scholarly journals A Citizen Science Trial to Assess Perception of Wild Penguin Welfare

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Freire ◽  
Melanie Massaro ◽  
Simon McDonald ◽  
Philip Trathan ◽  
Christine J. Nicol
Keyword(s):  
Interest Groups ◽  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Mental States ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
General Interest ◽  
Welfare Assessment ◽  
The Impact

Wild penguins are facing increased threats to their populations and their welfare as a consequence of human activities. Understanding the perception of animal welfare is essential to identify ethical concerns related to the negative impact of anthropogenic factors on wild species and to guide conservation efforts that reflect societal values. Since penguin conservation is of general interest, we examined the human dimension of welfare assessment across a range of interest groups concerned with penguins, seabird biology and wildlife conservation. We provided participants with a Penguin Welfare Assessment Tool (PWAT) based on the five domains model. The PWAT supports consideration of the impact of four physical aspects on welfare-relevant mental states. Bibliometric analysis of keywords from 347 scientific articles indicated that penguins around the world face five main types (themes) of anthropogenic factors and we then developed five hypothetical scenarios, each related to one theme. Seventy-five participants scored the overall impact of the events described in the scenarios on penguin welfare as negative using the PWAT. Participants rated short-duration, high-intensity events (i.e., being trapped in a ghost fishing net) as having a significantly more severe impact on penguin welfare than low-intensity, long-duration events (P < 0.0001). Scores provided by participants for each domain for each scenario were largely as expected and we found good correlation (all P < 0.0001) between the physical domains and “mental state” for all scenarios, indicating that the tool was facilitating the participants' assessment of welfare. No evidence was found that experience of working or studying penguins, or indeed any other demographic factor investigated, influenced the assessments of welfare. We found little agreement between participants in the scores provided (unalike scores mostly between 0.7 and 0.8), and agreement between participants with experience of working with penguins was no better than between participants without such experience. We discuss the possibility that low agreement within different interest groups may be improved by providing more scientific information to support the evaluation of penguin welfare. We conclude that scientific knowledge of penguin biological responses to anthropogenic factors is vital to support the evaluation of wild penguin welfare by the public and other stakeholders.

Urbanization of fauna on the example of marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus)

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 116-123
Author(s):  
A. P. Korzh ◽  
T. V. Zahovalko
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Cognitive Modeling ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Cellular Level ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Migration Routes ◽  
Corrective Effect ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

Recently, the number of published works devoted to the processes of synanthropization of fauna, is growing like an avalanche, which indicates the extreme urgency of this theme. In our view, the process of forming devices to coexist with human and the results of his life reflects the general tandency of the modern nature evolution. Urbanization is characteristic for such a specific group of animals like amphibians, the evidence of which are numerous literature data. Many researchers use this group to assess the bioindicative quality of the environment. For this aim a variety of indicators are used: from the cellular level of life of organization up to the species composition of the group in different territories. At the same time, the interpretation of the results is not always comparable for different areas and often have significantly different interpretations by experts. Urban environment, primarily due to the contamination is extremely aggressive to amphibians. As a consequence, the urban populations of amphibians may be a change in the demographic structure, affecting the reproductive ability of the population, the disappearance of the most sensitive species or individuals, resizing animals, the appearance of abnormalities in the development, etc. At the same time play an important amphibians in the ecosystems of cities, and some species in these conditions even feel relatively comfortable. Therefore, it is interesting to understand the mechanisms of self-sustaining populations of amphibians in urban environments. To assess the impact of natural and anthropogenic factors on the development of amphibian populations were used cognitive modeling using the program Vensim PLE. Cognitive map of the model for urban and suburban habitat conditions were the same. The differences concerned the strength of connections between individual factors (migration, fertility, pollution) and their orientation. In general, factors like pollution, parasites, predators had negative impact on the population, reducing its number. The birth rate, food and migration contributed to raising number of individuals. Some of the factors affected on the strength to of each other as well: the majority of the factors affected the structure of the population, had an influence on the fertility. Thanks to it the model reflects the additive effect of complex of factors on the subsequent status of the population. Proposed and analyzed four scenarios differing strength and duration of exposure. In the first scenario, a one-time contamination occurs and not subsequently repeated. The second and third scenario assumes half board contamination, 1 year (2 scenario) and two years (scenario 3). In the fourth scenario, the pollution affected the population of amphibians constantly. In accordance with the results of simulation, much weaker than the natural populations respond to pollution - have them as an intensive population growth and its disappearance at constant pollution is slow. Changes to other parameters of the model showed that this pollution is the decisive factor -only the constant action leads to a lethal outcome for the populations. All other components of the model have a corrective effect on the population dynamics, without changing its underlying trand. In urban areas due to the heavy impact of pollution maintaining the population is only possible thanks to the migration process – the constant replenishment of diminishing micropopulations of natural reserves. This confirms the assumption that the form of existence metapopulations lake frog in the city. In order to maintain the number of amphibians in urban areas at a high level it is necessary to maintain existing migration routes and the creation of new ones. Insular nature of the placement of suitable habitats in urban areas causes the metapopulation structure of the types of urbanists. Therefore, the process of urbanization is much easier for those species whicht are capable of migration in conditions of city. In the initial stages of settling the city micropopulationis formed by selective mortality of the most susceptible individuals to adverse effects. In future, maintaining the categories of individuals is provided mainly due to migration processes metapopulisation form of the species of existence is supported). It should be noted that the changes in the previous levels are always saved in future. In the case of reorganizations of individuals we of morphology can assume the existence of extremely adverse environmental conditions that threaten the extinction of the micropopulations. 

scholarly journals Impact of climate change on sediment yield in the Mekong River Basin: a case study of the Nam Ou Basin, Lao PDR

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 3339-3384
Author(s):  
B. Shrestha ◽  
M. S. Babel ◽  
S. Maskey ◽  
A. van Griensven ◽  
S. Uhlenbrook ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sediment Yield ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Sediment Flux ◽  
Monthly Precipitation ◽  
Sediment Yields ◽  
Impact Of Climate Change ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. This paper evaluates the impact of climate change on sediment yield in the Nam Ou Basin located in Northern Laos. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is used to assess future changes in sediment flux attributable to climate change. Future precipitation and temperature series are constructed through a delta change approach. As per the results, in general, temperature as well as precipitation show increasing trends in both scenarios, A2 and B2. However, monthly precipitation shows both increasing and decreasing trends. The simulation results exhibit that the wet and dry seasonal and annual stream discharges are likely to increase (by up to 15, 17 and 14% under scenario A2; and 11, 5 and 10% under scenario B2 respectively) in the future, which will lead to increased wet and dry seasonal and annual sediment yields (by up to 39, 28 and 36% under scenario A2; and 23, 12 and 22% under scenario B2 respectively). A higher discharge and more sediment flux are expected during the wet seasons, although the changes, percentage-wise, are observed to be higher during the dry months. In conclusion, the sediment yield from the Nam Ou Basin is likely to increase with climate change, which strongly suggests the need for basin-wide sediment management strategies in order to reduce the negative impact of this change.

scholarly journals Fluctuating Asymmetry in Morphological Characteristics of Betula Pendula Roth Leaf under Conditions of Urban Ecosystems: Evaluation of the Multi-Factor Negative Impact

Symmetry ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Shadrina ◽  
Nina Turmukhametova ◽  
Victoria Soldatova ◽  
Yakov Vol'pert ◽  
Irina Korotchenko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluctuating Asymmetry ◽  
Betula Pendula ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Developmental Stability ◽  
Anthropogenic Load ◽  
Traffic Load ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Betula Pendula Roth ◽  
The Impact

The fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in Betula pendula Roth was estimated as an integrated measure of five morphometric characteristics of a lamina. Samples were collected in seven cities that differ both in climatic conditions, moderately to sharply continental. In total, 33 ecotopes were distinguished with various level of anthropogenic load. The statistical data processing involved correlation, one-way and factorial ANOVA, regression analyses, and principal component analysis (PCA). The impact of 25 climatic and anthropogenic factors on the FA value was considered. In most urban ecotopes, the integrated fluctuating asymmetry (IFA) value was higher than in natural biotopes of the same region. No significant inter-annual differences in IFA values were found. FA dependence on traffic load is noted to be statistically significant. The covariation analysis of IFA, climatic, and anthropogenic variables in various urban ecotopes revealed the impact of three groups of factors that together explain 93% of the variance in environmental parameters. The complex analysis clearly arranged the studied ecotopes by pollution gradient and climatic patterns. The primary effect of the total anthropogenic load on the developmental stability of B. pendula results in an IFA increase. IFA can play a key role in bioindication assessment of environmental quality. The climatic factors have no significant effect on the developmental stability of B. pendula in urban conditions.

scholarly journals The impact of anthropogenic factors on the natural values of the water reservoirs in Sosnowiec (Poland)

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominika Dąbrowska ◽  
Marek Sołtysiak
Keyword(s):  
Open Space ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Water Reservoirs ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Many plant and animal species are closely related to the aquatic environment. Small reservoirs are a place of the biodiversity concentration. Reservoirs are especially important for amphibian species as a place of feeding, shelter and wintering. Many anthropogenic factors has a significant impact on the natural values of water reservoirs (surroundings of the water reservoirs, the shore`s type, distance from roads and buildings, the role of the object and the chemical status). They can eliminate or change amphibian population. The effect of three such factors was determined for one of the cities in the Upper Silesian Agglomeration - Sosnowiec (91 km2). The paper presents an assessment of the impact of the type of surroundings, the percentage share of the open space around water reservoirs and the distance from roads and buildings on the number of amphibian species present in the reservoir. In the analysis were taken into account 20 reservoirs, in which amphibian species were found. This analysis indicates the influence urban factors on the number of amphibian species in water reservoirs based on positive correlations in the case of Spearman Rank correlation and the Fisher’s exact test. Results of these calculations highlight the negative impact of the anthropopressure (the changes in the environment) on the amphibian breeding places and the biodiversity.

scholarly journals Wind exposure as a factor influencing the littoral macrozoobenthic community: a methodological approach and preliminary findings

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 113-123
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Bielczyńska
Keyword(s):  
Littoral Zone ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Taxonomic Composition ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Significant Negative Impact ◽  
Wind Exposure ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Macrozoobenthic Community

Abstract The aim of the work was to analyze the influence of wave activity on invertebrate fauna living in the littoral zone. For this purpose, an algorithm was developed to analyze spatial and meteorological data, calculating the values of fetch and wind exposure. The taxonomic composition of the fauna and the values of selected water quality indicators were analyzed against the background of varied wind exposure, trophy, and various habitats. A significant negative impact of wind exposure on the taxonomic variety of the macrozoobenthic community, the number of Coenagrionidae damselflies and Baetidae mayflies was found. It is difficult to separate the impact of waves on the fauna from the impact of other natural and anthropogenic factors, because those factors may also be affected by water movements. The tool produced as part of this work can also be used to further investigate the issue of impact of waves on all the communities living in the littoral zone.

scholarly journals The Impact of Study Mode (Online vs. Hybrid) on Early Symptoms of Depression and Coping Strategies among University Students in Poland in Time of COVID-19 Pandemic—Preliminary Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1578
Author(s):  
Anna Drelich-Zbroja ◽  
Anna Jamroz-Wiśniewska ◽  
Maryla Kuczyńska ◽  
Monika Zbroja ◽  
Weronika Cyranka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
University Students ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Mental States ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Early Symptoms ◽  
Study Mode ◽  
And Coping ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: mental health has been one of the most important issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic; mental disorders can be exacerbated by isolation during lockdowns or online learning. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between non-clinical (early) symptoms of depressed moods, personality traits, and coping strategies, as well as whether the learning mode (online versus hybrid) differentiates the experiences of these early symptoms and coping strategies. Methods: 114 university students aged 19 to 34, whose education model was changed from stationary to hybrid or online due to COVID-19 restrictions, participated in the study. The participants completed the online questionnaire, which consisted of two sections: (1) demographic questions to characterize the subjects and 44 questions based on the literature review. (2) Mini-COPE Inventory. Results: the study showed that the fully online study mode has a negative impact on the mental health of students; hybrid students are more likely to use active and positive coping strategies, which effectively help to control negative thoughts and/or reduce negative mental states. Conclusions: the COVID-19 pandemic has had significant psychological effects that will extend to coming years; therefore, implementing systemic psychological care is of utmost importance.

Protective Coating Based on Siloxane Polymer Nanopatterned by Alkoxytitanate

2019 ◽  
Vol 945 ◽  
pp. 718-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.Y. Chukhlanov ◽  
O.G. Selivanov ◽  
N.V. Chukhlanova
Keyword(s):  
Protective Coating ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Protective Coatings ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Adhesive Properties ◽  
Atomic Force ◽  
Surface Nanostructure ◽  
Siloxane Polymer ◽  
20 Nm ◽  
The Impact

The paper considers the problems of creating new protective coatings based on organosilicon polymer – polymethylphenylsiloxane, modified with tetraisopropyltitanate. The mechanisms of siloxane polymer nanostructuring have been suggested. The coating surface nanostructure and the impact of material components content and nature on its properties have been studied. To research protective surface nanostructure, the method of atomic-force probe microscopy applying IntegraAura device has been used. Nanoparticles formations with 10-20 nm effective scale have been revealed. Adhesive properties of the protective coating have been studied. Glass and metal adhesion was determined applying the method of detachment from the steel discs substrate using adhesive meter PSO-MG4. The modification was stated not to cause any substantial loss of coating adhesive properties. Simultaneously modification process was accompanied with the increase of relative coating firmness.The developed compounds and corresponding coatings are aimed at protecting buildings and constructions against negative impact of natural and anthropogenic factors.

scholarly journals Alteration of the Ecohydrological Status of the Intermittent Flow Rivers and Ephemeral Streams due to the Climate Change Impact (Case Study: Tsiknias River)

Hydrology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Soumaya Nabih ◽  
Ourania Tzoraki ◽  
Prodromos Zanis ◽  
Thanos Tsikerdekis ◽  
Dimitris Akritidis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Intermittent Flow ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Ephemeral Streams ◽  
Extreme Flood ◽  
The Impact

Climate change projections predict the increase of no-rain periods and storm intensity resulting in high hydrologic alteration of the Mediterranean rivers. Intermittent flow Rivers and Ephemeral Streams (IRES) are particularly vulnerable to spatiotemporal variation of climate variables, land use changes and other anthropogenic factors. In this work, the impact of climate change on the aquatic state of IRES is assessed by the combination of the hydrological model Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and the Temporary Rivers Ecological and Hydrological Status (TREHS) tool under two different Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) using CORDEX model simulations. A significant decrease of 20–40% of the annual flow of the examined river (Tsiknias River, Greece) is predicted during the next 100 years with an increase in the frequency of extreme flood events as captured with almost all Regional Climate Models (RCMs) simulations. The occurrence patterns of hyporheic and edaphic aquatic states show a temporal extension of these states through the whole year due to the elongation of the dry period. A shift to the Intermittent-Pools regime type shows dominance according to numerous climate change scenarios, harming, as a consequence, both the ecological system and the social-economic one.

scholarly journals The pressure of natural and anthropogenic factors on the status of soil from central development region

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 163-171
Author(s):  
Crîsmaru Valentin ◽  
Bacal Petru ◽  
Bejan Iurie
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Land Resources ◽  
Intensive Exploitation ◽  
Development Region ◽  
The Status ◽  
Environmental Requirements ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Natural And Anthropogenic Factors

Abstract The most ordinary form of impact on soils is erosion. A very rapid increase of the surfaces affected by erosion is conditioned, in particular, by the non-compliance of environmental requirements concerning exploitation of agricultural land and by the actual inefficient management of land resources. Lately due to the intensive exploitation of land and natural resources, the ecological situation worsened considerably, which has a negative impact over soils from the Central Development Region. Due to of the impact of agricultural activities and pressures of various factors on soil quality to grown the surface of soils eroded. Some factors led to growth the eroded surfaces which are considered high percentage of technical and hoeing crops.

scholarly journals DAMPAK SENGKETA PULAU DOKDO/TAKESHIMA KOREA SELATAN - JEPANG TERHADAP PERKEMBANGAN HALLYU DI JEPANG

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-51
Author(s):  
Aldean Tegar Gemilang
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Cultural Development ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Online Data ◽  
Cultural Center ◽  
South Korean ◽  
Bilateral Relations ◽  
The Impact

This study aims to determine how the impact of the disputed Dokdo Island / Takeshima between South Korea and Japan on the development of Hallyu in Japan Year 2012-2015. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the disputed Dokdo / Takeshima between South Korea and Japan on the development of Hallyu in Japan after re-simmering dispute over Dokdo Island / Takeshima by the visit of South Korean President Lee Myung Bak in 2012. Methods The study was qualitative. Most of the data were collected through interviews, literature study, observation, documentation, and online data searches. The study was conducted at the Korean Cultural Center, The Japan Foundation, Library and Documentation Centre of Scientific Information LIPI, and the Embassy of Japan to Indonesia. The results showed that the development of Hallyu in Japan after re-simmering dispute over Dokdo Island / Takeshima between South Korea and Japan in 2012 experiencing barriers. Problems island disputes between countries worsen bilateral relations, in the case of disputed Dokdo / Takeshima also have a negative impact on the cultural development of Hallyu in Japan.

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