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Parents’ COVID-19 stressors and associations with self-rated health, symptoms of mental health problems, and substance use: a cross-sectional study
Fortier J., Salmon S., Taillieu T., Stewart-Tufescu A., MacMillan H.L., Tonmyr L., Gonzalez A., Kimber M., Roos L., Sareen J., Afifi T.O.
Q1
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The aim of this study was to understand associations between pandemic stressors and parents’ self-rated physical and mental health; symptoms of mental health problems, and at-risk substance use problems. Data were collected from February 2022 to March 2022 as part of Wave 2 of the Well-being and Experiences Study in Manitoba, Canada ( n = 749). Stressors frequently identified since the onset of the pandemic included inability to spend time with family and friends, worry about getting coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), and travel restrictions. In the past month, the most frequently identified stressors were worry about getting COVID-19, travel restrictions, public health restrictions, and worry about the future. The stressors with the greatest number of associations with worse health outcomes included: job loss or financial burden; feeling lonely or isolated; disrupted or poor sleep; uncertainty about the future; accessing health care for any reason; increased conflict in relationships; cancellation of surgeries, caregiving for children; and inability to spend time with family. Understanding the COVID-19 stressors that were associated with health and substance problems can inform clinical approaches to respond to pandemic-related problems, as well as public health preparedness to mitigate declines in parents’ health and well-being in the context of future pandemics.
Hopeful insights from wildlife recoveries in Canada
Schiller L., Tissier M.L., Davis A.C., Lamb C.T., Mayer S.O., Menzies A.K., Shahmohamadloo R.S., Vanderwolf K.J.
Q1
Facing the global biodiversity crisis, conservation practitioners and decision-makers seek to catalyze wildlife recoveries in their region. Here we examined social-ecological attributes related to threatened species recovery in Canada. First, we used a retrospective approach to compare the trajectories of the original species assessed by Canada’s species-at-risk committee and found that only eight of 36 species now have decreased extinction risk relative to the past. There were no significant differences in human or financial capacity provided for recovery across species doing better, the same, or worse; the only significant difference was whether the primary cause of decline was alleviated or not. Second, when looking at species assessed at least twice between 2000 and 2019 we found that only eight of 422 (1.9%) experienced both increasing abundance and decreasing extinction risk. The defining characteristic of successful recoveries was first alleviating the original cause of decline, which was most often accomplished through strong regulatory intervention. Once declines were halted, practical interventions were highly species-specific. It is instructive to learn from conservation successes to scale resources appropriately and our results emphasize the importance of threat-specific intervention as a fundamental precursor to the successful restoration of biodiversity in Canada.
Decolonizing Indigenous science: Bees and Indigenous sovereignty
Nakagawa P., Nakagawa H., Bobiwash K.
Q1
In this conceptual paper, we argue that the assumptions behind laboratory and field studies are that chemical and compositional analysis may reveal structures unseen by means of human observation. However, replacing human observation to make it obsolete is not the purpose of science; if something can be seen, but is not measurable, that does not make it irrelevant. Although science is frequently primarily regarded as a quantitative field, we argue that qualitative data inclusion is necessary determine the consequences of research on Indigenous communities. We discuss key points, including historical and anthropocentric views of science, suggesting that Indigenous Science requires greater wisdom-based knowledge in association with traditional ecological knowledge. We introduce a new conceptual model called “Pollen Sovereignty”, a sister to Indigenous food sovereignty, to begin critical discussions around the ethics of field research and the impacts of research on the environment, land management, and Indigenous communities. That is, through simple scientific concepts, critical thought, and logic new conceptual frameworks and avenues of research, Indigenous knowledges cannot merely be coopted and reused, but respected and valued.
The effects of L-thyroxine and its association with physical exercise decrease the inflammation in an acute lung injury model
Martha B.A., Tonial G.V., Luft C., Costa B.P., Antunes G.L., Costa M.S., Matzenbacher L.S., Garcia M.C., Oliveira J.R.
Q1
Acute lung injury (ALI) is an inflammatory disease with a high incidence and prevalence that can lead to death. While L-thyroxine is widely used as a synthetic hormone in the treatment of hypothyroidism, its effects on inflammatory processes are not fully understood. Physical exercise, recommended for the general population, serves as an ally in treating various pathologies. Due to this and the lack of understanding of how L-thyroxine affects the immune response, coupled with the well-known benefits of exercise, this study aimed to evaluate L-thyroxine’s effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and its combination with exercise in ALI. We assessed L-thyroxine’s effects on RAW 264.7 cells exposed to LPS and its association with exercise in a mouse ALI model. Pre-treatment with L-thyroxine demonstrated a decrease in the production of reactive oxygen species ( P < 0.01) and the expression of pro-inflammatory genes and proteins ( P < 0.05). In ALI, pre-treatment with L-thyroxine, either alone or combined with exercise, reduced the cell influx ( P < 0.01) and the release of inflammatory cytokines ( P < 0.05), in addition to mitigating lung damage caused by LPS ( P < 0.01). However, combining L-thyroxine with exercise did not enhance its anti-inflammatory effect.
Inventory and characteristics of Canadian interhospital transfer coordination structures
Desrosiers M., Moore L., Nguyen-Tri D., Keundo A.A., Boutin D., Ouellet C.
Q1
Several studies have described interhospital transfer coordination structures in the US but there is a lack of data on Canadian coordination systems. We aimed to develop an inventory of existing interhospital coordinating structures across Canada and to detail how they operate in terms of governance, re-sources, tools, and processes. A cross-sectional survey was designed and ten managers/medical officials from seven coordination structures of interhospital transfers across Canada completed the survey. Findings indicate that coordination systems had similar communication modalities and covered similar services including the provision of medical advice. However, they differed in terms of the profile of staff processing transfers and transportation coordination. Mature structures such as Ontario and Alberta, who manage high annual volumes, distinguish themselves with very clear, standardized, and efficient processes, as well as implemented quality and performance improvement methods including key performance indicators. These results suggest that Canada may benefit from having an inter-provincial community of practice for interhospital transfer coordination structures to promote best practices, identify solutions, and harmonize services and processes. Better harmonization in transfer coordination would improve equity in the access to healthcare services. Future research should focus on the elaboration of evidence-and consensus-based guidelines that apply to the Canadian context.
No evidence of migration in a 4-year study of an at-risk migratory fish—the centenarian bigmouth buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus) of Saskatchewan
Bryshun R.N., Achtymichuk G.H., Ferrari M.C.
Q1
The bigmouth buffalo ( Ictiobus cyprinellus, Valenciennes 1844) is a long-lived freshwater fish native to North America that is listed as a species of special concern in its Saskatchewan-Nelson range. Little is known about their ecology and behavior, especially in the Saskatchewan Qu'Appelle River system where it faces multiple threats such as habitat fragmentation and competition with invasive species. In this study, we used acoustic telemetry to track the movements of 44 bigmouth buffalo throughout the Qu'Appelle River system in 2017–2019, and 2021, to monitor migration patterns from spring to fall and investigate if any of the five dams were impeding their ability to access either breeding or overwintering grounds. We found that bigmouth buffalo demonstrated minimal use of the river during this 4-year study, instead staying within the confines of a single lake year-round. Our results suggest that bigmouth buffalo in the Qu'Appelle River do not exhibit migratory behavior during nonflooding years. Considering their extended lifespan (>125 years), this could be attributed to their potential bet-hedging strategy for spawning primarily during flood years. The results indicate that bigmouth buffalo voluntarily remained within Buffalo Pound Lake throughout the study period. Whether this behavior was natural or was influenced by modifications to the system’s hydrology requires further investigation.
Protection of seabed sediments in Canada's marine conservation network for potential climate change mitigation co-benefit
Epstein G., Fuller S.D., Johannessen S.C., Rubidge E.M., Turner M., Baum J.K.
Q1
Marine conserved areas (MCAs) can provide a range of ecological and socio-economic benefits, including climate change mitigation from the protection and enhancement of natural carbon storage. Canada's MCA network is expanding to encompass 30% of its Exclusive Economic Zone by 2030. At present, the network aims to integrate climate change mitigation by protecting coastal vegetated blue carbon ecosystems (saltmarsh, seagrass, kelp). Here, we argue that incorporating unvegetated seabed sediments could bring similar benefits. Seabed sediments can store and/or accumulate high densities of organic carbon, and due to their large spatial extent, contain carbon stores orders of magnitude larger than coastal vegetated habitats. We estimate that currently designated MCAs encompass only 10.8% of Canada's seabed sediment organic carbon stocks on the continental margin, and only 13.4% of areas with high carbon densities. Proposed MCAs would cover an additional 8.8% and 6.1% of total stocks and high carbon areas, respectively. We identify an additional set of high-priority seabed areas for future research and potential protection, ranking their importance based on carbon stocks, proxies for lability, and ecological/biological significance. The incorporation of seabed sediments into MCA networks could support climate change mitigation by preventing future releases of stored carbon.
Potential impacts of reduced seafood consumption on myocardial infarction among coastal First Nations in British Columbia, Canada
Marushka L., Hu X.F., Kenny T., Batal M., Fediuk K., Sadik T., Golden C.D., Cheung W.W., Salomon A.K., Chan H.M.
Q1
The objective of this study is to examine the potential cardiovascular risk of climate-related declines in seafood consumption among First Nations in British Columbia by assessing the combined effects of reduced omega-3 fatty acids and mercury intake from seafood on the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in 2050 relative to 2009. The data were derived from the First Nations Food, Nutrition, and Environment Study. Seafood consumption among 369 randomly selected participants was estimated, and hair mercury concentrations were measured. Declines in seafood consumption were modelled based on previously projected climate change scenarios, and the associated changes in nutrients and contaminants were used to estimate the cardiovascular risk. Reduced seafood consumption was projected to increase the risk of MI by 4.5%–6.5% among older individuals (≥50 years), by 1.9%–2.6% in men, and by 1.3%–1.8% in women under lower and upper climate change scenarios, respectively. Reduced seafood consumption may have profound cardiovascular implications. Effective strategies are needed to promote sustainable seafood harvests and access to seafood for coastal First Nations.
Governing for transboundary environmental justice: a scientific and policy analysis of fish consumption advisory programs in the Upper St Lawrence River
Lowitt K., Francis A., Gunther L., Madison B.N., McGaughey L., Echendu A., Kaur M., Roussel K.A., Pierre Z.S., Weppler A.
Q1
This paper examines fish consumption advisories (FCAs) as a site of transboundary governance in the Upper St Lawrence River with the aim of identifying opportunities for enhanced coordination and power sharing to address environmental injustices. The Upper St Lawrence River is part of the Great Lakes watershed of North America and the traditional territory of multiple Indigenous Nations, as well as the present-day jurisdictions of Ontario (Canada), Quebec (Canada), and New York State (USA). Through an analysis of publicly available information on FCA programs, we examine similarities and differences in these programs across jurisdictions. We find an overall lack of coordination in fish monitoring and differences in consumption advice for a waterway in which fish may easily move between transboundary areas. We offer recommendations for improving FCAs in this transboundary waterway from the lens of environmental justice, focusing on (1) a shared and transparent approach to monitoring contaminant levels and fish species; (2) integration of cultural food practices; (3) enhanced outreach to angler populations; and (4) upholding the self-determination of Indigenous communities. We also underscore that FCAs should not be seen as a permanent solution. Preventing and reducing contaminants, including associated harm reduction in communities affected by FCAs, need to be priorities.
Conducting community-led research using trail cameras to develop baseline wandering domestic cat local abundance estimates
Gow E.A., Aubrey B., Cossar L., Mazerolle C., Cheskey E.
Q1
Assessing cat local abundance provides information on where wandering cat numbers are highest and what habitats or factors are associated with wandering cats. A variety of stakeholders can lead this research and then use the findings to make scientifically informed decisions to guide the physical locations of cat management actions. Here, we document a framework that engages community members, uses minimal equipment (six trail cameras), and provides scientifically derived information for interested parties to inform, direct, or test the effectiveness of cat management practices. Using these methods in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada, we demonstrate how we estimated cat population size and cat local abundances across a variety of co-variates while accounting for non-perfect detection by using 55 trail camera sites and N-mixture models. Urban areas had three-fold higher local wandering cat abundances than parkland areas, and neighbourhoods below the median income had the highest local abundances of wandering cats. We estimated there are between 8905 and 48,419 (mean 21,298) wandering cats in Gatineau, with 18%–73% of those cats being unowned. These findings can be used to identify locations for future cat management. If estimates of cat abundance are repeated, they can assess the effectiveness of management actions.
Evaluating the design of the first marine protected area network in Pacific Canada under a changing climate
Rubidge E.M., Robb C.K., Thompson P.L., McDougall C., Bodtker K.M., Gale K.S., Ban S., Tayler Brown K.H., Sahanatien V., Ouchi S., Friesen S.K., Ban N.C., Hunter K.L., Pena A., Holdsworth A., et. al.
Q1
Marine protected area (MPAs) networks can buffer marine ecosystems from the impacts of climate change by allowing species to redistribute as conditions change and by reducing other stressors. There are, however, few examples where climate change has been considered in MPA network design. In this paper, we assess how climate change considerations were integrated into the design of a newly released MPA network in the Northern Shelf Bioregion in British Columbia, Canada, and then evaluate the resulting network against projected physical and biogeochemical changes and biological responses. We found that representation, replication, and size and spacing recommendations integrated into the design phase were met in most cases. Furthermore, despite varying degrees of projected changes in temperature, dissolved oxygen, and aragonite saturation across the MPA network, suitable habitat for demersal fish species is projected to remain in the network despite some redistribution among sites. We also found that mid-depth MPAs are particularly important for persistence, as fish are projected to move deeper to avoid warming in shallower areas. Our results highlight that a representative MPA network with adequate replication, that incorporates areas of varying climate change trajectory, should buffer against the impacts of climate change.
Julie Morand-Ferron retrospective (1977–2022) for FACETS
Cauchard L., Boogert N.J., Giraldeau L., Lefebvre L., McNeil J.N., Overington S., Quinn J.L.
Q1
Historical gold mining increased metal(loid) concentrations in lake sediments from Nova Scotia, Canada
Sivarajah B., Campbell L.M., Smol J.P., Vermaire J.C., Kurek J.
Q1
Historical gold mining operations between the 1860s and 1940s have left substantial quantities of arsenic- and mercury-rich tailings near abandoned mines in remote and urban areas of Nova Scotia, Canada. Large amounts of materials from the tailings have entered the surface waters of downstream aquatic ecosystems at concentrations that present a risk to benthos. We used paleolimnological approaches to examine long-term trends in sedimentary metal(loid) concentrations, assess potential sediment toxicity, and determine if geochemical recovery has occurred at four lakes located downstream of three productive gold-mining districts. During the historical mining era, sedimentary total arsenic and mercury concentrations and enrichment factors increased substantially at all downstream lakes that received inputs from tailings. Similarly, chromium, lead, and zinc concentrations increased in the sediments after mining activities began and the urbanization that followed. The calculated probable effects of concentration quotients (PEC-Qs) for sediments exceeded the probable biological effects threshold (PEC-Q > 2) during the mining era. Although sedimentary metal(loid) concentrations have decreased for most elements in recent sediments, relatively higher PEC-Q and continued exceedance of Canadian Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines suggest that complete geochemical recovery has not occurred. It is likely that surface runoff from tailing fields, urbanization, and climate-mediated changes are impacting geochemical recovery trajectories.
Urgent and long overdue: legal reform and drug decriminalization in Canada
Gruben V., Hyshka E., Bonn M., Cox C., Gagnon M., Guta A., Jackman M., Mercredi J., Munga A., Oscapella E., Strike C., Virani H.
Q1
The International Guidelines on Human Rights and Drug Policy recommend that states commit to adopting a balanced, integrated, and human rights-based approach to drug policy through a set of foundational human rights principles, obligations arising from human rights standards, and obligations arising from the human rights of particular groups. In respect of the Guidelines and standing obligations under UN Treaties, Canada must adopt stronger and more specific commitments for a human rights-based, people-centered, and public health approach. This approach must commit to the decriminalization of people who use drugs and include the decriminalization of possession, purchase, and cultivation for personal consumption. In this report, we will first turn to the legal background of Canada's drug laws. Next, we will provide an overview of ongoing law reform proposals from civil society groups, various levels of government, the House of Commons, and the Senate. We end with a three-staged approach to reform and a series of targeted recommendationscr.
What is habitat sensitivity? A quantitative definition relating resistance, resilience, and recoverability to environmental impacts
Dey C.J., Tuononen E.I., Hodgson E.E., Drake D.A., Koops M.A., Chu C.
Q1
Habitat sensitivity is a consideration for decision-making under environmental laws in many jurisdictions. However, habitat sensitivity has been variously defined and there is no consistent approach to its quantification, which limits our understanding of how habitat sensitivity varies among systems and in response to different pressures. We review various definitions offered in the scientific literature and policy documents before suggesting a universal framework for habitat sensitivity as (i) a habitat trait that defines the ecological impacts from a given pressure, (ii) which is composed of three components (habitat resistance, resilience, and recoverability), and (iii) which is quantified by measuring the change and recovery in the state of key habitat attributes in response to pressures. In addition, we provide guidance toward a consistent approach to assessing habitat sensitivity, which includes the use of pressure benchmarks and standardized metrics of change in key habitat attributes to create a common scale for comparison among habitat attributes and pressures. Our framework and recommendations should help to standardize the way in which habitat sensitivity is defined and assessed, and could be integrated into decision-making processes to improve ecosystem management in different jurisdictions.
Using community science to advance grizzly bear conservation
Steenweg R.J., Lee T.S., Duke D., Hughes C.
Q1
Alberta grizzly bears are classified as a threatened species in the province of Alberta as of 2010, with human-caused mortality and habitat loss a primary threat. The people who live, work, and recreate within bear habitat play a crucial role in their conservation. While the public is often enthusiastic about grizzly bears, and opportunistically report their observations to government staff, these reports are not systematic or rigorously collected and lack key information. As such, we developed GrizzTracker as a community science program. Following several years of successful deployment, we analyzed community scientist data and evaluated the efficacy of the program through an online user survey. We found that the GrizzTracker app was useful as a data collection and public engagement tool, yielding information for applied management, and that community scientists were generally satisfied. We provide considerations for future program development, including considerations for human, social, technological, and financial capital investment related to design, development, and implementation of data collection protocols, the importance of clearly communicating outcomes, and opportunities for educational outreach. While there is continued trepidation by traditionally trained scientists to develop or engage in community science programs, and some noted areas of improvement for our program specifically, we think that GrizzTracker offers a success story in community science.
Naphthenic acid fraction compounds, produced by the extraction of bitumen from oil sands, alter survival and behaviour of juvenile yellow perch (Perca flavescens)
Reynolds J.S., Elvidge C.K., Vander Meulen I.J., Hasler C.T., Frank R.A., Headley J.V., Hewitt L.M., Orihel D.M.
Q1
We evaluated whether naphthenic acid fraction compounds (NAFCs) extracted from oil sand tailings adversely affect fish survival and behaviour. Following a before–after-control-impact design, we housed wild-caught juvenile yellow perch ( Perca flavescens) in outdoor mesocosms to assess survival and behaviour under baseline conditions, then exposed fish to one of three treatments: negative control, 2 mg/L NAFC, or 15 mg/L NAFC. We performed behavioural assays (no-stimulus activity, food stimulus, and predator stimulus using a model bird) and assessed a comprehensive suite of endpoints (equilibrium losses, activity, shoaling, burst swimming, freezing, and space use). We found that exposure to 15 mg/L NAFCs substantially reduced fish survival and impaired fish equilibrium in all three behavioural tests. Furthermore, exposure to NAFCs impaired anti-predator behaviour: while the activity of control fish increased by two-fold in response to a predator stimulus, fish exposed to 2 or 15 mg/L NAFC did not change their activity levels after stimulation. No significant changes were observed in other behavioural endpoints. Overall, our findings suggest that a week-long exposure to NAFCs at concentrations commonly found in tailings ponds, constructed wetlands, and other mining-impacted waters may affect multiple facets of fish behaviour that could ultimately lead to reduced fitness in fish populations.
Now is the time for academics to think and act beyond academia
Kharouba H.M.
Q1
Despite the challenges posed by climate change and the biodiversity crisis, most academic research continues to stay within academia and the gaps between conservation science, policy, and practice remain intact. We need to improve the exchange of evidence between researchers and conservation practitioners and focus on solutions-oriented, interdisciplinary science and co-developed research. As we continue to break climate records and lose record numbers of species every year, now is the time for academics to think and act beyond their institutions.
Graduate student experiences and perspectives related to conducting thesis research within long-term ecological projects
Wishart A.E., Boudreau M.R., Menzies A.K.
Q1
Long-term ecological research (LTER) projects are considered valuable training grounds for graduate student researchers, yet student voices are largely absent from discussions of LTER merits in the literature. We aimed to identify benefits and challenges encountered by current and former graduate students in conducting graduate research within LTER projects. To explore graduate student experiences and perspectives, we conducted a survey comprising both closed-ended questions (i.e., multiple choice and Likert scale) and open-ended questions. From the responses, we identified emergent categories related to positive and negative experiences using sentiment analysis. We found agreement with purported benefits in areas including networking and access to established field sites and protocols. However, participants also identified data accessibility, authorship decisions, communication, and interpersonal conflicts as significant sources of challenges. We synthesized survey results with existing literature to provide actionable recommendations for principal investigators in four main areas (data, authorship, communication, and management) through an LTER lens. In addition to providing longitudinal data, LTER projects offer graduate students both physical and methodological infrastructure that can serve as the scaffold for new research questions to be developed. However, the likelihood of success of student research, as well as the success of the students themselves, can be improved when the needs of graduate students are prioritized.
Balancing privacy with access to information for commercial fisheries data: A critical review of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s “rule of five” policy
Tomasic N.
Q1
Although Canada’s oceans are a public resource, commercial fisheries data are routinely withheld from researchers and the general public by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) due to privacy obligations. However, data can be released if considered sufficiently de-personalized through an internal guideline called the “rule of five,” under which data sources are aggregated to a threshold of five to allow for data publication or disclosure. This article provides an overview of the “rule of five,” summarizes key legislative provisions that have bearing on the “rule” and potential for its reform, and discusses the findings from two tools used to collect information on the “rule” and its use in Canada: (1) an Access to Information and Privacy request and (2) an anonymous survey conducted to evaluate the impacts of the “rule” on various stakeholders. The “rule of five” is not mandatory but rather represents a conservative approach to access to information that can be detrimental to independent researchers and the public interest in transparent fisheries data. The article concludes with recommendations to further a rebalancing of privacy and access to information, including emphasizing existing legislative exemptions that could allow for data disclosure when the “rule of five” is not met.
Evaluating community science sampling for microplastics in shore sediments of large river watersheds
Forrest S.A., Alambo K., Holman L., Vermaire J.C.
Q1
A community science project in the Ottawa River Watershed in Canada interacted with an existing volunteer base to collect sediment from 68 locations in the watershed over approximately 750 km. Ninety-one percent of the distributed kits were returned with 42 volunteers taking part in the project. After analysis, particle concentrations were relatively low compared to previous freshwater microplastic sediment research, with contributing factors including (but not limited to) the large size of the watershed, a lower population base compared to other researched freshwater watersheds, the relative size and discharge of the Ottawa River and the large seasonal fluxes experienced in the river basin. Utilising community science for sampling large freshwater watersheds demonstrated its advantages in the research, especially spatially. However, careful consideration to research design and implementation is essential for community science projects examining microplastics in freshwater sediments. Research teams should ensure they are responsible for strict quality assurance and quality control protocols, especially in the laboratory with sample preparation and processing. Nonetheless, community science is potentially an extremely useful approach for researchers to use for microplastic sampling projects over large spatial areas.
On the troubling use of plastic ‘habitat’ structures for fish in freshwater ecosystems – or – when restoration is just littering
Cooke S.J., Piczak M.L., Vermaire J.C., Kirkwood A.E.
Q1
The creation and deployment of plastic structures made out of pipes and panels in freshwater ecosystems to enhance fish habitat or restore freshwater systems have become popularized in some regions. Here, we outline concerns with these activities, examine the associated evidence base for using plastic materials for restoration, and provide some suggestions for a path forward. The evidence base supporting the use of plastic structures in freshwater systems is limited in terms of ecological benefit and assurances that the use of plastics does not contribute to pollution via plastic degradation or leaching. Rarely was a cradle-to-grave approach (i.e. the full life cycle of restoration as well as the full suite of environmental consequences arising from plastic creation to disposal) considered nor were decommissioning plans required for deployment of plastic habitats. We suggest that there is a need to embrace natural materials when engaging in habitat restoration and provide more opportunities for relevant actors to have a voice regarding the types of materials used. It is clear that restoration of freshwater ecosystems is critically important, but those efforts need to be guided by science and not result in potential long-term harm. We conclude that based on the current evidence base, the use of plastic for habitat enhancement or restoration in freshwater systems is nothing short of littering.
Funding change: An environmental scan of research funders’ knowledge translation strategic plans and initiatives across 10 high-income countries/regions
Fahim C., Kasperavicius D., Beckett R., Quinn de Launay K., Chandraraj A., Crupi A., Theivendrampillai S., Straus S.E.
Q1
Knowledge translation (KT) is the science and practice of dissemination and implementation of evidence. We describe how research funders operationalize and evaluate KT initiatives, identify challenges and opportunities, and suggest strategic considerations for KT support. We conducted an environmental scan, which included a systematic search of published and grey literature and a focus group with Canadian funders. A total of 130 published articles and 2415 grey literature sources were screened; 212 unique data sources were included. Published literature commonly described KT initiatives related to “KT practice and science funding.” These initiatives commonly provided funds for infrastructure development (e.g., clinical technologies, database subscriptions) to facilitate translational or applied research to address regional health priorities. Of the articles, 44% outlined an evaluation plan; few provided validated KT metrics. In the grey literature, 364 initiatives were described; the most commonly described initiatives related to “exchange and integrated KT.” Focus group participants hoped to see increased resources to support KT, exchange opportunities with policy/decision-makers, and evaluate KT initiatives. Funders completed various KT initiatives, which tended to engage stakeholders to set research priorities, collaborate with a range of stakeholders, build KT capacity, and mandate KT requirements. We provide six considerations for funders to support KT.
Strengthening a One Health approach to emerging zoonoses
Mubareka S., Amuasi J., Banerjee A., Carabin H., Copper Jack J., Jardine C., Jaroszewicz B., Keefe G., Kotwa J., Kutz S., McGregor D., Mease A., Nicholson L., Nowak K., Pickering B., et. al.
Q1
Given the enormous global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Canada, and manifold other zoonotic pathogen activity, there is a pressing need for a deeper understanding of the human-animal-environment interface and the intersecting biological, ecological, and societal factors contributing to the emergence, spread, and impact of zoonotic diseases. We aim to apply a One Health approach to pressing issues related to emerging zoonoses, and propose a functional framework of interconnected but distinct groups of recommendations around strategy and governance, technical leadership (operations), equity, education and research for a One Health approach and Action Plan for Canada. Change is desperately needed, beginning by reorienting our approach to health and recalibrating our perspectives to restore balance with the natural world in a rapid and sustainable fashion. In Canada, a major paradigm shift in how we think about health is required. All of society must recognize the intrinsic value of all living species and the importance of the health of humans, other animals, and ecosystems to health for all.
