An Ethics of Biodiversity: Christianity, Ecology, and the Variety of Life

Most people who think seriously about the ecological crisis will agree that it presents the premier challenge for the coming millennium. Exploding human populations will put vast strains on resources. Global warming, deforestation, and other forms of pollution to air, land, and water will continue to expand as the ethos of technology takes over our world. In this evolving scenario of ecological degradation what is the role of religion in general and of Christianity in particular? Just as all religions were shaped in specific cultural climates all living religions have had to adapt their message and action to new crises in history. In his brilliant meditation on the poetics of matter-energy convertibility, David Toolan (1996:14) asks: “So now, what shall we make of nature?” In light of the new creation story, that of a multi-billion year development, and of the new physics in our time characterized by Einstein, Toolan seems to be asking our great world systems of spirituality to respond in depth to the ecological challenge. I would like to explore some avenues for approaching this challenge to religions in a more limited way by focusing on dimensions of Christianity that are summoned toward revisionary thinking in face of the growing threat to the planet. Those of us who work in the interfacing of religion and ecology are aware of significant thinkers who are addressing these issues; a growing list of such scholars includes Thomas Berry, Sallie McFague, Jay McDaniel, James Gustafson, Rosemary Ruether, and others. There are also Christian environmental organizations and programs attempting to raise consciousness within churches and seminaries. But on the whole, the ecological reconfiguration of Christian thought and practice is still in its infancy. Ecology has hardly penetrated the shell of modern Christianity. The impact of this spiritual reconfiguration has not been felt significantly in the concrete circumstances of Christian living; it is like a distant comet still far removed from where we live. The new challenge calls us far beyond recycling or a few prayers for the earth at Mass or turning the church garden into a bird sanctuary or talking occasionally about a stewardship ethic toward the planet. If we take the challenge seriously, it will cut to the roots of our religious consciousness and activity; it will ask about how Christianity can become a nature religion. I will consider aspects of this challenge in the areas of doctrine, liturgy, spirituality, and ethics.

An Ethics of Biodiversity: Christianity, Ecology, and the Variety of Life

Kevin J. O’Brien. An ethics of biodiversity: Christianity, ecology, and the variety of life

Preface, vii Foreword, ix Contributors, x INTRODUCTION, 1 1 Biodiversity and insect pests, 3 Geoff M. Gurr, Steve D. Wratten and William E. Snyder FUNDAMENTALS, 21 2 The ecology of biodiversity biocontrol relationships, 23 William E. Snyder and Jason M. Tylianakis 3 The role of generalist predators in terrestrial food webs: lessons for agricultural pest management, 41 K.D. Welch, R.S. Pfannenstiel and J.D. Harwood 4 Ecological economics of biodiversity use for pest management, 57 Mark Gillespie and Steve D. Wratten 5 Soil fertility, biodiversity and pest management, 72 Miguel A. Altieri, Luigi Ponti and Clara I. Nicholls 6 Plant biodiversity as a resource for natural products for insect pest management, 85 Opender Koul 7 The ecology and utility of local and landscape scale effects in pest management, 106 Sagrario Gamez-Virues, Mattias Jonsson and Barbara Ekbom METHODS, 121 8 Scale effects in biodiversity and biological control: methods and statistical analysis, 123 Christoph Scherber, Blas Lavandero, Katrin M. Meyer, David Perovic, Ute Visser, Kerstin Wiegand and Teja Tscharntke 9 Pick and mix: selecting flowering plants to meet the requirements of target biological control insects, 139 Felix L. Wackers and Paul C.J. van Rijn 10 The molecular revolution: using polymerase chain reaction based methods to explore the role of predators in terrestrial food webs, 166 William O.C. Symondson 11 Employing chemical ecology to understand and exploit biodiversity for pest management, 185 David G. James, Sofia Orre-Gordon, Olivia L. Reynolds (nee Kvedaras) and Marja Simpson APPLICATION, 197 12 Using decision theory and sociological tools to facilitate adoption of biodiversity-based pest management strategies, 199 M.M. Escalada and K.L. Heong 13 Ecological engineering strategies to manage insect pests in rice, 214 Geoff M. Gurr, K.L. Heong, J.A. Cheng and J. Catindig 14 China's 'Green Plant Protection' initiative: coordinated promotion of biodiversity-related technologies, 230 Lu Zhongxian, Yang Yajun, Yang Puyun and Zhao Zhonghua 15 Diversity and defence: plant herbivore interactions at multiple scales and trophic levels, 241 Finbarr G. Horgan 16 'Push pull' revisited: the process of successful deployment of a chemical ecology based pest management tool, 259 Zeyaur R. Khan, Charles A.O. Midega, Jimmy Pittchar, Toby J.A. Bruce and John A. Pickett 17 Using native plant species to diversify agriculture, 276 Douglas A. Landis, Mary M. Gardiner and Jean Tompkins 18 Using biodiversity for pest suppression in urban landscapes, 293 Paula M. Shrewsbury and Simon R. Leather 19 Cover crops and related methods for enhancing agricultural biodiversity and conservation biocontrol: successful case studies, 309 P.G. Tillman, H.A. Smith and J.M. Holland SYNTHESIS, 329 20 Conclusion: biodiversity as an asset rather than a burden, 331 Geoff M. Gurr, William E. Snyder, Steve D. Wratten and Donna M.Y. Read Index, 340 Colour plates fall between pages 84 and 85

Ecological impact of phytoinvasions in Ukraine

Stratégies villageoises pour la gestion des paysages forestiers du Menabe Central, Madagascar

Biodiversity and ecological functioning of mudflat macrofauna in the Anthropocene

La compensation écologique par l’offre, développée notamment aux États-Unis, vise à améliorer l’efficacité et l’efficience des mesures compensatoires imposées aux maîtres d’ouvrage tout en assurant une plus grande flexibilité dans le développement territorial. Ces « marchés d’unités de biodiversité » permettent aux promoteurs dont le projet risque de causer un dommage à la biodiversité de s’acquitter de leur obligation de compensation en achetant, auprès de gestionnaires de terres spécialisés, des titres correspondant à la réalisation anticipée d’actions bénéfiques pour la biodiversité sur des sites appelés « banques d’habitat », en proportion jugée équivalente aux atteintes causées. Au-delà du débat controversé sur la nature « marchande » de ces mécanismes, la question reste posée de savoir si les banques d’habitats permettent d’assurer effectivement l’absence de perte nette de biodiversité (no net loss) , soit l’objectif ultime de la compensation écologique. Nous nous sommes penchés sur le rôle de la régulation dans l’encadrement des facteurs qui conditionnent la performance écologique des marchés d’unités de biodiversité en prenant l’exemple du conservation banking aux États-Unis. Nous avons examiné les défis auxquels l’administration américaine est confrontée pour garantir l’efficacité des banques de conservation dans la préservation des espèces protégées dans le cadre de l’Endangered Species Act. Il ressort de l’étude que la tâche est particulièrement complexe, tant les facteurs écologiques à prendre en compte pour assurer le no net loss sont nombreux et les connaissances scientifiques lacunaires. L’analyse confirme l’importance d’un encadrement étroit de ce type de « marché » par une réglementation claire et précise, qu’elle soit unilatérale ou négociée, et par l’intervention d’une autorité de régulation indépendante et dotée de moyens de contrôle suffisants. Loin de l’image classique du marché, le banking nécessite, pour être à la fois efficace sur le plan biologique et viable économiquement, une intervention publique massive pour régler précisément l’étendue des exigences de compensation, le degré d’équivalence requis, les conditions de création des banques et de leur aire de service, la définition des crédits et le calcul des dommages à réparer, les modalités de protection et de gestion à long terme des banques ou encore l’intégration dans les plans d’aménagement du territoire. Mais la compensation, même si elle est rendue plus efficace et efficiente par un mécanisme de banking, restera toujours un pis-aller. Il faut éviter que le marché d’unités de biodiversité ne devienne une fin en soi pour faciliter et légitimer l’autorisation des projets et favoriser le développement. On ne peut l’envisager que comme un moyen parmi d’autres pour réaliser une compensation effective, lorsque celle-ci ne peut être évitée et que le caractère d’intérêt général supérieur du projet le justifie. À défaut, le risque est grand de sacrifier l’objectif du no net loss sur l’autel de la croissance socio-économique. Cela suppose non seulement une définition claire de la séquence éviter/réduire/compenser, mais aussi la restriction par le législateur des motifs d’octroi des autorisations. Il s’agit d’éviter au maximum les destructions plutôt que de compter sur la compensation et donc le déplacement des espèces et des habitats là où ils ne gênent pas pour assurer leur conservation. Une telle approche implique cependant d’accepter de considérer des solutions alternatives aux aménagements plus coûteuses, de prévoir une juste indemnisation des propriétaires dans certains cas et de mener une politique foncière ambitieuse pour pouvoir relocaliser les projets problématiques. C’est le véritable prix à payer pour préserver la biodiversité et les innombrables services qu’elle rend à la société.

Part I: Introduction: Definition of a Discipline: Emergence of Landscape Ecology in the History of Ecology Recognition of Heterogeneity in Ecological Systems Taking Human Activities into Account in Ecological Systems Explicit Accounting for Space and Time Landscape Ecology is based on Scientific Theories Linked to Ecology and Related Disciplines Landscpe Ecology: Definition of a Multidisciplinary Approach: Landscape as Understood by the Ecologist Landscape Ecology: An Interdisciplinary Approach Landscape Ecology: Application of Results of Fundamental Research to Conservation Biology and Land Management Part II: Landscape Structure and Dynamics Analysis of Spatial Structures: Categories of Landscape Elements From Sample Plots in a Wood to Woods in a Landscape Typology of Patches and Corridors Basic Concepts for Quantitative Approaches Measurement of Heterogeneity Fragmentation Connectedness o Return to Scale Dependence: Contribution of Fractal Geometry o Elements of Geostatistics Typologies of Landscape Structures General Conclusion Dynamics of Landscapes: Questions on Organization and Dynamics of Landscapes Stemming from Observation Changes in Land use on the Global Scale Regional Approaches to Changes in Land Use: Variations Depending on Modes of Measurement Local Approaches to Changes in Land Cover: Importance of Spatialization Dynamics of Valley Landscapes: The Water Course and its Corridors Dynamics of Non-Anthropogenic Landscapes Land cover and Evolving Landscapes, a General Phenomenon Organization of Landscapes: Categories of Models The Concept of Organization Ecological Organization of Landscapes From Farming Systems to Landscape Diversity General Approach of Dynamics and Organization of Agrarian Landscapes Landscape Dynamics and (Re) Organization: Multi-scale and Multidisciplinary Approach Part III: Ecological Processes within Landscapes: The Functioning of Populations at the Landscape Level: Patch Theory and Functioning of Metapopulations Multi-habitat Species Movement in Landscapes Landscape Dynamics and the Functioning of Populations Population Models used in Landscape Ecology Interspecific Relationships and Biodiversity in Landscapes: Interspecific Relationships Biodiversity Geochemical Flows in Landscapes: Buffer Zones Erosive Phenomena and Landscape Structure Transfers in Watersheds Conclusion Part IV: Applications to Landscape Management: Application of Landscape Ecology Concepts to Landscape Management and Design: Corridor Concept Applied to Development Considering Landscape Ecology Concepts in Establishing Transportation Infrastructures The Development of Rural Landscapes

Spatio-temporal dynamics and hydro-ecology of intermittent streams in eastern Australia

Biological diversity has constituted the focal point of environmental economics and public politics increasingly over recent years. Ecological and economic approaches guide the determination of accurate policies for a sustainable future and in drawing an efficient roadmap. Based on an extensive literature review, this study reveals both the importance and limitations of studies aimed at the economic value of biological diversity within the descriptive analysis and the method of group evaluation. In this study, it is shown directly that, studies which are based solely on biodiversity are seen to be insufficient. It is said that, the use values and non-use values of biodiversity to be determined as monetary and it is understood that, further policies can be developed on this subject. This study targeted an interpretation of the economic valuation concept by approaching key studies aimed at building bridges between a nation’s ecology and its economy. Revealing the value of the biological diversity both quantitatively and qualitatively, these studies reflect the difficulty in not only assessing the accurate evaluation regarding species and genetic differences, but also the ecological and economic substitution of possible biological diversity losses. Key words: Biological diversity, economic valuation, species diversity, ecosystem diversity, bio-prospecting value.

Biodiversity is fast declining especially in African countries like Nigeria with paucity of data. This study was conducted to quantify biodiversity studies in Nigeria available on the Web of Science database. Data were collected from the Web of Science core collection from 1970-2020 with the inclusion of “Biodiversity” as the search term. Of the 141, 781 global research on Biodiversity, 155 (0.1%) were conducted in Nigeria. Ecology and Environmental Science Journal were the top leading Web of Science subject category, both with 34 published articles, followed by Biodiversity Conservation (21) and Plant Science (19). Bergi et al., (2007) is the most cited article with forty-nine (49) number of citations. University of Ibadan and Luiselli L. were the affiliation and author with the highest of number of published articles on biodiversity in Nigeria respectively. Overall, there is an increasing trend of biodiversity research in Nigeria over the years. However, in comparison to the global research in biodiversity and considering the rate of biodiversity loss both locally and globally, there is a need for more biodiversity research in Nigeria. Wildlife managers and Conservationist should pay more attention to biodiversity research in Nigeria.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established to be achieved by 2030 are an ensemble of 17 goals to address global environmental and social economic concerns [1]. SDG 15 concerns the protection of terrestrial ecosystems to halt biodiversity loss. Target 15.9 states that by 2020, ecosystem and biodiversity values should be integrated into national and local planning, and is related to Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, which also involves integrating biodiversity values into national accounting and reporting systems [2]. The importance of maintaining ecosystem integrity is becoming widely recognized, not only to halt biodiversity loss, but also to preserve Nature’s benefits to human well-being, and has been included in many other targets such as the EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy’s target 2, which requires the restoration of at least 15% of degraded ecosystems as well as the establishment of green infrastructures to enhance ecosystem services (ES) [3]. The Green Infrastructures (GI) framework is used as a policy tool and promotes the multi-functional use of landscapes to improve biodiversity conservation and benefits to society. It is formulated as a “strategically planned network of natural and semi-natural areas” [4] and is based on three main pillars: key habitats for target species, connectivity and ES [5]. As part of ERA-PLANET’s GEOEssential project (Essential Variables workflows for resource efficiency and environmental management), our study aims at demonstrating how the GI framework can be implemented at any geographical area or time-period through reproducible modeling workflows from field data to Essential Variables (EV) data products and policy relevant indicators to monitor and inform advances towards environmental targets. A proof of concept workflow was already set in place for computing the indicator 15.1.2: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem, while other workflows will follow. The execution platform is the GEOEssential Virtual Laboratory, a cloud-based virtual platform which enables access to, and execution of workflows for the ecosystem science community of practice and even more. REFERENCES: 1. UNSD, 2016. Sustainable Development Goals Report. https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2016/ (accessed 18 May 2018). 2. CBD Secretariat, 2010. The Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Nagoya. 3. European Commission, 2011. Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - Our life insurance, our natural capital: an EU biodiversity strategy to 2020, Brussels. 4. European Commission, 2013. Green infrastructure (GI) - Enhancing Europe’s Natural Capital, Brussels. 5. Liquete, C., Kleeschulte, S., Dige, G., Maes, J., Grizzetti, B., Olah, B., & Zulian, G., 2015. Mapping green infrastructure based on ecosystem services and ecological networks: A Pan-European case study. Environmental Science & Policy, 54, 268–280.

Sound is an important way of communication among organisms. The monitoring and analy-sis of biological sound is an emerging method to describe and evaluate biodiversity. This method does not invade or damage the natural environment. By recording ecological information through sound, it can effectively reflect the relevant characteristics of biodiversity. The sound-based exploration of biodiversity change has broadened the interdisciplinary approach and has been increasingly applied to ecological research. Here, we expounded on the main theoretical foundations and research methods of using acoustic monitoring to assess biodiversity. We introduced related research fields from two aspects, namely the biodiversity of vocal animals and the temporal and spatial diversity of soundscape. We presented examples of the application of acoustic monitoring to assess the impact of land-use change, climate change and urbanization on biodiversity. Finally, we proposed the future direction of development, and hope that the potential of sound surveys could be further explored to provide an effective reference for biodiversity monitoring and assessment.

Biodiversity loss is the silent crisis of the 21st century. Human activities are drastically altering the diversity of life on Earth, yet the extent of this transformation is shrouded by our limited information on biodiversity and how it is changing. Emerging technologies may be suited to fill this information gap, and as a result increase our capacity to measure and manage natural systems. Acoustic monitoring is a remote sensing technique that is rapidly reshaping the temporal and spatial scales with which we can assess animal biodiversity. Through recording and analyzing soundscapes—the collection of sounds occurring at a given place and time—we can assess biodiversity, habitat condition, and environmental change. However, the relationships between soundscapes and these three ecological dimensions are still in the early phases of categorization, especially in aquatic systems. This dissertation investigates how soundscapes can be used to measure biodiversity, habitat condition, and environmental change in aquatic habitats. It addresses several knowledge gaps: First, I develop a framework for classifying unknown sounds within a soundscape, which I use to measure the acoustic diversity and dynamics within a tropical freshwater wetland. Second, I demonstrate that soundscapes can reflect the resilience of animal communities following disturbance events. Altered soundscapes revealed that Hurricane Maria, which swept through Puerto Rico in September 2017, impacted dry forest animal communities more than adjacent coral reef communities. Third, in kelp forest habitats off the coast of California, USA, I showed that soundscape variables correlated with ecological variables associated with regime shift in kelp forests, including urchin density, kelp cover, and fish diversity. Overall, this dissertation demonstrates that soundscape recording and analysis is a promising way to assess the ecological conditions of aquatic systems.