Travelling without a helmet: tourists' vulnerabilities and responses to disasters in Indonesia

Tourists are particularly vulnerable when natural disasters occur in regions that they are visiting. It is assumed that they lack awareness and understanding of the actions that they need to take in such circumstances. This study examines the responses of tourists in times of disaster, building on empirical data collected through large‐scale surveys conducted in Bali and Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in 2015. Both are important tourist destinations in the country that have suffered major disasters in recent years. The different types of responses to these events are framed using a grid/group analysis stemming from cultural theory. The study resulted in three key findings: (i) current disaster management planning largely follows a single rationale; (ii) tourists are not a homogeneous group, but rather a complex, diverse, and dynamic body of stakeholders; and (iii) the focus of disaster management planning should shift from a single rationale to a polyrational methodology. Disaster managers need to consider, therefore, these different aspects in the context of preparedness.     

Geochemical variations in aeolian mineral particles from the Sahara-Sahel Dust Corridor

The Sahara-Sahel Dust Corridor runs from Chad to Mauritania and expels huge amounts of mineral aerosols into the Atlantic Ocean. Data on samples collected from Algeria, Chad, Niger, and Western Sahara illustrate how corridor dust mineralogy and chemistry relate to geological source and weathering/transport history. Dusts sourced directly from igneous and metamorphic massifs are geochemically immature, retaining soluble cations (e.g., K, Na, Rb, Sr) and accessory minerals containing HFSE (e.g., Zr, Hf, U, Th) and REE. In contrast, silicate dust chemistry in desert basins (e.g., Bodélé Depression) is influenced by a longer history of transport, physical winnowing (e.g., loss of Zr, Hf, Th), chemical leaching (e.g., loss of Na, K, Rb), and mixing with intrabasinal materials such as diatoms and evaporitic salts. Mineral aerosols blown along the corridor by the winter Harmattan winds mix these basinal and basement materials. Dusts blown into the corridor from sub-Saharan Africa during the summer monsoon source from deeply chemically weathered terrains and are therefore likely to be more kaolinitic and stripped of mobile elements (e.g., Na, K, Mg, Ca, LILE), but retain immobile and resistant elements (e.g., Zr, Hf, REE). Finally, dusts blown southwestwards into the corridor from along the Atlantic Coastal Basin will be enriched in carbonate from Mesozoic-Cenozoic marine limestones, depleted in Th, Nb, and Ta, and locally contaminated by uranium-bearing phosphate deposits.     

Congener-specific analysis of toxaphene in eggs of seabirds from Germany by HRGC-NCI-MS using a carborane-siloxane copolymer phase (HT-8)

A method for the congener-specific analysis of toxaphene in eggs of seabirds from a monitoring program from the northern part of Germany was carried out. The method was optimized in most steps of the procedure: injection temperature, HRGC with an HT-8 column, ion source temperature and the MS detection mode NCI/SIM measuring the isotope clusters of [M] , [M-Cl]-, [M-HCl]- and [M-2Cl]-. The suitability of 1,4-exo, 7,8,9,10,10-heptachloro-5-methoxytricyclo [5,2,1,0(2,6)]dec-3,8-diene as internal standard was demonstrated. 14 toxaphenes with Parlar numbers and more than 60 unknown toxaphenes could be identified. Spatial and temporal trends of toxaphene contamination are presented by using the Parlar 22 components standard for quantification.     

The role of information in mate-choice copying in female sailfin mollies (Poecilia latipinna)

Female mate choice is a complex process involving both genetic and social factors. Extrinsic cues may play a role in determining how these factors interact. Mate-choice copying is a socially influenced mate-choice strategy in which females observe other females during mate choice and choose the same male as those females. Previous studies have shown that female sailfin mollies (Poecilia latipinna) prefer larger over smaller males, and this preference is assumed to be genetically based. In this study we tested, first, whether sailfin molly females changed their mate preference in favour of smaller males when they could obtain more information by observing two model females sequentially for 5 min each or one model female for 20 min next to the smaller male. Second, we tested if females that had changed their preferences in favour of smaller males maintained this learned preference afterwards. In copying experiments, females changed their preferences in favour of smaller males both when they could observe two model females each for 5 min near by a smaller male and when they could observe one model female for 20 min near the smaller male. In the latter case, females maintained this learned preference for smaller males up to 5 weeks after the copying experiment. This shows that mate-choice copying has a long-lasting effect on mate-choice decisions in sailfin molly females and that mate-choice copying can serve as a mechanism for cultural inheritance of mate preferences in females.     

Sequestration of pyrrolizidine alkaloids by larvae ofTellervo zoilus (Lepidoptera: Ithomiinae) and their role in the chemical protection of adults against the spiderNephila maculata (Araneidae)

Summary Life stages of the primitive Australian ithomiine butterflyTellervo zoilus and its larval hostplant, the apocynaceous vineParsonsia straminea, were quantitatively assayed for pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). PAs were found in all stages, mainly as N-oxides, being most concentrated in larvae and freshly-emerged adults. Although adults feed at various confirmed PA sources this probably does not compensate for losses, as wild-caught adults had considerably lower concentrations of PAs. The main alkaloid present in both freshly-emerged adults and in leaves of the host-plant was lycopsamine (1b), stored by butterflies in the N-oxide form. Its presence in higher proportion, in relation to intermedine (1a), in larvae, pupae and adults ofTellervo in relation to the host-plants suggests the inversion of intermedine to lycopsamine by the insects. No 14-member ring macrocyclic PAs were detected in either food-plant or butterflies. Several other PAs were found in wild-caught adults reflecting visits to other PA sources. PAs were also found in high concentrations in freshly-emerged individuals of the danaineEuploea core bred onParsonsia straminea. Wild-caughtDanaus affinis had high PA levels acquired from adult feeding. Freshly emergedEuploea raised onIschnocarpus frutescens andDanaus raised onIschnostemma carnosum (both PA-free) were preyed on by the orb weaving spiderNephila maculata, and showed no PAs. In all cases where PAs were present, most butterflies were liberated, usually cut out of the web unharmed, byNephila. The spider's response was not closely linked to PA concentration, however, and may also depend on hunger levels and previous experience with PA-containing butterflies. All control and other non-PA containing butterflies were consumed although rejection of some body parts of freshly-emergedDanaus affinis suggests that compounds other than PAs may be involved.     

Trace gas emissions from German agriculture as obtained from the application of simpler or default methodologies

For the assessment of emission inventories matching pairs of activities (emission explaining variables) and emission factors are used. Simpler and detailed methodologies are proposed within the emission inventory handbooks. The data sets needed to serve the detailed methodologies have not been at public disposal so far. Therefore, this paper investigates the applicability of simpler methodologies to the statistical data sets of activities officially available in Germany. The statistical data base for the assessment of emissions from fertilised soils is adequate if one assumes that fertilisers sold in one financial year are applied in the same year. For grassland, statistical data describing the actual management do not exist. Lack of nitrogen inputs with crop residues and due to nitrogen fixation make it impossible to deduce the respective emissions. The assessment of indirect emissions due to reactions of leached nitrogen is also impossible. For extensively managed grasslands, data concerning fertiliser application or grazing are missing when calculating emissions. The determination of emissions from organic soils presupposes the knowledge of both the area concerned and the degree of mineralisation which has been attained at the time of the inventory. The results of the biennial animal census meet the requirements of the simpler methodologies. However, the assumptions made to evaluate the mean emission factors are not correct in many cases, as far as animal performance, housing, storage and application of animal excreta are concerned. The simpler methodologies are biassed, as the emission factors are (Northwest) European means. Changes in the raising of statistical data make the construction of meaningful time-series difficult.     

Practical considerations for addressing uncertainties in monitoring bulk deposition

The assessment of the deposition of both wet (rain and cloud) and dry sedimenting particles is a prerequisite for estimating element fluxes in ecosystem research. Many nations and institutions operate deposition networks using different types of sampler. However, these samplers have rarely been characterized with respect to their sink properties. Major errors in assessing bulk deposition can result from poor sampling properties and defective sampling strategies. Relevant properties are: sampler geometry and material, in particular the shape of the rim; sink properties for gases and aerosols; and microbial transformations of the collected samples. An adequate number of replicates allows the identification of samples which are contaminated, in particular by bird droppings. The paper discusses physical and chemical properties of the samplers themselves. The dependence of measurement accuracy on the number of replicates and the sampling area exposed is discussed. Recommendations are given for sampling strategies, and for making corrections and substitution of missing data.     

Simple biotoxicity tests for evaluation of carbonaceous soil additives: establishment and reproducibility of four test procedures

Biochar derived from pyrolysis has received much attention recently as a soil additive to sequester carbon and increase soil fertility. Hydrochar, a brown, coal-like substance produced via hydrothermal carbonization, has also been suggested as a beneficial soil additive. However, before soil application, both types of char need to be tested for potential toxic effects. The aim of this study was to develop simple, inexpensive, and easy-to-apply test procedures to identify negative effects of chars but not to provide false-negative results. The following tests, based partly on ISO norm biotoxicity test procedures, were chosen: (i) cress germination test for gaseous phytotoxic emissions; (ii) barley germination and growth test; (iii) salad germination test; and (iv) earthworm avoidance test for toxic substances. Test reproducibility was ensured by carrying out each test procedure three times with the same biochar. Several modifications were necessary to adapt the tests for biochars/hydrochars. The tested biochar did not induce negative effects in any of the tests. In contrast, the beet-root chip hydrochar showed negative effects in all tests. In an extension to the regular procedure, a regrowth of the harvested barley shoots without further nutrient additions yielded positive results for the hydrochar, which initially had negative effects. This implies that the harmful substance(s) must have been degraded or they were water soluble and leached. Tests with a biochar and hydrochar showed that the proposed modified quick-check test procedures provide a fast assessment of risks and effects of char application to soils within a short period of time (<2 wk).