There was limited information regarding the number of disability related impairments, length of case management, number of counselors who served an individual consumer, and counselor qualifications (including level of education, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, the length of employment in years, and assignment as a general/specialty caseload) and their impact on vocational rehabilitation outcomes. The purpose of this research was to investigate selected factors (described above) that might be associated with state-federal vocational rehabilitation outcomes. On this basis, there were four research questions developed.The study sample was 171 vocational rehabilitation counselors with Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration and 215 most significant/significant disabled consumers. These 215 disabled consumers were either closed successful or unsuccessful from March 1, 2002 through February 28, 2003. The dependent variable was the vocational rehabilitation closure. There were two levels (1) successful employment closure in Status 26 and (2) unsuccessful closure, after an Individual Plan for Employment was implemented but not completed, in Status 28. Seven predictor variables were tested at an alpha level of .05. Each predictor variable was non-significant with an analysis of variance (ANOVA). Future research may help identify additional consumer and counselor factors that have an impact on vocational rehabilitation outcomes.

The purpose of this mixed method study was to determine the extent of physical problems, rehabilitation needs, and cancer rehabilitation experiences after breast cancer treatment. Women diagnosed with breast cancer were surveyed to examine physical morbidities, disability, and quality of life. An interpretive descriptive approach was used in the conduction of a focus group. The percentage of women experiencing physical problems after breast cancer treatment was high, physical disability was low and there was a moderately high quality of life. Despite the high report of physical problems, less than half received physical rehabilitation. Themes from the focus group data were difficulty in finding clear/consistent information, financial issues and the need for integration of cancer rehabilitation services. This research adds to the better understanding of cancer rehabilitation needs and practices and may be used to improve the delivery of cancer rehabilitation services to address the physical needs of breast cancer survivors.

No description available.

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) had its beginning in 1918, when Congress granted to the Federal Board of Vocational Education the power to provide for the training of "any disabled veteran who was unable to carry on a gainful occupation, to resume his former occupation, or to enter upon some other occupation, or having resumed or entered upon such occupation was unable to continue the same successfully." (U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, 1972). Called the Soldiers Rehabilitation Act, this measure made clear the basic goals of vocational rehabilitation. In 1943, a milestone year, services were extended to all disabled individuals who met the basic criteria of (a) having a disability (physical, emotional, or mental) which (b) poses a substantial handicap to employment, and (c) for whom a reasonable expectation exists that upon receiving services the individual can again (or for the first time) engage in gainful employment.

No description available.

by Yeung Ming San, Josephine. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 161-172). / ABSTRACT --- p.1 / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.4 / Chapter II. --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1 --- Functional Anatomy of Ankle and Subtalar Joint --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Bony Configuration --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Axis of Motion --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Lateral Ligaments --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Ankle Musculature --- p.13 / Chapter 2.2 --- Biomechanics of Ankle Ligaments --- p.14 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Characteristics of Lateral Ligaments of the Ankle --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2.1.1 --- Ligaments for Stability --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2.1.2 --- Ligaments Properties to Loading --- p.15 / Chapter 2.3 --- Lateral Ankle Ligaments Injuries --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Etiology --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Definition of Sprain --- p.18 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Classification of Inversion Ankle Sprain --- p.18 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Diagnosis of Lateral Ligaments Injury --- p.19 / Chapter 2.3.4.1 --- Anterior Draw Test --- p.19 / Chapter 2.3.4.2 --- Talar Tilt Test --- p.21 / Chapter 2.3.4.3 --- Anthrogram --- p.21 / Chapter 2.3.4.4 --- Controversies in Various Diagnostic Methods for Lateral Ankle Ligaments Injury --- p.21 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Orthopedic Management of Inversion Ankle Sprain --- p.22 / Chapter 2.3.5.1 --- Operative Method --- p.22 / Chapter 2.3.5.2 --- Conservative Method --- p.23 / Chapter 2.4 --- Rehabilitation of Inversion Ankle Injury --- p.24 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Residual Problems Resulted from Inversion Ankle Injury --- p.24 / Chapter 2.4.1.1 --- Epidemiology --- p.24 / Chapter 2.4.1.2 --- Muscle Weakness --- p.25 / Chapter 2.4.1.3 --- Proprioception --- p.27 / Chapter 2.4.1.4 --- Peroneal Muscle Reaction Time --- p.29 / Chapter 2.4.1.5 --- Muscle Tightness --- p.30 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Rehabilitation Training --- p.31 / Chapter 2.4.2.1 --- Muscle Training --- p.31 / Chapter 2.4.2.2 --- Proprioception Training --- p.32 / Chapter 2.4.2.3 --- Other Training --- p.32 / Chapter 2.5 --- Strength Training --- p.33 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Effects of Strength Training --- p.33 / Chapter 2.5.1.1 --- On Muscle --- p.33 / Chapter 2.5.1.2 --- On Nervous System --- p.33 / Chapter 2.5.1.3 --- On Ligaments --- p.34 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Isokinetic Training --- p.34 / Chapter III. --- METHODOLOGY --- p.39 / Chapter 3.1 --- Epidemiological Survey --- p.42 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Design of Questionnaire --- p.42 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Pilot Study --- p.43 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Survey --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2 --- Isokinetic Evaluation for Normal Non-injured Ankle --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Subjects --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Equipment --- p.46 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Testing Procedure --- p.51 / Chapter 3.3 --- Evaluation for Ankle with Inversion Sprain --- p.59 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Initial Evaluation --- p.60 / Chapter 3.3.1.1 --- Criteria for Subjects --- p.60 / Chapter 3.3.1.2 --- Interview of Subjects --- p.61 / Chapter 3.3.1.3 --- Testing Procedure --- p.61 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Training Program --- p.66 / Chapter 3.3.2.1 --- Subjects --- p.66 / Chapter 3.3.2.2 --- Various Methods of Training or Exercise --- p.67 / Chapter 3.3.2.3 --- Isokinetic Exercise Protocol for Ankle --- p.69 / Chapter 3.3.2.4 --- Design of Training Protocol --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Second Evaluation --- p.73 / Chapter 3.3.3.1 --- Subject --- p.73 / Chapter 3.3.3.2 --- The Retest --- p.73 / Chapter 3.4 --- Data Analysis --- p.74 / Chapter IV. --- RESULTS --- p.75 / Chapter 4.1 --- Epidemiological Study --- p.75 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Athletes' Personal Data --- p.75 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Athletes' Injury Data --- p.82 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Residual Problems in Ankle Sprains --- p.84 / Chapter 4.2 --- Isokinetic Evaluation for Normal Non-injured Ankle --- p.89 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Subjects Data --- p.89 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Range of Active and Passive Ankle Dorsiflexion --- p.89 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Muscular Parameters Used for Data Analyzing --- p.90 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Comparing Muscular Parameters between Dominant and Non-dominant Ankle of Normal Subjects --- p.90 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Comparing Muscular Parameters between Male and Female Normal Subjects --- p.94 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Torque Ratio and Work Ratio --- p.98 / Chapter 4.3 --- Evaluation for Ankles with Inversion Sprain --- p.102 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Initial Evaluation --- p.102 / Chapter 4.3.1.1 --- Subjects Data --- p.102 / Chapter 4.3.1.2 --- Anterior Draw Sign --- p.103 / Chapter 4.3.1.3 --- Range of Motion --- p.103 / Chapter 4.3.1.4 --- Ankle Functional Rating Scale --- p.104 / Chapter 4.3.1.5 --- Isokinetic Evaluation --- p.104 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Second Evaluation --- p.116 / Chapter 4.3.2.1 --- Subjects Data --- p.116 / Chapter 4.3.2.2 --- Comparing the Initial and Second Evaluation Ankle Functional Rating Scale --- p.117 / Chapter 4.3.2.3 --- Comparing Initial and Second Evaluation for Isokinetic Parameters of the Ankle --- p.118 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Correlation of Various Isokinetic Parameters of the Ankle with Ankle Functional Rating Score --- p.124 / Chapter V. --- DISCUSSION --- p.127 / Chapter 5.1 --- Epidemiological Study --- p.127 / Chapter 5.2 --- Evaluation for Normal Non-injured Ankle --- p.132 / Chapter 5.3 --- Evaluation for Ankle with Inversion Sprain --- p.141 / Chapter 5.4 --- Isokinetic Rehabilitation --- p.148 / Chapter 5.5 --- Limitations and Future Direction of Research --- p.153 / Chapter VI. --- CONCLUSION --- p.156 / Chapter VII. --- REFERENCE --- p.161 / APPENDIX I --- p.i / APPENDIX II --- p.vi / APPENDIX III --- p.viii / APPENDIX IV --- p.xiii

by Ho Kim Kong Enoch. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1991. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-102). / ABSTRACT --- p.I / ACKNOWLEDGMENT --- p.IV / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.V / LIST OF TABLES --- p.VIII / LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS --- p.X / Chapter CHAPTER 1 - --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1-5 / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction / Chapter 1.2 --- Questions address / Chapter 1.3 --- Definition / Chapter CHAPTER 2 - --- LITERATURAL REVIEW - DEVELOPMENT OF HAND FUNCTION TESTS --- p.6-14 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction / Chapter 2.2 --- Trends of studies of hand injury in Hong Kong / Chapter 2.3 --- Previous studies to compare and relate physical and functional impairment / Chapter 2.4 --- Conclusion / Chapter CHAPTER 3 - --- FUNCTION ASSESSMENT - CRITERIA FOR THE EVALUATION --- p.15-28 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction / Chapter 3.2 --- Functional Anatomy / Chapter 3.3 --- Grip force study / Chapter 3.4 --- Sensation / Chapter 3.5 --- Functional assessment / Chapter 3.6 --- Conclusion / Chapter CHAPTER 4 - --- METHODOLOGY --- p.29-43 / Chapter 4.1 --- Subject selection / Chapter 4.2 --- Organization / Chapter 4.3 --- Physical assessment / Chapter 4.4 --- Functional assessment / Chapter 4.5 --- Evaluation of loss of earning capacity / Chapter 4.6 --- Control group / Chapter 4.7 --- Statistical analysis / Chapter CHAPTER 5 - --- RESULT --- p.44-57 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction / Chapter 5.2 --- Subject characteristics / Chapter 5.3 --- Result of individual tests / Chapter 5.4 --- Assessment of loss of earning capacity / Chapter 5.5 --- Hand function assessment after return to work / Chapter 5.6 --- Effect of severity of injury / Chapter CHAPTER 6 - --- DISCUSSION --- p.58-67 / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction / Chapter 6.2 --- Impairment of hand function in finger amputation / Chapter 6.3 --- The effect of return to work / Chapter 6.4 --- Official schema for assessment of percentage of loss of earning capacity / Chapter 6.5 --- Severity of injury and the outcome / Chapter 6.6 --- The hand assessment protocol / Chapter CHAPTER 7 - --- CONCLUSION --- p.68-70 / APPENDIX --- p.71-90 / ILLUSTRATIONS --- p.91-97 / REFERENCES --- p.98-102

Wong Yu Sang. / "Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 2004-2005, design report." / Includes bibliographical references.

Gold and nickel mining are a common land use in the semiarid Eastern Goldfields region of Western Australia,, A frequent outcome of mining activity is highly saline landforms that result from the widespread use of hypersaline (> 50 g L(subscript)-1 NaCl) groundwater for mineral processing and hydraulic tailings reclamation, and from saline horizons in soils, subsoils and mullock. Under State government legislation, all mined land must be rehabilitated to a stable and sustainable landform at the completion of mining activities.There was little land rehabilitation carried out in the mining industry until the mid1980s. At that time, legislation was introduced and, in due course, guidelines were issued on recommended approaches to rehabilitation. Today, rehabilitation of disturbed areas is usually integrated into the mining program and has become the rule rather than the exception. There has, however, been limited innovation in recent years and the established methods are not suitable for every land rehabilitation scenario, especially those where very high salinity is an important factor. The aims of this thesis were to make a contribution towards a better understanding of the ecology of halophytes suitable for use in revegetation and the likely physical requirements for their sustainable establishment on post-mining landforms.In terms of germination, many of the halophytes currently used for rehabilitation of saline substrates are well suited in that they are able to germinate in solutions of up to 20 g L(subscript)-1 NaCl. Furthermore, when higher salinities are encountered, seed dormancy is induced until salinity is reduced to a level at which germination can occur. There were differences observed between germination of annual and perennial chenopods that reflected their successional roles where annual chenopods tend to have a higher salt tolerance and germinate more ++ / rapidly. I developed a tolerance index to enable different germination responses to be readily compared. Values for the tolerance index ranged from 5.7 to 25.3 for the halophytic species compared with a value of 0.2 for the glycophytic Secale cereale. Values for saltbushes (Atriplex) and bluebushes (Maireana) ranged from 6.5 to 9.8 while values for samphires (Halosarcia) were higher (10.7-17.4).Germination and early growth of taxa in the succulent genus, Halosarcia, were also studied. Though a member of the Chenopodiaceae, with a number of species occurring commonly throughout the region, Halosarcia spp. are not widely used in rehabilitation. This is in part attributable to the poor level of knowledge of germination and growth characteristics compared with saltbushes and bluebushes, many of which are widely used. Two species studied, H. halocnemoides subsp. halocnemoides and H. pruinosa, are more salt-tolerant for germination than some other chenopods more widely used. Furthermore, in terms of their early growth, each taxon continued to grow in salinities up to 40 g L(subscript)-1 NaCl, although root .Production and mass were reduced at that concentration. Another taxon, H. pergranulata subsp. pergranulata, was found to have a partial physical dormancy attributable to the testa, a phenomenon rare among halophytes. Dormancy was alleviated by scarification but was most effective where this occurred near the micropyle.Field trials were conducted to assess methods of rehabilitating severely salt-affected surfaces (EC(subscript)e > 50 dS m(subscript)-1). In the initial trial, a number of surface treatments, including ripping, rock mulching and mounding, were shown to reduce soil EC, in loam soils over a long period of time (seven years) compared with the control. In a subsequent trial, the use of good quality waste water, in conjunction with ponding banks, strongly ++ / promoted the establishment of vegetation by supplementing soil moisture and enhancing soil P although a reduction in soil EC(subscript)e was not observed. The depth and duration of ponding influenced the species that established and the cover achieved. Methods by which a soil cover could be established over hypersaline tailings surfaces were also investigated. The absence of a capillary break layer resulted in severe salinisation (EC(subscript)e > 100 dS m(subscript)-1) of a non-saline clay loam soil cover and likely severe difficulties in establishing and maintaining vegetation on the cover. Two types of capillary break layer, a synthetic membrane and a layer of coarse iron fayalite granules (nickel slag), were both effective at preventing the capillary rise of salts into the soil cover.The physical and biological characteristics of the shores of Lake Lefroy, a large salt lake in the Eastern Goldfields region, were analysed using multivariate techniques.Physical characteristics were strongly influenced by the orientation of the shore relation to the predominant winds, and by depth to the saline groundwater table. Plant species were distributed in zones across the lake shores with small changes in elevation resulting in substantial changes in species distributions. Those plant species occurring at the lowest elevations (Zone I), including Halosarcia spp., exhibited a very high tolerance of saline soil and groundwater through an ability to accumulate Na+ and Cl- and make the necessary osmotic adjustments, and a capacity to tolerance high groundwater levels. Under certain conditions, the lake shore environment could be a useful model for a rehabilitated landform.

Continued expansion of the gold and nickel mining industry in Western Australia during recent years has led to disturbance of larger areas and the generation of increasing volumes of waste rock. Mine operators are obligated to rehabilitate all disturbed surfaces and reconstructed landforms, and considerable effort and expense is now applied to the achievement of this objective. Associated with increasing rehabilitation effort is the requirement to accurately judge rehabilitation success through the development of completion criteria. Completion criteria are rehabilitation performance objectives set as conditions of approval for each stage of rehabilitation and for the project as a whole. They provide standards against which the success of rehabilitation can be measured, or more broadly the point at which responsibility for rehabilitation is complete. The current research project tackles the development of completion criteria by investigating ecosystem function within a variety of rehabilitation trials at four mine sites located in arid and semi-arid Western Australia, and also within surrounding 'natural' vegetation complexes undisturbed by mining, termed analogue sites. Six specific objectives were identified as part of the study: 1. To establish an appropriate end point land use for each mine site where field trials were established; 2. To examine long-term ecosystem development through the assessment of revegetation at a variety of rehabilitation sites; 3. To examine functional components within analogue communities and make appropriate comparisons with rehabilitation trials; 4. To record the potential reproductive capacity of revegetation progeny, and determine how this relates to ecosystem function; / 5. To provide a better understanding of ecosystem function by investigating the relationship between state factors, interactive controls, and ecosystem processes at rehabilitation and analogue sites; and 6. To develop a methodology for establishing realistic environmental completion criteria at mine sites situated in arid and semi-arid Western Australia. Field trials were established at four mine sites located within three subtly different bioclimatic zones that extend through the arid / semi-arid shrubland belt of Western Australia; Northeastern Goldfields (Granny Smith Gold Mine, Sunrise Dam Gold Mine), Eastern Goldfields (Black Swan Nickel Mine), and Northeastern Wheatbelt (Westonia Gold Mine). 1 The re-establishment of a self-sustaining vegetation cover integrated with the surrounding ecosystem, was the common end land use objective at the four mine sites selected for this study. For three sites located in the Northeastern Goldfields and Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia, sheep were grazed on surrounding rangeland; the fourth site located in the Northeastern Wheatbelt of Western Australia, and was surrounded by Crown Land. 2 To better understand ecosystem function, the dynamic behaviour and interaction of plant biodiversity parameters was monitored regularly at 19 post-mining rehabilitation sites up to 11 years after direct seeding. For functional ecosystems, plant biodiversity parameters changed rapidly during the initial five years after seeding following predictable trends, after which time they remained within a relatively stable range. / The stabilising of parameters over time was identified as a key indicator of rehabilitation success, however the point at which the parameters stabilised was influenced by numerous variables and was difficult to accurately predict. Prolific seed germination resulted in high seedling density during the initial growing season. Plant density then progressively decreased in response to competition, before stabilising within a range approximately five years after seeding. Revegetation cover was typically low during the first growing season, increasing rapidly there after before also stabilising in line with plant density. Maximum species richness was generally achieved during the first and second year when annual Atriplex species were prominent. Perennial Atriplex species established more slowly during the early stages of revegetation development, but eventually replaced the annual component as the dominant taxa. Perennial Maireana species required up to three years before germinating in the field and establishing themselves in the revegetation; in many cases they replaced perennial Atriplex as the prominent taxa. The presence or absence of cyclonic rainfall during the first growing season was a major determinant of the ecosystem trajectory, controlling revegetation structure and composition. The germination and successful establishment of hard seeded species, including Acacia and Senna, was reliant on heavy summer rainfall during the early stages of ecosystem development to break seed dormancy and extend the length of the first growing season. This provided an important competitive advantage against faster growing Atriplex species, which possessed greater drought tolerance. / The intensity of summer rainfall was also beneficial in leaching surface salts from the upper profile and hence, reducing salinity within the rooting zone. In the absence of heavy summer rainfall during the first growing season, the establishment of a low chenopod dominated vegetation cover was favoured, total species richness for the rehabilitation tended to be lower, and the variety of plant life forms was restricted to low and mid stratum shrubs. Increasing water stress resulted in progressively higher rates of local species extinction, with fewer taxa possessing the drought tolerance adaptations required to survive. For established revegetation, cyclonic rainfall increased productivity (as measured by % foliage ground cover) and stimulated the establishment of new taxa, which in many cases were brought in from adjacent unmined vegetation complexes (analogue sites). While the benefits of summer cyclonic rainfall were undoubtedly important to ari and semi-arid ecosystems, the occurrence of drought was also important in buffering the ecosystem against large-scale change by acting as a negative feedback to constrain cumulative productivity. Parent waste rock material varied considerably between rehabilitation sites, affecting the soil resource supply and associated functional components. Extreme salinity was a typical limitation of the rehabilitation medium, reducing the variety of salt tolerant species and favouring annual Atriplex during the early stages of ecosystem development. The cover of annual species present during early stages of ecosystem development contributed to decreasing salinity in the plant rooting zone, by reducing surface temperature and hence capillary rise of salts during summer months. / Annual Atriplex species were replaced by perennial Atriplex in line with decreasing surface salinity. Fundamental to successful revegetation of the post-mining rehabilitation site was the requirement that reconstruction and contouring focus on maximising water retention and reducing salinity within the upper soil profile. Once the initial vegetation community established and plant parameters became relatively stable, change continued to occur, albeit slowly. One factor contributing to this change was the immigration rate of biota from adjacent revegetation or more commonly from surrounding analogue complexes. Linking rehabilitation areas to surrounding functional ecosystems ensured the movement of plants and animals, and ultimately increased the rate of recovery. The sustainability of post-mining rehabilitation was enhanced where these links were established early, allowing for the provision of additional seed and the migration of displaced species. The life cycle pattern of keystone species in the revegetation was found to be an important determinant in long-term sustainability of the plant cover, particularly for chenopod shrublands where one species was typically dominant. The senescence and death of large numbers of a dominant revegetation species together, had the ability to significantly alter the revegetation structure and composition. The impact for rehabilitation where a number of dominant taxa co-exist was less pronounced. Thus it follows that a minimum level of species richness was important to long-term rehabilitation sustainability, as was the development of an age-class structure in the rehabilitation. / The most common disturbances encountered at the rehabilitation trial sites were drought, overgrazing and weed infestation. All three disturbances decreased the plant biodiversity parameters measured. Ecosystem recovery following disturbance was dependent on effective rainfall, but occurred rapidly with plant parameters returning to pre-disturbance levels within one to two growing seasons. The recovery of plant biodiversity parameters followed the same trends identified at functional rehabilitation sites during the initial five years following direct seeding. 3 Assessment of plant biodiversity parameters occurred at 15 analogue sites supporting native vegetation undisturbed by mining. It was anticipated that data from analogue sites could be used as a 'reference' against which to compare developing rehabilitation. However, analogue vegetation complexes were less dynamic in comparison to rehabilitation sites. Minor seasonal changes were recorded for plant biodiversity parameters, but overall annual change was minimal. Significant and sudden changes within analogue communities only occurred following disturbance, such as severe overgrazing, and recovery to pre-disturbance levels was rapid following the removal of the disturbance and return of effective rainfall. A major difference between rehabilitation and analogue sites related to their age. Rehabilitation sites were 'juvenile systems' assessed against a time frame much shorter than had been required for natural processes to achieve the developmental state represented at analogue sites. / Hence, it was important not to model one specific analogue site too closely, but instead model the desired revegetation structure and species composition on a variety of local analogue complexes occurring in parent materials 'matched' closely to those of the rehabilitation site. Data from analogue sites should be utilised extensively during rehabilitation planning, but cautiously when interpreting the rehabilitation outcome. For mine sites in arid and semi-arid Western Australia, the application of specific numeric targets for plant biodiversity parameters as a measure of rehabilitation success was not recommended. A number of factors and controls in the developing ecosystem together determined the rehabilitation outcome. These factors were site and time specific; minor changes in any number of variables led to significantly different rehabilitation outcomes, making them difficult to accurately predict. 4 Quality and germination testing confirmed progeny seed from a number of rehabilitation trials was of similar or higher viability than the maternal seed originally sown. This was further confirmed by field responses at trials in the Northeastern Goldfields one year after the 1994 drought, when elevated plant density was recorded following the return of above average rainfall. The ability of rehabilitation to show an immediate response to rainfall following a seven-month drought, and for vegetation parameters to subsequently recover to pre-disturbance levels within one to two years, provided an indication that the revegetation cover was resilient. The relationship between plant production and rainfall was dependent on a 'carryover' effect between seasons or following drought years, and 'pulses' mediated, for instance, by the amount of seed in the soil store. / The 'reserve' component in and ecosystems was responsible for both the memory of the system between pulses and for its long-term resilience. 6 The analysis of time series data collected from 19 rehabilitation trials emphasized the importance of planning and implementation of best practice techniques to subsequent rehabilitation success, and reinforced the difficulty associated with accurately predicting the final rehabilitation outcome. The large spatial heterogeneity of undisturbed vegetation complexes across the landscape of arid and semi-arid Western Australia, provided the foundation on which site-specific rehabilitation scenarios could be modelled, albeit with caution. The translation of data into useful completion criteria was dependent on the realisation that successful rehabilitation requires the implementation of best practice rehabilitation techniques, as determined by technically prescriptive (design) based standards, as much as the identification of a successful rehabilitation outcome, as determined by performance (outcome) based standards. With this in mind, completion criteria were developed as part of a robust theoretical framework incorporating the larger mine plan, and were not simply based on numbers generated as stand-alone performance standards. The broad methodology generated could be adopted by any mine site across the mining industry, however the criteria and, more specifically, the standards for each criterion should always remain site specific. / The methodology designed for developing completion criteria has been addressed in three stages: 1. Planning, 2. Operational and Monitoring, and 3. Post-Mining Hand-Over. Within each stage three parameters are addressed: 1. Criteria, 2. Process, and 3. Standard. 'Planning' is the most important stage in the development of completion criteria. It is the stage when an appropriate end land use is determined, analogue sites are assessed, a rehabilitation plan developed along with specified design standards ensuring implementation of best practice techniques, and a process of risk assessment implemented. The 'Operational Monitoring Stage' focuses on rehabilitation success during the period of ecosystem development. This stage is concerned largely with rehabilitation monitoring, from which performance standards can be developed to gauge rehabilitation success for specific periods during revegetation development. The initial task in Stage 2 is to ensure all aspects of the rehabilitation plan have been implemented as specified in Stage 1, and meet agreed design standards. The final stage of the completion criteria process, 'Post Mining Hand Over', is to ensure the rehabilitated site is safe, and able to successfully revert to the end land use. / While plant biodiversity parameters formed the focus of the current study, a variety of other functional ecosystem components may also make sound assessment criteria for determining rehabilitation success. Increasing the knowledge base for other functional components in arid and semi-arid ecosystems would further increase the ability to accurately determine rehabilitation success.