National report of IFMP catch assessment survey (CAS) for August 2005

The first comprehensive CAS was carried out during the month of July 2005 This is the second report of CAS for the month of August 2005 following the July report. The design and methodology followed was the same as in July. This report highlights the results obtained in August catch assessment survey. The report gives estimates of mean catch rates in Kgs./boat/day, total catches in M.tons and values of the catch by species. The total catch for August was 31,633.0 M. tons. This is lower when compared with the July catch which was 39,745.1 M. tons. In August the catch composed of Dagaa (45%), Nile perch (33%), Haplochromines (16%), Tilapiines (5%) and all other species combined (1%). (PDF contains 14 pages)

"Rapid and dramatic changes in vegetation" of a small pond on Holy Island (Northumbria): Chaotic dynamics?

This note describes changes to the relative extent of four structurally dominant submerged macrophytes in a pond on Holy Island National Nature Reserve, Northumbria, between 1991 and 1998. The estimated extent of the four submerged macrophytes and bare substratum between 1991 and 1998 showed dramatic changes with no obvious pattern or periodicity, as well as no identifiable natural or anthropogenic causes. Chaotic variation may be an important character of submerged pond plant populations, so that surveys taken in a single year may give an unreliable picture of plant populations.

Fish communities and fisheries in Wales's National Nature Reserves: a review

Wales is important for fish conservation in Britain. In much of Wales, atchments are small (median catchment size = 121 km2 ) and frequently eparated by areas of upland (> 600 m altitude), creating a highly agmented habitat for freshwater fish. Consequently, fish communities onsist mainly of diadromous species such as trout, eel and sticklebacks hat were able to recolonise freshwaters via the sea following the retreat of he ice sheets ca. 10 000 years BP. This review aims to (i) update the former work of Lyle and Maitland, taking into account new National Nature Reserves (NNRs)and additional data collected since 1991; (ii) assess the different fish communities represented on Welsh NNRs with respect to their naturalness; (iii) examine the use of NNRs for angling; (iv) evaluate opportunities for expanding the NNR series to conserve fish populations of conservation importance. The paper provides a table of freshwater fish occurrence by water body in Wales.

Herpetofaunal Inventories of the National Parks of South Florida and the Caribbean: Volume II. Virgin Islands National Park

Amphibian declines and extinctions have been documented around the world, often in protected natural areas. Concern for this alarming trend has focused attention on the need to document all species of amphibians that occur within U.S. National Parks and to search for any signs that amphibians may be declining. This study, an inventory of amphibian species in Virgin Islands National Park, was conducted from 2001 to 2003. The goals of the project were to create a georeferenced inventory of amphibian species, use new analytical techniques to estimate proportion of sites occupied by each species, look for any signs of amphibian decline (missing species, disease, die-offs, etc.), and to establish a protocol that could be used for future monitoring efforts. Several sampling methods were used to accomplish these goals. Visual encounter surveys and anuran vocalization surveys were conducted in all habitats throughout the park to estimate the proportion of sites or proportion of area occupied (PAO) by amphibian species in each habitat. Line transect methods were used to estimate density of some amphibian species and double observer analysis was used to refine counts based on detection probabilities. Opportunistic collections were used to augment the visual encounter methods for rare species. Data were collected during four sampling periods and every major trail system throughout the park was surveyed. All of the amphibian species believed to occur on St. John were detected during these surveys. One species not previously reported, the Cuban treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis), was also added to the species list. That species and two others (Eleutherodactylus coqui and Eleutherodactylus lentus) bring the total number of introduced amphibians on St. John to three. We detected most of the reptile species thought to occur on St. John, but our methods were less suitable for reptiles compared to amphibians. No amphibian species appear to be in decline at this time. We found no evidence of disease or of malformations. Our surveys provide a snapshot picture of the status of the amphibian species, so continued monitoring would be necessary to determine long-term trends, but several potential threats to amphibians were identified. Invasive species, especially the Cuban treefrog, have the potential to decrease populations of native amphibians. Introduced mammalian predators are also a potential threat, especially to the reptiles of St. John, and mammalian grazers might have indirect effects on amphibians and reptiles through habitat modification. Finally, loss of habitat to development outside the park boundary could harm some important populations of amphibians and reptiles on the island.

Experimental culture of algal balls (Cladophora sauteri). Retention of original shape [Translation from: Bull.Jap.Soc.Phycol. Vol. 10, (1), p. 23-27, 1962]

It was on July 1960 when 10 algal balls were acquired for exhibition at Suma Aquarium, Kobe. Permission to remove the specimens from the Lake Akan Reserve was given by the National Nature Reserve Committee. Algal balls, as a rule, lose their natural beauty when they are kept in an ordinary tank for a certain length of time. In an effort to retain the natural beauty it was decided to exhibit them in culture. This paper summarises the findings of this experiments with Cladophora sauteri. The author concludes that serious consideration has to be given as to the intensity of light, the sunlight, the water temperature and the nutrition for algal balls in culture in order to retain the natural beauty and shape.

Herpetofaunal Inventories of the National Parks of South Florida and the Caribbean: Volume III. Big Cypress National Preserve

Amphibian declines and extinctions have been documented around the world, often in protected natural areas. Concern for this trend has prompted the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service to document all species of amphibians that occur within U.S. National Parks and to search for any signs that amphibians may be declining. This study, an inventory of amphibian species in Big Cypress National Preserve, was conducted from 2002 to 2003. The goals of the project were to create a georeferenced inventory of amphibian species, use new analytical techniques to estimate proportion of sites occupied by each species, look for any signs of amphibian decline (missing species, disease, die-offs, and so forth.), and to establish a protocol that could be used for future monitoring efforts. Several sampling methods were used to accomplish these goals. Visual encounter surveys and anuran vocalization surveys were conducted in all habitats throughout the park to estimate the proportion of sites or proportion of area occupied (PAO) by each amphibian species in each habitat. Opportunistic collections, as well as limited drift fence data, were used to augment the visual encounter methods for highly aquatic or cryptic species. A total of 545 visits to 104 sites were conducted for standard sampling alone, and 2,358 individual amphibians and 374 reptiles were encountered. Data analysis was conducted in program PRESENCE to provide PAO estimates for each of the anuran species. All of the amphibian species historically found in Big Cypress National Preserve were detected during this project. At least one individual of each of the four salamander species was captured during sampling. Each of the anuran species in the preserve was adequately sampled using standard herpetological sampling methods, and PAO estimates were produced for each species of anuran by habitat. This information serves as an indicator of habitat associations of the species and relative abundance of sites occupied, but it will also be useful as a comparative baseline for future monitoring efforts. In addition to sampling for amphibians, all encounters with reptiles were documented. The sampling methods used for detecting amphibians are also appropriate for many reptile species. These reptile locations are included in this report, but the number of reptile observations was not sufficient to estimate PAO for reptile species. We encountered 35 of the 46 species of reptiles believed to be present in Big Cypress National Preserve during this study, and evidence exists of the presence of four other reptile species in the Preserve. This study found no evidence of amphibian decline in Big Cypress National Preserve. Although no evidence of decline was observed, several threats to amphibians were identified. Introduced species, especially the Cuban treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis), are predators and competitors with several native frog species. The recreational use of off-road vehicles has the potential to affect some amphibian populations, and a study on those potential impacts is currently underway. Also, interference by humans with the natural hydrologic cycle of south Florida has the potential to alter the amphibian community. Continued monitoring of the amphibian species in Big Cypress National Preserve is recommended. The methods used in this study were adequate to produce reliable estimates of the proportion of sites occupied by most anuran species, and are a cost-effective means of determining the status of their populations.

Segmentação e classificação de imagens destinadas ao mapeamento digital do Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos (PARNASO)

Na perspectiva ambiental, o Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos (PARNASO) é o Parque Nacional mais pesquisado no Brasil e configura-se como uma importante Unidade de Conservação inserida no estado do Rio de Janeiro, devido à sua importância ambiental para o estado. Localizado em quatro municípios da região serrana: Teresópolis, Petrópolis, Magé e Guapimirim foi constatado que essa área tem passado por alguns problemas, relativamente recentes, de ocupação desordenada devido à expansão urbana em sua vizinhança caracterizada por pressão antrópica. Através do processamento de imagens digitais, mais especificamente as etapas de segmentação e classificação, foi possível ilustrar o processo de ocupação humana por meio de documentos cartográficos. Além de estes processos possibilitarem a geração de mapas de uso da Terra e cobertura vegetal, com o intuito de auxiliar e dar fomento à execução de atividades, o mapeamento digital configura-se numa importante ferramenta para a análise ambiental, contribuindo para o posterior zoneamento da área de estudo. Adotaram-se classes temáticas de uso e ocupação da Terra com o propósito de permitir a classificação das imagens digitais trabalhadas. São elas: afloramento rochoso, área urbana, agricultura e vegetação. Estudos foram feitos no sentido de indicar e explorar as funcionalidades das ferramentas SPRING e DEFINIENS e resultados foram comparados a partir do uso de imagens LANDSAT, CBERS, SPOT e IKONOS chegando-se a resultados de que no sistema SPRING, os melhores parâmetros a serem escolhidos foram similaridade 10 e área 400. Já para o sistema DEFINIENS, constatou-se que o processo de segmentação multinível permitiu o alcance de resultados mais rápidos, do ponto de vista computacional, do que o processo de segmentação único utilizado normalmente entre os sistemas de processamento de imagens digitais como o SPRING. Já sob a ótica do processo de classificação de imagens, a pesquisa constituiu em avaliar este mecanismo por meio de dois indicadores: o de exatidão/acurácia e o índice Kappa. Neste sentido, observaram-se tendências de melhores resultados no sistema SPRING.

Sistema de classificação da gestão ambiental pública municipal baseado em lógica nebulosa

A partir da Lei n. 6.938 de 31 de agosto de 1981, que constituiu o Sistema Nacional do Meio Ambiente, criou-se o Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente e instituiu-se o Cadastro Técnico Federal de Atividades e Instrumentos de Defesa Ambiental, a gestão ambiental pública ganhou um espaço cada vez maior nas administrações municipais, com a implementação de instrumentos de gestão ambiental propiciando aos municípios a possibilidade de ações efetivas que contribuam para uma melhor qualidade de vida a população. Esse trabalho propõe a criação de um método de classificação municipal que indicará qual o nível da gestão ambiental do município. Verificando o número de instrumentos de gestão ambiental constituído e o número de problemas ambientais ocorridos em cada município na visão do gestor local nos anos de 2006/2008. E ainda qual a influência do IDH tanto na implementação de tais instrumentos de gestão ambiental, como nas ocorrências dos problemas ambientais. Tal classificação tem a intenção de verificar se o município encontra-se bem aparelhado no que se refere à gestão ambiental, auxiliando para futuras decisões nas ações da política ambiental local. O foco desse trabalho serão os municípios dos estados de Minas Gerais, Piauí e Rio de Janeiro. Os resultados serão processados via o software MATLAB utilizando lógica nebulosa (fuzzy) e apresentados em um website utilizando as linguagens de programação JSP, HTML, JavaScript e esse website armazenado em um servidor TomCat e tais resultados serão apresentados nas formas de valores alfanuméricos em tabelas e espaciais através de mapas temáticos em uma solução sig-web. Os dados estão armazenados em um Sistema Gerenciador de Banco de Dados PostgreSQL com sua extensão espacial PostGIS, e o acesso aos mapas será feito através do servidor de mapas MapServer.

Reavaliação deposicional da Bacia de São José de Itaboraí com base em dados geológicos e geofísicos

A Bacia de São José de Itaboraí está localizada no Município de Itaboraí, no Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Ela foi descoberta em 1928, pelo Engenheiro Carlos Euler, que após analisar um suposto caulim encontrado na Fazenda São José pelo seu então proprietário, Sr. Ernesto Coube, verificou que se tratava de calcário. Os Professores Rui Lima e Silva e Othon H. Leonardos, enviados ao local para estudos, encontraram uma grande quantidade de fósseis de gastrópodes continentais, despertando o interesse científico pela região. Os estudos preliminares de campo e análises químicas evidenciaram boas perspectivas de exploração do calcário para a fabricação de cimento do tipo Portland. Por mais de 50 anos, a Companhia Nacional de Cimento Portland Mauá (CNCPM) explorou a pedreira. Desde sua descoberta, a Bacia de São José, paralelamente às atividades de mineração, foi objeto de pesquisas científicas realizadas por geólogos, paleontólogos e arqueólogos. No início da década de 80, a Cia. de Cimento Mauá decidiu abandonar a área em função do esgotamento econômico da reserva de minério. Com a retirada das bombas que impediam a inundação da pedreira, formou-se uma lagoa que passou a impedir o livre acesso aos afloramentos. Desde então as pesquisas sobre a Bacia ficaram concentradas aos materiais coletados no período de exploração de calcário. Material esse distribuído no Museu Nacional (MN), Departamento Nacional da Produção Mineral (DNPM), Instituto de Geociências da UFRJ, entre outros. Em 1990, a área que pertencia a CNCPM foi desapropriada por pressão da comunidade científica. A mesma passou a pertencer ao Município de Itaboraí, que criou o Parque Paleontológico de São José de Itaboraí, por meio da Lei 1.346, de 12 de dezembro de 1995. O objetivo desse trabalho foi gerar novos dados através do método geofísico conhecido como magnetometria. Para isso foram realizados levantamentos de campo utilizando um magnetômetro portátil e GPS, foram analisados e corrigidos dados utilizando softwares específicos, elaborados modelos e criados perfis a partir de descrições de testemunhos de sondagem. Os resultados obtidos visam possibilitar uma nova interpretação da geologia e da estratigrafia da bacia, dando condições para que se possa ter uma atualização dos conhecimentos relacionados à região, após quase meio século de atividade mineradora.

Global movements, national grievances. Mobilizing for “real democracy” and social justice

In the ashes of political and socio-economic collapse, social movements sometimes rise like a phoenix. Little more than a year has passed since the Tunisian uprisings, the spark that ignited a series of “mobilizations of the indignant” that spread like wildfire around the world. Many observers have reported on these unprecedented global protests. They have portrayed citizens who declare feeling marginalized if not scapegoated, and who reject the increasing inequalities between rich and poor, the declining mobility of most, and the “disclassment” of many. They have shown, as well, massive protests against governments and politicians that are perceived as indifferent at best, duplicitous at worst, and in any event as blatantly closed to popular concerns. Many journalists have indeed asked what took so long for people to protest given this fatal combination. For the social scientist, however, the questions of who, why and how mobilizes are not so simple. There are specific problematics of mediation between structure, culture and individual or collective agency that need to be addressed.

News from Academy Bay

Proclamation of a Great Galapagos Marine Reserve. Recovery of the Marine Iguana Population After the El Niño Catastrophe. The Española Tortoises - a Very Special Case. A Botanical Workshop at the Darwin Station. The Campaign to Save the Hawaiian Petrel. Visitors to the Galapagos National Park. Re-opening of the Cristobal Bonifaz Building. Joint Operational Planning. Meeting of the Permanent Commission for the South Pacific. Galapagos Conservationists Receive WWF Award.