An Ecological Hydro-chemical Baseline Assessment of Long White Lagoon
Ainsley Adams and Tapuwa Marapara - School of Environmental Management, Faculty of Health, Humanities & Computing, Southern Institute of Technology, New Zealand
We are pleased to submit our manuscript entitled “An Ecological and Hydro-chemical Baseline Assessment of Long White Lagoon” for publication in the student/staff special edition of SITJAR. Wetlands are among the world’s most diverse and productive ecosystems supporting a wide variety of flora and fauna often harbouring rare and endangered species. They are often referred to as “earth’s kidneys” as they are known to filter toxins and contaminants from water. The aim for this study was to carry out ecological and hydro-chemical baseline assessments at Long White Lagoon wetland, to provide data that gives a snapshot of the health and integrity of the ecosystem, to guide restoration, management and future monitoring. This study assessed sediment size and quality, water quality, vegetation assemblage, and fish at the Long White Lagoon. In this manuscript we highlight that sediments are comprised of mainly sand, and some silt particles, and the concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus exceeded threshold limits set out in the Australian and New Zealand Environment Conservation Councils (ANZECC). Water quality results showed that the Long White Lagoon is in a hypertrophic state of extreme degradation. The vegetation mapping results showed that there are diverse native wetland vegetation assemblages present. We demonstrate that the native vegetation assemblages present make the Long White Lagoon a significant pocket of biodiversity within a heavily monocultural area and an important remnant of the Southland coastal habitat. Hence, it would be ideal to manage the lagoon by planting native vegetation in areas where clear runoff is contributed from the neighboring dairy cow paddocks. There are a few visually notable areas such as drainage channels in the dip of small hills that accumulate runoff and channel it down through short pastoral grass straight into the lagoon water body. Replanting various native trees in these areas can reduce sediments, excess nutrients and fecal coliforms from entering the lagoon body.
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Damming the dam sixty years on: continued conflict over the Manapouri hydro-electric power scheme, New Zealand.
Debbie Ellis and Anna Palliser - Department of Environmental Management, Faculty of Health, Humanities & Computing, Southern Institute of Technology, New Zealand.
Almost half of New Zealand’s electricity is generated from hydro-power and the Manapōuri Hydropower Scheme, which first began generating in 1969, is New Zealand’s largest, with a current maximum output of 800MW, enough for 619000 homes (Meridian Energy, n.d.). The Manapōuri plant takes water from a lake and river system largely located in Fiordland, a National Park located in the mountains of Southland, South Island, New Zealand. This is an unusual hydro scheme in that its freshwater take is diverted directly into the ocean after passing through turbines, thus it can be considered as freshwater abstraction rather than diversion. Most New Zealand river or lake based hydro power plants retain or divert freshwater, releasing it after use back into the freshwater system (Young, Smart and Harding, 2004).
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Enhancing Student Learning In Solving Word Problems in Thermodynamics based ON Newman's Error Analysis
Carlo Gabriel - School of Engineering Southern Institute of Technology
In this study, Newman's Error Analysis procedure was used to identify the errors of the students in solving mathematical word problems in Thermodynamics. From these errors, a study guide was designed to enhance the students' learning in the course. A pre-test and post-test research design was adopted. Eight students enrolled in a degree course in Thermodynamics participated. The pre-test (diagnostic test) helped in identifying the root cause of students' poor performance in solving mathematical word problems. A post-test analysis determined that the intervention (a developed study guide) had a significant effect on performance. The findings of the study confirmed that effective and efficient Thermodynamics pedagogy requires the utilization of a programmed instruction (e.g. a developed study guide) in addition to textbook-based lectures. Exercises used in the study guide were based on Newman's Error Analysis Pattern. Further, the results showed that the construction of a study guide is the foremost consideration.
The development and utilization of a high-quality study guide poses a number of challenges for instructors however, these efforts are worthwhile, given the beneficial effects for the learning of the students.
Keywords: Newman's Error Analysis (NEA), Thermodynamics pedagogy, solving word-problems, developed study guide, mathematical errors.
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A Valuable Lesson: The potential benefits and pitfalls of real-world community projects.
Emma Cathcart - Southern Institute of Technology
This article presents a reflection of a case study carried out in 2017, which aimed to combine assessment for fourteen costume design and production students, studying on the Bachelor of Fashion (Design and Technology) at the Southern Institute of Technology with a local community theatre company. It addresses and discusses some of the challenges faced when forming such a collaboration between a real-world project and a costume paper for assessment. The discussion highlights positive outcomes achieved, despite real-world setbacks, and shares experiences encountered through example and student feedback. Observations were noted throughout the entire project and conclusions drawn, with a view to recommending future improvements in experiential teaching practices and/or learning experiences for tutors and students alike. Qualitative data was also obtained through reflective discussion and tailored questionnaires at the end of assessment project for further analysis.
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