AWG 2010 Spring Meeting
Western Washington University
May 15, 2010
Poster Abstracts
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Hallie Adams, Faculty Mentor: David Rossiter, Western Washington University
Tribal Treks: A Window Into the Geography of Canada
Tribal Treks: Canada's Aboriginal Experience is a television program broadcast on Aboriginal
Peoples Television Network which portrays the traditions, cultures, and modern practices of
aboriginal tribes of Canada by documenting non-aboriginal peoples' visits to Canadian tribal lands
their experiences in these areas. As viewers, we are able to learn about and better understand the
cultural, human, and physical geographies of Canada and more specifically British Columbia
through video documentation, narration, and dialogue information we are given throughout each
thirty-minute episode of Tribal Treks. This television series demonstrates the diverse physical
geography of Canada's British Columbia by documenting various physical environments such as the
Nk'mip Desert of Okanagan Valley near Osoyoos, BC and the lush Boreal forest-covered hills of
Quadra Island, BC on the north end of the Strait of Georgia. The cultural and human geographies of
British Columbia are also constructed in Tribal Treks through the various aboriginal tribes' views
and actions toward their physical environments and homelands in the modern times and
throughout history as well as the through the complex social and cultural aspects of their
communities. Tribal Treks: Canada's Aboriginal Experience is a very interesting television program
which demonstrates much about British Columbia in various geographical contexts.
Keywords: Canada, Geography, Aboriginal
Melissa Affolter, Faculty Mentor: Dr. Andy Bach, Western Washington University
Large Scale Soil Variability: An Examination of the Factors Relating to Within Soil Series
Pedodiversity
The Natural Resources Conservation Service has attempted to model the soil classifications of the
United States. As one might imagine this is a difficult task, and one that is fraught with error. The
focus of this paper is to evaluate the degree to which soil mapping accurately represents the soils
found on a particular landscape; an introduction to predictive soil mapping (PSM) is provided, as
well as an evaluation of the factors that contribute to within soil series variability.
Key Words: Pedodiversity, intrinsic factors, extrinsic factors
Dwight Barry, Chris De Sisto, Western Washington University – Huxley College of the
Environment on the Peninsulas, Peninsula College.
Wildfire Hazard Assessment and the Wildland-Urban Interface of the North Olympic
Peninsula, Washington
Every summer, the Olympic Peninsula experiences small wildfires, the combination of the driest
climate in western Washington and heavy vegetative fuel loads means that the potential for a major
disaster resulting from wildfire is extremely high—all it would take is an ignition under the right
weather conditions. A recent study found that Clallam County has the highest existing risk of
catastrophic losses in the event of a major wildfire in all of Washington and is fifth highest amongst
all counties of the 11 western United States. The study also ranks Clallam County twenty-fifth in the
counties of the western states for potential risk as the result of increasing human development in
wildfire prone native ecosystems, an area that firefighters call the wildland-urban interface (WUI).
This poster presents the results of a geographical assessment of wildfire hazard for the north
Olympic Peninsula (Jefferson and Clallam Counties), combining the relative hazards important to
wildland fire behavior to derive monthly maps of wildfire hazard. There are also maps delineating
the WUI for Clallam and Jefferson Counties based on existing development that intersects wildland
vegetation. These maps can be useful for hazard mitigation, planning, and education efforts across
the Peninsula.
Keywords: Olympic Peninsula, wildland fire, WUI
Travis Beaty: Faculty Mentor, David Rossiter, Western Washington University
Canada’s Geography Constructed Through Television Commercials
Geographies can be constructed in popular culture and the media in a variety of ways ranging from
music to art. For this paper I have chosen to look at how Molson Canadian (a beer company) chose
to construct Canada’s geography in a series of commercials. Since advertisers attempt to create
commercials that will sell a lot of their goods they tend to advertise what people want to see. The
people at Molson Canadian have played on what Canadians want to view themselves as being in
relation to both their physical and their cultural geographies. They have put forth the idea that their
huge country is a playground and not the uninhabitable frozen tundra that is often viewed as being
by Americans. In addition to that they have also depicted the average Canadian as being the rugged
outdoorsman who is adventurous and active. These commercials portray the “perfect” Canadian
that everybody is striving to be, however the problem with that is that it only further confuses
people about what the average Canadian is actually like.
Keywords: Canada’s rugged outdoorsman, constructed Geography, perfect Canadian
Lara Buelow: Western Washington University
Emily Carr Paints Canada (Poster)
Emily Carr, born in 1871 in Victoria, Canada was one of few female modernist painters during the
early 20th century. She managed to create several bodies of work that highlight First Nation life and
Canadian landscapes. For the “Imagining Canada” project, I have chosen to review Emily Carr’s
Heina painting. Created in 1928, the oil on canvas is a bold and beautiful snapshot of village totem
poles in front of looming cliff faces. The scene encompasses a peaceful First Nations settlement and
The scene encompasses a peaceful First Nation settlement and Canada’s steep western mountains.
The vibrant colors and bold strokes illustrate how First Nations peoples and the geographical
landscape play a strong role in the understanding of Canada.
Keywords: Canada, female modernist, painting
Chang Cuyree: Faculty mentor, George C. Walker, Bellevue Community College
What’s Going on in Iceland ?
A couple weeks ago, volcano erupted in Iceland because of this volcanic eruption, not only people in
Iceland was panic but also people around Iceland was panic. Even someone who don’t care about
natural hazards much listened about Iceland volcanic eruption because media kept talking about
that. Why did people keep saying about this? So what I will be dealing is going to be about why it
happened , what was the result of that and also how it spread as time goes by. This could be caution
for people to get to know natural hazards will be really harmful.
Keywords: Iceland, Volcano, Volcanic ash.
Lacey Cunningham, Western Washington University
Renewable Energy Technology and ‘Sustainable’ Development
In the age of technology, while many espouse the savior of green, renewable energy technology and
‘sustainable’ development, a grossly overlooked factor is the metallic requirement of all electronic
innovations and alternative energy options. Rare metals such as copper, nickel, zinc, platinum
group metals, columbium, tantalum, and rare earth elements are all essential for our modern
communication and renewable technology. The energy for extraction, transoceanic transportation,
processing, smelting and the EPA’s designation as the number one releaser of toxic chemicals,
mining is not given enough attention in the quest for sustainability. Until there is comprehensive
understanding of from where vital metals come from, the pretense that development can be
sustainable is a myth. The study will incorporate geology, history, and the political economy, the
very embodiment of geography and the manifestation of globalization. The increased globalization
of mineral resources is becoming of greater concern due to the lack of stringent environmental
regulations outside the USA and therefore we are inherently reliant upon foreign supplies of
essential materials for modern technology.
Keywords: electronics, rare metals, renewable energy
Zeck Donahue, Adam Walkiewicz, Michael Stoothoff, Western Washington University
China’s Dirty Rise to Power
China uses more coal than that of the combined overall consumption of the United States, European
Union and Japan. Widely abundant and cheaper than any other energy source, coal is the fuel of
choice for developing nations. Unfortunately, the low price of coal comes at a high cost to the
environment. Coal is also the dirtiest of all energy sources, producing in some instances twice the
amount of carbon dioxide, the leading greenhouse gas, as other fuel sources like natural gas.
Moreover, with a national coal reserve of 1 trillion tones, China is not going to run out anytime
soon. This poster looks the growing environmental, social, and economic repercussions that China
faces if it cannot find a way to curb its insatiable appetite for coal.
Key words: China, coal
Drew Ready, Erin Pierce-Magdalik, Ramon Feskens: Faculty Advisor, Patrick Buckley
Western Washington University
Three Gorges Dam: Are the Benefits Worth the Cost?
Our group will be reviewing literature on the Three Gorges Dam to evaluate economic, social and
environmental viability. The dam is located on the Yangtze River, east of Wuhan, China. Its
boundaries are expansive as its impacts reach as far upstream as the reservoir goes and as far
downstream to the mouth of the river. Some benefits include hydroelectricity, flood control and
drought relief. On the other hand, downfalls have been found to encompass residence
displacement, environmental impacts and huge economic costs. From reviewing scholarly and
newspaper articles we have concluded that thus far, the Three Gorges Dam has done more harm
than good.
Catherine Harris & Steven Doubles
Poster project abstract for EGEO 432 (Advanced Soils) with Andy Bach
Soil Creep at the Bayview Cemetery
For this project Steven and I are looking at soil creep at Bayview Cemetery in Bellingham,
WA. We are studying soil creep in a cemetery because we can use the headstones as a way to
measure the soil creep. Over time through bioturbation and other soil disturbances, the soil has
begun to move, and the headstones that sit on top of the soil have moved as well. By measuring the
length and width of the headstone, recording the date on the headstone, and recording the slope the
headstone tilt has, we can start to determine the rate of soil creep in this area. We are measuring
100-200 headstones to get a good average of how much these headstones have moved or tilted.
Key words: Soil creep, bioturbation, slope
Wesley Magwire and Alex Hoelting
Andy Bach (Faculty Mentor)
Western Washington University
Nooksack River Soils
(Comparative Study between Two Different Sites)
For our project, we were concerned with two different sites along the north fork of the
Nooksack River just outside of the town of Deming. Our focus was to analyze these two areas for
vegetation cover and the amount of sand, silt, and clay at 10 cm deep. In both sites, we dug a total
of five samples. At the first site in a developed, forested area we sampled five locations, each at
increments of five meters, starting at the river bank. At the second site on a side channel of the
river, we took five more samples separated by fifteen meters. To begin with, our goal was to
determine the content of sand, silt and clay in correlation with the distance from the river bank.
Secondly, we also intend to conduct a comparative assessment of the two sample sites, being the
developed primary forest, and the river side channel.
______________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Guinn, M.S. Candidate, Huxley College of the Environment, Western Washington University
Pedestrian Perceptions of the Mount Pleasant Neighborhood, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
America’s current transportation infrastructure caters primarily to the automobile. We need to
begin making the shift to non-automotive based modes of transportation, especially in urban
centers, if we are to truly embrace sustainability. We are faced with many problems in the current
urban environment and much of them can be attributed to our auto-dependency. Problems in air
pollution, natural resource depletion, health, and safety could all be curtailed if we effectively
encouraged non-automotive based modes of transportation. In order to improve our urban
environment I am proposing to examine pedestrian perceptions of non-automotive based modes of
transportation within the Mount Pleasant neighborhood, Vancouver, B.C. Canada. The results will
provide insight into pedestrian behavior, which can be utilized to implement and encourage more
sustainable forms of transportation within an urban environment.
Anthropogenic Trampling and Impacts on Soil Compaction on the Campus of Western
Washington University
Josh Jones and Patrick Wallace (Advised by Dr. Andy Bach)
Western Washington University
Abstract: Soil compaction as a result of anthropogenic trampling is a topic that is rarely covered in
existing literature. Usually it will appear, almost as an afterthought, as a subtopic under humaninduced soil erosion. Having a geographically concentrated population of approximately 16,000
people is bound to have a negative impact on soil health of the WWU campus. The amelioration of
compaction requires extensive time, effort, and monetary contributions. The negative effects of soil
compaction are witnessed through loss of surface vegetation, higher rates of surface ponding, and
increased overland flow. These can promote soil erosion, which will in turn be deposited into
campus drainage systems and eventually into our natural water bodies. A visual survey of the
campus was made and seven paths were found to be trampled into areas that were grass-covered.
A soil penetrometer was used to test compaction rates in the center of these paths. Successive
measurements were taken at two additional locations in a perpendicular line from the center. A
string of student’s t-tests were then used to compare the compaction rates. Results varied between
given paths, but a significant difference was found in the levels of compaction in the center and
outer areas of sampled paths.
Keywords: Soil compaction, trampling, soil erosion.
Name :Kelliann Kelly (Instructor: Andy Bach)
Affiliation: Huxley College of the Environment
Title: Comparison of Soil Crust Stability among the Different Crust Types
Abstract
Most of the soil crust studies agree that physical and biological soil crust increase the soil
stability which is often used to indicate soil erodibility. The purpose of my research was to compare
the soil crust stability among the different crust types found at Potholes Coulee. 10 samples were
collected at 8 different sites to test dry and wet soil crust strength with a penetrometer and water
holding capacity. The test results showed a great change in crust strength and water holding
capacity among different crust types. However, the physical soil crust sample, desert pavement,
showed the constant low crust stability with low water absorption. On the other hand a
combination of lichen and moss crusts from different sites showed high crust stability in dry and
wet condition, and moss dominated crust showed the highest water absorption. These results
indicate that depending on a crust type, there is different degree of soil stabilization and its
response to wind and water erosion will vary.
Key words: Soil Crust, Stability
The Black Cottonwood, Populus balsamifera, and its Effect on Soil Moisture and Organic
Content in a Riparian Zone of the Pacific Northwest
An in depth look at a riparian zone around Lincoln Creek in Bellingham WA that sets out to
establish some kind of relationship between soil development and the presence of the common
Cottonwood tree. Relationships will be established on the basis of content of organic material and
moisture content that is present in spatially varying samples. Multiple samples were taken at
varying distances from Lincoln creek and with different types of vegetation cover. Across the board
the whole site was fairly uniform in moisture content and organic material. This has led us to the
conclusion that the cottonwood will affect ecosystem development in much the same way as similar
sized fauna. However its slight nitrogen fixing abilities allows it to grow in harsh regions where it
can facilitate development.
Keywords: Cottonwoods; Soil Moisture; Organic Matter
Authors:
Jonny Kemp
Jonny@betathink.com
Huxley College of the Environment: Geography Dept.
Mentor: Andy Bach
Mike Minifie
minifim@students.wwu.edu
Huxley College of the Environment: Geography Dept.
Mentor: Andy Bach
Jessica Kiehl
Faculty Mentor: George Walker
Bellevue College
Oil Spill in Gulf of Mexico
On April 20th, an offshore drilling rig began spill thousands of barrels of oil after a
disastrous explosion. It is on course to be the worst oil spill in history. There were eleven oil rig
workers that weren’t accounted for and are presumed to be dead. Many environmentalists are
concerned for the marine life, especially the endangered sea turtles and bluefin tuna, snapper and
grouper.
Erika Klein
Faculty Mentor: David Rossiter
EGEO 328-Undergraduate
Title: O’ Canada the Hokey
The Olympic closing ceremony is a time in which a country can leave that one lasting image of the
nation they pride. One last moment, to savor the accomplishments of superb athleticism and
international cooperation; an instant in which Canada decided to stifle the world with some
“dazzle” in the 2010 closing Olympic ceremony. Analyzing three aspects in this performance: the
barren and iced landscape, the beaver and resource icons, and the fisherman caricature, it becomes
apparent how this hokey performance is founded in geographic constructs. With understanding of
Canada’s multitude of geographic regions, Harold Innis’s Staples Theory, and the nation’s founding
economy one can deconstruct the performance. Through this poster, I address the exaggerated and
idealized stereotypes’ historical and geographical basing, as well as, the overall misguided image
one is left of Canada.
Key Words: stereotypes & geographic constructs
Kat Lamberson; Matt Chapman; Mentor: Dr. Patrick Buckley, Western Washington University
No Food for the Future
China has an exponentially growing population, which is causing their available land space to
shrink quickly. They are experiencing water shortages, desertification, lack of arable land to farm
on, and a huge grain shortage. Due to all these things, China has been forced to start importing a
mass quantity of food from other regions of the world, which if continued, will cause food prices to
skyrocket everywhere, and eventually, our precious resources on Earth will be depleted. However,
a growing population is not the only problem China is facing when it comes to lack of the ability to
farm their own crops. Mercury in the air and heavy metals and fertilizers in the soil have made for
soils that are becoming increasingly fragile and harder to create any kind of agriculture on. Over
the years, China’s demand for food has exceeded its carrying capacity of land and water resources,
putting excessive demands on exportable supplies from other countries that are living within their
carrying capacity. Their emergence as one of the largest grain importers in the world will be the
wake-up call that will indicate trouble between our planet’s population (~6.7 billion) and the
natural systems and resources on which we depend. Our research and findings have supported our
hypothesis, that if China keeps expanding in population while its arable land base shrinks, then it
will soon be unable to provide enough food to support its population even after maximizing the
amount of food imports.
Larson, Devan and Shives, Ian (Dr. Andy Bach)
Department of Geography, Western Washington University
Effects of Logging on Soil Composition in the Lake Whatcom Watershed
Abstract:
The Lake Whatcom watershed and surrounding areas have a long history of logging in the past,
altering the natural development of local soils. The use of heavy machinery, the dragging and
subsequent concentration of cut logs and creation of roads for transport can lead to severe soil
compaction and anthropogenic turbation. On a particular hillslope in the aforementioned area, we
sample multiple sites in both recently-logged and forested terrain to evaluate soil composition.
Each site was measured for infiltration rate and soil horizonation. The surrounding vegetation was
also surveyed in order to gauge recovery from the disturbance.
Keywords: Soil, Logging
Andrew Larson
(With guidance from Dr. Andy Bach)
Water Infiltration Rates Across Biological Soil Crust Communities at Potholes Coulee, WA
Biological soil crust cover has direct influences on soil development processes in relation to
the hydrology cycle. Biological soil crusts are composed of an intimate relationship between soil
particles and micro organisms such as cyanobacteria, mosses, lichen and bryophytes that produce
polysaccharide sheaths for anchoring which in turn bind soil particles together. While typically only
present in the first few millimeters of a soil, the microorganisms have been proven to impact many
hydrology changes such as micropore channel creation or blockage with various effects on surface
runoff processes which have a major impact on infiltration rates. At Potholes Coulee the cover of
crusts is tied to microclimate, presence of vascular plant communities, particle composition, and
elevation with crusted surfaces being present throughout the entire area at varying degrees. This
project was undertaken with the intent of determining soil crust composition in relation to particle
granularity, vascular plant coverage, and the effects on the hydrology cycle.
Keywords: Soil Crust, Infiltration, Hydrology
Name: Hei Yin Luk
Teacher: George Walker
Affiliation: Bellevue College
Title: Dolphin Slaughtering in Japan
The academy award winner for best documentary 2010, “The Cove” has discovered the dolphin
slaughtering problem in Japan. The film has drawn attention and brought up huge responses from
the public. Dolphin is known for intelligent and friendly as their features. However, due to the
global slaughtering, they are facing the threat of extinction. Through looking at this poster,
hopefully everyone can have an awareness of the global catastrophe.
Keywords: Dolphin, slaughter, Japan
______________________________________________________________________
Maxim Lundquist
With Andy Bach
Geography 432
Moisture and Organic Matter content of soils in relation to distance from a water source in Potholes
Coulee, Eastern Washington
The purpose of this experiment was to measure the effects a constant source of water had on the
soil moisture of the surrounding area. Samples were taken in two different sites, one perpendicular
to slow moving water, and another perpendicular to a moving stream. At each site, soil pits were
dug to a depth of one meter, or until hitting bedrock. Samples were taken from each pit to be
analyzed for water and organic matter content. Deep soils near the stream should have the most
water because of lessened evaporation rates and water movement through soil pores. The amount
of water at a specific depth should decrease as distance from the stream increases. Organic matter
concentrations should be closer to the surface, and may be correlated with drops in soil moisture.
Key Words:
Soil moisture
Steven Deocares, Sara Mayers, Autumn Rice, Faculty mentor: Patrick Buckley,
Western Washington University
Endangered Animals of China: Panda, Snow Leopard, Tiger
Pandas, snow leopards, and tigers are all listed on the World Conservation Union’s (IUCN) Red List
of Threatened Species as “endangered”; all three of these mammals can also be found in China.
While specific threats to these populations may vary from animal to animal, all the threats can be
linked back to humans. Despite laws of protection of these species being in place, some up to a
couple decades, populations continue to decline. We believe that panda, snow leopard, and tiger
populations will continue to decline until greater attention and action are taken by the people who
share the habitat with these endangered species.
Keywords: Panda, Snow Leopard, Tiger
mayers-s-awg-2010.doc
Shayne Mooney / faculty adviser Dr. Andrew Bach
Soil Landscapes 432
The Effects of Bombturbation on the Soil Profile and Soil Forming Processes
There are many environmental impacts related to war and military training. Recently, as
people have become more aware of environmental impacts there has been a high emphasis applied
to studding the relationship of military active and the environments it is located in. The fairly new
term “Bombturbation” was created by Joseph Hupy and Randall Schaetzl, in order to describe the
way in which explosive ordnance transports and deposits large volumes of soil form the site of
detonation. When the event occurs soil horizons are destroyed and the excavated soil is mixed and
redistributed around the rim of the crater. This is a relatively new field of research in soil since
because bombturbation has only played a significant role in pedoturbation for the last 150 years.
This project will look at the effects of bombturbation on the soil profile and on soil forming
processes
Keywords: bombturbation, pedogenesis, pedoturbation
______________________________________________________________________
Stevie June O’Clock
Huxley College of the Environment Student
How Plant Species affect Soil Development in a Semi-Arid Climate:
I have been researching about vegetations influences on soil development, specifically sagebrush
species and cheat grass in Central Washington, a semi-arid climate. It has been known from past
observations and studies that soils can change dramatically within a small area and I was curious
about the vegetations influences that direct the changes in the soil profile. I chose the semi-arid
environment because most believe it to have little-diversity with little changes. However, instead
there is high plant diversity and these different species change the soil within a matter of a few feet
from Aridisols to Mollisols. This affects nutrients, horizonation, color, and structure that influence
how the semi-arid environment is created.
Key Words: Sagebrush; Soil; Semi-arid
oclock-s-awg-2010.doc
Recreational Impacts of Trails and Campsites on the soil environment
Will Olsen, Andy Bach, Western Washington University.
Recreational areas such as county, state, and national parks exist to preserve natural environments
while allowing users to enjoy these areas. However, users inevitably leave impacts from their
activities in the areas, in the form of trail systems and campsites. Recreational users include hikers,
bicyclists, and horse riders. The impacts from these users upon the soil environment include soil
compaction, reduced infiltration, reduced vegetation cover, soil loss, increased runoff, and general
damage to the areas aesthetics. Reviewing the known literature, a small study was done in the Pine
and Cedar Lakes area of the Chuckanut Mountains south of Bellingham, WA, and in the Sehome Hill
Arboretum in Bellingham, WA. Using a penetrometer, soil density measurements were taken in
each area, with campsites (both established and user-created) in the Pine and Cedar Lakes area,
and for trail systems in the Sehome Hill area (for both high use trails and low use trails), assessing
measurements both in impacted and non-impacted locations at each site. The results correlate
correctly to the known literature, and point towards the need for increased education,
management, and study on user impacts in natural areas.
Key words: Recreational impacts, soils, parks
PROPOSAL TO PRESENT to the Association of Washington Geographers Spring Meeting
May 15, 2010 Amtzen Hall, Western Washington University, Bellingham,
FORMAT: POSTER OR PAPER
PRESENTER: Naomi Jeffery Petersen NJP@cwu.edu
AFFILIATION: Central Washington University
TITLE: Developing Visualization Tools for Geographic Literacy in a Museum Exhibit
ABSTRACT: As a result reduced formal instruction and reduced direct experience in the
natural environment, students suffer from a deficiency in geographic literacy.
Informal learning environments, such as a model railroad exhibit at a history
museum, can be exploited to introduce key geographic concepts (e.g. scalar
compression, landscape transformations, and human-environment interaction).
Presented here are historically and geographically accurate visualization tools
developed via community collaboration across disciplines (geography/education)
and institutions (university/museum/community volunteers). Recognition of the
untapped reservoir for learning and community collaborative that informal
educational settings anywhere can provide for motivated geographic educators is
the goal of this presentation.
KEYWORDS: geographic literacy; informal learning; representation of place
FILE NAME:Petersen-NJ-awg-2010.doc
Jessica L. Peterson
Professor David Rossiter
Western Washington University
Black Robe: How Film Helps Expose Canadian Historical Geography
Abstract: Canadian film Black Robe (1991) portrays a rugged and harsh landscape of the Quebec
and Ontario regions during the winter of 1634. Two years after the French had regained New
France from a three year occupation by the English, Jesuit priest Laforgue sets out from Quebec on
a 1,500 mile journey into the interior of Canada, destined to missionize First Nations people in
Huronia. It is only with help from the Algonquin people does Laforgue survive the callous and
bitter climate and landscape. First Nation presence was indubitably the only way the French were
able to navigate and survive the treacherous landscape. The difficult terrain in conjunction with the
importance of the First Nations people to the French, were key aspects to the film and need not be
overlooked in Canadian historical geography.
Keywords: missionaries, first nations, 17th Century Quebec
Alex Pratt, Western Washington University
Japan's Declining Population and Their Beliefs on Immigration
Uses peer-reviewed articles and studies by Sean Richey and Hwaji Shin, both in regards to Japan's
anti-assimilation beliefs and deep prejudice against foreigners.
Christopher S. Robertson: Huxley Graduate Student, Physical Geography
Andrew G. Bunn: Advisor
Exploiting an Underused Paleoclimate Resource: Dendroclimatology of Alaska Yellow Cedar
(Xanthocyparis nootkatensis) Along the Mesic Cascade West Slope (WA).
Key Words: Dendroclimatology; Paleoclimate Reconstruction; Pacific Northwest

Abstract
Dendroclimatology relies on exploiting climate-limited tree growth as a proxy for past climates
at annual resolution (Fritts, H.C. 2001). The temperate, mesic environments of Western Washington
and Oregon do not typically provide a wealth of species or sites for climate reconstructions that
extend multiple centuries. Pacific Northwest Alaskan Yellow-cedar (Xanthocyparis nootkatensis)
were previously thought to be a poor paleoclimate resource due to growth asymmetries caused by
buttressing and a propensity for false and missing rings (Brubaker,L.B. 1980). However, recent
work has shown that remnant high elevation patches of Yellow-cedar are a viable and unexploited
paleoclimate resource. They are also considered the oldest species in the region, with reports of
individual trees with over 1824 annual rings (Laroque, C.P. Smith, D.J.2006). These finding are
further supported by my preliminary work at Canyon Lake, WA where I developed a highly
sensitive ring-width chronology that dates back to 1186 AD (fig 1). The high mean sensitivity (0.24)
and high inter-series correlation (r=0.68) suggest that growth is limited by climate. Growth is
significantly correlated to temperatures from 1900-2007(fig 2) and distinct climatic episodes (e.g.,
the Little Ice Age) are well represented (fig1). These data are a hitherto unknown reconstructiongrade paleoclimate archive. With an expanded scope, there is very high likelihood of developing a
millennial-length regional temperature reconstruction along the western Cascades where none
now exists.
Austin Rose, Western Washington University
Groundwater contamination assessment in the Lower Skagit River Basin, Skagit County, WA
One of the major water quality issues in Washington State is protecting Puget Sound and its
contributing waterways from the effects of water contamination. Point source groundwater
contamination from industrial and commercial activities is present in a number of locations
throughout Skagit County, WA. The Skagit County Health Department has initiated a project to
create a mapping layer to depict areas of groundwater contamination so that the County may better
assess risk to human health. This assessment will be based upon the type of contaminant and type
of exposure, and will be used to better direct and advise the County and the public regarding future
uses, including building development, in and around the contaminated groundwater sites.
Tim Scharks
Instructor, Green River Community College
Ph.D. Student, Evans School of Public Affairs, University of Washington (Advisor Ann Bostrom)
Scharks-T-2-AWG-2010.docx
Seismic risk perception, planning, and management in North American seaports. Tim Scharks, Ann
Bostrom, Lori Reimann-Garretson (Evans School of Public Affairs, University of Washington) and
Glenn Rix (School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology)
Poster
North American seaports are key economic drivers for coastal regions and a critical link in U.S. and
Canadian global trade. As evinced by recent devastating seismic events at Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and
Concepcion, Chile, and somewhat less recently in the developed world at Kobe, Japan, ports are
vulnerable to natural disasters including earthquakes and tsunamis. Investments in seismic
mitigation through engineered infrastructure improvements, emergency response planning, and
risk-sharing like insurance or force majeure agreements are possible and potentially cost-effective.
Disaster mitigation competes with other investment opportunities, a challenge compounded by
decreased revenues from the North American recession. We conducted a novel survey of Chief
Engineers at 125 North American seaports covering port management, risk planning and
mitigation, and seismic risk perception. Surveys were pre-coded into five seismic risk categories to
achieve a comparative engineering-based measure of the seismic risk faced by each port. We
obtained an overall response rate of 48.8 percent (n=61). Survey results portray present
governance arrangements at North American ports as diverse. Further, performance objectives for
ports appear unrelated to the degree of privatization. The most commonly reported performance
objective is optimizing local or national economic development prospects. Respondents’ seismic
risk perceptions generally follow the engineering seismic design categories for their ports, except
that there is no difference in seismic risk perceptions between ports in the two highest seismic
design categories (highest seismic hazard). Almost a third of responding ports have only informal
or no emergency response plans. In discussion we consider the implications for seismic risk
planning at North American ports, including policy strategies to best encourage investment in
seismic mitigation at high-risk ports.
Jennifer Sears, Graduate Student, Department of Geography, Huxley College of the Environment,
Western Washington University
Determining Terroir Potential in the Lake Chelan American Viticultural Area
Terroir can be defined as a “holistic concept that relates to both environmental and cultural factors
that together influence the grape growing to wine production continuum” (Jones, et al. 2004). A
more basic definition is that terroir is determined by a variety of factors that influence the quality of
wine produced from grapes. The focus of this proposed study is to evaluate the geographic and
environmental influences on potential terroir in the Lake Chelan American Viticultural Area (AVA).
Current literature identifies soil, slope, aspect, and climate conditions as critical environmental
factors in grape production quality (Vaudour 2002 & Jones et al. 2004). Following Gregory Jones,
Nicholas Snead, and Peder Nelson’s work in analyzing terroir potential in the Umpqua Valley of
Oregon, critical environmental factors will be consolidated to produce an optimum terroir
suitability grid. From this final composite suitability grid, results will be compared with locations of
existing vineyards. Correlation between sites identified as ideal and existing successful vineyards
would suggest results from this study shows areas in the Chelan AVA with the greatest terroir
potential.
Ian Shives (Dr. Troy Abel)
Department of Geography, Western Washington University
Remote Sensing and GIS Analysis of Scarlet Macaw Nesting Habitat around
Carara National Park, Costa Rica
Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao) once flew freely in Costa Rica over an area covering 42,000
km² (Vaughn 2003). After years of deforestation the specie’s range has been severely decreased
and fragmented. Today Costa Rica is home to two concentrated populations of Scarlet Macaw. One
of these is on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica in and around Carara National Park and the
Guacalillo Mangrove Reserve. This is the population of concern for my study. The other population
is isolated on the Osa Peninsula, also on the Pacific coast but on the southern part of the country.
These two areas are separated by 150 kilometers of land that has been developed by humans for
agricultural use. I will use LandSat 5 imagery from 1997 and 2001 to develop land use maps to
quantify scarlet macaw habitat around nest sites.
Key words: Scarlet macaw, GIS
Brady Stoddard
WWU
Title:
Soil Temperature & Microclimate Effects: Forest vs. Clear Cut
Abstract:
Compare and contrasts the differences in Air and Soil temperature, of Clear-Cut, versus
undisturbed portions of forest. I expect to find measurement slower inside of the forest as opposed
to clear cut open space. The Forests landscapes of the Pacific Northwest are continually being
altered into large areas of patchy forest. Patches of forest surrounded by clear cut are the norm
throughout the Northwest landscape. These forest practices are significant because they alter air
and soil temperatures which influence biological processes in the soil as well as above ground. Soil
temperature is expected to fluctuate far less in the forest than out in the open clear-cut areas. By
comparing temperature differences between micro sites I hope to gain some insight as to what
effects these temperature regimes might have on future soil development,
Keywords: Soil temperature, microclimate
Stoddard-B-AWG-2010.doc
_____________________________________________________________________________________Tana Stuart, Faculty
Mentor - David Rossiter, Western Washington University
“Imagining Canada: Through the Eyes of Alan Sullivan”
ABSTRACT
In this paper I will be examining the connections poet Alan Sullivan makes to the
establishment and growth of Canada as a country in his poem “Prospect”. I will be looking at the
links Sullivan makes between lines in his poem and important events in Canadian history. This
paper will be describing the correlations between lines of Sullivan’s poem and events such as the
fur trade, the positive and negative effects of contact with Europeans on the Native peoples of
Canada, to name a few.
Project Team:
Niki Thane
Melissa Affolter
Brookes Baum
Jake Crabill
Bryan Frazier
Jennie Hoogestraat
Kaitlin Kovacevich
Daniel Maul
Michael Stoothoff
For EGEO 432-Soil Landscapes, Associate Professor Andrew Bach, Huxley-Geography
Title: Within Soil Series Variation in Lake Whatcom Reservoir Watershed Soils
Keywords: Soils, Lake Whatcom, Soil Phosphorus
Excess phosphorus is degrading the quality of Lake Whatcom, drinking water source for more than
95,000 Bellingham and Whatcom County residents (COB, 2010). Phosphorus inputs from human
activities have been well defined, but soil erosion may be a significant source even in the least
impacted areas of the watershed. Very little is known about the quantities of phosphorus naturally
present in local soils. The purpose of our study was to gather data in support of ongoing soils
research related to phosphorus content of soils in the watershed.
To understand within-series variations of mapped soil units, students involved in this project dug
soil pits in the reservoir watershed at locations previously sampled for phosphorus content within
the top 10 cm of the mineral soil column at randomly selected points throughout the Lake Whatcom
watershed1. We characterized soil properties of 12 pits within the three dominant soil series in the
watershed and compared our data with standard characteristic defined by the Official Series
Descriptions (OSD) of the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). Comparison of ground
truth data with the mapped series will help verify that locations selected for phosphorus test
sampling exhibit predicted characteristics of the OSD.
1Scott Groce, Huxley Environmental Science Master’s Thesis pending, 2010. Groce analyzed three
size fractions of 70 random samples, testing for soluble reactive phosphorus, total phosphorus and
biologically available phosphorus.
Thomas, S
‘Wetland’ in a Semi-Arid Environment: Hydric soil conditions along a slope in a pothole depression
at Potholes Coulee, Grant County, Washington
A catena sequence was performed in a pothole depression on a glacial terrace located
within the Ancient Lakes State Wildlife Area between the towns of George, and Quincy, Washington
along the Columbia River. The purpose of this study was to examine slope-aspect influences on soil
development within a pothole of a dry, semi-arid environment. Soil transects were exposed to a
depth of 1 meter along a 10 degree slope in order to examine differences in soil texture, structure,
consistency, and horizon depths. Distinct differences were found at the backslope, footslope and
toeslope of the sequence. The transects at the footslope and toeslope demonstrated evidence of
hydric soil conditions such as mottling and relatively high organic matter. The pothole is located on
a terrace approximately 1.2 miles from the nearest upland water source and at an elevation
approximately 330-340 feet.
Sarah g. Tuori (Andy Bach)
The role of soil and sediment in mercury transport
Keywords: soil, mercury, contamination
Lumber processors and sewage fertilizer manufacturers contribute large amounts of mercury to
the environment. Rural and urban soil mercury concentrations are increasing as a result of
industrial activity and sewage applications to soil. Evidence suggests that global mercury soil
emissions may be increasing above background levels. Mercury is highly mobile and easily
transported by water and air throughout the environment. Elemental mercury present in soil
volatizes with the addition of solar radiation to emit mercury into the atmosphere. Airborne
mercury travels downwind from the source and is easily bound to clay minerals and organic
material. Additionally, oxidized inorganic mercury in soil and sediments is deposited to surface and
ground waters. Methyl mercury is readily absorbed by marine animals and travel to kidney,
accumulating throughout the food chain. Soil mercury mitigation methods are improving in
response to human and ecosystem health concerns. Effective mitigation of mercury contaminated
soils at Bellingham Georgia Pacific is necessary to prevent further mercury deposition to Whatcom
waterways and Bellingham Bay.
Megan Hewitson
Kate von Krusenstiern
Professor Andy Bach
WWU Huxley School of the Environment- Geography
TITLE: Chemical Analysis of Biological Soil Crusts
KEY WORDS: Biological Soil Crust; Soil Chemistry; Standing Electron Microscope
ABSTRACT: Biological soil crusts are aggregates of soil particles and biologic life such as
cyanobacteria, algae, microfungus, lichens, and bryophytes that live on top or in the uppermost
millimeters of the soil (Belnap, 2001). The symbiotic relationship between the bacteria and the soil
forms a living crust found in dryland regions. We believe that there is an observable relationship
between type of BSC and the corresponding soil chemistry. To test this hypothesis, samples of BSC
and the corresponding soil were taken in the Channeled Scablands, located in Columbia Basin. The
BSC is identified in the field using A Field Guide to Biological Soil Crusts (Rosentreter et al, 2007),
and identified in the lab using the standing electron microscope. Percentages of the elemental
components that made up the soil are found using Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy.
Paul Whelan – AWG 2010 Abstract Submissions [Revised] (2)
Characteristics of Treefall Events in Temperate Coniferous Forests and the Effect on
Infiltration Patterns
Paul Whelan, Faculty Mentor: Andy Bach, Western Washington University
The natural occurrence of treefall in temperate forests provides the basis for new growth of pioneer
species, bioturbation of surfacial soil, influx of nutrients from the decomposing tree, in addition to
many other ecological services. This process also affects micro-topography with the development of
pit and mound structures, the amount of solar radiation with reduction of percent canopy cover
and increased susceptibility to surfacial runoff from precipitation events. Though these events
occur irregularly over varied spatial scales during strong winds, without their influence species
diversity would suffer. One aspect remains that has seen relatively little research, which queries the
impact on infiltration patterns this pedoturbation can have, mainly near the base of the exposed
rootwad. Evaluating these characteristics may allude to a deeper understanding of treefall
processes; an integral event to maintain species diversity and allow for new growth in the
coniferous temperate forests, like those in the Pacific Northwest. In this study three sample sites
from Northridge Park, located north of Lake Whatcom in Bellingham, are examined and analyzed.
Keywords: Treefall, Infiltration, Rootwad
The Influence of Physical Geography on European Settlement Patterns in Canada:
Portrayed Through the Musical Lyrics of Folk Songwriter Gordon Lightfoot
Paul Whelan, Faculty Mentor: Dave Rossiter, Western Washington University
Throughout the late 20th century, the musician Gordon Lightfoot wrote and performed
popular songs describing, among many other themes, the lands known today known as Canada.
Many of the poetic lyrics he wrote allude to attributes of European settlement of northern North
America. In the 1800s, initial sites selected by European settlers were chosen for their proximity to
beavers for pelts and accessibility to staple products; exporting these goods began the still vital
trade economy Canada is known for today. This area's physical geography greatly shaped the
discrete pattern of settlement that characterized early the fur trade and lumber industry, and the
subsequent continuous sprawl that occurred after the railway was completed. The construction of
the 'iron road' that connected the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean caused trade to boom as access to
vast resources in this new found hinterland enacted incredible growth in heartland areas (McCann).
These economic geographies of colonial North America, and the physical geographies that shaped
them, are poetically described in Gordon Lightfoot's “The Canadian Railway Trilogy” and “The
Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” These characteristics will be explored mainly through the former,
and the latter used to provide a more recent context to the arguments presented.
Keywords: Canada, Settlement, Transcontinental Railway
Jonah White, Department of Environmental Studies, Western Washington University
Spatial Dimensions of Gentrification in Seattle, Washington: 1980-2000
Gentrification is considered to be a broad process that consists of changing socioeconomic
conditions across the urban landscape. Previous research has shown the process to include the
movement of affluent middle- and upper-class households back to central city areas potentially
causing displacement of lower classes. Using Seattle, Washington as a case study, this project
examines socioeconomic change at the census block-group level over the past two decades to
determine the extent and form of gentrification. Based on census data, a series of factor analyses is
performed to analyze significant socioeconomic factors linked with the gentrification process and
how each applies in the context of Seattle. Next, a cluster analysis is utilized to group together
similar block-groups according to their derived factor scores. The analyses reveal unique changes
in socioeconomic structures indicative of gentrification as well as distinct locational patterns across
the urban landscape of Seattle.
Keywords: Seattle, gentrification, urban landscape