Search publications of the members of the Royal Belgian institute of natural Sciences
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Hydro-meteorological influences and multimodal suspended particle size distributions in the Belgian nearshore area (southern North Sea)
- Suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentration and particle size distribution (PSD) were assessed in a coastal turbidity maximum area (southern North Sea) during a composite period of 37 days in January–April 2008. PSDs were measured with a LISST 100X and classified using entropy analysis in terms of subtidal alongshore flow. The PSDs during tide-dominated conditions showed distinct multimodal behaviour due to flocculation, revealing that the building blocks of flocs consist of primary particles (<3 μm) and flocculi (15 μm). Flocculi comprise clusters of clay minerals, whereas primary particles have various compositions (calcite, clays). The PSDs during storms with a NE-directed alongshore subtidal current (NE storms) are typically unimodal and characterised by mainly granular material (silt, sand) resuspended from the seabed. During storms with a SW-directed alongshore subtidal current (SW storms), by contrast, mainly flocculated material can be identified in the PSDs. The findings emphasise the importance of wind-induced advection, alongshore subtidal flow and highly concentrated mud suspensions (HCMSs) as regulating mechanisms of SPM concentration, as well as other SPM characteristics (cohesiveness or composition of mixed sediment particles) and size distribution in a high-turbidity area. The direction of subtidal alongshore flow during SW storm events results in an increase in cohesive SPM concentration, HCMS formation, and the armouring of sand; by contrast, there is a decrease in cohesive SPM concentration, no HCMS formation, and an increase in sand and silt in suspension during NE storms.
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Multimodality of a particle size distribution of cohesive suspended particulate matters in a coastal zone
- Particle size distributions (PSDs) of suspended particulate matters in a coastal zone are lognormal and multimodal in general. The multimodal PSD, which is caused by the mixing of multiple particle and aggregate size groups under flocculation and erosion/resuspension, is a record of the particle and aggregate dynamics in a coastal zone. Curve-fitting software was used to decompose the multimodal PSD into subordinate lognormal PSDs of primary particles, flocculi, microflocs, and macroflocs. The curve-fitting analysis for a time series of multimodal PSDs in the Belgian coastal zone showed the dependency of the multimodality on (1) shear-dependent flocculation in a flood and ebb tide, (2) breakage-resistant flocculation in the spring season, and (3) silt-sized particle erosion and advection in a storm surge. Also, for modeling and simulation purposes, the curve-fitting analysis and the settling flux estimation for the multimodal PSDs showed the possibility of using discrete groups of primary particles, flocculi, microflocs, and macroflocs as an approximation of a continuous multimodal PSD.
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Competition between kaolinite flocculation and stabilization in divalent cation solutions dosed with anionic polyacrylamides
- Divalent cations have been reported to develop bridges between anionic polyelectrolytes and negatively-charged colloidal particles, thereby enhancing particle flocculation. However, results from this study of kaolinite suspensions dosed with various anionic polyacrylamides (PAMs) reveal that Ca2+ and Mg2+ can lead to colloid stabilization under some conditions. To explain the opposite but coexisting processes of flocculation and stabilization with divalent cations, a conceptual flocculation model with (1) particle-binding divalent cationic bridges between PAM molecules and kaolinite particles and (2) polymer-binding divalent cationic bridges between PAM molecules is proposed. The particle-binding bridges enhanced flocculation and aggregated kaolinite particles in large, easily-settleable flocs whereas the polymer-binding bridges increased steric stabilization by developing polymer layers covering the kaolinite surface. Both the particle-binding and polymer-binding divalent cationic bridges coexist in anionic PAM- and kaolinite-containing suspensions and thus induce the counteracting processes of particle flocculation and stabilization. Therefore, anionic polyelectrolytes in divalent cation-enriched aqueous solutions can sometimes lead to the stabilization of colloidal particles due to the polymer-binding divalent cationic bridges.
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Des champs et des bêtes à Bruxelles (Xe -XVe siècles). Approche interdisciplinaire des pratiques agricoles et alimentaires
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The upper Eocene-Oligocene carnivorous mammals from the Quercy Phosphorites (France) housed in Belgian collections
- The Quercy Phosphorites Formation in France is world famous for its Eocene to Miocene faunas, especially those from the upper Eocene to lower Oligocene, the richest of all. The latter particularly helped to understand the ‘Grande Coupure’, a dramatic faunal turnover event that occurred in Europe during the Eocene-Oligocene transition. Fossils from the Quercy Phosphorites were excavated from the middle 19th century until the early 20th century in a series of sites and became subsequently dispersed over several research institutions, while often losing the temporal and geographical information in the process. In this contribution, we provide an overview and reassess the taxonomy of these barely known collections housed in three Belgian institutions: the Université de Liège, KU Leuven, and the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. We focus our efforts on the carnivorous mammals (Hyaenodonta and Carnivoramorpha) and assess the stratigraphic intervals covered by each collection. These fossils are derived from upper Eocene (Priabonian), lower Oligocene (Rupelian), and upper Oligocene (Chattian) deposits in the Quercy area. The richness of the three collections (e.g., the presence of numerous postcranial elements in the Liège collection), the presence of types and figured specimens in the Leuven collection, and some identified localities in the RBINS collection make these collections of great interest for further studies on systematics and the evolution of mammals around the ‘Grande Coupure’.
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CEBioS capacity building programme in the Congo Basin
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Stakeholder Analysis on Ecosystem Services of Lake Manyara Sub-basin (Tanzania): How to Overcome Confounding Factors
- Ecosystem services are a telling concept to discuss the integrated management of natural resources, such as integrated water and soil, with non-academic stakeholders. Stakeholders have different perceptions regarding the management of various ecosystem services, which is challenging when aiming to develop and foster sustainable ecosystem management. We performed a stakeholder analysis as part of a social-ecological study in preparation of a decision support system for integrated water management within the Lake Manyara sub-basin (LMSB), Tanzania. The area includes a National Park and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. A group discussion listed 26 stakeholders, categorized according to the sector, influence, and interest. The stakeholders were grouped into six functional categories: local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), other civil society groups, Belgian and international NGOs, authorities, academics associated to international donors and the private sector. We empirically identified advantages, shortcomings and associated risks when performing a stakeholder analysis with an interest–influence matrix. Confounding factors may include, e.g., the omission of important stakeholders, a different understanding of ‘influence’ and ‘interest’, or the omission of fragile groups. Instead of ‘low’ or ‘high’ interest and influence, we propose the terms ‘supportive’, ‘potentially supportive’, ‘unsupportive’, ‘not interested’, ‘low or no influence’ and ‘antagonistic’. Further, we consider stakeholders who directly extract resources from the social-ecological system (SES) as a separate category, because of their direct dependence and impact on the SES. This improved stakeholder analysis framework for developing decision support systems in water basins can contribute to better analysis, understanding and management of aquatic social-ecological systems in general.
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« Benoît Nzigidahera (1964-2018) : au service de la biodiversité et de la conservation de la nature »
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Communications on climate change and biodiversity loss with local populations: Exploring best-practices and postcolonial moments in eight case studies from across the globe
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Communications on climate change and biodiversity loss with local populations: Exploring best-practices and postcolonial moments in eight case studies from across the globe
- A common strategy to counteract global biodiversity loss is sustainable management of protected areas. However, as protection of nature sometimes conflicts with human livelihoods and involves stakeholders with different interests, conservation conflict is globally on the rise. These conflicts can hamper sustainable development, social equity and effective biodiversity conservation. Understanding perceptions of different stakeholders and mapping discourses is key in this respect. In this study, we investigated conservation conflict in the Pendjari National Park in Benin, West Africa. The conservation conflict was fueled in part by a shift from state-led collaborative management to a public-private partnership. Pendjari is the largest remaining savannah ecosystem in West Africa and home to several threatened megafauna species. Using Q methodology, we identified two distinct discourses among stakeholders. The first discourse, supported mainly by formally educated people with non-agricultural jobs, focuses on the limitation of anthropogenic activities in favor of biodiversity conservation. The second discourse is mostly supported by people with a lower education level and a direct dependency on the land. They agree there is a need for conservation but even more so for viable alternatives to ensure people's livelihoods. The identification of these discourses and their underlying drivers can be included into future decision-making processes and management of the Pendjari National Park.
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Monitoring biodiversity mainstreaming in development cooperation post-2020: Exploring ways forward
- From 2022 onwards the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) of the Convention on Biological Diversity will guide biodiversity conservation actions worldwide, which includes mainstreaming biodiversity into a wide range of activities, sectors and policies. Biodiversity mainstreaming in development cooperation is particularly relevant given the direct dependence of many communities in the Global South on biodiversity and on the benefits it provides. We conducted a Delphi survey among development cooperation practitioners at the aid provider (donor) side, to gain insight into current and future (post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework) biodiversity mainstreaming and its monitoring. Our results demonstrate that despite efforts towards biodiversity mainstreaming and its monitoring, biodiversity mainstreaming indicators remain inconsistent and difficult to compare. The lack of biodiversity data, as well as their low accessibility and suboptimal use, and the inherent complexity of addressing biodiversity loss are considered key challenges. Respondents indicated that they strongly orient their own biodiversity mainstreaming and monitoring approaches towards international biodiversity governance dynamics. We conclude that, at least on paper, the indicator ambitions of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework are in line with the expectations and challenges of aid providers with respect to biodiversity mainstreaming. However, future effective mainstreaming of biodiversity requires indicator-based monitoring, exchange of good practices among aid partners, and a continued focus on awareness-raising regarding the linkages between biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction.
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Guidance for the Assessment of Ecosystem Services in African Biosphere Reserves: A Way Forward to Sustainable Development
- The wellbeing of populations is often directly dependent on ecosystem services. Furthermore, access to the benefits from nature contributes to poverty alleviation. Therefore, a better knowledge and integration of ecosystem services in the management of Biosphere reserves will contribute to their conservation and sustainable development. Developed in the context of the EVAMAB research project, and based on good practices from African biosphere reserves, this manual is a user-friendly ‘package’ or guidance to decision-makers, managers and stakeholders of African biosphere reserves, and beyond, in order to better harness the potential of ecosystem services for conservation and sustainable development
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Preface by CEBioS in: Guidance for the Assessment of Ecosystem Services in African Biosphere Reserves: A Way Forward to Sustainable Development
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Introduction. Biosphere reserves and people: emerging needs demand a better understanding of ecosystem services. In: Guidance for the Assessment of Ecosystem Services in African Biosphere Reserves: A Way Forward to Sustainable Development
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Chapter 1. Ecosystem services. In: Guidance for the Assessment of Ecosystem Services in African Biosphere Reserves: A Way Forward to Sustainable Development
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Chapter 2. Biosphere reserves. Living laboratories for sustainable development. In: Guidance for the Assessment of Ecosystem Services in African Biosphere Reserves: A Way Forward to Sustainable Development
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Chapter 3. Ecosystem services assessment tools. In: Guidance for the Assessment of Ecosystem Services in African Biosphere Reserves: A Way Forward to Sustainable Development
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Chapter 5. From ecosystem services assessment to actual change. In: Guidance for the Assessment of Ecosystem Services in African Biosphere Reserves: A Way Forward to Sustainable Development
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Comprendre le droit de la protection de la nature. La dimension scientifique
- Cette vidéo a pour objet de montrer un mouvement continu de scientifisation du droit de la nature. Elle s’articule autour d’un dialogue entre, d’une part, les sciences naturelles et, d’autre part, les règles juridiques. A la suite d'un interview sur les enjeux de la conservation de la biodiversité, les différentes approches conceptuelles de la conservation sont abordées par l'entremise d'une série d'interviews se déroulent à l'Institut royal des sciences naturelles de Belgique. Sont ainsi abordés: - l’approche par espèce, -l’approche par type d’habitat naturel, - le concept de réseau écologique, - l’approche par écosystème.
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0,7% investeren in een betere wereld is geen idealisme, het is een noodzaak
- ‘Ontwikkelingssamenwerking is een belangrijk en bewezen middel om mensenrechten te realiseren’, schrijft Els Hertogen van 11.11.11, die samen met een zestigtal ngo’s en prominenten onze regering herinnert aan haar belofte om 0,7% van het BNP aan ontwikkelingssamenwerking te besteden.
