Tag: modelling

Research summaries

New spatio-temporal model improves the ability of fishery managers to set sustainable catch limits

In this post Associate Editor Andre Punt discusses a paper he recently handled by James T. Thorson, Jason Jannot and Kayleigh Somers ‘Using spatio-temporal models of population growth and movement to monitor overlap between human impacts and fish populations‘ In many jurisdictions, including the U.S., conservation management of fish stocks involves comparing catches with estimates of an overfishing limit (OFL). The OFL is a catch … Continue reading New spatio-temporal model improves the ability of fishery managers to set sustainable catch limits

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Research summaries

Northern mixed-grass prairie bounces back, but slowly: reflections on a 33 year long grazing experiment

In this post Julie Kray, Agricultural Science Research Technician, USDA-ARS & Lauren Porensky, Ecologist, USDA-ARS discuss the recent paper ‘Thresholds and gradients in a semi-arid grassland: long-term grazing treatments induce slow, continuous and reversible vegetation change’ How do we strike a balance between an economically sustainable amount of grazing, and an ecologically sustainable amount? This is the central challenge in managing grazed landscapes around the … Continue reading Northern mixed-grass prairie bounces back, but slowly: reflections on a 33 year long grazing experiment

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Research summaries

Environmental DNA and crayfish management

In this post Matthew Dougherty discusses his recent paper ‘Environmental DNA (eDNA) detects the invasive rusty crayfish Orconectes rusticus at low abundances‘ Tangled buoy strings, lost traps, pinched fingers, sweaty brows, and boats smeared with beef liver: these images define the experiences of countless managers and scientists who use baited trapping to monitor crayfish invasions, especially in lakes of the upper Midwest, USA. While these … Continue reading Environmental DNA and crayfish management

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Research summaries

Crucial for population management: new model solves old missing data problem and provides mortality estimates for male African lions

In this post Julia Barthold discusses the recent paper “Bayesian estimates of male and female African lion mortality for future use in population management” by her and co-authors A. J. Loveridge, D.W. Macdonald, C. Packer, and F. Colchero. The article is part of the BES cross-journal special feature “Demography Beyond the Population”. In 2013, I wanted to project the population dynamics of African lions. This … Continue reading Crucial for population management: new model solves old missing data problem and provides mortality estimates for male African lions

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Research summaries

Early warning indicators in aquatic ecosystems

In this post Craig Allen and Hannah Birge discuss a paper from Sarah Burthe and colleagues ‘Do early warning indicators consistently predict nonlinear change in long-term ecological data?’ Complex systems of humans and nature rarely change in gradual, expected ways. Instead, changes often occur suddenly, with major, non-linear losses of human and ecological capital. Once these unexpected changes occur, it can be difficult to restore … Continue reading Early warning indicators in aquatic ecosystems

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Research summaries

How network analyses can help to find out what happens to ostrich farming after an avian influenza outbreak

In this post Craig Allen and Hannah Birge discuss a paper from Christine Moore, John Grewar and Graeme S. Cumming ‘Quantifying network resilience: comparison before and after a major perturbation shows strengths and limitations of network metrics’ Humans are very good at creating mental models to simplify nature’s complexity, to make its many parts and interactions more understandable. Approaches that exemplify this include hierarchy theory, panarchy … Continue reading How network analyses can help to find out what happens to ostrich farming after an avian influenza outbreak

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Research summaries

Helping Hawaiian spinner dolphins rest

In this post Julian Tyne discusses his paper ‘The importance of spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) resting habitat: implications for management’ Coastal dolphin populations are exposed to non-consumptive human activities that can pose conservation challenges. Consequently, effective management strategies, using rigorous scientific assessments of exposed populations and their habitats, are needed to mitigate potential negative impacts of these activities. Key habitats may function as critical for … Continue reading Helping Hawaiian spinner dolphins rest

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Practitioners, Research summaries

Building better models for environmental decision-making: how can modellers & practitioners collaborate?

In this post, Kevin Wood describes a Practitioner’s Perspective article on the joint development of individual-based models between modellers and practitioners: “Co-creation of individual-based models by practitioners and modellers to inform environmental decision-making” by Wood, Stillman & Goss-Custard. We live in an age of environmental change unprecedented in human history. Such change is due to an array of factors including climate change, growing human population … Continue reading Building better models for environmental decision-making: how can modellers & practitioners collaborate?

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