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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
111

Ephemeral Flow and Water Quality Problems: A Case Study of the San Pedro River in Southeastern Arizona

Keith, S. J. 15 April 1978 (has links)
From the Proceedings of the 1978 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Assn. and the Hydrology Section - Arizona Academy of Science - April 14-15, 1978, Flagstaff, Arizona / Discontinuous water quality data for the San Pedro River in southeastern Arizona is analyzed to illustrate the nature of water quality problems of ephemeral flow. The San Pedro drains a northerly-trending basin of 4,483 square miles, of which 696 are in Mexico and 3,787 in Arizona. Several questions arise in the consideration of a rational management plan: what is the necessity for protection of ephemeral flow quality when the channel consists of a dry wash much of the year, where there is little aquatic or wildlife to protect, and where occasional flow during flood conditions is put to little use by humans; and where and how do we use the ephemeral flow it is indeed decided to utilize it. Such questions as these form the basis of this discussion in an effort to bring out the point that water quality problems of ephemeral flow in arid areas differ from those in the humid zone. It is argued that in between the extremes of prohibiting or treating all runoff or eliminating all sources of pollution, there is actually little that can be done to control all sources of pollution in this typical arid stream, despite the fact that standards, for the most part unattainable, have been set for this flow.
112

Mixed grazing of sheep and cattle using continuous or rotational stocking

Kitessa, Soressa Mererra January 1997 (has links)
Two consecutive experiments were conducted to test a hypothesis that mixed grazing outcome is influenced by the type of stocking system applied. The objective of both experiments was to investigate the influence of co-grazing with sheep on cattle liveweight gain (LWG) under continuous (C) and rotational (R) stocking, where sheep weekly liveweight change under the two stocking systems was kept similar. In experiment I nine yearling heifers (266 ± 4.5 kg liveweight) and 27 ewe hoggets (54±0.9 kg liveweight) were continuously stocked for 19 weeks on an irrigated perennial ryegrass-white clover pasture (2.95 ha) maintained at a sward surface height (SSH) of 5cm by adding or removing additional animals in a fixed ratio (1: 1 W⁰.⁷⁵ cattle:sheep). An equal area of pasture was rotationally stocked by a similar group of animals where they received a new area of pasture daily and also had access to the grazed area over the previous 2 days. The size of the new area provided daily was such that the weekly liveweight change of rotationally co-grazed sheep was equal to that of those continuously co-grazed with cattle. Similar groups of animals were used in the second experiment with additional group of 9 heifers grazed alone on C and R pastures. Liveweight of animals was recorded weekly and final fasted weight was determined after 24-hour total feed restriction. SSH on both treatment swards was recorded daily. There were three intake measurement periods spread over the trial period. Organic matter intake (OMI) was predicted from the ratio of N-alkanes in faeces and herbage. Diet composition was determined by dissecting oesophageal extrusa samples. Grazing behaviour (bite rates and grazing time) were also recorded. The mean SSH for C pasture was 5.1±0.09 cm. Overall pre- and post-grazing SSH for R pasture was 15.9 ±0.12 and 5.6 ±0.07 cm, respectively. As determined by the protocol average daily LWG of sheep was similar between C and R (147 (±5.8) vs 138 (±6.7) g day⁻¹; (P>0.05). In contrast, cattle continuously stocked with sheep grew 200 g day⁻¹ slower than those rotationally stocked with sheep (800 (±41.6) vs 1040 (±47.7) g day⁻¹, P<0.0l). R heifers achieved 30 kg higher final fasted liveweight than C heifers (350 vs 381 kg; P<0.01). Overall LWG per ha was also 6 % higher under R than C stocking (674 vs 634 kg ha⁻¹). The OMD of both sheep (73.5 vs 75.8 %) and cattle (75.8 vs 78.0 %) diets was similar under continuous and rotational stocking. There was no significant difference OMI data also concurred with the L WG data (Cattle: 7.94 vs 6.31 (±0.32) kg day⁻¹ (P<0.05); sheep: 1.40 vs 1.44 (±0.04) kg day⁻¹ for Rand C treatments, respectively). There was no difference in clover content of cattle diet under C and R treatments. C heifers had higher number of bites per minute than R heifers (62 vs 56; P<0.05). Proportion of heifers seen grazing (every 15-minute) during four 24-hour observations was greater on C than R pasture (0.44 vs 0.31 (±0.03); P<0.05). The similarity coefficient between sheep and cattle diet was 0.61 and 0.76 under C and R stocking, respectively. The lower daily LWG of C heifers was attributed to (a) the lower SSH under C than R stocking and/or (b) the inability of cattle to compete well with sheep where there is small, continual renewal of resources (C) in contrast to a large periodic renewal under R stocking. This experiment showed that the outcome of mixed gruing can be influenced by the stocking system chosen. But it was not possible to apportion the difference in LWG of cattle between mixed grazing per se and the difference in mean grazed sward height (5.1 for C vs 10.8 cm for R). A second experiment was conducted to determine the relative performance of cattle co-grazed with sheep (CS) and grazed alone (CA) under each stocking system. Hence, there were four treatments. CA- continuous stocking (CA-C), CS- continuous stocking (CS-C), CA- rotational stocking (CAR) and CS- rotational stocking (CS-R). A total area of 4.42 ha was allocated to each stocking system. Under C stocking, 2.95 ha (2/3) was assigned to CS-C and 1.47 ha (1/3) to CA-C, and SSH on both treatments was kept at 4 cm by adding or removing extra animals. Under R stocking, CA-R and CS-R grazed side by side separated by an electric fence. They were given a fresh area daily, the size of which was varied such that the weekly LW change of R sheep was equal to that of the C sheep. CA-R received one-third of the new area though the size was adjusted regularly to achieve the same post-grazing SSH with CS-R. Measurements included: weekly liveweight change, OMI (two periods) and diet composition (using N-alkanes). The mean SSH of CA-C and CS-C swards was 4.27 and 4.26 (±0.02) cm, respectively. CA-R and CS-R swards had mean pre-grazing SSH of 14.9 and 15.2 (±0.08) cm and post-grazing heights of 4.87 and 4.82 cm (±0.03), respectively. The proportion of areas infrequently grazed was higher for CA-C than CS-C swards (0.22 vs 0.17, respectively). C and R sheep daily LWG: 155 (±0.6) and 147 (±0.7) g, and OMI: 1.96 and 2.04 (±0.ll) kg, respectively, were not significantly different. They also had similar diet composition. In comparison, CS-C heifers grew only at 69 % of the daily LWG achieved by CS-R heifers (706 vs 1028 (±72) g; P<0.05). LWG of CA-C and CA-R was 916 and 1022 (±72) g day⁻¹, respectively. The difference in LWG between CS-R and CS-C (D₁) heifers was due to difference in mean sward height, stocking system and mixed grazing, while D₂ (difference in LWG between CA-R and CAC) was due to difference in mean sward height and stocking system. D₁-D₂ (the effect of stocking system on mixed grazing) was 216 g and made up 67 % of the total difference between CS-R and CS-C. There was a significant stocking system-species mixture interaction in the final fasted LW achieved by heifers. Final fasted LW was significantly lower for CS-C than CA-C heifers (283 vs 323 (±9.7) kg), but did not differ between CS-R and CA-R (332 vs 330 (±9.7) kg, respectively). The digestibility of diet OM was similar for both continuously and rotationally stocked sheep (84.4 vs 83.2 %, respectively). Cattle diet OMO was 76.5, 74.7, 79.4 and 77.8 for CA-C, CS-C, CA-R and CS-R respectively (P>0.05). Differences in OMI followed a similar pattern to daily LWG. Mean daily OMI was 8.98, 6.24, 8.80 and 9.45 (±0.40) kg for CA-C, CS-C, CA-R and CS-R, respectively. Clover content of the diet of CA-C heifers was three times higher than that of CS-C heifers (30.7 vs 10.4 % OM; P<0.05); there was no difference in clover content of diets of CS-R and CA-R heifers (21.5 vs 23.9 % OM, respectively). In both stocking systems LWG per ha was higher on CA than CS treatments. These results suggested that the disadvantage of selective clover grazing by sheep outweighed the advantages of sheep grazing around cattle dung patches under continuous stocking. Under rotational stocking, rapid diurnal changes in sward conditions probably limited selective grazing by both sheep and cattle such that there was no disadvantage to CS cattle. The results do not provide a basis for recommending grazing cattle with sheep rather than cattle alone, but do provide some basis for recommending co-grazing of sheep and cattle using rotational rather than continuous stocking.
113

Alternative grazing systems and pasture types for the South West of Western Australia : a bio-economic analysis

Sounness, Marcus Neil January 2005 (has links)
Alternative grazing systems and pasture types for wool production in the south west of Western Australia were analysed using bio-economic modelling techniques in order to determine their relative productivity and profitability. After reviewing the experimental and modelling literature on perennial pastures and grazing systems, seven case studies of farmers were conducted in order to investigate the practical application of innovative grazing systems and use of perennial pastures. Together these case studies provided information for identifying relevant variables and for calibrating the modelling work which followed. The core of the work lies in a bio-economic model for investigating the comparative value of the three grazing systems and two pasture families mentioned above. A baseline scenario using currently available and reliable scientific data provides baseline results, after which a number of sensitivity analyses provide further insights using variations of four key parameters: persistence, heterogeneity, water soluble carbohydrates, and increased losses. Results show that perennial pastures are in the studied region more profitable than annual pastures. Under current baseline conditions, continuous grazing with perennial pastures is the most profitable enterprise, but this superiority is not robust under parameter variations defined by other scenarios. The more robust solution in terms of enterprise profitability is cell grazing with perennial pastures. The results indicate that intensive grazing systems such as cell grazing have the potential to substantially increase the profitability of grazing operations on perennial pasture. This result is an encouraging one in light of its implications for water uptake and salinity control. It means that economics and land care can go hand in hand, rather than be competitive. It is to be noted that it is the choice of the grazing system in combination with the pasture species, rather then the pasture species itself, that allows for such complementarity between economics and sustainable land use. This research shows that if farmers adopt practices such as cell grazing they may be able to increase the area that they can profitably plant to perennial pasture thus reducing the impacts of dryland salinity. This finding is consistent with the findings of the case studies where the farmers perceived that, provided grazing was planned, increasing the intensity of their grazing management and the perenniallity of their pastures would result in an increase in the profitability of their grazing operation. As a result this research helps to bridge a gap which has existed in this area of research, between the results of scientific research and those reported in practice.
114

Die arrestasiebevoegdheid van die private persoon (ingevolge aa 42 en 49 van die Strafproseswet 51 van 1977) met spesiale verwysing na die oewerbewoner en Martinus 1990 (2) SASV 568 (A) en ander verwante sake

Fowler, Henriette 01 1900 (has links)
Text in Afrikaans / Die private persoon het sekere bevoegdhede betreffende die arrestasie en die gebruik van geweld tydens arrestasie van lede van die publiek wat misdade pleeg/gepleeg het. Hierdie bevoegdheid spruit uit sowel die gemenereg as die wettereg. Kragtens die Suid-Afrikaanse Strafproseswet word hierdie bevoegdhede gereel deur aa 42 en 49. Oewerbewoners as eienaars van grand is geregtig op die onverstoorde gebruik en genot van hulle eiendom. Daarteenoor is kanovaarders ook daarop geregtig om op openbare ri vi ere vir wedvaarte te oefen. Di t is egter belangrik om vas te stel of die portage van kano's op die oewer insidenteel is tot die reg om op die rivier te vaar. Ewewig moet bewerkstellig word tussen die botsende belange. Die Waterwet 54 van 1956 behoort gewysig en vereenvoudig te word, aangesien Suid-Afrika nie slegs op die RomeinsHollandse reg kan staatmaak nie - ons waterprobleme staan direk teenoor die van die Nederlande. / The private person has certain powers regarding the arrest and the use of force to effect the arrest of members of the public who have committed/are committing offences. These powers are derived from either common law or statutory law. In terms of the South African Criminal Procedure Act these powers are regulated by ss 42 and 49. Riparian owners are entitled to the undisturbed use and enjoyment of their property. On the other hand, canoeists are also entitled to practise on public rivers. It is important, however, to ascertain whether portage of canoes on the river bank is incidental to the right of canoeing on the river. A balance should be struck between these conflicting interests. The Water Act 54 of 1956 should be amended and simplified, since South Africa cannot rely on Roman Dutch law alone - our water problems are the complete opposite of those in the Netherlands. / Criminal and Procedural Law / LL.M. (Straf- en Strafprosesreg)
115

Retours d'expérience sur la conception centrée valeur de Cocoon : vers des arbres de vie / Lessons of experience from the Worth Centered Design (WCD) of Cocoon : towards life trees

Camara, Fatoumata 25 September 2012 (has links)
Cette thèse porte sur la Conception Centrée Valeur (CCV) proposé par Gilbert Cockton dans le but d'aller au-delà de l'utilisabilité dans les systèmes interactifs. L'auteur propose un canevas pour la mise en oeuvre de la CCV. Cependant, les opérationnalisations restent partielles et sont réalisées par lui-même, d'où un manque de recul de la communauté vis-à-vis de la méthode. La thèse relate la conception centrée valeur de Cocoon, un système d'information mobile et sensible au contexte. Elle apporte des contributions à la fois sur les plans conceptuel et méthodologique. D'un point de vue conceptuel, elle introduit la taxonomie PIPE (Personnelle, Impersonnelle, Pérenne, Éphémère) pour la caractérisation de l'information. En outre, elle montre que les systèmes existants ne couvrent pas PIPE : ils sont surtout focalisés sur les informations impersonnelles. Alors, la thèse propose le concept d'arbre de vie et Cocoon. D'un point de vue méthodologique, la thèse apporte une compréhension meilleure de la notion de valeur. En outre, elle fournit un retour d'expérience sur la CCV accompagné de remarques et recommandations pour des mises en oeuvres futures plus performantes. Enfin, elle propose un canevas pour la construction des cartes de valeur et une stratégie pour l'estimation de la valeur. / The thesis deals with Worth Centered Design (WCD) introduced by Gilbert Cockton. The author also introduced a framework aimed to support the WCD operationalization. However, this framework has been operationalized only partially until now and by Gilbert Cockton himself. The thesis relates our WCD experience with Cocoon, a mobile and context-aware information system. The thesis contributions are both conceptual and methodological. From a conceptual point of view, we introduce the PIPE (Personal, Impersonal, Perennial, Ephemeral) taxonomy for information characterization and show that existing systems only partially covers the PIPE information space: they focus on impersonal information. This notice motivated us to propose the life tree concept and Cocoon. From a methodological point of view, we offer a feedback to the community on an interesting concept method as well as recommendations for more efficient operationalizations. In addition, we introduce a framework for worth maps construction and a strategy for worth assessment.
116

Conversion of perennial cropping systems to arable land: keyelements for an ecologically sustainable transition

MARTANI, ENRICO 31 March 2021 (has links)
La coltivazione dei sistemi colturali poliennali su terreni marginali combina la produzione sostenibile di biomassa per diversi utilizzi a benefici di carattere ambientale come il sequestro del C atmosferico nel suolo. La limitata longevità di questi sistemi colturali (10-20 anni), fornisce la possibilità di sfruttarli come una tecnica temporanea per rigenerare la fertilità dei terreni marginali e di studiare il loro effetto nel lungo periodo sul carbonio del suolo. Con questa tesi, avevo l'obiettivo di studiare l'effetto della riconversione a coltura annuali dei sistemi agricoli poliennali sul carbonio del suolo: per raggiungere questo obiettivo, ho combinato ad una meta-analisi di letteratura sull'effetto della riconversione, con un esperimento di campo di lungo periodo, un esperimento di incubazione in laboratorio e l'uso di un modello matematico del carbonio del suolo. L'uso combinato di questi approcci mi ha permesso di mostrare il potenziale che i sistemi colturali poliennali hanno nel sostenere il sequestro del C ne suolo anche dopo la loro riconversione. Quindi i sistemi colturali poliennali sono una pratica sostenibile promettente che può essere integrata in rotazioni agricole di 13 anni sui terreni marginali del nord d'Italia per ripristinare il carbonio del suolo. / The cultivation of perennial cropping systems on marginal lands combines the production of sustainable biomass for multiple uses with environmental benefits such as carbon (C) sequestration in soil. In this thesis, we studied the effect of perennial cropping system on soil C considering the scenario of perennial cropping systems reversion to arable land. The limited longevity (10-20 years) of perennial cropping systems, gives the possibility of using these crops as a temporary- option to restore soil fertility of marginal lands and to study the long-term legacy of these cropping systems on soil C. In this thesis I aimed to study the effect of perennial cropping systems reversion to arable land on soil C: to achieve this objective, I combined a literature meta-analysis on the effect of reversion of perennial cropping systems on soil C, with a long-term field experiment on perennial cropping systems, an incubation experiment and the use of a process-based soil C model. The combined use of these approaches gave me the chance to show the potential of perennial cropping systems to support C sequestration even after their reversion. Therefore, perennial cropping systems are a promising sustainable practice which could be integrated on a 13-year agricultural rotation on marginal lands of northern Italy to restore soil C.
117

Ocenění a posouzení rozvojových možností nemovitých věcí výrobního areálu obvyklou cenou / Appraisal and assessment of development options immovable manufacturing facility open market value

Hanzlovská, Nikola Unknown Date (has links)
The main objective of this diploma thesis is to determine the usual price for a manufacturing facility, by using valuation methods. A secondary aim was to determine best possible use of the building and the development possibilities, according to the results from valuation. Diploma thesis is divided to theoretical and practical part. In theoretical part are detailed valuation methods divided to two main parts, the valuation by price regulation and the market valuation. In the beginning the pratical part describes the location and property. Furthermore I applied valuation method for manufacturing complex. At the conclusion is recapitulation and analysis of results, where are considered diferences and the usual price is set. The last chapter is devoted to the best use of complex and consideration of development possibilities.
118

Base Flow Recession Analysis for Streamflow and Spring Flow

Ghosh, Debapi 01 January 2015 (has links)
Base flow recession curve during a dry period is a distinct hydrologic signature of a watershed. The base flow recession analysis for both streamflow and spring flow has been extensively studied in the literature. Studies have shown that the recession behaviors during the early stage and the late stage are different in many watersheds. However, research on the transition from early stage to late stage is limited and the hydrologic control on the transition is not completely understood. In this dissertation, a novel cumulative regression analysis method is developed to identify the transition flow objectively for individual recession events in the well-studied Panola Mountain Research Watershed in Georgia, USA. The streamflow at the watershed outlet is identified when the streamflow at the perennial stream head approaches zero, i.e., flowing streams contract to perennial streams. The identified transition flows are then compared with observed flows when the flowing stream contracts to the perennial stream head. As evidenced by a correlation coefficient of 0.90, these two characteristics of streamflow are found to be highly correlated, suggesting a fundamental linkage between the transition of base flow recession from early to late stages and the drying up of ephemeral streams. At the early stage, the contraction of ephemeral streams mostly controls the recession behavior. At the late stage, perennial streams dominate the flowing streams and groundwater hydraulics governs the recession behavior. The ephemeral stream densities vary from arid regions to humid regions. Therefore, the characteristics of transition flow across the climate gradients are also tested in 40 watersheds. It is found that climate, which is represented by climate aridity index, is the dominant controlling factor on transition flows from early to late recession stages. Transition flows and long-term average base flows are highly correlated with a correlation coefficient of 0.82. Long-term average base flow and the transition flow of recession are base flow characteristics at two temporal scales, i.e., the long-term scale and the event scale during a recession period. This is a signature of the co-evolution of climate, vegetation, soil, and topography at the watershed scale. The characteristics of early and late recession are applied for quantifying human impacts on streamflow in agricultural watersheds with extensive groundwater pumping for irrigation. A recession model is developed to incorporate the impacts of human activities (such as groundwater pumping) and climate variability (such as evapotranspiration) on base flow recession. Groundwater pumping is estimated based on the change of observed base flow recession in watersheds in the High Plains Aquifer. The estimated groundwater pumping rate is found consistent compared with the observed data of groundwater uses for irrigation. Besides streamflow recession analysis, this dissertation also presents a novel spring recession model for Silver Springs in Florida by incorporating groundwater head, spring pool altitude, and net recharge into the existing Torricelli model. The results show that the effective springshed area has continuously declined since 1988. The net recharge has declined since the 1970s with a significant drop in 2002. Subsequent to 2002, the net recharge increased modestly but not to the levels prior to the 1990s. The decreases in effective springshed area and net recharge caused by changes in hydroclimatic conditions including rainfall and temperature, along with groundwater withdrawals, contribute to the declined spring flow.
119

Urban Lawn Management: Addressing the Entomological, Agronomic, Economic, and Social Drivers

Alumai, Alfred 05 December 2008 (has links)
No description available.
120

Impacts d'une canicule sécheresse sur le fonctionnement et la structure des communautés végétales de l'écosystème prairial / Impacts of heat wave and severe drought on plant community structure and functioning of grassland ecosystem

Zwicke, Marine 19 December 2013 (has links)
En Europe, les prairies permanentes représentent l’une des principales formes d’utilisation des terres. La durabilité des services rendus par ces écosystèmes est étroitement liée à la structure et au fonctionnement des communautés végétales qui les composent. La stabilité des processus écosystémiques, sous l’impact des fluctuations environnementales, va alors dépendre des mécanismes de résistance et de récupération propres à ces communautés. Les risques d’apparition d’extrêmes climatiques liés à l’évolution du climat, rendent nécessaire une adaptation des agro-écosystèmes à cette fluctuation climatique accrue. Cela implique de mieux comprendre les mécanismes par lesquels la variabilité du climat influe sur le fonctionnement et la structure des communautés végétales, et comment les pratiques agricoles impactent ces réponses. Cette thèse à pour objectif d’évaluer la vulnérabilité des prairies permanentes à un extrême climatique combinant une canicule et une sécheresse, dans un contexte de changement climatique. Afin d’identifier et de caractériser les mécanismes intrinsèques de la résistance à la sécheresse des communautés végétales, une démarche expérimentale mobilisant les concepts de l’écologie fonctionnelle a été développée. Les effets de la variabilité climatique sur la structure (diversité, composition) et le fonctionnement des communautés végétales ont d’abord été analysés in situ pendant 3 ans, après simulation d’une canicule-sécheresse dans les conditions climatiques actuelles et sous climat modifié (réchauffement et réduction des précipitations). Pour évaluer l’influence de la gestion sur la réponse des communautés végétales aux perturbations climatiques, deux fréquences de fauches ont été appliquées. Ce travail présente l’originalité d’avoir étudié conjointement le fonctionnement aérien et souterrain de la végétation. Sont considérées la production de biomasse, la démographie et la durée de vie des racines, afin de déterminer le rôle du système racinaire dans la résistance et la récupération des communautés végétales après une canicule sécheresse. Nous montrons un effet direct de l’extrême climatique sur la sénescence aérienne et la croissance racinaire dans les deux régimes de fauches. En réponse à un déficit hydrique modéré, la stratégie d’évitement au stress par le maintien de la croissance racinaire a été favorisée par des fauches non fréquentes. A l’automne suivant, les précipitations ont permis un reverdissement rapide de la couverture végétale et la production de nouvelles racines. Une baisse significative de la production de biomasse aérienne annuelle sous climat modifié, et suite à l’application de l’extrême climatique, a été observée pendant les 3 années d’expérimentation. En revanche, la production racinaire n’a pas été significativement affectée. Néanmoins une acclimatation de la croissance racinaire a été mise en évidence un an après l’extrême, en particulier dans les communautés de fauches non fréquemment. Ces changements de fonctionnement aériens et souterrains peuvent s’expliquer en partie par des modifications de la composition botanique. De plus, en réponse aux perturbations climatiques, la mortalité racinaire a été interrompue. Ces résultats inattendus ont donc entrainé une augmentation de la durée de vie des racines et suggèrent un effet négatif sur le turnover racinaire et les cycles biogéochimiques. Une expérimentation complémentaire à l’étude in situ a été menée en conditions semicontrôlées pour déterminer les mécanismes intrinsèques de la résistance à la sécheresse de la prairie permanente. Des traits morphologiques et physiologiques, aériens et souterrains, ont été mesurés sur des monocultures de sept populations prairiales en conditions optimales, puis en conditions de sécheresse afin de caractériser leurs stratégies de survie. Les résultats ont mis en évidence le rôle du système racinaire dans la survie des plantes. (...) / In Europe, grassland is one of the dominant forms of land use. The sustainability of their environmental and ecological services is linked to plant community structure and functioning. Under climatic constraints, the stability of community functioning will depend on plant resistance and recovery mechanisms. Actually, increase in climate variability linked to climate change, is expected to lead to more frequent and more intense climate extremes.Therefore, it is necessary to adapt ecosystem management to climate variability increase. This imply to improve our knowledge on mechanisms by which climate drivers modify the structure and the functioning of plant community, and to determine how the agricultural practices affect these responses. Therefore, this study aimed to characterise vulnerability of perennial grassland to combined heat wave and severe drought and to determine mechanisms of plant community resistance to drought. For this, an experimental approach was developed based on the functional ecology concepts. The effect of climate variability on the structure (diversity and composition) and the functioning of plant community were first analyzed in situ during three years. Microclimate of the vegetation was manipulated to simulate warming, precipitation reduction, heat wave combined to severe drought. To analyse the role of grassland management in plant community responses to climate disturbances, two contrasted cutting frequencies were applied. This work has the originality to analyse both above- and below-ground processes of plant community. Thus, above- and below-ground biomass production, root demography and longevity were considered to determine the role of root system in resistance and recovery of plant community after a severe drought. In both cutting frequencies, our results showed direct effects of climate extreme on leaf senescence and root growth. However, in response to moderate water deficit, drought avoidance through maintenance of root growth was favoured by infrequent cutting frequency. After rehydration in the following autumn, canopy greenness and root growth rapidly recovered. Annual above-ground production was significantly decreased by climate change and climate extreme during the three years of the experiment. However no effect was observed on root production but acclimation of root growth was observed one year after the climate extreme, particularly under infrequent cuts. Plant community structure was significantly modified be climate disturbance and could explain change in community functioning. In addition, root mortality was surprisingly decreased in response to climate disturbance that consequently increases root longevity. These results suggest negative effects of climate disturbances on root turnover with lasting effects on nutrient cycles.To determine intrinsic mechanisms of plant community for drought resistance and recovery, an additional experiment was carried out in semi-controlled conditions. Therefore, morphological and physiological leaf and root traits were measured under full irrigation, moderate and severe drought on monocultures of seven perennial grassland populations to study plant functional strategies of drought survival. Roots were implicated in drought avoidance by maintaining water uptake and drought tolerance by accumulating sucrose and/or fructans. Morphological and physiological root traits were thus correlated to plant survivalafter drought. (...)

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