"GROUNDWATER DYNAMICS WITHIN THE SALINE WETLAND ALLUVIUM OF THE LITTLE SALT CREEK VALLEY, LANCASTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA" Gordon Richard Coke; Advisor: Dr. Ed Harvey The eastern saline wetlands of Nebraska are the state’s most endangered ecosystem. They are the product of a unique mixing relationship between deep saline groundwater and fresh surface water runoff in floodplain depressions and swales, and stream channels in the Salt Creek basin. These wetlands are home to a variety of unique salt-tolerant plants such as salt wort (Salicornia rubra), sea blite (Suaeda depressa), and inland salt grass (Distichlis spicata), and the federally endangered Salt Creek tiger beetle (Cicindela nevadica lincolniana). The wetlands have diminished considerably in size over the past century due to development and drainage and their future is in jeopardy. To further understand the mixing dynamics that occur to sustain these wetlands, a large saline wetland hydrology study was initiated in the spring of 2007. This study examined the shallow hydrology and the impact of that hydrology on the endemic species within the wetlands. Specifically, an investigation into the groundwater dynamics of the alluvium was conducted to determine sedimentary layer salt content, transport pathways and groundwater levels. By expanding present knowledge about the saline wetland ecosystem, wetland managers will be equipped with better science to develop further management tactics for the protection and restoration of saline wetlands. The channelization of Salt Creek and subsequent streambed incision of its tributaries caused considerable groundwater drainage of the saline wetlands, especially the wetlands adjacent to the deeply incised channels. Between the three primary study sites of Raymond Road, Frank Shoemaker Marsh and the Whitehead Wetland, groundwater levels decline steeper toward the channel at Frank Shoemaker Marsh and Whitehead Wetland when compared to the Raymond Road site. Electrical conductivity values for water in observation wells, channel seeps and springs measured as high as 38,000 uS/cm. Vertical hydraulic gradients are positive at the two project sites included in the gradient calculation and this indicates upward groundwater flow. Well logs collected during observation well installation showed successive sedimentary layers of sands, silts and clays within the wetland alluvium.

Global warming, one of the defining issues of our day, is the focus of the University Libraries 2008 Visiting Scholar Program during a two-day event on April 16 and 17. Dr. David Easterling, an internationally recognized expert on climate change, will participate in two events designed to shed light on this complex and divisive topic. Easterling, a researcher Center and Chief of Scientific Services at the National Climatic Data Center, was a Lead Author for Climate Change 2007, the Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which shared with Al Gore the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel won the Prize "for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change." Dr. Easterling will present a lecture on "Evidence of Climate Change," Wednesday, April 16 at 2:00 PM in the City Campus Union. Dr Easterling will also participate in a panel discussion of "Climate Change and the Great Plains" on Thursday, April 17 at 2:00 PM in the City Campus Union. Joining him on the panel will be three UNL climate experts: Dr. Sheri Fritz, Willa Cather Professor of Geosciences and Biological Sciences; Dr. Michael Hayes, Director of the National Drought Mitigation Center; and Dr. Kenneth Hubbard, Director of the High Plains Regional Climate Center with panel moderator Bob Bolin of the University Libraries. A reception will follow. These events are free and open to the public. They are sponsored by the University Libraries, Department of Geosciences, the High Plains Regional Climate Center, the National Drought Mitigation and the Convocations Committee. For more information visit: http://www.unl.edu/libr/inet/vsp2008.shtml

"Detonation Nanodiamond & Onion-like Carbon: Synthesis, Properties & Applications" will be presented by Dr. Olga Shenderova of the International Technology Center.

Refreshments: Brace Lab 201 @ 3:30 p.m.
Lecture: Brace Lab 211 @ 4:00 p.m.

Colloquium abstract can be found at: http://physics.unl.edu/news/colloquium.shtml

For further information please call the Department of Physics and Astronomy at (402) 472-2770 or email paoffice@unl.edu

Presented by Patricia Cox Crews, Willa Cather Professor, Department of Textiles, Clothing and Design, College of Education and Human Sciences, University of Nebraka-Lincoln

Bill Godfrey will be here to review the SSA "Sustainable Societies-Africa" Post-Test results. This course has been developed by the "Environic Foundation International for the United Nations Environment Programme".

The newly formed East Campus Choir will begin meeting everything Thursday evening in the Hardin Hall Auditorium from 7:00 pm to 9:20 pm. Director, James Wilson asked me to extend an invitation to all SNR faculty/staff/students to stop by and listen anytime. I've provided his contact information below if you would like additional information about joining the choir - everyone is welcome. James Wilson UNL School of Mustic # 336-549-4226, email: jameswils@gmail.com

Evenings of Dance is an annual dance concert featuring the choreography of professional artists, directed by Susan Levine. Included in this year’s shows will be the work of Jeff Curtis, formerly of Schapero & Smith, Ruth Davidson Hahn, a founding member of the Mark Morris Dance Group & Paul Besaw, head of the dance program at the University of Vermont. Levine will also be presenting work that was originally created in collaboration with music theorist Gretchen Foley, that premiered in Baltimore, MD at the Society of Music Theory. All works are performed by gifted UNL dance majors & minors. Tickets: General admission $12, faculty/staff $10, student/senior $7. Available at the door.