COASTAL EROSION: INTEGRATING GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY TO AID IN THE MANAGEMENT OF EROSION DUE TO RISING SEA LEVELS ALONG US COASTLINES

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Tristan Knowlton Environmental Sciences Miki Nisbet Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Environmental Sciences
Location: Second Floor, Table 4, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

Along the coastlines of America, specifically along the Pacific Coast and the Gulf of Mexico, rising sea levels are causing great levels of coastal erosion, leading to the loss of coastal homes and ecologically valuable land. Climate change affects the rate at which sea levels rise, which in turn determines how quickly coastlines are eroded. The objective is to analyze coastal maps of California and the Gulf of Mexico to determine which coastal factors facilitate or hinder the degradation of coastlines.

Sustainability Progress of Global Companies Using GRI Standards

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Maria Pertz Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Brendan Lavy Environmental Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 5, Position 3, 11:30-1:30

In a recent survey by IBM, 51% of respondents from 10 major global economies stated that sustainability is more important to them today than it was 12 months ago (Emeritus, 2022). Historically, influential corporations have disregarded the triple bottom line and have ignored the effects their supply chains have on the environment, people, and the economy, and in turn, made negative contributions to sustainable development. To reduce and eventually eliminate the harm, many companies are now creating sustainability plans to monitor their progress. Sustainability planning and reporting have gained traction in the last decade given the push for standardization, the need for transparency from consumers, and improved environmental social governance metrics within their business operations. Today, there are over 600 different sustainability reporting standards, industry initiatives, frameworks, and guidelines that have improved the transparency, consistency, and interoperability of sustainable practices (Brightest, 2024). One of the most widely adopted frameworks is the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). GRI created the first global sustainability and social impact measurement standards in 1997, and they help businesses and other organizations take responsibility for their impacts, by providing them with a global common language to communicate those impacts (Global Reporting Organization, n.d.).

The purpose of this research is to examine the contents of 10 sustainability reports across five industries and document their actions towards sustainable development. I will focus on how companies are not only reducing their environmental impacts but also protecting workers and contributing to society. Understanding the degree to which companies are addressing these challenges is crucial to measuring their progress and determining if they are advancing toward sustainability.

Product testing the next generation Song Meter Mini Bat acoustic detector for Wildlife Acoustics, Inc.

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Kaitlyn Roussel Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Tory Bennett Environmental Sciences
Location: First Floor, Table 1, Position 1, 11:30-1:30

Analyzing the calls a bat emits is one of the main ways to identify a species. We use bat acoustic detectors to filter these ultrasonic sounds produced. As technology advances, so do these detectors. Wildlife Acoustics Inc. produces bat acoustic detectors constantly. These detectors are then tested with older models to see if they produce the same results. We, therefore, conducted a study to test the next generation of bat acoustic detectors to the older models by Wildlife Acoustics Inc. We tested all three detectors at the same site, over the same period, and analyzed the results to see if the newest model was. This study took place in the flight room on Texas Christian University's campus between the dates of 03/01 - 03/08/2024, in Fort Worth Texas.

Austin's Walkability: Tree Canopy Cover of Downtown Austin's Sidewalks

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Zoey Suasnovar Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences Brendan Lavy Environmental Sciences
Location: Second Floor, Table 2, Position 2, 1:45-3:45

As the Capital of Texas, Austin has been a great exemplar in the protection and preservation of trees within their city limits. Austin has had a commitment to these trees for decades, but what do the trees do for the city of Austin? This poster focuses on the sidewalks of downtown Austin, and what percentage of them are covered by the canopy of these trees. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) we calculate the percentage of the canopy cover overlaying the sidewalks. Understanding the canopy cover allows us to also find the walkability score of downtown Austin. A tree's canopy provides shade, and when placed over a sidewalk, it provides an escape from the omnipresent heat in Austin in the Texas summers. People in areas of lower-socioeconomic status tend to have reduced trees (and greenspace in general) compared to those of a higher-socioeconomic status. By determining an area's walkability score, we can also find areas of desire where greenspaces and trees can benefit the people living there.

Can Passive Acoustic Monitoring Effectively Be Used To Inform The Species Diversity And Activity Patterns Of Bats In Big Bend National Park

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Justyn Wallace Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Victoria Bennett Environmental Sciences
Location: Second Floor, Table 8, Position 3, 11:30-1:30

Use of an artificial roost site by multiple bat species in Texas

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Abi Welch Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Victoria Bennett Environmental Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 8, Position 1, 1:45-3:45

The use of roost sites by multiple bat species is well-documented, especially in large structures where different species are partitioned by distinct microclimates within these structures; however, there is limited research on smaller roost sites, especially artificial ones, such as wooden bat houses. With such houses recommended to improve urban areas for bats or mitigation to replace natural roosts lost during construction projects, understanding species-specific roost use is imperative to ensure these conservation strategies are effective. To address this need, we compared the temporal and spatial use of an artificial roost site by bats in a residential neighborhood in Fort Worth, Texas. Since 2017, we have monitored species presence, including the evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis) known to roost in natural roost sites such as the tree hollows, broken branches, peeling bark, and under thick-stemmed ivy, and the Mexican free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis), which tends to roost in caves. In addition, we monitored this roost site almost weekly for a year from 2023-2024 to determine how seasonal use in the abundance of these species varied. More specifically, we addressed whether these species displayed year-round communal roosting or species-specific roost partitioning, as well as species-specific seasonal roost use. Along with providing insights into artificial roost use by bats, this study represents the first to demonstrate multispecies use of a roost site, natural or artificial, by evening and Mexican free-tailed bats. The findings have implications for understanding interspecies competition and artificial roost use and therefore contribute to bat conservation.

Using Spatial Analysis to Identify Patterns in Reptilian Dermal Ornamentation

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Sarah Foxx Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences Arthur Busbey Geological Sciences
Location: First Floor, Table 5, Position 1, 11:30-1:30

The dermal ornamentation of reptiles and lower vertebrates is a largely untouched field of research, and thus common patterns or a specific purpose for the ornamentation has yet to be identified and/or agreed upon by paleontologists. This study strives to use various spatial and image analysis techniques to identify any patterns in the ornamentation on the skulls of both ‘lower’ vertebrate captorhinids and modern crocodilians to better understand the purpose of such ornamentation and why it has persisted from lower vertebrates to modern-day reptiles. Any information that can be derived from the research may aid modern understanding of the evolution from lower vertebrates to modern reptiles.

Flood Risk Analysis of Anchorage Alaska

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Matthew Froehlich Environmental Sciences Andrew Campola Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences
Location: Third Floor, Table 3, Position 2, 11:30-1:30

Alaska is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region notorious for tectonic activity, including earthquakes and tsunamis. This, along with significant tidal fluctuations, and an increasing sea level pose a unique threat along Alaska's coastlines. Our objective is to create a map displaying potential risks and levels of risks in the city of Anchorage. In addition, we plan to analysis the potential economic costs of differing levels of flooding.

Heat Severity Influence on Median Household Income Across Fort Worth, TX

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Audrey Haffner Environmental Sciences Blake Harrison Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences Brendan Lavy Environmental Sciences
Location: Basement, Table 13, Position 2, 11:30-1:30

This research identifies the relationship between heat severity and median household income across Fort Worth, Texas. As global temperatures continue to rise the urban heat island (UHI) effect becomes more severe, especially in low-income communities due to disparity to past discriminatory housing policies. This study utilizes the ArcGIS Pro software to create a series of maps using census data to acquire the objectives of this study.

GIS in Precision Agriculture

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Will Hayes Geological Sciences James Hufham Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences Jason Faubion Ranch Management
Location: Second Floor, Table 4, Position 3, 1:45-3:45

Today’s farmers must grasp a wide range of topics beyond just planting, including soil composition, weed management, nutrient requirements, weather patterns, pest control, disease prevention, equipment use, and climate considerations. Precision agriculture, a tool that allows for the visualization of data in an agricultural view to help ranchers better understand their land and how to best supply resources to their land, can be a tool to increase efficiency and production to the agricultural industry as a whole. Precision agriculture can help farmers “more precisely determine what inputs to put exactly where and with what quantities.”(GIS lounge para. 3). In this proposal we plan to demonstrate how precision agriculture with the use of Landsat satellites analyzes the greenness of vegetation using indices like the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Using these tools we can use drones to collect plant height and plant count, biomass estimates, the presence of diseases and weeds, plant health and field nutrients, as well as 3D elevation and volumetric data.