The main goal of this study was to improve the contribution of higher education to sustainable development in Vietnam, specifically in the area of engineering education. The study mapped the current scenario of sustainable development and engineering in higher education in Vietnam as well as investigated how a cultural perspective may influence change strategies in higher education for sustainable development. This study addressed the need for empirical research on the education for sustainable development experience in Vietnam. It argued for and contributed to an emerging international dialogue about how to accelerate progress towards engineering curriculum transformation for sustainable development in different cultural contexts. Located in the interpretivist tradition, the study utilised a wide range of qualitative research techniques to collect and validate data including open-ended questionnaires, interviews, group discussions, participant observation and documentary review. Empirical data was generated between May 2010 and August 2012 in both Vietnam and the UK through three research stages. The first stage was informed by a qualitative survey which captured baseline data collected through a large group of stakeholders from different sectors and various levels of governance. The study mapped the current responses to sustainable development in Vietnam, and confirmed the need and expectation for change in Vietnamese engineering education towards sustainable development. Case study research was carried out at three Vietnamese engineering universities during stage two. The focus was on understanding the current processes and opportunities for curriculum change for sustainable development, as well as investigating how the specific contextual and cultural factors might influence the desired change. The study found evidence of issues which hampered the current efforts in education for sustainable development in the engineering universities in Vietnam. The analysis also provided insights into the Vietnamese values, attitudes and expectancies, and behavioural preferences which contributed to explaining why these issues existed.

Having arguably led the world in the transition to a high carbon economy, much of Wales today is economically and socially deprived. Even so, a devolved Welsh Government has set ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions in the devolved areas, while creating employment and economic opportunities, reducing fuel poverty, thereby helping to solve Wales’ entrenched social and economic problems. A low carbon transition in the built environment is critical to achieve such targets. This PhD study aims to provide theoretically informed and empirically grounded insights into the development of low carbon building technologies in Wales through examining how the functions of the innovation systems of two selected emerging technologies i.e. ‘Welsh grown timber for construction’ (WTC) and ‘building integrated solar energy systems’ (BISE) have been fulfilled. Having first established a bespoke analytical framework, the functional patterns of the two technological innovation systems (TIS) are documented, assessed and compared. The study further explores how the functional analyses may offer a bottom-up perspective on the policy implications for regional governance in Wales, which might alter the functional patterns, and improve the innovation capability of relevant Welsh organisations. The functional analyses of the WTC and BISE TIS shows that, although both TISs have reached their formative phases in Wales, there is no guarantee that either system will eventually move onto the phase of market diffusion, due to the inherent system weaknesses and uncertainties likely arising in technology, policy-making, and market. Whereas regional governance in Wales can introduce policy interventions, they matter only when breakouts from certain forms of institutional ‘path-dependence’ are induced. In this respect, the thesis concludes by discussing four streams of policy-thinking that may instigate different pathways in Wales, namely: technology foresight; the regulation-induced innovation hypothesis; demand-oriented policy measures; and, support for small business innovations through, e.g. R&D consortia.

This thesis presents the results of a 6-year research project to investigate the radioecology of temperate coastal sand dunes. Samples (n = 617) of soil, water and biota were collected from the Drigg coastal sand dunes (West Cumbria, UK) between February 2005 and October 2007. Biota groups sampled included amphibians, birds, invertebrates, mammals, reptiles, plants (including lichens and mosses) and fungi. All samples were analysed for 40K, 137Cs and 241Am. A sub-set of samples (n = 26) was analysed for 90Sr, 99Tc, 238Pu and 239+240Pu. Additional soil analyses included soil moisture, bulk density, pH, organic matter content, carbonate content and cation concentrations (Ca2+, K+, Na+ & Mg2+). The application of three publicly-available environmental radiation protection models (ERICA, R&D128/Sp1a & RESRAD-BIOTA) to an assessment of ionising radiation impacts at the Drigg coastal sand dunes site was evaluated. Soil activity concentration data were used as input data and model results compared with measured activity concentrations in sand dune biota. Radionuclide concentration ratios (CRs) were identified as an important source of variation in model predictions. For sand dune small mammals, Am, Cs and Pu CRs were found to be 1 – 2 orders of magnitude lower than those for small mammals in other terrestrial ecosystems. For reptiles, the variability could be attributed to the paucity of data on transfer to this vertebrate group. Through literature review, mining of unpublished data sets and analysis of samples collected from the Drigg coastal sand dunes, CR databases were developed for reptiles (across a range of ecosystem types) and for sand dune biota. Analysis of sand dune soil data suggested that both sea-to-land transfer and the transport of sand grains in saltation influence the soil activity concentrations in coastal sand dunes. The low CRs for sand dune biota may be due to low bioavailability of particulate-bound radionuclides.

Pollen allergy affects a substantial proportion of the European population, and in many European countries the greatest rates of sensitisation are found for grass pollen allergen. Pollen allergy incidence rates tend to be greater in urban than in rural areas, likely due in part to the effects of urban air pollution on the allergy-causing potential of pollen grains. Background pollen concentrations measured at roof level monitoring stations are typically used as a proxy for exposure, but may differ considerably from the exposure experienced by allergy sufferers. In a 2003 report on phenology, the World Health Organisation highlighted the need for an improved understanding of the relationship between pollen monitoring station data and actual personal exposure. Four studies are presented in this thesis. Three of these address three different aspects of urban exposure to grass pollen, whilst the fourth supporting study concerns pollen sampler effciency. In Study A, the relative efficiency relationships between three models of pollen sampler were established under field conditions, and effciency correction factors derived. These factors enable the quantitative comparison of data collected with different samplers, as is often necessary during exposure assessment. The results contribute to Study B, in which background grass pollen concentrations measured at roof level were compared with those at street level within an urban canyon. A tendency for lower concentrations within the canyon was observed, consistent with the deposition of pollen from the recycling component of within-canyon air, and indicating that monitoring station data typically overestimates exposure in the canyon environment. In Study C, grass pollen dose rates estimated through personal sampling were compared with monitoring station data, and dose rate/background concentration ratios determined. These ratios, which as far as the author is aware have not been reported previously, may be used to estimate inhaled pollen dose from monitoring station data. In Study D, diurnal grass pollen concentration profiles were shown to vary systematically throughout the pollen season, with this variation apparently associated with a succession of different grass species with different flowering patterns dominating pollen emission as the season progresses. Profles averaged over entire seasons are commonly used to advise allergy sufferers on avoidance strategies, however such systematic intra-seasonal variation is not thought to have previously been demonstrated. As far as the author is aware, each of these four studies represents a novel contribution to the area of pollen exposure assessment. As a body of work, this thesis furthermore lays foundations for the development of a human exposure model for grass pollen, an important constituent of an integrated pollen exposure assessment strategy.

This thesis presents the results of the analysis of the anthracological remains (charred fuel wood waste debris) retrieved from the archaeological sites of Pınarbaşı, Boncuklu, Can Hasan III, Çatalhöyük East and Çatalhöyük West, located in the Konya plain of south-central Anatolia, Turkey. Together, these sites span the time period between ~15-7.5 ka cal. BP. The main aims of the present study are: (a) to characterise the use of prehistoric woodlands in south-central Anatolia and its changes through time during this critical period for the development of settled life and early agricultural economies, (b) to investigate the nature and scale of woodland management activities and anthropogenic impacts on prehistoric woodland vegetation, and (c) to assess the representativeness of the anthracological assemblages for reconstructing the composition, structure, form and distribution of late Pleistocene and early to mid-Holocene woodland vegetation in south-central Anatolia, and its changing ecologies in relation to climate, woodland growth conditions and human impacts. Anthracological analyses focused on charcoal macro-remains retrieved from a range of primary (fire features) and secondary (middens, building infill, and general dispersed contexts) fuel wood waste deposits. The methodologies applied included the taphonomic assessment of charcoal densities, standard taxon frequency and ubiquity quantitative analyses, and the quantitative and qualitative analysis of wood calibre and the dendroecological features preserved in archaeological charcoal specimens. The results of these analyses were further explored through the application of a range of multivariate quantitative techniques. The same techniques were also used to integrate the results of anthracological analyses with dung fuel seed archaeobotanical and select hunted and herded faunal datasets, in order to evaluate their co-variation, and thus reconstruct the co-evolution of landscape practices and anthropogenic impacts across space and time. This thesis demonstrates the unique potential of anthracology to provide novel and highly original insights in the palaeoecology and palaeoeconomy of Southwest Asia, particularly with regard to the investigation of vegetation history, the origin and developments of early anthropogenic landscapes and the nature of people-environment interactions during the transition from foraging to farming.

Droughts are one of the most widespread and complex natural hazards, and remain poorly understood in the context of the United Kingdom. Although the UK is perceived as a relatively water rich country, droughts are a recurrent feature of its climate, causing widespread and serious environmental and economic impacts. Current understanding of drought risk is often based on relatively short records, and/or a small number of specific contemporary case study events from the last couple of decades (e.g. 1976). This study addresses this problem through the development of long (>150 year) meteorological drought records reconstructed using the self-calibrating Palmer Drought Severity Index (scPDSI). The index was calculated using long duration temperature and rainfall records. New rainfall series were generated for Carlisle and Chatsworth, existent rainfall series were extended for Kew, Spalding, Manchester, Edinburgh and Oxford. Additional rainfall series were kindly provided for Appleby and Durham. Temperature series for the Lancashire Plain, Oxford, Edinburgh and Durham were also extended. Where appropriate the newly developed and existing series were evaluated and tested to ensure homogeneity. The drought reconstructions identify multiple drought-rich periods, particularly in the eighteenth and twentieth centuries, with an increasing tendency towards more severe droughts during the latter period. Prolonged rainfall deficiencies are found to be the primary cause of severe droughts, with rising temperatures exacerbating the rainfall conditioned drought pattern. Cycles at the 6-10 year period identify a sub-decadal to decadal signal during the more drought-rich periods, which can be interpreted as reflecting large scale modes of climate variability. Analysis of the spatial variability of droughts finds that whilst severe events predominantly display spatial coherence, there are notable variations in drought characteristics (severity and duration) that reflect intra- and interregional variability in drought behaviour. In part this can be attributed to localised variations in rainfall and distance between sites. This study extends the temporal range of previous drought studies and places recent drought events in a longer context, improving upon existing ‘benchmark’ drought analyses; with far-reaching implications for local, national and continental scale reduction of drought vulnerability and risk.

There is increasing concern about the adverse effects of the road network on wildlife. The impacts of roads in the ecological landscape include habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and habitat degradation. These interrupt and modify natural processes, altering community structures and population dynamics. The large number of animal fatalities from road traffic accidents is also of concern. Only limited work has been carried out to investigate the intensity of these effects in the UK landscape. This study investigates the effects of roads on both small and large mammals and reviews mitigation measures that have been installed to ameliorate some of these effects. Roads of all sizes present a significant barrier to animal movement and they affect it in specific ways. Movement of small mammals is inhibited by lack of cover and the hostile road surface, whilst fragmentation of the road-verge by highway-related structures, impedes dispersal and compromises the benefits of connectivity often ascribed to such areas. Large animals, which use roads to travel through their territory, are more likely to be struck by traffic and are therefore, more directly affected by traffic-intensity. There is room for further mitigation to reduce the worst of the road-related impacts.

The species of Acaena (Rosaceae) growing on the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia have been examined from two different aspects - the world level and the insular level. A revision of the taxonomy and synonymy of the two sections of the genus containing A.tenera and A.magellanica has resulted in the reduction to synonymy of many species, and a complete synonymyn for Sect. Acrobyssinoideae Bitt. and for A.magellanica (Lam.) Vahl (which comprises most of Sect. Ancistrum Bitt.) is provided. Morphological descriptions are given for A.magellanica and A.tenera, and for plants from South Georgia which are judged to be the hybrid A.magellanica x tenera. An examination of aspects of generic morphology together with consideration of relevant biogeographical literature has resulted in the conclusion that the genus probably arose from tropical ancestral stock which may have been common to Poterium. Speciation within South America has resulted in a spectrum of types, from primitive woody species with racemic inflorescences and multispined fruits to more highly evolved species with less woody stems, few spined fruits and compact globular heads. Dispersion of the genus from South America has taken place at various times, resulting in different stages of generic evolution. The majority of the Australasian species are found in New Zealand and appear to have a common ancestor. The relationships of other disjunct species were traced and relatively recent long distance dispersal was found to be a satisfactory explanation for most of their distributions. The taxa on South Georgia were shown to be highly evolved. The inter-relationships between them are given in terms of breeding patterns and it is suggested that F1, hybrids are normally formed with A.tenera as the female, whilst F2 and any subsequent generations are probably due to backcrossing to A.magellanica as the male. A.magellanica appears to be generally outcrossing whilst the reverse is true of A.tenera. Examination of floral development showed no evidence of preformation of flowers in the previous season, initiation occurring simultaneously with snow melt at most sites. The rate of floral development appeared to be linked to site aspect. Seed germination studies showed a warm day/cold night regime to be the most effective. A.magellanica seedlings grew at a much higher rate than those of A.tenera, but seedling production on a per head basis was similar for both species. Under a given light regime there was a linear rate of leaf production for both taxa. Rates for seedling establishment in various soils at different sites were seen to correspond to a pattern predictable from the general ecological data for the species. Measurement of changes in standing crop of an A.magellanica community showed it to be highly productive, although the tnojof part of dry matter production was for vegetative rather than flowering tissue. Initial measurements of photosynthetic rates demonstrated marked differences between geographically isolated populations of A.magellanica. A significant rate of photosynthesis was found to occur at and below 0°C. in all the South Georgian taxa. These data were discussed in terms of adaptation of the taxa to South Georgia and the other sub-Antarctic islands, whilst the information gathered on these and other species was used to propose a hypothesis for the origin, evolution and distribution of the genus.

This thesis develops a multi-scalar political ecology of biodiversity conservation on brownfield sites in Birmingham, U.K. While urban brownfield biodiversity is increasingly recognised as a valuable resource, political pressure to develop such spaces is also growing. Forty-five interviews were conducted with practitioners and policy makers, supported by genealogical and discursive analyses of a range of texts, to interrogate this tension. Common discourses structuring ecological, conservation and planning activities are traced across national and international levels, to contextualise the formulation and implementation of biodiversity action plans at the local level. Because urban landscapes are characterised by disequilibrium, planning policies and ecological models under-represent the worth of these spaces. The mediation of these discourses through local networks of actors engaged in the biodiversity action plan process is explored socially and geographically. A scalar political ecology of urban planning is developed through the consideration of wildlife corridors, and a case study of a specific brownfield site. The thesis offers an integrative analysis of socioecological transformation, and urban ecological governance. It is argued that while the BAP process has the potential to reconfigure urban geographies, it is currently sterile because such forms of sustainable governance contradict the dominant ‘scalar fix’ of capitalism.

Groundwater flow typically provides stable stream habitat within glacierised floodplains. However, spatio-temporal differences within and between groundwater flow pathways can create marked variability in the physicochemical characteristics of groundwater-fed streams. Research conducted on a floodplain terrace of the Toklat River, Denali National Park, Alaska, predominantly from May to September 2008, determined the influence of groundwater flow dynamics upon benthic and hyporheic macroinvertebrate assemblages. During periods of resource depletion benthic macroinvertebrate abundance was dependent upon contributions from specific flow pathways (DFSdeep), which supplied fine particulate organic matter. Dynamics of groundwater flow pathways influenced macroinvertebrates throughout the summer, however, with higher diversity observed in perennial streams which received groundwater flow from DFSdeep. Ephemeral flow pathways of glacial seepage supported lower diversity. Within the hyporheic zone, environmental stability of surface waters was influential, as this reflected the sub-surface residence time of percolating waters; nested routes of flow within each flow pathway, of varying length or permeability, created differences in the environmental stability of each stream. Macroinvertebrate diversity in the hyporheic zone was higher at sites of lower surface environmental stability, suggesting possible migration into the hyporheic zone. Digital remote sensing used to estimate the spatial extent of groundwater upwellings within two national parks in Alaska indicated that these groundwater-fed habitats are widespread.