scholarly journals Managing Coastal Sand Drift in the Anthropocene: A Case Study of the Manawatū-Whanganui Dune Field, New Zealand, 1800s–2020s

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Ruwan Sampath ◽  
James Beattie ◽  
Joana Gaspar de Freitas
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Storm Surges ◽  
First Century ◽  
Dune Field ◽  
Holistic Management ◽  
Sand Drift

In the Anthropocene, dunes act as a natural defence from sea-level rise and storm surges while providing ‘ecosystem’ services. This article uses scientific and historical data to examine the Manawatū-Whanganui dune field in New Zealand from the nineteenth to the twenty-first century. Dunes that were destabilised due to European settlements and their activities were drifting inland causing social, economic and political problems. Attempts to prevent dune mobility occurred at the time in many parts of the world. Thus, knowledge was shared between countries through experts and migrants. The consequences of the implemented solutions and new environmental conditions mean that dunes are still a major issue in the region. A comparative analysis of historical and present-day dune management practices provides a better understanding of long-term dune drift. In conclusion, interdisciplinary analyses of long-term relations between dunes and society must be taken into account for their holistic management.

History and the Study of Inequality

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 429-441
Author(s):  
Herbert S. Klein
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
First Century ◽  
Global Inequality ◽  
Historical Factors ◽  
The Social ◽  
Oxford Group ◽  
Over Time

Economic inequality has become one of the most important themes in the social sciences. The debate has revolved around two basic models. Was Kuznets correct in his prediction that inequality declines with economic growth, or was Piketty, along with others in the Berkeley/Paris/Oxford group, correct to counter that capitalism without severe constraints inevitably leads to increasing inequality? The resolution will depend on long-term historical analysis. In Global Inequality, Milanovic proposed new models to analyze the social, economic, political, and historical factors that influence changes in inequality over time and space. In Capitalism, Alone, he changes direction to examine what patterns of capitalism and inequality will look like in the twenty-first century and beyond, as well as how inequality might be reduced without violence.

Selection of indicator species for State of the Environment reporting: A case study from New Zealand

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne M. Hoare ◽  
Colin F. J. O’Donnell ◽  
Elaine F. Wright
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Indicator Species ◽  
Species Concepts ◽  
Monitoring Data ◽  
Environmental Reporting ◽  
Environmental Attributes ◽  
State Of The Environment ◽  
Selection Of

Indicator species approaches are widely used in conservation as a shortcut to measuring attributes of species and ecosystems. A variety of indicator species concepts are in use and are applicable to a range of situations. Indicator species are increasingly being used in environmental reporting to evaluate trends in environmental attributes quantitatively. We use the most recent State of the Environment report from New Zealand as a case study to evaluate: (1) how indicator species concepts are being applied to environmental reporting and (2) the selection of individual species as indicators. At present indicator species used in environmental reporting in New Zealand reflect biases in national monitoring data towards forest-dwelling, terrestrial vertebrates that are vulnerable to predation by introduced mammals. Scientific literature generally supports links between selected taxa and the aspect of ecosystem health they are purported to indicate, but their roles as long-term indicators of environmental health have yet to be evaluated. A primary goal of State of the Environment reporting is to set a benchmark against which environmental outcomes can be monitored over time; thus it is recognized that taxa reported should represent a broader range of environmental attributes. However, selection of taxa for environmental reporting is severely constrained by limited national species monitoring data. A strategic approach to national measurement, storage and analysis of long-term monitoring data is required to support selection of representative species for environmental reporting. We support current initiatives to select taxa for future measurement and reporting in an objective, transparent manner and recommend that they encompass representation of: (1) taxonomic diversity, (2) ecosystem types, (3) key environmental pressures and (4) threat status.

scholarly journals Kia kaua te reo e rite ki te moa, ka ngaro: do not let the language suffer the same fate as the moa

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (162) ◽  
pp. 20190526
Author(s):  
Tessa Barrett-Walker ◽  
Michael J. Plank ◽  
Rachael Ka'ai-Mahuta ◽  
Daniel Hikuroa ◽  
Alex James
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Endangered Languages ◽  
Endangered Language ◽  
Learning Rates ◽  
Welsh Language ◽  
Using Data

More than a third of the world's languages are currently classified as endangered and more than half are expected to go extinct by 2100. Strategies aimed at revitalizing endangered languages have been implemented in numerous countries, with varying degrees of success. Here, we develop a new model regarding language transmission by dividing the population into defined proficiency categories and dynamically quantifying transition rates between categories. The model can predict changes in proficiency levels over time and, ultimately, whether a given endangered language is on a long-term trajectory towards extinction or recovery. We calibrate the model using data from Wales and show that the model predicts that the Welsh language will thrive in the long term. We then apply the model to te reo Māori, the indigenous language of New Zealand, as a case study. Initial conditions for this model are estimated using New Zealand census data. We modify the model to describe a country, such as New Zealand, where the endangered language is associated with a particular subpopulation representing the indigenous people. We conclude that, with current learning rates, te reo Māori is on a pathway towards extinction, but identify strategies that could help restore it to an upward trajectory.

scholarly journals Kia kaua te reo e rite ki te moa, ka ngaro: Do not let the language suffer the same fate as the moa

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tessa Barrett-Walker ◽  
Michael J. Plank ◽  
Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta ◽  
Daniel Hikuroa ◽  
Alex James
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Endangered Languages ◽  
Endangered Language ◽  
Learning Rates ◽  
Welsh Language ◽  
Using Data

AbstractMore than a third of the world’s languages are currently classified as endangered and more than half are expected to go extinct by 2100. Strategies aimed at revitalising endangered languages have been implemented in numerous countries, with varying degrees of success. Here, we develop a new model regarding language transmission by dividing the population into defined proficiency categories and dynamically quantifying transition rates between categories. The model can predict changes in proficiency levels over time and, ultimately, whether a given endangered language is on a long-term trajectory towards extinction or recovery. We calibrate the model using data from Wales and show that the model predicts that the Welsh language will thrive in the long term. We then apply the model to te reo Māori, the Indigenous language of New Zealand, as a case study. Initial conditions for this model are estimated using New Zealand census data. We modify the model to describe a country, such as New Zealand, where the endangered language is associated with a particular subpopulation representing the Indigenous People. We conclude that, with current learning rates, te reo Māori is on a pathway towards extinction, but identify strategies that could help restore it to an upward trajectory.

scholarly journals Comparative analysis and implications of sustainable Flood Risk Management in four front-end countries: The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United States, & Japan 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faith Ka Shun Chan ◽  
Liang Emlyn Yang ◽  
Gordon Mitchell ◽  
Nigel Wright ◽  
Mingfu Guan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Flood Management ◽  
The United States ◽  
Flood Risk Management

Abstract. Sustainable flood risk management (SFRM) has become popular since the 1980s. Many governmental and non-governmental organisations have been keen on implementing the SFRM strategies by integrating social, ecological and economic themes into their flood risk management (FRM) practices. However, justifications for SFRM are still embryonic and it is not yet clear whether this concept is influencing the current policies in different countries. This paper reviews the past and present flood management approaches and experiences from flood defence to FRM in four developed countries with the aim of highlighting lessons for developing mega deltas. The paper explored recent strategies such as “Making Space for Water, PPS 25, and NPPF” in the UK; “Room for Rivers” in the Netherlands which was promoted to cope with flooding, integrate FRM with ideas on sustainability, and deliver good FRM practice for next generations. The United States has also established a sound National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and Japan has developed an advanced flood warning and evacuation contingency system to prepare for climatic extremes. These case studies showed some good lessons to achieve long term SFRM direction to deliver flood management practices with social-economic and environmental concerns. Most of developing coastal megacities especially in Asia are still heavily reliant on traditional hard-engineering approach, that may not be enough to mitigate substantial risks due to human (exist huge populations, rapid socio-economic growth, subsidence) and natural (climate change) factors. We understand different countries and cities have their own interpretation on SFRM, but recommend policy makers to adopt “mixed options” towards thinking about long term and sustainability that with social, economic and environmental considerations. 

scholarly journals EVALUATION OF INLET MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AT NAVIGATION INLETS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, USA

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (32) ◽  
pp. 89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed A Dabees ◽  
Brett D Moore
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
Central Florida ◽  
Southwest Florida ◽  
Term Evolution ◽  
Morphologic Response ◽  
Temporal And Spatial

This paper describes numerical modeling of long-term evolution of inlet systems in southwest and central Florida. The paper discusses a general methodology developed following four case studies and application to the case study of Gordon Pass in southwest Florida. The case study of Gordon Pass demonstrates the importance of considering large temporal and spatial scales in evaluating morphologic response to inlet management practices. The results describe the evolution of Gordon Pass from 1930 to present. The analysis begins with natural conditions that existed before dredging or inlet modifications and investigates how inlet evolution can be influenced by navigation improvements and provide tools to evaluate alternatives.

scholarly journals Barriers to IPM adoption for insect pests in New Zealand pastures

2019 ◽  
pp. 139-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Mansfield ◽  
Colin M. Ferguson ◽  
Toni White ◽  
Scott Hardwick ◽  
Sean D.G. Marshall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Pest Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Control Methods ◽  
Current Management ◽  
Share Information

New Zealand’s pastoral sector faces significant challenges to pest management as long-standing insecticides are deregistered. To protect their pastures, farmers need to shift from reactive responses that lead to poor economic outcomes to pre-emptive responses that are viable in the long term. Current management practices (insecticides, endophytes, biological control) for New Zealand’s pasture insect pests were assessed from the perspective of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Potential impacts from novel control strategies and emerging digital technologies were evaluated to determine how these could improve pest management. Cryptic IPM is present within the New Zealand pastoral sector: that is, farmers practise various elements of IPM but these elements are not integrated into a cohesive system, so farmers often fail to recognise pest impacts until significant economic losses have occurred. We identified important networks by which farmers, industry and researchers communicate and share information, and can develop strategies to raise awareness of IPM. To encourage adoption, farmers need to feel ownership of pasture IPM. Investment in IPM training for farmers through industry extension networks is essential to prepare farmers for the shift away from chemical insecticides to new biologically based control methods. Adoption of IPM will help pastoralists respond to current and new pest challenges.

scholarly journals Teaching journalism in Oman: Reflections after the Arab Spring

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan O'Rourke
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
English Language ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
The Arab Spring ◽  
Ministry Of Higher Education

Between 2005–2011, the New Zealand Tertiary Education Consortium (NZTEC) was contracted to the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) in the Sultanate of Oman. This long-term, long-distance off-shore education contract committed four New Zealand universities to providing degrees in four discipline areas (as well as English language support) within the Omani Colleges of Applied Science. As part of this process, AUT University’s Bachelor of Communication Studies was redeveloped for delivery in Oman. This case study will focus on the Journalism major and in particular the nature of the courses within this major, the difficulties encountered in re-developing them and the challenge of delivering them under these particular circumstances in this particular time frame. The wider picture of the type of journalism practised in Oman; what is expected of—or indeed possible for― journalists in that society; and journalism as a force for democracy in Arab countries will also be briefly discussed.

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