Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-126).

A vegetation monitoring program was initiated at Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge (Big Oaks NWR) to help understand the effects of fire management on critical wildlife habitat. The objectives of this study were to produce a baseline description of plant community structure and composition and to describe the landscape-level impacts of fire management within the refuge. These grassland communities are important for managing rare grassland wildlife species, especially Henslow's sparrows. Permanent plots were established in three managed grassland communities. Information on plant community species composition and structure was collected during 2000-2001. Andropogon viginiana and Solidago juncea were the dominant plant species in the permanent plots. Rhus copallinum and Liquidamber styraciflua were the dominant woody species. Changes in landscape structure were determined using aerial photographs and a geographic information system (GIS). Vegetation data layers were created for 1995 and 1998 with vegetation patches classified using the National Vegetation Classification System (NVCS). Field data was collected during 2000 and 2001 to validate the data layers. Changes in composition and structure of nine vegetation classes were compared between burned and unburned areas. Percent cover of grassland area increased while sparse woodland and shrubland decreased during the study period. The amount of total patches and total edge declined in the burn areas. Mean grassland patch size increased while the number of grassland patches and grassland edge decreased in the burn areas. Therefore, the grassland areas within the burn units were more homogeneous in 1998. The results of this study were related to Henslow's sparrow population estimates in the fire management units.

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a diverse class of hydrocarbon released during the normal physiological processes of some species of vegetation. These substances can participate in many chemical reactions and in some cases have potential to promote the formation of ground level ozone. The Fraser Valley located in southwestern British Columbia occasionally experiences these air pollution episodes during the summer. In order to effectively reduce the frequency and magnitude of these episodes, it is important that we understand the relative role of biogenic hydrocarbons from the abundant vegetated surfaces in the region. The thesis presents the results of measurements conducted on four common tree species in the lower Fraser Valley using a branch enclosure apparatus. Hydrocarbon emission rates from Cottonwoods trees were approximately one hundred times greater than those from coniferous trees and were dominated by the compound isoprene. Monoterpenoid emissions from four tree species were highly variable in magnitude and demonstrated no statistically significant relationship with temperature. Comparison of the observed results with a simple model from the literature shows relatively close agreement in the case of isoprene but poor agreement with monoterpene emissions. Results of these branch enclosure studies were extrapolated to larger scales to yield an areal emission rate assuming reasonable biomass densities. Isoprene measurements in this study reveal an areal emission rate approximately twenty times that of the assumed value in current emissions inventories. This discrepancy could be quite significant considering its magnitude and the possible sensitivity of the chemical reactions that produce ground level ozone to changes in isoprene concentration.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wollongong, 2007. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references: page 256-281.

Academisch proefschrift--Vrije Universiteit te Amsterdam, 1998. / "Code 923, NASA GSFC Biospheric Sciences Branch"--Cover. "April 1998." "GSFC/CR-1998-206852." "Contract NAS-31752." Includes bibliographical references (p. 81-90).

Academisch proefschrift--Vrije Universiteit te Amsterdam, 1998. / "Code 923, NASA GSFC Biospheric Sciences Branch"--Cover. "April 1998." "GSFC/CR-1998-206852." "Contract NAS-31752." Includes bibliographical references (p. 81-90).

A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar a situação atual e definir diretrizes de projeto para a revitalização de um conjunto de cavas de areia situadas na bacia do Rio Iguaçu da Região Metropolitana de Curitiba (RMC). A concepção da proposta paisagística considerou quesitos multidisciplinares. A preocupação com a conjuntura da natureza foi abordada a partir de conceitos como Ecologismo, Ambientalismo e Ecogênese. A importância dos espaços livres foi analisada ao longo da incorporação destas áreas ao tecido urbano ao longo dos tempos. Feita esta análise global, partiuse então para a contextualização da área de estudo. A localização em área de manancial da RMC implicou na análise de fatores restritivos ambientais. Outro viés abordado foi o diagnóstico da RMC a partir de aspectos socioeconômicos, em especial no que diz respeito ao processo de ocupação irregular. No que concerne ao diagnóstico específico da área de estudo, a caracterização da água armazenada nas cavas é crucial para a definição de diretrizes de revitalização. A proposta baseou-se na avaliação limnológica de nove amostragens realizadas no período de abril de 2008 a novembro de 2009. A análise considerou os parâmetros estabelecidos pela Resolução nº 357/2005 do Conselho Nacional de Meio Ambiente. Em linhas gerais, a água das cavas enquadrou-se nos parâmetros especificados para águas doces classe 2, sofrendo pouca influência dos sistemas adjacentes. O cálculo médio do Índice de Qualidade da Água (IQA) revelou uma qualidade hídrica média, com exceção do Rio Iraí e de uma cava influenciada negativamente pelo Canal extravasor de água limpa que apresentaram IQA ruim. Paralelamente, realizou-se um levantamento florístico do ecossistema em questão, visando empregar espécies nativas no projeto paisagístico. O cruzamento destas informações resultou em uma proposta organizada em seis setores principais: extração mineral controlada; recuperação da mata ciliar; wetlands construídas; amortecimento; recreação pública; pesquisa e educação ambiental. / The purpose of this research was to analyze the current situation and define design guidelines for the landscape revitalization of sand holes located at Iguassu River Basin in Curitiba’s Metropolitan Region (RMC). This landscape proposal had a multidisciplinary profile. The worry about nature was explored through concepts such as Ecology, Environmentalism and Ecogenesis. The importance of open spaces and the relation between these and the urban context was analyzed along the history. After this general analysis, the research contextualized the studied area. The location at a water source area involved the analysis of restrictive environmental factors. Another issue was the RMC diagnosis from socioeconomic aspects, particularly about the process of illegal occupation. The revitalization proposal of the studied area is directly related to the characterization of water stored in the sand holes, which was based on limnological assessment of nine samples collected from April 2008 to November 2009. The analysis used parameters defined by the Environmental National Council. In general, the water of sand holes fits in the specified parameters, which means there was little influence of adjacent systems. The average calculation of Water Quality Index (WQI) showed that the water quality in the studied area was medium, except in Iraí River and in a sand hole negatively influenced by the Clean water overflow channel, which WQI was bad. Another developed activity was a floristic survey in order to use native species in landscape design. The result was a proposal organized into six main sectors: controlled mining; riparian vegetation recovery; constructed wetlands; damping; public recreation; environmental research and education.

A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar a situação atual e definir diretrizes de projeto para a revitalização de um conjunto de cavas de areia situadas na bacia do Rio Iguaçu da Região Metropolitana de Curitiba (RMC). A concepção da proposta paisagística considerou quesitos multidisciplinares. A preocupação com a conjuntura da natureza foi abordada a partir de conceitos como Ecologismo, Ambientalismo e Ecogênese. A importância dos espaços livres foi analisada ao longo da incorporação destas áreas ao tecido urbano ao longo dos tempos. Feita esta análise global, partiuse então para a contextualização da área de estudo. A localização em área de manancial da RMC implicou na análise de fatores restritivos ambientais. Outro viés abordado foi o diagnóstico da RMC a partir de aspectos socioeconômicos, em especial no que diz respeito ao processo de ocupação irregular. No que concerne ao diagnóstico específico da área de estudo, a caracterização da água armazenada nas cavas é crucial para a definição de diretrizes de revitalização. A proposta baseou-se na avaliação limnológica de nove amostragens realizadas no período de abril de 2008 a novembro de 2009. A análise considerou os parâmetros estabelecidos pela Resolução nº 357/2005 do Conselho Nacional de Meio Ambiente. Em linhas gerais, a água das cavas enquadrou-se nos parâmetros especificados para águas doces classe 2, sofrendo pouca influência dos sistemas adjacentes. O cálculo médio do Índice de Qualidade da Água (IQA) revelou uma qualidade hídrica média, com exceção do Rio Iraí e de uma cava influenciada negativamente pelo Canal extravasor de água limpa que apresentaram IQA ruim. Paralelamente, realizou-se um levantamento florístico do ecossistema em questão, visando empregar espécies nativas no projeto paisagístico. O cruzamento destas informações resultou em uma proposta organizada em seis setores principais: extração mineral controlada; recuperação da mata ciliar; wetlands construídas; amortecimento; recreação pública; pesquisa e educação ambiental. / The purpose of this research was to analyze the current situation and define design guidelines for the landscape revitalization of sand holes located at Iguassu River Basin in Curitiba’s Metropolitan Region (RMC). This landscape proposal had a multidisciplinary profile. The worry about nature was explored through concepts such as Ecology, Environmentalism and Ecogenesis. The importance of open spaces and the relation between these and the urban context was analyzed along the history. After this general analysis, the research contextualized the studied area. The location at a water source area involved the analysis of restrictive environmental factors. Another issue was the RMC diagnosis from socioeconomic aspects, particularly about the process of illegal occupation. The revitalization proposal of the studied area is directly related to the characterization of water stored in the sand holes, which was based on limnological assessment of nine samples collected from April 2008 to November 2009. The analysis used parameters defined by the Environmental National Council. In general, the water of sand holes fits in the specified parameters, which means there was little influence of adjacent systems. The average calculation of Water Quality Index (WQI) showed that the water quality in the studied area was medium, except in Iraí River and in a sand hole negatively influenced by the Clean water overflow channel, which WQI was bad. Another developed activity was a floristic survey in order to use native species in landscape design. The result was a proposal organized into six main sectors: controlled mining; riparian vegetation recovery; constructed wetlands; damping; public recreation; environmental research and education.

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a diverse class of hydrocarbon released during the normal physiological processes of some species of vegetation. These substances can participate in many chemical reactions and in some cases have potential to promote the formation of ground level ozone. The Fraser Valley located in southwestern British Columbia occasionally experiences these air pollution episodes during the summer. In order to effectively reduce the frequency and magnitude of these episodes, it is important that we understand the relative role of biogenic hydrocarbons from the abundant vegetated surfaces in the region. The thesis presents the results of measurements conducted on four common tree species in the lower Fraser Valley using a branch enclosure apparatus. Hydrocarbon emission rates from Cottonwoods trees were approximately one hundred times greater than those from coniferous trees and were dominated by the compound isoprene. Monoterpenoid emissions from four tree species were highly variable in magnitude and demonstrated no statistically significant relationship with temperature. Comparison of the observed results with a simple model from the literature shows relatively close agreement in the case of isoprene but poor agreement with monoterpene emissions. Results of these branch enclosure studies were extrapolated to larger scales to yield an areal emission rate assuming reasonable biomass densities. Isoprene measurements in this study reveal an areal emission rate approximately twenty times that of the assumed value in current emissions inventories. This discrepancy could be quite significant considering its magnitude and the possible sensitivity of the chemical reactions that produce ground level ozone to changes in isoprene concentration. / Arts, Faculty of / Geography, Department of / Graduate

A finite element groundwater flow model was used to support a hydrologic assessment for a study area in the Lower San Pedro River Basin which contains the Bingham Cienega. Consolidated sedimentary rocks associated with an extension of the Catalina Core Complex truncate the floodplain aquifer system in the study area. The elevated water table produced by this "hardrock" results in spring discharge at the cienega and a locally gaining reach of the San Pedro River. The steady -state model suggests that recharge (and discharge) components for the floodplain aquifer sum to 3.10 cfs. Mountain front recharge, underflow, and stream leakage are the primary recharge mechanisms, while stream leakage, evapotranspiration, spring flow, and underflow out are sources for groundwater discharge. A steady -oscillatory model was used to account for seasonal periodicity in the system's boundary conditions. Monthly variation in the evapotranspiration rate was offset primarily by storage changes in the aquifer. Due to a lack of measured hydrologic data within the study area, results from the model simulations are only preliminary. Model development and the subsequent sensitivity analyses have provided insight into what type of data needs to be collected. Head measurements are most needed in the area just downstream from Bingham Cienega. The mountain front recharge and evapotranspiration rates are shown to be highly sensitive parameters in the model; improved estimation of these values would be helpful. Spring discharge would be a valuable calibration tool if it could be accurately measured. A more extensive record of stream baseflow in the San Pedro River should be established. After more hydrologic data is collected, the model could be recalibrated so as to better represent the system. Eventually, this tool may be used in direct support of management and/or restoration decisions.