Context The Eurasian crane (Grus grus) is an iconic and sensitive species. It is therefore necessary to understand its landscape ecology in order to determine threats. Objectives (1) To map the distribution of cranes and then model their habitat requirements in Estonia, linked to the current level of protection. (2) To determine the environmental characteristics of, and the habitats present in, sites utilized by the birds, and their sensitivity to change.Methods (1) The distribution of cranes was recorded by observation and by tracking individuals. A model of potential breeding sites was compared with the occurrence of the bird in Estonia and then linked to protected sites. (2) The seasonal distribution of the bird was overlaid with a European environmental classification and the CORINE land cover map. A model of climate change was also utilized.
Results (1) A new map of European migration routes, wintering and stopover sites is presented. (2)The bird requires a habitat network, with wetlands being essential for nesting and roosting. The composition of habitats used for feeding varies according to geographical location. (3) In Estonia not all potential breeding sites are occupied and many existing sites are not protected. (4) Climate change could threaten populations in the south but could be beneficial in Estonia.Conclusions (1) The existing ecological network in Estonia is adequate to maintain a viable breeding population of the Eurasian crane. (2) Climate change could support the breeding of cranes but complicate their migration and wintering.
Two ways of self-interpretation merged in Western thought: the Hebrew and the Greek. What is unique, if anything, about the human species? The reinterpretation of this problem has been a constant process; here I am referring to Philip Hefner and the term created co-creator, and particularly to Donna Haraway and the term cyborg. Simultaneously, humans have been fascinated by the thought of transgressing the boundaries that seem to separate them from the rest of nature. Any culture reflects the ways it relates to nature. Our nature is technonature, and our culture is technoculture. Our reality can be best approached by the metaphor and symbol cyborg. Donna Haraway's cyborg is not just an interesting figure of speech, it is also a description-of ourselves and our culture. Also, contemporary fiction reflects the return of ontological questions: What is a world? What is the self? The cyborg acknowledges our mode of existence and destabilizes the traditional procedures of identity construction.From the very beginning, people have tried to define humanity by clarifying the differences between humans and those nonhumans and things that share this planet. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, humans have assured themselves that they are unique, separated from everything else by special
The Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) Directive was ratified (2014/89/EU) along the Strategy of the European Union (EU) on the Blue Economy to contribute to the effective management of maritime activities and resources and incorporate the principal elements of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) (2002/413/EC) into planning at the land-sea interface. There is a need to develop the ICZM approach throughout Europe to realise the potential for both socio-economic and environmental targets set by the EU and national legislations. In this study, we co-developed different approaches for land-sea interactions in four case areas in Estonia and Finland based on the defined characteristics and key interests derived from local or regional challenges by integrating spatial data on human activities and ecology. Furthermore, four ICZM drafts were co-evaluated by stakeholders and the public using online map-based assessment tools (public participatory GIS). The ICZM approaches of the Estonian cases ranged from the diversification of land use to the enhancement of community-based entrepreneurship. The Finnish cases aimed to define the trends for sustainable marine and coastal tourism and introduce the ecosystem service concept in land use planning. During the project activities, we found that increased communication and exchange of local and regional views and values on the prevailing land-sea interactions were important for the entire process. Thereafter, the ICZM plans were applied to the MSP processes nationally, and they support the sustainable development of coastal areas in Estonia and Finland.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.