title: Zooplankton communities in small Waikato lakes and ponds: are natural waters and farm dams the same?

authors: Le Quesne, Kelly Sarah

subjects: rural ponds

abstract: Ponds have been identified as biodiversity ‘hotspots’ that play an important role in supporting and maintaining biodiversity. In freshwater ecosystems, zooplankton are an essential trophic link between algae and fish, and some species act as biological indicators for aquatic system ‘health’. Most research pertaining to zooplankton biodiversity and community assemblages is skewed towards large lakes, reservoirs or urban ponds, while research on small ponds in rural environments is scarce. Consequently, the aim of my research was to examine and compare the biodiversity and community composition of zooplankton in natural ponds and dams in rural environments. To achieve this, 19 farm dams and 19 natural farm ponds in the Waikato region, New Zealand, were sampled for zooplankton in winter/spring (Aug-Sep 2018) and summer (Jan 2019). Environmental factors also were measured, including water temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, water colour (gilvin), pH, chlorophyll-a, nutrient concentrations (total nitrogen and phosphorus), elevation, pond surface area and the number of waterbodies within a 2 km radius.

All ponds were eutrophic to hypertrophic, and genera typical of these environments, such as Brachionus, Keratella and Polyarthra, were common in both farm dams and natural ponds. Zooplankton species richness was similar among farm dams and natural ponds (20.7 and 22.4 species, respectively; t-test p = 0.406), although there was a lot of variation within each pond type. Temperature (stepwise linear regression R² = 0.26; p = 0.025) and pond surface area (stepwise linear regression R² = 0.23; p = 0.016) were significant predictors of species richness in natural ponds; however, no significant relationships could be found between the measured environmental variables and species richness for farm dams. Zooplankton community composition differed between farm dams and natural ponds (one-way ANOSIM p = 0.014). A SIMPER analysis indicated that crustaceans (e.g., Chydorus sp., Acanthocyclops robustus and Simocephalus vetulus) were generally more abundant in natural ponds than in farm dams, whereas rotifers (e.g., Polyarthra dolichoptera and Keratella tecta) were more abundant in farm dams than in natural ponds. A canonical correspondence analysis indicated that variation in zooplankton community composition among natural ponds was explained by dissolved oxygen concentration (p = 0.002) and conductivity levels (p = 0.020). In contrast, the community composition of zooplankton in farm dams could not be explained by any of the measured environmental variables. Two genera (Erignatha clastopis and Octotrocha speciosa) and one species (Cephalodella theodora) were recorded that had not previously been identified in New Zealand. In total, three non-indigenous species were recorded in 7% of farm dams and 2% of natural ponds studied.

My findings suggest that zooplankton communities differ between farm dams and natural ponds. Farm dams are primarily composed of a relatively unstructured subset of small, eurytopic and opportunistic zooplankton species (e.g., of Brachionus and Keratella). On the other hand, natural pond assemblages consisted of larger zooplankton species that are better adapted to the local conditions (e.g., Chydorus sp. and Simocephalus vetulus). This suggests natural ponds have had a longer period of time for more slowly dispersing species to colonise, whereas farm dams contain species that are capable of dispersing at much faster rates. Further, my results highlight that when examining environmental determinants of zooplankton community composition in water bodies across the landscape, natural and constructed ponds should be separated, as they appear to be structured by different variables. The prevalence of non-indigenous species in farm dams appears low relative to lakes and urban ponds in New Zealand, likely due to limited movement between ponds by humans. This suggests that these waterbodies are not acting as ‘stepping stones’ for non-indigenous species across rural landscapes. Overall, my research highlights the diverse taxa found in small agricultural ponds, and improves our knowledge and understanding of zooplankton communities in small natural and constructed ponds. Further, these findings emphasize the need for management and conservation of small water bodies, as they play a significant role in maintaining and supporting zooplankton communities (including rare species).

text: Zooplankton communities in small Waikato lakes and ponds: are natural waters and farm dams the same? Ponds have been identified as biodiversity ‘hotspots’ that play an important role in supporting and maintaining biodiversity. In freshwater ecosystems, zooplankton are an essential trophic link between algae and fish, and some species act as biological indicators for aquatic system ‘health’. Most research pertaining to zooplankton biodiversity and community assemblages is skewed towards large lakes, reservoirs or urban ponds, while research on small ponds in rural environments is scarce. Consequently, the aim of my research was to examine and compare the biodiversity and community composition of zooplankton in natural ponds and dams in rural environments. To achieve this, 19 farm dams and 19 natural farm ponds in the Waikato region, New Zealand, were sampled for zooplankton in winter/spring (Aug-Sep 2018) and summer (Jan 2019). Environmental factors also were measured, including water temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, water colour (gilvin), pH, chlorophyll-a, nutrient concentrations (total nitrogen and phosphorus), elevation, pond surface area and the number of waterbodies within a 2 km radius.

All ponds were eutrophic to hypertrophic, and genera typical of these environments, such as Brachionus, Keratella and Polyarthra, were common in both farm dams and natural ponds. Zooplankton species richness was similar among farm dams and natural ponds (20.7 and 22.4 species, respectively; t-test p = 0.406), although there was a lot of variation within each pond type. Temperature (stepwise linear regression R² = 0.26; p = 0.025) and pond surface area (stepwise linear regression R² = 0.23; p = 0.016) were significant predictors of species richness in natural ponds; however, no significant relationships could be found between the measured environmental variables and species richness for farm dams. Zooplankton community composition differed between farm dams and natural ponds (one-way ANOSIM p = 0.014). A SIMPER analysis indicated that crustaceans (e.g., Chydorus sp., Acanthocyclops robustus and Simocephalus vetulus) were generally more abundant in natural ponds than in farm dams, whereas rotifers (e.g., Polyarthra dolichoptera and Keratella tecta) were more abundant in farm dams than in natural ponds. A canonical correspondence analysis indicated that variation in zooplankton community composition among natural ponds was explained by dissolved oxygen concentration (p = 0.002) and conductivity levels (p = 0.020). In contrast, the community composition of zooplankton in farm dams could not be explained by any of the measured environmental variables. Two genera (Erignatha clastopis and Octotrocha speciosa) and one species (Cephalodella theodora) were recorded that had not previously been identified in New Zealand. In total, three non-indigenous species were recorded in 7% of farm dams and 2% of natural ponds studied.

My findings suggest that zooplankton communities differ between farm dams and natural ponds. Farm dams are primarily composed of a relatively unstructured subset of small, eurytopic and opportunistic zooplankton species (e.g., of Brachionus and Keratella). On the other hand, natural pond assemblages consisted of larger zooplankton species that are better adapted to the local conditions (e.g., Chydorus sp. and Simocephalus vetulus). This suggests natural ponds have had a longer period of time for more slowly dispersing species to colonise, whereas farm dams contain species that are capable of dispersing at much faster rates. Further, my results highlight that when examining environmental determinants of zooplankton community composition in water bodies across the landscape, natural and constructed ponds should be separated, as they appear to be structured by different variables. The prevalence of non-indigenous species in farm dams appears low relative to lakes and urban ponds in New Zealand, likely due to limited movement between ponds by humans. This suggests that these waterbodies are not acting as ‘stepping stones’ for non-indigenous species across rural landscapes. Overall, my research highlights the diverse taxa found in small agricultural ponds, and improves our knowledge and understanding of zooplankton communities in small natural and constructed ponds. Further, these findings emphasize the need for management and conservation of small water bodies, as they play a significant role in maintaining and supporting zooplankton communities (including rare species).

year: 2019

title: Exploring the Nature and Function of Religious Beliefs in Psychosis: A Case Study Approach

authors: Lenny, Megan

subjects: Psychosis

abstract: This study investigated the potential developmental, maintaining, or protective role of religious beliefs in the presentation of psychotic symptoms. It examined the ways in which individuals with psychosis might use religion to interpret and apply meaning to their experiences. The research was based upon the constructivist paradigm which attempted to understand individual perceptions of reality. A qualitative approach was used such that five male participants took part in individual semi-structured interviews on two separate occasions. These participants explored with the researcher their understanding of religious experience, psychotic experience, and the interactions between the two. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyze and organize the data, while a case study approach was used to present the stories of participants. Similarities across participants were grouped together to form themes, and these provided the basis for discussion.
Key factors identified by participants as important in terms of conceptualizing religious experiences included developmental pathways, elements of faith, and meaning of faith. Similarly, factors important in the conceptualization of psychotic experiences included causative attributions, features of experience, and outcomes of experience. The associations between religion and schizophrenia were categorized into three general themes, which included religion in the content of symptoms, religion as a meaning system, and religion as a coping strategy. Together it was concluded hat religion generally functioned as a constructive framework when used to understand experiences of psychosis. Overall, findings suggest that religion can certainly act as a protective factor and increase resistance to distress typically associated with unexplainable experiences, such as the positive symptoms of psychosis.

text: Exploring the Nature and Function of Religious Beliefs in Psychosis: A Case Study Approach This study investigated the potential developmental, maintaining, or protective role of religious beliefs in the presentation of psychotic symptoms. It examined the ways in which individuals with psychosis might use religion to interpret and apply meaning to their experiences. The research was based upon the constructivist paradigm which attempted to understand individual perceptions of reality. A qualitative approach was used such that five male participants took part in individual semi-structured interviews on two separate occasions. These participants explored with the researcher their understanding of religious experience, psychotic experience, and the interactions between the two. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyze and organize the data, while a case study approach was used to present the stories of participants. Similarities across participants were grouped together to form themes, and these provided the basis for discussion.
Key factors identified by participants as important in terms of conceptualizing religious experiences included developmental pathways, elements of faith, and meaning of faith. Similarly, factors important in the conceptualization of psychotic experiences included causative attributions, features of experience, and outcomes of experience. The associations between religion and schizophrenia were categorized into three general themes, which included religion in the content of symptoms, religion as a meaning system, and religion as a coping strategy. Together it was concluded hat religion generally functioned as a constructive framework when used to understand experiences of psychosis. Overall, findings suggest that religion can certainly act as a protective factor and increase resistance to distress typically associated with unexplainable experiences, such as the positive symptoms of psychosis.

year: 2010

title: Maori and psychology: Research and practice (full conference proceedings)

authors: Robertson, Neville

subjects: Maori

abstract: This is the full proceedings of the symposium sponsored by the Maori and Psychology Research Unit at the University of Waikato: Maori and psychology: Research and practice. The publication of the proceedings of this symposium marks a significant milestone for the Maori and Psychology Research Unit (MPRU). Since its inception in 1997, the unit has played an important role in nurturing and supporting students to engage in Maori-focussed research. They have played, and continue to play, an important part in our research activities as interviewers, analysts, coordinators and writers. 
The MPRU symposium was organised to serve as a platform to profile the work of our students, to disseminate research results and to invite other researchers to witness the nature of the MPRU’s work.

text: Maori and psychology: Research and practice (full conference proceedings) This is the full proceedings of the symposium sponsored by the Maori and Psychology Research Unit at the University of Waikato: Maori and psychology: Research and practice. The publication of the proceedings of this symposium marks a significant milestone for the Maori and Psychology Research Unit (MPRU). Since its inception in 1997, the unit has played an important role in nurturing and supporting students to engage in Maori-focussed research. They have played, and continue to play, an important part in our research activities as interviewers, analysts, coordinators and writers. 
The MPRU symposium was organised to serve as a platform to profile the work of our students, to disseminate research results and to invite other researchers to witness the nature of the MPRU’s work.

year: 1999