The diet of feral goats (Capra hircus L.) in the Rimu-Rata-Kamahi Forest of Mount Egmont [microform] : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Zoology at Massey University

The diet of the feral goat (Capra hircus) in rimu-rata-kamahi forest on Mount Egmont was examined by sorting monthly rumen samples for one year. Seasonal changes in diet, relative plant palatabilities, differential fragmentation and digestion rates of plant species, nitrogen and mineral levels in principal foods, and several aspects of population biology were measured. Results show that individual goats contain at least 19 plant species on average and some more than 30. Presumably, they eat about this number daily. However, just two species (Asplenium bulbiferum and Ripogonum scandens) make up 44.8% of the total amount eaten over the year. There are significant seasonal changes in the amounts eaten for Coprosma grandifolius, Coprosma tenuifolia, Griselinia littoralis, Melicytus ramiflorus, Ripogonum scandens (fruit and vine) and Weinmannia racemosa. Goats clearly select or reject different plant species. Thus use of species is largely independent of availability. The most preferred foods are probably Schefflera digitata and Ripogonum scandens fruit and vine. In contrast the very abundant Microlaena spp., Uncinia spp., moss, Alsophila smithii and especially Blechnum fluviatile are among the most unpalatable. The low and probably variable availability of many species within the study area obscures their seasonal trends and palatability ratings. Asplenium bulbiferum, and probably Melicytus ramiflorus, are underestimated in the diet, whereas Ripogonum scandens vine may be overestimated. However, the magnitude of error is not sufficient to be a problem in this study. There is no obvious correlation between diet selection and the levels in plants of N, K, Ca, Mg, P, s, Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn. Only Na is deficient enough to possibly be selected for and highest levels occur in the very palatable Schefflera digitata. Age structure, body condition and reproductive data suggest a predominantly young, healthy population that is reproducing rapidly

Land Use Policies in Selected States

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The Potential of Spaced-based High-Energy Neutrino Measurements via the Airshower Cherenkov Signal

Future space-based experiments, such as OWL and JEM-EUSO, view large atmospheric and terrestrial neutrino targets. With energy thresholds slightly above 10^19 eV for observing airshowers via air fluorescence, the potential for observing the cosmogenic neutrino flux associated with the GZK effect is limited. However, the forward Cherenkov signal associated with the airshower can be observed at much lower energies. A simulation was developed to determine the Cherenkov signal strength and spatial extent at low-Earth orbit for upward-moving airshowers. A model of tau neutrino interactions in the Earth was employed to determine the event rate of interactions that yielded a tau lepton which would induce an upward-moving airshower observable by a space-based instrument. The effect of neutrino attenuation by the Earth forces the viewing of the Earth's limb to observe the nu_tau-induced Cherenkov airshower signal at above the OWL Cherenkov energy threshold of ~10^16.5 eV for limb-viewed events. Furthermore, the neutrino attenuation limits the effective terrestrial neutrino target area to ~3x10^5 km^2 at 10^17 eV, for an orbit of 1000 km and an instrumental full Field-of-View of 45 degrees. This translates into an observable cosmogenic neutrino event rate of ~1/year based upon two different models of the cosmogenic neutrino flux, assuming neutrino oscillations and a 10% duty cycle for observation.Comment: Contribution to the 32nd ICRC, Beijing, China, August 2011; Paper#1331, 4 pages, 4 figure

Quarry fines minimisation : can we really have 10mm aggregate with no fines?

In 2005, 216 million tonnes of saleable aggregate was produced in the UK; a corresponding 55 million tonnes of quarry fines and 24 million tonnes of quarry waste were also produced. The need to minimise fines production is driven by the Aggregates Levy (which has priced quarry fines out of the market in favour of recycled aggregate) and the Landfill Tax (which has made it expensive to dispose of fines). Attempts to reduce fines production often start with a process optimisation audit; the case study presented illustrates how fines production can be reduced, in this instance by up to 30%. Application of good practice in the crushing plant also helps to reduce fines production, including: reducing the crushing ratio to 6:1 or lower; maintaining uniform feed distribution; choke feeding (for compression crushers); reducing the speed of impact crushers; and reducing the degree of recirculation by increased screening efficiency. Future developments are likely to be driven by the need to respond to climate change. New crusher designs will be more automated, offer improved energy efficiency, have a greater production capacity and improved reliability

Developments in Retirement Provision: Global Trends and Lessons from Australia and the US

Retirement systems should be conceived of as long-term financial contracts under which workers' contributions today are exchanged for benefits paid to the elderly tomorrow. Such contracts are said to be well-managed if the transactions are handled in an affordable, reliable, and efficient manner. Yet all pension systems are forced to operate under a multitude of constraints including participants' ability and willingness to save; the availability of assets with which to convert current saving into future retirement benefits; the limitations of imperfect capital markets; political influences imposed by stakeholders; county macroeconomic conditions; and as we are becoming increasingly aware, global business cycles. If pensions are to continue to meet the needs of an aging world, it is imperative to prepare for emerging challenges as these systems evolve through time. In these remarks we first show how global demographic change is driving pension change throughout the world. Next we describe and compare developments in old-age provision over the last decade in Australia and the United States, and outline the key issues facing retirement systems in both nations. There are many differences between the experiences of the two countries, but as we shall show there are also common themes. Finally we identify key pension reform design issues facing Australia and the US in the upcoming decades.