The first objective of this thesis was to predict the future success of selected tree species under low (B1, 550 CO2 ppm) and moderate (A1B, 720 CO2 ppm) climate change scenarios as defined in the Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES). This was accomplished through the creation of radial-growth forecasts for eastern hemlock (Tsuga Canadensis (L.) Carr.), sugar maple (Acer saccharum L.), white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench.) Voss), and white pine (Pinus strobus L.) in the Grand River Watershed of Ontario, Canada. The forecasts were founded on historic growth-climate relationships between standardized regional dendrochronologies for each species and past climate data from the Guelph OAC weather station. These species-specific growth-climate relationships were then extended to 2100 using modeled climate data from the Third Generation Coupled Global Climate Model (CGCM3) to project radial-growth under both emissions scenarios. Results indicated that eastern hemlock radial-growth will remain stable throughout the 21st-century, sugar maple and white spruce growth will start to decline, and white pine growth will increase. While the radial-growth forecasts were limited by the length of the past climate data, the accuracy of the modeled climate data, and the number and type of variables used in the forecast model, the results were statically significant and strongly supported in the literature. The second thesis objective was to assess the potential impact of the radial-growth forecasts on environmental planning policy and forest management strategy in the Grand River Watershed. Examples of how the forecasts could influence basic management strategies in the watershed were provided to display the conceptual linkages between the results and policy formulation. Next, the radial-growth forecasts were presented to four forest managers working in the watershed to gage the practical implications, perceptions and limitations of the radial-growth forecasting method. While the managers found the radial-growth forecasts interesting, they also noted that the results were of limited use since they could not account for other factors important to the future success of the study species, such as seedling dispersal and establishment rates, as well as the potential effects of pathogens, insects and invasive species. Therefore, it was recommended that future research should work to extrapolate the results of the radial-growth forecasts to other tree species and types in the region, as well as incorporate more variables into the models, so that more accurate and applicable growth projections could be constructed in the watershed.

A numerical modelling analysis of climate change’s precipitation effects on the long-term, averaged surface and subsurface hydrology of the Grand River Watershed (GRW) was undertaken in order to assess possible areas of concern for decision makers in the water management sector. The physically-based, fully-integrated and variably-saturated 3-D surface-subsurface numerical simulator, HydroGeoSphere, was used to drive five mid-21st century climate change scenarios, developed from multiple general circulation models. Calibration involved altering measured and literature-derived hydraulic conductivity and precipitation distribution estimates, resulting in very good matching between observed and simulated long-term average surface flow at all gauge stations. Subsurface head results, too, matched observed heads quite well, though groundwater linkage to neighbouring watersheds was not included. When groundwater linkage to neighbouring watersheds was allowed, via regional Dirichlet boundary conditions used in a parent study, groundwater throughput was deemed to be unrealistic. All but one of the climate change scenarios caused an increase in both river discharge and water table elevation, with the greatest climate perturbations causing the greatest increases. For Scenario 1 (5% less precipitation than the 1960-to-1999 average), percentage discharge changes averaged -15% over all gauge stations. For the other scenarios (more precipitation than average), the inter-scenario discharge response ranged from approximately +12% to +59%. In general the range of inter-subcatchment response was greater than was the range for intra-subcatchment response; the greatest percentage response was consistently in the Speed River subcatchment, while the least was consistently in the Nith and Conestogo subcatchments. The exception was the application of less-than-average precipitation to the Grand River, whose gauge stations reported percentage changes in discharge that varied more substantially from one another. Subsurface hydrology reacted to the climate change scenarios in much the same manner as did the surface hydrology, with all climate change scenarios associated with a precipitation increase unsurprisingly resulting in higher total hydraulic heads throughout the entire domain. Specifically, the minimum and maximum mean head increases among the climate change scenarios were 0.41 m and 1.25 m respectively, while the only decrease was an average of 0.55 m. Similarly, the depth from the ground surface to the water table decreased in most scenarios, the maximum water table rise being 1.08 m and the minimum 0.36 m. When precipitation was allowed to decrease by 5% relative to the long-term average, the average water table elevation decreased by 0.48 m. However the water table’s pattern of high and low points remained very much the same among all climate change scenarios, suggesting that basin-wide groundwater flow patterns may not be among the hydrological measures most sensitive to climate change. Groundwater recharge, like almost all other components of the water budget, changed in linear proportion to the climate forcing and in agreement with GRW recharge estimates developed by others. Evapotranspiration, which met potential evapotranspiration in all scenarios due to the constant application of precipitation, was the only element of the water budget that did not increase, even though the water table was elevated closer to the rooting zone by most of the climate scenarios. On a smaller scale, changes in flow patterns may well be expected, given that zones of infiltration were observed to intensify with most of the climate forcing.

Municipal wastewater effluent (MWWE) has the potential for aquatic degradation, as it is the largest, per volume, anthropogenic discharge in Canada and other areas in the world. With an increasing population in many areas, such as Southern Ontario, there is concern that infrastructure of wastewater treatment facilities will not be able to maintain adequate treatment and prevent further degradation of the environment. The Grand River watershed, in Southern Ontario, is predicted to have its population increase to 1.2 million people by 2031 (from 780,000 people in 2001). Although wastewater treatment has improved, concern remains for receiving environments due to inadequate treatment (i.e. Kitchener) and minimal dilution (i.e. Guelph). This research was conducted to understand current impacts of MWWE in the Grand River watershed on fish communities to support future management and protection. Study sites upstream and downstream were chosen for their proximity to the Guelph, Kitchener, and Waterloo MWWE outfalls, similarity in habitat, and wadeability. Habitat analysis indicated that there were no large physical differences among sites. Fish communities were collected in a standardized method with a backpack electroshocker at each site (six randomly selected 10 m by 10 m sub-sites for 5 min). Greenside Darter (Etheostoma blennioides) and Rainbow Darter (E. caeruleum), the most abundant species, were also analyzed for stable isotope signatures (δ13C and δ15N) at each site. Downstream of the Guelph outfall there were no changes in mean total catch per unit effort (CPUE) or mean total mass. Changes to diversity, resilience, and tolerance in the fish community were attributed to a decreased abundance of Greenside Darter and increased abundance of Rainbow Darter. Downstream of the Kitchener discharge, there was a trend towards decreasing mean total CPUE, especially for darter species, and an increase in mean total mass due to a community shift to larger species including Catostomids and Centrarchids. The changes in abundance of Rainbow Darter, Catostomids, and Centrarchids among reference and Kitchener MWWE exposed sites explained the pattern in resilience, tolerance, and diet classifications. Lower diversity downstream of all three MWWE outfalls can be attributed to the increase in Rainbow Darter abundance. Stable isotope signatures (δ13C and δ15N) of Greenside Darter did not change downstream of the Guelph and Waterloo discharges, but signatures of Rainbow Darter increased immediately below the two outfalls. This shift may be due to the Rainbow Darter being able to take advantage of a change in the environment (i.e. food availability), resulting in its increased abundance and changes in isotopic signature. Directly downstream of the Kitchener outfall both darter species had an increase in δ13C and a large decrease in δ15N, likely due to high nutrient inputs from the outfall. The Kitchener wastewater discharge is also associated with a decrease in abundance of fish and a shift in community structure. MWWEs are currently affecting the aquatic environment, including fish communities in the Grand River watershed. Future investments in infrastructure and watershed management should be made to mitigate degradation of water quality in this watershed.

Municipal wastewater effluent (MWWE) has the potential for aquatic degradation, as it is the largest, per volume, anthropogenic discharge in Canada and other areas in the world. With an increasing population in many areas, such as Southern Ontario, there is concern that infrastructure of wastewater treatment facilities will not be able to maintain adequate treatment and prevent further degradation of the environment. The Grand River watershed, in Southern Ontario, is predicted to have its population increase to 1.2 million people by 2031 (from 780,000 people in 2001). Although wastewater treatment has improved, concern remains for receiving environments due to inadequate treatment (i.e. Kitchener) and minimal dilution (i.e. Guelph). This research was conducted to understand current impacts of MWWE in the Grand River watershed on fish communities to support future management and protection. Study sites upstream and downstream were chosen for their proximity to the Guelph, Kitchener, and Waterloo MWWE outfalls, similarity in habitat, and wadeability. Habitat analysis indicated that there were no large physical differences among sites. Fish communities were collected in a standardized method with a backpack electroshocker at each site (six randomly selected 10 m by 10 m sub-sites for 5 min). Greenside Darter (Etheostoma blennioides) and Rainbow Darter (E. caeruleum), the most abundant species, were also analyzed for stable isotope signatures (δ13C and δ15N) at each site. Downstream of the Guelph outfall there were no changes in mean total catch per unit effort (CPUE) or mean total mass. Changes to diversity, resilience, and tolerance in the fish community were attributed to a decreased abundance of Greenside Darter and increased abundance of Rainbow Darter. Downstream of the Kitchener discharge, there was a trend towards decreasing mean total CPUE, especially for darter species, and an increase in mean total mass due to a community shift to larger species including Catostomids and Centrarchids. The changes in abundance of Rainbow Darter, Catostomids, and Centrarchids among reference and Kitchener MWWE exposed sites explained the pattern in resilience, tolerance, and diet classifications. Lower diversity downstream of all three MWWE outfalls can be attributed to the increase in Rainbow Darter abundance. Stable isotope signatures (δ13C and δ15N) of Greenside Darter did not change downstream of the Guelph and Waterloo discharges, but signatures of Rainbow Darter increased immediately below the two outfalls. This shift may be due to the Rainbow Darter being able to take advantage of a change in the environment (i.e. food availability), resulting in its increased abundance and changes in isotopic signature. Directly downstream of the Kitchener outfall both darter species had an increase in δ13C and a large decrease in δ15N, likely due to high nutrient inputs from the outfall. The Kitchener wastewater discharge is also associated with a decrease in abundance of fish and a shift in community structure. MWWEs are currently affecting the aquatic environment, including fish communities in the Grand River watershed. Future investments in infrastructure and watershed management should be made to mitigate degradation of water quality in this watershed.

Dissolved organic carbon (DOM) is one of the largest cycled organic carbon pools on Earth and an important biogeochemical factor in aquatic systems. DOM can act as an energy source for microorganisms, alter the depth of the photic zone for photosynthesis, absorb harmful ultraviolet radiation, as well as alter the transport and toxicity of contaminants. The purpose of this research project was to characterize DOM in the Grand River watershed in Ontario, Canada using a wide range of qualitative and quantitative techniques and determine the impact of anthropogenic activities as well as seasonal and longitudinal changes on DOM processes. To reach the study objectives, historical data was analyzed to determine the seasonal cycle in the Grand River watershed. Intensive longitudinal sampling surveys were undertaken to evaluate the DOM characteristics and processes in the Grand River. Surveys of the less impacted Burnt River watershed were used as a comparison watershed to the Grand River to evaluate allochthonous and autochthonous indicators of DOM source and human impacts on DOM processes. Drinking water surveillance data was used to evaluate the effect of DOM in the Grand River on formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs). Different trends were seen in the Grand River in terms of longitudinal area and season. The headwaters of the river showed more autochthonous DOM in the spring and winter compared to the fall and summer. The lower-central river peaked in autochthonous DOM in the summer and was more allochthonous in the winter. DOM generally became more autochthonous downstream in the Grand River and was most autochthonous below the large sewage treatment plants (STPs) in the central portion. Protein content, measured as protein-like fluorescence normalized to DOC concentration, was strongly related to ??15N of DON; both are associated with autochthonous DOM in the Grand River and show the effects of the major STPs. The increase in autochthonous DOM below the STPs is likely associated with nutrient enrichment stimulating primary production and macrophyte growth. Based on the comparison of the Burnt River with the more impacted Grand River, the effect of lakes and photodegradation can make discrimination of autochthonous and allochthonous DOM more difficult. The ratio of DOC/DON and protein-like fluorescence proved to be robust indicators despite photodegradation. Human impacts on the Grand River watershed result in a greater seasonal cycle, high primary production in the summer and a downstream trend of increasing autochthonous DOM compared to the Burnt River. Based on drinking water surveillance data and literature review, autochthonous DOM caused greater DBPs in the drinking waters fed by the Grand River. This is currently a threat to human health and DBPs in sewage treatment plant effluent may be a threat to ecosystem health.

I collaborate with Elders of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory – mainly former vice-principals and principals – to share their stories about elementary school administration of the community’s day schools of the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, and of the larger consolidated schools thereafter. By engaging in storywork with them, their stories reveal that as Indigenous organizations like the National Indian Brotherhood/Assembly of First Nations (NIB/AFN) warned First Nations about mistaking administrative control, or delegated authority as it framed it, as real, local control over their children’s education, vice-principals and principals in Six Nations reframed it as inherent acts of self-determination and sovereignty over education. Drawing on Audra Simpson’s nested sovereignty, and Glen Sean Coulthard’s self-recognition to produce a more accurate representation of administrative control in the community, the author argues that vice-principals and principals in Six Nations did not mistake their practice as delegated authority but instead – as inherently sovereign actors – went through a process of negotiating self-determination and sovereignty within the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Canada’s (DIAND) educational framework to upset its status quo of First Nations only managing educational programs and services. If sovereignty is understood to be a process, rather than a destination as Robert Allen Warrior suggests, then vice-principals and principals exercising administrative control on a daily basis in their schools should be recognized as inherently self-determining and sovereign. By sharing their stories, they reveal that they possess the authority to determine the definition and character of administrative control at the local level. The argument’s implication being that there are alternative ways of knowing and understanding administrative control in First Nations schools, rather than the national discourse that evolved in the decades following the NIB’s Indian Control of Indian Education. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA) / I collaborate with Elders of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory – mainly former vice-principals and principals – to share their stories about elementary school administration of the community’s day schools of the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, and of the larger consolidated schools of the 1990s and early 2000s. By engaging in storywork with the Elders, their stories reveal that as Indigenous organizations like the National Indian Brotherhood/Assembly of First Nations (NIB/AFN) warned First Nations communities about mistaking administrative control, or delegated authority as it framed it, as real, local control over their children’s education, vice-principals and principals in Six Nations reframed it as inherent acts of self-determination and sovereignty over education. Their stories provide an alternative way of knowing and understanding administrative control in First Nations schools.

Microplastics are present in municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents; however, it is unclear whether these contaminants are ingested by biota living downstream of these outfalls. This study examined whether microplastic levels in caged biota, resident fish, and environmental samples were elevated near the Waterloo and Kitchener WWTP outfalls along the Grand River in the fall of 2019. Amphipods (Hyalella azteca), fluted-shell mussels (Lasmigona costata), and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were caged at one upstream reference site and two impacted sites downstream of the Kitchener WWTP for 14 (amphipods and trout) or 28 (mussels) days. Rainbow darter (Etheostoma caeruleum) were collected using a backpack electrofisher from 10 sites up and downstream of both the Kitchener and Waterloo WWTPs, along with surface water and sediment samples. Whole body Hyalella, fish digestive tracts, and fluted-shell mussel tissues (hemolymph, digestive glands, and gills) were digested in 20% potassium hydroxide. Environmental samples were processed using filtration and density separation, then visual identification of microplastics was done. Elevated particle counts were found in rainbow trout digestive tracts at the Kitchener outfall site, compared to the upstream reference and downstream farfield sites. Additionally, particle concentrations in sediment were significantly higher at the Waterloo outfall, compared to all other sites (except for one upstream location). However, whole Hyalella, fluted-shell mussel tissues (hemolymph, digestive glands, and gills), digestive tracts of rainbow darter, and surface waters did not show elevated counts downstream of these discharges. Across all samples, fibers were the most common morphology, and blue and clear particles were prevalent in samples collected near WWTPs. Overall, these findings suggest that the Kitchener and Waterloo WWTPs could be important sources of particles to the Grand River, adding to our understanding of the fate of this contaminant in freshwater ecosystems. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Although water covers 70% of the earth's surface, less than 1% of it is freshwater that can be used for drinking. Even in Canada, where there is an abundance of freshwater in groundwater and in rivers and lakes, there are many indigenous communities that lack a sustainable source of drinking water. Such is the case for the Six Nations of the Grand River, the largest indigenous Reserve in Canada, located within an hour drive from major urban centers in southern Ontario and where less than 9% of the residents have access to safe, treated potable water. The major tributaries that drain the Six Nations reserve are part of the McKenzie Creek Watershed, which has been characterized as having the highest loading of sediments and nutrients to the lower Grand River, which eventually drains into the eastern basin of Lake Erie. This research project was initiated by the Six Nations community, who wanted an update on the prevalence of fecal contamination in their drinking water sources (wells, cisterns). Secondly, the community wanted to know the ecosystem health status of tributaries flowing through the Six Nations Reserve (McKenzie and Boston Creeks), and to determine if land uses in the watershed were negatively affecting the health of these streams. A study conducted in the summer of 2018 confirmed that 29% of the tap water tested in 75 households were contaminated with E. coli; 40% of the wells and 15% of the cisterns were contaminated and these were distributed throughout the Reserve with no apparent pattern. A study conducted in the summer of 2019 found that the McKenzie Creek was highly polluted with total phosphorus (P), total suspended solids, turbidity and total-ammonia nitrogen (N), while Boston Creek was highly polluted with soluble reactive P and E. coli as well as total-nitrate N. Nitrogen concentrations at 14 stations were highly and significantly related to percentage of agricultural land in catchments. Elevated levels of pollutants have been observed in the two creeks for three decades, indicating that conditions will not improve without remedial actions. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

My aim in this study is to identify Late Archaic persistent places—places of continued importance throughout the long-term occupation of a region—within the lower Grand River Area of what is now southern Ontario. I accomplish this through the use of kernel density estimation applied to datasets containing the locations of Late Archaic (4000-2800 RCYBP) sites within this study area which were discovered through cultural resource management (CRM) survey and excavation. Areas identified as persistent places were investigated with regard to landscape features and environmental affordances that could have structured their consistent re-use throughout the Late Archaic, with particular attention paid to the hypothesis that persistent places may have developed around the riverine spawning grounds of spring-spawning fish. Two places with particularly intense concentrations of diagnostic materials dating to successive periods of the Late Archaic were identified: one surrounding Seneca Creek near Caledonia, and one near D’Aubigny Creek south of Brantford. The results show that the persistent use of these places would likely have been structured by the presence of landscape features which would have made these areas particularly rich in many different seasonal resources during the Late Archaic. Perhaps most significantly, both areas are located in close proximity to areas identified as walleye spawning grounds. The contributions of this thesis include the synthesis of the results of many years of CRM survey of the Grand River Area, evidence for the existence of Late Archaic riverine fishing sites related to the spawning runs of walleye, and an improved understanding of Late Archaic subsistence-settlement systems. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA) / Lay Abstract: My aim in this study is to identify persistent places—places of continued importance throughout the long-term occupation of a region—within the lower Grand River Area of what is now southern Ontario during a period known as the Late Archaic (ca. 2500 B.C.- ca. 1000 B.C). This was accomplished using GIS spatial analysis of data produced through commercial archaeological assessments. As a result of this analysis, I identified two persistent places within the study area: one near D’Aubigny Creek south of Brantford, and one surrounding Seneca Creek near Caledonia. I also investigated the environments surrounding these places to determine what may have made them continuously appealing for over a millennium. Both areas were found to contain environmental features that would have likely made them particularly resource-rich and appealing to hunter-gatherers. One of the most important findings was that both areas are in close proximity to walleye spawning grounds.

<p><strong>Introduction. </strong>Treatment decisions for locally recurrent prostate cancer are difficult due to the number of available treatment options, varied evidence about their effectiveness and differences in side effects. It has been shown that decision aids improve information delivery and patient confidence in treatment decision-making.</p> <p><strong>Purpose.</strong> The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the decisional support needs of men with locally recurrent prostate cancer.</p> <p><strong>Methods.</strong> A two-phase descriptive needs assessment study employing both quantitative and qualitative methods was conducted to identify and describe the treatment decision-making needs of men with recurrent prostate cancer. Through a two-round Delphi process in Phase 1, physician consensus on treatment options for the decision aid was established. Phase 2 involved patient interviews to determine treatment decision-making needs.</p> <p><strong>Results.</strong> Oncologists and patients agreed that the treatment decision-making process took time, and may take several months. Some patients described feelings of regret and/or uncertainty about their treatment decision. Individualized patient needs for information and support were recognized. Key barriers to effective treatment decision-making included information overload and lack of access to unbiased information sources. Establishing a centralized information resource such as nurse-led information sessions was recommended by patients.</p> <p><strong>Conclusions.</strong> Treatment decision-making is time consuming for oncologists and patients. Despite these efforts, patients report unmet information needs and are not always confident in their treatment decision. Time efficient and effective ways of improving patient confidence in treatment decision-making, as well as implications for nursing practice and future research are discussed.</p> / Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)