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Guo Y, Bai R, Hong T. Transboundary cooperation in Arctic climate change governance under geopolitical tensions. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 358:120855. [PMID: 38614007 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Political conflicts or geopolitical tensions can create uncertainty in addressing climate change and environmental management in the Arctic. Dissecting how actors interact with each other and form networks is important for understanding ecological and environmental management challenges during geopolitical tensions, as well as promoting better governance. We construct transboundary networks for Arctic climate change governance (ACCG) from 2013 to 2021 based on the Global Database of Events, Language, and Tone (GDELT). Further, we used network descriptive statistical analysis and Temporal Exponential Random Graph Models (TERGM) to explore the structure of ACCG networks and the key factors influencing cooperation formation. The findings suggest that the overall cooperation density of the ACCG is low, and the dominant position of core actors is continuously strengthening. Non-state actors are less likely to be seen as partners and their participation depends largely on cooperation with states. The results also show that actors with similar stances and problem exposure are more likely to cooperate, but those exposed to high latitudes often choose not to cooperate; first-comers are more likely to perceive as cooperating yet they are inclined to establish internal cooperation. Additionally, two geographically proximate actors are more likely to cooperate. This indicates that under geopolitical tensions, the ACCG faces challenges not only due to the limited capacity of non-state actors to perform transboundary functions but also because the cooperation mechanisms are influenced by regional political logic. Accordingly, we further suggest policy recommendations from developing binding international frameworks to guide transboundary cooperation, enhancing cooperation among non-state actors, and ensuring the representativeness and fairness of non-Arctic actors' participation. This research provides insights into transboundary environmental management under political tensions, while also offering new pathways for analysing large-scale environmental governance structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Guo
- School of Management, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Rui Bai
- School of Management, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Tao Hong
- School of Management, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China.
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Vanderduys EP, Caley P, McKeown A, Martin JM, Pavey C, Westcott D. Population trends in the vulnerable Grey-headed flying-fox, Pteropus poliocephalus; results from a long-term, range-wide study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298530. [PMID: 38512935 PMCID: PMC10956843 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Monitoring is necessary for the management of any threatened species if its predicament and status are to improve. Monitoring establishes baseline data for tracking trends in distribution and abundance and is a key tool for informing threatened species management. Across much of the Old World, bats in the genus Pteropus (Pteropodidae, Chiroptera) face significant threats from habitat loss, conflict with humans, and hunting. Despite conflict with humans and their threatened status, few Pteropus are being monitored. Often, this is because of difficulties associated with their high mobility, large and easily disturbed aggregations, and their use of unknown or remote habitat. Here we describe 10 years of results from the National Flying-fox Monitoring Program (NFFMP) for the grey-headed flying-fox, (Pteropus poliocephalus) in Australia. Range-wide quarterly surveys were conducted over a three-day period since November 2012 using standardized methods appropriate to conditions encountered at each roost. For our analysis of the population and its trend, we used a state-space model to account for the ecology of the grey-headed flying-fox and the errors associated with the surveying process. Despite the general perception that the species is in decline, our raw data and the modelled population trend suggest the grey-headed flying-fox population has remained stable during the NFFMP period, with the range also stable. These results indicate that the species' extreme mobility and broad diet bestow it with a high level of resilience to various disturbance events. Long-term, range-wide studies such as this one, are crucial for understanding relatively long-lived and highly nomadic species such as the grey-headed flying-fox. The outcomes of this study highlight the need for such systematic population monitoring of all threatened Pteropus species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Peter Vanderduys
- Environment, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Peter Caley
- Data61, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Adam McKeown
- Environment, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - John M. Martin
- Wildlife Services, Ecosure, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Chris Pavey
- Environment, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - David Westcott
- Environment, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Atherton, Queensland, Australia
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Fopa VK, Bayir N, Özdal D. Assessing the status and spatial-temporal dynamics of the Bamenda Mountains (BM), North West region of Cameroon. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:1053. [PMID: 37589789 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11630-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Change in land use and land cover (LULC) contributes in worsening ecological issues. Studying the trends of change in land use is highly significant to deal with global climate change and sustainable development. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the spatial-temporal dynamics of LULC of the Bamenda Mountains (BM) in the North West region of Cameroon, over a period of 34 years (1988-2022) and predict 34 years (2022-2056) future land use scenario of this site using time series satellite imagery (MSS, TM, ETM+, and OLI-TIRS) and ancillary data and to comprehend the driving forces of land use/land cover change (LULCC). The trends of LULCC were quantified; LULC maps were derived by classifying time series satellite images. Six LULC categories were identified during the study period (1988-2022). The research revealed a significant LULCC of the BM which can be justified by increase in the human population observed in the study area and the desire to extend agricultural lands to sustain the growing population. Overall, cultivated area 5684 ha (10.47%), 10680 ha (19.57 %), and 15163 ha (27.78%) and built-up area 449 ha (0.83%), 996 ha (1.83%), and 3242 ha (5.94%) for the study years 1988, 2003, and 2022, respectively, were all on the increase throughout the study period at the expense of other land cover types. The predicted figures of 2056 showed a continuous reduction of montane forest and savanna: 2401.92 ha (4.40%) and 25,862.67 ha (47.39%), respectively. Bare area is expected to drop in 2056 (2905.92 ha (5.32%)). The above decrease, when compared to 2022 figures, represents a loss of 3.97%, 4.53%, and 0.57%, respectively. The losses observed are gained by built-up and cultivated land (5.72% and 3.39%, respectively), covering surfaces areas of 6364.89 ha (11.66%) and 17,008.56 ha (31.17%), respectively. The above findings suggest that population growth is likely the major menace to the natural environment. It is thus safe to say that substantial LULCC was observed throughout the study period and will undoubtedly continue if nothing is done. This necessitates urgent measures such as reforestation and afforestation, encouraging off-farm activities and even improving technologies to combat the rate of forest degradation of the BM. Additionally, rebuilding trust between the French and English Cameroons through dialogue is premodial, to end the curent conflictual civil war and lessen the landscape configuration in Bamenda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virgiline Kongni Fopa
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, European University of Lefke, Northern Cyprus TR-10, 99010, Mersin, Turkey.
| | - Nihal Bayir
- Chemical Engineering Program, Middle East Technical University, Northern Cyprus Campus, 10, 99738, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Devrim Özdal
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, European University of Lefke, Northern Cyprus TR-10, 99010, Mersin, Turkey
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Rehling F, Jongejans E, Schlautmann J, Albrecht J, Fassbender H, Jaroszewicz B, Matthies D, Waldschmidt L, Farwig N, Schabo DG. Common seed dispersers contribute most to the persistence of a fleshy-fruited tree. Commun Biol 2023; 6:330. [PMID: 36973362 PMCID: PMC10043030 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04647-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutualistic interactions are by definition beneficial for each contributing partner. However, it is insufficiently understood how mutualistic interactions influence partners throughout their lives. Here, we used animal species-explicit, microhabitat-structured integral projection models to quantify the effect of seed dispersal by 20 animal species on the full life cycle of the tree Frangula alnus in Białowieża Forest, Eastern Poland. Our analysis showed that animal seed dispersal increased population growth by 2.5%. The effectiveness of animals as seed dispersers was strongly related to the interaction frequency but not the quality of seed dispersal. Consequently, the projected population decline due to simulated species extinction was driven by the loss of common rather than rare mutualist species. Our results support the notion that frequently interacting mutualists contribute most to the persistence of the populations of their partners, underscoring the role of common species for ecosystem functioning and nature conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Finn Rehling
- University of Marburg, Department of Biology, Conservation Ecology, Marburg, Germany.
- University of Marburg, Department of Biology, Animal Ecology, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Eelke Jongejans
- Radboud University, RIBES, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- NIOO-KNAW, Department of Animal Ecology, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Jan Schlautmann
- University of Marburg, Department of Biology, Conservation Ecology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jörg Albrecht
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Hubert Fassbender
- University of Marburg, Department of Biology, Conservation Ecology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Bogdan Jaroszewicz
- University of Warsaw, Faculty of Biology, Białowieża Geobotanical Station, Białowieża, Poland
| | - Diethart Matthies
- University of Marburg, Department of Biology, Plant Ecology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Lina Waldschmidt
- University of Marburg, Department of Biology, Conservation Ecology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Nina Farwig
- University of Marburg, Department of Biology, Conservation Ecology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Dana G Schabo
- University of Marburg, Department of Biology, Conservation Ecology, Marburg, Germany
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Rehling F, Delius A, Ellerbrok J, Farwig N, Peter F. Wind turbines in managed forests partially displace common birds. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 328:116968. [PMID: 36521214 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Wind turbines are increasingly being installed in forests, which can lead to land use disputes between climate mitigation efforts and nature conservation. Environmental impact assessments precede the construction of wind turbines to ensure that wind turbines are installed only in managed or degraded forests that are of potentially low value for conservation. It is unknown, nevertheless, if animals deemed of minor relevance in environmental impact assessments are affected by wind turbines in managed forests. We investigated the impact of wind turbines on common forest birds, by counting birds along an impact-gradient of wind turbines in 24 temperate forests in Hesse, Germany. During 860 point counts, we counted 2231 birds from 45 species. Bird communities were strongly related to forest structure, season and the rotor diameter of wind turbines, but were not related to wind turbine distance. For instance, bird abundance decreased in structure-poor (-38%) and monocultural (-41%) forests with wind turbines, and in young (-36%) deciduous forests with larger and more wind turbines (-24%). Overall, our findings suggest that wind turbines in managed forests partially displace common forest birds. If these birds are displaced to harsh environments, wind turbines might indirectly contribute to a decline of their populations. Yet, forest bird communities are locally more sensitive to forest quality than to wind turbine presence. To prevent further displacement of forest animals, forests of lowest quality for wildlife should be preferred in spatial planning for wind turbines, for instance small and structure-poor monocultures along highways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Finn Rehling
- University of Marburg, Department of Biology, Conservation Ecology, Marburg, Germany; University of Marburg, Department of Biology, Animal Ecology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Anna Delius
- University of Marburg, Department of Biology, Conservation Ecology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Julia Ellerbrok
- University of Marburg, Department of Biology, Conservation Ecology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Nina Farwig
- University of Marburg, Department of Biology, Conservation Ecology, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Franziska Peter
- Kiel University, Department of Landscape Ecology, Institute for Natural Resource Conservation, Kiel, Germany
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García-Macía J, López-Poveda G, De La Puente J, Bermejo-Bermejo A, Galán M, Álvarez E, Morollón S, Urios V. The variability of juvenile dispersal in an opportunistic raptor. Curr Zool 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoac039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The juvenile dispersal of raptors is a crucial stage that stretches from parental independence to the establishment of the first breeding area. Between 2012 and 2020, 44 juvenile red kites Milvus milvus from the Spanish breeding population were tagged using GPS telemetry to study their dispersal. Juveniles left the parental breeding area at the end of their first summer and performed wandering movements throughout the Iberian Peninsula, returning to the parental breeding area the following year, repeating the same pattern until they settled in their first breeding area. We analyzed the mean distance from the nest, the maximum reached distances, and the travelled distances (daily and hourly) during the first two years of dispersal and compared them. Despite the high individual variability, variables describing the dispersal movements of juveniles showed a decreasing trend during the second dispersal year: 80 % of individuals reached a shorter maximum distance in the second year, 70% decreased their mean distance to the nest, 65% decreased their hourly travelled distances, and 50% decreased their daily travelled distances. On the other hand, the Red Kites usually combined wandering movements with establishment of temporary settlement areas (TSA). The average duration of settlement in the TSAs was 75 ± 40 days (up to 182 days) and were located at 182 ± 168 km from the nest. In those areas, juveniles used 781.0 ± 1895.0 km 2 (KDE 95%). Some of the TSAs were used by several individuals, which suggests that these areas might be good targets for conservation in future management plans
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge García-Macía
- Vertebrates Zoology Research Group, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Manuel Galán
- GREFA, C/ Monte del Pilar S/N, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Sara Morollón
- Vertebrates Zoology Research Group, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Vicente Urios
- Vertebrates Zoology Research Group, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
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