A Graph Theory approach to assess nature’s contribution to people at a global scale

The use of Graph Theory on social media data is a promising approach to identify emergent properties of the complex physical and cognitive interactions that occur between humans and nature. To test the effectivity of this approach at global scales, Instagram posts from fourteen natural areas were selected to analyse the emergent discourse around these areas. The fourteen areas, known to provide key recreational, educational and heritage values, were investigated with different centrality metrics to test the ability of Graph Theory to identify variability in ecosystem social perceptions and use. Instagram data (i.e., hashtags associated to photos) was analysed with network centrality measures to characterise properties of the connections between words posted by social media users. With this approach, the emergent properties of networks of hashtags were explored to characterise visitors’ preferences (e.g., cultural heritage or nature appreciation), activities (e.g., diving or hiking), preferred habitats and species (e.g., forest, beach, penguins), and feelings (e.g., happiness or place identity). Network analysis on Instagram hashtags allowed delineating the users’ discourse around a natural area, which provides crucial information for effective management of popular natural spaces for peopleThis work is a product of ECOMAR research network (Evaluation and monitoring of marine ecosystem services in Iberoamerica; project number 417RT0528, funded by CYTED). Three co-authors were funded by H2020-Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action during the conduction of this work: SdJ, funded by MSCA-IF-2016 (ref. 743545); AOA, funded by MSCA-IF-2016 (ref. 746361); ARF, funded by MSCA-IF-2014 (ref. 655475)S

Using graph theory and social media data to assess cultural ecosystem services in coastal areas: Method development and application

The use of social media (SM) data has emerged as a promising tool for the assessment of cultural ecosystem services (CES). Most studies have focused on the use of single SM platforms and on the analysis of photo content to assess the demand for CES. Here, we introduce a novel methodology for the assessment of CES using SM data through the application of graph theory network analyses (GTNA) on hashtags associated to SM posts and compare it to photo content analysis. We applied the proposed methodology on two SM platforms, Instagram and Twitter, on three worldwide known case study areas, namely Great Barrier Reef, Galapagos Islands and Easter Island. Our results indicate that the analysis of hashtags through graph theory offers similar capabilities to photo content analysis in the assessment of CES provision and the identification of CES providers. More importantly, GTNA provides greater capabilities at identifying relational values and eudaimonic aspects associated to nature, elusive aspects for photo content analysis. In addition, GTNA contributes to the reduction of the interpreter's bias associated to photo content analyses, since GTNA is based on the tags provided by the users themselves. The study also highlights the importance of considering data from different social media platforms, as the type of users and the information offered by these platforms can show different CES attributes. The ease of application and short computing processing times involved in the application of GTNA makes it a cost-effective method with the potential of being applied to large geographical scales.Comment: 23 pages, 5 figures, 2 appendice

Using graph theory and social media data to assess cultural ecosystem services in coastal areas: Method development and application

The use of social media (SM) data has emerged as a promising tool for the assessment of cultural ecosystem services (CES). Most studies have focused on the use of single SM platforms and on the analysis of photo content to assess the demand for CES. Here, we introduce a novel methodology for the assessment of CES using SM data through the application of graph theory network analyses (GTNA) on hashtags associated to SM posts and compare it to photo content analysis. We applied the proposed methodology on two SM platforms, Instagram and Twitter, on three worldwide known case study areas, namely Great Barrier Reef, Galapagos Islands and Easter Island. Our results indicate that the analysis of hashtags through graph theory offers similar capabilities to photo content analysis in the assessment of CES provision and the identification of CES providers. More importantly, GTNA provides greater capabilities at identifying relational values and eudaimonic aspects associated to nature, elusive aspects for photo content analysis. In addition, GTNA contributes to the reduction of the interpreter’s bias associated to photo content analyses, since GTNA is based on the tags provided by the users themselves. The study also highlights the importance of considering data from different SM platforms, as the type of users and the information offered by these platforms can show different CES attributes. The ease of application and relative short computing processing times involved in the application of GTNA makes it a cost-effective method with the potential of being applied to large geographical scalesThis work is a result of the ECOMAR Network, “Evaluation and monitoring of marine ecosystem services in Iberoamérica” (project number 417RT0528) funded by the CYTED program. During the time of the study and writing period ARF was supported by a H2020-Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action MSCA-IF-2014 (ref. 655475); AOA was supported by a H2020-Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action MSCA-IF-2016 (ref. 746361); SdJ was supported by a H2020-Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action MSCA-IF-2016 (ref. 743545); PP was funded by the Xunta de Galicia (RECREGES II Project, Grant ED481B2018/ 017)S

Citizen science in data and resource-limited areas: A tool to detect long-term ecosystem changes

Coral reefs are threatened by numerous global and local stressors. In the face of predicted large-scale coral degradation over the coming decades, the importance of long-term monitoring of stress-induced ecosystem changes has been widely recognised. In areas where sustained funding is unavailable, citizen science monitoring has the potential to be a powerful alternative to conventional monitoring programmes. In this study we used data collected by volunteers in Southeast Sulawesi (Indonesia), to demonstrate the potential of marine citizen science programmes to provide scientifically sound information necessary for detecting ecosystem changes in areas where no alternative data are available. Data were collected annually between 2002 and 2012 and consisted of percent benthic biotic and abiotic cover and fish counts. Analyses revealed long-term coral reef ecosystem change. We observed a continuous decline of hard coral, which in turn had a significant effect on the associated fishes, at community, family and species levels. We provide evidence of the importance of marine citizen science programmes in detecting long-term ecosystem change as an effective way of delivering conservation data to local government and national agencies. This is particularly true for areas where funding for monitoring is unavailable, resulting in an absence of ecological data. For citizen science data to contribute to ecological monitoring and local decision-making, the data collection protocols need to adhere to sound scientific standards, and protocols for data evaluation need to be available to local stakeholders. Here, we describe the monitoring design, data treatment and statistical analyses to be used as potential guidelines in future marine citizen science projects

Creating space, aligning motivations, and building trust: a practical framework for stakeholder engagement based on experience in 12 ecosystem services case studies

Ecosystem services inherently involve people, whose values help define the benefits of nature's services. It is thus important for researchers to involve stakeholders in ecosystem services research. However, a simple and practicable framework to guide such engagement, and in particular to help researchers anticipate and consider key issues and challenges, has not been well explored. Here, we use experience from the 12 case studies in the European Operational Potential of Ecosystem Research Applications (OPERAs) project to propose a stakeholder engagement framework comprising three key elements: creating space, aligning motivations, and building trust. We argue that involving stakeholders in research demands thoughtful reflection from the researchers about what kind of space they want to create, including if and how they want to bring different interests together, how much space they want to allow for critical discussion, and whether there is a role for particular stakeholders to serve as conduits between others. In addition, understanding their own motivations—including values, knowledge, goals, and desired benefits—will help researchers decide when and how to involve stakeholders, identify areas of common ground and potential disagreement, frame the project appropriately, set expectations, and ensure each party is able to see benefits of engaging with each other. Finally, building relationships with stakeholders can be difficult but considering the roles of existing relationships, time, approach, reputation, and belonging can help build mutual trust. Although the three key elements and the paths between them can play out differently depending on the particular research project, we suggest that a research design that considers how to create the space in which researchers and stakeholders will meet, align motivations between researchers and stakeholders, and build mutual trust will help foster productive researcher–stakeholder relationships

Socioeconomic valuation of the marine environment in Wales : implications for coastal management

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Socioeconomic valuation of the marine environment in Wales : implications for coastal management

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Socioeconomic valuation of the marine environment in Wales implications for coastal management

The present study identified and quantified the value of the marine environment to different users and non-users of the coast around Wales. Previous studies have tended to focus on the value of extractive activities only, whereas the present study investigated the implications of integrating a broader range of values and how this impacted the development of comprehensive marine spatial plans for the area.The study identified data inadequacies relating to non-extractive recreational activities in the area. The economic importance and spatial distribution of the activities (i.e. diving, kayaking, wildlife cruises and bird watching) were investigated using questionnaires. The study revealed that non-extractive recreational users spent between £21.8 and £33 million in 2008 in Wales. The integration of this information with existing fine scale fisheries data in the design of marine reserves was investigated using a site-selection algorithm. The incorporation of spatially explicit economic data for recreation resulted in reserves that were considerably less costly to the recreational sector than reserves designed without the consideration of recreational interests without any extra costs to the fisheries sector.The perceived distribution of values and benefits derived from the marine environment according to different stakeholder groups and their preferences for the location of marine reserves were assessed and mapped through interviews. The studysuggested the existence of similar spatial distributions for certain benefits of the marine environment and particular areas were identified as providers of multiple benefits. Such data can be used to identify areas better suited for specific uses ormanagement regulations. The integration of data on stakeholders' priority areas for conservation in a site-selection algorithm suggested that in the case of Wales it is possible to integrate stakeholders' preferences for the location of reserves without compromising conservation needs, potentially avoiding unnecessary conflicts between conservation and stakeholders' interests.Society's support for marine reserves in Wales was assessed through the use of a choice experiment survey. Findings identified generalised support for reserves with heterogeneous views on the size and management of the reserve. Results suggested that society is willing to pay for the conservation of the marine environment and that this willingness to pay is likely to be greater than the associated economic costs of protection. The integration of valuation techniques, survey methods and systematic conservation tools established herein should further the development of comprehensive marine spatial plans for the area

Impacts of jellyfish presence on tourists’ holiday destination choices and their willingness to pay for mitigation measures

Recurrent jellyfish blooms in tourist areas have negative effects on coastal and national economies. We investigate how jellyfish presence affects holiday destination choice and how the adoption of mitigation measures can reduce impacts through analyzing tourists’ preferences. A Discrete Choice Experiment approach was adopted to assess tourists’ willingness to pay for different measures. Results indicate that in scenarios of increased jellyfish numbers, 24–40% of tourists might not choose to return to a destination affected by jellyfish. Results also indicate that the adoption of measures such as jellyfish information provision, warning flags, health service presence or the deployment of jellyfish exclusion nets could reduce the proportion of non-returning tourists by 66–83%. Regarding preferences, tourists are willing to pay higher amounts for measures that provide the highest protection. We conclude that the implementation of preventive management plans should be considered by coastal administrations to promote a sense of safety among tourists and residents alike.This work was supported by a H2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Intraeuropean Action under Grant 655475Peer reviewe

In the blind-spot of governance – Stakeholder perceptions on seagrasses to guide the management of an important ecosystem services provider

Seagrass ecosystems have been identified as important marine ecosystem service (ES) providers, they contribute to coastal protection, fisheries provision and mitigate climate change among others. Yet, they are declining globally at alarming rates. While the ecological dimensions of this social-ecological system have been well studied, its associated social aspects remain largely unexplored. Here, we show how the analysis of stakeholders’ perceptions on seagrass ES, their drivers of change, links to wellbeing and governance structures can provide a path towards a more sustainable management. Stakeholders identified seagrass regulatory ES as crucial for the maintenance of social and economic wellbeing and the potential causes and consequences associated to seagrass decline. Power imbalances, an over-compartmentalized legislation and a generalized lack of awareness were highlighted as key aspects to redress in order to achieve a more just governance system. Stakeholders’ empirical evidence on the importance of particular ES and on negative drivers of change can also provide an understanding of areas where financial investment would gather wider public support and therefore be more successfully implemented. We showed how the different dimensions highlighted through stakeholders’ perspectives can contribute to the consecution of a more inclusive sustainable management, a crucial aspect in the maintenance of seagrass ecosystems