Browsing by Author "Parker, Yasmeen"

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    Description and assessment of neuston 1 communities present in the South Indian Ocean
    (University of the Western Cape, 2022) Parker, Yasmeen; Gibbons, Mark
    Animal communities living at the sea-surface are relatively poorly known, despite the fact that this biotope is globally distributed, it acts as an important nursery area for many commercially important taxa and supports significant amounts of anthropogenic waste. This lack of knowledge applies particularly to the Indian Ocean. Here, I describe the structure of non-copepod neuston assemblages across the Southern Indian Ocean Gyre using samples collected between 26 June – 16 July 2015 from 35 stations along a transect line at 20° S. Neuston was sampled using triplicated manta trawls at each station, while environmental parameters were assessed using a CDT. All non-copepod neuston were identified to morphospecies, with the exception of siphonophores, which were identified to species.
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    Mesoscale structure of neuston assemblages across the southern Indian Ocean subtropical gyre
    (Elsevier, 2022-12-28) Gibbons, Mark J.; Parker, Yasmeen; Cedras, Riaan B.; Thibault, Delphine
    Despite concern around plastic pollution in subtropical gyres, our understanding of the biological component of the neustonic layer (upper 20 cm of the ocean) in these areas is poor. Here we investigate the neuston (excluding copepods) assemblages across the Southern Indian Subtropical Gyre using triplicate samples collected by mantatrawls from 28 stations along a transect at latitude 20 S during June/July 2015. The vertical structure of the water column at each station was assessed using a CTD. With the exception of siphonophores, all non-copepod neuston were identified to morphospecies. Assemblages were dominated by ostracods, mysids, larval chaetognaths and siphonophores. The majority of collected specimens comprised facultative neuston, which were more common at night than during the day. Neuston assemblages from the east were quite distinct from the balance of samples, and their distribution reflected that of the warm, low salinity water associated with the Indonesian Throughflow. Two anticyclonic eddies had been documented at the time of the survey between 70 and 85◦ E, and this area was associated with a distinct neuston assemblage of generally low abundance. The key environmental factors that were linked to assemblage structure were associated with longitude – salinity, fluorescence and temperature at 200 m, emphasising the interaction between Indonesian Throughflow Water and the South Equatorial Current, eddy-related process and settlement of meroplankton. The study highlights the value of using morphospecies in studies of plankton assemblages.
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    The relationship between spirituality, health related quality of life and occupational balance among adults with chronic diseases
    (University of the Western Cape, 2019) Parker, Yasmeen; Mthembu, Thuli G.
    Background: One of the most significant current discussions in public health and occupational therapy is the challenges facing adults with chronic diseases. Adults living with chronic diseases experience challenges of activity limitations and occupational disruptions which may influence their health, quality of life and well-being. Chronic diseases seem to have implications for adults’ areas of occupation, client factors and performance patterns as well as performance skills. Spirituality is considered as important in the lives of adults living with chronic diseases as a coping strategy assisting them to deal with the challenges of life in relation to physical, social, emotional and functional well-being. Despite the importance of spirituality in adults with chronic diseases, there is little known about the relationship between spirituality, health-related quality of life and occupational balance among adults with chronic diseases in the Western Cape, South Africa. Aim: The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between spirituality, healthrelated quality of life and occupational balance from the perspectives of adults living with chronic diseases. Methods: A sequential exploratory mixed methods two phase design approach was used for the purpose of the study. Thus, to examine the perspectives and determine the relationship on spirituality, health related quality of life and occupational balance of adults living with chronic diseases. Furthermore, to explore and describe the perceptions of adults with chronic diseases regarding the relationship between spirituality, health related quality of life and occupational balance.