• SPATIOTEMPORAL ANALYSIS OF HAWAIIAN GREEN SEA TURTLE (CHELONIA MYDAS) STRANDINGS ON MAUI, HAWAII (2017-2024)

  Korgaonkar, Yoga; Cheung, Robin (The University of Arizona., 2025)

  Conserving key species, such as the Hawaiian green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), requires understanding the spatial and temporal distribution of strandings. This project examines strandings on Maui from 2017 to 2024 using data collected by the Marine Institute at the Maui Ocean Center. Each record includes multiple data entries, including geospatial coordinates, suspected cause, mortality status, age class, sex, signs of injury or entanglement, presence of fibropapillomatosis, and rehabilitation outcomes for each stranded turtle. Spatial analysis was conducted in ArcGIS Pro using tools such as Kernel Density Estimation, Hot Spot Analysis (Getis-Ord Gi*), and Summary Statistics. Python scripting supports data preprocessing and field calculations. Among the 1,297 records analyzed, 88.7% of turtles were found alive, 7% were freshly dead, and 4.3% were in various stages of decomposition. No significant decomposition pattern was observed. Sex data was limited—77.2% undetermined, 12.8% female, and 10% male, hindering detection of sex-specific trends. Strandings were clustered along densely populated and tourist-heavy coastlines, likely influenced by both turtle behavior and observer bias. Remote or less accessible areas may be underrepresented. These results highlight the importance of expanding monitoring efforts in under-surveyed regions to improve data completeness. Future conservation strategies should consider limitations such as staff availability, funding, and access to isolated sites to ensure more comprehensive stranding assessments and effective protection of this threatened species.
• SPATIO-TEMPORAL CLASSIFICATION OF WEST COAST WINE REGIONS USING VITICULTURAL CLIMATE INDICES

  Korgaonkar, Yoga; Bertolli, Caroline (The University of Arizona., 2025)

  Climate is a primary determinant of viticultural potential, directly influencing grape phenology, yield, and wine style. In recent decades, climate change has introduced increasingly complex challenges for vineyard managers and the wine industry. The critical objective of modern wine growing is to maximize yield and minimize water consumption without compromising quality. This research aims to assess how viticultural climate classifications have changed over time and what these shifts imply for sustainable vineyard adaptation. Using time series analysis of historical climate records and remote sensing data, vineyard regions are classified annually based on the Winkler Index. The study identifies trends in heat accumulation, temporal shifts in viticultural zones, and evolving regional suitability for grape production. These findings offer insights into the long-term effects of climate change on viticulture and aim to support evidence-based adaptation strategies and business decisions for growers and winemakers.
• MODELING THE INTERSECTIONS OF URBAN HEAT ISLANDS AND VULNERABLE POPULATIONS IN SPOKANE, WASHINGTON

  Mason, Jennifer; Mendenhall, Jacqueline (The University of Arizona., 2025)

  As climate change continues to cause hotter summers and warmer winters, studying the effects of this heat is increasingly important so that mitigation steps can be taken now rather than when it becomes too late. The urban heat island effect is caused by urban surfaces retaining more solar radiation and emitting more heat than natural surfaces would. Urban heat islands pose threats to vulnerable populations, such as those who are of a lower socioeconomic status, the unhoused, and the elderly. The Spokane Metropolitan Area is the largest city in eastern Washington and has continually seen an increase in average summer temperatures over the past twenty years. Local communities and universities have begun to monitor how the more extreme heat events are affecting the local environment and planning for further changes, and the city’s Urban Forestry Department is working to increase the city’s tree canopy to 30% by 2030. This study uses a compilation of thermal data from the summer months of 2020 and 2024 to identify the hottest parts of the city, and census data to identify how those break down by demographic. Mitigation is modeled by using building footprints to showcase how a Cool Roof program would assist in dispersing heat more effectively.
• THE VOICES OF WATER: DEVELOPMENT OF A PARTICIPATORY GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR SPATIOTEMPORAL WATER QUALITY MONITORING IN THE DOÑA JUANA VOLCANIC GEO-ECOSYSTEM AT NARIÑO, COLOMBIA

  Mason, Jennifer; Cañas, Samuel (The University of Arizona., 2025)

  This research presents the development and implementation of a cloud-based Participatory Geographic Information System (PGIS) for spatiotemporal water quality monitoring in the Doña Juana Volcanic Geo-ecosystem, Nariño, Colombia. Building upon prior transdisciplinary research conducted by the author—integrated local and generational knowledge with geochemical analysis of waters around the volcano— this work puts into use the four culturally recognized water types (mudas, orgánicas, tibias, and gordas) identified by inhabitants of Las Mesas and nearby villages within a web-accessible monitoring platform that enables continuous, community-driven data collection. The methodology employs a three-tiered architecture: (1) an ArcGIS Pro geodatabase with customized domains incorporating local water classifications; (2) ArcGIS Field Maps for offline-capable mobile data collection by trained community monitors; and (3) an ArcGIS Experience Builder web application providing real-time 3D visualization and spatiotemporal analysis. Community monitors were trained to use portable multiparameter probes to measure temperature (°C), pH, and total dissolved solids (ppm)—parameters that reflect hydrothermal activity through temperature variations, acidity changes, and mineral content fluctuations. This enables scientific documentation of physico-chemical characteristics in water that they have traditionally observed while maintaining correlations between quantitative data and established classifications for detecting possible volcanic or anthropic related changes. By integrating PGIS principles with community-based water monitoring, this research strengthens volcanic risk management through participatory approaches. Furthermore, this system empowers active environmental monitors capable of identifying anomalous patterns potentially signaling volcanic activity, fosters stronger socio-ecological relationships between inhabitants and their territory, and enhances response capacity. Ultimately, this work contributes to early warning systems research and establishes a replicable framework for community-based volcanic surveillance throughout Colombia and other Latin American regions where water, volcanoes, and communities are deeply interconnected.
• WILDFIRE MITIGATION IN THE SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY OF ARIZONA: A CASE STUDY OF COST AND RISK FOR SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE (SSVEC)

  Korgaonkar, Yoga; Lerman, Isaiah (The University of Arizona., 2025)

  Wildfires and electric utilities in Arizona maintain a complex and volatile relationship with one another. Mitigation of wildfire risks by SSVEC is imperative to keep electricity flowing for members while protecting assets and limiting liability. Analysis of field data and historical wildfire data in ArcGIS Pro and RStudio helped create a cost and risk analysis for SSVEC. The cost and risk analysis for SSVEC will allow for more informed decision making to tackle the problem of wildfire mitigation throughout the service territory. The results show high, moderate, and low risk wildfire areas based upon multiple criteria to aid in decision making on which areas should be addressed first for wildfire mitigation efforts. A plan of action to mitigate wildfire based upon the risk areas gives SSVEC an opportunity to plan future budgeting and labor efforts for this initiative.

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