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Maureen G Reed - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the contributions of unesco man and Biosphere programme and Biosphere Reserves to the practice of sustainability science
Sustainability Science, 2019Co-Authors: Maureen G ReedAbstract:Sustainability science as a transdisciplinary academic field has taken off since the beginning of the twenty-first century. Recent reflections have traced its practical origins back to the 1980s when sustainable development became popularized. Using academic and governmental literature as primary sources, I argue that these reflections are incomplete and that the practices of sustainability science as espoused today are embedded in the establishment of a normative and pragmatic form of ecosystem sciences that emerged in Europe and North America in the early twentieth century—informed by scientific principles of holism, conservation, and faith in scientific expertise and by social sensibilities of love of nature, morality, and pragmatism. Following World War II, years of scientific and intergovernmental debate led to the creation of an international program of applied research and education in the 1970s—the Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme of the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. The most enduring legacy of the MAB Programme is the world network of Biosphere Reserves, first initiated in 1976 and now numbering 669 in 120 countries. While this program is not the only contributor to sustainability science, this network became an embodiment of sustainability science, by implementing a use-inspired, transdisciplinary research and action program at the human–environment interface. A major challenge has been to generate consistent uptake and cross fertilization by scientists internationally. Reviewing the ideas and ideals that helped found the MAB Programme uncovers enduring institutional, methodological and epistemological challenges facing sustainability scientists and suggests opportunities to transform the research and practice of sustainability science so that they better align with contemporary aspirations and values.
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social learning driven by collaboration in the canadian network of unesco Biosphere Reserves
2018Co-Authors: Maureen G Reed, Paivi AbernethyAbstract:Learning has become a means for achieving adaptive governance and sustainability; however, relatively little attention has been given to learning partnerships of groups spanning spatial scales, governance responsibilities and scales of influence. This chapter documents a multi-scale partnership involving academics, practitioners, and governing bodies associated with Canadian Biosphere Reserves. Together they worked to improve their sustainability practices through networking and social learning strategies. Initiated in 2011, the partnership involved individual practitioners of 15 Biosphere Reserves, academic researchers, and the national-level governing bodies of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme of UNESCO – the Canadian-MAB committee, and the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. We demonstrate how single, double and triple loop learning outcomes were achieved in this multi-level partnership through a platform structured around a social learning and action cycle using highly skilled facilitation. We paid particular attention to three questions: (1) who learns?; (2) what is to be learned?; and (3) how can social learning be accomplished? Over time, experience and trust gained through the partnership encouraged Biosphere reserve practitioners, governing agencies, academic researchers and Indigenous partners to engage in peer learning and deepen learning outcomes in favour of sustainability and adaptive governance.
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conservation in action renewing the relevance of unesco Biosphere Reserves
Conservation Letters, 2016Co-Authors: Maureen G ReedAbstract:The research and policy landscape for biodiversity conservation is changing. Protected areas are now expected to meet a broad range of objectives including effective and equitable management. In this new landscape, organizations strive to find ways to ensure the rights of local and Indigenous peoples are respected while conservation scientists have endorsed the need for platforms for international research and practice. For 40 years, a growing international network of sites support such research and practice, yet, it has been underutilized and largely ignored by scientists and decision-makers alike. To better understand this paradox, this article explores the evolution of the World Network of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves internationally and its application in Canada. Analysis of archived materials, a national survey of practitioners, and interviews with past and present members of Canada's national committee reveals an expanded mandate for Biosphere Reserves beyond conservation science and biodiversity protection. The article recommends that to support the expanded conservation agenda, Biosphere Reserves work with governments and conservation scientists to connect more effectively with global concerns and initiatives such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and Sustainable Development Goals; establish appropriate, reliable, and active transdisciplinary partnerships; and meaningfully engage a broader range of knowledge holders.
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building a community of practice for sustainability strengthening learning and collective action of canadian Biosphere Reserves through a national partnership
Journal of Environmental Management, 2014Co-Authors: Maureen G Reed, Paivi Abernethy, Helene Godmaire, Marcandre GuertinAbstract:Abstract Deliberation, dialogue and systematic learning are now considered attributes of good practice for organizations seeking to advance sustainability. Yet we do not know whether organizations that span spatial scales and governance responsibilities can establish effective communities of practice to facilitate learning and action. The purpose of this paper is to generate a framework that specifies actions and processes of a community of practice designed to instill collective learning and action strategies across a multi-level, multi-partner network. The framework is then used to describe and analyze a partnership among practitioners of Canada's 16 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, and additional researchers and government representatives from across Canada. The framework is a cycle of seven action steps, beginning and ending with reflecting on and evaluating present practice. It is supported by seven characteristics of collaborative environmental management that are used to gauge the success of the partnership. Our results show that the partnership successfully built trust, established shared norms and common interest, created incentives to participate, generated value in information sharing and willingness to engage, demonstrated effective flow of information, and provided leadership and facilitation. Key to success was the presence of a multi-lingual facilitator who could bridge cultural differences across regions and academia-practitioner expectations. The project succeeded in establishing common goals, setting mutual expectations and building relations of trust and respect, and co-creating knowledge. It is too soon to determine whether changes in practices that support sustainability will be maintained over the long term and without the help of an outside facilitator.
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embracing ecological learning and social learning unesco Biosphere Reserves as exemplars of changing conservation practices
Conservation and Society, 2013Co-Authors: Maureen G Reed, Merle MassieAbstract:Biosphere Reserves were first created in 1976 to help scientists, managers, and communities better understand how to conserve biodiversity and improve human-environment interactions. Since then, Biosphere Reserves have evolved from a primary focus on 'ecological learning' to a broader orientation that includes 'social learning'. The purpose of this paper is to trace how this shift became intertwined with changing expectations about the purpose and philosophy, criteria for site selection, and assessment of effectiveness of Biosphere Reserves as exemplars of conservation and sustainable development. Drawing on academic reports, policy and other archived documents from the international and Canadian programs, and interviews of key participants, this paper examines how international priorities changed and became expressed on the ground in designation processes and research practices of Canadian Biosphere Reserves. Our research indicates that social dimensions of learning have been added to earlier ecological objectives. This addition has had a dual impact. While laudably broadening perspectives on research, learning, and learners to include social scientists and local people more effectively, a heightened emphasis on social dimensions has increased the complexity of anticipated outcomes tied to governance and social goals. Biosphere Reserves must now establish research and management approaches that encompass both ecological and social dimensions of learning reflecting collaborative and interdisciplinary research and practice that include local perspectives and assessment goals. These changes may require improved clarity for determining where future Biosphere Reserves should be created and how they should be managed.
Rafael Miranda - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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data exchange gaps in knowledge of biodiversity implications for the management and conservation of Biosphere Reserves
Biodiversity and Conservation, 2014Co-Authors: Andrea Pinodelcarpio, Arturo H Arino, Rafael MirandaAbstract:The knowledge of species occurrence within an area is crucial to develop proper conservation strategies to protect species diversity. Biosphere Reserves (BRs), established to preserve biodiversity and sustainably use their resources, should therefore have precise information of its biodiversity. We compared and evaluated information on threatened and non-threatened vertebrate species available for Spanish BRs from three sources: management documents (MDs), the Global Biodiversity Information Facility index (GBIF), and atlases and red books. Our results suggest that information from any one source was rather partial, to a degree that depended on which vertebrate group was considered. Management documents did list a high percentage of threatened species found in BRs, reaching up to the total number of species of birds and mammals. Species lists overlap between all three sources ranged from 59 % for fish to 84 % for mammals. In addition, there is an inconsistency between national and international threatened species categories and it should thus call for revisions. Even though the information of non-threatened and threatened species occurrence in MDs of Spanish BRs is good, it is necessary to pay attention to amphibian and fish species which are less recorded.
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the biodiversity data knowledge gap assessing information loss in the management of Biosphere Reserves
Biological Conservation, 2014Co-Authors: Andrea Pinodelcarpio, Jordi Puig, Arturo H Arino, Ana Villarroya, Rafael MirandaAbstract:Abstract The knowledge of biodiversity within an area is vital if we want to develop adequate conservation strategies. Biosphere Reserves are purposefully established for the sustainable use of their resources, and therefore their biodiversity should be well known. We compared and evaluated information available for Mexican Biosphere Reserves on threatened and non-threatened vertebrate species records from three different sources – the corresponding Biosphere Reserves management plans (MPs), the Global Biodiversity Information Facility index (GBIF), and scientific literature, in order to find potential knowledge gaps. Our results suggest that there were varying gaps in information among sources according to vertebrate group. For each group of vertebrate species, management plans held the largest subsets of information but were not complete, ranging from 89.6% of the combined known species of birds to 70% for amphibians and freshwater fishes. However, both GBIF and literature included data absent from MPs, and GBIF included data not otherwise available, proving it as important as literature or other data sources (e.g. field data) used for crafting such plans. Moreover, we found references to threatened species that were not listed in the MPs, reaching to as many as 50% of the total known species of fish. Species information shared by all three sources ranged from 28% for amphibians to 72.5% for birds. Conservation efforts should therefore take into account that possibly less charismatic taxa such as amphibians, reptiles and freshwater fish lack more information than birds or mammals. The disparity observed in the vertebrate species information constitutes an information gap that could (or should) be solved by scientists and managers alike.
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communication gaps in knowledge of freshwater fish biodiversity implications for the management and conservation of mexican Biosphere Reserves
Journal of Fish Biology, 2011Co-Authors: Andrea Pinodelcarpio, Jordi Puig, Arturo H Arino, Ana Villarroya, Rafael MirandaAbstract:To detect differences in the information available on freshwater fish species found in Mexican Biosphere Reserves, the number of species considered in three sources of information: management programmes, Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and the scientific literature were compared. Additionally, management actions for the Reserves were evaluated. More than 55% of freshwater fish species registered for the Reserves were found only in one of the three sources of information, while just 12% was shared among all the three. Fifteen threatened species were registered in GBIF and the scientific literature that were not found in management programmes. Although all the management programmes described conservation actions, none of them gave details about how they would be implemented. Lack of communication among the sources studied, unawareness of the existence of threatened species and the absence of detailed management actions hinder the development of adequate conservation strategies.
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non native freshwater fish management in Biosphere Reserves
Management of Biological Invasions, 2010Co-Authors: Andrea Pinodelcarpio, Rafael Miranda, Jordi PuigAbstract:The consideration of non-native freshwater fish species in the management plans of 18 Biosphere Reserves is evaluated. Additionally, impacts caused by introduced freshwater fish species are described. Some measures to alleviate the ecological effects of fish species introductions are proposed, while paying attention to local development as well. The introduction of non-native species may have negative consequences for the ecosystems. The analysis of the management plans of the Reserves confirms that non-native freshwater fish species sometimes are not considered in the action plans of the area. Biosphere Reserve´s management plans should consider the presence of alien species, with the aim to preserve biodiversity.
Lisen Schultz - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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integrating conservation and sustainable development through adaptive co management in unesco Biosphere Reserves
Conservation and Society, 2018Co-Authors: Julia Baird, Lisen Schultz, Ryan Plummer, Derek Armitage, Orjan BodinAbstract:Integrating conservation and sustainable development is difficult, but organisations charged with this mandate must move forward with implementation. Adaptive Co-Management (ACM), an approach that brings together the learning function of adaptation with the linking function of collaboration, has been identified as a promising way to enhance the effectiveness of sustainable development without compromising conservation efforts. We examine four UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (BRs) to better understand the extent to which they exhibit characteristics of ACM integrated conservation and sustainable development and gain insights into how they do so. We find that the BRs we studied in Canada and Sweden undertake a substantial number of activities strongly oriented towards integration of conservation and development objectives. These activities involve a wide variety of actors in both on-the-ground implementation efforts and decision-making activities, create novel spaces for interaction among participants which contributes to their bridging ability, and draw on social networks, available assets and individuals' contributions to enable actions in pursuit of their integrative mandate. Insights into these activities and how they were undertaken can offer lessons for future practice and research within the World Biosphere Reserve Network, as well as conservation organisations more broadly. Although we demonstrate that significant efforts are being made towards integration of conservation and development, we nonetheless suggest that further studies should explicitly investigate if and how such integration actually lead to more desirable social and ecological outcomes.
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learning to live with social ecological complexity an interpretive analysis of learning in 11 unesco Biosphere Reserves
Global Environmental Change-human and Policy Dimensions, 2018Co-Authors: Lisen Schultz, Simon West, Alba Juarez Bourke, Laia Darmengol, Pau Torrents, Hildur Hardardottir, Annie Jansson, Alba Mohedano RoldanAbstract:Learning is increasingly considered a means to achieve sustainability in practice and has become a prominent goal of sustainability interventions. The UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves see ...
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is adaptive co management delivering examining relationships between collaboration learning and outcomes in unesco Biosphere Reserves
Ecological Economics, 2017Co-Authors: Julia Baird, Ryan Plummer, Derek Armitage, Orjan Bodin, Angela Dzyundzyak, Lisen SchultzAbstract:This paper examines relationships among perceived processes and outcomes in four UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (BRs). BRs offer a unique opportunity to examine these relationships because they aim to foster more adaptive and collaborative forms of management, i.e. adaptive co-management (ACM). Accounting for the outcomes of ACM is a difficult task and little progress has been made to this end. However, we show here that ACM efforts in all four BRs had a myriad of positive results as well as ecological and livelihood effects. Process variables of collaboration and learning explained over half (54.6%) of the variability in results and over one third (35.1%) of the variability in effects. While the overall models for outcomes and subsequent process were not significant, the regressions revealed predictive potential for both process variables. Our analysis highlights that a better process is associated with more positive outcomes and that collaboration and learning make unique contributions to outcomes. Opportunities for quantitative techniques to be utilized in understanding the dynamics of ACM are illustrated. Understanding relationships between process and outcomes (and vice versa) provides a sound basis to answer critiques, enhances accountability, and maximizes the potential of positive impacts for ecosystems and humans.
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swedish Biosphere Reserves as arenas for implementing the 2030 agenda analysis and practice
2017Co-Authors: Malena Heinrup, Lisen SchultzAbstract:This report investigates how the MAB Programme in Sweden, with its five Biosphere Reserves, can contribute to the implementation in Sweden of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Develop ...
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participation adaptive co management and management performance in the world network of Biosphere Reserves
World Development, 2011Co-Authors: Lisen Schultz, Andreas Duit, Carl FolkeAbstract:Summary Analyzing survey-responses from 146 Biosphere Reserves in 55 countries we investigate how stakeholder participation and adaptive co-management practices are linked to management performance. Effectiveness in conventional conservation was positively affected by participation of scientists, but negatively affected by participation of volunteers. Effectiveness in sustainable development goals was associated to participation by local inhabitants. Adaptive co-management practices were associated with a higher level of effectiveness in achieving development goals, and this higher effectiveness did not seem to be at the expense of biodiversity conservation.
Meriem Bouamrane - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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stakeholder engagement and biodiversity conservation challenges in social ecological systems some insights from Biosphere Reserves in western africa and france
Ecology and Society, 2016Co-Authors: Meriem Bouamrane, Marja Spierenburg, Arun Agrawal, Amadou Boureima, Mariechristine Cormiersalem, Michel Etienne, Christophe Le Page, Harold Levrel, Raphael MathevetAbstract:CITATION: Bouamrane, M., et al. 2016. Stakeholder engagement and biodiversity conservation challenges in social-ecological systems: some insights from Biosphere Reserves in western Africa and France. Ecology and Society, 21(4):25, doi:10.5751/ES-08812-210425.
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reporting progress on internationally designated sites the periodic review of Biosphere Reserves
Environmental Science & Policy, 2010Co-Authors: Martin F Price, Jung Jin Park, Meriem BouamraneAbstract:For sites designated within international networks, reporting processes have been established to ensure that these sites continue to exhibit their special characteristics and contribute to the goals of their respective network. One such network is the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR), composed of sites designated under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere programme. This paper summarises the evolution of the concept and the realities of Biosphere Reserves since 1976; describes the introduction of the Statutory Framework for the WNBR, which formalised the concept and introduced a periodic review process to provide oversight of its implementation; evaluates the extent to which, since 1996, this process has been successful in achieving its aims; discusses changes which have been proposed and implemented; and provides suggestions for future action.
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instrumental learning and sustainability indicators outputs from co construction experiments in west african Biosphere Reserves
Ecology and Society, 2008Co-Authors: Harold Levrel, Meriem BouamraneAbstract:Co-adaptive management of biodiversity is largely based on a collective learning process. This collective learning concerns "instrumental policy learning," "social policy learning," and "political learning." This paper focuses on instrumental policy learning that has been launched in four West African Biosphere Reserves. It is based on a MAB-UNESCO/UNEP-GEF programme concerning the co- construction of interaction indicators (between development and conservation), inspired by the Integrated Natural Resource Management (INRM) methodology. Using this process, we were able to test conventional Pressure-State-Response indicators, highlight their limitations, and develop new indicators starting from stakeholders' stories and perceptions. These new indicators can also be tested through collective restitutions and simulations. We also discuss: a proposed framework for producing interaction indicators that are relevant to all stakeholders and enjoy a certain legitimacy; the importance of an ecosystem services approach to support discussions on biodiversity conservation; opportunities for using the indicators in an interactive, decentralized way at the ecosystem scale through simulation models; the costs of collecting, processing, and maintaining these interaction indicators, and how these costs may be offset using local knowledge.
Andrea Pinodelcarpio - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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data exchange gaps in knowledge of biodiversity implications for the management and conservation of Biosphere Reserves
Biodiversity and Conservation, 2014Co-Authors: Andrea Pinodelcarpio, Arturo H Arino, Rafael MirandaAbstract:The knowledge of species occurrence within an area is crucial to develop proper conservation strategies to protect species diversity. Biosphere Reserves (BRs), established to preserve biodiversity and sustainably use their resources, should therefore have precise information of its biodiversity. We compared and evaluated information on threatened and non-threatened vertebrate species available for Spanish BRs from three sources: management documents (MDs), the Global Biodiversity Information Facility index (GBIF), and atlases and red books. Our results suggest that information from any one source was rather partial, to a degree that depended on which vertebrate group was considered. Management documents did list a high percentage of threatened species found in BRs, reaching up to the total number of species of birds and mammals. Species lists overlap between all three sources ranged from 59 % for fish to 84 % for mammals. In addition, there is an inconsistency between national and international threatened species categories and it should thus call for revisions. Even though the information of non-threatened and threatened species occurrence in MDs of Spanish BRs is good, it is necessary to pay attention to amphibian and fish species which are less recorded.
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the biodiversity data knowledge gap assessing information loss in the management of Biosphere Reserves
Biological Conservation, 2014Co-Authors: Andrea Pinodelcarpio, Jordi Puig, Arturo H Arino, Ana Villarroya, Rafael MirandaAbstract:Abstract The knowledge of biodiversity within an area is vital if we want to develop adequate conservation strategies. Biosphere Reserves are purposefully established for the sustainable use of their resources, and therefore their biodiversity should be well known. We compared and evaluated information available for Mexican Biosphere Reserves on threatened and non-threatened vertebrate species records from three different sources – the corresponding Biosphere Reserves management plans (MPs), the Global Biodiversity Information Facility index (GBIF), and scientific literature, in order to find potential knowledge gaps. Our results suggest that there were varying gaps in information among sources according to vertebrate group. For each group of vertebrate species, management plans held the largest subsets of information but were not complete, ranging from 89.6% of the combined known species of birds to 70% for amphibians and freshwater fishes. However, both GBIF and literature included data absent from MPs, and GBIF included data not otherwise available, proving it as important as literature or other data sources (e.g. field data) used for crafting such plans. Moreover, we found references to threatened species that were not listed in the MPs, reaching to as many as 50% of the total known species of fish. Species information shared by all three sources ranged from 28% for amphibians to 72.5% for birds. Conservation efforts should therefore take into account that possibly less charismatic taxa such as amphibians, reptiles and freshwater fish lack more information than birds or mammals. The disparity observed in the vertebrate species information constitutes an information gap that could (or should) be solved by scientists and managers alike.
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communication gaps in knowledge of freshwater fish biodiversity implications for the management and conservation of mexican Biosphere Reserves
Journal of Fish Biology, 2011Co-Authors: Andrea Pinodelcarpio, Jordi Puig, Arturo H Arino, Ana Villarroya, Rafael MirandaAbstract:To detect differences in the information available on freshwater fish species found in Mexican Biosphere Reserves, the number of species considered in three sources of information: management programmes, Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and the scientific literature were compared. Additionally, management actions for the Reserves were evaluated. More than 55% of freshwater fish species registered for the Reserves were found only in one of the three sources of information, while just 12% was shared among all the three. Fifteen threatened species were registered in GBIF and the scientific literature that were not found in management programmes. Although all the management programmes described conservation actions, none of them gave details about how they would be implemented. Lack of communication among the sources studied, unawareness of the existence of threatened species and the absence of detailed management actions hinder the development of adequate conservation strategies.
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non native freshwater fish management in Biosphere Reserves
Management of Biological Invasions, 2010Co-Authors: Andrea Pinodelcarpio, Rafael Miranda, Jordi PuigAbstract:The consideration of non-native freshwater fish species in the management plans of 18 Biosphere Reserves is evaluated. Additionally, impacts caused by introduced freshwater fish species are described. Some measures to alleviate the ecological effects of fish species introductions are proposed, while paying attention to local development as well. The introduction of non-native species may have negative consequences for the ecosystems. The analysis of the management plans of the Reserves confirms that non-native freshwater fish species sometimes are not considered in the action plans of the area. Biosphere Reserve´s management plans should consider the presence of alien species, with the aim to preserve biodiversity.