects on the populations of Maryland&#8217;s Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin). This further discusses how the fishery was once found to be in drastic decline, but due to the regulations and their enforcement has seen an increase in population. However, the agency still has in effect strict policies to prevent a relapse in populations. Many of the regulations mandate for a By-Catch Reduction Device, to prevent the accidental capture of Diamondback Terrapins in eel and crab pots. The results of both sets of regulations are compared to determine which of the two agencies is making the better effort in conserving two species that are both endangered. <br/> <br/>Description: A thesis completed in partial fulfillment of the requirement for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies at Washington College. Spring Semester 2007 Thesis Adviser: Donald A. Munson, Ph. D. Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:34:01 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10090/3641 Title: Examination of the species-area relationship as applied to summer breeding and winter non-breeding bird species in forest fragments on the Eastern Shore of Maryland <br/> <br/>Authors: Kraeer, Kimberly Nicole <br/> <br/>Abstract: The relationship between the area of an oceanic island and the number of species present has been observed to follow the equation S=CAz, where S is the number of species present, A is the area of the island, and C and z are constants. In general, the number of species will increase with increasing area. We tested the species-area relationship for breeding birds in forest fragment patches on the Eastern Shore of Maryland during the summers of 2004-2006, and these data appear to follow the equation S= CAz. For this thesis, the relationship between species and area of the same forest patches used in the summer breeding bird studies are examined for winter nonbreeding birds. It is hypothesized that there will not be a relationship between species diversity count and area for non-breeding birds, as the birds are not dividing the forest into breeding territories. MapSource&#174; technology and handheld GPS units are used to navigate through each forest fragment, and species present are identified by sight and call. The total number of species present is used to graph a linear relationship between species and area of log-transformed data. The results did not support the initial hypothesis; there is a relationship between area of the forest fragment and number of species present for winter non-breeding birds. Linear regression and analysis of the data show that there is a positive, significant slope (z). However, there is not a significant difference in slopes (z values) between breeding and non-breeding populations. These findings are important as they provide insight to the significance of conserving the size of forest fragments not only for summer breeding birds, but also for overwintering species <br/> <br/>Description: A thesis submitted to the Department of Biology and the Program of Environmental Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science. Spring Semester 2007 Thesis Advisor: Wayne Bell, Ph D. Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:28:21 GMT