Researchers working with city administrations: Reflecting on transdisciplinary collaboration under conditions of shared goals but different constraints

Academics and city administrations generally agree that environmental management decisions should be science based, which suggests the value of collaboration between city officials and researchers. Such collaboration, termed “ecology with cities”, is an example of translational ecology that should integrate ecological and social sciences to inform decision-makers. However, there has been insufficient reflection on whether ecology with cities achieves the expected development of practical social-ecological knowledge for the common good. We addressed this gap by asking city officials and researchers, in Switzerland and with whom we have collaborated in the past, about their motivations for, and experiences with, transdisciplinary collaboration. The respondents reported largely overlapping goals and an awareness of the mutual benefits of accessing the skills and resources of the other group. However, the reflections also unearthed latent tensions related to insufficient mutual awareness of institutional boundaries and limitations. We conclude that researchers should try to include collaboration partners who have experience in translational ecology practice and should establish learning processes early in a collaboration. Building good working relationships with city administrations and establishing such processes would facilitate the creation of realistic mutual expectations in which institutional limitations are considered so that common goals of maintaining or improving the ecological quality of cities can be amicably reached.

Translational invasion ecology: bridging research and practice to address one of the greatest threats to biodiversity

Effective natural resource management and policy is contingent on information generated by research. Conversely, the applicability of research depends on whether it is responsive to the needs and constraints of resource managers and policy makers. However, many scientific fields including invasion ecology suffer from a disconnect between research and practice. Despite strong socio-political imperatives, evidenced by extensive funding dedicated to addressing invasive species, the pairing of invasion ecology with stakeholder needs to support effective management and policy is lacking. As a potential solution, we propose translational invasion ecology (TIE). As an extension of translational ecology, as a framework to increase collaboration among scientists, practitioners, and policy makers to reduce negative impacts of invasive species. As an extension of translational ecology, TIE is an approach that embodies an intentional and inclusive process in which researchers, stakeholders, and decision makers collaborate to develop and implement ecological research via joint consideration of the ecological, sociological, economic, and/or political contexts in order to improve invasive species management. TIE ideally results in improved outcomes as well as shared benefits between researchers and managers. We delineate the steps of our proposed TIE approach and describe successful examples of ongoing TIE projects from the US and internationally. We suggest practical ways to begin incorporating TIE into research and management practices, including supporting boundary-spanning organizations and activities, expanding networks, sharing translational experiences, and measuring outcomes. We find that there is a need for strengthened boundary spanning, as well as funding and recognition for advancing translational approaches. As climate change and globalization exacerbate invasive species impacts, TIE provides a promising approach to generate actionable ecological research while improving outcomes of invasive species management and policy decisions.

Bottom-up conservation: Using translational ecology to inform conservation priorities for a recreational fishery

Translational ecology defines a collaborative effort among scientists and stakeholders to rapidly translate environmental problems into action. This approach can be applied in a fisheries management context when information needed to inform regulations is unavailable, yet conservation concerns exist. Our research uses a translational ecology framework to assess the stock status and develop research priorities for the Crevalle Jack (Caranx hippos) in the Florida Keys, U.S.A., a currently unregulated species. Interview data that compiled expert fishing guide knowledge were used to develop hypotheses tested using existing fisheries-dependent datasets to check for agreement among sources and assess the consistency of observed patterns. Six hypotheses were developed concerning the status and trends of the Crevalle Jack population in the Florida Keys, and four of these hypotheses received clear support, with agreement between guide observations and one or more of the fisheries-dependent datasets. The results of our study outline an effective translational ecology approach for recreational fisheries management designed to rapidly recognize potential management needs as identified by fishing guides, which allows for actionable science and proactive management.

Ecologist engagement in translational science is imperative for building resilience to global change threats

The causes and consequences of global change are well-documented, as are mitigation and adaptation strategies. However, human actions continue to fail in building adequate socio-ecological resilience to the accelerating threats of global change. Translational science, which focuses on connecting scientific research to human benefits, is imperative to building resilience to a confluence of global change threats because it brings the implications of theory and empirical research into practice. Translational ecology, an approach to knowledge co-creation that is grounded in equitable, inclusive, empathetic, and just partnerships among administrators, policy makers, scholars, practitioners, and the public, has immense potential to bring about the rapid and expansive social, ecological and political changes necessary to build resilience to global change threats. Here, we articulate a need for greater engagement of ecologists and other professionals in translational initiatives addressing seven major resilience building challenges, and propose a framework that lowers barriers to participation and promotes stronger relationships among stakeholders. We recommend specific actions that ecologists can take based on their situation, as well as evidence and demonstrated need, to foster resilience building through their contributions to communication, policy, education, knowledge creation, leadership, and service as role models. We conclude with an urgent call for expansive engagement of ecologists and other professionals in initiatives that combat misinformation, partner equitably with communities in knowledge creation, cultivate empathy and compassion, bolster public trust in science, and ultimately build decentralized communities of practice that enable rapid and high-impact responses to global change.

Researchers Working With City Administrations: Reflecting on Transdisciplinary Collaboration Under Conditions of Shared Goals but Different Constraints

Academics and city administrations generally agree that environmental management decisions should be science based, which suggests the value of collaboration between city officials and researchers. Such collaboration, termed “ecology with cities”, is an example of translational ecology that should integrate ecological and social sciences to inform decision-makers. However, there has been insufficient reflection on whether ecology with cities achieves the expected development of practical social-ecological knowledge for the common good. We addressed this gap by asking city officials and researchers, in Switzerland and with whom we have collaborated in the past, about their motivations for, and experiences with, transdisciplinary collaboration. The respondents reported largely overlapping goals and an awareness of the mutual benefits of accessing the skills and resources of the other group. However, the reflections also unearthed latent tensions related to insufficient mutual awareness of institutional boundaries and limitations. We conclude that researchers should try to include collaboration partners who have experience in translational ecology practice and should establish learning processes early in a collaboration. Building good working relationships with city administrations and establishing such processes would facilitate the creation of realistic mutual expectations in which institutional limitations are considered so that common goals of maintaining or improving the ecological quality of cities can be amicably reached.

A Case Study of Enhancing Sustainable Intensification of Chinese Torreya Forest in Zhuji of China

Chinese torreya (Torreya grandis cv. Merrillii) is an important cash tree in southeastern China and this species plays a major role in local economy. Establishing new plantations of Chinese torreya would be necessary in order to receive more economic benefit. However, expanding the area of torreya plantations would conflict with other land-use and also affect regional biodiversity. Under this context, local people and government made a paradigm shift from nuts productivity to sustainable practices. They explored the multi-functionalities of Chinese torreya forests, such as the social, cultural, environmental and health functionalities, and developed ecotourism as a breakthrough. The development of multi-functionalities of torreya plantations greatly improved the local economy and led a success in the local society. The strategy of this case completely followed the principles of sustainable intensification of agriculture and translational ecology, which involve scientists, stakeholders and policy makers to emphasize landscape multi-functionalities and minimize environmental impacts of operations. The knowledge from this study may be helpful to research in other regions.

Ecologia Translacional: informações ambientais aplicadas ao Planejamento e Gestão de Rondonópolis, MT, Brasil

Translational ecology is an approach according to scientists, decision-makers, legislators, and managers work together to solve sociological, ecological, and political environmental problems. Research projects in this approach are characterized by long-term partnerships between research institutions, legislators, and managers. In this essay we present and discuss 10 successful research projects with a translational ecological approach, conducted in partnership among the graduate programs of Geography, and Environmental Management and Technology of UFMT, European universities, the Environmental Steering Committee, Public Ministry of the State of Mato Grosso, and County Secretary of Environment of Rondonópolis.

Climate Change in Himalayas: Research Findings and Complexities

Himalayas are important for its influence on the climate of much of Asia, and ecosystem services, which serve some 1.3 billion people living in 10 river basins that originate from the region. The region is warming rapidly and is highly vulnerable to climate change. This review (i) sheds light on some fairly well established facts about climate change in Himalayas, (ii) makes an attempt to give an integrated picture of its impact on various components, and (iii) discusses complexities in generalizing the findings. Himalayas are warming at 2-3 time higher rates than global average rate, at least in some areas. The rate of warming is increasing in time and with elevation. As for rainfall, uncertainty is high, but generally predictions are for more violent events. According to an analysis based on 75 glaciers, 63 glaciers are showing shrinkage and 12 growth, however, their (growing ones) measurements are of low confidence level. The contribution of glacier and snow melt to total river discharge varies from 5-60% from west to east. Violent extreme events and glacier melt lakes are predicted to generate more disasters. The intensification of pre-monsoon drought is likely to be a critical climate change factor, affecting several ecological processes and social behaviour. Its examples are drying of water springs, suppression of treeline and desiccation of seeds of the species in which seeds remain lying on ground for a relatively longer period before conditions for germination become favourable, and spread of forest fires. The intensified water shortage is a threat even to tourism supporting capacity of the region. Apple cultivation in the state of Himachal Pradesh is getting adversely affected by the lack of sufficient winter-chilling. Some interventions are possible to undertake to address climate change impact. They include addressing data gaps, particularly with regard to changes in glacier ice mass, volumes and timing of river flows, frequency and duration of extreme events, transboundary cooperation, and development of translational ecology research in which scientists work in a close partnership with stakeholders and administrators. The Himalayan region is disproportionately affected by climate change induced disasters and miseries, though the region's per capita fossil fuel consumption is ridiculously low, raising a issue of climate change justice.