A seasonal pulse of ungulate neonates influences space use by carnivores in a multi-predator, multi-prey system

The behavioral mechanisms by which predators encounter prey are poorly resolved. In particular, the extent to which predators engage in active search for prey versus incidentally encountering them is unknown. The distinction between search and incidental encounter influences prey population dynamics with active search exerting a stabilizing force on prey populations by alleviating predation pressure on low-density prey and increasing it for high26 density prey. Parturition of many large herbivores occurs during a short and predictable temporal window in which young are highly vulnerable to predation. Our study aims to determine how a suite of carnivores responds to the seasonal pulse of newborn ungulates using contemporaneous GPS locations of four species of predators and two species of prey. We used step-selection functions to assess whether coyotes, cougars, black bears, and bobcats actively searched for parturient females in a low-density population of mule deer and a high-density population of elk. We then assessed whether searching carnivores shifted their habitat use toward areas exhibiting a high probability of encountering neonates. None of the four carnivore species encountered parturient mule deer more often than expected by chance suggesting that predation of young resulted from incidental encounters. By contrast, we determined that cougar and male bear movements positioned them in proximity of parturient elk more often than expected by chance which is evidence of searching behavior. Although both male bears and cougars searched for neonates, only male bears used elk parturition habitat in a way that dynamically tracked the phenology of the elk birth pulse suggesting that maximizing encounters with juvenile elk was a motivation when selecting resources. Our results support the existence of a stabilizing mechanism to prey populations through active search behavior by predators because carnivores in our study searched for the high45 density prey species (elk) but ignored the low-density species (mule deer). We conclude that prey density must be high enough to warrant active search, and that there is high interspecific and intersexual variability in foraging strategies among large mammalian predators and their prey.

Assessing Brazilian peripheral sprawl: an association of computer-aided tools to evaluate spatial changes at Vila Cabral neighborhood, Campina Grande

This article presents an analysis of the spatial transformations between the years 2005 and 2020 in the Vila Cabral neighborhood, at Campina Grande's periphery, a midsize Brazilian city located in the interior of the Paraíba state. This research aims to assess the neighborhood's growth objectively, verifying the proposed methodological association's efficiency to carry out this investigation. From a methodological perspective, this study uses a quanti-qualitative analysis of a homogeneous urban fabric sample. Two different analytical scenarios were built (2005 and 2020) to compare the results, and the following procedures were developed: (i) literature review, (ii) formal decomposition of a sample of the urban fabric; (iii) Angular Segment Analysis (ASA/Space Syntax); (vi) parametric analysis of the diversity of uses; and (v) parametric analysis of urban density (population and built). In the end, it was possible to objectively evaluate and understand the transformations that occurred in the time-lapse of the two scenarios. The discussions proposed by this research orbit the current urban growth model in Brazil and how objective indicators can assist in the diagnostic task. This investigation reinforced that the association of different urban analysis methodologies can strengthen the diagnostic processes, mainly because objective values help in project decision-making.

Mitigasi Penyebaran Covid-19 Melalui Pemetaan Kepadatan Pemukiman, Mobilitas Penduduk dan Lingkungan Kelurahan Kadia Kota Kendari

Abstrak: Isu pandemi Covid-19 menjadi perhatian dunia dan sampai saat ini belum diprediksi kapan akan berakhir. Penyebaran Covid-19 merubah pola interaksi dalam kurun waktu yang cepat dan drastis karena adanya pemberlakukan pembatasan pergerakan dan kegiatan manusia. Kota Kendari termasuk daerah yang terdampak penyebaran Covid-19 dan salah satu kelurahan yang terdampak dengan status zona merah adalah kelurahan Kadia. Dalam mengantisipasi penyebaran Covid-19 di kelurahan Kadia, perlu dilakukan mitigasi melalui pemetaan kepadatan pemukiman, mobilitas penduduk dan lingkungan. Tujuan kegiatan ini adalah melakukan mitigasi penyebaran Covid-19 melalui pemetaan kepadatan pemukiman, mobilitas penduduk dan lingkungan kelurahan Kadia. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah survey dan overlay peta. Hasil penelitian menunjukan kepadatan pemukiman di kelurahan Kadia pada tingkat yang tinggi (25-34) pada RW 002, RW 007 dan RW 008. Kepadatan penduduk di kelurahan Kadia yang tinggi pada (62-92) pada RW 001 RT 002, RW 002, RW 007 RT 001 dan 003, RW 008 RT 003, dan RW 009 RT 003. Tingkat mobilitas penduduk dikelurahan Kadia yang tinggi (90-174) pada RW 002 RT 002, RW 003 RT 001 dan 002, RW 004 RT001, 002 dan 003, RW 005 RT 001, RW 006 RT 001, dan RW 007. Secara spasial kondisi lingkungan kelurahan Kadia didominasi oleh lahan terbangun dengan jumlah penduduk sebanyak 7775 jiwa. Berdasarkan hasil pemetaan kepadatan pemukiman, kepadatan penduduk, mobilitas penduduk dan lingkungan maka mitigasi tingkat potensial penyebaran Covid-19 di kelurahan Kadia difokuskan pada titik potensial yang tinggi (RW 002) dan titik potensial yang sedang (RW 007). Beberapa langkah mitgasi penyebaran Covid-19 yang dilakukan adalah memasang poster mitigasi penerapan protokol kesehatan dengan memakai masker, selalu mencuci tangan dengan sabun dan menjaga jarak.Kata kunci : Mitigasi, Pandemi Covid-19, Pemetaan, Kelurahan Kadia Abstract: The issue of the Covid-19 pandemic has become a worldwide concern and until now it has not been predicted when it will end. The spread of Covid-19 changed the pattern of interaction in a fast and drastic period due to the imposition of restrictions on human movement and activities. Kendari City is one of the areas affected by the spread of Covid-19 and one of the ward affected by the red zone status is Kadia Ward. In anticipating the spread of Covid-19 in the Kadia sub-district, it is necessary to carry out mitigation through mapping the density of settlements, population mobility, and the environment. The purpose of this activity is to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 through mapping the density of settlements, population mobility, and the Kadia urban village environment. The method used in this research is survey and map overlay. The results showed that the density of settlements in the Kadia village was at a high level (25-34) in RW 002, RW 007, and RW 008. The population density in the Kadia ward was high at (62-92) in RW 001, RT 002, RW 002, RW. 007 RT 001 and 003, RW 008 RT 003, and RW 009 RT 003. The level of population mobility in Kadia kelurahan is high (90-174) in RW 002 RT 002, RW 003 RT 001 and 002, RW 004 RT 001, 002 and 003, RW 005,RT 001, RW 006, RT 001, and RW 007. Spatially, the environmental condition of the Kadia ward is dominated by built-up land with a population of 7775 people. Based on the results of mapping settlement density, population density, population mobility, and the environment, mitigation of the potential level of Covid-19 spread in the Kadia ward is focused on high potential points (RW 002) and medium potential points (RW 007). Some of the steps to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 were putting up a mitigation poster for the implementation of the health protocol by wearing a mask, always washing hands with soap, and keeping a distance.Keywords : Mitigation, Covid-19 Pandemic, Mapping, Kelurahan Kadia

Density and Abundance Estimation of Amazonian River Dolphins: Understanding Population Size Variability

The dolphins Inia geoffrensis—boto and Sotalia fluviatilis—tucuxi are threatened cetaceans inhabiting river ecosystems in South America; population numbers are still lacking for many areas. This paper provides density and abundance estimations of boto and tucuxi in 15 rivers sampled during the past nine years as part of a multinational research alliance. Visual boat-survey data collection protocols and analyses have been developed since 2012 (based on Distance Sampling methods) and recently reviewed (2019) to improve robustness and comparability. Differences across the sampled rivers and the analyzed river basins (Amazon and Orinoco) pointed to a density/population size gradient with lower densities and abundances observed in the Orinoco basin (0.9–1.5 ind./km²), passing through the eastern Amazon basin (2–5 ind./km²), and the largest numbers found at the central Brazilian Amazon (lower Purus River—2012 (14.5 boto/km², N = 7672; 17.1 tucuxi/km², N = 9238)). However, in other parts of the central Amazon, the density of dolphins was smaller than expected for high productive whitewater rivers (1–1.7 ind./km² in the Japurá and Solimões rivers). We attributed these differences to specific features of the basin (e.g., hydro-geomorphology) as well as to the cumulative effects of anthropogenic activities.

Estimated Density, Population Size and Distribution of the Endangered Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) in Forest Remnants in Bangladesh

Tropical forests are threatened worldwide due to deforestation. In South and Southeast Asia, gibbons (Hylobatidae) are important to seed dispersal and forest regeneration. Most gibbons are threatened due to deforestation. We studied the western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) in Bangladesh to determine population size and extent of suitable habitat. We used distance sampling to estimate density across 22 sites in northeastern and southeastern Bangladesh. We used Maxent modeling to determine areas of highly suitable habitat throughout Bangladesh. Density was estimated to be 0.39 ± 0.09groups/km2, and the total estimated population was 468.96 ± 45.56 individuals in 135.31 ± 2.23 groups. The Maxent model accurately predicted gibbon distribution. Vegetation cover, isothermality, annual precipitation, elevation and mean temperature of the warmest quarter influenced distribution. Two areas in the northeast and two areas in the southeast have high potential for gibbon conservation in Bangladesh. We also found significantly more gibbons in areas that had some level of official protection. Thus, we suggest careful evaluation, comprehensive surveys and restoration of habitats identified as suitable for gibbons. We recommend bringing specific sites in the northeastern and southeastern regions under protection to secure habitat for remaining gibbon populations.

Profil Distribusi Apotek di Kabupaten Banyumas berdasarkan Sistem Informasi Geografi dan Korelasinya dengan Jumlah Kunjungan dan Resep Tahun 2019

The distribution of pharmacies in Indonesia is still becoming a problem. Pharmacies are mostly available around healthcare facilities such as hospitals, service providers, trade centers, transportation facilities, and main roads. The study aims to describe the distribution profile of pharmacies based on Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis and to study the relation between pharmacy distribution profiles with the number of consumer visits and prescriptions. The study is conducted in 27 sub-districts in Banyumas Regency, Central Java using Arc Gis 3.10.2 Software. Pharmacy profile, the number of consumer visits, and prescriptions at the pharmacy are obtained by distributing research questionnaires to pharmacists. The results showed that the distribution of pharmacies in the Banyumas Regency was still dominant in urban areas, which reached 55%. The average distance of pharmacies was 2.34 km. The research results on the distribution pattern of pharmacies in 27 sub-districts showed that in 3 districts (11.1%) were grouped in certain areas, in 24 other districts (88.9%), the pharmacies' distribution had a spread distribution pattern. The conclusion of the research that the distribution of pharmacies in the Banyumas Regency based on GIS visualization was still dominant in urban areas and especially in sub-districts around the capital of Banyumas Regency, Purwokerto. Based on the study, there was a relation between the average distance of pharmacies and the number of healthcare facilities on consumer visits. There was a relation between pharmacy density, population density, and the number of healthcare facilities with the number of prescriptions.

The geography of COVID-19 in Sweden

This paper examines the geographic factors that are associated with the spread of COVID-19 during the first wave in Sweden. We focus particularly on the role of place-based factors versus factors associated with the spread or diffusion of COVID-19 across places. Sweden is a useful case study to examine the interplay of these factors because it did not impose mandatory lockdowns and because there were essentially no regional differences in the pandemic policies or strategies during the first wave of COVID-19. We examine the role of place-based factors like density, age structures and different socioeconomic factors on the geographic variation of COVID-19 cases and on deaths, across both municipalities and neighborhoods. Our findings show that factors associated with diffusion matter more than place-based factors in the geographic incidence of COVID-19 in Sweden. The most significant factor of all is proximity to places with higher levels of infections. COVID-19 is also higher in places that were hit earliest in the outbreak. Of place-based factors, the geographic variation in COVID-19 is most significantly related to the presence of high-risk nursing homes, and only modestly associated with factors like density, population size, income and other socioeconomic characteristics of places.

Open and Consistent Geospatial Data on Population Density, Built-Up and Settlements to Analyse Human Presence, Societal Impact and Sustainability: A Review of GHSL Applications

This review analyses peer-reviewed scientific publications and policy documents that use built-up density, population density and settlement typology spatial grids from the Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL) project to quantify human presence and processes for sustainability. Such open and free grids provide detailed time series spanning 1975–2015 developed with consistent approaches. Improving our knowledge of cities and settlements by measuring their size extent, as well as the societal processes occurring within settlements, is key to understanding their impact on the local, regional and global environment for addressing global sustainability and the integrity of planet Earth. The reviewed papers are grouped around five main topics: Quantifying human presence; assessing settlement growth over time; estimating societal impact, assessing natural hazard risk and impact, and generating indicators for international framework agreements and policy documents. This review calls for continuing to refine and expand the work on societal variables that, when combined with essential variables including those for climate, biodiversity and ocean, can improve our understanding of the societal impact on the biosphere and help to monitor progress towards local, regional and planetary sustainability.

Ability of Spalangia endius (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) to Parasitize Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) after Switching Hosts

We studied the parasitism capacity of Spalangia endius as a pupal parasite of Bactocera dorsalis after switching hosts. We used pupae of B. dorsalis and M. domestica as the hosts and studied parasitism by S. endius in the laboratory. The parasitism capacities were compared at different host densities and different parasitoid ages. The two functional responses of S. endius fitted a Holling Type II equation. More M. domestica were parasitized than B. dorsalis at all the densities. The ability of S. endius to control M. domestica was α/Th (parasitism capacity) = 32.1950, which was much stronger than that of control B. dorsalis, which was α/Th = 4.7380. The parasitism rate of wasps that had parasitized B. dorsalis had decreased by the emergence time of parasitoids. These results suggest that the parasitoid-pest ratio should be 1:25 to maintain a relatively stable parasitism rate for control of B. dorsalis. The S. endius colony reared on M. domestica successfully controlled a low-density population of B. dorsalis in the lab. We provide evidence suggesting that the parasitism capacity of S. endius needs to be improved.