▶ Addresses a wide range of timely environment, economic and energy topics ▶ A forum to review, analyze and stimulate the development, testing and implementation of mitigation and adaptation strategies at regional, national and global scales ▶ Contributes to real-time policy analysis and development as national and international policies and agreements are discussed and promulgated ▶ 94% of authors who answered a survey reported that they would definitely publish or probably publish in the journal again

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change

/pdf/remote-sensing-of-the-environment-4yfxjaaswe.pdf

Remote sensing of the environment

Remote sensing for agricultural applications: A meta-review

The results of the Forest Resources Assessment 2000 carried out by FAO are synthetically presented and discussed. The world forest coverage is estimated equal to 38.6 million km 2 . The comparison of the estimates from the period 1990-2000 with those from the period 1980-1990 points out a certain general deceleration of the rate of net deforestation, that currently involves around 9 million hectares every year. However, the annua1 loss of tropical forests is still very large, while temperate and borea1 forests are in expansion. Overall, FRA2000 produced a relevant effort to compensate the existing technical, institutional and financial constraints and shortcomings for monitoring the world forest resources. The need to increase the quality and the frequency of forest surveys, both at national and international levels, s t a stands as a major issue to cope with.

http://ojs.aisf.it/index.php/ifm/article/download/774/738

Valutazione delle risorse forestali a livello globale

We reviewed the literature on leadership in linked social-ecological systems and combined it with the literature on institutional entrepreneurship in complex adaptive systems to develop a new theory of transformative agency in linked social- ecological systems. Although there is evidence of the importance of strategic agency in introducing innovation and transforming approaches to management and governance of such systems, there is no coherent theory to explain the wide diversity of strategies identified. Using Holling's adaptive cycle as a model of phases present in innovation and transformation of resilient social- ecological systems, overlaid by Dorado's model of opportunity context (opaque, hazy, transparent) in complex adaptive systems, we propose a more coherent theory of strategic agency, which links particular strategies, on the part of transformative agents, to phases of system change.

/pdf/a-theory-of-transformative-agency-in-linked-social-136jl6wy98.pdf

A Theory of Transformative Agency in Linked Social-Ecological Systems

This article develops a dynamic spatial optimization algorithm for watershed modeling that reduces dimensionality and incorporates multiple objectives. Spatial optimization methods, which include spatially linear and nonlinear formulations, are applied to an experimental watershed and tested against a full enumeration frontier. The integrated algorithm includes biophysical simulation and economic decision-making within a geographic information system. It was observed that it is possible to achieve economic and water quality objectives in a watershed by spatially optimizing site-specific practices. It was observed that a spatially diversified watershed plan could achieve multiple goals in a watershed. The algorithm can be used to develop efficient policies towards environmental management of watersheds to address water quality issues by identifying optimal tradeoffs across objectives.

Multiple criteria dynamic spatial optimization to manage water quality on a watershed scale

Spatio-temporal linkages between hydrologic and ecologic dimensions of watersheds play a critical role in conservation policies. Habitat potential is influenced by variation along longitudinal and lateral gradients and land use disturbance. An assessment of these influences provides critical information for protecting watershed ecosystems and in making spatially explicit, conservation decisions. We use an ecohydrologic approach that focuses on interface between hydrological and ecological processes. This study focuses on changes in watershed habitat potentials along lateral (riparian), and longitudinal (stream order) dimensions and disturbance (land use). The habitat potentials were evaluated for amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds in the Westfield River Watershed of Massachusetts using geographic information systems and multivariate analysis. We use a polynomial model to study nonlinear effects using robust regression. Various spatial policies were modeled and evaluated for influence on species diversity. All habitat potentials showed a strong influence along spatial dimensions and disturbance. The habitat potential for all vertebrate groups studied decreased as the distance from the riparian zone increased. Headwaters and lower order subwatersheds had higher levels of species diversity compared to higher order subwatersheds. It was observed that locations with the least disturbance also had higher habitat potential. The study identifies three policy criteria that could be used to identify critical areas within a watershed to conserve habitat suitable for various species through management and restoration activities. A spatially variable policy that is based on stream order, riparian distance, and land use can be used to maximize watershed ecological benefits. Wider riparian zones with variable widths, protection of headwaters and lower order subwatersheds, and minimizing disturbance in riparian and headwater areas can be used in watershed policy. These management objectives could be achieved using targeted economic incentives, best management practices, zoning laws, and educational programs using a watershed perspective.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1752-1688.2007.00102.x

Effects of riparian areas, stream order, and land use disturbance on watershed-scale habitat potential: An ecohydrologic approach to policy

Deliberative valuation without prices: A multiattribute prioritization for watershed ecosystem management

Impact of climate change and land use on watershed runoff involves multiattribute ecohydrologic interactions. This information is critical to development of comprehensive storm water management policies. Watersheds in the continental United States have diverse temperatures and precipitation regimes and varying hydrogeomorphic features that influence runoff. This study investigates watershed-scale runoff using statistical modeling for storm water policy optimization. Multivariate statistical modeling show that vegetative activity, annual evaporation, precipitation, temperature, and soil moisture significantly influenced watershed runoff. Soil moisture has a strong influence on runoff with each percent increase causing 5% increase in runoff. Nonlinear modeling with quadratic and interaction effects shows a significant interaction between soil moisture and other climatic variables in influencing annual runoff patterns. Changes in climate affect ecohydrologic characters by altering available soil moisture, evaporation, precipitation patterns, and runoff. Optimization of green infrastructure design can be a successful management tool for runoff with an understanding that changes to multiple attributes in ecohydrologic variables affect runoff. Multi-attribute-based green infrastructure and incentive policies can result in comprehensive storm water policies that incorporate climatic and ecohydrologic conditions of watershed systems.

https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/2015JG002981

Effect of climate and land cover changes on watershed runoff: A multivariate assessment for storm water management

Riparian ecosystems play a vital role in providing ecosystem services that include habitat support and protection of water quality. This study assessed the role of riparian ecosystems along the lateral and longitudinal dimensions of the watershed system. A reach-scale assessment, spatial analysis using GIS, and a dynamic simulation of interactions were used to evaluate riparian dynamics in the Westfield River Watershed of Massachusetts. Riparian and riverine characteristics (slope, soils, and flow regime), disturbance regimes (land use and bank impairment), bird habitat suitability, available niches for wildlife, and vegetation biomass were found to vary along the longitudinal dimension of the watershed. Habitat potential (suitability to sustain a species) declined in general (trend) with riparian distance and a maximum potential was observed at an intermediate level. Dynamic simulation was performed using the STELLA model to quantify interactions between different reaches, land conditions, and land use to quantify soil loss (RUSLE equation) and spatial accumulation. Simulations showed a spatial influence in sediment transfer and loading into the stream. Policy simulations on land use in specific riparian locations showed a significant impact of urbanization on the water quality of the river. Significant reductions in soil loss (3%–48% decrease, depending on the spatial location of the practice) could be achieved through implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs). Optimal placement of BMPs and conservation efforts in the riparian zone could be used to protect habitat potential and water quality of the watershed.

Timothy O. Randhir

Papers

Multiple criteria dynamic spatial optimization to manage water quality on a watershed scale

Effects of riparian areas, stream order, and land use disturbance on watershed-scale habitat potential: An ecohydrologic approach to policy

Deliberative valuation without prices: A multiattribute prioritization for watershed ecosystem management

Effect of climate and land cover changes on watershed runoff: A multivariate assessment for storm water management

Water quality change and habitat potential in riparian ecosystems