Disturbance in the North Island of New Zealand: A case study using floodplain cores from the Coromandel to determine anthropogenic disturbance : A thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geography Massey University, New Zealand

It is well documented that following human occupation of a region, the surrounding environment may undergo drastic changes through vegetation pattern alterations, displacement of fauna, alteration of sedimentation and fluvial regimes, and changes to the composition of the underlying material. Many case studies of anthropogenic disturbance have been conducted in New Zealand. One of the main outcomes of this research is to collate, contrast and compare this wealth of case studies to look for any underlying trends in timing, distribution and magnitude of disturbance nationwide. This thesis focusses on late Holocene records from the North Island, and compared the history of disturbance with that from the South Island (as per McWethy et al. 2010). Based on the combination of palynology, sedimentology and geochemistry, this review demonstrates the pace of disturbance observed in the North Island was very rapid following occupation, a trend also established in the South Island. The other main outcome of this research is to add to the knowledge base of North Island disturbance history, through development of a landscape disturbance history in the Coromandel, using floodplain cores from the Paeroa and Kuaotunu areas. Sediment logging and subsequent XRF-geochemical analysis performed on these cores revealed a ‘mining layer’ that was used as a baseline for mining disturbance in this environment. This layer is interpreted as when European activities began disturbing the environment. Cores extracted from the Paeroa area indicated that the sedimentation rates in the floodplain had increased more than 15-fold since human occupation. Significant rises in the amount of Arsenic and Lead contained within the sediment were also detected. Cores from the Kuaotunu floodplain also showed changes in geochemistry that coincided with historic mining in the area, but reverted back to near pre-mining levels following the initial disturbance. These results suggest that factors such as catchment characteristics and degree of disturbance in an area affect the extent of impact on a site, which may have implications for future management of post mining sites. XRF analysis is a relatively underutilized proxy in New Zealand. It, in conjunction with Particle Size Analysis, has proved valuable in this study and are recommended for application in future New Zealand environmental reconstruction-focused research

The Impact of Intra-group Interaction on Identity and Action

The unifying theme of the chapters presented in this thesis is that intra-group interaction impacts on in-group identity content, and this content provides a foundation for social action and social behaviour. The primary goals of this thesis are first, to demonstrate that social realities can be established and transformed through interaction; and second, to investigate why the process of intra-group interaction can spark and exacerbate social conflict. In Chapter 1, I review and attempt to theoretically integrate the disparate literatures on group discussion, identity and action. In Chapter 2, I investigate the effect of interaction on the positive-negative asymmetry effect (PNAE). In Study 2.1, participants were more likely to discriminate on rewards than fines, and find allocating rewards to be a more legitimate and pleasant act than allocating fines. Conversely, participants thought allocating fines would have a more negative effect on recipients and felt more negative about allocating fines than rewards. In Study 2.2, when in-group advancement was obstructed, no PNAE was found: obstruction was sufficient justification for out-group punishment in its own right. When in-group advancement was not obstructed, the PNAE reversed after group discussion, such that more hostility occurred when participants administered fines than when they awarded rewards. This reversal was mediated by processes of norm formation. In Chapter 3, I describe three studies which show that consensual intra-group discussions about a negatively regarded out-group increased inter-group hostility. Study 3.1 compared group discussion about immigrants with individual reflection. Results showed that group discussion informed the content of stereotypes, which led to support for anti-immigrant policies. In Study 3.2, participants discussed either an irrelevant topic, the out-group stereotype, or the out-group stereotype plus what concrete actions should be taken towards that group. Only discussion of the stereotype significantly increased hostility, suggesting that the psychological products of discussion per se (cohesion, identification, etc.) are not solely responsible for hostility. Rather, social validation of the stereotype explained why its discussion increased hostility. Study 3.3 replicated these results with a behavioural measure. In Chapter 4, I present two studies which controlled for the content of interaction by showing participants short films of similar others having a group discussion. Study 4.1 investigated the paradoxical finding that when groups discuss potential courses of action against an out-group, they are less likely to act than when they discuss simply the out-group stereotype (Chapter 3). Results suggested that when group discussions imply that there is social consensus about a course of action, even the advocacy of extreme actions can increase support for (more moderate) social action. Study 4.2 manipulated whether or not the discussants consensualised on the out-group stereotype, whilst controlling for discussion content. Only when the discussion ended in consensus did participants identify with the discussants and perceive norms for social action. In Chapter 5, I address how social identities and their associated (self-) stereotypes can disadvantage members of low status groups, but how they can also promote social change. The data demonstrates that consensualisation in small groups can transform (or reconfirm) such stereotypes, thereby eliminating (or bolstering) stereotype threat effects. In Study 5.1, female participants were asked why men are (or are not) better at maths. They generated their answers individually or through group discussion. Stereotype threat was undermined only when they collectively challenged the stereotype. Content analyses suggest that discussions redefined in-group and out-group stereotypes, providing the basis for stigma reversal or confirmation. In Study 5.2, male and female participants confirmed or challenged the stereotype in same-gender discussion groups or no discussion, baseline conditions. After a discussion that confirmed the stereotype, women displayed signs of stereotype threat and men’s performance was “lifted”. When they challenged the stereotype, the difference between men and women on the maths test was eliminated. Overall, the results reported in this thesis suggest that intra-group interaction enables group members to develop an understanding of their common ideology, which may establish the consensual basis of their identity content. If such consensualisation occurs, this provides them with a sense that their perceptions of reality are socially valid, and gives rise to (implicit or explicit) in-group norms. This provides individuals with a solid foundation upon which they may act. The implications of these conclusions are discussed in Chapter 6.Economic and Social Research Counci

Health locus of control in patients undergoing coronary artery surgery – changes and associated outcomes: a seven-year cohort study

Introduction: Health locus of control is a measure of an individual’s beliefs in factors that are thought to determine health experiences. Scores are generated and form a graduated linear scale from external to internal control, with respect to their views on health causality. Health locus of control has been considered to be a relatively stable entity. However, it is not clear if this status changes in the advent of serious health challenges, such as coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The aim of this study is to explore the variability of health locus of control and its association with postoperative health in this context. Methods: In a longitudinal cohort study of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery, a purposive sample (n=215) were recruited from the waiting list and followed up postoperatively, at approximately one year and seven years later. Results: Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery demonstrated marked fluctuations in health locus of control in their peri-operative and rehabilitative phases. Mean health locus of control became more external (often associated with poorer outcomes) peri-operatively, and more internal (generally associated with better health outcomes) in the rehabilitative period. Conclusions: Health locus of control scores were shown to be changeable during a major health care intervention, with possible consequences for patient outcomes and care needs. The significant health belief upheaval demonstrated in this cohort should be considered in assessing patients preoperatively, and managed as part of the patients’ clinical journey by both acute and rehabilitation staff. It is likely to have particular importance in individualised assessment and management of future prevention advice for patients

The Utilisation and Perceived Value of Archives: New Zealand’s Recordkeeping Standards by Public Sector Recordkeepers

Archives New Zealand has issued and revised seven recordkeeping standards since the passing of the Public Records Act 2005, four of which are mandatory compliance standards for all public offices and local authorities. Public sector recordkeepers are charged with achieving their organisations’ compliance with the Public Records Act but no research has been done into the utilisation and perceived value of these standards by this group. This project aimed to reveal how widespread utilisation of Archives New Zealand’s recordkeeping standards is and how valuable public sector recordkeepers believe the standards are by seeking evidence of utilisation of the standards, reasons behind this utilisation or lack thereof, and perceived drivers and/or barriers to the standards’ utilisation. A quantitative survey research approach was taken to obtain data from public sector recordkeepers. The research found that the standards are being used by many recordkeepers and for multiple purposes within organisations. The mandatory standards are the most utilised and compliance to the Public Records Act the biggest driver behind utilisation. Overall the standards are deemed valuable, but opinions are conflicting concerning the style and content of the standards. Further research into this area is recommended to provide more detailed results about the standards as individual entities

Female criminality in York and Hull 1830-1870.

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DX205125 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

A retrospective assessment of primary productivity on the Bering and Chukchi Sea shelves using stable isotope ratios in seabirds

Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2000Recent declines of marine mammal seabird populations in the Bering Sea have raised the question of whether the changes are caused by fishing pressure or a decrease in ecosystem carrying capacity. Stable carbon (¹³C⁾ and nitrogen (¹⁵N⁾ isotope ratios in Thick⁻billed Murre muscle and feathers were used as indicators of changing seasonal primary production. ¹³C values in phytoplankton vary directly with growth rates and are passed up the food web to consumers. Muscle and feather ¹³C values decreased over the period 1976-1998 suggesting a decline in Bering/Chukchi continental shelf primary production. Carbon isotope ratios in murres were correlated with bowhead whale baleen isotope ratios and to some climate indices. In contrast, ¹⁵N values in the birds showed no significant change indicating no concurrent shifts in trophic status

In the Shadow of the Megadrought: Opportunities and Challenges for Addressing Loss and Damage from Climate Change in Chile and Eastern Montana, USA

As the impacts of anthropogenic climate change mount, climate- related harms, both economic and non-economic, occur across every inhabited continent and disproportionately affect the world’s most vulnerable people. In response, the Loss and Damage agenda of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change has emerged to address those climate-related harms that exceed human capacities for mitigation and adaptation. Significant questions remain regarding how losses and damages emerge across the globe and how Loss and Damage policy will be implemented to address those impacts. This thesis explores two specific questions: (1) national-level Loss and Damage policy mechanisms; and (2) perceptions of losses and damages among agricultural producers in the global north. The first study leverages a framework-guided analysis of national climate policies from Chile to assess the presence, absence, and potential of national-level Loss and Damage policy mechanisms within this country. Although Chile’s current climate strategies do not mirror the global Loss and Damage policy agenda, certain elements are clearly present. Results suggest limited relevance for event attribution at the national level, countering an ongoing debate on the significance of attribution for addressing losses and damages from a global perspective. The second study explores losses and damages in Montana, USA, a context not historically framed as a target of global Loss and Damage policy. Through a survey of Montana farmers and ranchers’ experiences with extreme events, evidence of both economic and non-economic harms is found among respondents, as well as a potential threshold at which agriculturists may change livelihoods given consistent recurrence of extreme events. Overall, this work provides insight into the relevance of the global Loss and Damage agenda and its various elements across a wide range of societal levels and geopolitical contexts, and can prove valuable as individuals, communities, and nations around the world grapple with the impending and accelerating impacts of climate change

A Dance with Cranes: Grus americana and the Promise of Wilderness

Is it possible to construct wilderness? To teach a bird to be wild? Study of the whooping crane (Grus americana) conservation effort shows how intrepid conservationists have worked to prevent this iconic species’ extinction. From the early years of the American conservation movement to the looming threat of climate change, this project attempts to track the ways care and control have influenced this endeavor in ‘saving’ this species, and examines these conservation practices from a multispecies perspective