anthropogenic development
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Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3541
Author(s):  
Reuven Yosef ◽  
Michal Korkos ◽  
Jakub Z. Kosicki

Display, wherein males attempt to maximize fitness by attracting sexually mature females to mate, is known to drive speciation by Sexual Selection. We researched the Red Sea Ghost Crab (Ocypode saratan; RSGC), in which males build display pyramids to attract females. The study was conducted at the beach in Eilat, Israel. At each session, we measured the height (in cm) of all pyramids and the dimensions (height, breadth; in cm) of the burrow entrance. We assumed that the size of the entrance represented the relative size of the carapace width of the occupant. The mean (± SE) entrance volume was 230.8 ± 11.7 cm, and the height of the pyramid was 11.8 ± 0.49 cm (n = 54). The results of our study did not support our hypothesis because we had expected to find a linear correlation between body size and pyramid height, i.e., the larger the male, the larger the pyramid. However, our results show that the largest males in the population either built small pyramids or not at all, and the cut-off of the larger crab’s body size appears to be around 350 cm3. We discovered a step-wise function in the data in that crabs with the smallest body size of ca. 250 cm3 constructed the highest pyramids, with a declining tendency between 250–350 cm3 and extremely low pyramids beyond 350 cm3. However, our findings need to be further studied with a stress on the ambiance and elucidate whether the habitats differ in temperature, humidity, prey-base, etc., before concluding as to why the larger males desist from building pyramids. This study underwrites the importance of studying the mating systems of the macro-fauna of the beaches that are fast disappearing owing to anthropogenic development.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0258615
Author(s):  
Alexandra Lawrence ◽  
Fabian Friedrich ◽  
Carl Beierkuhnlein

Habitat loss from anthropogenic development has led to an unprecedented decline in global biodiversity. Protected areas (PAs) exist to counteract this degradation of ecosystems. In the European Union, the Natura 2000 (N2k) network is the basis for continent-wide conservation efforts. N2k is the world’s largest coordinated network of protected areas. However, threats to ecosystems do not stop at the borders of PAs. As measured by a landscape fragmentation metric, anthropogenic development can affect the interiors of PAs. To ensure the long-term viability of the N2k network of PAs, this paper attempts to quantify the degree to which N2k sites are insulated from development pressures. We use a comprehensive dataset of effective mesh density (seff) to measure aggregate fragmentation inside and within a 5 km buffer surrounding N2k sites. Our results show a strong correlation (R² = 0.78) between fragmentation (seff) within and around N2k sites. This result applies to all biogeographical regions in Europe. Only a narrow majority (58.5%) of N2k sites are less fragmented than their surroundings. Remote and mountainous regions in northern Europe, the Alps, parts of Spain, and parts of eastern Europe show the lowest levels of fragmentation. These regions tend to hold the largest N2k sites as measured by area. In contrast, central and western Europe show the highest fragmentation levels within and around N2k sites. 24.5% of all N2k sites are classified as highly to very-highly fragmented. N2k PA age since initial protection does not correlate with the difference in exterior and interior fragmentation of N2k PAs. These results indicate that PAs in Europe are not sheltered from anthropogenic pressures leading to fragmentation. Hence, we argue that there is a high potential for improving PA efficacy by taking pre-emptive action against encroaching anthropogenic fragmentation and by targeting scarce financial resources where fragmentation pressures can be mitigated through enforced construction bans inside PAs.


Author(s):  
Denis A. Gavrilov ◽  
◽  
Talgat B. Mamirov ◽  
Sergei A. Rastigeev ◽  
Vasiliy V. Parkhomchuk ◽  
...  

The article presents the results of soil and archaeological study of the pedo-sedimentation sequence formed in the floodplain of the Derkul River (West Kazakhstan). The aim of the study was to reconstruct the stages of the alluvial sedimentogenesis alternating with relatively prolonged spans of soil formation, corresponding to the periods of floodplain agricultural development. It was established that floodplain sediment layer started to form as a result of stream sedimentation in the early Holocene; then this stage was followed by the relatively long-term soil formation period (5.6–3.8 cal. yr BC) resulting in a humus quasi-gleyic soil in the low floodplain (120–200 cm). The last period of soil formation (4.6–3.6 cal. yr BC) the floodplain was developed by man, which is displayed by the identified cultural horizon containing artifacts and having increased phosphorus content. At the end of the Subboreal period the next stage of alluvial sedimentation, started by the changed river hydrology regime, was found to be chronologically separated from the stage of stationary development of the floodplain by settled humans.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0256633
Author(s):  
Catherine S. Jarnevich ◽  
Pairsa N. Belamaric ◽  
Kent Fricke ◽  
Mike Houts ◽  
Liza Rossi ◽  
...  

Habitat loss from land-use change is one of the top causes of declines in wildlife species of concern. As such, it is critical to assess and reassess habitat suitability as land cover and anthropogenic features change for both monitoring and developing current information to inform management decisions. However, there are obstacles that must be overcome to develop consistent assessments through time. A range-wide lek habitat suitability model for the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus), currently under review by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service for potential listing under the Endangered Species Act, was published in 2016. This model was based on lek data from 2002 to 2012, land cover data ranging from 2001 to 2013, and anthropogenic features from circa 2011, and has been used to help guide lesser prairie-chicken management and anthropogenic development actions. We created a second iteration model based on new lek surveys (2015 to 2019) and updated predictors (2016 land cover and cleaned/updated anthropogenic data) to evaluate changes in lek suitability and to quantify current range-wide habitat suitability. Only three of 11 predictor variables were directly comparable between the iterations, making it difficult to directly assess what predicted changes resulted from changes in model inputs versus actual landscape change. The second iteration model showed a similar positive relationship with land cover and negative relationship with anthropogenic features to the first iteration, but exhibited more variation among candidate models. Range-wide, more suitable habitat was predicted in the second iteration. The Shinnery Oak Ecoregion, however, exhibited a loss in predicted suitable habitat that could be due to predictor source changes. Iterated models such as this are important to ensure current information is being used in conservation and development decisions.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0253080
Author(s):  
Trevor N. Browning ◽  
Derek E. Sawyer

The tropics are naturally vulnerable to watershed erosion. This region is rapidly growing (projected to be 50% of the global population by 2050) which exacerbates erosional issues by the subsequent land use change. The issue is particularly of interest on the many (~45,000) small tropical (<5,000 km2) islands, and their >115M residents, where ecotourism and sediment intolerant ecosystems such as coral reefs are the main driver of their economies. However, vulnerability to erosion and deposition is poorly quantified in these regions due to the misclassification or exclusion of small islands in coarse global analyses. We use the only vulnerability assessment method that connects watershed erosion and coastal deposition to compare locally sourced, high-resolution datasets (5 x 5 m) to satellite-collected, remotely sensed low-resolution datasets (463 x 463 m). We find that on the island scale (~52 km2) the difference in vulnerability calculated by the two methods is minor. On the watershed scale however, low-resolution datasets fail to accurately demonstrate watershed and coastal deposition vulnerability when compared to high-resolution analysis. Specifically, we find that anthropogenic development (roads and buildings) is poorly constrained at a global scale. Structures and roads are difficult to identify in heavily forested regions using satellite algorithms and the rapid, ongoing rate of development aggravates the issue. We recommend that end-users of this method obtain locally sourced anthropogenic development datasets for the best results while using low resolution datasets for the other variables. Fortunately, anthropogenic development data can be easily collected using community-based research or identified using satellite imagery by any level of user. Using high-resolution results, we identify a development trend across St. John and regions that are both high risk and possible targets for future development. Previously published modeled and measured sedimentation rates demonstrate the method is accurate when using low-resolution or high-resolution data but, anthropogenic development, watershed slope, and earthquake probability datasets should be of the highest resolution depending on the region specified.


Author(s):  
Charles A Muirhead

All river dolphin species are in decline as a direct result of intensified anthropogenic activity along river systems. In South America, the size and geographical complexity of their range pose a challenge to status assessment. Passive acoustic monitoring offers a cost-effective, scalable, and readily standardized method for determining species distribution and can augment the spatiotemporal coverage of visual survey efforts currently underway. A passive acoustic survey of dolphin presence was conducted in two areas of the Amazon River subject to different degrees of human use; the inland port city Iquitos and the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, in Peru. Surveys were based on acoustic detection of biosonar activity. Recorders were distributed at 17 sites along 61 linear km of river habitat for durations of 46 to 148 h. Dolphin presence was 45% lower near the city than in the reserve. This study demonstrates the efficacy of acoustic monitoring as a method for testing dolphin redistribution and/or decline hypotheses in the context of anthropogenic development. The methods are applicable to continuous future monitoring and status assessment of river dolphins in South America as well as in Asia.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changbin Lim ◽  
Taekon Kim ◽  
Sahong Lee ◽  
Yoon Jeong Yeon ◽  
Jung Lyul Lee

Abstract. Coastal erosion is more severe due to human-induced coastal zone development in addition to natural climate change. Anthropogenic development affecting coastal erosion is divided into three areas; watersheds, coastal waters, and coastal land areas. In this study, the ultimate effect of anthropogenic development on changes in the amount of sand, changes in the littoral drift, and changes in shoreline variability in these three planar areas is expressed as quantitative risk potential of beach erosion damage, defined as a change in the planar surface of the sand beach. The change in the amount of sand is due to the law of conservation of matter, and the littoral drift characteristic of sand is interpreted as a change in the main crest line at the breaking point, and the response characteristics of shoreline position is interpreted as change in the erodibility and recovery characteristics of beach sand. This quantitative method was applied to Bongpo-Cheonjin Beach of erosion grade D (frequency of erosion damage within 5 years) in Gangwon-do, Korea to identify the cause of erosion and evaluate the detailed applicability of this method. It was interpreted using a series of aerial photographs taken from 1972 to 2017 and survey data obtained from the erosion rating project started in 2010. In the erosion rating project, the GPS shoreline survey of 4 times per year and the sand sampling at the swash zones of base line at 150 m intervals are mainly carried out. We showed the feasibility of methodology evaluating the risk potential for beach erosion proposed in this study, and it can be expected that this method will be applicable to eroded beaches elsewhere.


Author(s):  
Vasyl Fesiuk ◽  
Dana Zacharchuk

The article is devoted to the analysis of physical and geographical features of the Konopelka river basin. Hydrological characteristics of the river, morphometric, geomorphological, climatic features of its basin, soil cover of the territory are considered. The history of the study of the geoecological condition of the river basin, the rational use and protection of water resources of the basin in the works of ukrainian scientists has been studied. The position of the basin in the zoning scheme of the territory of Ukraine for the potential danger of erosion processes, anthropogenic development of the basin are analyzed. It is established that the level of anthropogenic development of the basin is not high. Within its boundaries there are 26 settlements, 16.5 thousand people live. The economic complex of the basin is represented mainly by agriculture with a developed production of grain and industrial crops, as well as the local industry for processing agricultural products. 33% of the basin area is covered by forest, 3% - wetlands, 21% - meadows, 40% - arable land. Only 3% of the catchment area is built up. In the use of land resources in recent years there has been a tendency to reduce arable land in connection with the introduction of contour and reclamation organization of the territory, allotments for homestead land, reserve land and the organization of farms. The water resources of the basin are currently used sparingly. The largest water consumer is agriculture. The total water demand is about 733000 m3/year, and the irreversible use of 551000 m3/year. Compared to 1991, in 2020 the volume of water supply to meet the needs of industry and utilities increased by 43.4% (due to the use of groundwater), agriculture - by 150%, wastewater discharge also increased by 42%. There are no organized wastewater discharges within the basin. Pollution of the river occurs as a result of unorganized runoff from agricultural fields, livestock farms, rural areas and unauthorized landfills. Drainage reclamation has a significant impact within the basin. Erosion rates are exceeded 6.5 times, the level of erosion risk is crisis, plowing is 49.2%. In order to study the changes in the natural functioning and balance of the ecological system of the Konopelka river, a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the level of anthropogenic pressure on its basin was conducted. In particular, the degree of anthropogenic transformation of the modern landscape was assessed according to the method of KAP, proposed by Voropay L.I., Dutchak N.V., Kunitsa N.A. The coefficient of landscape stability was also calculated according to the method of Klementova E., Heinige V. The performed calculations allowed to identify the value of the degree of transformation of the studied landscape as a transformed, unstable landscape with pronounced instability. The ecological condition of the river basin is unfavorable. Among the individual processes and phenomena that affect the formation of the geoecological state, it is necessary to highlight the location of pesticides that cause contamination with ammonia and phosphorus, the extent of plowing, which contributes to the removal of pollutants from agricultural areas. However, in addition to the processes of anthropogenic pollution, there are other processes that affect the formation of the ecological state of the basin. In particular, the processes of karst, waterlogging, flooding, ravine formation, subsidence and planar erosion are manifested. As a result of these processes, the channel is silted up, sediments are formed, and the shores are washed away. Environmental measures are proposed to improve the geoecological condition of the river basin. Among them: replanning of agricultural use of lands of various technological groups, organizational and economic agrotechnical reclamation and hydrotechnical compensatory measures. Keywords: river basin, geoecological condition of the basin, sources of anthropogenic influence within the basin, anthropogenic transformation of the basin


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
TERESA CATRY ◽  
FRANCESCO VENTURA ◽  
MARIA P. DIAS ◽  
CARLOS D. SANTOS ◽  
RICARDO C. MARTINS ◽  
...  

Summary The increasing pressure of anthropogenic development in areas with high natural value poses a huge challenge for wildlife conservation worldwide. The Tagus estuary in southern Portugal is among the most important wetlands for migratory shorebirds in the East Atlantic Flyway (EAF). However, in 2020 the Portuguese government approved the construction of the new Lisbon international airport at the heart of the Tagus estuary. Intense aircraft traffic, flying at low altitudes during both approach and take-off, is expected to cross the estuary, overlapping to a great extent the important intertidal foraging areas. Here, we aim to quantify the potential loss of conservation value of the intertidal areas of the Tagus estuary for shorebirds resulting from the disturbance (noise) caused by overflying aircraft. Using a comprehensive dataset of wintering shorebird abundance and distribution in the whole intertidal estuarine area we first identified priority areas for conservation using a spatial prioritization approach. We then performed a replacement cost analysis by excluding the areas likely to become unsuitable or severely underused by birds due to intense air traffic noise. Our results suggest that the implementation of the new Lisbon airport may lead to a loss of up to 30% of the conservation value of the Tagus estuary in terms of intertidal feeding areas of wintering birds alone. The global impact will likely be greater when effects on supratidal roosts, as well as on passage birds, are also considered. The Tagus estuary, which is internationally important for six of the 10 species included in our analysis, is just one of a network of already depleted sites along the EAF. Thus, negative impacts on bird populations on the Tagus estuary will have repercussions and undermine conservation efforts elsewhere. The plight of shorebirds at the Tagus estuary is thus a matter of international conservation concern.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco De Leo ◽  
Stefan A. Talke

&lt;p&gt;Many locations in the U.S. have experienced large trends in their tidal range since the 19&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; century, often in response to altered coastal and estuarine morphology. &amp;#160;Such tidal changes may enhance the vulnerability of an area towards flooding. In this contribution, &gt;1000 estimates of tidal range from around the contiguous United States are digitized from the published tide tables of 1899 and compared to the tide table of 2020. Our approach enables much greater spatial coverage than previous studies. Tidal range has more than doubled in many regions due to anthropogenic development, including Miami, the Saint Johns River, and the Connecticut River. Important changes are noted in other tidal rivers, including the Sacramento, Savannah, and James Rivers. On average, gauges located inland experienced the largest changes in tidal range, followed by estuary stations; coastal stations showed the least variability. Amplified tidal range increases the prevalence of minor (nuisance) flooding.&amp;#160; As shown by case studies of San Francisco, Wilmington (North Carolina) and Miami (Florida), the prevalence of minor (nuisance) flooding events has greatly increased due to tidal evolution. In locations without historical time-series, we infer the changed flooding using a statistical model that estimates changes to tidal constituents based on the observed change in tidal range and known constituent ratios. &amp;#160;Results show that tidal change may be a previously underappreciated factor in the increasing prevalence of nuisance flooding in cities like Miami and Jacksonville, Florida, where long time series of data back to the 19&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; century are not available.&amp;#160; Understanding the reasons for tidal change may provide planners and engineers with new tools to adapt to climate change effects like sea-level rise.&lt;/p&gt;


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