Perceptions Of Environmental Change Research Articles

‘Rain has to do with God’s will’: Religion and perceptions of environmental change in a Muslim community in the Souss-Massa region of Morocco

In recent decades, increasing attention has been paid to environmental mobility in Morocco by policy-makers, non-governmental organisations, academics, and Islamic leaders. However, most empirical research on risk perceptions and religious views has relied on findings from Western and Christian communities, while data from Muslim communities or within communities strongly adherent to Islam are relatively rare. Nonetheless, Muslim communities are, globally, those most affected by climate change. These results are based on 38 in-depth interviews with Muslims in the Souss-Massa region of Morocco. Our analyses show how religious beliefs affect the ways in which people perceive and cope with environmental change. Nevertheless, religious beliefs do not necessarily imply that respondents automatically relate environmental change exclusively to God and that action is deemed unnecessary. Rather, we give a more nuanced image by presenting five different cultural repertoires which our respondents use when talking about climate and environmental changes.

Exploring children’s perception of environmental change in the Mexican mediterranean

Exploring children’s perception of environmental change in the Mexican mediterranean

Migrants’ perspectives on environmental change and translocal practices in Morocco, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract This qualitative study takes a translocal perspective by considering migrants’ views on environmental change, migration decisions and translocal practices in favour of environmental adaptation. This article addresses the following question: To what extent do migrants’ perceptions of environmental change in their region of origin influence their translocal practices in favour of adaptation to socio-environmental change? Our data show that while environmental change may not be the primary reason that people migrate, nor do they perceive it as such, their translocal practices may have very concrete impacts in environmentally fragile areas, especially with respect to non-migrants in the place of origin. Most practices (e.g. family economic remittances) are spontaneous and unintentionally adaptive to environmental change. In contrast, collective projects initiated through hometown associations, especially in Senegal and Morocco, often have a more intentional and proactive character, resulting in translocal adaptive socio-environmental dynamics.

Perceptions of environmental changes among a climate-vulnerable population from Bangladesh

Effective climate change adaptation requires a thorough understanding of whether and how affected populations perceive climatic and environmental changes. Existing research has been inconclusive regarding the consistency of these perceptions compared to objective meteorological indicators. Moreover, no systematic comparison has been done for the perception of discrete environmental events such as floods or erosion. This study relies on novel panel survey data of approximately 1700 households residing along the Jamuna River in Bangladesh as well as on unique individual-level, satellite-based erosion data. It compares respondents’ perceptions of environmental events, namely riverbank erosion, and three climate change indicators, specifically long-term temperature change and changes in precipitation during wet and dry seasons, to objective measurements using satellite imagery and climatic time-series data (CRU TS). I find that long-term temperature change is perceived more accurately than long-term changes in precipitation. Given that educational attainment and climate change literacy among the study population are low, this indicates that global temperature increases are felt even by remote populations who have never heard the term climate change. Erosion is strongly overestimated, especially by those respondents who had been personally affected by it. Since human behavior is guided by perceptions rather than objective data, this has important policy implications, underlining the importance of considering people’s perceptions if the goal is to assist them in adapting to environmental changes.

‘Burn Like Hot Stones’: Children’s Perceptions of Environmental Change in Samoa

A survey of children in the small Pacific Island state of Samoa was undertaken through focus groups and drawings. This primary study of children of different ages demonstrated that children were aware of local environmental changes including those triggered by climate change. The majority of Samoan children of both genders were aware of the multiple dimensions of climate change affecting Samoa, namely rising temperatures, heavier rainfall, stronger winds, cyclones, and how these affected to varying degrees different parts of Samoa. Sea level rise was perceived to be a feature of future, rather than, current climate change. Gender variations reflected domestic activities of children, while village location influenced observations and perceptions of change. Their knowledge was informed by their experiences of recent events triggered by climate change and tectonic activities, attending school, as well as by listening to various media sources such as television and radio, and to family members. Younger children, aged 6-9 years, had a basic understanding of climate change. Older children, aged 10-15 years, were able to conceptualize future changes, and exhibited a degree of forward thinking that suggested potential resilience in the face of change.

Perceptions of local environment change and ecological habitus

ABSTRACTResearch shows that people’s perceptions of environmental change are strong predictors of ecologically supportive behaviours and attitudes, but less is known about what causes some people to perceive environmental change more than others. This study considers whether participation in outdoor leisure activities accounts for different perceptions of the local environment. We consider how leisure activities form a broader ‘ecological habitus’ while also considering the role that education has in structuring perceptions and practice. We use survey data on perceptions of environmental change and use Principal Component Analysis and logistic regression to explore ecological habitus and the effect of leisure activities on environmental perceptions. Results show that outdoor leisure practices shape perceptions of local environment change and offer a continuum of ecological habitus ranging from appreciative to low resource outdoor leisure associated with varied perceptions of environment degradation. Education is a limited factor in predicting perceptions or explaining associations between leisure and environmental perceptions.

Two cyanobacterial response regulators with diguanylate cyclase activity, Rre2 and Rre8, participate in biofilm formation.

Phototrophic bacteria face diurnal variations of environmental conditions such as light and osmolarity that affect their carbon metabolism and ability to generate organic compounds. The model cyanobacterium, Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 forms a biofilm when it encounters extreme conditions like high salt stress, but the molecular mechanisms involved in perception of environmental changes that lead to biofilm formation are unknown. Here, we studied two two-component regulatory systems (TCSs) that contain diguanylate cyclases (DGCs), which produce the second messenger c-di-GMP, as potential components of the biofilm-inducing signaling pathway in Synechocystis. Analysis of single mutants provided evidence for involvement of the response regulators, Rre2 and Rre8 in biofilm formation. A bacterial two-hybrid assay showed that Rre2 and Rre8 each formed a TCS with a specific histidine kinase, Hik12 and Hik14, respectively. The in vitro assay showed that Rre2 had DGC activity regardless of its de/phosphorylation status, whereas Rre8 required phosphorylation for DGC activity. Hik14-Rre8 likely functioned as an inducible sensing system in response to environmental change. Biofilm assays with Synechocystis mutants suggested that pairs of hik12-rre2 and hik14-rre8 responded to high salinity-induced biofilm formation. Inactivation of hik12-rre2 and hik14-rre8 did not affect the performance of the light reactions of photosynthesis. These data suggest that Hik12-Rre2 and Hik14-Rre8 participate in biofilm formation in Synechocystis by regulating c-di-GMP production via the DGC activity of Rre2 and Rre8.

Sustainable natural resource management must recognise community diversity

ABSTRACT Deforestation and overexploitation of mangrove forests are affecting the livelihoods of millions of families that rely on their ecosystem services. Understanding local perceptions about the status and threats to mangroves is therefore crucial in addressing this issue. This research aims to enhance understanding of how sociodemographic factors influence resource use and perceptions of environmental changes through a questionnaire survey (n = 592 households) in five locations in Lamu County, home to 62% of Kenya’s mangroves. The results highlight the variability of mangrove use, ecosystem service recognition, and perceptions and drivers of change across locations, which are influenced by sociodemographic factors such as gender, education, and occupation. Although 89% of respondents reported using mangrove products, only 56% were able to identify mangrove ecosystem services, with those without formal education being less likely to recognize them. Interestingly, 50% of respondents perceived an increase in mangrove cover, contrary to research showing mangrove loss in the area over the last decade. Results show that communities are diverse and perceptions vary between groups, suggesting that implementing uniform management measures may be incomplete or ineffective. Awareness campaigns and capacity-building efforts must be tailored to reduce misperceptions about the state of local resources and to address the specific needs and challenges faced by different groups. Recommendations made here are widely applicable to promote more inclusive and sustainable community engagement in the management of natural resources in developing countries worldwide.

Local perceptions of environmental changes in the Oiapoque region: reflections from the experience of training indigenous researchers

Resumo Este artigo discute a experiência de um curso de formação e pesquisa sobre conhecimentos indígenas associados aos ciclos ambientais sazonais e às percepções locais sobre alterações desses padrões, observadas nos últimos anos nas Terras Indígenas do Oiapoque, estado do Amapá, na Amazônia oriental. Ele se propõe a descrever e analisar as explicações indígenas para as transformações ambientais observadas, em diálogo com saberes científicos não indígenas que associam tais fenômenos a processos de mudanças climáticas em curso na escala global. A partir da atuação dos autores como pesquisadores, professores e orientadores dos pesquisadores indígenas nas atividades do curso, foi feito um exercício etnográfico com reflexões sobre a pesquisa, o processo de formação e alguns de seus resultados. Buscou-se promover o diálogo com outras pesquisas antropológicas que também abordam o tema das mudanças climáticas e os saberes tradicionais, assinalando algumas contribuições dos pesquisadores indígenas do Oiapoque nesse debate.

Decadal Impacts of Climate Change on Rainfed Agriculture Community in Western Somaliland, Africa

The western region of Somaliland is prone to climate change and variability due to the widespread use of rainfed agriculture, which has been the practice historically since the colonization era; however, this mode of livelihood is losing its significance due to climate change. This research aims to examine the impact of climate elements’ trends (rainfall and temperature) on rainfed agriculture communities and how these changes affect the rainfed agriculture community. The specific objectives of this study are to determine the major trends of precipitation and temperature over the past three decades, and to assess the level of awareness of climate change in communities’ perception of environmental change in terms of rainfed agriculture. Hence, the study adopted a mixed-methodology approach to concluding the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the research. The main outcome of this study was that climate change has been an active challenge in western rainfed agriculture regions of Somaliland for the last three decades. Decadal precipitation and temperature trend analysis (1985–2015) indicated reduced rainfall both annual and seasonal, and an increase in annual temperature, both in terms of the maximum and minimum. The decrease in annual total rainfall from the Awdal and Waqooyi Galbeed regions was 2 mm/year and 1.5 mm/year, respectively, while in the long rainy season, the decrease of rainfall was 1.4 mm per season and 0.88 mm per season, respectively. In the case of maximum and minimum annual temperatures, both stations depict an increase in temperature. This increase in temperature was 0.043–0.045 °C for the Awdal region and 0.06–0.02 °C for the Waqooyi Galbeed. The qualitative phase of this study supported the quantitative observations, and respondents (≥45 years of age) reported decreasing annual rainfall, a declining long rainy season, and increasing maximum and minimum temperatures. Furthermore, participants mentioned an increase in the occurrence of drought, a reduction of rainfed agriculture productivity, the disappearance of indigenous plants and animals, and an increase of exotic plant species. In addition to that, respondents outlined current adaptation practices; however, these adaptation strategies are short-term, and farmers need more appropriate and practical adaptation practices in the future.

Complicating the tale of ‘first climate migrants’: Resource-dependent livelihoods, drought and labour mobilities in semi-arid Chile

While stories of ‘climate migrants’ regularly make the news, local perspectives often paint a different picture of migration motivations. Based on the case of ‘Chile’s first climate migrants’ from Monte Patria, an increasingly drought-affected rural municipality characterised by its agricultural economy, this article argues that mobilities under climate change need to be understood through a power-sensitive approach analysing both local perceptions of environmental changes and power relations extending beyond the case-study level. Through the combination of the environmental mobilities approach with a political ecology of climate change, this article studies how (a) precipitation deficits are translated into locally perceivable effects through the Chilean water distribution system, (b) how these effects impact different socio-economic groups differentially, and (c) what options – including (labour) mobilities – locals perceive to have for responding. Ethnographic fieldwork in Monte Patria, including 39 semi-structured interviews and 11 follow-alongs, has shown that uneven resource access, limited political bargaining power and the perceived impossibility to earn a sufficient income in the agricultural economy are locally considered as more important reasons for engaging in mobilities than considerations about climate change (adaptation). As prolonged droughts aggravate the existing structural economic insecurity of local livelihoods, creating a situation under which staying is considered increasingly difficult, the participation in pre-established labour mobility patterns directed outside of the municipality is considered as normal and potentially positive household-level response. The article concludes that these insights can serve to guide climate change adaptation policy-making that is attuned to existing mobility patterns and the importance of resource redistribution.

Artisanal fishers in small island developing states and their perception of environmental change: the case study of Mauritius.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11160-022-09735-6.

Thermosensation in Caenorhabditis elegans is linked to ubiquitin-dependent protein turnover via insulin and calcineurin signalling

Organismal physiology and survival are influenced by environmental conditions and linked to protein quality control. Proteome integrity is achieved by maintaining an intricate balance between protein folding and degradation. In Caenorhabditis elegans, acute heat stress determines cell non-autonomous regulation of chaperone levels. However, how the perception of environmental changes, including physiological temperature, affects protein degradation remains largely unexplored. Here, we show that loss-of-function of dyf-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans associated with dysfunctional sensory neurons leads to defects in both temperature perception and thermal adaptation of the ubiquitin/proteasome system centered on thermosensory AFD neurons. Impaired perception of moderate temperature changes worsens ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis in intestinal cells. Brain-gut communication regulating protein turnover is mediated by upregulation of the insulin-like peptide INS-5 and inhibition of the calcineurin-regulated forkhead-box transcription factor DAF-16/FOXO. Our data indicate that perception of ambient temperature and its neuronal integration is important for the control of proteome integrity in complex organisms.

Hutsuls' perceptions of forests and uses of forest resource in Ukrainian and Romanian Bukovina

Socio-economic and political contexts play a major role in a community's perception of the environment, determining natural resource use. We examined perceptions of forest and forest resource use among two Hutsul communities in Bukovina sharing a similar cultural background but living in a region divided by the national border created between Romania and Ukraine in the 1940s. Twenty-nine open-ended and 61 semi-structured interviews were conducted with Hutsuls from Romania and Ukraine. Hutsuls across the border mostly share perceptions of forest benefits, while they differ in perceptions of environmental changes and the drivers of these changes. Hutsuls of Ukraine showed a greater connectedness and a stronger tie to the forest as an essential element of their livelihoods. Moreover, Hutsuls in Ukraine rely more on forest medicinal plants than do Hutsuls in Romania. Hutsuls' perspectives on the negative impact of current forest management policies should be a cornerstone for redesigning sustainable forest management plans.

A Soft Electro-Hydraulic Pneumatic Actuator with Self-Sensing Capability toward Multi-Modal Haptic Feedback

Haptic feedback is appealing for achieving the realistic perception of environmental changes for human bodies in human–computer interaction fields. However, existing haptic actuators have some hurdles such as single mode, poor compatibility, or incomplete tactile information. In this study, we proposed a novel way to generate haptic feedback by designing a soft electro-hydraulic pneumatic actuator (SEHPA) with dual drive modes. The SEHPA was structured with silicone films, a silicone air chamber, flexible electrodes, and an insulating liquid dielectric for good human–machine compatibility. The SEHPA had the advantages of high output force (1.5 N at 10 kPa) and displacement (4.5 mm at 5 kPa), as well as various haptic notifications (0~400 Hz vibration). The electro-hydraulic drive method realized smooth output force changes at the millinewton level (0~40 mN) and output displacement changes at the micron level (0~800 μm), which further enriched the details of the tactile experience. In addition, the self-sensing capability of the SEHPA can be dedicated to monitoring and ensuring precise output. The SEHPAs can be potentially mounted on the fingertips to provide accurate tactile sensation once the manipulator touches an object through teleoperation. More invisible information can also be obtained by customizing various haptic notifications. The excellent response behavior and accurate tactile haptic feedback demonstrate the candidate for teleoperation fields.

A Qualitative Study on How Perceptions of Environmental Changes are Linked to Migration in Morocco, Senegal, and DR Congo

Environmental migration is a growing concern of academics and policymakers, who foresee a rise in the number of such migrants. However, most prevailing academic and policy discourses ignore the variety of perceptions of environmental changes among people living in highly affected areas across the world. We examine the perceptions of environmental changes and how these are seen to be relevant to migration in Senegal, DR Congo, and Morocco. In total, we conducted 410 interviews with people living in two regions in each of these countries. Results indicate differences in the perception of environmental changes across regions, gender, education, and livelihoods. The economic activities of individuals determine exposure and sensitivity to environmental changes, while educational levels increase familiarity with prevailing environmental discourses and policies. Despite country-specific and regional differences across research sites, few people perceived environmental factors as directly related to their own or family members’ migration projects.

Lake Users’ Perceptions of Environmental Change: Ecosystem Services and Disservices Associated with Aquatic Plants

Lake Léman (Lake Geneva), Switzerland, is known to have undergone major environmental change over the last few decades, including changes in the abundance, distribution, and species composition of macrophytic plants (aquatic plants). In this study, questionnaires and key informant interviews were used to assess lake users’ perceptions of broad scale environmental change in the lake paying special attention tochanges in the abundance of aquatic plants and the perceived ecosystem services (ES) and ecosystem disservices (EDS) associated with them. In addition, we assessed whether users’ perceptions of aquatic plants had an impact on perceived management need. Most respondents (63%) perceived aquatic plant abundance to have increased over the last 10 years, primarily because of climate change. Aquatic plants were seen to benefit water quality through improved regulation and supporting services, and to provide important habitat and food for fauna. Most EDS associated with increased aquatic plant abundance were categorized as cultural or economic. User perceptions of the ES and EDS associated with aquatic plants affected support for management (60% of respondents supported some form of management), and such information is important for informing environmental decision making.

Awareness and integrated information theory identify plant meristems as sites of conscious activity

Lacking an anatomical brain/nervous system, it is assumed plants are not conscious. The biological function of consciousness is an input to behaviour; it is adaptive (subject to selection) and based on information. Complex language makes human consciousness unique. Consciousness is equated to awareness. All organisms are aware of their surroundings, modifying their behaviour to improve survival. Awareness requires assessment too. The mechanisms of animal assessment are neural while molecular and electrical in plants. Awareness of plants being also consciousness may resolve controversy. The integrated information theory (IIT), a leading theory of consciousness, is also blind to brains, nerves and synapses. The integrated information theory indicates plant awareness involves information of two kinds: (1) communicative, extrinsic information as a result of the perception of environmental changes and (2) integrated intrinsic information located in the shoot and root meristems and possibly cambium. The combination of information constructs an information nexus in the meristems leading to assessment and behaviour. The interpretation of integrated information in meristems probably involves the complex networks built around [Ca2+]i that also enable plant learning, memory and intelligent activities. A mature plant contains a large number of conjoined, conscious or aware, meristems possibly unique in the living kingdom.

Indigenous knowledge of South African bird and rangeland ecology is effective for informing conservation science

South Africa's communal rangelands constitute ~25% of the country's land cover and are largely managed for livestock grazing. These habitats play an important role in rural livelihoods and cultural practices. Using semi-structured interviews, we documented indigenous local ecological knowledge (LEK) held by rural dwellers linked to natural resource utilisation, environmental health and cultural keystone indicator species (CKIS) in the grassland communities of southern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Our main objective was to examine the ability for LEK to inform conservation management. We found that people who were heavily reliant on natural resources attained a higher LEK score, indicating a greater breadth of ecological knowledge, which in turn shaped their perceptions of environmental change. Community members confirmed the presence of conservation concern species within this area, highlighting the limitations of only using citizen science databases for conservation management, as their observations within these databases are biased towards major road routes and protected or urban areas. LEK can play an important role in identifying habitats crucial to species' persistence and delineating population trends over time. Our surveys highlighted the importance of the Southern Ground-hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri as a CKIS that acts as an early warning system of changing weather, notably rain. However, LEK is context-specific, and some CKIS species such as the Southern Ground-hornbill have wide distribution ranges. Consequently, the cultural associations and implications differ based on local belief systems that are often defined by the language spoken and the community's geographical location. Our study demonstrated the importance of including indigenous LEK in conservation planning for threatened species and habitats and the importance of traditional family values responsible for transferring oral knowledge.

On- and non-farm adaptation in Senegal: understanding differentiation and drivers of farmer strategies

ABSTRACT Rainfed farmers in Sudano-Sahelian West Africa have long adapted to variable growing conditions. Today, in response to intersecting pressures from climate change, soil fertility loss, and socioeconomic change associated with globalization, these farmers are working to build more resilient livelihood systems. This study examines farmers' perceptions of environmental change and socioeconomic transition in Senegal and the drivers and constraints on their adaptive responses, with particular attention to the interplay of on- and non-farm livelihood strategies amid concerns about changing weather. Semi-structured interviews with 47 farmers provide insight into individual lived experiences while surveys and multinomial regression drawing data from approximately 500 farmers point to broader patterns in perceptions and adaptive strategies. The findings indicate that most Senegalese farmers perceive substantial environmental change that is amplifying ongoing processes of agrarian change, increasing reliance on non-farm livelihoods and youth migration in particular. While the most resource-constrained farmers rely primarily on prayer—likely an expression of limited alternative strategies—those most concerned about weather changes turn to diversified livelihood strategies. This study illustrates an evolving relationship between farmers and non-farm work amid environmental and socioeconomic change in rural Africa, with implications for development initiatives aimed at supporting farmer adaptation to climate change.