A framework for using community determined iconic species to advance socio-ecology connections and promote nature-based solutions

The community value and resonate with some species and ecological systems more than others and therefore can be used to engender broader public support for nature positive outcomes. Yet many of these are not the scientifically-derived indicator species or ecological communities used by conservation...

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Main Authors: Peter J. Davies, Carl Tippler
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Nature-Based Solutions
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277241152400051X
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author Peter J. Davies
Carl Tippler
author_facet Peter J. Davies
Carl Tippler
author_sort Peter J. Davies
collection DOAJ
description The community value and resonate with some species and ecological systems more than others and therefore can be used to engender broader public support for nature positive outcomes. Yet many of these are not the scientifically-derived indicator species or ecological communities used by conservation scientists to determine and report on the pressures or condition of the environment nor by those implementing programs or actions needed to reverse biodiversity loss. Urban environments represent the intersection of two complex systems, human and natural, and yet this socio-ecological or coupled human-natural system nexus remains elusive within conservation law and policy and the dominant paradigm of grey infrastructure in cities. New approaches are needed to tether environmental policies and practices, such as nature based solutions, to the values and interests of individuals and their place. This article offers a novel framework through which nature-based solutions may achieve policy traction when tied to iconic species that the community value. The iconic species framework is founded on validity theory and the relevance of community-selected species in supporting nature positive outcomes. In parallel, the framework satisfies the data driven outcomes on which science and conservation policy relies upon and the use controls that direct nature-based rather than conventional engineering approaches. The iconic species framework is situated between the indicator species framework, whereby taxa are selected on the basis of their ecological sensitivity, and flagship species, that are largely emblematic. It links numerous ecological and environmental requirements of the species that are preferred by the community to develop nature-positive policy and practice outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-10c7ea03bd514bec82f362dcd2edf8732025-08-20T01:58:11ZengElsevierNature-Based Solutions2772-41152024-12-01610016010.1016/j.nbsj.2024.100160A framework for using community determined iconic species to advance socio-ecology connections and promote nature-based solutionsPeter J. Davies0Carl Tippler1School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW 2109, Australia; Corresponding author.School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW 2109, Australia; Habitat Innovation and Management, AustraliaThe community value and resonate with some species and ecological systems more than others and therefore can be used to engender broader public support for nature positive outcomes. Yet many of these are not the scientifically-derived indicator species or ecological communities used by conservation scientists to determine and report on the pressures or condition of the environment nor by those implementing programs or actions needed to reverse biodiversity loss. Urban environments represent the intersection of two complex systems, human and natural, and yet this socio-ecological or coupled human-natural system nexus remains elusive within conservation law and policy and the dominant paradigm of grey infrastructure in cities. New approaches are needed to tether environmental policies and practices, such as nature based solutions, to the values and interests of individuals and their place. This article offers a novel framework through which nature-based solutions may achieve policy traction when tied to iconic species that the community value. The iconic species framework is founded on validity theory and the relevance of community-selected species in supporting nature positive outcomes. In parallel, the framework satisfies the data driven outcomes on which science and conservation policy relies upon and the use controls that direct nature-based rather than conventional engineering approaches. The iconic species framework is situated between the indicator species framework, whereby taxa are selected on the basis of their ecological sensitivity, and flagship species, that are largely emblematic. It links numerous ecological and environmental requirements of the species that are preferred by the community to develop nature-positive policy and practice outcomes.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277241152400051XIconic speciesSocio-ecological systemsUrban ecologyEcological planning policyNature-based solutions
spellingShingle Peter J. Davies
Carl Tippler
A framework for using community determined iconic species to advance socio-ecology connections and promote nature-based solutions
Nature-Based Solutions
Iconic species
Socio-ecological systems
Urban ecology
Ecological planning policy
Nature-based solutions
title A framework for using community determined iconic species to advance socio-ecology connections and promote nature-based solutions
title_full A framework for using community determined iconic species to advance socio-ecology connections and promote nature-based solutions
title_fullStr A framework for using community determined iconic species to advance socio-ecology connections and promote nature-based solutions
title_full_unstemmed A framework for using community determined iconic species to advance socio-ecology connections and promote nature-based solutions
title_short A framework for using community determined iconic species to advance socio-ecology connections and promote nature-based solutions
title_sort framework for using community determined iconic species to advance socio ecology connections and promote nature based solutions
topic Iconic species
Socio-ecological systems
Urban ecology
Ecological planning policy
Nature-based solutions
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277241152400051X
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