Local knowledge in ecological modeling

Bélisle, Annie Claude; Asselin, Hugo; LeBlanc, Patrice; Gauthier, Sylvie

doi:10.5751/es-09949-230214

Cited by 69 publications

(67 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Certainly, our observational potential grew steadily during the last few years and increasing efforts are devoted to conceive global observation systems for up-to-date information on the state of biodiversity and the threats it faces (Tittensor et al, 2014). To achieve this, the use of standardized and cost-effective procedures is needed to underpin a large-scale observation strategy that can accommodate countries across a range of baseline knowledge levels and capabilities (Bélisle, Asselin, LeBlanc, & Gauthier, 2018;Latombe et al, 2017). These are key principles for collecting and integrating information from stakeholders across national boundaries.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate change, biological invasions, and the shifting distribution of Mediterranean fishes: A large‐scale survey based on local ecological knowledge

Azzurro

Sbragaglia

Cerri

et al. 2019

Global Change Biology

119

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Climate change and biological invasions are rapidly reshuffling species distribution, restructuring the biological communities of many ecosystems worldwide. Tracking these transformations in the marine environment is crucial, but our understanding of climate change effects and invasive species dynamics is often hampered by the practical challenge of surveying large geographical areas. Here, we focus on the Mediterranean Sea, a hot spot for climate change and biological invasions to investigate recent spatiotemporal changes in fish abundances and distribution. To this end, we accessed the local ecological knowledge (LEK) of small‐scale and recreational fishers, reconstructing the dynamics of fish perceived as “new” or increasing in different fishing areas. Over 500 fishers across 95 locations and nine different countries were interviewed, and semiquantitative information on yearly changes in species abundance was collected. Overall, 75 species were mentioned by the respondents, mostly warm‐adapted species of both native and exotic origin. Respondents belonging to the same biogeographic sectors described coherent spatial and temporal patterns, and gradients along latitudinal and longitudinal axes were revealed. This information provides a more complete understanding of the shifting distribution of Mediterranean fishes and it also demonstrates that adequately structured LEK methodology might be applied successfully beyond the local scale, across national borders and jurisdictions. Acknowledging this potential through macroregional coordination could pave the way for future large‐scale aggregations of individual observations, increasing our potential for integrated monitoring and conservation planning at the regional or even global level. This might help local communities to better understand, manage, and adapt to the ongoing biotic transformations driven by climate change and biological invaders.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate change, biological invasions, and the shifting distribution of Mediterranean fishes: A large‐scale survey based on local ecological knowledge

Azzurro

Sbragaglia

Cerri

et al. 2019

Global Change Biology

119

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show abstract

“…Moreover, distributions of widespread species, such as Platydracus stercorarius, Ocypus ophthalmicus (see description in Section S1), were more difficult to predict compared to those of rare species [50,51]. Nevertheless, the obtained species distribution maps can be considered as quite reliable based on local ecological knowledge, which is becoming increasingly important in ecological modelling in general [101,102]. In particular, the SDMs met our expectations of more similar distribution patterns for Platydracus stercorarius and Dinothenarus fossor, which are both macro-habitat generalists and strongly dependent on vegetated areas, compared to the predicted distribution of Ocypus ophthalmicus, which is less dependent on vegetation (see description in Section S1).…”

Section: Model Performances To Predict Invertebrate Species Distributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling Distributions of Rove Beetles in Mountainous Areas Using Remote Sensing Data

et al. 2019

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Mountain ecosystems are biodiversity hotspots that are increasingly threatened by climate and land use/land cover changes. Long-term biodiversity monitoring programs provide unique insights into resulting adverse impacts on plant and animal species distribution. Species distribution models (SDMs) in combination with satellite remote sensing (SRS) data offer the opportunity to analyze shifts of species distributions in response to these changes in a spatially explicit way. Here, we predicted the presence probability of three different rove beetles in a mountainous protected area (Gran Paradiso National Park, GPNP) using environmental variables derived from Landsat and Aster Global Digital Elevation Model data and an ensemble modelling approach based on five different model algorithms (maximum entropy, random forest, generalized boosting models, generalized additive models, and generalized linear models). The objectives of the study were (1) to evaluate the potential of SRS data for predicting the presence of species dependent on local-scale environmental parameters at two different time periods, (2) to analyze shifts in species distributions between the years, and (3) to identify the most important species-specific SRS predictor variables. All ensemble models showed area under curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristics values above 0.7 and true skills statistics (TSS) values above 0.4, highlighting the great potential of SRS data. While only a small proportion of the total area was predicted as highly suitable for each species, our results suggest an increase of suitable habitat over time for the species Platydracus stercorarius and Ocypus ophthalmicus, and an opposite trend for Dinothenarus fossor. Vegetation cover was the most important predictor variable in the majority of the SDMs across all three study species. To better account for intra- and inter-annual variability of population dynamics as well as environmental conditions, a continuation of the monitoring program in GPNP as well as the employment of SRS with higher spatial and temporal resolution is recommended.

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“…, Bélisle et al. ). Participation by IPLCs in ecological monitoring therefore offers important knowledge contributions to local, national, regional, and even global assessment initiatives (IPBES , Ens et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complementarity of indigenous and western scientific approaches for monitoring forest state

Lyver

Richardson

Gormley

et al. 2018

Ecological Applications

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Cross-cultural environmental monitoring systems inform on a broad suite of indicators relevant to both scientific and local communities. In this study, we used forest-plot-based survey measures developed by western scientists and a set of community-based survey indicators developed by Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand (NZ), to compare the current state of two ecologically congruent forests (Whirinaki and Ruatāhuna), as they related to a historic Ruatāhuna forest state (Baseline; 1955-1975) in NZ. Both the plot-based and community-based field surveys indicated that the Whirinaki forest was in a better state than the Ruatāhuna forest. This was supported by a stronger mauri (concept of life essence) rating assigned by Māori elders to the Whirinaki forest compared with the Ruatāhuna forests. However, both the Ruatāhuna and Whirinaki forests were deemed to be in a significantly poorer state than the Baseline forest. A cross-cultural monitoring system provides understanding of forest state that both managers and communities can use for decision-making. Historical baselines of forest state can provide ecological targets for restoration initiatives and also identify where on the restoration continuum current forest indicators lie. The alignment of plot-based measures with community-based indicators offers possibilities for future-proofing a cross-cultural monitoring system and buffering it from intergenerational shifts in ecological baselines. The opportunity for indigenous peoples and local communities to apply their traditional ways of knowing, and interpret and act on information they understand are crucial components of cross-cultural environmental management regimes.

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Local knowledge in ecological modeling

Cited by 69 publications

References 44 publications

Climate change, biological invasions, and the shifting distribution of Mediterranean fishes: A large‐scale survey based on local ecological knowledge

Climate change, biological invasions, and the shifting distribution of Mediterranean fishes: A large‐scale survey based on local ecological knowledge

Modelling Distributions of Rove Beetles in Mountainous Areas Using Remote Sensing Data

Complementarity of indigenous and western scientific approaches for monitoring forest state

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