2005-2007 GRANTS INITIATIVE
FUNDED PROJECTS Project #: 2004002
Title: Measurement and Interpretation of the “Heartbeat of the City” through its Acoustic Signatures
PI(s): Stuart Gage, Entomology Department, MSU
Subir K. Biswas, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, MSU
Budget: $52,615
Duration: January1, 2005 – December 31, 2007
Abstract: People are moving out from Michigan’s cities into the countryside to capture the essence of the remainder of its’ natural landscape. This desire to sprawl is changing the nature of the Michigan. We will use sound as a synthesis variable to measure the heartbeat of the city. We draw an analogy with the heartbeat of a human, the heartbeat of an ecosystem and the heartbeat of a city. We will initiate our Heartbeat of the City acoustic study in the city of Fremont, MI in Newaygo County. Fremont has multiple habitat types ranging from dense urban concentration (downtown) to natural habitats that have been preserved as parks. The objective is to apply a quantitative analysis to characterize the Heartbeat of a City and to develop a report card for each type of city habitat based on the character and quality of sounds monitored at different types of places in the city. The outcomes from this project will include an on-line report card by day, season and year of the Heartbeat of the City for each of the five cityscapes monitored. A method to scale observations to larger areas using remote satellite sensing based on signature searching and image classification will be included. The system will be designed for deployment in Michigan cityscapes to determine the Heartbeat of the City and will serve as a model to enable any city to establish a quantitative measurement of its heartbeat using acoustics as a health report card.
Project #: 2004004
Title: Integrating Ecological and Economic Dimensions for Sustainable Management of Michigan’s Jack Pine Resource
PI(s): David Rothstein, Department of Foresty, MSU
Larry A. Leefers, Department of Forestry, MSU
Deborah G. McCullough, Department of Entomology, MSU
Kimberly R. Hall, Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, MSU
Budget: $73,000
Duration: January1, 2005 – December 31, 2007
Abstract: Creating a vision for sustainable development in regions of Michigan that are dominated by jack pine forests requires an interdisciplinary approach, as these forests provide both critical habitat for an endangered species and timber-related revenues to local communities, while also representing a significant fire risk to rural communities. Currently, jack pine management focuses on the use of short-rotation plantations, but this strategy is based on the untested assumption that the sandy, nutrient-poor soils upon which these forests depend can sustain productivity over the long term. In addition, the transition toward plantations has not been evaluated in terms of effects on important “ecosystem services” of biodiversity and carbon sequestration. This project will evaluate ecological, economic and social trade-offs in terms of achieving sustainable ecosystem management of fire-prone jack pine forests in northern Michigan. Our objectives are to: 1) understand the effects of varying methods of harvesting and stand regeneration on biomass removals, stand structure, and soil fertility, 2) quantify the ecological and economic consequences of biomass retention, heterogeneity of stand structure, and rotation length, and 3) to parameterize a spatially explicit, GIS-based model of landscape-scale forest management. A user-friendly version of this model will serve as a decision support system for jack pine management that incorporates the effects of management on fire risk, sustainable commodity production, carbon sequestration, endangered species habitat, biodiversity, and forest health. This project will provide critical information to state and federal land managers on ecological and economic trade-offs associated with managing fire-prone forests in close contact with rural communities.
Project #: 2004006
Title: Enhancing Michigan’s Rural CommunitiesWith a more Sustainable Agricultural Sector
PI(s): Suzanne Thornbury, Department of Agricultural Economics, MSU
Bruce Harte, School of Packaging, MSU
Sara Risch, School of Packaging, MSU
Diana Twede, School of Packaging, MSU
Janice Harte, Food Sciences, MSU
Budget: $30,000
Duration: January1, 2005 – December 31, 2007
Abstract: Multifunctional agriculture supports the viability of rural communities through employment, open-space activities, tourism, protecting wildlife habitats, and contributing to flood control and carbon sinks. The Michigan “fruit-belt” has historically encompassed the state’s western coast where Lake Michigan creates a micro-climate suitable for production. Marketing and economic changes have put increased pressure on this agricultural sector. Decreased demand for the older, more traditional products and increased global competition have reduced profitability. At the same time, the high demand for development of coastal areas has raised the opportunity cost of agricultural production. The objective of this multidisciplinary project is to challenge a Michigan fruit industry to move in a new, more sustainable direction. The health benefits of tart cherries have been documented in several previous projects; however, the consumer has not been made aware of these potential new products. This project will result in specific packaging, marketing and logistical recommendations to capture the value-added potential of tart cherries health and taste benefits. Developing new products with potential for a global impact due to high quality standards, health benefits, and an superior presentation to the consumer will increase the viability of the agricultural sector and its contribution to sustainable Michigan agriculture.