Safari Science: assessing the reliability of citizen science data for wildlife surveys

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140025/1/jpe12921.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140025/2/jpe12921_am.pd

Examining the Impacts of Plantation Forests on Human and Plant Communities in the Ethiopian Highlands

Home to 88 million people, the Ethiopian mountains are a highly heterogeneous landscape. The Afroalpine ecosystem is found above 3000 masl and is characterized by high levels of species diversity, rarity, and endemism. The objective of this article is to investigate impacts of plantation forests on both the human and plant communities of the Afroalpine zone. We use a case study of a community-based conservation area in the north central highlands, Guassa Community Conservation Area (Guassa), where plantation forests have been established since the 1970s. The study area covers about 78 km2 ranging between 2600 and 3700 masl and largely belongs to the Afroalpine zone. We interviewed 100 residents of the 4 administrative regions closest to Guassa and conducted vegetation sampling of 70 quadrats along 2 transect lines. We found a roughly equal number of ecosystem services between native grassland and plantation forest. However, respondents reported 7 unique ecosystem services from the native grassland and only 3 unique ecosystem services from the plantation forest. Both native grassland and plantation areas were valued for their perceived ability to attract rain and provide habitat for wild animals. We recorded a total of 87 species belonging to 63 genera and 31 plant families across both vegetation types surveyed and a total of 19 endemic species. Of the plant families, Asteraceae had the highest species number. Although plantation forests support less diverse plant communities and provide fewer unique ecosystem services to human communities compared to native Afroalpine vegetation, they are still a valuable piece of the landscape mosaic

A systematic review of participatory scenario planning to envision mountain social-ecological systems futures

Mountain social-ecological systems (MtSES) provide crucial ecosystem services to over half of humanity. However, populations living in these highly varied regions are now confronted by global change. It is critical that they are able to anticipate change to strategically manage resources and avoid potential conflict. Yet, planning for sustainable, equitable transitions for the future is a daunting task, considering the range of uncertainties and the unique character of MtSES. Participatory scenario planning (PSP) can help MtSES communities by critically reflecting on a wider array of innovative pathways for adaptive transformation. Although the design of effective approaches has been widely discussed, how PSP has been employed in MtSES has yet to be examined. Here, we present the first systematic global review of single- and multiscalar, multisectoral PSP undertaken in MtSES, in which we characterize the process, identify strengths and gaps, and suggest effective ways to apply PSP in MtSES. We used a nine-step process to help guide the analysis of 42 studies from 1989 screened articles. Our results indicate a steady increase in relevant studies since 2006, with 43% published between 2015 and 2017. These studies encompass 39 countries, with over 50% in Europe. PSP in MtSES is used predominantly to build cooperation, social learning, collaboration, and decision support, yet meeting these objectives is hindered by insufficient engagement with intended end users. MtSES PSP has focused largely on envisioning themes of governance, economy, land use change, and biodiversity, but has overlooked themes such as gender equality, public health, and sanitation. There are many avenues to expand and improve PSP in MtSES: to other regions, sectors, across a greater diversity of stakeholders, and with a specific focus on MtSES paradoxes. Communicating uncertainty, monitoring and evaluating impacts, and engendering more comparative approaches can further increase the utility of PSP for addressing MtSES challenges, with lessons for other complex social-ecological systems

A systematic review of participatory scenario planning to envision mountain social-ecological systems futures

Mountain social-ecological systems (MtSES) provide crucial ecosystem services to over half of humanity. However, populations living in these highly varied regions are now confronted by global change. It is critical that they are able to anticipate change to strategically manage resources and avoid potential conflict. Yet, planning for sustainable, equitable transitions for the future is a daunting task, considering the range of uncertainties and the unique character of MtSES. Participatory scenario planning (PSP) can help MtSES communities by critically reflecting on a wider array of innovative pathways for adaptive transformation. Although the design of effective approaches has been widely discussed, how PSP has been employed in MtSES has yet to be examined. Here, we present the first systematic global review of single- and multiscalar, multisectoral PSP undertaken in MtSES, in which we characterize the process, identify strengths and gaps, and suggest effective ways to apply PSP in MtSES. We used a nine-step process to help guide the analysis of 42 studies from 1989 screened articles. Our results indicate a steady increase in relevant studies since 2006, with 43% published between 2015 and 2017. These studies encompass 39 countries, with over 50% in Europe. PSP in MtSES is used predominantly to build cooperation, social learning, collaboration, and decision support, yet meeting these objectives is hindered by insufficient engagement with intended end users. MtSES PSP has focused largely on envisioning themes of governance, economy, land use change, and biodiversity, but has overlooked themes such as gender equality, public health, and sanitation. There are many avenues to expand and improve PSP in MtSES: to other regions, sectors, across a greater diversity of stakeholders, and with a specific focus on MtSES paradoxes. Communicating uncertainty, monitoring and evaluating impacts, and engendering more comparative approaches can further increase the utility of PSP for addressing MtSES challenges, with lessons for other complex social-ecological systems. © 2020 by the author(s)

Linking model design and application for transdisciplinary approaches in social-ecological systems

This work was supported by the US National Science Foundation through the Mountain Sentinels Research Coordination Network (NSF #1414106), the Swiss National Science Foundation through MtnPaths – Pathways for global change adaptation of mountain socio-ecological systems (#20521L_169916), and the Center for Collaborative Conservation at Colorado State University.As global environmental change continues to accelerate and intensify, science and society are turning to trans- disciplinary approaches to facilitate transitions to sustainability. Modeling is increasingly used as a technological tool to improve our understanding of social-ecological systems (SES), encourage collaboration and learning, and facilitate decision-making. This study improves our understanding of how SES models are designed and applied to address the rising challenges of global environmental change, using mountains as a representative system. We analyzed 74 peer-reviewed papers describing dynamic models of mountain SES, evaluating them according to characteristics such as the model purpose, data and model type, level of stakeholder involvement, and spatial extent/resolution. Slightly more than half the models in our analysis were participatory, yet only 21.6% of papers demonstrated any direct outreach to decision makers. We found that SES models tend to under-represent social datasets, with ethnographic data rarely incorporated. Modeling efforts in conditions of higher stakeholder diversity tend to have higher rates of decision support compared to situations where stakeholder diversity is absent or not addressed. We discuss our results through the lens of appropriate technology, drawing on the concepts of boundary objects and scalar devices from Science and Technology Studies. We propose four guiding principles to facilitate the development of SES models as appropriate technology for transdisciplinary applications: (1) increase diversity of stakeholders in SES model design and application for improved collaboration; (2) balance power dynamics among stakeholders by incorporating diverse knowledge and data types; (3) promote flexibility in model design; and (4) bridge gaps in decision support, learning, and communication. Creating SES models that are appropriate tech- nology for transdisciplinary applications will require advanced planning, increased funding for and attention to the role of diverse data and knowledge, and stronger partnerships across disciplinary divides. Highly contextualized participatory modeling that embraces diversity in both data and actors appears poised to make strong contributions to the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.PostprintPeer reviewe

A roof of one's own: choice and access in global thatch sustainability

This paper examines global patterns of human-plant relationships related to the provisioning of roof thatch for human housing, encouraging greater understanding of the basic material and social conditions needed to support human well-being. I identify 205 species used for roof thatch in 60 countries around the world, with an additional 27 taxa identified to genus level. Grass-like species are by far the most common roof thatch material globally, followed by palm-like species (particularly in South America). However, this review was hindered by a persistent lack of attention to specific plant identities and their biological and ecological characteristics. Roof thatch is both a subsistence and commercial product, and is often considered an ecosystem service of secondary importance. As such, thatch has played a hidden role in the global economy to this point, and its cultural importance has been obscured. Mischaracterizing all subsistence use of thatch as poverty, without careful attention to human preferences for particular plant characteristics, is an over-simplification that ignores the complexity and dignity of land-based livelihoods. National and international markets, wealth, land ownership, skilled knowledge (both material and spiritual), skilled labor (both human and nonhuman), and new technologies all influence peoples’ equitable and sustainable access to roof thatch. This review demonstrates that access to preferred roof thatch is a critical aspect of human well-being, inextricably linked to the identities and sovereignty of rural and Indigenous communities. Long-term, place-based transdisciplinary work that seeks to understand and foster human-thatch relationships in specific contexts holds great potential for promoting future roof thatch sustainability in equitable ways

278 - Cara Elizabeth Steger

Includes bibliographical references.My dissertation seeks to advance our understanding of collaborative governance to improve the management of complex social-ecological systems. Modeling is increasingly used to facilitate collaborative environmental governance, yet little research has been done to measure the impacts of this process on local ecological knowledge, cultural norms, and cultural values. My research investigates the cultural and cognitive changes that occur when participants engage with a scientific modeling process. This case study on technologically-mediated cultural change has potential to inform the study and implementation of collaborative methods for advancing adaptive and resilient social-ecological systems worldwide.Office of International Programs - Global Impact: Research

Safari Science: Testing the Feasability and Realibility of Tourists as Citizen Scientists in East African Protected Areas

Wildlife populations continue to decline in East Africa, both in and around Protected Areas (PAs). High quality data on the density and distribution of wildlife are essential for effective conservation and management. However, methods that accurately capture data on wildlife locations at fine scales over large land areas have proven to be prohibitively difficult, expensive and time-consuming given the logistical and financial constraints of East African PAs. This study explores whether citizen science can be a reliable alternative to conventional methods of wildlife monitoring. Citizen science (CS) – also known as public participation in data gathering – has the potential to answer questions that have long plagued conservation scientists, as it has been shown to decrease monitoring costs while increasing public engagement in conservation issues. Despite the growing use of CS in ecological research, debates persist over the reliability of these datasets. An early and continuing concern of CS data is the effect of observer error, which if ignored can produce misleading ecological conclusions in modeled species-environment relationships. Through the implementation of a pilot program, I address the feasibility, reliability, and utility of CS for wildlife management in East African PAs. I ask (i) what problems and prospects arise when attempting to implement a CS program in East Africa? (ii) can the data generated from this method approximate the quality and quantity of data from more conventional sampling techniques?, and (iii) can CS data be useful for wildlife managers? To test these questions, this study uses two independent methods to gather spatial and demographic data on twenty-nine species within a private conservancy in southwestern Kenya. In method 1, I asked tourists to gather data on wildlife during their game drives. The novel use of mobile technology aided my ability to enter and manage data quickly, though this study is limited by a lack of volunteer interest and motivation. I report several observations regarding the potential for future CS programs in the region, finding a need for PA administration to take ownership over program and data management. In reality, the large amount of time needed to organize and implement CS programs on a daily basis severely restricts the potential for CS in small East African PAs, as lodge managers have little time, inclination, and resources to devote to these programs. Method 2 uses line transects, a conventional ecological sampling technique, providing a validation dataset for testing the reliability of CS data. I use generalized linear models (GLMs) to model the species-environment relationships for nine commonly reported species, as it is a common analytical technique used by ecologists and wildlife managers for ecological inference. I find SS data performed reasonably well for eight out of nine species, with accuracies ranging from 60-87%. However, these results are complicated by high uncertainty in model performance and ecological validity, thus limiting the usefulness of this data for management and conservation planning. I find GLMs are not the best methods for analyzing CS data as they lack the capacity to account for observer error, an important source of bias in CS datasets. When this error is sufficiently accounted for, CS data could be much more reliable for ecological inference by wildlife managers. In conclusion, I find citizen science to be a complex and difficult monitoring method, both logistically and analytically challenging. Though there is great potential for CS in East African PAs, substantial barriers exist and impede successful program establishment. I recommend future programs in East Africa carefully and realistically weigh their ability to address these obstacles before implementing a Safari Science approach to monitoring wildlife.Master of ScienceNatural Resources and EnvironmentUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/108197/1/Steger_Thesis_2014.pd

Social-ecological models for knowledge co-production and learning in collaborative environmental management

2020 Spring.Includes bibliographical references.In a rapidly changing world, human communities struggle to address complex environmental problems that are multidimensional, without clear definitions or solutions, and that require collaboration among actors with potentially conflicting objectives. Collaborative approaches to environmental management engage diverse actors who work together to produce shared understanding and novel solutions to these challenging problems. Collaborative approaches encourage participants to learn from each other and reflect on that learning, which can improve their collective ability to cope with variability brought on by global environmental change. Modeling is increasingly used by academics and development practitioners to encourage and inform collaborative environmental management, yet there has been insufficient attention paid to how collaborative modeling processes interact with the social and cultural factors that shape environmental outcomes. This dissertation engages at the intersection of science and culture to examine the use of social-ecological models in the context of collaborative environmental management. First, I present a snapshot of current barriers and best practices in collaborative or transdisciplinary environmental work, using a global survey to inform a conceptual model of knowledge co-production and learning. I then apply this conceptual model in a case study of a community-managed Afroalpine grassland in the Ethiopian highlands known as Guassa, using a combination of cognitive, geospatial, and simulation modeling. Specifically, I bring together insights from local knowledge and remote sensing analyses to present a more holistic understanding of social and biophysical change in this area and to situate the environmental consequences in relation to locally-defined ecosystem services. I then use individual and small group mental modeling to compare how different types of people involved in managing Guassa conceptualize the key components of this social-ecological system. I describe a co-designed agent-based model of shrub encroachment into the Guassa grassland, using it to improve our understanding of the system and to explore potential management interventions. I assess the learning experienced by participants in these mental modeling and agent-based modeling exercises to advance our understanding of the kinds of learning that occur throughout a collaborative modeling process. This work informs the design and application of social-ecological models to contribute to more equitable and sustainable collaborative environmental management

data_JAPPL201601169

Species counts were collected using ecological transects (Traditional Sampling, TS =1) and citizen scientists on game drives (Safari Science, SS =1) from June - August 2013. Dist_Livestock was created using points from livestock locations collected during the TS fieldwork, and distance to those points was calculated in ArcGIS. TWI was calculated in ArcGIS using slope and elevation from a 30m DEM. Dist_river was calculated using stream data produced from the same DEM. The wildlife location data were separated into groups ("Groups" column) spanning 16 days, which were centered on each of the Landsat scenes, and the NDVI values were extracted to those locations