Introduction

In this introduction, the author explains the meaning of the term “constitution” in his writings, and why he should so define it and use it. He begins by discussing some constitutions that people in general and even legal specialists believed to be reasonably good, even as they failed to maintain their states when faced with major problems. He cites the Weimar Constitution, which was unable to prevent the rise of the Third Reich and the disaster that befell the German people. The author argues that, even if the Weimar Constitution had allowed for judicial review, it could not have saved Germany. He also considers the features of an effective constitution and whether the constitution of historical China is a constitutional law that can be put into practice. Finally, he examines the historic geoclimatic conditions to which ancient China was responding and the special nature of the constitution it created in response.

Where are the Brazilian ethnobotanical studies in the Atlantic Forest and Caatinga?

The Atlantic Forest and Caatinga ecosystems differ in terms of biodiversity and geoclimatic conditions but are similar in their rich socio-diversity and heterogeneity of vegetation types that comprise their floras. The objectives of this work were to map the ethnobotanical studies that have been conducted in these ecosystems and record the most investigated communities, regions, and vegetation formations related to this research. A literature review was made of ethnobotanical articles related to the use and knowledge of medicinal and food plants employed by local populations within the original territories of the Caatinga and Atlantic Forest. The areas with the highest concentrations of studies (Southeast and South regions in the Atlantic Forest and the states of Pernambuco and Paraíba in the Caatinga) reflect the presence of research groups in these regions. Until now, it was thought that ethnobotanical studies had been conducted throughout the Atlantic Forest and Caatinga; however, the results of this work show that both ecosystems contain areas that still need to be studied.

STANDARDIZED DEVELOPMENT OBJECTS RECONSTRUCTION IN DIFFICULT GEOCLIMATIC CONDITIONS

In the article the strategic reconstruction issues of standardized development objects that are in the difficult geo-climatic conditions are examined. The solution of such issues depends on the demographic, social and economic position of the considered locality. During the research basic tasks were set that are aimed at the investigation of geological conditions of the area, the detailed analysis of the typological characteristics of buildings and structures that are undergoing the reconstruction as well as taking into account legislative environment of the project activities in this direction. Researches conducted, tasks set and recommendations developed have given the opportunity to present the main results of researches and to formulate definite conclusions. Scientific novelty of the research lies in the development of scientific and practical recommendations concerning the reconstruction of standardized development objects which are located in the difficult geoclimatic conditions.