Interactive mapping of urban tree benefits using Google Fusion Tables and API technologies

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and web-based GIS platforms are typically used by large organizations and government agencies for the purpose of data storage, query, analysis, and spatial data mapping. Google Fusion Tables, however, provides cloud-based computing services for data management and easy user collaboration through the Google Maps interface. Fusion Tables are oriented towards smaller organizations that previously were unable to publish data online due to limitations of database knowledge, high cost of start-up, and restrictions on implementation. In this research project, we assess the functionality and limitations of Fusion Tables and associated API as a spatial data management system by programming an interactive web-based mapping platform, the CityTrees.ca Project, designed to showcase the benefits of trees growing on the campus of Ryerson University, Toronto. Specifically, Fusion Tables functionality, such as data storage and manipulation, is used to build a query interface (both attribute and spatial) that permits users of CityTrees.ca to search for and map trees by species, diameter, height, and location. We found that Fusion Tables performed well as a storage medium for our campus tree data, which could easily be explored through our creation of a JavaScript-enabled query tool. Our project provides a unique roadmap for small to medium-sized urban forestry organizations and environmental non-profits seeking to create interactive mapping applications where data privacy and advanced spatial analysis are not fundamental.     

从法团主义视角解读我国政府与NGO的关系

近些年法团主义频繁地被用来分析社会问题,其特别重视协调与调整的问题,即如何将社会冲突转化为秩序。我国政府与NGO之间的关系具有强烈的国家法团主义特征,高度强调国家的控制。透过法团主义理论分析,要推进我国NGO的健康发展,改善政府与NGO的关系,需要打破国家与社会零博弈的现象,发挥政府能促性作用,使国家与社会相互增权,由国家法团主义迈向社会法团主义。     

Non-governmental Organizations and Government Agencies Lead in Cultivating Positive Sea Turtle Conservation Attitudes

Considerable research has been conducted analyzing how demographic characteristics influence the public’s attitudes toward wildlife; however, less research of this type has been conducted in locations having long-standing species conservation efforts. Questionnaires were completed by residents living adjacent to such a location, the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge (ACNWR), to investigate which demographics explained residents’ knowledge of, attitudes toward, willingness to act for, and participation in sea turtle conservation. Residents who had a non-governmental organization (NGO) or government agency as their sea turtle information source had stronger positive attitudes toward sea turtles. Residents who possessed strong positive attitudes were more willing to engage in pro–sea turtle conservation behaviors. Overall, this research demonstrated that ACNWR residents’ source of sea turtle information being an NGO or government agency played a significant role in increasing residents’ knowledge of, attitudes toward, willingness to volunteer for, and participation in sea turtle conservation.     

Harvesting and conservation: are both possible for the palm, Iriartea deltoidea?

We consider the mechanism of certification to encourage sustainable harvesting and best management practices of Iriartea deltoidea Ruíz and Pavón, in the context of current land use and agricultural management in Amazonian Ecuador. Interviews and observations with harvesters, storeowners, and furniture-makers provided information about current and potential markets for goods made from the palm. To understand the demographic variables that are critical for population stability, data from five plots in each of three different forest types (mature, secondary, and dissected) were collected. Matrix models were used to develop harvesting simulations through which biological constraints on sustainable harvesting were explored. These simulations suggest that sparing individuals 5–15 m tall when pastures are cleared and adding this palm to current agroforestry polycultures can improve the likelihood of sustainable harvesting for this species. Results showed that harvesting Iriartea could fit within current land use. Some forest colonists clear pastures to graze cattle, while others devote land to agriculture, including polycultures of annuals and perennials. In either case, palms can be left standing when forests are cleared. Swidden agriculture (slash and burn or slash and mulch) depends on a fallow period during which secondary forest may begin to regenerate. These secondary forests are ideal locations for extraction of forest products that fit within the cycle of fallow regeneration in areas near human settlements. Sparing Iriartea individuals 5–15 m tall could benefit agriculture, encourage the sustainability of future harvests, and help ensure the future of this palm as a part of the Amazonian landscape.

Interviews with staff of governmental and non-governmental conservation organizations investigated the policy context for certification as a mechanism for conservation. Establishing guidelines for harvesting requires input from all stakeholders in the decision, not simply an ecological analysis. Such guidelines for certifying good management practices, if they are developed, should include provisions for monitoring unanticipated consequences of harvesting or changes in future environmental conditions. Transportation issues and stem drying processes need to be addressed if efforts to expand markets are to succeed. More generally, guidelines for management of forest resources can be improved by combining ecological and social research perspectives; the potential for carrying out such guidelines can be improved by incorporating the knowledge of local forest dwellers and NGOs.     

我国NGO与政府的关系营销探析

改革开放以来,我国NGO的发展壮大及其重要作用的发挥已成不争的事实.但由于我国政府仍在权力分配格局中占主导地位,NGO尚未赢得真正独立自主的空间,政府对它的态度直接影响到它的生存和发展.因此NGO运用营销理念,进行与政府的关系营销具有重大意义.     

农村社区公共空间研究——基于NGO参与农村社区建设的个案研究

通过对2个NGO参与社区建设的个案解剖发现,2个NGO都建立了良好的村庄公共空间,促进了村庄全面协调发展。并通过对2个NGO参与社区建设的个案研究得出,公共空间本质上是一种稳定、信任、共享和获取资源与需要的网络关系,公共空间具有信息沟通、消除矛盾、缓解紧张、形成共识、提升能力、整合资源与促进发展的功能。     

劳动权保护与非政府组织——工会非政府组织性质的回归

在我国,工会作为非政府组织的应然属性缺失,“行政化”倾向严重,因此,必须推动工会体制改革,还其非政府组织的本来面目,发挥其在劳动权保护中的作用。     

NGO参与：农业灾害防治的新思路

农业对中国产业结构具有基础性和保障性的作用,农业灾害的预防、治理和救助理应从始至终,贯穿全局。当前我国防治农业灾害的主体为政府、市场和农民,但政府和市场都存在不同程度的失灵,且3个主体间配合程度不足。NGO是普通公民进行社会治理的重要平台,也是完善农业灾害防治体系的有效路径。NGO协同参与,构建政府、市场、社会、农民共防共治的格局,对农业灾害防治体系的完善具有重要意义。     

论我国环境友好型社会建设中的公众参与

环境与人是互动的关系,环境对人有塑造作用,人也可以作用和改变环境。公众参与环境友好型社会建设是马克思主义的一项基本要求。我国公众参与环境友好型社会建设是逐渐发展的,取得了许多成绩同时也存在一些问题。在环境友好型社会建设过程中,要进一步发挥公众参与的作用,就要推进马克思主义公民观教育,发展非政府环保组织,建立健全监督机制,完善诉讼机制等等。将公众参与政府行为程序制度化,确保公众能够表达自身利益,多方利益能平衡,政府行为受制约。     

论中国渔业非政府组织发展现状及培育机制

渔业非政府组织是推动21世纪海洋渔业产业化迅猛发展的重要途径,我国的渔业捕捞现在已在全球海洋渔业捕捞总量中占据重要地位。然而,广大渔民却在市场交易中处于劣势地位,信息不对称,交易成本过高,交易渠道单一等因素大大限制了我国渔业经济的发展,而渔业非政府组织在盘活渔民和市场的关系中,将扮演着越来越重要的角色。因此,科学地培育和促进渔业非政府组织的发展,提高其对渔业的贡献度,这对我国渔业和海洋经济的蓬勃振兴具有重要的现实意义。