Thesis (M. Agr. Sc.)--University of Queensland, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references.

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No description available.

No description available.

Behavioural development has received little attention in primates, despite having important influences on infant mortality, interbirth intervals, and therefore, growth of populations. Gorillas have long developmental periods, exhibit strong maternal bonds and integrate into intricate social systems, making them an ideal species in which to investigate non-human primate development. Gorillas exist across a range of habitats, and differences in behaviour, both within and between species reflect socioecological differences, for example, in the availability and distribution of food. Consequently, by using gorillas as a model, opportunities also exist to investigate environmental constraints on the development of independence. This study provides the first detailed analysis, with reference to ecological factors, of the development of behavioural skills and relationships in wild western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). Behavioural development of western lowland gorillas is then compared with published accounts of development in mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) to determine the extent to which differing ecology influences behaviour. The study was conducted at Mbeli Bai in the Republic of Congo, a large, marshy clearing, visited by gorillas predominantly for feeding purposes. Data were collected using scan, focal, all-occurrence and ad libitum sampling methods from 58 gorillas below 8 years of age. Spatial relationships, suckling, and the nature of interactions involving immature individuals were analysed. The distribution of time between different behaviours by immatures, and the development of independent feeding and travelling behaviour was also investigated, and all were tested for differences as a result of immature age, sex and social group, or the mother's parity. Towards the end of infancy, individuals showed competent feeding behaviour in the bai. However, western lowland gorillas were not weaned until the juvenile period, and until this time, close association was common between mothers and offspring. With increasing independence from the mother there was limited investment in relationships with other individuals, and instead, a greater emphasis was placed on developing skills through play, alloparenting and agonistic interactions. When results were compared with those of mountain gorillas, there was evidence of increased investment in relationships, particularly with the silverback, by immature mountain gorillas, which was assumed to reflect lower rates of natal dispersal by mountain gorillas, and the greater likelihood that relationships with individuals in the natal group could prove useful in the future. Suckling and close proximity to the mother continued until later ages in western lowland gorillas, resulting in clear differences between them mountain gorillas in the duration of investment by mothers. More frugivorous western lowland gorillas required increased levels of investment by the mother before independence could be achieved, demonstrating the effect that resource availability can have on behavioural development in species where resources are widely and unpredictably dispersed.

The timing and composition of organic matter (OM) inputs to rivers are important as carbon plays a major role in river functioning. Management of Australian rivers since European settlement has altered inputs of organic matter to these systems. Heterotrophic microbes play a critical role in the transformation of OM in rivers, allowing transfer of carbon to other biota. Alteration to the proportions of OM from different sources affects microbial functioning due to differences in OM composition. Macrophytes can represent important sources of carbon to rivers, however their inputs and in-stream processing are poorly understood. The aim of my study was to examine inputs and microbial processing of macrophyte OM in Australian lowland rivers under different flows. Distributions of dominant macrophytes (Typha orientalis, Phragmites australis, Vallisneria gigantea and Persicaria prostrata) were mapped in three lowland river reaches in south eastern Australia. Integration with flow data in a GIS allowed the determination of macrophyte inundation patterns under different flows. Resource allocation (biomass and nutrients), live and dead shoot densities and litter production were monitored in the field over 18 months. DOM release from different macrophyte tissues was examined in the laboratory and leachate composition was assessed using nutrient and spectral analyses. Responses of riverine microbial communities to different OM sources were assessed from substrate-induced respiration and enzyme activity experiments and field measurements of respiration and enzymatic responses to varied OM inputs. Finally, all data were integrated into a model of microbial responses to macrophyte OM inputs induced by different flows. Large populations of macrophytes occurred at all three sites, at bed level, on in-channel benches and on banks. Bank slope, channel heterogeneity and the vertical distribution of macrophyte beds all affected macrophyte inundation patterns. Substantial differences in biomass allocation, nutrient dynamics and litter composition were observed among different plant growth forms and over time. While leaves represented the major shoot component in litter for all species, stems and reproductive structures were also important in some species. Aside from the litter pool, translocation to rhizomes represented a major sink for annual production in emergent plants. Patterns of shoot density and litter production over time varied among species, providing a source of variation for particulate, and hence dissolved OM inputs upon inundation. The majority of DOM release from POM occurred within 24 hours of inundation. Growth form, tissue type (blade, stem, etc.) and status (live or dead) affected rates, quantities and composition of DOM release, with implications for microbial utilisation. Both overall activity and patterns of carbon utilisation in riverine microbes changed in response to altered OM inputs. Patterns of microbial carbon use were shown to be specific to the carbon source which induced them. Modelling showed that flow regulation had a major impact on OM inputs and microbial metabolism, through the effects of flow variability on macrophyte vertical distributions, macrophyte bed inundation and dilution. Positive relationships between discharge, DOM inputs and microbial metabolism were observed at the most highly regulated site (drought < current < historic < flood). While a similar pattern occurred at the less regulated site in terms of total loading, dilution effects resulted in a reversal of this trend on a reach volume basis. Microbial metabolism and DOM inputs were restricted to summer/autumn under regulated flows compared to a greater emphasis on winter/spring inputs and microbial activity under unregulated flows. Continual OM inputs during winter with pulsed inputs in spring under natural flows probably benefit larger, slow-growing macro-invertebrates. River regulation promotes pulsed macrophyte OM inputs during spring/summer, potentially favouring riverine microbial and zooplankton production, although at lower levels due to the overall reduction in OM inputs. The predictive model of macrophyte OM inputs and microbial responses developed throughout this thesis represents a major step forward in our understanding of macrophytemicrobe interactions and our ability to manage our river systems. This work has shown that flow manipulation can be used to influence macrophyte organic matter inputs to rivers and microbial responses, affecting whole stream metabolism and food web interactions.

Thesis--Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 457-484) and indexes.

The proceedings included herein are the papers presented in the Seventh ICCAE Open Forum held in October 20th, 2006 at Nagoya University, Japan.

Two excavation seasons in Punta de Chimino's E-Group Acropolis provide a record of monument construction, refurbishment, desecration, and abandonment. This evidence is used to explore the material dimensions of social emplacement--any act, event, practice, or behavior that affects the way a community and its descendants relate to a particular locality over time. The attributes and treatment of monuments are taken to signify cultural and political dispositions. An extensive overview of Preclassic and Protoclassic Maya archaeology situates Punta de Chimino's monumental remains in different historical settings. Bayesian analysis of the stratified sequence of radiocarbon and luminescence dates is used to accurately pinpoint the timing of specific cultural events. Stratigraphy and radiometry allow refinement of the Punta de Chimino ceramic sequence. In the end, varied lines of material evidence are garnered to infer changing social orientations toward Punta de Chimino's ceremonial precinct and the ancient Mesoamerican world at large.

Involving stakeholders in water governance is becoming an increasingly important topic in England. In this thesis I consider this ambition from the farming perspective, by investigating the potential for farmers to cooperate and participate in water governance. This dynamic is viewed through the conceptual lens of adaptive comanagement, an approach which its proponents claim can achieve the dual focus of ecosystem protection and livelihood sustainability under conditions of change and uncertainty. The relevance of adaptive comanagement is highlighted by the increasing complexity and uncertainty surrounding water governance in England, amongst other things because of the effects of climate change and a growing population. The research adopts an integrated methodological approach that revolves around a “politicised” version of the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) Framework. Initially, three separate analyses investigate the context surrounding farming and water governance. The results of the contextual phase are incorporated into a more focused analysis, involving five farmer irrigator groups in the lowlands of eastern England. Here the intention is to explore the broader issues the research raises by investigating the potential for these groups to comanage water resources. Nine factors of success are identified, from which deeper, more abstract causal mechanisms are inferred. The relevance of the findings are discussed in relation to farming and water governance in England going forwards. Several key outcomes emerge from this research, including: 1) a theoretical and practical demonstration of the applicability of the politicised IAD Framework to studies of adaptive comanagement, 2) an understanding of the ways in which power, policy, and levels of trust influence the ability of lowland farmers to cooperate and participate in water governance, 3) specific strategies that can be used to develop comanagement arrangements between farmer groups and water managers.