Orientador: Isabel Cristina de Barros Trannin / Banca: Sueli Yoshinaga Pereira / Banca: Silvio Jorge Coelho Simões / Resumo: Este estudo faz parte de um amplo projeto, que tem como objetivo a revitalização da bacia hidrográfica do ribeirão Guaratinguetá, desenvolvido pelo Departamento de Engenharia Civil da FEG/UNESP, em parceria com a Prefeitura Municipal de Guaratinguetá. O ribeirão Guaratinguetá é o manancial de abastecimento do município e nos últimos anos vem apresentando graves problemas ambientais, como processos erosivos em suas margens, que causam assoreamento, enchentes e decréscimo da qualidade da água, resultantes, principalmente, do uso e manejo inadequados do solo. Diante deste cenário, esse estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar os aspectos ambientais do meio físico, delimitar as áreas de preservação permanente (APPs), determinar a capacidade de uso das terras e propor a adequação do uso das terras e o macrozoneamento desta bacia hidrográfica, onde se destacam as atividades agropecuárias. Para isso, utilizaram-se técnicas de geoprocessamento, empregando-se o software ArcGIS® versão 9.2 do Sistema de informações Geográficas (SIG). Verificou-se que o ribeirão Guaratinguetá possui formas complexas de drenagem, com superposição de anastomosamento e meandramento. As APPs cobrem 17,9% da área total da bacia, dos quais 56,2% estão sendo utilizados por atividades agropecuárias, que não atendem a legislação vigente. Considerando a capacidade de uso das terras, a bacia apresenta potencial agrícola, sendo que cerca de 63,3% de sua área pertence aos grupos A e B de capacidade de uso, que incluem as classes II, III, IV de terras aptas aos cultivos agrícolas; classes V, VI e VII, que são terras aptas às pastagens e à silvicultura e, em alguns casos com problemas para a conservação das terras, necessitando de práticas especiais de manejo e 36,7% de sua área pertence ao grupo C e classe VIII, de terras impróprias para qualquer tipo de uso... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This study is part of a larger project, which aims to revitalize the strem basin Guaratinguetá, developed by the Department of Civil Engineering, FEG/UNESP, in partnership with the Prefeitura de Guaratinguetá. The stream Guaratinguetá is the source of supply for the city and in recent years she has had serious environmental problems such as erosion along its banks, causing siltation, flooding and decreased water quality, resulting mainly from inappropriate use and management of soil. Against this backdrop, this study aimed to characterize the environmental aspects of the environment, defining the permanent preservation areas (APPs), ending the ability of land use and suggest the appropriateness of land use and macro-zoning of the watershed where stand out agricultural activities. For this, we used GIS techniques, using the software ArcGIS® version 9.2 of the Geographic Information System (GIS). It was found that the stream has Guaratinguetá complex forms of drainage, with superposition of anastomoses and meandering. The APPs cover 17.9% of total catchment are being used by agricultural activities, which do not meet current legislation. Considering the ability of land use, the basin has potential agricultural, with about 63.3% of its area belongs to groups A and B use capacibility, including the Class II, III and IV of land suitable for cultivation agricultural land classes V, VI and VII, which is land suitable for forestry and in some cases with concern for the conservation of land, requiring special management practices and 36.7% of its area bolongs to group C and Class VIII land unfit for any type of use and reserved for the preservation of flora and fauna. The macrozoning agri-environmental indicated that 37.9% of the basin area has agricultural capacibility, while 45,2% is occupied by land used for conservation, leaving 14.9% for use... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:26:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-03-04Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:34:05Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 ferreira_mc_me_bauru.pdf: 1485895 bytes, checksum: 46caa6e8a16d3780555723c30d2a8ed6 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Este estudo faz parte de um amplo projeto, que tem como objetivo a revitalização da bacia hidrográfica do ribeirão Guaratinguetá, desenvolvido pelo Departamento de Engenharia Civil da FEG/UNESP, em parceria com a Prefeitura Municipal de Guaratinguetá. O ribeirão Guaratinguetá é o manancial de abastecimento do município e nos últimos anos vem apresentando graves problemas ambientais, como processos erosivos em suas margens, que causam assoreamento, enchentes e decréscimo da qualidade da água, resultantes, principalmente, do uso e manejo inadequados do solo. Diante deste cenário, esse estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar os aspectos ambientais do meio físico, delimitar as áreas de preservação permanente (APPs), determinar a capacidade de uso das terras e propor a adequação do uso das terras e o macrozoneamento desta bacia hidrográfica, onde se destacam as atividades agropecuárias. Para isso, utilizaram-se técnicas de geoprocessamento, empregando-se o software ArcGIS® versão 9.2 do Sistema de informações Geográficas (SIG). Verificou-se que o ribeirão Guaratinguetá possui formas complexas de drenagem, com superposição de anastomosamento e meandramento. As APPs cobrem 17,9% da área total da bacia, dos quais 56,2% estão sendo utilizados por atividades agropecuárias, que não atendem a legislação vigente. Considerando a capacidade de uso das terras, a bacia apresenta potencial agrícola, sendo que cerca de 63,3% de sua área pertence aos grupos A e B de capacidade de uso, que incluem as classes II, III, IV de terras aptas aos cultivos agrícolas; classes V, VI e VII, que são terras aptas às pastagens e à silvicultura e, em alguns casos com problemas para a conservação das terras, necessitando de práticas especiais de manejo e 36,7% de sua área pertence ao grupo C e classe VIII, de terras impróprias para qualquer tipo de uso... / This study is part of a larger project, which aims to revitalize the strem basin Guaratinguetá, developed by the Department of Civil Engineering, FEG/UNESP, in partnership with the Prefeitura de Guaratinguetá. The stream Guaratinguetá is the source of supply for the city and in recent years she has had serious environmental problems such as erosion along its banks, causing siltation, flooding and decreased water quality, resulting mainly from inappropriate use and management of soil. Against this backdrop, this study aimed to characterize the environmental aspects of the environment, defining the permanent preservation areas (APPs), ending the ability of land use and suggest the appropriateness of land use and macro-zoning of the watershed where stand out agricultural activities. For this, we used GIS techniques, using the software ArcGIS® version 9.2 of the Geographic Information System (GIS). It was found that the stream has Guaratinguetá complex forms of drainage, with superposition of anastomoses and meandering. The APPs cover 17.9% of total catchment are being used by agricultural activities, which do not meet current legislation. Considering the ability of land use, the basin has potential agricultural, with about 63.3% of its area belongs to groups A and B use capacibility, including the Class II, III and IV of land suitable for cultivation agricultural land classes V, VI and VII, which is land suitable for forestry and in some cases with concern for the conservation of land, requiring special management practices and 36.7% of its area bolongs to group C and Class VIII land unfit for any type of use and reserved for the preservation of flora and fauna. The macrozoning agri-environmental indicated that 37.9% of the basin area has agricultural capacibility, while 45,2% is occupied by land used for conservation, leaving 14.9% for use... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

La finalité de l’étude est d’explorer la gestion des écosystèmes aquatiques d’Europe et d’Afrique à travers le prisme de l’approche systémique. Cette approche est fondée sur la recherche de solutions générales et globales aux problèmes y afférents, sans sacrifier les particularités et spécificités propres à chaque écosystème. A la différence d’une gestion cloisonnée, fragmentée et sectorielle, l’intérêt d’une gestion globale et intégrée des ressources en eau rares, est de permettre une meilleure rationalisation de cette gestion, par la prise en compte de l’ensemble des contraintes et des opportunités y relatives, de façon qu’elle soit plus pertinente et soutenable. Dans cette optique, la comparaison entre les systèmes européens, globalement plus avancés et les systèmes africains, vise, d’une part, à souligner que quelque soit le système considéré, les problèmes sont quasiment les mêmes et que l’approche globale et intégrée reste le meilleur gage d’efficacité et d’efficience en vue de les résorber ; d’autre part, à montrer que ces systèmes peuvent être mutuellement bénéfiques, notamment en termes d’échanges de bons procédés ou de bonnes pratiques.On entend par écosystème aquatique, l’ensemble des eaux douces de toutes origines, superficielles, souterraines ou autres. Ces écosystèmes aquatiques entretiennent des interactions avec la terre, la mer et d’autres éléments de l’environnement global, qu’il importe de bien maîtriser, pour sacrifier aux exigences d’une gestion globale pertinente et intégrée desdits écosystèmes. / This study attempts to examine the management of freshwater resources in Africa and Europe, from an ecosystemic view point, and aims at global and appropriate solutions to problems, without neglecting local or regional specificities. Contrary to territorial and sector approaches, integrated water resource management is a better way to ensure a sustainable management of freshwater resources, taking into consideration all problems and opportunities pertaining thereto. In this regard, the first interest of comparing advanced European systems with African systems is to bring up global problems, in spite of regional or continental peculiarities, and to stress on the global and integrated approach as the best way of solving them effectively. The second interest is to show that managing these systems can be mutually beneficial if their respective advantages and weaknesses are considered.Freshwater resources comprise superficial or deep water of various origins, and interact with elements of the global environment (earth, sea). Their mastery is of utmost importance as it will permit the global, adequate and integrated management of such ecosystems.

Le sujet de l'eau et du territoire en Israël, est au coeur de la problématique actuelle de ce pays. Comment l'eau a-t-elle façonné les politiques d'aménagement du territoire en Israël ? Comment est-elle devenue un facteur décisif de développement et de paix régionale ? Sujet essentiel de la formation et de l'aménagement du territoire de ce pays, c'est l'eau qui sera le facteur de paix déterminant de toute la région. II m'a semblé intéressant de travailler cette question car elle rend compte de la situation actuelle de la ressource, c'est-à-dire d'une gestion de plus en plus intégrée et durable des eaux du Jourdain, avec ses implications multiples pour Israël et ses voisins. De plus, une analyse diachronique de la gestion de la ressource est en mesure de retracer l'évolution des politiques d'aménagement du territoire israélien A ce titre, l'étude de la vallée de Beth Shean et du cours du Harod, affluent de rive droite du Jourdain, offre un exemple de l'évolution de l'aménagement du territoire et de la maîtrise de l'eau. Il conviendra de s'interroger sur la validité" de cet exemple de gestion de la ressource et de se demander s'il a permis un développement harmonieux et durable de la région. Cet exemple a été très proche du modèle d'aménagement du territoire en Israël, et il a répondu à l'objectif de construction d'un Etat neuf et à une gestion intégrale de la ressource. Qu'advient-il de ce mode de gestion aujourd'hui ? Peut-il répondre aux besoins d'une population toujours plus nombreuse ? Ne faut-il pas envisager une gestion durable de la ressource afin de satisfaire les besoins de tous et de générer la paix et la liberté pour les peuples de la région ? / The issue about water and territory is the heart of the present problem in this country. How has water shaped the development policies in Israël? How has it become a decisive factor of regional development and peace? As the essential cause of territory and regional development in this country, water will be a determining peace factor in all the area. It seemed to me interesting to analyze this question as it explains the present resources situation, which means a more and more integrated and sustainable management of the Jordan water, with its numerous implications both for Israël and for its neighbors. Moreover, a diachronic analysis of the resource management is liable to relate the israelian territory political development evolution. On this account, the analysis of Beth Shean valley and of the Harod stream, an affluent of Jordan River right bank, gives an example of the territory development evolution and of water control. We should point out the question about the validity of the management of resource in this example and wonder whether it has allowed a harmonious and lasting development of the area. This example was very close to the model of national territory development in Israël and it corresponded fits the aim for the building of a new state and total resource management. What happens to this type of management today? Can it cope with the needs of an ever-growing population? Isn't necessary to envisage a sustainable management of the resources to meet with the needs of all and generate peace and freedom for the people in this area?

Esta dissertação apresenta o conceito de pegada hídrica (water footprint). Entendido como um conceito de grande valia para o gerenciamento sustentável dos recursos hídricos, inicialmente buscou-se, por meio da realização de uma pesquisa bibliométrica, a identificação de uma publicação científica que versasse sobre um modelo estruturado de gestão da água para o setor produtivo elaborado a partir do conceito de pegada hídrica. Como não foi identificado nenhum estudo neste sentido, foi proposto o desenvolvimento de uma pesquisa que resultasse em um modelo estruturado de gestão da água a partir dos conceitos de pegada hídrica. Para isso, primeiramente foi feita uma pesquisa qualitativa e exploratória, através de entrevistas com especialistas no tema, com o objetivo de identificar suas contribuições para um modelo de gestão da água a partir das aplicabilidades do conceito de pegada hídrica. Através das contribuições fornecidas pelo painel de especialistas, bem como do entendimento do autor do conteúdo da pesquisa bibliográfica realizada, foi proposto um modelo de gestão da água para a produção de bens e serviços a partir do conceito de pegada hídrica, estruturado na forma do modelo de gestão PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Action). Assim, acredita-se que o resultado final deste modelo possa ser aplicável a uma empresa real, pois este conta com elementos de gestão elaborados a partir de boas práticas empresariais de gestão da água, aprimorados através do conteúdo do referencial teórico e das contribuições vivenciadas pelos especialistas no conceito de pegada hídrica. Ele proporciona uma visão holística de todo o processo necessário para o gerenciamento sustentável dos recursos hídricos por uma organização e envolve a participação de diversas partes interessadas e a cadeia de suprimentos. Também, conta com uma forma inovadora e abrangente de contabilização do uso e consumo da água e descarte de efluentes, proporciona uma gestão de riscos adequada e pode servir como um dos subsídios necessários para a elaboração de estratégias operacionais e comerciais, contribuindo de maneira importante para o desenvolvimento sustentável de uma organização. / This research introduces the concept of water footprint. Known as a concept of great value for the sustainable management of water resources, initially it was sought, through the performance of a bibliometric research, the identification of a scientific publication which would deal about a structured water management model for the productive sector prepared from the concept of water footprint. As no study has been identified in this direction yet, the development of a research that resulted in a structured water management model from the concepts of water footprint was proposed. In this regard, firstly a qualitative and exploratory research was made through interviews with water footprint experts with the aim of identify their contributions for a water management model from the applicabilities of the concept of water footprint. Also, through the contributions provided by the experts panel as the author\'s understanding of the content of the bibliographic research conducted, it was proposed a water management model for the production of goods and services from the concept of water footprint, structured in the form of the model management PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Action). Consequently, it is believed that the end result of this model may be applicable to a real company because this one has elements of management drawn from good business practices of water management, improved by the contents of the theoretical framework and the contributions from experienced experts on the concept of water footprint. It provides a holistic view of the entire process needed for sustainable management of water resources within an organization and involves the participation of several stakeholders and supply chain. It also has an innovative and broad manner of accounting the use and consumption of water and wastewater discharge, provides a suitable risk management and can serve as the required support for the development of operational and commercial strategies, contributing considerably to the sustainable development of an organization.

Orientador: Leandro Cardoso de Morais / Resumo: O aumento populacional, o desenvolvimento tecnológico e as mudanças de consumo, são evidentes na atualidade. Diante disso é possível observar o crescimento na produção de resíduos sólidos. Um setor de amplo desenvolvimento nesse aspecto é o de alimentos. Dentre os resíduos gerados vinculados a estes temos as Embalagens “Snacks”, que no pós-consumo pode representar cerca de 15,56 mil toneladas em todo o país em um ano. Esta pesquisa, foi elaborada para apresentar o consumo dessas embalagens, usando como base a cidade de Sorocaba – SP no ano de 2017, assim como apresentar o manejo que estes resíduos têm recebido. Dentre os resultados obtidos, foi possível perceber que a cidade consumiu 49,42 toneladas no ano de 2017 e que com o crescimento de 2,9% ao ano, esse consumo chegará a 71,66 toneladas em 2030, o que representa uma ocupação de 0,016% da capacidade total do aterro para onde são destinadas. Além da ocupação de espaço, a presente pesquisa observou que, o atual manejo das Embalagens “Snacks” não contribui para o crescimento socioeconômico da cidade, e assim o não cumprimento efetivo da PNRS que versa sobre o estimulo a responsabilidade compartilhada e a geração de emprego e renda. Esta pesquisa também apresenta alguns exemplos de manejo bem-sucedido nos aspectos ambientais, empresariais e socioeconômicos, fazendo referência aos processos de reciclagem, reutilização, coleta seletiva e logística reversa. / Abstract: Population growth, technological development and changes in consumption are evident today. Given this, it is possible to observe the growth in solid waste production. One sector of broad development in this aspect is food. Among the residues generated linked to these we have the Snacks Packaging, which in the post-consumption can represent about 15,56 thousand tons throughout the country in a year. This research was developed to present the consumption of these packages, based on the city of Sorocaba - SP in the year 2017, as well as to present the management that these residues have received. Among the results obtained, it was possible to perceive that the city consumed 49.42 tons in 2017 and that with a growth of 2.9% per year, this consumption will reach 71.66 tons in 2030, which represents an occupation of 0.016% of the total capacity of the landfill for which they are intended. In addition to the occupation of space, this research observed that the current management of Snack Packaging does not contribute to the socioeconomic growth of the city, and thus the effective non-compliance of the PNRS, which is about stimulating shared responsibility and generating employment and income. This research also presents some examples of successful management in the environmental, business and socioeconomic aspects, referring to the processes of recycling, reuse, selective collection and reverse logistics. / Mestre

Esta dissertação apresenta o conceito de pegada hídrica (water footprint). Entendido como um conceito de grande valia para o gerenciamento sustentável dos recursos hídricos, inicialmente buscou-se, por meio da realização de uma pesquisa bibliométrica, a identificação de uma publicação científica que versasse sobre um modelo estruturado de gestão da água para o setor produtivo elaborado a partir do conceito de pegada hídrica. Como não foi identificado nenhum estudo neste sentido, foi proposto o desenvolvimento de uma pesquisa que resultasse em um modelo estruturado de gestão da água a partir dos conceitos de pegada hídrica. Para isso, primeiramente foi feita uma pesquisa qualitativa e exploratória, através de entrevistas com especialistas no tema, com o objetivo de identificar suas contribuições para um modelo de gestão da água a partir das aplicabilidades do conceito de pegada hídrica. Através das contribuições fornecidas pelo painel de especialistas, bem como do entendimento do autor do conteúdo da pesquisa bibliográfica realizada, foi proposto um modelo de gestão da água para a produção de bens e serviços a partir do conceito de pegada hídrica, estruturado na forma do modelo de gestão PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Action). Assim, acredita-se que o resultado final deste modelo possa ser aplicável a uma empresa real, pois este conta com elementos de gestão elaborados a partir de boas práticas empresariais de gestão da água, aprimorados através do conteúdo do referencial teórico e das contribuições vivenciadas pelos especialistas no conceito de pegada hídrica. Ele proporciona uma visão holística de todo o processo necessário para o gerenciamento sustentável dos recursos hídricos por uma organização e envolve a participação de diversas partes interessadas e a cadeia de suprimentos. Também, conta com uma forma inovadora e abrangente de contabilização do uso e consumo da água e descarte de efluentes, proporciona uma gestão de riscos adequada e pode servir como um dos subsídios necessários para a elaboração de estratégias operacionais e comerciais, contribuindo de maneira importante para o desenvolvimento sustentável de uma organização. / This research introduces the concept of water footprint. Known as a concept of great value for the sustainable management of water resources, initially it was sought, through the performance of a bibliometric research, the identification of a scientific publication which would deal about a structured water management model for the productive sector prepared from the concept of water footprint. As no study has been identified in this direction yet, the development of a research that resulted in a structured water management model from the concepts of water footprint was proposed. In this regard, firstly a qualitative and exploratory research was made through interviews with water footprint experts with the aim of identify their contributions for a water management model from the applicabilities of the concept of water footprint. Also, through the contributions provided by the experts panel as the author\'s understanding of the content of the bibliographic research conducted, it was proposed a water management model for the production of goods and services from the concept of water footprint, structured in the form of the model management PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Action). Consequently, it is believed that the end result of this model may be applicable to a real company because this one has elements of management drawn from good business practices of water management, improved by the contents of the theoretical framework and the contributions from experienced experts on the concept of water footprint. It provides a holistic view of the entire process needed for sustainable management of water resources within an organization and involves the participation of several stakeholders and supply chain. It also has an innovative and broad manner of accounting the use and consumption of water and wastewater discharge, provides a suitable risk management and can serve as the required support for the development of operational and commercial strategies, contributing considerably to the sustainable development of an organization.

Purpose The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how to release the potential of industry-university collaborations promoting sustainability-oriented innovation by analyzing the projects between the University of Borås and the Swedish fashion industry. As a result, it is the aim to develop a model which increases the effectiveness of these project collaborations and thus drives forward sustainability-oriented innovations in order to increase sustainable development within universities and companies. In the scope of this model, factors are identified, which if managed correctly, increase the probability of the collaboration. The outcome is a good practice model for successful industry-university research collaborations. Methodology This research follows a qualitative approach, including abductive reasoning. Therefore, a comprehensive literature review is conducted, delivering the basis for semi-structured interviews which provide empirical data. The results of the interviews are coded according to a template discussion, analyzing frequently used words and phrases resulting into focus areas for this research. Findings The results show that the sustainability-oriented innovation projects promote the companies’ strategic sustainable development on a long-term perspective. The industry and the university receive comprehensive knowledge which is created through synergy effects. The investigation discovered that the main driver for industry and university is the development of new sustainability-oriented innovative business models and the obtaining of new valuable knowledge. Out of the findings, a model could be created, presenting factors found to have significant impact on the success of the projects. Contribution This thesis contributes to academia as well as industry by developing a framework for the release of the potential beneficial impact of industry-university collaborations on strategic sustainable development. Further, the findings support and encourage the collaborative work between the fashion industry and universities towards sustainable development in Sweden. Thereby, this thesis supports the interconnection of different sectors by bundling their capabilities and knowledge to create innovation and progress in society.

Changes in species abundance and richness, stand structure, and species responses to habitat characteristics including disturbance intensity, were investigated in 28 permanent sample plots (PSP) covering a total area of about 6.2 hectares of subtropical rainforests in north-east New South Wales, Australia. The disturbance that occurred over 36 years previously varied from unlogged (controls), through single-tree selection (light), moderate selection and repeated single-tree selection to intensive (heavy) logging. Multivariate and univariate approaches were used to investigate changes in various plant groups, including all vascular plants, regenerating species (trees and understorey species > 1.3 m in height and < 10 cm diameter at 1.3 m above the ground level (dbh)), juvenile trees (regenerating species capable of attaining at least 10 cm dbh), and trees ¡Ý 10 cm dbh. In addition, dynamic parameters (recruitment, growth and mortality) were estimated using hierarchical multilevel modelling and parameter estimates used to simulate behaviour of the subtropical rainforest tree species in unlogged and logged stands, both within and beyond the range of available data.Chronological post-disturbance responses and changes in species abundance and richness as well as stand structure for trees ¡Ý 10 cm dbh were investigated using 20 PSP in a bid to better understand rainforest post-disturbance regeneration. The results portrayed minor and gradual ecological changes in the undisturbed controls analogous with natural forest dynamics where the changes were not significant. In logged sites, initial gradual changes were followed with more rapid and significant changes.In both unlogged and logged stands, the changes proceeded through three clearly identifiable stages. The first two stages lasted between 5 and 15 years each. In the initial stage, the number of individuals decreased in species with high frequency mainly in the shade tolerant species, with little or no change in species richness. In the second stage, species abundance and richness changed due to localised species turnover, replacement and losses with very little recruitment, and the numbers of both speciesand individuals declined to minima. In the third stage, due to recruitment beyond the 10 cm dbh, the net loss of species and trees ¡Ý 10 cm dbh were halted and reversed, and species diversity and abundance began to return to pre-disturbance levels.Species abundance and diversity for both shade tolerant and intolerant species in less intensively logged sites (single-tree selection logging) have recovered to levels comparable with that observed in the controls, but more intensively logged sites have not recovered to similar levels. Increased logging intensity was associated with increased and decreased densities in the shade intolerant and ¨Ctolerant species respectively. It was evident that stand structure in logged sites had yet to recover to levels comparable with that of unlogged controls. It appears the restoration of floristic diversity to levels similar to that of intact primary forest takes considerably less time than structural recovery. Changes in regeneration patterns in a subtropical rainforest in north-east New South Wales were investigated for a 13-year period during the 3rd and 4th decades following repeated single-tree selection logging. Multivariate and univariate analyses results showed that there were no significant differences in floristic assemblages within and between censuses; however, two contrasting trends of changes in plant groups were detected. In trees ¡Ý 10 cm dbh, the stem density and species richness increased in shade tolerant group, and while stem density increased in the shade intolerant group, species richness decreased during the study period. Amongst smaller sized species including trees (< 10 cm dbh), a general decrease in species richness was observed along with significant changes in stem densities (P = 0.03) with the number of individuals in the shade tolerant species increasing, while that of both shade intolerant and vine species decreased. Excluding the vines and understorey species from the broader regenerating species group, revealed a decrease in species richness in juvenile canopy tree, and a significant change in densities (P = 0.004) with the number of individuals in shade tolerant increasing, while that of shade intolerant trees decreased. A comparison between the canopy trees ¡Ý 10 cm dbh and juvenile canopy trees group showed that these groups were tending towards similar floristic assemblages. These results suggest gradual replacement of shade intolerant by shade tolerant species as stands were tending toward later stages of recovery within the regeneration. The results also show that the inclusion of regenerating species in long-term studies is both complementary to the larger plant component and more revealing of both trends and changes.Species-specific estimates of shade tolerance and size structure at maturity derived from observations on 23 plots were used to intuitively group 277 vascular plant species into 3 main groups including full floristic (all together), shade tolerant and intolerant groups. The shade tolerant and intolerant groups were further grouped into smaller plants groups depending on the development stage and maximum size at maturity. These groups included regenerating species, juvenile trees, and trees ¡Ý 10 cm dbh. Multivariate analyses of these nominated groups revealed that floristic assemblages were significantly associated with environmental gradients based on simple site characteristics.At the landscape (larger) scale, the floristic assemblages were significantly different between low (200-400), mid (400-700) and high altitude (over 700 meters above sea level). In addition, abundance of shade tolerant species including Doryphora sassafras Endl, Orites excelsa R.Br and Caldcluvia paniculosa (F.Muell) Hoogland was positively correlated with the altitudinal gradient. At the smaller (local) scale, intensively logged sites where large gaps were created had recovered their species richness, but effects of past logging were evident in trees ¡Ý 10 cm dbh, especially trees greater than 50 cm dbh where species abundance in shade tolerant decreased significantly. Less intensively logged sites at mid altitude where a few stems were removed had recovered their species richness in respect to trees ¡Ý 10 cm dbh, but the small gaps created may have healed quickly for appreciable regeneration response to occur, as juvenile trees component was significantly different to that of the (unlogged) controls.The abundance of shade intolerant and juvenile shade tolerant tree species increased in concert with levels of disturbance and abundance of shade intolerant species such as Duboisia myoporoides R.Br, Acacia melanoxylon R.Br, Rubus moorei F.Muell and R. hilli F.Muell was positively correlated with the disturbance gradient. Increase in number of individuals of certain tree species was positively correlated with both disturbance intensity and topography (mid slope through lower slope to creek/gully), but negatively correlated with aspect (NE - NW). We concluded that logged sites are yet to recover their pre-logging stand structure and rainforest tree species were found in sites where favourable recruitment and growth conditions were the encountered. These results show that logged sites had not yet regenerated to the pre-logging stand structure. They also show that habitat characteristics including history of disturbance and topography can influence the floristic assemblages in the sub-tropical rainforests at both the small (local) and large (geographic) scales. This supports the environmental control model that states ¡°species are found at sites where they encounter favourable living conditions¡±. Site characteristics as surrogate for some of these favourable living conditions were identified as useful potential variables to investigate the rainforest dynamic parameters (growth, recruitment and mortality) in both logged and unlogged stands.A quantitative model was developed using over 3 decades of data to describe and simulate the dynamics including recruitment, growth and mortality in unlogged stands and others subjected to different silvicultural regimes in uneven-aged mixed-species subtropical rainforests of north-eastern New South Wales. Hierarchical multilevel regression analyses including Poisson, Binomial and multinomial logit regression were used to estimate the rainforest dynamic parameters based on the assumption that trees perform differently in space and time, thus there are variations at both the plot and tree by measurement levels.Variations at the tree level required the botanical identity of trees to species level, and then the species-specific size at maturity and shade tolerance were used to classify species into 5 groups, each consisting of species with similar ecological characteristics. These groups were labelled as emergent and shade tolerant main canopy, shade tolerant mid canopy, shade tolerant understoreys, moderate shade tolerant and persistent, and shade intolerant pioneer tree species. Significant variables at the plot level including site characteristics such as topography (elevation, slope and aspect), and past disturbance were used as explanatory variables in species group models. The final model is as a classical matrix management-oriented model with an ecological touch and maximum size-dependent parameters of ingrowth and outgrowth. The model provides a tool to simulate stand performance after logging and to assess silvicultural prescriptions before they are applied in these types of forests.The simulations indicate that full recovery following a logging intensity where 47% of the overstorey basal area is removed with a checkerboard of logged and unlogged patches (group selection) on a 120-year cycle could enable sustainable timber production without compromising the ecological integrity in these forests. Following single-tree selection (33%), recovery takes about 150 years, and more intensive harvesting practices where 50-78% overstorey basal area is removed may take 180-220 years to recover. Pre-harvest climber cutting coupled with poisoning of non-timber species followed by intensive logging of merchantable trees would allow logging on a 300-year cycle. Shorter logging cycles may lead to changes in the forest structure and floristic composition where the overall species density is low with higher density of shade intolerant species.

The need to develop sustainable resource management strategies for semi-arid and arid rangelands is acute as non-adapted grazing strategies lead to irreversible environmental problems such as desertification and associated loss of economic support to society. In such vulnerable ecosystems, successful implementation of sustainable management strategies depends on well-founded under-standing of processes at different scales that underlay the complex system dynamic. There is ample evidence that, in contrast to traditional sectoral approaches, only interdisciplinary research does work for resolving problems in conservation and natural resource management. In this thesis I combined a range of modeling approaches that integrate different disciplines and spatial scales in order to contribute to basic guidelines for sustainable management of semi-arid and arid range-lands. Since water availability and livestock management are seen as most potent determinants for the dynamics of semi-arid and arid ecosystems I focused on (i) the interaction of ecological and hydro-logical processes and (ii) the effect of farming strategies. First, I developed a grid-based and small-scaled model simulating vegetation dynamics and inter-linked hydrological processes. The simulation results suggest that ecohydrological interactions gain importance in rangelands with ascending slope where vegetation cover serves to obstruct run-off and decreases evaporation from the soil. Disturbances like overgrazing influence these positive feedback mechanisms by affecting vegetation cover and composition. In the second part, I present a modeling approach that has the power to transfer and integrate ecological information from the small scale vegetation model to the landscape scale, most relevant for the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable management of natural resources. I combined techniques of stochastic modeling with remotely sensed data and GIS to investigate to which ex-tent spatial interactions, like the movement of surface water by run-off in water limited environments, affect ecosystem functioning at the landscape scale. My simulation experiments show that overgrazing decreases the number of vegetation patches that act as hydrological sinks and run-off increases. The results of both simulation models implicate that different vegetation types should not only be regarded as provider of forage production but also as regulator of ecosystem functioning. Vegetation patches with good cover of perennial vegetation are capable to catch and conserve surface run-off from degraded surrounding areas. Therefore, downstream out of the simulated system is prevented and efficient use of water resources is guaranteed at all times. This consequence also applies to commercial rotational grazing strategies for semi-arid and arid rangelands with ascending slope where non-degraded paddocks act as hydrological sinks. Finally, by the help of an integrated ecological-economic modeling approach, I analyzed the relevance of farmers’ ecological knowledge for longterm functioning of semi-arid and arid grazing systems under current and future climatic conditions. The modeling approach consists of an ecological and an economic module and combines relevant processes on either level. Again, vegetation dynamics and forage productivity is derived by the small-scaled vegetation model. I showed that sustainable management of semi-arid and arid rangelands relies strongly on the farmers’ knowledge on how the ecosystem works. Furthermore, my simulation results indicate that the projected lower annual rainfall due to climate change in combination with non-adapted grazing strategies adds an additional layer of risk to these ecosystems that are already prone to land degradation. All simulation models focus on the most essential factors and ignore specific details. Therefore, even though all simulation models are parameterized for a specific dwarf shrub savanna in arid southern Namibia, the conclusions drawn are applicable for semi-arid and arid rangelands in general. / Nachhaltige Managementstrategien für semi-aride und aride Beweidungsgebiete sind äusserst bedeutend, da ein nicht nachhaltiges Management sehr schnell zu irreversiblen Umweltproblemen und damit verbundenem Verlust der ökonomischen Prosperität führt. Obwohl Wasserverfügbarkeit und Viehmanagement als die bedeutendsten Faktoren für die Dynamik semi-arider und arider Ökosysteme angesehen werden, ist deren Einfluss und Interaktion nicht genügend erforscht. Ziel der Dissertation war, das Wissen über diese Prozesse zu erweitern, um grundsätzliche Richtlinien für die nachhaltige Nutzung semi-arider und arider Beweidungsgebiete zu erstellen. Hierfür habe ich in dieser Arbeit, die aus drei aufeinander aufbauenden Teilen besteht, mehrere Modellierungstechniken kombiniert. Für den ersten Teil meiner Arbeit habe ich ein gitterbasiertes und kleinskaliges Modell entwickelt, welches die Vegetationsdynamik und damit verbundene hydrologische Prozesse wie Oberflächenabfluss und Evaporation simuliert. Da Entscheidungen zur nachhaltigen Nutzung von Resourcen auf der Landschaftsebene getroffen werden, stelle ich im zweiten Teil der Arbeit eine neue Methode vor, mit deren Hilfe man diese kleinskaligen ökologischen Informationen auf die Landschaftsebene übertragen kann. Um zu untersuchen wie Oberflächenabfluss das Funktionieren von Ökosystemen auf Landschaftsebene beeinflusst, habe ich Techniken der stochastischen Modellierung mit Techniken der Fernerkundung und GIS kombiniert.. Die Ergebnisse beider Simulationsmodelle implizieren, dass öko-hydrologische Interaktionen in Beweidungsgebieten mit ausgeprägter Topographie von Bedeutung sind. Verschiedene Vegetationstypen sollten nicht nur als Futterquelle für die Weidetiere betrachtet werden, sondern auch bezüglich ihrer Bedeutung als Regler der Ökosystemfunktion. Vegetationsbestände mit einem hohen Bedeckungsgrad an perennierender Vegetation können Oberflächenabfluss aus degradierten benachbarten Gebieten abfangen. Störungen wie Überweidung beeinflussen diesen positiven Rückkopplungsmechanismus negativ, indem sie Vegetationsbedeckung und -zusammensetzung verändern. Im letzten Teil der Arbeit habe ich mit Hilfe eines ökologisch-ökonomischen Simulationsmodells die Bedeutung des ökologischen Verständnisses der Farmer für ein langfristiges Funktionieren von semi-ariden und ariden Beweidungssystemen unter aktuellen und prognostizierten klimatischen Bedingungen untersucht. Auch hier wird die Vegetationsdynamik und – produktivität beider Module mit Hilfe des kleinskaligen Vegetationsmodells abgeleitet. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass ein nachhaltiges Management semi-arider und arider Savannen sehr stark vom Verständnis der Farmer für die Funktionsweise des Ökosystems abhängt. Des Weiteren weist das Modell darauf hin, dass ein durch den prognostizierten Klimawandel reduzierter Jahresniederschlag in Kombination mit nicht-angepassten Beweidungsstrategien ein hohes Risiko für diese Ökosysteme darstellt. Meine Arbeit trägt zu einem besseren Verständnis grundlegender Prozesse der Ökosystemdynamik einer ariden Zwergstrauchsavanne im südlichen Namibia bei. Da sich alle drei Simulationsmodelle auf grundlegende Faktoren konzentrieren und spezifische Details ignorieren, können die Schlussfolgerungen auch auf andere semi-aride und aride Beweidungsgebiete übertragen werden.