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 Human Embryonic Stem Cells Where To Draw The Line

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 40-43
Author(s):  
T Hasan
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Human Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Eternal Life ◽  
Human Embryos ◽  
Ethical Perspective ◽  
Wide Range

Introduction: Human-embryonic stem cells (hESC) are derived from very early stages of the human embryo. These cells have immense plasticity and can be conditioned to develop into any type of cell of the human body. Despite all their promising utility, hESC researches have recently been the subject of fervent debate. Objective: This paper explores the implications of hESC therapy from a bio-ethical perspective. Method: Published literature with strict inclusion and exclusion criteria was extensively reviewed through use of general and meta search engines to elucidate the applications and implications of hESC. Discussion: Studies indicate that the potential of hESC in reconstructive and regenerative medicine is undisputable but complex social and moral issues are hopelessly intertwined beneath the pleasant facade. hESC offer endless possibilities in understanding bio-molecular disease patterns, supplying readymade healthy organs, interpreting aging and organogenesis at the cellular level. The use of hESC is well established in leukemia and scientists anticipate diverse applications in a wide range of congenital and acquired medical conditions. However, many dilemmas arise in context of their biomedical usage because of the destruction of donor human embryos in producing stem cells, adverse transplant reactions, teratogenecity, phenotypic / genotypic abnormalities, nonstandardized research laws, logistic issues and the possibility of eternal life and humanoid chimeras. Conclusion: The wisdom to choose between ' mindful utilization' and 'senseless exploitation' lies with us. The large scale commercialization of human life or the killing of viable embryos cannot be justified by any means. A neutral approach with increased involvement of uncontroversial progenitors should be adopted. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jafmc.v7i2.10396 JAFMC 2011; 7(2): 40-43

Determining wildland fire markers in residential structures using thermal desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Katie Martin ◽  
Dale J. LeCaptain ◽  
Alice Delia
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Gas Chromatography ◽  
Thermal Desorption ◽  
Wildland Fire ◽  
The United States ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Organic Chemical ◽  
Wildland Fires ◽  
Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Each year thousands of wildland fires blaze across the United States causing secondary (“smoke”) damage to numerous businesses and personal property. Currently there are no specific industry standards or guidelines for determining wildfire combustion residues. Remediation decisions often rely on anecdotal evidence from occupants. A variety of particulate methods are used to assess surface contamination but there are few methods for evaluating organic chemical residues that encompass the wide range of chemical classes produced during wildland fires. A new method was developed employing a thermal desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry (TD-GCMS). TD-GCMS using novel sorbent beds decreases the sample preparation substantially and enables sampling of bulk materials by off-gassing. Furthermore, the method developed is specific to wildland fire events. Results from a simulated wildland fire event are also provided.

Physiographic controls on pre-event hydrological states and hydrological response to extreme precipitation in the Alzette River Basin, Luxembourg

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Tamez-Melendez ◽  
Judith Meyer ◽  
Audrey Douinot ◽  
Günter Blöschl ◽  
Laurent Pfister
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Flash Flood ◽  
Potential Evapotranspiration ◽  
Hydrological Regime ◽  
Area Of Interest ◽  
Wide Range

<p>The hydrological regime of rivers in Luxembourg (Central Western Europe) is characterised by summer low flows and winter high flows. In winter, large-scale floods are typically triggered by long-lasting sequences of precipitation events, related to westerly atmospheric fluxes that carry wet and temperate air masses from the Atlantic Ocean. In recent years, several flash flood events have been observed in Luxembourg. While being a common feature of Mediterranean river basins, this type of flooding events is uncommon at higher latitudes. The design of the hydro-meteorological monitoring and forecasting systems operated in Luxembourg is not adapted to this type of extreme events and there is a pressing need for a better mechanistic understanding of flash flood triggering mechanisms.</p><p>Here, we explore two lines of research – focusing on (i) the spatio-temporal variability of flash flood generation across a set of 41 nested catchments covering a wide range of physiographic settings (with mixed land use, soil types and bedrock geology) and (ii) the responsivity (resistance) and elasticity (resilience) of these catchments to global change.</p><p>Our area of interest is the Sûre River basin (4,240 km<sup>2</sup>), characterised by a homogenous climate (temperate oceanic), as well as various bedrock (e.g. sandstone, marls, shale) and land use (e.g. forests, grassland, crops, urban areas) types. Based on 8 years’ worth of daily hydrological data (precipitation, discharge and potential evapotranspiration) we computed the increments of the water balance to determine the maximum storage capacity and pre-event wetness state (expressed as storage deficit). Based on the relationship between storage deficit and discharge we first estimated total storage at nearly zero flow conditions. Second, we compared event runoff ratios (Q/P) to pre-hydrological states (as expressed to storage deficit prior to a rainfall-runoff event) in order to assess each catchment’s sensitivity to antecedent wetness conditions. Third, we assessed the responsivity (resistance) and elasticity (resilience) to climate variations – as expressed through the PET/P and AET/P deviations from the Budyko curve – for each individual catchment. Finally, we investigated potential physiographic controls on catchment responsivity and elasticity across our set of 41 nested catchments.</p>

scholarly journals Distribution and conservation status of fairy shrimps (Crustacea: Anostraca) in the astatic soda pans of the Carpathian basin: the role of local and spatial factors

2013 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zsófia Horváth ◽  
Csaba Ferenc Vad ◽  
Lajos Vörös ◽  
Emil Boros
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Carpathian Basin ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Spatial Effects ◽  
High Preference ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Habitat Generalist

The distribution of Branchinecta orientalis, B. ferox and Chirocephalus carnuntanus was assessed in the natural and semi-natural astatic soda pans of the Carpathian basin. In Europe, these habitats are exclusively restricted to Hungary (Great Hungarian Plain), Austria (Seewinkel) and Serbia (Vojvodina). The present research is the first comprehensive large-scale study – covering an area of approximately 125,000 km2 – on these three fairy shrimp species in the region, and it is important especially in the case of Branchinecta spp., due to former taxonomical uncertainties. The local, land use and spatial effects on the species distribution were also analysed. The three anostracans were found to adopt different strategies, mainly according to the salinity of the pans. The apparently halophilous B. orientalis tolerated higher salinities than the other species, which can be regarded as habitat-generalist halotolerants, showing a high preference for soda waters in Central Europe. The density of the species was significantly affected only by local factors, while their occurrence was influenced also by pan isolation. Land use did not explain a significant amount of variation in either case. In conclusion, soda pans with a wide range of different salinities constitute a suitable habitat for all the three species. Also, protected areas with high number of pans – as Seewinkel (in Austria) or Kiskunság (in Hungary) – can play an essential role in the long-term conservation of these anostracans. Finally, we suggest that these species should be legally protected, primarily because the number of their habitats in the basin is seriously declining.

scholarly journals Modelling nitrogen dynamics and distributions in the River Tweed, Scotland: an application of the INCA model

2002 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 433-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. P. Jarvie ◽  
A. J. Wade ◽  
D. Butterfield ◽  
P. G. Whitehead ◽  
C. I. Tindall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Plant Uptake ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Agricultural Practice ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
River Flows ◽  
Good Agricultural Practice ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Nitrate Concentrations

Abstract. The INCA (Integrated Nitrogen in Catchments) model was applied to the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders, a large-scale (4400km2), spatially heterogeneous catchment, draining a wide range of agricultural land-use types, and which contributes approximately 20% of UK river flows to the North Sea. The model was calibrated for the first four years' data record (1994 to 1997) and tested over the following three years (1998 to 2000). The model calibration and testing periods incorporated a high degree of variability in climatic conditions and river flows within the Tweed catchment. The ability of the INCA model to reproduce broad-scale spatial patterns and seasonal dynamics in river flows and nitrate concentrations suggests that the processes controlling first order variability in river water nitrate concentrations have been represented successfully within the model. The tendency of the model to overestimate summer/early autumn baseflow nitrate concentrations during dry years may be linked to the operation of aquatic plant uptake effects. It is, therefore, suggested that consideration be given to incorporating a spatially and temporally variable in-stream plant uptake term for the application of INCA to lowland eutrophic rivers. Scenarios to examine possible impacts of environmental change on nitrate concentrations on the Tweed are examined. These include the effects of (i) implementing different recommendations for fertiliser use and land use change under the Nitrate Sensitive Areas (NSA) Scheme and the Scottish Code of Good Agricultural Practice, (ii) worst case scenario changes linked to a dramatic reduction in livestock numbers as a result of a crisis in UK livestock farming and (iii) changes in atmospheric nitrogen deposition. Keywords: Nitrate, nitrogen, modelling, Tweed, INCA

scholarly journals PROVING THE CAPABILITY FOR LARGE SCALE REGIONAL LAND-COVER DATA PRODUCTION BY SELF-FUNDED COMMERCIAL OPERATORS

2017 ◽  
Vol XLII-3/W2 ◽  
pp. 209-212
Author(s):  
M. W. Thompson ◽  
J. Hiestermann ◽  
L. Moyo
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Machine Learning Algorithms ◽  
Private Company ◽  
Processing Technologies ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Data Content

For service providers developing commercial value-added data content based on remote sensing technologies, the focus is to typically create commercially appropriate geospatial information which has downstream business value. The primary aim being to link locational intelligence with business intelligence in order to better make informed decisions. From a geospatial perspective this locational information must be relevant, informative, and most importantly current; with the ability to maintain the information timeously into the future for change detection purposes. Aligned with this, GeoTerraImage has successfully embarked on the production of land-cover/land-use content over southern Africa. The ability for a private company to successfully implement and complete such an exercise has been the capability to leverage the combined advantages of cutting edge data processing technologies and methodologies, with emphasis on processing repeatability and speed, and the use of a wide range of readily available imagery. These production workflows utilise a wide range of integrated procedures including machine learning algorithms, innovative use of non-specialists for sourcing of reference data, and conventional pixel and object-based image classification routines, and experienced/expert landscape interpretation. This multi-faceted approach to data produce development demonstrates the capability for SMME level commercial entities such as GeoTerraImage to generate industry applicable large data content, in this case, wide area coverage land-cover and land-use data across the sub-continent. Within this development, the emphasis has been placed on the key land-use information, such as mining, human settlements, and agriculture, given the importance of this geo-spatial land-use information in business and socio-economic applications and decision making.

Electron microscopy study of reactively sputter-deposited Ti/N films on silicon

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 1362-1363
Author(s):  
V. C. Kannan ◽  
A. K. Singh ◽  
R. B. Irwin ◽  
S. Chittipeddi ◽  
F. D. Nkansah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Circuits ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Hexagonal Phase ◽  
Microscopy Study ◽  
Electron Microscopy Study ◽  
Process Conditions ◽  
Tin Films ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Fcc Phase ◽  
Circuits Vlsi

Titanium nitride (TiN) films have historically been used as diffusion barrier between silicon and aluminum, as an adhesion layer for tungsten deposition and as an interconnect material etc. Recently, the role of TiN films as contact barriers in very large scale silicon integrated circuits (VLSI) has been extensively studied. TiN films have resistivities on the order of 20μ Ω-cm which is much lower than that of titanium (nearly 66μ Ω-cm). Deposited TiN films show resistivities which vary from 20 to 100μ Ω-cm depending upon the type of deposition and process conditions. TiNx is known to have a NaCl type crystal structure for a wide range of compositions. Change in color from metallic luster to gold reflects the stabilization of the TiNx (FCC) phase over the close packed Ti(N) hexagonal phase. It was found that TiN (1:1) ideal composition with the FCC (NaCl-type) structure gives the best electrical property.

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.

TO THE QUESTION OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR TORTURE IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-106
Author(s):  
ASTEMIR ZHURTOV ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Russian Federation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Human Life ◽  
International Standards ◽  
World Community ◽  
The World ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Protection Of Human Rights ◽  
The Russian Federation

Cruel and inhumane acts that harm human life and health, as well as humiliate the dignity, are prohibited in most countries of the world, and Russia is no exception in this issue. The article presents an analysis of the institution of responsibility for torture in the Russian Federation. The author comes to the conclusion that the current criminal law of Russia superficially and fragmentally regulates liability for torture, in connection with which the author formulated the proposals to define such act as an independent crime. In the frame of modern globalization, the world community pays special attention to the protection of human rights, in connection with which large-scale international standards have been created a long time ago. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international acts enshrine prohibitions of cruel and inhumane acts that harm human life and health, as well as degrade the dignity.Considering the historical experience of the past, these standards focus on the prohibition of any kind of torture, regardless of the purpose of their implementation.

STUDY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN RELATION TO THEIR GENDER AND ACADEMIC STREAM

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 262-265
Author(s):  
Dr.Navdeep Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Education ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Environmental Awareness ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
School Students ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Stages Of Learning ◽  
The Masses

Since its evolution environment has remained both a matter of awe and concern to man. The frontier attitude of the industrialized society towards nature has not only endangered the survival of all other life forms but also threatened the very existence of human life. The realization of such potential danger has necessitated the dissemination of knowledge and skill vis-a-vis environment protection at all stages of learning. Therefore, learners of all stages of learning need to be sensitized with a missionary zeal. This may ensure transformation of students into committed citizens for averting global environment crisis. The advancement of science and technology made the life more and more relaxed and man also became more and more ambitious. With such development, human dependence on environment increased. He consumed more resources and the effect of his activities on the environment became more and more detectable. Environment covers all the things present around the living beings and above the land, on the surface of the earth and under the earth. Environment indicates, in total, all of peripheral forces, pressures and circumstances, which affect the life, nature, behaviour, growth, development and maturation of living beings. Irrational exploitation (not utilization) of natural resources for our greed (not need) has endangered our survival, and incurred incalculable harm. Environmental Education is a science, a well-thought, permanent, lasting and integrated process of equipping learning experiences for getting awareness, knowledge, understanding, skills, values, technical expertise and involvement of learners with desirable attitudinal changes about their relationship with their natural and biophysical environment. Environmental Education is an organized effort to educate the masses about environment, its functions, need, importance, and especially how human beings can manage their behaviour in order to live in a sustainable manner.  The term 'environmental awareness' refers to creating general awareness of environmental issues, their causes by bringing about changes in perception, attitude, values and necessary skills to solve environment related problems. Moreover, it is the first step leading to the formation of responsible environmental behaviour (Stern, 2000). With the ever increasing development by modern man, large scale degradation of natural resources have been occurred, the public has to be educated about the fact that if we are degrading our environment we are actually harming ourselves. To encourage meaningful public participation and environment, it is necessary to create awareness about environment pollution and related adverse effects. This is the crucial time that environmental awareness and environmental sensitivity should be cultivated among the masses particularly among youths. For the awareness of society it is essential to work at a gross root level. So the whole society can work to save the environment.

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