Geography electronic theses and dissertations (MU)
The items in this collection are the theses and dissertations written by students of the Department of Geography. Some items may be viewed only by members of the University of Missouri System and/or University of Missouri-Columbia. Click on one of the browse buttons above for a complete listing of the works.
Items in MOspace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
Recent Submissions
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Deep learning for impervious surface segmentation from high resolution aerial imagery
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2024)[EMBARGOED UNTIL 08/01/2025] The rapid urbanization of landscapes presents significant environmental and ecological challenges, which necessitates the precise mapping of impervious surfaces. This study aims to leverage the ... -
Interpreting the narratives and themes in the memorials and markers commemorating the Santa Fe Trail
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2024)Between March and July 2021, I traveled the routes of the Santa Fe Trail from Franklin, Missouri, to Santa Fe, New Mexico, documenting the memorials and markers placed to commemorate the trail's use from 1821 until 1880. ... -
Variability in timing of oak and maple autumn tree phenology across oak-hickory stands in Rock Bridge State Park, Columbia Missouri
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2024)[EMBARGOED UNTIL 05/01/2025] Tree phenology research provides evidence and indications of forest ecosystem dynamics and species environmental response to phenomena such as global climate change. The current literature has ... -
Using the elaboration likelihood model to predict the effects of interactive data visualizations about STI testing
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2024)[EMBARGOED UNTIL 05/01/2025] Human trafficking is a clandestine topic whose ramifications for victims can be lifelong. Rather than take a "front end" approach to trafficking research by mapping the risk or occurrence of ... -
Visualizing the impact of climate change at upper treeline across Rocky Mountain National Park, USA
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2024)Over the past 30 years, high-elevation forests of the Southern Rocky Mountain region (SRM) have been subject to heat-induced drought stress, or hotter drought, from sharply rising temperatures coupled with lower precipitation ... -
"It just makes sense" : the distribution of space and labor for couples who work from home
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2023)As a feminist geographer, I am interested in exploring how gendered experiences and expectations intersect with the built environment to reinforce social hierarchies and perpetuate inequality. The traditional division of ... -
Cross-walks, fire geography, and GIS at Mesa Verde National Park : a watershed approach
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2023)Land use and land cover (LULC) data are valuable resources to fire managers making important decisions regarding the future of America's National Parks and forests. The choice of available LULC GIS products varies greatly ... -
Accessibility and user perception of parks in Columbia, Missouri
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2023)Parks serve an essential role in city life as many residents enjoy visiting and interacting with the outdoors on a regular basis. The open space, greenery, quietness, and lack of crowds can provide a wonderful contrast to ... -
30 years of change : visualizing hotter drought at upper treeline along the Colorado Trail
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2023)Over the last 30 years, the Southern Rocky Mountains (SRM) have experienced an unprecedented period of warming and aridity. The consequences of this hotter and drier climate are becoming increasingly evident across Rocky ... -
Measuring socioeconomic and geographic deprivation to healthcare: development of a Missouri Deprivation Index
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2022)This study reviews the development and use of socioeconomic deprivation indices in health-related research and the variables and methods used in the construction of some of those indices. Relevant literature is summarized ... -
Sense of place and the redesignation of the Gateway Arch National Park
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2022)The redesignation of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial to the Gateway Arch National Park in 2018 by the Trump administration spurred debate about the distinct naming designations utilized by the National Park Service ... -
Queering CoMo : an exploratory case study of queer geographies in Columbia, Missouri between 1991-2021
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2022)In an effort to continue bringing light to underrepresented queer histories and experiences, this exploratory project investigates and maps the queer geographies of Columbia, Missouri from 1991 through 2021. I argue that ... -
Deterritorialization/reterritorialization of Raramuri knowledge: within the landscapes of Mulaka
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2021)Independent video game developers are changing the game industry by creating new genres like Indigenous gaming using narratives that represent Indigenous groups. These representations form part of the video game production ... -
Using deep learning for land classification within the konza prairie, 1985 – 2011
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2021)Machine learning has been around for decades, but deep learning is the new focus of study within machine learning. The goals of implementing deep learning into remote sensing are resulting in much faster and more accurate ... -
Classification of rock glaciers in southern Colorado based on ice content using radar interferometry and thermal remote sensing
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2020)Remote sensing provides a means of assessing potential water resources stored in alpine ground ice; this study focuses on rock glaciers, in particular. A rock glacier is a landform composed of block of loose debris (talus) ... -
Place-making and transculturation in Little Havana, Miami
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2020)Beginning in the 1960s, Miami has transformed into a Latin city. One in which it is possible to buy groceries, get a job, and even go to school without necessarily having to utilize the English language. As time has ... -
Changes at treeline within the San Juan Mountains of Colorado
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2020)Repeat photography is a field method to study landscape change over time, yet most studies use a single pair of photographs spanning upwards of a century or more to ascertain change. In this study, I used repeat photography ... -
Annual evidence of moisture limitations at treeline in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2020)This study is focused on capturing a recent regeneration patterns on an annual level over the landscape of the Sangre de Cristo (SDC) mountain range. Modern temperature trends (post-1945) of this area are dominated by sharp ... -
A study of the militarized landscapes in gaming
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2020)[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI SYSTEM AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Landscapes are a crucial and dynamic part of the field of geography and can be researched in many ways. The visual study of militarized landscape ... -
Earthquakes in central eastern United States (CEUS) : spatiotemporal patterns and correlations with tectonic factors
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2020)[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI SYSTEM AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Earthquakes have a history of predominantly occurring along plate boundaries; however, there have been notable exceptions -- the occurrence of ...