Copies of author's previously published articles inserted. / Bibliography: p. 377-400. / xiv, 400, [20] p., [5] leaves of plates : ill. (some col.), maps ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Zoology, 1995

Bibliography : leaves 102-106

Until the 1930s, flows of the Colorado River maintained approximately 781,060 hectares of wetlands in its delta. These wetlands provided important feeding and nesting grounds for resident and migratory birds as well as spawning and protection habitat for many fish and other invertebrate species. However, the Delta's wetlands started to disappear as water was used for agricultural and urban uses in the United States and Mexico. The 1944 United States-Mexico water treaty, which allocates 1.8 million m��/year to Mexico, did not define a minimum flow to maintain the Delta's ecosystems. The resulting degraded Delta lead to the perception in the 1980s that the Delta was a dead ecosystem. This study investigates whether this "dead Delta" perception is valid. Its central hypothesis is that regenerated vegetation in riparian and flood plain zones is associated with surplus river flows during the 1990s. A vegetation analysis, using satellite imagery and field methods, shows that native trees have regenerated during the last 20 years, and now account for 23% of vegetation in a 100 km, non-perennial, stretch of river below the United States-Mexico border. A spatial trend analysis using multi-temporal data on percent vegetation cover indicates that there are 6,320 hectares that show a significant increasing trend (p-value<0.05) in vegetation cover, with the Delta's riparian zone having at least 18% of its area showing this trend. The study estimates that once in four years February to April flow of 300 million m�� (at 80-120 m��/s) is sufficient to germinate and establish new cohorts of native trees, and highlights the need for smaller but more periodic flows in order to maintain wetland areas. It is concluded that there is clear evidence of the resilience of the Delta's ecosystems and that the "dead Delta" perception is no longer valid. There exist critical habitat in the Delta that needs to be protected, while there also exist short and long term opportunities to ecologically enhance and expand current habitat. Hydrological and ecological studies are needed to estimate specific water requirements for these areas in order to efficiently target them for immediate and long term conservation actions. / Graduation date: 2003

The object of this research, conducted between December 8, 1970, and August 27, 1971, was to assess the effect of pollution on benthic macroinvertebrates in Halfway Creek and the Mississinewa River at Albany, Indiana.Data related to macroinvertebrate composition, population density and distribution were obtained through the utilization of Surber and Coleman Pot Samplers. Physical and chemical characteristics were determined using Standard Methods to provide background data for the biological conditions encountered.Data from diversity and standard deviation indices were analyzed separately, and then combined to produce three pollution categories indicating degree of water quality degradation. The diversity index evaluated organically enriched situations but was inadequate in evaluating toxic chemical situations. The standard deviation index indicated toxic conditions, but failed to interpret population dominance satisfactorily.The indices and pollution category data indicated substandard water quality in Halfway Creek. At the confluence of the two streams limiting and selective effects of pollution produced subtle population changes of macroinvertebrates that were measurable by indices and pollution category data. Supportive data from seasonal life histories, decrease of organisms known to be sensitive to toxic and organic wastes, and chemical data indicated a decrease in quality of the Mississinewa River near the mouth of Halfway Creek as compared to its upstream condition.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

Interest in the subject of fish welfare is continuing to grow, with increasing public awareness and new legislation in the UK. Water quality has long been recognised as being of prime importance for welfare: water provides the fish with oxygen and removes and dilutes potentially toxic waste metabolites. This thesis investigates the interactions between water quality and the welfare of farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum). A literature review was undertaken to identify current recommended water quality limits for the health and welfare of farmed rainbow trout. Contradictions in the literature regarding suggested ‘safe’ water quality limits were also identified, as were deficiencies in some of the methods used to arrive at conclusions for recommended limits. The literature relating to the effects of poor water quality on welfare were also reviewed. The review ends with a discussion about water quality monitoring in the context of on-farm welfare assessment and how the information might be used in such a scheme. A telephone survey of UK rainbow trout farmers was undertaken to ascertain the level of water quality monitoring currently conducted. Participants in this study accounted for over 80% of 2005 UK rainbow trout production. It was established that 54% of farmers monitored dissolved oxygen to some extent and 69% monitored temperature, the most commonly measured water quality parameters and among the most important for health, welfare and growth. Subsequent visits were made to a sample of the participants in the telephone survey to obtain more detailed information of the farming operations, such as frequency of water quality monitoring, retention of production data and slaughter methods. Monitoring water quality will be an integral part of any on-farm welfare assessment scheme, and while measuring some water quality parameters requires specialist equipment, farmers should be able to monitor the essential parameters, dissolved oxygen and temperature. Any on-farm welfare assessment scheme for rainbow trout should incorparate fish-based measures in addition to resource-based parameters in order to provide as complete an overview of trout welfare as possible. An epidemiological study was undertaken to investigate the current status of welfare on UK rainbow trout farms and to identify risk factors for welfare. Forty-four trout farms from throughout the British Isles were visited between July 2005 and April 2007, sampling a total of 3700 fish from 189 different systems. Farms were visited twice, once in winter and once in summer, to account for any seasonal differences in fish physiology and environmental conditions. Data were collected on a range of fish parameters, together with background information on the batch from which the fish originated. Particular emphasis was placed on water quality due to the potential effects this can have on welfare. The water in each system sampled was monitored for 24 hours, with measurements of dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, specific conductivity and ammonia taken every 15 minutes. A welfare score was developed for each fish using a multifactorial method, combining data on the condition of the fins, the condition of the gills, the stress hormone cortisol, the splenosomatic index and the mortality levels for the population of fish in the system. Using this welfare score and the individual components of the score as response variables, multi-level models were developed using the water quality, system and husbandry data collected. The primary risk factor that was associated with deteriorating welfare was disease. The purpose for which the fish was being farmed was also important, as fish farmed for the table market had on average worse welfare than those farmed for restocking fisheries. Seasonal effects, linked to higher water temperatures in summer, were associated with poorer welfare scores. Aside from seasonal effects, there is not much evidence that poor water quality is a major problem for the welfare of farmed rainbow trout in the UK. While deteriorating water quality certainly has the potential to affect the welfare of farmed rainbow trout, water quality measurements were within recommended ranges for the majority of farms visited. The results of this epidemiological study suggest that factors other than water quality may have a greater impact on trout welfare, such as exposure to diseases and production differences between farming for the table and restocking markets.

Extensive data sets of water quality and sediment chemistry as well as detailed historical records were used to analyze environmental factors controlling dinoflagellate cyst distribution in shallow estuaries (lagoons and embayments) of southern New England. Cyst abundance, species richness, the proportion of cysts produced by heterotrophic and autotrophic dinoflagellates, and the composition of cyst assemblages reflect spatial and temporal variation in environmental conditions. The cyst record in sediment cores from two embayments, New Bedford Harbor and Apponagansett Bay, Massachusetts demonstrates cyst sensitivity to environmental change caused by anthropogenic activity in the watersheds. Intensive industrialization and urbanization occurred during the 20th century in New Bedford Harbor resulted in extreme eutrophication and toxic pollution (heavy metals and PCBs). These conditions are reflected in declining cyst diversity and wide fluctuation in total cyst production. At the same time, the proportion of certain heterotrophic taxa increases. As impacts of extreme eutrophication and toxic pollution cannot be separated, the cyst response must be interpreted as a cumulative «pollution signal». The spatial distribution of modern dinoflagellate cysts in the area supports this signal. Cysts vary along gradients of nutrient enrichment, corresponding to distance from sewage outfalls. Dinoflagellate cysts in surface sediments from New England lagoons also were studied. A comparison of assemblages to water quality parameters, that are affected greatly by the degree of water exchange between lagoon and ocean, indicates that temperature and salinity are the main abiotic factors controlling cyst distribution in these estuaries. A new species of dinoflagellate cyst, Islandinium brevispinosum, has been identified and described. This species was found within a narrow range of water temperature and salinity, and at elevated nutrient levels. Dinoflagellate cysts reflect environmental conditions at the small spatial scales necessary to characterize variability within estuaries. However, the relative importance of abiotic factors controlling the spatial and temporal distribution of dinoflagellate cysts is likely to vary with the hydrological differences between lagoons and embayments. Therefore, dinoflagellate cysts can be useful indicators of environmental conditions in and human impacts on shallow estuaries.

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is one of the most important cereal crops grown in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. The North Eastern regions of Ethiopia are known for its high sorghum production and genetic diversity, and proneness to moisture stress. Globally, moisture stress is one of the major sorghum production constraints limiting genetic gain through breeding. Although, the importance of Ethiopia’s sorghum germpalsm has been widely recognized both nationally and internationally, the genetic potential of the germplasm has not yet been fully assessed and exploited in breeding programmes. Therefore, the objectives of this study were: (1) to evaluate sorghum production systems and patterns, major production constraints and cropping mechanisms, varietal diversification, farmers’ criteria for choosing varieties over time and space, and adoption of improved varieties, (2) to assess the agro-morphological and molecular diversity and population structure of lowland sorghum landraces collected from different geographic origins using morphological and SSR markers, (3) to assess the performance of sorghum landraces under moisture stress conditions and identify promising lines, and (4) to determine heterosis and combining ability of lowland sorghum landraces for grain yield, yield components and drought tolerance and to identify suitable parents for future hybrid cultivar development for the North Eastern Ethiopia or similar environments. A survey was conducted in the North Eastern Ethiopia sampling three Administrative Zones, six Districts and 12 Peasant Associations. Data was gathered from a total of 171 farmers and analyzed using SPSS statistical package. The results suggest that the performance of sorghum was generally poor mainly due to moisture stress, pests, diseases, weeds, farmland fragmentation due to demographic pressure, poor soil fertility, and poor performance of the local varieties. The productivity of sorghum was also largely hindered by the use of inherently poor yielding local landraces as farmers were forced to abandon their high yielding, big-headed and late maturing sorghum varieties due to the prevalence of recurrent moisture stress. The survey found that the region is as a rich source of genetic diversity and more than 70 distinct sorghum landraces were identified. The majority of the farmers grew their local landraces, despite the accessibility and availability of many improved sorghum varieties and production packages. Farmers were willing to adopt the improved varieties if they had farmers preferred attributes such as as red seed colour, tall with high biomass yield. To benefit the most from the available improved technologies, farmers have to be part of the breeding process right from the very beginning. Lowland sorghum accessions which exhibited farmer-desired traits were selected from the entire landrace germplasm collection at the national gene bank of Ethiopia. Field evaluations of the selected 278 landraces together with checks were held at Sirinka and Kobo agricultural research stations for 12 qualitative and 10 quantitative traits under stress and non-stress conditions. Two hundrad landraces were selected on the basis of their morphological distinctiveness and drought tolerance, in terms of earliness and yield stability. Molecular level diversity assessment was conducted using 30 SSR markers. Considerable magnitude of variation was observed among landraces between and within geographic origin for most of the traits studied. The morphological variability was also complemented by high molecular markers diversity. Thirty two pure lines were selected for inclusion as parents in the sorghum breeding programme for yield and drought tolerance. The selected lines were then crossed to four cytoplasmic male-sterile lines that had different cytoplasm systems (A1 to A4) using a line x tester mating design scheme. The 32 parents, together with the 128 hybrids and 4 check varieties were evaluated for grain yield, yield components traits and drought tolerance under stress and non-stress environments. Data were analysed using GenStat statistical package following a fixed effects model. Non-additive gene action was predominant in controlling plant height, grain yield, above ground biomass, grain filling duration, 100-seed weight and panicle weight, whereas additive gene action was found more important in controlling days to 50% anthesis and panicle length. Novel landraces with high GCA effects were selected including 214838-A, 242039-B, 75454, 73056-B, and 242050-A which will serve as potential parents for cultivar development. Similarly, the study identified new experimental hybrids i.e. ICSA 749 x 242039-B, ICSA 756 x 242049-B, ICSA 756 x 75454, ICSA 756 x 73059 and ICSA 756 x 214855 with high SCA effects and heterosis for grain yield which will be forwarded for further stability analysis and farmers participatory selections at representative growing environments. In general, the study identified invaluable sorghum germplasm and candidate hybrids useful for further breeding and conservation strategies. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

Bambara groundnut is a protein-rich legume, with food security potential in drought-prone regions. It has been grown for many centuries and has remained an important crop to most African subsistence farmers. However, despite its high nutritional status and yield advantages in poor soils, it remains one of the neglected crops by science. There have now been recent efforts to study underutilised crops, with the aim of promoting them as healthy alternatives for people facing resource and environmental challenges and to contribute to food security. In order to do this, there needs to be information that can be used to advise farmers on the agronomic aspects of producing the crop. The overall aim of the study was to evaluate the response of bambara groundnut landraces to drought under controlled environment and field conditions. Seeds were initially collected from subsistence farmers in Jozini, KwaZulu-Natal, and characterised into three seed lots distinguished by seed coat colour: red, white and brown. In the initial study (Chapter 2) seed quality of bambara groundnuts was evaluated. Seed lots were used for standard germination (SG) and cold test (CT). Seeds were germinated under two conditions, 25°C for 8 days (SG) and 4°C for 7 days followed by 8 days at 25°C (CT). Germination percentage, seedling size and mass were determined. Desiccation tolerance was evaluated by suspending 30 seeds of each seed lot over saturated salt solutions of NaCl, LiCl, KNO3 and H2O (control) for 0, 2, 4, 8, 24 and 48 hours. Five seeds were sampled at each interval and stored at -21°C for 7 days. Samples were ground and analysed for proline content. In addition, early establishment performance of bambara groundnut was evaluated under controlled environment conditions in seedling trays using two water regimes (Chapter 2). The experimental design had three factors: seed lot (colour), priming (NaCl, LiCl, KNO3, H2O and control) and water regimes [25% and 75% Field Capacity (F.C.)]. The experiment was replicated three times. Seedling emergence was determined daily for 21 days. Seedling height and leaf number were determined weekly for three weeks, thereafter, seedling leaf area, root and shoot mass (fresh and dry), root and shoot lengths and root to shoot ratio were also determined. Seedlings were later transplanted in 90 pots for a pot trial in order to evaluate growth responses of bambara groundnut to water stress; plant height, leaf number and yield components were determined (Chapter 3). Lastly, the use of planting date selection as a management strategy for managing the occurrence of water stress under field conditions was evaluated in field trials. The experimental design was a split-split-plot design with planting date as main factor (early, optimum and late), irrigation and rainfed as sub-main factor, and seed colour as sub-plots (brown, red and white) arranged in a randomised complete block design (RCBD), with three replications. There were three planting dates: 7 September (early planting), 24 November (optimum planting) and 19 January (late planting). Results from Chapter 2 showed that the brown seed lot had the highest germination across treatments, followed by red and white seeds, respectively. There were significant differences between seed lots (P < 0.05) and salt solutions (P < 0.05) with respect to proline content. Seed proline content increased from 0 to 8 hours and later declined; NaCl was associated with the highest proline accumulation. There were highly significant differences (P < 0.001) between seed colours, priming treatments and F.C., as well as their interaction, with respect to seedling emergence. White seeds had the highest emergence, followed by brown and red, respectively. Priming seeds improved their emergence compared to the control, with highest emergence being observed in seeds treated with LiCl. Priming also improved emergence under water stress; 25% F.C. had the highest emergence compared to 75% F.C. Results from Chapter 3 showed that, seeds primed with NaCl and KNO3 resulted in tallest plants with the highest number of leaves per plant. However, NaCl and KNO3 were also the most affected under water stress. Priming was shown to improve germination and early crop establishment of bambara groundnut landraces under water stress. However, yield per plant did not improve in response to either halo- or hydro-priming. Results from field trials showed that in terms of the measured plant growth parameters (plant height, leaf number and LAI), bambara groundnut landraces were sensitive water stress. Water stress decreased yield components, and hence yield. However, selection of planting dates was shown to be a useful management tool for managing water stress under water limited field conditions. Choice of planting date significantly affected both plant growth and yield. The optimum planting date resulted in the best crop growth for all measured plant growth parameters followed by late and early planting dates, respectively. Seed quality was shown to be associated with seed lot colour. Darker coloured (red and brown) seeds performed better than light (white) seeds with respect to germination. Priming was also shown to improve germination and early crop establishment of bambara groundnut landraces under water stress. However, yield per plant did not improve following priming. Growth of bambara groundnut landraces was shown to be sensitive to water stress. Water stress decreased yield components and hence yield under both controlled and field conditions. Choice of planting date significantly affected both plant growth and yield. The optimum planting date was shown to be the best performing planting date. The findings of this study suggest that bambara groundnut seed performance in terms of germination, stand establishment and productivity is associated with seed lot colour. Seed priming improves seed performance and enhances crop capacity to withstand water stress. If the optimum planting date for groundnuts (late spring to early summer) is missed, better crop performance and yield are obtained from late planting (late summer to early spring) compared with early planting (early spring). Bambara groundnut has a potential for production under water stress conditions in controlled and field environments. / Thesis (M.Sc.Agric.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

The broad objective of the study was to determine the effects of restricted water intake on the growth, blood chemistry and meat quality characteristics of indigenous chickens in semi arid environments. A total of 15 flocks in communal villages and 12 flocks in resettlement schemes of Msinga District in South Africa were monitored for 30 months to determine the effects of production system and season on flock size, dynamics and constraints faced by indigenous chicken producers. As a follow up, 281 and 233 chicks hatched in November 2011 from 18 and 9 households in communal villages and resettlement schemes, respectively were monitored using a structured checklist to determine survival and causes of mortality from hatching up to 12 weeks of age. Kaplan-Meier survival distributions and the odds ratios for effects of potential risk factors were determined using survival analysis and logistic regression models, respectively. Flock composition and structure were significantly affected by production system and month. Farmers in resettlement schemes had approximately one cock and three hens more (P < 0.05) than those in communal villages. The number of growers and chicks were similar (P > 0.05) between the two production systems but chicks were the predominant age group (38 %) of each flock. The cock to hen ratio in households in communal villages was 1:3.5, while that in resettlement schemes was 1:3.7, suggesting that inbreeding might have been reducing flock productivity. Flock sizes in communal villages peaked in March (45.1 ± 3.02) during the post rainy season and declined steadily to a low of 34.7 ± 3.63 in September during the hot-dry season. The largest flock sizes in resettlement schemes were observed in January (52.4 ± 5.09) during the hot-wet season and the smallest in August (36.1 ± 5.98) during the cold- dry season. Households in communal villages had more chicks (P < 0.05) than cocks, hens and growers throughout the year except in June when the number of growers was equal to that of chicks. In resettlement schemes, the number of chicks was lower (P < 0.05) than the number of hens and growers, except in June and July when it was equal to that of growers. Total entries were not affected (P > 0.05) by production system. Hatched chicks were the major mode of entry, accounting for more than 97 % of entries into flocks. The contribution of purchases, gifts and exchanges was negligible. Mortality was the main cause of exits from flocks, accounting for 70 and 63 % of total exits among households in communal villages and resettlement schemes, respectively. The major causes of mortality were aerial predators, sub-optimalnutrition and inclement weather conditions, which were similar between production systems. The number of birds that exited flocks through slaughter for household consumption was higher (P < 0.05) among households in resettlement (34% of total exits) than communal villages (21 % of total exits). The proportion of chickens exiting flocks through sales was higher in communal (9 %) than resettlement (4.3 %) households. Chick survival from hatching to 12 weeks was higher (P < 0.05) in communal villages (55 ± 3.14 %) than in resettlement schemes (41 ± 4.19 %). Mean chick survival time did not differ (P > 0.05) between communal (56 ± 3.30 days) and resettlement (49 ± 3.23 days) flocks. Provision of water ad libitum and treatment of sick birds were important covariates in prolonging the survival time of chicks. The effects of restricted water intake on growth performance, blood chemistry, physicochemical properties, and sensory characteristics of meat from Naked Neck (NNK) and Ovambo (OVB) chickens were also assessed. In the experiment, 54 pullets of each strain with an average weight of 641± 10g per bird were randomly assigned to three water restriction levels for 60 days in a completely randomized design. The treatments were ad libitum, 70% of ad libitum and 40% of ad libitum water intake. Each treatment group was replicated three times. The pectoralis (breast) muscle was sampled for meat quality, fatty acid composition and sensory quality analyses. Ovambo chickens had superior body-weight at 16 weeks of age, average daily gains (ADG) and average daily water intake (ADWI) than NNK chickens. Body weight of birds at 16 weeks of age, ADG, average daily feed intake (ADFI), ADWI and water to feed ratio (WFR) declined progressively (P < 0.05) with increasing severity of water restriction, while food conversion ratio (FCR) values increased (P < 0.05) as the severity of water restriction increased. Naked Neck chickens had better FCR at the 40 % of ad libitum water intake level than OVB chickens. The dressing percentage per bird was higher (P<0.05) in water-restricted birds than those on ad libitum water consumption, irrespective of strain. Heart weight was significantly lower in birds on 40% of ad libitum water intake than those on ad libitum and 70% of ad libitum water intake, respectively. Packed cell volume was higher (P < 0.05) in NNK than OVB chickens offered waterad libitum, but similar in birds offered 70 and 40 % of ad libitum. There were no differences in erythrocyte count (RBC) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) values between strains, but MCV was higher in birds on 40 than 70 % of ad libitum water intake, irrespective of strain. Naked neck chickens had higher (P < 0.05) white blood cell count (WBC) values than OVB chickens at 40 % restriction level, but lower WBC than OVB at 70 % water restriction level. Uric acid, creatinine, triacylglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipid cholesterol, total protein and globulin increased (P < 0.05) with each increment in water restriction, but the increase in creatinine and total cholesterol was more pronounced in OVB than NNK chickens. The opposite was observed for uric acid. Alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and aspartate transaminase activities were not influenced by strain and water restriction. It was concluded that the two strains could withstand up to 40 % of ad libitum water restriction, but NNK chickens tolerated water stress better than OVB chickens. Water intake levels of 40% of ad libitum produced meat with significantly lower (P < 0.05) cooking loss, and higher (P < 0.05) redness (a*) values in NNK chickens compared with OVB chickens. Water intake level had no effect (P > 0.05) on lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) values, shear force, moisture and protein contents in both strains. The fat content of NNK meat was 41 % lower (P < 0.05) than that of OVB meat at 70 % of ad libitum, but 31 % higher at 40 % of ad libitum water intake. The ash content was significantly elevated (P < 0.05) in birds on 70 % of ad libitum compared to those on ad libitum and 40 % of ad libitum water intake, which had similar (P > 0.05) ash contents. Birds on 40 % of ad libitum water intake had significantly higher (P < 0.05) proportions of octadecanoic acid (C18:0), cis, cis-9,12-octadecadienoic acid (C18:2 ῳ-6), cis-8,11,14,17-eicosatetraenoic acid (C20:4 ῳ-6), cis-7,10,13,16-docosatetraenoic acid (C22:4 ῳ-6), cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 ῳ-3), total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), total omega-3 PUFA and total omega-6 PUFA proportions, but lower (P < 0.05) cis-7-hexadecenoic (C16:1c7), cis-9-octadecenoic (C18:1c9), cis-11-octadecenoic acid (C18:1c11), cis-13-docosenoic acid (C22:1c13), total monounsaturated fatty acids than those on the 70% of ad libitum and ad libitum water intake, respectively. The proportion of trans-9-octadenoic acid (C18:1t9) was higher (P < 0.05) in NNK chickens on 40 % of ad libitum water intake than OVB chickens. It was concluded that water restriction at 40 % of ad libitum water intake resulted in favourable cooking loss values and meat redness (a*) values, omega-3 and 6 PUFA proportions and a high ῳ-6/ῳ-3 ratio. The high fat content of NNK chickens at 40 % of ad libitum water intake compared to OVB chickens suggests a superior adaptation to hydric stress. Naked Neck breast meat had higher initial impression of juiciness scores than that from OVB chickens, but only in birds on ad libitum and 70 % of ad libitum water intake. Sensory scores for first bite, connective tissue and tenderness decreased with increasing severity of water restriction (P < 0.05). Aroma, flavour and atypical flavour were not affected by strain or water restriction level (P > 0.05). There were significant strain differences for sustained impression of juiciness and tenderness, with the highest scores occurring in NNK chickens (P < 0.05). Aroma had a significant influence on the flavour of breast meat (P < 0.05). Fat content was significantly correlated with initial impression of juiciness, first bite and sustained impression of juiciness of breast meat. It was concluded that water restriction up to 40 % of ad libitum had a significant and adverse impact on juiciness and first bite scores of meat. / Ph.D. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2013.

In a three year study, the applicability of the cortisol response to capture as a biomarker of the health of fish from areas chronically exposed to pollution was assessed. Northern pike (Esox lucius) and yellow perch (Perca flavescens) captured from an area contaminated by bleached kraft pulp mill effluent (BKME) were initially found to be incapable of elevating their blood cortisol concentration to reference levels. Following a reduction of the amount of absorbable organochlorines (AOX) in the BKME, fish downstream of the mill regained their normal cortisol response to capture. The time frame for this recovery was from between 6 to 18 months. Fewer young fish downstream of the effluent provided evidence for the impact of long-term exposure to BKME at the population level. / The impairment of the cortisol response to capture, and its subsequent recovery after effluent reduction provide the foundation for developing cortisol as a biomarker of contaminant exposure. Further work should determine the relationship between cortisol and the effect at higher levels of biological organization (e.g., population and community).