Analyzing social perception as a key factor in the management of protected areas: the case of the Sierra Nevada Protected Area (S Spain)

Protected areas cannot be considered as elements isolated from the human groups that inhabit them. Consideration of the social factor is fundamental to guarantee the success of any management model. In this sense, analyzing the perception of people who live in protected areas can be a key tool for the formulation of proposals for improving the existing models. This article explores perceptions of local residents in the Sierra Nevada Protected Area in Southern Spain and identifies the socio-demographic factors that affect these perceptions. The main objective is to generate relevant data for the protected area management team. The recommendations we can offer entail a review of the communication plan and participatory strategy considering social differences in perceptions of the local population.     

Incorporating Social Context Variables Into Paired Watershed Designs to Test Nonpoint Source Program Effectiveness1

Prokopy, Linda Stalker, Z. Asligül Göçmen, Jing Gao, Shorna Broussard Allred, Joseph E. Bonnell, Kenneth Genskow, Alicia Molloy, and Rebecca Power, 2011. Incorporating Social Context Variables Into Paired Watershed Designs to Test Nonpoint Source Program Effectiveness. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 47(1):196‐202. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2010.00508.x Abstract: In a traditional paired watershed study, watersheds are selected to be as similar as possible so that conclusions may be drawn about the performance of Best Management Practices. We have extended the paired watershed concept to examine the effectiveness of watershed management programs by adding comparative criteria for social characteristics. For four different 8 or 11/12 digit hydrologic unit code (HUC) watersheds in the Midwest, we have piloted a systematic method for selecting paired subwatersheds. First, we developed a list of 11 key variables. Next, a factor analysis was conducted to determine the underlying structure of the 11 input variables. Finally, in each of the four watersheds, potential paired subwatersheds (all 14 digit HUCs) were selected using the factors in a cluster analysis. Informal interviews were then held with key informants in each watershed to provide qualitative assessments of criteria that could impact the comparability of the subwatersheds. This method for selecting paired watersheds should be helpful for other researchers to test the effectiveness of watershed management programs focused on behavior change.     

Supramolecular complex formation,a possible antigenotoxic mechanism of glucomannan against aflatoxin B1

Abstract

Glucomannan is a highly branched polysaccharide with glycosidic linkages, constituted of mannoses and glucoses. In recent years, its usefulness due to its immunological, antioxidant and antimutagenic activity has been recognized. The aim of the study was to determine the antigenotoxic ability of glucomannan extracted from Candida utilis orally administered (100–700?mg/kg) to mice, which subsequently received 1?mg/kg aflatoxin B₁. Hepatocytes obtained from these animals 4–16?h post administration were examined by means of the comet assay. The antigenotoxic effect was found to be higher than that observed in previous studies with α-mannan and β-D-glucan isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae., In order to explore the possibility of formation of a supramolecular complex between glucomannan and aflatoxin B₁, both compounds were co-crystallized, their melting points determined, and the complex analyzed through ultraviolet spectroscopy. The spectroscopy data suggest that the protective effect of glucomannan is related to the formation of a supramolecular complex between the two compounds.     

Plastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems: macro-, meso-, and microplastic debris in a floodplain lake

Plastic pollution is considered an important environmental problem by the United Nations Environment Programme, and it is identified, alongside climate change, as an emerging issue that might affect biological diversity and human health. However, despite research efforts investigating plastics in oceans, relatively little studies have focused on freshwater systems. The aim of this study was to estimate the spatial distribution, types, and characteristics of macro-, meso-, and microplastic fragments in shoreline sediments of a freshwater lake. Food wrappers (mainly polypropylene and polystyrene), bags (high- and low-density polyethylene), bottles (polyethylene terephthalate), and disposable Styrofoam food containers (expanded polystyrene) were the dominant macroplastics recorded in this study. Contrary to other studies, herein macroplastic item surveys would not serve as surrogates for microplastic items. This is disadvantageous since macroplastic surveys are relatively easier to conduct. Otherwise, an average of 25 mesoplastics (mainly expanded polystyrene) and 704 microplastic particles (diverse resins) were recorded per square meter in sandy sediments. Comparisons with other studies from freshwater and marine beaches indicated similar relevance of plastic contamination, demonstrating for the first time that plastic pollution is a serious problem in the Paraná floodplain lakes. This study is also valuable from a social/educational point of view, since plastic waste has been ignored in the Paraná catchment as a pollutant problem, and therefore, the outcome of the current study is a relevant contribution for decision makers.     

Differential utilization of biochemical components during larval development of the spider crab Maja brachydactyla (Decapoda: Majidae)

Changes in lipid class, fatty acid, fat-soluble vitamins, amino acid and minerals were studied during larval development of Maja brachydactyla Balss, 1922 in order to provide information of its ontogeny and evaluate possible dietary deficiencies and constraints. Four different batches were analyzed from hatching to metamorphosis using enriched Artemia as food. Cultured larvae were in a good nutritional condition as confirmed by the continuous lipid accumulation throughout ontogeny. A regulation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) occurred during development in order to maintain adequate basal levels of ω-3 fatty acids (likely through a retro conversion of C₂₀ and C₂₂ into C₁₈ PUFA). Variations in the tocopherol levels indicated its possible role in PUFA protection against oxidation. Essential amino acid balance during development was not correlated with the Artemia feeding regime, but rather reflected inherent variations of the own species ontogeny. Larval requirements in essential minerals were fully supplied by the enriched Artemia.     

Genetic profile of overweight and obese school-age children

Obesity is associated with overproduction of free radicals that promotes genotoxicity and could be measured as micronuclei (MN) and nuclear abnormalities (NA) in buccal mucosa cells. The frequency of MN and NA in buccal mucosa cells from overweight and obesity school-age children was determined. In a cross-sectional study, four anthropometric parameters were obtained from each child and one buccal mucosa sample was collected from each child. The slides were stained with orcein and fast green and microscopically analyzed for MN and NA. Twenty overweight and obesity school-age children (7–11 years old) from three schools located at the metropolitan area of Guadalajara were selected to form three groups with 20 children each, according to the weight features as follows: (1) normal weight; (2) overweight; and (3) obesity. No marked differences were found between groups for frequency of MN and NA. Genotoxicity, as indicated by increase in binucleated (BN) cells, was found in children within both overweight and obese groups exposed to passive tobacco smoke. There was no evidence of genetic instability in overweight and obese school-age children and no associations between body weight and genotoxicity markers found.     

Positive group affective tone and team creativity: Negative group affective tone and team trust as boundary conditions

Drawing on multiple group‐level theories, we explored boundary conditions of the relationship between positive group affective tone (PGAT) and team creativity. We collected data from members and leaders of 68 research and development teams and performed hierarchical linear modeling analyses to test our hypotheses. Consistent with the “group‐centrism” perspective, we found that PGAT was beneficial for team creativity only when team trust was low; when trust was high, PGAT had a negative relationship with team creativity. In accord with the “dual‐tuning” perspective, the positive effect of PGAT on creativity was present only when team trust was low but negative group affective tone was high. We discussed the theoretical and practical implications. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Advances in surfactants for agrochemicals

Pesticide efficacy is improved by surfactants. Increase in the foliar uptake is particularly useful for herbicides, growth regulators and defoliants, because less active compounds are needed, thus decreasing cost and pollution. Therefore, the choice of the adjuvant in an agrochemical formulation is crucial. The surfactants commonly used as adjuvants include anionic, non-ionic, amphoteric and cationic surfactants. This review analyses the role and properties of the new adjuvants for agriculture and the improvement of the ecotoxicity profile of the pesticide formulations in glyphosate formulation.