Structured Decision-Making and Rapid Prototyping to Plan a Management Response to an Invasive Species

We developed components of a decision structure that could be used in an adaptive management framework for responding to invasion of hemlock woolly adelgid Adeleges tsugae on the Cumberland Plateau of northern Tennessee. Hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive forest pest, was first detected in this area in 2007. We used a structured decision-making process to identify and refine the management problem, objectives, and alternative management actions, and to assess consequences and tradeoffs among selected management alternatives. We identified four fundamental objectives: 1) conserve the aquatic and terrestrial riparian conservation targets, 2) protect and preserve hemlock, 3) develop and maintain adequate budget, and 4) address public concerns. We designed two prototype responses using an iterative process. By rapidly prototyping a first solution, insights were gained and shortcomings were identified, and some of these shortcomings were incorporated and corrected in the second prototype. We found that objectives were best met when management focused on early treatment of lightly to moderately infested but relatively healthy hemlock stands with biological control agent predator beetles and insect-killing fungi. Also, depending on the cost constraint, early treatment should be coupled with silvicultural management of moderately to severely infested and declining hemlock stands to accelerate conversion to nonhemlock mature forest cover. The two most valuable contributions of the structured decision-making process were 1) clarification and expansion of our objectives, and 2) application of tools to assess tradeoffs and predict consequences of alternative actions. Predicting consequences allowed us to evaluate the influence of uncertainty on the decision. For example, we found that the expected number of mature forest stands over 30 y would be increased by 4% by resolving the uncertainty regarding predator beetle effectiveness. The adaptive management framework requires further development including identifying and evaluating uncertainty, formalizing other competing predictive models, designing a monitoring program to update the predictive models, developing a process for re-evaluating the predictive models and incorporating new management technologies, and generating support for planning and implementation

RETHINKING RARE: NOVEL APPROACHES TO RARE SPECIES MONITORING AND CONSERVATION

Conservation of rare species is widely valued and important for ecosystems. Unfortunately, many of the approaches to conserve rare species have been developed with common species (e.g., harvested species) which have larger populations and targeted objectives. Conservation of rare species is difficult in part because of problems created by scarcity and low information. With low information, learning leads to new questions and the utility of information in decisions can quickly become obsolete. Therefore, monitoring strategies that can adapt as well as provide information tailored to relevant decisions are needed. To address rare species monitoring, I developed a long-term monitoring approach for rare species called goal efficient monitoring (GEM). GEM allows monitoring questions to evolve as we obtain information. GEM includes sampling rules connected to a Bayesian integrated population model (IPM), which allows for changing questions and data collection while maintaining long-term inference. For example, GEM sampling rules work when populations are small (less than 10 individuals) and provide guidance to adjust monitoring observations if the population gets large (over 100 individuals), all while maintaining the same long-term inference because of the IPM structure. I outline the GEM approach using Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis), which is Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. To test GEM, I simulated 100 small populations with constant demographic rates for 11 years, applied GEM sampling rules to simulate observations, and predicted population values with the GEM model. On average, the predicted range of values from the GEM model contained the true values 97.1% of the time. These and other results contained within demonstrate how a GEM approach can provide long-term inference for rare species while addressing changing information needs. To address the problem of rare species information that is tailored to decisions made with rare species information, I propose the use of processes from the professional field of Design to reframe the user needs of the rare species information. I provide an overview of how some Design methods are already in use in conservation and how adopting Design processes more formally through the creation of the field of conservation design may aid in rare species conservation

Creating green space sustainability through low-budget and upcycling strategies

Frugality is a core notion of sustainability, and responsible resource management should be prioritized in urban planning and landscape architecture. Low-budget strategies as a deliberate means of creating valuable, attractive, well-used, sociable public spaces are recognized by some influential designers using the Light, cheap, quick methodology. Unused spaces, just like objects and waste, can be creatively changed, reinvented with little resource input through a circular solution of upcycling. Case study methodology was predominantly used in the inquiry with three new parks, built after the year 2004, in Faro, Portugal. The study examined how the success rate and the current state of these public green areas correlates with the amount of financial resources invested in each of the projects. The case studies show key aspects in the building of the three spaces including: urban context, management and community participation. The success rate of a place is established based on user activity observations, user counts and questionnairesconveyed amongst both experts and local residents. Results illustrate how low-budget strategies and limited use of funds and resources can be translated into a successful project of a public greenery. Comparative studies from Warsaw and Berlin further extend the discussion to the concept of upcycling as a sustainable solution for landscape architecture.Horizon 2020, European Cooperation in Science and Technology, COST Action RESTORE [CA16114

Parameter optimization for photo polymerization of mask projection micro stereolithography

This study presents a research on 3D part fabrication from composition of photo initiator (Phenylbis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)), photo absorber (Sudan I) and 1, 6- Hexanediol polymer effect based on curing parameters. A DLP projector was used as energy light source which initiated the photo reactive polymer at three different light source distances with three different exposed time to evaluate photoreactive polymer solidification phenomena. The experiment results obtained shows that Sudan I composition, light intensity value and exposure time of the varied photo absorber give significant effect to mechanical properties such layer thickness, dimensional accuracy, surface roughness and hardness value. These works also prove that photo absorber composition solution gave a different mechanical properties effect for 3D microstructure fabrication

Launching the Grand Challenges for Ocean Conservation

The ten most pressing Grand Challenges in Oceans Conservation were identified at the Oceans Big Think and described in a detailed working document:A Blue Revolution for Oceans: Reengineering Aquaculture for SustainabilityEnding and Recovering from Marine DebrisTransparency and Traceability from Sea to Shore:  Ending OverfishingProtecting Critical Ocean Habitats: New Tools for Marine ProtectionEngineering Ecological Resilience in Near Shore and Coastal AreasReducing the Ecological Footprint of Fishing through Smarter GearArresting the Alien Invasion: Combating Invasive SpeciesCombatting the Effects of Ocean AcidificationEnding Marine Wildlife TraffickingReviving Dead Zones: Combating Ocean Deoxygenation and Nutrient Runof

The use of artificial intelligence and automatic remote monitoring for mosquito surveillance

Mosquito surveillance consists in the routine monitoring of mosquito populations: to determine the presence/absence of certain mosquito species; to identify changes in the abundance and/or composition of mosquito populations; to detect the presence of invasive species; to screen for mosquito-borne pathogens; and, finally, to evaluate the effectiveness of control measures. This kind of surveillance is typically performed by means of traps, which are regularly collected and manually inspected by expert entomologists for the taxonomical identification of the samples. The main problems with traditional surveillance systems are the cost in terms of time and human resources and the lag that is created between the time the trap is placed and collected. This lag can be crucial for the accurate time monitoring of mosquito population dynamics in the field, which is determinant for the precise design and implementation of risk assessment programs. New perspectives in this field include the use of smart traps and remote monitoring systems, which generate data completely interoperable and thus available for the automatic running of prediction models; the performance of risk assessments; the issuing of warnings; and the undertaking of historical analyses of infested areas. In this way, entomological surveillance could be done automatically with unprecedented accuracy and responsiveness, overcoming the problem of manual inspection labour costs. As a result, disease vector species could be detected earlier and with greater precision, enabling an improved control of outbreaks and a greater protection from diseases, thereby saving lives and millions of Euros in health costs.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Integrated and Ecological Crop Protection (I/ECP)

Manual on integrated and ecological crop protectio

Managing for RADical ecosystem change: applying the Resist-Accept- Direct (RAD) framework

Ecosystem transformation involves the emergence of persistent ecological or social–ecological systems that diverge, dramatically and irreversibly, from prior ecosystem structure and function. Such transformations are occurring at increasing rates across the planet in response to changes in climate, land use, and other factors. Consequently, a dynamic view of ecosystem processes that accommodates rapid, irreversible change will be critical for effectively conserving fish, wildlife, and other natural resources, and maintaining ecosystem services. However, managing ecosystems toward states with novel structure and function is an inherently unpredictable and difficult task. Managers navigating ecosystem transformation can benefit from considering broader objectives, beyond a traditional focus on resisting ecosystem change, by also considering whether accepting inevitable change or directing it along some desirable pathway is more feasible (that is, practical and appropriate) under some circumstances (the RAD framework). By explicitly acknowledging transformation and implementing an iterative RAD approach, natural resource managers can be deliberate and strategic in addressing profound ecosystem change

The Communicator, Volume [4], Issue [2], October 2008

Changing Faces Adaptive Management New Research Geographic Trends in Contamination of Nebraska’s Surface Waters as Indexed by Sex Steroids of Common Carp Southeast Prairies BUL and Sandstone Prairies BUL Research Current Research Assessing the Relationship between Stable Isotopes and Grassland Bird Productivity on Great Plains National Park Service Properties Cross-Scale Structure in Ecosystems Diversity and Ecological Functions Impact of White Perch on Walleye; and Predators of White Perch at Branched Oak and Pawnee Reservoirs Conferences/Meetings/Workshops Graduate Student News (Aaron Alai; Nathan (Nate) Gosch; Christopher (Chris) Lewis; Aaron Lotz; Annabel Major; Dustin Martin; Thaddeus (Thad) Miller; Kristine Nemec; Sarah Rehme; Lindsey Reinarz; Lindsey Richters; Chad Smith; Amy Willaims; Justin Williams; Sam Wilson) Research Cont\u27d Monitoring, Mapping and Risk Assessment for Non-Indigenous Invasive Species in Nebraska (Nebraska Invasive Species Project) Population Assessment of Channel Catfish in Nebraska Recruitment of Walleye and White Bass in Nebraska’s Southwest Irrigation Reservoirs River Otter Home Range and Habitats Spatial Risk Assessment of Invasive Species Impacts on Native Species in Nebraska Understanding Invasions and Extinctions EVENTS Awards & Recognition

Quantifying Uncertainty and Trade-offs in Resilience Assessments

Several frameworks have been developed to assess the resilience of social-ecological systems, but most require substantial data inputs, time, and technical expertise. Stakeholders and practitioners often lack the resources for such intensive efforts. Furthermore, most end with problem framing and fail to explicitly address trade-offs and uncertainty. To remedy this gap, we developed a rapid survey assessment that compares the relative resilience of social-ecological systems with respect to a number of resilience properties. This approach generates large amounts of information relative to stakeholder inputs. We targeted four stakeholder categories: government (policy, regulation, management), end users (farmers, ranchers, landowners, industry), agency/public science (research, university, extension), and NGOs (environmental, citizen, social justice) in four North American watersheds, to assess social-ecological resilience through surveys. Conceptually, social-ecological systems are comprised of components ranging from strictly human to strictly ecological, but that relate directly or indirectly to one another. They have soft boundaries and several important dimensions or axes that together describe the nature of social-ecological interactions, e.g., variability, diversity, modularity, slow variables, feedbacks, capital, innovation, redundancy, and ecosystem services. There is no absolute measure of resilience, so our design takes advantage of cross-watershed comparisons and therefore focuses on relative resilience. Our approach quantifies and compares the relative resilience across watershed systems and potential trade-offs among different aspects of the social-ecological system, e.g., between social, economic, and ecological contributions. This approach permits explicit assessment of several types of uncertainty (e.g., self-assigned uncertainty for stakeholders; uncertainty across respondents, watersheds, and subsystems), and subjectivity in perceptions of resilience among key actors and decision makers and provides an efficient way to develop the mental models that inform our stakeholders and stakeholder categories