Biological systems involve features/behaviours of individuals and populations that are influenced by a multitude of factors. To explore the dynamics of such systems, a statistical description offers the possibility of testing hypotheses, drawing predictions and more generally, a…
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A number of species of wood decay fungi important for the damage they cause to timber and timber products in Korea were cultured. Trametes versicolor, which is one of the most important, was also cultured from a collection made in the UK and likewise the ascomycete Daldinia conc…
The flora of Crete in its multifarious micro-landscapes offers the possibility of selecting native species with high ornamental value for use in urban landscapes and commercial horticulture. To assess this potential eight species were selected: Staehelina petiolata, Ptilostemon …
The peptide hormone, ghrelin, exerts its physiological effects through a G-protein-coupled receptor called the ghrelin-R. The ghrelin-R displays a high degree of constitutive activity, signalling through the inositol phosphate pathway in the absence of bound agonist. TMs III and…
The present work, employing biochemical, biophysical and electrophysiological techniques, attempted to identify specific receptor sites in the vertebrate olfactory system for heterocyclic odorants. An in vitro rat preparation was developed and characterised for use in vapour-pha…
D-serine is a co-agonist at NMDA receptors in the brain but the study of this amino acid is restricted by current techniques. I have designed highly sensitive D-serine biosensors that permit accurate real-time recordings of D-serine in the brain in a selective manner. I demonstr…
Interphase cytogenetics by fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) involves the study of chromosome copy number and nuclear organisation in non-dividing nuclei. It has found particular utility in studies of sperm and IVF embryos but would benefit further from multi-target strat…
Supplementary feeding wild birds is a widespread phenomenon. Recently, non-governmental organisations have recommended that the bird-feeding public should feed wild birds throughout the breeding season. Currently, such recommendations are not supported by a large body of researc…
Theoretical modelling of the microtubule-Dam1-ring force generation mechanism and the pulling of tubes from surface-supported lipid bilayers are presented and discussed. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) force data of tube pulling experiments is analysed and compared with theoretica…
Upland headwater streams are important sources of freshwater in mountainous temperate to sub-arctic latitude European countries like Scotland. Yet much less is known about the ecology of small, characteristically oligotrophic, mountain streams supporting periphyton and aquatic b…
The sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) is a rare, elusive and cryptic reptile species of conservation importance in the UK. Knowledge of its ecology and behaviour has limited the development of a reliable and effective methodology for population monitoring; this threatens to compromis…
The search for life beyond Earth, and on Mars in particular, is one of the key points of astrobiology research. However, space missions are expensive and time-consuming. Simulating such missions at analogue sites on Earth can thus save time and money whilst working in natural se…
This study reviews and evaluates the current status of management planning and policy in Protected Areas (PAs) in Bangladesh via a case study of two Wildlife Sanctuaries and one National Park. Using a mixed method approach, the research evaluates the perceptions and attitudes of…
Interactions between above ground and root-feeding herbivores can be influenced by changes in plant traits, such as tissue chemistry and morphology. Environmental heterogeneity and perturbations also affect these plant-mediated interactions. Climate change is a multi-faceted phe…
The impacts of global change on ecosystems from climate change and invasive species are likely to be complex. Rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations, the associated climate forcing and greater frequency of extreme weather are serious challenges to natural ecosystems. In tandem wi…
The evolutionary history of archosauromorphs is of particular interest because it includes the origins of two of the best-known and most distinctive extant tetrapod groups: crocodylians and birds. In this thesis, the anatomy, taxonomy and systematics of the Permo-Triassic non-ar…
Typhlodromips montdorensis is a non-native predatory mite used for control of red spider mite and thrips, but is not yet licensed for use in the UK. Current legislation requires that non-native glasshouse biological control agents may not be introduced into the UK without a risk…
There is increasing concern about the adverse effects of the road network on wildlife. The impacts of roads in the ecological landscape include habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and habitat degradation. These interrupt and modify natural processes, altering community structure…
The aim of this thesis is to critically assess the implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in the wider context of coastal planning regimes in order to develop a more effective model of collaboration for coastal governance. This research is set within the con…