Biology subjects

Acosta-Munoz, C.

Publications and source records attributed to Acosta-Munoz, C..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Evolution and paradigm shift in forest health research: A review on global trends and knowledge gaps

Forests provide key ecosystem services to human society, and the ability to provide these services depends on their overall health. Forest health is an attractive and interesting concept in forestry research, which environmental, social and political interests have shaped. Assessing forest health is crucial, but finding a single definition of the concept is complex. It is determined by the aim of the forest study, different areas of knowledge, scales of work, technology, methodologies, historical moment or source of funding, among others. With almost a century of scientific evidence, the aim is to identify and contextualise temporal changes in the relevance of this key concept. Trends are analysed through the construction of three main descriptors (state variables, drivers and methods) and the main conceptual subdomains (themes). This review reveals the significant geographical bias in the research, which the Global North predominantly conducts. We observe the evolution of forest health research driven by diverse needs and interests, ranging from air pollution to the multifaceted impacts of climate change. Methodologies applied in this field have also evolved from traditional crown condition inventories to the use of advanced tools such as remote sensing or ecophysiology, improving the characterisation of forest health patterns at both global and individual scales. Forest health research has evolved towards more holistic and multidisciplinary approaches, reflected in the broadening and integration of methodologies and technologies, influenced by historical context, which influence what is being researched today and future scenarios. We identified key knowledge gaps in the scientific literature, in particular the concepts of ecosystem services, Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) and the concept of One Health. These findings highlight the need for future research to incorporate these critical but often overlooked areas, potentially reshaping future directions and scenarios for forest health research.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2023

Tailoring evidence into action: using a codesign approach for biodiversity information in the Tropical Andes

Biodiversity conservation is a complex and transdisciplinary problem that requires engagement and cooperation among scientific, societal, economic, and political institutions. However, historical approaches have often failed to bring together and address the needs of relevant stakeholders in decision-making processes. The Tropical Andes, a biodiversity hotspot where conservation efforts often conflict with socioeconomic issues and policies that prioritize economic development, provides an ideal model to develop and implement more effective approaches. In this study, we present a codesign approach that mainstreams and improves the flow of biodiversity information in the Tropical Andes, while creating tailored outputs that meet the needs of economic and societal stakeholders. We employed a consultative process that brought together biodiversity information users and producers at the local, national, and regional levels through a combination of surveys and workshops. This approach identified priority needs and limitations of the flow of biodiversity information in the region, which led to the co-design of user-relevant biodiversity indicators. By leveraging the existing capacities of biodiversity information users and producers, we were able to co-design multiple biodiversity indicators and prioritize two for full implementation ensuring that the data was findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable based on the FAIR principles. This approach helped address limitations that were identified in the stakeholder engagement process, including gaps in data availability and the need for more accessible biodiversity information. Additionally, capacity-building workshops were incorporated for all stakeholders involved, which aimed to not only improve the current flow of biodiversity information in the region but also facilitate its future sustainability. Our approach can serve as a valuable blueprint for mainstreaming biodiversity information and making it more inclusive in the future, especially considering the diverse worldviews, values, and knowledge systems between science, policy, and practice.

ecology↗