Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T20:16:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2008- Paulo Henrique Duarte.pdf: 2250009 bytes, checksum: dd3eac04ae943ebe159aceec0bddbead (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-02-29 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / This research is a study about the tick fauna of Pantanal wetlands, MS, Brazil. Evaluation of cattle-raising on ticks populations, a detailed study on tick feeding on feral pigs and a list of ticks witch are reported in the study area are included. The cattle-raising impact was evaluated by trapping free-living ticks using a CO2 tick-trap. The traps were distributed in two areas: protected area, and the Nhumirim Ranch. Both areas are contiguous and locate at sub-region of Nhecol?ndia (18?59 S and 56?39 W), Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil. In each area, four habitat types were selected: cerrado (tropical savanna), forest patches, lakes and soda lakes. The last two are temporary lagoons of fresh and salted water, respectively. A total of 980 nymphs, 613 adults and 13 larvae of ticks of the genus Amblyomma were collected in 256 hours of collection. In a pen of calves infested by Ornithodoros rostratus 114 specimens were collected in just two hours including larvae, nymphs and adults. Adults of A. cajennense and A. parvum were more abundant in the savanna at Nhumirim Ranch, but did not differ among habitat types at protected area. There was a tendency of having more nymphs in Nhumirim Ranch than in protected area. The second conduced experiment was the comparison of the tick fauna of feral pigs at dry and wet seasons. A total of 44 feral pigs were examined and the species found were A. cajennense, A. parvum e O. rostratus. More adult ticks were collected in the dry season. Ecological and epidemiological aspects were discussed. Feral pigs are introduced specie and the role of this mammal on amplifying Amblyomma cajennense is clear. O. rostratus seems to be accidental parasite of feral pigs. The last part is a commented list of species including collected data and scientific literature. Up to day 18 tick s specie are reported on Pantanal wetlands including Argasidae (two) and Ixodidae (16) tick s species. The main genus was Amblyomma and the same species founded on wildlife are present on domestic animals and humans. / A presente tese ? um estudo sobre o impacto da bovinocultura extensiva sobre a popula??o de carrapatos, e um levantamento da fauna de carrapatos da regi?o com um estudo detalhado sobre a ixodofauna do porco monteiro. Para o estudo de impacto da bovinocultura, foram utilizadas armadilhas de CO2, distribu?das em duas ?reas: Reserva Biol?gica e Fazenda Nhumirim. Ambas as ?reas s?o contiguas e est?o localizadas na sub-regi?o da Nhecol?ndia (18?59 S e 56?39 W). Em cada ?rea quatro tipos de habitat foram selecionados: cerrado, mata, baia e salina. Os dois ?ltimos s?o lagoas tempor?rias de ?gua doce e salobra, respectivamente. Na totalidade foram coletadas 980 ninfas, 613 adultos e 13 larvas de carrapatos do g?nero Amblyomma em 256 horas de coletas. Em um bezerreiro infestado por Ornithodoros rostratus, 114 exemplares, dentre larvas ninfas e adultos foram coletados em apenas duas horas de atividade. Adultos de A. cajennense e A. parvum foram mais abundantes no cerrado da Fazenda, mas n?o diferiram entre os tipos de habitat na Reserva Biol?gica. Existe uma tend?ncia para uma maior abund?ncia de ninfas de Amblyomma na Fazenda do que na Reserva Biol?gica. O outro estudo realizado comparou a fauna de carrapatos adultos dos porcos monteiros entre as esta??es, cheia e seca. Os carrapatos encontrados foram A. cajennense, A. parvum e O. rostratus. E foram encontrados mais carrapatos adultos na seca que na cheia, foi discutida a import?ncia eco-epidemiol?gica destas rela??es parasit?rias, principalmente em fun??o do Porco monteiro ser uma esp?cie introduzida na regi?o. O ?ltimo cap?tulo apresenta uma lista comentada que reuniu os dados coletados pelo autor bem como resultados publicados na literatura cient?fica. Nos dias de hoje, existe registro de 18 esp?cies de carrapatos inclu?do as fam?lias Argasidae (2) e Ixodidae (16). O g?nero mais comum foi Amblyomma e as mesmas esp?cies de carrapatos foram comuns para animais selvagens, dom?sticos e para o homem, o que constitui uma rede complexa e din?mica de hospedeiros e parasitas.

Interest in exploring renewable energy resources has increased globally, especially with recent worldwide intentions to maintain the global climate. Looking at the oceans as a vast sustainable clean energy resource to satisfy present high humankind energy demands has been strongly recommended. Several types of renewable energy resources exist in the oceans: waves, tides, thermal and salinity variations, currents, and offshore winds. Exploiting tidal currents is considered one of the most effective approaches to the generation of electricity. Tidal turbines are deployed beneath the sea surface to transfer the kinetic energy in tidal currents to mechanical energy suitable for ongoing conversion to electricity and subsequent transmission. However, choosing a suitable site to deploy these turbines is not a trivial process. Various constraints must be satisfied subject to basic criteria dependent upon local factors, technology limitation and economic consideration. In addition, an important issue to consider is taking care to harness energy from tidal currents with minimum possible impact on the surrounding environment. The present study justifies the nomination of the Strait of Messina as an exceptional tidal current energy resource within the Mediterranean Sea basin. The maximum tidal current velocity at spring peak tide through the Strait may exceed 3 m/s. This mainly results from the tidal phase-difference (180°) between the northern (Tyrrhenian Sea) and southern (Ionian Sea) tips of the Strait, associated with a difference of 0.27 m in tidal wave amplitudes. In addition, the complex coastline configuration of the Strait plays an important role in enhancing tidal current velocities. Therefore, the Strait of Messina fulfils the basic criterion (2 m/s tidal current velocity) to be considered as a valid tidal current energy resource. This massive tidal current energy resource is assessed in the present study. A detailed full desk-based Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study is performed using the interactive matrix approach in order to investigate the anticipated environmental impacts on the marine ecosystem of the Strait of Messina resulting from the harnessing of energy from its tidal currents. Through the EIA study the different environmental components, both biotic and abiotic, which may be affected by the energy extraction process, are explained. In addition, the proposed key project activities are listed; the likelihood of occurrence and the magnitude of impact interaction with the environmental components are evaluated. The final judgment matrix guides to make a right decision on the proposed project. From the resulted matrix, the major impacts do not exceed 10% of the total anticipated effects. The positive point is that all the expected impacts, including the majors, can be controlled and minimised to the lowest possible limits by applying a good monitoring programme. The University of Edinburgh “Tidal Flow Development (TFD)” numerical model is used to mimic the tidal environment of the Strait of Messina in different cases. The model successfully simulates the tidal flow regime within the Strait under some exceptional conditions. Modifications to the main numerical code and coefficients were necessary in the present research to adjust the model according to each case study. In the three different cases of simulation, using these exceptional coefficients, the model simulates the main tidal characteristics of the tidal flow within the Strait. According to the results of the numerical simulation process, tidal currents are more intensive close to the eastern coast of the Strait of Messina near to Punta Pezzo. This area is far from any ferry route between Italy and Sicily. The best location to deploy tidal turbines for the energy extraction process is therefore recommended to be within these surroundings. Finally, a physical (laboratory) model is used to simulate the flow regime within the Strait of Messina. The Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technique was applied in the flow-table tank at the University of Edinburgh. The physical model simulates the flow behaviour within the Strait of Messina to a satisfactory degree. The cyclonic and anti-cyclonic motions observed at the southern extremity of the Strait are also very well simulated. The results of the present study assure confidence in the use of tidal currents within the Strait of Messina as a renewable energy resource. The safety of the environment must be ensured by following environmental guidelines, respecting the energy extraction limits and by applying an effective monitoring programme. The later is strongly recommended to be an adaptive one in which higher environmental authorities are able to watch, revise and control the environmental team within the project. These authorities are also able to postpone the project in case of any severe environmental case. The simulation processes emphasize the effect of morphometry and topography in enhancing tidal currents in the Strait of Messina. Moreover, numerical simulation assures that the complex morphometry and bathymetry, in addition to the open boundaries of the Strait of Messina, are challenging issues for modellers in order to mimic the real tidal current resource in the case of the Strait of Messina. The study also strongly recommends applying a more effective numerical model than TFD to assess the tidal hydrodynamical environment before and after any proposed energy extraction process. This will certainly, with the EIA of the marine ecosystem, help to make a right decision about the proposed project in order to achieve the goal of using clean and clear renewable energy resources while maintaining both natural and hydrodynamical environments to the most possible safest degree.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T14:47:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Kayla Walquiria_ Garmus.pdf: 2139764 bytes, checksum: 10fed611e50c1fd47aae59741bdd11c9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-07-15 / Eleven counties in the Western Paraná take part of São Francisco Verdadeiro River Basin, whose headspring is in the urban area of Cascavel City. Thus, the importance of monitoring its water quality came to light. In order to evaluate it, ten collection points were selected, so that physical and chemical water parameters such as flow rate, pH, temperature, total organic carbon, organic carbon, electrical conductivity and concentrations of Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni and Zn were evaluated fortnightly from August 1st, 2012 to July 17th, 2013, totalizing 26 samples for each researched site. The water samplings were stored in an amber glass bottle with 2.5-liter capacity, U.S. DH - 48 sampler model and stem. The samples preparation was carried out according to the procedure described by NBR 13809:1997. In the laboratory, after the digestion step, the extracts were submitted to multi-elemental analysis to determine the metal contents by atomic absorption spectrophotometer, with wavelengths and specific calibration curves. The results were graphically analyzed by boxplot according to the collection points, to enable the observation of variation range and extreme values presence. Therefore, line graphs were drawn to analyze the element concentrations distribution over time. The results were compared to the limits established by CONAMA 357/2005 Resolution. Thus, in order to record water quality at the collection points, according to land use, it was carried out the analysis of the most important components. Lastly, it is concluded that the Cr concentration in point S01, Cu and Mn concentrations in agricultural regions and Ni and Zn concentrations in agricultural and urban areas are above the levels prescribed by CONAMA 357/2005 Resolution. These data have indicated that there are some basin environmental impacts in the agricultural and urban areas. / A Bacia Hidrográfica do São Francisco Verdadeiro abrange onze municípios do Oeste do Paraná, com nascente na área urbana de Cascavel. Assim, surgiu a necessidade do monitoramento da qualidade da água dessa bacia. Para a avaliação, foram selecionados 10 pontos de coletas, nos quais os seguintes parâmetros físicos e químicos da água foram medidos: vazão, pH, temperatura, carbono orgânico total, carbono orgânico, condutividade elétrica e concentrações de Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni e Zn, os quais foram avaliados quinzenalmente, de 01 de agosto de 2012 a 17 de julho de 2013, totalizando 26 coletas para cada local pesquisado. As coletas de água foram realizadas em garrafa de vidro âmbar, com capacidade de 2,5 litros, amostrador modelo US DH-48 e haste. Para o preparo das amostras, foi utilizado o procedimento descrito pela NBR 13809:1997. Após a etapa de digestão, os extratos foram submetidos à análise multielementar, para determinação dos teores dos metais em espectrofotômetro de absorção atômica, com comprimentos específicos de onda bem como as curvas de calibração. Os resultados foram analisados em gráficos Boxplot em função do ponto de coleta, a fim de possibilitar tanto a observação da faixa de variação como a presença de valores extremos dos parâmetros. Gráficos de linhas foram construídos para analisar a distribuição das concentrações dos elementos ao longo do tempo. Os resultados foram comparados com os limites determinados pela resolução CONANA 357/2005. Para verificar a qualidade da água nos pontos de coleta em função do uso do solo, realizou-se a análise de componentes principais. Concluiu-se que a concentração de Cr no ponto S01, as concentrações de Cu e Mn nas regiões agrícolas bem como as concentrações de Ni e Zn nas regiões agrícolas e urbanas estão acima dos valores prescritos pela Resolução CONAMA 357/2005, dados que indicam a ocorrência de impactos ambientais, nos meios urbano e agrícola da bacia em estudo

Diferente da maioria dos conflitos socioambientais por recursos hídricos e mineração, nos últimos anos, têm surgido casos de conflitos cujas ações de resistência foram pautadas não pelos impactos ambientais gerados pela mineração, mas pela preocupação das populações com os possíveis riscos que geraria o projeto minerador nos seus territórios. Nestes casos, as comunidades se opuseram aos empreendimentos antes da implantação ou início de qualquer atividade da mineradora, ainda que as empresas contassem com licenças ambientais outorgadas pelas autoridades competentes. Para isso, além de atos de resistência, estas populações recorreram à judicialização do conflito com a invocação, entre outros argumentos, do Princípio da Precaução por possíveis graves e irreversíveis danos que o projeto minerador poderia causar sobre os recursos hídricos e os ecossistemas. Tais são os casos do projeto de mineração de fosfato de Anitápolis em Santa Catarina Brasil, e o projeto de mineração de ouro Conga em Cajamarca Peru. Devido à complexidade teórica do Princípio da Precaução, o objetivo deste trabalho é entender qual é a incidência e as implicações da invocação deste princípio no contexto de conflitos socioambientais por recursos hídricos e mineração. Para responder a este objetivo, este trabalho aborda o tema dos riscos e o princípio da precaução, assim como os instrumentos que materializam este princípio nos ordenamentos jurídicos do Brasil e no Peru, e propõe sua articulação teórica com três teorias que nos ajudam a entender a questão dos conflitos socioambientais: a ecologia política, a justiça ambiental e o póscolonialismo/decolonialidade. Através deste quadro analítico este trabalho mostra a conexão entre estas teorias e revela a importância deste tipo de conflitos iniciados pela percepção dos riscos contra projetos mineradores, aos quais denominamos como conflitos socioambientais precautórios. Em base a esta análise, este trabalho aponta os problemas das desigualdades de poder nos conflitos socioambientais por recursos hídricos e mineração, assim como a inclusão de um novo fator de conflitos baseado na percepção dos riscos, que merece especial tratamento pela dificuldade da sua análise. Todos estes elementos são observados nos dois casos de conflitos por recursos hídricos e mineração que são expostos em forma comparativa para revelar a incidência destes fatores e sua similaridade tanto no contexto peruano quanto brasileiro. / Unlike most socio-environmental conflicts over water resources and mining, in recent years there have been several cases of conflicts whose actions of resistance were based not on the environmental impacts generated by mining but on the population\'s concern with the possible risks that the mining project would generate in their territories. In these cases, the communities opposed to the projects prior to their implementation or commencement of any activity by mining company, even if the companies had the required environmental licenses. In addition to acts of resistance, these populations resorted to the judicialisation of the conflict with the invocation, among other arguments, of the Precautionary Principle due to possible serious and irreversible damage that the mining project could cause on water resources and ecosystems. Such are the cases of the Anitápolis phosphate mining project in Santa Catarina - Brazil, and the Conga gold mining project in Cajamarca - Peru. Due to the theoretical complexity of the Precautionary Principle, the objective of this work is to understand the incidence and implications of its invocation in the context of socio-environmental conflicts for water resources and mining. In order to achieve it, this work addresses the topic of risks and the precautionary principle, as well as the instruments that materialize this principle in the legal systems of Brazil and Peru, and proposes its theoretical articulation with three theories that help us to understand the environmental conflicts: political ecology, environmental justice and postcolonialism / decoloniality. This analytical framework shows the connection between these theories and reasserts the relevance of this type of conflicts initiated by the perception of the risks against mining projects, which we call \"social-environmental precautionary conflicts\". Based on this framework, this work points out the problems of power inequalities in socio-environmental conflicts for water resources and mining, as well as the inclusion of a new conflict factor, based on the perception of risks, that deserve special treatment due to its difficult analysis. All these elements are observed in the two cases of water and mining conflicts, that has been exposed comparatively in order to reveal the incidence of these factors and their similarity in both Peruvian and Brazilian contexts.

No Brasil, os EIAS/RIMAS são o principal instrumento para a análise de viabilidade ambiental dos empreendimentos potencialmente causadores de significativo impacto ambiental, sendo também peça indispensável ao processo licenciamento ambiental. Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo central a abordagem geomorfológica adotada em EIAs de usina hidrelétricas no período entre 1993 a 2014. Foram analisados 13 registros de EIAs elaborados para usinas hidrelétricas cujo licenciamento ocorre em nível federal, analisando informações como escala de abordagem, escola teórica, procedimento metodológico, etc. Todos estes dados foram analisados quali e quantitativamente, sendo que os resultados apresentados permitem verificar o aprimoramento técnico contínuo na abordagem geomorfológica nestes estudos ambientais. Os resultados da pesquisa também proporcionaram a elaboração de recomendações visando à elaboração de futuros estudos de impactos ambientais. / In Brazil, the Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) are the main instrument for environmental feasibility analysis of enterprises, which can cause significant environmental impact, and is also indispensable part of environmental licensing process. This research is based on the geomorphological approach adopted in EIAs (Estudos de Impacto Ambiental, or Environmental Impact Studies, in free translation) applied for hydroelectric power plants, in the period of 1993-2014. We have analyzed 13 EIAs designed to hydroelectric power plant which licensing occurs at the federal level, analyzing information such as scale approach , theoretical school, content, assignment of technical staff , etc. All these data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively, and the results allow verify the continuous technical improvement in the geomorphological approach of these environmental studies. The results have also provided the elaboration of recommendations for the development of future environmental impacts studies.

Este trabalho buscou quantificar alguns impactos no ciclo hidrológico, especialmente o padrão de precipitação, decorrentes do desmatamento regional nas proximidades da rodovia Cuiabá-Santarém (BR-163), por meio de um experimento numérico de simulação da atmosfera com o modelo RAMS (Regional Atmospheric Modeling System), na versão brasileira (Brazilian RAMS – BRAMS), com alta resolução (célula de 16x16 km). Foi utilizado um cenário de desmatamento, provido por modelos empíricos de desmatamento, para o ano de 2026, numa situação sem governância, com um tempo de simulação de 40 dias entre 20 de Outubro a 30 de Novembro. Os dados de forçamento na fronteira utilizaram a reanálise do NCEP para o ano de 2002. Houve uma redução média de 7% do padrão de chuva na região após o desmatamento, na área perturbada, e não houve efeitos substanciais nas regiões além da fronteira de desmatamento como um todo. Porém, a distribuição heterogênea do uso da terra induziu à formação de uma célula térmica, sobre a região desmatada, que resultou em uma certa variabilidade espacial da chuva próxima ao setor de desmatamento. Uma célula térmica induziu o levantamento de massa (por convergência) aproximadamente acima da região desmatada, carregando vapor d’água proveniente das regiões de floresta nas adjacências, e promovendo a formação de chuva convectiva. A extensão da célula, entre os dois ramos descendentes, foi aproximadamente o dobro da extensão da faixa de desmatamento. Neste caso da BR-163, a célula foi levemente deslocada para oeste, onde ocorreu aumento da precipitação. A leste, e sobre o setor central do desmatamento, houve redução da precipitação. Notou-se uma pequena mudança na distribuição da chuva ao longo do dia no caso do desmatamento, que não mostrou um horário de máxima precipitação bem definido, e também sugeriu um pequeno aumento da chuva no período noturno. As respostas ao desmatamento ocorreram de forma diferenciada conforme a faixa de topografia analisada. Nas áreas além das fronteiras do desmatamento, houve um pequeno sinal de redução da chuva, nos setores de cota superior à 500 m. / This study aim was to evaluate some impacts on the hydrological cycle, specially the precipitation pattern, due to the regional deforestation along the corridor of the Cuiaba-Santarem highway (BR-163), using a high resolution (16x16 km grid) atmospheric model, the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS), in its Brazilian version, the Brazilian RAMS or BRAMS. A deforestation scenario for 2026 has been provided by empirical models of deforestation, under no governance conditions (also known as the business-as-usual scenario) and it has been used in this study. The time length of simulation was 40 days, from October 10th to November 30th. The forcing data of 2002 were provided by the NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis Project. Mean rainfall decreased 7% in the region in which the forest was replaced by pasture. There were no substantial changes where the forest land cover was kept undisturbed. However, the rainfall showed spatial variability due to the local circulation (thermal) induced by land cover heterogeneity. Over the pasture area (deforestation), hot air rises by convergence carrying water vapor from the undisturbed forest located close to the pasture increasing the convective precipitation. This local cell is approximately twice as big as the deforestation length. In the BR-163 study case, the cell was located nearest to the west side of the land cover transition area (forest-pasture) where the rainfall rate increased. On the east side and over the deforestation area, the precipitation rate was reduced. The diurnal cycle of the precipitation has been slightly changed in the deforestation case. During the day, it was not possible to identify the rainfall maximum while at night it suggested a slightly increase of precipitation. The response of the fluxes and surface variables may be different depending on its topography level. A small rainfall reduction has been observed where the forest was kept undisturbed over 500 meters.

O presente trabalho avaliou a perda de solo em quatro diferentes cenários da microbacia hidrográfica do ceveiro com o auxilio da USLE: uso de 1995, uso atual (2010), uso conforme a legislação vigente e o uso conforme o PL 1.876/99. Para tanto foi utilizado a carta topográfica 1:10000, imagem HRC do satélite CBERS-2B e demais informações foram incorporadas ao banco de dados do SIG/SPRING. Como requisito para estimar perda estabeleceu-se o uso atual da terra na microbacia hidrográfica do Ceveiro, situada no município de Piracicaba, SP. Foi constatado que no cenário atual a MHC é utilizada em sua maior parte por lavoura de cana-de-açúcar e pastagem. Verificou-se ainda que as áreas de preservação permanente não estão em conformidade com a lei vigente, ocupando atualmente uma área de 205,53 hectares e se fossem restituídas passariam a ocupar 540,70 ha. O cenário conforme a legislação vigente foi o que apresentou menor perda de solo seguido pelo uso conforme o PL 1.876/99 e uso atual. / This study evaluated soil losses in four different scenarios of the Ceveiro Watershed with the help of USLE: use of 1995, current use (2010), used according to current legislation and use as PL 1.876/99. For this purpose we used a 1:10000 topographic map, HRC image of CBERS-2B and other information were incorporated into the GIS database / SPRING. As a prerequisite to estimate loss established the current land use in the Ceveiro Watershed, located in Piracicaba, SP. It was found that the MHC in the current scenario is used mostly for farming sugar cane and pasture. It was also found that the areas of permanent preservation are not in accordance with applicable law, currently occupying an area of 205,53 ha and would be returned to occupy 540,70 ha. The scenario according to current legislation showed the lowest soil loss followed by use as PL 1.876/99 and current use.

Le présent travail concerne le développement d'une méthode d'éco-conception pour la création de produits impliquant des indicateurs environnementaux pour l’aide à la prise de décision au stade de la conception conceptuelle. La méthode proposée s’appuie sur la définition et la génération d’un TRIPLET, c’est-à-dire une relation cohérente entre matériaux, procédés et formes. Une taxonomie de formes caractérise les différentes formes réalisables par les procédés de fabrication. Un tableau de description du concept (DCT) regroupe certaines dimensions globales de la pièce imaginée ainsi que les procédés d’enlèvement de matière de finition venant s’additionner au procédé de base sélectionné. Un indicateur environnemental basé sur la base RECIPE et adapté à la méthode peut être alors évalué. La démarche d’aide à la conception conçue intègre deux approches, déductive et inductive basées sur l'expérience du concepteur. Le DCT comprend le choix d’un solide de base qui suggère, à partir des surfaces fonctionnelles définies dans la démarche, une réflexion vers une esquisse du concept de pièce. Les différents concepts élaborés sont hiérarchisés à partir d’une aide à la décision multicritère basée sur l’indicateur environnemental, sur un coût de fabrication, sur un indice de performance et sur un indice de combinaison obtenu par logique floue. La démarche s’appuie sur une base de données lié aux connaissances requises et sur un outil logiciel « ECOTRIAL ». Une application de reconception d’une pièce de liaison clôt la thèse et montre l’applicabilité de la méthode proposée. / The development of an eco-design method to create products involving environmental indicators to aid decision making at the stage of conceptual design, can be found in the present work. The proposed method is based on the definition and generation of a TRIPLET: a consistent relationship between materials, processes and forms. A taxonomy of shapes characterizes different shapes achievable by the manufacturing processes. A Description of Concept (DCT) includes some overall dimensions of the piece conceived and the finishing and material removal processes. An environmental indicator based on RECIPE database and adapted to the method to be able to evaluate the environmental impact. The aid integrates two approaches, deductive and inductive based on the experience of the designer. The DCT includes choosing a solid base that suggests, based on the functional surfaces defined in the process, a reflection towards a sketch of the piece concept. The different concepts developed are ranked from a multiple-criteria decision analysis based on the environmental indicator, a manufacturing cost, a performance index and a combination index obtained by fuzzy logic. The process is supported on a database linked to the required knowledge and the software tool "ECOTRIAL". A redesign application concludes the thesis and demonstrates the applicability of the proposed method.

Tourism in cold and cool-climate regions is largely characterized by recreational and sightseeing activities at water-based natural attractions such as beaches, coastal cliffs, and waterfalls. While the economic benefits of the tourism industry can contribute to a sustainable future for these regions, the environmental implications of a hastilydeveloped industry cannot be ignored given that cold-climate and cool-climate landscapes are at risk of rapid environmental change from a warming climate and other environmental concerns. This study consisted of the development of the Tourism Impact Index for Water-Based Natural Sites, the first of its kind, and its application and refinement in the field at various water-based natural tourism sites in Iceland and the Washington Olympic Peninsula. As no direct precedent for the index exists, the creation of the initial index draft was informed by other environmental indices available from the literature in related disciplines. The index contains 44 visually-assessed indicators, each scored on a scale of zero to three regarding potential severity of environmental impact. As the index was applied throughout the two study regions, improvements were incorporated into the design so as to create a well-validated product that may be shared with tourism managers and developers and with researchers to aid in the continued expansion of literature on tourism-environment interactions.

Thesis (MCom. (Accounting)) -- University of Limpopo, 2014 / This study explored the impact of Environmental Management Practices on firm financial performance through a case study of selected JSE SRI South African mining companies. Previous studies focused more on disclosure or international research but none focused on this impact in JSE SRI South African mining firms hence this study attempted to fill this gap. Using a mixed methods approach, the study examined whether the firms’ carbon emissions, energy usage and water usage had any impact on the firms’ return on equity. The study concluded that Environmental Management Practices did impact firms’ financial performance and offers many opportunities for academia, industry, managers, regulators and society to use these findings as a means for more research into and better understanding of these environmental management practices and their potential benefits to society.