Fixed-point observation of Oncomelania nosophora in Kofu Basin -- establishment of monitoring system of schistosomiasis japonica in Japan

There are still many Oncomelania snails that inhabit the Kofu Basin, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, which had been declared free of schistosomiasis japonica. Due to the need to monitor the situation, a fixed-point observation system using GIS from GPS is being examined. In addition, in broad present or former endemic areas, survey areas are being managed by remote sensing with satellite images or aerial photographs. A simple and effective monitoring method by mobile GIS using PDAs was developed, risk or hazard maps were prepared and a system that would enable a response in the event of reemergence is being examined.     

Time-Space Characterization of Commercial Seaweed Species from the Gulf of California using a Geographical Information System

The Gulf of California, considered one of the most pristine areas of the world, hosts more than 50 seaweed species that have commercial applications. Only one species, however, is presently harvested commercially. In order to establish potential areas for seaweed use, a Geographical Information System (GIS) was used to determine areas for potential seaweed exploitation based on more than 9000 literature records. The system allows for the determination of sites, areas and times of the year when commercial species may be available. This information is being considered in a zoning program that would determine the areas of the Gulf sustainable for use or conservation. Temperature data were also included in order to determine potential areas for seaweed cultivation. GIS proves to be a powerful tool for large-scale management of seaweed resources.     

城市生态系统研究中遥感技术的应用

本文提出并论证了城市生态系统研究与遥感的总体方案及主要研究方向和研究方法。可以认为,用遥感技术作为获取数据的手段,用动态大系统理论分析数据,并借助于专家系统和地理信息系统处理和管理数据,可以解决城市生态系统研究中全方位信息的收集和巨大信息量的处理两大难题;通过引入中间变量把非空间直接可测变量表述为空间直接可测量的函数,从而在专家系统和地理信息系统的支持下扩大遥感技术的应用领域。     

Breeding site selection by bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) and Eurasian griffon (Gyps fulvus) in the Caucasus

Occupied and unoccupied sites of bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus and Eurasian griffon Gyps fulvus were located in the Caucasus (mainly Georgia). Habitat variables related to nest-site characteristics, climate, terrain, human disturbance and food availability were used to construct predictive models of vulture breeding site selection by using a geographic information system (GIS), logistic regression and Bayesian statistical inference. The probability of bearded vulture occupancy of a cliff ledge that was safe from climatic adversity, human disturbance and predation was positively correlated with the following variables measured within a 20-km radius of the ledge: mean elevation, mean slope, the percentage of open areas, mean distance to roads, number of globally threatened wild goats Capra cylindricornis, C. caucasica and C. aegargus , and annual biomass of dead livestock. The probability of such a cliff ledge being occupied by Eurasian griffon was negatively correlated with annual rainfall at the ledge and positively correlated with the percentage of open areas and annual biomass of dead livestock within 20 km of the ledge. Provided that GIS coverage of the habitat variables is available, these models can be of help in various areas of the Caucasus and elsewhere to predict possible nest occurrence areas, and highlight sites where vultures may occur in the future if the population grows because of conservation or other activities.     

青海省冬虫夏草资源适宜性区划分析

冬虫夏草是青藏高原的珍稀物种,具有较高的药用和经济价值,然而其资源的数量特征、空间分布格局及适宜度尚不清晰。本研究以青海省冬虫夏草资源生境条件为依据,以海拔、植被、土壤、气温和降水量作为主要指标,利用地理信息系统(geographic information system,GIS)的空间分析方法对青海省冬虫夏草资源适宜性及空间分布进行分析,并用野外实地采样进行验证。研究表明：玉树州的玉树市、杂多县、称多县、曲麻莱县;果洛州的玛沁县、达日县、甘德县等区域多处在适宜区;海北州的祁连县、刚察县,黄南州的泽库县、河南县、同仁县,玉树州的治多县、囊谦县,海南州的兴海县、同德县、贵南县及其他产冬虫夏草县的部分区域为较适宜区;西宁市的大通县,海东市的互助县和海西州的低海拔地区为不适宜区。整个青藏高原具有冬虫夏草分布面积占当地县域国土面积的76.2%。在青海省具有冬虫夏草分布的地区(市/州)中,玉树州和果洛州冬虫夏草分布的面积占当地县域国土面积的88.3%-99.6%,海北州、海东市、海南州、海西州、黄南州和西宁市冬虫夏草分布面积占当地县域国土面积的30.2%-96.5%。综合区划图能比较真实地反映青海省冬虫夏草资源的空间分布格局,区划结果与实地调查结果相符,表明利用空间分析方法进行冬虫夏草资源的适宜性分布区域的划分是可行的,该研究为合理开发和科学利用冬虫夏草野生资源提供理论依据。     

Strategies for Protecting and Restoring Rhode Island's Watersheds on Multiple Scales

The Clean Water Act has traditionally preserved the quality and quantity of a region's water by focusing resources on areas with known or anticipated problems. USEPA Region 1 is taking the supplemental, longer-range approach of protecting areas of New England where natural resources are still healthy. As part of Region 1 's “New England Resource Protection” approach, stakeholders participate in an open process that identifies healthy ecosystems and characterizes how well they support aquatic life and human health. Since the concerns of stakeholders are usually local, the process also displays areas of nonattainment within individual watersheds and determines their likely causes. One of the most powerful ways to display these types of information on multiple scales is to use a geographic information system (GIS). The case of phosphorus in southern Rhode Island's Tucker Pond illustrates how a GIS can help integrate concerns from the public, data from Clean Water Act monitoring, and information from the New England Resource Protection Project to identify types of environmental assessment questions on scales ranging from states to subwatersheds. By involving the public at all stages of the process and better informing them about their watersheds, this new approach makes them better stewards of their environment.     

Predictive modelling and spatial mapping of freshwater fish and decapod assemblages using GIS and neural networks

1. We used stream fish and decapod spatial occurrence data extracted from a national database and recent surveys with geospatial landuse data, geomorphologic, climatic, and spatial data in a geographical information system (GIS) to model fish and decapod occurrence in the Wellington Region, New Zealand. 2. To predict the occurrence of each species at a site from a common set of predictor variables we used a multi‐response, artificial neural network (ANN), to produce a single model that predicted the entire fish and decapod assemblage in one procedure. 3. The predictions from the ANN using this landscape scale data proved very accurate based on evaluation metrics that are independent of species abundance or probability thresholds. The important variables contributing to the predictions included the latitudinal and elevational position of the site reach, catchment area, average air temperature, the vegetation type, landuse proportions of the catchment, and catchment geology. 4. Geospatial data available for the entire regional river network were then used to create a habitat‐suitability map for all 14 species over the regional river network using a GIS. This prediction map has many potential uses including: monitoring and predicting temporal changes in fish communities caused by human activities and shifts in climate, identifying areas in need of protection, biodiversity hotspots, and areas suitable for the reintroduction of endangered or rare species.     

The geography of genetics: an analysis of referral patterns to a cancer genetics service

This study uses a geographical information system (GIS) and statistical analysis to look for patterns in referrals to a British cancer genetics service. In this case, familial cancers are taken to be those that can develop when an individual inherits DNA mutations that cause an increased risk of cancer. Between 1998 and 2006 the Cancer Genetics Service for Wales received nearly 11,000 referrals for patients resident in Wales and it is the service database recording those referrals which is the subject of this secondary analysis. Using postcodes to match referred patients to areas, deprivation scores were assigned. Referral rates per 10,000 head of population across the 8-year study period by unitary authority are presented, as is information on referrals from primary and secondary care sources by year. Each patient referred has their family history of cancer recorded and is assigned to a risk category; high, medium or average. There are correlations between number of GPs (General Practitioners) in a practice, number of patients referred from a practice, and deprivation as measured by the overall Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2005, such that the two former factors increase as deprivation decreases. Over time there were changes in referral sources, with referrals from primary care overtaking those from secondary care in percentage and absolute terms. There were also changes in the types of cancer referred, risk categories seen and to which centre referrals were made. Referral patterns reveal an inverse relationship between deprivation and health service availability and use.     

Feasibility of ley-farming system performance in a semi-arid region using spatial analysis

In order to assess feasibility of ley farming system performance in the Aq-Qala township, a semi-arid region in north of Iran, Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) method and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques were integrated to evaluate the suitability of wheat, barley and annual alfalfa cultivation. The agronomic and ecological requirements of three crops were identified from available scientific literatures. In this study, environmental variables were included: 1) average, minimum and maximum temperatures, 2) precipitation, 3) slope, 4) slope aspects, 5) elevation and 6) soil characteristics such as organic matter, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), texture, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, and zinc. Weights of these variables were extracted from analysis of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) questionnaires. The suitability analysis was based on matching between land qualities/characteristics and crop requirements. It was done by the weighted overlay technique (WOT) in GIS. In order to assess the land suitability of ley farming system performance, the digital suitability layers of three crops were overlaid and integrated in GIS media by raster calculator functions, then zoning of region was done in 4 classes, including: Highly suitable, moderately suitable, marginally suitable and non-suitable. Our results indicated that 35.1% (35495.20 ha) of total areas of studied region is suitable for ley farming system. According to the generated agricultural suitability map, it was determinate that 15.2% (20681.77 ha) of the region is non-suitable for ley-farming performance, 19.5% (23245.74 ha) is marginally suitable and, 30.2% (33725.60 ha) is moderately suitable. Highly suitable, moderately suitable and marginally suitable lands were expected to have a crop yield of 80–100%, 60–80% and 40–60% of the yield under optimal conditions with practicable and economic inputs, respectively. It was found that the most areas of the southern and central parts of Aq-Qala are the highly and moderately suitable regions. The results demonstrated that the high EC, low OM and low rainfall are the key limiting factors in non-suitable areas.     

Forecasting insect species richness scores in poorly surveyed territories: the case of the Portuguese dung beetles (Col. Scarabaeinae)

Large-scale biodiversity assessment of faunal distribution is needed in poorly sampled areas. In this paper, Scarabaeinae dung beetle species richness in Portugal is forecasted from a model built with a data set from areas identified as well sampled. Generalized linear models are used to relate the number of Scarabaeinae species in each Portuguese UTM 50 × 50 grid square with a set of 25 predictor variables (geographic, topographic, climatic and land cover) extracted from a geographic information system (GIS). Between-squares sampling effort unevenness, spatial autocorrelation of environmental data, non-linear relationships between variables and an assessment of the models' predictive power, the main shortcomings in geographic species richness modelling, are addressed. This methodological approach has proved to be reliable and accurate enough in estimating species richness distribution, thus providing a tool to identify areas as potential targets for conservation policies in poorly inventoried countries.     

Habitat use for warren building by European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in relation to landscape structure in a sand dune system

Several conservation efforts are being made to recover European rabbit populations (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on the Iberian Peninsula. Some of them focus on burrow management; others involve building different types of warren. A few studies have examined site selection for warren building, and these studies have considered only warren placement within sites and not the broader area surrounding these locations. The objective of this study was to evaluate how landscape pattern determines habitat selection by rabbits for warren building at different spatial scales. Landscape, home range scale, and microhabitat were the spatial scales used in this study. Warrens were not uniformly distributed over the study area but, rather were concentrated in areas with a high abundance and cover of Retama monosperma and high vegetation cover. Rabbits preferred digging warrens in areas with low fragmentation and where patches are few, large, and contiguous. Based on our results, we suggest that a study of landscape structure should be carried out before design habitat management, recovery or translocation programs. Such studies will need to take into account the physiognomy and size, shape, and continuity of patches in fragmented landscapes. Rabbit conservation programs must address areas that provide not only the maximum potential rate of intake, but also good soil and vegetation cover conditions for warren building and suitable surrounding areas.     

基于GIS的澳大利亚蝗虫治理决策支持系统的运行

澳大利亚疫蝗委员会（APLC）负责澳大利亚内陆四个州2000000km^2上严重威胁农业生产的蝗虫种群的监测与防治。应用一个基于GIS的“决策支持系统（DSS）”采集,处理,分析并显示多种空间数据,以预测蝗虫种群的发育并辅助实施防治。所做预测有助于对蝗群集聚区做出早期定位并采取有效的预防措施。该DSS的数据采集包括田间调查资料的无线直传和网上逐日天气资料的下载,蝗群的分布和年龄结构信息通过定期GPS定位调查获得,并连同农场主和地方农技推广人员的虫情报告通过高频调制直接传至APLC总部的GIS服务器上;当前的调查资料用于估测蝗群的分布并作为空间发育模型的输入数据以确定实施防治的最适发育阶段的始期;降水分布和风温场资料从网上自动下载并与栖境条件和蝗群分布信息集成。同时,澳大利亚联邦气象局的在线天气资料及产品也从网上定时存取用于决策支持。     

SWAT模型融雪模块的改进

SWAT模型是一个具有物理基础的分布式水文模型,利用SCS径流曲线数方法计算地表径流,而采用相对简单的度日因子方法计算融雪径流。因此在湿润半湿润、雨量丰富的平原地区应用SWAT模型进行径流模拟时可以得到较好的模拟结果,但是在干旱半干旱、降水稀少,且春汛期间融雪径流是重要补给来源的高寒山区,模拟的融雪径流明显偏小,不能很好的反映这些地区的融雪过程,导致河道径流模拟精度偏低。FASST模型是具有物理机制的陆面过程模型,其采用能量平衡的方法计算融雪径流,能够较好的模拟复杂地形山区流域的融雪径流。本文以黑河山区流域为研究区,将FASST模型集成到SWAT模型,改善SWAT模型融雪径流的计算方法。通过对比SWAT模型集成前后莺落峡出山口的河道月径流、融雪径流和地表径流对河道的贡献等几个方面,表明了集成FASST融雪模块的SWAT模型能更好的反映黑河山区流域的融雪径流过程,从而提高河道径流的整体模拟精度。     

A decade of colonization: the spread of the Asian tiger mosquito in Pennsylvania and implications for disease risk

In recent decades, the Asian tiger mosquito expanded its geographic range throughout the northeastern United States, including Pennsylvania. The establishment of Aedes albopictus in novel areas raises significant public health concerns, since this species is a highly competent vector of several arboviruses, including chikungunya, West Nile, and dengue. In this study, we used geographic information systems (GIS) to examine a decade of colonization by Ae. albopictus throughout Pennsylvania between 2001 and 2010. We examined the spatial and temporal distribution of Ae. albopictus using spatial statistical analysis and examined the risk of dengue virus transmission using a model that captures the probability of transmission. Our findings show that since 2001, the Ae. albopictus population in Pennsylvania has increased, becoming established and expanding in range throughout much of the state. Since 2010, imported cases of dengue fever have been recorded in Pennsylvania. Imported cases of dengue, in combination with summer temperatures conducive for virus transmission, raise the risk of local disease transmission.     

基于遥感数据源的景观分析系统的设计与实现

在Ｖｉｓｕａｌ Ｃ＋＋环境下,设计并实现了一个景观分析系统。该系统采用提取斑块边界象素集的方法,提高了斑块搜索的速度,而且提供了斑块间距离计算、相邻斑块间边界长度计算等景观分析功能。该系统被应用到北京西北郊同分析中。通过分析表明,该系统不仅能计算面积、周长、中心坐标和最近同类型斑块的距离等单个斑块指数,而且能在此基础上计算景观类型和整个景观层次上的各种指数,从而弥补了目前多数地理信息系统在分析应用     

Blue green algal (cyanobacterial) toxins, surface drinking water, and liver cancer in Florida

The blue green algae or cyanobacteria represent a diverse group of organisms that produce potent natural toxins. There have been case reports of severe morbidity and mortality in domestic animals through drinking water contaminated by these toxins. Microcystins, in particular, have been associated with acute liver damage and possibly liver cancer in laboratory animals. Although, there has been little epidemiologic research on toxin effects in humans, a study by Yu (1995) found an association between primary liver cancer and surface water. Surface water drinking supplies are particularly vulnerable to the growth of these organisms; current US drinking water treatment practices do not monitor or actively treat for blue green algal toxins including the microcystins.After a monitoring survey in Florida found organisms and microcystins (among other cyanobacterial toxins) in surface water drinking sources, a pilot ecological study was performed using a Geographic Information System (GIS) to evaluate the risk of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and proximity to a surface water treatment plant at cancer diagnosis. The study linked all HCC cancers diagnosed in Florida from 1981 to 1998 with environmental databases.A significantly increased risk for HCC with residence within the service area of a surface water treatment plant was found compared to persons living in areas contiguous to the surface water treatment plants. However, this increased risk was not seen in comparison to persons living in randomly selected ground water treatment service areas or compared to the Florida cumulative incidence rate for the study period, using various comparison and GIS methodologies. Furthermore, these findings must be interpreted in light of significant issues of latency, high population mobility, and the lack of individual exposure information. Nevertheless, the issue of acute and chronic human health effects associated with the consumption of surface waters possibly contaminated by blue green algal toxins merits further investigation.     

Ecological differentiation and habitat unsuitability maintaining a ground beetle hybrid zone

Exogenous selection via interactions between organisms and environments may influence the dynamics of hybrid zones between species in multiple ways. Two major models of a hybrid zone allowed us to hypothesize that environmental conditions influence hybrid zone dynamics in two ways. In the first model, an environmental gradient determines the mosaic distribution at the boundary between ecologically differentiated species (mosaic hybrid zone model). In the second model, a patch of unsuitable habitat traps a hybrid zone between species whose hybrids are unfit (tension zone model). To test these, we examined the environmental factors influencing the spatial structure of a hybrid zone between the ground beetles Carabus maiyasanus and C. iwawakianus using GIS‐based quantification of environmental factors and a statistical comparison of species distribution models (SDMs). We determined that both of the hypothetical processes can be important in the hybrid zone. We detected interspecific differences in the environmental factors in presence localities and their relative contribution in SDMs. SDMs were not identical between species even within contact areas, but tended to be similar within the range of each species. These results suggest an association between environments and species, and provide evidence that ecological differentiation between species plays a role in the maintenance of the hybrid zone. Contact areas were characterized by a relatively high temperature, low precipitation, and high topological wetness. Thus, the contact areas were regarded as being located in an unsuitable habitat with a drier climate, where those populations are likely to occur in patches with limited precipitation concentrated. A comparison of spatial scales suggests that exogenous selection via environmental factors may be weaker than endogenous selection via genitalic incompatibility.     

GIS as a tool for identification of forest water protection areas

Two algorithms are proposed to model ecologically substantiated forest water protection areas using digital elevation model (DEM) and spatial analysis features of a geographic information system (GIS).