scholarly journals Governance of heritage. Challenges of a community strengthen by its heritage.

ESTOA ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (19) ◽  
pp. 45-53
Author(s):  
Natalia Alexandra Juca Freire
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Sustainable Communities ◽  
Governance Mechanisms ◽  
Natural Heritage ◽  
Primary Resource ◽  
Dry Tropical Forests ◽  
Distribution Of Resources ◽  
The Face ◽  
Inclusive Governance

It is crucial to review cases where heritage works as a means of empowering sustainable communities through participative governance and learn from these mechanisms. This paper aims to explore the lessons of participative governance in Agua Blanca, a small village located on the Ecuadorian coast, where heritage -archeological remains and dry tropical forests- constitutes the primary resource. The approach is qualitative, and the methods were archive analysis, observation, and open interviews. The villagers lead participative management that is based on equality of the access and distribution of resources. Through this vision, collective economic benefits from their heritage are achieved. Besides, the dwellers reinforce their identity through their cultural and natural heritage, which contributes to its preservation. Nevertheless, Agua Blanca faces challenges as the indifference of younger generations, territorial segregation, and the lack of relationships with government organisms. To confront these obstacles, it is recognized that the community is not a stable and permanent system but rather a set of difficulties that are overcome through inclusive governance mechanisms that evolve in the face of new necessities.

scholarly journals The Apparent Resilience of the Dry Tropical Forests of the Nicaraguan Region of the Central American Dry Corridor to Variations in Climate Over the Last C. 1200 Years

Quaternary ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Harvey ◽  
Nathan Stansell ◽  
Sandra Nogué ◽  
Katherine J. Willis
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Population Expansion ◽  
Anthropogenic Disturbances ◽  
Central American ◽  
European Contact ◽  
Dry Tropical Forests ◽  
Anthropogenic Development ◽  
The Face ◽  
Future Population

The Central American Dry Corridor (CADC) is the most densely populated area of the Central American Isthmus and is subject to the greatest variability in precipitation between seasons. The vegetation of this region is composed of Dry Tropical Forests (DTF), which are suggested to be highly susceptible to variations in climate and anthropogenic development. This study examines the vulnerability of past DTF surrounding the Asese peninsula, Nicaragua to climatic and anthropogenic disturbances over the past c. 1200 years. Past vegetation, climate, burning, and animal abundance were reconstructed using proxy analysis of fossil pollen, diatoms, macroscopic charcoal, and Sporormiella. Results from this research suggest that DTF have been highly resilient to past climatic and anthropogenic perturbations. Changes in DTF structure and composition appear to be linked to the abundance and intensity of fire. Pre-Columbian anthropogenic impacts on DTF are not detected in the record; however, DTF taxa decline slightly after European contact (1522 C.E.). Overall the DTF for the Nicaraguan region of the CADC were found to be highly resilient to both climatic and anthropogenic disturbances, suggesting that this region will continue to be resilient in the face of future population expansion and climatic variation.

scholarly journals Indicators, security and sovereignty during COVID-19 in the Global South

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-260
Author(s):  
John Harrington
Keyword(s):  
Global Governance ◽  
Third World ◽  
Global South ◽  
Governance Mechanisms ◽  
Health Governance ◽  
The Face ◽  
Global North ◽  
The Government

AbstractThe spread of COVID-19 has seen a contest over health governance and sovereignty in Global South states, with a focus on two radically distinct modes: (1) indicators and metrics and (2) securitisation. Indicators have been a vehicle for the government of states through the external imposition and internal self-application of standards and benchmarks. Securitisation refers to the calling-into-being of emergencies in the face of existential threats to the nation. This paper contextualises both historically with reference to the trajectory of Global South states in the decades after decolonisation, which saw the rise and decline of Third-World solidarity and its replacement by neoliberalism and global governance mechanisms in health, as in other sectors. The interaction between these modes and their relative prominence during COVID-19 is studied through a brief case-study of developments in Kenya during the early months of the pandemic. The paper closes with suggestions for further research and a reflection on parallel trends within Global North states.

scholarly journals El Niño-Southern Oscillation affects the water relations of tree species in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Palomo-Kumul ◽  
Mirna Valdez-Hernández ◽  
Gerald A. Islebe ◽  
Manuel J. Cach-Pérez ◽  
José Luis Andrade
Keyword(s):  
Water Potential ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Specific Leaf Area ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Deciduous Species ◽  
Mature Trees ◽  
Seasonally Dry ◽  
Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests ◽  
Dry Tropical Forests

AbstractWe evaluated the effect of ENSO 2015/16 on the water relations of eight tree species in seasonally dry tropical forests of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The functional traits: wood density, relative water content in wood, xylem water potential and specific leaf area were recorded during the rainy season and compared in three consecutive years: 2015 (pre-ENSO conditions), 2016 (ENSO conditions) and 2017 (post-ENSO conditions). We analyzed tree size on the capacity to respond to water deficit, considering young and mature trees, and if this response is distinctive in species with different leaf patterns in seasonally dry tropical forests distributed along a precipitation gradient (700–1200 mm year−1). These traits showed a strong decrease in all species in response to water stress in 2016, mainly in the driest site. Deciduous species had lower wood density, higher predawn water potential and higher specific leaf area than evergreen species. In all cases, mature trees were more tolerant to drought. In the driest site, there was a significant reduction in water status, regardless of their leaf phenology, indicating that seasonally dry tropical forests are highly vulnerable to ENSO. Vulnerability of deciduous species is intensified in the driest areas and in the youngest trees.

scholarly journals Taxonomic revision of Amorimia W.R. Anderson (Malpighiaceae)

Hoehnea ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Felipe de Almeida
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Identification Key ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Seasonally Dry ◽  
Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests ◽  
Dry Tropical Forests

ABSTRACT The taxonomic revision of Amorimia (Malpighiaceae) is presented, including typifications, and descriptions for all accepted species. The genus is endemic to Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests and Rainforests of South America, and its species can be distinguished by morphological details of leaves, indumenta, inflorescences, flowers, and fruits. This study includes an identification key for the subgenera and species of Amorimia, illustrations, distribution maps, conservation risk assessments, and comments on ecology, nomenclature, and taxonomy for all species. Additionally, I provide a key to differentiate Amorimia from the remaining genera of the Malpighioid clade.

scholarly journals Seasonal records of benthic macroinvertebrates in a stream on the eastern edge of the Iguaçu National Park, Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jhenifer Santos ◽  
Luciano Wolff ◽  
Lucíola Baldan ◽  
Ana Guimarães
Keyword(s):  
Benthic Macroinvertebrates ◽  
National Park ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Natural Heritage ◽  
Precipitation Temperature ◽  
Brazilian Government ◽  
Urban Impacts ◽  
New Information ◽  
The Face ◽  
Eastern Edge

Background Iguaçu National Park (INP) is known worldwide due to Iguaçu Waterfalls, being considered a World Natural Heritage by UNESCO. The INP is one of the last large forested extensions of inland Brazil that provides protection to the Atlantic Forest, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. However, its Natural Heritage status has been threatened by the construction and operation of the Baixo Iguaçu dam, agricultural and urban impacts on its boundaries and the increasing interest of the Brazilian government in re-opening of the “Colono road”, an old illegal road that crossed the interior of the park. Indeed, since benthic macroinvertebrates have been widely used for the environmental assessment of streams, records and abundance of their taxa under different seasonal periods may provide an additional dataset for biomonitoring of hydrographic systems in the face of current anthropogenic impacts on the INP boundaries and other similar streams on forest edges. New information In this study, we improved the sampling design of benthic macroinvertebrates and provided seasonal records covering distinct precipitation/temperature periods between 2016 and 2017 of a stream on the eastern edge of the Iguaçu National Park, Brazil. The records total 2,840 individuals distributed in 88 different taxa. The most abundant taxa were the Diptera subfamilies, Chironominae (n = 1,487) and Tanypodinae (n = 256), besides the Heterelmis genus (n = 152, Elmidae; Coleoptera). Diptera was the richest order in number of families (n = 8), while Leptophlebiidae (Ephemeroptera) was the richest taxonomic family in number of genera (n = 11). Aegla (Crustacea) and the Insecta genera, Heterelmis, Hexacylloepus, Noelmis, Phylloicus and Thraulodes, were recorded through all samplings. Twenty-five genera of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera (EPT) and Odonata were recorded during intermediate precipitation/temperature periods. Twenty-one of them were recorded in May 2016, with five genera standing out in abundance (Hydrosmilodon, Anacroneuria, Argia, Coryphaeschna, Americabaetis) and four (Needhamella, Tikuna, Simothraulopsis, Neocordulia) in December 2016. Four general taxa were exclusive of the lower precipitation/temperature period (August 2016), standing out in abundance were the Oxystigma (Odonata) and Corydalus (Megaloptera) genera. In March 2017 (higher precipitation/temperature period), four exclusive taxa were recorded, amongst them, the Chimarra (Trichoptera) genus. Furthermore, seasonal records demonstrated higher occurrences and abundance of macroinvertebrates during the intermediate and lower precipitation/temperature periods, besides a varied taxa composition throughout the year, with the presence of both sensitive and tolerant groups to environmental impacts. Our findings suggest that the number and composition of the local-stream macrobenthic fauna were influenced by the seasonal climatic regime. These changes should be considered in the limnological monitoring developed on the hydrographic systems of INP eastern edges to improve the assessment of environmental quality under different local seasonal conditions.

scholarly journals Quality of Corporate Governance Risk Management in Dealing with Unanticipated Events: Evidence from Pakistan

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Rubeena Tashfeen ◽  
Saud Hayat ◽  
Afreen Mallik
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
Governance Structures ◽  
Governance Mechanisms ◽  
Market Dynamic ◽  
Average Abnormal Return ◽  
The Face ◽  
Governance Risk

This study examines the effectiveness of the corporate governance structure when coping with any potentially unexpected events. For the purpose of this research, an event study has been conducted in order to investigate the market responses of various firms through the Cumulative Average Abnormal Return (CAAR) of the stocks listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). The stocks data under consideration is that which was presented after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in 2007. The overall results indicate that firms that are governed conventionally do not perform well in the markets during a crisis situation. In our comparison of conventionally, and non-conventionally governed firms, the overall pooled results show that the former record a lower CAAR. This, in short, indicates that conventional corporate governance structures may not be equipped to take timely and dynamic actions that are deemed necessary in the face of a crisis. Moreover, our results suggest that firms which have less diversified ownership, and governance mechanisms are less vulnerable to such unanticipated events. There are two reasons that support our hypotheses: first, strict governance mechanisms, and a resultant cautious/conservative approach may not allow firms to take timely and proactive decisions during these situations and second, there is a lower chance of existing agency problems, as family owners would be working for the protection of their own wealth during these events. Therefore, our findings ultimately reveal that the conventional corporate governance structures that work during normal time period, may become ineffective during a crisis. This study, aims to fill a gap in the literature in order to provide fresh insights into the stock market dynamic, and corporate governance risk management. Furthermore, it also highlights the benefits of family owned structures, and unconventional corporate governance systems, that may outperform conventional governance structure in some situations. This, however, raises the question whether one governance framework could be the correct fit in all the situations.

scholarly journals Prediction of Biomass in Dry Tropical Forests: an Approach on the Importance of Total Height in the Development of Local and Pan-Tropical Models

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robson Borges de Lima ◽  
Cinthia Pereira de Oliveira ◽  
Rinaldo Luiz Caraciolo Ferreira ◽  
José Antônio Aleixo da Silva ◽  
Emanuel Araújo Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Forecast Error ◽  
Carbon Accounting ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Prediction Errors ◽  
Local Models ◽  
Dry Forests ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Dry Tropical Forests ◽  
Trees And Shrubs

Abstract Background: Dry tropical forests in arid lands cover large areas in Brazil, but few studies report the total biomass stock showing the importance of height measurements, in addition to applying and comparing local and pan-tropical models of biomass prediction for the domain of trees and shrubs found in that environment. Here, we use a biomass data set of 500 trees and shrubs, covering 15 species harvested in a management plan in the state of Pernambuco, in Brazil. We seek to develop local models and compare them with the equations traditionally applied to dry forests - showing the importance of tree height measurements. Due to the non-linear relationships with the independent variables of the tree, we used a nonlinear least squares modeling technique when adjusting models, we adopted the cross-validation procedure. The selection of the models was based on the likelihood measures (AIC), total explained variation (R2) and forecast error (RSE, RMSE and Bias). Results: In summary, our above-ground biomass data set is best represented by the Schumacher-Hall equation: exp [3.5336 + 1.9126 × log (D) + 1.2438 × log (Ht)], which shows that height measurements are essential to estimate accurately biomass. The biggest prediction errors observed when testing pan-tropical models in our data demonstrated the importance of developing new local models and indicated that careful considerations should be made if generic “pantropical” models without height measurements are planned for application in dry forests in Brazil. Conclusions: Thus, local equations can be used for carbon accounting in REDD + and sustainable incentive projects that initiate the development of dry forests and assess ecosystem services.

Soil organic carbon stabilization in dry tropical forests of Costa Rica

Geoderma ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 152 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 95-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Lorenz ◽  
Rattan Lal ◽  
Juan J. Jiménez
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Carbon Stabilization ◽  
Dry Tropical Forests

Tropical Forests Natural History, Diversity, and Potentiality as Theatres of Human Adaptation and Negotiation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Forest ◽  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Black Pepper ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Tropical Rainforests ◽  
Cultural Significance ◽  
Seasonally Dry ◽  
Dry Tropical Forests

The above quote by the German poet, novelist, and painter Herman Hesse highlights the cultural significance of forests in nineteenth- and twentieth-century western culture as the ‘natural’ contrast to growing urban populations and industrial expansion. Hesse’s focus on the ‘ancient’ element of these environments is certainly valid in a tropical context, given that tropical forests are some of the oldest land-based environments on the planet, existing for over one thousand times longer than Homo sapiens (Upchurch and Wolf, 1987; Davis et al., 2005; Ghazoul and Shiel, 2010; Couvreur et al., 2011). This antiquity also makes them one of the richest and most diverse terrestrial ecosystems on the planet (Whitmore, 1998; Ghazoul and Shiel, 2010). Tropical rainforests, for example, contain over half of the world’s existing plant, animal, and insect species (Wilson, 1988). A significant portion of the developed world’s diet today originated in tropical forests—including staples such as squash and yams, spices such as black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and sugar cane, and fruits including bananas, coconuts, avocados, mangoes, and tomatoes (Iriarte et al., 2007; Roberts et al., 2017a). Tropical forests also often provide ample freshwater for their inhabitants. However, despite popular perceptions of forests, and specifically tropical forests, as uniform, they are, in fact, highly variable across space and time. In tropical evergreen rainforests productivity is often primarily allocated to wood products, meaning that edible plants and animals for human subsistence have been considered lacking, or at least more difficult to extract, relative to more open tropical forest formations (Whitmore, 1998; Ghazoul and Shiel, 2010). Similarly, while evergreen tropical rainforests generally receive significant precipitation and freshwater, seasonally dry tropical forests are subject to sub-annual periods of aridity. Therefore, while archaeologists and anthropologists have tended to see ‘tropical forest’ as a uniform environmental block, it is important to explore the diversity within this category.

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