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Beyond 1000 Years: Using Lake Azuei's Past to Secure its Future

The organic matter preserved in lake sediments holds valuable information for reconstructing past environmental conditions. Researchers from Université Quisqueya in Haiti utilized this approach to analyze a core sample from Lake Azuei, considering the past 1000 years.   They divided the core into five time periods and analyzed the amount and type of organic matter present in each layer.   The results revealed changes in organic matter deposition that reflected both climate fluctuations and human activity in the surrounding area. During drier periods, such as the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA) and the Little Ice Age (LIA), less organic matter accumulated in the sediment, likely due to reduced water levels and plant growth. Conversely, wetter periods displayed higher organic matter content. This pattern held true for the period between the MCA and LIA, as well as the Current Warm Period (CWP) and the MCA2. The analysis also identified an increase in organic matter in recent times, like
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Coping with Climate Change: Stress and Resilience in Nan Orèl, Haiti

  Climate change is a complex phenomenon with multiple implications, affecting countries to varying degrees depending on their infrastructure and response capabilities. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has confirmed the existence of evidence of the effects of human activities on health, with estimates predicting an increase in global morbidity related to climate change. The issue of climate-induced migration is complex and controversial. The World Bank report "Groundswell" anticipates 140 million internal climate migrations by 2050 in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Latin America, while the IOM estimates that there were 272 million climate migrants in 2019. This summary focuses on the psychological consequences of climate displacement on affected populations. It analyzes the social representations of the stress experienced by displaced persons following Major Climate Events (MCs) and its impacts on their lives. Haiti is particularly vulnerable to cl
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Quantifying research contributions in Haiti: Combining altmetrics and bibliometrics for life and Earth sciences

The academic world faces growing pressure to quantify research output and impact. This pressure has led to the development of various metrics, including bibliometrics (measuring publication numbers and citations) and altmetrics (measuring online attention and engagement). These metrics are used to evaluate researchers, universities, and journals, often influencing funding allocation and career advancement. While initially focused on individual researchers, the evaluation process has expanded to include institutions and research networks. This has fueled international collaboration and network density, while potentially neglecting research conducted outside these networks. Beyond traditional bibliometrics like the H-index and journal impact factor, new metrics like altmetrics are gaining traction. These metrics capture the broader impact of research beyond traditional citations, including online discussions and social media mentions. This trend of evaluation is particularly relevant
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Mineral Secrets of Lake-Azuei: Reconstructing 1000 Years of Haitian Hydroclimate

  The Caribbean climate is shaped by complex interactions between Atlantic and Pacific climate systems. Understanding these influences is crucial not only for interpreting past climate changes in Haiti but also for predicting future regional and global trends. This study employed techniques like inorganic compositional analysis, mineralogical analysis, and organic carbon analysis to reconstruct climate variability in Haiti over the past millennium. While previous studies have provided insights into Haiti's climate history over longer periods, this research specifically focuses on the past thousand years. It aims to determine how climate modes like AMO, NAO, PDO, and ENSO influenced this variability. Understanding these influences is crucial not only for interpreting past climate changes in Haiti but also for predicting future regional and global trends.   Study site This study focuses on sediment core LA17BCO2 collected in January 2017 from Lake Azuei, also known as Étang Sau
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The concept of global water governance and water rights through the prism of Canaan, Haiti.

  The rapid, uncontrolled urbanization observed in many developing cities, including Port-au-Prince, leads to the creation of slums like Canaan, often lacking basic services such as sanitation and access to clean water. This situation presents significant health and environmental risks, while also violating the fundamental human right to water and sanitation. Considering the approaches within the context of global water governance, the summary examines how Canaan exemplifies the challenges faced by marginalized populations in securing their basic water needs. It investigates into the historical and legal context of the right to water, tracing its evolution from a social right to a fundamental human right recognized by the United Nations. This research ultimately seeks to shed light on the critical need for effective water governance strategies that prioritize equitable access to water and sanitation for all, especially vulnerable communities like those residing in Canaan. It emphas
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Haiti's Open Defecation Crisis: Unraveling the Social and Demographic Threads

  Open defecation (OD), the disposal of human feces in open spaces, poses a significant health threat in low- and middle-income countries like Haiti. Despite international efforts to eradicate this practice, an estimated 20% of Haitians still defecate in the open, exposing them to various infectious diseases and highlighting the urgent need for improved sanitation solutions. This summary aims to understand the key factors driving open defecation in Haiti by examining its socio-economic and demographic determinants. While previous research has explored these factors in other developing countries, Haiti's specific context necessitates dedicated investigation.   Methods This research investigates open defecation (OD) in Haiti, the poorest country in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region. Situated on the island of Hispaniola, Haiti has a dense population of 11.7 million and limited economic resources. The study employs a cross-sectional, retrospective design, analyzing
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