The Agulhas Undercurrent Experiment took place in February-March 2003 off the east coast of South Africa and included 112 CTD and LADCP casts along four cross-slope sections and three offshore sections. Direct absolute velocities in the Agulhas Current show a narrow and swift current, 180 km wide and up to 2 m s-1 in speed, that deepens as it flows south, eventually detaching from the continental slope at 36ºS. Results also show the northward Agulhas Undercurrent against the continental slope, beneath the Agulhas Current with peak velocities of 10 cm s-1. Several mesoscale cyclonic eddies extending down to the intermediate layer were sampled during the survey, in particular a shear-edge eddy inshore of the Agulhas Current at 36ºS. A deep water anticyclonic eddy was found for the first time in this region centered at 2800 m in the northward flowing North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) layer. Anomalous water properties reveal that it was formed in the Agulhas Retroflection region and may have been generated by the coupling of a deep Agulhas Ring with the NADW slope current in the SE Atlantic and later entrained into the deep flow of the Agulhas Return Current, until ejected in the Agulhas Current region by localized recirculations in the deep layers of the Agulhas Current system. An inverse model was applied to the hydrographic and LADCP data; results show that the Agulhas Current had a considerably higher transport of 103 Sv at the historical 32ºS section than earlier estimates, consistent with altimetry time series for the region. The growth of the Agulhas Current transport is given primarily by the Sverdrup transport from the supergyre connecting the southern Pacific and Indian Oceans, and the Indonesian Throughflow and Indian Ocean overturning need to be included to account for the total transport. The bulk of the Agulhas Current transport is concentrated in the thermocline layer in the cross-sections and in the intermediate layer in the offshore sections. Inshore of the Agulhas Current core, mixing is inhibited from the surface to the thermocline layers, with no transport growth downstream. Cross-stream mixing does appear to occur in the intermediate layer. The Mozambique Channel and East Madagascar Current appear to have similar contributions as sources to the Agulhas Current at the northern most section of 16 Sv each, with the Indian Ocean wind-driven sub-gyre contribution increasing as the current flows southward. In the intermediate layer, Red Sea Water is actively mixing with Antarctic Intermediate Water when eddies are present. Red Sea Water appears to advect in the form of parcels and not as a continuous flow. Results also suggest the occurrence of small localized recirculations in the deep layers. In the deepest layer of lower NADW the flow is upwelling into the overlaying layer due to the shallowing topography at the northern most section.

The spatio-temporal evolution of the three recent tsunamogenic earthquakes (TsE) off-coast N-Sumatra (Mw9.3), 28/03/2005 (Mw8.5) off-coast Nias, on 17/07/2006 (Mw7.7) off-coast Java. Start time, duration, and propagation of the rupture are retrieved. All parameters can be obtained rapidly after recording of the first-arrival phases in near-real time processing. We exploit semblance analysis, backpropagation and broad-band seismograms within 30°-95° distance. Image enhancement is reached by stacking the semblance of arrays within different directions. For the three events, the rupture extends over about 1150, 150, and 200km, respectively. The events in 2004, 2005, and 2006 had source durations of at least 480s, 120s, and 180s, respectively. We observe unilateral rupture propagation for all events except for the rupture onset and the Nias event, where there is evidence for a bilateral start of the rupture. Whereas average rupture speed of the events in 2004 and 2005 is in the order of the S-wave speed (≈2.5-3km/s), unusually slow rupturing (≈1.5 km/s) is indicated for the July 2006 event. For the July 2006 event we find rupturing of a 200 x 100 km wide area in at least 2 phases with propagation from NW to SE. The event has some characteristics of a circular rupture followed by unilateral faulting with change in slip rate. Fault area and aftershock distribution coincide. Spatial and temporal resolution are frequency dependent. Studies of a Mw6.0 earthquake on 2006/09/21 and one synthetic source show a ≈1° limit in resolution. Retrieved source area, source duration as well as peak values for semblance and beam power generally increase with the size of the earthquake making possible an automatic detection and classification of large and small earthquakes.

Discoveries in recent years have disclosed the importance of marine cyano-bacteria in the context of primary production and global nitrogen cycling. It is hypothesized here that microbial mats in tropical coastal habitats harbour a rich diversity of previously uncharacterized cyanobacteria and that benthic marine nitrogen fixation in coastal zones is substantial. A polyphasic approach was used to investigate cyanobacterial diversity in three tropical benthic marine habitats of different characters; an intertidal sand flat and a mangrove forest floor in the Indian Ocean, and a beach rock in the Pacific Ocean. In addition, nitrogenase activity was measured over diel cycles at all sites. The results revealed high cyanobacterial diversity, both morphologically and genetically. Substantial nitrogenase activity was observed, with highest rates at daytime where heterocystous species were present. However, the three habitats were dominated by non-heterocystous and unicellular genera such as Microcoleus, Lyngbya, Cyanothece and a large group of thin filamentous species, identified as members of the Pseudanabaenaceae family. In these consortia nocturnal nitrogenase activities were highest and nifH sequencing also revealed presence of non-cyanobacterial potential diazotrophs. A conclusive phylogenetic analysis of partial nifH sequences from the three sites and sequences from geographi-cally distant microbial mats revealed new clusters of benthic potentially ni-trogen-fixing cyanobacteria. Further, the non-heterocystous cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula was subjected to a physiological characterization to gain insights into regulatory aspects of its nitrogen fixation. The data demon-strated that nitrogenase activity is restricted to darkness, which called upon a re-evaluation of its diazotrophic behaviour.

Tropical seagrass ecosystems are highly productive and important for sustaining marine life and associated coastal societies. In this study, the diversity and role of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria associated with five common seagrass genera in coastal regions of the western Indian Ocean (WIO; Tanzania) were examined, as well as the impact of anthropogenic activities. Cyanobacteria were characterized morphologically and genetically (16S rRNA and nifH gene phylogeny), as were diel variations in nifH gene expression, NifH protein levels and nitrogenase activity. The results revealed that WIO seagrass beds supported rich cyanobacterial diversity and that these represented approx. 83% of total clones obtained (DNA and RNA nifH clone libraries). Non-heterocystous genera, such as Oscillatoria, Lyngbya, Leptolyngbya, Phormidium and Microcoleus dominated, while heterocystous morphotypes such as Calothrix were less frequent and unicellular morphotypes (e.g. Gloeocapsa, Chroococcus and Chroococcidiopsis) were few. Additionally, the phylogenetic analysis revealed several novel uncharacterized cyanobacterial clades. Cyanobacterial composition and nitrogenase activity varied over seasons and between the seagrass species. Day time nitrogenase activity originated primarily from heterocystous phylotypes, while non-heterocystous filamentous phylotypes fixed nitrogen at night. The highest activity in the diel cycle was 358 ± 232 nmol C2H4 g-1 h-1at 09.00 associated with epiphytes of the seagrass Cymodocea. Nitrogenase activity was consistently lower in anthropogenically disturbed (eutrophication) seagrass sites. Such data suggest that diazotrophic cyanobacteria may be a significant source of ‘new’ nitrogen in the often oligotrophic coastal regions of tropical oceans. It is also proposed that the rapid shifts in the cyanobacterial population and function found may also be used as early disturbance indicator in coastal management practices. / At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 3: Manuscript. Paper 4: Manuscript. / SIDA SAREC Bilateral Marine Sciences Project / The Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education

<p>A fundamental goal in the diverse field of evolutionary biology is reconstructing the historical processes that facilitated lineage diversification and the current geographic distribution of species diversity. Oceanic islands provide a view of evolutionary processes that may otherwise be obscured by the complex biogeographic histories of continental systems, and have thus provided evolutionary biology with some of its most lasting and significant theories. The Indian Ocean island of Madagascar is home to an extraordinarily diverse and endemic biota, and reconstructing the historical processes responsible for this diversity has consumed countless academic careers. While the flowering plant genus <italic>Coffea</italic> is but one lineage contributing to Madagascar's staggering floral diversity, it is representative of the common evolutionary theme of adaptive radiation and local endemism on the island. In this dissertation, I employ the genus <italic>Coffea</italic> as a model for understanding historical biogeographic processes in the Indian Ocean using methods of molecular phylogenetics and population genetics. In the molecular phylogenetic study of <italic>Coffea</italic> presented in chapter 2, I show that Madagascan <italic>Coffea</italic> diversity is likely the product of at least two independent colonization events from Africa, a result that contradicts current hypotheses for the single origin of this group. </p><p>Species of <italic>Coffea</italic> are known to exhibit self-incompatibly, which can have a dramatic affect on the geographic distribution of plant genetic diversity. In chapter 3, I identify the genetic mechanism of self-incompatibility in <italic>Coffea</italic> as homologous to the canonical eudicot S-RNase system. Baker's Rule suggests that self-incompatible lineages are very unlikely to colonize oceanic islands, and in chapter 4, I test this hypothesis by characterizing the strength of self-incompatibility and comparing S-RNase polymorphism in <italic>Coffea</italic> populations endemic to isolated Indian Ocean islands (Grande Comore and Mauritius) with that of Madagascan/African species. My findings suggest that while island populations show little evidence for genetic bottleneck in S-RNase allelic diversity, Mauritian endemic <italic>Coffea</italic> may have evolved a type of "leaky" self-incompatibility allowing self-fertilization at some unknown rate. Through the application of traditional phylogenetic methods and novel data from the self-incompatibly locus, my dissertation contributes a wealth of new information regarding the evolutionary and biogeographic history of <italic>Coffea</italic> in the Indian Ocean.</p> / Dissertation

The stomachs of 183 bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) were collected from three Taiwanese longline vessels operating in the western Indian Ocean during the period from April to December 2006. Their fork lengths ranged from 89 cm to 198 cm. Distinguishable prey species, belonging to 28 families, consisted mostly of fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods. Fourteen prey items were newly recorded, among them, five families (Anoplogastridae, Bothidae, Grammicolepididae, Pinguipedidae, and Sciaenidae) were firstly recorded as the diet of bigeye tuna. Two special dietary species were found for the first time. Oplophorus gracilirostris, the dominant numerical dietary species, had not been previously recorded; however, O. typus had been recorded in the past. The other special prey species found, Macrurocyttus acanthopodus (Grammicolepididae), was not only the first record in the stomach of bigeye tuna but also the first record in the Indian Ocean. The largest body length among prey species was 655 mm for an Alepisaurus ferox. The number of prey species appeared to decrease with the increasing size of the bigeye tuna, and larger Indian bigeye tuna tended to feed on larger prey species. In the stomachs of the bigeye tuna, Oplophorus gracilirostris was the most frequently found prey species (56.8%). The three numerical most dominant prey species were Oplophorus gracilirostris (38.2%), Charybdis smithii (8.8%), and Alepisaurus ferox (3.6%). In addition, the fish prey item, Alepisaurus ferox, had the highest percentage of prey weight. The total percentage of prey weight for prey fishes is similar to that reported in previous research, but the average weight of Alepisaurus ferox is heavier than the previous report. Additionally, the percentage of prey weight for Paralepididae is lower than the results of previous studies. Moreover, the occurrence and percentage of the number of Oplophorus gracilirostris are distinctly higher than the results of previous studies. These findings indicate that the percentage of mean preys number exist seasonal effect. Alepisaurus ferox was the most numerous prey in May to July; Oplophorus gracilirostris was the most numerous prey at 200 m depth in August to October 45¢XE to east; Charybdis smithii was the most numerous prey at 50 m depth in August to October 45¢XE to west. A possible reason to explain this phenomenon is that there are strong feeding migratory behavior in bigeye tuna.

China and India relations changed tremendously after the Cold War. Economic development is the utmost priority at the end of the Cold War, deriving from recognition that international competition is shifting from military confrontation to overall economic, scientific, and technological capabilities. Therefore, the two countries appeared to recognize the futility of confrontation, and moves to rebuild confidence proceeded apace. With an emphasis on seeking co-operation in other areas of mutual benefit, both sides agreed to break the impasse on the boundary question and to maintain peace and stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This positive spirit was reflected in the signing of Confidence-building measures (CBMs) and Trade Protocol which helped develop better mutual understanding. But India feels uneasy to observe China's rising economic and military capability across East Asia, because the 1962 War had cast long shadows in their elite¡¦s memory. New Delhi is concerned about China¡¦s assistance to Pakistan¡¦s nuclear and missile program, and offer military weapons to Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar by far. New Delhi has always viewed any China, Pakistan and Myanmar¡¦s relationship as a scheme to strangle or restraint India¡¦s strategic throughout the Indian Ocean. Thus India drive for defense modernization focuses on strategic forces, especially its acquisition of certain high-profile naval ships and systems, and prepared to assert its interests to counter the rise in Chinese interest there. Moreover, India spreads China threat when China rising across East Asia that reinforced the worry of China¡¦s neighbors about China¡¦s power spread through their countries. It is obvious that one of the reasons why ASEAN was keen to bring India into the regional affairs was the concern with China. Therefore, India proceeds to more bilateral exchanges and boost economic, even military exercises with each Southeast Asian country. Furthermore, Indian continued hosting of the Tibetan government in exile to counter China support of the Pakistan. The study focuses on : India and China, the two most populous nations on earth, how these two emerging great powers manage their cooperation and competition in the coming years will have a major impact on regional security. The purpose of this research is from the perspective realism of geopolitics approach to analyze the factors of Sino-Indian competition and cooperation, as well as analysis the two countries historical conflict and evolution toward potential cooperation and quiet competition currently.

In this thesis I based on Fowler’s method of syntax analysis construct a flow scheme which I then use to make a syntax analysis of former State Secretary Lars Danielsson’s statements, in his autobiography, regarding his responsibility in the Swedish government’s management of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami disaster. The focus of the flow scheme is how grammatical constructions can be used in the interest of rhetoric’s to on the syntax (non-explicit) level of the text indicate and place responsibility with or outside of involved individuals. The main conclusion of the syntax analysis performed is that Danielsson in his autobiography in fact does not use very many of the constructions described in the flow scheme, whereby it can be concluded that the syntax analysis in this case wasn’t so ”revealing”. However two complementary methods of text analysis; a metaphor analysis of the title of Danielsson’s autobiography ”In the shadow of power” and an analysis of the explicit level of the text, has revealed a conscious rhetorical argumentation regarding the question and placing of responsibility. A functional tool for syntax analysis has furthermore, regardless of the results, been constructed and is free for others to use and modify in their research.

The purpose of this thesis is to locate the experience of individuals in the shared experience of a cultural community, to reveal a collective experience. Further, this thesis aspires to demonstrate that the experience of trauma is transmitted, often silently, intergenerationally. This is an attempt to define a community of distant survivors, and to locate the echoes of the voice of trauma hidden in the narratives of its members. The study explores the events of the December 2004 Southeast Asian tsunami. At the moment of the tsunami disaster all the participants in this study, Indonesian International Students, were studying in Montreal Canada. The impetus behind this qualitative inquiry into the essential experience of trauma is the desire to bring the experience of distant survivors to the foreground; to recognize vicarious victims by listening for echoes in their narratives. The aim of this thesis is to (1) locate personal narratives in the context of collective grief, (2) detect the re-creation of that grief in subsequent generations. This project has been undertaken with the hope of determining ever more effective social work practices for today's survivors, and of sparking interest in trauma research for tomorrow's victims.

An almost unbroken fringing reef runs along the east coast of Africa, the lagoon inside the reef is the foundation of almost all artisanal fisheries. It is a low-tech fishery conducted by many people. Some areas can have up to 19 fishermen per square kilometer. High fishing pressures, coupled with declining fish stocks has led to changes in mean size and reproductive age of many exploited species. There is a vital and urgent need for scientifically based management systems, including the utilization of genetic information to guide management practices. This thesis aims to investigate the presence of genetic structures in the western Indian Ocean. In order to do that we first investigated the historical patterns of connectivity throughout the region (paper I). In papers II and III we focused on local scale connectivity in Kenya and Tanzania and finally in paper IV we investigate the large-scale contemporary gene flow throughout the Western Indian Ocean. In paper III we also investigate the temporal genetic variation at one site and compare it to the small-scale genetic variation along a stretch of the Kenyan coastline. Some overall conclusions that can be drawn from my body of work are: there are genetic structures present in the western Indian Ocean even though the apparent lack of physical barriers. Major oceanic currents aid evolutionary dispersal patterns. A single geographic site need not be genetically homogenous or temporally stable. Island sites are genetically more homogenous than mainland sites. In conclusion, there are clear and distinct genetic structures present especially in Siganus sutor, the most targeted fish for the artisanal fishery in East Africa. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 3: Manuscript. Paper 4: Manuscript.</p>