Nature Conservation Objectives Research Articles

Applying landscape ecological principles in comprehensive landscape protection: Šumava National Park as a case study

In the face of ongoing anthropogenic pressure and biodiversity loss, there is a need to protect nature more effectively. Therefore, we propose a comprehensive and consecutive approach utilising landscape ecological principles and methods for effective landscape protection and spatial nature conservation. Methods applicable in various conditions are exemplified through case studies from the Šumava National Park, the largest NP in Czechia. Using a set of spatial environmental, landscape ecological and geographical data we can: Characterise the area of interest from the physical-geographical, socioeconomic, and management point of view to create the concept´s framework and review important background information for analysis of the area. Therefore, the key factors for landscape protection and biodiversity conservation are defined. Analyse trends and processes of landscape dynamics in terms of land cover, landscape structure and habitat fragmentation and connectivity, which helps us to set main objectives of landscape protection and nature conservation. Use data about environment conditions and key species and habitat occurrence to model habitat suitability, identify their suitable areas, and thus improve their protection. As a result, areas of high conservation value are distinguished. Synthetize outputs of the above-mentioned steps and prioritise the target goals of landscape protection and biodiversity conservation in the area of interest. This leads to the effective zonation, which is a necessary condition for the application of appropriate management measures.

MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR RECREATIONAL FISHING IN THE HYDROGRAPHIC ÂNCORA RIVER BASIN

This work is the result of the most recent studies carried out by the ICNF in the drainage basin of the future recreational fishing area (ZPL) of the Âncora river. These supported the design of a plan for the sustainable management and exploitation of recreational fishing in this river basin, which is part of the Minho and Lima Hydrographic Region (RH1). Seven sampling stations were set up for this purpose. Six in the main watercourse and one in the Regueiro dos Enxurros, in the middle of an area of successive waterfalls, just before its confluence with the Regueiro da Lapa Ladrão, which is considered to be the source of the Âncora River. At these stations, hydromorphological quality assessments were carried out on 500 m stretches using the River Habitat Survey (RHS) methodology and fish community monitoring (three per station, for a total of twenty-one inventories) using the electrofishing technique. The results made it possible to consider implementing more sustainable management and exploitation measures for fishing in these continental bodies of water. In this context, the management options took marked account of conservation objectives associated with the presence of European eels (Anguilla anguilla) and red eels (Achondrostoma spp.), the wide distribution of trout (Salmo trutta) and the reduced presence of boga (Pseudochondrostoma duriense) whose distribution in the upper third of this drainage basin is conditioned by a very peculiar geomorphology, filled with numerous slopes, which give rise to beautiful waterfalls. With the information collected, data on the age, growth and physical condition of the ichthyofauna assessed was studied, and their relationship with the different types of habitat in which they occurred was established. The results show that these are watercourses with "Excellent" quality habitats, but with levels of artificialization ranging from "severely modified" to "predominantly unmodified", the result of anthropogenic actions over time. Trout (Salmo trutta) are the most widely distributed species along the main watercourse. The absence of exotic aquaculture species in the samples and the lack of medium to large water impoundment structures in the hydrographic network evaluated should be emphasized. The existing river compartmentalization is materialized by the numerous micro-weirs (many of which allow aquatic organisms to migrate for a good part of the year) and a few waterfalls (natural cascades) that prevent fish from passing through. The trout show isometric growth for all the sampling stations, a balanced physical robustness and a maximum lifespan of 6 years. As a practical result of this study, a Recreational Fishing Management and Exploration Plan for the Âncora River will be created, which will support the design of measures to promote the sustainable management of recreational fishing in the area of the future LPZ, reconciling this activity with nature conservation objectives.

Photovoltaics in agricultural landscapes: “Industrial land use” or a “real compromise” between renewable energy and biodiversity? Perspectives of German nature conservation associations

BackgroundOne common renewable energy source for substituting fossil sources is photovoltaic (PV) systems. However, installing PV systems in agricultural areas can lead to competition with other land uses. These projects, therefore, often encounter problems with social acceptance in affected communities. Especially from the perspective of nature conservation targets, conflicts can arise. These potential differences are still under-researched but represent important knowledge for the societally broadly accepted design of such facilities and their contribution to energy transformation. In this paper, we investigate the perspectives of nature conservationists on PV in the region of Brandenburg, Germany. We comparatively analyse attitudes towards ground-mounted photovoltaics (GM-PV) and agrophotovoltaics (APV). APV combines energy supply and agricultural production on the same land and could thus be a possible solution for mitigating land-use conflicts.ResultsWe investigated the degree of local acceptability and positive and negative influencing factors through a qualitative text analysis of ten interviews with local representatives and position papers by Nature Conservation Associations. Our findings show a growing consensus around basic assumptions of the need for renewable energies, the prioritised support for PV systems on rooftops over the installation on agricultural land (GM-PV and APV), and the necessity for PV systems to be compatible with nature conservation objectives. Regarding specific site decisions on agricultural land, we find diverging attitudes when comparing the content of position papers and the responses of interviewees. The interviewees advocate taking into account local interests and specific regional conditions, the effects of PV systems on the local environment, and the need for distributional justice. Large-scale plants are locally less accepted than smaller ones and there is a more open attitude towards the expansion of APV than of GM-PV on agricultural land. However, a range of concerns regarding consequences for landscape and biodiversity persists, and further research and clarification is required to address these issues.ConclusionsWe conclude that basic ecological standards and the demands of local stakeholders and interest groups should be taken into account when planning, implementing and reviewing PV projects in the future.

Project of artisanal fisheries management in the proposed marine protected area of Jbel Moussa (Morocco)

Artisanal fisheries are the subject of a growing interest in the conservation community. It is considered as a less harmful extractive activity in many multiple-use marine protected areas (MPAs)s. However, only a few of these MPAs have been able to successfully combine their nature conservation objectives with those of managing artisanal fisheries in a sustainable manner. In many cases, the artisanal fishing activity and the communities related to it have been barely involved in the management of MPAs, which has led to sometimes tense situations between fishermen and MPA managers. This work takes the example of the future marine protected area "Jbel Moussa", located in northern Morocco just off the Strait of Gibraltar, where artisanal fishing is one of the main local activities. A survey was conducted between July and November 2022 and targeted the future stakeholders of the marine protected area. Knowing already the point of view of the artisanal fishermen of Jbel Moussa from previous works, this survey has served to clarify the perspective of the future managers of the protected area, in order to take stock of all that is planned in terms of the general management of the site and artisanal fisheries, but also to determine if there is a real communication between each stakeholder category. After analysis, the results of the survey showed some shortcomings in communication between the different categories of actors interviewed, but also some divergence of opinions between the managers of the future protected area and the artisanal fishermen operating there. However, it was revealed that several projects addressing, in particular, some of the aspects studied in this work, are being carried out at the site and will undoubtedly allow the problems observed to be taken into account for a better future management of the MPA.

The IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions™ as a tool for enhancing the sustainable development of marine aquaculture

This paper applies the IUCN Global Standard for Nature based Solutions™ self-assessment tool (published in 2020) to two aquaculture case studies. Data from the case studies were compiled by the authors. In Zanzibar, secondary data were obtained through a previous project, which included a stakeholder workshop in Zanzibar (in 2019) and one deliverable published by the IUCN on Zanzibar of their catalogue “Aquaculture and Marine Conservation”. In Indonesia, the original data were provided by the Blue Natural Capital Funding Facility (BNCFF) and the associated local teams. The analysis of the data, the information provided, and the scoring itself were done by the authors, in association with local teams in both areas. The results of the two assessments, discussed in the paper and presented in detail in the Supplementary materials, can be considered original research, never previously published in a scientific journal. The concept of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) was proposed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to protect, restore, and sustainably manage natural and modified ecosystems for achieving a variety of societal benefits. The IUCN released the IUCN Global Standard for NbS™ to help design, assess, strengthen, and upscale NbS interventions. In the current context of growing uncertainties for the future of coastlines and oceans, aquaculture has been recognized as a positive activity for achieving sustainable development in coastal communities; supporting food security, poverty alleviation, and economic resilience; and contributing to the conservation of marine ecosystems in some cases. However, the sustainability of aquaculture systems has often been criticized. Aquaculture initiatives in coastal areas can achieve both nature conservation and sustainable development objectives, but reflection on the conditions under which this would happen is needed. This article examines aquaculture systems through the lens of the NbS concept and the IUCN Global Standard for NbS™, along with other sustainability concepts and instruments currently used in the context of aquaculture. The application of the IUCN Global Standard for NbS™’s to two case studies is explored: seaweed farming in Zanzibar in marine conservation areas and shrimp farming coupled with mangrove restoration in Indonesia. The results show that the NbS concept underpinning the IUCN Global Standard for NbS™ could help in the overall assessment of aquaculture systems and improve their sustainability by highlighting both their positive outcomes and issues requiring further examination in relation to marine biodiversity benefits, socio-economic development, and/or governance. The IUCN Global Standard for NbS™ could provide an operational framework to implement existing concepts, such as the Ecosystem Approach to Aquaculture, contribute to clarifying critical issues in aquaculture development, and provide guidance for the development of a new type of aquaculture project, specifically designed as NbS. This finding advocates the context-dependent exploration and promotion of aquaculture projects as NbS.

PRIVATE LANDOWNERS AS SAFEGUARDS FOR THE CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND THE MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL HERITAGE IN NATURA 2000

INTRODUCTION
 Of all Natura 2000 sites that form the basis of the national nature conservation system in Latvia, 43% are owned privately. Therefore, the owners and managers of private lands are strategically important stakeholders, and the achievement of nature conservation goals depends to a large extent on their motivation, environmental awareness, and involvement. The forest is an important and indispensable custodian of natural values, but natural and semi-natural grasslands are recognised globally for their high biodiversity, social and cultural values and provided ecosystem services. The aim of the research is to obtain data on how private land owners and managers treat natural values and their conservation not only in Natura 2000 areas, but also outside them. This decision was made because a large part of grasslands and forest micro-reserves are also located outside Natura 2000.
 METHODS
 To collect data on private landowners’ opinions about their motivation for being involved in nature conservation, the value of nature among other values and existing compensating mechanisms for unearned economic value, both online (ArcGIS123) and paper (in seminars organised by Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre) questionnaires were used to reach a representative sample of respondents. Data were collected between July and December 2021. Altogether, 604 forest landowners and 442 grassland landowners’ responses were used for further analysis.
 RESULTS
 Research shows that 42% of all respondents have lands in specially protected areas – Natura 2000, national parks, biosphere reserves and micro-reserves. 39% of forest landowners know what actions should be taken to preserve these natural values in their forests, but only 29% consider that before carrying out economic activities in the forest, its owner should ascertain the specially protected natural values found in the forest. Only 19% of forest owners, with restrictions on economic activities in order to meet nature conservation objectives, have received compensation, of which less than half (48%) were satisfied with the amount of financial support. 3% applied, but did not receive financial support, because their forest was too small.
 The continuity of nature-friendly perennial grassland management will be ensured, with 93% of landowners showing rather high motivation for this. Of all respondents, 78% consider that grasslands provide wild plant diversity; improve the quality of the landscape while preserving the traditional rural landscape - 87%; provide a place for the continuation of cultural traditions, annual rituals - 57%; and provide business opportunities - 47%. Although 41% think that other land uses are more profitable, 29% admit that they have a lack of knowledge about grassland management.
 DISCUSSION
 Forest owners are less motivated than natural grassland owners regarding nature conservation activities, as the price of the economic value of the forest is likely to far exceed the number of compensatory mechanisms. Integrated solutions for ensuring nature protection on private land must continue to be sought. The opinions of the respondents will provide an opportunity to create a clear and reasonable motivation system for private landowners, which balances the interests of conservation of natural values and economic development, is understandable to everyone and will serve not only this, but also future generations.

Negotiating (with) Fire: Contemporary Fire Domestication in Swedish Sápmi

In Sweden, fire management is driven by nature conservation objectives through both regeneration burning, used as a soil preparation method in forestry, and conservation burning in protected forests, aiming to reintroduce fire as an ecological process necessary for the preservation of biodiversity. The burning strategy affects Indigenous Sami reindeer herders who use commercial and protected forestlands as pastures for their reindeer. Fire can have ambivalent effects on reindeer pasture depending on where it occurs. Yet, Sami herders are currently not included in the planning process of burning but for a consultation by forest owners occurring late in the process. In this article, we interpret fire management as a system of fire domestication, understood as continuous interactions between humans and fire. To describe the modalities of contemporary fire domestication, our study draws on semi-structured interviews carried out with Sami reindeer herders, forestry planners, conservation managers, and burning practitioners in different localities of the northernmost counties of Västerbotten and Norrbotten. We show how the domestication of fire involves a dual negotiation process: a negotiation with fire during the burning process, and a negotiation about fire between Sami herders and forest managers. Burning practitioners conceive fire as an agent rather than a tool, able to produce unique effects in forests and increase their naturalness, which they must steer in order to reach desired ecological results. Through the negotiation of the use of fire, fire domestication stimulates new interactions between Sami herders and forest managers, and constitutes a possible common ground from which new forms of collaboration could emerge. Our study reaffirms the hybrid nature of fire, both natural and cultural, resulting from negotiations with and between the human actors of the domestication system.

Does agri-environment scheme participation in England increase pollinator populations and crop pollination services?

Agri-environment schemes are programmes where landholders enter into voluntary agreements (typically with governments) to manage agricultural land for environmental protection and nature conservation objectives. Previous work at local scale has shown that these features can provide additional floral and nesting resources to support wild pollinators, which may indirectly increase floral visitation to nearby crops. However, the effect of entire schemes on this important ecosystem service has never previously been studied at national scale. Focusing on four wild pollinator guilds (ground-nesting bumblebees, tree-nesting bumblebees, ground-nesting solitary bees, and cavity-nesting solitary bees), we used a state-of-the-art, process-based spatial model to examine the relationship between participation in agri-environment schemes across England during 2016 and the predicted abundances of these guilds and their visitation rates to four pollinator dependent crops (oilseed rape, field beans, orchard fruit and strawberries). Our modelling predicts that significant increases in national populations of ground-nesting bumblebees and ground-nesting solitary bees have occurred in response to the schemes. Lack of significant population increases for other guilds likely reflects specialist nesting resource requirements not well-catered for in schemes. We do not predict statistically significant increases in visitation to pollinator-dependent crops at national level as a result of scheme interventions but do predict some localised areas of significant increase in bumblebee visitation to crops flowering in late spring. Lack of any significant change in visitation to crops which flower outside this season is likely due to a combination of low provision of nesting resource relative to floral resource by scheme interventions and low overall participation in more intensively farmed landscapes. We recommend future schemes place greater importance on nesting resource provision alongside floral resource provision, better cater for the needs of specialised species and promote more contiguous patches of semi-natural habitat to better support solitary bee visitation.

The Role of the Important Agricultural Heritage Systems in the Construction of China's National Park System and the Optimisation of the Protected Area System

Conservation-compatible development of rural communities is an important part of nature conservation objectives. Understanding the role of agriculture, which is often practiced in or bordering the protected areas in rural China, is critical for managing conservation networks considering that limited spatial areas are available for enclosed protected areas. Important Agricultural Heritage Systems stand out for their multi-functionality, and some of their values are compatible with nature conservation. This paper examined the concept, management objectives and resource management characteristics of the Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (IAHS) by analysing their interactions with national parks in terms of community development. The results reveal that management strategies of dynamic conservation, integrated protection and adaptive management of the IAHS can contribute to those national park management objectives concerning conservation-compatible livelihood. However, the typology of the protected area system, including the traditional agricultural system as a new type, needs further consideration.

Designs and characteristics of agri-environmental measures

Agri-environmental measures (AEM) are an agricultural policy instrument for enhancing of agricultural practices and activities that go beyond the basic environmental standards. Formulation of agri-environmental measures is a complex substantive, organisational and participatory process. Decision-makers are faced with the difficult task of selecting appropriate design of measures, while the available options and their (dis)advantages are in most part not readily available. The purpose of this paper is to outline a typology of possible AEM in terms of the basis for payments, coordination of actions and selection of beneficiaries. Furthermore, the paper provides an overview of the applicability and implementation of particular measures in practice, which is based on a literature review and an analysis of measures in the EU and EFTA Member States. In the European Union, AEM are among the essential instruments in the field of environmental protection and nature conservation. However, research shows that despite a substantial budgetary allocation, AEM have relatively small environmental impacts. Over the last two decades, various new designs of AEM have been tested in an attempt to improve their environmental effectiveness and efficiency. Predominantly management-based measures are thus becoming more result-oriented and more spatially targeted. Some European countries have also piloted the implementation of collective action by farmers and other stakeholders to achieve environmental and nature conservation objectives.

Marine protected areas overall success evaluation (MOSE): A novel integrated framework for assessing management performance and social-ecological benefits of MPAs

Characterized by interlinked social, economic, and ecological dynamics, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are a management tool for achieving sustainability goals in social-ecological systems. The recent increase in their establishment worldwide, fostered by international policies, highlights the need for comprehensive and integrated assessment frameworks able to address the evaluation of their social-ecological effectiveness and management performance, which is of fundamental importance for their adaptive management and decision making processes. Although several indicators and methodologies exist to assess MPAs ecological or social performances, no comprehensive assessment framework currently captures their broad range of objectives, encompassing the ecological, socio-cultural, and economic spheres. In this study, we present a novel quantitative framework (named MPAs Overall Success Evaluation – MOSE) able to assess the overall effectiveness and management performance of MPAs under the perspective of social-ecological systems. The multicriteria framework includes indicators linked to nature conservation, socio-cultural, socio-economic, and management objectives, integrating the multidisciplinary knowledge on MPAs in a single but comprehensive approach. The proposed framework was applied to the case study of Cerbère-Banyuls Natural Marine Reserve (France), the first MPA included in the IUCN Green List. Results showed that a high level of management effort is applied to the investigated MPA, generating several social-ecological benefits. This study showed the applicability of the MOSE framework and its potential usefulness as a tool to inform managers and decision-makers in charge for developing adaptive management strategies.

Agroforestry governance for operationalising the landscape approach: connecting conservation and farming actors

The expansion and intensification of agriculture as well as the associated land clearing are threatening both biodiversity and human wellbeing in tropical areas. Implementing agroforestry systems through a landscape approach has a strong potential for integrating nature conservation objectives into agricultural systems. A key challenge for implementing the landscape approach is that political processes and conservation initiatives operate in ‘silos’, being largely disconnected from farmers and local key agents responsible for tree governance. In this study we brought together different stakeholders in facilitated, structured focus discussions to analyse the role of actor groups in tree governance. We used social network analysis to quantitatively and qualitatively analyse agroforestry governance networks and actor interactions related to information exchange, finance flows, and regulation. The analyses were conducted at national, sub-national and local levels in four countries: Honduras, Peru, Indonesia, and Uganda. Using trees on farms as a boundary object enabled all participants to bridge common interests and illuminate some of the constraints and opportunities of local governance systems while overcoming institutional and ideological barriers. The quantitative results of the social network analysis identify a strong density of actor linkages. Despite this density, results indicate incoherent and fragmented actor networks undermining the support for agroforestry on all levels. Nevertheless, existing processes related to finance, information, and regulation can be better aligned to ensure an effective implementation and mainstreaming of agroforestry for biodiversity conservation. Building social capital among key actors on both national and local levels can reveal a strong potential for adaptive learning processes mainstreaming agroforestry as essential component of “good farming” and integrating incentive systems for a coherent and effective agroforestry governance. We conclude that redirecting both public and private funding towards continuous seed-funding for the facilitation of these integrated learning processes can transform landscape management and at the same time reduce transaction costs.

Detection of Retention Trees on Clearcuts, a 50-Year Perspective

Changes in clearcut management over time were evaluated using aerial photographs taken between 1960 and 2010. Temporal changes were analysed in two different climatic zones in Sweden: a typical boreal forest zone (the coast of V&#228sterbotten County), and the hemi-boreal zone of southern Sweden (represented by Kronoberg County). The study covers the periods before and after the paradigm shift in Swedish forestry caused by the equalization of the production and nature conservation objectives specified in the first paragraph of the Swedish Forestry Act. Photographs were processed to determine clearcut size and shape and to register solitary retention trees and groups of retention trees. Small but significant changes in clearcut size were detected over time. The number of retention trees increased over time, a result that was also found in other studies using different methodologies. The results demonstrate that measurable structural changes have occurred in Swedish forests over the 25 years since the paradigm shift. Results from this study also show that digital detection of green tree retention could be a future complement to field inventory and monitoring.

How “wide green dikes” were reintroduced in The Netherlands: a case study of the uptake of an innovative measure in long-term strategic delta planning

This article describes and analyzes the reintroduction of the “wide green dike” in the Netherlands. It is a noteworthy example of implementation of an innovation in long-term strategic delta planning. The Dutch Delta Program was central herein. Pursuing its ambition to make the Netherlands climate-proof, the Delta Program invited a diverse set of actors to participate in developing a long-term adaptation plan, and also to propose innovative short-term measures to help realize that plan. The wide green dike was actively promoted by a local water board, with involvement of scientists and nature conservation organizations. A stepwise participatory process resulted in national-level recognition of the potential of the wide green dike, particularly due to its “green” and “adaptability” characteristics. Alignment of flood protection and climate adaptation goals with nature conservation objectives, as well as collaboration with new actors, were all crucial in the reintroduction of this innovation.

Non-Territorial Nature Conservation? On Protected Areas in the Anthropocene

Protected areas are regarded as central instruments for the implementation of global nature conservation objectives and have been conceived to serve the purpose of conserving and safeguarding biodiversity. Most protected areas have been designated during the past decades and comply with strict territorial considerations: they have strong local roots and are very narrowly defined due to the negotiation processes involved in determining the demarcation, as well as the established administrative boundaries and precise zoning. This method is implicitly based on the assumption of the constancy and immutability of the natural and social environment of protected areas. The following article calls this into question and reveals that the territorial concept of protected areas appears difficult to sustain in light of the complex processes of a constantly changing environment on the one hand, and when viewed against the background of ever expanding nature conservation objectives, on the other hand. Furthermore, the contribution confronts essential underlying assumptions of nature conservation with complexity-theoretical considerations and illustrates that the basic assumptions pertaining to nature conservation require a fundamental revision, which would also have far-reaching consequences in practical conservation work. The considerations are presented within a framework provided by the thesis of the Anthropocene, which fundamentally challenges established dualisms such as nature/culture.

Importance of thermophilous habitats for protection of wild bees (Apiformes)

Research on wild bees (Apiformes) was conducted in the Lower Oder Valley (NW Poland) at Natura 2000 sites near the border between Poland and Germany. The analysis involved 3 landscape types with xerothermic and sandy grasslands, differing in the proportion of woody vegetation. In total, we collected there 4158 specimens of Apiformes, representing 180 species. We have proved that mid-forest grasslands with a high proportion of thermophilous broad-leaved forests and xerothermic shrub communities are equally attractive to wild bees as open habitats (sandy grasslands, xerothermic grasslands/heaths). We observed varied responses of wild bee species with specific functional characteristics to increasing proportion of woody vegetation. The grasslands surrounded by forests were characterized by the highest number of cleptoparasitic species. In contrast, solitary and social bee species preferred forest-steppe habitats. However, in open habitats, solitary bees were the most abundant. Moreover, open habitats were distinguished by the highest number and abundance of rare species. Active protection of thermophilous grasslands is crucial for biodiversity conservation, also with respect to the natural resources of Apiformes. Preservation of biodiversity in threatened xerothermic and sandy grasslands should be one of the key objectives of nature conservation in European countries. Currently, more and more actions are undertaken to improve their condition and to restore those particularly valuable and threatened habitat types.

The world(s) we live in – Inter-agency collaboration in forest management

Academics and politicians alike have argued for greater inter-agency collaboration to address sector-crossing policy issues, such as health care, policing, or natural resource management. Nevertheless, in reality, it remains a rare occurrence. We examine local-level (street-level) collaboration in the context of public forest management in Germany where, historically, public forests were solely under the forest management agency's authority. With the establishment of a nature conservation agency and subsequent legislative changes, responsibilities and authorities were increasingly distributed among both agencies. Today, the two agencies are connected through a system of approval procedures and expected to collaborate to further nature conservation objectives. We aim to understand how the mandate to collaborate is put into practice, and find a diversity of local level agency relationships. While the literature suggests the benefits of inter-agency collaboration stems from including a diversity of disciplines and compensating for limited resources, we find these aspects to pose significant challenges in local level practices. Aside from actor-related factors, we also found systemic and societal actors to be a strong influence on inter-agency exchange.

Hunting with lead ammunition is not sustainable: European perspectives

Much evidence demonstrates the adverse effects of lead ammunition on wildlife, their habitats and human health, and confirms that the use of such ammunition has no place within sustainable hunting. We identify the provisions that define sustainable hunting according to European law and international treaties, together with their guidance documents. We accept the substantial evidence for lead's actual and potential effects on wildlife, habitats and health as persuasive and assess how these effects relate to stated provisions for sustainability and hunting. We evaluate how continued use of lead ammunition negatively affects international efforts to halt loss of biodiversity, sustain wildlife populations and conserve their habitats. We highlight the indiscriminate and avoidable health and welfare impacts for large numbers of exposed wild animals as ethically unsustainable. In societal terms, continued use of lead ammunition undermines public perceptions of hunting. Given the existence of acceptable, non-toxic alternatives for lead ammunition, we conclude that hunting with lead ammunition cannot be justified under established principles of public/international policy and is not sustainable. Changing from lead ammunition to non-toxic alternatives will bring significant nature conservation and human health gains, and from the hunter's perspective will enhance societal acceptance of hunting. Change will create opportunities for improved constructive dialogue between hunting stakeholders and others engaged with enhancing biodiversity and nature conservation objectives.

Analysis of stakeholders' involvement in the implementation of the Natura 2000 network in Slovakia

Natura 2000 is a network of protected areas aiming at ensure the protection of European habitats and species biodiversity. The national governments of European Union member countries have delegated the responsibility to manage the Natura 2000 sites at sub-national/regional level. The responsible for the Natura 2000 sites management must organise stakeholders' involvement in the decision-making process to balance the objectives of nature conservation with the social and economic interests. The aim of this paper is to investigate public participation process in the implementation of Nature 2000 network in Slovakia. After a stakeholder analysis, 16 stakeholders participated in the survey. The data were collected through the administration of face-to-face questionnaire. The stakeholders' involvement was assessed considering: obstacles and opportunities of Natura 2000 for human activities and level of participation. The results show that Natura 2000 network is considered an opportunity for human activities by the stakeholders because it could be an economic support for the private owners, a marketing tool to promote eco-tourism, and an instrument to improve the ecosystem services. Conversely, some stakeholders consider Natura 2000 network an obstacle due to the potential restrictions for agricultural and forestry activities.Concerning the participatory process, the results point out that public actors have been involved through the co-decision, while the other categories of stakeholders have been involved at different levels (collaboration or information), demonstrating in any case the willingness to follow a participative approach. According to the surveyed stakeholders, the short time of implementation of the Habitats Directive after the accession of Slovakia to the EU precluded from more thoughtful communication and participation strategies.

Uwarunkowania rozwoju przedsiębiorczości na obszarach wiejskich na przykładzie gospodarstw agroturystycznych województwa małopolskiego

W ostatnich latach najprężniej rozwijającą się formą turystyki wiejskiej i równocześnie przejawem przedsiębiorczości rolników jest agroturystyka. Jej istota wiąże się ze świadczeniem usług przez funkcjonujące gospodarstwo rolne i jego otoczenie. To trend w rozwoju współczesnej turystyki, polegający na rosnącym zainteresowaniu turystyką przyjazną środowisku. Głównym celem tego rodzaju turystyki jest dbałość o zachowanie trwałego, zrównoważonego rozwoju zasobów i walorów turystycznych przez integrację działalności turystycznej z celami ochrony przyrody oraz życiem społeczno- gospodarczym. Celem artykułu jest ukazanie uwarunkowań rozwoju agroturystyki w województwie małopolskim oraz jej stanu i zachodzących zmian w tym zakresie. Podstawą charakterystyki badanego problemu była analiza literatury przedmiotu, danych o liczbie gospodarstw agroturystycznych na podstawie materiałów zawartych w rocznikach statystycznych GUS i innych źródłach publikowanych oraz zebranych przez autorów informacji z oficjalnych portali internetowych gmin i powiatów dotyczących turystyki, w tym agroturystyki. Autorzy oszacowali aktualną liczbę gospodarstw agroturystycznych w regionie i dokonali analizy profilu ich działalności. W celu uzupełnienia i weryfikacji zebranego materiału przeprowadzili badania ankietowe w 175 losowo wybranych gospodarstwach. Badania miały charakter indywidualnych wywiadów pogłębionych z właścicielami gospodarstw, dotyczących prowadzonej działalności i oferowanych usług. Istniejące w województwie małopolskim uwarunkowania demograficzne, przyrodnicze i historyczne powodują, że w strukturze agrarnej rolnictwa przeważają i przeważać będą drobnotowarowe i samozaopatrzeniowe gospodarstwa. W tych warunkach istotnym wyzwaniem dla działań przedsiębiorczych wśród rolników prowadzących agroturystykę jest przezwyciężenie, wynikającej z przeszłości historycznej, niechęci do wszelkich form zrzeszania się i wspólnych inicjatyw. Wspólne inicjatywy w zakresie kreowania nowych ofert turystycznych, powiązanych z istniejącymi zasobami i ich promocja mogą stanowić kluczową kwestię w zakresie przetrwania i rozwoju małych gospodarstw rolnych i powiązanych z nimi usług turystycznych.