Reconciling observed and modelled phytoplankton dynamics in a major lowland UK river system, the Thames

This study aims to elucidate the key mechanisms controlling phytoplankton growth and decay within the Thames basin through the application of a modified version of an established river-algal model and comparison with observed stream water chlorophyll-a concentrations. The River Thames showed a distinct simulated phytoplankton seasonality and behaviour having high spring, moderate summer and low autumn chlorophyll-a concentrations. Three main sections were identified along the River Thames with different phytoplankton abundance and seasonality: (i) low chlorophyll-a concentrations from source to Newbridge; (ii) steep concentration increase between Newbridge and Sutton; and (iii) high concentrations with a moderate increase in concentration from Sutton to the end of the study area (Maidenhead). However, local hydrologic (e.g. locks) and other conditions (e.g. radiation, water depth, grazer dynamics, etc.) affected the simulated growth and losses. The model achieved good simulation results during both calibration and testing through a range of hydrological and nutrient conditions. Simulated phytoplankton growth was controlled predominantly by residence time, but during medium–low flow periods available light, water temperature and herbivorous grazing defined algal community development. These results challenge the perceived importance of in-stream nutrient concentrations as the perceived primary control on phytoplankton growth and death.

‘Cursed’ communities? Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), company towns and the mining industry in Namibia

This article examines Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and mining community development, sustainability and viability. These issues are considered focussing on current and former company-owned mining towns in Namibia. Historically company towns have been a feature of mining activity in Namibia. However, the fate of such towns upon mine closure has been and remains controversial. Declining former mining communities and even ghost mining towns can be found across the country. This article draws upon research undertaken in Namibia and considers these issues with reference to three case study communities. This article examines the complexities which surround decision-making about these communities, and the challenges faced in efforts to encourage their sustainability after mining. In this article, mine company engagements through CSR with the development, sustainability and viability of such communities are also critically discussed. The role, responsibilities, and actions of the state in relation to these communities are furthermore reflected upon. Finally, ways forward for these communities are considered.

Urban and agricultural soils: conflicts and trade-offs in the optimization of ecosystem services

On-going human population growth and changing patterns of resource consumption are increasing global demand for ecosystem services, many of which are provided by soils. Some of these ecosystem services are linearly related to the surface area of pervious soil, whereas others show non-linear relationships, making ecosystem service optimization a complex task. As limited land availability creates conflicting demands among various types of land use, a central challenge is how to weigh these conflicting interests and how to achieve the best solutions possible from a perspective of sustainable societal development. These conflicting interests become most apparent in soils that are the most heavily used by humans for specific purposes: urban soils used for green spaces, housing, and other infrastructure and agricultural soils for producing food, fibres and biofuels. We argue that, despite their seemingly divergent uses of land, agricultural and urban soils share common features with regards to interactions between ecosystem services, and that the trade-offs associated with decision-making, while scale- and context-dependent, can be surprisingly similar between the two systems. We propose that the trade-offs within land use types and their soil-related ecosystems services are often disproportional, and quantifying these will enable ecologists and soil scientists to help policy makers optimizing management decisions when confronted with demands for multiple services under limited land availability.

Rapid assessment of historic, current and future habitat quality for biodiversity around UK Natura 2000 sites

Changes in landscape composition and structure may impact the conservation and management of protected areas. Species that depend on specific habitats are at risk of extinction when these habitats are degraded or lost. Designing robust methods to evaluate landscape composition will assist decision- and policy-making in emerging landscapes. This paper describes a rapid assessment methodology aimed at evaluating landcover quality for birds, plants, butterflies and bees around seven UK Natura 2000 sites. An expert panel assigned quality values to standard Coordination of Information on the Environment (CORINE) landcover classes for each taxonomic group. Quality was assessed based on historical (1950, 1990), current (2000) and future (2030) land-cover data, the last projected using three alternative scenarios: a growth applied strategy (GRAS), a business-as-might-beusual (BAMBU) scenario, and sustainable European development goal (SEDG) scenario. A quantitative quality index weighted the area of each land-cover parcel with a taxa-specific quality measure. Land parcels with high quality for all taxonomic groups were evaluated for temporal changes in area, size and adjacency. For all sites and taxonomic groups, the rate of deterioration of land-cover quality was greater between 1950 and 1990 than current rates or as modelled using the alternative future scenarios (2000– 2030). Model predictions indicated land-cover quality stabilized over time under the GRAS scenario, and was close to stable for the BAMBU scenario. The SEDG scenario suggested an ongoing loss of quality, though this was lower than the historical rate of c. 1% loss per decade. None of the future scenarios showed accelerated fragmentation, but rather increases in the area, adjacency and diversity of high quality land parcels in the landscape.

A review of urban roughness sublayer turbulence

It is becoming increasingly important that we can understand and model flow processes in urban areas. Applications such as weather forecasting, air quality and sustainable urban development rely on accurate modelling of the interface between an urban surface and the atmosphere above. This review gives an overview of current understanding of turbulence generated by an urban surface up to a few building heights, the layer called the roughness sublayer (RSL). High quality datasets are also identified which can be used in the development of suitable parameterisations of the urban RSL. Datasets derived from physical and numerical modelling, and full-scale observations in urban areas now exist across a range of urban-type morphologies (e.g. street canyons, cubes, idealised and realistic building layouts). Results show that the urban RSL depth falls within 2 – 5 times mean building height and is not easily related to morphology. Systematic perturbations away from uniform layouts (e.g. varying building heights) have a significant impact on RSL structure and depth. Considerable fetch is required to develop an overlying inertial sublayer, where turbulence is more homogeneous, and some authors have suggested that the “patchiness” of urban areas may prevent inertial sublayers from developing at all. Turbulence statistics suggest similarities between vegetation and urban canopies but key differences are emerging. There is no consensus as to suitable scaling variables, e.g. friction velocity above canopy vs. square root of maximum Reynolds stress, mean vs. maximum building height. The review includes a summary of existing modelling practices and highlights research priorities.

Re-creation of heathland on improved pasture using topsoil removal and sulphur amendments: edaphic drivers and impacts on ericoid mycorrhizas

Understanding the factors that drive successful re-creation and restoration of lowland heaths is crucially important for achieving the long-term conservation of this threatened habitat type. In this study we investigated the changes in soil chemistry, plant community and interactions between Calluna vulgaris and symbiotic ericoid mycorrhizas (ERM) that occurred when improved pasture was subjected to one of three treatments (i) acidification with elemental sulphur (ii) acidification with ferrous sulphur (iii) removal of the topsoil. We found that the soil stripping treatment produced the greatest reduction in available phosphate but did not decrease soil pH. Conversely, acidification with elemental sulphur decreased pH but increased availability of phosphate and potentially toxic cations. The elemental sulphur treatment produced plant communities that most closely resembled those on surrounding heaths and acid grasslands. The most important driver was low pH and concomitant increased availability of potentially toxic cations. Plant community development was found to be little related to levels of available soil phosphate, particularly at low pH. The elemental sulphur treatment also produced the best germination and growth of C. vulgaris over 4–5 years. However, this treatment was found to inhibit the development of symbiotic relationships between C. vulgaris and ERM. This may affect the long-term persistence of re-created vegetation and its interactions with other components of heathland communities.

The role of Planning Aid England in supporting communities’ engagement in planning

In considering the position of community engagement within planning in a time of neo-liberalism and a context of ‘neo-communitarian localism’ (cf. Jessop, 2002; DeFilippis, 2004), this paper reviews the role and relevance of Planning Aid in terms of its performance and aspirations in guiding and transforming planning practice (Friedmann, 1973; 1987; 2011) since its inception in 1973. In doing this we reflect on the critiques of Planning Aid performance provided by Allmendinger (2004) and bring the account up-to-date following on from past considerations (e.g. Bidwell and Edgar, 1982; Thomas, 1992; Brownill and Carpenter, 2007a,b; Carpenter and Brownill, 2008) and prompted by the 35 years since the University of Reading produced the first published work reviewing Planning Aid (Curtis and Edwards, 1980). Our paper is timely given renewed attacks on planning, the implementation of a form of localism and reductions in funding for planning in a time of austerity. Our view is that the need for forms of ‘neo-advocacy’ planning and community development are perhaps even more necessary now, given the continuing under-representation of lower income groups, minority groups and to allow for the expression of alternative planning futures. Thus further consideration of how to ensure that Planning Aid functions are sustained and understood requires the attention of policymakers and the planning profession more widely.

Factors influencing tourism sustainability : The case of the World Heritage Falun Great Copper Mountain

This thesis focuses on identifying hindrances of achieving a sustainable tourism development on a base of a World Heritage Site. Using a case study of the World Heritage Site Falun Great Copper Mountain, the thesis assesses the situational context by using qualitative methods. Five semi- structured interviews with influential stakeholders were conducted to get an inside view of the current situation and to identify site-specific issues. The thesis identifies a number of factors that determine the successful implementation of measures leading towards sustainable tourism in the long-run; the most important being the lack of clear guidelines for the whole destination and no holistic planning approach within the municipality. The thesis concludes that despite the increased pressures towards establishment of sustainable tourism, the concept remains challenging to operationalize for the World Heritage Site without frameworks and tools from UNESCO.

Capability outcomes from educational and ICT capability inputs : an analysis of ICT use in informal education in Kenya

In the field of Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) ICT use in education is well studied. Education is often seen as a pre-requisite for development and ICTs are believed to aid in education, e.g. to make it more accessible and to increase its quality. In this paper we study the access and use of ICT in a study circle (SC) education program in the south coast of Kenya. The study is qualitative reporting results based on interviews and observations with SC participants, government officers and SC coordinators and teachers. The study builds on the capability approach perspective of development where individuals’ opportunities and ability to live a life that they value are focused. The aim of the study is to investigate the capability outcomes enabled through the capability inputs access and use of ICT in education as well as the factors that enabled and/or restricted the outcomes. Findings show that many opportunities have been enabled such as an increase in the ability to generate an income, learning benefits, community development and basic human development (e.g. literacy and self-confidence). However, conversion factors such as a poorly developed infrastructure and poor IT literacy prevent many of the individuals from taking full advantage of the ICT and the opportunities it enables. 

Análise de formações comunitárias em favelas - metodologia, perspectivas e resultados - o modelo da associação comunitária Monte Azul (ACOMA)

O objetivo desta pesquisa é retratar a qualidade de vida na Favela Monte Azul tendo em vista a atuação de duas organizações comunitárias - Associação Comunitária Monte Azul (ACOMA) e a Comissão de Moradores - considerando sua história, ideologia, perspectivas e resultados obtidos na transformação da comunidade. Constata-se atualmente que experiências com organizações promotoras do desenvolvimento comunitário não têm sistematizado e apresentado os resultados alcançados na melhoria da qualidade de vida. Isto é importante para a própria comunidade e organização que, juntas, podem buscar soluções para os problemas identificados. O diferencial positivo na qualidade de vida dos moradores desta favela reflete o trabalho de mais de vinte anos da ACOMA e da comunidade organizada.

Sustentabilidade e Desenvolvimento Local: Estudo de Projeto na Formação da Ecovila Viver Simples em Itamonte - MG

Eco-villages are considered models of intentional communities or sustainable communities and have been incorporated by the United Nations in the Sustainable Communities Development Programme (SCDP) as a human scale settlement. They are characterized by human activities being integrated in a non-damaging way into the natural world in such a way as to give support to healthy human development so as to be able to continue indefinitely into the future. This text assesses the extent to which a project to create the Eco-village for Simple Living in Itamonte - Minas Gerais" is successful, based on the concepts of sustainability and local development succeeds, by examining the indicators and attributes that are able to be measured in the planning phase, describing the stages and discussions of the project, as well as assessing the members 'perception of "the concepts of the Eco-village", "sustainability" and "local development". Subsequent analysis of the degree of sustainability (ecological, social, economic, spacial and cultural / spiritual) and local development, based on the social economy, demonstrated the presence of a number of aspects used to support, guide, discuss, plan and implement actions in the creation of the Eco-village being studied. This work could be used as a guide to Eco-villages during the planning phase, indicating the importance of the concepts studied, especially for some communities which are self-proclaimed "Eco-villages" but which in fact do not show even the slightest structural aspects which would describe them as such, like solidarity in the relations between participants, or construction oriented with a view to the precepts of environmental preservation. "

Avaliação de programas de desenvolvimento comunitario : o caso do FUNDEC

O estudo tem como objetivo elaborar um instrumento de avaliação da efetividade do FUNDEC - Fundo de Desenvolvimento Comunitário, programa instituído pelo Banco do Brasil S. A. em 1981, hoje sob a condução da Fundação Banco do Brasil. Trata-se de pesquisa metodológica, uma vez que pretende construir um instrumento de captação da realidade. A estratégia da pesquisa consistiu, basicamente, na elaboração de quesitos que possibilitassem comprovar ou não o desenvolvimento das comunidades onde o FUNDEC atua. O estudo considerou como mais importantes os atributos relacionados à melhoria das condições de vida das populações atendidas pelo Programa, dando maior ênfase aos aspectos referentes ao aperfeiçoamento da prática participante. As dimensões, os indicadores e as variáveis de avaliação foram determinados a partir de pesquisa exploratória junto a comunidades atendidas pelo Programa. O instrumento de pesquisa elaborado foi aplicado na comunidade de Boaventura, localizada no município de Itaperuna, estado do Rio de Janeiro.

Bancos comunitários de desenvolvimento: um estudo sobre a implementação dos bancos comunitários ligados ao movimento de moradia no município de São Paulo

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar três bancos comunitários de desenvolvimento (BCDs) paulistanos, ligados ao movimento de moradia, em seus primeiros meses de existência (de junho de 2009 a dezembro de 2011), tendo-se por base a perspectiva dos atores envolvidos. A partir de 2004, iniciou-se um processo de disseminação dos bancos comunitários conduzidos pelas lideranças criadoras da primeira instituição desse tipo no país, o Banco Palmas, fundado em 1998, em Fortaleza (CE), e pela Secretaria Nacional de Economia Solidária (SENAES). Existem poucos estudos sobre os bancos comunitários disseminados e poucas informações sobre as contingências existentes no processo de adoção desses bancos. O presente trabalho pretende contribuir suprindo essa lacuna. O trabalho conclui que, no caso dos três bancos comunitários paulistanos, ligados ao movimento de moradia, há contingências em dois níveis de implementação. O primeiro nível é caracterizado pela relação entre os coordenadores de associações comunitárias de construção, as quais dão suporte ao banco, os gerentes, os analistas de crédito e os caixas dos bancos, e os moradores dos conjuntos habitacionais onde os bancos estão inseridos. Nesse nível de implementação as contingências são: o confronto entre a agenda da associação comunitária de construção e do banco comunitário, a realização de atividades pelos trabalhadores e gerentes dos bancos cujo foco não é o banco comunitário e a intensidade do trabalho do agente de crédito. No segundo nível de implementação, caracterizado pela relação entre as ações indutoras da adoção dos bancos comunitários e os coordenadores de associação, os gerentes, analistas de crédito e caixas dos bancos, foram identificadas as seguintes contingências: o conjunto de obstáculos existente com o gestor da rede de correspondentes e o conjunto de obstáculos gerados por problemas ocorridos no modelo de indução vertical. As estratégias adotadas pelos bancos estudados para contraporem-se a tais contingências referem-se à busca de parcerias com uma instituição geograficamente mais próxima, parceria esta não consolidada até o fim do período analisado, para obtenção de recursos e gerenciamento da rede de correspondente, e à espera por recursos adicionais, baseado no modelo de indução vertical.

Organização de produtores rurais para a gestão da cadeia produtiva da mandioca no nordeste paraense: um estudo de caso na Associação de Desenvolvimento Comunitário e Rural Bom Jesus

A mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz) é uma planta cultivada predominantemente para a subsistência dos trabalhadores rurais sendo uma das principais fontes de carboidratos disponíveis aos estratos sociais de baixa renda e tem importante participação na geração de emprego e renda. O Estado do Pará destaca-se pelo volume de produção de mandioca, mas o cultivo ainda está voltado essencialmente para a subsistência sendo pouco explorado como matéria prima em derivados industriais e insumo para enfrentar problemas globais como a fome, a degradação ambiental e a produção de energia, gerando emprego e renda para comunidades locais e rurais. Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar como está se desenvolvendo a organização de produtores rurais de mandioca da Associação de Desenvolvimento Comunitário e Rural Bom Jesus, através do modelo de gestão de cadeia produtiva e compreender em que medida se justifica economicamente o cultivo de mandioca. A pesquisa é de natureza exploratória e descritiva e por meio do questionário e entrevista aplicado a 17 produtores rurais juntamente com a fundamentação teórica sobre o entendimento contemporâneo de cadeia produtiva foram percebidos evidências que justificam economicamente, em parte, o cultivo da mandioca. A geração de postos de trabalhos para as mulheres, a utilização de resíduos como incremento no arranjo produtivo, a apoio da extensão e do crédito rural, e as vantagens advindas da organização dos produtores rurais proporcionando renda e produção constantes no campo, foram os fatores considerados. Porém, a necessidade de inovações tecnológicas, parcerias com os setores industriais, arranjos produtivos mais rentáveis, mecanização do plantio e da colheita, os problemas ambientais (resíduos tóxicos e desmatamento) e de acesso à pesquisa, o nível de escolaridade, e a cooperação entre os agricultores, são desafios reais a serem enfrentados e o fator decisivo é o apoio governamental. Este estudo demonstra a realidade de uma sociedade quase sempre marginalizada e esquecida pelas políticas públicas. Além da variável econômica, a avaliação das culturas produtivas deve passar pelos filtros de análise social e ambiental, pois assim, nos permite com maior exatidão compreender os problemas reais da nossa sociedade, em especial da vida na Amazônia.