scholarly journals Last Chance Tourism in South Africa

Tourism ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-82
Author(s):  
Gijsbert Hoogendoorn
Keyword(s):  
Global Environmental Change ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Cultural Groups ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
African Experience ◽  
Threatened Fauna ◽  
Average Rise

Last Chance Tourism (LCT) is defined by tourists’ urgent visits to landscapes and seascapes, natural environments and places of social and cultural importance/heritage before they disappear. The obliteration of these environments is attributed to the rapid and destructive effects of global environmental change and globalization. These influences are leading to the demise of natural systems and biodiversity, including in polar regions and coral reef systems. Furthermore, cultures and traditions are also being lost. Scholarly investigations to date have reflected on the contention between the experiential gain in visiting destinations before they disappear on the one hand, and the losses to, and demise of, those very destinations through such visits. Despite above-global-average rise in temperature, increasingly frequent droughts and flooding, as well as rapid globalization, the South African experience on LCT destinations remains under-investigated. This paper uses secondary sources to explore current and future destinations where cultural groups are threatened, fauna and flora are on the brink of extinction, and landscapes are changing for the worse. Future research opportunities are identified and conceptual concerns are discussed.

Effect of Iron Limitation on the Ultrastructure of Agmenellum Quadruplicatum

1981 ◽  
Vol 39 ◽  
pp. 410-411
Author(s):  
L. P. Hardie ◽  
D. L. Balkwill ◽  
S. E. Stevens
Keyword(s):  
Growth Medium ◽  
Green Alga ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Iron Limitation ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Blue Green Alga ◽  
Marine Cyanobacterium ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Thin Sectioning ◽  
Agmenellum Quadruplicatum

Agmenellum quadruplicatum is a unicellular, non-nitrogen-fixing, marine cyanobacterium (blue-green alga). The ultrastructure of this organism, when grown in the laboratory with all necessary nutrients, has been characterized thoroughly. In contrast, little is known of its ultrastructure in the specific nutrient-limiting conditions typical of its natural habitat. Iron is one of the nutrients likely to limit this organism in such natural environments. It is also of great importance metabolically, being required for both photosynthesis and assimilation of nitrate. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects (if any) of iron limitation on the ultrastructure of A. quadruplicatum. It was part of a broader endeavor to elucidate the ultrastructure of cyanobacteria in natural systemsActively growing cells were placed in a growth medium containing 1% of its usual iron. The cultures were then sampled periodically for 10 days and prepared for thin sectioning TEM to assess the effects of iron limitation.

Political Consumerism for Sustainable Tourism

2018 ◽  
pp. 348-366
Author(s):  
Machiel Lamers ◽  
Jeroen Nawijn ◽  
Eke Eijgelaar
Keyword(s):  
Nature Conservation ◽  
Environmental Change ◽  
Social Theory ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Sustainable Tourism ◽  
Global Environmental Change ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Political Consumerism ◽  
Global Environmental

Over the last decades a substantial and growing societal and academic interest has emerged for the development of sustainable tourism. Scholars have highlighted the contribution of tourism to global environmental change and to local, detrimental social and environmental effects as well as to ways in which tourism contributes to nature conservation. Nevertheless the role of tourist consumers in driving sustainable tourism has remained unconvincing and inconsistent. This chapter reviews the constraints and opportunities of political consumerism for sustainable tourism. The discussion covers stronger pockets and a key weak pocket of political consumerism for sustainable tourism and also highlights inconsistencies in sustainable tourism consumption by drawing on a range of social theory arguments and possible solutions. The chapter concludes with an agenda for future research on this topic.

scholarly journals The Socioeconomic Welfare of Urban Green Areas and Parks; A Literature Review of Available Evidence

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7863
Author(s):  
Antonios Kolimenakis ◽  
Alexandra D. Solomou ◽  
Nikolaos Proutsos ◽  
Evangelia V. Avramidou ◽  
Evangelia Korakaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Urban Policy ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Urban Green Areas ◽  
Green Areas

Urban green areas present a lucid example for the harmonious co-existence of the artificial and natural environments best illustrated by their interdependence and interconnection in urban spaces. Urban green areas are essential for the health and wellbeing of citizens. The present study aimed to investigate those multiple benefits for citizens that arise through the existence of urban green areas, as well as important policy dimensions that should be considered when designing the expansion of urban green spaces in urban development. The study was based on a literature review to examine for available evidence on the benefit levels derived by the existence of urban green areas. An extended literature review was followed by a structured review, based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, which partly followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search was conducted in two databases, and a total of 1674 articles and abstracts were identified through the database searches. After removing 114 duplicates, 1560 records were initially screened based on title and abstract. Following inclusion and exclusion criteria, 14 articles were incorporated in the structured review and a total of 47 in the extended review. The extended literature review identified 33 additional articles examining aspects of benefits that did not fall under the pre-established inclusion and exclusion criteria used in the structured review, such as health benefits and other social parameters associated with urban green spaces. The selected studies were allocated in five principal groups according to study types: three of the them consisted of studies employing “willingness to pay” (WTP) methods, five were based on property values, two studies assigned monetary values, while another two assigned CO2 values, and, finally, two studies were based on qualitative criteria. The results indicated benefits to citizens and increased welfare levels gained by the existence of urban green areas. The conducted review revealed a number of findings and recommendations that could direct future research and urban policy. Those hints could assist local authorities as well as stakeholders in order to measure and assess the benefits of green spaces and urban parks and promote measures and programs to assist their further deployment.

scholarly journals Inter-society consensus for the use of inhaled corticosteroids in infants, children and adolescents with airway diseases

2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marzia Duse ◽  
Francesca Santamaria ◽  
Maria Carmen Verga ◽  
Marcello Bergamini ◽  
Giovanni Simeone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inhaled Corticosteroids ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Consensus Document ◽  
Airway Diseases ◽  
Primary Care Services ◽  
Non Allergic Rhinitis ◽  
Evidence Based Guidelines

Abstract Background In 2019, a multidisciplinary panel of experts from eight Italian scientific paediatric societies developed a consensus document for the use of inhaled corticosteroids in the management and prevention of the most common paediatric airways disorders. The aim is to provide healthcare providers with a multidisciplinary document including indications useful in the clinical practice. The consensus document was intended to be addressed to paediatricians who work in the Paediatric Divisions, the Primary Care Services and the Emergency Departments, as well as to Residents or PhD students, paediatric nurses and specialists or consultants in paediatric pulmonology, allergy, infectious diseases, and ear, nose, and throat medicine. Methods Clinical questions identifying Population, Intervention(s), Comparison and Outcome(s) were addressed by methodologists and a general agreement on the topics and the strength of the recommendations (according to the GRADE system) was obtained following the Delphi method. The literature selection included secondary sources such as evidence-based guidelines and systematic reviews and was integrated with primary studies subsequently published. Results The expert panel provided a number of recommendations on the use of inhaled corticosteroids in preschool wheezing, bronchial asthma, allergic and non-allergic rhinitis, acute and chronic rhinosinusitis, adenoid hypertrophy, laryngitis and laryngospasm. Conclusions We provided a multidisciplinary update on the current recommendations for the management and prevention of the most common paediatric airways disorders requiring inhaled corticosteroids, in order to share useful indications, identify gaps in knowledge and drive future research.

scholarly journals Influence of biopolymers on the rheological properties of seafloor sediments and the runout behavior of submarine debris flows

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Kameda ◽  
Hamada Yohei
Keyword(s):  
Rheological Properties ◽  
Debris Flows ◽  
Extracellular Polymeric Substances ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Mass Movement ◽  
Rheological Parameters ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Chemical Conditions ◽  
Seafloor Sediments

AbstractSubmarine debris flows are mass movement processes on the seafloor, and are geohazards for seafloor infrastructure such as pipelines, communication cables, and submarine structures. Understanding the generation and run-out behavior of submarine debris flows is thus critical for assessing the risk of such geohazards. The rheological properties of seafloor sediments are governed by factors including sediment composition, grain size, water content, and physico-chemical conditions. In addition, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) generated by microorganisms can affect rheological properties in natural systems. Here we show that a small quantity of EPS (~ 0.1 wt%) can potentially increase slope stability and decrease the mobility of submarine debris flows by increasing the internal cohesion of seafloor sediment. Our experiments demonstrated that the flow behavior of sediment suspensions mixed with an analogue material of EPS (xanthan gum) can be described by a Herschel–Bulkley model, with the rheological parameters being modified progressively, but not monotonously, with increasing EPS content. Numerical modeling of debris flows demonstrated that the run-out distance markedly decreases if even 0.1 wt% of EPS is added. The addition of EPS can also enhance the resistivity of sediment to fluidization triggered by cyclic loading, by means of formation of an EPS network that binds sediment particles. These findings suggest that the presence of EPS in natural environments reduces the likelihood of submarine geohazards.

scholarly journals Using virtual reality to estimate aesthetic values of coral reefs

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 172226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Vercelloni ◽  
Sam Clifford ◽  
M. Julian Caley ◽  
Alan R. Pearse ◽  
Ross Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Structural Complexity ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Aesthetic Value ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Holistic Conservation ◽  
Past Experiences ◽  
Aesthetic Values

Aesthetic value, or beauty, is important to the relationship between humans and natural environments and is, therefore, a fundamental socio-economic attribute of conservation alongside other ecosystem services. However, beauty is difficult to quantify and is not estimated well using traditional approaches to monitoring coral-reef aesthetics. To improve the estimation of ecosystem aesthetic values, we developed and implemented a novel framework used to quantify features of coral-reef aesthetics based on people's perceptions of beauty. Three observer groups with different experience to reef environments (Marine Scientist, Experienced Diver and Citizen) were virtually immersed in Australian's Great Barrier Reef (GBR) using 360° images. Perceptions of beauty and observations were used to assess the importance of eight potential attributes of reef-aesthetic value. Among these, heterogeneity, defined by structural complexity and colour diversity, was positively associated with coral-reef-aesthetic values. There were no group-level differences in the way the observer groups perceived reef aesthetics suggesting that past experiences with coral reefs do not necessarily influence the perception of beauty by the observer. The framework developed here provides a generic tool to help identify indicators of aesthetic value applicable to a wide variety of natural systems. The ability to estimate aesthetic values robustly adds an important dimension to the holistic conservation of the GBR, coral reefs worldwide and other natural ecosystems.

scholarly journals Cognitive Performance during a 24-Hour Cold Exposure Survival Simulation

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Michael J. Taber ◽  
Geoffrey L. Hartley ◽  
Gregory W. McGarr ◽  
Dessi Zaharieva ◽  
Fabien A. Basset ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Core Temperature ◽  
Cold Exposure ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Active Engagement ◽  
Metabolic Heat ◽  
Tolerable Level

Survivor of a ship ground in polar regions may have to wait more than five days before being rescued. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore cognitive performance during prolonged cold exposure. Core temperature (Tc) and cognitive test battery (CTB) performance data were collected from eight participants during 24 hours of cold exposure (7.5°C ambient air temperature). Participants (recruited from those who have regular occupational exposure to cold) were instructed that they could freely engage in minimal exercise that was perceived to maintaining a tolerable level of thermal comfort. Despite the active engagement, test conditions were sufficient to significantly decreaseTcafter exposure and to eliminate the typical 0.5–1.0°C circadian rise and drop in core temperature throughout a 24 h cycle. Results showed minimal changes in CTB performance regardless of exposure time. Based on the results, it is recommended that survivors who are waiting for rescue should be encouraged to engage in mild physical activity, which could have the benefit of maintaining metabolic heat production, improve motivation, and act as a distractor from cold discomfort. This recommendation should be taken into consideration during future research and when considering guidelines for mandatory survival equipment regarding cognitive performance.

scholarly journals Culture, Social Interdependence, and Ostracism

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 371-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayse K. Uskul ◽  
Harriet Over
Keyword(s):  
Future Research ◽  
Cultural Variation ◽  
Cultural Groups ◽  
Social Interdependence ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Cultural Variable ◽  
Complex Picture ◽  
Collectivistic Cultures

Recent research has demonstrated that cultural groups differ in how they experience ostracism and in how they behave in the wake of being ostracized. We review this literature paying particular attention to the role that one key cultural variable, social interdependence, plays in moderating responses to ostracism. Although the data present a complex picture, a growing number of studies have suggested that collectivistic cultures and high levels of social interdependence are associated with less negative responses to ostracism. We review explanations for observed cultural and individual-level differences in responses to ostracism and make a series of suggestions for future research that, we hope, will disambiguate current findings and offer a more nuanced picture of ostracism and the significance of cultural variation inherent within it.

scholarly journals Polar Amplification and Ice Free Conditions under 1.5, 2 and 3 °C of Global Warming as Simulated by CMIP5 and CMIP6 Models

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1494
Author(s):  
Fernanda Casagrande ◽  
Francisco A. B. Neto ◽  
Ronald B. de Souza ◽  
Paulo Nobre
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Temperature Response ◽  
Surface Air Temperature ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
High Latitudes ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Polar Amplification ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
Average Rise

One of the most visible signs of global warming is the fast change in the polar regions. The increase in Arctic temperatures, for instance, is almost twice as large as the global average in recent decades. This phenomenon is known as the Arctic Amplification and reflects several mutually supporting processes. An equivalent albeit less studied phenomenon occurs in Antarctica. Here, we used numerical climate simulations obtained from CMIP5 and CMIP6 to investigate the effects of +1.5, 2 and 3 °C warming thresholds for sea ice changes and polar amplification. Our results show robust patterns of near-surface air-temperature response to global warming at high latitudes. The year in which the average air temperatures brought from CMIP5 and CMIP6 models rises by 1.5 °C is 2024. An average rise of 2 °C (3 °C) global warming occurs in 2042 (2063). The equivalent warming at northern (southern) high latitudes under scenarios of 1.5 °C global warming is about 3 °C (1.8 °C). In scenarios of 3 °C global warming, the equivalent warming in the Arctic (Antarctica) is close to 7 °C (3.5 °C). Ice-free conditions are found in all warming thresholds for both the Arctic and Antarctica, especially from the year 2030 onwards.

scholarly journals Harnessing Nature for Leisure and Creativity in Lagos Tourism and Planning

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1719-1724
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Observation Data ◽  
Business Opportunity ◽  
Qualitative Evidence ◽  
The Social ◽  
Methodological Approaches ◽  
Environment Service

This study reviews the recent quantitative and qualitative evidence on the need to develop our natural environments for creative and leisure purposes. Previous studies described the problem of tourism to be a universal one, as virtually all countries are faced with the problem of providing inadequate tourism for their citizens. In Nigeria urban centres the tourism conditions were not properly documented. The study investigated the tourism condition in Lagos, Nigeria. The study observed that tourism condition in the nation is presently not provided for all citizenry. The need of the majority was not considered while some of the existing few are in deplorable condition. Previous literatures reviewed shows that almost 75 percent of tourist centres are for children meaning they lack creative environment. This paper also attempts to discuss in detail the little infrastructural evidences that exists in tourism. Fifteen centres were selected and eight were investigated in this study. The study discuss the consistency of findings across Lagos State, using different methodological approaches with consideration to the major key compares the magnitudes of developing natural environment. The study adopted questionnaire as the tool for the investigation, the tool was randomly administered after which the outcomes were analysed with the use of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, SPSS version 16. Furthermore, aside that personal observation data was also recorded. The study identifies the emerging policy, business opportunity strategy and activities for good governance and better environment. Service provider should be willing to create the inspiration garden in other to have a greater benefits and more patronage. Since most of the centres investigated are static in nature, the study suggested that in the future, research should focus on the analysis of respondent welfare in a dynamic sense.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document