title: Physiological constraints on the latitudinal distribution of the mangrove Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. subsp. australasica (Walp.) J. Everett in New Zealand

authors: Beard, Catherine

subjects: Avicennia marina

abstract: ﻿New Zealand's only mangrove species, Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. subsp. australasica (Walp) Everett (Avicenniaceae), has a clearly defined southern natural limit around latitude 38° S. Historically, this has been attributed to the lethal effects of winter frosts (Chapman & Ronaldson, 1958) and, more recently to poor species dispersal and lack of suitable habitat south of the present species boundary ( de Lange & de Lange, 1994). 
A series of investigations of frost tolerance, leaf gas exchange, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll a fluorescence, water relations and stable carbon isotope analyses of New Zealand Avicennia were undertaken in the laboratory and field in order to characterise frost tolerance limits and photosynthetic performance under normal and stressed conditions. By so doing, the relative importance of winter frosts and low air temperatures in defining the range of Avicennia in New Zealand could then be determined. 
It was found that photosynthetic performance in Avicennia was increasingly depressed near its southern limits. Photosynthetic responses were consistent with those typical for cold-sensitive species after exposure to low temperatures. Large decreases in photosynthetic production, photoinhibition and chlorophyll loss were evident following exposure to night temperatures lower than 4°C, suggesting that critical damage occurred even at temperatures well above freezing. 
Frosts probably still play an important, additional and episodic role in defining the range of mangrove in New Zealand. The physiological stress effects of low temperatures were compounded by sub-zero temperatures and productivity in frostprone areas was significantly reduced by physical damage to leaves, branches and reproductive tissue. Freeze-injury of this form also reduced the likelihood of successful seedling establishment and long-term survival of saplings. 
These findings indicate that latitude 38° S acts as a physiological barrier for mangrove in New Zealand. Avicennia might persist further south than its present natural range if dispersal to suitable microclimates occurred. However, the probability of this occurring naturally is small, given the species poor dispersal abilities, and the reduced likelihood of survival in the face of damage and physiological stresses brought about by cold winter temperatures.

text: Physiological constraints on the latitudinal distribution of the mangrove Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. subsp. australasica (Walp.) J. Everett in New Zealand ﻿New Zealand's only mangrove species, Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. subsp. australasica (Walp) Everett (Avicenniaceae), has a clearly defined southern natural limit around latitude 38° S. Historically, this has been attributed to the lethal effects of winter frosts (Chapman & Ronaldson, 1958) and, more recently to poor species dispersal and lack of suitable habitat south of the present species boundary ( de Lange & de Lange, 1994). 
A series of investigations of frost tolerance, leaf gas exchange, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll a fluorescence, water relations and stable carbon isotope analyses of New Zealand Avicennia were undertaken in the laboratory and field in order to characterise frost tolerance limits and photosynthetic performance under normal and stressed conditions. By so doing, the relative importance of winter frosts and low air temperatures in defining the range of Avicennia in New Zealand could then be determined. 
It was found that photosynthetic performance in Avicennia was increasingly depressed near its southern limits. Photosynthetic responses were consistent with those typical for cold-sensitive species after exposure to low temperatures. Large decreases in photosynthetic production, photoinhibition and chlorophyll loss were evident following exposure to night temperatures lower than 4°C, suggesting that critical damage occurred even at temperatures well above freezing. 
Frosts probably still play an important, additional and episodic role in defining the range of mangrove in New Zealand. The physiological stress effects of low temperatures were compounded by sub-zero temperatures and productivity in frostprone areas was significantly reduced by physical damage to leaves, branches and reproductive tissue. Freeze-injury of this form also reduced the likelihood of successful seedling establishment and long-term survival of saplings. 
These findings indicate that latitude 38° S acts as a physiological barrier for mangrove in New Zealand. Avicennia might persist further south than its present natural range if dispersal to suitable microclimates occurred. However, the probability of this occurring naturally is small, given the species poor dispersal abilities, and the reduced likelihood of survival in the face of damage and physiological stresses brought about by cold winter temperatures.

year: 2006

title: The Barracuda: An investigation of a novel cane pruning technology for avoiding wires in structured vineyard environments

authors: Harvey, Scott

subjects: Robotic

abstract: The viticulture industry, among many others, is trying to improve their product quality whilst facing labour supply challenges and increasing labour costs. The Maaratech research group has been developing human assist technology and an autonomous, prototype grape vine pruning machine to alleviate these issues. The machine is an arched “straddle” platform, containing a camera array, PC, UR5 manipulator, and end-effector. The canes of the grapevine are wrapped around guide wires, making it very difficult for cuts to be made – whether by human or robot. This thesis presents the process of developing and testing a novel technology called the Barracuda, to enable cuts to be made where the wire interferes with a cut. The wire also puts high accuracy requirements on the vision system and manipulator movements if a secondary mechanism was used to separate the wire and cane. The Barracuda was developed as an end effector to alleviate these issues by allowing passive wire separation from the cane. It works by exploiting the diameter difference between the smaller wire, and larger canes. The wire falls into slots, evading the blade, while the cane is cut.

Two Barracuda configurations were tested by making cuts on canes wrapped around the guide wire. Config 1 was a single row of teeth, with larger recesses, flat teeth and a blade-guiding chamfer. Config 2 used two rows of teeth either side of smaller recesses and included rounded teeth tips. The components are CNC machined or laser cut. Results showed for both configurations, the 0° position was most effective. The 0° position is where the wire was below the cane, relative to the handpiece. In this position, Config 1 was effective 40.7% of the time, and config 2, 94.5% of the time. Damage to the wire was caused 8.9% of the time for config 1, and config 2 just 2.6% of the time. Both blades received the same rate of blade damage, however the damage was visibly more significant on config 1. From these results, config 2 was the preferred design, but integrating a chamfer from config 1 should reduce blade damage further.

It also benefits human assist goals. By allowing cuts on the wire, pruners are able to make cuts quickly and easily with Barracuda-modified secateurs or loppers, removing the need to separate the cane from the wire. The design works around the environment, increases the number of points available for decision making, and allows some inaccuracy in the rest of the robotic system by offering passive wire avoidance with the teeth. The performance of the Barracuda in cut situations involving a wire proved it valuable for integration with current manual pruning methods, and as a cornerstone for robotic pruning development, providing further opportunities for the greater system.

text: The Barracuda: An investigation of a novel cane pruning technology for avoiding wires in structured vineyard environments The viticulture industry, among many others, is trying to improve their product quality whilst facing labour supply challenges and increasing labour costs. The Maaratech research group has been developing human assist technology and an autonomous, prototype grape vine pruning machine to alleviate these issues. The machine is an arched “straddle” platform, containing a camera array, PC, UR5 manipulator, and end-effector. The canes of the grapevine are wrapped around guide wires, making it very difficult for cuts to be made – whether by human or robot. This thesis presents the process of developing and testing a novel technology called the Barracuda, to enable cuts to be made where the wire interferes with a cut. The wire also puts high accuracy requirements on the vision system and manipulator movements if a secondary mechanism was used to separate the wire and cane. The Barracuda was developed as an end effector to alleviate these issues by allowing passive wire separation from the cane. It works by exploiting the diameter difference between the smaller wire, and larger canes. The wire falls into slots, evading the blade, while the cane is cut.

Two Barracuda configurations were tested by making cuts on canes wrapped around the guide wire. Config 1 was a single row of teeth, with larger recesses, flat teeth and a blade-guiding chamfer. Config 2 used two rows of teeth either side of smaller recesses and included rounded teeth tips. The components are CNC machined or laser cut. Results showed for both configurations, the 0° position was most effective. The 0° position is where the wire was below the cane, relative to the handpiece. In this position, Config 1 was effective 40.7% of the time, and config 2, 94.5% of the time. Damage to the wire was caused 8.9% of the time for config 1, and config 2 just 2.6% of the time. Both blades received the same rate of blade damage, however the damage was visibly more significant on config 1. From these results, config 2 was the preferred design, but integrating a chamfer from config 1 should reduce blade damage further.

It also benefits human assist goals. By allowing cuts on the wire, pruners are able to make cuts quickly and easily with Barracuda-modified secateurs or loppers, removing the need to separate the cane from the wire. The design works around the environment, increases the number of points available for decision making, and allows some inaccuracy in the rest of the robotic system by offering passive wire avoidance with the teeth. The performance of the Barracuda in cut situations involving a wire proved it valuable for integration with current manual pruning methods, and as a cornerstone for robotic pruning development, providing further opportunities for the greater system.

year: 2022

title: Te taiao: Te titiro a te Māori

authors: Kirby, Dean Robert

subjects: Cosmology

abstract: Ko te kaupapa o tēnei tuhinga ko te titiro a te Māori ki te taiao. He mea tuhi i runga i te aroha, i te whakapono ki ngēnei mea, ki te ātaahua o te taiao me ngā kōrero mōna. E whakatangatatia ana ngā āhuatanga o te taiao, ngā rākau, ngā manu, ngā ika, te kohu, ngā kapua, ngā maunga, otirā ngā mea katoa. Ara noa atu ngā kōrero, he whakapapa ō rātou, he huānga tētehi mea ki tētehi, he mauri tō tēnā mea tō tēnā mea. E ora ana ngā mea katoa o te ao, ka whai tamariki, he mātua he tūpuna anō, te katoa tae atu hoki ki te tangata, he wāhanga ia nō te taiao.
Hei aha tēnei tuhinga? Ko tāna mahi he whakaatu i ngēnei āhuatanga. Ā he whakamātau hoki ki te whakautu i te pātai he aha i whērā ai te titiro a ngā tūpuna ki tō rātou taiao. He kohikohingā tēnei nō ngā kōrero maha e takoto mai naka i roto i ngā pukapuka kua tāia kētia. Ehake i te mea ka kōrerotia ngā mea katoa, otiia ka tirohia noatia ngētehi āhuatanga o tēnei hanga te taiao. Kāhore i tuhia i runga i ngā kōrero ā waha a ngētehi kaikōrero, whēnā i ngētehi atu tuhinga roa. He mahi nui tērā mā tētehi atu hei whai, heoi anō tēnei he huihuinga nō ngētehi kōrero kua tuhia i mua atu.
Ka whakarārangitia ngā kōrero neki i muri ake nei. Ko tōna timatanga kei te Ōrokohanga, ko te timatanga tērā o te taiao. Ko te whenua ka whai mai me ngā kōrero mōna. Muri iho ko te wai me ngōna āhuatanga katoa. Ko te rangi, ngā mea katoa o te rangi ka whai mai i muri i tēnā. Muri iho anō ko ngā manu, ko ngā ngārara me ngā ngāngara, ngā rākau me ngā ika. Ka mutu atu i ngā tupua, i ngā taniwha me ngā patupaiarehe, i ngā kōrero mō ngērā. E iwa wāhanga nui te katoa o tēnei tuhinga. Kei te timatanga tētehi wāhanga hei whakamārama i te tuhinga ā kei te mutunga tētehi atu wāhanga hei whakatōpū, hei whakarāpopoto i ngā kōrero o roto i te puku o te tuhinga nei.
Kei ngā wāhanga o te pukapuka nei he kōrero mō tēnā mea, mō tēnā mea i raro i tōna ūpoko anō, me ngā whakaāhua e rite ana mōna. Ko te tūmanako ka kite te kaipānui i te pūrotutanga o te taiao o te Māori.

text: Te taiao: Te titiro a te Māori Ko te kaupapa o tēnei tuhinga ko te titiro a te Māori ki te taiao. He mea tuhi i runga i te aroha, i te whakapono ki ngēnei mea, ki te ātaahua o te taiao me ngā kōrero mōna. E whakatangatatia ana ngā āhuatanga o te taiao, ngā rākau, ngā manu, ngā ika, te kohu, ngā kapua, ngā maunga, otirā ngā mea katoa. Ara noa atu ngā kōrero, he whakapapa ō rātou, he huānga tētehi mea ki tētehi, he mauri tō tēnā mea tō tēnā mea. E ora ana ngā mea katoa o te ao, ka whai tamariki, he mātua he tūpuna anō, te katoa tae atu hoki ki te tangata, he wāhanga ia nō te taiao.
Hei aha tēnei tuhinga? Ko tāna mahi he whakaatu i ngēnei āhuatanga. Ā he whakamātau hoki ki te whakautu i te pātai he aha i whērā ai te titiro a ngā tūpuna ki tō rātou taiao. He kohikohingā tēnei nō ngā kōrero maha e takoto mai naka i roto i ngā pukapuka kua tāia kētia. Ehake i te mea ka kōrerotia ngā mea katoa, otiia ka tirohia noatia ngētehi āhuatanga o tēnei hanga te taiao. Kāhore i tuhia i runga i ngā kōrero ā waha a ngētehi kaikōrero, whēnā i ngētehi atu tuhinga roa. He mahi nui tērā mā tētehi atu hei whai, heoi anō tēnei he huihuinga nō ngētehi kōrero kua tuhia i mua atu.
Ka whakarārangitia ngā kōrero neki i muri ake nei. Ko tōna timatanga kei te Ōrokohanga, ko te timatanga tērā o te taiao. Ko te whenua ka whai mai me ngā kōrero mōna. Muri iho ko te wai me ngōna āhuatanga katoa. Ko te rangi, ngā mea katoa o te rangi ka whai mai i muri i tēnā. Muri iho anō ko ngā manu, ko ngā ngārara me ngā ngāngara, ngā rākau me ngā ika. Ka mutu atu i ngā tupua, i ngā taniwha me ngā patupaiarehe, i ngā kōrero mō ngērā. E iwa wāhanga nui te katoa o tēnei tuhinga. Kei te timatanga tētehi wāhanga hei whakamārama i te tuhinga ā kei te mutunga tētehi atu wāhanga hei whakatōpū, hei whakarāpopoto i ngā kōrero o roto i te puku o te tuhinga nei.
Kei ngā wāhanga o te pukapuka nei he kōrero mō tēnā mea, mō tēnā mea i raro i tōna ūpoko anō, me ngā whakaāhua e rite ana mōna. Ko te tūmanako ka kite te kaipānui i te pūrotutanga o te taiao o te Māori.

year: 1992