The thesis is an exploratory qualitative analysis of conversations between two out of three leading characters in Woody Allen’s motion picture Hannah and Her Sisters (1986). Due to a perception of invisible power relations, it is hypothesized that what seems like a powerful position in discourse, in fact is an indication of the opposite, and that what seems like a powerless position, is an indication of power. Three features based on scholarship connected to Conversation Analysis (CA), Dyadic Power Theory (DPT) and power relations in verbal interaction are chosen to test the hypotheses: first and second positions in sequences as dicussed by Hutchby (1996), control attempts as elaborated by DPT, and mitigating strategies as argued for by Mullany (2004). Findings confirm the hypotheses, but also reveal ambiguities and contrasting results. Connecting the data to sources based on talk in the private sphere, in particular within family discourse, is mentioned as one way to further illuminate the subject in future research.

No description available.

The principal hypothesis of this thesis was that the Maputaland Centre of Plant Endemism [MC] is characterised by plant communities that match a particular set of environmental variables, and their rich biodiversity with endemic and rare taxa reflecting the geomorphological history of the region. Data assembled supports the hypothesis. Vegetation studies highlighted two plant communities, endemic to the MC as being an important component of the region’s biodiversity, namely Sand Forest and Woody Grassland. A broad approach to the floristic classification of vegetation was adopted for information on the floristics patterns and diversity of the endemic/rare plants and plant communities of the MC. A hierarchical classification, description and ecological interpretation of the plant communities of the Tembe Elephant Park, Sileza Nature Reserve and surrounding areas are presented. Much of the vegetation distribution can be ascribed to the level of the water table, vegetation dynamics and historic evolution of the geomorphology of the region. The hypothesis is presented that Sand Forest may have allelopathic effects on its environment. Data of exploratory germination trials are presented to test this hypothesis. Sand Forest soil inhibits the emergence of seedlings, the inhibiting effect decreasing progressively from Sand Forest through grassland to woodland. Sand Forest was defined as a community, and its possible dynamics are described. Ideas were formulated (albeit largely hypothetical) on the likely origin of this vegetation type. It is proposed that ancient Dune Forest is the precursor of Sand Forest, but that Sand Forest has subsequently become a separate functioning plant community on its own. Sand Forest appears to be a relictual vegetation type of which the historical factors responsible for it’s original establishment and expansion are currently no longer present in the region. The use of woody species by elephant in different vegetation types in Tembe Elephant Park was investigated. A classification of species into utilization categories was produced which enabled assessment of the importance of different species to elephants, and also of the potential impact of elephants on different tree species. Management implications are highlighted. / Thesis (PhD (Botany))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Plant Science / unrestricted

Memoria para optar al título de Geógrafo / En los últimos años la ciudad de Pichilemu ha experimentado un sostenido crecimiento físico y demográfico por influencia de la actividad turística, ocasionando una presión creciente sobre áreas de alto valor ecológico, y por ende, alteraciones en la biodiversidad local. Siguiendo la tendencia de América Latina, Chile posee un déficit de estudios de ecología urbana, motivo por el cual esta memoria contribuye evaluando la biodiversidad de avifauna y vegetación leñosa en las coberturas de suelo del mosaico urbano de Pichilemu. El levantamiento de información de biodiversidad se llevó a cabo mediante conteo de aves e inventarios florísticos entre el período estival del 2017 y el de 2018. Con esta información se calculó riqueza, abundancia, tres índices de diversidad alfa (Shannon-Wiener, Pielou y Simpson), en conjunto con los porcentajes de especies endémicas, nativas y amenazadas. Además, se analizó si la distancia entre los puntos de muestreo y los componentes de infraestructura verde diversos en Shannon influencia la distribución espacial de los valores de los parámetros de diversidad alfa. Paralelamente se clasificaron las especies de avifauna en gremios tróficos y según su grado de sensibilidad a la urbanización. Asimismo, se compararon las coberturas de suelo en función de su biodiversidad a través del test de Kruskall-Wallis y el test de Dunn. Por último, se realizó un análisis de clúster para ver la similitud entre las coberturas de suelo. Los resultados señalan un patrón bimodal en el índice de Shannon, pues existen dos grupos de coberturas de suelo que presentan los valores máximos en esta variable en Pichilemu. El primero de ellos, con los valores más altos del índice de Shannon, está compuesto por coberturas naturales tales como los humedales y cuerpos de agua, quebradas y cursos de agua, y matorral arborescente. El otro grupo, con los segundos valores más altos del índice de Shannon, está integrado por coberturas híbridas como el tejido urbano continuo y el tejido urbano discontinuo. En Pichilemu, las especies de avifauna son mayoritariamente nativas, mientras que gran parte de las especies de vegetación leñosa son exóticas, muchas de ellas siendo exóticas invasoras. A pesar de su alta diversidad, el tejido urbano continuo alberga casi todos los individuos pertenecientes a una especie urban exploiter (Passer domesticus). Al contrario, los individuos de las especies urban avoiders se concentran en coberturas diversas y poco intervenidas como los humedales y cuerpos de agua, quebradas y cursos de agua, playas, dunas y arenales, y el matorral arborescente. Al mismo tiempo, estas coberturas naturales son las que exhiben la mayor cantidad de gremios tróficos. Respecto al análisis de correlación, la distancia entre los puntos de muestreo y las coberturas correspondientes a componentes de infraestructura verde diversos en Shannon no explica totalmente la variabilidad de los parámetros de diversidad alfa. Mediante el análisis de clúster, se destacan los altos niveles de diversidad del conglomerado compuesto por los humedales y cuerpos de agua, quebradas y cursos de agua, matorral arborescente, matorral pradera, y las plantaciones, De este modo, se concluye que estas coberturas deberían ser priorizadas para las labores de restauración ecológica y conservación de la biodiversidad. / Throughout the last years, the city of Pichilemu has undergone a sharp spatial and demographic growth influenced partly by tourist activity, which it caused an increasing pressure on high ecological value areas and local biodiversity. Following the same trend as in Latin America, Chile has few studies on urban ecology; hence this study contributes with an assessment of avifauna and woody vegetation biodiversity in land covers belonging to the urban mosaic of Pichilemu. All field samplings were conducted during 2017 and 2018 summer times using bird counting and floristic inventories. Richness, abundance, alpha diversity indexes (Shannon-Wiener, Pielou and Simpson) of species were calculated, along with the proportion of endemic, native and threatened species. Moreover, the distance between sampling points and diverse components of the green infrastructure of Pichilemu city was analysed to demonstrate whether it influences the spatial distribution of alpha diversity parameters values. Avifauna species were classified into trophic guilds and three distinct categories (urban exploiter, urban adapter and urban avoider) basing on their response to urbanisation. Furthermore, in order to compare land covers regarding their biodiversity, Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's test were applied. Finally, a cluster analysis was carried out to see the similarity among land covers and sampling points. The results show a bimodal distribution pattern on the Shannon index, since there are two groups of land covers with maximum values both in avifauna and woody vegetation in Pichilemu. The most diverse group in Shannon index is made up of natural land covers such as wetlands and water bodies, streams and water courses and tree-shaped scrubland. The second most diverse group in Shannon index is made up of hybrid land covers such as continuous urban fabric and discontinuous urban fabric. Most of avifauna species are native whilst the majority of woody vegetation species are exotic in Pichilemu. Even though continuous urban fabric is diverse, almost all individuals of avifauna belong to an urban exploiter species (Passer domesticus). On the other hand, individuals belonging to urban avoider species are prone to be found in diverse and less disturbed land covers such as wetlands and water bodies, streams and water courses, strands, dunes and sandbanks and tree-shaped scrubland. Likewise, these land covers contain the highest number of trophic guilds of avifauna. Regarding correlation analysis, the distance between sampling points and diverse green infrastructure components does not explain completely the spatial variability of alpha diversity parameters. Through cluster analysis, cluster comprised of wetlands and water bodies, streams and water courses, tree-shaped scrubland, shrub brush and plantations has outstanding diversity values. Therefore, these land covers should be prioritised for ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation measures.

Beetle-killed trees and woody residues degenerate and may lead to wildfires and uncontrolled CO2 emission. Woody biomass is known as a neutral CO2 solid fuel since it generates the same amount of CO2 that takes from atmosphere during its growing up. Cofiring woody biomass with coal in existing coal power plants is a reasonable solution to reduce the net amount of CO2 emission and decrease the risk of wildfires. However, there are some challenges ranging from providing and handling the woody biomass to the operation of cofiring woody biomass with coal. Co-milling of the fuels and ash deposition on the heat exchanger surfaces during cofiring are among the most critical challenges. A CFD model simulated the behavior of the pulverized particles and evaluate the impact of geometry and operational changes on mill performance. In addition, we measured the ash deposit rate derived from cofiring woody biomass with coal in a pilot combustor (1500 kW) and full-scale furnace. Moreover, we developed a model to predict ash deposit rate during combustion of coal and its blend with a variety of biomass. The post-processing analysis of CFD modelling of co-milling woody biomass with coal shows that the entrained large woody biomass particles exit the pulverizer along with the fine coal particles due to their lower density than that of coal particles. Some simple geometry and operational changes can optimize mill performance by reducing the number of large biomass particles in the product stream. Therefore, it makes the particle size distribution (PSD) of the product stream of co-milling more like that of coal. The collected data set of fly ash particles and ash deposit samples shows that the ash formation and deposit rates were not impacted significantly by cofiring woody biomass with coal. The concentration of alkali metals in the ash aerosol during cofiring was slightly higher than that of coal. Cofiring in pilot scale combustor made a tri-modal PSD of ash aerosol particles; however, the distribution was bimodal in the full-scale boiler. The ash deposit rates during cofiring in 1500 kW combustor were higher (30 to 70%) at locations closer to the burner at short operation times. Our developed model of ash deposit rate investigated two types of stickiness models of fly ash particles to the surface of heat exchanger: melt fraction stickiness model (MFSM) and kinetic energy stickiness model (KESM). The developed model suggested that the MFSM, which is based on the melt fraction of ash and our novel approach to condensation of alkali vapor species, was more accurate in predicting ash deposit rate of a variety of fuel combustion of a 100-kW combustor. The model calculated four mechanisms: inertial impaction, thermophoresis, condensation, and eddy impaction.

No description available.

During the last century coal extraction has degraded ecosystems in Appalachia, converting forested land into other cover types that have a diminished capacity to naturally progress to later stages of succession. This projects objective was to examine two options for land-use that can assist in returning the reclaimed surface mines to forested cover types, with increased ecosystem services, and a potential for economic gain. This project examined a biomass plantation and an American chestnut trial. In the biomass trial, greatest heights for American sycamore (12.3 m) and black locust (8.0 m) were found in the fertilizer plots. Mean individual tree biomass for American sycamore and black locust was 6.4 Kg and 5.3 Kg, respectively; no significant differences were found among treatments. In the American chestnut trial, experimental wide survival was 47.2% in 2009, dropping to 24.74% in 2017. No significant differences were found by genotype, stock type, or the interaction in 2017. Use of mined land for woody biomass plantations and locales for chestnut restoration shows potential if proper management techniques are followed. Given the vast amounts of land disrupted by mining activities in Appalachia, approaches such as these deserve further attention and additional research.

In response to human impacts, river restoration and rehabilitation actions have become a priority in the United States. In the Pacific Northwest, most restoration actions are focused on repairing degraded freshwater habitat to increase or improve Pacific salmonid production. However, traditional river restoration actions remained largely unchanged for over 100 years despite a lack of definitive evidence that the actions were effective. More recently, there has been a surge in process-based restoration actions, which aim to reestablish the physical and biological processes that maintain fluvial and floodplain environments by targeting the root causes of degradation in a watershed. Cheap and cheerful restoration projects focus on restoration actions that are low impact and cost effective, can be implemented over large scales, and target degraded processes. However, because cheap and cheerful restoration is a relatively new method, the success of these types of projects has not been assessed. To address this issue, I studied the short-term physical effectiveness of a type of cheap and cheerful restoration that uses high density large woody debris (HDLWD) to restore instream habitat complexity in two wadeable tributaries to Asotin Creek in southeast Washington State. My specific research objectives included (1) assessing hydraulic and geomorphic responses in the stream channel imposed by restoration structures, (2) quantifying the changes to geomorphic channel unit assemblages post restoration, (3) quantifying changes in sediment storage post restoration, and (4) developing a geomorphic condition assessment of Asotin Creek using the River Styles Framework. Additionally, I developed a mobile database application (app) to facilitate data collection using a novel rapid restoration effectiveness assessment survey. Through analysis and a thorough review of the land use history in Asotin Creek, I determined that much of the watershed is in poor geomorphic condition based on the River Styles Framework for river classification. Many stream reaches have been degraded from their historic condition and often lack habitat complexity associated with suitable rearing habitat for juvenile salmonids. My results indicate that the structures are impose several immediate hydraulic responses following installation. These hydraulic responses increase hydraulic roughness, which results in predictable geomorphic responses following high flow events. Following restoration, the number and area of pools and bars significantly increased within treatment sites, while the number and area of planar units decreased. Likewise, it appears that the addition of the structures has led to a 25% increase in depositional volume at treatment sites compared to control sites. Results from the rapid assessment approach supported the more vetted approaches used to assess the efficacy of the treatment. However, the viability of the app and rapid protocol indicate that inter-observer variability may be high, and estimates of geomorphic unit area are not entirely consistent with the vetted approaches. Analysis of the rapid assessment approach revealed pertinent improvements to the app and rapid protocol that will be made in the future.

Within the last two decades substantial progress has been made in understanding seed bank dynamics and the contribution of the soil seed bank to a post-disturbance plant community. There has been relatively little progress, however, in understanding perennial bud bank dynamics and the contribution of the soil bud bank to secondary succession. This lack of information is due primarily to the inability to reliably identify roots, rhizomes, and lignotubers that lie dormant beneath the soil surface. This scientific investigation, therefore, addressed the issue of identification of belowground woody structures. The first objective was to develop a methodology that utilizes molecular tools to reliably identify woody plant species from subsoil tissue samples. The second objective was to create a key in which molecular markers serve as criteria for identification and differentiation of selected tree and shrub species common to the mountains of northeast Oregon and southeast Washington. Application of restricted fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis on polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified rbcL gene products proved to be a reliable method to identify and differentiate 15 plants to the genus level. Two restriction enzymes, DPN II and Hha I, cut (or do not cut) the PCR-rbcL product into one to six fragments. Fragment number and length are used to develop an identification key. Plants not analyzed in this key may share the same banding patterns , resulting in a false-positive identification of unknowns. Future research needs and management implications are discussed.

Bare-root Nuttall oak, Shumard oak, and swamp chestnut oak seedlings were planted on former agricultural fields in Mississippi to evaluate growth and survival following treatment by different combinations of mechanical site preparation and pre-emergent Oust XP® applications. Mechanical treatments included: (1) controls, (2) subsoiling treatment, (3) bedding treatment, and (4) combination plowing. Pre-emergent Oust XP® treatments included: (1) one-year Oust XP® applications and (2) two-year Oust XP® applications. Evaluations and measurements were performed over the course of three years. Results within this dissertation should be considered in the context of high quality former agricultural sites with silt loam soils. Seedling height and GLD increased each growing season. Height and GLD of seedlings were greater in bedded and combination plowed areas compared to control and subsoiled areas. Height and GLD were not different by Oust XP® application. However, seedling survival in two-year Oust XP® application areas was reduced compared to one-year Oust XP® application areas. Nuttall oak seedlings planted in bedded and combination plowed areas exhibited greater stem biomass compared to those planted in control or subsoiled areas. Seedlings planted in two-year Oust XP® areas exhibited greater stem and root biomass compared to those planted in areas receiving the one-year treatment. Better growth and biomass production in bedded and combination plowed areas would promote their use for site preparation on similar sites. While survival was lower in two-year Oust XP® treatment areas compared to one-year treatment areas, the difference would not warrant change in management strategy. Additionally, woody biomass was much greater in two-year Oust XP® areas. Thus, if cost is not prohibitive, treatment with two years of Oust XP® is recommended. The objective of the mixed species study was to establish baseline growth and survival data for mixed Nuttall oak and green ash plantations on former agricultural areas. Height and GLD for both species increased each growing season. Third-year survival was excellent at 96.0 percent. In conclusion, the mixture performed satisfactorily. Growth and survival were excellent, which indicates this mixture would be useful in afforesting similar former agriculture sites.