As part of a medico-legal analysis it is necessary to identify if bone tissue is animal or human in nature. This process is complicated when bone is highly fragmented or burned. Previous research has established the ability to differentiate human from non-human bone histologically, however, further research is necessary to determine if this is still applicable in the case of burned remains. In South Africa, approximately 500 deaths and 15 000 fire related injuries occur annually in Cape Town and such fires ranged between 600°C to 1000°C. The aim of this research was to study the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of femur bone microstructure of human and animal bones exposed to different temperatures and to determine the possibility of distinguishing them. The study consisted of 17 femoral bone samples collected from four different species namely; humans (Homo sapiens), pig (Sus scrofa), wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou) and cow (Bos taurus). Unburned samples were compared to bone samples burned at 600°C, 700°C, 800°C and 900°C in a muffle furnace for 20 minutes. Bone samples were processed into thin sections for histological analysis. During analysis, each bone specimen was divided into four quadrants and two periosteal regions. For histomorphometric analysis, quantitative characteristics were assessed by measuring the area, perimeter, and minimum and maximum diameter of the Haversian system and Haversian canals as well as osteon circularity and osteon density. According to the qualitative results, the main structural bone tissue observed in all quadrants and two periosteal regions of unburned animal bone was primary vascular plexiform bone and irregular Haversian bone. Human bone consisted of dense Haversian bone. Quantitative results indicated a statistically significant difference in most parameters between species within burned as well as unburned samples (p<0.001). Statistically significant differences in quantitative parameters within human and wildebeest bone were noted at different burn temperatures (p<0.001). Overall, the results showed that heat exposure to bones can affect the bones' quantitative and qualitative characteristics but human and non-human bones can still be differentiated. This histological method can be used in forensic fire cases.

The United States has an abundant stock of naturalized wild growing bamboo species that are generally considered invasive. This project explores the use of locally harvested, so called “invasive” bamboo as a potential building material incorporated into a modular, kit-of-parts style construction system. These structures are uniquely suited to address the need for expanded spaces and extensions that bridge between the strictly indoor vs. outdoor distinction of existing buildings, as revealed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The rhizomatic mechanism of spread that is characteristic of bamboo species is used as the framework to propose a tectonic system that is decentralized, adaptable, and deployable. Drawing on a series of formal explorations, this system is further developed through a case study proof of concept design for Morningside Elementary School in Atlanta, GA, by supplementing, expanding, and adapting the existing facilities for eating, gathering, recreation, and learning to address the requirements of a Covid-19 safe school environment and to propose an ongoing outdoor learning program.

Exotic amphibians are often detrimental to native biotas. In Florida, the exotic Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) eats native frogs and may outcompete them for resources. Cuban Treefrogs thrive in disturbed areas and around buildings, and often breed in manufactured wetlands such as retention ponds and borrow pits. This study identified limnological, landscape, and biotic characteristics that discouraged pond use by Cuban Treefrogs and promoted use by native amphibian species. I sampled natural and manufactured ponds in Orange County, Florida, for one year, using standard methods to estimate the species richness and relative abundance of amphibians and their potential fish and macroinvertebrate predators. I determined the relationship between the presence of Cuban Treefrogs and twelve limnological (% vegetation, slope, pond age, pH, % dissolved oxygen, air temperature, water temperature, turbidity, conductivity, depth, perimeter, and area) and seven landscape characteristics (% canopy closure over ponds, building density, distance to nearest building, road density, distance to nearest road, distance to nearest forest stand, and % forest cover), plus five biotic factors (native amphibian richness and abundance, fish richness and abundance, and macroinvertebrate abundance). No relationship existed between native amphibian abundance or species richness and the presence or absence of Cuban Treefrogs. Ponds with a greater percentage of vegetation, large perimeters, and low pH and turbidity had greater native amphibian species richness. Cuban Treefrogs were more likely to be found in ponds with a greater percentage of aquatic vegetation and small perimeters. My results show that building large retention ponds containing low-turbidity water will restrict colonization by Cuban Treefrogs and maintain species richness of native amphibians.

Boreal forests in Europe are intensively managed for timber and pulp production, resulting in decreased biodiversity, and in the long-term leading to a reduced number of functioning ecosystem services. To develop a more sustainable forest management it is important to investigate what features and habitat types are needed to preserve a high diversity of species within the forestry landscapes. Birds are a suitable study taxon since their ecology is well known and their diversity often mirrors the diversity of other taxa. This study investigated how different habitat types, for example, forest stand composition and age of forest etc., influence the diversity, species richness and abundance of forest bird species in boreal forestry landscapes in Sweden. I expected that the percentage of deciduous forests and older forests would increase the diversity and richness of forest birds, while spruce forests and young forests would have negative effects. Further, I expected mixed forest stands to be more diverse regarding forest birds than pure forest stands. The sites for this study consisted of fiveforestry landscapes in south Sweden, with both active forestry and multifunctional forestry areas. The results showed positive effects of the percentage of deciduous forests, wetlands, older forests, mixed coniferous forests, and pine forests on species richness, abundance, and diversity of forest bird species. However, deciduous forests and older forests had the strongestpositive influence on species richness and diversity. Furthermore, I did not find evidence that mixed forest stands have a higher diversity or species richness than monocultures of only spruce and pine respectively.

A mail survey of the US secondary wood products industry was conducted to assess the current species used and the market potential for the use of "non-traditional" species. Seven market segments within the secondary wood products industry were surveyed including the cabinet, flooring, millwork, office furniture, dimension and component, window and door, and household furniture market segments. Information from three hundred and fifty-seven was analyzed for this research. The results indicate that the secondary wood products industry is using a majority of "traditional" species to manufacture their products. For the industry as a whole, oak was the most popular species, which included the use of both red and white oak. Red oak average board footage use was calculated to be 1.3 million per year in the secondary industry. "Traditional" species for the component manufacturing segment were determined to be red oak, white oak, hard maple, cherry, ash, and soft maple. These species are being produced because of consumer demand. The component segment sells most of its products to the household furniture and cabinet market segment. Both of these markets are driven by fashion trends and what consumers view as "in-style." The component segment will be able to produce more "non-traditional" wood products when their customers (i.e., the six other market segments that were surveyed) begin to make finished goods with these species. Analysis showed that significant differences did exist between "non-traditional" species using companies and "traditional" companies on their ratings of component and component supplier attributes. Consistent supply was one attribute that was rated higher by many segments' "non-traditional" species users. The issue of supply will need to be addressed before many of these companies will be willing to use more "non-traditional" species. Within the overall secondary industry there was a significant difference between the importance that "traditional" species users placed on consistent supply and the importance that "non-traditional" species users placed on this attribute. "Non-traditional" species users were more concerned with having a consistent supply of their raw material and component products. For "non-traditional" species to be successful within the secondary wood products industry, a proven supply line must first be established. There is a potential to use "non-traditional" species in all of the markets that were surveyed. The millwork segment displays the most potential. This market segment already uses a wide variety of wood species, which shows there is no dominate species that is desired. The office furniture market segment also displays potential for "non-traditional" species. This segment desires a low priced raw material and "non-traditional" species can fulfill that need. / Master of Science

Two major goals of managers of Rubondo Island National Park (Rubondo), Tanzania are to increase the number of international visitors to the Park (and thereby increase revenue generated) and to increase support for the Park among residents of nearby communities. I investigated species preferences among children living around Rubondo and the wildlife viewing preferences of international visitors to Tanzania in an attempt to identify flagship species that Park management could use in marketing and outreach campaigns designed to meet their goals. I also assessed local interest in visiting the Park. As local flagships for Rubondo, the Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) and silver cyprinid (Rastrineobola argentea) appear to have the most potential among the species that I assessed (i.e., fish eagle [Haliaeetus vocifer], Egyptian goose, silver cyprinid, little egret [Egretta garzetta], sitatunga [Tragelaphus speki], genet [Genetta tigrina], monitor lizard [Varanus niloticus], spotted-necked otter [Lutra maculicollis], vervet monkey [Cercopithecus pygerythrus], crocodile [Crocodylus niloticus], hippopotamus [Hippopotamus amphibius], giraffe [Giraffa camelopardalis], and elephant [Loxodanta africana]). However, based on either range or limited aesthetic/behavioral appeal, I considered neither species useful as an international flagship. Among species on Rubondo included in investigations of potential international flagships for the Island (including the chimpanzee [Pan troglodytes], crocodile, elephant, giraffe, hippopotamus, vervet monkey, bushbuck, fish eagle, large-spotted genet, goliath heron [Ardea goliath], monitor lizard, sitatunga, and spotted-necked otter), few were concluded to have potential, either because participating visitors had limited "awareness" of and "interest" in viewing the species, local people had strong negative opinions of the species, the animals are not native to the Island, and/or the animals are more easily viewed in more readily-accessible locations. Local people generally had not visited Rubondo but wanted to visit. Not having visited the Park appeared to influence perceptions of the Park, wildlife tourism, and conservation among some participants. Recommendations for local and international marketing and outreach strategies for Rubondo are made based on the outcomes of the aforementioned investigations of local and international species preferences and interest in visiting the Park.

This study contributes to the discussion of managing tourism to a protected area in a developing country (Galapagos, Ecuador). The first part of the analysis provides quantitative data about preferences of tourists and potential impacts on park revenues from price discrimination. It uses the data from a choice experiment survey conducted in the summer of 2009 in which these four attributes of a tour of the Galapagos were described: tour length, depth of naturalist experience, level of protection of Galapagos from invasive species, and price of the tour. On average the Galapagos tourist would be willing to pay slightly more than 2.5 times for a trip with a high-level of environmental protection than for a trip that is equivalent on all other characteristics but has a lower level of environmental protection. The mean marginal willingness to pay (MWTP) for a trip with an in-depth naturalist experience is 1.8 times more than that for a trip with a less detailed naturalist experience but equivalent on other characteristics. The relatively inelastic demand for travel to the islands would allow managers to adjust access fees to shift the distribution of length of trips while not affecting the revenues. The second part of the analysis evaluates the influence on travel to the islands by depicting Galapagos as a standard market commodity as well as depicting it as an environmental commodity. This analysis compares the results obtained from two different choice experiment surveys given to tourists finishing their trip to Galapagos. One survey design portrays the archipelago as a standard holiday island destination while the other design highlights the uniqueness and vulnerability of the islands’ biodiversity and the challenges that tourism poses to the islands’ conservation. Results suggest that additional information modified an individual's decision-making process. In the first design case (which excludes environmental information), the influence of attributes such as length and depth of natural experience is attenuated. The MWTPs estimated for these attributes are smaller in absolute terms although differences on the MWTP are not statistically significant.

Microstegium vimineum, or Japanese stilt grass, is an invasive species that readily outcompetes native vegetation and is of poor forage quality for wildlife. This species is widespread throughout the southeastern United States, including North Carolina. Much of this region is privately owned and there is a gap in the literature providing succinct information about the best methods of treatment, timing of treatment, and effects of treatment on native herbaceous plants in this region. In two parts, this study seeks to address this gap by employing treatments that are easily accessible to landowners at different times during the growing season and assessing the effects on the herbaceous plant community post-treatment. Results of this study found that application of glyphosate was the most effective treatment at M. vimineum removal, application of household vinegar was the most effective at increasing post-treatment species richness and diversity, and that seasonality did not play a role in the effectiveness of treatment options. This study will increase landowner knowledge on treating this invasive successfully and choosing a treatment that fosters an understory that meets their management goals.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(理学) / 甲第24179号 / 理博第4870号 / 新制||理||1697(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院理学研究科化学専攻 / (主査)准教授 水畑 吉行, 教授 若宮 淳志, 教授 倉田 博基 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

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