title: Carbon storage and DNA absorption in allophanic soils and paleosols

authors: Huang, Yu-Tuan

subjects: Andisols

abstract: Andisols and andic paleosols dominated by the nanocrystalline mineral allophane sequester large amounts of carbon (C), attributable mainly to its chemical bonding with charged hydroxyl groups on the surface of allophane together with its physical protection in nanopores within and between allophane nanoaggregates. C near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectra for a New Zealand Andisol (Tirau series) showed that the organic matter (OM) mainly comprises quinonic, aromatic, aliphatic, and carboxylic C. In different buried horizons from several other Andisols, C contents varied but the C species were similar, attributable to pedogenic processes operating during developmental upbuilding, downward leaching, or both. The presence of OM in natural allophanic soils weakened the adsorption of DNA on clay; an adsorption isotherm experiment involving humic acid (HA) showed that HA-free synthetic allophane adsorbed seven times more DNA than HA-rich synthetic allophane. Phosphorus X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra for salmonsperm DNA and DNA-clay complexes indicated that DNA was bound to the allophane clay through the phosphate group, but it is not clear if DNA was chemically bound to the surface of the allophane or to OM, or both. We plan more experiments to investigate interactions among DNA, allophane (natural and synthetic), and OM. Because DNA shows a high affinity to allophane, we are studying the potential to reconstruct late Quaternary palaeoenvironments by attempting to extract and characterise ancient DNA from allophanic paleosols

text: Carbon storage and DNA absorption in allophanic soils and paleosols Andisols and andic paleosols dominated by the nanocrystalline mineral allophane sequester large amounts of carbon (C), attributable mainly to its chemical bonding with charged hydroxyl groups on the surface of allophane together with its physical protection in nanopores within and between allophane nanoaggregates. C near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectra for a New Zealand Andisol (Tirau series) showed that the organic matter (OM) mainly comprises quinonic, aromatic, aliphatic, and carboxylic C. In different buried horizons from several other Andisols, C contents varied but the C species were similar, attributable to pedogenic processes operating during developmental upbuilding, downward leaching, or both. The presence of OM in natural allophanic soils weakened the adsorption of DNA on clay; an adsorption isotherm experiment involving humic acid (HA) showed that HA-free synthetic allophane adsorbed seven times more DNA than HA-rich synthetic allophane. Phosphorus X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra for salmonsperm DNA and DNA-clay complexes indicated that DNA was bound to the allophane clay through the phosphate group, but it is not clear if DNA was chemically bound to the surface of the allophane or to OM, or both. We plan more experiments to investigate interactions among DNA, allophane (natural and synthetic), and OM. Because DNA shows a high affinity to allophane, we are studying the potential to reconstruct late Quaternary palaeoenvironments by attempting to extract and characterise ancient DNA from allophanic paleosols

year: 2014

title: A Study of the length weight relationships and diets of non-indigenous Poecillids in New Zealand geothermal Streams

authors: Houlihan, David

abstract: Poecillids are highly specialised and well adapted to surviving in highly undesirable conditions. Because of this they have been able to establish populations in many areas where have been released. There are two species of poecillids in New Zealand that have established populations in thermal waters. Sailfin mollies (Poecilia latapinna) are found the South Taupo wetlands near Tokaanu, and the Guppies (Poecilia reticulata) are found at multiple sites in and near Reporoa. These fish were known to have been present in New Zealand since at least the 1930s. However, there has been very little study carried out on their ecology in New Zealand. In order to fill this knowledge gap, a study was carried out to assess the approximate population numbers and the health of each of these species. As well as this it was unknown what exactly these species were feeding on in the thermal waters; therefore a gut analysis was carried out to find out which species of invertebrates if any are part of the diets. It was found that both species have very healthy populations in New Zealand thermal waters; as well as this their diets vary considerably between both species. The sex ratios for both species in New Zealand are quite different from those found in other feral populations. The current populations are found to be of reasonable size especially the Sailfin Mollies; which shows just how well adapted these species have become to the New Zealand conditions. Because of the apparent lack of knowledge of these species numbers and feeding habits in New Zealand and the well-known ability of these species to colonise new habitats; it is important to understand the current population health to allow for any potential management programs in the future.

text: A Study of the length weight relationships and diets of non-indigenous Poecillids in New Zealand geothermal Streams Poecillids are highly specialised and well adapted to surviving in highly undesirable conditions. Because of this they have been able to establish populations in many areas where have been released. There are two species of poecillids in New Zealand that have established populations in thermal waters. Sailfin mollies (Poecilia latapinna) are found the South Taupo wetlands near Tokaanu, and the Guppies (Poecilia reticulata) are found at multiple sites in and near Reporoa. These fish were known to have been present in New Zealand since at least the 1930s. However, there has been very little study carried out on their ecology in New Zealand. In order to fill this knowledge gap, a study was carried out to assess the approximate population numbers and the health of each of these species. As well as this it was unknown what exactly these species were feeding on in the thermal waters; therefore a gut analysis was carried out to find out which species of invertebrates if any are part of the diets. It was found that both species have very healthy populations in New Zealand thermal waters; as well as this their diets vary considerably between both species. The sex ratios for both species in New Zealand are quite different from those found in other feral populations. The current populations are found to be of reasonable size especially the Sailfin Mollies; which shows just how well adapted these species have become to the New Zealand conditions. Because of the apparent lack of knowledge of these species numbers and feeding habits in New Zealand and the well-known ability of these species to colonise new habitats; it is important to understand the current population health to allow for any potential management programs in the future.

year: 2016

title: Keeping Chooks at Home in the Waikato:  Exploring Postcolonial, Feminist and  Kaupapa M ori Perspectives

authors: Burnett, Zavier

subjects: Chooks

abstract: This thesis considers the narratives of eight M ori chook keepers from the Waikato rohe, Aotearoa. The Waikato rohe has been selected due to its significant history of M ori horticultural and agricultural practises, including chook keeping. 

I build on the growing corpus of m tauranga about indigenous studies. Using a postcolonial, feminist and Kaupapa M ori theoretical framework, I undertook five semi-structured interviews and one focus r p  with M ori kaum tua. This thesis does not attempt to represent all M ori. There may be considerable difference between wh nau, hap  and iwi practices. However, the rangahau provides insights into the views of eight individuals and their experiences with chooks. I have also utilised Country Calendar (1970; 1977a; 1977b and 1980) episodes and children's pukapuka such as Nanny Mihi's Garden (Drewery 2002) for the purposes of discourse analysis. 

By listening to these stories, kaupapa including race, class and ethnicity emerge that affect the participants' everyday lives as chook keepers. The participants view chooks in a variety of ways. First, as a means of food production. By integrating chooks into their communities, the participants are able to provide a nutritious and low-cost kai source for themselves and their wh nau. This attempts to at least in part address their poverty problems. Second, as a hybridised P keh  and M ori kararehe. Third, as hysterical, comical, silly and helpless. I explore these issues within the broader context of colonial, neocolonial and anticolonial practices.

text: Keeping Chooks at Home in the Waikato:  Exploring Postcolonial, Feminist and  Kaupapa M ori Perspectives This thesis considers the narratives of eight M ori chook keepers from the Waikato rohe, Aotearoa. The Waikato rohe has been selected due to its significant history of M ori horticultural and agricultural practises, including chook keeping. 

I build on the growing corpus of m tauranga about indigenous studies. Using a postcolonial, feminist and Kaupapa M ori theoretical framework, I undertook five semi-structured interviews and one focus r p  with M ori kaum tua. This thesis does not attempt to represent all M ori. There may be considerable difference between wh nau, hap  and iwi practices. However, the rangahau provides insights into the views of eight individuals and their experiences with chooks. I have also utilised Country Calendar (1970; 1977a; 1977b and 1980) episodes and children's pukapuka such as Nanny Mihi's Garden (Drewery 2002) for the purposes of discourse analysis. 

By listening to these stories, kaupapa including race, class and ethnicity emerge that affect the participants' everyday lives as chook keepers. The participants view chooks in a variety of ways. First, as a means of food production. By integrating chooks into their communities, the participants are able to provide a nutritious and low-cost kai source for themselves and their wh nau. This attempts to at least in part address their poverty problems. Second, as a hybridised P keh  and M ori kararehe. Third, as hysterical, comical, silly and helpless. I explore these issues within the broader context of colonial, neocolonial and anticolonial practices.

year: 2006