Uncertainty of Food Security in Ghana by Biofuel (Jatropha curcas) Production as an Adaptation and Mitigation Capacity to Climate Change

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Effects of Illegal Artisanal Gold Mining Operations on Groundwater Quality in Ghana: The Case of Ahafo-Ano South District

The general properties and overall chemical quality for potability of groundwater in Ahafo-Ano South District of the Ashanti Region of Ghana have been evaluated. With respect to pH, about 92% of groundwaters were potable while 8% were acidic and not potable. Approximately 4%, 32%, 56% and 8% of sampled groundwater were soft, moderately soft, hard and very hard respectively. The overall chemical quality analysis of groundwaters showed that 20%, 28%, 40%, 4% and 8% had excellent, good, poor, very poor and unsuitable drinking water qualities respectively. Approximately 12%, 40% and 84% of As, Ni and Pb exceeded their respective WHO limits while 32% of Cd and Fe exceeded their respective limits for potable water. These higher concentrations of heavy metals were observed to have occurred in communities with intensive illegal gold mining operations. Inhabitants in these areas could potentially be more predisposed to potential health hazards including cancer, nervous system damage, low IQ in children, reduced growth of foetus and premature birth in pregnant women, and kidney damage. It is expected that illegal artisanal gold mining activities will be banned while policies aimed at providing alternative livelihood be instituted to minimize any potential health hazards on humans in the District

The impact of crop farmers’ decisions on future land use, land cover changes in Kintampo North Municipality of Ghana

Purpose - This paper aims to assess the rate and land category contributing to the changes in seven land-uses in the Kintampo North Municipality of Ghana and the effect of the decisions of land users on future landscapes. Design/methodology/approach - LANDSAT images were classified to generate land use/cover maps to detect changes that had occurred between 1986 and 2014. In total, 120 farmers were also interviewed to determine their perceptions on land use changes. Interval, category and transition levels of changes were determined. Savanna woodland, settlement and forest were mostly converted to farmland in both intervals (1986-2001 and 2001-2014). Findings - Results showed that rock outcrop, plantation, cropland and savanna woodland increased at an annual rate of 13.86, 1.57, 0.82 and 0.33 per cent, respectively, whilst forest, settlement and water body decreased at 4.90, 1.84 and 1.17 per cent annual rate of change, respectively. Approximately, 74 per cent of farmers will not change land use in the future, while 84.2 per cent plan to increase farm sizes. Research limitations/implications - The study shows that more land cover will be targeted for conversion as farmers expand their farmlands. There is the need for strict implementation of appropriate land use/cover policies to sustain food production in the region in this era of changing climate and population increase. Originality/value - This research assessed the land use changes in the Kintampo North Municipality and its impacts on agriculture and carbon stocks release via land use changes. It identified how the decisions of the local farmers on land management will affect future landscape

Jeunesse, tajmaat et association en Kabylie aujourd’hui : cas d’Ath Idjer

Introduction Cette contribution souhaite développer une réflexion sur le rapport complexe qu’entretiennent les jeunes avec les organisations communautaires dans une région de Kabylie : Ath Idjer. Il s’agit d’étudier la question de l’engagement des jeunes dans les instances de gestion villageoises traditionnelles en cherchant à comprendre comment émergent et s’affirment les jeunes à la tête de ces organisations ? Quels sont les moments et les contextes sociologiques dans lesquels prend forme ..

Organisations communautaires, émigration et développement dans une région de Kabylie, Ath Idjer (Tizi Ouzou)

Cette contribution veut expliquer comment de nos jours les instances de gestion villageoises participent pleinement au développement local et comment l’émigration (notamment en France) y contribue. Notre approche renvoie à une conception du développement local liée à une dynamique communautaire dont les principaux acteurs sont des villageois. Cette dynamique s’appuie également sur les rapports qui s’établissent entre ces acteurs villageois et entre ceux-ci et les émigrés du village.This contribution wants to explain how today village management bodies participate fully in local development and how emigration (especially in France) contributes. Our approach refers to a conception of local development linked to community dynamics which main actors are the villagers. Cette dynamique s’appuie également sur les rapports qui s’établissent entre ces acteurs villageois et entre ceux-ci et les émigrés du village. This dynamics is also based on reports which are established between these village actors and between them and immigrants from the village.تحاول هذه المساهمة شرح كيفية مشاركة هيآت التسيير القروي في التنمية المحلية، وخاصة مشاركة الجالية المهاجرة بفرنسا. تحيل مقاربتنا إلى تصور للتنمية المحلية مرتبط بدينامية جماعاتية يعتبر القرويون محركيها الأساسيين. وتعتمد هذه الدينامية أيضا على العلاقات بين هؤلاء القرويين، وبينهم وبين مهاجري القرية

Effets des statines sur les paramètres d’endurance chez des patients de plus de 65 ans effectuant un programme de réentrainement à l’effort : une étude observationnelle

Médecine généraleIntroduction : nous avons entrepris d’étudier l’impact des statines sur l’activité physique des personnes âgées. Matériel et Méthode : étude observationnelle rétrospective monocentrique de patients participants au programme de réentrainement à l’effort au CAPS de type PEP’C ou charge continue. Ainsi, nous avons comparé les résultats de ce programme de patients de plus 65 ans sous statines à des patients de plus 65 ans sans statines. Les critères de jugement principaux sont la variation de la fréquence cardiaque et la variation du premier seuil ventilatoire. Les critères de jugement secondaires sont les variations de charges ainsi que les différences de charges totales mobilisées. Le critère principal d’inclusion est l’âge supérieur à 65 ans et la prise ou non de Statines. Les critères d’exclusion sont la présence d’une affection cachectisante ainsi qu’une non-comparabilité des données de réentrainement à l’effort. Résultats : deux groupes ont été constitués : le groupe 1 contrôle (sans Statine) (n= 15), le groupe 2 (Statine) (n=22). Dans le groupe contrôle, on observe une baisse de la fréquence cardiaque mesurée à 4,38% contre 0,244% dans le groupe Statine (p=0,367). Concernant la variation du SV1, on observe un gain dans les deux groupes, à savoir 19,7% dans le groupe contrôle contre 17,5% (p=0,694). Enfin, on note un gain en charge dans les deux groupes également, 19,7% dans le groupe contrôle et 18% dans le groupe Statine (p=0,109) ainsi qu’une charge totale mobilisée au cours de l’ensemble du réentrainement respectivement mesurée à 24300watt contre 23859watt (p=0,709). Conclusion : les deux groupes ont progressé grâce à ce réentrainement sans différence significative. On observe cependant une tendance allant en faveur du groupe contrôle.Introduction: we undertook to study the impact of statins on the physical activity of older people. Material and Method: Monocentric retrospective observational study of patients participating in the CAPS exercise re-training programme of the PEP'C or continuous load type. Thus, we compared the results of this programme of patients over 65 years of age on statins to patients over 65 years of age without statins. The main assessment criteria were the variation in heart rate and the variation in the first ventilatory threshold. The secondary assessment criteria were the load variations and the differences in total mobilised loads. The main criterion for inclusion is age over 65 and whether or not statins are taken. The exclusion criteria are the presence of a masking disease and the non-comparability of data on effort re-training. Results: Two groups were formed: group 1 control (without Statin) (n=15), group 2 (Statin) (n=22). In the control group, there was a decrease in heart rate measured at 4.38% compared to 0.244% in the Statin group (p=0.367). Concerning the variation in SV1, a gain is observed in both groups, namely 19.7% in the control group against 17.5% (p=0.694). Finally, there was a gain in load in both groups as well, 19.7% in the control group and 18% in the Statine group (p=0.109), as well as a total load mobilised during the whole of the re-training, measured respectively at 24300watt against 23859watt (p=0.709). Conclusion: The two groups progressed thanks to this re-training without significant difference. However, there is a trend in favour of the control group

Le médecin généraliste en EHPAD : un acteur incongru ? Étude au sein des EHPAD d'un territoire défavorisé

ContextResidential facilities for dependent elderly people have difficulties ensuring medical follow-up of their residents by general practitioners. The barriers to medical visits are well-known. Seine-Saint-Denis is particularly affected by the medical demography crisis.ObjectivesTo describe the organization of visits by general practitioners in residential facilities for dependent elderly people in Seine-Saint-Denis. To assess the influence of the institutions’ status on this organization.MethodQuantitative descriptive cross-sectional study of 65 facilities in Seine Saint-Denis. A questionnaire drawn from the literature on known barriers to medical visits was used.ResultsFifty institutions (76.9%) contributed. Most visits (88.0%) took place in patients’ rooms. When the practitioner arrived, the patient was present at the site in 80.0% of the facilities, especially when they were private and associative (p = 0.01). The doctor was accompanied by a staff member in 30.0% of the facilities, especially when they were for-profit (p = 0.02). Exchanges between general practitioners and the staff were sporadic and unorganized. All in all, the public facilities seemed to be less well-organized to receive general practitioners.DiscussionResidential facilities for the elderly do not seem to have implemented specific organization for visits by general practitioners, who are not integrated in the staff.ConclusionExperiments with doctors gainfully employed in institutions could be carried out, following the example of several foreign countries.ContexteLes établissements pour personnes âgées dépendantes rencontrent des difficultés pour assurer le suivi médical de leurs résidents par les médecins généralistes. Les freins à la visite médicale sont bien documentés. La Seine-Saint-Denis est un territoire particulièrement touché par la crise de la démographie médicale.ObjectifsDécrire les modalités organisationnelles des visites des médecins généralistes au sein des établissements pour personnes âgées dépendantes de Seine-Saint-Denis. Mesurer une influence du statut des établissements sur cette organisation.MéthodeÉtude quantitative descriptive transversale auprès des 65 établissements du département de Seine-Saint-Denis. Un questionnaire, construit à partir de la littérature sur les freins connus à la visite médicale, a été administré.RésultatsCinquante établissements (76,9 %) ont participé. Les visites se déroulaient majoritairement (88,0 %) dans la chambre du patient. Le patient était présent sur le lieu de visite à l'arrivée du médecin dans 80,0 % des établissements, surtout dans les établissements privés et associatifs (p = 0,01). Le médecin était accompagné par un membre dans 30,0 % des établissements, surtout dans les établissements à but lucratif (p = 0,02). Les échanges entre les médecins généralistes et l’équipe étaient rares et non organisés. Globalement, les établissements publics semblaient moins bien organisés dans l'accueil des médecins généralistes.DiscussionLes établissements d'hébergement pour personnes âgées dépendantes ne semblent pas avoir mis en place d'organisation spécifique de la visite des médecins généralistes. Ces derniers ne sont pas intégrés aux équipes.ConclusionDes expérimentations de médecins salariés des établissements pourraient être menées, à l'instar de plusieurs pays étrangers

Taking Stock of Climate Change Induced Sea Level Rise across the West African Coast

The impact of climate induced sea level rise (SLR) is a major threat, likely to continue even if greenhouse gas concentrations were stabilized. SLR will not be geographically uniform. Developing countries are most impacted because of their low adaptive capacity. This study reviewed the most recent scientific evidence of the impact, vulnerability and adaptation of coastal areas in West Africa to climate induced SLR. The results show an increasing rate in SLR for the near and further future. Coastal communities in West Africa are vulnerable to erosion, flooding and inundation resulting in the loss of many coastal lands and ensuing socio-economic consequences. Therefore adaptation is a matter of urgency. Given that relatively little and unbalanced information exists on this subject for those areas, we call for the need to invest resources into studying and protecting coastal communities in West Africa against current and future impacts of climate change and SLR.</p

Activité cellulolytique in vitro de sols de deux steppes à alfa (Stipa tenacissima L.) d’Algérie

Cellulose represents an important part of the organic matter returned to soil with the litter of alfa. Thus cellulolytic activity is a good indicator of the soil microbial activity. Different experiments in vitro compared the influence of different conditions, particularly the gradient of aridity, corresponding to two sites : arid alfa steppe and semi-arid alfa steppe. Soil samples were collected underneath and between tufts of vegetation. Different temperature and humidity were chosen in function of climatic data. Two levels soil depth were studied. From our results, it can be concluded that cellulolytic activity in the arid alfa steppe soils is less intense than in the semi-arid ones, as determined in vitro.La cellulose constitue une part importante de la matière organique apportée par les litières d’alfa. L’activité cellulolytique étant un bon indicateur de l’activité microbiologique des sols, différentes expériences in vitro ont été effectuées afin de comparer l’influence des conditions stationnelles et en particulier du gradient d’aridité dans deux stations : une steppe d’alfa aride et une steppe d’alfa semi-aride. Des prélèvements ont été effectués sous les touffes d’alfa et entre les touffes. Différents taux d’humidité et températures ont été choisis en fonction des conditions climatiques. Deux niveaux de sol ont été étudiés. Il apparaît que l’activité cellulolytique in vitro est moins intense dans la station la plus aride. Les sols de la station aride sont proportionnellement plus actifs aux fortes températures et humidités faibles que ceux de la station semi-aride.Bessah Rahma, Rozé Françoise, Nedjraoui Dalila. Activité cellulolytique in vitro de sols de deux steppes à alfa (Stipa tenacissima L.) d’Algérie. In: Ecologia mediterranea, tome 25 n°2, 1999. pp. 185-192

The changing land use and land cover in the Mediterranean Basin: implications on forest ecosystem services

The Mediterranean Basin covers more than 2 million square kilometres and is surrounded by three continents: Africa, Asia, and Europe. It is home to more than 500 million people and is projected to reach 670 million by 2050. The basin is rich in species diversity, with a great wealth of endemism. The supply of ecosystem services is greatly challenged due to the trend of land use and land cover (LULC) change coupled with other global change drivers. The current study thoroughly reviewed the existing body of knowledge on the impacts of LULC change on forest ecosystem services. The LULC change is driven by synergetic factor combinations of urbanization, population increase, agricultural land abandonment and deforestation putting additional strain on forest ecosystem services. The review shows the potential impacts on biodiversity as well as ecosystem services such as wood and non-wood forest products, water resources, and carbon stock. Moreover, there is evidence showing the threats of LULC change to saproxylic beetle species, a key agent in the nutrient cycling process, posing a significant risk to a nutrient-deficient ecosystem. Therefore, there is a need to mitigate the challenges posed by LULC change and adapt forest management practices to impending changes to sustain the provision of ecosystem goods and services