Thesis (M. Geomatics Sc.) -- Dept. Geomatics, Univ. of Melb.

O atual âmbito alimentar está subordinado ao crescente número de habitantes em áreas urbanas e à vulnerabilidade da distribuição agroalimentar, colocando em risco a permanência da agricultura em áreas de crescente densidade populacional e colocando em risco a manutenção do abastecimento alimentar. No caso de Porto Alegre, a administração municipal instaurou o retorno da zona rural, a fim de manter a agricultura na capital, bem como penalizou os feirantes das Feiras Ecológicas de Porto Alegre que não estivessem regularizados pela certificação orgânica, a fim de manter a segurança dos alimentos comercializados nas feiras. Portanto, apesar do zoneamento e da regulamentação, cabe indagar se estas medidas, tomadas pela gestão municipal, poderão manter a atividade agrícola de base ecológica. O objetivo desta pesquisa é compreender os fatores de permanência dos agricultores nas atividades agrícolas de base ecológica em Porto Alegre. A fundamentação teórica foi baseada em Karl Polanyi (2000), a partir da obra “A Grande Transformação: as origens de nossa época”, considerando, fundamentalmente, a abordagem formalista e a abordagem substantivista. Além de Polanyi, outros autores foram utilizados, como Block (2003); Adaman e Madra (2002); Caporal e Costabeber (2004) e Mertz (2002). Como instrumento metodológico foi empregada a análise de conteúdo. Como resultado, os principais fatores apurados em relação à permanência da atividade agrícola de base ecológica em Porto Alegre foram quatro. O primeiro refere-se ao protecionismo; o segundo refere-se à regulamentação; o terceiro refere-se à subjetividade econômica deste mercado e o quarto refere-se ao comportamento como sujeito econômico binário (subject-object-binary) dos agricultores. / The current food situation is related to the growing number of population in urban areas and to the vulnerability of agri-food distribution, putting at risk the permanence of agriculture in areas of increasing population density and making food supply vulnerable. In the case of Porto Alegre, the local government introduced the return of the “ rural area ” in order to maintain agricultur al production in the capital, as well as penalized the farmers of Ecological Fairs of Porto Alegre that were not regularized by organic certification. Therefore, despite the zoning and regulation, it is questionable whether these measures, taken by the municipal management, could maintain ecologically agricultural activity. So, the goal of this research is to understand the permanence factors of ecologically-based farmers in agricultural activities in Porto Alegre. The theoretical basis was based on Karl Polanyi (2000), from the work "The Great Transformation: the origins of our time", considering the formalist approach and the substantivist approach. Besides Polanyi, other authors were used, The theoretical basis is constituted by Karl Polanyi (2000), as well as by the contribution of other authors such as Block (2003); Adaman and Madra (2002); Caporal and Costabeber (2004) and Mertz (2002). As a result, the main factors in relation to the permanence of ecologically based agricultural activity in Porto Alegre were four. The first refers to protectionism; the second refers to regulation; the third refers to the economic subjectivity of this market and the fourth refers to behavior as a binary economic subject (subject-object-binary) of the farmers.

This study aims at the checking of effectiveness of international and national legal and institutional frameworks for the control of environmental and socioeconomic risks resulting from the use of genetically modified organisms before the largest commitment to guarantee the right to an ecologically balanced environment and the right to food sovereignty. This issue is relevant because of the serious environmental and socioeconomic threats that may result from implementation of such risks, considering the hypothesis that they were not studied and controlled by a rigorous precautionary approach. In order to achieve this goal, both bibliographic and documentary research were required. The bibliographic research allowed a better comprehension of the Theory of Risk Society and of the social and environmental risks associated with genetically modified crops. This bibliographic research also supports the analysis of international and national legal system, the judicial control of administrative discretion and the historic of the release of transgenic soybeans in Brazil. The basis of the documentary research are the Brazilian judgments dedicated to the release/ban of genetically modified organisms in the country and a specific contract for the commercial exploitation of transgenic soybeans. A number of relevant problems, arising from risk control exercised by administrative, legislative, judicial and contractual means, was duly identified. Based on this study, it was concluded the urgent need to reform these legal instruments, given their inability in achieving adequate precaution procedures so that these risks are effectively understood and controlled. / O presente trabalho objetiva analisar a eficácia do aparato jurídico-institucional internacional e nacional, para o controle dos riscos socioambientais derivados do uso de organismos geneticamente modificados, perante o compromisso maior de garantir o direito ao meio ambiente ecologicamente equilibrado e à soberania alimentar. Esse tema é relevante em virtude das graves ameaças ambientais e socioeconômicas que podem resultar da concretização de tais riscos, caso eles não sejam estudados e controlados a partir de uma abordagem precaucionária rigorosa. Para alcançar o objetivo proposto foram realizadas tanto pesquisa bibliográfica como documental. Com a pesquisa bibliográfica pretende-se, em primeiro lugar, auxiliar a compreensão da Teoria da Sociedade de Risco e dos riscos socioambientais associados aos transgênicos. Essa pesquisa bibliográfica também auxilia a análise do aparelho legislativo internacional e nacional, do controle judicial da discricionariedade administrativa e do histórico de liberação da soja transgênica no Brasil. A pesquisa documental tem por base decisões judiciais brasileiras dedicadas à liberação/proibição de transgênicos no país e um contrato específico de exploração comercial da soja transgênica. Foi identificada uma série de problemas derivados do controle de riscos exercido pelas vias administrativa, legislativa, judiciária e contratual. Com fundamentações nesse estudo, conclui-se pela premente necessidade de reforma desses instrumentos jurídicos, dado sua inabilidade na consecução de procedimentos precaucionários adequados, para que esses riscos sejam efetivamente compreendidos e controlados.

The aim of my thesis was to monitor the natural occurrence of mycological pathogens, especially funghi of genus Fusarium in ecologically and conventionally grown systems. There was carried out small-parcelled experiments at two standpoints (Lukavec and České Budějovice) in the years 2006/2007, 2007/2008 and 2008/2009. The funghi of genus Fisarium attack the stalk, the leaves even the ear. If the ear is attacked, the production is decreased. The epidemical occurrence of this disease is supported by a large amount of cereals in the cropping pattern, nitrogen over-fertilization, thick grassland and bad agro technological proceeding, especially imperfectly nested plant remains. The genus Fisarium is very extensive in the nature. It often parasites at plants or live saprophyticly at production, post-production remains of plants in soil or at its surface. The mycelium furcates and forms cottonwoolen pinkish, red or yellowish film. Their malignity lies with the production of poisonous mycotoxins, which form as their secondary metabolites. They can cause the health problems at people and farm animals.

This thesis focuses on pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors and the interactions between recycling behavior, food buying attitudes, food buying behaviors, and ecological beliefs. Following an introductory chapter, I present an article-length paper on recycling behavior to be submitted to Environment and Behavior. Data for this study came from a telephone survey of Tennessee residents (N=270). Using OLS regression analysis, I find that recycling behavior is significantly related to access to recycling facilities. I do not find a significant interaction effect between access to recycling facilities and willingness to recycle. I conclude by suggesting that pro-environmental policies need to make structural resources more available to all in order to promote recycling (and protect the environment in general). Positive attitudes alone do not get us very far. My additional thesis research goal of developing an accurate measure of ecological food buying attitudes and behaviors needs further work.

Natural streams typically have highly complex flow patterns. Velocity gradients, circulation zones, transverse flows, and other flow patterns are created in the presence of topographic features (e.g. exposed boulders, bars). How flow complexity influences a stream's ecological health and morphological stability, as well as how flow complexity responds to changes in hydrologic conditions, is poorly understood. One-dimensional (1-D) hydraulic models and two-dimensional (2-D) models that do not explicitly incorporate meso-scale topographic features are not capable of adequately reproducing the flow patterns found in channels having complex topography. Moreover, point measurements of depth and velocity, which are used to describe hydraulic conditions in habitat suitability studies, cannot be used to characterize spatially varying flow patterns of biological importance. A general methodology for incorporating meso-scale topography into 2-D hydraulic models is presented. The method provides a means of adequately reproducing spatial flows of interest to riverine researchers. The method is developed using 2-D model simulations of a reach of the North Fork of the Feather River in California. Specifically, the site is modeled with and without bathymetry data on exposed boulders found within the site. Results show that the incorporation of boulder topography and an adequately refined mesh are necessary for reproducing velocity gradients, transverse flows, and other spatial flows. These simulations are also used to develop and evaluate three spatial hydraulic metrics designed to distinguish between locations having uniform and non-uniform flow conditions. The first two metrics describe local variations in energy/velocity gradients, while the third metric provides a measure of the flow complexity occurring within an arbitrary area. The metrics based on principles of fluid mechanics (kinetic energy, vorticity, and circulation) can be computed in the field or with 2-D hydraulic model results. These three metrics, used in conjunction with detailed 2-D hydraulic model results, provide engineers, biologist, and water resource managers a set of tools with which to evaluate the importance of flow complexity within rivers. A conceptual model describing how such a tool can be used to help design channels being restored, better evaluate stream habitat, and evaluate how hydrologic changes in a watershed impact hydraulic conditions and concomitant habitat conditions is provided. / Ph. D.

The theme of this thesis is that ecologically sustainable coastal management (ESCM) is achievable through the application of law. Once the legal principles and the administrative structures that that law supports have been put into place a framework is created within which the goal of ecologically sustainable development - 'Development that improves the total quality of life, both now and in the future, in a way that maintains the ecological processes on which life depends' can be realised. This thesis approaches the task by analysing the components of ecologically sustainable development (ESD), synthesising them into a set of principles for achieving ESCM and then, by using a comparative approach, devising a number of recommendations, which, if followed, will enable ESCM to be achieved. While the focus is on ESCM, the recommendations could be applied with minimal adaptation, to most, if not all, natural resource management. The thesis is divided into five Parts. Part A looks at the function of law in ESCM and proposes a theoretical model for a legal and administrative regime to be tested in the remaining Parts. Part B considers the context for ESCM and the policies and approaches followed by the different jurisdictions compared throughout this thesis, in addressing sustainable development, with emphasis in chapter four on devising the principles for ESCM. These principles are then developed and analysed in the remaining Parts of the thesis. Part C looks at the current constitutional legal regime for the coastal zone in each jurisdiction and then moves on to consider the first two of the principles for ESCM, international responsibilities and integrated coastal zone management, linked together in this part by the direct dependence on law as the agent for management Part D is about the four remaining principles of ESCM - the practical instruments for achieving ESCM. These are environmental impact assessment, public participation, coastal planning and economic instruments. In the last Part, Part E, the suggested principles for ESCM are brought together and, by a comparison of the various legal and administrative mechanisms used in the jurisdictions reviewed in this thesis, recommendations for achieving ESCM are drawn up. It is suggested that implementation of these recommendations will achieve ecologically sustainable coastal management.

<p>Dedicated industry professionals from design, construction, and health care are working to provide attractive, constructible, functional and safe home modifications for aging in place. The commitment is to keep senior members of local communities in the homes they love, rather than to segregate them into big box retirement communities. This study explores the confidence level of both individuals interested in aging place for themselves and their friends and family members in aging in place modifications. In additions to those interested in aging in place for themselves and their friends and family members, invested professionals from design, construction and health care are surveyed to measure their confidence in common modifications. A 3d walkthrough is tested to investigate if confidence levels increase with the use of a walkthrough to communicate recommended modifications. <br></p><p> Friends and family members of those intending to age in place were significantly more concerned about the safety of their aging person, than the aging person themselves. Those friends and family members were also more impacted by viewing the video walkthrough than any of the other groups. </p>

Este estudo pretendeu verificar se a combinação das variáveis atitude e atributos ecologicamente corretos de bens de consumo pode ser utilizada como base para a segmentação de mercado. Para satisfazer a essa proposição, buscou-se, primeiramente, o domínio da teoria disponível sobre os temas a ela relacionados, que serviu de base à pesquisa de campo. Esta teve um caráter quantitativo e foi do tipo descritivo, com método do estudo de campo; utilizou uma amostra não-probabilística por conveniência de estudantes e professores de uma universidade da cidade de São Paulo-SP, que expressaram suas opiniões por autopreenchimento de um instrumento de coleta de dados estruturado e disfarçado. A análise dos dados deu-se através da aplicação de três técnicas multivariadas: Análise Fatorial, Análise de Conglomerados e Análise de Correspondência. A primeira foi bem sucedida em seu propósito principal, já que foi possível reduzir o conjunto de variáveis a dois fatores; os escores fatoriais funcionaram como entradas à Análise de Conglomerados. Esta também foi bem sucedida, pois a grande maioria das simulações realizadas combinando as medidas de similaridade com os métodos de aglomeração gerou conglomerados, o que permitiu responder favoravelmente ao problema de pesquisa; uma das combinações - Quadrado da Distância Euclideana com within groups foi considerada a mais satisfatória e utilizada como base para a próxima técnica, Análise de Correspondência. Esta foi utilizada para perfilar os conglomerados gerados e dar relevância gerencial ao presente projeto; foi parcialmente bem sucedida, pois não pôde ser utilizada para algumas variáveis, dando vez à tabulação cruzada. As considerações finais confirmaram a expectativa do pesquisador quanto à possibilidade de obtenção de conglomerados utilizando concomitantemente as variáveis atitude e atributos ecologicamente corretos de produtos. / This study intended to verify if the variable attitude in conjunction with the consumer good´s ecologically characteristics may be used as market segmentation´s basis. To satisfy this proposition, we tried, at first, to know all the available theory about the topics that are related to and also the basis to the field research. It was a quantitative and descriptive one, with a field study method. A non-probabilistic sample of students and teachers was used to explain their opinions by self-administration of a strucured and disguised questionnaire. The data analysis ocurred by the application of three multivariate techniques: Factor Analysis, Cluster Analysis and Correspondence Analysis. The first of them was successfull, whereas it was possible to reduce the set of variables to two factors; the fatorial scores performed as inputs to the Cluster Analysis. This technique was successful too, because the majority of simulations combining similarity measures and aglomeration methods engendered clusters, which permitted an answer favorable to the research problem; one of the combinations Euclidean Square Distance and Withinn Groups was considered the most satisfactory and used as basis to the next technique, the Correspondence Analysis. It was applied to profile the clusters and give a relevance to this paper; it was partly successful, as we couldnt use some variables and it was replaced by Cross Tabulation. The final considerations confirmed the researchers expectation as regard to the possibility of obtain clusters using at the same time the variable attitude and good´s ecologically characteristics.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T17:37:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Thiago Roberto Zibetti Goncalves.pdf: 2042820 bytes, checksum: 1552839f1713ef4194f14c25f0c991fc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-08-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Focusing on the experiences in sustainable agriculture in progress in western Paraná state, Brazil, this study seeks to collaborate with the evolution of Agroecology as a science and techno-political and social movement, emphasizing it in the academic world and exploring possibilities for systemic research in agricultural sciences. The main goal was to create a general overview of the regional "agroecological landscape", and through literature review, technical visits and interviews was possible to generate informations about actors, processes and relationships involved in ecologically based agricultural initiatives in a area that covers 50 counties. Were used and adapted to the context of this study the methodologies and research tools in sustainable agriculture proposed by multiple interdisciplinary references, serving as basis for the construction of a methodology that enabled the rapid identification/analysis of the engaged actors and the proactive experiences in sustainable agriculture in the concerned region. Territorially, there was highlight on the Paraná 3 Basin as the area of activity of the more articulated organizations in the west, with emphasis on the Organic Agriculture Steering Committee which brings together the main support entities working in the context. About the challenges, were in evidence the difficulties on climate due to the heat, lack of inputs and appropriate technologies, lack of resources and a proper system of credit and subsidies, and generally, the big ideological and economic pressure of the conventional agriculture systems prevailing in the region and the drift of pesticides arising from these. Perspectives and trends are optimistic and look at the growth of markets and increased support of public authorities, but demanding in return, better organization of farmers and a review of the usual production systems, opening to the ecological fruit production. Greater consumers communities involvement is also considered essential. Finally, experiences with popular agricultural homeopathy and the work of farmers associations and cooperatives are considered as relevant experience and suggest possibilities for the agroecology future in western Paraná / Focalizando as experiências em agricultura sustentável em andamento na região oeste do Paraná, este trabalho procura colaborar com a evolução da Agroecologia enquanto ciência e movimento tecno-político-social, enfatizando-a no universo acadêmico e explorando possibilidades de pesquisa sistêmica no âmbito das ciências agrárias. Seu objetivo central foi criar um panorama geral da paisagem agroecológica regional, e através de levantamento bibliográfico, vivências, visitas técnicas e entrevistas foi possível gerar dados e informações a respeito de atores, processos e relações envolvidas nas iniciativas agrícolas de base ecológica em uma região que abrange 50 municípios. Foram utilizadas e adaptadas ao contexto deste trabalho as metodologias e ferramentas de pesquisa em agroecologia propostas por fontes variadas de referências interdisciplinares, servindo de base para a construção de uma proposta metodológica que possibilitou a rápida identificação/análise de atores engajados e as experiências pró-ativas em agricultura sustentável na região em questão. Territorialmente houve destaque para a Bacia do Paraná 3 enquanto área das articulações mais organizadas da região oeste, com ênfase ao Comitê Gestor da Agricultura Orgânica que congrega as principais entidades atuantes no contexto. Em relação aos desafios, ficaram em evidência as dificuldades climáticas em função do calor, a falta de insumos e tecnologias apropriadas, falta de recursos e um sistema de crédito e subsídios apropriado, e de maneira geral, a grande pressão ideológica e econômica do sistema de agriculturas convencionais predominantes na região e a deriva de agrotóxicos proveniente destes. Perspectivas e tendências são otimistas e enxergam crescimento de mercados e aumento do apoio dos poderes públicos, mas exigindo em contrapartida, melhor organização por parte dos agricultores e necessidade de reavaliar sistemas produtivos usuais, com abertura à fruticultura ecológica. Um maior envolvimento com as comunidades consumidoras também é tido como essencial. Por fim, experiências com homeopatia agrícola popular e os trabalhos de associações e cooperativas de agricultores são tidos como experiências relevantes e apontam caminhos para o futuro da agroecologia no oeste paranaense