Water provision is an important tool in the management of savanna ecosystems. Artificial water sources are a potential focus for degradation (biodiversity and loss of ecosystem resilience at a range of spatio-temporal scales), because they alter plant-animal interactions and soil function and stability, through the creation of piospheres. This study was undertaken as part of a drive by the Kruger National Park (KNP) to enable managers to integrate artificial waterhole management (e.g. waterhole closure or rotation) when setting goals for heterogeneity and biodiversity conservation in the park. The over-arching goal was to quantify the relationship between water provision and different attributes of heterogeneity, as part of a broader initiative to place water provision and piospheres within an ecosystem threshold framework. Herbivore utilisation gradients (piospheres) around artificial waterholes in the KNP, described in 1990, were resurveyed in 2006-2007, against a backdrop of waterhole closure in the KNP, to contribute to an understanding of the factors governing recovery and resilience in grazing systems. The responses of the plant community and soil parameters to a relaxation of herbivore utilisation pressure around closed waterholes (recovering piospheres) were examined, as were changes in the same parameters at sites that have remained open (active piospheres). These ecosystem properties were considered in relation to structural and functional ecosystem thresholds, and the piospheres surveyed incorporated a range of rainfall and edaphic gradients in the KNP. Herbaceous basal cover and soil infiltration capacity both increased significantly between 1990 and 2006/7, regardless of waterhole status. This was linked to higher rainfall in 2006/7, compared to 1990. The only vegetation variables to respond consistently to distance from water were the remote-sensed Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and herbaceous species composition. NDVI increased with distance from water, and annual grasses and forbs were most abundant close to water. Perennial, disturbance-sensitive climax species increased in abundance further from water. Soil analyses (N, P, pH, organic matter, and texture) and field measurements (infiltration, compaction) revealed no systematic piosphere patterns. Waterhole closure did not result in soil or vegetation recovery, but piosphere intermittency and the increases of basal cover and infiltration rate indicated that ecosystem resilience has not been compromised vii by long-term artificial water provision in the KNP. This study has shown that the traditional piosphere model is of limited use in sub-humid savanna ecosystems like the KNP during above-average rainfall periods. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

No description available.

Maud Island (Te Hoiere - "a long paddle or mighty pull") is a moderately sized island of 309 hectares, located in the Pelorus Sound (41°, 02 'S, 173° 54 'E) Marlborough, at the north-east end of the South Island of New Zealand. It has a long history of human modification and impacts since its colonisation by Maori and early Europeans. The vegetation of Maud Island has been studied in the 1980's and again in the early 1990's. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe how the vascular plant communities vary in species composition across Maud Island, (2) determine which environmental factors are important predictors of the variation in species composition of Maud Island plant communities, and (3) describe the pattern of succession of the plant communities on Maud Island over the last twenty years. In this 2001 study, I comprehensively sampled the vegetation on Maud Island using a Reconnaissance Description Procedure in a total of 158 plots across the island and compared these results to previous descriptions. I also retook photos at permanent photo points to provide a visual comparison of vegetation change. In total, 219 plant species were identified; 177 species occurred within the plots and 42 additional species were observed while walking around the coastline and walking tracks. Six dominant plant species occurred in over 70% of the plots. They were Pteridium esculentum, Pseudopanax arboreus, Hebe stricta var. stricta, Melicytus ramiflorus, Ozothamnus leptophylla and Coprosma robusta. Two-Way Indicator Species Analysis resulted in the description of eight different plant communities on the island. Detrended correspondence analysis showed a high degree of turnover in species composition among these communities. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that slope and moisture were particularly important predictors of variation in plant species composition. The environmental factors that best predicted to variation communities were slope, moisture, and a gradient in historical disturbance. Comparisons of present and past vegetation maps and photos (ground and aerial) showed, in terms of the successional pathways of the vegetation on Maud Island, that over time, the vegetation is reverting from short stature grassland and scrub to predominantly forest scrub and young secondary forest.

No description available.

Elephants (Loxodonta africana, Blumenbach) are recognised as keystone herbivores and ecosystem engineers in African ecosystems due to the noticeable impact they have on plant communities. This impact can influence other animal taxa and ecosystem processes, especially within enclosed systems. I investigated the effects of elephants in four vegetation types and the cascade effect on three associated taxa and two ecosystem processes at five sites with elephants and five paired sites without elephants in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, between April 2005 and July 2007. In grassland habitats, the physical structure of the vegetation was neither enhanced nor degraded in the presence of elephants. Within the locally important Thicket Biome, elephant browsing transformed relatively homogeneous stands of vegetation into more heterogeneous units. However, although seeds from thicket plant species were recorded in elephant dung, elephants did not promote the viability and germination success of these plants. In addition, elephant foraging on aloes caused declines in their populations. By contrast, the size of bushclumps was not reduced in the presence of elephants in bushclump savanna. The associated insect, bird and mammal communities appeared to benefit from elephant foraging in all vegetation types assessed, whereas vegetation patch dynamics and soil surface processes were neither enhanced nor degraded in the presence of elephants. I conclude that, at current densities, elephants do not (in most cases) negatively affect plant and animal communities or ecosystem processes in enclosed reserves. However, elephants have only been present at each site for a relatively short period and it is likely that their impact will be cumulative, increasing over time in these closed systems. Thus, future research along a continuum of elephant density and time since re-introduction is recommended.

The movements of two vervet monkey troops were studied to determine whether they optimize their rate of food intake in relation to seasonal energy availability. The effect of variation in habitat structure on the troops’ foraging strategies while utilizing temporally and spatially distributed resources was determined. Troop home range boundaries were delineated, the various plant communities and species utilised by the troops identified and classified, and variations in home range and vegetation structure were reported. The diets of the troops were determined and compared. Effects of coexistence on competition were assessed. Vervet food trees were randomly selected, marked and seasonal phenological data collected. Samples of food items constituting the two troops diets were collected for energy analysis. Using geostatistical interpolation techniques, monthly energy values were extrapolated onto home range grids for the two vervet monkey troops. Grids were stored as database files that were interrogated through GIS simulation models. Using the stochastic processes inherent in Markov chain theory, a series of non-returning random walks were simulated for comparison to original routes taken by the two troops. Results from comparisons of home range energy, day range lengths and areas, shortest route energy to actual route energy, time spent in high energy areas, and energy utilisation from actual and randomly generated routes indicated that the two troops optimize resource energy available to them by adopting flexible foraging strategies. In environments where temporal and spatial variations in habitat structure affect the distribution of resources, it is essential that animals develop optimal foraging strategies to survive. For the two troops investigated, foraging strategies fluctuate between being time minimizers in more heterogeneous environments where resources are abundant, and energy maximisers in homogeneous environments where resources are constrained by low diversity and seasonality. / Environmental Sciences (Department) / D.Litt et Phil (Environmental Management)

Les bords de route constituent un des principaux habitats herbacés et linéaires des paysages agricoles, ils jouent le rôle de refuge pour différentes espèces et constituent aussi un habitat favorable pour des espèces adventices jugées problématiques. L’objectif de cette thèse est de mesurer les effets de la structure du paysage et des pratiques de gestion sur la flore de l’interface route – champ cultivé. Nos résultats suggèrent que les communautés végétales de l’interface ont une réponse temporellement décalée vis-à-vis des changements paysagers. L’étude de la végétation exprimée et de la dispersion des graines montre que la fauche tardive n’est pas le levier de gestion optimal pour favoriser la diversité végétale du bord de route, et que les pratiques de fauche influencent aussi la flore de la bordure intérieure du champ. Afin de limiter les influences croisées des pratiques de gestion, nous suggérons des stratégies réfléchies à l’échelle de l’interface route – champ. / Road verges constitute the main herbaceous and linear habitats of arable landscapes. They represent a refuge for different species, but also constitute a habitat for weeds considered problematic. The aim of this thesis was to measure the effects of landscape structure and management practices on the flora of the road-field boundary. Our results suggest that plant communities of road-field boundary have a time lagged response to landscape changes. The study of the vegetation and of seed dispersal showed that late mowing was not the optimal method to promote plant diversity on road verges and that mowing practices also influenced the flora of the inner field margin. To limit the cross-influence of management practices, we recommend well thought out strategies at the scale of the road-field boundary.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-23T13:51:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Salim Calil Salim Neto.pdf: 1388839 bytes, checksum: c02bf0bf1eb5e6e4e7c4a4c123c4f3c8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-11-08 / This study aimed to analyze the distribution of 40 tree species with the highest absolute density within an environmental gradient edge-inside a semideciduous forest fragment. The fragment studied has 119 ha and is situated in the Pacotuba National Forest, located in the municipality of Itapemirim-ES, southeastern Brazil. The environmental variables used were: Al saturation, base saturation, soil moisture, leaf area index (LAI) and average slope. Data were collected in 39 permanent plots, and 27 (10x30m) along the edge of the fragment and 12 plots (40x50m) inside the fragment. These plots are the same used in the evaluation of phytosociology of this fragment, whose absolute density data were used in this study. The characterization of soil fertility was held at a depth of 0-20 cm, where the sample was removed for analysis and acquisition of base saturation and Al saturation. Soil moisture was obtained by the gravimetric method, and the soil was collected in the dry season(Setembro/10). The Leaf Area Index was measured by non-destructive method, using two LAI-2050 sensors, connected to dataloggers LAI-2000, LI-COR brand. As this is semideciduous forest, the IAF was obtained in two different periods, one in the dry season (September/2010) and another in the rainy season (March/2011). The average slope was determined by inclinometer. To evaluate the difference between the inside and edge of the fragment, the results of the environmental variables were analyzed by Students t test for the significance level of 5%. To analyze the species-environment interaction on the edge and inside the fragment was applied canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) using CANOCO program, and used the permutation test Monte Carlo to assess the significance of the results. For the variables related to soil, it was found by Students t test, there is no statistically significant difference between the inner and edge of the fragment at the 5% probability, while for the IAF and the average slope at the same level of probability, difference was statistically significant, indicating that the fragment has studied a greater heterogeneity between edge and interior in relation to relief and the availability of solar radiation. The first two ordination axes obtained by the CCA for 40 species of higher mass density explained 64.5% of the variance and significance was observed by Monte Carlo test (P <0.01). The first axis, explaining 36.4% of the variance observed, most correlated with soil variables, while the 2nd ordination axis correlated most significantly with LAI and average slope. However, this study found that of 40 species of higher mass density, eleven were found in greater proportion on the edge, the other eleven in the interior of the fragment and 18 species were observed in a proportionally similar in both environments. Thus, to get a better understanding of the species-environment interaction on the edge and inside the fragment, were applied two more canonical correspondence analysis. The first considering the 22 species that were observed preferentially in one of the environments, and the second involving the CCA 18 species considered in this study as generalists. According to the results, it was found that the 18 generalist species were higher under the influence of base saturation and Al saturation, while the group of species showing a preference for the environment had a strong correlation with LAI and soil moisture indicating, that for these species, the restricted or availability of solar radiation in the environment provides suitable conditions for the proper establishment of the species / O presente estudo objetivou analisar a distribuição de 40 espécies arbóreas que apresentaram maior densidade absoluta dentro de um gradiente ambiental borda-interior de um fragmento de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual. O fragmento estudado possui 119 ha e está situado na FLONA de Pacotuba, localizada no município de Cachoeiro de Itapemirim-ES, sudeste do Brasil. As variáveis ambientais utilizadas foram: saturação por Al, saturação por base, umidade do solo, índice de área foliar (IAF) e declividade média. Os dados foram coletados em 39 parcelas permanentes, sendo 27 (10x30m) ao longo da borda do fragmento e 12 parcelas (40x50m) no interior do fragmento. Estas parcelas são as mesmas utilizadas na avaliação da fitossociologia deste fragmento, cujos dados de densidade absoluta foram aproveitados neste estudo. A caracterização da fertilidade do solo foi realizada na profundidade de 0-20 cm, de onde foi retirada a amostra para análise e obtenção da saturação de base e da saturação por Al. A umidade do solo foi obtida pelo método gravimétrico, sendo o solo coletado no período seco (Setembro/10). O Índice de Área Foliar foi medido por método não destrutivo, por meio de dois sensores LAI-2050, conectados a dataloggers LAI-2000, da marca LI-COR. Como se trata de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, o IAF foi obtido em duas épocas distintas, uma no período seco (Setembro/2010) e outra no período chuvoso (Março/2011). A declividade média foi determinada por meio de inclinômetro. Para avaliar a diferença entre o ambiente de borda e o interior do fragmento, os resultados obtidos das variáveis ambientais foram analisados pelo teste t de Student, para o nível de significância de 5%. Para analisar a interação ambiente-espécies na borda e no interior do fragmento, foi aplicada análise de correspondência canônica (CCA), por meio do programa CANOCO, e utilizado o teste de permutação de Monte Carlo para verificar a significância dos resultados. Para as variáveis edáficas, verificou-se pelo teste t de Student, que não há diferença estatisticamente significativa entre o ambiente de borda e interior do fragmento ao nível de 5% probabilidade, enquanto para o IAF e a declividade média, ao mesmo nível de probabilidade, houve diferença estatisticamente significativa, o que indica que o fragmento estudado possui uma heterogeneidade maior entre borda e interior em relação ao relevo e à disponibilidade de radiação solar. Os dois primeiros eixos de ordenação obtidos pela CCA para as 40 espécies de maior densidade absoluta explicaram 64,5% da variância observada e houve significância pelo teste de Monte Carlo (P<0,01). O primeiro eixo, que explica 36,4% da variância observada, apresentou maior correlação com as variáveis edáficas, enquanto o 2º eixo de ordenação se correlacionou de forma mais significativa com o IAF e declividade média. No entanto, no presente estudo verificou-se que das 40 espécies de maior densidade absoluta, onze foram observadas em maior proporção na borda, outras onze no interior do fragmento e 18 espécies foram observadas de forma proporcionalmente semelhante nos dois ambientes. Com isso, para se ter uma melhor compreensão a respeito da interação ambiente-espécies na borda e no interior do fragmento, aplicou-se mais duas análises de correspondência canônica. A primeira considerando as 22 espécies que foram observadas preferencialmente em um dos ambientes, e a segunda CCA envolvendo as 18 espécies consideradas neste estudo como generalistas. De acordo com os resultados, verificou-se que as 18 espécies generalistas estiveram sob influência maior da saturação por base e saturação por Al, enquanto o grupo de espécies que apresentaram preferência por um dos ambientes teve uma forte correlação com o IAF e umidade do solo, indicando que para estas espécies a disponibilidade ou restrição de radiação solar no ambiente fornece condições adequadas para o devido estabelecimento da espécie

CNPQ; Fundação Araucária / Os enterococos são cocos Gram-positivos que pertencem ao grupo das bactérias ácido láticas (BAL). Podem ser isolados de plantas, solo, água, alimentos e do trato digestório de humanos e outros mamíferos. Alguns isolados são potencialmente patogênicos e resistentes a antimicrobianos, principalmente à vancomicina e demais antimicrobianos clinicamente importantes. Devido a este cenário, alimentos estão sendo sugeridos como reservatórios de enterococos resistentes a antimicrobianos. Contudo, são escassos os estudos que analisam a presença deste microrganismo em vegetais. Portanto, este trabalho teve como objetivo isolar e identificar Enterococcus spp. a partir de amostras de vegetais folhosos, legumes e raízes, e verificar sua suscetibilidade a antimicrobianos e formação de biofilme. Os isolados foram identificados ao nível de gênero/espécie pela reação da polimerase em cadeia (PCR), utilizando os oligonucleotídeos iniciadores das principais espécies. A sensibilidade a antimicrobianos foi determinada pelo método de disco-difusão e a presença dos genes ermB, aac-(6'), tetL, tetM, vanA e vanB pela PCR. A capacidade de formação de biofilme foi determinada, in vitro, por biomassa total. Foram obtidos 85 isolados de Enterococcus distribuídos em 62% das amostras analisadas. As espécies identificadas foram: Enterococcus casseliflavus/flavescens, Enterococcus columbae, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus mundtii e Enterococcus avium. Dos isolados 64% apresentaram resistência fenotípica a todos os antimicrobianos testados, principalmente à vancomicina, eritromicina, teicoplanina, ampicilina e penicilina. A maioria das espécies apresentou pelo menos um isolado resistente à vancomicina. Dos isolados resistentes 61% apresentaram multirresistência. Os genes detectados foram: tetM (15%), tetL (8%), vanA (5%), vanB (4%) e aac-(6') (2%). Todos os isolados foram capazes de formar biofilme, onde 27% foram classificados como produtor de biofilme fraco, 60% moderado e 13% forte. Os isolados produtores de biofilme moderado foram os que mais apresentaram resistência à vancomicina, teicoplanina, eritromicina e penilicina. De acordo com estes resultados, os vegetais podem atuar como reservatório de enterococos resistentes a diversos antimicrobianos de importância clínica, principalmente à vancomicina. Isso representa um risco para a saúde pública uma vez que a vancomicina é o último recurso terapêutico para o tratamento de infecções enterocócicas graves. / The e enterococci are Gram-positive cocci that belong to the group of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). They can be isolated from plants, soil, water, food and the digestive tract of humans and other mammals. Some strains are potentially pathogenic and resistant to antibiotics, especially vancomycin and other clinically important antibiotics. Due to this scenario, foods are being suggested as reservoirs enterococci resistant to antimicrobials. However, there are few studies that analyze the presence of this organism in food vegetable. Therefore, this study aimed to isolate and identifyenterococci from samples of leafy vegetables, legumen and roots, and verify their susceptibility to antimicrobial and biofilm formation. Isolates were identified to genus / species by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the primers of the main species.The antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by disk diffusion method and thepresence of ermB genes, aac (6 '), tetL, tetM, vanA and vanB by PCR. Biofilm formation ability was determined in vitro by the total biomass. 85 were obtainedEnterococcus distributed in 62% of samples. The species identified were:Enterococcus casseliflavus/flavescens, Enterococcus columbae, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus mundtii and Enterococcus avium. From the isolates showed 64% phenotypic resistance to all tested antibiotics, especially vancomycin, erythromycin, teicoplanin, ampicillin and penicillin. Most species had at least one isolate resistant to vancomycin. 61% of resistant isolates showed multidrug resistance. The genes were detected: tet M (15%), tetL (8%), vanA (5%), vanB (4%)and aac-(6 ') (2%). All isolates were able to form biofilm, where 27 % were classifiedas weak biofilm producer, 60 % moderate and 13 % stronger. Isolated producers of moderate biofilm were the ones who were resistant to vancomycin, teicoplanin, erythromycin and penillicin. According to these results, the vegetables can act as a reservoir of enterococci resistant to several antibiotics of clinical importance, especially vancomycin. This represents a risk to public health since vancomycin is the last therapeutic option for the treatment of severe enterococcal infections.

Orientador: Valdemir Antonio Rodrigues / Banca: Antônio de Pádua Sousa / Banca: Luiza Helena Duenhas / Abstract: The preservation of the biodiversity of the vegetation in the micro watershed is of basic importance for the maintenance of the animal and vegetal wild life, ambient services and protection of the biosfera. The morphometry is a tool of great importance as diagnostic of susceptibility to the ambient degradation or conservation and guides the planning and handling of the micro watershed. The present study had as objective the morphometric characterization and analysis of biodiversity in the micro watershed of the Edgárdia Farm, Botucatu - SP. The micro watershed of the Edgárdia Farm belongs to the College of Agronomicas Ciencias/UNESP, city of Botucatu - SP. The program used for the attainment of the morphometrical variable was the ILWIS 3.2 version and the topographical letter of the IBGE with 1:50.000 scale. In the study of biodiversity four transects in the micro watershed had been installed, in the parts high (superior third), medium high and medium low (medium third) and low (inferior third) of the micro watershed, in which parcels of 10 x 5 meters had been installed. In the four transects, the forest species had been quantified and commanded in popular and classified families, species, names in its respective ecological successions (pioneer, secondary or climax). It was measured in each tree the height and the diameter in the height of the chest (DAP). The morphometrical variable and the results were: area of 7,205 kmø; perimeter of 11,59 km; length and width of micro watershed 3,578 the equal 3,016 km; length of the draining net and quotas of 15,68 km and 1100,00 km; factor of form 0,79, considered very high; density of draining of 2,18 km.kmø, classified as average; the high declivity of 76,98%, in accordance with the classes of declivities and types of relief of the micro watershed, was classified as scarped; frequency of rivers the 3,19 segments of rivers... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre