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Protecting and restoring freshwater biodiversity across urban areas in Aotearoa New Zealand: Citizens’ reporting of pollution in stormwater drains and waterways
No full textUrbanization poses numerous challenges to freshwater biodiversity. This paper describes two studies with the joint aim of demonstrating the benefits of applying a systematic behaviour change framework and providing the foundational knowledge to inform future behavior change work to protect and restore urban freshwater biodiversity. In Study 1 we used a mixed-methods research design, involving 14 key informant interviews followed by an online survey targeting 17 freshwater biodiversity experts and another targeting a representative sample of 550 urban residents, to identify and prioritize the most promising resident behaviors to target to reduce stormwater pollution and improve natural waterway habitats in urban areas. Study 2 focused on the top-ranked short-term behavior identified in Study 1, citizen reporting of pollution in stormwater drains and waterways. We surveyed a representative sample of 1901 urban residents across Aoteraoa New Zealand to identify four main determinants influencing this behavior: awareness and uncertainty about reporting, lack of opportunity to report, social motivation and personal motivation to report, and five potential target audiences: ‘Supportive’, ‘Unaware but receptive’, ‘Motivated but lack support’, ‘Reluctant’, and ‘Not my problem’. We make recommendations for the most appropriate intervention designs to target each of these audience segments to promote the reporting of stormwater pollution in urban areas. This knowledge will allow for a more coordinated and effective approach for addressing the ‘human element’ that lies at the heart of many urban freshwater management problems
Influence of climatic variation on microbial communities during organic Pinot noir wine production
No full textTo assess the possible impact of climatic variation on microbial community composition in organic winemaking, we employed a metabarcoding approach to scrutinize the microbiome in a commercial, organic, Pinot noir wine production system that utilizes autochthonous fermentation. We assessed microbial composition across two vintages (2018 and 2021) using biological replicates co-located at the same winery. Microbial dynamics were monitored over four important fermentation time points and correlated with contemporaneous climate data. Bacterial (RANOSIM = 0.4743, p = 0.0001) and fungal (RANOSIM = 0.4738, p = 0.0001) compositions were different in both vintages. For bacteria, Lactococcus dominated the diversity associated with the 2018 vintage, while Tatumella dominated the 2021 vintage. For fungal populations, while Saccharomyces were abundant in both vintages, key differences included Starmerella, copious in the 2018 vintage; and Metschnikowia, substantive in the 2021 vintage. Ordination plots correlated the climatic variables with microbial population differences, indicating temperature as a particularly important influence; humidity values also differed significantly between these vintages. Our data illustrates how climatic conditions may influence microbial diversity during winemaking, and further highlights the effect climate change could have on wine production
Monuments and public spaces: Questions of equity, inclusivity and justice: An investigation into three Latin American case studies : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Lincoln University
No full textResponses to inequality, violence, war, genocide, injustice, and trauma take many forms in the built environment. Contemporary conversations around statues and monuments in public spaces have renewed a conversation about the power of the past. This research explores recent responses to monuments that embrace colonial and historical narratives in Latin American public spaces, highlighting their significance for social justice and equity in the field of landscape architecture.
Through three case studies, the thesis features diverse responses to historical narratives embedded in monuments, focusing on acts of reclamation, resignification, and recontextualisation. The equestrian Sebastian de Belalcázar monument in Popayán, Colombia, has become a symbol of Spanish oppression of Indigenous people. The Isabela La Católica monument in La Paz, Bolivia, raises concerns about discrimination against native women. Finally, the equestrian monument of General Manuel Jesús Baquedano González in Santiago de Chile symbolises the repression of Indigenous people by the Chilean elite.
On-site responses, such as removal, dressing, and graffiti, provide insights into how communities actively engage with and contest dominant narratives. Methodologically, the research employs a case study approach, incorporating online interviews with three key stakeholder groups: public officials, activists/Indigenous leaders, and designers/academics. Social media data, primarily from activists and community participants, further enriches interpretations of each case study by exploring a range of design proposals and on-site responses.
This study makes a unique contribution to the academic discourse on the intersection of monuments, public spaces, and landscape architecture. By recognising the contested nature of these sites, landscape architects can actively contribute to the creation of inclusive and reflective environments, prioritising principles of equity and justice. The study emphasises the crucial role that landscape architecture can play in amplifying marginalised voices and fostering dialogue regarding colonial narratives. By doing so, it can create opportunities for diverse interpretations of the past, promote inclusivity, and raise awareness about the implications of colonial histories in the present. Importantly, this research introduces its findings to the English-speaking world, bridging gaps in understanding and enriching global conversations on the subject.
In conclusion, this research represents a call for action on reimagining the role of monuments in public spaces. By reassessing their historical significance and embracing diverse perspectives, the field of landscape architecture can pave the way for more equitable and inclusive commemorative designs, acknowledging the complexities inherent in our shared history
Factors that influence microbial communities in spontaneously fermented wine, beer, and kombucha: insights from a metabarcoding perspective : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Lincoln University
No full textIt is well established that the world contains a vast diversity of microbes, many of which have been unexplored and even as yet uncultivated. Advances in molecular biology techniques such as metabarcoding have helped in improving our insights into this complex microbial world, in every aspect of human civilization, including food and beverage production. The importance of microbial diversity in the processing of wine and other fermented products in general cannot be overemphasized. In wine for example, grape health and the diversity of microorganisms introduced into the winery depends on the number of microbes who are able to form ecological niches in the vine and soil of the vineyard. With extensive knowledge of microbiome diversity and its interactions or shifts within fermentation processes, this could lead to an improved understanding of this activity. With next generation Sequencing (NGS) techniques, it is now feasible to accurately detect and quantify the relative abundance of microbes found in and around these products. Culture based methods previously used in microbial analysis neglects the non-culturable microbial fraction, an advantage NGS methods possesses over culture based techniques. Performing complex multifactorial analyses is now possible by coupling metabarcoding with bioinformatics tools. This is fast becoming the “go to” strategy in monitoring, traceability of products and diagnostic purposes. If properly harnessed, metabarcoding opens up the possibility of adequately monitoring and describing the microbial population during fermentation and how their profile changes with time.
The aim of this research was to employ metabarcoding in exploring the microbiomes associated with spontaneously fermented wine and other foods/products such as kombucha and lambic styled beer in New Zealand. These studies included investigating the influences that the environment and/or climate play in shaping the microbiome of these products. Where applicable, the complex relationship between the microorganisms and the organoleptic and chemical properties of the products was also probed.
The first experiment in this work explored the impact of differing environmental systems on the microbial communities utilized by an organic winemaker in producing wines. Results indicated that T. delbrueckii and Fructobacillus could be affected by environmental conditions as they were detected in one system but not the other. Together, significant differences were reported between the fungal (RANOSIM = 0.603, p = 0.0001) and bacterial (RANOSIM = 0.5814, p = 0.0001) diversity found in both systems. Assessment of these microbial differences were done to see if they brought about detectable sensory or chemical variations in the resulting wines. Certain volatile compounds were only found in wines from one of the environmental system but not the other, indicating that significantly different bacterial and/or fungal species could have major roles in synthesising these compounds. Specifically, it can be inferred that Gluconobacter may play a role in the taste (bitterness) and ‘mouth feel’ (astringency/tannin) attributes of Pinot noir wines.
To gain insights into how the microbial communities associated with kombucha production might differ based on scale (large commercial scale as compared to a small scale production), another experiment was carried out. For the first time in kombucha literature, results uncovered indicated that the fungal and bacterial diversity associated with the commercial fermentation process had a higher diversity as compared to small scale kombucha production. Interestingly, the core fungal microbiome found in the SCOBY and tea phase of both the commercial and small-scale kombucha types were similar. Using linear modelling unravelled how Komagataeibacter might play a key role and shape the pH of kombucha.
To understand if the microbial communities detected at the end of spontaneous beer fermentation varies across vintages, a beer experiment was conducted. Results from this experiment revealed how vintage has a huge influence in shaping the detected microbial populations. Climatic factors such as humidity and maximum temperature were identified as variables that may enhance the relative abundance of Penicillium and Hanseniaspora in beer microbiota.
When the microbiome of all three fermented food/products were compared, in comparison to the bacterial communities, similarities can be seen with the fungal populations. Spontaneously fermented wine and kombucha fermentation had considerable amounts of Hanseniaspora, Metschnikowia and Saccharomyces. Beer and kombucha fermentation had substantial Brettanomyces and Saccharomyces proportions. Saccharomyces was the only genus present in significant amounts in all three foods/products. For bacteria, spontaneously fermented Pinot noir wine was dominated by Tatumella (2021 vintage) and Lactococcus (2018 vintage). Komagataeibacter and Gluconobacter were abundant in the home and commercial kombucha brew respectively. Lambic styled beer saw Pediococcus as the most dominant bacteria. Summarily, this research unravelled the complex microbiome of spontaneous Pinot noir wine fermentation, kombucha fermentation and lambic beer brewing. Description of how microbial populations can be affected by environmental and/or climatic influences were done. Where applicable, how these microbial differences could result in sensory and/or chemical variations in the resultant product were assessed. This study has described how metabarcoding can be reliable in assessing the microbiome of fermented food/products
Turkey tail mushroom (Trametes versicolor): An edible macrofungi with immense medicinal properties
No full textMacrofungi, commonly known as mushrooms, are not only considered functional foods for supplying essential nutritional ingredients but also a good source of physiologically beneficial medicines. Trametes versicolor, referred to as turkey tail's Mushroom or Yun Zhi in China, is an edible mushroom that has extensive historical usage in conventional and traditional Chinese medicine. This mushroom contains an abundance of physiologically bioactive compounds, most notably β-glucan polysaccharides, which are responsible for antioxidant, neuroprotection, hypolipidemic effects, immune-modulating effects, and anticancer effects. Trametes versicolor has also been revealed to have wound healing, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antifibrotic, neurotrophic, and anti-inflammatory effects among other therapeutic efficacies. This review paper has overviewed the recent advances in the research and study on Trametes versicolor and discussed the potential health-promoting properties of this exotic macrofungi, with the recognition of bioactive and polysaccharide constituents responsible for these medicinal agents
Nitrification inhibitor chlorate and nitrogen substrates differentially affect comammox Nitrospira in a grassland soil
No full textIntroduction: Through the combined use of two nitrification inhibitors, Dicyandiamide (DCD) and chlorate with nitrogen amendment, this study aimed to investigate the contribution of comammox Nitrospira clade B, ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and archaea (AOA) to nitrification in a high fertility grassland soil, in a 90-day incubation study.
Methods: The soil was treated with nitrogen (N) at three levels: 0 mg-N kg-¹ soil, 50 mg-N kg-¹ soil, and 700 mg-N kg-¹ soil, with or without the two nitrification inhibitors. The abundance of comammox Nitrospira, AOA, AOB, and nitrite oxidising bacteria (NOB) was measured using qPCR. The comammox Nitrospira community structure was assessed using Illumina sequencing.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that the application of chlorate inhibited the oxidation of both NH₄+ and NO₂- in all three nitrogen treatments. The application of chlorate significantly reduced the abundance of comammox Nitrospira amoA and nxrB genes across the 90-day experimental period. Chlorate also had a significant effect on the beta diversity (Bray-Curtis dissimilarity) of the comammox Nitrospira clade B community. Whilst AOB grew in response to the N substrate additions and were inhibited by both inhibitors, AOA showed litle or no response to either the N substrate or inhibitor treatments. In contrast, comammox Nitrospira clade B were inhibited by the high ammonium concentrations released from the urine substrates. These results demonstrate the differential and niche responses of the three ammonia oxidising communities to N substrate additions and nitrification inhibitor treatments. Further research is needed to investigate the specificity of the two inhibitors on the different ammonia oxidising communities
A tripeptide (Ser-Arg-Pro, SRP) from Sipunculus nudus L. improves cadmium-induced acute kidney injury by targeting the MAPK, inflammatory, and apoptosis pathways in mice
No full textCadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal that causes nephrosis, including acute kidney injury. To prevent and treat acute kidney injury (AKI) following Cd exposure, a tripeptide, Ser-Arg-Pro (SRP), from Sipunculus nudus L. was employed, and its potential efficacy in AKI was assessed. Oral administration of SRP significantly alleviated Cd-induced kidney damage, leading to improved renal function and the attenuation of structural abnormalities. A network pharmacology analysis revealed the potential of SRP in renal protection by targeting various pathways, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, inflammatory response, and apoptosis pathways. Mechanistic studies indicated that SRP achieves renal protection by inhibiting the activation of MAPK pathways (phosphorylation of p38, p56, ERK, and JNK) in the oxidative stress cascade, suppressing inflammatory responses (iNOS, Arg1, Cox2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), and restoring altered apoptosis factors (caspase-9, caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2). Hence, SRP has the potential to be used as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of Cd-induced nephrotoxicity
Genotyping and phenotyping of indigenous Saccharomyces cerevisiae from a New Zealand organic winery and commercial sources using inter-delta and MALDI-TOF MS typing
No full textWe used inter-delta typing (IDT) and MALDI-TOF profiling to characterize the genetic and phenotypic diversity of 45 commercially available winemaking Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains and 60 isolates from an organic winemaker from Waipara, New Zealand, as a stratified approach for predicting the commercial potential of indigenous isolates. A total of 35 IDTs were identified from the commercial strains, with another 17 novel types defined among the Waipara isolates. IDT 3 was a common type among strains associated with champagne production, and the only type in commercial strains also observed in indigenous isolates. MALDI-TOF MS also demonstrated its potential in S. cerevisiae typing, particularly when the high-mass region (m/z 2000–20,000) was used, with most indigenous strains from each of two fermentation systems distinguished. Furthermore, the comparison between commercial strains and indigenous isolates assigned to IDT 3 revealed a correlation between the low-mass data (m/z 500–4000) analysis and the recommended use of commercial winemaking strains. Both IDT and MALDI-TOF analyses offer useful insights into the genotypic and phenotypic diversity of S. cerevisiae, with MALDI-TOF offering potential advantages for the prediction of applications for novel, locally isolated strains that may be valuable for product development and diversification
Ryelands – The sheep for climate changed conditions
No full textThe reputation of Ryelands as all-weather sheep, capable of doing well in droughts and footrot resistant, suitable for wetter conditions have been well demonstrated over the last decade at the Eelbend Stud on the banks of the Selwyn River/Waikirikiri. From 2015-2017 the stud operated in a drought that resulted in the river featuring on Al Jazeera TV in a story about New Zealand's bad environmental management and overallocation of water for irrigation
Identification and characterisation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains isolated from spontaneous fermentation of organic Pinot noir wines : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science at Lincoln University
No full textThis study characterised Saccharomyces cerevisiae populations from the spontaneous fermentation of organic Pinot noir wines produce in Waipara, Aotearoa New Zealand, using a DNA-based Interdelta typing method to evaluate their strain diversity and population dynamics. One hundred and sixty-one S. cerevisiae isolates from key fermentation stages were differentiated by interdelta typing into 106 different genotypes (profiles), of which 24 were observed more than once. One interdelta genotype was observed among each of the fermentation stages studied. The S. cerevisiae population showed a high level of strain diversity with evident dominant groupings of strains during and between fermentation stages. Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain diversity increased towards the end of fermentation accompanied with late-stage dominance by the species. Spontaneous fermentation of organically produced wine may harbour a genetically diverse population of S. cerevisiae strains but appears to be dominated by few genotypes. The influence of each genotype on the organoleptic properties of the eventual product is unknown at this point. However, the use of interdelta typing to identify strains of special relevance with commercial potential is supported