The Little Bow River Project was implemented in 2003 and includes Alberta’s newest dam. The Project involves tripling the diversion of water from the Highwood River to the Little Bow River and subsequently storing the water in the Twin Valley Reservoir. This MSc Thesis provided part of the environmental monitoring for that Project and particularly investigated the impacts of augmented flows on the river channel and riparian vegetation along the upper reach of the Little Bow River. An initial component of the long-term study was to determine the existing associations between fluvial geomorphic characteristics and riparian plant communities. Poplar (Populus balsamifera L.), willow (Salix bebbiana Sargent and S. exigua Nutt.) and wolf-willow (Elaeagnus commutata Bernh.) communities were located along the upper section of the river, where the channel had a steeper gradient and was narrower and more sinuous. Cattail (Typha latifolia L.) and grass (grasses and sedges) communities were generally located along the lower section of the river that was shallower in gradient, wider and straighter. Plant community distribution also reflected impacts from cattle grazing. Initial channel and vegetation responses in the first two years following the increase in flow augmentation were slight and included bank slumping, sediment scour and inundation of flooded zones. The initial responses are consistent with the primary prediction of channel widening and this will probably be associated with some changes in the adjacent riparian plant communities. / xiv, 139 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 29 cm.

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Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 1999. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 87 p. : ill. (some col.), maps (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 81-87).

A utilização massiva dos recursos naturais na atualidade, gera como uma de suas consequências, uma vasta depreciação dos componentes bióticos e abióticos que compõe o planeta Terra. A Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Santa Maria possui uma diversidade fisiografica e constantemente vem sofrendo alterações ocasionadas pelas atividades antrópicas. Há uma demanda, por parte de educadores, técnicos e gestores da região, de informações ligadas a questão ambiental, de forma espacializada e georreferenciada. O presente trabalho possui como objetivo geral analisar e elaborar uma proposta de zoneamento geoambiental, utilizando métodos de mapeamentos automáticos na definição dos parâmetros naturais que servem como base para o estudo e zoneamento geoambiental. A metodologia está baseada na proposta metodológica para zonemanento Geoambiental desenvolvida por Trentin e Robaina 2005, porém como inovação nesse trabalho, optou-se por utilizar a avaliação do relevo através dos Geomorphons os quais serviram de base para a definição de compartimentos do relevo que cruzados com informações referentes a solo e litologias, originaram um mapa com informações fisiográficas. Através da interpolação do mapa fisiográfico com o mapa de uso e ocupação se obteve o mapa geoambiental. Nos resultados foram apresentadas informações sobre a morfometria da área em estudo, também foram definidas três unidades litológicas, três unidades simplificadas de solo, quatro compartimentos de relevo, quatorze unidades fisiográficas, seis classes de uso e ocupação do solo, ainda sete Sistemas e doze Unidades Geoambientais com isso foi possível definir e discutir sobre as potencialidades e suscetibilidades. A elaboração do zoneamento geoambiental, com base na definição de potencialidades e suscetibilidade, são delimitadas a partir de caracteristicas homogeneas da área de estudo, é uma importante ferramenta para avaliação e compreensão das alterações ambientais. Dessa forma, foi elaborado um diagnóstico, no qual foram apresentadas caracteristicas naturais e antrópicas da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Santa Maria. / The massive use of natural resources, generates as one of its consequences, a vast depreciation of the biotic and abiotic components that make up the planet Earth. The Santa Maria River Basin has a physiographic diversity and is constantly undergoing changes caused by anthropic activities. There is an existent demand, by educators, technicians and managers of the region, of information related to different topics in a spatialized and georeferenced. The present work has as general objective to analyze and elaborate a proposal of geoenvironmental zoning, using automatic mapping methods in the definition of the natural parameters that serve as the basis for geoenvironmental study and zoning. The methodology is based on the methodological proposal for Geoenvironmental zonemanento developed by Trentin and Robaina 2005, but as innovation in this work, it was decided to use the evaluation of the relief through the Geomorphons which served as the basis for the definition of relief compartments that crossed with Information on soil and lithologies, originated a map with physiographic information. Through the interpolation of the physiographic map with the map of use and occupation the geoenvironmental map was obtained. The results were presented with information on the morphometry of the study area, three lithologic units were defined, three simplified soil units, four relief compartments, fourteen physiographic units, six use classes and soil occupation, seven systems and twelve units Geoenvironmental with this it was possible to define and discuss about the potentialities and susceptibilities. The elaboration of geoenvironmental zoning, based on the definition of potentialities and susceptibility, are delimited from homogeneous characteristics of the study area, is an important tool for evaluation and understanding of environmental changes. In this way, a diagnosis was elaborated, in which natural and anthropic characteristics of the Santa Maria River Basin were presented.

Doctor of Philosophy / Environmental Design and Planning / Timothy D. Keane / Kenya has been adversely affected by soil erosion due to population growth, changes in land use and land cover, and unsustainable agricultural practices. Issues related to land degradation cost the Kenyan government approximately $390 million or 3 percent of the country’s GDP yearly (Government of Kenya, 2013). Despite extensive land degradation, many attempts to encourage the use of soil and water conservation (SWC) practices have been unsuccessful. The study focuses on Merigi Ward, Kenya. Merigi Ward lies within the Mara River Basin (MRB), an ecologically and economically important river basin that has experienced extensive erosion problems. Increased agricultural activities driven by population growth in the area and changes in land use and land cover have degraded the landscape. SWC practices are greatly needed to mitigate the effects of erosion and conserve the natural resources within the MRB. Past studies suggest that social capital may increase the adoption of SWC practices (Knowler & Bradshaw, 2007; Nyangena, 2008). This study defines social capital as the groups and networks, trust and reciprocity, formal and informal rules, and information that informs the interactions among persons that lead to collective action. Twenty-five smallholder farmers within Merigi Ward were interviewed and the relationship between the adoption of SWC practices and social capital was explored through a qualitative analysis. Additionally, the MRB is home to the Mau Mara Serengeti Sustainable Water Initiative (MaMaSe). The MaMaSe initiative is a public private partnership (P3) with the goal to promote sustainable water use, economic growth, and environmental conservation within the basin. The effect the MaMaSe initiative had on the level of social capital amongst the study participants was also investigated. Findings suggest that social capital is an important aspect of SWC adoption in Merigi Ward. Groups and networks provide farmers with implementation support and information. Particularly, the local farmers’ cooperative provides farmers with implementation assistance and links (bridging capital) to experts at the MaMaSe initiative and the Ministry of Agriculture. Strong bonding capital works in the favor of this community allowing for high levels of trust. Thus, farmers collaborate to help one another implement practices and exchange information, materials, and experiences. In general, social capital has helped facilitate better environmental conservation awareness and the use of SWC practices. The largest impact the MaMaSe initiative had on the community’s social capital was expanding networks (particularly bridging and linking capital) and providing in depth information and guidelines for SWC practice use. The P3 has also helped the farmers integrate environmental conservation into their daily lives and has helped promote a shared understanding of the importance of conservation. The findings of this study will help environmental conservation professionals understand how to use social capital to strengthen natural resource management.

A utilização massiva dos recursos naturais na atualidade, gera como uma de suas consequências, uma vasta depreciação dos componentes bióticos e abióticos que compõe o planeta Terra. A Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Santa Maria possui uma diversidade fisiografica e constantemente vem sofrendo alterações ocasionadas pelas atividades antrópicas. Há uma demanda, por parte de educadores, técnicos e gestores da região, de informações ligadas a questão ambiental, de forma espacializada e georreferenciada. O presente trabalho possui como objetivo geral analisar e elaborar uma proposta de zoneamento geoambiental, utilizando métodos de mapeamentos automáticos na definição dos parâmetros naturais que servem como base para o estudo e zoneamento geoambiental. A metodologia está baseada na proposta metodológica para zonemanento Geoambiental desenvolvida por Trentin e Robaina 2005, porém como inovação nesse trabalho, optou-se por utilizar a avaliação do relevo através dos Geomorphons os quais serviram de base para a definição de compartimentos do relevo que cruzados com informações referentes a solo e litologias, originaram um mapa com informações fisiográficas. Através da interpolação do mapa fisiográfico com o mapa de uso e ocupação se obteve o mapa geoambiental. Nos resultados foram apresentadas informações sobre a morfometria da área em estudo, também foram definidas três unidades litológicas, três unidades simplificadas de solo, quatro compartimentos de relevo, quatorze unidades fisiográficas, seis classes de uso e ocupação do solo, ainda sete Sistemas e doze Unidades Geoambientais com isso foi possível definir e discutir sobre as potencialidades e suscetibilidades. A elaboração do zoneamento geoambiental, com base na definição de potencialidades e suscetibilidade, são delimitadas a partir de caracteristicas homogeneas da área de estudo, é uma importante ferramenta para avaliação e compreensão das alterações ambientais. Dessa forma, foi elaborado um diagnóstico, no qual foram apresentadas caracteristicas naturais e antrópicas da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Santa Maria. / The massive use of natural resources, generates as one of its consequences, a vast depreciation of the biotic and abiotic components that make up the planet Earth. The Santa Maria River Basin has a physiographic diversity and is constantly undergoing changes caused by anthropic activities. There is an existent demand, by educators, technicians and managers of the region, of information related to different topics in a spatialized and georeferenced. The present work has as general objective to analyze and elaborate a proposal of geoenvironmental zoning, using automatic mapping methods in the definition of the natural parameters that serve as the basis for geoenvironmental study and zoning. The methodology is based on the methodological proposal for Geoenvironmental zonemanento developed by Trentin and Robaina 2005, but as innovation in this work, it was decided to use the evaluation of the relief through the Geomorphons which served as the basis for the definition of relief compartments that crossed with Information on soil and lithologies, originated a map with physiographic information. Through the interpolation of the physiographic map with the map of use and occupation the geoenvironmental map was obtained. The results were presented with information on the morphometry of the study area, three lithologic units were defined, three simplified soil units, four relief compartments, fourteen physiographic units, six use classes and soil occupation, seven systems and twelve units Geoenvironmental with this it was possible to define and discuss about the potentialities and susceptibilities. The elaboration of geoenvironmental zoning, based on the definition of potentialities and susceptibility, are delimited from homogeneous characteristics of the study area, is an important tool for evaluation and understanding of environmental changes. In this way, a diagnosis was elaborated, in which natural and anthropic characteristics of the Santa Maria River Basin were presented.

Many studies have investigated Nigeria’s experiences of river basin management. Despite the acceptance of IWRM by the Nigerian Government, findings from the literature demonstrate that there remain significant water management challenges in Nigeria. However, reported research which exposes the forces influencing the implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in Nigeria remains sparse. This thesis exposes these forces, and most importantly, the environments within which they are embedded by drawing upon theoretical and empirical evidence on the processes required to transfer IWRM from theory to practice. The retroductive logic of enquiry was adopted as a guide and a conceptual framework was developed to illustrate the forces influencing IWRM implementation at the river basin level in Nigeria and the environments within which they are embedded. The conceptual framework formed the basis for the development of the research questions and also informed the choice of neo-institutional theory as a guide to proffer answers to the research questions. The research process employed a qualitative social science approach to provide answers to the research questions and realise the study’s main aim. The study’s theoretical framework followed a string of hermeneutics, phenomenology, and interpretivists philosophies and a case study research strategy to explore issues related to IWRM implementation in both Ogun-Oshun River Basin and Benin-Owena River Basin from different perspectives using multiple sources of evidence – documents, semi-structured interviews, and direct observations. Interviews were conducted with the staff of the River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) and other water-related national and international organisations in the selected case river basins in Nigeria. The data obtained were first analysed using textual approach and then followed by variance institutional approach. Findings clearly illustrate that: (i) there were weaknesses in IWRM implementation in Nigeria, and (ii) both institutional (that is, regulative, normative, cognitive, and cultural) and technical (that is, water infrastructure) elements which are located within the macro and the operational environments were the forces that contributed to the weaknesses in IWRM implementation at the river basin level in Nigeria. Consistent with the institutional analysis perspective, to improve IWRM implementation in practice in Nigeria, the study proposed improvements to the regulative institutions to serve as a shock. This study contributes to IWRM and reinforces the importance of institutional and technical elements as potent forces that can enable or constrain the implementation of a water management approach, IWRM.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第22057号 / 工博第4638号 / 新制||工||1723(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科都市環境工学専攻 / (主査)教授 田中 宏明, 教授 伊藤 禎彦, 講師 中田 典秀 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第23171号 / 工博第4815号 / 新制||工||1752(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科都市社会工学専攻 / (主査)教授 田中 茂信, 准教授 田中 賢治, 准教授 佐山 敬洋 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM

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