Forests are more than a stand of trees in the landscape. They represent a complex, functional system of interacting and often interdependent biological, physical and chemical components (Kimmins 1997). In the past, complex interactions were increasingly recognized over time as food webs, abiotic processes and biotic feedbacks since then defined as the forest ecosystem. Trees grow in a world of multitrophic interactions (van der Putten et al. 2001). One component of this functional system is represented in several aspects by spiders and insects, as they contribute considerably to the biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in forest habitats (Watt et al. 1997). There is knowledge on the community composition of several forests of different stand type or tree species composition referring to soil dwelling arthropods. Moreover, studies often highlight the orientation of single arthropod species on abiotic factors or the composition of species assemblages in case studies; these represent ecologically well described groups that can be used as indicators of habitat quality (Pearce and Venier 2006; Cardoso et al. 2004). Evidence on the scale of interactions between the species and their environment are rare. This applies particularly to examples based on fine spatial and temporal scales.

O restabelecimento de energia em sistemas de distribuição de energia elétrica radiais geralmente envolve a reconfiguração de redes para restaurar eletricidade à(s) área(s) fora de serviço. As principais técnicas para restabelecimento de energia em sistemas de distribuição de grande porte têm sido os algoritmos evolutivos (AEs). Após a falta ter sido identificada e a zona em falta ter sido isolada do sistema, o algoritmo deve encontrar soluções em que: 1) supra com energia o maior número de consumidores possível, 2) minimize o número de operações de chaveamentos, 3) não viole restrições operacionais do sistema, 4) reduza o total de perdas resistivas, 5) a configuração da rede seja radial e, 6) obtenha tal solução em tempo real. Este projeto emprega uma nova estrutura de dados para manipular grafos produzindo exclusivamente configurações radiais e conexas, chamada representação nó-profundidade (RNP), garantindo que todas as soluções potenciais geradas pelo algoritmo satisfaçam os itens (1) e (5). Além disso, propõe-se um AE utilizando a RNP capaz de encontrar planos de restabelecimento adequados para sistemas de distribuição de larga-escala, com milhares de chaves e barras, em tempo real. / Energy restoration in radial distribution systems usually involves the network reconfiguration to restore the electricity to the out-of-service areas. The main approaches for energy restoration in large-scale distribution systems have been the evolutionary algorithms (EAs). After a fault has been identified and isolated, the algorithm must find solutions that: 1) supply energy to the larger number of consumers, 2) reduce the number of switching operations, 3) respect operational constraints of the system, 4) reduce the amount of power losses, 5) generate exclusively radial configurations and 6) find solutions in real time. This work uses a new data structure, called node-depth encoding (NDE), to manipulate graphs producing exclusively radial and connected configurations, and guaranteeing that all potential solutions generated by the algorithm satisfy items (1) and (5). Moreover, we propose an EA using the NDE that is capable of finding adequate restoration plans in real time for large-scale distribution systems, with thousands of switches and buses.

Desenvolver um sistema de distribuição de energia confiável é certamente um desafio inerente aos profissionais do setor elétrico. Porém, os sistemas estão sujeitos a falhas e, sendo assim, o rápido restabelecimento traz a satisfação do cliente e reduz as compensações pagas pelas concessionárias de energia. Neste contexto a presente dissertação visa avaliar a metodologia para restabelecimento de energia denominada AEMT-H que se baseia em algoritmos evolutivos multi-objetivo se na estrutura de dados chamada Representação Nó- Profundidade (RNP). Esta avaliação ocorrerá através da aplicação do AEMT-H para obtenção de planos de restabelecimento de energia após a ocorrência de faltas simples no sistema COPEL da cidade de Londrina. Os resultados gerados serão avaliados estatisticamente e ainda subjetivamente pelos profissionais do COD da concessionária. Os algoritmos evolutivos têm apresentado resultados animadores para os problemas de restabelecimento de energia. Em especial, os resultados obtidos, quando da representação computacional de sistemas de distribuição de grande porte (com milhares de barras e chaves) através da RNP, possuem como característica o tempo de resposta da ordem de segundos, instigando a evolução das pesquisas para utilização desta metodologia inclusive em aplicativos de tempo real. O sistema de Londrina possui 30.156 barras, 2.660 chaves \"NF\", 250 chaves \"NA\" e atende um universo de mais de 231.000 consumidores ligados diretamente ao sistema de 13,8 kV ou, após os transformadores de distribuição, nas tensões de 220V e 127V. Neste sistema estão presentes 6 subestações 138 kV/13,8 kV e 64 circuitos alimentadores, totalizando uma capacidade de transformação de energia de 541,7 MVA. / The development of a reliable distribution system is certainly a challenge to electrical industry professionals. However, these systems are subject to failures and thus the fast restoration brings customer satisfaction and reduces the compensation paid by the electricity utilities. In this context, this dissertation aims to evaluate the methodology for service restoration called \"AEMT-H\", which is based on multi-objective evolutionary algorithms and in the data structure called Node Depth Encoding (NDE). This evaluation will occur by applying the \"AEMT-H\" to obtain service restoration plans considering the occurrence of simple faults in the COPEL system of the city of Londrina. The obtained results will bee valuated statistically and subjectively by professionals of the Distribution Operation Center. It is important to highlight that Evolutionary algorithms have shown promising results to treat the service restoration problem in distribution systems. In particular, the results obtained when using NDE tocomputationally represent the electrical topology of large distribution systems (with thousand of buses and switchers) are very interesting in terms of time processing (in the order of seconds). The system of Londrina has 30,156 buses, 2,660 switchers normally closed, 250 switchers normally opened and supplies a universe of more than 231,000 consumers connected directly to the system with voltage of 13.8 kV or, after distribution transformers, with voltages of 220V and 127V. This system contains 6 substations 138 kV/13,8 kV and 64 feeders, and a installed power of 541.7 MVA.

Encontrar a configuração de mínimas perdas ôhmicas ou que forneça um adequado plano de restabelecimento aptos a ocorrência de faltas permanentes são problemas de natureza combinatorial, com múltiplos objetivos e restrições, que envolvem funções cujas características, em geral, dificultam o uso de técnicas de programação matemática. Algoritmos Evolutivos têm apresentado resultados animadores para esses problemas, especialmente quando aplicados em sistemas de distribuição de grande porte. Neste trabalho são propostas duas novas metodologias, baseadas em Algoritmos Evolutivos Multi-Objetivo, para reconfiguração de redes em sistemas de distribuição, que podem ser aplicadas para o tratamento dos problemas de redução de perdas ôhmicas e restabelecimento de energia em sistemas de grande porte (com milhares de barras, linhas e chaves). Para o desenvolvimento dessas metodologias, foi utilizado uma estrutura de dados para manipular grafos produzindo exclusivamente configurações radiais e conexas, chamada Representação Nó-profundidade. As metodologias propostas foram testadas para diversos sistemas, dentre os quais destaca-se um com 30:880 barras, tendo sido satisfatórios os resultados obtidos. Para o problema de restabelecimento de energia foram testados falta única e múltiplas faltas. / Find the distribution system configuration of minimum power losses or that provides an adequate service restoration plan is a combinatorial, multi-objective and multi constraint problems, which involves functions whose characteristics, in general, difficult the use of mathematical programming techniques. Evolutionary Algorithms have shown relevant results for these problems, especially for Large-Scale Distribution Systems. This work proposes two methodologies for network reconfiguration based on Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithms, which can be applied to treat the problems of power loss reduction and service restoration in large scale distribution systems (with thousands of buses, lines and switches). In order to develop these methodolgies, it was used a data structure to manipulate graphs producing exclusively radial and connected connections, called Node Depth Encoding. The proposed methodologies were successfully tested in several distribution systems, among them one with 30,880 buses. The problem of service restoration is analyzed considering cases of single and multiple faults.

O restabelecimento de energia em sistemas de distribuição de energia elétrica radiais geralmente envolve a reconfiguração de redes para restaurar eletricidade à(s) área(s) fora de serviço. As principais técnicas para restabelecimento de energia em sistemas de distribuição de grande porte têm sido os algoritmos evolutivos (AEs). Após a falta ter sido identificada e a zona em falta ter sido isolada do sistema, o algoritmo deve encontrar soluções em que: 1) supra com energia o maior número de consumidores possível, 2) minimize o número de operações de chaveamentos, 3) não viole restrições operacionais do sistema, 4) reduza o total de perdas resistivas, 5) a configuração da rede seja radial e, 6) obtenha tal solução em tempo real. Este projeto emprega uma nova estrutura de dados para manipular grafos produzindo exclusivamente configurações radiais e conexas, chamada representação nó-profundidade (RNP), garantindo que todas as soluções potenciais geradas pelo algoritmo satisfaçam os itens (1) e (5). Além disso, propõe-se um AE utilizando a RNP capaz de encontrar planos de restabelecimento adequados para sistemas de distribuição de larga-escala, com milhares de chaves e barras, em tempo real. / Energy restoration in radial distribution systems usually involves the network reconfiguration to restore the electricity to the out-of-service areas. The main approaches for energy restoration in large-scale distribution systems have been the evolutionary algorithms (EAs). After a fault has been identified and isolated, the algorithm must find solutions that: 1) supply energy to the larger number of consumers, 2) reduce the number of switching operations, 3) respect operational constraints of the system, 4) reduce the amount of power losses, 5) generate exclusively radial configurations and 6) find solutions in real time. This work uses a new data structure, called node-depth encoding (NDE), to manipulate graphs producing exclusively radial and connected configurations, and guaranteeing that all potential solutions generated by the algorithm satisfy items (1) and (5). Moreover, we propose an EA using the NDE that is capable of finding adequate restoration plans in real time for large-scale distribution systems, with thousands of switches and buses.

Desenvolver um sistema de distribuição de energia confiável é certamente um desafio inerente aos profissionais do setor elétrico. Porém, os sistemas estão sujeitos a falhas e, sendo assim, o rápido restabelecimento traz a satisfação do cliente e reduz as compensações pagas pelas concessionárias de energia. Neste contexto a presente dissertação visa avaliar a metodologia para restabelecimento de energia denominada AEMT-H que se baseia em algoritmos evolutivos multi-objetivo se na estrutura de dados chamada Representação Nó- Profundidade (RNP). Esta avaliação ocorrerá através da aplicação do AEMT-H para obtenção de planos de restabelecimento de energia após a ocorrência de faltas simples no sistema COPEL da cidade de Londrina. Os resultados gerados serão avaliados estatisticamente e ainda subjetivamente pelos profissionais do COD da concessionária. Os algoritmos evolutivos têm apresentado resultados animadores para os problemas de restabelecimento de energia. Em especial, os resultados obtidos, quando da representação computacional de sistemas de distribuição de grande porte (com milhares de barras e chaves) através da RNP, possuem como característica o tempo de resposta da ordem de segundos, instigando a evolução das pesquisas para utilização desta metodologia inclusive em aplicativos de tempo real. O sistema de Londrina possui 30.156 barras, 2.660 chaves \"NF\", 250 chaves \"NA\" e atende um universo de mais de 231.000 consumidores ligados diretamente ao sistema de 13,8 kV ou, após os transformadores de distribuição, nas tensões de 220V e 127V. Neste sistema estão presentes 6 subestações 138 kV/13,8 kV e 64 circuitos alimentadores, totalizando uma capacidade de transformação de energia de 541,7 MVA. / The development of a reliable distribution system is certainly a challenge to electrical industry professionals. However, these systems are subject to failures and thus the fast restoration brings customer satisfaction and reduces the compensation paid by the electricity utilities. In this context, this dissertation aims to evaluate the methodology for service restoration called \"AEMT-H\", which is based on multi-objective evolutionary algorithms and in the data structure called Node Depth Encoding (NDE). This evaluation will occur by applying the \"AEMT-H\" to obtain service restoration plans considering the occurrence of simple faults in the COPEL system of the city of Londrina. The obtained results will bee valuated statistically and subjectively by professionals of the Distribution Operation Center. It is important to highlight that Evolutionary algorithms have shown promising results to treat the service restoration problem in distribution systems. In particular, the results obtained when using NDE tocomputationally represent the electrical topology of large distribution systems (with thousand of buses and switchers) are very interesting in terms of time processing (in the order of seconds). The system of Londrina has 30,156 buses, 2,660 switchers normally closed, 250 switchers normally opened and supplies a universe of more than 231,000 consumers connected directly to the system with voltage of 13.8 kV or, after distribution transformers, with voltages of 220V and 127V. This system contains 6 substations 138 kV/13,8 kV and 64 feeders, and a installed power of 541.7 MVA.

Encontrar a configuração de mínimas perdas ôhmicas ou que forneça um adequado plano de restabelecimento aptos a ocorrência de faltas permanentes são problemas de natureza combinatorial, com múltiplos objetivos e restrições, que envolvem funções cujas características, em geral, dificultam o uso de técnicas de programação matemática. Algoritmos Evolutivos têm apresentado resultados animadores para esses problemas, especialmente quando aplicados em sistemas de distribuição de grande porte. Neste trabalho são propostas duas novas metodologias, baseadas em Algoritmos Evolutivos Multi-Objetivo, para reconfiguração de redes em sistemas de distribuição, que podem ser aplicadas para o tratamento dos problemas de redução de perdas ôhmicas e restabelecimento de energia em sistemas de grande porte (com milhares de barras, linhas e chaves). Para o desenvolvimento dessas metodologias, foi utilizado uma estrutura de dados para manipular grafos produzindo exclusivamente configurações radiais e conexas, chamada Representação Nó-profundidade. As metodologias propostas foram testadas para diversos sistemas, dentre os quais destaca-se um com 30:880 barras, tendo sido satisfatórios os resultados obtidos. Para o problema de restabelecimento de energia foram testados falta única e múltiplas faltas. / Find the distribution system configuration of minimum power losses or that provides an adequate service restoration plan is a combinatorial, multi-objective and multi constraint problems, which involves functions whose characteristics, in general, difficult the use of mathematical programming techniques. Evolutionary Algorithms have shown relevant results for these problems, especially for Large-Scale Distribution Systems. This work proposes two methodologies for network reconfiguration based on Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithms, which can be applied to treat the problems of power loss reduction and service restoration in large scale distribution systems (with thousands of buses, lines and switches). In order to develop these methodolgies, it was used a data structure to manipulate graphs producing exclusively radial and connected connections, called Node Depth Encoding. The proposed methodologies were successfully tested in several distribution systems, among them one with 30,880 buses. The problem of service restoration is analyzed considering cases of single and multiple faults.

This thesis investigates the process of habitat fragmentation and the spatial and temporal scales at which it occurs. Fragmentation has become an important topic in biogeography and conservation biology because of the impacts it has upon species??? distributions and biodiversity. Various definitions of fragmentation are available but in this research it is considered to be the disruption of continuity, either natural or human-induced in its origins and operative at multiple spatial scales. Using the distribution of the southern brown bandicoot Isoodon obesulus as a case study, three spatial scales of fragmentation were analysed. At the continental scale, the Australian distribution of the subspecies I. o. obesulus was examined in relation to climate, geology and vegetation cover at the time of European settlement of Australia and two centuries later. Using archived wildlife records and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyses, habitat suitability models were created to assess natural and human-induced fragmentation of the distribution of I. obesulus in 1788 and 1988. At the regional scale, a study was made of the distribution of I. obesulus in the south-east of the State of South Australia. Again, natural and human-induced patterns of habitat fragmentation were modelled using GIS with climate, soil and vegetation data for the time of European settlement and at present. At the local scale, the distribution of I. obesulus was the subject of a detailed field survey of 372 sites within 29 remnant patches of native vegetation in south-eastern South Australia in order to understand the variables that cause habitat fragmentation. Geographic information systems were used again but in a different way to carefully stratify the field survey by overlaying maps of topography, vegetation and past fires. The large dataset collected from the surveys was described using six generalized linear models which identified the significant variables that fragment the distribution of I. obesulus at a local scale. From the results of the field surveys, a subset of four remnants was chosen for further GIS spatial modelling of the probability of I. obesulus occurring within remnants in response to fire via a controlled burning programme put in place to reduce accumulating fuel loads. These investigations show that habitat fragmentation can be caused by different factors at different spatial scales. At the continental scale, it was found that climate played a dominant role in influencing the fragmented distribution of I. obesulus but vegetation change during the past two centuries has also had a profound impact on the availability of habitat. Within south-eastern South Australia, the species??? regional scale distribution is constrained by climate and also by soil and vegetation patterns. Dramatic change to its regional distribution occurred in the 20th century as a result of the clearance of native vegetation for planting pastures, crops and pines. Fragmentation at the regional scale has resulted in the remaining habitat being reduced to small, isolated, remnant patches of native vegetation. At the local scale it was found that variables which disrupt the continuity of I. obesulus habitat within remnants include vegetation cover in the 0-1 m stratum, abundance of Xanthorrhoea australis and soil texture. For a subset of sites located in one landsystem of the study area, named Young, the age of vegetation since it was last burnt was also found to be a significant variable, with vegetation 10-14 years old since burning providing the most suitable habitat. Spatial modelling of two scenarios for prescribed burning over 15 years revealed that the use of fire as a habitat enhancement tool will be complicated and require a detailed understanding of the factors that cause natural fragmentation in the distribution of I. obesulus at the local scale. A further conclusion of the study was that ecological relationships between species and their habitats require careful interpretation of multi-scaled datasets and conservation plans for endangered species ought to be made at multiple spatial scales. Future research directions are identified including the linking of multi-scaled habitat fragmentation models to genetic studies of the species throughout its range.

This thesis investigates the process of habitat fragmentation and the spatial and temporal scales at which it occurs. Fragmentation has become an important topic in biogeography and conservation biology because of the impacts it has upon species??? distributions and biodiversity. Various definitions of fragmentation are available but in this research it is considered to be the disruption of continuity, either natural or human-induced in its origins and operative at multiple spatial scales. Using the distribution of the southern brown bandicoot Isoodon obesulus as a case study, three spatial scales of fragmentation were analysed. At the continental scale, the Australian distribution of the subspecies I. o. obesulus was examined in relation to climate, geology and vegetation cover at the time of European settlement of Australia and two centuries later. Using archived wildlife records and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyses, habitat suitability models were created to assess natural and human-induced fragmentation of the distribution of I. obesulus in 1788 and 1988. At the regional scale, a study was made of the distribution of I. obesulus in the south-east of the State of South Australia. Again, natural and human-induced patterns of habitat fragmentation were modelled using GIS with climate, soil and vegetation data for the time of European settlement and at present. At the local scale, the distribution of I. obesulus was the subject of a detailed field survey of 372 sites within 29 remnant patches of native vegetation in south-eastern South Australia in order to understand the variables that cause habitat fragmentation. Geographic information systems were used again but in a different way to carefully stratify the field survey by overlaying maps of topography, vegetation and past fires. The large dataset collected from the surveys was described using six generalized linear models which identified the significant variables that fragment the distribution of I. obesulus at a local scale. From the results of the field surveys, a subset of four remnants was chosen for further GIS spatial modelling of the probability of I. obesulus occurring within remnants in response to fire via a controlled burning programme put in place to reduce accumulating fuel loads. These investigations show that habitat fragmentation can be caused by different factors at different spatial scales. At the continental scale, it was found that climate played a dominant role in influencing the fragmented distribution of I. obesulus but vegetation change during the past two centuries has also had a profound impact on the availability of habitat. Within south-eastern South Australia, the species??? regional scale distribution is constrained by climate and also by soil and vegetation patterns. Dramatic change to its regional distribution occurred in the 20th century as a result of the clearance of native vegetation for planting pastures, crops and pines. Fragmentation at the regional scale has resulted in the remaining habitat being reduced to small, isolated, remnant patches of native vegetation. At the local scale it was found that variables which disrupt the continuity of I. obesulus habitat within remnants include vegetation cover in the 0-1 m stratum, abundance of Xanthorrhoea australis and soil texture. For a subset of sites located in one landsystem of the study area, named Young, the age of vegetation since it was last burnt was also found to be a significant variable, with vegetation 10-14 years old since burning providing the most suitable habitat. Spatial modelling of two scenarios for prescribed burning over 15 years revealed that the use of fire as a habitat enhancement tool will be complicated and require a detailed understanding of the factors that cause natural fragmentation in the distribution of I. obesulus at the local scale. A further conclusion of the study was that ecological relationships between species and their habitats require careful interpretation of multi-scaled datasets and conservation plans for endangered species ought to be made at multiple spatial scales. Future research directions are identified including the linking of multi-scaled habitat fragmentation models to genetic studies of the species throughout its range.

Forests are more than a stand of trees in the landscape. They represent a complex, functional system of interacting and often interdependent biological, physical and chemical components (Kimmins 1997). In the past, complex interactions were increasingly recognized over time as food webs, abiotic processes and biotic feedbacks since then defined as the forest ecosystem. Trees grow in a world of multitrophic interactions (van der Putten et al. 2001). One component of this functional system is represented in several aspects by spiders and insects, as they contribute considerably to the biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in forest habitats (Watt et al. 1997). There is knowledge on the community composition of several forests of different stand type or tree species composition referring to soil dwelling arthropods. Moreover, studies often highlight the orientation of single arthropod species on abiotic factors or the composition of species assemblages in case studies; these represent ecologically well described groups that can be used as indicators of habitat quality (Pearce and Venier 2006; Cardoso et al. 2004). Evidence on the scale of interactions between the species and their environment are rare. This applies particularly to examples based on fine spatial and temporal scales.:Zusammenfassung 1 Summary 4 Chapter 1 General Introduction 7-19 1.1 Arthropods as a permanent component of forest ecosystems 7 1.2 Spiders and carabids in forest ecosystems 10 1.3 Are spiders and carabids in ecosystems dispensable? – functional diversity in natural antagonists 13 1.4 Objectives 20 Chapter 2 Influence of environmental parameters on small-scale distribution of soil-dwelling spiders in forests: what makes the difference, tree species or microhabitat? 23 2.1 Abstract 23 2.2 Introduction 24 2.3 Methods and materials 25 2.4 Results 32 2.5 Discussion 45 2.6 Conclusions 51 Chapter 3 Microhabitat heterogeneity in temperate forests: is distance to stems affecting ground-dwelling spider communities? 61 3.1 Abstract 61 3.2 Introduction 62 3.3 Materials and Methods 63 3.4 Results 68 3.5 Discussion 77 Chapter 4 The impacts of seasonality, forest type and succession on the community structure of temperate-forest ground beetles. 88 4.1 Abstract 88 4.2 Introduction 90 4.3 Methods and materials 92 4.4 Results 98 4.5 Discussion 113 4.6 Conclusions 120 Chapter 5 Is the age of forest habitats affecting the reproductive rate of generalist predatory ground beetle species? 129 5.1 Abstract 129 5.2 Introduction 131 5.3 Methods and materials 133 5.4 Results 138 5.5 Discussion 150 5.6 Conclusions 153 Chapter 6 General Discussion 161 6.1 Management effect 169 6.2 Future prospect 170 Liste der Veröffentlichtungen 173-174 Danksagung