Importance of Accounting for Detection Heterogeneity When Estimating Abundance: the Case of French Wolves

Abstract: Assessing conservation strategies requires reliable estimates of abundance. Because detecting all individuals is most often impossible in free‐ranging populations, estimation procedures have to account for a <1 detection probability. Capture–recapture methods allow biologists to cope with this issue of detectability. Nevertheless, capture–recapture models for open populations are built on the assumption that all individuals share the same detection probability, although detection heterogeneity among individuals has led to underestimating abundance of closed populations. We developed multievent capture–recapture models for an open population and proposed an associated estimator of population size that both account for individual detection heterogeneity (IDH). We considered a two‐class mixture model with weakly and highly detectable individuals to account for IDH. In a noninvasive capture–recapture study of wolves we based on genotypes identified in feces and hairs, we found a large underestimation of population size (27% on average) occurred when IDH was ignored.     

Birds defend oil palms from herbivorous insects.

Top-down forces are expected to be important in regulating herbivore populations in most agricultural systems where primary productivity is high and species diversity is low. Under such conditions, trophic cascades are predicted to occur when predator populations are reduced or removed. Studies on how predator removal indirectly affects herbivory rates in agricultural systems are lacking. Through a bird-exclosure experiment, I test the hypothesis that insectivorous birds indirectly defend oil palms (Elaeis guineensis) from herbivorous insects. Results show that bird exclusion significantly increased herbivory damage to oil palms, and that the size of this exclusion effect increased with bird density, although the latter result was not statistically significant. These findings suggest that insectivorous birds deliver a natural pest control service for oil palm agriculture, which is important not only for the direct benefits it delivers for human welfare, but also in strengthening the economic justifications for conserving the remaining natural habitats and biodiversity in agricultural landscapes.     

An assessment of attraction toward affirmative action organizations: investigating the role of individual differences

Our study investigated applicant characteristics in response to organizations incorporating an affirmative action policy (AAP) statement in recruitment material. Study participants (N = 217; White upper‐level management students) randomly received recruitment material containing one of three statements (e.g., affirmative action, equal employment opportunity (EEO), or no statement regarding affirmative action or EEO) and were asked to evaluate the attractiveness of the organization publicizing the designated policy. Results indicated that individuals responded negatively to AAPs in recruitment material because of prejudice attitudes, the perceived unfairness of such programs (which we relate to equity sensitivity), or in an attempt to protect their own self‐interest (which we relate to general self‐efficacy). Additionally, individuals' equity sensitivity and general self‐efficacy both moderated the relationship between racial prejudice and organizational attractiveness. Specifically, the negative relationships between participants' prejudice attitudes and the attractiveness of organizations publicizing an affirmative action policy were stronger for benevolents (persons tolerant of situations where they are under‐rewarded) and for persons low in self‐efficacy. Implications of our findings for organizational recruitment practices are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Longitudinal‐Vertical Hydrodynamic and Turbidity Simulations for Prediction of Dam Reconstruction Effects in Asian Monsoon Area1

Abstract: This research investigates possible impacts of enlarged water body according to dam reconstruction on the hydrodynamics and water quality of the reservoir using a laterally averaged, two‐dimensional hydrodynamic and transport model, CE‐QUAL‐W2. The lake was formed by the artificial dam in 1983 for agricultural water supply and is currently under consideration of reconstruction so as to expand the volume of reservoir for flood control as well as water supply in downstream areas. To calibrate and validate the model, field‐collected data were compared with model predictions for water level fluctuations and water temperature during the years of 2001 (from January to December) and 2003 (from March to November). The model results showed a good agreement with field measurements both in calibration and verification. Utilizing the model, impacts of dam reconstruction on the thermal hydrodynamics and turbid current were predicted. From the model results, dam reconstruction limited the depth of thermal stratification below 10 meter and formed steep temperature gradient between epilimnion and hypolimnion. The restricted thermal stratification persisted up to the end of September. This result indicated that thermal stratification would become stronger during summer and stay longer after dam reconstruction. In addition, the restricted thermal stratification caused vertical circulation of water mixing lower than 10 meter and isolated the upper water layer from the lower water layer which increased the volume of hypolimnetic water with low temperature. The vertical circulation near the surface also mitigated propagation of density plume within the depth of 10 m which would remain the hypolimnetic water clean.     

风帽在准好氧填埋的应用及对填埋初期的影响

首次将风帽应用于准好氧填埋,以2 m×1 m×2 m的准好氧模拟箱为对象,考察了风帽对准好氧填埋环境形成过程的影响,比较了不同风速条件下二氧化碳和甲烷的浓度变化,并对风帽应用于准好氧填埋的作用原理进行了分析,以期为设计和优化准好氧填埋结构提供参考.结果表明,风帽可以加快准好氧环境的形成,将传统的准好氧环境的形成期由常规的50 d以上提前到40 d左右.通过比较风帽先拆后装二氧化碳和甲烷的浓度变化,表明风帽可以促进甲烷向二氧化碳的转化,减少甲烷的排放.卸下风帽后二氧化碳的浓度由最初的16.67%降为15.88%,甲烷从6.14%增大到16.12%;装上后二氧化碳的浓度增至19.18%,甲烷降为10.05%.考察了风速为2.0、3.5、5.0、6.5、8.0 m/s 5种条件下导气管出口处的甲烷排放情况,表明风速可以加强风帽的作用,有利于甲烷的减排,当风速增至8 m/s时,甲烷浓度由最初的15%以上降为5%以下.     

中国、印度及环境

——中印合作可以降低生物多样性损失、减轻气候变化并减少森林砍伐。中国和印度这两个新兴的世界经济大国将对21世纪世界环境发挥重要甚至主导作用。在未来几年内,两国的经济增长率预期将维持8%～9%。在世界很多国家出现经济危机情况下,中印两国2009年仍实现了国内生产总值高增长(中国:8.4%,印度:6.2%,世     

Multicriteria Evaluation of Water Resources Sustainability in the Context of Watershed Management1

Kang, Min‐Goo and Gwang‐Man Lee, 2011. Multicriteria Evaluation of Water Resources Sustainability in the Context of Watershed Management. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 47(4):813‐827. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2011.00559.x Abstract: To evaluate water resources sustainability at the watershed scale within a river basin’s context, the Water Resources Sustainability Evaluation Model is developed. The model employs 4 criteria (economic efficiency, social equity, environmental conservation, and maintenance capacity) and has 16 indicators, integrating them using their relative weights. The model is applied to evaluate the water resources sustainability of watersheds in the Geum River basin, South Korea. A geographic information system is employed to efficiently build a database for the indicators, and the values of the indicators are normalized using the probability distribution functions fitted to the datasets of the indicators. The evaluation results show that, overall, the water resources sustainability of the watersheds in the upper basin is better than other areas due to the good environmental conditions and the dam management policies of South Korea. The analysis of the correlations among the model’s components and the comparison between the results of the model and the Water Poverty Index show that the model can provide reasonable evaluation results for the water resources sustainability of watersheds. Consequently, it is concluded that the model can be an effective tool for evaluating the states of water resource management from the perspective of sustainable development and provide a basis on which to create policies for improving any inadequacies in watersheds.     

基于改进VRP模型的危险品配送路径优化及其求解研究

危险品道路运输高风险性,一直受到人们的广泛关注。危险品道路运输路径优化的研究,对于降低运输风险具有十分重要的意义。本文针对危险品运输配送过程中的路径优化问题,提出综合考虑道路运输的风险和费用两方面指标改进VRP模型路径优化目标,并设计遗传算法对改进模型进行了求解。最后通过实例进行了验证。结果表明：用遗传算法对改进VRP模型的求解结果与实际分析结果相符。因此,改进VRP模型及其遗传算法求解设计可以应用于危险品运输的路径优化分析。     

丝状菌膨胀对无纺布生物反应器处理效果及膜污染特征的影响

研究了丝状菌膨胀状态和正常污泥状态下无纺布生物反应器的污泥絮体形态、出水水质对比,膜通量变化,膜阻力分析和胞外聚合物(EPS)含量分析.结果表明,膨胀污泥的平均粒径为448.6μm,正常污泥的平均粒径为234.8μm;丝状菌膨胀状态下的平均COD去除率、NH+4-N去除率、出水浊度分别为90.1%、93.1%、1.33 NTU,较之正常污泥状态下的91.4%、97.0%、0.99 NTU,丝状菌膨胀对COD去除几乎没有影响,对NH+4-N去除有一定的抑制,对出水浊度略有影响;膨胀污泥状态和正常污泥状态下的平均膜通量衰减速率分别为3.29 L·(m2·h2)-1、4.87 L·(m2·h2)-1,膨胀状态下的膜污染较轻,膨胀状态下的膜污染以可逆污染为主,正常状态下以不可逆污染为主,优先发生可逆污染可以减少不可逆污染的发生,从而减缓膜通量的下降;正常污泥和膨胀污泥混合液中溶解性微生物产物(SMP)含量分别为21.369 mg·L-1、10.182 mg·L-1,蛋白质/多糖(P/C)分别为0.370、0.497,SMP的总量与膜污染阻力有关系,P/C与可逆污染所占的比例有关系,混合液污泥的松散附着性EPS与膜污染的关系同SMP相似;EPS含量较高的污泥更易于在膜表面累积,并且累积于膜表面的EPS主要是蛋白质,混合液污泥EPS总量、膜面污泥EPS以及它们的P/C都与膜表面可逆污染存在正相关性.