title: Applying citizen science to freshwater ecosystem restoration – fact sheet

authors: Peters, Michael A.

abstract: Citizen science describes the diverse ways in which the public participates in scientific investigations. Participation covers a spectrum from sending observations to a project coordinator to designing, implementing protocols, analysing and sharing findings. The popularity of citizen science both for educational and scientific purposes has grown in recent decades. Community volunteers now participate in diverse programmes that investigate the effects of climate change on biota, evolutionary processes, invasive species ecology, and changes in water and air quality (Figure 1).

text: Applying citizen science to freshwater ecosystem restoration – fact sheet Citizen science describes the diverse ways in which the public participates in scientific investigations. Participation covers a spectrum from sending observations to a project coordinator to designing, implementing protocols, analysing and sharing findings. The popularity of citizen science both for educational and scientific purposes has grown in recent decades. Community volunteers now participate in diverse programmes that investigate the effects of climate change on biota, evolutionary processes, invasive species ecology, and changes in water and air quality (Figure 1).

year: 2015

title: How topography-dependent are topographic effects? Complementary numerical modeling of centrifuge experiments

authors: Jeong, Seokho

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Topographic effects, the modification of seismic shaking by irregular topographies compared to flat ground, have been extensively studied. Very few studies, however, have investigated the effects of the stratigraphy and nonlinear response of the underlying geology on topographic amplification. Furthermore, most experimental studies have been performed in the field, where it is often difficult to establish an ideal flat-ground reference station, as well as to characterize the soil properties and their spatial variability in sufficient detail. Dafni [1] recently tested the seismic response of step-like slopes in a series of centrifuge experiments, where the incident motion, reference station and material properties were characterized in detail. In this study, we investigated the influence of the container boundary on topographic effects observed in the centrifuge experiments by performing numerical simulations with and without the container boundary. Our analysis suggested that the rigid-body rocking motion of the centrifuge container likely increased the experimental topographic spectral ratios, contributing to the discrepancy between the simulated and observed spectral ratios. We also found that although the laminar box lateral boundaries caused spurious reflections, they didn’t qualitatively affect the ground surface amplification pattern compared to numerical predictions of the same configuration without boundaries. At the same time, and most importantly, however, we found that the baseplate –by trapping waves scattered and distracted by the slope– amplified the ground motion at the crest up to one order of magnitude compared to numerical predictions of the response in absence of the baseplate. Our results show that topographic effects can be significantly affected by the underlying soil stratigraphy; and allude to the potentially significant role of this phenomenon in elevating seismic risk in regions with strong topographic relief. The findings of this study also suggest that future studies will benefit from clear understanding and careful considerations of capabilities and limitations of different investigation methods and that the numerical modelling and the lab testing (or the field testing) methods should complement each other.

text: How topography-dependent are topographic effects? Complementary numerical modeling of centrifuge experiments Topographic effects, the modification of seismic shaking by irregular topographies compared to flat ground, have been extensively studied. Very few studies, however, have investigated the effects of the stratigraphy and nonlinear response of the underlying geology on topographic amplification. Furthermore, most experimental studies have been performed in the field, where it is often difficult to establish an ideal flat-ground reference station, as well as to characterize the soil properties and their spatial variability in sufficient detail. Dafni [1] recently tested the seismic response of step-like slopes in a series of centrifuge experiments, where the incident motion, reference station and material properties were characterized in detail. In this study, we investigated the influence of the container boundary on topographic effects observed in the centrifuge experiments by performing numerical simulations with and without the container boundary. Our analysis suggested that the rigid-body rocking motion of the centrifuge container likely increased the experimental topographic spectral ratios, contributing to the discrepancy between the simulated and observed spectral ratios. We also found that although the laminar box lateral boundaries caused spurious reflections, they didn’t qualitatively affect the ground surface amplification pattern compared to numerical predictions of the same configuration without boundaries. At the same time, and most importantly, however, we found that the baseplate –by trapping waves scattered and distracted by the slope– amplified the ground motion at the crest up to one order of magnitude compared to numerical predictions of the response in absence of the baseplate. Our results show that topographic effects can be significantly affected by the underlying soil stratigraphy; and allude to the potentially significant role of this phenomenon in elevating seismic risk in regions with strong topographic relief. The findings of this study also suggest that future studies will benefit from clear understanding and careful considerations of capabilities and limitations of different investigation methods and that the numerical modelling and the lab testing (or the field testing) methods should complement each other.

year: 2019

title: Contemporary attitudes to traditional facial ta moko: A working paper

authors: Rua, Mohi

subjects: Maori

abstract: Until it came under serious attack from nineteenth century missionaries, ta moko was an
integral part of traditional Maori society. Facial moko conveyed important information about
identity, whakapapa and status. The process of receiving a moko was tapu and highly regulated.
Recent years have seen an increase in the number of Maori receiving ta moko. Moko have been
seen as a symbol of Maori pride and identity and have often been associated with political
activism. This study set out to investigate the contemporary meaning of ta moko, the reactions
wearers encounter from others and the ways wearers cope with those reactions.
Three case studies are presented. These show that the issues of personal identity and
whakapapa were central to the meaning wearers attached to their moko. Receiving a moko was
often associated with significant personal changes and an increased political commitment to
Maori self determination. On the whole, positive reactions were more common than negative
reactions but wearers did find themselves subjected to racist and antagonistic responses.
Wearing moko was also reported to mean that others, particularly other Maori, placed certain
expectations on the wearer, notably to be fluent in te reo and to be able to exercise leadership.
Participants considered that there was a need for education about the significance of ta moko
and recommended that those contemplating receiving a moko ensure that they are reasonably
fluent in te reo.

text: Contemporary attitudes to traditional facial ta moko: A working paper Until it came under serious attack from nineteenth century missionaries, ta moko was an
integral part of traditional Maori society. Facial moko conveyed important information about
identity, whakapapa and status. The process of receiving a moko was tapu and highly regulated.
Recent years have seen an increase in the number of Maori receiving ta moko. Moko have been
seen as a symbol of Maori pride and identity and have often been associated with political
activism. This study set out to investigate the contemporary meaning of ta moko, the reactions
wearers encounter from others and the ways wearers cope with those reactions.
Three case studies are presented. These show that the issues of personal identity and
whakapapa were central to the meaning wearers attached to their moko. Receiving a moko was
often associated with significant personal changes and an increased political commitment to
Maori self determination. On the whole, positive reactions were more common than negative
reactions but wearers did find themselves subjected to racist and antagonistic responses.
Wearing moko was also reported to mean that others, particularly other Maori, placed certain
expectations on the wearer, notably to be fluent in te reo and to be able to exercise leadership.
Participants considered that there was a need for education about the significance of ta moko
and recommended that those contemplating receiving a moko ensure that they are reasonably
fluent in te reo.

year: 1999