NGO statt Staat

Die basismedizinische Versorgung im Hochland von Mindanao in den Philippinen wird seit über zwanzig Jahren von einer deutschen Nichtregierungsorganisation durchgeführt. Warum diese an sich in den Aufgabenbereich des Staates fallende Aufgabe von einem Hilfswerk übernommen wurde, wird aus historischer und gegenwärtiger Perspektive untersucht. Die Rolle der Ngos im medizinischen Bereich wird am Beispiel der „ Ärzte für die Dritte Welt“ in Mindanao beleuchtet. Im Laufe eines mehrwöchigen Arbeitsaufenthalts als Ärztin für diese Organisation im Frühjahr 2009 hat die Verfasserin einen interdisziplinären Erfahrungsbericht erstellt. Neben der Beschreibung des Arbeitsfeldes wurden Daten bezüglich der Infrastruktur der besuchten Gebiete erhoben sowie eine Analyse der Erkrankungen im sozioökonomischen Kontext durchgeführt. Die theoretischen Möglichkeiten für eine positive Veränderung der gesundheitlichen und sozialen Situation durch Maßnahmen der Primärprävention und strukturelle Veränderungen durch staatliche Institutionen und damit die Übernahme der Agenden der NGO werden dargestellt

The Sneeuberg: A new centre of floristic endemism on the Great Escarpment, South Africa

The Sneeuberg mountain complex (Eastern Cape) comprises one of the most prominent sections of the Great Escarpment in southern Africa but until now has remained one of the botanically least known regions. The Sneeuberg is a discrete orographical entity, being delimited in the east by the Great Fish River valley, in the west by the Nelspoort Interval, to the south by the Plains of Camdeboo, and to the north by the Great Karoo pediplain. The highest peaks range from 2278 to 2504 m above sea level, and the summit plateaux range from 1800 to 2100 m. Following extensive literature review and a detailed collecting programme, the Sneeuberg is reported here as having a total flora of 1195 species of which 107 (9%) are alien species, 33 (2.8%) are endemic, and 13 (1.1%) near-endemic. Five species previously reported as Drakensberg Alpine Centre (DAC) endemics are now known to occur in the Sneeuberg (representing range extensions of some 300–500 km). One-hundred-and-five species (8.8%) are DAC near-endemics, with the Sneeuberg being the western limit for most of these. Ten species (0.8%) represent disjunctions across the Karoo Interval from the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) to the Sneeuberg. In all, some 23 significant range extensions, eight new species, and several rediscoveries are recorded. We conclude by recognising the Sneeuberg as a new centre of endemism along the Great Escarpment, with floristic affinities with the Albany Centre and the DAC, and links to the CFR

Supplemental Information 21: Atraphaxis spinosa L., Afghanistan, Prov. Samangan, N-Hänge des Koh-i-Chungar, 12 km SW Rabatak, 1,550 m, Lößboden; 68/21–36/05. 7.6.1978. n. 31519. Leg. et det. D. Podlech. (LE).

Background: The recently proposed recircumscription of the genus Atraphaxis (incl. Atraphaxis section Ovczinnikovia O.V. Yurtseva ex. S. Tavakkoli and Polygonum sect. Spinescentia Boissier (=A. sect. Polygonoides S. Tavakkoli, Kaz. Osaloo & Mozaff.) makes this genus fairly heterogeneous and therefore almost undefinable based on morphology. A critical comprehensive reappraisal of the group is necessary. Methods: Using the DNA sequence data (ITS1&2 regions of nrDNA and combined trnL intron + trnL–F IGS and rpl32–trnL(UAG) IGS regions of plastid genome), Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian analyses (BI) were applied for phylogenetic reconstructions of the tribe Polygoneae with special attention to Atraphaxis, and related taxa. Maximum parsimony reconstructions of the evolution of perianth morphology and sporoderm ornamentation in the tribe Polygoneae were also performed. Life history, morphology of shoots, leaf blades, ocreas, perianth and achene morphology, ultrasculpture of achene surface, and pollen morphology were compared, and SEM and LM images were provided. Principal findings: The genera Atraphaxis and Polygonum were found to be widely polyphyletic. The rarest and morphologically remarkable endemic of Tian-Shan and Pamir Atraphaxis ovczinnikovii (Atraphaxis sect. Ovczinnikovia O.V. Yurtseva ex. S. Tavakkoli) was confirmed to be a sister of the clade (Atraphaxis + Polygonum sect. Spinescentia) in plastid topology. The genus Bactria (=Atraphaxis sect. Ovczinnikovia), which circumscribes two species, is newly established as a result of this analyses. Morphological data confirm the originality of the taxon. Discussion: We are arguing for a narrow delimitation of Atraphaxis with petalloid segments and striato-perforate sporoderm ornamentation as morphological synapomorphies. The recently proposed inclusion of Polygonum sect. Spinescentia in Atraphaxis is fairly questionable from a morphological standpoint. The rank of Polygonum sect. Spinescentia requires further clarification. The generic composition of the tribe Polygoneae also requires future reappraisals