In the course of studying on secondary metabolites from marine organisms, we have investigated the chemical constituents of the soft coral Sarcophyton ehrenbergi collected at San-Hsien-Tai, Taitong County, Taiwan. Chromatographic separation of the organic extracts has led to the isolation of nine new cembrane diterpenes 1¡V9, and a initial natural separation of known cembrane diterpene 10. The chemical structures of pure compounds were determined by spectral (NMR, MS, UV and IR) and physical data, as well as comparison with the spectroscopic data of related chemicals in literature. Moreover, the metabolites 1¡V10 were evaluated in vitro for their cytotoxicity against of A-549 (human lung epithelial carcinoma), HT-29 (human colon adenocarcinoma), and P-388 (mouse lymphocytic leukemia) cells, as well as anti-HCMV activity. Compounds 3, 6, 9, and 10 were shown to exhibit significant cytotoxicity activities against P-388 with ED50 values of 2.7, 3.6, 2.0, and 3.0 £gg/mL, respectively. Compound 1, 2, 3, and 7 exhibited inhibitory activity against anti-HCMV, with EC50 values of 60.0, 46.0, 5.0, and 45.0 £gg/mL.

Many ecologists are struggling to quantify the species richness in a particular landscape or region. The number of species increases with sample area. Species-area relationship is often used to estimate species richness of a particular region. This study used species-log (area) curves, corrected with Jaccard¡¦s coefficients for within-vegetation type heterogeneity, to estimate species richness and to describe vascular plant species composition in Taiwan Forestry research Institute Tai-Ma-Lee Experimental Forest. In the study area, the author recorded 748 plant species, including 98 endemic species, 21 rare species and 36 naturalized species. There are estimation of 701 species (95¢H CI¡×651~758 species) in the 583-ha natural forest area, 819 species (95¢H CI¡×744~889 species) in the 291-ha plantation area, 560 species (95¢H CI¡×508~641 species) in 8.1-ha forest road. As plantation area is not well-sampled, the total species number in the 947-ha study area could not be estimated. When use 0.1 Modified-Whittaker sampling techniques to assess plant diversity, it is possible to use elevation division, instead of vegetation type, to estimate species richness.

Taiwan is an island surrounded by vast open sea. The impacts of typhoon on fish farms located near shore are usually tremendously severe and cause a variety of difficulty in developing a profitable cage aquaculture industry. Thus it is often regarded as one of highly risky ventures for fishermen. While Tai Ping Island is located at the tropic zone, the south most territory of the Republic of China, rendering a superior farming site for cage culture due to its clean water quality and nonexistence of typhoon. This study evaluates the possibility of establishing a series of cage culture in Tai Ping Island and estimates its economic feasibility according to the information obtained from Penghu cage farmers. Since Tai Ping Island is a military base, it is still prohibited for public visit at the present moment. Once the operation of offshore cage aquaculture at the Tai Ping Island is established, it may inspire other cooperates associated with the fishery industry to cluster on the Island. The researcher has served at the coastal guard office in Tai Ping Island for a year and thus quite familiar with land-based facilities, surrounding marina, and ecosystem etc. Through past experience in protecting cage farmers knowing that good farming site is relatively important for cage culture to success, this study intend to offer a good farming site to fish farmers in Taiwan. It is anticipated that a prosperous fish farming industry will develop in the near future.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 63-76).

Thesis (M. Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes special study report entitled: Architecture along the rail. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes special report study entitled: The waste land. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1982.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1983.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1982.

published_or_final_version / Geography / Master / Master of Philosophy