%0 Thesis %B Anthropology / Nautical Archaeology %D 2010 %T Extracting Cultural Information from Ship Timber %A Creasman, Pearce Paul %Y Castro, Filipe Vieira de %X
This dissertation is rooted in one general question: what can the wood from ships reveal about the people and cultures who built them? Shipwrecks are only the last chapter of a complex story, and while the last fifty years of nautical archaeology have managed to rewrite a number of these chapters, much of the information unrelated to a ship’s final voyage remains a mystery. However, portions of that mystery can be exposed by an examination of the timbers. An approach for the cultural investigation of ship timbers is presented and attempts are made to establish the most reliable information possible from the largely unheralded treasures of underwater excavations: timbers. By introducing the written record, iconographic record, and the social, economic, and political factors to the archaeological record a more complete analysis of the cultural implications of ship and boat timbers is possible. I test the effectiveness of the approach in three varied case-studies to demonstrate its limits and usefulness: ancient Egypt’s Middle Kingdom, the Mediterranean under Athenian influence, and Portugal and the Iberian Peninsula during the Discoveries. The results of these studies demonstrate how ship timbers can be studied in order to better understand the people who built the vessels.
%B Anthropology / Nautical Archaeology %I Texas A&M University %V PhD %G eng %U http://search.proquest.com/docview/856582319?accountid=8360 %0 Thesis %D 2005 %T Elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide impacts carbon dynamics in a C(4)-sorghum-soil agroecosystem: An application of stable carbon isotopes (delta carbon-13) in tracing the fate of carbon in the atmosphere-plant-soil ecosystem %A Cheng, Li %Y Leavitt, S. %X Although a strong inter-dependence exists between atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) and the terrestrial carbon (C) cycle, the response of plant-soil ecosystems to the rapid increase in atmospheric CO₂ is not well understood. My dissertation research focused on the impacts of elevated CO₂ on the carbon dynamics of plant-soil ecosystems, which were a major part of the overall C₄-sorghum Free-Air CO₂ Enrichment (FACE) experiment conducted by the University of Arizona and USDA at the Maricopa Agriculture Center, Arizona, USA, in 1998 and 1999. In the experiment, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench) crop was exposed to elevated CO₂ (“FACE”: ca. 560 µmol mol⁻¹) and ambient CO₂ (“Control”: ca. 360 µmol mol⁻¹) interacting with well-watered and water-stressed treatments. The results from my study showed that the seasonal mean soil respiration rate measured in elevated CO₂ plots over two growing seasons was 3.3 µmol m⁻²s⁻¹, i.e., 12.7% higher than the 2.9 µmol m⁻²s⁻¹in ambient CO₂ plots. The increased respiration mainly resulted from the stimulated root respiration under elevated CO₂, which increased 36.1% compared to that under ambient CO₂. Measured changes in sorghum residue biochemistry caused by CO₂ were detected, with decrease of amino acids and hemicellulose carbohydrates by 7% and 8%, respectively, and increase of cellulose carbohydrates and lignin by 49% and 5%, respectively. Phenolics were only significantly higher in FACE roots. The C:N ratio of sorghum tissues was not affected by elevated CO₂, but was substantially lower under water stress. The laboratory incubation showed that an average of 7.3% significantly less respired CO₂ was released from the FACE-tissue-amended soil than the Control-tissues-amended soil over the full 79-d incubation period. Non-lignin phenolics (r² = 0.93, p = 0.002), and lignin (r² = 0.89, p = 0.004) were found to be the most important factors related to the sorghum tissue decomposition. Highly stable residues of FACE sorghum input to the soil resulted in the increase of the recalcitrant C pool and the decrease of the labile C pool. As a result, mean residence time of SOC in FACE field plot increased compared to that in Control plot, suggesting that the SOC under elevated CO₂ was more stable against decomposition. %I University of Arizona %V PhD %G eng %U http://ezproxy.library.arizona.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=885700691&sid=10&Fmt=2&clientId=43922&RQT=309&VName=PQD %0 Thesis %B School of Renewable Natural Resources %D 2002 %T Effects of Substrate on Dendrochronologic Streamflow Reconstruction: Paria River, Utah; With Fractal Applications to Dendrochronology %A Grow, David Earl %Y Swetnam, T. %K Watershed Management %X Two piñon ( Pinus edulus ) tree-ring chronologies developed on each of three substrates (sandstone, shale, and alluvial fan deposits) in southern Utah for the period 1702 to 1997 demonstrate that geologic substrate affects dendrochronologic streamflow reconstructions. Chronologies from alluvial fan deposits explain the most variance of cool-season (October 1 to May 31) flow with an adjusted coefficient of determination (R a 2 ) equal to 0.59. Chronologies from sandstone deposits account for 52 percent of the variance, while those on shale deposits account for 45 percent. The highest single-site annual discharge reconstruction (October 1 to September 30), R a 2 = 0.25, is provided by chronologies from shale deposits. The highest substrate-pair annual discharge reconstruction, R a 2 = 0.27, is provided by chronologies from alluvial fan deposits. The highest summer discharge reconstruction (July 4 to September 3), R a 2 = 0.14, is provided by chronologies from sandstone. The different substrate response is attributed to varying amounts of clay in each substrate affecting infiltration and available water for tree growth. The fractal parameters (fractal dimension and Hurst exponent), calculated using the roughness-length method, describe the long-term persistence of each tree-ring series and of the hydrologic record. The fractal dimensions range from 1.739 to 1.939 for the tree-ring series for the calibration period, and from 1.884 to 1.946 for the entire chronology periods. The fractal dimension for the annual hydrologic record is 1.802, and 1.819 from October 1 through May 31. Modification of each tree-ring series based on the ratios of the Hurst exponent of each series forced the fractal dimensions of the tree-ring series to be closer to that of the hydrologic series. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) %B School of Renewable Natural Resources %I University of Arizona %V PhD %G eng %U http://ezproxy.library.arizona.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=765129271&sid=4&Fmt=2&clientId=43922&RQT=309&VName=PQD %0 Thesis %B Anthropology %D 1996 %T An ethnographic perspective on prehistoric platform mounds of the Tonto Basin, Central Arizona %A Mark Elson %X The function of prehistoric platform mounds in the American Southwest has been a subject of archaeological debate for more than 100 years. Two basic theories have been suggested: platform mounds were the residential domains of elite leaders who ruled socially complex groups, or platform mounds were nonresidential ceremonial centers used by groups of low social complexity. These theories have been based primarily on archaeological data because platform mounds were not constructed by any historic period Southwestern group. To better understand the nature of these features and the groups that used them, a cross-cultural analysis is undertaken of ethnographic or ethnohistoric platform mound-using groups from the Pacific Ocean region, South America, and the southeastern United States. Nine groups are examined in detail, and common attributes of mound-using groups are abstracted and synthesized. Insights gained through this analysis are then applied to a prehistoric settlement system in the Eastern Tonto Basin of central Arizona. This system was most intensively occupied during the Roosevelt phase (A.D. 1250-1350), when it contained five platform mounds within a 6-km stretch of the Salt River. A new model for Roosevelt phase settlement is presented that suggests that the platform mounds were constructed by two competing descent groups. Although the mounds were not residential, the groups that used them were socially complex with well-defined, institutionalized leadership. The mounds played a role in the management of irrigation and other subsistence systems and were used to integrate groups of different enculturative backgrounds and to mark descent group territory. %B Anthropology %I University of Arizona %V Phd %U http://ezproxy.library.arizona.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=739658101&sid=23&Fmt=2&clientId=43922&RQT=309&VName=PQD %0 Thesis %D 1991 %T Effects of coppice thinning on growth and yield of Emory oak sprouts in southeastern Arizona %A Ramzi Touchan %K Quercus emoryi %X Emory oak (Quercus Emoryi) is a dominant tree species in San Rafael Valley in southeastern Arizona. However, basic information about the effects of coppice thinning on the growth and yield of this species is lacking. Thus, objectives of the study were to measure the effects of coppice thinning on Emory oak survivor growth, ingrowth, and mortality, which are the basic components of a growth budget. This study determined gross growth, net growth, and yield estimates. In addition, this study evaluated the mean annual growth (MAG) values in relation to the biological rotation age of Emory oak in southeastern Arizona. Coppice thinning treatments were applied to sprouts of different ages. Height and diameter at root collar measurements were taken immediately after thinning and again 5 years later. Sprouts were classified into 5 age groups, 4 stump diameters, and 3 level of coppice thinnings and an unthinned control. The interactions of these treatments and their effect on growth and yield were analyzed. Stump diameters did not significantly affect the growth components, growth estimates, or yield estimates. The number of residual sprouts significantly affected the growth components, growth estimates, and yield estimates. Survivor growth, gross growth, net growth, and yield were lowest for 1 residual sprout, except for net growth of 8-year-old sprouts. There were no significant differences in net growth between the different coppice thinning treatments. At age 8-year-old sprouts, the mean annual growth of individual sprouts increased as the number of residual sprouts per stump reduced. Based on this relationship, it is recommended that 1 residual sprout be left when thinning sprouts. Age of sprouts significantly affected growth. There was an increase in the mortality of the control sprouts in the 6th year. Based on those results, it is recommended that thinning be conducted in the 5th year of the sprout's growth. Proper timing of thinning can reduce the rotation age of Emory oak sprouts, if the rotation is based on achievement of a specified diameter. To draw firm conclusions about the effects of thinning on shortening the rotation age, the study measurement needs to be continued into the future. %I University of Arizona %V PhD %U http://ezproxy.library.arizona.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=745176541&sid=2&Fmt=2&clientId=43922&RQT=309&VName=PQD %0 Thesis %B School of Renewable Natural Resources %D 1989 %T The Effect of Prescribed Burning on Southwest Ponderosa Pine Growth %A Sutherland, Elaine Kennedy %Y Zwolwski, M. %K Watershed Management %X Study objectives included determining whether prescribed burning affected ponderosa pine growth; mathematically modeling the growth response to burning; and determining whether forest management history affected growth response. I sampled 188 trees from two areas near Flagstaff, Arizona; one area (Brannigan Flat) had been logged and thinned, and the other (Chimney Spring) had not; both were burned in 1976. Within each study area, control and burned plots were of similar age, vigor, height, and competition index. Trees at Chimney Spring were older, less vigorous, and taller, and had a higher competition index than at Brannigan. For each tree, periodic basal area increment (PBAI) was calculated for the years 1974-1984. To determine which variable would best model growth, postfire PBAI (individual years, 1977-1984) was correlated with previous growth (average PBAI 1974-1976); crown ratio; competition index; thinning index; and diameter. Two models of growth response were developed; one oriented toward satisfying theoretical and research goals, and the other, toward management applications. Growth was modeled using stepwise multiple linear regression, and the dependent variable was postfire PBAI. Research Model independent variables were previous growth, years (climate), and treatment-year interaction, and 72% of total variance was explained. Fire affected growth significantly and negatively for two years, and then burned trees grew similarly to control trees. Management Model independent variables were crown ratio, competition index, crown ratio, subject tree diameter, year, and treatment, and 52% of total variance was explained. This model, too, indicated a slight negative effect of burning on growth. Management history was not a significant determinant of growth response. Both models validated well; the ratio of observed-to-predicted residual mean square was 1.04 and 0.91 (Research and Management Models, respectively). Thinning index was not significantly related to postfire growth, but a change in carbohydrate allocation from stem wood to crown and root expansion could have resulted in observed burning effects. Management implications include (1) short-term growth decline may result from burning, (2) management history did not affect growth response, and (3) burning impact is greatest in dense stands of small trees. %B School of Renewable Natural Resources %I University of Arizona %V PhD %G eng %U http://ezproxy.library.arizona.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=746080281&sid=4&Fmt=2&clientId=43922&RQT=309&VName=PQD %0 Thesis %B Geoscience %D 1983 %T The Effects of Fire Exclusion on Growth in Mature Ponderosa Pine in Northern Arizona %A Sutherland, Elaine Kennedy %Y Stokes, M. %K age classes %K chimney spring %K competition %K dendrochronology %K dog hair thickets %K fire %K fire exclusion %K forest %K mature %K northern arizona %K palmer drought severity indices %K pinus ponderosa %K ponderosa pine %K radial growth %K spearman rank correlation %XDendrochronological techniques were used to assess the effect of fire exclusion on the radial growth of two age classes (approximately 150 to 300 years old) of mature ponderosa pine. Decline in average radial growth in both classes is coincidental with the establishment of a large ponderosa pine seedling crop in 1919 that has since become an extensive stand of stagnant, overcrowded saplings.
F and t tests of tree ring indices comparing the time period before and after 1920 show that growth has significantly declined since 1920 in both age classes. F and t tests comparing the two age classes suggest that growth was similar before 1920, but the older age class shows a significantly stronger growth decline than the younger age class. Spearman Rank Correlation tests indicate that in both groups there was no trend or a tend toward increasing tree ring indices before 1920 in both age classes, but that after 1920 there was a strong, significant trend toward decreasing tree ring indices in both groups, and that the trend is stronger in the older age class. These results suggest that the older trees are experiencing a more pronounced growth suppression effect than the younger trees.
October and July Palmer Drought Severity Indices from 1931 to 1976 were tested for trend toward drought using the Spearman Rank Correlation. There was no trend toward drought during these months, which have the most significant climatic relationship to ponderosa pine growth in northern Arizona. Therefore the growth decline at Chimney Spring may not be attributed to climate.
No environmental factor has changed at Chimney Spring, other than fire exclusion and subsequent seedling establishment. Competition for soil moisture and nutrients, reduced nutrient cycling and soil moisture losses from litter interception may all be factors contributing to the growth decline in the mature ponderosa pines at Chimney Spring.
Key words: age classes, competition, dendrochronology, “dog-hair” thickets, fire exclusion, forest, northern Arizona, Pinus ponderosa, radial growth
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