Pre-listing conservation of candidate species under the endangered species act: An evaluation of prevalence,accessibility, and market-based conservation efforts

In 2011, a legal settlement required the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to develop a series of work plans to assess a backlog of candidate species for protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Using the resulting USFWS Fiscal Year 2013–2018 work plan, which included 261 candidate species, we identified and analyzed pre-listing candidate conservation plans (PLCP) to determine their characteristics and evaluate the use of market-based mechanisms. Among the 34 PLCPs identified, we found that species-based conservation plans were more common than habitat-based plans, and market-based conservation approaches were infrequently implemented. Inconsistencies in plan documentation were present throughout the USFWS’s online portal, and not all documentation was publicly accessible. Lastly, we found that many states had implemented their own endangered species programs or initiated conservation plans through a state agency. Our work informs the recently-adopted USFWS pre-listing conservation policy and highlights needed improvements in tracking large numbers of at-risk species as they become the subject of regulations. Increased transparency and consistency in conservation plan databases, coupled with increased accessibility, will improve future at-risk species planning.     

Boundary organisations and their strategies: Three cases in the Wadden Sea

This article discusses three empirical cases of boundary organisations, within the context of the Wadden Sea: the Wadden Academy, IMSA Amsterdam and the NCEA. The research aims to provide further insights into how boundary organisations work in practice. The research shows that the role of a boundary organisation can be fulfilled by different types of organisations (not solely scientific). Depending on the science–policy interaction problem they face, a boundary organisation can have different goals and use different strategies. Furthermore, the strategic use of media outputs, and the degree of actuality and public debate can have a substantial influence on the practices of boundary organisations.     

Knowledge co-production in practice: Enabling environmental management systems for ports through participatory research in the Dutch Wadden Sea

Coastal zone management is inconceivable without the mobilization and integration of different types of knowledge – that is, without knowledge co-production practices. This article applies the concept of knowledge co-production to analyze the process of emergence, standardization, and enculturation of environmental management systems (EMSs) within port communities in the Dutch Wadden Sea. Moreover, it is a report from the field in which we reflect on the participatory practices conducted to facilitate the knowledge arrangements required to develop EMSs for a group of ports. The article concludes that this type of knowledge arrangement and co-production practices (involving different types of actors and knowledge) might become mandatory in the near future to stabilize the EMS phenomenon in the practices of ports.     

Boundary work in climate policy making in Brazil: Reflections from the frontlines of the science-policy interface

Despite challenges to the authority and legitimacy of science as a neutral representation of the world, expert advisors are playing an increasingly central role in environmental policy-making in both the Global North and South. This article explores the science-policy interface, based on the experience of the main author as a scientist and policy-maker at FEAM, a state-level environmental agency in Brazil. Contributing to the literature on boundary objects and organizations, the article details the practices necessary to manage the relationship between political and scientific norms in the development of the regional Climate and Energy Plan (CEP) for the state of Minas Gerais. To sustain the role of FEAM as a boundary organization mediating between political and scientific demands, a team of scientists and policy-makers had to perform different types of boundary work in a closely connected manner. It was necessary to actively frame climate change as an economic problem, and structure its solution in terms of mitigation mechanisms. Responding to changes in the national and international political context, FEAM reframed climate change from mitigation into largely an adaptation issue that could lead to win-win solutions as to attain saliency and avoid insurmountable political obstacles for its approval. Based on this experience, the article argues that the performance of boundary objects and organizations in the science-policy interface not only requires an ability to bring ‘truth to power’ but to also the capacity to sense, anticipate and avoid political obstacles. For this reason even though boundary organizations provide a breeding ground for institutional learning it is an unsuitable location for scientific or political revolutions.     

Framing the private land conservation conversation: Strategic framing of the benefits of conservation participation could increase landholder engagement

How conservation messages are framed will impact the success of our efforts to engage people in conservation action. This is highly relevant in the private land conservation (PLC) sector given the low participation rates of landholders. Using a case study of PLC schemes targeted at Australian landholders, we present the first systematic analysis of communication strategies used by organisations and government departments delivering those schemes to engage the public. We develop a novel approach for analysing the framing of conservation messages that codes the stated benefits of schemes according to value orientation. We categorised the benefits as flowing to either the landholder, to society, or to the environment, corresponding to the egoistic, altruistic and biospheric value orientations that have been shown to influence human behaviour. We find that messages are biased towards environmental benefits. Surprisingly, this is the case even for market-based schemes that have the explicit objective of appealing to production-focussed landholders and those who are not already involved in conservation. The risk is that PLC schemes framed in this way will fail to engage more egoistically oriented landholders and are only likely to appeal to those likely to already be conservation-minded. By understanding the frame in which PLC benefits are communicated, we can begin to understand the types of people who may be engaged by these messages, and who may not be. Results suggest that the framing of the communications for many schemes could be broadened to appeal to a more diverse group (and thus ultimately to a larger group) of landholders.     

广西北海中国鲎资源现状以及保育工作进展

中国鲎种群数量近年来急剧下降,资源面临枯竭.位于北部湾的广西北海作为中国鲎理想栖息地,是我国中国鲎的主要产地,因此在北海开展中国鲎的保育工作尤为重要.本文调查分析了广西北海地区中国鲎幼体集聚地西背岭潮间带(21°24′30″N-21°25′24″N及109°11′12″E-109°13′14″E)中国鲎幼体分布现状以及...     

水土保持工作中存在的问题及对策

我国一直以来就是一个水土流失大国,治水保土工作一直备受重视。当前在我国经济快速发展,环境问题日益突出的情况下,合理开发和保护水资源,充分做好水土保持工作已经是各级政府部门和社会各界面临的一个重要课题。     

区域尺度生态保护红线划定——以京津冀地区为例

将京津冀地区作为一个整体,采用遥感和GIS技术,选取水源涵养、水土保持、防风固沙3类生态系统服务以及土地沙化、水土流失2类典型生态问题,建立评价指标和评价模型,开展区域生态系统服务重要性和生态敏感性评价,定量揭示京津冀地区生态系统服务重要性和生态敏感性的空间分布特征;利用全国第二次土地调查数据明确的地块边界,确定生态保护红线边界.结果显示,京津冀地区生态保护红线面积6.68万km²,占研究区总面积的30.9%,主要分布在北部燕山山地、西部太行山山地和冀北坝上高原等区域;生态保护红线范围内的森林、草地二者面积比例比红线外高55.7%,红线范围内的植被NPP平均值比红线外高23.5%,划定结果符合“以较小面积获取较大服务”原则,适于作为京津冀地区最重要、最需要严格管控的生态空间.     

城市拓展中湿地的综合保护与发展

在简单回顾世界城市发展过程中对沿海湿地的威胁和影响上,以广州南沙地区为例,对其城市拓展和生态规划中的湿地综合保护与发展进行了探讨。从南沙地区规划中的功能定位出发,分析了该区的湿地类型和分布特征,对其重点湿地进行了确定,从湿地的功能与价值、湿地资源的稀缺性上分析了湿地保护的重要性,重点对湿地的稀缺性进行了论证。基于相似性理论,特别对十九涌湿地、大虎岛东岸湿地和龙穴岛东岸湿地进行了替代性和补偿性分析,充分论述了建立湿地保护小区的重要性和解决关键联系的必要性。初步对湿地保护小区的功能区进行了划分,提出了湿地优先保护行动。     

Development of tourism resources and environment conservation in China: with special reference to Taishan Mountain

By analyzing the cases in Taishan Mountain, Shandong Province and other tourist sites in China, this paper pointed out the problems in tourism management, such as resources damage, environment pollution, which are the result of tourism development, and are obstacles to the development. The paper also gave suggestion and practical ways to preserve tourism resources and environment.     

Towards better integration of environmental science in society: Lessons from BONUS,the joint Baltic Sea environmental research and development programme

Integration of environmental science in society is impeded by the large gap between science and policy that is characterised by weaknesses in societal relevance and dissemination of science and its practical implementation in policy. We analyse experiences from BONUS, the policy-driven joint Baltic Sea research and development programme (2007–2020), which is part of the European Research Area (ERA) and involves combined research funding by eight EU member states. The ERA process decreased fragmentation of Baltic Sea science and BONUS funding increased the scientific quality and societal relevance of Baltic Sea science and strengthened the science-policy interface. Acknowledging the different drivers for science producers (academic career, need for funding, peer review) and science users (fast results fitting policy windows), and realising that most scientists aim at building conceptual understanding rather than instrumental use, bridges can be built through strategic planning, coordination and integration. This requires strong programme governance stretching far beyond selecting projects for funding, such as coaching, facilitating the sharing of infrastructure and data and iterative networking within and between science producer and user groups in all programme phases. Instruments of critical importance for successful science-society integration were identified as: (1) coordinating a strategic research agenda with strong inputs from science, policy and management, (2) providing platforms where science and policy can meet, (3) requiring cooperation between scientists to decrease fragmentation, increase quality, clarify uncertainties and increase consensus about environmental problems, (4) encouraging and supporting scientists in disseminating their results through audience-tailored channels, and (5) funding not only primary research but also synthesis projects that evaluate the scientific findings and their practical use in society – in close cooperation with science users − to enhance relevance, credibility and legitimacy of environmental science and expand its practical implementation.     

Forest conservation and the clean development mechanism: Lessons from the Costa Rican protected areas project

Deforestation is currentlythe source of about 20% of anthropogenicCO₂ emissions. Avoided deforestationhas, nonetheless, been ruled out as a CleanDevelopment Mechanism (CDM) category in theKyoto Protocol's first commitment period,because several methodological issues wereconsidered too difficult to resolve. Thispaper explores whether CDM issues such as(1) carbon quantification, (2)additionality and baseline setting, (3)leakage risks, (4) non-permanence risks,and (5) sustainable development can beadequately dealt with in large, diversifiedforest conservation projects. To this aim,it studies the case of the Costa RicanProtected Areas Project (PAP), anActivities Implemented Jointly (AIJ)project which was meant to consolidate thenational park system to avoiddeforestation, promote the growth ofsecondary forests and regenerate pastureson an area that, in total, covers 10% ofthe national territory. The case studyexamines how the issues mentioned abovehave been addressed in the project designand in the certification process. It isfound that baseline uncertainties are themajor problem in this case. Nonetheless,the case suggests the possibility toaddress CDM issues by specific requirementsfor project design and very conservativeand temporary crediting. Provided thatother case studies support this conclusion,eligibility of well-designed forestconservation projects under the CDM in thesecond commitment period may be worthconsidering, given the secondary benefitsof avoided deforestation.     

Strategies for conservation planning and management of terrestrial ecosystems in small islands (exemplified for the Macaronesian islands)

The present paper addresses the conservation planning and management issues of terrestrial ecosystems with particular insight to small islands (with examples of application in the Macaronesian archipelagos of Cape Verde, Canaries, Madeira and Azores). It analyses specific conservation planning and management approaches and proposes concrete characterization and evaluation frameworks able to support decision and management processes ensuring an active and participative involvement of all concerned stakeholders. These methodological perspectives involve not only new paradigmatic approaches to the process of characterization and evaluation of environmental elements and processes as well as their use and disturbance through land use, but also regarding the individual and collective perspectives regarding benefice and supporting management behaviours. Some examples from islands of the Macaronesian archipelagos, in particular Pico in the archipelago of Azores and Santiago in the Cape Verde archipelago, are used to illustrate some possible management approaches, involving the consideration of the entire island as a conservation object and mobilizing their actors (individuals, groups, administrations or other organizations) as conscious, participative stakeholders. These examples involve possible land use and management changes and trade-off processes specific to each island that are listed and explained.     

中国南中国海海岸湿地退化现状和保护对策

南中国海湿地包括广东省、香港特别行政区、澳门特别行政区、广西壮族自治区和海南省等五个行政区,总面积为15 393.75 km2。由于受人口增加和经济发展的巨大压力,中国南中国海湿地破坏严重,退化趋势明显。本文在对中国南中国海地区海岸湿地的现状、类型及湿地退化的主要原因进行分析的基础上,提出中国南中国海地区海岸湿地资源保护与管理的建议,以便切实保护中国南中国海沿海多样化的湿地类型,持续发挥其生态服务功能。     

内蒙古锡林郭勒盟景观尺度土壤保持功能的空间分布

景观作为理解和塑造人类社会与环境最具操作性的尺度,其土壤保持功能是实现景观可持续性的重要条件。在遥感和GIS技术的支持下,采用改进的通用土壤流失方程(RUSLE)对内蒙古锡林郭勒盟景观土壤保持功能的空间分布进行研究。研究表明,研究区土壤保持总量为1.699×10~9 t?a~(-1),单位面积土壤保持量为85.39 t?hm~(-2)?a~(-1);土壤中N、P、K元素保持量分别为9.25×10~6 t?a~(-1)、6.14×10~6 t?a~(-1)、3.41×10~7 t?a~(-1)。按一级景观估算,土壤保持能力从强到弱依次为林地耕地草地住宅用地未利用地水域;按二级景观估算,土壤保持能力以灌木林地为最高,其次分别为有林地、疏林地、丘陵旱地、平原旱地、高盖度草原、山地旱地、中盖度草原,最差的是盐碱地和裸岩石质地。不同景观的土壤保持功能随植被覆盖度的增加呈非线性增长趋势,当植被覆盖度小于50%时,单位面积土壤保持量随植被覆盖度增大而缓慢增加;当植被覆盖度大于50%时,土壤保持功能随植被覆盖度增大而显著增加。因地制宜地提高研究区的植被覆盖度,合理配置景观空间分布格局,有助于景观服务功能的发展,从而对区域生态安全和人类福祉做出更大贡献。     

In vitro conservation and sustained production of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis, Moraceae): modern technologies for a traditional tropical crop

Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis, Moraceae) is a traditionally cultivated, high-energy, high-yield crop, but widespread use of the plant for food is limited by poor quality and poor storage properties of the fruit. A unique field genebank of breadfruit species and cultivars exists at the National Tropical Botanical Garden in the Hawaiian Islands and is an important global resource for conservation and sustainable use of breadfruit. However, this plant collection could be damaged by a random natural disaster such as a hurricane. We have developed a highly efficient in vitro plant propagation system to maintain, conserve, mass propagate, and distribute elite varieties of this important tree species. Mature axillary shoot buds were collected from three different cultivars of breadfruit and proliferated using a cytokinin-supplemented medium. The multiple shoots were maintained as stock cultures and repeatedly used to develop whole plants after root differentiation on a basal or an auxin-containing medium. The plantlets were successfully grown under greenhouse conditions and were reused to initiate additional shoot cultures for sustained production of plants. Flow cytometry was used to determine the nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid content and the ploidy status of the in vitro grown population. The efficacy of the micropropagation protocols developed in this study represents a significant advancement in the conservation and sustained mass propagation of breadfruit germplasm in a controlled environment free from contamination.     

浅谈我国及内蒙古自治区城市水环境污染对策现状和水资源保护利用

本文在阐述我国及内蒙古自治区的城市水环境污染现状的基础上， 分析了存在的原因， 并提出了相关的水环境污染防治、水资源保护利用对策。     

水土流失的危害及水土保持的作用研究

土石山区是我国西南地区常见的地理形态,但是由于其独特的地理构造特点等多种因素的影响经常会出现水土流失,给本地区的生态环境造成严重危害,也严重的影响到本地区的经济发展和社会进步。本文着重阐述了我国西南地区土石山区的水土流失造成的危害,产生危害的原因以及水土保持的重要作用和意义。     

山西壶关峡谷国家地质公园地质遗迹保护方法初探

随着旅游地学研究的深入和地质公园建设的不断完善,作为地质公园建设核心的地质遗迹保护工作越来越显得重要和迫切。本文是作者几年来从事壶关峡谷国家地质公园地质遗迹保护的总结,主要目的是在对地质遗迹保护进行系统分类的基础上,通过对公园地质遗迹保护的现状分析,找出存在的问题和不足,并制定出科学的对策与措施,实现公园的健康和可持续发展。     

A framework and indicators for evaluating policies for conservation and development: The case of wildlife management units in Mexico

The Mexican government has an innovative policy model for biodiversity conservation and rural development that includes permissible use of wildlife within a System of Land Management Units (SUMA, by its Spanish acronym). This co-management approach has been successful in terms of landowner participation, since the SUMA currently covers 38.2 million hectares (nearly 20% of Mexican territory). However, after 18 years of implementation, there has been no comprehensive evaluation by which to assess its effectiveness at national level. This article introduces the SUMA policy, its implementation and outcomes, and proposes a framework for conducting institutional monitoring and evaluation within an adaptive co-management approach. Our methodology comprised analysis of the achievements and challenges reported through interviews with stakeholders, journals and grey literature, and a review of the SUMA Information System (SIS) and its decision-making information needs. As result we have developed a set of 40 environmental, social and economic indicators grouped into five distinct but complementary dimensions within a sustainability framework: (I) Biodiversity conservation,(II) Wildlife management, (III) Economics, (IV) Social welfare and (V) Administration. These indicators can be incorporated into the SIS in order to support program evaluation and strengthen decision-making. Our article provides specific pathways for developing policy-oriented evaluation systems for worldwide biodiversity and conservation initiatives.