Biology subjects

Anne-Christine Mupepele

Publications and source records attributed to Anne-Christine Mupepele.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2015

Blind spots in ecosystem services research and implementation

Ecosystem service research has gained attraction, and the topic is also high on the policy agenda. Projects such as TEEB have generalized results of individual case studies to provide guidelines for policy makers and stakeholders. Seppelt et al. (2011) raised critical questions about four facets that characterize the holistic ideal of ecosystem services research: (i) biophysical realism of ecosystem data and models; (ii) consideration of trade-offs between ecosystem services; (iii) recognition of off-site effects; and (iv) comprehensive but shrewd involvement of stakeholders within assessment studies. An extended and updated analysis of ecosystem service case studies showed that the majority of these facets were still not addressed by the majority of case studies. Whilst most indicators did not improve within the span analyzed (1996-2013), we found a tendency for an increasing geographical spread of the case studies. Moreover, we incorporated an additional facet, namely the relevance and usability of case study results for the operationalization of the ecosystem service concept. Only a minority of studies addressed this facet sufficiently with no significant trend for improvement over time.

Ecology↗

bioRxiv2014

An evidence assessment tool for ecosystem services and conservation studies

Reliability of scientific findings is always important, but even more so in ecosystem service science, where results can directly lead to policy implementations. The assessment of reliability resulted in the introduction of the evidence-based concept in the medical sciences. It aims at identifying the best available information to answer the question of interest. In environmental sciences, the evidence-based concept is well developed [very few people actually use it!] in conservation, but so far no guidelines exists for ecosystem services science. To apply the evidence-based concept in practice we need a scale to rank study designs commonly used in ecosystem services science as well as an assessment of the actual quality of implementation in a specific study. Here, we define a framework for evidence-based ecosystem service science, together with a design scale and a critical-appraisal checklist. The approach is described with detailed examples and specific suggestions for different user groups.

Scientific Communication and Education↗

bioRxiv2014

A plea for evidence in ecosystem service science: a framework and its application

The ecosystem service concept is at the interface of ecology, economics and politcs, with scientific results rapidly translated into management or political action. This emphasises the importance of reliable recommendations provided by scientist. We propose to use evidence-based practice in ecosystem service science in order to evaluate and improve the reliability of scientific statements. For this purpose, we introduce a level-of-evidence scale ranking study designs (e.g. review, case-control, descriptive) in combination with a study quality checklist. For illustration, the concept was directly applied to 12 case studies. We also review criticisms levered against evidence-based practice and how it applies to ecosystem services science. We further discuss who should use the evidence-based concept and suggest important next steps, with a focus on the development of guidelines for methods used in ecosystem service assessments.

Scientific Communication and Education↗