This paper examines existing challenges to the implementation of global United Nations policy guidelines on issues of outreach and adult education, as contained in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), on the local level, using the Laughing Bird Caye National Park, a World Heritage Site co-managed by the Friends of Nature organization, as an example. For this analysis of conservational and educational issues, central categories such as livelihood, empowerment, community participation and community education, which are included in the new paradigm of protected areas management, compose the contextual backbone of the research. By use of Niklas Luhmann’s system theory a dimensional theoretic embedding allows for the determination of communication processes between organizations of different levels and shapes. In the Caribbean region examined, the offshore reef and also the livelihood of the inhabitants of the coastal area are threatened. Information on local living conditions in social and economic terms, as well as their impact on and interactions with the natural environment is provided. The cross-cutting issues covered by the framework of the CBD, as listed under Article 13, target Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA). The case analysed in this paper is schematically positioned according to its provisions in terms of space and habitats as pertaining to programmatic domains of the CBD. A multi-level analysis of the systemic interrelation between global policy and local reality is conducted. Problems that hinder conservationally sound and time-efficient communication processes are identified by means of a case study on the local organization and found to be primarily caused by insufficient management. Further obstructive influences from the national and global levels are identified. And include a lack of coordination and collaboration. Findings of the thesis indicate a need for increased networking and more transparency regarding decision making, these are strongly recommended for better practices on site and improvements for systemic communication development and information exchange worldwide.

In recent years, species and ecosystems have been threatened by many anthropogenic factors manifested in local and global declines of populations and species. Although we consider conservation medicine an emerging field, the concept is the result of the long evolution of transdisciplinary thinking within the health and ecological sciences and the better understanding of the complexity within these various fields of knowledge. Conservation medicine was born from the cross fertilization of ideas generated by this new transdisciplinary design. It examines the links among changes in climate, habitat quality, and land use; emergence and re-emergence of infectious agents, parasites and environmental contaminants; and maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem functions as they sustain the health of plant and animal communities including humans. During the past ten years, new tools and institutional initiatives for assessing and monitoring ecological health concerns have emerged: landscape epidemiology, disease ecological modeling and web-based analytics. New types of integrated ecological health assessment are being deployed; these efforts incorporate environmental indicator studies with specific biomedical diagnostic tools. Other innovations include the development of non-invasive physiological and behavioral monitoring techniques; the adaptation of modern molecular biological and biomedical techniques; the design of population level disease monitoring strategies; the creation of ecosystem-based health and sentinel species surveillance approaches; and the adaptation of health monitoring systems for appropriate developing country situations. New Directions of Conservation Medicine: Applied Cases of Ecological Health addresses these issues with relevant case studies and detailed applied examples. New Directions of Conservation Medicine challenges the notion that human health is an isolated concern removed from the bounds of ecology and species interactions. Human health, animal health, and ecosystem health are moving closer together and at some point, it will be inconceivable that there was ever a clear division.

The Rough Guide to Belize is the ultimate travel guide to this unique country, with clear maps and detailed coverage of all the best attractions, from the beautiful, sun-washed cayes to the soaring Mayan pyramids. Discover Belize's highlights with stunning photography and extensive information on everything from the country's magnificent Barrier Reef - the longest in the Western Hemisphere - to its mist-shrouded jungles. Find detailed practical advice on what to see and do in Belize, relying on up-to-date descriptions of the best resorts, hotels, spas, and restaurants for all budgets. The Rough Guide to Belize also features sections featuring Belize's splendid underwater life, plus its ancient Mayan pyramids and sites. Explore every corner of Belize with more user-friendly maps than any other guidebook.

This volume is unique because of its focus on small states. There are many studies on civil society and social movements, but none that specifically deal with this category of countries. As is well known, small states have particular characteristics, including a limited ability to reap the benefits of economies of scale, a high degree of exposure to forces outside their control, and the proximity of politicians to the voters, often leading to clientelistic relationships and patronage networks. The small island developing states have the additional problem of high environmental vulnerability, with some also dealing with disproportionate ecological footprints. These factors have a bearing on the organization and performance of civil society organizations and social movements, as explained in several chapters of this book. The volume is organized in three parts, dealing with aspects of civil society and social moments in small states in the political, social and environmental spheres, respectively. Various definitions of civil society are proposed in the chapters, but most authors associate the term with organized groups, operating in the interest of citizens, independently of government and commercial business, including various forms of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Civil society also encompasses social movements, which are considered to be loosely organized collective campaigns in pursuit of social goals. These two terms are sometimes used interchangeably; however, some authors argue that social movements tend to engage in ‘contentious politics’ including protests, while NGOs engage through more organized and institutional routes.