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Browsing by Author "Newman, Gregory, committee member"

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    Experts vs. novices: a comparison of the quality and quantity of Bombus observations between citizen scientists and researchers in national parks
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Smith, Alia, author; Bowser, Gillian, advisor; Halliwell, Philip, advisor; Balgopal, Meena, committee member; Newman, Gregory, committee member
    Citizen science data is plentiful and diverse in its collection, storage, and subsequent application. Different platforms have unique methods of storing data and limitations in accessing the data contributed to the platform. This study explored the accessibility of citizen science data from several citizen science platforms and compared two different methods of collecting data from iNaturalist, a global citizen science platform for observing and identifying organisms. It focused on Bombus species observations made in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. The study found that different platforms are not equal in the ability to access and utilize data. It also found that on iNaturalist one method of searching for data yielded 14% more results than the other. The separate and incomplete nature of accessible data across citizen science platforms and subjectivity of searching methods on iNaturalist are indicative of the difficulty in creating a complete dataset that is representative of the collective contributions of citizen scientists. The validity of citizen science research has been controversial in recent history. There is a general consensus, however, that citizen science must be verifiable to be trustworthy. iNaturalist is a crowdsourced citizen science platform that allows other users to corroborate or dispute species identifications that individuals post. This research seeks to determine whether there is a difference in the quantity and quality of Bombus observations in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks made by expert researchers and citizen scientists on iNaturalist. It found that the professional researchers, or experts, contributed 68% of the observations, but there was not a significant difference between the achievement rate of Research Grade observations between the experts and novices. This indicates that citizen scientists have the ability, through iNaturalist, to accurately make difficult taxonomic identifications.
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    I see what you mean: visual and participatory climate change communication
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2013) Mullen, Karina C., author; Bruyere, Brett, advisor; Thompson, Jessica, committee member; Newman, Gregory, committee member; Champ, Joseph, committee member
    Empowering people to think critically and engage with climate change is a challenging goal: forcing science and facts on people is not enough to change values that support more sustainable behaviors (Kubeck, 2011; Maibach, Roser-Renouf, & Leiserowitz, 2009). This thesis approaches understanding how non-expert audiences are interested in learning about climate change with a new perspective: by listening to these audiences researchers can develop climate change outreach strategies that resonate with the constructs that each audience identifies with (Fosnot, 1996; Kubeck, 2011). Science communication methods that explore alternative avenues of creative engagement such as art may improve effectiveness (Leiserowitz, 2003; Nicholson-Cole, 2005). Connecting with people personally through simple yet clear images is one method that shows promise in the field of climate change communication (Roam, 2009). Translating complex climate science to digestible chunks of words and illustrations showing relationships between ideas (i.e. graphic recording), is one method to engage in climate change. Another method that incorporates art and experiential learning includes participatory approaches such as citizen science. By exploring in nature, citizen scientists build efficacy and connections to a given place. For example, using artistic repeat photography as data to compare historic vistas with those seen today can engage audiences in helping and track changes. National parks and wildlife refuges are places that people across the United States revere and view as trusted places to learn and explore. These places can provide powerful experiences through hands-on programs that incorporate artistic means of communicating complex science. By facilitating opportunities for visitors to explore and help collect scientific data through repeat photography, their observations and connections with these remarkable places may lead to a more open and accepting conversation about climate change.
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    Is citizen science worth it? Economic decision making of natural resource managers
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016) Fauver, Brian M., author; Bruyere, Brett, advisor; Newman, Gregory, committee member; Bright, Alan, committee member
    Citizen science, or public participation in scientific research, is often used by natural resource management agencies for monitoring. Citizen science has been studied for its effects on volunteer education, community engagement, data rigor, and cost savings. This thesis researches the cost savings of citizen science projects by comparing three citizen science projects to equivalent professional projects, and by analyzing the methodology of implementation of three citizen science case studies. It found that the citizen science projects studied are not notably cheaper than their professional counterparts but are lauded for their benefits of education, community engagement, and stewardship. For the case studies, supervised data collection and on-the-job training were found to have higher variable costs, while unsupervised data collection and training prior to data collection was found to have higher fixed costs. The findings of this thesis might aid resource managers in deciding if citizen science is an appropriate monitoring tool for their resource.
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    The Cache la Poudre AquaBlitz: exploring watershed ecology with elementary and middle school students
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2015) Skach, Sky, author; Laituri, Melinda, advisor; Newman, Gregory, committee member; Fernandez-Gimenez, Maria, committee member
    Evidence suggests that experiential environmental education is both effective and influential on student knowledge and attitudes. The Cache la Poudre AquaBlitz, was designed as a rapid-assessment of watershed health and as an educational experience for 4th-6th grade students combining current best practices in environmental education and citizen science with a local, place-based focus. This manuscript provides a summary of the project curricula and an assessment of knowledge acquisition by students. Data analysis suggests that the curricula were successfully written for the targeted grade levels and that student understanding of watershed ecology was increased.
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    Watershed characteristics that are related to the occurrence of impaired (CWA 303(d)) waters for park units within the Pacific West Region of the National Park Service
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2012) Ling, Jia L., author; Laituri, Melinda, advisor; Loftis, Jim, committee member; Newman, Gregory, committee member
    Since the establishment of the Clean Water Act (CWA) in 1972, the federal government has made significant strides toward improving the quality of U.S. water resources. The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program created from the federal CWA distributed the responsibility for improving water quality to states, territories, and authorized tribes, while appointing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the lead oversight. Over 43,500 TMDL plans have been developed according to the EPA's national summary of TMDL information. However, implementation of TMDLs is often delayed, which hinders improvement in water quality and may reduce the restoration potential of an impaired waterbody. The National Park Service (NPS) is an important stakeholder in the TMDL program because restoring and preserving water quality for future uses and enjoyment is a vital component of its mission. Therefore, the goal of this study is to identify watershed characteristics that are relevant to the occurrence of impaired waters within watersheds that intersect park units. This will assist NPS managers in evaluating waterbodies at risk and restoration potential. An initial list of 25 watershed characteristics was identified to be included in this study. A survey was administered to NPS aquatic professionals to further reduce the number of characteristics and evaluate the most pertinent characteristics based on professional opinions. Eleven watershed characteristics were selected and quantified to examine their correlation to the occurrence of impaired waters. Watershed characteristics were chosen to represent each of the three categories: (1) land cover / use, (2) ecological / physical characteristics, and (3) social influences. The study area was limited to HUC 12 polygons that intersect park units within the Pacific West Region of NPS. Watershed characteristics and impairments were measured for all intersecting HUC 12 polygons. Impairments were assessed based on state listings of CWA 303(d) waters and categories 4a, 4b, and 4c of CWA Section 305(b). Linear regression analysis was employed to investigate the correlation between each watershed characteristic to percent impairment. The results of the analyses revealed that average slope, amount of hydrography, agricultural land cover, and forest land cover were significant indicators of impaired waters at alpha 0.10 level. Although many of the watershed characteristics may have synergistic effects, multicollinearity was not considered in the design of this study. However, the results of this study may guide water quality professionals to hone their efforts on actively managing the significant watershed characteristics identified in this study.