Tourism and Arctic Observation Systems : exploring the relationships

The Arctic is affected by global environmental change and also by diverse interests from many economic sectors and industries. Over the last decade, various actors have attempted to explore the options for setting up integrated and comprehensive trans-boundary systems for monitoring and observing these impacts. These Arctic Observation Systems (AOS) contribute to the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of environmental change and responsible social and economic development in the Arctic. The aim of this article is to identify the two-way relationship between AOS and tourism. On the one hand, tourism activities account for diverse changes across a broad spectrum of impact fields. On the other hand, due to its multiple and diverse agents and far-reaching activities, tourism is also well-positioned to collect observational data and participate as an actor in monitoring activities. To accomplish our goals, we provide an inventory of tourism-embedded issues and concerns of interest to AOS from a range of destinations in the circumpolar Arctic region, including Alaska, Arctic Canada, Iceland, Svalbard, the mainland European Arctic and Russia. The article also draws comparisons with the situation in Antarctica. On the basis of a collective analysis provided by members of the International Polar Tourism Research Network from across the polar regions, we conclude that the potential role for tourism in the development and implementation of AOS is significant and has been overlooked.

EXPLORING THE SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN HUMAN-TIGER CONFILCTS IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA AND SUMATRA

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Synoptic problem : an investigation of synoptic relationships

In recent years, the Synoptic Problem has become an important focus of New Testament scholarship. The Two-Document Hypothesis, although still widely accepted as the solution, has recently been challenged by a variety of source hypotheses, most notably the Griesbach hypothesis. In effect, the Synoptic Problem has become an open question for an increasing number of scholars. This project analyzes four significant pericopae, the Empty Tomb Tradition, the Kingdom Parables Discourse, the Synoptic Apocalypse, and the Transfiguration Narrative, in an attempt to determine priority and dependence among the synoptic Gospels. The study does not presuppose a particular source theory, although it does evaluate specific ones when applicable. The aim of the study is to conduct an analysis of a limited but representative amount of synoptic material in order to develop a working hypothesis concerning synoptic relationships.

Exploring The Spatial Relationships Between Human-Tiger Conflicts In Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra

Large-carnivores and humans are increasingly in conflict as humans encroach on their natural territory. As a result, many large-carnivore species have become endangered due to habitat destruction, prey reduction and retaliatory killings from conflicts. No global internet database, however, exists to document, monitor and evaluate these conflicts, particularly to take advantage of the growing spatial resources available. Using human-tiger conflicts in Malaysia and Sumatra as a case study, this project explores how such a database could be created. GIS was used to conduct multiple analyses on the data obtained about these conflicts. We conclude that a database would require data to be compiled according to a protocol based on these spatial scales: Point, Sub-State Polygon and Provincial.