Rainfall in semi-arid areas is generally insufficient to meet crop water requirements, and above all erratic in distribution. This leads to crop yield fluctuation, which drastically affects food security. Rainwater harvesting technologies have been implemented in these areas in order to mitigate the effect of perennial droughts. The successful adoption of these technologies can contribute to poverty alleviation, and therefore improve the livelihood of resource-poor subsistence farmers. Field trials for testing different rainwater harvesting scenarios are expensive, time consuming and laborious. As a result, crop models must be used to help study these systems, and thereby make prudent water harvesting design choices for specific situations. For this purpose, a simple, one-dimensional soil water balance model (Soil Water Balance-SWB) was modified by incorporating linear runoff estimation models in order to predict the soil water balance and crop yield under different rainwater harvesting design scenarios and to select the design most likely to succeed in a particular locality. Field data collected during the 2007/2008 maize growing season, on sandy clay loam soils, at the Hatfield Experimental Farm of the University of Pretoria, was used to parameterize the different runoff models and to calibrate the SWB crop model. Various rainwater harvesting design scenarios were run for two different semi-arid areas, on different soil types to illustrate the application of the SWB model as a tool to help design the most appropriate rainwater harvesting strategy, taking into account whether arable land is limiting or not limiting for crop production. The SWB model was successfully calibrated. Simulation results reveal that in drier years bigger design ratios (cropping area: runoff area) of the in-field rainwater harvesting technique (IRWH) are most likely to be successful, while in wetter years smaller design ratios of the IRWH technique or even simpler rainwater harvesting strategies such as the tied ridge and the conventional tillage techniques can harvest sufficient rainfall for maximum crop production. Results from field trials conducted in Pretoria, on sandy clay loam soils, confirmed that, in a wet season, maize yield is maximized by a smaller IRWH design (1:1B). The SWB model can be used as a tool to help selecting the most appropriate rainwater harvesting strategy under specific conditions with minimum input requirements. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

Pearl millet is a staple food source for millions of African families living in semi-arid regions of the continent. Yet, despite its importance and ability to provide consistent yields, very little research and resources have been directed towards understanding mechanisms governing this crop’s resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses. The research outlined in this thesis therefore aimed to elucidate defence response mechanisms in pearl millet, a non-model cereal crop. This was accomplished through the construction and characterisation of a pearl millet defence response cDNA library, which was subsequently utilised in large scale gene expression studies to profile pearl millet’s response to the defence signalling compounds nitric oxide (NO), methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA), and to the biotrophic rust fungus Puccinia substriata var. indica. A pearl millet cDNA library was constructed by treating pearl millet plants with the defence elicitors chitin and flagellin, and by wounding the plants. Suppression subtractive hybridisation (SSH) was employed to enrich the library for defence response transcripts. In order to characterise the cDNA libraries, a quantitative cDNA microarray-based screening method was developed that enabled identification of false positive transcripts, as well as clones that represented rare or abundant transcripts. Based on this screening method, a number of clones were selected for sequence analysis, and their identity ascertained through homology searches with previously sequenced genes. This revealed a number of genes known to play important roles during pathogen attack. The pearl millet SSH defence response library, consisting of 1920 cDNAs either up- or down regulated in defence response, was spotted onto a glass slide microarray and used in transcript profiling studies to examine pearl millet’s response to the defence signalling molecules NO, MeJA and SA. Whilst only 45 cDNAs responded significantly to NO treatment, 279 and 224 cDNAs responded to MeJA and SA sprays, respectively. Closer examination of MeJA and SA responsive genes revealed that many of the induced transcripts were common to both signalling pathways, demonstrating that a substantial network of regulatory interactions exists between the salicylate and jasmonate pathways, which were previously believed to act in an antagonistic manner. Pathology studies indicated that pretreatment of pearl millet with SA conferred resistance to a virulent isolate of P. substriata var. indica, whereas MeJA application did not significantly reduce subsequent infection levels. Transcript profiling of a susceptible pearl millet line in response to virulent rust infection revealed that genes common to both the jasmonate and salicylate pathways were induced, suggesting that the plant adopts elements from a number of defence signalling pathways in an attempt to ward off infection by the virulent rust fungus. However, in view of results obtained from pearl millet defence signalling molecule pretreatments, it is probably genes that are significantly induced in response to SA, but to a lesser extent by MeJA that actually confer resistance to an avirulent rust isolate. Treatment of pearl millet plants with an avirulent P. substriata strain and subsequent microarray analysis would answer this hypothesis by revealing whether an incompatible reaction elicits more elements of the salicylate defence response pathway. / Thesis (PhD (Botany))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Plant Science / unrestricted

Desert wetlands, in particular those slow moving bodies of water known as cienegas, are important sites for biodiversity in arid landscapes and serve as indicators of hydrological functioning on the landscape-level. One of the most extensive systems of cienegas, historical or extant, in southeastern Arizona lies along Cienega Creek, located southeast of Tucson, Arizona. Satellite imagery analysis is heavily utilized to determine landscape-level trends, but cienegas present a challenge to traditional analysis methods. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), the classic measure of vegetation greenness, reacts counter-intuitively to open water and is affected by open ground, both common occurrences in cienega habitats. Additional remote sensing indices have been developed that balance sensitivity to these environmental elements. This research explores these remote sensing indices at Cienega Creek applying one topographic index to current elevation data and five spectral indices to Thematic Mapper imagery from 1984 to 2011. Temporal trends were identified for all spectral indices and all indices were compared for suitability in cienega habitats. Temporal trends were analyzed for spatial clustering and spatial trends identified. The Normalized Difference Infrared Index utilizing Landsat Thematic Mapper band 5 outperformed other indices at differentiating between cienega, riparian, and upland habitats and is more suitable than NDVI for analyzing cienega habitats in such circumstances.

Sustainable Built Environments Senior Capstone / The traditional architecture is replaced with modern architecture which delivers less sustainable designs. The houses consume more energy, are less useful, and eventually cost more money. The focus of social, economical, and environmental impacts helps the project become more sustainable. The pillars are narrowed to patterns and principles. The vernacular architecture with passive design supports the principle. A Pattern Language with logical explanation supports the patterns. The design includes a floor plan, elevations, and section to provide the idea of how to apply the principles and patterns.

147f. / Submitted by Suelen Reis (suziy.ellen@gmail.com) on 2013-04-09T18:52:05Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissert_Andrea_seg.pdf: 4430054 bytes, checksum: 8886ebce219a171d7941759a7a540d1e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Rodrigo Meirelles(rodrigomei@ufba.br) on 2013-04-22T19:41:32Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissert_Andrea_seg.pdf: 4430054 bytes, checksum: 8886ebce219a171d7941759a7a540d1e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-04-22T19:41:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissert_Andrea_seg.pdf: 4430054 bytes, checksum: 8886ebce219a171d7941759a7a540d1e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Diante do cenário característico das bacias hidrográficas localizadas na região semi-árida referente a: (i) carência de dados hidroclimatológicos, (ii) utilização de águas armazenadas em açudes como principal fonte de atendimento às demandas; (iii) altas taxas de evaporação características da região, que causam significativas perdas de qualidade e quantidade dessas águas reservadas; (iv) elevada complexidade na determinação da evaporação em açudes devido ao envolvimento de um conjunto de variáveis de influência desse fenômeno; (v) situação atual dos reservatórios apresentando problemas de salinização e (vi) constante escassez de água para atendimento às demandas, a presente pesquisa tem o objetivo de comparar os métodos de estimativa de evaporação para estudo desse fenômeno em reservatórios da região semi-árida a partir do uso de bacia experimental. Para tal estudo foi utilizada como unidade de pesquisa a bacia experimental do rio do Cedro, localizada do semi-árido baiano, instrumentada com estações climatológica, pluviográficas e fluviográficas para coleta de dados referentes às variáveis de influência no processo de evaporação. A estimativa da evaporação foi realizada por meio da aplicação de métodos consolidados nesse tipo de estudo com ampla aplicação na região analisada, sendo estes: o Método do Balanço de Energia, de Penman, de Priestley e Taylor, da Relação Complementar proposto por Morton e do Balanço Hídrico. Durante o período de estudo foi realizada medição no evaporímetro tipo Tanque Classe A para comparação dos resultados, uma vez que esse equipamento tem seu uso bastante difundido na região semi-árida pelo seu custo e facilidade de operação. Os resultados dessa pesquisa são utilizados para: (i) caracterização da evaporação na bacia experimental durante o período de estudo, (ii) verificação da confiabilidade e precisão da informação gerada pela aplicação desses métodos e medição em Tanque Classe A e (iii) avaliação da utilização de bacia hidrográfica experimental como base de dados para estudos da evaporação em açudes situados no semi-árido como forma de obter informações para uma gestão mais eficiente da disponibilidade hídrica em bacias dessa região. / Salvador

Submitted by Edileide Reis (leyde-landy@hotmail.com) on 2013-04-23T12:03:04Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Joilma Menezes.pdf: 1646474 bytes, checksum: 55d6d57db450f3ab1ef86b3ac1a50087 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-04-23T12:03:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Joilma Menezes.pdf: 1646474 bytes, checksum: 55d6d57db450f3ab1ef86b3ac1a50087 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Para tornar potáveis águas salobras ou salinas, é necessário fazer a dessalinização, processo que normalmente exige alto investimento e recursos tecnológicos complexos para a produção em larga escala. Neste caso, o preço da água para o consumidor final torna-se muito mais elevado, devido à menor oferta e gastos envolvidos. O objetivo geral desse trabalho foi desenvolver um dispositivo caseiro para dessalinização de pequenas quantidades de água para o uso em dessedentação humana para aplicação em regiões com água de salinidade inadequada para beber, utilizando material biológico, como sementes de espécies de plantas do Semi-Árido baiano ou com possível cultivo naquela região. A metodologia empregada no trabalho foi baseada na medida da salinidade da água antes e após o contato com o material biológico. Dez tipos diferentes de sementes foram estudados: Amendoa (Terminalia Catappa L.), Umbu (Spondndias Tuberosa Cheg. Cam.), Moringa (Moringa Oleifera Lam), Mulungu (Erythrina verna Vell), Umburana (Erythrina verna Vell), Bucha Vegetal (Luffa Cylindrica), Algaroba (Prosopis juliflora), Abobora (Cucúrbita Pepo L., ), Girassol (Helianthus Annus), e Mesocarpo e Endocarpo do Coco (Cocos Nucifera) e para os experimentos utilizou-se água de salinidade 0,7o/oo (baixa salobridade de ocorrência freqüentemente no semi-árido baiano). Após o contato da água salobra com o material biológico determinava-se a concentração de sódio remanescente na água, representando o NaCl, não sorvido pelo material biológico, principal sal responsável pela salinidade da água. Para análise de sódio foi usado a técnica analítica da fotometria de chama (Micronal, Mod. B462). Na escolha final do sorvente a ser usado no dispositivo caseiro foi considerado prioritário, além da maior capacidade de sorção de sais, menor teor de sal intrínseco e abundância na região semi-árida e/ou com possibilidade de adaptação para cultivo naquela região. A semente de umbu (Spondndias Tuberosa Cheg. Cam.) apresentou maior capacidade de sorção de sais da água salobra, principalmente quando seca a 250º C, por 1 hora. Dessa forma desenvolveu-se um dispositivo caseiro para dessalinização de água, em pequenas quantidades, suficientes para o uso familiar em dessedentação humana, a partir desta semente tratada segundo indicação neste trabalho, podendo transformar água de baixa salobridade, mas imprópria para beber (> 0,5 a 1,5 o/oo) em água doce e baixar a alta dureza de águas a níveis de aceitação para consumo humano. O estudo da adsorção dos sais em umbu realizado para explicar o processo de dessalinização da água salobra usando-se material produzido por secagem e moagem da semente do umbu, atendeu ao modelo de Langmuir e permitiu estimar a capacidade máxima de adsorção de sódio pelo umbu a 30, 40 e 50°C em: 52,6, 165 e 250 mg g-1 respectivamente. Desta forma, 1 L de água salobra de salinidade entre 0,6 e como aquelas do Semi Árido baiano testadas, pode ter seu teor de sal removido com apenas 1g daquelas sementes tratadas segundo indicação neste trabalho e aquecendo a água a 50°C. / Salvador

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / In order to solve scarcity of water in semi-arid regions, many technologies have been studied and tested, presenting positive and negative aspects for each application. In the last years, the Brazilian Government has been trying to supply the water demand of isolated communities of the semi-arid region through the installation of desalination equipments operating through reverse osmosis. However, a good part of the installed devices is out of use, due to maintenance problems. This study tries to point out an alternative of water production which requires simpler operation and maintenance, particularly without the use of filter elements. Solar distillation was used as technologic approach, specially because its characteristics are in agreement with the natural characteristics of insolation of the region. The system was proposed with the objective of supplying a familiar scale water demand and basically consists of a parabolic trough concentrator of solar radiation and a condenser. Through a preliminary economic evaluation, it was achieved a water cost of R$30,00/m3. / Buscando combater a escassez de água em regiões semi-áridas, muitas tecnologias vêm sendo estudadas e testadas, apresentando aspectos positivos e negativos para cada aplicação. Nos últimos anos, o Governo Brasileiro tem buscado atender a demanda de água de comunidades difusas do semi-árido através da instalação de dessalinizadores operando via osmose reversa. No entanto, boa parte dos dispositivos instalados encontra-se fora de uso, devido a problemas de manutenção. O presente estudo procura apontar uma alternativa de produção de água que requer uma operação e manutenção mais simples, particularmente sem o uso de elementos filtrantes. Foi utilizada a destilação solar como abordagem tecnológica, especialmente por esta ir ao encontro das características naturais de insolação da região. O sistema foi proposto visando o abastecimento em escala familiar e consiste basicamente em um concentrador da radiação solar em calha parabólica e um condensador. Através de uma avaliação econômica preliminar, chegou-se a um custo da água de R$ 30,00/m3.

nÃo hà / Diante da expansÃo dos cultivos agroecolÃgicos e da permanÃncia de Ãreas de aplicaÃÃo da agricultura convencional no semiÃrido, fez-se necessÃrio um estudo cientÃfico para a detecÃÃo, atravÃs de uma anÃlise comparativa, das principais diferenÃas entre as modalidades, observando o espaÃo local em suas caracterÃsticas peculiares e impactos. Objetivamos analisar as prÃticas agrÃcolas em propriedades de uso convencional e agroecolÃgica em duas Ãreas de um mesmo municÃpio - Nova Olinda/CE, com as mesmas caracterÃsticas geofÃsicas e que hà mais de dez anos faziam uso de prÃticas especÃficas de cultivo. Tratou-se de um estudo exploratÃrio-descritivo com uma abordagem quanti-qualitativa, utilizando-se para a coleta de dados: formulÃrio, observaÃÃo direta sistemÃtica, entrevista, coleta e anÃlise de solo. Em relaÃÃo Ãs tÃcnicas de cultivo, o modelo agroflorestal destacou-se por utilizar o policultivo e o consÃrcio com outras plantas, onde se incluem em torno de 29 espÃcies nativas, a incorporaÃÃo de resÃduos orgÃnicos, o roÃo seletivo e o plantio direto. Outras tÃcnicas que foram igualmente importantes nesse sistema e amplamente utilizadas por este agricultor foram: coleta e extraÃÃo (frutos, raÃzes, folhas, favos, etc.), as quais envolvem a fruticultura, apicultura e cultivo de hortaliÃas. Neste modelo de cultivo dispensou-se o uso de agrotÃxico, pois a intenÃÃo era alcanÃar o controle natural por meio da cadeia biolÃgica, utilizando espÃcies vegetais. Como benefÃcios dessas tÃcnicas identificaram-se a manutenÃÃo do microclima adequado à biologia do solo; o controle de ervas daninhas e da erosÃo; maior permeabilidade Ãs chuvas; proteÃÃo do solo contra investidas direta do sol, da chuva e do vento; estabilizaÃÃo de ravinas e voÃorocas; e promoÃÃo da biodiversidade. Jà no modelo convencional, encontramos como o tipo de cultivo adotado o consÃrcio e a monocultura, onde as prÃticas de preparaÃÃo da terra incluem o roÃo e o destocamento, a queimada, a utilizaÃÃo de arados mecÃnicos e a capinaÃÃo. Como consequÃncias foram identificadas uma diminuiÃÃo abrupta da biodiversidade, reduÃÃo na capacidade de restituiÃÃo vegetal e desnudaÃÃo do solo com consequente aumento do Ãndice de erosÃo e empobrecimento da camada fÃrtil. Os Ãndices mineralÃgicos de fertilidade do solo sÃo maiores no Sistema Agroflorestal (SAF), e, que dada as tÃcnicas empreendidas pelo agricultor, tÃm uma tendÃncia a elevarem-se ao contrÃrio das empreendidas na Ãrea do Sistema Convencional (SC), que em geral empobrecem o solo, podendo assim levÃ-lo a Ãndices ainda mais crÃticos. Em relaÃÃo à produtividade, o Sistema Agroflorestal tambÃm destacou-se graÃas Ãs suas diferentes produÃÃes, que asseguram um maior nÃmero de fontes de renda, com uma consequente lucratividade. Compreendemos assim, que, em termos de produtividade e rentabilidade, o SAF apresentou-se mais vantajoso para o agricultor por diversos motivos, dentre os quais destacaram-se: mais fontes de rendas, maior produÃÃo por tarefa e mais seguranÃa em termos de produÃÃo tanto a nÃvel ambiental como econÃmico. Identificamos que o Sistema Agroflorestal apontou excelentes resultados e que superou a nÃvel de conservaÃÃo dos solos e dos ecossistemas, bem como de produtividade e rentabilidade, o Sistema Convencional adotado. Com isso, indicamos o modelo agroflorestal como rentÃvel e favorÃvel à adoÃÃo para os agricultores do semiÃrido nordestino. / In the face of the expansion of agroecological cultivation and the hitherto use of areas of application of conventional agriculture in the semi-arid region, it showed to be necessary a deeper and more scientific study for the detection, through a comparative analysis, of the main differences between these two types of cultivation, observing the local space in its peculiar characteristics and impact. This study aimed to analyze the agricultural practices in properties of conventional and agroecological use in two areas of the same municipality â Nova Olinda/CE, with the same geophysical characteristics and that they have been using the specific practice of cultivation for more than ten years. This was an exploratory and descriptive study with a quanti-qualitative approach, using for data collection: formulary, systematic direct observation, interview, collection and analysis of soil. In relation to the techniques of cultivation, the agroforest model was put in evidence for using polyculture, partnership with other plants in which was included around 29 native species, incorporation of organic remains, selective cut and direct planting. Other techniques which were equally important in that system and widely used by this cultivator were: collection and extraction (fruits, roots, leaves, honeycombs, etc.), which involve horticulture (fruits and vegetables) and apiculture. In this model of cultivation, agrochemicals were not used, since the intention was to reach the natural control through the biological chain using vegetable species. As the benefits of those techniques, it was identified the maintenance of the microclimate which was adequate for the biology of the soil; control of weeds and erosion; greater permeability to water; protection of the soil against direct sunlight, rain and wind; stabilization of eroded areas; and promotion of biodiversity. In the conventional model, mono and partnership are the adopted types of cultivation; the practices of soil preparation include the cut and removal of remaining stems, fire, use of mechanical rakes and weeding. As consequences, it was identified an abrupt diminishing of the biodiversity, reduction in the capacity for vegetal restitution and soil bareness with the consequent increase in the erosion index and diminishing of the fertile layer. The mineralogical indexes of soil fertility are higher in the Agroforest System (AFS), and, due to the techniques used by the cultivator, they have a tendency to increase; on the contrary, in the Conventional System (CS), the techniques used generally diminish the soil fertility, thereby taking the soil to more critical indexes. In relation to productivity, the Agroforest System was put in focus due to its different productions, which provide a higher number of sources of income with consequent profitability. It was grasped then that in terms of productivity and profitability, the Agroforest System was more advantageous to the cultivator due to various reasons, among them it was highlighted: more sources of income, greater production per hectare and more security and terms of production, not only at the environmental level but also at the economic one. It was identified that the Agroforest System showed excellent results and it outperformed at the level of soil and ecosystem conservation, as well as in productivity and profitability, the adopted Conventional System. Therefore, the Agroforest model is considered profitable and favorable to the adoption by the cultivators from the semi-arid region of the Brazilian North-East

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The thesis addresses sustainability of groundwater utilization in arid and semiarid regions of Namibia. Recharge in this hydrogeological setting occurs as discrete events to aquifers that are bounded in extent. Case studies involving fractured hardrock and alluvial aquifers with aquifer-ephemeral river interaction were considered. The nature of recharge to arid region bounded aquifers was explored. In arid region aquifers, roundwater storage is depleted during extended dry periods due to pumping and natural discharge. Steady state conditions are rarely achieved. With lowering of the water table, evapotranspiration is reduced thus decreasing aquifer discharge. However, depletion of ephemeral river flow is the primary source of water to boreholes. Physical constraints such as river bed and aquifer hydraulic properties set a limit to the degree of natural replenishment possible during flow events. An approach to assessing sustainable yield of a fractured rock aquifer associated with ephemeral river flow is discussed using a case study from rural semi-arid Namibia. Limited data required the simulation results to be verified against geological and hydrogeological constraints. The aquifer’s gain in storage is estimated through numerical simulation. It provides a basis for groundwater scheme management that rely on limited data in semi-arid conditions in sub-Saharan Africa. Aspects related to ephemeral river flow and groundwater recharge to strip alluvial aquifers was addressed in the second case study. The processes controlling infiltration, significance of surface water and groundwater losses, and possible artificial recharge options were investigated through numerical simulation. It was concluded that recharge processes in arid alluvial aquifers differ significantly from those in humid systems. Conjunctive use of surface and groundwater resources require artificial augmentation of aquifer recharge due to constrains in natural infiltration rates. The study provides a reference for sustainable management of alluvial aquifer systems in similar regions. It is seen from the study that high rates of groundwater exploitation deplete surface water resources needed downstream while failure to capture surface flow during flood events cause loss of potential recharge. It is concluded that as water demand in Namibia increases, basin wide combined surface water and groundwater resource evaluation and management have become a necessity.

The combined effect of land-use alterations and introduced diffuse anthropogenic pollutants to the earth's surface in suburban/urban zones often sparks a decrease in stormwater quality in the area, and contributes to nonpoint source pollution in receiving waters. The ponds at the Utah Botanical Center (UBC) located in Kaysville, UT, regularly experience algal blooms, which in turn cause low dissolved oxygen levels in the waters, indicating high concentrations of inflowing pollutants. The goal of this thesis paper was to describe the findings from the water quality monitoring implemented at both the inlet and outlet of the UBC ponds in order to assess pollutant loading to the ponds. A survey was mailed to the homeowners in the drainage area with the intention of gaining a baseline understanding of residents' perceptions of stormwater issues, and their lawn care practices that might influence stormwater quality. Results from the weekly monitoring found that the TN, TP and TSS levels were all below respective medians reported for urban areas around the United States. Baseflow separation calculations revealed that 47% of inflow was due to precipitation falling onto the watershed and therefore 53% of inflow was a product of non-stormflow. With only 47% of the inflow coming from local runoff, potential effectiveness of educational efforts was considered minimal. Survey results reported that 86% of respondents had never received educational materials regarding stormwater. Second, fertilizer is used by 92.3% of respondents and in most cases, homeowners perform more than one application per year. Of the respondents, 98.1% of them believed that individual residents had an impact (positive or negative) on the quality of water resources in the area. No significant association was found between the education component of the survey and whether participants undertook certain stormwater-related behaviors.