Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Áreas alagadas são importantes devido à grande biodiversidade que sustentam e aos serviços ambientais gerados pela sua conservação. Essas áreas, quando dominadas por macrófitas, tendem a suportar grande biodiversidade e assumir grande valor de conservação. Assim, o monitoramento do estabelecimento deste importante componente do ecossistema durante um projeto de recuperação de ecossistemas é importante para avaliar o sucesso da sua recuperação. Este trabalho teve como objetivo estimar aquantidade de biomassa por área acumulada em um ecossistema ao longo de um gradiente de recuperação. Através da classificação não supervisionada gerada a partir de de imagens de satélite de alta resolução (GeoEye-1) e amostragem destrutiva foram estimadas quantidades de biomassa por área em três alagados em recuperação na Reserva Ecológica Guapiaçú. A classificação não supervisionada se mostrou uma ferramenta acurada e eficiente no mapeamento de classes de vegetação. Os alagados estudados apresentam uma taxa de acúmulo de carbono anual estimada em 1,12 MgC.hec-1 atingindo um máximo de 5.55 MgC.hec-1 no terceiro ano. Adicionalmente, foi observada uma correlação negativa entre biomassa e profundidade. / Wetlands are important due to the substantial biodiversity they maintain and for the ecosystem services they provide. These areas when colonized by macrophytes tend to support great biodiversity and assume great value for conservation. Therefore monitoring the establishment of these important ecosystem features during the recovery of reconstructed wetlands is made necessary to evaluate the success of such projects. Here, the main objective was to estimate the amount of biomass accumulated by the macrophyte growth during the first 6 years of a wetland recovery project. From unsupervised classification generated from high resolution satellite imagery and destructive field sampling the accumulated biomass of macrophyte beds was estimated in 3 reconstructed wetlands at Reserva Ecológica Guapiaçú, Rio de Janeiro. Unsupervised classification was shown to be an effective and accurate tool for mapping vegetation classes. The studied wetlands showed an annual carbon accumulation rate of 1,12 MgC.hec-1 with apparent decrease in rate over time and with the maximum accumulated biomass of 5,55 MgC.hec-1 in the third year. A negative correlation between water depth and biomass was observed.

Orientadores: Jansle Vieira Rocha, Maria Victoria Ramos Ballester / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Agricola / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-04T21:25:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Young_AndreaFerraz_D.pdf: 5424705 bytes, checksum: b08f7c9f1dc2da967b94bfb55bad34dd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo: O objetivo principal do trabalho foi o de criar índices relativos de vegetação e temperatura da superfície, sensíveis a mudanças, que sintetizassem as alterações ocorridas nos padrões da cobertura vegetal e urbanização, em função das transformações evidenciadas no tecido urbano do município de Curitiba (PR). Baseando-se na análise dos resultados obtidos através do cálculo desses índices, procedeu-se a análise conjunta com os dados de população. Portanto, esse processo envolveu o estudo dos padrões de uso do solo, das interações entre as diferentes classes inseridas na paisagem e de como esses padrões e interações mudam ao longo do tempo. Assim sendo, três regiões de Curitiba foram selecionadas por meio da definição de critérios específicos e comparadas em termos de mudanças de padrões e tendências.Imagens Landsat TM e ETM+ foram utilizadas para identificar diferentes padrões de cobertura da terra fornecendo uma classificação do uso do solo. Para isolar as áreas com vegetação das superfícies urbanas construídas, o Índice de Vegetação por Diferença Normalizada (NDVI) foi utilizado como um indicador da presença de vegetação, a partir do qual o índice de vegetação relativo (NDVI-R) foi criado. Ao mesmo tempo, valores das bandas termais do satélite Landsat (bandas 6) foram extraídos como indicadores das diferenças termais entre usos do solo, servido de base para a proposição de um índice de temperatura relativo (DN-R), que foi comparado com o índice de vegetação relativo (NDVI-R). Um banco de dados identificando as principais características da população de cada região foi construído, servindo de suporte para a análise entre as variáveis, fornecendo cenários da realidade e subseqüentes conflitos causados pelas mudanças na paisagem. Através da aplicação dessas técnicas foi possível verificar a importância do tamanho e distribuição das áreas de vegetação na caracterização das áreas urbanizadas e semi-urbanizadas. Esta abordagem comparativa demonstrou como a paisagem pode ser derivada do imageamento por satélite fornecendo uma representação das mudanças ocorridas na estrutura espacial urbana. Além disso, demonstrou como o rápido crescimento populacional e o desenvolvimento urbano tendem a competir com condições ambientais mais sensíveis, tais como parques e áreas de proteção ambiental. Todo o processo envolveu mudanças na composição, estrutura e função da paisagem, que ocorreu sobre um pano de fundo de manchas naturais remanescentes alteradas pelas transformações da morfologia urbana. A maioria dessas alterações evidencia mudanças no micro clima. Certamente, a análise das distribuições espaciais forneceu novos esclarecimentos sobre a estrutura da paisagem, que poderão ser explorados no planejamento do uso do solo. Esta é uma abordagem que fornece uma nova direção e oportunidade de pesquisa no que se refere a questões ambientais relativas ao processo de tomada de decisão, endereçada a objetivos ambientais com vistas ao desenvolvimento sócio-econômico, especialmente porque ressalta-se o fato de que não apenas os atributos físicos dos elementos da paisagem, mas também suas configurações espaciais são importantes determinantes na dinâmica do uso do solo / Abstract: The aim of this study was to propose relative vegetation and temperature indices which could reflect the changes occurred in the vegetation cover and urbanization patterns caused by transformations along the city of Curitiba (PR). Based on the results of these analysis it was achieved the analysis of the mainly population characteristics. Thus, it involved the study of land use patterns, the interactions between them within the landscape, and how these patterns and interactions change over the time. Therefore, three areas of Curitiba were selected by specific criteria and were studied and compared in terms of changing patterns and tendencies. Landsat TM and ETM+ images were used to identify different patterns of land cover providing a land use classification. In order to separate vegetated from built-up surfaces, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was used as an indicator of vegetation presence, from of what the relative vegetation index (NDVI-R) was created. At the same time, values from the thermal band (band 6) of Landsat satellite were extracted as an indicator of thermal differences between land uses, based on that a relative temperature index (DN-R) was proposed and compared with the relative vegetation index (NDVI-R). A database was built identifying the main characteristics of population of each area, serving as support for an analysis between variables, providing scenarios for subsequent conflicts caused by landscape changes. By applying these techniques it was possible to verify the importance of the size and distribution of the vegetated areas in characterizing urbanized and semi urbanized areas. This comparative approach has demonstrated how landscape can be derived from satellite imagery providing a representation of changes in the urban spatial structure. Besides, it has showed how the rapid population growth and urban development trends along the city compete with sensitive environmental conditions in areas such as municipal parks and conservation areas. Every process involved changes in landscape composition, structure and function, which occurred on a backdrop of natural remaining patches altered by transformations of urban morphology. Most of these changes shows up micro climate changes. Certainly, the analysis of spatial distributions provided new insights about the landscape structure, which could be exploited in the land use planning. This is an approach that provides a new direction and research opportunity in terms of environmental issues on the agenda of policy makers, addressed towards environmental goals for social-economic development proposals specially because it highlighted the fact that not only the physical attributes of the landscape elements but also their spatial configuration were important determinants of land use dynamics / Doutorado / Planejamento e Desenvolvimento Rural Sustentável / Doutor em Engenharia Agrícola

Les milieux humides sont menacés par le changement climatique et l'anthropisation des milieux naturels. La télédétection est un moyen efficace de suivre des variables environnementales sur de grands espaces. Cependant, lorsqu’il s’agit de l’étude de la dynamique hydrologique, une résolution temporelle importante est indispensable. Or celle-ci est difficilement accessible par l'imagerie optique satellitaire du fait de l’important couvert nuageux qui masque le sol. Les capteurs radars, travaillant dans le domaine des micro-ondes, sont tout particulièrement adaptés à la caractérisation des dynamiques hydrologiques grâce à la sensibilité de leurs mesures en présence d’eau et ce quelque soit la végétation en place. Il en découle que toutes les acquisitions Radar à Synthèse d’Ouverture (RSO) sont exploitables, acquises de jour comme de nuit, quel que soit le couvert nuageux.Récemment la télédétection radar satellitaire a vécu une véritable révolution grâce au lancement du satellite Sentinel-1A en 2014 suivi de son jumeaux Sentinel-1B deux ans plus tard par l'Agence Spatiale Européenne dans le cadre du programme Copernicus. Ces capteurs acquièrent des données en bande C (λ = 5,6 cm) sur toute l'Europe chaque 12 jours par satellite et leur diffusion est libre et gratuite pour tous. Le présent travail de thèse vise à évaluer le potentiel de ces données à haute résolution temporelle pour le suivi des surfaces d'eau et des milieux humides.Dans une première partie consacrée à la cartographie des surfaces d'eau, nous avons identifié une confusion la réponse radar en bande C des surfaces d'eau et celle de certains sols nus. Nous avons alors montré que la période hivernale est celle qui présente le moins d’ambiguïté et que la polarisation VH est la plus adaptée à la cartographie des surfaces en eau. Quatre méthodes de détection des zones en eau ont été comparées, il résulte que l’utilisation de méthodes non-supervisées sans données a priori n'est pas envisageable et que les méthodes prenant en compte le voisinage spatial donnent de meilleurs résultats. Un filtrage temporel a été mis au point et a permis d'améliorer la détection et de s'affranchir des confusions entre sols nus et surfaces d'eau permanentes. Les surfaces d'eau de plus de 0,5 ha ont plus de 80 % de chances d'être détectées.Un second volet de cette thèse est consacré au suivi d'une zone humide prairiale par télédétection radar. L'utilisation d'images pleinement polarimétriques a montré que la configuration de polarimétrie partielle VV/VH disponible sur le capteur de Sentinel-1 permet de caractériser l'inondation prairiale avec ou sans végétation. Une méthode prenant en compte l'information de voisinage temporel a permis de traiter une série de 14 images Sentinel-1 pour obtenir 14 cartes d'inondation pour l’année 2015. Une estimation de la précision à l'échelle intra-parcellaire a été mise au point, il apparaît que si la précision est relativement bonne (80 %), le rappel est assez bas (40 %). Cette méthode permet d'établir des bilans d'évolution intra- et inter-annuels.Cette thèse a montré le potentiel de l'utilisation d'images radar à haute résolution temporelle tant pour la cartographie des surfaces en eau que pour le suivi d'une zone humide prairiale / Wetlands are threatened by climate change and the anthropization of natural environments. Satellite remote sensing is useful for environmental monitoring at large areas. However, when it comes to the study of hydrological dynamics, a significant temporal resolution is essential. The latter is difficult to reach with optical satellite imagery because of the cloud cover that masks the ground. Radar sensors are well suited to the characterization of hydrological dynamics thanks to the sensitivity of their measurements in the presence of water, whatever the vegetation in place. As a result, all Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) acquisitions are available, both day and night, regardless of cloud cover.Satellite radar remote sensing has gone through a revolution with the launch of the Sentinel-1A satellite, followed by its twins Sentinel-1B by the European Space Agency as part of the Copernicus program in 2014. These sensors acquire C-band data (λ = 5.6 cm) on a regular basis on Europe and their distribution is free for all users. Their temporal frequency initially of 12 days has decreased to 6 days from the end of 2016. This work aims at evaluating the potential of these data with high temporal resolution for the monitoring of water bodies and wetlands.The first part of this thesis focuses on water bodies mapping. We found confusion in the C-band radar response between water surfaces and that of some bare soils. We showed that the winter period is the least ambiguous and that the VH polarization is the most suitable for the mapping of water surfaces. Four methods of water detection have been compared. It appears that the use of unsupervised methods without a priori data is not conceivable and that the methods taking into account the spatial neighborhood give better results. Temporal filtering has been developed and has improved detection and avoided confusion between bare soil and permanent water surfaces. Water surfaces of more than 0.5 ha are more than 80% likely to be detected.A second part of this thesis is devoted to the monitoring of wet grasslands by radar remote sensing. The use of fully polarimetric data has shown that the VV/VH partial polarimetry configuration available on the Sentinel-1 sensor is able to characterize the prairial floods with or without vegetation. A method taking into account the temporal neighborhood allowed to process a series of 14 Sentinel-1 images to obtain 14 flood maps. The accuracy of floods maps at the intra-parcel scale has been estimated, it appears that if the precision is relatively good (80%), but the recall is rather low (40%). This method allow to establish intra- and inter-annual monitoring.This thesis has shown the potential of high temporal resolution radar images for the mapping of the water surfaces and for the monitoring of a wetland meadow

Thesis (M. Sc. (Botany)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / The Woodbush Granite Grassland (WGG) is the most threatened vegetation type in Limpopo Province of South Africa. However, it has a high conservation value, because few examples of this vegetation type remain in southern Africa. Unfortunately, a large part of it is not formally conserved, making this the vegetation type most urgently in need of conservation. The study aimed at mapping transformation of the WGG, identifying species of conservation importance, and providing a management plan required for maintenance of the WGG. The objectives of the study included compiling a transformation map for the WGG, which also involved describing the remaining patches of the WGG that are in a natural or near-natural state. It also provides information on species of conservation importance, medicinal plants and threats to the WGG. On the four main study sites (Iron Crown Grassland, Haenertsburg Grassland, Ebenezer Dam Nature Reserve Grassland, and Ebenezer Dam Perimeter Grassland), quadratic plots were randomly set with a size of 25 x 25 m, and subplots of 1 x 1 m. Vegetation mapping was done during summer and winter. At each plot data was collected on all plant species occurring within the quadrat. A cover score was assigned to each plant species. A modified Braun-Blanquet data collection sheet was employed to obtain baseline data. For transformation mapping GeoTerra Image (GTI), land cover data were extracted for the WGG, using the modelled boundary as a mask, with 5 categories of transformation defined. Of the surveyed sites, the Ebenezer Dam Nature Reserve Grassland has the highest number of species, while the Haenertsburg Grassland contained the most endemic species of conservation importance. Rare species such as the Aloe zebrina, which does not occur in any formally protected area, and medicinal plants such as Athrixia phylicoides, occur on the WGG. All sites have importance with regard to WGG conservation. Identified threats include the spread of alien invasive plants, uncontrolled collection of medicinal plants, urban development, and poorly timed anthropogenic fire. vi The WGG underwent transformation to other land classes. Grassland clearing for plantations and cultivation were the main causal factors behind the observed WGG losses, with a total of 55.25% transformed. Transformation by afforestation is considered irreversible. It is concluded that the WGG is of conservation importance, and that some of it has been transformed to exotic timber plantations. The grassland is under various threats; therefore it is recommended that: (1) The proposed management plan provided in this study be adopted, (2) further research on the WGG be done on medicinal plants, (3) phytosociological and floristic studies be conducted and, (4) the effects of fire and alien invasive plant species on the grassland be investigated.

MEVNSC / Department of Geography and Geo-Information Sciences / Vegetation is one of the most important renewable natural resources to play a role in the preservation of the environment and biodiversity. Various land use activities such as urbanization, population growth and other anthropogenic activities, as well as climate change have been some of the major drivers which alter vegetation cover and contribute to biodiversity loss. This research study uses remote sensing and Geographical Information System to quantify vegetation and land cover change in Makhado over a five-year period (2007 - 2012). This study used multi-temporal satellite image data to identify the dynamic pattern of vegetation change and the negative impacts it has on the environment. The research uses remote sensing techniques and GIS software to analyse data. In addition, satellite imageries were used to study the spatial and temporal distribution of vegetation. The results of the study show that settlement areas have been on a stable positive and mostly uncontrolled expansion from 17.73% of the study area in 2007 to 30.52% in 2012. Vegetation on the other hand, has been on a steady decline, from 10.65% in 2007 to 5.92% in 2012, as well as the ecosystems quality on which biodiversity depends for their existence and to a greater extent the climate conditions, with an increase in temperature, methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide. The monitoring of vegetation change can play a vital role in knowledge generation, best practices and as well as Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation which can be abated in the near future. This study recommends that the South Africa Government and public agencies concerned develop policies and strategies to bring about balanced, coordinated and sustainable development in the municipality and its district.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Wetland habitats are characterized by periodic inundation and saturation by water creating anaerobic conditions that generate hydric soils and support hydrophytic vegetation. Wetland habitats provide important ecological functions including breeding grounds for fish, other wildlife, water purification, reduction in flooding, species diversity, recreation, food production, aesthetic value, and transformation of nutrients (Tiner, 1999). The multiple benefits of wetlands make them an important resource to monitor. A literature review suggests a combination of geospatial variables and methods should be tested for appropriateness in wetland delineation within local settings. Advancements in geospatial data technology and ease of accessing new, higher resolution geospatial data make study at local levels easier and more feasible (Barrette et al, 2000). The purpose of the current study is to evaluate new sources of geospatial data as potential variables to improve wetland identification and delineation. High resolution multispectral digital imagery, topographic data, and soils information are used to derive and evaluate independent variables. Regression analysis was used to analyze the data.

À l’échelle macroscopique, à savoir celle du paysage, la couverture végétale des milieux arides apparaît comme fortement hétérogène. Cette organisation spatiale des peuplements est habituellement attribuée aux processus de facilitation et de compétition qui opèrent à l’échelle microscopique des individus végétaux. Le qualificatif d’auto-organisées fut donc attribué à ces végétations qui se structurent en l’absence d’hétérogénéité préexistante du milieu physique. <p><p>L’auto-organisation de la végétation fut particulièrement bien étudiée dans le cas des structures périodiques connues dès les années '50 sous le nom de brousses tigrées. Depuis les années '90, un pas en avant dans la compréhension de ce phénomène fut accompli grâce au développement de modèles mécanistes de la dynamique de la phytomasse et des ressources, émanant du cadre théorique de l'auto-organisation des structures dissipatives. Ces modèles se rejoignent sur un ensemble de prédictions robustes et vérifiables concernant la formation, le maintien et la modulation par l'environnement des structures macroscopiques. Durant le même laps de temps, notre niveau d’analyse a connu une expansion sans précédent, à la fois dans le temps et dans l’espace, grâce au développement de l’imagerie satellitaire et des outils d’analyse spatiale. Nous nous trouvons dès lors à un moment charnière pour la validation macroscopique des théories d’auto-organisation des végétations en milieu aride.<p><p>Le présent travail s'articule en quatre études, chacune traitant d'une prédiction différente. Nous avons mis en évidence les principales variables responsables de la formation des structures et de leur modulation en termes d’échelle et de géométrie. Enfin avons démontré la mobilité des structures sous l’effet d’une pente de terrain. / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Natural vegetation and wetlands in regions of the Western Cape are being replaced by agricultural development. Previous studies on one such region - the Koue Bokkeveld, a high mountainous region at the source of three major drainage basins, demarcated for study purposes to cover nearly 2500 km2, have failed to provide a comprehensive overview of such change and its landscape outcomes. This research aimed to detect, capture, record and classify the spatial nature, extent and change dynamics of various landscape elements and functions due to change in the land cover of this region. It assembled a comprehensive spatial database by digitising existing maps, aerial photograph mosaics and satellite imagery. Land cover maps were created for three historical and land cover change analyses were performed for the interim periods. Morphological landscape images were derived from a DEM and used to explain and interpret the location of land cover types and trends in change patterns. The effects on three landscape functions were determined, namely modelled run-off production, biodiversity deduced from landscape pattern structure and SANBI ratings, and carbon storage potential based on published figures. The research found that the regional landscape has undergone substantive land cover change , since the reference state. Increased intensity and productivity of agriculture and its related infrastructure increased its coverage to nearly 45 000 ha or 20 % of the total area. Perennial agriculture (nearly 10 000 ha of orchards and plantations) and annual (intensive vegetable growing and diminishing cereal crops) agriculture, accompanied by improved enabling infrastructure, such as irrigation technology (large storage dams, pipelines, micro delivery modes), transportation, roads, product cooling and packing plants, have extensively replaced natural vegetation. Located in valley bottoms and along toe-slope locations, where they compete for space directly with expanding and constantly intensifying agricultural activities, wetlands, shale fynbos and renosterveld face complete replacement. Land use and land cover changes have profoundly affected landscape functioning. Modelled rainfall run-off has increased (2% overall) in most subregions, opening possibilities for sedimentation and erosion. A high degree of fragmentation of the vulnerable and affected vegetation types threatens biodiversity. Increased carbon storage in perennial agriculture offers a benefit of change, as opposed to the negative outcomes on biodiversity of change in the Koue Bokkeveld. The research recommends improved institutional provision of the data required for system and regional modelling of processes like run-off in developing communities and for meeting the requirements of more sophisticated and accurate landscape models. Improved availability and appropriateness of GIT software solutions to conduct regional research and the use of more economical open software for GIS applications are to be encouraged. Ongoing and improved management and control are advocated for the expanding and intensified agriculture in a sensitive fynbos setting and for the maintenance of healthy landscape functioning. Concerning the discipline of geography, the exploitation of landscape functioning as a transdisciplinary focus inherent to a new regional geography is encouraged to arrest disciplinary drift. Specifically, future research should intensify the examination of the linkages between land use, land cover, change and ecological landscape functioning. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Natuurlike plantegroei en vleilande in substreke van die Wes-Kaap word voortdurend vervang deur landbou-ontwikkeling. Vorige studies oor een so 'n streek - die Koue Bokkeveld, 'n hoogliggende bergagtige streek op die oorsprong van drie groot dreineerbekkens, wat afgebaken vir studie-doeleindes byna 2500 km2 dek  bied geen omvattende oorsig van sodanige verandering en die landskapsuitkomste daarvan nie. Hierdie navorsing was daarop gemik om die ruimtelike aard, omvang en veranderingsdinamika van verskillende landskapselemente en -funksies as gevolg van die verandering van grondbedekking van hierdie streek na te spoor, op te teken en te klassifiseer. 'n Omvattende ruimtelike databasis is saamgestel uit versyferde bestaande kaarte, lugfoto-mosaïeke en satellietbeelde. Grondbedekkingskaarte vir drie historiese tydsnitte is geskep en verandering oor die tussentydse periode is ontleed. Morfologiese landskapselemente is uit 'n DEM onttrek en gebruik om die patroon van grondbedekking en tendense in veranderingspatrone te verklaar en te verduidelik. Die nagevolge op drie landskapsfunksies, naamlik reënval-afloop produksie, biodiversiteit soos afgelei van die landskap se patroonstruktuur en SANBI graderings, en koolstof-opgaringspotensiaal gebaseer op gepubliseerde syfers, is bepaal. Die navorsing het bevind dat die streekslandskap sedert die vroegste verwysingstaat wesenlike grondbedekkingsverandering ondergaan het. Verhoogde intensiteit en produktiwiteit van die landbou en sy verwante infrastruktuur het die dekking daarvan vergroot tot byna 45 000 ha of 20% van die totale oppervlakte. Permanente (nagenoeg 10 000 ha boorde en plantasies) en jaarlikse (intensiewe groente en dalende graangewas verbouing) landbou, saam met verbeterde infrastruktuur, soos besproeiingstegnologie (groot opgaardamme, pypleidings, mikroleweringstoerusting), vervoer, paaie, produkverkoeling en -verpakkingsgeriewe, het natuurlike plantegroei grootskaals vervang. Geleë in valleivloere en aanliggende heuwelhange, waar hulle direk om ruimte meeding met die uitbreidende en voortdurend intensiferende landbou-aktiwiteite, is vleilande, skalie-fynbos en renosterveld onderhewig aan volledige vervanging. Grondgebruik- en bedekkingsverandering raak landskapsfunksionering wesenlik. Gemodelleerde reënvalafloop het toegeneem (2% in totaal) in die meeste substreke en vergroot so die moontlikhede vir sedimentasie en erosie. ‘n Hoë vlak van landskapsfragmentasie in die kwesbare en geaffekteerde plantegroeitipes bedreig biodiversiteit. Verhoogde koolstofopgaring in meerjarige landbougewasse impliseer wel 'n positiewe opbrengs van grondbedekkingsverandering, in teenstelling tot die negatiewe biodiversiteitsuitkomste van verandering in die Koue Bokkeveld. Die navorsing beveel aan dat institusionele voorsiening van data wat benodig word vir stelsel- en prosesmodellering (bv. reënvalafloop) in ontwikkelende gemeenskappe, en die vereistes van meer gesofistikeerde en akkurate landskapsmodelle, verbeter word. Die beskikbaarheid en geskiktheid van GIT sagteware-oplossings vir streeksnavorsing, en die gebruik van meer ekonomiese oop-programmatuur vir GIS-toepassings, word aangemoedig. Vir praktiese doeleindes word deurlopend-verbeterde bestuur en beheer oor die uitbreiding en intensifering van van landbou in 'n sensitiewe fynbosomgewing en die instandhouding van gesonde landskapsfunksionering bepleit. Met betrekking tot die dissipline van geografie, moedig die navorsing die ontginning van die landskap se funksionering as 'n transdissiplinêre fokus inherent aan 'n nuwe tipe streeksgeografie aan, om dissiplinêre uiteenloping te stuit. Toekomstige navorsing kan spesifiek die ondersoek van die skakels tussen grondgebruik, grondbedekking, verandering en ekologiese landskapsfunksionering verskerp.

xviii, 105 p. : ill. (some col.) / Restoration of riparian ecosystems in semi-arid riparian ecosystems requires an understanding of geomorphic, hydrologic and biologic factors and how they relate to vegetation. Such an understanding allows prioritization of restoration projects and avoidance of activities that are either unnecessary or likely to fail. In this dissertation I examined a suite of factors controlling distribution of vegetation types in the Sprague Basin, OR, and used those factors to predict potential for natural recovery. Factors ranged from basin-wide (e.g. floodplain width and slope) to local (e.g. topography, hydrology and soil texture). Results of historical analysis and photographic mapping showed that basin-wide vegetation types have remained generally stable since the early 1940s and that wide floodplains have been without woody vegetation since the late 1800s. The most prevalent changes in floodplain vegetation due to land use included reduction of shrub cover in moderately wide floodplains and associated increases in herbaceous vegetation. Soil moisture conditions were studied using piezometers and nested clusters of soil moisture tension meters. The interrelations among soil texture, elevation and distance from the channel, and vegetation (herbaceous and woody) characteristics in the riparian zone were examined along 75 transects using a generalized additive model for non linear factors and Hurdle analysis for abundance data. On the Sprague mainstem, fine soils with high recession rates supported abundant shrubs, while on the Sycan (Sprague tributary) coarse soils with readily available moisture and greater subsurface water movements supported abundant shrubs. Habitats in the Sycan were well colonized with new shrub seedlings though long term persistence was unlikely. Results show that riparian shrubs are unlikely to influence stream shade or bank stability on the mainstem Sprague whether they germinate naturally or are planted through restoration efforts, as shrubs near the channel are unlikely to persist long term. In the Sycan, germination and persistence are more likely than on the Sprague, though risks of predation, trampling from grazers, and fluvial action will be constant threats to near-channel shrubs. Results emphasize the need to understand factors controlling vegetation prior to restoration in any basin or stream segment. / Committee in charge: Patricia F. McDowell， Chairperson； W. Andrew Marcus， Member； Patrick Bartlein， Member； Scott Bridgham， Outside Member

Orientador: Valdemir Antonio Rodrigues / Banca: Antônio de Pádua Sousa / Banca: Luiza Helena Duenhas / Abstract: The preservation of the biodiversity of the vegetation in the micro watershed is of basic importance for the maintenance of the animal and vegetal wild life, ambient services and protection of the biosfera. The morphometry is a tool of great importance as diagnostic of susceptibility to the ambient degradation or conservation and guides the planning and handling of the micro watershed. The present study had as objective the morphometric characterization and analysis of biodiversity in the micro watershed of the Edgárdia Farm, Botucatu - SP. The micro watershed of the Edgárdia Farm belongs to the College of Agronomicas Ciencias/UNESP, city of Botucatu - SP. The program used for the attainment of the morphometrical variable was the ILWIS 3.2 version and the topographical letter of the IBGE with 1:50.000 scale. In the study of biodiversity four transects in the micro watershed had been installed, in the parts high (superior third), medium high and medium low (medium third) and low (inferior third) of the micro watershed, in which parcels of 10 x 5 meters had been installed. In the four transects, the forest species had been quantified and commanded in popular and classified families, species, names in its respective ecological successions (pioneer, secondary or climax). It was measured in each tree the height and the diameter in the height of the chest (DAP). The morphometrical variable and the results were: area of 7,205 kmø; perimeter of 11,59 km; length and width of micro watershed 3,578 the equal 3,016 km; length of the draining net and quotas of 15,68 km and 1100,00 km; factor of form 0,79, considered very high; density of draining of 2,18 km.kmø, classified as average; the high declivity of 76,98%, in accordance with the classes of declivities and types of relief of the micro watershed, was classified as scarped; frequency of rivers the 3,19 segments of rivers... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre