Invasive Prosopis trees pose significant threats to biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Several estimates have been made of the spatial extent of alien plant invasion in South Africa. The South African Plant Invaders Atlas (SAPIA) suggested that about 10 million hectares of South Africa has been invaded. However, the rate and spatial extent of Prosopis invasion has never been accurately quantified. The objective of the study is to use Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques to: (i) reveal areas susceptible to future invasion, (ii) describe the current extent and densities of Prosopis, (iii) to reveal the spatial dynamics and (iv) establish the extent of fragmentation of the natural vegetation in the Northern Cape Province. Image classification products were generated using spectral analysis of seasonal profiles, various resolution image inputs, spectral indices and ancillary data. Classification approaches varied by scene and spatial resolution as well as application of the data. Coarse resolution imagery and field data were used to create a probability map estimating the area vulnerable to Prosopis invasion using relationships between actual Prosopis occurrence, spectral response, soils and terrain unit. Multi-temporal Landsat images and a 500m x 500m point grid enabled vector analysis and statistical data to quantify the change in distribution and density as well as the spatial dynamics of Prosopis since 1974. Fragmentation and change of natural vegetation was quantified using a combined cover density class, calculating patch density per unit (ha) for each biome The extent of Prosopis cover in the Northern Cape Province reached 1.473 million hectare or 4% of the total land area during 2007. The ability of the above mentioned Remote Sensing and GIS techniques to map the extent and densities of Prosopis in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa demonstrated a high degree of accuracy (72%). While neither the image classification nor the probability map can be considered as 100% accurate representations of Prosopis density and distribution, the products provide use full information on Prosopis distribution and are a first step towards generating more accurate products. For primary invasion management, these products and the association of a small area on a map with Prosopis plants and patches, mean that the management effort and resources are efficiently focused. Further studies using hyper-spectral image analysis are recommended to improve the classification accuracy of the spatial extent and density classes obtained in this study. / Thesis (M. Environmental Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Syftet med studien var att undersöka om anställdas arbetsmotivation var beroende av hur många timmar de reste i tjänsten under en vanlig arbetsvecka. Studien genomfördes med hjälp av två grupper anställda inom det statliga bolaget Vattenfall. Mätinstrumentet som användes i studien var Basic Need Satisfaction at work scale som mäter arbetsmotivation i tre grundläggande faktorer; autonomi, kompetens och samhörighet. Totalt deltog 123 respondenter i undersökningen. Resultatet visade att det i kompetens och samhörighet förekom signifikanta skillnader mellan de två grupperna, där de som reser mycket skattade upplevelsen av kompetens och samhörighet högre än i gruppen som reser lite. Vidare visade resultatet att det inte förelåg någon signifikant skillnad mellan gruppernas skattning av autonomi. / The purpose of the study was to exam if employee’s work motivation depended on how many hours they travel during an ordinary work week. The investigation contained two different groups of employee’s in a Swedish public company. A total of 123 respondents participated in the study. The instruments used in this study were Basic Need Satisfaction at work scale, which measures work motivation based on three basic factors; autonomy, competence and relatedness. The results showed that there were significant differences between the two groups, where the group of employee’s that travelled more experienced more satisfactions with competence and relatedness, than the group that travelled less. Further the results showed no significant differences between the two groups relating to autonomy.

As orquídeas terrestres estão distribuídas amplamente em ambientes tropicais e temperados do mundo. O habitat terrestre, para orquídeas, engloba distintas formações vegetais, como florestas, savanas, campos e banhados. Neste estudo consideramos, para a estimativa da amplitude e da ocorrência destas plantas, nove tipos de florestas no estado do Rio Grande do Sul no sul do Brasil, localizadas totalmente em latitudes subtropicais. Revisamos amostras de espécimes depositadas em sete herbários regionais e atualizamos a identificação das espécies para as circunscrições genéricas atuais. Com base nas localizações das amostras estimamos dois parâmetros de amplitude, nomeados extensão de ocorrência e área de ocupação, objetivando determinar o estado de conservação das espécies de acordo com as categorias da IUCN. Como resultado, encontramos 22 gêneros e 50 espécies, a maioria dos gêneros (15) possui apenas uma espécie no estado. Os gêneros mais diversificados foram Cyclopogon, Aspidogyne e Malaxis, com 14, oito e quatro espécies, respectivamente. Outros quatro gêneros apresentaram três (Pelexia) ou duas (Habenaria, Prescottia, e Sarcoglottis) espécies nos ambientes florestais. As estimativas de amplitude, especialmente a área de ocupação, resultaram em um elevado número de espécies ameaçadas. Espécies criticamente ameaçadas, considerando a extensão de ocorrência, estão distribuídas em sete gêneros e 18 espécies. O tipo de floresta mais diversificado foi a floresta estacional da Serra Geral, seguido pela floresta Atlântica e pela floresta estacional do Escudo Cristalino. Um total de 19 espécies ocorreu somente em uma formação e apenas quatro espécies ocorreram em seis ou sete tipos de florestas. O número de registros neste estudo mostrou que as orquídeas terrestres em ambientes florestais são um grupo subamostrado, que possuem poucas coletas e são pouco avaliadas em estudos ecológicos com populações e comunidades de sub-bosque. Mais estudos são necessários para determinar com maior precisão a extensão de ocorrência, o tamanho das populações, e o estado real de conservação das espécies nativas. / Terrestrial orchids occur widespread in tropical and temperate environments around the world. The terrestrial habitat for orchid species comprises several distinct plant formations, like forests, woodlands, grasslands and wetlands. In this study we focused the estimation of range sizes and the occurrence of these plants in nine forest types in the South Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, located entirely in subtropical latitudes. We revised sampled specimens deposited in seven regional herbaria and updated species identifications to current generic circumscriptions. Based on sampling locations we estimated two range size parameters, namely extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, aiming to determine the conservation status according to IUCN categories. As a result we found 22 genera and 50 species, most genera (15) having of them a single species in the state. The most diversified genera were Cyclopogon, Aspidogyne and Malaxis, with 14, eight and four species, respectively. Four additional genera presented three (Pelexia) or two (Habenaria, Prescottia, and Sarcoglottis) species in forest environments. Range size estimations, especially through area of occupancy, resulted in an outstanding number of threatened species. Critically endangered species according to extent of occurrence were distributed in seven genera and 18 species. The most diversified forest types were the central Serra Geral seasonal forests, followed by the Atlantic rainforest and the southeast Crystalline Shield seasonal forests. A total of 19 species occurred in a single forest formation and only four species occurred widespread in six or seven forest types. The number of recordings in this study showed to be exponentially related to species range according to forest types. Our study showed that terrestrial orchids in forest environments are an overlooked plant group, which has been poorly sampled and poorly evaluated in ecological studies concerning understory populations and communities. Further studies are necessary to determine more precisely the extent of occurrence, the size of populations, and the real conservation status of native species.

As orquídeas terrestres estão distribuídas amplamente em ambientes tropicais e temperados do mundo. O habitat terrestre, para orquídeas, engloba distintas formações vegetais, como florestas, savanas, campos e banhados. Neste estudo consideramos, para a estimativa da amplitude e da ocorrência destas plantas, nove tipos de florestas no estado do Rio Grande do Sul no sul do Brasil, localizadas totalmente em latitudes subtropicais. Revisamos amostras de espécimes depositadas em sete herbários regionais e atualizamos a identificação das espécies para as circunscrições genéricas atuais. Com base nas localizações das amostras estimamos dois parâmetros de amplitude, nomeados extensão de ocorrência e área de ocupação, objetivando determinar o estado de conservação das espécies de acordo com as categorias da IUCN. Como resultado, encontramos 22 gêneros e 50 espécies, a maioria dos gêneros (15) possui apenas uma espécie no estado. Os gêneros mais diversificados foram Cyclopogon, Aspidogyne e Malaxis, com 14, oito e quatro espécies, respectivamente. Outros quatro gêneros apresentaram três (Pelexia) ou duas (Habenaria, Prescottia, e Sarcoglottis) espécies nos ambientes florestais. As estimativas de amplitude, especialmente a área de ocupação, resultaram em um elevado número de espécies ameaçadas. Espécies criticamente ameaçadas, considerando a extensão de ocorrência, estão distribuídas em sete gêneros e 18 espécies. O tipo de floresta mais diversificado foi a floresta estacional da Serra Geral, seguido pela floresta Atlântica e pela floresta estacional do Escudo Cristalino. Um total de 19 espécies ocorreu somente em uma formação e apenas quatro espécies ocorreram em seis ou sete tipos de florestas. O número de registros neste estudo mostrou que as orquídeas terrestres em ambientes florestais são um grupo subamostrado, que possuem poucas coletas e são pouco avaliadas em estudos ecológicos com populações e comunidades de sub-bosque. Mais estudos são necessários para determinar com maior precisão a extensão de ocorrência, o tamanho das populações, e o estado real de conservação das espécies nativas. / Terrestrial orchids occur widespread in tropical and temperate environments around the world. The terrestrial habitat for orchid species comprises several distinct plant formations, like forests, woodlands, grasslands and wetlands. In this study we focused the estimation of range sizes and the occurrence of these plants in nine forest types in the South Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, located entirely in subtropical latitudes. We revised sampled specimens deposited in seven regional herbaria and updated species identifications to current generic circumscriptions. Based on sampling locations we estimated two range size parameters, namely extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, aiming to determine the conservation status according to IUCN categories. As a result we found 22 genera and 50 species, most genera (15) having of them a single species in the state. The most diversified genera were Cyclopogon, Aspidogyne and Malaxis, with 14, eight and four species, respectively. Four additional genera presented three (Pelexia) or two (Habenaria, Prescottia, and Sarcoglottis) species in forest environments. Range size estimations, especially through area of occupancy, resulted in an outstanding number of threatened species. Critically endangered species according to extent of occurrence were distributed in seven genera and 18 species. The most diversified forest types were the central Serra Geral seasonal forests, followed by the Atlantic rainforest and the southeast Crystalline Shield seasonal forests. A total of 19 species occurred in a single forest formation and only four species occurred widespread in six or seven forest types. The number of recordings in this study showed to be exponentially related to species range according to forest types. Our study showed that terrestrial orchids in forest environments are an overlooked plant group, which has been poorly sampled and poorly evaluated in ecological studies concerning understory populations and communities. Further studies are necessary to determine more precisely the extent of occurrence, the size of populations, and the real conservation status of native species.

As orquídeas terrestres estão distribuídas amplamente em ambientes tropicais e temperados do mundo. O habitat terrestre, para orquídeas, engloba distintas formações vegetais, como florestas, savanas, campos e banhados. Neste estudo consideramos, para a estimativa da amplitude e da ocorrência destas plantas, nove tipos de florestas no estado do Rio Grande do Sul no sul do Brasil, localizadas totalmente em latitudes subtropicais. Revisamos amostras de espécimes depositadas em sete herbários regionais e atualizamos a identificação das espécies para as circunscrições genéricas atuais. Com base nas localizações das amostras estimamos dois parâmetros de amplitude, nomeados extensão de ocorrência e área de ocupação, objetivando determinar o estado de conservação das espécies de acordo com as categorias da IUCN. Como resultado, encontramos 22 gêneros e 50 espécies, a maioria dos gêneros (15) possui apenas uma espécie no estado. Os gêneros mais diversificados foram Cyclopogon, Aspidogyne e Malaxis, com 14, oito e quatro espécies, respectivamente. Outros quatro gêneros apresentaram três (Pelexia) ou duas (Habenaria, Prescottia, e Sarcoglottis) espécies nos ambientes florestais. As estimativas de amplitude, especialmente a área de ocupação, resultaram em um elevado número de espécies ameaçadas. Espécies criticamente ameaçadas, considerando a extensão de ocorrência, estão distribuídas em sete gêneros e 18 espécies. O tipo de floresta mais diversificado foi a floresta estacional da Serra Geral, seguido pela floresta Atlântica e pela floresta estacional do Escudo Cristalino. Um total de 19 espécies ocorreu somente em uma formação e apenas quatro espécies ocorreram em seis ou sete tipos de florestas. O número de registros neste estudo mostrou que as orquídeas terrestres em ambientes florestais são um grupo subamostrado, que possuem poucas coletas e são pouco avaliadas em estudos ecológicos com populações e comunidades de sub-bosque. Mais estudos são necessários para determinar com maior precisão a extensão de ocorrência, o tamanho das populações, e o estado real de conservação das espécies nativas. / Terrestrial orchids occur widespread in tropical and temperate environments around the world. The terrestrial habitat for orchid species comprises several distinct plant formations, like forests, woodlands, grasslands and wetlands. In this study we focused the estimation of range sizes and the occurrence of these plants in nine forest types in the South Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, located entirely in subtropical latitudes. We revised sampled specimens deposited in seven regional herbaria and updated species identifications to current generic circumscriptions. Based on sampling locations we estimated two range size parameters, namely extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, aiming to determine the conservation status according to IUCN categories. As a result we found 22 genera and 50 species, most genera (15) having of them a single species in the state. The most diversified genera were Cyclopogon, Aspidogyne and Malaxis, with 14, eight and four species, respectively. Four additional genera presented three (Pelexia) or two (Habenaria, Prescottia, and Sarcoglottis) species in forest environments. Range size estimations, especially through area of occupancy, resulted in an outstanding number of threatened species. Critically endangered species according to extent of occurrence were distributed in seven genera and 18 species. The most diversified forest types were the central Serra Geral seasonal forests, followed by the Atlantic rainforest and the southeast Crystalline Shield seasonal forests. A total of 19 species occurred in a single forest formation and only four species occurred widespread in six or seven forest types. The number of recordings in this study showed to be exponentially related to species range according to forest types. Our study showed that terrestrial orchids in forest environments are an overlooked plant group, which has been poorly sampled and poorly evaluated in ecological studies concerning understory populations and communities. Further studies are necessary to determine more precisely the extent of occurrence, the size of populations, and the real conservation status of native species.

Abstract In this thesis, I studied spatial and temporal variability of macroinvertebrate assemblages of boreal streams. The main objectives were (i) to characterize macroinvertebrate assemblage types across large geographical extents, and to assess the utility of assemblage types and landscape and stream type classifications as the basis of stream bioassessment and conservation programs (ii, iii). I also examined the relative roles of large-scale spatial trends and local environmental conditions in structuring macroinvertebrate assemblages (iv). Finally, I assessed (v) if assemblage classifications produce temporally stable and predictable assemblage types. Stream macroinvertebrate assemblage structure exhibited continuous variation instead of distinct assemblage types. Although ecoregions clearly accounted for a considerable amount of variation of macroinvertebrate assemblage characteristics, a combination of regional stratification and prediction from environmental factors would probably yield the most comprehensive framework for the characterizations of macroinvertebrate assemblages of boreal headwater streams. Differences in macroinvertebrate assemblage structure, as well as a group of effective indicator species for different stream types, suggest that landscape classifications could be used as a preliminary scheme for the conservation planning of running waters The strength of the relationship between assemblage structure and local environmental variables increased with decreasing extent, whereas assemblage variation related to spatially variables showed the opposite pattern. At the largest scale, spatial variation was related to latitudinal gradients, while spatial autocorrelation among neighbouring streams was the likely mechanism creating spatial structure within drainage systems. These results suggest that stream bioassessment should give due attention to spatial structuring of stream assemblage composition, considering that important assemblage gradients may not only be related to local environmental factors, but also to biogeographical constraints and neighbourhood dispersal processes. The classification strengths of macroinvertebrate assemblages based on data of three years were overall rather weak, and more importantly, the compositions of the site groups varied considerably from year to year. Such wide and continuous variation was also mirrored by low and inconsistent predictability of classifications from environmental variables. The observed level of temporal variation in assemblage structure may not be a serious problem for predictive approaches frequently used in bioassessment of freshwater ecosystems. For conservation purposes, however, alternative approaches (e.g. physical surrogates of biodiversity) need to be considered.

3D geological modelling is becoming an effective tool for communication and development of geological understanding. This is due to increased computer performance and availability of improved geological modelling software. 3D geological modelling technology has reached the stage where it can be implemented in regionally extensive and geologically complex settings, with the ability to achieve geological insight beyond what could otherwise have been gained through 2D investigations alone. Insight includes better constrained fault and horizon topologies, refined fold geometries, improved understanding of tectonic processes, and characterization of deformational events. By integrating field observations, aeromagnetic maps, and 3D modelling techniques in the northern Labrador Trough, a regionally extensive and structurally complex geological environment, regional faults geometries and topological relationships were refined. Additionally, a new fault, the Ujaralialuk Fault, and two shear zones were interpreted. During modelling, several challenges were identified, including higher computational costs for regionally extensive models, sparse 3D constraints, algorithmic limitations related to complex geometries, and the large investment of time and effort required to produce a single model solution. A benefit of this investigation is that new insight was also gained for a greenfields region which may assist future exploration efforts. Developing 3D models in challenging environments allows for better definition of future workflow requirements, algorithm enhancements, and knowledge integration. These are needed to achieve a geologically reasonable modelling standard and gain insight for poorly constrained geological settings.

Wetlands are dynamic ecosystems and important sources of natural resources that provide a large array of ecosystem services. Unfortunately, most wetlands are threatened by human and natural stressors, such as damming, irrigation, water abstraction, climate change and variability that compromise the sustainability of the whole system. The Inner Niger Delta (IND), Mali, West Africa, is one of the biggest floodplains in the world, has a vast natural resource that attracts many people to live in and around the delta. The IND is considered a hub of human activities that include agriculture, fishing, transport, and tourism and plays an important role in promoting sustainable development for food security, water management, and the environment. As for most wetlands in the world, the very existence of the IND is at stake with the ever-increasing number of dams and irrigation schemes that are built to feed the growing population in the region. Given the fragility of the system and the multiplicity of water uses in the IND, the current knowledge of the flood dynamics and its relation to ecosystem services and the productivity of economic activity is insufficient. There is no operational hydrodynamic model of the IND, and the Malian authorities rely on simplified models and empirical relations for water resources management in the area. This thesis contributes to a better water resources management of the IND by a) developing the first 2D hydrodynamic model based on a triangular adaptative mesh of the IND that performs well despite the poor quality of available topographic/bathymetric data b) developing an innovative way of accounting for the strong hysteresis phenomenon in the IND in the hydrodynamic modeling that allowed a better reproduction of the hydraulic connectivity between important lakes and the main river and c) developing the first non-stationary relationship between the water levels at a reference station and the flooded area in the IND. The first part of the thesis deals with the challenge of developing a hydrodynamic model using only two low-resolution satellite-derived Digital Elevation Models: the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), which has a 30m horizontal resolution, and the Multi-Error-Removed Improved-Terrain (MERIT). Given the low vertical accuracy of global DEMs, another DEM was derived using the waterline method, by combining water extent map from satellite images and local water level information. Channel depths were approximated using the hydraulic geometric relationship methods, while the friction coefficient was derived from the global land-use class classification (GLCC) data. The river network was extracted from the water extent map corresponding to the lowest water level. Six different hydrodynamic models were created by varying the DEM and downstream boundary conditions. Each of the models was calibrated for discharge and water levels. Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) was finally used to combine the outputs of all six hydrodynamic models into one robust simulation. In the second part, the effect of hysteresis at the downstream boundary condition of the hydrodynamic model was examined. Existing hydrodynamic models of the IND use a static stage-discharge relationship as a downstream boundary condition during both the rise and recession of the flood, leading to potential inaccuracies in the simulation of the flood extent. This paper explores the improvement in the simulation of the flood and connectivity dynamics resulting from the use of a looped rating curve at the downstream boundary of a hydrodynamic model of the IND. The hysteresis effect is integrated into the rating curve using two methods, one based on dimensionless discharges and levels (DLRC) and the other based on the modified Jones formula (MJRC). Results show that the hysteresis effect is better represented using DLRC and that simulations using any of the modified rating curves improves the accuracy of floodplain extent simulations in the areas close to the downstream station, as well as the timing of the connectivity of the river system to one important lake in the IND. The improvement in water level simulation decreases steadily with distance from the downstream boundary of the modeled area. The third part of the thesis deals with the development of an improved relation between inundation extent and water levels in the IND. Accurate knowledge of the flooded extent considered crucial for the proper management of natural resources in the IND. Several authors have developed empirical relationships between water levels at key stations in the IND and the flooded extent in an attempt to provide simple tools to link hydraulic parameters to the performance socio-economic activities in the IND. However, simulations from a hydrodynamic model of the IND showed that the relationship between water levels and the inundation extents varies greatly from year to year, and cannot be adequately captured by static formulas. First, it is demonstrated in this paper that if the maximum water level area is known in advance, accurate relationships between water levels and inundation extents can be derived. In the second part of the paper, stepwise regression is used to develop a function that can forecast maximum water levels at Akka using observed streamflow and precipitation upstream of the Delta. The combination of the two results allows a realtime estimation of the inundated area in the IND using observed water levels, precipitation, and streamflow.

It is evident that, if industrial arts teachers have subscribed to a set of objectives to guide or give direction to their teaching program, they should be used. It is not sufficient to formulate the aims then lay them aside to collect dust. Rather these aims or objectives should be used effectively as a learning guide. Upon these objectives the teacher should build his whole program.

Hydrogen is a vital component in several different chemical reactions as well as a potential fuel source for the future. The water gas shift (WGS) reaction converts CO and water to hydrogen and CO2. The objective of this work is to first, characterize the potential benefits of the addition of lanthanum oxide (lanthana) to the iron-chromium-copper (Fe-Cr-Cu) oxide catalysts industrially used in high temperature water gas shift processes, and second, analyze these catalysts using in-situ UV-Visible spectroscopy. The benefits of each component in the catalyst are discussed as well as potential benefits from the addition of lanthana. Lanthana is a rare earth oxide that dramatically increases the surface area of the iron based WGS catalysts, and small concentrations of other rare earth oxides (i.e. cerium) have been shown to increase the rate of desorption of CO2 from iron surfaces (Hu Yanping 2002). Lanthana has similar chemical properties to other rare earth oxides tested and has not been previously tested as an additive to the WGS catalyst. Therefore catalysts with 0, 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 wt% lanthana were made via a co-precipitation method in order to measure changes in activity, physical stability, and thermal stability. Catalyst characterization techniques utilized include electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), temperature programmed reduction (TPR) with hydrogen, and nitrogen physisorption (BET). The kinetic analysis was performed utilizing both mass spectroscopy (MS) and gas chromatography (GC). The addition of 1 wt% lanthana to the Fe-Cr-Cu catalysts increases WGS reaction rates of the catalyst at 425°C and 350°C, however the 0% La catalyst has the highest rates at 375°C and 400°C. The 0% La catalyst shows significant drop off in rate at 425°C, suggesting that the lanthana provides a small thermal stabilizing, i.e. the addition of lanthana prevents catalyst sintering at higher temperatures. Traditionally, chromia acts as the sole thermal stabilizer in these catalysts. The addition of large amounts of lanthana inhibits the chromia stabilizing effect, however small additions of lanthana appear to have an additional catalyst promotional effect without interfering with the chromia thermal stabilization. The increased WGS reaction rates at higher temperatures could allow for greater throughput of reactants in industrial settings. Higher concentrations of lanthana decrease the activity due to what is believed to be disruption of the chromia stabilizing effect as well as reduced amount of the active phase of catalyst. In-situ UV-Visible analysis shows that the oxidation state of the iron in the catalyst has a direct correlation to the UV-Visible light absorbance of the surface of the iron catalyst. Extent of reduction is traditionally measured with a synchrotron which is significantly more expensive than UV-Vis spectroscopy. This study uses the more economical UV-Vis spectrometer to determine similar information. The lanthana doped catalysts show an over-reduction of iron during WGS conditions (i.e. rapid reduction of Fe2O3 to Fe3O4 and FeO).