The outcome of this practicum is the design of an "engineered landscape" that can anticipate, reveal and compensate for disturbances brought on by the Energy East Pipeline on local ecologies and communities.This practicum makes an argument for the increased consideration of qualitative values in contemporary landscape mitigation practice. The increased focus on qualitative values in landscape mitigation combined with the provision of facilities and landscapes necessary to build knowledge, skills and resources will result in landscapes and spaces that facilitate the empowerment of communities as stewards of the environment in the face of globalized industrialization and decreased federal/provincial funding. / February 2016

La réduction de l’exposition aux tiques est la méthode la plus efficace de prévention de la borréliose de Lyme, maladie qui pose une nouvelle problématique de santé publique dans les espaces périurbains. Ainsi, la mise en évidence de contacts entre les itinéraires de déplacement des usagers en forêt et les habitats favorables aux populations de tiques constitue une voie privilégiée. L’intérêt est de spatialiser ce contact et de réfléchir à minimiser le risque sur le plan paysager. Pour étudier ce contact, deux bases de données ont été constituées, l’une relative aux tiques susceptibles de transmettre l’infection, l’autre aux itinéraires des usagers en forêt de Sénart (Île-de-France). La première est alimentée par des échantillons de tiques collectées sur la végétation en forêt et la seconde rassemble des données descriptives sur les pratiques et les comportements de déplacement des usagers dans l’espace forestier. Une caractérisation des secteurs les plus fréquentés en lien avec la distribution des populations de tiques nous a permis d’évaluer l’exposition en fonction des lieux visités. La sphère des représentations et des idées a également été explorée afin de comprendre les mécanismes de la rencontre avec une tique. En intégrant ces résultats dans un outil de géosimulation multi-agent, diverses actions relatives à l’aménagement forestier pourront être discutées avec les gestionnaires forestiers telles que, par exemple, la mise en défens de certaines zones à certaines périodes de l’année, le déplacement ou la fermeture de certains sentiers, ou encore la modification des points d’attractions des usagers dans la forêt. / Reducing exposure to ticks is the most effective method for prevention of Lyme borreliosis, which poses a new public health problem in periurban areas. Therefore, the analysis of contacts between the routes that people adopt in forests (where ticks live) and the spaces and environments considered to be risky (the most suitable habitat for ticks) constitutes a privileged avenue of study. So there is a need to study these spatial dynamics, as well as to study ways in which it is possible to minimize risk via the landscape and design. To study this contact, two databases were created, one related to ticks that can transmit the infection and the other to trajectories of users in the Sénart forest (Île-de-France). The first was fed by tick samples collected from vegetation in the forest and the second gathered descriptive data on volume, variation and characteristics of human flow through the forest area. A characterization of the busiest portions of routes in relation to data on tick populations densities and distribution has enable us to assess human exposure to ticks according to the forest locations attended by users. We also explored the realm of representations and ideas in order to understand the mechanisms of human-tick contact. By integrating these results into a multi-agent geosimulation tool, various actions related to forest design will be discussed with the forest officers such as, for example, the closing off of certain areas at certain times of the year, the relocation or closure of some trails, or the changing of points of attractions for users in the forest.

Cette thèse s'inscrit dans le champ des psychologies environnementale et sociale. Elle est introduite par une réflexion épistémologique promouvant le paradigme de la Pensée Complexe (Morin, 1977) et questionnant la place de la psychologie environnementale sur la scène scientifique. Les travaux exploratoires portent sur l'appréhension psychosociale des infrastructures de transport, une question pertinente au regard des revendications des populations vis-à-vis de l'aménagement du territoire. Les représentations sociales (Moscovici, 1961), l'implication personnelle (Rouquette, 1997) et les dimensions de la relation Homme-Environnement que sont le sens du lieu (Jorgensen & Stedman, 2001) et l'appropriation de l'espace sont mises en perspective avec les attitudes en vue d'analyser les paramètres suscitant l'accueil favorable des aménagements par les populations. La thèse présente plusieurs développements méthodologiques : la traduction d'une échelle de sens du lieu (Jorgensen & Stedman, 2001) et l'élaboration d'une échelle d'appropriation de l'espace ; puis fait état de quatre études de cas menées dans des régions françaises où des infrastructures de transport étaient en projet ou récemment mises en service. Enfin, une modélisation rassemblant l'ensemble des données a été réalisée. Ces différentes analyses ont révélé l'aptitude de l'implication personnelle, de l'appropriation de l'espace, et des éléments représentationnels revêtant un enjeu spécifique, à expliquer les attitudes. La discussion pose les jalons d'une bonne intégration des infrastructures dans le contexte socio-économique des régions, en montrant un recul critique vis-à-vis du concept « NIMBY ». / This thesis was conducted within the fields of environmental and social psychologies. It is introduced by an epistemological reflection promoting the Complex Thought paradigm (Morin, 1977), and questioning the position of environmental psychology on the scientific arena. After that, we expose a work dealing with psychosocial apprehension of transport infrastructures, a pertinent question according to populations' demands towards landscape planning. Social representations (Moscovici, 1961), personal implication (Rouquette, 1997) and some Man-Setting relationship dimensions, among which sense of place (Jorgensen & Stedman, 2001) and space appropriation (Vidal & Pol, 2005) were put in perspective with attitudes, in the aim of analyzing parameters enabling social acceptance of these infrastructures. The thesis presents several methodological developments: the translation of a sense of place scale (Jorgensen & Stedman, 2001), and the elaboration of a space appropriation scale. Then, it describes four case studies which were carried out in French regions where transport infrastructures were either in project, or recently put in service. Finally, a model gathering all the data was realized. These different analyses revealed the capacity of personal implication, space appropriation and representational elements with a specific stake, to explain attitudes. Discussion exposes some conditions for a good integration of transport infrastructures in the social and economic context of the studied regions, taking some critical distance with the “NYMBY” concept.

Este trabalho trata dos projetos da cidade de Maringá, de seus espaços abertos e das condições para torná-la uma cidade ambientalmente sustentável. Para tanto, apresenta uma breve evolução do pensamento ecológico; trata de conceitos como sustentabilidade e paisagens sustentáveis e suas relações com a forma da cidade. Apresenta abordagens atuais de planejamento da paisagem e enfatiza o papel dos espaços abertos na conformação da cidade. Ressalta a importância desses espaços na proteção dos ecossistemas e na relação do homem com a natureza dentro das cidades. Analisaram-se no estudo a construção da paisagem do Norte do Paraná e a rede de cidades projetada pela companhia colonizadora, os elementos que subsidiaram os projetos das cidades e, mais especificamente, da cidade de Maringá, cujo projeto original teve influência direta das idéias de cidade-jardim. À luz do aparato legislativo vigente, foram avaliados a forma e os processos de construção da paisagem urbana de Maringá e os principais aspectos dos espaços abertos existentes. Sob o enfoque da ecologia da paisagem, foram estabelecidas as condições necessárias para que este sistema se torne uma estrutura ecológica capaz de abrigar os serviços ambientais que sustentariam a cidade. Por fim, são apresentados um plano de estrutura ecológica e diretrizes de projeto para a qualificação da cidade e sua adequação aos pressupostos levantados por esta tese. / This thesis deals about the urban planning and design of Maringá, its open spaces and the needed conditions to turn it into an environmental sustainable city. Thus, it provides a succinct historical account of the ecological thinking, relating concepts such as sustainability and sustainable landscapes, and their interaction with the urban form. It also presents some new approaches to landscape planning and emphasizes the open spaces role in the urban form, in ecosystems protection, and in the relationship between men and nature in the cities. It analyzes the construction of the Northern Paraná State landscape and its originally planned cluster of cities, as well as the basic elements that helped to define each new urban form, especially Maringá, whose urban design was directly influenced by garden-city ideas. In addition to that, the urban form, the landscape construction process as well as the characteristics of Maringá´s open spaces are evaluated considering environmental legislation. Using the principles of landscape ecology, the conditions that this system should present to become a green infrastructure, in order to support the ecological services, are shown. Finally, a plan and spatial strategies to design ecologically sustainable landscapes are proposed to enhance the citys quality and apply the principles presented in this thesis.

A paisagem do distrito juizforano de Sarandira, situado na Zona da Mata Mineira, guarda importantes referenciais naturais e culturais. Resquícios históricos do extinto ciclo econômico cafeeiro ainda estão presentes em sua arquitetura. Fragmentos de floresta nativa, recursos hídricos e uma fauna diversificada todos de grande valor ecológico também são encontrados na região. Este patrimônio mais significativo foi identificado ao longo da pesquisa, onde também frisou-se a necessidade de sua conservação. Outro aspecto crucial descrito foi o crescimento da mancha urbana de Juiz de Fora sobre suas terras, processo ainda incipiente, mas que já prenuncia drásticas transformações em sua paisagem para um futuro próximo. Fenômeno este que parece ser muito representativo das políticas públicas nacionais para as zonas rurais, onde persegue-se um modelo de urbanização a todo custo, sem levar em conta suas especificidades. Assim, situa-se a linha central de argumentação deste trabalho, defendendo-se a manutenção daquele patrimônio cada vez mais ameaçado, e sua contextualização diante do atual cenário de crise ambiental e de crescente demanda por qualidade de vida. Neste sentido, concluiu-se que a instituição de uma Área de Proteção Ambiental (APA) na região pode ser uma medida valiosa na promoção de melhorias em seus parâmetros sociais, econômicos e ambientais, ressaltando que a criação desta Unidade de Conservação da Natureza teria como objetivo a constituição de uma área piloto, orientada pelos princípios do desenvolvimento sustentável. Por fim, foram esboçadas algumas diretrizes gerais para um plano de paisagem para o distrito levando em conta aspectos ambientais, paisagísticos e aqueles referentes à legislação ambiental. / The region of Sarandira, a district of Juiz de Fora located in the area known as Zona da Mata Mineira, has several important cultural and natural resources. Historical remnants of the economical cycle of coffee can still be found in the local architecture. It is also possible to find fragments of the native forest, as well as water resources and a diversified fauna, all of great ecological value. These valuable resources were recognized during the research phase of the present work, when the need for conservation also became clear. The last issue is specially true when one considers the growth of Juiz de Foras urban area over the region studied, a process which, although only in its beginning, will most certainly cause drastic transformations in the local landscape in a near future. This uncontrolled growth may be regarded as a very representative example of the Brazilian public policy concerning the rural zones, which seeks a fixed model of urbanization without taking into account the particularities of each case. The main goal of this work is to support the protection of this endangered heritage and to fit it in the current scenario of environmental crisis and growing demand for life quality. In this context, it seems clear that the institution of an APA (similar to Protected Landscapes of IUCN) would improve the social, economical and environmental aspects of the region of Sarandira. This protected area could serve as a reference, governed by the principles of sustainable development. As a final contribution of this work, a plan for the landscape of the region studied was outlined, considering not only ecological aspects, but also the active environmental legislation.

<p>The purpose of this study is to find potential areas suitable for energy production using renewable sources. For this aim, accurate assessments are necessary. The assessments include geographical suitability, closeness of infrastructure and observing local and regional framework concerning the use of renewable sources together with environmental protection. In addition, economical factor is considered in such an assessment. In this study, the Photovoltaic (PV) production potential for Germany is considered. An accurate and complete data set is necessary in order to achieve reliable results. In addition, a powerful database management and strong analysis tools are required. Geographical Information System (GIS) is a tool for finding suitable sites for the photovoltaic production.Using GIS, energy generation planners are able to visualize solar densities throughout the considered area. In addition, they can find the optimal and most economical sites by the combination of solar potential with the information about land. In this study, data sources consist of meteorological and geographical conditions. Furthermore, all analyses have been performed using Arc GIS Desktop. This study demonstrates the possible places for photovoltaic plants and indicates suitable candidates according to weights and factors in multi criteria analysis. The solar radiation data is from year 1995 to 2005. Land cover data is according to Corine 2000 and the more detailed Raumordnungskataster (Rok) for Weser-Ems. Numerical results are reliable from a comparison point of view. This study demonstrates the sensitivity of the defined criteria with respect to electricity production. In particular, this study is useful to see the capabilities of GIS for site selection regarding photovoltaic plants.The purpose of this study is to find potential areas suitable for energy production using renewable sources. For this aim, accurate assessments are necessary. The assessments include geographical suitability, closeness of infrastructure and observing local and regional framework concerning the use of renewable sources together with environmental protection. In addition, economical factor is considered in such an assessment. In this study, the Photovoltaic (PV) production potential for Germany is considered. An accurate and complete data set is necessary in order to achieve reliable results. In addition, a powerful database management and strong analysis tools are required. Geographical Information System (GIS) is a tool for finding suitable sites for the photovoltaic production.Using GIS, energy generation planners are able to visualize solar densities throughout the considered area. In addition, they can find the optimal and most economical sites by the combination of solar potential with the information about land. In this study, data sources consist of meteorological and geographical conditions. Furthermore, all analyses have been performed using Arc GIS Desktop. This study demonstrates the possible places for photovoltaic plants and indicates suitable candidates according to weights and factors in multi criteria analysis. The solar radiation data is from year 1995 to 2005. Land cover data is according to Corine 2000 and the more detailed Raumordnungskataster (Rok) for Weser-Ems. Numerical results are reliable from a comparison point of view. This study demonstrates the sensitivity of the defined criteria with respect to electricity production. In particular, this study is useful to see the capabilities of GIS for site selection regarding photovoltaic plants.</p>

This thesis describes aspects of durability of Swedish softwood in above ground applications. The thesis consists of a summary of nine papers, which all aim to explain the existing variation in above ground microbial durability and moisture sensitivity of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). The methods used were two field tests, one accelerated durability test, and three water permeability tests. The main conclusions made in the study were that Norway spruce sapwood is more susceptible to discolouring fungi than heartwood. With respect to Scots pine, the only important factor for its natural durability above ground was whether the samples consisted of heartwood or of sapwood. There was also no systematic variation between pine heartwood from different stand origins in above ground conditions. Origin had no influence on durability in practice for neither spruce nor pine. Furthermore, in contradiction with traditional thinking, annual ring width and density had no influence on durability in any of the tests. The material came from two different samplings. The ‘old’ material was sampled in the beginning of the 1980s and consisted of Scots pine and Norway spruce from three different origins: the north, the central area, and the south of Sweden. The material was subjected to different handling conditions and surface and end-grain treatments. The ‘old’ material was used in a large above ground field test, carried out between 1985 and 1994. Unfortunately, the spruce sapwood and heartwood was not separated in this field test. In the field trial with the ‘old’ material, the most important factor for the durability of Norway spruce was the samples’ surface- and end-grain treatment. It was also observed that untreated spruce showed better durability than samples that were painted but without proper end-grain treatment. Samples originating from one of the stands were more sensitive towards air-drying than samples from the other two, which was reflected in a higher average moisture content and mass loss for the untreated samples. With respect to Scots pine, the most important factor was whether the sample consisted of heartwood or of sapwood. The heartwood samples were durable irrespective of their previous treatment. The Scots pine sapwood samples, on the other hand, had a very fluctuating moisture content if they were not surface- and end-painted. This was also reflected in higher mass losses in these samples. Even when properly surface- and end grain treated, the sapwood samples did not perform as well as the heartwood samples. The ‘new’ material consisted of Scots pine taken from six different stands, and Norway spruce from five different stands, all from areas in southern Sweden. The sampling was performed in order to achieve a large variation in wood properties. Thus, logs from areas with different climate and growth conditions were collected. This material was used for laboratory tests, and also for the second field test, which was evaluated after a test period of two years. In the second field test untreated Scots pine and Norway spruce samples from the ‘new’ material were investigated. Effects of origin and different tree diameters were examined. Furthermore, Scots pine was separated to heartwood and sapwood, and Norway spruce to mature and juvenile wood. The Norway spruce samples were sawn with vertical or horizontal annual rings. For the Norway spruce in the second field test, vertical annual rings were shown to be very beneficial for avoiding crack formation, while samples with horizontal annual rings displayed a large number of cracks. Despite this, the larger number of cracks did not result in a higher moisture content or more fungal discoloration. Juvenile wood had a slightly higher average discolouring fungal growth grading than the other spruce samples. For Scots pine, the only factor of importance was whether the samples consisted of heartwood or of sapwood. Annual ring width, density and origin had no significant effect on either fungal growth or moisture uptake. This observation held for both Norway spruce samples and Scots pine samples. An accelerated test was run in order to investigate Norway spruce sapwood and heartwood with respect to their differences in durability towards discolouring fungi and moisture uptake. The Mycologg method was used to accelerate fungal growth during a number of forced moisture cycles. The results showed that sapwood was much more sensitive to discolouring fungi than heartwood. Sapwood also recorded a higher average moisture content than heartwood. The differences that were observed between the types of samples were not due to annual ring width, density or origin. It was observed that Norway spruce sapwood samples and heartwood samples showed differences in liquid water permeability. This observation was made especially evident in a droplet absorption test. Water droplets were absorbed much faster on the sapwood samples in comparison with the heartwood samples. This higher affinity to water suggested that a sapwood surface would reach a higher moisture content than a heartwood surface. This observation provides a major explanation of why the sapwood samples showed poorer durability towards discolouring fungi in the Mycologg trials.

The Swedish deciduous forest has been actively replaced by coniferous forest during the last two hundred years. In Färna Ekopark, Västmanland, this trend is being reversed by restorations of deciduous forests through the removal of coniferous trees in mixed forests. This field study investigates how successful these restorations have been for plant diversity and how they were affected by past grazing and the proportion of similar mixed and deciduous forest habitats in thesurrounding landscape. Plant species richness was investigated in 370 1m2-plots distributed over 37 sample areas and the surrounding landscape analyzed in a GIS. Results show that a few years after restoration there was higher plant species richness and lower homogenization, at the site scale, compared to the controls. When the restored sites were divided into two subgroups dependant on age, the 5-6 year old restoration displayed higher plot richness than the 2-4 year old restorations, but were also more homogeneous. Past grazing showed a generally positive effect on plant diversity, and these areas also responded with a larger increase of plant species richness and less homogenous plant populations after restorations compared to areas that had not been formerly grazed. The proportion of similar deciduous and mixed forest habitats (more than 40 % deciduous trees) inthe surrounding landscape showed no effect on the plant diversity of deciduous forests in general, though it did display a weak influence over the plot richness of restored deciduous forests without a history of grazing. When restoring deciduous forests to increase plant diversity it would therefore appear wise to focuson the formerly grazed deciduous forests. To take advantage of the beneficial effects to plot richness restored deciduous forests should have a high degree of deciduous and mixed forests within one kilometer. / Den svenska lövskogen har aktivt ersatts med barrskog under de senaste tvåhundra åren. I Färna Ekopark, Västmanland, försöker man vända denna trend genom att ta bort barrträd i blandskog ochpå så sätt restaurera lövskog. Denna fältstudie undersöker om restaureringarna har gett ökad växtdiversitet och hur restaureringarna har påverkats av tidigare bete samt andelen av liknande bland- och lövskogshabitat i det omgivande landskapet. Växtartantalet undersöktes med 370 1m2-rutor utspridda över 37 områden och det omgivande landskapet analyserades i ett GIS. Resultaten visar att några år efter restaurering hade områdena högre växtdiversitet och artsammansättningen var mindre likformig i jämförelse med kontrollerna. När de restaurerade områdena delades upp i två grupper, i avseende på ålder, uppvisade de 5-6 år gamla restaureringarna högre växtdiversitet i rutorna än de 2-4 år gamla restaureringarna, men artsammansättningen var även mer likformig. Tidigare bete visade en generellt positiv inverkar på växtdiversiteten och dessa områden fick en ännu större uppgång i artrikedom och ännu lägre likformighet i artsammansättningarna efter restaureringarna än de områden som inte hade betats tidigare. Andelen av liknande bland- och lövskogshabitat (mer än 40 % lövträd) i det omgivande landskapet uppvisade ingen effekt på växtdiversiteten hos lövskog generellt, men det fanns en svag påverkan på växtdiversiteten på rutnivå hos restaurerade lövskogar utan tidigare bete. När man restaurerar lövskog för att öka växtdiversiteten verkar det därför bra att fokusera på tidigare betade lövskogar. Om man vill ta tillvara på den positiva påverkan på växtpopulationerna som omgivande landskap kan ha bör restaurerade lövskogar ha en stor andel bland- och lövskog en kilometer runt omkring sig.

Procurement of sawlogs to purchasing sawmills represents a basic strategic business process. The properties of inbound sawlogs are decisive for the output of sawn products and the cost of raw material contributes substantially to the cost of the final product. Increasing customer orientation and new demands from powerful customers in the building and retail sectors entail new or accentuated demands on management of procurement. Managing raw material procurement and communicating needs to suppliers and logging machine operators are vital issues for sawmills in order to be competitive. The purpose of the thesis is to explore how purchasing sawmills manage procurement of sawlogs. The results are based on 46 in-depth interviews with people involved in the procurement process at seven softwood sawmills in Denmark, Finland and Sweden. The thesis identifies various types of supply uncertainties as well as process improvement and buffer activities that reduce uncertainties. However, the major obstacle in the procurement process is the power/dependence balance in the relationships with suppliers. Beyond doubt, it restricts the manageability of procurement and particularly bucking. The results suggest that there are a number of ways to improve management of procurement, which are currently not fully employed. The thesis provides four key strategic dimensions of the procurement process and suggests a general conceptual model of wood procurement to purchasing sawmills. Further research within the subject can usefully explore the link between procurement management and procurement strategy as well as the relation to other functions' strategies and the corporate strategy. The importance of the identified strategic dimensions of the procurement process needs to be quantified in order to provide normative suggestions.

Wood is a major construction material that is used in many contexts, and for different purposes. Serious problems may arise, however, when moisture related deformations as twist occur in wood used in different types of building structures, joinery and furniture. Twist can be explained to a great degree by the helical deviation of the grain angle in relation to the longitudinal direction of the log or the sawn board. Wood fibres form a spiral within the tree, and this is a natural occurrence that is named spiral grain. The wood fibres close to the pith in Norway spruce form a left-handed spiral. In most trees the grain angle turns over to be right-handed with time. Sawn timber that exhibits large grain angles lead to problems of shape stability and stiffness in finished constructions. In this thesis the spiral grain in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) was stated as well as the effect on sawn timber. The material was based on sample trees from Sweden and Finland. Samples were taken in twenty-two stands at different heights in tree. From six stands studs were sawn and dried for measuring twist and other deformations. The spiral grain was measured with the method scribe test on 390 log discs taken at the top-end of the logs. Account was given concerning changes in grain angle from pith to bark, regarding both increasing annual ring numbers and distance from pith. The development of grain angle over tree age was utilized to study whether annual growth, size of tree, height in tree as well as silvicultural treatments affected spiral grain. Moreover, the relation between grain angle and distance to pith (in mm) was used to forecast twist in sawn timber. The left-handed grain angle was at its greatest between the fourth and eighth annual rings. Thereafter for most trees the grain angle turned from left-handed to right-handed in a linear fashion, in a manner that was unique for each individual tree. The pattern of spiral grain differed significantly between different stands, regarding change of inclination with increasing age or distance from pith. The culmination of the grain angle close to the pith occurred at somewhat higher age higher up in the trunk. The grain angle decreased faster in top logs than it did in the butt logs. The largest trees within a stand had a grain angle that turned to right in a slower way than smaller ones. The thinning strength and type of thinning regime also affected the character of spiral grain in the remaining trees in a stand. There was an indication that strong thinnings, where fast growing trees are retained, may lead to more individuals in a stand that exhibit high grain angles under bark. With knowledge of the size and direction of the grain angle under bark, and the diameter of the log, calculations can be made that show how twisted the sawn timber will be after drying. This can be used for deciding whether an individual log can profitably be sawn and processed further or not. The grain angle under bark can be used to remove trees showing the greatest degree of spiral grain already in the first thinning. Silvicultural methods aiming at even and dense Norway spruce stands, which normally is practised in Scandinavia, will probably result in timber with relatively low risk concerning large grain angle and subsequent risk for twist in sawn wood.