The major aim of this work is to develop a framework for the estimation of Evapotranspiration (ET) over the Indian landmass using remote sensing (RS) datasets in a repeated and consistent manner with improved spatial resolution. Different RS based ET models exist in the literature, out of which, the triangle, the S-SEBI and the Sim-ReSET models were compared for the estimation of daytime integrated latent heat flux (λEday). These three models were chosen as they can be driven only with RS based inputs without the need for any ground measurements. The results showed that the application of simpler contextual models may yield better results than physically based models when ground data is limited or not available. To improve the spatial resolution of one of the key surface variable, Land Surface Temperature (LST), the performance of five different vegetation indices Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Fraction Vegetation Cover (FVC), Normalised Difference Water Index (NDWI), Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) and Modified SAVI (MSAVI) were tested in the existing DisTrad disaggregation model. Results suggested that the most commonly used vegetation indices NDVI and FVC yielded better results only under wet conditions. Under drier surface conditions, using NDWI for disaggregation resulted in relatively higher accurate LST. A model for spatial disaggregation of Evaporative Fraction (EF) called DEFrac (Disaggregation of Evaporative Fraction) was developed based on the relationship between EF and NDVI to obtain finer spatial resolution EF from coarser resolution estimates. The experimental results suggested that the DEFrac model developed in this study, yielded more accurate disaggregated EF. The disaggregated EF was further used to get disaggregated λEday. Finally, The issue of lack of proper ET dataset over India was addressed by developing two data products one over entire India at 0.05° spatial resolution and the second product over the Kabini basin at 1 km spatial resolution. Both the products were developed with a temporal resolution of 8-day and for the period 2001–2014. The developed ET products were validated against ground observed data at seven sites across India and against ET simulated by a hydrological model over a forested watershed. Further the developed ET products were compared with some other global ET products such as MOD16, LandFlux Eval synthesis ET and GLEAM ET. Analyses revealed that only in regions where ET is predominantly driven by rainfall and where irrigation is not applied at very large scales, the global ET products tend to capture the ET patterns satisfactorily. On the other hand, the ET products developed in this work captured the spatial and temporal patterns of ET quite realistically all across India.

Human activities on land have a direct and cumulative impact on water and other natural resources within a catchment. This land-use change can have hydrological consequences on the local and regional scales. Sound catchment assessment is not only critical to understanding processes and functions but also important in identifying priority management areas. The overarching goal of this doctoral thesis was to design a methodological framework for catchment assessment (dependent upon data availability) and propose practical catchment management strategies for sustainable water resources management. The Nyangores and Ruiru reservoir catchments located in Kenya, East Africa were used as case studies. A properly calibrated Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) hydrologic model coupled with a generic land-use optimization tool (Constrained Multi-Objective Optimization of Land-use Allocation-CoMOLA) was applied to identify and quantify functional trade-offs between environmental sustainability and food production in the ‘data-available’ Nyangores catchment. This was determined using a four-dimension objective function defined as (i) minimizing sediment load, (ii) maximizing stream low flow and (iii and iv) maximizing the crop yields of maize and soybeans, respectively. Additionally, three different optimization scenarios, represented as i.) agroforestry (Scenario 1), ii.) agroforestry + conservation agriculture (Scenario 2) and iii.) conservation agriculture (Scenario 3), were compared. For the data-scarce Ruiru reservoir catchment, alternative methods using digital soil mapping of soil erosion proxies (aggregate stability using Mean Weight Diameter) and spatial-temporal soil loss analysis using empirical models (the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation-RUSLE) were used. The lack of adequate data necessitated a data-collection phase which implemented the conditional Latin Hypercube Sampling. This sampling technique reduced the need for intensive soil sampling while still capturing spatial variability. The results revealed that for the Nyangores catchment, adoption of both agroforestry and conservation agriculture (Scenario 2) led to the smallest trade-off amongst the different objectives i.e. a 3.6% change in forests combined with 35% change in conservation agriculture resulted in the largest reduction in sediment loads (78%), increased low flow (+14%) and only slightly decreased crop yields (3.8% for both maize and soybeans). Therefore, the advanced use of hydrologic models with optimization tools allows for the simultaneous assessment of different outputs/objectives and is ideal for areas with adequate data to properly calibrate the model. For the Ruiru reservoir catchment, digital soil mapping (DSM) of aggregate stability revealed that susceptibility to erosion exists for cropland (food crops), tea and roadsides, which are mainly located in the eastern part of the catchment, as well as deforested areas on the western side. This validated that with limited soil samples and the use of computing power, machine learning and freely available covariates, DSM can effectively be applied in data-scarce areas. Moreover, uncertainty in the predictions can be incorporated using prediction intervals. The spatial-temporal analysis exhibited that bare land (which has the lowest areal proportion) was the largest contributor to erosion. Two peak soil loss periods corresponding to the two rainy periods of March–May and October–December were identified. Thus, yearly soil erosion risk maps misrepresent the true dimensions of soil loss with averages disguising areas of low and high potential. Also, a small portion of the catchment can be responsible for a large proportion of the total erosion. For both catchments, agroforestry (combining both the use of trees and conservation farming) is the most feasible catchment management strategy (CMS) for solving the major water quantity and quality problems. Finally, the key to thriving catchments aiming at both sustainability and resilience requires urgent collaborative action by all stakeholders. The necessary stakeholders in both Nyangores and Ruiru reservoir catchments must be involved in catchment assessment in order to identify the catchment problems, mitigation strategies/roles and responsibilities while keeping in mind that some risks need to be shared and negotiated, but so will the benefits.:TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY........................................................................ i DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENT WORK AND CONSENT ............................. ii LIST OF PAPERS ................................................................................................. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................... iv THESIS AT A GLANCE ......................................................................................... v SUMMARY ............................................................................................................ vi List of Figures......................................................................................................... x List of Tables........................................................................................................... x ABBREVIATION..................................................................................................... xi PART A: SYNTHESIS 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 1 1.1 Catchment management ...................................................................................1 1.2 Tools to support catchment assessment and management ..............................4 1.3 Catchment management strategies (CMSs)......................................................9 1.4 Concept and research objectives.......................................................................11 2. MATERIAL AND METHODS................................................................................15 2.1. STUDY AREA ..................................................................................................15 2.1.1. Nyangores catchment ...................................................................................15 2.1.2. Ruiru reservoir catchment .............................................................................17 2.2. Using SWAT conceptual model and land-use optimization ..............................19 2.3. Using soil erosion proxies and empirical models ..............................................21 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION..............................................................................24 3.1. Assessing multi-metric calibration performance using the SWAT model...........25 3.2. Land-use optimization using SWAT-CoMOLA for the Nyangores catchment. ..26 3.3. Digital soil mapping of soil aggregate stability ..................................................28 3.4. Spatio-temporal analysis using the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) 29 4. CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE METHODS USED ......................................31 4.1. Assessing suitability of data for modelling and overcoming data challenges...31 4.2. Selecting catchment management strategies based on catchment assessment . 35 5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................................36 6. REFERENCES ............................ .....................................................................38 PART B: PAPERS PAPER I .................................................................................................................47 PAPER II ................................................................................................................59 PAPER III ...............................................................................................................74 PAPER IV ...............................................................................................................88

A Euterpe edulis (palmeira juçara) é uma espécie de alta densidade na Floresta Atlântica e sofre processo de extinção devido ao desmatamento e ao corte ilegal para a extração do palmito. Uma alternativa para conservação é o manejo sustentável, utilizando seus frutos para a produção de polpa. O objetivo do trabalho é fornecer subsídios de mensuração para um sistema de manejo, visando à produção de frutos e polpa, através de modelos preditivos e, avaliação da estrutura, dinâmica e a regeneração natural das palmeiras. O levantamento foi realizado no Sertão do Ubatumirim, Ubatuba-SP, em uma área de bananal e uma de floresta secundária, durante 2011 e 2012. Para a construção dos modelos, foram selecionadas matrizes produtoras acompanhadas durante o período de frutificação. Foram coletadas medidas dendrométricas e os frutos maduros foram colhidos, pesados, despolpados e analisada sua massa seca. Foi avaliada qualitativamente a luminosidade recebida pelas matrizes. Foram ajustados e selecionados modelos para a predição da biomassa dos frutos e polpa seca. As variáveis preditoras foram: DAP, altura, e as indicadoras: área, ano e luz, com efeito simples e de interação. As variáveis resposta foram modeladas por regressão linear, com e sem transformação logarítmica. Os critérios de seleção dos modelos foram o coeficiente de determinação ajustado e o valor do Critério de Informação de Akaike (AIC). Para o levantamento das populações, em cada área foram locadas dez parcelas circulares, com 14m de raio, sendo mensuradas e identificadas as espécies arbóreas com DAP >= 5cm. Dentro das parcelas instituiu-se subparcelas para a amostragem da regeneração natural da juçara; com raio de 4,5m para os estádios de desenvolvimento das varas e arvoretas e raio de 3m para plântulas e mudas. Foi estimada a taxa de mortalidade de toda população e das palmeiras adultas. De cada estádio estimou-se os indivíduos por hectare e taxa de mudança anual. A regeneração encontrada foi comparada com uma estrutura padrão, sem ações antrópicas. Foi estimada a biomassa de frutos e de polpa da juçara nas áreas estudadas através de modelos lineares. Os modelos com transformação logarítmica apresentaram bons ajustes sendo os mais adequados os que utilizaram a combinação da variável indicadora altura ou variável combinada (diâmetro ao quadrado vezes altura). Os resultados mostraram efeito de interação da variável combinada e variável ano, o que indicou efeito nulo no ano de alta produtividade. Independente do tamanho das palmeiras, a produção foi igual, e efeito positivo crescente no ano de baixa produtividade. Os levantamentos mostraram que a área de formação secundária possui maior riqueza de espécies que a do bananal, com uma área basal duas vezes maior e menor taxa de mortalidade. Em ambas as áreas, os estádios plântulas e regeneração não se assemelham à população padrão, resultados estes mais drásticos na área do bananal. Isto pode levar à redução da população, com risco de desaparecimento. Na estimativa produtiva dos frutos por matriz, verificou-se o aumento entre os anos de produção. Quando se considera a produção por hectare, ocorre diminuição da produção na área do bananal devido a elevada mortalidade. / Euterpe edulis (juçara palm) occurs in hight density populations in the Atlantic Forest, but due the illegal exploration of its heart palm is a extinction threaten species. An alternative for its conservation is the sustainable management of its populations for fruit production. This study aims to provide measurement and biometric information for the development of a sustainable management system for fruit harvest. Prediction models for fruit and fruit pulp production were developed and the structure and natural regeneration of two populations were studied. The study was carry out in \"Sertão do Ubatumirim\", Ubatuba, in the state of São Paulo, where a banana plantation and a secondary forest were surveyed in the years 2011 and 2012. In order to develop the fruit prediction models, producing fruit palm trees were monitored throughout the period of fructification. Height and diameter measurements were taken in these trees and the ripe fruits were harvested, weighted, pulped and the fruit pulp dry weight was determined. The light intensity received by each tree was qualitatively determined by a ordinal scale with 5 levels. Prediction models for fruit biomass and fruit pulp dry weight were fitted by linear regression. Prediction quantitative variables were diameter (DBH) and height, while prediction qualitative variables, add to the model as indicator variables, were: forest type (banana plantation and secondary forest), harvest year (2011 and 2012) and light intensity. The criteria for selection of the models were adjusted coefficient of determination and the value of the Akaike Information Criteria (AIC). For the population surveys, circular plots of 14m radius were located in the study area, and all trees with DBH equal or greater than 5cm were measured and had its species identified. For the survey of juçara natural regeneration, circular subplots of 4.5m radius, concentric to adult tree plots, were established to enumerate small trees and saplings, and circular subplots of 3m radius were established to enumerate seedlings and small seedlings. Mortality rate was estimated of the entire population and adult juçara palms. For each plant development stage (tree, small tree, sapling, seedling and small seedling), the number of individuals and the annual change rate were also estimated. Best prediction models for individual palm tree fruit and fruit pulp production were logarithmic models, and prediction variable was tree height, followed by the combined variable (squared diameter times height). There was a clear interaction effect of the quantitative prediction variable (combined variable) and the qualitative prediction variable year, as indicator variable. In the hight production year, the quantitative prediction variable was not relevant for fruit and fruit pulp prediction, while in the low production year, there was a positive relationship between production and the quantitative prediction variable. Study sites were very different in forest structure and dynamics. As expected, the secondary forest site had higher species richness than the banana plantation site, as well lower mortality rate and twice its basal area. Compared to what is expected to sustainable juçara populations without human influence, both sites showed lower number of regenerating individuals (seedlings and small seedlings). Over the years, this fact, combined to the harvest of fruits for fruit pulp production, can represent risk to the sustainability of juçara populations in the study sites.

O presente estudo avalia como a estrutura e a produção da comunidade de copépodes pelágicos da plataforma interna ao largo de Ubatuba (SP, Brasil) responderam às variações ambientais durante o período de julho de 2005 a junho de 2008. Durante estes três anos, a produção secundária dos copépodes foi estudada por meio da aplicação de modelos empíricos de crescimento e de estimativas de crescimento peso-específico obtidas através de experimentos de produção de ovos. Aspectos reprodutivos de 16 espécies de copépodes (9 calanóides, 3 ciclopóides e 4 harpacticóides) foram analisados neste período, através de experimentos de incubação e de métodos indiretos de obtenção de taxas de produção e viabilidade dos ovos. A comunidade de copépodes esteve representada por 70 espécies e foi caracterizada por altos valores de riqueza, diversidade e eqüitabilidade. Os copépodes apresentaram grande variabilidade nos valores médios de densidade (4726 ± 3711 ind. m-3) e de biomassa (7,42 ± 5,64 mg C m-3) e foram dominados por espécies de pequeno porte (< 1000 µm), destacando-se as fêmeas adultas de Oncaea waldemari e os copepoditos imaturos de paracalanídeos e clausocalanídeos. Quando comparada com outros ambientes tropicais e subtropicais, a região estudada apresentou valores elevados de densidade e biomassa. Da mesma maneira, a produção secundária média apresentou variabilidade temporal elevada (1,13 ± 1,11 mg C m-3 dia-1), com uma importante contribuição dos copepoditos imaturos de espécies dispersoras de ovos. No geral, os valores médios registrados foram considerados altos quando comparado com outros ambientes tropicais e subtropicais, embora a razão Produção/Biomassa média tenha sido similar às registradas nestes locais. A intrusão periódica da ACAS parece ter sido a principal responsável pelas alterações observadas na estrutura e produção da comunidade. A maioria dos meses não influenciados pela ACAS apresentou valores de densidade, biomassa e produção inferiores às respectivas médias. Entretanto, os resultados observados sugerem que as flutuações da comunidade de copépodes podem responder não apenas à intrusão da ACAS, mas também a uma complexa conjunção de fatores, incluindo as próprias relações inter e intra-específicas. Com relação à reprodução, as espécies dispersoras de ovos apresentaram taxas médias de produção de ovos similares às obtidas em outras regiões tropicais e subtropicais, enquanto que as retentoras apresentaram valores levemente inferiores. Entretanto, foram registrados picos ocasionais de produção destas últimas espécies, sugerindo que estes copépodes possuem estratégias que compensam os meses de baixa produtividade. A reprodução de algumas espécies analisadas parece ser associada a fatores intra-específicos, tais como o tamanho dos ovos e a razão entre machos e fêmeas. Além disso, as espécies dispersoras analisadas são provavelmente influenciadas pela temperatura e pelo alimento. A relação entre os tamanhos e pesos de fêmeas e ovos de 32 espécies de copépodes pelágicos mostrou que a variabilidade interespecífica observada nessas proporções é similar à tendência observada para espécies de altas latitudes. Comparando as taxas de produção estimadas a partir das equações empíricas com as obtidas experimentalmente, observa-se diferenças expressivas nas estimativas de produção secundária, o que sugere a influência de outras variáveis além daquelas consideradas pelos modelos. / The present study evaluates how the pelagic copepod community structure and production from the inner shelf off Ubatuba (SP, Brazil) responded to environmental variability from July 2005 to June 2008. During these three years copepod secondary production was studied by the application of growth empirical models and weight-specific growth estimates obtained through egg production experiments. Reproductive aspects of 17 copepod species (10 calanoid, 3 cyclopoid and 4 harpacticoid) were analyzed through incubation experiments and indirect methods to obtain production and egg hatching success rates. Copepod community was represented by 70 species and was characterized by high values of richness, diversity and evenness. Copepods had great variability in mean abundance values (4,726 ± 3,711 ind. m-3) and biomass (7.42 ± 5.64 mg C m-3) and were dominated by small size species (< 1,000 µm), especially Oncaea waldemari adult females and immature copepodites of paracalanids and clausocalanids. When compared to other tropical and subtropical environments, the copepod community in the study area had high average abundance and biomass. Mean secondary production rates had high temporal variability (1.13 ± 1.11 mg C m-3 day-1), with an important contribution from immature copepodites of broadcast spawner species. Production values were also high but mean Production/Biomass ratios were similar when compared to other tropical and subtropical environments. The periodic SACW (South Atlantic Central Water) intrusions seem to be the main responsible for the variability in community structure and production. Most months non-influenced by SACW had abundance, biomass and production values lower than the annual average. However, copepod community fluctuations may not have responded only to SACW intrusions, but also to inter- and intra-specific relations. Broadcast spawner species had mean egg production rates similar to the ones obtained in other tropical and subtropical regions, while sac spawners showed slightly lower values. Nevertheless, occasional production peaks were recorded for the latter, suggesting that these copepods have reproductive strategies to compensate for low productivity periods. Some species reproduction traits seem to be related to intra-specific factors, such as egg size and the male/female ratio. Besides, broadcast spawners were probably influenced by temperature and food. The relationship between female and egg size and weight from 32 pelagic copepod species showed that inter-specific variability observed in these proportions was similar to those observed for high-latitude species. When reproduction rates estimated from empirical equations with those obtained experimentally are compared, expressive differences in secondary production estimates emerge, which suggests the influence of other variables in addition to those accounted for by empirical models.

O presente estudo avalia como a estrutura e a produção da comunidade de copépodes pelágicos da plataforma interna ao largo de Ubatuba (SP, Brasil) responderam às variações ambientais durante o período de julho de 2005 a junho de 2008. Durante estes três anos, a produção secundária dos copépodes foi estudada por meio da aplicação de modelos empíricos de crescimento e de estimativas de crescimento peso-específico obtidas através de experimentos de produção de ovos. Aspectos reprodutivos de 16 espécies de copépodes (9 calanóides, 3 ciclopóides e 4 harpacticóides) foram analisados neste período, através de experimentos de incubação e de métodos indiretos de obtenção de taxas de produção e viabilidade dos ovos. A comunidade de copépodes esteve representada por 70 espécies e foi caracterizada por altos valores de riqueza, diversidade e eqüitabilidade. Os copépodes apresentaram grande variabilidade nos valores médios de densidade (4726 ± 3711 ind. m-3) e de biomassa (7,42 ± 5,64 mg C m-3) e foram dominados por espécies de pequeno porte (< 1000 µm), destacando-se as fêmeas adultas de Oncaea waldemari e os copepoditos imaturos de paracalanídeos e clausocalanídeos. Quando comparada com outros ambientes tropicais e subtropicais, a região estudada apresentou valores elevados de densidade e biomassa. Da mesma maneira, a produção secundária média apresentou variabilidade temporal elevada (1,13 ± 1,11 mg C m-3 dia-1), com uma importante contribuição dos copepoditos imaturos de espécies dispersoras de ovos. No geral, os valores médios registrados foram considerados altos quando comparado com outros ambientes tropicais e subtropicais, embora a razão Produção/Biomassa média tenha sido similar às registradas nestes locais. A intrusão periódica da ACAS parece ter sido a principal responsável pelas alterações observadas na estrutura e produção da comunidade. A maioria dos meses não influenciados pela ACAS apresentou valores de densidade, biomassa e produção inferiores às respectivas médias. Entretanto, os resultados observados sugerem que as flutuações da comunidade de copépodes podem responder não apenas à intrusão da ACAS, mas também a uma complexa conjunção de fatores, incluindo as próprias relações inter e intra-específicas. Com relação à reprodução, as espécies dispersoras de ovos apresentaram taxas médias de produção de ovos similares às obtidas em outras regiões tropicais e subtropicais, enquanto que as retentoras apresentaram valores levemente inferiores. Entretanto, foram registrados picos ocasionais de produção destas últimas espécies, sugerindo que estes copépodes possuem estratégias que compensam os meses de baixa produtividade. A reprodução de algumas espécies analisadas parece ser associada a fatores intra-específicos, tais como o tamanho dos ovos e a razão entre machos e fêmeas. Além disso, as espécies dispersoras analisadas são provavelmente influenciadas pela temperatura e pelo alimento. A relação entre os tamanhos e pesos de fêmeas e ovos de 32 espécies de copépodes pelágicos mostrou que a variabilidade interespecífica observada nessas proporções é similar à tendência observada para espécies de altas latitudes. Comparando as taxas de produção estimadas a partir das equações empíricas com as obtidas experimentalmente, observa-se diferenças expressivas nas estimativas de produção secundária, o que sugere a influência de outras variáveis além daquelas consideradas pelos modelos. / The present study evaluates how the pelagic copepod community structure and production from the inner shelf off Ubatuba (SP, Brazil) responded to environmental variability from July 2005 to June 2008. During these three years copepod secondary production was studied by the application of growth empirical models and weight-specific growth estimates obtained through egg production experiments. Reproductive aspects of 17 copepod species (10 calanoid, 3 cyclopoid and 4 harpacticoid) were analyzed through incubation experiments and indirect methods to obtain production and egg hatching success rates. Copepod community was represented by 70 species and was characterized by high values of richness, diversity and evenness. Copepods had great variability in mean abundance values (4,726 ± 3,711 ind. m-3) and biomass (7.42 ± 5.64 mg C m-3) and were dominated by small size species (< 1,000 µm), especially Oncaea waldemari adult females and immature copepodites of paracalanids and clausocalanids. When compared to other tropical and subtropical environments, the copepod community in the study area had high average abundance and biomass. Mean secondary production rates had high temporal variability (1.13 ± 1.11 mg C m-3 day-1), with an important contribution from immature copepodites of broadcast spawner species. Production values were also high but mean Production/Biomass ratios were similar when compared to other tropical and subtropical environments. The periodic SACW (South Atlantic Central Water) intrusions seem to be the main responsible for the variability in community structure and production. Most months non-influenced by SACW had abundance, biomass and production values lower than the annual average. However, copepod community fluctuations may not have responded only to SACW intrusions, but also to inter- and intra-specific relations. Broadcast spawner species had mean egg production rates similar to the ones obtained in other tropical and subtropical regions, while sac spawners showed slightly lower values. Nevertheless, occasional production peaks were recorded for the latter, suggesting that these copepods have reproductive strategies to compensate for low productivity periods. Some species reproduction traits seem to be related to intra-specific factors, such as egg size and the male/female ratio. Besides, broadcast spawners were probably influenced by temperature and food. The relationship between female and egg size and weight from 32 pelagic copepod species showed that inter-specific variability observed in these proportions was similar to those observed for high-latitude species. When reproduction rates estimated from empirical equations with those obtained experimentally are compared, expressive differences in secondary production estimates emerge, which suggests the influence of other variables in addition to those accounted for by empirical models.

A Euterpe edulis (palmeira juçara) é uma espécie de alta densidade na Floresta Atlântica e sofre processo de extinção devido ao desmatamento e ao corte ilegal para a extração do palmito. Uma alternativa para conservação é o manejo sustentável, utilizando seus frutos para a produção de polpa. O objetivo do trabalho é fornecer subsídios de mensuração para um sistema de manejo, visando à produção de frutos e polpa, através de modelos preditivos e, avaliação da estrutura, dinâmica e a regeneração natural das palmeiras. O levantamento foi realizado no Sertão do Ubatumirim, Ubatuba-SP, em uma área de bananal e uma de floresta secundária, durante 2011 e 2012. Para a construção dos modelos, foram selecionadas matrizes produtoras acompanhadas durante o período de frutificação. Foram coletadas medidas dendrométricas e os frutos maduros foram colhidos, pesados, despolpados e analisada sua massa seca. Foi avaliada qualitativamente a luminosidade recebida pelas matrizes. Foram ajustados e selecionados modelos para a predição da biomassa dos frutos e polpa seca. As variáveis preditoras foram: DAP, altura, e as indicadoras: área, ano e luz, com efeito simples e de interação. As variáveis resposta foram modeladas por regressão linear, com e sem transformação logarítmica. Os critérios de seleção dos modelos foram o coeficiente de determinação ajustado e o valor do Critério de Informação de Akaike (AIC). Para o levantamento das populações, em cada área foram locadas dez parcelas circulares, com 14m de raio, sendo mensuradas e identificadas as espécies arbóreas com DAP >= 5cm. Dentro das parcelas instituiu-se subparcelas para a amostragem da regeneração natural da juçara; com raio de 4,5m para os estádios de desenvolvimento das varas e arvoretas e raio de 3m para plântulas e mudas. Foi estimada a taxa de mortalidade de toda população e das palmeiras adultas. De cada estádio estimou-se os indivíduos por hectare e taxa de mudança anual. A regeneração encontrada foi comparada com uma estrutura padrão, sem ações antrópicas. Foi estimada a biomassa de frutos e de polpa da juçara nas áreas estudadas através de modelos lineares. Os modelos com transformação logarítmica apresentaram bons ajustes sendo os mais adequados os que utilizaram a combinação da variável indicadora altura ou variável combinada (diâmetro ao quadrado vezes altura). Os resultados mostraram efeito de interação da variável combinada e variável ano, o que indicou efeito nulo no ano de alta produtividade. Independente do tamanho das palmeiras, a produção foi igual, e efeito positivo crescente no ano de baixa produtividade. Os levantamentos mostraram que a área de formação secundária possui maior riqueza de espécies que a do bananal, com uma área basal duas vezes maior e menor taxa de mortalidade. Em ambas as áreas, os estádios plântulas e regeneração não se assemelham à população padrão, resultados estes mais drásticos na área do bananal. Isto pode levar à redução da população, com risco de desaparecimento. Na estimativa produtiva dos frutos por matriz, verificou-se o aumento entre os anos de produção. Quando se considera a produção por hectare, ocorre diminuição da produção na área do bananal devido a elevada mortalidade. / Euterpe edulis (juçara palm) occurs in hight density populations in the Atlantic Forest, but due the illegal exploration of its heart palm is a extinction threaten species. An alternative for its conservation is the sustainable management of its populations for fruit production. This study aims to provide measurement and biometric information for the development of a sustainable management system for fruit harvest. Prediction models for fruit and fruit pulp production were developed and the structure and natural regeneration of two populations were studied. The study was carry out in \"Sertão do Ubatumirim\", Ubatuba, in the state of São Paulo, where a banana plantation and a secondary forest were surveyed in the years 2011 and 2012. In order to develop the fruit prediction models, producing fruit palm trees were monitored throughout the period of fructification. Height and diameter measurements were taken in these trees and the ripe fruits were harvested, weighted, pulped and the fruit pulp dry weight was determined. The light intensity received by each tree was qualitatively determined by a ordinal scale with 5 levels. Prediction models for fruit biomass and fruit pulp dry weight were fitted by linear regression. Prediction quantitative variables were diameter (DBH) and height, while prediction qualitative variables, add to the model as indicator variables, were: forest type (banana plantation and secondary forest), harvest year (2011 and 2012) and light intensity. The criteria for selection of the models were adjusted coefficient of determination and the value of the Akaike Information Criteria (AIC). For the population surveys, circular plots of 14m radius were located in the study area, and all trees with DBH equal or greater than 5cm were measured and had its species identified. For the survey of juçara natural regeneration, circular subplots of 4.5m radius, concentric to adult tree plots, were established to enumerate small trees and saplings, and circular subplots of 3m radius were established to enumerate seedlings and small seedlings. Mortality rate was estimated of the entire population and adult juçara palms. For each plant development stage (tree, small tree, sapling, seedling and small seedling), the number of individuals and the annual change rate were also estimated. Best prediction models for individual palm tree fruit and fruit pulp production were logarithmic models, and prediction variable was tree height, followed by the combined variable (squared diameter times height). There was a clear interaction effect of the quantitative prediction variable (combined variable) and the qualitative prediction variable year, as indicator variable. In the hight production year, the quantitative prediction variable was not relevant for fruit and fruit pulp prediction, while in the low production year, there was a positive relationship between production and the quantitative prediction variable. Study sites were very different in forest structure and dynamics. As expected, the secondary forest site had higher species richness than the banana plantation site, as well lower mortality rate and twice its basal area. Compared to what is expected to sustainable juçara populations without human influence, both sites showed lower number of regenerating individuals (seedlings and small seedlings). Over the years, this fact, combined to the harvest of fruits for fruit pulp production, can represent risk to the sustainability of juçara populations in the study sites.

Rotating bed reactors are used throughout the process industry. They are usedboth in the chemical industry and other industrial sectors, such as pharmaceuticals and the textile industry in decolorization due to by-products or contaminants.SpinChem AB manufactures rotary bed reactors (RBRs) to perform chemical reactions between liquids and solids. The solid material consists of spherical particles0.1 mm - 1 mm in diameter that are packed between two cylindrical spaces in theRBR. The goal of this project work is to determine the power number, the axial force thatthe RBRn experiences, the torque requirement on the motor and power consumptionof the the RBR when a fully developed turbulent flow is achieved. The purpose ofthe work is to optimize the technology from the energy usage point of view, makethe product simple and easily accessible for chemical and industrial processes as acontribution to the development of sustainable society. In order to achieve the purpose and goal of the projects, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) combined withexperimental models were used. Computation were made in COMSOL Multiphysicsfor two turbulence models. In it, the rotating machinery was used with moving meshtechnique for both the standard k−ε model and the SST k−ω turbulence models.The result is then compared with the empirical models. Investigation were done for two models of the rotating bed reactors (RBRs). Onemodel is called RBR S2 with relatively small size and RBR S14 which is a muchlarger version. For RBR S2 the experimental results turned out to be, an output ofpower number which is 3.4, torque requirement of 0.03 Nm, power consumption of3 W and a thrust force of 0.11 N. While the simulation results turned out to bean output of power number which is about 1.2, torque requirement of 0.013 Nm, apower consumption of 2 W and thrust force of 0.8 N. Similarly, the experimentalresult for RBR S14 was as follows. A power number of 0.53, torque requirement of0.41 Nm, power consumption of 6 W and a thrust force of 4.16 N. The simulationresults turned out to be, a power number of 0.34, torque requirement of 0,40 Nm,a power consumption of 4.14 W and thrust force of 3.61 N. With the help of the calculated power numbers, the power required to rotate theRBR can then be determined. Power number is determined when a fully developedturbulent flow is achieved. For RBRS2, a fully developed turbulent flow is achievedat Re = 2.8·104 and the angular velocity at that Reynolds number is about 830RPM. At that speed, the power is shown to be about 4 W for RBRS2. For RBRS14,a fully developed turbulent flow is achieved at Re = 1.5 · 105 and then the speed atthat Reynols number is about 83 RPM. The power need at that stage is shown tobe about 20 W. / Roterande bäddreaktorer används inom hela processindustrin. De används bådeinom den kemiska industrin och andra industriella sektor såsom, läkemedel och textilindustrin vid avfärgning på grund av biprodukter eller föroreningar. SpinChemAB tillverkar roterande bed reaktorer (RBR) för att utföra kemiska reaktioner mellan vätska och fasta material. Det fasta materialet består av sfäriska partiklar på0,1 mm - 1 mm i diameter som packas mellan två cylindrar i RBRn. Målet med detta projektarbete var att bestämma effekt nummer, effekt som krävsvid det effekt nummer, kravet på vridmoment från motorn samt den axiella kraftensom den roterande bäddreaktorn upplever när ett fullt utvecklat turbulent flöde uppnåtts. Syftet med arbetet var optimera teknologin ur energianvändningssynpunkt, göra den enkel och lättillgänglig för kemiska och industriella processer som ett bidragför hållbar samhällsutveckling. För att kunna uppnå syftet och målet med projekten användes, avancerade beräkningsmetoder i födes mekanik (CFD) i kombinationmed experimentella modeller. Beräkningar gjordes i COMSOL Multiphysics för tvåturbulenta modeller. I de användes roterande maskineriet med en medföljande mesh (moving mesh) för både standard k-ε modellen och SST k-ω modellen. Resultatet jämfördes sedan med de empiriska modellerna. Undersökningarna gjordes för två modeller av RBR. Ena modellen heter RBR S2med relativt små tillstorlek och RBR S14 som är mycket större version. För RBR S2visar den experimentella resultaten ett effekt nummer på 3,4, vridmoment på 0,03Nm, effekt förbrukning på 3 W och en axiellkraft ("thrust force") på 0,11 N. Simuleringsresultatet visar ett effekt nummer på 1,2, vridmoment på 0,013 Nm, effektförbrukning på 2 W och en axiellkraft på 0,8 N. För RBR S14 visade det experimentella resultatet ett effekt nummer på 0,53, vridmoment på 0,41 Nm, effektförbrukning på 6 W och en axiellkraft ("thrust force") på 4,16 N. Simuleringsresultatetvisade att effekt nummer var 0,34, vridmoment på 0,40 Nm, effektförbrukning på4,14 W och en axiellkraft på 3,61 N. Med hjälp av de framräknade effektnummer kan effekten som behövs rotera RBRnbestämmas. Effektnummer bestäms när ett fullt utvecklat turbulent flöde uppnåtts. För RBRS2 uppnås ett fullt utvecklat turbulent flöde vid Re = 2,8·04 och vinkelhastigheten är 830 RPM vid det Reynolds nummer. Effekten som krävs för att drivaRBRn vid det läge är ca 4 W för RBRS2. För RBRS14 uppnås ett fullt utvecklatturbulent flöde vid Re = 1,5·105 och då har vi en hastighet på 83 RPM. Vid denhastighet visas effekten vara ca 20 W.