Conceptual ambiguity hinders measurement and management of ecosystem disservices

Balancing the management of powerline right-of-way corridors for humans and nature

Green space in electric powerline rights of way (ROWs) can be a source of both ecosystem services and disservices in developed landscapes. Vegetation management within the ROW may influence tradeoffs that maximize potential services or disservices. Frequently mowed ROWs managed as lawn harbor less biodiversity than ROWs with taller vegetation, but may be preferred by people for aesthetic reasons and because they provide space for recreational activities. We conducted a survey of residents living by ROWs in the Chicago, Illinois USA metropolitan area to determine if residents prefer ROWs managed as lawn over those managed as native prairies or allowed to grow freely with only woody vegetation removed ("old-field ROWs"). We found that respondents did not prefer mowed over prairie or old-field ROWs. Furthermore, respondents living near mowed ROWs were least likely to think that the ROW is attractive, while those living near prairie ROWs were most likely to. Survey respondents tended to believe it was important for ROWs to provide habitat for wildlife, and wildlife observation was the most frequently reported activity conducted in the ROW. Finally, we found that a respondent's perception of biodiversity in the ROW was more closely correlated with positive feelings about the ROW than measured biodiversity levels. Our results suggest that managing ROWs for wildlife habitat is fully compatible with managing them for human enjoyment. We therefore recommend that where possible, ROW vegetation is managed in a more "natural" way than lawn because it has the potential to benefit both wildlife and people.

Physiotherapy and ecosystem services: improving the health of our patients, the population, and the environment

INTRODUCTION

The relevance of ecosystems to physiotherapy has traditionally been overlooked, despite its potential for health impacts relevant to conditions often managed by physiotherapists.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this article is to introduce the concept of ecosystem services to physiotherapists, and to discuss how understanding ecosystem services may improve patient care, and population and planetary health.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Physiotherapists with an understanding of ecosystem services may improve patient care by value-adding to management through patient education, empathy, advocacy, and broader population health approaches. Physiotherapists are also well placed to promote the conservation and restoration of ecosystem through participation, advocacy, and the development of public health measures, to the benefit of global sustainability and population health. Further research is required into how physiotherapists currently use nature-based interventions, and the barriers and enablers to their use. To be adequately prepared to meet the challenges that climate change and environmental degradation pose to patient care, population health and health systems, both current and future physiotherapists need to take a broader view of their practice. By including consideration of the potential role of the environment and green space exposure in particular on their patient's health, physiotherapists can ultimately contribute more to population and planetary health.