The Researcher's Notebook: Mission and scope

Order and simplification are the first steps toward the mastery of a subject—the actual enemy is the unknown.

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Maturation shifts in a temperate marine fish population cannot be explained by simulated changes in temperature-dependent growth and maturity

To disentangle genetic and environmental influences on phenotypic traits that influence maturation of fish, it would be useful to predict the expected change due to environment alone to compare with observations. This requires a realistically scaled, species-specific life history model of environmentally determined variation in individual growth and maturation. In this study, inter-annual variability in the proportion of mature haddock in the west North Sea was predicted using a stochastic, individual-based simulation model incorporating a temperature-dependent maturation threshold. This species and region are particularly relevant to the debate about the relative importance of genetic and climate change because North Sea haddock have experienced both high fishing mortality and substantial warming in recent decades. Using observed temperatures in combination with temperature-dependent models for growth and maturation, the simulation model predicted year-to-year variation in length and maturity at age expected for cohorts produced from 1979 to 2006. The simulated proportions mature at age 2 were then compared to the observed proportions in an annual bottom trawl survey. Although the model explained much of the high-frequency variation in maturation, the simulated time trend under-represented the rate of increase in the observed trend in proportions mature. This inability of the temperature-dependent life history model to predict the magnitude of change appears consistent with a long-term decline in the maturation threshold. This result provides indirect support for a genetic change in a key life history trait.     

Contrasting diel patterns in vertical movement and locomotor activity of whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef

Activity patterns of animals often relate to environmental variables such as food availability and predation pressure. Technological advances are providing us with new tools to monitor and better understand these activity patterns. We used animal-attached data loggers recording acceleration and depth to compare activity patterns and vertical habitat use of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. Whale sharks showed a moderate reverse diel vertical migration but exhibited a clear crepuscular pattern in locomotory activity. Peak activity occurred at sunset, whereas vertical movement peaked prior to this. Typical ram surface filter feeding could be identified and occurred primarily during sunset and the first hours of night. At such times, direct observations indicated whale sharks were feeding on tropical krill swarms. Kinematic analysis of postural data and data from vertical movement suggests that whale sharks at Ningaloo spend ~8 min per day actively ram surface filter feeding. Considering the high biomass present in krill schools, it is estimated that whale sharks at Ningaloo have a similar energy intake as those at other aggregation sites. Diel patterns in activity and diving behaviour suggest that whale sharks have tuned their diving behaviour in anticipation of the formation of these high-density patches which appear to only be periodically, but predictably available at sunset. Our results confirm that diel patterns in vertical habitat selection and vertical movements do not necessarily reflect patterns in activity and foraging behaviour. Direct quantification of activity and behaviour is required in gaining accurate representation of diel activity patterns.     

Invasive ecosystem engineer selects for different phenotypes of an associated native species

Invasive habitat-forming ecosystem engineers modify the abiotic environment and thus represent a major perturbation to many ecosystems. Because native species often persist in these invaded habitats but have no shared history with the ecosystem engineer, the engineer may impose novel selective pressure on native species. In this study, we used a phenotypic selection framework to determine whether an invasive habitat-forming ecosystem engineer (the seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia) selects for different phenotypes of a common co-occurring native species (the bivalve Anadara trapezia). Compared to unvegetated habitat, Caulerpa habitat has lower water flow, lower dissolved oxygen, and sediments are more silty and anoxic. We determined the performance consequences of variation in key functional traits that may be affected by these abiotic changes (shell morphology, gill mass, and palp mass) for Anadara transplanted into Caulerpa and unvegetated habitat. Both linear and nonlinear performance gradients in Anadara differed between habitats, and these gradients were stronger in Caulerpa compared to unvegetated sediment. Moreover, in Caulerpa alternate phenotypes performed well, and these phenotypes were different from the dominant phenotype in unvegetated sediment. By demonstrating that phenotype-performance gradients differ between habitats, we have highlighted a role for Caulerpa as an agent of selection on native species.     

Taking stock of community-based flood risk management in Malawi: different stakeholders,different perspectives

Current flood risk strategies in Malawi are characterized by community-based flood risk management (CB-FRM), even though studies explicitly documenting evidence of successful CB-FRM remain limited. This paper investigates the realities and challenges of CB-FRM as seen through a lens of different stakeholders. In order to capture the experiences of CB-FRM, a predominantly qualitative research framework was developed. In 2016, 11 focus group discussions with stakeholder groups (local communities, local government and non-governmental organisations) were held. Additionally, informal discussions, field visits, a short survey and an extensive desk study were undertaken. The findings were analysed according to the major themes that emerged related to the realities and challenges of specific stakeholder groups. Although response and relief still remain prominent components of CB-FRM in Malawi, a number of mitigation and preparedness activities is observed. However, a lack of in-country resources, relief-oriented aid approaches and an ‘aid dependency’ syndrome represent obstacles. Different stakeholder groups share similar challenges in terms of financing, participation, decentralised governance and project management. Lack of project sustainability and localised ownership also emerged as major challenges. The identified challenges shed light on the frontiers and directions in which improvements are needed, thus offering a valuable contribution to the existing knowledgebase.     

基于社区参与的乡村旅游研究——以江西婺源县为例

对乡村旅游的概念进行了界定,分析指出社区参与是乡村旅游可持续发展的必然选择,认为利益相关者的利益分配机制理论研究不足是社区参与乡村旅游的制约瓶颈.以江西省婺源县为例,剖析了婺源县在乡村旅游发展过程中的成功之处与存在的问题,并对婺源县乡村旅游可持续发展给出了几点战略性思考.研究的意义在于,能给今后学界对社区参与乡村旅游的理论和实践研究进行导向,以期研究取得突破性的进展.     

改进的一次二阶矩计算埋地管道失效概率方法及其应用

为探究不同影响因素对埋地管道运行安全的影响,基于改进的一次二阶矩计算方法,综合考虑埋地管道环向受力和纵向受力的特性,依据应力-强度理论和钢制管道结构设计规范建立了埋地管道失效结构功能函数;通过对ABAQUS软件中的UVARM模块进行二次开发,建立了腐蚀、温度和不均匀沉降耦合作用下的三维管道-地层整体模型,模拟不同管道参数下的管道状况.运用该方法对工程实例进行了计算,分析可靠指标和失效概率的分布情况.结果表明:埋地管道工作内压与管道失效概率呈正相关关系,管道壁厚和管径与失效概率呈负相关关系;在影响参数变化相同的条件下,管道中部失效概率变化最快,两端的失效概率变化较慢.该模型计算结果体现了管道不同部位失效概率的特点,在管道设计、维护和风险评估方面有一定的借鉴意义.     

Decomposition of hexachlorobenzene over Al2O3 supported metal oxide catalysts

Decomposition of hexachlorobenzene(HCB)was investigated over several metal oxides(i.e.,MgO,CaO,BaO,La2O3,CeO2,MnO2, Fe2O3,and Co3O4)supported on Al2O3,which was achieved in closed system at a temperature of 300°C.Catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation with different metal oxides loading and impregnating solvents.The decomposition effciency of different catalysts for this reaction depends on the nature of the metal oxide used,and Al2O3 supported La2O3 was found to be the most active one.Pe...     

层状半空间中沉积谷地对入射SV波的放大作用——时域解答

利用傅里叶变换方法,研究了层状半空间中沉积谷地对SV波的时域散射问题。首先,通过傅里叶变换将时域问题转换为离散的频域问题,针对有效频率成分采用间接边界元方法求解频域响应,再将所得频域结果进行傅里叶逆变换得到时域解答。通过与已有结果的对比,验证了方法的正确性。最后,以基岩上单一土层中沉积谷地在R icker波入射下的散射问题为例进行了数值计算分析,结果表明,沉积谷地和土层的存在都会造成振动持续时间的增长;层状半空间中沉积谷地和均匀半空间中沉积谷地对波的放大作用存在显著差别。文中分析了造成该差别的原因,并讨论了覆盖层厚度和刚度对散射效应的影响。