title: Comparison of kōura (Paranephrops planifrons) populations in Waikato hill-country streams with varying type and age of riparian planting and fencing

authors: Kelly, Johlene

subjects: koura

abstract: Riparian fencing and planting are commonly used in New Zealand as a tool to mitigate pastoral land-use impacts on streams.  Paranephrops planifrons (kōura) are an integral and important part of New Zealand stream ecosystems and have been referred to as a keystone species exerting strong influences on stream processes.  The overall aim of this research was to establish the influence of riparian planting age on kōura habitat and density, in the context of other environmental (e.g., upstream catchment) and biotic (e.g., eel predators) factors, in 26 small Waikato hill-country stream sites that had catchments in native forest, pasture or established riparian plantings spanning one to 23 years old.  Data were collected on site riparian, instream habitat and physicochemical parameters, and kōura and fish were sampled using adapted electric-fishing techniques designed to optimise kōura capture.  Geographic Information Systems and available databases were used to characterise upstream catchment characteristics.  

Upstream catchment variables were found to exert greater influence on reach-scale (50 m) instream habitat features rather than local riparian conditions or riparian planting age.  Important factors explaining variation between sites included upstream catchment size, geology and land-cover.  Instream shade followed the expected trajectory of increased canopy cover with riparian age, however, differences between other measures of potential kōura habitat were limited based on riparian planting age classes.

Instream habitat conditions exerted more influence on kōura densities than local riparian conditions, although upstream catchment variables such as catchment size, geology and vegetation featured as predictors for kōura density.  Both total and YOY kōura were captured in a range of habitats and were strongly associated with bank features such as root complexes.  YOY kōura were influenced by substrate size, hydraulic habitat, and other instream structural features.  Riparian planting age did not appear to influence total kōura or YOY density, however, older riparian plantings (>11 years) appeared to function similar to native forest sites, with similar kōura densities.

Fish density appeared to exert some influence on both total and YOY kōura densities, particularly eels ≤300 mm, however, diadromous fish communities in this study were structured primarily by distance downstream to the sea.  Eel density was minimally affected by riparian age class and densities were similar in native forest and older riparian sites

This study provided important insights into factors associated with kōura habitat and densities during summer in small, Waikato hill-country streams with different-aged riparian plantings.  The overall findings indicate that a wide range of factors at both catchment and reach-scales are influencing kōura densities and persistence in pastoral streams.  The lack of an effect of riparian planting age on kōura density partly reflects the wide variability in riparian management between sites (e.g., riparian width, planting density, length).  Integration of key catchment and site influences on kōura density established in this study, will help guide planning for future riparian management activities targeting kōura (and eel) population enhancement in pastoral hill-country streams.

text: Comparison of kōura (Paranephrops planifrons) populations in Waikato hill-country streams with varying type and age of riparian planting and fencing Riparian fencing and planting are commonly used in New Zealand as a tool to mitigate pastoral land-use impacts on streams.  Paranephrops planifrons (kōura) are an integral and important part of New Zealand stream ecosystems and have been referred to as a keystone species exerting strong influences on stream processes.  The overall aim of this research was to establish the influence of riparian planting age on kōura habitat and density, in the context of other environmental (e.g., upstream catchment) and biotic (e.g., eel predators) factors, in 26 small Waikato hill-country stream sites that had catchments in native forest, pasture or established riparian plantings spanning one to 23 years old.  Data were collected on site riparian, instream habitat and physicochemical parameters, and kōura and fish were sampled using adapted electric-fishing techniques designed to optimise kōura capture.  Geographic Information Systems and available databases were used to characterise upstream catchment characteristics.  

Upstream catchment variables were found to exert greater influence on reach-scale (50 m) instream habitat features rather than local riparian conditions or riparian planting age.  Important factors explaining variation between sites included upstream catchment size, geology and land-cover.  Instream shade followed the expected trajectory of increased canopy cover with riparian age, however, differences between other measures of potential kōura habitat were limited based on riparian planting age classes.

Instream habitat conditions exerted more influence on kōura densities than local riparian conditions, although upstream catchment variables such as catchment size, geology and vegetation featured as predictors for kōura density.  Both total and YOY kōura were captured in a range of habitats and were strongly associated with bank features such as root complexes.  YOY kōura were influenced by substrate size, hydraulic habitat, and other instream structural features.  Riparian planting age did not appear to influence total kōura or YOY density, however, older riparian plantings (>11 years) appeared to function similar to native forest sites, with similar kōura densities.

Fish density appeared to exert some influence on both total and YOY kōura densities, particularly eels ≤300 mm, however, diadromous fish communities in this study were structured primarily by distance downstream to the sea.  Eel density was minimally affected by riparian age class and densities were similar in native forest and older riparian sites

This study provided important insights into factors associated with kōura habitat and densities during summer in small, Waikato hill-country streams with different-aged riparian plantings.  The overall findings indicate that a wide range of factors at both catchment and reach-scales are influencing kōura densities and persistence in pastoral streams.  The lack of an effect of riparian planting age on kōura density partly reflects the wide variability in riparian management between sites (e.g., riparian width, planting density, length).  Integration of key catchment and site influences on kōura density established in this study, will help guide planning for future riparian management activities targeting kōura (and eel) population enhancement in pastoral hill-country streams.

year: 2019

title: Peptide synthesis with a proteinase from the extremely thermophilic organism Thermus Rt41A

authors: Wilson, Shelley-Ann

subjects: peptide synthesis

abstract: A proteinase isolated from Thermus RT41a was immobilized to controlled pore glass beads and was used in the free and immobilized forms for peptide synthesis. The observed maximum yield was the same in both cases. a number of dipeptides were produced from amino acid esters and amides. The best acyl components, from those tested, were found to be Ac-Phe-OEt and Bz-Ala-OMe. Tur-NH2, Trp-NH2, Leu-pNA, and Val-pNA were all reactive nucleophiles.The kinetically controlled synthesis of Bz-ala-Tyr-NH2 was optimized by studying the effect of pH, temperature, solvent concentration, ionic strength, and nucleophile and acyl donor concentration, ionic strength, and nucleophile and acyl donor concentration on the maximum yield. The initial conditions used were 25 mM Bz–ala-OMe, 25 mM Tyr-NH2, 70°C, pH 8.0, and 10% v/v dimethylformamide (DMF). The optimum conditions were 90% v/v DMF using 80 mM bz-Ala-OMe and 615 mM Tyr-NH2 at 40°C and pH 10. These conditions increased the maximum conversion from 0.75% to 26% (of the original ester concentration). In a number of other cosolvents, the best peptide yields were observed with acetonitrile and ethyl acetate. In 90% acetonitrile similar yields were observed to those in 90% DMF under optimized conditions except that the acyl donor and nucleophile concentrations could be reduced to 25 mM and 100mM, respectively. The effect of the blocking group on the nucleophile was also investigated; -βNA and -pNA as blocking groups improved the yields markedly. The blocking and leaving groups of the acyldonor had no effect on the dipeptide yield.

text: Peptide synthesis with a proteinase from the extremely thermophilic organism Thermus Rt41A A proteinase isolated from Thermus RT41a was immobilized to controlled pore glass beads and was used in the free and immobilized forms for peptide synthesis. The observed maximum yield was the same in both cases. a number of dipeptides were produced from amino acid esters and amides. The best acyl components, from those tested, were found to be Ac-Phe-OEt and Bz-Ala-OMe. Tur-NH2, Trp-NH2, Leu-pNA, and Val-pNA were all reactive nucleophiles.The kinetically controlled synthesis of Bz-ala-Tyr-NH2 was optimized by studying the effect of pH, temperature, solvent concentration, ionic strength, and nucleophile and acyl donor concentration, ionic strength, and nucleophile and acyl donor concentration on the maximum yield. The initial conditions used were 25 mM Bz–ala-OMe, 25 mM Tyr-NH2, 70°C, pH 8.0, and 10% v/v dimethylformamide (DMF). The optimum conditions were 90% v/v DMF using 80 mM bz-Ala-OMe and 615 mM Tyr-NH2 at 40°C and pH 10. These conditions increased the maximum conversion from 0.75% to 26% (of the original ester concentration). In a number of other cosolvents, the best peptide yields were observed with acetonitrile and ethyl acetate. In 90% acetonitrile similar yields were observed to those in 90% DMF under optimized conditions except that the acyl donor and nucleophile concentrations could be reduced to 25 mM and 100mM, respectively. The effect of the blocking group on the nucleophile was also investigated; -βNA and -pNA as blocking groups improved the yields markedly. The blocking and leaving groups of the acyldonor had no effect on the dipeptide yield.

year: 1994

title: Kūkū te kererū, ketekete te kākā: The role of literature in indigenous methods of naming native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: Raharuhi, Te Urukeiha

subjects: indigenous methods of naming

abstract: This thesis describes the role of academic literature in indigenous epistemology with a focus on indigenous methods of naming native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand. The story of the role of academic literature in mātauranga Māori transmission presented in this thesis, describes a narrative of indigenous people being increasingly excluded from transmission of mātauranga Māori in literature production. Importantly the exclusion of original sources from participation in literature production and revision resulted in a high degree of persistent error in academic literature presenting oral narratives and te reo Māori bird names.

Currently, te reo Māori names of native and introduced birds are represented in English language academic literature, as subject matter or topic of interest predominately within a scientific research paradigm, in the fields of linguistics, ornithology, ethnology or disciplines where these are combined such as ethno-ornithology or folk-taxonomy. Research inquiry conducted in this study is influenced by a potential to explore indigenous methods of naming in terms of what they reveal about our ways of being (ontology) and our ways of knowing (epistemology).

This thesis presents two literature reviews and the findings of seven semi-structured interviews to explore the complexities of the role of academic literature in indigenous epistemology with a focus on indigenous methods of naming native and indigenous birds to Aotearoa New Zealand. Exploring indigenous methods of naming in this way provides an opportunity to tease out the influence of translation, Western scientific paradigms and the medium of academic literature on the transmission of mātauranga Māori as well as identify opportunities and limitations for indigenous epistemology offered through the medium of academic literature.

A comprehensive index of te reo Māori bird names with attention to the variety of linguistic nuances of geographically specific vernacular presented consistently in the context of indigenous methods of naming, potentially provides an accessible and meaningful taxonomic reference document. At the present time such an index has not been published. The findings of the research presented in this thesis support the potential of academic literature to meaningfully contribute to indigenous methods of naming when it records or facilitates direct participation of hapū in indigenous epistemology rather than predetermine or prematurely theorise indigenous methods of naming native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand. Equally, it presents findings to support potential for academic literature to contribute to mātauranga Māori when it articulates indigenous epistemology as a valuable way of knowing and does not assume to replace memory arts as the primary methods of mātauranga Māori transmission. Furthermore, the application of an indigenous paradigm to the production of literature about indigenous methods of naming as an aspect of mātauranga Māori has the potential to constitute an accurate and authentic body of knowledge.

text: Kūkū te kererū, ketekete te kākā: The role of literature in indigenous methods of naming native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand This thesis describes the role of academic literature in indigenous epistemology with a focus on indigenous methods of naming native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand. The story of the role of academic literature in mātauranga Māori transmission presented in this thesis, describes a narrative of indigenous people being increasingly excluded from transmission of mātauranga Māori in literature production. Importantly the exclusion of original sources from participation in literature production and revision resulted in a high degree of persistent error in academic literature presenting oral narratives and te reo Māori bird names.

Currently, te reo Māori names of native and introduced birds are represented in English language academic literature, as subject matter or topic of interest predominately within a scientific research paradigm, in the fields of linguistics, ornithology, ethnology or disciplines where these are combined such as ethno-ornithology or folk-taxonomy. Research inquiry conducted in this study is influenced by a potential to explore indigenous methods of naming in terms of what they reveal about our ways of being (ontology) and our ways of knowing (epistemology).

This thesis presents two literature reviews and the findings of seven semi-structured interviews to explore the complexities of the role of academic literature in indigenous epistemology with a focus on indigenous methods of naming native and indigenous birds to Aotearoa New Zealand. Exploring indigenous methods of naming in this way provides an opportunity to tease out the influence of translation, Western scientific paradigms and the medium of academic literature on the transmission of mātauranga Māori as well as identify opportunities and limitations for indigenous epistemology offered through the medium of academic literature.

A comprehensive index of te reo Māori bird names with attention to the variety of linguistic nuances of geographically specific vernacular presented consistently in the context of indigenous methods of naming, potentially provides an accessible and meaningful taxonomic reference document. At the present time such an index has not been published. The findings of the research presented in this thesis support the potential of academic literature to meaningfully contribute to indigenous methods of naming when it records or facilitates direct participation of hapū in indigenous epistemology rather than predetermine or prematurely theorise indigenous methods of naming native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand. Equally, it presents findings to support potential for academic literature to contribute to mātauranga Māori when it articulates indigenous epistemology as a valuable way of knowing and does not assume to replace memory arts as the primary methods of mātauranga Māori transmission. Furthermore, the application of an indigenous paradigm to the production of literature about indigenous methods of naming as an aspect of mātauranga Māori has the potential to constitute an accurate and authentic body of knowledge.

year: 2015