Technology has always been a very distinctive feature of human existence. Technology is to humans what nature is to other organisms: our host. Man is nature, but through technology – humans came to stand against nature and its biodiversity; technology is now a global enterprise, advancing on a scale and pace that has never been seen before. The paper argues that this poses a threat not only to the planet and biodiversity but above all to humans themselves. A psychological perspective is chosen, that of the thinking and feeling person, which is contrasted with emerging (smart) technologies. It is concluded that man is not a rational “machine”, but a small-scale storyteller, a provider of meaning, especially emotionally involved with each other. Systems and standardization stand in the way. But as globalized humanity faces the dangers of diminishing (bio- and cultural) diversity, we need the unifying power of technology to restore balance.
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Ecocentrism has roots in environmental philosophy, which questions the conceptual dichotomy between humans and the environment, acknowledging nonhuman species' right to flourish independently of human interest (Naess 1973). Generally, ecocentrism refers to a planet- and nature-centered as opposed to the human-centered (anthropocentric) system of values. Inspired by this philosophy, ecocentric education focuses on intrinsic values of the ecosystem, environment, and individual living beings and habitats in environmental education (EE) and education for sustainable development (ESD). https://rd.springer.com/referencework/10.1007/978-3-319-63951-2 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenkopnina/
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Camera trap technology has galvanized the study of predator-prey ecology in wild animal communities by expanding the scale and diversity of predator-prey interactions that can be analyzed. While observational data from systematic camera arrays have informed inferences on the spatiotemporal outcomes of predator-prey interactions, the capacity for observational studies to identify mechanistic drivers of species interactions is limited. Experimental study designs that utilize camera traps uniquely allow for testing hypothesized mechanisms that drive predator and prey behavior, incorporating environmental realism not possible in the lab while benefiting from the distinct capacity of camera traps to generate large data sets from multiple species with minimal observer interference. However, such pairings of camera traps with experimental methods remain underutilized. We review recent advances in the experimental application of camera traps to investigate fundamental mechanisms underlying predator-prey ecology and present a conceptual guide for designing experimental camera trap studies. Only 9% of camera trap studies on predator-prey ecology in our review mention experimental methods, but the application of experimental approaches is increasing. To illustrate the utility of camera trap-based experiments using a case study, we propose a study design that integrates observational and experimental techniques to test a perennial question in predator-prey ecology: how prey balance foraging and safety, as formalized by the risk allocation hypothesis. We discuss applications of camera trap-based experiments to evaluate the diversity of anthropogenic influences on wildlife communities globally. Finally, we review challenges to conducting experimental camera trap studies. Experimental camera trap studies have already begun to play an important role in understanding the predator-prey ecology of free-living animals, and such methods will become increasingly critical to quantifying drivers of community interactions in a rapidly changing world. We recommend increased application of experimental methods in the study of predator and prey responses to humans, synanthropic and invasive species, and other anthropogenic disturbances.
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The Water Framework Directive imposes challenges regarding the environmental risk of plastic pollution. The quantification, qualification, monitoring, and risk assessment of nanoplastics and small microplastic (<20 µm) is crucial. Environmental nano- and micro-plastics (NMPs) are highly diverse, accounting for this diversity poses a big challenge in developing a comprehensive understanding of NMPs detection, quantification, fate, and risks. Two major issues currently limit progress within this field: (a) validation and broadening the current analytical tools (b) uncertainty with respect to NMPs occurrence and behaviour at small scales (< 20 micron). Tracking NMPs in environmental systems is currently limited to micron size plastics due to the size detection limit of the available analytical techniques. There are currently no methods that can detect nanoplastics in real environmental systems. A major bottleneck is the incompatibility between commercially available NMPs and those generated from plastic fragments degradation in the environment. To track nanoplastics in environmental and biological systems, some research groups synthesized metal-doped nanoplastics, often limited to one polymer type and using high concentrations of surfactants, rendering these synthesized nanoplastics to not be representative of nanoplatics found in real environment. NanoManu proposes using Electrohydrodynamic Atomization to generate metal doped NMPs of different polymers types, sizes, and shapes, which will be representative of the real environmental nanoplastics. The synthesized nanoplastics will be used as model particles in environmental studies. The synthesized nanoplastics will be characterized and tested using different analytical methods, e.g., SEM-EDX, TEX, GCpyrMS, FFF, µFTIR and SP-ICP-MS. NanoManu is a first and critical step towards generating a comprehensive state-of-the-art analytical and environmental knowledge on the environmental fate and risks of nanoplastics. This knowledge impacts current risk assessment tools, efficient interventions to limit emissions and adequate regulations related to NMPs.
