Insect Community Response Following Wildfire in an Eastern North American Pine Barrens

Ecosystem recovery following wildfire is heavily dependent upon fire severity and frequency, as well as factors such as regional topography and connectivity to unburned patches. Insects are an often-overlooked group of organisms impacted by fire and play crucial roles in many ecosystem services. Flying insects are particularly capable of avoiding fire, returning to burned patches following the initial disturbance, making them an important group to study when assessing wildfire impacts. Following a wildfire in July of 2018 at the Altona Flat Rock jack pine barrens in northeastern New York, insects were collected from an unburned reference site and a post-fire site using malaise traps. Samples were collected in the 2018, 2019, and 2020 field seasons. Insect groups were found to have three main responses to the disturbance event: increased abundance post-fire, unchanged abundance post-fire, or reduced abundance post-fire. Several dipteran families and some non-dipteran groups were present in greater abundance in the post-fire study site, such as Diptera Polleniidae, which increased in abundance immediately following the disturbance in 2018. Other fire-adapted taxa exhibited a more delayed positive response in 2019 and 2020. Diversity, particularly among Diptera, increased with time since the disturbance at the post-fire site. Many taxa declined in response to fire disturbance, including Lepidoptera and several Diptera families, most likely due to habitat, moisture, and organic matter requirements. Future studies could prove beneficial in understanding the recovery of this community and informing land management practices.

Transit boosting of trans-Channel katabatic winds by depressions associated with west European storms tracks: impact on Pleistocene loess deposits.

Onshore and offshore sedimentological, geochemical, geomorphological, paleontological and geochronological studies of loess deposits located under and around the English Channel revealed that they were transported by katabatic winds generated by the British-Irish Ice Sheet. Katabatic winds, which are low-altitude wind flows, were able to jump over the low southern British hills but were stopped by the higher Brittany and Normandy hills. This regional topography is interrupted by a north-south corridor linking the northern and southern shores of Brittany where loess propagated down to the mouth of Loire River. This long transit shows that the total distance travelled by the katabatic wind was around 750 kilometres, which represents an unusual distance for the propagation of this wind under continental conditions. Strong similarities with Antarctica and Greenland, where well documented cases of katabatic winds are known, show that the transit of the trans-Channel katabatic winds were strongly enhanced by the seasonal drift of storms propagating in an eastward direction along the axis of the English Channel. This increasing strength of the North-South katabatic flux was probably at the origin of the transport of loess particles down to the mouth of Loire River.

Evaluation of Three Gridded Precipitation Products to Quantify Water Inputs over Complex Mountainous Terrain of Western China

This study evaluates the capacity of three gridded precipitation products (MSWEP V2.2, TRMM-3B42 V7, and GPM-IMERG V6) to detect precipitation in the Min Jiang watershed, a data-scarce and mountainous region in western China. A set of statistical and contingency indices is calculated for the precipitation products and compared with rain gauge observations at 23 ground stations from July 2000 to May 2016. Consistency between gridded and ground precipitation datasets is examined at different temporal (i.e., daily, monthly, seasonally, and annually) and spatial (i.e., site level, sub-regional level, and watershed level) resolutions. We identify possible reasons for discrepancies among precipitation datasets. Our results indicate that: (1) the MSWEP product is best suited for the study of long-term mesoscale rainfall, rather than short-term light or extreme rainfall; (2) the IMERG product represents stable performance for the simulation of rainfall spatial variability and detection capability; and (3) Composition of the datasets, climatic systems, and regional topography are key factors influencing the consistency between gridded and ground precipitation datasets. Therefore, we suggest using MSWEP V2.2 and GPM-IMERG V6 as potential precipitation data sources for hydrometeorological studies over the Min Jiang watershed. The findings of this study inform future hydrometeorological and climate applications in data-scarce regions with complex terrain.

Developing Statewide Optimal RWIS Density Guidelines Using Space-Time Semivariogram Models

Preventing weather-related crashes is a significant part of maintaining the safety and mobility of the travelling public during winter months. To help mitigate detrimental effects of winter road conditions, transportation authorities rely on real-time and near-future road weather and surface condition information disseminated by road weather information systems (RWIS) to make more timely and accurate winter road maintenance-related decisions. However, the significant costs of these systems motivate governments to develop a framework for determining a region-specific optimal RWIS density. Building on our previous study to facilitate regional network optimization, this study is aimed at considering the nature of spatiotemporally varying RWIS measurements and integrating larger case studies comprising eight different US states. Space-time semivariogram models were developed to quantify the representativeness of RWIS measurements and examine their effects on regional topography and weather severity for improved generalization. The optimal RWIS density for different topographic and weather severity regions was then determined via one of the most successful combinatorial optimization techniques—particle swarm optimization. The findings of this study revealed a strong dependency of optimal RWIS density on varying environmental characteristics of the region under investigation. It is anticipated that the RWIS density guidelines developed in this study will provide decision makers with a tool they need to help design a long-term RWIS implementation plan.

Kajian Valuasi Ekonomi Objek Wisata Sekar Langit Kabupaten Magelang dengan Pendekatan Travel Cost Method

Abstrak Kabupaten Magelang yang berada di lereng gunung dengan topografi wilayah yang bervariasi memiliki potensi pariwisata lokasi yang sangat besar. Namun sayangnya objek-objek wisata di Kabupaten Magelang rata-rata belum dikelola dengan baik. Melalui penelitian ini, ingin mengkaji salah satu objek wisata di Kabupaten Magelang yaitu Air Terjut Sekar Langit. Dengan pertumbungan jumlah kunjungan yang positif menunjukkan bahwa objek ini memiliki potensi untuk berkembang bila dikelola dengan baik. Menggunakan travel cost method, penelitian itu bertujuan untuk mengetahui nilai ekonomi dari objek wisata Air Terjun Sekar Langit sehingga dalam jangka Panjang dapat digunakan sebagai pertimbangan Pemerintah dan Dinas terkait untuk mengelola sekaligus tetap melestarikan sumber daya alam yang ada di Air Terjun Sekar Langit, serta sebagai referensi untuk pengambilan kebijakan. Abstract Magelang Regency is on a mountainside with varied regional topography which has a very large tourism potential location. But unfortunately, tourist attractions in Magelang regency on average have not been managed well. Through this research, we want to examine one of the tourist attractions in Magelang Regency, which is the Waterfall of Sekar Langit. With the growth in the number of positive visits shows that this object has the potential to develop if managed properly. Using the Travel Cost Method, this study aims to analyze the economic value of the Sekar Langit Waterfall attraction. With the hope that the results of this study can be used as consideration for the Regional Government and related agencies to manage, but on the other hand the natural preservation of the Sekar Langit tourist attraction is maintained.

Peningkatan Skalabilitas Mini Weather Station Portable berbasis Internet of Things

Indonesia is a country that has unique weather that provides not only abundant natural resources but also can causes disasters at any time. To reduce the threat of losses, observing weather elements using a weather station is a solution that can be used. The development of systems related to environmental monitoring and weather stations is not new. However, most research focuses on various innovations in utilization, low cost and power savings. These studies have not touched on the aspect of ease of system development, especially in the concept of adding nodes. Indonesia, as a country with diverse regional topography, needs an integrated weather monitoring system with the concept of centralized data collection to get a complete picture.In this study, a portable mini weather station system was built named Amicagama. This system is built with the concept of high scalability which means the system is designed to be used publicly, with each user able to manage the nodes which are their respective weather stations. Management by each user here means that each user can manage weather data to be submitted, add nodes at a new location, and can delete nodes at a certain location if something unexpected happens.

Precipitation and Flow Variations in the Lancang–Mekong River Basin and the Implications of Monsoon Fluctuation and Regional Topography

In the Lancang–Mekong River Basin, monsoon fluctuation affects profoundly the spatial and temporal distributions of precipitation, which is the major cause of the uncertainty in hydrological processes and water resources. This study investigated the implications of monsoon fluctuation and regional topography on precipitation variation in the Lancang–Mekong River Basin, and it examined the potential link between monsoons and river flow. The results indicated that the fluctuations of the western North Pacific summer monsoon (WNPSM) and the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) played different roles in precipitation variation. The areas in which precipitation variation was found synchronous with the WNPSM were much larger than those associated with the ISM. Significant positive correlation was found between precipitation during June–September (JJAS) and the WNPSM index (WNPMI) and the ISM index (IMI) over 29.3% and 12.8% of the basin, respectively, and that these areas were distributed mainly on the left and right bank downstream, respectively. A strong (weak) WNPSM was found to increase (decrease) moist westerlies that caused excess (deficient) orographic precipitation through the interaction with the Annamite Mountains. During strong (weak) WNPSM years, observed river flow during JJAS at the Mukdahan, Pakse, and Stung Treng stations in the downstream area were 8.0% (5.0%), 8.2% (12.6%), and 12.1% (19.5%) higher (lower) than the mean, respectively, showing that downstream river flow is modulated by the WNPSM intensity. These findings could support long-term hydrological predictions, and be beneficial for optimal flood control and water resource utilization in the basin.

Analisis Iklim Mikro di Greenhouse dengan Atap Tipe Arch untuk Budidaya Bunga Krisan Potong

Petani di Desa Candikuning membangun greenhouse untuk budidaya bunga krisan potong tanpa melakukan perhitungan teknis. Greenhouse tersebut dibangun berdasarkan pada ketersediaan bahan baku lokal, biaya tersedia dan topografi wilayah. Analisis iklim mikro pada greenhouse dengan atap tipe arch untuk optimasi kecepatan pertumbuhan dan kualitas bunga krisan yang dihasilkan menjadi obyek penelitian. Data-data yang dikumpulkan adalah: data iklim mikro (suhu, kelembaban, dan intensitas cahaya), data pertumbuhan tanaman krisan (tinggi tanaman) dan data kualitas bunga (jumlah dan diameter bunga). Hasil penelitian terhadap intensitas cahaya rata-rata di greenhouse dengan tinggi atap 2,5 m, 3,0 m dan 3,5 m masing-masing adalah : 27.6 ± 5.5 k.lux, 27,5 ± 4,3 k.lux dan 29.5 ± 2,5 k.lux dengan suhu rata-rata adalah 21,1 ±0,2 oC, 27,5 ±0,17 oC dan 21,2 ±0,3 oC. Intensitas cahaya yang memasuki ruangan greenhouse sebesar 20 – 30 % dari intensitas cahaya yang mengenai atap bangunan. Kelembaban udara di ruang greenhouse tersebut masing-masing adalah 73,3 ± 0,5%, 77,5 ± 0,4 %, dan 86,3 ± 0,7 %. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa jumlah energi radiasi matahari yang diterima atap dan dinding greenhouse untuk menaikkan suhu ruangan dan intensitas cahaya dari greenhouse secara efektif untuk mendukung proses fotosintesis, sehingga tanaman berbunga pada ketinggian 70-80 cm dengan bunga pertama berdiameter rata-rata 7,5 ± 0,6 cm. Farmers in Candikuning Village built a greenhouse for chrysanthemum cut flowers cultivation without performing technical calculations. The greenhouse was built based on the availability of local raw materials, available costs, and regional topography. Micro-climate analysis on roof-type greenhouse with arch type to optimize the growth speed and quality of the chrysanthemum produced is the object of research. The data collected are microclimate data (temperature, humidity, and light intensity), data on the growth of chrysanthemum plants (plant height) and flower quality data (number and diameter of flowers). The results of the study on the average light intensity in greenhouses with roof height of 2.5 m, 3.0 m and 3.5 m respectively are: 27.6 ± 5.5 k.lux, 27.5 ± 4.3 k.lux and 29.5 ± 2.5 k.lux with an average temperature of 21.1 ± 0.2 oC, 27.5 ± 0.17 oC and 21.2 ± 0.3 oC. The intensity of the light entering the greenhouse room is 20-30% of the intensity of light that affects the roof of the building. The air humidity in the greenhouse space is 73.3 ± 0.5%, 77.5 ± 0.4%, and 86.3 ± 0.7%, respectively. This shows that the amount of solar radiation energy received by the roof and walls of the greenhouse to increase the room temperature and light intensity from the greenhouse effectively to support photosynthesis so that the plants flower at an altitude of 70-80 cm with the first flower with an average diameter of 7.5 ± 0.6 cm

Fuzzy Logic Method Design for Landslide Vulnerability

Landslide is one of the most frequently happened disasters in Indonesia due to weather and climate characteristics, regional topography, and geological structures that make this country have many potential landslide areas. The main goal of this study is to apply fuzzy logic to the landslide detection sensor so that it is easier to find out areas prone to landslides. The fuzzy logic method uses five parameters to analyze the landslide area. These parameters are rainfall, land slope, moisture content in two different soil depths, and ground vibration. They are used to determine the vulnerability level of landslide area is very safe, relatively safe, relatively potential, potentially and very potential. Fuzzification, inference, and defuzzification performed on each data in the analysis process to determine the vulnerability of landslides, and the parameters and weighting rules are according to government regulations. From the results of the study, it was concluded that intelligent systems based on fuzzy logic can be used to determine the level of vulnerability of landslides in a specified area.