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(1 - 8 of 8)
- Title
- Avifauna in a suburban environment.
- Creator
- Blair, Courtney., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
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Habitat fragmentation causes the isolation of groups of individuals within species by producing a new landscape that is uninhabitable for many species, including birds. I surveyed the John D. MacArthur campus of FAU in the Fall of 2005 and Spring of 2006 to assess the use of the campus by birds. Throughout the campus trees are lined in rows along the sidewalks and around buildings, in contrast to the pine flatwoods environment that existed prior to development. The birds observed were found...
Show moreHabitat fragmentation causes the isolation of groups of individuals within species by producing a new landscape that is uninhabitable for many species, including birds. I surveyed the John D. MacArthur campus of FAU in the Fall of 2005 and Spring of 2006 to assess the use of the campus by birds. Throughout the campus trees are lined in rows along the sidewalks and around buildings, in contrast to the pine flatwoods environment that existed prior to development. The birds observed were found performing various activities on the campus, including foraging, perching, and building nests. Individuals were concentrated around or near buildings with the most diverse vegetation. Through assessing these campus uses I suggest that there are ways we can help increase bird diversity in promoting their use of urban environments. Such solutions can help decrease the number of individuals and species lost to the destructive force of habitat fragmentation.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/40269
- Subject Headings
- Birds, Ecology, Wildlife management, Birds, Habitat
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Influences of mosquito control impoundments on Rhizophora mangle initial propagule establishment and growth.
- Creator
- Coldren, Glenn A., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
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Rotational Impoundment Management (RIM) is a commonly used method of mosquito control in Florida involving seasonal flooding during mosquito breeding season and allowances for natural tidal variations during summer flooding. My study looks at the effects of this impoundment strategy on the red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle L., recruitment. Primary productivity of mangroves in these impoundments has been found to be similar to that of natural areas, although nutrient levels have been found to...
Show moreRotational Impoundment Management (RIM) is a commonly used method of mosquito control in Florida involving seasonal flooding during mosquito breeding season and allowances for natural tidal variations during summer flooding. My study looks at the effects of this impoundment strategy on the red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle L., recruitment. Primary productivity of mangroves in these impoundments has been found to be similar to that of natural areas, although nutrient levels have been found to differ greatly. R. mangle is a completely viviparous species, and as such, maternal conditions have a strong effect on propagules. My study compares the initial establishment and growth of R. mangle propagules collected from and planted in both impounded and non-impounded sites.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/11618
- Subject Headings
- Red mangrove, Mangrove ecology, Wetland conservation, Mosquitos, Control
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- False crawls by loggerhead sea turtles in Palm Beach County, Florida.
- Creator
- Leech, Anna, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
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In Florida, loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting populations are in decline, and human presence on beaches during nesting season can create an array of problems for the sea turtles. Volunteers and workers from the Loggerhead Marinelife Center collected nesting data from 2001 to 2005 along a 9.7 km stretch of Jupiter and Juno Beach, in Palm Beach County, Florida. Using these data, I found that human presence appears to have a negative impact on false crawl rates. The rate of false...
Show moreIn Florida, loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting populations are in decline, and human presence on beaches during nesting season can create an array of problems for the sea turtles. Volunteers and workers from the Loggerhead Marinelife Center collected nesting data from 2001 to 2005 along a 9.7 km stretch of Jupiter and Juno Beach, in Palm Beach County, Florida. Using these data, I found that human presence appears to have a negative impact on false crawl rates. The rate of false crawl was significantly higher on weekends than on weekdays(χ2 = 6.3, p < 0.05), and in areas with continuous public access than in areas with no public access(χ2 = 69.0, p < 0.0001). However, there was no significant difference in the number of nests laid on weekends versus weekdays(χ2 = 0.6, p > 0.05), although there are still other, less obvious negative effects caused by false crawling, and even nesting, while humans are in the vicinity. Even though it is impractical to try to keep people off the beach at night, it is important to increase awareness of the negative impacts that human presence may have on sea turtle nesting in order to help reverse the decline in the population of loggerhead sea turtles.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/77673
- Subject Headings
- Sea turtles, Wildlife conservation, Loggerhead turtle, Sea turtles, Orientation
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Cement stabilization of organic soils for controlling secondary compression behavior.
- Creator
- Ramirez, Juan., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
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Western Palm Beach County, FL is characterized by thick deposits organic soils at shallow depths. Because of their high void ratio and compressibility, these soils undergo large primary consolidation followed by extended periods of secondary compression causing excessive premature structural distress. Although soil stabilization has been largely used with remarkable results in soft, expansive and non-organic soils, limited research and practice exist in the implementation with highly organic...
Show moreWestern Palm Beach County, FL is characterized by thick deposits organic soils at shallow depths. Because of their high void ratio and compressibility, these soils undergo large primary consolidation followed by extended periods of secondary compression causing excessive premature structural distress. Although soil stabilization has been largely used with remarkable results in soft, expansive and non-organic soils, limited research and practice exist in the implementation with highly organic soils. The main motivation of this research was to investigate the effects of cement stabilization on the compressibility behavior of organic rich soils, and develop mix design criteria for optimum cement contents necessary to induce the desired engineering behavior. This optimized mix design may provide guidelines for Deep Mixing Methods in organic soils.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/367760
- Subject Headings
- Soil consolidation, Measurement, Soils, Organic compound content, Soil remediation, Technological innovations, Concrete construction, Structural stability, Design
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Florida's definition and subsequent calculatons of a public high school graduate: a critical race theory analysis.
- Creator
- Watson, Terri N., College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
-
On March 18, 2008, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida filed a class action lawsuit against The Palm Beach County School Board and its district superintendent on behalf of approximately 176,000 students under their jurisdiction (Schroeder v. The Palm Beach County School Board, 2008). The plaintiffs cited the defendants for their failure "to provide a uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality education" (p. 7) as required by the Florida Constitution, Article IX, ß 1....
Show moreOn March 18, 2008, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida filed a class action lawsuit against The Palm Beach County School Board and its district superintendent on behalf of approximately 176,000 students under their jurisdiction (Schroeder v. The Palm Beach County School Board, 2008). The plaintiffs cited the defendants for their failure "to provide a uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality education" (p. 7) as required by the Florida Constitution, Article IX, ß 1. They contended that their claim was substantiated by The School District of Palm Beach County's (SDPBC) dismal high school graduation rates. Spurred by the lawsuit, I wanted to understand the controversy surrounding high school graduation rates, in spite of decades of school reform measures, and why different calculation methods are utilized in the state of Florida. In respect to the latter point, I was curious to learn about the differences among graduation rate calculation methods and what impact, if any, these differences had on the reporting of high school graduation rates, particularly those for students of color. Black America's past and present reality in public education has illustrated the need for new paradigms to address the achievement gap promulgated by contextual factors that serve to impede the academic achievement of all students. The statistical analyses and Critical Race Realist perspective, which has evolved from Critical Race Theory when applied to policy research, offered in this study found Florida's definition and subsequent calculations of a public high school graduate to result in significant and consistent differences among graduation rates relative to student race and graduation rate calculation method.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/1930490
- Subject Headings
- Discrimination in education, Educational equalization, School improvement programs, High school graduates
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- " You're too late!": prenatal health seeking behaviors of Guatemalan Mayan women in Palm Beach County.
- Creator
- Supanich, Colleen., Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Department of Anthropology
- Abstract/Description
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In this thesis I explore the circumstances in which pregnant Guatemalan Mayan women in South Florida communities found themselves. A local non-profit organization, the Guatemalan Maya Center (GMC), offered assistance to pregnant Mayan women to secure biomedical prenatal care, yet many continued to underutilize these services. The decision to utilize this form of care largely depended on whether a woman received care from a traditional midwife in the community. Women receiving care from a...
Show moreIn this thesis I explore the circumstances in which pregnant Guatemalan Mayan women in South Florida communities found themselves. A local non-profit organization, the Guatemalan Maya Center (GMC), offered assistance to pregnant Mayan women to secure biomedical prenatal care, yet many continued to underutilize these services. The decision to utilize this form of care largely depended on whether a woman received care from a traditional midwife in the community. Women receiving care from a midwife generally did not seek biomedical care until late in their pregnancies. Women unable to locate a midwife often incorporated biomedical care once they suspected pregnancy. Due to the difficulties accessing the GMC's services prior to enrollment many of these women did not obtain "timely" care. A better understanding of the ways in which Guatemalan Mayan women incorporated biomedical prenatal care into their lives is the first step towards increasing their participation in these services.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/192990
- Subject Headings
- Maya women, Medical care, Prenatal care, Maternal health services, Midwifery, Social aspects, Migrant agricultural laborers, Medical care
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Integration of geospatial technologies into K-12 curriculum: an investigation of teacher and student perceptions and student academic achievement.
- Creator
- Goldstein, Donna L., College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
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The purpose of this study was to explore outcomes of a GIS/GPS integration process: to (a) examine student responses to GIS and GPS inclusion in their curriculum, (b) determine whether a relationship exists between inclusion of GIS into existing K-12 curriculum and student achievement, (c) examine the effectiveness of GIS professional development for teachers, and (d) evaluate teacher perceptions of the value of integrating GIS into their existing curricula. This study was quantitative and...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to explore outcomes of a GIS/GPS integration process: to (a) examine student responses to GIS and GPS inclusion in their curriculum, (b) determine whether a relationship exists between inclusion of GIS into existing K-12 curriculum and student achievement, (c) examine the effectiveness of GIS professional development for teachers, and (d) evaluate teacher perceptions of the value of integrating GIS into their existing curricula. This study was quantitative and quasi-experimental in design. The samples consisted of 1,425 students from one middle school and 62 teachers from Palm Beach County School District. Two instruments were used in this study: student surveys and teacher feedback forms. Data from the student surveys indicated that students perceive their learning is enhanced by inclusion of GIS and GPS. Data from the teacher feedback forms revealed positive perceptions of the GIS/GPS program as an integrative tool for their existing curricula and a positive assessment of the GIS professional development training. The relationship between GIS instruction and student academic achievement was evaluated, measured by FCAT reading scores and final grades in science and social studies. The findings support the constructivist theory that students learn best when actively engaged in the process. In this study standardized FCAT reading test results and science and social studies grades corroborate the students' perceptions that GIS and GPS integration enhances their learning. Study results show FCAT reading scores were higher for GIS students than for non-GIS students. The research further indicated a significant increase in FCAT reading scores for non-native English speaking GIS students and a significantly higher average science grade for non-White GIS students., The findings also show that students who had a greater frequency of GIS instruction had higher averages in science and social studies grades. Education reform requires bold initiatives and an organizational culture supportive of innovative ideas. The structured model for development and implementation of GIS in the K-12 public school system presented at the end of this study includes collaboration between district leadership, administrators and teachers, and a comprehensive approach to professional development.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/1927302
- Subject Headings
- Geographic information systems, Global Positioning System, Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, Curriculum planning, Achievement in education
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Is there a relationship between academic achievement and school climate at the elementary, middle, or high school grade level?.
- Creator
- Doyal, Thomas Stacy., College of Education, Department of Teaching and Learning
- Abstract/Description
-
Researchers have determined that many factors, including school climate, may be contributing to the lack of academic achievement of many of our students. In an effort to better understand this issue, this study tested for possible relationships between the school climate of multiple schools in Palm Beach County, Florida, and their students' academic achievement. Separate analyses were done at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. For the purpose of this study, academic achievement ...
Show moreResearchers have determined that many factors, including school climate, may be contributing to the lack of academic achievement of many of our students. In an effort to better understand this issue, this study tested for possible relationships between the school climate of multiple schools in Palm Beach County, Florida, and their students' academic achievement. Separate analyses were done at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. For the purpose of this study, academic achievement (criterion variable) was measure by the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, Math and Reading sections. School climate (predictor variable) was measured by the school district's yearly climate survey. In order to test the study's hypotheses, a linear multiple regression model using SPSS software was run to measure for any relationship between the criterion and predictor variables at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. The relationships of individual predictors with the criterion were tested with correlations and the model including all seven predictors was tested with multiple regressions.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/221943
- Subject Headings
- School improvement programs, Academic achievement, Educational equalization, Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, Educational tests and measurements
- Format
- Document (PDF)
