Vol. 57, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2019
RECREATIONAL SCUBA DIVER IMPACTS ON INVASIVE LIONFISH POPULATIONS IN THE BAHAMAS
(pp. 2 - 16)
Alison E. Feeney
Department of Geography and Earth Science
Shippensburg University
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Matthew D. Fetzer
Department of Criminal Justice
Shippensburg University
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Nathan Riley
Juliet Sailing and Diving
Miami, Florida
Abstract
Recreational scuba diving contributes greatly to the economy and tourism of many coastal communities who rely on healthy coral reefs to ensure tourist satisfaction. The introduction of the Indo-Pacific lionfish, Pterois volitans and Pterois miles, to the Western Atlantic has detrimentally impacted the region. Repeated culling manages the invasive species, but can be costly and challenging in remote areas. One of the advantages of tourists’ scuba diving on a week-long liveaboard is that it allows passenger to dive in less accessible reefs. Data was collected from April to November, 2017 in the Bimini Islands, Bahamas where recreational scuba divers killed 702 lionfish from 37 dive sites. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted on the number of lionfish kills by distance from development, depth of reef, type of environment, and frequency of dives. The results show the significant contributions of a liveaboard with distance away from inhabited areas being the most significant factor in the number of lionfish killed. Above all, the number of kills declined throughout the dive season and thus indicates that a small number of recreational divers can impact the lionfish population. Such results should be considered by marine conservation managers.
ANALYSIS OF LATE WISCONSINAN ICE-MARGINAL ENVIRONMENTS IN NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
(pp. 17 - 33)
Todd Grote
Geosciences Program, School of Natural Sciences
Indiana University Southeast
Indiana, Pennsylvania
Eric Straffin
Department of Geosciences
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Edinboro, Pennsylvania
Abstract
The maximum extent of the late Wisconsinan glacial episode in northwestern Pennsylvania is best represented by the Kent End Moraine Complex (EMC). The geomorphology and sedimentology of Late Wisconsinan valley fills associated with this complex suite of landforms is investigated here, using geomorphic mapping on high resolution digital Lidar imagery and sedimentary facies interpretations from natural and artificial exposures. Much of the ice marginal valley fill represents ice-contact environments related to stagnant ice, and fluvial landforms related to melting and retreating ice. Dead ice sinks and moats are strong evidence that detached ice blocks existed within deep valleys. Lakes existed within some valleys, due to blockage of outlets by southward draining meltwater systems, and also by deposition of valley-blocking moraines. Drainage from younger, retreating ice margins behind the Kent EMC, triggered incision and formation of in-set outwash terraces below ice-contact kame terraces.
(pp. 34 - 45)
Vinicius Carmello
Department of Geography
São Paulo State University
São Paulo, Brazil
Abstract
This paper analyzes synoptic classification to identify the weather-type frequency during the main soybean growth and development period in northwest Ohio from 1999 to 2013. I collected spatial synoptic classification information using methodology proposed by Sheridan from which it is possible to identify the main air masses active during certain periods. The soybean main development period is July-August. The air mass information is categorized as follows: dry polar (DP), dry moderate (DM), dry tropical (DT), moist polar (MP), moist moderate (MM), and moist tropical (MT). I then tried to find a relationship between air-mass and weather type configuration, including rainfall variability, and annual soybean crop yield. I compared the years when the annual soybean yield showed reductions or variations between counties. The main result shows that in 2008 there were a strong occurrence of the dry moderate (DM) weather, especially in August when this air mass was present during 13 consecutive days. That year soybean crop yields showed considerable reduction compared to other years. I applied correlations tests between soybean yield and air-mass frequency but found no positive results beyond 2008.
(pp. 46 - 65)
Alyssa J. Kaewwilai
Department of Environmental Science
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Abstract
Drone imagery and photogrammetry models of the Gettysburg College campus and the terrain at Boyer Nurseries and Orchards were utilized to study flood patterns in Adams County, Pennsylvania. Gettysburg College has lower-sloped land and moderately built infrastructure while Boyer Orchards has drastically sloped land with many patches of abundant vegetation. The two locations were selected due to the fact that they have starkly different surface features, while the bedrock geology of the areas are very similar. The terrain of the models was isolated before a 3D carver and 3D printer were used to construct physical models to further analyze potential water flow and speed through virtual, modelled flood simulations. The models were used to compare real world rainfall data and flood events in the investigated areas from the months of June to August in 2018. I hypothesized that the Gettysburg College campus would experience more severe flooding that would take longer to subside in comparison to Boyer Orchards due to the steeper slope of the orchards’ terrain. The research revealed that Boyer Orchards experienced more extreme flooding and rainfall than Gettysburg College but was able to neutralize the effects due to plentiful vegetation and physiographic differences. Modelled flood simulations demonstrated less rainfall in comparison to actual rainfall values: there were differences of 0.78 cm and 1.32 cm between the actual and simulated rainfall amounts for Gettysburg and the Boyer Orchards area, respectively.