Browsing by Author "Singh, Gerald"
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Item Accounting for human–nature linkages in area-based conservation monitoring through social–ecological indicator bundles(Conservation Biology) Ban, Natalie C.; Carr, Mark H.; Rubidge, Emily M.; Salomon, Anne; Claudet, Joachim; Levine, Arielle; Aylesworth, Lindsay; Ramirez, Luisa; Burt, Jenn M.; Andrachuk, Mark; Tamburello, Natascia; Martone, Rebecca; Schuhbauer, Anna; Meehan, Mairi; Baker, Dana; Gurney, Georgina G.; Bennett, Nathan J.; Gill, David; Singh, Gerald; Gelcich, Stefan; Maloney, Avery; Beaty, FionaAs the coverage of area-based conservation increases across the globe, it is critical to improve understanding of the social and ecological outcomes of such measures and the pathways to their outcomes. A social–ecological systems approach to monitoring and evaluation is increasingly advocated; yet, applications remain scarce. We sought to facilitate operationalization of this approach through prioritization of indicators when resources are scarce and to improve capture of social–ecological interactions. We convened a working group of practitioners and academics to explore linked social and ecological interactions through a case study of marine protected areas (MPAs). We used causal models (implemented through causal loop diagrams) in participatory and future-oriented approaches to identify interactions among key nodes of the system that can be a focus of monitoring. These nodes and their interactions provided insight into linked indicators of key system components, for example, biomass, compliance, perceived legitimacy, catches, and perceived fairness. We called these indicator bundles. Indicator bundles can be applied to analyze causal modeling diagrams, identify essential elements to monitor, and inform analytical and reporting protocols. The bundles can also help identify key leverage points for adaptive management to improve outcomes of existing interventions. This approach can inform monitoring and evaluation and, ultimately, the design and adaptive management of conservation areas that maximize social and ecological benefits and minimize negative trade-offs.Item An aquaculture risk model to understand the causes and consequences of Atlantic Salmon mass mortality events: A review(Reviews in Aquaculture, 2024) Sajid, Zaman; Gamperl, A. Kurt; Parrish, Christopher C.; Colombo, Stefanie M.; Santander, Javier; Mather, Charles; Neis, Barbara; Holmen, Ingunn Marie; Filgueira, Ramón; McKenzie, Cynthia H.; Souto Cavalli, Lissandra; Jeebhay, Mohamed; Gao, Wenzhao; López Gómez, María A.; Ochs, Cory; Lehnert, Sarah; Couturier, Cyr; Knott, Christine; Romero, João F.; Caballero-Solares, Albert; Cembella, Allan; Murray, Harry M.; Fleming, Ian A.; Finnis, Joel; Fast, Mark D.; Wells, Mark; Singh, GeraldMass mortality events (MMEs) are defined as the death of large numbers of fish over a short period of time. These events can result in catastrophic losses to the Atlantic salmon aquaculture industry and the local economy. However, they are challenging to understand because of their relative infrequency and the high number of potential factors involved. As a result, the causes and consequences of MMEs in Atlantic salmon aquaculture are not well understood. In this study, we developed a structural network of causal risk factors for MMEs for aquaculture and the communities that depend on Atlantic salmon aquaculture. Using the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) technique, we analysed the causes of Atlantic salmon mass mortalities due to environmental (abiotic), biological (biotic) and nutritional risk factors. The consequences of MMEs were also assessed for the occupational health and safety of aquaculture workers and their implications for the livelihoods of local communities. This structural network deepens our understanding of MMEs and points to management actions and interventions that can help mitigate mass mortalities. MMEs are typically not the result of a single risk factor but are caused by the systematic interaction of risk factors related to the environment, fish diseases, feeding/nutrition and cage-site management. Results also indicate that considerations of health and safety risk, through pre- and post-event risk assessments, may help to minimize workplace injuries and eliminate potential risks of human fatalities. Company and government-assisted socio-economic measures could help mitigate post-mass mortality impacts. Appropriate and timely management actions may help reduce MMEs at Atlantic salmon cage sites and minimize the physical and social vulnerabilities of workers and local communities.Item Co‐benefits of and trade‐offs between natural climate solutions and Sustainable Development Goals(Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 2024) Mariani, Gaël; Moullec, Fabien; Atwood, Trisha B.; Clarkson, Beverley; Conant, Richard T.; Cullen-Unsworth, Leanne; Griscom, Bronson; Gutt, Julian; Howard, Jennifer; Krause-Jensen, Dorte; Leavitt, Sara M.; Lee, Shing Yip; Livesley, Stephen J.; Marcreadie, Peter I.; St-John, Michael; Zganjar, Chris; Cheung, William W.L.; Duarte, Carlos M.; Shin, Yunne-Jai; Singh, Gerald; Louiseau, Nicolas; Troussellier, Marc; Mouillot, DavoidCombating climate change and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are two important challenges facing humanity. Natural climate solutions (NCSs) can contribute to the achievement of these two commitments but can also generate conflicting trade-offs. Here, we reviewed the literature and drew on expert knowledge to assess the co-benefits of and trade-offs between 150 SDG targets and NCSs within 12 selected ecosystems. We demonstrate that terrestrial, coastal, and marine NCSs enable the attainment of different sets of SDG targets, with low redundancy. Implementing NCSs in various ecosystems would therefore maximize achievement of SDG targets but would also induce trade-offs, particularly if best practices are not followed. Reliance on NCSs at large scales will require that these trade-offs be taken into consideration to ensure the simultaneous realization of positive climate outcomes and multiple SDG targets for diverse stakeholders.Item Implementing the Blue Economy: Analysis of indicator interrelationships across countries and over time(Ocean & Coastal Management, 2025) González-Espinosa, Pedro C.; Singh, Gerald; Cisneros-Montemayor, Andrés M.The Blue Economy aims to foster equitable and sustainable economic development by balancing ecological, governance, and economic factors. Tracking progress relies on a set of indicators, with the assumption that improvements in one area lead to progress in others. However, the empirical correlations among these indicators are often overlooked or untested, and this can contribute to inefficient or conflicting policies. This study examines the empirical statistical relationships among 21 datasets of indicators related to the Blue Economy, both across countries (cross-sectional), and within countries over time (longitudinal). We classify relationships as direct (positive correlation), inverse (negative correlation), or neutral. Results suggest that, across countries, there is statistical evidence of direct correlations in ecological, economic, and governance indicators (52% direct, 48% neutral), indicating that improvements in one area might generally support progress in others. However, when analysed over time (e.g., 2000–2019), correlations between indicators within each country become predominantly neutral, although slightly more diverse (8% direct, 86% neutral, 6% inverse). This means that common assumptions on co-benefits of development progress may not hold over time due to more nuanced and dynamic interactions within individual countries. As the first study analysing the empirical relationships of indicators commonly used in the Blue Economy, we discuss how selecting analytical approaches can yield distinct insights. By incorporating both cross-sectional and longitudinal perspectives, future research could provide a more holistic framework for implementing policies and decision-making strategies that effectively address the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of the Blue Economy.Item Improving human well-being outcomes in marine protected areas through futures thinking(One Earth, 2023) Baker, Dana M.; Bennett, Nathan; Gruby, Rebecca L.; Mangubhai, Sangeeta; Rotjan, Randi D.; Sterling, Eleanor; Sullivan-Wiley, Kira; Gill, David; Johnson, Derek; Singh, Gerald; White, Sarah C.; Gray, Noella J.; Imirizaldu, Mael; Ban, Natalie C.Marine protected areas (MPAs) are an important tool to protect marine biodiversity that can have substantial impacts on human well-being. However, such social impacts are rarely considered proactively. Proponents must work collectively and proactively to better understand and communicate future well-being impacts while co-creating lasting solutions prior to MPA development and iteratively during ongoing management.Item Quantitative analysis of mass mortality events in salmon aquaculture shows increasing scale of fish loss events around the world(Scientific Reports, 2024) Singh, Gerald; Sajid, Zaman; Mather, CharlesGlobally, salmon aquaculture promises to contribute to sustainable sources of animal protein for a growing human population. However, the growth of the industry also includes increased reports of mass mortality events—disaster events where large numbers of fish die in short periods of time. As salmon production increases in scale and more technology is used to grow salmon in contexts otherwise not suited for them, there is a possibility for more frequent and more severe mortality events. Despite investigations into specific cases of mass mortality events—no global study has been conducted to see if large scale mortality is increasing in frequency and scale. Using a global dataset of publicly available and government-collated data on salmon mortality events including nations responsible for the majority of salmon aquaculture, we document trends in mortality events, showing that in some of the major salmon producing nations of the world (in particular Norway, Canada, and the UK), mass mortality events have increased in frequency from 2012 to 2022. We also show that the scope of mass mortality events has increased over time—that is, the upper bound of how many fish were killed in a specific mortality event has increased over time. Finally, the expected maximum size of a mass mortality event differs from country to country, but is likely much larger than site and jurisdictional thresholds of concern for animal welfare, early warning thresholds, and capacity to respond to mortality events. The consequences of the increased scale and scope of mass mortality events extend past aquaculture production to include severe consequences to aquaculture companies and to coastal communities who depend on aquaculture. Our results agree with predictions of the concept of “manufactured risk”, which suggests that risk emerges from the aggressive use of technology to optimize production in variable environments, and we argue that there is a need for more fine-scale and standard data collection on salmon mortality events, and that future investigations into salmon aquaculture should increase focus on disaster potential and realization.Item Rethinking blue economy governance – A blue economy equity model as an approach to operationalise equity(Environmental Science and Policy, 2024) Croft, Freya; Breakey, Hugh; Voyer, Michelle; Cisneros-Montemayor, Andrés; Issifu, Ibrahim; Solitei, Makrita; Moyle, Catherine; Campbell, Brooke; Barclay, Kate; Benzaken, Dominique; Bodwitch, Hekia; Fusco, Leah; Garcia Lozano, Alejandro; Ota, Yoshitaka; Pauwelussen, Annet; Schutter, Marleen; Singh, Gerald; Pouponneau, AngeliqueThe blue economy was originally conceptualised as having a strong focus on social equity; however, in practice, these equity considerations have been overshadowed by neo-liberal capitalist agendas, which have become dominant in blue economy discourse. A continued expansion of ocean industry developments and activities has resulted in an inequitable share of the burdens and benefits of utilising ocean spaces and has exacerbated wealth disparities and power asymmetries. Therefore, finding mechanisms to reinstate equity as fundamental to blue economy governance and practice is increasingly important. However, there remain few practical examples that outline how to embed equity within blue economy governance and current frameworks for understanding equity are complex, often divergent and less focused on implementation. This paper outlines a new model for conceptualising equity that is clear and easily understood, captures equity’s key components and dimensions, and covers key ethical concerns that arise in blue economy development. Furthermore, this model can be practically applied and embedded into governance structures. To demonstrate the model’s application, the paper outlines one participatory approach to implementing the model in blue economy governance.Item Striking a balance between ecological, economic, governance, and social dimensions in marine protected area network evaluations(Conservation Science and Practice, 2023) Meehan, Mairi C.; Singh, Gerald; Ban, Natalie C.; Devillers, Rodolphe; Claudet, JoachimMarine protected area networks (MPANs) are promised as tools for protecting biodiversity and contributing to sustainable development. The variety of expected social-ecological outcomes associated with MPANs underscores a need to consider ecological, economic, governance, and social dimensions in MPAN design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. However, little is known about how these four dimensions are considered or shaped by objectives. We conducted an online survey with MPAN managers, technical staff, and academics from across the globe (77 survey responses that described 48 MPANs located in 59 countries). Our findings confirmed that most MPANs have various co-occurring, potentially conflicting objectives. MPANs with biodiversity and societal objectives considered attributes (e.g., human well-being and economic distribution, institutional partnerships, and network-specific ecological attributes) among all dimensions, with greater frequency than MPANs with only biodiversity objectives. Nonetheless, ecological attributes were always perceived as important irrespective of the MPAN objective. Reaching synergies between the multiple dimensions of MPANs can be challenging if dimensions get overlooked in MPAN evaluations. Identifying the important attributes considered in MPANs offers insight into the practice of MPAN design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation and can help improve MPAN success.