Identifying the strengths and weaknesses of conservation planning at different scales: the Coral Triangle as a case study

Each year, hundreds of conservation plans are developed to direct limited resources toward conservation in priority areas. Conservation plans are developed at different levels, defined here as points on a range of spatial extent varying from global to local. However, approaches to integrate plans effectively across levels remain elusive. To plan across multiple levels most effectively, the relative strengths and weaknesses of planning at different levels must be understood. Taking the Coral Triangle region of the western Pacific Ocean as a case study, we apply an adapted social-ecological system (SES) framework to assess the scalar coverage of conservation plans, i.e., the extent to which plans developed at one level adequately consider the social and ecological levels and components (i.e., resource units, resource systems, governance systems, actors) of an SES. No conservation plans we assessed had complete cross-level coverage. Plans most adequately addressed social and ecological components at the same level of planning and, to a lesser extent, lower levels. In line with previous literature suggesting that social factors are most relevant at local levels, we found that local-level plans engaged with the greatest number of stakeholder groups, whereas higher level plans more adequately addressed ecological components. Given that it appears more practicable for higher level plans to consider components at lower levels, the onus should fall on higher level planning to link to lower levels. Achieving complete cross-level coverage will require vertical interactions between planning processes at different levels, and conceiving of planning processes across all levels as connected planning systems. We demonstrate how an adapted SES framework can be used by conservation planners to assess the cross-level coverage of their own plans and to formulate appropriate conservation objectives to address social and ecological components at different levels

Scalar capital as ingredient of success in conservation governance: evidence from Melanesia

Problems of scale abound in the governance of complex social-ecological systems. Conservation governance, for example, typically occurs at a single scale, but needs to inform governance and action at other scales to be truly effective at achieving social and ecological outcomes. This process is conventionally conceived as unidirectional - either scaling down or scaling up - in the way it both exploits and creates the natural, social, human, institutional, and financial resources and benefits that are collectively known as conservation 'capital'. Here we analyse multiscale conservation governance and the different types of capital that impede or facilitate its effectiveness. Comparative analysis of conservation planning in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, through in-depth document review, key informant interview, and participant observation, reveals limited evidence of unidirectional processes. Instead, we observe multidirectional scaling pathways, cultivated by the following six scale-explicit characteristics of effective conservation governance: 1) multiscale understanding, 2) scale jumping, 3) scaled leadership characteristics, 4) scaled stakeholder engagement, 5) scaled policy frameworks, and 6) scaled institutional settings. While the latter four are familiar concepts, though not always recognised as explicitly scalar, we know little about the first two attributes of conservation governance. Based on this novelty and relevance, we propose a new form of capital - 'scalar capital' - to complement natural, social, human, institutional, and financial capitals as both input and outcome of effective conservation governance. We find that scalar capital facilitates flows of different resources (data, conservation objectives, practitioner experience, institutional support, and funding) in multiple directions. Critically, we present empirical evidence that conservation governance can foster scalar capital to improve outcomes across multiple scales

Coral reef conservation solution-scape white paper

In the face of climate change, warming oceans, and repeated mass coral bleaching, coral reef conservation is at a timely crossroads. There is a new urgency to support and strengthen a rich history of conservation partnerships and actions, while also building toward new actions to meet unparalleled global threats. The goal of this white paper is to synthesize and summarize the diversity of tools, approaches and solutions for coral reef conservation implemented to date and to understand the enabling conditions that lead to successful coral reef conservation. Framed as a “solution-scape,” this white paper seeks to support ongoing decisions to strengthen existing assets and build new investments into portfolios of global coral reef conservation that are equitable and aligned with diverse cultures and worldviews

Kainate Receptors Coexist in a Functional Complex with KCC2 and Regulate Chloride Homeostasis in Hippocampal Neurons

Peer reviewe

Xバンド電子スピン共鳴によるGaAs;Er,OのEr濃度およびキャリア依存性の研究

博士（理学）神戸大

Protein Interactions Regulate KCC2-mediated Chloride Homeostasis

KCC2 is the primary Cl- cotransporter which maintains a low [Cl-]i required for inhibitory neurotransmission. Despite intense investigation into the mechanisms governing KCC2 regulation, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this thesis I have presented three novel pieces of evidence providing further insight into KCC2 regulation. First, KCC2 membrane expression, and therefore function, require the expression of the KAR-type subunit GluK2. Second, KCC2 membrane recycling can be increased in the presence of GluK2 or by PKC-mediated phosphorylation. Protein interaction with GluK2 and PKC-mediated phosphorylation synergistically increase KCC2 expression and function, demonstrating how this protein can be regulated by functional cross-talk of multiple protein modifications. Finally, KCC2 is dephosphorylated by a calcineurin-dependent mechanism in response to ionic shift plasticity induction. Elucidating the mechanisms which regulate KCC2 function are highly coveted as KCC2 down-regulation is commonly observed in neuropathophysiological conditions such as epilepsy and neuropathic pain. Taken together, my results present novel findings regarding the mechanisms which regulate KCC2 function and surface expression and critically regulate neuronal Cl- homeostasis.Ph.D.2018-02-12 00:00:0

Beware silent waning of shark protection

[Extract] On 2 October 2011, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) declared the world's largest shark sanctuary, adding 1,990,530 km2 to the rapidly expanding shark sanctuary movement. News outlets praised the policy, citing its widespread local support and protection laws, the strongest to date (1, 2). Moreover, it was hailed a substantial victory because the government chose to protect sharks despite pressures from politically influential fisheries and other interest groups (3). However, in 2016, mounting pressure from those same fishing interests convinced members of the government to weaken the sanctuary law (4), and the global conservation community has taken no action in response

The plans they are a-changin': more frequent iterative adjustment of regional priorities in the transition to local actions can benefit implementation

Aim: Regional-scale assessments are frequently conceived to guide the strategic application of conservation actions. Although changes to priority areas from initial assessments are inevitable, the transition from regional-scale assessment to implementing local actions is poorly understood. An outstanding question concerns the frequency with which regionally assessed priorities should be updated as actions are implemented. We address this gap by simulating the incremental implementation of local actions guided by regional conservation assessments, exploring how update frequency can influence aspects of translating regional assessments to local actions. Location: Fiji coral reefs. Methods: Our simulations were designed within the framework of systematic conservation planning, with implemented actions simulated based on conservation value in achieving objectives and feature rarity. Other decision rule-sets were put in place to simulate on-the-ground negotiations that are often necessary when transitioning from regional-scale conservation assessments to local actions. We use our simulations to evaluate how the frequency of updating regional priorities influences (1) total time taken to achieve objectives represented by numbers of planning units investigated, (2) total extent of final reserve systems and (3) spatial overlap between initial regional priorities and final implemented reserves. Results: Changes in the frequencies of updating did not influence the time taken to achieve conservation objectives, nor the total extent of final reserve systems. However, there was a significant difference in the number of times planning units were re-investigated for implementing actions within in scenarios that involved more frequent updates. Spatial overlap between initial regional priorities and final implemented reserves increased with decreases in update frequency. Main conclusions: We find two potential benefits to updating priorities more frequently: (1) faster achievement of objectives for high-priority features and (2) greater potential to capitalize on areas previously investigated. Our findings provide insights into trade-offs to consider regarding the frequency of updating regional assessments, which varies depending on the plannin

Sympathy for the Devil: Detailing the Effects of Planning-Unit Size, Thematic Resolution of Reef Classes, and Socioeconomic Costs on Spatial Priorities for Marine Conservation - Fig 1

<p><b>Regional context and enlarged maps of the two study regions: (A) Micronesia and (B) Fiji.</b> Buffers are shown around Micronesian nations to increase visibility of the numerous small coral islands and atolls.</p

Example maps of planning-unit sizes and thematic resolutions explored in the Fiji dataset.

<p>All maps represent the same spatial extent and location; grey polygons represent Fiji terrestrial areas (islands). (a) Planning-unit sizes: ‘small’ (1 km²; blue squares) and ‘large’ (25 km²; red squares); 25 small planning units are nested within each large, non-edge planning unit. Note that both planning-unit grids were clipped to all reef areas, resulting in irregular planning units on the perimeters. (b) & (c) Examples of two of the five levels of thematic resolution: (b) level 2 (11 total reef classes in Fiji), and (c) level 4 (43 total reef classes in Fiji).</p