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Holden P, Anderson M, Eckardt F, Ziervogel G, Jack SL, New MG, Smit J, Visser M, Hoffman MT. Importance of methodological pluralism in deriving counterfactuals for evidence-based conservation. Conserv Biol 2024:e14285. [PMID: 38686632 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Most protected area impact research that uses counterfactuals draws heavily on quantitative methods, data, and knowledge types, making it valuable in producing generalizations but limited in temporal scope, historical detail, and habitat diversity and coverage of ecosystem services. We devised a methodological pluralistic approach, which supports social science qualitative methods, narratives, mixed methods, and interdisciplinarity, to fully unlock the potential of counterfactuals in ensuring a place-based and detailed understanding of the socioecological context and impacts of protected areas. We applied this approach to derive possible counterfactual conditions for the impact of a montane protected area on 40 years of vegetation change in the Cape Floristic Region-a global biodiversity hotspot and UNESCO World Heritage Site in South Africa. We incorporated diverse methods, knowledge, and information sources, drawing on before-after protected area comparisons for inside and outside the protected area. A significant increase in shrubland vegetation (17-30%) was observed and attributed primarily to a decline in frequent burning for grazing. This also occurred outside the protected area and was driven by socioeconomic drivers and not by concerns over biodiversity conservation or land degradation. Had the protected area not been established the area would have seen intensification of cultivation and increased road networks, buildings, and water storage in dams. Our approach increased historical temporal coverage of socioecological change and contextualized assumptions around causality. Protected area impact evaluation should reengage in place-based research that fully incorporates pluralism in methodologies for constructing counterfactuals in a way that builds regional and global understanding from the local level upward. We devised 10 key principles for deriving counterfactuals grounded in methodological pluralism, covering aspects of collaboration, cocreation, inter- and transdisciplinarity, diverse values and lived experiences, multiple knowledge types, multiple possible causal mechanisms, social science qualitative methods, perceptions, perspectives, and narratives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Holden
- African Climate and Development Initiative, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Plant Conservation Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Molly Anderson
- African Climate and Development Initiative, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Environmental and Geographical Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Frank Eckardt
- Environmental and Geographical Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Gina Ziervogel
- African Climate and Development Initiative, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Environmental and Geographical Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Samuel L Jack
- Plant Conservation Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mark G New
- African Climate and Development Initiative, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Environmental and Geographical Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Julian Smit
- Department of Civil Engineering and Geomatics, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Martine Visser
- School of Economics, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - M Timm Hoffman
- Plant Conservation Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Cosma S, Rimo G, Cosma S. Conservation finance: What are we not doing? A review and research agenda. J Environ Manage 2023; 336:117649. [PMID: 36870317 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Conservation finance embraces a series of innovative financing mechanisms aimed at raising and managing capital to be used for the conservation of biodiversity. The climate emergency and the pursuit of sustainable development underline the criticality of financial support for achieving this goal. Funding for the protection of biodiversity, in fact, has long been disbursed by governments in a residual form, only after they have dealt with social needs and political challenges. To date, the main challenge of conservation finance is to identify solutions that not only generate new revenue for biodiversity, but also effectively manage and allocate existing funding to provide a mix of social and community benefits as well. The paper, therefore, aims to act as a wake-up call, urging academics working in economics and finance to turn their attention to resolving the financial problems faced by conservation. Through a comparative bibliometric analysis, the study aims to outline the structure of scientific research on the topic of conservation finance, to understand the state of the art, and to identify open questions and new research trends. The results of the study show that the topic of conservation finance is currently a prerogative of scholars and journals of ecology, biology and environmental sciences. Finance scholars pay very little attention to the topic and yet there are many opportunities/needs for future research. The results are of interest to researchers in banking and finance, policy-makers and managers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Cosma
- Department of Management, University of Bologna, Via Capo di, Lucca, 34, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Rimo
- Department of Economics, University of Salento, Via per Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy.
| | - Stefano Cosma
- Department of Economics Marco Biagi, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
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Giles AB, Scanes P, Dickson A, Adam B, Kelaher B. Drones are an effective tool to assess the impact of feral horses in an alpine riparian environment. AUSTRAL ECOL 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.13271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Barbara Giles
- National Marine Science Centre Southern Cross University Coffs Harbour New South Wales Australia
| | - Peter Scanes
- Water Wetlands and Coastal Science, Environment and Heritage Group NSW Department of Planning and Environment Lidcombe New South Wales Australia
| | - Adrian Dickson
- Water Wetlands and Coastal Science, Environment and Heritage Group NSW Department of Planning and Environment Lidcombe New South Wales Australia
| | - Brian Adam
- National Marine Science Centre Southern Cross University Coffs Harbour New South Wales Australia
| | - Brendan Kelaher
- National Marine Science Centre Southern Cross University Coffs Harbour New South Wales Australia
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Seymour CL, Gillson L, Child MF, Tolley KA, Curie JC, da Silva JM, Alexander GJ, Anderson P, Downs CT, Egoh BN, Ehlers Smith DA, Ehlers Smith YC, Esler KJ, O’Farrell PJ, Skowno AL, Suleman E, Veldtman R. Horizon scanning for South African biodiversity: A need for social engagement as well as science. Ambio 2020; 49:1211-1221. [PMID: 31564051 PMCID: PMC7128016 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-019-01252-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A horizon scan was conducted to identify emerging and intensifying issues for biodiversity conservation in South Africa over the next 5-10 years. South African biodiversity experts submitted 63 issues of which ten were identified as priorities using the Delphi method. These priority issues were then plotted along axes of social agreement and scientific certainty, to ascertain whether issues might be "simple" (amenable to solutions from science alone), "complicated" (socially agreed upon but technically complicated), "complex" (scientifically challenging and significant levels of social disagreement) or "chaotic" (high social disagreement and highly scientifically challenging). Only three of the issues were likely to be resolved by improved science alone, while the remainder require engagement with social, economic and political factors. Fortunately, none of the issues were considered chaotic. Nevertheless, strategic communication, education and engagement with the populace and policy makers were considered vital for addressing emerging issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen L. Seymour
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Private Bag X7, Claremont, 7735 South Africa
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701 South Africa
| | - Lindsey Gillson
- Plant Conservation Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701 South Africa
| | - Matthew F. Child
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Private Bag X7, Claremont, 7735 South Africa
- Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20 Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028 South Africa
| | - Krystal A. Tolley
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Private Bag X7, Claremont, 7735 South Africa
- Department of Zoology, Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park, 2000 South Africa
| | - Jock C. Curie
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Private Bag X7, Claremont, 7735 South Africa
- Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, PO Box 77000, Port Elizabeth, 6031 South Africa
| | - Jessica M. da Silva
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Private Bag X7, Claremont, 7735 South Africa
- Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag x1, Matieland, 7602 South Africa
| | - Graham J. Alexander
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2050 South Africa
| | - Pippin Anderson
- Department of Environmental and Geographical Science, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701 South Africa
| | - Colleen T. Downs
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209 South Africa
| | - Benis N. Egoh
- Department of Earth System Science, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697 USA
| | - David A. Ehlers Smith
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209 South Africa
| | - Yvette C. Ehlers Smith
- Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209 South Africa
| | - Karen J. Esler
- Centre for Invasion Biology and Department of Conservation Ecology & Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag x1, Matieland, 7602 South Africa
| | - Patrick J. O’Farrell
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, PO Box 320, Stellenbosch, 7599 South Africa
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701 South Africa
| | - Andrew L. Skowno
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Private Bag X7, Claremont, 7735 South Africa
- Plant Conservation Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701 South Africa
| | - Essa Suleman
- NextGen Health Cluster, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, P.O. Box 395, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa
- National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), 232 Boom Street, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa
| | - Ruan Veldtman
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Private Bag X7, Claremont, 7735 South Africa
- Department of Conservation Ecology & Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag x1, Matieland, 7602 South Africa
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Cardona-almeida C, Obregón N, Canales FA. An Integrative Dynamic Model of Colombian Population Distribution, Based on the Maximum Entropy Principle and Matter, Energy, and Information Flow. Entropy 2019; 21:1172. [DOI: 10.3390/e21121172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Human society has increased its capacity to exploit natural resources thanks to new technologies, which are one of the results of information exchange in the knowledge society. Many approaches to understanding the interactions between human society and natural systems have been developed in the last decades, and some have included considerations about information. However, none of them has considered information as an active variable or flowing entity in the human–natural/social-ecological system, or, moreover, even as a driving force of their interactions. This paper explores these interactions in socio-ecological systems by briefly introducing a conceptual frame focused on the exchange of information, matter, and energy. The human population is presented as a convergence variable of these three physical entities, and a population distribution model for Colombia is developed based on the maximum entropy principle to integrate the balances of related variables as macro-state restrictions. The selected variables were electrical consumption, water demand, and higher education rates (energy, matter, and information). The final model includes statistical moments for previous population distributions. It is shown how population distribution can be predicted yearly by combining these variables, allowing future dynamics exploration. The implications of this model can contribute to bridging information sciences and sustainability studies.
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Abstract
This study proposes a two-tier scenario planning model, consisting of scenario development and policy portfolio planning, to demonstrate the environmental sustainability policy planning process. Scenario development embodies future scenarios that incorporate the uncertainties regarding the decision values and technological alternatives. Policy portfolio planning is used to assess the selected policy alternatives under each scenario and to develop a robust and responsive plan. We organized first- and second-tier committees of 10–12 experts from diverse professional fields to undertake environmental sustainability policy planning in Taiwan. The first-tier committee generated three scenarios: “live at the mercy of the elements”, “industry convergence”, and “technology pilot”. The second-tier committee ensured that, from cradle-to-cradle (C2C), green supply chain management (GSCM), and industry symbiosis (IS), life-cycle type policies enhance green willingness and capabilities in the businesses. This is the first study to consider the first-tier process with scenario development and the second-tier process with policy portfolio planning for environmental sustainability, and contributes by considering intuitive logics approach-based scenarios and robust policies for extant portfolio plans, providing life-cycle- type policy profiles in environmental sustainability.
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Mehring M, Bernard B, Hummel D, Liehr S, Lux A. Halting biodiversity loss: how social–ecological biodiversity research makes a difference. International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services & Management 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/21513732.2017.1289246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marion Mehring
- ISOE – Institute for Social-Ecological Research, Biodiversity and People, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center BiK-F, Ecosystem Services and Climate, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Barbara Bernard
- ISOE – Institute for Social-Ecological Research, Biodiversity and People, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center BiK-F, Ecosystem Services and Climate, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Advisory Council on the Environment, Zoological Garden Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Diana Hummel
- ISOE – Institute for Social-Ecological Research, Biodiversity and People, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center BiK-F, Ecosystem Services and Climate, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stefan Liehr
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center BiK-F, Ecosystem Services and Climate, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- ISOE – Institute for Social-Ecological Research, Water Resources and Land Use, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Alexandra Lux
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center BiK-F, Ecosystem Services and Climate, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- ISOE – Institute for Social-Ecological Research, Transdisciplinary Methods and Concept, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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