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At least 307 records · Page 17
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1972

Studies of effects of closed microbial ecology. Report of 180-day test period

Experiments were performed to determine the influence closed microbial ecologies have on modification or simplification of natural intestinal flora of ferrets in a closed environmental system. On the basis of previous tests in which certain species (Salmonella and Bacteroides) were decreased at 90 days of enclosure, a second trial was constructed for 180-day tests. In this trial there was little difference in the 8 major classes of intestinal flora between animals in the Open and Closed environmental groups except for the level of Lactobacillus. It is of extreme importance to note that when both Open and Closed groups contracted hemorrhagic gastritis, the interrelationship of this agent with other intestinal flora produced a more profound effect on animals from the Closed Group, particularly with reference to Lactobacillus levels.

Kenyon, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Functions and activities of the Arizona Regional Ecological Test Site

The Arizona Regional Ecological Test Site (ARETS) project and its efforts to coordinate and transfer satellite remote sensing techniques to solving earth resources and environmental problems in the Arizona area are discussed. Project objectives include: (1) establishing a multidiscipline resources and environment team in Arizona capable of applying satellite and supporting aircraft data to expedite remote sensing technology transfer to user agencies; (2) determine future resources and environment information needs for Arizona; (3) conduct coordinated multidiscipline experiments in the use of ERTS data; and (4) provide and recommend facilities, instruments, and training necessary to support the practical uses of remote sensing data.

Lepley, L. K.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Central Atlantic regional ecological test site

The work of the Central Atlantic Regional Ecological Test Site (CARETS) project is discussed. The primary aim of CARETS is to test the hypothesis that data from ERTS-A can be made an integral part of a regional land resources information system, encompassing both inventory of the resource base and monitoring of changes, along with their effects on the quality of the environment. Another objective of the project is to determine scaling factors for developing land use information and regional analysis for regions of any given size.

Alexander, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Central Atlantic regional ecological test site: A prototype regional environment information system

The author has identified the following significant results. Prior to the actual testing of data from ERTS-1, the principal scientific results to date are the establishment of a model or design for a regional land use information system based on remote sensor data and a firm establishment of the RB-57 type high altitude aircraft data base as an important tool in land use mapping. Preliminary user evaluations of the resulting land use data have been favorable, and one of the states, Maryland, has adopted the USGS-GAP land use system as a first step towards mapping their entire state. The State is funding an extension (to the west) of the part of Maryland not covered by CARETS (Central Atlantic Regional Ecological Test Site), using the GAP land use classification and mapping procedures.

Alexander, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1971

A data acquisition system for marine and ecological research.

Description of a self-contained portable data acquisition system for use in marine and ecological research. The compact lightweight data acquisition system is capable of recording 14 variables in its present configuration and is suitable for use in either a boat, pickup truck, or light aircraft. This system will provide the acquisition of reliable data on the structure of the environment and the effect of man-made and natural activities on the observed phenomenon. Utilizing both self-contained analog recording and a telemetry transmitter for real-time digital readout and recording, the prototype system has undergone extensive testing. Currently undergoing component performance upgrading, the prototype system has been utilized in several environmental science investigations associated with air pollution investigations and weather modification and is currently being used for marine data acquisition.

Johnson, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1972

A Data Acquisition System (DAS) for marine and ecological research from aerospace technology

The efforts of researchers at Mississippi State University to utilize space-age technology in the development of a self-contained, portable data acquisition system for use in marine and ecological research are presented. The compact, lightweight data acquisition system is capable of recording 14 variables in its present configuration and is suitable for use in either a boat, pickup truck, or light aircraft. This system will provide the acquisition of reliable data on the structure of the environment and the effect of man-made and natural activities on the observed phenomenon. Utilizing both self-contained analog recording and a telemetry transmitter for real-time digital readout and recording, the prototype system has undergone extensive testing.

Johnson, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1973

ERTS-1 investigation of ecological effects of strip mining in eastern Ohio

Evidence is presented of ERTS capability to detect, map and monitor the effects of strip mining. Both enlarge ERTS imagery and statistically processed outline maps and imagery of stripped earth and standing water are compared to aerial photos of a strip mine near Coshocton, Ohio. The outline maps and decision imagery are at present limited to forming a disruption map of recently mined and unreclaimed earth and the resultant standing water within the mined area. It is planned to prepare a map of the reclaimed areas (reclamation map) within the stripped area and to detect and identify ecological effects such as vegetation kills and stream sedimentation external to the stripped areas.

Chase, P. E.↗
NASA NTRS1972

A method for phenomenological analysis of ecological data.

The experimental meaning of the phenomenological differential equations for a competing population is reviewed. It is concluded that it is virtually impossible to construct the differential equations precise enough for studying stability. We consider instead a method of phenomenological analysis which can be applied to a set of population curves. We suggest an ecological index calculated from the population curves, which indicates a group property of the entire system. As a function of time, the index is presumably insensitive to Volterra type fluctuations. A marked increase of the index's value however indicates a marked change of the environmental conditions. It is not easy to deduce the group property from the population curves alone, because a change in population is in general due to the superposition of external disturbances and Volterra fluctuations.

Huang, H.-W.↗
NASA NTRS1974

An ecological study of the KSC Turning Basin and adjacent waters

The conditions existing in the waters and bottoms of the Turning Basin, the borrow pit near Pad 39A, and the Barge Canal connecting them were investigated to determine the ecological significance of the chemical, biological, and microbiological parameters. The water quality, biological, microbiological findings are discussed. It is recommended that future dredging activities be limited in depth, and that fill materials should not be removed down to the clay strata.

Nevin, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

A comment on methanogenic bacteria and the primitive ecology

As the phenotype of methanogenic bacteria is suggested to have been one of the major factors creating a dynamic balance between CO2 and CH4 in the primitive atmosphere, these organisms are thought to be very ancient. Their antiquity may be further postulated by comparative characterization of their ribosomal RNA. Accepting this antiquity, it is concluded that a carbon-dioxide-methane cycle, driven by photosynthesis, was the major carbon cycle in primitive ecology, and that photosynthesis and methanogens were thus contemporaneous.

Woese, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Localization of an experimental ecological unit in the Maradi region of Nigeria

A detailed topographical and geomorphological description of a specific ecological unit in the Maradi region of the Sahel in the Niger Republic is presented. Sandy structures are classified into active dunes and covered dunes and an extensives vocabulary is developed to describe sub-categories. The descriptions are based on meteorological data (anemometric and rainfall) from local weather stations, ground observations, aerial photographs and LANDSAT pictures. The problem of dune reactivation and desertification is discussed both from the standpoint of causes and possible counter measures.

Mainguet, M.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Use of remote sensing technology provided by the NASA/WFC Chesapeake Bay Ecological Program

Use of remote sensing technology provided through the NASA/Wallops Chesapeake Bay Ecological Program was investigated by means of extensive interviews with users. Since the inception of the Program four years ago, the technology has been used in 136 different managerial projects. Sixty-five regional managerial agencies took part in projects that the authors categorized as socioeconomic, political/managerial, monetary, legal, and other. Remote sensing technology was considered successful in 88.6 percent of the completed projects and unsuccessful in 2.8 percent.

Harman, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Central atlantic regional ecological test site: A prototype regional environmental information system, volume 1

The Central Atlantic Regional Ecological Test Site (CARETS) project was a demonstration project for introducing data from Landsat and high-altitude aircraft sensors into regional land planning and management. This report summarizes the CARETS project results and describes its output of maps, reports, computer tapes, and other products. CARETS used a geographic information system model under which land use maps were prepared from sensor data, then digitized, processed, and linked to other environmental and social data sets, and to environmental consequences such as air pollution, stream runoff, local climatic factors, and coastal erosion. Landsat data showed the test region in 1972 to be nine percent urban and built-up land, 38 percent agriculture, 50 percent forest, three percent nonforested wetlands, and less than one percent barren land, exclusive of water-covered areas. User surveys, conferences, and workshops involving 65 agencies facilitated widespread distribution of data products and produced evaluations concerning their usefulness. We found a heterogeneous user community with diverse information needs largely preferring aerial photographs rather than satellite multispectral scanner data. Among project recommendations are establishment of a network of regional land resource information centers, working toward improved compatibility of Federal, State and local information programs supportive of land use decisions.

Land use↗
NASA NTRS1980

Ecological baseline studies

Environmental studies of Merritt Island are discussed. Five areas of the island's ecology are examined. They include: a terrestrial community analyses, a plant community study, a small mammal population study, a rainfall study, and an ichthyological analyses.

Vickers, D.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Closed-ecology life support systems /CELSS/ for long-duration, manned missions

Studies were conducted to scope the principal areas of technology that can contribute to the development of closed-ecology life support systems (CELSS). Such systems may be required for future space activities, such as space stations, manufacturing facilities, or colonies. A major feature of CELSS is the regeneration of food from carbon in waste materials. Several processes, using biological and/or physico-chemical components, have been postulated for closing the recycle loop. At the present time, limits of available technical information preclude the specification of an optimum scheme. Nevertheless, the most significant technical requirements can be determined by way of an iterative procedure of formulating, evaluating and comparing various closed-system scenario. The functions features and applications of this systems engineering procedure are discussed.

Modell, M.↗