Article
Development Studies
Pan Sun, Li Zhou, Dazhuan Ge, Xiaoxue Lu, Dongqi Sun, Mengqiu Lu, Weifeng Qiao
Summary: This study examines the importance of rural spatial governance in sustainable rural development, with Xiangbu Village as the empirical research object. Through multi-scale, multi-means governance paths, significant improvements have been made in rural collective organization, public service capacity, and spatial asset value. Rural spatial governance involving multiple stakeholders has promoted the transformation of population, land, industry, and urban-rural relationships, and improved the overall benefit structure of the village.
HABITAT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Natalia Janczewska, Magdalena Matysik, Damian Absalon, Lukasz Pieron
Summary: This passage describes several databases in Poland that contain information on land use and water bodies. The data from these databases are referenced in scientific analyses and the Polish water management system, and thus the processing results should be consistent. However, the quality of these data was examined through multi-criteria analyses, revealing discrepancies between the databases. The author suggests using water land cover data with caution and considering remote sensed data depending on the analysis scales.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Beatriz Zachello Nunes, Yuyue Huang, Victor Vasques Ribeiro, Siqi Wu, Henrik Holbech, Lucas Buruaem Moreira, Elvis Genbo Xu, Italo B. Castro
Summary: Despite the existing literature on microplastics in marine environments, their status and impacts on global Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) remain unknown. This study collected extensive data and used a GIS-based approach to analyze microplastic occurrence in MPAs, finding that 68 out of 52 MPAs were contaminated. The study also summarized the wide range of microplastic levels in MPAs and discussed the limitations and future directions for addressing microplastic pollution in MPAs.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Marcelo Henrique Schmitz, Edivando Vitor do Couto, Erick Caldas Xavier, Leonardo da Silva Tomadon, Rodrigo Pedro Leal, Angelo Antonio Agostinho
Summary: This study evaluated whether the establishment of protected areas (PAs) in the Upper Parana River floodplain region could reduce human-induced landscape changes and whether different PA restriction categories result in different levels of protection. The researchers analyzed 30 years of land-use time series data to assess overall landscape dynamics and evaluated change intensity using a partial land-use intensity analysis. Despite increasing landscape anthropization, PAs appeared to alleviate the overall change process and primarily protected natural areas from agricultural expansion. More restricted protection led to less human-induced changes. Assessing the effectiveness of PAs is a multidisciplinary challenge but crucial for informing well-designed public policies and decisions to protect the environment.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jinyao Lin, Chuling Huang, Youyue Wen, Xun Liu
Summary: This study introduces a novel framework (ERL) for improving protected areas, which effectively identifies ecologically important areas excluded from previously established ERL through MSPA and graph-based indicators, enhancing the quality of protected areas.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Flavia Freire Siqueira, Dulcineia de Carvalho, Jonathan Rhodes, Carla L. Archibald, Vanessa Leite Rezende, Eduardo van den Berg
Summary: The study investigated the role of Small Landscape Elements (SLEs) in landscape connectivity within the highly fragmented Atlantic Forest. It found that in these landscapes, the position of SLEs was more important than their respective areas for enhancing landscape connectivity.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Richard A. Giliba, Pascal Fust, Christian Kiffner, Jacqueline Loos
Summary: This study examines the ecological effectiveness of protected areas in the Katavi-Rukwa Ecosystem in western Tanzania. The research finds that while there is a decline in wildlife densities across the landscape, there is no direct link between this decline and land-use change, suggesting the presence of other factors. The study recommends proactive strategies to reduce threats to wildlife and manage cropland expansion in order to enhance wildlife conservation in the area.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Francisco d'Albertas, Adrian Gonzalez-Chaves, Clarice Borges-Matos, Vitor Zago de Almeida Paciello, Martine Maron, Jean Paul Metzger
Summary: Setting aside private land for Legal Reserves (LR) in Brazil is crucial for biodiversity conservation. Landowners can define the location of LR, with farm size and native vegetation cover being key factors in determining whether LR is set aside. Properties with Areas of Permanent Protection (APP) tend to meet LR requirements more if located in areas with higher transportation costs and lower agricultural suitability.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Brent D. Mishler
Summary: The metric PD has added an evolutionary dimension to biodiversity exploration. Recent advancements in technology and methodology, such as global museum databasing efforts and improvements to computer hardware and software, have enabled a new approach called 'spatial phylogenetics'. This approach turns phylogenies into GIS layers and can be used to understand phylodiversity patterns and conservation prioritization.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ziqi Meng, Jinwei Dong, Erle C. Ellis, Graciela Metternicht, Yuanwei Qin, Xiao-Peng Song, Sara Lofqvist, Rachael D. Garrett, Xiaopeng Jia, Xiangming Xiao
Summary: This study uses 30-m cropland maps to show that cropland expansion in protected areas accelerated dramatically from 2000 to 2019, compared with the expansion of global croplands, threatening the aspirations of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hyun Seok Yoon, Varsha Vijay, Paul R. Armsworth
Summary: To combat biodiversity loss, expanding protected areas is becoming increasingly important. However, limited resources call for strategic investment in areas that offer the highest value in species protection. By considering the level of human disturbance in unprotected areas, one can determine the added conservation value of protection. This study shows that accounting for the spatial heterogeneity in future disturbance significantly affects the prioritization of protected areas. Failing to consider this heterogeneity leads to a substantial loss in potential conservation gain, highlighting the importance of accurately assessing the ecological contribution of unprotected lands.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Heidi J. Albers, Charlotte H. Chang, Sahan T. M. Dissanayake, Kate J. Helmstedt, Kailin Kroetz, Bistra Dilkina, Irene Zapata-Moran, Christoph Nolte, Leticia M. Ochoa-Ochoa, Gwen Spencer
Summary: Despite global conservation commitments and protected area expansion, biodiversity continues to decline. Implementing a conservation planning framework that considers ongoing anthropogenic threats within protected areas and values threat-mitigating activities can increase benefits from protected areas without increasing budgets.<Account>
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Jose Maria Cardoso da Silva, Teresa Cristina Albuquerque de Castro Dias, Alan Cavalcanti da Cunha, Helenilza Ferreira Albuquerque Cunha
Summary: The study describes the variation in funding deficits across Brazilian federal PAs and proposes a model to explain this variation. It was found that there is a high proportion of funding deficits in Brazilian PAs, similar to those found in sub-Saharan Africa. New policies and innovative funding mechanisms are needed to bridge the large funding gap in the Brazilian federal PA system.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Beatriz Zachello Nunes, Lucas Buruaem Moreira, Elvis Genbo Xu, Italo Braga Castro
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive overview of the occurrence, abundance, and distribution of microplastics (MPs) in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) worldwide, highlighting the potential impacts on these areas. MPs were found in 186 MPAs, with concentrations varying in sediment and biota samples. The findings raise urgent concerns about the effectiveness of the global system of protected areas and their proposed conservation goals.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
L. Claire Powers, Ashley E. Larsen, Bryan Leonard, Andrew J. Plantinga
Summary: The spatial distribution of public lands in the western U.S. is a result of 19th century land-disposal policies, providing opportunities for spatial reorganization of conservation lands. By strategically rearranging inaccessible public land in Montana, this study shows that it is possible to expand protected areas within budget constraints and achieve conservation targets while considering landscape connectivity.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Md. Mustafizuri Rahman, Ram Avtar, Sohail Ahmad, Luis Inostroza, Prakhar Misra, Pankaj Kumar, Wataru Takeuchi, Akhilesh Surjan, Osamu Saito
Summary: Urban planning is crucial for managing land use and describing built form, and reliable data and remote sensing technology can effectively support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. New methods and indices can help evaluate the implementation of land use plans and classify building types efficiently. The study shows that some commercial and industrial buildings do not comply with land use zoning, and some buildings have encroached upon conservation zones.
SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Richard Lemoine-Rodriguez, Luis Inostroza, Harald Zepp
Summary: The study analyzed land surface temperature trends in different types of cities using MODIS data, finding that urban heat islands are increasing in both diurnal and nocturnal data, with different rates of temperature change in hot and cold spots. Stable hot spots and warming hot spots exhibit the highest SUHIs.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Dan Yin, Qingxu Huang, Chunyang He, Xiaobo Hua, Chuan Liao, Luis Inostroza, Ling Zhang, Yansong Bai
Summary: This study investigates the importance of ecosystem services at the landscape level and household characteristics in connecting ecosystem services and poverty alleviation in a rapidly urbanizing landscape. The results indicate that household-level differences have significant impacts on poverty alleviation. In terms of ecosystem services, regional food supply is significantly associated with poverty alleviation, and household-level benefits from cultural services have a significant positive effect on households moving to the better-off group.
Review
Ecology
Karoline Hemminger, Hannes Koenig, Johan Mansson, Sonoko-Dorothea Bellingrath-Kimura, Lovisa Nilsson
Summary: The study shows that while some crane populations are increasing, there are also significant declines in others. Damage to agricultural crops by cranes is not common, although a considerable proportion of crane interactions involve foraging in croplands. The ability of crane species to adapt to agricultural land use changes may play a key role in their population response.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Richard Lemoine-Rodriguez, Luis Inostroza, Harald Zepp
Summary: This study explores the relationship between urban form and diurnal land surface temperature (LST) trends in Beijing, Cairo, and Santiago, and analyzes the influence of different urban form dimensions on LST. The findings suggest that urban surface temperature trends are influenced by local climate, and a compact green urban tissue is necessary to cope with urban warming.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Richard Lemoine-Rodriguez, Luis Inostroza, Ina Falfan, Ian MacGregor-Fors
Summary: This study analyzed the Land Surface Temperature (LST) and Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI) effect in the Neotropical Mexican city of Xalapa, evaluating the cooling capacity of urban green spaces and their relationship with size, shape, and surrounding tree cover percentage. The research found that the cooling range of green spaces was influenced by the size of green spaces and tree cover percentage at different distances, emphasizing the importance of integrating these factors in urban planning to maximize the cooling effect of green infrastructure.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hannes Jochen Koenig, Sandra Uthes, Emu-Felicitas Ostermann-Miyashita, Luca Eufemia, Karoline Hemminger, Till Hermanns, Claudia Bethwell, Ulrich Stachow, Katharina Helming
Summary: The study assessed land management strategies and alternative pathways in five biosphere reserves in Germany using the Framework for Participatory Impact Assessment. The results showed variations in the sustainability challenges and problems faced by different regional biosphere reserves. Continuing current practices could lead to negative impacts, and recommendations and challenges for sustainable management were discussed.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Emu-Felicitas Ostermann-Miyashita, Nadja Pernat, Hannes J. Koenig, Karoline Hemminger, Nina Gandl, Sonoko Dorothea Bellingrath-Kimura, Sophia Hibler, Christian Kiffner
Summary: Understanding the factors that influence people's attitudes towards wildlife species is crucial for promoting human-wildlife coexistence. In this study, we investigated the attitudes of visitors to two wildlife parks in Germany towards three returning wildlife species. We used questionnaire responses and statistical analysis to examine the influence of sociodemographic background and formal knowledge on attitudes towards each species. Our findings suggest that enhancing knowledge about wildlife could be a key strategy for improving attitudes towards wildlife, highlighting the importance of environmental education programs and outreach activities.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hendrik Bluhm, Tom A. A. Diserens, Thomas Engleder, Kaja Heising, Marco Heurich, Tomas Janik, Miloslav Jirku, Daniel Klich, Hannes J. J. Koenig, Rafal Kowalczyk, Dries Kuijper, Weronika Maslanko, Frank-Uwe Michler, Wiebke Neumann, Julian Oeser, Wanda Olech, Kajetan Perzanowski, Miroslaw Ratkiewicz, Dusan Romportl, Martin Salek, Tobias Kuemmerle
Summary: This study aimed to assess the opportunities and limitations for range expansions of European bison and moose in Central Europe. It found widespread suitable habitats for these two species, but also identified human pressure and natural barriers that restrict their recolonization. Conservation measures restoring connectivity are needed to allow these large herbivores to expand their historical ranges.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Christian Kiffner, Sandra Uthes, Emu-Felicitas Ostermann-Miyashita, Verena Harms, Hannes J. Koenig
Summary: Predation on livestock presents a challenge for human-carnivore coexistence in agricultural landscapes. This study analyzed 14 years of monitoring data to understand the consequences of wolf recolonization in Germany. The results showed correlations between predation on livestock, farm type, and livestock species, and identified temporal patterns of livestock loss. The study calls for increased prevention methods during times of elevated predation risk.
FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Emu-Felicitas Ostermann-Miyashita, Hannes J. Koenig, Nadja Pernat, Sonoko Dorothea Bellingrath-Kimura, Sophia Hibler, Christian Kiffner
Summary: Successful conservation efforts have led to the recovery of large mammals in central Europe. However, the return of these species is controversial and can lead to conflicts. Involving the public in monitoring and managing wildlife can be effective in mitigating these conflicts. A survey conducted in wildlife parks in Germany found that visitors had high knowledge of wolves but lower knowledge of bison and moose. Exposure to the species and demographic variables influenced visitors' knowledge. Younger participants and those with higher knowledge were more willing to participate in citizen science activities. These findings provide insights for effectively recruiting citizen scientists for wildlife conservation.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hannes J. Koenig, Silvia Ceausu, Mark Reed, Helen Kendall, Karoline Hemminger, Henrik Reinke, Emu-Felicitas Ostermann-Miyashita, Elena Wenz, Luca Eufemia, Till Hermanns, Moritz Klose, Marcin Spyra, Tobias Kuemmerle, Adam T. Ford
Summary: As wild areas disappear and agricultural lands expand, it is increasingly important to understand how people and wildlife can coexist. Human-wildlife conflicts are obstacles to coexistence, negatively impacting both wildlife populations and human livelihoods. Different frameworks have been developed to understand and mitigate these conflicts, with the proposed integrated framework aiming to provide a comprehensive approach to analyzing the complex challenges of human-wildlife conflicts.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Christian Kiffner, Isabel Schaal, Leah Cass, Kiri Peirce, Olivia Sussman, Ashley Grueser, Ellie Wachtel, Hayley Adams, Krissie Clark, Hannes J. Koenig, John Kioko
Summary: This study assessed the effectiveness of chili and beehive fences in mitigating crop raiding by African elephants, finding a discrepancy between farmer perception and actual data, as well as greater adoption potential for chili fences.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hyeyeon Sarah Jin, Karoline Hemminger, Jonathan J. Fong, Claudia Sattler, SueKyoung Lee, Claudia Bieling, Hannes J. Koenig
Summary: Biodiversity conservation in protected areas requires strict legal limitations to land use. In the Civilian Control Zone (CCZ) of the Republic of Korea, military control has unintentionally created a sanctuary for rare crane species. Stakeholders' varying land use demands in the CCZ have led to disagreements in cooperative crane conservation efforts. Through Net-Map interviews, 44 stakeholders were identified in the Cheorwon Basin, with trust relations occurring twice as often as conflicts. Over 80% of stakeholders supported crane conservation initiatives, with local farmers' increased environmental stewardship attributed to community-led farming projects and effective communication channels.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Emu-Felicitas Ostermann-Miyashita, Nadja Pernat, Hannes J. Koenig
Summary: Insufficient knowledge transmission and tolerance toward environmental protection measures pose challenges to biodiversity conservation. Citizen science can effectively complement research in solving human-wildlife conflicts, while also fostering public understanding and involvement in wildlife conservation.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2021)