title: The effects of willow and willow control on wetland microfaunal assemblages in South Taupo Wetland

authors: Taura, Yvonne Michelle

subjects: Microfauna

abstract: Few studies have examined microfaunal assemblages living among Salix cinerea infestations in freshwater wetlands, or their responses to willow control treatment. The aim of this research was to quantitatively examine microfaunal assemblage abundance, richness and community composition among S. cinerea stands within the South Taupo Wetland, and determine whether these microfaunal assemblages are affected by willow growth and willow control treatment. 

Long-term effects of microfaunal community composition between native vegetation versus live and dead S. cinerea were examined in two blocks of the Waiotaka Scenic Reserve. Microfauna and physicochemical sampling were performed on three occasions to assess any seasonal effects on community composition. Results indicated there were no significant differences of physicochemical variables amongst natives, live and dead S. cinerea, with the exception of dissolved oxygen in late summer and canopy density in all seasons. This could be due to the S. cinerea trees representing stand-alone individuals, with a continuous canopy not yet formed. Overall, apart from shading and dissolved oxygen levels, environmental conditions of S. cinerea stands in this study seemingly made no significant difference to environmental variables. 

The abundant taxa found in the study were copepods, cladocerans and ostracods along with diverse species of rotifers, including the first record for New Zealand of the rotifer species Tetrasiphon hydracora. ANOVA indicated that there were no significant differences in microfaunal species richness between native, live and dead S. cinerea in any season. However, MDS ordination and ANOSIM results of species composition indicated that microfaunal assemblages were clustered in groups either side of the sand bar, suggesting that Blocks 1 and 2 functioned independently. This may be influenced by hydrological differences between Block 1 and 2 of the wetland reserve, with differing responses to fluctuating lake levels and seasonal rainfall, suggesting that microfaunal communities are regulated by hydrology rather than by the presence of willows or willow control.

 
Short-term effects of microfaunal community composition post willow control treatment were examined in Block 2 of the Waiotaka Scenice Reserve. Microfauna and physicochemical sampling were performed before and after treatment to assess effects on community composition post willow control treatment, using ground control method of drill and inject with a herbicide mix of metsulfuron. No significant differences in environmental variables were observed post treatment, with the exception of canopy density cover. Treated S. cinerea trees died and lost their leaves after ground application of metsulfuron. Microfaunal abundance and diversity were low before and treatment, suggesting that the application of metsulfuron made little difference to microfaunal assemblages.

Overall, the findings of this study indicate that the presence of S. cinerea seemed to make no significant difference to microfaunal abundance and diversity, possibly due to stand alone individuals rather than the formation of a dense canopy. Furthermore, ground control treatment of S. cinerea using metsulfuron had no direct or indirect impacts to microfaunal abundance and diversity. However, had the study been undertaken under a dense canopy of S. cinerea it is likely that the results may potentially be different.

text: The effects of willow and willow control on wetland microfaunal assemblages in South Taupo Wetland Few studies have examined microfaunal assemblages living among Salix cinerea infestations in freshwater wetlands, or their responses to willow control treatment. The aim of this research was to quantitatively examine microfaunal assemblage abundance, richness and community composition among S. cinerea stands within the South Taupo Wetland, and determine whether these microfaunal assemblages are affected by willow growth and willow control treatment. 

Long-term effects of microfaunal community composition between native vegetation versus live and dead S. cinerea were examined in two blocks of the Waiotaka Scenic Reserve. Microfauna and physicochemical sampling were performed on three occasions to assess any seasonal effects on community composition. Results indicated there were no significant differences of physicochemical variables amongst natives, live and dead S. cinerea, with the exception of dissolved oxygen in late summer and canopy density in all seasons. This could be due to the S. cinerea trees representing stand-alone individuals, with a continuous canopy not yet formed. Overall, apart from shading and dissolved oxygen levels, environmental conditions of S. cinerea stands in this study seemingly made no significant difference to environmental variables. 

The abundant taxa found in the study were copepods, cladocerans and ostracods along with diverse species of rotifers, including the first record for New Zealand of the rotifer species Tetrasiphon hydracora. ANOVA indicated that there were no significant differences in microfaunal species richness between native, live and dead S. cinerea in any season. However, MDS ordination and ANOSIM results of species composition indicated that microfaunal assemblages were clustered in groups either side of the sand bar, suggesting that Blocks 1 and 2 functioned independently. This may be influenced by hydrological differences between Block 1 and 2 of the wetland reserve, with differing responses to fluctuating lake levels and seasonal rainfall, suggesting that microfaunal communities are regulated by hydrology rather than by the presence of willows or willow control.

 
Short-term effects of microfaunal community composition post willow control treatment were examined in Block 2 of the Waiotaka Scenice Reserve. Microfauna and physicochemical sampling were performed before and after treatment to assess effects on community composition post willow control treatment, using ground control method of drill and inject with a herbicide mix of metsulfuron. No significant differences in environmental variables were observed post treatment, with the exception of canopy density cover. Treated S. cinerea trees died and lost their leaves after ground application of metsulfuron. Microfaunal abundance and diversity were low before and treatment, suggesting that the application of metsulfuron made little difference to microfaunal assemblages.

Overall, the findings of this study indicate that the presence of S. cinerea seemed to make no significant difference to microfaunal abundance and diversity, possibly due to stand alone individuals rather than the formation of a dense canopy. Furthermore, ground control treatment of S. cinerea using metsulfuron had no direct or indirect impacts to microfaunal abundance and diversity. However, had the study been undertaken under a dense canopy of S. cinerea it is likely that the results may potentially be different.

year: 2012

title: Oli Aenaguri’ai: An ethnography of socio-ecological relations and contemporary change in Baelelea, Solomon Islands.

authors: Faiau, James Kwaimani

abstract: This thesis presents a story circumnavigating the social and ecological relations and
contemporary changes in Baelelea inland villages on Malaita in the Solomon Islands. The
undertaken anthropological and ethnographic study draws on both traditional and
contemporary lifeworld of the Baelelea people living in Alafana. The thesis delves explicitly
into the human lived experiences, subsistence ways, traditional knowledge, and beliefs that
underscore their Indigenous ways of being and knowing. I positioned the research to investigate
the socio-ecological dynamics and to gain grounded understanding of Baelelea cultural
frameworks, including environmental epistemology, livelihood practices, religious orientation
to the environment, oral traditions and spiritual beliefs, and conceptualisation of livelihood
sustainability and natural resource management in the face of encroaching externalities of
christianity, colonialism and capitalism or globalisation.
The studied community of Alafana is small with disbursed population constituting of distinct
clan and family groups, all are Baelelea speakers (but with historical and cultural link to other
language groups in North Malaita). My ethnographic fieldwork and informants, by
disaggregation included few of the remaining elders who converted from the traditional
Baelelea religion of akalo (ancestors) to Christianity. Many others constituted first and secondgeneration
born Christians. In Alafana and West Baelelea villages generally apart from
conversion from traditional religion to Christianity, the biggest culture change is that people’s
lifeworld and livelihood have shifted from subsistence systems of reliance on land and the
forest to a mixed economy of increasing dependence on cash. A cultural rupture many
described as moving from the cultural notion of ‘to make a living’ to that of ‘to make money’.
In response and to counter the impending globalised system and social-culture, and ecological
changes, informants conceptualised about returning to the basic life of sustainable social living
and ecological productivity expressed in the metaphor oli aenaguri’ai –translated ‘return to the
tree root’. The metaphor as used in the thesis depicts Baelelea's conception of connectedness
and offers an anthropological perspective and deep conversations on the revitalisation of
traditional knowledge and interconnectedness with the environment as represented in myths
and oral traditions. A metaphorical tree root from Baelelea perspective represents the local
ontological perspective, which I propose can contribute to better understanding the cultural
landscape and multidisciplinary research approaches in interweaving indigenous knowledge
with science in sustainable agriculture systems and natural resources management.

text: Oli Aenaguri’ai: An ethnography of socio-ecological relations and contemporary change in Baelelea, Solomon Islands. This thesis presents a story circumnavigating the social and ecological relations and
contemporary changes in Baelelea inland villages on Malaita in the Solomon Islands. The
undertaken anthropological and ethnographic study draws on both traditional and
contemporary lifeworld of the Baelelea people living in Alafana. The thesis delves explicitly
into the human lived experiences, subsistence ways, traditional knowledge, and beliefs that
underscore their Indigenous ways of being and knowing. I positioned the research to investigate
the socio-ecological dynamics and to gain grounded understanding of Baelelea cultural
frameworks, including environmental epistemology, livelihood practices, religious orientation
to the environment, oral traditions and spiritual beliefs, and conceptualisation of livelihood
sustainability and natural resource management in the face of encroaching externalities of
christianity, colonialism and capitalism or globalisation.
The studied community of Alafana is small with disbursed population constituting of distinct
clan and family groups, all are Baelelea speakers (but with historical and cultural link to other
language groups in North Malaita). My ethnographic fieldwork and informants, by
disaggregation included few of the remaining elders who converted from the traditional
Baelelea religion of akalo (ancestors) to Christianity. Many others constituted first and secondgeneration
born Christians. In Alafana and West Baelelea villages generally apart from
conversion from traditional religion to Christianity, the biggest culture change is that people’s
lifeworld and livelihood have shifted from subsistence systems of reliance on land and the
forest to a mixed economy of increasing dependence on cash. A cultural rupture many
described as moving from the cultural notion of ‘to make a living’ to that of ‘to make money’.
In response and to counter the impending globalised system and social-culture, and ecological
changes, informants conceptualised about returning to the basic life of sustainable social living
and ecological productivity expressed in the metaphor oli aenaguri’ai –translated ‘return to the
tree root’. The metaphor as used in the thesis depicts Baelelea's conception of connectedness
and offers an anthropological perspective and deep conversations on the revitalisation of
traditional knowledge and interconnectedness with the environment as represented in myths
and oral traditions. A metaphorical tree root from Baelelea perspective represents the local
ontological perspective, which I propose can contribute to better understanding the cultural
landscape and multidisciplinary research approaches in interweaving indigenous knowledge
with science in sustainable agriculture systems and natural resources management.

year: 2024

title: Huikau

authors: Maxwell, Te Kahautu

abstract: Huikau is dedicated to my life long mentor and educator Mrs Ema Rogers who imparted her knowledge of Te Haahi Ringatū and things Māori to me. She housed me for months while I reseearched my MA Thesis Te Kōpura. Mrs Rogers passed away in December 2012. This new composition was performed by Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti Kapa Haka at the Mātaatua Regional Kapa Haka Competition. This composition placed first in the Waiata Tira category.

text: Huikau Huikau is dedicated to my life long mentor and educator Mrs Ema Rogers who imparted her knowledge of Te Haahi Ringatū and things Māori to me. She housed me for months while I reseearched my MA Thesis Te Kōpura. Mrs Rogers passed away in December 2012. This new composition was performed by Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti Kapa Haka at the Mātaatua Regional Kapa Haka Competition. This composition placed first in the Waiata Tira category.

year: 2012