title: The Islamic law of war: justifications and regulations [Book Review]

authors: Drury, Abdullah

abstract: This article reviews the book 'The Islamic law of war: justifications and regulations', by Ahmed Al-Dawoody.

text: The Islamic law of war: justifications and regulations [Book Review] This article reviews the book 'The Islamic law of war: justifications and regulations', by Ahmed Al-Dawoody.

year: 2012-01

title: Tree species sorting along temperature gradients: How do frost-resistant traits influence competitive ability in the forest environment?

authors: FitzPatrick, Dominic Luke

subjects: forest ecology

abstract: To thrive in the forest environment a species must be able to pass each of three filters: first it must reach a site (the historical filter), then it must be able to tolerate the physical environment (the physiological filter) and finally it must be able to cope with biotic interactions at the site (the biotic filter). This thesis comprises of two complementary studies that explore the role temperature gradients play in determining a species ability to pass the physiological and biotic filters of a temperate rainforest. These studies were conducted using the seedlings of New Zealand warm- and cool- temperate tree species. The first study addresses how the trade-off in shade tolerance vs. growth rate found throughout closed-canopy forests changes from warm-temperate to cool-temperate environments using a transplant experiment. The second study aims to determine the implications of climate-related variation in xylem anatomy for morphological and physiological traits related to competitive ability. Warm-temperate species were found to be both faster-growing and more shade-tolerant than the cool-temperate species, indicating that cold resistant traits reduce competitive ability in warmer environments. This was supported by findings that the warm-temperate species had more conductive xylem and correspondingly higher levels of leaf area deployed than the cool species, indicating that cold resistance indirectly reduces the leafiness of a species. These cool-temperate species with less leaf surface area are less effective at intercepting light, resulting in lower growth rates and reduced shade tolerance which are important components of competitive ability in tree species. This may explain their absence from warmer forest environments, and their restriction to colder environments.

text: Tree species sorting along temperature gradients: How do frost-resistant traits influence competitive ability in the forest environment? To thrive in the forest environment a species must be able to pass each of three filters: first it must reach a site (the historical filter), then it must be able to tolerate the physical environment (the physiological filter) and finally it must be able to cope with biotic interactions at the site (the biotic filter). This thesis comprises of two complementary studies that explore the role temperature gradients play in determining a species ability to pass the physiological and biotic filters of a temperate rainforest. These studies were conducted using the seedlings of New Zealand warm- and cool- temperate tree species. The first study addresses how the trade-off in shade tolerance vs. growth rate found throughout closed-canopy forests changes from warm-temperate to cool-temperate environments using a transplant experiment. The second study aims to determine the implications of climate-related variation in xylem anatomy for morphological and physiological traits related to competitive ability. Warm-temperate species were found to be both faster-growing and more shade-tolerant than the cool-temperate species, indicating that cold resistant traits reduce competitive ability in warmer environments. This was supported by findings that the warm-temperate species had more conductive xylem and correspondingly higher levels of leaf area deployed than the cool species, indicating that cold resistance indirectly reduces the leafiness of a species. These cool-temperate species with less leaf surface area are less effective at intercepting light, resulting in lower growth rates and reduced shade tolerance which are important components of competitive ability in tree species. This may explain their absence from warmer forest environments, and their restriction to colder environments.

year: 2015

title: An investigation into the commercial feasibility of Jasus edwardsii aquaculture in New Zealand

authors: Ruru, Ian Hector

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: In 1996 New Zealand introduced legislation to allow Jasus edwardsii pueruli to be collected as "seedstock" and ongrown in a commercial aquaculture trial. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the commercial feasibility of J. edwardsii aquaculture in New Zealand by working with an organisation involved in the trial.
The methodology involved a combination of experiments in the field, in laboratories, and within an ongrowing facility. This thesis examined five key areas and found the following:
1. Data obtained in the research indicates that New Zealand will continue to rely on harvesting pueruli from the wild since significant technical obstacles remain in the development of commercial scale pueruli hatcheries. Forecast data, obtained using the delphi technique and information about current research on larval rearing, indicates that commercial scale supply of pueruli from hatcheries may occur between 2017 and 2021.
2. Harvesting trials collected a low number of pueruli with the lowest unit cost for collection being $1.80. A greater collection rate could be achieved with a better understanding of seasonal and local settlement patterns.
3. Survival rates in pueruli transporting experiments were significantly affected by stocking density, time and temperature. The safest transit conditions were achieved with 15 pueruli per litre for less than 6 hours at 14°C.
4. A range of stocking densities, from 3 lobsters per tank to 12 per tank, were tested for their effect on growth of six-month old lobsters. The lobsters were reared in a total recirculation seawater system at a constant 16°C, and fed fresh mussels (Perna canaliculus). For the 121 day trial, no statistically significant effect was detected. However, there was a trend for growth rates to be highest at 3 and 6 lobsters per tank and for growth rates at stocking densities of 9 and 12 lobsters per tank to decrease after Day 50. Lobsters showed increased mortality at the highest stocking rate.
5. A bioeconomic model of a hypothetical farm was developed to assess economic benefits and risks and to determine overall profitability. The model showed an annual net cash position of $287,100 and cumulative cash position of $859,200 by the 10th year of operation based on annual sales of 10,837 kg at $65 per kg. The model indicates that the highest cost components in the first 10 years are processing and transport, and labour. Based on the model and the scenarios examined, profitability is very sensitive to factors such as the farm size, processing and transport costs, and sale price. Biological factors such as growth rates, survival, and feed requirements also influence overall profitability. Good returns will depend upon consistent exports of high quality lobsters.
The study concludes that commercial feasibility will be affected by these key areas. The potential of J. edwardsii aquaculture in New Zealand will continue to benefit from further research.

text: An investigation into the commercial feasibility of Jasus edwardsii aquaculture in New Zealand In 1996 New Zealand introduced legislation to allow Jasus edwardsii pueruli to be collected as "seedstock" and ongrown in a commercial aquaculture trial. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the commercial feasibility of J. edwardsii aquaculture in New Zealand by working with an organisation involved in the trial.
The methodology involved a combination of experiments in the field, in laboratories, and within an ongrowing facility. This thesis examined five key areas and found the following:
1. Data obtained in the research indicates that New Zealand will continue to rely on harvesting pueruli from the wild since significant technical obstacles remain in the development of commercial scale pueruli hatcheries. Forecast data, obtained using the delphi technique and information about current research on larval rearing, indicates that commercial scale supply of pueruli from hatcheries may occur between 2017 and 2021.
2. Harvesting trials collected a low number of pueruli with the lowest unit cost for collection being $1.80. A greater collection rate could be achieved with a better understanding of seasonal and local settlement patterns.
3. Survival rates in pueruli transporting experiments were significantly affected by stocking density, time and temperature. The safest transit conditions were achieved with 15 pueruli per litre for less than 6 hours at 14°C.
4. A range of stocking densities, from 3 lobsters per tank to 12 per tank, were tested for their effect on growth of six-month old lobsters. The lobsters were reared in a total recirculation seawater system at a constant 16°C, and fed fresh mussels (Perna canaliculus). For the 121 day trial, no statistically significant effect was detected. However, there was a trend for growth rates to be highest at 3 and 6 lobsters per tank and for growth rates at stocking densities of 9 and 12 lobsters per tank to decrease after Day 50. Lobsters showed increased mortality at the highest stocking rate.
5. A bioeconomic model of a hypothetical farm was developed to assess economic benefits and risks and to determine overall profitability. The model showed an annual net cash position of $287,100 and cumulative cash position of $859,200 by the 10th year of operation based on annual sales of 10,837 kg at $65 per kg. The model indicates that the highest cost components in the first 10 years are processing and transport, and labour. Based on the model and the scenarios examined, profitability is very sensitive to factors such as the farm size, processing and transport costs, and sale price. Biological factors such as growth rates, survival, and feed requirements also influence overall profitability. Good returns will depend upon consistent exports of high quality lobsters.
The study concludes that commercial feasibility will be affected by these key areas. The potential of J. edwardsii aquaculture in New Zealand will continue to benefit from further research.

year: 2000