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McLeod IM, Hein MY, Babcock R, Bay L, Bourne DG, Cook N, Doropoulos C, Gibbs M, Harrison P, Lockie S, van Oppen MJH, Mattocks N, Page CA, Randall CJ, Smith A, Smith HA, Suggett DJ, Taylor B, Vella KJ, Wachenfeld D, Boström-Einarsson L. Coral restoration and adaptation in Australia: The first five years. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273325. [PMID: 36449458 PMCID: PMC9710771 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
While coral reefs in Australia have historically been a showcase of conventional management informed by research, recent declines in coral cover have triggered efforts to innovate and integrate intervention and restoration actions into management frameworks. Here we outline the multi-faceted intervention approaches that have developed in Australia since 2017, from newly implemented in-water programs, research to enhance coral resilience and investigations into socio-economic perspectives on restoration goals. We describe in-water projects using coral gardening, substrate stabilisation, coral repositioning, macro-algae removal, and larval-based restoration techniques. Three areas of research focus are also presented to illustrate the breadth of Australian research on coral restoration, (1) the transdisciplinary Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP), one of the world's largest research and development programs focused on coral reefs, (2) interventions to enhance coral performance under climate change, and (3) research into socio-cultural perspectives. Together, these projects and the recent research focus reflect an increasing urgency for action to confront the coral reef crisis, develop new and additional tools to manage coral reefs, and the consequent increase in funding opportunities and management appetite for implementation. The rapid progress in trialling and deploying coral restoration in Australia builds on decades of overseas experience, and advances in research and development are showing positive signs that coral restoration can be a valuable tool to improve resilience at local scales (i.e., high early survival rates across a variety of methods and coral species, strong community engagement with local stakeholders). RRAP is focused on creating interventions to help coral reefs at multiple scales, from micro scales (i.e., interventions targeting small areas within a specific reef site) to large scales (i.e., interventions targeting core ecosystem function and social-economic values at multiple select sites across the Great Barrier Reef) to resist, adapt to and recover from the impacts of climate change. None of these interventions aim to single-handedly restore the entirety of the Great Barrier Reef, nor do they negate the importance of urgent climate change mitigation action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian M. McLeod
- TropWATER (Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research), James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Margaux Y. Hein
- TropWATER (Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research), James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- MER Research and Consulting, The Office, Monaco, Monaco
- * E-mail:
| | - Russ Babcock
- CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Line Bay
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - David G. Bourne
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Nathan Cook
- TropWATER (Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research), James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Reef Ecologic, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Mark Gibbs
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Peter Harrison
- Marine Ecology Research Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stewart Lockie
- The Cairns Institute, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Madeleine J. H. van Oppen
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Neil Mattocks
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Cathie A. Page
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Carly J. Randall
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Adam Smith
- TropWATER (Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research), James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Reef Ecologic, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Hillary A. Smith
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David J. Suggett
- Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bruce Taylor
- Land & Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Dutton Park, Queensland, Australia
| | - Karen J. Vella
- School of Architecture and Built Environment, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - David Wachenfeld
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lisa Boström-Einarsson
- TropWATER (Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research), James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster, United Kingdom
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Lucas P, Evans MC, Lockie S, Moon K. Environmental "nonuse rights" warrant caution. Science 2021; 374:832. [PMID: 34762482 DOI: 10.1126/science.abm4324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Lucas
- School of Business, University of New South Wales, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
| | - Megan C Evans
- School of Business, University of New South Wales, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
| | - Stewart Lockie
- The Cairns Institute, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia
| | - Katie Moon
- School of Business, University of New South Wales, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia.,Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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Vella K, Baresi U, Lockie S, Taylor B. Challenges and opportunities for assisted regional ecosystem adaptation: International experience and implications for adaptation research. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257868. [PMID: 34559843 PMCID: PMC8462708 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Maintaining the functional integrity of ecosystems as climate pressures exceed natural rates of adaptation requires new knowledge and new approaches to governance and management. However, research into management interventions to assist regional ecosystem adaptation has generated both scientific and ethical debate. This paper reviews experience to date in order to identify the challenges and opportunities for assisted regional ecosystem adaptation and reflect on the implications for ongoing adaptation research. The review was informed by a database and structured analysis of some 450 reports, peer-reviewed manuscripts and books on participation theory and experience with novel technology development and assisted ecosystem adaptation. We identified five classes of challenges to adaptation research: 1) scientific conflicts and debates over the “facts”, 2) social challenges, 3) governance challenges, 4) epistemic challenges, and 5) ontological conflicts. We argue that engagement strategies linked to the multiple objectives of adaptation research provide opportunities for ecosystem adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Vella
- School of Architecture Built Environment, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Umberto Baresi
- School of Architecture Built Environment, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Stewart Lockie
- The Cairns Institute, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
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Hogan A, Tanton R, Lockie S, May S. Focusing resource allocation-wellbeing as a tool for prioritizing interventions for communities at risk. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2013; 10:3435-52. [PMID: 23924885 PMCID: PMC3774447 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph10083435] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2013] [Revised: 07/23/2013] [Accepted: 07/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Objective: This study examined whether a wellbeing approach to resilience and adaptation would provide practical insights for prioritizing support to communities experiencing environmental and socio-economic stressors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey, based on a purposive sample of 2,196 stakeholders (landholders, hobby farmers, town resident and change agents) from three irrigation-dependent communities in Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin. Respondents’ adaptive capacity and wellbeing (individual and collective adaptive capacity, subjective wellbeing, social support, community connectivity, community leadership, in the context of known life stressors) were examined using chi-square, comparison of mean scores, hierarchical regression and factor-cluster analysis. Results: Statistically significant correlations (p < 0.05) were observed between individual (0.331) and collective (0.318) adaptive capacity and wellbeing. Taking into account respondents’ self-assessed health and socio-economic circumstances, perceptions of individual (15%) and collective adaptive capacity (10%) as well as community connectivity (13%) were associated with wellbeing (R2 = 0.36; F (9, 2099) = 132.9; p < 0.001). Cluster analysis found that 11% of respondents were particularly vulnerable, reporting below average scores on all indicators, with 56% of these reporting below threshold scores on subjective wellbeing. Conclusions: Addressing the capacity of individuals to work with others and to adapt to change, serve as important strategies in maintaining wellbeing in communities under stress. The human impacts of exogenous stressors appear to manifest themselves in poorer health outcomes; addressing primary stressors may in turn aid wellbeing. Longitudinal studies are indicated to verify these findings. Wellbeing may serve as a useful and parsimonious proxy measure for resilience and adaptive capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Hogan
- The Australian and New Zealand School of Government’s Institute for Governance, University of Canberra, University Drive South, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
- School of Sociology, The Australian National University, Canberra 0200, Australia; E-Mails: (S.L.); (S.M.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +61-2-6201-5213
| | - Robert Tanton
- The National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling, University of Canberra, University Drive South, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia; E-Mail:
| | - Stewart Lockie
- School of Sociology, The Australian National University, Canberra 0200, Australia; E-Mails: (S.L.); (S.M.)
| | - Sarah May
- School of Sociology, The Australian National University, Canberra 0200, Australia; E-Mails: (S.L.); (S.M.)
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Edwards F, Dixon J, Friel S, Hall G, Larsen K, Lockie S, Wood B, Lawrence M, Hanigan I, Hogan A, Hattersley L. Climate change adaptation at the intersection of food and health. Asia Pac J Public Health 2011; 23:91S-104. [PMID: 21447546 DOI: 10.1177/1010539510392361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Nutritious, safe, affordable, and enjoyable food is a fundamental prerequisite for health. As a nation, Australia is currently classified as food secure with the domestic production exceeding domestic consumption of most major food groups. The domestic system is almost self-sufficient in terms of nutritious plant foods, although these foods have seen steady higher price increases relative to other foods, with nutrition equity implications. However, the viability of Australia's food security sits counter to the continued presence of a stable and supportive climate. This article reviews the current state of science concerning the interface between climate change, food systems, and human health to reveal the key issues that must be addressed if Australia is to advance human health and sustainable food systems under a changing climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferne Edwards
- The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
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Lockie S, Lyons K, Lawrence G, Grice J. Choosing organics: a path analysis of factors underlying the selection of organic food among Australian consumers. Appetite 2004; 43:135-46. [PMID: 15458800 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2004.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2003] [Revised: 09/06/2003] [Accepted: 02/10/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Path analysis of attitudinal, motivational, demographic and behavioural factors influencing food choice among Australian consumers who had consumed at least some organic food in the preceding 12 months showed that concern with the naturalness of food and the sensory and emotional experience of eating were the major determinants of increasing levels of organic consumption. Increasing consumption was also related to other 'green consumption' behaviours such as recycling and to lower levels of concern with convenience in the purchase and preparation of food. Most of these factors were, in turn, strongly affected by gender and the level of responsibility taken by respondents for food provisioning within their households, a responsibility dominated by women. Education had a slightly negative effect on the levels of concern for sensory and emotional appeal due to lower levels of education among women. Income, age, political and ecological values and willingness to pay a premium for safe and environmentally friendly foods all had extremely minor effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stewart Lockie
- Centre for Social Science Research, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Qld 4702, Australia.
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Zoellner H, Höfler M, Beckmann R, Hufnagl P, Vanyek E, Bielek E, Wojta J, Fabry A, Lockie S, Binder BR. Serum albumin is a specific inhibitor of apoptosis in human endothelial cells. J Cell Sci 1996; 109 ( Pt 10):2571-80. [PMID: 8923218 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.109.10.2571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Excess blood vessels are removed by apoptosis of endothelial cells, however, the signals responsible for this have not been defined. Apoptosis of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells is induced by deprivation of serum or adhesion. In this paper, apoptosis in human umbilical vein and microvascular endothelium was induced by deprivation of serum and or adhesion. Apoptosis was confirmed on the basis of morphology, ultrastructure and internucleosomal cleavage of DNA. Loss of endothelial adhesion was found to be an early event in cultured endothelial cell apoptosis and was exploited to quantitate apoptosis. The effect of: bovine serum albumin; human serum albumin; recombinant human albumin; dithiothreitol reduced human and bovine albumin; CNBr treated human and bovine albumin as well as ovalbumin upon endothelial apoptosis was determined. Native bovine and human albumin as well as recombinant human material inhibited apoptosis at physiological concentrations with identical dose response curves in both umbilical vein and microvascular cells. Dithiothreitol treatment destroyed all protective activity while bovine but not human albumin was partially inactivated by CNBr treatment. The unrelated protein ovalbumin was not protective. Albumin did not inhibit apoptosis if cells were also deprived of adhesion. The data suggest that albumin is a specific inhibitor of human endothelial apoptosis but does not protect cells also deprived of adhesion. Reduced supply of albumin to endothelium in poorly perfused blood vessels may provide a mechanism for the removal of excess blood vessels in remodelling tissues. Also, the failure of albumin to protect endothelial cells deprived of adhesion from apoptosis may reflect the need to remove potentially micro-embolic cells detached due to trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Zoellner
- Institute for Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, University of Vienna, Austria
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