title: The role of mindfulness and life satisfaction in psychological distress during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Aotearoa/New Zealand:  A quasi-experimental study

authors: Hartstone, Jayne Madeline

subjects: COVID-19

abstract: By November 2021, almost every country and territory in the world had been affected by COVID-19. The virus has caused over 5 million deaths and more than 248 million cases worldwide. Fear of infection, grief, social isolation and financial concerns caused by the pandemic are triggering mental health conditions and exacerbating existing ones. Quantitative research on the psychological effects of lockdown conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic is needed to inform mental health interventions which aim to alleviate potential adverse effects. The goal of this study was to investigate psychological distress during the lockdown in Aotearoa/New Zealand. To achieve this goal, a longitudinal quasi-experimental research design using a sample (n = 81) who completed surveys on mindfulness, satisfaction with life and mental health indicators at three time-points, separated by at least two-week intervals was implemented. The sample was divided into two parts, the baseline group (n = 44) and the lockdown group (n = 37). The baseline group completed the surveys the first time prior to lockdown and mostly completed the second and third surveys during lockdown. The lockdown group mostly completed the survey for the first time during lockdown and the second and third surveys during or after lockdown. Mindfulness and satisfaction with life at baseline significantly predicted lower levels of depression, anxiety and stress during uncertain and emergency conditions before and during lockdown. The baseline group experienced significantly less anxiety and stress during lockdown compared to just prior to the lockdown (baseline condition). The results demonstrated that individuals who have higher levels of mindfulness and those with greater life satisfaction experienced significantly less depression, anxiety and stress over time, during both uncertain and emergency conditions such as during the threat of COVID-19. The finding of anxiety and stress reduction during lockdown may be specific to Aotearoa/New Zealand, as conditions differ in many ways from those in other countries. Preventative measures which increase mindfulness and satisfaction with life could help alleviate depression, anxiety and stress during uncertain and emergency conditions comparable to the COVID-19 pandemic.

text: The role of mindfulness and life satisfaction in psychological distress during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Aotearoa/New Zealand:  A quasi-experimental study By November 2021, almost every country and territory in the world had been affected by COVID-19. The virus has caused over 5 million deaths and more than 248 million cases worldwide. Fear of infection, grief, social isolation and financial concerns caused by the pandemic are triggering mental health conditions and exacerbating existing ones. Quantitative research on the psychological effects of lockdown conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic is needed to inform mental health interventions which aim to alleviate potential adverse effects. The goal of this study was to investigate psychological distress during the lockdown in Aotearoa/New Zealand. To achieve this goal, a longitudinal quasi-experimental research design using a sample (n = 81) who completed surveys on mindfulness, satisfaction with life and mental health indicators at three time-points, separated by at least two-week intervals was implemented. The sample was divided into two parts, the baseline group (n = 44) and the lockdown group (n = 37). The baseline group completed the surveys the first time prior to lockdown and mostly completed the second and third surveys during lockdown. The lockdown group mostly completed the survey for the first time during lockdown and the second and third surveys during or after lockdown. Mindfulness and satisfaction with life at baseline significantly predicted lower levels of depression, anxiety and stress during uncertain and emergency conditions before and during lockdown. The baseline group experienced significantly less anxiety and stress during lockdown compared to just prior to the lockdown (baseline condition). The results demonstrated that individuals who have higher levels of mindfulness and those with greater life satisfaction experienced significantly less depression, anxiety and stress over time, during both uncertain and emergency conditions such as during the threat of COVID-19. The finding of anxiety and stress reduction during lockdown may be specific to Aotearoa/New Zealand, as conditions differ in many ways from those in other countries. Preventative measures which increase mindfulness and satisfaction with life could help alleviate depression, anxiety and stress during uncertain and emergency conditions comparable to the COVID-19 pandemic.

year: 2021

title: Grass carp and incidental invaders from aquaculture: a study of impacts on zooplankton communities and invader origins

authors: Branford, Suzanne Nicola

subjects: Biological Invasions

abstract: The movement of fish from aquaculture facilities has led to invasions of non-native species globally, including of ‘hitch-hiking’ species, resulting in impacts on the composition of communities in recipient ecosystems. This thesis employs both community scale analysis and sensitive molecular techniques to assess the effects of grass carp translocations on zooplankton communities and to determine the origins of an incidental non-native invader. 

In the first component, I tested the effects of grass carp translocations from aquaculture facilities on ponds in the Auckland region, New Zealand. Zooplankton community composition was quantified in 34 ponds that had been subject to grass carp release and 31 which had no grass carp introductions. A significant difference in zooplankton community composition was observed between ponds that had received grass carp translocations and those that had not. Differences in zooplankton community composition between ponds with and without carp releases were attributable to: 1) the establishment of zooplankton originating from aquaculture ponds, including non-native species; and 2) the effects of grass carp activity, through habitat modification. Effective measures to curb the proliferation of non-native taxa within aquaculture facilities, and to mitigate the unintentional movement of non-native taxa with translocations from these facilities, are required to reduce future introductions.

In the second component of this thesis I used a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene to more precisely identify the origins of invasions of freshwater calanoid copepod Skistodiaptomus pallidus (Herrick 1879). This was applied to populations sampled from within New Zealand, which have been linked to the release of fish from aquaculture facilities, and to populations found in Germany, which have possible links to a shipping vector. The S. pallidus COI sequences placed both the New Zealand and German specimens with those from the most easterly regions of the USA (e.g., New York, Virginia and Georgia). However, several haplotypes were found to be divergent between the New Zealand and German populations, indicating the exact sources of the introductions were likely different for each country. German sequences had greater haplotype diversity than those from New Zealand, supporting the suggestions of a shipping related vector of introduction to Germany. Both German and New Zealand populations contained haplotypes that were closely related to North American sequence records. However, further sampling of the native range will be required to determine the exact origin of the non-indigenous S. pallidus populations. With this additional information it may also be possible to determine more precisely the vectors of introduction. 

Collectively, the two research chapters provide a broader understanding of invasion processes and the effects of grass carp translocations on the zooplankton communities within recipient ponds in New Zealand. My research has immediate application in the re-evaluation of fish translocation management practises and impacts.

text: Grass carp and incidental invaders from aquaculture: a study of impacts on zooplankton communities and invader origins The movement of fish from aquaculture facilities has led to invasions of non-native species globally, including of ‘hitch-hiking’ species, resulting in impacts on the composition of communities in recipient ecosystems. This thesis employs both community scale analysis and sensitive molecular techniques to assess the effects of grass carp translocations on zooplankton communities and to determine the origins of an incidental non-native invader. 

In the first component, I tested the effects of grass carp translocations from aquaculture facilities on ponds in the Auckland region, New Zealand. Zooplankton community composition was quantified in 34 ponds that had been subject to grass carp release and 31 which had no grass carp introductions. A significant difference in zooplankton community composition was observed between ponds that had received grass carp translocations and those that had not. Differences in zooplankton community composition between ponds with and without carp releases were attributable to: 1) the establishment of zooplankton originating from aquaculture ponds, including non-native species; and 2) the effects of grass carp activity, through habitat modification. Effective measures to curb the proliferation of non-native taxa within aquaculture facilities, and to mitigate the unintentional movement of non-native taxa with translocations from these facilities, are required to reduce future introductions.

In the second component of this thesis I used a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene to more precisely identify the origins of invasions of freshwater calanoid copepod Skistodiaptomus pallidus (Herrick 1879). This was applied to populations sampled from within New Zealand, which have been linked to the release of fish from aquaculture facilities, and to populations found in Germany, which have possible links to a shipping vector. The S. pallidus COI sequences placed both the New Zealand and German specimens with those from the most easterly regions of the USA (e.g., New York, Virginia and Georgia). However, several haplotypes were found to be divergent between the New Zealand and German populations, indicating the exact sources of the introductions were likely different for each country. German sequences had greater haplotype diversity than those from New Zealand, supporting the suggestions of a shipping related vector of introduction to Germany. Both German and New Zealand populations contained haplotypes that were closely related to North American sequence records. However, further sampling of the native range will be required to determine the exact origin of the non-indigenous S. pallidus populations. With this additional information it may also be possible to determine more precisely the vectors of introduction. 

Collectively, the two research chapters provide a broader understanding of invasion processes and the effects of grass carp translocations on the zooplankton communities within recipient ponds in New Zealand. My research has immediate application in the re-evaluation of fish translocation management practises and impacts.

year: 2016

title: Incentivising change in the Lake Rotorua catchment

authors: Grayling, Anna

abstract: Anna Grayling is the Rotorua Lakes Business Manager for Bay of Plenty Regional Council. After completing a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Sciences at the University of Waikato, Anna’s career began as an ecological consultant. Following this role, Anna spent five years in planning and policy for both the district and regional councils. For the last five years Anna has been dedicated to the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme. She is now the project lead for the Incentive Fund Development for land-use change in the Lake Rotorua catchment.
Alastair MacCormick has worked as a Lakes Restoration Officer with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council since 2007. His primary function has been the implementation of nutrient discharge limits under Rule 11. An experienced user of the Overseer nutrient budgeting software, and with broad knowledge of farming systems in the catchment, he also provides information and advice on the issues and complications associated with nutrient accounting.

text: Incentivising change in the Lake Rotorua catchment Anna Grayling is the Rotorua Lakes Business Manager for Bay of Plenty Regional Council. After completing a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Sciences at the University of Waikato, Anna’s career began as an ecological consultant. Following this role, Anna spent five years in planning and policy for both the district and regional councils. For the last five years Anna has been dedicated to the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme. She is now the project lead for the Incentive Fund Development for land-use change in the Lake Rotorua catchment.
Alastair MacCormick has worked as a Lakes Restoration Officer with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council since 2007. His primary function has been the implementation of nutrient discharge limits under Rule 11. An experienced user of the Overseer nutrient budgeting software, and with broad knowledge of farming systems in the catchment, he also provides information and advice on the issues and complications associated with nutrient accounting.

year: 2013