title: Microbial biogeography of 925 geothermal springs in New Zealand

authors: Power, Jean Florence

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Geothermal springs are model ecosystems to investigate microbial biogeography as they represent discrete, relatively homogenous habitats, are distributed across multiple geographical scales, span broad geochemical gradients, and have reduced metazoan interactions. Here, we report the largest known consolidated study of geothermal ecosystems to determine factors that influence biogeographical patterns. We measured bacterial and archaeal community composition, 46 physicochemical parameters, and metadata from 925 geothermal springs across New Zealand (13.9–100.6 °C and pH < 1–9.7). We determined that diversity is primarily influenced by pH at temperatures <70 °C; with temperature only having a significant effect for values >70 °C. Further, community dissimilarity increases with geographic distance, with niche selection driving assembly at a localised scale. Surprisingly, two genera (Venenivibrio and Acidithiobacillus) dominated in both average relative abundance (11.2% and 11.1%, respectively) and prevalence (74.2% and 62.9%, respectively). These findings provide an unprecedented insight into ecological behaviour in geothermal springs, and a foundation to improve the characterisation of microbial biogeographical processes.

text: Microbial biogeography of 925 geothermal springs in New Zealand Geothermal springs are model ecosystems to investigate microbial biogeography as they represent discrete, relatively homogenous habitats, are distributed across multiple geographical scales, span broad geochemical gradients, and have reduced metazoan interactions. Here, we report the largest known consolidated study of geothermal ecosystems to determine factors that influence biogeographical patterns. We measured bacterial and archaeal community composition, 46 physicochemical parameters, and metadata from 925 geothermal springs across New Zealand (13.9–100.6 °C and pH < 1–9.7). We determined that diversity is primarily influenced by pH at temperatures <70 °C; with temperature only having a significant effect for values >70 °C. Further, community dissimilarity increases with geographic distance, with niche selection driving assembly at a localised scale. Surprisingly, two genera (Venenivibrio and Acidithiobacillus) dominated in both average relative abundance (11.2% and 11.1%, respectively) and prevalence (74.2% and 62.9%, respectively). These findings provide an unprecedented insight into ecological behaviour in geothermal springs, and a foundation to improve the characterisation of microbial biogeographical processes.

year: 2018

title: Beyond ‘the Beamer, the boat and the bach’? A content analysis-based case study of New Zealand innovative firms

authors: Oxley, Les

subjects: innovation

abstract: In this paper we will use case studies to seek to understand the dynamic innovation processes at the level of the firm and to explain the apparent 'enigma' between New Zealand's recent innovation performance and economic growth. A text-mining tool, Leximancer, (version 4) was used to analyse the case results, based on content analysis. The case studies reveal that innovation in New Zealand firms can be best described as 'internalised', and the four key factors that affect innovation in New Zealand firms are ‘Product’, ‘Market’, ‘People’ and ‘Money’. New Zealand may be an ideal place for promoting local entrepreneurship, however, many market/technology opportunities cannot be realized in such a small and isolated economy, hence the poor economic performance.

text: Beyond ‘the Beamer, the boat and the bach’? A content analysis-based case study of New Zealand innovative firms In this paper we will use case studies to seek to understand the dynamic innovation processes at the level of the firm and to explain the apparent 'enigma' between New Zealand's recent innovation performance and economic growth. A text-mining tool, Leximancer, (version 4) was used to analyse the case results, based on content analysis. The case studies reveal that innovation in New Zealand firms can be best described as 'internalised', and the four key factors that affect innovation in New Zealand firms are ‘Product’, ‘Market’, ‘People’ and ‘Money’. New Zealand may be an ideal place for promoting local entrepreneurship, however, many market/technology opportunities cannot be realized in such a small and isolated economy, hence the poor economic performance.

year: 2013-10

title: The day ahead

authors: Webber, Warren

abstract: With a professional background in agriculture and veterinary science, and a decade of participation in water quality issues for the Rotorua Lakes catchments, Warren brings an intense personal, but non-vested interest, to issues of nutrient management on the land and in our waterways. Conference management (international and domestic) helps to pay the bills, but voluntary community interests take up much of his time. As an appointee to the Stakeholder Advisory Group (StAG) which considers land management and land use change policy issues on behalf of the Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group, he is closely involved with the challenges of nutrient allocation and incentives for change.

text: The day ahead With a professional background in agriculture and veterinary science, and a decade of participation in water quality issues for the Rotorua Lakes catchments, Warren brings an intense personal, but non-vested interest, to issues of nutrient management on the land and in our waterways. Conference management (international and domestic) helps to pay the bills, but voluntary community interests take up much of his time. As an appointee to the Stakeholder Advisory Group (StAG) which considers land management and land use change policy issues on behalf of the Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group, he is closely involved with the challenges of nutrient allocation and incentives for change.

year: 2013