<p>The minimum ecologically viable population size (MEVP) of a species describes the minimum size at which the species itself or another species in the same ecosystem goes extinct as a result of the loss of inter-specific interactions. The MEVP shows a good potential for use as a tool for exploring the mechanisms behind species extinctions, but presently only a small amount of research has been done that takes advantage of this. In this study the MEVP is used to investigate what properties of species can be used as good indicators of ecological importance. 100 large computer generated food webs were created with an assembly model and the reduction in density that was necessary to induce an extinction event in the web was subsequently determined for each species within the webs. This change in density was then correlated with 28 different properties, measured for each species. The results show that properties that measure how well connected a species is, as well as measures of the species role as a prey item in the web are the ones with the greatest potential to find species with high MEVP. Further, the results put emphasis on the importance of regarding the web as a whole when working with species extinctions, while also highlighting the usefulness of the MEVP concept.</p>

The minimum ecologically viable population size (MEVP) of a species describes the minimum size at which the species itself or another species in the same ecosystem goes extinct as a result of the loss of inter-specific interactions. The MEVP shows a good potential for use as a tool for exploring the mechanisms behind species extinctions, but presently only a small amount of research has been done that takes advantage of this. In this study the MEVP is used to investigate what properties of species can be used as good indicators of ecological importance. 100 large computer generated food webs were created with an assembly model and the reduction in density that was necessary to induce an extinction event in the web was subsequently determined for each species within the webs. This change in density was then correlated with 28 different properties, measured for each species. The results show that properties that measure how well connected a species is, as well as measures of the species role as a prey item in the web are the ones with the greatest potential to find species with high MEVP. Further, the results put emphasis on the importance of regarding the web as a whole when working with species extinctions, while also highlighting the usefulness of the MEVP concept.

Magistro darbe tiriama ekologinės ir įprastinės žemdirbystės plėtra Dovinės upės baseino Simno, Krosnos ir Igliaukos seniūnijų agrarinėse teritorijose. Darbo tikslas: Įvertinti įprastinės ir ekologinės gamybos ūkių skaičiaus kitimo tendencijas Simno, Krosnos ir Igliaukos seniūnijose. Darbo objektas: Simno, Krosnos ir Igliaukos seniūnijų ekologinės ir įprastinės gamybos ūkiai. Darbo metodai: Mokslinės literatūros analizė, dokumentų analizės metodas, duomenų grupavimas, statistiniai metodai, grafinis vaizdavimas. Darbo rezultatai: Tyrimų rezultatai parodė, kad įprastinės ir ekologinės gamybos ūkių skaičius Simno, Krosnos ir Igliaukos seniūnijose per 2008 metus mažėjo: įprastinės 9,6 procento, ekologinės 14,2 proc. Mažėjimo priežastis - ūkininkaujančių amžiaus didėjimas, nuosavybės į žemę perleidimas kitiems asmenims, pasitraukimas iš prekinės žemės ūkio gamybos. Pagal ES Nitratų direktyva gyvulių skaičius 1 ha turi būti nedidesnis negu 1,7 SG. Išnagrinėjus laikomų gyvulių skaičių nagrinėtose seniūnijose 1 ha vidutiniškai tenka 0,35 - 0,49 sąlyginio gyvulio (SG). Lyginant 2008 metų ir 2007 metų duomenis, sąlyginių gyvulių skaičius tenkantis 1 ha Igliaukos ir Krosnos seniūnijose turi tendenciją mažėti. Igliaukos, Krosnos ir Simno seniūnijos ūkiuose pasėlių struktūroje daugėja javų, o daugiamečių žolių mažėja. Ši tendencija kelia rūpestį dėl galimos agrarinės apkrovos didėjimo Dovinės upės baseine. / Master thesis analyzed ecological and traditional farming development in the Dovines basin Simno, Krosnos and Igliaukos agrarian regions. Aim of the work: to evaluate tendencies of quantity changes in traditional and ecological production farms in Simnas, Krosna and Igliauka regions. Object of the work: ecological and usual farming in Simnas, Krosna and Igliauka districts. Methods: Scientific literature content analysis and synthesis, logical abstracts, sample survey, data grouping, method of statistical analysis, graphic presentation. Results: Research results revealed that number of traditional and ecological production farms in Simno, Krosnos and Igliaukos regions decreased during 2008. Traditional farms decreased 9,6 percent, ecological farms 14, 4 percent. Reduce reasons -farmers' aging, surrender of property to other persons and recession from merchant agriculture production. According to EU Nitrates Directive, the amount of livestock in 1 hectare can not be higher than 1,7 of conditional animal. After evaluation of livestock amount in Simno, Krosnos and Igliaukos regions, it was perceived that in 1 hectare are approximately 0, 35 - 0, 49 of conditional animal. While comparing 2007 and 2008 data, the amount of conditional animals in 1 ha had the tendency to decrease. The amount of corns is growing in crops structure in Simno, Krosnos and Igliaukos regions. Although the quantity of perennial herbs decreasing. This tendency is posing an issue about possible increase of... [to full text]

Submitted by Morgana Silva (morgana_linhares@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-07-05T15:57:45Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 998756 bytes, checksum: 876bd58c8c0be61f5b8f85b31602fa3e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-05T15:57:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 998756 bytes, checksum: 876bd58c8c0be61f5b8f85b31602fa3e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-30 / This study aims to analyze the role of inducing taxation as environmental defense instrument from the perspective of the promotional function of law and constitutional principles of tax. The Federal Constitution of 1988 expressly provides for the right to an ecologically balanced environment, and the principle of Economic Order to protect the environment including through differential treatment as the environmental impact. While the worsening environmental crisis and the need for equalization between economic development and the protection of the environment, taxes come just as state intervention instruments aimed at influencing the behavior of economic agents, inducing interventions directed to the rational use of natural resources and sustainability, and discouraging those other degrading. Examines, therefore, its main theoretical aspects and criteria for characterization of environmental taxation. The end result of the research points mainly to the need to search combination of various tax mechanisms with environmental extrafiscal purpose, in order to leverage the use of the tax as environmental protection instrument. / O presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar o papel da tributação indutora como instrumento de defesa do meio ambiente, sob o prisma da função promocional do Direito e dos princípios constitucionais tributários. A Constituição Federal de 1988 prevê expressamente o direito ao meio ambiente ecologicamente equilibrado, sendo princípio da Ordem Econômica a defesa do meio ambiente inclusive mediante tratamento diferenciado conforme o impacto ambiental. Ao passo do agravamento da crise ambiental e da necessidade de equalização entre o desenvolvimento econômico e a tutela do meio ambiente, os tributos surgem justamente como instrumentos de intervenção estatal objetivando influenciar o comportamento dos agentes econômicos, induzindo as condutas voltadas à utilização racional dos recursos naturais e à sustentabilidade, e desencorajando aquelas outras degradantes. Examina-se, portanto, seus principais aspectos teóricos e critérios de caracterização da tributação ambiental. O resultado final da pesquisa aponta principalmente para a necessidade de busca de conjugação dos diversos mecanismos tributários com finalidade extrafiscal ambiental, como forma de potencializar a utilização do tributo como instrumento de tutela do meio ambiente.

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.

<p>In perimeter building zones with glass façades, controllable fenestration (daylighting/shading) and electric lighting systems are used as comfort delivery systems under dynamic weather conditions, and their operation affects daylight provision, outside view, lighting energy use, as well as overall occupant satisfaction with the visual environment. A well-designed daylighting and lighting control should be able to achieve high level of satisfaction while minimizing lighting energy consumption. Existing daylighting control studies focus on minimizing energy use with general visual comfort constraints, when adaptive and personalized controls are needed in high performance office buildings. Therefore, reliable and efficient models and methods for learning occupants’ personalized visual preference or satisfaction are required, and the development of optimal daylighting controls requires integrated considerations of visual preference/satisfaction and energy use. </p> <p>In this Dissertation, a novel method is presented first for developing personalized visual satisfaction profiles in daylit offices using Bayesian inference. Unlike previous studies based on action data, a set of experiments with human subjects was designed and conducted to collect comparative visual preference data (by changing visual conditions) in private offices. A probit model structure was adopted to connect the comparative preference with a latent satisfaction utility model, assumed in the form of a parametrized Gaussian bell function. The distinct visual satisfaction models were then inferred using Bayesian approach with preference data. The posterior estimations of model parameters, and inferred satisfaction utility functions were investigated and compared, with results reflecting the different overall visual preference characteristics discovered for each person.</p> <p>Second, we present an online visual preference elicitation learning framework for efficiently learning and eliciting occupants’ visual preference profiles and hidden satisfaction utilities. Another set of experiments with human subjects was conducted to implement the proposed learning algorithm in order to validate the feasibility of the method. A combination of Thompson sampling and pure exploration (uncertainty learning) methods was used to balance exploration and exploitation when targeting the near-maximum area of utility during the learning process. Distinctive visual preference profiles of 13 subjects were learned under different weather conditions, demonstrating the feasibility of the learning framework. Entropy of the distribution of the most preferred visual condition is computed for each learned preference profile to quantify the certainty. Learning speed varies with subjects, but using a single variable model (vertical illuminance on the eye), most subjects could be learned to an acceptable certainty level within one day of stable weather, which shows the efficiency of the method (learning outcomes). </p> <p>Finally, a personalized shading control framework is developed to maximize occupant satisfaction while minimizing lighting energy use in daylit offices with roller shades. An integrated lighting-daylighting simulation model is used to predict lighting energy use while it also provides inputs for computing personalized visual preference profiles, previously developed using Bayesian inference from comparative preference data. The satisfaction utility and the predicted lighting energy use are then used to form an optimization framework. We demonstrate the results of: (i) a single objective formulation, where the satisfaction utility is simply used as a constraint to when minimizing lighting energy use and (ii) a multi-objective optimization scheme, where the satisfaction utility and predicted lighting energy use are formulated as parallel objectives. Unlike previous studies, we present a novel way to apply the MOO without assigning arbitrary weights to objectives: allowing occupants to be the final decision makers in real-time balancing between their personalized visual satisfaction and energy use considerations, within dynamic hidden optimal bounds – through a simple interface. </p> <p>In summary, we present the first method to incorporate personalized visual preferences in optimal daylighting control, with energy use considerations, without using generic occupant behavior models or discomfort-based assumptions.</p>

A medida cautelar e a antecipação de tutela são espécies do mesmo gênero de tutela jurisdicional. A doutrina diverge quanto à diferença dos dois institutos. Ambas exercem a mesma função de garantir a efetividade da tutela jurisdicional. Projeto do novo Código de Processo Civil disciplina conjuntamente as atuais medidas cautelares e a antecipação de tutela. Elas são essenciais para a tutela jurisdicional do direito ao meio ambiente ecologicamente equilibrado porque o dano ambiental frequentemente é irreparável ou de difícil reparação. A Constituição Federal de 1988 garantiu a autonomia do direito ambiental no direito brasileiro, que tem princípios e regras próprios. O princípio da precaução tem especial relevância no direito ambiental porque visa mitigar ou eliminar o risco de dano, ainda que não haja certeza científica. O princípio da precaução é aplicado por diversos institutos do direito administrativo, como o licenciamento ambiental. Se a proteção do meio ambiente pelo Poder Executivo e pelo Poder Legislativo não for suficiente, é cabível tutela jurisdicional. As ações coletivas e as ações de controle concentrado de constitucionalidade são adequadas para a proteção do meio ambiente. A tutela de urgência, que pode ser concedida nas referidas ações, é um dos instrumentos para garantir a efetividade do princípio da precaução para a proteção do meio ambiente, pois pode evitar o dano ambiental no curso do processo judicial. / The preliminary injunction and the provisional injunction are species of the same genus to judicial review. The doctrine diverges as the difference between the two institutes. Both perform the same function of ensuring the effectiveness of the remedy. Design of the new Code of Civil Procedure jointly governs the current preliminary injunction and provisional injunction. They are essential to judicial protection of the right to an ecologically balanced environment because environmental damage is often irreparable or difficult to repair. The Federal Constitution of 1988 guaranteed the autonomy of environmental law in Brazilian law which has own rules and principle. Precautionary principle has particular relevance in environmental law because it seeks to mitigate or eliminate the risk of damage, although there is no scientific certainty. Precautionary principle is applied by various institutes of administrative law, such as environmental licensing. If the protection of the environment by the Executive Branch and the Legislative Branch is not sufficient, it is appropriate jurisdictional tutelage. The class actions and actions for declaration of constitutionality and unconstitutionality are suitable for protecting the environment. The preliminary injunction, which may be granted in such actions, is one of the instruments to ensure the effectiveness of the precautionary principle to protect the environment because it can avoid environmental damage during the judicial proceedings.

A medida cautelar e a antecipação de tutela são espécies do mesmo gênero de tutela jurisdicional. A doutrina diverge quanto à diferença dos dois institutos. Ambas exercem a mesma função de garantir a efetividade da tutela jurisdicional. Projeto do novo Código de Processo Civil disciplina conjuntamente as atuais medidas cautelares e a antecipação de tutela. Elas são essenciais para a tutela jurisdicional do direito ao meio ambiente ecologicamente equilibrado porque o dano ambiental frequentemente é irreparável ou de difícil reparação. A Constituição Federal de 1988 garantiu a autonomia do direito ambiental no direito brasileiro, que tem princípios e regras próprios. O princípio da precaução tem especial relevância no direito ambiental porque visa mitigar ou eliminar o risco de dano, ainda que não haja certeza científica. O princípio da precaução é aplicado por diversos institutos do direito administrativo, como o licenciamento ambiental. Se a proteção do meio ambiente pelo Poder Executivo e pelo Poder Legislativo não for suficiente, é cabível tutela jurisdicional. As ações coletivas e as ações de controle concentrado de constitucionalidade são adequadas para a proteção do meio ambiente. A tutela de urgência, que pode ser concedida nas referidas ações, é um dos instrumentos para garantir a efetividade do princípio da precaução para a proteção do meio ambiente, pois pode evitar o dano ambiental no curso do processo judicial. / The preliminary injunction and the provisional injunction are species of the same genus to judicial review. The doctrine diverges as the difference between the two institutes. Both perform the same function of ensuring the effectiveness of the remedy. Design of the new Code of Civil Procedure jointly governs the current preliminary injunction and provisional injunction. They are essential to judicial protection of the right to an ecologically balanced environment because environmental damage is often irreparable or difficult to repair. The Federal Constitution of 1988 guaranteed the autonomy of environmental law in Brazilian law which has own rules and principle. Precautionary principle has particular relevance in environmental law because it seeks to mitigate or eliminate the risk of damage, although there is no scientific certainty. Precautionary principle is applied by various institutes of administrative law, such as environmental licensing. If the protection of the environment by the Executive Branch and the Legislative Branch is not sufficient, it is appropriate jurisdictional tutelage. The class actions and actions for declaration of constitutionality and unconstitutionality are suitable for protecting the environment. The preliminary injunction, which may be granted in such actions, is one of the instruments to ensure the effectiveness of the precautionary principle to protect the environment because it can avoid environmental damage during the judicial proceedings.

Landscape management is often referred to as a holistic concept, which deals with large-scale processes and multidisciplinary manners in regards to natural resource use with ecological and livelihood considerations. Seen in this light, landscape transformation should be understood within the context of the human-nature relationship, viewing human activities and their institutions as an essential part of the system rather than as external agents. When it comes to the landscape planning and management related to cotton farming in Gujarat, there has been diversity of interest groups such as local communities, governments, corporations and non-governmental organisations. In the present study, I examine two case studies of cotton production pertaining to the Gujarat region in order to study the opportunities and challenges faced by local farmers in the process of developing agriculture. In the first case study on Cotton Improvement Program in the nineteenth century, I highlight the socioecological consequences of the colonial cotton project and how it relates to the social dynamics of networks and agricultural landscape management. The second case study examines current debates regarding the social, economic and environmental impacts of genetically modified (GM) cotton on India’s social and natural landscape. This thesis emphasises that there are recursive motifs between the two case studies in terms of the local resistances, power relations and possible environmental effects, which can be explained through the state of ‘global core’ and ‘periphery’, and partly the framework of ecologically unequal exchange. The analysis of recurring patterns concludes that exploring the narratives of local experiences offers a number of significant details that show complex power dynamics manifested through constant struggles and resistances by ‘peripheral agent’.

Brazil is a megadiverse country with great ecological and cultural diversity. This allows various Brazilian regions to be perpetuated with different traditional knowledge associated with biodiversity. Thus, in order to protect this diversity, the Federal Constitution safeguards ecologically balanced environment and culture as fundamental rights. For this reason, the variety of traditional knowledge attracts the attention of many people outside the traditional communities and holders of technology, so called bioprospectors, seeing that some traditional knowledge allows their holders greater economic growth. As a result, a clash emerges between socio-biodiversity and bioprospecting, traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge, and countries holders of capital and technology and megadiverse countries. In view of this, it is worthwhile to assert which public policies and legal instruments would be able to revitalize and protect traditional knowledge associated with biodiversity in the Brazilian setting. Therefore, this study seeks to assess whether the existing legal instruments to protect traditional knowledge, which are based mainly on the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Agreement on Intellectual Property Rights Related to Trade, are effective as forms of protection of ecologically balanced environment and culture, and also from what interpretive perspective, or, contrarily, how urgent the creation of new legal instruments and social policies is to enable real and effective protection and revitalization of the collective intellectual rights. Thus, hypothetico-deductive model was used as approach. Structuralist and comparative approaches were employed for procedures. Systemic theory was used as a basis. From the application of these methods, it was found that the standard norms that deal with associated traditional knowledge are not sufficient to protect them effectively. Similarly, the alternatives presented to resolve the impasse are also ineffective. Public policies follow the same path. They are few, scattered and do not accomplish their role. Therefore, it is necessary to create measures in the short and long term so that the ecologically balanced environment and culture are not annihilated. / O Brasil revela-se como sendo um país megadiverso, tendo uma grande diversidade ecológica, bem como cultural. Isso permite que, nas mais diversas regiões brasileiras, sejam perpetuados diferentes conhecimentos tradicionais associados à biodiversidade. Dessa forma, com o intuito de proteger essa diversidade, a Constituição Federal tutela o meio ambiente ecologicamente equilibrado e a cultura como sendo direitos fundamentais. Ocorre que a variedade de conhecimentos tradicionais acaba atraindo a atenção de pessoas estranhas às comunidades tradicionais e detentoras de tecnologia, ou seja, dos chamados bioprospectores, uma vez que alguns conhecimentos tradicionais permitem aos seus detentores um maior crescimento econômico. Assim, emerge um embate em relação à sociobiodiversidade e à bioprospecção, entre o saber tradicional e o saber científico, entre os países detentores do capital e tecnologia e os países megadiversos. Frente a isso, cabe perquirir quais políticas públicas e instrumentos jurídicos são/seriam aptos a revitalizar e a proteger os conhecimentos tradicionais associados à biodiversidade no âmbito Brasileiro? O presente estudo busca, pois, auferir se os instrumentos jurídicos existentes para tutelar os conhecimentos tradicionais tendo por base principalmente, a Convenção sobre Diversidade Biológica e o Acordo sobre os Direitos de Propriedade Intelectual Relacionados ao Comércio - são eficazes como forma de proteção do meio ambiente ecologicamente equilibrado e da cultura, bem como a partir de que viés interpretativo ou, ao revés, imperiosa se faz a criação de novos instrumentos legais e políticas públicas, para que seja possível a real e efetiva proteção e revitalização dos direitos intelectuais coletivos. Para tanto, como método de abordagem será utilizado o método hipotético-dedutivo. Já como métodos de procedimentos serão empregados o estruturalista e o comparativo. Como teoria de base adotar-se-á a teoria sistêmica. A partir da aplicação de referidos métodos, verificou-se que as normas vigentes que tratam sobre os conhecimentos tradicionais associados não são suficientes para protegê-los efetivamente. Da mesma forma, as alternativas apresentadas para solucionar o impasse revelam-se como sendo ineficazes. As políticas públicas seguem o mesmo trilho, sendo poucas, dispersas e não alcançando o seu fim. Dessa forma, necessário se faz criar medidas a curto e a longo prazo, para que o meio ambiente ecologicamente equilibrado e a cultura não sejam aniquilados.