Nineteen bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) cultivars were evaluated for field emergence, establishment rate, traffic tolerance, post-harvest seed coating, germination velocity, and total germination under varying temperature regimes. Two cultivars were evaluated for thermal modeling, day/night temperature fluctuations, day lengths, and effects of fluridone on speed and percentage of total germination. The effect of cultivar was highly significant for visible field germination, time to 100% cover, and traffic tolerance in both 2010 and 2011. Riviera was the slowest or equivalent to the slowest for visible germination. Casino Royale was the fastest or equivalent to the fastest for visible germination. Yukon was the slowest to reach 100% cover in both years, while Sovereign was the quickest for 2010. Riviera and Sovereign were equivalent for the quickest to cover in 2011. Riviera and Yukon ranked highest and lowest, respectfully, in tolerance to simulated athletic traffic. There were no significant effects (p>0.05) of post-harvest seed coatings. There were highly significant differences among cultivars in germination velocity and total germination when grown under 20-year average day/night temperatures representing data from Lexington, KY on 15 May to 1 August in 15 day intervals. Evaluations for day/night temperature regimes, day length regimes, and effects of fluridone on the germination speed and percentage were also completed on Riviera and Casino Royale. Day/night regimes of 35/20, 35/25, and 40/25 degrees Celsius were evaluated. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed, 35/20oC producing the fastest and highest percentage of germination across both cultivars. Day length was evaluated for 8, 12, 14, and 16 hours with no significant differences (p<0.05) observed. Fluridone significantly (p<0.05) decreased the germination time and increased the percentage of total germination of Riviera while only significant differences (p<0.05) in germination time observed with Casino Royale.

Aspect-oriented software design (AOSD) enables better and more complete separation of concerns in software-intensive systems. By extracting aspect code and relegating crosscutting functionality to aspects, software engineers can improve the maintainability of their code by reducing code tangling and coupling of code concerns. Further, the number of software defects has been shown to correlate with the number of non- encapsulated nonfunctional crosscutting concerns in a system. Aspect-mining is a technique that uses data mining techniques to identify existing aspects in legacy code. Unfortunately, there is a lack of suitably-documented test data for aspect- mining research and none that is fully representative of large-scale legacy systems. Using a new technique called concern seeding--based on the decades-old concept of error seeding--a tool called AspectAssay (akin to the radioimmunoassay test in medicine) was developed. The concern seeding technique allows researchers to seed existing legacy code with nonfunctional crosscutting concerns of known type, location, and quantity, thus greatly increasing the pool of available test data for aspect mining research. Nine seeding test cases were run on a medium-sized codebase using the AspectAssay tool. Each test case seeded a different concern type (data validation, tracing, and observer) and attempted to achieve target values for each of three metrics: 0.95 degree of scattering across methods (DOSM), 0.95 degree of scattering across classes (DOSC), and 10 concern instances. The results were manually verified for their accuracy in producing concerns with known properties (i.e., type, location, quantity, and scattering). The resulting code compiled without errors and was functionally identical to the original. The achieved metrics averaged better than 99.9% of their target values. Following the small tests, each of the three previously mentioned concern types was seeded with a wide range of target metric values on each of two codebases--one medium-sized and one large codebase. The tool targeted DOSM and DOSC values in the range 0.01 to 1.00. The tool also attempted to reach target number of concern instances from 1 to 100. Each of these 1,800 test cases was attempted ten times (18,000 total trials). Where mathematically feasible (as permitted by scattering formulas), the tests tended to produce code that closely matched target metric values. Each trial's result was expressed as a percentage of its target value. There were 903 test cases that averaged at least 0.90 of their targets. For each test case's ten trials, the standard deviation of those trials' percentages of their targets was calculated. There was an average standard deviation in all the trials of 0.0169. For the 808 seed attempts that averaged at least 0.95 of their targets, the average standard deviation across the ten trials for a particular target was only 0.0022. The tight grouping of trials for their test cases suggests a high repeatability for the AspectAssay technique and tool. The concern seeding technique opens the door for expansion of aspect mining research. Until now, such research has focused on small, well-documented legacy programs. Concern seeding has proved viable for producing code that is functionally identical to the original and contains concerns with known properties. The process is repeatable and precise across multiple seeding attempts and also accurate for many ranges of target metric values. Just like error seeding is useful in identifying indigenous errors in programs, concern seeding could also prove useful in estimating indigenous nonfunctional crosscutting concerns, thus introducing a new method for evaluating the performance of aspect mining algorithms.

A escolha e caracterização do ecossistema de referencia são fundamentais para orientar as ações de restauração. Além disso, novas técnicas devem ser testadas para aumentar a riqueza e o potencial da restauração ecológica, sendo duas delas a semeadura direta e a estaquia. A área de estudo corresponde a um trecho de pastagem e três fragmentos de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, no município de Piracaia, São Paulo (23º00\'58\'\' a 23º00\'31\'\' S e 46º17\'04\'\' a 46º16\'26\'\' W). Esta dissertação teve como objetivo, no primeiro capitulo, elaborar um levantamento florístico dos fragmentos florestais e da regeneração natural na área de pasto do Projeto Cachoeira. No segundo capitulo avaliou-se o potencial de utilização da semeadura direta, objetivando-se: i) Estudar espécies nativas potenciais para uso da técnica; ii) Avaliar se a densidade de plântulas após seis meses foi suficiente para se obter uma ocupação de 1667 mudas por hectare; iii) Avaliar diferentes condições (tratamentos) da semeadura de espécies nativas para potencializar a emergência e estabelecimento das plântulas. O terceiro capitulo teve como objetivos: i) avaliar a capacidade de estabelecimento de estacas de grande porte diretamente no campo em 5 tratamentos (duas concentrações de hormônio AIB 4000 e 6000 ppm; com e sem a aplicação de hidrogel; e testemunha); ii) avaliar o enraizamento de estacas de pequeno porte em câmara de nebulização em 3 tratamentos (em duas concentrações de hormônio AIB 4000 e 6000 ppm e testemunha). O resultado do estudo floristico realizado no fragmento florestal 1 resultou na amostragem de 38 famílias, 72 gêneros, 87 espécies. No fragmento 2 foram amostradas 40 famílias, 73 gêneros, 86 espécies. No fragmento 3 foram amostradas 37 famílias, 79 gêneros, 104 espécies. Na área de pastagem obteve-se 20 famílias, 27 gêneros, 39 espécies. Na analise floristica geral foram amostradas 156 espécies, 112 gêneros, pertencentes a 51 famílias. O resultado da semeadura mostrou que está técnica é viável. Avaliando-se após 180 dias o melhor tratamento (sem hidratação recoberto com terra) apresentou 3817 indivíduos ha -1, obtendo o maior índice de estabelecimento. Devemos salientar que através da utilização de diversos tratamentos, pode-se criar distinto microssitios, permitindo o aumento da riqueza e diversidade de espécies estabelecidas tanto pela semeadura direta, quanto pela regeneração natural. A incorporação ou recobrimento das sementes se mostrou de extrema importância para a germinação e estabelecimento destas. Os resultados demonstrados para a técnica de estaquia sugerem que são necessários novos estudos e aprimoramentos para que esta técnica se torne viável nas condições avaliadas. Para estacas de grande porte, observou-se após 45 dias uma mortalidade de 100%. Isto provavelmente ocorreu devido à baixa resistência das estacas à dessecação, o que pode ser verificado com as estacas de pequeno porte na Câmera de Nebulização, onde por problemas mecânicos as estacas ficaram sem aspersão de água por dois dias e novamente a mortalidade foi total. Entretanto observações empíricas sugerem que espécies de subbosque apresentam potencial para a técnica de estaquia nas condições de Câmera de Nebulização, assim como alguns estudos apontam que está técnica pode ser eficaz para algumas espécies de Cerrado. / The selection and characterization of the ecosystem of reference are essential to guide restoration actions. In addition, new techniques must be tested to increase the wealth and potential of ecological restoration, two of these new techniques are direct seeding and cuttings. The study area corresponds to a stretch of pasture and three fragments of semideciduous forest in the municipality of Piracaia, Sao Paulo (23 ° 00\'58\'\'23 ° 00\'31\'\'Sand 46 º 17\'04\'\'to 46 16\'26\'\'W). This work aims, in the first chapter, prepare a floristic survey of forest fragments and natural regeneration in the area of pasture Project Waterfall. In the second chapter evaluates the potential use of direct seeding, aiming to: i) to study native species for potential use of the technique, ii) Evaluated the density of seedlings after six months was sufficient to obtain an occupancy rate of 1666 seedling per hectare iii) evaluated different conditions (treatments) of native species sowing to potentiate the emergence and seedling establishment. The third chapter aimed to: i) evaluated the ability for large cuttings directly in the field in five treatments (two hormone concentration 4000 and 6000 ppm IBA, with and without the application of hydrogel, and control), ii) evaluate the rooting of small cuttings in a fogging chamber in three treatments (two hormone concentration 4000 and 6000 ppm and control). The result of floristic study conducted in the forest fragment 1 resulted in a sample of 38 families, 72 genera, 87 species. In fragment 3 were sampled 37 families, 79 genera, 104 species. In the pasture area was obtained 20 families, 27 genera, 39 species. In general floristic analyses werw sampled 156 species, 122 genera, belonging to 51 families. The result showed that the seeding technique is feasible. Evaluating after 180 days the best treatment (not covered with soil moisture) showed 3817 individuals ha -1, obtaining the highest rate of establishment. We note that through the use of several treatments, you can create separate micros sites, allowing the increase of wealth and diversity of species established both by direct sowing as by natural regeneration. The incorporation or coating of the seeds proved to be extremely important for germination. The incorporation or coating of the seeds proved to be extremely important for germination and establishment of these. The results shown for the technique of cutting suggest that further studies and improvements for this technique to be viable under the conditions evaluated. For cuttings of large size, was observed after 45 days a 100% of mortality. This was probably due to low resistance of the cutting to desiccation o, which can be verified with the small cuttings in Fogging Camera. Because mechanical problems these small cuttings were without water for two days and again total mortality was showed again. However empirical observations suggest that understory species have potential for the technique of cutting in Fogging Camera conditions, as well as some studies suggest that this technique can be effective for some species of the Cerrado.

As necessidades e demandas de restauração florestal têm crescido e novas técnicas devem ser testadas para aumentar o sucesso em campo e reduzir os custos dessas ações de restauração florestal. O LERF/ESALQ/USP já apresenta estudos sobre a seleção de espécies de recobrimento (bom crescimento e boa cobertura no curto prazo), para reduzir o tempo de formação do dossel inicial, reduzindo assim os custos de manutenção e criando estrutura florestal para demais processos ecológicos, como o enriquecimento natural ou artificial de todas as formas de vida florestais. O presente estudo avaliou dois experimentos quanto ao uso de sementes das espécies de recobrimento, tendo como parâmetros de avaliação a emergência de plântulas e o estabelecimento de indivíduos jovens como variáveis respostas para eficiência como metodologia para restauração florestal. O primeiro experimento foi realizado na área experimental da Fazenda Guariroba, em Pontes Gestal - SP, onde foi avaliado o potencial da semeadura direta mecanizada de espécies nativas de recobrimento em linha, consorciadas com a semeadura de espécies de adubação verde nas entrelinhas (composição de espécies, classificadas de acordo com as características de altura de cada espécie como: adubação verde de pequeno porte e espécies de adubação verde de grande porte). A técnica de semeadura direta de espécies nativas florestais consorciadas com a semeadura direta de espécies de adubação verde pode ser considerada eficiente quanto à elevada densidade de indivíduos/ha e baixos custos, em relação ao método de plantio de mudas. O segundo experimento foi realizado na área experimental do viveiro BIOFLORA, Piracicaba - SP, onde foram avaliadas diferentes combinações de substratos e de cobertura das sementes na fase inicial de germinação para semeadura direta de quatro espécies nativas florestais de recobrimento (C. floribundus, G. ulmifolia, S. multijuga, S. granulosoleprosum); e diferentes combinações de substratos e cobertura das sementes na fase inicial de germinação, além do uso ou não de gel absorvente apenas para a espécie C. floribundus; utilizando as variáveis resposta de emergência de plântulas e estabelecimento de indivíduos 12 meses após a semeadura direta em campo, como metodologia para restauração florestal. Os dois experimentos sugerem a eficiência do uso do substrato para hortaliças e o uso da cobertura das sementes para a emergência de plântulas das espécies nativas (C. floribundus, G. ulmifolia e S. multijuga). Especificamente para a espécie C. floribundus, o uso do gel absorvente hidratado foi indicado para a semeadura direta em covas. Não houve emergência e estabelecimento suficiente de indivíduos da espécie S. granulosoleprosum para análise estatística. Ao comparar as duas metodologias de semeadura direta, a semeadura direta manual em covas é a mais indicada como estratégia de restauração florestal, quanto à densidade de indivíduos e alta probabilidade de formação de povoamentos uniformes (fator não observado na semeadura direta mecanizada em linha). / The restoration projects are increasing and new techniques should be tested to increase success in the field and reduce the costs of these forest restoration activities. The LERF / ESALQ / USP already has studies on the selection of coating species (rapid growth and good coverage), to reduce the initial canopy formation time, thereby reducing maintenance costs and creating forest structure for other ecological processes. This study assessed two methods of use fast-growing species seeds by using the emergency and establishment parameters as response variables to evaluate the efficiency and cost of these methodologies of forest restoration in two different experimental areas. Fazenda Guariroba experimental area in Pontes Gestal - SP, where it was evaluated the potential of direct seeding of fast-growing forest species, and seeding green manure species concurrent. It was studied mechanized direct seeding as a factor in two levels (species composition of green manure, classified as small and large green manure species). The direct seeding technique of forest native species and green manure species concurrent can be considered effective as high density of individuals/ha and lower costs relative to seedling planting method. However, there was no significant difference between the combinations of green manure species treatments, suggesting the use species of both treatments. BIOFLORA experimental area (Piracicaba - SP), where it was evaluated different substrates and coverage combinations for four forest species (Croton floribundus Spreng recoating Guazuma ulmifolia Lam, Senna multijuga (Rich.) HSIrwin & Barneby, Solanum granulosoleprosum Dunal) and different combinations of substrates, coverage and gel for Croton floribundus Spreng species, using the emergency and establishment response variables after 12 months of direct sowing in the field. The two experiments suggest the efficiency of greenery substrate and sombrite coverage type uses for direct seedlings of forest species studied (C. floribundus, G. ulmifolia and S. multijuga). Specifically for C. floribundus specie, the hydrated gel is indicated for direct sowing. There was not enough S. granulosoleprosum species data for statistical analysis.

A fragmentação das formações naturais e a degradação de habitats provocados pela intervenção antrópica têm gerado uma grande perda de biodiversidade. Para mitigar esses impactos, faz-se necessária a implantação de ações de restauração em áreas historicamente degradadas. Esta dissertação visa testar o uso da técnica de semeadura direta de espécies de recobrimento, que é indicada como uma técnica prévia e complementar ao plantio de mudas de espécies de diversidade, visando à redução os custos de implantação e manutenção de projetos de restauração ecológica. O experimento avaliou a semeadura de espécies de recobrimento e de adubação verde, como Senna alata (L.) Roxb. e Cajanus cajan cv. BRS Mandarim, visando ao rápido recobrimento inicial de áreas de preservação permanente (APPs) degradadas. Além disso foi testado como técnica alternativa, o plantio de mudas de espécies de diversidade e de recobrimento junto à semeadura direta de Leucena - Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit.: cv. Cunningham, nas entrelinhas. O estudo foi desenvolvido em APPs degradadas na Usina São Manoel e na Usina São João, no estado de São Paulo. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, com 16 parcelas de 30x24m, para cada local. Nessas parcelas foram estabelecidos 3 tratamentos (T1, T2, T3) e um controle (T4) a saber: T1) semeadura direta em covas da espécie de recobrimento Senna alata (L.) Roxb. (3 sementes por cova) consorciada com plantio de mudas de espécies de diversidade (20 espécies com 3 indivíduos cada uma); T2) semeadura direta em covas da espécie de recobrimento Cajanus cajan cv. BRS (3 sementes por cova), consorciado com plantio de mudas de espécies de diversidade (20 espécies com 3 indivíduos cada uma); T3) semeadura direta na entrelinha com a espécie de recobrimento de Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit. ( (20 sementes por metro linhar) consorciado com plantio de mudas de espécies de recobrimento (5 espécies com 12 indivíduos)e de diversidade (20 espécies com 3 indivíduos cada uma) e T4) Controle, plantio de mudas de recobrimento (5 espécies com 12 indivíduos), consorciado com plantio de mudas de espécies de diversidade (20 espécies com 3 indivíduos cada uma). Foram obtidos dados de diâmetro, altura, cobertura de copa, cobertura de gramíneas, mortalidade das mudas, área basal e densidade em duas avaliações, no período de 12 meses. Além disso, os custos operacionais de cada tratamento foram registrados e monitorados. Os resultados mostraram que não houve diferenças estatísticas nos descritores de vegetação entre o plantio de restauração convencional e o uso de semeadura direta para recobrimento. No entanto, foi verificado que, com o uso de semeadura direta, os custos de operações de plantio semi-mecanizado e de replantio são reduzidos pela metade, o que comprova a vantagem dessa técnica. Ainda convém ressaltar que estudos futuros devam ser feitos uma vez que o período de avaliação de 12 meses é considerado muito curto, portanto os resultados são ainda incipientes. / The fragmentation of natural formations and the extinction of habitats caused by human intervention have generated a great biodiversity loss. To mitigate these impacts, it is necessary to implement the restoration activities in historically degraded areas. This dissertation tries to test the use of direct seeding technique indicated as a complementary and preview one to seedling planting with species of diversity aiming lower costs of deployment and maintenance of ecological restoration projects. The objective of this experiment is to evaluate the seeding use of green manure species with the legume shrubby species Senna alata (L.) Roxb Cajanus cajan cv. BRS Mandarim aiming the fast initial covering in permanent preservation areas degraded in agriculture environment. Besides, as complementary technique of the seedling plantings of diversity and coverage species, direct seedling Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit.: cv. Cunningham, between the lines was tested. The study was developed in permanent preservation areas degraded in two different places at São Manoel mill, in São Manoel town and at Sao João mill in Araras town in the state of São Paulo. The used experimental design was randomized blocks design with sixteen plots of 30x24m for each local. In these plots, three treatments were established (T1,T2,T3) and a control (T4): T1) direct seedling in pits of covering Senna alata (L.) Roxb. (three seeds per hole) along with the seedling planting of diversity species (twenty species with three items of each one); T2) direct seedlings in pits of covering Cajanus cajan cv. BRS (3 seeds for hole), along with the seedlings plantings of diversity species ( twenty species with three items of each one); T3) direct seedling of covering Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit. (twenty seeds per meter) along with the seedling planting of diversity species ( twenty species with three items of each one) and covering ( five species with twelve items) and T4) control, the planting of covering seedling (five species with twelve items), along with the seedling planting of diversity species (twelve species with three items of each one). Data of diameter, height, canopy covering, grass covering, seedling mortality, basal area and density have been gotten in two assessments in 12 months. In addition, operating costs per treatment were recorded and monitored. The results showed that there were no statistical differences in the descriptors in vegetation between the conventional restoration planting and the use of direct seedling for recovering, therefore, it was observed that the costs of semi-mechanized planting operations and the replanting are reduced to half cost using the direct seedling, proving the advantage of this technique. It is also important to mention that the future studies must be performed once the period of twelve month evaluation is considered very short, therefore the results are still incipient.

A degradação florestal tem aumentado significativamente nas últimas décadas e gerado impactos ambientais consideráveis, exigindo o estabelecimento de técnicas economicamente viáveis e eficazes de restauração florestal. Atualmente tem sido proposta a semeadura direta como uma alternativa ao plantio de mudas devido ao seu baixo custo. No entanto, ainda são poucos os trabalhos com semeadura direta que objetivem selecionar espécies que apresentam maiores porcentagens de emergência e sobrevivência. Diante disso, nós realizamos um estudo de semeadura direta com espécies arbóreas nativas da Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, no sul do Brasil, com o objetivo de: (1) determinar se atributos reprodutivos (massa, forma e conteúdo de água da semente) influenciam na germinação; (2) testar a efetividade da semeadura direta em tratamentos com e sem cobertura de palhada, sementes enterradas e não enterradas e (3) estabelecer critérios para a seleção de espécies para restauração ecológica. Foram coletadas sementes de 17 espécies, testadas a germinação em laboratório e, destas, 12 foram semeadas em campo. Foram medidos a forma, massa e conteúdo de água das sementes. Estes atributos foram relacionados com a taxa de germinação, tempo médio de germinação e índice de velocidade de germinação para as espécies testadas em laboratório. Na semeadura direta foram calculados a emergência, estabelecimento e sobrevivência e comparado as diferenças entre três tratamentos: enterrada com cobertura, enterrada sem cobertura e não enterrada com cobertura. Em laboratório o formato das sementes teve efeito sobre o índice de velocidade germinação, indicando que as sementes achatadas germinam mais rapidamente. Na semeadura direta, as sementes enterradas e com cobertura de palhada apresentaram maiores taxas de germinação (52% para Allophylus edulis), porém não houve efeito significativo para o estabelecimento e a sobrevivência. Nosso estudo sugere que espécies com sementes achatadas devem ser priorizadas em trabalhos de restauração ecológica florestal e que, na semeadura direta, as sementes quando enterradas aumentam o sucesso da semeadura. / Deforestation has increased significantly in the last decades and generated considerable environmental impacts, requiring the establishment of economically viable and effective forest restoration techniques. Direct sowing has now been proposed as an alternative to planting seedlings because of its low cost. However, there are still few works with direct seeding that aim to select species that show highest germination and establishment. Therefore, we carried out a direct sowing study with native tree species of the South Brazilian Semideciduous Seasonal Forest, aim to: (1) determine if reproductive attributes (mass, shape and water content of the seed) interfere with germination; (2) to test the effectiveness of direct seeding in treatments with and without seed cover, buried and non-buried seeds, and (3) establish criteria for selection of species for ecological restoration using direct seeding. Seeds of 17 species were collected and tested in the laboratory and 12 of them were sowed in the field. The traits seed mass, seed form and water content were related to germination rate, mean germination time and germination speed index for the species tested in the laboratory. In direct seeding, we compared the three treatments ‘buried with cover’, ‘buried without cover’, ‘not buried with cover’and analysed emergence, establishment and survival. In the laboratory, the flattened seeds presented greater germinability and a higher rate of germination, and the interaction of seed form and mass was significant for germination rate. In direct seeding, buried seedlings with mulch cover presented higher germination rates, but there was no significant effect for establishment and survival. Our study suggests that species with flattened seeds should be prioritized in forest ecological restoration and that, when buried, increase direct seeding success.

Medimos a seção de choque de fotofissão do 238U entre 200 e 1200 MeV, utilizando um feixe de fótons monocromáticos formados a partir da radiação de Bremsstrahlung dos elétrons armazenados no síncrotron Adone, em Frascati (Itália). Verificamos que para este núcleo, nesta faixa de energias, as seções de choque de fotofissâo e de fotoabsorção podem ser consideradas iguais, dentro dos erros experimentais. Comparando a seção de choque de fotoabsorção do urânio com a de outros núcleos, medidas também por nós em Frascati, verificamos que não há indícios do efeito de sombreamento até 1200 MeV. Por outro lado, comparando os nossos resultados com a seção de choque de fotoabsorção do próton na mesma faixa de energia, concluímos que as ressonâncias nucleônicas a energias superiores à da delta, notadamente as ressonâncias D13 e F15, são fortemente amortecidas nos núcleos complexos. Introduzimos um modelo fenomenológico a fim de descrever os nossos dados experimentais, obtendo resultados muito satisfatórios. / We have measured the 238U photofission cross section between 200 and 1200 MeV using a Bremsstrahlung monochromatic photon beam in the Adone facilities, at Frascati (Italy). For this nucleus, we have verified that, at the energy range considered here, the photofission and photoabsorption cross sections can be considered as being identical. From the comparison of the uranium photoabsorption cross section with that one for other nuclei, also measured in Frascati, we verified that there is no evidence of the shadowing effect up to 1200 MeV. On the other hand, by comparing our results with the próton photoabsorption cross section in the same energy range, we concluded that there is an strong damping of the nucleonic resonances in the D13 and F15 region. We introduced a fenomenologic model to describe our experimental data, obtaining very satisfatory results.

Transmissores agnósticos em comprimento de onda colorless [1], isto é, transmissores que não estão restritos à operação em um único comprimento de onda, são considerados como um dos pré-requisitos para os projetos de redes ópticas passivas baseadas na multiplexação por divisão em comprimento de onda Wavelength Division Multiplexing Passive Optical Network. Esta configuração reduz consideravelmente os custos operacionais e de instalação da rede WDM-PON, uma vez que um único tipo de transmissor pode ser usado em qualquer terminal de assinante, independentemente dos comprimentos de onda pré-estabelecidos para os usuários em questão. Entretanto, a possibilidade de aumento do número de usuários e da capacidade de transmissão agregada, com poucas modificações na estrutura da rede WDM-PON, garantindo uma melhor relação custo-benefício, são questões também essenciais no projeto de sistemas multi-comprimento de onda.Tendo em vista o panoramo exposto, neste trabalho é proposta uma nova topologia de reuso de portadora óptica para redes WDM-PON, a qual combina sinais autoalimentados e remodulação óptica no domínio da intensidade, visando o atendimento das premissas tecnológicas para cenários de nova geração. Como metodologia, investigações experimentais são conduzidas em termos de caracterizações ópticas em função de vários parâmetros e avaliações sistêmicas em taxas simétricas de 1,25 Gb/s, no âmbito de redes de acesso e acesso estendido. Utilizam-se transmissores colorless do tipo amplificadores ópticos semicondutores refletivos e fontes ópticas banda larga baseadas em emissão espontânea amplificada, de forma a garantir a simplificação dos terminais dos usuários. Adicionalmente, são realizadas análises comparativas entre essa proposta frente aos trabalhos encontrados na literatura técnica, quando possível, em termos de custos operacionais, desempenho sistêmico e viabilidade de expansão para cenários a taxas simétricas de 10 Gb/s. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, acredita-se que essa topologia possa ser expandida para cenários de até 10 Gb/s com o uso de técnicas apropriadas de apagamento de portadora, mantendo a melhor relação custo-beneficio para sistemas de remodulação no domínio da intensidade. / Wavelength agnostic (colorless) transmitters [1], i.e, transmitters which are not fixed to a specific wavelength operation, are regarded as one of the essential keys for the designing of wavelength division multiplexing passive optical networks (WDM-PONs). The use of colorless transceiver leads to a reduction in the mainentence cost of the network, once the same basic optoelectronic hardware can be employed to provide any wavelength required by a specific optical network termination (ONT). However, the possibility of a graceful increase on the number of ONTs and transmission capacity offered by the network, with no disruptive changes in the WDM-PON infra-structure, while keeping a cost-effective topology, are also attractive features in the design of future access networks. In this context, a novel wavelength-reuse topology for WDMPON is proposed in this work. The wavelength-sharing technique is based on combined self-seeded and remodulated signals in the intensity domain, in order to comply with the technology requierements for next generation networks. Experimental analysis are carried out in respect to optical characterization and system evaluation on symmetric rates of 1.25 Gb/s, aiming both short reach and extended reach scenarios. Reflective semicondutor optical amplifiers and broadband light sources based on amplified spontaneous emission are used as colorless transceivers in order to guarantee a costeffective ONT configuration. Also, comparative analyses between this proposal and works found in the technical literatural are established in terms of maintenance costs, system performance and feasibility of expansion to symmetric 10 Gb/s scenario. According to the results, we believe that network could be expanded to symmetric 10 Gb/s scenario with the development of proper erasure technique, while keeping the best cost-effective configuration of intensity-remodulated systems.

The conversion of sagebrush-steppe communities of the Great Basin into cheatgrass-dominated communities is one of the most dramatic ongoing land conversions in North America. Although restoration of these communities is a high priority to landowners and land management agencies, restoration of native vegetation is difficult. Several restoration treatments intended to increase the success of aerially‐seeded perennial grasses in cheatgrass-invaded sagebrush ecosystems were assessed to determine their effects on perennial seedling emergence and soil seed bank density and composition. Assessed restoration treatments were: 1) vegetation manipulation (sagebrush thinning and prescribed burning); 2) imazapic herbicide application; 3) seedbed amendments (aerial seeding with activated carbon addition, aerial seeding with sucrose addition); and 4) seeding frequency. The effects of these treatments were evaluated in two distinct sagebrush shrubland ecosystems in northern Utah. One is characterized as a remnant sagebrush stand with a cheatgrass-dominated understory and the other as a cheatgrass near-monoculture, completely lacking a sagebrush component. In the seed bank study, responses were assessed immediately and 1 year following treatment while in the seedling emergence study, they were assessed 2 and 3 years following treatment. Main effects of vegetation manipulation, herbicide application, and seedbed addition treatments and their interactions on perennial seedling emergence are described in Chapter 2. The effects of seeding frequency on perennial seedling emergence are also described in Chapter 2. Herbicide demonstrated potential for increasing native perennial grass emergence, although this response was delayed and not seen until 3 years post-application. Burning showed potential for increasing the emergence of perennial grasses 2 years post-burn. Results also suggest that potential exists to increase native perennial grass emergence through an increase in seeding frequency. In Chapter 3 I evaluated the effects of vegetation manipulation, herbicide application, and seedbed addition on seed pool dynamics. These results suggest that herbicide and sucrose may be useful tools for reducing exotic species richness in cheatgrass-invaded systems. Herbicide also showed potential for reducing cheatgrass seed bank densities. Additionally, results demonstrated that the reductions in cheatgrass seed bank densities observed immediately after fire are still observed 1 year post-burn.

The conversion of sagebrush-steppe communities of the Great Basin into cheatgrass-dominated communities is one of the most dramatic ongoing land conversions in North America. Although restoration of these communities is a high priority to landowners and land management agencies, restoration of native vegetation is difficult. Several restoration treatments intended to increase the success of aerially‐seeded perennial grasses in cheatgrass-invaded sagebrush ecosystems were assessed to determine their effects on perennial seedling emergence and soil seed bank density and composition. Assessed restoration treatments were: 1) vegetation manipulation (sagebrush thinning and prescribed burning); 2) imazapic herbicide application; 3) seedbed amendments (aerial seeding with activated carbon addition, aerial seeding with sucrose addition); and 4) seeding frequency. The effects of these treatments were evaluated in two distinct sagebrush shrubland ecosystems in northern Utah. One is characterized as a remnant sagebrush stand with a cheatgrass-dominated understory and the other as a cheatgrass near-monoculture, completely lacking a sagebrush component. In the seed bank study, responses were assessed immediately and 1 year following treatment while in the seedling emergence study, they were assessed 2 and 3 years following treatment. Main effects of vegetation manipulation, herbicide application, and seedbed addition treatments and their interactions on perennial seedling emergence are described in Chapter 2. The effects of seeding frequency on perennial seedling emergence are also described in Chapter 2. Herbicide demonstrated potential for increasing native perennial grass emergence, although this response was delayed and not seen until 3 years post-application. Burning showed potential for increasing the emergence of perennial grasses 2 years post-burn. Results also suggest that potential exists to increase native perennial grass emergence through an increase in seeding frequency. In Chapter 3 I evaluated the effects of vegetation manipulation, herbicide application, and seedbed addition on seed pool dynamics. These results suggest that herbicide and sucrose may be useful tools for reducing exotic species richness in cheatgrass-invaded systems. Herbicide also showed potential for reducing cheatgrass seed bank densities. Additionally, results demonstrated that the reductions in cheatgrass seed bank densities observed immediately after fire are still observed 1 year post-burn.