Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

A Market Study Of Organic And Fair Trade Coffee In Bolivia, Christopher L. Estevez

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to study the commercialization of Fairtrade and Organic coffee in the Bolivia. Fairtrade and Organic coffee are alternative trade systems designed to promote the equitable and environmentally sustainable production of coffee. However, these alternative trading systems often fail to meet these goals. The producers and environment these systems are intended to protect remain marginalized. These failures are due to a number of local institutions. In order to better understand these institutions, this research conducted interviews of various stakeholders including producers, cooperative leaders, organic/Fair Trade certifiers, government agencies and private buyers. All these stakeholders influence …

Advanced Oxidation Processes Of Problematic Toxin And Water Contaminants: Cylindrospermopsin, Iopamidol, 4-Methylcyclohexane Methanol And Propylene Glycol Phenyl Ether, Cen Zhao

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The occurrences of cyanotoxin and organic contaminants threaten drinking water sources and are a serious human health and environmental concern. The control of these problematic contaminants and the remediation of the associated contaminants are critical for ensuring safe drinking water to significant populations. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have received considerable attention as a potential water treatment for various pollutants. In this dissertation, advanced oxidative degradation of four problematic water toxic contaminants (CYN, iopamidol, 4-methylcyclohexane methanol and propylene glycol phenyl ether) were studied to develop the fundamental understanding required to assess AOPs as a potential water treatment process.

UV and visible …

A Multi-Scale And Multi-Approach Investigation Of Sediment Yield And Runoff Flux In The Mara River Basin, Kenya, Mengistu Balew Defersha

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to identify the current potential sediment source areas and quantify rate of erosion and runoff. Runoff plots were established at three sites and the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) and Erosion 3D models were applied at watershed scale. The highest total sediment yield was observed on cultivated land (162.38 g/m2) in the Nyangores sub-watershed and the lowest sediment yield (29.95 g/m²) was observed on grassland, in Amala downstream. The model evaluation indicated that both of the models perform well in estimation of runoff, however, the WEPP model performs better than Erosion …

Adaptation Behavior In The Face Of Global Climate Change And Accelerating Sea-Level Rise : Survey Responses From Expert Personnel In The Florida Keys, U.S.A., Evan Flugman

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Slivers of land amidst the nation’s premier marine ecosystem, the Florida Keys provide unique insights into the challenges of adaptation to climate change and sea-level rise. By learning how Florida Keys experts (federal, state, regional, and local management personnel, environmental specialists, policymakers, and community leaders) are anticipating these challenges, I identify barriers to adaptation; explore information and programmatic approaches to enhance adaptive capacity, maximize resilience, and minimize adverse impacts; investigate willingness to support a Community Adaptation Fund and test potential finance mechanisms.

Analysis of survey responses from 225 Florida Keys experts reveals decision makers are operating with limited resources and …

Effects Of A Switchgrass Buffer Strip On Soil Microorganisms Near A Field Applied With Endosulfan, Cristina Clark-Cuadrado

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A field study to determine the effects of a switchgrass buffer strip (SBS) on soil microorganisms near a field applied with endosulfan was carried out. Soil samples were taken from a SBS and bare soil area downslope from a field applied with endosulfan at different distances, days, and two seasons (wet and dry). Soil samples were analyzed for endosulfan, soil fungi, and bacteria. Analysis of endosulfan concentrations was done by reversed-phase liquid chromatography. No endosulfan runoff was detected by this method. Analysis of soil fungi and bacteria was done by fungal and bacterial enumeration by plate count method on rose …

Promoting Community Ecotourism Enterprises In Common Property Regimes : A Stakeholder Analysis And Geographic Information Systems Application In Ejido X-Maben In Central Quintana Roo, Mexico, Melissa K. Cornejo

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A group of community members of the ejido X-Maben in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico are currently in the process of developing a community ecotourism enterprise (CEE) to attract both local and foreign tourism to a natural area within their ejido. Most definitions of ecotourism define the natural area of interest as a protected area and include the requirement of integrating local communities into the benefits generated by ecotourism in that particular area. However, few researchers have considered the case of community ecotourism where the natural area is on communal lands and the enterprise itself is fully community-owned. This …

A Limnological Description Of Lake Marco Shores, A Manmade Brackish Water Lake, Charles M. Courtney

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A limnological description of Lake Marco Shores, Collier County, Florida was conducted from October, 1976 through March, 1979. This manmade lake was located close to the estuary and was long (344 m) in relation to its breadth (237.9 m). A large percentage (83) of the volume of the lake occupied a cryptodepression.

1. The lake was shown to be meromictic, with a stable vertical density structure over an annual cycle.

2. The lower layer evidenced accumulated nutrients relative to the top layer which was nutrient poor and always anaerobic. The upper layer was always aerobic.

3. The water column as …