scholarly journals Drones Minimize Antarctic Predator Responses Relative to Ground Survey Methods: An Appeal for Context in Policy Advice

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas J. Krause ◽  
Jefferson T. Hinke ◽  
Michael E. Goebel ◽  
Wayne L. Perryman

Unoccupied aerial systems (UAS) have become common tools for ecological monitoring and management. However, UAS use has the potential to negatively affect wildlife. Both policy makers and practitioners require data about the potential impacts of UAS on natural biota, but few studies exist and some of the published results conflict. We conducted two experiments to assess the responses of chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus), Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella), and leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) to UAS overflights. First, to provide a baseline for assessing disturbance from UAS operations, we compare behavioral responses from UAS flights to those from traditional, ground surveys. Second, to inform users and policy makers about preferred flight methods, we assess behavioral and physiological responses to UAS flown at specific altitudes, during different stages of breeding chronology, and with other site factors. Between January 2017 and March 2018 we conducted 268 UAS flight approaches and 36 ground-based surveys at Cape Shirreff, Antarctic Peninsula. We applied generalized linear mixed effects models and Kruskal-Wallis tests to 10,164 behavioral scores obtained from three independent observers. When directly compared, behavioral responses by all species to UAS overflights at 30 m were not different from control periods, while responses to ground surveys were significantly more intense. Behavioral responses generally increased as UAS flew lower, and for penguins those increases intensified as the breeding season progressed (i.e., guard and molt stages). We argue that results from UAS wildlife response studies need to be assessed relative to the impacts of alternative methods, and within the ecological context of the target species. Finally, we suggest data-driven best practices for both UAS use and for the design of future UAS-wildlife response studies.

2021 ◽  
Vol 948 (1) ◽  
pp. 012006
Author(s):  
D A Rahman ◽  
Y Setiawan ◽  
A A A F Rahman ◽  
T R Martiyani

Abstract The use of small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs; a.k.a “drones”) for ecological monitoring, conservation campaign, and management is increasing enormously. UAVs operate at low altitudes (<150 m) and in any terrain; thus, they are susceptible to interact with local fauna, generating a new type of anthropogenic disturbance that has not been systematically evaluated. Both policy-makers and practitioners require data about the potential impacts of UAVs on natural biota, but few studies exist. The research aims to compare behavioral responses from ground-based surveys vs. UAVs flights. Moreover, we conducted two experiments of UAVs overflights, specifically aiming to assess the responses of Trachypithecus auratus. Between January and March 2021, we conducted 24 UAVs flight approaches and 12 ground surveys at Mount Halimun-Salak National Park, Indonesia. We applied generalized linear mixed-effects models and Kruskal-Wallis tests to 364 behavioral scores obtained from two independent observers. When directly compared, the detection time was higher using UAVs (χ2 = 38.50; df= 1; p < 0.050), and behavioral responses by Javan langur to UAVs overflights at > 30 m were different from responses to ground surveys were more intense. Finally, we suggest data-driven best practices for UAVs use and the design of future UAVs-wildlife response studies.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Michael Garrett ◽  
Joshua Paul White ◽  
Simon Dennis ◽  
Stephan Lewandowsky ◽  
Cheng-Ta Yang ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, countries are introducing digital passports that allow citizens to return to normal activities if they were previously infected with (immunity passport) or vaccinated against (vaccination passport) SARS-CoV-2. To be effective, policy decision makers must know whether immunity and vaccination passports will be widely accepted by the public, and under what conditions? This study focuses attention on immunity passports, as these may prove useful in countries both with and without an existing COVID-19 vaccination program, however, our general findings also extend to vaccination passports. OBJECTIVE We aimed to assess attitudes towards the introduction of immunity passports in six countries, and determine what social, personal, and contextual factors predicted their support. METHODS We collected online representative samples across six countries – Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom – from April to May of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, and assessed attitudes and support for the introduction of immunity passports. RESULTS Immunity passport support was moderate-to-low, ranging from 51% in the UK and Germany, 47% in Australia and Spain, 46% in Taiwan, and 22% in Japan. Bayesian generalized linear mixed effects modelling controlling assessed predictive factors for immunity passport support across countries. International results showed neoliberal world views, personal concern and perceived virus severity, the fairness of immunity passports, and willingness to become infected to gain an immunity passport, were all predictive factors of immunity passport support. By contrast, gender (woman), immunity passport concern, and risk of harm to society predicted a decrease in support for immunity passports. Minor differences in predictive factors were found between countries and results were modelled separately to provide national accounts of these data. CONCLUSIONS Our research suggests that support for immunity passports is predicted by the personal benefits and social risks they confer. These findings generalized across six countries and may also prove informative for the introduction of vaccination passports, helping policy makers to introduce effective COVID-19 passport policies in these six countries and around the world.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Hyun-Ah Lee ◽  
Su-Gyeong Jeong ◽  
Heon-Myoung Lim ◽  
Ji-Deok Jang ◽  
Ha-Cheol Sung ◽  
...  

<i>Abstract</i> .—The World Recreational Fishing Conference represents the only scientific meeting that is truly global, attracting scientists, managers, industry representatives, policy makers, and other stakeholders to discuss pertinent issues in recreational fisheries. The Fifth World Recreational Fishing Conference was held in Dania Beach, Florida, on November 10–12, 2008. This book represents the peer-reviewed proceedings of the landmark conference. Chapters in this book cover a range of issues such as governance, social and biological management tools and issues, ethics, and novel survey methods to advance the science and management of recreational fisheries.


2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Halli Hemingway ◽  
Mark Kimsey

Abstract Accurate measures of forest site productivity are essential for forest-management planning. The most common measure of site productivity is breast height–age site index (BHASI)—the expected height at a reference age. Error from including early growth in productivity estimates and limited applicability of any one BHASI model warrant development of alternative methods. Exploring alternatives may only be necessary if regional BHASI models are not accurately predicting growth rates. We compared modeled height growth rates for Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca) to felled-tree measurements to evaluate relative performance of a regional BHASI model. An orthogonal sampling design ensured samples were collected across a range of site factors known to influence Douglas-fir growth rates. Growth rates for each 10 m section were calculated and compared to BHASI modeled growth rates. The regional BHASI model underpredicted growth rates from breast height to 30 m. Observed growth rates from 10 to 30 m accounted for the majority of underprediction relative to BHASI modeled growth rates. An alternative multipoint method of defining site productivity is described. More research comparing BHASI and alternative methods is needed, given the growth rate error associated with one-point site productivity assessment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-435
Author(s):  
Aaron Erlich

What factors shape citizens’ willingness to engage in vote selling? This paper argues that providing voters with information about the detrimental effect of vote selling (public service predation) or telling them that their community members will look down on them if they engage in the practice (social sanctioning) can shape vote-selling attitudes in emerging democracies. Using a nationwide randomized survey experiment carried out between May and June of 2012 in Kenya, this study primes voters with theory-based informational messages for voters to test whether such messages can potentially curtail vote-selling attitudes. The paper finds that both public service predation and social sanctioning messages can reduce stated vote-selling preferences as much as legal campaigns that have been tested previously. The study has important implications for researchers and policy-makers because it suggests alternative methods to change vote-selling attitudes and even behavior in the short- to medium-term.


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