Credibility and advocacy in conservation science

Conservation policy sits at the nexus of natural science and politics. On the one hand, conservation scientists strive to maintain scientific credibility by emphasizing that their research findings are the result of disinterested observations of reality. On the other hand, conservation scientists are committed to conservation even if they do not advocate a particular policy. The professional conservation literature offers guidance on negotiating the relationship between scientific objectivity and political advocacy without damaging conservation science's credibility. The value of this guidance, however, may be restricted by limited recognition of credibility's multidimensionality and emergent nature: it emerges through perceptions of expertise, goodwill, and trustworthiness. We used content analysis of the literature to determine how credibility is framed in conservation science as it relates to apparent contradictions between science and advocacy. Credibility typically was framed as a static entity lacking dimensionality. Authors identified expertise or trustworthiness as important, but rarely mentioned goodwill. They usually did not identify expertise, goodwill, or trustworthiness as dimensions of credibility or recognize interactions among these 3 dimensions of credibility. This oversimplification may limit the ability of conservation scientists to contribute to biodiversity conservation. Accounting for the emergent quality and multidimensionality of credibility should enable conservation scientists to advance biodiversity conservation more effectively.     

Effective communication about complex environmental issues: Perceived quality of information about carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) depends on stakeholder collaboration

This experimental research addresses the effectiveness of communication about complex environmental issues, depending on whether the same information is provided by multiple collaborating or by individual organizations (i.e., stakeholders). The information provided pertains to carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) technology, as an example of a complex environmental issue. In Studies 1 (N = 75) and 2 (N = 66) we found that participants perceived factual information from collaborating stakeholders to be of higher quality than when the same information was provided by individual stakeholders. As predicted, the expectation of diverse perspectives being represented in the collaborative information mediated this effect. In addition, in Study 3 (N = 79) the perceived dissimilarity of collaborating stakeholders was shown to be an important precondition for the collaboration effect observed in Studies 1 and 2. Finally, these studies indicate that occasional collaboration between different stakeholders does not necessarily harm the perceived credibility of each individual stakeholder.     

EVALUATING INLAND WATERWAY NAVIGATION IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS: THE CASE OF THE BONNEVILLE LOCK

ABSTRACT: The period of time from identification of a possibly desirable inland waterway transportation project to its actual implementation has been observed to be inordinately long. It is Hypothesized that at Least one cause of delays in project approval and implementation is a analytical credibility associated with project feasibility analysis conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This paper examines this hypothesis in terms of the proposal to construct a new, expanded lock at the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River. The principle finding is that the analysis conducted by the Corps is conceptually flawed, methodologically questionable, internally inconsistant, and inappropriately narrow in scope.     

基于盲数理论的湖泊总磷D-BM优化模型

针对湖泊总磷负荷模型中各参数及总磷规划中排污量的不确定性,运用盲数理论,将Dillon模型、盲数模型和费用效益分析模型结合,建立了湖泊总磷规划D-BM优化模型.在总磷规划实例中,当3个近期治理方案的总磷目标浓度分别为0.30,0.20,0.15mg/L时,根据D-BM模型求出3个备选治理方案的费用效益指标分别为0.932、1.480和1.448.选择第2个备选方案为湖泊富营养化最佳治理方案.     

Incorporating Collateral Data in Conservation Biology

Abstract:  Conservation biologists often need to set ecological modeling assumptions or estimate parameters from sparse data. In some cases this problem can be addressed by incorporating data from closely related species or from the same species at different sites (i.e., collateral data). Currently no structured methods exist for incorporating such information. An analogous problem in Actuarial science is to set premium rates in situations with little direct data on claim frequency or size. The rates are estimated using actuarial credibility theory, which incorporates collateral data with the direct data. actuarial credibility theory combined with the actuarial control cycle financial management process also provides an adaptive mechanism for updating assumptions. This theory may have some utility for ecologists wanting to incorporate collateral data in an adaptive management framework, a companion to approaches such as Bayesian updating. We describe the historical development of actuarial credibility theory from early ad hoc methods to empirical Bayes approaches. We explore some of the theory's strengths, such as relative simple formulae for incorporation collateral data, and we explore some of the theory's weaknesses, such as the use of the best linear approximation to the Bayes estimate. We illustrate potential applications of the theory using an example on the mortality rate of the Powerful Owl (  Ninox strenua ).     

基于模糊Petri网的交通事故致因建模分析

针对目前我国道路交通事故多发的现状,以模糊Petri网为工具,以对道路交通安全有重大影响的关键因素为基础,模拟给出其因果关系,建立了基于模糊Petri网的道路交通事故致因分析模型,设计最长路径算法分析模型中某个致因要素导致交通事故发生的可信度。最长路径上的致因要素即为最易引起交通事故的主要因素。案例分析表明,这个模型能够体现各因素之间的逻辑关系,达到了通过数量指标分析道路交通事故主要原因的目的。     

For What Applications Can Probability and Non-Probability Sampling Be Used?

Almost any type of sample has some utilitywhen estimating population quantities. The focus inthis paper is to indicate what type or combination oftypes of sampling can be used in various situationsranging from a sample designed to establishcause-effect or legal challenge to one involving asimple subjective judgment. Several of these methodshave little or no utility in the scientific area buteven in the best of circumstances, particularlycomplex ones, both probabilistic and non-probabilisticprocedures have to be used because of lack ofknowledge and cost. We illustrate this with a marbledmurrelet example.     

基于统计和信度理论的火灾保险费率分级方法

通过对建筑火灾保险费率厘定的调查、研究,确定了关于建筑物火灾保险费率的主要影响因素;详细介绍基于统计理论和信度理论的火灾保险费率分级方法,并以美国马萨诸塞州东海岸地区为例,给出其实际的应用算例;结合实际中的问题,分析了基于统计理论和信度理论的火灾保险费率分级方法的优缺点,为我国建筑火灾保险费率厘定的研究提供了依据和参考。     

基于可信性理论的水资源优化配置模型

针对城市水资源与水环境系统中存在的不确定性与复杂性,提出了模糊环境下基于可信性理论的CFCCP模型(可信性模糊机会约束规划模型),并将其应用于衡水市水资源优化配置模型的研究中. CFCCP模型以衡水市经济、社会与环境效益最大化为目标,以供需水量、区域协调发展等为不确定性约束,以各水源在各子区不同部门间的分配为决策变量,并且设计了基于模糊模拟的猴群算法进行求解. CFCCP模型可反映不确定性因素对系统收益的影响,计算了各规划水平年置信水平为08时的水资源配置风险-收益权衡方案,得到2015年和2025年的区域经济效益分别为198 36530×104和266 22730×104元,缺水量分别为25 29936×104和20 99096×104 m3,污染物排放量分别为12 80847和13 00044 t. 同时,通过与传统优化算法的比较,证明了基于模糊模拟的猴群算法在求解多维优化问题时的有效性.      

Institutional credibility and leadership: critical challenges for community-based natural resource governance in rural and remote Australia

Community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) institutions are challenged with finding common ground as a basis for action among diverse resource users and stakeholders. Establishing and maintaining institutional credibility within their regions, catchments, communities and among their membership is fundamental to overcoming the challenge. So too is applying appropriate institutional and governance structures and appointing appropriate leaders. Drawing on triangulated case study data collected over a 12-month period using multiple methods, this paper examines the influence of institutional credibility and leadership on the functioning, decision-making and governance of two CBNRM institutions in Queensland, Australia. The paper shows that stakeholders have very different expectations of what makes a CBNRM institution credible. Satisfying the multiple expectations requires CBNRM institutions to incorporate diverse stakeholder representation, assert their legitimacy and demonstrate accountability, transparency, fairness and justice. The paper also draws attention to the value and importance of appointing inspirational leaders who focus on encouraging followers to pursue collective goals. Comparing the merits and constraints of appointing average Joes versus community elites to the Boards of CBNRM institutions, the paper highlights the urgent need for community-based natural resource governance and inspirational leadership education and training programs to improve the availability and quality of CBNRM leadership in rural Australia. Since combining credible CBNRM institutions with inspirational leaders does not necessarily equate to sustainable on-ground NRM outcomes, it is critical that the education and training programs emphasise the importance of monitoring and evaluating the improvements in decision-making processes and in decision outcomes.