Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response Research Articles

Model Prediction of Secondary Soil Salinization in the Keriya Oasis, Northwest China

Significant anthropogenic and biophysical changes have caused fluctuations in the soil salinization area of the Keriya Oasis in China. The Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) sustainability framework and Bayesian networks (BNs) were used to integrate information from anthropogenic and natural systems to model the trend of secondary soil salinization. The developed model predicted that light salinization (vegetation coverage of around 15–20%, soil salt 5–10 g/kg) of the ecotone will increase in the near term but decelerate slightly in the future, and that farmland salinization will decrease in the near term. This trend is expected to accelerate in the future. Both trends are attributed to decreased water logging, increased groundwater exploitation, and decreased ratio of evaporation/precipitation. In contrast, severe salinization (vegetation coverage of around 2%, soil salt ≥20 g/kg) of the ecotone will increase in the near term. This trend will accelerate in the future because decreased river flow will reduce the flushing of severely salinized soil crust. Anthropogenic factors have negative impacts and natural causes have positive impacts on light salinization of ecotones. In situations involving severe farmland salinization, anthropogenic factors have persistent negative impacts.

Participatory Approach on Water Scarcity Solutions in Pranburi Basin, Thailand

Water scarcity is the main problems of water management and various socio-economic development activities of Thailand. Expert opinion and scientific knowledge are always convenient to be used to solve problems. To some extent, this approach may not be applicable since it is not accepted by local communities. To reduce this conflict, participatory approach may provide local cooperation and assist developing better water management strategies. Pranburi Basin is an important headwater that supports both agricultural land and municipality which includes Hua-Hin, a famous tourist place. The aims of this study were to assess water scarcity and to apply stakeholder participation into decision making processes for water management. Water stress index and criticality ratio were used to assess water scarcity. A Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework was used to describe water scarcity and contributing factors. Based on DPSIR analysis, the stakeholders proposed and then prioritized for the most appropriate responses by ordinary weighing technique. The results indicated that the four most preferable measures for this basin include controlling agricultural area, controlling crop types, reforestation and establishing local water user association.

Assessment and mapping the dynamics of soil properties in selected forest stands from the region of Central Balkan National Park in the context of ecosystem services

Forests set natural conditions and embody a repository of biological diversity that represents a myriad of ecosystem services for human well-being. The spatial patterns and the forest ecosystems’ dynamics over time make the forests of particular environmental significance for the provision of ecosystem services. The terrestrial biodiversity and the sustainable management strategies' demand for mapping and assessment of the dynamics for the condition of forest ecosystems by drawing attention to the soil properties. In order to take on that task, the data series obtained by the International Co-operative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests) for the period 1986–2016 were found as appropriate quantitative indicators that convey information about the ecosystem’s capacity to provide certain regulating ecosystem services. The ICP Forests Level I sites, located in the Central Balkan region, provide consistent information, which is collected on a regular basis about observed forest stands. The primary focus of the present research is to conduct a biophysical assessment of the forest ecosystems and to define their overall condition regarding two time series – the periods 1992/1993 and 2015. This study attempts to introduce an innovative approach and aims at linking the existing ICP Forests network dataset with the ecosystem services concept and the identified spatial units from the CORINE Land Cover (CLC) polygons for the territory of Central Balkan National Park. On this basis and through the implementation of GIS techniques, the dynamics of soil properties in selected forest ecosystems was analysed with regard to their capacity to supply relevant ecosystems services, which were assessed and mapped. The biophysical data provides robust information on the ecosystem services and the results show the variations in the capacity of different forest sub-types to provide ecosystem services within a well-defined land cover unit. Additionally, the research work intended to review the generated outcomes with reference to the DPSIR (driver-pressure-state-impact-response) method by giving feedback on the changes in the terrestrial ecosystems in the last 25 years. Further application of the mapping approach in assisting the communication in the decision- making process is also discussed.

An Integrated Approach for Resilience and Sustainability in Geotechnical Engineering

Excessive consumption of energy and natural resources and generation of pollutants are the main reasons why sustainable practices should be strongly advocated in geotechnical engineering. Resilience, on the other hand, is also important as it improves the ability to cope with uncertain yet extreme events that may occur over the long life cycle of geotechnical infrastructure. There has been increasing recognition that sustainability needs to be incorporated and practiced in geotechnical engineering, but little attention has been paid on incorporating resilience although sustainability and resilience share similar objectives and values. A geotechnical infrastructure may not be truly sustainable if it is not resilient against extreme events and climate change because undesirable consequences caused by the failure of geotechnical infrastructure make the system unsustainable. It is important that the concepts of sustainability and resilience are concurrently considered to ensure that resilience in geotechnical infrastructure is developed while sustainable practices are performed. This paper presents an overview of the key concepts of sustainability and resilience with a particular emphasis on resilience in order to understand the differences and connections between the two. The quantitative and qualitative assessment methods of resilience are also discussed. An integrated assessment framework for the quantification of resilience and sustainability of geotechnical infrastructure is proposed, which is developed based on the driver-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) framework.

Social-environmental analysis of methane in the South China Sea and bordering countries

This study is a preliminary assessment of the greenhouse effect of methane (CH4) emissions in the South China Sea (SCS) on human welfare using the driver-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) fram...

Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment for Sustainability Improvements: A Case Study of High-Density Polyethylene Production in Alberta, Canada

Life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) is a still relatively new technique. One of its main application challenges is interpreting the three dimensions of its results in combined fashion. This paper presents the first attempt at an integrated solution-oriented approach in the LCSA, while simultaneously interpreting the results of the three assessments in a combined fashion toward improving the sustainability performance of product systems. It is based on a case study of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) production in Alberta, Canada. The methodology is characterized by five steps: (1) goal and scope definition; (2) inventory analysis; (3) impact assessment; (4) interpretation where the results of the three tools of LCSA are presented and an integrated analysis of the sustainability results following the strong sustainability model and using the Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) framework, is conducted to propose sustainability improvements for the case study product; (5) discussion and conclusion. The integrated approach developed was able to propose some sustainability improvement proposals along the life cycle of HDPE. Yet, challenges exist in interpreting the interrelationships between the three assessment results. Moving from comparative integrated assessment approach in LCSA to solution-oriented approach still faces challenges. This work highlighted some of the research tasks that need more focus from the LCSA community to demonstrate how LCSA can contribute to sustainable development by improving the sustainability performance of product systems.

ANALYSIS OF BURULLUS WETLAND ECOSYSTEM USING DPSIR FRAMEWORK

Sustainable management of wetlands ecosystem become a serious crucial, especially with the rapid population growth and increase of anthropogenic activities, in addition to climate change threats. Several approaches have been introduced for ecosystem analysis and management since 1990s, where Driver – Pressure – State – Impact – Response (DPSIR) framework is one of the widely used approaches for assessing and managing environmental problems. This study applied DPSIR framework on Burullus wetland as a model of Egyptian Northern ecosystems, in order to analyze it from the perspective of its potential to deliver ecosystem services within current state of changes resulted from socio-economic drivers. Such changes have a direct or indirect impact on the wetland health and productivity, thus distress local communities relay on its services. Five main socio-economic drivers were analyzed and introduced through DPSIR framework. Number of actions and responses were recommended depending on DPSIR framework analysis. The results of this study will guide to prepare a management and restoration plan for Burullus wetland based on ecosystem approach.

Vulnerability assessment of water resources – Translating a theoretical concept to an operational framework using systems thinking approach in a changing climate: Case study in Ogallala Aquifer

Water is an essential natural resource. Among many stressors, altered climate is exerting pressure on water resource systems, increasing its demand and creating a need for vulnerability assessments. The overall objective of this study was to develop a novel tool that can translate a theoretical concept (vulnerability of water resources (VWR)) to an operational framework mainly under altered temperature and precipitation, as well as for population change (smaller extent). The developed tool had three stages and utilized a novel systems thinking approach. Stage-1: Translating theoretical concept to characteristics identified from studies; Stage-2: Operationalizing characteristics to methodology in VWR; Stage-3: Utilizing the methodology for development of a conceptual modeling tool for VWR: WR-VISTA (Water Resource Vulnerability assessment conceptual model using Indicators selected by System’s Thinking Approach). The specific novelties were: 1) The important characteristics in VWR were identified in Stage-1 (target system, system components, scale, level of detail, data source, frameworks, and indicator); 2) WR-VISTA combined two vulnerability assessments frameworks: the European’s Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response framework (DPSIR) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s framework (IPCC’s); and 3) used systems thinking approaches in VWR for indicator selection. The developed application was demonstrated in Kansas (overlying the High Plains region/Ogallala Aquifer, considered the “breadbasket of the world”), using 26 indicators with intermediate level of detail. Our results indicate that the western part of the state is vulnerable from agricultural water use and the eastern part from urban water use. The developed tool can be easily replicated to other regions within and outside the US.

Exploring community risk perceptions of climate change - A case study of a flood-prone urban area of Taiwan

The regional phenomenon of heavy rainfall under global climate change is extremely likely to induce flash floods in flood-prone urban areas and endanger the lives and safety of residents. Due to its low-lying land and the overdevelopment of urban areas, Hsinchuang District in New Taipei City, situated in the Taliaokeng River basin, is subject to routine flooding on some of its streets after heavy rainfall in a changing climate. Faced with the challenge, this study provides insights into risk perceptions of flood-prone communities that should be factored in risk communication to foster adaptive actions in responding to climate change. It is underscored that community perception of climate change is a factor in increasing local awareness of climate risk. The study used Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) cause-effect model as the information flow framework to assess community vulnerability and risk perceptions throughout semi-structured interview process. The focus was put on how the community risk perceptions were shaped in the context of social amplification of risk in responding to climate change. This methodological approach underscores community risk perceptions are an inherent part of the decision-making process, and helps to enhance adaptive actions of flood-prone communities. The study also underlined the risk communication in groups and social networks that contribute to the integration of structural and non-structural measures to advance understanding of community risk perceptions of future climate.

Cultural dimensions of risk perceptions: A case study on cross-strait driftage pollution in a coastal area of Taiwan

Constant exploitations of the ocean render numerous present challenges as the ocean is linked to human development. The study focused on cross-strait driftage pollution that poses a great threat to coastal environment under climate change. Several hundred packs of herbicides drifting across the Taiwan Strait were discovered along the coastline of Guanyin District of Taiwan. We compared risk perceptions of the local ethnic groups, Hakka and Fulao, residing in a coastal area of Taiwan and exposed to the herbicide coastal incident under climate change. It is of concern that society's response to every dimension of global climate change is mediated by culture. The Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) cause-effect framework was applied in semi-structured interviews to explore coastal sensitivity and human adaptability. As a result, we indicated that despite the presence of two ethnic groups in the same place exposed to the incident they presented very different risk perceptions on both environmental degradation (ED) and adaptive capacity (AC) due to cultural values. We argued that the herbicide coastal incident involved people's risk perceptions and subsequently influenced their opinions and attitudes towards environmental problems. We concluded that the ethnic trait contributed to adaptive behaviors during environmental change. Culturally appropriate adaptations appeared to enhance risk perceptions and adaptation actions, suggesting a need for more rigorous cultural adaptation guidelines towards climate resilience when designing adaptation interventions for different ethnic groups.

The drivers of sea lice management policies and how best to integrate them into a risk management strategy: An ecosystem approach to sea lice management.

The control of sea lice infestations on cultivated Atlantic salmon is a major issue in many regions of the world. The numerous drivers which shape the priorities and objectives of the control strategies vary for different regions/jurisdictions. These range from the animal welfare and economic priorities of the producers, to the mitigation of any potential impacts on wild stocks. Veterinary ethics, environmental impacts of therapeutants, and impacts for organic certification of the produce are, amongst others, additional sets of factors which should be considered. Current best practice in both EU and international environmental law advocates a holistic ecosystem approach to assessment of impacts and risks. The issues of biosecurity and ethics, including the impacts on the stocks of species used as cleaner fish, are areas for inclusion in such a holistic ecosystem assessment. The Drivers, Pressures, State, Impacts, Responses (DPSIR) process is examined as a decision-making framework and potential applications to sea lice management are outlined. It is argued that this is required to underpin any integrated sea lice management (ISLM) strategy to balance pressures and outcomes and ensure a holistic approach to managing the issue of sea lice infestations on farmed stock on a medium to long-term basis.

Enhancing the resilience capacity of sensitive mountain forest ecosystems under environmental change (SENSFOR)

CR Climate Research Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsSpecials CR 73:3-6 (2017) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/cr01482 INTRODUCTION Enhancing the resilience capacity of sensitive mountain forest ecosystems under environmental change (SENSFOR) F. E. Wielgolaski1,*, K. Laine2, J. Inkeröinen2, O. Skre3 1Department of Bioscience, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway 2Thule Institute, University of Oulu, PO Box 7300, 90014 University of Oulu, Finland 3Skre Nature and Environment, Fanaflaten 4, 5244 Fana, Norway *Corresponding author: f.e.wielgolaski@ibv.uio.no ABSTRACT: The treeline ecotone and all treeline ecosystems (i.e. mountain forests) are important indicators of environmental change. They are heavily affected by environmental drivers, in particular by changes in climate and in land use (the latter change often being land abandonment, resulting in natural reforestation). The Europe COST Action ES1203 (Enhancing the resilience capacity of SENSitive mountain FORest ecosystems under environmental change; SENSFOR) initiative focused on treeline ecosystems in relation to such changes. SENSFOR evaluated drivers and the extent of contemporary and future environmental changes in European mountain forests, and developed methods for estimating forest resilience and defining the consequences for society. The outcome of the SENSFOR initiative provides a scientific basis on which management strategies can be developed and adjusted in cooperation with regional and local stakeholders. In addition, SENSFOR provides recommendations for policy makers at European and national levels. Through application of the DPSIR (Driver, Pressure, State, Impact, Response) framework, the findings of the SENSFOR network (consisting of 24 countries) contribute to strategy development for ecosystem service preservation and biodiversity conservation in sensitive European treeline areas. KEY WORDS: Treeline · Climate change · Land use · Resilience · DPSIR framework Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Wielgolaski FE, Laine K, Inkeröinen J, Skre O (2017) Enhancing the resilience capacity of sensitive mountain forest ecosystems under environmental change (SENSFOR). Clim Res 73:3-6. https://doi.org/10.3354/cr01482 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in CR Vol. 73, No. 1-2. Online publication date: August 21, 2017 Print ISSN: 0936-577X; Online ISSN: 1616-1572 Copyright © 2017 Inter-Research.

Assessing the resilient provision of ecosystem services by social-ecological systems: introduction and theory

CR Climate Research Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsSpecials CR 73:7-15 (2017) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/cr01437 Assessing the resilient provision of ecosystem services by social-ecological systems: introduction and theory Simo Sarkki1,*, Andrej Ficko2, Frans E. Wielgolaski3, Eleni M. Abraham4, Svetla Bratanova-Doncheva5, Karsten Grunewald6, Annika Hofgaard7, Friedrich-Karl Holtmeier8,9, Apostolos P. Kyriazopoulos10, Gabriele Broll11, Maria Nijnik12, Marja-Liisa Sutinen13,† 1Cultural Anthropology, Faculty of Humanities, PO Box 1000, University of Oulu, Oulu 90014, Finland 2University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources, Vecna pot 83, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia 3Department of Bioscience, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway 4Laboratory of Range Science (236), School of Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece 5IBER-Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2 ‘Major Gagarin’ Str., 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria 6Leibniz-Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development, Weberplatz 1, 01217 Dresden, Germany 7Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, PO Box 5685, Sluppen, 7485 Trondheim, Norway 8Institute of Landscape Ecology, University of Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany 9Dionysiusstraße 6, 48329 Havixbeck, Germany 10Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, 193 Pantazidou Str., 68200 Orestiada, Greece 11University of Osnabrueck, Seminarstr. 19, 49074 Osnabrück, Germany 12Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences Group, The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, UK 13Muhos Research Station, LUKE, Kirkkosaarentie 7, 91500 Muhos, Finland *Corresponding author: simo.sarkki@oulu.fi†Deceased‑Advance View was available online February 7, 2017 ABSTRACT: The concepts of resilience and ecosystem services broaden the opportunities for assessing sustainability of social-ecological systems (SESs). The lack of operational frameworks for assessing the resilient provision of ecosystem services by SESs impedes greater integration of resilience thinking in natural resource governance. The greatest challenge so far has been to understand the capacity of the SES to (re)organize itself and sustain the flow of benefits from nature to people under various global and local pressures and trade-offs between ecosystem services users. To assess the resilience of an SES within a single framework, we propose a new approach which is a combination of: (1) the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework; (2) social-ecological indicators; and (3) scenario building. Practical application of the approach is demonstrated with the example of European polar and altitudinal treeline areas. The DPSIR framework analyzes causal relationships between the components of the SES. Social-ecological indicators quantify processes in the SES and estimate trends in the DPSIR factors. Combined top-down and bottom-up scenarios envision plausible development paths of the SES in the future based on expected global environmental and social changes which create context specific dynamics between DPSIR factors at specific localities. The proposed approach represents the analytical framework of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) action SENSFOR (Enhancing the resilience capacity of SENSitive mountain FORest ecosystems under environmental change) and can be applied to promote systemic resilience thinking in any SES. KEY WORDS: Human-environment interaction · Ecosystem services · DPSIR framework · Resilience · Social-ecological indicators · Scenarios Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Sarkki S, Ficko A, Wielgolaski FE, Abraham EM and others (2017) Assessing the resilient provision of ecosystem services by social-ecological systems: introduction and theory. Clim Res 73:7-15. https://doi.org/10.3354/cr01437 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in CR Vol. 73, No. 1-2. Online publication date: August 21, 2017 Print ISSN: 0936-577X; Online ISSN: 1616-1572 Copyright © 2017 Inter-Research.

Social, hydro-ecological and climatic change in the southwest coastal region of Bangladesh

This study investigates the historical development of the southwest coastal region of Bangladesh through the lens of human-delta co-evolutionary system. The change process of social and hydro-ecological systems is described based on the drivers–pressure–state–impact–response (DPSIR) framework. The multiple physical and socio-economic drivers such as climatic change, upstream development, geologic process, land use change-affected river flow, salinity, water logging and cyclones are creating adverse impacts on ecology (e.g. mangrove forest) and society (e.g. population migration). Existing management practices such as the Coastal Embankment project (CEP) also created adverse impacts on social–ecological system. In addition to the geology of this region that plays the major role in the delta development process, human interventions such as large coastal development projects have intervened the land formation processes. The trends and impacts of these changes along the coast unfold the necessity of integrated management approach such as Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM). Comprehensive understanding of social and hydro-ecological system in southwest coastal region through DPSIR approach presented in this study can provide effective solution for implementing ongoing management strategies.

Vulnerability assessment of wetland landscape ecosystem services using driver-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) model

Wetlands exist in complex ecological conditions that are changeable in time and space in terms of function and structural diversity. In recent decades, wetlands have been exposed to a wide range of threats. Assessment of these threats is essential to develop an understanding of the state of a wetland ecosystem and to develop a suitable management strategy. This paper discusses wetland vulnerability in terms of analysis of human and environmental systems from application of the driver-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) framework. This assessment presented a systematic methodology for assessment of wetland vulnerability in a social-ecological approach applying broad-scale ecosystem services and vulnerability functions. The method combined the hydro-geomorphic approach with estimations of vulnerability indicators and DPSIR analysis. The aim of this paper was to assess vulnerability of wetland ecosystem services and to characterize the threat indicators according to importance, severity, and probability of occurrence. Quantitative and qualitative methods were applied to characterize values for these three indicators. The Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method was used to prioritize threats and impacts of the wetland on the basis of experts’ opinions. The proposed methodology was applied to the Choghakhor international wetland landscape in south-western Iran. Vulnerability assessment revealed that water requirement of the lowland and the water transfer system were the most important factors threatening the wetland. Agricultural activities, settlements and urban areas, drought, tourism, population growth, and mining activities in the upland were the next most important priorities, in that order. Hydrological balance was determined as the most vulnerable function and was considered as the most important function in the Choghakhor wetland. The DPSIR model was used to determine a management strategy to reduce vulnerability of ecosystem services in response to drivers, pressures, states and impacts indicated by modelling.

Forest ecosystem services affected by natural disturbances, climate and land-use changes in the Tatra Mountains

CR Climate Research Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsSpecials CR 73:57-71 (2017) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/cr01461 Forest ecosystem services affected by natural disturbances, climate and land-use changes in the Tatra Mountains Peter Fleischer1,2, Viliam Pichler1, Peter Fleischer Jr.1, Ladislav Holko3, František Máliš1,4, Erika Gömöryová1,*, Pavel Cudlín5, Jan Holeksa6, Zuzana Michalová7, Zuzana Homolová2, Jaroslav Škvarenina1, Katarína Střelcová1, Pavol Hlaváč1 1Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, 96053 Zvolen, Slovakia 2Research Station of TANAP, State Forest of TANAP, 059 60 Tatranská Lomnica, Slovakia 3Institute of Hydrology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 031 05 Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia 4Forest Research Institute Zvolen, National Forest Centre, 960 92 Zvolen, Slovakia 5Institute of Systems Biology and Ecology, Academy of Sciences, 370 05 České Budejovice, Czech Republic 6Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61 614 Poznań, Poland 7Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Czech University of Life Sciences, 16 521 Prague, Czech Republic *Corresponding author: gomoryova@tuzvo.sk‑Advance View was available online June 28, 2017 ABSTRACT: The consequences of large-scale disturbances magnified by climate extremes and land-use changes in Norway spruce forests in the Tatra Mountains (Slovakia) are assessed in this study. The study area is part of the territory of Tatra National Park (TANAP). The driver-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) framework was applied to evaluate how the ecosystem and its services are affected. The state of the ecosystem and its potential for provisioning ecosystem services before and after disturbances is expressed by a set of indicators derived mostly from long-term ecological research conducted in TANAP. The differences are classified by a standardised change index (CI). Ten years after the major windthrow disturbance in 2004, all ecosystem services were still below the pre-disturbance state. The most pronounced declines were found in cultural (average CI = 0.69) and provisioning (average CI = 0.86) ecosystem services. Regulating services are recovering faster (average CI = 0.97), with some indicators exceeding the state before the disturbances. Significant changes took place at the tree line, which is a new phenomenon not known from previous disturbances. Despite a gradual recovery of the ecosystem state and functioning, this analysis confirms that there is a serious risk of decline in forest ecosystem benefits according to regional climate change projections. It also indicates the increasing importance of sustainable forest management for safeguarding ecosystem services under changing conditions. KEY WORDS: Forest ecosystem state · Bark beetle outbreak · Long-term research Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Fleischer P, Pichler V, Fleischer P Jr, Holko L and others (2017) Forest ecosystem services affected by natural disturbances, climate and land-use changes in the Tatra Mountains. Clim Res 73:57-71. https://doi.org/10.3354/cr01461 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in CR Vol. 73, No. 1-2. Online publication date: August 21, 2017 Print ISSN: 0936-577X; Online ISSN: 1616-1572 Copyright © 2017 Inter-Research.

Human-environment dynamics in European treeline ecosystems: a synthesis based on the DPSIR framework

CR Climate Research Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsSpecials CR 73:17-29 (2017) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/cr01454 Human-environment dynamics in European treeline ecosystems: a synthesis based on the DPSIR framework A. P. Kyriazopoulos1, O. Skre2,*, S. Sarkki3, F. E. Wielgolaski4, E. M. Abraham5, A. Ficko6 1Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, 193 Pantazidou str., 68200 Orestiada, Greece 2Skre Nature and Environment, Fanaflaten 4, 5244 Fana, Norway 3Cultural Anthropology, Faculty of Humanities, PO Box 1000, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulu, Finland 4Department of Bioscience, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway 5Laboratory of Range Science, Department of Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece 6Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources, University of Ljubljana, Vecna pot 83, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia *Corresponding author: oddvar@nmvskre.no‑Advance View was available online May 18, 2017 ABSTRACT: The state of, and changes to, altitudinal and polar treeline ecosystems and their services in selected mountain regions in Europe were analyzed using the drivers-pressures-state-impacts-responses (DPSIR) framework. The analysis was based on 45 responses of experts from 19 countries to 2 semi-structured questionnaires on treeline ecosystem services (ESs), stakeholders and the DPSIR factors, and 11 case study descriptions of best management practices. The experts recognized climate and land-use changes as the main drivers, resulting in various pressures that contrasted among the regions. The impacts of the pressures were mainly considered as negative (e.g. loss of biodiversity, root rot diseases, moth and bark beetle outbreaks, wild fires, decrease of (sub)alpine grasslands, browsing), but also as positive (e.g. increase in forested area). The influence of climate warming, altered precipitation regimes, a longer growing season, annual variation in winter climate and increased ground-level ozone concentrations were considered less critical for recent treeline dynamics than land abandonment, increased tourism and livestock pressure. Current policy responses to emerging pressures and stakeholder demands were considered insufficient and incoherent. Mitigation, adaptation and restoration actions were rare and with no evident long-term impact. We conclude that (1) locally-specific human-environment interactions have greater influence on treeline dynamics than global warming; (2) ecological and social sustainability of the treeline areas can be enhanced by simultaneously promoting traditional land use and regulating tourism development; (3) ES users should look for new opportunities arising from environmental change rather than trying to sustain current levels of ESs indefinitely; and (4) to safeguard the unique ecological and social values of treeline areas, more coherent and proactive policies are needed. KEY WORDS: Mountain forests · DPSIR framework · Climate change · Land-use change · Ecosystem services · Disturbances · Biodiversity Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Kyriazopoulos AP, Skre O, Sarkki S, Wielgolaski FE, Abraham EM, Ficko A (2017) Human-environment dynamics in European treeline ecosystems: a synthesis based on the DPSIR framework. Clim Res 73:17-29. https://doi.org/10.3354/cr01454 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in CR Vol. 73, No. 1-2. Online publication date: August 21, 2017 Print ISSN: 0936-577X; Online ISSN: 1616-1572 Copyright © 2017 Inter-Research.

A structured participatory method to support policy option analysis in a social-ecological system

In this study we demonstrate how to support policy option analysis for a problematic Social-Ecological System (SES) with the help of stakeholder participation. SES sustainability problems 1) are highly complex, 2) may lack reliable data, 3) encompass conflicting interests and 4) may require contradictory management interventions. Our approach uses a structured participatory method combining the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) model together with Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM) to capture the complexity of the system and simplify its representation for simulation and policy option analysis. Using this novel mixed-method was useful in dealing with above-mentioned characteristics of the complex SES problems. The method was applied in a case study of water scarcity in Rafsanjan, Iran. FCMs were produced for 60 individual farmers and 40 individual researchers and policy makers. Our mixed-method analysis reveals similarities and differences of stakeholder knowledge and problem perception, and simulates the impacts of alternative policy options according to each group's perception. The final result of our case study indicates that farmers in Rafsanjan strongly believe in the impact of economic diversification on reducing water shortage, but they have a low level of trust in the ability of the government to regulate and control water usage, whereas the policy makers and researchers still believe in the role of government control and monitoring policies to deal with water scarcity in Rafsanjan.

“And DPSIR begat DAPSI(W)R(M)!” - A unifying framework for marine environmental management

The marine environment is a complex system formed by interactions between ecological structure and functioning, physico-chemical processes and socio-economic systems. An increase in competing marine uses and users requires a holistic approach to marine management which considers the environmental, economic and societal impacts of all activities. If managed sustainably, the marine environment will deliver a range of ecosystem services which lead to benefits for society. In order to understand the complexity of the system, the DPSIR (Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response) approach has long been a valuable problem-structuring framework used to assess the causes, consequences and responses to change in a holistic way. Despite DPSIR being used for a long time, there is still confusion over the definition of its terms and so to be appropriate for current marine management, we contend that this confusion needs to be addressed. Our viewpoint advocates that DPSIR should be extended to DAPSI(W)R(M) (pronounced dap-see-worm) in which Drivers of basic human needs require Activities which lead to Pressures. The Pressures are the mechanisms of State change on the natural system which then leads to Impacts (on human Welfare). Those then require Responses (as Measures). Furthermore, because of the complexity of any managed sea area in terms of multiple Activities, there is the need for a linked-DAPSI(W)R(M) framework, and then the connectivity between marine ecosystems and ecosystems in the catchment and further at sea, requires an interlinked, nested-DAPSI(W)R(M) framework to reflect the continuum between adjacent ecosystems. Finally, the unifying framework for integrated marine management is completed by encompassing ecosystem structure and functioning, ecosystem services and societal benefits. Hence, DAPSI(W)R(M) links the socio-ecological system of the effects of changes to the natural system on the human uses and benefits of the marine system. However, to deliver these sustainably in the light of human activities requires a Risk Assessment and Risk Management framework; the ISO-compliant Bow-Tie method is used here as an example. Finally, to secure ecosystem health and economic benefits such as Blue Growth, successful, adaptive and sustainable marine management Responses (as Measures) are delivered using the 10-tenets, a set of facets covering all management disciplines and approaches.

Contributing to the cultural ecosystem services and human wellbeing debate: a case study application on indicators and linkages

Inadequacies in the indication of cultural ecosystem services (CES) are a hindrance in assessing their comprehensive impacts on human wellbeing. Similarly, uncertainties about the quantity and quality of CES, in real time and space, have hampered the ability of resource managers to precisely take responsive management actions. The aim of the study is to demonstrate, how CES indicators can be identified and qualified in order to link CES to human wellbeing, and to integrate them into the ‘ecosystem services cascade’ and the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) models. A case study methodology is applied at the Nairobi-Kiambu (Kenya) peri-urban area. Primary data on CES was collected in the case study through survey, field observations and matrix tables. Secondary data originates from literature analysis. Results show that the participatory identification of CES and human wellbeing indicators could improve their transparencyand comprehensibility. The environmental policy formulation and implementation processes have been demonstrated. The tripartite framework of CES-human wellbeing-DPSIR has demonstrated more linkages and feedbacks than initially indicated in the cascade model. For policy formulation and implementation, appropriate communication of results is mandatory. This is illustrated by a terminology that enables the transfer of scientific messages to stakeholders, especially for the local people. The conclusion indicates the importance of consistency in qualifying CES and human wellbeing indicators even at this time of urgency to bridge the gaps existing in CES and human wellbeing research.