A horizon scan of global conservation issues for 2015
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Climate and disaster risks
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Community resilience
This paper presents the results of our sixth annual horizon scan, which aims to identify phenomena that may have substantial effects on the global environment, but are not widely known or well understood. A group of professional horizon scanners, researchers, practitioners, and a journalist identified 15 topics via an iterative, Delphi-like process.
Wetlands International was part of the horizon scanning team.
Horizon scanning is becoming more prevalent and policy-relevant. A prominent example of its use in environmental policy is inclusion of horizon scanning in the 2013 – 2015 work plan of the scientific and technical review panel of the Ramsar Convention.The phenomena included in the 2015 Horizon scan that have direct impact on wetlands include:
- Increases in coral disease in the Indo-Pacific
- Novel coastal ecosystems associated with ice retreat
- Pharmaceutical-induced loss of aquatic biofilms
The phenomena that have an indirect impact on wetlands through land-use include:
- Sustainable intensification of high-yielding agriculture
- Algae as a replacement for palm oil
- Bioplastics from waste
Read the article (this link provide you with free access to the article and is valid until February 13, 2015).
Authors:
William J. Sutherland, Mick Clout, Michael Depledge, Lynn V. Dicks, Jason Dinsdale, Abigail C. Entwistle, Erica Fleishman, David W. Gibbons, Brandon Keim, Fiona A. Lickorish, Kathryn A. Monk, Nancy Ockendon, Lloyd S. Peck, Jules Pretty, Johan Rockström, Mark D. Spalding, Femke H. Tonneijck, Bonnie C. Wintle