Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
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Item The effect of garden-based learning on learning plant science and environment attitude(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2021) Cheung, Ka Yan Christine; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Greg FrancisLow interest in plants has negatively affected student performance and hindered motivation in learning plant science. The introduction of garden-based learning (GBL) to the curriculum was intended to improve the academic achievement and attitude in learning plant science through practical experience and a student-centered learning atmosphere. Environmental education is seldom infused into the curriculum in Hong Kong. This action research (AR) project attempted to use GBL to understand its effect on the environmental attitudes of high school students. Control and treatment groups were recruited to study the effect of GBL. The control group learned plant science using traditional direct teaching while the treatment group studied plant science using a gardening program. Pre- and post-assessment, surveys, interviews, journals, and field notes were used to collect data. Quantitative and qualitative data were processed using the triangulation mixed-method. From the statistical results, the academic performance of the treatment group was less satisfactory than that of the control group. It was potentially hindered by the lack of a conventional in-person learning environment in the treatment group, however qualitative data showed that GBL enhanced plant literacy and promoted higher-ordered thinking by strengthening student memory and increasing their motivation. GBL also catered to different learning styles and was especially helpful for lower achievers. No significant statistical difference was observed between the attitude in learning plant science of both groups. Yet, the gardening experience was identified as the most engaging component. It engaged students in the treatment group in learning plant science as students gained achievement, interest, and a sense of responsibility during gardening. Significant increment was recognized in the attitude towards the environment of the treatment group in both quantitative and qualitative data, while the control group did not experience any changes. Students in the treatment group were also more willing to take action in environmental protection. The gardening experience was again the critical contributing factor. The hands-on and real-life experience created a deeper feeling and stronger connection with the environment. To sum up, using GBL in teaching plant science enhances the students' plant literacy and engagement in learning. It is proved to be an effective tool for positive impact on cultivating the student's attitude towards the environment.Item Late Holocene climate, fire, and vegetation history on the northern range, Yellowstone National Park(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2019) Firmage, David Samuel; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Cathy WhitlockYellowstone National Park is an iconic natural landscape that encompasses unique geologic features as well as a diverse and ecologically important flora and fauna. The ecological resilience of the Northern Range of the park, home to the park's ungulate herds, faces an uncertain future with a projected warming climate over the next century. Understanding the variability of vegetation organization in response to past changes in climate can help park managers plan for future climate scenarios. Lake sediment cores from two lakes were collected, analyzed for pollen type, charcoal accumulation and lithological components, and compared with other studies to highlight commonalities in fire-histories and vegetation trends across the Northern Range over the past 4000 cal yr BP. Foster Lake the records suggest fire-episodes and changes to lake productivity and between ~3500-2900 cal yr BP, large intense fire-episodes between ~2500-2150 cal yr BP, ~1000 cal yr BP and frequent large fire episodes from ~700 cal yr BP to the present day. Floating Island Lake records between ~4000-3000 cal yr BP suggest the site experienced infrequent, large fire episodes concurrent with periods of protracted drought and decreases in water level. Between ~3000-1500 low intensity fire episodes were common, punctuated by infrequent large fire episodes at ~2900, ~2250, ~2050 and ~1880 cal yr BP. During the last ~1ka two fire episodes were recorded at Floating Island Lake, at ~1030 cal yr BP coincident with the Medieval Climate Anomaly, and 270~ cal yr BP during the Little Ice Age. A comparison of fire histories from studies spanning the Northern Range shows that during periods of protracted drought large fire episodes are common across the landscape, and that during periods of moderate climate fire size and severity is likely modulated by local site controls such as topography and vegetation structure. This study shows that fire episodes in the Northern Range have occurred as a spatial and temporal mosaic, and are likely to continue to do so. Additionally, this study increases our understanding of how vegetation structure and fire regimes in the Northern Range have varied as a result of a range of climate conditions in the past. Such baseline information helps us anticipate some of the ecological responses that may occur in the decades ahead with global warming.Item Essence(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 1993) Maxwell, Sharon FrancisAs a metalsmith I try to acknowledge in my own work the history and technical requirements which are inherent in the process. I work with flower motifs in response to the previous traditions of metalsmithing as well as my own fascination with the botanical world. The scientific study of plants, roots, genetics, soils, and plant structures is also an interest of my siblings. I am intrigued with the visual and sensual qualities of flowers. The fascination I have with flowers is longstanding and is matched by my love of adornment and decoration.Item Large scale aerial photography of native range transects(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1978) Anderson, James StuartItem Flora, chorology, biomass and productivity of the Pinus albicaulis-Vaccinium scoparium association(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1977) Forcella, FrankItem Vegetative characteristics of two water areas in Teton County, Montana, in relation to waterfowl usage(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 1960) Knight, Richard R.Item A comparison of plant communities and substrates of avalanche and non-avalanche areas in South-Central Montana(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1968) Eversman, SharonItem A statistical comparison of the line interception, vertical point quadrat, and 3-step methods as used in measuring basal area of grassland vegetation in southern Alberta(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1954) Johnston, AlexanderItem The alpine flora of Montana(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1903) Hawkins, Pliny H.The data for this thesis Is gleaned from many sources. The herbarium of the State College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts has been carefully canvassed. For many of the ideas advanced I am indebted to Dr. J. W. Blankenship who has given me free access to his private note books and much personal assistance. The excellent libraries of the College and Dr. Blankenship have been carefully reviewed, and are often referred to in the following pages. During the last nine years, I have visited many of the highest peaks in person. The summer of each year being spent as follows: 1894 in the Yellowstone Nat. Park. 1895 in the Bull Mountains and Little Belt-range. 1896 and 1897 in the Little Belt and Judith ranges. 1898 in the Big Belt and Crazy Mts. 1899 in the Big Belt chain, and 1900, 1901 and 1902 in the Bear Tooth range between Wyoming and the Yellowstone River. Not all of this time has been given up to botanical work. Many days have been spent in geological studies and prospecting. Some have been given up completely to hunting and fishing or exploring the uninhabited portions of the mountains; others have been devoted to ethical and aesthetical pleasures towards which the mountains always draw one so irresistibly. For these latter days I have no excuse to offer. They are the alpine summits of human existence.Item Preliminary flora of Gallatin county(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1901) Jones, Wyatt W.The plan of this work has been to compile a complete list of all the plants occurring In Gallatin County. This includes all the Indigenous Phanerogams and such introduced species as have become thoroughly established under natural conditions, and those cultivated plants that shown a disposition to escape and degenerate as weeds, as well as the vascular-cryptogams, with brief notes as to relative abundance and habitat. These notes, with few exceptions, are based upon my own observation and knowledge. Beginning with the Ranunculaceae the vidus have been arranged as in Gray's Manual of Botany. Revised Edition, the genera and species being arranged alphabetically under the vidus. The work is based largely upon the Herbarium of the Montana State College of Agriculture. It includes also a large collection of undistributed material collected by Dr, J. W. Blankinship and other small collections. Dr. Rydberg's flora of Montana has been used as a reference book. The region covered is essentially mountainous but varies in altitude from 4000 to 11000 feet thus furnishing species from alpine to plains. Probably no other portion of the state contains so extensive a flora as Gallatin County.