Memory and resilience: A two-pronged approach to natural spaces in Colombia’s transition to a peaceful society

The analysis of spontaneous environmental initiatives undertaken by individuals and communities in cases of conflicts has led to a growing research field in social science, according to which the community-based stewardship of nature seems to conduce to the resilience of co-evolved social-ecological systems. In Colombia, where no such research exists so far, the conflict which officially ended in November 2016 has led to massive internal migration due to forced displacement, as well as to widespread degradation of the environment. Based on evidence provided by case studies of top-down and bottom-up living memorials and urban agriculture initiatives, the article explores the potential of urban greening in the process of memorialisation and in generating new social cohesion, as well as better living conditions in urban areas. It analyses cases both where the conflict has taken place and in the cities where refugees have settled, in order to explore avenues for public policies in post conflict Colombia. The author concludes that greening initiatives offer manifold, so far overlooked, opportunities to restoring social and ecological resilience in urban areas and thus contribute to a lasting peace in Colombia.     

Molecular markers to distinguish ‘Thar Shoba’, a variety of khejri [Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce], from trees in natural populations

Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce, commonly called khejri, is an important multipurpose, leguminous tree of the Thar Desert. ‘Thar Shoba’ is a variety of khejri without thorns which was developed as a vegetable. In order to develop markers for varietal identification, 80 RAPD primers were tested, of which nine were polymorphic between ‘Thar Shoba’ and trees in a natural population of khejri. Phenetic analysis revealed that ‘Thar Shoba’ formed a separate cluster from the natural population with similarity coefficients of 0.57–0.78. The 10-mer primers OPBE05, OPBA13, OPA12, and OPA14 were each found to differentiate ‘Thar Shoba’ from the natural population by one amplicon. These differential amplicons were sequenced and SCAR markers were developed based on the sequences that differentiated ‘Thar Shoba’ from the natural population. Natural populations of khejri from different regions of the Thar Desert, and clonally multiplied ‘Thar Shoba’ plants in the ICAR-CIAH bud-wood genebank, were used to validate these primers. These markers will be useful in further developing the bud-wood genebank, and for certification, identification, and protection of the khejri variety ‘Thar Shoba’.     

A review of the concept ‘management’ in relation to urban landscapes and green spaces: Toward a holistic understanding

The management of urban landscapes concerns existing urban open spaces such as public parks, playgrounds and residential green spaces. It involves many different actors and organizations and its practice is of importance for the sustainable development of cities. As a research field, it needs further theoretical development and common definitions. For example, the central term ‘management’ is seldom defined in the relevant literature regarding an urban landscape context, and public participation in management processes is unusual. This paper introduces urban landscape management as an overarching concept that brings together knowledge about management of urban landscapes from fields such as urban forestry, park management and landscape planning. Based on a literature review, a common understanding of management in an urban landscape context is proposed, including organizational and strategic aspects of managerial activities. Our approach is that urban landscapes are ultimately managed to provide user benefits. Urban landscape management can be viewed as a complex process that includes a number of different actors, elements and relationships, mutually affecting each other. This view supports future studies of urban landscape management and its role in sustainable urban development.