Towards understanding nitrogen legacies in European catchments

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fanny Sarrazin ◽  
Rohini Kumar ◽  
Kimberly Van Meter ◽  
Michael Weber ◽  
Andreas Musolff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Root Zone ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Model Soil ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
The North ◽  
Input Dataset ◽  
The Impact

<p>Reducing nitrogen (N) levels in European water bodies is a pressing issue, as evidenced by the recent fines imposed by the European Count Justice on countries such as France, Germany and Greece for exceeding the regulatory limits for nitrate (World Bank report on “Quality Unknown: The Invisible Water Crisis” by Damania et al., 2019). N levels can depend not only on current N inputs to the landscape, but also on the past N inputs that have accumulated through time in the soil root zone and the groundwater in so-called ‘legacy stores’. Effective N management strategies should therefore account for these N legacies.</p><p>This study aims to gain a better understanding of the impact of N legacies on in-stream nitrate concentration and loading at annual time scale in European catchments. To this end, we apply a parsimonious nitrate model, called ELEMENT (Van Meter et al., 2017, Global Biogeochem Cycles), given the limited amount of information available to constrain and test the model simulations. We construct a nitrogen input dataset (N-surplus) to force the model from the early 19<sup>th</sup> Century, thus ensuring the build-up of the model soil and groundwater legacy stores. We estimate the model parameters based on the application of ‘soft rules’, to account for the uncertainty in the model inputs and the output measurements, and we examine the model controlling processes using sensitivity analysis.</p><p>We present here the results for the case of the Weser catchment, a large catchment in northern Germany that discharges into the North Sea. In particular, our results show that the model reproduces well nitrate stream loading. Despite the parsimonious structure of the ELEMENT model, we identify the presence of parameter equifinality, when the model is constrained using in-stream concentration and loading only. We discuss the possibility of using additional information (such as soil organic N content) to improve parameter identifiability and the overall simulation results.</p>

scholarly journals Understanding the Impact of Different Landscape-Level Fuel Management Strategies on Wildfire Hazard in Central Portugal

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 522
Author(s):  
Akli Benali ◽  
Ana C. L. Sá ◽  
João Pinho ◽  
Paulo M. Fernandes ◽  
José M. C. Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategies ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Fire Season ◽  
Burned Area ◽  
Treatment Area ◽  
Fuel Treatment ◽  
The North ◽  
Wildfire Hazard ◽  
Central Portugal ◽  
The Impact

The extreme 2017 fire season in Portugal led to widespread recognition of the need for a paradigm shift in forest and wildfire management. We focused our study on Alvares, a parish in central Portugal located in a fire-prone area, which had 60% of its area burned in 2017. We evaluated how different fuel treatment strategies may reduce wildfire hazard in Alvares through (i) a fuel break network with different extents corresponding to different levels of priority and (ii) random fuel treatments resulting from a potential increase in stand-level management intensity. To assess this, we developed a stochastic wildfire simulation system (FUNC-SIM) that integrates uncertainties in fuel distribution over the landscape. If the landscape remains unchanged, Alvares will have large burn probabilities in the north, northeast and center-east areas of the parish that are very often associated with high fireline intensities. The different fuel treatment scenarios decreased burned area between 12.1–31.2%, resulting from 1–4.6% increases in the annual treatment area and reduced the likelihood of wildfires larger than 5000 ha by 10–40%. On average, simulated burned area decreased 0.22% per each ha treated, and cost-effectiveness decreased with increasing area treated. Overall, both fuel treatment strategies effectively reduced wildfire hazard and should be part of a larger, holistic and integrated plan to reduce the vulnerability of the Alvares parish to wildfires.

scholarly journals Different bottom trawl fisheries have a differential impact on the status of the North Sea seafloor habitats

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. 1772-1786 ◽  
Author(s):  
A D Rijnsdorp ◽  
J G Hiddink ◽  
P D van Denderen ◽  
N T Hintzen ◽  
O R Eigaard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Demersal Fish ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
The North ◽  
The Status ◽  
Fisheries Conservation ◽  
The North Sea ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Trawl Fisheries

Abstract Fisheries using bottom trawls are the most widespread source of anthropogenic physical disturbance to seafloor habitats. To mitigate such disturbances, the development of fisheries-, conservation-, and ecosystem-based management strategies requires the assessment of the impact of bottom trawling on the state of benthic biota. We explore a quantitative and mechanistic framework to assess trawling impact. Pressure and impact indicators that provide a continuous pressure–response curve are estimated at a spatial resolution of 1 × 1 min latitude and longitude (∼2 km2) using three methods: L1 estimates the proportion of the community with a life span exceeding the time interval between trawling events; L2 estimates the decrease in median longevity in response to trawling; and population dynamic (PD) estimates the decrease in biomass in response to trawling and the recovery time. Although impact scores are correlated, PD has the best performance over a broad range of trawling intensities. Using the framework in a trawling impact assessment of ten métiers in the North Sea shows that muddy habitats are impacted the most and coarse habitats are impacted the least. Otter trawling for crustaceans has the highest impact, followed by otter trawling for demersal fish and beam trawling for flatfish and flyshooting. Beam trawling for brown shrimps, otter trawling for industrial fish, and dredging for molluscs have the lowest impact. Trawling is highly aggregated in core fishing grounds where the status of the seafloor is low but the catch per unit of effort (CPUE) per unit of impact is high, in contrast to peripheral grounds, where CPUE per unit of impact is low.

scholarly journals Destination Management in Lesvos, Greece. Characteristics, Preferences, Images, Satisfaction, and Overall Experience

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 81-106
Author(s):  
Mary Constantoglou
Keyword(s):  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Destination Image ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Aegean Region ◽  
The North ◽  
North Aegean ◽  
The Impact

As the tourism sector is continually evolving, touristic destinations and service providers should give close and thoughtful attention to customers’ satisfaction, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic period. Tourism for Greece represents one of the most valuable pillars of the economy and the impact of the pandemic to the sector and GDP will be significant. In this era, it is evident the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals and effective Destination Management that will take into consideration all aspects of the local communities. Customer satisfaction is crucial to improving strategies that destinations must follow to service quality and satisfaction management strategies. Recent consumer and technological trends make customer satisfaction more important than ever. This paper aims to investigate the characteristics, preferences, images, satisfaction levels, and the overall experience gained by the tourists visiting Lesvos island in the North Aegean Region Greece. Primary research was conducted and the airport of the island during departure in 2019. The useful gathered questionnaires (201) provided helpful information to the island’s DMO related to the visitors’ demographic characteristics, destination perception, awareness and competitiveness, satisfaction and overall experience. The basic research findings were the strong impression of the visitors about the authenticity of the destination. They also believe that prices are excellent and the rate of value for money is high. At the same time, visitors think that the island is not promoted very good and the image/brand of the island is not very clear and well defined. It is the first research conducted to visitors departing from Lesvos island to the authors’ best knowledge. The results and discussion of this study will be useful to the islands’ DMO and the island’s tourism authorities and the North Aegean Region and other similar island destinations, which wish to maximize the benefits of tourism development. Keywords: Destination Management Organization, Destination Image, Branding, Visitor Satisfaction, Experience.

Effect of Soil on the Seismic Response of Structures Taking Into Consideration Soil-Structure Interaction

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-90
Author(s):  
Radhwane Boulkhiout ◽  
Salah Messast
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Seismic Response ◽  
Soil Structure ◽  
Shear Walls ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Soil Structure Interaction ◽  
Reinforced Concrete Frame ◽  
Structure Interaction ◽  
Model Soil ◽  
The Impact

The present study covers the influence of soil-structure interaction on the response of structures and civil engineering constructions under seismic excitation. The response of the structures being studied was evaluated, first, using a perfectly embedded structure at the base. Then, using two different models to model soil-structure contact, the finite element model and a rheological model (springs and dampers) in order to illustrate the impact of soil type behavior on structure response was considered based on periods, displacements, and stresses. On the other hand, the effect of superstructure type and its stiffness on the seismic response will be determined, first, using a reinforced concrete frame with shear walls and, second, using a girder bridge. Finally, in each model mentioned above, a parametric study was conducted to better understand the dynamic behavior of the analyzed structure. As for modelling by finite element method, the study was achieved using SAP2000 code.

scholarly journals Mycotoxins that affect the North American agri-food sector: state of the art and directions for the future

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.D. Miller ◽  
A.W. Schaafsma ◽  
D. Bhatnagar ◽  
G. Bondy ◽  
I. Carbone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North American ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
The United States ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
The North ◽  
Food And Feed ◽  
The Impact

This paper summarises workshop discussions at the 5th international MYCORED meeting in Ottawa, Canada (June 2012) with over 200 participants representing academics, government and industry scientists, government officials and farming organisations (present in roughly equal proportions) from 27 countries. Workshops centred on how mycotoxins in food and feed affect value chains and trade in the region covered by the North American Free Trade Agreement. Crops are contaminated by one or more of five important mycotoxins in parts of Canada and the United States every year, and when contaminated food and feed are consumed in amounts above tolerable limits, human and animal health are at risk. Economic loss from such contamination includes reduced crop yield, grain quality, animal productivity and loss of domestic and export markets. A systematic effort by grain producers, primary, transfer, and terminal elevators, millers and food and feed processers is required to manage these contaminants along the value chain. Workshops discussed lessons learned from investments in plant genetics, fungal genomics, toxicology, analytical and sampling science, management strategies along the food and feed value chains and methods to ameliorate the effects of toxins in grain on animal production and on reducing the impact of mycotoxins on population health in developing countries. These discussions were used to develop a set of priorities and recommendations.

scholarly journals Understanding the impact of different landscape-level fuel management strategies on wildfire hazard

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akli Benali ◽  
Ana C.L. Sá ◽  
João Pinho ◽  
Paulo Fernandes ◽  
José M.C. Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategies ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Fire Season ◽  
Burned Area ◽  
Treatment Area ◽  
Fuel Treatment ◽  
Fuel Distribution ◽  
The North ◽  
Wildfire Hazard ◽  
The Impact

The disastrous 2017 fire season in Portugal lead to widespread recognition of the need for a paradigm shift in forest and fire management. We focused our study on Alvares, a parish in central Portugal which had 60% of its area burned in 2017, with a large record of historical. We evaluated how different fuel treatment strategies can reduce wildfire hazard in Alvares, through i) a fuel break network with different priorities and ii) random fuel treatments resulting from stand-level management intensification. To assess this, we developed a stochastic fire simulation system (FUNC-SIM) that integrates uncertainties in fuel distribution over the landscape. If the landscape remains unchanged, Alvares will have large burn probabilities in the north, northeast, and center-east areas of the parish that are very often associated with high fire line intensities. The different fuel treatment scenarios decreased burned area between 12.1-31.2%, resulting from 1%-4.6% increases in annual treatment area, and reduced 10%-40% the likelihood of wildfires larger than 5000 ha. On average, simulated burned area decreased 0.22% per each ha treated, and effectiveness decreased with increasing area treated. Overall, both fuel treatment strategies effectively reduced wildfire hazard and should be part of a larger, holistic and integrated plan to reduce the vulnerability of the Alvares parish to wildfires.

scholarly journals Tourist Perception of Visitor Management Strategy in North Bandung Protected Area

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 153
Author(s):  
Ersy Ervina ◽  
SRP Wulunga ◽  
Vany Octivanya
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Forest Park ◽  
Visitor Management ◽  
Tourist Satisfaction ◽  
The North ◽  
Implementation Level ◽  
The Impact

Sustainable tourism is one of Djuanda Forest Park (Tahura) management goals in implementing a visitor management strategy in the North Bandung Protected Areas. Djuanda Forest Park is an important area to be preserved as a tourist destination because of its very strategic function for environmental sustainability in Bandung City and its buffer areas. The visitor management strategy's implementation level can be seen from the perception of tourist who comes to Djuanda Forest Park, which analyzes by the intensity of destination use, accessibility, and carrying capacity. Perception cannot be separated from the satisfaction of tourists when visiting. This study aims to analyze tourists' perceptions of the implementation of visitor management strategies together with tourist satisfaction in the Tahura protected area. The method used is descriptive with data collection techniques through questionnaires. The results showed that tourist perceptions and satisfaction with the Visitor Management Strategy application were quite good. In improving quality, management is expected to be able to design a more systematic flow of visits and limit the number of visits for each tourist area to minimize the impact of tourism activities on the environment. On the satisfaction side, managers need to improve product and service quality, especially the preservation of tourist areas to create tourists experience

scholarly journals Perceived barriers and facilitators to participating in the North Carolina Healthy Food Small Retailer Program: A mixed-methods examination considering investment effectiveness

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-29
Author(s):  
Kathryn A. Boys ◽  
Lindsey Haynes-Maslow ◽  
Jared T. McGuirt ◽  
Alice S. Ammerman ◽  
Erin E. Van Fleet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Inventory Management ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
The North ◽  
Corner Stores ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective: The North Carolina (NC) Legislature appropriated funds in 2016-2019 for the Healthy Food Small Retailer Program (HFSRP), providing small retailers located in food deserts with equipment to stock nutrient-dense foods and beverages. The study aimed to: (1) examine factors facilitating and constraining implementation of, and participation in, the HFSRP from the perspective of storeowners; and (2) measure and evaluate the impact and effectiveness of investment in the HFSRP. Design: This analysis uses both qualitative and quantitative assessments of storeowner perceptions and store outcomes, as well as two innovative measures of policy investment effectiveness. Qualitative semi-structured interviews and descriptive quantitative approaches including monthly financial reports and activity forms, and end-of-program evaluations were collected from participating HFSRP storeowners. Setting: Eight corner stores in North Carolina that participated in the two cohorts (2016-2018; 2017-2019) of the HFSRP. Participants: Owners of corner stores participating in the HFSRP. Results: All storeowners reported that the HFSRP benefitted their stores. In addition, the HFSRP had a positive impact on sales across each category of healthy food products. Storeowners reported that benefits would be enhanced with adjustments to program administration and support. Specific suggestions included: additional information regarding which healthy foods and beverages to stock; inventory management; handling of perishable produce; product display; modified reporting requirements; and a more efficient process of delivering and maintaining equipment. Conclusions: All storeowners reported several benefits of the HFSRP and would recommend that other storeowners participate. The barriers and challenges they reported inform potential approaches to ensuring success and sustainability of the HFSRP and similar initiatives underway in other jurisdictions.

Modeling of Forecast Sensitivity on the March of Monsoon Isochrones from Kerala to New Delhi: The First 25 Days

2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 2465-2487 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. N. Krishnamurti ◽  
Anu Simon ◽  
Aype Thomas ◽  
Akhilesh Mishra ◽  
Dev Sikka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Temporal Variability ◽  
Weather Research And Forecasting ◽  
Forecasting Model ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
New Delhi ◽  
The North ◽  
Sensitivity Studies ◽  
Dry Soil ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This study addresses observational and modeling sensitivity on the march of the onset isochrones of the Indian summer monsoon. The first 25 days of the passage of the isochrones of monsoon onset is of great scientific interest. Surface and satellite-based datasets are used for high-resolution modeling of the impact of the motion of the onset isochrones from Kerala to New Delhi. These include the asymmetries across the isochrone such as soil moisture and its temporal variability, moistening of the dry soil to the immediate north of the isochrone by nonconvective anvil rains, and formation of newly forming cloud elements to the immediate north of the isochrone. The region immediately north of the isochrone is shown to carry a spread of buoyancy elements. As these new elements grow, they are continually being steered by the divergent circulations of the parent isochrone to the north and eventually to the northwest. CloudSat was extremely useful for identifying the asymmetric cloud structures across the isochrone. In the modeling sensitivity studies, the authors used a mesoscale Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecasting Model (ARW-WRF) to examine days 1–25 of forecasts of the onset isochrone. Prediction experiments were first modeled during normal, dry, and wet Indian monsoons using default values of model parameters. This study was extended to determine the effects of changes in soil moisture and nonconvective rain parameterizations (the parameters suggested by the satellite observations). These sensitivity experiments show that the motion of the isochrones from Kerala to New Delhi are very sensitive to the parameterization of soil moisture and nonconvective anvil rains immediately north of the isochrone.

Responses to Centre Street Bridge Closure: Where the “Disappearing” Travelers Went

2002 ◽  
Vol 1807 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Hunt ◽  
A. T. Brownlee ◽  
K. J. Stefan
Keyword(s):  
Network Capacity ◽  
Transportation Engineering ◽  
Peak Period ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
The North ◽  
Road Capacity ◽  
Interview Survey ◽  
In Transit ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

An ongoing topic of interest in urban transportation engineering is the impact of changes in road network capacity on the amount of vehicle travel in an urban area. In many cases, the debate focuses on potential increases in vehicle travel that occur with increases in road capacity—the phenomenon of “induced demand.” Some studies have also looked at the effects of reductions in roadway capacity and found that, in many of these cases, reductions in vehicle travel occur, generally confirming that a relationship exists between roadway capacity and vehicle travel. Additional information is provided on this subject in a North American context. The city of Calgary, in Alberta, Canada, is a major urban center with a population of over 850,000 and a downtown employment of over 100,000. Centre Street Bridge is a major road bridge across the Bow River that connects downtown Calgary to the residential area in the northern part of the city. The bridge carries over 34,000 vehicles per day, with heavy peak-period flows. In August 1999, the Centre Street Bridge was closed to car and truck traffic for 14 months for major repairs. A detailed study was undertaken of changes in traffic and in transit and pedestrian flows that took place in weekday travel patterns during the closure. This included both analysis of observed count data before and during the closure and an interview survey with over 1,300 car users of the Centre Street Bridge and the other bridges serving the north side of the downtown. The major findings of this study are summarized here. Particular emphasis is placed on explaining what happened to the vehicle trips that used the bridge before the closure.

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