Environmental Conservation Areas Research Articles

Hemotropic Mycoplasmas (Hemoplasmas) in Free-Ranging Azara's Agoutis (Dasyprocta azarae) from an Urban Area of Southern Brazil.

Hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) are opportunistic bacteria that attach to the erythrocyte surface, causing infectious anemia in several mammalian species, including rodents. Studies surveying native Azara's agoutis (Dasyprocta azarae) in Brazil are lacking. Accordingly, the present study aimed to assess hemoplasmas infection in free-ranging agoutis from an urban environmental conservation area in Curitiba, southern Brazil. Overall, 11/35 (31.43%) agoutis were positive to hemoplasmas by quantitative PCR (cycle threshold≤34.4). Sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene indicated Mycoplasma haemomuris infection, closely related to M. haemomuris subsp. ratti, suggesting hemoplasma transmission from urban rats to agoutis. Because the main route of M. haemomuris transmission has been direct rodent-to-rodent infection, the relatively lower positivity that we detected may be the result of low intraspecies contact due to the smaller social units of agoutis, generally consisting of two to four individuals, and low interspecies contact due to only sporadic agouti-rat interactions in urban settings, compared with other rodent species interactions. Further studies should be conducted to determine whether the hemoplasma infection that we found can cause clinical onset and life-threatening anemia in agoutis.

Perceptions on the effectiveness of environmental education programs as environmental licensing tools for port-related enterprise in Brazil.

Environmental Education Programs (EEPs) are considered environmental management tools in Brazilian environmental licensing processes, within the scope of mitigatory and compensatory measures to the social, environmental, and economic impacts caused by development projects or new enterprises. Here, we assess the perceptions and expectations regarding environmental education programs of three groups of actors (communities, environmental managers, and environmental agency technicians) involved in the licensing processes of port activities in the region of Paranaguá, in the State of Paraná, Brazil. Paranaguá is the largest coastal municipality of the state of Paraná, in the southern region of Brazil, and is home to Brazil`s second largest port. Since this is environmental conservation area, the conflicts between the port activities, environmental protection and needs of the local communities require efficient environmental management practices, with EEPs as one of their main implementation tools. The evaluation was based on semi-structured interviews which were analyzed using the methods of content analysis and discourse of the collective subject. The actors understand that environmental education is a potentially effective tool to promote the mitigation or compensation of environmental impacts generated by port developments undergoing licensing processes. The groups considered that the continuity, promotion of social organization, and correlation with the actual environmental impacts related to each enterprise are essential qualities for good EEPs. The evaluated perceptions were complementary and indicate a complex but effective ideal scenario for EEPs in the region.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programs in Sarangani Province: Promotion of the Triple Bottom Line Framework of Sustainability

This study aimed to determine the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs implemented by business organizations in Sarangani Province in the frame of Triple Bottom Line Framework of Sustainability – People, Planet, and Profit (3Ps). It employed the mixed method research design using sequential qualitative and quantitative survey-type techniques. It involved fifty-two (52) respondents from medium-sized and large companies. Findings show that the main CSR drivers were customer satisfaction and company reputation/image while the major barrier was the lack of support from top management. In terms of involvement, the companies made efforts to address social injustice; partnered with communities to provide financial assistance; promoted waste management, energy, and water conservation; and, ensured employee well-being. In terms of integrating corporate citizenship, the companies recognized the role of leaders as CSR champions; incorporated CSR policies and integrated CSR initiatives in program development; installed CSR in their operational systems, as well as enabled M&E mechanisms. In assessing CSR program implementation, the companies established safety protocols in the workplace; educated their employees and the communities on environmental protection; and, hired local people from host communities. On issues and challenges, financial constraint was cited as a major concern while the benefits were gained from the areas of environmental conservation and compliance to national and local laws. Hence, the study concluded that many business organizations in Sarangani have already taken 3Ps- anchored proactive steps through CSR to make valuable contributions for the continuous development of medium and large-scale enterprises. It is therefore recommended that business organizations should increase their CSR program focus on Gender Equality, develop more CSR champions, increase employee involvement in CSR initiatives, and further CSR efforts through increased funding, while the government should introduce strategic measures to further encourage more companies to undertake CSR.

ICMS ECOLÓGICO VERSUS ICMS PRODUÇÃO AGRÍCOLA: UMA ABORDAGEM COM BASE NO MÉTODO CUSTO DE OPORTUNIDADE

Abstract Ecological ICMS (ecological value-added tax on sales and services) lies on the application of environmental criteria at the time to distribute resources collected by Brazilian states. It emerged as innovative instrument capable of developing environmental policy and fiscal justice by financially compensating and encouraging counties hosting environmental conservation areas. The aim of the present study is to compare the public revenue deriving from the ecological ICMS generated by Indigenous Lands to ICMS associated with agricultural production in Tangará da Serra County - MT, based on using the opportunity cost method. This is a descriptive, bibliographical and documentary research, based on quantitative approach and secondary sources. Ecological ICMS is an important environmental policy instrument and source of municipal public revenue. Although it presented better performance than that of agricultural ICMS, it remains insufficient to financially compensate the investigated County for its restricted economic activity.

An Enhanced Randomly Initialized Convolutional Neural Network for Columnar Cactus Recognition in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle imagery

Recently, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) have made a great performance for remote sensing image classification. Plant recognition using CNNs is one of the active deep learning research topics due to its added-value in different related fields, especially environmental conservation and natural areas preservation. Automatic recognition of plants in protected areas helps in the surveillance process of these zones and ensures the sustainability of their ecosystems. In this work, we propose an Enhanced Randomly Initialized Convolutional Neural Network (ERI-CNN) for the recognition of columnar cactus, which is an endemic plant that exists in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley in southeastern Mexico. We used a public dataset created by a group of researchers that consists of more than 20000 remote sensing images. The experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed model compared to other models reported in the literature like InceptionV3 and the modified LeNet-5 CNN. Our ERI-CNN provides 98% of accuracy, 97% of precision, 97% of recall, 97.5% as f1-score, and 0.056 loss.

Política y prácticas en torno a la Conservación Ambiental. El caso del Parque Nacional Cofre de Perote, Veracruz, México

El concepto de conservación, ha sido central en el desarrollo e instrumentación de marcos jurídicos y operativos en materia ambiental, también ha sido un elemento que ha jugado un doble papel -potenciado o limitando- en la participación social en áreas de conservación ambiental. La investigación, se realizó a partir de entrevistas semiestructuradas y observación participante, logrando obtener información sobre las dificultades para lograr acuerdos e instrumentar programas de orden ambiental. Teniendo como referente un área de conservación, se concluye que existe una contraposición discursiva y práctica entre quienes designan, planean, organizan y toman el control frente a quienes habitan dentro del área natural protegida y requieren cumplir con la norma, generando tensiones, conflictos y disputas por el uso de los recursos naturales.

An Analytical Approach for CPS Preparation for Korea’s ODA: Focusing on Environment, Science and Technology Innovation Sector

The Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) sets out an important milestone for development assistance. It provides the rational and guidance in overall Official Development Assistance (ODA) decision-making process at a high level from selecting priority countries, focus of assistance areas to the volume of aids. In current CPS preparation process, it involves diagnostic and analytical assessment on economic, social, security status and aspects of development ownership of the recipient country. Although not all development issues could be comprehensively covered by the CPS, the rational for priority sector selection and the process should be clearly established from its initial assessment stage and should appropriately reflect emerging and burdening development issues. This paper presented the potential for a macro-level diagnostic approach for prioritizing countries and its areas of development interests, especially in climate, environment and innovation context. With the use of aggregated country-level indicators, cluster analysis was applied to group countries by the similarities of its indicator value, and principal component analysis was conducted to identify contributing variables that best explains the attributes of each clusters. The attributes of each clusters were described and compared with the priority areas in the current CPS framework. As a result, the current framework prioritized assistance in sectors such as education, water and sanitation, transport and regional development that focuses on enhancing agricultural practices. This indicates that selection of priority sectors in the CPS preparation process should be firmly rooted in the analysis of development issues that could be initially assessed by analyzing appropriate indicators. Methodology proposed in this paper could be useful to prepare CPS in the future, additionally in the areas of environmental conservation, science and technology innovation for developing countries.

Metagenomic analysis reveals enhanced biodiversity and composting efficiency of lignocellulosic waste by thermoacidophilic effective microorganism (tEM)

Composting is a microbiological process that converts organic waste into organic soil amendment. We reveal enhanced biodiversity and microbial population with subsequent enhancement of composting efficiency of lignocellulosic waste using thermoacidophilic effective microorganisms (tEM). Composting with tEM + shading (tEMA) or tEM without shading (tEMB) increased the average microbial population by 12.0% or 6.7%, respectively compared to non-tEM composting without shading/control (C). The biodiversity in tEMA or tEMB treated groups was increased by 34.7% or 43.7%, respectively, compared to C. The highest increase in population (31.7% and 9.4%) and diversity (91.2% and 91.6%) were observed in tEMA and tEMB at 30 d, respectively. Regarding microbial structure, the most dominant phylum shifted from Proteobacteria to Bacteroidetes during composting. From 60 to 120 d, tEM notably improved the average abundance of Firmicutes (mainly Bacillus) by 166.7% and 75.8% in tEMA and tEMB groups, respectively. The overall gradation rate of large compost granules (<2 mm) increased by 36.4% and 24.7%, following tEMA and tEMB treatment, respectively. The average rate of increase in bulk density was 42.6% or 33.3% by tEMA or tEMB, respectively, compared to C. We reveal the major differences in microbial structure, including a higher abundance of beneficial microbes like Bacillus in tEM treated composts. The study revealed that tEM could improve biodiversity and population of microbes, especially during thermophilic phase (above 45 °C), with a subsequent increase in composting rate, mineralization, and product quality. The results of this study are particularly invaluable in the areas of environmental conservation and organic agriculture.

Remote sensing of tropical forest biomass: The Malaysian experiences

The role of forests as potential sinks of atmospheric carbon has been studied across varying scales. In 2017, Malaysia with a total of 52 % her land is covered by tropical forest is very important not only as a source of national revenues but also as environmental protection and conservation areas. In Malaysia attempts to estimate the Above-Ground Biomass (AGB) biomass density of different forest types have been made actively as an action to meet the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Remote sensing is a constantly evolving technology being regularly introduced where high-resolution space-borne and air-borne satellite data have provided an opportunity to better estimate and map AGB across different spatial and temporal scales. The quantification, mapping, and monitoring of biomass are now central issues due to the importance of biomass as a renewable energy source. However, the estimation of biomass is a challenging task, especially in areas with complex stands and varying environmental conditions. Remote sensing offers the technology to enable rapid assessment of biomass over large areas relatively quickly and at a low cost. This paper highlights a review of tropical forest biomass assessment techniques using remote sensing with special emphasis in Malaysia. The successful studies and key work that has been undertaken has been discussed.

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Eunotia itacueretabaensis&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt; sp. nov. (Bacillariophyceae, Eunotiaceae) from the Campos Gerais region, Southern Brazil&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

We describe a new periphytic eunotioid species, Eunotia itacueretabaensis sp. nov., found in a second order stream in Vila Velha State Park in Southern Brazil. We analyzed both size variation and external and internal morphological features under light and scanning electron microscopy. The new species is mainly characterized by large size and morphology variation, and by the presence of three slight undulations in the dorsal margin of the valve in larger individuals, while smaller ones feature a single undulation, making it distinct from other known species. Its morphology is compared with similar species, as Eunotia pectinalis and Eunotia silvae. Eunotia itacueretabaensis was found attached to submerged tree trunks and forming macroscopic colonies in a fast flow acidic stream. Besides representing a new addition to the present database of Brazilian diatom flora, our study highlights the important role of environmental conservation areas, which serve as important repositories for unexplored species.

Jesuit Contributions to Biological Sciences in India

Jesuits in India have made significant contribution to studies in classical as well as modern biology. The earlier classical studies resulted in the compilation of well-known and highly appreciated floras. In recent times, Jesuits have kept pace with the current trends in biology and have made contributions in the areas of environmental awareness, biodiversity, conservation, biotechnology, molecular biology, bioremediation, and bioenergy as well as biopesticides.

Influence of Settlement Type and Land Use on Public Attitudes towards Spotted Hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta) in Zimbabwe

Perceptions of people towards the spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) outside protected areas are central to the management programmes targeted at conserving large carnivores. We conducted interviews using a questionnaire to assess the attitudes and perceptions of people (n = 355) towards the spotted hyaena in western Zimbabwe from October 2014 to February 2015. The study area was split into Environmental Conservation Areas (ECAs) and communal areas based on their distance from the protected area (Fuller Forest) boundary. People's perceptions and attitudes were analysed using multinomial logistic regression. Top model ranking showed that the distance from protected area, livelihood source, and extent of livestock killed by spotted hyaenas had an influence on the perceptions of villagers about the species. Furthermore, it was noted that incentives may play a pivotal role in moderating the human–spotted hyaena conflict. It is recommended that a modified incentive-driven ECA model should be embraced in communal areas to promote and encourage positive attitudes towards the spotted hyaena and other wildlife.

Negotiating fisheries, environmental conservation and protected areas. Spatial and socio-economic marginalization along the coastal area of the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve in Yucatán, Mexico

Au Mexique, les interets et les activites qui se deploient dans les regions littorales se multiplient. A la peche cotiere traditionnelle s’ajoutent notamment le tourisme de masse, l’ecotourisme ainsi que des activites de conservation environnementale. Cette situation n’est pas etrangere aux cotes du Yucatan et cet article propose d’en examiner les enjeux. Par le truchement d’une perspective critique et diachronique, cet article examinera les rapports socio-environnementaux a l’œuvre au sein d’un village loge dans la reserve de biosphere de Ria Lagartos, se situant a la croisee de processus qui tendent a marginaliser socialement et economiquement ses habitants, et plus particulierement les pecheurs cotiers, les enclavant au sein de l’aire protegee. Base sur un travail ethnographique qui se fonde dans l’approche de la political ecology, cet article analyse l’occupation et l’utilisation du littoral a Las Coloradas et met en lumiere le role imparti aux differentes activites economiques qui s’y pratiquent - la peche, la production salicole, le tourisme et la conservation environnementale - au sein des processus de contestation et de negociation des espaces marin, littoral et terrien qui s’y construisent.

A Journey Through Time in The Conservation-Urbanization Cycle: The Example of Fethiye-Gocek Private Environmental Conservation Area

Son yıllarda yaşanan sosyo ekonomik gelişmelerle birlikte kent hayatı daha önemli hale gelmiştir.Kentleşme hareketlerinin doğal doku üzerinde meydana getirdiği tahribat ve baskılar zaman zaman istenmeyen vegeri dönüşü mümkün olmayan sonuçlara sebep olmaktadır. Günümüzde korunan alanlarda bu durumdan nasibinialmaktadır. Bu çalışmada bir koruma bölgesi olan Fethiye-Göcek Özel Çevre Koruma Bölgesi’nde yaşanankentleşmenin etkileri eski fotoğraflar ve röportajlar üzerinden değerlendirilmiştir. Çalışma kapsamında temin edileneski fotoğraflarla kentleşme hareketlerinin nasıl şekillendiği görsel olarak ortaya konmuş ve yapılan röportajlardabu değişimlerin etkileri belirlenmiştir. Bir koruma alanı olan bölgede koruma-kullanma dengesinin sağlanması vekoruma statüsünün devamının sağlanması için yapılacak imar planları ekolojik temele dayandırılmalıdır.

Analysis of socioeconomic and environmental sensitivity of sugarcane cultivation using a Geographic Information System

The global interest in biofuels has increased significantly in recent years, mainly due to the concern about climate change. In Brazil, the land area under sugarcane cultivation has expanded in unprecedented ways to meet the increasing ethanol demand of both the domestic and international markets. São Paulo is the Brazilian state with the highest production of sugarcane, and the expansion of this activity can impact both the environment and society. The purpose of this paper was to assess and map the sensitivity of the areas used for sugarcane cultivation in São Paulo state and to provide a holistic approach to sugarcane production from the sustainability perspective by integrating indicators of the environmental, social and economic spheres without focusing on one single element. Five environmental indicators (related to water resources, slope, environmental conservation areas, land use and agricultural potential) and six socioeconomic indicators (related to employment, income, education, gender equality, child labor and forced labor) were selected for the analysis. The methodology comprised the Categorical Principal Components Analysis (CATPCA) technique and the spatialization of results in a Geographic Information System. The resulting maps of sensitivity show the patterns of the three retained principal components and provide an information-rich tool that the government can use in decision making, policy formulation and the integrated planning of land use, thereby enabling the identification of both hotspots and which issues should be prioritized.

A Study on integrated water management system based on Web maps

Initial prevention activities and rapid propagation conditions is the most important to prevent diffusion of water pollution. If water pollutants flow into streams river or main stresm located in environmental conservation area or water intake facilities, we must predict immediately arrival time and the diffusion concentration to the proactive. National Institute of Environmental Research developed water pollution incident response prediction system linking dam and movable weir. the system is mathematical model which is updated daily. Therefore it can quickly predict the arrival time and the diffusion concentration when there are accident of oil spills and hazardous chemicals. Also we equipped with mathematical model and toxicity model of EFDC(Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code) to calculate the arrival time and the diffusion concentration. However these systems offer the services of an offline manner than real-time control services. we have ensured the reliability of data collection and have developed a real-time water quality measurement data transmission device by using the data linkage utilizing a mode bus communication and a commercial SCADA system, in particular, we implemented to be able to do real-time water quality prediction through information infrastructure of the water quality integrated management business created by utilizing the construction of the real-time prediction system that utilizes the data collected, the Open map, the visual representation using charts API and development of integrated management system development based on web maps.

ChemInform Abstract: Design of Highly Functionalized Polyoxometalate‐Based Catalysts

AbstractReview: [35 refs.

Design of Highly Functionalized Polyoxometalate-Based Catalysts

Abstract Chemical industries leave much room for improvement in the areas of environmental conservation and resource utilization efficiency. The development of superior catalytic technologies is one priority area when considering current problems faced by society and the global environment. We have designed a variety of highly functionalized polyoxometalate (POM) catalysts for application to achieve environmentally-friendly chemical processes. The following four topics are described in this account: (i) high functionalization of tungstates, (ii) construction of multimetallic active sites effective for concerto catalysis, (iii) base catalysis with POMs, and (iv) the development of POM-based heterogeneous catalysts.

Delineation of the Area of Aviation Safety as a Form of Land Use Control at the Airport and Surrounding; Case Studies Juanda Airport in Surabaya

Airport development requires special spatial planning. Airports around the region up to several kilometers, an area that interacts directly with the airport area. So the area of the airport is planning to organize a wider area of the airport area itself. Spatial planning should be based on the safety of airport flight operation as tight control region. Strict control of the region aimed at balancing economic development, social, and environmental. This area is set so that economic development does not negatively impact the environment and the social, minimize threats and disasters by controlling the risk of disaster-prone areas, maintain the function of protected areas in priority protected areas and areas of environmental conservation, as well as maintaining the infrastructure of the region by controlling the function of the surrounding area so as not to interfere these functions.

Participation in environmental conservation and protected area management in Romania: A review of three case studies

SUMMARYSince the collapse of Central and Eastern Europe's communist regimes in the early 1990s, the ensuing environmental, social and economic changes have permitted development of new forms of multi-level governance. However, a coherent participatory approach to environmental conservation is yet to emerge. This review examines the changing approaches in environmental conservation and protected area governance in Romania during the country's pre-communist, communist, transition and current European Union eras. Three case examples are examined in depth to assess how changing environmental governance is playing out in practice in Natura 2000 sites, in a national park, and on privately owned (unprotected) forest land. Similar to other countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Romania's environmental governance practices still face substantial challenges in consolidating an inclusive and integrated approach to environmental governance and conservation. A lack of historical involvement of communities in decision making, reluctance within government to drive forward more inclusive environmental governance approaches, and a lack of non-governmental organizations focusing on environmental conservation, have resulted in slow progress towards more inclusive environmental governance. Civil society and solutions for institutionalizing participation across all levels of governance are needed to reorient environmental governance towards a more inclusive and multi-stakeholder approach that better links economic, social and environmental objectives.