Collective payments for ecosystem services

Payments for ecosystem services (PES) gained an increasing importance in science and politics within the last decades. Although the enthusiasm about PES is particularly high in Environmental Economics, opponents criticize the market-based character of PES and the associated commodification as well as privatization trends. By means of a systematic literature review we aim at shedding light on the complex and controversial debate about how to define commodification and related privatization processes and how they are linked to PES outcomes. We do so by setting a particular focus on the potentials and challenges of community-based and collective PES (C-PES), also in contrast to PES targeting land under private land tenure (P-PES). Our results reveal that C-PES show promising results when targeting local communities with a high level of social capital. However, there is a lack of studies that systematically assess the relations between different degrees of commodification and the ecological and social outcome of PES programs. For this reason, we provide a new conceptual framework of commodification by highlighting two interrelated spheres, where PES-related commodification processes take place: The first sphere relates to the commodification of ES-providing land, which greatly depends on the land tenure regime in place. The second sphere addresses the commodification of ecosystem services (ES). Our review indicates that C-PES show rather low degrees of commodification in the first sphere because the ES-providing land is often less embedded into private land markets. This is due to often missing alienation rights, more complex decision-making processes, and a potentially lower profit-orientation of the landowners. Empirical long-term studies are needed to investigate changes in both spheres of commodification over time, their potential interactions, and how they affect the outcome of C-PES and P-PES programs.Peer Reviewe

Analysis of fluorescent-tagged soluble guanylyl cyclase variants

Die Untereinheiten der NO-sensitiven Guanylyl-Cyclase wurden mit fluoreszierenden Proteinen markiert und im Sf9/Baculovirus System exprimiert. Durch die Messung von FRET zwischen den fluoreszierenden Proteinen konnte eine räumliche Nähe zwischen den fluoreszierenden Proteinen am Carboxy- und Aminoterminus der Untereinheiten nachgewiesen werden. Diese Ergebnisse sprechen für eine räumliche Nähe zwischen den regulatorischen- und katalytischen Domänen des Enzyms. Aufgrund dieser Befunde wurden die Untereinheiten der Guanylyl-Cyclase zwischen ß1 Carboxyterminus und a Aminoterminus mittels eines fluoreszierenden Proteins fusioniert. Diese monomeren Guanylyl-Cyclase Fusionsproteine bildeten nach rekombinanter Expression funktionsfähige Enzymkomplexe, wobei auch das fluoreszierende Protein seine biophysikalischen Eigenschaften behielt. Die fluoreszenten Fusionsproteine erlauben die isoformspezifische rekombinante Expression des Enzyms ohne die Bildung von inaktiven Homodimeren. Mithilfe der fluoreszenzmarkierten Fusionsproteine konnte eine unterschiedliche Lokalisation der Enzymisoformen in HEK 293-Zellen nachgewiesen werden. Während die a1-Isoform cytosolisch vorlag, war die a2-Isoform spezifisch an Membranabschnitten mit Zell-Zell Kontakt lokalisiert. Untersuchungen an mutierten Varianten der Fusionsproteine zeigten, dass diese Lokalisation durch die carboxyterminale PDZ Erkennungssequenz der a2-Untereinheit vermittelt wird.To examine the structural organisation of heterodimeric soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) was measured between fluorescent proteins fused to the amino- and carboxy-terminal ends of the sGC ß1 and a subunits. Detection of energy transfer between the fluorescent proteins at the amino-terminus and carboxy-terminus of the dimerising partner subunits indicated a close proximity between the regulatory and catalytic domains of the enzyme. These findings support the concept of a "trans" regulation of sGC activity by the H-NOX domains through direct interaction of the amino-terminal regulatory domains with the carboxy-terminal catalytic region. To support this concept of domain arrangement in the heterodimeric enzyme we constructed fusion proteins where both subunits are connected between the a amino-terminus and the ß1 carboxy-terminus by a fluorescent protein. The resulting constructs were not only fluorescent; they also showed preserved enzyme activity and regulation by NO. These "fluorescent-conjoined" sGC's represent to our knowledge the first example where a fluorescent protein links two different subunits of a higher ordered complex to yield a stoichometrically fixed functionally active monomer. The fluorescent fusion proteins allow the isoform specific expression of the recombinant enzyme without the formation of inactive homodimers. Using the fluorescently labeled fusion proteins we could show a different subcellular localization of the enzyme isoforms in HEK 293 cells. While the a1 isoform showed a cytosolic localization, the a2 isoform was specifically localized at membrane sections with cell-cell contact. Studies of mutant variants of the fusion proteins showed that this localization is mediated by the carboxy-terminal PDZ recognition sequence of the a2 subunit

The Role of Brownfields and Their Revitalisation for the Functional Connectivity of the Urban Tree System in a Regrowing City

The connectivity of green infrastructure facilitating the movement of organisms is the key to strengthening biodiversity in cities. Brownfields are a valuable land resource, with their revitalisation as a Nature Based Solution high on the policy agenda. In supporting cities which simultaneously aim for densification and the maintenance or further development of greenery, this paper develops a model for identifying and prioritising the role of revitalised and prevailing brownfields for the connectivity of green infrastructure using the example of Leipzig, Germany. Comparing metrics between land use categories, brownfields have a central role as stepping stones, with a value of 13%, while revitalised brownfields substantially contribute to global connectivity, with a value of 87% being equally important, for example, with Leipzig’s central parks. This paper’s spatial-explicit network approach provides a complementary planning tool for prioritising brownfields and the added value of their renaturing by identifying (a) strategic functional corridors formed by brownfields, (b) the connectivity relevance and exposure of individual brownfields, and (c) how renatured brownfields would strengthen existing corridors and form alternative paths. This paper presents an approach using freely available software tools and high-resolution canopy data as a proxy for functional connectivity which serves as a standardised and comparable ex-ante evaluation of NBS strategies being implemented in other cities.CLEARING HOUSE (Collaborative Learning in Research, Information-sharing, and Governance on How Urban Forest-based Solutions Support Sino-European Urban Futures) Horizon 2020 projectNaturaConnect (Designing a Resilient and Coherent Trans-European Network for Nature and People) Horizon 2020 projectPeer Reviewe

Discerning the spatio-temporal disease patterns of surgically induced OA mouse models

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common cause of disability in ageing societies, with no effective therapies available to date. Two preclinical models are widely used to validate novel OA interventions (MCL-MM and DMM). Our aim is to discern disease dynamics in these models to provide a clear timeline in which various pathological changes occur. OA was surgically induced in mice by destabilisation of the medial meniscus. Analysis of OA progression revealed that the intensity and duration of chondrocyte loss and cartilage lesion formation were significantly different in MCL-MM vs DMM. Firstly, apoptosis was seen prior to week two and was narrowly restricted to the weight bearing area. Four weeks post injury the magnitude of apoptosis led to a 40–60% reduction of chondrocytes in the non-calcified zone. Secondly, the progression of cell loss preceded the structural changes of the cartilage spatio-temporally. Lastly, while proteoglycan loss was similar in both models, collagen type II degradation only occurred more prominently in MCL-MM. Dynamics of chondrocyte loss and lesion formation in preclinical models has important implications for validating new therapeutic strategies. Our work could be helpful in assessing the feasibility and expected response of the DMM- and the MCL-MM models to chondrocyte mediated therapies

Von den Anfängen bis zu ELIXIER

Auf der Suche nach einem Medium, mit dem sich reale Experimente multimedial repräsentieren und damit didaktisch flexibler als mit dem zeitbasierten Film einsetzen ließen, wurden 1996 erst-mals Beispiele Interaktiver Bildschirmexperimente (IBE) entwickelt. Erste Erprobungen fanden an der TU Berlin in der Vorlesung ”Einführung in die Physik für Ingenieure” statt, wo reale De-monstrationsexperimente aus praktischen Gründen nicht möglich waren. Die vielversprechenden Ergebnisse führten in der Folge zu zahlreichen Projekten didaktischer Anwendungen in Schule und Hochschule. Zentrale Probleme dabei waren der hohe Aufwand für die Entwicklung, die Ein-bettung von IBE in multimediales Lernmaterial sowie deren Verbreitung. Ausgehend davon ent- wickelte die AG Didaktik an der FU Berlin die Web-Applikation ”tet.folio”, die unter anderem ei-ne Plattform zur effizienten Herstellung und Einbettung von IBE bietet. Im aktuellen Projekt ”ELIXIER” sind IBE und das tet.folio eine der Säulen für die Entwicklung einer personalisierten Mixed-Reality- Experimentierumgebung, die eine nahtlose und mobil verfügbare Fortsetzung indi-vidueller Experimentierprozesse in virtuellen Umgebungen ermöglichen wird

Environmental Sustainability Assessment of Multi-Sectoral Energy Transformation Pathways: Methodological Approach and Case Study for Germany

In order to analyse long-term transformation pathways, energy system models generally focus on economical and technical characteristics. However, these models usually do not consider sustainability aspects such as environmental impacts. In contrast, life cycle assessment enables an extensive estimate of those impacts. Due to these complementary characteristics, the combination of energy system models and life cycle assessment thus allows comprehensive environmental sustainability assessments of technically and economically feasible energy system transformation pathways. We introduce FRITS, a FRamework for the assessment of environmental Impacts of Transformation Scenarios. FRITS links bottom-up energy system models with life cycle impact assessment indicators and quantifies the environmental impacts of transformation strategies of the entire energy system (power, heat, transport) over the transition period. We apply the framework to conduct an environmental assessment of multi-sectoral energy scenarios for Germany. Here, a ‘Target’ scenario reaching 80% reduction of energy-related direct CO2 emissions is compared with a ‘Reference’ scenario describing a less ambitious transformation pathway. The results show that compared to 2015 and the ‘Reference’ scenario, the ‘Target’ scenario performs better for most life cycle impact assessment indicators. However, the impacts of resource consumption and land use increase for the ‘Target’ scenario. These impacts are mainly caused by road passenger transport and biomass conversion

Comparative patent analysis for the identification of global research trends for the case of battery storage, hydrogen and bioenergy

Patent documents provide knowledge about which countries are investing in certain technologies and make it possible to identify potential innovation trends. The aim of this article is to analyze trends in patenting that might result in innovations for three energy technologies: thermochemical conversion of biomass (Bioenergy), lithium-ion battery storage, and hydrogen production by alkaline water electrolysis. Based on different patent indicators, the most active countries are compared to provide insights into the global market position of a country, particularly Germany which is used as a reference here. In line with this, a freely available patent analysis software tool was developed directly using the European Patent Office database through their Open Patent Services. The results for named technologies show that patenting activity of Germany is low in comparison to other countries such as Japan, China, and the US. Whereas the position of Germany for batteries and hydrogen is comparable, bioenergy shows different results regarding the identified countries and the number of patents found. However, a broader context beyond patenting is suggested for consideration to make robust statements about particular technology trends. The presented tool and methodology in this study can serve as a blueprint for explorative assessments in any technological domain