Less government intervention in biodiversity management: risks and opportunities

n a changing global environment, with increasing pressure on ecosystem goods and services, biodiversity conservation is likely to become increasingly important. However, with the current global financial crisis, governments are increasingly trying to stabilise economies through spending cuts aiming to reduce national deficits. Within such an economic climate, the devolution of governance through public participation is an intrinsically appealing concept. We outline a number of challenges that explain why increased participation in biodiversity management has been and may continue to be problematic. Using as a case study the local stakeholder-driven Moray Firth Seal Management Plan in Scotland, we identify four key conditions that were crucial to the successful participatory management of a biodiversity conflict: a local champion, the emergence of a crisis point, the involvement of decision-makers, and long-term financial and institutional support. Three of the four conditions point to the role of direct government involvement, highlighting the risk of devolving responsibility for biodiversity conflict management to local communities. We argue that without an informed debate, the move towards a more participatory approach could pose a danger to hard-won policy gains in relation to public participation, biodiversity conservation and conflict management

Data-Driven Classification of Coronal Hole and Streamer Belt Solar Wind

We present two new solar wind origin classification schemes developed independently using unsupervised machine learning. The first scheme aims to classify solar wind into three types: coronal-hole wind, streamer-belt wind, and ‘unclassified’ which does not fit into either of the previous two categories. The second scheme independently derives three clusters from the data; the coronal-hole and streamer-belt winds, and a differing unclassified cluster. The classification schemes are created using non-evolving solar wind parameters, such as ion charge states and composition, measured during the three Ulysses fast latitude scans. The schemes are subsequently applied to the Ulysses and the Advanced Compositional Explorer (ACE) datasets. The first scheme is based on oxygen charge state ratio and proton specific entropy. The second uses these data, as well as the carbon charge state ratio, the alpha-to-proton ratio, the iron-to-oxygen ratio, and the mean iron charge state. Thus, the classification schemes are grounded in the properties of the solar source regions. Furthermore, the techniques used are selected specifically to reduce the introduction of subjective biases into the schemes. We demonstrate significant best case disparities (minimum ≈8%, maximum ≈22%) with the traditional fast and slow solar wind determined using speed thresholds. By comparing the results between the in- (ACE) and out-of-ecliptic (Ulysses) data, we find morphological differences in the structure of coronal-hole wind. Our results show how a data-driven approach to the classification of solar wind origins can yield results which differ from those obtained using other methods. As such, the results form an important part of the information required to validate how well current understanding of solar origins and the solar wind match with the data we have

A conflict management tool for conservation agencies

1. Growing pressure on natural resources is leading to more conservation conflicts. Governments and their statutory agencies devote increasing financial and human resources to this subject, but tend to adopt reactive, ad hoc approaches to management. 2. We combined theory and empirical data about five conservation conflicts in a transdisciplinary collaboration to co-develop a novel decision-making tool. 3. This tool uses a systematic stepwise approach with six distinct decision stages: (i) establishing whether there is a conflict or an impact; (ii) understanding the context of the conflict, including the stakeholders affected; (iii) developing shared understanding of the conflict and goals; (iv) building a consensus on how to reach the goals; (v) implementing measures; and (vi) monitoring the outcomes. 4. Policy implications. We argue this new tool has wide applicability and democratic legitimacy and offers an exciting and practical approach to improve the management of conservation conflicts

THE EFFECT OF QUALITY OF FOOD SOURCE ON MACADAMIA NUT DAMAGE BY Gymnandrosoma aurantianum (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE)

RESUMEN Efecto de la calidad de la fuente de alimento sobre el daño a la nuez de macadamia por Gymnandrosoma aurantianum (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Se estudió el efecto del contenido de nitrógeno, de los compuestos secundarios (taninos y prohantocianidinas) y de la materia seca de 4 clones de macadamia y de los diferentes estados de desarrollo de la nuez, sobre la abundancia de Gymnandrosoma aurantianum. El contenido de nitrógeno varió entre clones y los estados de desarrollo de la nuez, siendo más alto en los clones más tolerantes 508>660>344>246. Los mayores contenidos de materia seca se encontraron en los clones tolerantes, 508 y 660, y en las capas externas de la nuez, que en los susceptibles 246 y 344 y en las capas internas (2 y 3). El contenido de proantocianidinas fue mayor en la segunda capa de los clones 508 y 660 que en la de los clones 246 y 344. Los resultados muestran cómo la calidad del alimento afecta el desempeño de las larvas del barrenador, donde éstas, para alimentarse de la almendra, deben superar primero una barrera física, seguida por una barrera química. ABSTRACT The effect of nitrogen content, the secondary compounds (tannin and proanthocyanidin) content, the dry matter content of 4 clones, and the different developmental stages of macadamia nuts, on the abundance of Gymnandrosoma aurantianum, was studied. Nitrogen content differed between clones and the stages of development of the nuts, being highest in the most tolerant clones 508>660>344>246. Highest dry matter contents were found in the tolerant clones, 508 and 660, and in the outer layer, than in the susceptible clones 246 and 344 and in the inner layers (2 and 3). Proanthocyanidin content was highest in layer 2 of clones 508 and 660 than in clones 246 and 344. Results show that food quality affects the performance of nutborer larvae, where the larvae have to overcome first a physical barrier, followed by a chemical barrier, to be able to feed on macadamia nuts

Efecto de la calidad de la fuente de alimento sobre el daño a la nuez de macadamia por Gymnandrosoma aurantianum (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

The effect of nitrogen content, the secondary compounds (tannin and proanthocyanidin) content, the dry matter content of 4 clones, and the different developmental stages of macadamia nuts, on the abundance of Gymnandrosoma aurantianum, was studied. Nitrogen content differed between clones and the stages of development of the nuts, being highest in the most tolerant clones 508>660>344>246. Highest dry matter contents were found in the tolerant clones, 508 and 660, and in the outer layer, than in the susceptible clones 246 and 344 and in the inner layers (2 and 3). Proanthocyanidin content was highest in layer 2 of clones 508 and 660 than in clones 246 and 344. Results show that food quality affects the performance of nutborer larvae, where the larvae have to overcome first a physical barrier, followed by a chemical barrier, to be able to feed on macadamia nuts.Se estudió el efecto del contenido de nitrógeno, de los compuestos secundarios (taninos y prohantocianidinas) y de la materia seca de 4 clones de macadamia y de los diferentes estados de desarrollo de la nuez, sobre la abundancia de Gymnandrosoma aurantianum. El contenido de nitrógeno varió entre clones y los estados de desarrollo de la nuez, siendo más alto en los clones más tolerantes 508>660>344>246. Los mayores contenidos de materia seca se encontraron en los clones tolerantes, 508 y 660, y en las capas externas de la nuez, que en los susceptibles 246 y 344 y en las capas internas (2 y 3). El contenido de proantocianidinas fue mayor en la segunda capa de los clones 508 y 660 que en la de los clones 246 y 344. Los resultados muestran cómo la calidad del alimento afecta el desempeño de las larvas del barrenador, donde éstas, para alimentarse de la almendra, deben superar primero una barrera física, seguida por una barrera química

Does stakeholder involvement really benefit biodiversity conservation?

The establishment of protected areas, such as Natura 2000, is a common approach to curbing biodiversity loss. But many of these areas are owned or managed by private actors. Policies indicate that their involvement should be encouraged to ensure long term success. However, to date there have been no systematic evaluations of whether local actor involvement in the management of protected areas does in fact contribute to the conservation of biodiversity, which is the expressed policy goal. Research incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data was carried out in three case studies in Scotland where local actor input was required in the development and/or implementation of Natura 2000 management plans. No relationship was found between the characteristics of the process of stakeholder involvement and stakeholders’ perceptions of future biodiversity outcomes. Social outcomes of increased stakeholder involvement, such as increased trust, did however increase the perceived likelihood of positive future biodiversity outcomes. The findings indicate that efforts aimed at increasing stakeholder involvement in the management of protected areas need to consider making processes more independent, and acknowledge and address underlying biodiversity conflicts. The findings also emphasise the need to evaluate multi-level conservation efforts in terms of processes, social outcomes and biodiversity outcomes

MICESE: a new method used for the formulation of key messages from the scientific community for the EU post 2020 Biodiversity Strategy

The European Union (EU) 2020 Biodiversity strategy will soon come to an end and may not have been as successful as envisioned. In the current context of the global biodiversity crisis, the European Commission, the research community, and broader society cannot risk another, likely ineffective, attempt by the EU to halt biodiversity loss after 2020. Through the development of the EU post 2020 Biodiversity Strategy, the scientific community of the ALTER-Net and EKLIPSE networks saw a unique opportunity to make a difference for biodiversity in Europe by better involving scientists, policy makers, and society. We developed an innovative, transparent, and collaborative process—called the multiphased, iterative, and consultative elicitation of scientific expertise (MICESE) method. This process allowed us to produce a set of 12 key messages developed by scientists for the EU to prioritize in the development of the new post 2020 biodiversity strategy. These key messages were structured according to their systemic value, scale, and nature. We provide insights and analyses of the new MICESE method before reflecting on how to improve the future involvement of scientists in science–policy interfaces

Acute flaccid paralysis with anterior myelitis - California, June 2012-June 2014.

In August 2012, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) was contacted by a San Francisco Bay area clinician who requested poliovirus testing for an unvaccinated man aged 29 years with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) associated with anterior myelitis (i.e., evidence of inflammation of the spinal cord involving the grey matter including anterior horn cell bodies) and no history of international travel during the month before symptom onset. Within 2 weeks, CDPH had received reports of two additional cases of AFP with anterior myelitis of unknown etiology. Testing at CDPH's Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory for stool, nasopharyngeal swab, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) did not detect the presence of an enterovirus (EV), the genus of the family Picornaviridae that includes poliovirus. Additional laboratory testing for infectious diseases conducted at the CDPH Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory did not identify a causative agent to explain the observed clinical syndrome reported among the patients. To identify other cases of AFP with anterior myelitis and elucidate possible common etiologies, CDPH posted alerts in official communications for California local health departments during December 2012, July 2013, and February 2014. Reports of cases of neurologic illness received by CDPH were investigated throughout this period, and clinicians were encouraged to submit clinical samples for testing. A total of 23 cases of AFP with anterior myelitis of unknown etiology were identified. Epidemiologic and laboratory investigation did not identify poliovirus infection as a possible cause for the observed cases. No common etiology was identified to explain the reported cases, although EV-D68 was identified in upper respiratory tract specimens of two patients. EV infection, including poliovirus infection, should be considered in the differential diagnosis in cases of AFP with anterior myelitis and testing performed per CDC guidelines

The case for open research in entomology: reducing harm, refining reproducibility and advancing insect science

1. Open research is an increasingly developed and crucial framework for the advancement of science and has seen successful adoption across a broad range of disciplines. Entomology has, however, been slow to adopt these practices compared to many adjacent fields despite ethical and practical imperatives to do so. 2. The grand challenges facing entomology in the 21st century require the synthesis of evidence at global scales, necessitating open sharing of data and research at a pace and scale incompatible with the slow adoption of open research practices. Open science also plays a vital role in fostering trust in research and maximizing use of research outputs, which is ethically crucial for reducing harms to insects. 3. We outline these imperatives and how open research practices can enhance entomological research across a range of contexts. We also highlight the holistic nature of open science across the full research lifecycle through several specific examples of open research practices, which can be adopted easily by individual entomologists. 4. We do, however, argue that the responsibility of promoting, integrating and encouraging open research is most crucially held by publishers, including scholarly societies, which have leveraged widespread adoption in adjacent fields. Entomology must advance quickly to become a leading discipline in the open research transition

Managing science-policy interfaces for impact : Interactions within the environmental governance meshwork

Science-policy interface organizations and initiatives (SPIORG) are a key component of environmental governance designed to make links between science and society. However, the science­policy interface literature lacks a structured approach to explaining the impacts of context on and by these initiatives. To better understand these impacts on and interactions with governance, this paper uses the concept of the governance ‘meshwork’ to explore how dynamic processes – encompassing prior, current and anticipated interactions – co­produce knowledge and impact via processes, negotiation and networking activities at multiple governance levels. To illustrate the interactions between SPIORGs and governance meshwork we use five cases representing archetypal SPIORGs. These cases demonstrate how all initiatives and organizations link to their contexts in complex and unique ways, yet also identifies ten important aspects that connect the governance meshwork to SPIORGs. These aspects of the meshwork, together with the typology of organizations, provide a comprehensive framework that can help make sense how the SPIORGs are embedded in the surrounding governance contexts. We highlight that SPIORGs must purposively consider and engage with their contexts to increase their potential impact on knowledge co-­production and policy making.Peer reviewe