Cnidaria in UK coastal waters: description of spatio-temporal patterns and inter-annual variability

Note that the accepted version of this paper is available on open access in ORE at: http://hdl.handle.net/10871/15245Concern has been expressed over future biogeographical expansion and habitat capitalization by species of the phylum Cnidaria, as this may have negative implications on human activities and ecosystems. There is, however, a paucity of knowledge and understanding of jellyfish ecology, in particular species distribution and seasonality. Recent studies in the UK have principally focused on the Celtic, Irish and North Seas, but all in isolation. In this study we analyse data from a publicly- driven sightings scheme across UK coastal waters (2003–2011; 9 years), with the aim of increasing knowledge on spatial and temporal patterns and trends. We describe inter-annual variability, seasonality and patterns of spatial distribution, and compare these with existing historic literature. Although incidentally-collected data lack quantification of effort, we suggest that with appropriate data management and interpretation, publicly-driven, citizen-science-based, recording schemes can provide for large-scale (spatial and temporal) coverage that would otherwise be logistically and financially unattainable. These schemes may also contribute to baseline data from which future changes in patterns or trends might be identified. We further suggest that findings from such schemes may be strengthened by the inclusion of some element of effort-corrected data collection

Hook, Line and Sinker - The Life Frames as an anchor for diverse value perspectives in UK coastal communities

A succession of conceptual value frameworks from natural capital to Ecosystem Services (ES) and Nature’s Contributions to People (NCP) have effectively made the case for nature to no longer be ignored in economic decision making. However, while recent development has seen ES and NCP become more inclusive of the plurality of values that reflect complex human-nature relations, they have yet to provide a way of framing plural worldviews and are often criticised for being inherently anthropocentric. While the Life Framework of Values (or Life Frames) has been advocated as a tool to address these concerns, in this paper we further explore its’ potential through examining ontological and axiological plurality. We draw upon a community-based participation approach, pooling our findings from four independent UK coastal community case studies. While the Life Frames acknowledge the tensions in the debates between instrumental, relational and intrinsic values, here through examining the co-emergence of the Life Frames and ES, we explore the impacts of these tensions through real-world application. Our findings are cross-referenced with self-reported pro-environmental behaviour or respondents’ reasons for engaging in sustainability to relate the Life Frames to its’ potential use in future policymaking. Our approach reveals surprising themes within participants’ preferences for a sustainable future, underlining the need for intrinsic values to have a seat at the table of sustainable development. The Life Frames illuminate the ‘forgotten side’ of NCP, unpacking a more inclusive approach to conservation. Further, they provide a space for sustainability to be achieved through myriad approaches and value perspectives, which does not preclude traditional definitions of values within ES. Our results add further credence to the claim that the Life Frames provide the opportunity to operationalise articulated intrinsic values in a way that lets them see ‘eye-to-eye’ with the values of ES and NCP

Coastal transformations and connections: revealing values through the community voice method

1. A wealth of evidence suggests an important relationship between nature and human health and well-being and this appears to hold particular resonance for coastal environments. Notably, this relationship has been explored in assessments of ecosystem services, or the benefits that people derive from nature. 2. In this paper, we extend the debate to encompass ideas around relational values which considers that human well-being is derived from relationships with nature rather than being solely delivered as the benefits commonly suggested in the ecosystem services literature. 3. The paper draws on conceptual ideas around relational values, sense of place, and environmental justice to understand the values and importance of coastal environments for people. 4. These value concepts are explored through detailed narratives revealed by participants in two case study UK coastal locations, using a form of civic dialogue and videography approach called Community Voice Method (CVM). 5. We find that despite levels of relative deprivation in our case study locations, interviewees express values which are striking in terms of the depth of care felt; values which are ‘time-deepened’ and shaped not only by what people do and are able to do but also by personal histories and memories which remain strong despite material changes and transformations in people’s lives and the places they live. 6. The CVM method in addition provides a practical approach for creating deliberative spaces to explore those deeply embodied and shared connections to the coast which are important and should have greater prominence in coastal management policy and practice

Co-management of sea turtle fisheries: Biogeography versus geopolitics

Co-management between local communities and government agencies is promoted as a strategy to improve fisheries management. This paper considers the potential for co-management of sea turtle fisheries within four UK Overseas Territories (OTs) in the Caribbean, and for co-ordinated management among those territories. We focus on fisher incentives for engaging in co-management and on the potential to scale up co-management to a regional level. This paper presents data from Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, and Turks and Caicos Islands, where 110 turtle fishers participated in a socio-economic survey undertaken as part of the 'Turtles in the UK Overseas Territories in the Caribbean' project. Based on three established criteria for co-management (perceived crisis in stock, willingness to participate and community cohesion), results suggest that fisher support for co-management exists within each OT, but the extent of support for and views of specific management interventions varies among OTs. The implications of results for co-management in each territory, and for establishing co-ordinated management regimes in the region, are discussed in the context of current debates about the nature of resources and scalar (mis)matches between resource and management regimes.Co-management Sea turtles Caribbean Fisheries

Second asymptomatic carotid surgery trial (ACST-2) : a randomised comparison of carotid artery stenting versus carotid endarterectomy

Background: Among asymptomatic patients with severe carotid artery stenosis but no recent stroke or transient cerebral ischaemia, either carotid artery stenting (CAS) or carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can restore patency and reduce long-term stroke risks. However, from recent national registry data, each option causes about 1% procedural risk of disabling stroke or death. Comparison of their long-term protective effects requires large-scale randomised evidence. Methods: ACST-2 is an international multicentre randomised trial of CAS versus CEA among asymptomatic patients with severe stenosis thought to require intervention, interpreted with all other relevant trials. Patients were eligible if they had severe unilateral or bilateral carotid artery stenosis and both doctor and patient agreed that a carotid procedure should be undertaken, but they were substantially uncertain which one to choose. Patients were randomly allocated to CAS or CEA and followed up at 1 month and then annually, for a mean 5 years. Procedural events were those within 30 days of the intervention. Intention-to-treat analyses are provided. Analyses including procedural hazards use tabular methods. Analyses and meta-analyses of non-procedural strokes use Kaplan-Meier and log-rank methods. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN21144362. Findings: Between Jan 15, 2008, and Dec 31, 2020, 3625 patients in 130 centres were randomly allocated, 1811 to CAS and 1814 to CEA, with good compliance, good medical therapy and a mean 5 years of follow-up. Overall, 1% had disabling stroke or death procedurally (15 allocated to CAS and 18 to CEA) and 2% had non-disabling procedural stroke (48 allocated to CAS and 29 to CEA). Kaplan-Meier estimates of 5-year non-procedural stroke were 2·5% in each group for fatal or disabling stroke, and 5·3% with CAS versus 4·5% with CEA for any stroke (rate ratio [RR] 1·16, 95% CI 0·86-1·57; p=0·33). Combining RRs for any non-procedural stroke in all CAS versus CEA trials, the RR was similar in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (overall RR 1·11, 95% CI 0·91-1·32; p=0·21). Interpretation: Serious complications are similarly uncommon after competent CAS and CEA, and the long-term effects of these two carotid artery procedures on fatal or disabling stroke are comparable