Positions: Two Studentship opportunities in Forestry - Scotland

Source: University of the Highlands and Islands. Applications are invited for two, three year fully funded PhD studentships in the area of Forestry. The studentships will be based with Inverness College, University of the Highlands and Islands and will be part of the developing research capability at the Scottish School of Forestry.
PhD Studentship: Mapping and Repositioning Forestry Skills for the 21st Century
The aim of this PhD is to explore the ways in which conceptual and theoretical frameworks such as multi- functionality and / or ecosystem services might be combined with a ‘Systems’ approach to enhance understanding of the educational and skills requirements of forestry in the 21st Century. The PhD will commence in October 2014 and the successful candidate will be based at the University of the Highlands and Islands- Inverness College (Centre for Remote and Rural Studies), Scotland. The funding associated with this project covers the equivalent of three years, full-time UK/EU tuition fees, plus a stipend (at Research Council UK levels) for three years. The project is a collaboration between Inverness College UHI and the University of Aberdeen and is funded by Scottish Forestry Commission (Scotland and GB) and the Scottish Forestry Trust. Informal enquiries about this PhD may be made to Dr Philomena de Lima: philomena.deLima.ic@uhi.ac.uk For further details and information about this studentship and how to apply go to http://www.inverness.uhi.ac.uk/research
PhD Studentship: Factors controlling the abundance of pine-tree lappet moth (Dendrolimus pini) in north-east Scotland.
This studentship is offered jointly with Forest Research and builds upon research undertaken since 2009 to investigate population densities and distribution of the newly discovered and only known breeding population of the pine tree lappet moth in the UK, The project will determine what level of risk this species may pose to pinewoods, including Caledonian Pinewood Inventory forests, both now and under future climate scenarios. In particular it will focus on the potential contribution of British native parasites, predators, and other natural control agents and climate in regulating populations of pine-tree lappet moth in north-east Scotland. The known distribution and potential spread of this moth, and incorporation of natural control measures through an integrated land management approach will also be explored The project is jointly funded by Inverness College UHI and Forest Research. Informal enquiries about this PhD may be made to Dr Melanie Smith: melanie.smith.ic@uhi.ac.uk For further details and information about this studentship and how to apply go to http://www.inverness.uhi.ac.uk/research Closing date for applications for both studentships: 25th August 2014 Please note that a further studentship opportunity in Forestry will be advertised in Autumn 2014.

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Thesis/Thèse : Competing and Conflicting Land Uses at the Rural-Urban Interface: Understanding the Impacts of Residential Development on Agricultural Landscapes

Source: Brock University.
"Rural communities are currently undergoing rapid restructuring as globalization impacts the future viability of many small towns. Agricultural regions throughout Canada, in particular, Niagara-on-the-Lake, are forced to adapt to changes within the industry. In addition to these challenges, sprawling residential developments from nearby urban centres are changing the dynamic of this town, resulting in conflicts between the residential and agricultural land uses."

"This thesis explores these conflicts from the perspective of the residents and the farmers. It was found that the initial sources of conflict related to noise-generating farm activities are no longer a concern, while the use of pesticide have become a source of contention among the residents. The farmers, alternately, were found to be proactive and strived to limit the potential for conflict with adjacent residents. Lastly, it was determined that planning legislation aggravates land use conflicts within Niagara-on-the-Lake and need to better address these land use conflicts."

Epp, Sara (2013). Competing and Conflicting Land Uses at the Rural-Urban Interface: Understanding the Impacts of Residential Development on Agricultural Landscapes. Thesis. Faculty of Social Sciences, Brock University.

WWW: dr.library.brocku.ca

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Reports/Rapports : Rural Land in Australia

Source: RIRDC.
This report presents the first ever comprehensive national study of rural land ownership in Australia. Changing patterns of rural land ownership provide important evidence on the character of rural restructuring.The report presents rural land ownership data across the six states of Australia. Data available at the time has limited the scope of this project to a period between 2004 and 2008.

This report provides important insights for investors and policy-makers keen to understand the dynamics of how changing patterns of land ownership intersect with rural economy and society. In particular, it has relevance for stakeholders in industry, public policy and research communities interested in the productive and environmental ramifications of changing patterns of land ownership.

Download full report: "Rural Land in Australia: A framework for the measurement and analysis of nationwide patterns of ownership change, aggregation and fragmentation".

WWW: www.rirdc.gov.au

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Thesis/Thèse : An Application of the Resilience Assessment Workbook on the Town of Caledon

Source: University of Waterloo.
"This research involves conducting a resilience assessment on the Town of Caledon in southern Ontario, Canada, through the use of the Resilience Assessment Workbook authored by the Resilience Alliance."

"The purpose of the research is to develop a comprehensive understanding of Caledon, and identify ways to enhance its resilience as a linked social-ecological system in the context of urban growth."

Wai. T. Liu. 2001. An Application of the Resilience Assessment Workbook
on the Town of Caledon, Ontario, Canada: Resilience of What? Resilience to What? Resilience with What?. Master of Environmental Studies.

Read the full document.

WWW: www.uwspace.uwaterloo.ca

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Studies/Études : Rural sustainability and the built environment

Source: Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy.
"The purpose of this paper is first, to assess the applicability of the ideal of mixed-use nodal development to a small town and rural setting. Second, it aims to model the patterns of density of the built environment, distribution of amenities and associated variations in travel distances and to show how all three have changed over the last decade in Antigonish town and county (Nova Scotia, Canada)."

"Findings – The trend in Antigonish has generally been away from nodal development and towards increased commercial sprawl and increased distances between residences and amenities. However, there are realistic opportunities for reversing this trend."

Read study. Rod Bantjes, (2011) "Rural sustainability and the built environment", Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, Vol. 5 Iss: 2, pp.158 - 178

WWW: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?issn=1750-6204

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Events/Événements: Broadening our horizons: Amenities, regional development and collaboration

Source: BC Rural Tourism Conference.
The BC Rural Tourism Conference: Broadening Our Horizons: Amenities, regional development and collaboration will be held April 19-21st in 108 Mile House, BC. The successful development of tourism in rural areas is driven by the creative use of natural and cultural amenities. These amenities make rural areas attractive places to visit, relocate or invest. Amenity based rural development is a new way of thinking about the future of rural areas. Instead of viewing them as home to resources that are extracted and exported out, we are now thinking of rural areas as home to numerous amenities that can be consumed by different audiences that must be imported into rural areas (such as visitors). As rural areas become more aware of the potential role of amenities in driving development, they are also asking questions about what works and how to deal with the sometimes unintended consequences of amenity use. This conference will provide a venue for those interested in the protection, promotion and use of natural and cultural amenities to come together, engage in dialogue and explore new ideas and solutions.

Conference themes:

* Private sector perspectives - are businesses able to capitalize on natural and cultural amenities?

* Grassroots initiatives – identification and use of amenities in regional tourism development

* Planning considerations – are we balancing the promotion and protection of tourism amenities?

* Marketing - what amenities should rural areas market, to who and how?

* Policy and program supports – are they working or do they need realignment?

For more information on the conference visit www.ruraltourismconference.com

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Call for papers/Appels de communications: Broadening our horizons: Amenities, Regional Development and Collaboration

Source: Thompson Rivers University, University of Northern BC and Vancouver Island University
Thompson Rivers University, Vancouver Island University and the University of Northern BC are pleased to extend this reminder of the Call for Submissions for the Rural Tourism Conference 2011.

Presentation options include: posters, oral presentations, experiential workshops or panel discussions (see attachment for details). Potential audience members include those working in: community economic development, tourism marketing/management, government, non profit and academia.

Conference Theme: BROADENING OUR HORIZONS: AMENITIES, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND COLLABORATION
Location: Hills Health Ranch, 108 Mile House, British Columbia
Date: April 19-21, 2011

Conference Website: www.ruraltourismconference.com
Deadline for workshop abstract submissions is January 30, 2011.

Feel free to share this announcement widely with colleagues.

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Events/Événements : Planning for the Crown-Settlement Lands Interface

Source: UNBC School of Environmental Planning and the Bulkley Valley Research Centre.
The UNBC School of Environmental Planning and the Bulkley Valley Research Centre are organizing a conference on Planning for the Crown-Settlement Lands Interface. Associated with the conference proper are two days of workshops.

The first of them dedicated to planning practice according to theme (for instance a workshop on “Interface planning and community development – Hedonic pricing and amenity migration”) and the second an NGO-guided exploration of how small groups of citizens employing the geomatics tool MapChat can help inform Interface regional planning from the bottom up.

Interface will be held in Smithers, B.C., in the spectacular Bulkley Valley of west-central British Columbia, during June 16-18. The Interface Web site is:

http://www.bvcentre.ca/interface2010/

Interface Poster


WWW: http://www.unbc.ca/planning/
WWW: http://www.bvcentre.ca/

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Study/Étude : Concept and Methodology for Delineating Settlement Boundaries / Concept et méthodologie de délimitation des zones habitées

Le texte en français suit l’anglais.
Source: Statistics Canada / Statistique Canada.
The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new concept and methodology developed by Statistics Canada to delineate or map boundaries for Canada’s settlements. Settlements include cities, towns, villages and other concentrations of human populations that inhabit a given area of the environment.

The purpose of the settlements research project is to provide detailed, harmonized and comparable data sets that will allow for a more complete national analysis of settlements including their physical form and growth patterns. The methodology is applied to Census of Population data sets for 2001 and 2006.

The methodology is based primarily on data available by a statistical unit called a ‘dissemination block’ and an associated series of standardized rules, created by rigorous statistical and spatial analysis. A database referred to as the ‘Settlements Earth Observation Inventory’ (SEOI) was created to provide supplementary information for each block, to assist in the development of thresholds and subsequent rules, to conduct data quality and accuracy activities and to improve estimates.

Initial results for 2006 suggested that approximately 20,000 square kilometres of Canada’s land area was occupied by settlements.

Environment Accounts and Statistics Analytical and Technical Paper Series: "Introducing a New Concept and Methodology for Delineating Settlement Boundaries: A Research Project on Canadian Settlements,"no. 11 Catalogue number 16-001-M2010011.

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Ce document vise à présenter un nouveau concept et une nouvelle méthodologie élaborés par Statistique Canada pour établir ou cartographier les limites des zones habitées au Canada. Les zones habitées comprennent les cités, villes, villages et autres concentrations de populations humaines habitant dans une région environnementale donnée.

L’objet du projet de recherche sur les zones habitées est de produire des ensembles de données détaillés, harmonisés et comparables qui permettront une analyse nationale plus complète des zones de peuplement, y compris leur forme physique et leurs profils de croissance. La méthodologie est appliquée aux ensembles de données des recensements de la population de 2001 et de 2006.

La méthodologie est fondée principalement sur les données disponibles portant sur une unité statistique appelée « îlot de diffusion » et sur une série associée de règles normalisées issues d’analyses statistiques et spatiales rigoureuses. Une base de données appelée l’« Inventaire des zones de peuplement par l’observation de la Terre » a été créée pour fournir des renseignements supplémentaires sur chaque îlot, pour aider à élaborer les seuils et les règles subséquentes, pour mener des activités axées sur la qualité et l’exactitude des données et pour améliorer les estimations.

Selon les résultats initiaux portant sur 2006, les zones habitées couvrent environ 20 000 kilomètres carrés de la superficie terrestre du Canada.

Série de documents analytiques et techniques sur les comptes et la statistique de l'environnement : «Présentation d'un nouveau concept et d'une nouvelle méthodologie de délimitation des zones habitées : un projet de recherche sur les zones habitées au Canada», no 11 Numéro au catalogue : 16-001-M2010011

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Report/Rapport : Land and Local Governance in PEI / Territoire et gouvernance à l'Î.-P.-É.

Le texte en français suit l’anglais.
Source: Commission on Land and Local Governance, PEI / Commission pour l'aménagement du territoire et pour la gouvernance locale, Î.-P.-É.
"The Commission on Land and Local Governance is pleased to present its final report, the result of twelve months of consultations, research and analysis."

"The final report contains the findings and recommendations of the Commission as well as an action plan."

Commission Report.

WWW: http://www.gov.pe.ca/landandlocalgovernance/

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"La Commission pour l'aménagement du territoire et pour la gouvernance locale est heureuse de présenter son rapport final, le résultat de douze mois de consultation, de recherche et d'analyse."

"Le rapport final renferme les conclusions et les recommandations de la Commission ainsi qu'un plan d'action."

Rapport de la Commission.

WWW : http://www.gov.pe.ca/landandlocalgovernance

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Report/Rapport : Governance and Land Use Planning in PEI, August 2009

Source: Institute of Island Studies, UPEI.
A Policy Brief titled "The Importance of Positive Government-Governance Relations for Land Use Planning and Management on Prince Edward Island" was released by the Institute of Island Studies.

"As amply demonstrated in the overview document provided by this current Commission on Land Use and Local Government (Government of PEI 2009 a,c), a succession of Prince Edward Island governments has failed to enact the majority of recommendations put forward by previous land use commissions and round tables. More recently, governments have held public consultations on heritage management, watershed management, genetically modified crops, cosmetic pesticides, school closures and nitrates in groundwater, among others."

"All of these are related directly or indirectly to rural land use or to infrastructure that influences rural settlement patterns. In every case, local governance and in particular, the role of the public in decision-making, is at the core of the debate. Typically, the majority of citizens intervening called for immediate and substantial changes to public policy or regulations. The body (whether a government standing committee, appointed board or ad hoc review committee) charged with reviewing public input then provided weaker recommendations to government. In most cases, even these compromise recommendations were largely ignored. In other cases, where recommendations were accepted, follow-up action was postponed, or legislation was drafted in such a way as to be unenforceable."

Download the full report.

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