The Local Impacts of World Bank Development Projects Near Sites of Conservation Significance

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme M. Buchanan ◽  
Bradley C. Parks ◽  
Paul F. Donald ◽  
Brian F. O’Donnell ◽  
Daniel Runfola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
World Bank ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Response Monitoring ◽  
Development Projects ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Environmentally Sensitive ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Local Impacts ◽  
World Bank Project

We evaluated the local impacts of World Bank development projects on sites of recognized conservation significance (Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas [IBAs]) using tree cover change data and in situ state, pressure, and response monitoring data. IBAs adjacent to World Bank project locations and a matched set of IBAs distant from World Bank project locations had similar rates of tree loss and similar in situ measurements of conservation outcomes. Thus, we did not detect any significant net negative impacts of World Bank projects on tree cover or conservation outcomes. These results are encouraging because 89% of World Bank projects that are close to IBAs are environmentally sensitive projects (so-called Category A and Category B projects) subjected to the organization’s most stringent safeguards. However, the limitations of our evaluation design do not allow us to rule out the possibility that World Bank projects had positive or negative effects that were undetectable.

scholarly journals First Report on Chronic Effects of Non-Microcystin Producing Cyanobacteria, Cylindrospermopsis curvispora and Planktothrix sp., on Daphnia magna

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thanh-Son Dao ◽  
Thi-My-Chi Vo ◽  
Thanh-Luu Pham
Keyword(s):  
Daphnia Magna ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Ecological Interactions ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
First Report ◽  
Toxic Metabolites ◽  
Negative Impacts

<p class="emsd-body"><span lang="EN-GB">Cyanobacteria are an essential part of aquatic ecosystems. However, they can cause detrimental impacts on other organisms of higher tropic levels in water bodies because of their potent toxic metabolites (e.g. microcystin) and other bioactive compounds. In this study we tested the long-term and negative effects of two non-microcystin producing cyanobacteria <em>Cylindrospermopsis curvispora</em> and <em>Planktothrix</em> sp. from Vietnam on <em>Daphnia magna</em> under the laboratory conditions. The animal was fed with mixtures of green alga, <em>Scenedesmus</em> sp., and <em>C. curvispora</em> or <em>Planktothrix</em> sp. at different ratios (100 % <em>Scenedesmus, </em>10 % cyanobacteria + 90 % <em>Scenedesmus</em>, 50 % cyanobacteria + 50 % <em>Scenedesmus</em>, 100 % cyanobacteria) over a period of 21days. The results showed that the <em>D. magna</em> fed with from 10 to 100 % cyanobacteria reduced their survival with density dependence, delayed or postponed its maturation. Besides, the cyanobacteria also inhibited the reproduction of adult <em>D. magna</em> consequently strongly prevent the next population development of <em>D. magna</em>. The species <em>C. curvispora</em> had stronger effect on survival, but less impact on maturation and reproduction of <em>D. magna</em> than <em>Planktothrix</em> sp, negatively. To our knowledge, this is the first report on negative effects of <em>C. curvispora</em> and <em>Planktothrix</em> sp. from Vietnam on life history traits of <em>D. magna</em>. Additionally, our results revealed that even non-microcystin producing cyanobacteria at low density could also have negative impacts on zooplankton consequently ecological balance interference. In situ investigations on the effects of cyanobacteria on zooplankton are suggested for more understanding on the ecological interactions of the two trophic levels of aquatic ecosystem.</span></p>

scholarly journals Social validity of a contextual behavioral science-based intervention for retirement education

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo Martins Barbosa ◽  
Sheila Giardini Murta
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Science ◽  
Social Validity ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Dynamic Methods ◽  
The Social ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Contextual Behavioral Science

AbstractThe literature shows that retirement can bring both positive and negative effects. However, there are few tested interventions for preparing workers for this transition and avoiding or minimizing its negative impacts. This paper presents a study with multiple groups that examined the social validity of an intervention for retirement education grounded in contextual behavioral science and acceptance and commitment therapy. Twenty-seven workers aged 29 to 65 divided into three intervention groups participated (group 1, N = 15; group 2, N = 9; group 3, N = 3). According to the participants’ evaluations, the intervention provided socially valid goals, socially acceptable procedures, and socially important effects. However, some improvements are still needed, such as the use of more dynamic methods, better formatted printed material, and increased fidelity between the content’s implementation and the prescribed activities. The positive results indicate that contextual behavioral science may bolster the development of interventions whose components possess evidence for their social validity. The further evaluation of the intervention via a clinical trial study will offer more robust evidence for its effectiveness. It is hoped that by increasing the availability of theory-based interventions in this area, the present study will promote valid strategies to facilitate better adjustment to retirement.

scholarly journals Didymo and Its Polysaccharide Stalks: Beneficial to the Environment or Not?

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-79
Author(s):  
Hurmat Ejaz ◽  
Esther Somanader ◽  
Uday Dave ◽  
Hermann Ehrlich ◽  
M. Azizur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Structural Component ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Adhesive Properties ◽  
The Past ◽  
Positive Side ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Bodies Of Water ◽  
Agricultural Setting

Didymosphenia geminata diatoms, or Didymo, was first found to be an invasive species that could have negative impacts on the environment due to the aggressive growth of its polysaccharide-based stalks. The stalks’ adhesive properties have prompted park officials to alert the general public to limit further spread and contamination of this algae to other bodies of water. Although the negative effects of Didymo have been studied in the past, recent studies have demonstrated a potential positive side to this alga. One of the potential benefits includes the structural component of the polysaccharide stalks. The origin of the polysaccharides within stalks remains unknown; however, they can be useful in a waste management and agricultural setting. The primary purpose of this study was to describe both the harmful and beneficial nature of Didymo. Important outcomes include findings related to its application in various fields such as medicine and technology. These polysaccharides can be isolated and studied closely to produce efficient solar power cells and batteries. Though they may be harmful while uncontained in nature, they appear to be very useful in the technological and medical advancement of our society.

scholarly journals Stated Preferences for Plant-Based and Cultured Meat: A Choice Experiment Study of Spanish Consumers

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8235
Author(s):  
Alfredo J. Escribano ◽  
Maria Belen Peña ◽  
Carlos Díaz-Caro ◽  
Ahmed Elghannam ◽  
Eva Crespo-Cebada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Choice Experiment ◽  
Meat Products ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Experiment Study ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Cultured Meat ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Alternative Sources ◽  
Negative Impacts

Meat production and consumption have been claimed to have negative impacts on the environment, and even on the consumer’s health. In this sense, alternative sources of protein, mainly meat substitutes and cultured meat, have emerged due to those perceived negative effects. Our paper carries out a choice experiment to analyze the preferences of 444 Spanish consumers and their willingness to pay for plant-based and cultured meats, as compared to conventional meat. Spain was considered of interest for this study due to its significant gastronomic culture, with high-quality meat products that make a great contribution to the economy, meaning that this could be a suitable and also challenging market in which to test alternative sources of protein. The findings show that consumers’ motivations and their interactions with these products are complex. Additionally, a cluster analysis allowed us to identify three types of consumers in terms of preference for these products: price-sensitive millennials, conscious/concerned consumers, and indifferent consumers. Only one group showed some level of acceptance of these alternative products meats.

Fungi and diseases — natural components of healthy forestsThis article is one of a collection of papers based on a presentation from the Stem and Shoot Fungal Pathogens and Parasitic Plants: the Values of Biological Diversity session of the XXII International Union of Forestry Research Organization World Congress meeting held in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, in 2005.

Botany ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. Ostry ◽  
G. Laflamme
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Forest Health ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Ecological Interactions ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Land Owners ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
The Many ◽  
Native Fungi

Forest health is described and perceived in different ways by the general public, land owners, managers, politicians, and scientists, depending on their values and objectives. Native tree pathogens and diseases are often associated with negative impacts even though damage is limited or not widespread. Too often, the concepts of tree health and forest health are used interchangeably and are not related to scale. Similar to fire, occurrences of disease outbreaks focus on the negative effects. However, native pathogens often exist in equilibrium with natural forest communities so their critical ecological roles are not easily discernible. Examined holistically, native fungi and diseases, dead and dying trees, and the many complex ecological interactions among them provide valuable benefits that ultimately contribute to sustainable, healthy forest ecosystems.

‘ARE YOU PLANTING TREES OR ARE YOU PLANTING PEOPLE?’ SQUATTER RESISTANCE AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE MAKING OF A KENYAN POSTCOLONIAL POLITICAL ORDER (c. 1963–78)

2015 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
KARA MOSKOWITZ
Keyword(s):  
Political Culture ◽  
International Development ◽  
World Bank ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Political Authority ◽  
Political Order ◽  
The Political ◽  
Development Projects ◽  
Political Elites ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThis article examines squatter resistance to a World Bank-funded forest and paper factory project. The article illustrates how diverse actors came together at the sites of rural development projects in early postcolonial Kenya. It focuses on the relationship between the rural squatters who resisted the project and the political elites who intervened, particularly President Kenyatta. Together, these two groups not only negotiated the reformulation of a major international development program, but they also worked out broader questions about political authority and political culture. In negotiating development, rural actors and political elites decided how resources would be distributed and they entered into new patronage-based relationships, processes integral to the making of the postcolonial political order.

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