Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Ecological approach of development'

Global water depletion and unsustainable food production systems represent two iconic crises of our time. These two crises have important themes in common, referring to basic human needs and the way we interact with landscapes in order to satisfy them. But they are also closely related to the way we produce and dispose wastes in our current societal organization. Insufficient, or inadequate, sanitation and waste management practices continue to undermine not only human well-being, but the entire planet’s ecological integrity, on which humans depend. An ecological design approach to manage human waste invites to learn how to participate more harmoniously within the planet’s recycling of matter, using renewable energy sources and mimicking nature’s low entropic states to maintain the life-support systems that we and our economies are part of. This thesis is an in-depth exploration of such an approach, and an attempt to integrate several elements from ecology, engineering, economics, and community development, around issues of water quality, sanitation and waste management in Latin America. As a whole, the thesis explores how can this transdisciplinary approach translate into coherent, feasible, and concrete action, providing appropriate solutions for sanitation, in ways that are effective and viable on a long term, for Latin American rural communities. Three different papers address different dimensions of the problem, focusing on domestic wastewater and human excreta, as a type of waste of major importance to ecological integrity, public health and economic development. Two of the papers are case studies, carried out at two different rural communities in South West Colombia; one of them focuses on technological and ecological aspects, and the other focuses on social and economic considerations, for a multifunctional-ecological waste management. In the first paper I present an overview of the sanitation problem in Latin America, and the opportunities and challenges of managing waste with an ecological and multifunctional perspective. More specifically, this papers attempts to provide a sound conceptual framework for managing wastewater (sewage) as a valuable resource, in a way that: 1) is affordable –or even profitable– by small communities in developing countries; 2) is safe to the environment and to public health; and 3) provides opportunities for recycling nutrients and organic matter (available in wastewaters), to restore and protect water and soil resources, while enhancing rural livelihoods in tropical agroecosystems. The second paper evaluates the performance and feasibility of an experimental, solar-energy-based, wetland mesocosm, as a complementary aerobic unit to enhance anaerobic wastewater treatment, in a rural locality of the Cauca Valley in Colombia. In the third paper I explore the integration between ecological design and community-based solutions to sanitation, and discuss opportunities and challenges of implementing ecological waste management in the particular bioregional and socioeconomic context of a proposed ecological-low-income co-housing project, in another rural community of Colombia. In doing this, several arguments are presented to support the idea that assuming the responsibility of managing its own waste can be a powerful and transformative experience for a community to fundamentally change its perspective and understanding of its place within the planet. Furthermore, managing waste can be an integrative force linking economic, social and environmental considerations, and favoring human-scale development, genuine progress, and self-reliance in a community. In its broadest level my research aims at reviewing and questioning the very notion of “waste” and the articulation between humans, nature, and technology within that context.

Poor sanitation is a huge problem in third world countries today; every year 1,5 million children die due to diarrheal diseases caused by poor sanitation. International policies such as The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which will be replaced by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September 2015, have been set by the international community as tools to decrease the poverty in the world today, and problems that emerged from it such as poor sanitation. Participatory methods are emphasise to receive the goals as well as new working methods to shift the development paradigm from marked oriented towards sustainable development, which means that also the Earth’s well-being must be included in the SDGs. Ecological sanitation (Eco-san) is a system that reuses the human waste back to grooving activities, and can improve the situation in all three areas of sustainable development, i.e. economical, environmental and social development with it’s reusing approach. Participation in implementation of Eco-san system is important for enabling sustainable projects as well as receive better acceptance for the reuse approach. The research presented in this thesis had the aim to improve the sanitation situation by introducing and implementing Eco-san in a rural area in the Northern part of Tanzania by using an action oriented research approach. The participants together with the researcher developed the project to further see the interpretations of Eco-san and possibilities to implement Eco-san in the area as well as if the action research was a convenient way to introduce such a project. The study was conducted in two cycles were critical theory and diffusion of innovation were used as analysis tools for the introduction and implementation of the toilets. The findings from the first cycle showed that the participants were willing to learn about Eco-san by observing the idea through a demonstration toilet. Therefore the second cycle lead to implementation of Eco-san in a school of the area. These toilets are today in use and managed by the students at the school. Participating approach has therefore been a successful working method were the participants gained the knowledge they needed to develop and improve their situation. This can further be argued as a valuable approach for other development projects and to meet the upcoming SDGs. However, further action and education to other village members outside the school and up scaling possibilities in the community are needed.

My dissertation develops and analyzes ecological economic models to study the complex dynamics of an ecological economic system (EES) and investigate various conditions and measures which can sustain a developing economy over the long term in view of resilience and sustainability. Because of the intrinsic complexity of the system, I take a systems approach, using economics as the foundation for the basic structure of an ecological economic model, and system dynamics as the method to build and analyze such a complex ecological economic model. Throughout my dissertation, the model developed by Brander and Taylor (1998) is adopted as a baseline model (henceforth the BT model). The BT model explains population-resource dynamics and is characterized as a general equilibrium version of the Gordon-Schaefer Model, using a variation of the Lotka-Volterra predator-prey model. The findings are presented as three articles. The first article provides a comprehensive analysis of the BT model and its descendants, to elicit directions for further research, including population growth logic, substitutability, innovation, capital accumulation, property rights and institutional designs, and modeling approach. The second article extends the BT model to study the resilience of an EES reflecting three key issues in modeling such systems: 1) appropriate system boundary, 2) non-convexity of ecosystems, and 3) adaptation. The article discusses two types of thresholds: the ecological threshold, a threshold for an ecological system independent of economic systems, and the ecological economic threshold, a threshold for an EES. The latter is often different from the former and is highly dynamic and context dependent. The third article is another extension of the BT model to study the sustainability of an EES by implementing the suggestions made by the first article except for property rights and institutional designs. The main focus is on the impact of endogenous innovation regarding input substitutability on the system sustainability. The main finding is that improvement in the input substitutability, ceteris paribus, may not contribute to sustainable development despite its contribution to expanding the economy. However, it could be possible for susbstitutability improvements to contribute to sustainable development when combined with other specific types of technological progress.

The interaction of land-use and climate can cause non-linear “state” changes in ecosystems, characterized by persistent differences in structure and function. Changes in land-use and climate on the Colorado Plateau may be driving many ecosystems toward undesired states where energy-intensive measures are required to return to previous states. Landscape classification systems based on “ecological potential” offer a robust framework to evaluate ecological conditions. Ecological sites are a popular landscape classification system based on long-term ecological potential and are widely used throughout the western US. Ecological sites have been described extensively for rangelands and woodlands on DOI Bureau of Land Management lands; however, they have yet to be described on USDA Forest Service (USFS) lands. In this thesis, I describe a statistical approach to ecological site delineation and the development of state-and-transition models, diagrams that illustrate ecosystem dynamics and responses to disturbances. In Chapter 2, I used a large inventory dataset and multivariate statistical procedures to classify plots based on life zone, soils, and potential vegetation, effectively delineating statistical ecological site-like groups. Most of the statistical ecological sites matched ecological sites already described by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Additionally, I described one new ecological site that has not been described by the NRCS in the Colorado Plateau region. In Chapter 3, I examined empirical evidence for alternative states in mountain ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Lawson & C. Lawson) and upland piñon-juniper ecosystems. Using multivariate statistical procedures, I found that plots cluster into groups consistent with generalized alternative states identified in a priori conceptual models. Additionally, I showed that ponderosa pine clusters were true alternative states and piñon-juniper clusters were not true alternative states because they were confounded by similarities in climate. Ponderosa pine clusters were differentiated by overstory ponderosa pine density and corresponded to three states: current potential, high fuel load, and reduced overstory. These results illustrate the range of ecosystem variability that is present throughout the study area and present evidence for alternatives states caused by historical land-use. This project is the first to propose ecological sites and state-and-transition models on USFS lands in this region. These techniques could be applied to areas that do not have formally described ecological sites and state-and-transition models and could help identify ecological sites that may have been overlooked using other means of delineation. Additionally, these methods can be used to evaluate the range of ecological variability throughout an area of interest and to improved understanding of ecosystem dynamics.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Michigan State University. Dept. of Educational Administration, 2008.
Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Apr. 7, 2009) Includes bibliographical references (p. 200-209). Also issued in print.

The holistic ecological approach (HEA) suggests that athlete’s talent development is influenced by the environment in which the athlete is embedded, and that some environments are more successful in facilitating athlete’s junior to senior transition. This study uses the HEA and the two working models to examine one effective talent development environment in Swedish table tennis. HEA promotes a case study design where the two working models are subsequently transformed into empirical models acting as a summary of the case. The focal environment was centred around a training group with supportive relationships, especially between the prospective and senior elite athletes. Furthermore, the environment supported the athletes in their dual careers (i.e., combination of sport and education), which helped the athletes to maintain a balanced lifestyle and to develop in both sport and life. The environment was characterized by a strong and coherent organizational culture centred around a basic assumption “we are community of committed members” contributing to the environment’s effectiveness, that is, to producing senior elite athletes, club growth, recognition, youth results and committed athletes in all ages. This study examines the pathway to sporting excellence in Swedish table tennis using the HEA and provides important insights to sport organizations working with talent development in a complex racket-sport, such as table tennis.

As the world population moves toward 10 billion people over the next 50 years environmental decline seems inevitable unless changes are implemented. Issues of ecology, sustainability and the city are now being recognised as critical. The systemic and holistic nature of the problem means that sustainable policies must address a wide range of social issues, political attitudes, economic practices and technological methods. Volume One offers a wide-ranging and comprehensive review of Environmental Problems and Sustainability and seeks to map out both the historical and contemporary basis for a widespread transition towards a more sustainable society. The world's cities now offer the critical context within which sustainable strategies can be developed and tested. Much current academic and policy literature describes a range of sustainable development models representing radically different views of how the processes leading towards the planning and implementation of cities needs to b e realised. Volume Two describes Paolo Soleri's Arcology Model and the Arcosanti Laboratory as a relevant methodology and case study. The arcology model attempts to address issues of sustainability by advocating a balanced relationship between urban morphology and performance within cities designed to conform to the complexity - miniaturization - duration (CMD) paradigm. The methodology recognises the need for the radical reorganisation of urban sprawl into dense, integrated compact urban structures in which material recycling, waste reduction and the use of renewable energy sources are part of a sustainable strategy aimed at reducing the flow of resources and products through the urban system. As governments, eager to deliver major environmental improvements, press on with, as yet, untried and untested 'centrist' urban policies, there is a need to research relevant models of compaction. Over the last ten years, as the criteria of urban sustainability have become more widely accepted and understood the relevance of the Soleri's model has become clearer. Arcosanti in Arizona, begun in 1970, offers a laboratory for testing the validity of the theory. Volume Two concludes by critically reviewing arcology and Arcosanti in the context of the discourse on sustainability offered in Volume One. Since the energy crisis of the mid-1970s efforts at Arcosanti have been directed toward the definition and testing of various architectural effects that, when combined, could offer a response to many of today's environmental problems. But today progress is painstakingly slow. Lacking the level of funding and resources that would enable it to be convincing, it now represents not so much a specific prototypical solution but an activist engaged strategy that advocates the possibility of building our dreams and visions. In a world plagued by so many problems, and so few alternatives, it continues to offer a beacon of hope for a sustainable future.

This research study took place at the High Performance Centre (hpc) at the University of Pretoria (UP) in South Africa (SA). The sport psychologists/sports counselors at the hpc mainly deliver performance development services to the athletes. The sport psychology services at the hpc are conducted to the athletes via the Psychological Skills Training (PST) approach and Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) approach. These two approaches are individualistic in nature and the aim of my study was to move away from a more traditional individualistic perspective to an ecological perspective that takes into consideration other role players such as sport scientists. This was achieved by developing a sport science specific MAC programme for the sport scientists, which was facilitated through experiential learning. The goal of the MAC programme was to explore the sport scientists’ experiences with reference to what they discovered and how they applied their learning. Eight in depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with four sport scientists at the hpc after their participation in the programme. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyse the semi-structured interviews. The findings were mainly related to difficulties and advantages that the sport scientists experienced when they applied the MAC principles.
Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2016.
Psychology
MA
Unrestricted

The study’s purpose was to describe a handball ATDE (Athletic Talent Development Environment) in the south of Sweden and to examine and derive the success factors of the ATDE, and within this context explore the motivational climate and autonomy support as perceived by members of the ATDE. The study is based on three theories: the Holistic ecological approach, Self Determination theory and Achievement Goal theory. The study’s participants all represented a club in the south of Sweden and consisted of players in the age of 15-19, the club manager, coaches and parents. The study was conducted through semi-structured interviews, observations and analysis of documents surrounding the club's vision and training/match policies. A total of seven interviews with four players, two coaches and the manager were conducted. Five observations at a minimum of 90 minutes gave the authors a broader view of the ATDE. An analysis of content and a triangulation with the supervisor were conducted in order to interpret the empirical data. The study revealed that the club is under re-organization, and its enthusiasm to evolve and become even better. The study found the ATDE to have a mastery oriented and autonomy supportive climate which in many ways contributed to the successful features of the ATDE. The study confirms earlier research regarding ATDE success factors as well as connections between SDT and AGT. The results also provide a deeper understanding of how successful factors, relationships, motivational climate and the autonomy support in an ATDE, affects young handball player’s motivation to evolve and reach their full potential. Implications with a basis in the theories used are presented.

There is an overall consensus that the poor governance and corruption plaguing many developing nations are main inhibitors to progress. These inhibitors also lead to the overwhelming feelings of desperation, apathy, and determinism. International development assistance programs utilizing capacity building have been created to deal with sustainable development issues in the developing world. Often these programs are fragmented and address results, not the causes, of problems. This study assesses how existing community development approaches could be aided through a strategic sustainable development perspective. A majority of the research involved creation of a holistic innovative community development approach, which encourages transformational change and effective leadership, and comparison of that to an existing community development approach. Strengths and limitations were observed through this comparison and generic recommendations were created to support current approaches. The study found that existing development assistance strategies are effective at building capacity and helping communities, but encompassing a more holistic perspective could align planning and decision-making with socio-ecological sustainability and thereby support mid- and long-term progress.

Assignment (MFor)--Stellenbosch University, 2001.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The ongoing environmental destruction that results from the continuous use of the woodland resources for economic purposes has caused extensive changes in the original vegetation of Goba area of southern Mozambique. Developing alternative sources of income for communities can reduce their dependence on the production of charcoal, building materials and wood carvings. The lack of infrastructure and remoteness of these localities from the markets make alternatives economically unfeasible and thus unsustainable for rural development. Ineffective policy planning that does not address the problem in a holistic way causes the dilemma of local people in remote areas. The challenge at Goba is to develop alternative livelihoods that are economically, socially and ecologically sustainable. Nature-based tourism has been identified as such an alternative to realize this goal. However, this development requires incentives for sustainable resource use, which can be created either by expanding the benefits accruing from the efficient use of the resource or by changing the distribution of the benefits and cost in favor of the users. In many cases, local communities have developed tourism initiatives in ecologically fragile, remote areas, without sound planning based on detailed ecological and socio-economic information. Uncontrolled flows of tourists in unplanned tourist destinations degrade these areas. These destinations lose their aesthetic appeal; tourism flow decreases and consequently new attractions are opened. This study is of a land use planning nature and follows a combination of existing framework tools. The primary aim of this study was to develop simple guidelines for nature-based tourism that contribute to the conservation and management of the rural woodland areas as well as to the improved socio-economic welfare of rural communities in the Goba area. The study used baseline information for planning, focusing on the tourism market and on the ecological and socia-economical aspects of the siudy area. Two strategies were used to obtain the information, namely market research and attraction resources analysis. The market research in the southern part of Mozambique shows that: International tourist flows are at present from Southern African countries mostly South Africa (more than 50%), North America, Europe and Australia or Asia. Mozambique is perceived mainly as a sunny beach destination for vacations and weekends though most of the tourists were engaged in multi-destination itineraries that included safari, wildernesses, bird watching, touring and curiosity. There was no evidence from any tourist that nature tourism was the reason to visit Mozambique, but many of them said that they would visit ecotourism and nature tourism destinations if available. The average daily expenditure per tourist was found to be US$47. Tourists from long-haul distances had higher disposable expenditures and stayed longer in both attraction assets and in the country. Sixty nine per cent (69%) of surveyed tourists were over 50 years of age and they were mostly males (57%). The results show clearly that many issues must be taken into consideration where the development of ecotourism and nature-based tourism, especially in rural areas, is concerned. Such considerations should include (i) careful planning of the destinations based on the local developmental policy; (ii) developing saleable tourist products and packages and (iii), promotional strategies to expand the market to capture tourists with high average daily expenditure. The rural communities can then have a chance to develop nature-based tourism that uses outstanding natural resources. The resources analysis study results revealed that: The rugged topographic, climatic conditions of Goba water catchment area and the distance from settlements have naturally preserved local forest resources from human utilization. The area has well conserved and differentiated natural scenic landscape. These scenic landscapes have recreational values as well as environmental contrast, scientific discovery potential and retention of vanishing biological species. To preserve or improve the management of these landscapes, it is essential to consider recreation use in relation to all other potential values. Few existing landscapes showed a relative ability to absorb impacts produced by facility development with a minimum negative effect on the visual and ecological quality of the landscape. The majority of the landscapes have some potential for primitive and sensitive recreational spectrum. All these results are consistent with results from similar studies on watershed and water catchment ecology. Given the constraints on the environmental settings of the Goba landscapes, it is recommended that the basic and logic framework development should attract tourists interested in the more primitive portion of the recreational spectrum and should have fewer facilities of small-scale building. These facilities should be rustic in character with less service and more emphasis on self-reliance. Improved management of the Goba ecosystem is needed to maintain the ecological functions of the catchment and local culture and rurality. In conclusion, this study suggests that, if on these remote fragile ecosystems local communities can protect and market attractive quality-of-life-amenities, maintain a relatively low cost of living, and offer serviceable links to global telecommunication infrastructures in order to attract tourists and retirees, these communities can survive and may even thrive as local economies. An incentive planning method and sustained extension outreach effort in rural development, which focuses on nourishing local action at the grassroots level, will complement such a policy strategy.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Omvattende verandering van die natuurlike plantegroei in die Goba area van suiderlike Mosambiek is teweeg gebring deur die deurlopende bentting van die omgewing deur die misbruik van die natuurlike hulpbronne vir ekonomiese wins. Die ontwikkeling van alternatiewe inkomstebronne vir plaaslike gemeenskap kan hul afhanklikheid van hout vir die produksie van houtskool, boumateriaal en houtsneewerk verminder. Die gebrek aan infrastruktuur en die groot afstande na markte maak die verkoop van die houtprodukte in stedelike gebiede onprakties en dus nie 'n volhoubare oplossing vir landelike ontwikkeling nie. Oneffektiewe beleidsbeplanning wat die probleem nie holisites benader nie veroorsaak 'n dilemma vir inwoners in afgeleë gebiede. Die uitdaging in Goba is om alternatiewe bronne van inkomste te ontwikkel wat ekonomies, sosiaal en ekologies volhoubaar is. Natuurgebaseerde toerisme is geïdentifiseer as 'n moontlike alternatief wat aan die doel kan beantwoord. Die ontwikkeling van eko-toerisme sal egter net slaag indien die plaaslike bevolking genoegsaam aangemoedig word om die natuurlike hulpbronne op 'n volhoubare basis te benut. Dit kan gedoen word óf deur winste terug te ploeg in die omgewing en so die toerisme basis te vergroot óf deur winsdeling op 'n gebruikersgunstige voordele- en kostebasis te behartig. In baie gevalle het plaaslike gemeenskappe toerisme inisiatiewe in sensitiewe, afgeleë gebiede ontwikkel, sonder deeglike beplanning wat op uitgebreide ekologiese en sosio-ekonomiese inligting berus. Die onbeheerde toeriste aanloop na onbeplande areas lei tot die stelselmatige vernietiging daarvan. Hierdie bestemmings verloor hul estetiese waarde en het tot gevolg dat toeriste ander ongerepte areas gaan soek. Hierdie studie handeloor die beplanning van grondgebruik en volg 'n kombinasie van bestaande raamwerk prosedure. Die primêre doel van hierdie ondersoek is om eenvoudige riglyne vir natuurgebaseede eko-toerisme te ontwikkel wat 'n bydra kan lewer tot die bewaring en bestuur van die natuurlike wonde en wat die sosioekonomiese welvaart van die plaaslike bevolking van Goba sal bevorder. Die studie maak gebruik van basiese inligting vir beplanning, en fokus op die toeristemark sowel as op die ekologiese en sosioekonomiese aspekte van die studie-area. Die twee strategieë wat gevolg is om inligting in te win is marknavorsing en die analise van toeriste-attraksie hulpbronne. Marknavorsing in die suide van Mosambiek toon dat die meerderheid internasionale besoekers aan Mosambiek afkomstig is van lande in Suidelike Afrika (Suid-Afrika alleen 50%), en daarna uit Noord- Amerika, Europa and Australië/Asië. Mosambiek word hoofsaaklik as 'n sonnige strandoord-bestemming vir vakansies en naweke beskou, hoewel die meeste toeriste 'n multi-bestemming reisplan volg wat safaris, ornitologie, reis en besoeke aan besienswaardighede insluit. Daar is geen bewys gevind dat enige toeris Mosambiek besoek het met eko-toerisme as doel nie, maar baie sou belangstelom dit te doen indien ekoen natuurgebaseerde toeriste-betemmings beskikbaar was. Die gemiddelde daaglikse uitgawe per toeris was US$47. Toeriste wat groot afstande moes aflê om hul bestemming te bereik het meer beskikbare fondse en bly langer, beide in die land en by verskillende attraksies. Van die toeriste by wie die opname gemaak is 69% ouer as 50 jaar en die meerderheid (57%) was mans. Die resultate toon dat daar talle faktore is om in ag te neem by die ontwikkeling van 'n landelike area vir natuurgebaseede en eko-toerisme. Daar moet aandag gegee word aan (i) deeglike beplanning van die bestemming gebaseer op die plaaslike ontwikkelingsbeleid; (ii) die ontwikkeling van verkoopbare toeriste produkte en pakkette;en (iii), promosie strategieë om die mark uit te brei om toeriste wat meer spandeer te lok. Die landelike gemeenskappe word sodoende die geleentheid gebied om hul besondere natuurlike hulpbronne te ontwikkel vir natuurgebaseerde toerisme. Die hulpbron-analise toon dat die afgeleë en bergagtige topografie en die klimaatsomstandighede van Goba se wateropvangsgebied as natuurlike beskerming vir inheense woude teen die benutting deur die plaaslike bevolking gedien het. Die area is goed bewaar met skouspelagtige natuurtonele. Die skouspelagtige landskap beskik oor rekreasiewaarde sowel as omgewingskontras, potensiaal vir wetenskaplike ontdekkings en vir bewaring van seldsame fauna en flora. Om hierdie landskap te bewaar of die bestuur daarvan te verbeter, moet gebruik vir rekreasie in verhouding tot die ander potensiële waardes beskou word. Daar is beperkte areas wat die vermoë besit om ontwikkeling te absorbeer en waar die verbouing van fasiliteite slegs 'n minimale negatiewe effek op die visuele en ekologiese kwaliteit sal hê. Die potensiaal bestaan egter vir alle areas om op 'n beperkte skaalontwikkel te word vir die primitiewe en sensitiewe sektor van die rekreasie spektrum. Die resultate van die vavorsing stem ooreen met soortgelyke studies van waterskeiding- en wateropvangsgebied-ekologie en ontwikkeling. Vir die gegewe omgewingsbeperkings van Goba word dit aanbeveel dat ontwikkeling op 'n basiese vlak geskied om daadie proporsie van die toeriste te lok wat in die sogenaamde wildernis-ervaring belangstel. Geboue en beperkte fasiliteite moet slegs op klein skaal opgerig word. Die fasiliteite moet by die omgewing inpas en die klem moet op selfvoorsiening eerder as op dienstelewering val. Die bestuur van die Goba ekosisteem moet egter verbeter om die ekologiese funksie en die plaaslike kultuur en landelikeid te behou. Die bevinding van die studie is dat indien ver-afgeleë en sensitiewe ekosisteme deur die plaaslike bevolking bestuur en beskerm word, dit tot ekonomiese welvaart van die landelike gebiede kan lei. Hierdie areas moet bestuur word sodat die landelike karakter as toeriste aantreklikheid behou word, dat die lewenskoste relatief laag bly en dat verbindings met die buitewêreld op telekommunikasie vlak ingestel word. Beplanning moet op 'n aansporingsbasis gegrond wees met uitreikingsprogramme met landelike ontwikkeling as doel. Aanmoediging van plaaslike aksie op grondvlak behoort so 'n beleidstrategie te versterk.

The idea of evolutionary resilience in complex systems has gained attention in the recent years. This approach provides better insights in the context of emergence and adaptive capacity, that characterises complex adaptive systems (CAS) such as social-ecological systems (SES), than traditional reductionist and engineering resilience approaches. Departing from this premise, a set of methodologies that are funded in these principles have been developed, with promising perspectives for the analysis of these systems. In this thesis, one of these methodologies, the panarchy, is applied into La Marjaleria case study, in Castelló (Spain), in order to explore its capacity to offer new useful insights for the management of the area throught he scope of resilience. Looking for a systematic methodological approach, the focal SES and their scales are initially defined, followed by an adaptive cycle approach, performed for each of the scales, and finally a panarchy approach that is applied through focusing on the interactions between the adaptive cycles at the different scales. The results are also presented through a new graphic approach that accounts for the representation of the adaptive cycles at the different scales and their interactions in a dynamic manner that includes the time variable, and that can therefore facilitate its understanding. From the analysis performed, the system is found to be stuck in a rigidity trap because of the lack of transformative visions from both scales above (municipality) and below (households). Furthermore, the influence of cascade effects from both the upper and lower scale in the manner through which the focal scale navigated the adaptive cycle has become evident. The panarchy has also helped to discover some existing mismatches and archetypes affecting the system. After all, a general resilience assessment has helped to find out that the system presents a low resilience, and therefore an inherent risk of collapse in the event of external shocks that can make thresholds to be crossed. A further analysis, focused on the specific resilience, has been performed for the risk of flooding. The results show that the engineering resilience approach through which this risk has been traditionally managed could have helped to underestimate flood hazard and therefore contributed to an irresponsible occupation of the floodable area. New approaches towards resilience risk management could help to address the problematics caused by floods and also open new opportunities for long-term sustainability of the system. The panarchy approach can offer useful insights for the assessment of SES from the scope of complexity and multi-scale interactions, providing an approach consistent with the evolutionary resilience characteristic of CAS. However, there still exist some gaps, both in its perception by practitioners and in the availability of solid grounds towards the standardization of its application, implying that there is still room for further improvement in this methodological approach.

Arguably one of the greatest challenges currently facing humankind is the linking of environmental sustainability with poverty reduction and social justice. These issues all come to a head in the rural smallholder agricultural regions of "underdeveloped" Africa .In these settings climate change and food security are but two of the many challenges faced on a daily basis, compounded by the need for "development". Through a case study of smallholder farmers facing multiple contested development trajectories, this research takes a social-ecological systems approach in order to: 1. investigate the past, present and future dynamics of smallholder agriculture and food practices in mPondo communities of the Wild Coast 2. locate the role of agriculture and agri-food systems in the local development discourses 3. describe the perceived opportunities and challenges which face the local agri-food system Through semi-structured interviews, informal discussions, workshops and participant observation in three regions of the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape a trend of rapid cultural erosion was observed. Many traditional crops are no longer cultivated as farmers turn to commercial seeds and modern cooking methods. Three dominant development trajectories are explored for one region, focusing on the AmaDiba community whose history of resisting imposed development is again being tested by contentious titanium mining proposed in nearby Xolobeni. A central finding is that while resisting imposed development in order to achieve a self-defined development which values mPondo traditions and subsistence off the land, these communities - described as possessing strong community agency - are losing the very culture they are fighting to defend. This is made clear through the social-ecological systems approach of resilience theory. In building resilience to imposed development the community has become vulnerable to other disturbances. As this traditional agri-food system continues to face the enduring shocks of global environmental and social change, the communities must recognise their fragilities as well as the threats which have been overlooked in the past. This study therefore suggests that the community exploit this stage of readjustment so as to reorganise, building on local culture and tradition, through an integrated approach to development which combines agriculture, traditional food and tourism.

How can politically and ecologically vulnerable groups come to productively govern the development process? The current environmental crisis is felt most intensely by marginalized groups whose livelihoods, food security, and health are threatened as development-driven environmental problems increase. This study looks at the intersection between the state, the economy, and the grassroots as key decision-makers shape the development trajectory: environmental factions of the rebels-turned-politicians in Aceh, Indonesia, the pro-autonomy indigenous movement in the Ecuadorian Amazon, and pro-democracy insurgents in the United States. The subsequent chapters track and analyze the varied fates of insurgents in each site as they attempt to democratize the state and acquire control over local ecologies. The conclusion explores these movements as the tip of a much deeper iceberg of conflict between extractive development and anti-colonialism.

Research on talent development has developed to highlight the central role of the environment and have found that good and supportive environments can ease prospective elite athletes’ transition from junior to senior elite level in sport. The aim of this study was to examine a successful athletic talent development environment in female football through a holistic ecological approach, in order to provide a holistic description of the environment. Furthermore, the aim was to explain how factors are influencing the environmental success in developing prospective elite athletes into senior elite athletes. The study was designed as a case-study and data collection included a total of eight interviews from multiple perspectives (prospective elite athletes, head coach, elite athletes and sport manager) and analysis of documents. The environment was characterized by good communication and cooperation, centered around the relationships between prospects, coaches and school. Moreover, the environment included a strong organizational culture characterized by good attitude and motivation, a whole person approach and coordinated and integrated efforts. The results showed many similarities with research conducted in other successful athletic talent development environments.

The aim of this thesis is to investigate how young children’s narration of an everyday object, the meatball, is a beneficial approach to systems thinking and if something emerges that could be useful in education for sustainable development in early childhood education. In a world of complexities, our role as participants in systems encompassing food, energy and waste is neglected in favor of drawing attention to individual events. Systems thinking is about understanding complexity, a key aspect of the resilience approach to sustainable development. Research shows valuable return-on-investments from early childhood education for sustainable development, but the field lack academic attention. The research method is case studies at pre-schools based on narrative inquiry. The study creates situations where children explore their own boundaries. Findings show that humans are largely missing from the children’s social-ecological system and a difference in the approach of acknowledging uncertainty vs. imaginary explanations to phenomena surrounding a meatball. It finds that zooming out from one familiar object is a simple way to introduce systems thinking in early childhood education and that narration is a useful approach to identify knowledge gaps.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an important health concern in prison populations as they have an increased risk of the disease compared to the general population. However, there is a lack of interventions to reduce prisoners’ cardiovascular risk, and little is known about the knowledge and risk perceptions of the disease in prison. This study aims to explore the knowledge and risk perceptions of CVD from the perspectives of prisoners and staff to guide the development of a cardiovascular risk reduction intervention for prisoners. Methods: This was a qualitative, exploratory study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 prisoners and 11 staff, who were purposively recruited from a private prison in Scotland. Framework analysis was used to analyse the data. Findings: The prisoners and staff had limited, non-expert knowledge of CVD. Common behavioural risk factors and cardiovascular events were identified, but gaps in knowledge were evidenced. There were similarities and differences in perceptions of prisoners’ risk of the disease; risk was primarily assessed by judgements about the prisoners’ current health status rather than their risk factor status. Prisoners’ risk of CVD was attributed to negative health behaviours such as smoking and physical inactivity, and these were influenced by multiple factors that interacted across three levels of influence. Individual factors included self-efficacy and mental health problems, social factors included the prison culture and social interactions, and institutional factors included the prison regime and healthcare barriers. An ecological framework was designed to guide a cardiovascular risk reduction intervention that focuses on the multi-level influences of prisoners’ cardiovascular risk. Conclusion: Prisoners have limited knowledge and misconceptions of CVD, and engage in several risky behaviours. There are multi-level influences on prisoners’ CVD risk and cardiovascular health. An ecological approach is recommended to address these influences to reduce the prisoners’ risk of CVD.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-04T18:27:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MARCIA BECKMAN pdf.pdf: 280541 bytes, checksum: 95e47ff0d35dae43b0104750bfb78be2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-02-06
Pontif?cia Universidade Cat?lica de Campinas
This research sought to discuss the paternal influence on the development of preschool age children coming from families that have been socially and economically excluded from society. The work was organized into three focal points: 1) the imprisoning system generated by social exclusion, economical inequality, urban violence and other negative aspects of the neo-liberal system 2) the main ecological approaches regarding human development 3) a brief history of preschool education and its importance in human development. These three points focusing on understand the perception of family members in relation to the lives of pre-school children and the paternal prison. This study was conducted through means of qualitative research; these being the observation of participants, interviews and field diaries from the researchers. The participants in this research were four children and four of their family members. When analyzing the collected data, the information was organized in two parts: 1) the results obtained in the interviews with the family members of kids whose parents were convicts and 2) data collected during the observation of participants and in the researchers field diaries. The results indicated that the paternal prison does impact the development of a child, and that the family can either function as a risk factor or a form of protection depending on the manner in which they deal with the situation. It was also noticed that schools are not prepared to deal with the issue. Surveyed schools associated the child as being simply aggressive towards the parent s condition. Lastly, it was also noted the lack of a public policy towards dealing with the families of convicts.
Considerando a diversidade e a adversidade dos contextos de desenvolvimento da crian?a, sobretudo de fam?lias exclu?das s?cio-economicamente, esta pesquisa procurou compreender o desenvolvimento de crian?as em idade pr?-escolar, filhas de presidi?rios a partir da percep??o de familiares. Sendo assim, este trabalho foi organizado em tr?s eixos de discuss?o: o primeiro tentou entender o sistema prisional por meio da exclus?o s?cio-econ?mica, da desigualdade social e da viol?ncia urbana, aspectos causados pelo sistema neoliberal; o segundo trouxe os principais conceitos da abordagem ecol?gica do desenvolvimento humano; e o terceiro, fez um breve hist?rico da educa??o pr?-escolar e de sua import?ncia como contexto de desenvolvimento humano. Este estudo adotou como metodologia a pesquisa qualitativa, tendo tr?s fontes de coleta de dados: a observa??o participante, as entrevistas e os di?rios de campo da pesquisadora. Os participantes desta pesquisa foram quatro crian?as e quatro familiares delas. No processo de an?lise dos dados colhidos, organizamos as informa??es obtidas em duas partes: a primeira discutiu os resultados obtidos por meio das entrevistas com os familiares das crian?as filhas de presidi?rios; a segunda trabalhou com os dados coletados durante as observa??es participantes e dos di?rios de campo da pesquisadora. Os resultados indicaram que a pris?o paterna gera impactos no desenvolvimento das crian?as, e que a fam?lia funciona como fator de risco e de prote??o, dependendo da maneira como lida com esta quest?o. Al?m disso, percebeu-se que a escola n?o estava preparada para trabalhar com esta problem?tica, e, portanto, associava o comportamento agressivo das crian?as ? situa??o prisional do pai. E, por fim, evidenciou-se a n?o exist?ncia de pol?ticas p?blicas voltadas para familiares de presos.

Projecting Urban Natures is a compilation thesis in critical studies in architecture. It comprises three journal articles and four design proposals in which I have taken an active part. The point of departure for this thesis is the renewed emphasis on social-ecological interaction and resilience that is currently taking place within ecological systems science, and the opportunities that these paradigmatic insights in turn have opened up within urbanism and design. The thesis argues that although they are promising, these emerging integrative frameworks are seldom brought into mainstream planning and urban design practice. Instead, the structuring of “nature” and “city” into a dualistic balance relationship still permeates not only the general planning discourse, but also makes its way into planning documents, notably influencing distinctions between professions. In response, this thesis sets out to rethink and explore more integrated approaches to human/nature relationships, through the utilization of design-based and transdisciplinary research methods. While this core aim of the thesis remains the same throughout the work, the task is approached from different perspectives: through different constellations of collaborative work as well as through parallel case-based explorations that emphasize the relational, anti-essentialist and situated articulation of values of urban natures and how these forces come into play. The work has been propelled through workshop-based, site-specific, and experimental design processes with professionals and researchers from the fields of e.g. systems ecology, natural resource management, political ecology, urban design, architecture, and landscape design, as well as planners, developers, local interest groups, and NGOs. Specifically, projects performed within this thesis include: Nature as an Infrastructural Potential – An Urban Strategy for Järvafältet; Kymlinge UrbanNatur together with NOD, Wingårdhs, MUST and Storylab; Årsta Urban Natures with James Corner Field Operations and Buro Happold; and Albano Resilient Campus — a collaboration between Stockholm Resilience Centre, KTH and KIT.

QC 20171102

Using a participatory action research methodology, a coaching education intervention embracing the organising principles of a Continuing Professional Development program and the skill acquisition principles of non-linear pedagogy was designed and implemented to determine if the behaviours and coaching practices of sports coaches could be enhanced. This research aims to inform the fields of sports coaching education, sports pedagogy and ultimately coaching practices. It will also provide a practical example of Ecological Dynamics Theory and more specifically a tangible example of non-linear pedagogy: a Constraints-Led Approach, being used in the sport of volleyball to enhance coaching practices and player learning.

L’existence de liens entre l’implication parentale, – processus multidimensionnel qui renvoie à l’engagement, par les parents, de pratiques éducatives dans l’école et à l’extérieur de l’école pour promouvoir les apprentissages, le développement socio-affectif et l’expérience positive de l’enfant à l’école – et le développement de l’enfant à l’école est communément affirmée en psychologie de l’éducation (Barger et al., 2019 ; Ma et al., 2016) et cohérente avec une perspective psycho-développementale et contextuelle (Bronfenbrenner, 1979, 1996 ; Malrieu et Malrieu, 1973). Pour autant, peu d’études examinent le lien entre l’implication parentale et l’ensemble des composantes académique, socio-affective et expérientielle du Devenir Élève – processus psycho-social et culturel se développant dans et par les relations interpersonnelles au sein de différents contextes et permettant le développement d’expériences scolaires singulières. Il est le reflet de l’appropriation par l’enfant des attentes et normes scolaires, lesquelles évoluent avec l’avancée dans le parcours scolaire–. En outre, ces études portent peu sur les enfants âgés de 5-6 ans, et ne considèrent pas l’évolution du contexte sociétal ni la dynamique du lien entre l’implication parentale et le Devenir Élève à l’approche du Cours Préparatoire. L’objet de cette thèse est de proposer une étude holistique du Devenir Élève et de l’implication parentale chez les enfants de Grande Section d’école maternelle (GSM) en contexte culturel français. Il s’agit, (1) d’élaborer des outils de mesure adaptés à l’étude des différentes dimensions du Devenir Élève et de l’implication parentale (objectif 1), (2) d’examiner, dans une perspective longitudinale, psycho-développementale et contextuelle, le Devenir Élève (objectif 2), l’implication parentale (objectif 3) et les liens quantitatifs (objectif 4) et qualitatifs (objectif 5) entre leurs différentes composantes/dimensions. Pour répondre à ces objectifs, les enseignant.e.s de GSM de 19 écoles ont répondu à un questionnaire sur le Devenir Élève à trois reprises (début, milieu et fin d’année scolaire) pour chaque enfant dont les familles avaient accepté de participer. En parallèle, ces familles (202 au total, issues de milieux socio-économiques contrastés) ont répondu à un questionnaire sur l’implication parentale aux trois mêmes périodes. Parmi elles, quelques parents et leurs enfants ont aussi été rencontrés en entretien individuel pour répondre au versant qualitatif de cette étude. Sur la base des questionnaires validés, les analyses en profils latents permettent d’identifier des profils de Devenir Élève et d’implication parentale. En nombre variable selon la période de l’année scolaire, les profils de Devenir Élève se distinguent majoritairement entre eux, à chaque temps, en termes de niveau moyen des élèves. Les profils d’implication parentale, aussi en nombre variable selon la période, se distinguent davantage sur la base de pratiques de nature différente. Pour le Devenir Élève comme pour l’implication parentale, l’appartenance à certains profils est prédite par certaines variables socio-démographiques. Ces prédictions varient en fonction du temps donné. Réalisés en suivant, les analyses en Random-Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Models documentent, les liens bi-directionnels existants entre l’implication parentale et le Devenir Élève. Les tailles d’effets, bien que souvent faibles, et leur valence, positive ou négative, dépendent des dimensions/composantes incluses dans le modèle. Enfin, les vignettes cliniques illustrent la singularité des rapports à l’école des parents et de l’expérience scolaire des enfants. Elles permettent ainsi d’examiner la part active des personnes pour appréhender les liens entre implication parentale et Devenir Élève
The existence of links between parental involvement, – a multi-dimensional process that involves parents engaging in educational practices inside and outside school to promote learning, socio-affective development and the child's positive experience of school – and children's development at school is commonly asserted in educational psychology (Barger & al., 2019; Ma & al., 2016) and consistent with a psycho-developmental and contextual perspective (Bronfenbrenner, 1979, 1996; Malrieu & Malrieu, 1973). However, few studies simultaneously investigate the link between parental involvement and all the academic, socio-affective and experiential components of Becoming Student – a psycho-social and cultural process that develops in and through interpersonal relationships within different contexts, and enables the development of unique school experiences. It reflects the child's appropriation of school expectations and norms, which evolve as he or she progresses through the school system–. Moreover, these studies focus rarely on 5-6 year-olds, and do not consider the evolution of the societal context or the dynamics of the link between parental involvement and Becoming Student as children approach the elementary school. The aim of this thesis is to propose a holistic study of Becoming Student and parental involvement in nursery school children in a French cultural context. The aim is (1) to develop measurement tools adapted to the study of the different dimensions of Becoming Student and parental involvement (objective 1), (2) to examine, from a longitudinal, psycho-developmental and contextual perspective, Becoming Student (objective 2), parental involvement (objective 3) and the quantitative (objective 4) and qualitative (objective 5) links between their different components/dimensions. To achieve these objectives, nursery schoolteachers of 5–6-year-olds in 19 schools completed a Becoming Student questionnaire on three occasions (at the beginning, middle and end of the school year) for each child whose family had agreed to participate. At the same time, these families (202, from contrasting socio-economic backgrounds) completed a questionnaire on parental involvement at the same three times. A few parents and their children were also interviewed on a one-to-one basis for the qualitative aspect of the study. Based on validated questionnaires, latent profile analyses enable us to identify Becoming Student and parental involvement profiles. The number of Becoming Student profiles varies according to the time of year. At each time of year, the Becoming Student profiles are mostly distinct from one another in terms of average student level. Parental involvement profiles, which also vary in number depending on the period, are distinguished more by the nature of their practices at each time of year. For Becoming Student, as for parental involvement, belonging to specific profiles is predicted by specific socio-demographic variables. These predictions vary with time. Next, analyses with Random-Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Models document the bi-directional links between parental involvement and Becoming Student. Effect sizes, though often small, and their valence, positive or negative, depend on the dimensions/components included in the model. Finally, the illustrated cases show the uniqueness of parents' relationships with school and their children's school experience. They allow us to examine the active role played by individuals in understanding the links between parental involvement and Becoming Student

La pêche est une activité à risque principalement étudiée en ergonomie afin d’optimiser la sécurité à bord. L’enjeu écologique actuel pousse à s’y intéresser d’une manière nouvelle pour concevoir des engins de pêche plus respectueux de l’environnement. Le projet INdIGO vise à concevoir un filet de pêche biodégradable (FPB) qui répond à cet enjeu. Dans ce cadre, la thèse cherche à comprendre les conditions facilitant la transition des pratiques de pêche actuelles à des pratiques “plus durables” par l’implémentation d’un FPB. Pour répondre à cette problématique, deux champs théoriques ont été mobilisés : l’acceptabilité (Bobillier Chaumon & Dubois, 2009) et la théorie de l’activité (Engeström, 1987 ; Rabardel, 1995). Quatre études ont été menées. La mesure de l’acceptabilité a servi à identifier des freins et leviers à l’utilisation d’un FPB à partir d’un questionnaire sur les représentations des pêcheurs. L’analyse de l’activité de pêche in situ a permis de comprendre finement l’utilisation du filet de pêche, les habitudes des opérateurs et les contraintes auxquelles ils font face. L'analyse du système d’activité de pêche (SAP) a mis en évidence la multiplicité des acteurs qui participent à l’activité, et a révélé des opportunités de développement du système. Enfin, l’analyse de l’évolution passée du SAP a dévoilé les conditions favorables et défavorables à un changement dans l’activité de pêche. Ce travail questionne la transition des pratiques de pêche à différents niveaux (représentations, activité réelle, système). Il contribue à la définition de pistes visant à développer le pouvoir d’agir des pêcheurs dans le cadre de l’implémentation d’un FPB
Fishing is a high-risk activity that is mainly studied in ergonomics in order to optimise safety on board. The current ecological issue pushes to be interested in it in a new way to conceive fishing gears more respectful of the environment. The INdIGO project aims to design a biodegradable fishing net (FPB) that meets this challenge. In this context, the thesis seeks to understand the conditions facilitating the transition from current fishing practices to "more sustainable" practices through the implementation of a FPB. To answer this question, two theoretical fields were mobilised: acceptability (Bobillier Chaumon & Dubois, 2009) and activity theory (Engeström, 1987; Rabardel, 1995). Four studies were conducted. The measurement of acceptability was used to identify the obstacles and levers to the use of an FPB based on a questionnaire on fishermen's representations. The analysis of the fishing activity in situ enabled a detailed understanding of the use of the fishing net, the habits of the operators and the constraints they face. The analysis of the fishing activity system (SAP) highlighted the multiplicity of actors involved in the activity, and revealed opportunities for developing the system. Finally, the analysis of the past evolution of the SAP revealed the favourable and unfavourable conditions for a change in the fishing activity. This work questions the transition of fishing practices at different levels (representations, real activity, system). It contributes to the definition of avenues aimed at developing the fishermen's power to act within the framework of the implementation of a FPB

The aim of this study was to examine how two integrating social enterprises relate to and combines social, ecological and economic sustainability and how they work with sustainable development in the field of social work. The study has been focusing on three questions: What are the values underpinning “Macken” and “Vägen uts” approach to sustainable development? What motivates these companies to work with ecological sustainability in the creation of new jobs? How do these companies combine social, ecological and economic sustainability? To answer our questions we have been interviewing nine employees through semi-structured interviews combined with observations and this study was analysed through a symbolic perspective. The conclusion of this study showed that these companies worked with specific themes to reach social sustainability. Recurring themes in the study was empowerment, recovery and the employee’s own experience of exclusion. To achieve ecological sustainability the companies worked with recycling furniture and fabric as a way of creating new jobs. They also had ecological cafés and ecological cultivations. Furthermore the economical sustainability was displayed throw the reinvestment of the profit to hire more people to the companies.

Today a grand majority (around 80%) of the European citizens live in cities or towns. Europe is more urbanised than ever. Contemporaneously, climate change and global warming is an increasing threat worldwide. In 2006, the European Commission of the European Union (EU) therefore launched the idea of implementing the yearly European Green Capital (EGC) award. The aim was (and still is) to create role models by promoting cities that constantly take strong actions for the environment and thereby inspire other cities to make green choices too. In February 2009 the first two EGC winners were announced: Stockholm (Sweden) 2010 and Hamburg (Germany) 2011. The question is whether an award of this kind is the right method for the EU to deal with environment issues. If not, the EU should invest its resources elsewhere. This thesis aims at evaluating the EGC by looking closer at Stockholm as the EGC winner of 2010 and by analysing the impacts the EGC title has on Sweden’s EU Presidency the second half of 2009. The ecological modernisation theory reconciles economic growth and environmental protection, and provides several relevant features and aspects to this thesis regarding sustainable development, voluntary approaches and environmental policy-making. By applying the theory on the EGC many things such as the underlying visions and methods of the award can be explained and analysed. The conclusion of the thesis is that the EGC in some respects is leading to a greener and more sustainable Europe or at least has the potential to do so.

Riparian areas are recognized to be natural filters of nitrogen (N) because they can substantially diminish the N delivery from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems. However, understanding the influence of riparian zones on regulating N export from catchments is still challenging, mainly because stream water chemistry integrates biogeochemical processes co-occurring within upland, riparian, and fluvial ecosystems. The present dissertation aims to explore the influence of Mediterranean riparian zones on regulating both stream hydrology and catchment N exports, by combining empirical and modelling approaches at different temporal and spatial scales. Findings obtained from plot experiments show that the studied Mediterranean riparian soils acted as hot spots of soil microbial N supply within the catchment because they exhibited considerably higher net N mineralization (NNM) and net nitrification (NN) rates than upland oak and beech soils. This difference was attributed to larger stocks of N-rich leaf litter and permanent moist conditions in the riparian soils. Furthermore, soil microbial processes in the riparian site showed a distinct climatic sensitivity than in upland sites, which ultimately led to different temporal patterns of soil N cycling. Soil moisture was the major driver of NNM and NN in upland forests, while both temperature and precipitation shaped soil N dynamics in the riparian zone. Therefore, both upland and riparian soils exhibited pulses of NNM and NN following spring rewetting events, though summer temperatures only stimulate microbial activity at the riparian site. Riparian microbial pulses contributed > 25% to annual rates of NNM and NN; and coincided with increases in stream N loads. These results suggest that Mediterranean riparian soils may become important sources of nitrate (NO3-) to streams under future warming scenarios. Additionally, findings obtained from catchment-scale studies show that our Mediterranean riparian zone exerted a strong control on stream hydrology during the vegetative period. Riparian evapotranspiration (ET) influenced the temporal pattern of stream discharge and riparian groundwater elevation across daily and seasonal scales. Further, the influence of riparian ET on stream hydrology increased from headwaters to the valley bottom, where stream hydrological retention was prominent. Nonetheless, such stream hydrological retention wasn’t accompanied by a decrease in catchment N exports, likely because low flow conditions, relatively warm conditions, and large stocks of N-rich leaf litter within the streambed enhanced in-stream NO3- release in summer. Conversely, in-stream photoautotrophic NO3- uptake was the major controlling factor of stream N dynamics in spring, when high light inputs favored gross primary productivity (GPP) prior to riparian canopy closure. As it occurred for summer nitrification, the influence of GPP on stream N dynamics increased along the stream continuum. At the valley bottom, in-stream photoautotrophic activity drop midday stream N concentration by 13% and reduced catchment NO3 exports by 10%. Finally, during the dormant period, we found minimal evidences of either NO3 uptake or release in the riparian zone. Mass balance calculations at the whole-reach scale showed that both riparian groundwater inputs and in-stream processes contributed to longitudinal changes in stream NO3 concentrations, and thus, both sources of variation were necessary to understand stream water chemistry along the stream. Together, these results suggest that the high bioreactivity of streams ecosystems can influence stream N dynamics at the catchment scale, and even screen the potential buffer capacity of riparian zones as observed for this Mediterranean catchment. Overall, findings gathered in the present dissertation question the idea that Mediterranean riparian zones are efficient N buffers, and stress that an integrated view of upland, riparian, and stream ecosystems is essential for advancing our understanding of catchment hydrology and biogeochemistry.
Durant l'última dècada, les activitats antropogèniques han doblat el nitrogen disponible, provocant nombrosos problemes ambientals. En un context de conca, els boscos de ribera tenen la capacitat de reduir els excessos de nitrogen que els hi arriben dels ecosistemes terrestres adjacents i, per tant, poden ser fonamentals per determinar la concentració de nitrogen al riu i l'exportació d'aquest nutrient aigües avall. L'objectiu d'aquesta tesi és analitzar la influència dels boscos de ribera sobre els recursos hídrics i la dinàmica del nitrogen en una conca mediterrània. Durant l'estudi, els sòls de ribera exhibiren unes taxes netes de mineralització i nitrificació clarament superiors als boscos de capçalera (alzinar i fageda), les quals foren atribuïdes als estocs de fullaraca i a l'alta humitat dels sòls riparians. A més, els sòls de ribera foren importants fonts de nitrat al riu, especialment quan les altes temperatures o les fortes precipitacions provocaren pics d'activitat microbiana que contribuïren > 25% en termes anuals. Hidrològicament parlant, la vegetació ripariana tingué un paper clau sobre els recursos hídrics de la conca, perquè regulà el cabal fluvial a diferents escales temporals, i promogué la pèrdua d'aigua del riu cap a la ribera en el fons de vall. Tanmateix, la ribera no retingué nitrogen durant el període de retenció hidràulica, així com tampoc durant la resta de l'any. Per contra, el baix cabal i les altes temperatures incentivaren la nitrificació a la llera del riu durant l'estiu. A més, durant la primavera, l'augment de llum previ al desenvolupament de la capçada de ribera afavorí la producció primària bruta en el riu, la qual provocà clares fluctuacions diàries en les concentracions de nitrat i reduí un 10% les exportacions d'aquest nutrient aigües avall. Conjuntament, els resultats d'aquesta tesi no només qüestionen la idea que les zones de ribera són filtres naturals de nitrogen en regions mediterrànies, sinó que manifesten la importància d'una visió integradora de tots els components del paisatge per tal per tal d'avançar en el nostre coneixement sobre la hidrologia i la biogeoquímica a escala de conca.

As spatial properties that systems theoretically have, Socio-Ecological Systems are characterized by dynamism and mobility, therefore, are subject to changes in the space they occupy in the biosphere. In land ecosystems, these changes are understood as processes of evolution over time, or the result of extreme natural events, or transformation of the natural space induced by human activities. These spatial changes produce effects on the land surface and groundwater of ecosystems colonized or penetrated by elements, individuals or populations belonging to other ecosystems. These are the so-called Transitional Spaces between ecosystems. Throughout the continuous geographical space, these spatial transitions affect human and not human ecosystems in different ways. Given their ambiguous characteristics and their indefinite temporal location between urban, rural or natural spaces, transition spaces deserve to be investigated in order to know their properties and functions within the cartography that represents complex socio-ecological systems. The research is conducted from a particular perspective of Political Ecology. For this I proceed to develop an epistemological exercise on the political ecology syntagma in order to approach its concept and object of study as a hybrid discipline between social sciences and natural sciences. Interdisciplinarity as a practice, a dialectic vision regarding anthropocentrism, environmental perception as a method for an ontology of human ecology, The ecosystem as a unit of spatial analysis. These would be some of the characteristics of my ecological-political perspective. But what does transitional space mean for political ecology and what does it add to its theory? The question led me to seek the integral concept of ecosystem and to support myself in the General Systems Theory to analyze the notions of boundary and external environment as part of the classic concept of system. At that point, the notion of transitional spaces emerges implicit when recognizing the dynamic spatiality of other existing systems. v Since the research is not linear but interdisciplinary and convergent, a brief anthology of geographic and socio-spatial political thought is presented in order to connect the issue of transitional spaces with the point of view of the social sciences. Various socio-geographical, deterministic, anthropocentric, Darwinian, Marxist, modernist theories give an overview of the issues related to space and nature. With the emergence of the spatial turn, new concerns for political sociology, geography and environmental sciences are explained by the phenomenon of urban growth at the global level. In the same way, I introduce the topic of ecological spaces, specifically the concept of Ecotone, the space of transition between diverse natural ecosystems. The use of the notion of ecotone is based precisely on the perspective of the concept of political ecology developed previously. This, in turn, will allow me to introduce the FLACAM methodology into the research, which among its components has the virtue of identifying and analyzing the spatial phenomenon of physical and social Interfaces, that is, spaces of transition within human ecosystems. Several graphics and charts show the potential properties and functions of different kind of existing interfaces and ecotones. My proposal converges in using these concepts as planning tools for transitional spaces identified as Rurban Regions and metropolitan areas. A final reflection on the need for spatial research on global urban expansion and the theoretical and pragmatic advantages of the concept of intermediate cities closes the main body of the investigation.

User interfaces for remote robotic manipulation widely lack sufficient support for situation awareness and, consequently, can induce high mental workload. With poor situation awareness, operators may fail to notice task-relevant features in the environment often leading the robot to collide with the environment. With high workload, operators may not perform well over long periods of time and may feel stressed. We present an ecological visualization that improves operator situation awareness. Our user study shows that operators using the ecological interface collided with the environment on average half as many times compared with a typical interface, even with a poorly calibrated 3D sensor; however, users performed more quickly with the typical interface. The primary benefit of the user study is identifying several changes to the design of the user interface; preliminary results indicate that these changes improve the usability of the manipulator.

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Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos
Based on an ecological perspective from a multifactorial analysis of the domestic violence phenomenon and on theories that consider the importance of the Fairy-Tales in the infantile emotional development, this research was proposed with a group of children who were victims of domestic violence. The main objectives of this study were: describing the impact of Fairy-Tales narratives at the emergence of latent emotional contents from the playful sequential actions and from the verbalizations of the participants; setting considerations on the context in which the child grows up from an ecological view about the phenomenon and identifying elements that offer evidences of contributions of a storytelling program and of playful activities for the emotional development of children in a violence context. The research had a qualitative character, being itself as a case study. Semi-structured interviews were done with the people who took care of the children and with people legally in charge of them and interventions with the group such as sessions of storytelling and symbolic activities took place. To collect the data, the sessions were recorded on video and, as a complementary form of register, a Field Diary was made. The interviews with the adults legally in charge of the children were recorded on audio. To analyze and treat the data, a content and thematic analysis system was used, being the texts and images dismembered in register units. As theoretical basis, the researcher used the ecological theory of human development by Urie Bronfenbrenner, taking into consideration the process of exchange that occur inside and between the systems built by the individuals, and the psychoanalysis of the understanding of the oral narratives impact at the emotional development of each child. The results of the research pointed to the familiar microsystem (intergenerational transmission), exosystem, mesosystem and macrosystem as risk factors to the development of children and to the domestic violence installation. In relation to the storytelling activities, the imaginary world was structured around the elements offered by the tales, and, at the same time, it condensed some aspects of the child s life story. The compiled data suggest that the oral narratives can act as a support, mixing in themselves the elements repertory that awakes in children the contents related to the personal experiences. These elements build the imaginary world and the playful actions, providing, occasionally, the expression of the experienced violence
Baseando-se numa perspectiva ecológica a partir de uma análise multifatorial do fenômeno da violência doméstica e em teorias que consideram a importância dos Contos de fadas no desenvolvimento emocional infantil, foi proposta esta pesquisa com um grupo de crianças vítimas de violência doméstica. Os principais objetivos deste estudo foram: descrever o impacto das narrativas dos Contos de fadas na emergência de conteúdos emocionais latentes a partir das ações lúdicas seqüenciais e das verbalizações das participantes; traçar considerações a respeito do contexto em que a criança se desenvolve a partir de uma visão ecológica sobre o fenômeno e identificar elementos que ofereçam indícios de contribuições de um programa de contação de histórias e de atividades lúdicas para o desenvolvimento emocional de crianças num contexto de violência. A pesquisa teve caráter qualitativo, caracterizando-se como um estudo de caso. Foram realizadas entrevistas semi-estruturadas com os cuidadores e responsáveis legais das crianças e intervenções junto ao grupo a partir de sessões de contação de histórias e atividades simbólicas. Para a coleta de dados as sessões foram gravadas em vídeo, e, como forma complementar de registro, foi realizado um Diário de Campo. As entrevistas com os responsáveis legais foram gravadas em áudio. Para análise e tratamento de dados utilizou-se o sistema de análise de conteúdo e análise temática, sendo que os textos e imagens foram desmembrados em unidades de registro. Enquanto marco teórico a pesquisadora utilizou a teoria ecológica de desenvolvimento humano de Urie Bronfenbrenner, levando-se em conta os processos de troca que ocorrem dentro e entre os sistemas constituídos pelos indivíduos, e a psicanálise na compreensão do impacto das narrativas orais no desenvolvimento emocional de cada criança. Os resultados da pesquisa apontaram para o microssistema familiar (transmissão intergeracional); exossitema, mesossitema e macrossitema enquanto fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento das crianças e para a instalação da violência doméstica. Em relação às atividades de contação de histórias, o faz-de-conta se estruturou em torno dos elementos oferecidos pelo conto, ao mesmo tempo em que condensou alguns aspectos da história de vida da criança. Os dados obtidos sugerem que as narrativas orais podem servir como um suporte reunindo em si um repertório de elementos que despertam na criança conteúdos relacionados às suas vivências pessoais. Estes elementos estruturam o faz-de-conta e ações lúdicas, propiciando, ocasionalmente, a expressão da vivência da violência sofrida

The ecological movement in the psychology of perception, founded by James J. Gibson, hold that traditional approaches to perception are based upon certain fundamental mistakes. The chief one, ecological theorists claim, is that perceptual information pickup consists of the application of certain cognitive processes to sensory input which is not specific to features of organisms' environment. Gibson's fundamental claim is that perception does not require the processing of some form of sensory input. In this sense, the ecological approach is said to be a theory of direct perception. An important debate over the Gibsonian view concerns the question of whether or not perceptual information pickup without cognitive processing is a coherent notion. Among the more recent writers who claim that the ecological view will not work as it stands are Jerry A. Fodor and Zenon W. Pylyshyn. They claim, essentially, that Gibson's approach has no means for accounting for intentionality. Fodor and Pylyshyn are answered by four prominent Gibsonians who claim such criticisms are utterly baseless. These ecological theorists, Michael Turvey, Robert Shaw, Edward Reed, and William Mace endeavour to show how their approach can indeed account for intentionality. This debate between Fodor and Pylyshyn on the one hand, and Turvey, Shaw, Reed, arid Mace on the other is a perfect example of the kinds of misunderstandings that have arisen between Gibsonians and proponents of traditional view. In this thesis, I supply a detailed description of Gibson's model as it relates to the issue of how intentionality could survive perception without processing. Fodor and Pylyshyn's understanding and assessment of the Gibsonian position will then be examined. Although these defenders of traditional views have, some important concerns,.they also seem not to have a proper grasp of some Gibsonian concepts. In particular, Fodor arid Pylyshyn have an unsatisfactory grasp of the notion of an invariant. There are more serious misunderstandings evident in the response to Fodor arid Pylyshyn given by Turvey et al. I point out that these ecological theorists have difficulties with philosophical terms and theories they employ in defense of Gibson. As a result of evident confusions over notions of intension, extension, and property, arid confusions over the nature of Fred I. Dretske's theory of natural laws and Hillary Putnam's theory of natural kinds, Turvey et al do not manage to show how Gibson's approach could account for intensionality. I conclude by suggesting that the ecological approach nevertheless is compatible with the idea, of analyzing perceptual information pickup in terms of behaviour, or dispositions to behave. On such an interpretation, the ecological approach is similar in many important respects to the D.M. Armstrong's philosophical theory of perception. The comparison provides ecological theorists with a precedent as well as philosophical model to consult in order to better, understand the philosophical language and terminology. On the other hand, the comparison with Armstrong provides philosophers of perception with a means for approaching Gibson's view and the problems with which it will he confronted.
Arts, Faculty of
Philosophy, Department of
Graduate

The current study uses multiproxy palaeolimnological analysis of sediment cores to reconstruct the long-term (10² to 10³ years) nutrient status of Upper Talley and Llyn Pencarreg, two closely adjacent, moderately nutrient-enriched lakes in Carmarthenshire, South Wales. The use of diatoms, Pediastrum and ephippia allows for the analysis of changes in ecosystem dynamics in response to nutrient enrichment, whilst pollen, charcoal analysis and archaeology enables the degree to which limnological change was driven by human impact to be examined. Reconstruction of long-term ecosystem status shows that despite the similarity of environmental parameters, Upper Talley and Llyn Pencarreg are very different lakes. Upper Talley (max. depth; 4m) demonstrates constant fluctuations in ecosystem dynamics, typical of shallow lakes with a high sensitivity to environmental change, whilst Llyn Pencarreg (max. depth 1 Om) illustrates a high degree of stability with gradual changes in limnological status that are indicative of deeper lakes with fewer functional groups. Within the context of the EUWFD's aim to restore lakes to good ecological status, the results indicate the need for a more detailed methodology that accounts for the complexity of long-term ecosystem dynamics in response to human impact, examines changes at different levels of the food chain using a range of proxy indicators and locates realistic baseline states based on individual lake ecology of pre-impact conditions. In this respect the ultimate aim of restoring lakes to good ecological status in a range of lake types is more likely to be achieved.

Les rivières sont un réservoir biologique et source de développement pour les sociétés humaines. À cause de l’étroite relation entre les Hommes et les écosystèmes fluviaux, elles furent identifiées comme un système socio-écologique. Hors, il s’effondre suite à l’exploitation intensive des services écosystémiques, à l’urbanisation croissante, et à la gestion de la ressource en eau priorisant la protection des biens, des usages et des personnes aux formes et fonctions des écosystèmes. Ces cinquante dernières années furent marquées par de nombreuses actions de restauration réalisées pour rétablir la qualité écologique et sociale des rivières. En Europe, la Directive Cadre sur l’Eau ratifiée en 2000 organise l’effort européen de restauration et demande l’atteinte du bon état ou potentiel écologique de toutes les masses d’eau des pays membres. Les rivières urbaines sont fortement affectées par l’impact anthropique mais leur restauration est particulièrement difficile. Alors que la science de la restauration évolue par les expériences passées, peu de connaissance existent sur les pratiques urbaines. Cette étude a pour objectif (1) d’identifier les différentes pratiques de la restauration et leurs forces motrices en mettant en avant les particularités des restaurations en milieu urbain. Et (2) d’évaluer les conflits au sein du système socio-écologique, notamment entre protection environnementale et usage récréatif et productif
Rivers are hotspots for biological diversity and sources of ecosystem services. Because of the close interactions between riverine ecosystems and human activities, rivers are recognized as a socio-ecological system. Centuries of intensive exploitation of the ecosystem services, urbanization, and water management focusing on the use of water and safeguarding humans from floods and diseases, rather than on ecological health, have led to severe degradations and functional losses. In recent years, restoration has been recognized as essential to reestablish the quality of the rivers and an increasing number of restoration projects have been implemented. In Europe, the Water Framework Directive orchestrates restoration efforts, and demands that all water bodies achieve their good ecological status or potential. In urban areas, most rivers are heavily impacted by human activities and social demand for restoration is high. However, little knowledge exists about urban restoration practices. This research aims (1) to identify the different restoration practices and drivers, and examine the particularities of urban river restorations, and (2) to assess the potential conflicts inside the socio-ecological system
Flüsse sind ein Hotspot für biologische Artenvielfalt und Erbringer vieler Ökosystemleistungen. Aufgrund der engen Wechselbeziehungen zwischen Flussökosystemen und menschlichen Aktivitäten werden sie als sozio-ökologische Systeme verstanden. Jahrhunderte massiven Nutzungsdrucks, Urbanisierung und eine Gewässerbewirtschaftung, die sich viel mehr der Versorgung der Menschen und dem Schutz derer vor Überschwemmungen und Krankheiten anstatt der Wahrung des ökologischen Gleichgewichts verschrieben hat, haben zu starken Zerstörungen und Funktionsverlusten dieser Ökosysteme geführt. In jüngster Zeit wurde die Notwendigkeit der Renaturierung von Flüssen zur Wiederherstellung ihrer Qualität erkannt und eine wachsende Zahl an Renaturierungsprojekten wurde realisiert. In Europa koordiniert die Wasserrahmenrichtlinie (Water Framework Directive, WFD) entsprechende Bemühungen und verlangt, dass alle Gewässer eine guten ökologischen Zustand oder ein gutes ökologisches Potenzial erreichen. In städtischen Gebieten sind die meisten Flüsse stark durch menschliche Aktivitäten geprägt und der Bedarf nach Renaturierungsmaßnahmen hoch. Dennoch gibt es nur wenige Kenntnisse über die Praktiken von Flussrenaturierungen in Städten. Diese Studie hat sich zum Ziel gesetzt (1) unterschiedliche Renaturierungspraktiken und deren Triebkräfte zu identifizieren und die Besonderheiten städtischer Flussrenaturierungen zu untersuchen und (2) die potenziell möglichen Interessenskonflikte im sozio-ökologischen System zu bewerten
河流是生物多样性研究的热点和诸多生态系统服务的来源。由于河岸生态系统与人 类活动的密切相互作用，使得河流通常被认为是一种社会生态系统。几个世纪以来，生 态系统服务的集约利用、城市化和水资源管理主要关注于水资源的有效利用和保障人类 免受洪水和疾病的危害而往往忽视了生态健康，从而导致了严重的生态退化和功能的丧 失。近年来，河流修复被公认为重建河流质量的必要手段并且越来越多的修复项目开始 付诸实施。在欧洲，欧盟水框架指令对水资源的修复工作进行策划统筹，并对所有水体 需达到的生态状况或生态潜力提出了高的要求。在城市地区，绝大多数的河流深受人类 活动的影响并且对于河流修复的社会需求较高。然而，关于城市河流修复实践的相关知 识还非常缺乏。本研究旨在：（1）区分不同的河流修复实践项目及其驱动力，以及研究 城市河流修复的特殊性；（2）并对这一社会生态系统中存在的潜在冲突进行评估。

Die weltweite Nahrungsmittelproduktion ist so hoch wie nie zuvor. Dennoch kommt nur eine begrenzte Gruppe von Menschen in den Genuss eines ausreichenden Nahrungsangebots. Dagegen leiden weltweit zirka 854 Millionen Menschen an Mangelernährung. Das zeigt, dass Hunger nicht allein durch eine ausreichende Nahrungsmittelproduktion und Marktversorgung zu bekämpfen ist. Um das Problem von Nahrungsunsicherheit zu mindern, ist es ebenso notwendig, ökologische, wirtschaftlichen, politische wie auch soziokulturelle Verhältnisse zu betrachten. Diese Dissertation basiert auf den Untersuchungen, die in der zentralsudanesischen Stadt El Obeid durchgeführt wurden. El Obeid liegt in der abgeschiedenen und von Knappheit und häufig von Hunger betroffenen Region von Nord Kordofan. Dieses Fallbeispiel zeigt, dass Nahrungsmittelknappheit nur verstanden und bekämpft werden kann, wenn die Ernährungskultur als zentrales Element der Nahrungssicherung begriffen wird. Somit beschäftigt sich diese Arbeit mit den Fragen was Ernährung ist und wieso gewisse Nahrungsmittel auf bestimmte Art und Weise gegessen werden. Dazu wird die Vielschichtigkeit und Dynamik der Ernährung untersucht und es wird beschrieben, wie das Ernährungsverhalten einer Gesellschaft mit ihrer natürlichen Umwelt, ökonomischen, politischen, sozialen und kulturellen Strukturen interagiert. In diesem Zusammenhang wird das kulturökologische Konzept des Mahlzeitenzyklus eingeführt. Dieses rückt die Interdependenzen und Wechselwirkungen zwischen Ernährungsgewohnheiten und den naturellen und soziokulturellen Gegebenheiten in den Mittelpunkt der Betrachtung. Ferner hebt es die Bedeutung der Nahrungszubereitung als entscheidenden Prozess bei der Umwandlung naturaler Rohstoffe in kulturell gebundene Gerichte als wesentliches Element zur Erreichung von Ernährungs- und vor allem Mahlzeitensicherung hervor.
Worldwide more food than ever is produced these days. It would be enough to feed everybody by far. However, only a limited group of the global population enjoys an adequate food supply. About 854 million people are undernourished worldwide. The global situation shows that hunger cannot be fought by just producing enough food. The socio-cultural complex of nutrition and food habits cannot be reduced to the production and marketing of crops. To fight the problem of lacking food security, ecological and socio-cultural conditions have to be taken into account. This research focuses on the questions of ‘what is food’ and ‘why is certain food eaten in a specific way’ as prerequisites to understand the problem of malnutrition and food shortage as well as to fight food insecurity. Therefore, this research analyses the complexity of food habits, their dynamics, and how the food culture of a society interacts with the natural and socio-cultural environment. According to this, a cultural ecological concept of food culture - the cycle of meal - is introduced. It focuses on the interdependence and interactions of food habits within the natural and cultural environment. Moreover, the concept emphasises the importance of meal preparation as essential procedure of transforming natural raw matters into culturally bound products and as fundamental element to reach not only food but meal security. This study bases on research conducted in the town El Obeid in Central Sudan which is located in the remote and famine-prone environment of North Kordofan. The case study shows that food shortage can only be understood and fought if food culture is considered as a central element of meal security. Therefore, the research is based on the examination of food habits, their dynamics, and interactions within the socio-cultural context.

Climate-change related impacts, notably coastal erosion, inundation and flooding from sea level rise and storms, will increase in the coming decades enhancing the risks for coastal populations. Further recourse to coastal armoring and other engineered defenses to address risk reduction will exacerbate threats to coastal ecosystems. Alternatively, protection services provided by healthy ecosystems is emerging as a key element in climate adaptation and disaster risk management. I examined two distinct approaches to coastal defense on the base of their ecological and ecosystem conservation values. First, I analyzed the role of coastal ecosystems in providing services for hazard risk reduction. The value in wave attenuation of coral reefs was quantitatively demonstrated using a meta-analysis approach. Results indicate that coral reefs can provide wave attenuation comparable to hard engineering artificial defenses and at lower costs. Conservation and restoration of existing coral reefs are cost-effective management options for disaster risk reduction. Second, I evaluated the possibility to enhance the ecological value of artificial coastal defense structures (CDS) as habitats for marine communities. I documented the suitability of CDS to support native, ecologically relevant, habitat-forming canopy algae exploring the feasibility of enhancing CDS ecological value by promoting the growth of desired species. Juveniles of Cystoseira barbata can be successfully transplanted at both natural and artificial habitats and not affected by lack of surrounding adult algal individuals nor by substratum orientation. Transplantation success was limited by biotic disturbance from macrograzers on CDS compared to natural habitats. Future work should explore the reasons behind the different ecological functioning of artificial and natural habitats unraveling the factors and mechanisms that cause it. The comprehension of the functioning of systems associated with artificial habitats is the key to allow environmental managers to identify proper mitigation options and to forecast the impact of alternative coastal development plans.

Climate-change related impacts, notably coastal erosion, inundation and flooding from sea level rise and storms, will increase in the coming decades enhancing the risks for coastal populations. Further recourse to coastal armoring and other engineered defenses to address risk reduction will exacerbate threats to coastal ecosystems. Alternatively, protection services provided by healthy ecosystems is emerging as a key element in climate adaptation and disaster risk management. I examined two distinct approaches to coastal defense on the base of their ecological and ecosystem conservation values. First, I analyzed the role of coastal ecosystems in providing services for hazard risk reduction. The value in wave attenuation of coral reefs was quantitatively demonstrated using a meta-analysis approach. Results indicate that coral reefs can provide wave attenuation comparable to hard engineering artificial defenses and at lower costs. Conservation and restoration of existing coral reefs are cost-effective management options for disaster risk reduction. Second, I evaluated the possibility to enhance the ecological value of artificial coastal defense structures (CDS) as habitats for marine communities. I documented the suitability of CDS to support native, ecologically relevant, habitat-forming canopy algae exploring the feasibility of enhancing CDS ecological value by promoting the growth of desired species. Juveniles of Cystoseira barbata can be successfully transplanted at both natural and artificial habitats and not affected by lack of surrounding adult algal individuals nor by substratum orientation. Transplantation success was limited by biotic disturbance from macrograzers on CDS compared to natural habitats. Future work should explore the reasons behind the different ecological functioning of artificial and natural habitats unraveling the factors and mechanisms that cause it. The comprehension of the functioning of systems associated with artificial habitats is the key to allow environmental managers to identify proper mitigation options and to forecast the impact of alternative coastal development plans.

Les ressources naturelles sont au cœur de dynamiques contradictoires. Alors qu'elles sont essentielles à la reproduction des sociétés et du vivant, l'organisation actuelle de l'économie mondiale tend à les subordonner principalement à des logiques d'accumulation. Outre que ces dernières ne prennent pas suffisamment en compte les limites physiques au sein desquelles l'humanité évolue, elles entraînent à diverses échelles des inégalités problématiques sur les plans social et écologique. L'ordre économique international actuel tend en effet à générer des phénomènes d'échange écologique inégal qui nuisent au développement des pays producteurs et exportateurs de matières premières, ainsi qu'aux populations et écosystèmes les plus vulnérables en leur sein. Le monde tropical est exemplaire de telles contradictions, concentrant parmi les plus importantes ressources de la biosphère - notamment en matière de biodiversité - ainsi que des milieux socio-écologiques particulièrement fragilisés. Face à des visions et logiques économicistes d'exploitation des ressources, qui s'inscrivent dans la longue durée historique, et trouvent des relais dans les structures juridico-politiques du système économique mondial, il importe de repenser le concept même de ressource naturelle. Il s'agit en effet de redonner toute leur place aux dimensions sociales et écologiques dans les processus de gestion et d'exploitation des ressources. Cela implique une réflexion sur les valeurs qui guident les interactions avec la nature et les relations économiques internationales, afin que la solidarité, la complémentarité et la justice deviennent des priorités.

In the developed tourist region and in such, that develops quickly, a problem of environment pollution is one of the most anxious. Unfortunately, awareness of importance of environment for tourism development often takes place, when the consequences of urbanization acquire such scope, that cause dissatisfaction of tourists and waiver of visit of places that were popular among tourists earlier. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/8338