@article{BirdmanBarthLang2022, author = {Birdman, Jodie and Barth, Matthias and Lang, Daniel J.}, title = {Connecting curricula and competence through student learning journeys}, series = {Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy}, journal = {Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy}, number = {18/1}, publisher = {Taylor \& Francis}, issn = {1548-7733}, doi = {10.1080/15487733.2022.2097773}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-4240}, pages = {560 -- 575}, year = {2022}, abstract = {This research examines the connection between higher education curricula for sustainable development and student development of key competencies for sustainability. The authors conducted a comparative case study that followed ten students from three graduate sustainability programs. Through a combination of student-generated and contextual data, we created a set of learning journeys. These journeys showed that activities which foster reflection, interaction, and real-world connections are especially critical for competence development as part of the whole curriculum. What and how students found most useful depended on individual disposition and we identified four general categories based on prior experience, attitude to learning, and individual goals. Barriers to competency development were frustration, feelings of helplessness, and being unable to link competence to concrete activities or concepts. These barriers could be mitigated through peer interaction and mentorship, environmental support such as spaces for collaboration, and instructor scaffolding. Because no single course can fit the needs of each student, we recommend that beneficial components in the form of courses that support the above-mentioned activities be part of purposeful curriculum design.}, language = {en} } @article{FischerKingRieckmannetal.2022, author = {Fischer, Daniel and King, Jordan and Rieckmann, Marco and Barth, Matthias and B{\"u}ssing, Alexander and Hemmer, Ingrid and Lindau-Bank, Detlev}, title = {Teacher Education for Sustainable Development: A Review of an Emerging Research Field}, series = {Journal of Teacher Education}, volume = {Volume 73}, journal = {Journal of Teacher Education}, number = {Issue 5}, publisher = {Sage}, address = {London}, issn = {0022-4871}, doi = {10.1177/00224871221105784}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-4306}, pages = {509 -- 524}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Abstract Teacher Education for Sustainable Development (TESD) is a niche innovation in teacher education that empowers teachers to prepare learners to address global socio-environmental challenges. To advance the diffusion of this niche innovation into general teacher education, this article offers a systematic literature review based on a qualitative analysis of 158 peer-reviewed publications on TESD research. Our results show that TESD research is a growing field characterized by five types of inquiry: designing learning environments, understanding learner attributes, measuring learning outcomes, promoting systems change, and advancing visions for the field. Major innovation potentials of TESD for more general teacher education are its emphasis on the grand socio-environmental challenges of our times, methodologies to engage with knowledge diversity (e.g., inter/transdisciplinarity), and sustainability science learning approaches (e.g., backcasting). We suggest that future work builds from this review to strengthen links between teacher education and TESD in enhancing quality education.}, language = {en} } @article{WilmsDuppelCremeretal.2021, author = {Wilms, Florian and Duppel, Nils and Cremer, Tobias and Berendt, Ferr{\´e}ol}, title = {Bark Thickness and Heights of the Bark Transition Area of Scots Pine}, series = {Forests}, journal = {Forests}, number = {12(10)}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {1999-4907}, doi = {10.3390/f12101386}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-4330}, pages = {1 -- 12}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The estimation of forest biomass is gaining interest not only for calculating harvesting volumes but also for carbon storage estimation. However, bark (and carbon) compounds are not distributed equally along the stem. Particularly when looking at Scots pine, a radical change in the structure of the bark along the stem can be noted. At the bark transition area, the bark changes from thick and rough to thin and smooth. The aim of our study was (1) to analyze the height of the bark transition area where the bark structure changes and (2) to analyze the effect of cardinal direction on the bark thickness. Regression analyses and forward selection were performed including measured tree height, DBH, bark thickness, crown base height and upper and lower heights of the bark transition areas of 375 trees. While the cardinal direction had no effect on bark thickness, DBH was found to have a significant effect on the heights of the bark transition areas, with stand density and tree height having a minor additional effect. These variables can be used to estimate timber volume (without bark) with higher accuracy and to predict the carbon storage potential of forest biomass according to different tree compartments and compounds.}, language = {en} } @article{GohrvonWehrdenMayetal.2022, author = {Gohr, Charlotte and von Wehrden, Henrik and May, Felix and Ibisch, Pierre L.}, title = {Remotely sensed effectiveness assessments of protected areas lack a common framework: A review}, series = {Ecosphere}, volume = {13}, journal = {Ecosphere}, number = {4}, publisher = {Wiley}, issn = {2150-8925}, doi = {10.1002/ecs2.4053}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-4799}, pages = {14}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Effective protected areas reflect socio-ecological values, such as biodiversity and habitat maintenance, as well as human well-being. These values, which safeguard ecosystem services in protected areas, are treated as models for the sustainable preservation and use of resources. While there is much research on the effectiveness of protected areas in a variety of disciplines, the question is whether there is a common framework that uses remote sensing methods. We conducted a qualitative and a quantitative analysis of 44 peer-reviewed scientific papers utilizing remote sensing data in order to examine the effectiveness of protected areas. Very few studies to date have a wide or even a global geographical focus; instead, most quantify the effectiveness of protected areas by focusing on local-scale case studies and single indicators such as forest cover change. Methods that help integrate spatial selection approaches, to compare a protected area's characteristics with its surroundings, are increasingly being used. Based on this review, we argue for a multi-indicator-based framework on protected area effectiveness, including the development of a consistent set of socio-ecological indicators for a global analysis. In turn, this will allow for globally applicable use, including a concrete evaluation that considers the diversity of regional parameters, biome-specific variables, and political frameworks. Ideally, such a framework will enhance the monitoring and evaluation of global strategies and conventions.}, language = {en} } @article{SelvaKreftKatietal.2011, author = {Selva, Nuria and Kreft, Stefan and Kati, Vassiliki and Schluck, Martin and Jonsson, Bengt-Gunnar and Mihok, Barbara and Okarma, Henryk and Ibisch, Pierre L.}, title = {Roadless and Low-Traffic Areas as Conservation Targets in Europe}, series = {Environmental Management}, volume = {48}, journal = {Environmental Management}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, issn = {0364-152X}, doi = {10.1007/s00267-011-9751-z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-4856}, pages = {865 -- 877}, year = {2011}, abstract = {With increasing road encroachment, habitat fragmentation by transport infrastructures has been a serious threat for European biodiversity. Areas with no roads or little traffic ("roadless and low-traffic areas") represent relatively undisturbed natural habitats and functioning ecosystems. They provide many benefits for biodiversity and human societies (e.g., landscape connectivity, barrier against pests and invasions, ecosystem services). Roadless and low-traffic areas, with a lower level of anthropogenic disturbances, are of special relevance in Europe because of their rarity and, in the context of climate change, because of their contribution to higher resilience and buffering capacity within landscape ecosystems. An analysis of European legal instruments illustrates that, although most laws aimed at protecting targets which are inherent to fragmentation, like connectivity, ecosystem processes or integrity, roadless areas are widely neglected as a legal target. A case study in Germany underlines this finding. Although the Natura 2000 network covers a significant proportion of the country (16\%), Natura 2000 sites are highly fragmented and most low-traffic areas (75\%) lie unprotected outside this network. This proportion is even higher for the old Federal States (western Germany), where only 20\% of the low-traffic areas are protected. We propose that the few remaining roadless and low-traffic areas in Europe should be an important focus of conservation efforts; they should be urgently inventoried, included more explicitly in the law and accounted for in transport and urban planning. Considering them as complementary conservation targets would represent a concrete step towards the strengthening and adaptation of the Natura 2000 network to climate change.}, language = {en} } @article{HebinckKlerkxElzenetal.2021, author = {Hebinck, Aniek and Klerkx, Laurens and Elzen, Boelie and Kok, Kristiaan P. W. and K{\"o}nig, Bettina and Schiller, Katharina and Tschersich, Julia and van Mierlo, Barbara and von Wirth, Timo}, title = {Beyond food for thought - Directing sustainability transitions research to address fundamental change in agri-food systems}, series = {Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions}, journal = {Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions}, number = {41}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {2210-4224}, doi = {10.1016/j.eist.2021.10.003}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-4885}, pages = {81 -- 85}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Dominant agricultural and food systems lead to continuous resource depletion and unacceptable environmental and social impacts. While current calls for changing agrifood systems are increasingly framed in the context of sustainability transitions, they rarely make an explicit link to transition studies to address these systemic challenges, nor do transition scholars sufficiently address agri-food systems, despite their global pertinence. From this viewpoint, we illustrate several gaps in the agri-food systems debate that sustainability transition studies could engage in. We propose four avenues for research in the next decade of transition research on agri-food systems: 1) Crossscale dynamics between coupled systems; 2) Social justice, equity and inclusion; 3) Sustainability transitions in low- and middle-income countries; 4) Cross-sectoral governance and system integration. We call for a decade of new transition research that moves beyond single-scale and sector perspectives toward more inclusive and integrated analyses of food system dynamics.}, language = {en} } @article{BielyvonMuenchhausenvanPassel2022, author = {Biely, Katharina and von M{\"u}nchhausen, Susanne and van Passel, Steven}, title = {Vertical integration as a strategy to increase value absorption by primary producers: The Belgian sugar beet and the German rapeseed case}, series = {AIMS Agriculture and Food}, volume = {7}, journal = {AIMS Agriculture and Food}, number = {3}, publisher = {AIMS Press}, issn = {2471-2086}, doi = {10.3934/agrfood.2022041}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-5610}, pages = {659 -- 682}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Vertical integration is a means of increasing market power. For some agricultural products, it is easier for farmers to exert control over their product beyond the farm gate, but for others it is more difficult. Cases in the latter category have two main characteristics. First, the farmer cannot sell the respective product to final consumers without processing. Second, processing is capital-intensive. Consequently, farmers have limited sales channels, and vertical integration of the supply chain is complex and challenging. It implies cooperation among farmers to process the raw material at a profitable scale and to finance the installation of processing facilities. Thus, for these product categories, farmers are prone to market power issues, since they depend on private businesses that have the financial means to install processing facilities and the logistical capacities to organize the collection of large amounts of raw material. This paper aims to identify and analyze the role of supply chain integration for farmers who are already cooperating horizontally. Two case studies serve as the basis for the analysis: sugar beet in Flanders, Belgium, and oilseed rape in Hessen, Germany. The analysis is based on a qualitative research approach combining interviews, focus groups, and workshops with farmers and processors. While for sugar beet, the effects of market power are emerging only now with the termination of the quota system, farmers growing oilseed rape have been experiencing these problems since the 1990s. Our analysis concludes that most strategies to maintain or improve farm income have been exhausted. Even various forms of vertical integration supported by European policies do not necessarily work as a successful strategy.}, language = {en} } @article{MarselleHartigCoxetal.2021, author = {Marselle, Melissa R. and Hartig, Terry and Cox, Daniel T.C. and de Bell, Si{\^a}n and Knapp, Sonja and Lindley, Sarah and Triguero-Mas, Margarita and B{\"o}hning-Gaese, Katrin and Braubach, Matthias and Cook, Penny A. and de Vries, Sjerp and Heintz-Buschart, Anna and Hofmann, Max and Irvine, Katherine N. and Kabisch, Nadja and Kolek, Franziska and Kraemer, Roland and Markevych, Iana and Martens, D{\"o}rte and M{\"u}ller, Ruth and Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark and Potts, Jacqueline M. and Stadler, Jutta and Walton, Samantha and Warber, Sara L. and Bonn, Aletta}, title = {Pathways linking biodiversity to human health: A conceptual framework}, series = {Environment International}, volume = {150}, journal = {Environment International}, issn = {0160-4120}, doi = {10.1016/j.envint.2021.106420}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-5624}, pages = {22}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Biodiversity is a cornerstone of human health and well-being. However, while evidence of the contributions of nature to human health is rapidly building, research into how biodiversity relates to human health remains limited in important respects. In particular, a better mechanistic understanding of the range of pathways through which biodiversity can influence human health is needed. These pathways relate to both psychological and social processes as well as biophysical processes. Building on evidence from across the natural, social and health sciences, we present a conceptual framework organizing the pathways linking biodiversity to human health. Four domains of pathways—both beneficial as well as harmful—link biodiversity with human health: (i) reducing harm (e.g. provision of medicines, decreasing exposure to air and noise pollution); (ii) restoring capacities (e.g. attention restoration, stress reduction); (iii) building capacities (e.g. promoting physical activity, transcendent experiences); and (iv) causing harm (e.g. dangerous wildlife, zoonotic diseases, allergens). We discuss how to test components of the biodiversity-health framework with available analytical approaches and existing datasets. In a world with accelerating declines in biodiversity, profound land-use change, and an increase in non-communicable and zoonotic diseases globally, greater understanding of these pathways can reinforce biodiversity conservation as a strategy for the promotion of health for both people and nature. We conclude by identifying research avenues and recommendations for policy and practice to foster biodiversity-focused public health actions.}, language = {en} } @article{MilestadvonMuenchhausenKvametal.2023, author = {Milestad, Rebecka and von M{\"u}nchhausen, Susanne and Kvam, Gunn-Turid and Schermer, Markus}, title = {Managing growth in medium-sized organic businesses: Implications for local orientation and resilience building}, series = {Sociologia Ruralis}, volume = {63}, journal = {Sociologia Ruralis}, number = {1; Special Issue: Values-Based Territorial Food Networks' - Benefits, Challenges and Controversies}, publisher = {Wiley}, issn = {0038-0199}, doi = {10.1111/soru.12393}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-5631}, pages = {45 -- 65}, year = {2023}, abstract = {This article explores how locally oriented organic businesses adapt to handle crises during a growth process to build resilience, how these businesses maintain the local orientation when growing and what the implications are for the relationship between territoriality and organic production. We explored four cases of organic businesses in Sweden, Norway, Germany and Austria. The cases can be described as Values-based Territorial Food Networks. All cases experienced challenges and crises during their growth processes and sought to provide stability and flexibility in order to deal with change. The restructuration process required internalising learning into their organisations, using diversity in a strategic way and forming long-term partnerships within their value chains. While organic certification was never at stake, the meaning of 'local' shifted in some of the cases.}, language = {en} } @article{SchwarzBapstHolingeretal.2020, author = {Schwarz, Katharina and Bapst, Beat and Holinger, Mirjam and Th{\"u}er, Susann and Schleip, Inga and Werne, Steffen}, title = {Potentials of using milk performance data and FAMACHA score as indicators for Targeted Selective Treatment in Lacaune dairy sheep in Switzerland}, series = {Veterinary Parasitology}, journal = {Veterinary Parasitology}, number = {277}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {0304-4017}, doi = {10.1016/j.vpoa.2020.100030}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-5698}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Targeted Selective Treatment (TST) is one approach to slow down the development of anthelmintic resistance. Its success is closely linked to the correct identification of animals in need of treatment. In dairy goats it has been proposed to use milk yield as TST indicator and to focus treatments on high yielding dairy goats. In dairy sheep the relationship between milk performance and infection with gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) is not well known. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between milk yield and GIN infection in dairy sheep and based on this, to evaluate milk performance data as a potential TST indicator. Overall 1159 Lacaune ewes of 15 dairy sheep farms in Switzerland were included in the study. The ewes were phenotyped once between August and December 2019, when they were at least 70 days in milk (DIM). Individual faecal samples were taken from every ewe to determine the nematode egg concentration per gram faeces (EPG). In addition, the clinical parameters FAMACHA score and packed cell volume (PCV) were measured. Linear mixed models were used to analyse the effects of the collected parameters on EPG. EPG increased significantly with increasing test day milk yields (P = 0.002), indicating high yielding ewes to be less resistant to GIN infections than low yielding ewes. The effect was most pronounced in earlier lactation but remained within a moderate range. Overall, our results indicated the potential of using milk yield data of rather early lactation as TST indicator in dairy sheep. On farms with predominantly H. contortus the combination with FAMACHA might improve the correct identification of highly infected ewes, as FAMACHA was correlated with EPG (r = 0.37, P < 0.001).}, language = {en} }