Attractiveness of periodic orbits in parametrically forced systemswith time-increasing friction

We consider dissipative one-dimensional systems subject to a periodic force and study numerically how a time-varying friction affects the dynamics. As a model system, particularly suited for numerical analysis, we investigate the driven cubic oscillator in the presence of friction. We find that, if the damping coefficient increases in time up to a final constant value, then the basins of attraction of the leading resonances are larger than they would have been if the coefficient had been fixed at that value since the beginning. From a quantitative point of view, the scenario depends both on the final value and the growth rate of the damping coefficient. The relevance of the results for the spin-orbit model are discussed in some detail.Comment: 30 pages, 6 figure

State of play and future steps for the EU Biodiversity Strategy (EU BDS) dashboard

→ The EU BDS dashboard is publicly accessible through the website of the European Commission’s Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD) under “Tools”. → Following the publication of six new indicators, the EU BDS dashboard currently contains 16 indicators to monitor progress on 8 out of the 16 EU BDS targets. → The EU BDS dashboard has also undergone technical updates to make it easier to navigate and maintain. → The two indicators selected following the last meeting of the EU Biodiversity Platform’s Monitoring and Assessment subgroup (EUBP-MA) are planned to be published by the end of 2024, as well as the two pesticide indicators previously proposed. → Two new indicators are proposed to be added in the EU BDS dashboard: EUBP-MA is invited to give its feedback on these proposed indicators. → The indicator developed to track progress on the EU BDS commitment to unlock at least € 20 billion/year for biodiversity is also presented and open to EUBP-MA feedback

A research perspective towards a more complete biodiversity footprint: a report from the World Biodiversity Forum

ISSN:0948-3349ISSN:1614-750

A framework to quantify the vulnerability of insular biota to global changes

The majority of vulnerability assessments of biodiversity to global changes have so far been applied to, and designed for, mainland systems, overlooking islands. However, islands harbour unique biodiversity and are epicentres of ongoing extinctions. We thus introduce a specific framework for quantifying the vulnerability of terrestrial insular biota to multiple threats. This framework uses markers of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity to account for the unique characteristics of island biodiversity. Our assessment framework involves five steps: (1) defining the scope of the vulnerability assessment, (2) selecting the most appropriate markers, (3) computing the vulnerability metric, (4) evaluating uncertainties, and (5) providing recommendations for conservation. The development of this vulnerability framework tailored for island systems is part of a larger initiative to meet international policy targets that better integrate biodiversity threats and dimensions. We thus discuss the need and urgency for applying this framework to guide evidence-based decisions for the conservation of insular biodiversity, and for increased attention to insular biota at the science-policy interface

Recommendations for National Risk Assessment for Disaster Risk Management in EU

Union Civil Protection Mechanism Decision No 1313/2013/EU requires EU Member States and UCPM participating states to report to the Commission on their disaster risk management activities to support formulating an EU risk management policy that would complement and enhance the national ones. The aim of this report is to support the use of the new “Reporting Guidelines on Disaster Risk Management, Art. 6(1)d of Decision No.1313/2013/EU,” (2019/C 428/07) by relevant national authorities. This report is the second in the series of reports “Recommendations for National Risk Assessment for Disaster Risk Management”. The aim of this series of reports is to build-up a network of experts involved in the different aspects of the national risk assessment process. The European Commission Joint Research Centre joins national, regional and global efforts to acquire better risk governance structure through evidences, science and knowledge management. Risk governance facilitates policy cycle for the implementation of integrated disaster risk management. Risk Assessment is positioned at the heart of the policy cycle and provides evidence for DRM planning and the implementation of prevention and preparedness measures. This report explains the purpose and objective of each step of the reporting to give meaning and motivation to demanding risk governance processes. It collects the contributions of fourteen expert teams that prepared short step by step description of disaster risk assessment approaches specific for the chosen hazard/asset usable in the context of a national risk assessment exercise and addressed national risk assessment capability to be further developed in order to bring the evidence to next level A special focus is dedicated to capability needed to tackle climate change. The risks covered are of natural, anthropogenic and socio-natural origin: floods, droughts, wildfires, biodiversity loss, earthquakes, volcano eruptions, biological disasters, Natech accidents, chemical accidents, nuclear accidents, terrorist attacks, critical infrastructure disruptions, cybersecurity and hybrid threats.JRC.E.1 - Disaster Risk Managemen

Restoring genetic diversity to facilitate the implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Law

Governments and economic blocs are recognising that the world faces a biodiversity crisis. The restoration of biodiversity to the levels prior to widespread human induced damage has been incorporated as a crucial component of conservation in the Global Biodiversity Framework of the Convention of Biological Diversity. The Nature Restoration Law (NRL) forms part of the European Union's response and after its adoption by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, it has formally become the Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR). The NRL aims to play a role in restoring ecosystems, habitats and species but does not expressly include genetic diversity, the third biodiversity component. Considering genetic diversity in strategic biodiversity planning is important to help nature adapt to rapid anthropogenic change. We have reviewed the text of the NRL and note opportunities to incorporate genetic diversity in National Restoration Plans to augment its implementation. In particular, genetic diversity assessments are well aligned with the NRL's aspiration to enhance connectivity, and genetic indicators can assess the effectiveness of its implementation. Here we give examples where restoration has incorporated genetic diversity to ensure long term wide-reaching success. This is of relevance beyond the NRL and applies generally to policy for nature restoration efforts globally, especially those related to the Global Biodiversity Framework

Assessing progress in monitoring and implementing the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030

The aim of this science for policy report is twofold. First, it presents the state of play and the next steps in developing a monitoring framework for the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 (EU BDS). Second, it provides an overview of progress made in implementing the EU BDS to date, as well as an assessment of the likelihood of reaching its targets by 2030. It mobilises various data sources – the official EU BDS and other policy-relevant progress monitoring tools, scientific literature and expert opinions – to provide a state of play of key achievements and remaining gaps in both monitoring and implementing the EU BDS as we approach its mid-term mark. Almost half of the actions are completed; the remaining half are mostly in progress, and a few are delayed. Indicators are published to track progress towards more than 40 % of the EU BDS targets and, with the notable exception of those on the state of biodiversity, the EU is showing progress in the right direction towards most of the evaluated targets; however, the pace of progress needs to accelerate massively to reach the 2030 targets. Further effort and engagement with the scientific community is needed to fill the remaining monitoring gaps, while a better implementation of the environmental policies would be necessary to meet the maximum of targets by 2030

Magnetic paleopole associated with Apollinaris Patera, Mars, and polar wander

International audienc

Cocoa Map for Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana

Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana are the largest producers of cocoa in the world. In recent decades the cultivation of this crop has led to the loss of vast tracts of forest areas in both countries. Efficient and accurate methods for remotely identifying cocoa plantations are essential to the implementation of sustainable cocoa practices and for the periodic and effective monitoring of forests. In this study, a method for cocoa plantation identification was developed based on a multi-temporal stack of Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 images and a multi-feature Random Forest (RF) algorithm. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and second-order texture features were assessed for their importance in an RF classification, and their optimal combination was used as input variables for the RF model to identify cocoa plantations in both countries. The RF model-based cocoa map achieved 82.89% producer's and 62.22% user's accuracy, detecting 3.69 million hectares (Mha) and 2.15 Mha of cocoa plantations for Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, respectively. The results demonstrate that a combination of an RF model and multi-feature classification can distinguish cocoa plantations from other land cover/use, effectively reducing feature dimensions and improving classification efficiency. The results also highlight that cocoa farms largely encroach into protected areas (PAs), as 20% of the detected cocoa plantation area is located in PAs, and almost 70% of the PAs in the study area house cocoa plantations. Further details regarding the sites selection, mapping, and validation procedures are described in the corresponding publication: Abu, IO., Szantoi, Z., Brink, A., Robuchon, M., Thiel, M. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.107863, 2021