Analytical models of avian flight have previously been used to predict mechanical and metabolic power consumption during cruise. These models are limited, in that they neglect details of wing kinematics, and model power by assuming a fixed or rotary wing (actuator disk) weight support mechanism. Theoretical methods that incorporate wing kinematics potentially offer more accurate predictions of power consumption by calculating instantaneous aerodynamic loads on the wing. However, the success of these models inherently depends on the availability and accuracy of experimental kinematic data. The predictive simulation approach offers an alternative strategy, whereby kinematics are neither neglected nor measured experimentally, but calculated as part of the solution procedure. This thesis describes the development of a predictive tool for simulating avian wingbeat kinematics and wakes. The tool is designed in a modular format, in order to be extensible for future research in the biomechanics community. The primary simulation module is an inverse dynamic avian wing model that predicts aerodynamic forces and mechanical power consumption for given wing kinematics. The model is constructed from previous experimental studies of avian wing biomechanics. Wing motion is defined through joint kinematic time histories, and aerodynamic forces are predicted using blade element momentum theory. Mechanical power consumption at the shoulder joint is derived from both aerodynamic and inertial torque components associated with the shoulder joint rotation rate. An optimisation module is developed to determine wing kinematics that generate aerodynamic loads for propulsion and weight support in given flight conditions, while minimising mechanical power consumption. For minimum power cruise, optimisation reveals numerous local minima solutions that exhibit large variations in wing kinematics. Validation of the model against wind tunnel data shows that optimised solutions capture qualitative trends in wing kinematics with varying cruise speed. Sensitivity analyses show that the model outputs are most affected by the defined maximum lift coefficient and wing length, whereby perturbations in these parameters lead to significant changes in the predicted amount of upstroke wing retraction. Optimised solutions for allometrically scaled bird models show only small differences in predicted advance ratio, which is consistent with field study observations. Accelerating and climbing flight solutions also show similar qualitative trends in wing kinematics to experimental measurements, including a reduction in stroke plane inclination for increasing acceleration or climb angle. The model predicts that both climb angle and climb speed should be greater for birds with more available instantaneous mechanical power. Simulations of the wake using a discrete vortex model capture fundamental features of the wake geometry that have been observed experimentally. Reconstruction of the velocity field shows that this method overpredicts induced velocity in retracting-wing wakes, and should therefore only be applied to extended-wing phases of an avian wingbeat.

Die Broschüre berichtet über Entwicklung und Erprobung nutzungsintegrierter Schutzmaßnahmen für gefährdete Vogelarten. Alle Maßnahmen sind grundsätzlich geeignet, die Bestände von Rebhuhn, Kiebitz und Feldlerche positiv zu beeinflussen. Die Akteure wurden für Belange des Artenschutzes sensibilisiert, ihre Zusammenarbeit gestärkt. Für Landwirte, Naturschützer, Jäger und Behörden stellt die Publikation eine Grundlage dar, um Schutzmaßnahmen umzusetzen.

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The natural world consists of a vast array of forms, some more plentiful than others, yet our understanding of the processes responsible the production of biological diversity remains surprisingly limited. Here I combine novel datasets with powerful phylogenetic modeling techniques and computer simulations to test the effects of both biotic and abiotic factors on the dynamics of species radiations and the evolution of organism traits in birds. In the first part of this thesis, I develop our understanding of the importance of abiotic factors for diversification by showing that in the early stages of lineage diversification at least, rapid adaptation to novel climatic conditions is likely to represent a prominent driver of avian diversification. In the second part I concentrate on the role of biotic factors, in particular that of sexual selection. I show that not only is sexual selection associated with accelerated rates of speciation and secondary sympatry—as well as faster rates of net diversification across the entire avian tree of life—but also that across-species variation in rates of phenotypic evolution is best understood with reference to the focus and intensity of sexual selection. Finally, given that the relative importance of such processes appears to vary predictably across latitudes, in the final part of the thesis I argue that latitudinal differences in the speciation process offers a potentially powerful explanation for conflicting viewpoints regarding the contribution of speciation to high tropical diversity. Overall, this work provides fresh insight into the processes governing broad-scale patterns in biodiversity.

The ability to move and forage efficiently plays a major role in determining the fate of individuals, and has important implications for population dynamics and ecosystem functioning. Migration is a particular type of movement strategy, whereby animals may travel remarkable distances in order to take advantage of seasonality in resource availability or to avoid arduous winter conditions; however, this can be at a cost in terms of increased mortality. Indeed, anthropogenic threats in non-breeding areas are a major cause of population declines and a better understanding of non-breeding spatial ecology is required in order to advance both ecological theory and conservation management. The recent development of animal tracking technologies, in particular light-based geolocation, has made it possible to track large-scale and long-term movements; however, there are still gaps in our knowledge, such as the links between migratory and reproductive performance, connectivity among populations and the ontogeny of migration strategies. In this thesis, I utilise multi-species and longitudinal datasets from albatrosses and petrels, some of the most mobile species on Earth, to explore the drivers of variation in movements, habitat use and foraging behaviour, and the implications for life history and conservation. In Chapter 1, I provide an overview of the key topics of this thesis. In Chapter 2, I provide quantitative recommendations of minimum sample sizes needed to track pelagic seabird migrations, using data from 10 species. In Chapter 3, I examine between- and within-population differences in the habitat preferences and distributions of albatrosses, including the relative roles of habitat specialization and intra-specific competition. In Chapter 4, I investigate the year-round movement and foraging strategies of petrels living in nutrient-poor environments. In Chapter 5, I examine potential links between foraging behaviour during the non-breeding season and reproductive senescence. In Chapter 6, I explore the ontogeny of foraging behaviour and foraging site fidelity in young albatrosses, shedding light on their “lost years” at sea. Finally, I conclude with a general discussion summarizing main findings and suggesting future work. Overall, my results highlight the complex relationships among individual traits, the environment, movements and foraging behaviour, and population dynamics across the lifespan of individuals, with implications for the conservation of this highly threatened group of species.

For migrant birds, the non-breeding season can greatly influence survival and future reproductive success. Knowledge of annual and overwinter survival, the degree of site fidelity and habitat use in the non-breeding season, migration ecology, routes and stopovers, and whether these differ with age or sex is fundamental to understanding population dynamics, vulnerability to anthropogenic habitat degradation, and consequently for understanding the severe widespread declines of migrant bird species. The degree to which a migrant is a winter specialist or generalist is likely to be central to understanding population dynamics. I studied survival rates and the wintering and migration ecology of a declining Palearctic migrant, the whinchat Saxicola rubetra, wintering in West Africa, to establish how the non-breeding season may influence migrant population dynamics. Whinchats were extremely site faithful to both within and between years, holding distinct winter territories and returning to those territories in subsequent winters, despite the opportunity to relocate. Overwinter survival was very high and annual survival was comparable to or higher than that reported on the breeding grounds. Because our power to detect resident and dispersing birds was high, survival rates likely estimated true survival well. Habitat characteristics varied widely across territories and territories were smaller if more perching shrubs and maize were present. Most individuals showed a tolerance or even preference for human modified habitats. Some individuals may have multiple wintering sites. There was no evidence of dominance-based habitat occupancy or any differences in winter ecology, site fidelity, survival and most aspects of migratory behaviour between age and sex classes. Migratory connectivity occurred only on a large-scale and individual migratory behaviour was also varied. Fundamentally, the results suggest a generalist strategy in the non-breeding season within their wintering habitat of open savannah, most likely as an adaption to stochastic site selection within the wintering range for juveniles undertaking their first migration plus changing and unpredictable conditions both within and between years. Consequently, wintering conditions may not significantly limit whinchat populations and mortality is probably highest during active migration. Notably, non-specialist migrants such as whinchats may have some resilience at the population-level to the increasing anthropogenic habitat modification occurring in Africa, suggesting that conditions during migration and in Europe may be driving declines; yet establishing the currently unknown thresholds of any resilience is likely to be fundamental for the future conservation migrants.

Sonia Kwok Wong. / Thesis (M.Div.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 120-129). / Abstract also in Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.i / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.iii / INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Purpose and Approach of the Present Study --- p.1 / Outline of the Present Study --- p.4 / Chapter CHAPTER 1: --- "A BRIEF EXPLORATION OF STUDIES ON MOSES, THE PENTATEUCH AND EXOD.3:l-4:18" --- p.8 / Interpretation of the Persona Moses --- p.8 / Redactional History of the Pentateuch --- p.9 / Dating of the Commission of Moses in Exod. 3:1-4:18 --- p.14 / Chapter CHAPTER 2: --- METHODOLOGY AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MOSES --- p.24 / A Short Exposition on Rhetorical Criticism --- p.24 / A Proposed Model of Rhetorical Criticism --- p.26 / Exod. 3:1-4:18 as a Rhetorical Unit --- p.38 / Literary Genre and Rhetorical Type --- p.41 / Defining the Rhetorical Situation of Exod. 3:1-4:18 --- p.43 / Historical Situation of the Babylonian Diaspora and Their Exigency --- p.45 / Characterization of Moses in Exod. 2:1-22 --- p.52 / Chapter CHAPTER 3: --- A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS ON EXOD. 3:1-4:18 --- p.60 / Literary Demarcation and Perspective Shifts --- p.60 / Prologue and Settings: The Fire out of the Bush (3:1-5) --- p.63 / God's Thesis: Moses' Call to a Vocation of Liberation (3:6-10) --- p.69 / Moses' First Objection: ''Who Am I? ´ح(3:11-12) --- p.75 / "Moses' Second Objection: “Who Are You? ,，(3:13-22)" --- p.79 / Moses' Third Objection: “The Israelites Will Not Believe. ´ح(4:1-9) --- p.86 / Moses' Fourth Objection: “I Am Not a Man of Words. ´ح (4:10-12) --- p.90 / "Moses' Fifth Objection: “Send Someone Else!"" (4:13-17)" --- p.95 / Epilogue: Moses' Return (4:18) --- p.98 / The Immediate Persuasive Effect --- p.100 / Chapter CHAPTER 4: --- RHETORICAL EFFECTS TO THE DIASPORIC AUDIENCE --- p.103 / Interpreting Exod. 3:1´ؤ4:18 as a Symbolic Conflict --- p.103 / Interpreting Ideologies in Exod. 3:1-4:18 --- p.105 / The Residual Persuasive Effects --- p.109 / CONCLUSION --- p.114 / APPENDIX: A REFLECTION OF THE STUDY ON HONG KONG CONTEXT --- p.117 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.120

The purpose of this study is to determine the most suitable remediation techniques via engineering geological assessment of the landslide that occurred during the construction of Artvin-Savsat Junction - Meydancik Provincial Road at Km: 12+200 in an active landslide area. For this purpose, the geotechnical parameters of the mobilized geological material which is colluvium along the sliding surface were determined by back analyses of the landslide at three geological sections. The landslide were then modeled along the most representative section of the study area by considering the landslide mechanism, the parameters determined from the geotechnical investigations, the size of the landslide and the location of the slip circle. In addition, pseudostatic stability analyses were performed comprising the earthquake potential of the site. The most suitable slope remediation technique was determined to be a combination of surface and subsurface conditions. A static analysis of the landslide shall also be performed through utilizing finite element analyses. The static analyses were compared with the inclinometer readings in the field to verify the direction of the movement. Consequently, shear strength parameters were specified as c = 0 kPa and f = 10&deg / for the landslide material and pre-stressed anchoring and rock buttressing were considered as a remediation method.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and to compare the results of bivariate statistical analysis conducted with three different data sets in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) based landslide susceptibility mapping applied to the Devrek region. The data sets are created from the seed cells of crowns and flanks, only crowns, and only flanks of the landslides by using 10 different parameters of the study area. To increase the data dependency of the analysis, all parameter maps are classified into equal frequency classes based directly on the percentile divisions of each seed cells data set. The resultant maps of the landslide susceptibility analysis indicate that all data sets produce acceptable results. In each seed cell data set analysis, elevation, lithology, slope, aspect and drainage density parameters are found to be the most contributing factors in landslide occurrences. The results of the three data sets are compared by Seed Cell Area Index (SCAI). This comparison shows that the crowns data set produces the most accurate and successful landslide susceptibility map of the study area.

Koyulhisar settlement area is located on the northern flank of Kelkit valley which is seismically active and landslide-prone area. The settlement area was adversely affected from active landslides and some of the houses were evacuated. The purpose of this thesis is to delineate areas where slope instability exists within the Koyulhisar settlement area, and to investigate an active landslide by means of field observations, drilling, sampling, field and laboratory testing, and in-situ monitoring using inclinometer. Based on the field studies, it is observed that flyschoidal sequence as bedrock and colluvium consisting clay and silt with some gravel are the main lithological units exposed in the study area. Two landslide affected areas are identified, the one investigated due to its adverse effect to some important governmental buildings, has a non-circular failure surface due to the existence of the flyschoidal sequence below the colluvium. The inclinometer measurements reveal that the displacements are local and their velocities are generally less than 14 mm/year indicating that the landslide is an extremely slow landslide. In addition, high groundwater table is observed as one of the major parameters in occurrence of landslide.