Ecosystem Approach Research Articles

Indicators for ecological carrying capacity of bivalve and seaweed aquaculture

AbstractWithin the framework of Ecosystem Approach to Aquaculture (EAA), ecological carrying capacity (ECC) is a key concept that helps to determine the upper limit of production without compromising ecosystem functioning. The implementation of ECC is complex as ECC differs between type of farms and location and standardised methods should be developed for management. There is therefore a clear need for operational indicators. The objectives of this paper were: (1) to carry out a systematic literature review on shellfish and seaweed aquaculture‐environment interactions to list the most used environmental indicators, (2) to classify the indicators according to the effects they measure (i.e., benthic, water quality, food web interactions, cultured organism health, resource use) and the scale at which they are applied, and (3) to assess their potential based on four indicator criteria categories: sensitivity, accuracy and precision, feasibility and utility, and ecosystem‐level scalability. Overall, indicators describing benthic effects were the most highly cited and scored. Indicators identified for bivalve and seaweed culture were discussed and compared to previous work on salmon aquaculture indicators to highlight similarities and differences across trophic levels. In addition, questions related to the challenges of ECC indicators implementation were presented to a panel of experts. The scoring and consultation provided the source of discussion on environmental management consistent with EAA.

Influence of Learning Activities Based on the Constructionism Approach in Digital Learning Ecosystem on Self-directed Learning Skills

Due to the advancement of digital technology in the 21st century, self-directed learning (SDL) skills have become crucial for learning in the digital era, which is characterized by rapid change. Most previous studies have focused on enhancing SDL skills through various instructional methods. Today, technology plays a crucial role in learning. In the current context, exploring the outcomes of incorporating digital technology in teaching methods to enhance SDL skills is an intriguing subject. This study investigated the impact of SDL skills and learning achievement promotion by employing learning activities based on the constructionism approach in a digital learning ecosystem (DLE). The study used a quasi-experimental research approach with a non-equivalent pre-test and post-test control group design. The participants were eleventh-grade students. The results showed that both the SDL skills and learning achievement of the experimental group increased more compared to those of the control group. Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that learning-by-marking within an environment where numerous digital technologies serve as learning tools has a positive impact on SDL skills and learning achievement.

Dementia Ideal Care: Ecosystem Map of Best Practices and Care Pathways Enhanced by Technology and Community.

Globally, much work has been done by nonprofit, private, and academic groups to develop best practices for the care of people living with dementia (PLWD), including Alzheimer's disease. However, these best practices reside in disparate repositories and tend to focus on one phase of the patient journey or one relevant group. To fill this gap, we developed a Dementia Ideal Care Map that everyone in the dementia ecosystem can use as an actionable tool for awareness, policy development, funding, research, training, service delivery, and technology design. The intended audience includes (and not limited to) policymakers, academia, industry, technology developers, health system leaders, clinicians, social service providers, patient advocates, PLWD, their families, and communities at large. A search was conducted for published dementia care best practices and quality measures, which were then summarized in a visual diagram. The draft diagram was analyzed to identify barriers to ideal care. Then, additional processes, services, technologies, and quality measures to overcome those challenges were brainstormed. Feedback was then obtained from experts. The Dementia Ideal Care Map summarizes the ecosystem of over 200 best practices, nearly 100 technology enablers, other infrastructure, and enhanced care pathways in one comprehensive diagram. It includes psychosocial interventions, care partner support, community-based organizations; awareness, risk reduction; initial detection, diagnosis, ongoing medical care; governments, payers, health systems, businesses, data, research, and training. Dementia Ideal Care Map is a practical tool for planning and coordinating dementia care. This visualized ecosystem approach can be applied to other conditions.

Population recovery of a migratory anadromous fish in a small forest stream following restoration of longitudinal connectivity

Restoration of movement corridors is a key management action used to address threats to migratory and other mobile species. Yet, we lack restoration effectiveness studies that allow for species to reestablish naturally (i.e. without supplementation) following habitat reconnection that capture all phases (dispersal, growth, and regulation) of recovery, and that takes an ecosystems approach. We investigated the natural recovery of migratory anadromous Coho salmon following habitat reconnection across a 5‐km section of Rock Creek, a forested tributary of the Cedar River, Washington, United States, 3 km upstream of Landsburg Dam. The dam blocked upstream fish movement for 102 years until the completion of a fish ladder in 2003. We also evaluated the response of non‐migratory trout, which are closely related to Coho salmon. Juvenile Coho salmon natal to the Cedar River dispersed into Rock Creek for rearing until spawning there in 2007. After restoration, juvenile Coho salmon density (fish/m2) increased 18‐fold, approaching an asymptote (i.e. regulation phase) a decade later. Coho salmon recovery in Rock Creek was spatially variable, however, slowing with distance from the site of restoration. Trout density was also higher after restoration relative to before, likely due to several mechanisms, including increased capacity resulting from the reestablishment of marine organic matter subsidies delivered by spawning anadromous fish. Our study demonstrates that migratory species can recover naturally after the restoration of habitat connectivity and associated movement corridors. Furthermore, our results suggest that such actions can also benefit nontarget species by reestablishing key ecosystem links driven by the target species.

Building collaborative monitoring programs to manage for ecological sustainability in multi-use marine protected areas: Parks Canada’s national marine conservation areas

Parks Canada collaborates with partners to manage a growing system of national marine conservation areas (NMCAs) and national marine conservation area reserves (NMCARs). These ecologically and culturally varied marine protected areas are established to represent the rich diversity of Canada’s oceans and Great Lakes. They support a broad range of uses within specific zones, including recreation, tourism, fishing, shipping, and Indigenous rights-based activities. Long-term monitoring is a critical tool for tracking changes in marine ecosystems, developing strategies to protect and conserve ecological and cultural values, responding to environmental threats, and ensuring ecologically sustainable use of marine resources that provide long-term societal benefits. Monitoring involves working closely with Indigenous partners, federal departments, provincial/territorial governments, coastal communities, and others (e.g., fishing and tourism sectors, non-governmental organizations, academia). As part of larger seascapes, NMCAs are managed using an ecosystem approach, which requires information on the state of marine biodiversity, threats, and pressures on marine ecosystems, including levels or impacts of marine uses. Each NMCA monitors a site-specific suite of indicators covering these key characteristics that are then integrated to inform decision-making. The monitoring framework is intended to enable a comprehensive, nationally consistent approach to monitoring and reporting while adapting to local needs and governance. Successes, challenges, and lessons learned through the implementation of the framework are highlighted through place-based examples.

Сбалансированное развитие на разных уровнях хозяйственной системы: теоретико-методологические аспекты

Achieving sustainable growth in a strategic perspective entails prioritizing the transformation of production and socio-economic processes based on innovations. This transformation necessitates close interaction and co-development among various participants and elements of the infrastructure, thus requiring the application of ecosystem principles for effective management. This study aims to develop a tool for managing the implementation of these processes and enhancing their efficiency based on an ecosystem approach. The principles of the latter, along with the tenets of the dynamic capabilities concept, serve as the methodological foundation of the research. The object of the study comprises production and economic systems of interactions among individual subjects at the regional level, utilized for implementing innovative processes. The subject encompasses the processes of strategic management of interaction systems. The authors have developed and described a model of balanced development of interorganizational association, involving three main participants of the innovation process and relying on the principles of the resource concept and ecosystem approach to form sustainable value of interaction in a strategic perspective. This model enables a visual representation and description of the implementation of the process supporting innovative transformations in production and economic systems. By integrating ecosystem principles and resource concepts, it facilitates sustainable value creation and supports innovative transformations in production and economic systems, thus contributing to long-term strategic objectives.

Bridges Between Soil Restoration, Land Management and Community Involvement in the Great Green Wall of Mauritania: A Preliminary Study

In the Sahel, land ownership is significantly influenced by the complexity of hierarchical, ethnic, and tribal aspects as well as communal, religious, and state rights. This complicates the development of large-scale ecological projects. This study investigates the positive and negative experiences that have changed the method and attitude of agencies in Mauritania to providing a holistic and ecosystemic approach to conservation and restoration. The physical environment and society’s perception of applied restoration measures are of great importance for reducing environmental degradation and promoting future actions. Interviews with stakeholders helped understand the social reality and impact of restoration and management measures taken on the communities. The results of this study revealed that measures such as fencing plots, preventing the passage of livestock, and stabilizing sand dunes noticeably improved the vegetative cover of the soil in the Sahel. This improvement in vegetation cover has had direct effects on the improvement of soil quality indicators such as organic carbon content, pH, soil structure, color, and texture. Different stakeholders have shown considerable involvement in projects, positively valuing their implementation and observing improvements in their daily lives.

Information and cybersecurity audit: Statutory regulation and performance issues

Subject. This article focuses on the issues related to the audit of information systems and cybersecurity. Objectives. The article aims to determine the key areas of legal regulation of information security audit, taking into account the requirements of the time, technical capabilities and digital transformations taking place in society and the global space. Methods. For the study, we used a case study method, analysis, computational and graphical method, data systematization, and the ecosystem approach. Results. The article identifies gaps in the methodological framework and statutory regulation of the audit of information systems, substantiates the need for systematization and further development of the legislative framework for the audit of information security, and identifies the objects of information technologies that require special attention. It proposes to make certain changes to the Federal Law On Auditing regarding the introduction of information security checks of business entities into the list of other services, as well as develop standards for government auditing, which will unify this type of activity. Conclusions and Relevance. The number of cybercrimes is steadily growing, and this is due to both the widespread digitalization of ecosystems and the high level of technical and intellectual training of persons committing fraudulent actions. Ensuring the information security of economic entities and government agencies is impossible without conducting an audit that reduces the risk of cyber threats. The results of the study can be used to develop the regulatory framework for the audit of information systems, as well as for further scientific research and practical application.

THE ECOLOGICAL CONSCIOUSNESS MATRIX IN THE CONTEXT OF RUSSIAN SOCIETY RESOURCE SUSTAINABILITY: INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH

The article examines the problem of resource sustainability of the Russian society in conditions of accele-rating rate of technic evolution and anthropogenic pressure on the natural world of the Earth. In this regard, the authors analyze the prerequisites for the environmental consciousness formation as a signifi cant structure of social self-organization related with the factors of ontological security, trust and human responsibility for the biosphere preservation. Research is carried out within the framework of an ecosystem approach, which emphasizes that’s the combination of biosphere and social resources ensuring the sustainable development of the global world. Setting of social psychology to activate the norm is used in the analysis of the motivation factors of pro-ecological behavior. The empirical basis is the statistical material of sociological surveys conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Re-search Center. At present, ecological consciousness resource is associated with a set of beliefs and values that guide person’s perception of the natural environment within the human life world as a self-suffi cient system interacting with the structures from technological and social spheres. There are various models of person’s behavior motivated by a combination of social norms and personal attitudes that form the semantic matrix of personal environmental consciousness. On the other hand, citizens’ concern for the environment state is identifi ed as a leading factor in motivating pro-environmental behavior. Presented statistical data from VCIOM surveys show the level of public awareness about the global signifi cance of the life safety factor in their region and public involvement in changing the situation. In conclusion, the authors emphasize that the formation of contextual structures of consciousness based on ecosystem settings gives rise to new stereotypes of worldview, thought and behavior. Therefore, this type of consciousness represents a signifi cant resource for the sustainable development of Russian society in condition of technogenic civilization

The new framework of innovation biosphere for analysing innovation policies facing COVID-19 grand challenge

BackgroundFacing global grand challenges such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) require the participation of various actors in different sectors and systematically directing their innovative efforts. Considering the complexity, non-linear dynamics, and global extent of the COVID-19 challenge, developing and applying a multi-level, resilient, and systematic innovative framework is vital. Therefore, this study aims to apply the “innovation biosphere” framework inspired by ecological studies for examining and analysing the management dimensions of COVID-19.MethodsIn this research, based on a deductive-inductive approach, the case study methodology is used. In accordance with this strategy, the innovation biosphere metaphor is considered as the basic framework (deductive approach) and subsequently the grand challenge of COVID-19 (inductive approach) is analysed at three levels: micro, meso and macro.ResultsThe research findings verify the correspondence between what happened in the management of COVID-19 and the proposed framework of innovation biosphere. In other words, the findings of the research show that the effect of global cooperation, role-playing and co-evolution of different actors and subsystems in facing the grand challenge of COVID-19 under an ecosystemic and eco-innovation approach has been evident. These events subsequently led to the cessation of the pandemic after about four years.ConclusionsThe main policy implications include the role of self-organization, the capability of global value networks, mission orientation, and co-evolution between actors as the contributions of innovation biosphere framework for managing grand health challenges, and global cohesion, oligopoly market, supporting local innovations, the critical role of basic research, and deregulation as the contributions of the COVID-19 case study for enhancing the innovation biosphere metaphor.

Analysis of Deforestation and Water Quality in the Talgua River Watershed (Honduras): Ecosystem Approach Based on the DPSIR Model

With increasing urbanization and industrialization, soil and forest resources are facing considerable pressure, as well as the demand for water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial activities. Therefore, it is essential to conduct regular assessments of water quality and ensure that water is consistently maintained in the context of ecosystem services (ESs). Our objective was to apply the driving forces–pressures–state–impacts–responses (DPSIR) model to understand the cause–effect relationships and interactions with anthropogenic pressures on deforestation and water quality in the Talgua River watershed and associated valley and plain areas in central-eastern Honduras. Physicochemical and microbiological analyses were conducted to determine the water quality index (NSF–WQI) and other contamination indexes. The results identified high contamination by coliforms, up to 920.00 NPM/100 mL, and high levels of contamination by organic matter (ICOMO, 0.65), solids (ICOSUS, 0.79), mineralization (ICOMI, 0.99), and the presence of bacteria (BPI, 8.50), as well as the development of eutrophication processes (ICOTRO), resulting in generally low water quality. These problems were caused by the socio-demographic and economic growth of the area, as well as the high demand for water, vulnerability to climate change, and intense agro-livestock and industrial activity, which led to deforestation processes, changes in land use, and contamination of natural water bodies that impacted the overexploitation of aquifers. After applying the DPSIR model, strategies are proposed for the management and administration of the watershed aimed at preserving the water, soils, and forest resources, while promoting stakeholder, business, education sector, and public administration participation.

When economy meets ecology, is it truly conflicted? A dashboard approach to assess the sustainability performance of European tropical tuna purse seine fisheries

The development of an ecosystem approach to fisheries management makes the assessment of the sustainability performance of fisheries a priority. This study examines European tropical tuna purse seine fleets as a case study, employing a multidisciplinary dashboard approach to evaluate historical and current sustainability performances. The aim is to enhance comprehension of the interconnected dimensions of sustainability and pinpoint management policy priorities.Using 18 indicators, we assessed the environmental, economic and social sustainability performances of European tropical tuna purse seine fleets, comparing them with other industrial tropical tuna fishing fleets in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The analysis also explored the temporal trend of sustainability performance for European tuna purse seiners from 2009 to 2019.Our results suggest that, compared with gillnetters and longliners, purse seiners and baitboats have a greater species-based selectivity, thereby catching fewer endangered, threatened or protected species, but a lower mature tuna catch rate, thus capturing more juveniles. We identify likely gaps in bycatch data reported by fishing on fish aggregating devices (FADs), due to results regarding selectivity and discard rates that appear inconsistent in the light of the scientific literature.The greater use of FADs, likely caused by the global tuna market, by purse seiner seems result in decreased ecological performances, as suggested by an increased carbon footprint per tonne landed. At the same time, it implies a better economic performance on the short-term, with higher net profit, energy efficiency (fuel consumed relative to monetary value created) and catch. For our case study, Ecology and Economy might seem to be in conflict for short-term perspective. However, consideration of the long-term impacts of FAD fishing and market incentives for fishing on free schools should lead purse seiner fleets to reduce drifting FAD fishing and promote more sustainable fishing practices.

Ecosystem approach to the management of regional programs of preferential drug provision based on assortment aggregation

Ecosystem approach to the management of regional programs of preferential drug provision based on assortment aggregation

Addressing illegal longlining and ghost fishing in the Galapagos marine reserve: an overview of challenges and potential solutions

Despite regulations aimed at curbing shark finning and bycatch, shark fishing mortality rates continue to escalate, partly due to unintended consequences of these policies which, along with illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and ghost fishing, undermine conservation efforts. The ineffectiveness of current regulations to curb shark mortality highlights the pressing need for reevaluating shark conservation strategies, especially in ecologically sensitive areas. In this context, the debate on enforcing longlining bans in multiple-use marine protected areas, including shark sanctuaries, is intensifying. Some argue for total bans to minimize incidental shark mortalities, while others highlight the socioeconomic importance of longlining, advocating for alternative conservation measures. In 2000, longline fishing was banned in the Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) as a precautionary measure to prevent illegal fishing of sharks and bycatch of endangered, threatened, and protected species. After 24 years of enforcement, official and anecdotal evidence indicate that illegal small-scale tuna longlining and ghost fishing are increasing threats across the reserve. This paper provides an overview of the longline fishing controversy within the GMR, incorporating scientific evidence, legal and socioeconomic considerations, and perceptions from the Galapagos small-scale fishing community. We offer novel insights and recommendations for the development of the Galapagos small-scale tuna fishery within an ecosystem approach to fisheries. This approach aims to reconcile conservation goals with the needs of local communities, while also proposing innovative solutions to address the longstanding debate surrounding longlining in the GMR.

INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS: RESEARCH OF CORPORATE INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS AND PROSPECTS FOR THE FORMATION OF INTERCORPORATE ECOSYSTEMS IN RUSSIA

The author examines the ecosystem approach, corporate innovation ecosystems and intercorporate innovation ecosystems. Considering the importance of their development for achieving the required pace of innovative development of Russian companies and the Russian economy, the study of their condition and development prospects determines the purpose of this paper. An analysis of the literature revealed an increase in the number of studies on innovation ecosystems and their diversity, indicating the potential for further development of the concept of innovation ecosystems. The analysis of the innovative activity of Russian companies shows that the main indicators reflecting the degree of innovative development in Russia in 2019–2022 are growing, but not enough. The average share of innovation costs in 2020–2022 was 2.1%, and in industry – only 1.7%, there was a reduction in the volume of inter-enterprise cooperation on the development of innovations. The author formulated the definition of a corporate innovation ecosystem as a singular innovation ecosystem established by a given company to create innovative value necessary for its development. The author has also formulated the features of its configuration that determine the logic of its functioning. The results of the study show the high potential for scientific and technological cooperation between Russian companies. Therefore, the author formulated the concept of an Intercorporate Innovation Ecosystem, which is a singular innovation ecosystem created on the initiative of two or more participants by partially integrating their corporate innovation ecosystems into an Intercorporate Innovation Ecosystem. Their aim is to carry out joint innovation activities and then independently commercialise the results. The proposed concept, implemented in accordance with the principles of the ecosystem approach, in terms of contractual relations, as well as implying the development of a single platform or functioning on a multi-platform basis, has theoretical validity and seems applicable in the practice of Russian companies and significant for the development of the Russian economy.

The need for a change in medical research thinking. Eco-systemic research frames are better suited to explore patterned disease behaviors.

Many practicing physicians struggle to properly evaluate clinical research studies - they either simply do not know them, regard the reported findings as 'truth' since they were reported in a 'reputable' journal and blindly implement these interventions, or they disregard them as having little pragmatic impact or relevance to their daily clinical work. Three aspects for the latter are highlighted: study populations rarely reflect their practice population, the absolute average benefits on specific outcomes in most controlled studies, while statistically significant, are so small that they are pragmatically irrelevant, and overall mortality between the intervention and control groups are unaffected. These observations underscore the need to rethink our research approaches in the clinical context - moving from the predominant reductionist to an eco-systemic research approach will lead to knowledge better suited to clinical decision-making for an individual patient as it takes into account the complex interplay of multi-level variables that impact health outcomes in the real-world setting.

THE PSYCHOAFFECTIVE EXPERIENCE AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT OF PARENTS OF PREMATURE NEWBORNS IN 267 CASES

Prematurity is a birth that occurs before the term of the pregnancy. It is a public health priority. Despite improvements in its management in recent years, prematurity remains a very worrying problem. The parental experience of premature birth can be traumatic, impacting on the quality of the parent-child relationship and requiring social support. The aim of this study is to apprehend the psycho-affective experience of parents of premature newborns and their relationships with the newborn, and with professionals using the eco-systemic approach. This is a prospective, descriptive and analytical study of 267 cases of premature newborns hospitalized in the neonatology department of Tangier University Hospital over a 12-month period from February 01, 2023 to January 31, 2024. Our study reflected the ambivalence of the parents, who oscillated between a feeling of happiness in 58 cases of the mothers (21.7%) versus 52 cases of the fathers (19.4%) for the child they were expecting, and a feeling of anxiety in 89 cases of the mothers (33, 3%) versus 82 cases of the fathers (30, 7%), as well as narcissistic wounding in 29 cases (10.8%), and guilt in 28 cases (10.4%) are more evoked in the mothers discourse compared to responsibility in 77 cases (28.8%) and unreality in 25 cases (9.3%) predominant in the fathers words. The most important source of social support, apart from the family in 214 cases (80%), was the nursing team in 33 cases (12.4%) and other relatives on the ward in 20 cases (7.4%).

Developing management plans for sprat (Sprattus sprattus) in the Celtic Sea to advance the ecosystem approach to fisheries

Sprat are commercially valuable and are an important component of the North-East Atlantic ecosystem as major predators of zooplankton, competitors with herring, and prey for piscivorous fish, marine mammals, and seabirds. Despite this, insufficient information exists for Celtic Seas sprat, one of five North-East Atlantic stocks, to estimate stock status. To ensure the sustainable exploitation of sprat, the health of the Celtic Seas ecosystem, and the wider fisheries sector, we conduct a management strategy evaluation to stress test the current single-species advice framework. The aim is to evaluate whether ecosystem objectives can be achieved under single-species maximum sustainable yield and precautionary advice frameworks. An operating model was conditioned on life history theory and strategic information from ecosystem models. We showed that in-year advice using an empirical rule could achieve management objectives and help balance the trade-offs between fishing activities and ecosystem health. The approach allows ecosystem understanding to be incorporated within existing precautionary and maximum sustainable yield frameworks to provide a robust management framework that can meet multiple objectives despite uncertainty.

Implementation of a client–centric model of customer service (based on the example of customer service in the field of telecommunications and communications)

Growing competitive pressure and problems of customer churn in the telecommunications industry determine the need for an intensive transition to customer–centric service. The article studies the features of the implementation of a client–centric model of customer service using the example of customer service in the field of telecommunications and communications. The key stages and principles of transition to a customer–centric model are formulated, and the maturity levels of the customer relationship management system are highlighted. Based on the analysis of scientific literature on the research topic, the features and key approaches to managing customer service, development and strategic planning in the activities of telecommunications companies are determined. Objective differences are established in building relationships with B2C and B2B client segments. Based on the results of the study, recommendations are formulated for the implementation of a client–centric model of client service in the field of telecommunications and communications, suggesting a transition to an integrated construction of a client–centric business model for the telecommunications business. It is emphasized that despite the historical tendency towards short–term planning in the telecommunications industry, a customer–centric business model is becoming increasingly in demand in inextricable connection with the ecosystem approach and maximum customer retention.

Ecosystem approach as a tool for solving meat market problems

he article is devoted to identifying factors and solving problems related to the fact that the Russian consumer market of meat and processed products remains one of the most vulnerable sectors of the economy.The research uses general scientific methods: complex, systematic and situational, as well as graphical methods, comparative analysis, index methods, forecasting methods, factor analysis, correlation analysis.It is shown that the high rate of concentration of the agricultural sector of the Russian economy leads to a reduction in the total number of active agricultural organizations, the absorption or squeezing out of this industry of small enterprises and the self-employed population. This leads to the emergence of a small number of agricultural giants and a decrease in the efficiency of using acreage and other agricultural land. It is proved that the growth in the size of agricultural organizations and an increase in the share of agricultural land controlled by them leads to a decrease in the share of agricultural areas for forage crops, a reduction in the number of cattle and a drop in beef production. The expediency of applying an ecosystem approach in the agricultural sector is proved. This approach makes it possible to use natural and human resources more efficiently based on the principles of the distributed use economy — the sharing economy.The conclusions drawn from the results of the study are important for theorists and practitioners, as they complement the existing knowledge necessary to solve problems related to ensuring sustainable development of the agricultural sector of the economy and meeting consumer demand.