bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
National Parks and Local Development: Grasses and People in Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal
Authors: Lehmkuhl John F. , Upreti Rajesh K. , Sharma Uday R. 
Published: August 2009

National parks in ‘developing countries’ have tended to deviate from the western model of strict protection in order to include economic development of local people in their park management philosophy. Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal, has been managed in such a way as to allow for limited collection of grassland products to meet vital needs of villagers for structural material.Nearly 60,000 people are annually allowed to cut thatch and reed grasses for a nominal fee during two weeks in January: such visitation amounts each year to over 216,000 visitor-days. The total weight and value of grass products removed from the Park each year is estimated at 11,132 metric tonnes, worth NR 9.9 millions (about US $450,000). Subtraction of labour and permit costs yielded a net value of about NR 5.5 millions (about US $250,000) to the local economy. Individual villagers save about NR 2,000 (US $90) in costs for thatching material, and about NR 500 (US $25) for building canes, compared with what they would have to pay for other materials to build a house. Alternative products available in the market were considered to be unaffordable substitutes by more than 75% of the villagers questioned.Villager attitudes toward the Park are becoming more positive as they begin to realize that the Park is a valuable, needed source of managed resources that are not so easily, or not at all, available elsewhere.
The Environmental Impact of Coral Mining on Coral Reefs in the Maldives
Authors: Brown Barbara E. , Dunne Richard P. 
Published: August 2009

Demand of the construction industry for coral rock in the Maldives will soon reach the limit of supply capacity using existing collection techniques. It is estimated that, at the current rate of consumption, the supply of living coral rock from inner atoll ‘faros’ in North Malé will be exhausted within 30 years. Current mining practice has already necessitated the collection of living coral rock from outer atoll ‘faros’ which actually protect the integrity of the islands against the erosive influences of monsoon storms.Biological surveys of mined sites (compared with controls where no mining activity has taken place) indicate a dramatic reduction in coral variety and abundance and in some cases an almost total depletion of living coral after mining. At intensively-mined sites, diversity and abundance of coral-reef fishes is also markedly reduced, with some reef species commonly used as baitfish entirely absent. The time taken for reefs to recover from mechanical damage has been shown by other research work to be extremely variable, with some cases showing no recovery in some circumstances. Shallow-water reefs that have been colonized by slow-growing ‘massive’ corals, such as those which have been mined in the Maldives, may take a minimum of 50 years to recover to their former state—under optimum conditions.Observations on mined reefs in the Maldives show that recovery over the last 10 years has been minimal, and therefore suggest that recovery times may be much in excess of 50 years. Indeed many of these reefs may not recover at all unless some attempts are made to re-establish corals at these sites. It is also clear from the study of reclaimed and dredged sites and those where less-intensive mining has taken place, that regeneration of corals is occurring. It is quite probable that the rate of recovery is dependent on the intensity of the disturbance which initially took place.Alternative building materials are available in the form of concrete blocks. Use of these blocks is more cost-effective than use of coral rock; however, there is a lack of any quality control, which would be needed to promote the widespread use of concrete blocks as a substitute for coral. Recently, recommendations have been approved by the Government of Maldives for the execution of a feasibility study on mining an inner atoll faro which could potentially provide building material for as long as the next 500 years.
Coexistence, Stress, and Catastrophe, in Grassy Vegetation Established in a Hard-limestone Quarry
Authors: Dixon Jean M. , Hambler David J. 
Published: August 2009

Plant communities produced experimentally in twometres' square plots on the rubble-covered floor of a limestone quarry showed changes in the cover values that were attributable to the sown grass and to immigrant mosses over a period of three years. Cover values for the mosses were lower in summer than in the following autumn over two cycles, whilst the cover that was attributable to the sown grass, a non-rhizomatous cultivar of Festuca rubra, did not follow a clear pattern. No evidence of directional change was found; this suggests a stable coexistence of the grass with mosses. It is suggested that one property of such a community will be a differentiation of regeneration niches which are favourable to an increase of diversity through immigration.Episodic persistent flooding and consequent deposition of colloidal limestone on well-established and diversifying vegetation, followed by a single catastrophic incident of compression by the tyres of heavy vehicles, resulted in the loss of F. rubra and mosses, and the ascendency of a perennial survivor (Agrostis stolonifera).
Environmental Conservation at the Sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands: A Review and Recommendations
Authors: Cooper John , Condy Patrick R. 
Published: August 2009

With respect to environmental conservation at* the Prince Edward Islands, South Africa has not lagged behind other nations owning sub-Antarctic islands. Indeed, with respect to some aspects, it can claim to be in the forefront. The most serious environmental problems at the Prince Edward Islands have to do with the need for control or eradication of certain established alien species of both plants and animals, the prevention of the introduction of additional aliens, and the carrying out of environmental impact assessments prior to new developments or expansions of existing facilities and programmes. However, where South Africa has lagged behind is in the enunciation of a policy on, and the proclamation of legislation giving, formal status to environmental conservation at, and the implementation of a formal and effective management plan for, the Prince Edward Islands.It is hoped that these shortcomings will be redressed in the near future. But if, for example, an aircraft landing strip were ever to be built on Marion Island, then the need for the proclamation of legislation and the implementation of a management plan would become even greater than at present. Prince Edward Island is so exceptionally special as an undisturbed sub-Antarctic island that it must never be subjected to any such development.
Environment, Banking, and Education: The Connections and Opportunities
Authors: Lacey Colin 
Published: August 2009

The Earth is entering a period or unprecedented change due to the destruction of the natural systems that have enabled and sustained human life over thousands of years. The public debate about the contributing factors to this destruction has begun, and many prominent leaders and major governments have demonstrated their awareness of the problem. Despite the shift in public opinion, and a new awareness, little has been achieved that is likely to prevent further damage. The damage is being caused mainly by processes that are fundamental to the production of food and industrial goods. It follows that preventive action in agricultural and industrial societies will need to be far-reaching and involve a reappraisal of both individual styles of life and major institutions.The 1990 UN Bergen Conference recognized that education would need to be central to the process of reassessment and redirection. It also recognized that education takes place in the workplace as well as in schools and colleges. This article argues for an education that is linked to the development of a new intelligence. It further argues that banks are key institutions, acting as channels for investment in the future and staffed by highly-qualified professionals who are nevertheless constrained and ‘educated’ by their institutional roles. The article examines the new and emerging responsibilities of institutions such as banks. It proposes some steps towards recognizing and fulfilling these responsibilities, and also towards redirecting the educational and investment functions of banks.
Effects of Land-use and Collection on the Decline of African Giant Snails in Nigeria
Authors: Osemeobo Gbadebo Jonathan 
Published: August 2009

The African Giant Snail is a dependable source of animal protein for a large proportion of Nigerians. However, in the past few decades, the supply of this Snail and two others of different genera but similar use, has declined. The causes, examined in this paper, which affect its collection and decline in forest reserves are due to a combination of socio-economic and cultural factors: a cultural orientation of the rural dwellers towards the collection and utilization of snails for food, cash, traditional medicine, and sacrifice; indiscriminate destruction of snail habitats due to ignorance or neglect of the resource; and lack of incentives and inadequate data for snail management.Snail collection is a legitimate occupation of rural dwellers. However, because forestry laws in Nigeria regard snails as minor forest products, no legislative, conservational, or management, controls can be effected — hence their collection will continue in future because of their value to Mankind. As the African Giant Snail is fast approaching local endangered status, the fear exists that, unless effective conservation measures are taken urgently, the survival of this biotic resource would appear to be in jeopardy. It is suggested that: (a) representative forests in each ecological zone should be preserved for wildlife conservation; (b) smallholder snail-farming should be encouraged among rural and urban dwellers to de-emphasize its collection from the optimal wild source; and (c) research should be conducted on the ecology and biology of the major snail species to develop a database from which their management within the reserves can be effected.
Environmental Refugees: A Growing Category of Displaced Persons
Authors: Westing Arthur H. 
Published: August 2009

Examined here is the problem of persons compelled to flee from their areas of habitual residence. The number of such displaced persons (refugees), both nationally internal and cross-border, already in the many millions, nonetheless keeps increasing by perhaps 3 millions per year. Many of the uprooted continue to flee owing to persecution, oppression, or war. However, these triggering events appear not to have been worsening markedly in recent years. Other, more strictly environmental, refugees flee from such natural disasters as flooding, drought, and volcanic action, although these triggering events have also not been increasing in frequency or severity.It is thus suggested here that the continuing increases in refugees result from transgressions of the carrying capacity — that is, of unsustainable increases in human (and associated livestock) numbers, often associated with site deterioration or actual habitat degradation. Such displaced persons have been referred to as ‘environmental refugees’. It is clear that in the long term the poignant dilemma of the ever-increasing numbers of refugees can be addressed only in terms of achieving environmental security within a framework of comprehensive human security.
Attitudes of Rural Communities to Animal Wildlife and Its Utilization in Chobe Enclave and Mababe Depression, Botswana
Authors: Parry David , Campbell Bruce 
Published: August 2009

Rural communities in northern Botswana had negative attitudes towards animal wildlife even though they received benefits from it. The negative attitude was caused by wildlife damage to crops, losses of livestock to predators, loss of land to conservation, and lack of control over animal wildlife resources. The benefits derived from animal wildlife, such as the possibility of hunting, meat, cash income from animal products, and employment in the wildlife industry, were not highly valued, even though these benefits are of considerable importance to the local community (e.g. much of the local employment is wildlife-related).Respondents who had fewer livestock and were more dependent on wildlife for protein, were more negative than others in their attitudes to animal wildlife. The beneficiaries of the wildlife industry were largely perceived as being the hunting and tourist companies. Respondents who were more affected by animal wildlife, those living closer to higher population-densities, and those having more crop losses, were more negative than others in their attitude to wildlife. The communities were distrustful of government motives and had a poor opinion of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP).It is suggested that the present wildlife development programmes in this region of Botswana are likely to fail unless a change in approach is adopted by the local populace. Essential to our mind for the success of these programmes is the reduction of the negative impacts of animal wildlife, through, for example, fencing of agricultural land, improved control of problem animals, and adequate compensation schemes. It is also essential that local communities be given more control over the wildlife resources than they currently enjoy.
Environmental Economics and Responsibility
Authors: Sarokin David , Schulkin Jay 
Published: August 2009

We are optimistic about the ability of our social institutions to respond to the challenges of environmental degradation, but recognize that (a) restoring environmental quality to a world inclined towards rapidly-increasing consumption of resources and generation of wastes will require profound institutional changes, and (b) environmental challenges cannot be separated from the global-scale issue of achieving an equitable distribution of resources. Conventional economics practically ignores environmental consequences, and is inadequate to the challenge of environmental restoration. A new way of ‘doing business’ is called for.Three industries — energy, agriculture, and automobiles — have a responsibility to become the avant garde of global environmentalism, owing to the large toll which they exact in resource utilization and pollution, and for the almost universal role that each of these industries plays in the planet's diverse societies. In order to effect changes of an appropriate magnitude, these industries will need to reorient their priorities and goals — as will the institutions with which they routinely interact, including governments, research and development, and financial institutions.
CFC Alternatives — A Fresh Look
Authors: Srinivasan Kandadai 
Published: August 2009

This article examines, through a molecular perspective, the ‘ozone-friendly’ refrigerants R-134a and R-123 vis-à-vis R-12 and R-11, which are targeted to be phased out under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, Final Act (1987). It appears that the molecular weight, size parameter, and dipole moment, of R-134a and R-123, may induce a pronounced effect on the chemical equilibrium of ice particles in the polar stratospheric clouds and subsequently influence the photochemical reactions therein.Non-polar, high-molecular-weight perfluoropropane (R-218), could be a better substitute for R-12, while R-134, which is a non-polar HFC of the ethane family, could also be a candidate although its molecular weight is lower than that of R-12. The search for a good substitute for R-11, however, must continue.
Anthropo-generated Climate Change in Europe
Authors: Balling Robert C. , Idso Sherwood B. 
Published: August 2009

In reviewing the results of our analyses of European temperature and precipitation data, we see patterns that are similar to those discovered in our prior studies of the United States and the British Isles: precipitation begins to increase at about the time that Northern Hemispheric SO2 emissions began their rapid ascension, while prior upward trends of surface-air temperature are dramatically truncated.We also find that surface-air temperature trends of different localities over the past three-and-a-half decades are closely tied to the amount of aerosol sulphates in the atmosphere above them. The wide range and thrust of these several observations, along with their theoretical expectation, provides strong support for the premise that anthropo-generated climate change is indeed occurring in Europe, but that it may well be SO2-induced rather than CO2-induced.
Ten Years in Rehabilitation of Spoil: Appearance, Plant Colonists, and the Dominant Herbivore
Authors: Hambler David J. , Dixon Jean M. , Hale William H.G. 
Published: August 2009

Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) have influenced a sown pioneer grassland on limestone quarry spoil from its outset. They have been responsible for middens characterized by a distinct microspatial assemblage of plant species, in which common mesic species are favoured. They have benefited conservation through producing spatial heterogeneity of the spoil surface — thus increasing the number of available ecological niches. They have also mediated an importation of plant nutrients so gradual that competitive ruderal species have (with the exception of Ragwort, Senecio jacobaea) not been encouraged, whilst some desirable ‘rabbit-resistant’ species have become established particularly on the middens.‘Normal grazing’ is a behavioural pattern which can maintain a sward, even when potentially dominating mesic species become established. However, ‘casual grazing’, and browsing, of conspicuous or rare plants, is likely to be disadvantageous. Manipulation of intrinsically unpredictable seral quarry floras through interference by Rabbit populations, or with Rabbit-access, may be an option on such sites.
Geo-forestry of Landslide-affected Areas in a Part of Central Himalaya
Authors: Tiwari A.K. , Mehta J.S. , Goel O.P. , Singh J.S. 
Published: August 2009

Black-and-white aerial photographs were used to map the lithology, land-use/forest types, and landslide zones (namely old, active, or potential) in a part of Central Himalaya. The landslide and land-use/forest type maps were simultaneously studied, and the frequency distribution of the landslide zones in different land-uses and forest types was estimated. The correlation between the maps indicated the following: In old landslide-affected sites, agriculture was the predominant land-use, followed byPinus roxburghiiforest (≤ 40% crown cover), scrub vegetation, and wasteland (including grassland). The presence of other forests (e.g. forests dominated by climax species such asShorea robustaat low elevations andQuercusspp. at higher elevations) indicates a high potentiality of recovery of the ecosystems involved, provided biotic (especially anthropic) factors are not too intensive.The active and potential landslide zones were concentrated along geologically active planes, namely thrusts and faults, and/or in the vicinity of toe-erosion of hill-slopes. These two were dominated byP.roxburghiiforest (≤ 40% crown cover). The broadleaf forests showed minimal signs of active and potential landslides, perhaps because of their multistratal character which is conducive to minimizing soil-loss compared with the mostly single-storeyed Chir Pine forest. It is, therefore, suggested that the sites should be maintained under a multistratal broadleaf canopy to conserve the soil. Where, however, the Chir Pine forest is already developed, appropriate silvicultural measures may be taken to increase its crown cover to more than 40%.
The Effect of Conservation on Wildlife in Jordan
Authors: Hatough Alia M.A. , Al-Eisawi Dawud M.H. , Disi Ahmad M. 
Published: August 2009

Four selected reserves in Jordan have been studied to find out the effect of conservation on wildlife. These reserves are: Shaumari in the eastern desert; Surra in the Irano-Turanian region in the north of Jordan; Dab'aa in the Irano-Turanian in the southeastern part of Jordan; and Al-Fugaug in the Mediterranean region in the south of Jordan. The four reserves are representative of the three major biogeographical regions represented in the country.Using the quadrat method of survey, the vegetation height, cover, phytomass, diversity, and total number of macrophytic species, were statistically analysed. The results obtained show that the values of the factors studied tended to be 2–3 times as much inside as outside the fence in the unprotected area.These reserves were not subjected to any special treatment, merely being fenced and protected under natural condition without any human interference such as spreading of seeds, irrigation, fertilization, or any other anthropogenic factors.The following recommendations are offered in order to protect wildlife: foundation of reserves for wildlife protection; increasing well-planned rangelands and grazing areas for meat production; implementation of the laws against offences; improvement of the rangelands through research and by using fertilizers or nodular Bacteria associated with leguminous plants adapted to dry conditions; increased water research in dry areas in the hopes of producing irrigated rangelands; marginal lands with a low rainfall must not be used for cultivation; scientific research is needed to determine the carrying capacity of rangelands in different regions of the country; development of new methods of animal feeding to decrease the grazing pressure on natural rangelands; prohibition of hunting for at least five years; and finally, intensive information and publicity through the different media should be given out to educate the public and make them aware of the urgent need to protect wildlife and make proper use of it.
Energy and Arid Lands: Potential Impacts of Intensive Energy Deployment in Desert Regions of Southern California
Authors: Dritschilo William , Merifield Paul M. , Kay David , Sarna John , Weinstein Michael N. , Sciarrotta Terry C. 
Published: August 2009

Desert regions are increasingly being put into use for a variety of purposes. The California Desert may be subjected to a number of energy technologies—particularly those related to harnessing solar energy—in the near future. In conjunction with past or other current disturbances, the fragmentation and pollution impacts of energy development could pose serious threats to the desert's fragile ecosystems.Land-intensive energy technologies, such as solar receivers and biomass crops, will mainly result in changes that disrupt natural habitats. If all feasible energy schemes came to fruition, we estimate that one-half of the California Desert's area would be devoted to energy production. Even for much lower estimates of energy development, most of the Desert's natural habitat would be fragmented in park areas. Based upon island geographic principles and conservation biology, loss of species would be inevitable. Some species are already threatened with extinction.Research is required to determine ways in which the Desert's natural resources—solitude, scenic vistas, wildlife, and insolation—can best be used to meet energy, recreation, and conservation, needs. In particular, research is required to estimate how successive small habitat losses would stress desert ecosystems.