Dissertations / Theses: 'Integrità ecologica'

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KIES, FATIMA. "Contribution to the study of the ecological status of the West Algerian coastal waters within the Water Framework Directive (WFD)." Doctoral thesis, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10281/207337.

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Le aree costiere sono sottoposte a pressioni antropogeniche e ai cambiamenti climatici. Negli ultimi venti anni, il concetto di gestione integrata della zona costiera ben presente nelle diverse azioni politiche, manca degli strumenti a supporto degli sforzi di pianificazione e gestione, specialmente nelle aree di estuario dove gli effetti dei bacini fluviali sulle zone costiere sono poco evidenziati nella maggior parte delle implementazioni. Gli ambienti costieri costituiscono un ambiente dinamico influenzato da input continentali sia naturali che antropogenici e controllato da fattori idrodinamici e climatici. Alcune zone costiere sono, con la loro geografia e geomorfologia, un recettore in cui sono presenti corpi idrici carichi di minerali esogeni e / o di materia organica derivanti dall'attività antropica. Il tempo di permanenza di questi corpi idrici è legato all'intensità delle correnti marine che controlla la distribuzione e la diluizione delle sostanze disciolte che possono influenzare l'ecosistema. Al fine di valutare lo stato trofico delle acque marine costiere del Mediterraneo, la Direttiva Quadro sulle Acque (DQA) richiedeva il monitoraggio della concentrazione di Clorofilla-a (Simboura et al., 2005) e l'indice trofico TRIX proposto da Vollenweider et al. (1998), che tiene conto delle sostanze nutritive complessive, della clorofilla e dell'ossigeno disciolto nell'ambiente. I nostri risultati hanno fornito la classificazione dello stato di qualità ecologica (EQS) dei tre siti Sonactere, Cheliff e Sokhra rispettivamente come stato Scadente, in base alla concentrazione di clorofilla, e come Cattivo, secondo l'indice trofico (TRIX). Le acque costiere di Mostaganem nell'Algeria occidentale mostrano una situazione di grave eutrofizzazione. Tuttavia, per capire meglio lo stato dell'ecosistema, è essenziale esplorare l'intera area costiera di Mostaganem per un lungo periodo. Gli indici Chl-a e TRIX sono stati sviluppati per le regioni del Mediterraneo, ma dovrebbero essere adattati alle condizioni locali in modo che siano pertinenti e più affidabili e rappresentativi, dato l'aspetto eterogeneo delle zone costiere del Mediterraneo.
Coastal areas are under anthropogenic and climate change pressures. During the last twenty years, the concept of Integrated Coastal Zone Management, as provides the overall policy frames, but tools supporting the planning and management efforts are almost lacking, especially in the estuary areas where the effects of river basins on coastal zones are nearly absent in most implementations. Coastal environments constitute a dynamic environment influenced by both natural and anthropogenic continental inputs and controlled by hydrodynamic and climatic factors. Some coastal zones are, by their geography and geomorphology, a receptor where are trapped water bodies loaded with exogenous mineral and /or organic matter resulting from the anthropic activity. The residence time of these water bodies is related to the sea currents intensity which controls the distribution and dilution of dissolved substances that can unbalance the ecosystem. In order to assess the trophic status of coastal Mediterranean marine waters, the Water Framework Directive (WFD) required the monitoring of the Chlorophyll-a concentration (Simboura et al., 2005) and the trophic index TRIX proposed by Vollenweider et al. (1998), which takes into account the overall nutrients, chlorophyll-a, and dissolved oxygen in the environment. Our results highlighted the ranking of the ecological quality status (EQS) of the three sites Sonactere, Cheliff, and Sokhra as bad according to the Chlorophyll concentration and as Poor status according to trophic index (TRIX). The coastal waters of Mostaganem in western Algeria have proved to be in a situation of severe eutrophication. However, to better understand the state of the ecosystem, it is essential to explore the entire coastal area of Mostaganem over a long period. The Chl-a and TRIX index were developed for Mediterranean regions but it should be adapted to local conditions so that it is relevant and more reliable and representative, given the heterogeneous aspect of the Mediterranean coastal zones.

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Bremer, Edith. "The effects of forestry on stream ecological integrity." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Institutionen för ekologi, miljö och geovetenskap, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-160127.

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This study investigates the effects of forestry on leaf litter decomposition in small forest streams. Riparian forest, that is the land closest to the stream, maintain shading, water temperature and energy supply through litter fall. If the riparian zone is deforested, many riparian functions important for the integrity of the stream ecology, hydrology and biogeochemistry can be lost or modified. Leaf litter decomposition can be used as an integrated measure of the physical and biological changes following forestry perturbations. This study was conducted in 11 northern and 12 southern Swedish streams to address; 1) How is leaf litter decomposition in small streams affected by forestry by measuring leaf litter decomposition in streams with different buffer widths, and; 2) How other environmental variables, such as stream bottom substrate, canopy openness, water temperature and stream velocity affected leaf litter decomposition. Buffer width had no effect on decomposition. Temperature and proportion organic bottom substrate had respectively positive and negative trends with decomposition in the southern Swedish sites which suggests the importance of forestry targeting these riparian functions especially when managing small streams. At the northern sites, velocity showed a positive, and temperature a negative trend with leaf litter decomposition but none of these were significant. It is possible that the extraordinarily warm and dry weather before and during the study was conducted affected aquatic organisms to the degree that decomposition was inhibited, and most trends became too small to detect or that buffer width is less important in a warmer climate.

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Timmerman, Nora Colleen. "Coherence, consistency, contradiction : portraits of postsecondary educators seeking ecological integrity." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/45327.

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The purpose of this dissertation is to inquire into, critically explore, and share thoughtful possibilities for teaching and living with ecological integrity. Ecological integrity is defined as the ideal of coherence between one’s actual, day-to-day habits of mind and body, and one’s ecologically based morals, principles, or ethical ideals. Ecological educators often sense contradiction between their ecological ideals and their day-to-day lives. Recognizing that many ecological injustices have their roots in socio-cultural patterns of instrumentalism and anthropocentrism, they see how the educational institutions in which they work reflect and reproduce the injustices they aim to counteract. In this research, I study how three respected, ecological, postsecondary educators negotiate their resistance to and reinscription of ecologically problematic norms. While this research does not intend to preach, oversimplify, serve as a “recipe,” or glorify these educators, it does suggest that there are lessons, challenges and inspirations to be had from sharing stories of the aspirations and actualities of these educators’ lives. The question at the forefront of this research asks: How do respected educators who recognize and critique the ways in which dominant, modern, institutionalized education contributes to ecological concerns, work toward and conceptualize ecological integrity within their personal and professional lives? Using a combination of narrative and ethnographic inquiry called “portraiture,” I explored participants’ professional educational practice and their personal home and community lives, inquiring into their varied conceptions and enactments of ecological integrity. As part of this inquiry, I engaged with participants during week-long site visits, pre- and post-visit interviews, and reviews of their publications. Theme- and aesthetic-based analyses were conducted to create three deeply detailed stories of participants. While the stories themselves represent much of the “results” of the research, the dissertation also analyzes participants’ varied conceptions of contradiction and complicity, their chosen commitments, their decisions to “opt out” of certain practices, and their self assessments of ecological integrity, each of which carry both personal and collaborative dimensions. In conclusion, this research does not suggest one, final definition of ecological integrity, but rather offers readers a range of interpretations upon which they can reflect and build their own. Supplementary materials: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/46104

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Törnblom, Johan. "A landscape approach towards ecological integrity of catchments and streams /." UUppsala : Dept. of Forest Products, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 2008. http://epsilon.slu.se/200870.pdf.

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Quinn, Nelson. "Applying the concept of ecological integrity in biosecurity law and management." Thesis, Griffith University, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/384297.

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The research question addressed in this thesis is whether environmental biosecurity in Australia could be improved by incorporating the ecological integrity concept into biosecurity law and administration. Biosecurity at its simplest is the prevention of harm to living things from other living things. Environmental biosecurity is biosecurity aimed at protecting the natural environment rather than human health and industry. Weeds are one of the most significant environmental biosecurity concerns in Australia, but successive State of the Environment Reports confirm that the problems continue and often increase, with financial, economic and public amenity impacts as well as environmental damage. Because environmental biosecurity has been too long subservient to health and industry biosecurity, a breakthrough is needed even if the industry paradigm persists. The ‘wicked’ problems besetting environmental biosecurity need new connections among the many interests and disciplines involved. The ecological integrity concept is untried in this context and is the focus of this thesis. In this thesis I first outline the history of biosecurity and its management in Australia to demonstrate how and why environmental biosecurity regulation has continued to lag behind that for human health and industry. This is despite recognition of the need to manage environmental biosecurity better in major studies and reviews beginning in the 1990s. I set out influences currently affecting environmental biosecurity, such as continuing global changes to the natural world, and the several factors that are inhibiting improvement with it, based primarily around current economic paradigms, reductionist thinking and adverse action and government decisions on budgets, research and administrative arrangements. I argue that trade and agriculture interests continue to dominate biosecurity management, and, although desirable, there is no sign of a paradigm shift away from that domination. Therefore, any improvement must come from applying new approaches within the current legal and administrative frameworks. I argue that ecological integrity could be the basis of one such approach. At its simplest ecological integrity is about maintaining the quality of an ecosystem in which the ecological processes sustain the function, composition and structure of the system. The concept of ecological integrity has been discussed for the last forty or so years, but there are few examples of its successful application in practical situations. I argue that new state biosecurity regimes in Australia provide an opportunity to explore the possibility and potential benefits of incorporating the ecological integrity concept in their administration. I argue there would be gains from incorporating this concept in biosecurity administration, with potentially greater gains driven by some modest legislative changes. One overall outcome would be a more ecocentric approach to biosecurity administration that is readily translatable to any other legal and administrative regime affecting the environment, such as for natural resource management, nature conservation, planning and adaptation to the consequences of continuing global changes with their attendant disruptions. Another outcome is a basis for transformation of community attitudes towards more ecocentric thinking and action. Yet another is providing practical foundations for various proposals aimed at substantial law reforms favouring ecological sustainability and explicit recognition of the rights of nature. There are some challenges that need to be met to maximise value from applying the ecological integrity concept. Without the proposed changes, however, the current deterioration in environmental biosecurity will continue, and probably accelerate because of global changes. The overall environmental biosecurity problems will remain more ’wicked’ than they need to be.
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Griffith Law School
Arts, Education and Law
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Leung, Wai-shun Wilson. "Ecological water quality indices in environmental management /." View the Table of Contents & Abstract, 2006. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record/B3712058X.

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Bergfur, Jenny. "Ecological integrity of boreal streams : assessing impacts on community structure and function /." Uppsala : Dept. of Environmental Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 2007. http://epsilon.slu.se/200750.pdf.

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Kassel, Samantha J. "Selecting species as indicators of ecological integrity a conceptual model based on mammals of Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada /." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1998. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp03/MQ27357.pdf.

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Deshpande, Amol Mukund. "Design Process to Integrate Natural and Human Systems." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/9679.

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After more than a century, there are very few examples of excellent interdisciplinary work in landscape architecture, like the "Emerald Necklace" designed by Frederick Law Olmsted or Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord by Peter Latz. Most of the projects still have only one purpose: they are either reserved for conservation as are the great national parks, or are planned for recreation or development that ignores natural systems. "Most...landscape designers are still inspired by and primarily focused on aesthetics; society's other major objectives are secondary for them" (Richard Forman 2002, p: 85). In 1993, American Society of Landscape Architects defined sustainable development as, "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the future." Thus designers need to understand how natural and human systems work and design for the protection of our environmental as an integral part of any development. Landscape architects can achieve this by borrowing principles of legendary works like the "Emerald Necklace" and combining those with new technology to meet changing cultural and ecological needs. This thesis asserts that sustainable development should be achieved by reconciling human systems and its effects on the surrounding environment by using and revealing natural systems to spread consciousness and earn attention and care for our environment. Suitability analysis by Ian McHarg, Bioregionalism by Clair Reiniger, Regenerative design process by Lyle, and Framework for ecological design by Prof. Carl Steinitz are various design processes to create developments, which can respond to both natural and human needs. The thesis project, Riverside Park and Biomedical Complex in the South Jefferson Redevelopment Area in Roanoke, VA, explores how a design process, consisted of framework for ecological design and principals of eco-revelatory design, can help to plan a sustainable development, which uses and reveals natural systems to reconciling human systems and its effects on the surrounding environment. The project demonstrates how a multidisciplinary approach towards landscape design can help to create a multifunctional design that meets the, ecological and cultural, needs of the present without compromising the future.
Master of Landscape Architecture

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Lista, Reuben S. "The role of the Philippine Navy towards sustaining environmental and ecological integrity for the Philippines." Thesis, Monterey, Calif. : Springfield, Va. : Naval Postgraduate School ; Available from National Technical Information Service, 1995. http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA304254.

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Thesis (M.S. in International Resource Planning and Management) Naval Postgraduate School, June 1995.
Thesis advisor(s): Rodney Minott, Robert Looney, Claude A. Buss. "June 1995." Bibliography: p. 79-89. Also available online.

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Winders, Kyle. "Ecosystem processes of prairie streams and the impact of anthropogenic alteration on stream ecological integrity." Thesis, Kansas State University, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/6849.

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Master of Science
Department of Biology
Walter K. Dodds
North America has lost more than 95% of the original tallgrass prairie because of heavy land conversion, making prairie streams some of the most endangered habitats in North America. In order to effectively manage aquatic systems and improve biotic integrity of prairie streams research is needed that assesses the ecosystem characteristics of natural systems and evaluates the influence of anthropogenic alteration. We described the ecosystem characteristics of six ephemeral headwater streams draining tallgrass prairie within the Osage Plains of southwest Missouri. NO-3-N among all sites ranged from 1.56-91.36 μg L-1, NH+4-N ranged from 5.27-228.23 μg L-1, soluble reactive phosphorus ranged from below detection (1.0 μg L-1) to 41.22 μg L-1, TN ranged from 113.82-882.89 μg L-1, and TP ranged from 8.18-158.5 μg L-1during baseflow conditions. TN:TP molar ratios ranged from 22:1 to 53:1 indicating possible P was limiting relative to N in some streams. TSS during baseflow conditions ranged from 0.27-31.80 mg L-1. Autotrophic and heterotrophic comparisons of our study sites and reference sites classified our study streams as oligo-, meso-, and eu-autotrophic (N= 1, 4, and 1, respectively) and oligo-, meso-, and eu-heterotrophic (N= 4, 1, and 1, respectively). This study suggests that good water quality and moderate heterotrophic condition, with greater GPP resulting from an open canopy, are common conditions of tallgrass prairie streams. We also investigated interactions between land use/land cover, discharge rate, hydrologic alteration, and in-stream total suspended solids concentration in 23 Kansas- Missouri streams. Most streams had break points in the TSS loading rates at discharge rates exceeded <25% of days. Our estimates showed that 88% of the total annual TSS load occurred during the 11% of days with the greatest discharge rates. Buffered streams with greater percentages of grass and/or forest riparian areas had lower breakpoint values (indicating greater discharge rates were required to transport solid particles) and lower regression intercepts, which correlated to lesser TSS concentrations relative to unbuffered streams during high discharge days. In addition, grass buffered streams had smaller flood peaks and slower rise rates and forest buffered streams had less frequent floods, which lead to less total TSS transport.

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Leung, Wai-shun Wilson, and 梁威信. "Ecological water quality indices in environmental management." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2006. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B45013482.

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Wipond, Karen Janet. "Interpretation and implementation of the mandate to maintain ecological integrity in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp01/MQ32678.pdf.

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Timko, Joleen Allison. "Evaluating ecological integrity and social equity in national parks : case studies from Canada and South Africa." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/774.

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There are concerns that many national parks worldwide are ineffective at conserving biological diversity and ecosystem processes, are socially unjust in their relations with Indigenous communities, or both. This dissertation asks: can national parks protect ecological integrity and concurrently address social equity issues? It presents empirical results of a systematic evaluation of six case study national parks in Canada and South Africa. Purposive sampling was used to select the six case study national parks. Data sources included State of the Park Reports; park ecological monitoring data; archival data; and semi-structured interviews with park biologists, managers, and Indigenous members of park co-management boards. Status and trend assessments and effectiveness evaluations of park ecological monitoring data were used to evaluate how effectively the parks addressed three ecological integrity criteria. Results show that all six parks effectively addressed the priority indicators for which they had monitoring data. However, the effectiveness ratings of each park decreased when all indicators, including those identified as priorities but lacking monitoring data, were analysed. This indicates that the parks had generally identified more priority indicators than they were actually able to address (for reasons including lack of budget or trained staff, managerial challenges). Thematic coding of semi-structured interview and archival data, and the assignation of numerical ratings to these data, were used to evaluate how effectively the parks addressed three equity criteria. Results show that all but one of the case study parks were equitable, parks with more comprehensive co-management and support from neighbouring Indigenous groups were more equitable than parks with lower levels of co-management, the parks with settled land claims were not necessarily more equitable overall, and a few parks were found to be co-managed in name only. The overall results of this evaluation demonstrate that parks effective at protecting ecological integrity can also successfully address social equity, but that further efforts to integrate these two realms are both possible and necessary. A logical starting point would be to build upon those existing integrative processes already institutionalised in many parks and protected areas: the co-management and integrated conservation and development efforts.

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Rossano, Eriko Morishita. "Definition and measurement of stream health in Japan based on index of biological integrity (IBI) concepts /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/5401.

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Kettner, Claudia, Angela Köppl, and Sigrid Stagl. "Towards an operational measurement of socio-ecological performance." European Commission, bmwfw, 2014. http://epub.wu.ac.at/4718/1/WWWforEurope_WPS_no052_MS29.pdf.

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Questioning GDP as dominant indicator for economic performance has become commonplace. For economists economic policy always aims for a broader array of goals (like income, employment, price stability, trade balance) alongside income, with income being the priority objective. The Stiglitz-Sen-Fitoussi Commission argued for extending and adapting key variables of macroeconomic analysis. International organisations such as the EC, OECD, Eurostat and UN have proposed extended arrays of macroeconomic indicators (see 'Beyond GDP', 'Compendium of wellbeing indicators', 'GDP and Beyond', 'Green Economy', 'Green Growth', 'Measuring Progress of Societies'). Despite these high profile efforts, few wellbeing and environmental variables are in use in macroeconomic models. The reasons for the low uptake of socio-ecological indicators in macroeconomic models range from path dependencies in modelling, technical limitations, indicator lists being long and unworkable, choices of indicators appearing ad hoc and poor data availability. In this paper we review key approaches and identify a limited list of candidate variables and - as much as possible - offer data sources.
Series: WWWforEurope

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Rogers, Catriona Elizabeth. "A method to assess the ecological integrity of urban watersheds that integrates chemical, physical and biological data." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/33543.

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Jackson, Karen. "Influence of Patch-Burn Grazing and Riparian Protection on the Ecological Integrity of Tallgrass Prairie Headwater Streams." OpenSIUC, 2013. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/theses/1345.

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Conversion to agriculture, land fragmentation, and removal of native grazers have made tallgrass prairies and the streams that drain them one of the most imperiled systems on earth. Patch-burn grazing (PBG), an increasingly common management practice on remaining prairie parcels, has been shown to benefit cattle and grassland birds. However, potential influences of this practice on streams are unknown. To address this, we sampled stream macroinvertebrates and benthic organic matter two years before and three years during PBG on two watersheds with riparian fencing (fenced), two grazed watersheds without riparian fencing (unfenced), and two ungrazed (control) watersheds. Very fine benthic organic matter increased 51% in unfenced watersheds after implementation of PBG, accompanied by a threefold increase in fine organic sediments in the same watersheds. Contribution of fine inorganic sediments to total substrata increased 28% in unfenced watersheds during PBG, while fine inorganic sediments decreased in both the control (18%) and fenced (16%) watersheds. Increases in the contribution of Chironomidae to total macroinvertebrate abundance (18% before, 49% during PBG) and biomass (10% before, 19% during PBG) were evident in unfenced streams. In contrast, abundance of sensitive EPT taxa decreased an order of magnitude from 7,635 to 687 individuals m-2 in unfenced streams, but did not change in fenced and control streams. Increases in tolerant taxa and fine organic and inorganic sediments, along with reductions in metrics of biotic integrity, suggest PBG adversely impacts prairie streams. However, the absence of negative responses in fenced watersheds indicates that riparian fencing can mitigate these impacts by serving as a buffer to prevent excess sedimentation. In order to properly manage remaining tallgrass prairie parcels, it is important to consider both the aquatic and terrestrial components of these systems, as they are tightly linked. Results from this study provide a basis for management and policy decisions regarding remaining grassland watersheds.

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Petersen, Chantel R. "Effects of catchment management on physical river condition, chemistry, hydrogeomorphology and ecosystem service provision in small coastal rivers of the Western Cape." University of the Western Cape, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/11394/6751.

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Philosophiae Doctor - PhD
River systems are by nature complex and dynamic systems, which vary in structure and therefore function, and are closely connected to their landscapes. The primary aim of this thesis was to develop a systems operational understanding of how river patterns and processes (geomorphology and hydrology) link to aquatic and riparian systems and biodiversity (ecology) in a framework of evolving land cover/use and management. This illustrated the hydrogeomorphic controls regulating the structure and functioning of rivers in the provision of goods and services that vegetation, especially riparian vegetation, perform as ecological infrastructure, with a focus on the Duiwe River catchment. This study used a combination of desktop and field analysis. The desktop analysis followed the spatial and temporal historical land use change detection of river sub-catchments to assess the influence on water quality and river flow. It included historical water quality, flow records, rainfall data and aerial photograph time series analysis for trend detection, which were linked to changes in land use activities. The field surveys included cross-section surveys, physical and chemical sediment analysis, vegetation distribution, ground-water depth surveys and instream biological surveys of aquatic bioindicators. The study illustrated a correlation between land cover/use, water quality and river ecological integrity. When spatial heterogeneity of the catchments was altered by human or natural events, it was reflected by changes in the water quality. The linkages between the land cover/use and ecological integrity were examined using macroinvertebrates and algae. Macroinvertebrates were indicative of habitat integrity and river condition, while the benthic filamentous algae were indicative of increased nutrients and alkalinity. Results indicated that the full consortium of algae and macroinvertebrates be used as bioindicators for ecological integrity assessments in these short, coastal rivers. The influence of riparian vegetation and its effectiveness in providing regulating (retaining sediment and nutrients) and provisioning (good water quality for humans and the aquatic environment) services was examined by relating contrasting land uses, riparian vegetation, nutrient dynamics and water quality. The land covers generated different runoff volumes, water quality parameter concentrations and associated nutrient loads. Agriculture and alien Acacia mearnsii trees had the greatest impact on nutrient loads. However, a decreasing trend in nutrient concentrations was observed in the cross-section from the pastures to the riparian zones to the river at all sites. The key findings from this study were formulated into a conceptual framework flow-chain model demonstrating the linkages between river pattern, processes and ecology in the provision of ecosystem services. This interdisciplinary investigation demonstrated strong links between climate, topography, hydrogeomorphology, land cover/use, human activities and their influence on ecological river integrity. The developed framework provides a hierarchical model to link the different disciplines. It illustrates the top-down constraints provided by the system controllers and habitat drivers, coupled with the anthropogenic impacts as controllers to determine the response of biological entities (riparian vegetation and aquatic biota) at different scales, to ultimately provide ecosystem services. It provides the basis for an understanding of the linkages, processes and interactions that allows, prevents or alters ecosystem service provision by river ecosystems and in the study context, by riparian buffer zones.

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Avlonitis, Georgina. "Understanding urban ecology : exploring the ecological integrity of small scale greening interventions in the City of Cape Town." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10044.

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This research explores the ecological integrity of three small-scale interventions in urban greening in a single catchment in the City of Cape Town, within the Cape Flats Sand Fynbos ecotype. The chosen intervention sites were namely: Tokai Park, Princess Vlei and Bottom Road Sanctuary. The study aimed to bridge a gap in the current research by contributing to an understanding of the ecological value of social management and intervention.

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Venter, Johannes Jacobus. "An ecological integrity assessment of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti rivers, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa / Johannes Jacobus Venter." Thesis, North-West University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10394/10211.

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The ecosystem services of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers are used extensively through sugarcane agricultural activities, heavy industries and rural sewage-treatment works. These activities affect the ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers. The Umvoti River is already being referred to as a „working river‟. This study aims to determine the current state of ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers and to establish trends between current and historical periods for the evaluation of changing trends in ecological integrity. Abiotic (driver) and biotic (responder) indicator components were used in order to identify and monitor any changes in the surrounding environment as well as to determine the ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers. Driver components include water quality, sediment grain size, moisture and organic content as well as habitat state, whereas responder components involve macroinvertebrates and fish assemblages. Two surveys were carried out; one during the low-flow period (5-11 August 2011) and the other during the high-flow period (20-28 March 2012). Current data and findings together with historical data from 1999 to 2010 were used to establish trends of selected driver and responder components. Water quality variables selected include general variables such as water temperature, chemical oxygen demand (COD), electrical conductivity (EC), pH and total alkalinity (TAL) as well as salts, nutrients and toxics. These variables provide indications as to the state of the water-quality component of this study. The Target Water Quality Requirements (TWQR) as developed by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry for domestic use (Volume 1) and Aquatic Ecosystems (Volume 7) were used to evaluate the quality of the water sampled in this study. The water quality as well as quantity was also compared to historical data obtained from previous studies that have been done for the same study area. The sediment analyses were performed according to the protocol set out by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Habitat availability, diversity and state were assessed by means of the Integrated Habitat Assessment System Version 2 (IHAS v 2) and the Index of Habitat Integrity (IHI). The water quality of the lower Amatikulu River was found to be in a slightly modified state with the majority of water quality parameters within the target values as set by the TWQG. Water quality parameters considered on the lower Thukela River such as water temperatures, oxygen levels, nutrient and salt loads occurred at elevated levels and were not within the TWQG requirements. The water quality of the Thukela River wasconsidered to be in a modified state which may cause negative impacts on the structure and function of the river, while the water quality of the lower Umvoti River was seriously modified. Sediment analyses revealed that the organic content of the Lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers was low. Sediment grain-size distributions are dominated by well-sorted larger soil grain-sizes (>500 μm) which is not ideal for the biodiversity. This is an indication that erosion and transportation are taking place in the Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers. The removal of riparian vegetation by agricultural activities and water abstraction contributes to the habitat deterioration as well as erosion and transportation of sediments that occurs in lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers. The use of macroinvertabrates as biological indicators in the determination of the ecological integrity, state or health of lotic ecosystems is globally well established. The South African Scoring System, version 5 (SASS 5), the Macroinvertebrate Response Assessment Index (MIRAI) and multivariate statistical analyses were implemented in order to determine the ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers. Results revealed that the SASS 5 integrity classes were generally one class higher than the integrity classes of MIRAI. SASS 5 and MIRAI integrity classes of the Amatikulu River ranged from natural (Class A) to largely modified (Class D/E) while the Thukela and Umvoti rivers ranged from natural to seriously modified (Class E/F). Fish assemblages are commonly used as key indicators to describe the ecological state of aquatic ecosystems. Methods used to sample fish included electronarcosis and a 5m wide 12mm meshed seine net. The Fish Response Assessment Index (FRAI) and multivariate statistical analyses were implemented in order to determine the ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti rivers. Results revealed that the automated FRAI integrity classes were constantly lower than the adjusted FRAI integrity classes. Automated and adjusted FRAI integrity classes of the Amatikulu River ranged from largely natural (Class B) to largely modified (Class D) while the Thukela and Umvoti rivers ranged from natural (Class A) to seriously modified (Class E/F). The current ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu River was found to be in a largely natural, with few modifications (Class B) state. The Thukela River was found to be in a moderately modified (Class C) state while the Umvoti River was found to be in a largely modified (Class D) state. The trends in ecological integrity of the selected driver components which include water quality, sediment and habitat availability fluctuated noticeably. The general trend in water quality of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers slightly recovered towards 2012. Sediment analyses revealed that the sediment grain-size distribution as well as the moisture and organic contents generally remained stable. There was a decline in the general state of habitat integrity towards 2012. As a result of the decline in the habitat ecological integrity the ecological integrity of macroinvertebrates also slightly declined towards 2012. However, a noticeable improvement in the ecological integrity of fish assemblages was observed towards 2012. To conclude, the ecological integrity of water quality and fish assemblages improved towards 2012, while habitat and macroinvertebrates deteriorated and sediment stayed the same. The general and overall state of ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers did not deteriorate nor did it improve, but rather it stayed the same. Impacts on the ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers include a multitude of different sources. To prevent the current ecological integrity of the lower Amatikulu, Thukela and Umvoti Rivers from deteriorating further, a collective effort involving all parties is essential.
MSc (Zoology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

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Breda, Silvia <1988&gt. "Qualità ambientale dei siti di coltivazione della vongola verace filippina Ruditapes philippinarum: un approccio integrato mediante Analisi Ambientali, Fisiologiche e Molecolari ai fini della Tracciabilità e Sicurezza Alimentare." Master's Degree Thesis, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10579/1942.

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La laguna di Marano è stata interessata per svariati decenni da eventi di contaminazione legati alla presenza degli impianti industriali di Torviscosa e dell’ex area Caffaro; le pressioni ambientali subite hanno comportato l’inserimento dell’area nel novero dei S.I.N. Italiani. In realtà, la situazione ambientale della zona non è ancora stata investigata in modo olistico. All’interno di questo lavoro si è adottato un approccio interdisciplinare volto a costruire un quadro completo, seppur preliminare, della condizione ambientale del sito di interesse prendendo in considerazione sia i sedimenti che l’organismo target Ruditapes philippinarum e svolgendo sui primi analisi di tipo chimico (geospeciazione, estrazione totale di metalli e metalloidi) e sulla seconda analisi di tipo fisiologico (bioaccumulo di metalli e metalloidi, quantificazione di MT quali biomarker) e genetico (analisi di 16S mitocondriale e microsatelliti). I risultati conseguiti sono stati interpretati statisticamente in modo da mettere in luce le criticità ambientali che sono, infatti, deducibili solo attraverso una lettura integrata dei dati, la quale ha consentito di ben caratterizzare la zona. I dati ricavati dalle analisi genetiche, inoltre, corredano lo studio di un contributo volto a descrivere la collocazione filogenetica dei campioni di Marano rispetto a campioni della medesima specie provenienti da altri siti di coltivazione: laguna di Venezia, Delta del Po’ e Spagna (i cui dati sono stati reperiti in letteratura) e fornisce un contributo importante verso la realizzazione di un tool genetico per la tracciabilità e la sicurezza alimentare.

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KHORCHANI, ABDELGHAFFAR. "La SDI come quadro olistico per la Gestione Integrata della Zona Costiera e Marina." Doctoral thesis, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10281/180846.

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L'uomo ha sempre avuto uno stretto rapporto con gli ambienti marini e costieri. La zona costiera è una delle aree più complesse da gestire, costituita sia da ambienti marini che terrestri. Gli ecosistemi marini e costieri sono economicamente e culturalmente importanti per molti paesi, soprattutto per le persone che vivono nei pressi della costa (il 40% della popolazione mondiale vive nel raggio di 100 km dal mare). È anche luogo favorevole ad un crescente numero di attività, diritti e interessi. La popolazione lungo la costa è in costante aumento, determinando pressioni antropiche sul fragile ecosistema della zona costiera. La necessità di una gestione dell'ambiente dinamico e l'incapacità di integrare le informazioni spaziali marittime e terrestri sono un problema crescente in molte regioni. Lo sviluppo sostenibile delle zone costiere è impossibile senza dati spaziali. L'assenza di un approccio olistico impedisce lo sviluppo sostenibile dell’interfaccia tra l’ambiente marino e terrestre dove tanta pressione e sviluppo sono in corso. Attualmente, la maggior parte delle iniziative per la creazione di una SDI (Infrastruttura di Dati Spaziali) si fermano alla frontiera marina o terrestre del litorale, istituzionalmente e/o spazialmente. Il design della SDI è focalizzato principalmente sull’ accesso e sull’uso di dati relativi al territorio o al mare portando così alla loro duplicazione. Di conseguenza, c'è una mancanza di accesso armonizzato e universale ai dati marittimi, costieri e terrestri. Ciò da origine ad incoerenze nelle politiche di informazione territoriale, nella produzione, nell’accesso e nell’integrazione dei dati. La creazione di una Infrastruttura di Dati Spaziali (SDI – Spatial Data Infrastructure) per la gestione integrata della zona costiera che copra gli ambienti terrestri e marittimi su base olistica dovrebbe facilitare un più ampio accesso ai dati spaziali e informazioni maggiormente interoperabili attraverso l'interfaccia terra-mare consentendo un approccio più integrato alla gestione delle zone costiere. Una SDI per la Gestione Integrata della Zone Costiera e Marina conduce alla promozione della condivisione dei dati e alla comunicazione tra le organizzazioni facilitando e migliorando il processo decisionale che coinvolge informazioni spaziali marine e costiere. Lo sviluppo di un modello SDI per la Gestione Integrata della Zona Costiera e Marina e l’implementazione di linee guida si basa sulla ricerca di una teoria e di una pratica relativa agli sviluppi della SDI in tutto il mondo. Un caso di studio (Golfo di Gabes in Tunisia) è stato utilizzato per testare il modello e aiutare nella convalida dei risultati. Lo studio ha dimostrato la difficoltà di integrare dati terrestri, costieri e marittimi e la necessità di una SDI per la Gestione Integrata della Zona Costiera. I risultati sono un modello SDI e linee guida di implementazione che coprono ambienti sia terrestri che marini e che possono essere utilizzati dagli stakeholders nella zona costiera per creare una piattaforma volta all'utilizzo e alla fornitura di servizi e informazioni spaziali e facilitando così il processo decisionale.
Humanity has always had a close relationship with marine and coastal environments. The coastal zone is one of the most complex areas of management in the world consisting of both the marine and terrestrial environments. Marine and coastal ecosystems are economically and culturally important for many countries, especially for people living near coastlines (40% of the world’s population living within 100 km of the sea). It is also a home for an increasing number of activities, rights and interests. Population along the coastline is continuously increasing, bringing about anthropogenic pressures on the fragile ecosystem of the coastal zone. The need to manage the dynamic environment, the inability to integrate marine and land based spatial information is an increasing problem in many regions. Sustainable development of the coastal zone is impossible without spatial data. The absence of a holistic approach prevents the sustainable development of land – marine interface where so much pressure and the development is taking place. Currently, the most SDI initiatives stopping at the land-ward or marine-ward boundary of the coastline, institutionally and/or spatially. SDI design is focused mainly on access to and use of land related datasets or marine related datasets thus leading to data duplication. Consequently, there is a lack of harmonised and universal access to datasets from marine, coastal and land-based. This leads to the creation of inconsistencies in spatial information policies, data creation, data access, and data integration. A Spatial Data Infrastructure for Integrated Costal and Marine Management (SDI-ICMM) covering the land and marine environments on a holistic platform would facilitate greater access to more interoperable spatial data and information across the land-marine interface enabling a more integrated to the management of the coastal zone. SDI-ICMM leads to the promotion of data sharing and communication between organisations thus facilitating better decision-making involving marine and coastal spatial information. The development of an SDI-ICMM model and implementation guidelines has built on the investigation of theory and practice in regards to SDI developments throughout the world. A case study (Gulf of Gabes in Tunisia) has been used to test model and to assist in validating the results. The case study demonstrated the difficulties of integrating terrestrial, coastal and marine data and the need for an SDI-ICMM. The results are an SDI-ICMM model and implementation guidelines that covers both land and marine environments and can be used by stakeholders in the coastal zone to create an enabling platform for the use and delivery of services and spatial information and therefore to facilitate decision-making.

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Lemley, Daniel Alan. "Assessing symptoms of eutrophication in estuaries." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3427.

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Water quality and ecological integrity of estuaries reflect activities within the entire upstream catchment. Much emphasis has been placed on the response of estuaries to anthropogenic stressors through the use of monitoring programmes. Key to the success of these programmes is the use of indicators as they transform data into useful information. The ultimate aim of this study was to identify eutrophic symptoms in selected estuaries in the Gouritz Water Management Area (WMA) using a multi-metric classification method. The study sites included the permanently open Duiwenhoks, Goukou, Gouritz, and Kaaimans estuaries, as well as the temporarily open/closed Hartenbos, Klein Brak, Great Brak, Gwaing, and Goukamma estuaries. Initially, the “pressure” associated with all the estuaries in the Gouritz WMA was determined (e.g. total daily nutrient loads and changes in river inflow affecting flushing time) using long-term flow and water quality monitoring data provided by the Department of Water Affairs (DWA). Subsequently, the “state” of the selected estuaries was assessed using a variety of indicators, including: inorganic nutrients (~ N and P), phytoplankton, epiphytes and microphytobenthos. Estuaries with longer flushing time suggested greater vulnerability to eutrophication. For example, the Gwaing (281.11 kg DIN d-1; 78.85 kg DIP d-1) and Hartenbos (38.33 kg DIN d-1; 21.51 kg DIP d-1) estuaries generally received the highest daily inorganic nutrient loads. However, at the time of sampling, the Hartenbos Estuary had a longer flushing time (i.e. weeks) compared to the Gwaing Estuary (i.e. couple of days). Field data confirmed the greater vulnerability to eutrophication associated with longer flushing times, as the indicators measured in the Hartenbos Estuary exceeded all the proposed ‘thresholds’ of a eutrophic system (~ overall ‘Poor’ condition). The Great Brak Estuary (~ overall ‘Fair’ condition) provided an interesting example where eutrophic symptoms were only detected when assessing the microalgal primary producers (i.e. high biomass and low diversity). Furthermore, the need to distinguish between naturally and anthropogenically induced symptoms was highlighted. One such scenario was noted in the Kaaimans Estuary, where its natural hydro-morphological characteristics (i.e. steep banks, low river inflow, and deep/narrow channel) led to the possible exaggeration of its overall eutrophic condition, i.e. received a ‘Fair’ rather than ‘Good’ rating, arising from ‘Poor’ ratings for dissolved oxygen and benthic diatom diversity. Overall, this study demonstrated the importance of adopting a holistic approach when assessing the condition and trophic status of estuaries. Studies such as these allow for the detection of vulnerable and degraded systems, which can provide important information with regards to the identification of management priorities.

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Siegel, Darlene. "A Comparison of the Ecological Integrity of Headwater Streams Draining Harvested and Un-Harvested Watersheds in the Western Mountains of Maine, U.S.A." Fogler Library, University of Maine, 2003. http://www.library.umaine.edu/theses/pdf/SiegelD2003.pdf.

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Ollis, Dean Justin. "Rapid bioassessment of the ecological integrity of the Lourens, Palmiet and Hout Bay Rivers (South Western Cape, South Africa) using aquatic macroinvertebrates." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/20937.

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Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary aim of this study was to assess and compare the ecological integrity of the Lourens, Palmiet and Hout Bay Rivers (South Western Cape, South Africa) by examining the macroinvertebrate community structure at a series of representative sampling sites along the course of each river, using the South African Scoring System - Version 5 (SASS-5) rapid bioassessment method. Secondary aims included an examination of the effects of seasonal variability, biotope availability and site-specific environmental variables on the macroinvertebrate community structure at sampling sites, as well as the preliminary testing of the Integrated Habitat Assessment System (IHAS) for aquatic macroinvertebrates. According to results obtained, the ecological integrity of sampling sites in the Mountain Stream Zone of the three rivers was consistently good. The Hout Bay River in the upper portions of the Orange Kloof Reserve was particularly near-pristine, with this area having been identified in this study as a potential biodiversity ‘hot-spot’ for aquatic macroinvertebrates. Downstream of the Mountain Stream Zone, there was a significant deterioration in the ecological integrity of all three rivers due to a number of probable causes. Results based on recorded SASS Scores and Average Score per Taxon (ASPT) values, using ‘biological bands’ generated from reference sites in the South Western Cape, were generally similar to and supported by the corresponding multivariate analyses undertaken. From the results of the various analyses undertaken in this investigation and some of the problems encountered in interpreting the data, a number of recommendations are made regarding future bioassessment studies based on the SASS within the national River Health Programme (RHP). To test the IHAS, secondary data were obtained from reference sites in the Mpumalanga and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa. Assuming that SASS Scores at reference sites are the highest scores attainable, one would expect to find a positive relationship between SASS Scores and IHAS scores at reference sites. The assumption in this investigation was that this relationship should be linear. Non-parametric correlation analyses were undertaken between SASS-4/5 Scores and IHAS scores, using Kendall’s Rank-correlation Coefficient (τ), with separate analyses undertaken for different geomorphological zones and biotope groups. Correlations between SASS Scores and IHAS scores were generally weak (τ-values mostly < 0.3) and unsatisfactory, with no significant correlations (p < 0.05) for two-thirds of the data sets analysed and a wide degree of scatter generally observed amongst data points in respective scatter plots. The performance of the IHAS varied between geomorphological zones and biotope groups, with the Foothill: Gravel-bed Zone in Mpumalanga showing the best results, particularly when the stones-in-current biotope group was analysed separately. Further testing of the IHAS is required to confirm its relative performance in different bioregions/ecoregions, geomorphological zones and biotope groups, which should be undertaken as a priority research area within the RHP. Unsuccessful attempts to test the IHAS by means of multiple regression analyses were undertaken, suggesting that such techniques should be avoided in further testing of the IHAS.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie was om die ekologiese toestand van die Lourens-, Palmiet- en Houtbaairiviere (Suidwes Kaap, Suid Afrika) te bepaal en te vergelyk deur die bestudering van die makroinvertebraatgemeenskapstruktuur by verteenwoordigende monsterpunte langs die riviere, met gebruik van die “South African Scoring System” – Weergawe 5 (SASS-5) snelle biologiese bepalingsmetode. Sekondêre doelwitte het die bepaling van die gevolge van seisoenele veranderlikheid, biotoop beskikbaarheid en ligging-bepaalde omgewingsveranderlikes op die makroinvertebraatgemeenskapstruktuur by monsterpunte ingesluit, asook die inleidende toetsing van die “Integrated Habitat Assessment System” (IHAS) vir watermakroinvertebrate. Volgens die resultate verkry, was die ekologiese toestand van monsterpunte in die Bergstroomsone van die drie riviere konsekwent goed. Die Houtbaairivier in die boonste gedeelte van die Oranjekloofreservaat was veral feitlik onversteurd en hierdie streek is in die studie as ‘n potensiaal biodiversiteit “hot-spot” vir watermakroinvertebrate geidentifiseer. Stroomafwaarts van die Bergstroomsone was daar ‘n beduidende verswakking in die ekologiese toestand van al drie riviere, as gevolg van ‘n aantal moontlike oorsake. Resultate gebaseer op bepaalde “SASS Scores” en ‘Gemiddelde Waarde per Takson’ (“Average Score per Taxon” - ASPT) waardes, met gebruik van ‘biologiese bande’ wat van verwysingsmonsterpunte in die Suidwes Kaap afgelei is, was oor die algemeen soortgelyk aan en gestaaf deur die ooreenstemmende multiveranderlikke (“multivariate”) statistiese analises wat gedoen is. Uit die resultate van die verskeie analises wat in hierdie ondersoek gedoen is en sommige van die probleme wat in die dataverklaring gevind is, is ‘n aantal aanbevelings gemaak met betrekking tot toekomende biologiese bepalingstudies vir die nasionale Riviergesondheidsprogram (“River Health Programme” - RHP) wat op die SASS gebaseer is. Om die IHAS te toets is sekondêre data van verwysingsmonsterpunte in die Mpumalanga en Wes Kaap Provinsies van Suid Afrika verkry. As aangeneem word dat die “SASS Scores” by verwysingsmonsterpunte die hoogste moontlike tellings is wat bereik kan word, sou ‘n positiewe verwantskap tussen “SASS Scores” en IHAS tellings by verwysingsmonsterpunte verwag word. Die veronderstelling in hierdie studie was dat dié verwantskap lineêr moet wees. Nie-parametriese korrelasieanalise tussen “SASS-4/5 Scores” en IHAS tellings is gemaak, deur gebruik van Kendall se Rangkorrelasiekoëffisiënt (τ), met afsonderlike analises vir verskillende geomorfologiese sones en biotoopgroepe verrig. Korrelasies tussen “SASS Scores” en IHAS tellings was algemeen swak (τ-waardes < 0.3) en onbevredigend, met geen beduidende korrelasies (“p” < 0.05) vir twee-derdes van die datastelle wat geanaliseer is nie en ‘n wye verspreiding tussen datapunte in die onderskeie “scatter plots” wat waargeneem is. Die funksionering van die IHAS was verskillend tussen geomorfologiese sones en biotoopgroepe. Die beste resultate is vir die Voorheuwel: Gruisbeddingsone in Mpumalanga verkry, veral indien die klippe-in-stroom biotoopgroep afsonderlik geanaliseer is. Verdere toetsing van die IHAS is nodig om die relatiewe funksionering in verskillende biostreke/”ecoregions”, geomorfologiese sones en biotoopgroepe te bevestig en dit behoort voorangs te geniet binne die RHP. Pogings om die IHAS deur middel van veelvoudige regressie analise te toets het misluk, wat aandui dat sulke tegnieke vermy moet word in verder toetsing van die IHAS.

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Sousa, Lisa Pinto de. "Model to integrate ecosystem services into the planning process." Doctoral thesis, Universidade de Aveiro, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10773/21697.

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Doutoramento em Ciências e Engenharia do Ambiente
Triggered by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, among other seminal publications, ecosystem services research has experienced an almost exponential growth over the past two decades. Since then, ecosystem services have become widespread and the concept has been used in different disciplines, separately and in collaboration, to address complex socioecological problems. These efforts were accompanied at political level with a number of international and European initiatives, such as the creation of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, the adoption of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity of the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the adoption of the EU Biodiversity Strategy. Driving the uptake of ecosystem services is the argument that its integration can lead to better environmental decision-making. Moreover, by emphasizing the ecosystems’ central role on human well-being it provides anthropocentric-oriented argumentation for biodiversity and nature conservation. This is particularly relevant for coastal regions which are complex socialecological systems with high ecological value but simultaneously under significant pressure. This challenges traditional forms of management and calls for a more integrative, adaptive, inclusive, and ecosystem-based management. Despite of the growing body of work, the actual uptake of ecosystem services into policy and decision-making processes is still limited and challenging. On this basis, and considering the constraints when putting ecosystem services into practice, this research aims to: i) develop and discuss a managementoriented approach to identify, classify and map the ecosystem services provided by a complex social-ecological system; ii) develop an in-depth study of the ecosystem services present in Ria de Aveiro coastal region, as well as the main pressures and potential impacts; iii) explore the potential of integration of the ecosystem services on spatial planning process, particularly on Estuary Programmes. Estuary Programmes were seen as a unique opportunity to investigate these issues, since they are special programmes, are focused on complex socialecological systems, and can be further explored. Though Vouga Estuary Programme was created in 2009, it has not been developed yet, which presents an opportunity for testing the proposed approach and methodologies in the future. Although it uses Ria de Aveiro costal region as case study, the lessons learned and the proposed model can be used in other social-ecological systems beyond the estuary level or Portugal. Despite of the identified biophysical, technical and management constraints, this research proved that it is possible to map multiple ecosystem services using available data, and that ecosystem services knowledge can be incorporated in spatial planning process by adapting current planning practices (including participation). As new data becomes available, ecosystem services’ assessment methods become standardized, and technical skills evolve, the proposed approach and methodologies can be gradually improved, following the adaptive management rationale. This research suggests that spatial planning processes need to bring together various disciplines from natural and social sciences, and be informed by multiple layers of information regarding the provision of ecosystem services, pressures, alternative futures and stakeholders’ preferences and concerns. Principles such as comprehensive, adaptive, inclusive, and integrative were considered key for guiding ecosystem services integration into spatial planning process. Additionally, it highlights the viability and relevance of integrating ecosystem services into the technical configuration of Estuary Programs and spatial planning processes, in general. It also demonstrates how the integration of these concepts helps to innovate and strengthen the process of environmental planning and management towards sustainability, territorial and social cohesion, responding to current societal challenges and contributing to human well-being.
Os serviços de ecossistemas têm vindo a assumir um papel central na investigação científica, observando-se um crescimento exponencial no número de publicações científicas nas últimas duas décadas. Impulsionado por um conjunto de publicações influentes, designadamente a avaliação global do Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, este conceito tem vindo a ser adotado por várias disciplinas no sentido de responder, individual ou conjuntamente, aos desafios decorrentes da complexidade dos sistemas socio-ecológicos. Paralelamente, a nível político, tem-se observado um aumento significativo de iniciativas internacionais e europeias com enfoque nos serviços de ecossistemas, como a criação da Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, a adoção do Plano Global Estratégico para a Biodiversidade, e a adoção da Estratégia Europeia para a Biodiversidade. Vários argumentos têm motivado a sua apropriação, nomeadamente a convicção de que a integração dos serviços de ecossistemas permitirá melhorar o processo de tomada de decisão no desenho e implementação das políticas ambientais, salientando o papel basilar dos ecossistemas no bem-estar humano. Estes aspetos são particularmente relevantes para as zonas costeiras, uma vez que estas são sistemas socio-ecológicos complexos caracterizados, simultaneamente, por um elevado valor ecológico e elevada vulnerabilidade. Esta circunstância desafia as práticas tradicionais de planeamento e apela a uma gestão mais integradora, adaptativa, inclusiva e fortemente baseada nos ecossistemas. Não obstante o crescente volume de investigação desenvolvido nesta área, a integração dos serviços de ecossistemas no processo de planeamento e tomada de decisão é considerada, ainda, limitada e desafiante, em particular nestes territórios de interface – as zonas costeiras. Assim, e tendo em consideração os constrangimentos da sua aplicação prática, são objetivos específicos desta investigação: i) desenvolver e discutir uma abordagem, orientada para a gestão do território, que permita identificar, classificar e mapear os serviços de ecossistemas; ii) desenvolver um estudo aprofundado dos serviços de ecossistemas presentes na Ria de Aveiro e zona costeira adjacente, bem como as principais pressões e potenciais impactos; iii) propor um modelo de integração dos serviços de ecossistemas no processo de planeamento espacial, aplicado aos Programas de Estuário. A figura de Programa de Estuário – por ser um programa de natureza especial, por incidir sobre um sistema socio-ecológico complexo, e por ainda não estar devidamente explorada – foi encarada como uma oportunidade única para investigar esta temática. Criado em 2009, o Programa de Estuário do Vouga não foi, à data, elaborado. Neste contexto real, antevê-se como uma excelente oportunidade de futuro para testar as metodologias e abordagem desenhadas ao longo desta investigação. Apesar do âmbito territorial da investigação ter incidência na Ria de Aveiro e zona costeira adjacente, a abordagem, os resultados e o modelo desenvolvido podem ser replicados noutros sistemas socio-ecológicos que vão para além dos estuários e do território nacional. A complexidade da área de estudo evidenciou constrangimentos de ordem biofísica, técnica e de gestão territorial. Através deste estudo demonstra-se que é possível, com base na informação existente, mapear múltiplos serviços de ecossistemas e incorporar este tipo de informação no processo de planeamento através da adaptação das práticas correntes (inclusivamente de participação). À medida que novos dados vão surgindo, que os métodos e técnicas vão sendo padronizados, e que as competências técnicas vão evoluindo, a abordagem e metodologias propostas podem ser gradualmente melhoradas, seguindo a lógica da gestão adaptativa. Constata-se a necessidade de o processo de planeamento envolver várias disciplinas das ciências naturais e sociais, bem como ter em consideração múltiplos tipos de informação, não só relativa aos serviços prestados pelos ecossistemas, mas também às pressões, aos cenários alternativos, e às preferências e preocupações dos atores chave. Finalmente, identificam-se quatro princípios fundamentais que devem orientar a integração dos serviços de ecossistemas no processo de planeamento e gestão territorial: holístico, adaptação, inclusão, integração. Esta investigação evidencia, de modo inequívoco, a viabilidade e relevância de integração dos serviços de ecossistemas na configuração técnica dos Programas de Estuário, e dos processos de planeamento em geral. Demonstra, ainda, o modo como a integração destes conceitos inova e fortalece o processo de planeamento ambiental e gestão do território, numa ótica de sustentabilidade, coesão territorial e social, respondendo aos atuais desafios societais e contribuindo para o bem-estar humano.

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Smith, Darrell Jon. "A values-based wood-fuel landscape evaluation : building a fuzzy logic framework to integrate socio-cultural, ecological, and economic value." Thesis, University of Cumbria, 2014. http://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/3191/.

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In meeting the UK Government's national and international renewable energies commitments and their role in UK energy security, decarbonisation of energy use, carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation, the recognition of a potential for considerable scaling up of UK woodland coverage is emphasised. Also, UK forestry has increasingly become realigned with the global sustainability agenda encompassing issues such as native woodlands, the decline of woodland biodiversity, the Government’s quality of life indicators, and ideas of socio-cultural, ecological and economic landscape scale values. Accordingly, socio-cultural interaction with the natural world places structure and components into the landscape, the subsequent combinations of which are characterised by consequent ecological and economic conditions. As a consequence compositional, structural, spatial and temporal differences produce different value outcomes. This thesis explores these value outcomes illustrating the multi-dimensional nature of the relationships that society experience with their surrounding landscape, across a range of case study wood-fuel producing landscapes. The case study landscapes describe traditional silvo-pastoral management, Natura 2000 forest, primarily managed around ideas of ecosystem goods and services, co-operatively and commercially owned sustainable forestry. Differences in value are observed between and within landscapes, value domains and value components. These differences reflect tensions that exist between sustainability and society’s continued use of natural resources. Consequently value articulates the nature of relationships between and within multiple value components, characterised by competing socio-cultural, ecological, economic interests. Thus value, as a concept, is built through an understanding of the connected, embedded nature of society’s relationship with the natural world. Using a novel fuzzy logic modelling based approach to valuation, the consequences of land-use choices and the associated changes across socio-cultural, ecological and economic value domains are made visible. Understanding the complex nature of these interrelated and interdependent relationships can inform the political and institutional decision making and policy setting process. In this manner knowledge of interaction, interdependence and the reality of trade-offs, consistent with systems describe by finitude, can support and facilitate deliberative discourse. Where the true nature of value is considered an emergent property expressed through an appreciation of the value components and the outcomes of their relationships. Thus value is fundamentally a comparative property and not the outcome of an accumulative argument.

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29

Wu, Naicheng [Verfasser]. "Development and testing of a phytoplankton index of biotic integrity (P-IBI) to assess the ecological conditions of German lowland rivers / Naicheng Wu." Kiel : Universitätsbibliothek Kiel, 2012. http://d-nb.info/1020284137/34.

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Lau, Yuen-yee Judy, and 劉婉儀. "The city paradox: to integrate informal settlement community into urban context with sustainable landscapeintervention." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2011. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B47543851.

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ONETO, FABRIZIO. "Lo status di conservazione della testuggine palustre Emys trinacris negli ambienti umidi della Sicilia: un approccio integrato." Doctoral thesis, Università degli studi di Genova, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/11567/1047380.

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The research turned to the Sicilian pond turtle, Emys trinacris, recently distinguished from the congener Emys orbicularis (FRITZ et al., 2005; 2006). It is an endemism of Sicily spread throughout the region in a fragmented way (DI CERBO, 2011), from sea level up to about 1000 m asl (MARRONE et al., 2016), which colonizes a good variety of environments (marshes and lagoons, ponds in agro-pastoral context, mountain ponds, artificial reservoirs) (TURRISI, 2008). With regard to the study of the trophism of this species, the analysis of trophic niches is particularly relevant in this specific case to determine the level of competition between species (BALZANI et al., 2016) and the effects on the target species. Studies on fecal contents are traditionally applied which, however, although easy to apply, do not provide information on the long term and on how the diet changes over time (BOECKLEN et al., 2011). On the contrary, the analysis of the stable isotopes (SIA) of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) provides information on the trophic resources actually used as well as on trophic behavior (MIDDELBURG, 2014). The study was conducted in two areas identified on the Sicilian territory and characterized from an environmental point of view: 1. WWF Nature Reserve “Lago Preola - Gorghi Tondi” (TP); 2. Wetlands in the Bosco della Ficuzza nature reserve, Rocca Busambra, Bosco del Cappelliere and Gorgo del Drago (PA). The research was carried out through periodic captures of terrapins operated in colonized habitats, using methodologies widely tested in other populations of E. orbicularis in mainland Italy (CANESSA et al., 2016) and on E. trinacris in Sicily (OTTONELLO et al. , 2016), and shared at ministerial level (LO VALVO et al., 2016). The individuals were therefore captured with the aid of primed pots and pots of the "bertovelli" type (without bait) depending on the type of environment. The same pots were also used to capture the alien species present in cohabitation with Emys (mainly fish, shrimp). The animals were temporarily housed for the collection of morphological parameters and tissue and sexing samples. Blood and horn samples are taken from all animals for subsequent dietary analysis. The overlap of isotopic niches has been studied by applying recent investigation methodologies that involve the use of stable isotopes of Nitrogen and Carbon, through blood and horny material samples (PEARSON et al., 2013; BALZANI et al., 2016) from marsh terrapins and potentially competing species. The analysis was carried out through a collaboration with the Department of Earth and Sea Sciences of the University of Palermo. All analyzes were carried out with the help of the packages available in the R4.04 software (R CORE TEAM 2021). Information on inter- and intraspecific variability in isotopic niche size and trophic diversity was obtained using the metrics proposed by LAYMAN et al. (2007) with the package R SIAR - Stable Isotope Analysis in R (Parnell et al. 2010) and SIBER (Stable Isotope Bayesian Ellipses in R). During the sessions held in 2018 (2) and 2019 (3), 109 terrapins were captured respectively in the Lago Preola Reserve - Gorghi Tondi and 42 terrapins in the Bosco Ficuzza Reserve. In the Lago Preola - Gorghi Tondi Reserve, 84 allochthonous fish were also caught: 44 Cyprinus carpio and 40 Gambusia holbrooki. As reported by OTTONELLO et al., (2021), also in this study the fishes appear to colonize exclusively the Gorgo Medio - Gorgo Alto system, while there are no fish in the Gorgo Basso. In the Gorgo Lungo pond, no fish or other species of alien terrapins have been found. The trophic strategy of the Sicilian terrapin populations in the investigated areas reflects what has already been indicated for Emys orbicularis (FICETOLA et al., 2006; OTTONELLO et al., 2021), following a substantially opportunistic and generalist scheme. The main preys are aquatic invertebrates, while terrestrial ones are rarer (OTTONELLO et al., 2021). In the case of the population of the Lago Preola and Gorghi Tondi Reserve, as already described by OTTONELLO et al., (2017), the individuals of terrapins captured in the 3 Gorghi present significant differences especially as regards the Body Condition Index (BCI), therefore it is possible to distinguish on the one hand the individuals coming from the Gorgo Basso and on the other hand those coming from the Gorgo Medio-Gorgo Alto system. By comparing the biometric data collected in the two study areas, considering BCI, SCL and weight, the individuals of the Gorgo Lungo are significantly different compared to the individuals of the Lago Preola and Gorghi Tondi Reserve for all the variables considered, with terrapins of the Gorgo Lungo on average larger than those from coastal sites. Analyzing the isotopic contents of the blood of males and females of Emys no significant differences were detected by comparing the sites and periods of capture. On the other hand, comparing the isotopic contents of the horny material of Emys, Gorgo Basso would differ from both Gorgo Alto and Gorgo Medio, while Alto and Medio would be similar. This would be valid above all for δ15N, while the variability for δ13C is less evident. OTTONELLO et al. (2016) hypothesize that the evident differences both biometric and in the productivity and growth of terrapins detectable between Gorgo Basso and the Gorgo Alto and Gorgo Medio systems can be traced back to the presence only in the Gorgo Alto and Gorgo Medio of fish species such as carp and gambusia , species that can have a significant impact on the macrobenthic component of colonized water bodies (CAGLE, 1946; GIBBONS, 1982; MACCULLOCH & SECOY, 1983; DUNHAM & GIBBONS, 1990, OTTONELLO et al., 2016). For this reason, the isotopic content of the fish species present was also tested, to evaluate their position in the trophic chain. Applying the metrics proposed by LAYMAN et al. (2007a), considering the isotopic traces of Emys nails, it is observed that the NR and CR values are substantially comparable in the terrapins coming from the single site. Comparing terrapins and fishes, the NR values would be slightly higher in Emys than in carp and allies with gambusia, indicating a similar ability to exploit resources at different trophic levels, also the CR values would be substantially similar between Emys and fish. The values of TA and CD in the terrapins of the Gorgo Medio e Alto are lower than especially in the Gorgo Alto indicating a greater amplitude, albeit slight, of the trophic niche in the fish. Comparing the data obtained between Gorgo Basso and Gorgo Medio / Alto, also in this case Gorgo Basso confirms that it has a different trend compared to the other two, with overall higher values attesting to trophic niches and availability of greater resources than Gorgo Alto and Medio. The corrected standard ellipse (SEAc), in the case of the isotopic traces of Emys nails, visually confirms what has been described, reporting a substantial overlap between the isotopic niches of the terrapins in the different sites, with a much wider niche for those coming from Gorgo Basso . These ellipses overlap only partially with those of the Gorgo Alto and Medio terrapins. Analyzing the isotopic niches and their overlap in males and females of the Gorgo Lungo, the values of the Layman metrics are substantially similar if we consider the samples derived from the nails, with a greater variability of basal sources in males (male CR> female CR) and on the contrary, a greater capacity of females to exploit the available resources (NR males

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Lima, Priscilla Costa. "Ictiofauna de córregos de duas sub-bacias do médio rio Araguaia, Barra do Garças-MT." Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, 2014. http://ri.ufmt.br/handle/1/667.

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CAPES
A ictiofauna neotropical é a mais rica e diversa do planeta e nela, diversos processos tanto locais, quanto regionais atuam na sua estruturação, proporcionando grande diversidade de micro-habitats e da biota aquática. Diante do exposto e, visto que a região estudada se trata de um Parque Estadual, se torna importante o conhecimento da biodiversidade ali presente. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram os de realizar um levantamento ictiofaunístico, comparar a diversidade, riqueza, abundância e composição das assembleias de peixes em associação com o índice de integridade ambiental, entre duas sub-bacias de drenagens cujas nascentes se situam no Parque Estadual da Serra Azul e Serra do Taquaral, com suas drenagens se dirigindo para o Rio Araguaia (Sul) e Rio das Mortes (Norte). As coletas foram realizadas durante os meses de Junho à Setembro de 2013 em 24 pontos de amostragens. Para delimitar um trecho de 50m foram utilizados duas redes de bloqueio de 5mm de abertura de malha. Ao longo do trecho de 50m (0m, 10m, 20m, 30, 40m 50m), foram registradas as larguras, profundidades, velocidade da corrente e substratos. Capturou-se 5083 indivíduos, distribuídos em 6 ordens, 20 famílias, 52 gêneros e 78 espécies de peixes. A diversidade, riqueza e abundância de peixes foram maiores nos córregos que drenam para o rio das Mortes. A abundância de peixes foi maior em córregos com índices de integridade ambiental menores. A riqueza foi maior em córregos mais largos, com maiores diversidade de substratos e menores índices de integridade ambiental. A composição de espécies foi relacionada com largura, diversidade de substratos e índice de integridade ambiental. O grau de compartilhamento de espécies entre as duas subbacias é de 33% e cinco espécies foram constantes em mais de 50% dos córregos. Córregos com distâncias geográficas mais próximas possuem maior similaridade na composição de espécies. Os principais fatores para as diferenças encontradas entre as duas sub-bacias de drenagens, podem ser as diferenças geomorfológicas de cada ambiente, pois cada sub-bacias, apresenta características muito peculiares, em conjunto, processos hitóricos e biogeográficos também podem ter favorecido nessa distinção, tanto da ictiofauna quanto das variáveis abióticas.
The Neotropical ichthyofauna is the most richest and diverse from the planet. Local and regional processes influence its structure, promoting high micro-habitat and biological diversity. In this context, the studied region is a Stat Park, which biodiversity knowledge is very important. The aims from the present study were to realize a ichthyologic survey, compare the fish assemblages diversity, richness, abundance and composition with the environmental integrity index between two sub-basins drainages with headwaters that flows to Araguaia river (South) and Mortes river (North). The sample campaigns were realized during the year 2013 in the months of June to September, in 24 sample points. To delimit a reach of 50 m we used two block-nets of 5mm net mesh. Throughout each 10 m reach (0m, 10m, 20m, 30m, 40m, 50m), we registered the width, depth, current velocity a substrate. It was captured 5083 individuals belonging to 6 orders, 20 families, 52 genus and 78 fish species. The diversity, richness and fish abundance were higher in streams that flow to Mortes River. The fish abundance was higher in streams with lower environmental integrity index. The richness was higher in larger streams, with higher substrate diversity and lower environmental integrity index. Species composition was related to width, substrate diversity and with the environmental integrity index. The specie share degree among the sub-basins was 33% a five species were constant in more than 50% of the streams. Streams with lower geographical distances had higher species composition similarity. The main factors associated with the differences between the two sub-basins drainages maybe are due to geomorphological differences, each sub-basin had very peculiar characteristics. In addition, historical and biogeographical processes may be favored this distinction, as the ichthyofauna as the abiotic variables.

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Pires, Adriana Helena Catojo. "Avaliação da integridade de córregos a partir das características da paisagem: teste do protocolo WHEBIP para uma região tropical." Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2013. https://repositorio.ufscar.br/handle/ufscar/2096.

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Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos
Lotic systems are highly influenced by the landscape through which they flow, and changes in the landscape are the main threat to their ecological integrity. Evaluating the ecological "health" of lotic systems is essential and of great importance to the management of water resources worldwide. In this study, we evaluated the integrity of streams in southeastern Brazil using the protocol WHEBIP (Watershed Habitat Evaluation and Biotic Integrity Protocol), which combines information about the coverage of riparian vegetation, geomorphology, land cover and human activities to assess the physical characteristics of the sub-basin and to evaluate the integrity of streams. We compared this protocol with the protocol RCE (Riparian, Channel and Environmental), already widely used in tropical regions, to directly assess stream physical condition. As a measure of the functional integrity of streams, we estimated leaf breakdown rates, an important process in lotic systems. Furthermore, we sorted and identified the macroinvertebrates that colonized leaves in the 2nd and 28th days of the decomposition experiment and calculated environmental quality metrics related to these communities to test their relationship with WHEBIP. The protocols WHEBIP and RCE were significantly correlated to each other, with greater differentiation among streams especially when RCE was high. Possibly, the WHEBIP, by incorporating spatial variables on a large scale in the landscape, best differentiates these streams. None of the protocols tested were correlated with leaf breakdown rates. However, when calculating variation of decay rates (standard error), we observed a positive relationship with the protocol WHEBIP. Thus, we grouped the metrics of the protocol WHEBIP in a Principal Component Analysis (PCA), noting the trend to a significant correlation between changes in leaf breakdown rates and the first axis of the PCA, which indicates that the increase of forest cover in the microbasin could reduce variation in leaf breakdown rates in streams. The WHEBIP and RCE showed no correlation with the environmental quality metrics related to macroinvertebrate communities. But we tested the hypothesis that higher values of WHEBIP decreases the variation in leaf breakdown rates due to higher stability of macoinvertebrate communities, we found a significant correlation to withdraw one of the streams of the analysis. This stream differed greatly from the rest, because even getting down in value in WHEBIP, showed a differentiation between communities, due to the dominance of certain taxa in the days analyzed. This is the first study in the tropics that relates the variation in leaf breakdown rates in streams and forest cover of the microbasin within they are inserted. Our results suggest that WHEBIP protocol can be used to assess the integrity of streams in tropical regions. This protocol showed significant relationships with the variation in leaf breakdown rates, which may prove to be an interesting metric for use in monitoring, and the stability of the macroinvertebrate community, which is greater in less impacted streams, as suggested by other studies.
Os sistemas lóticos são extremamente influenciados pela paisagem através da qual fluem, e as transformações na paisagem são a principal ameaça à sua integridade ecológica. Avaliar a saúde ecológica dos sistemas lóticos é fundamental e de grande importância para o manejo dos recursos hídricos em todo o mundo. Neste estudo, avaliamos a integridade de córregos no sudeste brasileiro utilizando o protocolo WHEBIP (Watershed Habitat Evaluation and Biotic Integrity Protocol), que combina informações sobre a cobertura de vegetação ripária, geomorfologia, cobertura da terra e atividades humanas para avaliar as características físicas da sub-bacia e estimar a integridade de córregos. Comparamos esse protocolo com o protocolo RCE (Riparian, Channel and Environmental), já bastante utilizado em regiões tropicais, para avaliação física direta dos córregos. Como medida da integridade funcional dos córregos, estimamos a taxa de decomposição foliar, importante processo nos sistemas lóticos. Além disso, triamos e identificamos os macroinvertebrados que colonizaram as folhas referentes ao 2º e ao 28º dias do experimento de decomposição e calculamos métricas de qualidade ambiental relacionadas às comunidades desses organismos, para testar sua relação com o WHEBIP. Os protocolos WHEBIP e RCE foram significativamente correlacionados entre si, havendo maior diferenciação entre os córregos principalmente quando o RCE foi alto. Possivelmente o WHEBIP, por incorporar variáveis espaciais em uma escala maior na paisagem, diferencia melhor esses córregos. Nenhum dos protocolos testados apresentou correlação com as taxas de decomposição. No entanto, ao calcularmos a variação das taxas de decomposição (erro padrão), observamos uma relação positiva com o protocolo WHEBIP. Assim, agrupamos as métricas do protocolo WHEBIP em uma Análise de Componentes Principais (PCA), observando tendência a uma correlação significativa entre a variação das taxas de decomposição e o primeiro Eixo da PCA, o que indica que o aumento da cobertura florestal na microbacia poderia reduzir a variação nas taxas de decomposição foliar nos córregos. O WHEBIP e o RCE não apresentaram correlações com as métricas de qualidade ambiental relacionadas às comunidades de macroinvertebrados. Mas ao testarmos a hipótese de que os maiores valores do WHEBIP diminuiriam a variação das taxas de decomposição devido a maior estabilidade das comunidades de macroinvertebrados, encontramos uma correlação significativa ao retirarmos um dos córregos das análises. Esse córrego diferenciava-se bastante do restante, pois mesmo obtendo baixo valor no protocolo WHEBIP, apresentou uma baixa diferenciação entre as comunidades, devido à dominância de alguns táxons nos dias analisados. Este é o primeiro trabalho para os trópicos que relaciona a variação nas taxas de decomposição foliar nos córregos e a cobertura florestal das microbacias em que estão inseridos. Nossos resultados sugerem que o protocolo WHEBIP pode ser utilizado para avaliar a integridade de córregos em regiões tropicais. Esse protocolo apresentou relações significativas com a variação nas taxas de decomposição, que pode vir a ser uma métrica interessante para o uso em monitoramento, e com a estabilidade da comunidade de macroinvertebrados, que é maior em córregos menos impactados, conforme sugerido por outros estudos.

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Mbaka, John Gichimu [Verfasser], Ralf B. [Akademischer Betreuer] Schäfer, and Andreas [Akademischer Betreuer] Lorke. "Biomonitoring with Organism Traits and Impacts of Small Impoundments on Stream Ecological Integrity and Food Web / John Gichimu Mbaka. Betreuer: Ralf B. Schäfer ; Andreas Lorke." Landau : Universität Koblenz-Landau, Campus Landau, 2015. http://d-nb.info/1107775655/34.

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Zetterberg, Andreas. "Network Based Tools and Indicators for Landscape Ecological Assessments, Planning, and Design." Licentiate thesis, Stockholm : Arkitektur och samhällsbyggnad, Kungliga Tekniska högskolan, 2009. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-10011.

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Menezes, Bruno Gomes de. "Fatores que governam as assembleias de macroinvertebrados bentônicos em nascentes tropicais de áreas protegidas." Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), 2017. https://repositorio.ufjf.br/jspui/handle/ufjf/4977.

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CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
Nascentes são conhecidas como ecossistemas relativamente estáveis e caracterizadas por condições ambientais específicas que as diferem de todo os outros ambientes aquáticos. São constituídas por três grandes ecótonos que ocorrem na interface entre a água superficial, subterrânea e o ecossistema terrestre, resultando em uma série de micro-habitats que sustentam uma alta riqueza de espécies. Nascentes representam um local ideal para examinar as relações entre as comunidades faunísticas e os parâmetros ambientais que influenciam sua distribuição, porém a compreensão dessas relações ainda são pouco entendidas. Estudos da fauna das nascentes de regiões tropicais ainda são escassos, estando à maioria concentrados em regiões temperadas e alpinas. O objetivo desse trabalho foi examinar as influências das variáveis ambientais e espaciais sobre a distribuição da fauna bentônica, avaliando também a complexidade de habitat representada pelos três tipos de nascentes (helocreno, limnocreno e rheocreno) sobre a composição das assembleias de macroinvertebrados. Foram obtidas três amostras compostas de substrato (pedra, areia e folhiço) em vinte e uma nascentes de três Unidades de Conservação do estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Um total de 19.373 espécimes foram identificados e o grupo dos insetos apresentaram maior abundância em relação aos não insetos. Os resultados da análise de redundância parcial mostraram que tantos as variáveis ambientais, quanto as variáveis espaciais foram essenciais para a estruturação da fauna bentônica das nascentes estudadas. A composição da fauna bentônica também diferiu entre as nascentes Rheocreno, Helocreno e Limnocreno e entre as unidades de conservação. A heterogeneidade de micro-habitats presente nos diferentes tipos de nascentes exerce forte influência na estruturação da fauna de macroinvertebrados, resultando em uma fauna diversa. Conclui-se que as variáveis ambientais e espaciais são de grande importância para a estruturação da fauna juntamente com a variedade de micro-habitats presente nos diferentes tipos de nascentes e a sua preservação torna-se essencial, pois a perda de qualquer um desses habitats pode afetar a biodiversidade regional.
Springs are known as relatively stable ecosystems characterized by specific environmental conditions that differ them from all other aquatic environments. They are constituted by three large ecotones that occur at the interface between surface water, groundwater and the terrestrial ecosystem, resulting in a series of micro-habitats that sustain a high species richness. Springs are an ideal place to examine the relationships between faunistic communities and the environmental parameters that influence their distribution, but the understanding of these relationships is still poorly known. Studies of the fauna of the springs of tropical regions are still sparse, being mostly concentrated in temperate and alpine zones. The objective of this work was to examine the influence of environmental and spatial variables on the distribution of benthic fauna, also evaluating the habitat complexity represented by the three types of springs (Helocrene, Limnocrene and Rheocrene) on the composition of macroinvertebrate assemblages. Three samples composed of substrate (stone, sand and foliage) were obtained in twenty one springs of three Conservation Units of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. A total of 19.373 specimens were identified and the group of insects showed more abundance in relation to non-insects. The results of the partial redundancy analysis showed that both environmental variables and spatial variables were essential for structuring the benthic fauna of the springs studied. The composition of the benthic fauna also differed between the Rheocrene, Helocrene and Limnocrene springs and between the conservation units. The heterogeneity of micro-habitats present in the different types of springs exerts a strong influence on the structure of macroinvertebrate fauna, resulting in a diverse fauna. It is concluded that the environmental and spatial variables are of great importance for the structuring of the fauna jointly with the variety of micro-habitats present in the different types of springs and their preservation becomes essential, because the loss of any of these habitats can affect regional biodiversity.

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Jaeschke, Anja Verfasser], and Carl [Akademischer Betreuer] [Beierkuhnlein. "Extending the climate envelope: Methodological approaches to integrate ecological prerequisites in species distribution models at large spatial extents / Anja Jaeschke. Betreuer: Carl Beierkuhnlein." Bayreuth : Universität Bayreuth, 2015. http://d-nb.info/1073201805/34.

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SALA, SERENELLA. "Definizione e costruzione di un sistema integrato per la valutazione del rischio derivante dall'utilizzo di prodotti fitosanitari in agricoltura su base territoriale." Doctoral thesis, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10281/7551.

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The present project develops a GIS based methodology to asses an ecotoxicological site-specific risk’s index for aquatic, epigean and hypogean terrestrial ecosystems due to pesticide use in agriculture. The work’s aim is to provide a GIS based tool for landscape management in a sustainable agriculture perspective. The methodology gathers several disciplinary approach and results (such as agronomy, ecotoxicology, landscape ecology, environmental modelling) to support decision-makers in risk assessment procedures. The methodology is based on an integration of database, algorithm for pesticide exposure evaluation, risks index, faunistic models, landscape’s patch analysis using Geographical Information System for managing models input data and results in a distributed way on the territory. Molecular properties, as chemical-physical and toxicological data of active ingredients, and environmental characteristics, as land use, crop distribution, landscape elements are managed for elaborating and developing a realistic scenarios of application. The methodology allows to calculate the exposition and the ecotoxicological risk index for the main organisms that compose aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Using GIS permits to take in account the spatial variability of parameters and result underlining the synergies between chemicals and territory. The results are useful to make a comparison between the active ingredients to draft a classification based on environmental sustainability of their use and to defence ecosystems and to evaluate vulnerability of landscape elements. The presented cases history are referred to different resolution of the methodology application (from a regional scale to a field scale) in order to underline the flexibility of the site-specific approach.

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Domínguez, Cuadrado Aroa. "Estudios dirigidos a la ecología química de insectos plaga mediante semioquímicos." Doctoral thesis, Universitat de Barcelona, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/482166.

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Los insectos están presentes en todos los ecosistemas terrestres, donde desempeñan importantes funciones ecológicas y están en constante interacción con las actividades humanas, siendo algunos beneficiosos para ellas y otras perjudiciales. Los órdenes Lepidoptera y Orthoptera incluyen un gran número de especies constituyentes de importantes plagas para la agricultura, bosques y productos almacenados, provocando grandes pérdidas económicas. Para el control de estos insectos se han utilizado pesticidas químicos que han resultado ser perjudiciales para el medio ambiente, la salud humana y organismos no diana, además de provocar el desarrollo de resistencia a los mismos. Por ello, es necesario desarrollar nuevas estrategias de control más seguras, económicas y con mayor especificidad. En el marco del control integrado de plagas (IPM), el uso de feromonas sexuales ha resultado ser efectivo aunque presenta algunas limitaciones como el elevado coste final, la atracción de insectos de poblaciones vecinas y eficacia solo a niveles bajos de infestación. A lo largo del este trabajo se ha evaluado la efectividad de diversos compuestos susceptibles de ser utilizados en un control efectivo de las especies plaga objeto de estudio. En primer lugar, se ha profundizado en el conocimiento de la biología de Tuta absoluta, un microlepidóptero ampliamente distribuido a nivel mundial y que provoca grandes pérdidas en cultivos de tomates y otras solanáceas. Uno de los estudios realizados ha sido evaluar el efecto del estado fisiológico del insecto en la síntesis y en la percepción de los compuestos feromonales de esta especie, así como en la captación de distintos volátiles presentes en la planta hospedadora y la influencia de éstos en la oviposición. Por otro lado, a lo largo del este trabajo se ha evaluado la efectividad de diversos compuestos de tipo metilcetona y trifluorometilcetona análogos estructurales de las feromonas sexuales de dos especies de microlepidópteros, Grapholita molesta y T. absoluta, cuyos efectos se han evaluado en laboratorio y campo, demostrando al menos que el compuesto E3,Z8,Z11-14:MK es un buen antagonista de la feromona de T. absoluta bajo condiciones de campo. Sobre estas mismas especies también se ha evaluado en condiciones de laboratorio el efecto de ocho aceites esenciales y tres monoterpenoides presentes en su composición sobre distintos aspectos de su biología, resultando varios de ellos susceptibles de ser utilizados para el control de estas especies en combinación con otros métodos como plaguicidas convencionales o rotaciones de cultivos. Puesto que la olfacción es primordial para la supervivencia de los lepidópteros y la alteración del sistema de percepción es una diana para el desarrollo de nuevas herramientas para el manejo de estas especies, se han estudiado también diferentes aspectos de la fisiología olfativa en estas especies de lepidópteros, utilizando técnicas proteómicas para realizar un análisis de las proteínas olfativas expresadas en las antenas de machos y hembras de ambas especies, profundizando así en las bases moleculares de este sistema de percepción, llegando a la conclusión de que existe una expresión diferencial de las OBPs y PBPs en ambos sexos. Además, es sabido que las langostas pueden causar enormes pérdidas económicas en los cultivos de muchos países, siendo Dociostaurus maroccanus (Orthoptera: Acrididae) una de las langostas más abundantes en la Península Ibérica y su control supone un alto coste económico. Con el fin de desarrollar estrategias de control respetuosas con el medio ambiente de esta plaga se han combinado estudios electrofisiológicos y comportamentales para verificar si el fital, compuesto específico de esta especie, forma parte del complejo feromonal de la misma. Los resultados obtenidos apuntan a que el isómero R,R es una feromona de agregación con capacidad para atraer tanto a machos como hembras adultos, convirtiéndolo en una herramienta para el control efectivo de esta plaga.
Many species belong to the order Lepidoptera and Orthoptera are responsible for important damage to agriculture, forestry and stored products that suppose a huge economical losses. Because of the disadvantages of chemical pesticides, the development of safer, more economic and selective compounds to control pest insects are required. The olfactory system plays an important role in the reproduction and food search in moths and butterflies, so the disruption of this system could be a good target in integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. In this thesis, different aspects of the olfactory physiology in T. absoluta and G. molesta have been studied. For the first one, the effect of mating status on synthesis and perception of the sexual pheromone in adults of this specie have been evaluated; and the influence of the host plant over oviposition. Secondly, for both species, its have been analysed the olfactory proteins expressed in antennae of males and females through different proteomic techniques, where a differential expression in an important olfactory group of proteins, like the PBPs and OBPs, was observed in both sexes. Moreover, in the present work it has been evaluated the effectiveness of several methyl ketones and trifluoromethyl ketones, which are structurally related to the sex pheromone of these species of pest moth in laboratory and field tests, and eight essential oils (EOs) and three monoterpenoids present in their composition were tested on different stages of their development under laboratory conditions. The results suggest that the compound E3,Z8,Z11-14:MK is a good behavioral antagonist of the pheromone of T. absoluta, and several of these EOs and monoterpehoid could be considered as agents to control these pests in IPM strategies. Furthermore, it is well known that locusts can cause enormous losses in crops of many countries. Dociostaurus maroccanus (Orthoptera: Acrididae) is one of the most abundant locusts of the Iberian Peninsula and it control suppose a high economic costs. In order to develop environmentally-friendly control strategies for this pest, electrophysiological and behavioral studies have been combined to verify that phytal, a specific compound of this specie, as a possible component of the pheromonal complex of the locust. The results obtained point to R,R isomer is an aggregation pheromone because of their attractive effect on adult insects of both sexes.

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Stone, Harry James. "THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH: ANALYZING THE “TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOAD” PROCESS IN THE UPPER MILL CREEK (CINCINNATI)." Oxford, Ohio : Miami University, 2004. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=miami1082567599.

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Bertrand, Anne-Sophie. "Characterization and conservation of the Iguaçu National Park, Brazil." Doctoral thesis, Universidade de Aveiro, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10773/22357.

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Doutoramento em Biologia e Ecologia das Alterações Globais
This thesis is the first characterization of the mammal community of the 77-year old Iguaçu National Park [INP] and region. Using camera-traps and the Random Encounter Model developed by Rowcliffe et al. (2008), we have calculated the first density estimates for 17 species in and out of the INP boundaries (Chapter 1). We then looked at and described the species’ distribution along the gradient of habitat alteration offered by the region (Chapter 2). We also discussed the impacts of a road, which used to cut through the INP core area (Chapter 3). Through DNA scat analyses, we confirmed the concealed presence of Geoffroy’s cat (Leopardus geoffroyi) in the Iguaçu region. These findings were reinforced by the capture of a specimen in the vicinity of Foz do Iguaçu (Chapter 4). Our monitoring also included track surveys, which allowed the development of a method to discriminate small Neotropical spotted felids (Chapter 5). Among the ~248,000 photographs we collected were the first photographs of two xenarthrans for the INP, i.e. the Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) and the Greater Naked- Tailed Armadillo (Cabassous tatouay; Chapter 6). Additionally, we assessed the soil’s ecological integrity using bait lamina probes (Chapter 7) and the water’s bacteriological content in the São João River, one of the main INP rivers (Chapter 8). The INP is definitely under different pressures caused by human legal and illegal activities. While economic profits provided by the INP visitation and fame account for most of the regional economy, and while this capital is also injected into other less popular Brazilian Conservation Units, instead of the legitimate gratefulness, the INP is poisoned with agrochemicals through its generous watercourses network, and is being violated by poachers, fishermen, thieves and palm-tree extractors. Our findings depict the utter ecological importance of the INP given it represents 80% of what is left of inland Atlantic forest in Paraná state and because it still shelters forest specialists keyspecies (e.g. jaguars, Panthera onca). The INP regional context is where we should concentrate conservation efforts, i.e. fostering habitat connectivity and ecological integrity, and promoting educational campaigns to raise public awareness about the INP invaluable worth in a loving, collaborative way. Activities should promote reconnection between locals and the INP, so that the relationship switches from an exploitation perspective to a conservation perspective.
Esta tese é a primeira caracterização da comunidade de mamíferos no Parque Nacional do Iguaçu [PNI] que comemorou 77 anos, e sua zona de amortecimento. Utilizamos armadilhas fotográficas e o Modelo do Encontro Aleatório (MEA) desenvolvido por Rowcliffe et al. (2008), e calculamos estimativas de densidade para 17 espécies dentro e fora dos limites do INP (Capítulo 1). Em seguida, observamos e descrevemos a distribuição dessas espécies ao longo do gradiente de alteração de hábitat oferecido pela região (Capítulo 2). Discutimos também os impactos de uma estrada que cortava o PNI na sua zona intangível (Capítulo 3). Através análises de DNA de fezes de carnívoros, confirmamos a presença oculta de gato-do-mato-grande (Leopardus geoffroyi) na região Iguaçu. Esses dados foram reinforçados pela captura de um indivíduo nas redondezas de Foz do Iguaçu (Capítulo 4). Nosso monitoramento também incluiu levantamentos de pegadas, o que permitiu o desenvolvimento de um método para distinguir os pequenos gatos pintados Neotropicais (Capítulo 5). Entre as ~248,000 fotografias que coletamos houve os primeiros registros fotográficos de dois xenartros no PNI, i.e. o tamandua bandeira (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) e o tatu-de-rabo-molegrande (Cabassous tatouay; Capítulo 6). Além do mais, avaliamos a integridade ecológica do solo com bait-lamina (Capítulo 7), e o conteúdo bacteriológico das águas do rio São João, um dos maiores rios do PNI (Capítulo 8). Evidentemente, o PNI está sofrendo várias pressões geradas por atividades humanas legais e ilegais. Enquanto o lucro proporcionado pela visitação e fama do PNI representa a maior parte da economia regional, e enquanto este capital é também injetado nas outras Unidades de Conservação Brasileiras menos populares, ao invés de receber a legítima gratidão, o PNI está sendo envenenado com agrotóxicos através sua rede hidrográfica generosa, e está sendo violado por caçadores, pescadores, bandidos e extratores de palmito. Nossos resultados descrevem a tamanha importância ecológica do PNI considerando que ele representa 80% do que sobra de mata Atlântica do interior em todo o estado do Paraná, e porque ainda abriga espécies-chave especialistas deste bioma (e.g. onça pintada, Panthera onca). O contexto regional do PNI é onde devemos concentrar esforços conservacionistas, i.e. promovendo conectividade do hábitat e integridade ecológica, e realizando campanhas educacionais para sensibilizar o público quanto ao valor inestimável que o PNI possui, de uma maneira amorosa e colaborativa. Atividades devem promover a reconexão entre os lindeiros e o PNI, de forma que a relação passa de uma perspectiva exploradora a uma perspectiva conservacionista.

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Campagne, Carole Sylvie. "Evaluation des services écosystémiques par la méthode des matrices de capacité : analyse méthodologique et applications à l'échelle régionale." Thesis, Aix-Marseille, 2018. http://www.theses.fr/2018AIXM0339/document.

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Les services écosystémiques (SE) sont définis comme les bénéfices que les humains retirent des écosystèmes. A titre illustratif, un arbre peut produire des fruits, séquestre du carbone et différentes activités récréatives ou valeurs esthétiques lui sont liées. Parmi les différentes approches d’évaluation des SE, la matrice de capacité est une méthode considérée comme flexible et rapide à mettre en œuvre. Constituée d’une table d’allocation d’un score pour chaque SE et chaque écosystème considéré, elle est de plus en plus utilisée en France, ainsi qu’à l’international. Dans le cadre de cette thèse nous avons travaillés sur l’évaluation des scores à dire d’experts dans le but, notamment, de déterminer certains biais et limites méthodologiques, mais également d’explorer des développements innovants pour différentes applications sur le Parc Naturel Région Scarpe-Escaut et la Région Hauts-de-France. Enfin nous avons intégré les disservices (les effets indésirables de la nature sur l’Homme) et l’intégrité écologique (la condition/santé de l’écosystème) dans l’évaluation des SE afin d’avoir une vision plus complète de la relation homme-nature
Ecosystem services (ES) are the benefits that humans derive from ecosystems. For example, a tree produces fruit that we pick, sequesters carbon as it grows, supports various recreational activities and has aesthetic value. Among the different approaches developed to assess ES, the experts-based capacity matrix is flexible and quick to implement. The matrix is a look-up table that assigns each ecosystem type a score defined by experts expressing its ES capacity. It is increasingly used in France, Europe and internationally. Three themes are addressed in the thesis: (i) methodological analysis to define and specify limits and specify methodology to address them, (ii) application of the method to the Scarpe-Escaut Regional Natural Park and to the Hauts-de-France Region, and (iii) integration of the evaluation of disservices (undesired effects of the natural environment on humans) and ecological integrity (condition/health of the ecosystem) into the evaluation of ES to take fuller account of the relation between humans and their natural environment

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Hoff, Natasha Travenisk. "Integridade biótica dos ecossistemas na região do Arquipélago dos Alcatrazes, São Sebastião - SP." Universidade de São Paulo, 2015. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/21/21134/tde-22092015-135056/.

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A Estação Ecológica (ESEC) Tupinambás, uma UC marinha de proteção integral, está localizada no litoral norte do estado de São Paulo (SP). Foi criada em 1987, sendo utilizada pela Marinha do Brasil para exercícios de tiro até recentemente no arquipélago dos Alcatrazes (São Sebastião, SP). Isto justifica a baixa quantidade de informações disponíveis sobre essa região. Através do levantamento de informações sobre a composição biológica, aspectos socioeconômicos e oceanográficos da área do arquipélago, da utilização de índices ecológicos (dominância, diversidade, riqueza e equabilidade) e multimétricos (Índice ABC e Índice de Integridade Biótica), e da elaboração da Carta de Sensibilidade Ambiental ao Derramamento de Óleo, verificou-se (1) a semelhança da composição ictiofaunística do arquipélago dos Alcatrazes em relação à Santos e São Sebastião, (2) se a região mantém a integridade biótica da ictiofauna mesmo localizando-se entre regiões impactadas, e (3) se o ponto mais sensível ecologicamente detectado pela carta SAO pode ser a área de maior suscetibilidade de ser atingida por um derramamento de óleo. Os dados analisados são provenientes de trabalhos pretéritos e coletas realizadas em setembro de 2011 e janeiro de 2014. A composição ictíica variou ao longo do tempo e períodos de coleta, respondendo à composição sedimentar e à variabilidade das propriedades hidrográficas. Foi constatada alta similaridade da ictiofauna do arquipélago com aquelas encontradas na plataforma continental de Santos e São Sebastião. Em relação à integridade biótica local, a partir da ictiofauna, as duas técnicas aplicadas refletiram o histórico no estado de conservação da ESEC, com a melhora dos índices ao longo do período estudado. A produção da carta SAO resultou em um produto único, que poderá auxiliar a gestão da UC e em planos de contenção, e em um compêndio das espécies encontradas na região, dentre as quais se encontram algumas endêmicas e muitas ameaçadas, segundo critérios nacionais e internacionais. Finalmente, espera-se que a alta biodiversidade do entorno do arquipélago, que representa uma vasta fonte de conhecimentos para o futuro, se encontre protegida pelo respeito à legislação e fiscalização da ESEC em que se encontra, pela Área Delta da Marinha do Brasil, e pela distância da costa e de fontes de contaminação.
The Tupinambás Ecological Station (TES), a Marine Protected Area (MPA) of integral protection, is located on the northern coast of São Paulo state (SP). It was established in 1987 and it has been used by the Brazilian Navy for shooting practice until recently in the Alcatrazes archipelago (São Sebastião, SP). That accounts for the low amount of the available data in this region. Using information on the biological composition, socioeconomic and oceanographic aspects variables, combined with ecological (dominance, diversity, richness and evenness) and multimetric (ABC method and Biotic Integrity Index) indexes and the preparation of the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Map, we (1) assessed the similarity of the ichthyofauna of the Alcatrazes archipelago regarding compared to Santos and São Sebastião, (2) verified whether the region retains the ichthyofauna biotic integrity despite being located between affected regions and (3) verified whether the most ecologically sensitive region detected by the ESI map is the area most likely to be hit by an oil spill. The analyzed data come from previous works and samplings carried out in September 2011 and January 2014. The ichthyofauna varied over time and sampling points. Its distribution also reflected the sedimentary composition and the variability of hydrographic properties. High similarity between the ichthyofauna of the archipelago and those found on the continental shelf off Santos and São Sebastião. Regarding the biotic integrity, the two techniques applied reflected the conservation history of the TES, with an improvement in the indexes during the study period. The production of the ESI map resulted in an unique product that can assist in the management of the MPA and containment plans, and a species compendium found in the region, among which many of them are endemic and endangered, according to national and international classifications. Finally, it is expected that the high biodiversity of the archipelago surroundings, which still represents a vast source of knowledge for the future, is protected by the Delta Area of the Brazilian Navy, by the law that ensure the TES and by the distance from the coast.

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Fonseca, Vitor Hugo de Campos. "Seleção de indicadores ecológicos para a avaliação de planos de restauração de áreas degradadas." Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2012. https://repositorio.ufscar.br/handle/ufscar/1511.

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Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:26:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 FONSECA_Vitor_2011.pdf: 1402147 bytes, checksum: 68adc13f57d441da94e1f7a4fe5bc04d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-06-16
Ecological indicators are useful tools for forest monitoring. It is known that most restoration projects are doomed to failure due to factors of multiple spheres, and lead to a succession challenge course desirable. The practical relevance of the concept of ecological integrity objectives directed this study that, in general seeks to define practical indicators that can express the conditions of the areas restored in the early stages of restoration (up to 5 years). The indicators were rated from 0 to 3, according to criteria such as ease of measurement, degree of variation of response, ability to predict changes in the system, and weights of 1 to 3, given the degree of importance of each attribute of the indicators . The product of the note by the weight of each indicator expressed a measure of its efficiency (EF). In relation to indicators of composition, structure and function in each area, the AE2 was the one that appeared in better health. In relation to indicators of composition, structure and function of the area Itu (AE2) which was presented in a better position when compared to AE1. Among the indicators of composition, richness, diversity (H ') and the presence of exotic species were the most effective attributes, in relation to the structure, attributes were more effective tree density, the average annual increment of the variables and the dendrometric the indicator function, land cover, competition and sanity were more efficient in detecting changes and changes in areas so fast, convenient and understandable.
Indicadores ecológicos são ferramentas úteis para o monitoramento florestal. Sabe-se que a maioria dos projetos de restauração são fadados ao insucesso devido a fatores de múltiplas esferas, sendo um desafio conduzir a sucessão a rumos desejáveis. A relevância prática do conceito de integridade ecológica direcionou os objetivos deste estudo que, de forma geral busca definir indicadores práticos que possam exprimir as condições das áreas restauradas em fase inicial de restauração (até 5 anos). Os indicadores receberam notas de 0 a 3, de acordo com critérios, tais como facilidade de mensuração, grau de variação da resposta, capacidade de prever alterações no sistema, e pesos de 1 a 3, devido ao grau de importância de cada atributo dos indicadores. O produto da nota pelo peso de cada indicador exprimiu a medida de sua eficiência (EF). Em relação aos indicadores de composição, estrutura e função em cada área, a AE2 foi a que se apresentou em melhores condições de integridade. Em relação aos indicadores de composição, estrutura e função a área de Itu (AE2) foi a que se apresentou em melhores condições quando comparada a AE1. Dentre os indicadores de composição, a riqueza, a diversidade (H´) e a presença de espécies exóticas foram os atributos mais eficientes; em relação à estrutura, os atributos mais eficientes foram a densidade de arbóreas, o incremento médio anual das variáveis dendrométricas e quanto ao indicador de função, a cobertura do solo, a competição e a sanidade foram mais eficientes em detectar mudanças e alterações nas áreas de modo rápido, prático e compreensível.

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Dawson, Emily Kathleen. "A river health assessment of selected South-Western Cape Rivers : index of habitat integrity, water quality and the influence of surrounding land use." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/16297.

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Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The River Health Programme (RHP) is an assessment tool for monitoring the ecological state of rivers to ensure that they remain fit for use by present and future generations. This study, forming part of a RHP assessment conducted on the south-western Cape Hout Bay, Lourens and Palmiet Rivers, has the aim to (1) zone the rivers for representative site selection, (2) assess their habitat integrity (HI), (3) determine the influence of land use on riverine HI and (4) assess the river water quality at the time of the RHP assessments. (1) The desktop geomorphological zonation method used in RHP assessments has not been sufficiently previously tested on short rivers draining the Western Cape Mountains. The Lowland River Zone of the rivers studied, as well as the Hout Bay River’s Upper Foothill Zone, were found to have steeper gradients than expected, probably due to these rivers being shorter and consequently steeper than any on which the method was previously tested. The notion of one gradient river classification system being applicable throughout South Africa, with its diverse geology and climate, is unlikely. Rather a classification system modified for various physiographic features regions or by a factor based on river length is more realistic. (2) Although there is a general longitudinal decrease in HI downstream along the Hout Bay and Lourens Rivers, coinciding with increased anthropogenic activities, HI improves in the Palmiet River’s lower reaches through the Kogelberg Nature Reserve. Surrounding land use thus seems to be a major determinant of HI. Although the Index of Habitat Integrity (IHI) used appears to achieve its aim, it was found to be subjective. Categorisation of the IHI scoring is suggested. (3) The amount of natural versus disturbed land use occurring upstream of a site at a regional and local scale, is a good predictor of riverine HI. Regional alien forestry and local urbanisation have significantly strong negative effects on instream (r2 = -0.80, r2 = 0.80, p<0.05) and riparian (r2 = -0.81, r2 = -0.83, p<0.05) HI. Different land use types therefore appear to affect riverine HI at differing scales and thus managers must not only think on a local but also a catchment scale. (4) In the Hout Bay River, a filtering system (e.g. wetland) appears to improve the water quality between the middle and lower reaches. Along the Lourens River, high total dissolved salts, conductivity and inorganic nitrogen concentrations in the middle reaches are cause for concern. Along the Palmiet River there appeared to be insufficient oxygen to support most aquatic life forms at Grabouw. Impoundments in the middle reaches act as sinks for nutrients and salts, but the Huis and Krom tributaries downstream then appear to degrade the water quality of the Palmiet River’s lower reaches within the Kogelberg Nature Reserve. Together with the results of simultaneous biotic assessments, these results should be used to develop management actions to improve the ecological health of these rivers. The results have been used in a State-of-Rivers Report for the south-western Cape.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Riviergesondheidsprogram (RGP) is 'n asseseringsinstrument wat die ekologiese stand van riviere monitor om te verseker dat hulle steeds bruikbaar bly vir huidige en toekomstige geslagte. Hierdie studie maak deel uit van 'n RGP-assessering van die Lourens-, Houtbaai- en Palmietrivier in die Suidwes-Kaap en het ten doel om (1) die riviere te soneer vir verteenwoordigende terreinseleksie, (2) die habitat-integriteit (HI) te assesseer, (3) die invloed van grondgebruik op rivier-HI te bepaal en (4) die kwaliteit van rivierwater tydens die RGP-assesserings te bepaal. (1) Die geomorfologiese-soneringsmetode wat in RGP-assesserings gebruik word, is nog nie voorheen genoegsaam vir die kort riviere wat die Wes-Kaapse berge dreineer, getoets nie. Daar is bevind dat die studiegebied riviere in die laagland-sones skerper gradiënte het as verwag, gehad het. Dit kan moontlik toegeskryf word aan die riviere wat korter en dus steiler is as enige van dié wat voorheen met die metode getoets is. Die moontlikheid dat een gradiëntklassifikasiestelsel vir riviere regdeur Suid-Afrika met sy diverse geologie en klimaat toegepas kan word, is onwaarskynlik. 'n Klassifikasiestelsel aangepas vir verskillende fisiografiese streke of met 'n faktor gebaseer op rivierlengte, is meer realisties. (2) Alhoewel HI stroomaf langs die Lourens- en Houtbaairivier in die algemeen longitudinaal saam met die toename in antropogeniese aktiwiteite afneem, verbeter die Palmietrivier se HI waar dit laer af deur die Kogelbergnatuurreservaat vloei. Die gebruike van aanliggende grond blyk dus 'n belangrike bepaler van HI te wees. Die Indeks van Habitatintegriteit (IHI) bereik klaarblyklik die vereiste doel, maar is te subjektief. Kategorisering van die IHI-waardes word voorgestel. (3) 'n Goeie voorspeller van rivier-HI is die hoeveelheid natuurlike teenoor versteurde grondgebruik stroomop van 'n terrein op 'n streeks- en lokale skaal. Die sterk negatiewe effek van uitheemse plantegroei in die omgewing en lokale verstedeliking op stroom- (r² = -0.80, r² = 0.80, p<0.05 ) en oewer-HI (r² = -0.81, r² = -0.83, p<0.05) is beduidend. Verskille in tipe grondgebruik beïnvloed rivier-HI op verskillende vlakke; bestuurders moet dus plaaslik en aan die opvanggebied dink. (4) In die Houtbaairivier lyk dit asof 'n filtreringstelsel (bv. vleigrond) die waterkwaliteit tussen die middel- en lae gedeeltes verbeter. In die loop van die Lourensrivier is hoë totale opgeloste soute, geleidingsvermoë en anorganiese stikstofkonsentrasies in die middelgedeelte 'n rede tot kommer. In die Palmietrivier by Grabouw was die suurstof te min om die meeste akwatiese lewensvorme te onderhou. Opgedamde water in die middel gedeeltes dien as 'n sink vir voedingstowwe en soute, maar dit lyk asof die Huis- en Kromrivier die waterkwaliteit van die Palmietrivier stroomaf in die Kogelbergnatuurreservaat degradeer. Saam met die resultate van gelyktydige biotiese assesserings, kan hierdie resultate gebruik word vir die ontwikkeling van bestuursaksies om die ekologiese toestand van hierdie riviere te verbeter. Die resultate is gebruik in 'n toestand-van-riviere-verslag vir die Suidwes-Kaap.

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Brosed, Magali. "Evaluation de l'intégrité fonctionnelle des écosystèmes lotiques du sud-ouest de la France." Thesis, Toulouse 3, 2016. http://www.theses.fr/2016TOU30389/document.

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L'évaluation écologique des cours d'eau ne prend pas en compte les différents processus qui y sont réalisés, faute d'indicateur disponibles. L'objectif de cette thèse a été de documenter l'utilisation de la décomposition des litières végétales d'origine terrestre comme indicateur de l'intégrité fonctionnelle des rivières de plaine et de piedmont suivies par l'Agence de l'Eau Adour-Garonne. Partie 1. Sur une douzaine de sites suivis pour la pollution par les pesticides, le taux de décomposition est divisé par deux entre le site le moins et le plus contaminé, entrainant le passage d'une décomposition co-assurée par les invertébrés et les microorganismes dans les sites les moins contaminés à un processus réalisé seulement par les microorganismes dans les sites les plus contaminés, compromettant le processus dans les rivières les plus contaminées. Cette altération est observée à des concentrations en pesticides pourtant inférieures aux seuils fixés par l'Union Européenne. Partie 2. Sur 58 sites qui maximisent l'amplitude des classes de qualité écologiques, l'absence de corrélation observée entre les indices biologiques basés sur les invertébrés (IBGN, I2M2) et les diatomées (IBD) et le processus de décomposition suggère que les perturbations, selon leur nature et/ou leur intensité, altèrent différentiellement la composition des communautés et les activité de transformation de la matière organique. Partie 3. Une grille d'évaluation de la qualité fonctionnelle des rivières croisant deux variables, ktotal et le ratio kinvertébré/kmicrobien est proposée à partir de 84 sites de suivi et de sites de référence tirés de la bibliographie. Cette grille montre qu'à l'échelle régionale, le processus de décomposition est plus affecté dans sa composante liée à l'activité des invertébrés qu'à celle liée aux microorganismes. En suivant les critères d'évaluation de la Directive Cadre sur l'Eau, cette grille d'évaluation met en évidence que seulement 28 % des sites étudiés atteindrait un bon état fonctionnel. Cette thèse a permit de documenter la réflexion menée sur le développement d'indicateurs fonctionnels et plaide pour l'inclusion de la décomposition des litières végétales dans l'évaluation évaluation écologique par une approche croisée, telle que formalisée par un graphique structure x fonction à double entrée
The aim of this thesis was to document, at regional scale (SW France), the application of litter decomposition and associated metrics as a proxy of functional integrity of stream ecosystems. The Introduction exposed the underlying arguments, mainly relying on (1) the importance of this ecosystem process, which provides most carbon sources to the aquatic food web, and (2) the need to complement the structural metrics routinely used in biomonitoring schemes by a functional component. Chapter I dealt with the capacity, by using litter decomposition, to discriminate the effects of pesticides from other stressors in 12 agricultural streams selected along a contamination gradient. The decomposition rate was twice as low in the most contaminated site compared with the less contaminated one, and the relationship was monotonous along the gradient. Only the activity of invertebrate decomposers was affected, translating into the switch from a decomposition co-dominated by invertebrates and microorganisms in the less contaminated sites to a process only achieved by microorganisms in the most contaminated ones. Taxonomic richness and density of invertebrate decomposers together with a specific indicator based on invertebrate traits followed the same trends as the invertebrate-driven decomposition rate, kinvertebrate, while fungal biomass, sporulation rate and taxonomic richness remained unaffected. Consequently, the presence of pesticides compromised leaf breakdown, as microbial decomposers did not compensate for the invertebrate decomposers decline. This occurred while pesticides concentrations even in the most contaminated stream were under the European Union's Uniform Principles thresholds for targeted species. This study showed that litter breakdown, particularly the ratio of total to microbial-driven breakdown rate, is a pertinent proxy to assess the functional integrity of pesticide-contaminated streams. Chapter II compared the biological evaluation, as routinely undertaken in monitoring schemes from structural indicators based on invertebrates (IBGN and I2M2) and diatoms (BDI), with the functional indication based on litter decomposition. No correlation was found between structural and functional indicators on 58 streams, whereas the 3 structural indicators were strongly correlated each other. Redundancy analysis showed a negative relationship between ktotal or kinvertebrate and the proportion of cultures in the riparian corridor, while kmicrobial responded to the same environmental parameters (substratum coarseness, temperature) as structural indicators. The lack of correlation between invertebrate-based structural metrics and kinvertebrate suggested that disturbances, depending on their nature and/or intensity, differentially impair community composition and community activity in organic matter processing. In the view of proposing functional metrics, Chapter III concerned the distribution patterns of decomposition parameters on our study sites together with reference sites from the literature. Strong links were detected between decomposers community, decomposition rate and environmental settings, as exemplified by positive correlations between ktotal or kinvertebrate and detritivores abundance, kmicrobial and fungal biomass or sporulation rate, and the ratios ktotal/kmicrobial or kinvertebrate/kmicrobial and the abundance of decomposers. We propose a rating grid of stream ecosystem functional quality crossing two entries, ktotal and kinvertebrate/kmicrobial. At the regional scale, this grid shows that litter decomposition is more affected in its invertebrate component than in the microbial one. The Discussion exposes the main results in context and opens to perspectives, particularly about the question of reference sites. In conclusion, our results strongly argue for a crossed evaluation of ecological quality of running waters, as formalized by a chart with structure × fonction double entry

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Marchand, Adrien. "Pertinence écologique des biomarqueurs d'immunotoxicité en surveillance environnementale . Evaluation of chlorpyrifos effects, alone and combined with lipopolysaccharide stress, on DNA integrity and immune responses of three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus." Thesis, Reims, 2018. http://www.theses.fr/2018REIMS049.

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Ce travail propose d’améliorer les connaissances sur la variabilité naturelle des immunomarqueurs cellulaires innées chez un poisson modèle en écotoxicologie, l’épinoche à trois-épines, Gasterosteus aculeatus. Il a pour but la détermination de valeurs de référence utilisables dans un contexte de biosurveillance passive pour chacun des immunomarqueurs considérés. Ainsi, l’effet de trois facteurs confondants, que sont la période de prélèvement, la taille et le sexe des organismes, a été étudié en conditions contrôlées de laboratoire. Il a été ainsi possible d’obtenir, pour chaque immunomarqueur, un modèle donnant sa valeur moyenne en fonction des trois facteurs confondants, ainsi qu’une plage de valeurs de référence laboratoire. Dans une optique d’utilisation en biosurveillance, il est important de savoir si ce modèle laboratoire peut être utilisé dans d’autres conditions. Dans un second temps, les plages de référence laboratoire ont été confrontées à des données issues de poissons élevés en conditions semi-naturelles (condition mésocosme) et à des données in situ d’un site témoin (condition terrain). Les résultats de cette confrontation ont permis la construction d’un modèle prédictif des variations naturelles des immunomarqueurs dans chaque condition expérimentale. Testées dans un contexte de biosurveillance, l’utilisation des plages de référence terrain a bien montré la capacité de discriminer les sites témoins et contaminés. De plus, cette méthode a favorisé la la détection de faux positifs, induits par une hétérogénéité morphologique des poissons prélevés sur les différents sites, issus des résultats obtenus avec des procédures statistiques classiques
The natural variability of cellular innate immunomarkers in a model species in ecotoxicology, the three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus was studied in order to determine immunomarker reference values useful for passive biomonitoring Thus, effects of three confounding factors, sampling period, sex, and fish body size, were investigated in controlled laboratory conditions. This first phase enabled the construction of a mathematical model that predicts immunomarker mean values in function of the three considered confounding factors, along with a range of reference values in laboratory conditions. To be used for biomonitoring, it is important to know if the laboratory model is correctly predicting other conditions. Therefore, laboratory reference ranges were compared to data obtained from fish sampled in semi-natural conditions (mesocosm conditions) and fish sampled in natural conditions, in one uncontaminated site (field condition). Results of this comparison allowed to construct a predictive model of the natural variations of immunomarker values in each experimental condition. Tested in a biomonitoring context, the use of field reference range allowed to i) discriminate between contaminated and uncontaminated sites and ii) identify false positives that are due to the morphological heterogeneity of fish sampled in the different sites

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Mauduit, Florian. "Evaluer l’état de santé des poissons : la pierre angulaire manquante dans l'évaluation et la gestion des risques écologiques." Thesis, Brest, 2017. http://www.theses.fr/2017BRES0033/document.

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La croissance de la population humaine et l'intensification des activités associées exercent une pression considérable sur les écosystèmes marins côtiers. Afin d’évaluer l’impact des activités humaines sur ces écosystèmes, des efforts considérables ont été consacrés au développement de biomarqueurs. En dépit d'un potentiel pour une large gamme d'applications, les biomarqueurs les plus couramment utilisés ciblent des effets situés à des niveaux organisationnels faibles (molécules, cellules ou tissus) et très peu sont susceptibles d'indiquer des impacts sur des niveaux organisationnels supérieurs (organisme, population, écosystème). Or, ces derniers sont d'une pertinence considérable pour les activités humaines, l'économie et le bien-être. Ils sont en effet le résultat intégratif de l'histoire environnementale d'un organisme et, en même temps, ils reflètent leur vulnérabilité et leur résilience aux changements de leurs conditions de vie. Cette opinion a été corroborée par la révision récente du concept de santé animale qui dorénavant, intègre les effets latents des conditions de vie antérieures, les conséquences des expositions et des expériences passées, ainsi que les conséquences du cumul de ces effets. L’utilisation conjointe des marqueurs de hauts niveaux organisationnels et du concept de santé pourrait donc aider à fournir des informations écologiquement pertinentes grâce à l’utilisation de biomarqueurs. Dans ce contexte, les objectifs de ma thèse étaient 1) de développer une méthodologie pour évaluer la santé des poissons, 2) d'étudier les mécanismes sous-jacents des performances mesurées et 3) de vérifier l’applicabilité de cette approche à de nombreux contextes en s’appuyant sur deux études de cas. Au cours de ces recherches, nous avons démontré que la tolérance à l'hypoxie, la sensibilité à la température et les performances de nage sont des biomarqueurs fiables de la santé des poissons. Leurs réponses sont en effet stables dans le temps, prédictives de la survie des poissons dans leur milieu naturel et sensibles à une exposition à un polluant. De plus, l'application de cette méthodologie à des études de cas a démontré que notre approche est généralisable à différents contextes et qu'elle fournit des informations opérationnelles facilement transférables aux secteurs socio-économiques et au grand public
Growth of human population and associated intensification of human activities is putting considerable pressure on coastal marine ecosystems. To assess anthropogenic impact on these ecosystems, substantial efforts have been devoted to the development of biomarkers. Despite a potential for a broad application range, most commonly used biomarkers target effects at sub-organismal organizational level (molecules, cells or tissues) and very few are liable to indicate impacts at organism or higher organizational levels. On the other hand, although too far removed from causal events to constitute early warning signals of environmental stress, high-level organizational biomarkers are of considerable relevance to human activities, economy and well-being. They are indeed the integrative result of the environmental history of an organism and, at the same time, reflect their vulnerability and resilience to changes in their living conditions. This view is corroborated by the recent revision of the concept of animal health, which nowadays incorporates the latent effects of past living conditions, the consequences of past exposures and experiences and the cumulative consequences of these effects. The joint use of high organizational levels markers and the concept of health could help overcome the failure of current biomarkers to provide ecologically relevant information. In this context, the objectives of my thesis were 1) to develop a methodology to assess fish health; 2) to investigate the underlying mechanisms and confounding factors of the performances measured and 3) to verify the applicability of our approach through two case studies.Throughout these researches, we demonstrated that hypoxia tolerance, temperature susceptibility and swimming performances are promising biomarkers of fish health. Their responses are stable over time, predictive of fish survival in the field and sensitive to an exposure to dispersant-treated oil. Also, application of this methodology to case studies demonstrated that our approach is generalizable to different contexts and that it provides operational information easily transferable to socio-economic sectors and general public

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Yamada, Thiago. "Técnicas de processamento digital de imagens para análise de integridade do dossel - um modelo em mata semidecídua." Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2014. https://repositorio.ufscar.br/handle/ufscar/1824.

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Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:30:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 6171.pdf: 4392868 bytes, checksum: 676201b8bd1c6ecafe3c9456c172eb96 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-28
Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos
The forests management and conservation are recently subjects discussed throughout the world, because they are directly correlation with the maintenance of environmental functions and services provided by natural environments. With growth of urban centers and extensive agriculture the natural areas have suffered and are suffering a big pressure making arise degraded areas constantly that encourage the recuperation movement in those areas. Moreover, the selective cut and the formation natural or artificial clearings make discontinuities in the canopy, irregularities reflected in the structure and profile. However, to realize the restoration and management, for example, a forest, first must to know your conservation state. This thesis intend to map more and less conserved areas through the analysis of structure and integrity in the canopy, realized with: canopy cover images, canopy closure images, vertical profile sketch, panchromatic image HRC of satellite CBERS-2B, and techniques digital image processing, beyond field survey. With intention to create a model able to identify, map, and monitor the forest degraded.
A conservação e manejo das florestas são temas muito atuais e discutidos em todo mundo, devido ao fato de estarem diretamente correlacionados com a manutenção das funções e serviços ambientais prestados pelos ambientes naturais. Com o crescimento dos centros urbanos e da agricultura extensiva, as áreas naturais sofreram e estão sofrendo uma grande pressão fazendo com que surjam constantemente áreas degradadas que acabam impulsionando o movimento de recuperação dessas áreas. Além disso, o corte seletivo e a formação de clareiras naturais ou artificiais produzem descontinuidades no dossel, refletindo em irregularidades na estrutura e no perfil. No entanto, para se realizar a recuperação e manejo, por exemplo, de uma floresta, deve-se primeiro conhecer seu estado de conservação. Esta tese pretende mapear áreas mais e menos conservadas, através da análise da estrutura e integridade do dossel, realizada com: imagens da cobertura do dossel, imagens da oclusão do dossel, desenho do perfil vertical, imagem pancromática HRC do satélite CBERS-2B e técnicas de processamento digital de imagens, além de levantamentos de campo. Com o intuito de criar um modelo capaz de identificar, mapear e monitorar a degradação de uma floresta.

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Caetano, Paulo Mantey Domingues. "Fundamentação teórica da Quota Ambiental e estudo de caso de seu desenvolvimento em São Paulo." Universidade de São Paulo, 2016. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/6/6134/tde-31052016-141005/.

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É conveniente que as políticas ambientais municipais contem não apenas com os instrumentos previstos na legislação federal, mas também com instrumentos urbanístico-ambientais a serem inseridos na legislação de parcelamento, uso e ocupação do solo. Assim, objetivou-se neste trabalho desenvolver um tal instrumento. Para tanto, estabeleceu-se: a) requisitos do instrumento: simplicidade, flexibilidade e embasamento teórico; b) objetivos ambientais considerados: promoção da qualidade ecossistêmica, melhoria do microclima e promoção do controle de drenagem na fonte; c) desenvolvimento de métricas: para os dois primeiros objetivos ambientais, demonstrou-se teoricamente ser satisfatório como indicador único uma simplificação do conceito de ecoexergia devido a Jørgensen e, para o último objetivo ambiental, o pico da vazão de saída do lote; d) estabelecimento de padrões: para os dois primeiros objetivos, definição de valores mínimos da ecoexergia simplificada para lotes em diferentes locais e com diferentes usos e taxas de ocupação, enquanto para o último objetivo, impacto zero. Coincidentemente, enquanto esse instrumento era desenvolvido a Prefeitura do Município de São Paulo (Brasil) procedia a uma revisão da lei de parcelamento, uso e ocupação do solo, tendo sido aceito que o instrumento teórico acima servisse como base para o desenvolvimento de um novo instrumento denominado Quota Ambiental (QA). A transformação do instrumento teórico acima na Quota Ambiental, que terminou por ser inserida no projeto de lei encaminhado à Câmara Municipal e depois aprovado por ela, foi objeto de um estudo sui generis, visto que o autor participou ativamente do desenvolvimento da QA como servidor público. Tal demandaria um método a meio caminho entre o estudo de caso e a observação participante, tendo-se optado por um método análogo ao fenomenológico. Para o desenvolvimento da QA foi formado um pequeno grupo de trabalho do qual o autor participou. O instrumento teórico recebeu diversas modificações não só para conformação a diretrizes e decisões políticas, como para amadurecimento de conceitos e cálculos, mostrando-se viável como base para o desenvolvimento da QA. Diversos grupos de interesse influenciaram o desenvolvimento da QA em diferentes fases e em diferentes níveis, chegando a ocorrer de eles se manifestarem diretamente junto ao grupo de trabalho. A Superior Administração prestigiou o processo, mas mostrou-se às vezes dividida em relação ao conflito entre aspectos ambientais e sociais. O grupo teve sucesso em potencializar os ganhos decorrentes da complementaridade de expertises decorrentes da heterogeneidade em termos de formação e experiência dos membros do grupo. Ele procurou harmonizar as diferentes pressões, muitas vezes até se antecipando a elas. Para tanto, o grupo de trabalho desenvolveu uma dinâmica para chegar a consensos internos e para prever, internalizar e posicionar-se frente a pressões, frequentemente conflitantes. As pressões mais severas provieram da própria burocracia municipal. Em todos esses processos a simplicidade, como requisito, foi perdendo-se. A Quota Ambiental mostrou-se um instrumento inovador, aparentando dar satisfação aos reclamos de diversos grupos de interesse e, principalmente, representando uma cunha ambiental inserida na legislação de parcelamento, uso e ocupação do solo.
It is appropriate that municipal environmental policies incorporate not only the instruments provided for in federal legislation, but also the urban-environmental instruments to be inserted in the urban legislation. Thus, it was aimed in this work to develop such an instrument. To do so, it was established the following: a) requirements of the instrument: simplicity, flexibility and theoretical background; b) environmental objectives considered: promotion of ecosystem quality, improvement of microclimate and promotion of drainage control at source; c) development of metrics: a simplification of the concept of eco-exergy due to Jørgensen has been theoretically proven to be satisfactory as a single indicator of the first two environmental objectives; for the last environmental objective, the lot peak output flow; d) establishment of legal standards: for the first two objectives, definition of minimum values of simplified eco-exergy for lots in different locations and with different uses and occupation rates, whereas for the last objective, zero impact. Coincidentally, while this instrument was being developed, the City of São Paulo (Brazil) proceeded to a review of the zoning law, thus being accepted that the above theoretical instrument should serve as the basis for the development of a new instrument called Environmental Quota (Quota Ambiental, QA, in Portuguese). The transformation of the above theoretical instrument into the QA, which ended up being inserted in the bill forwarded to the City Council and later approved by it, was the subject of a sui generis study, as the author participated actively in the development of QA as a public servant. This would require a method halfway between the case study and the participant observation. A method analogous to the phenomenological one was chosen. A small working group in which the author participated was formed for the development of QA. The theoretical instrument received several modifications not only to conform to political guidelines and decisions, but to maturation of concepts and calculations as well, proving feasible as a basis for the development of QA. Several special interest groups influenced the development of QA in different phases and at different levels; it even occurred to interest groups to directly sue the working group. The High Administration supported the process, but it became sometimes divided in relation to the conflict between environmental and social aspects. The group succeeded in enhancing the gains derived from the complementarity of skills resulting from the heterogeneity in terms of training and experience of the working group members. It sought to harmonize the different pressures, often even foreseeing them. To this end, the working group has developed a dynamic to reach internal consensus and to anticipate, internalize and position itself in the face of frequently conflicting pressures. The most severe pressures came from the municipal bureaucracy itself. In all these processes simplicity, as a requirement, was lost. The Environmental Quota proved to be an innovative instrument, appearing to satisfy the demands of various interest groups and, mainly, representing an environmental wedge inserted in the zoning law.

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Integrità ecologica'

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