Thesis Presentations

Passive Solar Stills: A Comparative Experimental Study of the Asymmetrical Greenhouse Type Design and the Symmetrical Greenhouse Type Design

This study evaluated two low-cost passive solar still configurations, the asymmetrical greenhouse-type (ASGHT) still and the symmetrical greenhouse-type (SGHT) still, to determine which design produced greater distillate yield and superior water quality under identical outdoor conditions in Sorengo, Switzerland. Both stills were constructed from plexiglass and plastic boxes; the ASGHT still incorporated a mirror to enhance internal reflection. Two trials distilled lake water at a constant 2 cm basin depth. Daily ambient temperature and cloud cover were recorded to contextualize performance.

Results showed that the ASGHT still consistently outperformed the SGHT still in both water yield and purification quality. In the first trial, the ASGHT yielded 30.0 mL of purified water (6% purification rate), while the SGHT produced 20.0 mL (4%). In the second trial, the ASGHT yielded 36.5 mL (7.3%), while the SGHT yielded 18.5 mL (3.7%). Analysis of water quality demonstrated that the ASGHT still achieved higher reductions in electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved solids (TDS), with reductions of 85.1% and 85.3%, respectively, compared to the SGHT still’s 74.1% and 74.3%. Both designs reduced salinity to undetectable levels and lowered specific gravity to near-pure water values.

Results demonstrated that reflective modifications substantially improved passive still productivity without external energy inputs. Furthermore, environmental factors, particularly cloud cover, were found to have a dominant influence on distillation efficiency. The study highlights the potential of passive solar stills as a decentralized, low-cost solution for water purification in off-grid and water-scarce regions, though future research is needed to optimize designs for improved yield and efficiency.

Preservation or Recreation? The Differing Objectives of National Parks: A Comparative Study of the United States, Switzerland, and Madagascar

National parks exist in nearly 100 countries around the world today. As they grow in popularity and numbers, as well as importance, they are faced with mounting pressure to serve as environmental reserves, public spaces for human recreation, and in some cases even economic engines through tourism. This paper explores the differing objectives of three national parks by analysing case studies and data from the United States, Switzerland, and Madagascar. Using management methods, tourism policies, and governance structures from three ecologically and economically distinct regions, this study compares how different countries approach national parks’ dual purpose. This paper contributes to a broader understanding of national parks’ objectives across the globe. Ultimately, it argues that no model offers a perfect solution, instead, effective park management relies on maintaining ecological health while balancing accessibility and adaptability for local and regional needs.

Population Overview and Urban Wildlife Corridors in Lugano, Switzerland: A Monitoring and Habitat Connectivity Overview

Cervus elaphus (red deer), and ungulates in general, are regarded as elusive, and are assumed to exclusively inhabit non-urban areas. There is a gap in research analyzing their movement and proximity to populated areas and human influence on these patterns in Lugano. This study looks at the movement of red deer - Cervus elaphus - in and around the Lago di Muzzano bottleneck and investigates the degree to which patches are connected and where undulates are choosing to cross between these patches.

This study examines the movement of ungulates around the Lago di Muzzano bottleneck, aiming to assess how connected the forest patches are and where individuals choose to cross. The study hypothesizes that the San Salvatore peninsula and the Breganzona forests are not connected via the western choke point between the two lake sides. For this reason, it is hypothesized that the populations in each area are distinct and do not use the patches as one connected habitat, despite their close proximity. The results show movement trends within both the Collina d’Oro and Breganzona forest patches and also shows a clear separation of populations in either patch. Two conclusions arise from the hypothesis: Primarily, that each forest patch is occupied by distinct sedentary groups of red deer; and two, that red deer are migrating out of these patches in distinct ways. This study thereby asserts that the red deer is instead a synanthropic species that lives in close proximity to urban environments.

Due to the limited timeframe, two main study areas were defined, with observations in each limited to two permanent observation points. Secondary data collection supported decisions regarding the outlining of game trails, the identification of dens, the setting of study boundaries and trail camera placement. The outlining of game trails, provided by secondary data, also helped supplement a lack of GPS collar data, common in studying ungulates, which was not within the scope of the study. Instead, individual animals and their home ranges were tracked for the duration of the study, and efforts were made to identify group behaviors and frequented locations. Given the limited temporal scope of this study, findings should be interpreted as representative of trends at that time, rather than definitive conclusions about the entire local population. This study remains pertinent as an attempt to manage populations and negative consequences, as it is important to understand the distribution and habitat utilization of undulates within an urban environment as they attempt to adapt to human influences.

Rooted in Reciprocity: Planetary Health and the Power of Community Solutions. A Case Study of ASRI’s Transformative Response to Illegal Logging in Gunung Palung National Park

Indonesia’s rainforests are among the most biodiverse in the world, yet they continue to face extreme threats from illegal logging, unsustainable agriculture, and systemic poverty. In the communities surrounding Gunung Palung National Park (GPNP) in West Kalimantan, these challenges have historically undermined both environmental and human well-being. This thesis examines how the NGO Alam Sehat Lestari (ASRI) applies a Planetary Health framework to address the interconnected challenges of illegal logging, ecological degradation, and limited healthcare access in communities surrounding Gunung Palung National Park (GPNP) in West Kalimantan, Borneo. Planetary Health is an increasingly relevant and needed perspective, as this interdisciplinary framework identifies the complex interdependencies between human health and the health of Earth’s natural environments and systems. 

Grounded in the practice of Radical Listening and community participation, ASRI develops holistic, community-designed programs that integrate affordable healthcare, reforestation, environmental education, and sustainable livelihood alternatives. These interventions are intentionally designed to complement and reinforce one another, thereby empowering communities while restoring ecosystems in the GPNP.

Using a case study methodology informed by peer-reviewed literature, ASRI reports, and Planetary Health theory, this research analyzes how ASRI’s interconnected programs work together to reduce illegal logging, promote forest regeneration, and improve community well-being.  Findings show a 70% decline in deforestation and over 90% reduction in logging households in participating villages. Additionally, ASRI’s reforestation efforts have resulted in the regrowth of key forest corridors, improved biodiversity indicators such as increased orangutan presence, and enhanced habitat connectivity.

ASRI is positioned as a transformative shift in NGO practice, rooted in reciprocity, co-creation, and systems thinking. ASRI responds to systemic drivers of deforestation and ecological degradation by addressing the compounding socioeconomic drivers in a locally grounded and ethically engaged manner. By showcasing ASRI’s holistic Planetary Health model, this research contributes to the growing discourse on how integrated, community-driven approaches can reshape conservation and development paradigms. ASRI offers an effective and adaptable model for addressing deforestation, climate change, and health inequities globally.

Understanding Peatland Heterogeneity: A Study of Vegetation, Water Table, and pH Variations at Mycklemossen Peatland, Sweden

Peatlands are a distinctive wetland ecosystem that store gigatons of carbon per year, provide critical ecosystem services, and support many unique, specialized species. Despite these benefits, peatlands have been degraded for centuries, largely for energy and agriculture. This study investigates the interactions between vegetation composition, water table levels, and pH across micro-ecosystems within Mycklemossen Peatland, Sweden. Ecosystem types and ecological zones were determined based on the variations found, contributing to a deeper understanding of peatland heterogeneity and informing site-specific restoration. The data collected was then analyzed using Microsoft Excel and QGIS. Three distinct ecological zones were identified primarily differentiated by water table variation, which affected vegetation dominance. Areas with higher water tables were dominated by mosses, while lower levels coincided with increased shrub or litter presence. The pH was consistently acidic, reflecting waterlogged conditions and Sphagnum dominance. These findings classify Mycklemossen as an ombrotrophic bog, which is an important distinction for understanding its ecological function and potential responses to threats in the future. This study highlights the importance of localized assessment in peatland management and the need for continued research of these globally significant ecosystems.

Mapping Climate-Driven Shifts in Habitat Suitability for Chagas Disease Vectors Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma infestans: A Species-Specific Threshold Approach

This study assesses how future climate scenarios may influence the habitat suitability of two major vectors of Chagas disease: Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma infestans. Using species-specific ecological tolerance ranges for temperature and precipitation derived from peer-reviewed literature, binary raster models were constructed in QGIS to map climatically suitable habitat under present and future conditions. Bioclimatic variables (BIO1: annual mean temperature and BIO12: annual precipitation) from WorldClim 2.1 were used for current (1970–2000) and projected (2041–2060, SSP2-4.5, MPI-ESM1-2-LR) scenarios.

Suitability maps were generated by thresholding temperature and precipitation rasters according to known physiological tolerances for each species. These binary rasters were combined to produce maps of current and future suitable habitat. Area calculations were conducted to quantify changes in habitat extent, and difference maps were created to visualize spatial shifts in suitability.

Results indicate that R. prolixus is likely to experience a modest expansion in climatically suitable habitat, particularly in northern South America, whereas T. infestans may undergo significant habitat contraction due to increasing temperatures and reduced suitability in southern regions. These findings reflect differences in the species' ecological tolerances and underline the role of climate as a driver of vector distribution.

This study demonstrates the utility of a species-specific threshold approach in modeling climate-driven habitat shifts for disease vectors. While limited to abiotic factors, the model provides a transparent, reproducible foundation for future research. Incorporating land use, socioeconomic variables, and finer-scale validation could enhance predictive power and real-world application. Understanding where vector habitats are likely to shift under climate change is essential for informing proactive disease surveillance and vector control strategies in vulnerable regions.