The objective of this thesis is to explore the relationship between street patterns and floodplains. Although some researchers have written about the relationship between land use and floodplains in The Woodlands, few have discussed how the city form was designed around the hydrological system. This thesis will focus on one aspect of the city form, the street pattern, to determine the effectiveness of street designs' response to floodplains. Unlike the grid-like pattern advocated by the New Urbanists, street patterns in The Woodlands are loops and cul-de-sacs -- a typical suburban pattern at the time it was developed; however, street patterns adapt to the boundaries of floodplains and protect them very well. Using a GIS tool to overlay 100-year floodplains on the street layer, it is clear to see that there are low percentages of streets in the 100-year floodplains. Thus, The Woodlands employed nonstructural techniques to mitigate flood hazard, which minimize the development in floodplains. Flood control in The Woodlands is much better than other places in the Houston area. From flood control and the protection of the natural environment standpoints, the nonstructural techniques are advocated more than structural techniques for floodplains in the development management. Therefore, the design of street patterns in an area is determined by both the aim of convenient transportation and the aim of hazard mitigation.

The perpetuation of the reigning dominants in climax woodland, and the maintenance of species diversity, are discussed by reference to published work: the importance of the regeneration gap is outlined, and seed production and seedling mortality are investigated as being key factors in the establishment of young trees. Beech masting has been studied by an eight-season record of seed production by individual trees in many places, developing a unique series of objective records for England. There appears to be a basic biennial masting pattern, with a requirement for suitable climatic conditions and the proximity of other beech trees for effective cross-pollination. The effects of defoliation upon the growth of young oaks has been investigated by a controlled experiment on 196 saplings in a plot in Wolverhampton. This has contributed data on a larger population for a longer period than has previously been published. The responses of the trees to light defoliation were not marked but, as the level of defoliation increased, greater numbers of growth zones, more leaves and smaller leaves became apparent, together with impaired relative growth rates and abnormal wood structure. Ramets of cloned oak have been established in a unique outdoor plot. Their synchronous phenology permitted further analysis of defoliation responses, including field measurements of photosynthetic rates. Tree shelter tubes were shown to promote earlier second flushes and to lessen fluctuations in temperature and maintain high humidity. Observations have been made in woodlands, especially in the West Midlands where surveys have established that natural regeneration is taking place, at least in the gaps created by fallen trees. The possibility of encouraging natural regeneration of trees and ground flora on land set aside from agriculture is considered. A synthesis is made of the topics investigated, discussing the origin of the intermittent nature of the phenomena of growth spurts and masting.

No description available.

The tree species preferences by six arboreal bird species and their role in structuring the bird communities in woodland were investigated in two sites in County Durham. Each bird species showed a preference or avoidance for most of the tree species in both study sites. The patterns of tree preference were different for each bird species, and were the basis for efficient partitioning of the foraging niches in woodland. Bird species showed significantly less overlap in tree species choice than in any of the other four niche dimensions examined, making it the most important dimension of the foraging niche. The tree species preferences of the bird species were reflected in the distribution of the birds within the woods. For each pair of bird species the degree of similarity in tree species choice and birds' distribution in the wood were identical. Bird species richness was predictable from tree species richness. There were significant positive correlations between all pairs of the following factors: bird species diversity, tree species diversity, bird species richness, tree species richness, bird density, and the percentage of broadleaved trees. Bird density was negatively correlated with the size of the wood (or compartment), apparently due to an edge effect. Seasonal and year to year changes in the tree preference by birds were explicable in terms of changes in the relative abundance of arthropod prey and other foods available in the trees.

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No description available.

Over 80% of Sweden's population lives in urban areas, and half of the country's forest visits will thus be in urban woodlands. Social values ​​- how the individual experiences the forest, and the impact of the forest visits on individual health and well-being, are pointing to the importance of managing the urban woodlands. When there comes to the cultivation of the urban woodlands there are usually many opinions to consider. This study aims to investigate the various opinions on the use and forestry in an urban recreation area in ​​the City of Trollhättan. The study addresses both general and in four cases specific suggestions on management methods. Data was obtained from both quantitative and qualitative study through survey, interviews and discussions with the users of the recreation area. Trollhättan's goal with the recreation area is to make it accessible to local residents. The users are mainly influenced by the accessibility therefore clearings and thinnings are appreciated. Clear cuts should be avoided, but can be used as a method if logging residues are removed afterward. Variation is important for the specific areas, the focus is laid on hardwood species. Where hardwood is missing the focus should be to create old and sparse forest.

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The seasonal feeding behavior, forage preferences and body weight responses of goats were studied under three densities of woodland (called caatinga), and under three stocking rates. The experiment was located in the semi-arid tropics of northeastern Brazil at 3 42' South latitude, and 40 21' West longitude at an elevation of 75 meters. Mean annual precipitation of the area is 832 mm. Removing the shrubs and trees increased yields of herbaceous only on partially-cleared sites. Goats gained body weight (kg BW/ha) during the wet season, with the cleared treatment showing the best body weight response per unit of land. However during the dry season, animals lost weight probably due the low quality and quantity of available forage. The botanical composition of goats' diets showed them to be mixed feeders, consuming grasses, forbs and browse in various combinations depending on the season and the array of forage species available. During the dry season standing hay from herbaceous species and regrowth of some woody evergreen species were the principal forages. Animals maintained body weight on this forage. However, leaf litter was an important component of goats' diets during the dry season, but was inadequate for weight maintenance. Goats i n all treatments spent the least time grazing during the wet season and the most time during the beginning of the dry season. They spent the most time lying ruminating during the dry season and the least time during the wet season. Forage quality was probably a limiting factor to effective animal response during the dry season. Goats exhibited dislike for rain and wet conditions. They grazed freely when the temperatures were high (35 to 39 C). However, periods of high temperature corresponded to periods of low relative humidity, perhaps moderating the discomfort factor of combined high temperatures and high humidity.

No description available.