title: Editorial: Global change and Antarctic terrestrial biodiversity

authors: Hogg, Ian D.

subjects: Antarctic

abstract: Over the past 50 years, portions of Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands have experienced some of the most rapid increases in mean air temperatures on Earth. For example, recent data released by NASA have shown that mean annual air temperatures over the Western Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) have already increased by roughly 1°C and more than 2°C in the maritime Antarctic (e.g. Turner et al. 2005). Over the same period, introductions of nonindigenous species have also continued to increase particularly in the sub-Antarctic islands (Frenot et al. 2005). While ongoing debate, often politically motivated, continues to dominate discussion of climate change and its impacts, it is virtually certain that temperature increases and species’ introductions will intensify and continue to influence Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems over the next 50 years. Other human activities such as increasing numbers of tourists and scientists will affect the present terrestrial systems as well as those newly revealed as a result of glacial melt. Collectively, these changes will influence Antarctica’s biodiversity and ecosystem functioning as well as the corresponding feedbacks to glaciers, freshwater systems and the atmosphere. Thus, it is urgent that we develop a strong knowledge base for Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems and use this to identify ecosystem change (NAS 2011).

text: Editorial: Global change and Antarctic terrestrial biodiversity Over the past 50 years, portions of Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands have experienced some of the most rapid increases in mean air temperatures on Earth. For example, recent data released by NASA have shown that mean annual air temperatures over the Western Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) have already increased by roughly 1°C and more than 2°C in the maritime Antarctic (e.g. Turner et al. 2005). Over the same period, introductions of nonindigenous species have also continued to increase particularly in the sub-Antarctic islands (Frenot et al. 2005). While ongoing debate, often politically motivated, continues to dominate discussion of climate change and its impacts, it is virtually certain that temperature increases and species’ introductions will intensify and continue to influence Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems over the next 50 years. Other human activities such as increasing numbers of tourists and scientists will affect the present terrestrial systems as well as those newly revealed as a result of glacial melt. Collectively, these changes will influence Antarctica’s biodiversity and ecosystem functioning as well as the corresponding feedbacks to glaciers, freshwater systems and the atmosphere. Thus, it is urgent that we develop a strong knowledge base for Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems and use this to identify ecosystem change (NAS 2011).

year: 2011

title: Using picturebook illustrations to help young children understand diversity

authors: Kelly-Ware, Janette Patricia

abstract: The demographics of Aotearoa New Zealand have changed markedly over the past few decades in relation to increasing ethnic, cultural and religious diversity. These changes have resulted from immigration, refugee resettlement programmes, and globalisation. Early childhood education (ECE) settings are social, cultural and political spaces where children live with and alongside diverse others. They are ideal places for providing early learning experiences about diversity and difference which can be supported and reinforced using the picturebooks. Picturebooks can act as both mirrors and windows on the world. As mirrors they can reflect children’s own lives, and as windows they can give children a chance to learn about someone else’s life. More equitable outcomes for children and their families can be realised through deeper engagement with cultural diversity and issues of fairness. The illustrations in quality children’s picturebooks can be a vehicle for this type of engagement showing that art can be used as a form of dialogue, if they are critiqued and analysed with children.

text: Using picturebook illustrations to help young children understand diversity The demographics of Aotearoa New Zealand have changed markedly over the past few decades in relation to increasing ethnic, cultural and religious diversity. These changes have resulted from immigration, refugee resettlement programmes, and globalisation. Early childhood education (ECE) settings are social, cultural and political spaces where children live with and alongside diverse others. They are ideal places for providing early learning experiences about diversity and difference which can be supported and reinforced using the picturebooks. Picturebooks can act as both mirrors and windows on the world. As mirrors they can reflect children’s own lives, and as windows they can give children a chance to learn about someone else’s life. More equitable outcomes for children and their families can be realised through deeper engagement with cultural diversity and issues of fairness. The illustrations in quality children’s picturebooks can be a vehicle for this type of engagement showing that art can be used as a form of dialogue, if they are critiqued and analysed with children.

year: 2019

title: Maori children and death: Views from parents

authors: Jacob, Juanita

subjects: Maori

abstract: Research about Maori children's experiences and perceptions of death and tangi (Maori death rituals) is sparse. What is available tends to be generalised and stems from Western paradigms of knowledge. In this study we explore Maori children's experiences of death and tangi through the eyes of Maori parents. Through semi-structured interviews with 17 Maori parents, five areas were explored: a) the childhood experiences of parents and how they learned about death and an afterlife; b) what their adult beliefs about these matters are; c) how they have communicated the death concept to their children; and d) whether their children are likely to do the same in the future. From this study we learn that death was not hidden from children, that parents talked with their children in very open and age relevant ways, and considered their children's participation in tangi an important way to grieve and ensure continuity with kinship networks and support. This study suggests that the challenge now is to ensure that these practices continue to persist between parents and their children, and future generations.

text: Maori children and death: Views from parents Research about Maori children's experiences and perceptions of death and tangi (Maori death rituals) is sparse. What is available tends to be generalised and stems from Western paradigms of knowledge. In this study we explore Maori children's experiences of death and tangi through the eyes of Maori parents. Through semi-structured interviews with 17 Maori parents, five areas were explored: a) the childhood experiences of parents and how they learned about death and an afterlife; b) what their adult beliefs about these matters are; c) how they have communicated the death concept to their children; and d) whether their children are likely to do the same in the future. From this study we learn that death was not hidden from children, that parents talked with their children in very open and age relevant ways, and considered their children's participation in tangi an important way to grieve and ensure continuity with kinship networks and support. This study suggests that the challenge now is to ensure that these practices continue to persist between parents and their children, and future generations.

year: 2011-12