scholarly journals Spatial distribution of the Barbary Partridge (Alectoris barbara) in Sardinia explained by land use and climate

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianpasquale Chiatante ◽  
Marta Giordano ◽  
Anna Vidus Rosin ◽  
Oreste Sacchi ◽  
Alberto Meriggi
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Distance Sampling ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
European Population ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Brood Rearing ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Study Sites

AbstractMore than half of the European population of the Barbary Partridge is in Sardinia; nonetheless, the researches concerning this species are very scarce, and its conservation status is not defined because of a deficiency of data. This research aimed to analyse the habitat selection and the factors affecting the abundance and the density of the Barbary Partridge in Sardinia. We used the data collected over 8 years (between 2004 and 2013) by spring call counts in 67 study sites spread on the whole island. We used GLMM to define the relationships between the environment (topography, land use, climate) both the occurrence and the abundance of the species. Moreover, we estimated population densities by distance sampling. The Barbary Partridge occurred in areas at low altitude with garrigue and pastures, avoiding woodlands and sparsely vegetated areas. We found a strong relationship between the occurrence probability and the climate, in particular, a positive relation with temperature and a negative effect of precipitation, especially in April–May, during brood rearing. Furthermore, dry crops positively affected the abundance of the species. We estimated a density of 14.1 partridges per km2, similar to other known estimates. Our findings are important both because they increase the knowledge concerning this species, which is considered data deficient in Italy, and because they are useful to plan management actions aimed to maintain viable populations if necessary.

Estimating the population size of a threatened arboreal marsupial: use of distance sampling to dispense with ad hoc survey techniques

2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul J. de Tores ◽  
Sue Elscot
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Distance Sampling ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Biological Information ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Land Use Decisions

Context. Long-term land-use decisions potentially affecting the conservation status of rare fauna are often based on a dearth of relevant biological information and population estimates are regularly derived from ad hoc methodologies. This can significantly affect the outcomes from development assessment and approval processes. Aim. Our aims were to apply distance-sampling techniques to derive robust, quantitative estimates of the population size of a threatened arboreal marsupial, the western ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis Thomas, 1888), demonstrate the advantages of this approach and, in doing so, provide conservation managers, decision makers and consultants with a reliable framework for surveying the species. Methods. We used line-transect sampling to derive estimates of density and abundance for P. occidentalis at two sites in south-western Western Australia where estimates were previously derived through ad hoc techniques. Key results. Our findings support the assertion that previous surveys of P. occidentalis populations have underestimated the population size to a varying extent at both of our survey sites. Land-use and development-application decisions have previously been based on similar surveys. Conclusions. Distance sampling, if applied routinely when surveying P. occidentalis, will reduce the uncertainty associated with derived estimates of abundance. Implications. Appropriate use of distance-sampling methods will enable managers and decision makers to assess more quantitatively the potential effect from, and place appropriate approval conditions on, proposals that modify or destroy P. occidentalis habitat. The use of the program Distance will enable such decisions to be based on robust, repeatable estimates of population size, with quantified confidence limits and variance estimates.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE NUMBER OF THE «PRISON POPULATION»: WORLD EXPERIENCE

2020 ◽  
pp. 103-110
Author(s):  
Павел Владимирович Тепляшин
Keyword(s):  
Legal System ◽  
Prison Population ◽  
German Law ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Criminal Punishment ◽  
Political Factors ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
Relationship Of

В статье продемонстрированы международно-правовые и научно-теоретические аспекты актуализации выявления и изучения совокупности факторов, обуславливающих численность осужденных, находящихся в исправительных учреждениях. Целью исследования данных факторов выступает объяснение «работоспособности» различных теорий уголовного наказания, принятие концептуальных решений по оптимизации уголовно-исполнительной политики, прогнозирование возможных траекторий развития пенитенциарной действительности. На основе метода сравнительного правоведения проанализированы четыре основные группы факторов, которые влияют на численность «тюремного населения» в конкретном государстве: 1) экономические (проявляются во взаимосвязи тюремного заключения с экономическими процессами); 2) политические (выражаются в демократических ценностях, присущих пенитенциарной системе, степени их поддержания и качестве управления); 3) правовые (заключаются в отражении особенностей правовой системы государства); 4) исправительные (влияют на уровень постпенитенциарного рецидива и повторного осуждения). В результате установлено, что одни из самых высоких показателей тюремного заключения наблюдаются в государствах с либеральной рыночной экономикой. Обнаружена роль политических факторов в усилении репрессивных притязаний к лицам, совершившим насильственные и коррупционные преступления, а также наркопреступления и посягательства на общественную безопасность. Выявлена достаточно прочная связь между численностью «тюремного населения» и принадлежностью государства к определенной правовой системе: в государствах общего права уровень тюремного заключения выше, нежели чем в странах романо-германского права. Определено, что отрицательный эффект карцерального обращения с осужденным может быть получен в результате изначально нецелесообразного применения наказания, связанного с изоляцией осужденного от общества. Анализ рассмотренных факторов позволяет отметить положительные и отрицательные стороны практических проявлений теорий уголовного наказания, в частности, ретрибутивизма и консеквенциализма, а также критически оценить реализуемые и прогнозируемые реформаторские преобразования в сфере исполнения уголовных наказаний. The article demonstrates the international legal and scientific-theoretical aspects of the actualization of the identification and study of the totality of factors causing the number of convicts in prisons. The purpose of the study of these factors is the explanation of the «working capacity» of various theories of criminal punishment, the adoption of conceptual decisions on the optimization of criminal-executive policy, and the prediction of possible trajectories for the development of penitentiary reality. Based on the comparative law method, four main groups of factors are analyzed that affect the size of the «prison population» in a particular state: 1) economic (manifested in the relationship of imprisonment with economic processes); 2) political (expressed in democratic values inherent in the penitentiary system, the degree of their maintenance and quality of management); 3) legal (consist in reflecting the peculiarities of the legal system of the state); 4) corrective (affect the level of post-penitential relapse and re-conviction). As a result, it has been established that some of the highest rates of imprisonment are observed in states with a liberal market economy. The role of political factors in reinforcing repressive claims to perpetrators of violent and corruption crimes, as well as drug offenses and encroachment on public security was discovered. A sufficiently strong relationship has been revealed between the number of the «prison population» and the state’s belonging to a particular legal system: in the Common Law states, its level of imprisonment is higher than in the countries of Roman-German law. It has been determined that the negative effect of carceral treatment of a convicted person may be obtained as a result of the initially inexpedient use of punishment connected with the isolation of the convicted person from the public. The conclusion is formulated that the discovery of the factors considered highlights the «pros and cons» of practical manifestations of theories of criminal punishment, in particular retributivism and sequentialism, and also makes it possible to critically evaluate the implemented and forecasted reform reforms in the sphere of execution of criminal penalties.

IMPACTS OF URBAN LAND USE ON CRIME PATTERNS THROUGH GIS APPLICATION

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Nazri Muhamad Ludin ◽  
Norsiah Abd. Aziz ◽  
Nooraini Hj Yusoff ◽  
Wan Juliyana Wan Abd Razak
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Drug Abuse ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Spatial Relationship ◽  
Police Department ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Urban Land ◽  
Urban Land Use ◽  
Land Use Patterns

Land use planning plays a crucial role in creating a balance between the needs of society, physical development and the ecosystem. However, most often poor planning and displacement of land uses particularly in urban areas contribute to social ills such as drug abuse and criminal activities. This research explains the spatial relationship of drug abuse and other criminal activities on urban land use planning and their implications on the society at large. Spatial statistics was used to show patterns, trends and spatial relationships of crimes and land use planning. Data on crime incidents were obtained from the Royal Malaysia Police Department whilst cases of drug abuse were collected from the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK). Analysis of the data together with digital land use maps produced by Arnpang Jaya Municipal Council, showed the distribution of crime incidents and drug abuse in the area. Findings of the study also indicated that, there was a strong relationship between petty crimes, drng abuse and land use patterns. These criminal activities tend to concentrate in residential and commercial areas of the study area.

Chasing the phantom: biogeography and conservation of Vipera latastei-monticola in the Maghreb (North Africa)

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inês Freitas ◽  
Soumia Fahd ◽  
Guillermo Velo-Antón ◽  
Fernando Martínez-Freiría
Keyword(s):  
North Africa ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Habitat Transformation ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Suitable Space ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The Maghreb region (North Africa) constitutes a major component of the Mediterranean Basin biodiversity hotspot. During the last centuries, a consistent human population growth has led to an unprecedented rate of habitat transformation and loss in the region and thus, threatening its biodiversity. The Western Mediterranean viper Vipera latastei-monticola inhabits humid and subhumid areas in the main mountain ranges of the Maghreb, facing such threatening factors; however, its elusive character and rarity hindered data collection for distinct biological purposes. Here, we study the biogeographical patterns and conservation status of the Maghrebian V. latastei-monticola resulting from recent sampling campaigns in Morocco and Tunisia. We update species distribution, and integrate phylogeographic and ecological niche modelling analyses at both species and lineage level to identify suitable areas, and to evaluate the impact of anthropogenic transformation and level of protection of their suitable space. We identified four highly divergent mitochondrial lineages, including a new lineage endemic to the Western High Atlas, with allopatric distributions and restricted to mountain ranges, supporting the role of mountains as past climatic refugia. Despite the remoteness of suitable areas, we report widespread habitat degradation and identify the low effectiveness of the current protected areas system in preserving the species and lineages range. Our study shows the urgent need to apply management actions for the long-term conservation of this vulnerable species and suggests a revaluation of the specific status of V. monticola, as these populations likely represent an ecotype of V. latastei.

scholarly journals Population estimates of Antillean manatees in Puerto Rico: an analytical framework for aerial surveys using multi-pass removal sampling

2019 ◽  
Vol 100 (4) ◽  
pp. 1340-1349
Author(s):  
Jaime A Collazo ◽  
Matthew J Krachey ◽  
Kenneth H Pollock ◽  
Francisco J Pérez-Aguilo ◽  
Jan P Zegarra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Detection Probability ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Population Estimates ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Imperfect Detection ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Aerial Surveys ◽  
Population Size Estimates

AbstractEffective management of the threatened Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) in Puerto Rico requires reliable estimates of population size. Estimates are needed to assess population responses to management actions, and whether recovery objectives have been met. Aerial surveys have been conducted since 1976, but none adjusted for imperfect detection. We summarize surveys since 1976, report on current distribution, and provide population estimates after accounting for apparent detection probability for surveys between June 2010 and March 2014. Estimates in areas of high concentration (hotspots) averaged 317 ± 101, three times higher than unadjusted counts (104 ± 0.56). Adjusted estimates in three areas outside hotspots also differed markedly from counts (75 ± 9.89 versus 19.5 ± 3.5). Average minimum island-wide estimate was 386 ± 89, similar to the maximum estimate of 360 suggested in 2005, but fewer than the 700 recently suggested by the Puerto Rico Manatee Conservation Center. Manatees were more widespread than previously understood. Improving estimates, locally or island-wide, will require stratifying the island differently and greater knowledge about factors affecting detection probability. Sharing our protocol with partners in nearby islands (e.g., Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola), whose populations share genetic make-up, would contribute to enhanced regional conservation through better population estimates and tracking range expansion.El manejo efectivo del manatí antillano amenazado en Puerto Rico requiere estimados de tamaños de poblaciónes confiables. Dichas estimaciones poblacionales son necesarias para evaluar las respuestas a las acciones de manejo, y para determinar si los objetivos de recuperación han sido alcanzados. Se han realizado censos aéreos desde 1976, pero ninguno de ellos han sido ajustados para detecciones imperfectas. Aquí resumimos los censos desde 1976, actualizamos la distribución, y reportamos los primeros estimados poblacionales ajustados para la probabilidad de detección aparente en los censos de Junio 2010 a Marzo 2014. Las estimaciones poblacionales en áreas de mayor concentración del manatí promedió 317 ± 103, tres veces más abundante que los conteos sin ajuste (104 ± 0.56). Las estimaciones poblacionales en tres áreas fuera de las áreas de mayor concentración del manatí también fueron marcadamente diferentes (75 ± 9.89 vs 19.5 ± 3.5). El estimado mínimo poblacional en la isla entera fue de 386 ± 89, similar al estimado máximo de 360 sugerido en el año 2005, pero menor a los 700 sugeridos recientemente por el Centro de Conservación de Manatíes de Puerto Rico. Documentamos que el manatí tiene una distribución más amplia de lo que se sabía con anterioridad. El mejoramiento de los estimados poblacionales locales o a nivel de isla requerirá que se estratifique a la isla en forma diferente y que se investiguen los factores que influencian a la probabilidad de detección. Compartir protocolos como este con colaboradores de islas vecinas (por. ej., Cuba, Jamaica, Española), cuyas poblaciones de manatíes comparten material genético, contribuiría a la conservación regional mediante mejores estimaciones poblacionales y monitoreo de la expansión de su ámbito doméstico.

scholarly journals A Quantitative Analysis of Factors Influencing Organic Matter Concentration in the Topsoil of Black Soil in Northeast China Based on Spatial Heterogeneous Patterns

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 348
Author(s):  
Zhenbo Du ◽  
Bingbo Gao ◽  
Cong Ou ◽  
Zhenrong Du ◽  
Jianyu Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Soil Type ◽  
Northeast China ◽  
Black Soil ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Soil Zone ◽  
Rainfed Farming ◽  
Study Results

Black soil is fertile, abundant with organic matter (OM) and is exceptional for farming. The black soil zone in northeast China is the third-largest black soil zone globally and produces a quarter of China’s commodity grain. However, the soil organic matter (SOM) in this zone is declining, and the quality of cultivated land is falling off rapidly due to overexploitation and unsustainable management practices. To help develop an integrated protection strategy for black soil, this study aimed to identify the primary factors contributing to SOM degradation. The geographic detector, which can detect both linear and nonlinear relationships and the interactions based on spatial heterogeneous patterns, was used to quantitatively analyze the natural and anthropogenic factors affecting SOM concentration in northeast China. In descending order, the nine factors affecting SOM are temperature, gross domestic product (GDP), elevation, population, soil type, precipitation, soil erosion, land use, and geomorphology. The influence of all factors is significant, and the interaction of any two factors enhances their impact. The SOM concentration decreases with increased temperature, population, soil erosion, elevation and terrain undulation. SOM rises with increased precipitation, initially decreases with increasing GDP but then increases, and varies by soil type and land use. Conclusions about detailed impacts are presented in this paper. For example, wind erosion has a more significant effect than water erosion, and irrigated land has a lower SOM content than dry land. Based on the study results, protection measures, including conservation tillage, farmland shelterbelts, cross-slope ridges, terraces, and rainfed farming are recommended. The conversion of high-quality farmland to non-farm uses should be prohibited.

scholarly journals Relationship between Land Use Mix and Walking Choice in High-Density Cities: A Review of Walking in Seoul, South Korea

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 810
Author(s):  
Eun Yeong Seong ◽  
Nam Hwi Lee ◽  
Chang Gyu Choi
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Neighborhood Environment ◽  
Single Family ◽  
Housing Type ◽  
General Belief ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Land Use Mix ◽  
Family Housing ◽  
Mixed Land Use ◽  
Major Factors

This study confirmed the general belief of urban planners that mixed land use promotes walking in Seoul, a metropolis in East Asia, by analyzing the effect of mixed land use on the travel mode choice of housewives and unemployed people who make non-commuting trips on weekdays. Using binomial logistic regression of commuting data, it was found that the more mixed a neighborhood environment’s uses are, the more the pedestrians prefer to walk rather than drive. The nonlinear relationship between the land use mix index and the choice to walk was also confirmed. Although mixed land use in neighborhoods increased the probability of residents choosing walking over using cars, when the degree of complexity increased above a certain level, the opposite effect was observed. As the density of commercial areas increased, the probability of selecting walking increased. In addition to locational characteristics, income and housing type were also major factors affecting the choice to walk; i.e., when the residents’ neighborhood environment was controlled for higher income and living in an apartment rather than multi-family or single-family housing, they were more likely to choose driving over walking.

Analysis of Single-Vehicle Crash Injury Severities in Urban River-Crossing Road Tunnels

2015 ◽  
Vol 743 ◽  
pp. 526-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.M. Jiang ◽  
J.J. Lu ◽  
L.J. Lu
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Vehicles ◽  
Probit Regression ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Urban Road ◽  
Road Tunnels ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Single Vehicle ◽  
Injury Severities ◽  
One Year

Based on the originally unprocessed data from the Official Platform of“110”Alarming Receiving Center (OP110ARC) of Shanghai Public Security Bureau (SPSB), 529 single-vehicle crashes reported during one year and a half which happened at the thirteen urban road tunnels going across the Huangpu River are used in this study. To investigate the factors affecting the crash influence severity levels, ordered probit regression is established. Several categories of factors are considered as explanatory variables in the models. The study finds that the entrance of the tunnels is the site where severe injury crashes trend to occur. Rainy and snowy days impose vehicles and motorists driving via the tunnel sections in danger. Tunnels with a low speed limit (40 km/h in this study) may be not as safe as we thought before. Two-wheel vehicles without sufficient physical protection for its drivers and heavy vehicles also show a negative effect on the operation safety of single-vehicle at these studied tunnels. Alcohol involved drivers are more likely to suffer from a severe crashes and gets badly hurt.

scholarly journals Psychological Factors Affecting Risk Perception of COVID-19: Evidence from Peru and China

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6513
Author(s):  
Fredy S. Monge-Rodríguez ◽  
He Jiang ◽  
Liwei Zhang ◽  
Andy Alvarado-Yepez ◽  
Anahí Cardona-Rivero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Risk Communication ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
The Government ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Health Field

COVID-19 has spread around the world, causing a global pandemic, and to date is impacting in various ways in both developed and developing countries. We know that the spread of this virus is through people’s behavior despite the perceived risks. Risk perception plays an important role in decision-making to prevent infection. Using data from the online survey of participants in Peru and China (N = 1594), data were collected between 8 July 31 and August 2020. We found that levels of risk perception are relatively moderate, but higher in Peru compared to China. In both countries, anxiety, threat perception, self-confidence, and sex were found to be significant predictors of risk perception; however, trust in the information received by government and experts was significant only in Peru, whereas self-confidence had a significant negative effect only for China. Risk communication should be implemented through information programs aimed at reducing anxiety and improving self-confidence, taking into consideration gender differences. In addition, the information generated by the government should be based on empirical sources. Finally, the implications for effective risk communication and its impacts on the health field are discussed.

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