Showing papers in "Espacio y Desarrollo in 2006"

Evaluación de la sustentabilidad en agroecosistemas

Abstract: In this paper, I show the experience obtained in Mexico and Latin America from the application of the Methodological Framework for the Evaluation of Management Systems with Sustainability lndicators between 1999 and 2005. These are diverse efforts to increase and evaluare the sustainability of agro ecosystems under various conditions, with different constraints and results; in sorne cases, these include the comparison of contrasting systems and, in others, the changes obtained for the same system under alternative ways of management.All the cases are attempts to make operative the concept of sustainability applied to sustainable development, specifically supported over the experience of evaluating agro ecosystems under the conditions of the Latin American countries.

Análisis del cambio del paisaje en un área minera del perú. Caso estudio de Yanacocha, Cajamarca

Abstract: This paper examines the physical and perceived landscape changes in a mining area located in northern Peru. The divergent points of view about the impacts ofthe mining activities have been more dynamic in recent years. This condition leads to the need of a better comprehension of the environmental and socialconsequences of the mining activities.Landscape studies may be relevant to understand such problems. So, in this study, we intend to determine the landscape change in a mining area by mapping the change of the physicallandscape and analyzing the local population's perception of this change. The physical dimension is studied by spatial-holistic interpretation of diachronic air photographs to produce maps of the pre-mining period (1993) and after (2000), which allows comparisons between them. The perception is examined from the analysis of semi-structured interviews to the local population. The physical landscape analysis shows a change index of 73% in all the studied area. This change is characterized mainly by the conversion of the semi-natural grass to the mining area where the grass is scarce. These results correlate positive with the local population's appreciation who perceive great environmental changes and stress the dramatic reduction of the natural resources, which are the basis for their living as grasses and water. Most of the informants had concerns of the lost of practices, customs and identity. Methodologically, this study is based on an empirical and theoric research, that combines quantitative and qualitative methodsto study the landscape changes.

Niveles de peligro de inestabilidad de las laderas de un sector del flanco norandino venezolano: Monte Carmelo, estado de Trujillo

Abstract: A zonation of slope instability hazard levels of the Mount Carmelo region was carried out based on an analysis of the geographical conditions using the Van Westen (2003) heuristic method and GIS. Three levels of instability hazard were established: low hazard areas (no actual harmful phenomena is recorded, although it might occur over the next years), moderate hazard (medium probability that harmful processes might appear over next years) and high hazard (high probability of harmful processes over the next years.) Zonation maps showing hazard areas will be very useful for physical planning and population protection, taking into· consideration that these maps may reduce economic losses and human casualties due to the above mentioned natural hazards.