Sustainable Built Environments Senior Capstone Project- Report and Final Document / The purpose of this study is to create a spatial decision support system for sustainable landscape design in an urban setting. As more and more of the worlds population concentrates in cites, the design of these spaces becomes critical to global sustainability. The built environment exhibits different environmental conditions than its rural or natural counterparts— the following study focuses on building a GIS model of unique sun exposure conditions at a site, and using this model in a spatial decision support system. The system will compare the exposure needs of just over 150 native or near native plants with the exposure availability of Tucson’s Historic Y Building, and provide tailored list for each area. This will allow for design flexibility within sustainable parameters.

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An investigation was made of concepts for mechanizing the selective harvest of broccoli. Selective harvesting has advantages over once-over harvesting because of greater yield and reduced handling requirements. Results of a preliminary experiment measuring broccoli stalk cutting forces indicated that the blade speed for a broccoli cutting mechanism should be as fast as possible to minimize the required cutting force. A manually-directed, powered cutting device was designed to fit readily into existing broccoli harvest systems. In tests the first year with the device, the harvest rate was substantially faster than hand harvest rates measured at commercial farms, but the level of leaf-stripping achieved with the device was unacceptably low. A new cutting device included an added leaf-stripping mechanism and had a mounting arrangement that allowed the harvesting of two double rows at once. In tests the second year, leaf-stripping was much improved, but the overall harvest rate was only marginally better because of extra manipulation required to activate the leaf-stripping mechanism. Measurements related to mechanical harvesting were made on broccoli plants both years. Head height, stalk diameter, and head weight were strongly affected by harvest time and in-row plant spacing. Height and stalk diameter were moderately correlated to head diameter. A regression model for predicting head diameter from height and stalk diameter indicated that potential exists for using a combination of the two parameters for sizing broccoli heads. Head weight was highly correlated to height and stalk diameter. Two concepts for automatic mature head selection were evaluated. The results of an experiment measuring the force required to uproot broccoli plants indicated that physically sizing broccoli heads using spaced fingers would only be feasible if late season irrigations could be incorporated in a harvest system. Digital image processing for head selection appears more promising. An image processing algorithm based on the gray level run length method of textural analysis was developed for predicting broccoli head area. Accurate head classification was obtained with the model. For an automatic selective harvester, an image processing system can be coupled with a cutting device with the major advantage that leaf~stripping can be accomplished automatically during the harvesting action. / Ph. D.

Orientador: Luiz Carlos Forti / Banca: Odair Correa Bueno / Banca: Ivone Paschoal Garcia / Abstract: The objective of this paper was to have a better understanding of plant-ant-symbiotic fungus interaction focusing on foraging behavior of Atta sexdens rubropilosa workers during plant selection. Physical and chemical substrate factors were approached which can have a role on foraging material selection for symbiotic fungus cultivation besides defoliating localization in artificial plants. Tested hypothesis was that besides chemical characteristics physical stimulus and leaves localization in a plant also play a very important role in substrate selection by A. sexdens rubropilosa workers. Different shape and thickness material was used (different leaves, paper leaves with different shapes and thickness impregnated in plant extract and artificial plants). The aim was to verify the existence of physical and chemical resistance, leaf palatability and defoliating localization. Wood plants Actinostemon communis, Alchornea triplinervea, Croton floribundus, Faramea cyanea, were offered to workers and evaluated 4 according to mechanical resistance of cut and palatability. Each plant was offered individually in big disc shape (2,5cm diameter), small disc shape (0,5cm diameter) and whole leaves. Other studies were carried out for detecting physical and chemical stimulus through simulated cuts and impregnation of plant extract in paper leaves with different thickness making it possible to evaluate the combinations between physical and chemical substrate characteristics. Defoliating localization in plants was studied when offering artificial plants with four levels where either wood plant or Ligustrum sp. leaves was attached. Defoliating intensity was measured by the number of fallen leaves by ants. In order to study wood plant attractiveness small disc shaped leaves (0,5cm diameter) were offered at the same time for ants in laboratory. The end of the experiment was determined either by the carrying... (Complete abstract, click electronics address below). / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-02-10Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:37:43Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 noronhajunior_nc_me_botfca.pdf: 814511 bytes, checksum: f0ba517a59245727f01aed36f56871ba (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Empresa Privada / The objective of this paper was to have a better understanding of plant-ant-symbiotic fungus interaction focusing on foraging behavior of Atta sexdens rubropilosa workers during plant selection. Physical and chemical substrate factors were approached which can have a role on foraging material selection for symbiotic fungus cultivation besides defoliating localization in artificial plants. Tested hypothesis was that besides chemical characteristics physical stimulus and leaves localization in a plant also play a very important role in substrate selection by A. sexdens rubropilosa workers. Different shape and thickness material was used (different leaves, paper leaves with different shapes and thickness impregnated in plant extract and artificial plants). The aim was to verify the existence of physical and chemical resistance, leaf palatability and defoliating localization. Wood plants Actinostemon communis, Alchornea triplinervea, Croton floribundus, Faramea cyanea, were offered to workers and evaluated 4 according to mechanical resistance of cut and palatability. Each plant was offered individually in big disc shape (2,5cm diameter), small disc shape (0,5cm diameter) and whole leaves. Other studies were carried out for detecting physical and chemical stimulus through simulated cuts and impregnation of plant extract in paper leaves with different thickness making it possible to evaluate the combinations between physical and chemical substrate characteristics. Defoliating localization in plants was studied when offering artificial plants with four levels where either wood plant or Ligustrum sp. leaves was attached. Defoliating intensity was measured by the number of fallen leaves by ants. In order to study wood plant attractiveness small disc shaped leaves (0,5cm diameter) were offered at the same time for ants in laboratory. The end of the experiment was determined either by the carrying... (Complete abstract, click electronics address below).

Submitted by Marlene Santos (marlene.bc.ufg@gmail.com) on 2016-09-19T17:27:05Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Sandro Rodrigues da Silva - 2015.pdf: 1892934 bytes, checksum: 56505569eb1eaeb053ca46987bd1d5a7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-09-20T11:54:33Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Sandro Rodrigues da Silva - 2015.pdf: 1892934 bytes, checksum: 56505569eb1eaeb053ca46987bd1d5a7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-20T11:54:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Sandro Rodrigues da Silva - 2015.pdf: 1892934 bytes, checksum: 56505569eb1eaeb053ca46987bd1d5a7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-31 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / It has many uses, especially food, medical, timber, ornamental and reforestation. Its fruits can be eaten raw or processed for the preparation of juices, liquors, cakes, ice cream. However, their exploitation has been made of extraction form and often predatory. There needs to be rational and economically viable farm, for it is necessary to carry out the domestication of the species, basic information on their phenology and growth, allowing its cultivation in a sustainable manner. The objective of this research was to evaluate the phenology, biometrics and survival of a collection of cagaiteiras in early stages of implemented development at the College of Agriculture / Federal University of Goiás. For that collection were collected ripe fruit of twenty-five natural subpopulations in the Cerrado, in five Brazilian states (Bahia, Goiás, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais and Tocantins). Within each subpopulation six trees (matrices) were sampled (with exceptions in subpopulations 2, 12 and 21 with 5, 4 and 5 arrays, respectively), and fruits (mother's brothers) of each array were collected. The population consisted of 146 families of maternal brothers. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design and three replicates, performing analysis of variance (F test) and the averages compared by Scott-Knott test at 5%. The collection was established in November 2013, evaluations occurred between April and October 2014. We conducted an initial assessment and other monthly between April and October 2014. The coefficients of variation (CVs) were 33.59% and 49.23% for stem diameter, and total plant height, respectively. The means of stem diameters between progenies ranged from 1.08 mm (m2p15 - Dois Irmãos, GO) to 4.13 mm (m2p4 - Coromandel, MG). For total plant height averages ranged from 3.54 cm (m3p16 - Niquelândia, GO) to 32.67 cm (m2p4 - Coromandel, MG), the highlight was the m2p4 (Coromandel - MG), which was obtained higher averages for the two variables evaluated. In September the cagaiteiras showed an increase in the emergence of new leaves and in October intensified. There was a high survival for all tested subpopulations,> 60% between 72.22% and 100%. Increase in level, the plants of the subpopulation 14 (Mimoso - GO) had both higher average paras variables stem diameter and total plant height, 2.88 mm and 11.39 cm, respectively. / A cagaiteira Eugenia dysenterica (Mart.) DC. é uma árvore nativa do Cerrado brasileiro. Possui vários usos, principalmente alimentício, medicinal, madeireiro, ornamental e reflorestamento. Seus frutos podem ser consumidos in natura ou processados para a preparação de sucos, licores, bolos e sorvetes. Porém, sua exploração tem sido feita de forma extrativista e, muitas vezes, predatória. É necessário haver exploração racional e economicamente viável, para isso é necessário realizar a domesticação da espécie, obter informações básicas sobre a sua fenologia e crescimento, possibilitando o seu cultivo de forma sustentável. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a fenologia, biometria e sobrevivência de uma coleção de cagaiteiras em fase inicial de desenvolvimento implantada na Escola de Agronomia/Universidade Federal de Goiás. Para a referida coleção foram coletados frutos maduros de vinte e cinco subpopulações naturais no Cerrado, em cinco estados brasileiros (Bahia, Goiás, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais e Tocantins). Dentro de cada subpopulação, seis árvores (matrizes) foram amostradas (com exceções nas subpopulações 2, 12 e 21 com 5, 4 e 5 matrizes, respectivamente) e cinco frutos (irmãos maternos) de cada matriz foram coletados. A população foi composta por 146 famílias de irmãos maternos. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos completos casualizados e três réplicas, realizando-se análise de variância (teste F) e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Scott-Knott a 5%. A coleção foi implantada em novembro de 2013, as avaliações ocorreram entre os meses de abril e outubro de 2014. Realizou-se uma avaliação inicial e as demais mensalmente entre os meses de abril e outubro de 2014. Os coeficientes de variação (CVs) foram de 33,59% e 49,23%, para diâmetro de caule e altura total das plantas, respectivamente. As médias dos diâmetros de caule entre as progênies variaram de 1,08 mm (m2p15 - Dois irmãos, GO) a 4,13 mm (m2p4 - Coromandel, MG). Para a altura total de plantas as médias variaram de 3,54 cm (m3p16 - Niquelândia, GO) a 32,67 cm (m2p4 - Coromandel, MG), o destaque foi a m2p4 (Coromandel - MG), que obteve-se maiores médias para as duas variáveis avaliadas. No mês de setembro as cagaiteiras apresentaram aumento no surgimento de folhas novas e em outubro intensificou-se. Observou-se uma alta sobrevivência para todas as subpopulações avaliadas, > 60%, entre 72,22% e 100%. Em nível de incremento, as plantas da subpopulação 14 (Mimoso - GO) apresentaram simultaneamente, maiores médias paras as variáveis diâmetro de caule e altura total de planta, 2,88 mm e 11,39 cm, respectivamente.

Abstract Plant registration and selection work aimed at identifying the best genotypes for northern landscaping has been carried out in Finland since the 1980’s. In the University of Oulu Botanical Gardens, micropropagation methods have been developed for several woody plant taxa registered during the POHKAS (Northern Hardy Plants) project. Micropropagation is an effective method to conserve valuable genetic characteristics and to produce plantlets from woody species with limited mother stock material and in a limited time period. In this study the long-term field phenology and success of 19 micropropagated shrub and tree taxa was followed in plant selection experiments. Experiments were conducted at four northern field sites presenting different climatic conditions. Of the phenological monitoring parameters, the onset of foliation and flowering in the field revealed a strong relation to spring time temperature, being obviously latest to occur in northernmost site. The gradient between southern and northern sites for autumn phenology was not so obvious. However, between the different genotypes, the greatest differences were observed in the timing of autumn colouration and defoliation. Winter hardiness also showed clear differences between genotypes. Of the success parameters, it was most decisive as winter hardy genotypes had a higher occurrence of flowers and ornamental appearance, for example in Rosa majalis ‘Tornedal’. Some of these hardy genotypes with known characteristics were introduced to northern tourism areas to create examples of sustainable landscaping. Further, a list of potential plants for different northern sites was compiled. Special forms with both scientific and ornamental value are occasionally found in wild species. One example of this is the red-leaved form of a pubescent birch, Betula pubescens f. rubra, which was studied in the plant selection experiments, and was used as a model tree to evaluate the role of anthocyanins in northern plants in a case study of northern birches. In the case study, the red-leaved pubescent birch showed some differences in flavonoid responses and growth rate in comparison to Betula pubescens and Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii. Phenology of the B. p. f. rubra was corresponding to that of the B. pubescens. For cultivated woody plants the most important selection criteria for the northern areas are the suitability to local climate i.e. timing of phenological events and winter hardiness. Foliar anthocyanins seem to increase adaptation to northern growing conditions with high light intensity and low temperature.

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2014-09-24T12:10:01Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Bergamini, Leonardo Lima.pdf: 1174414 bytes, checksum: 8ab040a0c96a503f2c2dab35be6be5ea (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2014-09-24T15:37:12Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Bergamini, Leonardo Lima.pdf: 1174414 bytes, checksum: 8ab040a0c96a503f2c2dab35be6be5ea (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-09-24T15:37:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Bergamini, Leonardo Lima.pdf: 1174414 bytes, checksum: 8ab040a0c96a503f2c2dab35be6be5ea (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-02 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The process of host-plant selection is the main interface in the herbivore-plant interactions, with deep consequences for the ecology and evolution of those groups. In this work, we investigate some steps of the host-plant selection in two congeneric species of seed beetles. In the first chapter, we assess the oviposition pattern and larval survival in the seed-beetle G. cavillator to evaluate whether oviposition site choices maximize offspring survival, accounting for the spatially hierarchic structure of the system. In the second chapter, we analyze the fine-scale positioning of G. speculifer eggs, and explore the role of geometric constraints in the egg distribution patterns. Altogether our results exemplify how small differences in key traits of the host-plant selection can lead to significant differences in the interaction between herbivore insects and their host plants. / O processo de seleção de plantas hospedeiras é a principal interface nas interações herbívoro-planta, com profundas consequências para a ecologia e evolução destes grupos. Neste trabalho investigamos algumas etapas da seleção de hospedeiras em duas espécies co-genéricas de besouros bruquíneos. No primeiro capítulo avaliamos o padrão de oviposição e de sobrevivência das larvas de G. cavillatorpara testar se as escolhas das fêmeas estão de acordo com as expectativas da teoria de oviposição ótima, considerando a estrutura espacialmente hierárquica do sistema. No segundo capítulo analisamos a seleção em fina-escala da posição dos ovos nas vagens pelas fêmeas de G. speculifer, e exploramos o papel da restrição geométrica da vagem em definir o padrão de distribuição dos ovos. Tomados em conjunto, os resultados dos dois capítulos exemplificam como pequenas diferenças em atributos-chave do processo de seleção de hospedeiras podem levar a importantes diferenças na interação entre insetos herbívoros e suas plantas hospedeiras.

The Green Space Based Learning (GSBL) approach builds on a long-term partnership between a Research I university, surrounding community, and local school district, transforming underutilized community green space into an interactive educational tool to addresses national infrastructure and educational challenges. The GSBL approach is an educational platform for engaging K-12 and the local community in engineering design and construction of sustainable Green Infrastructure (GI) projects. GSBL was piloted as a part of a federally funded Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program in which teachers participated in two intensive 6-week summer research experiences and two consecutive academic year components. The summer experience focuses on the development of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) lessons and activities that meet Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards and the dissemination of the RET research experience. Approximately 400 K-12 students and teachers participated in both formal and informal educational activities that led to GSBL approach outputs throughout the academic year. These outputs included 4 Campus GI Challenge's for identifying areas of implementation and student driven GI design, the publication of 7 curricular products, the design and installation of 70 personal rain gardens and 8 bioretention cells (a type of GI), one of which was designed as a field scale research site within the Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) district. The eight bioretention cells, seven of which are on three public school campuses and one located at a local community leader's house were designed and implemented as a result of university research, K-12 outreach, and community engagement. These sites were selected based on one or more hotspot factors (e.g. localized areas of flooding, access to site, presence of learning space, willingness to pay, property ownership, visibility of location) and designed to restore the hydrology and water quality to pre-development conditions. The bioretention cells were designed to capture a storm-event ranging from 1.27 cm to 2.54 cm and cost between $550 and $1,650 to construct depending on the design scope, scale, and installation methods. The installed bioretention systems route stormwater runoff to a ponding area sized approximately 2-5% of the total catchment area, are designed to capture between 31% and 67% of annual runoff (March 2010 - March 2015), and attenuate between 97,500 and 226,100 mg N annually. The educational sites were used to provide insight into hydraulic performance, maintenance requirements, and nutrient management impacts associated with bioretention design. Three of the bioretention cells (BR 1, BR 2, and BR 3) were used as a field research site for collecting bioretention plant performance data on 12 Florida native plant species, Coreopsis leavenworthii, Flaveria linearis, Salvia coccinea, Solidago fistulosa, Canna flaccida, Tradescantia ohiensis, Tripsacum dactyloides, Hymenocallis latifolia, Iris virginica, Sisyrinchium angustifolium, Spartina patens, and Equisetum hyemale. Mean baseline accumulated nitrogen concentration for tested species was 18.24 ± 5.76 mg N/g biomass. This compared to a harvested mean concentration rate of 12.28 ± 2.23 mg N/g biomass, a reduction of uptake capacity of nearly 33% after two growing seasons. This study found a similarity in mean total nitrogen concentration between baseline and harvested plant species for Flaveria linearis, Sisyrinchium angustifolium, Solidago fistulosa, Canna flaccida, Salvia coccinea, Spartina patens, and Coreopsis leavenworthii and a significant difference in means for Equisetum hyemale, Iris virginica, Salvia coccinea, and Tradescantia ohiensis. These harvested data were used to calculate mean total nitrogen concentration per square meter with Sisyrinchium angustifolium, Equisetum hyemale, Spartina patens, Solidago fistulosa, Salvia coccinea, Coreopsis leavenworthii, Iris virginica ranging from 286 mg N/m2 to 4,539 mg N/m2, and Canna flaccida, Flaveria linearis, Tradescantia ohiensis ranging from 12,428 mg N/m2 to 15,409 mg N/m2. Seven of the twelve species (Flaveria linearis, Equisetum hyemale, Iris virginica, Tripsacum dactyloides, Coreopsis leavenworthii, Salvia coccinea, Tradescantia ohiensis) displayed highly desirable results, ranking (>0.20x̅) when evaluated across 10 quantitative attributes and assessed for their applicability for the subtropical Tampa Bay area. This research developed a plant selection utility index (PSI) that allows for individual plant scoring based on qualitative and quantitative plant selection criteria. The qualitative PSI was used to evaluate 26 native and regionally friendly plant species commonly found within the subtropical Tampa Bay climate to provide an example and act as a template for selecting plant species. The qualitative PSI scores categorized the identified plant species as highly desirable (n=4, PSI ≥ 80), Flaveria linearis, Tripsacum dactyloides, Salvia coccinea, and Chamaecrista fasciculata; moderately desirable (n=15, 80 > PSI ≥65), Solidago fistulosa, Hymenocallis latifolia, Canna flaccida, Tradescantia ohiensis, Arachis glabrata, Mimosa strigillosa, Callicarpa Americana, Penta lanceolata, Monarda punctate, Muhlenbergia capillaris, Helianthus debilis, Glandularia tampensis, Silphium asteriscus, Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, and Coreopsis lanceolata; and least desirable (n=7, PSI < 65) Spartina patens, Equisetum hyemale, Sisyrinchium angustifolium, Iris virginica, Coreopsis leavenworthii, Myrcianthus fragrans, Zamia puila. The quantitative PSI was used to evaluate attributes of 11 of the 26 species within a 32.5 m2 field-scale bioretention system (BR 1, BR 2, and BR 3) ter two-growing seasons. The tested species scored as highly desirable (n=2, PSI ≥ 70) for Salvia coccinea, Tradescantia ohiensis; moderately desirable (n=5, 70 > PSI ≥ 50) for Equisetum hyemale, Sisyrinchium angustifolium, Solidago fistulosa, Iris virginica, Coreopsis leavenworthii, and least desirable (n=4, PSI < 50) for Spartina patens, Flaveria linearis, Canna flaccida, Hymenocallis latifolia. Both qualitative and quantitative scores were combined on a 0-200 scale to provide a list of recommended species based, ranking from high to low: Salvia coccinea (PSI=160), Tradescantia ohiensis (PSI = 148), Sisyrinchium angustifolium (PSI =127), Flaveria linearis (PSI = 125), Solidago fistulosa (PSI = 124), Iris virginica (PSI =121), Coreopsis leavenworthii (PSI = 117), Equisetum hyemale (PSI = 114), Canna flaccida (PSI = 104), Spartina patens (PSI = 103), Hymenocallis latifolia (PSI =90).