Understanding Interaction Effects of Climate Change and Fire Management on Bird Distributions through Combined Process and Habitat Models

Abstract: Avian conservation efforts must account for changes in vegetation composition and structure associated with climate change. We modeled vegetation change and the probability of occurrence of birds to project changes in winter bird distributions associated with climate change and fire management in the northern Chihuahuan Desert (southwestern U.S.A.). We simulated vegetation change in a process‐based model (Landscape and Fire Simulator) in which anticipated climate change was associated with doubling of current atmospheric carbon dioxide over the next 50 years. We estimated the relative probability of bird occurrence on the basis of statistical models derived from field observations of birds and data on vegetation type, topography, and roads. We selected 3 focal species, Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata), Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), and Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus), that had a range of probabilities of occurrence for our study area. Our simulations projected increases in relative probability of bird occurrence in shrubland and decreases in grassland and Yucca spp. and ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) vegetation. Generally, the relative probability of occurrence of all 3 species was highest in shrubland because leaf‐area index values were lower in shrubland. This high probability of occurrence likely is related to the species’ use of open vegetation for foraging. Fire suppression had little effect on projected vegetation composition because as climate changed there was less fuel and burned area. Our results show that if future water limits on plant type are considered, models that incorporate spatial data may suggest how and where different species of birds may respond to vegetation changes.     

Planning nature-based solutions: Principles,steps, and insights

Nature-based solutions (NBS) find increasing attention as actions to address societal challenges through harnessing ecological processes, yet knowledge gaps exist regarding approaches to landscape planning with NBS. This paper aims to provide suggestions of how planning NBS can be conceptualized and applied in practice. We develop a framework for planning NBS by merging insights from literature and a case study in the Lahn river landscape, Germany. Our framework relates to three key criteria that define NBS, and consists of six steps of planning: Co-define setting, Understand challenges, Create visions and scenarios, Assess potential impacts, Develop solution strategies, and Realize and monitor. Its implementation is guided by five principles, namely Place-specificity, Evidence base, Integration, Equity, and Transdisciplinarity. Drawing on the empirical insights from the case study, we suggest suitable methods and a checklist of supportive procedures for applying the framework in practice. Taken together, our framework can facilitate planning NBS and provides further steps towards mainstreaming.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s13280-020-01365-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Hydromorphological and socio-cultural assessment of urban rivers to promote nature-based solutions in Jarabacoa,Dominican Republic

In Latin America and the Caribbean, river restoration projects are increasing, but many lack strategic planning and monitoring. We tested the applicability of a rapid visual social–ecological stream assessment method for restoration planning, complemented by a citizen survey on perceptions and uses of blue and green infrastructure. We applied the method at three urban streams in Jarabacoa (Dominican Republic) to identify and prioritize preferred areas for nature-based solutions. The method provides spatially explicit information for strategic river restoration planning, and its efficiency makes it suitable for use in data-poor contexts. It identifies well-preserved, moderately altered, and critically impaired areas regarding their hydromorphological and socio-cultural conditions, as well as demands on green and blue infrastructure. The transferability of the method can be improved by defining reference states for assessing the hydromorphology of tropical rivers, refining socio-cultural parameters to better address river services and widespread urban challenges, and balancing trade-offs between ecological and social restoration goals.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13280-021-01565-3.     

Transforming urban planning processes and outcomes through creative methods

Inclusively delivering the sustainable development goals (SDGs) remains challenging, particularly in urban areas, where some of the most pressing concerns exist. To achieve the transformative SDG agenda, new methods are required to overcome current deficits in engagement around inclusion and equitable outcomes. Evaluating against theories of governance and inclusion, we test a mixture of digital and physical creative methods abilities to deliver co-designed solutions that influence mobility and road safety planning outcomes in East African cities. Greater inclusion led to improved interactions of citizens with decision makers, and the identification of novel, practical solutions, delivering some elements of transformation. Risks include creative methods being used to co-opt communities to official agendas, and institutional planning norms needing to adapt to respond to a wider range of stakeholders. Overall, where risks are mitigated, we recommend that using Creative Methods could localise SDG delivery, ensuring more equitable and effective outcomes from infrastructure development investments.Supplementary InformationThe online version of this article (10.1007/s13280-020-01436-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

基于环境质量管理的城市综合环境绩效评估研究

文章以26个省会城市2004~2013年的样本数据,从环境健康、生态保护、资源与能源利用、环境治理等4个方面开展研究,构建了包括4项二级指标、12项三级指标和26项四级指标在内的城市综合环境绩效指标体系。研究发现,大部分城市的综合环境绩效历年差异明显,东、中、西部的环境绩效有明显的差异。因此,文章认为应该进一步优化环境绩效指标体系,充分体现区域差异特点,通过实施城市综合环境绩效考核来提高城市环境质量管理水平。     

城市公园环境科学规划设计与生态保护研究

针对城市公园环境科学规划设计与生态保护探讨问题,文中介绍了城市公园环境科学规划设计与生态保护意义,探讨了城市公园生态环境保护的功效,并提出了城市公园生态环境保护的规划设计,主要包括城市公园生态保护的选址和城市公园生态保护的设计规划,在这个规划中主要提出了生态保护的优先设计系统、生物种类的多样性、要尊重生态保护的自然发展、要尊重生态保护的植物配置设计和要尊重生态保护的因地制宜设计,为城市公园环境科学规划设计与生态保护提出了建议.     

省级生态保护红线划定实践研究 ——以青岛市为例

在省级及以上禁止开发区、重点生态功能保护区等进行调查分析的基础上,以青岛市为实践区域,与多类规划衔接,划定青岛市省级生态保护红线.青岛市最终划定59处省级生态保护红线区,面积合计1120.65 km2,占国土面积的9.9%.划定的生态保护红线符合确立"三生"空间和落实"多规合一"的要求,有利于改善生态系统服务功能,保障人居环境安全,增强经济社会可持续发展能力,对于青岛市市级生态保护红线的划定和生态安全格局的构建具有非常重要的意义.     

广西"十三五"环境保护和生态建设规划指标体系研究

生态环境保护目标指标是环境保护和生态建设规划中的核心内容,制定科学合理的规划指标体系,能够确保规划各项重点任务顺利实施.通过回顾分析"十一五"、"十二五"环境保护和生态建设规划指标体系,结合广西环境现状和发展趋势,在与国家和广西同期规划、计划、方案等衔接基础上,研究提出广西"十三五"环境保护和生态建设规划指标体系,设置了环境质量改善、总量控制、污染治理、风险防范、生态保护和生态公共服务等6个方面共29个指标,以期更好地指导"十三五"环境保护和生态建设工作.     

环境规划实施评估指标体系研究

环境规划指标体系是环境规划的核心内容,具有重要意义.环境规划能否切实发挥重要功能,与其规划实施评估有着密不可分的关系.环境规划评估指标体系的建立有利于系统有效地分析和评估环境规划实施效果和问题.通过分析定性评估、定量评估、层次分析法、逻辑框架法等评估方法,并实证分析环境规划评估指标体系的建立,对比分析发现,逻辑框架法可有效地分析环境规划实施过程中存在的问题,从而从总体上构建评估指标体系,可为环境规划的实施评估提供有效的参考.     

基于多准则分析的非点源污染评价和分区——以北京怀柔区北宅小流域为例

非点源污染控制难度大、成本高,因此有必要对污染源划分等级,从而分别进行管理与规划.本研究提出了“风险评价-规划分区-分别管理”的非点源污染规划思路.“风险评价”在借鉴已有的非点源风险评价模型基础上,提出了基于多准则分析的非点源污染评价方法.该评价方法以土地利用因子、径流因子和距离因子为参评指标,采用改进的理想解法(Technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution,TOPSIS)确定因子权重,减少了人为主观性;“规划分区”依据“适度保护、优先规划、重点管理”的原则,结合风险评价结果,可将流域划分为5类管理分区;“分别管理”是对各类管理区分别配以针对性的BMPs和生态工程措施.“风险评价-规划分区-分别管理”这套方法层层递进不仅能评价流域非点源污染,也能定量为流域内非点源污染源的管理提供科学方案.最后将该方法在北宅小流域进行了应用,结果表明,该方法克服了传统方法的过于主观、局限性大的缺陷,可为类似流域非点源污染评价和管理提供参考.