Vol. 38, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2000- "Geography for the 21st Century"
(pp. 3 - 29)
Daniel A. Griffith
Department of Geography
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York
Abstract
This report describes a flexible methodology for calculating spatial autoregressive model-based small geographic area estimates, illustrating its utility with substitution computations for the suppression code (D) in order to allow more complete data tabulations to be released. Post-stratification figures reported here are those for the 1997 Census of Agriculture, which was conducted by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NABS). The imputation equation was developed and evaluated in a previous study, using principal agricultural commodities for Michigan and Tennessee. Both major and minor commodities for Pennsylvania are treated in this study. The text describes applications of the estimation methodology, evaluating differences between two operational definitions of county densities. Measures of uncertainty are presented using oats production data, based upon Monte Carlo simulations, the jackknife technique, and asymptotic standard errors. The need for constrained maximum likelihood estimates is implied by the analysis of minor crops, regardless of whether the cultivation of such crops is thinly spread across most counties, or concentrated in relatively few counties. One important finding is that reasonably accurate model-based small geographic area estimates can be obtained even for minor crops.
(pp. 30 - 41)
Todd Grote
William Blewett
Department of Geography-Earth Science
Shippensburg University
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Abstract
Analysis of geologic, topographic, soils and vegetation maps, along with limited field wort indicate that several important geomorphic factors influence woody vegetation patterns in the vicinity of Dickey Ridge Visitor Center in northern Shenandoah National Park. Specifically, chestnut oak, a more xeric species, dominates ridgetops and higher topographic locations, whereas yellow poplar, a more mesic species, populates coves and lower landscape positions. Key factors influencing these patterns are soil water-yielding capacity, slope aspect and topographic location. Geomorphic influences were most conspicuous in steeply sloping terrain, especially along western flanks of the main ridge crest. In contrast, eastern slopes display vegetation assemblages more typical of disturbed, old field habitat associated with human disturbance.
PHILADELPHIA'S EFFECT ON PRECIPITATION ACIDITY FROM MARBLE GRAVESTONE DISSOLUTION RATES
(pp. 42 - 56)
Thomas Meierding
University of Delaware
Newark, Delaware
Abstract
Direct measurements of urban acidic precipitation are few and show little urban/rural difference in today's clean-air cities. However, significant augmentation of precipitation acidity due to under-cloud washout of historic urban atmospheric pollution is demonstrated from mapping of surface recession rates on older horizontal marble gravestones in the Philadelphia, PA region. Unlike vertical gravestones, which are physically weathered by S02-induced gypsum growth, surface lowering of upward-facing slab surfaces at ground level is due almost entirely to dissolution of calcite by acids in precipitation. Such surfaces lower at a mean rate of 1.0 mm/100 yrs. in center-city Philadelphia, but at only 0.5 mm/100 yrs. in nearby rural areas, as determined by an inscription legibility technique. Dissolution damage to marble in the center-city has been considerably less than degradation caused by gaseous SO2(3.5 mm/100 yrs). Both have decreased in late decades as the city has cleaned its air.
BROWNSVILLE, PA AND BROCKPORT, NY: A CONTRAST IN TOWN DEVELOPMENT AS INFLUENCED BY TRANSPORTATION
(pp. 57 - 93)
Sherman E. Silverman
Department of Geography and History
Prince George's Community College
Largo, Maryland
Abstract
Migration across the Alleghenies from the Atlantic Coast early in the 19th century established a region of industrial concentration referred to as The Foundry. Development of this region of industrial concentration was made possible by natural amenities such as an abundance of coal and watersheds conducive to low cost transportation. Before the innovation of railroads, linkage between cities on the Coastal Plain and emerging urban centers in the Alleghenies was made possible by canals and roads. This study focuses on two Allegheny towns, Brownsville in the Monongahela Valley and Brockport near the Ontario Lowlands, which became intermediate points along routes crossing the Appalachian Mountains linking Baltimore with Pittsburgh (Brownsville) and Buffalo with New York (Brockport). This study will focus on how the Erie Canal and the National Road affected the respective development of Brockport and Brownsville in the 19thcentury and how they have faired through the 20thcentury as forms of transportation changed Primary source material employed in the study includes data from the 12thU.S. Manuscript Census and aerial photos taken by the federal government in 1938. Current photographs have been included from on-site visits to amplify the discussion. Both towns are indicators of situational changes occurring within the hinterlands of their respective primate cities, Brownsville-Pittsburgh and Brockport-Rochester. Once these towns were vibrant commercial and industrial nodes; now they have become cultural artifacts giving insight into spatial processes of landscape evolution.
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN CANADA THROUGH 1997: A SPATIAL ASSESSMENT OF ORIGINS AND DISTRIBUTION
(pp. 94 - 112)
Joel I. Deichmann
International Culture and Economy Program
Bentley College
Waltham, Massachusetts
Abstract
The empirical literature on foreign direct investment (FDI) in Canada registers a commanding share by United States-based affiliates through 1990. However, no recent inquiries extend the inquiry through the 1990s. In response, this paper examines the origins, composition, and location of FDI in Canada between 1990 and 1997 and investigates the extent to which the prevailing patterns have changed over time. While the primacy of the United States as the leading origin of investment remains unchallenged investment inflows from Asian countries are experiencing the most rapid acceleration. In terms of industrial composition, FDI growth during the 1990s is dominated by extractive activities, while growth in the manufacturing sector is the most sluggish. The distribution of investments among Canadian provinces continues to be dominated by the four provinces where Canada's largest cities are located: Ontario, Alberta, Quebec, and British Columbia. However, Ontario's dominant share of investment transactions and values has begun to wane, and Alberta begins to challenge Quebec as the second largest provincial host of foreign capital.
VIRTUAL COMMODITIES: AN EXPLORATORY ANALYSIS OF ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS ON THE INTERNET
(pp. 113 - 127)
Tony H. Grubesic
Department of Geography
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
Abstract
Historically, academic institutions have played an important role in the development of the Internet. From its humble beginnings as ARPANET, to Abilene and the Internet2 project, colleges and universities in the United States continue to maintain an active presence on the Information Superhighway. However, not all US academic institutions share a major presence on the Web. Is this merely a function of institutional size? Research funding? Location? This paper explores a variety of factors to determine why some universities are more active on the WWW than others. This exploratory analysis is accomplished through the use of powerful querying options available on commercial search engines, ordinary least squares regression, and a geographic information system. Results indicate that although institutional size is a significant factor, Carnegie designation, location, and Internet availability on campus also contribute toward explaining Internet presence.