title: The effects of willow and willow control on wetland microfaunal assemblages in South Taupo Wetland

authors: Taura, Yvonne Michelle

subjects: Microfauna

abstract: Few studies have examined microfaunal assemblages living among Salix cinerea infestations in freshwater wetlands, or their responses to willow control treatment. The aim of this research was to quantitatively examine microfaunal assemblage abundance, richness and community composition among S. cinerea stands within the South Taupo Wetland, and determine whether these microfaunal assemblages are affected by willow growth and willow control treatment. 

Long-term effects of microfaunal community composition between native vegetation versus live and dead S. cinerea were examined in two blocks of the Waiotaka Scenic Reserve. Microfauna and physicochemical sampling were performed on three occasions to assess any seasonal effects on community composition. Results indicated there were no significant differences of physicochemical variables amongst natives, live and dead S. cinerea, with the exception of dissolved oxygen in late summer and canopy density in all seasons. This could be due to the S. cinerea trees representing stand-alone individuals, with a continuous canopy not yet formed. Overall, apart from shading and dissolved oxygen levels, environmental conditions of S. cinerea stands in this study seemingly made no significant difference to environmental variables. 

The abundant taxa found in the study were copepods, cladocerans and ostracods along with diverse species of rotifers, including the first record for New Zealand of the rotifer species Tetrasiphon hydracora. ANOVA indicated that there were no significant differences in microfaunal species richness between native, live and dead S. cinerea in any season. However, MDS ordination and ANOSIM results of species composition indicated that microfaunal assemblages were clustered in groups either side of the sand bar, suggesting that Blocks 1 and 2 functioned independently. This may be influenced by hydrological differences between Block 1 and 2 of the wetland reserve, with differing responses to fluctuating lake levels and seasonal rainfall, suggesting that microfaunal communities are regulated by hydrology rather than by the presence of willows or willow control.

 
Short-term effects of microfaunal community composition post willow control treatment were examined in Block 2 of the Waiotaka Scenice Reserve. Microfauna and physicochemical sampling were performed before and after treatment to assess effects on community composition post willow control treatment, using ground control method of drill and inject with a herbicide mix of metsulfuron. No significant differences in environmental variables were observed post treatment, with the exception of canopy density cover. Treated S. cinerea trees died and lost their leaves after ground application of metsulfuron. Microfaunal abundance and diversity were low before and treatment, suggesting that the application of metsulfuron made little difference to microfaunal assemblages.

Overall, the findings of this study indicate that the presence of S. cinerea seemed to make no significant difference to microfaunal abundance and diversity, possibly due to stand alone individuals rather than the formation of a dense canopy. Furthermore, ground control treatment of S. cinerea using metsulfuron had no direct or indirect impacts to microfaunal abundance and diversity. However, had the study been undertaken under a dense canopy of S. cinerea it is likely that the results may potentially be different.

text: The effects of willow and willow control on wetland microfaunal assemblages in South Taupo Wetland Few studies have examined microfaunal assemblages living among Salix cinerea infestations in freshwater wetlands, or their responses to willow control treatment. The aim of this research was to quantitatively examine microfaunal assemblage abundance, richness and community composition among S. cinerea stands within the South Taupo Wetland, and determine whether these microfaunal assemblages are affected by willow growth and willow control treatment. 

Long-term effects of microfaunal community composition between native vegetation versus live and dead S. cinerea were examined in two blocks of the Waiotaka Scenic Reserve. Microfauna and physicochemical sampling were performed on three occasions to assess any seasonal effects on community composition. Results indicated there were no significant differences of physicochemical variables amongst natives, live and dead S. cinerea, with the exception of dissolved oxygen in late summer and canopy density in all seasons. This could be due to the S. cinerea trees representing stand-alone individuals, with a continuous canopy not yet formed. Overall, apart from shading and dissolved oxygen levels, environmental conditions of S. cinerea stands in this study seemingly made no significant difference to environmental variables. 

The abundant taxa found in the study were copepods, cladocerans and ostracods along with diverse species of rotifers, including the first record for New Zealand of the rotifer species Tetrasiphon hydracora. ANOVA indicated that there were no significant differences in microfaunal species richness between native, live and dead S. cinerea in any season. However, MDS ordination and ANOSIM results of species composition indicated that microfaunal assemblages were clustered in groups either side of the sand bar, suggesting that Blocks 1 and 2 functioned independently. This may be influenced by hydrological differences between Block 1 and 2 of the wetland reserve, with differing responses to fluctuating lake levels and seasonal rainfall, suggesting that microfaunal communities are regulated by hydrology rather than by the presence of willows or willow control.

 
Short-term effects of microfaunal community composition post willow control treatment were examined in Block 2 of the Waiotaka Scenice Reserve. Microfauna and physicochemical sampling were performed before and after treatment to assess effects on community composition post willow control treatment, using ground control method of drill and inject with a herbicide mix of metsulfuron. No significant differences in environmental variables were observed post treatment, with the exception of canopy density cover. Treated S. cinerea trees died and lost their leaves after ground application of metsulfuron. Microfaunal abundance and diversity were low before and treatment, suggesting that the application of metsulfuron made little difference to microfaunal assemblages.

Overall, the findings of this study indicate that the presence of S. cinerea seemed to make no significant difference to microfaunal abundance and diversity, possibly due to stand alone individuals rather than the formation of a dense canopy. Furthermore, ground control treatment of S. cinerea using metsulfuron had no direct or indirect impacts to microfaunal abundance and diversity. However, had the study been undertaken under a dense canopy of S. cinerea it is likely that the results may potentially be different.

year: 2012

title: The measurement of internal supply chain integration

authors: Basnet, Chuda

subjects: communications

abstract: Purpose: Internal supply chain refers to the chain of activities within a company that concludes with providing a product to the customer. This process involves multiple functions within companies such as sales, production, and distribution. It is obvious that a company's performance would be enhanced by the integration of these functions. However, there is no consensus yet on how integration is to be defined and measured. The purpose of this paper is to present research that was conducted with the goal of developing an instrument for the measurement of internal supply chain integration. Design/methodology/approach: Scale items were identified from current literature and the resulting survey instrument was sent out to a sample of New Zealand manufacturers. Statistical analysis was conducted to purify and validate the instrument. Findings: In total, three dimensions of integration were identified, labelled coordination, communication, and affective relationship. This paper makes a contribution towards developing a consensus in the understanding and measurement of the integration construct. Research limitations/implications: The selection and exclusion of measurement items for the survey have followed established principles of survey research, but may have been affected by the personal bias of the author. While every attempt has been made to comprehensively capture the state of the research up to the time of the study, there may be some omissions. The sample for the survey was drawn from a database of New Zealand businesses, thus the results are generalizable only to the extent that these businesses represent the population of all businesses. Another limitation is that no prior survey/case studies were carried out to collect practitioner's definitions/measures for integration. Practical implications: The authors hope to have made a contribution here towards building a consensus among practitioners and researchers in defining and measuring internal supply chain integration. For practitioners, the measurement instrument offers a self-assessment tool for internal supply chain integration. This should help them in identifying areas for improvement. Originality/value: The contribution of this paper consists of: development of an instrument for the measurement of integration, validating the instrument against a criterion, and the identification of three dimensions of integration - communication, coordination, and affective relationship. The unique contributions of this paper are the validation of the instrument against a criterion and the identification of "affective relationship" as a dimension of internal supply chain integration.

text: The measurement of internal supply chain integration Purpose: Internal supply chain refers to the chain of activities within a company that concludes with providing a product to the customer. This process involves multiple functions within companies such as sales, production, and distribution. It is obvious that a company's performance would be enhanced by the integration of these functions. However, there is no consensus yet on how integration is to be defined and measured. The purpose of this paper is to present research that was conducted with the goal of developing an instrument for the measurement of internal supply chain integration. Design/methodology/approach: Scale items were identified from current literature and the resulting survey instrument was sent out to a sample of New Zealand manufacturers. Statistical analysis was conducted to purify and validate the instrument. Findings: In total, three dimensions of integration were identified, labelled coordination, communication, and affective relationship. This paper makes a contribution towards developing a consensus in the understanding and measurement of the integration construct. Research limitations/implications: The selection and exclusion of measurement items for the survey have followed established principles of survey research, but may have been affected by the personal bias of the author. While every attempt has been made to comprehensively capture the state of the research up to the time of the study, there may be some omissions. The sample for the survey was drawn from a database of New Zealand businesses, thus the results are generalizable only to the extent that these businesses represent the population of all businesses. Another limitation is that no prior survey/case studies were carried out to collect practitioner's definitions/measures for integration. Practical implications: The authors hope to have made a contribution here towards building a consensus among practitioners and researchers in defining and measuring internal supply chain integration. For practitioners, the measurement instrument offers a self-assessment tool for internal supply chain integration. This should help them in identifying areas for improvement. Originality/value: The contribution of this paper consists of: development of an instrument for the measurement of integration, validating the instrument against a criterion, and the identification of three dimensions of integration - communication, coordination, and affective relationship. The unique contributions of this paper are the validation of the instrument against a criterion and the identification of "affective relationship" as a dimension of internal supply chain integration.

year: 2013

title: Māori Waiata: Discourse structuring, sub-genres and aesthetics

authors: Roa, Raukura

subjects: Te reo Māori

abstract: With particular reference to a discourse-based analysis of five waiata tangi from Ngāti Hauā, it is argued here that different types of Māori waiata (songs and chants) may be characterised by different types of overall discourse structuring. It is also suggested that discourse structuring may be a significant aspect of the aesthetics of Māori waiata.

text: Māori Waiata: Discourse structuring, sub-genres and aesthetics With particular reference to a discourse-based analysis of five waiata tangi from Ngāti Hauā, it is argued here that different types of Māori waiata (songs and chants) may be characterised by different types of overall discourse structuring. It is also suggested that discourse structuring may be a significant aspect of the aesthetics of Māori waiata.

year: 2004-02