scholarly journals Quantifying local ecological knowledge to model historical abundance of long-lived, heavily-exploited fauna

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9494
Author(s):  
Michelle-María Early-Capistrán ◽  
Elena Solana-Arellano ◽  
F. Alberto Abreu-Grobois ◽  
Nemer E. Narchi ◽  
Gerardo Garibay-Melo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Green Turtle ◽  
Local Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Population Trends ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Catch Per Unit Effort ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Abundance Data

Deriving robust historical population trends for long-lived species subject to human exploitation is challenging in scenarios where long-term scientific data are scarce or unavailable, as often occurs for species affected by small-scale fisheries and subsistence hunting. The importance of Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) in data-poor scenarios is increasingly recognized in conservation, both in terms of uncovering historical trends and for engaging community stewardship of historic information. Building on previous work in marine historical ecology and local ecological knowledge, we propose a mixed socio-ecological framework to reliably document and quantify LEK to reconstruct historical population trends. Our method can be adapted by interdisciplinary teams to study various long-lived taxa with a history of human use. We demonstrate the validity of our approach by reconstructing long-term abundance data for the heavily-exploited East Pacific green turtle (Chelonia mydas) in Baja California, Mexico, which was driven to near extinction by a largely unregulated fishery from the early 1950s to the 1980s. No scientific baseline abundance data were available for this time-frame because recent biological surveys started in 1995 after all green turtle fisheries in the area were closed. To fill this data gap, we documented LEK among local fishers using ethnographic methods and obtained verified, qualitative data to understand the socio-environmental complexity of the green turtle fishery. We then established an iterative framework to synthesize and quantify LEK using generalized linear models (GLMs) and nonlinear regression (NLR) to generate a standardized, LEK-derived catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) time-series. CPUE is an index of abundance that is compatible with contemporary scientific survey data. We confirmed the accuracy of LEK-derived CPUE estimates via comparisons with fisheries statistics available for 1962–1982. We then modeled LEK-derived abundance trends prior to 1995 using NLR. Our model established baseline abundance and described historical declines, revealing that the most critical (exponential) decline occurred between 1960 and 1980. This robust integration of LEK data with ecological science is of critical value for conservation and management, as it contributes to a holistic view of a species’ historic and contemporary conservation status.

scholarly journals Patterns in groundfish abundance along the Eastern Bering Sea outer continental margin

2013 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 1181-1197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura A. Wigand ◽  
Terrie Klinger ◽  
Miles G. Logsdon
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Pattern ◽  
Continental Margin ◽  
Bering Sea ◽  
Local Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Trawl Survey ◽  
Spatial Pattern Analysis ◽  
Catch Per Unit Effort ◽  
Eastern Bering Sea

Abstract Wigand, L. A., Klinger, T., and Logsdon, M. G. 2013. Patterns in groundfish abundance along the Eastern Bering Sea outer continental margin. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: 1181–1197. Place-based management approaches require understanding the spatial arrangement and interaction of elements. To address this need, we explored the utility of spatial-pattern analysis to understand the distribution of groundfish in the Eastern Bering Sea outer continental margin. We divided this region into discrete geomorphological units to explore spatial pattern on a range of scales. We used groundfish catch per unit effort (cpue) trawl survey data collected in four years to quantify spatial autocorrelation. Global statistics indicated that groundfish cpue was dominated by clusters of low values in all years. Local statistics showed that clusters of low values in groundfish cpue were confined to the southern portion of the study area, while clusters of high values varied across the study area. Outliers were most commonly found in close proximity to the shelf–slope break. Our results reveal the existence of spatial dependency in groundfish abundance and demonstrate that spatial analysis can be used to better understand spatial arrangements of these and other living marine resources, and to quantify and validate the local ecological knowledge of resource users. Our results indicate the feasibility of using spatially explicit tools to improve integration and visualization of marine environmental data for purposes of management and conservation.

scholarly journals Fishermen's local ecological knowledge on Southeastern Brazilian coastal fishes: contributions to research, conservation, and management

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renato A. M. Silvano ◽  
Alpina Begossi
Keyword(s):  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Trophic Interactions ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Local Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Rock Formations ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
And Migration

We analyzed fishermen's local ecological knowledge (LEK) about the feeding habits, trophic interactions, habitats, fishing grounds, migration, and reproduction of nine coastal fishes in Búzios Island, southeastern Brazilian coast. We interviewed 39 fishermen using standardized questionnaires. Fishermen's LEK on habitat use and trophic interactions for the studied fishes agreed with the scientific literature, allowing the organization of reef and pelagic food webs. The interviewed fishermen mentioned that submerged rock formations would be important habitats for some large commercial fishes, such as Seriola spp., Caranx latus and Epinephelus marginatus. In some instances there was no scientific data to be compared with fishermen's LEK, and thus this kind of knowledge would be the only available source of information, such as for reproduction and migration of most of the studied fishes. We suggest herein ways to apply fishermen's LEK to develop and improve fisheries management measures, such as zoning of marine space, marine protected areas, and closed fishing seasons. Fishermen's LEK may be an important and feasible support to fisheries management and co-management.

scholarly journals Integrating ecological monitoring and local ecological knowledge to evaluate conservation outcomes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle-María Early-Capistrán ◽  
Elena Solana-Arellano ◽  
F. Alberto Abreu-Grobois ◽  
Gerardo Garibay-Melo ◽  
Jeffrey A. Seminoff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of California ◽  
Local Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Ecological Monitoring ◽  
Monitoring Data ◽  
Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Ecological Science

Successful conservation of long-lived species requires reliable understanding of long-term trends and historical baselines. Using a green turtle (Chelonia mydas) foraging aggregation in the northern Gulf of California, Mexico as case study, we integrated scientific monitoring data with historic catch rate reconstructions derived from Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK). Models fit to LEK and monitoring data indicate that turtle abundance is increasing, but only after ~40 years of safeguarding the species' nesting and foraging habitats in Mexico. However, as population declines occurred 75% faster than increases, and current abundance is at ~60% of historical baseline levels, indicating the need for sustained, long-term conservation actions. This study demonstrates the potential of linking LEK and ecological science to provide critical information for conservation, by establishing reference baselines and gauging population status, while promoting equitable and sustainable futures for local communities.

scholarly journals A Framework for Simulating Ecosystem Effects in Data-Poor Small-Scale Fisheries Using Science-Based and Local Ecological Knowledge-Based Models

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel J. Zetina-Rejón ◽  
Gladis A. López-Ibarra ◽  
Lorena Rocha-Tejeda ◽  
Alesa Flores-Guzmán ◽  
Inés López-Ercilla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Local Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Ecological Indicators ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Quantitative Models ◽  
Small Scale Fisheries ◽  
Qualitative Models ◽  
Species Removal

The constant demand for seafood products and the undeniable effects of fishing on marine ecosystems make it urgent to implement an ecosystem approach, even in data-poor scenarios such as small-scale fisheries. Understanding the impacts of fishing is essential for promoting management strategies that prevent irreversible damage to marine ecosystems. Thus, ecosystem quantitative science-based models have been frequently used to evaluate the effects of fishing, although fishers’ local ecological knowledge (LEK) can aid the implementation of qualitative models, particularly in data-poor conditions. Here, we present a framework for simulating and assessing the effects of fishing following two strategies: (1) for both types of models, we simulated species removal scenarios, and (2) for quantitative science-based models, we fitted time series to dynamically assessed impacts. The impacts were analyzed through ecological indicators commonly used for quantitative models, and because these indicators cannot be easily estimated for qualitative models, we propose the use of topological indicators in both types of models. The approach was applied to three case studies of small-scale finfish fisheries in northwestern Mexico. We found that the ecosystem response to species removal was different in each case study and that the target species can play an important role in ecosystems, but their removal does not generate abrupt changes in the ecosystem structure. The quantitative science-based models were able to reproduce the historical catch trends, which allowed us to reveal that changes in ecosystems are indeed influenced by fishing effort but also by underlying primary productivity. Furthermore, topological and ecological indicators showed similar trends in the quantitative models, which suggests that the former could be useful when data-poor conditions allow only qualitative models. This result confirms the relevance of the participation of fishers in generating qualitative models and their decisive role in the discussion of co-management strategies and risk scenarios in a better-informed manner.

scholarly journals SEASONAL AND SPATIAL DYNAMIC OF SMALL SCALE FISHERIES IN CENTRAL AMAZONIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (15) ◽  
pp. 206-223
Author(s):  
Vinícius Verona Carvalho Gonçalves ◽  
Jamerson Aguiar Dos Santos ◽  
Carlos Edwar de Carvalho Freitas
Keyword(s):  
Local Population ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
High Water ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Catch Per Unit Effort ◽  
Fishing Activity ◽  
Small Scale Fisheries ◽  
Central Amazonia ◽  
Flood Period

Amazonia is considered to host some of the more productive freshwater fisheries of the world, and these are of key importance to the local population. Accordingly, fishing activity needs to be studied to evaluate its dynamics, so that long-term sustainability of the resource can be assured the fishing. The objective of the current study, therefore, was to analyze seasonal and spatial variation in the production of fish landed in the city of Manacapuru, in Central Amazonia. The landing data was collected daily from January to December 2012 at the main port of landing in Manacapuru, Amazonas, Brazil. Results indicate that lakes were most frequently visited by fishermen, but that rivers had higher catch values. In total, 39 species of fish were landed, with jaraqui escama grossa (Semaprochilodus taenirus) and jaraqui escama fina (Semaprochilodus insignis) being the species most exploited by fishermen. Landing had a seasonal character, with higher values in the rising and high water periods. Significant differences were observed between the different seasonal periods, with peak-flood period having the highest catch per unit effort (CPUE) values. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that fishing gear varied according to the fishing environment and exploited species.

scholarly journals The shifting distribution of Mediterranean fishes: a spatio-temporal assessment based on Local Ecological Knowledge .

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernesto Azzurro ◽  
Valerio Sbragaglia ◽  
Jacopo Cerri ◽  
Michel Bariche ◽  
Luca Bolognini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Local Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Ecological Knowledge ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Spatio Temporal

A major problem worldwide is the rapid change in species abundance and distribution, which is rapidly restructuring the biological communities of many ecosystems under changing climates. Tracking these transformations in the marine environment is crucial but our understanding is often hampered by the absence of historical data and by the practical challenge of survey large geographical areas. Here we focus on the Mediterranean Sea, a region which is warming faster than the rest of the global ocean, tracing back the spatio-temporal dynamic of species, which are emerging the most in terms of increasing abundances and expanding distributions. To this aim, we accessed the Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) of small-scale and recreational fishers reconstructing the dynamics of fish perceived as ‘new’ or increasing in different fishing area. Over 500 fishers across 95 locations and 9 different countries were interviewed and semi-quantitative information on yearly changes in species abundance was collected. Overall, 75 species were mentioned by the respondents, being the most frequent citations related to warm-adapted species of both, native and exotic origin. Respondents belonging to the same biogeographic sectors described coherent spatio-temporal dynamics, and gradients along latitudinal and longitudinal axes were revealed. This information provides a more complete understanding of recent bio-geographical changes in the Mediterranean Sea and it also demonstrates that adequately structured LEK methodology might be applied successfully beyond the local scale, across national borders and jurisdictions. Acknowledging this potential through macro-regional coordination, could pave the ground for future large-scale aggregations of individual observations, increasing our potential for integrated monitoring and conservation planning at the regional or even global level.

The functioning metropolis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Greenhalgh
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Physical Development ◽  
Rational Approach ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Post War ◽  
Scale Control ◽  
Spatial Governance

This chapter examines the strategies employed by the local governments of Manchester and Hull to govern the space of their cities in the immediate post-war period by examining policies and projects that sought to control the built environment. The techniques of spatial governance local governments deployed ranged from zoning large areas, to prohibiting certain types of business, display or activity and included control of land, buildings and even the air. The chapter argues that in the immediate post-war period local corporations attempted to expand their ability to control their cities in a holistic sense through the application and expansion of national planning legislation. Their aim was the assertion of a long-term, rational approach to the physical development of their cities, but their means were often mundane or small-scale: control of fun-fairs, the regulation of air or advertising as well as the siting of shops were all part of corporations holistic view of the functional city. These attempts were contested by the agencies of the national state, commercial elites and the inhabitants of the cities, illustrating the deeply contested character of modernity in the post-war.

scholarly journals Leveraging Traditional Agroforestry Practices to Support Sustainable and Agrobiodiverse Landscapes in Southern Brazil

Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 176
Author(s):  
André Eduardo Biscaia Lacerda ◽  
Ana Lúcia Hanisch ◽  
Evelyn Roberta Nimmo
Keyword(s):  
Forest Cover ◽  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Local Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Ilex Paraguariensis ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Traditional Agroforestry ◽  
Agroforestry Practices

Integrated landscape approaches have been identified as key to addressing competing social, ecological, economic, and political contexts and needs in landscapes as a means to improve and preserve agrobiodiversity. Despite the consistent calls to integrate traditional and local knowledge and a range of stakeholders in the process of developing integrated landscape approaches, there continues to be a disconnect between international agreements, national policies, and local grassroots initiatives. This case study explores an approach to address such challenges through true transdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder research and outreach to develop solutions for integrated landscapes that value and include the experience and knowledge of local communities and farmers. Working collaboratively with small-scale agroforestry farmers in Southern Brazil who continue to use traditional agroecological practices to produce erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis), our transdisciplinary team is working to collect oral histories, document local ecological knowledge, and support farmer-led initiatives to address a range of issues, including profitability, productivity, and legal restrictions on forest use. By leveraging the knowledge across our network, we are developing and testing models to optimize and scale-out agroforestry and silvopastoral systems based on our partners’ traditional practices, while also supporting the implementation of approaches that expand forest cover, increase biodiversity, protect and improve ecosystem services, and diversify the agricultural landscape. In so doing, we are developing a strong evidence base that can begin to challenge current environmental policies and commonly held misconceptions that threaten the continuation of traditional agroforestry practices, while also offering locally adapted and realistic models that can be used to diversify the agricultural landscape in Southern Brazil.

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