Given the vital role of forest ecosystems in landscape pattern and process, it is important to quantify the effects, feedbacks, and uncertainties associated with forest disturbance dynamics. In western North America, insects and wildfires are both native disturbances that have influenced forests for millennia, and both are projected to increase with anthropogenic climate change. Although there is acute concern that insect-caused tree mortality increases the likelihood or severity of subsequent wildfire, previous research has been mixed, with results often based on individual fire or insect events. Much of the ambivalence in the literature can be attributed to differences in the particular insect of interest, forest type, and fire event, but it is also related to the spatiotemporal scale of analysis and a general lack of geospatial datasets spanning enough time and space to capture multiple forest disturbances consistently and accurately. This dissertation presents a regional-scale framework to map, quantify, and understand insect-wildfire interactions across numerous insect and fire events across the Pacific Northwest region (PNW). Through three related studies, I worked with many collaborators to develop regionally extensive but fine-grained maps to assess the spatiotemporal patterns of wildfires and the two most pervasive, damaging forest insects in the PNW - mountain pine beetle (MPB; Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins [Coleoptera: Scolytidae]; a bark beetle) and western spruce budworm (WSB; Choristoneura freemani Razowksi [Lepidoptera: Tortricidae]; a defoliator). The proximate objectives of developing new maps and summarizing where and when insects have occurred before wildfires enable us to address the ultimate question: How does forest insect activity influence the likelihood of subsequent wildfire? In a pilot study focused on the forest stand scale (Chapter Two), we leveraged a Landsat time series change detection algorithm (LandTrendr), annual forest health aerial detection surveys (ADS), and field measurements to investigate MPB and WSB effects on spectral trajectories, tree mortality, and fuel profiles at 38 plots in the Cascade Range of Oregon. Insect effects were evident in the Landsat time series as combinations of both short- and long-duration changes. WSB trajectories appeared to show a consistent temporal evolution of long-duration spectral decline followed by recovery, whereas MPB trajectories exhibited both short- and long-duration spectral declines and variable recovery rates. When comparing remote sensing data with field measurements of insect impacts, we found that spectral changes were related to cover-based estimates (e.g., tree basal area mortality and down coarse woody detritus). In contrast, ADS changes were related to count-based estimates (e.g., dead tree density). Fine woody detritus and forest floor depth were not well correlated with Landsat- or aerial survey-based change metrics. This study demonstrated the utility of insect mapping methods that capture a wide range of spectral trajectories, setting the stage for regional-scale mapping and analysis. In a regional assessment of MPB and WSB effects on tree mortality (Chapter Three), we developed Landsat-based insect maps and presented comparisons across space, time, and insect agents that have not been possible to date, complementing existing ADS maps by: (1) quantifying change in terms of field-measured tree mortality; (2) providing consistent estimates of change for multiple agents, particularly long-duration changes; (3) capturing variation of insect impacts at a finer spatial scale within ADS polygons, substantially reducing estimated insect extent. Despite high variation across the study region, spatiotemporal patterns were evident in both the ADS- and Landsat-based maps of insect activity. MPB outbreaks occurred in two phases -- first during the 1970s and 1980s in eastern and central Oregon and then more synchronously during the 2000s throughout the dry interior conifer forests of the PNW. Reflecting differences in habitat susceptibility and epidemiology, WSB outbreaks exhibited early activity in northern Washington and an apparent spread from the eastern to central PNW during the 1980s, returning to northern Washington during the 1990s and 2000s. Across the region, WSB exceeded MPB in extent and tree mortality impacts in all ecoregions except for one, suggesting that ongoing studies should account for both bark beetles and defoliators, particularly given recent and projected increases in wildfire extent. By combining these insect maps with an independent wildfire database (Chapter Four), we investigated wildfire likelihood following recent MPB and WSB outbreaks at ecoregional and regional scales. We computed wildfire likelihood with two-way binary matrices between fire and insects, testing for paired differences between percent burned with and without prior insect activity. All three disturbance agents occurred primarily in the drier, interior conifer forests east of the Cascade Range, with recent wildfires extending through the southern West Cascades and Klamath Mountains. In general, insect extent exceeded wildfire extent, and each disturbance typically affected less than 2% annually of a given ecoregion. In recent decades across the PNW, wildfire likelihood is not consistently higher in forests with prior insect outbreaks, but there is evidence of linked interactions that vary across insect agent (MPB and WSB), space (ecoregions), and time (interval since insect onset). For example, fire likelihood is higher following MPB activity in the North Cascades and West Cascades, particularly within the past 10 years, whereas fire likelihood is lower at various time lags following MPB in the Northern Rockies, East Cascades, and Blue Mountains. In contrast, fire likelihood is lower following WSB outbreaks at multiple time lags across all ecoregions. In addition, there are no consistent relationships between insect-fire likelihood and interannual fire extent, suggesting that other factors (such as climate) control the disproportionately large fire years accounting for the majority of regional fire extent. Although insects and wildfires do not appear to overlap enough to facilitate consistently positive linked disturbance interactions, specific fire events and years - such as 2003 and 2006 in the North Cascades - demonstrate high insect-fire co-occurrence and potential compound disturbance effects at the landscape scale. The results from this dissertation highlight the key ecological roles that native disturbances play in PNW forests. WSB, MPB, and wildfire have been relatively rare at the regional scale, but all three have had and will continue to have profound effects on particular forest stands and landscapes. Because scale is such an important aspect of both the disturbance phenomena themselves as well as our ability to detect the ecological changes they render, our results also underscore the importance of geospatial datasets that span multiple scales in space and time. Given concerns about forest health in a rapidly changing climate, long-term monitoring will enable forest managers to quantify and anticipate the independent and interactive effects of insects, wildfires, and other disturbances.

Science, engineering, and technology permeate nearly every facet of modern life and hold the key to solving many of humanity's most pressing current and future challenges. The United States' position in the global economy is declining, in part because U.S. workers lack fundamental knowledge in these fields. To address the critical issues of U.S. competitiveness and to better prepare the workforce, A Framework for K-12 Science Education proposes a new approach to K-12 science education that will capture students' interest and provide them with the necessary foundational knowledge in the field. A Framework for K-12 Science Education outlines a broad set of expectations for students in science and engineering in grades K-12. These expectations will inform the development of new standards for K-12 science education and, subsequently, revisions to curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development for educators. This book identifies three dimensions that convey the core ideas and practices around which science and engineering education in these grades should be built. These three dimensions are: crosscutting concepts that unify the study of science through their common application across science and engineering; scientific and engineering practices; and disciplinary core ideas in the physical sciences, life sciences, and earth and space sciences and for engineering, technology, and the applications of science. The overarching goal is for all high school graduates to have sufficient knowledge of science and engineering to engage in public discussions on science-related issues, be careful consumers of scientific and technical information, and enter the careers of their choice. A Framework for K-12 Science Education is the first step in a process that can inform state-level decisions and achieve a research-grounded basis for improving science instruction and learning across the country. The book will guide standards developers, teachers, curriculum designers, assessment developers, state and district science administrators, and educators who teach science in informal environments.

This book is the outcome of the work of contributors who participated in the wo- shop “Mapping Different Geographies (MDG)” in February 2010, held in Puchberg am Schneeberg, Austria. This meeting brought together cartographers, artists and geoscientists who research and practice in applications that focus on enhancing o- to-one communication or develop and evaluate methodologies that provide inno- tive methods for sharing information. The main intention of the workshop was to investigate how ‘different’ geographies are being mapped and the possibilities for developing new theories and techniques for information design and transfer based on place or location. So as to communicate these concepts it was important to appreciate the many contrasting meanings of ‘mapping’ that were held by workshop participants. Also, the many (and varied) viewpoints of what different geographies are, were ela- rated upon and discussed. Therefore, as the focus on space and time was embedded within everyone’s felds of investigation, this was addressed during the workshop. This resulted in very engaging discourse, which, in some cases, exposed the restrictions that certain approaches need to consider. For participants, this proved to be most useful, as this allowed them to appreciate the limits and restrictions of their own approach to understanding and representing different geographies. As well, the workshop also was most helpful as a vehicle for demonstrating the common ground of interest held by the very diverse areas of endeavour that the workshop participants work within.

" ... Concise explanations and descriptions - easily read and readily understood - of what we know of the chain of events and processes that connect the Sun to the Earth, with special emphasis on space weather and Sun-Climate."--Dear Reader.

The use of remote sensors for human settlement mapping and monitoring holds great promise for numerous fields of study, including urban planning and global environmental change and sustainability. While the potential for this technology is difficult to measure, achieving useful results at a regional or global level is but a recent accomplishment. G

Spatial Modeling in GIS and R for Earth and Environmental Sciences offers an integrated approach to spatial modelling using both GIS and R. Given the importance of Geographical Information Systems and geostatistics across a variety of applications in Earth and Environmental Science, a clear link between GIS and open source software is essential for the study of spatial objects or phenomena that occur in the real world and facilitate problem-solving. Organized into clear sections on applications and using case studies, the book helps researchers to more quickly understand GIS data and formulate more complex conclusions. The book is the first reference to provide methods and applications for combining the use of R and GIS in modeling spatial processes. It is an essential tool for students and researchers in earth and environmental science, especially those looking to better utilize GIS and spatial modeling. Offers a clear, interdisciplinary guide to serve researchers in a variety of fields, including hazards, land surveying, remote sensing, cartography, geophysics, geology, natural resources, environment and geography Provides an overview, methods and case studies for each application Expresses concepts and methods at an appropriate level for both students and new users to learn by example

World numerical maps of lower decile, median, and upper decile values of the monthly distribution of fbEs have been completed for all 12 months of 1964, a solar cycle minimum year.