Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The purpose of this study was to identify urban heat island locations within Center Township, Indiana and to develop a model to determine areas of high social vulnerability. In addition, an urban heat island mitigation strategy was developed for socially vulnerable and highest temperature locations. Land surface temperature was estimated using Landsat ETM+ satellite imagery. Social vulnerability was estimated using principal components analysis and spatial analysis methods such as kernel density functions. These methods incorporate various socioeconomic variables, land surface temperature, and tree canopy cover. Tree canopy cover was extracted using Quickbird imagery among other techniques. Areas with high social vulnerability, high temperature and low tree canopy cover were analyzed and plantable spaces were assessed. The findings of this study will be shared with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. so that they can inform their tree planting campaigns that seek to reduce the effects of urban heat islands on socially vulnerable populations.

Craniometrics is a very reliable and effective tool for studying the difference in animal morphology. Previously, traditional craniometrics were conducted with the aid of calipers in two dimensional format (2D). Such discounting of actual three-dimensional 3D form may result in loss of some relevant and critical information leading to compromised and unreliable results for studies such as population variation analysis of morphology. The employment of 3D photogrammetry allows a close to complete representation of the physical dimensions of a specimen. The use of photogrammetry in mammalogy concentrated on measuring of body size/mass, but little has been done on animal skull delineation through photogrammetry. This dissertation describes advances in morphometrics and 3D photogrammetry application in craniometrics, investigates the craniometric variation between closely related species (Arctocephalus gazella and A. tropicalis), and A. tropicalis interpopulation craniometrics between two geographically distinct populations, at Marion Island and Gough Island, using Photomodeler Scanner® (PMSc®) three-dimensional (3D) modelling software to produce accurate, high resolution 3D skull models. A total of 117 3D models were created from adult male fur seal crania, and 16 traditional measurements recorded, using specimens archived at the Port Elizabeth Museum, Bayworld, South Africa. Sixteen linear measurements, (8 caliper recordings and 8 3D recordings) were used for PMSc® methodology testing, 16 (A. gazella n= 8 and A. tropicalis n= 8) used for species cranial comparison and 85 (Marion Island n= 54 and Gough Island n= 31) used for interpopulation variation. The craniometric variations were analysed using the Statistica® v11 software package, StatSoft, Inc. The comparison between linear traditional caliper cranial measurements and 3D measurements produced significantly similar results, attesting to the accuracy of the PMSc® 3D model production. Photomodeler Scanner® therefore produces accurate and high resolution 3D models of skulls which allow 3D measurements. I predicted that PMSc® would detect the existing significant differences between the skulls of adult male A. gazella and A. tropicalis and modelled and compared their 3D models, and I further predicted that PMSc® would detect any existing differences between the skulls of A. tropicalis from Gough and Marion islands by comparison of their 3D models. The Gough Island and Marion Island A. tropicalis populations could not be discriminated based on linear 3D cranial I conclude that PMSc® is a reliable and effective tool for accurate and high resolution 3D modelling. The present study confirms previous findings and contributes additional evidence that suggests that adult A. tropicalis males from Gough Island and Marion Island cannot be discriminated based on linear measurements of craniometrics, and deviates from the Bergmanian rule as applied to large mammals. The present study, however, makes several noteworthy contributions to the use of PMSc® and 3D modelling in morphometrics. Taken together, these findings suggest a role for PMSc® 3D modelling in promoting accurate digitization of museum specimens and creation of online museum libraries. This research will serve as a baseline for future studies and usefulness of PMSc® in 3D morpho-volumetric measurements. / Dissertation (MSc (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2014. / Zoology and Entomology / MSc (Zoology) / Unrestricted

This bachelor thesis in human rights aims to critically study the human rights of the muslim minority in Sweden and the possible limitations of the swedish minority politics. With the Sweden Democrats’s (SD) bigger influence in swedish politics today, an increased xenophobia is a fact, which leads to a risk of a society where islamophobic ideas can grow. Through a case study, muslims’ requirements that their basic human rights are guaranteed, will be discussed, to examine limitations in the swedish multicultural society. With the perspecitve of Iris MarionYoung’s “five faces of oppression”, muslims’ situation will be analyzed, through a variety of material. Universal rights, group rights, integration politics and freedom of religion are parts of the analysis. International critique concerning Sweden’s lack of equality statistics and Sweden’s responsability to guarantee minority groups their rights will also be discussed. A need to strengthen the human rights for muslims in general is emphazised in the conclusion, with suggestions for further research.

I denna uppsats undersöks communityreglerna för Facebook för att se hur väl plattformen kan säkert utgöra den digitala offentliga sfären. Detta görs genom en anpassad WPR-analys, där materialet är communityreglerna för Facebook. Teorin som används är Iris Marion Youngs deliberativa demokratiteori, där Young redovisar ett antal kriterier som är förutsättningarna för en hälsosam offentlig sfär. Resultatet för undersökningen är att företaget som äger Facebook (Meta), både tydligt strävar efter att uppnå en hälsosam digital offentlig sfär och förstår vad problemen är som hindrar användarna från att uppnå en hälsosam digital offentlig sfär utan några regler. Resultatet visar att det Meta gör mycket väl är att de har flera effektiva åtgärder för att skapa ärliga och resonabla diskussioner på plattformen, med bra mångfald och pluralism. Där målet är att alla deltagare ska kunna uttrycka sig utan att riskera hot eller hat från andra användare. Där det fanns flest brister var i hanteringen av falsk information. Där Meta förlitar sig mycket på enbart faktagranskare som själva inte är tillräckligt för att hantera sanning och information. Dessutom ser Meta det offentliga och officiella narrativet som sanning och användare som avviker sig från det narrativet kan få sina inlägg borttagna eller att spridningen av deras uttalanden minskas. De användare som bryter mot reglerna exkluderas också från den offentliga sfären där Meta inte gör någonting för att inkludera deltagare med problematiska värderingar, vilket är negativt för en deliberativ demokrati.

No description available.

<p>This dissertation examines the thought of Jean-Luc Marion in light of his treatment of divine revelation and in connection to the hermeneutic phenomenology of Paul Ricoeur. It argues, first, that Marion’s thought bears within itself significant ambiguities that are determined by the legacies of the key concepts which organize his work: ‘givenness’ (<em>donation</em>) and saturation. Secondly, it also argues that even if a way can be found to resolve these ambiguities the resultant proposal does not meet the criticism raised by Paul Ricoeur in reference to phenomenologies of religion that remain determined by a ‘Husserlian idealism.’ As a result, the dissertation offers a study of Ricoeur’s hermeneutics of revelation in an effort to displace Marion’s account and offer an alternative proposal. Specifically, it treats the connection of Ricoeur’s proposed transformation of phenomenology through hermeneutics, the idea of a hermeneutics of testimony that is generated as a result of that transformation, and Ricoeur’s notion of revelation as being articulated in reference to the ‘world of the text.’ By focusing on the notion of ‘anteriority’ throughout the analysis, the dissertation argues that not only does Marion’s work remain limited by its formal commitments to pure apparition, but it fails to access the sort of radical anteriority that it seeks. This is so because it remains tied to a philosophy of consciousness which is blocked from accessing the pre-reflective level of belonging that is made accessible by Ricoeur’s hermeneutic phenomenology. By making this argument, the dissertation provides a critical analysis of Marion’s work from the perspective of divine revelation and, furthermore, brings that work into conversation with Paul Ricoeur. This important engagement between Ricoeur and Marion has not been adequately addressed in the current secondary literature and this dissertation fills that gap.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Ce mémoire propose de retracer un parcours présenté sous la forme de réflexions sur l’expérience, le quotidien et l’image. Développé en trois parties, il décrit d’abord mes premières influences perceptuelles, puis les différentes étapes qui auront ponctué mes recherches pratiques, au travers de corpus artistiques et de références philosophiques. Attentive au quotidien et à ses instants routiniers, j’explore les différents niveaux de réel et d’imaginaire qui m’habitent. Je m'intéresse à la perception de ces mondes, à leurs cohabitations et à ce qu’ils produisent en moi et en nous. Je traiterais également du médium vidéo et de la valeur de l’image, des esquisses qui matérialisent une certaine temporalité de l’image en mouvement, où l’expérience à vivre est celle de l’instant suspendu.

Thesis (DPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Sub-Antarctic islands represent the only mid to high latitude terrestrial biomes in the Southern Hemisphere. These islands have various geological origins and histories, well-preserved terrestrial ecosystems and high levels of species endemism. In an attempt to understand the evolution and biogeography of terrestrial taxa in the South Polar Region, the first broad-scale molecular phylogeny was constructed for the unique terrestrial group, the ameronothroid mites (genus Halozetes (Oribatida)), collected from sub-Antarctic and Maritime Antarctic localities. Phylogenetic analyses based on a combined mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI)) and nuclear (histone-3 (H3)) sequence dataset indicated that the evolution of these mites were habitat specific (i.e. intertidal, supralittoral and terrestrial). Notwithstanding criticisms levelled against a molecular clock, the mites were evolutionary young (<10myo), contrary to their status as an ancient group predating Gondwana fragmentation. Biogeographic analyses indicated a complex pattern mainly sculpted by multiple independent dispersal events across the Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone similar to previous findings for other marine and terrestrial taxa. Also, the molecular phylogeny displayed considerable discourse with contemporary taxonomy suggesting the need for taxonomic revisions and reassessment of morphological characters. Sub-Antarctic Marion Island, the larger of the two islands comprising the Prince Edward Island archipelago (PEI), has experienced extensive glaciation and volcanism. To assess the impact of historical events (volcanism (including recent eruptions) and glaciation) and contemporary mechanisms (gene flow) on the genetic spatial distribution of species from Marion Island, two mite species namely Eupodes minutus (Prostigmata) and Halozetes fulvus (Oribatida) as well as a single plant species, Azorella selago (Apiaceae), were selected as model organisms. For independent phylogeographic analyses, mitochondrial sequence data (COI) were obtained for both mite species, while chloroplast sequence (trnH-psbA) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) data were generated for the cushion plant, A. selago. Since A. selago is typified by two growth forms namely discrete cushions and continuous mats, it was essential to examine the growth dynamics prior to phylogeographic analyses. The sequence and fragment data indicated that both mite and plant species were significantly substructured across Marion Island. Manual comparisons indicated unique populations on the western (Kaalkoppie for H. fulvus, La Grange Kop for E. minutus and Mixed Pickle for A. selago), eastern (Bullard Beach for H. fulvus and Kildalkey Bay for E. minutus), northern (Middelman and Long Ridge for H. fulvus) and southern side (Grey Headed for H. fulvus and Watertunnel for A. selago) of the island. Importantly, the western side had unique localities for all species. Interestingly, based on the H. fulvus data, the western populations were relatively young, characterized by high migration rates, small effective (female) population sizes with no isolation-by-distance. The opposite scenario was found for the eastern populations. This spatial genetic structure described for species on Marion Island can be ascribed to both historical events and environmental conditions. These areas with their unique genetic composition are of special conservational concern; consequently this research will contribute to an active management plan for PEI, South Africa’s only Special Nature Reserve. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sub-Antarktiese eilande verteenwoordig die enigste terrestriële bioom in die middel tot hoër breedtegrades van die Suidelike Halfrond. Hierdie eilande besit ‘n verskeidenheid van geologiese oorspronge en geskiedenisse, goed-bewaarde terrestriële ekosisteme en hoë vlakke van endemisme. In ‘n poging om die evolusie en biogeografie van terrestriële taksa in die Suid Pool Area te verstaan, is die eerste grootskaalse molekulêre filogenie saamgestel vir ‘n unieke terrestriële groep, die ameronothoïed miete (genus Halozetes (Oribatida: Ameronothroidea)), vanaf menigte sub-Antarktiese en Maritime Antarktiese lokaliteite. Filogenetiese analises gebaseer op die saamgestelde mitochondriale (sitokroom oksidase subeenheid I (COI)) en nukluêre (histoon-3 (H3)) basispaarvolgordes het aangedui dat die evolusie van hierdie miete habitat spesifiek is (m.a.w inter-gety, supralitoraal en terrestrieël). Ongeag die kritiek teenoor ‘n molekulêre klok, is hierdie miete evolusionêr jonk (<10mjo), wat teenstrydig is met hulle status as ‘n antieke groep wat terugdateer voor Gondwana fragmentasie. Biogeografiese analises het ‘n komplekse patroon aangedui wat grotendeels gekarakteriseer word deur menigte onafhanklike verspreidingsgebeurtenisse bo-oor die Antarktiese Polêre Frontale Zone, wat ooreenstemmend is met vorige bevindinge vir ander mariene en terrestriële taksa. Die molekulêre filogenie het ook aansienlik verskil van die tradisionele taksonomie, dus is taksonomiese aanpassings en herklassifisering van morfologiese karakters noodsaaklik. Sub-Antarktiese Marion Eiland, die groter eiland van die Prins Edward eilandgroep (PEI), het uitermate glasiasie en vulkanisme ondervind. Om die impak van historiese gebeurtenisse (vulkanisme (insluitend onlangse uitbarstings) en glasiasie) en kontemporêre meganismes (geenvloei) op die genetiesgespasieërde verspreiding van spesies vanaf Marion Eiland te bepaal, was twee mietspesies naamlik Eupodes minutus (Prostigmata) en Halozetes fulvus (Oribatida) asook ‘n enkele plantspesie, Azorella selago (Apiaceae), gekies as model organismes. Vir onafhanklike filogeografiese analises, was die mitochondriale basispaarvolgorde (COI) vir beide mietspesies bepaal, terwyl chloroplast basispaarvolgorde (trnH-psbA) asook geamplifiseerde fragmentlengte polimorfisme (AFLP) data gegenereer was vir die kussingplant, A. selago. Aangesien A. selago gekenmerk word deur twee groeivorme, naamlik diskrete kussings en aaneenlopende matte, was dit noodsaaklik om eers die groeidinamika van die plant te ondersoek alvorens ‘n filogeografiese studie kon geskied. Die basispaarvolgordebepalings en fragmentdata het aangedui dat beide mietspesies sowel as die plantspesie betekenisvolle substruktuur vertoon regoor Marion Eiland. Informele vergelykings het unieke populasies aangedui op die westelike (Kaalkoppie vir H. fulvus, La Grange Kop vir E. minutus en Mixed Pickle vir A. selago), oostelike (Bullardstrand vir H. fulvus en Kildalkeybaai vir E. minutus), noordelike (Middelman en Long Ridge vir H. fulvus) en suidelike kant (Grey Headed vir H. fulvus en Watertunnel vir A. selago) van die eiland. Die westelike kant besit dus unieke lokaliteite vir al die spesies. Interressantheidhalwe het die H. fulvus data getoon dat die westelike populasies relatief jonk is en gekarakteriseer word deur hoë migrasiesyfers en klein effektiewe (vroulike) populasiegroottes met geen isolasie-oor-afstand nie. Die resultate vir die populasies aan die oostelike kant van die Marion Eiland was presies teenoorgesteld. Dié beskryfde substruktuur vir die spesies op Marion Eiland is afkomstig van beide historiese gebeurtenisse asook omgewingstoestande. Hierdie areas met hul unieke genetiese samestelling, is belangrik vir natuurbewaring. Hierdie navorsing sal bydra tot die bestuursriglyne van PEI, Suid Afrika se enigste Spesiale Natuurreservaat.

Thesis (PhD (Conservation Ecology and Entomology))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Shifts in species ranges are an important consequence of climate change, and can affect the composition, structure and functioning of ecosystems. Generally, in response to rising temperatures, species have increased their altitudinal and latitudinal distributions along their cooler boundaries, although there has been large variation between species. However, in addition to climatic factors, species range limits are also sensitive to biotic interactions. Therefore, interspecific interactions may be able to influence the impact of climate change on species distributions. In this thesis climate change, range shifts and spatial variation in plant-plant interactions are documented to examine the potential for biotic interactions to mediate climate-driven altitudinal range shifts on sub-Antarctic Marion Island. The climate on Marion Island changed considerably between 1949 and 2003, with significant trends in biologically-relevant parameters encompassing average climatic conditions, variability in climate parameters and extreme weather events. Combining these trends showed that while environmental conditions have ameliorated for some species, they have become more abiotically stressful for others (e.g. hygrophilous species). Concurrent with changes in the island’s climate, there have been rapid changes in the elevational distribution of Marion Island’s native vascular flora. On average species ranges expanded upslope (as predicted in response to the warming experienced on the island), although individual range expansion rates varied greatly. As a result of the idiosyncratic expansion rates, altitudinal patterns of species richness and community composition changed considerably. Therefore, both speciesand community-level changes occurred in the flora of Marion Island, demonstrating the community’s sensitivity to climate change. To determine the potential for interspecific interactions to have mediated these changes in species elevational ranges, spatial variation in the balance of positive and negative plant-plant interactions were examined. Increasing spatial association between four dominant species along an altitudinal severity gradient suggested that the intensity of facilitation, relative to the intensity of competition, is greater under more severe conditions. While, interaction strength varied between species pairs, the nature of relationship was consistent across the species. At a broader spatial scale, the performance of the grass Agrostis magellanica was compared in the presence and in the absence of the cushion plant Azorella selago along the entire altitudinal range of both species. The influence of the cushion plant on A. magellanica switched from negative to positive with increasing environmental severity, reaching a positive asymptote under extreme environmental conditions. Therefore, on Marion Island the spatial variation in the nature of biotic interactions is related to environmental severity, and facilitative interactions can be strong under extreme environmental conditions. These results show that positive biotic interactions are important at higher elevations on Marion Island, and could thus accelerate upslope range expansions in response to climate change. Nonetheless, competitive inhibition of upslope species movement, especially in areas of dense vegetation (i.e. mid or low altitudes), could have the opposite result, acting antagonistically with the effect of rising temperatures. This research highlights the importance of considering interspecific interactions when examining the biotic implications of climate change, both for affecting the rate at which species ranges change and the extent of species distributions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die verskuiwing van spesies se verspreidingspatrone is ‘n belangrike gevolg van klimaatsverandering en kan die samestelling, struktuur en funksionering van ekosisteme affekteer. Oor die algemeen, in reaksie op verwarming, kom spesies op hoër hoogtes bo seespieël en hoër breedtegrade voor, alhoewel daar groot verskille tussen spesies in hierdie aspek is. Behalwe vir klimatologiese faktore, is spesies se verspreidingslimiete ook sensitief vir biotiese interaksies met ander spesies. Daarom kan interaksies tussen spesies die effek van klimaatsverandering op spesiesverspreiding verder beïnvloed. In hierdie verhandeling word klimaatsverandering, verandering in verspreiding van spesies en geografiese variasie in plant-plant interaksies ondersoek. Dit word gedoen ten einde die moontlikheid te toets dat biotiese interaksies die verandering in verspreidingspatrone van klimaat gedrewe spesies op sub-Antarktiese Marion Eiland beïnvloed. Marion Eiland se klimaat het aansienlik tussen 1949 en 2003 verander, met betekenisvolle neigings in biologies-relevante parameters, insluitend gemiddelde klimaatstoestande, variasie in klimaat en uiterste weerstoestande. As die veranderinge saam beskou word, wys dit dat, terwyl omgewingstoestande vir sommige spesies verbeter het, toestande vir ander spesies abioties meer ongunstig geword het (bv. akwatiese plantsoorte). Tesame met die veranderinge in die eiland se klimaat, het die hoogte bo seespieël verspreiding van Marion Eiland se inheemse vaatplante vinnig verander. Gemiddeld het spesies-verspreiding se hoogte bo seespieël na hoër hoogtes verskuif (soos voorspel in reaksie op verwarming), alhoewel die tempo van verskuiwing na hoër hoogtes tussen spesies verskil het. As gevolg van hierdie idiosinkratiese reaksies, het die aantal en samestelling van plant spesies op verskillende hoogtes op die eiland aansienlik verander. Die sensitiwiteit van Marion Eiland se flora ten opsigte van klimaatsverandering word deur hierdie verandering gedemonstreer. Om te bepaal of die interaksies tussen spesies verspreidingspatrone kan beïnvloed, is die geografiese variasie in die balans van positiewe en negatiewe interaksies ondersoek. Vier dominante vaatplante het meer geassosieerd geraak hoe hoër hulle bo seespieël voorgekom het. Dit is ‘n aanduiding dat die sterkte van die positiewe interaksies (fasilitering), relatief tot die sterkte van die negatiewe reaksie (kompetisie), groter onder uiterste omgewingstoestande is. Die sterkte van die interaksie het verskil tussen spesies pare, maar die verhouding tussen omgewingstoestande en die sterkte van die interaksie was dieselfde vir alle spesies. Op ‘n breër geografiese vlak is die opbrengs van die gras Agrostis magellanica in die teenwoordigheid en afwesigheid van die polsterplant Azorella selago op alle hoogtes waar die plante saam voorkom vergelyk. Die invloed van A. selago op A. magellanica was negatief op lae hoogtes bo seespieël, maar het meer positief geraak met ‘n toename in hoogte bo seespieël, tesame met omgewingshardheid. Die invloed van die polsterplant op die gras het ‘n positiewe asimptoot onder uiterste omgewingstoestande bereik. Dus, op Marion Eiland is die geografiese variasie in biotiese interaksies verwant aan omgewingstoestande, en positiewe interaksies kan selfs onder die uiterste omgewingstoestande sterk wees. Hierdie resultate wys dat positiewe biotiese interaksies tussen plante belangrik is by hoër hoogtes bo seespieël op Marion Eiland. Die interaksies kan dus die opwaartse verspreiding van spesies in reaksie op klimaatsverandering versnel. Nogtans kan negatiewe interaksies die teenoorgestelde effek hê aangesien kompetisie tussen plante, veral in plekke met digte plantegroei (d.w.s. lae of middel hoogtes bo seespieël) opwaartse verskuiwing van spesies kan verhinder. Hierdie navorsing dui aan hoe belangrik dit is om interaksies tussen spesies in ag te neem, aangesien die interaksies die tempo en omvang van veranderinge in verspreiding kan beïnvloed.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study addresses a little-known but important part of South Africa’s history: its involvement with the sub-Antarctic and Antarctic in the twentieth century. It has a three-fold approach. Firstly, it provides insight into the motives driving South Africa’s investment in the region, from the first call for a South African Antarctic expedition in 1919 to the post-apartheid recommitment to the South African Antarctic Programme. Interrogating of the reasons behind South Africa’s activities in this region – including those that failed –throws into relief broader issues about how and where South Africa saw itself in the geopolitical order. As such, this dissertation is situated within a body of Antarctic scholarship that seeks to subvert the prevailing homogenising narrative of the continent as simply the preserve of scientists and heroes. In particular, it investigates how tropes of imperialism and nationalism functioned in these remote corners of the world. Secondly, this dissertation investigates how changing perceptions of the extreme environment of Antarctica, and specifically the Prince Edward Islands, can add to our understanding of environmental history. It also shows how the values projected onto and invested in the environment as ‘nature’ changed over time. Thirdly, it takes into account the humans that were South Africa’s presence in the region and how the underlying patterns in the fabric of South African society, including race and gender, crystalized on the Antarctic continent. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie is gerig op ʼn minder bekende, maar belangrike aspek van Suid-Afrika se geskiedenis: die land se betrokkenheid by die sub-Antarktiese gebied en Antarktika in die twintigste eeu. Die studie volg van ʼn drie-ledige benadering. Eerstens, verskaf dit insig in die dryfvere agter Suid-Afrika se investering in die streek – vanaf die eerste beroep op ʼn Suid-Afrikaanse Antarktiese ekspedisie in 1919, tot die post-apartheid regering se herverbintenis tot die Suid-Afrikaanse Antarktiese program. Die ondersoek na die redes vir Suid-Afrika se aktiwiteite in die streek – insluitend dié wat misluk het – bring breër kwessies oor Suid-Afrika se selfbeskouing in die wêreld se geopolitieke orde, na vore. Hierdie studie word binne ʼn kritiese raamwerk van navorsing oor Antarktika geplaas. Dié raamwerk streef daarna om die oorheersende homogene beeld van die kontinent as die eksklusiewe grondgebied van wetenskaplikes en helde, onder die soeklig te stel. In die besonder stel dit ondersoek in na hoe imperialisme en nasionalisme in hierdie verafgeleë uithoeke van die aarde versinnebeeld is. Tweedens, ondersoek hierdie studie hoe veranderende persepsies van Antarktika - en veral die Prins Edward eilande - se uiterste omgewing tot ons begrip van omgewingsgeskiedenis kan bydra. Dit dui ook aan die mate waartoe bestaande waardes wat op die omgewing as ‘natuur’ geprojekteer en gevestig is, mettertyd verander het. Die derde benadering neem die mense wat Suid-Afrika se teenwoordigheid verpersoonlik het in aanmerking - en hoe die onderliggende patrone in die Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing, insluitend ras en geslag, op die Antarktiese kontinent uitgekristalliseer het.