title: Ecology of vascular epiphytes in urban forests with special reference to the shrub epiphyte Griselinia lucida

authors: Bryan, Catherine Louise

subjects: Epiphyte

abstract: This research investigated the ecology of vascular epiphytes and vines in the Waikato region of the North Island, and the water relations of the shrub hemiepiphyte Griselinia lucida. The main goal was to develop robust recommendations for the inclusion of epiphytic species in urban forest restoration projects. To achieve this, three broad questions were addressed: 1. How are vascular epiphytes and vines distributed throughout the nonurban and urban areas of the Waikato region, and how does this compare to other North Island areas? 2. Why are some epiphyte and vine species absent from urban Hamilton and what opportunities exist for their inclusion in restoration projects? 3. How does Griselinia lucida respond to desiccation stress and how does this compare to its congener G. littoralis? To investigate questions one and two, an ecological survey of the epiphyte communities on host trees in Waikato (n=649) and Taranaki (n=101) was conducted, alongside canopy microclimate monitoring in five Waikato sites. Results show that epiphyte and vine populations in Hamilton City forests represent only 55.2 % of the total Waikato species pool, and have a very low average of 0.8 epiphyte species per host. In contrast, the urban forests of Taranaki support 87.9 % of the local species pool and have an average of 5.5 species per host tree. The low diversity and abundance in urban Waikato can be primarily attributed to the alteration of canopy microclimates by edge effects. Mean temperature and vapour pressure deficits in Waikato were 1.9 °C and 1.1 kPa (respectively) higher in the canopy of small urban patches than the larger, nonurban forests. These warmer and drier conditions are speculated to be interrupting species accumulation and community formation processes. This phenomenom is not as pronounced in Taranaki which has larger trees and higher rainfall. Epiphyte diversity and abundance was also found to be associated with seed dispersal distances and the size, bark type, and architecture of host trees. To link the microclimate findings with physiological limitations of epiphytes and to address question three, a desiccation tolerance experiment was conducted on the shrub hemiepiphyte Griselinia lucida. Moderate and severe levels of desiccation stress were applied to seedlings of G. lucida and its terrestrial congener, G. littoralis. Both species endured over two months of drought with negligible mortality. In G. lucida, stomatal conductance reduced to zero, and leaf bulk elastic modulus reduced from 8.09 (±0.51) MPa in the control group to 3.66 (±0.61) MPa under severe stress. When compared to G. littoralis, G. lucida exhibited a more acute response to stress and recovered faster with rewatering. However, the overall response of each species was similar and both species can be classified as desiccation postponers. To summarise and combine the findings of this research with existing information on Griselinia lucida, a contribution to the New Zealand Biological Flora Series for this species is presented. Recommendations for the inclusion of epiphytes in restoration projects are presented. Reintroductions should use epiphyte and vine species that are appropriate for the conditions of the target forest, and focus on large host trees in relatively humid microclimates.

text: Ecology of vascular epiphytes in urban forests with special reference to the shrub epiphyte Griselinia lucida This research investigated the ecology of vascular epiphytes and vines in the Waikato region of the North Island, and the water relations of the shrub hemiepiphyte Griselinia lucida. The main goal was to develop robust recommendations for the inclusion of epiphytic species in urban forest restoration projects. To achieve this, three broad questions were addressed: 1. How are vascular epiphytes and vines distributed throughout the nonurban and urban areas of the Waikato region, and how does this compare to other North Island areas? 2. Why are some epiphyte and vine species absent from urban Hamilton and what opportunities exist for their inclusion in restoration projects? 3. How does Griselinia lucida respond to desiccation stress and how does this compare to its congener G. littoralis? To investigate questions one and two, an ecological survey of the epiphyte communities on host trees in Waikato (n=649) and Taranaki (n=101) was conducted, alongside canopy microclimate monitoring in five Waikato sites. Results show that epiphyte and vine populations in Hamilton City forests represent only 55.2 % of the total Waikato species pool, and have a very low average of 0.8 epiphyte species per host. In contrast, the urban forests of Taranaki support 87.9 % of the local species pool and have an average of 5.5 species per host tree. The low diversity and abundance in urban Waikato can be primarily attributed to the alteration of canopy microclimates by edge effects. Mean temperature and vapour pressure deficits in Waikato were 1.9 °C and 1.1 kPa (respectively) higher in the canopy of small urban patches than the larger, nonurban forests. These warmer and drier conditions are speculated to be interrupting species accumulation and community formation processes. This phenomenom is not as pronounced in Taranaki which has larger trees and higher rainfall. Epiphyte diversity and abundance was also found to be associated with seed dispersal distances and the size, bark type, and architecture of host trees. To link the microclimate findings with physiological limitations of epiphytes and to address question three, a desiccation tolerance experiment was conducted on the shrub hemiepiphyte Griselinia lucida. Moderate and severe levels of desiccation stress were applied to seedlings of G. lucida and its terrestrial congener, G. littoralis. Both species endured over two months of drought with negligible mortality. In G. lucida, stomatal conductance reduced to zero, and leaf bulk elastic modulus reduced from 8.09 (±0.51) MPa in the control group to 3.66 (±0.61) MPa under severe stress. When compared to G. littoralis, G. lucida exhibited a more acute response to stress and recovered faster with rewatering. However, the overall response of each species was similar and both species can be classified as desiccation postponers. To summarise and combine the findings of this research with existing information on Griselinia lucida, a contribution to the New Zealand Biological Flora Series for this species is presented. Recommendations for the inclusion of epiphytes in restoration projects are presented. Reintroductions should use epiphyte and vine species that are appropriate for the conditions of the target forest, and focus on large host trees in relatively humid microclimates.

year: 2011

title: Organisational justice and work-family policies

authors: Haar, Jarrod M.

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: Based in a local government organisation in New Zealand, this paper links the literature on work-family balance to the literature on organisational justice, by examining the predictors of perceived fairness in work-family policy. The study also expands an earlier study in Grover (1991), by considering work-family policy sets, rather than single policies only. Perceptions of the fairness in work-family policies were partly predicted, positively, by a combination of management seniority, perceived benefits in work-family policies, and own usage of those policies. These findings suggest the influence of both group values and self-interest. In terms of organisational justice, the findings raise a question for future research, namely how fairness attitudes relate to the sustainability of work-family initiatives.

text: Organisational justice and work-family policies Based in a local government organisation in New Zealand, this paper links the literature on work-family balance to the literature on organisational justice, by examining the predictors of perceived fairness in work-family policy. The study also expands an earlier study in Grover (1991), by considering work-family policy sets, rather than single policies only. Perceptions of the fairness in work-family policies were partly predicted, positively, by a combination of management seniority, perceived benefits in work-family policies, and own usage of those policies. These findings suggest the influence of both group values and self-interest. In terms of organisational justice, the findings raise a question for future research, namely how fairness attitudes relate to the sustainability of work-family initiatives.

year: 2005

title: Culture, Courage and Change: The experiences of a Te Kotahitanga facilitation team

authors: Lamont, Robyn Elizabeth

subjects: culturally responsive pedagogy of relations

abstract: This thesis explores the experiences of the Te Kotahitanga facilitation team in one of the 12 Phase 3 Te Kotahitanga schools between 2003 and 2006. The collaborative story through which those experiences are shared includes the voices of the Lead facilitator, the two co-principals, and an RTLB/facilitator. This thesis begins by seeking to understand the historical impact of culturally located discourses of colonisation on the lives of the indigenous Māori people in New Zealand. From within a platform of Māori theorising it also considers Kaupapa Māori research methodologies and explores Māori people’s aspirations for self determination (tino rangatiratanga). It then considers the principles and practices of engaging as a bicultural partnership to improve educational outcomes for Māori students. Through a discussion of the facilitation team's experiences of learning about a culturally responsive pedagogy of relations through the development and support of culturally responsive contexts for learning, three important themes emerge: culture, courage and change. The impact of deficit theorising and pathologising practices on the culture of Maori students and their teachers is examined. The courage required of the Te Kotahitanga principals and facilitators to challenge and disrupt the assumptions that underpinned the historical status quo in this school and the importance of remaining steadfast in response to the dissonance and resistance that these change processes created is then discussed. Finally, this thesis highlights both the interdependent nature of the change required and the power of the collective in creating change; change within ourselves, within our classrooms and within our schools and communities for the benefit of Māori students, and of all students.

text: Culture, Courage and Change: The experiences of a Te Kotahitanga facilitation team This thesis explores the experiences of the Te Kotahitanga facilitation team in one of the 12 Phase 3 Te Kotahitanga schools between 2003 and 2006. The collaborative story through which those experiences are shared includes the voices of the Lead facilitator, the two co-principals, and an RTLB/facilitator. This thesis begins by seeking to understand the historical impact of culturally located discourses of colonisation on the lives of the indigenous Māori people in New Zealand. From within a platform of Māori theorising it also considers Kaupapa Māori research methodologies and explores Māori people’s aspirations for self determination (tino rangatiratanga). It then considers the principles and practices of engaging as a bicultural partnership to improve educational outcomes for Māori students. Through a discussion of the facilitation team's experiences of learning about a culturally responsive pedagogy of relations through the development and support of culturally responsive contexts for learning, three important themes emerge: culture, courage and change. The impact of deficit theorising and pathologising practices on the culture of Maori students and their teachers is examined. The courage required of the Te Kotahitanga principals and facilitators to challenge and disrupt the assumptions that underpinned the historical status quo in this school and the importance of remaining steadfast in response to the dissonance and resistance that these change processes created is then discussed. Finally, this thesis highlights both the interdependent nature of the change required and the power of the collective in creating change; change within ourselves, within our classrooms and within our schools and communities for the benefit of Māori students, and of all students.

year: 2011