3 weeks Rosario - feeling motivated and priviliged
Door: Melvin
Blijf op de hoogte en volg Melv
29 April 2014 | Argentinië, Rosario
Last week I had the privilege to participate in the three-day conference of Alianza Sistema de Humedales Paraguay-Paraná, an alliance formed by socio-environmental organisations from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay who seek to preserve the ecosystem of the Cuenca de la Plata (which is roughly the area shown in the map below).
The Cuenca de la Plata is one of the world's largest river basins, harbouring a rich biodiversity and providing crucial regional AND global ecosystem services, such as the provision of water (needless to say: a natural resource we are all dependent on). Unfortunately, not everyone seems to appreciate its socio-environmental importance, as many areas of this river basin are under threat of being exploited for purely economic gains. More often than not, these productive activities benefit only a very small group of stakeholders, while directly harming the ecosystem and the livelihoods of people depending on the ecosystem's natural resources. Not only do these activities often leave unforeseen long-term adverse impacts on the direct surroundings, but significantly also throughout the rest of the ecosystem - also called a 'corridor', as species migrate across the wetlands for their existence and reproduction. Clearly, this very short description does not nearly cover the complexity of the ecosystem of la Cuenca de la Plata, but I'm quite sure that you (my socio-environmental responsible audience) are already convinced of the importance of preserving these crucial ecosystems for future generations.
Participating in this conference was not only an extremely informative experience, but also very motivating for me as a researcher. Not only because the discussions underlined the importance of research into the socio-environmental conflicts within this area, but even more because they showed the need and willingness to collaborate in preserving this beautiful and extremely important corridor of wetlands.
Besides the invaluable ecosystem and cultural services of la Cuenca de la Plata, the wetlands are also rich in their aesthetic value (their beauty). And what better way to enjoy the wetlands' nature than by kayak? So last Sunday I went to my first kayak class, which I will make my weekly activity. A great physical exercise, relaxing, and fieldwork at the same time (although this all may sound contradictory, they really go together very well!). And, importantly, also a very cool group of people.
And, lastly, tomorrow I will go on fieldwork to some nearby areas in the surroundings of Rosario during my first class of 'edaphology' (that is, soil science). This class is given by one of my internship's colleagues, who is also professor at the National University of Rosario. Let's say that this extra curricular activity is part of 'broadening my horizon', and perhaps (who knows) it will even raise questions relevant for my research that I wouldn't have thought of otherwise.
Abrazo para todos!
The Cuenca de la Plata is one of the world's largest river basins, harbouring a rich biodiversity and providing crucial regional AND global ecosystem services, such as the provision of water (needless to say: a natural resource we are all dependent on). Unfortunately, not everyone seems to appreciate its socio-environmental importance, as many areas of this river basin are under threat of being exploited for purely economic gains. More often than not, these productive activities benefit only a very small group of stakeholders, while directly harming the ecosystem and the livelihoods of people depending on the ecosystem's natural resources. Not only do these activities often leave unforeseen long-term adverse impacts on the direct surroundings, but significantly also throughout the rest of the ecosystem - also called a 'corridor', as species migrate across the wetlands for their existence and reproduction. Clearly, this very short description does not nearly cover the complexity of the ecosystem of la Cuenca de la Plata, but I'm quite sure that you (my socio-environmental responsible audience) are already convinced of the importance of preserving these crucial ecosystems for future generations.
Participating in this conference was not only an extremely informative experience, but also very motivating for me as a researcher. Not only because the discussions underlined the importance of research into the socio-environmental conflicts within this area, but even more because they showed the need and willingness to collaborate in preserving this beautiful and extremely important corridor of wetlands.
Besides the invaluable ecosystem and cultural services of la Cuenca de la Plata, the wetlands are also rich in their aesthetic value (their beauty). And what better way to enjoy the wetlands' nature than by kayak? So last Sunday I went to my first kayak class, which I will make my weekly activity. A great physical exercise, relaxing, and fieldwork at the same time (although this all may sound contradictory, they really go together very well!). And, importantly, also a very cool group of people.
And, lastly, tomorrow I will go on fieldwork to some nearby areas in the surroundings of Rosario during my first class of 'edaphology' (that is, soil science). This class is given by one of my internship's colleagues, who is also professor at the National University of Rosario. Let's say that this extra curricular activity is part of 'broadening my horizon', and perhaps (who knows) it will even raise questions relevant for my research that I wouldn't have thought of otherwise.
Abrazo para todos!
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30 April 2014 - 07:23
HDM:
Hey Mel,
Dank voor deze zeer leerzame en start van mijn dag ;)
Leuk om inzicht te krijgen in wat er zoal speelt en waar jij je voor inzet en geweldig dat alles zo mooi aansluit !
Je weet zelfs van Kajakken buiten droog blijven iets heel leerzaams te maken ;)
Succes on your first fieldwork trip !
HDM
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30 April 2014 - 09:57
Edith:
Hé kanjer, wat een boeiend verslag!! Ontzettend leuk dat je die 3 daagse conferentie bij hebt gewoond en weer zoveel nieuwe contacten en inzichten hebt opgedaan. Zoals ik gisteren al tegen je zei, lijkt het wel dat je al maanden in Rosario bent, zoveel heb je al gedaan. Heel veel succes en plezier!
Liefs en dikke knuffel xoxo -
30 April 2014 - 11:11
Oma:
Hai, here one of the members of the socia environmental responsible audience.Now i understand it all!Go on I like this! Enjoy your stay.Kisses. -
01 Mei 2014 - 10:35
Joop Mars:
Alweer een zeer interessant verslag. Deze eerste 3 weken zijn voor jou waarschijnlijk omgevlogen.
Leuk dat je veel nuttige zaken met aangename kunt combineren.
De dingen die je in Nederland hebt bestudeerd, daar met anderen over kunnen praten en wellicht ook
andere meningen te horen, maakt het zeker boeiend.
Als wij visite hebben dan laten we je blog en foto's altijd (met gepaste trots) zien.
Hou je taai en veel plezier,
Opa.
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19 Mei 2014 - 23:09
Tomas:
Gaaf Mel, je zit er goed in zo te horen. Heel veel plezier met je moeder. abrazo boludo!
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