scholarly journals Statistical Data Collection Methodologies of Irrigated Areas and Their Limitations: A Review

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Ajaz ◽  
Poolad Karimi ◽  
Xueliang Cai ◽  
Charlotte De Fraiture ◽  
Muhammad Saleem Akhter
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Density Distribution ◽  
National Level ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Distribution Analysis ◽  
Spatial Spread ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Irrigation Density ◽  
Supplementary Irrigation

Inconsistencies in the statistical datasets of irrigated areas at the national level could have considerable implications for policies developed for food and water security. Remote sensing can address this issue, however, dubieties of its reliability inhibit its protagonist role. Methods that integrate both remote sensing based and statistical datasets seem expedient, and they are more likely to be acknowledged by the policymakers. Therefore, it is important for scientists to know the basis and limitations of statistical datasets which originate at the country level. Data collection methodologies of irrigated areas were reviewed for seven Asian countries, namely China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia, and Thailand. Factors causing the uncertainties in data, and the limitations of data collection methodologies were highlighted. Also, an irrigation density distribution analysis was conducted to understand the relation of spatial spread pattern of irrigated areas and uncertainty in their statistical records. It was found that irrigated areas statistics are mostly based on the information originating from water user associations and farmers, which is either self-reported or it is collected through interviews during surveys and censuses. The main causes of discrepancy were lack of resources to frequently enumerate the irrigated land, inconsistency in the data collection methodologies, unaccounted secondary crops, illegal and unregulated water use, and bureaucratic and political constraints. Irrigation density distribution analysis showed that the largely scattered irrigated areas might be prone to lack of comprehensive and frequent enumeration. Furthermore, dense irrigation regions might have potentially unrecorded irrigated areas where temporary or supplementary irrigation arrangements are made by the marginal farmers.

scholarly journals Analyzing Growth-Track and Uncertainties in Asia’s Irrigated Areas

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Ajaz
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Dispersion Analysis ◽  
Irrigated Agriculture ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
National Statistics ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Global Datasets

Asia holds 70% of global irrigated areas which accounts for 62% of world food demand. Reliable information regarding irrigated areas are of crucial importance for effective future planning. National datasets for irrigated areas, collected by different agencies, e.g. statistical agency, agriculture department, irrigation authorities often vary from each other, while global datasets such as FAO’s show a huge divergence with remote sensing estimates of irrigated areas. Confusions about the accuracy and reliability of data could jeopardize the effectiveness of future policies aiming at securing food production for rapidly growing population of Asia. Without having consistent and dependable data of such a basic input, food and water security of Asian nations would be at stake. In addition, global commitments such as SDGs, climate change, increasing domestic and industrial water demand and ecological concerns would also put more pressure on irrigated agriculture. In this study, a detailed analysis has been conducted for the growth track of irrigated areas in Asia, with the purpose to understand the development of different types of irrigation, investments, trends and resilience of irrigated agriculture against major climate events over the time. Secondly, comprehensive comparison has been made within national statistics, FAO’s data and high resolution irrigated area maps (up to 250m) from IWMI (International Water Management Institute) together with other available raster datasets. Variations in data have been estimated using different statistical tools while distribution and dispersion analysis has also been made to look into the extent of irrigated areas in different climatic regions and to find country wise clusters/patterns of large, medium and small scale irrigation schemes. Furthermore, country’s reporting methods have been investigated thoroughly for the limitations and strengths of existing data collection mechanisms to find the possible loop holes, which might induce uncertainty in data. Results of the study showed a 15% average decline per decade in irrigated areas growth in Asia for last 50 years, while focus on rehabilitation of old infrastructure and implementation of climate smart irrigation has been relatively increased. Uncertainty analysis indicated significant difference in irrigated areas information collected from different sources. Remote sensing estimates were found 96% higher than country estimates on an average, while dispersion analysis showed 300 M ha of non-reported irrigated areas in large scale irrigated schemes for Asia. Qualitative analysis of irrigated areas’ reporting mechanisms showed that mostly traditional statistical methods are used by data collection agencies, e.g. sample surveys based on farmer interviews and global datasets also receive their information from same agencies. Reliability of these methods have been scaled by developing a scoring mechanism by using a quantitative analysis approach. On the other hand, implications of uncertainty came up with some critical questions, i.e. what is the actual annual land productivity? what about per capita irrigated areas? What is the actually utilized irrigation potential? Consequently this study has been concluded by putting forward some genuine facts and recommendations to improve the existing reporting systems of irrigated areas information and to look for imminent role of remote sensing to compare the national statistics with ground facts.

Strategies for Survival of the World — Risk Management

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jovo Lojanica ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Native Americans ◽  
National Level ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Management Standards ◽  
Family Level ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Iso 31000 ◽  
History Of ◽  
Personal Level

All management standards have requirements for different aspects of improvements on the personal level, family level, company level, in business and life. What is about national level and country level? Is it possible for today’s generations to learn history of nations and of civilizations? If it is — ok, let’s apply it on actual time and people to have less problems and difficulties — especially if is actual in field of risk management. Majority of people are occupied by today’s problems. They don’t consider past and future challenges. People from each country strive for better quality, better and cleaner environment, higher safety etc. historically and today. But could we remember: How did Genghis Khan conquer many regions and how was he defeated? How did Mayas and Aztecs die out? How were Native Americans in North America drastically reduced in numbers? How did the Roman Imperium vanish? How was the Ottoman Imperium established and how it vanished? How many people were killed in the wars in XX century, etc? In all these catastrophic changes risks were not considered in an adequate way. Requirements of risk management — Principles and guidelines — ISO 31000:2009 are very consultative. They could be used on country level, national level, regional level, continental and intercontinental level.

scholarly journals Defining and Quantifying National-Level Targets, Indicators and Benchmarks for Management of Natural Resources to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Dickens ◽  
Vladimir Smakhtin ◽  
Matthew McCartney ◽  
Gordon O’Brien ◽  
Lula Dahir
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
National Level ◽  
Resource Quality ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Country Level ◽  
2030 Agenda ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Global Indicators

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are high on the agenda for most countries of the world. In its publication of the SDGs, the UN has provided the goals and target descriptions that, if implemented at a country level, would lead towards a sustainable future. The IAEG (InterAgency Expert Group of the SDGs) was tasked with disseminating indicators and methods to countries that can be used to gather data describing the global progress towards sustainability. However, 2030 Agenda leaves it to countries to adopt the targets with each government setting its own national targets guided by the global level of ambition but taking into account national circumstances. At present, guidance on how to go about this is scant but it is clear that the responsibility is with countries to implement and that it is actions at a country level that will determine the success of the SDGs. Reporting on SDGs by country takes on two forms: i) global reporting using prescribed indicator methods and data; ii) National Voluntary Reviews where a country reports on its own progress in more detail but is also able to present data that are more appropriate for the country. For the latter, countries need to be able to adapt the global indicators to fit national priorities and context, thus the global description of an indicator could be reduced to describe only what is relevant to the country. Countries may also, for the National Voluntary Review, use indicators that are unique to the country but nevertheless contribute to measurement of progress towards the global SDG target. Importantly, for those indicators that relate to the security of natural resources security (e.g., water) indicators, there are no prescribed numerical targets/standards or benchmarks. Rather countries will need to set their own benchmarks or standards against which performance can be evaluated. This paper presents a procedure that would enable a country to describe national targets with associated benchmarks that are appropriate for the country. The procedure builds on precedent set in other countries but in particular on a procedure developed for the setting of Resource Quality Objectives in South Africa. The procedure focusses on those SDG targets that are natural resource-security focused, for example, extent of water-related ecosystems (6.6), desertification (15.3) and so forth, because the selection of indicator methods and benchmarks is based on the location of natural resources, their use and present state and how they fit into national strategies.

scholarly journals Dynamic quarantine: a comparative analysis of the Chilean public health response to COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gonzalo Grebe ◽  
Javier A. Vélez ◽  
Anton Tiutiunnyk ◽  
Diego Aragón-Caqueo ◽  
Javier Fernández-Salinas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Transmission Rate ◽  
National Level ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Primary Vector

Abstract In this study, an analysis of the Chilean public health response to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 is presented. The analysis is based on the daily transmission rate (DTR). The Chilean response has been based on dynamic quarantines, which are established, lifted or prolonged based on the percentage of infected individuals in the fundamental administrative sections, called communes. This analysis is performed at a national level, at the level of the Metropolitan Region (MR) and at the commune level in the MR according to whether the commune did or did not enter quarantine between late March and mid-May of 2020. The analysis shows a certain degree of efficacy in controlling the pandemic using the dynamic quarantine strategy. However, it also shows that apparent control has only been partially achieved to date. With this policy, the control of the DTR partially falls to 4%, where it settles, and the MR is the primary vector of infection at the country level. For this reason, we can conclude that the MR has not managed to control the disease, with variable results within its own territory.

scholarly journals Density Distribution Maps: A Novel Tool for Subcellular Distribution Analysis and Quantitative Biomedical Imaging

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 1009
Author(s):  
Ilaria De Santis ◽  
Michele Zanoni ◽  
Chiara Arienti ◽  
Alessandro Bevilacqua ◽  
Anna Tesei
Keyword(s):  
Density Distribution ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Super Resolution ◽  
Spatial Location ◽  
Relative Displacement ◽  
Distribution Analysis ◽  
Laboratory Equipment ◽  
Imaging Device ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Super Resolution Microscopy

Subcellular spatial location is an essential descriptor of molecules biological function. Presently, super-resolution microscopy techniques enable quantification of subcellular objects distribution in fluorescence images, but they rely on instrumentation, tools and expertise not constituting a default for most of laboratories. We propose a method that allows resolving subcellular structures location by reinforcing each single pixel position with the information from surroundings. Although designed for entry-level laboratory equipment with common resolution powers, our method is independent from imaging device resolution, and thus can benefit also super-resolution microscopy. The approach permits to generate density distribution maps (DDMs) informative of both objects’ absolute location and self-relative displacement, thus practically reducing location uncertainty and increasing the accuracy of signal mapping. This work proves the capability of the DDMs to: (a) improve the informativeness of spatial distributions; (b) empower subcellular molecules distributions analysis; (c) extend their applicability beyond mere spatial object mapping. Finally, the possibility of enhancing or even disclosing latent distributions can concretely speed-up routine, large-scale and follow-up experiments, besides representing a benefit for all spatial distribution studies, independently of the image acquisition resolution. DDMaker, a Software endowed with a user-friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI), is also provided to support users in DDMs creation.

Environmental Behavior in Cross-National Perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignacio Pisano ◽  
Mark Lubell
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Behavior ◽  
National Level ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Education Development ◽  
Proenvironmental Behavior ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Country Level ◽  
National Differences ◽  
Cultural Research ◽  
Cross National

This article seeks to explain cross-national differences on environmental behavior. After controlling for a series of sociodemographic and psychosocial factors, it was predicted that national levels of wealth, postmaterialism, education development, and environmental problems are positively related to environmental behavior. The national-level variance is to a substantial degree explained by individual-level variables, capturing compositional effects. The remaining variance is explained by the contextual-level variables. All of the country-level variables are predictors in the expected direction, with the exception of environmental degradation, which is negatively related to behavior, and education development, which has no impact on private environmental behavior. More importantly, cross-level interactions show that in more developed countries, there are stronger relationships between proecological attitudes and reported proenvironmental behavior. These findings contribute to the growing cross-cultural research on environmental behavior pointing out the necessity of simultaneously assessing the effects of both individual and contextual-level forces affecting behavior across nations.

scholarly journals Remote Sensing Is Changing Our View of the Coast: Insights from 40 Years of Monitoring at Narrabeen-Collaroy, Australia

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen Splinter ◽  
Mitchell Harley ◽  
Ian Turner
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Temporal Resolution ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Google Earth ◽  
Airborne Lidar ◽  
Data Collection Program ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Collection Program

Narrabeen-Collaroy Beach, located on the Northern Beaches of Sydney along the Pacific coast of southeast Australia, is one of the longest continuously monitored beaches in the world. This paper provides an overview of the evolution and international scientific impact of this long-term beach monitoring program, from its humble beginnings over 40 years ago using the rod and tape measure Emery field survey method; to today, where the application of remote sensing data collection including drones, satellites and crowd-sourced smartphone images, are now core aspects of this continuing and much expanded monitoring effort. Commenced in 1976, surveying at this beach for the first 30 years focused on in-situ methods, whereby the growing database of monthly beach profile surveys informed the coastal science community about fundamental processes such as beach state evolution and the role of cross-shore and alongshore sediment transport in embayment morphodynamics. In the mid-2000s, continuous (hourly) video-based monitoring was the first application of routine remote sensing at the site, providing much greater spatial and temporal resolution over the traditional monthly surveys. This implementation of video as the first of a now rapidly expanding range of remote sensing tools and techniques also facilitated much wider access by the international research community to the continuing data collection program at Narrabeen-Collaroy. In the past decade the video-based data streams have formed the basis of deeper understanding into storm to multi-year response of the shoreline to changing wave conditions and also contributed to progress in the understanding of estuary entrance dynamics. More recently, ‘opportunistic’ remote sensing platforms such as surf cameras and smartphones have also been used for image-based shoreline data collection. Commencing in 2011, a significant new focus for the Narrabeen-Collaroy monitoring program shifted to include airborne lidar (and later Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)), in an enhanced effort to quantify the morphological impacts of individual storm events, understand key drivers of erosion, and the placing of these observations within their broader regional context. A fixed continuous scanning lidar installed in 2014 again improved the spatial and temporal resolution of the remote-sensed data collection, providing new insight into swash dynamics and the often-overlooked processes of post-storm beach recovery. The use of satellite data that is now readily available to all coastal researchers via Google Earth Engine continues to expand the routine data collection program and provide key insight into multi-decadal shoreline variability. As new and expanding remote sensing technologies continue to emerge, a key lesson from the long-term monitoring at Narrabeen-Collaroy is the importance of a regular re-evaluation of what data is most needed to progress the science.

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