scholarly journals A review of ecosystem condition accounts: lessons learned and options for further development

One Ecosystem ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Maes ◽  
Amanda Driver ◽  
Bálint Czúcz ◽  
Heather Keith ◽  
Bethanna Jackson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reference Conditions ◽  
Composite Index ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Reference Levels ◽  
Standard Practice ◽  
Ecosystem Condition ◽  
Ecosystem Accounting ◽  
Standard Set ◽  
Almost All

Ecosystem condition accounts are part of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting – Experimental Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EEA). An ecosystem condition account contains aggregated statistical information about the overall abiotic and biotic quality of an ecosystem at a policy relevant spatial scale. This article reviews 23 publicly-accessible reports undertaken or commissioned by government agencies, academic and non-government organisations that discuss or present an ecosystem condition account. This analysis revealed that ecosystem condition is usually reported for one or more ecosystem types, but there is little consistency in the terminology used to define ecosystem types. All case studies report variables or indicators that measure specific ecosystem characteristics in order to make inferences about the overall condition of ecosystems. All studies included biotic indicators and almost all studies included species-based indicators in the condition account. The thematic aggregation of indicators into a single composite index (or in a few composite sub-indices) is not a standard practice, but applied in about half of the studies. The definition and use of a reference condition or reference levels for specific indicators against which the reported condition can be evaluated is not a standard practice, but was applied in about half of the studies. Based on this analysis, we suggest the revision of the SEEA EEA to propose a globally-consistent typology of ecosystem types; to recommend a list of ecosystem condition indicators according to an agreed classification; to provide further guidance on aggregation methods and on the development of an ecosystem condition index that can be used to compare ecosystem condition across ecosystem types and across different accounting areas; to provide further guidance on how best to set reference levels and reference conditions against which the past, current and future ecosystem condition can be assessed; and to propose a standard set of statistical tables for reporting the condition account.

115 An Audit on Dexamethasone Prescribing Practice on Surgically Managed Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression Patients in the Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences: Lessons Learned in Closing the Loop

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Laurente ◽  
R Mohammed ◽  
M Elmalky
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Compression ◽  
Cord Compression ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression ◽  
Loading Dose ◽  
The Past ◽  
Prescribing Practice ◽  
Closing The Loop ◽  
Almost All

Abstract Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression is a surgical emergency owing to its propensity to cause significant morbidity and mortality. Dexamethasone is prescribed to reduce oedema and promote vascular membrane stabilization. The is done so until a more definitive management has been performed. This is a retrospective study evaluating the steroid-prescribing practice for MSCC patients in 2018 at a tertiary spinal unit in Greater Manchester. Thirty-three patients who underwent stabilisation were evaluated in terms of both steroid prescribing and weaning practices. Standards used against for both were the NICE guidelines and the Edinburgh/Christie’s guidelines. Of the 33 patients evaluated, only 1 patient received the correct loading dose of 16mg, whilst 27 went straight to being given 8mg BD. 5 did not receive dexamethasone at all. In terms of discontinuation/weaning, 26 were weaned accordingly and 2 were not weaned to continue as adjuvant treatment. Dexamethasone prescribing practises has since improved over the past two years. 93% of the patients have been correctly weaned as compared to 38% in the past. In terms of prescription, much needs to be done as almost all the patients evaluated did not get the correct loading dose despite receiving the appropriate maintenance.

scholarly journals Estimating Impact of Covid 19 Outbreaks on Regional Economic's Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 87
Author(s):  
Sambari Radianto ◽  
Mahjudin Mahjudin
Keyword(s):  
Economic Performance ◽  
Regional Economics ◽  
Composite Index ◽  
Counter Measures ◽  
Economic Problems ◽  
Community Activities ◽  
First Case ◽  
The Government ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The Impact

Indonesia officially declared the first case of the corona virus infection that caused Covid-19 in early March 2020. Since then, various counter measures have been taken by the government to reduce the impact of the Covid-19 outbreaks in various sectors. Restrictions on community activities affect business activities which led to economics declination. Almost all sectors are affected. This study aims to estimate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreaks on the regional economics development.  This research using composite index to estimate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreaks  on the regional economic develompment and this was carried out by building an index composite showing the severity of health on one hand and economic performance on the other. This research shows, 34 provinces in Indonesia can be classified into four quadrants: 1) health improving and the economy is improving, 2) health is improving and the economy is deteriorating, 3) health worsening and the economy is improving, and 4) health is deteriorating and the economy is deteriorating. This study aprovide suggestions in order to be more accurate in identifying problems and finding precise solutions, the local government should collect data and research on economic aspects in a fast and precise way, namely 1) the level of the COVID-19 outbreak in the province, 2 ) risk factors for natural disasters, 3), factors characteristic of economic problems, 4) fiscal burden factors.

scholarly journals To Plant or Not to Plant, That Is the Question: Reforestation vs. Natural Regeneration of Hurricane-Disturbed Mangrove Forests in Guanaja (Honduras)

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1068
Author(s):  
Thomas Fickert
Keyword(s):  
Time Lag ◽  
Rhizophora Mangle ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Mangrove Forests ◽  
Hurricane Mitch ◽  
Living Plant ◽  
Line Transects ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Regeneration Processes

Background and Objectives: Mangrove forests offer many essential ecosystem services, including the protection of (sub)tropical coastlines, their inhabitants, and the infrastructure from severe storms and tsunamis. However, mangroves themselves suffer severely from such phenomena. After such events, reforestation efforts are widely undertaken to facilitate the recovery of the mangroves. Many of these laborious activities, however, fail for a number of reasons. Material and Methods: In October 1998, the Honduran Island of Guanaja was severely hit by Hurricane Mitch, and, after the storm, almost all of the mangrove forests (97%) were rated as dead. Seven years after Mitch, a longterm survey on the regeneration of the mangroves started. Field samplings in six variably disturbed mangrove zones was conducted in 2005, 2009, and 2016. Along permanent line-transects, all living plant species were recorded for statistical analyses and for quantifying progress. In this paper, the focus is on the three most severely hit areas. In two of them, planting efforts were carried out while the third one was left to regenerate naturally. This setting allowed a direct comparison between natural and human-assisted regeneration processes under otherwise similar conditions and equally severe previous disturbance. Results: Reforestation measures were characterized by high mortality rates of Rhizophora mangle L. propagules planted predominantly. Some, however, surely survived and might have contributed to regeneration after the disturbance. In 2016, roughly two decades after Hurricane Mitch, low-growing Rhizophora mangle forests, with high ground cover, were found. Surprisingly, the area without any planting also witnessed similar mangrove rejuvenation in the same period. Conclusion: Findings on the recovering mangroves in Guanaja confirm the lessons learned from other mangrove rehabilitation measures: planting mostly fails and commonly does not accelerate the revegetation of disturbed forests. In naturally regenerating forests, recolonization may occur after a certain time-lag only if few diaspore sources survived in the surrounding; as soon as established mangrove plants bear propagules, a quick return to viable forests takes place, proving the high resilience of these coastal ecosystems.

scholarly journals Operationalizing and implementing ecosystem-based management

2017 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 379-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason S. Link ◽  
Howard I. Browman
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Ecosystem Approach ◽  
The State ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Reference Levels ◽  
Management Decisions ◽  
Ecosystem Based Management ◽  
Complex Ecosystem ◽  
Clear Communication

There is now a large literature on ecosystem-based management (EBM; also known as the ecosystem approach). Our sense is that EBM is moving - albeit slowly - from the “what's, why's and when's” to the “how's” of operationalization and implementation; as such it seemed timely to develop this article theme set (TS). Our objectives were to ascertain the state of the discipline and to advance EBM by offering practical examples of its implementation - or attempts at such - in a variety of incarnations and at various scales, including what has or has not worked, suggestions for best practice, and lessons learned. As exemplified by the articles in this TS, key lessons learned include the need for: constant and clear communication with all parties involved; clear objectives and governance; the distillation of complex ecosystem information into digestible indicators; the establishment of reference levels on which management decisions can be made; and clear protocols to evaluate tradeoffs. Instances of truly multisectoral EBM remain rare, with EBM having advanced farthest within specific ocean-use sectors. Although progress towards implementing operational EBM has been somewhat limited, and although EBM is by its very nature complex and difficult to operationalize, there has been progress nonetheless. We hope that this TS will encourage even further operationalization of EBM.

scholarly journals A conceptual framework and practical structure for implementing ecosystem condition accounts

One Ecosystem ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Keith ◽  
Bálint Czúcz ◽  
Bethanna Jackson ◽  
Amanda Driver ◽  
Emily Nicholson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Stage Structure ◽  
Accounting System ◽  
Ecosystem Integrity ◽  
Common Definition ◽  
Ecosystem Condition ◽  
Core Elements ◽  
Instrumental Values ◽  
Ecosystem Accounting ◽  
And Function

Ecosystem condition is a fundamental component in the ecosystem accounting framework as part of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting Experimental Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EEA). Here, we develop a conceptual framework and present a practical structure for implementing ecosystem condition accounts to contribute to the revision process of the SEEA EEA, focussing on six core elements: (1) developing a common definition of ecosystem condition, (2) establishing a conceptual framing for ecosystem condition, (3) portraying the role of condition within the SEEA EEA accounting system, (4) deriving an inclusive multi-purpose approach, (5) describing the components of condition accounts and (6) developing a three-stage structure for reporting accounts. We develop a conceptual framework for an inclusive condition account, building on an ecological understanding of ecosystems upon which definitions, concepts, classifications and reporting structures were based. The framework encompasses the dual perspectives of first, the interdependencies of ecosystem composition, structure and function in maintaining ecosystem integrity and second, the capacity of ecosystems to supply services as benefits for humans. The following components of ecosystem condition accounts are recommended to provide comprehensive, consistent, repeatable and transparent accounts: (1) intrinsic and instrumental values, together with ecocentric and anthropocentric worldviews; (2) a formal typology or classification of characteristics, variables and indicators, based on selection criteria; (3) a reference condition used both to compare past, current and future levels of indicators of condition and as a basis for aggregation of indicators; and (4) a three-stage approach to compiling accounts with increasing levels of information and complexity that are appropriate for different purposes and applications. The recommended broad and inclusive scope of ecosystem condition and the demonstrated practical methods for implementation of accounts will enhance the ecosystem accounting framework and thus support a wider range of current and potential applications and users.

scholarly journals Trends and Characteristics of CDC Global Rapid Response Team Deployments—A 6-Month Report, October 2018–March 2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 135 (3) ◽  
pp. 310-312
Author(s):  
Amen Ben Hamida ◽  
Dante Bugli ◽  
Adela Hoffman ◽  
Ashley L. Greiner ◽  
Danny Harley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Response Team ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Rapid Response ◽  
Rapid Response Teams ◽  
Health Security ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Future Needs ◽  
Response Team ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Almost All

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Global Rapid Response Team (GRRT) was launched in June 2015 to strengthen the capacity for international response and to provide an agency-wide roster of qualified surge-staff members who can deploy on short notice and for long durations. To assess GRRT performance and inform future needs for CDC and partners using rapid response teams, we analyzed trends and characteristics of GRRT responses and responders, for deployments of at least 1 day during October 1, 2018, through March 31, 2019. One hundred twenty deployments occurred during the study period, corresponding to 2645 person-days. The median deployment duration was 19 days (interquartile range, 5-30 days). Most deployments were related to emergency response (n = 2367 person-days, 90%); outbreaks of disease accounted for almost all deployment time (n = 2419 person-days, 99%). Most deployments were to Africa (n = 1417 person-days, 54%), and epidemiologists were the most commonly deployed technical advisors (n = 1217 person-days, 46%). This case study provides useful information for assessing program performance, prioritizing resource allocation, informing future needs, and sharing lessons learned with other programs managing rapid response teams. GRRT has an important role in advancing the global health security agenda and should continuously be assessed and adjusted to new needs.

Effective dose from inhaled radon and its progeny

2012 ◽  
Vol 41 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 378-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.D. Harrison ◽  
J.W. Marsh
Keyword(s):  
Effective Dose ◽  
Reference Conditions ◽  
International Commission ◽  
Radiological Protection ◽  
Dose Calculations ◽  
Reference Levels ◽  
Weighting Factors ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Recent Statement ◽  
Dose Coefficients

Currently, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) uses the dose conversion convention to calculate effective dose per unit exposure to radon and its progeny. In a recent statement, ICRP indicated the intention that, in future, the same approach will be applied to intakes of radon and its progeny as is applied to all other radionuclides, calculating effective dose using reference biokinetic and dosimetric models, and radiation and tissue weighting factors. Effective dose coefficients will be given for reference conditions of exposure. In this paper, preliminary results of dose calculations for Rn-222 progeny are presented and compared with values obtained using the dose conversion convention. Implications for the setting of reference levels are also discussed.

scholarly journals Planetary habitability: lessons learned from terrestrial analogues

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louisa J. Preston ◽  
Lewis R. Dartnell
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Icy Moons ◽  
Habitable Zones ◽  
Aqueous Environments ◽  
Open Access Database ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Ground Truthing ◽  
Almost All

AbstractTerrestrial analogue studies underpin almost all planetary missions and their use is essential in the exploration of our Solar system and in assessing the habitability of other worlds. Their value relies on the similarity of the analogue to its target, either in terms of their mineralogical or geochemical context, or current physical or chemical environmental conditions. Such analogue sites offer critical ground-truthing for astrobiological studies on the habitability of different environmental parameter sets, the biological mechanisms for survival in extreme environments and the preservation potential and detectability of biosignatures. The 33 analogue sites discussed in this review have been selected on the basis of their congruence to particular extraterrestrial locations. Terrestrial field sites that have been used most often in the literature, as well as some lesser known ones which require greater study, are incorporated to inform on the astrobiological potential of Venus, Mars, Europa, Enceladus and Titan. For example, the possibility of an aerial habitable zone on Venus has been hypothesized based on studies of life at high-altitudes in the terrestrial atmosphere. We also demonstrate why many different terrestrial analogue sites are required to satisfactorily assess the habitability of the changing environmental conditions throughout Martian history, and recommend particular sites for different epochs or potential niches. Finally, habitable zones within the aqueous environments of the icy moons of Europa and Enceladus and potentially in the hydrocarbon lakes of Titan are discussed and suitable analogue sites proposed. It is clear from this review that a number of terrestrial analogue sites can be applied to multiple planetary bodies, thereby increasing their value for astrobiological exploration. For each analogue site considered here, we summarize the pertinent physiochemical environmental features they offer and critically assess the fidelity with which they emulate their intended target locale. We also outline key issues associated with the existing documentation of analogue research and the constraints this has on the efficiency of discoveries in this field. This review thus highlights the need for a global open access database for planetary analogues.

Thrust Vectoring Design Project at Six Universities: Part II — Impact on Student Learning and Lessons Learned

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus P. Rumpfkeil ◽  
Mark G. Turner ◽  
James T. VanKuren ◽  
Rory Roberts ◽  
Jeffrey Bons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Learning Activity ◽  
Outreach Program ◽  
Thrust Vectoring ◽  
Us Air Force ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Student Impact ◽  
Almost All

Undergraduate students of six universities participated in a design and build outreach program sponsored by the US Air Force during the 2011–2012 academic year. The goal was to design and build a thrust vectoring system for a small jet engine (about 20 pounds of thrust). Student and professor exit surveys were taken with almost all participants contributing to these surveys. Based on the survey results and the professors’ insights, learning outcomes and student impact are assessed. In addition, any other lessons learned during this extensive project-based learning activity are described.

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