title: Distribution of small mammals in five New Zealand forest habitats

authors: Watkins, Alison Fern

subjects: small mammals

abstract: This project aimed to reanalyse two large historical data sets from two different locations in New Zealand (Fiordland in the South Island and Pureora Forest Park in the North Island). The data describe populations of mice (Mus musculus), rats (Rattus rattus and R. norvegicus), and stoats (Mustela erminea) collected using standard monitoring techniques from five distinct types of forest habitat. The new analysis methods selected were an index of patchiness and Site Occupancy analysis.

The objectives of the analysis were (1) to evaluate whether the patchiness index and Site Occupancy analysis methods might contribute to improved protocols for monitoring small mammal populations in the future, and (2) to use formal tests of five hypotheses to evaluate two of the assumptions made by the conventional density index often used in small mammal studies.

I describe the results of the analyses for each species, including any problems encountered (such as the inability of the Site Occupancy method to analyse very sparse data sets). I also describe the results pooled from each of the two study locations and potential consequences for small mammal monitoring and control.

This analysis has suggested that in most cases the density index is not a rigorous measure of small mammal populations. However, both the index of patchiness and Site Occupancy analysis provided useful, new information about these populations of rodents and stoats, despite the fact that these historical data sets were not designed for use with modern methods of analysis.

Please note: some figures and tables were printed separately and added to the thesis as unnumbered pages.  These can be found in the file 03Plates_and_Tables.pdf.

text: Distribution of small mammals in five New Zealand forest habitats This project aimed to reanalyse two large historical data sets from two different locations in New Zealand (Fiordland in the South Island and Pureora Forest Park in the North Island). The data describe populations of mice (Mus musculus), rats (Rattus rattus and R. norvegicus), and stoats (Mustela erminea) collected using standard monitoring techniques from five distinct types of forest habitat. The new analysis methods selected were an index of patchiness and Site Occupancy analysis.

The objectives of the analysis were (1) to evaluate whether the patchiness index and Site Occupancy analysis methods might contribute to improved protocols for monitoring small mammal populations in the future, and (2) to use formal tests of five hypotheses to evaluate two of the assumptions made by the conventional density index often used in small mammal studies.

I describe the results of the analyses for each species, including any problems encountered (such as the inability of the Site Occupancy method to analyse very sparse data sets). I also describe the results pooled from each of the two study locations and potential consequences for small mammal monitoring and control.

This analysis has suggested that in most cases the density index is not a rigorous measure of small mammal populations. However, both the index of patchiness and Site Occupancy analysis provided useful, new information about these populations of rodents and stoats, despite the fact that these historical data sets were not designed for use with modern methods of analysis.

Please note: some figures and tables were printed separately and added to the thesis as unnumbered pages.  These can be found in the file 03Plates_and_Tables.pdf.

year: 2007

title: Gaseous emissions (NH₃, N₂O and CH₄) following manure or urea application to soil as influenced by amendments

authors: Sonthi, Ramana Kumar

subjects: gaseous emissions

abstract: Increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere may contribute to global warming. The three most important greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide (mainly from burning fossil fuels and deforestation), methane (mainly from ruminant animals and waste management) and nitrous oxide (mainly from dung, urine, and nitrogenous fertilisers). Dairy farms contribute to greenhouse gas emissions because of nitrous oxide and methane emissions (Whitehead et al., 2009). 
Herd-homes or stand-off pads are increasingly used on dairy farms to minimise soil pugging and compaction. The manure collected from herd-home bunkers or stand-off pads, may be a source of gaseous emissions (NH₃, N₂O and CH₄). Addition of soil or sawdust to manure prior to land application of manure is a potential best farm management practice to minimise gaseous losses.

The specific objectives of the study were to:
1. Determine the optimum flow rate for measurement of ammonia emissions from manure or urea application to soil using a chamber method.
2. Quantify gaseous (NH₃, N₂O and CH₄) emissions from manure or urea after application to soil.
3. Determine the effects of addition of soil or sawdust to manure prior to land application of manure on subsequent gaseous emissions.
4. Determine the effects of surface or incorporated land application of manure or urea on gaseous emissions.

A preliminary experiment was undertaken to determine the optimum flow rate to measure ammonia emissions, from manure or urea after application to soil, using a chamber method. The flow rate experiment was set up in the glasshouse with 3 replications of 9 flow rate treatments. A flow rate of 5 L min-¹ (1 exchange volume min-¹) was determined as the optimum air flow rate to use in the chamber method to measure ammonia volatilisation.
An experiment was undertaken, with 27 pots and 3 replications of 9 treatments, to investigate the effect of soil or sawdust addition to manure on gaseous emissions (NH₃, N₂O and CH₄), when applied on the land surface or incorporated. The physical and chemical properties of the soil, urine, dung, and sawdust were determined in the laboratory. 
Addition of sawdust was more effective in reducing ammonia emissions, than addition of soil, to manure prior to land application. The incorporated application of all manure treatments resulted in less NH₃ volatilisation compared to surface application. Total ammonia losses were 51% of the applied N from the surface application and 2% of the applied N from incorporated application of urine and dung with soil, and 15% of the applied N from the surface application and 4% of the applied N from incorporated application of urine and dung with sawdust. Ammonia emissions followed a general pattern of rapid emission on day 2 after the application of the urine and dung to soil followed by a progressive decline over time for both the surface and incorporated application for all the manure treatments applied.
Total N₂O loss of 14% of applied N was observed with incorporated application of manure with sawdust. Most treatments had no net methane emission. Addition of soil and sawdust to manure, prior to application to soil, reduced ammonia emissions and increased nitrous oxide emissions.

text: Gaseous emissions (NH₃, N₂O and CH₄) following manure or urea application to soil as influenced by amendments Increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere may contribute to global warming. The three most important greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide (mainly from burning fossil fuels and deforestation), methane (mainly from ruminant animals and waste management) and nitrous oxide (mainly from dung, urine, and nitrogenous fertilisers). Dairy farms contribute to greenhouse gas emissions because of nitrous oxide and methane emissions (Whitehead et al., 2009). 
Herd-homes or stand-off pads are increasingly used on dairy farms to minimise soil pugging and compaction. The manure collected from herd-home bunkers or stand-off pads, may be a source of gaseous emissions (NH₃, N₂O and CH₄). Addition of soil or sawdust to manure prior to land application of manure is a potential best farm management practice to minimise gaseous losses.

The specific objectives of the study were to:
1. Determine the optimum flow rate for measurement of ammonia emissions from manure or urea application to soil using a chamber method.
2. Quantify gaseous (NH₃, N₂O and CH₄) emissions from manure or urea after application to soil.
3. Determine the effects of addition of soil or sawdust to manure prior to land application of manure on subsequent gaseous emissions.
4. Determine the effects of surface or incorporated land application of manure or urea on gaseous emissions.

A preliminary experiment was undertaken to determine the optimum flow rate to measure ammonia emissions, from manure or urea after application to soil, using a chamber method. The flow rate experiment was set up in the glasshouse with 3 replications of 9 flow rate treatments. A flow rate of 5 L min-¹ (1 exchange volume min-¹) was determined as the optimum air flow rate to use in the chamber method to measure ammonia volatilisation.
An experiment was undertaken, with 27 pots and 3 replications of 9 treatments, to investigate the effect of soil or sawdust addition to manure on gaseous emissions (NH₃, N₂O and CH₄), when applied on the land surface or incorporated. The physical and chemical properties of the soil, urine, dung, and sawdust were determined in the laboratory. 
Addition of sawdust was more effective in reducing ammonia emissions, than addition of soil, to manure prior to land application. The incorporated application of all manure treatments resulted in less NH₃ volatilisation compared to surface application. Total ammonia losses were 51% of the applied N from the surface application and 2% of the applied N from incorporated application of urine and dung with soil, and 15% of the applied N from the surface application and 4% of the applied N from incorporated application of urine and dung with sawdust. Ammonia emissions followed a general pattern of rapid emission on day 2 after the application of the urine and dung to soil followed by a progressive decline over time for both the surface and incorporated application for all the manure treatments applied.
Total N₂O loss of 14% of applied N was observed with incorporated application of manure with sawdust. Most treatments had no net methane emission. Addition of soil and sawdust to manure, prior to application to soil, reduced ammonia emissions and increased nitrous oxide emissions.

year: 2010

title: Proposing a Kaupapa Tuku Iho informed Māori model for practice to enhance cultural competence and foster kaimahi flourishing within health and social service providers

authors: Winiata, Rangimarie

subjects: Kaupapa Tuku Iho

abstract: Kaupapa Tuku Iho are Māori values that have been used across various social institutions to inform culturally competent practices with those accessing services. This thesis set out to promote the use Kaupapa Tuku Iho to not only enhance cultural competence and culturally appropriate services, but to take a step further and explore factors that foster the flourishing of kaimahi (workers) who deliver those services. There is research that suggests kaimahi in health and social services are overworked, burdened by stressed and approaching a state of compassion fatigue. This is detrimental for those both delivering and accessing services. This study will explore factors that foster kaimahi flourishing and enable kaimahi to practice Kaupapa Tuku Iho, along with factors that stand as barriers to achieving flourishing and culturally competent practice.
Furthermore, I have developed Ngā Kākano, which is a values-based model informed by Kaupapa Tuku Iho that aims to foster kaimahi flourishing and achieve culturally competent practice within health and social service providers. Ngā Kākano has been aligned to various psychological disciplines, including Community Psychology, Industrial-Organisational Psychology and Indigenous Psychology.
Data concerning the exploration of barriers and enablers kaimahi experienced was collected using a Kaupapa Māori research approach consisting of focus group structures combined with Wānanga as a Kaupapa Māori research methodology. The data was analysed using processes of thematic analysis, where themes were identified and presented in association with the relevant stages of Ngā Kākano.
	The findings of this study saw the organisation stood as a prominent barrier to kaimahi practising Kaupapa Tuku Iho and achieving flourishing. This reflected a need for the organisation to make improvements to support kaimahi in all necessary forms that enable them to achieve flourishing as reflected in positive states of being. It became apparent that most kaimahi were able to achieve flourishing through the practice of Kaupapa Tuku Iho between, amongst and across all kaimahi throughout the organisation irrespective of direct support from the organisation.

text: Proposing a Kaupapa Tuku Iho informed Māori model for practice to enhance cultural competence and foster kaimahi flourishing within health and social service providers Kaupapa Tuku Iho are Māori values that have been used across various social institutions to inform culturally competent practices with those accessing services. This thesis set out to promote the use Kaupapa Tuku Iho to not only enhance cultural competence and culturally appropriate services, but to take a step further and explore factors that foster the flourishing of kaimahi (workers) who deliver those services. There is research that suggests kaimahi in health and social services are overworked, burdened by stressed and approaching a state of compassion fatigue. This is detrimental for those both delivering and accessing services. This study will explore factors that foster kaimahi flourishing and enable kaimahi to practice Kaupapa Tuku Iho, along with factors that stand as barriers to achieving flourishing and culturally competent practice.
Furthermore, I have developed Ngā Kākano, which is a values-based model informed by Kaupapa Tuku Iho that aims to foster kaimahi flourishing and achieve culturally competent practice within health and social service providers. Ngā Kākano has been aligned to various psychological disciplines, including Community Psychology, Industrial-Organisational Psychology and Indigenous Psychology.
Data concerning the exploration of barriers and enablers kaimahi experienced was collected using a Kaupapa Māori research approach consisting of focus group structures combined with Wānanga as a Kaupapa Māori research methodology. The data was analysed using processes of thematic analysis, where themes were identified and presented in association with the relevant stages of Ngā Kākano.
	The findings of this study saw the organisation stood as a prominent barrier to kaimahi practising Kaupapa Tuku Iho and achieving flourishing. This reflected a need for the organisation to make improvements to support kaimahi in all necessary forms that enable them to achieve flourishing as reflected in positive states of being. It became apparent that most kaimahi were able to achieve flourishing through the practice of Kaupapa Tuku Iho between, amongst and across all kaimahi throughout the organisation irrespective of direct support from the organisation.

year: 2022