This study utilized historical population statistics data and related reports to investigate the population distribution and transition trend of Kaohsiung Main Urban Area. There were four purposes of this study; firstly to understand the current population distribution pattern of Kaohsiung Main Urban Area, secondly to investigate the change trend of Kaohsiung Main Urban Area in the past 36 years, thirdly using Kaohsiung Main Urban Area population data to verify the population density model and to examine the correspondence with the current society, and fourthly to explore the impact of the establishment of Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit System and Taiwan High Speed Rail to the transition and distribution of population in Kaohsiung Main Urban Area. This study employed the population statistical database from year 1972 to 2007, and divided the Kaohsiung metropolitan area into 32 sub-divisions. The population data was re-organized accordingly in order to perform the systematic analyses and exploration in making the understanding of the current population status and transition process. Furthermore, employing the population data of Kaohsiung metropolitan area, the validation of negative exponential model and quadratic exponential model, the population model proposed by Clark and Newling respectively 58 year ago, were performed to verify the applicability of the theories to modern society. In addition, this study also performed the exploration of population transition and distribution in Kaohsiung metropolitan area during the construction period of Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit System and Taiwan High Speed Rail and could be of reference to urban planning and development in the future. This study found that both Clark and Newling¡¦s population model still has high interpretation capability after 58 years later. The Kaohsiung metropolitan area population distribution model and trend forecast proposed by Ho in 1991 is still true. However, because of the slow down in overall development trend of Taiwan, the transition trend of Kaohsiung metropolitan also mitigated. Besides, due to the trend mitigation, the volcano peak phenomenon which was mentioned in the literature review will be postponed and expected to happen in year 2018.

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Vernal pools are small, seasonally filling wetlands found throughout forests of north eastern North America. Vernal pools have been proposed as potential 'hot spots' of carbon cycling. A key component of the carbon cycle within vernal pools is the decomposition of leaf litter. I tested the hypothesis that leaf litter decomposition is more rapid within vernal pools than the adjacent upland. Leaf litter mass losses from litterbags incubated in situ within vernal pools and adjacent upland habitat were measured periodically over one year and then again after two years. The experiment was carried out at 24 separate vernal pools, over two replicate years. This is a novel degree of replication in studies of decomposition in temporary wetlands. Factors influencing decomposition, such as duration of flooding, water depth, pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen were measured. Mass loss was greater within pools than adjacent upland after 6 months, equal after 12 months, and lower within pools than adjacent upland after 24 months. This evidence suggests that vernal pools of Central Ontario are 'hot spots' of decomposition up to 6 months, but not after 12 and 24 months. In the long term, vernal pools may reduce decomposition rates, compared to adjacent uplands.