The propagation of Ramón (Brosimum alicastrum Sw.; Moraceae) in Mayan homegardens of the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico

In the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, Maya natives have been propagating important species for centuries. However, little documentation exists of these methods, and traditional knowledge is fading as younger generations seek work in urban centers. With growing interest in using some of these species for plantation-scale production, this knowledge should be captured to aid in propagation and cultural methods of selected species. One such species, Ramón (Brosimum alicastrum Sw.), is grown in Mayan homegardens primarily as a source of dry season forage. We conducted a survey of Mayan families in several municipalities to determine basic propagation habits and procedures for cultivating Ramón, and used this information to conduct some controlled-environment studies of reproductive ecology of the species. Our survey showed that all or most Maya grow the Ramón tree in homegardens for forage and that the tree is both cultivated from wild seedlings as well as planted on a small scale. Propagation is by seed and young seedlings are irrigated until they are established. We examined the effects of temperature on seed germination and found that maximum germination occurred between 27° and 38 °C, with best germination and growth of healthy seedlings at 33 °C. No germination occurred below 21° or above 44 °C. Simulated Maya irrigation gave a four-fold increase in growth rate of seedlings, aiding early establishment. Watering gave seedlings of greater biomass, greater stem and root length, and greater numbers and size of leaves. This magnitude of response may provide an economic return for plantation culture of Ramón for forage production.     

Pruning of néré trees (Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) Benth.) on the farmlands of Burkina Faso, West Africa

This study of the pruning of néré (Parking biglobosa) trees in central Burkina Faso included detailed surveys of 83 trees and their owners in 21 villages. Pruning is not widespread, but appears to be a practice with various motives and techniques. The motives are mainly aimed at deliberate management of the trees, in order to enhance their fruit production, and are rarely aimed at reducing tree impact on crop productivity. The characteristics of tree pruning techniques (e.g., frequency, intensity and seasonality) and their corresponding motives appear to change as an adaptation to land degradation processes and the deterioration of tree condition. The results demonstrate that indigenous silvicultural management techniques contribute to a sustainable use of tree resources.

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Résumé Cette étude sur la taille du néré (Parkia biglobosa) a été faite par des observations détaillées de 80 nérés et les entretiens avec leurs propriétaires dans 21 villages au Plateau Central du Burkina Faso. La taille du néré n'est pas générale, mais révèle diverses motivations et techniques. La plupart des motivations est orientée vers une gestion consciente de l'arbre en vue d'une amélioration de la production furitière, et rerament en vue d'une reduction de l'influence de l'arbre sur les cultures. Les caracteristiques des techniques de taille (fréquence, intensité, période de taille) et les motivations impliquées paraissent s'adapter à la dégradation de l'environnement et al détérioration de la viabilité des arbres. Les résultats montrent la durabilité des pratiques concernant la gestion des arbres.

     

基于Web的森林防火专家系统知识库的构建

介绍了基于森林防火专家系统的知识表示、知识获取和知识库组织的基本原理和方法，阐述了一种基于网络的知识库构建的一种新方案，使推理机的设计实现容易、知识库的维护更加灵活，实现了知识的获取功能以及网络多用户访问时的并发控制功能，克服了传统专家系统的弊端。     

Climatic Drivers of Revegetation Management Practices in Australia: Analysis of a Social Survey

Investment in small and large-scale revegetation in Australia is growing in response to concerns regarding the sustainability and productivity of agricultural landscapes. Site preparation and management––such as soil cultivation, weed control, fertilising, mulching, use of treeguards and watering––are major costs associated with small-scale revegetation. The aim of this study has been to investigate local revegetation knowledge and practices to determine the usefulness of each management practice for achieving success and to determine whether some practices are more suited to particular climatic zones. A national online revegetation survey was conducted to ascertain current small-scale revegetation practices and the factors that drive these choices. Management practices were found to be strongly associated with climate. Mulch, fertiliser, weed control and watering were applied more frequently in higher rainfall and higher temperature zones. Soil cultivation and treeguards were used more frequently in lower rainfall and lower temperature zones. These findings suggest that there may be some benefit in modifying existing revegetation guidelines to reflect climatic zones and management flexibility.

The power of knowledge: information transfer and açaí intensification in the peri-urban interface of Belém,Brazil

Academic scholarship and development paradigms promote non-timber forest products (NTFPs) as potential options to link environmental conservation with sustainable economic development objectives for rural communities worldwide. The açaí berry (Euterpe oleracea) is a native palm found in forest ecosystems of northern Brazil and historically extracted and sold in regional markets. Recent increases in national and international açaí demand have resulted in dramatic price increases. Management decisions on a local producer level reflect trends not typically associated with traditional NTFPs as future production and income expectations increase. This case study draws on research conducted in peri-urban communities in close proximity to Belém, Brazil. The work draws links between recent açaí intensification trends in upland areas and information pathways that are contributing to this pattern. This paper argues that external information sources regarding land use choices are prioritized over local knowledge and market indicators which previously have been described as drivers for intensification processes of NTFPs. This qualitative analysis highlights the power structures that influence information sharing and in turn, land use choices on a community level. The results of this analysis are important for NTFP intervention initiatives focused on risk management for smallholders. Finally, this study is a useful complement for ecological studies currently being conducted on intensification processes of non-timber forest products.     

Preparation of recombinant PTD-HSP27 and verification of its ability to penetrate the cell membrane of human lens epithelial cells and rabbit cornea

AIM: To construct the prokaryotic expression system containing protein transduction domain (PTD) with heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) in order to prepare and purify the recombinant protein, and to verify whether the recombinant protein PTD-HSP27 has the ability to penetrate the human lens epithelial cell (HLEC) membrane and the rabbit cornea. METHODS: The plasmid pKYB-PTD-HSPB1-6His was constructed by the technique of overlap extension PCR. The plasmid was transformed and PTD-HSP27 was purified through nickel affinity chromatography column and identified by Western blotting. PTD-HSP27-6His was labeled with the fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). The penetrating ability of PTD-HSP27 into HLECs and rabbit cornea was tested. RESULTS: The recombinant PTD-HSP27 plasmid was successfully cloned and effectively expressed. The correctness of the recombinant protein PTD-HSP27 was demonstrated. Fluorescence microscopic examination showed that PTD-HSP27-FITC was internalized by HLECs. Fluorescent labeled PTD-HSP27 was then observed in the rabbit aqueous humor. CONCLUSION: The recombined gene PTD-HSPB1 was constructed by overlap extension PCR technique and the PTD-HSP27 fusion protein was prepared and purified by nickel affinity chromatography column. Using the technique of PTD-fusion protein, HSP27 was transduced into HLECs and passed through the cornea.     

广东传统林业乡土知识系统与乡村林业

广东省山区居民人口多，且多居住在林区。山区人民在长期生产和生活实践中，对其聚居地的森林资源产生了深刻的认识和了解，并对其赖以生存的森林资源形成了独特的利用与管理的传统知识和经验。文章对广东乡土林业传统管理与利用进行了初步探讨。     

Integrating traditional and local ecological knowledge into forest biodiversity conservation in the Pacific Northwest

The potential for traditional and local ecological knowledge to contribute to biodiversity conservation has been widely recognized, but the actual application of this knowledge to biodiversity conservation is not easy. This paper synthesizes literature about traditional and local ecological knowledge and forest management in the Pacific Northwest to evaluate what is needed to accomplish this goal. We address three topics: (1) views and values people have relating to biodiversity; (2) the resource use and management practices of local forest users, and their effects on biodiversity; (3) models for integrating traditional and local ecological knowledge into biodiversity conservation on public and private lands. We focus on the ecological knowledge of forest users belonging to three groups who inhabit the region: American Indians, family forest owners, and commercial nontimber forest product harvesters.     

朱熹思想体系中的知识与人文信仰

在继承北宋五子对信仰与知识加以联系并解构的同时，朱熹着力于更加逻辑与严密地论述了知识与人文信仰二者之间的关联。在知识与人文信仰的关系中，朱熹认为信仰以知识为基础，知识以信仰为依据。扩充知识是完善信仰的过程，它指向的是可能性目的；具有信仰是获得知识的依据，它指向的是必然性原因。