Ecosystem services

editorial reviewedThe concept of ecosystem services links the conservation of biodiversity and human development. This concept is central to the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, which aims to combine conservation of ecosystems and sustainable development through the zonation of biosphere reserves and other approaches. Biosphere reserves are excellent learning sites to study the interactions between people and nature, especially how people benefit from nature (ecosystem services), stakeholders’ perceptions and use of nature, important anthropogenic pressures, etc. The concept of ecosystem services helps to structure and study all of these interactions

Rheology of a confined granular material

We study the rheology of a granular material slowly driven in a confined geometry. The motion is characterized by a steady sliding with a resistance force increasing with the driving velocity and the surrounding relative humidity. For lower driving velocities a transition to stick-slip motion occurs, exhibiting a blocking enhancement whith decreasing velocity. We propose a model to explain this behavior pointing out the leading role of friction properties between the grains and the container's boundary.Comment: 9 pages, 3 .eps figures, submitted to PR

Diversité des chenilles comestibles et de leurs plantes hôtes en République du Congo

peer reviewedA systematic study of edible caterpillars and their host plants was carried out in different departments and localities of the Republic of the Congo. Twenty-nine (29) species of edible caterpillars were identified, of which 22 were determined to species level, i.e., namely 75.9 % of the species collected. The dominance of the Saturniidae and Notodontidae taxonomic families was established. The botanical study of the hosting plants revealed 90 plant species, belonging to 26 botanical families. The Fabaceae family was predominant (with a total of 33 species or 36.7% out of 90), followed by the Phyllanthaceae family (11,1%). Climate change could likely cause a light decrease of the host plants population by the year 2050. This information aims to guide conservation efforts and ensure sustainable use of edible caterpillars as food. It is recommended to particularly focus on the promotion of semi-domestication of edible caterpillars and awareness raising on cultivation techniques of host plants

About some caterpillars consumed by the Mongo people in Équateur Province (Democratic Republic of Congo)

peer reviewedLa consommation par l’Homme des larves de Lépidoptères en Afrique connaît un intérêt actuel important. Deux semaines d’observation en Province de l’Équateur de la République Démocratique du Congo auprès d’interlocuteurs Mongo et Batwa ont permis de collecter des informations concernant ce thème. Des données au sujet de six espèces ont été collectées, dont une espèce dont la consommation n’avait été signalée que deux fois auparavant, à savoir Nudaurelia anthinoides. Les différentes espèces sont passées en revue. Leurs dénominations locales et celles de leurs plantes nourricières sont citées. Les aires de répartition de la consommation des six espèces présentées sont évoquées sur base de citations antérieures. Les noms locaux révèlent un lien direct entre les plantes et les chenilles qui s’en nourrissent, par dérivation du nom d’une des plantes nourricières

Biosphere reserves. Living laboratories for sustainable development

editorial reviewedFor biosphere reserves stakeholders, this chapter functions as a good reminder of the objectives of the MAB Programme and the role and structure of biosphere reserves. This chapter also emphasizes the extensive range and diversity of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) in terms of ecosystems, social contexts and management types, and highlights its promotion of North-South and South-South collaboration as a unique tool for international cooperation through sharing knowledge, exchanging experiences, building capacity and promoting best practices. The chapter further underlines the importance of stakeholders and notes that other biosphere reserves both in Africa and worldwide face similar challenges and share common objectives. For non-MAB stakeholders, this chapter can help better understand the MAB Programme and its network of biosphere reserves, as well as their specificities

Opening Ceremony: Welcome | Introduction to the Conference Theme: Health Promotion: Transformative action in a changing Europe

Opening ceremony consisting of the welcoming ceremony and an introduction to the theme of the congress dedicated to health promotion as a transformative action in a changing EuropeCerimònia d'obertura consistent en l'acte de benvinguda i en una introducció a la temàtica del congrès dedicada a la promoció de la salut com acció transformadora en una Europa canvian

Migrants et migrations en SIC

Ce numéro coordonné par Claire Scopsi, Carsten Wilhelm et Khaled Zouari propose quatre horizons (médiatique, partagé, interculturel, discursif) pour traiter de la question des migrations et des migrants. Quatre horizons pour montrer, s’il en était besoin, que les Sciences de l’Information et de la Communication peuvent s’emparer de cette question brulante autrement qu’à travers le prisme privilégié par les médias.Dans cette perspective, la variété et la densité des contributions proposée permettent d’appréhender les diverses formes de discours produits par les médias, les pratiques médiatiques et sociales des migrants, et la complexité des relations interculturelles à l’œuvre dans ces contextes sociétaux. [En savoir +