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A Geospatial Livestock-Carrying Capacity Model (GLCC) in the Akmola Oblast, Kazakhstan
No full textSpatial disparities in rangeland conditions across Kazakhstan complicate field-based assessments of livestock-carrying capacity (LCC), a critical metric for the country\u27s food security and economic planning. This study developed a geospatial livestock-carrying capacity (GLCC) modeling framework to quantify LCC spatio-temporal dynamics at the Oblast level, by integrating satellite-derived data on vegetation, water resources, and terrain with in situ measurements. By providing ground-truth observations and contextual detail, field-based measurements complement remote sensing data and help to validate estimates and improve the reliability of the GLCC model. The modeling framework was successfully applied and validated in a case study in the Akmola Oblast, Kazakhstan, to specifically map the spatial and temporal distributions of LCC, using publicly available MODIS NPP data and in situ data from 51 field sites. The modeling results showed distinct spatial patterns of LCC across the Oblast, reflecting variability in rangeland productivity with higher values concentrated in southern and southeastern regions (up to 0.5 animals/ha). The results also depicted significant interannual LCC fluctuations (ranging from 0.099 to 0.17 animals/ha) possibly due to rainfall variability, and thus an indicator of climate-related risks for livestock management. Although there is still room for further improvement, particularly in model parameterization to account for grazing pressures, forage quality, and livestock species, the GLCC modeling framework represents a simple modeling tool to map livestock-carrying capacity, a more meaningful indicator to rangeland managers. Further, this work underscores the value of integrating remote sensing with field-based observations to support data-driven rangeland management planning and resilient investment strategies
Unraveling the Causal Influences of Drought and Crop Production on Groundwater Levels Across the Contiguous United States
No full textGroundwater depletion in agricultural-dominated regions is attributed to climate and irrigation withdrawals that support crop production. However, despite decades of effort, knowledge gaps remain in understanding the relative influence of drought and crop production on groundwater levels at the continental scale. Here, utilizing empirical observations, we simultaneously track how long-term trajectories of groundwater levels, crop production of seven crops, and drought have evolved over time, and then integrate these observations with a causality-based attribution framework to unravel the relative impact of drought and crop production on groundwater levels across the contiguous United States (CONUS). We find a dominant pattern of decreases in groundwater levels with increases (25-61%) or no change (1-15%) in crop production across the CONUS. We estimate a significant (P \u3c 0.1) causal influence of crop production and drought on groundwater levels in similar to 32% (n = 101) and similar to 20% (n = 62) of counties, respectively. Further, the extent of impact of crop production on groundwater varies with region and is most pronounced for cotton (42%, n = 18) and wheat (17%, n = 39). The memory effects of crop production (median: 7 years) and drought (median: 3 years) on groundwater levels imply that their impact could last much longer than the annual crop production cycle or the drought exposure period. Further, these findings allude to circular causality between groundwater and crop production, where both entities depend on each other at different time scales. Our work builds on past work and contributes to the growing understanding of food security and groundwater availability to manage these commodities to meet future demands
Danny Barnes interview, 08 October 2025
No full textIn this 2025 interview, East Cleveland native Mr. Danny Barnes reflects on his upbringing, and his educational experiences in the city’s schools, especially Shaw High School. He discusses the strong sense of community, the presence of Black-owned businesses, and the supportive environment that shaped his adolescence and early adulthood. Barnes recounts the origins of the first All Class Shaw Reunion in 2004, detailing his motivation to reunite former students, strengthen community ties, and inspire long-term engagement with East Cleveland. Barnes concludes by emphasizing the need for ownership, revitalization, and sustained civic participation to support East Cleveland’s future
Carlos Latimer interview, 09 October 2025
No full textIn this 2025 interview, East Cleveland native and Executive Director of the East Cleveland Public Library, Mr. Carlos Latimer, reflects on his childhood in the city during a period of thriving schools, recreational facilities, and dense family-centered neighborhoods. He describes the educational path that included Shaw High School, followed by college and an early career at the Cleveland Public Library, where he gained administrative experience and later pursued a master’s degree in library science. Latimer explains the library’s evolving mission, emphasizing expanded technology access, early literacy, performing arts programming, and social-service functions that fill gaps left by the absence of other local nonprofits. He details partnerships with the school district, Tri-C, and the Cuyahoga Land Bank, as well as the library’s role as a trusted institutional anchor during periods of economic decline and demographic change
Kevin Salters interview, 14 October 2025
No full textIn this 2025 interview, lifelong East Cleveland resident and entrepreneur Mr. Kevin Salters describes his childhood, his family’s move to the city, and the strong sense of community that shaped his youth. He recounts his service in the U.S. Army, his transition into welding, and his eventual shift into property rehabilitation and long-term homeownership in East Cleveland. Salters discusses the development of his rental portfolio, the role of his family in managing properties, and the pride he takes in reinvesting in his own neighborhood. He also reflects on his leadership in organizing 13 years of community block parties, his involvement in local associations, and the cultural importance of the annual Shaw High School Reunion Weekend
Edward Parker interview, 09 October 2025
No full textIn this 2025 interview, artist, educator, and community advocate Mr. Edward E. Parker discusses his move to Cleveland in the 1960s and the experiences that shaped his parallel work as an artist and entrepreneur. He reflects on purchasing and developing the Edward E. Parker Creative Arts Complex in East Cleveland, detailing the classes offered, his mentorship of young artists, and the evolution of his sculptural work. The interview also explores his travels to Africa, his major artistic themes, and the placement of his work in museums and cultural institutions
Donté Gibbs interview, 14 October 2025
No full textIn this 2025 interview, East Cleveland native and civic leader Mr. Donté Gibbs discusses his childhood, family dynamics, and the strong community networks that shaped his early life. He describes his educational experiences in the East Cleveland school system, his time at Case Western Reserve University, and the academic and social challenges that motivated his commitment to community-based work. Gibbs outlines his professional path through youth development, philanthropy, and institutional partnerships. He also details the creation and evolution of Dante’s Gift Express, emphasizing its focus on family-centered service, volunteer engagement, and large-scale holiday programming
Using a Comparative AI Exercise to Improve Student Drafting
No full textAlthough AI is a beneficial drafting tool, ultimately, the lawyer or student is fully responsible for the final work product. AI can be used to generate ideas and structures, but the human drafter must perform the final analysis, ensure accuracy of both content and law, and tailor the document to the client\u27s precise needs
Mary Smith interview, 15 January 2025
No full textMary Smith discusses moving to Cleveland from Alabama in 1972. She talks about her love for the Mount Pleasant neighborhood and the changes that the area has experienced since the early 2000s. She mostly describes her involvement with the Thea Bowman Center as a volunteer in the marketplace and describes how fulfilling her work is
Mikel Jordan interview, 23 January 2025
No full textIn this 2025 interview, Mikel Jordan, an employee at NuPoint Community Development Corporation, discusses growing up on E. 147th Street and Glendale Avenue. She describes the history of her family in Cleveland, early memories in the Lee-Harvard area, and her involvement in the early Cleveland hip-hop scene in the 1980s. Jordan also details her early explorations throughout Cleveland and the southeast side by bus, different neighborhood identities, and the effects of crack cocaine on communities. At the end of the interview, she emphasizes the importance of building community networks at the neighborhood level