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Priority Areas (priority + area)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Life Sciences	56%
Medical Sciences	32%
Business, Economics, Finance and Accounting	4%
4 Other Domains	8%

Distribution within Life Sciences

Conservation Science	39%
Ecology & Organismal Biology	21%

Selected Abstracts

Performance of Sub-Saharan Vertebrates as Indicator Groups for Identifying Priority Areas for Conservation

CONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2003
Joslin L. Moore
Often, these sets of important areas, referred to as priority sets, have been identified through use of data on a single taxon (e.g., birds), which is assumed to act as an indicator for all biodiversity. Using a database of the distributions of 3882 vertebrate species in sub-Saharan Africa, we conducted one of very few large-scale tests of this assumption. We used six potential indicator groups,birds, mammals, amphibians, snakes, threatened birds, and threatened mammals,to find priority sets of 200 areas that best represent the species in that group. Priority sets of grid cells designed to maximize representation of a single indicator group captured 83,93% of species in the other groups. This high degree of representation is consistent with observed high levels of overlap in the patterns of distribution of species in different groups. Those species of highest conservation interest were more poorly represented, however, with only 75,88% of other groups' threatened species and 63,76% of other groups' narrow-range species represented in the priority sets. We conclude that existing priority sets based on indicator groups provide a pragmatic basis for the immediate assessment of priorities for conservation at a continental scale. However, complete and efficient representation,especially of narrow-range species,will not be achieved through indicator groups alone. Therefore, priority-setting procedures must remain flexible so that new areas important for other taxa can be incorporated as data become available. Resumen: La meta de la identificación de prioridades globales y continentales de conservación es la identificación de áreas particularmente valiosas para la conservación en las cuales enfocar esfuerzos más detallados. A menudo, estos conjuntos de áreas importantes (referidas como conjuntos prioritarios) han sido identificados utilizando datos de un solo taxón (e. g. aves), el cual se supone que actúa como indicador de toda la biodiversidad. Utilizando una base de datos de la distribución de 3882 especies de vertebrados en África sub-Sahara, realizamos una de las pocas pruebas a gran escala de este supuesto. Utilizamos seis grupos de indicadores potenciales (aves, mamíferos, anfibios, serpientes, aves amenazadas y mamíferos amenazados ) para encontrar conjuntos prioritarios de 200 áreas que mejor representan las especies de ese grupo. Conjuntos prioritarios de celdas matriciales diseñadas para maximizar la representatividad de un grupo indicador capturaron 83,93% de las especies de los otros grupos. Este alto grado de representatividad es consistente con los altos niveles de superposición observados en los patrones de distribución de especies en los diferentes grupos. Sin embargo, las especies de mayor interés para la conservación estaban poco representadas, con solo 75,88% de las especies amenazadas de otros grupos y 63,76% de las especies de distribución restringida de otros grupos representados en los conjuntos prioritarios. Concluimos que los conjuntos prioritarios existentes, basados en grupos indicadores, proporcionan una base pragmática para la evaluación inmediata de las prioridades de conservación a escala continental. Sin embargo, no se logrará la representación completa y eficiente,especialmente de especies de distribución restringida,solo con grupos indicadores. Por lo tanto, los procedimientos de definición de prioridades deben permanecer flexibles para que se puedan incorporar nuevas áreas importantes para otros taxones a medida que se obtienen los datos. [source]

Biogeographic Crossroads as Priority Areas for Biodiversity Conservation

CONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2002
Sacha Spector
I suggest that targeting the regions where biogeographic assemblages intersect,"biogeographic crossroads",is a strategy that may achieve significant conservation economy by focusing on areas that satisfy many conservation criteria. I used a combination of data on Scarabaeine beetles in Bolivia and on other taxa and locations from the literature to consider the short- and long-term benefits of conserving these biogeographic crossroads. Biogeographic crossroads are areas of high species richness and beta diversity, often across many taxonomic groups. They are also regions where representativeness can be achieved with relative efficiency. Recent evidence that ecotones may be loci of evolution suggests that evolutionary processes such as speciation and coevolution may be conserved at biogeographic crossroads. Biogeographic crossroads appear to be areas of high conservation priority and opportunity in both the short and long term and require increased attention in the process of setting conservation priorities. Resumen: Las amenazas a la biodiversidad rebasan los recursos de la comunidad conservacionista y requieren de una cuidadosa priorización de las acciones de conservación. Sugiero que enfocar en las regiones donde intersectan ensambles biogeográficos,"intersecciones biogeográficas", es una estrategia que puede lograr una economía significativa de los esfuerzos de conservación al atender áreas que satisfacen muchos criterios de conservación. Utilicé una combinación de datos de escarabajos Scarabaeine de Bolivia y de otros taxones y localidades de la literatura para considerar los beneficios a corto y largo plazo de conservar estas intersecciones biogeográficas. Las intersecciones biogeográficas son áreas de alta riqueza de especies y de diversidad beta, y probablemente éste sea el caso de muchos grupos taxonómicos. También son regiones en las que se puede alcanzar representatividad con relativa eficiencia. Evidencia reciente de que los ecotonos pueden ser sitios de evolución sugiere que los procesos evolutivos tales como la especiación y coevolución pueden ser conservados en intersecciones biogeográficas. Las intersecciones biogeográficas parecen ser áreas de alta prioridad y oportunidad de conservación tanto a corto como a largo plazo y requieren mayor atención en el proceso de definición de prioridades de conservación. [source]

AN ASSESSMENT OF FUNDING TO SUPPORT RURAL AND REMOTE HEALTH RESEARCH IN AUSTRALIA

AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 5 2000
Carla Patterson
ABSTRACT: A. systematic search was undertaken to ascertain the nature, source and extent of funding awarded to research projects that were directed specifically at aspects of rural health over the past decade. Comment is also made on the challenge of obtaining such information directly from databases. The sources investigated were the conventional research funding bodies, hospital trusts and foundations, university funding schemes and government sources. The results of these searches revealed a crude average of 3 million dollars per year from conventional research funding with the remaining sources adding a similar amount in total. Analysis of the data using a framework modified from the Strategic Review of Health and Medical Research in Australia shows that funding is concentrated in the health services and public health areas with a preponderance of funding being directed towards the description of conditions and interventions. Significant levels of funding have been directed towards the National Health Priority Areas. [source]

Using Phylogenetic Diversity Measures to Set Priorities in Conservation: an Example from Southern South America

CONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2001
Paula Posadas
The goal of these ranks for conservation is to consider as many factors as possible that provide additional taxic information, such as taxa richness, taxa distributional patterns, area endemicity, and complementarity between areas. At present there are many measures that consider phylogenetic information, including node-based, genetic-distance, and feature-based measures. We devised a modified phylogenetic node-based index that we call "taxonomic endemicity standardized weight," which considers not only the taxonomic distinctness of the taxa that inhabit a given area but their endemicity as well. Once the standardized weight of the taxonomic endemicity identifies the area of highest priority, complementarity can be used to identify the second area and so on. We used this node-based index to rank priority areas for conservation in southern South America, and we compared the results of our rankings to results based on other node-based indexes. Our index identified Santiago district, in Central Chile province, as the highest priority area for conservation, followed by Maule, Malvinas, and districts of Subantarctic province. Malvinas exhibits greater complementarity relative to Santiago than Maule does, however, so Malvinas is ranked second in priority. Indexes based on phylogenetic information measure the evolutionary component of biodiversity and allow one to identify areas that will ensure the preservation of evolutionary potential and phylogenetically rare taxa. The modified index we propose is sensitive to taxic distinctness and endemicity as well and allows information from diverse taxa to be combined (i.e., different cladograms). The use of complementarity allows for preservation of the maximum quantity of taxa in a minimal number of protected areas. Resumen: Las medidas de diversidad filogenética jerarquiza a las áreas para prioridades de conservación de biodiversidad con base en información codificada en filogenias (cladogramas), La meta de estas categorías de conservación requiere tomar en consideración tantos factores que proporcionan información adicional (riqueza de taxones, patrones de distribución de los taxones, endemicidad del área y complementariedad entre áreas) como sea posible. Actualmente hay muchas medidas que consideran información filogenética (basadas en nodos, distancia genética y basadas en características). Diseñamos un índice filogenético modificado basado en nodos que denominamos "peso estandarizado de endemicidad taxonómica", el cual considera no solo la peculiaridad genética de los taxa que habitan una región determinada sino también su endemicidad. Una vez que el peso estandarizado de endemicidad identifica el área de mayor prioridad, la complementariedad se puede usar para identificar la segunda área y así sucesivamente. Utilizamos este índice basado en nodos para jerarquizar áreas prioritarias para conservación en el sur de América del Sur, y comparamos los resultados de nuestras jerarquizaciones con resultados obtenidos con otros índices basados en nodos. Nuestro índice identificó al distrito de Santiago, en la provincia de Chile Central, como el área de mayor prioridad para conservación, seguido por Maule, Malvinas y distritos de la provincia Subantártica. Sin embargo, Malvinas presenta mayor complementariedad en relación con Santiago que el Maule y, por tanto, Malvinas ocupa la segunda prioridad. Los índices basados en información filogenética miden el componente evolutivo de la biodiversidad y permiten la identificación de áreas que aseguran la preservación de taxones con potencial evolutivo y filogenéticamente peculiares. El índice modificado que proponemos es sensible tanto a la peculiaridad de los taxones como a la endemicidad y permite combinar información de diversos taxones (i.e. cladogramas diferentes). El uso de la complementariedad permite la preservación de la mayor cantidad de taxones en un número mínimo de áreas protegidas. [source]

Track analysis and conservation priorities in the cloud forests of Hidalgo, Mexico

DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS, Issue 3 2000
Isolda Luna Vega
Abstract .,A track analysis based on the distributional patterns of 967 species of vascular plant taxa (gymnosperms, angiosperms and pteridophytes) was performed to assess conservation priorities for cloud forests in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico, ranged in the municipalities of Chapulhuacán, Eloxochitlán, Molocotlán, Pisaflores, Tenango de Doria, Tlahuelompa and Tlanchinol, as well as five floristically equivalent areas in the states of Veracruz (Teocelo and Helechales), Tamaulipas (Gómez Farías), Morelos-México (Ocuilan) and Oaxaca (Huautla de Jiménez). In order to detect generalized tracks we employed a new parsimony method, where clades (considered equivalent to generalized tracks) are defined forbidding homoplasy and acting like a compatibility algorithm. Several generalized tracks were found connecting these areas. Cloud forests of Chapulhuacán were connected according to three different generalized tracks and thus have a higher value, qualifying as a priority area for the conservation of cloud forests in the state of Hidalgo. [source]

Translational approaches to understanding anorexia nervosa

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue S1 2005
Diane A. Klein MD
Abstract Translational research has fostered significant gains in neuroscience and psychiatry and has been identified by the NIMH as a "priority area" for further funding. As applied to anorexia nervosa (AN), "translational research" describes the application of principles and methodologies employed in related fields to advance the understanding, and ultimately treatment and prevention, of this disorder. Several promising areas of translational research in AN are identified. Such research, particularly when linked to a conceptual framework, offers the potential of lending much-needed novel insight into this challenging and enigmatic disorder. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]

Improving the design and management of forest strips in human-dominated tropical landscapes: a field test on Amazonian dung beetles

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2010
Jos Barlow
Summary 1.,The future of tropical forest species depends in part on their ability to survive in human-modified landscapes. Forest strips present a priority area for biodiversity research because they are a common feature of many managed landscapes, are often afforded a high level of legal protection, and can provide a cost-effective and politically acceptable conservation strategy. 2.,Despite the potential conservation benefits that could be provided by forest strips, ecologists currently lack sufficient evidence to inform policy and guide their design and management. 3.,We used a quasi-experimental landscape in the Brazilian Amazon to test the importance of four management-relevant variables (forest type, isolation distance, forest structure, and large mammal activity) on the potential biodiversity conservation value of narrow forest strips for dung beetles. 4.,Information-theoretic model selection based on AICc revealed strong support for the influence of large mammal activity and forest type on dung beetle abundance; isolation distance on species richness; and forest structure on the relative abundance of matrix-tolerant species. Multi-dimensional scaling showed a strong influence of forest type and isolation on community composition and structure, with riparian and dry-land strips having complementary sets of species. 5.,Synthesis and applications. To enhance the conservation value and ecological integrity of forest strips in human-modified landscapes we recommend that strip design considers both isolation distance and whether or not the strips encompass perennial streams. In addition, we identify the maintenance of forest structure and the protection of large mammal populations as being crucially important for conserving forest dung beetle communities. [source]

Enhancing primary health care services for adults with intellectual disabilities

JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH, Issue 3 2005
C. A. Melville
Abstract Background Primary health care teams have an important part to play in addressing the health inequalities and high levels of unmet health needs experienced by people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Practice nurses have an expanding role within primary health care teams. However, no previous studies have measured their attitudes, knowledge, training needs, and self-efficacy in their work with people with ID. Methods All practice nurses working in a defined area were identified. A purpose-designed questionnaire to measure nurse attitudes, knowledge, training needs and self-efficacy was developed and piloted. All practice nurses were then invited to participate. Data from completed questionnaires were entered onto PC and analysed. Results Of a total of 292 practice nurses 201 (69%) participated. Whilst 89% (n = 179) of participants reported having infrequent contact, 25% (n = 50) reported a growing workload with people with ID. Only 8% (n = 16) had ever received any training in communicating with people with ID. A knowledge gap regarding the health needs of people with ID was identified. Eighty-six per cent reported having experienced specific difficulties during previous appointments, and only 23% thought they had sufficient case note information at appointments, but 68% did not modify the duration of their appointments with people with ID. Conversely, responses demonstrated that practice nurses have a high level of experience and qualification in general nursing, have positive attitudes to working with people with ID, and high self-efficacy scores were identified for work with people with ID. The practice nurses viewed ID to be a high priority area for future training. Conclusions Primary health care teams have a key role in tackling the unmet health needs of people with ID. Whilst this project has identified factors that may impact on the accessibility of services, it has also identified practice nurses as having positive attitudes and high self-efficacy scores in their work with people with ID. This indicates that they should be targeted for specific training in this area, which may make an important contribution in enhancing future accessibility of primary health care services for people with ID. [source]

Relationship between health services outcomes and social and economic outcomes in workplace injury and disease: Data sources and methods,

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2001
Cam Mustard ScD
Abstract Background Understanding the mediating role of health care in mitigating social, economic and occupational role disability is a complex task. Methods No single method of research will be successful in addressing all elements of this NORA research priority area. In this paper, we argue that research methods are needed which have the following components: (1) the detailed measurement of therapeutic intervention and the impacts of this intervention on clinical and functional health status using study designs which rule out competing explanations, (2) a longitudinal follow-up component which measures social, economic, and occupational role function following the conclusion of therapy, and (3) a commitment to execute studies across multiple settings to observe the variations in health care and in social and occupational role function that arise as a result of differences in labor market factors and employer and government policies. Conclusions More comprehensive portraits of the longitudinal trajectory of individual workers, social, economic and occupational role function following an occupational injury or illness will have significance for a large number of policy sectors. Am. J. Ind. Med. 40:335,343, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Identifying research priorities and research needs among health and research professionals in psycho-oncology

ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
Monika DZIDOWSKA
Abstract Aim: To identify and prioritize the key research questions in psycho-oncology in order to guide the development of large multicenter clinically relevant studies. Methods: All members of the Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (n = 295) were invited to participate in an online survey and 180 responded (response rate = 61%). Participants rated eight priority research areas identified from a previous focus group study on a five-point scale, and ranked their top four priority areas. Within the four ranked research areas, participants selected the three most important specific research questions. Results: The highest rated research priority areas were distress identification (23.3%), survivorship (22.7%), and distress management (15.3%), followed by issues relating to health services (9.7%) and carers (8.0%). Interventions were commonly nominated among the most important research questions within each priority area. The single most important research question identified by 44% of the sample was to "Determine the most acceptable, reliable and valid screening tool to be administered routinely at diagnosis and at other key transition points to identify distress and psychosocial needs". Conclusion: This is the first Australian study to explore research priorities in psycho-oncology, and the first international study to explore these issues in depth. To ensure that the research effort is strategic, clinically relevant and cost-effective, clear priorities need to be established. The results of this survey will enable limited resources to focus on key research questions of direct clinical benefit. [source]

Closing Evidence to Practice Gaps in Emergency Care: The Australian Experience

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 11 2007
BAppSci, ICUCert, Susan Huckson RN
The National Institute of Clinical Studies (NICS) was established in 2000 by the Australian government to improve health care by closing evidence-practice gaps. Improving emergency care through use of evidence is a priority area of work for NICS. This article describes the NICS Emergency Care Program and the current application of a "Community of Practice" to support emergency clinicians to implement best practices research. This approach combines aspects of evidence implementation science, quality improvement techniques, and knowledge management within a social network model to provide a mechanism for rapid sharing of explicit and tacit knowledge. Through the Community of Practice, the clinical community guides the priorities for the Emergency Care Program and is actively engaged in the development and implementation of initiatives. [source]

Conservation of Brazilian Amphibians

CONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2005
DÉBORA L. SILVANO
The Brazilian Official List of Threatened Species and the results of a workshop for the Global Amphibian Assessment indicate that 26 species are threatened. The majority of these occur in the Atlantic Forest, one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. The main threat to amphibians is the destruction of their habitats through deforestation, conversion into agricultural land, mining, wildfires, and infrastructure development and urbanization. In Brazil little is known about other causes of amphibian decline observed worldwide, such as pesticides, infectious diseases, climate change, invasive species, or wildlife trade. Brazilian conservation policies include such important legal instruments as the Official List of Threatened Species and the selection of priority areas for conservation measures in all of Brazil's major biomes. Although there is little information on geographic distributions and the natural history and ecology of the large majority of the currently recognized species, a number of important regional studies for amphibian conservation are under way. New species are discovered each year. Resumen:,Brasil es el líder mundial en diversidad de anfibios, con 765 especies, la mayoría de las cuales han sido descritas en los últimos 40 años. La Lista Brasileña Oficial de Especies Amenazadas y los resultados de un taller para la Evaluación Global de Anfibios indican que 26 especies están amenazadas, la mayoría de ellas ocurre en el Bosque Atlántico, uno de los sitios de importancia para la biodiversidad global. La principal amenaza a los anfibios es la destrucción de sus hábitats por la deforestación, conversión a tierras agrícolas, minería, fuego no controlado, desarrollo de infraestructura y urbanización. En Brasil se conoce poco sobre otras causas de la declinación de anfibios observadas en todo el mundo, como pesticidas, enfermedades infecciosas, cambio climático, especies invasoras o comercio de vida silvestre. Las políticas Brasileñas de conservación incluyen importantes instrumentos legales como la Lista Oficial de Especies Amenazadas y la selección de áreas prioritarias para la conservación en todos lo biomas principales de Brasil. Existe escasa información sobre la distribución geográfica y la historia natural y ecología de la gran mayoría de las especies reconocidas actualmente, aunque se está desarrollando un importante número de estudios regionales para la conservación de anfibios. Cada año se descubren nuevas especies. [source]

Using Phylogenetic Diversity Measures to Set Priorities in Conservation: an Example from Southern South America

Sustainable development indicators for the transmission system of an electric utility

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2007
Cory Searcy
Abstract This paper presents a system of sustainable development indicators for the transmission system of a Canadian electric utility. The indicators were developed based on extensive consultations with internal experts at the case utility and external experts in the field of sustainable development indicators. A total of 98 indicators were incorporated into the system, with 70 being developed as a part of this process and 28 representing indicators previously developed by the company. Recognizing the difficulty of working with nearly 100 unstructured measures, four techniques were used to increase the utility of the indicators: (1) the indicators were clustered around eight key priority areas, (2) the indicators were organized according to a hierarchical approach linked to the business planning process, (3) the process of integrating the indicators with existing corporate initiatives was staggered over time and (4) a tiered aggregate was developed. The process of developing the indicators is discussed, with key lessons learned emphasized throughout the paper. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [source]

Using Quality Management Tools to Enhance Feedback from Student Evaluations

DECISION SCIENCES JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE EDUCATION, Issue 1 2005
John B. Jensen
ABSTRACT Statistical tools found in the service quality assessment literature,the T2 statistic combined with factor analysis,can enhance the feedback instructors receive from student ratings. T2 examines variability across multiple sets of ratings to isolate individual respondents with aberrant response patterns (i.e., outliers). Analyzing student responses that are outside the "normal" range of responses can identify aspects of the course that cause pockets of students to be dissatisfied. This fresh insight into sources of student dissatisfaction is particularly valuable for instructors willing to make tactical classroom changes that accommodate individual students rather than the traditional approach of using student ratings to develop systemwide changes in course delivery. A case study is presented to demonstrate how the recommended procedure minimizes data overload, allows for valid schoolwide and longitudinal comparisons of correlated survey responses, and helps instructors identify priority areas for instructional improvement. [source]

Integrating species life-history traits and patterns of deforestation in amphibian conservation planning

DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS, Issue 1 2010
C. G. Becker
Abstract Aim, To identify priority areas for amphibian conservation in southeastern Brazil, by integrating species life-history traits and patterns of deforestation. Location, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods, We used the software Marxan to evaluate different scenarios of amphibian conservation planning. Our approach differs from previous methods by explicitly including two different landscape metrics; habitat split for species with aquatic larvae, and habitat loss for species with terrestrial development. We evaluated the effect of habitat requirements by classifying species breeding habitats in five categories (flowing water, still water permanent, still water temporary, bromeliad or bamboo, and terrestrial). We performed analyses using two scales, grid cells and watersheds and also considered nature preserves as protected areas. Results, We found contrasting patterns of deforestation between coastal and inland regions. Seventy-six grid cells and 14 watersheds are capable of representing each species at least once. When accounting for grid cells already protected in state and national parks and considering species habitat requirements we found 16 high-priority grid cells for species with one or two reproductive habitats, and only one cell representing species with four habitat requirements. Key areas for the conservation of species breeding in flowing and permanent still waters are concentrated in southern state, while those for amphibians breeding in temporary ponds are concentrated in central to eastern zones. Eastern highland zones are key areas for preserving species breeding terrestrially by direct or indirect development. Species breeding in bromeliads and bamboos are already well represented in protected areas. Main conclusions, Our results emphasize the need to integrate information on landscape configuration and species life-history traits to produce more ecologically relevant conservation strategies. [source]

Wilderness and future conservation priorities in Australia

DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS, Issue 6 2009
James E.M. Watson
Abstract Aim, Most approaches to conservation prioritization are focused on biodiversity features that are already threatened. While this is necessary in the face of accelerating anthropogenic threats, there have been calls to conserve large intact landscapes, often termed ,wilderness', to ensure the long-term persistence of biodiversity. In this study, we examine the consequences of directing conservation expenditure using a threat-based framework for wilderness conservation. Location, The Australian continent. Methods, We measured the degree of congruence between the extent of wilderness and the Australian protected area network in 2000 and 2006, which was established using a threat-based systematic planning framework. We also assessed priority areas for future reserve acquisitions identified by the Australian government under the current framework. Results, In 2000, 14% of Australia's wilderness was under formal protection, while the protected area network covered only 8.5% of the continent, suggesting a historical bias towards wilderness protection. However, the expansion of the reserve system from 2000 to 2006 was biased towards non-wilderness areas. Moreover, 90% of the wilderness that was protected over this period comprised areas not primarily designated for biodiversity conservation. We found a significant (P < 0.05) negative relationship between bioregions considered to be a priority for future reserve prioritization and the amount of wilderness they contain. Main conclusions, While there is an urgent need to overcome past biases in reserve network design so as to better protect poorly represented species and habitats, prioritization approaches should not become so reactive as to ignore the role that large, intact landscapes play in conserving biodiversity, especially in a time of human-induced climate change. This can be achieved by using current or future threats rather than past threats to prioritize areas, and by incorporating key ecological processes and costs of acquisition and management within the planning framework. [source]

Complementary representation and zones of ecological transition

ECOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 1 2001
K.J. Gaston
Minimum complementary sets of sites that represent each species at least once have been argued to provide a nominal core reserve network and the starting point for regional conservation programs. However, this approach may be inadequate if there is a tendency to represent several species at marginal areas within their ranges, which may occur if high efficiency results from preferential selection of sites in areas of ecological transition. Here we use data on the distributions of birds in South Africa and Lesotho to explore this idea. We found that for five measures that are expected to reflect the location of areas of ecological transition, complementary sets tend to select higher values of these measures than expected by chance. We recommend that methods for the identification of priority areas for conservation that incorporate viability concerns be preferred to minimum representation sets, even if this results in more costly reserve networks. [source]

Government administrative burdens on SMEs in East Africa: reviewing issues and actions

ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, Issue 2 2001
Fiona Macculloch
The important macroeconomic reforms achieved in East African economies (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda) during the late 1980s and early 1990s have failed to deliver the magnitude of private sector growth and increased employment expected. Governments in the region have begun to recognize that lower-level policies and administrative procedures impose significant constraints on private sector development, stemming primarily from the command and control bureaucracies that characterised colonial governance. There are three priority areas for administrative reform: business licensing and registration, tax and customs procedures and specialised approvals. Also discussed are the problems of the special position of the informal sector, the impact of corruption and access to commercial justice. [source]

Management options for river conservation planning: condition and conservation re-visited

FRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2007
SIMON LINKE
Summary 1. Systematic conservation planning is a process widely used in terrestrial and marine environments. A principal goal is to establish a network of protected areas representing the full variety of species or ecosystems. We suggest considering three key attributes of a catchment when planning for aquatic conservation: irreplaceability, condition and vulnerability. 2. Based on observed and modelled distributions of 367 invertebrates in the Australian state of Victoria, conservation value was measured by calculating an irreplaceability coefficient for 1854 subcatchments. Irreplaceability indicates the likelihood of any subcatchment being needed to achieve conservation targets. We estimated it with a bootstrapped heuristic reserve design algorithm, which included upstream,downstream connectivity rules. The selection metric within the algorithm was total summed rarity, corrected for protected area. 3. Condition was estimated using a stressor gradient approach in which two classes of geographical information system Layers were summarised using principal components analysis. The first class was disturbance measures such as nutrient and sediment budgets, salinisation and weed cover. The second class was land use layers, including classes of forestry, agricultural and urban use. The main gradient, explaining 56% of the variation, could be characterised as agricultural disturbance. Seventy-five per cent of the study area was classified as disturbed. 4. Our definition of vulnerability was the likelihood of a catchment being exposed to a land use that degrades its condition. This was estimated by comparing land capability and current land use. If land was capable of supporting a land use that would have a more degrading effect on a river than its current tenure, it was classified vulnerable (66% of the study area). 79% of catchments contained more then 50% vulnerable land. 5. When integrating the three measures, two major groups of catchments requiring urgent conservation measures were identified. Seven per cent of catchments were highly irreplaceable, highly vulnerable but in degraded condition. These catchments were flagged for restoration. While most highly irreplaceable catchments in good condition were already protected, 2.5% of catchments in this category are on vulnerable land. These are priority areas for assigning river reserves. [source]

Questioning the effectiveness of the Natura 2000 Special Areas of Conservation strategy: the case of Crete

GLOBAL ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2004
Panayiotis G. Dimitrakopoulos
ABSTRACT Aim, This study examines the effectiveness of the selected ,network' of Natura 2000 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) at a regional scale in Greece, in terms of its representativeness of plant biodiversity. Location, The island of Crete is used as a case study because it is considered to be one of the 10 hotspots for biodiversity in the Mediterranean Basin. Methods, Hotspot analysis and complementarity algorithms are used to define priority areas for conservation and calculate their spatial overlap with the Natura 2000 SACs in Crete. Results, The various categories of hotspots contain subsamples of plant categories, used for their definition. Spatial overlap among different categories of hotspots, areas of complementary diversity and Natura 2000 SCAs is low. Main conclusions, The results show that the Natura 2000 SACs ,network' in Crete seems insufficient to ensure satisfactory representation of the regional plant biodiversity elements. [source]

The practice characterization model: the importance of organizational life cycles and targeted interventions in general medical practice

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2001
E. M. Atkins
Abstract In response to a climate of constant change and increasing demand for services, general practice in the UK has undergone significant modification over the last 10 years. It has become a multi-disciplinary organisation encouraged by funding bodies to plan for service delivery using a more structured team based approach. In Tayside in 1996, practices were charged with producing formal Practice Development Plans (PDPs) which would focus on priority areas aligned with the Health Boards own strategic plan,those were teamwork, information management and technology, and clinical service delivery. The University of Dundee's Department of General Practice successfully applied for funding to develop ways of facilitating practices so that they could a) identify their own development priorities, and b) plan and implement action and learning to see these priorities through. Using action research methodology, the project attempted to create a climate for change, provide support and training to see the changes implemented, and ensure commitment to the changes from all members of the practice team. The Facilitator adopted a flexible style varying her role between expert, guide and support. Analysis of progress made by different practices, coupled with the Facilitator's in depth knowledge of them, suggested the importance of certain key aspects of practice organisation and culture. A practice characterisation model identified practices which were stable, currently coping, proactive and ready to face the challenge of change as best placed to engage in a full scale development programme. Other profiles suggested a range of alternative interventions as more likely to be acceptable and productive. [source]

Workshop on Immunizations in Older Adults: Identifying Future Research Agendas

JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 4 2010
Kevin P. High MD
Goals for immunization in older adults may differ from those in young adults and children, in whom complete prevention of disease is the objective. Often, reduced hospitalization and death but also averting exacerbation of underlying chronic illness, functional decline, and frailty are important goals in the older age group. Because of the effect of age on dendritic cell function, T cell-mediated immune suppression, reduced proliferative capacity of T cells, and other immune responses, the efficacy of vaccines often wanes with advanced age. This article summarizes the discussion and proceedings of a workshop organized by the Association of Specialty Professors, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American Geriatrics Society, the National Institute on Aging, and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Leading researchers and clinicians in the fields of immunology, epidemiology, infectious diseases, geriatrics, and gerontology reviewed the current status of vaccines in older adults, identified knowledge gaps, and suggest priority areas for future research. The goal of the workshop was to identify what is known about immunizations (efficacy, effect, and current schedule) in older adults and to recommend priorities for future research. Investigation in the areas identified has the potential to enhance understanding of the immune process in aging individuals, inform vaccine development, and lead to more-effective strategies to reduce the risk of vaccine-preventable illness in older adults. [source]

Surrogacy and persistence in reserve selection: landscape prioritization for multiple taxa in Britain

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2009
Aldina M. A. Franco
Summary 1A principal goal of protected-area networks is to maintain viable populations of as many species as possible, particularly those that are vulnerable to environmental change outside reserves. Ideally, one wants to be able to protect all biodiversity when selecting priority areas for conservation. 2Using the area-prioritization algorithm ZONATION, we identified the locations where UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species of mammals, birds, herptiles, butterflies and plants occur in concentrated populations with high connectivity. Both these features are likely to be correlated with population persistence. The analyses were successful in maintaining a high proportion of the connectivity of narrow-range species, and large total amounts of the connectivity of wider-range species over 10% of the land surface of Great Britain. 3Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP , high priority) species of one taxonomic group were not particularly good surrogates (indicators) for BAP species of other taxonomic groups. Hence, maintaining population concentrations of one taxonomic group did not guarantee doing likewise for other taxa. 4Species with narrow geographic ranges were most effective at predicting conservation success for other species, probably because they represent the range of environmental conditions required by other species. 5Synthesis and applications. This study identifies landscape-scale priority areas for conservation of priority species from several taxonomic groups, using the Zonation software. ,Indicator groups' were only partially successful as predictors of priority areas for other taxonomic groups, and therefore, the identification of priority areas for biodiversity conservation should include information from all taxonomic groups available. Larger areas should be protected to account for species not included in the analyses. Conservation solutions based on data for many different species, and particularly those species with narrowly defined ranges, appear to be most effective at protecting other rare taxa. [source]

Using habitat distribution models to evaluate large-scale landscape priorities for spatially dynamic species

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2008
Regan Early
Summary 1Large-scale conservation planning requires the identification of priority areas in which species have a high likelihood of long-term persistence. This typically requires high spatial resolution data on species and their habitat. Such data are rarely available at a large geographical scale, so distribution modelling is often required to identify the locations of priority areas. However, distribution modelling may be difficult when a species is either not recorded, or not present, at many of the locations that are actually suitable for it. This is an inherent problem for species that exhibit metapopulation dynamics. 2Rather than basing species distribution models on species locations, we investigated the consequences of predicting the distribution of suitable habitat, and thus inferring species presence/absence. We used habitat surveys to define a vegetation category which is suitable for a threatened species that has spatially dynamic populations (the butterfly Euphydryas aurinia), and used this as the response variable in distribution models. Thus, we developed a practical strategy to obtain high resolution (1 ha) large scale conservation solutions for E. aurinia in Wales, UK. 3Habitat-based distribution models had high discriminatory power. They could generalize over a large spatial extent and on average predicted 86% of the current distribution of E. aurinia in Wales. Models based on species locations had lower discriminatory power and were poorer at generalizing throughout Wales. 4Surfaces depicting the connectivity of each grid cell were calculated for the predicted distribution of E. aurinia habitat. Connectivity surfaces provided a distance-weighted measure of the concentration of habitat in the surrounding landscape, and helped identify areas where the persistence of E. aurinia populations is expected to be highest. These identified successfully known areas of high conservation priority for E. aurinia. These connectivity surfaces allow conservation planning to take into account long-term spatial population dynamics, which would be impossible without being able to predict the species' distribution over a large spatial extent. 5Synthesis and applications. Where species location data are unsuitable for building high resolution predictive habitat distribution models, habitat data of sufficient quality can be easier to collect. We show that they can perform as well as or better than species data as a response variable. When coupled with a technique to translate distribution model predictions into landscape priority (such as connectivity calculations), we believe this approach will be a powerful tool for large-scale conservation planning. [source]

Optimizing dispersal and corridor models using landscape genetics

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2007
CLINTON W. EPPS
Summary 1Better tools are needed to predict population connectivity in complex landscapes. ,Least-cost modelling' is one commonly employed approach in which dispersal costs are assigned to distinct habitat types and the least-costly dispersal paths among habitat patches are calculated using a geographical information system (GIS). Because adequate data on dispersal are usually lacking, dispersal costs are often assigned solely from expert opinion. Spatially explicit, high-resolution genetic data may be used to infer variation in animal movements. We employ such an approach to estimate habitat-specific migration rates and to develop least-cost connectivity models for desert bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis nelsoni. 2Bighorn sheep dispersal is thought to be affected by distance and topography. We incorporated both factors into least-cost GIS models with different parameter values and estimated effective geographical distances among 26 populations. We assessed which model was correlated most strongly with gene flow estimates among those populations, while controlling for the effect of anthropogenic barriers. We used the best-fitting model to (i) determine whether migration rates are higher over sloped terrain than flat terrain; (ii) predict probable movement corridors; (iii) predict which populations are connected by migration; and (iv) investigate how anthropogenic barriers and translocated populations have affected landscape connectivity. 3Migration models were correlated most strongly with migration when areas of at least 10% slope had 1/10th the cost of areas of lower slope; thus, gene flow occurred over longer distances when ,escape terrain' was available. Optimal parameter values were consistent across two measures of gene flow and three methods for defining population polygons. 4Anthropogenic barriers disrupted numerous corridors predicted to be high-use dispersal routes, indicating priority areas for mitigation. However, population translocations have restored high-use dispersal routes in several other areas. Known intermountain movements of bighorn sheep were largely consistent with predicted corridors. 5Synthesis and applications. Population genetic data provided sufficient resolution to infer how landscape features influenced the behaviour of dispersing desert bighorn sheep. Anthropogenic barriers that block high-use dispersal corridors should be mitigated, but population translocations may help maintain connectivity. We conclude that developing least-cost models from similar empirical data could significantly improve the utility of these tools. [source]

Multispecies conservation planning: identifying landscapes for the conservation of viable populations using local and continental species priorities

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2007
REGAN EARLY
Summary 1Faced with unpredictable environmental change, conservation managers face the dual challenges of protecting species throughout their ranges and protecting areas where populations are most likely to persist in the long term. The former can be achieved by protecting locally rare species, to the potential detriment of protecting species where they are least endangered and most likely to survive in the long term. 2Using British butterflies as a model system, we compared the efficacy of two methods of identifying persistent areas of species' distributions: a single-species approach and a new multispecies prioritization tool called ZONATION. This tool identifies priority areas using population dynamic principles (prioritizing areas that contain concentrations of populations of each species) and the reserve selection principle of complementarity. 3ZONATION was generally able to identify the best landscapes for target (i.e. conservation priority) species. This ability was improved by assigning higher numerical weights to target species and implementing a clustering procedure to identify coherent biological management units. 4Weighting British species according to their European rather than UK status substantially increased the protection offered to species at risk throughout Europe. The representation of species that are rare or at risk in the UK, but not in Europe, was not greatly reduced when European weights were used, although some species of UK-only concern were no longer assigned protection inside their best landscapes. The analysis highlights potential consequences of implementing parochial vs. wider-world priorities within a region. 5Synthesis and applications. Wherever possible, reserve planning should incorporate an understanding of population processes to identify areas that are likely to support persistent populations. While the multispecies prioritization tool ZONATION compared favourably to the selection of ,best' areas for individual species, a user-defined input of species weights was required to produce satisfactory solutions for long-term conservation. Weighting species can allow international conservation priorities to be incorporated into regional action plans but the potential consequences of any putative solution should always be assessed to ensure that no individual species of local concern will be threatened. [source]

Phyllosphere microbiology with special reference to diversity and plant genotype

JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2008
J.M. Whipps
Summary The phyllosphere represents the habitat provided by the aboveground parts of plants, and on a global scale supports a large and complex microbial community. Microbial interactions in the phyllosphere can affect the fitness of plants in natural communities, the productivity of agricultural crops, and the safety of horticultural produce for human consumption. The structure of phyllosphere communities reflects immigration, survival and growth of microbial colonists, which is influenced by numerous environmental factors in addition to leaf physico-chemical properties. The recent use of culture-independent techniques has demonstrated considerable previously unrecognized diversity in phyllosphere bacterial communities. Furthermore, there is significant recent evidence that plant genotype can play a major role in determining the structure of phyllosphere microbial communities. The main aims of this review are: (i) to discuss the diversity of phyllosphere microbial populations; (ii) to consider the processes by which microbes colonize the phyllosphere; (iii) to address the leaf characteristics and environmental factors that determine the survival and growth of colonists; (iv) to discuss microbial adaptations that allow establishment in the phyllosphere habitat and (v) to evaluate evidence for plant genotypic control of phyllosphere communities. Finally, we suggest approaches and priority areas for future research on phyllosphere microbiology. [source]

Conservation planning and viability: problems associated with identifying priority sites in Swaziland using species list data

AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
Robert J. Smith
Abstract Conservation planning assessments based on species atlas data are known to select planning units containing ecotones because these areas are relatively species-rich. However, this richness is often dependent on the presence of adjoining core habitat, so populations within these ecotones might not be viable. This suggests that atlas data may also fail to distinguish between planning units that are highly transformed by agriculture or urbanization with those from neighbouring untransformed units. These highly transformed units could also be identified as priority sites, based solely on the presence of species that require adjoining habitat patches to persist. This potential problem was investigated using bird and mammal atlas data from Swaziland and a landcover map and found that: (i) there was no correlation between planning unit species richness and proportion of natural landcover for both taxa; (ii) the priority areas that were identified for both birds and mammals were no less transformed than if the units had been chosen at random and (iii) an approach that aimed to meet conservation targets and minimize transformation levels failed to identify more viable priority areas. This third result probably arose because 4.8% of the bird species and 22% of the mammal species were recorded in only one planning unit, reducing the opportunity to choose between units when aiming to represent each species. Therefore, it is suggested that using species lists to design protected area networks at a fine spatial scale may not conserve species effectively unless population viability data are explicitly included in the analysis. Résumé On sait que les évaluations de planifications de la conservation qui se basent sur les données d'atlas des espèces choisissent des unités de planification qui contiennent des écotones parce que ces zones sont relativement riches en espèces. Cependant, cette richesse dépend souvent de la présence proche d'un habitat principal, de sorte que les populations de ces écotones pourraient en fait ne pas être viables. Cela signifie que les données des atlas pourraient aussi ne pas faire la distinction entre les unités de planification qui sont fortement modifiées par l'agriculture ou l'urbanization et celles, voisines, qui ne sont pas modifiées. Des unités profondément modifiées pourraient aussi être identifiées comme sites prioritaires, si l'on se base seulement sur la présence d'espèces qui ont besoin des îlots d'habitats voisins pour subsister. Ce problème potentiel fut étudié en utilisant les données d'atlas sur des oiseaux et des mammifères du Swaziland et une carte de la couverture du terrain, et on a découvert que (i) il n'y avait pas de corrélation entre la richesse en espèces des unités de planification et la proportion de couverture naturelle pour les deux taxons; (ii) les zones prioritaires qui avaient été identifiées pour les oiseaux et pour les mammifères n'étaient pas moins transformées que si les unités avaient été choisies au hasard et (iii) une approche qui visait à atteindre des cibles de conservation et à minimizer le taux de transformation n'avait pas réussi à identifier les zones prioritaires les plus viables. Ce troisième résultat vient peut-être du fait que 4.8% des espèces d'oiseaux et 22% des espèces de mammifères avaient été rapportés pour une seule unité de planification, ce qui a réduit la possibilité de choisir entre les unités lorsque l'on a cherchéà représenter chaque espèce. C'est pourquoi on attire l'attention sur le fait que l'utilization des listes d'espèces pour concevoir les réseaux d'AP à petite échelle spatiale risque de ne pas préserver efficacement les espèces à moins que les données sur la viabilité de leur population ne soient explicitement incluses dans l'analyzse. [source]

HIV epidemic in central african republic: High prevalence rates in both rural and urban areas

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 3 2004
Marcelle Diane Matsika-Claquin
Abstract A sentinel serosurveillance study was conducted in Central African Republic to estimate the prevalence of HIV seropositivity in the general adult population in each province so that the public health authorities can target HIV prevention programmes to the priority areas. Blood samples were collected from women attending 48 antenatal clinics in urban and rural areas of the Central African Republic. These samples were tested for HIV antibodies in an anonymous and unlinked manner using strategy II recommended by WHO. The data were extrapolated to all women of reproductive age in Central African Republic by use of a parity-based adjustment involving the application of correction factors to the observed prevalence rates. A total of 9,305 pregnant women were recruited from November 2001 to October 2002. HIV seroprevalence was high in all age groups (12% in the less than 20 year age group to 17% in the 25,29 year age group). The median prevalence of HIV in antenatal clinics was similar for rural areas, for Bangui and for other urban areas (16.5, 15.0, and 12.5% respectively). Adjustment for parity and fertility pattern increased the prevalence of HIV in all antenatal clinics except in Bangui. This first national study of HIV prevalence in Central African Republic revealed that the HIV epidemic is continuing to spread in both urban and rural areas. Thus, efforts to reduce transmission should be made in every part of the country. J. Med. Virol. 72:358,362, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]