Tracking the Debate Around Marine Protected Areas: Key Issues and the BEG Framework

Marine conservation is often criticized for a mono-disciplinary approach, which delivers fragmented solutions to complex problems with differing interpretations of success. As a means of reflecting on the breadth and range of scientific research on the management of the marine environment, this paper develops an analytical framework to gauge the foci of policy documents and published scientific work on Marine Protected Areas. We evaluate the extent to which MPA research articles delineate objectives around three domains: biological-ecological [B]; economic-social[E]; and governance-management [G]. This permits us to develop an analytic [BEG] framework which we then test on a sample of selected journal article cohorts. While the framework reveals the dominance of biologically focussed research [B], analysis also reveals a growing frequency of the use of governance/management terminology in the literature over the last 15 years, which may be indicative of a shift towards more integrated consideration of governance concerns. However, consideration of the economic/social domain appears to lag behind biological and governance concerns in both frequency and presence in MPA literature.     

Prenatal ultrasound finding of atypical genitalia: Counseling,genetic testing and outcomes

Objective

To report uptake of genetic counseling (GC) and prenatal genetic testing after the finding of atypical genitalia on prenatal ultrasound (US) and the clinical and genetic findings of these pregnancies.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study (2017–2019) of atypical fetal genitalia in a large expert center for disorders/differences of sex development. We describe counseling aspects, invasive prenatal testing, genetic and clinical outcome of fetuses apparently without [group 1, n = 22 (38%)] or with [group 2, n = 36 (62%)] additional anomalies on US.

Results

In group 1, 86% of parents opted for GC versus 72% in group 2, and respectively 58% and 15% of these parents refrained from invasive testing. Atypical genitalia were postnatally confirmed in 91% (group 1) and 64% (group 2), indicating a high rate of false positive US diagnosis of ambiguous genitalia. Four genetic diagnoses were established in group 1 (18%) and 10 in group 2 (28%). The total genetic diagnostic yield was 24%. No terminations of pregnancy occurred in group 1.

Conclusions

For optimal care, referral for an expert fetal US scan, GC and invasive diagnostics including broad testing should be offered after prenatal detection of isolated atypical genitalia.     

Avoiding negativity bias: Towards a positive psychology of human–wildlife relationships

Recently, new approaches to wildlife management are being developed, such as coexistence management and convivial conservation. These approaches aim to shift management practices from mitigating human–wildlife conflicts towards cohabitation and explore mutual benefits. To align empirical research to these new approaches, we argue for the relevance of positive psychology theory to inspire and structure research into the benefits of human–wildlife interactions. Positive psychology suggests three pathways through which human–wildlife interactions may lead to happiness and well-being: pleasure, engagement, and meaning. Applying these pathways to human–wildlife research may (i) structure existing research into the benefits of human–wildlife interactions, (ii) disclose unidentified benefits of human–wildlife interactions, and (iii) unravel mechanisms which make experiencing and protecting wildlife worthwhile and rewarding. Also, we suggest a potential feedback loop between wildlife experiences, happiness and well-being, and pro-environmental behaviours. More in-depth research into these mechanisms may improve our understanding of attitudes towards conservation of wildlife and its habitat and may suggest strategies to strengthen stewardship actions and public support for conservation strategies. Together, these strands of research could initiate research into what could be called a “Positive Ecology”.     

An update of the Worldwide Integrated Assessment (WIA) on systemic insecticides. Part 2: impacts on organisms and ecosystems

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - New information on the lethal and sublethal effects of neonicotinoids and fipronil on organisms is presented in this review, complementing the...     

Controlled combustion tests and bottom ash analysis using household waste with varying composition

The influence of the co-combustion of household waste with either sewage sludge, shredder fluff, electronic and electrical waste (WEEE) or PVC on the bottom ash quality and content was investigated under controlled laboratory conditions using a pot furnace. This laboratory approach avoids the interpretation problems related to large variations in input waste composition and combustion conditions that are observed in large scale MSW incinerators. The data for metals content, transfer coefficients and leaching values are presented relative to data for a base household waste composition that did not contain any of the added special wastes. The small WEEE invited direct measurement of precious metals content in the ashes, where measurement accuracy is facilitated by using only mobile phone scrap for small WEEE. The analyses were carried out for different particle size ranges that are of relevance to the recyclability of metals and minerals in the ashes. Positive correlations were found between elements content of the input waste and the bottom ashes, and also between increased levels of Cl, Mo and Cu in the input waste and their leaching in the bottom ashes. These correlations indicate that addition of PVC, small WEEE and shredder fluff in input waste can have a negative influence on the quality of the bottom ashes. Enrichment of Au and Ag occurred in the fractions between 0.15 and 6 mm. The precious metals content represents an economically interesting intrinsic value, even when the observed peak values are properly averaged over a larger volume of ashes. Overall, it has been shown that changes in quality and content of bottom ashes may be traced back to the varied input waste composition.     

Simulation of small bird populations. II. Reduced breeding in two British raptor species

A computer model was developed to simulate the fate of small populations of birds. It uses general and easily available data as input. Monte-Carlo techniques are used and a survival probability is calculated for every population member four times per simulated year. The model allows for density-dependence in winter survival and also in fecundity.Simulation results are used to compile standard age-specific life-tables for all complete cohorts generated. A mean life-table is also made. The survivor functions, both accumulated and mean, are contrasted with control functions and tested for significance.The model has been applied to classical population data in ornithology, namely those for the great tit and the tawny owl in Wytham Woods (Oxford, UK). There was a fair agreement between simulation results and field data.