La distribution de la neige à l'échelle du paysage dans les zones alpines est une des variables les plus importantes contrôlant la structure et la fonction des écosystèmes de montagne. Des changements d'épaisseur neigeuse et de durée d'enneigement peuvent entraîner de grands changements dans les conditions édapho-climatiques, ainsi que dans la composition des communautés végétales et surtout sur les cycles biogéochimiques majeurs et par conséquence la structure et le fonctionnement de l'écosystème. Nous avons utilisé l'approche métatranscriptomique pour essayer de comprendre la diversité fonctionnelle réelle et les activités exprimées dans les sols alpins par les micro-organismes, en réponse à différentes contraintes environnementales. La transcriptomique, et par extension, la métatranscriptomique, peut être vue comme l'analyse quantitative complète de tous les gènes exprimés par un ou plusieurs organismes, ou par l'écosystème entier. L'utilisation de cette approche implique d'abord l'extraction des ARN une bonne qualité et avec un bon rendement, ensuite la conversion de ces ARN en cDNA en ciblant les fractions de ARNm. La capacité d'évaluer le metatranscriptome des communautés microbiennes complexes dans différentes conditions environnementales représente en soi une avancée significative dans notre capacité de relier la structure et les fonctions des communautés avec les génotypes d'ADN (les séquences) et avec la correspondance phénotype. Dans cette étude, nous présentons l'utilisation pour la première fois de l'approche métatranscriptomique concernant les activités des communautés microbiennes des eucaryotes des sols alpins sous deux conditions d'enneigement très contrasté nommés LSM (lately snowmelt) et ESM (early snowmelt), qui sont caractérisés par des gradients climatiques contrastés et des différences de végétations associées. Nous présentons également une analyse des séquences et des procédures d'annotation en utilisant des logiciels publiquement disponibles et des scripts de python en utilisant l'environnent d'Obitools. Nous avons également développé un pipeline d'analyse bio-informatique adapté qui permet d'extraire correctement des renseignements fonctionnels et taxinomiques de ces bases de données. / The distribution of snow across the landscape in the Alps is one of the most important variables controlling the structure and function of mountain ecosystems. Changes in snow depth and duration can cause major changes in soil and climatic conditions, as well as the composition of plant communities and especially on the major biogeochemical cycles and consequently the structure and functioning of the ecosystem. We used the approach métatranscriptomique to try to understand the functional diversity and real activity expressed in Alpine soils by micro-organisms in response to different environmental constraints. Transcriptomics, and by extension, the métatranscriptomique, can be seen as full quantitative analysis of all genes expressed by one or more agencies or by the entire ecosystem. Using this approach involves first extracting RNA in good quality and good yield, then the conversion of RNA into cDNA by targeting mRNA fractions. The ability to assess metatranscriptome complex microbial communities under different environmental conditions is in itself a significant advance in our ability to link the structure and functions of communities with the genotypes of DNA (the sequence) and phenotype correspondence. In this study, we present the first use of the approach métatranscriptomique on the activities of eukaryotic microbial communities of alpine soil in two very contrasting locations called LSM (Lately snowmelt) and ESM (early snowmelt) which are characterized by contrasting climatic gradients and differences in vegetation associated. We present an analysis of sequences and annotation procedures using publicly available software and scripts using python programs and Obitools. We have also developed a pipeline of bioinformatics analysis adapted to correct extraction of information of the functional and taxonomic databases.

Syfte och frågeställningar Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka förekomsten av, samt faktorer som bidrar till work-family conflict (WFC) och burnout bland ideella och icke-ideella U16-tränare inom alpin skidåkning. För att besvara syftet ställdes frågeställningarna: “hur ser förekomsten av burnout och WFC ut hos ideella respektive heltidsanställda alpina U16-tränare?”, “finns det något samband mellan WFC och burnout för alpina U16-tränare?” och “finns det något samband mellan arbetade timmar, burnout och WFC hos alpina U16-tränare?”. Metod Studien var kvantitativ och bestod av en enkät, som besvarades av 11 svenska alpina U16-tränare, varav tio ideella med ett heltidsarbete vid sidan av, och en heltidsanställd tränare. Enkäten syftade till att ta reda på hur många timmar de arbetat de senaste sju dagarna, samt vilken typ av arbetsform; ideell eller heltid, de hade. Den syftar även till att mäta respektive tränares grad av burnout och WFC. För att ta reda på om det fanns något samband mellan WFC och burnout så analyserades data gällande WFC och burnout genom Spearmans korrelation för icke parametriska data. Samtliga beräkningar gjordes i Excel Version 2021.  Resultat Medelvärdet för burnout hos de ideella tränarna var 3,07 och 1,32 för den heltidsanställda tränaren. Medelvärdet för WFC hos de ideella tränarna var 15,64 och heltidsanställda tränarens värde var 7. Sambandet (R-värdet) mellan WFC och burnout för samtliga tränare var 0,31, men P-värdet var 0,35, vilket innebar avsaknad av signifikans och låg power. För de ideella tränarna så fanns två tendenser vid fler arbetade timmar; en ökning av burnoutvärden och en sänkning av WFC-värden. Slutsats För att få signifikanta resultat hade ett högre deltagarantal behövts men det finns ändå tendenser till ett samband mellan WFC och burnout för svenska alpina U16-tränare, även om detta samband var svagare än i tidigare studier. Det fanns även tendenser kring att ideella tränare upplever både en högre grad av burnout och en högre grad av WFC än heltidsanställda alpina U16-tränare, där dels typen arbetsform, och dels antalet arbetade timmar verkar vara två nyckelfaktorer. / <p>Ämneslärarprogrammet, Specialidrott</p>

Introduction: Alpine skiing has changed since the 1990s and it is unclear what sport specific strength is within modern alpine elite skiing. Purpose: The aim of this study was to create a strength profile and to investigate what sport specific strength is within alpine elite skiers. Method: A total number of 24 participant took part in this cross-sectional study, where eleven alpine elite skiers were compared with thirteen well-trained strength athletes with different sports background. The participants were tested in squat jump (SJ), counter movement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ) as well as isometric, isokinetic concentric and isokinetic eccentric strength with different dynamic velocities. In addition to these tests, reaction strength index (RSI) and eccentric utilization ratio (EUR) were calculated. Correlation analyses were performed to investigate if there were any relationships between the jump test variables and the isometric and eccentric strength tests. Results: The SKI group jumped higher in relation to their bodyweight (BW) in SJ (P&gt;0,01), CMJ (P&gt;0,05) and DJ (P&gt;0,01). The SKI group also showed significantly higher RSI values (P&gt;0,05). For the strength tests, the SKI group performed significantly better in all the eccentric velocities (P&gt;0,05), the isometric test (P&gt;0,01) and in the slowest concentric velocity (P&gt;0,01). The SKI group showed significantly higher strength values (P&gt;0,05) in relative isometric strength with knee angles between 20°-60°, where the largest significant difference appeared at 25° (P&gt;0,001). No significant differences were found in the absolute values in either the jump or the strength tests. Only moderate (r=0,30-0,49) significant (P&gt;0,05) correlations were found between the fastest eccentric tests and the SJ and DJ within all athletes. No significant correlations were found within the SKI group alone. Conclusion: This study presented evidence that sport specific strength for alpine elite skiers may primarily consist of isometric strength, training in slow concentric velocities and general eccentric training. The results indicate that the sport specific strength for alpine elite skiers does not include concentric training in moderate and fast concentric movements.

The objectives of this study were two fold. The first was to quantify the nature and extent of current levels of human impact in alpine areas at four sites within Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks along walking tracks at Key Summit, Gertrude Saddle, Borland Saddle and Sugarloaf Pass. In order to do so, a survey was carried out with transects placed perpendicular to the track, and distributed among different vegetation types. In each transect, plant structural and compositional aspects, and soil and environmental parameters were measured. Transects were divided into track, transition, undisturbed and control zones, and changes to dependent variables were compared with distance from the track centre. Damage from visitor impact was largely restricted to within 1m from the track centre. The most significant impacts were to structural aspects of plant and soil properties with significant reductions in plant height, total vegetation cover and bryophyte cover, and increases in bareground and erosion on tracks. Erosion was more prevalent on slopes greater than 25°, while tracks on peat soils contained greater bareground exposure, particularly of organic soil. The second study objective was to investigate the relationship between specific levels of impact and the resulting damage to two key alpine vegetation types, tussock herb field and cushion bog. This was undertaken by carrying out controlled trampling experiments, measuring changes to plant structural and compositional aspects four weeks and one year after treatment. Both vegetation types saw dramatic reductions in total vegetation cover and height immediately after trampling, however overall composition and species richness varied little. These two alpine vegetation types showed moderate-low resistance to initial impact and low resilience, with very little recovery evident one year later. Research intothese two areas is important for managing visitor use within alpine areas in order to meet conservation and recreation goals. The survey indicates that alpine community types are very sensitive to visitor use, showing significant structural damage, however the spatial extent of impact is limited within the broader landscape. Instead, visitor impacts associated with tracks are likely to be more visually and aesthetically significant, influencing the visitor experience. The trampling experiments indicate that use levels over 25-75 passes per year within tussock herbfield and cushion bog vegetation on peat soils will result in ongoing damage to previously undisturbed sites. Methods for minimising impacts include limiting visitor numbers, public education in low impact practices, redirection of tracks and use to areas that are less sensitive, the dispersal of visitor activity at very low use intensities (less than 75 direct passes per year) and the concentration of activity on tracks above this level.

Herb- or shrub-chronology, a technique adapted from dendrochronology, is the study of the annual growth rings in roots of certain perennial dicotyledonous plants. The presence of annual growth increments in high-elevation plants is significant as it highlights the applicability of herbchronology for climatic, ecological and geomorphologic applications in alpine and other extra-arboreal regions. For alpine sites along the eastern crest of the Sierra Nevada range I present the first shrub-ring chronologies of the species Linanthus pungens (Torr.) J.M. Porter & L.A. Johnson. L. pungens individuals were collected at, and are especially ubiquitous at rock glacier sites in north-east trending glacial-cirque valleys. Rock glaciers are an increasingly recognized and studied feature on the alpine landscape, supporting floristically diverse plant populations, distinct thermal regimes decoupled from the external air and perennial water sources fed by interstitial ice. These landforms are expected to be refugia for alpine flora and fauna in some regions for projected warmer and drier climates. To evaluate plant growth on rock glaciers as compared to adjacent talus slopes in the central Sierra Nevada range of California, USA, a series of five cirque basins were selected as sites for paired rock glacier- talus slope vegetation comparisons. Vegetation cover, species richness, diversity measures and plant functional traits were recorded at ten sites (five rock glaciers, five talus slopes) along a 100-kilometer latitudinal span of the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada range. Canonical correspondence analysis was used to evaluate general patterns in cover, diversity and functional traits for the 10 sites and inform subsequent statistical analyses. Both vegetation cover and species richness were significantly greater on rock glacier sites than on adjacent talus slopes even though mean slope values for the rock glacier sites were higher. Significantly, for the present study, rock glaciers support a higher number of the species Linanthus pungens, a climatically sensitive, long-lived alpine sub-shrub, showing that these periglacial landforms are not only floristically distinct but are also habitats containing natural climate archives useful to the field of herbchronology. L. pungens shrub-ring chronologies are determined to be distinct from Pinus albicaulis chronologies growing at the same five sets of sites in the Sierra Nevada study location. P. albicaulis (PIAL) tree-ring chronologies and L. pungens (LIPU) shrub-ring chronologies were constructed for four cirque basin sites. Comparisons were made between chronologies based on growth form (shrub or tree) and site, and on chronology response to average monthly temperature, total monthly precipitation and April 1 snowpack values. Chronologies are significantly more similar to other chronologies of the same growth form (PIAL-PIAL or LIPU-LIPU) than are same-site chronologies of different growth form (i.e. PIAL-LIPU chronologies) (p < 0.05). This holds true for comparisons based on Pearson’s correlation coefficients or Gleichläufigkeit (GLK) values. Growth response to monthly temperature and precipitation values is highly variable for same-site chronologies and also for same growth form chronologies. Topographical position and proximity to treeline was held constant at all sites so differences in climate-growth response within sites and within species may be attributed to factors that are unrealized in the sampling design. Based on composite climate anomaly maps, wide ring widths in PIAL chronologies occur after average winter and spring precipitation and with warm growing seasons while narrow PIAL rings fall after wet springs and with average summer temperatures. Years in which all LIPU rings are wide are found to occur during warm dry springs and growing seasons while years in which all LIPU rings are narrow occur in conjunction with wet winters and springs. Investigation into the longest and most replicated chronology at the Barney Lake (BL) site allowed a climate-growth comparison over a longer period of time (the BL chronology is 112 years in length with sufficient sample replication (EPS > 0.85) to capture a robust common signal from 1952 through 2007). Marker years in the BL chronology correspond to drought (wide rings) and persistent snowpack (narrow rings). Response function analysis indicates significant correlations with July minimum temperatures and the previous year's November precipitation. Increase in the radial growth of the taproot of L. pungens at BL has not decreased over the past century and is more highly correlated to temperature (positively) and snowpack and precipitation (negatively) during the latter half of the chronology period. Predictions of decreasing snowpack and warming temperatures for the alpine Sierra Nevada could indicate increased shrub growth over the next century and possible shrub range expansion if unprecedented drought does not prove to limit growth in the future. Work at BL and the other four alpine L. pungens chronology locations demonstrate a potential for additional research on climate-shrub growth interactions and in particular for investigations into climate controls on upper shrubline growth and movement in the Sierra Nevada range in California.

Environmental degradation is a serious problem in Lesotho, Africa. The majority of studies dealing with soil loss and gully erosion have mainly focused on the mechanics of the erosion. However, mountain watersheds are sensitive and vulnerable to degradation and in so being, have large inherent environmental implications. Gully erosion diversifies the micro-topographical and hydrological environment. The severe changes and eventual system degradation incurred as a result of gullying has rarely been quantified. This paper specifically highlights mire phytogeographic responses to valley head degradation at selected sites in eastern Lesotho by comparing patterns observed in gullied mires to those seen in other non-gullied mires. Soil and vegetation belt transects are set up across five mires (2 gullied) in the highlands of eastern Lesotho. The response of many of the plant species to the overall environmental gradient was asymmetrical and unimodal in pattern. The spatial distribution of the soil’s physical properties, topography and vegetation community patterns were found to reflect the spatial mosaic of the soil moisture gradient. The negative impact that gullying has on the ecohydrological regime of the valley heads is evident and is allowing for shrub encroachment. Both the wetland and dryland vegetation communities correlate strongly with the changes in the surface soil moisture gradient. Gully erosion is clearly a threshold phenomenon. Continued grassland degradation, accelerated soil erosion and subsequent gullying of the wetlands will lead to plant and animal diversity loss, decreased livestock productivity, sediment-laden water and shortened dam life-span.

This thesis examines scientific research undertaken by British travellers in the higher regions of the Alps from c.1815 to c.1880. Within this spatial backdrop I study how bodily habits and physical practices were used in the formation of a distinct observational style, how this style was transferred to other individuals and other social groups, and how they could be called upon to legitimate the knowledge produced. Mountain regions provide an ideal space to examine the role of physical practices in the production of scientific knowledge. Difficult geography and unpredictable weather make the Alps a very hostile environment. The period between 1815 (the end of the Napoleonic wars) and 1880 (when 'guideless' climbing was introduced) was a period of considerable change for Alpine research and mountain travel. It was during this period that scientific research was shifted from the lower Alpine valleys towards the higher regions of permanent snow and ice. But before the higher regions could be observed, individuals were first required to learn bodily habits and physical practices. To further these aims this study will the broadly based around the Alpine Club. Formed in 1857, it was the premier authority on high mountain travel. Though knowledge production formed a strong part of its outlook, the Club also contained members intent on pursuing mountain travel for pleasure. As a result the Club placed scientific activities alongside the unique physical skills and the technical experiences of its membership. Members interested in producing scientific research in the higher Alps used the Club to extend participation in observation gathering. To do so they used the Club's rules and regulations, meetings and committee structure as well as its publications to define and articulate how this knowledge should be collected.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, 2015. / Mountains are one of the most important and yet environmentally sensitive habitats in the world, they act as reservoirs of species, and have frequently served as refugia for organisms during periods of climate change and provided subsequent sources for speciation. As temperatures increase due to global climate change, species are shifting to higher altitudes to escape the effects of warming at lower altitudes. The spatial distribution and diversity of alpine vegetation is strongly influenced by environmental factors such as snow cover, solar radiation, soil moisture, humidity, and air/ground temperature. Snow cover is one of the most important factors controlling ground level microclimate and alpine plant growth. My study was undertaken near Kotisephola Pass at ca. 3300 m.a.s.l. in eastern Lesotho. Three zones were identified namely, upper, middle and lower zones at the site, as a result of vegetation differences that were observed along a 30 m transect from the rock scarp to the tussock grasses. The environmental variables of temperature, soil moisture, solar radiation, snow depth and humidity were measured over a period of 17 months using i-Buttons, Hobo and Tinytag data loggers, probes, solar radiation and temperature data loggers. Vegetation sampling was undertaken to determine aerial cover, and species composition, richness and diversity during the summer growing season of January and February 2013. The study site portrays strong fine-scale botanical micro-zonation owing to ground level microclimatic differentiation as a consequence of topographic (i.e rock scarp) shading and snow capture. Temperatures were >5 °C warmer in the upper zone from July – September 2012 due to the deep (1 m) snow cover which lasted for two months longer than in the middle zone, and only lasted for 36 hours in the lower zone. Accordingly, the upper zone had the lowest solar radiation throughout the data collection period due to the continuous snow cover and shading from the rock scarp. Three botanical zones were identified as characterised by different Helichrysum species. The upper zone (21 species) was more species rich than the the middle (19) and lower (18) zones. The vegetation is dominated by grasses which cover >35% of the study site, whilst herbs and shrubs cover only ca. 6% with an average of 12.3% bare ground. The strong zonation in plant species composition is a response to the fine spatial-scale changes in the environment, resulting from snow cover acting in ameliorating the harsh iii alpine conditions in winter. More detailed research on a larger scale is still required to fully comprehend phenology and morphology of the plants at the study region.

The alpine treeline ecotone is primarily caused by climate at continental and regional scales, but at finer scales exhibits increasing complexity and linkages with abiotic factors. In order to better understand the dynamics and geographic properties of treeline, a three-pronged study was conducted. The study's first objective investigated what factors account for local treeline variation by comparing a climate-based predictive surface with actual treeline elevation. After finding that a mean growing season temperature of 10.27°C was the strongest predictor of treeline at continental scales, statistical analyses attempted to model the differences between predicted and actual treeline elevation based on local climatic and geomorphological controls. Site elevation and latitude were found to correlate most strongly. Roughness also exerted positive influences, as well as precipitation when coupled with certain terrain factors. The second objective explored the distribution of treeline carbon at site scales by analyzing field data gathered in August 2009 in Glacier National Park, Montana. This confirmed the expected relationship of upright trees containing the highest biomass density, tundra the lowest, and krummholz in the middle. A high degree of dead organic matter was discovered, which may have important implications for treeline as a carbon source or sink when considering treeline's slow decomposition rates, and how these will change under climate warming. An additional analysis investigated the potential for relative biomass gain with future treeline advance, based on site and regional differences in slope and environmental lapse rates. The third objective asked what the potential for change in treeline biomass is across the western United States is by using freeze-thaw days as a proposed indicator. This potential importance is based on existing knowledge of the facilitating relationships between solifluction, surface geomorphology, and seedling establishment and survival. Freeze-thaw days were found to be highly variable, but correlated most strongly with elevation, suggesting increased temperature variability at higher elevations. The concluding chapter synthesizes the findings and maps potential biomass gain and freeze-thaw days together to highlight treeline sites and regions with the greatest potential for advance in a warming climate.

This thesis investigated aspects of plant recruitment across an altitudinal gradient of mountain tops in the Victorian Alps, Australia, and provides a baseline for the patterns and processes of alpine plant recruitment in the absence of large-scale disturbance. The patterns in alpine vegetation across the study sites were described in relation to abiotic environmental factors. Temperatures were lower and precipitation was higher at the high altitude sites. The vegetation did not differ significantly between the sites, although sites at low altitudes were shrubbier than those at high altitudes. Analysis of the soil seed bank revealed high mean densities of germinable seed (80 to 1400 seeds m-2) across the gradient of sites. The similarity between the seed bank samples and the standing vegetation was low (qualitative similarity: 0.08 to 0.2; quantitative similarity: 0.03 to 0.19). In laboratory germination experiments, I found rapid and substantial germination. Final percent germination was above 90% for most species. One species, Aciphylla glacialis, showed evidence of dormancy mechanisms. In subsequent experiments, I found that innate primary seed dormancy in this species could be broken with cold-wet stratification. There were no significant patterns in natural seedling recruitment across the altitudinal gradient. Similarities between the seedling flora and the standing vegetation were low (qualitative similarity: 0.18 to 0.45: quantitative similarity 0.04 to 0.09). Mean seedling density was best predicted by a combination of soil wilting point, altitude and plant litter. In some cases, seedling density was greater than 80 seedlings m-2. The relative importance of either negative (competitive) or positive (facilitative) interactions between seedlings with adjacent vegetation were investigated in relation to seed germination, seedling growth and seedling survival. Facilitative interactions were common at the higher altitude sites. At lower altitudes, facilitative and competitive interactions were common. Without close neighbours at high altitudes, seedlings were unlikely to survive into their second year. An understanding of plant recruitment can provide a useful basis for predicting species responses to large-scale disturbance and climate change.