This research established long-term alpine monitoring in southwestern British Columbia by following the protocol outlined in the Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine environments (GLORIA). The aim of this international project is to establish a long-term observation network to obtain standardized data on alpine biodiversity, vegetation patterns and temperature on a global scale. Research plots (known as target regions) were established in the Mount Arrowsmith region on Vancouver Island and in the Whistler region. A target region is comprised of four summits that each represent an altitudinal gradient of vegetation patterns characteristic for the respective mountain regions. The GLORIA protocol focuses on capturing changes in: species richness (number of species), species composition (loss or gain of individual species), patterns of vegetation (changes in % cover), soil temperatures of microhabitats, and snow cover. The analysis of data presented in this thesis related environmental characters (area, slope, elevation, aspect and top cover) and species characters to species richness and composition. This research indicates that overall in the Arrowsmith and Whistler target regions, species richness was consistently greater in larger study plots and in plots where the cover of vascular plant species was relatively high. Elevation alone, sometimes seen as an indirect measure of temperature did not seem to play a significant role in predicting species richness. All species inventoried were ‘as expected’. All of these observations made sense ecologically, are in line with current hypotheses, and demonstrate that the summits chosen in the Arrowsmith and Whistler target regions are typical alpine areas and suitable for long-term study. / Graduate

We introduce the Effective Number of Issues measure for e-participation efficiency. This novel index is based on the Shannon entropy measure of biodiversity and summarizes the amount of information gained through an e-participation project in one number. This makes the comparison between different e-participation projects straightforward and lays the foundation for the rigorous analysis of success factors of e-participation projects in a data-driven way. After providing the formula and rationale for the new measure we use the ENI index to benchmark the idea generation process for the digital agenda Vienna against other projects. It turns out that the efficiency of this project is significantly higher than those observed for other cases. We conjecture that this can be attributed to the user-friendly design of the software platform and the effective communication strategy of the process management. Finally, suggestions for further research are given. (authors' abstract)

The riparian forests are hotspots of biodiversity and serve important roles in maintainingthe water quality. The study and understanding of this ecosystem is basic to know how theriparian zones respond to the threat and the changes produced by the urbanization. Theobjective of this pilot study was to know the species richness and check the status of theriparian vegetation along two different rivers in Halmstad, Nissan and Fylleån. The studywas focus on the status of trees at both rivers to see if the proximity of the city has anyimpact on the biodiversity. In total 9 different species were found, nevertheless only 3 ofthese species were founded on both localizations: Quercus robur, Betula pendula and Pinussylvestris. The Shannon Index showed a higher biodiversity on Nissan riparian zones, whichis the river that present the urban component. The urban area is the one that presentshigher level of biodiversity, tree species and number of individuals but there are notenough to be in a good standard. The result just show that the urban area is in a bettercondition that the natural one. The institutional efforts should be focusing on preserveboth environments with special attention to the natural environment.

This study attempts to expand existing knowledge on the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, by studying a four year old tropical tree plantation. The growth of trees coming from monocultures, three species mixtures and six species mixtures was compared. Through multivariate statistical analysis, the variation in tree productivity was partitioned into different components: variation explained by (1) species richness, (2) species identity and (3) the environment. Results reveal that the environment explains the largest portion of variability in tree growth. Moreover, of the small amount of variation explained by diversity, species identity is found to be twice as important then species richness. Of notable significance was the amount of variation explained by the interaction of diversity with the environment.

No description available.

No description available.

Invasive weeds inflict significant harm on native species, ecosystem processes, and natural disturbance regimes. When managing these weed threats, some of the most useful tools are the outputs of predictive distribution models. As they supplement existing distribution data to assess where in the landscape is most susceptible to weed invasion, they allow for more efficient weed management because the areas most suited to weed species may be targeted for control. This research develops a habitat suitability model for the weed lantana (Lantana camara L. sensu lato) in a portion of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area at present and under forecast warmer climates. A generalised additive model (GAM) is used, which fits the regression curve used for prediction to the calibration data themselves and allows for an exploration of which environmental conditions favour lantana as well as where in the landscape is most suitable for the weed. Temperature was positively correlated with suitable habitat and explained over 90% of the variation in lantana presence predicted by the model. 15% of the study area was found to be suitable for lantana at present, with this figure reaching 58% after a simulated 3??C rise in temperature. Mapping habitat suitability across the study area allowed for the identification of five distinct pathways for lantana to further invade the Blue Mountains. Responding to calls for the integration of weed management with biodiversity conservation, the research also integrates the habitat suitability model with information regarding the distribution of vegetation communities and endangered species in the Blue Mountains. Thirteen native vegetation communities were found to have more than 20% suitable habitat for lantana at present, and an additional three contained more than 80% suitable habitat after a simulated 3??C rise in temperature. Five of these communities are listed as threatened under relevant legislation and harbour at least 27 endangered species, placing additional urgency on their conservation. This research has successfully used modelling techniques to identify areas for targeted weed management integrated with biodiversity conservation. The methods are easily adaptable to other weeds and regions and could thus be used to illustrate the comprehensive threat weeds pose to Australia???s biodiversity.

No description available.

No description available.

Invasive weeds inflict significant harm on native species, ecosystem processes, and natural disturbance regimes. When managing these weed threats, some of the most useful tools are the outputs of predictive distribution models. As they supplement existing distribution data to assess where in the landscape is most susceptible to weed invasion, they allow for more efficient weed management because the areas most suited to weed species may be targeted for control. This research develops a habitat suitability model for the weed lantana (Lantana camara L. sensu lato) in a portion of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area at present and under forecast warmer climates. A generalised additive model (GAM) is used, which fits the regression curve used for prediction to the calibration data themselves and allows for an exploration of which environmental conditions favour lantana as well as where in the landscape is most suitable for the weed. Temperature was positively correlated with suitable habitat and explained over 90% of the variation in lantana presence predicted by the model. 15% of the study area was found to be suitable for lantana at present, with this figure reaching 58% after a simulated 3??C rise in temperature. Mapping habitat suitability across the study area allowed for the identification of five distinct pathways for lantana to further invade the Blue Mountains. Responding to calls for the integration of weed management with biodiversity conservation, the research also integrates the habitat suitability model with information regarding the distribution of vegetation communities and endangered species in the Blue Mountains. Thirteen native vegetation communities were found to have more than 20% suitable habitat for lantana at present, and an additional three contained more than 80% suitable habitat after a simulated 3??C rise in temperature. Five of these communities are listed as threatened under relevant legislation and harbour at least 27 endangered species, placing additional urgency on their conservation. This research has successfully used modelling techniques to identify areas for targeted weed management integrated with biodiversity conservation. The methods are easily adaptable to other weeds and regions and could thus be used to illustrate the comprehensive threat weeds pose to Australia???s biodiversity.