scholarly journals An Evaluation of Habitat Uses and Their Implications for the Conservation of the Chinese Bumblebee Bombus pyrosoma (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Hu ◽  
Jiyao Liu ◽  
Guiling Ding ◽  
Muhammad Naeem ◽  
Jilian Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Wild Plants ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
The Future ◽  
Current Scenario ◽  
The Impact

Bumblebees are important pollinators for many wild plants and crops. However, the bumblebee populations are seriously declining in many parts of the world. Hence, the bumblebee conservation strategy should be urgently addressed, and the species distribution modeling approach can effectively evaluate the potentially suitable areas for their conservation. Here, one of the most abundant and endemic species of bumblebee in China, Bombus pyrosoma, was selected to assess current and future climates’ influence on its distribution with MaxEnt. Nine high-resolution bioclimatic/environmental variables with high contribution rates and low correlations were used. Four of the nine bioclimatic/environmental variables, min temperature of the coldest month (bio_06), annual mean temperature (bio_01), precipitation of wettest month (bio_13) and radiation of warmest quarter (bio_26), were found to be the most critical factors influencing the distribution of B. pyrosoma. The modeling results showed that the areas with high and moderate suitability for B. pyrosoma covered 141,858 and 186,198 km2 under the current climate conditions. More than 85% of the sampling sites in 2019 were found to be suitable under the current scenario. Under the future A1B and A2 scenarios in 2050 and 2100, the areas with low and moderate suitability for B. pyrosoma increased. However, alarmingly, the high suitability areas decreased under the future A1B and A2 scenarios in 2050 and 2100. Furthermore, regions covering seven provinces of northern China were the most crucial for developing nature reserves for B. pyrosoma, with the following order of suitable areas: Gansu, Shanxi, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Hebei and Beijing. Our study highlights the impact of future climate changes on the distribution of B. pyrosoma, and conservation strategies should mitigate the threats posed by environmental changes, particularly in the current high suitability areas.

Species distribution modeling reveals the ecological niche of extinct megafauna from South America

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Thaísa Araújo ◽  
Helena Machado ◽  
Dimila Mothé ◽  
Leonardo dos Santos Avilla
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Species Distribution Modeling ◽  
Human Action ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Middle Holocene ◽  
Distribution Modeling ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Climatic and environmental changes, as well as human action, have been cited as potential causes for the extinction of megafauna in South America at the end of the Pleistocene. Among megamammals lineages with Holarctic origin, only horses and proboscideans went extinct in South America during this period. This study aims to understand how the spatial extent of habitats suitable for Equus neogeus and Notiomastodon platensis changed between the last glacial maximum (LGM) and the middle Holocene in order to determine the impact that climatic and environmental changes had on these taxa. We used species distribution modeling to estimate their potential extent on the continent and found that both species occupied arid and semiarid open lands during the LGM, mainly in the Pampean region of Argentina, southern and northeastern Brazil, and parts of the Andes. However, when climate conditions changed from dry and cold during the LGM to humid and warm during the middle Holocene, the areas suitable for these taxa were reduced dramatically. These results support the hypothesis that climatic changes were a driving cause of extinction of these megamammals in South America, although we cannot rule out the impact of human actions or other potential causes for their extinction.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Academics and the Future of Dental Education Across India

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rameshwari Singhal ◽  
Anil Chandra ◽  
Shuchi Tripathi ◽  
Pavitra Rastogi ◽  
Richa Khanna
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Dental Education ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
The Future ◽  
Current Scenario ◽  
Dental Schools ◽  
The Impact ◽  
New Situation

Background: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to the transition of dental education from chair-side clinical teachings to virtual didactic lectures. The future of dental education is not clear in these uncertain times. Objectives: This survey-based study aimed to evaluate the current scenario and preparedness of dental colleges/universities and faculty in adapting to the new situation and understanding the challenges faced during this phase. The survey also explored the opinions, limitations, and possible solutions in dental academics through open-ended qualitative questions. Methods: This survey-based study utilized exploratory mixed methods through both open- and closed-ended questions. The survey was distributed electronically to the majority of dental colleges across India to be answered voluntarily by the dental academicians involved in COVID-19 planning. The survey was inspired by the pre-existing questionnaire proposed by the Association of Dental Education in Europe (ADEE), and it was modified by the committee consisting of the study authors. Validation and piloting of the study were done through in-house dental faculty. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and expressed in percentages. Broad themes for qualitative data were derived by two independent authors and collated by the third author to finalize the results. Results: The questionnaire was answered by 89 dental schools from all parts of the country with varying stages of COVID-19 prevalence. Quantitative data revealed 100% adaptation of dental schools to online teaching, uncertainty regarding online (31.46%) and offline (10.11%) exams, and assessment of clinical competence. Qualitative analysis indicated uncertainty, ambiguity, and lack of direction among study respondents regarding how best to deal with the current situation. Conclusions: According to our results, collaborative effort from governing bodies was urgently required at this point to prevent dental education from being divided into multi-directional, incoherent, and isolated units.

scholarly journals Expert knowledge assessment of threats and conservation strategies for breeding Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl across Europe

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
DARÍO FERNÁNDEZ-BELLON ◽  
JOHN LUSBY ◽  
JULES BOS ◽  
TONIO SCHAUB ◽  
ALAN MCCARTHY ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Habitat Management ◽  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Active Management ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Conservation Threats ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hen Harrier

Summary Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus and Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus are open-country birds of prey with overlapping distributions. Although both species face similar conservation threats across their ranges, work to date has largely been undertaken at a national scale with few attempts to collate and assess factors relevant to their conservation at an international scale. Here we use an expert knowledge approach to evaluate the impact of conservation threats and the effectiveness of conservation strategies for each species across Europe. We report results of responses to a questionnaire from 23 Hen Harrier experts from nine countries and 12 Short-eared Owl experts from six countries. The majority of responses for both species reported declines in breeding numbers. The perceived impact of threats was broadly similar for both species: ecological factors (predation, extreme weather and prey availability), changes in land use (habitat loss and agricultural intensification) and indirect persecution (accidental nest destruction) were considered to be the greatest threats to breeding Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl. Short-eared Owl experts also highlighted lack of knowledge and difficulties associated with monitoring as a major conservation challenge. Despite broad-scale similarities, geographical variation was also apparent in the perceived importance of conservation threats, with some threats (such as direct persecution, large-scale afforestation or habitat degradation) requiring country-specific actions. Implementation of different conservation strategies also varied between countries, with the designation of protected areas reported as the most widespread conservation strategy adopted, followed by species and habitat management. However, protected areas (including species-specific protected areas) were perceived to be less effective than active management of species and habitats. These findings highlight the overlap between the conservation requirements of these two species, and the need for collaborative international research and conservation approaches that prioritise pro-active conservation strategies subject to continued assessment and with specific conservation goals.

scholarly journals Relationship of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentrations with some environmental variables in the Red River water in the period 2008 - 2015

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-106
Author(s):  
Thi Phuong Quynh Le ◽  
Thi Xuan Binh Phung ◽  
Thi Thuy Duong ◽  
Duc Nghia Le ◽  
Tu Cuong Ho
Keyword(s):  
River Water ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Inorganic Carbon ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon ◽  
Red River ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
The Impact

Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) is one of the main chemical components in water and very sensitive with environmental changes. DIC content in river water closely relates with natural weathering process and human activities in the whole basin. Therefore, DIC concentration reflects the impact of natural conditions and human activities in the basin to river water quality. This paper presents the survey results of the DIC concentrations at 4 sites in the Red River system during the period from January 2008 to December 2015 and simultaneously considers the relationship between some environmental variables and the DIC concentrations in the river water. The survey results showed that the DIC concentrations in the Red River water varied from 9.1 to 29.9 mgC.L-1, averaging 19.6 mgC.L-1 during the study period. The DIC concentrations are positively correlated with pH values and some major ions concentrations in river water, such as K+, Na+, Ca2+, SO42- but negatively correlated with water temperature. These relationships also indicate that the DIC concentrations in the Red River water are influenced by natural conditions, rather than by human activities in the river basin. Cacbon vô cơ hòa tan (DIC) là thành phần hóa học cơ bản trong nước và rất nhạy cảm với những thay đổi của các yếu tố môi trường. DIC có mối liên hệ chặt chẽ với sự phong hóa tự nhiên và các hoạt động của con người trên quy mô toàn lưu vực. Do đó, DIC phản ánh mức độ tác động của các điều kiện tự nhiên và con người trong lưu vực tới chất lượng nước sông. Bài báo trình bày kết quả quan trắc hàm lượng DIC trong nước sông Hồng, đồng thời xem xét mối quan hệ giữa một số yếu tố môi trường với hàm lượng DIC trong nước sông trong giai đoạn 1/2008 – 4/2015. Kết quả cho thấy hàm lượng DIC trong nước sông Hồng dao động trong khoảng 9,1 to 29,9 mgC.L-1, trung bình đạt 19,6 mgC.L-1 trong giai đoạn tháng 1 năm 2008 – tháng 12 năm 2015. Hàm lượng DIC có mối tương quan theo tỷ lệ nghịch với nhiệt độ nước sông; đồng thời có mối tương quan tỷ lệ thuận với giá trị pH và hàm lượng một số ion như K+, Na+, Ca2+, SO42-... tại 4 vị trí quan trắc trên sông Hồng. Các mối quan hệ này thể hiện rằng hàm lượng DIC trong nước sông Hồng chịu ảnh hưởng chính của các đặc điểm tự nhiên hơn là các tác động của con người trong lưu vực.

scholarly journals Integrated conservation of the Whenua Hou Diving Petrel

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Johannes Fischer
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Nest Survival ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Commercial Fishing ◽  
Breeding Distribution ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Diving Petrel

<p>Seabirds are one of the most threatened taxa on the planet. These species are also considered ecosystem engineers. Therefore, seabirds are of particular conservation interest. One of the most threatened seabirds is the critically endangered Whenua Hou Diving Petrel (Pelecanoides whenuahouensis; WHDP). The WHDP is restricted to a minute (0.018 km2) breeding colony on a single island — Whenua Hou (Codfish Island), Aotearoa (New Zealand). The WHDP population was estimated at 150 adults in 2005. The WHDP is threatened by storms and storm surges, which erode its breeding habitat (fragile foredunes), and potentially by competition for burrows with congenerics.  I aimed to inform suitable conservation strategies for the WHDP. I first quantified the efficacy of past conservation actions (eradications of invasive predators). I compiled burrow counts across four decades to estimate and compare population growth before and after predator eradications. I then investigated offshore threats using tracking data to quantify WHDP offshore distribution, behaviour, and overlap with commercial fishing efforts. Subsequently, I estimated the potential impact and success of WHDP translocations. Specifically, I combined capture-recapture, nest-monitoring, and count data in an integrated population model (IPM) to predict the impact of harvesting chicks for translocations on the source population and to project the establishment of a second population. I then informed future translocation protocols using nest-monitoring data to quantify nest survival and breeding biology. Finally, I tested if WHDP presence had a positive influence on unrelated species groups. I counted two skink species at sites with and without burrows and used occupancy modelling to quantify the influence WHDP burrows had on skink occurrence.  Estimates of population growth before and after predator eradications illustrated that WHDP population growth remained comparatively low and unaffected by this conservation strategy. Therefore, additional interventions are required. WHDP tracking revealed that the non-breeding distribution did not overlap with commercial fishing efforts. However, considerable fishing efforts were present within the breeding distribution. Despite these findings, onshore threats remain present and conservation strategies aimed at addressing terrestrial threats may be more feasible. Results from my IPM showed that translocations could successfully establish a second WHDP population without impacting the source excessively, provided translocation cohorts remain small and translocations are repeated over long time periods (5-10 years). Nest survival was not clearly influenced by interannual variation, distance to sea, and intra- or interspecific competition. Furthermore, I informed future translocation protocols by identifying the preferred harvest window, measurements of ideal translocation candidates, and feeding regimes. Occurrence of one skink species was 114% higher at sites with burrows than at sites without, suggesting that WHDP presence benefits unrelated species.  The information provided in this thesis facilitates the identification of future management strategies for this critically endangered species. However, future conservation management of the WHDP should be based on structured decision-making frameworks that apply iterative adaptive management loops and must acknowledge the unique position of tangata whenua (people of the land). This approach could address the consequences and trade-offs of each alternative, account for uncertainty, facilitate the decolonisation of conservation biology, and would ultimately result in the best potential outcome of the target species in a truly integrated fashion.</p>

MULTIPLE LAND USE — AN ESSENTIAL PART OF ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING

1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 311
Author(s):  
W.H. Butler
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Environmental Planning ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Multiple Land Use ◽  
The Past ◽  
Natural Catastrophes ◽  
The Impact

The Australian petroleum industry has been involved in environmental planning and has developed an awareness of multiple land use over the past twentyfive years, more particularly over the past decade. This is in accord with the World Conservation Strategy and the National Conservation Strategy for Australia upon which the Australian State and Territory conservation strategies are based.As the term implies, multiple land use means a sharing of the land. The range of uses includes reserves, heritage areas, agriculture, urban and suburban development and mining. To achieve multiple land use requires the restoration of the environment to its pre-development state as quickly as possible so that both uses can be maintained. This requires that the new user assess the impact of his development well before it begins. This assessment is normally achieved through an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or Environmental Review and Management Plan (ERMP). Most operators are familiar with these requirements.This paper deals primarily with the restoration of the existing environment. Restoration is achieved by preserving, to the greatest extent possible, the vegetation and topsoil which are stripped from the development area. As little stockpiling as possible is done and the topsoil, mixed with the broken down vegetation, is returned as quickly as possible. In this way the contained seed load and nutrient values are not lost and regeneration results.Apart from the practical aspects there is a need for the workforce involved to understand what they are conserving and why they are conserving it. A delicate balance exists in nature wherein the surviving plants and animals are able to cope with natural disasters. Management plans must include the principle that the collective impact of a new development will at no time exceed the impact of natural catastrophes.

Virtual currency schemes – the future of financial services

foresight ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicja Mikołajewicz-Woźniak ◽  
Anna Scheibe
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Virtual Currency ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Market Growth ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to determine the future role of virtual currencies. This paper indicates their pros and cons as alternatives to “real” money and explains their appearance as the reflection of the present trends. It also presents the possible scenarios of their development. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on the former foresight research results and literature review. It highlights the main trends in contemporary economy and their impact on financial services. The Bitcoin case is the starting point for the virtual currencies’ market analysis and construction of possible market changes scenarios. Findings – Virtual currency schemes are the reflection of present trends. They are just ahead of our times but may become a common means of payment, changing the way of providing financial services, eliminating intermediaries and marginalizing the role of financial institutions. Research limitations/implications – The multiplicity of virtual currencies and ceaseless introduction of innovations impede the presentation of the complete market picture. The lack of reliable statistical data makes the estimation of the market growth difficult. Practical implications – This paper indicates influence of technology development, virtualization and networking on payment systems’ functioning. Social implications – This paper shows the impact of environmental changes on consumers’ acceptance of virtual currencies. Originality/value – The virtual currency as a payment system is quite new and still a marginalized phenomenon. Nevertheless, the pace of virtual currency market growth after its recent introduction and appearance of Bitcoin successors seems to be the signs of future changes in financial service sector.

scholarly journals Downscaling climate change scenarios for apple pest and disease modeling in Switzerland

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 493-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Hirschi ◽  
S. Stoeckli ◽  
M. Dubrovsky ◽  
C. Spirig ◽  
P. Calanca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Fire Blight ◽  
Codling Moth ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Daily Weather Data ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. As a consequence of current and projected climate change in temperate regions of Europe, agricultural pests and diseases are expected to occur more frequently and possibly to extend to previously not affected regions. Given their economic and ecological relevance, detailed forecasting tools for various pests and diseases have been developed, which model their phenology depending on actual weather conditions and suggest management decisions on that basis. Assessing the future risk of pest-related damages requires future weather data at high temporal and spatial resolution. Here, we use a combined stochastic weather generator and re-sampling procedure for producing site-specific hourly weather series representing present and future (1980–2009 and 2045–2074 time periods) climate conditions in Switzerland. The climate change scenarios originate from the ENSEMBLES multi-model projections and provide probabilistic information on future regional changes in temperature and precipitation. Hourly weather series are produced by first generating daily weather data for these climate scenarios and then using a nearest neighbor re-sampling approach for creating realistic diurnal cycles. These hourly weather series are then used for modeling the impact of climate change on important life phases of the codling moth and on the number of predicted infection days of fire blight. Codling moth (Cydia pomonella) and fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) are two major pest and disease threats to apple, one of the most important commercial and rural crops across Europe. Results for the codling moth indicate a shift in the occurrence and duration of life phases relevant for pest control. In southern Switzerland, a 3rd generation per season occurs only very rarely under today's climate conditions but is projected to become normal in the 2045–2074 time period. While the potential risk for a 3rd generation is also significantly increasing in northern Switzerland (for most stations from roughly 1 % on average today to over 60 % in the future for the median climate change signal of the multi-model projections), the actual risk will critically depend on the pace of the adaptation of the codling moth with respect to the critical photoperiod. To control this additional generation, an intensification and prolongation of control measures (e.g., insecticides) will be required, implying an increasing risk of pesticide resistances. For fire blight, the projected changes in infection days are less certain due to uncertainties in the leaf wetness approximation and the simulation of the blooming period. Two compensating effects are projected, warmer temperatures favoring infections are balanced by a temperature-induced advancement of the blooming period, leading to no significant change in the number of infection days under future climate conditions for most stations.

scholarly journals Downscaling climate change scenarios for apple pest and disease modeling in Switzerland

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Hirschi ◽  
S. Stoeckli ◽  
M. Dubrovsky ◽  
C. Spirig ◽  
P. Calanca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Fire Blight ◽  
Codling Moth ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Daily Weather Data ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. As a consequence of current and projected climate change in temperate regions of Europe, agricultural pests and diseases are expected to occur more frequently and possibly to extend to previously non-affected regions. Given their economic and ecological relevance, detailed forecasting tools for various pests and diseases have been developed, which model their phenology, depending on actual weather conditions, and suggest management decisions on that basis. Assessing the future risk of pest-related damages requires future weather data at high temporal and spatial resolution. Here, we use a combined stochastic weather generator and re-sampling procedure for producing site-specific hourly weather series representing present and future (1980–2009 and 2045–2074 time periods) climate conditions in Switzerland. The climate change scenarios originate from the ENSEMBLES multi-model projections and provide probabilistic information on future regional changes in temperature and precipitation. Hourly weather series are produced by first generating daily weather data for these climate scenarios and then using a nearest neighbor re-sampling approach for creating realistic diurnal cycles. These hourly weather series are then used for modeling the impact of climate change on important life phases of the codling moth and on the number of predicted infection days of fire blight. Codling moth (Cydia pomonella) and fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) are two major pest and disease threats to apple, one of the most important commercial and rural crops across Europe. Results for the codling moth indicate a shift in the occurrence and duration of life phases relevant for pest control. In southern Switzerland, a 3rd generation per season occurs only very rarely under today's climate conditions but is projected to become normal in the 2045–2074 time period. While the potential risk for a 3rd generation is also significantly increasing in northern Switzerland (for most stations from roughly 1% on average today to over 60% in the future for the median climate change signal of the multi-model projections), the actual risk will critically depend on the pace of the adaptation of the codling moth with respect to the critical photoperiod. To control this additional generation, an intensification and prolongation of control measures (e.g. insecticides) will be required, implying an increasing risk of pesticide resistances. For fire blight, the projected changes in infection days are less certain due to uncertainties in the leaf wetness approximation and the simulation of the blooming period. Two compensating effects are projected, warmer temperatures favoring infections are balanced by a temperature-induced advancement of the blooming period, leading to no significant change in the number of infection days under future climate conditions for most stations.

scholarly journals Post-Pandemic Travel

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sneha N
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Academic Literature ◽  
The Future ◽  
Current Scenario ◽  
Research Outcome ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Online Travel ◽  
The Impact

The Indian tourism industry has reached a great scale over the years. With the over-increasing internet penetration, more travellers are booking online travel in India. However, the world and in particular the tourism industry has seen an unprecedented shutdown due to Covid-19 affecting 2020 due to the absence of a universal vaccination at the moment. It is important to understand the current scenario of Indian travel patterns prior to the impact of Corona Virus and the factors which will be influencing the decision-making process of Indian Travellers in the future. Hence, this paper attempts to study and decode the decision-making process of Indian Travellers through extensive review of contemporary academic literature on post-pandemic tourism emerging with COVID-19 crisis. This study area is important because it addresses a pressing problem of comprehending the post pandemic travel and the research outcome suggests practical solutions to overcome the critical barriers arising out of Covid-19 for Indian Travellers and learn to practice a new way of travelling in the future.

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