Office for Environmental Programs - Theses
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ItemModelling the effect of environmental flows on riparian vegetation( 2012)The anthropogenic alteration of flow regimes through river regulation is having profound negative effects on riparian ecosystems worldwide (Webb et al. 2010b). Maintaining the integrity of river ecosystems is essential for the continual provision of ecological services to benefit the natural environmental and human uses. In South-East Australia, alterations to flow frequency for irrigation and water supply have disrupted native biota and resulted in a decline in ecosystem health. Riparian vegetation, in particular, supplies key ecosystem services and is sensitive to alterations in the natural hydrological regime. Managers are attempting to balance ecological needs through 'environmental flows'. However, there is little evidence supporting the effectiveness of this river restoration method (Lake 2001). Sound decision making for allocating flows is dependent on strong scientific evidence describing the causal relationships in the ecological system (de Little et al. 2012). This project used a rigourous process to promote the use of evidence-based synthesis and build evidence for causality between 'environmental flows' and native riparian vegetation abundance. This project aimed to build a Bayesian belief Network (BBN) to assist in the management of riparian systems in South-East Australia. Initially, causal linkages in a conceptual model, which described the relationships between flow and vegetation response, were defined through a causal criteria analysis in the form of a systematic literature review. The review found support for causal links between the frequency of high flow and an increase in condition. In addition, the review found an increase in over bank flows and an increase in germination, a decrease in woody adult mortality and an increase in herbaceous vegetation and woody seedling mortality. Some linkages showed support
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ItemThe challenges of emissions trading in China( 2012)Under the 12`h Five-Year-Plan (FYP), China is moving forward to the implementation of pilot emissions trading scheme (ETS). This would be the first experiment of mandatory ETS in China and also an important sign on the evolution of the climate policy for China. Voluntary emissions trading practices based around Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Voluntary Emissions Reductions (VERs) have existed in China in recent years. By contrast, the upcoming pilot ETSs in China will be mandatory for covered sectors and installations. This research compares the EU ETS and the CCX with the China's proposed mandatory pilot ETSs and existing voluntary ETS respectively. Then, challenges that China's ETS may face can be suggested based on the key criteria come up from the EU ETS and the CCX. The challenges of China's ETS can be found in the respects of the establishment of regulatory contexts, cap setting-up and allowances allocation, designing and implementation of a compliance framework, and establishment and operation of diverse trading mechanisms. When comes to the co-operation and linkage among proposed Chinese pilot ETSs and a future national ETS in China, two most possible scenarios are discussed in the thesis. The first potential scenario is that the national ETS replaces pilot ETSs. The second potential scenario is that pilots are linked directly and then to expand as the national ETS. On the other hand, the potential linkage between China's ETS and the EU ETS can be expected, especially as the European Commission announced that the EU would assist China in establishing the national ETS according to an agreement signed by the EU and China in September 2012. However, there will be several issues existing in the establishment of a linkage. Whether those two ETSs are compatible and the allowances are recognised by each other are the key elements of the potential linkage building between the EU ETS and the future national ETS in China.
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ItemTemporal trends in water quality data and its relationship with flow volumes in streams of contrasting catchment urbanisation over a period of large climate variability( 2012)This paper discusses the financial barriers to implementation of the National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) in small island states in the South Pacific, with a particular focus on Tuvalu and Kiribati. There are significant issues in these places including extreme weather events and deteriorated ecosystems that require urgent adaptation. However, Pacific island states have extremely small economies and poor governance and the implementation of NAPAs is expensive and requires well-organized institutions. Weak governance and dependent economies amongst small islands in the Pacific are barriers to the implementation of adaptation strategies. Because of this, there are doubts about the feasibility of NAPAs in terms of project cost and implementation. This paper explores external funding options (e.g. Green Climate Fund) for adaptation in small island states and advocates Community Based Adaptation (CBA) projects as a way to build the sustainability of communities in the South Pacific. The CBA approach may be an effective solution to delivering adaptation programs at low cost whilst strengthening the resilience, and building the capacity of local communities to adapt to climate change.
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ItemThe challenges of funding climate change adaption in the South Pacific( 2012)This paper discusses the financial barriers to implementation of the National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) in small island states in the South Pacific, with a particular focus on Tuvalu and Kiribati. There are significant issues in these places including extreme weather events and deteriorated ecosystems that require urgent adaptation. However, Pacific island states have extremely small economies and poor governance and the implementation of NAPAs is expensive and requires well-organized institutions. Weak governance and dependent economies amongst small islands in the Pacific are barriers to the implementation of adaptation strategies. Because of this, there are doubts about the feasibility of NAPAs in terms of project cost and implementation. This paper explores external funding options (e.g. Green Climate Fund) for adaptation in small island states and advocates Community Based Adaptation (CBA) projects as a way to build the sustainability of communities in the South Pacific. The CBA approach may be an effective solution to delivering adaptation programs at low cost whilst strengthening the resilience, and building the capacity of local communities to adapt to climate change.
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ItemLessons from the Venny: a research study investigating the community benefits and future opportunities for staffed adventure playgrounds( 2012)This research paper is the third phase of an ongoing study of the environmental design, performance, and benefits of `the Venny'; a Melbourne-based communal backyard and adventure playground facility. The study focuses on investigating the various social, environmental and community benefits of the Venny playground using qualitative social research methods including surveys, interviews and observations. By engaging with local residents who utilise the facility, this study uses community feedback to identify the key perceived benefits of the Venny. Council planners, Venny staff and government officials were also consulted to help identify factors which limit the development of similar playground facilities throughout Melbourne. The three key foci of this research were: 1. To identify and assess the community and environmental benefits of the Venny playground facility 2. To identify the key barriers which limit the development of other communal backyards and adventure playgrounds, and 3. To discuss the opportunities for future facilities to learn from the Venny's design and operation. This report also identified the main barriers to the development of such facilities and offers recommendations on how these might be overcome in the future. Key barriers identified were: 1. Lack of funding 2. Risk averse society 3. Lack of trained play-workers 4. Lack of space in areas of urban density In response to these barriers, this report offers the following recommendations: 1. Further research exploring the benefits and risks associated with these facilities 2. Evaluation of existing playgrounds and their suitability for redevelopment as adventure playgrounds 3. Increased funding, and 4. Increased opportunities for training as play-workers A review of recent research and literature suggests that there is an increasing recognition of the benefits of more diverse and challenging playgrounds which enable opportunities for children to experience risk. Furthermore, survey and interview results indicate a strong level of support for the Venny facility and recognition of the various benefits it provides to the local community.
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ItemScreening the singular multiple: organizing risk communication in emergency management( 2011)This thesis engages with risk communication as it is constructed around fire and disaster response in Victoria. Using in-depth interviews and real-time observation of the newly organised State Control Centre, I queried emergency services experts to understand how emergency information is received, understood, transformed and sent out for action. The material-semiotic analysis I provide highlights how the translation of information into materiality eliminates recognition of uncertainties and makes opaque the subjective realities of such information. Although the knowledge that is being used to respond to disasters is multiple, it is being singularized to advance the integration of emergency services organisations and the dispatching of non-contradictory messages to the public. This move effectively closes off the possibility to communicate and organize differently, and can be seen as an exercise of ontic and ontological politics.
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