Geometric Similarity Measurement Method for Micro Scene Generalization

Geometric similarity plays an important role in geographic information retrieval, map matching, and data updating. Many approaches have been developed to calculate the similarity between simple features. However, complex group objects are common in map and spatial database systems. With a micro scene that contains different types of geographic features, calculating similarity is difficult. In addition, few studies have paid attention to the changes in a scene’s geometric similarity in the process of generalization. In this study, we developed a method for measuring the geometric similarity of micro scene generalization based on shape, direction, and position. We calculated shape similarity using the hybrid feature description, and we constructed a direction Voronoi diagram and a position graph to measure the direction similarity and position similarity. The experiments involved similarity calculation and quality evaluation to verify the usability and effectiveness of the proposed method. The experiments showed that this approach can be used to effectively measure the geometric similarity between micro scenes. Moreover, the proposed method accounts for the relationships amongst the geometrical shape, direction, and position of micro scenes during cartographic generalization. The simplification operation leads to obvious changes in position similarity, whereas delete and merge operations lead to changes in direction and position similarity. In the process of generalization, the river + islands scene changed mainly in shape and position, the similarity change in river + lakes occurred due to the direction and location, and the direction similarity of rivers + buildings and roads + buildings changed little.

Vascular plants and plant habitats of Brush Creek Island, Lewis County, Kentucky, U.S.A.

A descriptive survey of the vascular flora and plant habitats of Brush Creek Island, a 6.7-ha Ohio River island in Lewis County, Kentucky, was conducted during 1995–1996 and 2012. Brush Creek Island (BC), one of three Ohio River islands politically a part of Kentucky, is currently under private ownership and projected as a future part of the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Two major habitats in 2012 were Vegetated Unconsolidated Shoreline and Bottomland Hardwood Forest, a final sere of Late Old Field and Immature Bottomland Hardwood Forest. Two additional 1996 habitats, a seasonal Riverine Emergent Wetland and Late Old Field, were altered through fluvial action and secondary succession processes by 2012. An annotated list consists of 330 species in 220 genera from 82 families. Taxa are composed of one Monilophyte, four Magnoliids, 76 Monocots, and 249 Eudicots. Ninety-three taxa (28.2%) are non-native adventive or naturalized spe-cies. Forty-eight taxa (54%) are classified as Kentucky invasive plants. A total of 189 species (57.3%) are hydrophytes. Ninety-five native or non-native taxa (28.8%) are Lewis County distribution records.

Diversity and distribution of avifauna at Warathenna-Hakkinda Environmental Protection Area in Kandy, Sri Lanka

The present study was carried out in the recently established Warathenna-Hakkinda EPA in the Kandy District, Sri Lanka to investigate the avifaunal diversity and conservation threats. Sampling was conducted in two main habitat types: river islands and riverine forests. Both point count (10 m radius) and line transect (200 m long) methods were utilized and maximum of 30 minutes was used to sample the birds in each point. Food habit, niche type, endemism, abundance, and diversity indices (Shannon & Margalef) were calculated to compare the two habitats in this area. A total of 74 bird species belonging to 61 genera and 35 families were encountered from the study site. Among these, seven species are endemic: Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Sri Lanka Green Pigeon, Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Crimson-fronted Barbet, Yellow-fronted Barbet, and Sri Lanka Hill Mynah; while six were migratory: Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Indian Pitta, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Yellow Wagtail, and Grey Wagtail and the rest were non-endemic natives. Most of them were canopy and sub canopy dwellers associated with riverine forests and islands. According to the National Red List of Sri Lanka, three species, the Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon, Sri Lanka Hill Mynah, and Alpine Swift, are listed as threatened. Ardeidae, Alcedinidae, Columbidae, Accipitridae, and Apodidae were the most species rich families in this habitat. Out of the sampled species, 31% and 25% of the birds were carnivores and insectivores, respectively, while 5% were nectarivores. According to the avifauna, the riverine forests are more diverse (Shannon index H’= 2.55; Margalef’s index M= 10.92) than the river islands (H’= 2.29; M= 5.07) in this landscape. The variety of habitats along the Mahaweli River at Warathenna appears to aid in sustaining a rich bird community and this Environmental Protection Area will help create a safe haven for the birds.

Parasitoids collected on oceanic and river islands: Bibliographical summary

The islands, due to their discreet and isolated nature, offer excellent opportunities for understanding the origin, diversification and extinction of terrestrial biotas such as that of parasitoids. This study aimed to perform a bibliographic summary of the parasitoids collected on oceanic and river islands. For the elaboration of this study, researchers were carried out that contained published works reporting the main families, subfamilies and species. The mini review was prepared in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil in the years 2007 to 2021, using the Online Electronic Scientific Library (Scielo). Parasitoids are important natural regulators of insects and are prominent groups of natural enemies. They are also considered as bioindicators of biodiversity.

The Landscape Structure of the Dnipro River Islands in Kyiv, Ukraine: the Venetsiansky (Hydropark) Island Case Study

The article studies the Venetsiansky (Hydropark) Island (the Dnipro River, Kyiv, Ukraine) landscape structure applying the genetic landscape science method and the European landscape classification (LANMAP) approach. The aim of the article is to determine the best way to study the river islands landscapes analyzing the Venetsiansky Island landscape structure by the both methods. Methodology. The genetic landscape science method consists in the next steps: 1) the island’s territory information collecting; 2) the preliminary landscape map creating; 3) field study; 4) the final landscape map creating. The LANMAP method consists on: 1) the climate study; 2) the altitude study; 3) the parent material study; 4) the land cover study. The results. The genetic landscape science method demonstrates that the Venetsiansky Island is not a landscape, but a structural part of the landscape – the tract. The LANMAP study reveals that the Venetsiansky Island is naturally homogeneous, but land cover differs. The conclusion. The both methods’ study shows that the river island cannot be the entire landscape by the natural criteria, but only the part of it. The genetic landscape science explores the landscape forming while the LANMAP reveals the current state of the landscape.

Consanguinity: A Form of Social Capital Among the Muslims of Char Areas in Barpeta District, Assam

Information on the dynamics of consanguinity is always important for public health strategy. It provides a direct roadmap for healthcare providers and health policymakers to make people aware of the consequences of consanguinity. The present study aims to investigate the attitude of the Muslim people practising consanguinity in the char (river island) areas of Barpeta district in Assam. It intends to seek a cultural explanation behind the practice of consanguinity. The study was conducted cross-sectionally among the Muslims living in different villages of the temporary, semi-permanent and permanent river islands of Barpeta district in Assam. A total of 556 married couples were included in the study. Of these, 103 couples are consanguineous and the rest 453 are non-consanguineous. To study the prevalence of congenital disorders, a sample of 153 males and 121 female inbred children of the consanguineous couples and 701 male and 571 female children of the non-consanguineous parents have been included in the study. The prevalence of consanguineous marriage in the chars was found to be 18.53% and the average coefficient of inbreeding was 0.05996796. Of the consanguineous marriages, the most favoured type was between the first cousins (63.11%), followed by half first-cousin marriages (12.62%). Altogether 14.60% of inbred were found to have some type of congenital disorder against 0.31% non-inbred. In the chars of Barpeta, it is not only ignorance but poor economic condition is also a reason behind the practise of consanguinity. Consanguineous marriage provides means of escaping the expenditure incurred in dowry or bridewealth payment. With seasonal floods, river erodes their village and crops completely every year. Family remains the sole source of stability and security. Consanguineous marriage therefore forms a sort of social capital as they are a source of secured and stable married life in the most hostile ecological settings where these people are living. Social security is of utmost priority behind these marriages in the char.

Research on the Image Building of the Typical City and Ancient Town in the Southern China from the Perspective of Water Culture

With the rapid development of the economy and the acceleration of urbanization in China, the characteristics of traditional ancient towns are gradually assimilated by modern culture. Image is the characteristics and individuality of cities and ancient towns. Image building has also become an important means to enhance urban competitiveness, protect the characteristic culture of ancient towns and develop tourism in ancient towns. This research takes Changsha city and Jinggang ancient towns as examples, and based on physical water culture, behavioral water culture and spiritual water culture, which are analyzed and compared from the perspective of figuration and imagery. The results show that the water culture’s visualization has similar and different of these two places. The similarity is reflected in the obvious spatial development structure and derived water culture of the places. The differences are reflected in the following aspects: (1)Changsha city’s natural water landscapes such as scenic spots along the river, islands and scenic spots, ecological leisure parks, etc. Jinggang Ancient Town is dominated by temples, ancient theaters and other cultural attractions. (2) There are many ports, navigation junctions and modern water conservancy establishments in Changsha; Jinggang ancient town are well preserved about the ancient quay and other ancient water conservancy establishment. (3) Changsha City presents the urban spirit of “being the first and keeping the world in mind”. Jinggang Ancient Town believes in “Water God”. Combining the similarities and differences between the water cultural visualized of Changsha and Jinggang ancient town, it is proposed that Changsha should pay attention to protecting the water cultural heritage, Jinggang ancient town need to create natural water landscapes, and both regions need to increase water cultural activities. The suggestion provided reference for similar water culture building visualize of cities or ancient towns.