title: Assessing the use of molecular techniques to determine terrestrial invertebrate diversity in New Zealand mangroves and detection of blue ducks in New Zealand streams

authors: Doyle, Erin Jane

subjects: DNA barcoding

abstract: Biodiversity monitoring requires reliable methods for species detection and identification. Here, I examine the use of molecular approaches, including mitochondrial DNA sequencing (barcoding) and environmental DNA (eDNA) analyses in two New Zealand-based case studies. In the first study, I used DNA barcoding to assess the diversity of arthropods collected from the mangroves within RAMSAR protected wetland area in the Firth of Thames, New Zealand. Over one year, a total of 9829 individuals were collected and of these 251 were sequenced. COI sequences were largely congruent with morpho-species designations. The sequences formed 101 putative species, 39% of which contained specimens from outside of New Zealand. 44% of the putative species found at the Thames sites had not been previously found in an inland habitat.  I conclude that the terrestrial arthropod community of the mangrove forest in the Firth of Thames is distinctly different from other New Zealand habitats, and may include species not found elsewhere. In the second study, I examined the use environmental DNA (eDNA) as a tool for detecting the presence of New Zealand’s endemic blue duck, or whio, (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos) in rivers, through water sampling. Species specific primers were designed to target a section of the mitochondrial control region. Water samples were collected from running water within artificial blue duck habitats using an in situ filtration system, eDNA was then extracted from the filter. Any blue duck DNA present in the sample was selectively amplified using the species specific primers. This allowed for blue ducks to be detected through sequencing of the PCR product. In 66% of these cases, it was possible to detect blue duck DNA from the filtered water samples. On this basis, I conclude that there is sufficient “proof of concept” to warrant further investigation into the methods developed here, specifically, the testing of samples from natural environments, in which the presence of H. malacorhynchos has been confirmed by traditional methods.

text: Assessing the use of molecular techniques to determine terrestrial invertebrate diversity in New Zealand mangroves and detection of blue ducks in New Zealand streams Biodiversity monitoring requires reliable methods for species detection and identification. Here, I examine the use of molecular approaches, including mitochondrial DNA sequencing (barcoding) and environmental DNA (eDNA) analyses in two New Zealand-based case studies. In the first study, I used DNA barcoding to assess the diversity of arthropods collected from the mangroves within RAMSAR protected wetland area in the Firth of Thames, New Zealand. Over one year, a total of 9829 individuals were collected and of these 251 were sequenced. COI sequences were largely congruent with morpho-species designations. The sequences formed 101 putative species, 39% of which contained specimens from outside of New Zealand. 44% of the putative species found at the Thames sites had not been previously found in an inland habitat.  I conclude that the terrestrial arthropod community of the mangrove forest in the Firth of Thames is distinctly different from other New Zealand habitats, and may include species not found elsewhere. In the second study, I examined the use environmental DNA (eDNA) as a tool for detecting the presence of New Zealand’s endemic blue duck, or whio, (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos) in rivers, through water sampling. Species specific primers were designed to target a section of the mitochondrial control region. Water samples were collected from running water within artificial blue duck habitats using an in situ filtration system, eDNA was then extracted from the filter. Any blue duck DNA present in the sample was selectively amplified using the species specific primers. This allowed for blue ducks to be detected through sequencing of the PCR product. In 66% of these cases, it was possible to detect blue duck DNA from the filtered water samples. On this basis, I conclude that there is sufficient “proof of concept” to warrant further investigation into the methods developed here, specifically, the testing of samples from natural environments, in which the presence of H. malacorhynchos has been confirmed by traditional methods.

year: 2015

title: Coping Strategies that New Zealand Dairy Farmers use to combat stress

authors: Kuriger, Chloe Rose

subjects: Coping

abstract: New Zealand dairy farmers work in an industry which is associated with high levels of stress and increasing rates of suicide. Occupational issues such as economic factors, changes in the industry, time pressures and poor weather have been found to cause strain in farmers (Botha, 2012), however research examining coping strategies for farmers in New Zealand is lacking. This was an exploratory study which aimed to identify coping strategies that New Zealand dairy farmers engage in to eliminate or reduce the effects of stress due to their job.

Eleven dairy farmers based in the Waikato region of New Zealand, participated in this study by completing an interview and two questionnaires, the Perceived Stress Scale and the Brief COPE. It was found that the participants reported using a wide range of coping strategies. Thematic analysis identified major themes including work related coping, social related coping, maladaptive coping and personal health. The work related theme included both active coping and constructive thinking as means of coping. The social related coping included leisure activities and social support as coping behaviours. 

Analysis of the questionnaires found that the participants in this study reported high use of planning, active coping, acceptance, positive reframing, selfdistraction, humour and instrumental support as strategies to cope with stress. The similar results from the questionnaires add support for the themes found in this study.

The knowledge of the adaptive coping strategies reportedly used by participants in this study, could help to minimise the negative effects of stress and reduce the high suicide rate in dairy farmers. This study also increases the knowledge of coping strategies used by individuals in high stress occupations such as farming. Further implications of this study, and directions for future research are discussed in the final chapter.

text: Coping Strategies that New Zealand Dairy Farmers use to combat stress New Zealand dairy farmers work in an industry which is associated with high levels of stress and increasing rates of suicide. Occupational issues such as economic factors, changes in the industry, time pressures and poor weather have been found to cause strain in farmers (Botha, 2012), however research examining coping strategies for farmers in New Zealand is lacking. This was an exploratory study which aimed to identify coping strategies that New Zealand dairy farmers engage in to eliminate or reduce the effects of stress due to their job.

Eleven dairy farmers based in the Waikato region of New Zealand, participated in this study by completing an interview and two questionnaires, the Perceived Stress Scale and the Brief COPE. It was found that the participants reported using a wide range of coping strategies. Thematic analysis identified major themes including work related coping, social related coping, maladaptive coping and personal health. The work related theme included both active coping and constructive thinking as means of coping. The social related coping included leisure activities and social support as coping behaviours. 

Analysis of the questionnaires found that the participants in this study reported high use of planning, active coping, acceptance, positive reframing, selfdistraction, humour and instrumental support as strategies to cope with stress. The similar results from the questionnaires add support for the themes found in this study.

The knowledge of the adaptive coping strategies reportedly used by participants in this study, could help to minimise the negative effects of stress and reduce the high suicide rate in dairy farmers. This study also increases the knowledge of coping strategies used by individuals in high stress occupations such as farming. Further implications of this study, and directions for future research are discussed in the final chapter.

year: 2016

title: Local Contexts: Traditional Knowledge (TK) Labels for Ngāi Tai ki Tamaki

authors: Hamilton-Pearce, Janette

subjects: Local Contexts

abstract: How can the Local Contexts Traditional Knowledge (TK) Labels ground the rights of Ngāi Tai ki Tamaki in datasets and digital infrastructure? This presentation will help to address this question.

text: Local Contexts: Traditional Knowledge (TK) Labels for Ngāi Tai ki Tamaki How can the Local Contexts Traditional Knowledge (TK) Labels ground the rights of Ngāi Tai ki Tamaki in datasets and digital infrastructure? This presentation will help to address this question.

year: 2022-07-27