Tesi: "Arid regions ecology"

1

夏江瀛 e Kong-ying Ha. "Microbial ecology of arid environments". Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10722/193421.

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Deserts comprise the largest terrestrial biome, making up approximately one third of the Earth’s land mass. They are defined in terms of moisture deficit using the Aridity Index with values <1. A further delineation based on mean annual temperatures into hot (>18°C), cold (<18°C) and polar (<0°C) deserts is employed. In the absence of significant macrobiota, microorganisms are key to desert ecosystems. They are located in near-surface soils, and include a widespread hypolithic mode of colonization, where microbial biomass develops on the ventral surfaces of quartz and other translucent stones. A literature review was conducted to appreciate the status of existing knowledge on these systems. Amongst unresolved questions that arose were the following, which form the basis of this inquiry: What are the taxonomic and functional differences between hypolithic and near-soil communities? Do hypolithic communities assemble differently in deserts of different xeric and thermal stresses? Can the keystone cyanobacterial taxa be cultivated under laboratory conditions to allow manipulative studies? The Mojave Desert in the USA was used as a model to test the extent to which hypolithic and near-surface soil communities vary in both taxonomic and putative functional composition. A common phylogenetic marker (16S rRNA gene ITS region) was used to conclude that soil and hypolithic communities are significantly different, although both were dominated by cyanobacteria. The ubiquitous hypolithic cyanobacterial taxon Chroococcidiopsis was encountered, although communities appeared to be dominated functionally by the diazotrophic genus Nostoc. The data strongly suggest that carbon and nitrogen fixation pathways in desert soils are mediated by the same taxa, although heterotrophic pathways may differ and support distinct assemblages of heterotrophic bacteria. An opportunistic sampling of three sites along a latitudinal gradient in China allowed some inference about adaptations in hypoliths. Communities recovered from the cold Tibetan Desert, Taklamakan Basin Desert, and exposed hillsides in tropical Hong Kong, did not display significant differences at the level of community assembly. This suggests that hypolithic taxa undergo strong selection for xeric and extreme thermal stresses. A cultivation strategy for the keystone taxon Chroococcidiopsis has been lacking and is an obvious impediment to manipulative physiological studies. Here various methods for laboratory cultivation were attempted. This bacterium proved extremely fastidious and displayed slow growth rates. After extensive trials a novel cultivation method was developed. This involved using plastic petri dishes containing liquid growth medium, into which glass coverslips were introduced along with cell suspensions. The surface energy of glass served as a nucleation site for Chroococcidiopsis biofilms (which do not develop on plastic surfaces) and this method was evaluated in growth studies as a means of quantifying growth. This research includes key advances to demonstrate that hypoliths and soil, whilst supporting different communities, likely perform similar functional roles in the desert soil. Selection due to the severe environmental stresses results in similar communities across large latitudinal and environmental gradients. The development of a cultivation strategy paves the way for manipulative physiological studies on these important organisms.
published_or_final_version
Biological Sciences
Doctoral
Doctor of Philosophy

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2

McGee, P. A. "Role of mycorrhizas in the regeneration of arid zone plants /". Title page, contents and summary only, 1987. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phm1448.pdf.

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3

Venter, Daniel Barend. "An ecological approach to the reclamation and improvement of arid rangelands using adapted fodder plants". Pretoria : [s.n.], 2005. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-03262007-124226.

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4

Chan, Yu-ki, e 陳裕琪. "Environmental genomic analysis of refuge habitats in hyper-arid deserts". Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2011. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B46917366.

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5

Goff, Bruce Franklin. "Dynamics of canopy structure and soil surface cover in a semiarid grassland". Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1985. http://etd.library.arizona.edu/etd/GetFileServlet?file=file:///data1/pdf/etd/azu_e9791_1985_503_sip1_w.pdf&type=application/pdf.

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6

Becker, Anne [Verfasser]. "Assessment of constructed wetlands in arid regions with special regard to ecology and multifunctionability / Anne Becker". Aachen : Shaker, 2012. http://d-nb.info/106619761X/34.

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7

Lee, Enhua School of Biological Earth &amp Environmental Science UNSW. "The ecological effects of sealed roads in arid ecosystems". Awarded by:University of New South Wales. School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science, 2006. http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/26265.

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The effects of roads on landscapes and wildlife and their ecological processes are substantial and represent a major anthropogenic disruption to the natural environment. Current understanding of the impacts of roads for their strategic management is hampered by a lack of information on 1) the influence of the ecosystems on road effects, 2) the effects of roads on higher-order ecosystem responses (populations and communities), and 3) the overall impacts of roads on ecosystems and their wildlife (on both abiotic and biotic ecosystem components). This study used the Silver City Highway in arid New South Wales, Australia, as a model for a typical road in an arid ecosystem to investigate the ecological effects of arid-zone roads and their management. The study examined the spatial variation of soil, vegetation, kangaroo and small mammal variables in relation to the road, explored the factors contributing to these respective spatial variations, investigated the effects of arid-zone road management on vegetation, assessed the fragmentation effect of the arid-zone road on small mammals, and determined the patterns, causes and effects of kangaroo-vehicle collisions. The study revealed that the arid-zone road influenced most of the variables measured, skewed the population demographics of two kangaroo species, and altered the community composition of small mammals, with two small mammal species listed as threatened in NSW and of national significance (Sminthopsis macroura and Leggadina forresti) negatively impacted by the road. Increases in the amount of water along the road edge drove many of the subsequent effects of the arid-zone road as arid-zone flora and fauna are adapted to exploiting limited and patchily distributed resources. However, current arid-zone road management also influenced vegetation quality, microclimates around the road influenced kangaroo densities and small mammal communities, and kangaroo flight behaviour and temporal variations in traffic volume affected roadkill frequency. Together, these results suggest that roads have a high overall ecological impact in arid ecosystems. Conservation managers need to first rank the impacts of arid-zone roads in order of their conservation importance and need for mitigation, and from there, devise relevant informed management frameworks to target these impacts.

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8

Lee, Enhua. "The ecological effects of sealed roads in arid ecosystems". Connect to this title online, 2006. http://www.library.unsw.edu.au/~thesis/adt-NUN/public/adt-NUN20070315.091920/.

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9

Coventry, Ben. "Woody debris and the effect on the predicted probability of lizard capture in Arcoona Creek, Gammon Ranges National Park, South Australia /". Title page, abstract and table of contents only, 1998. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09AEVH/09aevhc873.pdf.

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10

Wood, Jamie Russell, e n/a. "Pre-settlement paleoecology of Central Otago�s semi-arid lowlands, with emphasis on the pre-settlement role of avian herbivory in South Island dryland ecosystems, New Zealand". University of Otago. Department of Geology, 2008. http://adt.otago.ac.nz./public/adt-NZDU20080211.142212.

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The vegetation communities that existed in the semi-arid intermontane basins and gorges of Central Otago prior to human settlement ~750 years B.P. are poorly understood. This is because of a lack of fossil evidence and complex restructuring by anthropogenic factors, especially increased fire frequency, and more recently mammalian grazing. There is also little information regarding the effect of the lost fauna on maintaining and structuring presettlement communities, both in Central Otago and throughout the eastern South Island dryland zone. This study aims to provide a clearer understanding of the functioning of pre-settlement ecosystems in dryland Central Otago, particularly the role of the largest vertebrate herbivores, the moa (Aves: Dinornithiformes), and to explore the implications of the extinct fauna for land conservation management across New Zealand. Late Pleistocene and Holocene vegetation communities of the Central Otago lowlands were reconstructed from plant macrofossils, including seeds, leaves, and wood, excavated from rockshelter, cave, and swamp deposits throughout the region. The macrofossils represent three main vegetation types: late Pleistocene to mid (late?) Holocene basin floor wetland herb associations, Olearia-shrublands surrounding these wetlands, and mid to late Holocene open scrubland and woodland in gorges and on low altitude slopes, dominated by filiramulate Olearia, Coprosma, and Corokia, with abundant lianes (Muehlenbeckia spp. and Rubus spp.) and understorey herbs. Many native tree and shrub species that are presently widespread in the Central Otago lowlands were rare or absent prior to anthropogenic fires (e.g. Discaria toumatou, Kunzea ericoides, Leptospermum scoparium). Other tree and shrub species once present are now extinct in the region (e.g. Coprosma obconica, Plagianthus regius, Pseudopanax ferox). The loss of these indigenous woody vegetation communities was a major factor contributing to the extirpation of many small bird species, and undoubtedly also reptile and invertebrate species, from the region. Plant macrofossils from rockshelters included remains of bird nests, identifiable by desiccated feathers and eggshell amongst them. These macrofossils include the first described plant remains from the nests of moa, which were constructed from a shallow bed of twigs of locally available shrubs and lianes. Many of the twigs are 25-30 mm in length and show evidence of having been clipped by moa bills. Desiccated coprolites, mostly of moa, but also specimens attributed to Finsch�s duck (Chenonetta finschi) and red-crowned parakeet (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae), were recovered from rockshelter excavations. Moa species associated with a sample of coprolites were identified using ancient DNA analysis, and plant macrofossils from these were examined, together with previously unexamined moa gizzard content samples excavated from mires in the eastern South Island dryland zone. The results indicate that, in addition to previously reported browsing, upland moa (Megalapteryx didinus) and heavy-footed moa (Pachyornis elephantopus) also functioned as grazers, and seeds in their coprolites are dominantly of low shrubs and ground-cover herbs. Of particular interest was the higher than expected frequency of seeds from the currently rare and threatened 'spring annual' herbs; Ceratocephala pungens and Myosurus minimus subsp. novae-zelandiae (Ranunculaceae), suggesting further research on potential ecological relationships between moa and these plants would be worthwhile. The results of this study have provided a baseline for future conservation and restoration projects in the Central Otago lowlands.

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11

Boshoff, C. R. "Structure, distribution and phenology of perennial plant species in the Worcester Veld Reserve, in the arid winter rainfall region of the Southwestern Cape". Master's thesis, Faculty of Science, 1989. https://hdl.handle.net/11427/31874.

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High structural diversity amongst plant species in the arid winter rainfall region of southern Africa is common to other arid regions of the world. Details of the range and combinations of structural attributes in species, and within plant communities, are not widely known for southern African arid ecosystems. Hence little is known of how plant-form distributions vary within and between arid ecosystems. and of the environmental factors that may be responsible for any variations found. Nor is much information available on how phenological behaviour relates to the structural attributes of plant species. This study examined structural attributes of perennial plant species on the Worcester Veld Reserve, southwestern Cape. in relation to their distribution and phenology. Species were grouped on the basis of above ground structural and anatomical criteria. The distribution of species and plant-forms was assessed through a phytosociological survey along an environmental gradient in the area, and their phenology determined through qualitative and quantitative monitoring of species phenophases over a two year period. The results show that species of the predefined structural groups i) Co-occur throughout the area. but relative abundances vary from site to site and in relation to topography. aspect and the presence of Mirna-like mounds; ii) Phenological patterns for the flora overall are strongly seasonal, but the timing and periods of phenophases differ between, but are relatively uniform within, the defined structural plant groups. Since phenological patterns are indicative of resource-use patterns. these results indicate that the different plant-forms have different functional responses to the conditions of limited water availability and summer drought. This conceivably facilitates the co-existence of species in this water-limited environment. Habitat variability. which can be related to land-form patterns. is also implicated as a factor facilitating the co-existence of a diversity of species and plant-forms. Structural functional relationships known for arid region plants help to explain the relative uniformity of behaviour within plantform groups. and aid in understanding the ecological significance of distribution patterns of plant-forms in the arid landscape. The conclusion is reached that because of the close coupling between photosynthesis and water-use. the water storage potential and photosynthetic organ type are plant attributes which can serve as useful criteria by which arid region species can be grouped into ecologically meaningful categories or functional guilds. The formulation of a practical and meaningful functional classification is necessary to facilitate the understanding of complex vegetation patterns and processes within arid ecosystems. and allow for meaningful inter-ecosystem comparisons.

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12

Badman, Francis John. "A comparison of the effects of grazing and mining on vegetation of selected parts of northern South Australia". Title page, table of contents and abstract only, 2002. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phb136.pdf.

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Accompanying CD-ROM inside back cover, includes Appendices. Bibliography: leaves 242-266. This thesis examines the effects on vegetation at selected sites in northern South Australia of excluding various herbivores over a four and a half year period and of two intense but controlled grazing pulses over a six month period followed by an 18 month recovery period in a dune-swale land system. These changes are compared with changes recorded over an 11-year period at the Olympic Dam mine site. It found that short-term changes in vegetation revealed by ordination of periodical cover, density and species richness, are attributable to the periodicity of rainfall and that, under present grazing regimes, rainfall effects override grazing effects. Differences between the effects of sheep and cattle hoof damage are worthy of further investigation, as is the impact of kangaroo grazing. These two factors may have important implications for the management of Australian rangelands. System requirements for accompanying CD-ROM: IBM compatible computer with Pentium processor or higher and Windows 95, 98 or NT ; 4 MB or RAM. Other software: Acrobat Adobe Reader.

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13

Hearman, Amy. "A modelling study into the effects of rainfall variability and vegetation patterns on surface runoff for semi-arid landscapes". University of Western Australia. School of Earth and Geographical Sciences, 2008. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2009.0047.

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[Truncated abstract] Generally hydrologic and ecologic models operate on arbitrary time and space scales, selected by the model developer or user based on the availability of field data. In reality rainfall is highly variable not only annually, seasonally and monthly but also the intensities within a rainfall event and infiltration properties on semi-arid hillslopes can also be highly variable as a result of discontinuous vegetation cover that form mosaics of areas with vegetation and areas of bare soil. This thesis is directed at improving our understanding of the impacts of the temporal representation of rainfall and spatial heterogeneity on model predictions of hydrologic thresholds and surface runoff coefficients on semi-arid landscapes at the point and hillslope scales. We firstly quantified within storm rainfall variability across a climate gradient in Western Australia by parameterizing the bounded random cascade rainfall model with one minute rainfall from 15 locations across Western Australia. This study revealed that rainfall activity generated in the tropics had more within storm variability and a larger proportion of the storm events received the majority of rain in the first half of the event. Rainfall generated from fontal activity in the south was less variable and more evenly distributed throughout the event. Parameters from the rainfall analysis were then used as inputs into a conceptual point scale surface runoff model to investigate the sensitivity of point scale surface runoff thresholds to the resolution of rainfall inputs. This study related maximum infiltration capacities to average storm intensities (k*) and showed where model predictions of infiltration excess were most sensitive to rainfall resolution (ln k* = 0.4) and where using time averaged rainfall data can lead to an under prediction of infiltration excess and an over prediction of the amount of water entering the soil (ln k* > 2). For soils susceptible to both infiltration excess and saturation excess, total runoff sensitivity was scaled by relating drainage coefficients to average storm intensities (g*) and parameter ranges where predicted runoff was dominated by infiltration excess or saturation excess depending on the resolution of rainfall data were determined (ln g* <2). The sensitivity of surface runoff predictions and the influence of specific within storm properties were then analysed on the hillslope scale. '...' It was found that using the flow model we still get threshold behaviour in surface runoff. Where conditions produce slow surface runoff velocities, spatial heterogeneity and temporal heterogeneity influences hillslope surface runoff amounts. Where conditions create higher surface runoff velocities, the temporal structure of within storm intensities has a larger influence on runoff amounts than spatial heterogeneity. Our results show that a general understanding of the prevailing rainfall conditions and the soil's infiltration capacity can help in deciding whether high rainfall resolutions (below 1 h) are required for accurate surface runoff predictions. The results of this study can be considered a contribution to understanding the way within storm properties effect the processes on the hillslope under a range of overall storm, slope and infiltration conditions as well as an improved understanding of how different vegetation patterns function to trap runoff at different total vegetation covers and rainfall intensities.

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14

Carver, Scott Stevenson. "Dryland salinity, mosquitoes, mammals and the ecology of Ross River virus". University of Western Australia. School of Animal Biology, 2008. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2009.0100.

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[Truncated abstract] In an era of emerging and resurging infectious diseases, understanding the ecological processes that influence pathogen activity and the influences of anthropogenic change to those are critical. Ross River virus (RRV, Togoviridae: Alphavirus) is a mosquito-borne zoonosis occurring in Australia with a significant human disease burden. In the southwest of Western Australia (WA) RRV is principally vectored by Aedes camptorhynchus Thomson (Diptera: Culicidae), which is halophilic. The inland southwest, the Wheatbelt region, of WA is substantially affected by an anthropogenic salinisation of agricultural land called dryland salinity, which threatens to influence transmission of this arbovirus. This study assessed the ecological impacts of dryland salinity on mosquitoes, mammalian hosts and their interactions to influence the potential for RRV transmission. Many aquatic insect taxa colonise ephemeral water bodies directly as adults or by oviposition. Using a manipulative experiment and sampling from ephemeral water bodies in the Wheatbelt, I demonstrated that salinity of water bodies can modify colonisation behaviour and the distribution of some organisms across the landscape. Halosensitive fauna selected less saline mesocosms for oviposition and colonisation. In particular, Culex australicus Dobrotworksy and Drummond and Anopheles annulipes Giles (Diptera: Culicidae), potential competitors with Ae. camptorhynchus, avoided ovipostion in saline mesocosms and water bodies in the field. This finding suggests salinity influences behaviour and may reduce interspecific interactions between these taxa and Ae. camptorhynchus at higher salinities. Using extensive field surveys of ephemeral water bodies in the Wheatbelt I found mosquitoes frequently colonised ephemeral water bodies, responded positively to rainfall, and populated smaller water bodies more densely than larger water bodies. The habitat characteristics of ephemeral water bodies changed in association with salinity. Consequently there were both direct and indirect associations between salinity and colonising mosquitoes. Ultimately the structure of mosquito assemblages changed with increasing salinity, favouring an increased regional distribution and abundance of Ae. camptorhynchus. The direct implication of this result is secondary salinisation has enhanced the vectorial potential for RRV transmission in the WA Wheatbelt. ... This thesis contributes to an emerging body of research aimed at delineating important ecological processes which determine transmission of infections disease. Collectively the findings in this study suggest dryland salinity enhances the potential for RRV activity in the Wheatbelt. Currently, human RRV notifications in the Wheatbelt do not reflect the salinity-RRV transmission potential in that area, but appear to be associated with dispersal of RRV from the enzootic coastal zone of southwest WA. I speculate dryland salinity is a determinant of potential for RRV transmission, but not activity. Dryland salinity is predicted to undergo a two to four fold expansion by 2050, which will increase the regional potential for RRV activity. Preservation and restoration of freshwater ecosystems may ameliorate the potential for transmission of RRV and, possibly, human disease incidence.

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15

Malusa, James Rudolph. "The phylogeny and water relations of pinyon pines in relation to the vicariance biogeography of the American southwest". Diss., The University of Arizona, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/191149.

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Axelrod (1958) suggested that the late Tertiary shift in regional climate -- the elimination of summer rains -- had a profound influence on the evolution of biotic provinces in the American southwest. In particular, the taxa endemic to biotic provinces characterized by summer drought, e.g., the Mojave Desert, should be derived from ancestors that likely inhabited regions of summer rain, e.g., the Chihuahuan Desert. Further, the derived features of summer-drought taxa should be related to water stress. I examined Axelrod's thesis, using a combination of phylogenetic systematics, physiological ecology, and vicariance biogeography. The first chapter is a cladistic study of the pinyon pines, 13 taxa of small trees that range from the summer-wet regions of Mexico to the summer drought regions of Nevada and California. A parsimony analysis using twenty morphological characters showed that the most recently derived pinyons are from regions of summer drought. The "summer-drought" taxa are characterized by relatively few needles per fascicle. Because fewer needles per fascicle results in a reduction in the needle surface-to-volume ratio, Haller (1965) hypothesized that fewer needles in pines is an adaptation to reduce transpirational water loss. The second chapter reports on a two year study of the xylem pressure potentials of single- and double-needled fascicles of hybrid pinyons in central Arizona. The results showed no significant differences between single- and double-needles. I concluded that either needle morphology does not effect water relations, or that the relatively high precipitation during the study did not allow significant water stress to occur. The third chapter uses the methods of vicariance biogeography to search for a common pattern of relationship between southwestern biotic provinces, as indicated by the relationships of their endemic taxa. Using a biogeographic parsimony analysis, I compared the area cladograms of six taxa -- junipers, pinyon pines, the composite Palafoxia, hedgehog cactus, desert tortoises, and gecko lizards. The most parsimonious area cladogram supports Axelrod's (1958) hypothesis, but also shows that some taxa, notably the junipers, support other patterns of area relationships, e.g., summer-drought primitive. I suggest that there is no single pattern of area relationships because of the effects of the Pleistocene (including dispersal and extinction) and vicariance events other than the Tertiary climatic change, e.g., the separation of the Baja peninsula from mainland Mexico during the Miocene.

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16

Haveron, Sara Elizabeth. "Comparing small mammal assemblages between communal and commercial rangelands within a region of the Succulent Karoo, South Africa". Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/2367.

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Thesis (MScConsEcol (Conservation Ecology and Entomology))--Stellenbosch University, 2008.
The widespread ecological impacts of overgrazing by livestock within the Succulent Karoo have received considerable attention. Literature shows communal and commercial rangelands have been thoroughly studied, and vegetation responses have been investigated in an attempt to understand the effects of overgrazing. Regarding animal species, literature is in short supply. In a one-year study of small mammal assemblages, the effect of the rangelands, and subsequently vegetation, on small mammal assemblages was examined, as well as the effects on number of occupied, unoccupied and collapsed burrows. This study shows that vegetation composition differs between rangelands, with a greater perennial shrub cover on the communal rangelands and a greater perennial succulent cover on commercial rangelands, consequently creating different habitats for animal assemblages. This study supports the notion of small mammal composition relating to vegetation structure, with certain species being impacted by heavy grazing. Four small mammal species were found in greater abundances on commercial rangelands, with one being exclusive, while communal rangelands were exclusively occupied by three nocturnal species. Diet and habitat requirements are the most important factors regarding species occurrence. With small mammal species composition differing between rangelands, and species richness not being affected by rangeland type, this study illustrates that the disappearance of certain species may arise without these different rangelands. This could result in reduced species richness, and thus diversity being lost. Regarding species present on both rangelands, no differences were observed in body mass, body size or body condition. Despite no differences found in body condition, calculating a body condition index is a good method for investigating how a species is coping within an environment. The proportion and number of occupied and collapsed burrows can be seen as a measure of trampling effect. It was expected for grazing intensity, as well as vegetation changes, to affect the occurrence of such burrows. This study showed differences between the communal and commercial rangelands as negligible. As expected, numbers of burrowing small mammal species were negatively correlated with numbers of collapsed burrows. However, a lack of consistency deemed this result unimportant. Results show that the effects of overgrazing on small mammal populations are complex and require more attention if to be fully explained. This study provides insights into the effects of land use on small mammals and burrow numbers, which have implications for the conservation of these species within arid regions.

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17

Khalili, Davar 1955. "A decision methodology for the resource utilization of rangeland watersheds". Diss., The University of Arizona, 1986. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/191118.

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Degradation of rangeland resources leading to the desertification process is viewed in terms of human and climatic influences. While climatic impacts are important, resource utilization as practiced by man is the major cause of desertification. A multi-objective .decision methodology is developed here which is intended for the analysis of alternative management plans of rangeland watersheds under climatic variability. First, a system model is employed to portray the dynamics of a rangeland as it would respond to climatic changes and different grazing intensities. This approach allows for an interaction of inputs such as rainfall, solar radiation, and temperature with the state of the system which is a range condition index, and with outputs such as production and sediment yield. A simulation package is developed to implement the system model by actually using available data and providing some output values for production and sediment yield. At this stage a number of alternative management plans are identified. The information obtained from the simulation as well as other information of interest are represented by performance criteria, leading to an array of alternative versus criteria. Then, management plans need to be evaluated as they would impact the criteria. A multiobjective decision making technique is selected to perform the analysis for an identification of prefered management alternatives.

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18

Murray, Francis J. "Potential for aquaculture in community-managed irrigation systems of the dry-zone, Sri Lanka : impacts on livelihoods of the poor". Thesis, University of Stirling, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/1893/62.

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Rainfed areas in the Dry-Zone of Sri Lanka are characteristic of extensive marginal agro-ecosystems known as the semi-arid tropics (SAT) populated by poor farming communities. In the Dry-Zone and elsewhere, the traditional response to seasonal water scarcity was to construct rainfall-harvesting devices known as ‘tanks’; created by building earthen dykes across ephemeral streams in undulating terrain. Most are held in common ownership by adjacent communities, who use them for multiple functions including irrigation, bathing and fishing. Storage efficiency is enhanced by arranging tanks in cascading sequence within watersheds so that drainage waters can be re-used. The aim of this study was to evolve improved collective strategies for the management of seasonal water bodies (focussing on aquatic production) in order to reduce the vulnerability of the poorest groups. Understanding of these complex systems requires a holistic approach which integrates hydrological, biological and socio-economic factors on a suitable (watershed) scale. Work commenced with a comprehensive situation analysis, culminating with the formulation of a participatory research agenda for action research based on low-input stocking enhancements. Village livelihoods have traditionally revolved around paddy cultivation as the primary tank function; however, in recent times, water-use strategies have responded to a range of demographic, economic and environmental pressures with implications for the sustainable management of natural resources, especially living aquatic organisms. Natural fish production in the most seasonal tanks relies on intermittent spill-events which link successive tanks; these provide migration routes which permit recruitment of stocks from lower perennial tanks. Rehabilitation initiatives that increase the storage / irrigation capacity of tanks or poorly designed surplus weirs that impede migration have negative impacts on fisheries, though they are rarely considered by planners. The fundamental concept of the purana complex (PC) as the smallest logical sub-component of the watershed for intervention is introduced. Within PC boundaries discrete community groups bound by ties of kinship and caste, control access to private and commonly held natural resources. PCs in the uppermost reaches of watersheds are distinguishable by the highly seasonal nature of their tanks and poor physical infrastructure relative to lower watershed communities. Such areas are also often buffer zones between as yet uninhabited hinterlands and settled areas where cultivation potentials are further restricted due to wild animal incursions. Consequently, these groups exhibit the greatest dependence on exploitation of the natural resource base. This often includes less seasonal tanks in lower PCs where fisheries are of less significance to local livelihoods. Such low-level ‘poaching’ is generally well tolerated, but potential for conflict exists where development efforts restrict hitherto free access to these resources. These findings were the basis for two phases of action research which involved the stocking of ten tanks belonging to seven communities in North West Province (2000-2001). Phase 1 trials encompassed a range of social and physical and settings from lower to upper watershed. Results indicated that the use of costly hatchery-produced seed was unlikely to be sustainable given (1) a background of highly erratic natural production (2) uncertain returns to individual effort and (3) a low priority accorded to fish production from village tanks given the availability of low-cost commercial production from perennial reservoirs. The second phase was restricted to low-caste communities in upper watershed areas and relied entirely on wild-fish stocks captured from perennial reservoirs lower in the watershed. Also emphasis was on intermittent ‘staggered’ harvesting using hook and line gears rather than the single intensive ‘collective harvests’ adopted in phase 1 trials. High yield potentials were demonstrated in the smallest tanks (<4ha) which were devoid of fish stocks during two pervious drought years. Results also indicate that sustainable adoption will be likely only where there is strong social cohesion and representative village leadership. An adaptive learning process which can demonstrate the net benefits of staggered harvesting in seasonal tanks is described. These stocking strategies combined with tank rehabilitation sympathetic to preservation of upstream hydrological linkages, are highly complementary enhancement steps. Results clearly show that together they have potential to maintain the wider aquatic ecosystem on which the poorest groups depend.

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19

Kraaij, Tineke. "Effects of rain, nitrogen, fire and grazing on bush encroachment in semi-arid savanna, South Africa". Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/52817.

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Abstract (sommario):

Thesis (MScFor)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Increases in woody plant density ('bush encroachment') reduce livestock production and biodiversity. By convention, soil moisture, soil nutrients, fire and herbivory are regarded as the principal factors governing the tree-grass ratio of savannas. An experiment with a completely-crossed design was employed to investigate woody seedling (Acacia me/lifera) recruitment near Kimberley, Northern Cape, South Africa, after fire and under conditions of maximum-recorded rainfall, nitrogen addition and grazing. The field experiment was repeated as a garden experiment to determine if the two experiments yield comparable results. Tree germination in the field was extremely low, probably due to below-average natural rainfall in plots that only received natural rain, and insufficient watering frequency in irrigated plots. As a result of low germination, none of the treatments (rain/nitrogen/fire/grazing) had a significant effect on tree recruitment in the field experiment. The duration of the experiment (2000/2001 growing season) was insufficient for the treatments to affect grass composition, although the high rainfall treatment and grazing exclusion significantly improved grass cover and height. The garden experiment showed that frequent watering, no nitrogen addition and grass clipping significantly enhanced tree germination and survival (termed 'recruitment'). There were also significant interactions among rain, nitrogen and grazing in their effects on tree recruitment. The effects of rain on tree recruitment were more pronounced under nitrogen supplementation and vice versa. Similarly, high rain and high nitrogen enhanced the effect of grazing on tree recruitment. It is inferred that above-average rainfall years with frequent rainfall events are required for mass tree recruitment. Tree seedlings can further benefit from space and resources which are made available through grass defoliation. Conversely, nitrogen enrichment improves the competitive ability of the fast-growing grasses relatively more than that of the N2-fixing tree component, thereby suppressing tree recruitment. In contrast to conventional wisdom that grazing alone causes encroachment, it is suggested that there are complex interactions between the abovementioned factors and 'triggering' events such as unusually high rainfall. Contrary to many claims that equilibrium models are inappropriate for explaining savanna dynamics, it was shown that consumer-resource theory has explanatory power for bush-grass dynamics of the savanna studied. The state-space approach that was used facilitated the understanding of savanna dynamics and enabled predictions about the system's response to perturbations. The applicability of consumer-resource theory to semi-arid nutrient-poor savannas confirmed the importance of resource competition in structuring natural systems.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Toenames in die digtheid van houtagtige plante ('bosverdigting') verlaag veeproduksie en biodiversiteit. Volgens konvensie word grondvog, grondvoedingstowwe, vuur en beweiding beskou as die belangrikste faktore wat die boom-gras verhouding van savannas bepaal. 'n Volledig-gekruisde ("completely crossed") eksperiment is ontwerp om boomsaad-ontkieming (Acacia mellifera) naby Kimberley, Noord-Kaap, Suid- Afrika, te bestudeer na 'n brand en onder toestande van maksimum-aangetekende reënval, stikstof toevoeging en beweiding. Die veldeskperiment is herhaal as 'n tuineksperiment om vas te stel hoe resultate van die twee eksperimente vergelyk. Boomsaad-ontkieming was uiters laag in die veld, waarskynlik weens ondergemiddelde reënval in persele wat slegs natuurlike reënvalontvang het, en 'n te lae benattingsfrekwensie in die besproeide persele. As gevolg van lae ontkieming in die veldeksperiment, het geen behandeling (reënval/stikstof/brand/beweiding) boomsaad-ontkieming beduidend geaffekteer nie. Die duur van die eksperiment (2000/2001-groeiseisoen) was te kort vir die behandelings om grassamestelling te beïnvloed, alhoewel besproeiing en geen beweiding die grasbedekking en -hoogte betekenisvol verhoog het. Die tuineksperiment het getoon dat boomsaadontkieming en vroeë oorlewing (genoem 'vestiging') betekenisvol verhoog is deur gereëlde benatting, geen stikstof toevoeging en die sny van gras. Daar was ook beduidende interaksies tussen reën, stikstof en beweiding in hul invloed op boomvestiging. Die reënbehandeling het 'n groter uitwerking op boomvestiging gehad onder stikstoftoevoeging en vice versa. Hoë reënval en stikstoftoevoeging het ook die invloed van beweiding op boomvestiging versterk. Die afleiding is dat bogemiddelde reënvaljare met gereëlde reënbuie 'n vereiste is vir grootskaalse boomvestiging. Boomsaailinge kan verder voordeel trek uit die spasie en hulpbronne wat beskikbaar raak wanneer gras ontblaar word. Daarteenoor verhoog stikstofverryking die mededingendheid van die vinniggroeiende grasse meer as dié van die N2-bindende boomkomponent, met die gevolg dat boomvestiging onderdruk word. In kontras met die konvensionele veronderstelling dat beweiding opsigself bosverdigting veroorsaak, word voorgestel dat ingewikkelde interaksies plaasvind tussen die bogenoemde faktore en ander 'sneller-gebeurtenisse', soos buitengewoon hoë reënval. In teenstelling met baie aansprake dat ekwilibrium modelle ontoepaslik is om savanna-dinamika te verklaar, is getoon dat die verbruikers-hulpbron teorie ("consumer-resource theory") oor verklaringsvermoë beskik vir boom-gras dinamika van die savanna wat bestudeer is. Die staat-spasie ("state-space") benadering gebruik, het begrip van savanna-dinamika bevorder en voorspellings moontlik gemaak aangaande die sisteem se reaksie op versteurings. Die toepaslikheid van verbruikers-hulpbron teorie vir semi-ariede, nutriënt-arm savannas bevestig dat kompetisie vir hulpbronne 'n sentrale rol speel in die strukturering van ekologiese sisteme.

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20

Commander, Lucy. "Seed biology and rehabilitation in the arid zone : a study in the Shark Bay world heritage area, Western Australia". University of Western Australia. School of Plant Biology, 2009. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2009.0091.

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Research into seed biology and restoration ecology of areas disturbed by mining is crucial to their revegetation. Shark Bay Salt, a solar salt facility in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area in Western Australia has several areas of disturbance as a result of 'soil borrowing'. Soil from these areas termed 'borrow pits' was used to create infrastructure such as the roads and embankments surrounding the evaporation ponds. Many of the pits contain little to no vegetation after >10 years since disturbance ceased, hence research into their restoration is now essential. A vegetation survey at the site established the key species in the undisturbed vegetation, and investigated the vegetation in borrow pits subject to natural migration and topsoil replacement. The vegetation communities in the borrow pits were vastly different to those in the undisturbed vegetation, highlighting the need for research into revegetation. An investigation into the use of 'borrowed' topsoil on a small scale showed that seedling recruitment from 'borrowed' topsoil was generally similar in the donor site (natural vegetation) and the borrow pits. Due to the absence of topsoil for further revegetation, it was necessary to understand seed germination and dormancy characteristics to establish seed pre-treatments prior to seed broadcasting and seedling (greenstock) planting. An investigation into seed germination and dormancy characteristics of 18 common species revealed that most species germinated equally well at 26/13oC and 33/18oC, however seven species had improved performance at 26/13oC. Untreated seeds of seven species exhibited high germination. Seeds of two species had low imbibition, which increased with hot-water treatment, and hence require scarification for germination. Germination of seeds of three species substantially increased with gibberellic acid (GA3), smoke water (SW) and karrikinolide (KAR1, a butenolide isolated from smoke). Seeds of the remaining six species had low germination regardless of treatment. As a result, species were classified as likely to be non-dormant (44%), physiologically dormant (44%) or physically dormant (11%). Physiological dormancy of three species was at least partly alleviated by dry afterripening, whereby moisture content of seeds was adjusted to 13% or 50% equilibrium relative humidity and seeds were stored at 30oC or 45oC for several months. All iv after-ripening conditions increased germination percentage and rate of two species with one only germinating when treated with GA3 or KAR1. The germination of the third species was dependent on after-ripening temperature and seed moisture content.

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21

Britz, Mari-Louise. "The effects of soil type and management strategy on vegetation structure and function in a semi-arid savanna, South Africa". Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/53768.

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Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2004.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Bush encroachment in savannas leads to reduced diversity, productivity and profitability of rangelands. This holds important implications for the livestock and eco-tourism industries, as well as for subsistence ranchers in the South African semi-arid savannas, who depend on this vegetation type for economic and livelihood purposes. Soil moisture, nutrients, rue and herbivory are generally regarded as the principal factors determining vegetation structure and function within savannas. The factors and processes involved in the determination of the tree:grass ratio within savannas are, however, not clearly understood. We investigated the role of soil type and management strategy (cattle, game and communal grazing) in the determination of the presence and distribution of plant species in general, and on the presence and distribution of the encroaching tree species, Acacia mellifera, specifically. Both shortand long-term trends were investigated. The study area, the Kimberley Triangle, (Northern Cape Province, South Africa), was ideal for this kind of study because it has different management strategies practised on several soil types, and bush encroachment is a widespread phenomenon. Contrary to the belief that heavy livestock grazing is the main cause of increases in the tree:grass ratio, we found that soil type, through its effects on plant growth and on the presence and availability of soil moisture and nutrients, is more important in determining vegetation composition than management strategy. It was found that the various types of grazing management mainly influenced vegetation structure and function by affecting the competitive interactions between Ns-fixing woody species and non-Ns-fixing grasses. Of the soil factors affecting vegetation composition, soil texture was a good indicator of the physical conditions for plant growth in an area, and also of the presence and availability of soil moisture and nutrients. We found that sand and clay soils are relatively resistant to bush encroachment as compared to loamy-sand and -clay mixes. This is because woody growth is impaired in the first-mentioned habitats by soil texture, soil moisture regimes and heavy utilisation. In soils with combinations of loam, sand and clay, soil texture and moisture are not limiting to woody growth and if the repressive competitive effect of grasses on woody vegetation is removed, opportunities are created for recruitment of woody species and encroachment. Additionally, rockiness increases soil moisture infiltration. In the study area, woody species, and specifically A. mellifera, are associated with these areas. We suggest that in the study area, rocky areas are naturally encroached. This is in agreement with the patchdynamic approach to savanna vegetation dynamics. Because soil moisture is such an important factor in the determination of the tree:grass ratio in the study area, we further suggest that in above-average rainfall years, when soil moisture conditions are optimal for woody seed germination, establishment and growth, heavy grazing should be avoided, as it would provide the opportunity for encroachment. Keywords: Bush encroachment; N2-fixing species; game, cattle, communal grazing; soil texture; soil moisture; soil nutrients; Acacia mellifera; tree-grass competition.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Bosindringing in savanna gebiede het verlaagde diversiteit, produktiwiteit en winsgewendheid van natuurlike weivelde tot gevolg. Behalwe dat dit die Suid-Afrikaanse vee- en ekotoerisme bedrywe raak, is verskeie bestaansboerderye afhanklik van die plantegroei-tipe vir oorlewing. Grondvog, grondvoedingstowwe, vuur en beweiding word algemeen aanvaar as die belangrikste faktore wat die struktuur en funksie van savannas bepaal. Daar is egter nog nie duidelikheid oor die prosesse wat betrokke is in die bepaling van die boom-gras verhouding in savannas nie. In dié studie het ons ondersoek ingestel na die invloed van grond tipe en beweidingstrategieë (beweiding deur beeste, wild, of kommunale beweiding) op die algemene verspreiding van verskillende plant spesies, en ook op die van die indringer spesie, Acacia mellifera. Beide kort- en lang-termyn patrone is ondersoek. Die studiegebied, die Kimberley Driehoek in die Noord-Kaap, Suid-Afrika, was ideaal vir so 'n ondersoek omdat verskillende beweiding strategieë op verskeie grond-tipes beoefen word maar bosindringing steeds 'n algemene verskynsel in die gebied is. Ons bevinding was dat, ten spyte van die feit dat daar oor die algemeen geglo word dat swaar beweiding die hoof oorsaak van bosindringing is, grond-tipe belangriker is in die bepaling van die spesie-samestelling van 'n gebied. Dit is as gevolg van die feit dat grond-tipe die groei van plante beïnvloed deur die teenwoordigheid en beskikbaarheid van grondvog en -nutriënte te bepaal. Die verskillende beweidingstrategieë beïnvloed meerendeels die kompetatiewe interaksies tussen N2-bindende hout-agtige spesies teenoor nie-Nj-bindende gras-agtige spesies. Grond-tekstuur was 'n goeie aanduiding van die algemene toestande vir plantegroei en ook van die teenwoordigheid en beskikbaarheid van grondvog en -nutriënte. Ons het bevind dat sand en klei grond, relatief tot leem, sand en klei kombinasies, weerstandbiedend is teen bosindringing as gevolg van die tekstuur, water-regimes en swaar beweidings vlakke wat op die grond-tipes voorkom. Omdat grond-tekstuur en grondvog nie beperkend is op die leem-, sand- en klei-grond kombinasies nie, kan bosindringing maklik hier voorkom as die onderdrukkende effek wat grasse op houtagtige plantegroei het, deur swaar beweiding verwyder word. A. mellifera is ook oor die algemeen met klipperige gebiede geassosieer omdat klipperigheid lei tot verhoogde infiltrasie van grondvog. In die studie-gebied is klipperige areas dan ook van nature ingedring deur A. mellifera. Dit stem ooreen met die siening dat savannas bestaan uit "laslappe" van verskillende plantegroei (patch-dynamic approach). Dit was duidelik dat grondvog 'n belangrike bepalende faktor is in die bepaling van die boom-gras verhouding in die studiegebied. Ons stel dus voor dat in bo-gemiddelde reënval jare, swaar beweiding vermy moet word, omdat houtagtige saailinge gedurende die tydperke maklik kan ontkiem en vestig juis omdat grondvog dan nie beperkend is nie. Sleutelwoorde: Bosindringing; N2-bindende spesies; bees, wild, kommunale beweiding; grond tekstuur; grond-vog; grond-nutriënte; Acacia mellifera; boom-gras kompetisie.

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22

Deblauwe, Vincent. "Modulation des structures de végétation auto-organisées en milieu aride". Doctoral thesis, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/2013/ULB-DIPOT:oai:dipot.ulb.ac.be:2013/210121.

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Abstract (sommario):

À l’échelle macroscopique, à savoir celle du paysage, la couverture végétale des milieux arides apparaît comme fortement hétérogène. Cette organisation spatiale des peuplements est habituellement attribuée aux processus de facilitation et de compétition qui opèrent à l’échelle microscopique des individus végétaux. Le qualificatif d’auto-organisées fut donc attribué à ces végétations qui se structurent en l’absence d’hétérogénéité préexistante du milieu physique.

L’auto-organisation de la végétation fut particulièrement bien étudiée dans le cas des structures périodiques connues dès les années '50 sous le nom de brousses tigrées. Depuis les années '90, un pas en avant dans la compréhension de ce phénomène fut accompli grâce au développement de modèles mécanistes de la dynamique de la phytomasse et des ressources, émanant du cadre théorique de l'auto-organisation des structures dissipatives. Ces modèles se rejoignent sur un ensemble de prédictions robustes et vérifiables concernant la formation, le maintien et la modulation par l'environnement des structures macroscopiques. Durant le même laps de temps, notre niveau d’analyse a connu une expansion sans précédent, à la fois dans le temps et dans l’espace, grâce au développement de l’imagerie satellitaire et des outils d’analyse spatiale. Nous nous trouvons dès lors à un moment charnière pour la validation macroscopique des théories d’auto-organisation des végétations en milieu aride.

Le présent travail s'articule en quatre études, chacune traitant d'une prédiction différente. Nous avons mis en évidence les principales variables responsables de la formation des structures et de leur modulation en termes d’échelle et de géométrie. Enfin avons démontré la mobilité des structures sous l’effet d’une pente de terrain.
Doctorat en Sciences
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

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23

Thondhlana, Gladman. "Dryland conservation areas, indigenous people, livelihoods and natural resource values in South Africa: the case of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park". Thesis, Rhodes University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011732.

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Contemporary conservation and development understanding in both policy and academic circles espouses that natural resources have a significant contribution to the livelihoods of local people and that knowledge of this can better foster conservation policies that are consistent with livelihood and ecological needs. This thesis is based on research conducted in the southern Kalahari region, South Africa among the San and Mier communities bordering Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. It looks at the importance of natural resources to the San and Mier community groups and ascertains the extent of resource use and its value within broader livelihood portfolios. It also focuses on the cultural values of natural resources and interactions among institutions and actors and how these shape natural resource governance and livelihood outcomes. Overall, natural resources represent an important livelihood source contributing up to 32 % and 9 % of the total income of the San and Mier respectively or up to 46 % and 23 % if livestock incomes are included. However, the dependence on, diversification patterns and distribution of natural resource income vary substantially between and within the two communities. With regards to the cultural values attached to natural resources by the San and Mier, the findings show that these arise from an incredibly diverse and sometimes conflicting array of values that punctuate the two communities’ way of life and they are inextricably linked to resource use. Lastly, governance of natural resources in the co-managed Park and communitymanaged resettlement farms is characterised by complex institutional arrangements, compounded by the existence of multiple actors that have multiple and sometimes conflicting objectives – as shaped by different meanings and interpretations of natural resources. Heightened inter- and intra-community conflicts are common, notably resource use conflicts between the San and Mier and between the San ‘modernist’ and ‘traditionalist’ groups. This demonstrates that the communities’ livelihood dynamics in general and the dependence on natural resources in particular, are closely linked with ecological, economic and social factors including history, culture and present livelihood needs. By exploring the social-environment interactions, the study highlights the complexities and diversity of resource use for livelihoods that should be taken into consideration for both conservation and development policy interventions and research. The main argument of the study is that the contribution of natural resources to local livelihood portfolios in co- and community-managed areas, can be better understood through a consideration of cultural dynamics and institutional arrangements since these condition natural resource access, value and use.

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24

El-Mahi, Yousif A. "Aspects of vegetation resilience and change in relation to major environmental disturbances in the semi-arid parts of Kordofan region-Sudan". Thesis, Durham University, 1990. http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/6595/.

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The aim of this study has been to investigate the different responses of vegetation to the major environmental disturbances and discontinuities in Kordofan region of the Sudan. Data used have been obtained from fieldwork survey, aerial photographs and a landsat image in combination with existing maps and statistics on vegetation, climate, agriculture and population. Results obtained have shown that most plant species are neither randomly distributed nor indications of the postulated regularity of distribution were detected. Such a distributional pattern was explained through the pattern of surface properties. These have included rainfall, soil characteristics, micro-topography and the type of vegetation itself. The different types of vegetation identified were shown to reflect various succession stages following either excessive cultivation, grazing or both. Climatically conditioned natural vegetation is virtually absent as the effect is almost entirely masked by man's activities. Evidence presented showed that various types of woodland were formerly more extensive and that they have been replaced by secondary shrubland, bushland and grassland. Most plant communities have been explained by their history of cultivation and grazing pressure. These two were found to interpret the process of successional changes, to radically alter its dynamics and to set plant species on a wide variety of paths which is largely controlled by the pressure exerted. Achieved result indicated that vegetation in the area has persisted to exist and to re-establish itself after virtual elimination. This is shown to reflect a high degree of resilience in the system. Evidence were shown that if the vegetation is protected and the climatic and edaphic conditions were favourable, it will eventually be succeeded by a richer type of vegetation. It has not been possible to prove neither to reject the claim often found in literature that the vegetation zones in this region are constantly shifting southward as a result of overgrazing, overcultivation and accelerated soil erosion. However, it has been possible to recognise a process of successional changes which varies from one place to another in terms of nature and intensity depending largely on site characteristics.

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25

Omer, Raja Muhammad. "The classification and efficiency of use of forage resources under semi-arid conditions in the Hindukush, Kakakoram and Himalayan region of Pakistan". Thesis, University of Aberdeen, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.274871.

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The study was based on six villages along two sample transects, i.e. the Karakoram Highway (KKH) transect (good road and market infrastructure) and the Gilgit Ghizar Region (GGR) transect (poor road and market infrastructure). The primary objective was to examine if there were differences in pasture use due to infrastructure development. In each village, pastures were categorised into three broad vegetation types on the basis of altitude, i.e. foothill (<1500m), dry temperate (1500-3000m) and alpine (>3000m). Within each vegetation type pastures were selected for measuring vegetation by quadrats of varying sizes. Vegetation changed from very sparse shrubs in foothill to less sparse shrubs in dry temperature to grass/forbs in alpine pastures. One foothill, three dry temperate and four alpine communities were identified. Availability of water was the main factor that affected the structure and composition of vegetation in the area. Biomass and production was high in the alpine as compared to foothill and dry temperature pastures during different seasons. Production was high during spring in the dry temperature pastures. Altitude change did affect biomass, however production was less affected. Both biomass and production were better on the moderate as compared to gentle slopes. The nutritive value of herbage was highest during spring season overall. Alpine pastures had higher use than dry temperate and foothill pastures in all seasons. Production was higher than use in the dry temperate pastures during spring season. The livestock density did not differ between the KKH and GGR transects. The alpine pastures had higher livestock density. There was no significant difference in pasture use by livestock between the KKH and GGR transects. The main difference was in the use between different villages, particularly during spring season. There was higher use of the alpine pastures of different villages on both the transects (concordant with livestock densities).

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26

Giffin, Joy M. "Sediment production, storage, and transport processes studied in two semi-arid basins and in a recently burned region of the Mojave National Preserve". abstract and full text PDF (free order & download UNR users only), 2006. http://0-gateway.proquest.com.innopac.library.unr.edu/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:1438923.

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27

Dunham, Natasha Robin. "Influence of hydrological and environmental conditions on mangrove vegetation at coastal and inland semi-arid areas of the Gascoyne region". Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2014. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1406.

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Mangrove stands are uncommon within semi-arid climates and rare within inland systems. It is uncertain whether the same environmental variables influence mangroves growing in a semi-arid climate as the trees growing in tropical and sub-tropical areas. Field studies conducted on the ecophysiological responses of the mangrove species Avicennia marina are few; however hydrological regimes are considered the key factor influencing mangrove stand zonation, structure and individual tree growth. The Gascoyne region of Western Australia provides a unique opportunity to investigate whether mangroves growing within an inland semi-arid environment display similar growth patterns and ecophysiological responses to their coastal counterparts. This study investigates the distribution, structure and condition of the mangrove A. marina growing at Lake MacLeod and coastal and riverine stands near Carnarvon, Western Australia. Hydrological categories based on freshwater inputs, tidal influences, distance from permanent water sources and sediment elevations were used to investigate the environmental conditions present within specific hydrological regimes. Mangrove tree responses to environmental conditions were evaluated by assessing above-ground biomass, shoot production, water-use efficiency, photosynthesis, specific leaf area, weight and total chloride content. The overarching objective was to determine the environmental factors influencing the presence, morphology and physiological state of A. marina growing at inland, coastal and riverine sites in a semi-arid climate. Soil moisture content, organic matter content, average and seasonal range in sediment EC, and distance from the permanent water sources were found to influence vegetation characteristics at Lake MacLeod. Soil moisture content was highest close to permanent ponds and at lower sediment elevations. Sediment salinity was highest close to pond edges, although the majority of the lake bed is hypersaline due to high evapoconcentration. The environmental gradients are complex at Lake MacLeod as a result of the unique hydrological regime. Seawater supply to permanent ponds is constant via an underground karst system which enters the lake through vents and seepages present along the western edge of the lake bed. It is evident that the constant supply of marine water is the key environmental factor supporting mangrove presence and structure. Average mangrove tree height, basal area, density and canopy cover are greatest near the permanent ponds. Mangrove density and height was also high, though patchy away from the ponds where saline seepages occurred. A high density of stunted mangroves was found on lake shorelines receiving periodic saline flooding via wind surges. Samphire cover was also greatest close to the permanent ponds, demonstrating that both mangrove and Samphire presence and importance is influenced by consistency of water availability. Sediment conditions were significantly different between inland and coastal sites, with sediment salinity and moisture content higher at Lake MacLeod. The ecophysiological responses displayed by A. marina in different categories of hydrological regimes revealed that consistency of water supply, irrespective of salinity, is an important driver of long and short-term productivity, water-use efficiency, leaf size and weight, and tree height. In general, short and long-term production was inversely proportional to distance from permanent water sources, although it was highly variable due to seepages away from the permanent ponds. Mangrove trees growing at the landward edge of coastal sites were the most water-use efficient (~ -28 δ¹³C), relative to the inland Lake MacLeod trees (~ - 26 δ¹³C), and was directly linked to water supply not quality. Photosystem health in trees growing at both the riverine stands (yield 0.66 ± 0.01) and inland stands found at greater distances from ponds (yield 0.065 ± 0.02), were significantly lower than all other trees in this study. Relative maximum electron transfer rate was also significantly lower at these sites, suggesting that the riverine trees were affected by other stresses such as herbicides. Mangrove trees near permanent water sources, or that received tidal flushing, displayed larger leaves and lower specific leaf weight, indicating that A. marina has the ability to not only tolerate hypersaline conditions but also acclimate to harsh and variable conditions via changes to ecophysiological responses and morphology. This research has developed a better understanding of how A. marina persists at Lake MacLeod and whether these trees are under greater stress as opposed to the mangroves growing at coastal stands. Sediment conditions between coastal and inland sites were significantly different, but it was distance from permanent water sources that influenced mangrove stand features. Therefore, the key environmental variable influencing distribution, structure and ecophysiological state of A. marina growing in a semi-arid climate is predominantly water availability.

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28

Rocha, Francisco Cleiton da. "Reservoir in water quality in artificial semi-arid region from biological, physical and chemical attributes". Universidade Federal do CearÃ, 2015. http://www.teses.ufc.br/tde_busca/arquivo.php?codArquivo=15394.

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Abstract (sommario):

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico
CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior
Os macroinvertebrados constituem um importante componente da biodiversidade dos ecossistemas aquÃticos e sÃo abundantes em rios, riachos, lagos e lagoas, servindo de alimento para peixes e crustÃceos. A utilizaÃÃo destes organismos na formulaÃÃo de Ãndices de Qualidade Ãgua (IQAâs) Ã amplamente aceita e adotada em muitas partes do mundo no monitoramento da qualidade da Ãgua. Os IQAâs visam apresentar de forma simples para a sociedade, instituiÃÃes pÃblicas e privadas informaÃÃes geradas nos monitoramentos. Nesse cenÃrio, o presente trabalho teve como objetivos: i) estudo da estrutura de comunidade de macroinvertebrados associados Ãs espÃcies de macrÃfitas flutuantes Pistia stratiotes e Eichhornia crassipes; ii) desenvolvimento de um IQA para as Ãguas do reservatÃrio OrÃs, onde foram analisados os atributos fÃsicos, quÃmicos e as mÃtricas dos macroinvertebrados. Para isso, foram coletadas amostras de Ãguas superficiais em sete pontos do reservatÃrio OrÃs, bimestralmente, durante o perÃodo de julho/2009 a julho/2011, para anÃlise de 29 atributos fÃsicos e quÃmicos. Concomitantemente, foram coletadas trÃs amostras das macrÃfitas Pistia stratiotes e Eichhornia crassipes para anÃlise de quatro mÃtricas dos macroinvertebrados associados. ApÃs a identificaÃÃo dos macroinvertebrados, foram empregados o teste t e anÃlise de variÃncia (ANOVA) para verificar as possÃveis diferenÃas nas mÃtricas de riqueza de famÃlias e abundÃncia. Em seguida, elaborou-se um IQA com a aplicaÃÃo da AnÃlise da Componente Principal (ACP) para as Ãguas do reservatÃrio OrÃs. Foram encontrados 3.673 organismos pertencentes a quatro classes e oito ordens de macroinvertebrados, sendo a mais abundante a famÃlia Thiaridae, expressando a deterioraÃÃo da qualidade da Ãgua do reservatÃrio. Observou-se que os atributos de riqueza e abundÃncia de macroinvertebrados nÃo diferiram entre as duas espÃcies de macrÃfitas e nem entre os diferentes pontos de coleta, enquanto a ACP promoveu uma reduÃÃo dos 33 atributos para 12 e uma explicabilidade de 85,32% da variÃncia total em cinco dimensÃes. As componentes expressaram, principalmente, o processo de intemperismo e escoamento superficial. O IQA variou de 49 a 65 (classe de Ãgua regular), indicando que as Ãguas do reservatÃrio podem ser utilizadas para consumo humano, desde que sejam realizados tratamentos. Conclui-se, portanto, que o IQA proposto a partir do conjunto de atributos fÃsico-quÃmicos analisados e da composiÃÃo dos macroinvertebrados expressou adequadamente a qualidade das Ãguas, podendo ser utilizado no monitoramento de reservatÃrios inseridos no semiÃrido nordestino.
The macroinvertebrates are an important component of the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems and are abundant in rivers, streams, lakes and ponds, serving as food for fish and crustaceans. The use of these organisms in the Water Quality Indices formulation (AQI's) is widely accepted and adopted in many parts of the world for monitoring water quality. The IQA's aim to present in a simple way for society, public institutions and private information generated in the monitoring. In this scenario, this study aimed to: i) study the macroinvertebrate community structure associated with species of floating macrophyte Pistia stratiotes and Eichhornia crassipes; ii) development of an AQI to the waters of OrÃs reservoir, where the physical, chemical and metrics of macroinvertebrates were analyzed. For this, samples were collected from surface water in seven points OrÃs reservoir every two months during the period from July / 2009 to July / 2011 to analysis of 29 physical and chemical properties. At the same time, it collected three samples of macrophyte Pistia stratiotes and Eichhornia crassipes for analysis of four metrics associated macroinvertebrates. After identifying the macroinvertebrates were used te analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine possible differences in wealth metrics families and abundance. Then elaborated a IQA with the application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to the waters of the reservoir OrÃs. 3,673 bodies were found belonging to four classes and eight macroinvertebrates orders, Thiaridae family being the most abundant, expressing the deterioration of reservoir water quality. It was observed that the wealth of attributes and abundance of macroinvertebrates did not differ between the two species of weeds or between the different collection points, while the ACP promoted a reduction of 33 attributes to 24:01 explicability of 85.32% of the variance the total in five dimensions. The components expressed mainly the process of weathering and surface runoff. The IQA ranged 49-65 (regular water class), indicating that the waters of the reservoir can be used for human consumption provided that treatments are carried out. We conclude, therefore, that the IQA proposed from the set of physical and chemical attributes analyzed and the composition of benthic adequately expressed the quality of water and can be used in monitoring inserted reservoirs in the northeastern semi-arid.

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Nunes, Francyregis AraÃjo. "Efeitos da sazonalidade pluviomÃtrica sobre a diversidade e a composiÃÃo de uma assemblÃia de formigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) em uma Ãrea de caatinga". Universidade Federal do CearÃ, 2010. http://www.teses.ufc.br/tde_busca/arquivo.php?codArquivo=6197.

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CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior
A presenÃa de Ãgua Ã um fator determinante na disponibilidade de fontes de alimento e/ou de sÃtios de nidificaÃÃo, e Ã, portanto, potencialmente importante para as comunidades de invertebrados terrestres, particularmente para animais com ninhos fixos/perenes e vivendo em ambientes marcados por uma forte sazonalidade pluviomÃtrica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi obter informaÃÃes sobre os padrÃes sazonais de estrutura de uma assemblÃia de formigas de solo da Caatinga e investigar como a diversidade e a composiÃÃo dessa assemblÃia variam com a sazonalidade pluviomÃtrica. O estudo foi realizado em uma Ãrea de Caatinga arbÃrea localizada em Pentecoste - CE. Um transecto de 200 metros com 20 unidades amostrais espaÃadas entre si por 10 metros foi estabelecido. A amostragem no transecto foi realizada uma vez por mÃs durante 12 meses, no perÃodo 08/2008 â 08/2009. Em cada unidade amostral, uma armadilha de solo (13 cm de altura; 12 cm de diÃmetro) com soluÃÃo de etanol/etilenoglicol foi instalada no inÃcio de cada mÃs e ficou operacional durante uma semana. A estrutura taxonÃmica da fauna amostrada e a distribuiÃÃo de freqÃÃncia (relativa) das espÃcies seguem os padrÃes geralmente encontrados nas regiÃes neotropicais. Foram coletadas 41 espÃcies (40 na estaÃÃo seca, 30 na estaÃÃo chuvosa), pertencentes a seis subfamÃlias e 20 gÃneros, sendo a subfamÃlia Myrmicinae (21 spp.) e os gÃnero Pheidole (10 spp.) e Camponotus (8 spp.) com maior riqueza em espeÃies. A maioria das espÃcies foi pouco abundante, sendo capturada em menos de 10% das unidades amostrais de todo o perÃodo de coleta. Apenas cinco espÃcies foram coletadas em mais de 50% das unidades amostrais. A coleta da espÃcie relativamente rara Thaumatomyrmex mutilatus representa o segundo registro dessa espÃcie para o Nordeste semi-Ãrido, enquanto a coleta de uma nova espÃcie, em fase de descriÃÃo, do gÃnero Platythyrea representa o primeiro registro para o CearÃ. Das 41 espÃcies, 12 foram exclusivas da estaÃÃo seca e uma (Strumigenys elongata) da estaÃÃo chuvosa. As curvas de acumulaÃÃo de espÃcies (observadas e estimadas) demonstraram que a suficiÃncia amostral foi atingida, bem como indicam que em torno de 90% da riqueza estimada foi coletada. Tanto o Ãndice de diversidade de Shannon como o de Simpson, foi menor na estaÃÃo chuvosa em relaÃÃo Ã estaÃÃo seca (Hâ: 2,91 versus 2,78; 1/D: 13,83 versus 12,8), e houve correlaÃÃo negativa entre os Ãndices de diversidade mensais de Shannon e Simpson, e os Ãndices pluviomÃtricos. A relaÃÃo inversa foi constatada para os Ãndices de equabilidade (equabilidade de Pielou: 0,79 versus 0,83; equabilidade de Simpson: 0,35 versus 0,44), com existÃncia de uma correlaÃÃo positiva significativa entre os Ãndices de equabilidade mensais de Simpson e os Ãndices pluviomÃtricos. Os Ãndices de ―turnover‖ foram baixos, com mÃdia de 0,23 entre os meses consecutivos do perÃodo de coleta, e com valor de 0,19 na comparaÃÃo dos dois perÃodos (seco e chuvoso). A similaridade de fauna (Ãndice de Jaccard) entre as coletas mensais (mÃdia de 0,61) e entre os dois perÃodos (0,67) foi relativamente elevada. A anÃlise de agrupamento (UPGMA) nÃo permitiu detectar a existÃncias de dois grupos claramente definidos em relaÃÃo aos dois perÃodos (seco e chuvoso). A riqueza em espÃcies foi considerada baixa, comparativamente a outros biomas brasileiros, e os resultados sugerem que o perÃodo seco na Caatinga nÃo Ã um fator limitante para as comunidades de formigas. Entretanto, a reduÃÃo de diversidade observada na estaÃÃo chuvosa poderia ser o reflexo de uma importante reduÃÃo das atividades das formigas decorrente de um quadro chuvoso atÃpico/excepcional do ano 2009. A biodiversidade reduzida em relaÃÃo a outros biomas brasileiros poderia resultar da falta permanente ou sazonal de serrapilheira, importante para as espÃcies predadoras de solo especialistas, e da possÃvel limitaÃÃo sazonal de carboidratos (nÃctar e ―honeydew‖)
Presence of water is a determinant factor for food sources and/or nest sites availability, and is therefore potentially important for terrestrial invertebrate communities, particularly for those with fixed/perennial nests and that live in environments marked by strong rainfall seasonality. The aim of this work was to obtain informations about the seasonal patterns of a soil ant assembly structure of a Caatinga area, and to investigate how diversity and species composition of that assembly vary with rainfall seasonality. The study was performed in a Caatinga area localized at Pentecoste-CE. A 200 meters transect with 20 sampling points at 10 meters intervals was established. Transect sampling was performed once a month during 12 months, in the period 08/2008 â 08/2009. At each sampling point, a pitfall trap (height: 13 cm; diameter: 12 cm) filled with a ethanol/ethylenoglicol solution was placed at the beginning of each month and remained in the field for seven days. The taxonomic structure of the sampled fauna as well as the species (relative) frequency distribution followed the patterns generally found in neotropical regions. Forty-one species (40 in the dry season; 30 in the rainy season) belonging to six subfamilies and 20 genera were collected, with Myrmicinae (21 spp.), Pheidole (10 ssp) and Camponotus (8 spp) as the most specious taxa. Most species showed low (relative) abundance, being found in less than 10% of all the sampling units used in the whole sampling period. Only five species were collected in more than 50% of the sampling units. The collect of the relatively rare species Thaumatomyrmex mutilatus represents the second record of that species for the semi-arid northeastern region, whereas the collect of a new species, actually being described, of the Platythyrea genus represents the first record for the CearÃ state. Of the 41 collected species, 12 and 1 (Strumigenys elongata) were found only during the dry and the rainy season respectively. The species-accumulation curves (observed and estimated) indicated that the sampling sufficiency was attained, and that about 90% of the estimated fauna had been collected. The Shannon and the Simpson diversity indexes for the rainy season were both lower compared to the dry season (Hâ: 2,91 versus 2,78; 1/D: 13,83 versus 12,8), and there was a negative correlation between the monthly Shannon and Simpson diversity indexes and the pluviometric indexes. A reverse relationship was observed with the equability indexes (Pielou equability index and Simpson equability index) (Pielou equability: 0,79 versus 0,83; Simpson equability: 0,35 versus 0,44), with a significant positive correlation between the monthly Simpson equability indexes and the pluviometric indexes. The turnover indexes were low, with a mean of 0,23 between the consecutive months of the sampling period, and a value of 0,19 when comparing the two periods (dry and rainy). The average fauna similarity (JaccardÂs index) for the monthly samplings (0,61) and the fauna similarity for two periods (dry and rainy) (0,67) were high. The group analysis with the hierarchical clustering method (UPGMA) did not allow the detection of two clear-cut groups corresponding to the two periods (dry and rainy). Compared to other Brazilian biomes, the ant species richness found in the study was low, and the results suggest that the dry season is not a limiting factor for the ant communities of the Caatinga biome. Nevertheless, the diversity reduction observed in the rainy season could result from an important reduction of ant activity in response to an atypical/exceptional rainy period in the 2009 year. The reduced biodiversity, when compared to other Brazilian biomes, could result from the permanent or seasonal lack of leaf-litter, an important factor for the specialized soil ant predators, and from the possible carbohydrates seasonal limitation (nectar, honeydew)

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Ndhlovu, Thabisisani. "Impact of Prosopis (mesquite) invasion and clearing on ecosystem structure, function and agricultural productivity in semi-arid Nama Karoo rangeland, South Africa". Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/6751.

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Thesis (MScConEcol (Conservation Ecology and Entomology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: I evaluated the impact of Prosopis invasion and clearing on ecological structure, function and agricultural productivity in heavily grazed Nama Karoo rangeland on two sheep farms near the town of Beaufort West in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. My aims were to (1) determine the effects of invasion and clearing on rangeland vegetation composition, diversity (alien and indigenous species richness) and structure (alien and indigenous species cover), soil vegetation cover (plant canopy and basal cover) and agricultural productivity (grazing capacity), (2) describe the vegetation processes that underlay the invasion and clearing impacts and (3) evaluate the success of clearing in facilitating unaided restoration of ecological structure, function and agricultural productivity in formerly invaded rangeland. I hypothesised that invasion would significantly change rangeland vegetation composition and structure, leading to greater alien species richness and cover and lower indigenous species richness and cover while clearing would lead to lower alien species diversity and cover and greater indigenous species richness and cover. In addition I hypothesized that invasion would reduce rangeland plant canopy and basal cover and grazing capacity while clearing would substantially increase them. Finally I predicted that vegetation composition, alien and indigenous species cover and richness, plant canopy and basal cover and grazing capacity would revert to pre-invasion status and levels within four to six years of clearing. My results suggest that in heavily grazed Nama Karoo rangeland Prosopis invasion (~15 percent canopy cover) and clearing can significantly change rangeland vegetation composition, with invasion leading to greater alien species cover and lower indigenous species richness, while clearing leads to lower alien species richness and cover and greater indigenous species richness and cover. However invasion seems to have no effect on alien species richness and overall indigenous species cover. Clearing appears to facilitate the spontaneous restoration of alien species cover and indigenous species richness within four to six years but not species composition, alien species richness and indigenous species cover. In addition my results also indicate that Prosopis invasion can lower rangeland plant canopy and basal cover and grazing capacity while clearing, even under heavy grazing, can substantially raise them. Clearing however does not seem to facilitate the restoration of rangeland plant canopy and basal cover and grazing capacity to pre-invasion levels within four to six years after clearing.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ek het die impak van Prosopis indringing en verwydering van indringers op ekologiese struktuur, funksie en landbou produktiwiteit in ‘n swaar beweide Nama Karoo gebied op twee skaapplase naby Beaufort-Wes in die Wes-Kaap provinsie van Suid-Afrika geëvalueer. My doelwitte was om (1) te bepaal wat die gevolge van die indringing en verwydering van indringers op die natuurlike plantegroei samestelling, diversiteit (uitheemse en inheemse spesiesrykheid) en struktuur (uitheemse en inheemse spesies bedekking) sal wees, sowel as die effek op plantegroei bedekking (kroon en basalebedekking) en landbou produktiwiteit (weidingkapasiteit), (2) die plantegroei prosesse te beskryf wat onderliggend deur die impakte van indringing en verwydering van indringers veroorsaak word, en (3) die sukses van die verwydering van indringers te evalueer deur die fasilitering van blote restorasie van ekologiese struktuur en funksie en landbou produktiwiteit in voorheen ingedringde gebiede. My hipotese is dat indringing ‘n aansienlike verandering in natuurlike plantegroeisamestelling en struktuur sal veroorsaak, wat sal lei tot groter uitheemse spesiesrykheid en bedekking met minder inheemse spesiesrykheid en bedekking, terwyl die verwydering van indringers sou lei tot minder uitheemse spesie diversiteit en bedekking met 'n groter inheemse spesiesrykheid en bedekking. Verder vermoed ek dat indringing die natuurlike kroon- en basalebedekking en weidingkapasiteit sal verminder, terwyl die verwydering van indringers dit aansienlik sal verhoog. Ten slotte voorspel ek dat plantegroei samestelling, uitheemse en inheemse spesiesbedekking en -rykheid, kroon- en basalebedekking en weidingkapasiteit sou terugkeer na voor-indringing status en vlakke binne vier tot ses jaar na die verwydering van indringers. My resultate daarop dat die indringing van Prosopis (~ 15 persent kroonbedekking) en die verwydering van indringers in swaar beweide Nama Karoo gebiede ‘n aansienlike verandering in die gebied se natuurlike plantegroei samestelling toon, waar indringing gelei het tot groter uitheemse spesiesbedekking en minder inheemse spesiesrykheid, terwyl die verwydering van indringers lei tot minder uitheemse spesiesrykheid en groter inheemse spesiesrykheid en - bedekking. Dit lyk egter of indringing geen effek op uitheemse spesiesrykheid en algehele inheemse spesiesbedekking het nie. Die verwydering van indringers blyk om die spontane herstel van indringerbedekking en inheemse spesiesrykheid binne vier tot ses jaar te fasiliteer, maar nie spesiesamestelling, uitheemse spesiesrykheid of inheemse spesiesbedekking nie. Benewens dui my resultate ook aan dat Prosopis indringing die natuurlike kroon- en basalebedekking sowel as weidingskapasiteit verlaag, terwyl die verwydering van indringers, selfs onder swaar beweiding, die bedekking aansienlik kan verhoog. Verwydering van indringers lyk egter nie asof dit die herstel van die gebied se natuurlike kroon- en basalebedekking en weidingkapasiteit na voor-indringing vlakke toe kan fasiliteer binne vier tot ses jaar na die verwydering van indringers nie.

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31

Hirakuri, Valter Levino. "A comunidade e dieta de pequenos mamíferos em uma área de caatinga no Alto Sertão Sergipano". Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, 2013. https://ri.ufs.br/handle/riufs/4444.

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
Considering the habitat influence in the occurrence of animal species and feeding ecology as a key factor on community dynamics, the relationship between habitat components and species richness and the abundance of small mammals community were evaluated, as well as the diet characterization of these species at Caatinga‟s area in Sergipe, Brazil. The capture-mark-recapture (CMR) method was applied at the Grota do Angico Natural Monument (MNGA), 100 Sherman‟s® traps were arranged in four sites (dense hiperxerophytic Caatinga) from July 2012 to February 2013. Monthly, the habitat variables and invertebrates availability were measured. Fecal samples were collected for food items identification. Twenty-four individuals belonging to three species, two marsupials (Gracilinanus agilis, N = 17 and Didelphis al-biventris, N = 1) and one rodent (Wiedomys pyrrhorhinus, N = 6) were captured, the recapture rate was 25%. The richness found was lower than other studies described in this biome. High habitat similarity were observed between the study sites, due to the high amount of litter, and the differences among them were influenced by components such as rock, cactus and brome-liads. The only habitat variable that positively influenced the abundance of G. agilis was the amount of bromeliads, there was no such relationship with W. pyrrhorhinus. Thirty seven fecal samples were collected, nine of W. pyrrhorhinus (all male samples) and 28 of G. agilis (11 female samples and 17 male samples). In these two species intake sample were identified eight invertebrates orders (Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Blattodea, Or-thoptera, Isoptera e Araneae), pulp and seeds were also registered. This is the first study on the feeding habits of W. pyrrhorhinus and G. agilis in Caatinga‟s biome . The two species showed high rates of arthropods intake and the diet composition of marsupial was similar to others studies in Cerrado biome, although in this study the proportions of consumption were higher. There were two food items new records‟ to G. agilis: Blattodea and Pilosocereus gou-nellei (Cactaceae) seeds. No difference was found between the sexes in the diet of G. agilis, however largest consumer of Hymenoptera by males and Orthoptera by females. Besides this study showed that marsupial has opportunistic feeding habits, consuming the more available arthropods orders in the environment.
Considerando a influência do habitat na ocorrência das espécies e a ecologia alimentar como fatores importantes na dinâmica das comunidades, foi avaliada a relação entre os componen-tes do habitat e a riqueza e abundância de pequenos mamíferos e caracterizada a dieta das espécies em uma área de Caatinga no Alto Sertão Sergipano. O estudo foi realizado no Mo-numento Natural Grota do Angico (MNGA), utilizando-se o método de captura-marcação-recaptura (CMR) por meio de 100 armadilhas tipo Sherman®, dispostas em quatro sítios (caa-tinga hiperxerófila densa) de julho de 2012 a fevereiro de 2013. Adicionalmente, mensurou-se mensalmente as variáveis do habitat e a disponibilidade de invertebrados. Além disso, foram coletadas amostras de material fecal para a identificação dos itens alimentares consumidos. Foram capturados 24 indivíduos pertencentes a três espécies, sendo dois marsupiais (Gracili-nanus agilis, N = 17 e Didelphis albiventris, N = 1) e um roedor (Wiedomys pyrrhorhinus, N = 6); com uma taxa de recaptura de 25%. A riqueza desse estudo foi inferior ao descritos em outros trabalhos no bioma. Os sítios apresentaram alta similaridade em relação ao habitat de-vido a elevada quantidade de serrapilheira e as diferenças entre eles foram influenciadas por componentes como rocha, cacto e bromélia. Dentre as variáveis do habitat, apenas a quanti-dade de bromélias influenciou positivamente a abundância de G. agilis e não houve nenhuma relação destas com W. pyrrhorhinus. Foram coletadas 37 amostras de fezes, sendo nove de W. pyrrhorhinus (todas de indivíduos machos) e 28 de G. agilis (11 amostras de fêmeas e 17 de machos). Foram identificadas oito ordens de invertebrados consumidas pelas duas espécies (Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Blattodea, Orthoptera, Isoptera e Arane-ae), além do registro de polpa e sementes. Esse é o primeiro estudo sobre o hábito alimentar de W. pyrrhorhinus e G. agilis em área de Caatinga. As duas espécies apresentaram elevadas taxas de consumo de artrópodes e a composição da dieta do marsupial se apresentou similar aos demais estudos realizados em Cerrado; porém nesse estudo as proporções de consumo foram superiores. Dois novos registros de itens alimentares para G. agilis foram obtidos: Blat-todea e sementes de Pilosocereus gounellei (Cactaceae). Não constatou-se diferença na dieta entre os sexos de G. agilis, entretanto houve o maior consumo de Hymenoptera por machos e de Orthoptera pelas fêmeas. Além disso, nesse estudo, esse marsupial apresentou um hábito oportunista, consumindo os representantes das ordens que estavam mais disponíveis no ambiente

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32

Bowen, Anna Kate Miller. "Characterizing the Invasion of an Understory Grass Species (Oplismenus undulatifolius (Ard.) Roem. & Schult) in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States". Miami University / OhioLINK, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1595531995193925.

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33

Viana, Junior Arleu Barbosa. "Relação entre a diversidade de cupins e as alterações existentes em áreas de caatinga, Sergipe, Brasil". Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, 2013. http://ri.ufs.br:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/4401.

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Termites can be considered important indicators for ecological monitoring and analyses, mainly for the Caatinga. This study was aimed to examine how the richness, abundance and composition of termites respond to anthropogenic changes in three areas of Caatinga, remaining in the hinterland of Sergipe. The study was conducted in two districts of the State, Sergipe, where three areas, with different levels of disturbance were selected, namely: Area A1 - pasture; A2 - scrub shrub; A3 - arboreal Caatinga. Each area was separated in twelve transects of 65 x 2 m, and each transect consisted of five plots of 5 x 2 m, where termites were collected in all possible microhabitats. After collection, the termites were properly stored and labeled. After the screening, termites were identified in generic level and, whenever possible, some samples were identified on a specific level. Termites were separated into trophic groups: wood-feeders, humusfeeders, litter-feeders, and soil/wood interface feeders. As environmental variables, soil samples were collected from each plot for subsequent particle size analysis, percent of moisture and soil pH. 180 samples of termites were collected and they were placed in three families, twelve genera and 16 species. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) shows significant differences in richness (F = 10.50, df = 2, p <0.05), and abundance (F = 12.70, df = 2, p <0.05) average per transect among study areas. The species accumulation curve, shows the richness of termites is affected by the degree of disturbance. Wood-feeders were the most abundant group and the area A3 was the only one that presented all trophic groups. The graph of the NMDS ordination shows no clear separation among the composition of termites and the composition of trophic groups, but the similarity analysis shows that areas have significant differences in species composition and trophic groups. All three environmental variables analyzed (moisture, pH and particle size) shows significant differences in some areas. PCA shows clear separation among areas and ANOVA of the first component shows that the areas are statistically different (F = 12.44, df = 2, p <0.001). Given the results presented, it was concluded that termites are good indicators of environmental quality in areas of Caatinga.
Os cupins podem ser considerados importantes indicadores para análises e monitoramento ecológico, principalmente para o bioma Caatinga. Diante disso, o trabalho visou analisar como a riqueza, a abundância e a composição de cupins respondem às alterações antrópicas, em três áreas de Caatinga, existentes no alto sertão sergipano. O estudo foi desenvolvido em dois municípios do Estado de Sergipe, onde três áreas com diferentes níveis de perturbação foram selecionadas, a saber: área A1 pastagem; A2 caatinga arbustiva; A3 caatinga arbórea. Em cada área foram demarcados doze transectos de 65 x 2 m, no qual cada transecto consistia de cinco parcelas de 5 x 2 m, onde os cupins foram coletados em todos os microhabitats possíveis. Após a coleta, os cupins foram armazenados e devidamente etiquetados. Posteriormente à triagem, os cupins foram identificados em nível genérico e, sempre que possível, algumas amostras foram identificada em nível específico. Os cupins foram separados em grupos tróficos: xilófagos, humívoros, ceifadores e intermediários. Como variáveis ambientais, foram coletadas amostras de solo de cada parcela para posterior análises granulométricas e percentual de umidade e pH do solo. Foram coletadas 180 amostras de cupins, distribuídos em três famílias, doze gêneros e 16 espécies. A análise de variância (ANOVA) mostrou haver diferença significativa na riqueza (F = 10.50, gl = 2, p < 0.05) e abundância (F = 12.70, gl = 2, p < 0.05) média por transecto entre as áreas de estudo. A curva de acumulação de espécies, mostrou que a riqueza de cupins é afetada pelo grau de perturbação. Xilófagos foi o grupo mais abundante e a área A3 foi a única a apresentar todos os grupos tróficos. O gráfico de ordenação do NMDS não evidenciou clara separação entre a composição de cupins e a composição dos grupos tróficos, mas a análise de similaridade mostrou que as áreas possuem diferenças significativas em composição de espécies e de grupos tróficos. Todas as três variáveis ambientais analisadas (umidade, pH e granulometria) mostraram diferença significativa em algumas das áreas. A PCA mostra clara separação entre as áreas e a ANOVA do primeiro componente mostrou que as áreas são estatisticamente diferentes (F = 12.44, gl = 2, p < 0.001). Diante dos resultados aqui apresentados, concluiu-se que os cupins são bons indicadores da qualidade ambiental em áreas de Caatinga.

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Barbosa, José Etham de Lucena. "Dinâmica do fitoplâncton e condicionantes limnológicos nas escalas de tempo (nictemeral/sazonal) e de espaço (horizontal/vertical) no açude Traperoá II: trópico semi-árido nordestino". Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2002. https://repositorio.ufscar.br/handle/ufscar/1545.

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Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos
In the semi-arid North-east region of Brazil occurs the second highest density of dams in the world (or açudes , as they are locally known) which supply water to ca. 40 millions inhabitants, mainly during the dry period, a catastrophic and frequent event in that Brazilian region. The limnological functioning of such water system in the Taperoá II dam (07o11 44 S and 07o13 44 S, 36o52 03 W and 36o50 09 W) was investigated through sampling carried out between September/1998 and September/2000. Sampling was performed at four collecting stations: three of them at the pond margins and one in its pelagic zone, where four depths were selected: surface, 50% and 1% light penetration, and at 4.0m depth. Climatological characteristics of the region (air temperature, evaporation, winds, and rainfall) were analysed, as well as the physical and chemical properties of the water (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, electric conductivity, alkalinity, turbidity, transparency, total dissolved inorganic carbon, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, total phosphorus, orthophosphate, and silicate). Climatic variations due to El Niño event (1997-1998) caused, between September/98 and January/99, a drastic reduction of the available stock of water in the pond, which determined a strong concentration of dissolved salts, an alkaline pH, high electric conductivity and high inorganic nutrient contents. The diluter effect of the increased rainfall in February and March/1999 exerted a reduction of oxygen, conductivity, and dissolved nutrients and caused water acidity. The recovery of the pond hydrometric volume and its stability, maintained the limnological variables almost unchanged up to the next rainy period. A relative thermal stratification occurred between February and April/2000 simultaneously to a chemical stratification. The Principal Components analysis allowed to distinguish the system based on the highest limnological variables here studied and the water volume fluctuation, showing that the interaction of extreme dry season and rainfall in a short period, are the strongest determinants of the high interannual variability of the sampled variables and of the reduced spatial oscillations of the horizontal and vertical axes of the dam.
A região semi-árida do Nordeste do Brasil conta com a segunda maior densidade de açudes do mundo, responsável pelo abastecimento de 40 milhões de pessoas, principalmente, nos períodos de seca, evento climático freqüente e conseqüentemente catastrófico nesta parte do Brasil. Com o objetivo de analisar o funcionamento limnológico destes sistemas aquáticos foram realizadas no açude Taperoá II (07°11 44 S e 07°13 44 S, 36°52 03 W e 36°50 09 W), amostragens mensais durante o período de setembro de 1998 e setembro de 2000. Estas foram realizadas em quatro estações de coletas: três localizadas na região marginal e uma na região pelágica do açude, sendo nesta em quatro profundidades (superfície, 50%, 1% de penetração de luz e a 4,0 m de profundidade). Foram analisadas as características climatológicas da região (temperatura do ar, evaporação, ventos, precipitação pluviométrica) e aspectos físicos e químicos da água (temperatura, oxigênio dissolvido, pH, condutividade elétrica, alcalinidade, turbidez, transparência da água, carbono inorgânico dissolvido total, amônia, nitrito, nitrato, fósforo total, ortofosfato e sílica). As alterações climáticas decorrentes do fenômeno El Niño 1997-1998 provocaram entre setembro/98 e janeiro/99 redução drástica do volume útil de armazenamento do açude, acarretando forte concentração de sais dissolvido, pH alcalino, elevada condutividade elétrica e altos teores de nutrientes inorgânicos. O efeito diluidor das chuvas concentradas nos meses de fevereiro e março de 1999, provocou redução do oxigênio, acidez do meio, redução acentuada nos valores de condutividade e nutrientes dissolvidos. A recuperação do volume hidrométrico do açude e sua estabilidade manteve as variáveis limnológicas pouco alterados até o período chuvoso seguinte. A relativa estratificação térmica ocorrida entre os meses de fevereiro e abril de 2000 foi acompanhada por estratificação química. A análise de Componentes Principais discriminou o sistema com base nos maiores valores registrados para as variáveis limnológicas estuda e a flutuação do volume do açude, indicando que a interação seca extrema e chuvas concentradas em curto período, são os maiores determinantes da alta variabilidade interanual das variáveis amostradas e as reduzidas oscilações espaciais dos eixos horizontal e vertical do açude.

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Lins, Ruceline Paiva. "Limnologia da barragem de Acauã e codeterminantes socioeconômicos do seu entorno : uma nova interação do limnalogo com sua unidade de estudo". Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 2006. http://tede.biblioteca.ufpb.br:8080/handle/tede/4500.

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES
The main objective of this dissertation is to describe the limnological co-determinatives variations in temporal (monthly) and spatial (vertical/horizontal) scales of the Acauã reservoir by diagnosing its current trophic state. Monthly samples were collected and analyzed between August 2004 and July 2005. They were collected in six different regions of the reservoir in order to represent all of its compartments. The samples in the dam zone were collected at different levels of light penetration: 75%, 50% and 1% from the water surface, and at the bottom; and in the other regions water was sampled just about the water surface. The analyzed variables were volume, rainfall rate, temperature, pH, electric conductivity, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, NH3, NO3, NO2, total phosphorus and orthophosphate. To calculate the Trophic State Rate, total phosphorus concentrations, chlorophyll a and water clearness data were used. To establish the summarization of the reservoir variability statistically the data were analyzed through the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). By analyzing the amplitude of the matrix variation data, it was observed that the main source of variability of the limnological characteristics was temporal/monthly to the detriment of spatial-vertical/horizontal mainly due to the rain that determines the two characteristic climatic seasons, rainy and dry. Despite the relative homogeneity of the reservoir s spatial structure, the vertical profile in the dike zone presented a greater environmental significance than the horizontal structure and showed micro-stratifications that influence the clinograde profile of oxygen and more alkaline water in the surface. The optical structure showed a good level of transparency of the water and an extensive euphotic zone. The electrical conductivity is considered high and has increased with the rains, as the nitrogen that was 2,2 times high on the average during the rainy days in relation to the dry period. The nitrate ion was predominant as well as the total phosphorus whose highest indicators were found in the deepest part of the reservoir. The principal component analysis distinguished the temporal system based on the hydrologic period and hydrodynamic variables. As for the Trophic State Rate and considering the classification according to the chlorophyll and 24 total phosphorus indicators, the lake environment is considered eutrophic to hypertrophic in every month and season of sampling. This fact shows the influence of the sub-basin of Bodocongó, which is rich in nutrients because it drains the in-coming waters of domestic, agricultural and industrial effluents of the Borborema region. The high rate of calcium carbonate in the lake shows the saline condition of the sub-basins such as Taperoá, Monteiro and Namorados. Thus, the analyses of Acauã reservoir summarize information about the main elements that characterize the environment around its hydraulic basin, since it is the dike for the sub-basins of Paraíba River
O propósito maior deste trabalho foi o de descrever as variações de codeterminantes limnológicos nas escalas temporal (mensal) e espacial (vertical/horizontal) do reservatório de Acauã, diagnosticando seu atual estágio de evolução trófica. Para tanto foram realizadas amostragens mensais no período de agosto de 2004 a julho de 2005. Estas foram realizadas em seis pontos distribuídos de modo a se representar todos os compartimentos do reservatório. Na zona de barragem as coletas foram realizadas na sub-superfície, 75%, 50% 1% de penetração de luz e no fundo; nos demais pontos realizaram-se apenas na superfície. As variáveis analisadas foram: volume do reservatório, precipitação pluviométrica, temperatura da água, transparência, pH, condutividade elétrica, oxigênio dissolvido, alcalinidade, NH3, NO3, NO2, fósforo total e ortofosfato. Para o cálculo do Índice de Estado Trófico (IET), foi utilizado as concentrações do fósforo total, da clorofila a e os dados de transparência da água. Para sumarização da variabilidade do reservatório, estatisticamente os dados foram tratados através de Análise de Componentes Principais. Ao se analisar a amplitude de variação da matriz de dados obtida observa-se que a maior fonte de variabilidade das características limnológicos foi a temporal/mensal em detrimento da espacial vertical/horizontal em função, principalmente, das chuvas que discriminou dois períodos climáticos característicos, o seco e o chuvoso. Apesar da relativa homogeneização da estrutura espacial do reservatório, o perfil vertical da zona de barragem apresentou maior significado ambiental que a estrutura horizontal, apresentando microestratificações que influenciaram no perfil clinogrado do oxigênio e águas mais alcalinas nas camadas superficiais. A estrutura óptica caracterizou-se por apresentar elevada transparência da água e zona eufótica extensa. A condutividade elétrica foi considerada alta e se ampliou com o aumento das chuvas, a exemplo nitrogênio que foi 2,2 vezes em média maior no período chuvoso em relação ao período seco. O íon nitrato foi à forma predominante e assim como o fósforo total os maiores valores foram encontrados com o aumento da profundidade do reservatório. A analise de componentes principais 22 discriminou o sistema temporal com base nos períodos hidrológicos e variáveis hidrodinâmicas. Em relação ao IET considerando a classificação em função da clorofila e do fósforo total, o ambiente para todos os meses e estações de coleta, é considerado de eutrófico a hipereutrófico, fato que reflete a influência da sub-bacia do Bodocongó, rica em nutrientes por drenar as descargas de efluentes domésticos, agrícolas e industriais do compartimento da Borborema. O elevado teor de carbonato de cálcio em suas águas também reflete a condição salina de sub-bacias tais como a do Taperoá, Monteiro e Namorados. Neste contexto, o reservatório de Acauã, por ser o barramento final de uma cascata de sub-bacias do Paraíba, sintetiza as informações das principais funções de força que caracterizam os ambientes a montante de sua bacia hidráulica

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Yavari, Ahmad. "Allocation des ressources naturelles renouvelables et le développement rural dans les milieux montagnards de l'Iran : exemple de modalités du développement rural et la dégradation des ressources naturelles végétales de l'Alborz central". Grenoble 1, 1996. http://www.theses.fr/1996GRE10277.

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Ce travail est une etude en geographie appliquee concernant la gestion des espaces montagnards de pays arides et en voie de developpement ou les montagnes sont des repertoires et lieux de recharge de ressources naturelles et de l'heritage culturel. L'economie de la pluspart des villages de plaines et piedmonts reste dependante des ressources naturelles qui ont subit une degradation intense et de fortes perturbations ecologiques et socio-economiques. La region etudiee est une partie de la chaine d'alborz central choisie de facon a inclure la diversite naturelle et socio-economique de l'espace montagnard de l'iran, tout en restant limitee sur l'etendue (2914 km carres). L'approche adoptee est inspiree par la vision systemique. La gestion de l'espace et son evolution pendant les vingt dernieres annees ont ete etudiees sur place et par des analyses statistiques en tant qu'un systeme uni. L'amenagement de cette region manque d'une gestion rationnelle de l'espace et ceci entraine un rapport desequilibre du developpement entre les montagnes et les pleines adjacentes et la non-integration des specificites montagnardes. Les potentiels agro-sylvo-pastorals sont limites par les contraintes naturelles et par les surexploitations intenses et chroniques. Cependant, il y a des potentiels d'exploitations importants au developpement de la region grace a sa situation geographique exceptionnelle. Le developpement du tourisme, du transport routier, de l'artisanat et de l'industrie legere sont des sources de l'emploi et de revenu et reduisent la pression exercee sur les ressources naturelles mais restent sous-exploites. Etablir l'equilibre (reduction) de l'exploitation de ressources naturelles et le developpement des autres potentiels de l'alborz central sont les premieres mesures indispensables de toutes gestion. La region a besoin d'un amenagement integre base sur les relations complementaires plaines-montagnes au niveau regional dans le respect des specificites des espaces montagnards au niveau local ou micro-regional

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FERREIRA, Karla Patrícia Martins. "A formação de sentido e o sentido da vida: o círculo ecobiográfico com educadores e as experiências afetivas formadoras em sua relação com o semiárido cearense". http://www.teses.ufc.br, 2011. http://www.repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/3357.

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FERREIRA, Karla Patrícia Martins. A formação de sentido e o sentido da vida: o círculo ecobiográfico com educadores e as experiências afetivas formadoras em sua relação com o semiárido cearense. 2011. 190f. Tese (Doutorado em Educação) – Universidade Federal do Ceará, Faculdade de Educação, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação Brasileira, Fortaleza-CE, 2011.
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A humanidade conta a sua história ao longo da vida, ao fio do tempo, transmitindo de geração para geração seus conhecimentos e experiências e, a partir dessa teia de relações, é capaz de se reconhecer, saber em que ponto está para então passar o bastão e continuar, formar-se e transformar-se, dando continuidade à espiral de crescimento. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo trazer à discussão a importância da relação afetiva com o ambiente, nas experiências formadoras de educadores, em especial com o entorno característico de uma comunidade do sertão semiárido cearense, chamada Missi. Vislumbrei apresentar suas histórias. Histórias de vidas simples, ricas, de uma região onde as escolas são altamente vulneráveis às variações climáticas, tendo seu calendário alterado pelas chuvas ou pelas secas. A afetividade é a base deste estudo e destaco sua relevância nos caminhos de formação humana, por acreditar que todas as nossas ações e escolhas são influenciadas pelos afetos, que são compreendidos aqui como todos os sentimentos e emoções. Trabalhei com a abordagem Histórias de Vida e Formação que é, ao mesmo tempo, teoria, método e intervenção graças a seu aspecto formador. Com o intuito de ter acesso aos afetos, utilizei várias estratégias e linguagens tais como desenho, poesia, música, fotografia, relatos orais gravados e narrativas escritas. Durante este percurso, em que eu mesma passei por uma (nova) experiência de formação humana, foi gerada uma metodologia de pesquisa: o Círculo Dialógico-Afetivo Ecobiográfico, que chamei sinteticamente de Círculo Ecobiográfico, no qual é valorizada a relação com o ambiente e os aspectos afetivos e biográficos nela envolvidos, salientando seu papel formador. O Círculo Ecobiográfico encontra sua raiz no reconhecimento dos afetos como todos os sentimentos e todas as emoções (SAWAIA, 1997, 2000; DAMÁSIO, 2004) e floresce a partir das sementes dos estudos pautados no Círculo de Cultura de Paulo Freire e em sua proposta de Educação Popular (FREIRE, 2000, 2005, 2007, 2008); nas Histórias de Vida e Formação, em especial em suas perspectivas intergeracional (LANI-BAYLE, 1997, 2006) e voltada para o ambiente (PINEAU, 2008); na relação afetiva com o ambiente através da Perspectiva Eco-Relacional (FIGUEIREDO, 2003) e dos Mapas Afetivos (BOMFIM, 2003). O Círculo Dialógico-Afetivo Ecobiográfico pauta-se essencialmente na intencionalidade de apreensão da afetividade, na relação dialógica entre pesquisador(a) e sujeitos como maneira de estabelecer e viver os vínculos, na adoção de um percurso (auto)biográfico que privilegia as perspectivas intergeracional e ambiental, no destaque à interação com o ambiente como um aspecto essencial no processo formador, na utilização de diversas linguagens que permitam o acesso aos sentimentos e emoções relacionados ao ambiente e no compromisso de uma investigação que envolva formação e intervenção.
L‟humanité raconte son histoire au long de la vie, au fil du temps, transmettant de génération en génération ses connaissances et expériences, et, à partir de cette toile de relations, elle est capable de se reconnaître, de savoir où elle est pour passer alors le relais et continuer, se former et se transformer, donnant suite à la spirale de la croissance. Cette recherche a eu comme but discuter l‟importance du rapport affectif avec l‟environnement, dans les expériences formatrices des éducateurs, spécialement avec le contexte environnemental caractéristique d‟une communauté du sertão semi-aride du Ceará (Brésil), nommée Missi. J‟ai souhaité présenter leurs histoires. Des histoires de vies simples, riches, d‟une région où les écoles sont très vulnérables aux variations climatiques, son calendrier étant modifié suivant les pluies ou les sécheresses. L‟affectivité est la base de cette étude et je mets en relief son importance dans les chemins de formation humaine, car je pense que toutes nos actions et tous nos choix sont influencés par les affects, qui sont ici compris comme tous les sentiments et toutes les émotions. J‟ai choisi l‟abordage Histoires de Vie et Formation qui est, au même temps, théorie, méthode et intervention par son aspect formateur. Dans l‟intention d‟avoir accès à l‟affectivité, j‟ai utilisé plusieurs stratégies et langages, comme le dessin, la poésie, la musique, la photographie, les récits oraux enregistrés et les récits écrits. Au long de ce parcours, dans lequel je suis moi même passée par une (nouvelle) expérience de formation humaine, une méthodologie de recherche a été générée : le Cercle Dialogique-Affectif Ecobiographique, que j‟ai appelé synthétiquement Cercle Ecobiographique, dans lequel on valorise le rapport avec l‟environnement et les aspects affectifs et biographiques y concernés, mettant en évidence leur rôle formateur. Le Cercle Ecobiographique trouve sa racine dans la reconnaissance des affects comme tous les sentiments et toutes les émotions (SAWAIA, 1997, 2000 ; DAMÁSIO, 2004) et il fleurit à partir des semences des études orientées par le Cercle de Culture de Paulo Freire et sa perspective de l‟Education Populaire (FREIRE, 2000, 2005, 2007, 2008) ; par les Histoires de Vie et Formation, spécialement dans les perspectives intergénérationnelle (LANIBAYLE, 1997, 2006) et écoformationnelle (PINEAU, 2008) ; par la relation affective avec l‟environnement au moyen de la Perspective Eco-Relationnelle (FIGUEIREDO, 2003) et des Cartes Affectives (BOMFIM, 2003). Le Cercle Dialogique-Affectif Ecobiographique se fonde essentiellement sur l‟intentionnalité de l‟appréhension de l‟affectivité, sur la relation dialogique entre le(la) chercheur(se) et les sujets comme une manière d‟établir et vivre les liens, sur l‟adoption d‟un parcours (auto)biographique qui privilégie les perspectives intergénérationnelle et environnementale, sur le rôle attribué à l‟interaction avec l‟environnement comme un aspect fondamental dans le procès de formation, sur l‟utilisation de plusieurs langages qui permettent l‟accès aux sentiments et aux émotions par rapport à l‟environnement et sur l‟engagement d‟une investigation impliquant la formation et l‟intervention.

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Venter, Daniel Barend. "An ecological approach to the reclamation and improvement of arid rangelands using adapted fodder plants". Diss., 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/23495.

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The world we live in is changing rapidly. Ecological, economic and social aspects and understandings are all undergoing paradigm shifts. Communities, farmers and individuals in arid zones are experiencing climate changes, more so than city dwellers. A better understanding of the current thinking in range ecology and management, especially of arid environments, is critical to the management of these delicate, complex systems. Ecosystems in equilibrium or in disequilibrium react differently to management and reclamation efforts. An understanding of the basic principles and how they evolved is important in order to apply these principles correctly in the management of arid zones. The use of keystone species and simple technologies, such as water harvesting and mulching, can all be used to reclaim and manage the arid zones. Understanding the differences between systems in equilibrium and disequilibrium can be used as a guide for planning appropriate future research in the arid zones. Searching for new indigenous species to help in the reclamation of arid zones is of the utmost importance. An ecological criterion was used to identify potential plant species for reclamation of degraded arid rangelands of southern Africa. Tripteris sinuatum and Sutherlandia microphylla were identified as possible candidates. Germination studies, with seeds harvested from naturally occurring plants, were conducted for both species. Treatments were based on the natural seed dispersal mechanisms for both species. S. microphylla has the potential to become an important plant species for reclamation purposes in arid zones of southern Africa. Not only potential new species should be sought, but also the management of species, already in use, are of critical importance. The relative palatability and survival of 16 different Atriplex species and accessions were determined at two different localities in the arid Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Significant differences were found between species at both localities. It is believed that because of the variety of species in the Atriplex genus, relative palatability and survival should be used to determine which of the different species could be useful under specific climatic and soil conditions. The establishment and reaction of Atriplex nummularia and Cassia sturti were tested for season of planting and the use of a stone mulch at two locations in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. A. nummularia reacted the best to a moderate pruning treatments, while Cassia sturtii reacted best to severe pruning. These results should aid in the management of planted fodder plantations. Numerous attempts at improving natural veld have failed in the past. An examination of landscape function and the potential to harvest water in localized areas should drive veld improvement in arid zones. Seeds from two different plants species (Tetragonia calycina and Tripteris sinuatum) were used to inter-seed a bare patch in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. The two species, with two treatments, (brush packing or not) in two different locally occurring eco-topes, were used to determine plant establishment. The water run-on eco-tope showed a significantly higher plant establishment percentage than the water run-off eco-tope. The establishment of perennial grass species was also found on the water run on eco-tope, three years after establishing the reclamation site. Such sites could form an important link in biodiversity conservation.
Dissertation (MSc Agric (Pasture Science))--University of Pretoria, 2007.
Plant Production and Soil Science
unrestricted

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39

Henle, Klaus. "Population ecology and life history of a lizard community in arid Australia". Phd thesis, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/140211.

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40

Khalili, Davar. "A decision methodology for the resource utilization of rangeland watersheds". 1986. http://etd.library.arizona.edu/etd/GetFileServlet?file=file:///data1/pdf/etd/azu_e9791_1986_585_sip1_w.pdf&type=application/pdf.

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41

Prider, Jane (Jane Noeleen). "Resource dynamics and positive and negative interactions between plants in arid systems / Jane Prider". Thesis, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/21845.

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"June 2002"
Bibliography: leaves 172-198.
viii, 198 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.
Proposes that the overall outcome of plant interactions along a temporal gradient of resource availability changes from positive during interpulses to negative during pulses. Examines negative interactions between 4 co-dominant chenopod scrubs in arid Acacia papyrocarpa woodlands. Negative interactions were more intense when conditions were least productive. Positive interactions between seedlings also changed over time, depending on the facilitation mechanism. Plant interactions seem to be most intense at the beginning of interpulses when plants are competing for diminishing water, or survivorship is enhanced in the favorable microsites provided by other plants. Later in the interpulse, interactions become less intense as conditions become more stressful and therefore survivorship and growth are affected more by abiotic conditions than plant interactions.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Environmental Biology, 2002

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42

Prider, Jane (Jane Noeleen). "Resource dynamics and positive and negative interactions between plants in arid systems / Jane Prider". 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/21845.

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Abstract (sommario):

"June 2002"
Bibliography: leaves 172-198.
viii, 198 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.
Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library.
Proposes that the overall outcome of plant interactions along a temporal gradient of resource availability changes from positive during interpulses to negative during pulses. Examines negative interactions between 4 co-dominant chenopod scrubs in arid Acacia papyrocarpa woodlands. Negative interactions were more intense when conditions were least productive. Positive interactions between seedlings also changed over time, depending on the facilitation mechanism. Plant interactions seem to be most intense at the beginning of interpulses when plants are competing for diminishing water, or survivorship is enhanced in the favorable microsites provided by other plants. Later in the interpulse, interactions become less intense as conditions become more stressful and therefore survivorship and growth are affected more by abiotic conditions than plant interactions.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Environmental Biology, 2002

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43

McGee, P. A. (Peter Allan). "Role of mycorrhizas in the regeneration of arid zone plants". 1987. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phm1448.pdf.

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44

McGee, P. A. (Peter Allan). "Role of mycorrhizas in the regeneration of arid zone plants / by Peter Allan McGee". Thesis, 1987. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/18542.

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45

Bogan, Michael T. "Drought, dispersal, and community dynamics in arid-land streams". Thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/1957/31292.

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Understanding the mechanisms that regulate local species diversity and community structure is a perennial goal of ecology. Local community structure can be viewed as the result of numerous local and regional processes; these processes act as filters that reduce the regional species pool down to the observed local community. In stream ecosystems, the natural flow regime (including the timing, magnitude, and duration of high and low flow events) is widely recognized as a primary regulator of local diversity and community composition. This is especially true in aridland streams, where low- and zero-flow events can occur frequently and for extended periods of time (months to years). Additionally, wetted habitat patches in arid-land stream networks are often fragmented within and among stream networks. Thus dispersal between isolated aquatic patches may also play a large role in regulating local communities. In my dissertation, I explored the roles that drought, dispersal, and local habitat factors play in structuring arid-land stream communities. I examined the impact of flow permanence and seasonal variation in flow and other abiotic factors on aquatic communities at both fine spatial scales over a long time period (8 years; Chapter 2) and at a broad spatial scale over a shorter time period (1-2 years; Chapter 4). Additionally, I quantified aquatic invertebrate aerial dispersal over moderate spatial scales (�� 0.5 km) by conducting a colonization experiment using artificial stream pools placed along and inland from two arid-land streams (Chapter 4). Finally, I examined the roles of spatial isolation, microhabitat type, and local abiotic and biotic factors in structuring aquatic communities in freshwater oases scattered across one of the most arid regions of North America, the southern Sonoran Desert (Chapter 5). In Chapter 2, I found that severe drought caused an unprecedented drying event in isolated perennial stream pools, and that several additional drying events occurred over the following four years. This transition to intermittent flow caused the extirpation of several large, long-lived species with low dispersal abilities (including the top predator) and drove the local community into an alternative state. In the colonization experiment described in Chapter 3, I found that several arid-land stream invertebrate taxa disperse widely and frequently. The widespread dispersers identified by this experiment included several of the earliest colonist taxa observed following the severe drought described in Chapter 2. Other taxa, though, only dispersed overland after receiving an environmental cue (rainfall) or preferentially dispersed along stream corridors. In Chapter 4, where I examined invertebrate community structure across a large network of well-connected intermittent and perennial reaches, I found low diversity in intermittent reaches, regardless of their connectivity to diverse upstream perennial reaches. These species-poor, intermittent communities were composed of a unique suite of species with lifehistory adaptations that conferred desiccation resistance, including extended egg and larval diapause stages. The short flow duration of intermittent reaches (<100 days) likely precluded upstream perennial taxa from establishing populations in downstream intermittent reaches before drying occurred, while the relative predictability of flow timing (Dec-Apr) likely allowed for a small number of species to develop appropriate life-history traits (e.g., diapause stage, rapid development time) to exploit these temporally-fleeting habitats. In Chapter 5, I found over 220 species of aquatic animals (including �� 5 undescribed species) in the 19 desert oases that were sampled across the southern Sonoran Desert. Local community composition in these oases was strongly driven by microhabitat type. Additionally, native aquatic species richness and abundance in these oases were significantly reduced by the introduction of tilapia, an exotic fish species. The threats to arid-land streams presented by increased drought severity, anthropogenic water withdrawals, and local habitat degradation (e.g., introduced species, unmanaged recreational use) are grave across the southwestern US and northwestern Mexico. I hope that in addition to furthering our understanding of ecological processes in arid-land streams, this dissertation makes a small contribution towards the efforts to preserve these habitats.
Graduation date: 2013
Access restricted to the OSU Community at author's request from July 18, 2012 - July 18, July 2013

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Clarke, Sylvia G. "The biodiversity impacts of shrub loss in a semi-arid environment : responses of arthropods with particular reference to ants". Thesis, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/70158.

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Environmental stress resulting from factors such as over grazing can have far-reaching effects on an ecosystem. This thesis aimed to increase the understanding of the wider biodiversity impact of stress and disturbance in semi-arid systems. The response of the arthropod community, and in particular the ant community, to changes in vegetation associated with over grazing, including the loss of perennial shrubs, was examined in the Flinders Ranges region of South Australia.
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2006

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Koch, Kathryn Jane. "Modelling the spatial dynamics of a semi-arid grazing system". Thesis, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/6305.

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A large proportion of the world's land surface is covered by semi-arid grasslands, and they provide an important source of income as a grazing resource. A more comprehensive understanding of these complex ecosystems is vital for the effective management of rangelands, as it will lead to an increased and more sustainable economic output. Herbivores modify the spatial pattern of vegetation distribution and their response to spatially heterogeneous forage resources affects their performance. The spatial aspect of herbivory is often ignored although it is a necessary component of understanding grazing dynamics and the factors affecting herbivore condition. A spatial model is developed which incorporates vegetation and animal dynamics and the interactions between these two components. The effect of different spatial foraging strategies on animal performance and vegetation was investigated. Model results were compared with the output of a non-spatial model to assess the importance of spatially explicit modelling in the context of monitoring animal performance. The relative significance of a number of aspects relating to spatial grazing and animal condition was explored. The results from this research show that significant differences in output are obtained from spatial versus non-spatial models. While the purpose of a model will determine its nature, the results imply that in certain contexts, a spatial model is essential for accurate results and insight. The results also indicated that foraging strategies have a large affect on herbivore condition and that spatially explicit models are necessary in the context of investigating the effect of foraging strategies on animal performance. Various aspects that significantly affected animal condition were highlighted and are useful in directing future investigations into grazing dynamics. It is difficult to conduct field studies under spatially and temporally variable conditions where the interactions between vegetation and herbivores are so complex. In the light of this, modelling was found to be an effective tool that can be used in investigating and revealing important dynamics of semi-arid grazing systems.
Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

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48

"Seasonality and Ecosystem Response in Prehistoric Agricultural Regions of Central Arizona". Master's thesis, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.I.8859.

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abstract: This thesis explores the independent effects of the manipulation of rocks into alignments, prehistoric farming, and season on soil properties in two areas with a history of prehistoric agriculture in central Arizona, Pueblo la Plata within the Agua Fria National Monument (AFNM), and an archaeological site north of the Phoenix basin along Cave Creek (CC). Soil properties, annual herbaceous biomass and the physical properties of alignments and surface soils were measured and compared across the landscape, specifically on: 1) agricultural rock alignments that were near the archaeological site 2) geologically formed rock alignments that were located 0.5-1 km away from settlements; and 3) areas both near and far from settlements where rock alignments were absent. At AFNM, relatively well-built rock alignments have altered soil properties and processes while less-intact alignments at CC have left few legacies.
Dissertation/Thesis
M.S. Biology 2011

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Loehr, Victor J. T. "The ecology of the world's smallest tortoise, Homopus signatus signatus: effects of rainfall". Thesis, 2008. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_3016_1259833196.

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Tortoises appear to be successful in arid ecosystems, where they depend on primary production for their predominantly herbivorous diets. The low primary production of arid regions is exacerbated by priodic droughts, so that iteroparous species such as chelonians require mechanisms to overcome resource shortages. The smallest of all tortoises, Homopus signatus signatus, occurs in a dry winter rainfall area in northwestern South Africa that is threatened with aridification due to regional climate change. The overall aim of this study is to understand the ecology of H. s. signatus, particularly in reference to the importance of rainfall.

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Chipfupa, Lukas. "The effects of weather variability on growth potential of Afrikaner cattle in a semi-arid region in Zimbabwe". Diss., 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/10198.

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Only part of the abstract could be included due to the rest having renderable text
The abiotic environment plays an important role in cattle production. Key abiotic elements evaluated in this study are rainfall and temperature. This study was carried out to assess the effect and contribution of rainfall and temperature, amid other factors, on pre- and post-weaning growth traits of Afrikaner cattle at Matopos Research Institute from 1958 to 1997. Historical data generated from a genotype x environment interaction study at Matopos Research Institute was used to identify factors associated with the average daily weight gain of calves of Afrikaner cattle breed. A total of 10 700 records were retrieved comprising of birth weight (BW), 90 day weight, 205 day weight and early post-weaning weight as well as additional corresponding rainfall and temperature data from 1958 to 1997. The rainfall and temperature data was computed asrainfall and temperature variability. The data was corrected for heteroscedasticity using the generalized least squares approach (GLS) before running an ordinary least square regression (OLS) analysis to determine the association between growth rate and potential explanatory factors for average daily weight gain, pre-weaning weight gain and early post-weaning weight gain.
Agriculture and Animal Health
M. Sc. (Agriculture)

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Tesi sul tema "Arid regions ecology"

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