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Given the high number of non-native plants that are being introduced worldwide and the time required to process formal pest risk analyses, a framework for the prioritization of management actions is urgently required. We therefore propose a framework for a replicable and standardized prioritization for management actions (eradication, control and monitoring) of invasive non-native plants, combining expert knowledge, current and future climatic suitability estimated by species distribution models (SDMs), clustering and ordination techniques. Based on expert consultation and using Italy as case study, invasive non-native plant species were selected and three categories of management actions were identified: eradication, control and containment, and monitoring. Finally, two further classes of priorities were proposed for each of the management actions: “high” and “low” priority. Overall, SDMs highlighted a high and very high suitability for Continental and Mediterranean bioregions for most invasive plants. Cluster analysis revealed three distinct clusters with varying levels of suitability for the Italian bioregions. Cluster 1 exhibited a higher suitability across all Italian bioregions, whereas non-native plants grouped in Cluster 2 predominantly featured high suitability in Mediterranean areas. Finally, Cluster 3 showed the lowest suitability values. Two ordination analysis highlighted the variability in bioclimatic suitability for each non-native plant within each cluster, as well as their current distribution pattern. Lastly, a third ordination, integrating bioclimatic suitability and spatial patterns, has allowed the differentiation of management actions for each non-native plant at both national and bioregional scales. Specifically, seven non-native plants were earmarked for eradication action, six for monitoring action, while the remaining species were deemed suitable for control and containment. Our results and the methodology proposed meet the demand for replicable new early warning tools; that is to predict the location of new outbreaks, to establish priorities for eradication, control and containment, and to monitor invasive non-native species.

In view of huge ecological impacts and exorbitantly high economic costs of biological invasions, the risk assessment for timely prediction of potential invaders and their effective management assumes central importance, yet having been little addressed. Hence, we did the risk analysis of 39 plant species, including both alien and fast-spreading native species, in Hokera wetland, an important Ramsar site in Kashmir Himalaya, using the post-border Australian Weed Risk Management (AWRM) framework. Based on the AWRM scores, we listed these species into different categories, such as alert, destroy infestation, contain spread, manage weed, manage sites and monitor, with management implications. Out of the eight decisions created for Hokera wetland, alien Alternanthera philoxeroides was identified as 'alert species', while Typha angustifolia, Typha latifolia, Phragmites australis, Sparganium ramosum and Myriophyllum aquaticum were placed under the 'manage weed' category of the management priorities. To check the predictability and reliability of the AWRM scheme, we developed the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve that yielded a positive diagonal value of above 0.5, with 88.6% and 83.1% area under the curve for comparative weed risk (CWR) score and the feasibility of coordinated control (FOC) score, respectively. The outcomes of the ROC analysis were compared with the results of the WRM evaluation of other regions across the globe. Our results indicate that the risk assessment using the AWRM model is quite efficient at discriminating and flagging the most troublesome plant species and offsetting their impacts on native biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in wetland ecosystems. Given the growing threat of biological invasions in the protected areas, we recommend an integrated and strategic approach, well informed by the data on the species biology and ecology, in the form of the AWRM management system to effectively deal with the alarmingly spreading species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimating life‐history traits and understanding their variation underpins the management of long‐lived, migratory animals, while knowledge of recovery dynamics can inform the management of conservation‐dependent species. Using a combination of nest counts and individual‐based life‐history data collected since 1993, we explore the drivers underlying contrasting population recovery rates of sympatrically nesting loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtles in North Cyprus. We found that nest counts of loggerhead and green turtles from 28 beaches across the island increased by 46% and 162%, respectively over the past 27 years. A Bayesian state‐space model revealed that, at our individual‐based monitoring site, nesting of green turtles increased annually at four times the rate of that of loggerhead turtles. Furthermore, we found that loggerhead turtles nesting at the individual‐based monitoring site had stable reproductive parameters and average adult survival for the species and are the smallest breeding adults globally. Based on results from multiple matrix model scenarios, we propose that higher mortality rates of individuals in all age classes (likely driven by differences in life history and interaction with fisheries), rather than low reproductive output, are impeding the recovery of this species. While the increase in green turtles is encouraging, the Mediterranean population is estimated to have around 3,400 adults and is restricted to the Eastern Basin. The recovery of loggerhead turtles is likely to be compromised until mortality rates in the region are adequately quantified and mitigated. As survival of immature individuals is a powerful driver for sea turtle population numbers, additional efforts should target management at pelagic and neritic foraging areas. Understanding threats faced by immature life stages is crucial to accurately parameterise population models and to target conservation actions for long‐lived marine vertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro-enterprises, which refer to a subset of small and medium enterprises, represent over 95% of European enterprises. Nevertheless, little is known about micro-enterprises. Location is one of the key factors concerning the development of business, and several studies have indicated the differences between urban and sparsely populated areas. However, there is a lack of literature concerning the growth management priorities of micro-enterprises, especially of micro-enterprises in sparsely populated areas. To address this gap in the literature, this multiple-case study aims to answer the following research question: What are the critical managerial incidents that occur during the growth of service-based micro-enterprises in a sparsely populated area? The results of the case study showed that the highest priority of the owners-managers of the service-based micro-enterprises was related to human resources.

When exploiting groundwater, it is common to have problems with wells since maintenance activities can interrupt not only the production of water but also its distribution. Planning maintenance activities is a challenge that involves multiple agents, several criteria, and subjective variables. Therefore, this paper proposes a decision model based on a multicriteria approach to prioritize maintenance actions in the wells of a groundwater supply system. The proposed model considers different points of view and has three phases. The first phase consists of understanding the problem and acquiring data. Next, there is a learning process, during which Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA), a structuring method, is applied. The third phase uses the Elimination et Choix Traduisant la Realité (Elimination and Choice Translating Reality, "ELECTRE III") method to evaluate the problem. To determine criteria weights, Simos' Procedure is used. The model is shown to have established management priorities that assist in making maintenance decisions. Efficiency of the model was demonstrated by applying it in a Brazilian town, where it was seen to yield greater benefits both to the supply company and society than does current maintenance management practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Despite growing demand for home care nursing, there is a growing home care workforce shortage, due in part to hospital-centric nursing curricula that lead students to undervalue of home care and community practice setting (Van Iersel et al., 2018a, 2018b). Objectives Articulate an international vision for the future of home care education, research, practice, and management shared by experienced home care nurses working in leadership roles. Design Qualitative content analysis. Settings and Participants The sample included 50 home care professionals from 17 countries. Methods Home care nurse leaders (in education, research, practice, and management roles) were recruited through professional international nursing networks to participate in a structured online survey about priorities for the future of home care in 2014. Responses were open coded by two independent researchers. Preliminary categories and sub-themes were developed by the research team and revised after a modified member-checking process that included presentation and discussion of preliminary findings at three international nursing meetings in 2015 and 2016. Results Four major themes emerged reflecting international priorities for the future of home care education, research, practice, and management: 1) Build the evidence base for home care; 2) Design better systems of care; 3) Develop leaders at all levels; and 4) Address payment and policy issues. Conclusions Collectively, the findings provide a major call to action for nurse educators to re-design existing pre- and post-licensure educational programs to meet the growing demand for home care nurses. Innovations in education that focus on filling gaps in the evidence-base for community nursing practice, and improving access to continuing education and evidence-based resources for practicing home care nurses and nurse managers should be prioritized. Highlights • Global priorities for the future of home care education, research, practice, and management include: • A call to generate (and use) evidence-based guidelines for home care • A call to re-design health systems for home care • A call to develop home care leaders at all levels • A call to address payment and policy issues that create barriers to care [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study elicits U.S. agricultural producer preferences for five key management success factors: managing output prices; managing production; controlling costs; managing land/equipment/facilities; and managing people. The objective of this analysis was to determine the relative importance of each of the five profitcentric functional areas of management among U.S. farm managers. Significant heterogeneity in preferences was observed over the management areas. Farm managers, on average, placed the highest importance in controlling costs (29% preference share). Differences emerged among groups of farmers in a latent class model where managing people became relatively important to the viability of the agribusiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geothermal vegetation – influenced by surface expressions of heat from the Earth’s interior – is naturally rare both in New Zealand and internationally. The varied nature of geothermal manifestations, due to varying combinations of temperature, chemistry, hydrology, and localised protection from frosts, results in rare and unusual habitats for plants. These naturally uncommon ecosystems are classed as threatened and critically endangered, and include habitats for species occurring outside ‘normal’ latitudinal and altitudinal ranges. The varied nature of geothermal vegetation, one of the most threatened ecosystems in New Zealand, has important implications for management, including retention of existing areas and the maintenance and enhancement of ecological values. Most geothermal vegetation in New Zealand occurs in the central North Island in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, with c.74% of the total extent of New Zealand’s geothermal vegetation located within the Waikato Region, and the remaining 26% located within the Bay of Plenty Region. Inventories of geothermal vegetation and identifications of management priorities have been undertaken regularly in the Waikato Region since 2000, with the latest having been undertaken in 2014, covering over 863 ha of geothermal habitat within 15 geothermal systems. Energy production (thermal and hydro-electricity, heating, and industrial uses) and land use changes such as mining, farming, forestry, urban development, tourism, fire, and herbicide and/or fertilizer drift have resulted in the loss of significant geothermal areas in the past, and such activities continue to threaten geothermal vegetation. Invasion of pest plants, particularly introduced conifers and other woody plant species, continues to be a major threat at many sites. Threats at each site, vulnerability to those threats, actions required to address threats, and the benefits and priorities of ecological management have been identified. Active restoration management is being undertaken by the Department of Conservation, tangata whenua, regional and local government, private landowners, and forestry companies. There are considerable opportunities for further restoration initiatives, at sites where work has already been undertaken and at all other sites. New threats have also been recognised, showing the importance of regular monitoring and inventory assessments. Continued monitoring and appropriate planning is a key requirement to improve management of this nationally rare ecosystem. Monitoring, protection, and restoration, where possible, are essential requirements to halt the decline of these fragile and unique ecosystems. To assist with management, a set of ecological indicators for geothermal systems was developed and applied across geothermal habitat within the Waikato Region. These indicators provide a measurable benchmark against which loss can be measured. Scores can be used to assess site condition and overall change within and across sites. In addition, new technology for undertaking monitoring was explored at one geothermal site as a case study. A drone was used to capture a range of imagery, as drones may be an ideal solution for geothermal site monitoring given the hazards to field surveys in geothermal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of beach tourism has increased the need for acceptable, practical and sustainable policies. Overcrowding, sand loss, habitat destruction, littering, water pollution, among others problems, are commonly documented arising from booming beach activities. The objective of this paper was to identify management priorities and estimate carrying capacity of a high-use beach from tourists’ perspectives. In this way, managers can make informed decisions, leading to enhanced beach quality. Specific procedures to fulfill this objective were progressively established to identify potential actions that address the concerns facing the beach environment. A body of data was collected by means of questionnaires. Results showed that beach cleanliness, safety, information provision, sediment and habitat management, and overcrowding were considered important by tourists, reflecting the areas of priority for actions. If a policy is set to avoid tourists overcrowding, the carrying capacity limit was estimated to be 680 people at one time and 2040 people on a daily basis. In this scenario, a tourist enjoys on average 22.06 square meters of the beach space. Results from focus group discussion suggest a list of potential actions targeting these management priorities. This helps to build a participative policy approach to sustainable beach development. Finally, taking special care in putting the management priorities into practice was discussed to facilitate beach management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive species introductions in Arctic and Subarctic ecosystems are growing as climate change manifests and human activity increases in high latitudes. The aquatic plants of the genus Elodea are potential invaders to Arctic and Subarctic ecosystems circumpolar and at least one species is already established in Alaska, USA. To illustrate the problems of preventing, eradicating, containing, and mitigating aquatic, invasive plants in Arctic and Subarctic ecosystems, we review the invasion dynamics of Elodea and provide recommendations for research and management efforts in Alaska. Foremost, we conclude the remoteness of Arctic and Subarctic systems such as Alaska is no longer a protective attribute against invasions, as transportation pathways now reach throughout these regions. Rather, high costs of operating in remote Arctic and Subarctic systems hinders detection of infestations and limits eradication or mitigation, emphasizing management priorities of prevention and containment of aquatic plant invaders in Alaska and other Arctic and Subarctic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kalanchoe daigremontiana and Stapelia gigantea are two succulent invasive species with potential impacts on recruitment of native vegetation in a protected area of importance for conservation of arid environments in northern South America. We hypothesized that while K. daigremontiana has the potential for inhibiting recruitment of native plants through allelopathic effects, S. gigantea could facilitate recruitment of nurse-dependent native taxa. To explore these contrasting impacts, we designed a comparative study and a transplant experiment. Density of native seedlings and species richness were significantly lower in patches invaded by K. daigremontiana when compared to patches with native vegetation or invaded by S. gigantea , suggesting that native-seedling recruitment is negatively affected by K. daigremontiana and not affected or facilitated by S. gigantea . The experiment did not generate results concordant with those obtained in the comparative study. Seedlings' recruitment of two selected native species was facilitated by presence of nurse-plants (exotics and natives); however, the magnitude of this effect varied according to the type of nurse-plant, susceptibility to herbivory, and herbivory level. We identify K. daigremontiana as the invasive with top need for management actions, because it has the potential to alter composition and physiognomy of native-plant communities in tropical arid environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Venezolana de Gerencia (RVG) is the property of Revista de Filosofia-Universidad del Zulia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Marine protected areas (MPA) increasingly focus on integrating ecosystem services in MPA management. Understanding how MPA stakeholders value and depend on marine ecosystem services is therefore important to account for local priorities in conservation design and management, and for identifying how different stakeholder groups might be affected by MPA management decisions. This study investigates the importance of MPA ecosystem services in Monterey Bay, California. We surveyed four marine stakeholders in eight communities to elicit stakeholders' ecosystem service priorities and to identify how socio-economic variables relate to ecosystem service importance. We found that all stakeholder groups rated supporting and regulating services as more important than cultural and provisioning services, suggesting that marine conservation efforts could place more emphasis on protecting ecosystem services that are less easily observed and experienced. Identified differences in the importance of ecosystem services among the four groups demonstrate that stakeholders value marine ecosystems in different ways and thus might be affected differently by management actions that target specific ecosystem services. Differences were particularly evident between recreational and commercial fishers suggesting that these groups have a different understanding of how the MPA contributes to their well-being. We also found that the importance of services that are harder to experience and observe, including supporting and regulating services and the intrinsic value of the MPA, did not correlate with most socio-economic variables indicating that these services are less related to the socio-economic profile of MPA users compared to cultural and provisioning services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Are public management researchers sufficiently addressing the contemporary challenges and changes in the real world of public management, including the challenges identified by public management practitioners themselves? If research is to be relevant for senior public managers, it should engage with these contemporary trends and challenges. The article thus raises some normative as well as analytical aspects of research. Research effort should place considerable weight on understanding and responding to the challenges articulated by public management practitioners. This will enable researchers and practitioners to navigate better the 'swamp' of complex and wicked problems, rather than be content with theory-building on the 'high ground'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Unfallchirurg is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Gough Island is a remote Southern Ocean Island that, despite having no permanent human population, is under substantial conservation threat as a result of human activity. A considerable proportion of the flora and fauna has been accidentally introduced, and new data are presented showing that ca. 70% of the free-living pterygote insect species are introductions. We describe how endangered seabirds that breed on the island may suffer from human fisheries activities and present new evidence showing that local temperatures have risen significantly since 1963, threatening to alter the architecture and composition of species communities. These observations are an indication that the terrestrial ecosystems of other remote islands in the Southern Oceans may be under greater conservation threat than previously thought. In light of the threats described, we discuss conservation management priorities for Gough Island. To facilitate conservation of the indigenous biota, and that of similar islands elsewhere, we suggest that a combination of proactive measures designed to maintain the integrity of island communities, and monitoring programs designed rapidly to identify new conservation threats, should be implemented conscientiously. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The public sector has multiple, conflicting, and often intangible goals. It produces "public goods" for problems that should be solved (like crime and poverty), even though these problems may have no known feasible solutions; and it is heavily impacted by politics and bureaucratic red tape. These and other features of the public sector make it potentially a much different setting for IS management than the private sector. This article reports on the first national survey of public sector managers identifying their most important IS issues. The survey, covering respondents from federal, state, and local governments, drew upon prior survey research in the private sector and the literature on public/private sector differences. While most of the top public sector issues also appear on the top private sector issue lists, the rankings show a lag in public IS development as compared to the private sector. Perhaps the most interesting results of the survey, however, are from a deeper analysis. At the main effects-level, we have preliminary evidence that (1) middle-level (instead of top-level) public managers are critical for IS technology development; (2) small government agencies are more interested in IS technology transfer than large ones; (3) governments with a lot of red tape tend to have flexible IS; and (4) local government IS issues are driven by transaction processing while state and federal governments have IS more suitable for their oversight mission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results from a five-part Delphi survey of chief IS executives and corporate general managers indicate the most critical information systems management issues and consensus on their importance. The research project is the second in a series of such studies conducted by the Society for Information Management and the MIS Research Center at the University of Minnesota. The research confirmed the expected in some areas and revealed surprises in other areas. While strategic planning continued to top all issues in importance, many changes have occurred since 1983. Three new issues have joined the top ten issues in importance. Also, the rank order of several issues in the top ten has shifted. Survey results are discussed in terms of the differing views of IS executives and corporate general managers. A review of how these views have changed over time is also presented. A number of conclusions are drawn about managing information systems and about the changing nature of the IS executive's job. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Water distribution problems impact in social, financial and environmental aspects. • Sorting alternatives by the level of critically can improve maintenance management. • The priority criteria can obtain by a group view using a problem structuring method. • Several management strategies can mitigate water distribution problems. Deficient maintenance management of water distribution systems is an issue in many countries around the world. In northeast Brazil, losses of water during its distribution has reached 42.7 %. Maintenance planning is essential to improve efficiency in a water distribution system. Therefore, a framework was proposed that combines Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA) with the ELECTRE TRI-nC method to sort areas into criticality categories in order to determine priorities for monitoring a maintenance service. To provide a global characterization, three categories are recognized: "Not critical," "Moderately critical," and "Highly critical." The proposed framework is applied in a real case study of a municipality located in the northeast of Brazil (Itamaracá/Pernambuco). This framework provides (i) managerial priorities to support maintenance decisions that improve the action planning of the water company, (ii) formal and structured knowledge about the water distribution system, and (iii) benefits to society, such as improving the quality of service, reducing costs, and preserving water resources. Our study demonstrates that actions such as developing awareness -raising campaigns about the rational use of water, installing pressure and flow control valves and establishing sectorization in the network system are essential in order to improve how maintenance is managed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]