Evidence of a common understanding of proximate and distal drivers of reef health

Marine management has typically prioritised natural science methodological traditions as an evidence base for decision-making; yet better integration of social science methods are increasingly shown to provide a more comprehensive picture to base management decisions. Specifically, perceptions-based assessments are gaining support, as they can provide efficient and holistic evaluation regarding management issues. This study focuses on coral reefs because they are particularly threatened ecosystems, due to their ecological complexity, socio-economic importance, and the range of environmental drivers that impact them. Research has largely concentrated on assessing proximate threats to coral reefs. Less attention has been given to distal drivers, such as socio-economic and governance factors. A common understanding of threats related to coral reef degradation is critical for integrated management that takes account of peoples’ concerns. This study compares perceptions of drivers of reef health among stakeholders (n = 110) across different sectors and governance levels, in four Caribbean countries. Interview data identified 37 proximate and 136 distal drivers, categorised into 27 themes. Five sub-groups of themes connecting proximate and distal drivers were identified. Perceptions of two of these narratives, relating to ‘fishing and socioeconomic issues’ and ‘reef management and coastal development’, differed among respondents from different countries and sectors respectively. However, the findings highlight a shared perception of many themes, with 18 of the 27 (67%) mentioned by > 25% of respondents. This paper highlights the application of perceptions data for marine management, demonstrating how knowledge of proximate and distal drivers can be applied to identify important issues at different context-specific scales

Expanding narratives of governance constraints to improve coral reef conservation

The widespread degradation of coral reefs is often attributed to local to global failures of governance. To understand and address the failures of reef governance it is critical to understand the perceptions of diverse policymakers and practitioners about the challenges they face in achieving their goals. Examining the discourse of policymakers and practitioners can reveal the extent to which these perceptions capture the full spectrum of potential governance challenges, including those related to management, institutional structures and processes, the values and principles underpinning governance, and the social and environmental context. This study examined the governance challenges perceived by 110 policymakers and practitioners across multiple sectors, scales and contexts in four countries of the Wider Caribbean Region. Thematic qualitative analysis informed by theories of interactive governance and governability found that perceived challenges were broadly consistent across countries, but differed by sector (V = 0.819, F(6, 60) = 1.502, p = 0.01) and by level (community compared to national; V = 0.194, F(1, 10) = 2.178, p = 0.026). The findings show that management inputs and outputs, challenges relating to the socio-economic context, issues of leadership and power, and stakeholder engagement were common themes. In contrast, few respondents discussed challenges relating to the ecological context, governance processes, or the values and principles underpinning governance. We argue that examining perceptions can inform both efforts to improve governance and to assess the appropriateness of particular management tools under context-specific governance constraints. Furthermore, expanding the narratives of governance challenges to encompass the subtle values and images underpinning governance, and the scale of the challenges faced, can help to identify a wider set of opportunities for change. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Social fit of coral reef governance varies among individuals

Improved natural resource governance is critical for the effective conservation of ecosystems, and the well-being of societies that depend on them. Understanding the social fit of institutional arrangements in different contexts can help guide the design of effective environmental governance. This empirical study assessed individual-level variation in institutional acceptance of coral reef governance among 652 respondents in 12 fishing and tourism-oriented communities in the Wider Caribbean. High institutional acceptance was strongly associated with perceptions of community cohesiveness, underlining the potential contribution of civil society to effective governance processes. Institutional acceptance was also influenced by reef use, awareness of rules, perceived trends in reef fish populations, education, and contextual community-level factors. Understanding what influences diverse perceptions of coral reef governance among individuals can help to assess the likelihood of support for conservation measures. This study highlights how knowledge of institutional acceptance can inform the design of more targeted interventions that enhance the social fit of conservation governance to local contexts and diverse resource users

Assessment of carbon capture and storage in natural systems within the English North Sea (Including within Marine Protected Areas)

This report was commissioned by the North Sea Wildlife Trusts, Blue Marine Foundation, WWF and the RSPB to assess the extent, scale, distribution, and potential of the current blue carbon sinks in the English North Sea (i.e. seabed sediments, saltmarsh, kelp forests, seagrass beds and biogenic reefs). The focus was to i) review the current extent and distribution of each blue carbon habitat, ii) estimate the quantity of carbon currently stored within these habitats, iii) establish the average net sequestration rate (i.e. gC m-2 yr-1), and iv) estimate the potential net total sequestration (i.e. gC yr-1) of each blue carbon habitat. This analysis synthesises and reviews the most up-to-date scientific literature on fixation, processing, and storage of carbon in the English North Sea, including within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Carbon stock densities and rates of production and storage are combined with measures of habitat area to give estimates of total carbon stored in blue carbon habitats and their associated sediment stores. The results are intended to inform management decisions and identify opportunities to enhance the seabed and their carbon sequestration potential. Evidence of this nature will contribute to explore the potential of the English North Sea Marine Protected Area (MPA) network to help mitigate against the effects of climate change. Extents of blue carbon habitats for the North Sea region were derived from available sources. These include the EUNIS level 3 combined map from JNCC, Natural England Marine Habitats and Species Open Data, and recently published estimates of organic carbon (OC) and inorganic carbon (IC) stocks in surface sediments (Smeaton et al., 2021). Where maps of coastal habitats based on surveys were not available, including kelp and seagrass, extents of these habitats were estimated from models. Limitations of the estimates produced here link primarily to poorly constrained spatial extents of blue carbon habitats at the scales required for this report. For some habitats (intertidal and subtidal sediments), confidence in observational understanding of long-term sequestration is very low, as is that for transport and fate of carbon from macroalgae. Kelp forests in the region, for example, have received little attention compared to the rest of the United Kingdom. Furthermore, the science of understanding the effects of physical disturbance (including trawling) and climate change on these systems is very much in its infancy and new developments will allow a much better-informed outlook for the fate of these stocks and accumulation rates in a changing world and under varying management scenarios. Direct comparison between these North Sea carbon stores and those in terrestrial vegetation and soils are fraught with difficulty. Carbon stock sizes (MtC) and density per unit area (t/km2) are assessed differently, over different areas of habitats, and different timescales for storage of reported stocks. Carbon in living material may persist for years or decades, while that buried in soils and marine sediments may last for 100s to 1000s of years. Such lack of comparability renders straight numerical comparisons nearly meaningless. This is even more of a problem when comparing marine and terrestrial stocks, where soils and sediments and the nature of vegetated habitats are so radically different from each other. Depths of soils considered are a vital consideration. Here we consider marine sediments to a depth of only 10cm, while carbon in terrestrial soils is often reported to depths, typically 30cm to a metre or more. Given these caveats, conclusions that the total carbon reported for the area is 19% of that in UK forests (101 Mt vs 529 Mt) should be treated with extreme caution.Publisher PD

Assessment of carbon capture and storage in natural systems within the English North Sea (Including within Marine Protected Areas)

This report was commissioned by the North Sea Wildlife Trusts, Blue Marine Foundation, WWF and the RSPB to assess the extent, scale, distribution, and potential of the current blue carbon sinks in the English North Sea (i.e. seabed sediments, saltmarsh, kelp forests, seagrass beds and biogenic reefs). The focus was to i) review the current extent and distribution of each blue carbon habitat, ii) estimate the quantity of carbon currently stored within these habitats, iii) establish the average net sequestration rate (i.e. gC m-2 yr-1), and iv) estimate the potential net total sequestration (i.e. gC yr-1) of each blue carbon habitat. This analysis synthesises and reviews the most up-to-date scientific literature on fixation, processing, and storage of carbon in the English North Sea, including within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Carbon stock densities and rates of production and storage are combined with measures of habitat area to give estimates of total carbon stored in blue carbon habitats and their associated sediment stores. The results are intended to inform management decisions and identify opportunities to enhance the seabed and their carbon sequestration potential. Evidence of this nature will contribute to explore the potential of the English North Sea Marine Protected Area (MPA) network to help mitigate against the effects of climate change. Extents of blue carbon habitats for the North Sea region were derived from available sources. These include the EUNIS level 3 combined map from JNCC, Natural England Marine Habitats and Species Open Data, and recently published estimates of organic carbon (OC) and inorganic carbon (IC) stocks in surface sediments (Smeaton et al., 2021). Where maps of coastal habitats based on surveys were not available, including kelp and seagrass, extents of these habitats were estimated from models. Limitations of the estimates produced here link primarily to poorly constrained spatial extents of blue carbon habitats at the scales required for this report. For some habitats (intertidal and subtidal sediments), confidence in observational understanding of long-term sequestration is very low, as is that for transport and fate of carbon from macroalgae. Kelp forests in the region, for example, have received little attention compared to the rest of the United Kingdom. Furthermore, the science of understanding the effects of physical disturbance (including trawling) and climate change on these systems is very much in its infancy and new developments will allow a much better-informed outlook for the fate of these stocks and accumulation rates in a changing world and under varying management scenarios. Direct comparison between these North Sea carbon stores and those in terrestrial vegetation and soils are fraught with difficulty. Carbon stock sizes (MtC) and density per unit area (t/km2) are assessed differently, over different areas of habitats, and different timescales for storage of reported stocks. Carbon in living material may persist for years or decades, while that buried in soils and marine sediments may last for 100s to 1000s of years. Such lack of comparability renders straight numerical comparisons nearly meaningless. This is even more of a problem when comparing marine and terrestrial stocks, where soils and sediments and the nature of vegetated habitats are so radically different from each other. Depths of soils considered are a vital consideration. Here we consider marine sediments to a depth of only 10cm, while carbon in terrestrial soils is often reported to depths, typically 30cm to a metre or more. Given these caveats, conclusions that the total carbon reported for the area is 19% of that in UK forests (101 Mt vs 529 Mt) should be treated with extreme caution.Publisher PD

Experiences of receiving a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis: a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies

PurposeThis meta-synthesis aimed to synthesise qualitative evidence on experiences of people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in receiving a diagnosis, to derive a conceptual understanding of adjustment to MS diagnosis.MethodsFive electronic databases were systematically searched to identify qualitative studies that explored views and experiences around MS diagnosis. Papers were quality-appraised using a standardised checklist. Data synthesis was guided by principles of meta-ethnography, a well-established interpretive method for synthesising qualitative evidence.ResultsThirty-seven papers were selected (with 874 people with MS). Synthesis demonstrated that around the point of MS diagnosis people experienced considerable emotional upheaval (e.g., shock, denial, anger, fear) and difficulties (e.g., lengthy diagnosis process) that limited their ability to make sense of their diagnosis, leading to adjustment difficulties. However, support resources (e.g., support from clinicians) and adaptive coping strategies (e.g., acceptance) facilitated the adjustment process. Additionally, several unmet emotional and informational support needs (e.g., need for personalised information and tailored emotional support) were identified that, if addressed, could improve adjustment to diagnosis.ConclusionsOur synthesis highlights the need for providing person-centred support and advice at the time of diagnosis and presents a conceptual map of adjustment for designing interventions to improve adjustment following MS diagnosis.Implications for RehabilitationThe period surrounding Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis can be stressful and psychologically demanding.Challenges and disruptions at diagnosis can threaten sense of self, resulting in negative emotions.Adaptive coping skills and support resources could contribute to better adjustment following diagnosis.Support interventions should be tailored to the needs of newly diagnosed people

Psychosocial adjustment to multiple sclerosis diagnosis: A meta-review of systematic reviews

This meta-review aimed to synthesise evidence on psychosocial adjustment to multiple sclerosis, to identify available treatment models and services for recently diagnosed individuals, and to explore their effectiveness. MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and grey literature were searched to include systematic reviews on psychosocial adjustment in multiple sclerosis. Two reviewers independently screened and assessed the quality of the selected reviews. Data were synthesised using narrative approach. Overall, thirty systematic reviews were included (with ~131,813 people with multiple sclerosis). A variety of psychosocial factors were identified in relation to adjustment to multiple sclerosis. Seven theoretical models that underpinned the available services and ten different intervention categories (e.g. cognitive behavioural approaches, mindfulness) for adjustment to multiple sclerosis were identified. There was some evidence that these interventions improved quality of life and coping, however, the difference they could make to people's adjustment was inconclusive. It was also difficult to conclude whether these interventions were particularly effective with the newly diagnosed. There is some support for the effectiveness of adjustment interventions. However, there is a need to design and rigorously evaluate support programmes for newly diagnosed people with multiple sclerosis, specifically focusing on information and adjustment support