Training manual on spatial analysis of plant diversity and distribution

This training manual is intended for scientists and students who work with biodiversity data and are interested in developing skills to effectively carry out spatial analysis based on (free) GIS applications with a focus on diversity and ecological analyses. These analyses offer a better understanding of spatial patterns of plant diversity and distribution, helping to improve conservation efforts. The training manual focuses on plants of interest for improving livelihoods (e.g. crops, trees and crop wild relatives) and/or those which are endangered. Spatial analyses of interspecific and intraspecific diversity are explained using different types of data: • species presence • morphological characterization data • molecular data Although this training focuses on plant diversity, many of the types of analyses described can also be applied for other organisms such as animals and fungi. The manual is based on specific exercises, based on real project data. In order to use the manual, you will also need to download (please click on reference material to download exercises) the relevant exercise data (listed below). Exercise data: 2.1 Importing observation data 5.2 Diversity - Phenotypic data 2.2 Importing climate data 5.3 Diversity - Molecular marker data 3.1 Basic elements 5.4 Conservation strategies 3.2 Export to Google Earth 6.1 Realized niche 4.1 Quality control – Administrative units 6.2_potential_distribution.zip 4.2 Quality control – Atypical points 6.3 Climate change 5.1 Species diversity 6.4 Gap analysis The manual can be used for self-learning as well as for training events like seminars or short courses on the fundamentals of spatial analysis

Combining interactive GIS tools and expert knowledge in validation of tree species models

Poster presented at XIII Congreso Forestal Mundial. FAO, Buenos Aires (Argentina). 18-25 Oct 200

Understanding walking and cycling:summary of key findings and recommendations

It is widely recognized that there is a need to increase levels of active and sustainable travel in British urban areas. The Understanding Walking and Cycling (UWAC) project, funded by the EPSRC, has examined the factors influencing everyday travel decisions and proposes a series of policy measures to increase levels of walking and cycling for short trips in urban areas. A wide range of both quantitative and qualitative data were collected in four English towns (Lancaster, Leeds, Leicester and Worcester), including a questionnaire survey, spatial analysis of the built environment, interviews (static and whilst mobile) and detailed ethnographies. Key findings of the research are that whilst attitudes to walking and cycling are mostly positive or neutral, many people who would like to engage in more active travel fail to do so due to a combination of factors. These can be summarised as: Concerns about the physical environment, especially with regard to safety when walking or cycling; The difficulty of fitting walking and cycling into complex household routines (especially with young children); The perception that walking and cycling are in some ways abnormal things to do. It is suggested that policies to increase levels of walking and cycling should focus not only on improving infrastructure (for instance through fully segregated cycle routes along main roads and restriction on vehicle speeds), but also must tackle broader social, economic, cultural and legal factors that currently inhibit walking and cycling. Together, such changes can create an environment in which driving for short trips in urban areas is seen as abnormal and walking or cycling seem the obvious choices. A joint project by by Lancaster University, Oxford Brookes University and the University of Leeds

Encuesta sobre la conservación y el uso de los recursos genéticos forestales en América Latina

Con el fin de conocer el estado de conservación y uso de los recursos genéticos forestales en América Latina, se realizó en 2006 una encuesta en línea entre personas vinculadas a instituciones de sector forestal. La mayoría de los encuestados trabaja en forestería, agroforestería y capacitación de recurso humano, en instituciones nacionales, del estado y universidades. La investigación es local y se enfoca en el desarrollo de sistemas agroforestales, y ensayos de producción y propagación de especies. La falta de recursos financieros, la ausencia de políticas y el no reconocimiento de la importancia de los recursos genéticos forestales fueron los principales problemas identificados. Según los encuestados, es necesario priorizar áreas de trabajo y especies de interés común para los países, y trabajar colaborativamente para optimizar los esfuerzos. También hacen falta medios para obtener información y para comunicarse entre pares, por lo cual sugieren crear una red regional de especialistas

Tree genetic resources at risk in South America: A spatial threat assessment to prioritize populations for conservation

Background Humans threat the populations of tree species by overexploitation, deforestation, land use change, and climate change. We present a novel threat assessment at intraspecific level to support the conservation of genetic resources of 80 socioeconomically viable tree species in South America. In this assessment, we evaluate the threat status of Ecogeographic Range Segments (ERSs). ERSs are groups of populations of a specific species in a certain ecological zone of a particular grid cell of a species’ geographic occupancy. Methods We used species location records to determine the species distributions and species‐specific ERSs. We distinguished eight threat situations to assess the risk of extirpation of the ERSs of all 80 species. These threat situations were determined by large or little tree cover, low or high human pressure, and low or high climate change impact. Available layers of tree cover and threats were used to determine the levels of fragmentation and direct human pressure. Maxent niche modelling with two Global Circulation Models helped determining climate change impact by the 2050s. Results When all 80 species are considered, in total, 59% of the ERSs are threatened by little tree cover or high human pressure. When climate change is also considered, then 71‐73% of the ERSs are threatened. When an increased risk of extirpation of populations outside protected areas is considered, then 84–86% of the ERSs are threatened. Seven species warrant special attention because all their ERSs are threatened across their whole distribution in South America: Balfourondendron riedelianum, Cariniana legalis, Dalbergia nigra, Handroanthus pulcherrimus, Pachira quintana, Prosopis flexuosa, and Prosopis pallida. Conclusions Our results confirm the urgency to set up a regional action plan for the conservation of tree genetic resources in South America. With this threat assessment, we aim to support governments and organizations who are taking up this task