Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Ambio 2022 Jun 30. Epub 2022 Jun 30.

Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies, LUCSUS, Lund University, Box 170, 22 100, Lund, Sweden.

This paper provides reflections on transdisciplinary knowledge coproduction and experimentation processes from sustainability researcher perspectives. It centers on a 5-year period of collaborative research with small- and medium-sized enterprises in an Urban Living Lab in the Swedish craft beer sector. Nine reflections cover a variety of issues and potentials encountered during numerous interactions with societal partners, and are structured by three levels: organizational, interpersonal and intrapersonal. Read More

Ambio 2022 Jun 27. Epub 2022 Jun 27.

Darwin Centre for Bushfire Research (DCBR), Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, 0909, Australia.

Northern Australia is prone to recurring severe natural hazards, especially frequent cyclones, flooding, and extensive wildfires. The region is sparsely populated (≪ 0.5 persons km), with Indigenous (Aboriginal) residents comprising 14% of the population, and typically the majority in remote regions. Read More

Ambio 2022 Jun 25. Epub 2022 Jun 25.

Faculty of Sociology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, ul. Szamarzewskiego 89c, 60-568, Poznań, Poland.

Ambio 2022 Jun 23. Epub 2022 Jun 23.

Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.

Even large inflows of oxygen-rich seawater to the Baltic Proper have in recent decades given only short-lived relief from oxygen deficiency below the halocline. We analyse long-term changes in oxygen deficiency, and calculate the "total oxygen debt" [Formula: see text]OD, the oxygen required to oxidize the hydrogen sulphide (HS) and ammonium (NH) that builds up during stagnation periods. Since the early 1990s, oxygen below 65m has gradually decreased during successive stagnation periods, and the [Formula: see text]OD has increased, with NH more important than previously recognised. Read More

Ambio 2022 Jun 23. Epub 2022 Jun 23.

Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), 06 BP 9478, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Indigenous trees play key roles in West African landscapes, such as the néré tree (Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R.Br. Read More

Ambio 2022 Jun 21. Epub 2022 Jun 21.

Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies (LUCSUS), PO Box 170, 22 100, Lund, Sweden.

This paper argues that Sámi reindeer pastoralism in Sweden is highly stressed during the critical snow cover periods due to large-scale human interventions, especially forestry, and that these have over time significantly worsened the ecological conditions for natural grazing-based responses to changing snow conditions caused by climate change. Informed by a literature review, the paper conceptualises two, overlapping ecological dynamics that shape the availability of lichen as key forage resources within a Sámi pastoral landscape perspective: the grazing dynamics of reindeer during snow cover periods as determined by climatic stochasticity, and the more predictable vegetation dynamics of lichen habitat formation, growth and sustenance based on structured forestry practices. This could help articulate an intervention ecology that pursues sustainable ecological conditions for natural grazing-based Sámi reindeer pastoralism, along with other goals. Read More

Ambio 2022 Jun 20. Epub 2022 Jun 20.

Instituto de Estudios Ambientales, Universidad de la Sierra Juárez, Av. Universidad s/n, 68725, Ixtlán de Juárez, Oaxaca, México.

Indigenous territories (ITs) are an integral component of global conservation strategies. We evaluate the range-wide overlap of ITs and the distribution of the jaguar (Panthera onca), a Neotropical apex predator with considerable cultural significance among Indigenous Peoples. We quantified overlap between protected areas (PAs) and ITs among: (1) jaguar range, (2) the species' core habitats, known as Jaguar Conservation Units (JCUs), and (3) corridors connecting JCUs. Read More

Ambio 2022 Jun 9. Epub 2022 Jun 9.

Mont Avic Natural Park, Località Fabbrica 164, 11020, Champdepraz, AO, Italy.

Land-use legacy on forest dynamics at both stand and landscape scale can last for centuries, affecting forest structure and species composition. We aimed to disentangle the history of the charcoal production legacies that historically shaped Mont Avic Natural Park (Aosta Valley, Italy) forests by integrating LiDAR, GIS, anthracological, and field data at the landscape scale. We adopted different geostatistical tools to relate geographic layers from various data sources. Read More

Ambio 2022 Jun 8. Epub 2022 Jun 8.

Centre for Environment and Development, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Jakkur, Bengaluru, India.

Heavy metal (HM) contamination of water bodies is caused by both first generation (industries) and second generation (distributed sources, domestic sewage, sediments) sources. We applied a multi-pronged approach to quantify the contribution of first and second generation sources to the HM load in a stream located in an industrialised catchment. We found that, despite strict regulation, first generation sources contributed significantly to the HM load (60%-80%), showing the ineffectiveness of current regulation. Read More

Ambio 2022 Jun 7. Epub 2022 Jun 7.

Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, Norrköping, Sweden.

Current coastal spatial planning in Sweden uses simple methods to account for how flood risks increase owing to sea level rise. Those methods, however, fail to account for several important aspects of sea level rise, such as: projection uncertainty, emission scenario uncertainty and time dependence. Here, enhanced methods that account for these uncertainties are applied at several locations along the coast. Read More

Ambio 2022 Jun 4. Epub 2022 Jun 4.

Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish Univ. of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden.

The rotation forestry system provides high biomass production, but could also have a negative impact on species sensitive to disturbance. Continuous cover forestry (CCF) could contribute to solving these conflicting goals, but its feasibility in nutrient limited boreal forests is yet unresolved. In a unique experiment, we simultaneously assessed the short-term effect of single-tree selection on both biomass production and biodiversity (vascular plants, bryophytes, wood-inhabiting fungi), and tested fertilization as a way to mediate growth-biodiversity trade-offs. Read More

Ambio 2022 May 31. Epub 2022 May 31.

Cognitive Science HUB, University of Vienna, Kolingasse 14/16, 1090, Vienna, Austria.

Climate change and biodiversity loss show that the human-nature relationship is failing. That relationship can be measured through the construct of nature connectedness which is a key factor in pro-environmental behaviours and mental well-being. Country-level indicators of extinction of nature experience, consumption and commerce, use and control of nature and negativistic factors were selected. Read More

Ambio 2022 May 31. Epub 2022 May 31.

Department of Urban Planning and Regional Development, HafenCity University Hamburg, Henning-Voscherau-Platz 1, 20457, Hamburg, Germany.

In the last years, the idea of using natural elements or nature-based solutions (NbS) to mitigate the impacts of cities on climate, biodiversity and citizens' health became more popular in research and practice. Nevertheless, there are currently uncertainties in finding and selecting appropriate criteria and indicators for monitoring and evaluating the impact and performance of NbS and its co-creation processes. This paper proposes an easy-to-use and structured procedure for selecting appropriate criteria and indicators for monitoring and evaluating any kind of NbS project. Read More

Ambio 2022 May 31. Epub 2022 May 31.

Wenzhou-Kean University, Wenzhou, 325060, Zhejiang, China.

Commons governance theory is central to identifying and managing conflicts arising from natural and cultural resources traps. Scholars - using game theory and economic analysis of law - have proposed alternative models, consisting of a set of mitigated scenarios, multiple players, and new equilibria in commons governance. Likewise, novel legal innovations of the commons have also been designed. Read More

Ambio 2022 May 27. Epub 2022 May 27.

Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Building 141 Linnaeus Way, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.

The System of Environmental-Economic Accounting Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA-EA) is widely promoted in environmental and economic policy and management. Unfortunately, the SEEA-EA has not substantively addressed the aspects of accounting that may be of interest to, or used by, Indigenous peoples. We investigate an Indigenous perspective on the potential of the SEEA-EA to support cultural and environmental management through collaborative workshops with managers of Nyamba Buru Yawuru, the Prescribed Body Corporate representing the Yawuru Traditional Owners in Western Australia. Read More

Ambio 2022 May 24. Epub 2022 May 24.

School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia.

Savanna fire management is a topic of global debate, with early dry season burning promoted as a large-scale emissions reduction opportunity. To date, discussions have centred on carbon abatement efficacy, biodiversity and cultural benefits and/or risks. Here we use a case study of Darwin, Australia to highlight smoke pollution as another critical consideration. Read More

Ambio 2022 May 20. Epub 2022 May 20.

Centre for Interdisciplinary Social Research, Phenikaa University, Yen Nghia Ward, Ha Dong District, Hanoi, 100803, Vietnam.

Video games have the potential to be a tool for communicating pro-environmental values. The present study examines the correlation between players' environmental attitudes and their interaction with virtual natural resources. This study constructs Bayesian ordinal logistic models to analyze survey data of 640 Animal Crossing: New Horizon (ACNH) players from 29 countries. Read More

Ambio 2022 May 20. Epub 2022 May 20.

Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 1-3, 14195, Berlin, Germany.

Pollen allergies have been on the rise in cities, where anthropogenic disturbances, warmer climate and introduced species are shaping novel urban ecosystems. Yet, the allergenic potential of these urban ecosystems, in particular spontaneous vegetation outside parks and gardens, remains poorly known. We quantified the allergenic properties of 56 dry grasslands along a double gradient of urbanisation and plant invasion in Berlin (Germany). Read More

Ambio 2022 May 19. Epub 2022 May 19.

Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, TR10 9FE, Cornwall, UK.

Beekeepers are central to pollinator health. For policymakers and beekeeping organisations to develop widely accepted strategies to sustain honeybee populations alongside wild pollinators, a structured understanding of beekeeper motivations is essential. UK beekeepers are increasing in number, with diverse management styles despite calls for coordinated practice to manage honeybee health. Read More

Ambio 2022 08 17;51(8):1904-1905. Epub 2022 May 17.

Environmental Social Science, School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Ambio 2022 May 11. Epub 2022 May 11.

Faculty of Sociology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, ul. Szamarzewskiego 89c, 60-568, Poznań, Poland.

Ambio 2022 Aug 10;51(8):1772-1785. Epub 2022 May 10.

Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Allé 8, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.

Small game animals are generally hunted with lead gunshot which often fragments causing elevated lead concentrations in meat and presenting health risks to frequent consumers and vulnerable groups. We reviewed three decades of European data on lead concentrations in the meat of gamebirds, rabbits and hares across countries with various restrictions on lead gunshot use. Mean meat lead concentrations decreased to a low level in Denmark, the only country in the study with a total ban on lead gunshot use. Read More

Ambio 2022 May 4. Epub 2022 May 4.

Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.

Urban populations benefit greatly from the ecosystem services provided by urban green and blue spaces. While the equity of provision of and access to urban green and blue spaces has been widely explored, research on equity of ecosystem service provision is relatively scant. Using household level data, our study aims to assess the supply equity of five regulatory ecosystem services in Singapore. Read More

Ambio 2022 May 3. Epub 2022 May 3.

International Ocean Policy, Global Policy and Government Relations, Conservation International, 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 600, Arlington, VA, 22202, USA.

Blue Carbon Ecosystems (BCEs) help mitigate and adapt to climate change but their integration into policy, such as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), remains underdeveloped. Most BCE conservation requires community engagement, hence community-scale projects must be nested within the implementation of NDCs without compromising livelihoods or social justice. Thirty-three experts, drawn from academia, project development and policy, each developed ten key questions for consideration on how to achieve this. Read More

Ambio 2022 Aug 20;51(8):1837-1854. Epub 2022 Apr 20.

School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, Dana Building, 440 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.

Urban stormwater management increasingly changes urban landscapes. From rain gardens to stormwater ponds, landscape-based practices are visible and often accessible to community members, whose support and experience of these practices will affect their success. This critical narrative review addresses these Landscape-based Stormwater Management Practices (L-SWMPs). Read More

Ambio 2022 Apr 16. Epub 2022 Apr 16.

Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7032, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden.

To balance trade-offs between livestock's negative environmental impacts and their positive contributions (e.g. maintaining semi-natural grasslands, varied agricultural landscapes and crop rotations), a better understanding is needed of how the supply of ecosystem services differs across farms. Read More

Ambio 2022 Apr 10. Epub 2022 Apr 10.

School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.

Many threats to biodiversity can be predicted and are well mapped but others are uncertain in their extent, impact on biodiversity, and ability for conservation efforts to address, making them more difficult to account for in spatial conservation planning efforts, and as a result, they are often ignored. Here, we use a spatial prioritisation analysis to evaluate the consequences of considering only relatively well-mapped threats to biodiversity and compare this with planning scenarios that also account for more uncertain threats (in this case mining and armed conflict) under different management strategies. We evaluate three management strategies to address these more uncertain threats: 1. Read More

Ambio 2022 Apr 6. Epub 2022 Apr 6.

Department of Fisheries, Animal, and Veterinary Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA.

Climate change will likely intensify hurricane activity in coastal regions. A thorough understanding of hurricane impacts to marine fauna is necessary to prepare for and mitigate potential impacts to social systems dependent upon adjacent fauna. Yet, research attention, conservation funding, and policy all can be biased toward taxa of societal interest, potentially favoring a limited understanding of hurricane impacts. Read More

Ambio 2022 Apr 5. Epub 2022 Apr 5.

Tilburg School of Economics and Management, 5000 LE, Tilburg, The Netherlands.

Transformation toward a sustainable future requires an earth stewardship approach to shift society from its current goal of increasing material wealth to a vision of sustaining built, natural, human, and social capital-equitably distributed across society, within and among nations. Widespread concern about earth's current trajectory and support for actions that would foster more sustainable pathways suggests potential social tipping points in public demand for an earth stewardship vision. Here, we draw on empirical studies and theory to show that movement toward a stewardship vision can be facilitated by changes in either policy incentives or social norms. Read More

Ambio 2022 Jun;51(6):1609-1610

Department of Marine Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde, Seestraße 15, 18119, Rostock, Germany.