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This article discusses research conducted on the relationship between social sciences and ecology. By examining technical papers, much is revealed about the development of common analytical methods as well as the role of humans in applied ecology. Topics evaluated include the ways in which ecologists navigate knowledge as a source of power and bias, as well as how they choose to adopt an empiricist or rationalist logic. Anthropogenic factors that are driving ecological change are discussed, and the subjectivity of environmental management is examined through the lens of Great Britain's Biodiversity Action Plan.

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Aim The aim of the study was to develop an ecologically valid synthesis of the evidence underpinning interventions for children with speech, language, and communication needs ( SLCN), integrating a range of different data sources. Method Three sources of information were integrated: the Cochrane Review of interventions for children with primary speech and language delays/disorder; current practice from an online survey of 534 speech and language therapists and other professionals working with children with SLCN; and parent reports of preferred outcomes. Evidence was ranked as strong, moderate, or indicative. Results Of the 58 interventions identified, three (5%) were found to have a strong level of evidence, 32 (56%) had moderate evidence, and 23 (39%) had indicative evidence. Five were universal interventions, the remainder targeted and universal. The integrated findings were then turned into an online interactive database, which is moderated and updated at regular intervals. Interpretation There are a number of interventions that have a moderate or strong level of evidence underpinning them but they tend not to be those used by practitioners who often favour well-established familiar programmes even if they have only indicative evidence. There is a degree of complementarity between professional and parent views about outcomes, albeit with different emphases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. With its focus on civic engagement, market-based tools, and public-private partnerships, the model of civic environmentalism has been successful in dealing with small, localized problems. Yet, a serious investigation of its use to deal with large-scale, complex problems has not been undertaken. This article expands on the original model and applies it to the problem of the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. Methods. An exploratory case-study framework is used to analyze the usefulness of this second-generation model of environmental policy. Archival data sources, in the form of media reports, congressional hearings, case histories, and organizational websites, were used to develop the case study. Results. The case study demonstrated that polycentric governance, local-level participation, civic leadership, and voluntary, incentive-based programs were integral components of the model of civic environmentalism. However, in the case of the Gulf of Mexico's dead zone, the model's success is limited by spatial, budgetary, and temporal factors, as well as a lack of issue salience and minimal negative impacts on fishery resources. Conclusions. In the end analysis, civic environmentalism faces significant barriers when applied to large-scale, complex environmental problems such as the Gulf of Mexico's dead zone. In this case, the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Task Force will continue to have difficulties in generating a more successful implementation plan unless it broadens its base of support, develops the social capacity of its stakeholders, and resolves the debate over the science behind its action plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focusing on human biogeography as a research endeavour may make sense to biogeographers, but in the academic world generally this particular scholarly niche has long been filled by other rival disciplines such as sociology, human ecology, geography, anthropology and archaeology. It may be true that having so many ways of looking at ourselves as a species is a good thing, but it can also be argued that this academic fragmentation of effort has often nurtured the commonplace view that we as a species are ‘above’ or ‘not part of’ what plain folks call the ‘natural world’. Here I review the historical and basic intellectual ingredients of what might be (but often isn't) called human biogeography. I offer a case study drawn from my research work on the Sepik coast of Papua New Guinea. This research illustrates how adopting an explicitly biogeographical approach to human diversity can lead to unexpected insights into the character and history of human settlement in this part of the world. One benefit of having a field with this explicit orientation might be that the conservation of biodiversity would make more sense to more people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease is limited. Despite the clear importance of this topic to patients, quality of life measurement is seldom undertaken in day-to-day management of patients or included in clinical trials. Although previous reviews have dealt with quality of life, the area of psychosocial functioning has not been specifically addressed.The aim of this study was to review the psychosocial factors affecting quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, using an electronic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and psycINFO. Of the 751 articles identified by the search, 107 were considered relevant and included in the review.A number of psychosocial factors appear to be important, including gender, socioeconomic status, ethnicity and perceived stress. To improve the quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, clinicians’ attention needs to be drawn towards this subject, with an awareness of those patient groups more vulnerable to impaired quality of life. These identified variables also represent important factors, which should be adjusted for when conducting research into quality of life in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]