Vol. 2 (1993): North Carolina Geographer
This issue of The North Carolina Geographer, much like its predecessor, represents the broad perspectives of research and.application in geography and related disciplines. Even so we have here a pronounced tilt in emphasis toward North Carolina's environmental conditions and concerns; this especially as regards climate, water resources and environmental management. This is complemented by explorations into recent General Assembly decisions affecting life and land in the state. As always, the Journal includes shorter articles on more specialized matters, as well as a brief account of this issue's cover.
Walter Martin ofUNC-Charlotte leads off with a study of folk perceptions of coastal storm hazards. Long term residents appear to possesss much relevant information about specific localities frequented with greater impact by coastal storms. These hazard zones have subsequently been corroborated by scientists to the point to where it might be advisable to listen more closely to locals when considering issue relating to coastal management.
One of the major pieces of environmental legislation passed recently by the General Assembly was the Water Supply and Watershed Management Act. Bill Holder of Knoxville's Metropolitan Planning Commission and Mike Mayfield of Appalachian Stae University team to explore the utility of Geographic Information System·technology as a tool in establishing the drainage parameters of strean1 buffer zones. In this case the New River watershed in Ashe County provides a highly effective example of the junction of GIS technology and watershed management needs.
If it is raining in Burlington what then is the likelihood that it will be raining also in Charlotte? Surely this question suggests one of the problem issues in local and regional weather forecasting. Here it is given
a penetrating look by Peter J. Robinson of UNC-Chapel Hill. In a comparative study of mountain and lowland weather stations he finds that indeed the probability of rain in one particular place, given its actual occurrence in another, can be determined. JackHidore ofUNC-Grensboro follows with an account of weather hazards. In focusing on the N or'easters he discovers this prevailing winter-early spring storm to be persistently one of the state's major atmospheric hazards.
Doug Eyre of UNC-Chappel Hill weaves a fine web in detailing the evolution ofth e series ofg eographically convoluted redistricting plans proffered by the major parties in their attempts to reconcile self interests and Voting Rights Act expectations. The most recent plan was implemented in time for the 1992 presidential elections, and is now being contested in the courts.
This Journal's Reports include a survey of the utility ofusing a computer speadsheet software package to ease problems of data manipulation and presentation. Garry Cooper of Appalachian State University demonstrates this software's knack at stimulating creativity in generating complex and useful visuals. And in support of the continually enriched palette of tools available to geographic research Tim Johnson provides a close look at the function and projects of the North Carolina Center for Geographic Information and Analysis.
Art Rex provides a description of this year's four color cover. Art is the project director ofthe GIS applications of the Upper Catawba Drainage Basin Project, itself directed out of the Western Piedmont
Council of Governments .with offices located in Hickory.
The North Carolina Geographer continues to seek the results of current findings of academic and applied geographers, and of those who feel that their work and interest is in some way defined within the broad spectrum of this field. But we areawowedly committed to presenting exclusively material that reflects or has a direct bearing on North Carolina's conditions, past, present and future; this is a state journal! Any and all are invited to submit materials of interest to a readership that we expect to range from academicians, to planners and local and state decisionmakers, to school teachers, and to any member
of the public at large who find facination with the intricacies of our state's multifaceted geography. Articles submitted will be refereed by peers prior to acceptance for publication. Though this issue characterizes the style adopted by the Journal, all prospective authors may wish to contact the Editor for detailed guidelines on manuscript preparation. All articles should reach the Editor prior to January 31st of the year of publication. For the foreseable future we will be publishing The North Carolina Geographer on an annual basis as the journal of the North Carolina Geographical Society.
The Society wishes herewith to express its deep appreciation to those who have labored in the production ofits Journal. Every other year we will acknowledge the support of the readers who freely provide their expertise and recommendations to prospective authors on the basis of their submitted work. So we thank the following individuals, John Florin, D. Gordon Bennett, Jack Hidore, Jonathan Phillips, Bill Rogers, Robert Reiman, William Imperatore, Tyrel Moore, Neal Lineback, Michael E. Lewis, Gerald L. Ingalls, Roger Winsor, Peter Soule , Brooks Cates, W. Frank Ainsley, Art Rex and Melinda Meade. In addition the appearance on the street of this particular issue owes much to the following, Kim Heinz and Paul Maney, Appalachian Graduate Assistants; John Craft, who spent much of his weekend clearing up some of the mysteries of Pagemaker, and the faculty and staff of the Department of Geography and Planning at Appalachian.
