Case Studies in the Environment最新文献

{"title":"Building Resilience in Jamaica’s Farming Communities: <i>Insights From a Climate-Smart Intervention</i>","authors":"Donovan Campbell, Shaneica Lester","doi":"10.1525/cse.2023.1233811","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1525/cse.2023.1233811","url":null,"abstract":"Rural farmers, especially those with limited resources, are on the frontline of the climate crisis. In the Caribbean, vulnerability of agri-food systems to climatic disturbances is recognized, but empirical evidence detailing effective adaptation strategies remains patchy. In Jamaica, a combination of challenges—ranging from diminishing availability of arable land and stagnant agricultural innovation to the marginalization of small-scale farming and recurrent climatic shocks—has led to significant agricultural setbacks and socioeconomic distress for local farmers. This case study is based on a synthesis of quantitative and qualitative data derived from a climate adaptation initiative in Peckham, Clarendon, a pivotal agricultural hub in Jamaica. The data acquisition methodologies encompassed livelihood baseline assessments, community engagement surveys, training workshops, and focus group discussions. Synthesis of data from 31 agricultural training sessions and 16 climate-smart agriculture workshops, involving 458 farmers, offers cogent evidence of the initiative’s tangible impacts on the Peckham farming community. The initiative was guided by two core objectives: (1) enhancing food security and rural livelihoods through the implementation of a renewable energy-powered aquaponics framework, and (2) improving land and water resource management practices. To achieve these goals, the Farmer-Field School approach was employed to promote climate-smart agricultural practices and strengthen the institutional capabilities of farming groups. The insights from the assessment underscore the potential of integrated climate-resilient agricultural practices in addressing both economic and environmental challenges faced by rural farmers.","PeriodicalId":42507,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in the Environment","volume":"22 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135058603","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reductions in Coastal Salt Marsh Habitat for Wildlife From Sea-Level Rise in the United States","authors":"Samuel A. Krebs, Karin E. Limburg, Michael L. Schummer","doi":"10.1525/cse.2023.2000578","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1525/cse.2023.2000578","url":null,"abstract":"The rate of sea-level rise (SLR) has increased due to climate change, affecting coastal salt marshes. It is uncertain if species can persist with rapid SLR compounded with other effects of climate change and human activity. SLR-induced habitat loss may lead to extirpations and decreased biodiversity. We conducted a literature review of wildlife that use salt marshes and selected 25 species of birds, mammals, and reptiles representing obligate, facultative, and generalist salt marsh users. We developed three regional case studies to quantify the percentage change in species habitat. We used the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sea Level Rise Viewer and ImageJ to calculate areal habitat changes in Apalachicola Bay, FL; Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, MD; and Cape Cod Bay, MA. We used available literature to determine land cover types to estimate species-specific habitat changes by 2050 and 2100. The changes in habitat availability varied among species and salt marsh dependence, but by 2100, average losses were projected to range across accretion rates from 56% to 63% for birds, 44% to 53% for mammals, and 65% to 66% loss for reptiles. Mean habitat loss was greater for obligate (70%–77%) than facultative (69%–70%) and generalist (49%–56%) salt marsh users. SLR-induced habitat loss has been examined for individual species, but few multispecies assessments exist. Our results suggest ubiquitous habitat loss by 2100. Protection, restoration, and management of salt marsh habitat are necessary to conserve common and imperiled wildlife species, sustaining the ecosystem services provided by wildlife and salt marshes.","PeriodicalId":42507,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in the Environment","volume":"11 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135440659","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Legacies Matter: Exploring Social Acceptance of Pumped Storage Hydro in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula","authors":"Shardul Tiwari, Chelsea Schelly, R. Sidortsov","doi":"10.1525/cse.2023.2004414","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1525/cse.2023.2004414","url":null,"abstract":"Using electrical energy for an increasingly wide range of energy services (including lighting, heating, cooling, food storage, communications, and transport) requires grappling with the impacts of these systems on ecologies and societies. Renewable energy can provide less ecologically damaging electrical energy, but intermittency—the fact that solar requires the sun to shine and wind requires a breeze for energy to be produced—means having to create a way to store electrical energy to balance production and demand effectively. Underground storage hydro energy systems offer one way to achieve this, and one innovative approach involves repurposing abandoned underground mine shafts for pumped underground storage hydro (PUSH) systems. In this article, we present an initial foray into the social acceptance (SA) of the potential development of a PUSH facility. The article looks at the case of SA of a PUSH facility in a post-mining community in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan through its three pillars: community acceptance, sociopolitical acceptance, and market acceptance. This case study reveals that community input into design considerations and economic participation are the primary drivers and may be required to achieve community acceptance. The study provides insights regarding the importance of engaging the community in discussions while planning for large energy infrastructure to spur renewable energy transition. The case study will further engage the audience in understanding the SA of energy storage systems when developed in brownfield sites (abandoned mines) instead of greenfield sites.","PeriodicalId":42507,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in the Environment","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66887040","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bird Species Diversity, Distribution, and Community Composition in Different Forest Types in Papua New Guinea","authors":"Bulisa Iova, O. Gideon, V. Novotný, K. Sam, Michael Kigl, Bonny Koane, L. Paul, Samson Yama, Samuel Jepi","doi":"10.1525/cse.2023.1836576","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1525/cse.2023.1836576","url":null,"abstract":"This study investigates the species diversity, distribution, and community composition of birds in different forest types in Papua New Guinea in response to environmental factors. The study further focused on individual feeding guilds. The analyzed data originate from 13 sites across the country. Each site was surveyed by standardized point count methods (seven point count 50-m radius points, 15 min per point). In total, we recorded 6,835 bird individuals belonging to 231 bird species. Specifically, this article addresses the results of surveys of bird communities of Forest Inventory from 13 sites that include the Eastern Highlands, Western Highlands, Morobe, and Madang provinces. We analyze these data in respect to various forest types that include disturbed and undisturbed selections. Across the complete study, the number of species rose rapidly for the first 40 point counts and then decelerated but continued to increase for the entire sampling, which means that not whole regional diversity of birds was surveyed. Yet, the species accumulation curves within each study site demonstrate a slow but steady increase in species diversity, with observed numbers close to those predicted by Chao 1. Species diversity was not consistent with elevation. Insectivores dominated bird communities, followed by frugivorous, nectarivores, and especially carnivores more rarely observed. Individual species have shown preferences in their distribution for specific elevations, but less so for a particular disturbance intensity.","PeriodicalId":42507,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in the Environment","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66887430","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Teaching About Climate Change Impacts on Health: Capturing the Experience for Educators","authors":"N. Lansbury, Keiko Mishiro, Kyu-Yeon Son, Olivia Milsom, Shelby Baston, Lisa Buckley","doi":"10.1525/cse.2023.1925640","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1525/cse.2023.1925640","url":null,"abstract":"Climate change is a wicked problem. It is valuable for those working in public health to understand the causes, impacts, and possible responses that affect human health. Educators disagree on effective pedagogical strategies that are both engaging and motivating for students. This research evaluated a course involving climate change and health taught to first-year undergraduate students using a survey codesigned and analyzed through a student–staff partnership. The survey found strong correlations between curiosity and interest in learning and motivation to act. The student respondents preferred educational delivery for best learning outcomes included accessible preparatory material, small group tutorials, and guest lecturers providing specialist disciplinary perspectives. The majority considered there is a link between learning about and subsequently acting on climate change, although a need was identified for educators to promote intrinsic motivation within students in addition to disseminating information in classes. In considering the human health impacts of complex health issues, this article provides a valuable capture of course design and teaching methods that can enhance students’ motivation to act beyond the completion of a university course.","PeriodicalId":42507,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in the Environment","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66887476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Intermittent Prairie Streams in the Northern Great Plains: <i>A Case of an Undervalued Ecosystem</i>","authors":"Christian Lenhart, Kristen Blann, Krista Ehlert","doi":"10.1525/cse.2023.2006981","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1525/cse.2023.2006981","url":null,"abstract":"Small (&amp;lt;15 m wide), intermittent prairie streams in western South Dakota, a semiarid part of the northern United States, are undervalued ecosystems because they do not exemplify the values of classic, flowing streams. However, they are valuable as wildlife corridors, aquatic habitat for drought-adapted species, and support of local grazing economies. We surveyed 90 streams in 2018–2019, collecting data on geomorphic, water chemistry, and biological properties, focusing on vegetation and grazing impacts. We developed an approach for categorizing streams by landscape position and flow regime to facilitate appropriate land management and stream restoration actions. The result was a published landowner guide to provide information on low-tech riparian management and restoration options of the four stream types we categorized. The headwaters streams and woody draws with drainage areas &amp;lt;26 km2 are the most abundant types and exemplify the issues described above. Large rivers, despite drainage areas exceeding 260 km2 can go dry. Management issues include invasive plant species, lack of woody riparian establishment, poor water quality, overgrazing, channel incision, and water stress from climate change. The most cost-effective management practices involve rotational grazing and practices that reduce cattle impacts. More recently, beaver dam analogs have been installed and beaver reintroduction is being considered along with reestablishment of native bison herds in place of cattle. Intermittent prairie streams present an excellent case study of an undervalued ecosystem, illustrating the challenges and opportunities of such systems. Engagement of grazing landowners can improve stewardship of these systems.","PeriodicalId":42507,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in the Environment","volume":"84 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134981046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Governing Transition: Case Studies in Transformative Adaptation","authors":"Leah A. Dundon, M. Abkowitz, J. Camp","doi":"10.1525/cse.2023.1816908","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1525/cse.2023.1816908","url":null,"abstract":"Global climate change presents both acute and long-term risks to humanity. Managed retreat has emerged in the literature as one method by which to manage some acute and slow-onset events caused by climate change, but it requires substantial additional research and examination. It is now clear that humanity must scrutinize how and where we live and the wisdom of policies that support continued rebuilding and reinvestment after climate-related disasters. Despite its emergence as a potential policy response to risk, the phrase “managed retreat” is documented as a barrier in itself to successful adaptation actions, largely because the term is currently almost exclusively considered to mean physical movement of infrastructure or people out of harm’s way—that is, retreat. There is a need to document and consider case studies where managed retreat is being utilized more broadly and to consider these case studies as a climate governance approach to managing risk. The case studies presented of local policy responses to climate-induced disaster events demonstrate examples of the permanent changes that are already occurring to the existing and historical governance of climate-related risks. These case studies can serve to broaden the climate adaptation discussion and framework beyond “managed retreat” and may lead to more successful implementation of adaptation measures that reduce climate risks. We adopt the term “transformative adaptation measures,” rather than “managed retreat,” and provide case study illustrations of climate governance strategies that communities faced with a changing climate risk profile may consider, rather than focusing on “retreat.”","PeriodicalId":42507,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in the Environment","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66887114","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Co-Management of Kauri Dieback in the Waitākere Ranges, Aotearoa New Zealand","authors":"J. Gibson, Franca Buelow, A. Black, L. Macdonald, Ann Brower","doi":"10.1525/cse.2023.1830829","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1525/cse.2023.1830829","url":null,"abstract":"This is a story of positive changes for the natural environment in Aotearoa, New Zealand, realised in a bottom-up mobilisation initiated by a local indigenous group. Kauri are a cornerstone of Aotearoa New Zealand’s native forests, creating unique soil conditions that enable other native species to grow. They are one of the longest living tree species in the world and possess the status of a chief to the local Māori indigenous people of Aotearoa. Over the past decade, a deadly soil-borne pathogen known as kauri dieback has been slowly killing native kauri forests in the Waitākere Ranges, home to a local tribe, Te Kawarau a Maki. Our case study on kauri dieback illustrates the implications of mobilisation and co-governance, specifically regarding power issues and voice of community stakeholders in collaborative decision-making. It is an example of the tension between conservation, recreation, culture, and tourism, which can create harmful ramifications for the management of pathogens. The success in bringing everyone together to protect natural resources is analysed and described here by means of literature research and qualitative interviews with participants.","PeriodicalId":42507,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in the Environment","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66887354","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Understanding Facilitators and Barriers to Success: Framework for Developing Community Forestry Case Studies","authors":"M. Butler, D. Current, Vishal Jamkar","doi":"10.1525/cse.2023.1820524","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1525/cse.2023.1820524","url":null,"abstract":"Due to the observed success of community-based management strategies, countries around the world have reformed forest policy to focus upon decentralization and community participation in forest management. Nonetheless, despite the commonly lauded benefits of communal forest management, not all community forest programs successfully achieve the dual goals of forest conservation and income generation. In an era when communal forest management is gaining global popularity, understanding factors that enable or constrain communities’ communal forests and community forest enterprises will help ensure their success. A significant amount of academic research has focused upon identifying and summarizing factors that facilitate or impede community-based resource management. Understanding these factors is an important first step for individuals interested in understanding community forestry operations. The goal of this article is to guide individuals interested in delving deeper into an existing community forestry case. This article provides a framework that can be used to develop community-forestry case studies and guide analysis. The framework highlights the interconnection between community resources, national-scale policy implementation, and markets and provides key factors to consider when analyzing the local context of community-based natural resource management cases.","PeriodicalId":42507,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in the Environment","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66887178","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prescribed Fire Case Studies From Wyoming, USA: <i>Diverse Applications and Common Themes at the Great Plains-Rocky Mountains Interface</i>","authors":"John Derek Scasta, Claire Visconti, Hannah Fraley, Tanner Hoffman, Cortney Borer, Gwendalyn Cameron, Kailee Chambers, Olivia Chase, Brodie Daugherty, Gary Gassaway, Lydia Cleve, Xavier Michael-Young, Katelyn Mitchem, John Nelson, Tyler Shreve, Josiah Toelle, Charles Wangnild, Clay Wells, Gabriel Wiley","doi":"10.1525/cse.2023.2003840","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1525/cse.2023.2003840","url":null,"abstract":"Prescribed fire is an important management tool for rangelands and forests in North America and globally. However, the application of prescribed fire is a complex endeavor that involves significant planning, partnerships, and risk. Recent evidence suggests that not enough prescribed fire is being applied to reduce wildfires, in part, because risk and bureaucracy continue to hinder application. While common in the eastern and central Great Plains, prescribed fire is less common in the western United States. Therefore, we summarized 11 prescribed fire projects in Wyoming, USA (or immediately adjacent to in one case) across five U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Ecoregions (High Plains, Northwestern Great Plains, Wyoming Basin, Southern Rockies, and Middle Rockies)—a state where the prairies converge with the western mountains. Fires were conducted from 2014 to 2022 and ranged in size from &amp;lt;1 acre to 3,000 acres (a total of 8,795 acres). Fires occurred on a variety of land ownerships including private ranch, university, state trust, Army, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Crew sizes ranged from 1 to 40 people. Approximately half of the burns were in the spring, a third were in the fall, and two were in the winter; no summer burns were reported. Duration of planning ranged from a few months to 5 years. Drip torches were the most common ignition device used; however, we noted the use of propane torches, terratorches, helitorches, and drones for lighting fires. Weather prescriptions varied across fires with some choosing low humidity to make up for low fuel loads and others choosing moderate humidity to minimize risk. A wide variety of plant communities, purposes, and applications were noted. Weather prescriptions particularly in the spring were consistently challenging and the importance of partnerships with neighbors and other agencies for planning and implementation was noted frequently. Across these unique prescribed fire case studies, we have noted commonalities that can communicate important practicalities of applying fire across complex land types and jurisdictions. Sharing such information is important in a state with the least population density in the country to enhance the professional application of prescribed fire across a diversity of situations.","PeriodicalId":42507,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies in the Environment","volume":"277 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135699096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}