The incidence of many arboviral diseases is largely associated with social and environmental conditions. Ross River virus (RRV) is the most prevalent arboviral disease in Australia. It has long been recognised that the transmission pattern of RRV is sensitive to socio-ecological factors including climate variation, population movement, mosquito-density and vegetation types. This study aimed to assess the relationships between socio-environmental variability and the transmission of RRV using spatio-temporal analytic methods. Computerised data files of daily RRV disease cases and daily climatic variables in Brisbane, Queensland during 1985-2001 were obtained from the Queensland Department of Health and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, respectively. Available information on other socio-ecological factors was also collected from relevant government agencies as follows: 1) socio-demographic data from the Australia Bureau of Statistics; 2) information on vegetation (littoral wetlands, ephemeral wetlands, open freshwater, riparian vegetation, melaleuca open forests, wet eucalypt, open forests and other bushland) from Brisbane City Council; 3) tidal activities from the Queensland Department of Transport; and 4) mosquito-density from Brisbane City Council. Principal components analysis (PCA) was used as an exploratory technique for discovering spatial and temporal pattern of RRV distribution. The PCA results show that the first principal component accounted for approximately 57% of the information, which contained the four seasonal rates and loaded highest and positively for autumn. K-means cluster analysis indicates that the seasonality of RRV is characterised by three groups with high, medium and low incidence of disease, and it suggests that there are at least three different disease ecologies. The variation in spatio-temporal patterns of RRV indicates a complex ecology that is unlikely to be explained by a single dominant transmission route across these three groupings. Therefore, there is need to explore socio-economic and environmental determinants of RRV disease at the statistical local area (SLA) level. Spatial distribution analysis and multiple negative binomial regression models were employed to identify the socio-economic and environmental determinants of RRV disease at both the city and local (ie, SLA) levels. The results show that RRV activity was primarily concentrated in the northeast, northwest and southeast areas in Brisbane. The negative binomial regression models reveal that RRV incidence for the whole of the Brisbane area was significantly associated with Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) at a lag of 3 months (Relative Risk (RR): 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06 - 1.17), the proportion of people with lower levels of education (RR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01 - 1.03), the proportion of labour workers (RR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.95 - 1.00) and vegetation density (RR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.00 - 1.04). However, RRV incidence for high risk areas (ie, SLAs with higher incidence of RRV) was significantly associated with mosquito density (RR: 1.01; 95% CI: 1.00 - 1.01), SOI at a lag of 3 months (RR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.23 - 1.78), human population density (RR: 3.77; 95% CI: 1.35 - 10.51), the proportion of indigenous population (RR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.37 - 0.87) and the proportion of overseas visitors (RR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.35 - 0.92). It is acknowledged that some of these risk factors, while statistically significant, are small in magnitude. However, given the high incidence of RRV, they may still be important in practice. The results of this study suggest that the spatial pattern of RRV disease in Brisbane is determined by a combination of ecological, socio-economic and environmental factors. The possibility of developing an epidemic forecasting system for RRV disease was explored using the multivariate Seasonal Auto-regressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) technique. The results of this study suggest that climatic variability, particularly precipitation, may have played a significant role in the transmission of RRV disease in Brisbane. This finding cannot entirely be explained by confounding factors such as other socio-ecological conditions because they have been unlikely to change dramatically on a monthly time scale in this city over the past two decades. SARIMA models show that monthly precipitation at a lag 2 months (=0.004,p=0.031) was statistically significantly associated with RRV disease. It suggests that there may be 50 more cases a year for an increase of 100 mm precipitation on average in Brisbane. The predictive values in the model were generally consistent with actual values (root-mean-square error (RMSE): 1.96). Therefore, this model may have applications as a decision support tool in disease control and risk-management planning programs in Brisbane. The Polynomial distributed lag (PDL) time series regression models were performed to examine the associations between rainfall, mosquito density and the occurrence of RRV after adjusting for season and auto-correlation. The PDL model was used because rainfall and mosquito density can affect not merely RRV occurring in the same month, but in several subsequent months. The rationale for the use of the PDL technique is that it increases the precision of the estimates. We developed an epidemic forecasting model to predict incidence of RRV disease. The results show that 95% and 85% of the variation in the RRV disease was accounted for by the mosquito density and rainfall, respectively. The predictive values in the model were generally consistent with actual values (RMSE: 1.25). The model diagnosis reveals that the residuals were randomly distributed with no significant auto-correlation. The results of this study suggest that PDL models may be better than SARIMA models (R-square increased and RMSE decreased). The findings of this study may facilitate the development of early warning systems for the control and prevention of this widespread disease. Further analyses were conducted using classification trees to identify major mosquito species of Ross River virus (RRV) transmission and explore the threshold of mosquito density for RRV disease in Brisbane, Australia. The results show that Ochlerotatus vigilax (RR: 1.028; 95% CI: 1.001 - 1.057) and Culex annulirostris (RR: 1.013, 95% CI: 1.003 - 1.023) were significantly associated with RRV disease cycles at a lag of 1 month. The presence of RRV was associated with average monthly mosquito density of 72 Ochlerotatus vigilax and 52 Culex annulirostris per light trap. These results may also have applications as a decision support tool in disease control and risk management planning programs. As RRV has significant impact on population health, industry, and tourism, it is important to develop an epidemic forecast system for this disease. The results of this study show the disease surveillance data can be integrated with social, biological and environmental databases. These data can provide additional input into the development of epidemic forecasting models. These attempts may have significant implications in environmental health decision-making and practices, and may help health authorities determine public health priorities more wisely and use resources more effectively and efficiently.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The distribution of arboreal and shrub species is related to different environmental conditions. The general goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of environmental factors in structure of communities and dynamics of the natural regeneration in Deciduous Seasonal Forest stretch, located in Quarta Colônia State Park, Agudo, RS, Brazil. The specific goals were to differentiate the structure and floristic of clusters (floristic groups) of the arboreal component, determining which environmental variables influenced the forest structure, identifying what changes have occurred in a year of natural regeneration monitoring and identifing which variables limited or facilitated the establishment of arboreal and shrub populations. Three levels of inclusion were used for sampling forest communities: arboreal component (diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm), sampled in 33 plots of 20 m x 20 m (1.32 ha); natural regeneration Class I (1 cm ≤ DBH < 5 cm), sampled in sub-plots of 4 m x 10 m (0.132 ha); and natural regeneration Class II (DBH < 1 cm and height ≥ 20 cm), sampled in sub-plots of 4 m x 2.5 m (0.033 ha). Cluster II showed the highest average diameter (40.0 cm) and the basal area (1.353 m2 plot-1= 33.825 m2 ha-1). The highest richness (70 species) occurred in Cluster I. The two clusters showed negative exponential diameter distribution, common to the forests with self-regeneration capacity. The species with more developed structure in natural regeneration was Trichilia elegans, Cupania vernalis and Actinostemon concolor, and Trichilia clausseni, Nectandra megapotamica and Allophylus edulis in arboreal component. The species of arboreal component showed association with relief, chemical and textural properties of soil and canopy characteristics, of which only the texture was not related to the regenerating species. The species with the highest value of Natural Regeneration Relative (RNR) kept their posts at the end of the measurements. Different values of Ingrowth Rate (IR), Mortality (MR) and Regeneration (RR); and height growth were detected. For example, the species Myrsine umbellata (TI = 58.3%; TM = 100%) and Annona rugulosa (TM = 37.5%; TM = -37.5%) have excelled in relation to the number of individuals fluctuations, while Baccharis sp. (73.3 cm) and Cabralea canjerana (2.5 cm) showed antagonistic values of height growth. Such changes have been influenced by ecological aspects, light dependence and dispersal strategy, and variables such as thickness (height) of accumulated litter and exposure of relief. The analysis of environmental correlations of the most abundant species indicated, for example, that Actinostemon concolor and Sorocea bonplandii were tolerant to shallow soils, with higher levels of stoniness, recurrent situation in forests of edge of the Southern Plateau, while Cupania vernalis and Nectandra megapotamica were correlated negative with these variables. The different relationships observed show that the use of shrub and tree species in ecological restoration should be based on the analysis of potentially favorable or limiting environmental variables. / A distribuição de espécies arbustivas e arbóreas está relacionada às diferentes condições ambientais. Nesse contexto, o objetivo geral deste estudo foi verificar a influência de fatores ambientais na estrutura de comunidades e na dinâmica da regeneração natural de espécies arbustivas e arbóreas, em um trecho de Floresta Estacional Decidual, localizado no Parque Estadual Quarta Colônia, Agudo - RS. Os objetivos específicos foram: diferenciar a estrutura e a florística de agrupamentos (grupos florísticos) do componente arbóreo; verificar quais variáveis ambientais influenciaram a estrutura da floresta; identificar quais alterações ocorreram em um ano de monitoramento da regeneração natural; identificar quais variáveis atuaram como limitantes ou facilitadoras do estabelecimento de populações arbóreas e arbustivas. As comunidades florestais foram amostradas em três níveis de inclusão: componente arbóreo (diâmetro à altura do peito (DAP) ≥ 5 cm), em 33 parcelas de 20 m x 20 m (1,32 ha); regeneração natural Classe I (1 cm ≤ DAP < 5 cm), em sub-parcelas de 4 m x 10 m (0,132 ha); e regeneração natural Classe II (DAP < 1 cm e altura ≥ 20 cm), em sub-parcelas de 4 m x 2,5 m (0,033 ha). Constatou-se que o Agrupamento II apresentou maiores valores de diâmetro (40,0 cm) e de área basal (33,825 m2/ha), enquanto o Agrupamento I teve maior riqueza (70 espécies). Os dois agrupamentos apresentaram distribuição diamétrica exponencial negativa, indicando que a floresta tem capacidade de autorregeneração. As espécies com estrutura mais desenvolvida na regeneração natural foram Trichilia elegans, Cupania vernalis e Actinostemon concolor e no componente arbóreo foram Trichilia clausseni, Nectandra megapotamica e Allophylus edulis. As espécies do componente arbóreo apresentaram distribuição relacionada ao relevo, propriedades químicas e textura do solo e características do dossel, das quais apenas a textura não teve relação com as espécies regenerantes. As espécies com maior valor de regeneração natural relativa (RNR) mantiveram seus postos ao final das medições. Detectaram-se diferentes valores para as taxas de ingresso (TI), mortalidade (TM) e regeneração (TR), além de incrementos em altura. Por exemplo, as espécies Myrsine umbellata (TI = 58,3%; TM = 100%) e Annona rugulosa (TM= 37,5%; TM = -37,5%) se destacaram em relação às flutuações do número de indivíduos, enquanto Baccharis sp. (73,3 cm) e Cabralea canjerana (2,5 cm) apresentaram valores antagônicos de crescimento em altura. Tais alterações foram influenciadas por aspectos autoecológicos, dependência de luz e estratégia de dispersão, e algumas variáveis como espessura (altura) da serapilheira acumulada e exposição do relevo. A análise de correlações ambientais das espécies mais abundantes indicou que Actinostemon concolor e Sorocea bonplandii foram tolerantes a solos rasos, com maior grau de pedregosidade, situação recorrente nas florestas do rebordo do Planalto Meridional, enquanto Cupania vernalis e Nectandra megapotamica apresentaram correlação negativa com essas variáveis. As diferentes correlações observadas evidenciam que o uso de espécies arbustivas e arbóreas na restauração florestal deve ser baseado na análise de variáveis ambientais, potencialmente favoráveis ou limitantes.

This research is concerned with an investigation into the factors relating to the reading habits of Indian secondary school pupils in the Phoenix area. It is important to acknowledge that among our youth there are both avid and reluctant readers during and after the period of formal education. It is the group of reluctant readers that has to be lured by the magic of reading. There is a remarkable variation in the reading habits of pupils from the same school. A self-designed questionnaire was administered to 544 boys and girls from standards 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. The descriptive data available were then analysed and interpreted. The study revealed that the amount of time spent on reading and the number of books read (which together determined reading habits) by pupils was influenced by such factors as home, school, social environment, socioeconomic status, the influence of other media and the personal aspect / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

The main objective of this thesis was to assess the influence of methods and intensity of use on phytosociological evolution and biodiversity of grasslands. This work includes grasslands in terms of their distribution, different ways of management and use. An important goal of this work was to evaluate the incidence of plant species in grassland lying in selected localities of the Czech Budejovice, Slavošovice and Radostice. The next section was set calculation and maintenance of the water and nutrient regime on the site fallow and statistical processing of data at the sites.Based on the findings were prepared tables and graphs that confirm and in some cases disconfirm occurrence of plant species with different modes of grassland management (mowing, grazing, fallow).

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an emerging viral zoonosis that causes frequent outbreaks in east Africa and on the Arabian Peninsula. The likelihood of RVF global expansion due to climate change and human anthropogenic factors is an important issue. The causative agent, RVF virus, is an arbovirus that is transmitted by several mosquito species and is able to infect a wide range of livestock as well as people. The infection leads to mass abortions and death in livestock and a potentially deadly hemorrhagic fever in humans. RVF has severe socio-economic consequences such as animal trade bans between countries, disruption of food security, and economic disaster for farmers and pastoralists as well as for countries. Human behavior such as direct contact with infected animals or their fluids and exposure to mosquito bites increases the risk for contracting the disease. To better understand the challenges associated with RVF outbreaks and to explore prevention and control strategies, we used the One Health approach. The local community had to be involved to understand the interaction between the environment, animals, and humans. We focused on Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and Kenya. First, we systematically reviewed the literature and then we performed cross sectional community-based studies using a special One Health questionnaire. Climatic and remote sensing data were used in combination with statistics to develop a sub-region predictive model for RVF. For both Saudi Arabia and Sudan, the ecology and environment of the affected areas were similar. These areas included irrigation canals and excessive rains that provide an attractive habitat for mosquito vectors to multiply. The surveillance systems were unable to detect the virus in livestock before it spread to humans. Ideally, livestock should serve as sentinels to prevent loss of human lives, but the situation here was reversed. Differences between countries regarding further spread of RVF was mainly determined by better economic and infrastructure resources. In Sudan, there was a lack of knowledge and appropriate practices at the studied community regarding RVF disease symptoms and risk factors for both animals and humans. The community was hesitant in notifying the authorities about RVF suspicion in livestock due to the lack of a compensation system. The perceived role of the community in controlling RVF was fragmented, increasing the probability of RVF transmission and disease. In Kenya, our study found that better knowledge about RVF does not always translate to more appropriate practices that avoid exposure to the disease. However, the combination of good knowledge, attitudes, and practices may explain why certain communities were less affected. Strategies to combat RVF should consider socio-cultural and behavioral differences among communities. We also noticed that RVF outbreaks in Kenya occurred in regions with high livestock density exposed to heavy rains and wet soil fluxes, which could be measured by evapotranspiration and vegetation seasonality variables. We developed a RVF risk map on a sub-regional scale. Future outbreaks could be better managed if such relevant RVF variables are integrated into early warning systems. To confront RVF outbreaks, a policy is needed that better incorporates ecological factors and human interactions with livestock and environment that help the RVF pathogen spread. Early detection and notification of RVF is essential because a delay will threaten the core of International Health Regulations (IHR), which emphasizes the share of information during a transboundary disease outbreak to avoid unnecessary geographical expansion.

Transitioning to adulthood is a challenging experience for all young adults, but especially for those who are living with HIV/AIDS and residing in low income, urban areas. Young adults, particularly those who live in low income, urban areas, have the highest rate of new HIV cases among all age groups in the United States. The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences of a purposive sample of young adults living with HIV/AIDS who resided in a selected low income, urban area in order to better understand how ecological and health factors presented opportunities and challenges for resilience and coping. This is an important topic because this age group has the highest rate of new HIV cases. Decreasing HIV health disparities is a top priority of the U.S. Office of AIDS Research, the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, and Healthy People 2020. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted on a purposive sample of 16 young adults 18-29 years of age living with HIV/AIDS from a selected low income, urban area in the southeast region of the United States. Data from the interviews were analyzed for significant statements, meanings, and themes. Major challenges and barriers indicated by the participants included issues related to mental health, stigma and disclosure, relationships, marriage and children, inadequate health/sex education in the schools, lack of HIV/AIDS knowledge in their communities, and medication adherence. Major strengths and supports included internal resilience and positive attitudes, small support networks of family and friends, HIV support groups, and an array of available medical and support services. Participants’ suggestions for improving the lives of young adults living with HIV/AIDS included integrating HIV/AIDS services with other services, enhancing mental health services, particularly at the time of diagnosis, providing assistance when disclosing their HIV status to others, enhancing health/sex education in the schools, increasing community education about HIV/AIDS, using motivational speakers to educate other young adults, creating community resource centers for those living with HIV/AIDS, and conducting more research studies on the topic. This information may be valuable for educational leaders, healthcare leaders, policymakers, and other professionals who design and conduct programs, services and policies to help this group transition to adulthood, care for themselves, and prevent transmission of the virus to others.

[ES] ¿Cuántas veces hemos realizado o participado en una repoblación forestal y pasados los años no hemos encontrado rastro de los árboles plantados? Y en muchas ocasiones nos habremos preguntado por qué e incluso sentido frustración de creer que no lo hemos cuidado adecuadamente. La respuesta no es sencilla como veremos en este trabajo. En las últimas décadas, las repoblaciones forestales o reforestaciones, enmarcadas dentro de planes de restauración, han experimentado altas tasas de mortalidad, sobre todo en nuestro ámbito mediterráneo donde predominan las tierras secas. Esta tasa alta de mortalidad en numerosas ocasiones se relaciona con las condiciones meteorológicas, pero existen multitud de aspectos que pueden influir en alcanzar o no el objetivo final de la repoblación. Para poder conocer cuáles son los aspectos que influyen en mayor o menor medida en la supervivencia y crecimiento adecuado de las plántulas puedas en campo, se plantea la puesta en marcha de un protocolo de control holístico o integral de repoblaciones y el estudio y seguimiento de la puesta en práctica en una repoblación real durante 10 años. El control de calidad en sí mismo se ha contemplado sobre las distintas fases de la repoblación: desde la revisión de las decisiones tomadas en proyecto, pasando por la ejecución en obra, la evaluación de los lotes de planta empleados, la caracterización de sitio o estación, hasta la realización del seguimiento climatológico, ambiental y de la propia repoblación (en términos de supervivencia y crecimiento). En base a distintos planteamientos experimentales y de toma de muestras dentro de una repoblación real, en condiciones cambiantes y con sequias extremas, se ha podido estudiar pormenorizadamente la calidad de planta o stock y la idoneidad de las especies utilizadas (Pinus sp., Quercus sp., Arbutus Unedo, Juniperus phoenicea y Fraxinus ornus) para posteriormente evaluar la repoblación tras 10 años en conjunto y por tanto, los demás aspectos y sus interacciones que influyen en el establecimiento, como: la calidad de ejecución, la calidad de sitio o estación, la idoneidad del tubo protector, etc. A grandes rasgos, los resultados tanto en las parcela experimental como en la repoblación, siendo en ellas las condiciones meteorológicas las mismas, no ha sido muy satisfactoria tras los 10 años. Al margen de conocer que las sequias extremas acontecidas han tenido gran influencia e interaccionan demás factores (acrecentando los efectos negativos), se ha podido evaluar que existen especies de dudosa idoneidad para determinados sitios; que la correcta ejecución juega un papel importante; que se requiere de una mejor zonificación; y que cuidados culturales post plantación como el tubo protector, pueden influir notablemente en la consecución de la repoblación. Así, además de identificar cuáles son los aspectos más influyentes en esta repoblación en particular, se han adquirido cuestiones prácticas tanto a la hora de aplicar el control de calidad como a la hora de como plantearnos, desde la redacción del proyecto, las nuevas repoblaciones, teniendo muy en cuenta el nuevo contexto de cambio climático. / [CAT] Quantes vegades hem realitzat o participat en una repoblació forestal i passats els anys no hem trobat cap rastre dels arbres plantats? I moltes vegades ens haurem preguntat per què i fins i tot, sentit frustració de creure que els hem cuidat adequadament. La resposta no és senzilla com veurem en aquest treball. En les darreres dècades, les repoblacions forestals o reforestacions, emmarcades dins de plans de restauració, han experimentat altes taxes de mortalitat, sobretot al nostre àmbit mediterrani on predominen les zones àrides. Aquesta taxa alta de mortalitat normalment es relaciona amb les condicions meteorològiques, però hi ha multitud d'aspectes que poden influir en assolir o no l'objectiu final de la repoblació. Per poder conèixer quins són els aspectes que influeixen en major o menor mesura en la supervivència i el creixement adequat de les plàntules posades camp, es fica en marxa un protocol de control holístic o integral de repoblacions, i l'estudi i el seguiment de la posada en pràctica en una repoblació real durant 10 anys. El control de qualitat en si mateix s'ha contemplat sobre les diferents fases de la repoblació: des de la revisió de les decisions preses en projecte, passant per l'execució en l'obra, l'avaluació dels lots de planta emprats, la caracterització de lloc o estació, fins a la realització del seguiment climatològic, ambiental i de la pròpia repoblació (en termes de supervivència i creixement). En base a diferents plantejaments experimentals i de presa de mostres dins una repoblació real, en condicions canviants i amb sequeres extremes, s'ha pogut estudiar detalladament la qualitat de planta i la idoneïtat de les espècies utilitzades (Pinus sp., Quercus sp., Arbutus Unedo, Juniperus phoenicea i Fraxinus ornus) per posteriorment avaluar la repoblació després de 10 anys en conjunt i per tant, els altres aspectes i les seves interaccions que influeixen en l'establiment, com ara: la qualitat d'execució, la qualitat de lloc o estació, la idoneïtat del tub protector, etc. A grans trets, els resultats tant a les parcel·les experimentals com a la repoblació, sent en elles les condicions meteorològiques les mateixes, no ha estat gaire satisfactòria després dels 10 anys. Al marge de saber que les sequeres extremes esdevingudes han tingut gran influència i interaccionen altres factors (augmentant els efectes negatius), s'ha pogut avaluar que hi ha espècies de dubtosa idoneïtat per a determinats llocs; que la correcta execució juga un paper important; que es requereix una millor zonificació; i que els tractaments culturals postplantació com el tub protector, poden influir notablement en la consecució de la repoblació. Així, a mes a més de conèixer quins són els aspectes més influents en aquesta repoblació en particular, s'han adquirit qüestions pràctiques tant a l'hora d'aplicar el control de qualitat com a l'hora de plantejar-nos, des de la redacció del projecte, les noves repoblacions, tenint molt en compte el nou context de canvi climàtic. / [EN] How many times have we carried out or participated in a reforestation and over the years we have not found a trace of the planted trees? On many occasions, we will have wondered why and even felt frustrated to believe that we have not taken care of it properly. The answer is not simple as we will see in this work. In recent decades reforestations, framed within restoration plans, have experienced high mortality rates, especially in our Mediterranean area where drylands predominate. This high mortality rate is often related to weather conditions, but there are many aspects that can influence the final objective of the reforestation. In order to know which are the aspects that influence the survival and adequate growth of seedlings in the field, the implementation of a holistic control protocol for reforestation is proposed, as well as the study and monitoring of the put into practice in a real reforestation for 10 years. The quality control itself has been contemplated on the different phases of the reforestation: from the review of the decisions taken in the project, through the execution on site, the evaluation of the stock quality of plant used, the site characterization, until climatological, environmental and reforestation monitoring (in terms of survival and growth). Based on different experimental approaches and sampling within a real reforestation, with changing conditions and extreme droughts, it has been possible to study in detail the quality of the plant and the suitability of the species used (Pinus sp., Quercus sp., Arbutus Unedo, Juniperus phoenicea and Fraxinus ornus). Then has been evaluated the repopulation after 10 years as a whole, knowing the other aspects and their interactions that influence the establishment, such as: the quality of execution, the site quality, the suitability of shelter tube, etc. Broadly speaking, the results in the experimental plot and in the reforestation, being the same the weather conditions, have not been very satisfactory after 10 years. Apart from knowing that the extreme droughts that have occurred have had a great influence and their interactions with other factors (increasing the negative effects), it has been possible to evaluate that there are species of doubtful suitability for certain site conditions; that correct execution plays an important role; that better zoning is required; and post-planting cultural treatment, such as the protective tube, can significantly influence the establishment of reforestation. Thus, apart from identify which are the most influential aspects in this particular reforestation, practical questions have been acquired when applying quality control from the project drafting of the new reforestations taking into account the new context, the climate change. / Segura Orenga, G. (2023). Estudio del establecimiento de repoblaciones forestales en el ámbito mediterráneo mediante un análisis holístico de factores técnicos y ecológicos [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/192666

Nous avons étudié deux chênaies à la limite de l’aire de répartition de l’espèce que Québec afin de reconstruire son historique de régénération et évaluer quels facteurs gouvernent la régénération juvénile. Dans cette optique, nous avons mené une étude dendrochronologique exhaustive des chênaies et une étude sur le terrain et en serre portant sur la germination, la survie et la croissance de quatre provenances de chêne rouge (gradient nord-sud), avec ou sans herbivorie, et selon plusieurs niveaux de nutriments du sol suivant une fertilisation. Les chênaies présentent des structures d’âge similaire qui coïncident avec les dernières perturbations de feu majeures dans la région autour des années 1920. Toutefois, les chênaies diffèrent quant à la densité et la composition en espèces d’arbres, ce qui suggère des différences de régime de feu ou de statut de succession écologique antérieure au feu. Le site a eu la plus grande influence sur la régénération du chêne rouge. Les semis du site présentant la densité d’arbres, l’indice de surface foliaire (LAI) et la disponibilité en eau les plus élevés ont montré un taux de survie supérieur de 29 %. La protection contre la grande herbivorie a également affecté la performance des semis, résultant en au taux de survie supérieur de 16 % et une plus grande taille des feuilles pour trois des quatre provenances étudiées. La provenance a aussi significativement influencé la performance des semis. La provenance locale (la plus nordique) a montré la plus faible performance, avec des taux de germination, de survie et de croissance inférieures de 28 à 42 % dans les deux expériences, alors que les provenances du sud ont montré une meilleure germination et survie en serre et une meilleure survie sur le terrain. L’augmentation de la fertilité du sol s’est avérée bénéfique dans l’expérience en serre mais n’a provoqué qu’un effet marginal sur la croissance et la survie sur le terrain, suggérant que ce facteur importe moins que les autres (ex. la disponibilité en eau et en lumière) pour les stades initiaux de régénération du chêne rouge. Nos résultats suggèrent que les efforts en sylviculture visant à favoriser le chêne rouge devraient se concentrer sur la sélection rigoureuse de sites et de provenances, et que la disponibilité de l’eau peut être une condition limitante pour le succès de la régénération du chêne rouge aux stades de gland et de semis juvénile (semis de l’année) à la limite nordique de son aire de répartition. / We studied two red oak stands at the northern distribution limit of the species in Quebec as a means to reconstruct regeneration history and assess which factors govern early regeneration. To do so, we conducted a thorough dendrochronological study of the stands as well as germination and seedling growth experiments, both in the field and in the greenhouse, of four red oak provenances (south-north gradient), with and without large herbivory, and along various soil nutrient levels following fertilization. Stands have similar age structures with red oak establishment coinciding with the last major fire disturbance in the area in the early 1920s. However, stands differ in regard to tree species composition and density, suggesting differences in fire disturbance regime or ecological succession status prior to fire. Site had the largest influence on red oak regeneration. Seedlings at the site with the highest tree density, LAI and soil water availability exhibited a 29 % higher survival rate. Protection against large herbivory also significantly impacted red oak seedling performance, leading to a 16 % higher survival rate as well as greater leaf size for three of the four provenances studied. Germination, survival and growth also significantly differed between provenances. The local (northernmost) provenance exhibited the poorest overall performance with 28 to 42 % lower germination, survival and growth rates in the two experiments, while the two southernmost provenances exhibited superior germination and sprout survival in the greenhouse and higher survival in the field. An increase in soil nutrient availability was beneficial to red oak in the greenhouse, but only marginally benefited survival and growth in the field, suggesting that this factor is of less importance than other factors (e.g. water and light availability) for red oak early regeneration. Our findings suggest that silvicultural efforts to favor red oak should focus on site and provenance selection, and that water availability is currently limiting red oak regeneration success at acorn and early seedling life stages (i.e. yearlings) near its northern distribution limit.