Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hector Abarca, Alejandra Moran-Ordonez, Dani Villero, Daniel Guinart, Lluis Brotons, Virgilio Hermoso
Summary: Despite the conservation efforts made in the European Union, the decline of biodiversity continues. The Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 aims to address this by expanding protected areas and improving their effectiveness. This study demonstrates the use of a spatial optimisation tool to design a multi-zoning scheme for the Natura 2000 network, integrating species and habitat distributions as well as human activities. The findings show little trade-offs between nature conservation and human uses, but spatial trade-offs may arise as management zones become more fragmented for larger human use targets.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Katharina Teschke, Rebecca Konijnenberg, Hendrik Pehlke, Thomas Brey
Summary: This study compares different reserve configurations used in the process of designing a Weddell Sea MPA in Antarctica using univariate and multivariate statistics. The results show that different target level settings for conservation features significantly affect the configuration of the solutions. The mixed-target scenario was found to be the most flexible and well balanced, providing multiple options for consideration.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Maurits P. M. van Zinnicq Bergmann, Tristan L. Guttridge, Matthew J. Smukall, Vanessa M. Adams, Mark E. Bond, Patrick J. Burke, Mariana M. P. B. Fuentes, Dennis D. U. Heinrich, Charlie Huveneers, Samuel H. Gruber, Yannis P. Papastamatiou
Summary: Marine protected areas (MPAs) play an increasingly important role in regulating fishing and conserving marine biodiversity. However, their design often lacks sufficient ecological knowledge of the species they aim to protect. This study addresses this issue by combining movement models and systematic conservation planning to investigate the design and adequacy of MPAs in Bimini, The Bahamas. The results show the need for additional MPAs to protect important habitats for multiple elasmobranch species, and demonstrate the effectiveness of an integrative approach for optimizing MPA designs for marine predator communities.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kai Li, Ying Hou, Qi Fu, Mark Taylor Randall, Peter Stubkjaer Andersen, Mingkun Qiu, Hans Skov-Petersen
Summary: The degradation of ecosystems poses a threat to human wellbeing, making the conservation of ecosystem services urgent. The identification of conservation areas is crucial for successful conservation initiatives. However, different decision-making preferences have not been fully integrated into ecosystem service conservation area identification. This study integrates decision-making preferences of cost-effectiveness, sustainable supply, and social benefit into identifying ecosystem service conservation areas.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Natalia Boulad, Sattam Al Shogoor, Wahib Sahwan, Nedal Al-Ouran, Brigitta Schuett
Summary: The present study analyzes and reviews the national protected areas network in Jordan using systematic conservation planning. The study highlights the need to extend the boundaries of existing reserves and reconsider the inclusion of proposed protected areas. It emphasizes the importance of having conservation areas between the western and eastern parts of Jordan.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jose Don T. De Alban, Bryan Po Ian Leong, Ruben Venegas-Li, Grant M. Connette, Johanness Jamaludin, Kyaw Thinn Latt, Patrick Oswald, Carl Reeder, Edward L. Webb
Summary: The existing PA network in Tanintharyi Region in Myanmar underrepresented threatened wildlife species and forest types, especially mangroves. By expanding protection areas, including specific strategies for mangrove forests, the target representation for all wildlife species and forest types can be achieved. However, large oil palm agribusiness concessions may compete with conservation interests in priority conservation areas.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Virgilio Hermoso, Gerard Bota, Lluis Brotons, Alejandra Moran-Ordonez
Summary: Photovoltaic production is growing globally, but its unplanned growth often leads to conflicts with other land uses such as agriculture and biodiversity conservation. Adequate planning is urgently needed to minimize these conflicts. A case study in Catalonia, Spain demonstrates how to identify priority areas for photovoltaic development and achieve regional targets while considering agriculture and biodiversity conservation. Setting targets at the whole regional scale was the only way to achieve photovoltaic targets, but it resulted in heterogeneous distribution of development efforts and impacts. Setting targets based on available area led to the most equitable distribution while approaching the regional target. Proper planning of photovoltaic development is crucial to avoid negative impacts on other land uses.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jing Li, Yiyan Sun, Li Wang, Yuan Wang
Summary: The study identifies priority conservation areas in Anhui Province based on systematic conservation planning theory and suggests expanding the protected area network to enhance conservation benefits for biodiversity and key ecosystem services.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jinke Chen, Junbing Pu, Jianhong Li, Tao Zhang
Summary: The underground river watersheds in karst areas are experiencing degradation of ecosystem functions, hindering human benefits. This study evaluated net primary productivity, water yield, and soil retention in the Nandong underground river watershed in southern China. The results showed an overall increase in net primary productivity, water yield, and soil retention. Land use was found to be an important factor influencing ecosystem services, and areas with high incidence of rocky desertification had severe conflicts among ecosystem services. This study provides a reference for regional governments to understand the future state of the ecosystem.
GEOCARTO INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Shekoufeh Nematollahi, Sima Fakheran, Ali Jafari, Saeid Pourmanafi, Felix Kienast
Summary: One of the key purposes of conservation selection strategies is to design a network of sites to support relevant biodiversity components and decrease the risk of isolated populations. This study focuses on optimizing the conservation network for six target species in the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province in Iran. The results show that the north-western and southern regions should be given high conservation priority, while the habitats in the north-central region should act as stepping-stone areas between isolated regions.
JOURNAL FOR NATURE CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Xiaofei Hu, Linfeng Wei, Qi Cheng, Xingqi Wu, Jian Ni
Summary: Climate change poses a threat to ecosystems and their function. This study investigates climate-smart planning for protected areas in the Tibetan Plateau under climate change scenarios. The results show that considering climate impacts in protected area planning can help minimize economic and climate costs but there is still a need to protect 58% of gap areas. Therefore, six adjustable areas in the eastern and southern Tibetan Plateau with complex ecological functions under future climate scenarios have been identified.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yonglin Mu, Yun Guo, Xiaowen Li, Peng Li, Junhong Bai, Simon Linke, Baoshan Cui
Summary: Conservation and restoration are two separate approaches to ecosystem management, but restoration can provide additional benefits in limited resource situations. This study proposes a methodological framework for integrating conservation and restoration based on multiple ecosystem services, aiming to identify the best pattern for cost-effective conservation and restoration.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Vanessa M. Adams, Nadya Dimitrova, Hugh P. Possingham, James R. Allan, Caitlin D. Kuempel, Nate Peterson, Alu Kaiye, Malcolm Keako, Vivitskaia J. D. Tulloch
Summary: Systematic conservation planning identifies priority areas and requires incremental scheduling of actions to ensure the construction of a reserve network that meets all conservation targets.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ibon Galparsoro, Angel Borja
Summary: Effective marine management involves evaluating tradeoffs between protection and economic costs, with integrated approaches to achieve nature conservation and sustainability targets. A systematic conservation planning method was used to identify cost-effective priority marine areas, showing that existing marine protected areas are close to achieving protection targets and can be extended. Higher costs are associated with more protection features, but their cost/effectiveness is higher, with extension of existing MPAs being the most cost-effective scenarios. The approach proposed can assist in identifying conservation gaps and ecosystem components for ecosystem-based marine spatial planning.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Yakup Emre Coruhlu, Mehmet Ozgur Celik
Summary: This study aims to standardize Turkish land administration and incorporate geographical datasets into e-government platforms. The results indicate the need to prepare UML diagrams for all protected areas and integrate them into TNGIS. Moreover, it is necessary to use these protected areas in a more controlled manner within the dynamic structure of the GIS system to cope with urban pressure.
Article
Environmental Studies
Silvia Serrao-Neumann, Pazit Taygfeld, Emma F. Asbridge, Brendan Mackey, Kerrylee Rogers, Darryl Low Choy
Summary: Human agency is crucial in addressing environmental change, but there is a need to overcome structural barriers. By harnessing the temporal and projective attributes of human agency, social actors can exert influence over the future and create solutions. However, relying solely on scenario planning and adaptation pathways planning may not be sufficient to overturn structural barriers in the short-term.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND GOVERNANCE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Angela J. Dean, Kerrie A. Wilson
Summary: The loss and degradation of nature can lead to hopelessness and despair, but fostering hope and optimism can motivate engagement in conservation actions without undermining the recognition of conservation challenges. This finding is important for increasing conservation engagement.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Erik Meijaard, Douglas Sheil, Julie Sherman, Liana Chua, Safwanah Ni'matullah, Kerrie Wilson, Marc Ancrenaz, Darmawan Liswanto, Serge A. Wich, Benoit Goossens, Hjalmar S. Kuehl, Maria Voigt, Yaya Rayadin, Yuyun Kurniawan, Agus Trianto, Dolly Priatna, Graham L. Banes, Emily Massingham, John Payne, Andrew J. Marshall
Summary: This study evaluates the impacts of the Half-Earth and Whole-Earth conservation visions on the conservation of Bornean orangutans. The findings suggest that the Half-Earth approach is comparatively easier to achieve and is projected to result in an orangutan population of around 87% of its current size by 2032. The Whole-Earth approach, on the other hand, may lead to greater forest loss and ape killing, resulting in a prediction of only 44% of the current orangutan population by 2032.
Review
Biology
Anazelia M. M. Tedesco, Pedro H. S. Brancalion, Michelle L. Hak Hepburn, Khalil Walji, Kerrie A. A. Wilson, Hugh P. P. Possingham, Angela J. J. Dean, Nick Nugent, Katerina Elias-Trostmann, Katharina-Victoria Perez-Hammerle, Jonathan R. R. Rhodes
Summary: Forest restoration is a scalable nature-based solution that aims to achieve global environmental and socio-economic goals. Incentive mechanisms play a crucial role in promoting restoration success, but their impact is not well-understood. Socio-economic factors have a significant influence on implementation and program success, highlighting the importance of assessing and managing these factors.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Benjamin S. Halpern, Carl Boettiger, Michael C. Dietze, Jessica A. Gephart, Patrick Gonzalez, Nancy B. Grimm, Peter M. Groffman, Jessica Gurevitch, Sarah E. Hobbie, Kimberly J. Komatsu, Kristy J. Kroeker, Heather J. Lahr, David M. Lodge, Christopher J. Lortie, Julie S. S. Lowndes, Fiorenza Micheli, Hugh P. Possingham, Mary H. Ruckelshaus, Courtney Scarborough, Chelsea L. Wood, Grace C. Wu, Lina Aoyama, Eva E. Arroyo, Christie A. Bahlai, Erin E. Beller, Rachael E. Blake, Karrigan S. Bork, Trevor A. Branch, Norah E. M. Brown, Julien Brun, Emilio M. Bruna, Lauren B. Buckley, Jessica L. Burnett, Max C. N. Castorani, Samantha H. Cheng, Sarah C. Cohen, Jessica L. Couture, Larry B. Crowder, Laura E. Dee, Arildo S. Dias, Ignacio J. Diaz-Maroto, Martha R. Downs, Joan C. Dudney, Erle C. Ellis, Kyle A. Emery, Jacob G. Eurich, Bridget E. Ferriss, Alexa Fredston, Hikaru Furukawa, Sara A. Gagne, Sarah R. Garlick, Colin J. Garroway, Kaitlyn M. Gaynor, Angelica L. Gonzalez, Eliza M. Grames, Tamar Guy-Haim, Ed Hackett, Lauren M. Hallett, Tamara K. Harms, Danielle E. Haulsee, Kyle J. Haynes, Elliott L. Hazen, Rebecca M. Jarvis, Kristal Jones, Gaurav S. Kandlikar, Dustin W. Kincaid, Matthew L. Knope, Anil Koirala, Jurek Kolasa, John S. Kominoski, Julia Koricheva, Lesley T. Lancaster, Jake A. Lawlor, Heili E. Lowman, Frank E. Muller-Karger, Kari E. A. Norman, Nan Nourn, Casey C. O'Hara, Suzanne X. Ou, Jacqueline L. Padilla-Gamino, Paula Pappalardo, Ryan A. Peek, Dominique Pelletier, Stephen Plont, Lauren C. Ponisio, Cristina Portales-Reyes, Diogo B. Provete, Eric J. Raes, Carlos Ramirez-Reyes, Irene Ramos, Sydne Record, Anthony J. Richardson, Roberto Salguero-Gomez, Erin Satterthwaite, Chloe Schmidt, Aaron J. Schwartz, Craig R. See, Brendan D. Shea, Rachel S. Smith, Eric R. Sokol, Christopher T. Solomon, Trisha Spanbauer, Paris Stefanoudis, Beckett W. Sterner, Vitor Sudbrack, Jonathan D. Tonkin, Ashley R. Townes, Mireia Valle, Jonathan A. Walter, Kathryn Wheeler, William R. Wieder, David R. Williams, Marten Winter, Barbora Winterova, Lucy C. Woodall, Adam S. Wymore, Casey Youngflesh
Summary: Synthesis research in ecology and environmental science is important for improving understanding, advancing theory, identifying research priorities, and supporting management strategies. A virtual workshop with participants from different countries and disciplines was held to discuss how synthesis can address key questions and themes in the field in the next decade. Seven priority research topics and two issues regarding synthesis practices were identified, providing a strategic vision for future synthesis in ecology and environmental science.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Robyn James, Jonathan R. B. Fisher, Chelsea Carlos-Grotjahn, Marissa S. Boylan, Baigalmaa Dembereldash, Meaza Z. Demissie, Crystal Diaz De Villegas, Bridget Gibbs, Ruth Konia, Kristen Lyons, Hugh Possingham, Cathy J. Robinson, Tiantian Tang, Nathalie Butt
Summary: Globally, women are underrepresented in addressing the climate and biodiversity loss crises. A survey among conservation and science staff at The Nature Conservancy revealed that men have more influence in conservation and science decision making, women face gender bias and multiple barriers in their conservation careers, and experience harassment and discrimination. Men perceive the sector as more equitable for women than women themselves. Gender equality does not eliminate systemic inequity, which can be exacerbated by intersectional issues. Recommendations include workplace and cultural change, recruitment improvements, pay transparency, and career development policies.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jan-Olaf Meynecke, Saumik Samanta, Jasper de Bie, Elisa Seyboth, Subhra Prakash Dey, Giles Fearon, Marcello Vichi, Ken Findlay, Alakendra Roychoudhury, Brendan Mackey
Summary: Whales have been labeled as climate savers in the media, but there is limited scientific evidence to support this claim. While whales do remove carbon from the atmosphere and contribute to the ocean carbon cycle, the amount they sequester may not have a significant impact on climate change. Overstating their role as climate engineers may distract from other effective methods of reducing greenhouse gases.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Development Studies
Andrew Buckwell, Christopher Fleming, Glenn Bush, Joseph Zambo Mandea, Fitalew Taye, Brendan Mackey
Summary: Primary forest conservation is crucial for addressing climate change, achieving conservation goals, and sustainable development. Compensation schemes for communities should consider local deforestation drivers and preferences for social investments over cash. Q-methodology revealed three discourses in Congolese communities, all emphasizing forest conservation and preferring social investment compensation. Attitudes towards farming varied, with some demonstrating a commitment to learning better practices, others confident in farming livelihoods, and a third group conflicted about the impact of farming on forest conservation.
JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Brodie Verrall, Patrick Norman, Brendan Mackey, Scout Fisher, Jack Dodd
Summary: Climate and vegetation changes were observed in the alpine area surrounding Mount Kosciuszko in Australia, with increased temperatures and summer precipitation, decreased snow cover and winter precipitation. Vegetation dynamics were characterized by the densification of subalpine woodlands and replacement of dry and wet heathlands. Wildfires had negative impacts on vegetation recovery and development.
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Susanne Becken, Brendan Mackey, David S. Lee
Summary: Aviation heavily relies on liquid fossil fuel, but sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) are proposed as a solution. Analysis of aviation roadmaps for net zero 2050 shows a reliance on biogenic SAF in the short term and synthetic e-kerosene in the long term. However, scaling up SAF production poses challenges as it competes with land needed for carbon removal, clean energy, and CO2 storage. The conflict between SAF production and global climate goals is not recognized in the roadmaps or public debate.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hubert Cheung, Yutong Phoenix Feng, Amy Hinsley, Tien Ming Lee, Hugh P. Possingham, Stephen N. Smith, Laura Thomas-Walters, Yifu Wang, Duan Biggs
Summary: Political will is crucial for the success of environmental policies, and aligning environmental solutions with the core interests of policymakers makes them more politically feasible. Understanding decision-makers' political agendas helps identify areas where political will already exists, enabling environmental objectives to be achieved.
Article
Environmental Studies
Brendan Mackey, Edward Morgan, Heather Keith
Summary: This paper presents a framework for evaluating the integrity of forest ecosystems, using ecosystem autopoiesis as the key principle and applying four criteria and nine indicators. The use of the three-pillar framework, including ecosystem integrity, is illustrated through three hypothetical forest landscape cases, providing practical, consistent, repeatable, and comparable information for stakeholders and decision makers.
LANDSCAPE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Christina A. Buelow, Rod M. Connolly, Jillian C. Dunic, Laura Griffiths, Briana Holgate, Shing Yip Lee, Brendan G. Mackey, Paul S. Maxwell, Ryan M. Pearson, Anusha Rajkaran, Michael Sievers, Ana I. Sousa, Vivitskaia J. D. Tulloch, Mischa P. Turschwell, Jaramar Villarreal-Rosas, Christopher J. Brown
Summary: Global theories of change can guide conservation and sustainable use of Earth's ecosystems, but translating them into actionable items can be challenging. This study presents a framework for developing ecosystem-specific theories of change that consider feasibility based on national socioeconomic and political contexts. It uses coastal wetlands as a case study and identifies different enabling profiles for conservation actions.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michael Sievers, Christopher J. Brown, Jennifer Mcgowan, Mischa P. Turschwell, Christina A. Buelow, Briana Holgate, Ryan M. Pearson, Maria F. Adame, Dominic A. Andradi-Brown, Andy Arnell, Brendan G. Mackey, Philine S. E. zu Ermgassen, Joe Gosling, Chris J. Mcowen, Thomas A. Worthington, Rod M. Connolly
Summary: Mangrove forests provide unique biodiversity and ecosystem services that benefit people. Protecting and restoring these forests is important, and generating asset maps of biodiversity and ecosystem services is crucial for conservation planning. Our study combines global datasets to provide insights into the potential trade-offs, synergies, and opportunities from mangrove conservation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Natalya M. Maitz, Martin F. J. Taylor, Michelle S. Ward, Hugh P. Possingham
Summary: Australia's national environmental legislation, the EPBC Act, is criticized for its failure to mitigate the national extinction crisis, as it does not adequately protect threatened species and habitats.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2023)