Geomorphic Gradients in Shallow Seagrass Carbon Stocks

Seagrass meadows are important sinks of organic carbon (Corg), in particular the near-surface Corg pool (≤ 15 cm) compared to deeper sediments. Near-surface carbon is highly susceptible to disturbance and loss to the atmosphere, however, inadequate accounting for variability in this pool of carbon limits their uptake into carbon accounting frameworks. We therefore investigated the spatial variability in seagrass near-surface Corg and biomass Corg across different geomorphic (estuary, lagoonal and reef-associated) and community typologies (pioneer and persistent). Near-surface Corg stock in vegetated areas (25.78 Mg Corg ha−1 ± 26.64) was twice that from unvegetated areas (14.27 Mg Corg ha−1 ± 15.86), reinforcing the paradigm that the presence of seagrass enhances carbon stocks. Lagoonal and reef-associated meadows showed similar Corg stocks (p \u3e 0.05), which were substantially higher (p \u3c 0.05) than estuary meadows. Likewise, persistent seagrass communities (Cymodocea dominance) stored higher (p \u3c 0.05) stocks of Corg than pioneer communities (Halophila and Halodule dominance). Linear regression models showed significant but weak relationships between seagrass cover, shoot density and standing biomass with near-surface Corg stocks, whereas significant and strong relationships were observed for organic matter, dry bulk density and median grain size. The results highlight the need for higher resolution carbon assessments to better understand local and regional variability, in order to better inform carbon accounting and conservation policy

Integrated Reservoir Characterization of the Goldwyer Formation, Canning Basin

This study has used an integrated approach to characterise the Goldwyer shale in the Broome Platform, Canning Basin in terms of geochemical sweetspot identification and the potential to generate hydrocarbon. This was achieved through laboratory analysis and using sophisticated geostatistical techniques to predict the property distribution in areas with poor well control. Furthermore, burial history modelling was carried out with well constrained maturity controlling factors such as exhumation as well as basin specific kinetics

18 April 2011 – International day for monuments and sites: the cultural heritage of water

In response to a proposal by ICOMOS, 18 April was designated as the International Day for Monuments and Sites by UNESCO in 1982. Each year a theme is selected to help focus the celebration and promotion of cultural heritage across the world. The aim is to explore cultural heritage beyond the select group of sites on the World Heritage List to encourage local communities and individuals to consider the importance of cultural heritage to their lives, identities and communities. The theme agreed for 2011 is the "Cultural Heritage of Water". Water is one of the key resources required to sustain life. It has led to the development and generation of significant material culture in the form of items, technology and places. How to obtain it, how to store it, how to harness its power and conserve it has motivated human endeavour in a myriad of ways. It has also been the catalyst for the development of significant cultural practices which have generated intangible cultural heritage values. It has inspired poetry, literature, artistic endeavour such as painting, dance and sculpture. It has informed and inspired the development of philosophies and religious practice. The cultural heritage of water, therefore relates not only to the technology and architecture that humankind has developed to manage, utilise and celebrate its life giving properties but also to those intangible values that have shaped our beliefs and practices. This essay cannot cover completely the complexity and individuality of humankind's relationship with water. It does however attempt to illustrate this complexity in order to encourage a broad exploration of the heritage of water that goes beyond a mere appreciation of the technology that has been developed to utilise, consume, manage and travel over it and must include consideration of the intangible values associated with water. These intangible values of spirituality, aesthetics, grief and conquest, inspire and give meaning to the range of cultural practices, structures and objects that relate to humanity's relationship with water and which in turn comprise our cultural heritage

Trade Secrets: A Historical, Archaeological, and Archaeometric Study of Greek Colonization in the Dalmatian Islands

This thesis examines the Dalmatian islands and their relationship with the surrounding Adriatic region during the late Greek colonization period in the 4th century B.C. by using colonization models, archaeometric ceramic analysis, and coinage dispersion, in addition to the network theory set forth by Irad Malkin. The timeline for colonization in the Dalmatian islands allows a strong comparison to be made with colonization in the Black Sea region, especially the southern coastline around Sinope. This study uses primary and secondary historical documents to inventory the cultural and geological factors influencing Greek colonization during the Archaic period 800 to 500 B.C in the Black Sea. The Black Sea data will then be used for the basis of comparison with Dalmatia. Archaeological research and survey data on the islands of Vis, Korc̆ula, and Hvar, off the coast of Croatia, has then been compiled along with the archaeometric data to identify a network of colonization based on technological differences within Dalmatia. This proposed network has then been tested against current network theories in order to determine if the Greek colonists employed a predetermined and standardized practice during their colonization efforts of the 4th century B.C

November 22, 1962

https://scholarlycommons.obu.edu/arbaptnews/1244/thumbnail.jp

Bending Space: Praise and Parrhēsia in Hellenistic Court Geography

Hellenistic geographical treatises have traditionally received little attention for their ideological content. Recent scholarship has provided much needed revision to this approach, examining these texts through an imperial lens. However, such readings tend to overlook elements which stifle, rather than promote, imperial concerns. This thesis argues that these diverse geographies can be understood as sympotic gifts of court Philoi (friends) to the king. Imperial propaganda is interpreted as epainos (praise), and potentially subversive texts are understood as parrhēsia (frank speech). To identify these elements in court geography, a range of tools are adopted. Spatial geographic elements are viewed through critical and counter-cartographic lenses to identify epainos and parrhēsia. In descriptive geography, digressions, emplotment, and implicit juxtaposition are considered as means of reinforcing or, conversely, distancing us from the imperial gaze. Two case studies explore the imperial geography of early Hellenistic kingdoms. First, the geographical propaganda of the Ptolemies is examined and found to prescribe a universalising thalassocracy. However, Eratosthenes of Kyrene’s geography will be shown to perform as parrhēsia, effectively disrupting these imperial pretensions. The second case study considers early Seleukid geography in which claims of universal kinship are identified in the treatises of Patrokles and others. In contrast, Megasthenes’ geography will be shown express parrhēsia and challenge these claims. This dissertation redefines our understanding of Hellenistic geography by adopting a sympotic cultural lens. The identification of elements of parrhēsia within court geography allows for a more nuanced reading of Hellenistic geographies as texts responding to the concerns of the sympotic court. Court geographies performed vital ideological functions: geographic tools provided unique ways for Philoi to challenge the imperial claims of their royal patrons

Giving voice to the spirits: Storytelling in the service of Belizean literacy

This dissertation examines the participation of indigenous storytellers in a textbook project undertaken by Belizean educators. A qualitative study of these narrators, who contributed both traditional stories and personal narratives, extended from February 1991 until February 1996 in Belize\u27s Toledo District. Featured narrators were interviewed and audio-taped by the author throughout this time period, as they contributed their oral lore to the project. This investigation reveals the complex interrelationships of anthropological salvage and cultural renewal. Certain contemporary scholars decry what they perceive as the limited pastoral dimension of salvage, which may suggest that the true value of traditional stories lies primarily in the \u27golden\u27 past, rather than the dynamic present. Although the Belizean project includes a story collection dimension, this research demonstrates that local narrators frequently target contemporary audiences and engage in the selective maintenance of community cultural knowledge. Observations of the Toledo storytellers indicate that their improvisational and emergent performances often result in the adaptation of traditional stories to contemporary audiences and issues. Profound moral and spiritual their moral and spiritual teachings to the active maintenance of peaceful communities and sustainable living on the land. Certain Toledo storytellers are also providing for the multi-lingual insertion of their cultural knowledge and political views into the contested public arena of newly independent Belize\u27s national discourse. Many Creole, Garifuna (Black Carib), and Mayan narrators are adapting Belizean Creole English and English to make meaning and knowledge for cultural renewal. As a result of these expanding discursive activities, the textbook project potentially offers the foundation for a viable program of ideological literacy, one based on the local context and directed toward positive community action for cultural renewal, care for the environment, and community self-determination

Chasing Mythical Beasts

Classical Antiquity is strongly present in youth culture globally. It accompanies children during their initiation into adulthood and thereby deepens their knowledge of the cultural code based on the Greek and Roman heritage. It enables intergenerational communication, with the reception of the Classics being able to serve as a marker of transformations underway in societies the world over. The team of contributors from Europe, North America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand focuses on the reception of mythical creatures as the key to these transformations, including the changes in human mentality. The volume gathers the results of a stage of the programme ‘Our Mythical Childhood’, supported by an Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Alumni Award for Innovative Networking Initiatives and an ERC Consolidator Grant. Thanks to the multidisciplinary character of its research (Classics, Modern Philologies, Animal Studies) and to the universal importance of the theme of childhood, the volume offers stimulating reading for scholars, students, and educators, as well as for a wider audience

Chasing Mythical Beasts

Classical Antiquity is strongly present in youth culture globally. It accompanies children during their initiation into adulthood and thereby deepens their knowledge of the cultural code based on the Greek and Roman heritage. It enables intergenerational communication, with the reception of the Classics being able to serve as a marker of transformations underway in societies the world over. The team of contributors from Europe, North America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand focuses on the reception of mythical creatures as the key to these transformations, including the changes in human mentality. The volume gathers the results of a stage of the programme ‘Our Mythical Childhood’, supported by an Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Alumni Award for Innovative Networking Initiatives and an ERC Consolidator Grant. Thanks to the multidisciplinary character of its research (Classics, Modern Philologies, Animal Studies) and to the universal importance of the theme of childhood, the volume offers stimulating reading for scholars, students, and educators, as well as for a wider audience