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How Chinese travellers travel and learn from backpacking around the world : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Lincoln University
Get PDFBackpacking has become an important component of global travel and tourism. It is enjoying growing popularity. This research explores backpacking tourism and tourists’ learning from Chinese backpackers’ world travel. To gain an in-depth understanding of how Chinese long-term outbound backpackers travel and learn to travel, semi-structured interviews with 54 participants and netnography were conducted. Participants described their travel as wandering around the world and a way of life. Their learning is a combination with active self-direct learning and qianyimohua (潜移默化): osmosis, and imperceptible influence. It contains two learning experiences: experiencing time of change with accumulation of experiences and learning from interactions between self and the world. A learning model is proposed to explain the learning stages, contents, and different ways of learning, which is continuous and has repetitive interactions between the inner self and the world.
Importantly, this study has found that learning before travelling abroad, adjusting attitude, and continuous practising and learning is vital. Learning to adapt to the environment, to be positive, understand and accept differences are emphasized. Growth and learning are self-evaluated by backpackers learning from people and daily life. Learning in travel is not just gaining skills or knowledge but feeling satisfied about life without too many expectations. It is not learning for a result. Learning in travel is to be open to experiences and new learning. It is to enjoy the process of the experience as part of life-long learning. Learning in backpacking is whole person learning in which perception, feelings, and attitudes strongly impact and facilitate learning.
With a rich pool of data, the research focuses on the travellers’ descriptive accounts of their lived experiences and highlights the complexity of the learning processes through long-term travel. It sheds light on new kinds of travel and lifestyle: making money to travel further and living like local people, which extends to wandering and creating new lifestyles in different countries. This study presents the relationship between travel, living abroad, and learning for Chinese long-term backpackers. It helps in understanding learning from different aspects through informal contexts and recognizes a broader range of learning activities and factors that result in different types of learning, such as individual learners, culture, time and the learning environment.
By reconceptualizing long-term backpacking as an experiential process this research provides a framework upon which empirical research, tourism services and learning from independent travel may advance. It highlights the heterogeneity among Chinese long-term backpackers and Chinese culture. This study not only benefits the field of independent travel styles but also expands the understanding of tourist learning and Chinese tourists
Asymmetric connectedness between conventional and Islamic cryptocurrencies: Evidence from good and bad volatility spillovers
No full textThis paper examines the dynamics of the asymmetric volatility spillovers across four major cryptocurrencies comprising nearly 61% of cryptocurrency market capitalization and covering both conventional (Bitcoin and Ethereum) and Islamic (Stellar and Ripple) cryptocurrencies. Using a novel time-varying parameter vector autoregression (TVP-VAR) asymmetric connectedness approach combined with a high frequency (hourly) dataset ranging from 1st June 2018 to 22nd July 2022, we find that (i) good and bad spillovers are time-varying; (ii) bad volatility spillovers are more pronounced than good spillovers; (iii) a strong asymmetry in the volatility spillovers exists in the cryptocurrency market; and (iv) conventional cryptocurrencies dominate Islamic cryptocurrencies. Specifically, Ethereum is the major net transmitter of positive volatility spillovers while Stellar is the main net transmitter of negative volatility spillovers
A paleoecological investigation of recent cyanobacterial blooms and their drivers in two contrasting lakes
No full textCyanobacterial blooms are one of the most significant threats to global water security and freshwater biodiversity. Interactions among multiple stressors, including habitat degradation, species invasions, increased nutrient runoff, and climate change, are key drivers. However, assessing the role of anthropogenic activity on the onset of cyanobacterial blooms and exploring response variation amongst lakes of varying size and depth is usually limited by lack of historical records. In the present study we applied molecular, paleolimnological (trace metal, Itrax-µ-XRF and hyperspectral scanning, chronology), paleobotanical (pollen) and historical data to reconstruct cyanobacterial abundance and community composition and anthropogenic impacts in two dune lakes over a period of up to 1200 years. Metabarcoding and droplet digital PCR results showed very low levels of picocyanobacteria present in the lakes prior to about CE 1854 (1839–1870 CE) in the smaller shallow Lake Alice and CE 1970 (1963–1875 CE) in the larger deeper Lake Wiritoa. Hereafter bloom-forming cyanobacteria were detected and increased notably in abundance post CE 1984 (1982–1985 CE) in Lake Alice and CE 1997 (1990–2007 CE) in Lake Wiritoa. Currently, the magnitude of blooms is more pronounced in Lake Wiritoa, potentially attributable to hypoxia-induced release of phosphorus from sediment, introducing an additional source of nutrients. Generalized linear modelling was used to investigate the contribution of nutrients (proxy = bacterial functions), temperature, redox conditions (Mn:Fe), and erosion (Ti:Inc) in driving the abundance of cyanobacteria (ddPCR). In Lake Alice nutrients and erosion had a statistically significant effect, while in Lake Wiritoa nutrients and redox conditions were significant
Assessing support for cat bylaws in Aotearoa New Zealand : A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Planning at Lincoln University
No full textCompanion, stray, and feral cats have a significant impact on Aotearoa New Zealand’s (NZ) biodiversity. Legislation such as the Wildlife Act 1953, the Conservation Act 1987, and the Biosecurity Act 1993 help mitigate the effects of feral and stray cats. However, addressing the challenges posed by companion cats is a complex issue for decision-makers due to the bonds between these cats and their owners. The current strategy to address the impacts of companion cats is the creation of bylaws by local councils. Bylaw clauses such as microchipping, registration, desexing and containment have animal welfare benefits for cats and cat owners, as desexing reduces the risk of reproductive diseases and unwanted behaviours, and microchipping and registration help return lost cats to their owners. However, as cat management is a highly emotive issue, it has been considered difficult to gain public acceptance for cat-related bylaws.
Using a mixed methods approach, this study analysed public submissions from five NZ councils to gain deeper insight into community attitudes and interactions towards cats and cat bylaws. Ten themes were identified through qualitative analysis: nuisance, human and livestock health concerns, toxoplasmosis risk to wildlife, conservation/environmental concerns, benefits of cats, cost concerns, stray and feral cat management, containment/curfews, bylaw support, and anti-regulation sentiments. These themes demonstrate the issues surrounding cat management, and how the public feels about bylaw requirements. Quantitative statistical analysis was used to determine the significant statistical similarities and differences among the councils.
Overall, all regions studied showed majority support for cat bylaws, indicating that nationwide cat management legislation may be supported by the NZ public. However, the distinct regional concerns identified in the submissions suggest that the implementation of national legislation would require local authorities to collaborate closely with communities to address these issues. Furthermore, this study supports the need to redefine the legal definitions of stray cats to better address the complexity of human-cat interactions and enable better management of these cats. Additionally, the findings demonstrate that cat containment remains a contentious issue for the NZ public, although there was a small, vocal group in all regions that advocated for mandatory containment measures. Further research into public attitudes towards cat containment is needed to assess the level of support for such measures, both regionally and nationally. Ultimately, successful cat management in NZ requires a careful balance between national standards and local adaptation, focused on encouraging and supporting responsible cat ownership to address the environmental and social impacts of cats
Navigating integration challenges: Insights from migrant dairy farm workers in New Zealand
No full textAs the global demand for milk products continues to increase and dairy sectors become more concentrated, a pressing question arises: who will milk the cows and where will they come from? Mirroring global trends, the New Zealand dairy industry has experienced significant structural changes, with a shift from family-run dairy farms to larger commercially orientated operations. At the same time, domestic socio-economic and demographic changes have resulted in rural to urban migration. These factors have contributed to a shortage of skilled labour in some regions. To meet its labour demands, the New Zealand dairy sector has relied increasingly heavily on temporary migrant workers, who face significant challenges integrating into their new communities. This study uses data from in-depth interviews with 25 migrant dairy farm workers in Canterbury, New Zealand, and a modified conceptual framework for integration developed by Ager and Strang to enhance our understanding of how skilled migrants in the dairy sector adapt to unfamiliar host communities. Through thematic analysis we identify the factors that either facilitate or hinder the successful integration of this important but vulnerable group. Key themes include motivations for moving to New Zealand, pathways to obtaining their positions, and the primary challenges that they experience in attempting to integrate. Challenges include physical and social isolation, discrimination, and a lack of access to key services. As the agricultural sector continues to grow, it is essential to provide migrant farm workers with adequate support to ensure their successful social, cultural, and economic integration
Characterisation of ovine KRTAP19-3 and its impact on wool traits in Chinese Tan sheep
Get PDFWool, a natural fibre derived from sheep, can present a challenge to wool processing and manufacturing industries because of the variation in fibre traits. Genetic improvement offers one solution to this challenge, and having a better understanding of the genes that affect wool fibre traits is therefore important. Here, we describe ovine KRTAP19-3, a new member of the KAP19 gene family. Phylogenetic analysis revealed its relationship to other known KRTAP19 gene sequences, and an analysis of the nucleotide sequence variation in KRTAP19-3 from 288 sheep of a variety of breeds revealed six unique variant sequences. Among these variants, eleven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected, with six located in the coding region. Three of these coding region SNPs were non-synonymous and would result in amino acid changes. Associations were observed between the presence of specific sequence variants in Chinese Tan sheep and wool trait variation, particularly an increase in fibre diameter variability in the heterotypic hair fibres. These findings enhance our understanding of the genes that encode sheep wool proteins
Harnessing Trichoderma to enhance drought resilience in grapevines: a strategy for combating climate change
No full textAs climate change intensifies, grape-growing regions in New Zealand face increasing drought challenges. To sustain grape production and wine quality, new strategies are needed to enhance grapevine resilience. One promising solution is using soil beneficial microbes like Trichoderma to improve drought tolerance in grapevines.
This study investigated the effects of Trichoderma on young, grafted Sauvignon Blanc grapevines under controlled glasshouse conditions. Grapevines were planted in four different soil types, including Temuka_50a.1 soil from Marlborough, known for its high water-holding capacity and vulnerability to waterlogging. Two sets of plants were established for each soil type: one treated with Trichoderma and a control group without inoculation.
Using long-read amplicon sequencing, the microbial communities in the soil were analysed. The treated grapevines exhibited enhanced root growth and drought resilience, producing more root biomass and maintaining growth with less water. However, no significant changes were observed in physiological functions like stomatal conductance and photosynthesis during the six-month trial. This suggests that while Trichoderma improves root development and water use efficiency, its effects
on grapevine physiology may be limited in the short term. Overall, Trichoderma shows potential for helping grapevines cope with drier conditions
Geopolitical risks and oil production in the Middle East and Africa: connectedness and predictability using machine learning ©
No full textGiven the importance of oil production from the Middle East and African countries to the global oil market and the incessant tensions in the region in recent years, this study empirically examines the connectedness and the predictability of the Middle East and African geopolitical risks (GPR) on oil production. By utilizing the Quantile Connectedness framework, the machine learning XGBoost model, and models with natural inspired optimization algorithms, we show that oil production in the Middle East and Africa is significantly sensitive to geopolitical risks, especially in extreme conditions. From the Quantile Connectedness analysis, oil production always exhibits a net shock receiver, suggesting the potential predictability of GPR indices for oil production. We find that the XGBoost and the XGBoost with natural inspired optimization algorithms are capable of predicting both total oil production and country-level oil production based on the geopolitical risks, while PSO-XGBoost is the most optimal prediction model. Our study reveals that Saudi Arabia generates the optimal results for total oil production, demonstrating the impact of Saudi Arabia on oil production in the region. However, Saudi Arabia has the lowest predicting performance among the six countries when examining the predictability of geopolitical risks in country-level oil production
Identifying barriers to installing above-ground rainwater tanks in urban households in Aotearoa New Zealand: A segmentation approach
Get PDFUrbanisation poses numerous challenges to fresh water biodiversity, and installation of above-ground rainwater tanks on private properties is one important tool for addressing these challenges. In this paper, we used an online survey targeting a representative sample of 1291 urban residents to investigate their underlying capabilities, opportunities, and motivations for installation of above-ground rainwater tanks on their properties. Only 221 (17%) of the 1,291 respondents already had an above-ground rainwater tank installed on their property. By segmenting on behavioural variables, we found that those urban residents who currently did not have a water tank on their property were not homogeneous. We identified three audience segments, ‘Supportive’ (19%), ‘Receptive’ (59%) and ‘Reluctant’ (22%), each with their own unique driver and barrier combination to rainwater tank installation. Suitable leverage points and behaviour change tools (e.g. education, enablement, incentivisation) and message framing (environmental, community, or functional benefits) are identified for each segment