O deslocamento humano causado por efeitos climáticos adversos é, e tem sido por muito tempo, uma estratégia natural de adaptação à variação do meio ambiente. Contudo, estudos prevêem que a frequência de desastres naturais e o impacto negativo da mudança climática no meio ambiente têm aumentado consideravelmente e poderão forçar dezenas, ou talvez centenas, de milhares de pessoas a deixar suas casas - e, em alguns casos, seus países - nas próximas décadas. O direito internacional carece de instrumentos que garantam a proteção das diferentes categorias de migrações ambientais. O presente estudo busca analisar o impacto das alterações ambientais nas dinâmicas de migração e explorar suas implicações políticas e jurídicas. Pretende-se assim, contextualizar o fenômeno no período recente e analisar sua complexidade, buscando identificar as principais variáveis que explicam as hipóteses centrais deste estudo, quais sejam, as de que é improvável que os Estados aceitem se comprometer a um tratado global vinculante sobre migrações ambientais no curto e médio espaços de tempo e, por se tratar de um assunto sobre o qual ainda está longe de se chegar a um consenso e considerando que diversas pessoas já estão sendo forçadas a migrar por causa de alterações ambientais e não podem esperar que um instrumento específico seja criado para que seus direitos fundamentais sejam protegidos, acordos regionais e bilaterais e uma coordenação interagências baseada em um guia de princípios trariam resultados mais imediatos e atenderiam as necessidades específicas de cada comunidade em relação aos direitos humanos. Tais hipóteses serão posteriormente testadas pelo estudo de caso desta pesquisa. / The human displacement caused by adverse weather conditions is, and has been for a long time, a natural strategy to adapt to environmental changes. However, studies predict that, the frequency of natural disasters and the negative impact of climate change have increased significantly and will lead tens, and perhaps hundreds, of thousands of people to flee their homes - and, in some cases, their countries - in the coming decades. International law lacks instruments to guarantee the protection of various categories of environmental migration. This study aims at analyzing the impact of environmental changes in the dynamics of migration and exploring the legal and political implications. Thus, the intention is to contextualize the phenomenon and explore its complexity, seeking to identify the key variables that explain the central hypothesis of this study that it is unlikely that States commit themselves to accept a binding international treaty on environmental migration in the short and medium-term, and considering that environmental migration is a subject far from reaching a consensus and that many people are already being forced to migrate due to environmental changes and can not wait for the creation of a specific instrument so that their fundamental rights are protected, regional and bilateral agreements, and interagency coordination based on guiding principles would bring more immediate results and would meet the specific needs of each community in relation to human rights. These hypotheses are then tested by the case study of this research.

The habitability of Earth is dependent upon the global recycling of elements essential for life, such as nitrogen, sulfur and carbon. Nutrient-cycling by micro-organisms is vital to these biogeochemical cycles because many key steps are mediated primarily, or exclusively, by microbial life. The dynamics of these cycles are highly complex, and environmental perturbations (such as changes in the oceanic oxygen concentration) can have unexpected or catastrophic effects; often causing abrupt switches between chemical states. Despite the importance of these environmental perturbations however, few theoretical models have addressed how they affect the dynamical behaviour of nutrient-cycling microbial ecosystems. In this work, we investigate the effect of environmental perturbations on microbially-mediated nutrient cycles and assess the likelihood of "sudden transitions" between chemical states of the ecosystem occurring in a variety of ecological contexts. To do this, we first use computational modelling of microbial nutrient-cycling, using a "box model" approach. We then move on to an experimental study using the microbial sulfur cycle as a model ecosystem, with freshwater pond sediment/water microcosms. These microcosms have the advantage of retaining many of the features of the real ecosystem (such as microbial diversity, spatial structure, and abiotic interactions) while allowing the controlled manipulation of environmental perturbations. We study these microcosms using a combination of chemical measurements and high-throughput sequencing of the microbial community. Finally, we return to the computational side, and attempt to reproduce chemical data from our experiments in a mathematical model containing realistic abiotic chemical interactions.

Using a cross-sectional sample of 94 medium to large-sized manufacturing organisations in Iran, this study utilised cluster, regression, and gap analyses to study the relationships among extent of use, predictive value, and information availability for 63 performance measures. Based on the results, it appears that the studied Iranian manufacturing organisations do not overemphasise financial measures at the expense of other important performance measures related to the competitive, strategic environment, operational efficiency, and the human resource development. The Iranian executives appear to overlook the innovation aspects of organisational performance. The implications of this research are highlighted in relation to the findings and the conclusions. The conceptual framework in Figure 1 is offered for future research, which deals with performance management and its interaction with the economic and cultural facets.

<p> Increasing human activity and population pressure on coastal marine resources, especially coral reefs, in Ambon have caused significant stresses on coral communities requiring careful management. A suitable environmental management strategy for this complex ecosystem, however, must be based on an accurate assessment of the state of these resources, natural variability, and the impact of human activities. Consequently, baseline research is needed to describe reef areas and to provide data about environmental changes.</p> <p> One control site (Tanjung Setan) and three affected sites (Hila, Wayame and Wailiha) on Ambon were observed to assess the condition of the reefs. Coral cover, coral growth rate, species richness and environmental parameters such as suspended particulate matter (SPM), resuspended sediment, salinity, temperature, dissolved nutrients (NO3 and PO4), δ15N, and water clarity were measured to assess reef condition and to determine the possible causes of reef degradation.</p> <p> Average coral cover in the control site (Tanjung Setan) is higher (64%) than that in affected sites: Hila (27%), Wayame (36%) and Wailiha (11%). Also, the greatest number of species was found in Tanjung Setan (101 spp.) followed by Hila (66 spp.), Wayame (62 spp.) and Wailiha (43 spp.).</p> <p> Coral growth rates show different trends from coral cover and number of species. Corals in Tanjung Setan have higher growth rate (1.61 cm/year) than those in Hila (1.45 cm/year) and Wayame (1.31 cm/year), but corals in Wailiha show almost the same growth rate (1.57 cm/year) with that in Tanjung Setan. The surprisingly rapid growth rates at Wailiha are probably caused by high nutrient availability and rapid growth of corals to keep pace with high sedimentation rates.</p> <p> The δ15N content of coral tissue was analyzed at each site to trace the sewage (nutrients) loading from the land. Relatively high ratio of δ15N found in Wailiha and Wayame indicated sewage (nutrients) inputs to the reefs in these areas. In addition, limited lignin testing on corals from Wailiha showed positive results, indicating that the plywood factory adjacent to the reef influences the corals there.</p> <p> High SPM and resuspended sediment values, high dissolved nutrients and δ15N content, and turbid water in Wayame and Wailiha indicated that these reefs are under siltation and sewage (eutrophication) stress. Hila mainly suffered from physical disturbance such as fish blasting and coral collecting, suggested by bomb craters and coral fragments. Conversely, no significant evidence of human impact was found in the control site (Tanjung Setan), where SPM, resuspended sediment, dissolved nutrients, and δ15N values are all low, and water clarity is very high.</p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

No description available.

In this thesis I study how the relationships between beekeepers and bees have evolved over time in the region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil and how the beekeepers have experienced the environmental changes in this region over time. Bees and beekeeping practices generate important incomes for rural communities in Rio Grande do Sul, but also, they support agricultural systems through pollinating crops and increasing plants nutritional value. Inspired by historical ecology and multispecies narratives I explore how the human-bee relationships have been developed throughout history. Based on interviews and using the narrative tool of storytelling we meet the different beekeeper’s thoughts and perceptions when it comes to their relations and motivations in keeping bees. Furthermore, this thesis also explores the challenges and opportunities described by the interviewed beekeepers, by comparing past historical changes and present-day debates around the bees. Landscape changes, loss of biodiversity and overuse of pesticides in agricultural crops have affected the wellbeing of the bees. The obstacles and organisations of beekeeper’s are also considered. Beekeeping is discussed as a way to create ecological awareness and is promoted as a way to increase not just bee’s wellbeing living in Rio Grande do Sul, but also create better dialogues among different actors.

<p>The condition of the herring (<em>Clupea harengus</em>) in the Baltic Sea has decreased during the past 30-40 years. This decrease could be explained by different factors; (1) change in diet due to changes in zooplankton community, (2) changes in water temperature and salinity, (3) increasing nutrient inputs and (4) competition for food with other species such as sprat (<em>Sprattus sprattus</em>). In this study the change in condition was analysed using the Fulton’s condition index, and by looking at age and sex of the fish as well as the season and locationthe fish was caught, the differences between these factors were presented. Data from the national Swedish contaminant monitoring programme where used from four locations in the Baltic Sea and two locations at the Swedish West coast. The data was analysed using multiple regressions in R Commander. The result show that the condition, and the temporal trends in condition value, varies at different locations, with higher condition values and increasing temporal trends at the Swedish West coast, compared to the Baltic Sea with lower condition values and where three of four locations show decreasing temporal trends. The condition varied between spring and autumn caught herring as well, while age and sex showed less significant differences.</p>

The condition of the herring (Clupea harengus) in the Baltic Sea has decreased during the past 30-40 years. This decrease could be explained by different factors; (1) change in diet due to changes in zooplankton community, (2) changes in water temperature and salinity, (3) increasing nutrient inputs and (4) competition for food with other species such as sprat (Sprattus sprattus). In this study the change in condition was analysed using the Fulton’s condition index, and by looking at age and sex of the fish as well as the season and locationthe fish was caught, the differences between these factors were presented. Data from the national Swedish contaminant monitoring programme where used from four locations in the Baltic Sea and two locations at the Swedish West coast. The data was analysed using multiple regressions in R Commander. The result show that the condition, and the temporal trends in condition value, varies at different locations, with higher condition values and increasing temporal trends at the Swedish West coast, compared to the Baltic Sea with lower condition values and where three of four locations show decreasing temporal trends. The condition varied between spring and autumn caught herring as well, while age and sex showed less significant differences.

No description available.

Orientador: Rozely Ferreira dos Santos / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-16T10:34:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vieira_ElisaHardtAlves_D.pdf: 8333224 bytes, checksum: b6d47d6eee01814ae49bfd51c1fedb06 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: A proposição de estratégias e critérios de valoração da conservação biológica a partir de elementos estruturais da paisagem pode auxiliar no planejamento ambiental e subsidiar a tomada de decisão. Nessa direção, esse estudo teve como objetivo qualificar o estado de conservação de paisagens passadas e presente e cenários de expectativa dos grupos sociais por meio da interpretação da heterogeneidade estrutural e da valoração da paisagem. Essa proposta foi aplicada na Serra do Japi, uma área de florestas conservadas e legalmente protegidas do Estado de São Paulo, tendo como estudo de caso o loteamento Ermida, um empreendimento regularmente aprovado antes das medidas de proteção dessa área e que hoje enfrenta restrições para sua implantação. Foram utilizados Sistemas de Informação Geográfica e programas estatísticos para mapear o uso da terra, construir cenários, identificar fronteiras, criar mosaicos e valorar a paisagem por métricas de disponibilidade de recursos, permeabilidade e fragmentação. Os resultados mostraram que medidas de quantidade de floresta podem trazer decisões distintas daquelas que consideram a avaliação da heterogeneidade estrutural da paisagem por mosaicos, que se revelou mais eficaz na evidência de mudanças históricas e de interações e domínios de fronteiras. As métricas de valoração indicaram que o aumento da quantidade de habitat nem sempre representou um acréscimo na qualidade da paisagem. A via de acesso foi a ação antrópica de maior influência sobre as florestas. Seu efeito de borda foi de extensão variável de acordo com a vizinhança e com o indicador desse efeito na estrutura ou na composição da floresta. Esse estudo mostrou que as mudanças dos últimos 40 anos da Serra do Japi evoluíram em direção às expectativas de conservação em termos de quantidade, disponibilidade de recursos e permeabilidade da paisagem. Diferentemente do esperado, o cenário legal apresentou uma tendência de fragmentação da paisagem maior do que a situação atual. No caso do loteamento Ermida, os critérios adotados não mostraram uma perda substancial de florestas em área e a sua existência não impediu a continuidade do processo sucessional, bem como a conectividade da paisagem. Por outro lado, houve grande diminuição da disponibilidade de recurso ótimo, causada pela disposição das vias de acesso e pelo efeito de borda resultante. Por essa razão, entre as expectativas dos grupos sociais, a melhor alternativa para a conservação foi aquela que previu a otimização dos acessos. / Abstract: The proposal of strategies and valuation criteria for biological conservation based on structural elements of the landscape may help the process of environmental planning and decisionmaking. This study was aimed at assessing the quality of the conservation status of past and present landscapes and expectations of social groups scenarios based on the interpretation of the structural heterogeneity and the valuation of the landscape. This study was conducted in Serra do Japi, a preserved and legally protected area in São Paulo State. The case study was the Ermida residence property development, which was legally approved before the protective measures for the preservation of Serra do Japi, and that currently faces restrictions for its implementation. Geographic Information Systems and statistic software were used to: map land use, construct scenarios, identify borders, create mosaics and appraise the landscape based on resource availability, permeability, and fragmentation. The results revealed that measurements of the amount of forest may lead to decisions different from those based on the evaluation of the heterogeneity of landscape mosaics, which was more effective to show evidences of historical changes and interactions, and establishment of limits. The metrics of valuation indicated that the increase in the amount of habitat not always represented an increase in landscape quality. An access road was the anthropogenic component with the highest impact on forests. The extent of the edge effect varied depending on the neighborhood and on the indicator of this effect in the structure or composition of the forest. This study revealed that the changes in the last 40 years in Serra do Japi evolved toward conservation, regarding quantity, availability of resources and permeability of the landscape. Unlike the expected, the legal scenario presented a stronger tendency of fragmentation of the landscape than the current situation. In the case of the Ermida development area, the criteria used did not indicate a substantial loss of forests in the area and its existence did not prevent the continuity of the successional process, as well as the connectivity of the landscape. On the other hand, the availability of optimum resources greatly decreased, caused by the availability of access roads and by the resulting edge effect. Because of that, among the expectations of social groups, the best alternative for conservation was the one that predicted the optimization of road access. / Doutorado / Recursos Hidricos, Energeticos e Ambientais / Doutor em Engenharia Civil