The future of sustainability in the context of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global crisis emanating both from a virus (SARS-CoV-2) and from the drastic actions to contain it. Here, we reflect on the immediate responses of most world powers amid the pandemic chaos: totalitarian surveillance and nationalist isolation. Drawing on published literature, we consider measures such as wildlife-use bans, lockdowns and travel restrictions, along with their reverberations for people, economies and the planet. Our synthesis highlights significant shortfalls of applying command-and-control tactics in emergencies. For one, heavy-handed bans risk enormous unintended consequences and tend to fail if they lack legitimacy or clash with people’s values. Furthermore, reactive and myopic strategies typically view the pandemic as a stand-alone crisis, rather than unravelling the complex interplay of nature-society interactions through which zoonotic diseases originate. A return to adaptive management approaches that recognise root causes and foster socio-ecological resilience will be essential to improve human and planetary health and mitigate future pandemics

Multiple-Criteria Decision Analysis and characterisation of phase change materials for waste heat recovery at high temperature for sustainable energy-intensive industry

A latent heat storage system based on Phase Change Materials (PCMs) is proposed to increase the energy and environmental efficiency by recovering and storing waste heat from combustion gases or other surplus sources at in the energy-intensive industries (EII), currently unused. The final configuration design is specifically adapted to the plant operational requirements, by means of a methodology combining the search of the best conceptual design and a proper selection of core PCMs. To that end, a selection of suitable PCM is carried out by using characterisation techniques and thermal stability testing. Furthermore, relevant key factors are weighted by an in-house Multiple-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to define the most promising design options to be implemented in two plants belonging to the EII sector. For the ceramic sector, the design resulted in a shell-and-tube system with 1188 kg of a PCM melting at 885 °C and encapsulated in double concentric tubes, involving a storage capacity of 227 MJ. Similarly, 1606 kg of PCM, whose phase-change temperature is 509 °C, is selected for the steel sector providing a PCM-TES system capable to store 420 MJ

Análise multitemporal da fragmentação florestal no alto da bacia do Rio Perdizes - MG

Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso (Graduação)O Cerrado é o segundo maior bioma brasileiro e está em constante estado de mudanças ambientais, devido ao alto nível de atividades antrópicas que ocorre em sua área, sendo uma destas mudanças a fragmentação florestal proveniente da supressão vegetal dos remanescentes de mata nativa. As atividades antrópicas mais comuns na região são os plantios de culturas agrícolas com foco maior nos plantios de monocultura de soja e café. O avanço das fronteiras agrícolas sobre a vegetação nativa ocasiona cada vez mais a mudança na dinâmica de paisagens que são afetadas diretamente pelos impactos ambientais negativos, ocasionando a formação de mosaicos formados pelos fragmentos florestais. Através do uso de ferramentas de geoprocessamento e sensoriamento remoto é possível se trabalhar com áreas de grande extensão territorial com precisão e obtendo produtos de qualidade. As métricas da paisagem tornam possível estabelecer a quantificação de uma imagem através do uso do plugin LECOS, do software QGIS, sendo este usado em larga escala por profissionais da área ambiental. O trabalho conclui sobre o intenso avanço das atividades agrícolas sobre os remanescentes de fragmentos florestais, mais precisamente as atividades de pastagens e plantios das culturas de soja e café

Effects of A Short-term Cardio Tai Chi Program on Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Hemodynamic Parameters in Sedentary Adults: A Pilot Study

This study evaluates the effects of a short-term Cardio Tai Chi program on the cardiorespiratory fitness and hemodynamic parameters in sedentary adults. Thirty-one sedentary participants (age: 58 ± 9 years, body mass: 63 ± 12 kg) were subjected to an exercise program during 10 sessions over a 10-day period within 2 weeks. The Cardio Tai Chi program consisted in a series of three to five intervals lasting 90 s each at ∼70% maximal heart rate separated by 2-min of low-intensity recovery. Primary outcome measures were cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen uptake, V˙O2peak) assessed by the Rockport walking test and resting hemodynamic parameters (systolic, diastolic, mean, and pulse pressures). We observed a significant difference of means on post-pre V˙O2peak [4.5 ml/kg/min, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.1 to 5.8, p = 0.004], systolic blood pressure (-5.5 mmHg, 95% CI:-7.3 to -3.8, p = 0.010) and pulse pressure (-3.7 mmHg, 95% CI: -5.2 to -2.3, p = 0.028). No significant differences were observed for diastolic pressure (−1.8 mmHg, 95% CI: -2.6 to -1.0, p = 0.226), mean blood pressure (2.5 mmHg, 95% CI: 1.4 to 3.6, p = 0.302), or resting heart rate (-0.9 beat/min, 95% CI: -2.0 to 0.1, p = 0.631). Our findings suggest that engaging in a short-term Cardio Tai Chi program can improve cardiorespiratory fitness and hemodynamic parameters in sedentary adults

Challenges and opportunities for monitoring wild Nile crocodiles with scute mark-recapture photography

The global conservation status of Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) was last assessed in 1996. The species presents particular difficulty in monitoring because it can be cryptic, require expertise to handle, and caudal tail tags and transmitters are often lost. Some studies advocate mark-recapture techniques based on photograph identification of the unique scute markings of crocodile tails as a non-invasive means of monitoring their populations. Researchers developed this method with crocodiles in captivity. In this study, we test the technique under field conditions by monitoring crocodiles from 2015 to 2017 in the Sunset Dam in the Kruger National Park. Using a Cormack-Jolly-Seber open population model, we found that the dam may host 15–30 individuals, but that there is a high turnover of individuals and much uncertainty in model outputs. The dam’s population thus has high rates of immigration and emigration. The method proved challenging under field conditions, as there was bias in identifying scute markings consistently. The efficient use of the method requires an exceptional quality of photographic equipment. Animal crypsis, however, remains an issue. In this study, we discuss how to improve the mark-recapture photography methodology, especially to adapt the technique for citizen science initiatives. Conservation implications: Using scute mark-recapture photography presents challenges under field conditions. These challenges require innovative, practical and analytical solutions to successfully use the technique before monitoring programmes, aimed at ensuring the persistence of crocodiles in the wild, can be implemented

The effect(s) of carbaryl-treated seed on body maintenance and survival of the multi-mammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis (sensu lato)

Maintenance, expressed as change in daily body mass, and survival rates of Mastomys natalensis (sensu lato) were recorded from May to September 1994 in laboratory feeding trials, to investigate the short-term effects of a carbaryl insecticide on these variables. Individuals were subjected to seeds treated with carbaryl insecticide in three different treatments (5, 10 and 20 g of carbaryl/kg of seeds). Carbaryl did not have short-term adverse effects on growth and survival of this species when the seeds were kept in the laboratory and when they were exposed to environmental conditions between measurements. This suggests that the ingestion of carbaryl-treated seeds is not the cause of the decline in density of M. natalensis on rehabilitating coastal dune forests at Richards Bay.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.Richards Bay Minerals. Endangered Wildlife Trust's Eddie Young Memorial Fund. Foundation for Research Development.mn201

Calibrating a camera trap-based biased mark-recapture sampling design to survey the leopard population in the N'wanetsi concession, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Estimating large carnivore abundance can be challenging. A biased leopard (Panthera pardus) population survey was conducted in the N’wanetsi concession in the Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa, using motion-sensitive camera traps from April to August 2008. Survey effort included 88 trapping occasions and 586 trap days. The survey yielded 24 leopard photographs, comprising fourteen adults of eleven males and three females. The capture rate was determined to be 24.4 trap days per leopard. Estimates of population abundance stabilized at approximately 500 trap days. Precision of population estimates began to stabilize after 378 trap days. We estimated that there were nineteen leopards in an area of 150 km2. Leopard density was estimated at 12.7 leopards per 100 km2. We explore the possibility of employing the methods used in this study to survey the leopard population in the KNP and surrounding areas.The KCS Pacific Foundation, The Nancy-Carroll Draper Foundation, and WESSA.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1365-2028hb2013ab201

Spatial constraints and seasonal conditions but not poaching pressure are linked with elevated faecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations in white rhino

DATA AVAILABILTY : The data that support the findings of this study are available from the Science Manager at South African National Parks Mrs Judith Botha ([email protected]), upon reasonable request.CONTEXT : Due to considerable declines in African wildlife populations, most large African mammals are managed inside protected areas. Protected areas come in various sizes, and have different environmental features, climates and management strategies (i.e. ‘hands-on’ or ‘hands-off’) that can influence an animals’ homeostasis. White rhinos (Ceratotherium simum simum) are found almost exclusively within protected areas where population sizes are driven by natural factors and poaching pressures. AIMS : Our aim was to understand the effect of natural and anthropogenic factors on the adrenocortical response of white rhinos within three protected areas. Specifically, we wanted to understand how poaching pressure, protected area size (<500 km2), season (wet and dry) and rainfall patterns were responsible for driving adrenocortical activity in white rhino. METHODS : To understand the relationship between rhino adrenocortical responses and different environmental and anthropogenic stressors, we quantified glucocorticoid metabolites in faecal samples (fGCM) collected from four populations within three protected areas (i.e. two small parks, one big park) during the wet and dry seasons. KEY RESULTS : We found differences in seasonal fGCM concentrations, with a 42% increase during the dry season, and no differences in fGCM concentrations between the high and low poaching areas. Additionally, we found fGCM concentrations in samples from the small parks were respectively 38% and 42% higher than in samples from the large park during both the dry and wet seasons compared. CONCLUSIONS : Our results suggest that white rhinos may experience physiological stress in smaller parks, especially during the dry season when resources are limited. IMPLICATIONS : By mitigating stress associated with reduced access to resources and spatial constraints, managers may better promote the viability of large mammals in small protected areasThe South African National Parks.https://www.publish.csiro.au/WRhj2023Mammal Research Institut

The effects of elephants and fire on vegetation at Marakele National Park, South Africa

Elephants and fire can modify African savanna ecosystems. The authors evaluated the influence that elephants and fires had on five mountainous plant communities in Marakele National Park. These plant communities were surveyed from 1996 to 2010 with the first sampling in 1996 in the absence of elephants. Initially thirty-nine elephants, introduced in 1996, increased to 150 by 2010 while fires occurred roughly every second year. Over this period vegetation changed and in four of the five cases these associated with structural damage indices, assumed to reflect the effects of elephants. Fire played a role in one of the five mountainous plant communities. The expansion of areas available for elephants partially resulted in halting vegetation changes. The authors conclude that existing resource gradients still impose intensity of use by elephants that can degrade plant communities. In some instances elephant disturbance may facilitate fire disturbance in future. The management should focus on restoring spatial and temporal limitation of resource gradients such as water, and on how elephants use landscapes, while protecting unique plant communities in the interim.Les éléphants et l’incendie peuvent modifier les écosystèmes de la savane africaine. Les auteurs ont évalué l’influence des éléphants et des incendies sur cinq communautés de plantes montagneuses dans le parc national Marakele. On a étudié ces communautés végétales de 1996 à 2010 avec le premier échantillonnage fait en 1996 en l’absence des éléphants. A l’origine, trente-neuf éléphants, introduits en 1996, se sont multipliés jusqu’à 150 en 2010 alors que les incendies se produisaient approximativement tous les deux ans. Au cours de cette période, la végétation a changé et, dans quatre cas sur cinq, ceux associés aux indices de dommages structurels semblaient refléter les effets des éléphants. L’incendie a joué un rôle dans l’une des cinq communautés de plantes montagneuses. L’expansion des zones disponibles pour les éléphants a entraîné en partie l’arrêt des changements de végétation. Les auteurs concluent que les gradients de ressources existants imposent toujours une intensité d’utilisation par les éléphants qui peuvent dégrader les communautés végétales. Dans certains cas, la perturbation par les éléphants peut faciliter celle de l’incendie à l’avenir. La gestion devrait se concentrer sur la restauration de la limitation spatiale et temporelle des gradients de ressources, comme l’eau, et sur la façon dont les éléphants utilisent les paysages tout en protégeant les communautés végétales uniques dans l’entre-temps.http://www.pachydermjournal.org/index.php/pachy/indexam2018Plant Production and Soil Scienc