Determining Optimal Population Monitoring for Rare Butterflies

Abstract: Determining population viability of rare insects depends on precise, unbiased estimates of population size and other demographic parameters. We used data on the endangered St. Francis' satyr butterfly (Neonympha mitchellii francisci) to evaluate 2 approaches (mark–recapture and transect counts) for population analysis of rare butterflies. Mark–recapture analysis provided by far the greatest amount of demographic information, including estimates (and standard errors) of population size, detection, survival, and recruitment probabilities. Mark–recapture analysis can also be used to estimate dispersal and temporal variation in rates, although we did not do this here. Models of seasonal flight phenologies derived from transect counts (Insect Count Analyzer) provided an index of population size and estimates of survival and statistical uncertainty. Pollard–Yates population indices derived from transect counts did not provide estimates of demographic parameters. This index may be highly biased if detection and survival probabilities vary spatially and temporally. In terms of statistical performance, mark–recapture and Pollard–Yates indices were least variable. Mark–recapture estimates were less likely to fail than Insect Count Analyzer, but mark–recapture estimates became less precise as sampling intensity decreased. In general, count‐based approaches are less costly and less likely to cause harm to rare insects than mark–recapture. The optimal monitoring approach must reconcile these trade‐offs. Thus, mark–recapture should be favored when demographic estimates are needed, when financial resources enable frequent sampling, and when marking does not harm the insect populations. The optimal sampling strategy may use 2 sampling methods together in 1 overall sampling plan: limited mark–recapture sampling to estimate survival and detection probabilities and frequent but less expensive transect counts.     

Chilean Blue Whales as a Case Study to Illustrate Methods to Estimate Abundance and Evaluate Conservation Status of Rare Species

Abstract: Often abundance of rare species cannot be estimated with conventional design‐based methods, so we illustrate with a population of blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) a spatial model‐based method to estimate abundance. We analyzed data from line‐transect surveys of blue whales off the coast of Chile, where the population was hunted to low levels. Field protocols allowed deviation from planned track lines to collect identification photographs and tissue samples for genetic analyses, which resulted in an ad hoc sampling design with increased effort in areas of higher densities. Thus, we used spatial modeling methods to estimate abundance. Spatial models are increasingly being used to analyze data from surveys of marine, aquatic, and terrestrial species, but estimation of uncertainty from such models is often problematic. We developed a new, broadly applicable variance estimator that showed there were likely 303 whales (95% CI 176–625) in the study area. The survey did not span the whales' entire range, so this is a minimum estimate. We estimated current minimum abundance relative to pre‐exploitation abundance (i.e., status) with a population dynamics model that incorporated our minimum abundance estimate, likely population growth rates from a meta‐analysis of rates of increase in large baleen whales, and two alternative assumptions about historic catches. From this model, we estimated that the population was at a minimum of 9.5% (95% CI 4.9–18.0%) of pre‐exploitation levels in 1998 under one catch assumption and 7.2% (CI 3.7–13.7%) of pre‐exploitation levels under the other. Thus, although Chilean blue whales are probably still at a small fraction of pre‐exploitation abundance, even these minimum abundance estimates demonstrate that their status is better than that of Antarctic blue whales, which are still <1% of pre‐exploitation population size. We anticipate our methods will be broadly applicable in aquatic and terrestrial surveys for rarely encountered species, especially when the surveys are intended to maximize encounter rates and estimate abundance.     

Patchy distribution fields: sampling distance unit of a zigzag survey and reconstruction adequacy

A mathematical model was used to examine the effects of choosingvarious units of sampling distance of a zigzag survey on the adequacy of reconstructing patchy distribution fields. The modelsimulates fish or plankton patches (or gaps) of different shapesand spatial orientations, and an acoustic survey by zigzag or parallel transects along which a unit of sampling distance is set. Adequacy of the reconstructed fields to those originally generated is evaluated by calculating their correlations (r). A priori information on the autocorrelation radii for the field in the directions of the survey (R_s) and perpendiculardirection (R_p) allows optimisation of the survey design andthe algorithm of data analysis. A field can be reconstructed properly (r² > 0.70) if the distance between transects D < (1.0–1.5)R_s and the unit of sampling distance d < (1.0–1.5)R_p. A posteriori determination of patchorientation allows reconstruction of the best field attainable onthe basis of the survey data. In cases of field movement, if thedimension of patches in the direction of movement exceeds that ofa surveyed area, a survey in the opposite direction gives bestresults; in contrast, if the dimension of moving patches is smaller than that of a surveyed area, it is reasonable to carryout a survey in the same direction. The criterion remains validwhen a survey is carried out by zigzag transects and a unit ofsampling distance is set along them. The results obtained indicate that, for a fixed transect spacing and a given number of sampling points on each full transect, zigzag pattern allowsless adequate reconstruction of an original distribution field (in cases of both immovable and movable fields) than corresponding parallel pattern.     

西部国内旅游远程市场旅游产品开发

旅游产品的开发水平是西部旅游业发展的制约因素.在西部国内旅游营销中,要把东部客源市场作为远程旅游目标市场,远程旅游产品的开发要以市场为导向.在分析东部客源市场特点的基础上,提出了西部国内旅游远程市场旅游产品的开发策略:①体现西部特色,与东部旅游产品形成互补;②以资源保护为前提,开发生态型旅游产品;③整合西部旅游资源,开发跨区域旅游精品;④协调好各旅游要素的功能,形成不同等级的旅游服务系统;⑤针对东部地区客源市场特点设计旅游产品;⑥重视老年旅游和青少年学生旅游产品的开发.     

一种基于改进的一致性算法数据融合技术

在重大工程结构健康监测中,随着研究对象复杂程度的提高,往往需要获得大量观测数据才能对结构进行有效的评估,因此采用多种或多个传感器进行测量已成为必然趋势。数据融合技术就是将多个传感器的测量结果进行综合处理,从而得出比单个传感器更为准确可靠的结果。本文基于一致性算法,提出一种改进的多传感器数据融合技术,该数据融合技术属于数据级融合,它克服了一致性算法中两传感器在测量精度不同时置信距离不同的缺点,并对支持矩阵进行模糊化处理,避免了人为定义阈值而产生的主观误差。文中通过算例,验证了此方法可获得较好的结果,并且能够有效地减小由于扰动因素造成的测量数据的变化。     

一般工程中深孔爆破技术的初步探讨

中深孔爆破技术在一般工程中得到最为广泛的推广和应用,合理地确定中深孔爆破的各项技术参数和有效地控制爆破中产生的有害效应,能够取得理想的工程效益.中深孔爆破的各项技术参数之间存在着相互关联性,寻找他们之间的内在联系,可以合理地优化爆破方案.中深孔爆破产生的有害效应有规律可寻,只要掌握和合理地应用,能够降低和消除中深孔爆破产生的有害效应.     

城市空气质量模糊评价新方法

在权广义距离概念的基础上提出一种新的城市空气质量模糊评价方法,评价过程能充分利用实际数据所包含的各种信息.与模糊综合评判模型的同一应用实例结果进行比较,表明文章提出的评价方法更为有效.     

Identification and spatial patterns of coastal water pollution sources based on GIS and chemometric approach

Comprehensive and joint applications of GIS and chemometric approach were applied in identification and spatial patterns of coastal water pollution sources with a large data set （5 years （2000-2004）, 17 parameters） obtained through coastal water monitoring of Southern Water Control Zone in Hong Kong. According to cluster analysis the pollution degree was significantly different between September-next May （the 1st period） and June-August （the 2nd period）. Based on these results, four potential pollution sources, such as organic/eutrophication pollution, natural pollution, mineral/anthropic pollution and fecal pollution were identified by factor analysis/principal component analysis. Then the factor scores of each monitoring site were analyzed using inverse distance weighting method, and the results indicated degree of the influence by various potential pollution sources differed among the monitoring sites. This study indicated that hybrid approach was useful and effective for identification of coastal water pollution source and spatial patterns.     

我国危险化学品企业搬迁方案研究

概要地对我国现有危险化学品企业安全防护距离不足的现状进行分析,提出危险化学品企业搬迁工作实施的基本原则,探讨危险化学品企业搬迁范围的确定、厂址的解决、资金的分配、政策的制定和长效机制的建立等问题。建议搬迁企业在政府的统一规划下,坚持以人为本,坚持安全生产和可持续发展的原则,在搬迁中提高技术含量和社会形象,增强市场竞争力。针对我国危险化学品企业的特点提出了一套搬迁方案和步骤。论文的研究成果将为各地政府指导当地危险化学品企业进行科学规划,对待搬迁的危险化学品企业实现安全有效搬迁及健康发展提供了有益参考。     

爆破震动安全距离的优化计算

笔者针对爆破震动安全距离的典型计算公式,从参数入手,分析误差产生的原因,认为爆破震动安全距离计算产生误差主要原因有三:①K ,α的类比取值不客观;②现场爆破改变了地质条件;③试验法以点代面。笔者从改善K ,α取值的角度,提出一种较为合理的计算爆破震动安全距离的优化方案,即进行爆破现场监测,将监测数据及时参与K ,α值的计算。这样既避免K ,α的类比取值不客观,又反映出爆破对现场地质条件的改变;而且大量监测数据参与计算避免片面性。据此建立了爆破震动安全距离计算优化模型,并利用VisualBasic语言编写了程序,避免了大量的人工计算。将此模型应用于工程实际,得到了较好的效果