GNS Science’s Post

While recent reports have stated that more than half the world's largest lakes, including lakes in the Tibetan plateau, are drying up, a paper published in Nature Geoscience today (May 27) suggests that, by the end of this century, land-locked lakes on the Tibetan Plateau are set to increase exponentially, resulting in major land loss and related economic, environmental and climatic impacts.

🌍 Exciting Publication Alert! 🌍 I'm thrilled to share the publication of my chapter titled "Landslide Mitigation and Sustainable Management and Policies" with Springer (Scopus). This chapter explores the complex challenges of mitigating landslides in the Himalayas, focusing on sustainable management practices, policy interventions, and innovative solutions. With their fragile geology and tectonic activity, the Himalayas face constant landslide threats exacerbated by climate-induced extreme weather. The study highlights the region's unique vulnerabilities, emphasising the need for an integrated approach to landslide mitigation. By combining engineering innovations, ecological strategies, and community-based solutions, we can reduce landslide risks and enhance the well-being of the Himalayan inhabitants. Balancing human needs with nature's demands is a significant challenge for policymakers, requiring immediate, tailored actions. This work advocates for proactive measures that include local wisdom, community participation, and sustainable land management policies to promote a shift from exploitation to conservation. I invite readers to engage with this study, which underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in ensuring the region’s safety and sustainability. https://lnkd.in/gFJJPPdf 🌱 #DisasterRiskReduction #Himalayas #LandslideMitigation #SustainableDevelopment #AI #GIS #ClimateAction #EnvironmentalPolicy #CommunityParticipation #Research IMS UNISON UNIVERSITY

While recent reports have stated that more than half the world's largest lakes, including lakes in the Tibetan plateau, are drying up, a paper published in Nature Geoscience today (May 27) suggests that, by the end of this century, land-locked lakes on the Tibetan Plateau are set to increase exponentially, resulting in major land loss and related economic, environmental and climatic impacts.

After taking a few weeks off to clear my head in Ireland, I'm excited to be back to share this culminating PhD thesis paper! The paper demonstrates the planning potential of Q+PPGIS (a novel method that combines Q-method and Public participation GIS) in the Huon Valley coastalscape. Working closely with Jason Byrne and Vanessa Adams, we found that: • Risk-value discourses can be used to develop alternative geospatial analysis approaches. • Our Adjusted Land Classification, which incorporates wilderness, industry, and accessibility, provides a deeper understanding of place. • Individuals with a preference for wilderness do not necessarily perceive wilderness in wild areas (e.g., forestry). • Spatial risk perceptions are informed by both coastalscape values and risk discourses, adding to the complexity of how we plan in places. • Managing coastal socio-ecological systems requires deep community understandings. Ultimately, our research demonstrates a methodological approach that will, at best, lead to reduced conflict over contentious decisions or, at minimum, offer a pathway to better communicate planning and management actions, showing how they reflect the many worldviews within coastal socio-ecological systems. University of Tasmania & Centre for Marine Socioecology

The webinar series of ArcticHubs continue!

So excited to share my first publication with UHI Shetland and UHI Shetland - Marine Science and Technology Department of my latest research with Beth Mouat and Rachel Shucksmith (nee Hope) in the Ecological Modelling Journal, titled "Real World Data for Real World Problems: Importance of Appropriate Spatial Resolution Modelling to Inform Decision Makers in Marine Management." This paper, part of a special issue on Good Modelling Practice, highlights the critical role of real-world data and precise spatial resolution in environmental modelling. Accurate models mean better decisions and stronger policies for protecting our marine ecosystems. Check it out below! #MarineScience #EcologicalModelling #EnvironmentalManagement #MarineEcosystems #SpatialResolution #GoodModellingPractice

We’re excited to circulate the Boreal Ecosystem Recover and Assessment (BERA) program's 2024 synthesis report: The Edge. In it, we highlight the key research activities of the BERA program over the past year. BERA conducts research on every phase of boreal restoration — planning, implementation, and monitoring — to provide practitioners with the key knowledge, tools, and techniques they need to enhance understanding and improve outcomes of restoration activities. Get your copy here: https://lnkd.in/gVnb8nJK For those who don't know, BERA is an transdisciplinary collaboration of researchers and partners from government, industry, and not-for-profit organizations working on the grand challenge of reducing the environmental effects of industrial disturbance on natural ecosystem dynamics in the boreal forest. Our central goal is to develop strategies for restoring disturbed landscapes. BERA is housed in the Department of Geography, #UCalgary, and includes researchers from the University of Calgary, University of Alberta, University of Waterloo, and Athabasca University. http://beraproject.org Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Government of Alberta, Cenovus Energy, Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc., ConocoPhillips, Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL), Imperial Oil, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute

Forest Bridges integrates Western science and #indigenousknowledge , along with practitioner experience, in its Active Conservation Management strategies for the dry, moist and transitional forests on the 2.9 million acres of #ONCLands in western Oregon. As such, we're excited to see this greatly anticipated report: "Braiding Indigenous and Western Knowledge for Climate-Adapted Forests: An Ecocultural State of Science Report." It was prepared by an intercultural, interdisciplinary team of Indigenous and Western scholars and practitioners, and is intended to inform future climate-adapted land #management decisions across the United States. Click the link below for the full report:

I am excited to share that thanks to NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, CAPA STRATEGIES, LLC, and four dozen community scientists, the City of Grand Junction has been able to conduct an Urban Heat Island Mapping Campaign to show us where the hottest parts of our community are located. Unsurprisingly, areas with parks and a healthy tree canopy stay noticeably cooler during the day, while plots of vacant land with few trees tend to concentrate heat throughout the day and into the evening. Dense urban areas with industrial land use and very few trees and green spaces create pockets of higher temperatures. Large roadways also contribute to the increased heat island effect. Most notably, the report revealed that at certain points in the day, the temperature within city limits can range up to 13.8 degrees Fahrenheit depending on location. The study results can be used in the future by the City and others to help evaluate strategies to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of heat. Strategies may include planning for green spaces, reducing impervious surface areas, implementing urban forestry plans, evaluating infrastructure (e.g., transit shade shelters) at critical locations, and providing educational resources. Take a look at the attached report to learn more! We are excited to use our newfound knowledge to help reduce the worst effects of extreme heat here on the Western Slope. Thanks, Cassidy Grady for your leadership on this project!

Now that I'm working (or trying my damnedest to work, sigh) on convening multiple sectors and experts for accelerating and nurturing global-scale #ecosystemrestoration, #climaterestoration and #socialreconnection, I re-found this important and provocative 2016 paper from peter mortimer, Martin Breed and colleagues in The Conversation UK (which I'd read at the time, before this was my driving focus). Question: what do you see as the critical analytical tools for prioritizing #ecosystemrestoration sites and initiatives into this fast-changing future? Climate envelope modeling and mapping? Stress ecology? Systematic conservation planning methodology adaptation? AI-supported modeling? Or would you recommend a greater focus on cross-pollination with social, economic and policy planning? Peter Paap Robert Zomer Peter Gubbels Robin Chazdon Cecile Ndjebet Tony Rinaudo Guy Midgley Nicola Stevens Judith D. Schwartz Miguel Bastos Araújo Hugh Possingham Clelia Sirami Bongani Mnisi Sebataolo Rahlao