scholarly journals A freshwater biodiversity hotspot under pressure – assessing threats and identifying conservation needs for ancient Lake Ohrid

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 5347-5382 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Kostoski ◽  
C. Albrecht ◽  
S. Trajanovski ◽  
T. Wilke
Keyword(s):  
Public Awareness ◽  
Biodiversity Hotspot ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressure ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Lake Ohrid ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Biodiversity Crisis

Abstract. Freshwater habitats and species living in freshwater are generally more prone to extinction than terrestrial or marine ones. Immediate conservation measures for world-wide freshwater resources are thus of eminent importance. This is particularly true for so called ancient lakes. While these lakes are famous for being evolutionary theatres, often displaying an extraordinarily high degree of biodiversity and endemism, in many cases these biota are also experiencing extreme anthropogenic impact. Lake Ohrid, the European biodiversity hotspot, is a prime example for a lake with a magnitude of narrow range endemic taxa that are under increasing anthropogenic pressure. Unfortunately, evidence for a "creeping biodiversity crisis" has accumulated over the last decades, and major socio-political changes have gone along with human-mediated environmental changes. Based on field surveys, monitoring data, published records, and expert interviews, we aimed to (1) assess threats to Lake Ohrids' (endemic) biodiversity, (2) summarize existing conservation activities and strategies, and (3) outline future conservation needs for Lake Ohrid. We compiled threats to both specific taxa (and in cases to particular species) as well as to the lake ecosystems itself. Major conservation concerns identified for Lake Ohrid are: (1) watershed impacts, (2) agriculture and forestry, (3) tourism and population growth, (4) non-indigenous species, (5) habitat alteration or loss, (6) unsustainable exploitation of fisheries, and (7) global climate change. Of the 11 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) threat classes scored, seven have moderate and three severe impacts. These latter threat classes are energy production and mining, biological resource use, and pollution. We review and discuss institutional responsibilities, environmental monitoring and ecosystem management, existing parks and reserves, biodiversity and species measures, international conservation activities, and ongoing research on conservation and raising of public awareness. Following this summary, we evaluate the status quo and future of Lake Ohrid and its biota. Given the number of identified threats, it is clear that only concerted international action can stop or at least slow down further degradation of Lake Ohrid and the creeping biodiversity crisis already evident. A comprehensive conservation strategy should include measures that result in an immediate reduction of pollution, particularly with phosphorous, in order to slow down the ongoing eutrophication process. The existing watershed management should become more effective. Implementation and particularly with a view to the enforcement of national laws should be enhanced. Increased research on the lakes' limnology, biodiversity, and conservation management practices are necessary. The latter research should identify conservation priorities. Public awareness should be enhanced. Facing these parallel needs to protect the unique biodiversity of Lake Ohrid, we suggest urging (a) implementation and enforcement of the General Management Plan that would ensure long-term integrated and sustainable use of the lake and its watershed, (b) scientific studies on ecology, biodiversity and effects of human impact, (c) the establishment of Core Conservation areas (CCA), including underwater reserves, and (d) Coastal Zone Management (CZM) areas that would constitute buffer zones for the CCA around the lake. These activities should, among others, ultimately lead to a trans-boundary major conservation area of the Ohrid-Prespa region that would allow long-term integration of both humans and nature.

scholarly journals A freshwater biodiversity hotspot under pressure – assessing threats and identifying conservation needs for ancient Lake Ohrid

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 3999-4015 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Kostoski ◽  
C. Albrecht ◽  
S. Trajanovski ◽  
T. Wilke
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
High Impact ◽  
Biodiversity Hotspot ◽  
Hazardous Substances ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Lake Ohrid ◽  
Nutrient Input ◽  
Biodiversity Crisis

Abstract. Immediate conservation measures for world-wide freshwater resources are of eminent importance. This is particularly true for so-called ancient lakes. While these lakes are famous for being evolutionary theatres, often displaying an extraordinarily high degree of biodiversity and endemism, in many cases these biota are also experiencing extreme anthropogenic impact. Lake Ohrid, a major European biodiversity hotspot situated in a trans-frontier setting on the Balkans, is a prime example for a lake with a magnitude of narrow range endemic taxa that are under increasing anthropogenic pressure. Unfortunately, evidence for a "creeping biodiversity crisis" has accumulated over the last decades, and major socio-political changes have gone along with human-mediated environmental changes. Based on field surveys, monitoring data, published records, and expert interviews, we aimed to (1) assess threats to Lake Ohrids' (endemic) biodiversity, (2) summarize existing conservation activities and strategies, and (3) outline future conservation needs for Lake Ohrid. We compiled threats to both specific taxa (and in cases to particular species) as well as to the lake ecosystems itself. Major conservation concerns identified for Lake Ohrid are: (1) watershed impacts, (2) agriculture and forestry, (3) tourism and population growth, (4) non-indigenous species, (5) habitat alteration or loss, (6) unsustainable exploitation of fisheries, and (7) global climate change. Among the major (well-known) threats with high impact are nutrient input (particularly of phosphorus), habitat conversion and silt load. Other threats are potentially of high impact but less well known. Such threats include pollution with hazardous substances (from sources such as mines, former industries, agriculture) or climate change. We review and discuss institutional responsibilities, environmental monitoring and ecosystem management, existing parks and reserves, biodiversity and species measures, international conservation activities, and ongoing research on conservation and raising of public awareness. Following this summary, we evaluate the status quo and future of Lake Ohrid and its biota. A comprehensive conservation strategy should include measures that result in an immediate reduction of nutrient input, particularly with phosphorus, in order to slow down the ongoing eutrophication process. The existing watershed management should become more effective. Implementation and particularly with a view to the enforcement of national laws should be enhanced. Increased research on the lakes' limnology, biodiversity, and conservation management practices are necessary. The latter research should identify conservation priorities. Public awareness should be enhanced. Facing these parallel needs to protect the unique biodiversity of Lake Ohrid, we suggest urging (a) implementation and enforcement of the General Management Plan that would ensure long-term integrated and sustainable use of the lake and its watershed, (b) scientific studies on ecology, biodiversity and effects of human impact, (c) the establishment of Core Conservation areas (CCA), including underwater reserves, and (d) Coastal Zone Management (CZM) areas that would constitute buffer zones for the CCAs around the lake. Given the number of identified threats, it is clear that only concerted international action can stop or at least slow down further degradation of Lake Ohrid and the creeping biodiversity crisis already evident. All conservation activities should, among others, ultimately lead to a trans-boundary major conservation area of the Ohrid-Prespa region that would allow long-term integration of both humans and nature.

scholarly journals Reconciling global mammal prioritization schemes into a strategy

2011 ◽  
Vol 366 (1578) ◽  
pp. 2722-2728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Rondinini ◽  
Luigi Boitani ◽  
Ana S. L. Rodrigues ◽  
Thomas M. Brooks ◽  
Robert L. Pressey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Global Strategy ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Funding Agencies ◽  
Mammal Conservation ◽  
Conservation Organizations ◽  
Action Levels

The huge conservation interest that mammals attract and the large datasets that have been collected on them have propelled a diversity of global mammal prioritization schemes, but no comprehensive global mammal conservation strategy. We highlight some of the potential discrepancies between the schemes presented in this theme issue, including: conservation of species or areas, reactive and proactive conservation approaches, conservation knowledge and action, levels of aggregation of indicators of trend and scale issues. We propose that recently collected global mammal data and many of the mammal prioritization schemes now available could be incorporated into a comprehensive global strategy for the conservation of mammals. The task of developing such a strategy should be coordinated by a super-partes , authoritative institution (e.g. the International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN). The strategy would facilitate funding agencies, conservation organizations and national institutions to rapidly identify a number of short-term and long-term global conservation priorities, and act complementarily to achieve them.

scholarly journals Patterns of forest cover loss in the terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas in the Philippines: critical habitat conservation priorities

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 20019-20032
Author(s):  
Bernard Peter Daipan
Keyword(s):  
Forest Cover ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Remotely Sensed Data ◽  
Biodiversity Crisis ◽  
Deforestation Rate ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Forest Cover Loss

The Philippines, home to over 20,000 endemic species of plants and animals, is facing a biodiversity crisis due to the constant decrease of forest cover. The Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) approach was developed to conserve species threatened with extinction using a site-based conservation strategy to select globally important sites using threshold-based criteria for species irreplaceability and vulnerability. This study investigates the applicability of remotely sensed data through geospatial analysis to quantify forest cover loss of the 101 terrestrial KBAs in the country between 2001 and 2019. Results showed that the study sites had 4.5 million hectares (ha) of forest in the year 2000. However, these sites have lost about 270,000 ha of forest in nearly two decades, marking a steady decline with an annual deforestation rate of 14,213 ha per year in these terrestrial KBAs. The majority of the study sites (58) had a high percentage of forest loss (>3.13%), and these should be prioritized for conservation. By the year 2030, it is forecast that a total of 331 thousand ha of forest will be lost unless there is a transformational change in the country’s approach to dealing with deforestation. The results of this study provide relevant data and information in forest habitat in near real-time monitoring to assess the impact and effectiveness of forest governance and approaches within these critical habitats.

scholarly journals Successions of phytobenthos species in a Mediterranean transitional water system: the importance of long term observations

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 217-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonella Petrocelli ◽  
Ester Cecere ◽  
Fernando Rubino
Keyword(s):  
Driving Forces ◽  
Water System ◽  
Careful Analysis ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressure ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Urban Sewage ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Non Indigenous Species

The availability of quantitative long term datasets on the phytobenthic assemblages of the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (southern Italy, Mediterranean Sea), a lagoon like semi-enclosed coastal basin included in the Italian LTER network, enabled careful analysis of changes occurring in the structure of the community over about thirty years. The total number of taxa differed over the years. Thirteen non-indigenous species in total were found, their number varied over the years, reaching its highest value in 2017. The dominant taxa differed over the years. The number of species in each taxonomic division also varied. In addition to the centuries-old exploitation of its biotic resources, mainly molluscs, the basin has been subject for a long time to a range of anthropogenic driving forces linked to urbanisation, shipbuilding, agriculture and military activities, which have caused chemical and biological pollution, eutrophication and habitat destruction. It may therefore be assumed that these changes were closely related to human activities. Indeed, it was observed that the reduction of only one of these forces, i.e. urban sewage discharge, triggered the recovery of phytobenthos. Therefore, it may be assumed that if the anthropogenic pressure on the Mar Piccolo was eased, it could once again become the paradisiacal place it was held to be in ancient times.

scholarly journals Online Child Sexual Exploitation in the Philippines: Moving beyond the current discourse and approach

2021 ◽  
pp. 150-155
Author(s):  
Melinda Gill
Keyword(s):  
Public Awareness ◽  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Sexual Content ◽  
Community Based Interventions ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Child Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Vulnerable Families

Online child sexual exploitation (OCSE) is an issue of increasing concern in the Philippines. The current local discourse concerning OCSE is that it primarily involves children being sexually exploited by adults within their household or in ‘dens’, with ‘raid and rescue’ operations and public awareness campaigns as the most publicised strategies employed to address the issue. Whilst the true prevalence of OCSE is unknown, ongoing research and the experience of many stakeholders suggest that self-generated sexual content involving children is common. However, this is not being widely discussed or addressed. This article argues that more holistic, long-term, and community-based interventions targeted at vulnerable families and children are needed that address the deeper determinants of OCSE in the Philippines.

scholarly journals Long-Term Monitoring Reveals Differential Responses of Mussel and Host Fish Communities in a Biodiversity Hotspot

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 122
Author(s):  
Irene Sanchez Gonzalez ◽  
Garrett W. Hopper ◽  
Jamie Bucholz ◽  
Carla L. Atkinson
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Life History ◽  
Biodiversity Hotspot ◽  
Biodiversity Hotspots ◽  
Host Fish ◽  
Long Term Monitoring ◽  
Differential Responses ◽  
Taxonomic Groups ◽  
Term Monitoring

Biodiversity hotspots can serve as protected areas that aid in species conservation. Long-term monitoring of multiple taxonomic groups within biodiversity hotspots can offer insight into factors influencing their dynamics. Mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) and fish are highly diverse and imperiled groups of organisms with contrasting life histories that should influence their response to ecological factors associated with local and global change. Here we use historical and contemporary fish and mussel survey data to assess fish and mussel community changes over a 33 year period (1986–2019) and relationships between mussel abundance and their host fish abundance in Bogue Chitto Creek, a tributary of the Alabama River and a biodiversity hotspot. Mussel abundance declined by ~80% and community composition shifted, with eight species previously recorded not found in 2019, and a single individual of the endangered Pleurobema decisum. Fish abundances increased and life history strategies in the community appeared stable and there was no apparent relationship between mussel declines and abundance of host fish. Temporal variation in the proportion of life history traits composing mussel assemblages was also indicative of the disturbances specifically affecting the mussel community. However, changes and declines in mussel assemblages in Bogue Chitto Creek cannot be firmly attributed to any specific factor or events because of gaps in historical environmental and biological data. We believe that mobility differences contributed to differential responses of fish and mussel communities to stressors including habitat degradation, recent droughts and invasive species. Overall, our work indicates that monitoring biodiversity hotspots using hydrological measurements, standardized survey methods and monitoring invasive species abundance would better identify the effects of multiple and interactive stressors that impact disparate taxonomic groups in freshwater ecosystems.

scholarly journals Urban Ecological Restoration

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul H. Gobster
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Restoration ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Reference Sites ◽  
Urban Context ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Fixed Set ◽  
Natural Diversity ◽  
Urban Ecological Restoration

What does ecological restoration mean in an urban context? More than half of the world’s population now lives in cities, and in response to the dynamic patterns of urbanization, a growing number of ecologists, land managers, and volunteers are focusing their efforts in and around cities to restore remnants of natural diversity (Ingram 2008). Ecological restoration is still a quite youthful field, yet many scientists and practitioners hold a relatively fixed set of criteria for what defines a successful restoration project, irrespective of where sites are located. Among the criteria commonly stated, sites should be composed of indigenous species, have a structure and diversity characteristic of currently undisturbed or historically documented “reference” sites, and be maintained through ecological processes such as fire that ensure long-term sustainability with minimal human assistance (Ruiz-Jaén and Aide 2005; SER International 2004). Application of these criteria has led to many ecologically successful restorations, but some ecologists in the field have begun to question whether the same standards can be realistically applied to sites such as those within urban areas that have been radically altered by past human activity (e.g., Martínez and López-Barerra 2008) or are being influenced by novel conditions that result in unpredictable trajectories (Choi 2007). Perhaps more significantly, it is becoming increasingly recognized that the broader viability of restoration projects, especially those in urban areas, hinges on how socially successful they are in gaining public acceptance for restoration activities and practices, building constituencies to assist with implementation and maintenance, and addressing a broader set of sustainability goals that reach beyond the protection of native biodiversity (e.g., Choi et al. 2008; Hobbs 2007; Rosenzweig 2003).

PKM Kelompok Kader Dan Ibu Balita Dalam Germas Ceting (Gerakan Masyarakat Cegah Stunting) Sebagai Upaya Pencegahan Balita Stunting

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 959-968
Author(s):  
Endang Susilowati ◽  
Endang Surani ◽  
Isna Hudaya
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
P Value ◽  
Additional Food ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Community Movement

AbstractThe incidence of stunting in children can cause the low quality of a country's Human Resources (HR). Stunting causes poor cognitive abilities, low productivity, and increased risk of disease resulting in long-term losses for the Indonesian economy. Stunting also has other long-term impacts, namely the risk of suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM), coronary heart disease, hypertension, cancer, and stroke. Community participation is needed in the government's efforts to tackle stunting. Community behavior problems that are factors that cause stunting include 1) Lack of environmental hygiene 2) Lack of knowledge of mothers about health and nutrition 3) Busy parents 4) Poverty. GERMAS CETING (Community Movement to Prevent Stunting) is a community movement that is carried out jointly and continuously in order to increase public awareness in stunting prevention efforts with the main target of the entire community being Cadres, pregnant women and mothers of toddlers and other potential groups by integrating all specific interventions and interventions. sensitive. The purpose of this activity is to increase the knowledge of cadres and mothers of toddlers about stunting and to improve the skills of cadres and mothers of toddlers in making additional food according to the child's age. The implementation method used is problem identification, determining problem solving framework, conducting pre test, providing Health Education and training, conducting post test. There was an increase in mother's knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding, MP-ASI and PHBS. The results of the analysis are known p value 0.000. Keywords: Germas; ceting; cadres; mother of toddlers AbstrakKejadian stunting pada anak dapat menyebabkan rendahnya kualitas Sumber Daya Manusia (SDM) suatu negara. Keadaan Stunting menyebabkan buruknya kemampuan kognitif, rendahnya produktivitas, serta meningkatnya risiko penyakit mengakibatkan kerugian jangka panjang bagi ekonomi Indonesia. Stunting juga menimbulkan dampak jangka panjang yang lain yaitu berisiko menderita penyakit kronis seperti diabetes mellitus (DM), jantung koroner, hipertensi, kanker, dan stroke. Partisipasi masyarakat sangat dibutuhkan dalam dalam upaya pemerintah untuk penanggulangan stunting. Masalah perilaku masyarakat yang menjadi faktor penyebab stunting antara lain 1) Kurangnya menjaga kebersihan lingkungan 2) Kurangnya pengetahuan ibu mengenai kesehatan dan gizi 3) Kesibukan orangtua 4) Kemiskinan. GERMAS CETING (Gerakan masyarakat cegah stunting) merupakan gerakan masyarakat yang dilakukan secara bersama dan berkesinambungan dalam rangka meningkatkan kesadaran masyarakat dalam upaya pencegahan stunting dengan sasaran seluruh masyarakat utamanya adalah Kader, ibu hamil dan ibu balita serta kelompok potensial lainnya dengan mengintegrasikan seluruh intervensi spesifik dan intervensi sensitive. Tujuan dari kegiatan ini adalah meningkatkan pengetahuan kader dan ibu balita tentang Stunting serta Meningkatkan ketrampilan kader dan ibu balita dalam pembuatan makanan tambahan sesuai dengan usia anak. Metode pelaksanaan yang digunakan adalah identifikasi masalah, menentukan kerangka pemecahan masalah, melakukan pre test, memberikan Pendidikan Kesehatan dan pelatihan, melakukan pos test. Terjadi peningkatan pengetahuan ibu tentang ASI eksklusif, MP-ASI dan PHBS. Hasil Analisa diketahui p value 0.000. Kata kunci: Germas; ceting;kader;ibubalita

A First Step Towards the Development of a Pipeline Wrinkle Material Ultimate Limit State

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron Dinovitzer ◽  
Sanjay Tiku ◽  
Vlado Semiga ◽  
Abdelfettah Fredj ◽  
Joe Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Limit State ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Failure Criteria ◽  
Ultimate Limit State ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Undesirable Event ◽  
Load Effects ◽  
Line Pressure ◽  
Fault Displacement

While the formation of a wrinkle in an onshore pipeline is an undesirable event, in many instances this event does not have immediate pipeline integrity implications. The magnitude or severity of a wrinkle formed due to displacement controlled loading processes (e.g. slope movement, fault displacement, frost heave and thaw settlement) may increase with time, eventually causing serviceability concerns (e.g. fluid flow or inspection restrictions). Pipe wall damage leading to cracking and eventually a loss of containment involves contributions from the wrinkle formation and growth processes, as well as, wrinkle deformations promoted by in-service line pressure, temperature and seasonal soil displacements. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the ongoing research efforts, sponsored by TransCanada PipeLines Ltd. and Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd., towards the development of a mechanics based wrinkle ultimate limits state that may be used in future to evaluate the long term integrity of wrinkled pipeline segments. The research efforts include non-linear finite element modeling to demonstrate the ability of experimentally derived material properties to predict the formation of through wall cracking induced by high and low frequency load effects. This paper outlines the material testing program used to support the development of failure criteria capable of considering the contributions of monotonic deformation, as well as, high and low cycle cyclic loading.

scholarly journals Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation During COVID-19: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Smitha Ganeshan ◽  
Crystal Tse ◽  
Alexis Beatty
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Mobile Phone Applications ◽  
Delivery Models

Abstract Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has been shown to reduce mortality, morbidity, and hospitalizations. Increasingly, digital tools have augmented the ease of delivering programs outside of the traditional rehabilitation center setting. Because of the need for distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, many cardiac rehabilitation (CR) centers suspended in-person services and pivoted to home-based CR (HBCR). In this study, we qualitatively evaluated implementation of HBCR, which included weekly phone or video visits for individualized exercise plans, nutrition and health education counseling, wellness sessions, and optional mobile phone applications.Methods: Patient participants and staff members (physician, nurses, exercise physiologists, dietician, administrative staff) participated in semi-structured interviews. Two independent reviewers coded interview transcripts for emergent themes and pre-specified themes from the Theory of Planned Behavior, Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.Results: A total of 12 patients and 7 staff were interviewed. Narrative descriptions highlighted the isolation, fear, and disruption of life activities during COVID-19. Key facilitators of the HBCR patient experience included strong relationships with staff who served as coaches and sources of accountability and the ability of HBCR to deliver an individually tailored experience within a patient’s home. Important organizational factors for implementation included leadership buy-in, culture of change, and support for staff. Though technology tools facilitated communication and accountability, not all participants embraced technology and some reported challenges with use.Conclusions: Individually tailored HBCR can facilitate access for patients to participate outside of a CR center. Ongoing research is needed to understand the long-term outcomes of flexible delivery models that may include both in-person and remote visits, and the role of technology in these models.

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