Infrastructure and Conservation Policy in Brazil

Abstract:  The development of transportation and energy infrastructure has been a major driver in the conversion of natural ecosystems in Brazil since the nineteenth century. Although this pattern is present in most countries, Brazil differs in the scale of opportunities that are still available to build its physical infrastructure while pursuing an ambitious conservation agenda. This advantage stems from the magnitude of intact ecosystems, a dynamic policy environment, and the increasing availability of biological and economic data needed to harmonize conservation with public works. Success depends on integrating conservation and infrastructure planning, rather than relying on the project based, largely ineffective environmental assessment process. Front-loading environmental mitigation and compensation will also help, as will improving public access to, and understanding of, information on the environmental and economic values at stake in major infrastructure decisions.     

Sorption-Desorption of Atrazine and Diuron in Soils from Southern Brazil

The objective of this study was to investigate the behavior of sorption and desorption of the herbicides atrazine (6-chloro-N ²-ethyl-N ⁴-isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) and diuron [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyleurea] in soil samples from a typical lithosequence located in the municipality of Mamborê (PR), southern Brazil. Five concentrations of ¹⁴C-atrazine and ¹⁴C-diuron were used for both herbicides (0.48, 0.96, 1.92, 3.84, and 7.69 mg L^?1). Sorption of both herbicides correlated positively with the organic carbon and clay content of the soil samples. Sorption isotherms were well described by the Freundlich model. The slope values of the isotherm (N) ranged from 0.84 to 0.90 (atrazine) and from 0.75 to 0.79 (diuron) for the lithosequence samples. Sorption of diuron was high regardless of the soil texture or the concentration added. The desorption isotherms for atrazine and diuron showed good fit to the Freundlich equation (R ² ≥ 0,87). Atrazine slope values for the desorption isotherms were similar for the different concentrations and were much lower than those observed for the sorption isotherms. Significant hysteresis was observed in the herbicide desorption. When the two herbicides were compared, it was found that diuron (N = 0.06–0.22) presented more pronounced hysteresis than atrazine. The results showed that, quantitatively, a greater atrazine fraction applied to these soils remains available to be leached in the soil profile, as compared to diuron.     

Patterns of Giving and Receiving Help During Severe Winter Conditions: A Research Note

Severe winter conditions and blizzards may cause persons to be stranded, unable to move from one place to another. Being stranded under such conditions can be life-threatening and often requires help. This is a study of giving and receiving help among people who were stranded during severe winter conditions and blizzards in Bowling Green, Ohio, USA and the surrounding countryside in 1976–1977. Mail questionnaire data were collected from the Bowling Green, Ohio telephone directory which included listings from both rural and urban areas. The family, followed by friends and neighbors, were most important in the giving and receiving of help. There was little difference between the responses of rural and urban residents. Propinquity was found to be an important intervening variable.     

Facilities and Techniques for Maintaining a Controlled Fluoride Environment in Vegetation Studies

The principle of fabric filtration has only recently been accepted for fossil fuel fired boiler particulate emissions control. Information on design criteria is, therefore, limited. The paper provides data on the few installations where baghouses have been installed and successfully operated. The general conclusion is that a strong relationship exists between air to cloth ratio and bag life.     

Balancing Forest‐Regeneration Probabilities and Maintenance Costs in Dry Grasslands of High Conservation Priority

Abstract: Abandonment of agricultural land has resulted in forest regeneration in species‐rich dry grasslands across European mountain regions and threatens conservation efforts in this vegetation type. To support national conservation strategies, we used a site‐selection algorithm (MARXAN) to find optimum sets of floristic regions (reporting units) that contain grasslands of high conservation priority. We sought optimum sets that would accommodate 136 important dry‐grassland species and that would minimize forest regeneration and costs of management needed to forestall predicted forest regeneration. We did not consider other conservation elements of dry grasslands, such as animal species richness, cultural heritage, and changes due to climate change. Optimal sets that included 95–100% of the dry grassland species encompassed an average of 56–59 floristic regions (standard deviation, SD 5). This is about 15% of approximately 400 floristic regions that contain dry‐grassland sites and translates to 4800–5300 ha of dry grassland out of a total of approximately 23,000 ha for the entire study area. Projected costs to manage the grasslands in these optimum sets ranged from CHF (Swiss francs) 5.2 to 6.0 million/year. This is only 15–20% of the current total estimated cost of approximately CHF30–45 million/year required if all dry grasslands were to be protected. The grasslands of the optimal sets may be viewed as core sites in a national conservation strategy.     

Two methods to assess vulnerability to climate change in the Mexican agricultural sector

We applied two methods to assess vulnerability to climate change in Mexico’s agricultural sector. The first one was a principal component analysis (PCA) that weighted each variable separately. For the second one, we integrated the variables in a linear array in which all variables were weighted equally, and then, we used the arithmetic sum of the sub-indices of exposure and sensitivity minus the adaptive capacity to obtain the vulnerability index. We discuss the similarities and differences between two methods with respect to municipal-level maps as the outputs. The application of the method for the agricultural sector in Mexico gave us the spatial distribution of the high- and very-high vulnerability categories, which we propose as a tool for policy. The methods agreed that the very-high vulnerability category is present in 39 municipalities. Also we found that 16 % of the total population in the country is located in high-exposure areas. In addition, 41 % lives in municipalities identified as highly-sensitive. In terms of adaptive capacity, 20 % of the population lives in 1273 municipalities with low-adaptive capacity. Finally, we discuss the need for information regarding vulnerability at the national level to guide policies aimed at reducing exposure and sensitivity and increasing adaptive capacity.     

Expanding the Range of Choice in Water Management: An Evaluation of Policy Approaches

This paper examines the ‘range of choice’ concept in water management. Although many efforts have been made to design policies that broaden the consideration of water resources alternatives, the experiences gained from these policy experiments have not been adequately assessed. What insights might American policy approaches offer for developing countries? To address this question, four general policy types were identified and compared: (1) comprehensive single-objective policies; (2) comprehensive multiple-objective policies; (3) specific non-structural policies; and (4) specific technological policies. Case studies of each approach revealed that effective institutional development occurs when policies are: (1) stated in clear and specific language; (2) modified as experience is gained; (3) adequate in terms of statutory and administrative authority; and (4) subject to an orderly process of public and judicial review. The most successful policy efforts to date have involved specific alternatives, while multiple-objective policies have encountered the most difficulties. Common institutional problems are identified, and their potential relevance for developing countries is discussed.     

Energy Use and Conservation in Developing Country Industries

This article compares, contrasts and analyzes energy use data in five worldwide manufacturing subsectors. It documents the differences in energy input/production output ratios among industries and among countries, and outlines areas of opportunity for implementing energy conservation measures. Special attention is given to the energy use record in developing countries and to assessing their particular problems and limitations in reducing industrial energy demand.
Cet article établit des comparaisons, fait ressortir des contrastes et présente une analyse des données sur l'utilisation de l'énergie dans cinq sous-secteurs industriels mondiaux. Il explique les différences qui existent dans le taux de rendement relatif aux entrées-sorties dans les industries et les pays. Il désigne des secteurs où peuvent s'appliquer des mesures de conservation d'énergie. Une attention toute particulière est accordée aux tendances d'utilisation de l'énergie dans les pays en développement et à revaluation des problèmes et limitations qu'ils confrontent à réduire la demande d'énergie industrille.
Este artículo analiza comparativamente la información sobre uso de energía en cinco ramas industriales. Documenta los ratios insumo/producto en varios países e indica las oportunidades para establecer medidas para la conservacón de energa. Se da especial atención a los patrones de uso de energía en los países en desarrollo y evalúa los problemas particulares y limitaciones para la reducción del uso de energía en la indústria.