• Energy Research

With an overarching goal of addressing global and regional sustainability challenges, Long Term Socio-Ecological Research Platforms (LTSER) aim to conduct place-based research, to collect and synthesize both environmental and socio-economic data, and to involve a broader stakeholder pool to set the research agenda. To date there have been few studies examining the output from LTSER platforms. In this study we enquire if the socio-ecological research from 25 self-selected LTSER platforms of the International Long-Term Ecological Research (ILTER) network has produced research products which fulfil the aims and ambitions of the paradigm shift from ecological to socio-ecological research envisaged at the turn of the century. In total we assessed 4983 publically available publications, of which 1112 were deemed relevant to the socio-ecological objectives of the platform. A series of 22 questions were scored for each publication, assessing relevance of responses in terms of the disciplinary focus of research, consideration of human health and well-being, degree of stakeholder engagement, and other relevant variables. The results reflected the diverse origins of the individual platforms and revealed a wide range in foci, temporal periods and quantity of output from participating platforms, supporting the premise that there is a growing trend in socio-ecological research at long-term monitoring platforms. Our review highlights the challenges of realizing the top-down goal to harmonize international network activities and objectives and the need for bottom-up, self-definition for research platforms. This provides support for increasing the consistency of LTSER research while preserving the diversity of regional experiences.

With an overarching goal of addressing global and regional sustainability challenges, Long Term Socio-Ecological Research Platforms (LTSER) aim to conduct place-based research, to collect and synthesize both environmental and socio-economic data, and to involve a broader stakeholder pool to set the research agenda. To date there have been few studies examining the output from LTSER platforms. In this study we enquire if the socio-ecological research from 25 self-selected LTSER platforms of the International Long-Term Ecological Research (ILTER) network has produced research products which fulfil the aims and ambitions of the paradigm shift from ecological to socio-ecological research envisaged at the turn of the century. In total we assessed 4983 publically available publications, of which 1112 were deemed relevant to the socio-ecological objectives of the platform. A series of 22 questions were scored for each publication, assessing relevance of responses in terms of the disciplinary focus of research, consideration of human health and well-being, degree of stakeholder engagement, and other relevant variables. The results reflected the diverse origins of the individual platforms and revealed a wide range in foci, temporal periods and quantity of output from participating platforms, supporting the premise that there is a growing trend in socio-ecological research at long-term monitoring platforms. Our review highlights the challenges of realizing the top-down goal to harmonize international network activities and objectives and the need for bottom-up, self-definition for research platforms. This provides support for increasing the consistency of LTSER research while preserving the diversity of regional experiences.

AbstractCamera‐trapping is considered a cost‐efficient method to monitor wildlife, but relevant performance constraints remain. We assessed performance and cost‐benefit for 2 recent technological innovations: (i) a wireless transmission system where cameras communicate in a network, and (ii) using solar panels as a camera's sole power supply. The maximum distance between cameras that ensured wireless connection varied between 2 km in open habitats and 335 m in forest habitats with dense tree cover. The cost of using the wireless transmission system was lower for surveys run for >45 days and for >15 sampling units (i.e., camera‐trap sites). For surveys longer than 15 days, using the wireless transmission system required, on average, 8 fewer days of fieldwork. We measured the performance of the solar panels in terms of capture probability, and the solar‐powered cameras (β = −0.015 ± 0.01 in the log scale) outperformed battery‐powered cameras (β = −0.103 ± 0.005) as capture rate decreased more slowly, particularly for nighttime events (difference in capture probability of the solar‐powered relative to the battery‐powered cameras at night, β = 0.09 ± 0.01). We consider that, although camera‐traps with wireless transmission can provide a return on investment for a wide range of survey designs, the constraints on maximum distance for transmission are a limitation. Despite the higher cost, we recommend solar‐powered camera‐traps as they had improved performance with a higher proportion of species events captured than by battery‐powered cameras.

AbstractCamera‐trapping is considered a cost‐efficient method to monitor wildlife, but relevant performance constraints remain. We assessed performance and cost‐benefit for 2 recent technological innovations: (i) a wireless transmission system where cameras communicate in a network, and (ii) using solar panels as a camera's sole power supply. The maximum distance between cameras that ensured wireless connection varied between 2 km in open habitats and 335 m in forest habitats with dense tree cover. The cost of using the wireless transmission system was lower for surveys run for >45 days and for >15 sampling units (i.e., camera‐trap sites). For surveys longer than 15 days, using the wireless transmission system required, on average, 8 fewer days of fieldwork. We measured the performance of the solar panels in terms of capture probability, and the solar‐powered cameras (β = −0.015 ± 0.01 in the log scale) outperformed battery‐powered cameras (β = −0.103 ± 0.005) as capture rate decreased more slowly, particularly for nighttime events (difference in capture probability of the solar‐powered relative to the battery‐powered cameras at night, β = 0.09 ± 0.01). We consider that, although camera‐traps with wireless transmission can provide a return on investment for a wide range of survey designs, the constraints on maximum distance for transmission are a limitation. Despite the higher cost, we recommend solar‐powered camera‐traps as they had improved performance with a higher proportion of species events captured than by battery‐powered cameras.

Purpose This study aims to explore the alignment between strategic plans of the Portuguese public higher education institutions (HEIs) and their perception of the integration of sustainability in education and curricula. Design/methodology/approach The strategic plans from 15 institutions were selected for content analysis; data about the integration of sustainability in education and curricula, from these HEI, were collected with an online questionnaire (self-report survey). Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed. Findings Strategic plans of the Portuguese public HEIs seem to not be sufficiently aligned with self-assessment integration of sustainability in education and curricula. Research limitations/implications The classifications used in the content analysis were constructed and revised by the authors to reduce coder interpretation issues and subsequent bias in the results. However, some subjectivity could remain. The analysis of strategic plans and self-report surveys answered by top management, or a technician, does not assess the practices and sustainability implementation in education and curricula. Practical implications This study allows the self-report of already-implemented practices to be compared to the planned strategy of HEI governance in Portugal as stated in their strategic plans. Originality/value An analysis and respective insights on the lack of connection between strategic planning and self-report practices about sustainability implementation, using Portugal as a case study.

Purpose This study aims to explore the alignment between strategic plans of the Portuguese public higher education institutions (HEIs) and their perception of the integration of sustainability in education and curricula. Design/methodology/approach The strategic plans from 15 institutions were selected for content analysis; data about the integration of sustainability in education and curricula, from these HEI, were collected with an online questionnaire (self-report survey). Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed. Findings Strategic plans of the Portuguese public HEIs seem to not be sufficiently aligned with self-assessment integration of sustainability in education and curricula. Research limitations/implications The classifications used in the content analysis were constructed and revised by the authors to reduce coder interpretation issues and subsequent bias in the results. However, some subjectivity could remain. The analysis of strategic plans and self-report surveys answered by top management, or a technician, does not assess the practices and sustainability implementation in education and curricula. Practical implications This study allows the self-report of already-implemented practices to be compared to the planned strategy of HEI governance in Portugal as stated in their strategic plans. Originality/value An analysis and respective insights on the lack of connection between strategic planning and self-report practices about sustainability implementation, using Portugal as a case study.