Preservation Of Natural Resources Research Articles

Synergies and trade-offs for climate-resilient agriculture in India: an agro-climatic zone assessment

Globally, agriculture is recognized as a highly vulnerable sector to climate change and risks from climatic aberrations pose an imminent danger to the food security and sustainability of livelihoods. To bring robustness in climate adaptation planning, evaluation of resilience across homogenous regions is essential for developing and scaling suitable location-need-context specific interventions and policies that build the resilience of the agricultural system. In this paper, we present an analysis and discussion of multi-scalar and multi-indicator assessment, by profiling resilience across agro-climatic zones of India, based on the development of a Climate-Resilient Agriculture Index embracing environmental, technological, socio-economic, and institutional and infrastructural dimension. A total of 26 indicators, spread across these four dimensions, were employed to purport inter- and intra-agro-climatic zone differentials in the level of resilience. Among the zones, it was found that West Coast Plains & Ghats and Tans-Gangetic Plains had the highest degree of resilience to manage climate risks. Most of the districts lying within Eastern Himalayan Region, Middle Gangetic Plains, Eastern Plateau & Hills, and Western Dry Region had a lower degree of resilience. The study places greater emphasis on deciphering region-specific drivers and barriers to resilience at a further disaggregated scale for improving rural well-beings. It is construed that devising action plans emphasizing awareness, preservation of natural resources, diversification, building physical infrastructure, strengthening of grass-root institutions, and mainstreaming climate adaptation in the developmental policy is crucial for climate-resilient pathways.

СОЦИАЛЬНО-ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКИЕ И ПРИРОДНЫЕ ФАКТОРЫ РАЗВИТИЯ ЭКОТУРИЗМА НА ГИДРОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ ОБЪЕКТАХ ОСОБО ОХРАНЯЕМЫХ ПРИРОДНЫХ ТЕРРИТОРИЙ ВОЛЖСКОГО ПОНИЗОВЬЯ

Today, geoecological factors directly affect eco-tourism, which plays a significant role in the global tourism and hospitality industry. In the twenty-first century, the pace of development of eco-tourism will increase, and this will stimulate socio-economic growth in certain regions. Using an integrated approach to the study of issues related to the development of ecotourism, it is possible to develop a list of measures aimed at intensifying the process of ecotourism. The purpose of the work. The study of geoecological and socio-economic factors of ecotourism development is an important direction in the sustainable development of the territory. In this regard, the purpose of the work is to conduct a multifactor analysis of the protected areas of the Volga basin in the conditions of using the studied territory for ecofriendly tourist purposes. Methods and methodology of the work. The paper uses comparative and descriptive methods of analyzing the scientific literature on the problems of research, as well as the method of determining the strengths and weaknesses of ecotourism in the hydrological objects of protected areas of the Astrakhan region, the opportunities and threats of ecotourism development in the territories adjacent to the lake. Baskunchak and within the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain. The results of the work and the scope of their application. For a more detailed consideration of the prospects for the development of ecological tourism at hydrological facilities in the territory of the protected areas, using the example of the lake. Baskunchak conducted a SWOT analysis, which is one of the universal tools for analyzing the situation in the tourism industry, and it can be effectively used to develop a strategy for the development of eco-tourism in the region. Conclusions. On the territory of protected areas, it is possible to introduce eco-tourism, which can ensure the best preservation of natural resources, stimulate the development of other industries, more effectively use the natural resources of protected areas, which will eventually lead to the development of the region's economy, increase the wellbeing and environmental education of local residents.

Performance Characteristics of Road-base Containing Mixed Steel Slag and Cathode Ray Tube Glass

One way to promote sustainability in construction is through the preservation of natural resources and utilization of recycled wastes. This paper describes a laboratory study on the use of steel slag and cathode ray tube (CRT) glass for road base pavement layer. Measurements of the physical and mechanical characteristics of each sample are taken to evaluate the effectiveness of using these materials in road base pavements. The laboratory evaluation comprised of Los Angeles abrasion value (LAAV) test, California bearing ratio (CBR) test and performance characterization; the unconfined compression strength (UCS) and indirect tensile strength (ITS) tests were also performed. The values for LAAV are satisfactory, indicating that the steel slag and granite mixtures have adequate resistance and abrasion for use as road base pavement aggregates. The higher percentages of steel slag in the mixture produced higher CBR values for both the soaked and unsoaked mixtures. Test results also show that the mixtures containing up to 70% steel slag and 15% CRT glass meet the standards requirements. Results of the UCS and ITS tests for performance characterization showed that the performance of the sample mixture was enhanced significantly upon incorporating a higher percentage of steel slag in the mixture. The lab test results showed that the mixture composing of granite, steel slag and CRT glass is a suitable alternative made from recyclable materials, for use in road base pavement layer.

The Essence of Remedial Secession: From the Perspectives of Human Right and Preservation of Natural Resources

The Essence of Remedial Secession: From the Perspectives of Human Right and Preservation of Natural Resources

Comparative aspects regarding a novel lightweight concrete of structural grade containing brick aggregate as coarse particles and expanded polystyrene beads

Recycled brick aggregate (RBA) and expanded polystyrene (EPS) are both considered lightweight aggregate. These aggregates are considered eco-friendly because they assure preservation of the non-renewable natural resources and environment protection. Recycled brick aggregate (RBA) may came from building demolition, ceramic industry waste, building construction waste. Expanded polystyrene may be as recycled waste and as beads available in the building materials market. Expanded polystyrene is a widespread material in many engineering branches because it has some distinguished properties like very-low density, high-impact absorption capacity, low-thermal coefficient, insignificant water absorption capacity, etc.For concrete, both the recycled bricks and polystyrene beads may be embedded into concrete as lightweight aggregate, replacing entirely or partially the natural aggregate. For structural applications, lightweight concrete with natural coarse aggregate (NCA) which contains polystyrene beads in diverse percentages of natural aggregate replacement, has some limitations regarding obtaining a structural grade strength for a density lower than 1700 kg/m3. Obtaining such concrete having a compressive strength 20 to 30 MPa and a density lower than 1700 kg/m3 is a difficult target.The study develops lightweight concrete of structural grade embedding both recycled brick aggregate and polystyrene beads as coarse aggregate and investigates their influence on density and compressive strength considering the expanded polystyrene beads in diverse percentages of brick aggregate replacement. For comparative aspects regarding the properties, within the experimental investigation, a polystyrene aggregate concrete (PAC) containing normal weight aggregate and EPS beads in the same percentages of aggregate replacement it was developed based on the same mix parameters.For the each replacement percentage of natural aggregate by EPS beads, it has been found that when recycled brick particles replace the NCA, the resulted concrete is lighter with 200 kg/m3 and has a strength very close to concrete made entirely with natural aggregate.

Методы комплексной оценки и мониторинга отходообразующих процессов коммунальной и транспортной инфраструктуры городских округов

The study aims to establish scientific-methodological approaches to a comprehensive assessment and monitoring of waste-generating processes and engineering facilities of municipal engineering and pub-lic services in communal, construction, transport complexes to reduce their negative impact on the en-vironment and public health, expand the separate waste collection, recycling of the waste resource potential. The study is based on the application of a set of logical and analytical research methods. We reviewed and generalised publications on the problems associated with safe handling of the waste re-source constituent in the construction and municipal complex, inventory checking and monitoring sources of waste generation. Our research results in the field of identification of waste-generating processes are presented. A new methodology for the comprehensive assessment and monitoring of waste-generating processes and engineering facilities in transport, construction and municipal engi-neering is proposed. The fundamental difference of this technique from the known documents is the focus on the resource potential of hazardous waste, its useful properties desirable in the economic cycle, their movement and circulation. The results indicate that a single integrated system is required to identify and monitor waste generation in technological processes, engineering systems, facilities of complex municipal engineering entities, separate waste collection and processing into salvageable commodities. These measures will ensure environmental security, favourable living conditions in popu-lated areas and preservation of valuable natural resources.

ОСНОВНІ ЧИННИКИ ВПЛИВУ НА ДИНАМІЧНИЙ РОЗВИТОК СФЕРИ ТУРИЗМУ

The article is devoted to topical issues of tourism development, which is an integral and one of the most important, at the present stage of society, parts of the world economy, as well as one of the key elements of preservation and development of natural, recreational, historical, cultural heritage and human capital. There are quite significant changes in the modern tourist market, so the importance of studying the main factors influencing its dynamic development is beyond doubt. Despite the high resource potential and significant tourist opportunities, Ukraine's contribution is quite modest and insignificant compared to developed tourist countries. The main problems here are, first, the low quality of the tourist product; secondly, imperfect state policy in the field of tourism. Domestic tourism infrastructure is underdeveloped, tourism services do not meet international service requirements, and the creation of a favorable environment for the dynamic development of tourism is not focused on the development of international tourism ties, as well as ensuring European integration. The tourism industry, like any other branch of the economy, is aimed at meeting human needs as much as possible. One of the most important trends in the development of world tourism is the intensification of competition in the tourist offer market as a result of the emergence of more and more growing countries with ambitious plans to attract tourists, as well as oversaturation of the market with the same type of tourist offer. Therefore, it is extremely important to take into account the requests, motives, tastes and the degree of satisfaction of the needs of potential tourists. The main problems that hinder the development of the tourism industry and need their further solution are considered in the article. It is noted that developing a strategy for tourism development in Ukraine should take into account that the priority of world tourism is sustainable development of tourism. Its main essence is to create effective mechanisms for establishing and maintaining a balance between the preservation of natural and historical and cultural resources and tourism. The effects of the new challenges facing the tourism industry in connection with the coronavirus pandemic have also been analyzed. There is no doubt that the pace of recovery of the tourism industry after the crisis will depend mainly on the right government policy and appropriate government support. Ways to overcome the crisis caused by COVID-19 are proposed.

Investment in ecology to preserve the environment

Investing money in environmental protection measures is an investment project. The ecological problem is one of the global problems of our time. Disposal of household waste and their pollution of the environment is currently one of the most serious environmental problems in Russia. Human waste products also significantly affect the pollution of water bodies, since water that is used in cities for the needs of the population from the sewage system often enters directly into open water bodies, bypassing the system of treatment facilities, the quality of which leaves much to be desired: most of them almost cannot cope with their functions due to outdated and deteriorated equipment. In Russia, the national project “Ecology” has been adopted, since the need for the introduction of new technologies that do not harm the environment has long been acute.The subject of the studyis the investment of enterprises and organizations in environmental innovations for the preservation of natural resources.The purpose of the studyis the necessity and significance of investments in high-tech projects to improve the environmental situation and reduce emissions of pollutants into the air.Methodology.The financial support of the new national project “Ecology” has been studied. The companies that successfully implement the latest technologies in their production, focused on reducing the harm caused to the environment, thereby attracting investments in their projects, are highlighted.Results.Enterprises will be able to attract investments for the development of their own production only if they are attractive to investors, for whom such aspects of work as the introduction of modern technologies, taking into account the minimization of harm to the environment, are extremely important.

Investment in ecology

Investing money in environmental protection measures is an investment project. The ecological problem is one of the global problems of our time. Disposal of household waste and their pollution of the environment is currently one of the most serious environmental problems in Russia. Human waste products also significantly affect the pollution of water bodies, since water that is used in cities for the needs of the population from the sewage system often enters directly into open water bodies, bypassing the system of treatment facilities, the quality of which leaves much to be desired: most of them almost cannot cope with their functions due to outdated and deteriorated equipment. In Russia, the national project “Ecology” has been adopted, since the need for the introduction of new technologies that do not harm the environment has long been acute. The subject of the study is the investment of enterprises and organizations in environmental innovations for the preservation of natural resources. The purpose of the study is the necessity and significance of investments in high-tech projects to improve the environmental situation and reduce emissions of pollutants into the air. Methodology. The financial support of the new national project “Ecology” has been studied. The companies that successfully implement the latest technologies in their production, focused on reducing the harm caused to the environment, thereby attracting investments in their projects, are highlighted. Results. Enterprises will be able to attract investments for the development of their own production only if they are attractive to investors, for whom such aspects of work as the introduction of modern technologies, taking into account the minimization of harm to the environment, are extremely important.

The adoption of sustainable development indicators in agricultural practices in the Gharb region (Morocco)

Many studies were carried out in Morocco to show that the dynamics of the market gardening is characterized by frequent use and often uncontrolled use of chemical inputs to the detriment of the preservation of natural resources, the health of consumers and the producers themselves. This reality, calls for appropriate structural actions, based on the levels of sustainability of the sector. The IDEA method (Farm Sustainability Indicators) is one way of giving practical expression to the concept of sustainable farms. Based on 40 sustainability indicators covering the three dimensions of sustainability: agro-ecological, socio- territorial, and economic. Using the IDEA method, we conducted this research with a view to analyze the sustainability of market gardening exploitations in three rural communities: Mnasra, Sidi Mohamed Benmansour, and Benmansour. We conducted questionnaire interviews with 180 producers. The results obtained have generally shown that the market gardening farms in this region have low sustainability scores. The sustainability of farms is lowest on the socio-territorial scale due to the absence of product quality approaches, poor human development, and poor employment conditions and services. On the economic scale, the low viability stands out. The agro-ecological scale shows higher values due to the good organization of space and diversified systems.

СТАТИСТИЧНИЙ ТА ЕКОНОМЕТРИЧНИЙ АНАЛІЗ ЕКОЛОГІЧНОГО СТАНУ РЕГІОНІВ УКРАЇНИ

Today, there is an acute problem of negative natural phenomena such as climate change, pole displacement, pollution of the oceans, and the greenhouse effect. The work is devoted to the analysis of the problems of the ecological situation in Ukraine, as a component of the functioning of the country's economy and its monitoring. The aim of the study is to determine the relationship between the development of the Ukrainian economy and the deterioration of the environmental situation. The article explains why emissions of pollutants worsen the state of natural capital, the quality of which affects the functioning of industrial production, agriculture and other economically important industries. A map of the state of air pollution in the world in 2020 was built. The place of Ukraine in the ranking of European countries in terms of the average indicator of air pollution in 2020 is indicated. The main ways and causes of pollution of the World Ocean waters are described. A map of plastic pollution of the World Ocean has been built. A cluster analysis of the regions of Ukraine was carried out according to 10 indicators of 2019, reflecting the ecological state of the regions and regional policy in relation to the preservation of natural resources, public health, reducing the danger from total environmental pollution. To determine the influence of the ecological state in the country on the development of the economy, a correlation-regression analysis of the relationship between these factors and the GDP of Ukraine, as one of the most important macroeconomic indicators, was carried out. The analysis showed a high correlation of GDP with such indicators as emissions of pollutants into the air from stationary sources of pollution, capital investments in environmental protection, current costs for measures to protect the environment, discharge of polluted wastewater into surface water bodies. It was determined that the unoccupied territory of the Donetsk region has the worst indicators of the ecological state. Indeed, in the unoccupied territory of Donetsk region there are 4 thermal power plants, the main types of industry in the region are coal mining, coke-chemical, chemical production and metallurgy, which are environmentally hazardous.

Degradation of the Brazilian Cerrado: Interactions with human disturbance and environmental variables

The Cerrado is considered the most biodiverse savanna in the world, as well as the second largest Brazilian Biome. In recent decades, primarily due to agricultural expansion and wildfires, this biome has been severely degraded, losing nearly 50% of its original vegetation. This study aims to evaluate the degradation dynamics of the Cerrado vegetation as a function of human activity and climate variability. Products related to vegetation index (MOD13Q1) and an imaging spectroradiometer with moderate resolution from 2001 to 2018 were used to calculate the vegetation degradation index (VDI), which considers the vegetation cover as a function of human actions (deforestation, forest fires, agriculture, and farming). Rain and air temperature data were obtained from the Conventional Weather Station of Januária-Minas Gerais. Fire foci data were calculated using the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer - MODIS MCD14DL product sensor (TERRA/AQUA). Specifically, this study focused on the degradation of the vegetation in the Pandeiros River EPA (environmental protection area) that has increased due to the variability of climatic conditions, forest fires, and agricultural activities. The dry season provided greater sensitivity for the evaluation of the vegetation degradation process of the Pandeiros River EPA. The negative effects observed from the variation of climatic conditions and anthropogenic actions on the vegetation dynamics of the Pandeiros River EPA demand greater attention from administrative bodies on strategies for the conservation, preservation, and management of natural resources of conservation areas.

Problems of restoration of lands disturbed during the development of mineral deposits

Relevance of the study. One of the criteria for sustainable development, focused on the preservation of renewable natural resources, requires equal volumes of use of renewable resources and their renewal, or even an excess of renewable resources over use. In the context of mining enterprises, this criterion is directly related to land resources that are disturbed during the operation of mineral deposits and are restored at the end of the development of deposits. The effectiveness of reclamation works requires an analysis of their implementation and identification of reasons for non-compliance with the required ratio in the use and restoration of disturbed lands. The purpose of the study is to assess the state of reclamation work at the level of countries and regions and to identify “bottlenecks”, the elimination of which allows fulfilling the criterion condition for sustainable development. Methods of research. In the course of the study, the methods of generalization, grouping, statistical analysis, comparison and analogies were used. Results. In the process of research, the relevance of restoration of land resources in the development of subsoil resources was confirmed. The identified trends related to the production of reclamation in the 1980s and now are manifested in a constant lag in the rate of reclamation from the rate of violation of land resources. In general, about 50% of disturbed land is reclaimed annually in the Russian Federation. The share of reclamation does not remain constant; for 2018, for example, it increases to 64.11%. Comparison by federal districts made it possible to identify leaders in terms of disturbance and reclamation of land resources. The largest volume of land disturbance is typical for the Ural, Siberian, and Far Eastern districts; these regions also account for large areas of reclamation (more than 65% of the total amount of reclaimed areas). At the same time, in percentage terms, the situation is not so favorable. From the comparison of the current volumes of disturbance and reclamation performed for the period 2015–2018, it follows that in the Ural and Siberian districts these indicators are the lowest, in particular in the Ural district (20.97–55.86%). A similar region-wise analysis performed for the Ural Federal District showed that the lowest rates are typical for the Tyumen region, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District. The Kurgan region is in the best position; the average indicators are in the Sverdlovsk and Chelyabinsk regions. In general, a negative trend is observed in the Ural Federal District: in 2015 – 55.86%, in 2018 – 34.61%, and in 2016-2017 – 20.97-24.66%. Conclusions. Reclamation works are primarily associated with the development of mineral deposits, which requires improving the organizational and economic mechanism of this process in the conditions of subsoil use: solving the problem of financing these works, tightening control over their implementation, increasing the responsibility of performers, improving the regulatory framework.

The role of values in shaping sustainable development perspectives and outcomes: A case study of Iceland

AbstractSustainability is conceptualized as a process of balancing growth, equity, and preservation, a definition that is drawn from the 1987 Brundtland Commission report, Our Common Future. While making sustainability a universal objective, this definition conceptualizes sustainability as a one‐size fits all technocratic solution, which removes the concept from the context of specific societies that must engage with sustainable development. Social scientific data about the nature of values, where they come from, with whom they resonate, and what goals for conservation and development they establish are equally necessary for the understanding and framing of sustainability. Policies are more effective if they are embedded in the value systems they engage. Drawing on a case study of Iceland this study examines the nature of values in shaping sustainable outcomes. We argue that regulative, normative, cultural, and cognitive institutional structures are in constant interaction with value systems and sustainability conceptions. We find that institutional structures and pro‐sustainability values are mutually reinforcing: institutional structures and place amplify value orientation. In turn, values influence the orientation of status‐quo institutional structures. Working with interview data and using a grounded theory approach, we build a model for understanding how sustainability is conceptualized in Iceland working from values through agents and industrial bases to generate strategies of development. Icelanders operationalize concepts of sustainability through innovations that improve the efficiency and preservation of natural resources. Our findings add additional layers to conventional pathways of valuation and demonstrate the importance of place and context in situating values of development.

Analysis of carbonation and hydration of BOF steel slag for application as railway ballast

The reutilization of waste is a valuable alternative for the preservation of natural resources and the environment. In this sense, Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) steel slag is one of the most residues generated in steel the industry. It is estimated that for each ton of steel produced, about 150 kg of steel slag is generated in the BOF process. Generally, the newly produced BOF steel slag is volumetrically unstable, presenting expansive characteristics, and for this reason, its application should be based on stabilization studies. The main objective of this research was to analyze the chemical stabilization process of BOF steel slag by means of carbonation of the material. For this purpose, an experimental method based on hydration and carbonation in 2-meter high slag piles, moistened with sprinklers and instrumented with leaf wetting, temperature, precipitation and carbon dioxide content sensors was used. A control stack was also set up to accompany the stabilization process through the conventional procedure, in which the material is disposed of in large stacks and subjected to the weather conditions for long periods. The laboratory campaigns were developed in the laboratories of the Federal University of Ouro Preto. Thus, through the results obtained, it was possible to conclude that the stabilization method based on hydration and carbonation for the BOF steel slag was efficient, reducing the free lime content to values well below those prescribed internationally.

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES: CONCEPTUAL DIFFERENCE AND APPLICATION IN BRAZILIAN ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION

The concept of Ecosystem Services proposed in the 1970s gained wider discussion in the 1990s, mainly due to the increased engagement of member countries of the United Nations in building policies for sustainable dksevelopment that consider human needs and the preservation of natural resources, drawing to this end on efforts from various fields of science. Different sectors of academia, such as biology and geography, contributed to this interdisciplinary discussion with studies in the environmental area and other fields of science that do not effectively work with concepts like ecosystem and environment, and sometimes use these concepts incorrectly in their works to explain a given phenomenon. In order to contribute to the interdisciplinary discussion related to Ecosystem Services and Environmental Services, this article proposes a review of the concepts of ecosystem and environment, including the Payment for Services model, whether environmental or ecosystem, and of Brazilian federal legislation on the subject, contributing to the discussion on how these terms can be used in a more feasible way to address phenomena studied in different kinds of research.

Structural Behavior of Phoenix Dactylifera L. Fibers Reinforced Concrete

Abstract The continuous demands for stringent environmental regulation and increased interests in the preservation of natural resources have motivated industries and research institutions to examine and consider alternative approaches on the use of renewable resources and waste by-products. This study was conducted using one of the most available natural fiber types worldwide, the Phoenix Dactylifera L. Fibers, commonly known as Date Palm Fibers (DPF). Limited researches and inconsistencies in results obtained have been reported in literature on the use of DPF in concrete. Thus, there is a need of further evaluation and study on the structural behavior of fiber reinforced concrete with DPF. The present study used DPF as a natural reinforcement in concrete at varying content of 0%, 0.6%, 1.0%, and 1.4%; and different fiber lengths of 0 mm, 15 mm, 30 mm, and 45 mm. The results indicated that integration of DPF affects the physical properties particularly the workability and density of fresh concrete. Generally, the mechanical properties such as compressive strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength of DPF reinforced concrete decreases as the amount of DPF increases in content and fiber lengths. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis was carried out to examine the internal behavior and effect of DPF in the hardened concrete. Matrix deboning, fiber fractures, and voids due to the pull-out effect were observed as failure modes that contributed to lower compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, and deflection as compared to control specimen.

The Impact of Tourism Activity on Coastal Biodiversity: A Case Study at Praia da Cova Redonda (Algarve—Portugal)

Tourism activity has a very significant weight in the world economy, even being the main activity responsible for the export of many countries, in the form of providing services to foreign citizens. In mainland Portugal, the main tourist region is the Algarve, where beach tourism, known as sun and sea tourism, plays a decisive role. However, this activity also has its negative impacts. In the present work, a case study was analyzed, at Praia da Cova Redonda, located in the parish of Porches, in the municipality of Lagoa. Negative impacts on land use and occupation were identified, caused by the excessive presence of people, the introduction of invasive species and the artificial filling of beaches. At the end, a set of mitigating measures are presented that aim to ensure that the exploitation of natural resources can be maintained, but in a perspective of preservation and recovery of natural resources and biodiversity.

Effect of Anthropogenic Disturbance on Floristic Homogenization in the Floodplain Landscape: Insights from the Taxonomic and Functional Perspectives

Anthropogenic disturbances pose significant threats to biodiversity. However, limited information has been acquired regarding the degree of impact human disturbance has on the β-diversity of plant assemblages, especially in threatened ecosystems (e.g., floodplains). In the present study, the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on plant communities of floodplain areas (the Miya River, Mie Prefecture, Japan) were analyzed. The taxonomic and functional β-diversity among different degradation levels were compared, and the differences were assessed by tests for homogeneity in multivariate dispersions. In addition, the effects of non-native species and environmental factors on β-diversity were analyzed. As revealed from the results, anthropogenic disturbance led to taxonomic homogenization at a regional scale. The increase in non-native invasions tended to improve homogenization, whereas at a low degradation level, the occurrence of non-natives species was usually related to taxonomic differentiation. Furthermore, though the increase in non-natives and environmental parameters significantly affected the β-diversity of the floodplain area, environmental factors may be of more crucial importance than biotic interactions in shaping species assemblages in this study. The previously mentioned result is likely to be dependent on the research scale and the extent to which floodplains are disturbed. Given the significant importance of floodplains, the significance of looking at floodplains in the different levels of degradation was highlighted, and both invasion of non-native species and environmental factors should be considered to gain insights into the response of ecosystems to anthropogenic disturbance. The findings of this study suggested that conservation programs in floodplain areas should place more emphasis on the preservation of natural processes and forest resources.

Closed fishing season law a positive instrument to minimize illegal fishing of the remaining stock of Arapaima sp. In the Brazilian Amazon

The increasing demand for fish on a global level has caused an intensification of fishing and, as a consequence, overfishing of fish stock. The pirarucu (Arapaima sp.) is no exception since it is a highly appreciated fish species in the Amazon region, and the growth in fishing activities of this species was responsible for its inclusion in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's red list of Threatened species (IUNC). The current study assessed illegal fishing of pirarucu in the Brazilian Amazon, for the periods preceding and following the implementation of the Closed Fishing Season Law (CFSL), and was carried out using the analysis of data issued by the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) Agency for the Brazilian Amazon, from January 1992 to December 2017. A total of 1,829 metric tons of pirarucu were confiscated, and of this amount, 78.13% corresponded to fiscalization which occurred in the basins of the Solimões and Negro rivers. The mean rates in the 26 years of confiscation of illegally fished pirarucu proved that before the implantation of the CFSL, the illegal fishing of this specie was intense, whereas after the implementation of this law, there was a significant reduction in the number of confiscations. The implementation of the CFSL combined with other restrictive procedures (fishing agreements and inspections) regarding pirarucu fishing has inhibited the illegal fishing of the species. However, in order to maintain this resource, government fishing management policies need to be aware of the need for the preservation of natural renewable resources (fish and their habitats) and the interaction between them, while also considering social and economic development in the region.