Thesis (M.A.)--Ohio University, June, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 81-85).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 127-140).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 127-140) Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 1991. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 46-51). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of California, Santa Cruz, 1997. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 88-89).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Ohio University, June, 2004. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 81-85)

Climate change associated with increasing concentrations of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide(CO2), is expected to lead to an increase in global mean temperature of between 1 and 3.5 deg C by the end of the 21st century, with regional changes in rainfall and humidity. This thesis is concerned with modelling the effects of a changing climate and atmospheric C02 concentration on global vegetation. The process-based model, DOLY (Dynamic glObal phtogeographY), is used. It is able to operate using three climate variables, two soil variables and an atmospheric CO2 concentration. Its outputs are leaf area index (LAI), and net primary productivity (NPP). The LAI and NPP values predicted by DOLY were used to run a life-form model with a climate change scenario. It was found that warming led to the spread of trees into the tundra region. The DOLY model was also coupled with the Hadley Centre general circulation model to determine the feedbacks of vegetation on climate. With a global warming of 2◦C, the global feedback of vegetation on temperature was a decrease of 0.1 deg C. However at the regional scale the feedback was +/-2 ◦C, of similar magnitude to the driving temperature change. Finally, the DOLY model was run with transient climate data from the Hadley Centre. The boreal forest moved north, and the Gobi desert and the southern steppes in the former Soviet Union shrank in area. The sensitivity of the model to its soil and climate inputs have also been analysed over a range of environments and the model has been validated with reference to satellite data and experimental data. It was found to perform well. This thesis has shown that it is possible to predict current and possible future distributions of vegetation with climate change using a vegetation model.

Magister Scientiae - MSc / The overall aim of this project was to establish whether there is a long-term decline of rainfall collected in rainfall gauges within the Jonkershoek Valley that have the longest and best quality records. / South Africa

A comparison of the performance of selected conceptual models of the rainfall-runoff process forms the central theme of this study and the comparison was conducted with three major objectives in mind. The first objective was to develop a conceptual model that could be used by practising hydrologists for the refinement and extension of historical streamflow records. The major requirements of the model were that it should be simple in structure and easy to operate and yet be flexible in terms of complexity of structure and input requirements as well as producing output at a level of accuracy that is competitive with that of the more complex models presently available. A comparison of the performance of the required model with that of other models formed an integral part of the development process. The second objective of the comparative study was to contribute to current knowledge of the criteria used in the selection of a suitable model for a particular application. There are, at present, no reliable guidelines to assist the hydrologist in selecting a suitable model from the wide range of models available and a comparative study would indicate the merits of various forms of model structure. The third objective is associated with the problems that arise when no streamflow data are available for model calibration. One approach is to calibrate the model in a nearby gauged catchment that the hydrologist regards as being 'hydrologically similar' and transferring the model parameter values to the ungauged catchment. Little is known about the feasibility of this parameter transfer process or about the choice of a model for such an application. The third objective was to test the feasibility of the parameter transfer process and to make use of the comparison of model performance to determine the model characteristics that are most suitable for the purpose