Trialing geophysical techniques in the identification of open Indigenous sites in Australia: A case study from inland northwest Queensland

The use of geophysical techniques as an aid to archaeological investigations has become common-place, however these methods have only occasionally been applied in Indigenous Australian archaeology. This is despite recognition (and recommendations) since the 1970s that such approaches have the potential to yield positive results in such contexts (e.g. Connah et al. 1976; Stanley 1983; Stanley and Green 1976). Australian archaeologists have perhaps been reluctant to embrace these techniques because of their perceived high cost (both of equipment and specialist staff) and the subtle nature of subsurface Indigenous sites as geophysical targets. Nevertheless, there have been a number of recent applications of these techniques in Australia, particularly in relation to burial and hearth sites. We report the results of a pilot study conducted in northwest Queensland. This study aimed to test the applicability of geophysical methods being routinely employed to locate a variety of open site features (particularly hearths and middens) as part of reconnaissance surveys. While not being entirely successful, this study demonstrated that certain archaeological features can be readily identifi ed using geophysical techniques, though further research and trials should be carried out to refi ne the uses of these techniques to allow their more widespread applicability.

Dronar—Geoforensic Search Sonar from a Drone

Lightweight sonar devices may be tethered to an unmanned aerial vehicle or drone and quickly deployed over water for real-time imaging in 2D and the on site creation of geolocated, interactive bathymetric maps without the need for a boat. We show how such data is useful in the preliminary stages of water searches, by providing geophysicists, hydrologists and divers with spatial depth information, the distribution of dive and equipment hazards such as entanglement objects (weed, discarded items) and sediment types. One bathymetry case study location is described in detail, with a further two summarized to demonstrate reconnaissance surveys. Limitations of drone-based sonar surveys are outlined, including dense water weed cover; limits on flight times and adverse weather conditions.

Population status and distribution of Ibisbill Ibidorhyncha struthersii (Vigors, 1832) (Aves: Charadriiformes: Ibidorhynchidae) in Kashmir Valley, India

A field study was carried out for the first time in Kashmir Valley to investigate the population status and distribution of Ibisbill. The initial reconnaissance surveys conducted across Kashmir Valley, indicated that the Lidder River in district Anantnag and Sindh River in district Ganderbal harbor populations of Ibisbill. During the intensive study carried out in the river Sindh from September 2017 to August 2018, the mean population size was maximum (36±8.63) at Stretch I and minimum (3±1.35) at stretch II. The seasonal population of Ibisbill was maximum (25.66±18.44) in the autumn and minimum (10±9.35) in the winter. The present study indicated that river Sindh provides an ideal habitat for Ibisbill, and was most widely used by the bird. We recommend further intensive research studies on the lesser known aspects of ecology and biology of this enigmatic species for long term conservation planning in the region.

PHOTOGRAMMETRIC PROCESSING OF OSIRIS-REX IMAGES OF ASTEROID (101955) BENNU

The principal objective of the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security–Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission is to retrieve a sample of the asteroid (101955) Bennu and return it to Earth. OSIRIS-REx arrived at Bennu in December 2018. Images of the asteroid by the OSIRIS-REx Camera Suite (OCAMS) were photogrammetrically controlled to produce a global basemap and site-specific image mosaics essential to the selection of a primary and backup sample site, which were announced in December 2019. In the control process, OCAMS images were registered to shape models created from OSIRIS-REx Laser Altimeter (OLA) data and from the process of stereophotoclinometry. This paper summarizes the photogrammetric control to date of images collected at Bennu. We briefly review the mission and the OCAMS imaging sensors. We then describe the photogrammetric control process for the global mapping campaign and targeted reconnaissance surveys of candidate sample sites. Finally, we discuss ongoing and future work.

Evaluation of non-market environmental services in smallholder forest plantations with choice experiments in Dormaa forest district, Ghana

Timber production is the focus of forest management in Ghana. Environmental services are scarcely factored into forest management plans. This may be due to a lack of understanding and estimation of the value of environmental services. Using choice modelling, this study attempts to fill the information gap. Non-market attributes of forest plantations were identified from literature and reconnaissance surveys. Conjoint analysis was employed to estimate the value of these attributes. Orthogonal design was used to generate different combinations of attribute levels into profiles. Respondents ranked the profiles from most to least preferred. The results show that water regulation was the most influential attribute in the ranking of choice profiles. Farmers were willing to accept US$114.30·ha−1·year−1 as compensation for improving environmental services. Findings on the non-market environmental services and socioeconomic characteristics of farmers can help forest managers better evaluate actions and policies to enhance forest management.

Hydroelectric resources of minor rivers in areas of compact settlement inhabited by low-numbered peoples of the north

The article presents the results of expeditionary reconnaissance surveys of minor rivers in the Yana basin that allowed for the first time to estimate the installed capacity of seasonal micro-hydroelectric power stations for power supply to remote isolated localities. Works on the study of the hydrological characteristics of minor rivers in the territory under consideration have not been carried out before. For the first time, reliable information about the hydrological regime of rivers was obtained. This is primarily water consumption and the longitudinal grade of watercourse being the basis for making a decision on the location, determining the capacity of micro-power plants, as well as choosing the necessary hydroelectric equipment.

Mysid (Crustacea: Mysidacea) Distribution in the Bolgoda Estuarine System and Lunawa Lagoon, Sri Lanka

Mysids are one of the most abundant and important fauna in estuarine hyperbenthic communities. They form important links in estuarine food chains and play a critical role in the cycling of energy within estuarine systems. Therefore, it is important to recognize the distribution of estuarine mysids in Sri Lanka. The present study was undertaken in Bolgoda estuarine system and Lunawa lagoon, in order to find out the distribution of mysids in these brackish water systems. Reconnaissance surveys were conducted, in Bolgoda North Lake, Panadura estuary of the Bolgoda estuarine system and the Lunawa lagoon from April 2012 to February 2013. The samples were collected using a hand held dip net, during day time at low tide along an eighty meter transect at the boundary of the estuarine waters. Mesopodopsis zeylanica was the only mysid species observed from the low water areas of the lagoon along the boundary of the stream. In each collection, it was recorded, higher percentages of females than the males. Mysids were recoded only from unpolluted areas and they were absent, where Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) was widespread. The findings of this analysis could be used to establish the fact that boundary condition and polluted condition are having a great effect on presence of mysids. It may be due to their specific niche requirements and specialized habitats. Accordingly, mysids serve as pollution indicator species in estuarine ecosystems. An immediate management strategy is required in protecting the Bolgoda estuarine systems from dumping household pollutants as well as other pollutants and complete elimination of the invader plants like E. crassipes, in order to protect estuarine biodiversity.INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENT Volume-6, Issue-1, Dec-Feb 2016/17, page: 23-30

Effect of critical sub-system failures on the post-earthquake functionality of buildings: A case study for Montréal hospitals

When an earthquake occurs, hospitals are expected to remain functional as they play a crucial role in emergency care operations. This ability to ensure the continuity of quality operations while ensuring the safety of occupants during and after an earthquake defines the concept of post-earthquake functionality. Hospital functionality relies on the good performance of a large number of critical sub-systems, components and equipment. Although the global seismic performance of building structures and their nonstructural components was extensively observed in several post-disaster reconnaissance surveys, there is limited and incomplete information on the effect of building and nonstructural damage on post-earthquake functionality. The objective of this paper is to present a methodology for the assessment of post-earthquake functionality of existing Montréal hospitals using fault-tree analysis. The study shows that using specific and accurate information on the vulnerability and fragility of structural and critical nonstructural components, a probabilistic index of post-earthquake functionality of the entire facility is computed which informs mitigation action for the critical failure processes through the system.