title: Influences of soil properties on archaeal diversity and distribution in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

authors: Richter, Ingrid

abstract: The Antarctic Dry Valleys are characterized by extremely low temperatures, arid conditions, high salinity and virtual absence of plants. Therefore, food webs of these microbially dominated soils are among the simplest on earth making these mineral soils a perfect model to study microbial biogeography. This study aims to characterize the distribution and diversity of Archaea within the Dry Valleys as part of the New Zealand Terrestrial Antarctic Biocomplexity Survey (NZTABS). An international multidisciplinary organization focusing on biotic organisms, community structure and their functional linkage to determine what environmental factors drive biocomplexity. Archaea are so far the least known members of the microbial community with only a few successful attempts at detection indicating a patchy distribution and low diversity. A wide range of soil samples, collected from various sites within the Dry Valleys were analyzed using a suite of genetic approaches. DNA fingerprinting techniques (RFLP, T- RFLP) were applied to examine distribution and diversity of archaeal species living in soils of Miers Valley, Marshall Valley, Garwood Valley and Shangri- La. Detailed analysis of physicochemical differences between mineral soils was undertaken in hope to unveil environmental factors driving distribution and biodiversity of archaeal communities present in these soils. Multivariate statistical analysis and ordination of T- RFLP results and physicochemical data revealed a widespread distribution of Archaea across all three valleys, including Shangri- La. Overall, archaeal diversity was relatively low and most of the archaeal communities were composed in majority of one species affiliated with Crenarchaeota Marine Group 1.1b. Archaeal communities that sustain a relatively high diversity appear to be restricted to high elevation ridge areas and coastal moraines. This variation in diversity may be best explained by differences in moisture availability and availability of carbon and nitrogen in mineral soils that harbour these communities. Conversely, soils that harbour high bacterial diversity and primary producers revealed extremely low abundance of Archaea, possibly even total absence of Archaea in these organic rich soils.

text: Influences of soil properties on archaeal diversity and distribution in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica The Antarctic Dry Valleys are characterized by extremely low temperatures, arid conditions, high salinity and virtual absence of plants. Therefore, food webs of these microbially dominated soils are among the simplest on earth making these mineral soils a perfect model to study microbial biogeography. This study aims to characterize the distribution and diversity of Archaea within the Dry Valleys as part of the New Zealand Terrestrial Antarctic Biocomplexity Survey (NZTABS). An international multidisciplinary organization focusing on biotic organisms, community structure and their functional linkage to determine what environmental factors drive biocomplexity. Archaea are so far the least known members of the microbial community with only a few successful attempts at detection indicating a patchy distribution and low diversity. A wide range of soil samples, collected from various sites within the Dry Valleys were analyzed using a suite of genetic approaches. DNA fingerprinting techniques (RFLP, T- RFLP) were applied to examine distribution and diversity of archaeal species living in soils of Miers Valley, Marshall Valley, Garwood Valley and Shangri- La. Detailed analysis of physicochemical differences between mineral soils was undertaken in hope to unveil environmental factors driving distribution and biodiversity of archaeal communities present in these soils. Multivariate statistical analysis and ordination of T- RFLP results and physicochemical data revealed a widespread distribution of Archaea across all three valleys, including Shangri- La. Overall, archaeal diversity was relatively low and most of the archaeal communities were composed in majority of one species affiliated with Crenarchaeota Marine Group 1.1b. Archaeal communities that sustain a relatively high diversity appear to be restricted to high elevation ridge areas and coastal moraines. This variation in diversity may be best explained by differences in moisture availability and availability of carbon and nitrogen in mineral soils that harbour these communities. Conversely, soils that harbour high bacterial diversity and primary producers revealed extremely low abundance of Archaea, possibly even total absence of Archaea in these organic rich soils.

year: 2011

title: Imperializing spin cycles: A postcolonial look at public relations, greenwashing, and the separation of publics

authors: Munshi, Debashish

subjects: CSR

abstract: This article draws on postcolonial theory to critique ongoing neocolonial aspects of public relations theory and practice and especially the field's recent appropriation of terms such as “corporate social responsibility” and “sustainable development.” It positions such appropriation as a continuation of the old colonial strategy of reputation management among elite publics at the expense of marginalized publics. The article makes the case that public relations can only begin to be ethical and socially responsible if it acknowledges the diversity of publics, breaks down the hierarchy of publics, and takes into account the resistance of peripheral publics.

text: Imperializing spin cycles: A postcolonial look at public relations, greenwashing, and the separation of publics This article draws on postcolonial theory to critique ongoing neocolonial aspects of public relations theory and practice and especially the field's recent appropriation of terms such as “corporate social responsibility” and “sustainable development.” It positions such appropriation as a continuation of the old colonial strategy of reputation management among elite publics at the expense of marginalized publics. The article makes the case that public relations can only begin to be ethical and socially responsible if it acknowledges the diversity of publics, breaks down the hierarchy of publics, and takes into account the resistance of peripheral publics.

year: 2005

title: My tūpuna were houseless once too: Aspirations of ‘home’ for rangatahi Māori in transitional housing

authors: Manuirirangi, Kayla

abstract: This research explores the concept of ‘home' for rangatahi Māori experiencing housing insecurity and residing within a transitional housing service in Kirikiriroa, Hamilton. Conducted in partnership with Kirikiriroa Family Services Trust (KFST), a kaupapa Māori community housing provider, this study aimed to identify rangatahi perceptions of ‘home’ and aspirations of 'home’ to contribute towards strategies for better housing supports and brighter rangatahi futures. A cohort of seven rangatahi Māori participants were involved in this study (all who identified as female; aged 15-19 years old). At the time of this study, rangatahi participants were residing in Kirikiriroa, experiencing housing insecurity and were living within a transitional house provided by KFST, either with whānau or independently. Guided by Kaupapa Māori methodology, there were a mixture of qualitative methods used to capture rangatahi voices, including Whakawhanaungatanga, Sticky Notes Brainstorms, Rangatahi Wānanga and Thematic Analysis. Through this data analysis process, a visual mind map was generated to draw out the key findings from the three main research areas: rangatahi aspirations for home; the current realities of home; and how to build a bridge to a better future. Key findings from this research conclude that: (1) Rangatahi need strength-based support; (2) Rangatahi need a permanent and stable place to call ‘home’; (3) Rangatahi need supportive adults in their life who they can trust; (4) Rangatahi need encouragement to realise their aspirations; (5) Rangatahi opinions matter; (6) Rangatahi experience contradictions; and, the need to (7) Prioritise intervention over punishment. For policy and decision-makers, these findings suggest that rangatahi Māori voices should be included in urban design process and that more Māori solutions should be utilised within this urban context. For researchers, the study highlights the importance of advancing Māori housing aspirations and deepening understandings of ‘home’ for rangatahi Māori living independent of their whānau.

text: My tūpuna were houseless once too: Aspirations of ‘home’ for rangatahi Māori in transitional housing This research explores the concept of ‘home' for rangatahi Māori experiencing housing insecurity and residing within a transitional housing service in Kirikiriroa, Hamilton. Conducted in partnership with Kirikiriroa Family Services Trust (KFST), a kaupapa Māori community housing provider, this study aimed to identify rangatahi perceptions of ‘home’ and aspirations of 'home’ to contribute towards strategies for better housing supports and brighter rangatahi futures. A cohort of seven rangatahi Māori participants were involved in this study (all who identified as female; aged 15-19 years old). At the time of this study, rangatahi participants were residing in Kirikiriroa, experiencing housing insecurity and were living within a transitional house provided by KFST, either with whānau or independently. Guided by Kaupapa Māori methodology, there were a mixture of qualitative methods used to capture rangatahi voices, including Whakawhanaungatanga, Sticky Notes Brainstorms, Rangatahi Wānanga and Thematic Analysis. Through this data analysis process, a visual mind map was generated to draw out the key findings from the three main research areas: rangatahi aspirations for home; the current realities of home; and how to build a bridge to a better future. Key findings from this research conclude that: (1) Rangatahi need strength-based support; (2) Rangatahi need a permanent and stable place to call ‘home’; (3) Rangatahi need supportive adults in their life who they can trust; (4) Rangatahi need encouragement to realise their aspirations; (5) Rangatahi opinions matter; (6) Rangatahi experience contradictions; and, the need to (7) Prioritise intervention over punishment. For policy and decision-makers, these findings suggest that rangatahi Māori voices should be included in urban design process and that more Māori solutions should be utilised within this urban context. For researchers, the study highlights the importance of advancing Māori housing aspirations and deepening understandings of ‘home’ for rangatahi Māori living independent of their whānau.

year: 2025