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van den Elsen E, Stringer LC, De Ita C, Hessel R, Kéfi S, Schneider FD, Bautista S, Mayor AG, Baudena M, Rietkerk M, Valdecantos A, Vallejo VR, Geeson N, Brandt CJ, Fleskens L, Hemerik L, Panagos P, Valente S, Keizer JJ, Schwilch G, Jucker Riva M, Sietz D, Christoforou M, Hadjimitsis DG, Papoutsa C, Quaranta G, Salvia R, Tsanis IK, Daliakopoulos I, Claringbould H, de Ruiter PC. Advances in Understanding and Managing Catastrophic Ecosystem Shifts in Mediterranean Ecosystems. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.561101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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2
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Okpara UT, Fleskens L, Stringer LC, Hessel R, Bachmann F, Daliakopoulos I, Berglund K, Blanco Velazquez FJ, Ferro ND, Keizer J, Kohnova S, Lemann T, Quinn C, Schwilch G, Siebielec G, Skaalsveen K, Tibbett M, Zoumides C. Helping stakeholders select and apply appraisal tools to mitigate soil threats: Researchers' experiences from across Europe. J Environ Manage 2020; 257:110005. [PMID: 31989961 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.110005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 09/08/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Soil improvement measures need to be ecologically credible, socially acceptable and economically affordable if they are to enter widespread use. However, in real world decision contexts not all measures can sufficiently meet these criteria. As such, developing, selecting and using appropriate tools to support more systematic appraisal of soil improvement measures in different decision-making contexts represents an important challenge. Tools differ in their aims, ranging from those focused on appraising issues of cost-effectiveness, wider ecosystem services impacts and adoption barriers/opportunities, to those seeking to foster participatory engagement and social learning. Despite the growing complexity of the decision-support tool landscape, comprehensive guidance for selecting tools that are best suited to appraise soil improvement measures, as well as those well-adapted to enable participatory deployment, has generally been lacking. We address this gap using the experience and survey data from an EU-funded project (RECARE: Preventing and REmediating degradation of soils in Europe through land CARE). RECARE applied different socio-cultural, biophysical and monetary appraisal tools to assess the costs, benefits and adoption of soil improvement measures across Europe. We focused on these appraisal tools and evaluated their performance against three broad attributes that gauge their differences and suitability for widespread deployment to aid stakeholder decision making in soil management. Data were collected using an online questionnaire administered to RECARE researchers. Although some tools worked better than others across case studies, the information collated was used to provide guiding strategies for choosing appropriate tools, considering resources and data availability, characterisation of uncertainty, and the purpose for which a specific soil improvement measure is being developed or promoted. This paper provides insights to others working in practical soil improvement contexts as to why getting the tools right matters. It demonstrates how use of the right tools can add value to decision-making in ameliorating soil threats, supporting the sustainable management of the services that our soil ecosystems provide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uche T Okpara
- Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, Faculty of Environment, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, Leeds, UK.
| | - Luuk Fleskens
- Soil Physics and Land Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands.
| | - Lindsay C Stringer
- Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, Faculty of Environment, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, Leeds, UK.
| | - Rudi Hessel
- Soil, Water and Land Use, Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands.
| | - Felicitas Bachmann
- Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Ioannis Daliakopoulos
- Department of Agriculture, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Heraklion, 71410, Greece; School of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Chania, 73100, Greece.
| | - Kerstin Berglund
- Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden.
| | | | - Nicola Dal Ferro
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Italy.
| | - Jacob Keizer
- Earth Surface Processes Team, Center for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Silvia Kohnova
- Department of Land and Water Resources Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
| | - Tatenda Lemann
- Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, Faculty of Environment, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, Leeds, UK.
| | - Claire Quinn
- Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, Faculty of Environment, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, Leeds, UK.
| | - Gudrun Schwilch
- Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Hallerstrasse 10, 3012, Bern, Switzerland; Federal Office for the Environment, Soil Section, 3003, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Grzegorz Siebielec
- Department of Soil Science Erosion and Land Protection, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, State Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland.
| | - Kamilla Skaalsveen
- Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Frederik A. Dahls vei 20, 1430, Aas, Norway.
| | - Mark Tibbett
- Department of Sustainable Land Management & Soil Research Centre, School of Agricultural Policy and Development, University of Reading, Berkshire RG6 6AR, UK.
| | - Christos Zoumides
- Energy, Environment and Water Research Center, The Cyprus Institute, Cyprus.
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Salvati L, Kosmas C, Kairis O, Karavitis C, Acikalin S, Belgacem A, Solé-Benet A, Chaker M, Fassouli V, Gokceoglu C, Gungor H, Hessel R, Khatteli H, Kounalaki A, Laouina A, Ocakoglu F, Ouessar M, Ritsema C, Sghaier M, Sonmez H, Taamallah H, Tezcan L, de Vente J, Kelly C, Colantoni A, Carlucci M. Assessing the effectiveness of sustainable land management policies for combating desertification: A data mining approach. J Environ Manage 2016; 183:754-762. [PMID: 27649608 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 01/12/2016] [Revised: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/03/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the relationship between fine resolution, local-scale biophysical and socioeconomic contexts within which land degradation occurs, and the human responses to it. The research draws on experimental data collected under different territorial and socioeconomic conditions at 586 field sites in five Mediterranean countries (Spain, Greece, Turkey, Tunisia and Morocco). We assess the level of desertification risk under various land management practices (terracing, grazing control, prevention of wildland fires, soil erosion control measures, soil water conservation measures, sustainable farming practices, land protection measures and financial subsidies) taken as possible responses to land degradation. A data mining approach, incorporating principal component analysis, non-parametric correlations, multiple regression and canonical analysis, was developed to identify the spatial relationship between land management conditions, the socioeconomic and environmental context (described using 40 biophysical and socioeconomic indicators) and desertification risk. Our analysis identified a number of distinct relationships between the level of desertification experienced and the underlying socioeconomic context, suggesting that the effectiveness of responses to land degradation is strictly dependent on the local biophysical and socioeconomic context. Assessing the latent relationship between land management practices and the biophysical/socioeconomic attributes characterizing areas exposed to different levels of desertification risk proved to be an indirect measure of the effectiveness of field actions contrasting land degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Salvati
- Italian Council of Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), Rome, Italy
| | - C Kosmas
- Agricultural University of Athens, Greece.
| | - O Kairis
- Agricultural University of Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | - A Solé-Benet
- Estacion Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA-CSIC), Spain
| | - M Chaker
- University of Mohamed V, Chair UNESCO-GN, Morocco
| | - V Fassouli
- Agricultural University of Athens, Greece
| | | | - H Gungor
- Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Turkey
| | - R Hessel
- Alterra, Wageningen UR, Netherlands
| | | | | | - A Laouina
- University of Mohamed V, Chair UNESCO-GN, Morocco
| | | | - M Ouessar
- Institut des Regions Arides, Tunisia
| | | | - M Sghaier
- Institut des Regions Arides, Tunisia
| | - H Sonmez
- Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Turkey
| | | | - L Tezcan
- Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Turkey
| | - J de Vente
- Estacion Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA-CSIC), Spain
| | - C Kelly
- Department of Geography, University of Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - A Colantoni
- Department of Agricultural and Forestry scieNcEs (D.A.F.N.E.), Viterbo, Italy
| | - M Carlucci
- University of Rome 'La Sapienza', Department of Social and Economic Science, Rome, Italy
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Leventon J, Fleskens L, Claringbould H, Schwilch G, Hessel R. An applied methodology for stakeholder identification in transdisciplinary research. Sustain Sci 2016; 11:763-775. [PMID: 30174742 PMCID: PMC6106094 DOI: 10.1007/s11625-016-0385-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
In this paper we present a novel methodology for identifying stakeholders for the purpose of engaging with them in transdisciplinary, sustainability research projects. In transdisciplinary research, it is important to identify a range of stakeholders prior to the problem-focussed stages of research. Early engagement with diverse stakeholders creates space for them to influence the research process, including problem definition, from the start. However, current stakeholder analysis approaches ignore this initial identification process, or position it within the subsequent content-focussed stages of research. Our methodology was designed as part of a research project into a range of soil threats in seventeen case study locations throughout Europe. Our methodology was designed to be systematic across all sites. It is based on a snowball sampling approach that can be implemented by researchers with no prior experience of stakeholder research, and without requiring significant financial or time resources. It therefore fosters transdisciplinarity by empowering physical scientists to identify stakeholders and understand their roles. We describe the design process and outcomes, and consider their applicability to other research projects. Our methodology therefore consists of a two-phase process of design and implementation of an identification questionnaire. By explicitly including a design phase into the process, it is possible to tailor our methodology to other research projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Leventon
- Faculty of Sustainability, Leuphana University, Scharnhorststr. 1, 21335 Lüneburg, Germany
- Sustainability Research Institute, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, LS2 9JT UK
| | - Luuk Fleskens
- Sustainability Research Institute, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, LS2 9JT UK
- Soil Physics and Land Management Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Heleen Claringbould
- Consult and Research on Participation and Gender in Environmental issues (Corepage), Buys Ballotstraat 35, 3572 ZT Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gudrun Schwilch
- Centre for Development and Environment CDE, University of Bern, Hallerstrasse 10, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rudi Hessel
- Team Soil, Water and Land Use, Alterra, Wageningen UR, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Kairis O, Kosmas C, Karavitis C, Ritsema C, Salvati L, Acikalin S, Alcalá M, Alfama P, Atlhopheng J, Barrera J, Belgacem A, Solé-Benet A, Brito J, Chaker M, Chanda R, Coelho C, Darkoh M, Diamantis I, Ermolaeva O, Fassouli V, Fei W, Feng J, Fernandez F, Ferreira A, Gokceoglu C, Gonzalez D, Gungor H, Hessel R, Juying J, Khatteli H, Khitrov N, Kounalaki A, Laouina A, Lollino P, Lopes M, Magole L, Medina L, Mendoza M, Morais P, Mulale K, Ocakoglu F, Ouessar M, Ovalle C, Perez C, Perkins J, Pliakas F, Polemio M, Pozo A, Prat C, Qinke Y, Ramos A, Ramos J, Riquelme J, Romanenkov V, Rui L, Santaloia F, Sebego R, Sghaier M, Silva N, Sizemskaya M, Soares J, Sonmez H, Taamallah H, Tezcan L, Torri D, Ungaro F, Valente S, de Vente J, Zagal E, Zeiliguer A, Zhonging W, Ziogas A. Evaluation and selection of indicators for land degradation and desertification monitoring: types of degradation, causes, and implications for management. Environ Manage 2014; 54:971-82. [PMID: 23811772 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-013-0110-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2012] [Accepted: 06/07/2013] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Indicator-based approaches are often used to monitor land degradation and desertification from the global to the very local scale. However, there is still little agreement on which indicators may best reflect both status and trends of these phenomena. In this study, various processes of land degradation and desertification have been analyzed in 17 study sites around the world using a wide set of biophysical and socioeconomic indicators. The database described earlier in this issue by Kosmas and others (Environ Manage, 2013) for defining desertification risk was further analyzed to define the most important indicators related to the following degradation processes: water erosion in various land uses, tillage erosion, soil salinization, water stress, forest fires, and overgrazing. A correlation analysis was applied to the selected indicators in order to identify the most important variables contributing to each land degradation process. The analysis indicates that the most important indicators are: (i) rain seasonality affecting water erosion, water stress, and forest fires, (ii) slope gradient affecting water erosion, tillage erosion and water stress, and (iii) water scarcity soil salinization, water stress, and forest fires. Implementation of existing regulations or policies concerned with resources development and environmental sustainability was identified as the most important indicator of land protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Or Kairis
- Laboratory of Soils, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, Athens, 11855, Greece
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Hessel R, Reed MS, Geeson N, Ritsema CJ, van Lynden G, Karavitis CA, Schwilch G, Jetten V, Burger P, van der Werff Ten Bosch MJ, Verzandvoort S, van den Elsen E, Witsenburg K. From framework to action: the DESIRE approach to combat desertification. Environ Manage 2014; 54:935-950. [PMID: 25156863 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-014-0346-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
It has become increasingly clear that desertification can only be tackled through a multi-disciplinary approach that not only involves scientists but also stakeholders. In the DESIRE project such an approach was taken. As a first step, a conceptual framework was developed in which the factors and processes that may lead to land degradation and desertification were described. Many of these factors do not work independently, but can reinforce or weaken one another, and to illustrate these relationships sustainable management and policy feedback loops were included. This conceptual framework can be applied globally, but can also be made site-specific to take into account that each study site has a unique combination of bio-physical, socio-economic and political conditions. Once the conceptual framework was defined, a methodological framework was developed in which the methodological steps taken in the DESIRE approach were listed and their logic and sequence were explained. The last step was to develop a concrete working plan to put the project into action, involving stakeholders throughout the process. This series of steps, in full or in part, offers explicit guidance for other organizations or projects that aim to reduce land degradation and desertification.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Hessel
- Soil Physics and Land Use team, Alterra, Wageningen UR, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands,
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Kosmas C, Kairis O, Karavitis C, Ritsema C, Salvati L, Acikalin S, Alcala M, Alfama P, Atlhopheng J, Barrera J, Belgacem A, Solé-Benet A, Brito J, Chaker M, Chanda R, Coelho C, Darkoh M, Diamantis I, Ermolaeva O, Fassouli V, Fei W, Feng J, Fernandez F, Ferreira A, Gokceoglu C, Gonzalez D, Gungor H, Hessel R, Juying J, Khatteli H, Khitrov N, Kounalaki A, Laouina A, Lollino P, Lopes M, Magole L, Medina L, Mendoza M, Morais P, Mulale K, Ocakoglu F, Ouessar M, Ovalle C, Perez C, Perkins J, Pliakas F, Polemio M, Pozo A, Prat C, Qinke Y, Ramos A, Ramos J, Riquelme J, Romanenkov V, Rui L, Santaloia F, Sebego R, Sghaier M, Silva N, Sizemskaya M, Soares J, Sonmez H, Taamallah H, Tezcan L, Torri D, Ungaro F, Valente S, de Vente J, Zagal E, Zeiliguer A, Zhonging W, Ziogas A. Evaluation and selection of indicators for land degradation and desertification monitoring: methodological approach. Environ Manage 2014; 54:951-970. [PMID: 23797485 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-013-0109-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2012] [Accepted: 06/07/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
An approach to derive relationships for defining land degradation and desertification risk and developing appropriate tools for assessing the effectiveness of the various land management practices using indicators is presented in the present paper. In order to investigate which indicators are most effective in assessing the level of desertification risk, a total of 70 candidate indicators was selected providing information for the biophysical environment, socio-economic conditions, and land management characteristics. The indicators were defined in 1,672 field sites located in 17 study areas in the Mediterranean region, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Based on an existing geo-referenced database, classes were designated for each indicator and a sensitivity score to desertification was assigned to each class based on existing research. The obtained data were analyzed for the various processes of land degradation at farm level. The derived methodology was assessed using independent indicators, such as the measured soil erosion rate, and the organic matter content of the soil. Based on regression analyses, the collected indicator set can be reduced to a number of effective indicators ranging from 8 to 17 in the various processes of land degradation. Among the most important indicators identified as affecting land degradation and desertification risk were rain seasonality, slope gradient, plant cover, rate of land abandonment, land-use intensity, and the level of policy implementation.
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Reed M, Podesta G, Fazey I, Geeson N, Hessel R, Hubacek K, Letson D, Nainggolan D, Prell C, Rickenbach M, Ritsema C, Schwilch G, Stringer L, Thomas A. Combining analytical frameworks to assess livelihood vulnerability to climate change and analyse adaptation options. Ecol Econ 2013; 94:66-77. [PMID: 25844020 PMCID: PMC4375565 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2013.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2009] [Revised: 06/25/2013] [Accepted: 07/05/2013] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Experts working on behalf of international development organisations need better tools to assist land managers in developing countries maintain their livelihoods, as climate change puts pressure on the ecosystem services that they depend upon. However, current understanding of livelihood vulnerability to climate change is based on a fractured and disparate set of theories and methods. This review therefore combines theoretical insights from sustainable livelihoods analysis with other analytical frameworks (including the ecosystem services framework, diffusion theory, social learning, adaptive management and transitions management) to assess the vulnerability of rural livelihoods to climate change. This integrated analytical framework helps diagnose vulnerability to climate change, whilst identifying and comparing adaptation options that could reduce vulnerability, following four broad steps: i) determine likely level of exposure to climate change, and how climate change might interact with existing stresses and other future drivers of change; ii) determine the sensitivity of stocks of capital assets and flows of ecosystem services to climate change; iii) identify factors influencing decisions to develop and/or adopt different adaptation strategies, based on innovation or the use/substitution of existing assets; and iv) identify and evaluate potential trade-offs between adaptation options. The paper concludes by identifying interdisciplinary research needs for assessing the vulnerability of livelihoods to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- M.S. Reed
- Centre for Environment & Society Research, Birmingham School of the Built Environment, Birmingham City University, City Centre Campus, Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham B4 7XG, United Kingdom
| | - G. Podesta
- University of Miami, RSMAS/MPO, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, USA
| | - I. Fazey
- School of the Environment, University of Dundee, Perth Road, Dundee DD1 4HN, United Kingdom
| | - N. Geeson
- Osservatorio MEDES (Observatory for Economic Problems Associated with Desertification in Mediterranean Areas), Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, Potenza 85100, Italy
| | - R. Hessel
- Alterra, Wageningen University & Research Centre, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - K. Hubacek
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - D. Letson
- University of Miami, RSMAS/MPO, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, USA
| | - D. Nainggolan
- Department of Environmental Science, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
- Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth & Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - C. Prell
- Sociology Department, University of Maryland, 2112 Art–Sociology Building, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - M.G. Rickenbach
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 221 Russell Labs, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - C. Ritsema
- Alterra, Wageningen University & Research Centre, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - G. Schwilch
- Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of Bern, Hallerstrasse 10, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - L.C. Stringer
- Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth & Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - A.D. Thomas
- Institute of Geography & Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Llandinam Building, Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth SY23 3DB, United Kingdom
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Wang C, van der Meer P, Peng M, Douven W, Hessel R, Dang C. Ecosystem services assessment of two watersheds of Lancang River in Yunnan, China with a decision tree approach. Ambio 2009; 38:47-54. [PMID: 19260347 DOI: 10.1579/0044-7447-38.1.47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In the Langcang (Upper-Mekong) watershed, degraded watershed ecosystems in upland areas threaten cultivation practices, water resources, and dam development downstream. Assessment of ecosystem services and the factors that threaten them is an important first step to support watershed management. This, however, requires detailed information that is often missing in mountainous regions. To overcome this, in this paper, we adopt a decision tree approach to assess protection, biodiversity, and production services in two mountainous watersheds (Fengqing and Xiaojie) of the Lancang River Basin. Decision tree rules were built on the basis of field surveys, available references, ecosystem maps derived from remote sensing, expert knowledge, basic topographic information, and community interviews. Decision tree results showed that forest cover and agro-forestry practices contribute greatly to improved ecosystem functioning in the Fengqing Catchment compared to the Xiaojie Catchment. The results were consistent with field observations. The decision tree method proved to be a suitable and flexible tool for the rapid assessment of watershed ecosystem services, for highlighting those areas that need more in-depth research, and for guiding watershed and ecosystem management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongyun Wang
- Institute of Ecology and Geobotany, Yunnan University, China.
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Rutland CJ, Eckhause J, Hampson G, Hessel R, Kong S, Patterson M, Pierpont D, Sweetland P, Tow T, Reitz RD. Toward Predictive Modeling of Diesel Engine Intake Flow, Combustion and Emissions. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1994. [DOI: 10.4271/941897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Abstract
The transcription patterns of three v-Ha-ras-related cellular oncogenes in Drosophila melanogaster were studied. Each gene coded for at least two distinct transcripts. The larger transcript of each gene was expressed at a similar abundance during the entire life cycle of fruit flies, whereas the shorter transcripts were much more abundant in embryonic stages than at later stages.
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