Using Geometric Morphometrics to Differentiate Lower First Molars of Microtus Species: A Review of the Clark’s Cave Bone Deposit, VA

Clark’s Cave contains a large collection of late Pleistocene mammal material. In particular, it contains a sizable amount of Microtus spp. which can be valuable paleoclimate indicators. Identification techniques traditionally used to classify these species have been shown to be unreliable. Recent studies have shown that using geometric morphometric techniques on lower first molars can be more successful. By placing landmarks and running a discriminate analysis on new and previously collected material from the cave, significant differences in Microtus species proportions were found. Specifically, showing the deposit has a larger proportion of M. xanthognathus than previously reported; resulting in a subsequent drop in the number of M. pennsylvanicus and M. chrotorrhinus present. Moreover, previously unreported M. ochrogaster was determined to be an important component of the fauna. The results presented here show the importance of applying new techniques to previous studies

SME sustainability dashboards: An aid to manage and report performance

This applied paper introduces the concept and potential application of sustainability dashboards by SMEs as an aid to meet growing demands for sustainability management and reporting. It suggests how dashboards can be integrated into the planning and control systems of SMEs to facilitate data visualization for the purpose of sustainability decision making. The paper highlights benefits including low cost and discusses practical implications, such as use of dashboards beyond sustainability management and the need for policymakers to provide better access to training and software for SMEs

A Method to Launch Sustainability Reporting in SMEs: The B Corp Impact Assessment Framework

As sustainability reporting and management rapidly increase in importance, SME managers must learn how to integrate sustainability issues and reporting into their businesses. This paper offers an overview of an accessible organized approach that SME management can use to begin. The B Lab’s “B Impact Assessment” offers a method that could suit resource constraints typical of many SMEs with its presentation of key sustainability issues in a format oriented toward smaller companie

Integrating Sustainability into SME Strategy

Small-to-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) increasingly are expected to develop strategies to accommodate accelerating global sustainability reporting requirements and proactively address sustainability considerations. Many lack a structured approach to facilitate getting started with strategy formulation in response to this significant change in their external environment. This paper presents a readily applicable and practical method SMEs can apply to integrate sustainability considerations as a beginning toward developing a sustainability strategy. Current sustainability issues are identified and discussed with respect to determining company capabilities and assessing the external business environment. This classification of critical sustainability issues offers a flexible planning innovation well-suited to smaller enterprises seeking to begin developing a sustainability strategy.