1. Multicriteria analysis as a method for engaging stakeholders and citizens in activities aimed at supporting climate resilience and adaptation to climate change – Gdansk Coastal City Living Lab case studyJacek Barańczuk, Grzegorz Masik, Katarzyna Barańczuk, Cécil J. W. Meulenberg, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: In this study, we aimed to present solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change, summer torrential rain, and pluvial flooding. Within the Gdańsk living lab, a multicriteria analysis (MCA) was performed to assess the implementation of ecosystem-based adaptation (EBA) options for the city of Gdańsk. The results show an assessment of the stakeholders’ acceptability and local knowledge of selected EBA options including rainwater gardens, water parks, retention ponds, green roofs, green walls, community gardens, urban farming and tree plantation. All the proposed EBAs were generally accepted during an online living lab stakeholder meeting. However, EBA solutions that were less intrusive on the natural landscape were preferred over large structures. Yet during the consecutive physical workshop with identified stakeholder composition, there was a higher level of approval for large structures to reduce the level of flood risk, indicating that face-to-face meetings significantly influence the choice of measures during MCA procedures. This has highlighted the importance of physical meetings of MCA for selecting proper implementation options.
Keywords: climate change, resilience, multicriteria analysis, ecosystem-based adaptation
Published in DiRROS: 15.10.2024; Views: 202; Downloads: 109
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2. The state of the art of local GI implementation in the Alps : deliverable 1.3.1Danilo Bevk, Thomas Böhm, Mita Drius, Danijel Kablar, Blaž Koderman, Katharina Lautze, Mojca Pintar, Luana Silveri, 2024, final research report Abstract: In the last century, human population growth and industrial development have been leading to the depletion of natural resources, to ecosystem degradation and to a worrying change in the global climatic conditions. One of the most striking forms of degradation is the fragmentation of ecosystems and habitats because of land use change, which poses a serious threat to biodiversity. A fragmented ecosystem cannot provide the human population with the fundamental ecosystem services (so-called ES hereafter), such as pollination, food, air quality, carbon sequestration, flood management, water treatment, local climate regulation, soil erosion prevention and so on. As the negative impacts of fragmentation have become apparent, the importance of maintaining ecological connectivity within ecosystems and landscapes at different levels of naturalness, including between protected areas and at the rural-urban interface, has been increasingly recognised.
Keywords: green infrastructure, Alps, Interreg, ecosystem services
Published in DiRROS: 02.09.2024; Views: 321; Downloads: 1464
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3. Groundwater is a hidden global keystone ecosystemMattia Saccò, Stefano Mammola, Florian Altermatt, Roman Alther, Rossano Bolpagni, Anton Brancelj, David Brankovits, Cene Fišer, Vasilis Gerovasileiou, Špela Di Batista Borko, Maja Zagmajster, 2024, review article Abstract: Groundwater is a vital ecosystem of the global water cycle, hosting unique biodiversity and providing essential services to societies. Despite being the largest unfrozen freshwater resource, in a period of depletion by extraction and pollution, groundwater environments have been repeatedly overlooked in global biodiversity conservation agendas. Disregarding the importance of groundwater as an ecosystem ignores its critical role in preserving surface biomes. To foster timely global conservation of groundwater, we propose elevating the concept of keystone species into the realm of ecosystems, claiming groundwater as a keystone ecosystem that influences the integrity of many dependent ecosystems. Our global analysis shows that over half of land surface areas (52.6%) has a medium-to-high interaction with groundwater, reaching up to 74.9% when deserts and high mountains are excluded. We postulate that the intrinsic transboundary features of groundwater are critical for shifting perspectives towards more holistic approaches in aquatic ecology and beyond. Furthermore, we propose eight key themes to develop a science-policy integrated groundwater conservation agenda. Given ecosystems above and below the ground intersect at many levels, considering groundwater as an essential component of planetary health is pivotal to reduce biodiversity loss and buffer against climate change.
Keywords: groundwater, keystone ecosystem, surface-subterranean connectivity
Published in DiRROS: 07.08.2024; Views: 388; Downloads: 314
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4. A perspective on the potential of using marine organic fertilizers for the sustainable management of coastal ecosystem servicesIraj Emadodin, Thorsten Reinsch, Ana Rotter, Martina Orlando-Bonaca, Friedhelm Taube, Jamileh Javidpour, 2020, review article Abstract: Agricultural production is predicted to double during the next century. To ensure food security in response to global population growth is a challenge and will require strategies that mitigate associated environmental damage in ways consistent with United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. One possible approach is to utilize organic fertilizers from marine sources to improve soil structure by enhancing activities of soil organisms and restoring essential plant nutrients to the soil. Here we identify opportunities to develop organic fertilizers from two types of materials of marine origin: seagrass wrack and jellyfish biomass. Seagrass wrack often occurs as undesirable waste material on beaches. In many coastal areas around the world jellyfish bloom presents a nuisance because of negative impacts on marine ecosystem productivity. Several investigations have reported that organic fertilizers produced from seagrass and jellyfish could enhance coastal ecosystem services by reducing pollution, and by improving soil health and quality. Recent research indicates that seagrass litter improves soil water holding capacity and the nutritional value of crops; moreover, it can be used as multi-functional fertilizer, due to its content of valuable macro- and microelements. The application of jellyfish fertilizer increases soil contents of organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and enhances the growth and survival of seedlings significantly. In this overview we describe novel approaches regarding the utilization of seagrass and jellyfish as sources of fertilizer, and experimental studies on the influences of marine organic fertilizers on soil restoration, and implications for coastal management.
Keywords: seagrass, jellyfish, soil ecosystem, sustainable agriculture, soil fertility, blue economy
Published in DiRROS: 06.08.2024; Views: 496; Downloads: 449
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5. New tools and recommendations for a better management of harmful algal blooms under the European Marine Strategy Framework DirectiveYolanda Sagarmínaga, Esther Garcés, Janja Francé, Rowena Stern, Marta Revilla, Erika Magaletti, Eileen Bresnan, George Tsirtsis, 2023, review article Abstract: Marine harmful algal blooms (HABs), caused by various aquatic microalgae, pose significant risks to ecosystems, some socio-economic activities and human health. Traditionally managed as a public health issue through reactive control measures such as beach closures, seafood trade bans or closure of mollusc production areas, the multifaceted linkages of HABs with environmental and socio-economic factors require more comprehensive ecosystem-based management approach tools to support policies. This study promotes a coordinated understanding and implementation of HAB assessment and management under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), targeting the achievement of Good Environmental Status (GES) in European marine waters. We introduce two novel tools: GES4HABs (GES for HABs) decision tree, and MAMBO (environMental mAtrix for the Management of BlOoms), a decision support matrix. These tools aim to streamline HABs reporting and prioritize resource allocation and management interventions. The GES4HABs decision tree defines a sequence of decision steps to identify HAB management strategies according to their state (evaluated against predefined baselines) and causes (anthropic or natural). MAMBO is proposed to address different HABs and their interaction with human and environmental pressures. The matrix utilizes two axes: natural trophic status and level of human influence, capturing major aspects such as nutrient supply. While acknowledging the limitations of this simplified framework, MAMBO categorizes marine regions into quadrants of varying management viability. Regions with high human influence and eutrophic conditions are identified as most suitable for effective management intervention, whereas regions with minimal or mixed human influence are deemed less amenable to active management. In addition, we explore and describe various indicators, monitoring methods and initiatives that may be relevant to support assessments of HAB status and associated pressures and impacts in the MSFD reporting. Finally, we provide some recommendations to promote the consideration of HABs in ecosystem-based management strategies, intensify efforts for harmonizing and defining best practices of analysis, monitoring and assessment methodologies, and foster international and cross-sectoral coordination to optimize resources, efforts and roles.
Keywords: decision support tools, ecosystem-based management, indicators, marine monitoring, eutrophication, marine biotoxins, environmental assessment, pressures and impacts
Published in DiRROS: 05.08.2024; Views: 355; Downloads: 318
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6. Linking farmer and beekeeper preferences with ecological knowledge to improve crop pollinationTom D. Breeze, Virginie Boreux, Lorna J. Cole, Lynn Dicks, Alexandra-Maria Klein, Gesine Pufal, Mario V. Balzan, Danilo Bevk, Laura Bortolotti, Theodora Petanidou, 2019, original scientific article Abstract: Pollination by insects is a key input into many crops, with managed honeybees often being hired to support pollination services. Despite substantial research into pollination management, no European studies have yet explored how and why farmers managed pollination services and few have explored why beekeepers use certain crops.
Using paired surveys of beekeepers and farmers in 10 European countries, this study examines beekeeper and farmer perceptions and motivations surrounding crop pollination.
Almost half of the farmers surveyed believed they had pollination service deficits in one or more of their crops.
Less than a third of farmers hired managed pollinators; however, most undertook at least one form of agri-environment management known to benefit pollinators, although few did so to promote pollinators.
Beekeepers were ambivalent towards many mass-flowering crops, with some beekeepers using crops for their honey that other beekeepers avoid because of perceived pesticide risks.
The findings highlight a number of largely overlooked knowledge gaps that will affect knowledge exchange and co-operation between the two groups.
Keywords: beekeeping, ecosystem services, pollination services, rural sociology
Published in DiRROS: 24.07.2024; Views: 506; Downloads: 364
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7. Pelagic calcifiers face increased mortality and habitat loss with warming and ocean acidificationNina Bednaršek, Brendan Carter, Ryan M. McCabe, Richard Alan Feely, Evan M. Howard, Francisco P. Chavez, Meredith Elliott, Jennifer L. Fisher, Jaime Jahncke, Zach Siegrist, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Global change is impacting the oceans in an unprecedented way, and multiple lines of evidence suggest that species distributions are changing in space and time. There is increasing evidence that multiple environmental stressors act together to constrain species habitat more than expected from warming alone. Here, we conducted a comprehensive study of how temperature and aragonite saturation state act together to limit Limacina helicina, globally distributed pteropods that are ecologically important pelagic calcifiers and an indicator species for ocean change. We co-validated three different approaches to evaluate the impact of ocean warming and acidification (OWA) on the survival and distribution of this species in the California Current Ecosystem. First, we used colocated physical, chemical, and biological data from three large-scale west coast cruises and regional time series; second, we conducted multifactorial experimental incubations to evaluate how OWA impacts pteropod survival; and third, we validated the relationships we found against global distributions of pteropods and carbonate chemistry. OWA experimental work revealed mortality increases under OWA, while regional habitat suitability indices and global distributions of L. helicina suggest that a multi-stressor framework is essential for understanding pteropod distributions. In California Current Ecosystem habitats, where pteropods are living close to their thermal maximum already, additional warming and acidification through unabated fossil fuel emissions (RCP 8.5) are expected to dramatically reduce habitat suitability.
Keywords: California current ecosystem, climate change, global data synthesis, habitat loss, habitat suitability modeling, multiple stressors, ocean acidification, pelagic calcifiers, pteropods, species distribution, warming
Published in DiRROS: 17.07.2024; Views: 358; Downloads: 293
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8. Characterization factors to assess land use impacts on pollinator abundance in life cycle assessmentElizabeth M. Alejandre, Laura Scherer, Jeroen B. Guinée, Marcelo A. Aizen, Matthias Albrecht, Mario V. Balzan, Ignasi Bartomeus, Danilo Bevk, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: While wild pollinators play a key role in global food production, their assessment is currently missing from the most commonly used environmental impact assessment method, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This is mainly due to constraints in data availability and compatibility with LCA inventories. To target this gap, relative pollinator abundance estimates were obtained with the use of a Delphi assessment, during which 25 experts, covering 16 nationalities and 45 countries of expertise, provided scores for low, typical, and high expected abundance associated with 24 land use categories. Based on these estimates, this study presents a set of globally generic characterization factors (CFs) that allows translating land use into relative impacts to wild pollinator abundance. The associated uncertainty of the CFs is presented along with an illustrative case to demonstrate the applicability in LCA studies. The CFs based on estimates that reached consensus during the Delphi assessment are recommended as readily applicable and allow key differences among land use types to be distinguished. The resulting CFs are proposed as the first step for incorporating pollinator impacts in LCA studies, exemplifying the use of expert elicitation methods as a useful tool to fill data gaps that constrain the characterization of key environmental impacts.
Keywords: pollinator abundance, ecosystem service, Delphi expert elicitation, agriculture, impact assessment
Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2024; Views: 379; Downloads: 249
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9. Evolution of RMA in SloveniaPrimož Petek, Tjaša Baloh, Vanda Baloh, 2024, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph Abstract: This chapter outlines the research management and administration (RMA) as a profession and work field in Slovenia. Thus, we present an overview of the Slovenian research system, describing how this system has evolved over time. In addition, we explain the emerging need for RMA skills, including its self-organisation component and the challenges that lie ahead. A section is dedicated to Slovenian RMA demographics using RAAAP-2 and RAAAP-3 surveys. The conclusions of the chapter focus on a forecast for the future of RMA in Slovenia and several possible paths to follow for its community.
Keywords: Slovenia, research management and administration, professionalisation, KOsRIS II, RAAAP, research ecosystem
Published in DiRROS: 30.04.2024; Views: 663; Downloads: 269
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10. Urban greenspaces and nearby natural areas support similar levels of soil ecosystem servicesDavid J. Eldridge, Haiying Cui, Jingyi Ding, Miguel Berdugo, Tadeo Sáez-Sandino, Jorge Duran, Juan J. Gaitan, José L. Blanco-Pastor, Alexandra Rodríguez, César Plaza, Tine Grebenc, Tina Unuk Nahberger, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Greenspaces are important for sustaining healthy urban environments and their human populations. Yet their capacity to support multiple ecosystem services simultaneously (multiservices) compared with nearby natural ecosystems remains virtually unknown. We conducted a global field survey in 56 urban areas to investigate the influence of urban greenspaces on 23 soil and plant attributes and compared them with nearby natural environments. We show that, in general, urban greenspaces and nearby natural areas support similar levels of soil multiservices, with only six of 23 attributes (available phosphorus, water holding capacity, water respiration, plant cover, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and arachnid richness) significantly greater in greenspaces, and one (available ammonium) greater in natural areas. Further analyses showed that, although natural areas and urban greenspaces delivered a similar number of services at low (>25% threshold) and moderate (>50%) levels of functioning, natural systems supported significantly more functions at high (>75%) levels of functioning. Management practices (mowing) played an important role in explaining urban ecosystem services, but there were no effects of fertilisation or irrigation. Some services declined with increasing site size, for both greenspaces and natural areas. Our work highlights the fact that urban greenspaces are more similar to natural environments than previously reported and underscores the importance of managing urban greenspaces not only for their social and recreational values, but for supporting multiple ecosystem services on which soils and human well-being depends.
Keywords: soil, ecosystem services, urban forests
Published in DiRROS: 17.04.2024; Views: 576; Downloads: 280
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