Wildfires can create alternative pathways for forest development, and wildfires have expanded in size, frequency, intensity, and severity across the western United States. The purpose of this paper is to compare forest development of a mature Douglas-fir forest in western Oregon across fire severities. Postburn field measurements were collected in...
There are many possible benefits that can arise from the ability to take real-time measurements of soil water nitrate concentrations in a field, from ecological to agricultural to industrial reasons. In order to achieve this, we adapted a NitraLED sensor with a ceramic porous cup in order to allow diffusion...
The purpose of this project is to assist the OSU Baja Racing vehicle in turning more sharply. This is done using a turning brake, which locks one rear wheel to facilitate turning on a smaller radius. This project focuses on the development of a custom cylinder housing for the turning...
Optimal commercial fishery management sustains each salmon species' population while maximizing economic benefits. This thesis addresses two questions. What are the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's and the Board of Fisheries' intentions when conducting a fishery management plan in Upper Cook Inlet? How does it compare to its implementation?...
This thesis includes a satirical novel and a short analytical reflection on the writing process and the general themes and takeaways from the novel itself. While the analytical reflection appears before the novel in the paper, they can be read in either order. The novel satirizes how people respond to...
In recent decades, the occurrence of large, high severity wildfires has increased substantially in many parts of the world, including the western United States. These fires have the potential to impact water quality, aquatic ecosystems, and downstream communities for many decades. As such, it is increasingly important to understand the...
As laws regarding medical and recreational cannabis use are changing across the United States, one must begin to understand the effects among individuals with chronic pain. Specifically, it is unclear how legalization may change their use of marijuana and opioids to self-medicate or for recreational use. To address these questions,...
In the spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic began. This prompted quarantines, mask mandates, and stopped many businesses and services. This study asked the question of what people decided to do in terms of their recreation habits in response to the pandemic. We took a sample of Oregon State University...
This study looked at the impacts of climate change on medicinal plants, and how these impacts are viewed and understood in the herbalism community. Two literature reviews were conducted, to look at each of these two ideas: the first was a review of peer-reviewed literature describing research on climate change...
The case of Mongolia’s democratization remains unexplained by the various theories of democratization and democratic consolidation. The purpose of this thesis is to consider the unique case of Mongolian democratization, how well this case is described by various theories of democratization and reach both a description of how Mongolia’s democratization...