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Climate Change Effects on Volcanoes in the Tropics: A review of the deglaciation of Antisana and its effects on subsequent water streams and rivers over 20 years
Get PDFLocated in the Northern end of Ecuador lies the stunning glacier of Antisana which attracts many tourists and whose runoff provides a significant amount of water supply for Quito. Climate change is posing threats to many ecosystems world wide but will have a more substantial impact on the volcanoes in the tropics because they do not have a seasonally altered climate. Small changes in the air temperature can have larger impacts on these areas that are adapted to constant temperatures with seasonal precipitation changes. Climate change, in recent years, had caused an increase in the glacial retreat of the Antisana volcano. This increase in melt and deglaciation has further implications for the Quito’s water supply, the surrounding ecosystem of the glacier and subglacial run-off areas, and can impact the quality of water run-off from the Antisana Glacier. This study examines the implications of the melt from the glacier by providing a meta-analysis about the flow of subsequent streams, impacts on water resources for nearby cities, a makeup of environmental impacts from the viewpoint of macroinvertebrate sampling, and a review of the deglaciation from a review of articles and investigation into satellite imagery. The results from this study did not have any significant findings about the retreat of the Antisana glacier in relation to the impact on surrounding ecosystems and water resources for the nearby city of Quito.
Situado en el extremo norte de Ecuador se encuentra el glaciar impresionante de Antisana que atrae a muchos turistas y cuya escorrentía proporciona una cantidad significativa de suministro de agua para Quito. El cambio climático está planteando amenazas para muchos ecosistemas en todo el mundo, pero tendrá un impacto más sustancial de los volcanes en los trópicos porque no tienen un clima alterado estacionalmente. Pequeños cambios en la temperatura del aire pueden tener impactos mayores en estas áreas que se adaptan a temperaturas constantes con cambios de precipitación estacionales. El ca mbio climático, en los últimos años, había causado un aumento en el retiro glaciar del volcán Antisana. Este aumento de la fusión y la desglaciación tiene otras implicaciones para el suministro de agua de Quito, el ecosistema circundante del glaciar y las zonas de escorrentimiento subglaciales, y puede afectar la calidad de la escorrentía de agua del glaciar Antisana. Este estudio examina las implicaciones de la fusión desde el glaciar proporcionando un metaanálisis sobre el flujo de corrientes posteriores, impactos en los recursos hídricos para ciudades cercanas, una composición de los impactos ambientales desde el punto de vista del muestreo de macroinvertebrados, y una revisión de la desglaciación a partir de una revisión de artículos e investigación sobre imágenes satelitales. Los resultados de este estudio no tuvieron hallazgos significativos sobre la retirada del glaciar Antisana en relación con el impacto en los ecosistemas circundantes y los recursos hídricos para la ciudad cercana de Quito
An Apex Predator in Peril in the Western Lowlands of Ecuador: Mapping the Population Distribution of Harpy Eagles (Harpia harpyja) in a Highly Deforested Region
Get PDFThe Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) is a highly threatened bird of prey in Ecuador. While they are already elusive in the Ecuadorian Amazon, they are even lesser known in the coastal lowlands, and their existence is threatened by rapid deforestation. This study mapped their potential distribution by examining satellite images to find intact humid forest, their ideal habitat. Habitat areas were quantified using ImageJ. The only sites found to be adequate for sustaining Harpy Eagle populations were the primary forests in the vicinities of Reserva Ecológica Mache Chindul and Reserva Ecológica Cotacachi Cayapas. The two reserves are expected to be able to support a maximum of 4 and 29 breeding pairs, respectively. 11 additional pairs may occupy intact forest patches surrounding Cotacachi Cayapas. Vortex simulations showed that, in the best case scenario where all the subpopulations in western Ecuador are well connected and where forest cover stops decreasing, a minimum of 64 individuals are required for the metapopulation to remain viable for the next century. Any potential Mache Chindul colony is not expected to last for that amount of time if it remains isolated from Cotacachi Cayapas. The rapid shrinking of intact forest at both sites despite their protected statuses signal an urgent call for active intervention, especially in the political sector, as the lack of regulation on human activities can eventually leave the remnant forests too small and fragmented for this large bird of prey. Future studies must conduct intensive, on-ground surveys of these two sites to assess their quality and their specific conservation needs. A deeper understanding of the Pacific lowlands and the eagle’s dispersal behaviors, both understudied topics, is required to properly support any Harpy Eagles that remain in western Ecuador.
El águila arpía (Harpia harpyja) es un ave rapaz altamente amenazada en Ecuador. Mientras ya son escurridizos en la Amazonía, son aún menos conocidos en las tierras bajas costeras, y su existencia se ve amenazada por deforestación rápida. Este estudio mapeó su distribución potencial por examinar imágenes satelitales para encontrar bosques húmedos intactos, el hábitat ideal. Los áreas de hábitat se cuantificaron por ImageJ. Los únicos sitios que acabaron adecuados para mantener las poblaciones de águila arpía fueron los bosques primarios en los alrededores de las Reserva Ecológica Mache Chindul y Reserva Ecológica Cotacachi Cayapas. Se espera que las dos reservas puedan soportar un máximo de 4 y 29 parejas reproductoras, respectivamente. 11 pares adicionales pueden ocupar parches de bosque intactos que rodean Cotacachi Cayapas. Las simulaciones de Vortex mostraron que, en el mejor de los casos donde todas las subpoblaciones en el oeste de Ecuador están bien conectadas y donde la cubierta forestal deja de disminuir, se requiere un mínimo de 64 individuos para que la metapoblación permanezca viable durante el próximo siglo. No se espera que ninguna colonia potencial de Mache Chindul dure ese tiempo si permanece aislada de Cotacachi Cayapas. La rápida reducción del bosque intacto en ambos sitios a pesar de sus estados protegidos indica un llamado urgente a una intervención activa, especialmente en el sector político, ya que la falta de regulación sobre las actividades humanas puede eventualmente dejar los bosques remanentes demasiado pequeños y fragmentados para esa gran ave rapaz. En el futuro, se deben realizar estudios intensivos en el terreno de estos dos sitios para evaluar su calidad y sus necesidades específicas de conservación. Se requiere una comprensión más profunda de las tierras bajas costeras y de los comportamientos de dispersión del águila, ambos temas poco estudiados, para apoyar adecuadamente a las águilas arpías que quedan en el oeste de Ecuador
The Current State of Migrant Health in Morocco: Pre-and Peri-COVID-19 Pandemic
Get PDFIn the early 21st century, Morocco transitioned from being a predominantly transit migration country into both a transit and destination country for migrants. In 2013, the Moroccan government took significant steps to adapt the healthcare system in better integrating migrants in its policies. The government implemented the National Strategy on Immigration and Asylum that improved access to public health care for migrants. Recently, in March of 2020, Morocco declared a state of medical emergency due to the current COVID-19 pandemic that continues today. This paper addresses the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the current state of migrant health in Morocco. I first give a brief description of the historical background of migration in Morocco. Next, I present the Moroccan healthcare system and its relation to migrants. Then, I detail three non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that provide public health support to migrants. Finally, I describe the current situation of COVID-19 and its effects on migrants in Morocco. To collect my data, I interviewed a Moroccan public official with expertise in migration, a public health sector physician, and staff from NGOs. The NGOs Fondation Orient-Occident and Organisation des Jeunes Africains serve regular migrants, while the NGO Manos Solidarias aids irregular migrants. Through these five perspectives, I analyze the current state of migrant health in two sections showing the realities of migrant health in the Moroccan healthcare system pre-and peri-COVID-19 pandemic. The research revealed a present theory-practice gap in the quality to health care access to migrants both pre-and peri-pandemic. The government promptly took action to include migrants in the national outbreak response and readiness. However, the interviews identified that there is a disconnect in real-world practices between certain government policies and real migrant experiences. In these practices, NGOs and civil society fill the health gap by effectively repurposing their resources to meet migrants’ specific needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. I recommend a concentration of efforts in improving public health among the migrant community, as well as an increase in collaborative efforts between the government and NGOs to continue striving toward health equity for migrants in Morocco
Un análisis histórico de la respuesta de organizaciones sindicales a la pandemia de COVID-19
No full textLa historia social de los últimos ciento cincuenta años de Ecuador ha contribuido únicamente a las acciones de organizaciones sindicales durante la pandemia del COVID-19. Un análisis de los medios sociales de varios sindicatos durante la pandemia y las protestas del 1 de mayo 2020 revela desarrollos claves en cuatro áreas: la afiliación política, la construcción de solidaridad con el movimiento indígena, el enfoque en la educación, y la lucha contra la corrupción gubernamental. Patrones mayores incluyen la priorización continua de la educación por obreras incluso cuando enfrentan nuevos desafíos, la unidad de centrales sindicales contra el neoliberalismo y la corrupción a pesar de sus diferencias ideológicas, y la colaboración exitosa entre organizaciones indígenas y organizaciones laborales. Últimamente, la resiliencia de los obreros ecuatorianos es una lección en el sostenimiento de un movimiento y la adaptación a condiciones cambiantes
How Palestinian Aid Organizations Adapt to the Possibility of Further Annexation and Rights Abuses in the Wake of The Deal of the Century
Get PDFThis research explores the question, “To what extent has the ‘Deal of the Century’ impacted Palestinian aid organizations, and how might it impact them in the future?” The significance of this question lies in the fact that the “Deal of the Century” claims to solve one of the longest and most complex conflicts, yet it has not been sufficiently analyzed from a Palestinian perspective nor a humanitarian perspective. Furthermore, by presenting scholarly critiques of the deal and aid worker’s concerns, my hope is that an American audience may be convinced of the complicity of our government in devising a failed and harmful plan, develop empathy for peacebuilding in the region, and support a more inclusive approach when our government negotiates peace deals in the future.
To answer my research question, I interviewed ten people involved with organizations who give aid to Palestinians. I asked them questions regarding potential changes in their missions and objectives, their feelings about the deal, their knowledge of its details, and how it relates to Palestinian refugees. By grouping their responses into common themes, I present a small case study of what elements of this deal worried Palestinian aid workers, what they all agreed and disagreed upon, and what they speculated about. My findings showed that all participants were opposed to the deal and generally tried to ignore its implications for their beneficiaries, operating according to international law instead. They all hope that this deal is not realized after the removal of U.S. President Trump from office. In contrast, my participants could not agree on how severely the mere proposal of the deal had impacted their work. However, I believe that there is enough evidence to conclude that their mentality and cause have been harmed since the deal was proposed almost a year ago.
Lastly, this research found there is an overall need for a more inclusive peace deal, which can incorporate lessons learned from past peace deal failures and listen to aid organizations who represent the Palestinian cause. All participants proved to have great insight into the needs of refugees, the requirements for peace, and the roots of the conflict. I learned from them that, to even begin to create peace, a successful deal needs to involve the parties who represent the people involved, can advocate for their people’s needs, and are willing to make compromises
Two (or more) viruses in one bat: a systematic quantitative literature review of viral coinfection in bats
Get PDFViral coinfection is an important topic in pathogen dynamics, and can increase viral shedding and change disease outcomes. As bats are carriers of important zoonoses, such as the SARS coronaviruses, rabies, and other deadly viruses, knowing more about their coinfection dynamics is important. This quantitative systematic literature review sought to show how many papers reported bat viral coinfections, and created three databases. The first database, the SQLR database was based on searches for coinfections. The second database, the Astrovirus database was to determine how much of the literature was being missed by examining a single viral family more in depth and determining how many papers were identified in the SQLR database. The third database focused on Dependoparvovirus, a viral genus which has been thought to require coinfection in the past. A total of 725 coinfected bats became a part of the SQLR database. The studies were mostly done in Asia, and a few trends in bat and viral families appeared. Bat field virology has a lot of valuable data, and not all of it is reported in an accessible way
Winter Travel for Cold Weather Novices; Methods for Making Challenging Outdoor Experiences More Inclusive
Get PDFCold Weather for Winter Novices is a weeklong experiential education trip developed for students, between the ages of 17 and 21, from the Armand Hammer United World College of the American West (UWC-USA), an international boarding school in Montezuma, New Mexico. This trip is an opportunity to examine multicultural perspectives of adventure and wilderness. Specifically, the research question focuses on if the concepts of adventure and wilderness present inherent hurdles for diverse populations.
This program was developed trough a detailed literature review and needs assessment that involved both outdoor education professionals and potential students. The literature review looked at the physiological and educational benefits of spending time in nature and the unique impact of adventurous outdoor experiences. Additionally, best practices and the challenges faced by outdoor education organizations who are working toward increasing diversity was examined. Five professionals already engaged in this line of work were interviewed for this project. Also, input was used from potential student participants, who represented six different countries. The curriculum and trip vision was particularly shaped taking into account the students prior wilderness experiences and interests. The research methodology was qualitative and included on-line surveys for the students and interviews for the professionals.
This project yielded several notable conclusions. Outdoor education organization must immediately begin or continue work on appealing to diverse audiences. Many preexisting notions of wilderness and numerous common practices serve as hurdles to expanding the demographics of outdoor users. Yet, the importance of taking these steps cannot be diminished, given the extensive research that shows the benefits for all demographics of any time spent in the outdoors
Study Away for the Differently Abled: A Study Away Program for Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
Get PDFABSTRACT
Study Away for the Differently Abled is a seven-day program for young adults aged 18 through 25 who have documented Intellectual Disabilities. During this program, they will live on Yale University’s campus in New Haven, Connecticut, USA, to develop independent living skills while also interacting with and learning from Yale international students. Study Away for the Differently Abled is grounded in the social approach to disability, aiming to extend access to quality intercultural post-high school programming to young adults who are not able to attend traditional college programs nor travel internationally through study abroad programs.
To ensure that the program was planned with all potential participants’ unique needs in mind, a needs assessment was conducted using surveys and interviews with family members of young adults with Intellectual Disabilities. The needs assessment made clear the need to keep the location of the program within the United States, within reasonable driving distance from the participants’ home community, and focus heavily on independent living skills as well as the intercultural element.
Based on feedback from the needs assessment, the program will take place at Yale University and participants will be recruited from Connecticut. Participants will spend ten weeks leading up to the on-campus portion developing independent living skills and preparing to live on campus. Once on campus, international Yale students and program participants will engage in a week of cultural learning and experience living on a college campus. At the end of the program, participants and international peers will put on an International Fair to share what they have learned. Overall, the program will provide differently abled young adults with a college-living and intercultural learning experience, as well as provide international Yale University students with the opportunity to learn from their differently abled peers
The Politics of Seeds and Their Effects on Small-Scale Paraguayan Farmers
Get PDFInternational corporate seed companies have manipulated Paraguay’s politics and agricultural development since 1995, increasing Paraguay’s use and protection of genetically modified seeds, while also undermining farmers’ control over their production and financial stability by almost eliminating markets for heirloom varieties. Paraguay continues to be excluded from research critiquing the effects of neoliberal policies on global agricultural systems. Therefore, this study aims to illuminate small-scale farmers’ experiences and bring Paraguay into the global conversation on seed sovereignty by critically examining the effects Paraguay’s national seed policies have on small-scale farmer’s development opportunities and resilience to climate change. This question guides the research: How does the political relationship between seeds and farmers influence the environmental and developmental landscape in Paraguay?
Influenced by Indigenous, Political Ecology, and Sen’s Development as Freedom frameworks, this Capstone took an ethnographic perspective using five case studies with small-scale farmers. Four policies related to seed production, commercialization, quality control and distribution were then analyzed using Baachi’s problematization lens. Interviews with government officials connected to national and regional seed distribution networks informed the creation of a seed map, highlighting disparities of accessibility between hybrid, genetically modified and heirloom seeds. The main themes that emerged from analyses highlighted issues related to seed access, quality, and control, demonstrating how the manifestation of colonial development has affected every step of farmers’ production process. It is hoped that this research can act as a catalyst for future research on the topic of seed sovereignty in Paraguay, specifically research including indigenous populations and employing strong feminist theoretical orientation.
Key Words: Paraguay, Seed Sovereignty, Development as Freedom, Climate Chang
A Look into the Varying Usage Patterns of Traditional and Western Medicine Within Senegal’s Urban Centers
Get PDFThis paper explores the usage patterns of traditional medicine and western medicine in Senegal’s urban centers of Dakar and Thiès and the factors that influence these patterns. I argue that the most influential factors in determining which medicine is used by an individual are accessibility, efficacy, and personal preference. This research was conducted in the first and third most-populated urban centers in Senegal, presenting a unique field site due to the higher concentration of western medicine in urban areas compared to rural areas in Senegal. Qualitative methodology was used through the form of secondary sources and semi-structured interviews which allowed for a thematic analysis of the findings. The findings regarding accessibility, efficacy, and personal preference reflect much of what was found in previous studies done in the rural village of Djindji (Kedougou region) and the urban center of St. Louis, while also presenting differences such as an emphasis on the issue of overdosage in traditional medicine. Future studies on this topic may include researching the impact of limited western health infrastructure as well as the role of religion in traditional medicine