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Exploring the risks and benefits of flexibility in biodiversity offset location using migratory shorebird as a case study
No full textBiodiversity offsets aim to counterbalance the residual impacts of development on species and ecosystems. Guidance documents explicitly recommend that biodiversity offset actions be located close to the location of impact because of higher potential for similar ecological conditions, but allowing greater spatial flexibility has been proposed. We examined the circumstances under which offsets distant from the impact location could be more likely to achieve no net loss or provide better ecological outcomes than offsets close to the impact area. We applied a graphical model for migratory shorebirds in the East Asian–Australasian Flyway as a case study to explore the problems that arise when incorporating spatial flexibility into offset planning. Spatially flexible offsets may alleviate impacts more effectively than local offsets; however, the risks involved can be substantial. For our case study, there were inadequate data to make robust conclusions about the effectiveness and equivalence of distant habitat-based offsets for migratory shorebirds. Decisions around offset placement should be driven by the potential to achieve equivalent ecological outcomes; however, when considering more distant offsets, there is a need to evaluate the likely increased risks alongside the potential benefits. Although spatially flexible offsets have the potential to provide more cost-effective biodiversity outcomes and more cobenefits, our case study showed the difficulty of demonstrating these benefits in practice and the potential risks that need to be considered to ensure effective offset placement
Book Review of "Zero Tolerance: Repression and Political Violence on China’s New Silk Road" by Philip B.K. Potter and Chen Wang. Cambridge, UK, Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 9781009114905
No full textThis important book examines issues of increasing significance in the contemporary era. It methodically explains how political repression of the Uyghurs is compounded by China’s great power status and its strategic competition with the United States. It therefore has a wide appeal for audiences from China studies to international relations to specialists in Great Power conflicts. It examines Beijing’s harsh repression of the Uyghur population, identifies the significance of Xinjiang to securing Chinese economic and security interests in Central Asia and the Middle East, which are enacted via the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), notes the importance of Afghanistan to China’s political and economic interests, and explores the delicate balancing act Beijing has been forced to adopt following US withdrawal from Afghanistan
Factors associated with James Cook University medical students experiencing "high quality" clinical learning on final-year rural placement
No full textIntroduction: The James Cook University (JCU) medical school in Australia has a mission to produce graduates committed and competent to practise in local regional, rural and remote areas. As positive rural placement experiences are known to enhance interest in a rural career and generalist medicine, this study explores key factors contributing to JCU medical students having a ‘high quality’ rural clinical learning experience during their final-year rural placement.
Methods: This sequential, explanatory mixed-methods study included four focus groups (n=17) and a one-on-one interview followed by a cross-sectional survey (n=71; response rate=45%) of final-year JCU medical students in 2023. The main outcome variable for the survey was a visual analogue scale question asking students to rate the clinical learning environment on their rural placement, while an open-ended question asked if and how clinical learning received on placement differed depending upon the background training of their supervising doctor. In the focus groups, students were asked to identify on a circle diagram all key components that impacted on having a good or bad clinical learning experience on their placement, and then to explain individually and discuss as a group the contexts around each component.
Results: Overall, 46% of students completing the survey reported their rural placement was of high clinical learning value (≥85/100 on the visual analogue scale). Quantitative analysis identified ‘high value’ clinical learning placements were predicted by students spending >50% of their placement learning in EDs (p=0.005; prevalence odds ratio (POR) 9.4), having ‘very high’ confidence in knowing how to manage the common presentations of North Queensland patients (p=0.006; POR 8.5) and being placed in small towns more than 100 km from the populated North Queensland coast. Student focus group participants consistently reported they received the best teaching from local doctors who were more permanently based in that community, had significant experience in rural medicine, and were familiar with their competency level as a sixth-year student and their learning objectives on rural placement. Overall, the key areas impacting students’ clinical learning on rural placement can be summarized as ‘quality teaching/supervision’, ‘appropriate levels of autonomy’, ‘appropriate clinical variety and workload' and ‘student factors’.
Conclusion: The study findings suggest the key to JCU medical students having ‘high quality’ clinical learning on rural placements is by developing supportive learning relationships with senior, permanently based rural doctors who are willing to teach and know their scope of practice and specific placement learning requirements; and experiencing a diverse roster across hospital, GP and outreach clinics but with significant placement time in the ED. Potentially, these findings may assist rural placement programs coordinators to better plan, develop and support training sites and thus improve future placement experiences for student and junior doctor trainees. These improved learning experiences may in turn lead to more positive rural experiences that may further increase trainees’ interest in rural and/or generalist medicine careers
Mineral Chemistry and Whole-Rock Analysis of Magnesian and Ferroan Granitic Suites of Magal Gebreel, South Eastern Desert: Clues for Neoproterozoic Syn- and Post-Collisional Felsic Magmatism
No full textThe article provides a comprehensive analysis of the Magal Gebreel granitic suites (MGGs) using petrological (fieldwork, petrography, mineral chemistry, and bulk rock analysis) aspects to infer their petrogenesis and emplacement setting. Our understanding of the development of the northern portion of the Arabian Nubian Shield is significantly improved by the Neoproterozoic granitic rocks of the seldom studied MGGs in Egypt’s south Eastern Desert. According to detailed field, mineralogical, and geochemical assessments, they comprise syn-collision (granodiorites) and post-collision (monzogranites, syenogranites, and alkali feldspar rocks). Granodiorite has strong positive Pb, notable negative P, Ti, and Nb anomalies, and is magnesian in composition. They have high content of LREEs (light rare-earth elements) compared to HREEs (heavy rare-earth elements) and clear elevation of LFSEs (low-field strength elements; K Rb, and Ba) compared to HFSEs (high-field strength elements; Zr and Nb), which are in accord with the contents of I-type granites from the Eastern Desert. In this context, the granodiorites are indicative of an early magmatic phase that probably resulted from the partial melting of high K-mafic sources in the subduction zone. Conversely, the post-collision rocks have low contents of Mg#, CaO, P2O5, MgO, Fe2O3, Sr, and Ti, and high SiO2, Fe2O3/MgO, Nb, Ce, and Ga/Al, suggesting A-type features with ferroan affinity. Their P, Nb, Sr, Ba, and Ti negative anomalies are in accord with the findings for Eastern Desert granites of the A2-type. Furthermore, they exhibit a prominent negative anomaly in Eu and a small elevation of LREEs in relation to HREEs. The oxygen fugacity (fO2) for the rocks under investigation can be calculated using the biotite chemistry. The narrow Fe/(Fe + Mg) ratio range (0.6–0.75) indicates that they crystallized under moderately oxidizing conditions between ~QFM +0.1 and QFM +1. The A-type rocks were formed by the partial melting of a tonalite source (underplating rocks) in a post-collisional environment during the late period of extension via slab delamination. The lithosphere became somewhat impregnated with particular elements as a result of the interaction between the deeper crust and the upwelling mantle
Whale-Stranding Images Produced by Artists of the North Sea Countries Between 1563–1848
No full textAs in the present, whale-stranding events in the past have received their own shares of fear and curiosity, as shown by various whale-stranding images (i.e., paintings, etchings, and engravings) produced by artists from countries bordering the North Sea. However, production of these images was not equal among these countries or regions. We catalogued the North Sea regions that produced whale-stranding images between 1500–1900. Possible factors contributing to some countries producing more whale-stranding images than others are examined, and the images’ evolution is assessed. A qualitative anthropological thematic analysis of the images shows that themes shifted over time. Religion, fear or repulsion, public curiosity, spectacles, and scientific inquiries are dominant themes found within the images
Assessing risk of ecosystem collapse in a changing climate
No full textClimate change affects ecosystems globally, but their diversity and complexity make it difficult to estimate how severe these impacts are. Here we discuss how to conceptualize the effects of climate change on ecosystems so that they can be reliably captured in ecosystem risk assessments, focusing on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Ecosystems, a headline indicator for the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. We highlight key challenges and propose solutions, which include using diverse teams, conceptual models and data sources (including projections), learning from analogous ecosystems, and evaluating uncertainties. This approach will improve the capacity to produce reliable assessments of risk under climate change to inform timely and effective conservation
From nets to barcodes: Selecting suitable methods for assessing fish and prawn assemblages in seagrass meadows
No full textSeagrass meadows are vital coastal ecosystems that support fish and prawn assemblages, providing essential resources such as food and refuge. They are especially important as nursery habitats for ecologically and economically important juvenile fish and prawns. However, seagrass ecosystems are declining globally due to their vulnerability to both natural disturbances and anthropogenic impacts. Effective monitoring and management strategies are therefore essential to ensure their conservation and ecological functionality. This review synthesises literature on methods for sampling fish and prawns in seagrass habitats, grouping them into three categories: capture, sensory, and molecular approaches. Capture methods, including beam trawls and seine nets, provide valuable biological data, but are extractive and can be destructive to the surrounding habitat. Sensory methods such as baited remote underwater video systems (BRUVs) and hydroacoustic techniques, offer a non-destructive alternative, but can be negatively influenced by environmental conditions such as turbidity and habitat complexity that are common in seagrass meadows. Molecular approaches, particularly environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding, present a highly sensitive and non-invasive alternative approach, but challenges remain in quantifying species abundance and demographics. To guide method selection, we propose a structured framework of questions and visualisations to assist researchers in selecting the most appropriate sampling methods based on their specific research objectives. Given the biases and limitation of these methods individually, we suggest integrating multiple methods to enhance assessments of marine communities in seagrass habitats. Future research should focus on refining these methodologies to improve the accuracy of biodiversity monitoring in seagrass meadows, whilst minimising environmental impacts
Structural equation model for the management of innovation and technological development projects in Ciudad Juárez
No full textThis article presents a structural equation model based on the determination of linkage factors for managing innovation and technological development projects between Higher Education Institutions (HEI) and the Productive Sector (PS) in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico. We conducted an exhaustive literature review and determined that five dimensions influence the success of the linkage between HEIs and the PS. This study aimed to validate a theoretical model using the multivariate structural equation modelling technique. We did so by analysing the data of 140 individuals from the productive, education, and government sectors, who responded to a survey instrument composed of 42 variables related to the linkage between HEIs and the PS. The specification of the measurement model was validated through convergent and discriminant validity, showing that the theoretical model and the statistical model are reasonably close to each other. Finally, the defined linkage factors were analysed. We will describe their impact and contribution to the field of HEI-PS linkage research
Flowering and seed dynamics of a tropical seagrass meadow: a reproductive bottleneck threatens meadow resilience and restoration potential
No full textSeagrass meadows are high value ecosystems that are under increasing threats from changing climate and anthropogenic development. Understanding how seagrasses naturally recover through sexual reproduction, recruitment and growth is pivotal to conservation and restoration efforts. The dramatic decline and slow recovery of a tropical seagrass meadow dominated by Zostera muelleri in Cairns has been documented for over 15 years. Spatial analysis of seed bank dynamics following seagrass loss found low seed densities indicating a reduced capacity for recovery from sexual reproduction. It is likely the slow recovery was due to a combination of asexual expansion through rhizome extension and low levels of recruitment from the Zostera muelleri seed bank. Despite the meadow having largely recovered in area and biomass the seedbank had not recovered, with viable seeds almost non-existent. In 2024 we commenced a phenological study of Z. muelleri reproductive stages and observed high abundances of flowering shoots, however, few reached maturity or produced fruits or seeds. To enhance our understanding of ecosystem resilience and improve restoration strategies, future research will focus on continued reproductive surveys, molecular studies of genetic diversity and mating systems, and experimental manipulation of key environmental factors to assess their impact on seed production
The welfare impact of financial inclusion: a research agenda
No full textPurpose: This paper provides a systematic review of literature pertaining to the welfare impact of financial inclusion. We identify the 50 most influential publications in the field that have evolved into three distinct categories, each of which we critically review to identify the main contributions of this research area.
Design/methodology/approach: By conducting a state-of-the-art literature review, this paper identifies the most influential papers in the research fields on the welfare impact of financial inclusion. One caveat is that as newer publications generally have fewer citations, reviewing prior work can result in a misleading account of emerging trends and research directions. Manual assessment of publications after 2018 facilitates a discussion of important emerging research trends and their directions.
Findings: The three key research streams are identified as financial services and financial accessibility, financial capability, and financial literacy and household welfare. By assessing publications from 2018 to 2023, we also document four key emerging research trends: Fintech and digital financial inclusion, sustainability and climate change, growth, poverty, income inequality, financial stability, and Entrepreneurship. Drawing on these emerging trends, we highlight the opportunities for future research.
Research limitations/implications: Keyword searches have limitations as some papers might be overlooked if they do not match the specific search criteria, despite their relation and significance to the overall topic of the welfare impact of financial inclusion. To address this issue, we have expanded this review by incorporating more literature from other databases, such as the Scopus database which may alleviate this issue.
Practical implications: The three key research streams contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the welfare impact of financial inclusion. The emerging trends integrate existing knowledge and leave the chance for innovative research to expand the research frontier.
Originality/value: This paper fulfils the systematic literature review streams in the welfare impact of financial inclusion and provides fruitful opportunities for future research