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Introduction: The research has shown the relevance that acquires the tourism appreciation policy of the preserved nature in Argentina, in the sense that the external positioning of the country in the global tourism market starts to articulate from the quality and diversity of its protected areas. However, not all the conservation units attracted the same interest from the government at the time to implement the appreciation policies Objective: The study's aim is to analyze the role that is assumed by natural protected areas in the tourism instrumented policy from the diversity and complexity that they cover. This needs to go beyond the institutionalized policy in order to deepen the differential impact that acquires in each place once it is implemented. Methodology: Given the mixed nature of this study, corpus documental analysis, observation, and application of general interviews to key actors who participate in the process are remarked for the studio we resorted to the public policies analysis as a methodologic theoretical approach that proposes to contrast what is formulated with what is implemented, to finally approximate evaluations. Results: it is evidenced that diversity and equity criteria that lead to a promotion strategy (in order to set the country in the global market from the wide biodiversity of environments) are not applied in the tourism valorization policy, that concentrates the provision of infrastructure and tourism services in the traditional parks internationally acknowledged for their monumental landscapes and scenic beauties. Conclusions: The study proves that the tourism valuation policy far from conducting more equitable and decentralized tourism developments as it had been proposed caused a consolidation of the current tourism system. Moreover, in the conclusions, associated tensions and risks to such activation processes are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Maestrazgo and the Sierra de Gúdar in Teruel are made up of a great diversity of ecosystems, among which, in addition to the riparian forest and the aquatic ecosystems on which this study focuses, the forest ecosystems spread over several bioclimatic floors particularly stand out. The objective of this paper is twofold. On the one hand, it seeks to evaluate the state of conservation of one of the territories with the greatest natural wealth in southern Aragon, namely the fluvial ecosystem of the Guadalope River in its upper section, and on the other hand, it proposes a protection framework with greater legal imperative such as that pertaining to natural parks, which this province does not currently have. To do this, the methodology will be based on the consultation of the few specialized bibliographies on this study area, and on the other hand, it will determine the quality of fluvial habitats based on the construction of two indicators: the QBR on quality of the riparian forest and the IHF on fluvial habitats. The results show that despite the fact that this territory does not currently have any environmental protection framework other than three natural monuments, a ZEPA and a ZEC, it has enough values to be declared a natural park, which would be the first in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, through the review of 106 cases published between 2007 and 2022, addresses these transformations in terms of changes in the availability, access, and control of assets for the livelihood of the population, using the livelihoods approach. Systemic mapping was used as the methodology, which describes relevant evidence on a specific topic, using open-ended questions and information synthesis through matrices classifying categories. In most cases, tourist activities are carried out in protected natural areas. Transformations are highlighted that can improve access to assets but also increase the vulnerability of people who closely depend on natural resources and supplement their income through seasonal and informal jobs related to tourism. Additionally, recommendations are presented from tourist initiatives that have successfully integrated tourism into livelihoods without undermining sustenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the hourly activity patterns of mammals inhabiting the area surrounding the Camisea gas pipeline that crosses the Machiguenga Communal Reserve. From February 2020 to January 2021, a photographic record was conducted using camera traps placed along the gas pipeline. Activity patterns were estimated using Kernel density functions. During the study period, 25 mammal species were recorded. It was found that Dasyprocta kalinowskii and Eira barbara exhibit a diurnal activity pattern, whereas Cuniculus paca, Tapirus terrestris, Dasypus spp., and Mazama spp. display predominantly nocturnal behavior. It is suggested that observed activity patterns could be influenced by various factors such as competitive exclusion between D. kalinowskii and C. paca, seasonal food availability for T. terrestris, temperature and precipitation variations for Dasypus spp., phylogenetic constraints in Mazama spp., and temporal segregation with other carnivores for E. barbara. The significance of collaboration between energy industry companies, native communities, and governmental organizations is emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature-based tourism has been gaining momentum over the last decades, with special development in protected areas as the main destinations; mostly after the pandemic and within the new dynamics caused by the crises. This paper focuses on Spain as a case study. It provides a state of the art and analyses some of the post-pandemic recovery policies materialised, in this case, in tourism sustainability plans for the creation of supply around high-value natural areas. The risks derived from the adoption of regrowth measures make some considerations necessary. Also, the proposal of alternatives for the promotion of recreational practices linked to different conservation instruments, as well as the proposal of actions within the tourism containment and degrowth frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Payment for ecosystem services (PES) is an economic tool that seeks to compensate landowners for the conservation of their forested lands and reduce the negative impacts of land use change in forest areas that are important for the provision of ecosystem services (ES). However, it is essential to verify that the implementation of this mechanism is focused on where it is most needed. In this study, an analysis of the evolution of PES in the Pixquiac sub-basin in Veracruz was carried out, and the degree of coincidence between the supported areas and hydrological priority areas was evaluated. Information regarding the fiscal years of PES in the region from 2003 - 2016 was statistically analyzed, and the priority areas and areas of PES were determined using geographic information systems. Results showed that payments amounted to USD 1,076,782 in an area of 5,450 ha during the period analyzed. However, only 881.58 ha (24.5 % of the total hydrological priority areas) were considered in this payment scheme. Decision-makers must have up-to-date information that allows them to focus available resources at a more precise spatial scale. In addition, efforts must be made by the actors involved to ensure greater participation by forest owners and ecosystem service users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies in Colombia have quantified population dynamics on private conservation lands, making it difficult to know whether passive restoration (secondary succession) is a good option to increase forest biomass. We analyzed three permanent plots (0.3 ha) in the Reserva El Paujil (Middle Magdalena Valley, Colombia), in secondary forests, after 8--9 years. We tested whether population changes and aboveground biomass accumulation should be higher in secondary flooded forests than in terra firme forests. We found that mortality rates (7.98/y ± 4.50 DE) were higher than recruitment rates (5.89/y ± 5.29 SD), generating a mean negative change (-2.09/y ± 4.36 SD). However, the growth of surviving individuals was high (0.028 ± 0.019 SD), causing a positive rate of biomass accumulation (3.33 ton/y/ha ± 5.15 SD). This rate was much higher than in terra firme forests in the area (0.10 ton/y/ha ± 1.90 SD), which was associated with soil fertility. The most dominant species with high biomass accumulation was Anacardium excelsum. In contrast, the highest increase in mortality was observed for pioneer species (i.e., Cecropia membranacea and C. peltata), Bauhinia picta, and Guadua angustifolia (which also showed the highest recruitment). Overall, establishing a biological reserve has allowed the growth of large trees, generating carbon stocks equivalent to those from active ecological restoration processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faced with the generalized idea that protected natural areas were and are created to protect a unique, biodiverse or threatened nature, this article explores other reasons, which often go unnoticed, but which are perhaps more powerful and influential in promoting the protection of certain territories. From the point of view of environmental history and social geography, using historiographical and qualitative techniques, the discourses, socio-political situations and the representations and interests of the actors involved in the conservationist objectives of Tablas de Daimiel National Park and Doñana as a backdrop, are analysed here with the aim of understanding many of the realities experienced - conflictual or not - in the protected areas. The paper relates the representation of nature with the knowledge and power that the expert naturalist possesses over it and applies to its management and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Acacia melanoxylon (Australian blackwood) is an invasive alien species that expands on remnants of native communities of the Paititi Private Nature Reserve (Tandilia System, Argentina). The objective of this work was to design an adaptive management plan to contain the spread of this species. M&M: We quantified the area invaded between 2003 and 2020 and described the population structure of A. melanoxylon in sampling plots with two different invasion timeframes: recent and old invaded sites. We identified negative, positive, and neutral impacts of the invasion and proposed impact management strategies. Results: We detected a spread of 23.3 ha over native environments in 17 years. Although the basal area of individuals was similar between recent and old invaded sites (18.3 m² ha-1), the density was higher in recent invaded sites as compared to old invaded sites (3205 and 965 individuals ha-1, respectively). We identified 26 impacts, 73% ecological and negative, and formulated a seven-step management proposal. Conclusions: Our results allow us to begin understanding the impacts and dynamics of the invasion of A. melanoxylon and plan on its management. Although we use the reserve as a case study, the management plan can have a projection to other invaded areas of Tandilia. To achieve an efficient and effective invasion management, conservation and recovery of native environments, it will be necessary to conduct collaborative strategies among the different stakeholders involved in the management process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main territorial transformations in the central valley of Chile are associated with urbanization processes, leaving environmentally important areas susceptible. This work aims to determine the types of changes in natural protected areas (npas) of the central zone, establishing the main ones and explaining each one of them. The methodology is based on a study of changes in land use/cover between 2002 and 2015 through photointerpretation. To establish the typologies, a confusion matrix that characterizes each of the study units was developed. Based on the above, a relationship between urban infrastructure and npas was established. Among the main conclusions is that the greatest impact on the npas is caused by urban typology stands out, exerting greater pressure with the advance of time. There is also a permeability in urban-rural-natural spaces, which makes it necessary to think of new functional typologies that account for these new spaces. In summary, these dynamic spaces play a role within an evolving context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community Based Tourism (CBT) has been proposed as an effective instrument to contribute to the conservation of natural areas and the sustainability of rural and indigenous economies. However, risks that may increase the vulnerability of host societies have also been identified. These critical analyses have focused on economic, socio-cultural or environmental impact. The role of the local population in the design and implementation of tourism proposals has not generated as much interest. This article asks under what conditions participatory processes allow CBT projects to assume the interests and desires of the local population, or when they are only an empty exercise aimed at legitimizing the objectives of funding agencies. The analysis of an ethnographic case (Valle de Manduriacos, Ecuador) finds that participatory processes work when two factors are present. On the one hand - as the literature on participatory processes states - when the local population has social capital and solid organizational structures. But also when they know how the sector of intervention works - the tourism sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The massive number of visitors entering the protected natural areas (ANP), in the Cotacachi Cayapas National Park (PNCC), has caused counterproductive effects on the ecosystem. In 2019, this destination received 211,628 visitors, with a daily average of 757 people in summer (July-September) and 532 in winter (October-June), figures that generate saturation in its three main trails called: Vehicular, Sacred Route and The Orchids. The purpose of the research was firstly to review the carrying capacity and secondly to propose a process to regulate the entry and determine use and conservation strategies. The methodological tools used were; 1. The Tourist Carrying Capacity (CCT), carried out with a quantitative deductive approach, and 2. The Limit of Acceptable Change (LAC), executed as a qualitative descriptive model. The results showed that the CCT has a saturation of 197% in winter and 250% in summer, while the LAC corroborated that the affectation of the trails exceeds the acceptable changes. Therefore, to remedy the impact, it is necessary to make the CCT operational, with a daily entry of up to 304 visitors and by the LAC with the operationalization of strategies for the conservation and sustainable development of the PNCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in vegetation cover and land use can cause the fragmentation and destruction of ecosystems, resulting in a negative impact on biological diversity. It is likely that this may be happening in recent decades in "El Ocote" Tropical Forest Biosphere Reserve, in Chiapas, Mexico. Therefore, the objective of this research project was to determine the vegetation and land use change rate at the southern zone of "El Ocote" and its adjacent area, from 1980 to 2022. A characterization of the types of vegetation and land use was carried out from Landsat images, then a supervised classification was carried out in Qgis, and finally the change rate formula described by the FAO was used. This information is important to update the ANP Management Program, and to allow the creation of different mechanisms that help the sustainable use of its natural resources, contributing to the conservation of its flora and fauna, and the improvement of the quality of life of the surrounding local communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Global coral bleaching reflects coral fragility to adverse environmental conditions and climate change. Porites lobata is the most abundant hermatypic coral species currently in El Salvador and has experienced recent bleaching events at natural protected area Complejo Los Cóbanos. Objective: To describe the bleaching episodes that colonies of P. lobata experienced at Los Cóbanos, El Salvador, during the last 18 years, and analyze coral restoration efforts. Methods: Approximately 2 100 images (2006 - 2022) taken without specific periodicity from two sites were reviewed. Water parameters since 2014 were registered without defined frequency. The areas sampled were El Faro beach and subtidal colonies near an important beach resort. The first area presented dispersed colonies on an intertidal zone, the other, larger colonies at 2 m deep in low tide. Also, literature about activities to restore reefs within the country was reviewed. Results: Several bleaching events occurred during this observation period. Some of them could be associated to high sea water temperatures (> 30 o C) from May to October (rainy season), others to harmful algae blooms, as well as unknown causes. Severe bleaching that caused loss of coral coverage on intertidal colonies occurred during the global event (2015-2016). Conclusion: Bleaching at Los Cóbanos occurs in different intensity patterns usually during the rainy season that encompasses high temperature and turbidity levels in water, as well as algal blooms. The 2015-2016 episode caused coral coverage loss on the intertidal colonies and subtidal ones experienced little permanent damages (< 5% mortality). National restoration policies for coral colonies require more strategic efforts considering the local littoral hydrodynamics and institutional capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural protected areas and payments for environmental services are conservation mechanisms that lead environmental policies worldwide. Therefore, policymakers are faced with the choice of the effectiveness of conservation mechanisms and their evaluation of how to achieve this without compromising the well-being of the populations that live within those territories. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of implementing payment mechanisms for ecosystem services in the Laquipampa Wildlife Refuge. The methodology included the identification, evaluation, and economic valuation of the prioritized ecosystem services according to three criteria: contribution to the local economy, availability of information to carry out the economic valuation, and the plausibility of implementing activities regarding the objectives of the Master Plan. The results indicate that there is the possibility of implementing retribution for ecosystem services in the provision of tara pods (Caesalpinea spinosa) and recreational tourist services associated with the habitat of the white-winged guan (Penelope albipennis). Thus, it was estimated that the total economic value generated by these ecosystem services amounts to USD 12 389 per year and it is evident that it is possible to make remuneration mechanisms for ecosystem services viable in natural protected areas as long as there is a significant population of contributors and that the provision of goods is recognized by the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research proposes a methodology with a structural, participatory, flexible and dynamic character, for the design of sustainable theme parks preferably in protected natural areas adapted to the conditions of the Cuban destinaty. Theoretical methods such as systemic - structural - functional, analytical - synthetic, logical - historical, induction - deduction and modeling and empirical methods such as expert criteria and content analysis were used in the research. The methodology has three phases and six stages that allow establishing guidelines for the correct design of nature theme parks through the coherent integration of different methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In research on tourism and protected natural areas, two tendencies are evident: one shows tourism as an element that contributes to local welfare and socio-economic development, while the other links tourism in these areas to excessively restrictive regulations that hinder tourist activity and thus rural development. This work contributes to these investigations and sets out the objective of determining the relationship between protected natural areas, nature tourism and its impact as a backbone for rural development. To this end, the protected areas of the region of Andalusia (Spain) are analysed, applying statistical techniques of Multivariate Analysis for the study. Tourism, employment and socio-economic dynamism, tourism efficiency, the quality of natural resources, territorial promotion and investment activities and tourism resources are identified as factors that characterise the regional protected natural areas. These factors have a positive impact on 75% of the territory, which shows that these areas are real assets for rural and local development in the region. Tourism as an activity benefits from the resources and values of these areas, contributing to the territorial development of rural areas in need of revitalisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to analyse the number, timing, and spatial distribution of rescues performed by the Catalan Fire Department in natural areas. We compared the figures from Easter 2021 with those for Easter in the four years before the COVID-19 pandemic (2016-2019). The results show that the number of rescues increased significantly (2.5 times). The greatest increase corresponds to rescue operations conducted in the morning and in low-altitude areas (≤ 500 m a.s.l.) with no specific protection status and near (≤ 50 km) cities. The natural areas in Catalonia experienced an increase in visitors, as occurred in the summer 2020, and, consequently, an increase in accidents and rescues. The results of this research are of interest to managers of emergency services and managers of such areas. The findings open the door to future research to exploring the ephemeral or permanent nature of this dynamic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The meridional mountains of Europe are located in Andalusia, in the south of the Iberian Peninsula. In this region, orographic and climatic factors are the main circumstances that condition the landscape and cultural peculiarities. Nowadays, its ecosystems show a high vulnerability to climate change, its traditional ways of life are in crisis and its cultural heritage is endangered by abandonment and depopulation. This paper analyzes some of the main documents that include proposals of environmental education at European, national and regional levels from the point of view of its adaptation the territory of the Andalusian Mediterranean mountains. Some educational actions are also evaluated in order to detect the possible existence of dysfunctionalities or deficiencies among the different educational policies and projects. Finally, a series of actions are proposed to optimize environmental education programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The municipality of Culiacán, Sinaloa, México, does not have Natural Protected Areas (ANP) under municipal decree and, since 2004, lacks an ANP to protect its dry forest. Within state normative, it manages the Tacuichamona mountain range, shared by the municipalities of Cosalá and Elota, enacted in 2020. The current study aims to describe woody plant richness, risk categories, vegetation types, and conservation status of the Cerro de la Virgen, Culiacán, Sinaloa. INEGI's cartography was consulted with an available 1:1 000 000 and 1:250 000 scale to describe the geographic location, and the physical and biological variables, resulting in a BS1 (h')w climate, with its geology composed of andesite-andesite tuff, ignimbrite-rhyolite tuff, granodiorite, and alluvium; vertisol soil with tropical deciduous forest vegetation and secondary vegetation. Transects were traced for listing the woody plants, adding 0.1 ha. The in-situ identification was carried out by specialists. To determine the national endangered status, the NOM 059-SERMARNAT-2010 was consulted, together with the International Red List (UICN). It resulted in a richness of 18 families, 49 genera, and 51 species of woody plants. Sitting in the richness range of taxa described by Gentry (Between 50 and 70 species) for tropical dry forests in America. The family with the highest quantity of genera was Fabaceae, and the genus with the highest richness was Bursera. Regarding the extinction risk status from the national legislation, four species were registered: Two under Special Protection (Pr) and two under the Threatened status (A). According to IUCN, a total of 40 species are counted. It is required to issue more decrees to compensate for deforestation by land-use change. For this reason, the decree of the Cerro de la Virgen as an ANP Will increase the conservation cover in 914.83 ha of dry forest of Sinaloa México. Partially amending the loss of vegetation surface in forests and jungles. Additionally, it would shelter multiple environmental, ecological and cultural services that dry forests provide, materializing the conservation jurisprudence of natural areas and would support international organizations' conservation efforts for 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new Law for the conservation of the natural heritage of the Basque Country, introduces a comprehensive perspective from which to approach the regulation of the set of goods, resources and nature services related to biological and geological diversity. With that premise, it updates the Basque legislative framework by incorporating fundamental elements derived from European guidelines, measures to accommodate categories and define typologies, to simplify procedures, promote coordination and improve protection instruments, all of this with the aim of strengthening the capacity of natural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new Law for the conservation of the natural heritage of the Basque Country, introduces a comprehensive perspective from which to approach the regulation of the set of goods, resources and nature services related to biological and geological diversity. With that premise, it updates the Basque legislative framework by incorporating fundamental elements derived from European guidelines, measures to accommodate categories and define typologies, to simplify procedures, promote coordination and improve protection instruments, all of this with the aim of strengthening the capacity of natural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are more than 4 billion hectares of forests in the world, which corresponds to 31 % of the surface of our planet. In Chile, 17 million ha of forests cover the country where more than 3 million correspond to plantations. The role of vegetation cover in the dynamics of precipitation, in the generation of runoff and in the protection and conservation of degraded land is known. This cover plays an important role in the hydrological cycle and its balance, especially in the north central zone to the south. A new impulse is required in research, both from the Government and the private sector, as well as reformation to public policies, thus articulating research in forest hydrology with an imperative sense of integrality. Therefore, this document presents a proposal for the development of research in forest hydrology with an integral and decentralization approach. Highly capable scientific human capital in Chile, organized in geographically defined nuclei, would be capable of answering relevant research questions in forest hydrology that would support public policies based on scientific evidence. All this, under the auspices of a technical integrating entity to allow a fluid conversation and discussion of the actors of the forestry sector, both in research matters and in the generation of public policies from an integral and multidisciplinary perspective at the catchment level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sedimentation in the estuarine plain of the River Plate modifies the landscape of the nature reserves of the Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. These reserves were generated by the artificial construction of embankments that polderized sectors of the coast and gave rise to wetland ecosystems. This contribution aims to study the paleoenvironments and vertical accretion rates of the Reserva Ecológica Ciudad Universitaria - Costanera Norte, a small anthropogenic lagoon built in the 1970s. For this purpose, two cores were extracted: one at the mouth of the lagoon and the other in its interior. Granulometry, moisture, organic matter, micropaleobiological and artifact contents were analyzed in each core. The obtained record was divided into two stratigraphic units. At the base, a massive sand unit that belongs to the estuarine plain that precedes the artificial polderization, and, in the upper part, a muddy unit with the presence of plastic and lithic artifacts, accumulated after polderization. The sedimentation rate obtained at the mouth of the lagoon was 1.2 cm of vertical accretion per year, while in the interior the accumulation was 0.7 cm per year. The micropaleobiological analysis allowed us to interpret that the sedimentation in the interior of the lagoon was gradual and with a trend towards eutrophication of the water column. Management of these protected coastal wetland ecosystems must consider the rapid sedimentation of the lagoon and the replacement of frequently flooded low marsh environments with rarely flooded high marshes dominated by rooted wetland plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental assets are a source of social, economic and cultural progress in each country, however, they have deteriorated due to human overexploitation and there is widespread concern at the governmental and organizational level in their preservation. Environmental assets provide a variety of goods and services to society, the need to value them as an economic instrument allows to have tangible and monetary elements for adequate conservation plans. The objective of this study was to estimate the economic value of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Campeche, Mexico. It was necessary to analyze factors and indicators of environmental assets of the reserve, study variables that affect the economic value, as well as identify and apply a method for valuation of the reserve. An analysis of institutions and regulations related to the administration, preservation and quantification of environmental assets was presented, where it was identified that there are no specific regulations for the valuation of natural areas as a whole. Regarding the methodological process of valuation of environmental assets, there is no single valuation method, however, the concept of Total Economic Value was applied, which involved direct and indirect uses related to environmental assets, for which, it was necessary to identify benefits that said assets represented and make their economic quantification. Although the value that is concluded with this intervention project is not absolute, it corresponds to a reference value and complies with elements that help to sensitize society in valuing natural resources and compromise the subsistence of future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses the creation and implementation of two protected natural areas (PNA) in the city of Rio de Janeiro. It shows how this at once reveals both the social disparities in the urban evolution process and the potential for constructing the right to the city and the environment as a common good. The results of this process are conditional on balancing the main (often conflicting) goals of protected areas: nature conservation, public use and the land rights of local communities. Starting with a review of the literature on the relationship between the city and nature, the dichotomies and complementarities are presented between those two terms and the classification and designation criteria, which have given rise to a range of social representations, technical mechanisms and political effects in relation to the urban PNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper makes a comparative study of the socio-state capacities developed during the processes of institutionalising protected natural areas (PNA) in Latin America. It sets them within a framework of their interdependence with global governance processes and in relation to the role human rights have played for these purposes. Taking an approach that combines analysis of multilevel collective action with process monitoring, this work traces the trajectories of national and multilateral institutions; analyses the main dynamics that arise in the delimitation of the protection of natural areas in the countries with the greatest biodiversity in the region; and explores the possibilities for new agreements on the global agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes how managers of Catalonia's protected natural areas responded to extraordinary increases in the numbers of visitors during the post-lockdown stage and easing of restrictions implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as reported by the digital media. A systematic review of 105 news published between May and December 2020 was conducted. The results suggest that actions have been mainly focused on responding to the immediacy of the situation were implemented; these involved short-term solutions linked to the management of carrying capacity and entry to natural protected areas. Actions taken related to information and environmental education were delayed, and actions for managing visitors flows within natural protected areas were scarcely reported by the media. Our study is a first step for the identification and characterization of the strategies implemented by the entities managing protected natural areas and their ability to address the avalanche of visitors. Additionally, it reduces the existing research gap in studies of the impact of COVID-19 on the management of protected natural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical analysis of public policies on environmental conservation, management, and tourism development in the protected natural areas of Ecuador to detect their dysfunctions, contradictions, and problems of applicability. A predominantly exploratory research methodology with a descriptive-analytical approach is used when studying and systematizing the different regulations, actions and guidelines existing and implemented by international and national organizations with competencies in environmental conservation and sustainable development. These are systematized and analyzed through the main documents of interest that include principles, strategic guidelines, and specific rules of application. Through primary and secondary sources, and internal documentation of various Administrations we have identified the most visible effects and impacts that these policies have generated in the protection and/or valorization of the natural heritage, as well as in the tourist development compatible with the conservation of these spaces, the generation of complementary income and economic diversification for local communities. We concluded that Ecuadorian regulations on the conservation of protected areas present notable points of collision and lack of coherence or coordination with tourism policies. This is the consequence of two main factors: the lack of a broad strategic vision and comprehensive territorial planning of these territories as sustainable tourist destinations and the lack of a framework for management, planning and collaborative planning between the different local agencies and agents that affect these spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ensembles of beetles and the seasonal distribution of diversity attracted to carrion in an artificial forest result of the urbanization of the Protected Natural Area Sierra de Guadalupe in central Mexico was studied. Monthly samples were collected from June 2017 to May 2018 using four carrion traps type NTP-80. A total of 3,434 individuals belonging to 17 families and 58 species were collected, of which 13 were identified to the species level and 45 to morphospecies. The species estimators suggest that was registered between 77.3% (Chao 1) and 80.5% (ACE) of the species. The families Staphylinidae, Silphidae, Carabidae, Leiodidae, Histeridae and Nitidulidae grouped 95.8% of the total abundance and 67.2% of the species. The family Staphylinidae was the higher richness with 21 species, the remaining had less than five species, of which the family Silphidae was the most important with four species, and represented the necrophagous guilt which was the second most abundant making up 21% of all beetles collected after the predators (62%). The diversity was higher in rainy than in drought season, the faunistic similarity between seasons was low (J=0.37), with 32 species exclusive of rainy and four of drought season. In the area inhabit wide-ranging species adapted to perturbation conditions, an endemic species, and converge montane elements with species of semiarid environments, therefore, is important to maintain the connection of the artificial forest with the forest area in upper parts of the Sierra de Guadalupe, and conserve the fragments of xeric shrubland that are scarce in the basin of Mexican Valley, so as to mitigate the impact of the urbanization in the diversity of beetles associated to carrion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The privileges of protection and immunity were a social and political reality common to European medieval kingdoms. In Iberian Peninsula, «coto» or «acotamiento» privileges played a main role in royal politics of the kingdom of León to preserve the royal jurisdiction in all territory and abandon the visigothic administrative model. In order to understand this role, it's essential to clarify the chronology, when monarchs used these privileges, and in which administrative context. This paper aims to offer a systematic study about their development, use and disuse; their main characteristics and their clauses evolution. To get it a database with all Galicia's published privileges, and so many unpublished, has been created. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "El Zapotal" is a Natural Protected Area (NPA) that contains one of the last fragments of the Sub-evergreen Medium Rainforest of the Central Valley in Chiapas; it is home to a different species of native flora and fauna native. We conduct a spatio-temporal study of vegetation and land use change, analyzing Landsat satellite images from 1980, 2000 and 2020. Sites with evidence of timber extraction, areas susceptible to fires, and clandestine entries were recorded. According to the Mann-Whitney U analysis, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the land cover of any of the four vegetation and land use classes, inside and outside the NPA over the past 40 years. However, the Medium Sub-evergreen Forest and Acahual presented a negative rate of change, inside and outside "El Zapotal". In contrast the the Urban Land showed a positive rate of change in the vicinity of the NPA, an alarm signal about the process of isolation of the ANP with respect to other areas of protection of ecosystems, as well as areas covered by native vegetation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The beetle families Carabidae and Cicindelidae, with about 40 000 species worldwide, play an increasing role in biodiversity conservation and ecological studies in Colombia, which makes a faunistic update all the more necessary. We present and analyze a checklist of the species so far described or registered from Colombia until 2020, based on published studies, and their distribution data at the department level. Carabidae are represented by 625 species and Cicindelidae by 100. Magdalena, Cundinamarca and Valle del Cauca are the departments with the highest record numbers of Carabidae, while Cicindelidae are most frequently cited from Valle del Cauca, Antioquia and Meta. The greater sampling effort in these regions is likely due to the accessibility of their natural areas from the main towns. The geographical distribution of Cicindelidae is better documented, with only 17 % of the species without mention of specific localities within the country, against 40 % in Carabidae. Hyper-diverse regions, such as the Chocó and the Amazon, are underrepresented. The number of species currently recorded is therefore estimated to be much lower than true diversity for both families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protected natural areas seem to be the preferred space for tourist's activities. With concepts of sustainability, they try to improve the living conditions of rural and indigenous communities, promoting development and protecting nature. However, in reality it proves that the objective has not been fulfilled in the expected way, maintaining and increasing social and environmental degradation. This article's objective is to show the critical perspectives regarding the study of tourism in said spaces, analyzing articles and book chapters published during 2015-2021. The main results shows that the current crises are the result of maintaining the capitalist system, seeing as protected areas and tourist activities are promoted in mercantilist terms under the idea of neoliberal conservation. All facilitated by policies configuration that allows arrival and formation of capital in the rural-natural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural Protected Areas (NPAs) are areas to be conserved because of their capacity to generate goods and services that benefit the whole population. The anthropic pressure produced by the increase in socio-recreational activities in these areas creates the need to implement measures for their management and conservation. The objective of this work is to economically evaluate the social preferences of the management measures in a NPAs of the Segura river and its surroundings as it passes through Cieza (Region of Murcia, Spain), which has been suffering from a high and growing anthropic pressure. A representative survey of the population of the region where this space is located shows the high acceptance of the new management measures proposed for it. Within these measures, grouped according to the three main sustainability areas (social, economic and environmental), the population shows a greater preference for those of an economic and environmental nature applied in the mountainous area of the NPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article offers an account of the school contents (types and levels of organization) that underlie the curricular orientations issued by the Colombian Ministry of Education for the Natural Sciences area. This study was carried out in the Interinstitutional Doctorate in Education. This research is based on the qualitative approach from an interpretative perspective under the study case methodology. The Curricular Guidelines (Lineamientos Curriculares), the Core Competency Standards (Estándares Básicos de Competencias), and the Basic Learning Rights (Derechos Básicos del Aprendizaje) were examined, and a semi- structured interview was performed with one co-author of each orientation. All the data were examined through content analysis supported by the Atlas.ti software. Different types of conceptual, procedural, and attitudinal school contents stand out as results, and some articulations between said contents and the organization pro-posals are evidenced, such as the devising of levels of complexity and articulating axes. It is concluded that the types of school contents are directly related to a disciplinary point of view (instructional-scientist level), whereas, for the organization of such contents, a pedagogical construction and a particular didactic (integrative-transformative level) is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental modifications generate interface environments in which Leptospira spp. transmission may be affected. In order to identify and analyze eco-environmental variables associated with potential reservoirs of Leptospira spp. in the Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur (RECS) (Buenos Aires, Argentina) and adjacent urbanized areas, a stratified and proportionate transect line convenience sampling was carried out. A total of 170 mammals of 11 species were captured and analyzed for the presence of Leptospira spp. by serology, culture and PCR. In conserved areas, Didelphis albiventris and Deltamys kempi were mostly recorded, while Oligoryzomys flavescens was also found in degraded areas, and Rattus norvegicus was only found in degraded areas. Leptospira spp. were not detected in wild mammals. One dog without a responsible keeper tested positive by serology. The environmental conditions of the RECS suggest a poor ecosystem for Rattus, demonstrating the importance of the conservation of natural areas in urban environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Research has shown that the profile of tourists with special abilities seeks tourist destinations with accessible and inclusive services and infrastructure; however, many areas such as the one under study do not meet all these requirements. Objective Knowing the needs and desires of a person with special abilities, to help strengthen and adequately plan tourist destinations Method The nature of the research is qualitative and quantitative, which allowed us to quantify and analyze the results obtained through a survey. Result The results of the research were that people with special needs would be willing to develop tourism in natural areas such as Yacuri National Park, as long as they have both the ideal conditions of accessibility and the necessary requirements to develop tourism: accessible bathrooms, lodging services, food services, transportation, and recreational and leisure activities. Conclusion Research on the profile of tourists with special abilities is strategic for public policy to build actions and consider projects for the implementation of services and infrastructure in natural areas, thus reducing inequality gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protected natural areas are one of the most demanded resources from the tourist point of view. This research analyses the cause-effect relationships that the declaration of Monfragüe as a Biosphere Reserve and National Park has had on the demographic, economic and touristbehaviour of the territory it encompasses. From a qualitative methodology, supported by the analysis of statistical sources, it is concluded that the expectations placed in tourism have not managed to halt depopulation or promote economic diversification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El Caduceo Nature Reserve, located in San Martín, Meta, is an area that has undergone notable modifications in the structural complexity of the vegetation of its forests and savannas due to different farming and livestock activities, which could affect the richness of resident bird communities. This brief study shows an evaluation of the composition and abundance at the level of families and trophic groups of birds in this reserve during the rainy season of 2020. Visual censuses with a time limit were carried out in two stations corresponding to two habitats: gallery forest and savanna with small core forest. Some ecological indices were estimated for each sampling station as well. A total of 18 families were observed, with the Tyrannidae family being more abundant in the savannah, while the Psittacidae family in the gallery forest. The density of birds was higher in the gallery forest (2.19 ind/m2), station in which bird densities are equitably distributed among the recorded families, in contrast to what occurs in the savanna station. On the other hand, the dominant trophic group in both stations were "insectivores." These preliminary results could indicate a direct relationship between the vegetative structural complexity, the recovery of the gallery forest in this area, and the composition of birds and predominant trophic groups. However, future studies with longer duration and constant monitoring are necessary in order to confirm this introductory observation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree hollows and downed logs are key microhabitats for saproxylic diversity. In this work the fauna of Dermaptera associated to both microhabitats was studied and the spatial-temporal distribution of the species was analysed. The sampling was carried out through the use of emergence traps and window traps in 4 natural areas of the Salamanca province dominated by mature trees of Quercus. In total, 955 individuals belonging to three species were collected. However, 96% of the captures belonged to a species of the Forficula auricularia complex: F. dentata. The great abundance of this species in downed logs, tree hollows and tree canopy could highlight the functional importance of the F. auricularia species complex as predators in these microhabitats, thus could be considered facultative saproxylic species. Moreover, two Iberian endemism, Mesochelidura bolivari and Forficula iberica were occasionally also captured. However, the absence of nymphs of these two species indicates us that they do not use these microhabitats for reproduction. The temporal distribution of the species showed different population dynamics, a peak of activity in spring-summer occurred for F. dentata, in contrast with the maximum activity in autumn-winter of the other less abundant species, which could be avoiding a possible competence with the dominant species. Finally, it should be emphasised that these peculiar microhabitats offered by trees and downed logs are relevant in different degree for the species of Dermaptera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is the study of the functional and demographic hierarchy in the metropolitan area of Malaga (Spain). For this purpose, we will use analysis techniques commonly used in urban geography, such as the Davies index and the rank-size rule. The metropolitan area of Malaga consists of a polycentric area with two sub-centres of major functional and demographic importance: the cities of Malaga and Marbella, as well as some urban sub-centres located on the urban coastal axis. All of them share a functional specialisation based on tourist activity that generates important synergies in other sectors within the area. Among the results obtained, we highlight the functional primacy of the city of Malaga followed, at some distance, by the city of Marbella, but with an absence of demographic hierarchy, which is the result of an unequal balance between flows of inputs and outputs between the urban coast and its rural inland hinterland, due to the orographic difficulties that hinder exchanges between the two areas, conditioned by the difficulty in land communications between the rural inland and the urban coast, with the exception of the sub-centres of the Guadalhorce valley, which is considered the natural expansion area of the Malaga metropolis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is in accordance with new tourist trends in mature sun and beach tourism destinations where demand is increasing and requiring alternative products and experiences. These new tourist products are framed, in many occasions, in the heritage exploitation of protected areas. In this sense, geoheritage is conformed as a resource of heritage value, since to natural value are linked and use and management values as well. This research proposes to obtain the geomorphological heritage of forty-three natural protected areas (NPA) from Tenerife island and asses its potential as a geotourist resource that diversifies and enriches the tourist offer on the island. The methodology used is based on the combination of intrinsic or scientific, added and use and management values of the NPA from Tenerife. In general, the studied sites show the volcanic geodiversity of Tenerife and the mean geoheritage values, follow of low and high scores. From the inventory and diagnosis of geoheritage of the forty-three NPA of Tenerife, it can be defined some proposals to improve their management, through recreational activities as geotourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we report the amphibian fauna composition of a natural protected area located near Esperanza city, Province of Santa Fe, Argentina. It opened to the public in 2015, with yet no baseline inventory of amphibian species. Additionally, we evaluated the presence of the amphibian parasitic fungus Batruchochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). We carried out eleven samplings from October 2015 to March 2016 in three environmental units: native forest, exotic forest, and floodplain grasslands. The sampling methods we used were live pit-fall traps with drift fences, auditory encounters, and visual encounters. Sixteen species belonging to 9 genera and 4 families were recorded. October was the month with the highest specific richness. Bd-specific real-time Taqman qPCR made on skin swabs made on 11 species were all negative. Even small, the amphibian species identified in the protected area represent ca. 30% of the anurans already reported for Santa Fe, and 9% of the Argentinean batracofauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the first data on the Holocene composition of mountain forests in the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park (Málaga, Spain) are presented. The information collected is obtained from the application of the pedoanthracological method in 10 enclaves of the protected natural area. The search and identification of the recovered fragments of charcoal and their subsequent radiocarbon dating have allowed a first paleoecological approach to this territory: the discovery of different paleopopulations of conifers; the verification of the antiqueness of certain forests and their consideration as paleoendemic formations; and the initial knowledge of the forest dynamics in relation to climatic cycles and anthropic alterations. The implementation of the results in the conservationist and adaptive management of the most threatened forests and their habitats, in the face of climate change, should be a priority within the protection framework of these natural areas of great ecological value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, tourist activities, especially in Protected Natural Areas (PNA), have negatively affected the flora and fauna that inhabit them, mainly caused by large problems of regularization of land tenure in the Federal Zone Maritime Terrestrial (ZOFEMAT) in Mexico. These inconveniences are largely offset by the delimitation of this coastal strip, thereby inhibiting the irregular occupation of federal areas, which leads to better conditions to develop strategies that guarantee to monitor, protect and above all, preserve them. The objective of this article is to present the current situation of territorial occupation of the PNA's ZOFEMAT known as EL MAVIRI ISLAND. By generating a georeferenced database, using geospatial analysis techniques, particularly digital photogrammetric systems and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) according to the official Mexican standard nom-146-semarnat-2017. In order to apply sustainability criteria within the socioeconomic and environmental perspective in tourist areas located within the area, determining the unsustainable anthropogenic impact caused mainly for the construction of tourist infrastructure (palm shelters and restaurants) causing considerable damage to the physical conditions of the beach. To capture data, an aerial photographic survey was carried out on a sampling polygon involving the restaurants infrastructure, obtaining orthorectified images as a result, from which a GIS of the place was generated. This made it possible to identify areas of restaurant invasion with an approximate surface of 757 m² located in areas susceptible to coastal erosion (coastal sand dunes) within the federal strip, in addition to the delimitation of areas of high risk to society in general (maximum high tides). In conclusion, this proposal seeks to guide the use of light weighted aerial photography flights for photogrammetric and GIS purposes to those environmental and technical authorities responsible for territorial ordering. That allows the conservation, protection and monitoring of the environment in PNA, based on the principles of the Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goal 15 (SDG 15) "Life of terrestrial ecosystems" of goal 1, referring to the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of these ecosystems". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Otomí - Mexica Park is a protected natural area with significant impacts over the vegetation cover, causing soil erosion. This study analyzes soil retention through the Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). The methodology consists of the quantification and location of the following processes: 1) Erosivity of the rain (Factor R), the data were obtained from eight meteorological stations located within the study area; 2) Erosionability of the soil (K Factor), the information was obtained from edaphological charts of the INEGI 2014 - 2018; 3) Length and slope of the terrain (Factor LS), the contour lines were represented from the topographic chart E14A-48 of the INEGI; 4) Vegetation cover (Factor C), classification, quantification and cartographic representation of the vegetal cover was carried out for the years 2014 and 2018 based on the INEGI land use charter. The results show that, in the areas with less slope length, less precipitation, less erodible soil type and greater vegetal cover, erosion is lower; on the contrary, in the areas with a greater length of slope, greater precipitation, more erodible soil type and less vegetal cover, there is a higher level of erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Chamela bay is located in the central portion of the coast from the Jalisco state, Mexico and is an important protected natural area. Despite this, the study of echinoderms in the area is incipient. Objective: To provide an updated checklist, descriptions of the species and a taxonomic key of the ophiuroids from Chamela bay. Methods: We collected specimens from 1998 to 2018, and also analyzed information from the literature and specimens deposited at international scientific collections from Chamela bay. Results: 19 species of ophiuroids are reported for the study area, distributed in two orders, seven families, and 11 genera. Seven of these correspond to new records for the area, one to a new record for Jalisco state, and two possibly represent new species. The biodiversity of ophiuroids in Chamela bay represents 15.2 % of ophiuroid species from the Mexican Pacific and 73 % from Jalisco. The number of known echinoderms in Chamela bay is increased to 48 species. Conclusions: The most complete checklist of the class Ophiuroidea in Chamela bay, Jalisco, is presented. The information provided can be used for other areas of the eastern Pacific. Chamela bay is important in terms of species richness due to its environmental heterogeneity and numerous islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A paper published in 2019 in the journal Science concludes that Peru starred in 61 events to reduce the level of protection and size as well as to eliminate protected areas (events known by the acronym PADDD). That would place the country among those that most mistreat their protected areas. But, in Peru only one case is known. When reviewing the study methodology, it is confirmed that the authors misinterpreted the information, especially referring to national forests that in Peru have never been considered protected areas. It's seems the authors exaggerated the arguments to demonstrate the significance of PADDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leopardus pardalis, one of the eight species of the family Felidae found in Peru, is the second largest spotted feline in South America and can be found in a wide variety of habitats, such as tropical rainforests, swamps, thorny bushes areas, among others. This work reports the first photographic record, using a camera trap, of an adult male Leopardus pardalis in the Sauce Grande Sector of the El Angolo Game Reserve, Piura, Peru, confirming the presence of this species within that protected natural area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]