@article{BraunBitschHaering2021, author = {Braun, Charis Linda and Bitsch, Vera and H{\"a}ring, Anna Maria}, title = {Behind the scenes of a learning agri-food value chain: lessons from action research}, series = {Agriculture and Human Values}, volume = {39}, journal = {Agriculture and Human Values}, publisher = {Springer Science+Business Media B.V.}, issn = {1572-8366}, doi = {10.1007/s10460-021-10229-7}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2481}, pages = {119 -- 134}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The development of sustainable agri-food systems requires not only new academic knowledge, but also concrete social and organizational change in practice. This article reflects on the action research process that supported and explored the learning process in an emerging agri-food value chain in the Berlin-Brandenburg region in eastern Germany. The action research study involved value chain actors, academic researchers, and process facilitators in a learning network. By framing the network's learning and problem solving processes in concepts of organizational learning, lessons were drawn for researchers and value chain developers. The results underline the importance of process facilitation in a learning value chain to create a social space, in which the actors in the value chain can interact and find a common basis for collaboration. In the learning process, facilitators used an iterative design to consistently align learning activities with the needs of practitioners to ensure practical relevance. To establish new practices and partnerships, value chain actors challenged existing routines and developed new ideas and visions, while at the same time improving established practices within their organizations and along the entire value chain.}, language = {en} } @article{Spies2021, author = {Spies, Michael}, title = {Promises and perils of the China-Pakistan economic corridor: agriculture and export prospects in northern Pakistan}, series = {Eurasian Geography and Economics}, journal = {Eurasian Geography and Economics}, publisher = {Taylor \& Francis}, issn = {1938-2863}, doi = {10.1080/15387216.2021.2016456}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2259}, pages = {28}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a mega-project of primarily infrastructure-related loans and investments in Pakistan. Recently, the official discourse has increasingly shifted to the agricultural sector. For the region of Gilgit-Baltistan bordering China, academic and policy debates highlight the potential boost of fruit exports to China as the most promising opportunity to be leveraged through the CPEC. This paper scrutinizes these promises from a locally grounded perspective, investigating potential benefits and risks for local farmers. To make sense of the complex interplay between external and local actors, interests, markets and (infra)structures, the paper follows an assemblage-inspired approach to map out local trajectories. Contrary to the CPEC narrative, agricultural exports from Gilgit-Baltistan recently came to a halt, due to increasing trade barriers and seemingly competing agricultural developments in neighboring Xinjiang, China. Moreover, the economically most promising local crop for export to China, namely cherries, does not seem too promising for the majority of small farmers. There are other commodities with export potential, but overall, prospects appear to be limited. There is a need for a deeper engagement with the inherent complexities of CPEC trajectories, particularly in regards to local farming contexts in Pakistan and relevant developments in China.}, language = {en} } @article{SpiesSchickKaromatovetal.2021, author = {Spies, Michael and Schick, Axel and Karomatov, Sharofiddin and Bakokhoja, Bobozoda and Zikriyokhon, Khaidarov and Jobirov, Shonazar and Bloch, Ralf and Ibisch, Pierre L.}, title = {Adapting a Participatory and Ecosystem-Based Assessment Impacted by the Pandemic: Lessons Learned With Farmers in Tajikistan}, series = {Frontiers in sustainable Food Systems}, journal = {Frontiers in sustainable Food Systems}, number = {5}, publisher = {Frontiers}, issn = {2571-581X}, doi = {10.3389/fsufs.2021.750252}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2263}, pages = {15}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The paper presents a systemic and participatory assessment approach and scrutinizes how methodological changes necessitated during the Covid-19 pandemic implicated the process and its outcomes. The approach was applied in rural Tajikistan to evaluate changes effected by a development project that promoted the enhancement of biodiversity and ecosystem services in agrarian landscapes. The central building block of the assessment consisted of participatory workshops in 2018 and 2020 with farmers and other stakeholders to develop a systemic knowledge map and to evaluate the promoted strategies based on local expertise. The methodological basis was MARISCO (adaptive MAnagement of vulnerability and RISk at COnservation sites), a holistic and participatory approach to ecosystem-based assessment and management that requires well-trained facilitators. While the activities in 2018 could be implemented as planned, major changes in the work plan were necessary in 2020 due to severe travel restrictions and social distancing rules. Conducting virtual workshops was not possible, as it would have excluded key stakeholders from the process. Instead of conducting a comprehensive assessment workshop guided by two German MARISCO facilitators as originally planned, a series of short and small workshops could be realized. These workshops were facilitated by Tajik scientists after receiving virtual training from their German colleagues. Although it was possible to bring the assessment to a satisfactory conclusion, the methodological changes revealed significant drawbacks. Radical simplifications of the methods were necessary that led to reduced depth of the assessment and missed learning opportunities for participants. Limited experience in workshop guidance by the new facilitators posed challenges to the participatory process and the quality of its outcomes. While the adapted method created training effects that would otherwise have been missed, it also put additional pressure on the capacities of local partners. Our experience during the pandemic offers valuable lessons learned for future applications of systemic-participatory approaches. Whereas, a complete shift to remote applications is problematic, there is a need to put greater emphasis on capacitating local partners. Methodological trade-offs are necessary for partially remote working processes, but principles of participation and systemic thinking should not be compromised.}, language = {en} } @article{BerendtTolosanaHoffmannetal.2020, author = {Berendt, Ferr{\´e}ol and Tolosana, Eduardo and Hoffmann, Stephan and Alonso, Paula and Schweier, Janine}, title = {Harvester Productivity in Inclined Terrain with Extended Machine Operating Trail Intervals: A German Case Study Comparison of Standing and Bunched Trees}, series = {Sustainability}, volume = {12}, journal = {Sustainability}, number = {21}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {2071-1050}, doi = {10.3390/su12219168}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2022}, pages = {10}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The complexity of highly structured forests with multiple tree species, especially when coniferous and broadleaved tree species are mixed, as well as stands with extended machine operating trail spacing and inclined terrain, create challenging operational conditions for mechanized timber harvesting and extraction. Motor-manually felling trees within the midfield and bunching them at the machine operating trails, prior to the arrival of a harvester-forwarder system, is a complex operation. The aim of this study was to assess and compare tethered harvester productivities of a thinning operation, for felling and processing standing trees and for processing bunched trees, through a time study in forest stands with 40-m distances between machine operating trails. Total operational costs of the analyzed thinning operation were 69 €/m3o.b., including extraction using a multiple forwarder approach. Tree species, merchantable timber volume, and whether the trees were standing or presented as bunched logs all had a significant effect on the harvester time consumption. Moreover, harvester positioning time was significantly shorter when trees were already bunched at the machine operating trail. While the productivity of standing or bunched spruce trees did not differ significantly between the cases (approximately 18 m3o.b./productive machine hours excluding all delays (PMH0)), the productivity of standing broadleaved tree species (8.3 m3o.b./PMH0) was much lower than that of bunched trees (15.5 m3o.b./PMH0). Thus, the described timber harvesting and extraction system may be a valuable option for forest stands with high proportion of broadleaved trees.}, language = {en} } @techreport{CremerBerendtdeMiguelDiezetal.2020, type = {Working Paper}, author = {Cremer, Tobias and Berendt, Ferr{\´e}ol and de Miguel Diez, Felipe and Wolfgramm, Felix and Blasko, Lubomir}, title = {Accuracy of Photo-Optical Measurement of Wood Piles}, series = {Environmental Sciences Proceedings}, journal = {Environmental Sciences Proceedings}, number = {3(1)}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {2673-4931}, doi = {10.3390/IECF2020-08192}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2012}, pages = {4}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The accurate estimation of timber volume is of the utmost importance. For industrial timber, the volume is often estimated as stacked cubic meters. In addition to manual measurements, volume estimation is possible with photo-optical systems. Over 100 piles of industrial timber of broadleaved tree species were analyzed. In the study, a standard manual measurement method for the estimation of wood pile volumes was compared with a smartphone based photo-optical application for the determination of woodpile volume. Mean gross volume of the piles was approximately 56 m3 and mean width of piles was 9.43 m. A strong correlation was found between the manual measurements and the photo-optical measurement. However, volume estimation of large volume piles seems to perform better in comparison to piles with small volumes. Further research is needed to determine the effects of variables such as log quality or quality of pile on volume estimation accuracy.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{BerendtPegelBlaskoetal.2020, author = {Berendt, Ferr{\´e}ol and Pegel, Erik and Blasko, Lubomir and Cremer, Tobias}, title = {Bark Characteristics of Scots Pine Logs}, series = {Environmental Sciences Proceedings}, booktitle = {Environmental Sciences Proceedings}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {2673-4931}, doi = {10.3390/IECF2020-08020}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2040}, pages = {1}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The wood of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) shows...}, language = {en} } @article{VasićPaulStraussetal.2020, author = {Vasić, Filip and Paul, Carsten and Strauss, Veronika and Helming, Katharina}, title = {Ecosystem Services of Kettle Holes in Agricultural Landscapes}, series = {Agronomy}, volume = {10}, journal = {Agronomy}, number = {9}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {2073-4395}, doi = {10.3390/agronomy10091326}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-3407}, pages = {22}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Kettle holes are small water bodies of glacial origin which mostly occur in agricultural landscapes. They provide numerous ecosystem services (ES), but their supply may be negatively affected by agricultural management. We conducted a literature review to identify which ES are supplied by kettle holes and to analyze feedbacks with agricultural management. Taking Germany as a test case, we also analyzed how kettle holes are addressed in policy documents and for which ES they are regulated. This was done to identify the societal value officially associated with kettle holes. The literature review found eight ES attributed to kettle holes, of which hydrological cycle and flood control, chemical condition of freshwaters, nursery populations and habitats and biotic remediation of wastes were addressed most often. In contrast, only the provision of habitat service was addressed in German policy documents related to kettle holes. We identified types of agricultural management that negatively affected the supply of ES by kettle holes, in particular artificial drainage, high levels of pesticide and fertilizer application, and management where tillage and erosion result in elevated sediment inputs. Additionally, climate change may lead to an increased drying up of kettle holes. Based on our finding, we conclude that the intensity of agricultural management around kettle holes threatens the supply of all ES while only the service of providing habitats for biodiversity is addressed in German policy regulations. Further regulation is required to induce agricultural management change towards a conservation of all ES supplied by kettle holes.}, language = {en} } @article{HamidovHelming2020, author = {Hamidov, Ahmad and Helming, Katharina}, title = {Sustainability Considerations in Water-Energy-Food Nexus Research in Irrigated Agriculture}, series = {Sustainability}, volume = {12}, journal = {Sustainability}, number = {15}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {2071-1050}, doi = {10.3390/su12156274}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-3381}, pages = {20}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Irrigated agriculture is essential to satisfying the globally increasing demand for food and bio-based products. Yet, in water scarce regions, water-use for irrigation aggravates the competition for the use of water for other purposes, such as energy production, drinking water and sanitation. Solutions for sustainable food production through irrigated agriculture require a systemic approach to assess benefits and trade-offs across sectors. Here, the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus has become an important concept in natural resource management. It has been conceptualized to analyze linkages and trade-offs between the three sectors, across temporal and spatial scales. However, the concept has so far mainly been conceptual, with little empirical evidence or proof of concept in real world cases. The objective of this paper was to take stock of the rapidly advancing literature on the WEF nexus in irrigated agriculture, and to analyze how the concept was actually implemented in research studies, and how the nexus between water, food and energy was actually dealt with. The study period ranges from 2011 to 2019, and includes 194 articles. Results showed that the WEF nexus is indeed very relevant in irrigated agriculture, and the respective literature makes up one third of all WEF nexus papers. Modeling and empirical research have caught up with conceptual synthesis studies during the last four years, thereby indicating that the WEF nexus concept is indeed increasingly operationalized. However, most studies addressed the WEF nexus from a perspective of either socioeconomic, technological or environmental categories, and they place one of the dimensions of water, food or energy into the foreground. To address sustainable development, there is a need to fully integrate across research disciplines and thematic dimensions. Such studies are only starting to emerge. These findings are an important evidence-base for future WEF nexus research on irrigated agriculture, in support of sustainable solutions for water scarce regions, especially in settings undergoing transformations.}, language = {en} } @article{RoqueGoettertMacandzaetal.2021, author = {Roque, Dion{\´i}sio and G{\"o}ttert, Thomas and Macandza, Val{\´e}rio Ant{\´o}nio and Zeller, Ulrich}, title = {Assessing Distribution Patterns and the Relative Abundance of Reintroduced Large Herbivores in the Limpopo National Park, Mozambique}, series = {Diversity}, volume = {13}, journal = {Diversity}, number = {10}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {1424-2818}, doi = {10.3390/d13100456}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-3454}, pages = {20}, year = {2021}, abstract = {This study is the first systematic assessment of large herbivore (LH) communities in Limpopo National Park (LNP) in Mozambique, an area where most LH species were extinct until the early 2000s. We investigate whether LH community parameters are linked with the availability of habitat types or the distance between sampling sites and the origin of LH resettlement. We placed camera traps in five habitat types in resettled and not-resettled areas to compare species richness, relative abundance index, grazers-browsers-mixed feeder and na{\"i}ve occupancy of 15 LH species. While the richness decreased along the distance gradient of LH resettlement, relative abundance index strongly responded to habitat features. The grazer-browser-mixed feeder ratio oscillated, while from resettled to not-resettled areas, the ratio increased. Most species show a wide distribution range. The associations of most LH community parameters with habitat types rather than distance to initial release, together with the species-specific and guild-specific response patterns of LH, suggest LNP to already be in an intermediate stage of restoration. Our results highlight the importance of post-release monitoring of reintroduced wildlife as a tool to assess the success of ecological restoration initiatives in transboundary conservation areas.}, language = {en} } @article{StarikGoettertZeller2021, author = {Starik, Nicole and G{\"o}ttert, Thomas and Zeller, Ulrich}, title = {Spatial Behavior and Habitat Use of Two Sympatric Bat Species}, series = {Animals}, volume = {11}, journal = {Animals}, number = {12}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {2076-2615}, doi = {10.3390/ani11123460}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-3465}, pages = {20}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Movement behavior and habitat use of the long-eared bat species Plecotus auritus and Plecotus austriacus were studied in the Havelland region in Brandenburg (Germany). Data collection included mist-netting, radiotelemetry, reconstruction of prey items, and monitoring of roosting sites. Body measurements confirm a high degree of phenotypic similarity between the two species. Total activity areas (100\% Minimum Convex Polygons, MCPS) of Plecotus austriacus (2828.3 ± 1269.43 ha) were up to five-fold larger compared to Plecotus auritus (544.54 ± 295.89 ha). The activity areas of Plecotus austriacus contained up to 11 distinct core areas, and their mean total size (149.7 ± 0.07 ha) was approximately three-fold larger compared to core areas of Plecotus auritus (49.2 ± 25.6 ha). The mean distance between consecutive fixes per night was 12.72 ± 3.7 km for Plecotus austriacus and 4.23 ± 2.8 km for Plecotus auritus. While Plecotus austriacus was located most frequently over pastures (>40\%) and meadows (>20\%), P. auritus was located mostly within deciduous (>50\%) and mixed forests (>30\%) in close vicinity to its roosts. Roost site monitoring indicates that the activity of P. austriacus is delayed relative to P. auritus in spring and declined earlier in autumn. These phenological differences are probably related to the species' respective diets. Levins' measure of trophic niche breadth suggests that the prey spectrum for P. auritus is more diverse during spring (B = 2.86) and autumn (B = 2.82) compared to P. austriacus (spring: B = 1.7; autumn: B = 2.1). Our results give reason to consider these interspecific ecological variations and species-specific requirements of P. auritus and P. austriacus to develop adapted and improved conservation measures.}, language = {en} }