Submitted by Cleide Dantas (cleidedantas@ufpa.br) on 2014-08-06T11:52:13Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23898 bytes, checksum: e363e809996cf46ada20da1accfcd9c7 (MD5) Dissertacao_CaracterizacaoUsoComercial.pdf: 1586209 bytes, checksum: e5cfbec670aeb0393b16aaf93ceb86cb (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Rosa Silva (arosa@ufpa.br) on 2014-08-29T12:57:24Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23898 bytes, checksum: e363e809996cf46ada20da1accfcd9c7 (MD5) Dissertacao_CaracterizacaoUsoComercial.pdf: 1586209 bytes, checksum: e5cfbec670aeb0393b16aaf93ceb86cb (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-29T12:57:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23898 bytes, checksum: e363e809996cf46ada20da1accfcd9c7 (MD5) Dissertacao_CaracterizacaoUsoComercial.pdf: 1586209 bytes, checksum: e5cfbec670aeb0393b16aaf93ceb86cb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / ADA - Agência de Desenvolvimento da Amazônia / Este trabalho analisou o uso da fauna silvestre pelas populações rurais e urbanas do município de Abaetetuba, PA (S 1°42.008’ W 048°54.009’), tendo como meta a geração de conhecimentos que viabilizem as ações futuras de implementação de programas de produção comercial de animais silvestres nesta região. Para tanto foram: 1) aplicados questionários aos vendedores e aos freqüentadores da feira livre do município, assim como realizado o monitoramento do comércio de carne silvestre ao longo do ano de 2005; 2) realizadas visitas as comunidades ribeirinhas e aplicados questionários aos moradores das ilhas Capim, Xingu e Quianduba; 3) verificado o nível de conhecimento dos produtores rurais a cerca da viabilidade ou não de implementação de programas de criação de animais silvestres na região. As atividades na feira livre mostraram que em 2005 aproximadamente 5.970 kg de carne de animais silvestres pertencentes a oito etno-espécies (mucura, veado, capivara, paca, tatu, jacaré-açu, jacaré-tinga e matamatá) foram comercializadas, sendo que as carnes de capivara e jacaré foram as mais representativas, 64% e 34%, respectivamente. Os comerciantes apresentaram alta dependência financeira desta atividade, obtendo mensalmente uma renda de até R$ 600,00. Os consumidores moravam no município ou em regiões próximas e compraram os produtos mais por hábitos culturais do que necessidades financeiras. As principais atividades de subsistência (pesca e agro-extrativismo de açaí) praticadas pelas populações ribeirinhas encontram-se em declínio ou não atendem as necessidades alimentares da comunidade ao longo de todo o ano. A caça ainda se constitui uma atividade comum para os ribeirinhos entrevistados, cerca de 38% (n= 55) destes caçaram durante o último ano um total de 68 animais de pequeno porte, incluindo a mucura, a cutia, o tatu, a paca, o soia e o camaleão. Os animais maiores podem estar localmente extintos em função da sobre-caça. Os produtores rurais indicaram como fatores favoráveis para a criação de animais silvestres a proteção das populações naturais e a geração de renda; e como desfavoráveis a falta de assistência técnica e de apoio financeiro, a burocracia e os altos custos de produção. A formação de um sistema participativo de manejo, envolvendo a comunidade, o governo e o setor privado, que garanta o estabelecimento uma cadeia produtiva funcional, é apontada como uma ferramenta necessária para a implantação de sistema de criação comercial de animais silvestre neste município. / This work analyzed the use of local fauna by rural and urban populations in the municipality of Abaetetuba, PA (1°42.008’ W 048°54.009’), to study the feasibility of commercial breeding of wildlife in that region. Interviews were conducted with vendors and customers of the local street fair; local fauna destined for food consumption was monitored in the year 2005; riverside communities were visited and interviews conducted with the inhabitants of Capim, Xingu and Quianduba islands; captive breeding know-how of local rural producers was verified. Approximately 5,970 kg of wildlife meat belonging to eight ethno-species (opossums, deers, capybaras, paca, armadillos, black caiman, spectacled caiman e matamata) were sold at the local street faire, capybaras and caiman accounting for most of the sales, 64% and 34% respectively. Vendors were financially highly dependent on this activity, which generated a monthly income of as much as 600 reais. Consumers in Abaetetuba or near regions would purchase these products mostly due to cultural habits rather than for financial reasons. The primary subsistence activities (fishing and extraction of cabbage palm’s fruit) practiced by riverside populations have been declining or do not meet their feeding necessities. Hunting is still a common practice for some of the riverside inhabitants. 55 (38%) of them have hunted at least once in the one year period before this research was conducted and removed a total of 68 small sized animals, including opossums, agouties, armadillos, pacas, spiny rats and iguanas. Local farmers mentioned as favorable factors for breeding wildlife animals the protection of wildlife species and income generation; and as unfavorable the lack of technical and financial support, red tape, and high production costs. The formation of a participative management system, involving the community, government and private sectors is mentioned as a necessary condition for the implementation of commercial breeding of wildlife animals in this municipality.

Submitted by Hellen Luz (hellencrisluz@gmail.com) on 2017-08-11T16:11:23Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Dissertacao_AspectosEcoepidemiologicoAssociados.pdf: 1437501 bytes, checksum: d0b3de7b2c158b16b67cdc18a4003338 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-11T16:11:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Dissertacao_AspectosEcoepidemiologicoAssociados.pdf: 1437501 bytes, checksum: d0b3de7b2c158b16b67cdc18a4003338 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-31 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Os flebotomíneos são insetos vetores de diversos patógenos causadores de doenças, sendo responsáveis pela transmissão a animais e humanos de inúmeras enfermidades sendo a principal delas as leishmanioses. O presente estudo avaliou os aspectos ecoepidemiologicos da fauna flebotomínica em um fragmento florestal na área urbana no município de Belém (PA). De dezembro de 2015 a novembro de 2016 foram realizadas coletas mensais de flebotomíneos no fragmento florestal e no peridomicílio das residências próximas, com o auxilio de armadilha luminosa do tipo CDC. Coletou-se um total de 4070 flebotomíneos, com identificação de dois gêneros e 24 espécies. A espécie predominante foi Lutzomyia (Trichopygomyia) longispina (32,16%), seguida por Lutzomyia (Evandromyia) infraspinosa (21,72%). Os estimadores de riqueza indicaram que o esforço amostral foi satifastório para a área estudada. Não houve uma relação significativa entre a precipitação acumulada, a temperatura e a umidade relativa do ar quando analisada com a abundância de flebotomíneos. Quando relacionados às variáveis climáticas com a riqueza de espécies, apenas a precipitação acumulada mensal apresentou uma relação negativa sobre a riqueza de espécies capturadas. Na análise da distribuição vertical o número de espécimes de flebotomíneos capturados ao nível do solo foi significativamente maior do que na copa, onde no solo foram encontradas 21 espécies, sendo quatro delas exclusivas deste estrato e 20 espécies na copa, com três ocorrendo exclusivamente da copa. Foram encontradas quatro espécies com importância epidomiológica, sendo: Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) flaviscutellata, Lutzomyia (Psychodopygus) ayrozai, Lutzomyia (Psychodopygus) paraensis e Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) antunesi. As fêmeas avaliadas por PCR foram negativas para Leishmania spp. E a maioria das fêmeas ingurgitadas analisadas alimentou-se de mamíferos. O conhecimento da fauna em área de preservação sob intensa influência antrópica, pode auxiliar no entendimento da relação entre as espécies e o grau de preservação de uma área, e também no conhecimento de espécies que podem desempenhar papel efetivo na transmissão de agentes patogênicos ao homem e animais. / Sand flies are insects vectors of several disease-causing pathogens, responsible for the transmission to animals and humans of numerous diseases, the main being leishmaniasis. The present study evaluated the ecoepidemiological aspects of the phlebotominal fauna in a forest fragment in the urban area of Belém (PA). From December 2015 to November 2016, monthly collections of sand flies were carried out in the forest fragment and in the peridomicile of nearby residences, with the aid of a CDC type light trap. A total of 4070 phlebotomines were collected, with identification of two genera and 24 species. The predominant species was Lutzomyia (Trichopygomyia) longispina (32.16%), followed by Lutzomyia (Evandromyia) infraspinosa (21.72%). The wealth estimators indicated that the sampling effort was satifastory for the studied area. There was no significant relationship between accumulated precipitation, temperature and relative humidity when analyzed with sandfly abundance. When related to climatic variables with species richness, only the accumulated monthly rainfall presented a negative relation on the richness of captured species. In the analysis of the vertical distribution the number of sandfly specimens captured at ground level was significantly higher than in the canopy, where 21 species were found in the soil, four of them exclusive to this stratum and 20 species in the canopy, with three occurring exclusively in the canopy. Four species with epidemiological importance were found: Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) flaviscutellata, Lutzomyia (Psychodopygus) ayrozai, Lutzomyia (Psychodopygus) paraensis and Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) antunesi. The females evaluated by PCR were negative for Leishmania spp. And most of the engorged females analyzed were fed on mammals. The knowledge of the fauna in an area of preservation under intense anthropic influence, can help in the understanding of the relation between the species and the degree of preservation of an area, and also in the knowledge of species that may play an effective role in the transmission of pathogens to man and animals.

Os ácaros são Arthropoda muito numerosos em diversos ambientes e substratos. No Brasil os ácaros de plantas cultivadas são relativamente bem conhecidos, porém pouco se conhece sobre os ácaros edáficos. Esse fato deve-se em parte ao restrito número de especialistas e de trabalhos que sintetizam as informações taxonômicas sobre estes. Há atualmente grande interesse na redução da utilização de agroquímicos para o controle de pragas agrícola, que é a maneira mais utilizada de controlá-las. Isto é função da preocupação com os efeitos ambientais e a resistência de pragas aos produtos utilizados, além do elevado custo dessa forma de controle. Todos estes fatores levaram à busca de novas táticas de controle de pragas, incluindo o uso de ácaros predadores. Ologamasidae e Rhodacaridae, já relatados em solos brasileiros como grupos freqüentes e abundantes, se alimentam de uma série de organismos edáficos, alguns dos quais são pragas potenciais em culturas; dentre estes estão os colêmbola, moscas da família Sciaridae, tripes, ácaros da família Acaridae e nematóides. Em todo mundo pouco se sabe sobre a biologia dos Rhodacaroidea. Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram: elaborar uma lista de informações taxonômicas de Ologamasidae do mundo; identificar espécies de Rhodacaroidea coletadas em solo e folhedo da Mata Atlântica e Cerrado do Estado de São Paulo; elaborar uma chave taxonomica para auxiliar na separação de gêneros e/ou espécies correspondentes àqueles ácaros; descrever algumas das espécies novas de Ologamasidae determinadas no presente estudo; estudar o potencial de 3 espécies de Rhodacaroidea comuns nos ambientes estudados como agentes de controle biológico de diferentes organismos edáficos. Foram realizadas buscas em bancos de dados para a detecção de referências taxonômicas sobre Ologamasidae, dispersas na literatura nacional e internacional. Com esse trabalho, criou-se uma base de informações taxonômicas sobre as espécies de Ologamasidae do mundo, o que permitiu a elaboração de uma lista de espécies de Ologamasidae. São citadas nesta lista 385 espécies válidas, distribuídas em 45 gêneros, dfos quais os mais abundantes são Gamasiphis com quase 16% do total das espécies válidas, seguido por Gamasellus e Geogamasus com metade desse percentual. Sete dos gêneros são monotípos. Vinte e cinco espécies, consideradas como Ologamasidae não puderam ser atribuídas a nenhum gênero, por serem insuficientes suas descrições (incertae sedis). Foram descritas 6 novas espécies. Foram estudados em laboratório aspectos biológicos de uma espécie ainda não descrita de Ologamasus (Ologamasidae), de Protrogamasellopsis dioscorus Manson e de Protogamasellopsis posnaniensis (Wisniewk e Hirschmann) (estas, Rhodacaridae), quando alimentados com o ácaro Astigmata Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank). Considerando a freqüência com que Ologamasus sp. nova 1 tem sido encontrada no Estado de São Paulo, os resultados obtidos sugerem que em condições naturais este ácaro se alimente de outros organismos daqueles substratos, que não ácaros Astigmata. Entretanto, P. dioscorus e P. posnaniensis poderiam em condições naturais incluir aqueles ácaros em sua alimentação, como sugerido pelos parâmetros avaliados no presente estudo. / Mites are very numerous Arthropoda in diverse environments and substrates. In Brasil, mites of cultivated plants are relatively well known, but little is known about edaphic mites. This is partially due to the restrict number of specialists and of works that synthesize the taxonomic information on those mites. Presently, there is considerable interest in reducing the use of chemical products for the control of agricultural pests, presently the most common way of controlling them. This is a function of the growing preoccupation with the environmental effects, the acquisition of pest resistance to those chemicals and the high costs involved. All those factors led to the search for new control tactics, including the use of predatory mites. Ologamasidae and Rhodacaridae, already reported as frequent and abundant in Brazilian soils, feed on a series of edaphic organisms, some of which are potential pests; among these Collembola, Sciaridae flies, thrips, Acaridae mites and nematodes. In the whole world, little is known about the biology of Rhodacaroidea. The objectives of the present work were: to prepare a list of taxonomic information concerning the Ologamasidae of the world; to identify the species of Rhodacaroidea collected in soil and litter of \"Mata Atlantica\" and \"Cerrado\" vegetaions of the State of Sao Paulo; to prepare a taxonomic key to help in the separation of genera and species corresponding to those mites; to describe some of the new species of Ologamasidae determined in this study; to study the potential of 3 Rhodacaroidea species commonly found in the studied environments as biological control agents of different edaphic organisms. Searches were conducted in data bases to determine taxonomic references on Ologamasidae disperse in the Brazilian and international literature. With this work, a base on taxzonomic information was established for the world Ologamasidae. In this list, 385 valid species are mentioned, distributed in 45 genera, of which the most abundant are Gamasiphis, with almost 16% of the total number of valid species, followed by Gamasellus and Geogamasus, each with about half of that proportion. Seven of the genera are monotypic. Twenty-five species, considered as Ologamasidae could not be placed in genera because of the insufficient information provided in the descriptions of those species (Incertae sedis). Six new species were described. Aspect of the biology of an undescribed species of Ologamasus (Ologamasidae), of Protrogamasellopsis dioscorus Manson e of Protogamasellopsis posnaniensis (Wisniewk e Hirschmann) (both, Rhodacaridae) were studied in the laboratory, when offered the Astigmata mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) as prey. Considering the frequency with which the new species of Ologamaus has been found in the State of Sao Paulo, the results of this study suggest that in nature this mite does feeds on other organisms in those substrates, that Astigmata mites. However, P. dioscorus and P. posnaniensicould in nature include those mites in their diets, as suggested by the parameters evaluated in the present study.

Les espèces exotiques envahissantes végétales sont des plantes introduites et naturalisées hors de leur aire de répartition native et capables de maintenir et d’accroitre leur population. Certaines sont considérées comme transformatrices de par leur effet sur les écosystèmes : leur structure, leur fonctionnement ainsi que leur communauté végétale et animale. Ces transformations peuvent rendre certaines de ces espèces nuisibles de par leurs impacts écologiques et économiques important. Les travaux réalisés dans le cadre de cette thèse et présentés ici ont pour objectif d’approfondir les connaissances sur l’impact des invasions biologiques. La faune du sol, la végétation native et leur substrat ainsi que son fonctionnement ont été étudiés à différentes échelles spatiales. Deux espèces exotiques, envahissantes en Europe, ont été considérées comme modèles pour ces travaux : le robinier faux-acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia) et la renouée du japon (Reynoutria japonica). Premièrement, une méta-analyse globale a permis de démontrer l’effet positif des invasions biologiques végétales sur l’abondance de certains groupes de la faune du sol, notamment les consommateurs primaires, en fonction de la structure de l’habitat (ouvert ou fermé). Ensuite, une étude à large échelle sur le robinier faux-acacia a permis d’illustrer les différences qui peuvent exister dans la réponse des écosystèmes forestiers aux invasions le long d’un gradient latitudinal. Ce gradient, composé de quatre régions distinctes en Europe de l’Ouest présente des différences de climat et de végétation dominante, ces différences modifiant l’impact du robinier faux-acacia. Une étude approfondie sur le robinier faux-acacia en Normandie a permis de mieux comprendre l’effet du robinier faux-acacia sur les communautés animales et végétales ainsi que sur le fonctionnement des écosystèmes par comparaison avec deux essences natives dominantes. Finalement, une manipulation expérimentale en laboratoire a démontré l’impact des composés allélopathiques de la renouée du Japon sur une partie de la faune du sol. Cette étude a montré que certaines espèces exotiques envahissantes sont susceptibles d’influencer la faune, et les réseaux trophiques, du sol par leur métabolisme secondaire. Ces travaux illustrent l’intérêt, dans le contexte des invasions biologiques végétales, de l’étude simultanée des compartiments aériens et souterrains à différentes échelles spatiales. / Invasive alien plants are species introduced and naturalized outside of their native distribution range and which have the capacity to maintain and expand their population. Some of these species are considered to be ecosystem transformers by altering their structure, functioning as well as resident animal and plant communities. These induced alterations make some of these species undesirable through their ecological and economical impacts. The work presented in this thesis aimed at a better understanding of the impact of biological invasions by alien plants. The soil fauna, native vegetation and their substrate, as well as ecosystem functioning, were studied at different spatial scales. Two exotic alien species, invasive in Europe, were considered as biological models for this work: the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) and the Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica). Firstly, a global meta-analysis demonstrated the positive impact that plant invasions can exert on the abundance of some groups within the soil fauna, notably primary consumers, within different types of habitats (open or closed). Then, a large-scale study on the black locust revealed the differences that can can occur in the response of forest ecosystems to invasions along a latitudinal gradient. Study sites along this gradient, distributed amog four distinct regions in western Europe, exhibit differences in climate and dominant native vegetation which can alter the impact of the black locust. A detailed study on black locust impact in Normandy demonstrated the impact of R. pseudoacacia on native plant and soil fauna communities, as well as some ecosystem functions, in comparison to two native tree species. Finally, a laboraty experiment demonstrated the impact that allelopathic compounds extracted from Japanese knotweed rhizomes can have on some organisms within the soil fauna. This study showed that some invasive alient plants can influence the soil fauna, and soil food webs, through their secondary metabolism. This thesis illustrates that simultaneous study of both aboveground and belowground ecosystem compartments at different spatial scales is of interest in the context of biological invasions.

Dans le contexte énergétique actuel, les pouvoirs publics s’engagent à réduire la consommation des énergies fossiles et à développer le marché des énergies renouvelables afin de diminuer les émissions de CO2 et de faire face à la raréfaction des sources d’énergie fossile. La demande en bois-énergie, notamment de plaquettes forestières, est appelée à s’accroître dans les années à venir. Afin d’augmenter la production forestière une exploitation des résidus de coupe de diamètre inférieur à 7 cm, appelés rémanents forestiers, est envisagée. De plus, pour compenser la perte de matière organique exportée avec les rémanents, une compensation minérale sous forme de cendres provenant des chaufferies est envisagée. Cependant, l’impact de telles pratiques de gestion sur les écosystèmes forestiers tempérés ne sont que très peu étudiés. Les objectifs de cette thèse étaient donc d’étudier l’impact d’un export des rémanents forestiers et d’une compensation par les cendres sur la biocénose du sol à différentes échelles et de tenter d’identifier des indicateurs biologiques pouvant mettre en lumière les perturbations de l’écosystème créées par ces gestions. Dans un premier temps, l’étude de la macrofaune et de la mésofaune du sol à une échelle régionale puis nationale a permis de mettre en avant l’importance de l’essence dominante (hêtre ou chêne) dans la réponse du macrofaune à l’export de rémanents. Cette partie a aussi montré que l’export de la totalité des rémanents et de la litière a un impact négatif sur toute la communauté de la faune du sol et que l’apport de cendres ne compensait pas, voire aggravait, l’effet de l’export de rémanents. Dans un second temps, une étude en mésocosme d’un double gradient de quantité de rémanents et de cendres a mis en avant l’importance de la fertilité minérale du sol dans la réponse de l’interface sol-végétation. Dans un sol neutre, l’export des rémanents ou l’apport de cendres ne présentait pas d’impact sur l’interface sol-plante au contraire du sol acide. De plus, dans le sol acide, une importante modification structurelle de la communauté microbienne a été mise en avant lors du mélange entre les rémanents et les cendres. Pour finir cette étude a permis de mettre en lumière les ordres des Lithobiomopha et des Geophilomorpha comme potentielles sources de bioindicateurs des perturbations des réseaux trophiques dans le cadre d’une gestion des rémanents ou d’un apport de cendres / In the current contextof energetic transition, public policies commit to reduce fossil fuel consumption and develop renewable energies in order to reduce CO2 emission. Woody biomass can be one of the solutions in order to increase the share of renewable energu ressources in energetic mix. In order to increase woody biomass production, an export of logging residues (under 7 cm of diameter) is investigated. Furthermore, in order to offset th export of organic matter with logging residue, mineral compensation by wood ash application is investigated. Nevertheless, the effect of such management practices on temperate forest ecosystem were understudied. The aims of this thesis were to study the impact of logging residues management intensity and wood ash offset on soil biota and to investigate potential bioindicators of disturbance led by these practices. First, the study on macrofauna and mesofauna at various scales (regional then northen French) highlited the importance of tree species (oak or beech) the response of soil biota to logging residue export. Furthermore, this first part showed a strong negative impact on the whole soil community when logging residues and litter were exported and wood ash application did not compensate the impacts of logging residues export on macro and mesofauna. Second, a mesocosm study with a cross-gradient of logging residue and wood ash input highlighted the importance of mineral fertility in the response of soil-plant interface. In neutral soil, logging residue export or wood ash application did not impact soil-plant interface, conversely to acidic soil. Furthermore, in acidic soil, a strong structural disturbance of microfloral assemblage was showed when logging residue and wood ash were added together. Third, this thesis highlighted Litobiomorpha and Geophilomorpha orders as potential sources of bioindicators of disturbance of trophic networks in logging residue export and wood ash offset context of forest management practices

The current environmental status of the majority of Bermuda’s one hundred sixty-six known caves was investigated. This survey replicated a historical cave study performed in 1983, wherein each was analyzed for positive and negative features. Statistical analysis of the data showed a significant difference between the historical and current survey ratings, with an overall decrease in environmental status. A water quality study was performed on twenty different caves with sea level pools in various locations around the island. Nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, and phosphate levels were measured from varying depths in these caves. Fifteen of these caves were also tested for the presence of fecal bacterial contamination. High nitrate levels were discovered in some of the caves, particularly in surface samples. Additionally, bacterial contamination was detected in some caves. No obvious relationship between cave size or location and contamination existed for any of the pollutants sampled. Three separate caves from this group were dived and analyzed using a Hydrolab Sonde 3 Multiprobe Logger to acquire in situ water column data including depth, temperature, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen. Each cave studied had its own unique trends in hydrology at varying depths in the water column. A later water sampling study with a randomized experimental design was created and caves were divided into four classes based on size and location. Surface and subsurface samples were gathered from twelve randomly selected caves, three from each class. Each sample was analyzed for nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia concentrations. The results were analyzed using multiple analysis of variance statistics. A significant difference between the nitrate concentrations in the surface and subsurface water samples was discovered. None of the other comparisons were statistically significant. To represent the data visually, a Bermuda Cave and Karst Information System (BeCKIS) was created using the environmental survey data and water quality information. Some of the maps generated highlighted regions where negative environmental impacts on caves were concentrated geographically, thus demonstrating how this geographic information system could be used as a conservation tool.

The numerous benefits that wetlands provide make them essential to ecosystem services and ecological functions. Historically, wetland losses have been caused by natural and anthropogenic changes. In Texas, nearly 50% of coastal wetland habitat has been lost since the 1930s and losses in the Lower Neches watershed have been some of the most extensive. Restoration is a way to mitigate these losses and can be accomplished in many ways. Each restoration design creates different aquatic habitats that can influence both submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and faunal communities. The restoration of the Lower Neches Wildlife Management Area (LNWMA) has created the conditions for the growth of the invasive submerged macrophyte, Myriophyllum spicatum (Eurasian watermilfoil) which may be competing with the native aquatic grass, Ruppia maritima (widgeongrass) for essential nutrients. In this study, an attempt was made to link restoration design with both SAV and aquatic fauna community structures by using a throw trap to characterize assemblages observed in three different types of restored marshes. We also performed two controlled mesocosm experiments in 0.5 gal aquariums to determine growth inhibition by M. spicatum on R. maritima. Analyses using Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test determined that temporal variations in fauna and SAV community composition was greater than any restoration effect. Discriminant Function Analyses (DFAs) determined two to three key faunal species that best predicted association among restoration designs, but linear regressions could not determine any consistent relationship between individual species density and biomass of the dominant SAV species, M. spicatum. For the mesocosm experiments, M. spicatum inhibited the biomass production and branch count of R. maritima when the two species are grown together (ANOVA, p = 0.004 and 0.003, respectively). Changes in SAV assemblages due to competition and habitat characteristics could play a major role in determining faunal community. In order to minimize the temporal effect observed and better determine any habitat pattern that may be present, a much longer study is necessary.

The current environmental status of the majority of Bermuda’s one hundred sixty-six known caves was investigated. This survey replicated a historical cave study performed in 1983, wherein each was analyzed for positive and negative features. Statistical analysis of the data showed a significant difference between the historical and current survey ratings, with an overall decrease in environmental status. A water quality study was performed on twenty different caves with sea level pools in various locations around the island. Nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, and phosphate levels were measured from varying depths in these caves. Fifteen of these caves were also tested for the presence of fecal bacterial contamination. High nitrate levels were discovered in some of the caves, particularly in surface samples. Additionally, bacterial contamination was detected in some caves. No obvious relationship between cave size or location and contamination existed for any of the pollutants sampled. Three separate caves from this group were dived and analyzed using a Hydrolab Sonde 3 Multiprobe Logger to acquire in situ water column data including depth, temperature, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen. Each cave studied had its own unique trends in hydrology at varying depths in the water column. A later water sampling study with a randomized experimental design was created and caves were divided into four classes based on size and location. Surface and subsurface samples were gathered from twelve randomly selected caves, three from each class. Each sample was analyzed for nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia concentrations. The results were analyzed using multiple analysis of variance statistics. A significant difference between the nitrate concentrations in the surface and subsurface water samples was discovered. None of the other comparisons were statistically significant. To represent the data visually, a Bermuda Cave and Karst Information System (BeCKIS) was created using the environmental survey data and water quality information. Some of the maps generated highlighted regions where negative environmental impacts on caves were concentrated geographically, thus demonstrating how this geographic information system could be used as a conservation tool.

The forest floor represents the uppermost organic and organicenriched mineral soil horizons. They have been formed by the deposition of organic material and the subsequent biologically mediated decomposition. The forest floor influences rooting-zone temperature, aeration, moisture, and nutrient conditions, and hence, forest productivity. Considering the importance of the forest floor, and the fact that it is exposed to disturbance (being the surface layer), we need to assess the potential impacts our logging practices may have. Clearcutting, one of the contentious silvicultural practices used in British Columbia, is imputed to most adversely affect ecosystems and sustainability. We assessed the long-term impact of clearcutting on the forest floor by documenting changes in the thickness, chemical and biotic properties of the humus form across a chronosequence of forest stands. The study was located in the largest and most representative portion of the coastal rainforest the Very Wet Maritime Coastal Western Hemlock (CWHvm) subzone.

The Hiikwis site complex, located in Barkley Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island, consists of two traditional Nuu-chah-nulth village sites: Uukwatis (DfSh-15) and Hiikwis proper (DfSh-16). Uukwatis, the older of the two sites, was occupied from at least 2870 cal BP. It is believed that at some point the main village was moved west up the beach approximately 650 m to Hiikwis proper, which has been dated to at least 1290 cal BP. Both sites appear to have been occupied into the early twentieth century. This thesis represents the first detailed faunal analysis of an inner Barkley Sound site older than 600 years. The faunal assemblage is unique among contemporaneous sites in the region, due in part to a large bird assemblage and the presence of salmon remains throughout all levels of the site complex. Hiikwis does not follow the pattern typically described for Barkley Sound sites, in which salmon was not a significant resource until around 800 cal BP. However, after 900 cal BP, the relative abundance of salmon within the Hiikwis fish assemblage does increase. These results support an established hypothesis that this time period in Barkley Sound was characterized by group amalgamations, increasing populations, shifting territorial boundaries, changes in subsistence practices, and increased defensive strategies and structures. This faunal analysis shows that the Hiikwis site complex was occupied year-round for the majority of its occupation, with a shift to seasonal (winter/spring) occupation represented within the most recent levels of cultural deposits at Hiikwis proper. / Graduate / 0324 / nicole.westre@hotmail.com