Publication2 med aquascape Publication1cs complete | Page 95

diversity of habitats necessary for fish fauna rich in species and biomass. Another effect of deforestation is the obvious scarcity of water, mainly in the Pacific Slope( Bussing, 2002). When these variables meet, pollution and deforestation, the result is known all over the planet: Global warming. Specifically, in a tropical country like Costa Rica that can be felt in one direction, rainfall shortages. According to National Meteorological Institute is confirmed the decrease in rainfall pattern of 2012, up 40 %, which caused a regime change in rainfall in 2013, where brief rain occurred but dangerous as they are capable of causing disasters especially in the centre of the country, this caused by urban disorder, which never respected or institutions with competence did not make them respect, protection areas on both sides, on the banks of rivers, creeks or streams, this according to Article 33 of the Forestry Law, No. 7575, causing the channels remain very low and floods is provided( Astorga, 2013). To this must be added the problem still persists, the mismanagement of solid waste, which reached a good amount of water bodies, as in the Tarcoles River, where most of the country population and major productive and economic activities is concentrated. Throughout the basin, 2.33 million people live which equates to about 55 % of the national population; well are located 80 % of industries including since five years to high-tech industries, beverage, chemical, agro-industrial, metallurgy; and the main trade and increased service delivery in the country. For this reason this basin is considered the most polluted in the country and one of the highest polluted in Central America.( Espinoza et al, 2004). Ironically one of the solutions proposed by the Government to this problem was the creation of the environmental tax for dumping( Decree No. 31176), under the principle that " the polluter pays " and those who generate pollution are charged for damages that the discharge of wastes causes which affect third parties and ecosystems. The Regulatory Commission of this fee is agreed in the general payment of the pollution load, but giving an incentive to those who meet the maximum concentrations defined by the Rules of Dumping and an additional penalty for not meeting( Astorga, 2013). Aware of this uncomfortable reality, a group of aquarists, biologists and conservationists have come together to found the Costa Rican Association of Aquarists for Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystems( ACACED, for its acronym in Spanish), which has as its mission, to conserve freshwater ecosystems of Costa Rica, by the responsible aquarium, environmental education, research and interference in management policies, involving different organs, science, and the general public( ACACED, 2014). In addition, to deal with the problems that affect aquatic environments, the Association develops activities such as, studies and inventories of freshwater ecosystems; environmental attacks denounces and situations of ecological risk that violate current conservation laws; promoting the creation of new laws and projects as biological closures, fish passes and exhaust dampers background in Hydroelectric Dams. Additionally, the Association works in citizen awareness on the proper use of freshwater ecosystems and resources through environmental education activities such as talks, courses, debates, environmental fairs, tours and exhibitions oriented to the general public and specific groups; disseminating the
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