Salford postgraduate annual research conference (SPARC) 2012 proceedings

These proceedings bring together a selection of papers from the 2012 Salford Postgraduate Annual Research Conference (SPARC). They reflect the breadth and diversity of research interests showcased at the conference, at which over 130 researchers from Salford, the North West and other UK universities presented their work. 21 papers are collated here from the humanities, arts, social sciences, health, engineering, environment and life sciences, built environment and business

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT MODELLING

integrated assessment

Public Participation in River Research and Management: Scale, Levels of Participation and the Contexts of Knowledge Co-production

The call to utilise participation in river research and management has grown steadily over the last few decades and features in many policy guidelines (most notably the Water Framework Directive). However, with little detailed guidance on the appropriate levels of participation, and on the appropriate participants, river management organisations are left to determine these for themselves, within given temporal and financial restrictions. Consequently, participation often comes second to meeting the environmental goals of the organisation. It is argued here that participation need not necessarily be viewed as an ‘add-on’, but that when used effectively, it can be beneficial both to the environment and the communities involved. Furthermore, within any aspect of river research (academic or managerial), participation of those who live daily with the river can enhance process understandings and lead to context specific research. This study, therefore, aimed to identify and evaluate innovative approaches to river research and management which place a focus on the integration of a diverse range of knowledges, in an effort to move beyond the traditional scientific approaches, focusing on the acclaimed benefits of high-level participation and knowledge co-production, in a range of situations. The two-step approach, involving a review of organisational practice and a local case study, was both interdisciplinary and participatory. The methodological approach allowed the Organisational Review step to provide context for the wider project, while the case study focused on the development of research objectives with the community who would be affected by their outcomes. The integration and deliberation of both scientific and experiential knowledge led to a process of knowledge co-production among the participants. The results of the participatory investigation into the impacts of weir restoration (on the River Derwent in County Durham/Northumberland) suggested that changing the profile of the weir would cause some localised, small scale changes to hydraulic aspects such as flow level upstream of the weir, but that flow rate and sediment transport would be relatively unaffected. The Organisational Review concluded that factors such as scale, resources, motivations and attitudes strongly influenced the uptake and success of participatory processes. Analysis of the participatory approach led to the conclusion that selection of a single participatory approach may be unsuitable in practical situations due to the changing nature of projects, and that a reflexive approach is likely to increase the success of participation. Universal application of high-level participation is recommended only with caution and the context of each individual project should be carefully considered before opting for the approach. Existing environmental controversies can be utilised to facilitate co-production of knowledge through a high-level participatory approach. While caution and contextual consideration are advised, high-level participation can offer a number of benefits, including the co-production of a context-specific knowledge, relevant research questions, and social learning for all involved. The results showed that experiential knowledge can be highly valuable in researching and managing rivers at a range of scales

An investigation into the Murihiku toheroa (paphies ventricosa) : matauranga, monitoring and management

The value of traditional ecological knowledge and associated traditional practices, or matauranga and tikanga in the New Zealand Maori context, is playing an increasingly important role in the development of effective wildfoods management. Kaitiaki (environmental guardians) in Murihiku (Southland) are concerned about the successful transmission of the matauranga surrounding the ecology, management and threats of the toheroa (Paphies ventricosa). Populations of toheroa, a highly prized endemic surf clam, are found at Oreti, Orepuki and Bluecliffs beaches within Murihiku of which numbers are historically low. Bluecliffs Beach has experienced large sand erosion leaving on so% of the original habitat suitable for the toheroa. Twenty-five semi-directive interviews were conducted across a range ofkaitiaki, local experts and scientists. Interviewees identified the main threats, concerns and gaps in the research surrounding the toheroa and dictated the main aims within this present investigation. Discussions surrounding the traditional practice of translocating toheroa revealed the presence of the third colony at Orepuki Beach, Te Waewae Bay. A population a third the size of the 2005 Bluecliffs Beach population has established at Orepuki Beach from translocation efforts by local community members. The maintenance of this population is of great importance to the resilience of the Te Waewae Bay toheroa given the degraded state of the Bluecliffs Beach population. The potential use of translocation as a stock enhancement tool may have broad potential to secure and increase the resilience of the Murihiku toheroa meta-populations. Translocation of adult toheroa to enhance existing stocks density and to establish new populations is considered the most practical option. The destructive nature of the current population survey techniques and its lack of adhering to tikanga lead to the wish for a non-destructive abundance index based on traditional search methods to be developed. The observation and counting of siphon activity (siphon tips and holes in the sand) provided a poor predictor of absolute toheroa density when compared with densities generated from the excavation surveys. However observing siphon activity in relatively warm temperatures (16°C and above) provides a 95% certain rate of detection during one search. Thus siphon activity searching provides a sound means to assess the presence/absence and distribution of toheroa colonies. The main threats to toheroa were identified as beach traffic, mass mortalities, illegal harvesting, predations, pollution and climate change. All of which are poorly quantified. Preliminary investigations provided evidence of beach traffic adversely impacting juvenile (≤ 39 mm) toheroa, particularly those in the softer sand. Injury rates increased with vehicles with large, spaced lugs on the tyre tread and the motorbike test vehicle killed 18% of toheroa exposed to a single passage compared to an average of 3% for the car/utility vehicles. Similarly the Burt Munro Challenge beach race, an annual motorbike event held of Oreti Beach, caused a 72% (95% CI 40- 90%) juvenile mortality rate within a 1-2 km stretch of the beach. Further research into quantifying the risk of beach traffic, along with important biological parameters (i.e age/size and maximum reproductive potential) need to addressed. The results of this present investigation clearly illustrates of how TEK and its associated practices are relevant to the effective management of wildfood resources. Future development into the management of the Murihiku toheroa should encompass an active adaptive management approach

An iconic approach to representing climate change

In order to meet the UK Government's 60% greenhouse gas emissions reduction target, there is a need for non-experts to be meaningfully engaged with the issue of climate change. This thesis investigates the value of engaging non-experts with climate change at the individual level. Research demonstrates that individuals perceive climate change as temporally and spatially remote, and not of personal concern. There are psychological, social and institutional barriers to meaningful engagement with climate change. More effective methods for engaging the public with climate change are needed which address the psychological barriers to change. An 'iconic' approach was developed to harness the emotive and visual power of climate icons with a rigorous scientific analysis of climate impacts under a different climate future. 'I~ons' are defined as tangible entities which will be impacted by climate change, considered worthy of respect by the viewer, and to which the viewer can relate to and feel empathy· for. Such icons already exist: for example, melting of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet or Thermohaline Circulation shutdown. However, these 'expert-led' icons have failed to engage non-experts. The selection of nonexpert icons enables individuals to engage with climate change through their personal perceptions and values. A robust sourcing for 'non-expert icons' was carried out using focus groups and online survey methodologies. A suite of icons representative of the reasoning behind individuals' non-expert icons was selected. Expert-led icons were identified from 'Sleeping 9iants' emerging from the Exeter Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change conference. Impact assessments were then carried out for the suite of expert-led and non-expert icons under a specified greenhouse gas emissions scenario and to an imaginable timescale. Methodologies used to investigate climate impacts on the icons included a survey of expert opinion, quantitative modelling and spatial analysis using a Geographic Information System (GIS). The cognitive and affective impact of the non-expert and expert-led icons upon individuals was investigated through an evaluative pre/post test workshop. The expert-led icons· generally disengaged individuals. Expert-led icons had little personal impact and invoked emotions such as helplessness or boredom, and were considered too scientific or complex. Conversely, non-expert icons tended to impact upon the individual, the local area or nature; and invoked affective and cognitive engagement with climate change.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

A review of the crown-of-thorns starfish research program 1989-1991

Consultant: Dr R. E. Johannes, Senior Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Division of Fisheries, Hobart.Terms of Reference: 1. To review the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's crown-of-thorns starfish research program with reference to the recommendations made by Professor D. T. Anderson in his 1989 report to Senator Richardson; 2. To make recommendations on the provision of additional funds for the program. This 1991 document includes 14 conclusions and recommendations