title: Contribution of soil bacteria to the atmosphere across biomes

authors: Archer, Stephen D.J.

subjects: Atmospheric microbiology

abstract: The dispersion of microorganisms through the atmosphere is a continual and essential process that underpins biogeography and ecosystem development and function. Despite the ubiquity of atmospheric microorganisms globally, specific knowledge of the determinants of atmospheric microbial diversity at any given location remains unresolved. Here we describe bacterial diversity in the atmospheric boundary layer and underlying soil at twelve globally distributed locations encompassing all major biomes, and characterise the contribution of local and distant soils to the observed atmospheric community. Across biomes the diversity of bacteria in the atmosphere was negatively correlated with mean annual precipitation but positively correlated to mean annual temperature. We identified distinct non-randomly assembled atmosphere and soil communities from each location, and some broad trends persisted across biomes including the enrichment of desiccation and UV tolerant taxa in the atmospheric community. Source tracking revealed that local soils were more influential than distant soil sources in determining observed diversity in the atmosphere, with more emissive semi-arid and arid biomes contributing most to signatures from distant soil. Our findings highlight complexities in the atmospheric microbiota that are relevant to understanding regional and global ecosystem connectivity.

text: Contribution of soil bacteria to the atmosphere across biomes The dispersion of microorganisms through the atmosphere is a continual and essential process that underpins biogeography and ecosystem development and function. Despite the ubiquity of atmospheric microorganisms globally, specific knowledge of the determinants of atmospheric microbial diversity at any given location remains unresolved. Here we describe bacterial diversity in the atmospheric boundary layer and underlying soil at twelve globally distributed locations encompassing all major biomes, and characterise the contribution of local and distant soils to the observed atmospheric community. Across biomes the diversity of bacteria in the atmosphere was negatively correlated with mean annual precipitation but positively correlated to mean annual temperature. We identified distinct non-randomly assembled atmosphere and soil communities from each location, and some broad trends persisted across biomes including the enrichment of desiccation and UV tolerant taxa in the atmospheric community. Source tracking revealed that local soils were more influential than distant soil sources in determining observed diversity in the atmosphere, with more emissive semi-arid and arid biomes contributing most to signatures from distant soil. Our findings highlight complexities in the atmospheric microbiota that are relevant to understanding regional and global ecosystem connectivity.

year: 2023-02-10

title: Indigenising the national census? A Global Study of the Enumeration of Indigenous Peoples, 1985-2014

authors: Mullane-Ronaki, Maraea-Tracy Te Kokiri Kihirini

subjects: demography

abstract: While the last decade has seen a growing academic interest in how states count and classify Indigenous peoples in the national census, most research has been limited to small case studies. In contrast, this study examines key patterns of Indigenous enumeration worldwide spanning the period 1985 to 2014. This comparative perspective is valuable because it theorises practices of ethnic counting and classification as a phenomenon positioned with a broader social context rather than a parochial practice that can only be explained by unique historical or political factors within states. Two key questions illuminate this study: how widespread is Indigenous enumeration in national censuses globally over the focal period (1985 to 2014); and, how have forms of classification of Indigenous peoples in the census changed. To explore these questions I utilise data from a unique time-series database from the Ethnicity Counts? Project which combines information about civic and ethnic questions asked in national censuses, with data on countries’ social, economic and political characteristics. The research findings show the number of states employing some form of Indigenous enumeration in censuses has increased over the focal period. Furthermore strategies of enumeration have shifted, with ethnicity type questions becoming more prevalent over time. Despite the observed increase in Indigenous enumeration over the focal period, the majority of Indigenous peoples are not counted in their national census. Ultimately this study provides new empirical findings regarding patterns of state enumeration of Indigenous populations which highlight the need for improved coverage and quality of data on Indigenous peoples.

text: Indigenising the national census? A Global Study of the Enumeration of Indigenous Peoples, 1985-2014 While the last decade has seen a growing academic interest in how states count and classify Indigenous peoples in the national census, most research has been limited to small case studies. In contrast, this study examines key patterns of Indigenous enumeration worldwide spanning the period 1985 to 2014. This comparative perspective is valuable because it theorises practices of ethnic counting and classification as a phenomenon positioned with a broader social context rather than a parochial practice that can only be explained by unique historical or political factors within states. Two key questions illuminate this study: how widespread is Indigenous enumeration in national censuses globally over the focal period (1985 to 2014); and, how have forms of classification of Indigenous peoples in the census changed. To explore these questions I utilise data from a unique time-series database from the Ethnicity Counts? Project which combines information about civic and ethnic questions asked in national censuses, with data on countries’ social, economic and political characteristics. The research findings show the number of states employing some form of Indigenous enumeration in censuses has increased over the focal period. Furthermore strategies of enumeration have shifted, with ethnicity type questions becoming more prevalent over time. Despite the observed increase in Indigenous enumeration over the focal period, the majority of Indigenous peoples are not counted in their national census. Ultimately this study provides new empirical findings regarding patterns of state enumeration of Indigenous populations which highlight the need for improved coverage and quality of data on Indigenous peoples.

year: 2017

title: Re-creating legal space for the first law of Aotearoa-New Zealand

authors: Joseph, Robert

subjects: law

abstract: Some of the historic and contemporary statutory and case law examples of a hybrid Maori-British common law legal system in Aotearoa-New Zealand are discussed. The importance and role performed by the First Law, the tikanga Maori customary law is highlighted.

text: Re-creating legal space for the first law of Aotearoa-New Zealand Some of the historic and contemporary statutory and case law examples of a hybrid Maori-British common law legal system in Aotearoa-New Zealand are discussed. The importance and role performed by the First Law, the tikanga Maori customary law is highlighted.

year: 2009