Climate change poses one of the biggest challenges that most countries have to face over the coming decades. The transformations in our global weather patterns are expected to bring some very adverse effects for most of the island nations that comprise the Caribbean region. These nations have been continuously identified as one of the territorial groups that are most vulnerable to climate change, while the region barely contributes to the main triggers of these changes. Caribbean island nations have many elements that hinder their individual and regional development. Climate change will aggravate those conditions while bringing new challenges to these territories, particularly in the capital cities, as these urban areas serve are the main economic, social, political and cultural centres of these nations. A good understanding of the vulnerabilities of these cities will become a critical factor for developing good adaptation measures for their respective nations. Planning can prove useful for implementing climate change adaptation strategies, particularly for cities. This research provides three main contributions to the literature on climate change and on urban planning studies. First, it expands the discussion upon the linkages between disaster risk reduction experiences and climate change adaptation practices. Second, it highlights the relevance of capital cities for evaluating climate change impacts and adaptation actions for small island territories. The third contribution is the creation of a planning tool to assess climate change vulnerabilities of Caribbean cities. These three elements will further expand the existing knowledge base related to climate change adaptation and urban planning disciplines, particularly pertaining to the Caribbean region. Caribbean cities will greatly benefit from a planning perspective that can guide their development processes in the face of climate impacts. By means of vulnerability assessments it is possible to facilitate the analysis of climate change impacts and outcomes on vulnerable areas and planners can contribute to this aspect. A planning support tool was created to aid in the development of a vulnerability assessment for small island cities in the region - the Caribbean Climate change Urban Vulnerability Index (CCUVI). Using the CCUVI, a vulnerability assessment methodology was developed, using the city of San Juan (Puerto Rico) as a case study. The results of the vulnerability assessment helped identify five different areas within the case study city that are prone to be more affected by climate change impacts. The assessment also analysed how the vulnerability conditions in these areas and in the city changed through time, exploring two distinct scenario storylines for San Juan towards 2050. A series of normative and operational recommendations emerged from the assessment process that will help planners and policymakers engage in adaptation actions to reduce the climate vulnerabilities of Caribbean small island capital cities.

Radiolarian biostratigraphy is used to construct an informal zonation for sediments of upper Pliensbachian to lower Bajocian age from the Maude and Yakoun Formations, Queen Charlotte Islands, B.C. Paleoenvironmental studies assess depositional environment and the effects of changing facies relationships on the fauna. Seven distinctive assemblages are recognized comprising 167 species of spumellarian and nassellarian Radiolaria. The first well established middle Toarcian radiolarian assemblages are documented and both these and upper Toarcian assemblages are highly diverse and contain many new and unusual forms. Five genera and 89 new species are described many of which have restricted biostratigraphic ranges. A chlorophyte algal cyst appearing in all lowest Bajocian samples may, with further study, prove to be a significant marker for the lower Bajocian in the Queen Charlotte Islands. Although Toarcian Radiolaria have been little studied, the assemblages compare with others from North America, the Mediterranean and Japan, and are distinctly Tethyan in aspect. This is consistent with the position of Wrangellia, which paleomagnetic and ammonite biogeographic evidence indicates was in the northern hemisphere within 30° of the equator during the Early to Middle Jurassic. Studies of the abundance of spumellarians vs. nassellarians indicate thatnassellarians predominate, are abundant and diverse in deeper-water deposits (middle Toarcian and lower Bajocian shales) whereas spume Marians, particularly those with multi-layered or spongy tests, dominate in shallow-water deposits (upper middle Toarcian to Aalenian sandstones). Shallow-water nassellarians are much less diverse but a few species (all multicyrtids with thickened tests) are very abundant. Depth appears to be the major factor controlling radiolarian distribution patterns in this relatively shallow-water setting. Studies of eustatic sea-level changes throughout the Jurassic have indicated that major phases of sea-level rise occurred in the early to mid Toarcian and in the early Bajocian with a major phase of sea-level lowering in the late Toarcian to Aalenian; detailed study of the radiolarian faunal succession in the Queen Charlotte Islands appears to confirm this major worldwide trend. / Science, Faculty of / Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of / Graduate

Literary conventions in the writing of the Gulf Islands of the British Columbia coast have “invented” the islands as a distinct region. Lying at the centre of the Strait of Georgia urban region, the islands function as objects of pastoral desire: in representing escape from the city, they are perceived as “natural” by contrast. The landscapes of the Gulf Islands posit a version of “nature” radically different from that common elsewhere in Canada. The protected waters of inland sea and archipelago, benign climate, naturally-occurring alternation of forest and meadow, and defining liminal zone of the beach make the local landscape seem inherently pastoral. As does the pastoral mode, the tropes of discovery and settlement provide convenient, familiar frames for neo-colonial experience of nature and representation of landscape. Using a broadly historical approach, the thesis traces the longevity of local landscape conventions since Spanish exploration of the islands in 1791 and 1792. Rapid population growth intensifies the dominance of the pastoral, while tropes of discovery and settlement give newcomers and established residents the rhetorical means to claim origins in the Gulf Islands. The need to establish origins shapes community politics, which are codified in the Islands Trust, the provincially-funded body that oversees land-use issues in the islands. The thesis consists of ten chapters, the first two of which examine local conventions for defining Gulf Islands space and for writing the history of the islands. Chapters Three and Four discuss the tropes discovery and settlement, respectively, and Chapter Five focusses on characteristic narratives used to express the notion of “Gulf Island.” Chapters Six through Eight revisit the themes of the previous three chapters, inverting the order of discovery and settlement in the second cycle to reflect the ahistorical, simultaneous invocation of these ideas locally. Whereas Chapter Five demonstrates how one Gulf Island version of pastoral dominates the region’s presentation of itself in imaginative writing, Chapter Eight examines the consequences for local narrative when events cannot be articulated within the pastoral mode. As a counterpoint to analysis, in Chapter Four, of how settlement functions as a rhetorical device in Gulf Islands writing, Chapter Six examines aspects of the physical, settled landscape--specifically architecture and the ornamentation of holiday homes and homesites with objects gathered from the beach--as deliberate expressions of indigenousness. In a similar pairing, Chapter Seven examines nostalgic uses of the “discovery” trope intended to express local space, extending the scope of Chapter Three, which explicates attitudes toward the islands expressed through two “original” European voyages of discovery in the islands. Chapters Nine and Ten discuss the role of intertexts in Gulf Island writing: only very recently has the idea of a Gulf Islands “canon”--as indicated by intertextual references between Gulf Islands texts--become current, Gulf Islands writing continues to rely on intertextual references to imperial foundation texts to define, and determine significance in, local landscape. The “sketch” form, which permeates all genres and modes of landscape representation in the islands, in itself articulates the “natural” and thus expresses the condition of “Gulf Island.” / Arts, Faculty of / English, Department of / Graduate

Orientador: Fosca Pedini Pereira Leite / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T14:46:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Pires_LaryssaFannyGalantini_M.pdf: 1898650 bytes, checksum: e078e521c78de161e961e5f5b734a6e9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: As faces oceânica e continental da Ilha de São Sebastião são distintas em diversos aspectos, mas ambas apresentam a alga parda Sargassum em seus costões. A falta de conhecimento sobre as assembleias de isópodes nestas duas regiões levou ao desenvolvimento do estudo no qual se procurou avaliar a composição, riqueza e diversidade dos isópodes associados ao Sargassum bem como variações espaço-temporais entre e dentro das faces da ilha em dois períodos de amostragem (inverno e verão) entre 2011 e 2013. Para tanto, dez frondes foram amostradas aleatoriamente em cada costão e após a realização de processos laboratoriais, a fauna foi triada e contabilizada. Foram encontrados 9.648 indivíduos, pertencentes a 9 espécies. A riqueza e diversidade foram maiores na face oceânica. Os resultados indicam que a composição de espécies é distinta entre os costões, independente das faces. As diferenças espaço-temporais na composição dos isópodes parecem estar relacionadas aos aspectos biológicos e morfológicos de cada espécie, fatores intrínsecos ás algas, como a epibiose e principalmente a perturbações antrópicas na face continental. A riqueza e diversidade dos isópodes são altas na Ilha de São Sebastião comparada a outras regiões tropicais. Janaira gracilis em geral, dominou em todos os costões e períodos de amostragem. Carpias minutus foi a segunda espécie mais abundante, ocorrendo em altas densidades somente na face oceânica. As demais espécies ocorreram em baixas densidades sendo que Astacilla sawayae e Mesanthura callicera ocorreram somente nos bancos de Sargassum da face oceânica, onde há pouca interferência antrópica. A sensibilidade dos isópodes às alterações ambientais faz deles modelos para a realização de estudos que visem compreender os aspectos ecológicos e biológicos destas espécies, visto que as atividades antrópicas se intensificam a cada dia / Abstract: The oceanic and continental sides of the Island of São Sebastião are being distinct in many ways, but both have the brown alga Sargassum on their shores. The lack of knowledge about the assemblies of isopods in these two regions led to the development of this study that sought to assess the composition and diversity of isopods associated with Sargassum and the spatio-temporal variations between and within both sides of the island in two sampling periods (two winter and summer) between 2011 and 2013. Ten fronds were randomly sampled from each shore and the fauna screened and counted. A total of 9,648 individuals belonging to nine species were found. Richness and diversity values were higher in the oceanic side. Results indicate that the species composition is different between rocky shores independent of the sides. The spatio-temporal differences in the composition of the isopods appear to be related to morphological and biological aspects of each species, intrinsic factors such as epibiosis and anthropogenic disturbances in continental side. Janaira gracilis was generally predominant in all rocky shores and sampling periods, being tolerant to environmental disturbances and anthropogenic interferences. Carpias minutus was the second most abundant species, occurring in high densities only in the ocean side. Other species occurred in low densities, while Astacilla sawayae and Mesanthura callicera, occurred only in Sargassum beds from the oceanic side, where there is still little anthropogenic influence. The sensitivity of isopods to environmental changes make them adequate models for conducting studies aimed at the understanding of ecological and biological aspects of species, whereas anthropogenic activities are intensifying every day / Mestrado / Mestra em Biologia Animal

Durante muito tempo as ilhas vêm sendo fundamentais para pesquisa em ecologia e biologia evolutiva. Esses estudos tornaram possível a elaboração de importantes teorias nesses campos e que puderam ser extrapoladas para diversos outros ambientes. O aumento dos desmatamentos e da fragmentação de habitats tem levado ao isolamento dos organismos em \"ilhas\" dentro do continente. A perda de diversidade em fragmentos é uma situação preocupante. Populações restritas a ilhas ou fragmentos possuem maior probabilidade de extinção. As abelhas possuem um papel fundamental nos ecossistemas e por isso a extinção de uma população terá impacto nos outros níveis tróficos. Em virtude disso, o objetivo desse trabalho foi testar a hipótese de que populações das abelhas Tetragonisca angustula e Bombus morio de ilhas com mais de 100 ha localizados nos estados de Santa Catarina (SC), Paraná (PR), São Paulo (SP) e Rio de Janeiro (RJ), e populações continentais em áreas próximas a remanescentes de Mata Atlântica nos estados de Minas Gerais (MG), PR, RJ, SC e SP possuem baixa diversidade genética e, por isso, estariam mais propensas à extinção. Nossos resultados mostraram que a espécie T. angustula apresenta alta filopatria de rainhas e baixa diversidade genética mitocondrial. Por outro lado, os microssatélites mostraram menor estruturação e alta/moderada diversidade genética, indicando que os machos são o sexo dispersor. Para a espécie B. morio, a diversidade genética observada para ambos os marcadores foi alta, com exceção de duas populações. As fêmeas também apresentaram maior estruturação populacional, enquanto que para os machos essa estruturação praticamente não existiu. Portanto, as populações das espécies T. angustula e B. morio não apresentam inclinação à extinção. A sobrevivência em ambientes urbanos e a grande capacidade de migração dos machos parecem ser fatores fundamentais para isso. Além disso, essas características parecem ser as responsáveis pelo não isolamento genético entre muitas das populações geograficamente isoladas / Islands have been key research fields on the ecology and evolutionary biology for a long time. The study of their biota has made possible the development of important theories that could be extrapolated to other environments. The increase in deforestation and habitat fragmentation has led to isolation of the organisms in \"islands\" within the continent. Loss of diversity in fragments is a concern, because nowadays many species only exist in fragments. Populations restricted to islands or fragments have higher probability of extinction. Bees have a key role in ecosystems and the extinction of their populations will impact other trophic levels. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that populations of two bee species, Tetragonisca angustula and Bombus morio, in islands with more than 100 ha located in the states of Santa Catarina (SC), Paraná (PR), São Paulo (SP) and Rio de Janeiro (RJ), and mainland populations in areas near the Atlantic Forest remnants in the states of Minas Gerais (MG), PR, RJ, SC and SP have low genetic diversity and therefore would be more prone to extinction. Our results to T. angustula showed low mitochondrial genetic diversity which can be associated to queen philopatry behavior. Moreover, microsatellites showed lower structure and moderate/high genetic diversity, indicating a greater dispersion by males. The genetic diversity observed for B. morio for both markers was high, excepting two populations. Females also had higher population structure than detected for males. Therefore, most of T. angustula and B. morio populations are not prone to extinction, mainly because of their capability to survive in urban environments and high male migration. Therefore, these characteristics seem to be responsible for allowing many of the geographically isolated populations do not present genetic isolation

No description available.

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston University / Introduction The purpose of the thesis is; to develop and explain the location and extent of sea ice in the Beaufort Sea, and to describe methods in use and proposed by the science of ice forecasting to aid ship movements in the area. Much of the data in the thesis camas from unpublished or widely scattered papers, and the thesis is an attempt to assimilate such data into cohesive form. Chapter I. The Newly Acquired Importance of the Beaufort Sea Region and the Status of Ice Forecasting. Prior to World War II the area of the Beaufort Sea was little known or exploited. A few explorers occasionally had joined the native eskimos as inhabitants of the area. After the war, a program of oil exploration was undertaken on the southern shores of the Sea by the U.S. Navy. Discovery of oil and the newly feasible means of making trans-polar flights across the Arctic waters suddenly catipulated the area into a position of strategic importance to our national defense. Research programs devoted to gathering data on how to live in such a hostile climate bacame a natural outgrowth of this new importance. With the construction and resupply of the DEW line a vital necessity, methods of coping with sea ice had to be developed. In this respect, the Russians were far advanced over the Western Allies, having devoted much time and effort on the problem since the 1920's. Nonetheless, U.S. and Canadian scientists, under an accelerating research program, are well on the way to equality in the fields surrounding sea ice research. [TRUNCATED]

Aim: Mammals on islands often undergo remarkable evolutionary changes. The acquisition of ‘low gear’ locomotion, namely short and robust limb elements, has been typically associated with the island syndrome in large mammals and, especially, ruminants. Here we provide an investigative framework to examine biotic and abiotic selective factors hypothesized to influence evolution of this peculiar type of gait. Location: Islands worldwide. Taxon: Bovidae. Methods: We calculated response variables associated with ‘low gear’ locomotion in 21 extinct and extant insular bovids. We assembled data on the physiography of 11 islands and on life history and ecological traits of the focal taxa. We estimated 10 predictors (island area and four topographic indices, body mass, body size divergence, number of predators and competitors, large mammal richness) and used multiple regressions, regression trees, and random forests to assess their contextual importance. Results: The acquisition of ‘low gear’ locomotion generally happens on islands with a small number of competitors. However, the roughness of the island terrain appears to be also important, without being a main driver. Finally, although the most extreme cases of ‘low gear’ locomotion occurred on islands with no mammalian predators, our models show a non-significant relationship with this factor. Main conclusions: The evolution of ‘low gear’ locomotion in insular ruminants does not simply result from phyletic dwarfing and predatory release. Variation in morphological responses within Bovidae to ecological and topographic traits suggests, instead, a complex interplay of biotic and abiotic factors. Current understanding on the main drivers of species evolutionary pathways and biogeographic patterns are disproportionally based on few taxa, mainly vertebrates, and in some extreme cases (like this one) even on few species. Here we show how adding more data, even within the same taxonomic group, can challenge historically accepted macroevolutionary and macroecological concepts.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(情報学) / 甲第18401号 / 情博第516号 / 新制||情||91(附属図書館) / 31259 / 京都大学大学院情報学研究科社会情報学専攻 / (主査)教授 守屋 和幸, 教授 松田 哲也, 教授 荒井 修亮 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Informatics / Kyoto University / DGAM

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(エネルギー科学) / 甲第21882号 / エネ博第383号 / 新制||エネ||74(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院エネルギー科学研究科エネルギー社会・環境科学専攻 / (主査)教授 石原 慶一, 教授 東野 達, 教授 酒井 伸一 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Energy Science / Kyoto University / DFAM