Filling evidence gaps with expert opinion: The use of Delphi analysis in least-cost modelling of functional connectivity

Eycott, Amy E.; Marzano, Mariella; Watts, Kevin

doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2011.08.014

Cited by 33 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…This method has been applied in ecology to fill in data gaps (Eycott et al 2011), through the experience of the participants (Ochoa-Gaona et al 2010). The technique can be classified into four categories relevant to ecology and conservation (Hasson and Keeney 2011).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Checklist of gypsophilous vascular flora in Italy

Musarella¹,

Mendoza-Fernández²,

Poveda³

et al. 2018

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Our understanding of the richness and uniqueness of the flora growing on gypsum substrates in Italy has grown significantly since the 19th century and, even today, new plant species are still being discovered. However, the plants and plant communities, growing on gypsum substrates in Italy, are still a relatively unknown subject.The main aim of this paper was to elaborate a checklist of the Italian gypsophilous flora, to increase knowledge about this peculiar flora and for which conservation efforts need to be addressed.Through a structured group communication process of experts (application of the Delphi technique), a remarkable number of experienced Italian botanists have joined together to select focal plant species linked to gypsum substrates. From the results obtained, 31 plant species behave as absolute or preferent taxa (gypsophytes and gypsoclines) and form the ‘core’ Italian gypsophilous flora. The most abundant life forms were chamaephytes and hemicryptophytes, belonging to Poaceae and Brassicaceae; as for chorotypes, the most represented are Mediterranean and narrow endemics. By improving on previously available information about the flora with a clear preference for gypsum in Italy, this undertaking represents an important contribution to the knowledge of a habitat which is today considered a priority for conservation.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Checklist of gypsophilous vascular flora in Italy

Musarella¹,

Mendoza-Fernández²,

Poveda³

et al. 2018

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“…Unlike single iteration methods, such as interviews or structured group methods, which do not provide individual feedback (e.g. nominal group technique), the iterative nature of the Delphi technique, combined with the feedback process, ensures more credibility to the final outcome by allowing experts to re‐assess and change their responses (Eycott, Marzano & Watts ). In addition, unlike face‐to face discussions in focus group discussions, the written feedback process of the Delphi technique makes the procedure retraceable and transparent and therefore useful in legal challenges (Clark et al .…”

Section: Comparison Of the Delphi Technique To Other Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…). Although this technique has been applied in ecology, for example to fill in data gaps (Eycott, Marzano & Watts ), and aid in decision‐making (Mehnen, Mose & Strijker ), there has been no synthesis of these applications to guide future use. To encourage the appropriate application of the technique, we seek to address the following objectives in this paper: Outline the process of the Delphi technique and classify the different variants. Review the use of the Delphi technique in ecology and conservation. Compare the Delphi technique with other similar techniques. Discuss the limitations of the Delphi technique. Suggest guidelines for refining the technique. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Delphi technique in ecology and biological conservation: applications and guidelines

et al. 2015

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Summary1. Many areas of science, including conservation and environmental management, regularly require engaging stakeholders or experts to produce consensus or technical inputs. The Delphi technique is an iterative and anonymous participatory method used for gathering and evaluating such expert-based knowledge. 2. We outline the methodology of the Delphi technique and provide a taxonomy of its main variants. In addition, we refine the technique by providing suggestions to address common limitations (e.g. time consumption, attrition rate) in order to make the method more suitable for application in ecology and conservation. 3. A comprehensive search for studies that have applied the Delphi technique in conservation and environmental management resulted in 36 papers. The Delphi technique has been applied to a range of issues, including developing decision support systems and predicting ecological impacts of climate change. 4. The papers reviewed suggest that the Delphi technique is an efficient, inclusive, systematic and structured approach that can be used to address complex issues. A major strength compared to other group-based techniques is the reduced influence of social pressures among respondents. 5. The Delphi technique is relatively little used and seems undervalued. Given its wide range of possible applications, it could be applied more widely in evaluating evidence and providing expert judgments.

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“…Barrier effect index is usually calculated using the Cost Distance module in ArcGIS [37,38]. In this study, using human being as target species, we introduced accumulative cost distance, the Path Distance function module in ArcGIS 9.2, to describe the accumulative barrier effect of different land uses, and to model the structural connectivity of green spaces in Hong Kong.…”

Section: Modeling Ecological Barrier Effect Index (Ebei)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Structural Connectivity of Urban Green Spaces in Metropolitan Hong Kong

et al. 2017

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Connectivity is a vital element in landscape structure because of its importance in species-landscape interactions. Connectivity analysis of green spaces in urban landscapes, especially in high-density cities such as Hong Kong, differs from that of habitats in natural or rural landscapes. Using the human being as the target species, we formulated with GIS techniques a resistance weight, a structural connectivity index and an ecological barrier effect index to assess connectivity of green spaces. Two factors were included in the modeling, namely the resistance of different land uses related to human activities, and the distance between different urban green spaces. We analyzed the relationships between the connectivity index of green spaces and green cover, elevation, building density and population density. Our results indicate that low connectivity usually occurs in both old and new town centers with high building density and low green cover, and in areas occupied by land uses with a high resistance weight. However, urban density may not necessarily have a negative influence on the structural connectivity of green spaces. Green cover also may not necessarily have positive impact on connectivity if the green spaces have a poor spatial pattern. Adding more green stepping stones, large green spaces and green corridors to form greenways and shortening the distance between urban green spaces can offer a spatial-planning strategy to increase the green space connectivity in Hong Kong. The study provides insights to optimize connectivity of green spaces to improve the urban living environment in high-density metropolises.

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Filling evidence gaps with expert opinion: The use of Delphi analysis in least-cost modelling of functional connectivity

Cited by 33 publications

References 52 publications

Checklist of gypsophilous vascular flora in Italy

Checklist of gypsophilous vascular flora in Italy

The Delphi technique in ecology and biological conservation: applications and guidelines

Assessing Structural Connectivity of Urban Green Spaces in Metropolitan Hong Kong

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