<p> Globally, amphibians have suffered dramatic population declines in the past twenty years with habitat destruction implicated as the primary threat. The Natural Resources Conservation Service&rsquo;s Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) restores wetlands on marginal agricultural land and is a means to restore the spatio-temporal wetland habitat required by amphibians to prevent, reverse, or stabilize declining population trends. The goal of WRP is &ldquo;to achieve the greatest wetland functions and values, along with optimum wildlife habitat, on every acre enrolled in the program.&rdquo; Functions and values are defined as the hydrological and biological characteristics of wetlands. A key unanswered question is to what extent is this goal being achieved? Amphibians enable quantifying the WRP goal due to their life-history requirements and explicit incorporation of their habitat needs into WRP plans. My research goal was to determine if hydrological and biological wetland characteristics had been restored to WRP sites in the Lower Grand River basin, north-central Missouri, based on distribution, recruitment success, and relative species richness estimates for members of a regional species pool. I identified three design strategies applied to WRP sites over time: walk-away, maximize hydrology, and naturalistic; the latter emphasizing restoring process as well as structure; and evaluated if design strategy was a useful covariate for restoration efforts. I encountered 10 amphibian species representing 59% of the regional species pool. Design strategy was not a predictive site-level covariate as sites within all three design strategies had varying hydrological wetland conditions resulting in greater habitat heterogeneity than anticipated on maximize hydrology and walk-away sites and less than anticipated on naturalistic sites. Amphibian detections occurred across all sites resulting in no difference among design strategy as the degree of heterogeneity in habitat conditions at the within site-scale demonstrated that amphibians were responding to ecological conditions that occur at a finer resolution than site. Results, irrespective of design strategy, indicate seven of the detected species or groups were widely- distributed, two were moderately- distributed, and two were sparsely distributed on WRP sites indicating hydrological wetland characteristics have been restored to sites given the moderate- to wide-distribution of species associated with both seasonal and permanent wetlands. Although species were successfully recruiting young into adult populations, only leopard frogs had high estimates of recruitment success whereas the remaining species had moderately high to moderate to low recruitment estimates indicating biological wetland characteristics are somewhat lacking to lacking for these species. Results from the relative species richness assessment indicate that, whereas 74% of the sites provided some degree of wetland habitat for members of the regional species pool over the course of the field season (7 March &ndash; 19 September), 52% of the sites lacked suitable habitat conditions during the peak of amphibian breeding and larval development (May through July). Targeting management actions that result in suitable seasonal wetland habitat conditions (shallow, vegetated wetlands that gradually dry by mid-to late-summer) throughout the time needed for species to complete their life history requirements is one method to increase the biological wetland value of restored WRP sites. Results show the value of WRP at conserving and restoring river-floodplain amphibians; however, achieving optimum wildlife habitat on every enrolled acre will be difficult at a site-level scale as habitat requirements, although overlapping, vary widely for the full range of species. Providing for all species in the regional species pool requires sites that transverse both the longitudinal and lateral floodplain gradient. If WRP is to realize its full potential, there must be recognition that optimum wildlife habitat can be defined at multiple spatial and temporal scales that match the landscape setting. Optimum wildlife habitat at a wetland scale is not the same as optimum wildlife habitat at the floodplain scale. The intent of WRP is to convert marginal, flood-prone agricultural lands back into wetlands so enrollment of lands located outside the active floodplain may be impracticable or unrealistic. Whereas attaining optimum wildlife habitat on every acre enrolled in the program may not be an achievable objective, providing optimum wildlife habitat for members of a regional species pool within an appropriately defined geography that includes both a longitudinal and lateral gradient represents an objective that is both desirable and attainable.</p><p>

<p> Climate change and over-use of natural resources impacts ecosystems worldwide. Understanding physical impacts from climate and natural resource use on biological processes at multiple scales of spatial and ecological organization is needed to make useful predictions under global change scenarios. Mountain aquatic ecosystems are of particular concern because they are sensitive to climate change, represent hot spots of biodiversity, and they integrate atmospheric, terrestrial and aquatic processes into biological responses. The objective of this dissertation is to quantify physical impacts and biological responses of climate and water use on mountain aquatic ecosystems in the Western United States. In Chapter 1, I developed a data set of ice break-up dates using remote sensing techniques for mountain lakes across the Sierra and Cascade Mountain Ranges coupled with downscaled climate data to quantify drivers of lake ice phenology. I developed a predictive linear mixed effects model and used and ensemble of 15 global climate models to project changes in lake ice break-up dates through the 21^st century. The results suggest that low snowpack and increased energy fluxes associated with elevated air temperatures drive earlier ice break-up dates. Projections of ice break-up show that ice break-up will be 61 &plusmn; 5 days if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced. In Chapter 2, I analyzed specific ecological responses to earlier ice break-up dates in Castle Lake, California (a natural, sub-alpine lake). I predicted that consumer (Brook Trout; <i>Salvelinus fontinalis</i>) energetics and habitat use would be regulated by either climate driven water temperature or variation in food availability. The data suggest that earlier ice break-up results in a longer duration of surface water temperatures > 15 &deg;C, coupled with decreased and increased food production in the pelagic and littoral zones, respectively. Isotopic and telemetry data showed that consumer resources and habitat use were driven by water temperature and were independent of food availability. In early ice break-up years, consumers grew less because they were thermally excluded from productive littoral zones when water temperatures were warmer for longer periods of time relative to late ice break-up years. In Chapter 3, I demonstrate that decreased streamflow in mountain rivers can reduce abundance and size structure of food supply to drift foraging Rainbow Trout <i>(Onchorhynchus mykiss)</i>. In response to changes in streamflow and food availability, trout abandoned their energetically profitable drift foraging strategy and actively searched for prey. The shift in foraging behavior resulted in negative bioenergetic efficiencies in flow impaired sites. Taken collectively this research demonstrates that both predictable and unpredictable consequences of physical change drive biological responses across spatial gradients, ecosystem types, and levels of ecological organization.</p><p>

No description available.

Faced with the current water crisis, it is necessary to reassess the degree of conservation of water bodies, especially reservoirs (dams), in order to maximize their possibilities of use. In this sense, sensitizing the population becomes an essential prerogative for the promotion of water sustainability, and consequently, it is possible to ensure the consumption of future generations. Taking into account the standards set by the National Environment Council (CONAMA) for each use for which the water is intended, the levels of conservation of the reservoir water are elements of concern, mainly because they are water bodies of multiple uses . In this context, this research consisted in sensitizing the students of the Agribusiness Integrated Technical Course of the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Sergipe - Campus Itabaiana / SE, on the water management in the Potions of Ribeira (Itabaiana / SE) Irrigated Perimeter, aiming at thus conserving for multiple uses of this water body. With regard to methodological procedures, this research was classified at the exploratory level, having as a procedure a case study. Therefore, because it is the management of water resources, it is proposed to approach the environmental sciences, and for this it is necessary to use Environmental Education (EA) as a pillar, in order to promote reflection and foster social participation in the water management of Iridescent Perimeter Potions of Ribeira. Thus, it is based on the clarification of the student community about the conditions of degradation and conservation of the water body under study, so that these become disseminators of legal aspects associated with the management of water resources, especially that practiced on the spot by the managing body. Regarding the results, structured questionnaires applied with open and closed questions were used as a tool for collecting data. Finally, this research brings the production and implementation of a didactic resource, which according to the choice of the participating student sample, consisted of a game in quiz format, which will contribute substantially to the training of future agribusiness professionals, through the proposed discussion on management. / Diante da crise hídrica verificada atualmente, se faz necessário reavaliar o grau de conservação dos corpos hídricos, sobretudo dos reservatórios (constituídos por barragens), visando assim maximizar as suas possibilidades de usos. Nesse sentido, sensibilizar a população torna-se uma prerrogativa essencial para que se tenha a promoção da sustentabilidade hídrica, e por consequência seja possível assegurar o consumo de gerações futuras. Tendo então como pressuposto os padrões estabelecidos pelo Conselho Nacional de Meio Ambiente (CONAMA) para cada uso a que a água se destina, os níveis de conservação das águas de reservatórios são elementos de preocupação, principalmente por tratar-se de corpos hídricos de múltiplos usos. Nesse contexto, esta pesquisa consistiu em sensibilizar os alunos do Curso Técnico Integrado em Agronegócio do Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Sergipe – Campus Itabaiana/SE, sobre a gestão hídrica no Perímetro Irrigado Poções da Ribeira (Itabaiana/SE), visando assim a conservação para os usos múltiplos deste corpo hídrico. Com relação aos procedimentos metodológicos, esta pesquisa classificou-se ao nível exploratório, tendo como procedimento de abordagem um estudo de caso. Por conseguinte, por se tratar da gestão dos recursos hídricos, propõe-se assim uma abordagem às ciências ambientais, e para isso faz-se necessário utilizar da Educação Ambiental (EA) como pilar, visando dessa forma, promover reflexões e fomentar a participação social na gestão hídrica do Perímetro Irrigado Poções da Ribeira. Assim, parte-se do esclarecimento da comunidade discente acerca das condições de degradação e de conservação do corpo hídrico em estudo, para que estes se tornem disseminadores de aspectos legais associados à gestão de recursos hídricos, sobretudo a praticada no local pelo órgão gestor. No tocante aos resultados, foi utilizado como ferramenta para coleta de dados questionários estruturados aplicados de forma assistida com perguntas abertas e fechadas. Por fim, esta pesquisa, traz a produção e implementação de um recurso didático, que segundo escolha da amostra discente participante, foi constituído de um game no formato quiz, o qual contribuirá substancialmente para formação dos futuros profissionais do agronegócio, através da discussão proposta sobre a gestão hídrica. / São Cristóvão, SE

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / In the present study, we applied a fast diagnostic protocol to the analysis of the quality of aquatic habitats (PAR) to assess the headwaters of the Siriri River, a first-order tributary of the Japaratuba River basin, Sergipe. The main source is located at UTM (707680, 8837848) in a 100-hectare fragment of Atlantic Forest, in the coastal plateau domain. The diagnosis proposed to evaluate external and internal human pressures, impacts resulting from the use of land and the exploitation of forest resources by the local Mata do Cipó community. The environmental diagnosis of this community was based on 52 semi-structured questionnaires applied to 24 men and 28 women, used to identify local conflicts, and the use of land and water resources. Land use was characterized by an historical overview together with a description of the geomorphology and aspects of the geology, soil, topography, climate, and vegetation. The rapid assessment protocol of habitat quality (RAP), adapted from Callisto et al (2002) was applied at 13 points along the Siriri stream, where a series of physical-chemical parameters of the water (pH, DO, TDS, ORP, eH, salinity, and total N and P) were analyzed and compared with the water quality parameters recommended by CONAMA (357). The environmental diagnosis of the community indicated a strong historical dependence for more than 80 years, the intensive exploitation of forest resources for bathing, hunting, leisure activities, and religious practices (African beliefs). The principal external pressure was the use of the land for sugarcane plantations and the main internal pressure was the exploitation of water resources by the neighboring town of Capela. The RAP concluded that 25% of the aquatic habitats are altered, with a loss of environmental resistance, while pH, nitrogen, and eH all exceeded CONAMA recommendations. We conclude that (a) this fragment of Atlantic Forest is a conservation priority due to the confirmation interviewees of the local occurrence and extinction of the titi monkey, Callicebus coimbrai Kobayashi & Langguth, 1999), (b) despite a low level of impact (25%) on this headwater environment, some physical-chemical parameters of the water have been affected, and (c) the local ecosystem appears to be resilient, although the habitats that surround the headwaters of the Siriri River require restoration. / Neste estudo aplicou o diagnóstico rápido da qualidade dos habitats terrestres e aquáticos (PAR) para avaliar a nascente do Rio Siriri, um tributário de primeira ordem da Bacia do Rio Japaratuba, Sergipe. A nascente principal está localizada na coordenada UTM (707680, 8837848) que compreende um fragmento de 100 hectares de Mata Atlântica, domínio dos Tabuleiros Costeiros. O diagnóstico propôs também avaliar as pressões antrópicas externas e internas, o estado e os impactos exercidos pelo uso da terra e pela comunidade Mata Cipó. O diagnóstico socioambiental da comunidade do entorno foram aplicados 52 questionários semiestruturados entre homens (24) e mulheres (28) com a finalidade de identificar os conflitos locais, uso do solo e dos recursos hídricos. Na caracterização uso do solo foi feito um breve histórico do uso da terra e uma descrição da geomorfologia e aspectos da litologia, solo, altimetria, relevo, clima e vegetação. O protocolo de avaliação rápida da qualidade de habitat (PAR), adaptado de Callisto et al (2002) foi aplicado em 13 pontos do riacho Siriri, assim com foram feitos análise dos parâmetros físico-químico da água: pH, OD, TDS, ORP, eH, salinidade, N e P totais e confrontadas com os parâmetros de qualidade da água pela portaria do CONAMA (357). O diagnóstico socioambiental da comunidade mostrou forte dependência histórica por mais de 80 anos de uso intenso dos recursos da mata para uso da água, lazer, caça e práticas e cultos religiosos afro. As pressões externa e interna sobre a comunidade e o fragmento de mata foram identificadas como o principal a monocultura de cana de açúcar sobre o uso do solo e a prefeitura de Capela sobre os recurso hídricos. Na avaliação do PAR constatou que 25% dos habitats aquáticos estão alterados com perda da resistência ambiental, enquanto os parâmetros da qualidade da água: pH, Nitrogênio, e eH estão acima dos parâmetros do CONAMA. Concluímos que: a) o fragmento de Mata Atlântica é prioritário para fins conservacionistas uma vez que comunidade confirmou a ocorrência e a extinção local do macaco Guigó, Callicebus coimbrai Kobayashi & Langguth, 1999); b) mesmo com 25% dos habitats de nascentes os parâmetros físico-químico da água estão alterados; c) o fragmento de mata tem capacidade de resiliência ecossistêmica, todavia os habitats de nascentes alterados necessitem de intervenção de restauração.

International LCA literature indicates that little data is available pertaining to potable water production and supply, in particular with respect to the environmental burdens generated within the system. This study aims to investigate and assess the environmental burdens associated with the potable water supply to an industrial area (Rosslyn, north of Pretoria, in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality). The procedure, as well as the assessment of the environmental impacts of a life cycle, is dependent on a comprehensive life cycle inventory (LCI) of the evaluated system. Water use is included in LCIs, which are incorporated into the LCIA procedure, as it reflects a direct extraction from available resources. The water supply system diagram has been developed and data was collected, treated and analysed in the inventory analysis phase. The study closely followed the four phases as stipulated in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 14040 series of standards) for conducting LCAs, including: -- goal and scope definition; -- LCI analysis; -- LCIA; and -- interpretation, conclusions and recommendations. The methodology used in the impact assessment phase was the introduced LCIA framework for South Africa in order to determine the extent of different environmental impacts. The inventory analysis, conforming to the scope of the study, provided an overall inventory of energy and other resource requirements, emissions to water and air, dust fallouts and solid or liquid wastes for the system under study. By using this methodology and by tracing all unit processes involved in the potable water supply system, the main contribution to the environmental burdens imposed on the potable water supply system was found to be the extraction of the required water from nature to supply potable water to Rosslyn. The toxicity potential impacts on water resources, mainly due to the electricity required for the water supply system, are of minor importance. This conclusion is valid for the system investigated, and as a result, the recommendations for environmental improvements should focus on water losses that must be addressed foremost. What is required at this stage is strategic planning regarding the extraction, use and conservation of water resources. Furthermore, to optimise all processes of water extraction, and to make them more efficient, electricity and other energy inputs are also of importance, albeit to a lesser extent. / Dissertation (M (Applied Sciences : Environmental Technology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Chemical Engineering / unrestricted