The diploma project deals with a creation of an architectural study of the new use of the former regional court building in Bruntal with regard to its location, disposition, regulation plan, conservation protection and economic evaluation. It contains two possible versions of its use and adaptation to current requirements and standards. It also focuses on an adaptation of the close surroundings of the building in relation to its needs and to return the complex into the functional unit of the city.

Nature conservation is often seen as being primarily about shielding parts of nature from human intervention, e.g. by protecting areas. Over the last decades, however, intervention is increasingly being seen as necessary for nature to regain or retain its values, through ecological restoration and active management. This complicates simple assumptions that ‘nature knows best’ and raises dilemmas which are hotly debated in the scholarly literature around ecological restoration, protected area management, environmental ethics and green political theory. However, how these dilemmas are dealt with in actual policy struggles among the conservation professionals who make management decisions is less studied. This thesis explores how issues regarding active intervention in nature are represented, debated and institutionalized within Swedish nature conservation, and to what effect. The empirical focus lies on policy struggles around the designation and management of protected forests and around efforts to save a nationally threatened bird species, the white-backed woodpecker. My analytical framework is informed by Argumentative Discourse Analysis and Political Discourse Theory, to which I contribute a further elaboration of the notion of discourse institutionalization. Based on documents and interviews with conservation professionals, I identify competing articulations of the ends and means of conservation and relate these to scholarly debates around ecological restoration and interventionist conservation management. The analysis further focuses on how elements of the different policy discourses are institutionalized in rules, routines or official policy documents. Two main competing policy discourses are found: one focused on leaving pristine nature to develop freely, and one focused on active, adaptive management for biodiversity. While the former has previously been said to characterize the Swedish conservation bureaucracy, my analysis shows it is now widely seen as outdated. Arguments which in the scholarly literature are associated with an ethically informed defense of nature’s autonomy are here dismissed as emotional, aesthetic and thus unscientific concerns, delegitimizing them within the rational, science-based public administration for nature conservation. In contrast, biodiversity is broadly forwarded as a self-evident goal for active intervention, in line with both science and policy requirements. Adaptive management for biodiversity is in that sense the dominant discourse. Still, the older discourse is institutionalized in the purposes and management plans of existing nature reserves, and its defenders have also succeeded in strengthening that institutionalization through new and more restrictive guidelines. The findings suggest that this has been possible not only because of the gate-keeping role of a few centrally placed actors, but also because their restrictive stance resonates with the outside threat of exploitation which organizes the common order of discourse. Naturalness, a term described as irrelevant by some proponents of adaptive management for biodiversity, is also shown to remain a shared concern in several ways. The results thus highlight the importance of both entrenched common sense and institutionalization of certain logics or arguments in authoritative documents. The main theoretical contribution of the thesis consists in clarifying the effects of such discourse institutionalization — using the terms durability, legibility and leverage — and showing how the processes of negotiation, re-interpretation and modification of institutions are more dynamic than some accounts of discourse institutionalization suggest. Rather than trying to resolve (and thus remove) the dilemma of intervention, the thesis points to the importance of keeping open discussion of the ultimately unanswerable questions about intervention in nature alive in both theory and practice. / Ecosystem restoration in policy and practice: restore, develop, adapt (RESTORE)

Thesis (MScConEcol)--UnStellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The privilege of utilising resources from the globe's marine ecosystems is threatened. Adequate regional and global conservation efforts are vital. Understanding species' distributions and the environmental variables influencing community structures are important for instigating optimum conservation plans. A major threat facing marine ecosystems is the introduction and proliferation of alien invasive species. The distribution and geographical expansion of marine alien invasive species, along with environmental variables driving their increase is also critical for drawing up conservation plans. In response to this point, this study addresses gaps in our knowledge regarding intertidal marine invertebrate species distributions particularly that of marine alien species in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve (KBR) and adjacent Betty's Bay Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Western Cape of South Africa, a prime area for south-coast marine conservation. Species identifications were done in September 2010. Two marine alien invertebrate species were identified along the coastline. These were the invasive mytilid Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and the bryozoan Watersipora subtorquata. A quantitative systematic survey of the intertidal region, consisting of seven rocky shore sites was then undertaken from October 2010 to December 2010. The abundance of all focal marine invertebrate species, within six selected habitat types was assessed. Environmental variables were also recorded. Statistical tests were done to investigate for significant interaction in mean abundance and mean species richness among intertidal zones and protection status (MPA and non-MPA), and among intertidal sampling units (SU‟s) and protection status. There was also investigated for significant difference in mean abundance and mean species richness across intertidal zones and habitat types where protection status was not taken into account, and to test for significant differences in mean abundance and mean species richness between the intertidal zones and habitat types. Correspondence analyses were used to illustrate relationships between species composition and the defined environmental variables. Tests were done to investigate for significant differences in mean abundance of the identified marine alien species between the MPA and non-MPA, study sites, SU's, and wave exposures. These results indicated that vertical and horizontal stress gradients along the shore mainly influence abundance and species richness. The significantly higher abundance of M. galloprovincialis outside the MPA is due to its preference for wave-exposed areas. The reason for the difference in the total abundance of W. subtorquata in the different habitats is not clear, although it appears that the higher abundance of this species in the MPA is because the sheltered nature of the MPA. M. galloprovincilais displaces indigenous species. W. subtorquata does not cause any significant harm along the coast of South Africa. This study indicates that the abundance of M. galloprovincialis and W. subtorquata in the MPA is relatively low. The MPA is therefore in good condition with regards to intertidal alien species. It is important that the MPA and adjacent KBR's coastline maintain its current pristine status. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die voorreg om mariene hulpbronne te benut, word bedreig. Voldoende nasionale en globale mariene bewaring is krities. 'n Deeglike kennis van spesies verspreiding en omgewingsveranderlikes wat gemeenskapstrukture beïnvloed is noodsaaklik vir optimale bewaringspogings. Mariene indringerspesies en verspreiding van indringerspesies bedreig mariene ekosisteme. Dit is belangrik om basiese kennis in te win oor die geografiese verspreiding van indringerspesies saam met die omgewingsveranderlikes wat hierdie verspreiding beïnvloed. Hierdie studie fokus dus daarop om die kennis met betrekking tot intergety ongewerwelde spesiesverspreiding, veral dié wat uitheems is langs die kus van die Kogelberg Biosfeer Reservaat (KBR) en aangrensende Bettys Baai Mariene Beskermde Gebied (MBG) in die Wes-Kaap in Suid-Afrika uit te brei. Hierdie streek word beskou as gesog vir mariene bewaring in Suid-Afrika. Identifikasie van spesies is in September 2010 gedoen. Twee intergety uitheemse ongewerwelde spesies is langs die kus geïdentifiseer; die indringer 'mytilid' Mediterreense mossel - Mytilus galloprovincialis en die 'bryozoa' Watersipora subtorquata. 'n Kwantitatiewe sistematiese oorsig van die intergety rotsagtige streek, bestaande uit sewe lokaliteite, is gedoen. Steekproefneming is vanaf Oktober 2010 tot Desember 2010 uitgevoer. Alle fokale intergety ongewerwelde spesies, in ses geselekteerde habitattipes is getel. Omgewingsveranderlikes is aangeteken. Daar is statisties getoets vir verskille in die talrykheid en spesiesrykheid tussen die intergety zones en beskermingsstatus (MBG en nie-MBG), en tussen die intergety habitattipes en beskermingsstatus. Daar is ook getoets vir verskille in talrykheid en spesiesrykheid tussen die intergety zones en habitattipes waar beskermingsstatus nie in ag geneem is nie. Ooreenstemmende analises is gedoen om die verhoudings tussen die spesiesamestelling en die gedefinieerde omgewingsveranderlikes te illustreer. Daar is statisties getoets vir verskille in die talrykheid van die geïdentifiseerde uitheemse spesies tussen die MBG en nie-MBG, die verskillende lokaliteite, die verskillende habitattipes en tussen die verskillende golf blootstellings. Hierdie studie dui aan dat vertikale en horisontale stresgradiënte die hoofoorsaak is wat talrykheid en spesiesrykheid beïnvloed. Die aansienlik hoër talrykheid van M. galloprovincialis buite die MBG is van die gebied se hoër golfblootstelling. Die beduidende verskil in talrykheid van W. subtorquata is onduidelik. Dit kan egter afgelei word dat die beskutte aard van die MBG 'n rol speel by die aansienlik hoër talrykheid van hierdie spesie binne die MBG. M. galloprovicialis verplaas inheemse spesies. Geen beskikbare bewys dui daarop dat W. subtorquata enige beduidende skade langs die kus van Suid-Afrika aanrig nie. Die lae talrykheid van beide hierdie spesies binne die MBG dui daarop dat hierdie unieke area steeds in goeie toestand ten opsigte van intergety uitheemse spesies is. Dit is noodsaaklik dat die huidige status van die MBG en aangrensende kuslyn gehandhaaf word.

Le sanctuaire Agoa est une aire marine protégée dans la zone économique exclusive (ZEE) des Antilles françaises qui fut créée en 2010 pour la conservation des mammifères marins et de leurs habitats. Il est connu que le rorqual à bosse fréquente les eaux des Antilles de décembre à mai pour la reproduction et la mise bas. Par contre, peu d’information existe sur l’abondance, le comportement, la distribution et les pressions anthropiques sur cette espèce aux Antilles et encore moins dans le sanctuaire. Cette maîtrise s’intéresse principalement à connaître cette espèce dans un secteur précis de cette aire marine et les liens qu’elle entretient avec certains utilisateurs humains de son habitat. Le tout vise à informer les intervenants en place, autant institutionnels qu’utilisateurs, vers une mise en place de mesures de conservation adaptées. Un suivi terrestre hivernal de plus de 300 heures, en 2012 et 2013, a permis de déterminer l’utilisation de l’habitat et les pressions anthropiques sur une population de rorquals à bosse fréquentant le sud de la péninsule de la Pointe-des-Châteaux en Guadeloupe. Il s’agit du premier suivi terrestre de cette espèce aux Antilles françaises et un des premiers dans l'arc caribéen. La zone d’étude couvre environ 264 km2 et serait une des zones les plus fréquentées de l’archipel guadeloupéen par l’espèce. À l’aide d’un théodolite, la trajectoire de 107 groupes différents (137,8 heures, 699 remontées) a été décrite. Les résultats montrent que la zone d’étude est principalement fréquentée en mars et avril, avec une abondance maximale au début du mois d’avril. La forte présence de baleineaux, particulièrement au mois de mars, pousse à croire que cette zone est utilisée comme pouponnière. Le comportement n’est pas aléatoire dans la zone d’étude et les trajectoires convergent vers certaines zones ayant possiblement un lien avec la bathymétrie. De plus, la zone marine à proximité de la Pointe-des-Châteaux pourrait potentiellement être un lieu de convergence des groupes. Ceux-ci se déplacent à vitesse réduite en direction ENE en général, à l’exception des femelles accompagnées de baleineaux qui prennent une orientation tout autre, c’est-à-dire vers le ONO, et ce à plus grande vitesse. Bien que la pression d’observation soit considérée comme modérée, une forte proportion des remontées se trouve dans les corridors de navigation présents dans la zone d’étude. De plus, le corridor de navigation des navettes entre Saint-François et La Désirade comporte le plus grand risque relatif de collision mortelle. Une réduction de vitesse des embarcations fréquentant le corridor des navettes diminuerait significativement le risque de collision mortelle. Ces pistes de réflexion mèneront sans doute à d’autres études plus poussées afin de continuer à en apprendre sur l’écologie de cette espèce fascinante. / The Agoa sanctuary, a marine protected area (MPO) covering the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the French Caribbean, was created in 2010 to protect marine mammals and their habitats. It is known that the Caribbean islands are used from December to May by humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) as a reproductive area. However, sparse information exists on the abundance, the behaviour, the distribution and the anthropogenic pressures on this species in the Caribbean and even less in the sanctuary. This thesis focuses on increasing scientific knowledge about this species’ use of a part of the Agoa Sanctuary and their interactions with human users of the MPO. Such knowledge may inform stakeholders’ (institutional and individual) decision-making towards implementation of appropriate conservation measures. A land-based survey of more than 300 hours, in 2012 and 2013, was carried out to determine the habitat use of, and anthropogenic pressures on, a population of humpback whales frequenting the surrounding water of the Pointe-des-Châteaux peninsula in Guadeloupe. This is the first land-based survey of this species in the French West Indies and one of the first in the Caribbean. The study area of approximately 264 square kilometres is one of the most visited areas by this species in the Guadeloupe archipelago. Using a theodolite, 107 trajectories (i.e. groups of whales) were recorded, representing 137.8 hours and 699 surfacings. Results show that the abundance was higher in March and April with a peak in the first week of April. The high proportion of calves in this population, mainly in March, suggest that the study zone is a nursing area. Overall movement patterns are not random and may possibly be dictated by the bathymetry. Furthermore, trajectories seem to converge close to the Pointe-des-Châteaux. The average movement is slow and oriented in the same direction as the dominant current to the west of the Pointe-des-Châteaux (i.e. ENE), except for mother and calf groups that swim faster in the opposite direction (i.e. WNW). Even if the anthropogenic pressure may be consided as moderate, a high proportion of surfacing is located in some of the main maritime traffic corridors. In addition, the shuttle corridor between Saint-Francois and Désirade island has the greatest relative risk of fatal collision. A reduced speed for the shuttle corridor would lower significantly the collision risk. These findings may lead to more extensive studies to better understand the ecology of this fascinating species.

Understanding the movement behavior and foraging strategies of individuals across multiple spatial and temporal scales is essential not only for understanding the biological requirements of individuals but also for linking individual strategies to population level effects. Glacial fjords scattered throughout south-central and southeastern Alaska host some of the largest seasonal aggregations of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) in the world, and an estimated 15% of the harbor seal population in Alaska is found seasonally at these glacial ice sites. Over the last two decades, the number of harbor seals has declined at two of the primary glacial fjords, in Aialik Bay in south-central Alaska and in Glacier Bay in southeastern Alaska, thus raising concerns regarding the viability of seal populations in glacial fjord environments. From 2004-2009, the foraging ecology, diving behavior, and migration patterns of harbor seals from Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska were examined in relation to prey availability and oceanographic features in Glacier Bay and the surrounding regions of southeastern Alaska. Time-depth recorders, very high frequency transmitters, and satellite-linked transmitters were used to quantify the vertical and horizontal movement patterns of harbor seals in the marine environment. Specifically, (1) I characterized the diving behavior, foraging areas, and foraging strategies of female harbor seals from terrestrial and glacial ice sites relative to prey availability during the breeding season (May-June) in Glacier Bay, (2) I quantified the intra-population variation in at-sea post-breeding season (September-April) distribution and movement patterns of female harbor seals in relation to oceanographic features, (3) I quantified the post-breeding season migration patterns of female harbor seals relative to the boundaries of the marine protected area of Glacier Bay National Park, and (4) I characterized the use of the continental shelf region of the eastern Gulf of Alaska by female harbor seals from Glacier Bay, both as a foraging area and as a migratory corridor in relation to oceanographic features. During the breeding season, there was a substantial degree of intra-population variation in the diving behavior and foraging areas of juvenile and adult female seals from glacial ice and terrestrial sites in Glacier Bay. The presence of multiple diving strategies suggests that differences in the relative density and depth of prey fields in glacial ice and terrestrial habitats in addition to seal age and reproductive status may influence diving and foraging behavior of harbor seals. During the post-breeding season, juvenile and adult female harbor seals ranged extensively beyond the boundaries of the marine protected area of Glacier Bay National Park, throughout the northern inshore waters of southeastern Alaska and the continental shelf region of the eastern Gulf of Alaska between Cross Sound and Prince William Sound, Alaska (up to 900 kilometers away). Seals exhibited a relatively high degree of intra-population variation in their at-sea post-breeding season distribution patterns that may be a function of extrinsic factors such as oceanographic characteristics, which can influence prey availability as well as intrinsic factors including previous experience with foraging areas and seal condition and age. Use of the continental shelf region of the eastern Gulf of Alaska by harbor seals as a foraging area may be due to enhanced biological productivity which may be associated with ephemeral hydrographic and/or static bathymetric features. Despite extensive migrations of seals from Glacier Bay during the post-breeding season, there was a high degree of inter-annual site fidelity of seals to Glacier Bay the following breeding season after seals were captured. / Graduation date: 2012

No description available.

Community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) related to protected areas (PAs) originated in the 1980’s in Zimbabwe, Africa, in the buffer zone communities of Africa’s National Parks. CBNRM attempted to address the problems associated with colonial, protectionist style ‘fence and guns’ conservation management approaches, which excluded resource-based communities from conservation areas. CBNRM attempts to meet the biodiversity conservation objectives of conservation areas, and the sustainable development and livelihood objectives of neighbouring communities. While CBNRM initiatives have been well documented internationally over the past decades, little is known about the status of CBNRM within Canada. In order to bridge this knowledge gap and to link trends in conservation and protected areas management internationally to Canada and to British Columbia (BC), this thesis examines the potential for community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) affiliated with BC's Protected Area System. “Potential” is determined by comparing the situation in BC to the international CBNRM experience. The study draws on a sample of Conservancies from the categories of the BC Protected Area (PA) System, focusing particularly on the nine Sea-to-Sky Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) Area Conservancies and neighbouring First Nations communities: Squamish, L’il’wat and In-SHUCK-ch. Information has been obtained through interviews (guided by semi-structured questionnaires) conducted with BC government informants and First Nations representatives, supplemented by key documents. The questionnaire examined the potential for CBNRM according to a.) the community's perspective: potential (costs and) benefits of the protected area, including goods and services, cultural and social benefits and sustainable economic development opportunities provided by the protected area; and benefits of community involvement in natural resource management and protected area governance; and b.) the conservation perspective: benefits through community cooperation in biodiversity conservation within the targeted protected area. Other factors that have been identified through the international experience to affect CBNRM initiatives, such as use regulation; tenure; policies and legislation; awareness of and support for the protected area; and community capacity were thoroughly examined across all sources of information. This study finds that there is potential for CBNRM affiliated with the BC PA system in protected area designations such as ‘Conservancies’. Potential relates to the role of CBNRM in biodiversity conservation, meeting the aspirations of BC’s First Nations communities, and in recognizing First Nations as legitimate stakeholders in protected areas and conservation management. As in the international experience, numerous social, political, economic and other factors present opportunities and challenges to the adoption of CBNRM in BC. This thesis concludes with key recommendations for protected areas and conservation management in BC and Canada and identifies opportunities to further explore key topic areas that arose from the research findings.

The dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe 1834), is a protogynous sequential hermaphrodite and is considered to be one of the most important fish species in the Mediterranean Sea. It is a K-strategist, being slow growing and late maturing, and this, coupled with its reproductive biology and relatively sedentary behaviour, has made it extremely sensitive to overexploitation, leading it to be classified by the IUCN as an endangered fish species. Wild dusky grouper have suffered from disease outbreaks in the past decade, leading to mass mortalities across the Mediterranean Sea, including Libyan coastal waters. These mortalities have mostly been attributed to Nodavirus infections. In Europe and Brazil, efforts are in place to culture this fish for commercial grow-out and stock enhancement programmes. In Libya, the dusky grouper is consumed regularly and is considered a prime-eating fish. Its importance for the Libyan internal market, as well as its potential for export, makes it an ideal candidate for future Libyan aquaculture activities. Given the scarce literature regarding the dusky grouper in Libya, this study aimed first to assess dusky grouper fisheries, spawning seasons and to identify the main threats that the fishing sector poses for wild stocks. Second this study aimed to determine the health status of wild dusky grouper offered at a local fish market in the capital Tripoli, in order to identify pathogens, pathologies or other health issues that might pose a hazard to cultured populations but also to remaining wild dusky grouper stocks. To achieve these aims, twelve field surveys spanning the period of 2013-2015 were conducted. From these surveys, it was established that the dusky grouper is captured throughout the year, including the spawning season. Fish sizes offered for sale ranged between 20-92 cm total length (TL), with the fish being sold from local fishing grounds around Tripoli, but also from as far as Benghazi, 1300 km to the east of Tripoli. The dusky grouper is principally caught in artisanal fisheries and by spearfishing, with approximately 300 spear-fishermen serving one particular fish market in Tripoli that was a focus in this study, and with dusky grouper being one of their main targets. Over the period of the survey, 267 landed dusky grouper were inspected for visible lesions prior to sampling. A total of 50 dusky grouper with sizes ranging from 27- 66 cm TL including the gonads from a further five fish measuring 66-92 cm TL that were sampled separately and examined to assess the stage of sexual maturity and to look for the presence of parasitic infections mainly affecting the gills, skin and gonads. The spawning season was found to extend from May to early September, with females ranging between 39-68 cm TL, males measuring 57-92 cm TL, and transient fish measuring 58-68 cm TL. From otolith readings of 8 fish, the youngest fish was a 3 year old juvenile of 28 cm TL and the oldest was an 8-9 year old 56 cm TL female. Whilst the highest prevalence of parasitic infection was found to be monogenean infection of the gills, with 100% prevalence, followed by gnathiid isopods infecting the oral cavity with 92% prevalence, it was the nematode Philometra sp. infecting post-spawning ovaries at 52% prevalence, that gave the highest apparent pathological impact. Necrosis potentially attributed to Philometra sp. in one particular ovary, was at a level likely to have caused complete parasitic castration, while others showed varying levels of probable functional reduction. The pathologies described need further investigation, especially in relation to possible synergies between Philometra sp. and bacteria in causing the necrosis. From the 267 inspected dusky grouper, 55 fish ranging in size from 42-92 cm TL were observed to be affected by external skin lesions of unknown aetiology. Twenty-six of these fish were sampled, having lesions at various stages of severity, and 5 further unaffected fish were used for histological assessment of the skin as negative controls. Histopathologically, the lesions comprised a multifocal, unilateral or bilateral dermatitis, involving the epidermis, superficial dermis and scale pockets, and sometimes, in severe cases, the hypodermis. Severe lesions had marked epidermal spongiosis progressing to ulceration. Healing was observed in some fish. Bacteria and fungi could be isolated from severe lesions, although they were not seen histopathologically in early-stage lesions. By contrast, metazoan parasite eggs were observed in the dermis and epidermis of some fish with mild and moderate dermatitis. Unidentified gravid digenean trematodes, carrying similar eggs, were also seen within the blood vessels of the deep and superficial dermis. The newly described condition was termed dusky grouper dermatitis (DGD). DGD’s geographical distribution along the Libyan coastline was investigated using a novel application of the social media network Facebook. Using Facebook, it was possible to document skin lesions of dusky grouper in Libyan waters from images attached to the entries of spear-fishermen. Thirty two Facebook accounts and 8 Facebook groups posting from 23 Libyan coastal cities provided a retrospective observational dataset comprising a total of 382 images of dusky grouper caught by spearfishing from December 2011-December 2015. Skin lesions were observable on 57 / 362 fish, for which images were of sufficient quality for analysis, giving a minimal prevalence for lesions of 15.75%. Only dusky grouper exceeding an estimated 40 cm total length exhibited lesions. The ability to collect useful data about the occurrence and geographical distribution of pathological conditions affecting wild fish using social media networks, demonstrates their potential utility as a tool to support epidemiological studies and monitor the health of populations of aquatic animals. The gravid digenean trematode described from mild lesions of five fish was identified using reconstruction through histological sectioning as belonging to the Family Aporocotylidae Odhner, 1912. This is the first description of a blood fluke from the dusky grouper, as well as from dermal blood vessels. The parasite was relatively long; the longest section of the parasite that could be measured was 1500 µm and 20-80 µm in width, while the total length of the parasite was estimated at 1500-2000 µm. Minute tegumental spines, possibly covering only a few parts of the parasite, were seen from some cross-sections. The parasite had one post-testicular ovary, which might overlap the testis, a pre-ovarian ascending uterus, and a post-ovarian descending uterus. It also possessed an oesophagus surrounded by oesophageal glandular cells and a pre-ovarian and pre-testicular extension of the vitelline cells, mostly at the level of the ascending uterus. The parasite was observed to be intra-vascular, the uterine lumen varies in size to accommodate between 1-7 eggs. The uterine eggs were embryonated and observed to span several stages of maturation. Eggs were also found in the dermal blood vessels, in the dermis, and in the epidermis, with the latter appearing to provide a potential route of egress of eggs into the environment. The extra-uterine eggs were 23.5 to 37.52 µm long and contained a ciliated miracidium. The eggs seemed to elicit a mixed inflammatory reaction, with degranulation of eosinophilic granular cells attached to the external surface of some of the eggs within the blood vessels but also the dermis. From observations made in the current study, this parasite appears to be a new species, most closely allied to none of the currently described Aporocotylidae genera. / In summary, the present study has demonstrated that the dusky grouper is extensively fished in Libya without discrimination to sizes and season, by both artisanal and spearfishing, with the latter as one of the main fishing methods, posing treats to the spawning potential and conservation of dusky grouper in Libya. The philometrid infecting the ovaries has a potential to reduce fecundity or to result in parasitic castration of wild broodstock. Gill-infecting monogeneans might represent a hazard for all stages of dusky grouper production. Dusky grouper dermatitis is a skin lesion, although there are no indications that infections may result in mortalities. Under culture conditions, however, this might change due to increase bacterial loads, which might lead to secondary bacterial infection. The presence of skin lesions would undoubtedly reduce the market value of whole fish. These findings are important for existing wild stocks, and for future plans regarding the aquaculture of dusky grouper. Future studies need to focus on the pathology of DGD, describing the disease process and aetiology using laboratory techniques such as TEM and virology as well as using morphology and molecular-based tools to describe the blood fluke and to determine their potential role in the initiation the disease. The novel approach to disease surveillance using social media Facebook posts could be further expanded by attracting citizen scientists, for future research assessing disease in wild fish, for sightings of mortality events and/or the appearance of disease outbreaks, or, for mapping marine mammal stranding’s and/or turtle nesting activity.

AZEVEDO, Ruy Emmanuel Silva de. “Parque do cocó”: diretrizes para a proteção de relevante área verde no município de Fortaleza/CE. 2014. 348 f. : Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Ceará, Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação, Programa Regional de Desenvolvimento em Meio Ambiente - PRODEMA, Fortaleza-CE, 2014 / Submitted by Nádja Goes (nmoraissoares@gmail.com) on 2016-04-19T16:03:14Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_dis_resazevedo.pdf: 20493606 bytes, checksum: 2f81b796f435aeed00b171a8e7855dc8 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Nádja Goes (nmoraissoares@gmail.com) on 2016-04-19T16:03:43Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_dis_resazevedo.pdf: 20493606 bytes, checksum: 2f81b796f435aeed00b171a8e7855dc8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-19T16:03:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_dis_resazevedo.pdf: 20493606 bytes, checksum: 2f81b796f435aeed00b171a8e7855dc8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / The Cocó river and its surroundings have a singular peculiarity, because they meet an area of great ecological relevance stuck in a fairly densely populated urban area. This work was motivated by the fact that the area known as "Park of Cocó" not having adequate environmental management, since the State Park protected area was not created. There is only one polygon extracted from state decrees (n. 20.259/1989, 21.312/1991 and 22.587/1993), whose purpose was to declare certain areas as social interest so that after expropriated, were intended to create the park. Such decrees are not legally created the PA, since its purpose was only effecting the expropriation. Over the years the state expropriation decrees expired, foreclosures were not realized and protected area was not legally created. Meanwhile, there was a significant change in the urban context of the city of Fortaleza, and changes in the relevant legislation, which entails a necessary revision of the polygon that would be the " Park of Cocó". In this scenario, the study proposes criteria and requirements to be observed in the creation of a new category of protected area. Furthermore, the dissertation, based on environmental characterization and legal institutions incidents in the area (urban zoning, permanent preservation areas and marine land), proposes guidelines for the guidance of the boundary of a polygon that is technically feasible for the type of conservation unit applicable to the study area. The survey was conducted through literature review and documentary, interpretation and manipulation of cartographic vector files and field surveys. After analyzing the data, the paper proposes that the "basic area" of the future UC is defined based on the existence of the following legal institutions: areas of permanent preservation, marine lands areas and the most restrictive urban standards (ZPA 1 and ZRA) of the PDP-FOR/2009. The paper suggests that state of Ceará or the county of Fortaleza can create a legally adequate conservation unit and technically feasible through actions divided into five stages, which can be performed in sequence or in parallel. STAGE 0 corresponds to the preparatory phase, with review of cartographic vector files, lifting occupations and creating a type of compatible conservation unit. STAGE 1 would be the creation phase of UC with its "basic area" and should be expropriated the properties at ZPA 1 or ZRA that are not occupied or are occupied by public facilities (roads, squares and so on). STAGES 2 and 3 would be extensions of "basic research", by including areas that may give rise to relocation of people and the removal of occupations. When the properties are in marine lands, the Union may make use of free assignment of use for the creator entity of the UC (state of Ceará or the county of Fortaleza). And in STAGE 4 should integrate the management of protected areas in mosaic, covering the newly created UC and existing in its surroundings. / O rio Cocó e seu entorno possuem singular particularidade, já que correspondem a uma área de grande relevância ecológica encravada numa área urbana bastante adensada. O presente trabalho teve como motivação o fato da área conhecida como “Parque do Cocó” não possuir uma gestão ambiental adequada, já que a unidade de conservação Parque Estadual não foi criada. Tem-se apenas uma poligonal extraída de decretos estaduais (nºs 20.253/1989, 21.312/1991 e 22.587/1993), cuja finalidade era declarar determinadas áreas como de interesse social para que, após expropriadas, fossem destinadas à criação do parque. Tais decretos não criaram juridicamente a unidade de conservação, já que sua finalidade era apenas efetivar as desapropriações. Ao longo dos anos os decretos estaduais expropriatórios caducaram, as desapropriações não foram realizadas e a unidade de conservação não foi juridicamente criada. Nesse ínterim, houve significativa mudança no contexto urbano da cidade de Fortaleza, bem como alterações na legislação pertinente, o que enseja uma necessária revisão da poligonal do que viria a ser o “Parque do Cocó”. Nesse panorama, o estudo propõe critérios e requisitos a serem observados na criação de uma nova categoria de unidade de conservação. Além disso, a dissertação, como base na caracterização geoambiental e nos institutos jurídicos incidentes na área (zoneamento urbanístico, áreas de preservação permanente e terrenos de marinha), propõe diretrizes que servem de orientação a delimitação de uma poligonal que seja tecnicamente viável para o tipo de unidade de conservação aplicável à área de estudo. A pesquisa foi realizada por meio de revisão bibliográfica e documental, interpretação e manipulação de arquivos vetoriais cartográficos e levantamentos de campo. Após análise dos dados, o trabalho propõe que a “área básica” da futura UC seja definida com base na existência dos seguintes institutos jurídicos: áreas de preservação permanente, terrenos de marinha e as zonas do PDP-FOR/2009 com os parâmetros urbanísticos mais restritivos (ZPA 1 e ZRA). O trabalho sugere que o estado do Ceará ou o município de Fortaleza podem criar uma unidade de conservação juridicamente adequada e tecnicamente viável por meio de ações divididas em cinco etapas, as quais podem ser executadas em sequência ou paralelamente. A ETAPA 0 corresponde à fase preparatória, com revisão de arquivos vetoriais cartográficos, levantamento de ocupações e criação de uma modalidade de unidade de conservação compatível. A ETAPA 1 seria a fase de criação da UC com sua “área básica”, devendo ser desapropriados os imóveis situados em ZPA 1 ou em ZRA que não estejam ocupados ou que estejam ocupados por equipamentos públicos (vias, praças, etc). As ETAPAS 2 e 3 seriam ampliações da “área básica”, por meio da inclusão de áreas que poderão ensejar a realocação de pessoas e a remoção de ocupações. Quando os imóveis estiverem em terrenos de marinha, a União pode efetuar cessão de uso gratuita ao ente criador da UC (estado do Ceará ou o município de Fortaleza). E na ETAPA 4 deve-se integrar a gestão das UCs em mosaico, abrangendo a UC recém-criada e as já existentes no seu entorno.

La compréhension des interactions liant la répartition des espèces, la biodiversité, les habitats marins et le changement climatique est nécessaire voire fondamentale pour la mise en oeuvre d’une gestion efficace de la conservation, par exemple la mise en place d’aires marines protégées. Dans cette étude, nous avons travaillé sur l’évolution de richesse de 89 espèces de poissons notées «rares» ou «exotiques» (observées en dehors de leur aire de répartition connue) lié au changement climatique. Nous avons modélisé et prédit leur distribution saisonnière par le modèle SIG en fonction de leurs niches écologiques (déterminée dans cette étude). En superposant tous les modèles en fonction du temps, cette approche permet d’identifier des zones d’occupation préférentielle de forte biodiversité (hotspots). La méthode offre une alternative pour mesurer la richesse d’espèces de façon saisonnière dans des zones peu connues, et de suivre leur mouvement au cours de temps, puis avoir information de base sur l’efficacité de positionnement des aires marines protégés liées à ces zones hotspots. La zone d’étude s’est située dans trois grands écosystèmes marins : le courant des Canaries, le plateau sud de l’Atlantique Européen et les mers celtiques. La région centrale est une zone de transition (entre les eaux tropicales et tempérés) connue pour sa sensibilité aux effets du changement climatique. De 1982 à 2012, la SST augmente constamment au fil du temps, avec des tendances et des magnitudes qui varient selon l’écosystème. Une augmentation du nombre d'espèces dans un écosystème dans une période a été généralement suivie par une tendance à la baisse ou à la hausse dans des écosystèmes adjacents. Les niches écologiques des espèces étudiées ont été estimées par l’extraction des valeurs environnementales à l’échelle mondiale au point d'occurrence au moment de l'observation. Les résultats de niches sont cohérents avec ceux obtenus à partir d’études observationnelles ou expérimentales. La flexibilité du modèle SIG nous a permis de suivre l'évolution saisonnière de distribution des espèces au fil du temps. En général, les espèces montrent une tendance à élargir leur distribution vers le nord, montrant l'effet du réchauffement de l'océan sur la distribution des poissons marins. L’approche de modèle peut être utilisée pour modéliser la distribution des espèces moins connues, ou dans des zones où les données d’occurrences sont peu nombreuses, ainsi que pour prédire le modèle de distribution future. L'analyse spatiale de la superficie des AMPs (Aires Marines Protégées) par pays appartenant à la zone d'étude, montre que le Royaume-Uni puis la France possèdent le plus grand nombre d'AMP ainsi que les superficies totales protégées les plus importantes. La fréquence à laquelle les AMPs (Aires Marines Protégées) sont touchées par les zones de hotspots est fortement influencée par les variations de l’environnement, les zones favorables évoluant alors au fil des saisons. Ainsi, il est important de prendre en compte les variations saisonnières pour la création des AMPs afin de préserver les capacités adaptative des espèces soumises au changement global. / Understanding connectivities among species distributions, biodiversity, marine habitats and climate change is necessary for the design of an effective conservation management, such as in the implementation of marine protected area (MPA). In this study, we observed the richness of 89 "rare" or "exotic" fish species (observed outside their known distribution range) related to climate change. We modeled and predicted their seasonal distributions according to the species ecological niches (determined in this study) using the GIS model. Superposing the models of all species using GIS, we determined the preferential zones or zones of high biodiversity (hotspots) over time. The GIS approach offers an alternative to measure seasonal species richness in poor-data areas. This approach allowed also species track movement over time. This information could be then used to measure the effectiveness of MPA positioning related to the hotspot areas. Our study area covers a wide latitudinal range of the Eastern Atlantic waters, from the warm tropical/subtropical waters to the temperate waters. This area is located in three large marine ecosystems: the Canary current, the South European Atlantic Shelf and the Celtic Seas. The transitional zone in the central region has well known for its sensitivity to the detection of climate change. From 1982 to 2012, the SST in all of studied ecosystems has increased consistently over time, with magnitude and trend varied among ecosystems. The change of number of species in each decadal period differed among ecosystems. Increasing number of species in an ecosystem was generally followed by decreasing trend in adjacent ecosystems. Species ecological niches were obtained by extracting the environmental values in the location of species occurrence at the time of observation. The environmental data and the occurrence records used were at global scale, and the methods yields coherent results with the results obtained from observational studies. The flexibility of GIS Model used in this study allowed us to follow the evolution of species seasonal distribution over time. Generally, most of the studied species showed a northbound trend in their distribution. These northbound tendencies were more evident in the middle region, confirming the effect of global warming in shifting marine species distribution. This approach provides an alternative of measuring seasonal richness of poor-known species and/or modeling in poor-data areas. The results present a complete picture of predictive number of species in an area over time. MPAs superficial analysis by country (countries lying in the study area) showed that UK has the highest number of MPA and the largest protected areas, following by France and Mauritania. Frequencies of the MPAs touched by the hotspot were strongly influenced by seasonal variations. Thus, considering seasonal variations in a conservation effort could preserve species adaptive variation under environmental changes. Overall, our works provide several alternative methods for species distribution studies and for studies poor-known species in data-poor area. The results provide evidences of ocean warming effect in shifting marine fish distribution.