Coral reefs and the ecological, social, and economic benefits that they provide are seriously endangered by a colossal number of threats. This study was conducted in marine protected area (MPA) in the Mexican Caribbean. The purpose of this study was to provide results that can be directly applied by MPA managers to improve coral reef conservation and management. Characterization of four coral reef sites and stressors described in a proxy map were integrated into a comparative resilience assessment. Sites ranged from 16.5% to 3.5% coral cover and 47.5% to 12% macroalgal cover. Stressor distribution and intensity was highest near the Puerto Morelos town center and followed general water current patterns. Fishing, tourism, and pollution were identified as major stressors on which management can positively influence. The results of this study provide managers throughout the Caribbean a managerial tool chest to improve management efficacy and bolster conservation initiatives.

In an understocked game management area surrounding privately managed Kasanka national park in the Central Province of Zambia, local attitudes towards conservation and park-people relations were examined in the context of a community based natural resource management program. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 260 households and a multiple linear regression was used to analyze the data. Significant socioeconomic factors and attributes of households relevant in explaining positive conservation attitudes were education, employment with the park, and experience with outreach efforts. Outreach though is constrained by the limits on revenue generation of a small park, low communication of program purpose, and poor relations between park management and the chief. Support for conservation is undermined by antagonism between locals and wildlife scouts and crop damage by elephants. However, attitudes should improve with a strategy to address human-elephant conflict and enhance communication of the programs accomplishments and objectives.

When elephants leave primary protected areas (PPAs), such as national parks and game reserves, they may come into conflict with people residing on the adjoining land. In this study, I attempted to determine why African savannah elephants leave the PPAs in which they were collared. To accomplish this, I used telemetry locations of collared elephants in PPAs throughout southern Africa and investigated whether a range of intrinsic and extrinsic variables could explain why elephants crossed the boundaries of the PPAs. Adjoining many of the PPAs were secondary protected areas (SPAs), which consisted of community conservancies, and collectively with the PPAs formed clusters of protected areas. Most (45 of 49) elephants roamed beyond the PPAs but they remained within the clusters of protected areas. The elephants utilised both the PPAs and the SPAs and appeared to not feel threatened when using the SPAs. The reasons for elephants leaving PPAs varied both seasonally and between the sexes. The females roamed beyond the PPAs more during the wet season than the dry season, whereas, for males there was no seasonal difference. During the wet season, female and male habitat selection was similar within and beyond the PPAs. During the dry season, more females and males beyond the PPAs selected for areas close to people, which could be indicative of water. The proportion of male and female home ranges beyond PPAs did not increase with increasing density of elephant populations within the PPAs, nor did the proportion of female home ranges beyond PPAs increase with increasing population growth rate of elephant populations within the PPAs. Therefore, high numbers of elephants within the PPAs did not drive elephants beyond the boundaries. Contrastingly, the proportion of male home ranges beyond the PPAs did increase with increasing population growth rate. However, the results were inconclusive due to small sample size. This study confirms that elephants are utilising the SPAs as well as the PPAs. Therefore, the importance of including the SPAs in conservation actions for elephants cannot be over-emphasized. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Zoology and Entomology / unrestricted

The queen conch, Lobatus gigas, is key to the Bahamian way of life. Recent studies suggest that commercial stocks will be depleted in The Bahamas in 10-15 years. In response to this, an egg farm was established in a historic breeding ground in Moriah Harbour Cay National Park, Exuma, Bahamas. Previously used for aquaculture, the egg farm concept was tested as a restoration method. Conch were tagged (n=251) and stocked in a 1,385 m2 (0.14 ha) circular enclosure at an equivalent density of 1,813/ha or 1 conch/5.5 m2. The egg farm was visited every 24-48 hours during the study period (May 26-August 14, 2019) to examine conch distribution, burial, predation, breeding, and egg mass laying. Queen conch Essential Fish Habitat was characterized in this study, contributing to a knowledge gap concerning conch spawning areas. No egg masses were laid, despite temperature, sediment solid-phase organics, calcium carbonate, and other seagrass habitat characteristics displaying similarities to previous studies in which conch spawned. It is speculated that egg laying did not occur due to handling disturbances, which may have caused the conch to resorb their gonads. Comprehensive recommendations are made for future egg farms intended for restoration. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2020. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

My graduation theses refers to the utilization of the grant-in-aid from the Europen Social Fund in order to create „the protected workroom“ to help and support the employment of the handicapped people. According to the entrepreneurial activity and analyses of employment of handicapped people macroeconomical factors present the situation on the labour market as well as the perspective profitability through some specific solutions.

Rumen protected methionine has been used in an effort to improve the amino acid composition of metabolisable protein since the early 1960’s. The positive response in dairy cows in terms of milk protein composition and milk production, especially during early lactation has been well documented. Rumen protected methionine supplementation contributes to improving the protein efficiency of the dairy cow which improves the overall productivity of the dairy enterprise. Recently a locally developed liquid rumen protected methionine prototype became available. In our study this product was evaluated through a series of experiments in conjunction with two standard, well known methionnine sources, Smartamine ™ M and unprotected DL-methionine that provided a reference to the relative bioavailability of the liquid rumen protected methionine. In the first of the two studies the effect of methionine supplementation on milk yield, milk composition as well as milk protein composition was evaluated through the milk composition technique. The ability of the liquid rumen protected methionine to elevate blood plasma methionine levels was also evaluated through the blood plasma technique after oral dosing and post ruminal infusion of methionine. The liquid rumen protected methionine prototype induced no response in either milk yield or milk composition. Results suggested that the prototype is either not adequately protected against rumen degradation or it is not available for absorption in the small intestine. The inability of the liquid rumen protected methionine prototype to elevate blood plasma methionine after post ruminal infusion further proved that the product is not available for absorption at this site either. In the event that the product’s mode of action or method of protection caused it not to be detected as pure methionine in the blood, an effect on milk yield would have been expected which was not the case. This product proved to have a very low or no bioavailability in comparison to the well researched and proven Smartamine ™ M. / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

Legal regulation of the NATURA 2000 network Abstract The aim of the diploma thesis is to analyse the legal regulation of the Natura 2000 network, namely its creation and its subsequent protection. Natura 2000 is the network that primarily serves to the protection of biodiversity on the territory of the selected protected sites, which is created by the member states of the European Union on their terriotory. The creation and the protection of the Natura 2000 network are based on two major regulations of the secondary EU law, specifically Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conservation of wild birds and Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. To achieve the most comprehensive analysis of the legal regulation were used five main chapters, into them is the thesis divided. The first chapter introduces the concept of Natura 2000, it describes the purpose of this network and also the principles on which it is based. The second chapter describes the international legal regulation in relation to the Natura 2000 network, this chapter contains the list of international agreements that are also focused on the nature protection and with that they present the basis for Natura 2000 network. The third chapter relates to the EU...

In 2010, Thailand’s Andaman Sea experienced unprecedented mass coral bleaching. Between 50% to 90% of corals suffered bleaching along the Andaman coast both inside and outside Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). This dissertation examines the implications of climate change for these coral reef ecosystems in MPAs. The study explores the potential and effectiveness of conservation management strategies using MPAs and resilience building to address this global challenge in the context of Thailand. This dissertation examines how resilience-based management can be enhanced in Thailand’s MPAs on the Andaman coast in the face of climate change. In particular, the research: 1) Identifies resilient reefs in the Andaman bioregion, 2) Assesses coral reef resilience in a specific MPA to identify management interventions, 3) Examines current MPA coverage and suggests strategies to improve coverage, and 4) Illustrates the potential of social media to enhance coral reef resilience in Thailand. The study employs a mixed methods approach consisting of literature review, a review of available secondary data, workshops, field surveys and social media data tracking. Twenty-two resilience indicators were selected and used to assess reefs at 62 survey stations across the eastern Andaman bioregion. A review of existing Andaman MPA coverage, spacing and design was conducted to determine the gaps and opportunities for expanding the MPA network. A science communication campaign focused on the importance of parrotfish in saving coral reefs using online social media was launched and monitored. The study sites were classified into high (28), moderate (23) and low (11) resilience based on resilience scores. The results provide the first comprehensive resilience assessment of coral reefs in the Andaman sea. The identified resilient reef areas serve as cornerstones in developing a more resilient MPA network and provide a conservation-based platform for long-term marine spatial planning in the eastern Andaman region. Resilience scores for Mu Ko Surin National Park were analyzed in more detail to provide an example of the process for undertaking a finer scaled analysis with a localized weighting system. Management interventions were developed accordingly including strict protection areas and recovery zone designations aiming to improve coral resilience. Expanding MPA coverage and developing MPA networks is an urgent priority for Thailand to reach the CBD target of at least 10% of marine and coastal habitat protected by 2020. This study suggests three important areas for consideration: 1) Expanding MPAs by prioritizing resilient areas and incorporating other types of conservation areas; 2) A ‘bottom-up’ approach that incorporates adaptive and flexible governance; and 3) Implement biological corridors to address key shortcomings of current MPAs. The findings from the parrotfish campaign highlighted the importance of science communication and the usefulness of social networks for conservation. The campaign demonstrated that social media, when used properly and effectively, is powerful for public engagement and helps create an enabling environment for change in public policy and practice for marine conservation. This dissertation offers insights into opportunities to improve the management of large tropical marine ecosystem and how coral reef resilience can be enhanced by developing MPA networks in the face of climate change. / Graduate

Six nonlactating Holstein cows fitted with rumen and duodenal cannula were used to determine the efficacy of pH sensitive fatty acid polymer encapsulation as a means protecting amino acids from rumen fermentation and as a post-ruminal amino acid delivery system. The cows were arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial in a latin square design. Treatments were 1) the basal ration, and 2) basal ration plus rumen-protected lysine, methionine, and threonine at 10 g each per day. Rumen parameters measured were pH, ammonia, volatile fatty acids, protozoa, liquid, and dry matter rate of passage, total viable bacteria, and viable cellulolytic bacteria. Duodenal parameters measured were crude protein, ammonia, and amino acid concentrations. Total tract apparent digestibility of nutrients was measured. In addition, rumen degradation of the three amino acid products was measured by loss from nylon bags, in the rumen. Loss of product from nylon bags suggested the lysine and threonine products had no significant rumen protection, but that the methionine product had > 50% protection at 12 h in the rumen. None of the rumen parameters measured differed (P>.05) due to treatment. Duodenal crude protein and ammonia concentrations did not differ due to treatment. Duodenal amino acid concentrations were numerically higher for the amino acid supplemented treatment, but the differences were nonsignificant and thought to be confounded by failure of the lysine and threonine products. Total tract apparent nutrient digestibility was not affected by treatment. A second experiment was conducted using 40 post-parturient Holstein cows, and different rumen-protected amino acid products from the first trial. Cows were nesteMwby treatment (control vs rumen-protected methionine 46 g and lysine 22 g) and parity (primiparous vs multiparous). Dry matter intake and milk production were monitored daily, body weight weekly, and milk composition bi-weekly. Total tract apparent nutrient digestibility was measured during the last week of the 10-week trial. There was no significant (P<.05) effect of supplemental rumen-protected lysine and methionine among primiparous animals. Multiparous animals receiving supplemental amino acids had lower dry matter intakes and yield of milk components than control animals.

Unprecedented rates of modern species extinction present a serious challenge in the field of conservation biology. While protected areas (PAs) are regarded as key tools to reduce rates of biodiversity loss, it is unclear to what degree PAs can maintain their ecological integrity while experiencing external pressures from outside of their boundaries. Satellite remote sensing essential biodiversity variables (SRS-EBVs) are indicators of biodiversity that can be produced with large spatial coverages and can be used to measure PAs’ capacity to preserve important ecological elements for biodiversity. In this study, I used SRS-EBVs representative of ecosystem structure and function, including productivity, disturbance regimes, ecosystem extent, and ecosystem composition. I tested if PAs preserved these determinants of species survival through time, whether any changes in these variables in PAs were independent of changes in their surrounding areas (buffer zones), and if the management type of PAs influenced either of these patterns. I found that PAs maintained elements of ecosystem structure, including habitat heterogeneity and extent, inside of their boundaries, regardless of changes that occurred in their surroundings. In contrast, PAs were less effective at sustaining elements of ecosystem function and mitigating other forms of human disturbance. Productivity within PAs was the same as that of their surroundings, underscoring the inability of PAs to track shifts in climate regimes that put some species at greater risk of extinction. Fire disturbance trends were maintained across PA boundaries; however, the causes of these fires are unknown, highlighting the importance of supplemental fire census data to tease apart the trends of natural fire regimes compared to harmful burns. Finally, other human pressures thought to be the indirect effects of linear transportation features (ex. edge effects from roads) were observed to have spilled over from buffer zones into PAs. Planning for future development of the global PA network can benefit greatly from the application of SRS-EBVs. Pairing these data products with foundational ecological conservation principles can build a stronger, more efficient PA network for the preservation of Earth’s species.