Article
Environmental Sciences
Terence Epule Epule, Vincent Poirier, Abdelghani Chehbouni, Wiam Salih, Ayoub Kechchour, Perez Lionnel Kemeni Kambiet, Lahcen Ousayd, Soumia Achli
Summary: According to the recent Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC, temperatures in most regions of Africa will continue to rise, while precipitation will decrease in North and Southern parts of Africa and increase in the Sahel and most of sub-Saharan Africa. The vulnerability to these changes is expected to increase due to declining adaptive capacities. To address this issue, a new adaptive capacity index based on literacy and poverty rates was developed and tested. The results showed that North Africa and Southern Africa have the highest adaptive capacity indices, while West Africa, Middle and East Africa have the lowest adaptive capacity indices. Overall, the adaptive capacity in Africa is relatively low compared to other regions of the world. This index will serve as a tool for benchmarking adaptive capacity at various scales.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Davood Mafi-Gholami, Saied Pirasteh, Joanna C. Ellison, Abolfazl Jaafari
Summary: This study integrated a fuzzy-based approach to assess the vulnerability of mangrove social-ecological systems along the northern coasts of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. By combining environmental parameters, socio-economic factors, and vegetative components, the study highlighted the importance of the approach for evaluating vulnerability under different environmental gradients.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
George Babington Amegavi, Zechariah Langnel, Jerome Jeffison Yaw Ofori, Daisy Rose Ofori
Summary: The study examines the impact of adaptation readiness on climate change vulnerability in 51 African countries from 1995 to 2018, finding that higher readiness leads to lower vulnerability. Central Africa is identified as the most vulnerable sub-region, while Southern and North Africa are the least vulnerable. The findings suggest a need for a paradigm shift in the allocation of climate adaptation support and resources to effectively address climate change risks worldwide.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY
(2021)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Bin Ye, Jingjing Jiang, Junguo Liu, Yi Zheng, Nan Zhou
Summary: Cities play a significant role in global climate change and are also highly susceptible to its impacts. However, research on urban-scale climate change risk assessment is limited and efforts are needed to enhance methodology and data richness in this area.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Shah Fahad, Mohammad Shakhawat Hossain, Nguyen Thi Lan Huong, Abdelmohsen A. Nassani, Mohamed Haffar, Muhammad Rashid Naeem
Summary: This study develops and assesses the application of a livelihood vulnerability index for natural and agricultural resources in Northwestern Pakistan, finding that Tehsil Shabqadar is more vulnerable in terms of natural disasters, health, water security, and land holding status.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Erik A. Beever, Jennifer L. Wilkening, Peter D. Billman, Lindsey L. Thurman, Kristina A. Ernest, David H. Wright, Alisha M. Gill, April C. Craighead, Nolan A. Helmstetter, Leona K. Svancara, Meghan J. Cam, Sabuj Bhattacharyya, Jedediah Fitzgerald, Jocelyn M. R. Hirose, Marie L. Westover, Francis D. Gerraty, Kelly B. Klingler, Danielle A. Schmidts, Dylan K. Ryals, Richard N. Brown, Steven L. Clark, Neil Clayton, Gail H. Collins, Kyle A. Cutting, Daniel F. Doak, Clinton W. Epps, Janet E. Foley, Johnnie French, Charles L. Hayes, Zachary A. Mills, Lucas Moyer-Horner, Lyle B. Nichols, Kate B. Orlofsky, Mary M. Peacock, Nicholas C. Penzel, Johnny Peterson, Nathan Ramsay, Tom Rickman, Megan M. Robinson, Hillary L. Robison, Karen M. C. Rowe, Kevin C. Rowe, Michael A. Russello, Adam B. Smith, Joseph A. E. Stewart, Will W. Thompson, James H. Thorne, Matthew D. Waterhouse, Shana S. Weber, Kenneth C. Wilson
Summary: Contemporary climate change is altering various aspects of species, such as their distribution, morphology, phenology, physiology, evolution, and interactions with other species. The effects of climate change are influenced by the magnitude of change, an animal's sensitivity, and its adaptive capacity (AC), which refers to the ability to adjust genetically, behaviorally, or spatially. This study systematically evaluated and compared the AC of American pikas against four other mountain-dwelling small mammals, revealing that pikas have lower AC compared to most species. The findings highlight the vulnerability of pikas to anthropogenic climate change and emphasize the importance of adaptive-capacity evaluations for conservation prioritization.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paramita Roy, Subodh Chandra Pal, Rabin Chakrabortty, Indrajit Chowdhuri, Asish Saha, Manisa Shit
Summary: The research aims to estimate the potential impact of climate change on sea level rise and its vulnerability to coastal habitat. The findings show an increasing trend of sea level rise from the base period to the projected period, particularly in the major port city of India. By quantitatively estimating physical environmental characteristics including geomorphology, sea level change, coastal slope, relative sea-level change, mean wave height, mean tide range, shoreline change rate, land use and human activities, and population, a qualitative coastal vulnerability index (CVI) is developed. The projected sea level rise is increasing at the highest rate under the higher Representative Concentrations Pathways (RCP) scenario. This information is valuable for decision-makers in formulating appropriate development strategies for sustainable coastal ecology in India.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
A. Sousa, F. Alves, P. Arranz, A. Dinis, M. Fernandez, L. Gonzalez Garcia, M. Morales, M. Lettrich, R. Encarnacao Coelho, H. Costa, T. Capela Lourenco, N. M. J. Azevedo, C. Frazao Santos
Summary: Global warming has affected marine environments, impacting marine species. Research in the Macaronesia biogeographic region has shown that cetaceans are vulnerable to climate change and conservation measures are needed to address this challenge.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bramka Arga Jafino, Stephane Hallegatte, Julie Rozenberg
Summary: Focusing solely on reducing climate impacts when assessing adaptation benefits may provide misleading policy advice. It is important to consider how policies influence the absolute level of metrics of interest in scenarios with climate change. Evaluating climate adaptation policies should also take into account development factors, rather than solely focusing on climate change impacts.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Moo-Jin Kim, Jae-Beum Hong, In-Seong Han, Joon-Soo Lee, Do-Hoon Kim
Summary: Climate change is expected to directly impact fishery production by influencing marine biota and ecosystems. To respond to this challenge, assessing vulnerability to climate change is crucial. In South Korea, changes in species composition and ecological structure caused by climate change have led to a decline in annual fishery production since 1986. In this study, vulnerability to climate change was evaluated for 36 species based on sensitivity and exposure, and the vulnerability of 24 fisheries was assessed. Priority should be given to fisheries with a high catch ratio of relatively vulnerable species when formulating policies to manage offshore and coastal fisheries in Korea.
Article
Development Studies
Qin Li, Lei Zhu, Xunpeng Shi
Summary: This study assesses the vulnerability and adaptation of China's provinces to climate change by employing a combination of the criteria importance intercriteria correlation method and Grey relational analysis. The study reveals significant disparities in the levels of adaptation and vulnerability across regions and highlights the key role of ecological and energy system transition in facilitating adaptation to climate change.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yu Duan, Junnan Xiong, Weiming Cheng, Nan Wang, Wen He, Yufeng He, Jun Liu, Gang Yang, Jiyan Wang, Jiawei Yang
Summary: A global flood vulnerability framework was developed in this study, and game theory was used to determine the spatiotemporal distribution of flood vulnerability. The results show a U-shaped trend in global flood vulnerability, significant spatial heterogeneity between continents, and high vulnerability areas mainly concentrated in densely populated and developed regions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
(2022)
Article
Development Studies
Dina M. Abdelzaher, Aleksey Martynov
Summary: Based on empirical data from 42 countries, this study examines the impact of innovation on adaptive capacity to climate change and finds that national culture norms moderate this relationship. Countries scoring high on Uncertainty Avoidance and Future Orientation are better able to channel innovation into their adaptive capacity. Additionally, while Uncertainty Avoidance and Future Orientation have a direct positive impact on adaptive capacity, institutional collectiveness has no significant effect.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xinya Guo, Zhenke Zhang, Xingqi Zhang, Mo Bi, Priyanko Das
Summary: This study constructed a set of index systems to assess landscape vulnerability driven by abnormal drought and precipitation in sub-Saharan Africa. The results showed that high exposure and high sensitivity determined high landscape vulnerability, while adaptive capacity had little difference. The methodology established in this study provides new evidence for landscape instabilities and can guide landscape composition regulation in response to frequent climate extremes.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Md Mahfuzul Islam, Mohammad Abdul Matin Chowdhury, Rawshan Ara Begum, Ahmad Aldrie Amir
Summary: This study used bibliometric analysis to explore the trends, themes, impacts, and potential scopes for further studies on the effects of climate change on economic vulnerability. The findings revealed an increasing trend in publications and identified several themes, such as exposure, sensitivity, drought, and flood. The study also identified research gaps and provided opportunities for further research.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Estibaliz Palma, Peter A. Vesk, Matt White, John B. Baumgartner, Jane A. Catford
Summary: The study reveals that different ways of quantifying invasiveness are correlated with different functional traits, and some plant traits have opposite effects across invasion metrics. Species' invasiveness is associated with different demographic dimensions such as spread rate, local abundance, and geographic and environmental range sizes, and these dimensions are better explained by different sets of traits.
Editorial Material
Biodiversity Conservation
Pete Smith, Linda Beaumont, Carl J. Bernacchi, Maria Byrne, William Cheung, Richard T. Conant, Francesca Cotrufo, Xiaojuan Feng, Ivan Janssens, Hefin Jones, Miko U. F. Kirschbaum, Kazuhiko Kobayashi, Julie LaRoche, Yiqi Luo, Andrew McKechnie, Josep Penuelas, Shilong Piao, Sharon Robinson, Rowan F. Sage, David J. Sugget, Stephen J. Thackeray, Danielle Way, Stephen P. Long
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Jane E. Williamson, Michael R. Gillings, Ryan J. Nevatte, David Harasti, Vincent Raoult, Timothy M. Ghaly, Adam J. Stow, Timothy M. Smith, Troy F. Gaston
Summary: The endangered soft coral Dendronephthya australis is experiencing population decreases in central eastern Australian waters. Genetic analysis reveals that it is a single species within the Nephtheidae family, with genetic differentiation observed among different locations. Seahorse Gardens and Ettalong have higher genetic diversity, potentially serving as ancestral populations.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rafael Filgueira Jorge, Albertina Pimentel Lima, Adam James Stow
Summary: Understanding genome-wide variation and gene flow processes is crucial for managing threatened species. In this study, we investigated genetic diversity and environmental connectivity in the narrowly distributed and threatened Amazonian frog, Atelopus manauensis. Our findings revealed six genetic groups and evidence of localized adaptation, indicating the presence of six Evolutionary Significant Units. These results have important implications for conservation planning.
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Ornithology
Skye Davis, Julia Ryeland, Shannon M. Smith, Gina Hart, Adam J. Stow
Summary: Conserving evolutionary processes is crucial in conservation management as environmental changes threaten wild populations. The study focuses on the Emu population in the NSW North Coast bioregion of Australia, which is endangered due to limited geographical distribution and small size. Researchers used genetic markers to analyze the spatial genetic structure and diversity of the Emus, revealing significant genetic divergence and low genetic diversity in the NSW North Coast population. The study predicts a risk of inbreeding depression and emphasizes the importance of incorporating genetic data into management plans for this population.
EMU-AUSTRAL ORNITHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Jia-Yee Samantha Yap, Maurizio Rossetto, Sourav Das, Peter D. Wilson, Linda J. Beaumont, Robert J. Henry
Summary: This study investigates the genetic differences and response patterns to environmental changes between two species, Doryphora sassafras and Toona ciliata, in an overlapping distribution area. The research finds contrasting landscape genomic patterns and habitat changes between the two species, suggesting that genetically divergent populations might contribute to the successful colonization of new habitats. This study reveals the mechanisms regulating species distribution and composition following environmental shifts, and highlights the unreliability of past or future range estimates.
Article
Ecology
Rachael Gallagher, Stuart P. Allen, Berin D. E. Mackenzie, David A. Keith, Rachael H. Nolan, Libby Rumpff, Carl R. Gosper, Geoffrey Pegg, Stephen van Leeuwen, Mark K. J. Ooi, Colin J. Yates, Cory Merow, Richard J. Williams, Efthymios Nikolopoulos, Linda J. Beaumont, Tony D. Auld
Summary: This study assessed the vulnerability of 26,062 Australian plant species to various threats after the 2019-2020 fires using a new framework. The results showed that a large number of plant species were vulnerable to poor post-fire recovery from different threats, including drought, disease, and feral animals. The simultaneous impact of multiple threats can compound the vulnerability and hinder plant recovery after fire. The method used in this study can be applied globally to evaluate the post-fire vulnerability of plant species and other biota in fire-affected regions.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ernest F. Asamoah, Moreno Di Marco, James E. M. Watson, Linda J. Beaumont, Oscar Venter, Joseph M. Maina
Summary: Wilderness areas are important reservoirs of genetic information and carbon storage systems, essential for reducing extinction risks and achieving global biodiversity conservation goals. However, climate and land-use risks may undermine their ability to provide these functions. Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and preserving intact natural ecosystems can help strengthen biodiversity conservation efforts in these areas.
Review
Plant Sciences
C. Farrell, S. J. Livesley, S. K. Arndt, L. Beaumont, H. Burley, D. Ellsworth, M. Esperon-Rodriguez, T. D. Fletcher, R. Gallagher, A. Ossola, S. A. Power, R. Marchin, J. P. Rayner, P. D. Rymer, L. Staas, C. Szota, N. S. G. Williams, M. Leishman
Summary: Impervious surfaces in modern cities cause various issues such as heat absorption, excessive runoff, limited biodiversity habitat, and poor air quality. Future climate change is expected to worsen these problems. Green infrastructure, through the selection of suitable plants, can help mitigate these issues. However, plant selection faces challenges. Therefore, researchers have proposed a new framework based on plant traits and natural distribution to infer plant performance for green infrastructure. A case study in Australian cities is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Manuel Esperon-Rodriguez, Mark G. Tjoelker, Jonathan Lenoir, John B. Baumgartner, Linda J. Beaumont, David A. Nipperess, Sally A. Power, Benoit Richard, Paul D. Rymer, Rachael Gallagher
Summary: This research found that over half of urban tree species currently experience non-ideal climate conditions, and the risk is projected to increase by 2050 due to climate change. The study also highlights cities where all tree species are at risk.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Julia Tovar Verba, Carlos E. L. Ferreira, Maria Grazia Pennino, Linda Hagberg, Priscila F. M. Lopes, Beatrice Padovani Ferreira, Sergio Maia Queiroz Lima, Adam Stow
Summary: This study describes the genetic structure of the Gray Parrotfish in Brazil and identifies water depth, ocean currents, and geographic distance as the major factors explaining genetic divergence. A distinct genetic population was found around Trindade Island, emphasizing its conservation significance. Costa dos Corais and Fernando de Noronha likely serve as important larval sources for the species.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Julia Tovar Verba, Adam Stow, Bernhard Bein, Maria Grazia Pennino, Priscila F. M. Lopes, Beatrice P. Ferreira, Meghana Mortier, Sergio Maia Queiroz Lima, Ricardo J. Pereira
Summary: The availability of habitat influences genetic diversity within and among populations. In this study, we investigated the distribution and genetic variation of Lutjanus jocu in Brazil to understand the effects of environmental change. Our results suggest that historical ecological barriers divided the species into separate habitats, and a severe bottleneck followed by population expansion occurred. Despite habitat changes, genetic divergence between populations is not influenced, indicating high gene flow and a single stock in Brazilian waters. These findings emphasize the importance of considering environmental sensitivity in species management strategies.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Farzin Shabani, Mahyat Shafapourtehrany, Mohsen Ahmadi, Bahareh Kalantar, Haluk Ozener, Kieran Clancy, Atefeh Esmaeili, Ricardo Siqueira da Silva, Linda J. Beaumont, John Llewelyn, Simon Jones, Alessandro Ossola
Summary: The aim of this study is to generate fire susceptibility maps for the present and 2070 to assess the threat of wildfires to koalas. Using the Decision Tree machine learning algorithm, a fire susceptibility index was created based on various conditioning factors. The results indicate an overall increase in susceptibility of Australian vegetation to bushfires. Main conclusions suggest that wildfires will have a greater impact on koala populations in the future, highlighting the need for adaptive conservation strategies.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Regional & Urban Planning
Victoria Graham, John B. Baumgartner, Linda J. Beaumont, Manuel Esperon-Rodriguez, Alana Grech
JOURNAL OF PLANNING LITERATURE
(2022)