title: When the law is unclear: challenges and opportunities for data and information exchange in the Tigris-Euphrates and Indus river basins

authors: Hasan, Qaraman M.

abstract: Data and information exchange are vital for long-term transboundary water cooperation. However, many transboundary river basins lack regular data exchange between riparian States. In many cases, this is simply a feature of the generally fragmented nature of transboundary water cooperation; in others, transboundary river basin data sharing may be withheld for geopolitical reasons. The Tigris-Euphrates and Indus river basins are among the most highly politicized river basins globally. Cooperation between riparians is complicated by a lack of certainty regarding data, information exchange and legal obligations, as upper riparians in both basins have persistently objected to the customary law of international watercourses. With reference to international water law, this article ascertains the level of data and information exchange in these two basins, both through formal and informal structures, as well as prevalent obstacles and the institutional and technological responses to them. Despite significant challenges, the authors argue that technological advances can stimulate enhanced riparian cooperation.

text: When the law is unclear: challenges and opportunities for data and information exchange in the Tigris-Euphrates and Indus river basins Data and information exchange are vital for long-term transboundary water cooperation. However, many transboundary river basins lack regular data exchange between riparian States. In many cases, this is simply a feature of the generally fragmented nature of transboundary water cooperation; in others, transboundary river basin data sharing may be withheld for geopolitical reasons. The Tigris-Euphrates and Indus river basins are among the most highly politicized river basins globally. Cooperation between riparians is complicated by a lack of certainty regarding data, information exchange and legal obligations, as upper riparians in both basins have persistently objected to the customary law of international watercourses. With reference to international water law, this article ascertains the level of data and information exchange in these two basins, both through formal and informal structures, as well as prevalent obstacles and the institutional and technological responses to them. Despite significant challenges, the authors argue that technological advances can stimulate enhanced riparian cooperation.

year: 2023

title: Effect of Coriaria arborea on seed banks during primary succession on Mt Tarawera, New Zealand

authors: Clarkson, Beverley R.

subjects: Coriaria arborea

abstract: An experiment was conducted over two years to investigate the effect of Coriaria arborea, a native nitrogen-fixing shrub, on soil seed banks at sites representing a post-volcanic successional sequence on Mt Tarawera, New Zealand. The sites ranged from bare volcanic ash and lapilli substrate, through low-growing pre-Coriaria vegetation, to dense stands of Coriaria scrub. Soils (to a depth of 50 mm) under recently established Coriaria and older stands had more seedlings (1096 and 1585 seedlings 0.4 m-2, respectively) and species (37 and 45 species 0.4 m-2, respectively) emerge than where there was no Coriaria (243-320 seedlings 0.4 m-2, 14-25 species 0.4 m-2) and were the only soils with Coriaria seedlings. In total, 3488 seedlings representing 63 taxa were recorded. Seeds were still germinating after 24 months but rates declined markedly in the second year. For example, Coriaria reached a germination peak at 8 weeks but continued to germinate sporadically over the 2-year period. Tree species present in young forest within 0.5 km of the sites were absent. Establishment of Coriaria greatly accelerated an underlying trend of gradually increasing abundance and diversity of seeds in the soil with vegetation age. Adventive, wind-dispersed, and annual species were over-represented in the seed banks compared with the regional evergreen forest-dominated flora. These proportions are expected to decline as succession to forest gradually occurs.

text: Effect of Coriaria arborea on seed banks during primary succession on Mt Tarawera, New Zealand An experiment was conducted over two years to investigate the effect of Coriaria arborea, a native nitrogen-fixing shrub, on soil seed banks at sites representing a post-volcanic successional sequence on Mt Tarawera, New Zealand. The sites ranged from bare volcanic ash and lapilli substrate, through low-growing pre-Coriaria vegetation, to dense stands of Coriaria scrub. Soils (to a depth of 50 mm) under recently established Coriaria and older stands had more seedlings (1096 and 1585 seedlings 0.4 m-2, respectively) and species (37 and 45 species 0.4 m-2, respectively) emerge than where there was no Coriaria (243-320 seedlings 0.4 m-2, 14-25 species 0.4 m-2) and were the only soils with Coriaria seedlings. In total, 3488 seedlings representing 63 taxa were recorded. Seeds were still germinating after 24 months but rates declined markedly in the second year. For example, Coriaria reached a germination peak at 8 weeks but continued to germinate sporadically over the 2-year period. Tree species present in young forest within 0.5 km of the sites were absent. Establishment of Coriaria greatly accelerated an underlying trend of gradually increasing abundance and diversity of seeds in the soil with vegetation age. Adventive, wind-dispersed, and annual species were over-represented in the seed banks compared with the regional evergreen forest-dominated flora. These proportions are expected to decline as succession to forest gradually occurs.

year: 2002-12-01

title: Kāinga tahi, kāinga rua: A kaupapa Māori response of Te Puea Memorial Marae.

authors: Lee-Morgan, Jenny Bol Jun

abstract: In the winter of 2016, Te Puea Memorial Marae (TPMM) initiated a kaupapa Māori marae-led response, opening their doors to vulnerable whānau seeking emergency housing. Following in the legacy of Te Puea Herangi,¹ the marae answered the call of homeless whānau in Auckland and in doing so disrupted the dominant Auckland housing narrative where the government had until that time refused to acknowledge homelessness as a serious issue. In the full view of the media, TPMM not only made the reality of homelessness visible by caring for 181 people (of all ethnicities and cultural backgrounds), but named the housing situation in Auckland as a ‘crisis’. ²

text: Kāinga tahi, kāinga rua: A kaupapa Māori response of Te Puea Memorial Marae. In the winter of 2016, Te Puea Memorial Marae (TPMM) initiated a kaupapa Māori marae-led response, opening their doors to vulnerable whānau seeking emergency housing. Following in the legacy of Te Puea Herangi,¹ the marae answered the call of homeless whānau in Auckland and in doing so disrupted the dominant Auckland housing narrative where the government had until that time refused to acknowledge homelessness as a serious issue. In the full view of the media, TPMM not only made the reality of homelessness visible by caring for 181 people (of all ethnicities and cultural backgrounds), but named the housing situation in Auckland as a ‘crisis’. ²

year: 2017