This study aims to develop a method to investigate the relationship between settlement locations and the morphological landforms using geographical information systems (GIS). The method is applied to &Ccedil / ankiri province, a mountainous terrain, which is covered in seventy-seven sheets of topographic maps at 1:25.000 scale. Three databases are created and used in this study: 1) Settlement database comprising various topographic and landform attributes of 891 settlements, 2) Morphological landform database composed of 4042 landform polygon elements digitized from 1:25.000 topographic maps, and 3) Topographic database containing the digital elevation model of the area and its derivatives. The first step in the algorithm is to classify the area into four main landform classes, namely, valley, slope, flood and top. Unsuitable landforms are then clipped out based on the thresholds derived from three topographic properties (elevation, slope and aspect). Accordingly, about 2 % of the settlements and 12 % of the area are removed. The relationship is investigated using the percentages of remaining settlements and landform classes. Further analyses such as position of the settlement within the landform polygon and type of the nearest landforms are carried out for final interpretation. Following conclusions are reached on the relationship between settlement location and morphological landforms: - Percentages of settlements for flood, valley, slope and top are 8.37, 27.52, 58.60 and 5.50, respectively. Considering the percentages of the landforms provided in the area, however, valley is the most preferred landform followed by flood type. Slope and top landforms are less preferred. About 86 % of the settlements are concentrated along valley-slope boundary. - Morphological boundaries of flood and top landforms are consistent with the settlement zones. The valley-slope boundary, on the other hand, which is the most populated area, cross-cut the settlements zones.

Between 2004 and early 2006 a large-scale, instrumented, potentially contaminating trial waste rock dump was constructed and monitored at Cadia Hill Mine, in NSW, Australia. The trial waste rock dump was instrumented with lysimeters to measure rainfall infiltration and seepage through its base, and temperature sensors and gas sampling tubes to evaluate oxidation of the waste rock, together with three instrumented trial store and release covers on the surface. This thesis describes the construction and instrumentation of the trial waste rock dump and the monitoring results obtained to date, and applies unsaturated soil mechanics principles to understanding the early performance and predicting the future performance of the trial waste rock dump and trial store and release covers. For a given rainfall regime, the rate and quantity of rainfall infiltration into a waste rock dump of a given height, the wetting up of the dump over time, and the occurrence of base seepage will largely be dictated by the particle size distribution of the waste rock delivered to the dump, and the stratigraphy of the dump. The particle size distribution of the waste rock delivered to the dump will depend on the fragmentation of the rock due to blasting and the degree of weathering and hence breakdown on handling of the rock. A waste rock dump constructed by conventional loose end-dumping from haul trucks from a tip-head, as was the case for the trial waste rock dump, consists of a trafficked surface layer extending to a depth of approximately 1 m, underlain by discontinuous alternating coarse and fine-grained layers raveling at the angle of repose of the waste rock, with a base rubble zone of boulders which ravel to the toe of the dump on end-dumping. Trafficking of the surface of the dump by dozers and haul trucks leads to the breaking down, burial and side-casting of the rock to form a well-graded material typically finer than 100 mm in particle size, with a moderate to high water storage capacity. The underlying coarse-grained angle of repose layers serve as air pathways during dry conditions and preferred seepage pathways during and following periods of heavy rainfall resulting in base seepage. The fine-grained angle of repose layers have a moderate to high water storage capacity and largely retain water in storage rather than generating base seepage. The base rubble zone may contain boulders up to 1 m in size, depending on the fragmentation of the rock due to blasting and the degree of weathering and hence breakdown on handling of the rock. It serves largely as a pathway for air during dry conditions, while passing base seepage during and following periods of heavy rainfall. As the dump wets up, partially saturated “fingers” develop and extend into the dump. Partially saturated fine-grained layers, having a medium to high water storage capacity, largely retain their partial saturation, while coarse-grained layers drain resulting, in base seepage. Plugs of water temporarily stored within the dump drain down through the dump, so that the base seepage that emerges is “old” water, not the rainfall infiltration (“new” water) that generated it. The size of the rainfall event required to generate base seepage will decrease as the dump wets up and the partially saturated fingers extend closer to the base of the dump. The residence time of water within the dump that passes along preferred seepage pathways will be relatively short and will become shorter as the dump wets up, while the residence time of water stored within the fine-grained layers will be very long, and possibly indefinite in a dry climate. The ingress of air through the base rubble zone, up the coarse-grained angle of repose layers, through the sides of the dump, and to a lesser extent through the trafficked layer, by the processes of convection, advection and diffusion, respectively, results in the exposure of reactive waste rock to oxidation. The fine-grained reactive waste rock, presenting a far greater surface area per unit volume than the coarse-grained waste rock, and typically having a greater proportion of fresh surfaces, is by far the most reactive. The ingress of air into the fine-grained layers is largely by diffusion from the adjacent coarse-grained layers. The transport of oxidation products from the dump largely occurs during and following periods of heavy rainfall, when preferred pathway flow is mobilised and base seepage occurs. The main exposure to preferred pathway flow is along these pathways, where the surface area per unit volume and hence the proportion of oxidation products are low, with much of the oxidation products formed on the fine-grained particles retained within the dump along with stored water. Due to the discontinuous stratigraphy of a waste rock dump, the preferential pathways for flow are randomly located within the dump. In addition, preferential pathways evolve over time as the waste rock weathers, settles, and as fines are transported with the flow. The trafficked surface of the dump also evolves over time, becoming more heterogeneous as the surface settles differentially, generating internal rainfall runoff and the transport of fines, and the development of “sinkholes” for the preferred entry of ponded rainfall. The principle purpose of cover systems over waste rock dumps is to restrict net percolation into the dump, so that percolation through the reactive waste rock is minimal in the longer term. The approach used to design any cover system is dominated by climate. Semi-arid environments are conducive to store and release cover systems which take advantage of well-graded oxide materials to provide high storage capacities, low percolation and stability. Three trial store and release covers, each comprising a sealing layer overlain by a thick mounded rocky soil mulch layer, were installed at Cadia Hill Mine in 2005-2006 to assess their feasibility to limit net percolation under the climatic conditions encountered at Cadia. This research described in this thesis has demonstrated a number of key issues that should be considered in the management and closure of waste rock dumps: • the initial moisture condition of the end-dumped waste rock will effect its early ability to store incidental rainfall; • the available water storage capacity of the waste rock will affect the size of the triggering rainfall event and the base seepage response time, with the storage capacity being taken up as the dump wets up, reducing both the size of the triggering rainfall event and the response time; • iterative modelling and calculations using HYDRUS-2D suggest that the trial waste rock dump will take between 3 years and 6 years to become sufficiently saturated that it will pass any rainfall infiltration, depending on the extent to which the waste rock weathers over time; and • all three trial store and release covers have demonstrated good performance over the monitoring period, and this has been verified using HYDRUS-2D, , with any net percolation being the result of an initial high placement moisture content of the cover materials.

This study provides one of the first accounts of the relationships between termites, termitaria and the pedolith, towards developing their application as a biogeochemical sampling medium for mineral exploration. Mapping regolith–landforms, termitaria, and the associated termitaria biogeochemistry show that termites are an integral control on the organisation of trace metals in the landscapes of northern Australia. In particular, termites are important for transporting geochemical signatures from depth, through the pedolith and to the ground surface. This occurs by way of bioturbative and constructional activities of the mound-building termites, which in this study included Nasutitermes triodiae, Amitermes vitiosus, Drepanotermes rubriceps, Tumulitermes hastilis and T. pastinator. Termitaria from these species are mappable regolith– landform attributes at the local scale; this highlights their specific preferences for colony sites, such as access to vegetation, drainage, and the availability of construction materials. The mound-building termites featured in this study are also soil modifiers, altering the pedolith terms of both structure and chemistry. Developing an understanding of these processes has helped to refine a model for pedolith development through biotic processes, which is applicable to subtropical and tropical climatic regions, where termites act as important ecosystem engineers. This research project fills a niche for new scientific investigation of deeper regolith profiles and associated terrains; it moves away from theories of shallow soil development overlying an abiotic deep regolith, towards understanding pedolith development as wholly biotically driven. For mineral explorers this means that ore-related elements, such as Au, As and Zn, are re-organised and moved towards the land surface in settings such as buried Au-deposits and mineralisation in the Tanami region, and Pine Creek Orogen. A key finding within the study of the application of this technique is that the fine, silt-clay (>79 μm) from termitaria is capable of accurately delineating the surficial expression of buried Au mineralisation. Termitaria can therefore provide an accessible surficial biogeochemical sampling media that can be used in mineral exploration programs / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1369217 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2009

This study provides one of the first accounts of the relationships between termites, termitaria and the pedolith, towards developing their application as a biogeochemical sampling medium for mineral exploration. Mapping regolith–landforms, termitaria, and the associated termitaria biogeochemistry show that termites are an integral control on the organisation of trace metals in the landscapes of northern Australia. In particular, termites are important for transporting geochemical signatures from depth, through the pedolith and to the ground surface. This occurs by way of bioturbative and constructional activities of the mound-building termites, which in this study included Nasutitermes triodiae, Amitermes vitiosus, Drepanotermes rubriceps, Tumulitermes hastilis and T. pastinator. Termitaria from these species are mappable regolith– landform attributes at the local scale; this highlights their specific preferences for colony sites, such as access to vegetation, drainage, and the availability of construction materials. The mound-building termites featured in this study are also soil modifiers, altering the pedolith terms of both structure and chemistry. Developing an understanding of these processes has helped to refine a model for pedolith development through biotic processes, which is applicable to subtropical and tropical climatic regions, where termites act as important ecosystem engineers. This research project fills a niche for new scientific investigation of deeper regolith profiles and associated terrains; it moves away from theories of shallow soil development overlying an abiotic deep regolith, towards understanding pedolith development as wholly biotically driven. For mineral explorers this means that ore-related elements, such as Au, As and Zn, are re-organised and moved towards the land surface in settings such as buried Au-deposits and mineralisation in the Tanami region, and Pine Creek Orogen. A key finding within the study of the application of this technique is that the fine, silt-clay (>79 μm) from termitaria is capable of accurately delineating the surficial expression of buried Au mineralisation. Termitaria can therefore provide an accessible surficial biogeochemical sampling media that can be used in mineral exploration programs / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1369217 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2009

A Bacia hidrográfica do Rio Sorocá-Mirim encontra-se no Planalto de Ibiúna, que faz parte de um conjunto de blocos falhados formando grábens e meio grábens, que compõem um sistema de bloqueio estrutural onde a água é aprisionada em sub superfície criando as condições ideais para a formação de turfeiras. Características como a geometria dos interflúvios, a assimetria das vertentes e das planícies de inundação e também a disposição da rede de drenagem, denotam a grande influência das estruturas geológicas nesta bacia hidrográfica. As zonas de acumulação de matéria orgânica encontradas na Bacia do Sorocá-Mirim estão vinculadas à ambientes fluviais particulares, relacionados ao controle estrutural, que é característica marcante da área. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar turfeiras, em dois ambientes fluviais diferentes (terraço e anfiteatro) em relação às suas características físicas, químicas, orgânicas e sua distribuição areolar para entender como a formação destas turfeiras foi influenciada por esses ambientes. O levantamento topográfico das duas áreas, assim como uma série de ensaios e análises laboratoriais demonstraram que as turfeiras dos dois ambientes apresentam idades diferentes em aproximadamente 1000 anos (turfeira da área 2, terraço, mais antiga do que a turfeira da área 1, anfiteatro), mesmo tipo de plantas acumuladas ao longo destes anos e diferenças principalmente no que se refere à posição preferencial ao acúmulo da matéria orgânica e à variações, no sentido das maiores profundidades, de diversos parâmetros observados. Verificou-se que a área 1 sofreu maiores alterações do modelado, e consequentemente nas suas condições hidrológicas ao longo dos tempos, passando a ser um ambiente mais drenado, mais oxigenado, com uma turfeira que apresentou resultados laboratoriais mais heterogêneos, com concentrações de matéria orgânica e dos elementos vinculados a ela, variando bastante ao longo da feição. A área 2 não sofreu grandes alterações no modelado, mantendo-se mais úmida ao longo do tempo o que acarretou em uma turfeira mais homogênea com valores mais constantes de matéria orgânica e dos elementos vinculados a ela, ao longo da feição. Essas diferenças são reflexo da influência do modelado nos processos de acumulação da matéria orgânica, onde em cada feição (terraço, ou anfiteatro) a matéria orgânica é acumulada em posições específicas, sofrendo maior ou menor interferência de materiais minerais adjacentes; e principalmente o modelado controla as condições hidrológicas, diferentes, em cada uma das feições, fazendo com o que o ambiente seja mais ou menos úmido e desta forma sendo o elemento principal de controle dos processos de evolução da matéria orgânica. / The Sorocá-Mirim River basin is located on the Ibiúna Plateau, wich is part of a set of failed blocks forming grabens and half grabens, which makes up a structural block system where water is trapped in sub-surface creating the ideal conditions for the formation of peatlands. Characteristics such as the geometry of interfluves, the asymmetry of slopes and flood plains and also the layout of the drainage network, denote the great influence of the geological structures in this basin. The areas of accumulation of organic matter found in the Sorocá-Mirim Basin are linked to particular fluvial environments, related to structural control, which is a characteristic feature of the area. The present study aimed to study peatlands in two different fluvial environments (terrace and amphitheater) in relation to their physical, chemical, and organic characteristics and their areolar distribution to understand how the formation of these peatlands was influenced by these environments. The topographic survey of the two areas, as well as a series of laboratory tests and analyzes showed that the peatlands of the two environments present different ages in approximately 1000 years (peatland of area 2 older than the peatland of area 1), same type of plants, accumulated along these years and differences mainly with respect to the preferential position to the accumulation of the organic matter and the variations, in the direction of the greater depths, of several observed parameters. It was verified that area 1 underwent major alterations in the landform, and consequently in its hydrological conditions over time, becoming a more drained, more oxygenated environment, with a peatland that presented more heterogenous laboratory results, with concentrations of organic matter and the elements attached to it, varying greatly throughout the feature. Area 2 did not undergo major alterations in the landform, remaining wetter over time which resulted in a more homogeneous peat with more constant values of organic matter and the elements bound to it, along the feature. These differences reflect the influence of landform on the processes of organic matter accumulation, where in each feature (terrace or amphitheater) the organic matter is accumulated in specific positions, suffering more or less interference of adjacent mineral materials; and mainly the landform controls the different hydrological conditions in each of the features, making the environment more or less moist and thus being the main element of control of the evolution processes of organic matter. The work showed that landform is the main conditioning element of the humidity of the environments and consequently of the processes of evolution and the characteristics of the peatlands.

A new approach towards waste management in a mining environment is developed and applied. This dissertation specifically studies the storage and management of tailings in the platinum industry as well as the associated environmental impacts. The product is an alteration of conventional tailings storage methodologies, to a sustainable design strategy in order to minimise environmental impact and optimise social and natural conditions. Factors influencing Tailings Disposal Facility design is: geo-technical stability, public safety, economic considerations, visual impact, water, soil and air pollution, local social context and end land use goals. Each are discussed from an environmental and social impact point of view in order to arrive at a sustainable landform (Tailings Disposal Facility) design. / Dissertation (ML (Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Architecture / unrestricted

A geographic information system (GIS) was used to create landform measurements and maps for elevation, slope, aspect, landform index, relative phenologic change, and slope position for 3 topographic quadrangles in Virginia. A set of known observation points of the Northern dusky flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) was used to build 3 models to delineate sites with landform characteristics equivalent to those known points. All models were built using squirrel observation points from 2 topographic quadrangles. The first model, called "exclusionary", excluded those pixels with landform characteristics different from the known squirrel pixels based on histogram analyses. Logistic regression was used to create the other 2 models. Each model resulted in an image of pixels considered equivalent to the known squirrel pixels. Each model excluded approximately 65% of the Highland study area, but the exclusionary model excluded the fewest known squirrel pixels (12.62%). Both logistic regression models excluded approximately 10% more known squirrel pixels than the exclusionary approach. The models were tested in the area of a third quadrangle with points known to be occupied by squirrels. After the model was applied to the third topographic quadrangle, the exclusionary model excluded the least amount of full-area pixels (79.30%) and only 14.81% of the known squirrel pixels. The second logistic regression excluded 81.16 % of the full area and no known squirrel pixels. All models proved useful in quickly delineating pixels equivalent to areas where wildlife were known to occur. / Master of Science

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第23580号 / 農博第2479号 / 新制||農||1088(附属図書館) / 学位論文||R3||N5364(農学部図書室) / 京都大学大学院農学研究科地域環境科学専攻 / (主査)教授 舟川 晋也, 教授 北山 兼弘, 准教授 渡邉 哲弘 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-25T19:30:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Khetlen Leitao.pdf: 2075506 bytes, checksum: d0ad97686eccb9958ca4c8b0638f6366 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-08-30 / As soil science’s applied techniques and methods advance, questions regarding spatial variability of soil characteristics arise. Using landscape models could help mapping areas with more homogeneous soils. This article’s goal is to investigate how the soil’s features behave in a hogback model in an agricultural area in the Ponta Grossa region in Paraná. In a 110 hectare area, soil samples from 0.0 – 0.2 m and 0.2 –0.4 m deep were collected – 60 samples per layer. The first model of landscape (TROEH, 1965), area was divided into 3 hogback areas, where the landforms were described as Linear (PF1), Concave – Convex (PF2) and Foothill Deposition (PF3). In the second model (DARLYMPLE, 1968) the area was divided into six units of the hypothetical component, which are described as Top (SV1), Shoulder (SV2), Upper Third of the Slope (SV3), Half-slope (SV4), Lower Third the slope (SV5) and Foothill (SV6).The Chemical analysis showed that pH, H+ Al, Al, Ca, Mg, K and P can change, C e CTCe, CTC, SB, V(%), m(%), relations (Ca + Mg), (Ca/Mg) and ((Ca + Mg)/K) and in Granulometry Physics. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and variance analysis with comparison of means by Tukey test at 5% probability. Results indicate that the model of landscape (TROEH, 1965) the greatest variation occurred in comparison with landform PF3 (Foothill Deposition) in both depths. As for the model Darlymple (1968) there is greater variation in variables for all six segments at a depth of 0.0-0.2 mm, compared with the total area. In both models studied, the landforms and segments of the strand was possible to verify interaction with the distribution of the elements studied, especially for the variables K, P, CTC, sand and clay. Thus, we conclude that the models can potentially be used for recommendations of tillage zones. / Com avanço de métodos e técnicas aplicadas na ciência do solo, muito se questiona sobre a variabilidade espacial de atributos dos solos. O uso de modelos de paisagem poderia auxiliar no mapeamento de áreas com solos mais homogêneos. Este trabalho objetivou investigar o comportamento de atributos e características do solo em dois modelos de paisagem em uma área agrícola na região de Ponta Grossa, PR. Em uma área de 110 ha fez-se a coleta de amostras de solo de 0 - 200 mm e 200 – 400 mm de profundidade, realizando- se 60 amostras por camada. Para o primeiro modelo de paisagem (TROEH, 1965), a área foi dividida em três unidades de vertentes, sendo as pedoformas descritas como Linear (PF1), Côncavo-Convexo (PF2) e Sopé de Deposição (PF3). No segundo modelo (DARLYMPLE, 1968) a área foi segmentada em seis unidades hipotéticas da vertente, sendo estas descritas como Topo (SV1), Ombro (SV2), Terço superior da encosta (SV3), Meia-encosta (SV4), Terço inferior da encosta (SV5) e Sopé (SV6). Nas análises químicas determinou-se pH, H+ Al, Al, Ca, Mg, K e P trocáveis, C, e com base neste, determinou-se CTC, CTCe, SB, V(%), m(%), relações (Ca + Mg), (Ca/Mg) e ((Ca + Mg)/K), e na física, granulometria. Os dados foram analisados por estatística descritiva e análise de variância com comparação de médias pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. Concluiu-se que a maior variação no modelo de Troeh (1965) ocorreu na superfície geomórfica PF3 (sopé de deposição) nas duas profundidades. Já para o modelo de Darlymple (1968) ocorre maior variação das variáveis, para todos os seis segmentos, na profundidade de 0- 200 mm, quando comparados com a área total. Em ambos os modelos estudados; as pedoformas e segmentos da vertente foi possível verificar interação com a distribuição dos elementos estudados, principalmente para as variáveis K, P, CTC, areia e argila. Assim, conclui -se que os modelos podem potencialmente ser utilizados para recomendações de zonas de manejo.

The purposes of this research were 1) to understand what stakeholders in one nature center are "thinking"about the focus of their center and the niche it occupies; 2) to characterize the role of one nature center in its local community; 3) to examine the nature center in terms of established characteristics of a "best" nature center; 4) to compare stakeholder perceptions with perceptions of directors of exemplar nature centers and environmental education organizations; and 5) to characterize visitor and member stakeholder perceptions and motivations in terms of the extrinsic value of ecosystem services, bioeconomics, versus the intrinsic value of nature, biophilia. This research was conducted utilizing case study methodology with mixed method data collection. Ijams Nature Center visitors and members were surveyed concerning the value of nature; structured interviews were administered to Ijams Nature Center employees, nationally recognized nature center and environmental organization directors. Visitors‘ perceptions of nature focused on the natural surroundings of the nature center, providing opportunities to watch wild animals, appreciate nature, and feel at peace. Nature center member perceptions of nature reflected the concepts of stewardship and advocacy fostered by the Center‘s conservation mission, education programs, and preservation activities. Participants shared common thematic concepts for the role of nature centers and the characteristics of a best nature center. A best nature center was characterized as a composite of factors, practices, and perspectives that merge to form a business plan reflective of best practice guidelines. Participants highlighted the unique quality of centers and the passion and vision that guides development and the roles played by nature centers in their local communities, as identified in this study, i.e., education, advocacy, and immediacy. Ijams Nature Center visitors and members valued nature differently in terms of bioeconomics and biophilia, but both groups rated the biophilic value of nature of greater importance, with differing constructs reflective of that value.