Submitted by JOSIANE SANTOS DE OLIVEIRA (josianeso) on 2017-10-16T11:54:44Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Bruna Treviso Cenci_.pdf: 1353743 bytes, checksum: 8f26b4c7d6c7b81666f8667d019dcdad (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-16T11:54:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Bruna Treviso Cenci_.pdf: 1353743 bytes, checksum: 8f26b4c7d6c7b81666f8667d019dcdad (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-07-24 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / CNPQ – Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / O aumento das concentrações de CO2 atmosférico no último século deve impactar a produtividade primária dos ecossistemas. Esse efeito pode ser direto e positivo, devido a um mecanismo de fertilização, ou de modo indireto (positivo ou negativo) através de mudanças climáticas. Evidências sobre variação no balanço de carbono de florestas nas últimas décadas indicam respostas neutras em regiões boreais, positivas em regiões temperadas e negativas nos trópicos. Especificamente para florestas subtropicais há pouca evidência acerca de como a produtividade primária responde a esses fatores de mudança global. Nesse trabalho, investigamos como a produtividade primária de uma conífera arbórea dominante em florestas subtropicais úmidas do SE da América do Sul (Araucaria angustifolia) tem sido afetada ao longo do último século pelas concentrações de CO2 e consequentes alterações climáticas. Para uma população dessa espécie, testamos a validade das seguintes hipóteses: (i) o incremento de CO2 atmosférico afeta a taxa de fixação de carbono indiretamente, através do impacto do aquecimento global nos regimes regionais de temperatura e precipitação; e (ii) além desse efeito indireto, o incremento de CO2 afeta diretamente a taxa de fixação de carbono através de um mecanismo de fertilização. Para uma amostra inicial de 25 árvores de A. angustifolia de 0,33 ha de floresta subtropical madura no sul do Brasil, estimamos séries de incremento anual de carbono no lenho de 14 árvores, a partir de séries dendrocronológicas codatadas de largura de aneis (de um estudo preexistente) e de densidade de aneis (por densitometria de Raios X); e equações hipsométrica (ajustada à população local) e volumétrica (geral para a espécie). As séries individuais foram combinadas numa série média de índices de incremento de carbono (vetor I), filtrando previamente tendências ontogenéticas (pela Curva Regional de Padronização) e autocorrelação temporal (por modelos autoregressivos). Comparando I à séries regionais de temperatura média e precipitação total (estimativas do CRU TS4), através de Função de Correlação, selecionamos variáveis climáticas relacionadas à fixação de carbono (matrizes P e T). Dados instrumentais de concentração de carbono atmosférico (NOAA EARL) e estimativas de temperatura global (CRU TEM4) compuseram as matrizes C e A, respectivamente. Finalmente, a validade dos modelos causais descrevendo as relações entre as matrizes I, T, P, A e C segundo as diferentes hipóteses de estudo, foi testada por Análise de Caminhos. A cronologia de índices residuais de incremento de carbono obtida cobriu o período 1890 a 2014, com médias de rbar = 0,27 e EPS = 0,77. Nas análises subsequentes consideramos o período de 1901 a 2008 (período comum com as séries climáticas). Ambos modelos não foram rejeitados na Análise de Caminhos (P > 0,1), sendo o modelo que representa a hipótese i considerado mais plausível pelo maior p-valor para a estatística C de Fisher (Fisher-C = 9,25, gl = 10, P = 0,508). Nesse modelo, o aquecimento global decorrente da elevação do CO2 afeta negativamente o incremento de carbono em A. angustifolia através da elevação da temperatura de maio prévio na região. Além deste fator climático, as precipitações de março e junho prévios afetam a fixação de carbono de modo positivo, porém ambas não são influenciadas pelo CO2 através do aquecimento global. Em conjunto, as variáveis climáticas explicaram 19% da variação temporal do incremento de carbono das árvores. Esses resultados demonstram que, apesar do conhecido impacto positivo do aumento do CO2 na eficiência do uso água nessa espécie (e sítio) isso não se traduz em maior produtividade primária, possivelmente pelo carácter ombrófilo do clima regional. Por outro lado, a mudança para outonos com temperatura mais elevadas tem resultado em menor produtividade primária de A. angustifolia ao longo do último século. Sendo esta espécie dominante e com papel chave na estrutura trófica, este efeito negativo da mudança climática na sua produtividade, possivelmente, pode impactar indiretamente a estrutura e o funcionamento dos ecossistemas em que insere. / The increase in the concentrations of atmospheric CO2 in the last century must impact ecosystems primary productivity. This effect may be direct and positive, due to a fertilization mechanism, or indirect (positive or negative) through climate changes. Evidences on the variation of carbon balance in forests in the last decades indicate neutral responses in boreal regions, positive in temperate regions and negative in the tropics. There is little evidence about how primary productivity responds to these global changing factors in subtropical forests. In this study, we investigate how the primary productivity of a dominant conifer in subtropical moist forests of the Southeast region of South America (Araucaria angustifolia) has been affected throughout the last century by elevated CO2 concentrations and consequent climate alterations. For a population of this species, we have tested the validity of the following hypothesis: (i) the increase of atmospheric CO2 indirectly affects the rate of carbon fixation, through the impact of global warming in the local temperature and rainfall regimes; and (ii) besides this indirect effect, the increment in CO2 directly affects the rate of carbon fixation through a fertilization mechanism. In an initial sample of 25 A. angustifolia trees from 0,33 ha of mature subtropical forest in the south of Brazil, we estimated annual series of wood carbon content for 14 trees using series of dendrochronologically dated growth-ring widths (from a preexisting study) and growth-ring densities (by X ray densitometry), and hypsometric (adjusted to local population) and volumetric (general for the species) equations. The individual series were combined in an average index series of carbon increment (I vector), previously removing ontogenetic tendencies (through Regional Curve Standardization) and time autocorrelation (by autoregressive models). By comparing I to regional series of mean temperature and total rainfall (estimations of CRU TS4) through a Correlation Function, we selected several climatic variables related to carbon fixation (P and T matrices). Instrumental data of atmospheric C concentration (NOAA EARL) and estimations of global temperature (CRU TEM4) composed matrices C and A, respectively. Finally, the validity of causal models describing the relations among matrices I, T, P, A e C according to the different hypothesis of the study, was tested through Path Analysis. The resulting chronology of residual indexes of carbon increment comprehended the period of 1890 to 2014, with averages of rbar = 0,27 and EPS = 0,77. In the subsequent analysis, we considered the period of 1901 to 2008 (common period with the climate series). Both models were not rejected in the Path Analysis (P > 0,1), and the model which represents the i hypothesis was considered the most plausible by the greater p-value for the Fisher’s C-statistic (Fisher-C = 9.25, gl =10, P = 0.508). In this model, global warmth comes from the elevation of CO2 which negatively affects the increase in carbon content in A. angustifolia through regional temperature elevation (in previous) may. Besides this climatic factor, rainfalls in previous march and june affected carbon fixation in a positive way, although both are not influenced by CO2 through global warming. In summary, climatic variables explained 19% of temporal variation of carbon increase in the trees. These results demonstrate that, despite the known positive impact of CO2 in water use efficiency in this species (and site), this does not translate into a greater primary productivity, possibly by the ombrophilous character of the regional climate. On the other hand, the change into autumns with higher temperatures has resulted in lower primary productivity of A. angustifolia throughout the last century. As this is the dominant species and plays a key role in the trophic structure, this negative effect of the climatic change in its productivity may, possibly, indirectly impact the structure and the operation of the ecosystems in which it is inserted.

O presente estudo avalia como a estrutura e a produção da comunidade de copépodes pelágicos da plataforma interna ao largo de Ubatuba (SP, Brasil) responderam às variações ambientais durante o período de julho de 2005 a junho de 2008. Durante estes três anos, a produção secundária dos copépodes foi estudada por meio da aplicação de modelos empíricos de crescimento e de estimativas de crescimento peso-específico obtidas através de experimentos de produção de ovos. Aspectos reprodutivos de 16 espécies de copépodes (9 calanóides, 3 ciclopóides e 4 harpacticóides) foram analisados neste período, através de experimentos de incubação e de métodos indiretos de obtenção de taxas de produção e viabilidade dos ovos. A comunidade de copépodes esteve representada por 70 espécies e foi caracterizada por altos valores de riqueza, diversidade e eqüitabilidade. Os copépodes apresentaram grande variabilidade nos valores médios de densidade (4726 ± 3711 ind. m-3) e de biomassa (7,42 ± 5,64 mg C m-3) e foram dominados por espécies de pequeno porte (< 1000 µm), destacando-se as fêmeas adultas de Oncaea waldemari e os copepoditos imaturos de paracalanídeos e clausocalanídeos. Quando comparada com outros ambientes tropicais e subtropicais, a região estudada apresentou valores elevados de densidade e biomassa. Da mesma maneira, a produção secundária média apresentou variabilidade temporal elevada (1,13 ± 1,11 mg C m-3 dia-1), com uma importante contribuição dos copepoditos imaturos de espécies dispersoras de ovos. No geral, os valores médios registrados foram considerados altos quando comparado com outros ambientes tropicais e subtropicais, embora a razão Produção/Biomassa média tenha sido similar às registradas nestes locais. A intrusão periódica da ACAS parece ter sido a principal responsável pelas alterações observadas na estrutura e produção da comunidade. A maioria dos meses não influenciados pela ACAS apresentou valores de densidade, biomassa e produção inferiores às respectivas médias. Entretanto, os resultados observados sugerem que as flutuações da comunidade de copépodes podem responder não apenas à intrusão da ACAS, mas também a uma complexa conjunção de fatores, incluindo as próprias relações inter e intra-específicas. Com relação à reprodução, as espécies dispersoras de ovos apresentaram taxas médias de produção de ovos similares às obtidas em outras regiões tropicais e subtropicais, enquanto que as retentoras apresentaram valores levemente inferiores. Entretanto, foram registrados picos ocasionais de produção destas últimas espécies, sugerindo que estes copépodes possuem estratégias que compensam os meses de baixa produtividade. A reprodução de algumas espécies analisadas parece ser associada a fatores intra-específicos, tais como o tamanho dos ovos e a razão entre machos e fêmeas. Além disso, as espécies dispersoras analisadas são provavelmente influenciadas pela temperatura e pelo alimento. A relação entre os tamanhos e pesos de fêmeas e ovos de 32 espécies de copépodes pelágicos mostrou que a variabilidade interespecífica observada nessas proporções é similar à tendência observada para espécies de altas latitudes. Comparando as taxas de produção estimadas a partir das equações empíricas com as obtidas experimentalmente, observa-se diferenças expressivas nas estimativas de produção secundária, o que sugere a influência de outras variáveis além daquelas consideradas pelos modelos. / The present study evaluates how the pelagic copepod community structure and production from the inner shelf off Ubatuba (SP, Brazil) responded to environmental variability from July 2005 to June 2008. During these three years copepod secondary production was studied by the application of growth empirical models and weight-specific growth estimates obtained through egg production experiments. Reproductive aspects of 17 copepod species (10 calanoid, 3 cyclopoid and 4 harpacticoid) were analyzed through incubation experiments and indirect methods to obtain production and egg hatching success rates. Copepod community was represented by 70 species and was characterized by high values of richness, diversity and evenness. Copepods had great variability in mean abundance values (4,726 ± 3,711 ind. m-3) and biomass (7.42 ± 5.64 mg C m-3) and were dominated by small size species (< 1,000 µm), especially Oncaea waldemari adult females and immature copepodites of paracalanids and clausocalanids. When compared to other tropical and subtropical environments, the copepod community in the study area had high average abundance and biomass. Mean secondary production rates had high temporal variability (1.13 ± 1.11 mg C m-3 day-1), with an important contribution from immature copepodites of broadcast spawner species. Production values were also high but mean Production/Biomass ratios were similar when compared to other tropical and subtropical environments. The periodic SACW (South Atlantic Central Water) intrusions seem to be the main responsible for the variability in community structure and production. Most months non-influenced by SACW had abundance, biomass and production values lower than the annual average. However, copepod community fluctuations may not have responded only to SACW intrusions, but also to inter- and intra-specific relations. Broadcast spawner species had mean egg production rates similar to the ones obtained in other tropical and subtropical regions, while sac spawners showed slightly lower values. Nevertheless, occasional production peaks were recorded for the latter, suggesting that these copepods have reproductive strategies to compensate for low productivity periods. Some species reproduction traits seem to be related to intra-specific factors, such as egg size and the male/female ratio. Besides, broadcast spawners were probably influenced by temperature and food. The relationship between female and egg size and weight from 32 pelagic copepod species showed that inter-specific variability observed in these proportions was similar to those observed for high-latitude species. When reproduction rates estimated from empirical equations with those obtained experimentally are compared, expressive differences in secondary production estimates emerge, which suggests the influence of other variables in addition to those accounted for by empirical models.

As interações tróficas de 31 espécies de peixes e 2 de lulas da Baía do Araçá, São Sebastião (SP), foram investigadas por meio dos isótopos estáveis de carbono (&#948;13C) e nitrogênio (&#948;15N). Os valores de &#948;13C das espécies variaram entre -17,2&#8240; e -12,1&#8240;, e os de &#948;15N, entre 10,0&#8240; e 14,5&#8240;. Os valores de &#948;13C dos produtores e consumidores permitiram indicar que as espécies analisadas participam das teias tróficas, pelágica e bentônica, e têm como base da cadeia alimentar o fitoplâncton, os microfitobentos e a matéria orgânica dos sedimentos. Maiores valores de &#948;13C nos peixes e lulas foram registrados no verão, associados a valores mais altos na base. As posições tróficas das espécies variaram entre 3,18 e 4,72, indicando que atuam como consumidores secundários e terciários. A composição da dieta dos peixes, avaliada pelo modelo de mistura isotópica, apontou elevada contribuição de presas como Polychaeta, Tanaidacea e Ophiuroidea, grupos com alta abundância na Baía do Araçá e no Canal de São Sebastião. A ingestão de presas disponíveis no interior da baía e no canal evidenciou a importância desses peixes e lulas como carreadores de nutrientes, realizando tanto acoplamento pelágico-bentônico, como entre as regiões sublitoral e entremarés da Baía do Araçá. / The trophic interactions of 31 fish species and 2 squid species of the Araçá Bay, São Sebastião (São Paulo, Brazil), were investigated through carbon (&#948;13C) and nitrogen (&#948;15N) stable isotopes. The &#948;13C of the species ranged from -17.2&#8240; to -12.1&#8240;, and the &#948;15N, from 10.0&#8240; to 14.5&#8240;. The &#948;13C data of the producers and consumers indicated that the species analysed are part of the pelagic and benthic trophic webs, and have phytoplankton, microphytobenthos and organic matter from the sediment as the base of the food web. Higher values of &#948;13C were registered in the summer, linked to the higher values at the base. The trophic positions of the species varied between 3.18 e 4.72, an indication that they act as secondary and tertiary-quaternary consumers. The diet composition of fish, evaluated trough the isotope mixing model, showed high contribution of prey, such as Polychaeta, Tanaidacea and Ophiuroidea, groups highly abundant in the Bay and the adjacent São Sebastião Channel. The intake of available prey in the intertidal region and in the Channel revealed the importance of the fish and squid as nutrient pathway links, coupling the pelagic-benthic systems and the sublittoral and intertidal regions of the Araçá Bay.

Utilizou-se o modelo hidrológico TOPMODEL, baseado em aspectos físicos e topográficos, em uma das três microbacias do Laboratório de Hidrologia Florestal Eng. Agr. Walter Emmerich, do Instituto Florestal/SP. O laboratório localiza-se na Serra do Mar, junto às cabeceiras do rio Paraibuna, um dos formadores do rio Paraíba do Sul. O modelo usa um índice topográfico que indica as áreas de contribuição para o deflúvio da microbacia e permite simular a vazão e analisar o comportamento hidrológico da microbacia. A primeira parte do trabalho buscou determinar os valores iniciais dos parâmetros de calibração, testar a validade das premissas do modelo, e, principalmente, compreender melhor o funcionamento hidrológico da bacia D. Os resultados indicam uma eficiência maior para as simulações de eventos isolados do que para as de períodos longos. A simulação do comportamento hidrológico em função do corte raso mostrou uma diminuição do tempo de pico e um aumento significativo do volume de vazão simulado: de 17 a 44%, em comparação a bacia D coberta com floresta. Mostram, também, que de 7 a 93% do deflúvio é gerado a partir das áreas variáveis de afluência (A.V.A.). Recomenda-se que o corte raso seja evitado a qualquer custo. Caso seja necessário, as matas ciliares devem ser mantidas; onde elas não existem mais, devem ser recuperadas imediatamente. As áreas com agricultura ou pastagem devem utilizar as melhores técnicas de conservação do solo, de forma que as condições naturais de infiltração não sejam drasticamente alteradas. / A physically based semi-distributed model, TOPMODEL, has been applied to one catchment in Cunha, São Paulo, Brazil. The model uses a topographic index which highlights significant hydrological areas within the catchment. The model simulate streamflow and analyse the behaviour of the catchment. The first part of this paper concerns to the first values of calibration parameters, experiments the validity of the premisses of the model, and, mainly, tries to understand how does the hydrology of D catchment works. The results are more efficient on simulation of isolate events than on events of long period. The simulation of hydrology behaviour subject to clear-cutting has showed a diminution of the time of rise and a significant increase of streamflow simulated: from 17 to 44%, in comparaison to D forest catchment. They also show that from 7 to 93% of the streamflow is generated from saturated contributing areas (sources areas). It\'s advisable to avoid clear-cutting. If necessary, the riparian zone has to be preserved; and where they have been destroyed, they have to be recovered urgently. Agricultural lands or grasslands have to use the best management practices, in order to keep the natural conditions of infiltration.

Ecossistemas campestres encontram-se fortemente impactados por conversão de hábitat e por espécies exóticas invasoras. É necessário restaurar os ecossistemas campestres ao redor do globo. Entretanto, para os ecossistemas campestres brasileiros há poucas experiências de restauração e precisamos testar a viabilidade de técnicas normalmente empregadas em outros lugares. O objetivo deste estudo foi testar diferentes combinações de técnicas para restauração de campos invadidos por Urochloa decumbens nos Campos Sulinos, sul do Brasil. Combinaram-se duas técnicas de controle da espécie invasora (aplicação de herbicida e remoção superficial de solo) e duas técnicas de introdução de espécies nativas (transposição de feno e semeadura direta). Foram estabelecidos oito blocos em um experimento bifatorial no Morro Santana, Porto Alegre, combinando dois fatores e cada um com três tratamentos (duas técnicas mais o controle). A cobertura de vários grupos de espécies, riqueza de espécies e composição de espécies foram avaliadas por análises de variância, e então também por análise de coordenadas principais. Adicionalmente, a relação entre a cobertura da invasora e das espécies nativas foi investigada. As técnicas de controle da invasora mostraram-se eficientes tanto na redução da cobertura da espécie, como em permitir a entrada de espécies nativas na comunidade. Comparando as duas técnicas, aplicação de herbicida pareceu ser melhor do que a remoção superficial de solo, pois parcelas que tiveram a aplicação tiveram menor cobertura da invasora e maior riqueza de espécies. Já as técnicas de introdução de espécies mostraram-se insuficientes para adicionar espécies nativas na comunidade para competir com U. decumbens. Padrões de composição de espécies diferiram entre os tratamentos. Técnicas de controle do invasor diferiram grandemente do seu controle, que foi dominado por U. decumbens. Uma clara relação existe entre a cobertura da invasora e a presença e cobertura de espécies nativas. Então o controle da espécie invasora é fundamental para uma maior recuperação da vegetação. Entretanto, os resultados aqui apresentados correspondem a apenas oito meses após a finalização da implementação do experimento, e ações futuras de manejo na área deverão combinar novamente o controle da invasora com introdução de espécies nativas. / Grasslands ecosystems are strongly impacted by land use and invasive species. It is necessary restore these ecosystems around the world. However, there are few experiences with ecological restoration for the Brazilian grasslands and we need to test the viability of techniques normally used in others grasslands ecosystems. The aim of this study was to test different combinations of techniques to the ecological restoration of grasslands invaded by Urochloa decumbens in Campos, Southern Brazil. We combine two techniques to control the invasive species (herbicide application and topsoil removal) and two techniques to introduce native species (hay transfer and direct sowing). We established nine blocks in a bi-factorial experiment on Morro Santana, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, combining two factors and each one with three treatments (two techniques plus the control). The coverage of various groups of species, species richness, and species composition were evaluated by variance analyses, and the later also by a principal ordination analysis. Additionally, the relation between invader coverage and native species was investigated. Both techniques to control invasive species have shown to be efficient to reduce the coverage of the invasive species, as well as to allow the arrival of native species. Specifically comparing them, the herbicide application seems to be a better treatment than the topsoil removal, once plots with herbicide had lower invasive species coverage and higher species richness. However, the species introduction techniques failed efficiently to add native species to the community composition and to compete with U. decumbens. Species composition patterns differed among the treatments. The invader control techniques greatly differed from their control, which was dominated by U. decumbens. A clear relationship exists between the invader coverage and the presence and coverage of native species. Thus, the control of the invasive species is fundamental to further vegetation recovery. Nevertheless, results here presented correspond to just eight months from the experiment implantation and future monitoring and management actions on the area should combine once more the control of the invasive species and the introduction of native species.

Two oceanographic cruises were conducted during September 2003 and March 2004 in the eastern half of the Cariaco Basin. Specific objectives were to examine the hydrography of the seasonal upwelling plume characteristic of this region, the spatial distribution of particles in the area, and to help determine the source and relative importance of in situ particle production vs. terrigenous particles delivered laterally from the coast. During September 2003, average surface salinities within the basin were higher (36.6) relative to Caribbean Sea waters outside the basin (35.6). Salinity patterns indicated that the Orinoco and Amazon River plumes did not enter or influenced the basin directly. The upwelling plume in March 2004 stimulated primary productivity. Beam attenuation and CDOM fluorescence profiles showed marked vertical structure in biomass of microbial populations, particularly near the oxic-anoxic interface typically located between about 250 and 300 m. There is an increasing difference in temperature and salinity between the Cariaco Basin and the adjacent Caribbean Sea below 200 m. Inside the Basin temperatures and salinities were higher by 4oC and 0.5. The influence of local rivers on the Cariaco Basin was evident during September 2003. Low salinity plumes with high beam attenuation (1m-1) lined the southern margin of the Basin. The primary rivers that affected the basin were the Unare and Neverí Their sediment input affected the shelf near the river mouths, and a surrounding radius of up to 40 Km. Their low salinity plumes were carried northwestward toward the CARIACO time series station. In March 2004, there was minimal or no terrigenous input from local rivers. Near the Manzanares River, off the city of Cumaná and near Cubagua Island, located south of Margarita Island, attenuation due to suspended particles (0.09 m-1) was observed at depth (70-150 m) during both cruises (0.09-0.15 m-1). Therefore, sediment transport from the shelf into the basin seems to occur year-round. More observations are necessary to determine the nature and origin of these particles. In March 2004, there was minimal or no terrigenous input

La paléohydrologie permet l'estimation des paramètres hydrologiques allant de la géométrie du chenal à celle du bassin versant, en passant par la dynamique des écoulements et le climat. Bien que les systèmes fluviatiles soient connus pour évoluer sous contrôle de paramètres allo- et auto-cycliques, leur influence n'a que peu été prise en compte dans les études antérieures. Nos travaux exposent une méthode originale de restitution paléohydrologique, basée sur la hauteur des barres de méandre (hauteur d'eau) et contrainte par le climat. Des équations originales exprimant les différents paramètres hydrologiques en fonction de la hauteur d'eau sont développées à partir de données hydrologiques actuelles appartenant à deux domaines climatiques différents. Ces lois sont validées à travers une application à deux cas d'étude géologiques bien contraints : les systèmes méandriformes Oligo-Miocène subtropical semi-humide d'avant-pays alpin (SE France) et subtropical à saisons sèches d'avant-pays ibérique (Centre Espagne). Les restitutions paléohydrologiques sont en parfait accord avec les zones source et les vitesses d'écoulement fournies par les données de terrain. Les influences respectives du climat, de la tectonique et du niveau de base sont quantifiées et discutées à travers les résultats paléohydrologiques. Les restitutions paléo-hydro-climatiques montrent la mise en place à l'Aquitanien inférieur d'un gradient climatique entre l'Espagne et la France et l'enregistrement de l'épisode froid du Mi1. L'analyse des changements de tailles des systèmes met en évidence le passage de régime méandriforme à anabranché en réponse à des déformations tectoniques liées à la création des Alpes.

In today’s increasingly energy conscious society, the methods of providing thermal comfort to humans are constantly under scrutiny. Depending on the climate, and the comfort requirements of the occupants, buildings can be designed to heat and cool occupants with passive methods, as well as mechanical methods. In the subtropics, where buildings often need to be heated in the winter and cooled in the summer, a synthesis of these two methods would be ideal. However, there is a disconnect between the integration of passive cooling and mechanical air conditioning, in subtropical architecture. A study of user attitudes, based out of Australia, found that, “Central control of temperatures has been used to cut demand by preventing users from altering thermostats and other parts of the building for microclimate control. In particular, windows are sealed to prevent tampering.”1 Reliance on air conditioning has the everyday person convinced that if we save energy in the right places, we can use air conditioning as much as we like. The same study goes on to state, “Air-conditioning has been assumed to replace the need for climate design features in buildings creating poor thermal design and high energy use.”2 This can be most clearly seen in our public buildings. Fully conditioned buildings pump cool air into sealed envelopes, adjusting the thermostat to regulate thermal comfort year-round, often in a climate in which mechanical air conditioning is needed only four months of the year, and during the warmest hours of the day. Inversely, ventilated buildings provide passive cooling in a climate in which the temperature and humidity are often too high for thermal comfort during the same four months of the year. In his book Natural Ventilation in Buildings, Francis Allard points out that the global energy efficiency movement, begun in the early 1990s, has now emerged as a concept that incorporates active air conditioning and sitespecific climate design of buildings into one holistic approach.3 However, these buildings exist in more dry and temperate climates, and do not fully apply to the subtropics as cooling models. A model is needed for subtropical architecture allowing a building to reach both ends of the spectrum; from natural ventilation, through mechanical ventilation, to mechanical air conditioning. The goal of this thesis is to design a hybrid model for subtropical architecture which maximizes the use of natural and mechanical ventilation, and minimizes the use of mechanical air conditioning. The vehicle for this explanation is the design of an educational facility. Research of thermal comfort needs for occupants in the subtropics was accompanied with observation studies. This research was compared with case study, site and program analysis. The analysis was supplemented by a handbook of passive and mechanical cooling which was compiled to aid in establishing cooling strategies for the design process. The implementation of the research and analysis was brought to a conclusion that successfully achieved the goals of this thesis. By using passive methods to lower the temperature of the air surrounding the classroom buildings, the incoming air used to cool the occupants reached temperatures low enough to be considered comfortable inside the classrooms.

Spatial variation in tree community composition and assembly is due in large part to dispersal limitation, spatial variation in environmental conditions, and interactions among competing trees. The relative importance of these processes may be governed by landscape structure and environmental conditions. (I) The movement of frugivores between remnant forests and successional areas is vital for tropical forest tree species to colonize successional habitats. I found that avian frugivores crossing forest edges were generally insensitive to percent cover and clustering of pasture trees. If pastures were abandoned the distance from forest edges would not likely limit frugivore visitation and seed deposition under pasture trees in my study. (II) Relatively little is known from a theoretical conservation perspective about how reserve size affects communities assembled by abiotic and dispersal limitations. Simulated small reserve systems increased the distance between environments dominated by different species, diminishing the importance of source-sink dynamics. I found a trade-off between preserving different aspects of natural communities, with greater [alpha]-diversity in large reserves and greater [gamma]-diversity across small reserve systems. (III) Functional trait diversity of co-occurring organisms may be indicative of the processes that structure communities. Across spatial scales, an axis of leaf succulence exhibited the strongest evidence for niche-based assembly among co-occurring Ficus individuals, whereas specific leaf area (SLA) showed the strongest evidence for niche-based assembly among species. Trait analyses of co-occurring individuals had greater power than analyses at the species level, especially for traits with high intraspecific variation. Environmental filtering may be stronger at higher elevations due to drought stress. (IV) Individual fitness is a function of the interaction between traits and environment, or environmental selection. I estimated spatial selective gradients affecting a subtropical tree community and found that the trait axes with the strongest selection were also those with the least spatial variation. Interestingly, factors associated with selection were quite different for growth versus survivorship. The trait-by-environment interactions I identified are strong candidates for spatial niche differentiation, and may explain how tree species coexist in this diverse subtropical forest. / text

This study develops a basis for a land information system for the 40 ha subtropical highland catchment of Wang Jia, Yunnan Province, China. Information, including meteorology, geology, geomorphology, biology, pedology and crop productivity, was integrated using a geomorphopedological approach and expressed as maps using GIS. The developed protocol is proposed as a generic system, applicable to agricultural land evaluation in subtropical highland catchments. The results demonstrate that Wang Jia Catchment is relatively representative of the region, in terms of geomorphological features and land cover. Catchment soils, developed from residual, colluvial and alluvial materials of sandstone, shale and dolomite on different landscapes, were still young and strongly influenced by their geological parent material. Soils were normally slightly acidic to neutral. Soil fertility varied from poor to very fertile. Maize yield was significantly correlated with soil pH, total N, available N, P and K and thus the Soil Fertility Index. In 2002, maize yield was significantly correlated with manure and urea applications. There was considerable potential to increase maize yield with modified and innovative cropping practices in the catchment. Adopted primarily as a soil conservation practice, contour cultivation did not increase maize yield compared to downslope cultivation. Polythene mulch tended to increase maize yield in most years. These results largely accord with the results from controlled research plots in the same catchment. Analysis of intra-plot variations showed that soil samples from planting pits had higher total soil organic matter, total N, available N, available P and available K than inter-row samples, but with higher standard deviations. Most soil fertility parameters for inter-row samples were more similar to traditional random composite samples. These results suggest if composite samples were taken only from inter-rows, the results would have been similar, but the risk of sampling error would have been reduced. The land information system established in this study is suitable for designing, evaluating and monitoring sustainable agricultural practices central to soil conservation and crop yield improvement and thus contributing to decision-making for sustainable agricultural land management in this region.