Zola K. Moon

Population Density Surface: A New Approach to an Old Problem

The delineation of spatial boundaries for human dimension of natural resource research has long been a source of challenge. Inherent in the use of aggregated data are theoretical and practical dilemmas, the most salient being establishing measurement boundaries that match conceptual boundaries. An alternative way to conceptualize population is to view the data as a continuous phenomenon over the landscape. This article presents a conceptual framework and method that uses geospatial data with Census data to determine human settlement patterns by generating a population density surface (PDS). The PDS provides a base for further analyses and user-defined, theory-driven population aggregations while preserving more spatial differentiation than traditional zone-based models. The first section is a brief overview of the inherent difficulties of aggregated data. The second outlines an approach for creating a population density surface. The last section presents results and an experimental test, discusses the advantages and disadvantages of a surface, and outlines directions for the further research.The delineation of spatial boundaries for human dimension of natural resource research has long been a source of challenge. Inherent in the use of aggregated data are theoretical and practical dilemmas, the most salient being establishing measurement boundaries that match conceptual boundaries. An alternative way to conceptualize population is to view the data as a continuous phenomenon over the landscape. This article presents a conceptual framework and method that uses geospatial data with Census data to determine human settlement patterns by generating a population density surface (PDS). The PDS provides a base for further analyses and user-defined, theory-driven population aggregations while preserving more spatial differentiation than traditional zone-based models. The first section is a brief overview of the inherent difficulties of aggregated data. The second outlines an approach for creating a population density surface. The last section presents results and an experimental test, discusses the adv...

Emergency Preparedness of Persons Over 50 Years Old: Further Results From the Health and Retirement Study.

OBJECTIVE This article conceptualized emergency preparedness as a complex, multidimensional construct and empirically examined an array of sociodemographic, motivation, and barrier variables as predictors of levels of emergency preparedness. METHODS The authors used the 2010 wave of the Health and Retirement Studys emergency preparedness module to focus on persons 50 years old and older in the United States by use of logistic regression models and reconsidered a previous analysis. RESULTS The models demonstrated 3 key findings: (1) a lack of preparedness is widespread across virtually all sociodemographic variables and regions of the country; (2) an authoritative voice, in the role of health care personnel, was a strong predictor of preparedness; and (3) previous experience in helping others in a disaster predisposes individuals to be better prepared. Analyses also suggest the need for caution in creating simple summative indexes and the need for further research into appropriate measures of preparedness. CONCLUSION This population of older persons was generally not well prepared for emergencies, and this lack of preparedness was widespread across social, demographic, and economic groups in the United States. Findings with implications for policy and outreach include the importance of health care providers discussing preparedness and the use of experienced peers for outreach. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:80-89).

Identification and Attenuation of Barriers to Entrepreneurship Targeting New Destination Latino Migrants

Results are reported from a Latino immigrant entrepreneur needs assessment survey. The research project was conducted to identify barriers to business formation and continuation within the target population. A total of 171 surveys representing more than 200 businesses from 39 communities in 21 counties in western Arkansas were collected. Nearly 42% of respondents cited start-up capital as their biggest barrier with another 15% naming it as the second biggest barrier. Understanding government regulations and tax information rated as the second biggest barrier that Latinos encountered. This barrier is more pronounced in rural areas than in urban areas. Other top concerns include advertising, location, and obtaining licenses and permits. A closer examination of barriers finds nuanced differences between rural and urban entrepreneurs. Outreach programs and materials developed in response to research findings are presented.

Deforestation Near Public Lands: An Empirical Examination of Associated Processes

This article is an empirical examination of human-environment interactions associated with deforestation. The focus is on areas adjacent to the Buffalo National River and Ozark–St. Francis National Forest. Satellite imagery and census data over a 10-year timeframe are analyzed using multivariate methods to provide insight into underlying processes impacting land cover change. Examination of the parameters in areas near public land boundaries in conjunction with distance-to-the-boundary measures indicate changes immediately adjacent to the public lands differ from those at a distance. Public lands with differing mandates (resource conservation for current and future utilization in the case of U.S. Forest Service lands and preservation of existing “wilderness” condition in the case of the Buffalo National River) function separately within the wider landscape context. Land cover change due to deforestation is driven by transportation infrastructure, slope, distance to large urban centers, and location relative to public lands.

Human Capital Attributes of Hispanic Immigrant Entrepreneurs in a New Destination State

This article describes a survey of Hispanic immigrant entrepreneurs in a New Destination state. Results focus on the human capital, educational aspirations, and motivations. Findings challenge the idea that most Hispanic immigrants start up businesses because of limited human capital, discrimination, or blocked opportunities in the workforce. Rather, these entrepreneurs leverage accumulated human capital in the form of education, experience, and personal initiative, and express strong interest in continuing education though not necessarily formal higher education.

Human-Induced Switches on Public Land Boundaries: The Emergence of Ecological Islands?

This article examines interactions between land cover changes and human activity near public land boundaries. The article empirically examines multiple dimensions that may drive land cover changes, using a framework including ecological switches and biogeographical islands. Publicly owned lands become “islands” in the broader landscape within which they are embedded. As such, they may be of insufficient size or too isolated to allow the targeted ecosystems to continue to function as designed. Compounding the problems of isolation, size, and fragmentation, publicly owned parks or forests may function as human-mediated ecological switches, inducing specific land cover changes. Utilizing satellite data and a suite of sociodemographic data over a 10-year span, this research examines land cover changes surrounding public lands at regional and locally specific granularities. Results suggest policymakers and natural resource planners may be able to anticipate and incorporate local variations into future planning and policy cycles.

Stories after disaster survival: Preparing, heeding warnings, and self-reliance

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the study was to examine the content of stories told by people personally impacted by disasters. DESIGN Semistructured, qualitative interviews. SETTING Northwest part of a mid-south state. PARTICIPANTS Fourteen disaster survivors who were recruited through their attendance at an emergency preparedness-related fair. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Interview schedule based on previous research using the family resilience framework. RESULTS Three themes emerged: prior emergency preparation, heeding warnings of impending disaster, and rural self-reliance. CONCLUSIONS Participants had made prior emergency preparedness plans, but their personal experiences led to them adjusting their plans, or making more relevant plans for future disasters. Participants expressed the importance of sharing their experiences with family and community members, expressing hope that others would learn, vicariously rather than first-hand, from their experiences.