The performance of golf greens in terms of rootzone physical properties, sward characteristics and playing quality is highly dependent upon the original rootzone composition and subsequent management. Such performance also continuously changes with time under usage. A study to this performance was conducted from April 1998 to January 2003 at the research site of the New Zealand Sports Turf Institute. This thesis reports results of both the field measurements made of rootzone physical properties, sward characteristics and playing quality of five alternative golf green rootzones during the first five years after sowing, and of the simulation modeling of their performance predicted for the first 30 years after sowing. Rootzone treatments were partially amended sand rootzone, soil rootzone, pure sand rootzone, fully amended sand rootzone, and partially amended sand + zeolite rootzone. A split-plot design was superimposed on the rootzone treatments consisting of twice-yearly cultivation/aeration treatments (control, HydroJect, scarification and Verti-drain). Results showed that performance of golf greens could be objectively, quantitatively and comprehensively assessed and monitored over the long-term at the rootzone level by using an Integrated Rate Methodology (IRM) model through computing the Comprehensive Golf Green Performance Index (CGGPI). The performance of golf greens showed a gradual improvement during the first two years after sowing. It then deteriorated progressively over the remainder of the 30 years predicted for all rootzone and cultivation/aeration treatments. This general trend was reflected mainly by a gradual decrease with time in water infiltration rate, oxygen diffusion rate, air-filled porosity and deep rooting. Also, there was a gradual increase in green speed, surface hardness, root mass and organic matter content near the surface profiles. By the 14th and 27th year after sowing, the IRM model predicted that the CGGPI for all the three amended sand rootzones and the pure sand rootzone were below the minimum acceptable threshold. The key factor that caused the general deterioration in green performance of all the sand-based rootzones appeared to be excess accumulation of organic matter in the surface of the profiles. Whilst there were marked differences in the performance of golf greens between the rootzone types, it was only the conventional soil rootzone that consistently performed unacceptably. Quantitative benefits of upgrading from a soil-based to a sand-based rootzone were evident in terms of improved infiltration rate, increased oxygen diffusion rate and macroporosity, reduced organic matter accumulation near the surface, better root growth and distribution, more stable turfgrass sward, lower weed cover and less fluctuation with seasons in surface hardness. Among the four sand-based rootzones, the pure sand rootzone had the highest incidence of dry patch disorder, poorest turf visual quality, greatest changes over time in the relative balance of Festuca and Agrostis, and largest fluctuation with seasons in surface hardness. However, it contained the best root growth distribution. After the fifth year from sowing, the green performance of the pure sand rootzone remained significantly better than the three amended sand rootzones. There was negligible difference in the performance of golf greens between the three amended sand rootzones on all measured or predicted occasions. The supposed benefits of burying a zeolite-amended sand layer at 100-200 mm depth, ostensibly for encouraging deep rooting, were not apparent under the experimental conditions used, possibly because the experimental plots were never managed under nutrient or moisture stress conditions. Beneficial effects of twice-yearly cultivation/aeration treatments on rootzone physical properties, sward characteristics and playing quality were evident, although these effects were extremely short-lived. Verti-drain treatment with hollow tines tended to be most effective in controlling surface organic matter accumulation and the resultant rootzone physical deterioration. In contrast, the scarification treatment gave variable response, reducing root mass, hence organic matter accumulation, near the surface on the one hand, but on the other decreasing infiltration rate and turfgrass cover. HydroJect treatment, although tending to induce a higher incidence of disease and pest damage, appeared particularly effective in minimizing the occurrence of dry patch disorder on sand-based rootzones when used in conjunction with a proprietary wetting agent. None of the cultivation/aeration treatments could effectively halt the general deterioration with time in the performance of golf greens under the twice-yearly treatment frequency used. It was concluded that: (a) The performance of sand-based rootzones for golf greens will be limited in the long term by excess accumulation of organic matter near the surface of the profile; (b) Cultivation/aeration treatments will need to commence immediately after full turf establishment and should be carried out more than twice per year on golf greens under New Zealand conditions; (c) HydroJect treatment, when used in conjunction with wetting agent application, is an effective management tool for prevention of dry patch disorder on sand-based golf greens; while scarification should not be used in isolation of other physical cultivation; (d) Upgrading from a conventional soil rootzone to a high-grade, sand-based rootzone will greatly improve golf green performance; (e) The practice of constructing only the top 100 mm of the sand rootzone with organic-amended sand is an alternative method that can be used successfully for putting green construction instead of the fully amended, standard USGA-type profile; the pure sand rootzone system is also an appropriate alternative for rootzone construction of golf greens, provided the initial establishment can be managed successfully; (f) The integrated rate modeling approach is potentially an effective decision-making tool for rootzone upgrading, surface preparation planning, performance assessment and monitoring, professional consultancy, and seasonal management of golf greens.

A practical, aesthetic and philosophical examination of lookouts as found in Australian National Parks. Investigates the impact of landscape (as refering to both the actual phenomena and cultural product) on environmental values and human relationship with place. Explores the unique relationship between visitors and environments conserved for their 'wilderness' value. Discusses the management of lookouts and the mediation and potential manipulation of visual perception in the design of these facilities. Suggests lookouts subjegate immediate physical 'site' to celebrate a distant 'scene' granted greater environmental value on the basis of aesthetic principles of beauty, the sublime and the photogenic.

Community members benefit from the opportunities and services that are provided by park and recreation departments. As technology has continued to improve, it has begun to influence some of the services and programs offered by park and recreation departments. This study presents information regarding World Wide Web use in parks and recreation departments in 1998. The study surveyed those park and recreation departments who were members of the National Recreation and Parks Association's Great Lakes Region in 1998. A total of 419 departments were included in the study. These 419 departments were grouped into three population categories (Under 15,000; 15,000-49,999; 50,000 and above). A survey return rate of 58% was achieved. Survey respondents were asked to list current and future uses of the World Wide Web in their departments by program and by activity. Respondents were also asked to identify why they were or were not using the web. The study also examined if there were differences between agency size and World Wide Web use, agency size and the number of computers used, and agency size and the number of computer specialists employed. Recreation professionals can use this study to identify whether their department would benefit from World Wide Web use. The information can assist in identifying strengths and weaknesses of the web in the recreation profession and in departments similar to their own. / School of Physical Education

The thesis Urban green spaces and its institutional framework attempts to analyze different cases of urban green spaces foundation and administration in which various public and private entities act. Based on these foundations it tries to come with an overview of the most important forms of provision of greenery in cities. Through research of available literature we came to the understanding that greenery in urban environments is not just a result of municipal service provided by a public authority but to its foundation, administration, financing and maintenance contribute also other entities. The overview created in the thesis is not exhaustive but can serve as an inspiration for various subjects at a time when local public authorities do not have sufficient resources to ensure satisfactory range and quality of public green.

Enquanto alguns paises tem o ecoturismo como a sua principal fonte de renda, o Brasil nao explora a atividade de forma planejada, o que resulta, muitas vezes, na degradacao do meio ambiente e na descaracterizacao da diversidade cultural local. Assim sendo, este estudo pretende contribuir para a compreensao do processo de adaptacao de uma comunidade tradicional ao fenomeno do ecoturismo e dar um alerta para a necessidade de considerar a identidade cultural das populacoes locais como bem patrimonial e como elemento de risco no planejamento da atividade. Com esse intuito, foi realizado um Estudo de Caso, durante os anos de 2000 e 2001, com uma familia residente na praia de Martim de Sa, caracterizada como caicara. Essa comunidade foi escolhida, pois reside em um local onde o ecoturismo esta apenas comecando, fato que permitiu refletir a respeito das consequencias da atividade. Martim de Sa, apesar de estar inserida nos limites de duas Unidades de Conservacao da Natureza, esta sobre forte ameaca de degradacao ambiental devido a especulacao imobiliaria incentivada pelo crescimento do fluxo turistico sem planejamento e facilitado pela falta de fiscalizacao dos orgaos ambientais responsaveis por essas areas. Para o desenvolvimento do Estudo de Caso foram utilizadas nesta pesquisa a Observacao Participante e as entrevistas estruturadas com a finalidade de caracterizar a comunidade local e os turistas e, a Historia de Vida, para a reconstituicao da historia do nucleo receptor.

Enquanto alguns paises tem o ecoturismo como a sua principal fonte de renda, o Brasil nao explora a atividade de forma planejada, o que resulta, muitas vezes, na degradacao do meio ambiente e na descaracterizacao da diversidade cultural local. Assim sendo, este estudo pretende contribuir para a compreensao do processo de adaptacao de uma comunidade tradicional ao fenomeno do ecoturismo e dar um alerta para a necessidade de considerar a identidade cultural das populacoes locais como bem patrimonial e como elemento de risco no planejamento da atividade. Com esse intuito, foi realizado um Estudo de Caso, durante os anos de 2000 e 2001, com uma familia residente na praia de Martim de Sa, caracterizada como caicara. Essa comunidade foi escolhida, pois reside em um local onde o ecoturismo esta apenas comecando, fato que permitiu refletir a respeito das consequencias da atividade. Martim de Sa, apesar de estar inserida nos limites de duas Unidades de Conservacao da Natureza, esta sobre forte ameaca de degradacao ambiental devido a especulacao imobiliaria incentivada pelo crescimento do fluxo turistico sem planejamento e facilitado pela falta de fiscalizacao dos orgaos ambientais responsaveis por essas areas. Para o desenvolvimento do Estudo de Caso foram utilizadas nesta pesquisa a Observacao Participante e as entrevistas estruturadas com a finalidade de caracterizar a comunidade local e os turistas e, a Historia de Vida, para a reconstituicao da historia do nucleo receptor.