La present tesi intenta obtenir noves dades referents a la biologia i ecologia de la formiga argentina que poden arribar a ser cabdals per al disseny o millora de noves metodologies de control de l'expansió de la plaga en ecosistemes naturals. Així doncs, l'estudi de l'activitat de cerca d'aliment i del seu espectre dietari en ecosistemes naturals, juntament amb el de les fluctuacions estacionals de la densitat de reines en nius naturals, obre les portes a la millora de mètodes de control de la plaga mitjançant esquers tòxics d'efecte retardat i a l'aplicació de noves metodologies de control sense l'ús d'agents químics basats en l'eliminació massiva de reines. La tesi també aporta noves dades sobre la fisiologia reproductiva de l'espècie en relació a la temperatura, la qual cosa permet la integració de l'aspecte fisiològic en models de predicció del rang potencial d'establiment de la plaga en ecosistemes naturals, aspecte fins ara pràcticament oblidat en aquest tipus de models predictius. / The present work attempts to obtain new information about the biology and ecology of this species in order to improve or design new control methods to stop the expansion of the plague in natural ecosystems. In that sense, the study of its foraging activity and dietary spectrum in natural environments, as well as the report of its annual fluctuations in the queen's densities of natural nests, open the door to the improvement of control methodologies based on the use of toxic baits, as well as to the design of new control methods based on the mechanical elimination of queens without the use of chemical procedures. This work also provides new data about the species' reproductive physiology according to temperature, which allow the application in predictive models of the physiological needs of the species to establish in a certain natural area.

Readings of contemporary accounts of the Japanese invasion of Choson Korea and Ming China's intervention, by Japanese, Korean, and Chinese writers; analysis of the writers' disparate world-views and how they each envision their country and its neighbours. This thesis uses contemporary writings from across the region to study the significance of the East Asian War of 1592-1598 for Chinese, Korean, and Japanese senses of identity, and argues that the war was a crucial moment in the development of those identities. Despite the 1592-1598 conflict affecting millions of people, and resulting in almost unprecedented cross-border flows of people and information, most previous considerations of its effect on identity have focused on court documents. In the first dedicated study of identities in the East Asian War, this thesis shifts from the hitherto emphasis on politicians and commanders to prioritize individuals at the frontiers of cross-border contact. This shift of focus from centre to periphery contributes to our understanding of two areas of history. In terms of the East Asian War as a historical event, it provides a far more nuanced picture of what this momentous conflict signified for people at the time. In terms of the history of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese identities, it demonstrates persuasively that the sense of belonging to a country held real meaning for people across society, influencing the actions even of those totally removed from the state. Tracing the legacy of frontier writings again contributes to both the history of the war and of identity, by revealing how peripheral insights and central biases combined to give birth to the orthodox narratives of the war, some of which remain influential to this day. Personal writings show how first-hand encounters in the war modified but also re-inforced already well-established identities, making national identities of immediate significance for an immeasurably wider group than in peace time. The late sixteenth-century growth in printing and literacy subsequently greatly amplified the impact of the East Asian War by allowing real-life interaction to be endlessly re-told as a dramatic clash between China, Korea, and Japan. This study restores the war to its proper place as a key moment in the longer development of national identities in East Asia. It also calls for a primary-source based, East-Asia centred reconsideration of theories on the historical development of collective identity, which remain overly influenced by later European experience.

L’objectif principal de cette thèse est d’identifier les facteurs urbains et les caractéristiques biologiques de Reticulitermes flavipes qui ont permis à cette espèce invasive de coloniser et de persister en milieu urbain. Plus précisément, les études développées ont visé à mieux comprendre l’origine des colonies introduites à Paris, de déterminer comment celles-ci étaient arrivées en ville et, comment, malgré les moyens de lutte mis en oeuvre au cours de ces dernières décennies elles ont persisté dans le paysage parisien. Une première étude nous a permis de voir que les colonies présentes à Paris sont capables de persister et de réinfester des zones qui ont été précédemment traitées. Ces réinfestations sont possibles grâce aux modes de reproduction (néoténie) et de dispersion (par bouturage) de cette espèce qui lui permettent de survivre localement et de recoloniser des zones où les colonies avaient été partiellement éradiquées et ce, même après 15 ans. Dans une seconde étude, nous avons pu montrer deux facteurs majeurs pouvant expliquer la distribution et la propagation de R. flavipes à Paris : la structure complexe des colonies observées et la combinaison spécifique des variables de l’environnement parisien. Enfin, dans la troisième étude, nous avons décrit la dynamique d’expansion de cette espèce à des échelles nationales et régionales. Cette étude révèle des patterns de distribution variés, reflétant les caractéristiques propres des populations invasives de cette espèce en France. Dans ce travail, nous avons discuté de l’implication des caractéristiques biologiques et paysagères sur le succès invasif de cette espèce. Au vue des données obtenues au cours de cette thèse, nous avons également précisé les scénarios concernant l’histoire de l’invasion de ce termite en France, puis nous avons présenté quelques outils et préconisations qui pourraient permettre, selon nous, d’améliorer la lutte contre cet insecte nuisible en ville. / The main objective of this thesis is to identify the urban factors and biological characteristics of Reticulitermes flavipes which have allowed this invasive species to colonize and persist in urban habitat. More specifically, the developed studies aimed at better understanding the origin of introduced colonies in Paris as well as determining how they persisted in the Parisian landscape, despite implementing pest control during the last decades. A first study allowed us to observe that Parisian colonies were able to persist and reinfest areas which were previously treated. These reinfestations are possible thanks to the mode of reproduction (neoteny) and the way of dispersal (by budding) of this species, which allows it to locally survive and recolonize areas where colonies had been partially eradicated, even fifteen years later. In a second study, we were able to highlight two main factors which could explain the distribution and propagation of R. flavipes in Paris: the observed complex colony structure and the specific combination of the Parisian environmental variables. Finally, in a third study, we were able to identify its dynamic of expansion at national and regional scales which showed varied distribution patterns, reflecting the peculiar characteristics of these invasive species populations in France. In this piece of work, we analyzed the implications of the biological and landscape characteristics on the successful invasion of this species. In the view of the data obtained in this thesis, we also suggested some scenarios on the invasion history of this termite species in France and we provided tools and recommendations which, according to us, could allow the improvement of pest management of this insect in cities.

The diploma thesis deals with Ottoman invasions into Central Europe in the Pre-White Mountain period, bounded by the years 1526 (Battle of Mohács) and 1606 (the end of the 15-year war). The main focus is on the war operations in the Hungarian battlefields and the associated expeditions from the Habsburg constitution. The situation was not only about the warriors who experienced the battlefield, but also the inhabitants of the Kingdom of Bohemia, especially the Margraviate of Moravian. The representatives of the two groups experienced, until then, an unknown situation and had to somehow behave and react to it. The professional interpretation is continuously followed by the didactic part intended for secondary school teachers, which transforms the theme into a school substance. In conclusion, there is also a sample educational edition concerning about a dozen sources corresponding to the structure of the work.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T18:13:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vanessa Salete Daga.pdf: 597296 bytes, checksum: ad426af73e607b92ceea3cce0dbf170b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-08-12 / The objective of this study was to evaluate the composition and structure of the assemblages of native and nonnative fish along the temporal and spatial gradient on the Iguaçu River, and their relations with environmental variables in five reservoirs. Samples were collected from January 2004 to December 2008, with periodicity quarterly in reservoirs Foz do Areia, Segredo and Salto Caxias, while in reservoirs Salto Santiago and Salto Osório samples were bimonthly. Catches were made with the aid of gillnets (mesh size of 2.4 to 16 cm) and trammel nets (witches, 6, 7 and 8 cm between non-adjacent), operated on the surface, margin and bottom, exposed for 24 hours with checked at 8:00, 16:00 and 22:00 hours. Fish caught were identified, measured and weighed. The community structure was evaluated by its attributes of species (richness), abundance (biomass and number of individuals) and diversity index of Shannon. The environmental variables were plotted on a matrix (physics and chemistry) and is summarized by principal component analysis (PCA). To summarize the data on the composition and structure of the assemblages of native and nonnative fish, analysis of non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) was used. The degree of association between multivariate matrices (environmental variables and the composition and structure of the assemblages of native fish and non-native) was assessed by means of a Procrustes routine. During the study period were collected from 152,007 specimens, 148,084 individuals of native species and 3,923 specimens of non-native species, which were divided into six orders, 16 families, 32 genera and 50 species. The most abundant native species were Astyanax sp. B (40.1%), Astyanax sp. C (19.1%) and Pimelodus britskii (9.1%). The non-native species were more abundant Odontesthes bonariensis (85.1%), Prochilodus lineatus (7.5%) and Tilapia rendalli (4.9%). The distribution of abundance in numbers and weight was higher in Salto Santiago, both native and non native. Spatial and temporal differences were apparent for wealth, for both native and non native, but the Shannon diversity index showed significant differences only for native species. The composition and structure of the assembly of native and nonnative fish showed significant differences along the longitudinal gradient of the Iguaçu River. The physical and chemical variables (water temperature, water transparency, pH and electrical conductivity) were significant for the separation of the reservoirs along the longitudinal gradient. Procrustes analysis showed that an association exists between the physical and chemical variables, and the spatial arrangement of the composition and structure of the assemblages of native fish. / O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a composição e estrutura da assembleia de peixes nativos e não nativos, ao longo do gradiente espacial e temporal no rio Iguaçu e, suas relações com as variáveis ambientais em cinco reservatórios. As amostragens foram realizadas de janeiro de 2004 à dezembro de 2008, com periodicidade trimestral nos reservatórios de Foz do Areia, Segredo e Salto Caxias, enquanto que nos reservatórios de Salto Santiago e Salto Osório as amostragens foram bimestrais. As capturas foram realizadas com o auxílio de redes de espera simples (malhas de 2,4 a 16 cm) e tresmalhos (feiticeiras de 6, 7 e 8 cm entre nós não adjacentes), operadas na superfície, margem e fundo, expostas por 24 horas com revistas às 8:00, 16:00 e 22:00 horas. Os peixes capturados foram identificados, medidos e pesados. A estrutura da comunidade foi avaliada pelos seus atributos número de espécies (riqueza), abundância (biomassa e número de indivíduos) e índice de diversidade de Shannon. As variáveis ambientais foram plotadas em uma matriz (física e química), sendo essa sumarizada pela análise de componentes principais (PCA). Para sumarizar os dados de composição e estrutura da assembleia de peixes nativos e não nativos, a análise de escalonamento multidimensional não-métrico (NMDS) foi utilizada. O grau de associação entre as matrizes multivariadas (variáveis ambientais e composição e estrutura da assembleia de peixes nativos e não nativos) foi avaliado por meio de uma rotina Procrustes. Durante o período amostral foram coletados 152.007 exemplares, sendo 148.084 indivíduos de espécies nativas e 3.923 exemplares de espécies não nativas, que foram distribuídos em seis ordens, 16 famílias, 32 gêneros e 50 espécies. As espécies nativas mais abundantes foram Astyanax sp. B (40,1%), Astyanax sp. C (19,1%) e Pimelodus britskii (9,1%). As espécies não nativas mais abundantes foram Odontesthes bonariensis (85,1%), Prochilodus lineatus (7,5%) e Tilapia rendalli (4,9%). A distribuição de abundância, em número de indivíduos e peso foi maior em Salto Santiago, tanto para espécies nativas como não nativas. Diferenças espaciais e temporais significativas foram verificadas para a riqueza, tanto para espécies nativas como não nativas, entretanto o índice de diversidade de Shannon, mostrou diferenças significativas somente para as espécies nativas. A composição e estrutura da assembleia de peixes nativos e não nativos, apresentaram diferenças significativas ao longo do gradiente longitudinal do rio Iguaçu. As variáveis físicas e químicas (temperatura da água, transparência da água, pH e condutividade elétrica), foram significativas para a separação dos reservatórios ao longo do gradiente longitudinal. A análise de Procrustes mostrou que existe associação entre as variáveis físicas e químicas, e o arranjo espacial da composição e estrutura da assembleia de peixes nativos.

Les invasions biologiques sont une cause majeure de perte de biodiversité à l’échelle mondiale. L’impact direct des espèces exotiques envahissantes (EEE) sur la structure et la composition des communautés a été bien documenté. Par contre, leur impact sur le fonctionnement des écosystèmes a été comparativement moins étudié. Dans le présent travail, j’ai mesuré sur le terrain et en conditions expérimentales l’impact de 7 espèces de plantes exotiques particulièrement envahissantes en Europe sur les propriétés chimiques du sol, sur la productivité et sur le stock d’éléments minéraux dans la biomasse. Malgré la diversité des groupes fonctionnels considérés dans notre échantillon (des espèces annuelles aux arbres), des impacts récurrents ont pu être mis en évidence. Les EEE ont toujours une biomasse et une productivité supérieures à celles de la végétation qu’elles envahissent. Il en va de même pour le stock d’éléments minéraux dans la biomasse aérienne. En ce qui concerne le sol, les traits fonctionnels des espèces ne permettent pas de prédire la direction et l’amplitude des impacts. Par contre, ces impacts sur le sol se sont révélés partiellement prévisibles en fonction des conditions écologiques initiales (contexte pédologique). La disponibilité des cations et du P et la concentration en C et N organiques augmentent suite à l’invasion dans les sites initialement pauvres alors que ces mêmes paramètres baissent dans les sites plus eutrophes au départ. Les EEE entraînent, dans une certaine mesure, une homogénéisation des conditions écologiques dans les écosystèmes envahis. <p>Dans un deuxième temps, je me suis attaché à identifier les mécanismes de l’impact de Fallopia japonica sur le cycle de l’azote. Cette espèce, perenne rhizomateuse, adopte une gestion très conservatrice de l’azote en retransloquant jusqu’à 80 % de l’azote des tiges et des feuilles vers le système racinaire en automne avant l’abscission des feuilles. La litière restituée est, de ce fait, pauvre en azote. Ce paramètre, combiné à une teneur élevée en lignine, explique sa faible vitesse de décomposition par rapport à celle de la végétation non envahie. Une grande partie de l’azote de l’écosystème tourne donc en cycle quasi fermé entre les organes de réserve et les parties aériennes de la plante, tandis que l’azote restant est en grande partie bloqué dans la nécromasse de la plante et est donc non disponible pour les espèces concurrentes indigènes. Ce mécanisme explique, sans doute, en partie le succès invasif de l’espèce.<p><p>A l’avenir, les implications des impacts sur le sol en terme de restauration des communautés devront être étudiées. L’hypothèse d’une influence positive de ces impacts sur l’aptitude compétitive des espèces envahissantes devra être testée. Enfin, une étude plus fonctionnelle des impacts de ces espèces dans des sites contrastés devrait permettre d’identifier les mécanismes impliqués./Biological invasions are a major cause of biodiversity loss worldwide. The direct impact of alien invasive species (AIS) on community structure and composition has been well documented. On the other hand, their impact on ecosystem functioning has been comparatively less studied. In this work, I measured, on the field and in experimental conditions, the impact of 7 highly invasive alien plant species in Europe on soil chemical properties, biomass and aboveground nutrient stock. Despite the high diversity in considered functional groups (from annuals to trees), recurring impacts have been found. AIS had always higher biomass and aboveground nutrient stocks than invaded resident vegetation. Concerning soil, species functional traits did not allow us to predict impact direction and intensity. On the other hand, impacts on soil were partially predictable based on initial ecological conditions (pedologic context). Thus, cations and P availability and organic C and N concentrations increased in initially poor sites and decreased in eutrophic ones. AIS tend to homogenize soil properties across invaded landscapes.<p>In a second part, i tried to identify the mechanisms of the impacts of Fallopia japonica on N cycling. This perrennial rhizomatous species manage N in a very conservative way. About 80 % of aboveground N is translocated to rhizomes before leaves abscission. The litter is therefore poor in N. This parameter combined with a high lignin concentration explains its slow decomposition rate compared to that of uninvaded vegetation. A big part of the ecosystem N is engaged in a nearly closed cycle between above and belowground organs while the remaining N is blocked in the necromass and is thus not available for the indigenous competitors. This mechanism probably explains the invasive success of this species.<p><p>In the future, the implications of soil properties modifications in terms of community restoration should be studied. The hypothesis of a positive influence of these modifications on the competitive ability of AIS should be tested. At last, a functional study of these soil impacts in contrasted sites should allow us to identify the implied mechanisms.<p> / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Marine non-native species threaten economic and environmental health, making it crucial to understand factors that make them successful. Research on these species, therefore, allows for greater preparedness and informed management of biological invasions and increases understanding of elements structuring biological communities. Among the marine non-native species, and particularly the fouling community, non-native ascidians are a taxon of particular concern because they can crowd out native benthic species and smother mariculture products. This thesis addresses management for ascidians and other fouling organisms and includes research on the invasiveness of this taxon in addition to the invasibility of recipient fouling communities. On the West Coast of the U.S., limited efforts have been made to coordinate biofouling management across states, despite the myriad vectors increasing propagule pressure over time along coastal states. Building on recent state and local efforts, I developed a Pacific Regional Biofouling Plan for the states of Oregon and Washington to help start a consensus-driven process by which these states could create a forum for more comprehensive coordination efforts, following California's lead. As states address authority gaps, the biofouling management framework I've written is meant to be used to guide the conversation between managers as various stages of coastal management are realized. To better inform the scope and efficacy of management and regulatory efforts, the study of invasions ecology asks and aims to answer questions regarding recipient community interactions and characteristics of the non-native species themselves. Studies that identify characteristics that make ascidians successful (invasiveness) and determine the influence native communities have on their success (invasibility) are important for assessing overall risk of establishment and spread from non-native ascidians. Therefore, I aimed to: 1) explore the hypothesis that fouling communities on suspended, artificial structures are more invasible than benthic habitats; and 2) identify characteristics influencing predation patterns on the native Distaplia occidentalis versus non-native ascidian species using mensurative and experimental studies in Charleston Marina, Oregon. I conducted a series of feeding assays, surveys, and a caloric content analysis. Feeding assays were conducted with a suite of predators. The flatworm predator (Eurylepta leoparda) was found to be highly selective on the native ascidian Distaplia occidentalis, and only preyed on whole colony samples. Feeding assay data suggest that test (tunic) structure or thickness may be an influential factor affecting nudibranch (Hermissenda crassicornis) predation rates on native versus non-native ascidians, with greater predation on the native ascidian species. Non-native ascidians may escape predation in floating but not benthic environments on the Oregon coast due to their palatability characteristics, likely tunic structure and low caloric content. In this case, this suite of predators may indirectly facilitate the invasion of docks but provide at least partial resistance to the invasion of natural benthic areas. The chapters herein address gaps in management and scientific knowledge regarding non-native species of the marine fouling community. Future work enhanced by my efforts could include the development of the coastal biofouling management plan, coordinated by the Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Invasive Species Coastal Committee, and broadening the geographic and taxonomic scope of my research with a more comprehensive study of predator-prey interactions involving non-native ascidians and a diverse suite of predators. These interactions may be an important factor in explaining the success of ascidians and other fouling organisms on floating structures and lack of success on nearby benthic substrata.

MESMEG / Department of Ecology and Resource Management / Invasive alien plants refer to plant species that show a tendency to escape from human control, go beyond the intended physical boundaries and cause environmental damage. The issue of letting the Invasive alien plant species grow and spread, with no attempts made to control the spread of the species beyond the limits of plantations, is not sustainable. All the attempted methods that the Department of Environmental Affairs used seemed to have failed in yielding the expected results. The main objective of the study was to determine the Wolkberg Working for Water programme’s level of success in terms of clearing invasive alien plant species. Wolkberg Project was used as a case study as it is one of the Working for Water Programme. The data were collected using random sampling methods on the worked areas, where work is in progress and those where no work has been done. Primary data were collected from land owners through field observations and questionnaires from the participants whilst secondary data were collected from the Department of Environmental Affairs. The study adopted a mixed methods approach which is both quantitative and qualitative. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) package. The research determined the level of success in terms of clearing invasive alien plant species, employment opportunities, tools/materials that have been used to clear the plants and the advice on the possible strategies that can be employed in the invasive alien plant species management. It was found out that the Invasive alien plant species require constant maintenance in order for them to be controlled. The Wolkberg project is mainly dominated by male workers compared to females. Each team comprised 3% underage workers. The study recommends that the project should make sure that the follow-ups are done at the correct time and stage. Looking at the statistics of males and females, the study revealed that transformation is not adhered to in this project. / NRF

This dissertation for the M.A. in Creative Writing consists of a full-length play, titled Last Laugh and a mini-dissertation. The mini-dissertation explores the phenomenon of Theatre-for-Development, which differs significantly from the performance tradition of classical African drama. The study identifies ways in which Theatre-for-Development practitioners, animators or catalysts, (interchangeable names given to agents who teach target community members theatre-for-development skills) abandon the conventions of classical African drama performances, in terms of the form of plays, stage management and costumes. They find different and less formal ways to tackle the social problems which the target communities experience. The origins of Classical African drama are traced from the western tradition, from which it borrows heavily, and there is some discussion of the socio-historical conditions that prevailed during the time when African playwrights performed those plays, and the rise of nationalism in colonised African states, which in part influenced their production. This study then examines how the socio-political dynamics in the Zimbabwean post-farm-invasions era gave rise to Theatre-for-Development projects in the newly resettled farming communities that faced social development challenges. Despite the land gains peasants enjoyed, the resettled communities found themselves in places far away from schools, hospitals, shops and social service centres. That was the source of their problems. It will be shown how government sponsored Theatre-for-Development groups to mobilise the people, through theatre, to initiate home-groomed solutions to their social and economic problems during a time when the government was bankrupt and the country’s economy was shattered by the destruction of the agricultural and mining sectors, triggered by the invasions of the white commercial farms. The Ziya Community Theatre’s production of Sunrise is analysed in the light of these considerations. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / English / unrestricted

Three of Impatiens species are widespread in the Czech republic, one is native, two of them invasive. Because all species occur in relatively similar habitats, the question is, whether the invasive species can negatively affect the native species, or even the original can can be displaced. The aim of the thesis was: (i) to compare habitat requirments of the Impatiens species, (ii) to determine if the coexistence of species is possible, (iii) to assess the impact of invasive species to the original species. The investigation was carried out using two sets of permanent plots in 5 localities. In the first set with a total of 84 plots (combinations of occurrence of the three species) site characteristics as tree cover, soil humidity, slope and bare land cover were directly measured and nutrient, light, humidity and soil reaction characteristic assessed using Ellenberg indicator values. The second set contained a total of 45 plots with one of the native-invasive congener pair being removed and the intact controls. Number, cover and height of the plants were assesed. The key enviromental factors determining distribution of the species were soil moisture for I. noli-tangere and I. parviflora, and tree cover for I. glandulifera and I. parviflora. Ellenberg indicator values had poor explanation value;...