Does basic education students know the importance of agroecology production systems for the conservation of biodiversity?

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. e04942784
Author(s):  
Andrea Aline Mombach ◽  
Carla Grasiele Zanin Hegel ◽  
Rogério Luis Cansian ◽  
Sônia Beatris Balvedi Zakrzevski
Keyword(s):  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Education Students ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Conservation Of Biodiversity

The perception of a basic education of the importance of agroecological agricultural systems for human and environmental health is fundamental for changes in consumption habits, the conservation of local biodiversity and long-term social transformation. We analyzed, by utilizing a questionnaire consisting of open and closed questions, the perceptions about agroecological and conventional agricultural production systems in 360 final students of basic education residing in nine Functional Planning Regions of southern Brazil. We used classification categories for answers within thematic axes, expressed in percentages and analyzed by means of Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. In general, students recognize agroecological systems as healthier for their families and for soil and water conservation, largely because they do not use agrochemicals. However, they demonstrated difficulties when arguing their importance for the conservation of biodiversity, ecosystems and for ensuring the food security of populations. Television was the main source of information related to agroecology, mainly for students residing in rural areas, thus pointing out shortcomings in basic education regarding the approach of the theme in schools. Our results show the need to build a complex network of knowledge and discussions on agroecological agricultural systems in basic education, involving changes in student perceptions, behaviors and sustainable choices.

Ecological Governance and the Sustainability of Rural Household Water Conservation Systems in the Savannah Region of Ghana

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-46
Author(s):  
Prosper Bazaanah
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Rural Livelihoods ◽  
Domestic Water ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Gender Inclusion ◽  
Ecological Governance ◽  
And Gender

This chapter examined the link between ecological governance and water conservation as sustainable pathways for enhancing rural livelihoods in the Savannah Region. Designs adopted were post-positivist and cross-sectional. Probability sampling techniques were used to sample 450 household and official respondents. Questionnaires were administered, while descriptive statistics and chi-square test were utilised to analyse the data. Findings showed significant relationship between conservation initiatives, finance, rehabilitation/maintenance, and gender inclusion and domestic water conservation. Therefore, with commitment to maintenance, funding, and gender inclusion in water decisions, there is the likely for water to be locally sustainable in rural communities of the region. Democratic, decentralised, and participatory approaches to ecological governance and empowerment of the local communities are recommended as essential preconditions for achieving ecologically self-governing communities and sustaining domestic water systems in the rural areas of the region.

Anisometropia in the 5th and 6th school years

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A F Nunes ◽  
A S Nunes ◽  
P Monteiro ◽  
C R Martins ◽  
H Forte
Keyword(s):  
Binocular Vision ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Separate Analysis ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas

Abstract Introduction Anisometropia is characterized by a refractive inter ocular difference greater than 1.00 dioptre (D). It is the main cause of amblyopia and loss of binocular vision. Its prevalence depends on several factors, being different values in different geographical areas of the world and in different age groups. Objectives To estimate the frequency of anisometropia in children of the 2nd cycle of Basic Education. Methodology A total of 519 children attending the 5th and 6th school years, from Covilhã schools, from urban and rural areas, aged between 9 and 14 years (10.8 ± 0.8 years) were enrolled in the study. The refractive error was measured with a paediatric auto refractometer (Plusoptix), without cycloplegic and in binocular conditions. Anisometropia was defined as the inter ocular difference in spherical equivalent or cylindrical, greater than 1.00 D and a separate analysis for values greater than 2.00 D. Results The sample was symmetrically divided into genders (50.9% Male), between school grade (53% 5th year) and higher in urban areas (70.1%). The prevalence of anisometropia with cut-off points of 1.00 D and 2.00 D was 12.3% and 5.0%, respectively. There was a higher prevalence among males, in rural areas and in 6th grade. The Chi-square test (□2) shows that the difference is statistically significant only between years of schooling, with a higher prevalence in the 6th grade (p = 0.001). Conclusion There was a slightly higher prevalence of spherical and cylindrical anisometropia (5% and 12.3%) than is reported in the literature (rates between 4.4% and 9.4%). The 6th school year presented rates significantly higher than the 5th year, which points out that anisometropia increases with age, as was also advocated by other authors. Visual screening programs in adolescence for the detection of anisometropia are fundamental, since their timely correction allows to safeguard the binocular vision.

scholarly journals Citation: Cabezas-González, M.; Casillas-Martín, S.; García-Valcárcel Muñoz-Repiso, A. Basic Education Students’ Digital Competence in the Area of Communication: The Influence of Online Communication and the Use of Social Networks. Sustainability 2021, 13, 4442. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084442

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4442
Author(s):  
Marcos Cabezas-González ◽  
Sonia Casillas-Martín ◽  
Ana García-Valcárcel Muñoz-Repiso
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
Quantitative Methodology ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Digital Competence ◽  
Education Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Use Of Social Media

The global public health crisis unleashed by the COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that digital competence in education is no longer an option, but a necessity. Online communication with friends using social networks is an activity in which young people very frequently and at increasingly early ages engage. This article presents the results of a study analyses digital-competence levels in the area of communication of Spanish basic-education students (aged 12–16) and establishes whether online communication with friends and the use of social media impact it. A quantitative methodology with a descriptive and cross-sectional design was used. The sample comprised 807 students, and data collection was based on a problem-solving test. Findings show that students who use online communication with their friends very often and that those who use social networks a lot have lower levels of digital competence. Education centres should reflect on this in order to implement curricular programs that may strengthen this type of competence.

scholarly journals Homegarden agroecosystems managed by Salar people on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingjing Zhu ◽  
Binsheng Luo ◽  
Ben La ◽  
Ruijie Chen ◽  
Fenggui Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Field Investigation ◽  
Tibet Plateau ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Services Research ◽  
Qinghai Tibet Plateau

Abstract Background Salar is a Turkic-speaking Islamic ethnic group in China living mainly in Xunhua Salar Autonomous County (Xunhua or Xunhua County), Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Salar people are skilled in horticulture and their homegarden (HG) management. They are regarded as the first people on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to practice horticulture, especially manage their HGs, traditional farming systems, and supplementary food production systems. Traditional knowledge of Salar people associated with their HGs always contributes significantly to the local livelihood, food security, ornamental value, and biodiversity conservation. The cultivation of different plants in HGs for self-sufficiency has a long tradition in China’s rural areas, especially in some mountainous areas. However, Salar traditional HGs have not been described. The present paper aims to report the features of Salar HGs mostly based on agrobiodiversity and its ecosystem services. Methods The methods used in this work included semi-structured interviews and participatory observation. A total of 60 households in three townships, 9 villages were surveyed. There are 4–12 family members in each household, aged from 20 to 86 years old. The homestead size is between 200 and 1200 m2. Plant species cultivated in Salar HGs were identified according to Flora of China. Based on a comprehensive survey of Salar HGs and related to background data, we identified and characterized the most important services and functions provided by Salar HGs. Results According to primary production systems, there are 4 different types of Salar HGs, including ornamental focus, product focus, dual-purpose and multi-purpose. In total, 108 (excluding weeds and bonsai) plant species were recorded in Salar HGs, within 43 plant families. The most important and frequently used plants are Rosa chinensis, Armeniaca vulgar, Prunus salicina, and Ziziphus jujuba. About 4 to 32 plant species were recorded in each homegarden. We found that the Salar HGs, as a typical agroecosyste, prossess multiple servcices and functions that directly benefit households according to the field investigation. Conclusion This paper reveals the floristic diversity of Salar HGs. It presents useful information in the homegarden agroecosystem of Salar people, such as HG types and species diversity in Salar HGs. Ecosystem functions and services research suggested that the Salar HG agroecosystem provides agroecosystem services mainly related to supply and culture services. Salar HGs are important as food supplement resources, aesthetics symbol, and cultural spaces.

Analysis of Legal System and Public Policy on Rural Water Source in China

2012 ◽  
Vol 518-523 ◽  
pp. 4126-4129
Author(s):  
Zhen Hua Liu
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Legal System ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Drinking Water Source ◽  
Rural Water ◽  
Laws And Regulations

Source of water is the beginning of rural drinking water projects, safe water source is the key to rural drinking water safety. Status of rural drinking water source in china and laws and regulations on rural water conservation were analyzed. The population of centralized water supply accounts for 51% of the total population in rural areas in 2008, centralized water supply 49%. Groundwater source accounts for 57% of the population of centralized water supply projects in rural areas in 2008, surface water sources 43%. China has a relatively sound legal system of drinking water source, including basic law, general law, administrative regulations, local regulations.The paper draws a conclusion that sources of drinking water in rural areas is mainly groundwater, water conservation is short of specific laws and regulations and not suitable for rural area,it is necessary to improve laws and regulations on rural water conservation, government must assume responsibility for rural water conservation, especially financial investment and public policy support.

A technique for assessing environmental impact risks of agricultural systems

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 234-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olha Sydorovych ◽  
Charles W. Raczkowski ◽  
Ada Wossink ◽  
J. Paul Mueller ◽  
Nancy G. Creamer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Organic System ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
Tillage System

AbstractConventional agriculture often aims to achieve high returns without allowing for sustainable natural resource management. To prevent environmental degradation, agricultural systems must be assessed and environmental standards need to be developed. This study used a multi-factor approach to assess the potential environmental impact risk of six diverse systems: five production systems and a successional system or abandoned agronomic field. Assessment factors were soil quality status, amount of pesticide and fertilizer applied and tillage intensity. The assessment identified the best management practices (BMP)–conventional tillage system as a high-risk system mostly because of extensive tillage. The certified organic system was also extensively tilled and was characterized by P build-up in the soil, but performed well based on other assessment factors. Conversely, the BMP–no tillage and the crop–animal integrated system were characterized as low risk mainly because of reduced tillage. The paper discusses assessment strengths and weaknesses, ways to improve indicators used, and the need for additional indicators. We concluded that with further development the technique will become a resourceful tool to promote agricultural sustainability and environmental stewardship and assist policy-making processes.

Innovative and investment approaches to economic development of green tourism in rural areas in the context of decentralization

2021 ◽  
pp. 114-127
Author(s):  
Nataliia Vdovenko ◽  
Nataliia Korobova ◽  
Anna Nevesenko
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Rural Development ◽  
Key Words ◽  
National Economy ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Sustainable Rural Development ◽  
Green Tourism

The purpose of the article is to substantiate the innovation and investment principles of green tourism in rural areas in the context of decentralization with a combination of production systems in order to explore opportunities and provide proposals for further functioning of the national economy. Methodology research is to use a set of methods: economic-statistical, monographic, system, economic- mathematical, abstract-logical and others. The scientific novelty of the obtained results is the introduction of innovative, economically feasible and research meth- ods with regard to sustainable development of green tourism in rural areas in decentralization, which are associated with the adaptation of theories, principles and rules of great importance for sustainable rural development of green tourism in the context of global transformations. Conclusions. The modern principles of effective functioning of green tourism in rural areas in the conditions of decen- tralization at a combination of production systems are substantiated. The tools of the general research methodology with regard to sustainable development of green tourism in rural areas in the context of decentralization are proposed. Adaptation of a system of theories, principles and rules that are essential for the formation of sustainable rural development are related. Key words: rural areas, decentralization, green tourism, innovations, branch, sustainable development, aquaculture, tools, methods.

The radical ideation of peasants, the ‘pseudo-radicalism’ of international human rights law, and the revolutionary lawyer

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 425-456
Author(s):  
Margot E Salomon
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
International Human Rights Law ◽  
Human Rights Law ◽  
International Human Rights ◽  
International Human ◽  
Theory Of Law ◽  
United Nations Declaration

Abstract This article questions the use of international human rights law in realising social transformation. It studies the new United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas, drawing on the commodity-form theory of law. Through this lens, foregrounding the relationship between capitalism and law and their shared constituent form, the contradiction in what is at times a radical normative project in international human rights law is revealed. With the unintended consequences of human rights lawyering made visible, this work turns to the means through which the advocate can launch a potentially transformative ‘legal’ strategy. An exploration of two seminal modes of reconciliation follows: reconciling the use of international human rights law with a commitment to social transformation and reconciling the post-capitalist politics of progressive lawyers with their use of the law.

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