Climate change is already impacting many coastal ecosystems and the communities that depend upon them. Efforts to mitigate and adapt to it will likely further strain these socio-ecological systems. This points to the need for research that explores the socio-ecological dynamics of environmental change, in order to better understand how community resilience can best be supported during a period of rapid global environmental change. This research uses a case study of the oyster farming industry on the West Coast of British Columbia (B.C.). This thesis explores two interrelated clusters of questions: 1. How are oyster farmers on the B.C. coast perceiving and responding to environmental change, and what are the implications of this for the governance of the industry? 2. What role does—and might—the oyster farming industry play in supporting coastal sustainability in B.C., and how can researchers better support the efforts of those in the industry to solve the challenges they—and coastal communities more generally—face? Drawing on field research, including participant observation and sixteen interviews with oyster farmers and industry representatives across the region, this research finds that navigating broader social, political and economic changes is at least as important to farmers as the specific ecological changes with which they are grappling. As these findings suggest, environmental change needs to be understood within the context of the industry and culture on the coast; it should be nested within broader reforms to support the sustainability of the industry and the resilience of coastal communities to which it contributes. Furthermore, despite the myriad challenges facing oyster farmers, this research finds that they are actively seeking solutions to ameliorate the difficulties they face. In turn, environmental research and communication should consider how to better support the cultivation of environmental solutions. In summary, the research integrates the need for socio-political reform and solutions-based research and communication. It contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of how to support people and places during periods of rapid change. / Graduate

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2017-02-14T14:32:41Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Izabel Cristina da Silva Almeida.pdf: 3784157 bytes, checksum: 9dd220764f324bfa5ddd8bbf00714adf (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-14T14:32:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Izabel Cristina da Silva Almeida.pdf: 3784157 bytes, checksum: 9dd220764f324bfa5ddd8bbf00714adf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-10-09 / This work aimed to delimit collective aquaculture areas to the “native oyster” Crassostrea rhizophorae farming, as part of the Mariculture Development Local Plan in the Pernambuco’s north coast. Indicators were identified, selected and hierarquized to enable the elaboration of a conceptual model subsidizing the selection process of potential oyster farming areas. Depth measurements were realized in transversal sections of the estuarine channels using ecobathimeter linked to a GPS (Global Positioning System) and a Palmtop. In the of aquaculture area demarcation was used eight environmental indicators, seven socioeconomic and five of production/logistics to subsidize the selection process of the oyster farming potential areas. Three preferential areas were delimited, in which six collective aquaculture areas were demarcated, being three in the municipality of Goiana (estuary of the river Itapessoca), two in Igarassu (estuary of the river Timbó) and one in Itapissuma (Santa Cruz channel), where 263 individual aquaculture areas could be inserted, totalizing 77,2 ha of collective aquaculture areas. / O presente trabalho visa a delimitação parques aqüícolas para o cultivo da “ostra nativa” Crassostrea rhizophorae os quais integram o Plano Local de Desenvolvimento da Maricultura no litoral norte de Pernambuco. Foram identificados, selecionados e hierarquizados descritores que possibilitaram a elaboração de um modelo conceitual subsidiando o processo de seleção de áreas potenciais para fins de ostreicultura. Realizou-se a batimetria nas secções transversais dos canais estuarinos selecionados com o auxílio de um ecobatímetro acoplado a GPS (Global Positioning System) e Palmtop. Posteriormente, com um GPS geodésico foi realizada a demarcação dos parques aqüícolas. Identificaram-se oito descritores ambientais, sete sócio-econômicos e cinco de produção/logística capazes de subsidiar no processo de seleção das áreas potenciais ao cultivo de ostra. Foram delimitadas três faixas de preferência, nas quais demarcaram-se seis parques aqüícolas, sendo três pertencentes ao município de Goiana (estuário do rio Itapessoca), dois de Igarassu (estuário do rio Timbó) e um de Itapissuma (canal de Santa Cruz.), onde poderão ser inseridas 263 áreas aqüícolas, totalizando 77,2 ha de parques aqüícolas.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Oyster farming is a fishing activity that has been showing growth among the years to supply Brazil´s commercial demand. In Brazilian estuaries, two native oysters represent most of this type of mollusk population: Crassostra rhizophorae and Crassostrea brasiliana. Due to their great resemblance and also for sharing the same ecological traits, the lack of morphological distinction in between the two species do complicate the visual identification. Hence, genetic analysis is mandatory to distinguish them. Owing to fishing industry, it is crucial to identify accurately cultivated oysters aiming productivity growth, also providing sustainable and responsible use of natural resources. The transference of one organism to another habitat, under economic purposes, may trigger several hazards to the ecosystem; therefore it must be ensured that there is gene flow between the two locations to avoid such ecological damages. To do this, an analysis of DNA haplotypes may be used among the samples to estimate genetic structure. This research used DNA samples extracted from the adductor muscle of the shell of 180 oysters gathered at three estuaries of Sergipe: São Francisco, Vaza Barris and Piauí-Real. Levels of genetic variability were determined through amplification of two mitochondrial genes: 16S, for the species identification, and cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), for genetic identity and population diversity. Of the 156 analyzed oysters, 49 were identified as C. rhizophorae and 107 as C. brasiliana. The two species co-occurred in all three examined estuaries. C. brasiliana is more frequent in lower salinity waters and next to oyster farming sites. Molecular marker COI delivered the same polymorphism levels for both species, and 14 haplotypes for C. rhizophorae, 12 haplotypes for C. brasiliana. AMOVA analysis detects the absence of geographical structuring in both species´ populations due to the low FST value. According to the acquired data, it can be stated that there is gene flow in high levels between populations of the two native oyster species at the analyzed estuaries. The higher genetic diversity for C. brasiliana is situated on Piauí-Real estuary. It may be related to the North-South direction of ocean currents in this region, which favors the migration of larvae to South estuaries, on the other hand it hinders the flow of unique haplotypes of Piauí-Real estuary to others located to the North. Moreover, the higher diversity for C. rhizophorae was detected in Vaza Barris river, due to the absence of any oyster farming sites in this estuary, whereas the choice of C. brasiliana for cultivation because it has better performance for commercial purposes. Thus, it can be concluded that, from a genetically speaking, the translocation of native oysters among the researched estuaries for cultivation would not affect local populations. / O cultivo de ostras ostreicultura é uma atividade pesqueira que vem crescendo no Brasil ao longo dos anos para suprir a demanda comercial local. Nos estuários brasileiros, duas ostras nativas apresentam a maior abundância populacional: Crassostrea rhizophorae e Crassostrea brasiliana e, por consequência, são as principais espécies exploradas. Devido à grande semelhança e por também apresentarem hábitos ecologicamente similares, as pequenas variações morfológicas entre as duas espécies prejudicam a identificação visual, tornando-se necessárias análises genéticas que possibilitem sua diferenciação. Tendo em vista o setor pesqueiro, a identificação das ostras cultivadas é essencial para o aumento da produtividade, além de possibilitar o uso sustentável e responsável dos recursos naturais. O transporte de um organismo para outro habitat, com finalidade econômica, pode desencadear diversos prejuízos para o ecossistema, portanto é preciso certificar que há fluxo gênico entre os locais para evitar tais danos ecológicos. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo diferenciar as espécies de Crassostrea por meio de amostras de DNA extraídas do músculo adutor da concha de 180 ostras coletadas em três estuários de Sergipe: São Francisco, Vaza Barris e Piauí-Real. Os níveis de variabilidade foram determinados através da amplificação de dois genes mitocondriais: DNA ribossomal 16S, para a identificação das espécies e citocromo oxidase I (COI), utilizado para identidade genética e diversidade populacional. Dos 156 indivíduos utilizados para a análise genética, 49 foram identificados como C. rizophorae e 107 como C. brasiliana, sendo que as duas espécies coocorreram nos três estuários analisados. C. brasiliana é mais frequente em locais de salinidade mais baixa e também junto aos sítios de ostreicultura. O marcador COI apresentou o mesmo nível de polimorfismo para as duas espécies e 14 haplótipos para C. rhizophorae, 12 haplótipos para C. brasiliana. O teste AMOVA detectou a inexistência de estruturação geográfica nas populações das duas espécies, devido ao baixo valor de fixação FST. De acordo com os dados obtidos, é possível afirmar que há grande fluxo gênico entre as populações das duas espécies de ostras nativas dos estuários analisados. A maior diversidade genética para C. brasiliana encontra-se no estuário do complexo fluvial Piauí-Real, podendo estar relacionada ao sentido Norte-Sul das correntes marinhas nessa região, que favorece a migração de larvas para estuários do Sul, entretanto dificulta o fluxo de haplótipos exclusivos do complexo Piauí-Real para estuários localizados ao Norte. Por outro lado, a maior diversidade para C. rhizophorae foi encontrada no rio Vaza Barris, devido a ausência de criatórios comerciais de ostras nativas neste estuário, sabendo que nos viveiros são cultivadas ostras da espécie C. brasiliana, por possuir melhor desempenho para fins comerciais. Dessa forma, podese concluir que, do ponto de vista genético, a translocação de ostras nativas entre os estuários analisados para cultivo, não afetaria as populações locais.

Nous explorons le lien entre partage d'information (PI) et gestion collective de ressources naturelles (GRN). Pour déterminer ce lien, nous nous sommes interessé aux ostréiculteurs, acteurs sensibles à la qualité de l'eau et touchés par un virulent virus. Ces acteurs ont développé et utilisent divers artéfacts de PI. Ces artifacts sont destinés à faire face à des menaces potentielles. L'identification de ce point fondamental a mené à développer le concept de menaces. Elles sont définies par le modèle <A,C,I,D,E> (Acteurs, Caractéristiques, Infrastructure, Décisions, Environnement). Elles sont organisées le long de deux axes: l'internalité et l'exclusivité. Formuler la situation des ostréiculteurs en utilisant ce concept permet une caractérisation des enjeux pour les artéfacts de PI pour la lutte contre les menaces. Nous avons utilisé le cadre ENCORE pour une analyse qualitative et la SMA pour une quantitative de l’impact des artéfacts. La recherche montre qu'ils peuvent avoir des buts, media et contenus variés, améliorer la réflexivité, ou mener à peu, voire aucun changement. Ces améliorations sont liées au processus de création de l'artéfact. / I explore how information sharing (IS) and natural resources management (NRM) are linked.To determine this link, I focused on oyster farmers, actors sensitive to water quality and impacted by a virulent virus. Those actors implemented and use diverse IS artifacts. Those artifacts are meant to face potential threats. Realizing this focal point led to develop the threat concept. They are defined by the <A,C,I,D,E> (Actors, Characteristics, Infrastructure, Decisions, Environnement) model. They are organized along two axes: internality and excludability. Framing oyster farmers’ situation with this concept allow a characterization of stakes for IS artifacts to tackle threats.I used the ENCORE framework for qualitative assessment of IS artifacts impacts and a MAS for a quantitative one. The research shows that they have various goals, media and contents; can increase reflexivity or have little to no impact. Those changes are linked to artifact creation process.

Les activités économiques présentent des formes et des degrés de dépendance variables à l’environnement. L’environnement peut intervenir comme un facteur de production, comme une contrainte à l’usage de certains intrants, comme une contrainte pour certains facteurs de production. La dépendance peut être reliée à la disponibilité ou à la qualité de certaines ressources environnementales, à leur dimension de bien collectif. Il s’agira d’explorer les implications des différentes formes de dépendances bio-physico-chimiques mais aussi juridiques. Dans le cas de l’ostréiculture arcachonnaise, on examinera les formes de dépendance et leur mesure économique, à travers les impacts économiques liés à la disponibilité variable des ressources biologiques marines mais aussi à la productivité naturelle du milieu. L’analyse des caractéristiques socio-économiques des entreprises ostréicoles arcachonnaises permettra de dresser une typologie de ces dernières et ainsi caractériser l’activité. Une approche par la fonction de production sera utilisée pour mettre en évidence les degrés divers de sensibilité à une variation des conditions environnementales de production tandis que l’évaluation par la méthode des prix hédoniques permettra de déterminer le prix implicite des composantes environnementales des indemnités de substitution en tenant compte par ailleurs de la localisation géographique des concessions ostréicoles. / Economic activities have forms and degrees of dependency variables to the environment. The environment can act as a factor of production as a constraint to the use of certain inputs, such as a constraint for some inputs. Dependence may be related to the availability or quality of certain environmental resources. It will explore the implications of different forms of dependencies bio-physico-chemical as well as legal. In the case of the Arcachon Bay oyster-farming will examine the forms of dependence and economic measure, through the economic impacts associated with the variable availability of living marine resources but also to the natural productivity of the environment. The analysis of socio-economic characteristics of Arcachon Bay oyster-farms will develop a typology of the latter and thus characterize the activity. A production function approach will be used to highlight the varying degrees of sensitivity to changes in environmental conditions of production while the evaluation by the hedonic price method will determine the implicit price of environmental components of the oyster leases value taking into account also the geographical location of oyster leases.