Scientific and local ecological knowledge, shaping perceptions towards protected areas and related ecosystem services

Context Most protected areas are managed based on objectives related to scientific ecological knowledge of species and ecosystems. However, a core principle of sustainability science is that understanding and including local ecological knowledge, perceptions of ecosystem service provision and landscape vulnerability will improve sustainability and resilience of social-ecological systems. Here, we take up these assumptions in the context of protected areas to provide insight on the effectiveness of nature protection goals, particularly in highly human-influenced landscapes. Objectives We examined how residents' ecological knowledge systems, comprised of both local and scientific, mediated the relationship between their characteristics and a set of variables that represented perceptions of ecosystem services, landscape change, human-nature relationships, and impacts. Methods We administered a face-to-face survey to local residents in the Sierra de Guadarrama protected areas, Spain. We used bi- and multi-variate analysis, including partial least squares path modeling to test our hypotheses. Results Ecological knowledge systems were highly correlated and were instrumental in predicting perceptions of water-related ecosystem services, landscape change, increasing outdoors activities, and human-nature relationships. Engagement with nature, socio-demographics, trip characteristics, and a rural-urban gradient explained a high degree of variation in ecological knowledge. Bundles of perceived ecosystem services and impacts, in relation to ecological knowledge, emerged as social representation on how residents relate to, understand, and perceive landscapes. Conclusions Our findings provide insight into the interactions between ecological knowledge systems and their role in shaping perceptions of local communities about protected areas. These results are expected to inform protected area management and landscape sustainability.Peer reviewe

LUBAC prevents lethal dermatitis by inhibiting cell death induced by TNF, TRAIL and CD95L

The linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC), composed of HOIP, HOIL-1 and SHARPIN, is required for optimal TNF-mediated gene activation and to prevent cell death induced by TNF. Here, we demonstrate that keratinocyte-specific deletion of HOIP or HOIL-1 (E-KO) results in severe dermatitis causing postnatal lethality. We provide genetic and pharmacological evidence that the postnatal lethal dermatitis in HoipE-KO and Hoil-1E-KO mice is caused by TNFR1-induced, caspase-8-mediated apoptosis that occurs independently of the kinase activity of RIPK1. In the absence of TNFR1, however, dermatitis develops in adulthood, triggered by RIPK1-kinase-activity-dependent apoptosis and necroptosis. Strikingly, TRAIL or CD95L can redundantly induce this disease-causing cell death, as combined loss of their respective receptors is required to prevent TNFR1-independent dermatitis. These findings may have implications for the treatment of patients with mutations that perturb linear ubiquitination and potentially also for patients with inflammation-associated disorders that are refractory to inhibition of TNF alone

The activity of TRAF RING homo- and heterodimers is regulated by zinc finger 1

Ubiquitin chains linked through lysine63 (K63) play a critical role in inflammatory signalling. Following ligand engagement of immune receptors, the RING E3 ligase TRAF6 builds K63-linked chains together with the heterodimeric E2 enzyme Ubc13-Uev1A. Dimerisation of the TRAF6 RING domain is essential for the assembly of K63-linked ubiquitin chains. Here, we show that TRAF6 RING dimers form a catalytic complex where one RING interacts with a Ubc13~Ubiquitin conjugate, while the zinc finger 1 (ZF1) domain and linker-helix of the opposing monomer contact ubiquitin. The RING dimer interface is conserved across TRAFs and we also show that TRAF5–TRAF6 heterodimers form. Importantly, TRAF5 can provide ZF1, enabling ubiquitin transfer from a TRAF6-bound Ubc13 conjugate. Our study explains the dependence of activity on TRAF RING dimers, and suggests that both homo- and heterodimers mediated by TRAF RING domains have the capacity to synthesise ubiquitin chains

Nature conservation and agriculture: two EU policy domains that finally meet?

Over time the EU has developed an ever-expanding body of agricultural and nature conservation policies. This chapter analyses to what extent these two policy fields complement or contradict each other. It analyses the level of the coherence between the policy fields by looking at the interdependent elements objectives, instruments and implementation. Results indicate that over time steps have been taken to improve the coherence between these policy fields. Particularly at the level of policy objectives the agricultural policy has increasingly committed to conserve biodiversity. At the same time nature conservation policy has acknowledged the important role of agriculture in maintaining biodiversity. However, at the level of instruments and implementation practices many inconsistencies remain

Farmers adoption of the Habitats Directive in Eastern Germany what drives the optimization of grassland conservation?

The following paper provides insights in the adoption-behavior of farmers in Saxony due to the Fauna-Flora-Habitat directive (habitat-directive) of the European Union (EU). For the implementation of the habitat directive, the federal state of Saxony has introduced the instrument of managementplans in combination with agri-environmental programs. The paper shows that the combination of managementplans and agri-environmental programs can be successful for the implementation of nature-conservation measures under specific circumstances. The paper investigates the determinants of the farmers decision to optimize their farming practices towards the objective of nature conservation. The data set consists of interviews with 139 farmers between 2004 and 2011 and additionally information of 333 grassland-sites. A multinomial logit model was applied. The results show that location factors and the design of AEPs exhibit an influence on the implementation of measures of the Habitat Directive. At the plot level, we can (among other factors) observe an impact of specific (dark green) agri-environmental programs on the willingness of farmers to adopt nature conservation measures within the framework of the EU habitat directive. We also investigate the determinants of participation in light green and dark green AEPs. The findings highlight the potential of integrated policy packages to incentivize specific measures of nature conservation within the Natura 2000 framework. Acknowledgement

Mainstreaming revisited: Experiences from eight countries on the role of National Biodiversity Strategies in practice

Global biodiversity targets have not been met due to weak implementation at the national level. National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) are central for mainstreaming biodiversity by translating global ambition into national policies. This study analyzes the practical role of global and national biodiversity agendas. Interviews from France, Germany, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, Rwanda, and South Africa show that global targets and NBSAPs have raised awareness, mobilized initiatives, mobilized support for implementation, and fostered accountability. Nevertheless, conflicting interests, weak financial support, and poorly integrated institutional and regulatory structures remain challenges to implementation. Levers for harnessing the role of future NBSAPs to achieve the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework are: improving communication; defining concrete measures and clear responsibilities; fostering cross-sectoral commitment; enshrining targets into national laws; ensuring adequate public funding; reforming harmful subsidies; ensuring coordination among sectors and levels of governance; and strengthening accountability frameworks