Fossile dépendance

Décembre 2009, tous les projecteurs sont braqués sur Copenhague. Les Etats du monde y discutent de l’avenir climatique de la planète. En dépit de progrès limités, les plus gros pollueurs de la planète (ils représentent au total 80% des émissions) se sont accordés sur la nécessité d’agir pour limiter le réchauffement global à maximum 2°C au-dessus de la température pré-industrielle. [...

The eggs of Afronurus LESTAGE, 1924 (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae): a cue for phylogenetic relationships

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigation carried out on the eggs of Afronurus scotti, A. harrisoni, A. peringueyi, and A. ugandanus, has provided some chorionic details useful for a comparison between these species. In all the species, the egg chorion is decorated with sparse granules and shows two kinds of knob-terminated coiled threads (KCTs). The first kind is represented by small KCTs (5-7 ?m in diameter) densely concentrated at each egg pole; the second kind encompasses large KCTs (60- 80 ?m in length) situated equatorially. The micropyle has an oval to round sperm guide (15-20 ?m long; 12- 18 ?m wide), and a well-defined rim. The polar KCTs expand towards the equatorial KCTs in A. scotti, A. harrisoni, and A. peringueyi, but in A. ugandanus there is a large clear area between polar and equatorial KCTs. A chorionic pattern very close to that of these Afronurus species is shared only by species belonging to the Asiatic genus Cinygmina. In addition, examination of the labrum of the nymphs belonging to both genera, indicates a very similar morphology, in the curved sclerification in the basal region of the labrum, a feature that contrasts with the almost straight shape presented by other heptageniid genera (e.g. Electrogena species). Egg and labrum characteristics are advocated to hypothesise a close phylogenetic relationship between the South-African Afronurus and the Asiatic Cinygmina genera

New Challenges for Historic Gardens’ Restoration: A Holistic Approach for the Royal Park of Moncalieri Castle (Turin Metropolitan Area, Italy)

The paper illustrates a holistic approach for restoring historic gardens in urbanized contexts, from the historic analysis, to the knowledge of the present values, to the proposal of guidelines for restoration and future sustainable management. The Royal Park of Moncalieri Castle (Turin metropolitan area, north-west Italy) was used as a case study. The evaluation of the current structure, analysis of the botanical component and the recognition of historical permanences were performed. Following the criteria of specific interest (forestry, botanical and compositional) and historical importance, invasive species and specific critical issue, selected trees were described and mapped. Identifying the historical compositional elements, including a system of preferential paths and botanical species to be safeguarded should be considered the first step for future management planning process. Our results could be of interest both for methodological purposes and for the restoration of historical gardens’ planning and management. During the restoration process, different critical issues exist. In this context, combining historical and compositional values with today’s needs and problems is a scientific challenge that involve all the community. Historic parks and gardens must be considered as patches of the urban green infrastructure, able to provide a wide set of ecosystem services. Promoting the return of historic parks to the public fruition is of primary importance for the citizen well-being

Ecological status improvement over a decade along the Ligurian coast according to a macroalgae based index (CARLIT)

According to the Water Framework Directive, within 2015 European Union countries must reach and maintain the "good" Ecological Status (ES), quantified through indices based on key biological elements as indicators. Along the Ligurian shallow rocky coasts (NW Italy), a macroalgae based index (CARtography of LITtoral and upper-sublittoral benthic communities, CARLIT), calibrated according to national characteristics and management needs, has been applied by the Regional Environmental Agency over the last ten years. In 2015, at least a "good" ES was achieved in all Ligurian water bodies except one, located in the Eastern Ligurian coastline, characterized by the lack of the most sensitive species, Cystoseira amentacea var. stricta. A general ES improvement has been observed along the Ligurian coastline, also in comparison with other quality indices (macroinvertebrates and fecal bacteria), and in particular in the Genoa water body, as proved by a relevant increase of C. amentacea abundance, probably as a consequence of enhancement in wastewater treatments. In the present study, the reliability of the observed improvement of the ES over a decade has been assessed, teasing apart intra-seasonal and operator-related variability. These results support the reliability of monitoring procedures carried out though the CARLIT Index and highlight the need and the effectiveness of reduction measures for anthropogenic impacts in order to achieve the ES required by European directives

Rådmannsavganger med sluttpakker i små norske kommuner 2014 – 2018. En studie av ledelsesutfordringer i små norske kommuner

Kommuner er politisk styrte organisasjoner og forutsetningen for en velfungerende kommune er at samhandlingen mellom politikk og administrasjon fungerer godt. Dessverre har utviklingen i rådmannsavganger økt drastisk de senere årene. Ca. 80 rådmenn slutter årlig i norske kommuner og rundt 25-35% av disse går av med sluttpakke. Denne masteroppgaven er en studie av ledelsesutfordringer i små norske kommuner. Oppgaven er en kvalitativ studie. Oppgavens problemstilling dreier seg om hva årsaken til ufrivillige rådmannsavganger er og hvilke ledelsesutfordringer rådmenn i små norske kommuner har. For å svare på problemstillingen har jeg gjennomført ti kvalitative intervjuer med rådmenn som har gått av med sluttpakker i perioden 2014-2018. Spørsmålene var formulert på bakgrunn av funn og forventninger fra tidligere forskning på turnover i norske kommuner. Informantene har svart på spørsmål som dreier seg om deres utfordringer i rådmannsrollen og forhold som førte til sluttpakke. Gjennom intervjuene har jeg fått svar på hvordan informantene opplevde sluttpakkeprosessen, hvilke belastninger de hadde og hva de opplevde som utfordringer i sine kommuner. Studien viser at den utløsende årsaken til sluttpakken var dårlig samarbeid med det politiske nivået, støy og uro i organisasjonen og samrøre mellom politikere og ansatte. Det som opplevdes som mest belastende var illojalitet, mistillit, mediebelastning, samt forholdet til ordfører. I studien fremkom følgende ledelsesutfordringer: manglende politisk stabilitet, manglende rolleforståelse, illojalitet, problemer med praktisering av delegasjon, manglende kompetanse på politisk nivå og uprofesjonell arbeidsgiver