Las políticas públicas de la restauración ambiental en México: limitantes, avances, rezagos y retos

In spite of the profound deterioration of Mexican natural ecosystems and the negative effects that this process has caused on the quality of life of the human population, environmental restoration has not yet become a priority public policy. Restoration activities such as reforestation and soil improvement have been promoted since the beginning of the 20th century; however, the priority has been put on reforestation of green urban areas and on the recovery of agricultural soil. It was not until the mid 1990’s that an integral vision of restoration was included. For example, regarding reforestation, compact rural areas were prioritized through the introduction of native species. Although this was an important step, production and planting is still emphasized and not enough attention has been put on survival rates of the plants or the consolidation of reforested areas. Other important programs are the recovery of threatened priority species, the elimination of exotic species, and the recovery of degraded lands in priority regions such as the humid tropics, among others. There is significant progress in the programmatic platform, allocation of economic resources, and institutional strengthening. However, there is a need to consolidate and harmonize an adequate legal framework, increase efforts to build technical and scientific workgroups with a long term, interdisciplinary and integral vision that influence and promote innovative public policy for environmental restoration

Download Full-text

Urban–Rural Dichotomy in Planning: Review of Legal Framework in Four States of India

Indian Journal of Public Administration ◽

10.1177/00195561211001610 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 001955612110016

Author(s):

Anurima Mukherjee Basu ◽

Rutool Sharma

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Planning Process ◽

Legal Framework ◽

Quantum Jump ◽

Class 1 ◽

Urban Settlements ◽

Urban Rural ◽

Territorial Approach ◽

Sizeable Number

Current urbanisation trends in India show a quantum jump in number of ‘census towns’, which are not statutorily declared as urban areas, but have acquired all characteristics of urban settlements. Sizeable number of such census towns are not located near any Class 1 city. Lack of proper and timely planning has led to unplanned growth of these settlements. This article is based on a review of planning legislations, institutional framework and planning process of four states in India. The present article analyses the scope and limitations of the planning process adopted in the rapidly urbanising rural areas of these states. The findings reveal that states are still following a conventional approach to planning that treats ‘urban’ and ‘rural’ as separate categories and highlights the need for adopting an integrated territorial approach to planning of settlements.

Download Full-text

The Biology of Invasive Alien Plants in Canada. 4. Heracleum mantegazzianum Sommier & Levier

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/p05-158 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 86 (2) ◽

pp. 569-589 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Nicholas A. Page ◽

Ronald E. Wall ◽

Stephen J. Darbyshire ◽

Gerald A. Mulligan

Keyword(s):

British Columbia ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Native Species ◽

Invasive Plant ◽

Leaf Shape ◽

Herbarium Specimens ◽

Natural Ecosystems ◽

Alien Plant ◽

Invasive Alien Plant ◽

Heracleum Mantegazzianum

Heracleum mantegazzianum (giant hogweed) is an invasive alien plant of management concern in southern Canada where it has escaped from horticulture and established and spread in natural, ruderal, and agricultural ecosystems. It poses a threat to natural ecosystems and human health, and is also a weed in agricultural and urban areas. It is a member of the Carrot family (Apiaceae) and is closely related to the native species Heracleum maximum Bartram (cow-parsnip). It is a monocarpic perennial, which generally flowers in its 3rd or 4th year. Large size, leaf shape, dark reddish pigments in patches on stems and petioles, and fruit characteristics readily distinguish H. mantegazzianum from other plants in Canada. It is increasingly common in riparian areas, floodplains, and forest edges in or near urban areas in southwestern British Columbia and southern Ontario. Based on herbarium specimens, H. mantegazzianum was first recorded in Ontario in 1949, British Columbia in 1964, Nova Scotia in 1980, Quebec in 1990, and New Brunswick in 2000. The development of dense stands of H. mantegazzianum can also reduce the richness of native plants. Contact with H. mantegazzianum can cause phytophotodermatitis, a serious skin inflammation caused by UV photo-activation of furanocoumarins present in the sap. Control methods include herbicide application, mechanical cutting, and animal grazing, but strategies to address seed dispersal and re-establishment from dormant seed must also be adopted. Widespread establishment in southern Canada suggests that eradication is unlikely. However, range expansion and rapid population growth can be prevented through strategic management including public education. Key words: Giant hogweed, Heracleum mantegazzianum, Apiaceae, HERMZ, invasive plant, weed biology, furanocoumarins

Download Full-text

Mapping the patchy legislative landscape of non-native tree species in Europe

Forestry An International Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1093/forestry/cpaa009 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 93 (4) ◽

pp. 567-586 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Elisabeth Pötzelsberger ◽

Katharina Lapin ◽

Giuseppe Brundu ◽

Tim Adriaens ◽

Vlatko Andonovski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Native Species ◽

Ad Hoc ◽

Forest Sector ◽

The European Union ◽

Natural Ecosystems ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Regulatory Intensity ◽

Negative Impacts ◽

Legal Frameworks ◽

June July

Abstract Europe has a history rich in examples of successful and problematic introductions of trees with a native origin outside of Europe (non-native trees, NNT). Many international legal frameworks such as treaties and conventions and also the European Union have responded to the global concern about potential negative impacts of NNT that may become invasive in natural ecosystems. It is, however, national and regional legislation in particular that affects current and future management decisions in the forest sector and shapes the landscapes of Europe. We identified all relevant legal instruments regulating NNT, the different legal approaches and the regulatory intensity in 40 European countries (no microstates). Information on hard and effective soft law instruments were collected by means of a targeted questionnaire and consultation of international and national legislation information systems and databases. In total, 335 relevant legal instruments were in place in June/July 2019 to regulate the use of NNT in the investigated 116 geopolitical legal units (countries as well as sub-national regions with their own legislation). Countries and regions were empirically categorized according to ad hoc-defined legislation indicators. These indicators pay respect to the general bans on the introduction of non-native species, the generally allowed and prohibited NNT, approval mechanisms and specific areas or cases where NNT are restricted or prohibited. Our study revealed a very diverse landscape of legal frameworks across Europe, with a large variety of approaches to regulating NNT being pursued and the intensity of restriction ranging from very few restrictions on species choice and plantation surface area to the complete banning of NNT from forests. The main conclusion is that there is a clear need for more co-ordinated, science-based policies both at the local and international levels to enhance the advantages of NNT and mitigate potential negative effects.

Download Full-text

Pteris vittata (Chinese ladder brake fern).

10.1079/isc.119837.20203482711 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jeanine Vélez-Gavilán

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Native Species ◽

Pteris Vittata ◽

Native Range ◽

Natural Ecosystems ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

Vast Number ◽

Brunei Darussalam ◽

The Tropics ◽

European Mediterranean Region

Abstract Pteris vittata is a herbaceous fern native to the tropics and subtropics of the Old World. It is mostly found in disturbed and urban areas, usually growing on limestone substrates, including buildings walls, pavement cracks and tombs. Although no details are available on its introduction to areas outside its native range, the dispersal of the species occurs naturally through air-borne spores or by its occasional use as an ornamental. It is reported as an urban weed in the European Mediterranean region and in Lucknow in India. In Azerbaijan it is categorized as a species that has the ability to self-sustain for a certain period of time, but not invading natural ecosystems. P. vittata is categorized in Florida, USA as an exotic species that has increased in abundance or frequency but has yet to alter natural plant communities. P. vittata is reported as invasive on Diego García Island, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Micronesia, Guam, Palau, USA (Florida and Hawaii), Cuba and Brazil. Although there are no data available on its effects on natural habitats or native species, it is still regarded as an invasive species due to the vast number of spores produced.

Download Full-text

Assessing the relative importance of human and spatial pressures on non-native plant establishment in urban forests using citizen science

NeoBiota ◽

10.3897/neobiota.65.65415 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 65 ◽

pp. 1-21

Author(s):

Katherine Duchesneau ◽

Lisa Derickx ◽

Pedro M. Antunes

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Native Species ◽

Urban Forest ◽

Urban Forests ◽

Native Plant ◽

Plant Introductions ◽

Native Species Richness ◽

Urban Activities

Since 2007, more people in the world live in urban than in rural areas. The development of urban areas has encroached into natural forest ecosystems, consequently increasing the ecological importance of parks and fragmented forest remnants. However, a major concern is that urban activities have rendered urban forests susceptible to non-native species incursions, making them central entry sites where non-native plant species can establish and spread. We have little understanding of what urban factors contribute to this process. Here we use data collected by citizen scientists to determine the differential impacts of spatial and urban factors on non-native plant introductions in urban forests. Using a model city, we mapped 18 urban forests within city limits, and identified all the native and non-native plants present at those sites. We then determined the relative contribution of spatial and socioeconomic variables on the richness and composition of native and non-native plant communities. We found that socioeconomic factors rather than spatial factors (e.g., urban forest area) were important modulators of overall or non-native species richness. Non-native species richness in urban forest fragments was primarily affected by residential layout, recent construction events, and nearby roads. This demonstrates that the proliferation of non-native species is inherent to urban activities and we propose that future studies replicate our approach in different cities to broaden our understanding of the spatial and social factors that modulate invasive species movement starting in urban areas.

Download Full-text

Anthropophytes in the flora of different spatial units within old rural settlements of the Lubuskie Lakeland, western Poland

Biodiversity Research and Conservation ◽

10.1515/biorc-2015-0018 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

pp. 19-32

Author(s):

Katarzyna Jasińska ◽

Andrzej Brzeg ◽

Maria Wojterska

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Native Species ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Buffer Zone ◽

Common Species ◽

Rural Settlements ◽

Dominant Group ◽

Surrounding Landscape ◽

Landscape Units

AbstractStudies of the ﬂora of villages in a connection with the surrounding landscape are rare and mostly limited to the built-up area and its general location in a geographical region. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the diversity patterns of flora against the background of local landscape units in the rural areas and to analyse them in the context of village transformation. The study comprised 30 villages of medieval origin representing the oval-shape type, with differently preserved structure of built-up area and cultivated fields, located in the Lubuskie Lakeland. The terrain within a buffer zone of 200 m in width, located outside of the built-up area, was divided into spatial complexes. In each of these complexes, floristic lists were compiled. The structure of surrounding landscape within the buffer zone of 1 km in width, measuring from the village centroid, was analysed using ArcGIS.The recorded flora comprised 767 taxa of spontaneously occurring vascular plants. Extremely rare and common species were the most numerous. Native species distinctly prevailed over alien in all types of spatial complexes and the majority of them occurred in the habitats transformed by man. There were noted altogether 244 species of anthropophytes.The index of anthropophytization of flora (WAnt) showed that both types of built-up areas (transformed and non-transformed) reached the highest values, slightly higher than fields and central green. Index of flora modernization (WM) showed the same pattern. Only water bodies were strikingly different from other complexes in respect to both indices (WAnt - significantly lower values, while WM - much higher). Differences in the floristic composition of transformed and non-transformed villages were not significant at the level of whole village. The villages were still harbouring rare species from the group of relics of former cultivation and archaeophytes, but observations conducted since 2007 confirmed that they have been decreasing in number. The percentage of groups of species with different affinity toward urban areas have shown that in the studied rural areas, the share of urbanophilic species is still very low as compared to the dominant group of urbanoneutral and moderately urbanophobic species.

Download Full-text

Assessment of the Durability and Bio-effectiveness of Three Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets in Three Different Communities After the 2017 Mass Net Distribution Campaign in Benin

Journal of Biology and Life Science ◽

10.5296/jbls.v11i2.17645 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 263

Author(s):

Idelphonse Bonaventure Ahogni ◽

Albert Sourou Salako ◽

Jean Fortuné Dagnon ◽

Wilfrid Sèwade ◽

Prudenciène Agboho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Good Condition ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Hole Index ◽

Key Variables ◽

Fabric Weight ◽

Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets

Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are an essential tool in the fight against malaria. Physical integrity, durability and bio-effectiveness are key variables in the effectiveness of LLINs. The objective of this study was to identify the main factors affecting the survival of three brands of LLINs with different physical characteristics and to assess their bio-effectiveness. A cohort consisting of 1500 LLINs (500 of each) of the brands: DawaPlus®2.0 (polyester, 150 denier, 40 g/m2 fabric weight), PermaNet®2.0 and Yorkool® (polyester, 75 denier, alternating knit pattern with 85 g/m2 fabric weight) was monitored every 6 months in the communes of Ketou, Dogbo and Djougou (from October 2017 to September 2019) based on attrition and integrity measures and median survival in years. We also determined bio-efficacy using the WHO cone test. The physical presence rate was 26.4%, 21.4% and 48.6% respectively for DawaPlus®2.0, PermaNet®2.0 and Yorkool®. The main cause of loss of the three LLINs was displacement, 43.6% (in rural areas) versus 43.2% (in urban areas) with no significant difference (p ˃ 0.05). The median proportional hole index (pHI) ranged from 578 (IQR: 219-843) at 6 months to 196 (IQR: 46-524.5). After 24 months of use, 86.1% were in good condition (0≤pHI<65), 9% were damaged (65≤pHI<643) and 4.2% were too torn (643≤pHI). A significant decrease in physical survival of LLINs (all brands) was observed at 24 months (37.9%, range 34.7-41.3%) compared to 6 months (90.3%, range 88.7-91.8%) (p<0.001). The 24-hour mortality of the three LLINs met WHO requirements for efficacy. The decline in LLIN survival rates during this study highlights the need to develop and implement new strategies to manage this important vector control tool.

Download Full-text

Types of public policy in rural tourism development: characteristics and features

Services in Russia and abroad ◽

10.12737/18377 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 222-231

Author(s):

Александр Трухачев ◽

Aleksandr Trukhachev

Keyword(s):

Public Policy ◽

Rural Areas ◽

State Policy ◽

Legal Framework ◽

Tourism Industry ◽

Rural Tourism ◽

Strategic Decisions ◽

Interagency Cooperation ◽

Foreign Countries ◽

Leading Position

Rural tourism in foreign countries stably occupies a leading position in tourism industry. As practice shows, its establishment was accompanied by significant participation of the state in terms of the development of different measures and programs for supporting and promotion. The author has generalized foreign experience of such participation. This allowed distinguishing by criterion of the intensity of the efforts of state authorities aimed at the formation and development of the tourism industry in rural areas three types of state policy of development of rural tourism: active, passive and moderate. The article shows the features of these approaches in the formation of the base of strategic documents. As it can be seen from the materials of the article, along with the strategy and programs of development of rural tourism the special legal framework of rural tourism is formed. It is a part of an active state policy and regulates certain aspects, such as taxation, quality of service, etc. Moderate public policy of development of rural tourism is limited to the basic strategic documents, as well as individual measures of interagency cooperation and coordination of the instruments. Passive type of public policy in rural tourism is not systematic and consistent and is characterized by using of separate measures aimed at the development of rural tourism. The article shows the areas and peculiarities of building of interagency cooperation in the development of strategic decisions about the development of rural tourism in the framework of these public policy types. The differences in the coordination of the instruments of public policy of development of rural tourism at all levels of regulation are justified. Various intensities of cross-sectoral integration processes in the development of rural areas correspond to certain types of public policy in rural tourism.

Download Full-text

Factors Impacting Patient Outcomes Associated with Use of Emergency Medical Services Operating in Urban Versus Rural Areas: A Systematic Review

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16101728 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (10) ◽

pp. 1728 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ahmed Ramdan M. Alanazy ◽

Stuart Wark ◽

John Fraser ◽

Amanda Nagle

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Emergency Medical Services ◽

Patient Outcomes ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Emergency Medical ◽

Urban Versus

The goal of this systematic review was to examine the existing literature base regarding the factors impacting patient outcomes associated with use of emergency medical services (EMS) operating in urban versus rural areas. A specific subfocus on low and lower-middle-income countries was planned but acknowledged in advance as being potentially limited by a lack of available data. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed during the preparation of this systematic review. A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, EBSCO (Elton B. Stephens Company) host, Web of Science, ProQuest, Embase, and Scopus was conducted through May 2018. To appraise the quality of the included papers, the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Checklists (CASP) were used. Thirty-one relevant and appropriate studies were identified; however, only one study from a low or lower-middle-income country was located. The research indicated that EMS in urban areas are more likely to have shorter prehospital times, response times, on-scene times, and transport times when compared to EMS operating in rural areas. Additionally, urban patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest or trauma were found to have higher survival rates than rural patients. EMS in urban areas were generally associated with improved performance measures in key areas and associated higher survival rates than those in rural areas. These findings indicate that reducing key differences between rural and urban settings is a key factor in improving trauma patient survival rates. More research in rural areas is required to better understand the factors which can predict these differences and underpin improvements. The lack of research in this area is particularly evident in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

Download Full-text

Invasão biológica por Cryptostegia madagascariensis: uma abordagem voltada para estresses abióticos

Pesquisa e Ensino em Ciências Exatas e da Natureza ◽

10.29215/pecen.v2i1.579 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 36 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jailma Dos Santos De Medeiros ◽

Francisco De Oliveira Mesquita ◽

Leonaldo Alves De Andrade ◽

Cleiton José De Oliveira ◽

Edlânia Maria De Souza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Exotic Species ◽

Native Species ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Global Changes ◽

Competitive Advantages ◽

Natural Ecosystems ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Global Problems ◽

Genetic Level ◽

Humid Lowlands

A introdução, acidental ou deliberada, de espécies exóticas por diferentes vetores é atualmente uma das principais mudanças globais, resultando em uma série de problemas. Embora nem todas as introduções de espécies não nativas possuam efeitos negativos, muitos desses táxons podem desencadear efeitos indesejáveis sobre a biodiversidade, desde o nível genético até o nível de paisagens. Este trabalho visou apresentar o conhecimento atual sobre as invasões biológicas por espécies vegetais, particularmente, sobre a invasora Cryptostegia madagascariensis Bojer ex Decne. Novas introduções são feitas anualmente em todo o mundo e apenas uma pequena parte desses táxons se tornam invasores, mesmo assim, causam sérios danos aos ecossistemas invadidos. O sucesso das plantas infestantes deve-se às características intrínsecas dessas espécies, que garantem as mesmas vantagens competitivas com as espécies nativas e ao nível de perturbação dos novos nichos, que torna os ambientes totalmente favoráveis ao estabelecimento de novas espécies e ao surgimento de áreas monodominadas. Nesse contexto, encontra-se C. madagascariensis, trepadeira de origem da ilha de Madagascar, na África, que foi introduzida no Brasil com fins ornamentais, tornando-se invasora de ecossistemas naturais, principalmente em ambientes de mata ciliar e baixadas úmidas, no domínio da Caatinga e ecossitemas associados.Palavras chave: Espécies exóticas, Caatinga, salinização, déficit hídrico.Abstract: The introduction, accidental or deliberate, of exotic species by different vectors is currently a major global changes, resulting in a number of local and global problems. Although not all introductions of non-native species have negative effects, many of the non-native species can have undesirable effects on biodiversity from the genetic level to the landscape. This work aimed to present the current knowledge on biological invasions by species and particularly on invasive Cryptostegia madagascariensis Bojer ex Decne. New introductions are made every year around the world and only a small part of these taxa become invasive, yet cause serious damage to ecosystems invaded. The success of weed plants is due to the intrinsic characteristics of these species that ensures the same competitive advantages with native species and the level of disruption in new niches which makes them totally supportive environments to establish new species and the emergence of monodominadas areas. In this context is C. madagascariensis, origin of climbing on the island of Madagascar in Africa, which was introduced in Brazil with ornamental purposes, becoming invasive in natural ecosystems, especially in riparian environments and humid lowlands, in the field of savanna and associated ecosystems.Key words: Exotic species, Caatinga, salination, deficit hydride.

Download Full-text