A viticultura no Brasil e no Estado de São Paulo encontra-se em expansão nos últimos 10 anos e a cv. Niagara Rosada (Vitis labrusca) se destaca como principal cultivar para produção de uvas para mesa. Essa cultivar é suscetível à várias doenças foliares, como a ferrugem (Phakopsora euvitis) e o míldio (Plasmopara viticola). Não existem estimativas quantitativas dos danos causados por essas doenças na cv. Niagara Rosada. Diante do exposto os objetivos desse trabalho foram quantificar os efeitos da ferrugem e do míldio nas trocas gasosas, nas limitações da fotossíntese, no acúmulo de biomassa, no acúmulo de carboidratos, e na produção da cv. Niagara Rosada e desenvolver um modelo de simulação para V. labrusca acoplado com os mecanismos de danos da ferrugem e míldio. Experimentos foram conduzidos, separadamente para cada doença, em condições controladas, em mudas inoculadas com diferentes concentrações de P. euvitis e P. viticola e em campo experimental. Medidas de trocas gasosas e curvas de resposta da taxa líquida de assimilação de CO2 ao aumento da concentração intercelular de CO2 (Ci) foram realizadas em mudas sadias e infectadas com P. euvitis e P. viticola. Teores de açúcares solúveis totais, sacarose e amido foram determinados em plantas sadias e inoculadas com os patógenos. P. euvitis e P. viticola reduziram a taxa fotossintética em plantas infectadas tanto na área da lesão como no tecido verde adjacente a lesão (lesão virtual). Valores do parâmetro β, indicativo da lesão virtual, foram de 5,7 e 2,9, respectivamente para P. euvitis e P. viticola. P. euvitis reduziu em 48%, 36% e 67% a atividade da Rubisco (Vcmax), a taxa máxima de transporte de elétrons usados para a regeneraração da RuBP (Jmax) e a condutância do mesofilo (gm), respectivamente, em folhas infectadas. A área foliar e biomassa de raízes em mudas inoculadas com P. euvitis foram reduzidas. Através de análises histopatológicas e da quantificação de amido nas folhas sadias e doentes foi possível observar o acúmulo de amido em regiões adjacentes às pústulas de P. euvitis. Mesmo em baixas severidades da ferrugem já se observam reduções no acúmulo de carboidratos em raízes. P. viticola reduziu Vcmax em 23,5 % em folhas infectadas comparadas às folhas sadias. P. viticola reduziu a biomassa de raízes e quantidade de carboidratos nas raízes de mudas doentes e de plantas no campo em ano de alta severidade da doença. Plantas no campo com sintomas míldio produziram em média 0,5 kg a menos do que plantas sadias e a principal causa da redução na produção foi a queda de bagas causada pela infecção de P. viticola nos cachos. Um modelo de simulação para Vitis labrusca foi desenvolvido, utilizando o software Stella®. A produção, partição e dinâmica da biomassa da videira foi simulada ao longo de 20 anos e os efeitos de P. euvitis e P. viticola na redução do tecido verde sadio da planta, na redução da eficiência fotossintética, no desvio de assimilados, na aceleração da senescência foliar e na queda de frutos foram inseridos no modelo. / Viticulture in Brazil and in the state of São Paulo has increased in the last 10 years and cv. Niagara Rosada (Vitis labrusca) is the main cultivar for the production of table grapes. This cultivar is susceptible to several foliar diseases, such as rust (Phakopsora euvitis) and downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola). There are no quantitative estimates of the damage caused by these pathogens in cv. Niagara Rosada. The objectives of this work were to quantify the effects of rust and downy mildew on gas exchange, photosynthesis limitations, biomass accumulation, carbohydrate accumulation and production of cv. Niagara Rosada and to develop a simulation model for V. labrusca coupled with damage mechanisms caused by rust and mildew. Experiments were conducted, independently for each disease, under controlled conditions in potted plants inoculated with different concentrations of P. euvitis and P. viticola and in experimental field, with natural occurrence of diseases. Measurements of gas exchange and response curves of photosynthetic rate to the increase of the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) were carried out in healthy plants and infected plants with P. euvitis and P. viticola. Total soluble sugars, sucrose and starch contents were determined in healthy plants and inoculated plants with the pathogens and kept under controlled conditions. P. euvitis and P. viticola reduced the photosynthetic rate in infected plants both in the area of the lesion and in the green tissue adjacent to the lesion (virtual lesion). Values of parameter β, indicative of the virtual lesion, were 5.8 and 2.9, respectively for P. euvitis and P. viticola. P. euvitis reduced the activity of Rubisco (Vcmax), rate of electrons transport contributing for the RuBP-regeneration (Jmax) and the conductance of mesophyll (gm), respectively, on infected leaves by 48%, 36% and 67%. The severity of P. euvitis reduced leaf area and biomass of plant roots. The histopathological analysis and starch quantification in the leaves allowed to observe starch accumulation in regions adjacent to the pustules of P. euvitis. Even in low disease severities, reductions in carbohydrates accumulation of in roots are already observed. P. viticola reduced Vcmax by 23.5% in infected leaves compared to healthy leaves. P. viticola reduced the root biomass and carbohydrate amounts in the roots of potted plants and plants in the field in the year of high disease severity. Field plants with mildew symptoms produced on average 0.5 kg less than healthy plantsand the main cause of reduction in production was the drop of berries caused by infection of P. viticola in the clusters. A simulation model for Vitis labrusca was developed using Stella ® software. The production, partitioning and dynamics of grapevine biomass was simulated over 20 years and the effects of P. euvitis and P. viticola on the reduction of healthy green plant tissue and photosynthetic efficiency, the assimilative sapper, leaf senescence acceleration and fruit drop were coupled in the model.

This thesis is set in St. Catharines Ontario, a mid-sized city of 132,000 people, situated in the heart of the Niagara Region. Once a thriving manufacturing centre, St. Catharines has experienced two decades of traumatic economic contraction due to the collapse of the local automotive industry. Like other cities that have experienced the loss of their predominant industry, St. Catharines is struggling not only with unemployment, economic uncertainty and environmental degradation, but also with issues concerning the city’s very identity. As industrial activity played a critical role in shaping the form and character of the city, its steady disappearance has left both a functional and symbolic void in the community. The challenges associated with deindustrialization and decentralized urbanization have had a devastating impact on St. Catharines. The city’s historic core has not only lost its role as the symbolic centre of the community, unrelenting suburban expansion has also led to the destruction of some of Canada’s most productive agricultural terrain in the surrounding vicinity. This thesis argues that the current economic crisis offers a unique opportunity to radically reconsider St. Catharines’ urban environment. The thesis looks to the earth – the terroir – as the basis for the development of a robust vision to transform the city’s underappreciated historic core into a hub for the Niagara Region’s expanding wine industry. Essential to this vision is the extensive cultivation of urban vineyards and the planning of key pieces of urban armature around which future development will occur. The design aims to improve the overall quality-of-life offered in St. Catharines, and build a broader sense of community by enhancing the unique experience of the place and engaging citizens in the local wine enterprise.

This thesis is set in St. Catharines Ontario, a mid-sized city of 132,000 people, situated in the heart of the Niagara Region. Once a thriving manufacturing centre, St. Catharines has experienced two decades of traumatic economic contraction due to the collapse of the local automotive industry. Like other cities that have experienced the loss of their predominant industry, St. Catharines is struggling not only with unemployment, economic uncertainty and environmental degradation, but also with issues concerning the city’s very identity. As industrial activity played a critical role in shaping the form and character of the city, its steady disappearance has left both a functional and symbolic void in the community. The challenges associated with deindustrialization and decentralized urbanization have had a devastating impact on St. Catharines. The city’s historic core has not only lost its role as the symbolic centre of the community, unrelenting suburban expansion has also led to the destruction of some of Canada’s most productive agricultural terrain in the surrounding vicinity. This thesis argues that the current economic crisis offers a unique opportunity to radically reconsider St. Catharines’ urban environment. The thesis looks to the earth – the terroir – as the basis for the development of a robust vision to transform the city’s underappreciated historic core into a hub for the Niagara Region’s expanding wine industry. Essential to this vision is the extensive cultivation of urban vineyards and the planning of key pieces of urban armature around which future development will occur. The design aims to improve the overall quality-of-life offered in St. Catharines, and build a broader sense of community by enhancing the unique experience of the place and engaging citizens in the local wine enterprise.

O Estado de São Paulo é o principal produtor de uvas de mesa do país, sendo a Niágara Rosada (Vitis Labrusca) a cultivar predominante. Para se oferecer produtos de qualidade ao mercado, os produtores necessitam determinar, periodicamente, o estado de maturação das uvas, sendo o teor de sólidos solúveis (tss), a principal variável avaliada. Para essa determinação, utilizase a amostragem dos frutos na área cultivada. O presente trabalho discute, assim, os métodos de amostragem estratificado e aleatório, e o tamanho adequado da amostra de baga individual, para avaliar o estado de maturação da uva Niágara Rosada, com base no teor de sólidos solúveis. O tamanho adequado da amostra de baga individual foi encontrado para os dois métodos de amostragem, separadamente, utilizando-se os métodos Máxima Curvatura, Máxima Curvatura Modificado e Curva da Variancia. Os métodos de amostragem foram comparados utilizando-se uma análise univariada para dados com medidas repetidas, através dos procedimentos GLM e MIXED do SAS. Foram utilizados dois procedimentos, para que se produzisse resultados confiáveis. Os tamanhos mínimos de amostra de baga individual requeridos, para os métodos estratificado e aleatório foram aproximadamente 30 e 27 bagas por área, respectivamente. Os métodos de amostragem estudados apresentaram diferença significativa, e o método aleatório apresentou grande variação máxima e mínima por planta, devendo assim, ser evitado para esse tipo de estudo. / Sao Paulo state is the main table grape producer in Brazil, being the Niágara Rosada (Vitis Labrusca) the predominant cultivar. To offer quality products to the market, the producers need to determine, periodically, the grapes maturation state, being the content of soluble solids the main variable measured. To determine this content, a sample of fruits in an area is collected. This work approaches the random and the stratified sampling methods and the appropriate sample size of individual berry to evaluate the maturation state of the Niágara Rosada based on the content of soluble solids. The appropriate sample size for individual berry was obtained for two sampling methods, separately, using the Maximum Curvature, Modified Maximum Curvature and Variance Curve methods. The sampling methods were compared using a univariate analysis for repeated measures data using the SAS GLM and MIXED procedures. Two different procedures were used to attain reliable results. The minimum berry sample size required for stratified and random methods were approximately 30 and 27 berries by area, respectively. The sampling methods investigated present significantly different results, and the random method presented high maximum and minimum variation by plant and should be avoided for this kind of study.

A \'Niágara Rosada\' (Vitis labrusca) é a principal cultivar de mesa produzida no Estado de São Paulo. Esta cultivar apresenta maior rusticidade e menor custo de produção em relação às cultivares de uva fina (Vitis vinifera L.) por ser mais resistente às doenças fúngicas, ter menor custo com mão-de-obra e insumos, pelo menor número de pulverizações e pela ausência de alguns tratos culturais. No Estado de São Paulo, sua produção concentra-se, principalmente, nos Escritórios de Desenvolvimento Rural (EDR) de Campinas, Itapetininga e Jales, e é cultivada sob diferentes sistemas de produção. O objetivo do trabalho foi analisar a viabilidade econômica da cultivar \'Niágara Rosada\' nos principais EDRs produtores do Estado de São Paulo. Para isso, foram realizados painéis e estudos de caso com produtores para elaboração do custo de produção, rentabilidade da cultura e análise de investimento, para o ano de 2012, nas diferentes regiões produtoras. No EDR de Campinas, foi avaliado o período de safra principal e temporã, no qual o Custo Total (CT) foi R$ 1,57 por quilo, com uma Receita Líquida Total (RLT) de R$ 0,89 por quilo de uva. Ao considerar apenas a safra principal do EDR de Campinas, a queda na produção elevou o custo e diminuiu a rentabilidade de forma que o CT foi de R$ 1,81 por quilo e a RLT de R$ 0,17 por quilo. No EDR de Itapetininga, para a safra principal, o CT calculado no painel foi de R$ 1,33 por quilo, e a RLT foi de R$ 0,47 por quilo, enquanto que para a safra temporã, a menor produtividade elevou o CT para R$ 2,04 por quilo, mas o melhor preço de venda proporcionou uma RLT de R$ 0,75 por quilo. No EDR de Jales, o CT foi R$ 2,36 por quilo, contudo o elevado preço de venda na entressafra paulista gerou uma RLT de R$ 083 por quilo. Na análise de investimento ao longo de oito anos de produção, considerando-se o valor da terra, o EDR de Campinas apresentou o menor Valor Presente Líquido (VPL), de R$ 12.142,02 por hectare, com uma Taxa Interna de Retorno (TIR) de 3% ao ano e um payback anualizado de oito anos. No EDR de Itapetininga, considerou-se a média de custos e receitas entre as duas safras (principal e temporã), e o VPL resultante foi de R$ 28.313,03 por hectare e a TIR de 8% ao ano, com um payback anualizado no sexto ano de produção. No EDR de Jales, por conta dos preços de venda elevados obtidos na entressafra, o VPL foi o mais elevado, com R$ 97.596,77 por hectare, TIR de 14% ao ano e payback anualizado em cinco anos. Com base nos resultados foi possível verificar que a atividade é rentável, independente do sistema de condução e possui retorno positivo nos moldes da agricultura familiar, apesar de cada EDR possuir suas características tanto para a produção quanto para a comercialização da uva \'Niágara Rosada\' que exigem conhecimento da cultura e boa gestão da propriedade por conta dos viticultores. / The \'Niagara Rosada\' (Vitis labrusca) is the main cultivar of table grape produced in São Paulo State. This cultivar is rustic and has lower production cost than other grapes cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.). In São Paulo State, its production is concentrated in the Rural Development Offices (RDO) of Campinas, Itapetininga and Jales, and this grape has been cultivated in different production systems. This work aims to analyze the economic viability of \'Niagara Rosada\' at main RDO producers of São Paulo State. Therefore, panels and case studies were made with grape growers to assess the production cost and to calculate profitability and investment analysis for the crop. At Campinas RDO, the main season and the second season were evaluated, and the Total Cost (TC) obtained was R$ 1.57 per kilo, with R$ 0.89 per kilo of Total Net Revenue (TNR). Considering only the Campinas RDO main season, the decrease of grape production increased the production cost and reduced profitability, the TC reached was R$ 1.81 per kilo and TNR R$ 0.17 per kilo. At Itapetininga RDO main season, the TC calculated in the panel was R$ 1.33 per kilo, and the TNR was R$ 0.47 per kilo. Meanwhile, at second season, the lower productivity increased TC to R$ 2.04 per kilo, but the higher price caused a TNR of R$ 0.75 per kilo. At Jales RDO, TC was increased to R$ 2.36 per kilo, however the high selling prices in the off-season in São Paulo State resulted in TNR of R$ 0.83 per kilo. For the investment analysis during eight producing years, considering the land value, Campinas RDO showed the lowest Net Present Value (NPV), R$ 12,142.02 by hectare, with an Intern Rate Return (IRR) of 3% by year and discounted payback of eight years. At Itapetininga RDO, was considered a cost and revenue average between two seasons (main and second) and NPV obtained was R$ 28,313.03 per hectare and IRR of 8% by year, with a discounted payback at the sixth year of production. At Jales RDO, due high selling prices, the NPV was the highest, R$ 97,596.77 per hectare, 14% of IRR by year and discounted payback at five years. According to the results, it was possible to conclude that grape production is profitable, despite the production system, and has a positive return for familiar agriculture. Despite that, each RDO has its own characteristics in terms of production and commercialization of grapes, requiring knowledge and good management by the grape growers.

A \'Niágara Rosada\' (Vitis labrusca) é a principal cultivar de mesa produzida no Estado de São Paulo. Esta cultivar apresenta maior rusticidade e menor custo de produção em relação às cultivares de uva fina (Vitis vinifera L.) por ser mais resistente às doenças fúngicas, ter menor custo com mão-de-obra e insumos, pelo menor número de pulverizações e pela ausência de alguns tratos culturais. No Estado de São Paulo, sua produção concentra-se, principalmente, nos Escritórios de Desenvolvimento Rural (EDR) de Campinas, Itapetininga e Jales, e é cultivada sob diferentes sistemas de produção. O objetivo do trabalho foi analisar a viabilidade econômica da cultivar \'Niágara Rosada\' nos principais EDRs produtores do Estado de São Paulo. Para isso, foram realizados painéis e estudos de caso com produtores para elaboração do custo de produção, rentabilidade da cultura e análise de investimento, para o ano de 2012, nas diferentes regiões produtoras. No EDR de Campinas, foi avaliado o período de safra principal e temporã, no qual o Custo Total (CT) foi R$ 1,57 por quilo, com uma Receita Líquida Total (RLT) de R$ 0,89 por quilo de uva. Ao considerar apenas a safra principal do EDR de Campinas, a queda na produção elevou o custo e diminuiu a rentabilidade de forma que o CT foi de R$ 1,81 por quilo e a RLT de R$ 0,17 por quilo. No EDR de Itapetininga, para a safra principal, o CT calculado no painel foi de R$ 1,33 por quilo, e a RLT foi de R$ 0,47 por quilo, enquanto que para a safra temporã, a menor produtividade elevou o CT para R$ 2,04 por quilo, mas o melhor preço de venda proporcionou uma RLT de R$ 0,75 por quilo. No EDR de Jales, o CT foi R$ 2,36 por quilo, contudo o elevado preço de venda na entressafra paulista gerou uma RLT de R$ 083 por quilo. Na análise de investimento ao longo de oito anos de produção, considerando-se o valor da terra, o EDR de Campinas apresentou o menor Valor Presente Líquido (VPL), de R$ 12.142,02 por hectare, com uma Taxa Interna de Retorno (TIR) de 3% ao ano e um payback anualizado de oito anos. No EDR de Itapetininga, considerou-se a média de custos e receitas entre as duas safras (principal e temporã), e o VPL resultante foi de R$ 28.313,03 por hectare e a TIR de 8% ao ano, com um payback anualizado no sexto ano de produção. No EDR de Jales, por conta dos preços de venda elevados obtidos na entressafra, o VPL foi o mais elevado, com R$ 97.596,77 por hectare, TIR de 14% ao ano e payback anualizado em cinco anos. Com base nos resultados foi possível verificar que a atividade é rentável, independente do sistema de condução e possui retorno positivo nos moldes da agricultura familiar, apesar de cada EDR possuir suas características tanto para a produção quanto para a comercialização da uva \'Niágara Rosada\' que exigem conhecimento da cultura e boa gestão da propriedade por conta dos viticultores. / The \'Niagara Rosada\' (Vitis labrusca) is the main cultivar of table grape produced in São Paulo State. This cultivar is rustic and has lower production cost than other grapes cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.). In São Paulo State, its production is concentrated in the Rural Development Offices (RDO) of Campinas, Itapetininga and Jales, and this grape has been cultivated in different production systems. This work aims to analyze the economic viability of \'Niagara Rosada\' at main RDO producers of São Paulo State. Therefore, panels and case studies were made with grape growers to assess the production cost and to calculate profitability and investment analysis for the crop. At Campinas RDO, the main season and the second season were evaluated, and the Total Cost (TC) obtained was R$ 1.57 per kilo, with R$ 0.89 per kilo of Total Net Revenue (TNR). Considering only the Campinas RDO main season, the decrease of grape production increased the production cost and reduced profitability, the TC reached was R$ 1.81 per kilo and TNR R$ 0.17 per kilo. At Itapetininga RDO main season, the TC calculated in the panel was R$ 1.33 per kilo, and the TNR was R$ 0.47 per kilo. Meanwhile, at second season, the lower productivity increased TC to R$ 2.04 per kilo, but the higher price caused a TNR of R$ 0.75 per kilo. At Jales RDO, TC was increased to R$ 2.36 per kilo, however the high selling prices in the off-season in São Paulo State resulted in TNR of R$ 0.83 per kilo. For the investment analysis during eight producing years, considering the land value, Campinas RDO showed the lowest Net Present Value (NPV), R$ 12,142.02 by hectare, with an Intern Rate Return (IRR) of 3% by year and discounted payback of eight years. At Itapetininga RDO, was considered a cost and revenue average between two seasons (main and second) and NPV obtained was R$ 28,313.03 per hectare and IRR of 8% by year, with a discounted payback at the sixth year of production. At Jales RDO, due high selling prices, the NPV was the highest, R$ 97,596.77 per hectare, 14% of IRR by year and discounted payback at five years. According to the results, it was possible to conclude that grape production is profitable, despite the production system, and has a positive return for familiar agriculture. Despite that, each RDO has its own characteristics in terms of production and commercialization of grapes, requiring knowledge and good management by the grape growers.

The Niagara Foot (NF) is a relatively new prosthetic design, primarily intended for use in developing countries. It combines low cost and durability with high performance energy return features. The design has been successfully tested mechanically and in field trials, but to date there has been little quantitative gait data describing the performance of the foot. Biomechanical gait analysis techniques will be used to extract quantitative gait measures. The current study is designed to characterize the effect of heel section stiffness parameter differences between a NF normal heel and a NF with a reduced material heel section., on gait characteristics in persons with unilateral trans-tibial amputations (TTA). Standardized biomechanical gait analysis techniques, adapted for this population, were used to extract quantitative gait measures. Five persons with TTA performed walking tasks while 3D ground reaction forces were recorded via an embedded force platform. A motion capture system also recorded the 3D segmental motion of the lower limbs and torso of each subject. These were combined to calculate net joint moments and mechanical power at the hip and knee of both limbs. These data were compared between a normal NF and a NF with a modified heel. Each participant had a period of two-week adaptation prior to any testing. An EMG system and a prosthesis evaluation questionnaire were used to help analyze the condition. The overall hypothesis of this study was that modification of the heel section stiffness would change several aspects of gait. Although the gait pattern differences between participants and the low participant number produced no significant differences between the conditions for all variables, trends were observed in multiple outcomes. These results report preliminary evidence that for some participants the heel material reduction does impact their gait by showing a different loading phase during the transition between the heel strike and the full contact with the ground. The NF2 may move the gait toward a more flexed knee position. Furthermore, despite a reduction in the material of the heel section results showed that the overall foot stiffness increased. This may be the result of the one-piece design and mechanics of the NF. Further investigations with a bigger cohort of people with TTA are required to look at the importance of the impact of the prosthetic foot heel stiffness.

The Niagara Escarpment is one of Southern Ontario’s most important landscapes. Due to the nature of the landform and its location, the Escarpment is subject to various development pressures including urban expansion, mineral resource extraction, agricultural practices and recreation. In 1985, Canada’s first large scale environmentally based land use plan was put in place to ensure that only development that is compatible with the Escarpment occurred within the Niagara Escarpment Plan (NEP). The southern extent of the NEP is of particular interest in this study, since a portion of the Plan is located within the rapidly expanding Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The Plan area located in the Regional Municipalities of Hamilton and Halton represent both urban and rural geographical areas respectively, and are both experiencing development pressures and subsequent changes in land cover. Monitoring initiatives on the NEP have been established, but have done little to identify consistent techniques for monitoring land cover on the Niagara Escarpment. Land cover information is an important part of planning and environmental monitoring initiatives. Remote sensing has the potential to provide frequent and accurate land cover information over various spatial scales. The goal of this research was to examine land cover change in the Regional Municipalities of Hamilton and Halton portions of the NEP. This was achieved through the creation of land cover maps for each region using Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) remotely sensed data. These maps aided in determining the qualitative and quantitative changes that had occurred in the Plan area over a 20 year time period from 1986 to 2006. Change was also examined based on the NEP’s land use designations, to determine if the Plan policy has been effective in protecting the Escarpment. To obtain land cover maps, five different supervised classification methods were explored: Minimum Distance, Mahalanobis Distance, Maximum Likelihood, Object-oriented and Support Vector Machine. Seven land cover classes were mapped (forest, water, recreation, bare agricultural fields, vegetated agricultural fields, urban and mineral resource extraction areas) at a regional scale. SVM proved most successful at mapping land cover on the Escarpment, providing classification maps with an average accuracy of 86.7%. Land cover change analysis showed promising results with an increase in the forested class and only slight increases to the urban and mineral resource extraction classes. Negatively, there was a decrease in agricultural land overall. An examination of land cover change based on the NEP land use designations showed little change, other than change that is regulated under Plan policies, proving the success of the NEP for protecting vital Escarpment lands insofar as this can be revealed through remote sensing. Land cover should be monitored in the NEP consistently over time to ensure changes in the Plan area are compatible with the Niagara Escarpment. Remote sensing is a tool that can provide this information to the Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC) in a timely, comprehensive and cost-effective way. The information gained from remotely sensed data can aid in environmental monitoring and policy planning into the future.

The Niagara Escarpment is one of Southern Ontario’s most important landscapes. Due to the nature of the landform and its location, the Escarpment is subject to various development pressures including urban expansion, mineral resource extraction, agricultural practices and recreation. In 1985, Canada’s first large scale environmentally based land use plan was put in place to ensure that only development that is compatible with the Escarpment occurred within the Niagara Escarpment Plan (NEP). The southern extent of the NEP is of particular interest in this study, since a portion of the Plan is located within the rapidly expanding Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The Plan area located in the Regional Municipalities of Hamilton and Halton represent both urban and rural geographical areas respectively, and are both experiencing development pressures and subsequent changes in land cover. Monitoring initiatives on the NEP have been established, but have done little to identify consistent techniques for monitoring land cover on the Niagara Escarpment. Land cover information is an important part of planning and environmental monitoring initiatives. Remote sensing has the potential to provide frequent and accurate land cover information over various spatial scales. The goal of this research was to examine land cover change in the Regional Municipalities of Hamilton and Halton portions of the NEP. This was achieved through the creation of land cover maps for each region using Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) remotely sensed data. These maps aided in determining the qualitative and quantitative changes that had occurred in the Plan area over a 20 year time period from 1986 to 2006. Change was also examined based on the NEP’s land use designations, to determine if the Plan policy has been effective in protecting the Escarpment. To obtain land cover maps, five different supervised classification methods were explored: Minimum Distance, Mahalanobis Distance, Maximum Likelihood, Object-oriented and Support Vector Machine. Seven land cover classes were mapped (forest, water, recreation, bare agricultural fields, vegetated agricultural fields, urban and mineral resource extraction areas) at a regional scale. SVM proved most successful at mapping land cover on the Escarpment, providing classification maps with an average accuracy of 86.7%. Land cover change analysis showed promising results with an increase in the forested class and only slight increases to the urban and mineral resource extraction classes. Negatively, there was a decrease in agricultural land overall. An examination of land cover change based on the NEP land use designations showed little change, other than change that is regulated under Plan policies, proving the success of the NEP for protecting vital Escarpment lands insofar as this can be revealed through remote sensing. Land cover should be monitored in the NEP consistently over time to ensure changes in the Plan area are compatible with the Niagara Escarpment. Remote sensing is a tool that can provide this information to the Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC) in a timely, comprehensive and cost-effective way. The information gained from remotely sensed data can aid in environmental monitoring and policy planning into the future.

The Niagara Foot (NF) is a relatively new prosthetic design, primarily intended for use in developing countries. It combines low cost and durability with high performance energy return features. The design has been successfully tested mechanically and in field trials, but to date there has been little quantitative gait data describing the performance of the foot. Biomechanical gait analysis techniques will be used to extract quantitative gait measures. The current study is designed to characterize the effect of heel section stiffness parameter differences between a NF normal heel and a NF with a reduced material heel section., on gait characteristics in persons with unilateral trans-tibial amputations (TTA). Standardized biomechanical gait analysis techniques, adapted for this population, were used to extract quantitative gait measures. Five persons with TTA performed walking tasks while 3D ground reaction forces were recorded via an embedded force platform. A motion capture system also recorded the 3D segmental motion of the lower limbs and torso of each subject. These were combined to calculate net joint moments and mechanical power at the hip and knee of both limbs. These data were compared between a normal NF and a NF with a modified heel. Each participant had a period of two-week adaptation prior to any testing. An EMG system and a prosthesis evaluation questionnaire were used to help analyze the condition. The overall hypothesis of this study was that modification of the heel section stiffness would change several aspects of gait. Although the gait pattern differences between participants and the low participant number produced no significant differences between the conditions for all variables, trends were observed in multiple outcomes. These results report preliminary evidence that for some participants the heel material reduction does impact their gait by showing a different loading phase during the transition between the heel strike and the full contact with the ground. The NF2 may move the gait toward a more flexed knee position. Furthermore, despite a reduction in the material of the heel section results showed that the overall foot stiffness increased. This may be the result of the one-piece design and mechanics of the NF. Further investigations with a bigger cohort of people with TTA are required to look at the importance of the impact of the prosthetic foot heel stiffness.