A Social-Ecological Analysis of Urban Tree Vulnerability for Publicly Owned Trees in a Residential Neighborhood

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
James Steenberg ◽  
Andrew Millward ◽  
David Nowak ◽  
Pamela Robinson ◽  
Sandy Smith
Keyword(s):  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Forest Change ◽  
Social Ecological Systems ◽  
Residential Neighborhood ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Vulnerability Indicators

The urban forest is a valuable ecosystem service provider, yet cities are frequently degraded environments with a myriad of stressors and disturbances affecting trees. Vulnerability science is increasingly used to explore issues of sustainability in complex social-ecological systems, and can be a useful approach for assessing urban forests. The purpose of this study was to identify and explore drivers of urban forest vulnerability in a residential neighborhood. Based on a recently published framework of urban forest vulnerability, a series of indicators of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity that describe the built environment, urban forest structure, and human population, respectively, were assessed for 806 trees in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Tree mortality, condition, and diameter growth rates were then assessed using an existing 2007/2008 inventory. A bivariate analysis was first conducted to test for significant relationships of vulnerability indicators with mortality, condition, and growth. A multivariate analysis was then conducted using multiple linear regression for the continuous condition and growth variables and a multilayer perceptron neural network for the binary mortality variable. Commercial land uses and commercial buildings adjacent to trees consistently explained higher mortality rates and poor tree conditions. However, at finer spatial scales it is important to differentiate between different causes and correlates of urban forest decline within commercial land uses. Tree species, size, and condition were also important indicators of vulnerability. Understanding the causes of urban forest change and decline are essential for developing planning strategies to reduce long-term system vulnerability.

Bidirectional connectivity in rivers and implications for watershed stability and management

2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 785-795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan W. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Human Impacts ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Ecological Resilience ◽  
Social Ecological Systems ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Watershed Governance ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Natural Scale ◽  
Future Management

River networks are connected in both upstream and downstream directions on large spatial scales by movement of water, materials, and animals. Here I examine the implications of these linkages for the stability, productivity, and management of watersheds and their migratory fishes. I use simple simulations of watershed alteration to illustrate that degradation can erode the productivity and stability of both upstream and downstream fisheries. Through analysis of an existing global dataset on rivers, I found that larger rivers tend to be more fragmented than smaller rivers. I offer three challenges and opportunities for the future management of watersheds. First, given that human impacts can spread up and down rivers, there is a need to align the scales of impact assessments with the natural scale of river systems. Second, free-flowing rivers naturally dampen variability; thus, the conservation of connectivity, habitat, and biodiversity represents a key opportunity to sustain the processes that confer stability. Third, watersheds represent natural units of social–ecological systems; watershed governance would facilitate reciprocal feedbacks between people and ecosystems and enable more social–ecological resilience.

scholarly journals What Do We Talk about When We Talk about Social-Ecological Systems? A Literature Review

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Herrero-Jáuregui ◽  
Cecilia Arnaiz-Schmitz ◽  
María Fernanda Reyes ◽  
Marta Telesnicki ◽  
Ignacio Agramonte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Transdisciplinary Research ◽  
Environmental Crisis ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Social Ecological Systems ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Sustainability Governance ◽  
Human Use

In the last decade, probably in response to global changes and environmental crisis, the use of the term “social-ecological system” (SES) in the scientific literature has been growing. This is certainly a sign of the recognition of the need and importance of transdisciplinary research. Here, we explore whether the use of the term is a buzzword, or it actually represents a key concept toward the integration of social and ecological research. We compiled a data base of publications (N = 1289) that mentioned SES in title, keywords and abstract. Subsequently, we analyzed: authors affiliations, type of work (conceptual, empirical, review), study site, prevailing human use, temporal and spatial scales of analysis, kind of variables analyzed (socioeconomic, biophysical), and the method/s used to integrate them. We detected four time spans in the use of the term (1975–1997, 1998–2006, 2007–2012, 2013–2016). Our results suggest that SES is a widely invoked concept to study the interface between social and ecological systems. Most works show some common elements such as the analysis of resilience, ecosystem services, sustainability, governance and adaptive management. However, the majority of studies does not study SES as a whole, integrating both social and ecological variables and their feedback loops. We consider that SES is still a concept in construction in order to build a necessary framework to integrate social and ecological sciences. For a robust evolution we recommend to focus on 1. a conscious, discussed and agreed effort of scientists to conduct transdisciplinary research needed to study SES; 2. developing methodological tools for the true integration of social and ecological data.

scholarly journals Environmental Scenario Analysis on Natural and Social-Ecological Systems: A Review of Methods, Approaches and Applications

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 7542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noelia Guaita García ◽  
Julia Martínez Fernández ◽  
Carl Fitz
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Scenario Analysis ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Distributed Models ◽  
Social Ecological Systems ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Use Of Models

Scenario analysis is a useful tool to facilitate discussions about the main trends of future change and to promote the understanding of global environmental changes implications on relevant aspects of sustainability. In this paper, we reviewed 294 articles published between 1995–2019, to evaluate the state of the art use of models and scenarios to investigate the effects of land use change and climate change on natural and social-ecological systems. Our review focuses on three issues. The first explores the extent to which the environmental dynamics of land use and climate change were jointly analyzed and the spatial scales associated with such integrated studies. The second explores the modelling methodologies and approaches used in the scenario analysis. The third explores the methods for developing or building scenarios. Results show that in most predictions there is little integration of key drivers of change. We find most forecasting studies use a sectoral modelling approach through dynamic spatially distributed models. Most articles do not apply a participatory approach in the development of scenarios. Based on this review, we conclude that there are some gaps in how scenario analysis on natural and social-ecological systems are conducted. These gaps pose a challenge for the use of models and scenarios as predictive tools in decision-making processes in the context of global change.

Using Earth Observations to engender a social-ecological systems perspective on rural livelihoods and wellbeing.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Hargreaves ◽  
Gary Watmough
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Earth Observation ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Social Ecological Systems ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Temporal And Spatial ◽  
Spatio Temporal

<p>An estimated 70% of the world’s poorest people live in rural spaces. There is a consistent differentiation between rural and urban contexts, where the former are typically characterised by weak infrastructure, limited services and social marginalisation. At the same time, the world’s poorest people are most vulnerable to global change impacts. Historic pathways to measuring and achieving poverty reduction must be adapted for an era of increasingly dynamic change, where spatio-temporal blind spots preclude a comprehensive understanding of poverty and its manifestation in rural developing contexts. To catalyse an effective poverty eradication narrative, we require a characterisation of the spatio-temporal anatomy of poverty metrics. To achieve this, researchers and practitioners must develop tools and mobilise data sources that enable the detection and visualisation of economic and social dimensions of rural spaces at finer temporal and spatial scales than is currently practised. This can only be realised by integrating new technologies and non-traditional sources of data alongside conventional data to engender a novel policy landscape.</p><p>Cue Earth Observation: the only medium through which data can be gathered that is global in its coverage but also available across multiple temporal and spatial scales. Earth Observation (EO) data (collected from satellite, airborne and in-situ remote sensors) have a demonstrable capacity to inform, update, situate and provide the necessary context to design evidence-based policy for sustainable development. This is particularly important for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) because the nested indicators are based on data that can be visualised, and many have a definitive geospatial component, which can improve national statistics reporting.</p><p>In this review, we present a rubric for integrating EO and geospatial data into rural poverty analysis. This aims to provide a foundation from which researchers at the interface of social-ecological systems can unlock new capabilities for measuring economic, environmental and social conditions at the requisite scales and frequency for poverty reporting and also for broader livelihoods and development research.  We review satellite applications and explore the development of EO methodologies for investigating social-ecological conditions as indirect proxies of rural wellbeing. This is nested within the broader sustainable development agenda (in particular the SDGs) and aims to set out what our capabilities are and where research should be focused in the near-term. In short, elucidating to a broad audience what the integration of EO can achieve and how developing social-ecological metrics from EO data can improve evidence-based policymaking.</p><p><strong>Key words:</strong> Earth Observation; Poverty; Livelihoods; Sustainable Development Goals; Remote Sensing</p>

scholarly journals Addressing Social-Ecological Systems across Temporal and Spatial Scales: a Conceptual Synthesis for Ethnobiology

Human Ecology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 557-571
Author(s):  
Ulysses Paulino Albuquerque ◽  
David Ludwig ◽  
Ivanilda Soares Feitosa ◽  
Joelson Moreno Brito de Moura ◽  
Patrícia Muniz de Medeiros ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Social Ecological Systems ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Temporal And Spatial

A review of vulnerability indicators for deltaic social–ecological systems

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 575-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zita Sebesvari ◽  
Fabrice G. Renaud ◽  
Susanne Haas ◽  
Zachary Tessler ◽  
Michael Hagenlocher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Social Ecological Systems ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Vulnerability Indicators

scholarly journals Application of the Ecosystem Service Concept in Social–Ecological Systems—from Theory to Practice

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 2960
Author(s):  
Johannes Rüdisser ◽  
Georg Leitinger ◽  
Uta Schirpke
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Service ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Social Ecological Systems ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Societal Changes ◽  
Key Issues

Ecological footprint analyses demonstrate that the world’s more than 7.5 billion people consume multiple planets’ worth of resources. To incite and evaluate societal changes for the sustainable use of the environment and its natural resources, the ecosystem service (ES) concept was developed more than 20 years ago. To ensure the sustainable provision of indispensable ES, the concept has been refined and enhanced, enabling its application across various temporal and spatial scales. However, evidence-based strategies and policies are needed to preserve biodiversity and natural capital in our changing world. This Special Issue comprises studies advancing the frameworks, concepts, and applications related to ES assessment, with a particular focus on social–ecological systems. To broadly apply the ES concept in different social–ecological systems, several key issues emerged: (1) ES-related definitions and procedures should be improved and standardized; (2) the complexity of the interactions in a social–ecological system must be recognized, and knowledge about spatial and temporal dynamics and interactions among multiple ESs must be deepened; and (3) communication about ES, considering cultural and stakeholder differences, must be increased.

scholarly journals Addressing Social-Ecological Systems Across Temporal and Spatial Scales: A Conceptual Synthesis for Ethnobiology

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulysses Albuquerque ◽  
David Ludwig ◽  
Ivanilda Feitosa ◽  
Joelson Moura ◽  
Patricia Medeiros ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Social Ecological Systems ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Temporal And Spatial

scholarly journals What do We Talk about When We Talk about Social-Ecological Systems? A Literature Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 2950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Herrero-Jáuregui ◽  
Cecilia Arnaiz-Schmitz ◽  
María Reyes ◽  
Marta Telesnicki ◽  
Ignacio Agramonte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
Transdisciplinary Research ◽  
Environmental Crisis ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Social Ecological Systems ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Sustainability Governance ◽  
Human Use

In the last decade, probably in response to global changes and the environmental crisis, the use of the term “social-ecological system” (SES) in scientific literature has grown. This is certainly a sign that the need and importance of transdisciplinary research has been recognized. Here, we explore whether the use of the term is a buzzword or, rather, actually represents a key concept in the integration of social and ecological research. We compiled a database of publications (N = 1289) that mentioned SES in the title, keywords and abstract. Subsequently, we analyzed the authors’ affiliations, type of work (conceptual, empirical or review), study site, prevailing human use, temporal and spatial scales of the analysis, kind of variables analyzed (socioeconomic or biophysical), and the method/s used to integrate them. We detected four time spans in the use of the term (1975–1997, 1998–2006, 2007–2012, 2013–2016). Our results suggest that SES is a widely invoked concept in the study of the interface between social and ecological systems. Most works show some common elements, such as the analysis of resilience, ecosystem services, sustainability, governance and adaptive management. However, the majority of studies do not study SES as a whole, integrating both social and ecological variables and their feedback loops. We consider SES as a concept still in construction in order to build a necessary framework for the integration of social and ecological sciences. For a robust evolution, we recommend that one focus on: (i) A conscious, discussed and agreed effort of scientists to conduct the transdisciplinary research needed to study SES; and (ii) the development of methodological tools for the true integration of social and ecological data.

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