scholarly journals Biodiversity Evaluation: From Endorsed Indexes to Inclusion of a Pollinator Indicator

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 477
Author(s):  
Sergio Albertazzi ◽  
Elisa Monterastelli ◽  
Manuela Giovanetti ◽  
Emanuele Luigi Zenga ◽  
Simone Flaminio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Regulatory Agency ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
European Level ◽  
Monitoring Scheme ◽  
Standards Implementation ◽  
Biodiversity Index ◽  
Strategic Funding

There is increasing interest in evaluating biodiversity to preserve ecosystem services. Researchers can sustain policymakers by providing tools, such as indexes and indicators, that need constant implementation to become accepted standards. Implementation may vary from re-evaluation of existing indicators to introduction of new ones based on emerging threats to biodiversity. With the aim of contributing to the compelling need to estimate and counterbalance pollinator loss, we screened existing bioindicators. We first selected indexes/indicators applied to agricultural contexts and concurrently endorsed by a regulatory agency. We then extended our analysis to indexes/indicators based on arthropod taxa and formally recognized at least by national bodies. Our procedure identified a combination of surveys of various animal taxa and remote landscape analyses (e.g., using a GIS and other cartographic tools). When the animals are arthropods, most indexes/indicators can only address confined environments (e.g., grasslands, riversides). Indicator strength was improved by the simultaneous inclusion of biotic and abiotic components. Pollinator sensitivity to changes at micro-habitat level is widely appreciated and may help distinguish agricultural practices. A biodiversity index based on pollinators, including a wide monitoring scheme supplemented by citizen science, is currently fostered at the European level. The results obtained using such an index may finally enable focusing of strategic funding. Our analysis will help to reach this goal.

scholarly journals The Role of Citizen Science in Sustainable Agriculture

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 10375
Author(s):  
Khaldoon A. Mourad ◽  
Seyyed Hasan Hosseini ◽  
Helen Avery
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Science Literature ◽  
Target Groups ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Farming Communities ◽  
Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Farmers know much more than we think, and they are keen to improve their knowledge in order to improve their farms and increase their income. On the other hand, decision-makers, organizations, and researchers are increasing their use of citizen volunteers to strengthen their outcomes, enhance project implementation, and approach ecosystem sustainability. This paper assesses the role of citizen science relating to agricultural practices and covers citizen science literature on agriculture and farmers’ participation during the period 2007–2019. The literature was examined for the role of citizen science in supporting sustainable agriculture activities, pointing to opportunities, challenges, and recommendations. The study identified the following gaps: insufficient attention to (1) long-term capacity building and dialogue between academics and farming communities; (2) developing countries in the global South and smallholders; (3) agriculture trading and marketing; (4) the rationales of selecting target groups; (5) contributing to accelerated sustainability transitions. The main aim of the research projects reviewed in this study tended to focus on the research outcomes from an academic perspective, not sustainable solutions in practice or sustainability in general. More research is needed to address these gaps and to widen the benefits of citizen science in sustainable agricultural practices.

scholarly journals Local Knowledge about Ecosystem Services Provided by Trees in Coffee Agroforestry Practices in Northwest Vietnam

Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 486
Author(s):  
Mai Phuong Nguyen ◽  
Philippe Vaast ◽  
Tim Pagella ◽  
Fergus Sinclair
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Market Access ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Coffee Agroforestry ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Agroforestry Practices

In recent decades in northwest Vietnam, Arabica coffee has been grown on sloping land in intensive, full sun monocultures that are not sustainable in the long term and have negative environmental impacts. There is an urgent need to reverse this negative trend by promoting good agricultural practices, including agroforestry, to prevent further deforestation and soil erosion on slopes. A survey of 124 farmers from three indigenous groups was conducted in northwest Vietnam to document coffee agroforestry practices and the ecosystem services associated with different tree species used in them. Trees were ranked according to the main ecosystem services and disservices considered to be locally relevant by rural communities. Our results show that tree species richness in agroforestry plots was much higher for coffee compared to non-coffee plots, including those with annual crops and tree plantations. Most farmers were aware of the benefits of trees for soil improvement, shelter (from wind and frost), and the provision of shade and mulch. In contrast, farmers had limited knowledge of the impact of trees on coffee quality and other interactions amongst trees and coffee. Farmers ranked the leguminous tree species Leucaena leucocephala as the best for incorporating in coffee plots because of the services it provides to coffee. Nonetheless, the farmers’ selection of tree species to combine with coffee was highly influenced by economic benefits provided, especially by intercropped fruit trees, which was influenced by market access, determined by the proximity of farms to a main road. The findings from this research will help local extension institutions and farmers select appropriate tree species that suit the local context and that match household needs and constraints, thereby facilitating the transition to a more sustainable and climate-smart coffee production practice.

scholarly journals Special Issue on Climate Change and Land Conservation and Restoration: Advances in Economics Methods and Policies for Adaptation and Mitigation

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-200
Author(s):  
Sarah Cline ◽  
Sahan T. M. Dissanayake
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Timber Harvest ◽  
Land Conservation ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Welfare Impacts ◽  
Adaptation And Mitigation

Climate change will likely impact the ecosystem services and biodiversity generated from conserved land. Land conservation can also play a significant role in achieving cost-effective mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions. In this special issue we feature seven papers from the 2017 NAREA Workshop, “Climate Change and Land Conservation and Restoration: Advances in Economics Methods and Policies for Adaptation and Mitigation.” The articles include papers furthering the methodological frontier; portfolio optimization, dynamic rangeland stocking, and global timber harvest models, and those highlighting innovative applications; climate smart agricultural practices in Nigeria and Vietnam, welfare impacts on birding, and carbon and albedo pricing.

scholarly journals Variability in Environmental Conditions Strongly Impacts Ostracod Assemblages of Lowland Springs in a Heavily Anthropized Area

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3276
Author(s):  
Giampaolo Rossetti ◽  
Valentina Pieri ◽  
Rossano Bolpagni ◽  
Daniele Nizzoli ◽  
Pierluigi Viaroli
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Species Turnover ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Po River ◽  
Physical And Chemical Variables ◽  
River Plain ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
Restoration Measures

The Po river plain (Northern Italy) hosts artificial, lowland springs locally known as fontanili, which provide important ecosystem services in an area dominated by intensive agricultural activities. Here we present a study carried out in 50 springs. Each spring was visited once from October 2015 to January 2016. The sampled sites were selected to include springs studied in 2001 and 2004, to evaluate changes in water quality and ostracod assemblages that possibly occurred over a period of 10–15 years, and explore the relationships between ostracod community composition and water physical and chemical variables. Our results showed a decrease in the chemical water quality especially, in springs south of the Po river, evidenced by high nitrate levels. Most of the studied springs showed a relevant decrease in dissolved reactive silica, probably related to recent transformations of either agricultural practices or crop typology. Ostracods were mostly represented by common and tolerant species, and communities were characterized by low alpha diversity and high species turnover. Water temperature and mineralization level were the most influential variables in structuring the ostracod communities. We stress the need to implement conservation and restoration measures for these threatened ecosystems, to regain their role as ecosystem services providers.

scholarly journals Ecological and economic transformations of natural management systems of agrarian type (based on materials from the South of Russia)

2021 ◽  
Vol 285 ◽  
pp. 08003
Author(s):  
Galina Karpova ◽  
Natalya Medyanik
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Climate Adaptation ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
The South ◽  
Agrarian Economy ◽  
Economic Transformations ◽  
Natural Landscapes

The necessity of ecological and economic transformations of natural management systems of the agrarian type is shown, considering dominant natural landscapes, sectoral specifics of the economy and settlement. Spatial and sectoral priorities and measures for greening of the development of natural management systems of the agrarian type, associated with climate adaptation of traditional agricultural sectors, ecosystem services, ethnically marked agricultural practices, as well as ecosystem-adaptive transformation of the agrarian economy, taking into account the specifics of steppe, mountain, rural natural management localities are substantiated.

scholarly journals Citizen science for assessing ecosystem services: Status, challenges and opportunities

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 80-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Schröter ◽  
Roland Kraemer ◽  
Martin Mantel ◽  
Nadja Kabisch ◽  
Susanne Hecker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

Biotic Interactions and Ecosystem Functioning

2019 ◽  
pp. 45-66
Author(s):  
Nicola P. Randall ◽  
Barbara Smith
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Primary Productivity ◽  
Ecosystem Functioning ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Biological Pest Control ◽  
Fungal Interactions

This chapter introduces different functional groups and their role in agroecosystems and in provision of ecosystem services. Examples include detritivores and other nutrient cyclers, primary producers, pollinators, herbivores, and pest regulators. The importance of plant–fungal interactions (endophytes and mycorrhiza), primary productivity, maintenance of soil fertility through nutrient cycles, biological pest control, and crop pollination are discussed and related to different management systems. The influence of agricultural practices (e.g. pesticide/fertilizer application, introduction of new/genetically modified species) on biotic interactions and ecosystem functioning of agricultural practices are also illustrated, alongside a consideration of the biological issues associated with the replacement of ecological processes with chemicals, machinery, and so on in some modern agricultural systems.

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