DATA AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR BETTER AND INTELLIGENT REGULATION

In this article we bring forward a reflection on how data technology and artificial intelligence can improve the implementation of an evidence-based, data-driven, regulation. We start by arguing in favor of an evidence-base approach to regulation, meaning that policy making should be supported by information on the expected and observed impacts. We reach this position by acknowledging that, on one side, markets fail and public intervention will promote social welfare and economic competitiveness but, on the other, regulation also fails creating implementation and compliance costs. It follows that public intervention has to be supported by a demonstration that benefits will outweigh the costs. In this paper we discuss the challenges presented by this evidence-base regulation and how the new tools from data technologies and artificial intelligence may provide new resources to face those difficulties. We conclude that there is an obvious match between the solutions that these new technologies present and the requirements to “better regulate” and to “regulate better”. In the end, it seems only natural that evidence-base regulation should also be data-driven. Keywords: Regulation; Artificial Intelligence; Better Regulation; evidence-based regulation, data-driven regulation

Traditional and Local Knowledge in Chile: Review of Experiences and Insights for Management and Sustainability

Scientific interest in traditional and local knowledge (TLK) has grown in recent decades, because of the potential of TLK for improving management and conservation practices. Here, we synthesize and evaluate TLK studies in Chile, discuss how this progress compares to the international scientific literature in the field, and contextualize our results according to the multiple evidence base approach. We found 77 publications on the subject, a steady increase since 1980, and a peak production in the 1990s and the 2010s decades. Publications most often provide basic information on species names and lists of resource uses in terrestrial rather than marine ecosystems. Papers had an emphasis on natural, rather than social sciences. Work was concentrated on the extreme northern and southern regions of Chile where more indigenous populations are found. Indigenous ethnic groups received greater attention than non-indigenous people. Future work in Chile must broaden its attention to local and urban communities and focus on how TLK can contribute to management and sustainability, rather than only acquiring the basic knowledge contained in local and traditional communities. To better comprehend TLK’s contribution to policy measures, an interdisciplinary approach must be present to address these knowledge gaps.

The demise of caterpillar fungus in the Himalayan region due to climate change and overharvesting

Demand for traditional medicine ingredients is causing species declines globally. Due to this trade, Himalayan caterpillar fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) has become one of the world’s most valuable biological commodities, providing a crucial source of income for hundreds of thousands of collectors. However, the resulting harvesting boom has generated widespread concern over the sustainability of its collection. We investigate whether caterpillar fungus production is decreasing—and if so, why—across its entire range. To overcome the limitations of sparse quantitative data, we use a multiple evidence base approach that makes use of complementarities between local knowledge and ecological modeling. We find that, according to collectors across four countries, caterpillar fungus production has decreased due to habitat degradation, climate change, and especially overexploitation. Our statistical models corroborate that climate change is contributing to this decline. They indicate that caterpillar fungus is more productive under colder conditions, growing in close proximity to areas likely to have permafrost. With significant warming already underway throughout much of its range, we conclude that caterpillar fungus populations have been negatively affected by a combination of overexploitation and climate change. Our results underscore that harvesting is not the sole threat to economically valuable species, and that a collapse of the caterpillar fungus system under ongoing warming and high collection pressure would have serious implications throughout the Himalayan region.