Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Pond ecosystems'

Ingeniero Civil en Biotecnología
Ingeniero Civil Químico
Actualmente existen diversos problemas medioambientales, dos de ellos corresponden a la futura crisis energética, debido al agotamiento de los combustibles fósiles, y a la existencia de aguas residuales con altas concentraciones de nitrógeno y carbono. Un microorganismo llamado microalga podría ser una potencial solución a estos problemas, ya que éstos consumen nitrógeno y carbono para acumular lípidos en su medio intracelular, el cual posteriormente es procesado para producir biocombustibles. Sin embargo, la producción de energía a partir de microlagas es aún muy cara, es por eso que se debe optimizar este proceso, en este trabajo se abordará la estrategia de optimización a través del acoplamiento de ecosistemas, los cuales corresponden a: Piscina de microalgas (PM), digestor anaeróbico (DA) y una planta de tratamiento de aguas (PTA). El objetivo general de esta investigación es encontrar el arreglo espacial óptimo entre ellos. Se diseñaron y calibraron modelos matemáticos simples para el ecosistema PM y PTA. La calibración se llevó a cabo usando las curvas de nitrógeno y de demanda química de oxígeno (DQO) en paralelo, con una suma de errores de 22.5% para el PM y de 38.5% para el PTA. Los parámetros obtenidos son comparables a los encontrados en la literatura. Los ecosistemas fueron acoplados a través de sus flujos de DQO y de nitrógeno, y las siguientes funciones objetivo fueron definidas: 1) Maximizar el metano producido 2) Maximizar la energía total producida y 3) Maximizar las ganacias obtenidas gracias al valor del metano y de la biomasa producida. Además, fueron consideradas restricciones medioambientales, tales como la concentración de nitrógeno y la DQO en la salida del sistema. Si lo que se maximiza es el metano, se obtienen 99.96 [mol]. El reactor anaeróbico es el más grande y recibe la alimentación más alta, el CH4 generado corresponde al 72.4% del máximo teórico. En este caso, el arreglo espacial no puede ser presentado como una cadena de etapas porque el diagrama de flujos obtenido es uno circular y por lo tanto el orden entre cada ecosistema es irrelevante para el proceso. Si la ganacia y la energía total producida son maximizadas, se obtuvo 343.6 US$ y 115.53 [kWh], respectivamente. El ecosistema de tratamiento de aguas recibe la alimentación más alta, el cual produce el mayor beneficio económicos y la mayor producción de energía. El metano producido es un 21% del máximo teórico. En ambos casos, el arraglo espacial obtenido son iguales, debido a la presencia de mínimos locales y a la similtud de las funciones objetivo. Además, es posible concluir que el primer paso del proceso debiese ser el ecosistema PTA, luego el DA y finalmente el PM. Así, se pudo cumplir el objetivo general de este trabajo. Finalmente, la metodología usada es capaz de cumplir los objetivos planteados, incluso es posible escalar el problema agregando otros ecosistemas o usarla en otras aplicaciones." "In recent years several environmental problems have come about, two of them are an energy crisis as a result of fossil fuel exhaust and the waste water created with high nitrogen and carbon concentrations. A potential solution of the aforementioned problems is contained in the properties of microalgae, which is a microorganism that can accumulate lipids in its intracellular medium. These lipids can be processed and converted into biofuel by allowing microalgae to consume nitrogen and an organic source from the medium. However, energy production from microalgae is too expensive in comparison with fossil fuel and thus there is a need to optimize this process. The strategy of optimizing by coupling ecosystems will be carried out in this work. The ecosystems that will be coupled are: Microalgae pond (MP), anaerobic digester (AD) and wastewater treatment plant (WWT). The general objective of this research is to find the optimal spatial arrangement among them through mathematical modelling. Simple mathematical models were designed and calibrated to MP and WWT ecosystem. Calibrations were carried out using nitrogen and chemical oxygen demand (COD) curves in parallel with a sum error of 22.5% in MP and 38.5% in WWT. Obtained parameters are similar to ones found in previous literature. Ecosystem were coupled through COD and nitrogen flows and the following objectives functions were defined: 1) Maximize methane produced 2) Maximize total energy produced and 3) Maximize profit due to the value of methane and microalgae biomass produced. Environmental constraints were considered, such as nitrogen and COD because they are in the output. When the methane produced was maximized it reached 99.96 [mol]. The anaerobic reactor has the biggest size, it receives the highest input flow, and CH4 generated is the 72.4% of maximum theoretical methane production. This result determined that the spatial arrangement can not be summarized by a chain of processes since the flowsheet obtained is a circular one and thus the order is irrelevant for the process. When profit and total energy produced are maximized, it was obtained 343.6 US$ and 115.53 [kWh]$ respectively. Waste water ecosystem received the biggest input flow, which produced the majority of amount of revenues and energy. Methane produced is equal to 21% of maximum theoretical. In both cases, the spatial arrangements obtained are equals due to the presence of local minima and the similarity in the objective function. These calculations allow to conclude the best order of the ecosystems: WWT, AD, and finally MP. Finally the methodology is enough to reach the objectives of this work, even it is possible to scale the system adding more than one ecosystem or using this methodology in other fields.

Integrating green or blue space into cities can provide environmental and public health benefits which maximize urban sustainability. One type of green/blue infrastructure that has been understudied is urban stormwater ponds, which are used to manage stormwater runoff. Their performance is typically only evaluated in terms of hydrological functions, with little focus on their capacity to provide ancillary benefits to communities. In this exploratory study, an online survey was distributed to six neighbourhoods in the City of Ottawa, ON to gain insight into the social value of urban stormwater ponds. The results revealed that despite some disadvantages, most respondents visited their neighbourhood stormwater ponds regularly and largely appreciated the cultural ecosystem services provided by these ponds, such as opportunities for experiencing nature, especially wildlife, and outdoor recreation. These findings can be used to improve the multifunctionality of stormwater ponds and optimize both environmental and social sustainability outcomes.

In urban areas, stormwater management ponds (SWPs) are built to mitigate polluted runoff. Although these ponds are increasing in numbers, their ecology is not well understood. Physical and chemical characteristics of 17 SWPs in the City of Ottawa were measured to determine the drivers of phytoplankton biomass (Chl. a) and primary production (PP). While total phosphorus was the best predictor of algal biomass in the ponds (as in lakes), the imperviousness of the catchment could also predict Chl. a. Planktonic PP in two ponds measured seasonally was more closely related to water residence time than to nutrient concentrations with rates approaching at times the theoretical maximum for aquatic systems. In one pond, whole ecosystem metabolism, estimated using diel changes in dissolved oxygen and δ18O-O2, suggested that these hypereutrophic systems were net sinks for carbon in the summer but likely sources to the atmosphere at other times of the year.

The ecology of ponds is threatened by urbanisation and as cities expand pond habitats are disappearing at an alarming rate. Pond communities are structured by local (water quality, physical) and regional (land-use, connectivity) processes. Since ca1904 >80% of ponds in Birmingham, U.K., have been lost due to land-use intensification, resulting in an increasingly diffuse network. A survey of thirty urban ponds revealed high spatial and temporal variability in water quality, which frequently failed environmental standards. Most were eutrophic, although macrophyte-rich, well connected ponds supported macroinvertebrate assemblages of high conservation value. Statistically, local physical variables (e.g. shading) explained more variation, both in water quality and macroinvertebrate community composition than regional factors. Nonetheless, habitat availability within the wider landscape was important. Ecosystem functioning (leaf-litter breakdown) along a rural-urban gradient was confounded by habitat area, despite a decrease in functional redundancy. Ponds are identified that promote network connectivity and management of land-use within 100m may buffer against diffuse pollution with reductions in riparian shading required to improve growth conditions for oxygenating vegetation and to reduce nutrient levels. The results indicate that many urban ponds are threatened habitats that require active management to protect and restore water quality, biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.

This doctoral dissertation was produced in a cooperation between Halmstad University (Wetland Research Centre, School of Business and Engineering) and Lund University (Limnology & Marine Biology, Department of Ecology). Abstract . Wetland creation at large, regional scales is implemented as a measure to abate the biodiversity loss in agricultural landscapes and the eutrophication of watersheds and coastal areas by non-point source nutrient pollution (mainly nitrogen). The consequences of creating many new wetlands for biodiversity conservation and nutrient reten- tion (ecosystem functioning) in agricultural landscapes are still relatively unknown, both on local (per wetland) and regional (per landscape) scales. In Sweden, wetland creation has progressed already since the 1990s, and by now larger numbers of created wetlands are present, mainly in the intensively farmed landscapes of southwestern Sweden. This thesis aimed to investigate the following aspects in these systems: (i) their large-scale effects on biodiversity, (ii) their functional diversity of bacterial denitrifiers, (iii) the abiotic and biotic influences on wetland ecosystem functioning, (iv) the potential for biodiversity-function links, and (v) the potential for functional links and joint functioning.(i) Created wetlands hosted diverse assemblages of macroinvertebrates and plants. They maintained a similar com- position and diversity as natural ponds in agricultural landscapes. The environmental conditions per wetland did hardly affect macroinvertebrate and plant assemblages, and the prerequisites for nutrient retention did neither. In landscapes were wetland creation efforts had increased the total density of small water bodies by more than 30%, macroinver- tebrate diversity of created wetlands was facilitated on both local and regional scales. (ii) Diverse communities of denitrifying bacteria with the capacity for conducting different denitrification steps (functional types) were present in all investigated wetlands. The richness of denitrifying bacteria communities was affected by nitrate concentration and hydraulic loading rate, which may potentially be relevant for the nitrogen retention function of created wetlands. The diversity across different functional types of bacterial denitrifiers increased with nitrate concentration. (iii) Both abiotic and biotic factors influenced ecosystem functions of created wetlands. Variation in nitrogen retention was associated to nitrate load, but even to vegetation parameters. In wetlands with constant nitrate load, planted emergent vegetation facilitated nitrogen retention compared to other vegetation types. In wetlands with variable loads, nitrogen retention was facilitated if nitrate load was high and many different vegetation types were present; nitrogen load could explain the majority of the variation in nitrogen retention compared to vegetation parameters. Phosporus retention of created wetlands was best explained by vegetation parameters. Litter decomposition was inhibited at high nitrate to phosphorus ratios. Methane production increased with age and decreased with plant cover. (iv) Biodiversity may facilitate wetland ecosystem functions, particularly in dynamic wetland ecosystems. Nitrogen retention increased with vegetation type diversity, phosphorus retention capacity with plant richness, and litter decomposition with macroinvertebrate diversity. (v) Created wetlands have the capacity of sustaining several parallel ecosystem services. Some wetland functions were coupled; nitrogen retention increased with fast litter decomposition. On the other hand, methane emission and nitro- gen retention were independent of each other, as were nitrogen and phosphorus retention.In conclusion, created wetlands have the potential to at least partly abate the lost biodiversity and multifunctionality caused by the past extensive destruction of natural wetlands in agricultural landscapes.

[Paper II] Milenkovski S., Thiere G., Weisner S.E.B., Berglund O. & Lindgren P.-E. Variation of eubacterial and denitrifying bacterial biofilm communities among constructed wetlands. Submitted manuscript. [Paper V] Thiere G. & Weisner S.E.B. Influence of biotic and abiotic parameters on ecosystem functioning of created wetlands. Manuscript.

Urbanization involves the conversion of natural areas to impervious surfaces, which can lead to an increase in the frequency and severity of flood events in cities. To mitigate flood risk, stormwater ponds are constructed to manage urban runoff. Stormwater ponds can also be colonized by wildlife, but their suitability as habitat is disputed due to potential toxicological risks. This study assessed the suitability of stormwater ponds as habitat for the bioindicators Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) and determined environmental factors that impact their community structure. Odonata (adults, nymphs and exuviae) were sampled at 41 stormwater ponds and 10 natural reference ponds across the National Capital Region of Canada, with a subset of ponds sampled over four years (2015-2018). Plant communities, water quality and surrounding land cover were analyzed at each pond to determine their impacts on Odonata community structure. Overall, stormwater ponds had lower Odonata abundance and a greater variation in species richness and community structure compared to natural ponds but had comparable dragonfly reproduction rates. Plants were the most significant driver of Odonata communities, as stormwater ponds with a high richness of native wetland plants had higher Odonata abundance and community structures similar to natural ponds. Water quality was the second most important driver of Odonata communities with dragonflies showing greater sensitivity to urban contaminants than damselflies. While stormwater ponds had higher concentrations of trace elements than natural ponds (e.g. Ni, V, As), concentrations were generally below toxic levels for all elements except copper and chloride, the latter likely an input from winter road salting. Surrounding land cover was the least important factor affecting Odonata communities. In conclusion, this research demonstrated the importance of local-scale factors related to plants and water quality in sustaining Odonata communities and specifies recommendations for stormwater pond design and maintenance that enhance urban biodiversity.

Thesis: Ph. D., Joint Program in Oceanography/Applied Ocean Science and Engineering (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences; and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), 2017.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. Page 216 blank.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 179-215).
Salt marshes are physically, chemically, and biologically dynamic environments found globally at temperate latitudes. Tidal creeks and marshtop ponds may expand at the expense of productive grass-covered marsh platform. It is therefore important to understand the present magnitude and drivers of production and respiration in these submerged environments in order to evaluate the future role of salt marshes as a carbon sink. This thesis describes new methods to apply the triple oxygen isotope tracer of photosynthetic production in a salt marsh. Additionally, noble gases are applied to constrain air-water exchange processes which affect metabolism tracers. These stable, natural abundance tracers complement traditional techniques for measuring metabolism. In particular, they highlight the potential importance of daytime oxygen sinks besides aerobic respiration, such as rising bubbles. In tidal creeks, increasing nutrients may increase both production and respiration, without any apparent change in the net metabolism. In ponds, daytime production and respiration are also tightly coupled, but there is high background respiration regardless of changes in daytime production. Both tidal creeks and ponds have higher respiration rates and lower production rates than the marsh platform, suggesting that expansion of these submerged environments could limit the ability of salt marshes to sequester carbon.
by Evan M. Howard.
Ph. D.

Theses (M.S.)--Marshall University, 2006.
Title from document title page. Includes abstract. Document formatted into pages: contains vi, 65 p. including illustrations and maps. Bibliography: p. 61-65.

Notre travail a consisté en un suivi mensuel de l'évolution des concentrations du phosphore inorganique, organique hydrolysable, oxydable dans la petite rade et la grande rade de Toulon. L'activité des phosphatases responsables des conversions du phosphore organique en phosphore inorganique a été mesurée en parallèle. Les concentrations en phosphore inorganique sont toujours très basses (70-80 nM) en particulier en période estivale. Elles fluctuent beaucoup d'avril à septembre et sont plus stables pendant le reste de l'année. La fraction hydrolysable, représente en moyenne 17 à 22 % du phosphore total dont 4 % correspondent à la fraction hydrolysable par la phosphatase. Ces concentrations évoluent de la même manière que celle des formes inorganiques. L'activité phosphatasique dissoute ne représente 10 à 35% en moyenne de l'activité totale. Elle inclut des composantes à forte et à faible affinités, l'activité à faible affinité étant toujours plus élevée que l'activité à forte affinité. Dans les deux sites, les activités à faible affinité présentent des maxima qui coïncident avec ceux des abondances phytoplanctoniques. L'activité particulaire est responsable de près de 60 % de l'activité totale. Elle comporte également des composantes à forte et faible affinités. L'activité à forte affinité serait externe et son pH optimal est proche de celui de l'eau de mer, alors que l'activité à faible affinité serait interne et son pH optimal est supérieur à 9. L'activité particulaire à forte affinité est particulièrement élevée pour la plus petite classe de taille (0,45-1 µm) alors que l'activité à faible affinité est plus élevée pour la plus grande classe (>90µm). Cette activité intracellulaire est plusieurs centaines de fois plus élevés chez les larves de cirripèdes que chez les autres espèces. L'activité phosphatasique à forte affinité est toujours basse quand les concentrations en orthophosphate sont élevées. En revanche, elle augmente souvent quand ces concentrations diminuent. Lorsque ce n'est pas le cas, les concentrations en phosphore organique hydrolysable étaient élevées. L'ensemble de ces données permet de mieux comprendre le mode de régulation de l'activité phosphatasique par les composés phosphorés et de conclure que la mesure de sa composante à forte affinité peut être considérée comme le meilleur indicateur du stress phosphoré dans la rade de Toulon.

Kleine, flache Gewässer gelten als sogenannte „hotspots“ der Primärproduktion und Kohlenstoffbindung. Diese Doktorarbeit zielt darauf ab, die Primärproduktion verschiedener kleiner Gewässer zu quantifizieren sowie die Mechanismen, die den Kohlenstoffkreislauf dieser Systeme beeinflussen, zu analysieren. Der Fokus liegt dabei auf dem Einfluss globaler Veränderungen, die diese Mechanismen verändern können Im ersten Abschnitt wurde die Primärproduktion (PP) in kleinen, temporären Söllen untersucht, die sehr anfällig für Störungen sind. Ich konnte zeigen, dass die PP der Sölle im Sommer außergewöhnlich hoch ist, was hauptsächlich auf eine hohe Makrophytenproduktion zurückzuführen ist Im zweiten Teil analysiere ich die Ergebnisse eines Experiments zum Einfluss erhöhter Temperaturen auf die benthische PP kleiner Gewässer im Frühjahr. Acht Mesokosmen wurden bei normalen und um 4°C erhöhten Wassertemperaturen gemäßigter Breiten betrieben. In der ersten Hälfte des Experiments konnte ich eine erhöhte benthische PP in den erwärmten Mesokosmen feststellen, die auf direkte Temperatureffekte und indirekte Auswirkungen einer höheren Nährstoffverfügbarkeit zurückzuführen war. Anfang Juni stieg jedoch der Einfluss der Makroinvertebraten auf das Periphyton in den erwärmten Mesokosmen, so dass keine Unterschiede in der PP mehr auftraten. Schließlich, untersuche ich die Resilienz eines Sees gegenüber einem plötzlichen Eintrag gelösten organischen Kohlenstoffs (DOC) aus dem terrestrischen Umland, der zu einer starken Braunfärbung des Wassers führte. Der Fokus liegt dabei auf Veränderungen der Wasserqualität und der aquatischen PP des Sees, nachdem sich die DOC-Konzentration verfünffacht hatte. Drei Jahren nach Erreichen der maximalen DOC- und Gesamt-Phosphor im See sanken diese signifikant, lagen jedoch noch immer 1,5- bzw. 2-fach oberhalb der Ausgangskonzentrationen vor dem DOC-Eintrag. Die benthische PP zeigte eine teilweise Erholung, erreichte jedoch ebenfalls nicht die Ausgangswerte.
Small, shallow freshwater ecosystems are now considered hotspots of primary production & carbon sequestration. Yet till recently they’ve been mostly neglected. This thesis aims at explaining the underlying mechanisms affecting carbon cycling in these systems, particularly focusing on how contemporary global changes alter ecological equilibria. In the first section, using a compartmental approach, I study primary production in small, temporary ponds (kettle holes) within agricultural fields that are highly susceptible to environmental & anthropogenic disturbances. I show that summertime gross primary production (GPP) in kettle holes is exceptionally high, mostly driven by a strong macrophyte production. In winter, periphyton contributes to the majority of the systems’ GPP. High summertime deposition, correlated to GPP, and low sediment mineralization rates, signified a high potential for carbon burial. In the second experiment, I test the impact of increased temperatures on periphyton production during spring. I use eight mesocosms running at normal & +4°C temperatures. Initially, I recorded elevated periphyton GPP in the warmed treatment driven by direct temperature effects & indirect effects of higher nutrient availability. By late spring, the trend is reversed due to increased grazing pressure in the warm treatment. In the third study, I investigate a lake’s resilience to a sudden brownification event: A 5-fold increase in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations. Within three years after peak brownification, the lake DOC & total phosphorous concentrations dropped significantly but seem to have plateaued at 1.5 & 2-fold their pre-brownification levels, respectively. Consequently, benthic GPP, which had collapsed due to light limitation at peak brownification, marked only a partial recovery, while phytoplankton (& whole-lake) GPP remained higher than pre-brownification levels. Phytoplankton & periphyton exhibited an inverse response to DOC & TP concentrations.

Les infrastructures de transport terrestres sont connues pour avoir des impacts négatifs majeurs sur les espèces et la dynamique des écosystèmes, entrainant l'altération et la fragmentation des habitats et des trames paysagères. Mais la construction de ces infrastructures peut également être à l’origine de la création de nouveaux milieux, notamment par le biais des mesures mises en œuvre pour en réduire les impacts. Construits initialement pour éviter les inondations, les bassins d’eaux pluviales permettent également de limiter le rejet, dans le milieu naturel, des polluants issus de l’infrastructure, fonctionnant ainsi comme une zone tampon. Scientifiques et gestionnaires font aujourd’hui le constat d’une utilisation spontanée de ces bassins par plusieurs espèces d’amphibiens. Ces espèces, dépendantes, à la fois, de milieux terrestres et aquatiques, sont particulièrement sensibles à la qualité et la connectivité de leurs habitats. Cette thèse interroge ainsi sur le rôle que peuvent jouer les bassins autoroutiers pour les amphibiens, en tant qu’habitat de reproduction, mais également en tant qu’éléments pouvant favoriser les continuités écologiques favorables à ces espèces. L’intérêt est ici principalement porté sur les pratiques de gestion mises en œuvre dans ces bassins, leurs impacts sur les amphibiens ainsi que les modalités de leur adaptation au regard de cet enjeu écologique. Dans un même temps, cette recherche questionne la capacité des différents acteurs, gestionnaires autoroutiers mais aussi gestionnaire d’espaces naturels adjacents, à envisager l’interdépendance écologique entre les emprises des infrastructures de transport et les territoires qu’elles traversent, en s’appuyant notamment sur les représentations associées à la biodiversité et aux infrastructures de transport. Ainsi, à travers une démarche pluridisciplinaire mêlant relevés écologiques, analyse spatiale et entretiens semi-directifs, cette thèse tend à contribuer à une meilleure prise en charge des enjeux de biodiversité sur et aux abords des infrastructures de transport
Transport infrastructures are known to have major negative impacts on species and ecosystems dynamics, leading to the alteration and fragmentation of habitats and landscape patterns. But the construction of these infrastructures can also be at the origin of the creation of new environments, in particular through the measures implemented to reduce their impacts. Originally built to prevent flooding, stormwater ponds also limit the release of pollutants from infrastructure into the natural environment, thus functioning as a buffer zone. Scientists and managers today note the spontaneous use of these ponds by several species of amphibians. These species, which depend on both terrestrial and aquatic environments, are particularly sensitive to the quality and connectivity of their habitats. This thesis thus questions the role that highway stromwater ponds can play for amphibians, as a breeding habitat, but also as elements that can promote ecological continuities favorable to these species. The interest here is mainly focused on the management practices implemented in these ponds, their impacts on amphibians as well as the methods of their adaptation with regard to this ecological issue. At the same time, this research questions the capacity of the various actors - highway managers but also managers of adjacent natural spaces - to consider the ecological interdependence between the infrastructure verges and the territories which they cross, by relying particularly on representations associated with biodiversity and transport infrastructure. Thus, through a multidisciplinary approach combining ecological surveys, spatial analysis and semi-structured interviews, this thesis tends to contribute to better management of biodiversity issues on and around transport infrastructures

Au cours de l’holocène, les activités humaines ont continuellement affecté le fonctionnement des écosystèmes naturels et ont aujourd’hui un impact à l’échelle globale. La situation actuelle est notamment préoccupante pour l’état des écosystèmes d’eau douce, mais les activités locales historiques peuvent également toujours avoir un impact sur ces écosystèmes et sont très rarement pris en compte dans la gestion des cours d’eau. Les ruisseaux de têtes de bassin versant, dont le fonctionnement est basé sur les apports de matière organique terrestre, sont particulièrement sensibles aux usages des territoires adjacents et sont donc susceptibles d’être actuellement affectés par des stress d’origine historique. Il semble donc pertinent d’identifier de tels effets des activités passées sur les milieux dulçaquicoles et d’en comprendre les mécanismes (persistance des perturbations dans le paysage, résistance/résilience des milieux naturels). Durant ce doctorat, nous avons mené une étude prospective in situ pour tenter de déterminer si les héritages d’éventuelles activités historiques dans des paysages de tête de bassin versant peuvent influencer la qualité écologique actuelle des ruisseaux locaux. Pour cela, nous avons associé une approche d’écologie historique des paysages (anthracologie, étude de cartes anciennes, …) et une étude des paramètres biotiques et abiotiques des ruisseaux. Respectivement, le premier aspect avait pour but d’étudier l’histoire des écosystèmes forestiers au cours des derniers siècles et de référencer des aménagements anthropiques anciens (zones déboisées, sites de production de charbon, habitations, étangs) dans ces milieux. Le second aspect consistait à déterminer l’état écologique des ruisseaux par une approche multiparamétrique. Les résultats de cette approche menée sur des bassins versant forestiers du massif des Vosges du Nord ont révélé que ces ruisseaux, sur un territoire à la naturalité importante, présentent dans leur ensemble une bonne qualité écologique. Si la présence d’étangs d’âges variables impacte les communautés d’invertébrés benthiques, les écarts au bon état écologique sont très probablement d’origines contemporaines, comme des rejets urbains ou des pluies acides. Néanmoins, l’exploitation de la forêt pour la production de charbon de bois jusqu’au début du XXème siècle a engendré l’existence de milliers de sites de charbonnières qui semblent influencer la disponibilité du phosphore dans l’environnement. De plus, la dynamique forestière semble avoir été conditionnée par la gestion sylvicole, avec par exemple une composition floristique actuelle plus riche en résineux que par le passé (avant le charbonnage). Ces aspects nous amènent à penser que les activités anthropiques ont en partie influencé la composition des apports en matière organique vers les ruisseaux. Nous pouvons conclure que la construction d’étangs et le charbonnage historique réalisés dans ces forêts influent sur les caractéristiques des ruisseaux en parallèles des stress actuels. Ainsi, ce doctorat ouvre des pistes fortes de recherche à propos des flux de nutriments dans les compartiments aquatiques et terrestres, sous influence des charbonnières, pour mieux comprendre l’impact réel de cette pratique au cours du temps
Human activities have been continuously affecting natural ecosystems functioning during the Holocene and it actually have an impact at a global scale. There is particular concern over the integrity of freshwater ecosystems, however local past activities can also still impact these ecosystems and are rarely considered for the management of streams. The headwater streams especially, whose functioning is based on terrestrial organic matter inputs, are sensitive to human uses of neighboring lands, and so may be actually affected by stresses of historical origin. It seems pertinent to identify such effects of past activities on freshwater ecosystems and to understand the mechanisms involved in these processes. During this thesis project we conducted a prospective in situ study, to determine the influence of the legacy of potential historical activities on the current ecological quality of headwater catchment streams. We combined an approach of historical ecology of landscapes (anthracology, study of old maps, …) with a study of biotic and abiotic parameters of streams. The first approach aimed to study the woodland composition of last centuries and to georeference old human uses (deforested areas, charcoal production sites, homes, ponds, …). The second aimed to determine the integrity of stream by multiparametric analyses. The results of this study, realized on forested catchments of northern Vosges mountains, revealed that the streams which are situated in a low-impacted landscape, globally have a good ecological quality. Some ponds with different ages have an impact on the composition of aquatic macroinvertebrates communities and deviation to good ecological state, maybe due to urban pollutions or acidic rainfalls. Nevertheless the exploitation of forest for the production of wood charcoal until the beginning of XXth century lead to the creation of thousands of charcoal production sites (CPS) that affect the availability of phosphorus both in environment. Moreover, woodland dynamic seems to have been conditioned by the sylviculture, leading to a higher proportion of coniferous species today than in the past (before the beginning of charcoal production). These aspects lead us to believe that human activities have been influencing organic matter inputs into streams. We can conclude that the historical building of ponds and the charcoal production in these woodlands have an influence on actual characteristics of streams, in parallel to modern stresses. Thus, this project open strong lines of research about the nutrients fluxes in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems under the influence of charcoal production sites. This could help us to better understand the impact of this activity across history

Ph.D.
Wetlands play an integral role in the hydrological cycle and biodiversity. Despite this, wetlands have been neglected in terms of research and monitoring in South Africa. This lack of research has become even more insufficient when it comes to endorheic wetlands. Endorheic wetlands in South Africa are known as pans. Pans are isolated depressions that for through wind erosion are generally shallow and lack an integrated drainage. Water gain is depended on rainfall and surface runoff and water loss is largely due to evaporation. Pans can be either ephemeral in nature or can remain inundated for long periods of time. There are close to 5000 pans in the study area of the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. An estimated 40% of these pans are perennial in nature. The little information on the ecology of pans is all focussed on those systems that are ephemeral. The lack of knowledge is, however, not restricted to the ecology of perennial pans but also the management tools available for these ecosystems. Whereas a variety of methods are available to determine the quantity and quality of water needed to sustain riverine systems (and wetlands connected to rivers), there are no such methods for pans. Especially important is the lack in standardised methods to assess the ecological integrity of perennial pans. This is important as perennial pan ecosystems are increasingly under threat from an increase in coal mining and agricultural activities in Mpumalanga. Coal mining activities have increased in the study area due to both an increase in energy demands and the ease of mining coal deposits in the study area. The lack in standardised methods could be as a direct result of the lack in knowledge of the ecology of the perennial pans. The aim of this study was thus to develop standardised methods for assessing the ecological integrity of perennial pans in Mpumalanga by studying the ecology of the pans. The study thus uses a fundamental approach to reach certain applied goals. To achieve the aim, a total of nine pans were included in the study of which seven were surveyed seasonally for two years and two were sampled on a single occasion. Five of these pans were located in the Mpumalanga Lake District (MLD) and were in a relatively pristine condition. The other four pans were impacted either by agricultural activities, mining activities or both. During these surveys, various components of the ecosystem were studied. These components included the spatial and temporal variations in the abiotic components like the physico-chemical characteristics, habitat quality and quantity, and the sediment characteristics. It also included the spatial and temporal variations in the vegetation communities surrounding the pans and the aquatic invertebrate communities within the pans. The aquatic invertebrate communities were assessed based on a taxonomic approach (diversity) and functional approach (biological traits).

Insights gained from metapopulation and metacommunity biology indicate that the connectivity of subpopulations and communities by species dispersal can profoundly impact population dynamics, community structure, and ecosystem attributes. Recent advancements in metacommunity theory further suggest that the rate of species dispersal among local communities can be important in altering local and regional species richness and ecosystem functioning. The role of species dispersal rates relative to patch-type heterogeneity and associated intrinsic community structuring mechanisms (competition, predation) in affecting diversity of multi-trophic communities, however, remains unknown. Here, I address the relative influence of regional and local processes in altering species richness and ecosystem functioning at multiple spatial scales in freshwater pond metacommunities. In a series of experiments, I employed pond mesocosm metacommunities to manipulate planktonic species dispersal rates and the incidence of top predators which differed in prey selectivity. The consequences of dispersal and predation to zooplankton species richness, trophic structure, ecosystem stability, and prey traits were evaluated. Generally, my findings support predictions from metacommunity models, and demonstrate that dispersal strongly affects community and ecosystem-level properties. In accord with dispersal-diversity theory, dispersal rate affected species richness and ecosystem stability at multiple spatial scales. The presence, but not the rate, of dispersal had strong effects on the partitioning of biomass amongst producers, grazers, and top predators. The relative influence of predation on local and metacommunity structure varied across experiments and largely depended upon predator identity and the degree of feeding specialization. The research presented herein is some of the first work to evaluate how species dispersal rates can affect dispersal-diversity relationships, diversity-stability relationships, trophic structure, and the distribution of prey traits in metacommunities. In addition to advancing ecological theory, the results have important implications for conservation as fragmented landscapes become increasingly prevalent, and local and regional biotas modified. Ultimately, it proves critical to identify drivers of local and regional species richness in order to maintain biotic integrity at the global scale.
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Trojan Tailings Pond at Highland Valley Copper developed in only 15 years from a biologically inactive water body into a productive lake with a well established aquatic ecosystem and fishery. After a further 8 years, the Trojan system remains sustainable with small annual nitrogen additions. There were two compatible goals in this work; improving tailings water cover quality by biochemically modifying the sediment-water interface, and making the pond productive for wildlife and fish. This transformation was achieved using a few simple and inexpensive procedures including fertilization and introduction of essential organisms. The success at the Trojan Pond has encouraged the use of similar techniques in other water bodies on the mine site.

This document is submitted in partial fulfillment for the Degree: Master of Architecture [Professional] at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, in the year 2018
There are many threats facing the world’s population. Population growth, global warming and especially food security are challenging the conventional methods of food production that have used for centuries. These methods continue to impact the earth negatively and its ecosystems, hence the prevalence of the devastating effects of climate change on the earth. The resulting effects, coupled with our continued use of fossil fuels to keep up with a growing population can only harm the earth even further and therefore harm our very existence. My chosen site is an abandoned location along a T-junction just outside the town of Groblersdal in Limpopo. The site is already populated with street vendors who originate from the rural area surrounding the towns in the district. These vendors sell fresh produce sourced from the surrounding commercial farms. I find myself confounded by these vendors and their lack of produce variety and always wonder how they sustain their businesses with this typology. What especially bothers me about this dynamic is that these rural communities have been farming traditional crops historically and these highly nutritious crops have managed sustained to sustain them and their ancestors for centuries. These rural communities are native to the places where the crops are grown (or have become part of the culinary culture over time) and these crops are particularly well adapted to the prevailing conditions. With all this considered my intention is to design a self-sustaining hybrid agricultural support center and training facility. This facility will utilise community participation in the building process to promote economic empowerment and the preservation of local vernacular architectural methods and techniques. The programme aims to be inclusive in order to allow for all stakeholders to gain and impart knowledge, promoting a cycle of knowledge exchange By employing sustainable architectural interventions such as rainwater and energy harvesting, passive cooling systems and the preservation and re-use of resources, the architecture can become a transformative mechanism for change in the rural context and restore the pride of the Pedi people
MT 2018

碩士
國立新竹教育大學
人資處教育行政碩士專班
97
This study is focused on exploring the planning ideology, teaching utilization, satisfaction and management drawback of school ecosystem, sampled from different schools based on scales and locations.。The survey was conducted to investigate the current status of school ecosystem. The 508 questionnaires were issued randomly and 413 questionnaires were collected. The data were analyzed by computer software, SPSS12.0, processed by t-Test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffe’s Post hoc Comparison, frequency distribution and percentage. In addition, 8 school staffs were interviewed to understand their management drawback and suggestions. According to the analysis results, the conclusions and suggestions are as follows: A. Current status of school ecosystem of elementary schools of Hsinchu County I. The school ecosystem popularity is lower than Taipei city and central Taiwan. Many schools set up the school ecosystem within recent five years. The animal diversities of most schools are mainly 6 to 10 species The main reasons for schools which have not set up school ecosystem are finance issue. The goal of the school ecosystem is offering the teaching materials for teachers and students. The infrastructure was planed mainly by third party vendors. II. The school ecosystems seldom meet ecosystem concept. Primary water resource is mainly underground water. The main type of school ecosystem is pond and the main pattern is the data base of teaching materials. III. Utilization of the ecosystem is mainly for science teaching. Mostly the General Affair’s Director s are in charge of the maintenance. Recycle water as water source of the ecosystem is rare. More than 80% were ever vandalized. IV. Description display, teaching manual, web page introduction, fence and filter system are all rare. The water circulation is common. B. Differences of ecosystem in plan ideology, teaching utilization, satisfaction and management drawback I. As schools of different size, “meet ecological education”, “open to the public facility” and “safety consideration of the school kids” have significant differences. As teaching utilization, “safety and convenience of outdoor teaching” and “cross-subject curriculum” have significant differences. As satisfaction, “ecological concept”, “energy saving” and “aesthetics” have significant differences. As management drawback, “instruction deficiency for teaching” has significant differences. II. As for schools of different locations, “animal import”, “safety fence” and “safety consideration of school kids” have significant differences. As for teaching, “make students take care of school” has significant differences. C. Differences of ecosystem plan, teaching utilization, satisfaction, management drawback on teachers’ background I. As teachers of different majors, “outdoor teaching resource integration” and “management satisfaction” have significant differences. II. As teachers of different diploma, “plant growth satisfaction”, “insufficient maintenance” and “poor water quality” have significant differences. III. As teachers of different job titles, “non-ecological consideration” has significant differences. As teachers of different seniority, “non-ecological consideration” and “poor water quality” have significant differences. D. According to the analysis statistics concluded by the study, several suggestions are provided to the educational organizations, schools and teachers for further study.

The first part is characterized by a pond ecosystem and National Nature Reserve Řežabinec in terms of its historical development and creation. Are mentioned methods , the method and system of protection of the site. The paper describes a method of fish farming during the period of the individual plans of care farming in the last five years and the water conditions in the area . The ecosystem is assessed on the basis of available data in the literature to me In our own work we focus on monitoring water chemistry and state recovery tank , especially in terms of development and biomass of zooplankton species representation in the course of one growing season. He also details the fishing and agricultural management and water management conditions in the locality. Marginally judging submerged and littoral vegetation and the presence of water birds. This work demonstrated the dependence of the size of the fish stock on the frequency of a generic representation of zooplankton and the positive impact of lower stocking on the development and stability of the entire ecosystem. Contributes to the stability and sensitive farming in the last period.