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Los servicios ambientales que presta un territorio son de gran importancia para los asentamientos humanos, que se establecen y generan una alta dependencia de estos, especialmente para las poblaciones de las ciudades pequeñas y medianas, como las que constituyen en gran medida el territorio colombiano, que aún tienen una alta dependencia directa de estos servicios y en las cuales sus dinámicas socio-económicas más importantes giran en torno a estos -- Entre estos recursos fundamentales destaca uno en particular, el agua -- Sobre las fuentes hídricas como océanos o ríos se han asentado a lo largo de la historia las grandes ciudades y a día de hoy es nuestro medio de intercambio económico más importante -- Pero aún con la importancia de estos recursos para la vida humana y el sostenimiento de las ciudades, diferentes procesos generados por la actividad humana tales como la alta y acelerada urbanización que han vivido las ciudades alrededor del mundo, la extracción de estos para procesos industriales o directamente un mal manejo de los mismos, ha conllevado a que se encuentren en gran deterioro y que en la actualidad esta problemática este en la agenda de todos los gobiernos como el reto a futuro de nuestra sociedad -- Pero desde esta perspectiva es importante entender que el problema no es solo del manejo que las grandes compañías o los gobiernos le den a estos bienes ambientales, también está en el accionar del día a día de las personas sobre estos, convirtiendo la problemática medio ambiental en un tema micro social de relación con el entorno, que requiere encontrar soluciones desde las mismas comunidades que dependen de este para ser superados

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science in Biodiversity Management and Research, provided by author, Bush encroachment is the conversion of open savannas to tree-dominated shrub lands. Bush encroachment results in habitat degradation and the loss of resource productivity. In this study, small mammals were used to investigate the effects of bush encroachment on biodiversity. The main aim of this study was to assess the effects of bush encroachment on the species abundance, diversity and composition of small mammals. The study was conducted in selected bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites at the Neudamm Agricultural Farm in the Khomas Region, during the "Hot-dry" season, "Hot-wet" season (April 2010) and "Cold-dry" season (July 2010). Various habitat factors, namely: woody density, woody cover and grass cover, all of which influence the diversity, distribution and abundance of small mammals were measured in the bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites. An area was considered to be bush encroached when the woody density of the encroaching species was 1,000 bushes per 1ha. Non-bush encroached sites were areas with a woody density of 1,000 bushes per 1ha. The results revealed a significant difference in the woody density (t49, The data on the abundance of small mammals were collected using Sherman-live traps (23 x 8 x 9cm) which were set out over an area of 100 m x 100 m for both the bush encroached and nonbush encroached sites. This comprised a trapping grid. In each grid traps were placed in ten rows and ten columns and were spaced at 10 m intervals. A total of seven small mammal species were captured during the study. Five of these small mammals species (Rhabdomys pumilio, Micaelamys namaquensis, Elephantulus intufi, Gerbilliscus leucogaster and Thallomys paedulcus) captured were identified to species level. The other two small mammal species (Crocidura spp. and Mastomys spp.) captured were identified to genus level. A total of 241 individuals of small mammal species comprising five species were recorded in the bush encroached sites. A total of 249 individuals of small mammal species comprising five species were also recorded in the non-bush encroached sites. The study revealed that there was no significant difference in the abundance (÷217 = 18.00; n = 18; p=0.39), population density (H8=1.19; n = 9; p=0.76) and diversity (H8=1.98; n= 9; p= 0.576) of small mammals between the bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites. The Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) revealed that there was no difference in the composition of small mammals between the bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites. The study showed that bush encroachment did not have a significant effect on small mammal populations, Windhoek, Namibia, University of Namibia, Master of Science in Biodiversity Management and Research

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science in Biodiversity Management and Research, provided by author, Bush encroachment is the conversion of open savannas to tree-dominated shrub lands. Bush encroachment results in habitat degradation and the loss of resource productivity. In this study, small mammals were used to investigate the effects of bush encroachment on biodiversity. The main aim of this study was to assess the effects of bush encroachment on the species abundance, diversity and composition of small mammals. The study was conducted in selected bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites at the Neudamm Agricultural Farm in the Khomas Region, during the "Hot-dry" season, "Hot-wet" season (April 2010) and "Cold-dry" season (July 2010). Various habitat factors, namely: woody density, woody cover and grass cover, all of which influence the diversity, distribution and abundance of small mammals were measured in the bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites. An area was considered to be bush encroached when the woody density of the encroaching species was 1,000 bushes per 1ha. Non-bush encroached sites were areas with a woody density of 1,000 bushes per 1ha. The results revealed a significant difference in the woody density (t49, The data on the abundance of small mammals were collected using Sherman-live traps (23 x 8 x 9cm) which were set out over an area of 100 m x 100 m for both the bush encroached and nonbush encroached sites. This comprised a trapping grid. In each grid traps were placed in ten rows and ten columns and were spaced at 10 m intervals. A total of seven small mammal species were captured during the study. Five of these small mammals species (Rhabdomys pumilio, Micaelamys namaquensis, Elephantulus intufi, Gerbilliscus leucogaster and Thallomys paedulcus) captured were identified to species level. The other two small mammal species (Crocidura spp. and Mastomys spp.) captured were identified to genus level. A total of 241 individuals of small mammal species comprising five species were recorded in the bush encroached sites. A total of 249 individuals of small mammal species comprising five species were also recorded in the non-bush encroached sites. The study revealed that there was no significant difference in the abundance (÷217 = 18.00; n = 18; p=0.39), population density (H8=1.19; n = 9; p=0.76) and diversity (H8=1.98; n= 9; p= 0.576) of small mammals between the bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites. The Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) revealed that there was no difference in the composition of small mammals between the bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites. The study showed that bush encroachment did not have a significant effect on small mammal populations, Windhoek, Namibia, University of Namibia, Master of Science in Biodiversity Management and Research

provided by author, Bush encroachment is the conversion of open savannas to tree-dominated shrub lands. Bush encroachment results in habitat degradation and the loss of resource productivity. In this study, small mammals were used to investigate the effects of bush encroachment on biodiversity. The main aim of this study was to assess the effects of bush encroachment on the species abundance, diversity and composition of small mammals. The study was conducted in selected bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites at the Neudamm Agricultural Farm in the Khomas Region, during the "Hot-dry" season, "Hot-wet" season (April 2010) and "Cold-dry" season (July 2010). Various habitat factors, namely: woody density, woody cover and grass cover, all of which influence the diversity, distribution and abundance of small mammals were measured in the bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites. An area was considered to be bush encroached when the woody density of the encroaching species was 1,000 bushes per 1ha. Non-bush encroached sites were areas with a woody density of 1,000 bushes per 1ha. The results revealed a significant difference in the woody density (t49, The data on the abundance of small mammals were collected using Sherman-live traps (23 x 8 x 9cm) which were set out over an area of 100 m x 100 m for both the bush encroached and nonbush encroached sites. This comprised a trapping grid. In each grid traps were placed in ten rows and ten columns and were spaced at 10 m intervals. A total of seven small mammal species were captured during the study. Five of these small mammals species (Rhabdomys pumilio, Micaelamys namaquensis, Elephantulus intufi, Gerbilliscus leucogaster and Thallomys paedulcus) captured were identified to species level. The other two small mammal species (Crocidura spp. and Mastomys spp.) captured were identified to genus level. A total of 241 individuals of small mammal species comprising five species were recorded in the bush encroached sites. A total of 249 individuals of small mammal species comprising five species were also recorded in the non-bush encroached sites. The study revealed that there was no significant difference in the abundance (÷217 = 18.00; n = 18; p=0.39), population density (H8=1.19; n = 9; p=0.76) and diversity (H8=1.98; n= 9; p= 0.576) of small mammals between the bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites. The Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) revealed that there was no difference in the composition of small mammals between the bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites. The study showed that bush encroachment did not have a significant effect on small mammal populations

provided by author, Bush encroachment is the conversion of open savannas to tree-dominated shrub lands. Bush encroachment results in habitat degradation and the loss of resource productivity. In this study, small mammals were used to investigate the effects of bush encroachment on biodiversity. The main aim of this study was to assess the effects of bush encroachment on the species abundance, diversity and composition of small mammals. The study was conducted in selected bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites at the Neudamm Agricultural Farm in the Khomas Region, during the "Hot-dry" season, "Hot-wet" season (April 2010) and "Cold-dry" season (July 2010). Various habitat factors, namely: woody density, woody cover and grass cover, all of which influence the diversity, distribution and abundance of small mammals were measured in the bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites. An area was considered to be bush encroached when the woody density of the encroaching species was 1,000 bushes per 1ha. Non-bush encroached sites were areas with a woody density of 1,000 bushes per 1ha. The results revealed a significant difference in the woody density (t49, The data on the abundance of small mammals were collected using Sherman-live traps (23 x 8 x 9cm) which were set out over an area of 100 m x 100 m for both the bush encroached and nonbush encroached sites. This comprised a trapping grid. In each grid traps were placed in ten rows and ten columns and were spaced at 10 m intervals. A total of seven small mammal species were captured during the study. Five of these small mammals species (Rhabdomys pumilio, Micaelamys namaquensis, Elephantulus intufi, Gerbilliscus leucogaster and Thallomys paedulcus) captured were identified to species level. The other two small mammal species (Crocidura spp. and Mastomys spp.) captured were identified to genus level. A total of 241 individuals of small mammal species comprising five species were recorded in the bush encroached sites. A total of 249 individuals of small mammal species comprising five species were also recorded in the non-bush encroached sites. The study revealed that there was no significant difference in the abundance (÷217 = 18.00; n = 18; p=0.39), population density (H8=1.19; n = 9; p=0.76) and diversity (H8=1.98; n= 9; p= 0.576) of small mammals between the bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites. The Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) revealed that there was no difference in the composition of small mammals between the bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites. The study showed that bush encroachment did not have a significant effect on small mammal populations

provided by author, Bush encroachment is the conversion of open savannas to tree-dominated shrub lands. Bush encroachment results in habitat degradation and the loss of resource productivity. In this study, small mammals were used to investigate the effects of bush encroachment on biodiversity. The main aim of this study was to assess the effects of bush encroachment on the species abundance, diversity and composition of small mammals. The study was conducted in selected bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites at the Neudamm Agricultural Farm in the Khomas Region, during the "Hot-dry" season, "Hot-wet" season (April 2010) and "Cold-dry" season (July 2010). Various habitat factors, namely: woody density, woody cover and grass cover, all of which influence the diversity, distribution and abundance of small mammals were measured in the bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites. An area was considered to be bush encroached when the woody density of the encroaching species was 1,000 bushes per 1ha. Non-bush encroached sites were areas with a woody density of 1,000 bushes per 1ha. The results revealed a significant difference in the woody density (t49, The data on the abundance of small mammals were collected using Sherman-live traps (23 x 8 x 9cm) which were set out over an area of 100 m x 100 m for both the bush encroached and nonbush encroached sites. This comprised a trapping grid. In each grid traps were placed in ten rows and ten columns and were spaced at 10 m intervals. A total of seven small mammal species were captured during the study. Five of these small mammals species (Rhabdomys pumilio, Micaelamys namaquensis, Elephantulus intufi, Gerbilliscus leucogaster and Thallomys paedulcus) captured were identified to species level. The other two small mammal species (Crocidura spp. and Mastomys spp.) captured were identified to genus level. A total of 241 individuals of small mammal species comprising five species were recorded in the bush encroached sites. A total of 249 individuals of small mammal species comprising five species were also recorded in the non-bush encroached sites. The study revealed that there was no significant difference in the abundance (÷217 = 18.00; n = 18; p=0.39), population density (H8=1.19; n = 9; p=0.76) and diversity (H8=1.98; n= 9; p= 0.576) of small mammals between the bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites. The Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) revealed that there was no difference in the composition of small mammals between the bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites. The study showed that bush encroachment did not have a significant effect on small mammal populations

provided by author, Bush encroachment is the conversion of open savannas to tree-dominated shrub lands. Bush encroachment results in habitat degradation and the loss of resource productivity. In this study, small mammals were used to investigate the effects of bush encroachment on biodiversity. The main aim of this study was to assess the effects of bush encroachment on the species abundance, diversity and composition of small mammals. The study was conducted in selected bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites at the Neudamm Agricultural Farm in the Khomas Region, during the "Hot-dry" season, "Hot-wet" season (April 2010) and "Cold-dry" season (July 2010). Various habitat factors, namely: woody density, woody cover and grass cover, all of which influence the diversity, distribution and abundance of small mammals were measured in the bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites. An area was considered to be bush encroached when the woody density of the encroaching species was 1,000 bushes per 1ha. Non-bush encroached sites were areas with a woody density of 1,000 bushes per 1ha. The results revealed a significant difference in the woody density (t49, The data on the abundance of small mammals were collected using Sherman-live traps (23 x 8 x 9cm) which were set out over an area of 100 m x 100 m for both the bush encroached and nonbush encroached sites. This comprised a trapping grid. In each grid traps were placed in ten rows and ten columns and were spaced at 10 m intervals. A total of seven small mammal species were captured during the study. Five of these small mammals species (Rhabdomys pumilio, Micaelamys namaquensis, Elephantulus intufi, Gerbilliscus leucogaster and Thallomys paedulcus) captured were identified to species level. The other two small mammal species (Crocidura spp. and Mastomys spp.) captured were identified to genus level. A total of 241 individuals of small mammal species comprising five species were recorded in the bush encroached sites. A total of 249 individuals of small mammal species comprising five species were also recorded in the non-bush encroached sites. The study revealed that there was no significant difference in the abundance (÷217 = 18.00; n = 18; p=0.39), population density (H8=1.19; n = 9; p=0.76) and diversity (H8=1.98; n= 9; p= 0.576) of small mammals between the bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites. The Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) revealed that there was no difference in the composition of small mammals between the bush encroached and non-bush encroached sites. The study showed that bush encroachment did not have a significant effect on small mammal populations

Windhoek, Namibia, University of Namibia, Master of Science in Biodiversity Management and Research, Successfully Downloaded file :http://wwwisis.unam.na/theses/wuchter2009.pdf

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biodiversity Management and Research in collaboration with Humboldt- Universität zu Berlin, Human societies have, for centuries, impacted and altered the natural environments through different land use practises. Unsustainable land use practices are seen as one of the major threats to biodiversity around the globe. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the impacts of different land use types, mainly grazing and browsing by wildlife and livestock; land clearance for cultivation and wood harvesting on plant species diversity, composition and vegetation structure in the Kalahari woodlands of the Salambala conservancy in northeast Namibia. Three areas representing the different land use types were compared. These were the core, transitional and outside areas, which represented low, medium and high land use intensities, respectively. The nested plots design method was used to determine the minimal plot area. Trees (stem diameter 15cm) were assessed in 20m*20m plots, shrubs (stem diameter 15cm) were assessed in 5m*5m subplots and grasses and forbs were assessed in 1m*1m subplots. The structural attributes measured were tree basal circumference (cm), tree and shrub height, woody cover (line-intercept method) and visual estimation of grass cover. The range condition was assessed based on decreaser-increaser method. Plant species diversity and richness were significantly higher in the core and transitional areas. The hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) recognised three main floristic associations. These are, Combretum collinum mixed tall-sparse woodland, Combretum collinum-Terminalia sericea tall-dense woodland and Combretum collinum woodland thicket corresponding to the land use types in the core, transitional and outside areas respectively. The Detredend Correspondence Analysis (DCA) showed that 44.3 of the total variation in species composition was accounted for along the first axis, which was mainly associated with land use intensity. Tree density and total basal area were significantly higher in the transitional area; and higher in the core, Windhoek, Namibia, University of Namibia, Master of Science in Biodiversity Management and Research(MSc)

Human societies have, for centuries, impacted and altered the natural environments through different land use practises. Unsustainable land use practices are seen as one of the major threats to biodiversity around the globe. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the impacts of different land use types, mainly grazing and browsing by wildlife and livestock; land clearance for cultivation and wood harvesting on plant species diversity, composition and vegetation structure in the Kalahari woodlands of the Salambala conservancy in northeast Namibia. Three areas representing the different land use types were compared. These were the core, transitional and outside areas, which represented low, medium and high land use intensities, respectively. The nested plots design method was used to determine the minimal plot area. Trees (stem diameter 15cm) were assessed in 20m*20m plots, shrubs (stem diameter 15cm) were assessed in 5m*5m subplots and grasses and forbs were assessed in 1m*1m subplots. The structural attributes measured were tree basal circumference (cm), tree and shrub height, woody cover (line-intercept method) and visual estimation of grass cover. The range condition was assessed based on decreaser-increaser method. Plant species diversity and richness were significantly higher in the core and transitional areas. The hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) recognised three main floristic associations. These are, Combretum collinum mixed tall-sparse woodland, Combretum collinum-Terminalia sericea tall-dense woodland and Combretum collinum woodland thicket corresponding to the land use types in the core, transitional and outside areas respectively. The Detredend Correspondence Analysis (DCA) showed that 44.3 of the total variation in species composition was accounted for along the first axis, which was mainly associated with land use intensity. Tree density and total basal area were significantly higher in the transitional area; and higher in the core

Human societies have, for centuries, impacted and altered the natural environments through different land use practises. Unsustainable land use practices are seen as one of the major threats to biodiversity around the globe. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the impacts of different land use types, mainly grazing and browsing by wildlife and livestock; land clearance for cultivation and wood harvesting on plant species diversity, composition and vegetation structure in the Kalahari woodlands of the Salambala conservancy in northeast Namibia. Three areas representing the different land use types were compared. These were the core, transitional and outside areas, which represented low, medium and high land use intensities, respectively. The nested plots design method was used to determine the minimal plot area. Trees (stem diameter 15cm) were assessed in 20m*20m plots, shrubs (stem diameter 15cm) were assessed in 5m*5m subplots and grasses and forbs were assessed in 1m*1m subplots. The structural attributes measured were tree basal circumference (cm), tree and shrub height, woody cover (line-intercept method) and visual estimation of grass cover. The range condition was assessed based on decreaser-increaser method. Plant species diversity and richness were significantly higher in the core and transitional areas. The hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) recognised three main floristic associations. These are, Combretum collinum mixed tall-sparse woodland, Combretum collinum-Terminalia sericea tall-dense woodland and Combretum collinum woodland thicket corresponding to the land use types in the core, transitional and outside areas respectively. The Detredend Correspondence Analysis (DCA) showed that 44.3 of the total variation in species composition was accounted for along the first axis, which was mainly associated with land use intensity. Tree density and total basal area were significantly higher in the transitional area; and higher in the core

Human societies have, for centuries, impacted and altered the natural environments through different land use practises. Unsustainable land use practices are seen as one of the major threats to biodiversity around the globe. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the impacts of different land use types, mainly grazing and browsing by wildlife and livestock; land clearance for cultivation and wood harvesting on plant species diversity, composition and vegetation structure in the Kalahari woodlands of the Salambala conservancy in northeast Namibia. Three areas representing the different land use types were compared. These were the core, transitional and outside areas, which represented low, medium and high land use intensities, respectively. The nested plots design method was used to determine the minimal plot area. Trees (stem diameter 15cm) were assessed in 20m*20m plots, shrubs (stem diameter 15cm) were assessed in 5m*5m subplots and grasses and forbs were assessed in 1m*1m subplots. The structural attributes measured were tree basal circumference (cm), tree and shrub height, woody cover (line-intercept method) and visual estimation of grass cover. The range condition was assessed based on decreaser-increaser method. Plant species diversity and richness were significantly higher in the core and transitional areas. The hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) recognised three main floristic associations. These are, Combretum collinum mixed tall-sparse woodland, Combretum collinum-Terminalia sericea tall-dense woodland and Combretum collinum woodland thicket corresponding to the land use types in the core, transitional and outside areas respectively. The Detredend Correspondence Analysis (DCA) showed that 44.3 of the total variation in species composition was accounted for along the first axis, which was mainly associated with land use intensity. Tree density and total basal area were significantly higher in the transitional area; and higher in the core

Human societies have, for centuries, impacted and altered the natural environments through different land use practises. Unsustainable land use practices are seen as one of the major threats to biodiversity around the globe. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the impacts of different land use types, mainly grazing and browsing by wildlife and livestock; land clearance for cultivation and wood harvesting on plant species diversity, composition and vegetation structure in the Kalahari woodlands of the Salambala conservancy in northeast Namibia. Three areas representing the different land use types were compared. These were the core, transitional and outside areas, which represented low, medium and high land use intensities, respectively. The nested plots design method was used to determine the minimal plot area. Trees (stem diameter 15cm) were assessed in 20m*20m plots, shrubs (stem diameter 15cm) were assessed in 5m*5m subplots and grasses and forbs were assessed in 1m*1m subplots. The structural attributes measured were tree basal circumference (cm), tree and shrub height, woody cover (line-intercept method) and visual estimation of grass cover. The range condition was assessed based on decreaser-increaser method. Plant species diversity and richness were significantly higher in the core and transitional areas. The hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) recognised three main floristic associations. These are, Combretum collinum mixed tall-sparse woodland, Combretum collinum-Terminalia sericea tall-dense woodland and Combretum collinum woodland thicket corresponding to the land use types in the core, transitional and outside areas respectively. The Detredend Correspondence Analysis (DCA) showed that 44.3 of the total variation in species composition was accounted for along the first axis, which was mainly associated with land use intensity. Tree density and total basal area were significantly higher in the transitional area; and higher in the core

Human societies have, for centuries, impacted and altered the natural environments through different land use practises. Unsustainable land use practices are seen as one of the major threats to biodiversity around the globe. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the impacts of different land use types, mainly grazing and browsing by wildlife and livestock; land clearance for cultivation and wood harvesting on plant species diversity, composition and vegetation structure in the Kalahari woodlands of the Salambala conservancy in northeast Namibia. Three areas representing the different land use types were compared. These were the core, transitional and outside areas, which represented low, medium and high land use intensities, respectively. The nested plots design method was used to determine the minimal plot area. Trees (stem diameter 15cm) were assessed in 20m*20m plots, shrubs (stem diameter 15cm) were assessed in 5m*5m subplots and grasses and forbs were assessed in 1m*1m subplots. The structural attributes measured were tree basal circumference (cm), tree and shrub height, woody cover (line-intercept method) and visual estimation of grass cover. The range condition was assessed based on decreaser-increaser method. Plant species diversity and richness were significantly higher in the core and transitional areas. The hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) recognised three main floristic associations. These are, Combretum collinum mixed tall-sparse woodland, Combretum collinum-Terminalia sericea tall-dense woodland and Combretum collinum woodland thicket corresponding to the land use types in the core, transitional and outside areas respectively. The Detredend Correspondence Analysis (DCA) showed that 44.3 of the total variation in species composition was accounted for along the first axis, which was mainly associated with land use intensity. Tree density and total basal area were significantly higher in the transitional area; and higher in the core

Summary: The Regeneration of Nature: an alternative to ecological restoration is an exploration of the human response to alterations society has imposed on natural ecosystems. Ecological restoration is the dominant response to these degraded systems that has emerged within Western, empirical thought. Restoration as it is characteristically practiced in the United States attempts to reverse human impact by returning an ecosystem to an earlier state of existence; its so called pre-disturbance condition. However, I argue that ecological restoration does not adequately address degraded ecosystems dominating today's landscape primarily because it excludes humans as an integrated part of ecosystems and it ignores the dynamic characteristics of nature. Despite the dichotomy embedded in the restoration view, humans and nature are best understood as interdependent. Therefore, those working on urban environmental issues must develop integrated solutions in which both society and nature benefit without creating negative impacts on each other. In The Regeneration of Nature: an alternative to ecological restoration , I show how the connections between science, society, and nature can be recognized as an integrated view to establish a new paradigm for positive change within communities, both natural and human. The new paradigm, which I entitle ecological regeneration, extends the interdisciplinary style of environmental research as it calls for the development, adoption, and dissemination of a truly integrated and dynamic socio-ecological model to replace the static and reductionist view that prevails within the ecological restoration model. Where restoration treats the human and natural environments as mutually exclusive, regeneration recognizes the necessity of integrating human built systems within nature and nature within built systems. By examining conceptual and practical problems within ecological restoration, my goal is to offer an ecological regeneration framework leadin, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection, Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2006.

Full Text, Thesis (PhD Doctorate), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Australian School of Environmental Studies, The conservation of lotic ecosystems has historically focused on maintaining the structural properties and processes of river systems, considered as surrogates for the protection of biological diversity. However, the geological structure of the catchment unit and the hierarchical, longitudinal nature of the rivers that drain them impose a number of potential barriers to dispersal. This creates a mosaic of aquatic islands within a terrestrial landscape. As such the protection of biodiversity and biological processes requires considerations that extend beyond the catchment unit. Understanding the extent to which barriers limit the movement of individuals is important in developing an integrated approach toward conservation of river systems. It is also important in understanding the role of dispersal in the process of species formation and population structure. While catchment units represent the logical social, economic and often political scale upon which to manage water resources they are increasingly being defined as the appropriate functional unit for the conservation and management of freshwater ecosystems. The aim was to determine the extent to which catchment units represent the appropriate scale for the conservation of lotic biodiversity. This was done by examining the effect of catchment units on the distribution of genetic variation and population structure in four aquatic taxa among streams in the south-western Cape, South Africa. All four taxa are part of the ancient paleoendemic Gondwanaland fauna characteristic of the Cape region and reflect relative differences in dispersal. The taxa were the freshwater fish, Galaxias zebratus (Teleostei: Galaxiidae); the net-winged midge Elporia barnardi (Diptera: Blephariceridae), which given its specialised morphology and specific habitat requirements has a very limited potential for dispersal; the stonefly Aphanicerca capensis (Plecoptera: Notonemouridae), a species with intermediate dispersal; and the widely distri

The conservation of lotic ecosystems has historically focused on maintaining the structural properties and processes of river systems, considered as surrogates for the protection of biological diversity. However, the geological structure of the catchment unit and the hierarchical, longitudinal nature of the rivers that drain them impose a number of potential barriers to dispersal. This creates a mosaic of aquatic islands within a terrestrial landscape. As such the protection of biodiversity and biological processes requires considerations that extend beyond the catchment unit. Understanding the extent to which barriers limit the movement of individuals is important in developing an integrated approach toward conservation of river systems. It is also important in understanding the role of dispersal in the process of species formation and population structure. While catchment units represent the logical social, economic and often political scale upon which to manage water resources they are increasingly being defined as the appropriate functional unit for the conservation and management of freshwater ecosystems. The aim was to determine the extent to which catchment units represent the appropriate scale for the conservation of lotic biodiversity. This was done by examining the effect of catchment units on the distribution of genetic variation and population structure in four aquatic taxa among streams in the south-western Cape, South Africa. All four taxa are part of the ancient paleoendemic Gondwanaland fauna characteristic of the Cape region and reflect relative differences in dispersal. The taxa were the freshwater fish, Galaxias zebratus (Teleostei: Galaxiidae); the net-winged midge Elporia barnardi (Diptera: Blephariceridae), which given its specialised morphology and specific habitat requirements has a very limited potential for dispersal; the stonefly Aphanicerca capensis (Plecoptera: Notonemouridae), a species with intermediate dispersal; and the widely distri, Thesis (PhD Doctorate), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Australian School of Environmental Studies, Full Text

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