Quantitative - Spatial Analysis of Soil Loss by Laminar Erosion and Comparison with NDVI Method of the Municipalities of Mandaguaçu and Presidente Castelo Branco / PR

Environmental monitoring is essential for society to maintain balance with the environment, given this fact, several methods from the science of geoprocessing and remote sensing were created to assist in the task. The present work used the Universal Soil Loss Equation to verify the spatiality of laminar erosions in the municipalities of Mandaguaçu and Presidente Castelo Branco, both in Paraná, in addition to comparing their results with data from the Digital Vegetation Index (NDVI) to obtain relationships between the loss of soils and the development or lack of vegetation. The results identified several foci of laminar erosion in the study area, as a possible cause, soils from the highly erodible Caiuá Sandstone can be considered, as well as topographic factors of the EUPS LS factor. It should be noted that the use of digital tools, satellite images and map algebra is not essential for environmental monitoring studies.

ECOLOGICAL GEOMORPHOLOGY, ITS SUBJECT, HISTORICAL ASPECTS AND METHODS

Paper considers ecological geomorphometry as the scientific area aimed at the study of place and functions of terrain and modern morphogenetic processes in the functioning of other components of natural environment, ecosystems, and in shaping of the conditions for human activities, applying the methods of quantitative spatial analysis. Some terminological issues are considered, as well as a short history of geomorphometry, its main tasks and research methods. In particular, the methods of quantitative analysis of the structure of terrain surface are considered, namely –the detection of the spatial trends, of periodicity, and of the spatial autocorrelation. The capabilities of the method of autocovariogram building and analysis are shown for the purpose of the studies of terrain elements, forms and types, their automatic delineation and classification. The basics of ecologically grounded classification of morphometric variables are considered, as well as the principles of the delineation of complex morphometric variables (topographic ecological indices), which reflect the impact of terrain morphology on ecological processes and ecological factors distributions. The main principles of ecological classification of terrain elements are also considered, together with the automatic delineation of terrain forms and types on the basis of their geometric signatures, that are defined through the distribution of the set of morphometric variables and the parameters of their spatial variability. Paper also reviews former studies by the author in the areas of morphometric analysis of the terrain surfaces of several study areas in Ukrainian Carpathians; the automatic terrain classification and segmentation; the analysis of the relationships between morphometric variables and ecological factors, the character of ground cover and the vegetation. Key words: ecological geomorphometry; topographic surface; morphometric variables; morphotop, autocovariogram; geometric signature.

Short-term rentals and the rentier growth coalition in Pollença (Majorca)

Since the beginning of the 2008 economic crisis, Majorca has experienced an increase in tourism, which has been made possible partly by the expansion of short-term renting. Research on short-term rentals is a growing field in critical urban and tourism geographies. This paper contributes to these fields by examining the structure of actors involved in the development of short-term rentals and their power relations. Our case study focuses on the municipality of Pollença (Majorca, Spain). Pollença was chosen due to its status as one of the most noteworthy airbnbificated places in Europe and because of the number of holiday rentals in the municipality's rural areas. While a great deal of research has focused on rent gaps and gentrification caused by short-term rentals in cities, the rentier coalition associated with short-term rentals has been comparatively overlooked. We address who the rentiers of short-term rentals are, the power relations that lie behind short-term rentals, and how these rentiers form part of a locally based coalition that has the ability to adapt planning regulations to suit their own interests. We used mixed methods, including quantitative spatial analysis and qualitative analysis in the form of interviews with those who benefit locally from short-term rentals. Our qualitative approach further included in-depth fieldwork and activist research. We conclude that a powerful rentier growth coalition has corrupted democracy because the regulatory framework has been adjusted to satisfy their interests and the conversion of properties into holiday rentals has been done either illegally or on the verge of legality without strong legal consequences.

Spatial Access Matters: An Analysis of Policy Change and Its Effects on Avoidable Infant Mortality in Portugal

In 2006, a policy reform restructured the maternal and perinatal healthcare system, including closing smaller maternity units, to further improve care in Portugal. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the 2006 National Program of Maternal and Neonatal Health policy on spatial inequalities in access to care and consequently avoidable infant mortality. A thematic analysis of qualitative data including interviews and surveys and a quantitative spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems was applied. Spatial inequalities were found which may lead to avoidable infant mortality. Inequalities exist in freedom of choice and autonomy in care, within a medicalized system. Changes in approach to and organization of care would further enhance equitable spatial access to care in maternal health and reduce avoidable infant mortality.

Understanding (un)certainty in human geographic quantitative spatial analysis – commentary to Tulumello

This commentary reflects uncertainty in human geographic quantitative spatial analysis within the context of Simone Tulumello’s essay (in this issue). Epistemologically, positivism, logical empiricism and behaviourism must be understood as historical stages in the evolution of quantitative human geography, even though the analytical legacy is clear. A more recognisable quantitative methodological framework, related to post-millennial human geographic studies, seeks sufficient evidence, which supports or refutes a particular line of thought. In general, the consideration of uncertainty and error is deeply tied to the methodological knowledge in quantitative analysis. Regardless of methodology or discipline, however, the risks of reporting over-certainty or clear misconduct are essential ethical questions. Uncertainty is linked also to the limits of conceptualisation and information catchment, but robust information revealing otherwise-hidden patterns is often highly valuable.