183 research outputs found
Herb-Layer Dynamics in an Old-Growth Forest: VegetationâEnvironment Relationships and Response to Invasion-Related Perturbations
Temperate forests of eastern North America are subject to multiple invasions from non-native species that have the potential to drive long-term dynamics in biodiversity. Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata (M. Bieb.) Cavara and Grande) is an invasive plant in many deciduous forests, and management efforts often focus on removing this species to initiate native species restoration. Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (emerald ash borer; Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is a non-native insect pest that has caused substantial loss of ash trees (Fraxinus spp. L.) in North America. Our goal was to understand how the herbaceous layer in an old-growth forest responded to the removal of a significant invasion of A. petiolata and the loss of Fraxinus spp. due to A. planipennis. Herbaceous diversity and environmental parameters were measured in 32 permanent plots (1 m2 each) from 2012 to 2020 in an old-growth forest remnant that had experienced A. petiolata invasion and subsequent removal as well as mortality of Fraxinus spp. due to A. planipennis. Near-total loss of Fraxinus spp. as a canopy tree was not associated with changes in the understory light environment, possibly due to rapid canopy closure by adjacent trees not susceptible to the insect. Alliaria petiolata removal was associated with changes in herbaceous species richness and possibly shifts in individual species importance. Vegetationâenvironment relationships remained stable throughout the sampling period, suggesting that resource-related factors that structure the herb layer prevailed throughout the changes associated with Fraxinus spp. mortality and A. petiolata management. From a natural area management perspective, our data offer support for the idea that A. petiolata removal influences herb-layer diversity and indicate that in stands with a diverse tree community, the loss of Fraxinus spp. may not directly influence understory biodiversity
EXAMINING THE GLOCAL FORCES THAT DETERMINED THE MICE TOURISM RECOVERY POST-COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The paper focuses on the determinants of MICE tourism recovery post the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the case of
South Africa, empirical data were collected by way of in-depth interviews with 19 key stakeholders in the MICE sector. The
study findings reveal five key determinants of the recovery, (1) change in focus of geographical markets, (2) varied recovery of
the different economic industries, (3) limited airline access and connectivity, (4) destination image and (5) level of confidence of
MICE attendees to travel. The paperâs theoretical significance lies in its timely contribution to studies on MICE tourism recovery
and resilience, focusing on the developing nations' context. Further, the findings of the study, which delineate the recovery
process of MICE events post-COVID-19 provide insights into building a resilient MICE sector
Adaptive strategies employed by the mice sector in response to COVID-19
Abstract: COVID-19 has brought to the fore drastic and transformative changes to MICE tourism. The current study therefore sought to examine the adaptive responses employed by the MICE sector of South Africa to survive and maintain business continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adopting a qualitative research design, 19 representatives of various subsectors of the MICE industry (including organisers, suppliers, and associations) were interviewed. The data reveals that the immediate strategies implemented by many MICE organisations involved the reevaluation of their operational costs. Moreover, the study found that the sector has readjusted its business models to include virtual events in order to ensure recovery and resilience in light of the pandemic. The study argues the importance of understanding adaptive strategies as broadening theory on tourism and crises (specifically to the MICE sector) as well as understanding the process of sector resilience post-COVID-19
COVID-19 AND MICE EVENTS: UNPACKING THE FACTORS MEDIATING THE RETURN OF IN-PERSON EVENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA
The shift to virtual events by the MICE sector was one of the first strategies adopted by the sector in response to the restrictions imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines the factors mediating the return of in-person MICE events in South Africa. Utilising a qualitative research design, interviews with MICE event planners, professional associations, and governing authorities reveal that live events are perceived to have greater potential to attain local economic development benefits and MICE event legacies. Additionally, the limitations of virtual events had a subsequent effect on networking, direct selling, and other main motives for attending MICE events. The return of in-person events began with stimulating the local market and exploring more hybrid events. Overall, the study presents the resilience of in-person MICE events, examining the various steps taken to ensure its return post-COVID-19
Scientific mindfulness: a foundation for future themes in international business
We conceptualize new ways to qualify what themes should dominate the future IB
research agenda by examining three questions: Whom should we ask? What should we ask and which selection criteria should we apply? What are the contextual forces? We propose scientific mindfulness as the way forward for generating themes in IB research
The influence of riparian invasion by the terrestrial shrub Lonicera maackii on aquatic macroinvertebrates in temperate forest headwater streams
The ecology of headwater streams is tightly linked to the riparian zone through organic matter subsidies which are highly susceptible to alteration due to biological invasion. Lonicera maackii is a non-native shrub that is a highly successful invader of headwater stream riparian zones in the American Midwest. We assessed effects on benthic macroinvertebrates across a gradient of invasion intensity from references sites with minimal invasion to a site that had a very heavy invasion. Benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled throughout the year and compositional differences were assessed using Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling ordination, and by comparing the prevalence of sensitive (Ephemeroptera, Plectoptera, and Trichoptera: EPT) and tolerant (Chironomidae) macroinvertebrate taxa. We found strong evidence of variation among macroinvertebrate communities across the invasion gradient (ANOSIM Râ=â0.215, Pâ=â0.004) and particularly strong separation between one of our reference sites with minimal invasion and the site with the heaviest invasion. Analysis of EPT taxa indicated a significant overall effect and pairwise comparisons indicated that the site with the heaviest invasion had the lowest percentage of sensitive taxa (Pâ\u3câ0.05). Our analysis of chironomids did not yield a statistically discernable effect, although the pattern of the data suggest higher dominance in the site with the heaviest invasion. These stream-scale results bolster prior laboratory and field experiments and provide evidence that terrestrial invasion of L. maackiiimpacts the benthic community present in headwater streams. These results provide impetus to re-focus stream management recommendations to include practices that control invasive plants in riparian forests
Earth Science Education #7. GeoTrails: Accessible Online Tools for Outreach and Education
As geoscientists, we must prioritize improving our ability to communicate science to the public. Effective geoscience communication enables communities to understand how geological processes have shaped our planet and make informed decisions about Earthâs future. However, geoscience research outputs have traditionally been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at academic conferences. Consequently, essential information about local geology is rarely available in accessible, open access, and engaging formats. Here, we propose virtual field trips, or âGeoTrailsâ, as a possible solution to address the disconnect between geoscience research and public knowledge by improving our communication to the public. This initiative is largely driven by undergraduate students, who identify points of geological interest along selected hiking trails, write concise descriptions derived from scientific sources (e.g. longer peer-reviewed articles and government reports), and collect field data (e.g. 3-D LiDAR models, drone photography) to illustrate the characteristics of these geological features. The goal of the project is to communicate the importance of local geology on our environment and to raise awareness of how changing climates could affect us in the future; this information can empower communities to make better, more informed planning decisions. The creation of GeoTrails along the Niagara Escarpment offers a promising strategy to highlight the role of geoscientists and to engage the public in our ongoing research that aims to showcase Canadaâs geoheritage.En tant que gĂ©oscientifiques, nous devons donner la prioritĂ© Ă lâamĂ©lioration de notre capacitĂ© Ă communiquer la science au public. Une communication efficace des gĂ©osciences permet aux communautĂ©s de comprendre comment les processus gĂ©ologiques ont façonnĂ© notre planĂšte et de prendre des dĂ©cisions Ă©clairĂ©es sur lâavenir de la Terre. Cependant, les rĂ©sultats de la recherche en gĂ©osciences ont traditionnellement Ă©tĂ© publiĂ©s dans des revues Ă comitĂ© de lecture et prĂ©sentĂ©s lors de confĂ©rences acadĂ©miques. Par consĂ©quent, les informations essentielles sur la gĂ©ologie locale sont rarement disponibles sous des formats accessibles, en libre accĂšs et attrayants. Dans cette optique, nous proposons des excursions virtuelles, ou « GeoTrails », comme solution possible pour combler le fossĂ© entre la recherche en gĂ©osciences et la connaissance du public en amĂ©liorant notre communication avec celui-ci. Cette initiative est en grande partie menĂ©e par des Ă©tudiants de premier cycle, qui identifient des points dâintĂ©rĂȘt gĂ©ologiques le long de sentiers de randonnĂ©e sĂ©lectionnĂ©s, rĂ©digent des descriptions concises basĂ©es sur des sources scientifiques (par exemple, des articles Ă comitĂ© de lecture plus longs et des rapports gouvernementaux) et collectent des donnĂ©es sur le terrain (par exemple, des modĂšles LiDAR 3-D, des photographies par drone) pour illustrer les caractĂ©ristiques de ces caractĂ©ristiques gĂ©ologiques. L'objectif du projet est de communiquer l'importance de la gĂ©ologie locale sur notre environnement et de sensibiliser aux façons dont les changements climatiques pourraient nous affecter Ă l'avenir; cette information peut permettre aux communautĂ©s de prendre des dĂ©cisions de planification meilleures et plus Ă©clairĂ©es. La crĂ©ation de GeoTrails le long de l'escarpement du Niagara offre une stratĂ©gie prometteuse pour mettre en valeur le rĂŽle des gĂ©oscientifiques et pour engager le public dans notre recherche en cours qui vise Ă prĂ©senter le patrimoine gĂ©ologique du Canada
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