Reviewing the use of resilience concepts in forest sciences

Purpose of the review Resilience is a key concept to deal with an uncertain future in forestry. In recent years, it has received increasing attention from both research and practice. However, a common understanding of what resilience means in a forestry context, and how to operationalise it is lacking. Here, we conducted a systematic review of the recent forest science literature on resilience in the forestry context, synthesising how resilience is defined and assessed. Recent findings Based on a detailed review of 255 studies, we analysed how the concepts of engineering resilience, ecological resilience, and social-ecological resilience are used in forest sciences. A clear majority of the studies applied the concept of engineering resilience, quantifying resilience as the recovery time after a disturbance. The two most used indicators for engineering resilience were basal area increment and vegetation cover, whereas ecological resilience studies frequently focus on vegetation cover and tree density. In contrast, important social-ecological resilience indicators used in the literature are socio-economic diversity and stock of natural resources. In the context of global change, we expected an increase in studies adopting the more holistic social-ecological resilience concept, but this was not the observed trend. Summary Our analysis points to the nestedness of these three resilience concepts, suggesting that they are complementary rather than contradictory. It also means that the variety of resilience approaches does not need to be an obstacle for operationalisation of the concept. We provide guidance for choosing the most suitable resilience concept and indicators based on the management, disturbance and application context

Early Career Civil Engineers’ Trajectory Study: Development of the Career Trajectory Survey (CTS) Instrument

CONTEXTInternationally, there is a disconnection between one’s obtaining an engineering qualification and working as an engineer. The reasons for this are complex and not fully understood. Professional engineers provide an undisputed contribution to the global, and Australian, economy, thus identifying reasons for engineers working out of field is of importance. Civil engineers design, build and maintain infrastructure utilised by the community. However, considering that Australia has fewer than 50% of 25-29 year-old qualified Australian engineers working as a professional engineer, low domestic undergraduate numbers and a high skilled migration requirement we need to understand early career engineers’ trajectories.PURPOSEEngineering graduates would be better equipped for the future if they understood their potential career trajectory, as would the educators that need to prepare them. This study aims to fill identified knowledge gaps in an engineer’s career trajectory with particular reference to identifying the critical influencing factors impacting on pathways of early career civil engineers. METHODOLOGYOur Early Career Civil Engineer Trajectory (ECCET) Study uses a constructivism worldview to undertake an exploratory sequential mixed methods study of early career civil engineers (ECCEs) including those working out of field. We have developed the ECCET Concept Model, grounded in the Theory of Work Adjustment (TWA) and the literature on professional engineering practice and persistence. We have also developed the Career Trajectory Survey (CTS) instrument guided by the ECCET Concept Model and deployed Phase 1 (a pilot survey) with 26 participants. The pilot survey is currently undergoing analysis. ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES Our ECCET Concept Model proposes new constructs, with five critical influential factors impacting on an individual’s career trajectory. These factors are categorised by the focus on Person (Individual’s Abilities and Skills, Influences and Values), Environment (Organisational Support) and the Adjustment between them. The deployment of the Career Trajectory Survey (CTS) instrument through three phases will establish the validity and reliability of the instrument and refinement of the ECCET model.SUMMARY Filling these knowledge gaps in an engineer’s career trajectory can ensure the attraction, retention and success of ECCEs in the engineering profession, reducing Australia’s high need for engineering skilled migration. This knowledge of an ECCE’s trajectory will be used by engineering educators, professional bodies and engineering graduates

Exploring a Civil Engineer’s Career Optimism

CONTEXTInternationally, evidence exists of a disconnection between the attainment of an engineering qualification and working as a professional engineer. The reasons for this are complex and not fully understood. To seek to improve the career optimism of a civil engineer we need to understand the factors impacting their decision about whether to remain in a professional engineering role.PURPOSEOur research aims to identify the factors affecting the career optimism of an Australian civil engineer. We expand upon the current research on engineers’ career by analysing a wider demographic range, encompassing both gender and years of professional experience. Through the lens of the Theory of Work Adjustment, we aim to identify the significance of occupational and organisational values, adjustment and commitment, emphasising both individual and organisational factors.APPROACHA nationwide survey of Australian professional engineers was undertaken in 2021. Participants completed the 28 item Career Trajectory Survey questionnaire developed by the authors. Of the valid responses received, 235 were deemed to be professional civil engineers. Data collected were analysed using nonparametric statistical techniques to compare and contrast civil engineers’ career optimism between demographic groups. Participants’ demographics are identified by six categories: gender, years of experience, education level, industry, organisational size and geographic location.OUTCOMESAn average of 62% of civil engineers reported career optimism, however, this varies significantly when contrasted by gender and experience. Of all civil engineering respondents, those most likely to report career optimism rate highest their enjoyment of work and environment, collaboration, teamwork and communication, and practical engineering problem solving skills. Other highly rated items include self management and professionalism, and the need for relationships within the work environment.RECOMMENDATIONSOur study offers valuable new insights into the career optimism of a wide range of Australian civil engineers. Career optimism has been positively linked to job performance, satisfaction, and work happiness. This research can be utilised to increase the career optimism of civil engineers, enabling them to remain in a professional engineering role

Career Optimism of Civil Engineers In Australia: Insights and leadership strategies to improve the career optimism, tenure and productivity of civil engineers

Projects of local, national and global significance are being impacted by the shortage of civil engineers. This engineering skills shortage is predicted to negatively affect many nations’ ability to develop economic strength and to build and maintain their infrastructure safety. We have investigated and modelled the factors impacting the career optimism of civil engineers in Australia, providing insights and leadership strategies to improve their satisfaction, tenure and productivity

Insights to research and practice from developing and deploying an early career engineers’ trajectory survey

CONTEXTOnline surveying is a commonly used research method to explore and validate theoretical constructs. The ease with which online questionnaires can be developed and deployed has led to their adoption by many academics. This survey method has many positive effects and negative effects that must be considered by the researcher before and during deployment.PURPOSE We created the Career Trajectory Survey (the Survey) to facilitate a better understanding of the career trajectory of early career civil engineers. This paper draws upon our experiences, intending to serve as both a theoretical and practical resource for other researchers planning to conduct an online survey. In particular, we assess the considerations about deploying online questionnaires to individuals outside the academic context. METHOD The Survey questionnaire was deployed to persons with an Engineering Bachelors degree who were located within Australia over an eight week period from May to July 2021. This deployment was undertaken after questionnaire validity checks were performed during a pilot survey. The 10-15 minute online questionnaire utilised the Qualtrics platform, with over 340 valid responses received. Invitations to participate were sent to engineering associations, engineering organisations and individuals through a social media campaign. Valid respondents were offered the opportunity to enter a major prize draw.OBJECTIVES This paper presents the Survey deployment plan, its ongoing amendments and insights gained. The basis for deploying a questionnaire to individuals working in industry differs significantly from deployment inside of the academic setting. The issues of participant recruitment, incentives, contacting industry organisations and engineering associations, and the possible pitfalls of a social media campaign are presented. This paper intends to serve as a practical resource for other researchers, particularly those working individually or in small groups, without official sponsorship.RECOMMENDATIONSWe recommend that the deployment plan of any online questionnaire remains flexible. During this phase the data should be regularly interrogated, allowing for potential deployment changes as required. We advocate for the implementation of strong survey security protocols. Moreover, we advise of the typical low response rates of online surveys, the need for adaptability and the benefits of an advocate

Predicting Career Optimism of Civil Engineers

Delivery of infrastructure in Australia is increasingly challenged by shortages of professional civil engineers. It is therefore imperative to investigate their career optimism. Through the lens of the theory of work adjustment, we expand upon previous research on this topic. We identify the significance of occupational and organizational values and needs, adjustment, and commitment, emphasizing both individual and organizational factors. From a nationwide survey of Australian professional civil engineers, our logistic regression models identify the mechanisms that predict a civil engineer's increasing or decreasing career optimism, which are distinguished through the constructs of Person, Environment, and the Adjustment between them. Our findings show that a civil engineer's career optimism depends upon their years of professional experience and gender. Optimistic male civil engineers report affective organizational commitment, but career optimism declines with years of experience. Optimistic nonmale civil engineers report continuing organizational commitment and increasing optimism with experience. Predictors of an early-career civil engineer's increasing career optimism include the occupational status value of responsibility and the ability to adjust within a work environment. Therefore, organizations must continue to build upon current practices in supporting a civil engineer's occupational needs, provide flexibility, and understand their organizational commitment. Practical management implications that build career optimism of early-career civil engineers include provision of roles offering autonomy, responsibility, and flexibility, support returning from career breaks, and providing change management training.</p

Career and trajectory study: An Australian study of early career civil engineer’s career trajectories - presentation

This project aims to identify the critical influential factors affecting career trajectories of early career civil engineers and determine the mechanisms by which these impact on the employment context, career trajectory and destination paths of engineers. This research project was prompted by previous research of labour force outcomes for engineering graduates, both in Australia and globally, and the identified disconnection between obtaining an engineering degree and working in an engineering-related field. Filling this gap in knowledge will be of interest to engineering professional bodies, education researchers and career advisors

Seasonal prevalence of white plague like disease on the endemic Brazilian reef coral Mussismilia braziliensis Prevalencia estacional de la enfermedad de la plaga blanca en el coral endémico de Brasil Mussismilia braziliensis

The reef coral Mussismilia braziliensis Verril, 1968 is endemic to the eastern Brazilian coast, representing a major reef-building species in the region. This coral is threatened by extinction due to the recent proliferation of a white-plague like (WPL) disease. Despite its severe impacts, the environmental factors leading to outbreaks of WPL disease are still poorly understood. This study describes the seasonal prevalence of WPL disease on M. braziliensis in the Abrolhos Bank, on the southern coast of Bahia Brazil. In situ estimates showed that WPL disease was about 4.5 times more prevalent in summer (January 2007, mean sea surface temperature 27.4°C) than in winter (July 2007, 25.0°C). This result suggests that the prevalence of WPL disease in M. braziliensis is temperature-dependent, supporting the hypothesis that warmer oceans are facilitating the proliferation of coral diseases worldwide.El coral Mussismilia braziliensis Verril, 1968 es endémico de la costa este de Brasil y representa una de las principales especies constructoras de arrecifes coralinos en dicha region. Este coral se encuentra bajo la amenaza de extincion debido la reciente propagacion de la enfermedad llamada la plaga blanca (PB). Pese los fuertes impactos, los factores ambientales responsables por epidemias de la PB aún son poco conocidos. En este estudio se describe la prevalencia estacional de la PB en M. braziliensis en el Banco de Abrolhos, ubicado en la costa sur de Bahia, Brasil. Estimaciones in situ comprueban que la prevalencia de esta molestia ha sido cerca de 4,5 veces mayor en verano (enero de 2007, temperatura media del agua superficial del mar 27,4°C), que en invierno (julio de 2007; 25,0°C). Este resultado sugiere que la prevalencia de la enfermedad PB en M. braziliensis es dependiente de la temperatura, reforzando la hipótesis de que los océanos mas cálidos estén facilitando la propagacion de enfermedades coralígenas en todo el mundo

les transformations economiqe et spatiale du Baixo Mondego

chap. 5International audienc