scholarly journals How Are Landscapes under Agroecological Transition Perceived and Appreciated? A Belgian Case Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 2480
Author(s):  
Fanny Boeraeve ◽  
Marc Dufrêne ◽  
Nicolas Dendoncker ◽  
Amandine Dupire ◽  
Grégory Mahy

An increasing number of agricultural transition initiatives are taking place, seeking more autonomy and resilience on the farms. This undeniably reshapes the landscape and the delivery of ecosystem services (ES). To date, little research includes the knowledge and perceptions of local communities on rural landscapes in agricultural transition. Yet, farmers shape the landscape and ES delivery, and local inhabitants are directly impacted. The present work aims at assessing the extent to which locals (local inhabitants and farmers) appreciate and view landscapes undergoing agricultural transitions. To do so, questionnaires were submitted to locals enquiring about appreciation and ES perceptions of transitioning landscapes. These landscapes were shown in manipulated photographs simulating an agroecological landscape, a conventional agriculture landscape, and landscapes including each isolated agroecological practice (resulting in six ‘scenarios’). In order to put locals’ perceptions in perspective, the same questionnaire was submitted to ‘ES experts’, and ES perceptions were compared to field-based ES measurements in agroecological and conventional parcels of the same study region. The results show that locals and ES experts appreciate and perceive these scenarios similarly. The agroecological scenario was seen as the most appreciated and the one delivering the most ES, while the conventional one was the least appreciated and seen as the one delivering the least ES. These perceptions of ES delivery partially correspond to the ES field measurements, which showed a similar productivity within agroecological and conventional parcels and more regulating ES in agroecological parcels. We discuss how our results call for the assessment of the multi-performance of agricultural systems in terms of ES rather than focusing on yield only, and how future research addressing agroecological transition should rely on integrated valuations and mixed methods to better embrace the complexity of such transitioning systems.

2012 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 608-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Pfennig ◽  
David W. Kikuchi

Abstract Mimicry is widely used to exemplify natural selection’s power in promoting adaptation. Nonetheless, it has become increasingly clear that mimicry is frequently imprecise. Indeed, the phenotypic match is often poor between mimics and models in many Batesian mimicry complexes and among co-mimics in many Müllerian mimicry complexes. Here, we consider whether such imperfect mimicry represents an evolutionary compromise between predator-mediated selection favoring mimetic convergence on the one hand and competitively mediated selection favoring divergence on the other hand. Specifically, for mimicry to be effective, mimics and their models/co-mimics should occur together. Yet, co-occurring species that are phenotypically similar often compete for resources, successful reproduction, or both. As an adaptive response to minimize such costly interactions, interacting species may diverge phenotypically through an evolutionary process known as character displacement. Such divergence between mimics and their models/co-mimics may thereby result in imperfect mimicry. We review the various ways in which character displacement could promote imprecise mimicry, describe the conditions under which this process may be especially likely to produce imperfect mimicry, examine a possible case study, and discuss avenues for future research. Generally, character displacement may play an underappreciated role in fostering inexact mimicry.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lizardo Vargas-Bianchi

Much research has been conducted on how consumption is related to human relations, for example, consumer communities organized around specific brands or the way people use products to define their own identity and transmit a desired image. However, only a scarcity of research has examined the consumption process when the fundamental intention is to leverage group belonging. The literature comprises a single theoretical framework that describes this behaviour, a nascent proposition that has not been tested. This study reviews the transferability of the model and its descriptive extent of the phenomenon in a different context than the one originally used for its proposal. A qualitative deductive case study and a pattern matching analysis technique were employed. The findings revealed that the model is transferable, thus revealing its suitability for future research on consumer behaviour intentionally aimed to promote belonging. The study also expands the framework with precisions on its conceptualization.


Organization ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 135050842110572
Author(s):  
Gazi Islam ◽  
Jean-Charles Pillet ◽  
Kseniya Navazhylava ◽  
Marcos Barros

The current study examines the ways in which new age organizations use digital culture to promote “holistic” visions of personal and social well-being. Concepts of holism are common in contemporary and new age management settings, but are largely undertheorized by organizational scholars; moreover, the relations between holism and techno-culture, increasingly recognized by digital sociologists, are largely missing from organizational scholarship. Using the lens of “communicative capitalism,” we carry out a case study of “HappyAppy,” a French techno-startup association concerned with well-being related applications, to understand how holistic ideas are deployed and shaped within this association. We find that that holism is marked, on the one hand, by “autarkic” fantasies, involving subjective integration and immersion, and on the other, by “relational” fantasies, involving interpersonal connection and participation. Moreover, each of these versions of holism is associated with distinct critical possibilities. We use these results to theorize the role of digital holism at the intersection of new age management and digital culture, outlining an agenda for future research.


2017 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Meyer ◽  
Judith Miggelbrink

Abstract. In many parts of Germany, processes of secularization overlap with ongoing sociodemographic changes such as outmigration and population decline. As a result, Christian churches face significant financial pressure due to plummeting numbers of parish members. In East Germany, these circumstances are aggravated by policies of de-Christianization during the socialist past. Using a case study in the Evangelical Church in Central Germany and its church district Altenburger Land, we argue that forms of post-secular rapprochement – transgression of boundaries of belief – develop following severe budget cuts and the withdrawal of pastoral positions. Contemporary literature on post-secular rapprochement specifically illuminates social issues emerging in urban landscapes due to neoliberal policies. In contrast, we highlight corresponding incidents of cooperation in peripheralized regions. On the one hand, parish members in our case study region aim to cooperate with local clubs to organize common festivities and increase their visibility. On the other hand, they attempt to get in touch with other Christian groups in a more subtle way. Hereby, we illuminate the everyday work of post-secular rapprochement in peripheralized regions using an empirically driven and practice–theory-based approach.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-42
Author(s):  
Robert Majkut ◽  
Radosław Rybczyński

Aim: The paper aims to illustrate the importance of organizational culture in supporting security in an organization, on the example of a non-public higher education institution in Poland during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Organization.   Design/ Research methods: The case study is presented in the context of theoretical reflections. the authors participated in the process of change during the pandemic, influencing the social norms shaping the culture of the organization for safety purposes in order to ensure the effective functioning of this entity under an epidemic risk.   Findings: This article has cognitive value and contains a description of the implemented procedures determined, on the one hand, by the organizational culture and, on the other hand, causing significant changes in the organization.   Contribution: Until recently, Management Science and Organization and Management Sociology did not deal with developing a security-oriented corporate culture of a particular entity in the context of the threat of an epidemic. The results may provide an example of good practice, and is the basis of future research on post-COVID security management.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-54
Author(s):  
Irmala Sukendra ◽  
Agus Mulyana ◽  
Imam Sudarmaji

Regardless to the facts that English is being taught to Indonesian students starting from early age, many Indonesian thrive in learning English. They find it quite troublesome for some to acquire the language especially to the level of communicative competence. Although Krashen (1982:10) states that “language acquirers are not usually aware of the fact that they are acquiring language, but are only aware of the fact that they are using the language for communication”, second language acquisition has several obstacles for learners to face and yet the successfulness of mastering the language never surmounts to the one of the native speakers. Learners have never been able to acquire the language as any native speakers do. Mistakes are made and inter-language is unavoidable. McNeili in Ellis (1985, p. 44) mentions that “the mentalist views of L1 acquisition hypothesizes the process of acquisition consists of hypothesis-testing, by which means the grammar of the learner’s mother tongue is related to the principles of the ‘universal grammar’.” Thus this study intends to find out whether the students go through the phase of interlanguage in their attempt to acquire second language and whether their interlanguage forms similar system as postulated by linguists (Krashen).


2018 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-79
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Nikorowicz-Zatorska

Abstract The present paper focuses on spatial management regulations in order to carry out investment in the field of airport facilities. The construction, upgrades, and maintenance of airports falls within the area of responsibility of local authorities. This task poses a great challenge in terms of organisation and finances. On the one hand, an active airport is a municipal landmark and drives local economic, social and cultural development, and on the other, the scale of investment often exceeds the capabilities of local authorities. The immediate environment of the airport determines its final use and prosperity. The objective of the paper is to review legislation that affects airports and the surrounding communities. The process of urban planning in Lodz and surrounding areas will be presented as a background to the problem of land use management in the vicinity of the airport. This paper seeks to address the following questions: if and how airports have affected urban planning in Lodz, does the land use around the airport prevent the development of Lodz Airport, and how has the situation changed over the time? It can be assumed that as a result of lack of experience, land resources and size of investments on one hand and legislative dissonance and peculiar practices on the other, aviation infrastructure in Lodz is designed to meet temporary needs and is characterised by achieving short-term goals. Cyclical problems are solved in an intermittent manner and involve all the municipal resources, so there’s little left to secure long-term investments.


2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 34-66
Author(s):  
Joyce Valdovinos

The provision of water services has traditionally been considered a responsibility of the state. During the late 1980s, the private sector emerged as a key actor in the provision of public services. Mexico City was no exception to this trend and public authorities awarded service contracts to four private consortia in 1993. Through consideration of this case study, two main questions arise: First, why do public authorities establish partnerships with the private sector? Second, what are the implications of these partnerships for water governance? This article focuses, on the one hand, on the conceptual debate of water as a public and/or private good, while identifying new trends and strategies carried out by private operators. On the other hand, it analyzes the role of the state and its relationships with other actors through a governance model characterized by partnerships and multilevel networks.Spanish La provisión del servicio del agua ha sido tradicionalmente considerada como una responsabilidad del Estado. A finales de la década de 1980, el sector privado emerge como un actor clave en el suministro de servicios públicos. La ciudad de México no escapa a esta tendencia y en 1993 las autoridades públicas firman contratos de servicios con cuatro consorcios privados. A través de este estudio de caso, dos preguntas son planteadas: ¿Por qué las autoridades públicas establecen partenariados con el sector privado? ¿Cuáles son las implicaciones de dichos partenariados en la gobernanza del agua? Este artículo aborda por una parte, el debate conceptual del agua como bien público y/o privado, identificando nuevas tendencias y estrategias de los operadores privados. Por otra parte, se analizan el rol y las relaciones del Estado con otros actores a través de un modelo de gobernanza, definido en términos de partenariados y redes multi-niveles.French Les services de l'eau ont été traditionnellement considérés comme une responsabilité de l'État. À la fin des années 1980, le secteur privé est apparu comme un acteur clé dans la fourniture de certains services publics. La ville de Mexico n'a pas échappé à cette tendance et en 1993, les autorités publiques ont signé des contrats de services avec quatre consortiums privés. À travers cette étude de cas, nous nous interrogerons sur deux aspects : pourquoi les autorités publiques établissentelles des partenariats avec le secteur privé ? Quelles sont les implications de ces partenariats sur la gouvernance de l'eau ? Cet article s'intéresse, d'une part, au débat conceptuel sur l'eau en tant que bien public et/ou privé, en identifiant les tendances nouvelles et les stratégies menées par les opérateurs privés. D'autre part y sont analysés le rôle de l'État et ses relations avec d'autres acteurs à travers un modèle de gouvernance, défini en termes de partenariats, et des réseaux multi-niveaux.


2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Doina Vesa ◽  
Cristian Martu ◽  
Razvan Leata ◽  
Ludmila Lozneanu ◽  
luminita Radulescu ◽  
...  

Paranasal mucoceles are a type of cysts that evolve slowly and are asymptomatic; this poses a difficulty in diagnosing the patient because the symptoms can go unnoticed. The mucocele evolves unpredictably. On the one hand, it can become infected turning into pyoceles and on the other hand, it can invade important regions such as the orbital, cranial or genian regions, creating facial asymmetry. This is a retrospective case study of 37 patients diagnosed with sinus mucoceles, followed up by clinical examination and paraclinical tests such as CT and MRI scans. The biochemical components of the liquid from within the mucocele were analyzed and the following criteria were recorded: NaCl-, Cl-, Na+ and cholesterine as well as cellular components such as mastocytes, macrophages, hematocytes and leucocytes. In all cases, the treatment option was surgery with favorable post-operative and follow-up evaluation. The mucoceles that appeared post-operatively (maxillary and ethmoid sinuses) evolved more rapidly than the mucoceles that were induced byan external injury. Longer follow-up of operated patients permitted a more timely diagnosis of recurrences.


1998 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-162
Author(s):  
Flemming Schlütter ◽  
Kjeld Schaarup-Jensen

Increased knowledge of the processes which govern the transport of solids in sewers is necessary in order to develop more reliable and applicable sediment transport models for sewer systems. Proper validation of these are essential. For that purpose thorough field measurements are imperative. This paper renders initial results obtained in an ongoing case study of a Danish combined sewer system in Frejlev, a small town southwest of Aalborg, Denmark. Field data are presented concerning estimation of the sediment transport during dry weather. Finally, considerations on how to approach numerical modelling is made based on numerical simulations using MOUSE TRAP (DHI 1993).


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