A Geographic Information System (GIS)-based approach to adaptation to regional climate change: a case study of Okutama-machi,Tokyo, Japan

Recently, local governments have an increasing need to take extensive and effective local measures to adapt to regional climate change, but have difficulty knowing how and when to adapt to such change. This study aims: 1) to characterize an efficient and cost-effective database management tool (DMT) for developing a Geographic Information System (GIS) based approach to using observed and projected data, for decision-making by non-expert government authorities, and 2) to document how DMT can be used to provide specialized yet understandable climate change information to assist local decision-makers in clarifying regional priorities within a wide array of adaptation options. The DMT combines climate change mapping, statistical GIS, and a vulnerability assessment. Okutama-machi, a 225.63 km² sparsely populated mountainous region (2012 population 5,856) northwest of Tokyo, Japan, was chosen for this pilot study. In this paper, the most recent regional climate projections (5 km resolution) are transcribed into an understandable form for use by non-expert citizens who use the GIS-based DMT. Results illustrate qualitative agreement in projection of summer daily mean temperatures; the mean temperature increase at Okutama-machi is the greatest of any area in Tokyo. In comparing near future and future conditions, August monthly mean temperature will increase more than 0.7–0.9 °C and 2.8–2.9 °C, and monthly precipitation by 50 % and 25–41 %, respectively. However, the root mean square (RMS) errors and bias of percentage change for monthly precipitation in summertime are 26.8 % and 4.3 %, respectively. These data provide an early warning and have implications for local climate policy response.     

挥发性氯代烃在干燥土壤中的平衡吸附研究

吸附是挥发性氯代烃（volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons,VCHs）污染土壤的主要机制之一.采集长三角地区3类典型水稻土,用静态平衡吸附实验进行干燥土壤对6种VCHs的平衡吸附研究.结果表明,干燥土壤的平衡吸附等温线难以用Langmuir方程和BET方程描述,但用Dubinin-Astak...     

Bridging the sanitation gap between disaster relief and development

By interpreting disasters as opportunities to initiate the fulfilment of development needs, realise the vulnerability of the affected community and environment, and extend the legacy of relief funds and effort, this paper builds upon the concept linking relief, rehabilitation and development (LRRD) in the sanitation sector. It aims to use a composite of case studies to devise a framework for a semi‐hypothetical scenario to identify critical components and generic processes for a LRRD action plan. The scenario is based on a latrine wetland sanitation system in a Muslim community. Several sub‐frameworks are developed: (i) latrine design; (ii) assessment of human waste treatment; (iii) connective sanitation promotion strategy; and (iv) ecological systems and environmental services for sanitation and development. This scenario illustrates the complex issues involved in LRRD in sanitation work and provides technical notes and references for a legacy plan for disaster relief and development.     

Habitat use by loggerhead sea turtles <Emphasis Type="Italic">Caretta caretta</Emphasis> off the coast of eastern Spain results in a high vulnerability to neritic fishing gear

Previous studies of loggerhead sea turtles have concluded that drifting longlines were the main threat for immature specimens in the western Mediterranean, because immature loggerhead sea turtles mainly inhabit oceanic waters. However, recent aerial surveys have revealed large numbers of immature loggerhead sea turtles over the continental shelf of eastern mainland Spain, where turtles are exposed to neritic fishing gears but not to drifting longlines. We satellite-tracked seven loggerhead sea turtles (minimum straight carapace length (SCLmin) range: 36.5–55.0 cm) to assess whether the turtles in this region are vagrants from the adjoining oceanic regions or whether these loggerheads mostly inhabit the continental shelf. Satellite-tracking revealed that six of the tagged turtles avoided the oceanic realm and made extended use of the continental shelf, whereas only one individual could be considered a true vagrant as it avoided the continental shelf and primarily used the oceanic habitat. These results are in sharp contrast with those previously reported for immature loggerhead sea turtles of similar size from the south-western Mediterranean and fit well a relaxed ontogenic model that was recently proposed for loggerhead sea turtles in the central Mediterranean. Furthermore, these results demonstrate the vulnerability of loggerhead sea turtles of eastern mainland Spain to neritic fishing gears, as three of the seven turtles died and one was bycaught incidentally while being tracked over the continental shelf.     

Correlates of copulatory success in a fallow deer lek

Summary We studied the behavior and copulatory success of fallow deer (Cervus dama) males at a lek. We recorded 471 copulations in 3 years. Most males did not copulate. The top three males accounted for between 60 and 90% of copulations each year. Lek attendance time was the major determinant of male copulatory success, but territory location also affected the number of copulations achieved. Copulatory success was correlated with the number of females in a male's territory and possibly with dominance status, but not with fighting success or fighting rate. All males that defended lek territories were 5 years of age or older. Copulatory success may improve with age. Body condition appears to be an important determinant of male copulatory success, because only males in superior condition could defend a lek territory for up to 2 weeks. Males do not feed while defending lek territories. Foraging ability during the year probably determines condition at the onset of the rut. Females appear to choose mates at least partially on the basis of location, preferring males located near traditional routes. Females may ultimately select mates in the best body condition.     

Modeling the effects of ozone on soybean growth and yield

A simple mechanistic model was developed based on an existing growth model in order to address the mechanisms of the effects of ozone on growth and yield of soybean [Glycine max. (L.) Merr. 'Davis'] and interacting effects of other environmental stresses. The model simulates daily growth of soybean plants using environmental data including shortwave radiation, temperature, precipitation, irrigation and ozone concentration. Leaf growth, dry matter accumulation, water budget, nitrogen input and seed growth linked to senescence and abscission of leaves are described in the model. The effects of ozone are modeled as reduced photosynthate production and accelerated senescence. The model was applied to the open-top chamber experiments in which soybean plants were exposed to ozone under two levels of soil moisture regimes. After calibrating the model to the growth data and seed yield, goodness-of-fit of the model was tested. The model fitted well for top dry weight in the vegetative growth phase and also at maturity. The effect of ozone on seen yield was also described satisfactorily by the model. The simulation showed apparent interaction between the effect of ozone and soil moisture stress on the seed yield. The model revealed that further work is needed concerning the effect of ozone on the senescence process and the consequences of alteration of canopy microclimate by the open-top chambers.     

Disturbance caused by various fluctuating single noises and combined community noises

Three experiments were conducted to investigate factors influencing the (rated) disturbance caused by various noises to subjects when they were reading: (a) comparison of disturbances from various noises at 70 dB(A) L_eq; (b) comparison of exposure-response relationships between road traffic, aircraft, and train noises; and (c) the effect of road traffic background noise on the total disturbance caused by combined noise (aircraft or train noise combined with road traffic noise). From the three experiments, the following conclusions were drawn: (1) High-level components such as peak level contributed to the disturbance, since the noise was more disturbing with the increase of peak level. (2) Although the general pattern of the exposure-response relationships for aircraft and train noises was similar, the disturbance due to road traffic noise increased with L_eq level more rapidly than for aircraft and train noise. Considering that the peak level of aircraft or train noise was always higher than that of road traffic noise at equal L_eq levels, the contribution of the high-level components to the disturbance appeared to be level-dependent. (3) The background noise level did not affect the total disturbance. Because the high-level components of combined noises were almost the same, this finding was consistent with conclusions drawn in (1) and (2).     

Methods of statistical analysis of quantitative data obtained by toxicological bioassays using rodents in Japan: historical transition of the decision tree

Massive amounts of quantitative data are being obtained by toxicity tests with time. These data sometimes include the data with a different distribution pattern or with different numbers of animals in each group. The tree-type algorithm has long been used commonly to promptly analyze the difference between the control group and dosage groups. In Japan, the decision tree has been used since 1982 with several modifications of the initial procedure. Recently, the method has been revised to have a high power. The changes have been made in two directions; one is a sophisticated method and the other is a simplified method. In this paper, the historical transition of the decision tree is described and the future of the decision tree forecasted.