title: Abundance and diversity of epibenthic amphipods (Crustacea) from contrasting bathyal habitats

authors: Knox, Matthew Andrew

subjects: Challenger Plateau

abstract: To investigate relationships between epibenthic macrofauna and bathyal habitat characteristics, we examined the abundance, diversity and community composition of amphipod crustaceans relative to environmental variables on two major bathymetric features of New Zealand – the Chatham Rise and Challenger Plateau. An epibenthic (Brenke) sledge was used to sample depths ranging from 200 to 1200 m. Fifteen stations were sampled on the Chatham Rise, which is an extensive submarine ridge, east of New Zealand, characterised by high productivity in surface waters, associated with the Subtropical Front. Five stations were sampled on the Challenger Plateau, west of New Zealand, a region with a similar depth range, but less topographical relief and lower pelagic productivity relative to the Chatham Rise. Over 12,500 amphipods were recovered and identified. We found high abundance (range: 44–2074 individuals 1000 m−2) and taxonomic richness (27 families) in both regions. Amphipod assemblages at all stations were largely dominated by the same families, particularly the Phoxocephalidae. Chatham Rise stations were mostly similar in family composition to one another and to the two closest Challenger Plateau stations. However, the remaining three, more distal, western Challenger Plateau stations were highly differentiated from other stations and from one another, despite being relatively similar habitats. Overall, amphipod community composition correlated most strongly with surface chlorophyll a, suggesting strong benthic–pelagic coupling and emphasising the importance of benthic–pelagic links in bathyal ecosystems.

text: Abundance and diversity of epibenthic amphipods (Crustacea) from contrasting bathyal habitats To investigate relationships between epibenthic macrofauna and bathyal habitat characteristics, we examined the abundance, diversity and community composition of amphipod crustaceans relative to environmental variables on two major bathymetric features of New Zealand – the Chatham Rise and Challenger Plateau. An epibenthic (Brenke) sledge was used to sample depths ranging from 200 to 1200 m. Fifteen stations were sampled on the Chatham Rise, which is an extensive submarine ridge, east of New Zealand, characterised by high productivity in surface waters, associated with the Subtropical Front. Five stations were sampled on the Challenger Plateau, west of New Zealand, a region with a similar depth range, but less topographical relief and lower pelagic productivity relative to the Chatham Rise. Over 12,500 amphipods were recovered and identified. We found high abundance (range: 44–2074 individuals 1000 m−2) and taxonomic richness (27 families) in both regions. Amphipod assemblages at all stations were largely dominated by the same families, particularly the Phoxocephalidae. Chatham Rise stations were mostly similar in family composition to one another and to the two closest Challenger Plateau stations. However, the remaining three, more distal, western Challenger Plateau stations were highly differentiated from other stations and from one another, despite being relatively similar habitats. Overall, amphipod community composition correlated most strongly with surface chlorophyll a, suggesting strong benthic–pelagic coupling and emphasising the importance of benthic–pelagic links in bathyal ecosystems.

year: 2012-04

title: A logic for specifying and reasoning about cooperative environments

authors: Reeves, Steve

subjects: computer science

abstract: In this paper we describe the current progress of an attempt to develop a logic which will allow us to specify required properties of systems which typically consist of a single interactive program being used, probably simultaneously, by several agents, usually people. The logic is a development of ideas from modal logic and their more recent developments to describe computation. Since modal logic (and its extensions) are still relatively new to most people we give introductions to these logics in this paper, assuming only a familiarity with classical first-order logic and some proof theory. We also give an account of some of the sorts of situations that we want to specify. Finally, we consider what work will be needed in the future, building on what we present here, in order to achieve our goal of providing a language in which to specify and reason about systems intended to support co-operative working.

text: A logic for specifying and reasoning about cooperative environments In this paper we describe the current progress of an attempt to develop a logic which will allow us to specify required properties of systems which typically consist of a single interactive program being used, probably simultaneously, by several agents, usually people. The logic is a development of ideas from modal logic and their more recent developments to describe computation. Since modal logic (and its extensions) are still relatively new to most people we give introductions to these logics in this paper, assuming only a familiarity with classical first-order logic and some proof theory. We also give an account of some of the sorts of situations that we want to specify. Finally, we consider what work will be needed in the future, building on what we present here, in order to achieve our goal of providing a language in which to specify and reason about systems intended to support co-operative working.

year: 1995-08

title: Maori preservice primary teachers’ responses to mathematics investigations

authors: Hāwera, Ngārewa

subjects: mathematics

abstract: There has been concern for some years about the low mathematics achievement of Maori students in New Zealand. This case study reports on the responses of 18 Maori preservice teachers to investigative approaches to learning mathematics during their compulsory Year 1 mathematics education course, as a possible aid towards helping improve the achievement level of Maori in mathematics.

text: Maori preservice primary teachers’ responses to mathematics investigations There has been concern for some years about the low mathematics achievement of Maori students in New Zealand. This case study reports on the responses of 18 Maori preservice teachers to investigative approaches to learning mathematics during their compulsory Year 1 mathematics education course, as a possible aid towards helping improve the achievement level of Maori in mathematics.

year: 2006