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Assessing, evaluating, and applying canopy models of urban vegetation from satellite-based height data / Erfassung, Bewertung und Anwendung von Kronenmodellen der Stadtvegetation aus satellitengestützten HöhendatenSchreyer, Johannes 12 March 2024 (has links)
Städtische Gehölzflächen haben positive Auswirkungen für Mensch und Natur, wie die Abkühlung überhitzter Innenstädte. Detaillierte Angaben zur Lage, Höhe und Kronenstruktur sind zur Lokalisierung und Quantifizierung derartiger Wirkungen unentbehrlich, allerdings auf globalen Maßstab nur für wenige Siedlungsräume verfügbar. In dieser Arbeit werden städtische Baumkronenhöhenmodelle (BHM) aus global verfügbaren digitalen Höhenmodellen (DHM) der TanDEM-X-Mission unter Einbezug zusätzlicher Fernerkundungsdaten und übertragbarer Bildverarbeitungstechniken erstellt sowie deren Anwendbarkeit für stadtökologische Fragestellungen untersucht. Das übergeordnete Ziel der Arbeit ist die Bereitstellung von Ansätzen zur Erstellung und Einbindung großmaßstäblicher, mehrdimensionaler Informationen zu städtischen Gehölzflächen. In einem ersten Schritt wird ein BHM aus einem TanDEM-X DHM unter Verwendung eines zusätzlichen Geländemodells für verschiedene urbane Biotopen der deutschen Stadt Berlin abgeleitet und validiert. Im Anschluss wird in einem neuartigen Ansatz zuerst ein Gelände- und dann ein Kronenmodell für groß- und kleinflächige Gehölzbestände aus einem TanDEM-X-DHM abgeleitet, um die Unabhängigkeit zusätzlicher Höhendaten zu erreichen. Die Genauigkeiten beider Schritte variieren in Abhängigkeit des städtischen Kontextes, wobei Resultate gröber aufgelöster globaler Höhendaten übertroffen werden. Zur Ideenfindung zukünftiger Anwendungen eines BHM in der Stadtforschung wird eine schriftliche Expertenumfrage durchgeführt. Über die Ableitung und Einbindung eines BHM für die iranische Stadt Yazd werden die methodische Übertragbarkeit getestet und Anwendbarkeit demonstriert. Im Gesamtergebnis liefert diese Dissertation validierte Ansätze zur Erstellung und Einbindung großskaliger Flächen- und Höhendaten städtischer Vegetation, die neue Perspektiven für stadtökologische Fragestellungen bieten. / Urban trees and shrubs have a variety of positive effects on humans and nature, such as cooling overheated inner cities. Detailed information on the location, height, and canopy structure of urban woody plants is indispensable for locating and quantifying such effects, but they are only poorly available on large scales. The globally available digital elevation model (DEM) of the TanDEM-X mission seems suitable for deriving the height and structure of woody areas in cities. This work incorporates TanDEM-X’s DEM with additional remote sensing data and transferable image processing techniques to create urban tree canopy height models (CHM) of woody vegetation and investigate their applicability. The overall goal of this thesis is to provide approaches for creating and applying large-scale, multi-dimensional information on urban wooded areas in a holistic framework. In a first step, CHMs are derived from a TanDEM-X DEM and validated using an additional terrain model for different urban biotopes in Berlin, Germany. Next, first a terrain model and then a crown model are derived in a novel approach, to eliminate the need for an additional terrain model. The accuracies of both steps vary depending on the urban context, but exceed results based on global elevation data with coarser resolution. Then, to generate ideas for future applications of a CHM in urban research, a Berlin CHM is presented to a scientific audience in a written survey. By conducting an urban CHM for the Iranian city of Yazd and integrating it into an urban ecological study, the methodological transferability of the model is tested and the applicability is demonstrated. As an overall result, this thesis provides approaches for the processing and specific application of large-scale area and elevation data on urban vegetation, offering a variety of new perspectives on urban ecological issues.
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Restorative urban design: toward a design method for mitigating human impacts on the natural environment through urban re/developmentToros, Tulu January 1900 (has links)
Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Environmental Design & Planning Program / Lee R. Skabelund / The Restorative Urban Design (RUD) calls for a new urban design and planning approach targeting environmentally responsible re/development of urbanized areas through ecologically responsive impact mitigations. If implemented in a systematic manner, such re/developments can help move urban areas toward the successful restoration of the natural environment of which they are an inseparable part.
The RUD model advocates more rigorous assessment and mitigation of urban impacts by carefully evaluating the environmental performance of urban re/developments within five primary dimensions: Atmosphere (emissions, pollutants, ozone depletion); Hydrosphere (stormwater, domestic water, wastewater); Lithosphere (land use, land cover, food and wastes); Ecology (habitat resilience, biodiversity, population and resources); and Energy (renewability, reduction and efficiency, transportation). The model relies on a scenario-comparison process in order to evaluate and optimize the performance of urban re/development projections through four critical scenarios, which are respectively: 1) Natural Baseline (NBASE); 2) Historic Progression (HPROG); 3) Trajectory Forecast (TFORE); and 4) Restorative Projection (RPROJ).
The RUD Case Study illustrates how the principles and strategies of Restorative Urban Design can be applied specifically to a typical (densely developed) urban area, namely River North District in Chicago Metropolitan Area. The case study focuses exclusively on mitigation of a single critical human impact on the natural environment: Anthropogenic CO₂ Emissions. The case study focuses on the design assumptions by which the restorative urban re/development scenarios might exceed beyond the full mitigation of emissions into the global remediation by 2040. The restorative projections illustrate that only a certain portion of emissions can be effectively mitigated onsite (5 to 55%), and that the remainder of projected emissions (45 to 95%) need to be mitigated offsite in order to achieve the necessary sequestration and storage.
The restorative research suggests that the mitigation of major human impacts on the natural environment – not only CO₂ emissions but also other major impacts – are likely to require significant urban transformations. Moving beyond the strategies of preservation and/or conservation, the restorative approach asserts that comprehensive environmental restoration is achievable if urban impacts are adequately estimated and then entirely mitigated onsite as well as offsite through a systematic process of urban re/development.
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Urban and peri-urban EcoHealth markers and health promotion intervention in Addis Ababa EthiopiaTariku Berhanu Desalegn 10 1900 (has links)
The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the EcoHealth markers and
health promotion interventions in the behaviour and practices of vegetables growers
in Addis Ababa. The objectives were to assess the urban and peri-urban community
members’ knowledge and practices on the existing environmental health
policies/regulations/guidelines, assess the perspectives of women and youth on urban
and peri-urban EcoHealth promotions and protections and evaluate the development
and implementation of the health promotion activities on waste water use by applying
an ecological model aimed at changing behaviour and by providing Bio-sand filter to
promote hand wash practice which helps to reduce potential health risks among urban
vegetable growers.
Both quantitative and qualitative descriptive researches were conducted to identify the
urban and peri urban community members’ knowledge and practices of the existing
environmental health regulators and the perspectives of women and the youth on
EcoHealth. Additional quasi experimental method; multiple baseline survey along with
the EcoHealth Stress Process promotion method was employed to identify stressors,
measure changes in environmental health promotion intervention and use of hand
wash (biosand filter for hand wash).
Six woredas from two subcities of the Addis Ababa City Administration were purposely
selected, and a total of 845 (98.9% response rate) households participated in the
quantitative study, while 142 community members (public sector offices, factories and establishments’ management and employee), participated in the qualitative survey.
For quasi experimental method, six settings/blocks (of which 3 sites were provided
with a bio-sand filter for hand washing) cultivated by 6 to 8 vegetable growers and their
family members, were included in the intervention (multiple baseline survey).
The findings revealed that about 77 percent of participants reported, knowledge of one
or more of the selected environmental health and EcoHealth regulations. Ownership
of assets and education tend to influence the public awareness of selected EcoHealth
and environmental health regulations. Women and youth found to be significant
contributors to better urban and peri-urban EcoHealth conditions and were the ones
primarily affected by environmental hazards. The intervention study results also
indicated evidence-based IEC interventions and ecological health promotion methods
proved useful in promoting EcoHealth in an urban environment. Moreover, the biosand
filter used to provide evidence of health promotion was found to be valuable for
wastewater treatment and significantly reduced chemical, physical and biological
contaminates from the wastewater. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)
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Biodiversity enhancement in Cape Flats urban habitatsFaul, Andre Karel 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MSc (Conservation Ecology and Entomology))--University of Stellenbosc, 2005. / Biodiversity is under enormous pressure from an increasing human population.
Urbanisation, agriculture, and mining are just some of the factors responsible for
the continuous degradation of the natural environment. Of these, urbanisation is
one of the leading factors of diversity loss. To address this problem, it is
necessary to understand the relationship between biodiversity and urban areas,
as well as the relationship between society and biodiversity. This study focuses
on these relationships and suggest ways in which urban biodiversity can be
maximised without compromising on development. In order to create an urban
environment that successfully supports maximised biodiversity, new methods and
ideas must be developed to promote the protection of urban ecosystems. The
Cape Floristic Region in South Africa is a good example of an area that requires
immediate action in order to prevent enormous losses in biodiversity. Data have
shown drastic decreases in natural vegetation cover in this area, and with its
close to 9000 species, of which approximately 60% occurs nowhere else in the
world. This state of affairs should be regarded as a serious crisis.
This study consists of three main parts, the first being a literature review on the
current relationships between the urban environment, society, and biodiversity.
The second and third parts report on two empirical investigations on the campus
of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Stellenbosch in the City of
Cape Town. The first of these investigates the possibility of using spirituality
connected to nature as a promotional tool for conservation through rehabilitation
or restoration of damaged urban vegetation habitats. For this purpose students’
and staff members’ opinions of the urban nature at the campus were tested. In
the second investigation the options of restoring biodiversity to the campus was
considered by exploring the best options available for rehabilitation while taking
the current biodiversity status on and around the premises into account. This was
carried out through three smaller projects that included the physical
reintroduction of plant species, vegetation analysis, and bird identification and
attraction.
The response of employees and students at the Faculty of Health Sciences was
found to be in favour of restoring vegetation and animal life to the campus. This is
supported by a belief that their attitude towards their work would improve with
improved natural surroundings. Initial rehabilitation attempts highlighted the
complexity of rehabilitation practices by bringing forward challenges and
problems experienced with the reintroduction of plant species. Despite these
problems, increased plant diversity in experimental areas showed the possibility
of successfully completing the project. Biodiversity analysis showed that methods
of controlling vegetation used by the university are doing more harm than good,
as it results in indigenous vegetation being displaced by exotic vegetation.
This study introduces a number of questions regarding the relationship between
urbanisation and biodiversity and to what extent the two should be linked.
Hopefully it is a step in the direction towards marrying the urban and natural
environment, and to create a sustainable urban environment where society no
longer sees nature as something outside the city boundaries.
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Diversité et structure du zooplancton : importance pour la conservation de la biodiversité aquatique en zone urbaineMimouni, El-Amine 06 1900 (has links)
L'écologie urbaine est un nouveau champ de recherche qui cherche à comprendre les structures et les patrons des communautés et des écosystèmes situés dans des paysages urbains. Les petits plans d’eau sont connus comme des écosystèmes aquatiques qui peuvent contenir une biodiversité considérable pour plusieurs groupes taxonomiques (oiseaux, amphibiens, macroinvertébrés), ce qui en fait des écosystèmes intéressants pour les études de conservation.
Cependant, la biodiversité du zooplancton, un élément central des réseaux trophiques aquatiques, n’est pas entièrement connue pour les plans d’eaux urbains et devrait être mieux décrite et comprise. Cette étude a évalué les patrons de biodiversité des communautés zooplanctoniques dans des plans d’eau urbains sur l’Ile de Montréal et leurs sources de variation. Des suggestions pour l’évaluation et la conservation de la biodiversité sont aussi discutées.
La biodiversité zooplanctonique des plans d’eaux urbains s’est avérée être assez élevée, avec les cladocères et les rotifères montrant les contributions à la diversité gamma et bêta les plus élevées. Sur l’ensemble des plans d’eau, il y avait une corrélation négative entre les contributions à la bêta diversité des cladocères et des rotifères. Au niveau de chaque plan d'eau, la zone littorale colonisée par des macrophytes s'est avérée être un habitat important pour la biodiversité zooplactonique, contribuant considérablement à la richesse en taxons, souvent avec une différente composition en espèces. Les communautés zooplanctoniques répondaient aux facteurs ascendants et descendants, mais aussi aux pratiques d’entretien, car le fait de vider les plans d’eau en hiver affecte la composition des communautés zooplanctoniques.
Les communautés de cladocères dans ces plans d’eau possédaient des quantités variables de diversité phylogénétique, ce qui permet de les classer afin de prioriser les sites à préserver par rapport à la diversité phylogénétique. Le choix des sites à préserver afin de maximiser la diversité phylogénétique devrait être correctement établi, afin d’eviter de faire des choix sous-optimaux. Cependant, pour des taxons tels que les cladocères, pour lesquels les relations phylogénétiques demeurent difficiles à établir, placer une confiance absolue dans un seul arbre est une procédure dangereuse. L’incorporation de l’incertitude phylogénétique a démontré que, lorsqu’elle est prise en compte, plusieurs différences potentielles entre la diversité phylogenétique ne sont plus supportées.
Les patrons de composition des communautés différaient entre les plans d’eau, les mois et les zones d’échantillonnage. Etant donné les intéractions sont significatives entres ces facters; ceci indique que tous ces facteurs devraient êtres considérés. L’urbanisation ne semblait pas sélectionner pour un type unique de composition des groupes alimentaires, étant donné que les communautés pouvaient changer entres des assemblages de types alimentaires différents. Les variables environnementales, surtout la couverture du plan d’eau en macrophytes, étaient des facteurs importants pour la biodiversité zooplanctonique, affectant la richesse spécifique de divers groupes taxonomiques et alimentaires. Ces variables affectaient aussi la composition des communautés, mais dans une moindre mesure, étant des variables explicatives modestes, ce qui indiquerait le besoin de considérer d’autres processus. / Urban ecology is an emerging research field that seeks to understand the structures and patterns of communities and ecosystems located in urban landscapes. Small waterbodies are known as aquatic ecosystems that can harbour notable biodiversity for various taxonomic groups (birds, amphibians, macroinvertebrates), making them interesting ecosystems for conservation studies.
However, the biodiversity of zooplankton, a central element of aquatic trophic networks, is still not entirely known for urban waterbodies and should be better described and understood. This study examined the biodiversity patterns of zooplanktonic communities in urban waterbodies on the Island of Montreal and their sources of variation. Suggestions for biodiversity assessment and for biodiversity preservation are also discussed.
Zooplankton biodiversity urban waterbodies proved to be quite high, with cladoceran and rotifer taxa showing the highest contributions to gamma and beta diversity. Across waterbodies, there was a negative correlation between the contributions to cladoceran and rotifer beta diversity. Within waterbodies, the littoral zone showing macrophytes proved to be an important habitat for zooplankton biodiversity, considerably contributing species richness, often with a different species composition. Zooplankton communities responded to bottom-up and top-down forces, but also management practices, as waterbody emptying in winter affected zooplankton community composition.
Cladoceran communities in these waterbodies showed varying amounts of phylogenetic diversity, which allowed them to be ranked in order to prioritize sites to preserve with regards to phylogenetic diversity. Selection of sites to preserve in order to maximize phylogenetic diversity should be properly guided, in order to avoid making suboptimal choices. However, for taxa such as Cladocera, for which phylogenetic relationships remain difficult to establish, placing absolute confidence in a single tree is a dangerous procedure. Incorporation of phylogenetic uncertainty showed that, when it is taken into account, then several potential differences in phylogenetic diversity were not supported anymore.
Community composition patterns differed between waterbodies, months and sampling zones. Due to the presence of significant interactions between these factors, this indicates that all these factors should be considered. Urbanization did not seem to select for a single type of feeding group composition, as communities in waterbodies could shift between assemblages with different feeding types. Environmental variables, especially waterbody macrophyte coverage, were important factors for zooplankton biodiversity, positively affected species richness of various taxonomic groups and feeding groups. These variables also affected community composition, but to a lesser extent, being modest predictor variables, indicating the need to consider other processes.
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Riccarton Bush and the natural and social realities of native trees in Christchurch, New ZealandDoody, Brendan J. January 2008 (has links)
Urbanization has destroyed and fragmented previously large areas of natural habitat. Small remnants that still exist in numerous cities will be unable to sustain many viable wild plant populations if they do not expand into the surrounding urban matrix. Residential gardens surrounding such remnants, and which form a significant component of urban green space in many cities, could play a role in redressing this problem. Riccarton Bush, a 7.8 hectare forest remnant, and its surrounding suburban residential area, in Christchurch, New Zealand, is a good example. Over 125 years the reported number of native vascular plants in the bush has declined by a third. My study was an attempt to understand: 1) the ecological, social and cultural factors influencing the dispersal and regeneration of 12 native bird-dispersed woody species from Riccarton Bush, into surrounding residential properties; and 2) the potential role residential properties could play in the future of the bush. To examine these diverse factors I adopted an interdisciplinary research approach combining methodologies, concepts and theories from ecology and the social sciences. In a broader context my work was an attempt to demonstrate how urban ecology can further develop and strengthen by adopting and integrating new methodologies, theories and concepts. The ecological component involved recording individuals of the study species found on 90 randomly selected properties within a 1.4 km radius of the bush. Soil samples were also collected from 31 of those properties and placed in a glasshouse and the study species that germinated were recorded. Results showed some species, particularly kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides), the most abundant species in the bush, are being dispersed and establishing on properties predominantly within 250 m of the forest margin. These juveniles are not reaching maturity as most gardeners tend to remove all non-planted woody species. Qualitative interviews with 16 residents and a quantitative survey of the residents of 85 of the properties provided insights into the social context which these natural processes were operating. Using notions of place and performance I argue that gardens are continuously created and recreated by humans and non-humans. Residents attempt to create and maintain a garden that fulfils their individual and familial needs and desires (e.g., aesthetics, leisure and privacy), and public responsibilities such as ensuring they have a ‘neat’ and ‘tidy’ garden. This involves selecting plants for colour, shape and the care they require, and encouraging certain performances (e.g., flowering) while controlling other undesirable plants and performances (e.g. growth, spread and shading). While people make connections between native plants, belonging and identity; the ‘scientific’ demarcation between native and exotic species often becomes obscured as the garden is co-created by people and plants. Some plants become more significant than others but usually this is attributable to their performances rather than whether they are native or exotic. Residential gardens have the potential to play a major role in the conservation of species restricted to urban remnants. My research suggests that although the potential exists for woody species restricted to Riccarton Bush to naturally regenerate in nearby gardens, this will not happen without human intervention. Plants will need to be eco-sourced and propagated to avoid detrimental impacts on the genetic health of remnant populations, and then actively planted in gardens. The success of such planting initiatives will be increased by providing residents with information about the plants that are suitable for their performative needs and desires (e.g., the size, colour, and maintenance requirements of plants) and, most importantly, control over the location of plantings. In concluding, I argue that by adopting new concepts, theories and methodologies, the productivity, creativity and relevance of urban ecology can be significantly enhanced.
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Feral cats (Felis catus) in an urban conservancy : University of KwaZulu- Natal, Howard College campus.Tennent, Jaclyn Kim. January 2005 (has links)
The resident feral cat (Felis catus) population on the University of KwaZulu-Natal
(UKZN), Howard College campus (HCC) in Durban, South Africa was studied from
March 2004 to November 2005. This study was initiated as the HCC is an registered
as an urban conservancy and so should be removing alien invasive flora and fauna and
conserving the indigenous biodiversity of the campus. This research was undertaken
to assist with recommendations for the control and management of feral cats on the
HCe. A survey to determine public perceptions and opinions regarding the feral cats
was conducted among various communities on the campus. Feral cats from the
resident population on the HCC were trapped and fitted with radio-collars in order
that their home range sizes and distribution could be determined. Monthly census
counts were also carried out in an attempt to calculate population densities of the feral
cats on campus, while data on behaviour patterns was collected opportunistically
throughout the study period.
The survey showed that two extreme views existed on campus regarding the
presence of feral cats. The university is a registered conservancy which some feel is
no place for this exotic species. However, it is also situated within an urban
surrounding and there are some cat enthusiasts among the public who feel that
resources should be provided for the feral cats, both nutritionally and financially.
While many people were unaware that the feral cats were a cause for concern on the
HCC, the majority concluded that a management policy needed to be adopted to
control feral cat numbers. Most were against the suggestion of eradicating the cats
and strongly agreed with the implementation of a university funded feral cat
IV
sterilising and feeding programme. Feeding the feral cats, however, needs to be
stringently controlled.
In this study, the availability of an abundance of food resources was shown to be
the primary influencing factor for home range size, cat distribution and population
densities. It also had an overriding effect on the feral cats' behaviour patterns and
activity levels. Once these had been initially established, other factors such as human
activity, reproductive status and gender then came into play. Distribution of the feral
cats around campus was not homogenous, and densities differed according to areas on
campus. Highest cat densities were recorded in those areas on the HCC where
permanent cat feeding stations had been established (usually the developed areas on
campus), while no feral cats were sighted in the Msinsi Nature Reserve, a natural bush
area on campus were no food resources (other than prey species) is available. Home
range sizes of the feral cats were relatively small with a considerable amount of
overlap between and within the sexes. There were also no seasonal differences in
range sizes and diurnal ranges were only marginally smaller than nocturnal range
sIzes.
In terms of behaviour, the HCC feral cats were generally inactive, with passive
behaviour such as lying down and sitting being most often observed. Although
hunting activity was very rarely witnessed, the combined effects of feral cats
supported at high densities by supplemental feeding may exert predation pressures
that could be detrimental to both local prey and predator populations. Little social
interactions were observed by the cats on the HCC. Other studies show that
competition is greatly reduced if food is available in abundance and there is no need
for territorial disputes if both food and a potential mate are located in close proximity.
In the present study, this also means that immigrating feral cats from surrounding
neighbourhoods are tolerated; another factor contributing to the increase in feral cat
numbers on the campus.
These findings suggest that the feral cat population on the HCC is being
maintained at higher population densities than would be expected and management
initiatives are needed to control the feral cat population at a minimum density through
a sterilising and low key feeding programme so that it is acceptable to all concerned
parties. However, the decisions need to favour the status of the HCC as a
conservancy in an urban area as well as consider the well-being of the students and
staffmembers in a public place. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.
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名古屋市における都市定住化政策と地域社会構造の実証的研究松本, 康 03 1900 (has links)
科学研究費補助金 研究種目:基盤研究(C)(2) 課題番号:07610175 研究代表者:松本 康 研究期間:1995-1997年度
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Management of urban common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula)Eymann, Jutta January 2007 (has links)
Thesis by publication -- 8 co-authored articles. / Thesis (PhD)--Macquarie University, Division of Environmental and Life Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences. / Includes bibliographical references. / Preface -- Management issues of urban common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula): a loved or hated neighbour -- Effects of deslorelin implants on reproduction in the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) -- Brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in metropolotan Sydney: population biology and response to contraceptive implants -- Strategic survey for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) from urban Sydney, Australia -- Leptospirosis serology in the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) from urban Sydney, Australia -- Conclusions. / The common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is indeed a common inhabitant of many Australian citites, and one of the few marsupials that has adapted well to the urban environment. Their close proximity to people provides a great opportunity to experience native wildlife in the backyard, however, their utilization of house roofs, bold behaviour and appetite for garden plants often leads to conflict with householders. Population numbers are sufficiently high to require ongoing management to minimise negative impacts for humans and brushtail possums alike in a socially acceptable manner. The aim of this thesis was to identify current management issues and address the need for improved and novel management strategies. The potential of slow-release implants, containing the GnRH agonist deslorelin, as a contraceptive agent for brushtail possums was tested on a captive population. Males appeared resistant to treatment, but deslorelin was found to inhibit reproduction in female brushtail possums for at least one breeding season, making it a promising tool to control fertility in some wild populations. A further aim was to trial deslorelin implants on a wild urban population, to collect more information about the urban biology of this species and to point out issues which have previously not been addressed. Close proximity and interaction of urban brushtail possums with humans and their domestic animals can increase the risk of disease exposure and transmission and influence the health of wild populations. Serosurveys showed that animals were readily exposed to Leptospira spp. and Toxoplasma gondii. This thesis also provides the first data on brushtail possum dispersal in urban areas, knowledge which is highly relevant to the development of management strategies such as fertility control. The findings from this research broaden our knowledge about urban brushtail possums and should assist wildlife authorities in developing alternative or improved management procedures. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / xxv, 287 p. ill., maps
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Urban and peri-urban EcoHealth markers and health promotion intervention in Addis Ababa EthiopiaTariku Berhanu Desalegn 10 1900 (has links)
The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the EcoHealth markers and
health promotion interventions in the behaviour and practices of vegetables growers
in Addis Ababa. The objectives were to assess the urban and peri-urban community
members’ knowledge and practices on the existing environmental health
policies/regulations/guidelines, assess the perspectives of women and youth on urban
and peri-urban EcoHealth promotions and protections and evaluate the development
and implementation of the health promotion activities on waste water use by applying
an ecological model aimed at changing behaviour and by providing Bio-sand filter to
promote hand wash practice which helps to reduce potential health risks among urban
vegetable growers.
Both quantitative and qualitative descriptive researches were conducted to identify the
urban and peri urban community members’ knowledge and practices of the existing
environmental health regulators and the perspectives of women and the youth on
EcoHealth. Additional quasi experimental method; multiple baseline survey along with
the EcoHealth Stress Process promotion method was employed to identify stressors,
measure changes in environmental health promotion intervention and use of hand
wash (biosand filter for hand wash).
Six woredas from two subcities of the Addis Ababa City Administration were purposely
selected, and a total of 845 (98.9% response rate) households participated in the
quantitative study, while 142 community members (public sector offices, factories and establishments’ management and employee), participated in the qualitative survey.
For quasi experimental method, six settings/blocks (of which 3 sites were provided
with a bio-sand filter for hand washing) cultivated by 6 to 8 vegetable growers and their
family members, were included in the intervention (multiple baseline survey).
The findings revealed that about 77 percent of participants reported, knowledge of one
or more of the selected environmental health and EcoHealth regulations. Ownership
of assets and education tend to influence the public awareness of selected EcoHealth
and environmental health regulations. Women and youth found to be significant
contributors to better urban and peri-urban EcoHealth conditions and were the ones
primarily affected by environmental hazards. The intervention study results also
indicated evidence-based IEC interventions and ecological health promotion methods
proved useful in promoting EcoHealth in an urban environment. Moreover, the biosand
filter used to provide evidence of health promotion was found to be valuable for
wastewater treatment and significantly reduced chemical, physical and biological
contaminates from the wastewater. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)
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