Proposal of an Iot Solution to Fire Risk Assessment Problem

Several of the fighting weaknesses evidenced by the forest fires tragedies of the last years are rooted in the disconnection between the current technical/scientific resources and the availability of the resulting information to operational agents on the ground. In order to be effective, a pre-emptive response to similar disasters must include the articulation between local authorities at municipal level - in prevention, preparedness and initial response - and the common citizen who is on the field, resides there, and has a deeper knowledge about the field of operation. This work intends to take a first step in the development of a tool that can serve to improve the civic awareness of all and to support the decision-making of the competent authorities. Keywords: Internet of things, Citizen science, Fire weather inde

Public Perception of Forest and Fire Management Policy in Portugal

The impacts of forest fires are growing as climate change creates more frequent ideal temperature conditions for extreme wildfires. With the devastating fires it experienced in 2017, Portugal stands as an example of the impacts of dangerous wildfires and is working on developing a plan to protect its country from this rising threat. Important in the plan development is the opinion of the many stakeholders involved and the public whom the fires impact. Using an interview and survey approach, this study gathers public and stakeholder opinion on the forest and fire management policy in Portugal to understand what issues in the policy need to be addressed. Results show that both the public and stakeholders feel that the issue of rural abandonment in combination with small private landowners are the most pressing issues that need to be addressed to allow for the proper forest management that will protect Portugal from the impacts of wildfires

Invasive Earthworms in the Crown of the Continent System and Implications for Land Management

The United States contains invasive earthworms originating from Europe and Asia; the majority are European lumbricids. Direct introduction occurs primarily through human activity and, once established, earthworm populations are difficult to address. When exotic earthworms engage in bioturbation, they negatively alter subterranean food webs and nutrient cycling by disrupting soil layering systems. The most prominent form of physical alteration is the change and removal of the topmost organic layer. This disruption is associated with altered nitrogen and carbon cycling, as well as altered forest floor plant communities. The Crown of the Continent ecosystem is located in southwestern Alberta, southeastern British Columbia and northwestern Montana. This unique transboundary system is home to distinct biodiversity and is less altered by humans than many other ecosystems. The presence of exotic earthworms introduces new challenges for land managers and local soil systems. Current US policy offers an ineffective “innocent until proven guilty” attitude towards introduced species. Preventing spread and mitigating the effects of exotic earthworms is needed to preserve soil quality. Non-native earthworms and earthworm products could be banned and/or restricted by land managers to prevent further spread. Supplemental action, such as invasive species education programs, can enhance preventative practices

Desertification

IPCC SPECIAL REPORT ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND LAND (SRCCL) Chapter 3: Climate Change and Land: An IPCC special report on climate change, desertification, land degradation, sustainable land management, food security, and greenhouse gas fluxes in terrestrial ecosystem

A practical approach to navigating uncertainty within innovative markets for Carthago, a fire prevention and response startup concept: future scenarios

Despite efforts to establish methods for innovation and market entry, the element of uncertainty makes it difficult for firms to ensure success when introducing a new product. Therefore, mitigation of uncertainty is paramount to cultivating innovation and growth. This paper provides a practical example of uncertainty reduction in the context of Carthago, a developing startup looking to provide technological solutions to the growing wildfire problems in Portugal and Europe. Structured around the Innovator’s Method, additional frameworks like the social business model canvas, strategic foresight and scenario planning will be used to advise Carthago’s approach to uncertainty mitigation and market entry

A practical approach to navigating uncertainty within innovative markets for Carthago, a fire prevention and response startup concept: technology analysis & diffusion

Despite efforts to establish methods for innovation and market entry, the element of uncertainty makes it difficult for firms to ensure success when introducing a new product. Therefore, mitigation of uncertainty is paramount to cultivating innovation and growth. This paper provides a practical example of uncertainty reduction in the context of Carthago, a developing startup looking to provide technological solutions to the growing wildfire problems in Portugal and Europe. Structured around the Innovator’s Method, additional frameworks like the social business model canvas, strategic foresight and scenario planning will be used to advise Carthago’s approach to uncertainty mitigation and market entry

Global guidelines for the sustainable use of non-native trees to prevent tree invasions and mitigate their negative impacts

Sustainably managed non-native trees deliver economic and societal benefits with limited risk of spread to adjoining areas. However, some plantations have launched invasions that cause substantial damage to biodiversity and ecosystem services, while others pose substantial threats of causing such impacts. The challenge is to maximise the benefits of non-native trees, while minimising negative impacts and preserving future benefits and options. A workshop was held in 2019 to develop global guidelines for the sustainable use of non-native trees, using the Council of Europe – Bern Convention Code of Conduct on Invasive Alien Trees as a starting point. The global guidelines consist of eight recommendations: 1) Use native trees, or non-invasive non-native trees, in preference to invasive non-native trees; 2) Be aware of and comply with international, national, and regional regulations concerning non-native trees; 3) Be aware of the risk of invasion and consider global change trends; 4) Design and adopt tailored practices for plantation site selection and silvicultural management; 5) Promote and implement early detection and rapid response programmes; 6) Design and adopt tailored practices for invasive non-native tree control, habitat restoration, and for dealing with highly modified ecosystems; 7) Engage with stakeholders on the risks posed by invasive non-native trees, the impacts caused, and the options for management; and 8) Develop and support global networks, collaborative research, and information sharing on native and non-native trees. The global guidelines are a first step towards building global consensus on the precautions that should be taken when introducing and planting non-native trees. They are voluntary and are intended to complement statutory requirements under international and national legislation. The application of the global guidelines and the achievement of their goals will help to conserve forest biodiversity, ensure sustainable forestry, and contribute to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations linked with forest biodiversity

Social and Cultural Dynamics of Non-Native Invasive Species

Invasive species and their management represent a complex issue spanning social and ecological systems. Invasive species present existing and potential threats to the nature of ecosystems and the products and services that people receive from them. Humans can both cause and address problems through their complex interactions with ecosystems. Yet, public awareness of invasive species and their impact is highly uneven, and public support for management and control of invasive species can be variable. Public perceptions often differ markedly from the perspectives of concerned scientists, and perceptions and support for management are influenced by a wide range of social and ecological values. In this chapter, we present a broad survey of social science research across a diversity of ecosystems and stakeholders in order to provide a foundation for understanding the social and cultural dimensions of invasive species and plan more effective management approaches. This chapter also addresses tribal perspectives on invasive species, including traditional ecological knowledge, unique cultural dimensions for tribes, and issues critical to engaging tribes as partners and leaders in invasive species management. Recognizing that natural resource managers often seek to change people’s perceptions and behaviors, we present and discuss some promising approaches that are being used to engage human communities in ways that empower and enlist stakeholders as partners in management