Factors affecting presence and relative abundance of the Endangered volcano rabbit Romerolagus diazi, a habitat specialist

Habitat specialists are particularly vulnerable to extinction when habitat conditions are altered. Information on the habitat use of such species is thus important because it provides insight into factors that influence distribution and abundance, which is crucial for conservation. Here, we aimed to identify factors that influence the patterns of presence and abundance of the Endangered volcano rabbit Romerolagus diazi, a rare leporid with a patchy distribution. Through exhaustive sampling of its range in the Sierra Chichinautzin and Sierra Nevada volcanic fields, Mexico, and using generalized linear models, we found that the probability of patch occupancy was higher where bunchgrass cover exceeded 75%, rock cover exceeded 5%, no cattle grazing was observed and human settlements were at least 7 km away. Patches with greater relative abundance were those with similar characteristics, but located at elevations > 3,600 m, and with rock cover < 15%. Cattle grazing was identified as a major threat to local populations of the volcano rabbit, particularly in the Sierra Chichinautzin. Because of the significance of bunchgrasses for this species, the protection of the mountain grasslands is required in both volcanic fields.

Prosody

Prosody, the pacing and flow of delivery, comprises five constituent components—phrasing, metric placement, motility, embellishment, and consonantal articulation. The synthesis of these components works on at least three different levels of specificity: at the broadest level, distinctive prosodic profiles may align with larger genre or style categories; at a middle level, prosodic profiles may distinguish an artist’s general prosodic style of delivery; and at a local level, prosodic profiles may be associated with an artist’s singing style specific to a single recording or passage within a song. The chapter examines each prosodic component in analyses of four versions of Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me a River”: Timberlake’s original studio recording (2002), Glen Hansard’s acoustic folk-rock cover (2003), Ten Masked Men’s death metal cover (2003), and the Cliks’ indie rock cover (2006). The chapter also considers the ranging dimensionality among prosodic elements.

Distribution Features of the Minimum Rock Cover Thickness of the Surrounding Rock Self-Stability of the Metro Tunnel in the Soil-Rock Dualistic Stratum

Based on the maximum value of the self-stability of surrounding rock, the key issues affecting the distribution of the minimum mock cover thickness of the surrounding rock self-stability (MRCT-SRS) of the metro tunnel in the soil-rock dualistic stratum are discussed. The MRCT-SRS was studied for different soft stratum thicknesses Hs and excavation spans D based on cusp catastrophe theory. Moreover, the 3D spatial distribution was determined, and the fitted curves were constructed according to the MRCT-SRS, Hs, and D. This facilitated the assessment of the stability of the surrounding rock in the excavation of a metro tunnel. Combined with the construction practices used for the Qingdao metro project, the validity of the obtained MRCT-SRS has been verified by the inverse analysis of the monitored data from the metro tunnel. Furthermore, the application of the MRCT-SRS in determining the reasonable buried depth of a metro line has been explored. The research results have provided theoretical support and scientific basis for the preparation, revision, and improvement of the relevant codes, standards, and guidelines for metro tunnel planning and design.

Habitat change at a multi-species goose breeding area on Southampton Island, Nunavut, Canada, 1979–2010

Foraging by hyperabundant Arctic-nesting geese has significant impacts on vegetation of Arctic and subarctic coastal lowlands, but long-term data sets documenting these changes are rare. We undertook intensive surveys of plant communities at East Bay and South Bay, Southampton Island, Nunavut, Canada, in July 2010. Lesser Snow Geese, Ross’s Geese, Cackling Geese, and Brant nest and rear young at these sites; the first three have experienced up to 10-fold increases since the 1970s. At East Bay, we found significant declines in graminoids over the 31-year span, as well as significant declines in lichen and willow cover, and significant increases in rock cover. Transect data indicated graminoids were present at only 15%–36% of points at East Bay, whereas at South Bay, graminoids were present at 28%–90% of points. Moss was more prominent in transects at South Bay than at East Bay (40%–85% vs. 19%–42%), but quadrat data indicated much more of the moss cover at South Bay apparently was dead than at East Bay. Puccinellia phryganodes (Trin.) Scribn. & Merr. exceeded 1% in only two transects. Our data demonstrate a striking decline of preferred forage species and increases in non-forage cover, consistent with the hypothesis that changes resulted from persistent long-term foraging by the four species of breeding geese between spring arrival and late summer departure.

Machine learning for identification and counting of Naturally Occurring Asbestos

&lt;p&gt;Open-pit nickel mining is the main economic activity in New Caledonia. Lateritic Ni-ore deposits formed on weathered ultrabasic rock cover more than a third of the territory. However, among the mineral phases that make up these laterites, some belong to the asbestos family and have the capacity to emit pathogenic fibres. The inhalation of air polluted by such fibres may lead to severe respiratory diseases; asbestos may penetrate deep into the lungs causing at worst malignant mesothelioma.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In order to manage the natural occurrence of these fibres and take the necessary measures for the protection of workers, it is necessary to evaluate and monitor the concentration of asbestos fibres into the environment (e.g., airborne, waterborne). The current monitoring approach adopted by asbestos laboratories relies on counting method using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), according to French regulation (NF X 43-050). Analysts operatively count and measure fibres and elongated mineral particles (EMPi) with on a filter viewed through the microscope device at high magnification. It is worth noting that analytical procedures involving electron microscopies are time-consuming, and show an intrinsic bias related to the subjectivity of operator analysis. These drawbacks explain the need to develop an automatic method for fibre and EMPi detection and quantification.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This paper presents a new method for detecting fibres on filters by using image processing and machine learning methods, discriminating single fibres, particles, juxtaposed objects and fibre bundles, minimizing as much image noise.&lt;/p&gt;

Evaluation of nest habitat, site preferences and architecture of the critically endangered White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis in Bhutan

SummaryThis research evaluated the nesting habitat, nest-site preferences, and nest architecture of the critically endangered White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis in Bhutan. There are fewer than 60 wild birds left in the world, distributed in Bhutan, India, and Myanmar with fewer than five active breeding pairs in Bhutan. From 2003 to 2018, 20 successful and two unsuccessful nests were located from which at least 76 juveniles were expected to have fledged. The population in Bhutan has remained at 22–30 individuals for the last decade. Site-specific data were collected from 22 nests, and additional vegetation and environmental data were collected from 14 nests and random sites. We used 20-m diameter circular plots to evaluate the site preferences. Ground vegetation, litter and rock cover were evaluated using four 1-m2 quadrats in both nest and random sites. Nesting habitat was analysed to compare characteristics of nesting sites to random sites. Our results suggest that the White-bellied Heron builds a simple platform nest within average distance of 74 m from water bodies on the tallest isolated trees at an average height of 18.3 m on an elevated site with a clear overview of surroundings and are sensitive to even slight disturbance. Our results also suggest that the bird has a preference for an east-facing aspect at an average slope of approximately 40° between the altitudes of 400–1,450 m. Our observations also suggest that the bird has abandoned all nesting sites used prior to 2015, and the frequency of nest re-use has decreased. Protecting each nest site from hazards, avoiding disturbance, maintaining safe feeding habitats and flight routes are essential to ensure continued breeding in current sites and survival of this population. Further research to better understand the habitat requirements for the White-bellied Heron is vital.