Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
We have divided this topic into 4 sections, namely, wilderness and wildlife,
glaciers, wetlands and watersheds, and human health and the environment.
Undoubtedly, some debate will ensue over our section titles and the placement of
chapters, considering the nature of environmental resources and the use of geotech-
nolgies are not mutually exclusive. The following sections provide a brief overview
of each chapter section.
1.2.1 Wilderness and Wildlife Response
The following three chapters in this section focus on the applications of geotech-
nologies regarding the natural environment; predominantly, the role of disturbance
on the physical landscape and the wildlife found within. In
Chapter 2
, Davis et al.
examines the black-tailed deer in relation to disturbance patterns and resultant habi-
tat changes within and adjacent to the blast zone of Mt. St. Helens, Washington
State, USA. The authors analyzed remotely sensed imagery to develop post eruption
habitat maps and models for predicting deer population densities, and conducted
GIS modeling to determine the impact of habitat change and road building on the
deer population. From one scarred wilderness landscape to another, Medler's chap-
ter (re)introduces us to pyrogeography, the study of the distribution and behavior of
wildfires. Medler provides an overview of the advances of the field, which is heavily
dependent on geotechnologies and discusses how information gleaned from com-
puter models aid in managing fire in forest ecosystems. The section concludes with a
chapter by Fei et al. and the use of geotechnologies to compile, organize and analyze
data used in formulating management plans for the once dominant American chest-
nut (
Castanea dentata
) in Mammoth Cave National Park. Specifically, the authors
provide a case study that uses geotechnology to identify existing American chestnut
stands and to locate potential areas where restoration of this tree may be undertaken.
1.2.2 Glaciers
Although glaciers are not as commonly studied as an environmental resource,
particularly with respect to geotechnologies, this topic presents two highly com-
plementary chapters on this portion of the cryosphere and its connection to natural
resource management.
Chapter 5
is a case study by Janke and Bellisario that study
California rock glacier in Colorado to assess geomorphic hazards of mountainous
areas. Using geotechnologies to measure flow rates and comparing these rates to
regional climate data, the authors identified an area on the glacier deemed sensitive
to changing climate conditions that could lead to an increase in rock falls. As the
authors note, the geotechniques and associated geotechnologies used in their case
study in Colorado are applicable for use in other mountainous areas. The authors
then change scale and discuss potential applications and management implications
of this research as related to the Andes. They recognize the significant contribution
of Andean glaciers regarding water supply for humans, agriculture and industry and
