This thesis proposes that sensory experience should play an important role in setting up a direct relationship between people and the natural environment, and it is based on the premise that contemporary urban public space ecological designs. Are often deficient in this regard. In order to develop a design methodology that addresses both ecological function and sensory experience, the author examine both contemporary western ecological design and classical Chinese garden design. The former focuses on the ecological functions of the environment, while the latter typically emphasizes the sensory qualities of the landscape. Drawing from the strengths of both approaches, an experience-oriented ecological design framework is proposed with the goal of improving human experience in urban public spaces. The framework emphasizes both sensory experience and ecological functions in two phases of the design process — site analysis and site design. The framework is applied to a design for Bridge Park in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. The design is evaluated to assess efficacy of the framework for the design urban public spaces that address both sensory experience and ecological processes. The evaluation suggests that the framework could be an effective tool for designers, and also draws conclusions regarding the potential role of sensory experience as a tool for creative discovery in the design process. Finally the paper raises questions regarding the desirability of employing sensory experience as a didactic tool to enhance environmental awareness. / Master of Landscape Architecture

Ecological interventions hold promise for meeting the needs of post-disaster communities, yet little systematic quantitative evidence is available about such programs. This study evaluated the short-term outcomes of participants in the Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience (STAR) program, a novel and exemplar ecological intervention for helpers working in post-disaster settings. It is a one week training and support program for helpers working in disaster-affected communities. Changes in the psychological distress of 42 STAR participants, across four STAR sessions, were assessed and identified as primary outcome variables. Knowledge, attitude, and intended practice changes were also assessed, along with perceived support, using a pre (T1)/post (T2) design. These indicators were then tested as possible predictors of participants' changes in distress. An integrity check was conducted on a sample of the seminar modules to assess fidelity to the program manual. Qualitative data were also gathered from follow up visits conducted with two participants. These data were used to help interpret quantitative findings, as well as to plan for future studies of how STAR effects might extend out from helpers into their home communities. Results showed that participants exhibited significant changes in knowledge, attitudes, and intended practices from the beginning of the seminar to the end. Results also showed significant decreases in psychological distress over the STAR week. Regression analyses showed that changes in knowledge, attitudes, and practice, as well as perceived social support during the seminar, explained significant amounts of variance in self reported trauma symptoms at T2. Variance in T2 burnout and compassion fatigue explained by these predictors was notable but not statistically significant due to lack of power. Results suggest that STAR can change knowledge and attitudes of helpers from disaster communities and that participants in this program experience decreases in distress during their stay. The lack of a valid comparison group makes causal interpretations of these findings premature. Findings also suggest that changes in distress are not caused by, or even significantly related to, learning that takes place during the STAR week. The mechanism for distress reduction during the STAR week is an unresolved question. Other significant unresolved questions remain regarding the STAR intervention and ways the present findings can be generalized to ecological interventions more broadly. For example, while the current study suggests important changes occur in helpers during the STAR week, it is of central importance to explore how these changes translate into the disaster-affected home communities. Discussion also focuses on the difficulties involved in conducting systematic research with organizations and helpers whose primary goals are practical or clinical, not scientific. Despite the questions that remain, taken together, results point to the promise of STAR to address the mental health needs of helpers and perhaps eventually disaster communities. / Ph. D.

Thesis (MSc (Botany and Zoology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / The Dwarf Crag Lizard, Pseudocordylus nebulosus, is one of several relict ectotherm species associated with the mistbelt of the Cape folded mountain belt. Prior to this study, it was only known from a single locality in the Hottentots Holland Mountains. In this study, the distribution range and microhabitat preferences of P. nebulosus were determined and resource partitioning among the three melanistic cordylids (C. oelofseni, P. capensis and P. nebulosus), co-occurring in this area, investigated. Using the locality where P. nebulosus was first discovered as centerpoint, surveys were conducted in all directions and the occurrence of all three melanistic species recorded. The previous known range of P. nebulosus, of only 0.04 km2, was extended to 11 km2. Of the three melanistic cordylids, P. nebulosus has by far the smallest range, completely overlapping with the ranges of both the other two melanistic cordylids. Pseudocordylus nebulosus was found to show a distinct affinity for water bodies such as mountain streams and seepage areas. Distinct differences in resource partitioning were found among the three species regarding crevice selection, which will prevent any significant competition during periods of environmental stress. Cordylus oelofseni preferred small crevices at ground level, P. capensis preferred large rock structures high above ground level and P. nebulosus utilized intermediate sized rock structures. Because of its relatively small range and melanistic colour, P. nebulosus could be a key indicator species of environmental change. Although the lack of objective fire management and global warming may be immediate threats to the survival of this species, possible illegal collection due to the easy access via the popular hiking trail in the area, is probably less significant a threat than was previously thought. Although its known range has been extended considerably, it is recommended that the Vulnerable status of P. nebulosus be maintained. This study provides baseline data that could be useful in future monitoring programmes to predict declines and fluctuations. In the second part of this study, the aim is to provide information about sexual dimorphism in P. nebulosus and to discuss the observed variation in sexual size dimorphism among montane cordylids. Data were recorded for all P. nebulosus individuals encountered in the Landdroskop area (Hottentots Holland Mountains), irrespective of size and sex. The total sample of 87 lizards recorded, consisted of 26 adult males, 49 adult females and 12 indeterminates. Size at sexual maturity was determined at 60 mm snout-vent length (SVL) for both sexes. The highly female-biased adult sex ratio recorded for P. nebulosus, is considered to be due to sampling error, gravid females probably basking more than males, making them easier to locate during searches. Generation glands were found to be present in males only and the number present was significantly correlated to body size. Both adult males and adult females possessed active femoral glands, but males had significantly more than females. Females were found to reach larger body sizes than males, but adult males had relatively larger heads than females. No significant difference in scar frequency was found between the male and female samples. Variation in sexual size dimorphism among montane cordylids is discussed and the need for more comprehensive data pointed out. The female-biased sexual size dimorphism in P. nebulosus and its sister species, P. capensis, is tentatively ascribed to fecundity selection for offspring to be large at birth in order to survive in a predictable unfavourable environment at high altitudes. Sexual dimorphism in head size is ascribed to sexual selection, males probably being territorial as in many other cordylids.

Thesis (PhD (Conservation Ecology and Entomology))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / Dispersal plays an essential role in determining the distribution of populations of species, especially species expanding their ranges. Two disciplines are concerned with gaining understanding of spread of species, namely restoration ecology and invasion biology. Con- ceptual understanding of dispersal, its mechanisms and its management is essential to both disciplines. Nevertheless, the disciplines have quite opposite objectives: in restoration ecol- ogy, spread of indigenous species into transformed landscapes is promoted, while invasion biology aims to prevent the (further) spread of alien species into pristine or restored habi- tats. Despite these two opposite objectives of facilitating spread and preventing spread of their respective target species, these disciplines have essentially the same requirements in terms of information needed for restoration. In this thesis, I will present two modelling studies—one looking at the impact of two different seed-feeding alien control agents on the spread of Hakea sericea, the other investigating the recolonisation by Dicerothamnus rhinocerotis of an old field dominated by Cynodon dactylon. Based on these studies, I will draw conclusions for the management in each case. In a second step, I will compare these two seemingly-different studies and draw conclusions on how these two disciplines can learn from each other, and how conclusions drawn and management recommendations developed for the one discipline can be translated for the other. The invasion biology study concluded that seed-feeding biocontrol agents do have a considerable impact on the velocity of the spread of the target species. In addition, management recommendations included the possibility of substituting seed-feeding biocontrol agents with an increased fire frequency where the negative impact on natural vegetation, on the site invaded by the target species, is acceptable. The restoration study concluded that the main impact on the velocity of spread, and the speed of the return of the shrub species onto the old fields, is the availability of micro-sites. A sensitivity analysis showed the even a slight change from 1% to 2% increases the velocity and pattern of spread dramatically. The other parameters playing an important role are the mean rate of establishment and the time span between

Background: Within one year after the end of treatment the relapse occur in 20-80% of clients. In case of methamphetamine results indicate that after six months appear relapse in 36% of clients and from 7 to 19 months after cessation of treatment relapse occur in rest of 15% of them. These situations include the occurrence of craving by clients in therapy and after undergoing of therapy too. Craving during abstinence from 20 to 120 weeks indicate 60- 70% of abstinence clients. In recent years become useful method for data collection - a method of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA). This method collects data from clients in real time in their natural environment via smartphones. Aim: The aim of this work is to investigate the possibilities and limits of application of the method (EMA) with the help of smartphones in terms of residential treatment for clients addicted to methamphetamine. Sample: 12 patients in mid-term hospital treatment which use smartphone with EMA application focused on craving. Methods: Semi-structured interview with patients, other patients and staff about smartphones/EMA application and how influence the treatment. Results: Most of patients, co-patients and staff didn't have problem with the presence of smartphones in the residential treatment. Functioning in the treatment...

Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research (LTSER) is an inter- and transdisciplinary research field addressing socio-ecological change over time at various spatial and temporal scales. In the Austrian Eisenwurzen region, an LTSER platform was founded in 2004. It has fostered and documented research projects aiming at advancing LTSER scientifically and at providing regional stakeholders with relevant information for sustainable regional development. Since its establishment, a broad range of research activities has been pursued in the region, integrating information from long-term ecological monitoring sites with approaches from social sciences and the humanities, and in cooperation with regional stakeholders. Based on the experiences gained in the Eisenwurzen LTSER platform, this article presents current activities in the heterogeneous field of LTSER, identifying specific (inter-)disciplinary contributions of three research strands of LTSER: long-term ecological research, socio-ecological basic research, and transdisciplinary research. Given the broad array of diverse contributions to LTSER, we argue that the platform has become a relevant "boundary organization", linking research to its regional non-academic context, and ensuring interdisciplinary exchange among the variety of disciplines. We consider the diversity of LTSER approaches an important resource for future research. Major success criteria of LTSER face specific challenges: (1) existing loose, yet stable networks need to be maintained and extended; (2) continuous generation of and access to relevant data needs to be secured and more data need to be included; and (3) consecutive research projects that have allowed for capacity building in the past may be threatened in the future if national Austrian research funders cease to provide resources.

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2016-12-19T14:42:30Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Luiz Antonio Rodrigues dos Santos.pdf: 534378 bytes, checksum: 584b7accf9af413f4bb28691e13adc2a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-19T14:42:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Luiz Antonio Rodrigues dos Santos.pdf: 534378 bytes, checksum: 584b7accf9af413f4bb28691e13adc2a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-07-16 / Soils of tropical dry forests in Brazil are poorly studied and even less research is conducted in these forests under different stages of ecological succession natural. Given this situation, this study aimed to characterize chemical, enzymatic, microbiological and determination of organic acids of low molecular weight of dry tropical forest soils. Soil samples were collected in the dry season and the three successional stage - Initial (E), Intermediate (I) and Late (L) - were predetermined by experts, with five areas in each stage and two depths (00-05 -10 cm to 05 cm). The study sites are located in the FazendaTamanduá, inPatos, Paraíba State – Brazil. The climate of the region is the type Bsh (Köeppen classification.) The average annual temperature varies between 20.8 and 32.8 º C and average annual rainfall is 600 mm. Soils are like TypicLitólicos. Results show that human activity directly affects the dynamic soil chemistry and biochemistry. For soil pH, the lowest values were observed in E4 (00-05 cm) with 5.58 and the highest value of 6.70 in the I4 (05-10 cm.) The total organic carbon showed a higher value in the area on I5 depth of 05 -10 cm. organic matter has its greatest value in the area I5 (05-10 cm), with the value of 18.65 g kg-1 . the microbial biomass carbon had its maximum value at the initial stage, with 2.26 mg kg-1. In enzymatic analyzes, it was observed that the influenced successional stages in the same concentration. L4 and L5, at a depth of 00 - 05 cm were the areas that have the highest values for acid phosphatase activity. Already Urease was no significant difference in the depth of 05 - 10cm. Through the analysis of organic acids of low molecular weight, it was possible to identify the presence of two fatty: Acetic acid and maleic acid. maleic No observed only in areas of late stage of ecological succession and at two depths studied. Given this result it was possible to mount cladograms from the multivariate varied, showing diversity in soils. Was therefore concluded that soils under the same successional stage presents different behavior. / O Nordeste brasileiro tem sua área coberta principalmente por Florestas secas tropicais, sendo esse bioma muito ameaçado, onde são encontradas áreas sob diferentes estágios de sucessão ecológica. Diante desse quadro, esse trabalho teve como objetivo a caracterização química, enzimática, microbiológica e determinação de ácidos orgânicos de baixo peso molecular de solos de florestas secas tropicais. Os solos foram coletados no período seco e em três estágios sucessionais – Inicial (E), Intermediário (I) e Tardio (L) – foram pré-determinados por especialistas, com cinco áreas em cada estágio e duas profundidades (00 – 05 cm e 05 -10 cm). Os sítios de estudo estão localizados na Fazenda Tamanduá, no municio de Patos, estado da Paraíba – Brasil.Os solos são do tipo NeossoloLitólicos. Os resultados mostram que a ação antrópica interfere diretamente na dinâmica química e bioquímica do solo. Para pH do solo, os menores valores foram observado em solos E4 (00 – 05 cm) com 5,58 e o maior valor de 6,70 na área I4 (05 – 10 cm). O carbono orgânico total apresentou maior valor em solos da área I5 na profundidade de 05 -10 cm. A matéria orgânica teve o seu maior valor na área I5 (05 – 10 cm), com o valor de 18,65 g Kg-1. O carbono da biomassa microbiana teve o seu valor máximo no estágio inicial, com 2,26 mg Kg-1. Nas análises enzimáticas, observou-se que os estágios sucessionais influenciaram na concentração das mesmas. L4 e L5, na profundidade de 00 – 05 cm foram as solos que apresentam os maiores valores para a atividade da fosfatase ácida. Já a atividade da ureaseno solo não apresentou diferenças significativas na profundidade de 05 – 10cm. Com a análise dos ácidos orgânicos de baixo peso molecular, foi possível identificar a presença de dois ácidos: acético e maleico. Sem o maleico observado apenas nas áreas de estágio tardio de sucessão ecológica e nas duas profundidades estudadas. Diante desse resultados foi possível a montagem de dendogramasa partir da análise multivariada, mostrando uma diversidade nos solos estudados. Assim, foi possível concluir que solos sob o mesmo estágio sucessional apresenta comportamento diferente, demonstrando o quanto são sensíveis esses indicadores.

At the Rio Conference in 1992, the sustainable development agenda promised a new era for natural resource management, where the wellbeing of human society would be enhanced through a more sustainable use of natural resources. Several decades on, economic growth continues unabated at the expense of natural capital – as evidenced by natural resource depletion, biodiversity loss, climate change and further environmental issues. Why is this happening and what can be done about it? This research examines what socio-economic and governance factors affect sustainability in complex coupled social-ecological systems. Furthermore, it analyses the role of power relations and imbalances between economic and conservation forces with regard to sustainable development. The original contribution to knowledge of this thesis is based on one conceptual and two empirical (Agent-Based) models. These explore, through several case-studies, the potential of different future scenarios in fostering synergies and win-win contexts of ecosystem services and socio-economic indicators. Overall, the research showed the complex and interconnected relationship between the economy and natural systems, and between economic and conservation forces, in coupled social-ecological systems. Addressing complex sustainability issues requires the use of integrative, holistic and interdisciplinary approaches, in addition to considering the particular socio-economic, cultural, political and environmental contexts of the social-ecological system being analysed. The models demonstrated that the current economic system requires an ever-increasing use of natural resources, and that the economy does not protect the natural capital on which it depends. This is based on a disjunction of the economic and conservation elements upon which the sustainable development paradigm is founded. Furthermore, several socio-economic and governance factors appeared to be key for diminishing sustainability in coupled social-ecological systems; namely, the type of economic and production systems, the particular use of monetary debt, technological development, and weak conservation forces (both top-down and bottom-up). However, results also showed alternative scenarios where these same factors could be redirected to enhance social-ecological sustainability. This dual role supports the argument that the current economic system is not inherently (i.e. by definition, per se) unsustainable. Rather, the specific use of economic mechanisms and behaviour of economic entities, as well as their decisions and relationships with the environment, show a tendency to increase unsustainability. Hence, short- and medium-term sustainability can be enhanced by developing mechanisms that start shifting capitalist forces to support environmental conservation; here, the role of Payments for Ecosystem Services will be essential. Enhancing long-term sustainability, however, may require a further paradigm change – where economic and production systems integrate, and fully account for, externalities and the value of natural capital, thus human society is embedded within the wider, and more important, natural environmental system.

Selection in spatially heterogeneous environments is a convenient explanation for the high levels of genetic variation observed in natural populations. Indeed, theoretical studies predict that spatial heterogeneity leads to higher levels of variation in a variety of selection models. These models, however, have assumed quite restrictive parameters (e.g., two alleles, fixed gene flow and specific selection schemes). Therefore, the effect on spatial heterogeneity is still poorly understood for a wider range of parameters (e.g., multiple alleles, different levels of gene flow and more general selection schemes). We have relaxed some of the assumptions that have limited the previous models and studied the effect of spatial heterogeneity using simple single-locus viability selection models. First, we investigate the rarity of the parts of fitness space maintaining variation for multiple alleles and different levels of gene flow by randomly sampling that space using a "fitness space" approach. The volume of fitness space maintaining variation is always larger in a spatial model compared to a single-population model regardless of gene flow. Moreover, this volume is relatively larger for higher numbers of alleles, indicating that spatial heterogeneity is more efficient maintaining higher levels of variation. Second, we investigate the ease with which a more natural process of recurrent mutation and selection evolves to the particular area of fitness space maintaining variation using a "construction" approach. Depending on the amount of gene flow, the construction approach leads to both higher and lower levels of variation compared to a single-population model. Thus, spatial heterogeneity can both constrain and promote the ease with which a natural process of mutation and selection evolves to maintain variation. Also, the construction approach results in variation being maintained in a more stable subset of the volume of fitness space than the volume that resulted from the fitness space approach. Third, we investigate the effect of higher and lower levels of spatial environmental heterogeneity using the construction approach. The different levels of heterogeneity and gene flow interact to influence the amount of variation that is eventually maintained and this interaction effect is especially strong for intermediate levels of gene flow. More heterogeneous environments can maintain higher levels of variation, but selection in these environments also results in a higher level of migration load, lowering the final amount of adaptation that is achieved by the simulated evolutionary process. Finally, we investigate effect of genetic drift and finite populations using the construction approach. Interestingly, two different effects emerge for smaller and larger populations; in smaller populations genetic drift lowers the amount of variation as expected, whereas, more surprisingly, genetic drift increases the amount of variation in larger populations. Overall, spatial heterogeneity has profound effects on the outcome of selection, resulting in elevated levels of genetic variation for a wide variety of parameters.

The aim of this thesis is to analyse sustainable development as a political challenge at the local level of governance. It explores how local organisation for sustainable development (LA21, a short form of local Agenda 21) is influenced by economic conditions in contemporary society, as well as the specific conditions in the local context. The empirical focus is activity relating to LA21 in four Swedish municipalities (Kungsör, Sala, Trollhättan and Örebro). In analysing the challenge of sustainable development, the economic development model of contemporary society is used as a theoretical starting-point. It is argued that the promotion of economic growth is crucial in determining the parameters of environmental policy; indeed, environmental policy can be described as a result of a dialectic contradiction between economic and ecological concerns. As theoretical tools, I define three perspectives on how to deal with ecological problems. Economism represents the ideological foundation of the present growth economy, and sees environmental problems as something secondary to the goal of creating economic growth. Ecomodemism represents an effort to implement sustainable development through reforming the growth economy. Social ecology promotes the substitution of the growth economy with another economic model in realising sustainable development. The analysis shows that LA21 has in a number of ways raised the profile of environmental concerns in the four municipalities examined. Their LA21 action programmes express a radical (social ecological) political agenda for sustainable development. The municipal strategies have also gradually widened their scope to, for example, include more complex and controversial issues. However, most of the participating actors consider LA21 as a reform strategy for sustainable development, rather than an ideological challenge to the present economic growth model. The political leaderships tend to be influenced by ecomodernist ideas, and usually also consider LA21 as an economic development project. When in conflict with environmental concerns, economic growth policies tend to be prioritised. Conflicts over growth-related projects also tend to reduce the legitimacy of LA21 among citizens. In the four studied municipalities, LA21 gradually reaches a critical point at which further deepening (corresponding to the goals of action programmes) is unlikely unless local actors change their perceptions of ecological problem-solving. / <p>ISBN 91-7305-041-5 (ogiltigt nummer) finns angiven i tryckt bok.</p> / digitalisering@umu