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The biodiversity and biogeography of the western Indian Ocean shallow-water marine flora and fauna was examined with special emphasis on Polychaeta, Mollusca (excluding Opisthobranchia) and Echinodermata. A collection of predominantly eulittoral polychaetes from Zanzibar and Mafia (Tanzania) revealed a minimum of91 species, of which 29 % are reported to occur across the Indian Ocean to the West Pacific, and 21 % are regarded as 'cosmopolitan'. Taxonomic problems associated with this taxon are discussed. Over 3,200 species of shelled Mollusca have been reported from the region, though the overall diversity of the groups are likely to be less due to the presence of many synonyms within the taxa which remain to be resolved. Of those families which have been taxonomically reviewed, it appears that the western Indian Ocean supports up to 15-20 % endemism, with noticeable differences in species diversity between the mainland of Africa and the western Indian Ocean islands, especially among bivalves. A total of 419 species of echinoderms are now known from this region, with 107 species (25 %) endemic. About 84 % of the nonendemic species are reported from several localities across the Indian Ocean to the West Pacific. Differences in the diversity of this group between mainland Africa-Madagascar and the western Indian Ocean islands are shown and possible reasons discussed. Origins of the marine macro-invertebrate taxa in the western Indian Ocean include the maintenance of ancient Tethyan Sea fauna and larval (or adult) dispersal across the northern Indian Ocean. The possibility of species diversity being a function of coastline length was briefly investigated. The preparation of A Guide to the Seashores of Eastern Africa and the Western Indian Ocean Islands, describing over 1,600 species, forms part of the work of this thesis and provides a baseline of taxonomic information for macrofauna and flora. From the latter, together with predictions provided by specialists, an estimate of about 10,000 species of shallow-water marine macrofauna and flora are found in this region. It is acknowledged that taxonomic problems affect many invertebrate taxa which require additional attention before estimates can be defined more precisely. Continued taxonomic research and dissemination of biodiversity findings are considered priorities to help stem the degradation and misuse of marine resources of this region resulting from human exploitation which is expected to increase considerably over the coming decades.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between job performance of wilderness and adventure therapy (WAT) field guides and personality traits. Specifically, this study utilized the NEO-PI-R to assess personality and the Field Guide Performance Evaluation (FGPE) to assess job performance. Job performance was measured by managers, peers, and WAT participants. The sample consisted of 89 personality assessments, gathered from both the U.S. and Canada. Ordinary least squares regression analysis indicated there was a non-significant relationship between field guide job performance and personality. Findings provide implications for WAT practitioners seeking the most qualified field guides possible.

The aim of the present paper is to analyze the curricula for secondary schools in terms of mosses and subsequently prepare a botanical excursion to the NNL Borečský Hill with appropriate didactic materials. Textbooks were compared according to several criteria - the frequency of species of mosses, visual aid, information on the ecology and significance of mosses to ecosystem and human well-being, ideas on field trips and work activities. Topics relating to the planned excursion were selected from the Framework Education Programme. At first, the paper summarizes information about the selected location NNL Borečský Hill which I visited in August 2012 and February 2013. Then an exploration and evaluation of botanical sites follow. There are eight designated sites where the students would perform set tasks. The Chapter: Excursion Proposal contains educational materials created for the excursion - characteristics of selected plant species, characteristic species of bryophytes listed in the field guide, the field guide to bryophytes used on location as well as during laboratory work, route guide for teachers, student worksheets. The materials were tested by students in laboratory work in March 2013 and during the postponed excursion (due to bad weather) in April 2013. The results of the verification are...

No description available.

Societal awareness and general understanding of the diversity of geosciences environments and phenomena across regions is vital. The primary method to obtain information about geosciences is through mass media. However, there is little coverage of geosciences information and the public may not trust it because of low geosciences awareness. Geosciences are rarely included as part of K-12 curricula and are optional at the collegiate level, contributing to the public deficiency regarding awareness and understanding of the geosciences. This research study investigated methods utilizing outdoor resources in an effort to increase region-specific understanding and awareness of geosciences among diverse groups. A Mississippi K-12 educator professional development session and two middle-high schools were assessed for impact on understanding and interest related to geosciences. All participants utilized outdoor resources to model erosional processes and potential natural hazard events. Both participating schools have high underrepresented minority populations. Pre assessment evaluated participant awareness of Mississippi natural hazards. Teachers and student participants all demonstrated a low awareness of erosion processes specific to the region. Teachers completed erosion models indoors or outdoors, with indoor participants having a significant increase in earth science interest. All student participants completed the erosion model outside, with pre-post erosion comprehension resulting in significant increases for both the middle and high schools. The middle school had significant gains in earth science interest while the high school had a significant decrease regarding careers in geosciences. Virtual field guides developed by online graduate students demonstrating personal understanding of broad geosciences concepts in their local region were evaluated pre-post for impact on geosciences awareness, understanding, and confidence. Awareness factors included geographical community size and locations included in the field guide to demonstrate participant understanding. Significant increases in awareness regarding geoscience resources, including those outdoors, occurred. Significant increases also occurred in confidence utilizing geosciences resources and communicating about geosciences. The majority agreed that the experience of creating the field guide enhanced understanding of geosciences and interest in outdoor activities. Geographical size of participants’ residential communities was significantly related to awareness of regional locations, with urban residents including fewer outdoor locations in the field guide.

This thesis will examine the practice of relational aesthetics as it involves the viewer, as well as the way in which it plays out within and outside of the institutional setting of the museum. I will focus primarily on two unique projects: that of The Machine Project Field Guide at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on November 15, 2008, produced by Machine Project, a social project operated out of a storefront gallery in Echo Park; and David Michalek's Slow Dancing at the Lincoln Center Festival in New York City, July 12-29 2007.

In the early 1990s, the United Nations (UN) recognized water as a finite resource to the entire ecosystem with an economic value that should be developed and managed based on the participatory approach using the Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) strategy. Many studies on water management practices have thus emerged in the developing world. Of particular interest to this work is the management of water through metering, price-setting, and rule enforcement in the rural setting in piped, community-owned water systems. There is very little published information regarding metering, enforcement experiments, and experiences in these systems. This is because metering and enforcement mechanisms are not typically included in rural piped community-managed water supply system design and water committee training schemes. Along with an increase in population growth and changing climate patterns, there is a burgeoning interest to manage demand and reduce non-revenue water (NRW) in urban utilities in developing countries. Metering is often the demand management tool considered because it has been reported to increase customer payment rates as well as social equity. Rural, community-managed systems often suffer high failure rates due to the lack of preventative maintenance, which maybe closely linked to customer dissatisfaction and non-payment of tariffs. The inclusion of a metering and enforcement program to such systems may help to address the problem of high rates of premature failure. An inclusion of a metering program for rural community-managed water supply systems is a non-trivial task in terms of cost as well as the system designer’s time, thus there is significant interest in ensuring such a program’s success. Many field workers may have familiarity with water system design but not specifically in the area of water flow metering and currently no beginner-level resources are publicly available. This work is ultimately intended to facilitate the inclusion of metering into rural, piped, community-managed water supply systems through: 1) compilation of technical information regarding metering which would be accessible to field practitioners and relevant to the rural community-managed setting, 2) a proposed decision-making tool to facilitate the selection of the most appropriate meter for the community, 3) proposed installation tips, and 4) suggested strategies for including metering into the community-management model. Objectives 1, 3, and 4 were pursued via review of industry, peer-reviewed, and field literature along with the author’s personal experience. Multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) was the method proposed for aiding in the selection of the most appropriate meter type. It was determined that four types of meters are used for residential metering in developed and developing urban utility-managed systems: the nutating disc, oscillating piston, multi-jet, and single-jet. The nutating disc and oscillating piston meters operate through a volumetric or displacement mechanism, while the single- and multi-jet meters function through a velocity or non-displacement mechanism. While a lot of variation between models of meters exists, there are fewer characteristics that can be used to differentiate between mechanisms. After applying the multiple-criteria decision analysis to aid in the selection of the most appropriate meter for a rural, community-managed systems, the nutating disc and oscillating piston types of meters were most preferred under the set of criteria chosen by the author for the purpose of example in this analysis. It is recommended that meter selection be performed on a site-specific basis with local stakeholder involvement for criteria determination. Meter installation is similar for all four types of meters and whichever type of meter is chosen, it should be protected from tampering. Increasing-block pricing is recommended to accompany metering in order to motivate water conservation. The size and price of the initial block of water should be determined according to the system’s operation and maintenance costs as well as users’ willingness to pay information. Field practitioners should prepare the community to take over the metering program by providing basic training to the users and selected meter readers/technicians.

No description available.

This thesis will examine the practice of relational aesthetics as it involves the viewer, as well as the way in which it plays out within and outside of the institutional setting of the museum. I will focus primarily on two unique projects: that of The Machine Project Field Guide at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on November 15, 2008, produced by Machine Project, a social project operated out of a storefront gallery in Echo Park; and David Michalek's Slow Dancing at the Lincoln Center Festival in New York City, July 12-29 2007.