Growth release of trees following canopy disturbances is of interest to ecological scientists and forest managers. Using dendroecological techniques, I examined growth release of canopy and subcanopy trees following the formation of natural, fine-scale canopy gaps in old-growth, western red cedar-western hemlock forests of coastal British Columbia. I aimed to quantify detailed information on release of the three shade-tolerant tree species that constitute these stands: western red cedar (Thuja plicata), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), and Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis). As a first step, I calibrated the radial-growth averaging method to account for regional-scale variability and capture a more complete range of growth releases that may occur following the formation of fine-scale gaps in the study stands. A 25% threshold, 5-year moving average, and 10-year window emerged as appropriate parameters for detecting releases using radial-growth averaging. Basal area increment was also the most appropriate growth index for detecting releases. Establishing these empirically-based criteria was important for quantifying the magnitude and duration of releases. Tree diameter and growth rate prior to release were the most important predictors of the magnitude and duration of releases, but identity of the tree species and distance from the gap center were also important predictors. Western hemlock and Pacific silver fir were often growing slowly both in the canopy and subcanopy, giving them tremendous potential to release. For these species, releases were generally intensive and persistent. In contrast, western red cedar were often growing quickly both in the canopy and subcanopy, giving them less potential to release. Compared to western hemlock and Pacific silver fir, western red cedar releases were less intensive and persistent. Patterns related to distance from the gap center emerged for trees growing along the north-south axis of gaps. Regardless of species, increasing distance from the gap center resulted in decreasing magnitude and duration of releases. However, patterns for duration were complex, as the distance effect was greater for trees north of the gap center. Information on growth release of trees is useful for reconstructing the history of past canopy disturbances, elucidating mechanisms of tree species coexistence, and assessing and predicting stand changes due to forest management in coastal British Columbia.

The Cerulean Warbler is a small migratory that is currently considered a species of special concern. Cerulean Warbler response to two types of silvicultural treatments in southern Indiana was assessed by comparing relative abundance and territory data collected during the two years prior to tree harvest to data collected one year immediately following the harvest. ArcGIS was then used to identify spatial attributes of territories that appeared to be important to the species. Lastly, a method of sampling canopy openings by using a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit was introduced. The results suggest that Cerulean Warblers were not negatively affected by the harvest and that moderate prescribed silviculture treatments that create small canopy openings can benefit the species. / Immediate Cerulean warbler response to silviculture in southern Indiana -- Effects of silviculture on spatial characteristics of Cerulean warbler territories -- A method of sampling canopy openings associated with Cerulean warbler territories. / Department of Biology

Although Georgia has experienced dramatic increases in the number of visitors over the past decade Swedish travellers are absent in the arrival statistics. Visitors from Eastern Europeans account for the majority of the increase in arrivals. This thesis attempts to understand what is missing in order for Swedish tourists to discover Georgia as a destination. This is done by interviewing Swedish tour operators and surveying Swedish visitors to Georgia. The results are analyzed in the framework of Leiper’s theory of destination competitiveness. A SWOT analysis is also used to structure the analysis, and the thesis suggests some benchmark measures that could be used to implement a systematic effort to improve the destination. The thesis concludes that Georgia indeed has a strong attractiveness on Swedish tourists, but that the main problems are connected with low awareness and lack of convenient transportation options. It is argued that these problems can be solved through improved marketing and entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the thesis highlights the need for Georgian destination managers to make choices today in order to shape the image of the country in the future. Georgia has a challenge to strengthen the authenticity that many travellers associate with the country, but is in a position to modernize by preserving traditions. Finally, it is argued that the results from this study are generalizable to include preferences of travellers from Western Europe in general, and therefore the study points to some significant opportunities available to Georgia.

No description available.

Growth release of trees following canopy disturbances is of interest to ecological scientists and forest managers. Using dendroecological techniques, I examined growth release of canopy and subcanopy trees following the formation of natural, fine-scale canopy gaps in old-growth, western red cedar-western hemlock forests of coastal British Columbia. I aimed to quantify detailed information on release of the three shade-tolerant tree species that constitute these stands: western red cedar (Thuja plicata), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), and Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis). As a first step, I calibrated the radial-growth averaging method to account for regional-scale variability and capture a more complete range of growth releases that may occur following the formation of fine-scale gaps in the study stands. A 25% threshold, 5-year moving average, and 10-year window emerged as appropriate parameters for detecting releases using radial-growth averaging. Basal area increment was also the most appropriate growth index for detecting releases. Establishing these empirically-based criteria was important for quantifying the magnitude and duration of releases. Tree diameter and growth rate prior to release were the most important predictors of the magnitude and duration of releases, but identity of the tree species and distance from the gap center were also important predictors. Western hemlock and Pacific silver fir were often growing slowly both in the canopy and subcanopy, giving them tremendous potential to release. For these species, releases were generally intensive and persistent. In contrast, western red cedar were often growing quickly both in the canopy and subcanopy, giving them less potential to release. Compared to western hemlock and Pacific silver fir, western red cedar releases were less intensive and persistent. Patterns related to distance from the gap center emerged for trees growing along the north-south axis of gaps. Regardless of species, increasing distance from the gap center resulted in decreasing magnitude and duration of releases. However, patterns for duration were complex, as the distance effect was greater for trees north of the gap center. Information on growth release of trees is useful for reconstructing the history of past canopy disturbances, elucidating mechanisms of tree species coexistence, and assessing and predicting stand changes due to forest management in coastal British Columbia.

Submitted by Paulo Rodolfo de Oliveira Martins (guppnl@gmail.com) on 2018-10-15T21:36:12Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Projeto_Paulo_CONF BIBLIOTECA _15.10.2018-merged (1).pdf: 2297313 bytes, checksum: 21b98e52e0a36ed28b5d5e0db29ac4e6 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Silvana Alvarez null (silvana@ict.unesp.br) on 2018-10-16T21:22:54Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 martins_pro_me_sjc.pdf: 2297313 bytes, checksum: 21b98e52e0a36ed28b5d5e0db29ac4e6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-10-16T21:22:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 martins_pro_me_sjc.pdf: 2297313 bytes, checksum: 21b98e52e0a36ed28b5d5e0db29ac4e6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-08-18 / Esta pesquisa buscou propor um protocolo para funcionamento de uma ferramenta de auxílio no processo de ensino/aprendizado. Tal protocolo é construído com base nos conceitos de identificação e preenchimento de lacunas de aprendizado, identificadas por intermédio de sucessivos testes rápidos (quiz) que são aplicados durante o desenvolvimento das disciplinas. A fim de verificar o potencial da proposta, e assim motivar a implementação da ferramenta em questão, foi realizado um estudo de caso envolvendo duas turmas de duas disciplinas distintas de graduação da Faculdade Anhanguera de São José dos Campos. A eficácia do processo de ensino investigado foi verificada mediante análises estatísticas, se utilizando dos testes de “Wilcoxon” que visava comparar se houve melhora entre os quizzes do mesmo assunto; “Iteração de uma amostra” que buscou verificar se as melhoras e pioras acontecem de forma aleatória; e “χ^2 para uma amostra” que verificou se a melhora difere com relação ao comportamento mediano esperado. E pôde-se observar resultados favoráveis ao método proposto, o que demonstra eficácia do protocolo, objeto desta pesquisa. / This project looked for a protocol for the operation of an aid tool in the teaching / learning process. The protocol is based on the concepts of identifying and filling learning gaps, high school sessions, quick tests and tests are applied during the development of the disciplines. In order to verify the potential of the proposal, as well as to motivate the implementation of the tool in question, a case study was carried out on the two classes of undergraduate courses of the Anhanguera Faculty of São José dos Campos. The investigation of the teaching process investigated was used as a statistical database using "Wilcoxon" tests that aimed to compare if there was improvement between the quizzes of the same subject; "Iteration of a sample" that sought to verify if the improvements and worsen happen in a random way; and "χ^2 for one sample" that verified if the improvement differs with respect to the expected median behavior. And it was possible to observe favorable results to the proposed method, which demonstrates effectiveness of the protocol, object of this reasearch.

The first part of my thesis is focused on observation of the leaf damage by invertebrate herbivores during season. I examined how the selected traits affect the palatability of plant species. In the next project, I investigated the effect of herbivory and gaps on seedling establishment. And finally, in the last part, I studied the effect of herbivory of terrestrial gastropods on competitive relationships among selected species.

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / A demarcação de Unidades de Conservação é uma forma supostamente eficaz para a conservação da biodiversidade. A Mata Atlântica é caracterizada por apresentar uma elevada biodiversidade e altos níveis de ameaça. O estado do Rio de Janeiro encontra-se totalmente inserido nesse bioma e seus remanescentes florestais são considerados um hotspot dentro de outro hotspot. O Rio de Janeiro pode ser considerado um dos estados melhor amostrados, porém ainda existem lacunas de conhecimentos geográficos sobre a ocorrência de morcegos. Esta tese foi desenvolvida em três capítulos com o objetivo de contribuir com conservação de morcegos no estado do Rio de Janeiro, focando em como e onde eles já foram amostrados e que locais ainda carecem de atenção. Para este estudo foram utilizados dados referentes a buscas bibliográficas e dados de amostragens do Laboratório de Diversidade de Morcegos da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro. No primeiro capítulo pode-se observar que as localidades com mais de 30 espécies de morcegos são resultado de grande esforço de captura e amostragens usando diversas metodologias. Para uma melhor amostragem da riqueza local, devem-se armar redes não somente em trilhas e próximas a árvores em frutificação, mas também sobre corpos de água. Fazer busca em refúgios diurnos também é aconselhável. Devem ser realizadas amostragens durante a noite toda e variar a fase do ciclo lunar, não restringindo a apenas uma ou partes das fases do ciclo lunar. No segundo capítulo observou-se que 43% das Unidades de Conservação aqui estudadas apresentam 20 ou mais espécies. Localidades que apresentam de 20 a 40 espécies de morcegos na Mata Atlântica podem ser consideradas bem amostradas. Isso demonstra que mais da metade das Unidades de Conservação não podem ser consideradas bem inventariadas. Muitos projetos de pesquisas dão prioridade para a localidade estudada ser uma Unidade de Conservação, porém existem poucos trabalhos de longa duração. No Rio de Janeiro ainda existem diversas Unidades de Conservação não amostradas, principalmente aquelas de difícil acesso e em altitudes elevadas. No terceiro capítulo foi possível observar que há uma maior proporção de espécies que apresentam distribuição geográfica restrita. Esse padrão constitui uma informação importante em termos de conservação, visto que indiretamente poderia indicar uma menor capacidade de dispersão desses animais em médias e grandes distâncias. Entretanto existem lacunas de conhecimento em decorrência da falta de amostragem em algumas regiões, sendo imperativos maiores esforços de captura. Importantes municípios para a conservação e/ou preservação de morcegos como Varre-Sai, Cambuci, Miracema, Carmo, Cantagalo, Valença, Barra do Piraí e Piraí não estão sob proteção legal, mesmo constituindo possíveis corredores entre Unidades de Conservação ou mesmo fragmentos importantes que ainda detém espécies que não estão representadas em Unidades de Conservação já estabelecidas. É imperativo que mais estudos e esforços de conservação sejam direcionados para essas áreas / The establishment of Conservation Units is a supposedly effective way for the biodiversity conservation. The Atlantic Forest is characterized by having a high biodiversity and high levels of threat. The Rio de Janeiro state is fully inserted in this biome and its forest remnants are considered hotspots inside another hotspot. Rio de Janeiro may be considered one of the best-sampled states, but there are still gaps in knowledge about the geographic occurrence of bats. This thesis was developed in three chapters with the purpose of contributing to the bats conservation in Rio de Janeiro state, focusing on how and where they have already been sampled and sites that still require attention. For this study were used data from literature searches and data sampling from the Laboratório de Diversidade de Morcegos of Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro. The first chapter shows that the localities with more than 30 bats species are the result of high capture effort and samplings using several methodologies. For a better sampling of local richness, mist nets must be armed not only on trails and near fruiting trees, but also over bodies of water. Diurnal roosts searches is also advisable. Samplings must be performed throughout all the night and vary the lunar phase cycle, not just one or restricted phases of the lunar cycle. In the second chapter was observed that 43% of the protected areas from these study presented 20 or more species. Localities presenting 20 to 40 bat species in the Atlantic could be considered well sampled. It demonstrates that over half of the protected areas can not be considered well sampled. Many research projects prioritize the conservation units localities, but there are few long-term studies. In Rio de Janeiro state, there are still several unsampled Conservation Units, especially those with difficult access and high altitudes. In the third chapter was observed that there is a higher proportion of species with restricted geographical distribution. This pattern is an important information in terms of conservation, as this might indirectly indicate a lower dispersal ability of these animals in medium and large distances. However, there are gaps in knowledge due to lack of studies in some areas, where further capture efforts are needed. Important municipalities for conservation and/or preservation of bats as Varre-Sai, Cambuci, Miracema, Carmo, Cantagalo, Valença, Barra do Piraí e Piraí and are not under legal protection, even being possible corridors between protected areas or even important fragments that still holds species, which are not represented in Conservation Units already established. It is imperative that more studies and conservation efforts are directed to these areas

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / A demarcação de Unidades de Conservação é uma forma supostamente eficaz para a conservação da biodiversidade. A Mata Atlântica é caracterizada por apresentar uma elevada biodiversidade e altos níveis de ameaça. O estado do Rio de Janeiro encontra-se totalmente inserido nesse bioma e seus remanescentes florestais são considerados um hotspot dentro de outro hotspot. O Rio de Janeiro pode ser considerado um dos estados melhor amostrados, porém ainda existem lacunas de conhecimentos geográficos sobre a ocorrência de morcegos. Esta tese foi desenvolvida em três capítulos com o objetivo de contribuir com conservação de morcegos no estado do Rio de Janeiro, focando em como e onde eles já foram amostrados e que locais ainda carecem de atenção. Para este estudo foram utilizados dados referentes a buscas bibliográficas e dados de amostragens do Laboratório de Diversidade de Morcegos da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro. No primeiro capítulo pode-se observar que as localidades com mais de 30 espécies de morcegos são resultado de grande esforço de captura e amostragens usando diversas metodologias. Para uma melhor amostragem da riqueza local, devem-se armar redes não somente em trilhas e próximas a árvores em frutificação, mas também sobre corpos de água. Fazer busca em refúgios diurnos também é aconselhável. Devem ser realizadas amostragens durante a noite toda e variar a fase do ciclo lunar, não restringindo a apenas uma ou partes das fases do ciclo lunar. No segundo capítulo observou-se que 43% das Unidades de Conservação aqui estudadas apresentam 20 ou mais espécies. Localidades que apresentam de 20 a 40 espécies de morcegos na Mata Atlântica podem ser consideradas bem amostradas. Isso demonstra que mais da metade das Unidades de Conservação não podem ser consideradas bem inventariadas. Muitos projetos de pesquisas dão prioridade para a localidade estudada ser uma Unidade de Conservação, porém existem poucos trabalhos de longa duração. No Rio de Janeiro ainda existem diversas Unidades de Conservação não amostradas, principalmente aquelas de difícil acesso e em altitudes elevadas. No terceiro capítulo foi possível observar que há uma maior proporção de espécies que apresentam distribuição geográfica restrita. Esse padrão constitui uma informação importante em termos de conservação, visto que indiretamente poderia indicar uma menor capacidade de dispersão desses animais em médias e grandes distâncias. Entretanto existem lacunas de conhecimento em decorrência da falta de amostragem em algumas regiões, sendo imperativos maiores esforços de captura. Importantes municípios para a conservação e/ou preservação de morcegos como Varre-Sai, Cambuci, Miracema, Carmo, Cantagalo, Valença, Barra do Piraí e Piraí não estão sob proteção legal, mesmo constituindo possíveis corredores entre Unidades de Conservação ou mesmo fragmentos importantes que ainda detém espécies que não estão representadas em Unidades de Conservação já estabelecidas. É imperativo que mais estudos e esforços de conservação sejam direcionados para essas áreas / The establishment of Conservation Units is a supposedly effective way for the biodiversity conservation. The Atlantic Forest is characterized by having a high biodiversity and high levels of threat. The Rio de Janeiro state is fully inserted in this biome and its forest remnants are considered hotspots inside another hotspot. Rio de Janeiro may be considered one of the best-sampled states, but there are still gaps in knowledge about the geographic occurrence of bats. This thesis was developed in three chapters with the purpose of contributing to the bats conservation in Rio de Janeiro state, focusing on how and where they have already been sampled and sites that still require attention. For this study were used data from literature searches and data sampling from the Laboratório de Diversidade de Morcegos of Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro. The first chapter shows that the localities with more than 30 bats species are the result of high capture effort and samplings using several methodologies. For a better sampling of local richness, mist nets must be armed not only on trails and near fruiting trees, but also over bodies of water. Diurnal roosts searches is also advisable. Samplings must be performed throughout all the night and vary the lunar phase cycle, not just one or restricted phases of the lunar cycle. In the second chapter was observed that 43% of the protected areas from these study presented 20 or more species. Localities presenting 20 to 40 bat species in the Atlantic could be considered well sampled. It demonstrates that over half of the protected areas can not be considered well sampled. Many research projects prioritize the conservation units localities, but there are few long-term studies. In Rio de Janeiro state, there are still several unsampled Conservation Units, especially those with difficult access and high altitudes. In the third chapter was observed that there is a higher proportion of species with restricted geographical distribution. This pattern is an important information in terms of conservation, as this might indirectly indicate a lower dispersal ability of these animals in medium and large distances. However, there are gaps in knowledge due to lack of studies in some areas, where further capture efforts are needed. Important municipalities for conservation and/or preservation of bats as Varre-Sai, Cambuci, Miracema, Carmo, Cantagalo, Valença, Barra do Piraí e Piraí and are not under legal protection, even being possible corridors between protected areas or even important fragments that still holds species, which are not represented in Conservation Units already established. It is imperative that more studies and conservation efforts are directed to these areas

Dentre as espécies florestais, o Eucalyptus é o gênero florestal mais plantado no Brasil, com aproximadamente 7,8 milhões de hectares, tendo grande importância econômica para o país. Desta maneira, é importante um melhor conhecimento e quantificação dos fatores que condicionam e reduzem o crescimento e a produtividade das florestas. Assim, este estudo teve por objetivos: i) adaptar, calibrar e avaliar o Modelo da Zona Agroecológica (MZA-FAO) para a estimação do crescimento e da produtividade de oito clones de eucalipto em diferentes regiões brasileiras; ii) determinar a magnitude e as principais causas das quebras de produtividade (yield gaps) da cultura do eucalipto em diferentes regiões produtoras do estado de Minas Gerais; e iii) avaliar a influência de eventos de El Niño, La Niña e Neutros na produtividade de eucaliptos em diferentes localidades produtoras do Brasil. Foram adaptados e calibrados os coeficientes do MZA-FAO, como a correção para o índice de colheita (Cc), o coeficiente de sensibilidade ao déficit hídrico (ky), as curvas características de índice de área foliar (IAF), crescimento radicular (Zr) e coeficiente de cultura (kc), além da inclusão de funções de penalização da produtividade do eucalipto por ocorrência de eventos de geada (ffrost) e mortalidade por longos períodos de deficiência hídrica (fwd). A inclusão das funções de penalização e a calibração dos coeficientes resultaram em uma melhora significativa no desempenho (acurácia e precisão) do modelo, com a REQM passando de 110 m3 ha-1, na fase inicial de calibração, para 39 m3 ha-1, na fase final de calibração, R2 passando de 0,73 para 0,82 e índice d indo de 0,70 para 0,93. Com relação às quebras de produtividade, a deficiência hídrica foi o principal fator de quebra de produtividade, correspondendo a 77% da quebra total (QT), enquanto que as perdas decorrentes do déficit de manejo corresponderam a 23% da QT. Para avaliar o crescimento do eucalipto em eventos de ENOS, no período de 1983 a 2016, foi considerado o Incremento Corrente Anual (ICA) no período de máximo crescimento, ou seja, no 3° ano de seu ciclo. As produtividades e as perdas de produtividade do eucalipto durante a atuação dos eventos de ENOS mostraram-se amplamente variáveis tanto espacialmente quanto temporalmente, como consequência dos diferentes regimes térmicos e hídricos das regiões produtoras, não sendo observado um padrão claro para a relação ENOS e produtividade do eucalipto em diferentes regiões brasileiras avaliadas. / Among the forest species, the Eucalyptus is the most planted one in Brazil, with approximately 7.8 million hectares, having a huge economic importance for the country. Therefore, a better knowledge and quantification of the factors that affect forests growth and yield is of high important. Based on that, this study had as objectives: i) to adapt, calibrate and evaluate the Agroecological Zone Model (AEZ-FAO) to estimate growth and yield of eight eucalyptus clones in different Brazilian producing regions; ii) to identify the magnitude and major causes of yield gaps of eucalyptus in different producing regions of Minas Gerais state, Brazil; and iii) to identify the influence of El Niño, La Niña and Neutral events on eucalyptus yield in 12 Brazilian producing regions. The model´s coefficients, such as correction for the harvest index (Cc), water deficit sensitivity index (ky), leaf area index curve (LAI), root growth curve (Zr) and crop coefficient (kc), were calibrated. Penalization functions for considering the occurrence of frost events (ffrost) and mortality by long periods of accumulated water deficit (fwd) were also included in the model. The calibration and adaptation of the model resulted in a significant improvement of its performance (accuracy and precision), for both calibration and evaluation phases. The RMSE was 110 m3 ha-1 in the initial phase of calibration while in the final phase, RMSE was reduced to 39 m3 ha-1, the R2 was increase from 0.73 to 0.82, and the agreement index (d) was also improved going from 0.70 to 0.93. In relation to the yield gaps, the water deficit was the main factor of yield reduction, corresponding to 77% of the total yield gap (YGT), while losses due to sub-optimum management corresponded to 23% of YGT. In order to evaluate the eucalyptus growth under different ENSO events, from 1983 to 2016, the Current Annual Increment (CAI) in the period of maximum growth, 3rd year of the cycle, was used. The eucalyptus yield and yield gap during the ENSO events were widely variable both spatially and temporally as a consequence of the different thermal and water regimes of the producing regions. It was not possible to identify a clear pattern thee relationship between ENSO and eucalyptus yield in the different Brazilian regions assessed.