Marine vertebrate species face unprecedented and ever increasing pressures as a result of human activity, primarily fishing, in the global oceans. One area of growing concern has been for the impacts of small-scale fisheries on these species. Over the past decade it has become increasingly clear that these under-studied fisheries have sizeable levels of catch and bycatch of many threatened and endangered species of sea turtles, seabirds and small cetaceans. This thesis presents a collection of chapters that investigate aspects related to the interactions of small-scale fisheries with threatened marine vertebrates. We identify sizeable rates of bycatch of small cetaceans and seabirds for multiple small-scale longline and gillnet fisheries in both Peru and Ecuador. Catch rates of small cetaceans by the Peruvian small-scale driftnet fleet are estimated to exceed 10,000 dolphins and porpoises annually. A trial of acoustic alarms (pingers) in this same fishery showed a 37% reduction in small cetacean bycatch while not reducing target catch and represents a promising bycatch mitigation measure. Seabird bycatch was also found to be high in both longline and gillnet fisheries and included a wide range of seabird species including the critically endangered waved albatross (Phoebastria irrorata). Through post-capture satellite tracking of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) we show that these turtles are present in pelagic waters off the coasts of Peru and Chile for extended periods during which they are at risk of repeat interactions with small-scale longline fisheries operating throughout their foraging habitat. Through scan and focal sampling of the endangered marine otter (Lontra felina) we also show that otters making den sites in human fishing communities face additional risks due to entanglement in fishing gear or interactions with feral animals but, if properly managed, these sites could serve as stepping stones for marine otters along the coast. The results presented here, gathered using a wide range of techniques, including onboard observer and shore-based monitoring, satellite tracking, bycatch quantification, and bycatch mitigation experiments, represent an attempt to better characterize and quantify the interactions of small-scale fisheries with threatened marine vertebrates toward identifying solutions that can lead to sustainable fisheries and populations of these protected marine species.

<p>The need for effective multi-level governance arrangements is becoming increasingly apparent because of the high functional interdependencies between biophysical and socioeconomic factors in the realm of natural resource governance. Such arrangements provide a basis for the exchange, discussion, and deliberation of information, knowledge, and data across diverse user groups and entities. Multi-level governance is operationalized by using a microinstitutional analysis that links decision-making arenas across three distinct levels: operational, collective-choice, and constitutional. Within this context, I argue that the effectiveness and success of actors' participatory processes across these three levels depend on the amount of social capital among actors within the governance system. I assessed the concept of social capital using two different models: (1) a structural approach focused on resources embedded within an individual's network, and (2) a combined structural-cultural approach that incorporates various aspects of group membership with relations of trust, rules, and norms. To explore the effects of social capital on participatory processes related to the implementation and management of natural resources, I analyzed different small-scale fisheries governance regimes from the Gulf of California, Mexico. I collected data using surveys (n=371), interviews (n=82), and participant observation techniques conducted among the residents of four small-scale fishing communities that live adjacent to marine protected areas along the Baja California, Mexico, peninsula. Data analysis included both quantitative (logit regression model), and qualitative (narrative analysis) approaches. Overall, my results suggest that both social capital models reveal the multidimensional nature of social capital where none of its individual types form a consistent and statistically significant relationship with the six outcomes that I measured. However, these types are related in different ways to fishers engagement in participatory processess across the three levels. The extent of fishers' engagement in participatory processess across different levels was not high. Qualitative analysis revealed that participatory processes related to fisheries conservation and management, although present do not reach their full potential and are stymied by a historical context and a lack of general participatory culture.</p> / Dissertation

The paper studies 7 new entrant smallholders on the Italian agricultural sector to begin to understand how such a grassroots movement may challenge the status-quo vis-à-vis the Italian Food-system. Additionally, the study conducts a public questionnaire survey in an attempt to gauge attitudes toward a changing food-system in Italy. Using Critical Theory to highlight the trend of critical-consumer to critical-producer, and transition movement theory to assess the real regime-change ability of such movements, this paper finds that new entrant smallholders in Italy are playing a potentially significant role in moving the sector into more sustainable territory. Current certified organic agriculture is increasingly dominated by larger farms, and excludes new entrant smallholders, this is to the detriment of sustainable agriculture goals, by identifying the barriers to such stakeholders, in addition to recognising their strengthens - namely the commitment to triple bottom line sustainability - new entrant smallholders have a significant role to play in making organic agriculture truly a mechanism by which true sustainable agriculture can be achieved.

The concept and types of public procurement contracts The title of the thesis is "The concept and types of public procurement contracts". The thesis is based on current legislation of public procurement law (Act No. 137/2006 Coll., on Public Contracts), which is heavily influenced by European Union legislation. The basic purpose of public procurement law is to regulate the effective distribution of public funds. The basic aim of this thesis is an analysis and evaluation of some basic legal institutes of public procurement law. The thesis is divided into four chapters: The first chapter can be considered as an introduction. This chapter is divided into three parts. The first part includes a short definition of the law on public procurement. Public procurement law is divided into two main areas (1. awarding public contracts; 2. revision of the awarding process). Finally, this part describes the position of public procurement law in the Czech legal system. Part Two deals with the legal sources of this type of law (national, international, European Union) and its development on the national level. In the third part are defined the basic principles of procurement law: principle of transparency, principle of equal treatment and non-discrimination principle. The second chapter is divided into two parts....

This thesis applies the food security concept to assess the significance of seagrass-associated invertebrate gleaning for providing food security in Kaole, Tanzania. It assesses the availability, accessibility, utilisation and stability over time of this food source. To explore this, a multi-strategy research design was used. Structured interviews were held with 30 gleaning women in Kaole, using a self-developed questionnaire designed to address the four components of the food security framework. Two focus group discussions were thereafter held to explore how local ecosystem services, in particular seagrass meadows, and their food provisioning services have developed over time. The findings show that a great majority of the women who engage in seagrass- associated gleaning in Kaole rate this activity as important or very important for providing food to the household. The seagrass-associated gleaning activities were perceived as important, despite the fact that most women also glean in the mangrove area and that almost all women have alternative incomes. However, seen from a strict food security perspective, it is questionable how significant this activity currently is for food security. The study found that availability has decreased and it is not a food source that is stable throughout the year. The findings also suggest that the mangrove-associated Terebralia palustris may be easier to utilise, considering that you can store it in a sack, without being kept cold. If mangrove related gleaning hence seems to play an increasingly important role in local food security, and is a fishery that is available in all seasons, this area is less accessible to potential gleaners with small children, elderly and people with physical disabilities. The study also found that the decline in seagrass-associated gleaning activities have coincided with a number of human stressors and deteriorating seagrass meadows. Despite its’ declining signinficance for food security, most women rate the seagrass-associated gleaning as important and want to protect this food source. Action should therefore be taken to sustainably preserve this provisioning resource. Bearing in mind the fine balance between ecological and food security needs, such measures need to be interdisciplinary. It also needs to involve different community members, as well as other stakeholders. More research would be needed to determine the nutritional content and potential toxic contents in the most fished invertebrate species.

Este trabalho apresenta resultados de ensaios de arrancamento de geogrelha, obtidos com a utilização de equipamento de dimensões reduzidas. A força de arrancamento foi aplicada por uma máquina universal com capacidade máxima de 30kN, dotada de instrumentação que permitiu registrar a força de arrancamento e o deslocamento da geogrelha em relação ao solo envolvente. Além disto, o ensaio foi instrumentado com uma célula de tensão total instalada no nível da inclusão. A grande vantagem deste equipamento é o pequeno volume de solo utilizado, resultando em um ensaio mais rápido e econômico, proporcionando um controle maior do teor de umidade e do grau de compactação do solo. Considerando que uma grande parte do estado de São Paulo é coberto por solos de granulometria fina, esse equipamento passa a ser uma excelente alternativa para obtenção dos parâmetros de ensaios de arrancamento necessários ao desenvolvimento de projetos em solo reforçado. Para averiguar a possibilidade de uso do ensaio de pequeno porte, nestas condições, para substituir uso das caixas de grandes dimensões foram inicialmente realizadas comparações, através do coeficiente de interação, entre os resultados obtidos através desses dois tipos de ensaios. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que, para as condições de ensaio empregadas utilizando solos com 100% passando na peneira de abertura 2mm e geogrelhas de abertura de malha aproximadamente de 20mm, a resposta do equipamento, se comparada à de ensaios de grandes dimensões, foi excelente. Isto permitiu que se procedesse a uma ampla análise paramétrica, de cunho experimental, em que se variou a velocidade de ensaio, a tensão confinante, as dimensões das amostras de geogrelha, o tipo de solo e a geogrelha, com o intuído de cobrir diferentes situações possíveis de se encontrar nos projetos de engenharia. O trabalho apresenta os principais resultados desta análise / This work presents results of geogrid pullout tests conducted using small scale equipment. The pullout load was applied using a universal load frame, with a maximum capacity of 30kN, capable of recording the pullout load and front displacement. In addition, the test was instrumented with an earth pressure cell installed at the level of the geogrid inclusion. The primary advantage of this equipment is the small volume of soil used in test preparation, resulting in reduced testing time, greater control of the water content and degree of compaction, and significant reduction in overall testing costs. Furthermore, a significant area of the state of Sao Paulo in Brazil is covered by fine grained soils which could be tested according to its pullout behavior using the proposed equipment. To investigate the feasibility of the small scale test facility, comparisons were made between the coefficient of interaction obtained from tests of small and large dimensions. The results show that for the tested materials there were no differences between pull out parameters from both equipment. Additionally it was investigated the effects of testing speed, confining pressure, sample dimensions, and soil and geogrid materials. Results of these tests are presented and discussed

Small-scale fisheries represent an important sector for Tanzania’s economy and the contribution to the livelihood of people. In Lake Babati, fish stocks are decreasing, mainly because of illegal fishing methods. This study therefore aims at examining how the problems of illegal fishing affect the fishermen, as well as their perceptions of the implemented fish ban. By using semi-structured interviews, a seasonal calendar and a Venn diagram, the data was analysed through a Critical Institutionalist lens. The results show that the fish ban has not improved the situation and that the fisheries co-management in Lake Babati is weakly practiced. Furthermore, the complexity of socially embedded relations constrains the organisation among the fishermen. As a response to the inadequate management, the fishermen suggest other solutions for preventing illegal fishing.

Este trabalho tem como proposta desenvolver um difusor aerodinâmico compacto para uma turbina eólica de pequena escala, objetivando alcançar um melhor start rotacional (menor torque de partida para rotacionar) em baixas velocidades de vento. Um difusor é uma estrutura em forma de aro envolta ao rotor da turbina eólica, sua função é amplificar a captação e aceleração do vento, explorando os efeitos aerodinâmicos das zonas de vórtices de baixa pressão na saída do difusor. O estudo concentrar-se-á na manipulação da geometria dos difusores, analisando como seu design impacta no seu comportamento aerodinâmico impacta na capacidade do difusor equacionar as zonas de alta e baixa pressão ao longo de sua estrutura, essa relação é determinante para o efeito aerodinâmico que acelera o escoamento de ar, resultando em um start rotacional em baixas velocidade de vento. O ponto de partida para este trabalho são os estudos desenvolvidos por Ohya et al. (2010) sobre difusores compactos-flangeados (compact-type brimmed diffuser) para turbinas eólicas, denominado Wind-lens Technology. Para alcançar os objetivos, esta pesquisa vai utilizar simulações por CFD com software de túnel de vento virtual e ensaios experimentais em túnel de vento físico para avaliar o comportamento dinâmico (turbina + difusor). Foram desenvolvidas dezenove geometrias a partir de uma área construtiva padronizada para o design de difusores. Desenvolveu-se também, a partir dos resultados encontrados, um MFI (microseparador de fluxo interno), que consiste em uma estrutura adicional com função de potencializar as zonas de vórtices (baixa pressão) no plano de saída do escoamento de ar dos difusores. Os resultados mostraram que a manipulação da geometria do difusor produziu resultados promissores em comparação com o modelo de referência, alcançando em algumas geometrias de difusores um melhor start rotacional. O MFI mostrou-se eficaz para potencializar as zonas de baixa pressão e melhorou o start rotacional. Ao final, definiu-se dois modelos de difusores e suas respectivas versões com MFI como as melhores opções para o start rotacional. / This work aims to develop a compact wind turbine for a turbine and a small scale, aiming at a better rotational start at low wind speeds (lower starting torque to rotate). A diffuser is a rim-shaped structure wrapped around the wind turbine rotor, its function is to amplify the wind uptake and acceleration, exploiting the aerodynamic effects of the low-pressure vortex zones at the diffuser outlet. The study will focus on the manipulation of the diffuser geometry, analyzing how its design impacts on its aerodynamic behavior, especially on the diffuser's ability to equate the high and low pressure zones along its structure, this relation is decisive for the aerodynamic effect that accelerates the air flow, resulting in a rotational start at low wind speeds. The basis for this work are studies developed by Ohya et al. (2010) on compact-flanged diffusers for wind turbines, called Wind-lens Technology. To achieve the objectives, this research will use CFD simulations with virtual wind tunnel software and experimental tests in physical wind tunnel to evaluate the dynamic behavior (turbine + diffuser). Nineteen geometries were developed from a standardized design area for the design of diffusers. An MFI (internal flow microseparator) has also been developed, which is an additional structure whose function is to potentiate the low pressure zones of the diffusers. The results showed that the manipulation of the diffuser geometry produced promising results in comparison to the reference model, reaching in some conditions superior results in RPM and initial start. The MFI proved to be effective in boosting the low pressure zones and improved the initial start. At the end, two models of diffusers and their respective versions with MFI were defined as the best options for the initial start.

O presente estudo procurou comparar dois tipos de comunidades de pescadores no município de Florianópolis que diferem em relação ao ambiente onde atuam seus integrantes: (1) baías e (2) mar aberto. Os principais objetivos do estudo foram caracterizar o perfil socioeconômico dos pescadores de pequena escala; descrever a atividade pesqueira local com respeito aos meios de produção, espécies capturadas e procedimentos pós-captura; analisar os aspectos financeiros da pesca, procurando definir os custos, receitas e lucros dos envolvidos na atividade e determinar um modelo explicativo para o lucro diário obtido pelos pescadores. O modelo explicativo foi testado através de uma Análise de Covariância (ANCOVA). Para obtenção das informações foram realizadas três campanhas sazonais durante o ano de 2008, quando foram entrevistados 218 pescadores. O perfil socioeconômico dos pescadores entrevistados foi compatível com o encontrado em outras comunidades de pescadores de pequena escala no Brasil e no exterior. A produção pesqueira local é constituída por grande número de espécies, contudo, as frotas são direcionadas, principalmente, para a captura da tainha, corvina, abrótea e anchova (em mar aberto) e camarão-branco (nas baías). Os pescadores utilizam ampla variedade de artes e técnicas de pesca e a produção tem grande relação com a sazonalidade. O tamanho das embarcações, a potência dos motores, o consumo de combustível e o número de tripulantes tiveram valores numericamente superiores na frota que atua em mar aberto. Os lucros diários obtidos pelos pescadores entrevistados apresentaram grande variação, aparentemente causada pela grande variabilidade na captura de pescado, tanto entre estações do ano, quanto entre ambientes e mesmo entre pescadores de uma mesma comunidade. O modelo do lucro diário proposto inicialmente considerou, como fatores explicativos do lucro, o local de pesca, a época do ano, o tipo de pescador, o estado civil, o nível de instrução e a arte de pesca e, como covariáveis, a idade do pescador, o tempo de experiência e o tempo de pesca diário. Após transformação logarítmica de sua variável resposta e covariáveis, o modelo foi testado estatisticamente e os fatores e covariáveis não significativos foram descartados, restando ao final apenas o local de pesca, a época do ano, o tipo de pescador, a arte de pesca e a covariável idade do pescador. O modelo final explicou cerca de 56% da variação do lucro diário, que foi significativamente superior entre os pescadores de mar aberto, na estação de outono e entre os pescadores proprietários. O estudo contribuiu na geração de conhecimento para o entendimento dos processos internos e externos à pesca no Município de Florianópolis, passíveis de afetar seu desempenho e sucesso. / This study sought to compare two types of communities of fishermen in the city of Florianópolis which differ in the environment where its members works: (1) bays and (2) the open sea. The main objectives of the study were to characterize the socioeconomic profile of small-scale fishermen, to describe the local fishing activity with respect to the means of production, species and post-harvesting procedures, examine the financial aspects of fishing, trying to define the cost, revenue and profits involved in the activity and determine an explanatory model for the daily profit obtained by the fishermen. The explanatory model was tested through an Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). To obtain the information were done three seasonal campaigns during 2008, when 218 fishermen were interviewed. The socioeconomic profile of the fishermen interviewed were consistent with those found in other communities of small-scale fishermen in Brazil and abroad. The local fishery production is made by a large number of species, however, the fleets are directed mainly to the catch of mullet, croaker, abrótea and anchovy (open ocean) and white shrimp (in bays). Fishermen using wide variety of fishing gear and techniques and the production has a great relationship with seasonality. The size of vessels, the power of engines, fuel consumption and number of crew had numerically higher values in the fleet that operates in the open sea. Daily profits obtained by the fishermen interviewed showed great variation, apparently caused by high variability in catch of fish, between seasons, between environments and even among fishermen from the same community. The model of daily profit proposed initially, considered, as explanatory factors of profit, place of fishing, year season, type of fisherman, marital status, level of education and fishing gear, and as covariates, the age of fisherman, the time of experience and the time of daily fishing. After logarithm transformation of your response variable and covariates, the model was tested and statistically not significant factors and covariates were discarded, leaving only the end of the local fishing, the season, the type of fisherman, the fishing gear and the covariate age of the fisherman. The final model explained about 56% of the variation of the daily profit, which was significantly higher among the fishermen in the open sea, in the autumn and between fishermen owners. The study contributed to the generation of knowledge for the understanding of internal and external to the fishery in the city of Florianopolis, which may affect its performance and success.

Tropical woodlands play a key role in the livelihoods of rural communities in southern Africa, but exist in contexts of constant ecological and socioeconomic change. With research into tropical woodlands neglected compared to tropical forests, it is important to improve understanding of the consequences of tropical woodland change for rural wellbeing. The aim of this thesis is to examine the dynamic interactions between woodland change and rural livelihoods through an interdisciplinary case study of a miombo woodland landscape on and around Wedza Mountain, Zimbabwe. The thesis is organised into three parts addressing: (1) the patterns of land use intensity and provisioning ecosystem service availability around Wedza Mountain; (2) the importance of environmental resources in rural income portfolios and hazard coping strategies; and (3) the adequacy of ecosystem service literature in representing the environmental values of rural African communities. The first part of this thesis explores patterns of land use and woodland structure on the woodland cover gradient around Wedza Mountain. In Chapter 2 I characterise land use intensity in the six study villages using a new method of calculating human appropriation of net primary productivity (HANPP) at the village scale. Use of this approach indicates that previous studies have underestimated land use intensity in African small-scale farming areas, with village-scale HANPP estimates in Wedza ranging from 48% to 113% of total potential annual NPP as compared to 18 to 38% in published studies. In Chapter 3 I combine woodland survey data with a quantitative ethnobotanical assessment of the use values of woody species and demonstrate that per-household availability of provisioning ecosystem services declines with declining relative tree cover. These findings also suggest that more deforested villages have reduced diversity of ethnospecies underlying service provision, with ramifications for service resilience and livelihood option values in response to future change. The focus of the second part of the thesis is on the role of woodland resources in rural livelihoods. In Chapter 4 I quantify the contribution of environmental income to the total income portfolios of 91 households and show that lower village woodland cover is not associated with reduced livelihood diversity, in part because a large proportion of environmental income is derived from degraded woodland or non-woodland environments. In Chapter 5 I assess the importance of environmental resources for coping with hazard exposures, drawing on recall of past exposure responses and a survey exercise weighting the elements of coping strategy portfolios in response to varying shock scenarios. Synthesis of these data sets indicates that environmental resources represent an important safety net in coping with interacting covariate and idiosyncratic hazard exposures. The third part of the thesis consists of critical reflection, firstly on the adequacy of current ecosystem services research in southern Africa landscapes and secondly on this specific research project. In Chapter 6 I identify the value discourses which are most dominant across 356 peer-reviewed papers adopting an ecosystem services approach to miombo landscape research, and contrast these with the environmental values of study communities in Wedza District. Through this I show that the current ecosystem service literature is failing to represent rural African social and spiritual imaginaries of landscapes, with potentially serious consequences for the efficacy and equity of landscape management interventions. In Chapter 7 I examine some of the methodological and ethical challenges encountered during this research project through a discussion of the relationships between researcher, research assistant and respondents in an interdisciplinary field research context. Finally, in Chapter 8 I synthesise the key messages from the thesis, and conclude by discussing the implications of our findings for understanding of how future change will impact the resilience and vulnerability of savanna woodland socioecological systems.