80,158 research outputs found
MPA network design based on graph network theory and emergent properties of larval dispersal
Despite the recognised effectiveness of networks of Marine Protected Areas
(MPAs) as a biodiversity conservation instrument, nowadays MPA network design
frequently disregards the importance of connectivity patterns. In the case of
sedentary marine populations, connectivity stems not only from the stochastic
nature of the physical environment that affects early-life stages dispersal,
but also from the spawning stock attributes that affect the reproductive output
(e.g., passive eggs and larvae) and its survivorship. Early-life stages are
virtually impossible to track in the ocean. Therefore, numerical ocean current
simulations coupled to egg and larval Lagrangian transport models remain the
most common approach for the assessment of marine larval connectivity. Inferred
larval connectivity may be different depending on the type of connectivity
considered; consequently, the prioritisation of sites for marine populations'
conservation might also differ. Here, we introduce a framework for evaluating
and designing MPA networks based on the identification of connectivity hotspots
using graph theoretic analysis. We use as a case of study a network of
open-access areas and MPAs, off Mallorca Island (Spain), and test its
effectiveness for the protection of the painted comber Serranus scriba. Outputs
from network analysis are used to: (1) identify critical areas for improving
overall larval connectivity; (2) assess the impact of species' biological
parameters in network connectivity; and (3) explore alternative MPA
configurations to improve average network connectivity. Results demonstrate the
potential of graph theory to identify non-trivial egg/larval dispersal patterns
and emerging collective properties of the MPA network which are relevant for
increasing protection efficiency.Comment: 8 figures, 3 tables, 1 Supplementary material (including 4 table; 3
figures and supplementary methods
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Exploring Engagement Characteristics and Behaviours of Environmental Volunteers
Environmental volunteering and environmental citizen science projects both have a pivotal role in civic participation. However, one of the common challenges is recruiting and retaining an adequate level of participant engagement to ensure the sustainability of these projects. Thus, understanding patterns of participation is fundamental to both types of projects. This study uses and builds on existing quantitative approaches used to characterise the nature of volunteer engagement in online citizen science projects, to see whether similar participatory patterns exist in offline environmental volunteering projects. The study uses activity records of environmental volunteers from a UK environmental charity “The Conservation Volunteers,” and focuses on three characteristics linked to engagement: longevity, frequency, and distance travelled. Findings show differences in engagement patterns and contributor activity between the three UK regions of Greater London, Greater Manchester, and Yorkshire. Cluster analysis revealed three main types of volunteer engagement profiles which are similar in scale across all regions, namely participants can be grouped into “One-Session,” “Short-Term,” and “Long-Term” volunteer. Of these, the “One-Session” volunteer accounted for the largest group of volunteers
Workforce Development in the South West Voluntary and Community Sectors:Skill Shortages Study
The Voluntary Sector National Training Organisation, now the National
Workforce Development Hub, describes the Voluntary and Community
Sector as diverse and covering a variety of different organisations.
Organisations range from traditional charities, to companies that trade to
support their social aims, through to informal community organisations.
The sector also includes federations, or networks of local groups working
under national umbrellas. Voluntary and community sector organisations
provide a wide range of services and activities and many of the
organisations are involved in the delivery of learning, whether through
accredited training or informal learning.
The Government has increasingly recognised the importance of Voluntary
and community sector organisations and the key role that they play
nationally, regionally and locally. Initiatives to support the sector,
underpinned by funding, have been undertaken and the Government has
been active in encouraging and commissioning research and strategic
planning in the sector, in particular emphasising the importance of
developing the skills, capacities and potential of the workforce.
Sector organisations generally display a strong commitment to training
and workforce development. However, in spite of this commitment and
the presence of a high proportion of well‐qualified workers, skills gaps,
that is skills lacking in the current workforce, and skills shortages caused
by recruitment difficulties, are present in the sector. There are also skills
gaps and shortages in the volunteer workforce
The impact of product designations on innovation : the case of breweries in the United Kingdom
The European Union has a number of interventions which are designed to encourage diverse agricultural production, to protect product names from misuse and imitation, and to help consumers by giving them information concerning the specific character of the products. The three schemes, collectively known as Protected Geographical Status (PGS) are Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), and Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG). [...] However, there has been limited analysis as to the possible impact of such interventions on the ability of enterprises to enhance their competitiveness through investment in innovation. The aim of the present work is to gain a better understanding of the impact of such policies on the types and levels of innovative activity in firms using PGS schemes
Employee turnover prediction and retention policies design: a case study
This paper illustrates the similarities between the problems of customer
churn and employee turnover. An example of employee turnover prediction model
leveraging classical machine learning techniques is developed. Model outputs
are then discussed to design \& test employee retention policies. This type of
retention discussion is, to our knowledge, innovative and constitutes the main
value of this paper
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