scholarly journals Assessment of Ecosystem Services across the Land–Sea Interface in Baltic Case Studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (24) ◽  
pp. 11799
Author(s):  
Johanna Schumacher ◽  
Sabine Lange ◽  
Felix Müller ◽  
Gerald Schernewski

Spatial assessments of ecosystem services (ES) are needed to fulfil EU policy requirements and to support practical applications of the ES concept in policy implementation. So far, ES assessments have largely focused on terrestrial systems. A joint approach for land and sea is especially lacking. To overcome this gap, we present a novel spatial habitat typology and ES classification for an assessment across the land–sea interface. We build upon existing approaches and common spatial definitions, like CORINE land cover (CLC) types, water bodies of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), and habitat types according to the Habitats Directive (HD). We show applications of the resulting ES matrix for an expert-based assessment of ES potentials in three Baltic study sites (Schlei, Greifswald Bay and Curonian Lagoon). A complementary indicator-based approach to assess ES flows is introduced and applied. It enables a quantification of ES potentials and flows and ensures comparability among case study sites. Comparisons between the results for ES potentials and flows show that development capacities exist in particular for provisioning ES for marine habitats. Our approaches are spatially expandable and transferrable and could be applied to support environmental policy implementation. Further, we discuss their practical relevance, current limitations, and future research perspectives.

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (13) ◽  
pp. 2613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xi Yang ◽  
Xin Liu ◽  
Jun Song

Graphene, with high biocompatibility, physiological solubility and stability, has been reported as an emerging material for biomedical applications such as biosensors, drug delivery, and tissue engineering. Recently, identifying the technological competition (TC) of graphene biomedical technology has received worldwide attention from stakeholders. However, few studies have attached great importance to review the TC of this field by the analysis of patents. The main objective of this study is to develop a new and comprehensive method to investigate TC in a given technology field by conducting a patent review and then employing a patent roadmap to dig out the technology opportunity. The effectiveness of the approach is verified with the case study on graphene biomedical technology. Compared to previous research, this study makes the following important contributions. First, this study provides a new and systematic framework for the dynamic analysis of TC in a given technology field. It also extends the research perspectives of TC for industry, assignees, and technology, employs a patent roadmap to dig out technology opportunities, and enables stakeholders to understand TC from a dynamic perspective. Second, this study integrates patent analysis with a patent roadmap that has not appeared in existing methodologies of patent review. Third, it first introduces indicators (e.g., high value patent and competition position of top assignees) to the previous patent roadmap and provides a new methodology for patent roadmaps from a country level and assignee level. Finally, this study provides useful information for stakeholders interested in graphene biomedical technology, helps them to find new technology opportunities in this field, encourages them to determine the direction of future research, and has important significance for its application to diverse other emerging technologies.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Biggar

The increased attention to environmental issues of sustainability and green consumerism in the media has been accompanied by a rise in citizens' interest 'to do their part' for the environment. At the level of the consumer, 'going-green' has become a popular trend aimed at curbing environmental impact by using less and living in more responsible ways. To support this, there are an increasing number of content providers (e.g. web sites) that are combining green lifestyle tips, carbon calculator options, and community forums through interactive platforms. These measures are based on the belief that signing up with these sites and adopting environmentally sustainable behaviours will have positive influences on improving our environment (e.g., lowering green house gases). However, there have not been comprehensive studies to examine this proposition. Research efforts examining the ways in which networked communication and information technologies can foster environmental participation online are nascent, and there remain significant knowledge gaps as to how individual involvement with environmental initiatives can be leveraged by interactive technologies found on the web. This Major Research Paper (MRP) illustrates a case study that aimed to encourage positive environmental outcomes through online support initiatives. It assesses the influence of the Internet as a tool for engaging people in environmental issues of emissions reduction, sustainable lifestyle choices, ecologically-friendly products, and consumer responsibility in the 'going-green' marketplace. This is illustrated through a review ofliterature and a qualitative case study. Research perspectives from environmental communication, psychology and climate change (behavioural and social psychological orientation), and Internet studies (Information and communication technology (lCT), new media theory, web 2.0 (the network society) are reviewed. Further, this paper maps dimensions between these knowledge areas, discuss sites of engagement, and recommends future research questions based on the current research environment. The case study explores user motivations, barriers to participation, and member experience in Cisco-CBC's One Million Acts of Green (OMAoG) campaign. Qualitative research methods are utilized to reveal the state of environmental consciousness in participants. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with individuals and groups involved in the OMAoG campaign. This occurred during a research internship with MIT ACS Ontario, Ryerson University, and GCI Canada during the fall of2009. The purpose of this major paper is to (1) expose user experience, perceptions, and beliefs in the OMAoG campaign, (2) provide empirical insight into the functionality and impact of environmental social networking sites, and (3) lay the groundwork for more directive research on this knowledge intersection. It also offers important insight to environmental companies for engaging communities in 21st century environmentalism and improving the ways action-oriented environmental web sites function.


Author(s):  
Erin Roberts ◽  
Merryn Thomas ◽  
Nick Pidgeon ◽  
Karen Henwood

Contributing to the cultural ecosystem services literature, this paper draws on the in-depth place narratives of two coastal case-study sites in Wales (UK) to explore how people experience and understand landscape change in relation to their sense of place, and what this means for their wellbeing. Our place narratives reveal that participants understand coastal/intertidal landscapes as complex socio-ecological systems filled with competing legitimate claims that are difficult to manage. Such insights suggest that a focus on diachronic integrity (Holland and O’Neill 1996) within place narratives might offer a route to more socially and culturally acceptable environmental management strategies.


Author(s):  
Odeh R. Al-Jayyousi ◽  
Christopher M. Durugbo

Although innovation laboratories offer creative and distinct physical spaces for mediating and directing innovation processes, research on their applicability for co-creative learning during serious play, particularly through Lego Serious Play (LSP) workshops remains limited. Previous studies suggest that serious play workshops tend to focus on scenarios, problem solving and reflective processes, with limited considerations for joint co-creation and learning potentials within innovation laboratories. Motivated by the creative prospects of metaphoric representations and shared stories, this study explores the possibilities of harnessing LSP for co-creative learning in innovation laboratories. This case study draws theoretical insights and practical relevance from a co-creative learning workshop involving three learning scenarios within a Middle Eastern and emerging economy context. Findings from the workshop show variability in representations, interactions and reflections, shaping possibilities for co-creative learning in innovation laboratories. Representations focus on systems, solutions and problems during fragmented, model-supported, model-mediated and integrated interactions that underpin a range of instance-based, variance-based, convergence-based and divergence-based reflections. These insights contribute to co-creation literature that views value creation as an amalgamation of open, collaborative and user innovation. The study concludes by discussing its theoretical implications, practical applications, and methodological limitations, which serve as the basis for future research directions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gudrun Schwilch ◽  
Tatenda Lemann ◽  
Örjan Berglund ◽  
Carlo Camarotto ◽  
Artemi Cerdà ◽  
...  

Only a few studies have quantified and measured ecosystem services (ES) specifically related to soil. To address this gap, we have developed and applied a methodology to assess changes in ecosystem services, based on measured or estimated soil property changes that were stimulated by soil management measures (e.g., mulching, terracing, no-till). We applied the ES assessment methodology in 16 case study sites across Europe representing a high diversity of soil threats and land use systems. Various prevention and remediation measures were trialled, and the changes in manageable soil and other natural capital properties were measured and quantified. An Excel tool facilitated data collection, calculation of changes in ecosystem services, and visualization of measured short-term changes and estimated long-term changes at plot level and for the wider area. With this methodology, we were able to successfully collect and compare data on the impact of land management on 15 different ecosystem services from 26 different measures. Overall, the results are positive in terms of the impacts of the trialled measures on ecosystem services, with 18 out of 26 measures having no decrease in any service at the plot level. Although methodological challenges remain, the ES assessment was shown to be a comprehensive evaluation of the impacts of the trialled measures, and also served as an input to a stakeholder valuation of ecosystem services at local and sub-national levels.


Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1114
Author(s):  
Lina Marcinkevičiūtė ◽  
Jolanta Vilkevičiūtė ◽  
Jan Žukovskis ◽  
Rasa Pranskūnienė

The capacity of ecosystems to provide ecosystem services (hereinafter referred to as ES) depends on the state of their structure, processes, and functions, which is determined by interactions with other systems. These interactions are complex and take place in different climatic areas, and have different impacts on ecosystems and the use of ES. As the most sensitive part of the Lithuanian shore zone to climate change is the seaside zone or the coastal zone, which includes the Curonian Lagoon and the sea coast, the said area was therefore chosen for research. The case study examined those ES that were specific to the study area, without attempting to account for absolutely all ES. With an emphasis on the representation of different perspectives (in the process of assessing and preserving the potential of ES), the empirical study involved representatives of different (public and private) sectors. The public sector was represented by elders and eldership employees, the private sector by farmers and businesspeople. Respondents were selected purposefully to reflect the entire existing totality of the existing area. The evaluation of the obtained theoretical and practical results of the research identified the potential of the existing area ecosystem services and perspectives for the implementation of services by assessing their use according to respondents’ opinions, regional climate change, and national scale in EU environmental policy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Biggar

The increased attention to environmental issues of sustainability and green consumerism in the media has been accompanied by a rise in citizens' interest 'to do their part' for the environment. At the level of the consumer, 'going-green' has become a popular trend aimed at curbing environmental impact by using less and living in more responsible ways. To support this, there are an increasing number of content providers (e.g. web sites) that are combining green lifestyle tips, carbon calculator options, and community forums through interactive platforms. These measures are based on the belief that signing up with these sites and adopting environmentally sustainable behaviours will have positive influences on improving our environment (e.g., lowering green house gases). However, there have not been comprehensive studies to examine this proposition. Research efforts examining the ways in which networked communication and information technologies can foster environmental participation online are nascent, and there remain significant knowledge gaps as to how individual involvement with environmental initiatives can be leveraged by interactive technologies found on the web. This Major Research Paper (MRP) illustrates a case study that aimed to encourage positive environmental outcomes through online support initiatives. It assesses the influence of the Internet as a tool for engaging people in environmental issues of emissions reduction, sustainable lifestyle choices, ecologically-friendly products, and consumer responsibility in the 'going-green' marketplace. This is illustrated through a review ofliterature and a qualitative case study. Research perspectives from environmental communication, psychology and climate change (behavioural and social psychological orientation), and Internet studies (Information and communication technology (lCT), new media theory, web 2.0 (the network society) are reviewed. Further, this paper maps dimensions between these knowledge areas, discuss sites of engagement, and recommends future research questions based on the current research environment. The case study explores user motivations, barriers to participation, and member experience in Cisco-CBC's One Million Acts of Green (OMAoG) campaign. Qualitative research methods are utilized to reveal the state of environmental consciousness in participants. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with individuals and groups involved in the OMAoG campaign. This occurred during a research internship with MIT ACS Ontario, Ryerson University, and GCI Canada during the fall of2009. The purpose of this major paper is to (1) expose user experience, perceptions, and beliefs in the OMAoG campaign, (2) provide empirical insight into the functionality and impact of environmental social networking sites, and (3) lay the groundwork for more directive research on this knowledge intersection. It also offers important insight to environmental companies for engaging communities in 21st century environmentalism and improving the ways action-oriented environmental web sites function.


Author(s):  
Hyojin Kim ◽  
Daesik Hur ◽  
Tobias Schoenherr

Supplier development has been a critical supply management practice since the 1990s. In many instances, it has even become imperative for buyer firms to support and prepare their supply bases for uncertain economic and market environments, socially and environmentally conscious customers, advances in digital technologies, and increasing competition. Yet, research that approaches supplier development with the objective to advance all these dimensions in an integrated fashion is scarce. This study fills this void by exploring how a buyer firm may address these emerging challenges in its supply base. Specifically, an in-depth case study of LG Electronics explores how the firm designs and operates multidimensional supplier development activities to foster the stability and sustainability of its supply base while enhancing its core suppliers’ competitive capabilities. This chapter illustrates how supplier development can be taken to the next level, presents implications for managerial practice, and outlines promising future research avenues.


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