We reviewed information on management of useful palms in South America. We documented management for 96 species, from incidental activities intended to increase populations of wild palms to the inclusion of palms in complex agroforestry systems. Two species, Bactris gasipaes and Parajubaea cocoides, are domesticated. Managed species are remarkably fewer than species used in the region, which suggests that harvesters often disregard the fate of the species they use. The best way of managing palms is to employ harvest methods that do not decimate the populations. Although a variety of harvesting techniques have been documented, overharvest is common, and mismanagement prevails -unnecessary felling of palms in order to harvest leaves or fruits is a widespread practice. Research should focus on assessing production in response to management practices, but eradicating the habit of destructive harvest is an obvious priority. Research on palm management must be combined with actions addressed to all stakeholders of the palm/humans system.Resumen Revisamos la información sobre manejo de palmas útiles en Suramérica. Documentamos manejo para 96 especies, desde el cuidado ocasional de palmas con el fin de incrementar las poblaciones silvestres, hasta la introducción intencional de algunas especies en chagras o en sistemas agroforestales. Dos especies, Bactris gasipaes y Parajubaea cocoides, son domesticadas. Las especies manejadas son notablemente menos que las especies útiles, lo que refleja poco interés de los cosechadores por la suerte de las especies usadas. La mejor forma de manejar las palmas es emplear métodos de cosecha que no diezmen las poblaciones. Aunque se han documentado diversas técnicas de cosecha, la sobrecosecha es común y predomina el mal manejo: tumbar innecesariamente las palmas para cosechar las hojas o los frutos es una práctica común. La investigación debería enfocarse en evaluar la respuesta de las palmas a las prácticas de manejo, pero es prioritario erradicar las prácticas de cosecha destructiva. Se debe combinar la investigación sobre manejo de palmas con acciones dirigidas a todos los actores del sistema palma/hombre.

Within the framework of sustainable development there is a tendency to relate uniquely the emphasis on environment to biocentrism and on society to anthropocentrism, ignoring the true essence of these versions and the existence of other [intermediate] versions. The anthropocentrism is based on the fulfillment of basic interests and vital needs of human being by avoiding or reducing damage to nature. For its part, biocentrism seeks recognize the intrinsic value of species, allowing the use of nature but not its exploitation or domination. Although biocentrism is fundamentally based on ethics and anthropocentrism on politics, one cannot ignore that both versions have a broad relationship with ideological traditions.

This study documents the current state of conservation knowledge on threatened amphibian species in Peru. Following the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classification system, we considered species in the following categories: Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, and Near Threatened. Even though only the first three categories are regarded as threatened by IUCN, we included the fourth category to make comparisons with the list of threatened species issued by the Peruvian government. We used the Global Amphibian Assessment's database and the list issued in Peru for this comparison. We conducted separate field surveys in 17 regions of Peru to evaluate the presence/absence of threatened amphibian species and species that are potentially threatened. We also used the Declining Amphibian Database-DAPTF, to compare our results with previous assessments on population declines, and the World Wildlife Fund's Wildfinder database, to determine in which Neotropical ecoregion each species occurs. We compiled data on 83 species, 44 of which are recognized as threatened by the IUCN and/or the Peruvian government. The remaining 39 species should be re-assessed as they face various threats. A re-evaluation of current estimates is needed as only 8% of all species recorded in Peru are recognized as threatened by the government, whereas the global estimate of threatened species is about 32%. In addition to using IUCN criteria, this re-assessment should follow national guidelines standardized in Peru and be in accordance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Because the habitat of almost 40% of threatened species reported herein still remains unprotected, and data on chytridiomycosis and other threats are lacking for most taxa, it is crucial to develop strategies for habitat conservation and research on disease dynamics in natural populations. Keywords: amphibian conservation, population declines, Peru, protected areasTropical Conservation Science | ISSN 1940-0829 | tropicalconservationscience.org 376Mongabay.com Open Access Journal -Tropical Conservation Science Vol. 1(4):376-396, 2008Resumen Este estudio presenta información actualizada sobre conservación de especies amenazadas de anfibios en Perú. Consideramos las siguientes categorías según la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (UICN): En Peligro Crítico, En Peligro, Vulnerable y Casi Amenazado. Sólo las tres primeras categorías son consideradas como amenazadas según UICN, sin embargo incluimos la cuarta categoría para hacer comparaciones con la lista de especies amenazadas emitida por el gobierno peruano. Usamos la base de datos de la Evaluación Global de Anfibios y la lista emitida en Perú para hacer esta comparación. Asimismo, hicimos evaluaciones de campo en 17 regiones de Perú para evaluar la presencia/ausencia de especies amenazadas y especies que podrían estar amenazadas. También comparamos nuestros resultados de campo con otras bases de datos. Comp...

Entrepreneurship has long been exclusively associated with the business sphere, but despite efforts on the part of educational institutions, development centers, and government agencies, it has had a remarkably poor development on other dimensions such as on the public and social spheres. This article proposes a reflection regarding the importance of entrepreneurship for an efficient and competitive corporate development based on different concepts adopted during past decades for the purpose of stressing its transdisciplinary nature. Then it goes on with a review of experiences to explore new possibilities for its application. Lastly, it raises awareness for people to have an open mindset to new dimensions of life in a society.