title: Dwelling in the city: A qualitative exploration of the human-nature relationship in three types of urban greenspace

authors: Elliot Noe, Elizabeth Emma

subjects: Connection to nature

abstract: The combination of increasing numbers of people in cities, coupled with decreasing levels of biodiversity, is hypothesised to result in the extinction of experience, or the continued disintegration of the human relationship with the natural world. We use the concepts of sense of place and dwelling to investigate the human relationship with nature in cities by considering the emotional connections between people and places. We conducted ‘go-along’ interviews with 21 residents of Hamilton, New Zealand, to explore the significance of neighbourhood parks and home gardens in the lives of urban residents. Our study highlights the importance of greenspaces in cities to the physical, mental and social health of local residents. Bush parks provided the best opportunities for respondents to observe nature and thereby escape the stress of city life. Participants wanted a variety of parks which would meet the range of their community’s needs and provide habitat for wildlife. Proximity and frequent use of parks resulted in a sense of ownership and responsibility which led to concrete action, such as participation in ecological restoration of valued greenspaces. Providing high quality natural greenspaces within walking distance of residents’ homes disrupts the extinction of experience by fostering positive personal experiences of nature, crucial for the health and wellbeing of people and for native biodiversity.

text: Dwelling in the city: A qualitative exploration of the human-nature relationship in three types of urban greenspace The combination of increasing numbers of people in cities, coupled with decreasing levels of biodiversity, is hypothesised to result in the extinction of experience, or the continued disintegration of the human relationship with the natural world. We use the concepts of sense of place and dwelling to investigate the human relationship with nature in cities by considering the emotional connections between people and places. We conducted ‘go-along’ interviews with 21 residents of Hamilton, New Zealand, to explore the significance of neighbourhood parks and home gardens in the lives of urban residents. Our study highlights the importance of greenspaces in cities to the physical, mental and social health of local residents. Bush parks provided the best opportunities for respondents to observe nature and thereby escape the stress of city life. Participants wanted a variety of parks which would meet the range of their community’s needs and provide habitat for wildlife. Proximity and frequent use of parks resulted in a sense of ownership and responsibility which led to concrete action, such as participation in ecological restoration of valued greenspaces. Providing high quality natural greenspaces within walking distance of residents’ homes disrupts the extinction of experience by fostering positive personal experiences of nature, crucial for the health and wellbeing of people and for native biodiversity.

year: 2023-02-01

title: An evaluation of behavioural evolution and environmental DNA to inform the management and monitoring of biological invasions

authors: Pyper, Nicola

subjects: adaptation

abstract: Invasive species are a global phenomenon and the rate of biological invasion is only increasing as human trade and transport, together with climate change, cause the rapid reorganisation of species distributions. The impacts of invasive species can be both severe and wide ranging, adversely affecting native ecosystems, human health, agriculture, and economies. Therefore, understanding how species become invasive and subsequently inflict damage on host environments is imperative. Additionally, once an incursion has occurred, its rapid detection and ongoing monitoring are essential for management measures to be effective. My thesis aimed to further a greater understanding of behavioural evolution in invasive species and advance the application of genetic tools to inform and enhance the prediction, monitoring, and management of invasion events. 

In the first analysis (Chapter 2), I reviewed the scientific literature reporting behavioural changes in the traits of invasive species when compared to the mean traits of conspecifics in the native range. In this research, I demonstrated that, while behavioural changes are widely reported across invasive taxa, our understanding of the possible mechanisms enabling these changes – plasticity and adaptive evolution – are poorly understood. In addition, research on the fundamental molecular and genetic processes that underlie measured phenotypic changes is in its infancy. Moving forward, I recommend that opportunities to study new or recent biological invasions should be rapidly exploited such that temporal studies can be used to identify patterns of change that occur during invasion. 

In Chapter 3, I investigated the application of environmental DNA (eDNA: genetic material released by organisms into the environment) – an increasingly popular biomonitoring method that has yet to be optimised for lacustrine environments – to the detection and monitoring of the invasive brown bullhead catfish (Ameiurus nebulosus). I sampled lakes across two regions of the North Island of New Zealand and compared the results from different field (filter pore sizes, fyke nets) and laboratory (eDNA assays) protocols. I found that species-specific assays (quantitative PCR and catfish-specific metabarcoding) had the highest rates of catfish detection and further showed that multi-species metabarcoding assays were correlated with catfish capture from fyke nets. This indicates that species-specific assays may be the most effective where detection is the primary goal, while multi-species assays hold some promise for producing semi-quantitative results. Therefore, I recommend the development of standardised, flexible, eDNA protocols that will ensure their sound application and interpretation. 

As species continue to move beyond their natural ranges, the need for a better mechanistic understanding of invasion, and for more effective detection and monitoring methods, is increasing. With technological advances and increasing availability of genomic data, more rapidly identifying new incursions and studying invasions in real time will lead to better understanding, monitoring, and management of invasive species.

text: An evaluation of behavioural evolution and environmental DNA to inform the management and monitoring of biological invasions Invasive species are a global phenomenon and the rate of biological invasion is only increasing as human trade and transport, together with climate change, cause the rapid reorganisation of species distributions. The impacts of invasive species can be both severe and wide ranging, adversely affecting native ecosystems, human health, agriculture, and economies. Therefore, understanding how species become invasive and subsequently inflict damage on host environments is imperative. Additionally, once an incursion has occurred, its rapid detection and ongoing monitoring are essential for management measures to be effective. My thesis aimed to further a greater understanding of behavioural evolution in invasive species and advance the application of genetic tools to inform and enhance the prediction, monitoring, and management of invasion events. 

In the first analysis (Chapter 2), I reviewed the scientific literature reporting behavioural changes in the traits of invasive species when compared to the mean traits of conspecifics in the native range. In this research, I demonstrated that, while behavioural changes are widely reported across invasive taxa, our understanding of the possible mechanisms enabling these changes – plasticity and adaptive evolution – are poorly understood. In addition, research on the fundamental molecular and genetic processes that underlie measured phenotypic changes is in its infancy. Moving forward, I recommend that opportunities to study new or recent biological invasions should be rapidly exploited such that temporal studies can be used to identify patterns of change that occur during invasion. 

In Chapter 3, I investigated the application of environmental DNA (eDNA: genetic material released by organisms into the environment) – an increasingly popular biomonitoring method that has yet to be optimised for lacustrine environments – to the detection and monitoring of the invasive brown bullhead catfish (Ameiurus nebulosus). I sampled lakes across two regions of the North Island of New Zealand and compared the results from different field (filter pore sizes, fyke nets) and laboratory (eDNA assays) protocols. I found that species-specific assays (quantitative PCR and catfish-specific metabarcoding) had the highest rates of catfish detection and further showed that multi-species metabarcoding assays were correlated with catfish capture from fyke nets. This indicates that species-specific assays may be the most effective where detection is the primary goal, while multi-species assays hold some promise for producing semi-quantitative results. Therefore, I recommend the development of standardised, flexible, eDNA protocols that will ensure their sound application and interpretation. 

As species continue to move beyond their natural ranges, the need for a better mechanistic understanding of invasion, and for more effective detection and monitoring methods, is increasing. With technological advances and increasing availability of genomic data, more rapidly identifying new incursions and studying invasions in real time will lead to better understanding, monitoring, and management of invasive species.

year: 2024

title: Tino rangatiratanga in health policies and practises

authors: Wihongi, Helen Annette

subjects: tino rangatiratanga

abstract: The purpose of my doctoral research was to investigate tino rangatiratanga in health policies and practises in Aotearoa. My research involved defining tino rangatiratanga and exploring the expression of tino rangatiratanga in health policy and practises. A kaupapa Māori analysis of the 1996 National Cervical Screening Programme’s Policy document was at the core of the policy investigation. The analysis involved developing a kaupapa Māori analysing framework and then analysing the 1996 National Cervical Screening Policy document for empirical and normative judgements at four discursive levels, health gains, health objectives, health goals and fundamental underlying values. A Kaupapa Māori research design drew on interdisciplinary scholarship on colonisation, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, community psychology, public policy, disability theory, feminist theory and discourse theory.

I argue that the dominance of Western cultural norms and state-directed policies were made possible by the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The signing of Te Tiriti saw Crown sovereignty being implemented and tino rangatiratanga ignored. The consequences for Māori have been disastrous with loss of land and economic base which has resulted in poor health status. I also argue that tino rangatiratanga has the potential to transform the social and political context that frame Aotearoa society. Such an approach raises a critical dilemma for the state as meaningful recognition of tino rangatiratanga requires waiving full and absolute sovereignty which currently resides in the state. Hence some scholars argue that tino rangatiratanga is a site for constructive engagement where state and Māori relationships can be renegotiated. The extent to which this potential for constructive engagement is being realised in however is inadequately explored in the scholarly literature. Exploring the relationships between tino rangatiratanga and health policies and practises as undertaken in my thesis will therefore contribute to scholarly knowledge on the subject.

The findings from the research show that tino rangatiratanga is indeed a complex, fluid, multi-faceted and context related concept. Within the context of my research, tino rangatiratanga is defined as Māori sovereignty, self determination, and positive Māori development. As a Māori value it is about mana and tapu of rangatira or leadership personified. Within policies, tino rangatiratanga has emerged through resistance and demonstration and is actualised through Tiriti legislation and policies.

The legitimation of tino rangatiratanga in cervical screening services sees Māori leadership at national, regional and local levels and Māori involvement through wide ranging consultation but the Crown still controls the policy process and therefore the outcomes. Most cervical screening services are still owned and operated by the Crown or Crown agencies.

One of the consequences of Crown control is that Māori women are still twice as likely to get cervical cancer and four times more likely to die from it. To some degree this may be the result of resource allocation and the result of discriminatory service practices but also the result of resistance to the procedure itself.

Tino rangatiratanga within cervical screening services could be strengthened through iwi ownership of some cervical screening register sites. At the time of my field work (2000) there were 14 sites, all owned and operated by Crown agents. Tino rangatiratanga could also be strengthened through funding criteria that ensure practitioners are safe to practise, through the adoption of less invasive procedures and through the legitimation of Māori healing practises such as rongoā and karakia.

Overall if tino rangatiratanga is to be given full effect within the policy domain Māori must have a well established asset base, they must be in control of the decision making making process including resource allocation, service delivery must address the diversities of Māori realities and Māori must be the recipients of policy decisions made.

text: Tino rangatiratanga in health policies and practises The purpose of my doctoral research was to investigate tino rangatiratanga in health policies and practises in Aotearoa. My research involved defining tino rangatiratanga and exploring the expression of tino rangatiratanga in health policy and practises. A kaupapa Māori analysis of the 1996 National Cervical Screening Programme’s Policy document was at the core of the policy investigation. The analysis involved developing a kaupapa Māori analysing framework and then analysing the 1996 National Cervical Screening Policy document for empirical and normative judgements at four discursive levels, health gains, health objectives, health goals and fundamental underlying values. A Kaupapa Māori research design drew on interdisciplinary scholarship on colonisation, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, community psychology, public policy, disability theory, feminist theory and discourse theory.

I argue that the dominance of Western cultural norms and state-directed policies were made possible by the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The signing of Te Tiriti saw Crown sovereignty being implemented and tino rangatiratanga ignored. The consequences for Māori have been disastrous with loss of land and economic base which has resulted in poor health status. I also argue that tino rangatiratanga has the potential to transform the social and political context that frame Aotearoa society. Such an approach raises a critical dilemma for the state as meaningful recognition of tino rangatiratanga requires waiving full and absolute sovereignty which currently resides in the state. Hence some scholars argue that tino rangatiratanga is a site for constructive engagement where state and Māori relationships can be renegotiated. The extent to which this potential for constructive engagement is being realised in however is inadequately explored in the scholarly literature. Exploring the relationships between tino rangatiratanga and health policies and practises as undertaken in my thesis will therefore contribute to scholarly knowledge on the subject.

The findings from the research show that tino rangatiratanga is indeed a complex, fluid, multi-faceted and context related concept. Within the context of my research, tino rangatiratanga is defined as Māori sovereignty, self determination, and positive Māori development. As a Māori value it is about mana and tapu of rangatira or leadership personified. Within policies, tino rangatiratanga has emerged through resistance and demonstration and is actualised through Tiriti legislation and policies.

The legitimation of tino rangatiratanga in cervical screening services sees Māori leadership at national, regional and local levels and Māori involvement through wide ranging consultation but the Crown still controls the policy process and therefore the outcomes. Most cervical screening services are still owned and operated by the Crown or Crown agencies.

One of the consequences of Crown control is that Māori women are still twice as likely to get cervical cancer and four times more likely to die from it. To some degree this may be the result of resource allocation and the result of discriminatory service practices but also the result of resistance to the procedure itself.

Tino rangatiratanga within cervical screening services could be strengthened through iwi ownership of some cervical screening register sites. At the time of my field work (2000) there were 14 sites, all owned and operated by Crown agents. Tino rangatiratanga could also be strengthened through funding criteria that ensure practitioners are safe to practise, through the adoption of less invasive procedures and through the legitimation of Māori healing practises such as rongoā and karakia.

Overall if tino rangatiratanga is to be given full effect within the policy domain Māori must have a well established asset base, they must be in control of the decision making making process including resource allocation, service delivery must address the diversities of Māori realities and Māori must be the recipients of policy decisions made.

year: 2010