Progress 03/22/17 to 09/30/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences for our research include undergraduate students, graduate students, other research scientists, and thegeneral public. Undergraduate students worked directly with the investigators on the construction and managment of theGreen Infrastructure Research Area (GIRA) located at the HH Leveck Animal Research Center (South Farm) and on theMississippi Blackland Prairie Demonstration Area att he RR Foil Plant Science Research Center (North Farm) on thecampus.The undergraduate and graduate students reported directly to the Principal Investigator. Undergraduate students planted and managed riparian buffers and their plant communities. Graduate students worked on thesis research and on managing bioreactor mesocosms, their plant communities and water quality data management. Future design professionals and the general public are the ultimate audience for our research. We have provided usable information for urban planners, landscape designers, landscape managers, and policy-making professionals in the green industry. We communicate our work with state and local administrators (MDEQ, City of Starkville, Redbud-Catalpa Creek Watershed stakeholders). Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Opportunities for training and professional development included the management of the Green Infrastructure Research Area, which included one graduate student and one student worker, who were trained in mesocosm construction, and data management. The PI and one student worker were trained in meadow establishment and management methods, beginning with soil testing, seeding, monitoring and herbicide application techniques.As a result of leading a multidisciplinary team in the development of the Red Bud-Catalpa Creek Water Resources Management Plan and Watershed Implementation Plan, the PI learned from collaborators about the process of developing andimplementing watershed planning resources including the collaborative method for planning, stakeholder involvement, and the review process for securing funding for watershed-related activities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results of our research are being disseminated to undergraduate and graduate students in classes taught in the Department of Landscape Architecture at Mississippi State University and via classes taught through the ACCEPtS Consortium of university horticulture programs (Mississippi State, Louisiana State, Oklahoma State, and U of Arkansas). Results were disseminated to stakeholders in the Redbud-Catalpa Creek Watershed via activities associated with the Watershed Implementation Plan. Meetings with representatives from the City of Starkville, with stakeholders in the watershed and in other watersheds in Mississippi. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The application of ecological design and management was investigated at the Green Infrastructure Research Area in Mississipi State, MS. A mesocosm study comparing 3 stormwater filter materials (engineered biochar, EAF Slag, and sand) was completed resulting in an MLA thesis. The application of watershed management planning techniques was carried out for the Red Bud-Catalpa Creek Watershed Implementation Plan for the Red Bud-Catalpa Creek Watershed. We implemented stream buffers at two tributary streams, both in the headwaters of the watershed. Pollinator habitat was established adjacent to a new parking area at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Mississippi productionplant in Blue Springs, Mississippi. Approximately 5 acres of habitat is being managed in meadow/prairie species as a part of the Wildlife Habitat Council certification for the plant.
Publications
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Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Red Bud-Catalpa Creek Water Resource and Wildlife Habitat Management: The target audiences of our efforts are the faculty, staff, and students of Mississippi State University (MSU), other university personnel, stakeholders of the Catalpa Creek watershed, and regional watershed stakeholders. Numerous faculty and staff at MSU participated in the planning and management of the implementation phase of the Red Bud-Catalpa Creek Water Resources Management Plan (RBCC WRMP). The students of the University benefit from this activity through student worker positions, class tours of the watershed, and course lectures, projects, and assignments that utilize thematerials provided in the WRMP. The stakeholders of the watershed include the University and its personnel, landowners, and citizens that benefit from the intended uses of a healthy watershed, particularly recreational access. Regional watershed stakeholders benefit from the sharing of knowledge attained through our efforts and from improved water quality in the waters downstream from our watershed. For each of these projects, target audiences are graduate and undergraduate students, producers of slag and biochar, scientists working in water quality and habitat management, and the general public via MSU Extension and the Mississippi Natural Resource Conservation Service. Mississippi Delta Food, Recreation, and Education Mapping: A Research Assistant (GRA) documented existing food, recreation, and educational resources in an 8 county region in the Mississippi Delta. These data created and maps serve as the basis for informed decisions for both Researchers working on this project at Mississippi State University (Social Scientists and Regional Planners) and also for the current public officials in these Mississippi Delta counties. Disaster Recovery Planning in Mexico Beach, Florida This research represents applied learning based on ongoing research interests in community resilience and disaster recovery. The small coastal town of Mexico Beach was declared by FEMA as "wiped out" by Hurricane Michael in October 2018, a Category-5 storm that flattened or completely swept away many of its homes, businesses, and its City Hall. The research involved a community-university partnership formed between the 2019 Small Town/Rural Design Studio in the MSU Department of Landscape Architecture and the town. The project first began to take shape in summer 2019 through outreach to Mexico Beach's Mayor, Mr. Al Cathey. Undergraduate students, graduate students, and local residents participated in planning exercises. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Water Resource Management in the Catalpa Creek Watershed The Graduate Research Assistant worked with Undergraduate Researchers from Iowa and Virginia on water quality research that will serve allo of them in their future careers. They presented their initial findings at the Summer 2019 Undergraduate Research Symposium at the Shakouls Honor College at Mississippi State University. Mississippi Delta Food, Recreation, and Education Planning A Graduate Research Assistant has been involved work associated with the role of the built environment on obesity in 8 Mississippi Delta Counties. This work has involved participation in the literature review, site reconnaissance and mapping of physical infrastructure items across the counties. Additionally, he has review census data and helped to run numbers that compare the data of our focus counties against comparable data at the state and national level. This work is being presented at the upcoming Council ofEducators in LandscapeArchitecture Annual Conference. Another Graduate Research Assistantcontinued his 2018 work on utilizing GIS to document food outlets and physical activity infrastructure as part of our baseline research into the built environment and its role in obesity prevention in 8 Mississippi Delta Counties. This work benefited this student by introducing them to regional planning techniques and interactions with other researchers. Disaster Recovery Planning in Mexico Beach, Florida A Graduate Research Assistant supported the project throughout the semester and assisted in critiques of student work. The project provided all students with a transformative educational experience where they applied their knowledge and skills to real world problems they will likely encounter in their future careers as landscape architects. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Each of the three research projects has disseminated information to stakeholders in the areas where the research took place: in the Red Bud/Catalpa Creek Watershed, Mexico Beach, and the Mississippi Delta via meetings and electronic resources. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Water Resource Management in the Catalpa Creek Watershed Efforts are currently focused on managing nutrient loads in agricultural landscapes and on managing invasive species in theriparian zone. In the nutrient management subject area, we are working with scientists in the Department of Chemistry andthe Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and BioChemistry at Mississippi State to develop a bioreactor forebay system as part of a treatment wetland design. We are comparing slag and custom-treated biochar as substrates for the removal ofexcess phosphorus from pasture stormwater runoff. The experiment compares slag and biochar as individual substrates. Data collection began in the summer of 2019 and will continue into the summer of 2020. Mississippi Delta Food, Recreation, and Education Planning Preliminary research and mapping was completed. This information will inform future research comparing the 8-county research area with other areas. Disaster Recovery Planning in Mexico Beach, Florida A graduate research assistant supported work on an engaged-scholarship project. This work is in alignment with a core value of Mississippi State University to instill the ideals of citizenship and service in all members of the MSU community, and as reflected in its elective designation by the Carnegie Foundation's "Community Engagement Classification." Research began with the preparation of base maps, researching organizations, and compiling various documents related to the project. A class trip to Mexico Beach was conducted to tour the area and to gain an understanding of the local context. While there, we attended public meetings, and met with area residents and representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Army Corps of Engineers, the National Park Service, and the City of Mexico Beach. At these public and stakeholder meetings needs were discussed and focus areas identified for the class to work on. Students worked on the project throughout the Fall 2019 semester and produced example designs to illustrate potential future and redevelopment in the area. An emphasis was placed on providing rebuilding strategies using environmentally conscious design and Low Impact Development (LID) techniques to address local needs. This approach to new- or redevelopment practices contributes to a more resilient community that is better equipped to handle the impacts of extreme weather events and a changing climate.
Publications
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Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Red Bud-Catalpa Creek Water Resource and Wildlife Habitat Management: The target audiences of our efforts are the faculty, staff, and students of Mississippi State University (MSU), other university personnel, the stakeholders of the Catalpa Creek watershed, and regional watershed stakeholders. Numerous faculty and staff at MSU have participated in the planning and writing stages of the production of the Red Bud-Catalpa Creek Water Resources Management Plan (RBCC WRMP). This group shares the common goal of improving the management of the natural resources of the watershed, as described in the plan. The students of the University benefit from this activity through student worker positions, class tours of the watershed, and course lectures, projects, and assignments that utilize the materials provided in the WRMP. The stakeholders of the watershed include the University and its personnel, landowners, and citizens that benefit from the intended uses of a healthy watershed, particularly recreational access. Regional watershed stakeholders benefit from the sharing of knowledge attained through our efforts and, if we are successful, from improved water quality in the waters downstream from our watershed. For each of these projects, target audiences are graduate and undergraduate students, producers of slag and biochar, scientists working in water quality and habitat management, and the general public via MSU Extension and the Mississippi Natural Resource Conservation Service. Mississippi Delta Food, Recreation, and Education Mapping: ResearchAssistant (GRA) is documenting existing food, recreation, and educational resources in an 8 county region in the Mississippi Delta. The first stages of this work is defining the terms and developing a methodology for collecting and documenting this type of infrastructure. The GRA has worked through multiple iterations of this methodology for a single county before proceeding to the entirety of the study area. The work is primarily generated in excel and imported into ArcGIS for mapping purposes. The GRA has also generated typical road sections that examine active transportation opportunities within the public R.O.W. The data will ultimately be compiled into a series of maps and support documents that document the current food, recreation, and education resources for the study region. The work is building the foundation for policy and planning proposals in the 8 county study region that address poor health outcomes directly related to insufficient access to healthy food and recreation. These data created and subsequent maps serve as the basis for informed decisions for bothResearchers working on this project at Mississippi State University and also for the current public officials in these counties. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Our current projects are providing training in riparian zone nutrient and habitat management for undergraduate and graduate students in chemistry and landscape architecture. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, results of our nutrient management and privet control projects will be disseminated through the graduate program of the Department of Landscape Architecture and the Undergraduate Student Research Scholar program, respectively, via presentation to MAFES administrators and personnel, as well as to a regional meeting audience at the Mississippi Water Resources Conference.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Efforts are currently focused on managing nutrient loads in agricultural landscapes and on managing invasive species in the riparian zone. In the nutrient management subject area, we are working with scientists in the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and BioChemistry at Mississippi State to develop a bioreactor forebay system as part of a treatment wetland design. We are comparing slag and custom-treated biochar as substrates for the removal of excess phosphorus from pasture stormwater runoff. The experiment will compare slag and biochar as individual substrates, and also a custom blend of 50% slag mixed with 50% biochar. Lab analysis of the substrates indicate that treated biochar reacts very quickly with high-phosphate water and has a high surface area for reaction with phosphate. Slag has a slower reaction time and lower surface area, but is more amenable to field placement. In the invasive species project area, we are investigating methods for control of Ligustrum sinense (Chinese privet) for eventual use by MAFES resource managers. An undergraduate research student has treated 2-m transects with high privet cover with three different control measures. Cover of privet will be tracked in 2019, with Standard Operating Procedures and costs associated with each treatment method reported to MAFES administrators and personnel. For the Mississippi Delta Food, Recreation and Education project, he GRA was able to successfully determine the parameters and definitions for the inventory assessment and develop a model process that can be repeated for the entirety of the study area.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Hanberry, B.B., R.F. Brzuszek, H.T. Foster, and T.J. Schauwecker. 2018. Recalling open old growth forests in the Southeastern Mixed Forest province of the United States. Ecoscience DOI: 10.1080/11956860.2018.1499282
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Schauwecker, T., G. Pappalardo, and F. Gravagno. 2018. Collaborative design-build as a strategy for community involvement: The experience of Contrada Nicolo along the Simeto River, Sicily, Italy. Landscape Research Record 7: 172-188.
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Gray, T. and T. Schauwecker. 2018. The use of General Land Office (GLO) records to Locate Prairie Patches. Southeastern Grasslands: Ecology, Biodiversity, and Management. University of Alabama Press. J.G. Hill and J. Barone (eds.). pp. 24-35.
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Dollar, J. G., T. J. Schauwecker, S. K. Riffell, and L. W. Burger, Jr. 2018. Responses of Forb Communities to Management of Grassland Buffers. Southeastern Grasslands: Ecology, Biodiversity, and Management. University of Alabama Press. J.G. Hill and J. Barone (eds.). pp. 222-230.
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Dollar, J. G., S.K. Riffell, T. J. Schauwecker and L. W. Burger, Jr. 2018. Effects of landscape history and disturbance on forb communities in semi-natural grasslands. Southeastern Grasslands: Ecology, Biodiversity, and Management. University of Alabama Press. J.G. Hill and J. Barone (eds.). pp.237-255.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Ramirez-Avila, J., J. Grafe, T. Schauwecker, S. Ortega-Achury, J. Martin, T. Noble, and J. Czarnecki. 2018. Impacts of Riparian Buffer Zones on Stream Water Quality: A Quantitative Assessment in the Catalpa Creek Watershed. Mississippi Water Resources Conference, April 4.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Ramirez-Avila, J., T. Delgado, T. Buie, T. Schauwecker, J. Martin, S. Ortega-Achury, and J. Czarnecki. 2018.
A Project Based Learning Study Oriented to Develop a Natural Stream Restoration Design. Mississippi Water Resources Conference, April 4.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Schauwecker, T., F. Gravagno, C. Lavoie, G. Pappalardo, H. Sanger, C. Sass, and S. Harrell. 2018. Landscape Architecture and Planning Faculty and Student Roles in Engaging Communities in Watershed Management and Riparian Restoration. Panel Presentation. Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture Annual Meeting (CELA), Blacksburg, VA. March 23.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Harrell, S. and T. Schauwecker. 2018. Green Roofs and Birds: Observations and Opportunities for Supplementing Wildlife Habitat. Oral Presentation. Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture Annual Meeting, Blacksburg, VA. March 22.
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Progress 03/22/17 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Red Bud-Catalpa Creek Water Resource Management: The target audiences of our efforts are the faculty, staff, and students of Mississippi State University (MSU), other university personnel,the stakeholders of the Catalpa Creek watershed, and regional watershed stakeholders. Numerous faculty and staff at MSU have participated in the planning and writing stages of the production of the Red Bud-Catalpa Creek Water Resources Management Plan (RBCC WRMP).This group shares the common goal of improving the management of the natural resources of the watershed, as described in the plan. The students of the University benefit from this activity through student worker positions, class tours of the watershed, and course lectures,projects, and assignmentsthat utilize the materials provided in the WRMP. The stakeholders of the watershed include the University and its personnel, landowners, and citizens that benefit from the intended uses of a healthy watershed, particularly recreational access.REgional watershed stakeholders benefit from the sharing of knowledge attained through our efforts and, if we are successful, from improved water quality in the waters downstream from our watershed. Smart Landscapes: There are currently no established public programs in the state of Mississippi that are offered to the general public to educate about sustainable landscape practices for residential homeowners. To assess the potential for a market audience, a public survey was conducted in June, July and August 2017 for statewide residential homeowners to assess their interest levels for sustainable landscape practices and to record practices that are currently being implemented upon their properties. For the purposes of the survey, sustainable landscape practices were categorized by existing major resource and practice categories that are common to all properties. These categories were identified from a list published by Green Business Certification Inc (GBCI), which is a comprehensive rating system to measure landscape performance. The 6 categories for this survey include: 1) Stormwater management practices, 2) Energy efficiency, 3) Wildlife, 4) Soil health, 5) Integrated Pest Management, 6) Plant biodiversity. As this effort was conducted through the Mississippi State University Extension Service, a survey invitation email was sent to statewide Extension agents for their distribution to clientele. The Mississippi State University Extension Service provides education and life services to people of all demographic categories in every county within the state of Mississippi. Additionally, survey invitations were also sent to state presidents of the Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc. and the Mississippi State University Master Gardener program for their distribution. The online survey did not include demographic information so variables were not collected, but it is assumed to have had a wide variation of homeowner response. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The management of the reaches of Catalpa Creek on Mississippi State University property (managed by the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station) included in the past year the collection of field data for the generation of a hydraulic model for the purposes of design and management. This data was collected by faculty and students, with 7 student workers involved in the process. The Urban Forestry Summer School was held usingCatalpa Creek on the Mississippi State University campus as a training and demonstration site.MSU faculty led a tour and discussion of ongoing research activities on the HH Leveck Research Farm. The event washosted by the MSU Extension Service and the Professional Arborists Association of Mississippi. Certified Smart Landscape Program. Mississippi Smart Landscapeswilloffera fee-based certification training program open to the public. Trainings will be held several times per year in various locations: MSU Campus at Bost, online trainings through the distance room, and at Crosby Arboretum in Picayune. Trainings will be comprised of eight hours of lectures, demonstrations and tours; required reading material; and applying Smart Landscape management practices in their own yards (a checklist of optional practices will be provided). Successful registrants will receive a certificate. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In-Service training for MSU Extension personnel. Agents, specialists, and staff will be provided access to trainings for application in their own regions.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Sustainable Practices Investigated: Watershed Management in the Red Bud-Catalpa Creek watershed included: Hydraulic modelling Vegetation modelling Collaborative Design-Build activities at two sites in Sicily: Contrada Nicolo Paterno Railway Station The establishment of a sustainable landscape public website that offers a wealth of Extension bulletins, articles and website links for a variety of topics. Four public programs on the Smart Landscapes program were conducted for a total audience impact of 350. Planning for future trainings to occur in 2018 were developed and implemented.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Ramirez-Avila, J. T.J. Schauwecker, and J.M.P. Czarnecki. Catalpa Creek Watershed planning, restoration, and management project. In: AA. VV. 2017. Atti della XIX Conferenza Nazionale SIU. Cambiamenti. Responsabilit� e strumenti per l'urbanistica al servizio del paese, Catania 16-18 giugno 2016, Planum Publisher, Roma-Milano | ISBN 9788899237080. The proceedings are available and downloadable at http://www.planum.bedita.net/planum-magazine/siu/xix-conferenza-siu-2016-pubblicazione-atti
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Schauwecker, T., G. Pappalardo, and F. Gravagno. 2017. Design-Build as A Strategy for Enhancing Community Involvement: The Experience of Contrada Nicolo Along the Simeto River, Sicily, Italy. Proceedings of the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture Annual Meeting, May 26-29, 2017, Beijing, China: Tsinghua University & Beijing Forestry University & Peking University.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Moma, L.R. 2017. The application and exploration of the City Biodiversity Index through a case study of the city of Starkville, Mississippi. MLA Thesis, Department of Landscape Architecture, Mississippi State University.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Counterman, A. 2017. Assessing visual preference among fourth grade students for habitat components on educational green roofs in Starkville, Mississippi. MLA Thesis, Department of Landscape Architecture, Mississippi State University.
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Mississippi State University Extension Service. 2017. Smart Landscapes. http://extension.msstate.edu/smartlandscapes
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Prater, G., G. Creel, W. Brandon, T. Schauwecker, J. Ramirez-Avila, J. Czarnecki. 2017. The upper reaches of Catalpa Creek in Northeast Mississippi: Using GPS technology and physical soil characteristics. Mississippi State University Undergraduate Research Symposium, July 28, 2017.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Mitchell, J., Prater, G., G. Creel, T. Schauwecker, J. Ramirez-Avila, and J. Czarnecki. 2017. Vegetation analysis of the upper reaches of Catalpa Creek in Northeast Mississippi. Mississippi State University Undergraduate Research Symposium, July 28, 2017.
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