Science for a Social Revolution: Ecologists Entering the Realm of Action

Marshall, Kellen; Hamlin, Jenna; Armstrong, Melissa; Mendoza, Jorge; Lee, Courtney; Pieri, Dayani; Rivera, Ricardo; Lastra-Diaz, Lourdes; Stonefish, Audra; Bailey, Jennifer

doi:10.1890/0012-9623-92.3.241

Cited by 10 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 1 publication

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Connecting ESA members’ work to the broader field of ecology, we see many educational programs integrate human and biophysical aspects of ecosystems and train students to consider both the ecological processes and human behavior and decision‐making that affect community and ecosystem health and sustainability (Marshall et al. , Bonilla et al. ).…”

Section: Why Highlight Human Dimensions and Diversity Equity And Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extending the Vision: Highlighting the Human Dimensions of the Ecological Society of America

Hettinger

Kumar

Eaves³

et al. 2019

Bulletin Ecologic Soc America

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Section: Why Highlight Human Dimensions and Diversity Equity And Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extending the Vision: Highlighting the Human Dimensions of the Ecological Society of America

Hettinger

Kumar

Eaves³

et al. 2019

Bulletin Ecologic Soc America

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In these landscapes, knowledge of the joint agro-economic and conservation value of different landscape elements has become central to modern environmental decisionmaking (Moilanen et al 2005;Whitten et al 2011). It is therefore no longer possible to isolate the study of invasive or introduced species in these systems in a way that treats them as purely ecological or economic phenomena (Larson 2008), but as components of broader socio-ecological systems (Bardsley and Edwards-Jones 2007;Marshall et al 2011) in which NNG-driven changes in anthropogenic and biophysical processes alter landscape function as a whole (Bart 2006;Bart and Simon 2013).…”

Section: A Multifunctional Rural Landscape Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Why non-native grasses pose a critical emerging threat to biodiversity conservation, habitat connectivity and agricultural production in multifunctional rural landscapes

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Context Landscape-scale conservation planning is key to the protection of biodiversity globally. Central to this approach is the development of multifunctional rural landscapes (MRLs) that maintain the viability of natural ecosystems and promote animal and plant dispersal alongside agricultural land uses. Objectives We investigate evidence that non-native grasses (NNGs) in rangelands and other low-intensity agricultural systems pose a critical threat to landscape conservation initiatives in MRLs both in Australia and globally.Methods We first establish a simple socio-ecological model that classifies different rural landscape elements within typical MRLs based on their joint conservation and agro-economic value. We then quantify the impacts of eight Australian NNGs (Andropogon gayanus, Cenchrus ciliaris, Eragrostis curvula, Hyparrhenia hirta, Nassella neesiana, Nassella trichotoma, Phalaris aquatica and Urochloa mutica) on different landscape elements and then classify and describe the socio-ecological transformations that result at the MRL scale. Results Our data indicate that two broad classes of NNGs exist. The first reduces both conservation and agro-economic value ('co-degrading' species) of invaded landscapes, while the second improves agroeconomic value at the expense of conservation value ('trade-off' species). Crucially, however, both classes cause hardening of the landscape matrix, agricultural intensification, reduced habitat connectivity, and the loss of multi-value land use types that are vital for landscape conservation. Conclusions NNGs drive socio-ecological transformations that pose a growing threat to landscape-scale connectivity and conservation initiatives in Australia and globally. There is an urgent need for further research into the impacts of NNGs on habitat connectivity and biodiversity within multifunctional landscapes, and the socio-ecological goals that can be achieved when landscape transformation and degradation by these species is unavoidable.Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article

show abstract

“…In its most current iteration, action ecology emphasizes the impact-oriented synthesis of large-scale datasets to inform evidence-based management and policy that impacts ecosystems (Colón-Rivera et al 2011, Marshall et al 2011. Passionate support for action ecology has come from the leadership of the ESA, whose SEEDS student program was home to Pérez and Calle when they coined the term.…”

Section: Definitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The next generation of action ecology: novel approaches towards global ecological research

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Advances in the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge over the last decade have dramatically reshaped the way that ecological research is conducted. The advent of large, technologybased resources such as iNaturalist, Genbank, or the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) allow ecologists to work at spatio-temporal scales previously unimaginable. This has generated a new approach in ecological research: one that relies on large datasets and rapid synthesis for theory testing and development, and findings that provide specific recommendations to policymakers and managers. This new approach has been termed action ecology, and here we aim to expand on earlier definitions to delineate its characteristics so as to distinguish it from related subfields in applied ecology and ecological management. Our new, more nuanced definition describes action ecology as ecological research that is (1) explicitly motivated by the need for immediate insights into current, pressing problems, (2) collaborative and transdisciplinary, incorporating sociological in addition to ecological considerations throughout all steps of the research, (3) technology-mediated, innovative, and aggregative (i.e., reliant on 'big data'), and (4) designed and disseminated with the intention to inform policy and management. We provide tangible examples of existing work in the domain of action ecology, and offer suggestions for its implementation and future growth, with explicit recommendations for individuals, research institutions, and ecological societies.

show abstract

Science for a Social Revolution: Ecologists Entering the Realm of Action

Cited by 10 publications

References 1 publication

Extending the Vision: Highlighting the Human Dimensions of the Ecological Society of America

Extending the Vision: Highlighting the Human Dimensions of the Ecological Society of America

Why non-native grasses pose a critical emerging threat to biodiversity conservation, habitat connectivity and agricultural production in multifunctional rural landscapes

The next generation of action ecology: novel approaches towards global ecological research

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About