bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Challenges of Transdisciplinary Research as Interactive Knowledge Generation – Experiences from Transdisciplinary Case Study Research
Authors: Wiek Arnim
Published: March 2017

There are already a variety of contributions focusing on the aspect of knowledge generation in transdisciplinary research. Along the same lines, this article analyses the features of knowledge generation in transdisciplinary case studies initiated at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
(ETH) Zurich and conducted in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and Sweden. The article starts with the description of what kind of knowledge is generated when and how in transdisciplinary case studies. On this basis, the quality of the underlying social interactions in terms of challenges, pitfalls
and good practices is critically reflected against normative guidelines derived from the literature. Promoting the concept of transdisciplinary research as a "third epistemic way" – demarcated from involving laypersons in scientific research ("the primacy of science") as well as from
classical decision support ("the primacy of practice") – four challenges of joint knowledge generation are discussed: "confounded agendas", "separate data philosophies", "reluctance to face exposure", and "co-existing values". A new type of mediated negotiation, so-called "epistemediation",
is proposed at the transdisciplinary interface between scientists and local experts, incorporating a new type of multi-layered peer review of expertise.
The Future of the Swiss Alps: A Participatory Sustainability Assessment of Agricultural and Landscape Scenarios Die Zukunft des Schweizer Berggebiets: Eine partizipative Nachhaltigkeitsprüfung von Landwirtschafts- und Landschaftsszenarios
Authors: Soliva Reto
Published: March 2017

In the Swiss Alps, as in other European Alpine regions, agricultural decline is leading to land abandonment and natural reforestation, which may have wider implications for a sustainable development of these areas. A sustainability assessment of three scenarios involving discussions
with a local stakeholder group was performed as part of a case study in the Swiss canton of Grisons. The first scenario, called "liberalisation", assumed withdrawal of all agricultural support. A second scenario, called "biodiversity", assumed full replacement of agricultural support by biodiversity
payments. These two scenarios were compared with a "trend" scenario, i.e., continuation of current trends. The liberalisation scenario was found to have the most negative consequences on livelihoods as well as social and environmental aspects, and it was completely rejected by the local stakeholder
group. The trend scenario was best received, although it does not substantially contribute to sustainable development. The biodiversity scenario was the most controversial scenario, with positive environmental outcomes but negative cultural and social consequences. Using scenarios in a participatory
sustainability assessment was found helpful both as a research technique and for stimulating a debate about the future of European mountain areas.
The Ecological Consequences of the Global Soybean Economy: Resource and Value Flows in Argentina, Brazil, and Germany Umweltwirkungen der globalen Sojawirtschaft - Ressourcen- und Wertströme in Argentinien, Brasilien und Deutschland
Authors: Grenz Jan , Vetouli Theofano , Tzitzikli Efthymia , Sauerborn Joachim
Published: March 2017

Germany, like many European countries, imports soybean to cover its demand for high-quality protein. The German annual net import of more than four million tons of soybean products, mainly from South America, is associated with major flows of plant nutrients. Following consumption by
animals and humans, nutrients are discharged into terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. In the exporting countries, much land and water are used and soil nutrients may become depleted. Taking Argentina, Brazil, and Germany as examples, we quantified soybean-related flows of nitrogen (N), phosphorus
(P), potassium (K), and "virtual water" used to produce soybean. Annual nutrient exports from Argentina and Brazil amount to 5.7 million tons of NPK; Germany imports a net 0.4 million tons. German demand alone induces the use of 1.3 million hectares of arable land and 6.9 million cubic metres
of water per year for soybean crops in Argentina and Brazil. We question the sustainability of this protein economy, and suggest establishing international agricultural production standards and quality control, similar to the infrastructure already in place in organic agriculture.
Soft Paths in Wastewater Management – The Pros and Cons of Urine Source Separation
Authors: Lienert Judit , Larsen Tove A.
Published: March 2017

Although our water-borne urban wastewater system is successful, it has drawbacks in industrialized and developing countries alike, particularly in arid regions. It is inflexible and often inefficient. Of late, source control measures are being postulated as a paradigm change. In the
Swiss transdisciplinary project Novaquatis, urine source separation, or NoMix technology, was studied. We compare NoMix technology with central wastewater treatment. Separate collection of urine has the potential to eliminate 70 to 80 percent of nitrogen from wastewater,
15 to 50 percent of phosphorus, and at least 50 percent of human pharmaceuticals. Hence, NoMix technology can contribute substantially in the reduction of eutrophication of marine ecosystems near fast-growing cities. We discuss the shortcomings of using sewage sludge or urine as fertilizers
in agriculture – concerning pharmaceuticals, we also consider the societal perspective. Furthermore, NoMix technology introduces flexibility to waste-water management, important especially in light of growing uncertainties with respect to population development and climate change.
Die Politisierung des Konsums
Authors: Soentgen Jens
Published: March 2017

Polyvinylchlorid (PVC) läutete in den 1950er Jahren die massenhafte Ankunft von Plastik in Westdeutsch land ein – und gilt als Sinnbild dafür, dass sich die Nachkriegsgesellschaft in hohem Maß auf technische Innovation verließ, um soziale Ordnung zu etablieren.
Ab den 1960er Jahren wurde diese Ordnung erschüt tert: PVC geriet wiederholt als gesundheits- und umweltschädlich in die Kritik.
Risikokarten für Deutschland: Ergebnisse aus dem Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Technology (CEDIM)
Authors: Thieken Annegret , Heneka Patrick , Kreibich Heidi , Hofherr Thomas , Grünthal Gottfried , Tyagunov Sergey , Poser Kathrin , Müller Matthias , Wenzel Friedemann , Stempniewski Lothar , Zschau Jochen
Published: March 2017

Im Projekt Risikokarte Deutschland des CEDIM wurden Methoden und Werkzeuge für großräumige Kartierungen von Risiken durch Naturgefahren und anthropogene Gefahren erarbeitet. Damit kann das Ausmaß verschiedener Risiken auf Gemeindeebene verglichen werden.
Precision Agriculture: How Innovative Technology Contributes to a More Sustainable Agriculture Precision Agriculture: Was innovative Technik zur nachhaltigeren Landwirtschaft beitragen kann
Authors: Rösch Christine , Dusseldorp Marc
Published: March 2017

Compared to conventional methods, area-specific use of pesticides as a method of precision agriculture may reduce the applied volumes of fungicides by about 20 percent, and herbicides by as much as 50 percent. Hence, it may contribute to reducing the use of pesticides, which is currently
stable at high levels, and help to reach other ecological sustainability objectives. To exhaust this reduction potential, however, research and development will have to be intensified and the dissemination supported. For methodological reasons and due to the lack of data, it is difficult to
assess whether precision agriculture methods would also be advantageous under economic and social aspects, and, therefore, should be supported by the state. It must be assumed, however, that this capital-consuming technology will enhance structural change in agriculture and the tendency toward
specialisation and the outsourcing of certain tasks to service companies. On the other hand, a technology lead in precision agriculture may open up export markets and create new jobs in the technology sector. Neue Techniken der Precision Agriculture (PA) bieten die Möglich
keit, den Einsatz von Pflanzenschutzmitteln auf dem Feld gezielt zu verringern. Ob PA langfristig zu einer nachhaltigeren Entwicklung der Landwirtschaft führt, muss noch genauer untersucht werden.
Umweltforschung in der Krise? Fazit und Ausblick
Authors: Scheringer Martin , Jaeger Jochen
Published: March 2017

Die Umweltforschung hat zwar geholfen, kleinere Umweltprobleme unter Kontrolle zu bringen, doch viele große Umweltprobleme nehmen an Dringlichkeit zu. Verliert die Umweltforschung an praktischer Relevanz? Der GAIA-Schwerpunkt Umweltforschung ging von der Hypothese
aus, dass die Umweltforschung in einer Krise steckt, da sie zu praktischen Problemlösungen immer weni ger beisteuert. In elf Aufsätzen wurde in den letzten zwei Jahren in GAIA die Frage diskutiert, warum die Umweltforschung nicht stärker zur Lösung von Umweltproblemen
beiträgt. Wie lautet die Bilanz dieser Diskussion?
Concepts of Risk: An Interdisciplinary Review Part 1: Disciplinary Risk Concepts
Authors: Renn Ortwin
Published: March 2017

Risks, from natural or human sources, shape our physical, natural, and human environments. Most people demand healthy and safe products, trust that technologies that are meant to serve them do not act against their vital interests, and expect regulatory agencies to reduce risks to levels
deemed tolerable by the majority of people. However, the scientific foundation for understanding and controlling risks is still far from being established. The main reason for this open situation is the multidisciplinary nature of risk. Risk means something different in the natural, engineering,
psychological, social, and cultural disciplines. The first part of this review is an attempt to summarize the main disciplinary approaches to understanding and analyzing risk. It also seeks to provide some overarching categories that may help risk professionals in the academic and practical
(risk management) fields to familiarize themselves with the fragmented field of risk studies and approaches, and to use the insights from these approach es in a more coherent and consistent fashion.
Learning Ex-Post: Towards a Simple Method and Set of Questions for the Self-Evaluation of Transdisciplinary Research
Authors: Späth Philipp
Published: March 2017

Transdisciplinary research, especially sustainability research, is by definition influenced by diverse stakeholders with diverging interests, objectives, and preconceptions. This makes an evaluation of such projects difficult as there is not one worldview, theory, or methodological
canon against which they could be evaluated. This led to much methodological deliberation over the last few years, not least because some consensus with regard to criteria for evaluation is essential for publicly funded research. Furthermore, the design and management of such processes –
integrating knowledge from different sources – is so demanding that actors should not miss any opportunity for learning. An ex-post self-evaluation is valuable since it can benefit from a more distanced outlook on values, interests, and performances in retrospect. As resources for such
exercises are scarce, practical guidelines and handy sets of guiding questions are essential. In this contribution, I discuss a simple set of questions and its application in a self-evaluation of a research project. I conclude with suggestions regarding further elaboration of such guiding
questions for specific types of projects, and regarding possibilities and constraints for a wider application of self-evaluations.
Wasserbaugeschichte als deutsches Drama
Authors: Radkau Joachim
Published: March 2017

Von der Entwässerung des Oderbruchs im 18. Jahrhundert bis zu den Sumpf trockenlegungen der Nazis: Anschaulich und packend erzählt der Historiker David Blackbourn die Geschichte des Wasserbaus in Deutschland als Kampf gegen die Naturgewalt Wasser. Seine Grundprämisse:
Das menschliche Umweltbewusstsein ist durch kollektive traumatische Ängste, etwa vor Überschwemmung, geprägt. Der Dramatik der Erzählung opfert Blackbourn oft die Komplexität der Materie: Darin besteht der Reiz, aber auch das Problem des Buches.
Grundlagen für eine Weltumweltpolitik: Vier Berichte zur Lage des Planeten Erde
Authors: Simonis Udo E.
Published: March 2017

In einer historisch einmaligen, wiewohl nicht abgestimmten Aktion legen vier Veröffentlichungen internationaler Organisationen dar, wie es um den Planeten Erde derzeit bestellt ist und zukünftig bestellt sein könnte. Zwei Berichte werfen einen umfassenden Blick auf den
globalen Wandel, zwei fokussieren auf das vielfach als größte Herausforderung angesehene Teilproblem, den Klimawandel. Die statistischen und methodischen Grundlagen für eine Weltumweltpolitik sind damit gelegt – ein wünschbarer nächster Schritt wäre die
Gründung universitärer Exzellenzinitiativen zur Erforschung des globalen Wandels.
Das Projekt Roadmap Umwelttechnologien 2020: Der technische Entwicklungsstand
Authors: Gemeinschaft Helmholtz
Published: March 2017

In einem Projekt des Bundesministeriums für Bildung und Forschung wird in sieben Handlungsfeldern der vorrangige Forschungsbedarf für Umwelttechnologien bis 2020 ermittelt. Der erste Zwischenbericht konstatiert hohes Potenzial für Innovationen in diesen Bereichen.
Which Landscape Shall It Be? The Quest for Broadly Accepted Goals in Landscape Development Welche Landschaft soll es sein? Von der Suche nach konsensfähigen Zielen der Landschaftsentwicklung
Authors: Rodewald Raimund
Published: March 2017

Die Frage nach den Zielen der künftigen Landschaftsentwicklung bewegt die Bevölkerung und die Politik. Die Wissenschaft aber tut sich schwer mit den notwendigen Antworten, nicht zuletzt aufgrund der terminologischen Unschärfe von Begriffen wie Landschaft und Nachhaltigkeit.
Häufig ermittelt sie die Akzeptanz künftiger Landschaftsentwicklungen anhand bildgestützter Umfragen – was oft zu vereinfachenden Aussagen führt. Konsensfähige Antworten auf die Frage ,,Welche Landschaft soll es sein?" sind im Spannungsfeld von subjektiver und
objektiver Wahrnehmung oder Bewertung nicht leicht zu finden. Bleiben sie aber aus, droht die Landschaftsentwertung ungehindert fortzuschreiten.
Gedanken zum Weltagrarbericht aus historisch-ökologischer Sicht
Authors: Bürgi Matthias
Published: March 2017

Die Qualität des International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development müssen Landwirtschafts-expert(inn)en beurteilen. Aus Sicht der Historischen Ökologie stellt sich die grundsätzliche Frage, ob ein System wie die
globale Landwirtschaft überhaupt einem geordneten, zielgerichteten Planungsprozess zugänglich ist. Erfahrungen aus der Vergangen heit geben Anlass zu Zweifeln.
Wissenschaftliche und politische Gründe für den Wandel der IPCC-Szenarien
Authors: Girod Bastien V.S. , Mieg Harald A.
Published: March 2017

Since its establishment, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has published three series of emission scenarios that represent the backbone of climate projections. The first IPCC series in 1990 proposed a single business-as-usual emission scenario as a reference, and
three intervention scenarios. The third series of scenarios, published in 2000, which is used in the IPCC's recent Fourth Assessment Report, does not include any intervention scenarios but consists of six different reference scenarios. To assess the reasons for these changes, we analyze
the changing structure of the IPCC scenarios and the intergovernmental review process they went through. We also compare the scenarios with scenarios from literature. We find that scientific reasons alone cannot explain these changes. During the unification process for the relevant IPCC report,
the government representatives involved increased the number of reference scenarios, excluded intervention scenarios, and prevented scenario names that emphasized the interventionist character of those scenarios with low emissions. These findings illustrate difficulties in scenario construction
that need to be resolved for the next generation of IPCC scenarios.
Forschung zur Sozioökonomie des Küstenraums in Zeiten des Klimawandels
Authors: Ratter Beate M.W.
Published: March 2017

Zufall und Instabilität kennzeichnen das komplexe Mensch/Natur-System – um etwa Vorhersagen über die Entwicklung des Küstenraums treffen zu können, reichen Messwerte aus der Vergangenheit nicht aus. Das Institut für Küstenforschung des GKSS-Forschungszentrums
in der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft hat eine Abteilung geschaffen, um die Sozioökonomie dieser dynamischen Systeme zu erforschen.
proVISION im Dialog: Wissenschaft geht in die Öffentlichkeit
Authors: Wanschura Bettina
Published: March 2017

Längst ist Wissenschaftskommunikation ein wichtiger Bestandteil jedes Forschungs projekts – so auch von proVISION. Der Trend, Erkenntnisse aus der Wissenschaft adäquat zu übersetzen und der breiten Öffentlichkeit zu vermitteln, hält an und
verstärkt sich noch: In der Konkurrenz um Aufmerksamkeit sind ständig neue Methoden gefragt.
Mensch/Natur-Interaktion im Anthropozän Potenziale der sozial-ökologischen Systemanalyse
Authors: Ratter Beate M.W. , Welp Martin
Published: March 2017

Modelle können helfen, Mensch/Natur-Interaktionen besser zu verstehen. Bei der Jahrestagung der DGH 2008 haben Wissen schaftler(innen) verschiedener Disziplinen die Potenziale systemtheoretischen Denkens für die Lösung globaler Umweltprobleme diskutiert.
Lehren aus dem Weltagrarbericht Eine Forschungsagenda für eine nachhaltige Landbewirtschaftung
Authors: Bongert Elisabeth , Albrecht Stephan
Published: March 2017

Spätestens seit Veröffentlichung des International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development ist klar: Die alleinige Orientierung an einer hochproduktiven, auffossiler Energie basierenden globalen Landwirtschaft wird weder der
Welternährungssituation noch den Bedürfnissen der loka len Bevölkerung oder den Anforderungen an eine intakte Umwelt gerecht. Eine Forschungsagenda, die zu einer standortgerechten und nachhaltigen Landbewirtschaftung beiträgt, ist der Mulitfunktionalität der Landwirtschaft
verpflichtet, baut auf der Kenntnis um natürliche Stoffkreisläufe und Bodenfunktionen auf und bedient sich traditionellen Wissens.
Risks of Ubiquitous Information and Communication Technologies
Authors: Neitzke H.-Peter , Calmbach Marc , Behrendt Dieter , Kleinhückelkotten Silke , Wegner Elisabeth , Wippermann Carsten
Published: March 2017

Technology forecast studies predict the realisation of a ubiquitous “Anytime, Anywhere Communication and Computing” (AACC) infrastructure by the end of the second decade of this century. This article presents some selected results of an AACC risk survey involving experts
and laypersons and of a study of AACC risk perceptions by people from different social milieus. This is followed by the description of a classification scheme for systemic risks, which is based on a systems scientific approach to understanding this class of risk. Consideration will also be
given to examples of systemic risks that might be caused by AACC.
Forschung für die Nachhaltigkeit
Authors: Reuscher Günter , Deuschle Jürgen , Sonnberger Marco
Published: March 2017

Das BMBF-Rahmenprogramm fona – Forschung für Nachhaltigkeit berichtet über den Verlauf und die Ergebnisse des 5. BMBF-Forums für Nachhaltigkeit im September in Berlin. In den Mitteilungen des Förderschwerpunkts Sozial-ökologische
Forschung (SÖF) stellt ein Verbundprojekt seine Ergebnisse zu Zusammenhängen zwischen Übergewicht und Sozialraum vor.
Kein Konsens über begründeten Dissens Der Streit um die Gentechnik in der Erstellung des Weltagrarberichts
Authors: Beusmann Volker
Published: March 2017

Kontroversen um die Anwendung von Biotechnologien, speziell der Gentechnik, in Landwirtschaft und Ernährung gibt es seit Einführung dieser Technologien. Sie bildeten auch den Ausgangspunkt der Erarbeitung des International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science
and Technology for Development (IAASTD) – und sie standen ungelöst im Zentrum eines Dissenses am Ende. Die Diskussion um die Zukunftsgestaltung und die Rolle der Gentechnik geht außerhalb des Prozesses weiter.
Inconvenient Truths: Why the Industry Left the IAASTD
Authors: Hilbeck Angelika
Published: March 2017

The International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) was the biggest review ever of global agriculture. It developed different approaches for alleviating hunger and poverty, focussing on the productivity of small household farms
and supporting low-tech and cost-free strategies. Not long before the final IAASTD plenary, the chemical-biotech industry announced that they leave the process in protest mainly over the Synthesis Report on Biotechnology. The following is a personal account of one of the co-authors
of that report on what made the industries take this step.
Estimating the Regional Economic Impact of Tourism to National Parks: Two Case Studies from Germany
Authors: Job Hubert
Published: March 2017

National parks are seen as major nature-based tourism attractions. This coincides with an international trend in environmental politics to increasingly highlight the regional economic effects of national parks. The often-lacking acceptance of reserves by the locals, who see them as
hindering economic development, is the reason. Also in Germany, national parks have recently been integrated into tourism planning strategy. The economic benefits for local communities thus need to be assessed. Studies in this field, however, face major difficulties: Firstly, Germany's free
access policy for its protected areas results in a lack of visitor data. Secondly, data on tourism expenditures are very rare and only provide general information that cannot be considered representative of national parks. This study presents the financial benefits derived from nature-based
tourism in and around two German national parks on the basis of the value-added technique. The results clearly indicate that tourism can generate considerable benefits for the regional development in the structurally weak rural periphery. This information should increase the acceptance of
national parks by both local communities and politicians. Consequently, German national parks need to further incorporate the concept of socio-economic monitoring.
Compensating Municipalities for Protected Areas: Fiscal Transfers for Biodiversity Conservation in Saxony, Germany
Authors: Ring Irene
Published: March 2017

Local conservation efforts and land-use restrictions due to protected areas are often related to benefits at higher governmental levels. This gives rise to spatial externalities that – if not adequately compensated – may lead to an underprovision of public goods and services.
This article proposes two models that would expand the existing intergovernmental fiscal transfer system from the state to the local level in Saxony, Germany, to include designated protected areas; the models are based on actual administrative, social, and economic data from 2002. Conservation
units (CUs) are identified in each municipality by overlaying Geographical Information System (GIS) layers of the various categories of protected areas over a total of 537 municipal borders in Saxony. The first model considers CUs within the calculation of general lump-sum transfers by "translating"
CUs into the generic indicator of inhabitants. In the second model, a specified amount of the overall transfer sum is devoted to conservation according to the share of CUs a municipality holds in relation to its total area. Both approaches lead to higher transfers, especially to rural communities
(though to varying degrees), thereby acknowledging the latter's ecological services to society.
Protected Areas in the Alps: The Success Factors of Nature-Based Tourism and the Challenge for Regional Policy
Authors: Hammer Thomas , Siegrist Dominik
Published: March 2017

In the rural periphery of the Alpine region nature-based tourism in protected areas can considerably contribute to regional development. In order to create positive effects for sustainable regional development, certain conditions have to be met. Based on a comprehensive two-stage Delphi
survey of 27 experienced actors in protected areas and the neighbouring tourism associations in the Alpine region, 14 success factors in the following three categories could be identified: 1. general conditions of protected area tourism, 2. cooperation between the actors involved, and 3. design
of tourism services and products. The success factors, and accordingly the nature-based tourism in protected areas, can and must be promoted by regional politics in order to achieve positive effects for regional development. This includes, among other things, the appreciation of protected
areas as well as the adaptation of the respective regional policy instruments.
How to Foster Organisational Capacity for Integrated Biosphere Reserve Management: The Biosphere Reserve Mananara-Nord, Madagascar
Authors: Fritz-Vietta Nadine V.M. , Stoll-Kleemann Susanne
Published: March 2017

Biosphere reserves often lack organisational capacities. As one of the world's poorest countries, bestowed with a rich bio diversity, Madagascar is particularly faced with this challenge. In a qualitative social research approach, we identified success and failure factors of Malagasy
biosphere reserves and brought them into conjunction with the organisational capacities at hand. With regard to integrated management, interviewees emphasised the need to enhance collaboration with external experts in the areas of conservation and development, and to promote involvement of
local communities in management tasks. The Biosphere Reserve Mananara-Nord in Northeastern Madagascar, which is the focus of this article, responded to this claim by decentralising the management. This requires efficient organisation and information exchange. Therefore, we propose to establish
a "learning work environment" to facilitate knowledge exchange, improve coordination, and foster employee's motivation and capacity building. Efficient use of organisational capacities allows for effective integrated management backed with external expertise and local knowledge. This also
needs to be achieved at other biosphere reserves.
Biological Diversity – a Concept Going Astray?
Authors: Haber Wolfgang
Published: March 2017

Not least since the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the conservation of biological diversity has become a global concern. Caring for biological diversity is an idea that catches human feelings and intuitions – because we ourselves are living beings and feel a bond
of union with other organisms. But what does biological diversity really mean and how much does it really matter? Can you measure its loss? Is there a reference value that can clearly mark its maintenance? Biological diversity, or "biodiversity", is essentially an abstract term whose meaning
calls for better explanation.
Changing Climate in Protected Areas? Risk Perception of Climate Change by Biosphere Reserve Managers
Authors: Schliep Rainer , Bertzky Monika , Hirschnitz Martin , Stoll-Kleemann Susanne
Published: March 2017

Since protected areas (PAs) comprise about twelve percent of the world's surface, PA managers are in a key position regarding in situ biodiversity conservation against the background of emerging climate change. PAs can exemplify progress in climate change mitigation and adaptation.
What role do PA managers – and their risk perception and response – play in this context? A global survey with biosphere reserve (BR) managers investigated this issue using a combined quantitative and qualitative approach. Results suggest that climate change risk perception is
largely linked to economic power: in non-high-income countries climate change was perceived as being significantly less relevant than in high-income countries. In non-high-income countries, other threats such as illegal activities are regarded as being much more important than climate change
impacts. Thus, socio-political factors and the connection between management and science seem to play an important role in risk perception of BR managers. In situ biodiversity conservation efforts with regard to climate change mitigation and adaptation must inform BR managers about likely
climate change impacts, involve them in transdisciplinary research activities, and speed up necessary mitigation and adaptation measures.
Lines of Tradition and Recent Approaches to Urban Ecology, Focussing on Germany and the USA
Authors: Weiland Ulrike , Richter Matthias
Published: March 2017

This article draws a line from historical concepts of different urban ecology traditions to recent approaches of urban ecology. The overview presented here emphasises the following two aspects: 1. Urban ecology traditions have a close connection to the scientific and social context
of their time as well as to the prevailing urban structures; 2. urban ecology research approaches have undergone a "scaling-up", i.e., approaches on different scales and from different time periods superimpose and permeate each other today. Cities and urban agglomerations are now addressed
as complex evolving socio-ecological systems. Thus, a comprehensive approach to urban ecology is called for, one comprised of different research disciplines that integrates diverse research perspectives and motives. Despite a large leap ahead in understanding the linkages between cities and
ecology in recent years, many questions remain in respect to an urban-ecological theory and to the practical application of the complex recent insights, such as: How will climate change and social and technological transformations affect urban biodiversity? How can synergies be found, e.g.,
between nature protection, flood prevention, and recreation in urban areas?
Introduction: The Future of Coastal Areas – Challenges for Planning Practice and Research
Authors: Glaeser Bernhard , Kannen Andreas , Kremer Hartwig H.
Published: March 2017

Pressures on coasts and seas affect coastal and marine ecosystems as well as social and economic systems through changing patterns of resource use. Inter- and transdisciplinary research approaches are becoming increasingly prominent in assessing these changes. At the conceptual level,
integrated concepts are expected to address the interactions between society and coastal ecosystems. The global research programme Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) and the German research project Coastal Futures are examples of this. At the implementation level,
the concept of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) has evolved as an alternative to traditional ad-hoc and sector-based approaches to planning and management. The article provides a brief overview of these developments and serves as an introduction to a series of articles in GAIA
where selected issues of coastal change and coastal governance are addressed.
Marine Aquaculture within Offshore Wind Farms: Social Aspects of Multiple-Use Planning
Authors: Michler-Cieluch Tanja , Krause Gesche , Buck Bela H.
Published: March 2017

Combining offshore wind farming and marine aquaculture is an opportunity to share stakeholder resources and can lead to greater spatial efficiency in the offshore environment. Although biological and technical studies have demonstrated the general feasibility of this approach, a number
of complex socioeconomic and technical challenges still need to be dealt with. Focusing on selected social aspects of multiple offshore use, this paper presents a short overview of recent research results on the potential and problems of wind farm–mariculture integration in the German
Bight.
Kommunikationskompetenz – Eine Bedingung für erfolgreichen Wissensaustausch
Authors: Zingerli Claudia , Fry Patricia , Bachmann Felicitas , Flury Manuel , Förster Ruth , Kläy Andreas , Kueffer Christoph
Published: March 2017

Um Umweltprobleme zu lösen, müssen meist voneinander abgegrenzte Wissens systeme verbunden werden. Unterstützend wirkt ein funktionierender Wissensaustausch zwischen Forschung, öffent licher Verwaltung und Praxis. Spezifische Kompetenzen helfen, Wissensaus tauschprozesse
erfolgreich zu gestalten; Kommunikationskompetenz ist eine davon.
Schadstoffverhalten in Flüssen und Aulandschaften
Authors: Lair Georg J. , Zehetner Franz , Klepsch Sabine , Gerzabek Martin H.
Published: March 2017

Im Rahmen des kürzlich abgeschlossenen Forschungsprojekts AquaTerra unter suchten Mitarbei ter(innen) der Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, wie sich Auböden im Laufe der Zeit verändern und wie sich dies auf ihr Filter- und Speicher - vermögen für Schadstoffe
auswir kt. Ziel war, Voraussetzungen zu schaffen, um die Lebensräume europäischer Flusslandschaften langfristig zu sichern.
Repräsentanz – ein geeignetes Bewertungskriterium für den Naturschutz?Representativeness – An Appropriate Criterion for Evaluation in Nature Conservation?
Authors: Heink Ulrich
Published: March 2017

Representativeness is a prominent criterion in nature conservation evaluation. Despite its widespread use, the concept of representativeness is ambiguous. For a consistent application of this criterion, a conceptualisation is of vital importance. In this contribution I analyse different
meanings of the term, assess its normative legitimacy, and make recommendations for its use in nature conservation. We can distinguish three different meanings of representativeness. First, it can be seen as a measure of the characteristic inventory of species and habitats in geographic regions
(distinctiveness). Second, representativeness is the degree to which a habitat conforms to a habitat type or to which the presence of a species is correlated with a habitat type (typicalness). Third, representativeness can be seen as the extent to which required natural features occur within
a habitat or a (set of) site(s) (comprehensiveness). While the use of distinctiveness is normatively well grounded, there are some problems in the use of typicalness and comprehensiveness as evaluation criteria. For each application, I recommend clarifying which approach to representativeness
is being taken. Furthermore the value system behind the evaluation criteria should be made explicit.
Menschenrechte als ethische Grundlage der Klimapolitik – Ein Beitrag der politischen PhilosophieOn Human Rights as an Ethical Basis for Climate Policy – A Contribution from the Perspective of Political Philosophy
Authors: Reder Michael
Published: March 2017

Debates about the impacts of climate change necessarily exist within ethical debates and frameworks. This paper discusses the ethical foundations of three discourses concerning climate change: economics of climate change, climate protection as lifestyle, and carbon debt. These approaches
are seen to be problematic because they are absolutist, hindering their international acceptance. In contrast, human rights could provide a coherent and worldwide acceptable basis for the ethics of climate change. Here, five normative dimensions of human rights are identified and their possible
contribution to a coherent and convincing climate policy is outlined.
Is Pollination at Risk? Current Threats to and Conservation of Bees
Authors: Grünewald Bernd
Published: March 2017

Insect pollination is an ecosystem service with high economic value that is mainly provided by bees. However, feral bees and managed honeybees are threatened globally by several anthropogenic factors such as changes in agricultural practices, loss of unimproved grasslands, urbanization,
and spread of pathogens. These factors have led to the extinction of many native bees, to a reduction in the number of managed honeybee colonies, and put the nutritional bases for bees at risk. Chronic exposure to insecticides, even when they are appropriately used, may affect the foraging
behavior of honeybees, which in turn weakens a colony and makes it more susceptible for diseases. Honeybees suffer from parasites like the Varroa mite, and from several viral and bacterial pathogens, which need to be controlled with great efforts. Climate changes represent future threats
that will probably impact native bee populations as well as apicultural practices. Coordinated actions are needed to prevent the global loss of large pollinator populations. Especially the maintenance of plant and bee diversity is very important – as well as basic research on the causes
for honeybee colony losses. Together, policy, science, and economy should have a crucial interest in conserving the global pollination service of bees.
Protected Areas: The Weakness of Calls for Strict Protection
Authors: Berghöfer Augustin
Published: March 2017

A response to Frauke Fischer. In her article 'The Importance of Law Enforcement for Protected Areas' (GAIA 17/S1(2008): 101–103), Frauke Fischer presents a strong plaidoyer: We need strict protection of nature against human interference in protected areas for the long-term conservation of biodiversity. While protected areas cover only a fraction of land and sea on this planet they constitute the last refuge for many species, and should therefore be set aside and kept apart for strict conservation. Local people affected by these restrictions should receive direct compensation payments which orient activities away from Protected Areas. In this response I challenge her central claim that strict protection by means of rigorous enforcement and direct compensation payments is 'the most promising way'. It may be promising for scientists, but for biodiversity and for people it is in many cases neither politically feasible, nor ecologically effective, nor ethically defensible.
Landscape and Identity – Theoretical Considerations for the Advancement of Landscape Assessment Landschaft und Identität Theoretische Überlegungen zur Weiterentwicklung der Landschaftsbildbewertung
Authors: Lanninger Silke , Langarová Kristina
Published: March 2017

Based on established theoretical principles derived from various disciplines this German-Czech research cooperation elaborates how landscape contributes to a person's identity by taking into consideration both basic human needs and modern instruments of landscape assessment. The relationship
between human identity and the meaning of places to humans can be defined through the co-creation of humans and landscape. Landscape can function as both, an identity-endowing part itself or as a backdrop or scenery in which identity-forming processes and interactions take place. Basic human
needs can be assigned to specific landscapes. Neither contemporary German nor Czech landscape assessment methods incorporate this, although Zube's approach to landscape assessment would allow the landscape planner to combine human needs and the shaping of landscapes. Zube's professional paradigm,
behavioural paradigm, and humanistic paradigm are analysed through identifying their strengths and weaknesses. The theoretical and methodological findings serve as basis for the development of an “integrated landscape assessment” as a modern instrument to integrate human needs
into landscape assessment and to better balance expert planning and participation by emphasising the humanistic paradigm.
Wider die Privatisierung der Nachhaltigkeit – Warum ökologisch korrekter Konsum die Umwelt nicht retten kannAgainst Privatisation of Sustainability – Why Consuming Ecologically Correct Products Will Not Save the Environment
Authors: Grunwald Armin
Published: March 2017

Sie trennen Ihren Müll, kaufen Gemüse aus der Region und fahren einen Kleinwagen. Aber was, wenn dieses Handeln der Umwelt wenig oder gar nichts nützt? Mehr und mehr wird die Verantwortung für eine nachhaltige Entwicklung in den privaten Bereich abgeschoben –
das kann im besten Fall wenig zielführend und im schlimmsten sogar kontraproduktiv sein. Denn Nachhaltigkeit ist eine Aufgabe der politischen Systeme. Das heißt nicht, dass der einzelne Mensch in diesem Geschehen keinen Platz hat. Seine Aufgabe ist es aber, politisch für die
Nachhaltigkeit einzutreten – jenseits von Stromsparen und ökologisch korrektem Konsum.
A New Link Between Biodiversity Science and Policy
Authors: Görg Christoph , Neßhöver Carsten , Paulsch Axel
Published: March 2017

After several years of negotiations, a new scientific advisory body for international biodiversity policy, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), will soon be formally established by the UN General Assembly. This platform intends
to fill the gap between biodiversity science and biodiversity policy, ensuring policy relevance while avoiding over-politicisation. There are great opportunities but also considerable challenges for this new organisation
Transdisziplinärer Dialog: Fachwissen und Erfahrungswissen im Austausch über Sommer-Bergtourismus und KlimawandelTransdisciplinary Dialogue: Expert and Experiential Knowledge in a Discourse on Summer Mountain Tourism and Climate Change
Authors: Ritter Florian , Muhar Andreas , Fiebig Markus
Published: March 2017

Based on a transdisciplinary research project, we discuss how several groups of scientists and stakeholders can be integrated in different project stages. The objective of our project was to discuss the need to adapt the high alpine trail network to reflect the consequences of climate
change (e.g., glacier retreat). To this end, we created two kinds of scenarios. In several workshops, the scenarios were further developed and evaluated by regional stakeholders (e.g., alpine clubs, mountain guides, local tourist boards). The workshop participants – experts, stakeholders
– discussed the emerging need for action and recommendations to adapt the trail network. Our case study exemplifies that scientists and stakeholders can and should play different parts in specific stages of transdisciplinary projects. It is essential to manage and overcome the boundaries
between the groups so that different perspectives of the research problem can be considered. If this approach is successful, a more comprehensive perception and a more holistic handling of real-world problems can emerge from transdisciplinary processes.Bei transdisziplinären Projekten
sollte stärker als bisher beachtet werden, welches spezielle Wissen welche Akteursgruppe liefern kann und dass sich jede Akteursgruppe entsprechend unterschiedlich an den einzelnen Projektschritten beteiligt. Wir präsentieren Erfahrungen aus einem Projekt im Bereich der Klimawandelanpassung.
Klimaskeptiker – auf Kreuzzug gegen die Wissenschaft
Authors: Pötter Bernhard
Published: March 2017

Warum wird der Klimawandel immer noch geleugnet? Welche Interessen vertreten die Klimaskeptiker? Aus welchem Grund gehen gesicherte Forschungsergebnisse im Getöse der ,,Händler des Zweifels“ unter? Und wie sollte die Wissenschaft reagieren, um ihre Erkenntnisse
effektiver zu verbreiten? Alle Wissenschaft ist politisch – und die Debatte um die Klimaskeptiker zeigt, dass sich die Wissen schaft dieser Tatsache stellen muss.
Quantitative Criteria for Urban Sprawl Messbare Kriterien für die Zersie delung
Authors: Jaeger Jochen , Schwick Christian
Published: March 2017

Die Zersiedelung der Schweiz nimmt weiterhin stark zu: Sie ist in den letzten 65 Jahren um 155 Prozent gestiegen. In der Folge gehen wertvolle Böden verloren, werden Kulturlandschaften in konturlose Siedlungs zonen umgewandelt und wird die Distanz zwischen Wohnen, Arbeit und
Freizeit immer größer. Dieser Trend steht im Konflikt mit den Zielen nachhaltiger Entwicklung – daher besteht dringender Handlungsbedarf.
Social Monitoring – Decision Support for Protected Areas. Transdisciplinary Research in German UNESCO Biosphere Reserves Soziales Monitoring – Entscheidungshilfe für Großschutz gebiete Transdisziplinäre Forschung in deutschen UNESCO-Biosphärenreservaten
Authors: Stoll-Kleemann Susanne , Buer Clara , Solbrig Franziska
Published: March 2017

Ein erfolgreiches Management von Biosphärenreservaten muss gesellschaftliche Prozesse berücksichtigen. Doch wie lassen sich die Einstellungen der Menschen in den Regio nen am besten erheben und in die Entwicklung der Biosphärenreservate integrieren? An der Universität
Greifswald werden derzeit die dafür erforderlichen Instrumente entwickelt und erprobt.
Stated Preference Valuation of Environmental Goods: Really ,,Hands Off!“? Zahlungsbereitschaftsbefragungen für Umwelt güter: wirklich ,,Finger weg!“? Reaktion auf A. Klie. 2010. Die Bewertung von Umweltgütern mittels Zahlungsbereitschaft. Woran
Kosten-Nutzen-Analysen scheitern. GAIA 19/2: 103–109
Authors: Barkmann Jan , Marggraf Rainer
Published: March 2017

Axel Klie sprach in GAIA 2/2010 Zahlungsbereitschaftsbefragungen sowie den darauf aufbauenden Kosten-Nutzen-Analysen ihre Eignung für die ökonomische Umweltbewertung ab. Die Autor(inn)en der Reaktionen in diesem Heft bezweifeln Klies Folgerungen: Diese beruhten
nicht nur auf strittigen Einschätzungen zur empirischen Anwendbarkeit einzelner Methoden, sondern auch auf einem Missverständnis begrifflicher Grundlagen der ökonomischen Bewertung von Umweltgütern. Jan Barkmann und Rainer Marggraf zeichnen diese Grundlagen
in kritischer Auseinandersetzung mit Klie nach. Nele Lienhoop und Bernd Hansjürgens weisen aus stärker anwendungsorientierter Sicht auf die Nützlich keit der Methodik hin.
Low-Input Intensification in Agriculture Chances for Small-Scale Farmers in Developing Countries
Authors: Meyer Rolf
Published: March 2017

Agricultural production systems like agroforestry or organic farming are complex systems of intensification through higher agro-ecological and biological productivity. The aim of such low-input intensification is to achieve higher crop yields with little or no additional external inputs
like mineral fertiliser and pesticides, combined with improved soil and water management. This agricultural produc tion has the potential to address in particular the needs and possibilities of small-scale farmers.
Das Verursacherprinzip: Eine Anwendung bei der Siedlungsabfallentsorgung
Authors: Schleiniger Reto , Baccini Peter
Published: March 2017

The Polluter Pays Principle has become a widely accepted political guideline for dealing with environmental problems. In order to apply this principle to the municipal solid waste management three questions are discussed: – who are the polluters, – what are the costs
they have to pay, – and where should these costs be imposed on the polluters? The determination of the polluter is mainly a juridical problem while the two other questions lie in the center of economic theory. The imposition of the total social costs of waste disposal is theoretically
convincing but practically not feasible. Therefore another approach is chosen: the costs to be intemalized are the costs that result from reaching a politically set environmental standard. It is argued that for an efficient compliance with this standard it is not enough to intemalize
the operational costs of waste treatment. An additional charge should be levied to influence the quantity of municipal solid waste directly.
Wieso ist ökologisches Handeln mehr als eine Anwendung ökologischen Wissens?Überlegungen zur Umsetzung ökologischen Wissens in ökologisches Handeln
Authors: Hirsch Gertrude
Published: March 2017

Although it seems obvious that human actions have ecological and social attributes, it is less apparent that both of them must be taken into account to promote ecological behavior. This article is based on the idea that human behavior follows certain intentions. Three types of ecological
behavior are described. Moreover it is argued that promoting ecological behavior not only assumes an understanding of ecology, but also has a normative aspect and indeed presupposes knowledge of human behavior. This knowledge is necessary because the social context and the consequences of
the behavior, both for the individual and the society, have to be taken into account. Existing strategies of promoting ecological behavior are examined in the light of the above considerations. Finally, relevant criteria are proposed for transforming ecological knowledge into ecological behavior.