Land use and environmental factors affecting red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) hunting yields in southern Spain

The red-legged partridge is a small game species widely hunted in southern Spain. Its commercial use has important socioeconomic effects in rural areas where other agrarian uses are of marginal importance. The aims of the present work were to identify areas in Andalusia (southern Spain) where game yields for the red-legged partridge reach high values and to establish the environmental and land use factors that determine them. We analysed 32,134 annual hunting reports (HRs) produced by 6,049 game estates during the hunting seasons 1993/1994 to 2001/2002 to estimate the average hunting yields of red-legged partridge in each Andalusian municipality (n=771). We modelled the favourability for obtaining good hunting yields using stepwise logistic regression on a set of climatic, topographical, land use and vegetation variables that were available as digital coverages or tabular data applied to municipalities. Good hunting yields occur mainly in plain areas located in the Guadalquivir valley, at the bottom of Betic Range and in the Betic depressions. Favourable areas are related to highly mechanised, lowelevation areas mainly dedicated to intensive dry crops. The most favourable areas predicted by our model are mainly located in the Guadalquivir valley.

Guia dos peixes de água doce de Portugal Continental

O trabalho desenvolvido insere-se num projecto do FFishGUL, Freshwater Fish Group of the University of Lisbon, que consiste na publicação de um guia ilustrado que reúna e disponibilize informação sobre a fauna ictiológica dulciaquícola de Portugal Continental, dirigido a diversos públicos-alvo. Este guia procura promover o conhecimento sobre as espécies e comunidades piscícolas e ser uma ferramenta técnica de resposta a questões prioritárias em termos de conservação do património natural, gestão dos recursos hídricos e ordenamento do território. O âmbito deste trabalho de mestrado centra-se na ilustração de algumas das espécies de peixes tratadas, investigando e criando pela primeira vez uma representação rigorosa que promova a documentação e identificação destas, como ponto de partida para o trabalho a realizar para a totalidade das espécies a tratar no guia. O trabalho desenvolvido é um trabalho que se pode considerar inédito, na medida em que não existe, tanto quanto sabemos e após extensiva pesquisa bibliográfica neste domínio, nada publicado que se assemelhe aos níveis de rigor, detalhe e coerência entre todo o conjunto apresentado. O resultado pretendido para este guia é o de uma publicação de referência, de grande utilidade técnica e de cuidada comunicação visual. Nesse sentido foi também desenvolvido um layout gráfico, visando uma apresentação cuidada e apelativa dos conteúdos do guia, pretendendo contribuir para uma maior sensibilização dos vários públicos a que se destina; ABSTRACT: This Masters thesis is part of a larger project, developed by FFishGUL, the Freshwater Fish Group of the University of Lisbon, consisting of the edition of an illustrated guide to the freshwater fish of mainland Portugal. This guide aims to create a hitherto nonexistent tool to promote knowledge on Portuguese freshwater fish communities and species and help on the management of water resources and land-use planning. This Masters thesis is centered on the illustration of some of the guide’s fish species, aiming to study and create an accurate representation that will facilitate their correct identification. These illustrations serve as an example of the process that will be followed for the total guide’s species range. The developed work can be regarded as unprecedented, to the extent that there is not, as far as we know, and after extensive bibliographic research in this field, any published work resembling the levels of accuracy, detail and coherence of what is here presented. This guide intends to be a reference publication, of major technical utility and careful visual communication. In this sense a graphic layout was also developed, aiming a careful and attractive presentation of the guide’s contents and contributing to greater awareness of the various target audiences.

Direct nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes from soils under different land use in Brazil: a critical review.

Brazil typifies the land use changes happening in South America, where natural vegetation is continuously converted into agriculturally used lands, such as cattle pastures and croplands. Such changes in land use are always associated with changes in the soil nutrient cycles and result in altered greenhouse gas fluxes from the soil to the atmosphere. In this study, we analyzed literature values to extract patterns of direct nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from soils of different ecosystems in Brazil. Fluxes from natural ecosystems exhibited a wide range: whereas median annual flux rates were highest in Amazonian and Atlantic rainforests (2.42 and 0.88 kg N ha-1), emissions from cerrado soils were close to zero. The decrease in emissions from pastures with increasing time after conversion was associated with pasture degradation. We found comparatively low N2O-N fluxes from croplands (-0.07 to 4.26 kg N ha-1 yr-1 , median 0.80 kg N ha-1 yr-1) and a low response to N fertilization. Contrary to the assumptions, soil parameters, such as pH, Corg, and clay content emerged as poor predictors for N2O fluxes. This could be a result of the formation of micro-aggregates, which strongly affect the hydraulic properties of the soil, and consequently define nitrification and denitrification potentials. Since data from croplands mainly derived from areas that had been under natural cerrado vegetation before, it could explain the low emissions under agriculture. Measurements must be more frequent and regionally spread in order to enable sound national estimates.

TÉCNICAS CARTOGRÁFICAS PARA LA ORDENACIÓN DEL TERRITORIO Y SU DESARROLLO URBANÍSTICO. APLICACIÓN EN LA PLANIFICACIÓN DE GUADALAJARA-ESPAÑA Y TEGUCIGALPA-HONDURAS.

Es un hecho constatable que la cartografía y el urbanismo está íntimamente relacionado. El desarrollo tecnológico experimentado en la Cartografía y en disciplinas afines como la geodesia, la topografía, los Modelos Digitales del Terreno, la fotogrametría, la teledetección y la gestión de las basesde datos relacionadas, utilizando como herramienta los S.I.G´s, nos han permitido cartografiar, con la precisión requerida, el Término Municipal de Guadalajara-España para la ordenación del Plan 2000 y su desarrollo. Todas ellas pretendemos ponerlas en práctica para la ordenación territorial deTegucigalpa-Honduras, realizando como paso previo su Red G. P. S.Palabras clave: Cartografía, Urbanismo, Geodesia, Ordenación Territorial.ABSTRACTIt is an indisputable fact that cartography and urban planning are inextricably linked. Technological development experienced in cartography and related disciplines, such as geodesy, surveying, Digital Terrain Models, photogrammetry, remote sensing and management of related databases using GIS as the tool, has enabled us to map with required precision the municipality of Guadalajara (Spain) to manage the Plan 2000 and its development. The intention now is to implement in Tegucigalpa (Honduras) the same regional land use planning using the GPS network.Key words: Cartography. Urban Planning. Geodesy. Regional Land Use Planning. 

PREVENCIÓN Y RESOLUCIÓN DE POTENCIALES CONFLICTOS SOCIOAMBIENTALES EN LA CUENCA DEL RÍO TÉRRABA: EL CASO DEL PROYECTO HIDROELÉCTRICO BORUCA

La microcuenca del río Poás (ubicada entre el volcán Barva y el volcán Poás, hasta la confluencia con el río Grande cerca de la ciudad de Alajuela) posee un alto potencial para la formación de acuíferos de alta calidad. Por este motivo sus recursos naturales deben utilizarse adecuadamente. La mejor manera de lograr lo anterior es mediante la planificación del uso de la tierra. En esta investigación se plantea para ello el ordenamiento territorial y el manejo de cuencas. Para este propósito se realiza una zonificación mediante la cual se identifican las siguientes zonas: sin restricción de uso, uso restringido y uso muy restringido. La mayor parte de la m icrocuenca (64,6%) se encuentra en la categoría de “sin restricción de uso”. Sin embargo. se hace necesaria la intervención con rapidez en sectores ubicados en la parte alta de la microcuenca que se clasifican de “uso muy restringido”. En relación con el recurso hídrico, en la microcuenca en los últimos 14 años y de acuerdo con la metodología aplicada, se ha elevado la producción hídrica, específicamente en la escorrentía y la ganancia. En general aumentó en 1,6%.Abstract:The Poas river micro watershed (located between the Barva and Poas volcanoes reaching the confluence of the Grande river near the city of Alajuela) has high potential for developing high quality aquifers, thus, its natural resnurces should be utilized adequately. This is best done by proper land use planning. In this study guidelines are presented for land use planning and watershed management. Land use is zoned or classified for the following uses:unrestricted use, restricted use, and highly restricted use. Most of the micro watershed (64.6 percent) is classified or zoned as ‘unrestricted use.’ However, urgent intervention is needed in demand and the possibility to export it. However, it is also possible to see the negative impaci of the project, such as: indigenous territories and a pan of the Interamerican Road being flooding, population displacement and the environmental ¡mpact on the Terraba-Sierpe mangrove. This diversity and incompatibility of factors and interest make a complex scenario that potentializes diverse conflicts.

MANEJO Y ORDENAMIENTO TERRITORIAL DE CUENCAS DE COSTA RICA. EL CASO DE LA MIÇROCUENCA DEL RÍO POÁS

La microcuenca del río Poás (ubicada entre el volcán Barva y el volcán Poás, hasta la confluencia con el río Grande cerca de la ciudad de Alajuela) posee un alto potencial para la formación de acuíferos de alta calidad. Por este motivo sus recursos naturales deben utilizarse adecuadamente. La mejor manera de lograr lo anterior es mediante la planificación del uso de la tierra. En esta investigación se plantea para ello el ordenamiento territorial y el manejo de cuencas. Para este propósito se realiza una zonificación mediante la cual se identifican las siguientes zonas: sin restricción de uso, uso restringido y uso muy restringido. La mayor parte de la microcuenca (64,6%) se encuentra en la categoríade “sin restricción de uso”. Sin embargo. se hace necesaria la intervención con rapidez en sectores ubicados en la parte alta de la microcuenca que se clasifican de “uso muy restringido”. En relación con el recurso hídrico, en la microcuenca en los últimos 14 años y de acuerdo con la metodología aplicada, se ha elevado la producción hídrica, específicamente en la escorrentía y la ganancia. En general aumentó en 1,6%.Abstract: The Poas river micro watershed (located between the Barva and Poas volcanoes reaching the confluence of the Grande river near the city of Alajuela) has high potential for developing high quality aquifers. thus, its natural resources should be utilized adequately. This is best done by proper land use planning. In this study guidelines are presented for land use planning and watershed management. Land use is zoned or classified for the following uses: unrestncted use, restricted use, and highly restricted use. Most of the micro watershed (64.6 percent) is classified or zoned as ‘unrestricted use.’ However, urgent intervention is needed in the upper areas of the micro watershed cla.ssified as ‘highly restricted use.’ In the Iast l4years. according Lo the methodology applied, hydrologic production has increased about 1.6 percent. specifically in runoff and soil moisture surpius.

TRANSFORMACIÓN EN EL USO DE LA TIERRA: UN ESTUDIO DE LA MICROCUENCA QUEBRADA ESTERO, SAN RAMÓN

En el siguiente artículo se analizan las transformaciones en el uso de la tierra en la microcuenca de la quebrada Estero en San Ramón, provincia de Alajuela. La investigación se basa en el análisis de fotografías aéreas pertene­cientes a los períodos que abarcan 1979, 1989 y 1999. Se estiman los cambios en el área ocupada por los diferentes tipos de usos de la tierra. Se identifica su evolución y se muestran, a partir de suficiente información cuantitativa, los porcentajes de cambios en los distintos usos y las tendencias espaciales de éstos. La investigación demuestra que actualmente existe un acelerado creci­miento urbano con un inadecuado patrón de ordenamiento territorial y una disminución progresiva de áreas dedicadas a bosque, pasto y cultivos.ABSTRACT In the following article, transformation of land use in the microcuenca Estero in San Ramón, province of Alajuela is analyzed. The investigation is based upon the analysis of aerial photographs of three different periods of 1979, 1989 and 1999. This allows for the estimation of change in each distinct Land use type and the identification of the evolution of Land use, gives enough quantitative information to calculate the percentage of change between each period, and the tendencies of incremental expansion. The investigation shows a current, incremental acceleration of urban áreas with minimal territorial planning and a progressive decrease of áreas previously occupied by forests, pastures and agriculture.

Supporting land use change modelling with automated monitoring of land use dynamics in the La Plata River Basin.

2008

Sensor TTC - the La Plata River basin application: policy cases, main land use change drivers and case studies.

2008

GEOMORFOLOGIA Y USO DEL SUELO

Se ha pretendido demostrar la importancia de los estudios geomorficos en la planificación del uso del suelo de un área y la manera en que pueden ser afectadas las zonas de expansión urbana por la omisión del factor geomorfológico. El área en Estudio es pequeña, comprende la sección SE de la hoja topográfica Abra, escala 1:50.000, pero se aplico una metodología en la que se hicieron intervenir el análisis de la carta topográfica, de las fotos aéreas y estudios de campo. Se hizo un mapeo de formas y otro de suelos. Se estudió el uso actual del suelo y el uso potencial. ASTRACT The author has attempted to demonstrate the importance of geomorphic studies in the land use planning of an area and the manner in which urban expansion can be affected by the omission of the geomorphologie factor. The small study area covers the southeast section of the Abra topographic map, scale 1:50.000. No matter the size of the study area, a methodology was used that permitted an extensive analysis of the forms and types of landforms encountered. Also studied was the actual and potencial land use of the area.

LA ZONIFICACIÓN DE AMENAZA POR INUNDACIÓN COMO HERRAMIENTA PARA EL ORDENAMIENTO TERRITORIAL EN EL VALLE DEL RÍO SIXAOLA

En el caso de Costa Rica, uno de los eventos naturales que reviste especial importancia por su  frecuencia y daños acumulativos son las inundaciones; una herramienta para reducir los constantes desastres es la zonificación de amenazas por inundación. Mediante esta técnica es posible orientar el ordenamiento territorial y facilitar la gestión del riesgo. La cuenca del río Sixaola es una de las más afectadas por inundaciones en Costa Rica, en la parte baja se ubican asentamientos humanos habitados principalmente por núcleos de población altamente vulnerables. En este artículo se presenta la zonificación de amenaza por inundación, elaborada para el río Sixaola. ABSTRACT In the case of Costa Rica, one of the natural events of particular importance because of its frequency and cumulative damage is flooding. A tool to reduce this ongoing disaster is flood hazard zoning. Using this technique it is possible to guide land use planning and facilitate risk management. The Sixaola River Basin is one of the most affected by flooding in Costa Rica, and inhabitants of villages in the lower settlements are highly vulnerable. This article presents the flood hazard zoning plan developed for the Sixaola River.

Sensitivity analysis of QRA to the occurrence frequencies of top-events: a case study

L’obiettivo del lavoro di tesi è stato quello di valutare la sensitività dell’analisi quantitativa del rischio (QRA, Quantitative Risk Analysis) alla frequenza di accadimento degli scenari di rilascio delle sostanze pericolose ovvero dei top-events. L’analisi di rischio è stata condotta applicando, ad uno stabilimento a rischio di incidente rilevante della Catalogna, i passaggi procedurali previsti dall’istruzione 14/2008 SIE vigente in quella regione. L’applicazione di questa procedura ha permesso di ottenere le curve isorischio, che collegano i punti attorno allo stabilimento aventi lo stesso valore del rischio locale. Le frequenze base dei top-events sono state prese innanzitutto dalla linea guida BEVI, e successivamente ai fini dell’analisi di sensitività, sono stati considerati sia i valori forniti da altre 3 autorevoli linee guida sia i valori ottenuti considerando incrementi delle frequenze base del 20%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 200%, 300%, 500%, 700%, 1000%, 2000%, 3000%, 4000%, 5000%. L’analisi delle conseguenze è stata condotta tramite i software EFFECTS ed ALOHA, mentre ai fini della ricomposizione del rischio è stato utilizzato il codice RISKCURVES. La sensitività alle frequenze dei top-events è stata valutata in termini di variazione del diametro massimo delle curve isorischio, con particolare attenzione a quella corrispondente a 10-6 ev/anno, che rappresenta il limite di accettabilità del rischio per la pianificazione territoriale nell’intorno dello stabilimento. E’ stato così dimostrato che l’estensione delle curve isorischio dipende in maniera molto forte dalla frequenza dei top-events e che l’utilizzo di dati di frequenza provenienti da linee guida diverse porta a curve isorischio di dimensioni molto differenti. E’ dunque confermato che la scelta delle frequenze degli scenari incidentali rappresenta, nella conduzione dell’analisi di rischio, un passaggio delicato e cruciale.

FY 2013 Highway Construction Program Expenditures/Obligations

This report describes the highway construction program, actual expenditures of the program and contractual obligations of the program for FY 2013.

FY2014 Highway Construction Program Expenditures/Obligations

This report describes the highway construction program, actual expenditures of the program and contractual obligations of the program for FY 2014.

FY2015 Highway Construction Program Expenditures/Obligations

This report describes the highway construction program, actual expenditures of the program and contractual obligations of the program for FY 2015.