Massey Documents by Type

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/294

Browse

Filters

2002 - 200912010 - 20171

Settings

Subject: search.filters.subject.Ecuador

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Demography and conservation of the Floreana racer (Pseudalsophis biserialis biserialis) on Gardner-By-Floreana and Champion Islets, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador : thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Natural Science
    (Massey University, 2017) Christian, Eli J
    The Floreana Racer (Pseudalsophis biserialis biserialis) is a mediumsized colubrid endemic to the islets of Gardner-by-Floreana and Champion off the coast of Floreana Island, in the South of the Galápagos Archipelago. The subspecies was historically abundant on Floreana Island, as indicated by subfossil remains, however is has since been extinct there since the late 1800’s as a result of the effects of large-scale habitat modification, fires and the introduction of rats and cats. I conducted the first field study on the population size, inter-island morphological variability and the diet of the Floreana racer on the two islets where the species occurs as a first step towards the translocation of Floreana racers to Floreana Island. Fieldwork took place over 30 days between November 2015 and January 2017. With the assistance of eight colleagues and volunteers I conducted daylight searches for Floreana racers yielding a total of 123 individuals, 20 on Champion and 103 on Gardner-by-Floreana. Of these 119 individuals were marked with unique PITTags. I also conducted a mark-recapture estimate of population size on both islets based on 17 recaptures. The resulting estimate of the global population of the subspecies is approximately 3088 individuals (Champion 209 snakes; Gardner-by-Floreana: 2879 snakes). I also investigated the diet of Floreana racers via analysis of faecal samples from 29 individuals. The most common prey items are lava lizards (Microllophus grayii), followed by the Floreana gecko (Phyllodactyllus baueri). Lastly I discuss the conservation status of the subspecies and future areas of research and management to advance the knowledge, and conservation status of the Floreana Racer.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Health : sculptured by the hands of culture : exploring the Ecuadorian worldview of health : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy of Development Studies at Massey University, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2002) Hicks, Ruth Miriam
    Worldview is at the core of our being, providing the filter that gives form to our beliefs, values and behaviour. Each culture and country has its unique perspective in such vital areas such as health and wellbeing. In the global context, where 'health for all' is more a dream than reality, the challenge is to grasp the conceptual understanding of health in each context, to dialogue with the culture, and look for creative ways of meeting health needs. This thesis is part of my journey to achieve an understanding of this, in the context of Ecuador. The essence of this study is an exploration of the Ecuadorian context. How is health conceptualised within the culture? Is there a worldview of health? Are there areas of commonality of beliefs and practices in health? What are some of the historical events and processes that have formed this way of understanding? What has the ways of seeing health in Ecuador's current context? This thesis presents the experiences and knowledge collected during five months of focussed research and two years of lived experiences in Ecuador. It is very much a journey of discovery for the researcher and participants. The research methodology gives voice to the stories of four participatory groups and five in-depth interviews, which allowed the participants to share their knowledge and experience of health. Through the process of reviewing literature on the beliefs and practices throughout various non-western systems of healing, a number of elements were found common to all. These include: the interrelated nature of the physical and spiritual realms; the concept of self and community; origins of unwellness and health seeking practices; food and food practices; syncretism and the concept of body image. The stories of the participants reveal some of their beliefs and practices of health. Despite the wealth of cultural origins, climatic and contextual variety presented in Ecuador, nine themes emerge from the participants' stories, as common to their beliefs and practices of health: nature's healers, traditional sicknesses, the path of tradition, common sicknesses and causes of death, the therapeutic route, you are well if you look happy, of divine descent but humanly frail, no health without money, the path of tradition, and an acute awareness of the state of health. Together these portray a fascinating insight into part of the Ecuadorian worldview of health.