Hexaclorociclohexano (HCH), pesticida organoclorado mundialmente utilizado, apresenta efeitos tóxicos à saúde humana e ao meio ambiente. Os microrganismos degradadores mais conhecidos são as Sphingomonas sp. Técnicas de biodegradação foram aplicadas em duas etapas. A primeira focou na biorremediação de solo contaminado, de Santo André SP, e foi realizada em biorreatores no Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas (IPT). Experimentos nas fases sólida e semi-sólida apresentaram até 90% de degradação de HCH no solo. A segunda parte, na Universidade de Groningen (RuG), Países Baixos, focou no tratamento de soluções contaminadas usando enzimas selvagens e variantes desenhadas computacionalmente. Mutantes foram construídas, expressadas e purificadas. Ensaios de Thermofluor® mostraram que as variantes estavam enoveladas. Ensaios enzimáticos foram realizados em solução aquosa com b-HCH e dimetil sulfóxido (5%), sendo as amostras extraídas com acetato de etila e analisadas por cromatografia gasosa com detector de captura de elétrons. As variantes apresentaram atividade. / Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) is an organochlorine pesticide used world-wide which shows toxic effects in human health and causes environmental problems. The most known HCH-degrading microorganisms are Sphingomonas sp. Biodegradation techniques were applied in this work, divided in two parts. The first one focused on the bioremediation of a contaminated soil, from Santo Andre - SP, in bioreactors at the Institute for Technological Research (IPT). Experiments were carried in solid and slurry phases, which could achieve around 90% of HCH degradation. The second part was developed at the University of Groningen (Rug), The Netherlands. Contaminated solutions were treated with wild-type enzymes and computationally designed variants. Mutants were constructed, expressed and purified. Thermofluor® assay showed that all variants were well folded. Enzymatic assays were carried in aqueous solution with b-HCH and dimethyl sulfoxide (5%). The samples were extracted with ethyl acetate and analysed by gas chromatography using an electron capture detector. The variants were actives.

Atualmente as organizações industriais notaram a importância de se preservar o meio ambiente e está demonstrando um crescente interesse em atuar de forma sustentável na utilização de matérias-primas para geração de produtos. Diante disso, métodos e ferramentas que permitam a identificação das relações existentes entre produtos e processos e o ambiente faz-se necessário. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho ambiental e energético do ciclo de vida da produção de etanol de batata-doce cultivada no Tocantins, e a Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV) foi a ferramenta que permitiu analisar os potenciais impactos ambientais causados pela produção do etanol, desde a extração da matéria-prima a sua produção na usina, avaliando as fases agrícola e industrial do seu ciclo de vida. Com base nos resultados da ACV foi possível identificar que as categorias de impacto ambiental Mudança Climática, Eutrofização e Acidificação Terrestre tiveram as maiores contribuições relacionados à fase agrícola, cujas emissões de gases acidificantes, emissões de GEE e “usos de recursos energéticos não-renováveis” estiveram relacionadas ao uso de fertilizantes sintéticos e ao uso de combustíveis fósseis principalmente no processo de plantio e manejo no cultivo da batata-doce, o que indica a necessidade de uma utilização mais eficiente desses recursos. Na avaliação energética constatou-se o que a produção do etanol de batata-doce é viável em relação à energia líquida gerando o total de 1,36 MJ para cada unidade de energia consumida, e 1,76 MJ produzido para cada unidade de energia fóssil despendida para sua fabricação. / Currently industrial organizations noted the importance of preserving the environment and is demonstrating a growing interest in acting in a sustainable way in the use of raw materials for generation of products. Therefore, methods and tools that enable the identification of the relationship between products and processes and the environment is necessary. This study aimed to evaluate the energy and environmental performance of the life cycle of sweet potato ethanol production grown in Tocantins, and the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was the tool that allowed us to analyze the potential environmental impacts for ethanol production, from extraction of raw materials to production at the plant, evaluating the agricultural and industrial phases of their life cycle. Based on LCA results was possible to identify the categories of environmental impact climate change, eutrophication and acidification Land had higher contributions related to the agricultural phase, whose emissions of acidifying gases, greenhouse gas emissions and "non-renewable energy resources use were" related to the use of synthetic fertilizers and the use of fossil fuels especially in the planting and management of sweet potato process, which indicates the need for a more efficient use of those resources. In the energy assessment it was found that the production of sweet potato ethanol is feasible in relation to net energy generating total of 1.36 MJ for each unit of energy consumed, and 1.76 MJ produced for each unit of fossil energy expended to manufacture.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-21T18:13:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 SergioRicardoRogalski.pdf: 5208524 bytes, checksum: 064c9d1e506c5c8da07b5a1a3b828743 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-11-17 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This study aims to identify the degree of environmental degradation of the watershed of the stream Olarias in the city of Ponta Grossa - Paraná, between the years of 1980 and 2005, using the methodology of the Index of Environmental Degradation - IDA. The city of Ponta Grossa has 12 small urban watersheds. This river system has a radial drainage pattern, expressed by four (4) main stream: Olarias, Pilão de Pedra, Ronda and Madureira, whose sources are located or in the commercial center of the town or close to it, heading in different directions to urban area. The watershed of the stream Olarias has an area of 2,711.77 hectares with an approximated population of 70,099 inhabitants according to IBGE census (2000). Being an urban watershed the use of this methodology was relevant to this study. The IDA model uses elements of the natural and also inserts into its formutation the anthropic factor, represented by the population density. Besides the fact that it lists the representation of anthropic values, it is based on the vegetation, soil and slope factors, which all provides classification parameters that wuantify the degree of environmental degradations, represented by four classes of environmental quality: high environmental quality, moderate environmental quality, sub – critical environmetal quality and critical environmetal quality. Supported by datas provided through na analysis of time –space by the geotecnologies, the result of the IDA for 2005 showed that the environmetal state of the watershed of the stream of Olarias was represented by only three classes. The class of Critical Environmental was seen in 67,18% of the stream area, the Sub – Critical Environmetal classon 20,64% and the Moderate Environmetal Class on 12,18%. The IDA for 1980 showed, instead, four environmetal classes. The class related with High Environmental Quality was represented by 10.18% of the total watershed area, followed by Moderate Environmetal class with 25,25%. The Sub – Critical Environmental class represented 44,13%, being the most significant in this period, and at last, the Critical Environmetal class with 20,49%. The use of IDA allowed an environmetal diagnosys, which promotes academic discussions, as on the point of view of modeling the environment, as granting subsidies to management by the government. / O presente trabalho tem por objetivo identificar o grau de degradação ambiental da bacia hidrográfica do Arroio Olarias, município de Ponta Grossa – Paraná, no período entre 1980 e 2005, através da metodologia do Índice de Degradação Ambiental – IDA. O município de Ponta Grossa possui 12 bacias hidrográficas urbanas. Essa rede hidrográfica apresenta um padrão de drenagem radial, expressa pelos quatro principais arroios: Olarias, Pilão de Pedra, Ronda e Lajeado Grande, cujas nascentes estão localizadas ou no centro comercial da cidade, ou próximo a ele, seguindo em diversas direções no perímetro urbano. A bacia hidrográfica do Arroio Olarias possui uma área de 2.711,77 ha com uma população aproximada de 70.099 habitantes segundo censo demográfico do IBGE (2000). Por ser uma bacia hidrográfica urbana o emprego dessa metodologia foi relevante para este estudo. O modelo IDA utiliza-se dos elementos do quadro natural e insere dentro de sua formulação o fator antrópico, representado pela densidade demográfica. Além de elencar a representatividade do valor antrópico baseia-se nos fatores vegetação, solo e declividade os quais fornecem parâmetros de classificação que quantificam o grau de degradação ambiental, representado por quatro classes de qualidade ambiental: qualidade ambiental alta, qualidade ambiental moderada, qualidade ambiental sub-crítica e qualidade ambiental crítica. Apoiado em recursos oferecidos pelas geotecnologias por meio de uma análise têmporo - espacial, o resultado do IDA para 2005 demonstrou que o estado ambiental da bacia do Arroio Olarias foi representado por apenas três classes. A classe ambiental crítica em 67,18% da área da bacia, a classe ambiental sub-crítica 20,64% e a classe ambiental moderada em 12,18%. O IDA para 1980 apresentou as quatro classes ambientais. A classe qualidade ambiental alta esteve representada em 10,18% do total da área da bacia, seguida da classe ambiental moderada com 25,20%, a classe ambiental sub - crítica 44,13%, sendo essa a mais significativa nesse período e por último a classe ambiental crítica com 20,49%. A utilização do IDA permitiu um diagnóstico ambiental, que favorecesse às discussões acadêmicas, do ponto de vista da modelagem do ambiente, quanto fornece subsídios a gestão por parte do poder público.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / A desertificaÃÃo constitui uma forma de degradaÃÃo e vem se tornando um dos mais graves problemas ambientais enfrentados pela humanidade. As Ãreas suscetÃveis à degradaÃÃo/desertificaÃÃo foram reconhecidas na ConvenÃÃo de Combate a DesertificaÃÃo (1977), sendo consideradas como tal aquelas situadas nas regiÃes de clima Ãrido, semi-Ãrido e sub-Ãmido seco. O Estado do Cearà tem a maior Ãrea proporcional suscetÃvel à desertificaÃÃo no Nordeste Brasileiro onde se destacam o municÃpio de IrauÃuba, a RegiÃo dos Inhamuns e a regiÃo do MÃdio e Baixo curso do vale do Rio Jaguaribe. Dentro da temÃtica abordada, o presente estudo considerou sete municÃpios que se encontram na regiÃo do MÃdio e Baixo curso do Vale do Jaguaribe: Alto Santo, Iracema, Jaguaretama, Jaguaribara, Jaguaribe, SÃo JoÃo do Jaguaribe e SolonÃpole. O objetivo geral do estudo foi avaliar, atravÃs de Ãndices, a Suscetibilidade Geoambiental Natural à DegradaÃÃo (ISGND) e a Suscetibilidade Geoambiental AntrÃpica a DegradaÃÃo (ISGAD) considerando, respectivamente, as caracterÃsticas geoambientais da Ãrea, e os impactos ambientais causados pelo sistema de uso da terra. Na pesquisa foi empregada uma adaptaÃÃo da metodologia usada por Beltrame (1994), que fundamenta o calculo do ISGND nas caracterÃsticas geoambientais e, para o ISGAD, na anÃlise da variaÃÃo temporal do Ãndice de Cobertura Vegetal. Esses Ãndices foram expressos numericamente atravÃs de uma fÃrmula descritiva fundamentado na EquaÃÃo da Reta computada atravÃs das ponderaÃÃes dos Ãndices de Erosividade, Erodibilidade, ClimÃtico e Classes de Relevo. Neste estudo o Ãndice de Cobertura Vegetal foi expresso pelos valores correspondentes do NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Ãndex) calculado em imagens do satÃlite LANDSAT dos anos de 1986/89 e 2007. A aplicaÃÃo da metodologia nos permitiu obter como resultados a realizaÃÃo de um mapeamento cartogrÃfico da Ãrea do ISGND, dos nÃveis de cobertura vegetal, dos Ãndices de Erosividade, Erodibilidade, Ãndice ClimÃtico e Classes de Relevo e do ISGAD dos municÃpios considerados. / The desertification process constitutes itself in a form of degradation that became one of the serious environmental problems faced by Humanity. The areas that were susceptible to degradation/desertification were recognized by the Convention of Combated a Desertification (Desertification Combat Convention (1977) and were considered as such, those situated in the regions of arid, semi-arid and subhumid climate. The state of Cearà has most of the proportional area susceptible to desertification in the Brazilian Northeast with a preeminence of the areas of IrauÃuba, Inhamuns and midstream, lower stream of Jaguaribe river. This study considered seven municipalities that were located along the Vale of Jaguaribe in its mid and lower stream, the municipalities chosen were: Alto Santo, Iracema, Jaguaretama, Jaguaribara, Jaguaribe, SÃo JoÃo do Jaguaribe and SolonÃpole. The general objective of this research was to identify the conditioners of natural and socio-economical aspects of the process of desertification in this region, taking into account the characterization of environmental framework, observing its main potentialities (natural and socioeconomically) through the evaluation of impacts originated by the system of land use and evaluating the implication between the process of susceptibility to desertification and its impact over the socioeconomically characteristics of the area. The methodology used in the research had as its main fundamentation, the Beltrame focus (1994), that uses as its main parameter the standard analysis of vegetation through a comparison of satellite images betweens the years of 1986/89 and 2007. An application of the methodology allowed the realization of a general synthesis of the actual reality of the area regarding its problems, fragilities and potentialities of natural resources and socioeconomically aspects and to have a general vision of the degradation framework.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / A urbanizaÃÃo por que vem passando a PlanÃcie LitorÃnea de Fortaleza, especialmente o trecho Praia do Futuro, compreendendo as Ãreas de proteÃÃo ambiental praia, pÃs-praia e campo de dunas, tem causado alteraÃÃes na dinÃmica dos elementos geoambientais que compÃem esta unidade. A construÃÃo desenfreada de casas, edifÃcios, e outros empreendimentos aliados à especulaÃÃo imobiliÃria em Ãreas de dunas aumenta a cada dia que passa na Praia do Futuro, comprometendo a quantidade e qualidade das reservas aqÃÃferas, e da paisagem fÃsico-ambiental e contribuindo para a degradaÃÃo ambiental da zona costeira, pois a aÃÃo de qualquer fator externo nas formaÃÃes dunares poderà acarretar conseqÃÃncias desequilibrantes dificilmente compensÃveis. Em face da degradaÃÃo ambiental jà se apresentar em avanÃado estÃdio nestas Ãreas, nos fez despertar o interesse para o estudo dos campos de dunas na PlanÃcie litorÃnea de Fortaleza compreendendo a Ãrea da Praia do Futuro, que tem por tÃtulo o trabalho de dissertaÃÃo: âAnÃlise das normas de proteÃÃo ambiental nos campos de dunas na Praia do Futuro Fortaleza - CEâ. A pesquisa tem por objetivo geral de estudo analisar as normas de proteÃÃo ambiental voltadas para preservaÃÃo e conservaÃÃo desse ecossistema. E, por objetivos especÃficos, caracterizar os tipos de ocupaÃÃes existentes nas dunas na Praia do Futuro, demonstrar os principais impactos ambientais neste ecossistema e ainda levantar as normas de proteÃÃo ambiental na Ãrea em estudo. Mencionada pesquisa tem por finalidade fornecer subsÃdios que possam contribuir na formulaÃÃo de polÃticas pÃblicas no litoral de Fortaleza, visando a transformar a realidade, oferecendo à sociedade de hoje, conhecimento sobre o quadro atual e recomendaÃÃes que poderÃo ser utilizadas com o intuito de conservaÃÃo do meio ambiente e utilizaÃÃo mais racional e sustentÃvel dos recursos naturais. / The urbanization through which the coastal lowlfand areas of Fortaleza, especially in the âPraia do Futuroâ, including the areas of environmental protection (beach, postbeach and dunes), has caused alterations in the dynamics of the geo-environmental elements which compound this unit. The unrestrained construction of houses, buildings and other real estate undertakings in dune areas is increasing in the âPraia do Futuroâ, jeopardizing the amount and quality of water resources, as well as the physical and environmental landscape, and contributing to the environmental degradation of the coastline, since the action of any external factors in the dune formation could carry unbalancing consequences which are later compensated with difficulties. In view of the environmental degradation be in an advanced stage in these areas, our interest in studying the dunes in the coastal lowland areas of Fortaleza, including the area of the âPraia do Futuroâ, was aroused in order to develop a research dissertation entitled âAnalysis of the norms for the environmental protection of the dunes in the âPraia do Futuroâ, Fortaleza-Brazilâ. This investigation has as a general object of analyzing the environmental protection norms towards the ecosystem protection and conservation. Concerning specific objects, we aim at analyzing the types of occupation existing in the dunes in the âPraia do Futuroâ, demonstrating the main environmental impacts on this ecosystem, and raising the norms for the environmental protection in the investigated area. The purpose of this research is providing information which may contribute with the formulation of new public policy for the coast of Fortaleza, seeking to transform the current reality, and to provide the society with knowledge about the current situation, as well as with recommendations, which may be used in the environmental conservation and a more rational and sustainable exploration of the natural resources.

Orientador: Admilson Írio Ribeiro / Resumo: Os processos industriais e de urbanização promovidos nas últimas décadas geraram uma grande dualidade, visto que, proporcionaram o desenvolvimento econômico, em contrapartida suas atividades de implantação e operação ocasionaram diversos impactos ambientais negativos, comprometendo funções ecológicas em diferentes ecossistemas. Diante disso, ações voltadas para a recuperação das áreas degradadas consistem em medidas compensatórias para ambientes que perderam a capacidade de resiliência ou que demandem de um longo período para reestabelecimento das funcionalidades ecológicas e da biodiversidade. Dessa maneira, o monitoramento torna-se uma importante estratégia de gestão para avaliar a evolução da recuperação e verificar o quão próximo encontram-se das metas estabelecidas no Plano de Recuperação de Áreas Degradadas. Assim, além de mensurar aplicabilidade das ações e métodos de recuperação adotados o monitoramento das áreas auxilia na identificação de fatores que possam contribuir para a gestão da área, no decorrer do tempo. Durante essa fase, uma das principais necessidades está na escolha dos indicadores ambientais, pois eles são responsáveis por expressar as condições ambientais durante o processo de monitoramento. A utilização de bioindicador ambiental, relacionados com a macrofauna edáfica torna-se útil, tendo em vista sua capacidade e sensibilidade, as ações antrópicas. Dessa forma, essa pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar a tendência da macrofauna edáfica em diferentes ár... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Mestre

The term 'Intermittently Closed and Open Lake or Lagoon (ICOLL)' has been adopted in NSW to described wave dominated barrier estuaries with an intermittent connection to the ocean. ICOLLs can also be found in south east Queensland, south-west Western Australia, and some parts of Victoria and Tasmania, although they are not the dominant estuary type as in NSW. From an international perspective, ICOLLs are also found in South Africa, New Zealand, Mexico and the Atlantic coast of Brazil and Uruguay. Within NSW, ICOLLs are mostly located south of Sydney, due to the high wave activity and close proximity of the Great Dividing Range to the coast, which results in small coastal catchments and thus small fluvial and sediment runoff. The distinguishing difference between ICOLLs and other estuary types is the variable condition of their entrances, which also makes them the most sensitive type of estuary to human interference (HRC, 2002; Boyd et al., 1992). The sensitivity of ICOLLs to external inputs has been described in this thesis based on their morphometric characteristics, which includes their size, shape and predominant entrance condition. NSW ICOLLs exhibit a wide range of physical conditions. Some ICOLLs are rarely open to the ocean, while others are rarely closed. Also, some ICOLLs have experienced extensive development within their catchments, while some are located mostly or wholly within National Parks and other protected reserves. When closed, ICOLLs behave like terminal lakes, retaining and assimilating 100% of the external inputs delivered to the system. When open, tidal flushing assists with advection and dispersion of inputs, however, significant tidal attenuation across the entrance still limits opportunities for effective removal of pollutants. The majority of NSW ICOLLs are considered to be mostly closed (i.e., have a closed entrance for more than 60% of the time), while remaining ICOLLs tend to be mostly open (i.e., have a closed entrance for less than 20% of the time). Few ICOLLs have entrances that are open and closed for roughly equal proportions of time, thus resulting in a distinctive bimodal behaviour of entrance condition (i.e., mostly open or mostly closed). NSW ICOLLs tend to be mostly closed unless (i) the catchment is larger than 100km2, and/or (ii) the exposure of the entrance to ocean swell waves is less than 60 degrees and/or (iii) the entrance channel contains geomorphic controls (e.g. shallow bedrock outcrops). Unless opened artificially, ICOLLs will generally remain closed until a sufficient volume of catchment runoff accumulates within the waterway to increase water levels to a level that overtops (breaches) the entrance sand berm. Once breached, high velocity flows over the berm cause scour and the development of a formalised entrance channel, which increases exponentially until an optimum width and depth has been reached (determined by the hydrostatic head, geomorphic controls and tidal conditions at the time). Following entrance breakout and lowering of the lagoon level, sand is reworked back into the entrance under the influence of flood tides and wave processes. The environmental condition of ICOLLs has generally been assumed as being dependent on the state of the catchment and the associated input of nutrients (form and magnitude) to the system. Biogeochemical processes also are reported to influence the condition of ICOLLs, particularly denitrification, which is controlled by the organic load on the bed and the extent of benthic algae and macrophytic productivity. In addition to this, however, it is demonstrated that the predominant and prevailing entrance conditions (i.e. open or closed) also influence the physical, chemical and biological environments. ICOLLs are particularly susceptible to the impacts of future climate change. This thesis provides a description of expected impacts on NSW ICOLLs environments associated in response to future climate changes, based on a detailed appreciation of physical processes and their follow-on consequences. Impacts on ICOLLs are expected as a result of increasing sea level, altered rainfall patterns, and modified offshore wave climate. A survey of relevant government officials has revealed that more than 50% of NSW ICOLLs are artificially opened before water levels reach the height of the natural entrance sand berm. Artificial entrance opening is mostly carried out to mitigate inundation of public and/or private assets around ICOLL foreshores, such as roads, backyards, farming lands and on-site sewage (septic) systems. Truncation of the hydraulic regime of ICOLLs can modify other physical, chemical and biological processes, and can result in deleterious impacts such as the terrestrialisation of estuarine wetlands and foreshores. Few statutory environmental planning mechanisms protect ICOLLs from future degradation. This thesis has identified the key issues that potentially compromise ICOLL integrity and sustainability, which include the expected future population growth in coastal NSW (thus increasing pressure for intensification of development within ICOLL catchments), future climate change (particularly increases in sea level), and the increased demand for amenity, particularly during summer holiday periods (i.e. 'summer impacts'). A series of management models have been developed to address key issues. The models comprise a suite of strategies that target future development and existing management practices, through a range of new or modified planning instruments. Models for the future management of ICOLL entrances aim to prevent artificial openings in the long-term. This requires, however, the systematic relocation, raising or flood-proofing of public and private assets that have been established on land that is potentially subject to inundation. Increasing sea levels in the future will compound the need for improved entrance management. Pro-active, integrated and adaptive management strategies need to be implemented today to minimise the on-going conflict and potential for continued environmental degradation in the future.

This thesis examines the relationship between commercial television and the more than-human world at a time when global ecological degradation challenges human well-being and the survival of other species. In the latter half of the twentieth century, television became the means by which most people got to know about society and publicly important events or issues. As billions of people the world over regularly view television the planet’s ice caps, rainforests, soil and oceans continue to be depleted. The research considers three questions aimed at a fuller understanding of the role of commercial television in Western society’s approach to global ecological degradation. What arises from being immersed in the more-than-human world? What arises from encountering the broadcast of commercial television? What arises from being immersed in the world of producing commercial television? The literature on global ecological degradation is substantial; the reasons why Western society is having difficulty coming to terms with the issue is less understood. While quantitative studies of the environmental content of television output have been undertaken, there has not been research into understanding the relationship between ecological awareness, television viewing and commercial television production. This research takes a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to the questions above. Firstly, the researcher immerses himself in the native woodlands and creeks of his immediate vicinity and gradually peels back layers of his perception. He then immerses himself in the world of watching contemporary commercial television and reflecting on his memories of Australian television since 1956. He juxtaposes the content of twenty-four hours of commercial television with personal recollections that reflect both the invisible and sedimented experiences of commercial television. Thirdly, the researcher observes a range of commercial television production environments (News, Advertising and Drama). In doing so he reflects on conversations with and between television executives, directors and scriptwriters who occupy this world. The main findings are that commercial television scriptwriters and personalities hold the most available tools for delivering an Australian-based ecological message through the plot and actions of characters, via a ‘green mise-en-scène’. However, there are severe constraints on this process because of the over-riding importance of ratings. Commercial television is a ratings hungry ‘third parent’ that has increasingly occupied the everydayness of Australian homes since 1956. The invisible technological nature of television has created a particular distance between the production of commercial television and how its mise-en-scène is perceived in domestic Australia, by a population that is technologically and procedurally removed from the more-than-human world. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis (Ph.D.)--McMaster University, 2006. / Supervisor: Patricia Chow-Fraser. Includes bibliographical references.

Active cave management, which represents any continuous action to conserve, restore, or protect a cave environment, is virtually non-existent in west-central Florida. This study focuses on developing an inventory to rank terrestrial caves in west-central Florida by management priority. A GIS-based cave inventory system, including a cave sensitivity index and cave disturbance index, were used as a tool to gain an understanding of the management priority of west-central Florida caves. The inventory was applied to 36 terrestrial caves in west-central Florida, which demonstrated a wide range of sensitivity and disturbance. The results show that by relying solely on sensitivity and disturbance scores, management priority may not be accurately determined. Further examination revealed that ownership and management status also affect management priority. Consequently, cave sensitivity, disturbance, ownership, or management status does not solely indicate management priority. Rather, the management priority of caves in west-central Florida depends on a number of complicated, interwoven factors, and the goal of management must be examined holistically. Each cave must be individually examined for its sensitivity, disturbance, resources, management, and social and physical context in order to gain an understanding of management priority. Nonetheless, the cave inventory system developed for this project was used to gain a general understanding of which caves hold management priority, based on the cave manager's objectives. In order to ensure the conservation and protection of west-central Florida terrestrial caves, support from county or state government, combined with cave inventory data, is crucial in developing sound management policy.