Maria Sala – författare

Written by specialist and regional contributors, this invaluablebook provides an integrated, up-to-date, geographical assessment ofland degradation in the world's Mediterranean regions. Land degradation is the alteration of the natural (or biophysical)environment by human actions, causing detrimental effects to thevegetation, soils, landforms, water and ecosystems. Part One ofthis book comprises a brief geography of the Mediterranean climateregions - the Mediterranean basin, California, central Chile, theSouthwest Cape and Southern Australia, providing a context forParts Two and Three. The second section discusses the nature,extent, history, causes and implications of land degradation in theregions. Major problems include soil, vegetation and waterdegradation, fire, drought, flooding and sedimentation. Historicaland contemporary human responses to these problems are alsoconsidered and at times become part of the problem. Solutions -actual and potential - are evaluated in the third section andinclude those dealing with animals, cultivation, horticulture,engineering-type practices, agroforestry, whole farm planning,integrated catchment management and regional planning. Throughout there is an emphasis on the distinctive nature of theMediterranean-type environments - especially the seasonally, hot,dry climates, the species-rich and highly inflammable vegetation,steep topography and coastal orientations - and the ways in whichthese environments interact with human populations with theircontrasting histories and cultures to result in a special set ofenvironmental problems and response.

Pablo Pineda es el primer europeo con Síndrome de Down en obtener un título universitario. Maestro, escritor, y actor, irradia carisma e ilusión por aprender. Esta es su entrañable historia, que nos recuerda que la única discapacidad es la de no entender que todos tenemos capacidades diferentes.Pablo Pineda is the first European with Down Syndrome to obtain a university degree. A teacher, a writer, and an actor, he radiates charisma and the will to learn. This is his endearing story, which reminds us that the only disability is not understanding that all of us have different abilities.Lexile Level: 870L