My thesis project zooms in on Masmo to the southwest of Stockholm. Specifically a subway exit, built on Masmo Mountain during the 1960s, but never finished. The site features a very unique location on the border between the quite urban Million Programme era architecture of central Masmo, and the completely untouched forest in the nature reserve right next to it, Gömmaren. For 60 years, the Masmo Mountain has been discussed in Huddinge municipality as a potential site for future construction, yet nothing has ever been constructed. I think this might be because of the challenges the location poses regarding how to merge an urban site with one that is completely undeveloped. These topics are examples of what this thesis project seeks to explore: What qualities are there that are worthy of preserving when dealing with architecture in precious environments? Is it possible to improve certain qualities of a natural site that are neglected in its current state, such as accessibility, or do all additions aggravate the essence of nature and make the site less exquisite? What sacrifices are necessary to make in order to provide high quality environments for the inhabitants, and do they conflict with the interests of visitors, or could they possibly coincide?

The design of traffic signal control plan is directly related to the level of traffic congestion experienced both at the junction level and the network particularly in urban areas. Ensuring signals are well designed is one of the most cost-effective ways of tackling urban congestion problems. Signal time plans are designed with the help of signal optimization models. Optimization can either be done for multiple or single objectives and is formulated as a problem of finding the appropriate cycle lengths, green splits, and offsets. Some of these objective functions include; better mobility, efficient energy use, and environmental sustainability. LinSig and TRANSYT are two of the most widely used traffic signal optimization tools in Sweden. Each of them has an inbuilt optimization function which differs from the other. LinSig optimizes based on delay or maximum reserve capacity while TRANSYT optimization is based on performance index (P.I) involving delay, progression, stops and fuel consumption.This thesis compared these optimization models through theoretical review and application to a case study in Norrköping. The theoretical review showed that both TRANSYT and LinSig have objective functions based on delay and its derivatives. The review also showed that these models suffer from the inability to accurately model block back as they are based on the assumption of vertical queuing of traffic at the stop line. Apart from these similarities, these two models also have significant variations with respect to modeling short congested sections of the network as well as modeling mixed traffic including different vehicle classes, pedestrians, and cyclists.From the case study, TRANSYT showed longer cycle time compared to LinSig in both scenarios as its optimization objectives include both delay and stops while LinSig accounts for only delay. The Allocation of phase green splits and individual junction delay was comparable for undersaturated junctions while congested network sections had significant differences. Total network delay was, however, less in LinSig compared to TRANSYT. This could be attributed to different modeling criteria for mixed traffic and congested network in addition to the fact that cyclists were not modeled in TRANSYT. VISSIM simulation of the two-signal time plans showed that network delay and queue lengths from TRANSYT signal timings are much less compared to LinSig time plans. A strong indication of better signal coordination.

COMPARISONS OF FISH SPECIES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF MARINE PROTECTED AREAS OFF THE SOUTH CENTRAL COAST OF CALIFORNIA David E. Rasmussen From 2004-2008 and 2008-2009 Cal Poly University researchers conducted two separate tag and recapture studies of nearshore fish populations along California’s central coast. Three locations were sampled that have experienced different degrees of fishing pressure. Big Creek MPA has been closed to all fishing from 1993 onwards and is the farthest from port of all locations. Cambria lies closest to port of the three locations and because of this has the highest fishing pressure. Piedras Blancas lies midway between Cambria and Big Creek. Portions of Cambria and Piedras Blancas were designated as MPAs in 2007. Sampling protocols of these two different studies differed in bait used and size of commercial fish trap. An experiment was conducted to simultaneously compare the different trapping and baiting protocols from the prior studies to find a conversion factor that related catch per unit effort (CPUE), length frequency distributions and captured fish diversity between the two studies, thus providing a means to connect the two data sets for stock assessments and baseline MPA monitoring. Our sampling showed no significant difference in mean fish length or diversity between the two protocols for the five most common nearshore fish species captured, and three of the five species showed no significant difference in CPUE. Cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus), showed a significantly lower CPUE (50.5%) using the MLPA monitoring protocols compared to the commercial fishing protocol and black and yellow rockfish (Sebastes chrysomelas) had a significantly higher CPUE (310%) using the MLPA monitoring protocol. These findings provide a means of maintaining data continuity across the entire sample region and inclusion of earlier projects in the analyses of nearshore fish populations of the region. With the linkage of these two studies we provide important baseline data for the Cambria MPA from before it was established in 2007. Fish populations were compared on a year-to-year basis within each location, and between the different locations. I found several main factors helped to explain differences in size and abundance across time within individual locations, and across the three locations. These factors were inherent differences in habitat, establishment of MPAs, and changes in fishing pressure and post-larval recruitment. Cabezon were largest within Big Creek, followed by Piedras Blancas and Cambria which held the smallest fish, suggesting that fishing pressure is influencing fish size. However, cabezon were more abundant at Cambria than either other location suggesting that location is influencing abundance. Within Cambria, we are seeing an MPA effect with abundance within the MPA staying stable while the reference site is declining. Gopher rockfish (Sebastes carnatus) and black and yellow rockfish had similar trends with size and abundance between locations. Big Creek and Piedras Blancas held the largest fish, while Cambria was smaller. Both rockfish species were most abundant at Big Creek, followed by Cambria then Piedras Blancas. Size for these species is likely influenced by fishing pressure, and abundance is likely influenced by both fishing pressure and location. Both species increased in abundance 2004-2009 at Cambria, and this could be due to improved levels of post-larval recruitment. There is also a possible MPA effect for gopher rockfish at Cambria with a near significant divergence in size of fish between the MPA and reference site. Kelp greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus) were similar in size and abundance between all sampling locations. There is a possible MPA effect at Cambria, with a significantly higher abundance than the reference site; however this difference predates the MPA’s establishment but could have been exacerbated by it. Lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) size did not vary significantly between sites, but they were the most abundant at Cambria, followed by Piedras Blancas, then Big Creek, suggesting that habitat is influencing abundance. There was also a possible MPA effect on abundance of lingcod at Cambria with the MPA having a significantly higher abundance than the reference site. Similarly to the kelp greenling, these differences predated the MPA, but could have been exacerbated by its establishment, and abundance within the MPA has stayed stable, while the reference site was declining. Big Creek and Piedras Blancas have similar Shannon-Weiner diversity values, while Cambria has significantly lower. However, after MPA establishment at Cambria, the MPA has attained significantly higher diversity levels than the reference site. Over the short period of time that the Piedras Blancas and Cambria MPA have been established the populations within them have changed. However, there are no discernable trends in size, abundance and diversity between the MPA and reference sites at both locations. It is likely that with these slower growing, long-lived fish species that it will take more years for differences between the sites to manifest themselves.

One of the defining trends in international finance over the last two decades has been the unprecedented growth in the levels of international reserves accumulated by emerging nations. In a global financial system characterized by market failures and sudden stops, many developing countries have opted for the protection provided by individual accumulation of reserves as a second-best outcome. However, as suggested by Rodrik (2006), among others, the accumulation of reserves comes at a hefty opportunity cost to the nations that hold them. It is this particular aspect that brings into question--or at least merits a re-examination of--the validity and efficiency of reserve accumulation as a stabilization and development strategy, particularly in the context of some cash-strapped developing nations. This dissertation takes an in-depth look at this trend in Latin America by investigating the extent of protection of these precautionary reserves, the role of contagion risk in the accumulation process, and the outlook of regional arrangements of cooperation, such as regional reserve pooling mechanisms.

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Upphävande av ett naturreservat innebär inte alltid att reservatet upphävs helt, utan det kan även innebära förändringar av reservatets syfte eller ändringar i naturreservatsföreskrifterna. Upphävande av naturreservat kan vara nödvändigt av olika skäl och får ske endast i undantagsfall och efter noggrann bedömning där två olika faktorer vägs samman. Dels förekomsten av synnerliga skäl för upphävande samt möjligheten att kompensera för förlust av naturvärden. Denna studie undersöker förutsättningarna för upphävande av naturreservat generellt och förutsättningarna för upphävande av naturreservatet Pålsjö skog i Helsingborg. Genom en analys av lagstiftning, förarbeten och domar relaterade till upphävandet av naturreservat får man en djupare förståelse för den juridiska ramen och tidigare praxis. Aktiv deltagande och observationer av Helsingborgsteamet och Stadsbyggnadsnämnden i Helsingborg ger insikt i deras perspektiv, arbetsprocess och utmaningar. Slutsatsen från studien är att definitionen och tillämpningen av "synnerliga skäl" och "kompensation" inom naturvårdsområdet är komplexa och föremål för diskussion och tolkning. "Synnerliga skäl" avser exceptionella omständigheter som motiverar upphävande av naturreservat, medan "kompensation" handlar om att balansera eller motverka förlusten av naturvärden i samband med upphävanden. Det finns utmaningar med att fastställa rättvisa och effektiva kompensationsåtgärder samt bedöma värdet av förlorade naturvärden. Återskapande av den ursprungliga biologiska mångfalden och naturliga processer efter upphävande av naturreservat är svårt. Kompensation kräver noggrann planering och förvaltning för att ha en positiv och hållbar effekt på naturmiljön. Förbättringar kan göras genom att utveckla tydliga riktlinjer och rättsliga principer för kompensationsåtgärder samt involvera experter och berörda parter i beslutsprocessen. Att uppnå balans mellan naturvärden och samhällets utvecklingsbehov är viktigt. Genom fortsatt diskussion och utforskning av dessa begrepp kan vi arbeta mot förbättrad naturvård och bevarande av våra värdefulla naturresurser. / The revocation of a nature reserve does not always mean the complete revocation of the reserve, but it can also involve changes to the purpose of the reserve or amendments to the nature reserve regulations. Revoking a nature reserve may be necessary for various reasons and can only occur in exceptional cases and after careful consideration, weighing two different factors. These factors include the existence of exceptional reasons for revocation and the possibility of compensating for the loss of natural values. This study examines the conditions for revoking nature reserves in general and the conditions for revoking the Pålsjö Skog nature reserve in Helsingborg specifically. Through an analysis of legislation, preparatory works, and court judgments related to the revocation of nature reserves, a deeper understanding of the legal framework and past practices is obtained. Active participation and observations of the Helsingborg team and the Urban Planning Committee provide insights into their perspectives, working processes, and challenges. The conclusion of the study is that the definition and application of "exceptional reasons" and "compensation" within the field of nature conservation are complex and subject to discussion and interpretation. "Exceptional reasons" refer to exceptional circumstances that justify the revocation of a nature reserve, while "compensation" involves balancing or counteracting the loss of natural values associated with revocations. There are challenges in determining fair and effective compensation measures and assessing the value of lost natural values. Restoring the original biodiversity and natural processes after the revocation of a nature reserve is difficult. Compensation requires careful planning and management to have a positive and sustainable impact on the natural environment. Improvements can be made by developing clear guidelines and legal principles for compensation measures and involving experts and stakeholders in the decision-making process. Achieving a balance between natural values and the development needs of society is important. Through continued discussion and exploration of these concepts, we can work towards improved nature conservation and preservation of our valuable natural resources.

Growing up amidst the mountains of Jämtland sparked a passion in me to discover how nature could influence and inspire architectural design. For my diploma project, I envisioned four structures situated along two hiking trails, the Jämtland's Triangle in Åre Municipality and Sameslingan, in the Nature Reserve Paradiset in Huddinge. My design approach was a fusion of ecological and geometric principles. To create organic structures, I employed my understanding of topography, water flows, and hiking trails to shape the structures' geometric form. Furthermore, I drew inspiration from the Sami tradition of seamlessly blending into nature, leaving minimal impact on the landscape. To reflect this, I utilized natural materials such as wood, rammed earth, and stones from the site. The structures are also designed to be either easily assembled and disassembled or to gradually erode, becoming one with the earth and rocks. In this way, the structures will have a minimal environmental footprint and will be sustainable over time. My project also aims to shed light on the tragic history of colonialization of the Sami people in Jämtland. By doing so, my project aims to not only create sustainable structures but also to raise awareness and create a deeper connection between people and nature.

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This study compares suspended sediment and land use/land cover in the watershed of Weeks Bay, Alabama. Using Landsat thematic mapper imagery, potential high and low erosion sites were determined based on the increase in urban development form 2002 to 2005. In situ sediment sampling was used to test the hypothesis that the high erosion potential sites have larger amounts of suspended sediments. Additionally, sampling was performed along the Fish and Magnolia rivers to establish a background total suspended sediment level. The background study established an average total suspended sediment concentration of 18.71 mg/L for the Fish River and 17.47 mg/L for the Magnolia River, which are higher than previous studies. The results of the comparison between suspended sediments and land use/land cover proved to be more complex than expected due to variation in precipitation, to the 30 m satellite resolution, and to the criteria for classifying urban land use.