Using marine ecoengineering to mitigate biodiversity loss on modified structures in the Waitematā Harbour : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Conservation Biology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

The construction of infrastructure on the foreshore is an unavoidable consequence of an ever-expanding human population. Traditionally, this infrastructure has replaced softsubstrates with hard substrates. Furthermore, even for native biota which occupy hard substrates, the flat, featureless construction of most marine infrastructure provides little habitat heterogeneity and results in depauperate communities with little biotic resistance against non-indigenous species. Marine ecoengineering provides a possible solution to this global phenomenon by using intelligent construction techniques that promote the accumulation of native biodiversity. Here, I used eco-engineered settlement plates to examine the effect of habitat complexity on the biodiversity of communities inhabiting existing. Additionally, we examined the effects of climate change driven increases in rainfall on the performance of ecoengineered substrates in the mid-intertidal zone. Last, we reviewed and synthesised the available literature on the species present in The Waitematā Harbour and, to the best of my knowledge, provide the most complete species lists to date. In chapter two, we transplanted eco-engineered settlement plates seeded with local bivalve, Perna canaliculus, onto an existing seawall and monitored the accumulation of biodiversity. Overall, we show that both structural and biological habitat heterogeneity enhanced the biodiversity of the seawall community. Additionally, we found that the cemented pavement of volcanic rock that constituted the existing seawall, accumulated biodiversity faster than flat concrete settlement plates, supporting the use of this type of seawall construction over flat concrete seawalls. However, benefits to biodiversity could be further enhanced by explicitly adopting ecoengineering designs that provide crevices for intertidal organisms. In chapter three, we examined the performance of ecoengineered substrates under the prediction that climate change will enhance rainfall by 20% in the Auckland region. While no effect of increased rainfall was observed for the mobile invertebrate community or the flat plates, increased rainfall did influence the biodiversity of the fouling community on the ridged plates, likely as a consequence of reduced desiccation stress. Although this was only a short-term experiment we predict that given time to develop, a distinct fouling community could influence the diversity mobile invertebrate community, shifting the whole community vertically up the seawall. The review of the Waitematā taxonomy presented in chapter four, provides a reference for future studies of the biodiversity of the Waitematā harbour as well as identifying several gaps in our understanding, a cause for concern. Specifically, we show that non-indigenous species make up a considerable proportion of the fouling species listed for the Harbour and suggest that some of this could have been avoided by the adoption of ecoengineering techniques. Overall, this thesis recognises that habitat heterogeneity, be it natural or man-made, is a vital driver of biodiversity. Each chapter provides additional insight, supporting the benefits of marine ecoengineering. These positive results within the Waitematā Harbour show potential for larger scale experimental trials and for the broader application of these techniques in other locations. By implementing intelligent design and eco-friendly materials in marine infrastructure, we can reduce the impact on local intertidal communities and indirectly reduce the spread of non-indigenous species

Automated analysis of non destructive evaluation data

Interpretation of NDE data can be unreliable and difficult due to the complex interaction between the instrument, object under inspection and noise and uncertainties about the system or data. A common method of reducing the complexity and volume of data is to use thresholds. However, many of these methods are based on making subjective assessments from the data or assumptions about the system which can be source of error. Reducing data whilst retaining important information is difficult and normally compromises have to be made. This thesis has developed methods that are based on sound mathematical and scientific principles and require the minimum use of assumptions and subjective choices. Optimisation has been shown to reduce data acquired from a multilayer composite panel and hence show the ply layers. The problem can be ill-posed. It is possible to obtain a solution close to optimum and obtain confidence on the result. Important factors are: the size of the search space, representation of the data and any assumptions and choices made. Further work is required in the use of model based optimisation to measure layer thicknesses from a metal laminate panel. A number of important factors that must be addressed have been identified. Two novel approaches to removing features from Transient Eddy-Current (TEC) data have been shown to improve the visibility of defects. The best approach to take depends on the available knowledge of the system. Principal Value Decomposition (PVD) has been shown to remove layer interface reflections from ultrasonic data. However, PVD is not suited to all problems such as the TEC data described. PVD is best suited in the later stages of data reduction. This thesis has demonstrated new methods and a roadmap for solving multivariate problems, these methods may be applied to a wide range of data and problems

MARKET COMPETITION AND METROPOLITAN-AREA GROCERY PRICES

This paper examines the relationship of 1987 retail grocery prices to supermarket sales concentration across 95 U.S. metropolitan areas. The regression model incorporates a large number of population, retail-cost, and retail competition factors and separate prices by type of grocery item. We find that the concentration-price relationship is sensitive to item type: positive for packaged, branded, dry groceries and unrelated for produce, meat, and dairy product prices. As for market rivalry, we find that small grocery stores provide no grocery price competition for supermarkets. However, branded grocery prices are driven down by fast-food places and by rapid price churning, whereas for unbranded foods the presence of warehouse stores places downward pressure on supermarket prices while fast-food presence does not. For the branded-groceries component, we also find prices higher in large, fast-growing, low- income, Eastern cities. We also find that cities where rents, wages, and electricity costs are high tend to have high dry grocery prices. However, for the unbranded-products component retail costs are unrelated to prices, and cities in the South have the highest prices.retail grocery trade, pricing policy, variable price merchandising, market competition, category management, market structure, sales concentration, price discrimination, price rivalry, oligopoly, food demand, food prices, Consumer/Household Economics,