scholarly journals Effects of land use and weather on the presence and abundance of mosquito-borne disease vectors in a urban and agricultural landscape in Eastern Ontario, Canada

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miarisoa Rindra Rakotoarinia ◽  
Blanchet F. Guillaume ◽  
Dominique Gravel ◽  
David Lapen ◽  
Patrick A. Leighton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Targeted Prevention ◽  
Species Occurrence ◽  
Mosquito Abundance ◽  
Species Response ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Eastern Ontario

Weather and land use can significantly impact mosquito abundance and presence, and by consequence, mosquito-borne disease (MBD) dynamics. Knowledge of vector ecology and mosquito species response to these drivers will help us better predict risk from MBD. In this study, we evaluated and compared the independent and combined effects of weather and land use on mosquito species occurrence and abundance in Eastern Ontario, Canada. Data on occurrence and abundance (245,591 individuals) of 30 mosquito species were obtained from mosquito capture at 85 field sites in 2017 and 2018. Environmental variables were extracted from weather and land use datasets in a 1-km buffer around trapping sites. The relative importance of weather and land use on mosquito abundance (for common species) or occurrence (for all species) was evaluated using multivariate hierarchical statistical models. Models incorporating both weather and land use performed better than models that include weather only for approximately half of species (59% for occurrence model and 50% for abundance model). Mosquito occurrence was mainly associated with temperature whereas abundance was associated with precipitation and temperature combined. Land use was more often associated with abundance than occurrence. For most species, occurrence and abundance were positively associated with forest cover but for some there was a negative association. Occurrence and abundance of some species (47% for occurrence model and 88% for abundance model) were positively associated with wetlands, but negatively associated with urban ( Culiseta melanura and Anopheles walkeri ) and agriculture ( An. quadrimaculatus, Cs. minnesotae and An. walkeri ) environments. This study provides predictive relationships between weather, land use and mosquito occurrence and abundance for a wide range of species including those that are currently uncommon, yet known as arboviruses vectors. Elucidation of these relationships has the potential to contribute to better prediction of MBD risk, and thus more efficiently targeted prevention and control measures.

scholarly journals Using mobile phones as acoustic sensors for high-throughput mosquito surveillance

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haripriya Mukundarajan ◽  
Felix J H Hol ◽  
Erica A Castillo ◽  
Cooper Newby ◽  
Manu Prakash
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Mobile Network ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Mosquito Surveillance ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Species Specific

AbstractThe direct monitoring of mosquito populations in field settings is a crucial input for shaping appropriate and timely control measures for mosquito-borne diseases. Here, we demonstrate that commercially available mobile phones are a powerful tool for acoustically mapping mosquito species distributions worldwide. We show that even low-cost mobile phones with very basic functionality are capable of sensitively acquiring acoustic data on species-specific mosquito wingbeat sounds, while simultaneously recording the time and location of the human-mosquito encounter. We survey a wide range of medically important mosquito species, to quantitatively demonstrate how acoustic recordings supported by spatio-temporal metadata enable rapid, non-invasive species identification. As proof-of-concept, we carry out field demonstrations where minimally-trained users map local mosquitoes using their personal phones. Thus, we establish a new paradigm for mosquito surveillance that takes advantage of the existing global mobile network infrastructure, to enable continuous and large-scale data acquisition in resource-constrained areas.

scholarly journals Identification and Biological Characteristic Analysis of Pythium aristosporum Causing Rice Seedling Blight in Northeast China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinxin Liu ◽  
Chuzheng Xu ◽  
Wenbo Han ◽  
Yonggang Li
Keyword(s):  
Northeast China ◽  
Ipomoea Batatas ◽  
Rice Seedling ◽  
Biological Characteristics ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Targeted Prevention ◽  
Seedling Blight ◽  
Characteristic Analysis ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Background: Rice seedling blight caused by diverse pathogenic microorganism occurs worldwide, and it is currently the most important seedling disease affecting rice production in Northeast China. Understanding the biological characteristics, host range, and fungicide sensitivity of pathogens causing rice seedling blight has important theoretical and practical significance for further exploring occurrence of the disease and for making targeted prevention and control measures.Results: 10 isolates of Pythium spp. were obtained from rice seedling blight, according to Koch’s postulates, in Heilongjiang Province, China. Based on morphology, molecular biology, and phylogenetic tree analyses, the obtained fungal isolates were identified as P. aristosporum. The biological characteristics of P. aristosporum showed that the optimum fermentation conditions were as follows: temperature, 25°C; initial pH, 6; photoperiod, 24 h light; and carbon and nitrogen sources, starch and glycine, respectively. P. aristosporum causing rice seedling blight had a wide range of hosts and could infect tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), carrot (Daucus carota L.), sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), and zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.), as well as seedlings of broad bean (Vicia faba L.), red bean (Vigna angularis), snailflower (Lablab purpureus (Linn.)Sweet), soybean (Glycine max), mung bean (Vigna radiata), kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), and hyacinth bean (Dolichos lablab L.); however, it could not infect cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings. We also evaluated P. aristosporum sensitivity to five commonly used fungicides and found that fludioxonil (EC50 = 0.0731 μg/ml) was the most effective against P. aristosporum.Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. aristosporum causing rice seedling blight in China. Fludioxonil is a relatively sensitive chemical fungicide against P. aristosporum. P. aristosporum causing rice seedling blight has a good environmental adaptability and a wide range of hosts, which poses a great threat to rice seedling production. Occurrence of the new disease caused by P. aristosporum should give full consideration for the use of proper disease management to protect rice.

scholarly journals Using mobile phones as acoustic sensors for high-throughput mosquito surveillance

eLife ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haripriya Mukundarajan ◽  
Felix Jan Hein Hol ◽  
Erica Araceli Castillo ◽  
Cooper Newby ◽  
Manu Prakash
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Mobile Network ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Mosquito Surveillance ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Species Specific

The direct monitoring of mosquito populations in field settings is a crucial input for shaping appropriate and timely control measures for mosquito-borne diseases. Here, we demonstrate that commercially available mobile phones are a powerful tool for acoustically mapping mosquito species distributions worldwide. We show that even low-cost mobile phones with very basic functionality are capable of sensitively acquiring acoustic data on species-specific mosquito wingbeat sounds, while simultaneously recording the time and location of the human-mosquito encounter. We survey a wide range of medically important mosquito species, to quantitatively demonstrate how acoustic recordings supported by spatio-temporal metadata enable rapid, non-invasive species identification. As proof-of-concept, we carry out field demonstrations where minimally-trained users map local mosquitoes using their personal phones. Thus, we establish a new paradigm for mosquito surveillance that takes advantage of the existing global mobile network infrastructure, to enable continuous and large-scale data acquisition in resource-constrained areas.

scholarly journals Mosquito species occurrence in association with landscape composition in green urban areas

2017 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. R. G. Montagner ◽  
O. S. Silva ◽  
S. M. Jahnke
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Forest Edge ◽  
Native Forest ◽  
Forest Fragment ◽  
Species Response

Abstract Aedes aegypti prefers densely populated habitats, but has been shown to explore less anthropogenic environments. We investigated composition of the abundance of mosquitoes in forested areas and assessed relationships between species occurrences and different types of land use and land cover at three spatial scales (100m, 500m and 1000m). Mosquitoes were collected from October 2012 to March 2013 using oviposition traps. We collected 4,179 mosquitoes in total including at least 10 species. Aedes albopictus and Limatus durhami were eudominant species, representing 90% of all collected individuals. We found intraspecific differences in response to land use and land cover, and species response patterns were similar at all spatial scales. Ae. albopictus relative abundance was associated with urbanized areas, while Li. durhami, Haemagogus leucocelaenus and Toxorhynchites sp., abundances were associated with native forest. Aedes aegypti were found in five of the eight areas studied, including in an Atlantic forest fragment at a considerable distance from the forest edge (370 m). Aedes aegypti occurrence was not influenced by type of land use or land cover.

SOME TRENDS IN GRASSLAND FARMING IN EUROPE

1977 ◽  
pp. 5-19
Author(s):  
R.W. Brougham
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Energy Usage ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Wide Range

IN an assessment such as this, one could cover a wide range of topics fairly shallowly or a lesser number in a bit more depth. I have opted for the latter. The topics discussed will embrace some trends in dairying, beef farming, sheep farming, hill country farming, and land use generally, species and variety usage in grassland farming, use of crude protein produced from pasture, and some implications of energy usage.

COVID-19 Outbreak Prediction with Machine Learning

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sina Faizollahzadeh Ardabili ◽  
Amir Mosavi ◽  
Pedram Ghamisi ◽  
Filip Ferdinand ◽  
Annamaria R. Varkonyi-Koczy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Fuzzy Inference ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Inference System ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Standard Models ◽  
High Level

Several outbreak prediction models for COVID-19 are being used by officials around the world to make informed-decisions and enforce relevant control measures. Among the standard models for COVID-19 global pandemic prediction, simple epidemiological and statistical models have received more attention by authorities, and they are popular in the media. Due to a high level of uncertainty and lack of essential data, standard models have shown low accuracy for long-term prediction. Although the literature includes several attempts to address this issue, the essential generalization and robustness abilities of existing models needs to be improved. This paper presents a comparative analysis of machine learning and soft computing models to predict the COVID-19 outbreak as an alternative to SIR and SEIR models. Among a wide range of machine learning models investigated, two models showed promising results (i.e., multi-layered perceptron, MLP, and adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system, ANFIS). Based on the results reported here, and due to the highly complex nature of the COVID-19 outbreak and variation in its behavior from nation-to-nation, this study suggests machine learning as an effective tool to model the outbreak. This paper provides an initial benchmarking to demonstrate the potential of machine learning for future research. Paper further suggests that real novelty in outbreak prediction can be realized through integrating machine learning and SEIR models.

Key directions and methodological features of modern studies of land use changes

2019 ◽  
pp. 62-68
Author(s):  
Pavlo Kazmir ◽  
Lyubomyr Kazmir
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Scientific Discipline ◽  
Shared Responsibility ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Land Change Science ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Land Relations ◽  
Future Policy ◽  
Planning Methodology

Interest in land-use changes (LUC) research has been growing rapidly in recent years. This topic has already become the subject of a separate scientific discipline – land use science (or land change science). In order to formulate relevant future policy and develop appropriate land-use management tools, it is crucial to know how the LUC шьзфсе the environment and society condition. For Ukraine, where the structure of land use and the system of land resources management have significantly changed during the years of post-socialist transformation of land relations, the study of the LUC on a modern methodological basis is especially actual. The paper, based on a critical analysis of publications in leading international journals over the last thirty years, identifies key directions of LUC studies and analyzes their methodological features. There is a significant increase of the number of works based on the results of meta-studies and the use of a wide range of methods for modeling the LUC processes, their causes and possible consequences. The great "synergistic potential" of integration of the selected directions is noted, which makes it possible to accelerate the development of the general theory of land use and increase its use efficiency in substantiation of management decisions in the sphere of land use and modernization of the mechanisms of state land, spatial and ecological policies with consideration of existing and potential globalizing challenges. In this context, the key role of the land use integrated planning methodology at regional and local levels is emphasized. This methodology would require close cooperation between government, business and the public in developing a common vision for the implementation of specific land use plans and projects based on the principles of subsidiarity, participativity and shared responsibility.

Analysis of Land Use Land Cover in Annapurna Conservation Area in Gandaki Province, Nepal using Vegetation Index and Land Use Land Cover Datasets

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-99
Author(s):  
Shiva Pokhrel ◽  
Chungla Sherpa
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
National Level ◽  
Climate Mitigation ◽  
Land Use Land Cover ◽  
Conservation Area ◽  
Barren Land ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Annapurna Conservation Area

Conservation areas are originally well-known for protecting landscape features and wildlife. They are playing key role in conserving and providing a wide range of ecosystem services, social, economic and cultural benefits as well as vital places for climate mitigation and adaptation. We have analyzed decadal changes in land cover and status of vegetation cover in the conservation area using both national level available data on land use land cover (LULC) changes (1990-2010) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) (2010-2018) in Annapurna conservation area. LULC showed the barren land as the most dominant land cover types in all three different time series 1990, 2000 and 2010 with followed by snow cover, grassland, forest, agriculture and water body. The highest NDVI values were observed at Southern, Southwestern and Southeastern part of conservation area consisting of forest area, shrub land and grassland while toward low to negative in the upper middle to the Northern part of the conservation area.

scholarly journals Current Wildland Fire Patterns and Challenges in Europe: A Synthesis of National Perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 117862212110281
Author(s):  
Nieves Fernandez-Anez ◽  
Andrey Krasovskiy ◽  
Mortimer Müller ◽  
Harald Vacik ◽  
Jan Baetens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Wildland Fire ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Local Analysis ◽  
Wildland Fires ◽  
Fire Statistics ◽  
Quantitative Evidence ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Fire Patterns

Changes in climate, land use, and land management impact the occurrence and severity of wildland fires in many parts of the world. This is particularly evident in Europe, where ongoing changes in land use have strongly modified fire patterns over the last decades. Although satellite data by the European Forest Fire Information System provide large-scale wildland fire statistics across European countries, there is still a crucial need to collect and summarize in-depth local analysis and understanding of the wildland fire condition and associated challenges across Europe. This article aims to provide a general overview of the current wildland fire patterns and challenges as perceived by national representatives, supplemented by national fire statistics (2009–2018) across Europe. For each of the 31 countries included, we present a perspective authored by scientists or practitioners from each respective country, representing a wide range of disciplines and cultural backgrounds. The authors were selected from members of the COST Action “Fire and the Earth System: Science & Society” funded by the European Commission with the aim to share knowledge and improve communication about wildland fire. Where relevant, a brief overview of key studies, particular wildland fire challenges a country is facing, and an overview of notable recent fire events are also presented. Key perceived challenges included (1) the lack of consistent and detailed records for wildland fire events, within and across countries, (2) an increase in wildland fires that pose a risk to properties and human life due to high population densities and sprawl into forested regions, and (3) the view that, irrespective of changes in management, climate change is likely to increase the frequency and impact of wildland fires in the coming decades. Addressing challenge (1) will not only be valuable in advancing national and pan-European wildland fire management strategies, but also in evaluating perceptions (2) and (3) against more robust quantitative evidence.

scholarly journals Sources of and Control Measures for PTE Pollution in Soil at the Urban Fringe in Weinan, China

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 762
Author(s):  
Lei Han ◽  
Rui Chen ◽  
Zhao Liu ◽  
Shanshan Chang ◽  
Yonghua Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Urban Expansion ◽  
Pollution Sources ◽  
Urban Fringe ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Kriging Interpolation Method ◽  
The Impact

The environment of the urban fringe is complex and frangible. With the acceleration of industrialization and urbanization, the urban fringe has become the primary space for urban expansion, and the intense human activities create a high risk of potentially toxic element (PTE) pollution in the soil. In this study, 138 surface soil samples were collected from a region undergoing rapid urbanization and construction—Weinan, China. Concentrations of As, Pb, Cr, Cu, and Ni (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, ICP-MS) and Hg (Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry, AFS) were measured. The Kriging interpolation method was used to create a visualization of the spatial distribution characteristics and to analyze the pollution sources of PTEs in the soil. The pollution status of PTEs in the soil was evaluated using the national environmental quality standards for soils in different types of land use. The results show that the content range of As fluctuated a small amount and the coefficient of variation is small and mainly comes from natural soil formation. The content of Cr, Cu, and Ni around the automobile repair factory, the prefabrication factory, and the building material factory increased due to the deposition of wear particles in the soil. A total of 13.99% of the land in the study area had Hg pollution, which was mainly distributed on category 1 development land and farmland. Chemical plants were the main pollution sources. The study area should strictly control the industrial pollution emissions, regulate the agricultural production, adjust the land use planning, and reduce the impact of pollution on human beings. Furthermore, we make targeted remediation suggestions for each specific land use type. These results are of theoretical significance, will be of practical value for the control of PTEs in soil, and will provide ecological environmental protection in the urban fringe throughout the urbanization process.

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