Black Stork Down: Military Discourses in Bird Conservation in Malta

Tensions between Maltese hunters and bird conservation NGOs have intensified over the past decade. Conservation NGOs have become frustrated with the Maltese State for conceding to the hunter lobby and negotiating derogations from the European Union’s Bird Directive. Some NGOs have recently started to organize complex field-operations where volunteers are trained to patrol the landscape, operate drones and other surveillance technologies, detect illegalities, and lead police teams to arrest poachers. We describe the sophisticated military metaphors which conservation NGOs have developed to describe, guide and legitimize their efforts to the Maltese public and their fee-paying members. We also discuss why such groups might be inclined to adopt these metaphors. Finally, we suggest that anthropological studies of discourse could help understand delicate contexts such as this where conservation NGOs, hunting associations and the State have ended in political deadlock

The impact of temperature on biological aspects and life table of Rhopalosiphum padi(hemiptera: aphididae) fed with signal grass.

The impact of temperature was evaluated on Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Nymphs, 12-h-old, were placed individually in cylindrical plastic dishes (2.5 × 2.5 cm), with a layer of 1% agar in which leaf disks of signal grass had been placed. The nymphs were reared at 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, and 32°C ± 1°C, RH of 70 ± 10% and 12-h photophase. We evaluated number of instars, duration of each instar and the nymphal period, survival of instars, duration of the reproductive period, daily and total production of nymphs, and longevity of the nymphal and adult phases. To construct the life expectancy table and fecundity, daily observations were made of 70 nymphs at each temperature, from birth to death. Development of R. padi was faster with increased temperature, but they did not complete the last nymphal instar at 32°C. The same pattern occurred for the pre-reproductive, reproductive, and post-reproductive periods. The highest fecundity rates were between 16°C and 24°C. The highest fertility (4 nymphs/female/day) was recorded at 12°C and 20°C. The highest net reproduction rates were at 24°C and 28°C, and the time interval between each generation (T) and the population doubling time (DT) diminished as temperature increased. The finite rate of increase (λ = 1.9 nymphs/female/day) and the intrinsic rate of increase (rm = 0.64) were greatest at 24°C and 28°C, respectively. There was a negative impact on the biology and life table of R. padi at 32°C, but the range of 12°C to 28°C, despite some fluctuations, was favorable for survival and reproduction

The implications of digital visual media for human–nature relationships

This is the final version. Available on open access from Wiley via the DOI in this recor

Utilização da cianamida hidrogenada e óleo mineral na brotação e floração de pessegueiro.

bitstream/item/43867/1/boletim-33.pd

Taking a more nuanced look at behavior change for demand reduction in the illegal wildlife trade

The illegal wildlife trade threatens the future of many species, and undermines economies and livelihoods. Conservationists have largely responded with supply‐side interventions, such as antipoaching patrols, but these often fail to stem the tide of wildlife trafficking. There is now increasing interest in demand‐side interventions, which seek to lower poaching pressure on sought‐after species by reducing consumer's desire for, and purchase of, specific wildlife products. Individual behavior change approaches, from environmental education to social marketing, have been widely advocated by academics, practitioners, and policy makers. However, this is an emerging field and we lack the breadth of evidence needed to understand and predict the potential outcomes of demand reduction interventions. To help us gain broader insights, we examine the literature from public health and international development on the effectiveness of behavior change interventions, and critique the current conceptualization of strategies for reducing consumer demand in the illegal wildlife trade. We show that behavior change is difficult to achieve and interventions may have unintended and undesirable consequences because of unaddressed systemic, cultural and environmental drivers, and limited resourcing. We conclude that some sections of the conservation community are advocating a shift from one reductionist approach based on limiting supply, to another based on limiting demand, and argue that conservationists should learn from the public health and international development projects that have integrated systems thinking. By accounting for the multiple interactions and synergies between different factors in the wildlife trade, we can develop more strategic approaches to protecting endangered species

Zoneamento agroclimático para pereira no Rio Grande do Sul.

bitstream/CPACT/10925/1/documento_182.pdf; bitstream/item/33625/1/documento-182.pd