The nutrition transition is a global phenomenon in which populations move from low socioeconomic status (SES) to high SES and from high physical activity to low physical activity. Rising rates of urbanization and non-communicable diseases in West Africa may indicate an advanced phase of the nutrition transition; however, through a...
Gunung Leuser is a national park in Sumatra Island, Indonesia. This park is one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the country. For instance, it is home to endangered and endemic species of Indonesia, such as the Sumatran orangutan, the Sumatran tiger, the Sumatran elephant, and the Sumatran rhino....
Despite some successful conservation stories, biodiversity continues to be lost around the world. Climate change accentuates the ecological crisis and demands not only coordinated action by individuals and collectives, but also a re-examination (and re-imagination) of our relationship with nature. As part of the basis for such a re-examination, further...
Environmental crime around the world, such as trafficking in illegal timber, is directly related to political instability. Traffickers exploit weak, fragile, and chaotic political circumstances to illegally extract high-value commodities, challenging the extent to which conservation goals are achievable in resource rich developing countries. Rosewood is the largest traded endangered...
Increasing calls from stakeholders for a greater role in public decision making has led to the rapid world-wide adoption of multi stakeholder collaboration for policymaking. In line with this emerging trend the Government of Nepal with support from its long-time development partners and bi-lateral donors initiated a policy level experiment...
Climate change is increasing the severity of pest and pathogen infestations affecting forests. Resulting shifts in disturbance patterns can have substantial ecological, social, and economic impacts on forested ecosystems and their dependent communities. Researchers are actively investigating methods to improve tree resistance to specific pests and pathogens and enhance forest...
Purposive stakeholder involvement in public lands management has grown in the United States in recent decades as government bodies have initiated advisory groups in addition to public comment modalities of participation. While advisory groups and collaboratives on federal lands have been studied extensively, much less is known about network governance...
REDD+ is a heavily promoted mechanism to mitigate climate change through the carbon market worldwide, however, initial projects presented challenges related to effectiveness, efficiency, and equity (3E criteria) during implementation. In Peru, it has been promoted since 2008 due to high deforestation rates in the tropical forest, with 30 ongoing...
My thesis is an exploration of xánthiip (Karuk for black oak, Quercus kelloggii) restoration within the Karuk Tribe’s Ancestral Territory in present-day northwestern California. Black oak is a cultural keystone species for the Karuk and has been chosen as one of the species to guide Tribally led forest restoration work...
The Peruvian cocoa sector has been growing quickly since the beginning of this century due to international demand for this commodity together with concentrated international cooperation, including NGOs and governmental agencies. Similarly, certification among cocoa producers has been growing quickly. Little is known regarding how certification impacts environmental and socioeconomic...