Environmental Health and Protection Commons^™

A Comparison Of Qualitative And Quantitative Ecological Assessment Methods Of Mangroves In Southwestern Madagascar, Sondra Winders

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Mangroves are unique, tropical, intertidal forests that, among many other important functions, serve as large carbon sinks for the sequestration of atmospheric CO2. This project qualitatively assessed the mangrove forest of Honko Mangrove Conservation and Education (Tulear, Madagascar) in conjunction with Blue Ventures for a proposed Plan Vivo carbon stock project. The qualitative results were then compared with quantitative measurements in order to determine the most effective method of ecological assessment. Sixty-three stands of mangrove forest covering 9.72km2 were identified and mapped. Level of harvest, species composition, density, canopy cover, dominant height, dominant DBH, forest condition and composition were compared …

The Management Of Residential Solid Waste In Mombasa, Kenya, Yen Joe Tan

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Residential solid waste management refers to the managing of unwanted materials discarded by households so that these materials are either properly disposed of or reprocessed to reenter the production material stream. This issue is usually the responsibility of the municipal council; however in Kenya just like many other developing countries, this critical issue is often mismanaged, causing environmental pollution and exposing residents to health risks. Through one month of full-time archival research and field work, this study presents the current state of residential solid waste management in Mombasa, examines the roles played by various stakeholders involved in this area through …

Hydro Power, People Power: Hydroelectricity’S Potential For Community Development, With A Focus On The Khimti 1 Project, Amelia Prior

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Hydropower, a source of renewable energy that transforms water into electricity, has great potential in Nepal. It can be used to electrify homes, increase efficiency of agriculture, and improve businesses to spur economic growth. This research will examine the current status of hydropower in Nepal and the main obstacles to its expansion. More importantly, however, is the importance on developing hydropower responsibly and ethically. Harnessing the energy and generating electricity is not enough; hydropower projects should involve their surrounding communities, affecting genders, ethnic groups, and socio-economic classes equally. This research will examine how communities are affected by hydroelectricity projects and …

A Comparison Study Of A Bird Population In Lake Alaotra: The Effects Of A Protected Area, Sonya R. Kaufman

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Lake Alaotra, the largest lake in Madagascar, is well known for its diverse plant and animal communities. It is home to three critically endangered endemic species, the Alaotran gentle lemur (Hapelemur griseus alaotrensis), Alaotra Little Grebe (Tachybaptus rufolavatus), and Madagascar pochard (Aythya innotata). Widespread habitat destruction by fire and clear-cutting is destroying the marshland vegetation of the lake, and siltation from erosion runoff and rice field creation is resulting in the ever-decreasing size of the lake. This study looked at the effectiveness of the protected area, Park Bandro, in preserving species diversity, relative abundances, …

Tujiin Nars: A Story Of The Forest, Julia Bowman

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This paper uses the northern Mongolian pine tree forest called Tujiin Nars as a case study to examine forestry and reforestation projects in Mongolia. It outlines the general history of Mongolian forests from socialism to present day, looking specifically at Tujiin Nars. It goes on to identify and examine the five most important factors in the successful reforestation of Tujiin Nars: a stronger economy in Selenge Aimag, committed civil servants, forest policy with harsher penalties for illegal loggers, government support, and local and global environmental awareness trends.

The Impact Of Income Generating Programs At Tarangire National Park, Tanzania, Dylan Mcdowell

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Tarangire National Park (TAR) is Tanzanian’s third largest grossing park, and is surrounded by 42 villages in five districts. The park’s single Outreach Warden has undertaken many projects since the park’s creation in 1970 to engage the villagers in natural resource conservation, including wildlife. The newest pilot project at TAR is Income Generating Programs (IGP) where community groups organize themselves around an activity that earns income. From September 24-29, 2012, TAR selected 10 members from three groups in the park’s northern end and 15 members from two groups in the park’s southern end to attend an all-expenses paid business class …

The Attitudes And Perceptions Of The Local People Towards The Durgun Hydropower Plant, Francis H. Clougherty

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Humans have been using the kinetic energy generated by waters movement in the hydrologic cycle for thousands of years. Since the late 19^th century people have harnessed this energy source and utilized it as a means of generating electricity. The use of hydropower in many different ways can be found in countries all over the world, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Spain, Turkey, India, China and, of course Mongolia. However, in some developed countries including the United States and Sweden there is a growing movement of hydropower stations and dam …

La Contaminación Intradomiciliaria Por Combustibles En Las Casas De La Ix Región De Chile, Hannah Bewsey

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Fresh air: a natural and necessary commodity, and yet one that is missing from many of the world’s households. In rural communities and in the developing world, indoor air pollution is a very real health burden, constituting a factor in 2.5 million deaths every year. The homes of the IX Region of Chile are particularly disposed to indoor pollution, due to the use of biomass fuels for cooking and heating during the cold winter months. This investigation aims to supplement the relatively scarce amount of literature investigating the use of biomass fuels that contribute to indoor pollution in this region. …

Simple, Sustainable Living: An Illustrated Journal, Jenn Livermore

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

As we are faced with the gravity of climate change, fundamental lifestyle changes need to occur in order to achieve a sustainable future. The purpose of my creative project was to create an illustrated journal that promotes simple and sustainable living in Melbourne. This paper describes the process undertaken to complete this project. Initially, I discuss the power of art in transitioning to a post-growth society and the benefits of using an illustrated journal as an artistic medium. I also outline the background of the voluntary simplicity movement. In my Methods section, I discuss why Melbourne was a perfect location …

Too Much Weed: Invasive Species In Chitwan National Park, Laura Nelson

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Invasive plant species threaten jungle eco-systems in Chitwan National Park. Mikania micrantha is the most destructive invasive plant in the park and has been named one of the world’s 100 worst invaders. It is an exceptionally fastgrowing and aggressive perennial plant that is quickly spreading throughout Chitwan and ousting native plant species that comprise the diets of rhinos and other important wildlife species. M. micrantha poses both immediate ecological concerns to wildlife and threatens rural subsistence farming populations by destroying cropland. In Nepal, no policy or program exists to contain invasive plant species, and large-scale management of M. micrantha is …

The Vacb Model In Hòa An Village And Xeo Trâm Hamlet: Comparison And Analysis Through A Gendered Lens, Alyssa Bosold

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Burning fuel-wood, a method of traditional cooking practiced by half of all homes in Vietnam (Global Alliance for Clean Cook-stoves 2012) and the majority of homes in Hòa An Village and Xeo Trâm Hamlet, has significant negative consequences in terms of environmental and personal health. In Hòa An Village and Xeo Trâm Hamlet, as is true in much of Vietnam, gender roles dictate that women should be primarily responsible for household chores like cooking (World Bank 2001, Nguyen 2012, Nguyen 2012, Vo 2012). This means that women must often deal directly with the environmental dangers and safety hazards of woodstoves. …

Water And Sanitation: A Study Of Deserted Idp Camps In Lapul Sub-County, Patrick Dunlap

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This paper sets out to discover how access to water and sanitation has changed overtime for the residents of deserted satellite IDP camps in Lapul sub-county, Northern Uganda. Throughout the period of conflict in the region until today, residents of this region have struggled to gain adequate access to water and sanitation.

Qualitative field research was carried out over a period of eleven days, with six interviews and three focus groups held to gain information on how access to water and sanitation has changed overtime for the displaced. Methods of Rapid Rural Appraisal and Direct Observation were applied to make …

Inteñas En Acción: El Eco-Feminismo Y El Desarrollo Alternativo En Íntag, Ellicott Dandy

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

El bosque nublado es una zona de vida subtropical y montañosa del Ecuador caracterizada por sus grandes cuencas hídricas, y su riqueza de aves y plantas epifitas.[1] Dentro del bosque nublado, está la Zona de Íntag con una extensión de 1.374,4 kilómetros cuadrados.[2] Junto a esta diversidad de especies, conviven unas doce mil personas[3] en parroquias y docenas de comunidades pertenecientes al sector, conectadas por carreteras que serpentean entre las lomas verdes de la Cordillera Toisán. Un 98% de la población de Íntag se identifica como mestiza, y del restante 2%, 1% como indígena y 1% como …

Las Carreteras Ya No Cantan: Una Investigación Sobre La Riqueza Y Diversidad De Especies De Anfibios En Sitios Sensibles A Lado Del Eje Vial N°4 En La Reserva Biológica Tapichalaca, Harrison Goldspiel

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Tapichalaca Biological Reserve (RBT), located in Zamora Chinchipe Province in southern Ecuador, is a zone with high biodiversity and endemism. Although famous for the Jocotoco antpitta (Grallaria ridgelyi), the reserve is very rich in anphibians, especially frogs of the genus Pristimantis. RBT hosts at least 29 species of amphibians, including the new and endemic Hyloscirtust tapichalaca and 25 Pristimantis species (Meza-R. et al. 2008). RBT faces various threats, such as climate change, farms, and the exploitation of palm trees. One pertinent threat is Eje Vial N°4, a main road that passes through the reserve. This study investigated …

Coarse Woody Debris In A Tropical Rainforest In North Queensland, Australia: Relationships With Stand Structure And Disturbance, Nadine Rea

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Coarse woody debris (CWD) refers to the woody material on the forest floor, including fallen stems, large branches, coarse roots, wood pieces, and standing dead trees (snags) (Harmon et al. 1986). CWD is an essential but often overlooked aspect of ecosystems. It plays many key ecosystem roles and is instrumental in overall ecosystem functionality. While a piece of CWD decomposes, it provides key habitat for many different species, minimizes soil erosion, affects soil development, stores nutrients and water, and influences the global carbon cycle (Harmon and Hua 1991). In some forests, CWD can exist on the forest floor for hundreds …