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Andean condor cliff and parental care behavior: A behavioral study of a chick and his free-living parents on the Peñón del Isco, Ecuador
Get PDFAndean condors (Vultur gryphus) are a Near Threatened species of New World Vulture found throughout the Andes region of South America. Their population has been significantly diminished in the country of Ecuador due to threats primarily related to habitat loss and persecution by humans. High chick and juvenile mortality also threaten populations and as a result, investigation of wild Andean condors’ cliff behavior and parental care are necessary in order to develop informed and effective conservation management plans. A 22-day observational study was conducted, monitoring a known breeding pair of Andean condors and their approximately three-month-old male chick on the Peñón del Isco in the Antisanilla Biological Reserve. During the period of observation, the male and female condors and their chick were monitored, and their behaviors were tracked. Findings reveal that although the male and female parents spent a comparable amount of time present on the cliff where the nest is located, the male parent played a larger parental role. The male parent spent more time in the nest, brought food to the chick more often, and spent more time feeding the chick. Additional findings highlight the importance of the Peñón del Isco as a habitat for Andean condors. The objective of this study was to develop further observations on the behavior of Andean condor parents and chicks to contribute to scientific knowledge that will allow for the conservation of the species.
Los cóndores andinos (Vultur gryphus) son una especie casi amenazada de la familia Cathartidae que se encuentra a través de la región de los Andes de América del Sur. Su población ha disminuido significativamente en el país de Ecuador debido a amenazas relacionadas principalmente con la pérdida de hábitat y la persecución por humanos. La mortalidad alta de los polluelos y los juveniles también es una amenaza a la población y como resultado, es necesario investigar el comportamiento y el cuidado de los padres de los cóndores andinos silvestres para desarrollar planes de manejo de conservación informados y efectivos. Se realizó un estudio observacional de 22 días, monitoreando una pareja reproductora de cóndores andinos y su polluelo macho de aproximadamente tres meses de edad en el Peñón del Isco en la Reserva Biológica Antisanilla. Durante el período de observación, se monitorearon el macho, la hembra y su polluelo, y se rastreó su comportamiento. Los resultados revelan que, aunque los dos padres pasaron una cantidad de tiempo comparable presente en los acantilados donde se encuentra el nido, el padre desempeñó un papel parental más grande. El padre pasó más tiempo en el nido, trajo comida al polluelo con más frecuencia y pasó más tiempo alimentándolo. Resultados adicionales recalcan la importancia del Peñón del Isco como hábitat para los cóndores andinos. El objetivo de este estudio fue desarrollar nuevas observaciones sobre el comportamiento de los padres y polluelos del cóndor andino para contribuir al conocimiento científico que permitirá la conservación de la especie
Araneae Biodiversity in the Amazonian Foothills: An analysis of family and guild presence across habitat types
Get PDFThe activity of the order Araneae within ecosystems is often considered an ecological mystery. Considered top-level trophic predators, spiders act as regulators of insect populations and have influence upon the foundation of the trophic web. In the Ecuadorian Amazonian foothills, it is important to address the lack of knowledge of the biodiversity of spiders in the region. Conducting biodiversity studies across land use gradients can begin to characterize anthropogenic impacts on neotropical spider species. This study quantifies the araneae biodiversity in the transition between the Cloud and Amazon forests in Ecuador. Populations in primary forest, secondary forest, cultivated fields and cave systems were analyzed to identify the families and guilds present in the ecosystems. The biodiversity of spider families and guild type were found to diminish with increasing land use impact and the decrease of vegetation complexity.
La actividad del orden Araneae entre los ecosistemas frecuentemente se considera un misterio. Considera depredadores importantes arañas son reguladores de las poblaciones de insectos y tienen influencia sobre la base de la red trófica. Por las estribaciones de la Amazonia, es importante a enfocar en la falta de información de la biodiversidad de arañas en el región. La realización de más estudios entre los gradientes del uso de la tierra puede empezar a caracterizar los impactos humanos en las arañas de los alotrópicos. Este estudio cuantificó la biodiversidad de araneae en la transición del Bosque Nublado y la Amazonian de Ecuador. Las poblaciones de bosque primario, bosque secundario, campos cultivados, y los sistemas de cuevas fueron analizados a identificar las familias y losgremios que se presenten en los ecosistemas. La biodiversidad de las familias y los gremios de arañas se encontraron a disminuir con el crecimiento del uso de tierra y con el decrecimiento de la complejidad de la vegetación
An Evaluation of Soils on Sólheimajökull Glacier Foreland: Using Invertebrates and Decomposition as Bio-indicators of Soil Quality
No full textAnthropogenic climate change has led to the retreat of glaciers globally. As glaciers melt, they expose the underlying land- termed the glacier foreland. These forelands provide a natural laboratory for studying ecological succession after a massive disturbance, which is in this case glaciation. In this study, soil invertebrates and decomposition are used as bio-indicators of the soil quality in the foreland of Sólheimajökull Outlet Glacier. Soil cores were collected from five sites (A-E) located 300m apart moving away from the glacier terminus. The abundance of each observed invertebrate taxa and the dissolved oxygen (DO) levels were taken for 30 soil samples (6 from each site). Total organism and taxa count increased in sites of increasing distance from the glacier terminus. Results showed a significantly low abundance of annelids closest to the glacier, a low abundance of nematodes farthest from the glacier (Site E), no difference in arthropods and a high abundance of rotifers at Site E. Site E also exhibited a significantly low change in dissolved oxygen. This data points to significant differences in taxa and decomposition at the location farthest from the glacier terminus and suggests a shift in the soil quality. Changes in species interactions, nutrient levels and the possibility of a retrogressive succession stage are all theories for this apparent shift
Barriers and Opportunities to Electric Vehicle Development in Nepal
Get PDFAs the global carbon dioxide level reaches its highest point in human history (407.4 parts per million), energy systems must transition from fossil fuel to renewable-powered sources. Since the transportation sector contributes nearly one-third of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, electric mobility offers a significant opportunity to reduce GHG emissions. Globally, there has been a rise in demand for electric vehicles. In Nepal, a clean energy transition within the context of rising urbanization and air pollution is imperative for quality of life, socio-economic development, and broadly climate change mitigation/adaptation. Furthermore, Nepal’s vast hydropower potential may increase energy independence and provide a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels. Unfortunately, infrastructure is not currently suited for fossil fuel alternatives. Thus, this paper uses a case study to explore the barriers and opportunities for electric vehicle development in Nepal. Methods include document analysis, social media analysis, and interviews with different stakeholders. My discussion centers around stakeholder perspectives and consumer perceptions to find themes and trends of electric mobility in Kathmandu. In reference to these findings, I suggest recommendations to increase EV adoption
ACCENT MODIFICATION PROGRAM: A PROGRAM FOR FOREIGN-BORN EMPLOYEES AT ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL
Get PDFSome foreign national employees lack English proficiency, have poor pronunciation skills, and find it difficult to be understood due to their strong native accent when speaking English. The Accent Modification Program (AMP) is designed to provide an opportunity for non-native English-speaking employees at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, primarily postdoctoral research associates, to advance their English-speaking skills especially as it relates to oral presentation proficiency. The program design is informed by the needs assessment based on data collection via personal interviews, professional observations and experience of the author. AMP will provide regularly scheduled group sessions with a native-English speaking facilitator. The curriculum of the program is based on ESL principles combining practical tools and communication skills needed for successful oral presentation and audience understanding. This program is funded by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and is offered to any interested non-native English-speaking employee at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Online Learning as an Alternative Form of Education for Individuals Impacted by Conflict
Get PDFThrough a small case study, this paper investigates one on-line learning organization devoted to providing ESL education to persons affected by conflict. Through interviews with administrators and tutors, and through survey data collected from participants, the paper will explore how administrators and tutors:
1) determine suitability of material when deciding what to teach in this virtual classroom format
2) foster reflection skills in this format
3) assess language acquisition
4) measure the benefits of technology in one on one instruction
Paper Airplanes consists of about five hundred to eight hundred students and around 800 hundred tutors (Wimer, 2018). It is a web-based organization with a global presence and operates completely in a virtual space. Although tutors and administrators are located throughout the global community, students are primarily located in Syria and Turkey (Paper Airplanes, 2019).The paper examines measurable areas of improvement and success in the English program and offers curriculum ideas based on these findings. Information was collected from anonymous student surveys for the 2018 English Program as well as interviews with tutors and administrators. Given the high percentage of women and girls whose education is disrupted by conflict, the paper concludes with recommendations for online educational platforms designed to meet the needs of children and women. Written for curriculum developers, this paper is intended as a curriculum development guide and includes a curriculum unit focusing on education and social justice
I Have Plenty of Things to Say: The Language Choice of Senegalese Women Writers
Get PDFThe purpose of this research is to better understand the forces and motivations that influence Senegalese women writers’ choice to write in the languages they choose. Senegalese women writers began publishing written works in 1976, but the majority of works published by women from Senegal have been in French. While France’s colonization of Senegal has a major role in this, other factors, like the language policy of Senegal, play an important role in decision. Other external forces, like the narratives around what languages one should write in and politics of getting published, also influence this decision. Through the content analysis of Une Si Longue Lettre and Le Baobab fou, two books by Senegalese women authors, as well as by interviews with Senegalese women writers and publishing house staff in Senegal, this research evaluates the influence of external factors on the language choice of Senegalese women writers. By examining this influence, this research hopes to demonstrate the ways that women maneuver the structural and societal pressures in order to say what they want to say
Characterizing systems of reporting and mitigating Anthrax outbreaks near Mto wa Mbu, Monduli District, Tanzania
Get PDFNorthern Tanzania has experienced several anthrax outbreaks in the recent past. In Monduli district, an outbreak in 2016 prompted an organization of district officials to create an updated outbreak response action plan. The pastoralist community is often affected by these outbreaks due to their frequent direct contact with cattle and herds’ proximity to wild species potentially affected by the disease. This characterization of the existing systems of reporting and mitigating anthrax outbreaks was accomplished through structured interviews with ward and village officers, local veterinarians, and members of the pastoralist community in Monduli district near Mto wa Mbu. The purpose of this study was to identify the main successes and challenges of anthrax biosecurity implementation are in the area. The resulting record of recognizable similarities and differences in knowledge about anthrax and its reporting contributes to the body of knowledge that can be drawn upon for future decisions on resource and time distribution in designing biosecurity in Monduli district. The main challenges identified included lack of exchange between livestock professionals (read: livestock officers and veterinarians) and rural pastoralist communities, cultural practices related to livestock consumption, and lack of awareness of annual vaccination
Child’s Play: A Service Learning Project Conducted at ROROŠ, Nové Mešto pod Smrkem
No full textFor my Independent Study Project, I designed a board game for young children inspired by the service learning activities held at ROROŠ. ROROŠ is a private organization located in the town of Nové Mešto pod Smrkem, offering different activities for children which provide a meaningful use of their leisure time. For a period of three weeks, I lived in Nové Mešto with Yveta Svobodová, one of the head directors of the organization. During my stay, I partook in several activities each week and used my experiences to generate new ideas when designing the final game. The game was completed by the end of the second week, and throughout the third week I would play it with the local children. Apart from embodying the cultural aspect of the community at ROROŠ, the game also encourages learning outside of the classroom by quizzing children on topics like general knowledge, indoor activities, sports and the English language. The game was donated to the organization on 12 May, 2019 at the end of my stay
Humanitarian Negotiations & Humanitarian Principles: The interaction between humanitarian negotiations for access and organizations\u27 ability to adhere to humanitarian principles
Get PDFAim: To examine how do humanitarian organizations apply, or fail to apply, the humanitarian principles through humanitarian negotiations in modern conflict settings.
Methods: A literature review identified relevant peer-reviewed and grey literature on international humanitarian norms and law, the landscape of modern conflict, and existing guidelines on humanitarian negotiations. Five semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts in humanitarian negotiations chosen on the basis of their relevant background. A coded analysis of these interviews was conducted to identify major themes and subthemes in responses.
Background: Multiple international mechanisms outline the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence and States, non-State armed groups (NSAGs), and organizations’ responsibilities to uphold these principles. Negotiations are essential to upholding these principles. While limited existing guidelines on the process of negotiations, modern conflicts with a growing number of NSAGs render negotiations, and upholding the humanitarian principles, increasingly complex.
Discussion: The criminalization of negotiators, lack of understanding between negotiators, and a lack of consensus across the humanitarian sector pose a very real danger to the operationalization of humanitarian principles in their original conceptions. However, successful humanitarian negotiations are only feasible with the ideas surrounding the principles because 1) perceptions of upholding the principles results in increased legitimacy for humanitarian organizations, and 2) the principles are essential as dynamic ethical guidelines when making compromises.
Conclusion: The current operationalization of the humanitarian principles is not one of measurable outcomes, but rather, it is one of rhetoric, of engraining the concepts behind the principles – that all humans have the right to dignified life regardless of who they are and where they live – in the values and practices of all stakeholders in humanitarian negotiations