Determining the past, present and future effects of alien species on native biodiversity is a globally recognized problem. The Wall Lizard, Podarcis muralis, was introduced to Vancouver Island from Europe in 1970. To assess potential competitive interactions with the native Northern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria coerulea), I investigated several aspects of P. muralis ecology. D i h i o n along manmade corridors (e.g. roads and powerlines) and human-facilitated jump dispersal are contributing to range expansion; three separate populations currently exist. Reproductive output of P. muralis was not affected by amount eaten while gravid, but feeding level and incubation temperature affected offspring phenotypes. In comparative tests of locomotor performance, P. muralis was faster than Z. coerulea, but only at moderate temperatures. I found no effect of P. muralis dour on E. coeruela behaviour, but E. coeruela avoided cover objects that housed P. muralis. These two species use similar habitats, but were found on different substrates and mesoslopes. Based on the results of these experiments there is a potential for comvetition between these two lizard species.

Commercial whale-watching has become an important aspect of global marine tourism. Rapid expansion during the 1990s has created a yearly US$1 billion industry, in which approximately 10 million people go whale-watching in nearly 90 countries. While the economic importance of whale-watching is well documented, there remain questions regarding ecological impacts on cetacean populations and the veracity of assumed educational benefits. These two problems call into question the label of ecotourism that is currently applied to whale-watching. Due to the knowledge gap regarding the ecological impact of whale-watching, science-based management of the activity is difficult. In some areas, whale-watching has become a vital aspect of the economy before managers have been able to participate in its development. In other areas, management has remained at arm's length, letting the industry grow without their participation. The objective of this dissertation is to critically review the current state of whale-watching management and its link to maintenance of sustainable cetacean populations. Research is mainly focussed on whale-watching in British Columbia, Canada. This dissertation is composed of three separate studies that examine different aspects of whale-watching management: 1) an analysis of global whale-watching protocols and a comparison of cetacean-human versus terrestrial wildlife-human interaction research, 2) a case study of the historical development, current state and future possibilities of whale-watching management in B.C., where the activity has occurred since the early 1980s, and 3) a human dimensions case study of whale-watchers in B.C. to assess the utility of social science research for whale-watching management. In the first study, whale-watching practices for 87 countries were examined. Sixty-one percent of countries where whale-watching exists do not, or appear to not, possess established whale-watching rules. The presence and developmental extent of whale-watching protocols is related to the number of whale-watchers, rate of increase during the 1990s, and the number of years whale-watching has existed, in a given area. The nature of existing whale-watching protocols is extremely variable. Minimum approach guidelines, the most common type of practice, show little relationship to size of the whale-watching industry, the general type of cetacean watched (large whales or dolphins), or the predominant activity of focal cetaceans (breeding, migration, feeding). The first study also compared cetacean-human and terrestrial wildlife-human research papers (n=47 for each). The cetacean-human interaction research was more narrowly focussed, made 20% more speculations, was dependant on overt behaviours observable from the surface, discussed limitations in only 7% of the studies, and did not make use of comparison to terrestrial research. Terrestrial wildlife-human interaction research made more use of physiological measurements and experimental research, which led to management recommendations in 86% of the papers. To be more effective in the future, cetacean-human interaction research needs to make more use of the technology available to measure physiological reactions and employ experimental research designs more often. In the second study, federal, provincial and whale-watching industry documents, personal interviews and participant observation, were used to create a historical record for the development of the whale-watching industry and its management in British Columbia. This historical record was then analysed, based on commons resource management theory, to identify strengths and weaknesses of current management and explore requirements for successful future management. Strengths identified were industry cooperation, self-regulation, a unified voice/forum in Southern Vancouver Island, and a foundation for more effective management. Weaknesses identified were the lack of biological purpose of whale-watching guidelines, and control of vessel behaviour. Successful whale-watching management in the future in B.C. is dependant on Fisheries and Oceans Canada entering into a co-management type regime, in which the experience and self-regulation guidelines of the existing whale-watching industry are taken into account in amendments to the Marine Mammal Regulations. In the third study, whale-watchers in British Columbia were surveyed at the three main whale-watching centres of Johnstone Strait, Tofino and Victoria (n=1617). Data was analysed for: 1) expectations, satisfactions, attitudes and demographics between whale-watching sites, 2) attitudes between pre-whale-watching and post-whale-watching trip groups, and 3) specialization in whale-watchers between sites. Johnstone Strait whale-watchers were the most satisfied, followed by Victoria, then Tofino respondents. Johnstone Strait whale-watchers possessed greater previous cetacean education and whale-watching experience, and displayed the most concern for whale management and general resource management issues, followed by Tofino, then Victoria participants. Although there were some significant differences in attitudes between pre- and post-trip groups, it was unclear whether the interpretation aboard the whale-watching vessels was responsible. Whale-watchers already displayed a high level of concern for cetacean and general resource management issues before embarking on whale-watching trips. A specialization index was developed to classify whale-watchers as Novice, Intermediate, Advance or Expert. The index revealed that 81.6% of whale-watchers were Novice or Intermediate, indicating that whale-watchers in B .C. are generalist-type whalewatchers, with little prior experience or knowledge. Johnstone Strait attracted the most Advance and Expert whale-watchers (34.9%), followed by Tofino (14.1%) and Victoria (9.4%). There is a relationship between increase in percentage of specialized whalewatchers and increase in distance from urban tourism centres. The study reveals that, due to the dominance of generalist whale-watchers in B.C., education needs to start with basic whale and marine ecology to develop a context on which to base more in-depth conservation issues. If whale-watchers are to become part of the management solution, education programs need to aim to develop a greater percentage of specialized whalewatchers. From this study, there are indications that whale-watching could provide a basis for the sustainable management of cetaceans in the future. However, more research needs to be undertaken towards the development of science-based management, and the development of education programs. In addition, management also needs to take ieto account the efforts of established self-regulated whale-watching industries. Currently, whale-watching management protocols are ad-hoc, inconsistent, and are not based in science. Minimum approach distances may not provide protection while researchers investigate the impact of vessel proximity to cetaceans; therefore minimum approach distances are pseudo-precautionary rather than precautionary. Due to the questions that remain regarding ecological impact and educational benefits, whale-watching can not currently be considered ecotourism.

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The Metchosin Igneous Complex, a partial ophiolite exposed on southern Vancouver Island, is the most northerly exposure of the Eocene Crescent Terrane. The role of the Crescent Terrane in crustal genesis and Cordilleran tectonics would be affected by its tectonic setting, however that setting is in debate. Analysis of trace element compositions of basalt from the Metchosin Igneous Complex by ICP-MS was used to determine the tectonic setting in which the complex formed. REE and HFSE compositions are transitional between N-MORB and E-MORB and do not suggest a unique tectonic setting. Strong enrichments of Nb and Ta relative to N-MORB are contrary to formation in a subduction zone. In conjunction with existing plate motion data, this makes a rifted-margin origin unlikely. Interaction at a distance between the Yellowstone hot spot and the Kula-Farallon ridge is proposed to satisfy all the geological and geochemical data. Many studies of ophiolites have interpreted high-temperature phases as hydrothermal in origin despite high permeability and low temperatures in sea floor volcanics. Metamorphic assemblages and compositions of metamorphic minerals were used to determine if alteration in the Metchosin Igneous Complex was related to sea floor alteration or obduction. Chlorite geothermometry and amphibole compositions show that peak metamorphic temperatures increase from east to west across the complex. The metamorphic facies increase from prehnite-actinolite and greenschist in the east to amphibolite in the west, corresponding with the temperatures inferred from mineral compositions. The temperature gradient is perpendicular to stratigraphy, whereas hydrothermal patterns are expected to be parallel to stratigraphy. Therefore the pattern of alteration in the Metchosin Igneous Complex is unrelated to sea floor alteration. Metamorphism during obduction has overprinted any hydrothermal alteration patterns. The east-west thermal gradient is attributed to tilting of the complex, either by tectonic forces or by unequal exhumation due to orographic effects.

This study speaks to the prominence of ethnocultural difference experienced by six punjabi young girls in Grade 5 at school during non-instructional school times and the extent to which these experiences are playing a role on the self-identity formations for these young girls. This inquiry delves into how these young girls, all born and being raised in Canada, are making sense of their difference and how they are engaged in constructing identities for themselves. A narrative method allowed for linking self-identity to the curriculum of noninstructional school times and how children's experiences of these times plays a role in identity formation. This study reveals some of the complexities and challenges of living as a young girl of a "minority" group brings to identity construction. Complexities and challenges that I attempt to bring to surface with the aid of the in-between space of hydridity, a space Ted Aoki terms Metonymic Space, Trinh Minh-ha's entitles Hybrid Place and Homi Bhabha calls Third Space. Through the framework of poststructuralism, the process of living and constructing identities is illuminated as being multilayered and evolving as it involves negotiations and contestations between how one views oneself and other's perceptions of you. By participating in the co-creating and co-writing of a story titled "A Day in the Life of a Punjabi Girl", the young girls included in this study were provided with an avenue for action and the production of a resource that could inform educators of the educational situation of punjabi girls and help them understand the life-world of these girls at this critical stage in their identity development. This resource may also help educators make changes for future generations of these young girls, and other students from visible minorities, in the school system.

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This case study explores Chinese international students' perceptions of meaningfill learning. Ten Chinese international students, who have post-secondary educational experience in both China and Canada, and five student services staff participated in this study. Data triangulation and method triangulation were used in this study. The study identifies four major themes found in student perceptions of meaningful learning: Practical Learning, Learning Under Pressure, Comfortable Learning, and Active Learning. This study indicates a positive relationship between out-of-school experiences and meaningful learning for international students. It reveals that students are aware of the important influence of the learning environment in their motivation and learning. This study challenges the stereotype of Chinese learners and highlights their preference for active learning over passive learning. The implication of this study emphasizes combined efforts of students and educators in co-constructing meaningful learning. The paper ends with the researcher's self-reflections on how this study affects her meaningful learning.

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