Environmental co-management has been advocated and applied in diverse contexts as an integrative and inclusive approach to make biodiversity conservation more effective and contextual. Co-management ...however requires the actors involved to overcome tacit boundaries and reconcile different viewpoints to reach a shared understanding on the environmental problem and envisioned solution(s). We depart from the assumption that a common narrative can serve as a base for a shared understanding and analyze what types of actor relations in co-management influence the emergence of a common narrative. Empirical data is collected using a mixed-method case study design. We apply the idea of narrative congruence, which relates to the similarity of narrations that actors tell, to investigate the effects of the types of relationships between two actors as well as specific leadership roles using an Exponential Random Graph Model. We find that frequent interaction between two actors and a trusted leader with many reciprocal trust ties to be important drivers to support the emergence of narrative congruence ties. Connecting leaders, i.e. actors in brokering positions, show a statistically significant negative correlation with narrative congruence ties. The results suggest that a common narrative tends to emerge in sub-groups around a highly trusted leader, in which actors talk frequently to each other. A brokering leader, however, seems to face strong difficulties of forming narrative congruence ties with others, although such brokers may play central roles in the co-design of common narratives to form the basis for motivating collective action in co-management. Lastly, we discuss the importance of common narratives and how leaders can better succeed in co-designing these in environmental co-management approaches.
•Common narratives are important for joint action in co-management.•Qualitative narrative interview and quantitative relational data is combined for analysis in an ERGM.•We find frequent interaction and a trusted leader to shape a common narrative.•A brokering leader is found to have a strong negative effect on a common narrative.
Protected areas are recognized as a crucial tool to mitigate ongoing trends of biodiversity loss. The effect of different levels of protection and their subsequent conservation efficiency remains, ...however, largely unexplored. To fill this gap, we present here an integrated approach that combines taxonomic analysis based on typical species to evaluate habitat quality and functional analysis based on plant traits to define habitat structure and functions. We focused on shrubland habitats across levels of protection in two different biogeographical areas. We found that habitat quality does not change linearly with levels of protection. Furthermore, the increase in habitat quality is characterized by a homogenization of habitat structure and functions, mostly driven by an increase in typical species. Our study suggests the level of protection afforded by protected areas is not necessarily indicative of their quality. A combined taxonomic and functional approach in protected areas can offer a thorough appraisal of habitat quality.
•We assessed habitat quality in protected areas (PAs).•We tested it using typical species and functional traits.•We found different results in two biogeographically contrasting study areas.•Protection level of PAs is not a good predictor for habitat quality.•Combination of typical species and plant traits is recommended for PAs appraisal.
Agriculture intensification is one of the most impacting drivers of European biodiversity decline. The Natura 2000 (N2000) network constitutes a key tool for conservation of species and natural ...habitats in Europe. Its action to counteract negative impacts of agriculture is mainly based on implementation of Agri-environment schemes (AES) in the N2000 sites. As economical resources are usually limited, spatial targeting is essential for such conservation policy. Here we evaluated whether AES distribution was in spatial coordination with species and habitat conservation states, and agriculture-driven pressures in the French N2000 network. Using the Pressure-State-Response framework, we tested the hypothesis that AES were mainly implemented in sites mostly exposed to pressures, having higher representativeness of species and habitats and higher degradation levels. We combined different sources of information (i.e., standard data forms of the N2000 policy, data collected by the observatory of rural development and national geographical information) to produce pressure, state and response spatial indicators. We declined the analysis per category of pressures related to agricultural activities and considered species and habitat vulnerability to each pressure category. We found limited spatial coordination between AES, pressure and state variables: only 37 % of the fitted models were significant. Significant relationships between AES implementation and agricultural intensification pressure were mostly negative. Considering all indicators, our hypotheses were disproven for more than half of the significant relationships. The results revealed a spatial mismatch between AES distribution and the ecological needs within the N2000 network, as more resources were devoted to sites less exposed to pressure. Our results raise the need of a more strategic approach for the N2000 policy. Indeed, the state of biodiversity conservation and the level of human pressures should be automatically considered a-priori of any implementation of management measures to effectively focus the efforts on the causes of current biodiversity crisis.
•We assess agri-environmental schemes (AES) targeting in French Natura 2000 network.•AES distributions compared to agricultural pressures and biodiversity variables.•AES financial expenses and cover poorly target pressures and biodiversity.•More AES are implemented in Natura 2000 sites showing less agricultural pressures.•Better efficiency of N2000 policy needs strategic approaches for AES implementation.
Succession caused by agricultural land abandonment is one of the most serious threats to the biodiversity of non-forest ecosystems in Europe. The aim of the study conducted in the Biebrza National ...Park (NE Poland) was to develop a remote sensing method to analyze the process of tree and shrub encroachment into the open peatland area of the Lower Biebrza Basin of 245 km2. The study covered a period of 50 years, from 1966 to 2015. Tree and shrub coverage was analyzed independently on the basis of airborne imagery acquired in 1966, 1980, 1997, 2006, 2010 and hyperspectral and ALS data from 2015.
The method used, which consisted in assigning the area covered by trees and shrubs to permanent reference areas in a grid of squares enabled us to analyze the succession process by integrating various types of airborne data retrieved from various sensors with different geometric, radiometric and spectral resolutions. Owing to this, the process of succession could be characterized on the map by illustrating the spatial distribution of tree and shrub area and the dynamics and directions of their changes in time, and quantitatively by calculating the area of trees and shrubs as well as the dynamics, pace and directions of its change over time. It will be possible to integrate the results of the analysis of archived data with those acquired in the future, which will contribute to even wider use of remote sensing in succession process monitoring. The findings suggest that in the study period the area covered by trees and shrubs increased by 3020 ha, and the open areas decreased from 75.78% of the study area in 1966 to 63.31% in 2015. During the last study period (2010–2015) encroachment of trees and shrubs was inhibited to the rate of 2.7 ha/year as a result of the conservation program being implemented in the Lower Biebrza Basin.
•Remote sensing investigation of succession in the Lower Basin of the Biebrza river.•Assigning the area covered by trees and shrubs to permanent reference areas.•Spatial distribution, dynamics, directions of tree and shrub area changes in time.•Possible integration of analysis of archived data with those acquired in the future.
The aim of the present study consists on the establishment of any relationship or interaction between geomorphological processes and vegetation/habitat distribution in an area with strong ...environmental gradients: an active saline lake in NE Spain. The resulting maps of the major geoforms and CORINE habitats within the lacustrine area were overlain to determine any significant relationships, taking into account the elevation derived from Lidar data. Whereas the geoforms resulted to have a roughly concentric distribution, the habitats appeared to be spread across different areas, and flooding frequency seemed not to be a determining factor in their altitudinal distribution. The correspondence matrix for geoforms and habitats underlined the coincidence between presently active morphodynamic units, flooding/salinity, and habitats typical of saline environments. Geomorphological units associated with the presently active shoreline dynamics host the habitats more typically related to frequent flooding and high salinity levels. The delay between geomorphological dynamics and vegetation changes, together with the opportunistic character of vegetation, promote the coexistence of different geomorphological processes and a great variety of plant communities and habitats. As a major conclusion, the present study provides a method through which a standard procedure may be set up to further determine the interaction between geomorphological processes and vegetation distribution, very useful for understanding vegetation patterns and conservation biodiversity, and the planning and managing of Natura 2000 sites.
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•Geomorphology and vegetation are inseparable within water-terrestrial systems.•The maps of geoforms and CORINE habitats inventory the lacustrine natural resources.•The habitats appear to be principally conditioned by coastal or littoral dynamics.•Local factors control the geoform-habitat correspondence out of coastal environment.
Research on the habitats protected by the European Union's Habitats Directive (HD) has increased rapidly since its adoption in 1992. However, the methods and tools used to assess their conservation ...status are varied. In this context, we reviewed and summarized the scientific literature related to the coastal Natura 2000 habitats to list and sort parameters used to assess and map their conservation status. We found 225 papers that specifically focused on the assessment of conservation status of coastal habitats. An analysis of the papers was conducted based on the four parameters (“Range”, “Area”, “structure and functions”, “Future prospects”) specified in the guidelines. Results highlight knowledge gaps regarding the availability of data and methods that measure the “Range”, “Area”, “Structure and functions” and “Future prospects”. Most of the papers focused on coastal dunes and were located in the Mediterranean biogeographic region. Therefore, the process of assessing the conservation status of coastal habitats remains complicated to implement because methodological approaches are mainly dominated by expert statements. Moreover, all the procedures of the HD are carried out within each member country and the final assessments are often the synthesis of these partial assessments. However, the multiscalar approach and the use of innovative technologies (databases, remote sensing) can be particularly relevant to develop replicable approaches and facilitate monitoring and the implementation of management measures.
•The implementation of HD remains complicated today to assess and monitor the conservation status.•Methodological disparities exist between coastal habitats, between countries and between biogeographic regions.•Currently, methodological approaches remain mainly based on expert judgements.•Recent and innovative methods for automatic and objective modelling can help to assess habitat range and area.•Concerted and multiscalar approaches can help to improve knowledge on structure, functions and future prospects.
A União Europeia (UE), através da sua iniciativa Natura 2000, estabeleceu a classificação e seleção de áreas protegidas na Europa, a fim de assegurar a conservação da biodiversidade. No entanto, não ...há parâmetros claros e uniformes para permitir que os países membros tomem as melhores decisões de zoneamento para a conservação da biodiversidade. Por esta razão, uma metodologia baseada na avaliação de critérios de importância para a conservação da biodiversidade é apresentada nesta tese. A metodologia introduzida visa estabelecer critérios relevantes que podem ser analisados através do método estatístico de análise multicritério e interpolação de dados com o método geoestatístico de krigagem. O objetivo é verificar a adequação das áreas designadas para a rede Natura 2000 em Castilla y León, Espanha, e desenvolver uma proposta de zoneamento baseada em valores de importância da biodiversidade quando considerando o uso da terra. A metodologia proposta foi realizada com critérios básicos de conservação da biodiversidade que podem ser adaptados e aplicados em diferentes países membros da UE, contribuindo para uma seleção ótima de áreas protegidas com parâmetros claros e uniformes para o zoneamento.
Unsustainable fossil fuel emissions have prompted a global shift towards renewable energy sources, such as wind. This has led to a strong expansion of wind power generation infrastructures, often ...conflicting with biodiversity conservation. Relatively large flying animals, such as birds and bats, have frequently been reported to collide with wind turbines, resulting in casualties that can depress population size and lead to local extinctions. Migratory species that move across continents through their year-round displacements may be especially at risk. We comprehensively assessed wind turbine exposure for a colonial migratory raptor of European conservation interest, the lesser kestrel Falco naumanni, based on the distribution and size of >1800 colonies and a large GPS-tracking dataset (>350 individuals) for three distinct biogeographical populations (from Iberian, Italian, and Balkan peninsulas). 26 % of the European population has at least one wind turbine within the foraging areas around colony sites, Italian colonies being most at risk. The main European network of protected areas, the Natura 2000 network, failed to mitigate the potential negative impact of wind turbines on breeding populations. GPS-tracking revealed that exposure was negligible in the African non-breeding areas (Sahel region), particularly high during migration, and lower during breeding for Iberian and Balkan individuals but not for Italian ones. Different countries should prioritize different measures to mitigate collision risk with wind power generation infrastructures. This case study can be leveraged by conservationists and renewable energy stakeholders to mitigate conflicts between biodiversity conservation and expected wind energy infrastructure development in the near future.
Knowledge of species distribution is crucial for their protection, and this was our motivation to identify hotspots of the Habitats Directive (HD) species in the Carpathians. As a data source we used ...reports and species distribution maps submitted by the EU Member States according to the Habitats Directive Article 17 in 2019.
The highest HD species richness areas are in the south-eastern part of the Western Carpathians and in the south-west outcrops of the Carpathians at the SK/AT and CZ/AT borders. The south-eastern part of the Western Carpathians is important for all studied species groups, specific patterns of distribution exhibit fish (distribution along big rivers), amphibians (high diversity also in the outer Western Carpathians and Transylvanian Basin) and partially plant species (besides SE Western Carpathians, quite high diversity also in other parts of the Western Carpathians).
We analysed the relation between species richness, proportion of species groups, and concentration of rare species. Mammals are the dominant taxonomical group, especially in species-poor grid cells. The proportion of invertebrates increases with increased species richness. The widespread species prevail in species-poor grid cells and their proportion decreases with increasing species richness.
We also identified areas with low Natura 2000 coverage, but with high biodiversity or a high number of rare species. These areas have high potential to improve protection of the HD species by designating new Natura 2000 sites or enlarging existing ones.
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•Habitats Directive Article 17 data for analyse hotspots of HD species in Carpathians•SE part of the Western Carpathians is a hotspot of the Habitats Directive species.•Valuable areas with low Natura 2000 coverage were identified.•Analyse of species richness, species groups, and concentration of rare species
•The CAP method allowed recognizing distinct habitat types inQ. suberwoodlands.•Compositional data alone may be insufficient to monitor complex forest habitats.•Structural data can be used as a proxy ...to assess the CS of cork oak woods.•The CAP method is crucial for the conservation management of Habitat 9330.•The CAP method could be included in the guidelines for EU Habitats monitoring.
In the European Union (EU), there is an urgent need to define a specific and standardized monitoring strategy for Habitat Directive (HD) forest habitats, like Quercus suber woodlands (EU habitat 9330). Such forests are an important component of western Mediterranean landscapes. In Italy, they are undergoing a relevant regression due to the decline of traditional management. Here, we tested the effectiveness of the Cumulative Abundance Profile (CAP) method in assessing the conservation status (CS) of habitat 9330 in central Italy. The CAP method compares plant communities based on their structure and species composition. Our aims were: i) to test the effectiveness of structure and species composition of the tree layer as predictors of different understories and forest habitat types; ii) to compare the results obtained using the CAP method with those deriving from traditional cover-based (CB) vegetation classification; iii) to evaluate the advantages and limitations of using the two methods to assess the CS of EU forest habitats.
The similarity between 48 sampling plots was assessed analysing data through the Fuzzy C-Means clustering method. The three groups resulting from the analysis of CAP data corresponded to as many different community types, each highlighting a different CS of the habitat 9330. For the CAP-based groups, the Mantel test showed a significant correlation between the overstory and the understory composition. Besides, the indicator species analysis detected significantly distinct understories in the three groups, and hypsometric curves suggested that each one is related to soils with different fertility. The CB classification (cover data of all species) produced three clusters, too. However, according to the Adjusted Rand index, the agreement between the two classifications was low. When woods have a higher compositional and structural diversity, in CB classification many plots remain unexplained from an ecological, floristic, and conservation point of view. Compositional data, even if essential, resulted insufficient to classify and monitor the CS of highly structurally complex forest habitats. This highlights that the role of structural data in the classification and monitoring of HD forests is underrated, since they resulted to be an important proxy for forest monitoring and management. The CAP procedure could thus represent a viable standardized methodology to assess the CS of forest habitats, together with the analysis of the understory composition. Further studies applying the CAP method in other woody habitats might support the inclusion of this methodology in the guidelines for EU Habitats monitoring.
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