| 1. |
- Hudson, Lawrence N, et al.
(author)
-
The database of the PREDICTS (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems) project
- 2017
-
In: Ecology and Evolution. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2045-7758. ; 7:1, s. 145-188
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The PREDICTS project-Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems (www.predicts.org.uk)-has collated from published studies a large, reasonably representative database of comparable samples of biodiversity from multiple sites that differ in the nature or intensity of human impacts relating to land use. We have used this evidence base to develop global and regional statistical models of how local biodiversity responds to these measures. We describe and make freely available this 2016 release of the database, containing more than 3.2 million records sampled at over 26,000 locations and representing over 47,000 species. We outline how the database can help in answering a range of questions in ecology and conservation biology. To our knowledge, this is the largest and most geographically and taxonomically representative database of spatial comparisons of biodiversity that has been collated to date; it will be useful to researchers and international efforts wishing to model and understand the global status of biodiversity.
|
|
| 2. |
- Strauch, Ayron M., et al.
(author)
-
Spatial analysis of domestic water use and rural livelihoods in a semi-arid African highland
- 2021
-
In: Journal of Arid Environments. - : Elsevier BV. - 0140-1963. ; 194
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Rural communities throughout sub-Sahara Africa are hampered by unequal access to water resources, economic markets, and transportation. Further, development programs do not always provide uniform access to water supply, especially in water scarce regions. With a growing concern over the limited supply of ecosystem services, the need to understand how the complex realities of water use is affected by socio-cultural factors—including household tenure, size, income, and resource management practices—is urgent. This study uses qualitative (e.g., group discussions, village community mapping, key-informant interviews) data to inform quantitative models that test for spatial relationships among factors governing rural livelihoods among water sources across a village in Northern Tanzania. Models identified the social, environmental, and economic factors that affect a households’: 1) ability to meet the UN's minimum per capita threshold for water use; and 2) total domestic water use. These results reinforce the importance of family size, access to transportation, and water governance strategies affecting rural water use. The integration of traditional resource management with regional governance policies improved water use and protected water supplies. Investments in water infrastructure need to consider how additional supplies affect access to and management of resources across water scarce landscapes.
|
|
| 3. |
- Cooke, Steven J., et al.
(author)
-
A freshwater perspective on the United Nations decade for ecosystem restoration
- 2022
-
In: Conservation Science and Practice. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2578-4854. ; 4:11
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Globally, ecosystems have suffered from anthropogenic stressors as we enter the sixth mass extinction within the Anthropocene. In response, the UN has declared 2020-2030 the Decade for Ecosystem Restoration, aiming to mitigate ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss. Freshwater ecosystems are disproportionately impacted relative to marine or terrestrial systems and ecological restoration is needed to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services. Paradoxically, freshwater is among Earth's most vital ecosystem services. Here we identify meaningful considerations from a freshwater perspective that will lead to progression toward the restoration of freshwater ecosystems: work across terrestrial and freshwater boundaries during restoration, emulate nature, think and act on a watershed scale, design for environmental heterogeneity, mitigate threats alongside restoration, identify bright spots, think long term (a decade is not long enough), and embrace social-ecological systems thinking. Further, we reflect upon the three implementation pathways identified by the UN to translate these considerations into practice in hopes of "bending the curve" for freshwater biodiversity and ecosystems. Pathway 1, building a global movement, could create a network to share experiences and knowledge promoting vicarious learning, ultimately leading to more effective restoration. Pathway 2, generating political support, will be necessary to institutionalize ecosystem protection and restoration by demonstrating the value of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity. Pathway 3, building technical capacity, aims to improve the current and often ineffective restoration toolbox by incorporating evidence syntheses (i.e., appraisal of evidence base) and Indigenous ways of knowing (i.e., two eyed seeing). Given that freshwater ecosystems are in dire need of repair, it is our hope that these considerations and implementation pathways will contribute to an actionable and productive Decade for Ecosystem Restoration.
|
|
