Biology Theses and Dissertations
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/2749
Browse
2 results
Search Results
Item PROPOSING A REALISTIC INTERACTIVE VISUALIZATION MODEL AND TESTING ITS EFFECTIVENESS IN COMMUNICATING FLOOD RISK(2014) Olsen, V. Beth K; Momen, Bahram; Marine-Estuarine-Environmental Sciences; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)This project advances the field of flood risk management by using technology to bridge the gap between science and local community decision-making. Currently, flood risk management meetings use a computer-assisted decision support system (DSS) to illustrate various flood scenarios and facilitate collaborative discussions among participants. The DSS is a set of sophisticated models structured by geographic information systems (GIS) technicians. This study proposed a "stakeholder-built" DSS. Stakeholders are defined here as those directly at risk of flooding. This method utilized improved user interface capabilities while retaining the technical rigor and robustness of a Nationally-recognized GIS software package. There are times when a simple model may serve as an introduction to GIS technology. There are also situations where the cost of the sophisticated models may place them out of reach. The stakeholder-built DSS was proposed as a compliment to the sophisticated models by providing greater access to a DSS for end-users. The stakeholder-built DSS, in which stakeholders construct their own models, uses realistic interactive visualization as a learning tool. Realistic visualization represents information using virtual reality. The intent is to trigger awareness of risk through emotional response to images. Stakeholders use interactive visualization when constructing the model. Awareness of the flood scenario is enhanced by the constant attention required of the model-builder as they make connections between hand-eye coordinated motions and the cognitive information they are modeling. Knowledge accumulates as multiple steps are completed. The effectiveness of the stakeholder-built DSS was tested during community flood risk management meetings in Federal Emergency Management Agency Region III, the mid-Atlantic area. A DSS based on a Nationally-recognized GIS software package was also tested to serve as a comparison. Data were collected in pre- and post-surveys and follow-up interviews. The stakeholder-built and national GIS software DSS both performed equally well in communicating knowledge of flood risk and risk-reduction options, resulting in significant learning outcomes. To maximize the intent by stakeholders to take actions to reduce risk, meetings using the stakeholder-built DSS in high-quality meeting facilities performed best. In addition, the stakeholder-built model was less expensive and found to be more user-friendly for stakeholders.Item Using dredged material to restore the Chesapeake Marshlands Complex: Preliminary application of a risk-based optimization model for comparing placement options(2010) Shearin, Charlotte Bruce; King, Dr. Dennis M.; Marine-Estuarine-Environmental Sciences; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Using dredged material to restore wetlands in the Chesapeake Marshlands Complex (CMC) could offer solutions to two separate problems: 1) restoring and protecting the marshes in the CMC; and 2) finding an innovative reuse for dredged material from the Chesapeake Bay approach channels. The risk-based optimization model presented here assesses and compares restoration options for two alternative years (2023 and 2036) when the project may begin and represents a preliminary screening of material placement locations. Restoration of Zones 2a (Barbados Island) and 2b (Confluence Area) appear to provide significant environmental benefits, suggesting that restoration at these locations would provide the best return on investment. Low marsh restoration also provides a significant amount of benefits accrued. Based on sensitivity analysis, it appears that the choice of when to begin the project also represents tradeoffs between onsite habitat benefits and recreational benefits. Model results should be interpreted cautiously, considering the model limitations.