title: Impact of tephra fall and environmental change: a 1000 year record from Matakana Island, Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand.

authors: Giles, Teresa M.

abstract: Palynological evidence was used to determine the development of vegetation communities on Matakana Island, North Island, New Zealand, over the last 1000 radiocarbon years. The pollen record indicates that changes occurred in the vegetation immediately following fallout deposition of the Kaharoa Tephra approximately 100 km from source at c. 665 years BP. Such changes may be a direct response to the impact of tephra fall, although the possibility of anthropogenic disturbance cannot be discounted. As a result of the eruption some taxa (Leucopogon fasciculatus and Tupeia antarctica) became at least temporarily extinct from the area. Two phases of anthropogenic influence on the environment are recorded in the pollen record: Polynesian, followed by European inhabitation of the island, giving a detailed history of human influence in the area for the millennium.

text: Impact of tephra fall and environmental change: a 1000 year record from Matakana Island, Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand. Palynological evidence was used to determine the development of vegetation communities on Matakana Island, North Island, New Zealand, over the last 1000 radiocarbon years. The pollen record indicates that changes occurred in the vegetation immediately following fallout deposition of the Kaharoa Tephra approximately 100 km from source at c. 665 years BP. Such changes may be a direct response to the impact of tephra fall, although the possibility of anthropogenic disturbance cannot be discounted. As a result of the eruption some taxa (Leucopogon fasciculatus and Tupeia antarctica) became at least temporarily extinct from the area. Two phases of anthropogenic influence on the environment are recorded in the pollen record: Polynesian, followed by European inhabitation of the island, giving a detailed history of human influence in the area for the millennium.

year: 1999-01-01

title: Māori and Dementia: Māori health professionals’ perceptions of dementia, support offered and suggested improvements

authors: Townsend, Marie

subjects: dementia

abstract: E iti noa ana, nā te aroha (It is the giving that counts and not the size of the gift) The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the perceptions of Māori health professionals about Māori elders and dementia. The study aimed to describe: Māori health care providers’ understandings of dementia; traditional versus contemporary understandings; how cultural beliefs affect experience; how Māori cope with dementia; key issues relevant to Māori people with dementia; and how services can be improved to meet the needs of aged Māori. The usefulness and possible cultural adaptation of the biomedical model has been explored within the context of a Māori worldview and the perceptions of participants. Semi-structured and in-depth interviews were conducted with eight mental health professionals and one caregiver. The information gathered at interviews was recorded within verbatim transcripts, which were written and returned to the participants for feedback. A qualitative data analysis was carried out on the approved transcripts. The main findings suggest that Māori health professionals recognise that many Māori perceive dementia both from a traditional cultural perspective, associated with spirituality as well as a holistic understanding of wellness. Key issues identified by participants were: that there is fear associated with mental health facilities; the exclusion of cultural values and understandings from service providers is detrimental to the wellbeing of Māori elders; Māori do not understand the symptoms typically associated with dementia as an illness; there is a need for information and education within an appropriate frame for whānau; disjointed and multiple service providers inhibits Māori from accessing facilities offered; and that there is a real need for further services. It was considered important that mental health services are culturally appropriate, show respect for Māori values; are coordinated and sensitive; encourage and continue the development of a Māori mental health workforce; and further develop kaupapa Māori services for Māori elders. The main implication of this research is that further investigation into Māori and dementia is required. Recommendations are made with a view towards better addressing some of the mental health needs of Māori elders.

text: Māori and Dementia: Māori health professionals’ perceptions of dementia, support offered and suggested improvements E iti noa ana, nā te aroha (It is the giving that counts and not the size of the gift) The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the perceptions of Māori health professionals about Māori elders and dementia. The study aimed to describe: Māori health care providers’ understandings of dementia; traditional versus contemporary understandings; how cultural beliefs affect experience; how Māori cope with dementia; key issues relevant to Māori people with dementia; and how services can be improved to meet the needs of aged Māori. The usefulness and possible cultural adaptation of the biomedical model has been explored within the context of a Māori worldview and the perceptions of participants. Semi-structured and in-depth interviews were conducted with eight mental health professionals and one caregiver. The information gathered at interviews was recorded within verbatim transcripts, which were written and returned to the participants for feedback. A qualitative data analysis was carried out on the approved transcripts. The main findings suggest that Māori health professionals recognise that many Māori perceive dementia both from a traditional cultural perspective, associated with spirituality as well as a holistic understanding of wellness. Key issues identified by participants were: that there is fear associated with mental health facilities; the exclusion of cultural values and understandings from service providers is detrimental to the wellbeing of Māori elders; Māori do not understand the symptoms typically associated with dementia as an illness; there is a need for information and education within an appropriate frame for whānau; disjointed and multiple service providers inhibits Māori from accessing facilities offered; and that there is a real need for further services. It was considered important that mental health services are culturally appropriate, show respect for Māori values; are coordinated and sensitive; encourage and continue the development of a Māori mental health workforce; and further develop kaupapa Māori services for Māori elders. The main implication of this research is that further investigation into Māori and dementia is required. Recommendations are made with a view towards better addressing some of the mental health needs of Māori elders.

year: 2011

title: The microclimatology of Antarctic soils

authors: MacCulloch, Roger James Lee

subjects: Antarctica

abstract: An understanding of the microclimatology of the ice free areas in Antarctica is needed to better quantify the impacts of human activities on this fragile environment and to help monitor global climate change processes. This research was undertaken to characterise the surface and sub surface factors influencing Antarctic soil microclimates and quantify the sub surface thermal processes resulting from these conditions.
A measurement programme was developed and implemented at three contrasting sites within the Dry Valleys of the McMurdo Sound Region, Antarctica during the 1994-95 summer season, and samples were collected for further analysis in New Zealand. Climatic variables measured included the surface radiation and energy balance, soil and air temperature, and windspeed and direction. Important soil physical and thermal properties such as moisture content, bulk density, particle density, grainsize distribution, salinity, specific heat and thermal conductivity were also measured.
The sites investigated were located at Scott Base on Ross Island in the coastal climate zone, at the foot of Mount Brooke in the Coombs Hills which has a high mountainous climate, and in the Northwind Valley (Greenville Valley) in the Convoy Range which is climatically midway between the two. Apart from being climatically different, the soils examined at each site were also different. Basalt derived soil was examined at Scott Base, dolerite derived soil was studied at the Coombs Hills, and a sandy soil derived from sandstone was examined in the Northwind Valley. 
Similar amounts of shortwave radiation were recorded at each site under comparable conditions, although surface albedo varied significantly which determined the amount of radiation reflected. Consequently, the Scott Base site, which had the darkest surface and lowest albedo, had the greatest net radiation inputs, and the Northwind Valley site had the lowest due to its pale colour and high albedo.
Despite this, the Northwind Valley soil had the largest soil heat flux. The reason for this is not fully understood, but involves the soil temperature gradient which is the main determinant of the soil heat flux. The warmer climate at Scott Base resulted in generally warmer soil temperatures which produced an active layer greater than two times that seen at either of the other sites. Due to its relatively high moisture content, ice-cement was found at about 0.25 m which delineates the summer O°C isotherm, and indicates the permafrost is at a similar depth.
At the other two sites which were a lot colder, there was no permanent ice cement found due to their dry nature. The active layer was approximately 0.10 m deep at the Coombs Hills site, and was only 0.08 m at the Northwind Valley site. The permafrost at these sites would also be at about these depths. Soil temperatures, which were strongly negative, fluctuated by up to 5°C at a depth of about 0.20 m at these two sites.
Under snow cover, the soil heat flux at both the Scott Base and Coombs Hills sites became negative which means energy was being lost from the profile, and the penetration depth of diurnal temperature variations was reduced.
The main factors influencing the soil thermal regime are incoming solar radiation, air temperature, windspeed, and surface albedo. Soil properties including moisture content, thermal conductivity and heat capacity are less important in determining the variations observed.

text: The microclimatology of Antarctic soils An understanding of the microclimatology of the ice free areas in Antarctica is needed to better quantify the impacts of human activities on this fragile environment and to help monitor global climate change processes. This research was undertaken to characterise the surface and sub surface factors influencing Antarctic soil microclimates and quantify the sub surface thermal processes resulting from these conditions.
A measurement programme was developed and implemented at three contrasting sites within the Dry Valleys of the McMurdo Sound Region, Antarctica during the 1994-95 summer season, and samples were collected for further analysis in New Zealand. Climatic variables measured included the surface radiation and energy balance, soil and air temperature, and windspeed and direction. Important soil physical and thermal properties such as moisture content, bulk density, particle density, grainsize distribution, salinity, specific heat and thermal conductivity were also measured.
The sites investigated were located at Scott Base on Ross Island in the coastal climate zone, at the foot of Mount Brooke in the Coombs Hills which has a high mountainous climate, and in the Northwind Valley (Greenville Valley) in the Convoy Range which is climatically midway between the two. Apart from being climatically different, the soils examined at each site were also different. Basalt derived soil was examined at Scott Base, dolerite derived soil was studied at the Coombs Hills, and a sandy soil derived from sandstone was examined in the Northwind Valley. 
Similar amounts of shortwave radiation were recorded at each site under comparable conditions, although surface albedo varied significantly which determined the amount of radiation reflected. Consequently, the Scott Base site, which had the darkest surface and lowest albedo, had the greatest net radiation inputs, and the Northwind Valley site had the lowest due to its pale colour and high albedo.
Despite this, the Northwind Valley soil had the largest soil heat flux. The reason for this is not fully understood, but involves the soil temperature gradient which is the main determinant of the soil heat flux. The warmer climate at Scott Base resulted in generally warmer soil temperatures which produced an active layer greater than two times that seen at either of the other sites. Due to its relatively high moisture content, ice-cement was found at about 0.25 m which delineates the summer O°C isotherm, and indicates the permafrost is at a similar depth.
At the other two sites which were a lot colder, there was no permanent ice cement found due to their dry nature. The active layer was approximately 0.10 m deep at the Coombs Hills site, and was only 0.08 m at the Northwind Valley site. The permafrost at these sites would also be at about these depths. Soil temperatures, which were strongly negative, fluctuated by up to 5°C at a depth of about 0.20 m at these two sites.
Under snow cover, the soil heat flux at both the Scott Base and Coombs Hills sites became negative which means energy was being lost from the profile, and the penetration depth of diurnal temperature variations was reduced.
The main factors influencing the soil thermal regime are incoming solar radiation, air temperature, windspeed, and surface albedo. Soil properties including moisture content, thermal conductivity and heat capacity are less important in determining the variations observed.

year: 1996