Protected areas to deliver biodiversity need management effectiveness and equity

It is widely recognized in science, policy, and practice that protected areas (PAs) that are equitably and effectively managed are essential for halting biodiversity loss. However, our understanding of the relationships between management effectiveness and equity remains weak. Here, we investigate potential synergies and trade-offs between management and equity as well as how they can work together to reduce human pressure in PAs. We then examine the potential of existing global datasets on effectiveness, equity, and human pressure to help inform international policy processes. Our preliminary findings show a negative association between well-defined and sound managed PAs and how satisfied are local people about the decisions related to the management of the PA, reinforcing study of cases that found conflicts in top-down established and managed PAs. We find, however, no association between management effectiveness and social equity with an increasing human pressure. We find only a limited overlap in global databases on management effectiveness, social equity, and human pressure (n = 33). Thus, our results highlight the need to increase the number of PAs with appropriate data about management effectiveness, equity and human pressure to inform policy processes. Without such data, it will be difficult to suggest in honest new quantitative targets for the quality of PAs and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures post-2020.We would like to thank Mike Mascia and Neil Burgess for useful discussions in early stages of the manuscript. This work is funded by the European Union Horizon 2020 program under the MSCA grant agreement no. 659881 to NZ-C and no. 676108 to JG; as well as VILLUM FONDEN ( VKR023371 ) to JG

Beer classification by means of a potentiometric electronic tongue

In this work, an Electronic Tongue (ET) system based on an array of potentiometric ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) is presented for the discrimination of different commercial beer types is presented. The array was formed by 21 ISEs combining both cationic and anionic sensors with others with generic response. For this purpose beer samples were analyzed with the ET without any pretreatment rather than the smooth agitation of the samples with a magnetic stirrer in order to reduce the foaming of samples, which could interfere into the measurements. Then, the obtained responses were evaluated using two different pattern recognition methods, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis(LDA) in order to achieve the correct recognition of samples variety. In the case of LDA, a stepwise inclusion method for variable selection based on Mahalanobis distance criteria was used to select the most discriminating variables. Finally, the results showed that the use of supervised pattern recognition methods such as LDA is a good alternative for the resolution of complex identification situations. In addition, in order to show a quantitative application, alcohol content was predicted from the array data employing an Artificial Neural Network model

Diferencias de los indicadores de rendimiento en baloncesto femenino entre ganadores y perdedores en función de jugar como local o como visitante

This study purported to identify which game-related statistics allow winning teams to be differentiated from losing teams according to game location. To do so, 182 games from 2004-2005 womens basketball regular season were analysed. First, ball possessions (BP) and the offensive efficiency coefficient (OEC) were calculated, after which the following game-related statistics were recorded: 2 and 3-point field goals (both successful and unsuccessful), free throws (both successful and unsuccessful), offensive and defensive rebounds, blocks, assists, fouls, turnovers and steals. Afterwards, the variables were normalised according to game ball possessions and multiplied by 100. The multivariate analysis results showed: 1o) the variables that discriminated between winning and losing teams were assists, successful 2-point field goals and defensive rebounds. 2o) the variables that discriminated between winners and losers when they played at home were defensive rebounds, assists, steals, and successful 2-points field goals and 3o) 2-point field goals, unsuccessful 3-point field goals, successful free throws and defensive rebounds were the determining factors of success in away games. Regardless of game location, winners showed higher percentages of 2-point field goals (49%), 3-point field goals (38%) and free throws (70%) than losing teams did. Coaches should use these results to prepare exercises and tasks to improve game performance and sport psychologists should use them when designing intervention programs

Can existing assessment tools be used to track equity in protected area management under Aichi Target 11?

Aichi Target 11 (AT11) includes the commitment of 194 governments to equitably manage protected areas (PAs) by 2020. Here we evaluate whether existing PA Management Effectiveness (PAME) and social and governance assessment tools can be used to determine if AT11 meets equity goals. We find that PAME assessment conditions are insufficiently inclusive of relevant actors and do not satisfactorily allow for a diversity of perspectives to be expressed and accounted for, both of which are essential for equitable PA management. Furthermore, none of the analysed PAME tools fully cover multidimensional equity and thus they are inadequate for assessing progress towards equitable management in PAs. The available social and governance PA assessment tools stipulate more inclusive and participatory conditions within their guidelines, and the IUCN Governance Guidelines comprehensively capture equity dimensions in PA management, but results are not comparable across sites. We conclude that available assessment tools do not provide a reliable way to track equity in PAs at global scale. The IUCN Governance Guidelines could be adjusted to achieve this goal, providing that the information collected is made globally comparable, while ensuring transparency, accountability and room for contestation, including by communities whose livelihoods are directly implicated. Ultimately, developing and deploying globally comparable measures to evaluate equity is problematic, as the process of gathering comparable data inevitably obscures information that is highly relevant to resolving equity issues at local scales. This challenge must be met, however, if nations are to achieve and report on their success at meeting AT11 by 2020. © 2018 Elsevier LtdWe thank Jens Friis Lund from the University of Copenhagen for his great support in the writing of this publication. We also thank the following for their assistance in the data collection and analysis: April Eassom, Lauren Coad, Kathryn Knights, Jonas Geldmann, Murielle Misrachi and Naomi Kingston from UNEP-WCMC, PA Solutions, University of Oxford and University of Copenhagen, Phil Franks, Kate Schreckenberg and Dilys Roe from IIED, Marc Hockings, Fiona Leverington from IUCN WCPA/University of Queensland. N.Z-C. and N.B. acknowledge the funding provided by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 659881 to N.Z-C. and the Danish National Research Foundation for funding for the Centre for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate; grant number DNRF96 . We thank Jens Friis Lund from the University of Copenhagen for his great support in the writing of this publication. We also thank the following for their assistance in the data collection and analysis: April Eassom, Lauren Coad, Kathryn Knights, Jonas Geldmann, Murielle Misrachi and Naomi Kingston from UNEP-WCMC, PA Solutions, University of Oxford and University of Copenhagen, Phil Franks, Kate Schreckenberg and Dilys Roe from IIED, Marc Hockings, Fiona Leverington from IUCN WCPA/University of Queensland. N.Z-C. and N.B. acknowledge the funding provided by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 659881 to N.Z-C. and the Danish National Research Foundation for funding for the Centre for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate; grant number DNRF96

Climate Change Perceptions and Adaptations among Smallholder Farmers in the Mountains of Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

The warming rates in many mountain areas are higher than the global average, negatively impacting crop systems. Little is known about the climatic changes which are already being observed in eastern Democratic Republic (DR) of Congo, due to the lack of long-term meteorological data. Local perceptions could help us to understand not only the climatic changes and impacts but also which adaptation strategies are already being used by local smallholder farmers. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to 300 smallholder Bafuliru (n = 150) and Lega (n = 150) farmers living in the Itombwe Mountains. The respondents reported climatic changes and impacts, with the Bafuliru—living on the eastern drier slopes—reporting more changes and impacts. While the Bafuliru were implementing several adaptation strategies (e.g., increased irrigation and use of inputs, more soil conservation, more income diversification), the Lega were implementing very few, due to soft limits (access to inputs, markets, and information) and culture (less interest in farming, less capacity to organize into groups). The results highlight important differences in sociocultural contexts, even for one ‘remote’ mountain, calling for a more collaborative approach to adaptation planning and action.We acknowledge funding from Ecole Régionale d’Aménagement et Gestion Intégrés des Forêts et Territoires Tropicaux (ERAIFT) and Rainforest Foundation Norway (RFN)

Short communication: Application of site‐level assessment of governance and equity (sage) methodology to a candidate oecm: AndakÍ municipal natural park, caquetÁ, colombia.

Governance is a fundamental aspect and precondition for conservation strategies, such as protected areas or OECMs. A methodology for Site-level Assessment of Governance and Equity (SAGE) has been proposed by IUCN to explore different aspects of governance, based on ten principles. This article describes the application of SAGE to a candidate OECM for what we believe is the first time: the Andakí Municipal Natural Park in the Amazon region of Colombia. The application of SAGE generated useful insights into different aspects of governance, including the importance of good communication and recognising and respecting the rights and responsibilities of different actors. Based on this experience, we believe that the SAGE methodology could be a useful tool not only to identify priorities for improving governance, but also to assess governance and equity in order to evaluate if an area meets the criteria for an OECM that it is governed and managed to achieve sustained and effective contributions to in situ conservation of biodiversity, associated ecosystem functions and services, and cultural, spiritual, socio-economic and other locally relevant values. © 2021, IUCN - International Union for the Conservation of Nature. All rights reserved.This process was made possible with the support of: a) the Local Protected Areas Regional Project implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft f?r Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, ICLEI ? Local Governments for Sustainability and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); Environment ministries in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru; commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Protection and Nuclear Safety; b) the project adaptation of the OECM criteria to the Colombian context supported by PPD-GEF-PNUD, and implemented by Resnatur, Instituto Humboldt, Fundaci?n Natura and the Local Protected Areas Project; and c) the EUROCLIMA+ programme supported by Expertise France, GIZ and the International Institute for the Environment and Development (IIED); and d) Thora Amend, Vice Chair, IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (thematic area: Governance)

Local Observations of Climate Change and Adaptation Responses: A Case Study in the Mountain Region of Burundi-Rwanda

Mountain regions and their communities are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts. However, little is known on the impacts observed and adaptation responses used in Burundi’s mountain region and if these are different to those reported in the contiguous mountain region of Rwanda. This paper aims to fill in these knowledge gaps. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 300 smallholder farmers, 150 in northern Burundi and 150 in southern Rwanda. Farmers in both countries reported negative impacts on crops, animals, and human health, with small differences between countries driven by the main cultivated crops. More adaptation strategies were used in Burundi than in Rwanda, and more farmers in Burundi were using multiple strategies. In both countries, farmers’ wealth affected farmers’ adaptation responses and their food security. Notably, for all wealth groups (poor, average, rich), food security was lower in Rwanda than in Burundi. We relate our findings to current agricultural intensification policies in both countries and argue for the greater involvement of local farmers in adaptation planning using, for example, science-with-society approaches.We are deeply grateful to our study participants, who graciously shared their time, energy, and stories. We thank our field assistants and facilitators for making this research possible. We also acknowledge the Mountain Research Initiative for funding support

The female figure as the antagonist in the arthurian world : the role of Morgan le Fay in Thomas Malory's Morte Darthur

In his Le Morte Darthur (1485), Malory took previous Arthurian myths and compiled them in one volume, adapting them so as to satisfy the values of his time. These changes and values can be seen in the case of the female figures, and specifically in the figure of Morgan le Fay. This paper studies the role of Morgan le Fay as the antagonist in Le Morte Darthur and how she becomes an active character from the marginality of her position; analyzing also whether her position as an active woman is, precisely, what puts her in the margins.En Le Morte Darthur (1485), Malory va agafar mites artúrics anteriors i els va recopilar en un volum, adaptant-los per a satisfer els valors del seu temps. Aquests canvis i valors es poden observar en el cas de les figures femenines, i específicament en la figura de Morgan le Fay. Aquest treball estudia el paper de la Morgan le Fay com a antagonista a Le Morte Darthur i de com ella es converteix en un personatge actiu des de la marginalitat de la seva posició; analitzant també si és precisament la seva posició com a dona activa la que la posa en els marges