Efficacy of extracting indices from large‐scale acoustic recordings to monitor biodiversity

Passive acoustic monitoring could be a powerful way to assess biodiversity across large spatial and temporal scales. However, extracting meaningful information from recordings can be prohibitively time consuming. Acoustic indices (i.e., a mathematical summary of acoustic energy) offer a relatively rapid method for processing acoustic data and are increasingly used to characterize biological communities. We examined the relationship between acoustic indices and the diversity and abundance of biological sounds in recordings. We reviewed the acoustic‐index literature and found that over 60 indices have been applied to a range of objectives with varying success. We used 36 of the most indicative indices to develop a predictive model of the diversity of animal sounds in recordings. Acoustic data were collected at 43 sites in temperate terrestrial and tropical marine habitats across the continental United States. For terrestrial recordings, random‐forest models with a suite of acoustic indices as covariates predicted Shannon diversity, richness, and total number of biological sounds with high accuracy (R² ≥ 0.94, mean squared error [MSE] ≤170.2). Among the indices assessed, roughness, acoustic activity, and acoustic richness contributed most to the predictive ability of models. Performance of index models was negatively affected by insect, weather, and anthropogenic sounds. For marine recordings, random‐forest models poorly predicted Shannon diversity, richness, and total number of biological sounds (R² ≤ 0.40, MSE ≥ 195). Our results suggest that using a combination of relevant acoustic indices in a flexible model can accurately predict the diversity of biological sounds in temperate terrestrial acoustic recordings. Thus, acoustic approaches could be an important contribution to biodiversity monitoring in some habitats.     

Perceived barriers to and drivers of community participation in protected‐area governance

Protected areas (PAs) are a frequently used conservation strategy, yet their socioeconomic impacts on local communities remain contentious. A shift toward increased participation by local communities in PA governance seeks to deliver benefits for human well‐being and biodiversity. Although participation is considered critical to the success of PAs, few researchers have investigated individuals’ decisions to participate and what this means for how local people experience the costs and benefits of conservation. We explored who participates in PA governance associations and why; the perceived benefits and costs to participation; and how costs and benefits are distributed within and between communities. Methods included 3 focus groups, 37 interviews, and 217 questionnaire surveys conducted in 3 communities and other stakeholders (e.g., employees of a nongovernmental organization and government officials) in PA governance in Madagascar. Our study design was grounded in the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the most commonly applied behavior model in social psychology. Participation in PA governance was limited by miscommunication and lack of knowledge about who could get involved and how. Respondents perceived limited benefits and high costs and uneven distribution of these within and between communities. Men, poorer households, and people in remote villages reported the highest costs. Our findings illustrate challenges related to comanagement of PAs: understanding the heterogeneous nature of communities; ensuring all households are represented in governance participation; understanding differences in the meaning of forest protection; and targeting interventions to reach households most in need to avoid elite capture.     

Physical state and biodegradation behavior of starch-polycaprolactone systems

The biodegradation behavior of insoluble crystalline polymers depends on both chemical structure and physical state. The physical state is strongly affected by the molding conditions; moreover the presence of natural hydrophylic substances such as starch can further influence the biodegradation process. This paper examines the biotic and abiotic degradation of thick injection-molded parts, made of pure poly--caprolactone (PCL) at different molecular weights, and of PCL in the presence of starch in the case of a commercial grade of Mater-Bi, produced by Novamont. The abiotic degradation was studied at 25 and 50°C, whereas the biotic degradation was followed in conditions of SCAS (semicontinuous activated sludges) at 25 and 50°C, soil burial, and controlled composting. The physical-chemical modifications provoked at the surface and in the bulk of the samples by the different types of degradation were determined by differential scanning calorimetry, viscometric and gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic mechanical analysis. The mechanical modifications induced by the different environments were followed by tensile tests. It was demonstrated that the presence of starch significantly increases the apparent biodegradation rate of PCL, making even thick parts of ZI01U compatible with the composting process.Paper presented at the Bio/Environmentally Degradable Polymer Society—Third National Meeting, June 6–8, 1994, Boston, Massachusetts.     

Assessing the biodegradation potential of polymers in screening- and long-term test systems

This paper presents a test scheme for assessing the biodegradation potential of polymers, starting with aquatic screening systems (aerobic and anaerobic) and continuing to long-term systems. At the end of the scheme the material has to prove its behavior under the relevant disposal conditions. Aerobic screening was performed mainly under aquatic conditions, but also in soil, using BOD-respirometry. Carbon balances were performed to obtain a better evaluation of the biodegradation potential. Under anaerobic conditions, biodegradation in an aquatic medium was followed by measuring CH₄ and CO₂ production. Polymers not fully degraded in the screening systems were tested in aquarium systems for at least 1 year. Biodegradation was followed by monitoring the DOC released in the water, mass loss, and microbial growth on the samples and in the water as well as via FTIR spectroscopy and SEM pictures. Results are presented for the polymers PHB, PHBV, PCL, Mater-Bi AI05H and ZF03U, and Bioceta. By combining the data from the screening with the aquarium system, a good picture of the degradation behavior of the polymers is obtained.Paper presented at the Bio/Environmentally Degradable Polymer Society—Third National Meeting, June 6–8, 1994, Boston, Massachusetts.     

Biodegradability and compostability of polymers—test methods and criteria for evaluation

The treatment of solid waste in controlled composting facilities is an important possibility for reducing garbage. Natural and synthetic polymeric materials can be used for many purposes, for example, as packaging materials, where compostability is required. A prerequisite for official regulations and the decision as to which materials may be composted is investigations on their biodegradability and the quality of the compost produced. Several standardization groups at the ISO, CEN, and DIN are developing definitions, test methods, and classification systems for differentiating compostable from noncompostable materials. The concept which will be standardized and used in Germany is described in detail. It includes characterization of the test material, determination of the biodegradability using laboratory tests such as simple aquatic batch tests and a controlled aerobic composting test, investigation of the disintegration of the test material in industrial or bench-scale composting facilities, and finally, chemical and ecotoxicological analysis of the compost produced.     

上海地区SO2污染现状和趋势分析

根据上海市监测系统长期监测资料，对上海地区大气中ＳＯ２的污染现状进行了综合分析，并总结出ＳＯ２的时空分布规律与特征。应用秩相关系数法，对１９８６￣１９９５年的１０年ＳＯ２浓度均值进行了年际变化趋势检验，同时从最大值、超标率及高浓度日出现天数等不同的侧面，进行了年际变化趋势分析，以充分的证明表明，上海市ＳＯ２年际变化呈显著下降趋势。     

遗传双线性模型在海洋冰情预测中的应用

提出了一套建立双线性模型（ＢＭ）的简便方案。用作者研制的加速遗传算法可同时估计ＢＭ模型各参数,成功地解决了ＢＭ建模这一难题,为ＢＭ模型的广泛应用提供了强有力的工具。实例的计算结果说明,这套方法在海洋冰情预测中是可行而有效的,通过利用预测过程中产生的残差信息进行反馈矫正,保证了ＢＭ模型高的拟合粗度和稳健的预测性能,增强了ＢＭ对复杂非线性动态系统的适应性。该方案具有一般性,在各种非线性时序动态预测中具     

渤海沉积物中的"活性铁"与其氧化还原环境的关系

应用2001年12月航次所取得的渤海三个典型区域沉积物柱样品，用5％HCl浸取溶解自然粒度下的沉积物，测定了其中的Fe^3 ，Fe^2 ，Fe^3 /Fe^2 值，探讨了其分布特性及其与沉积物氧化还原环境的关系。结果表明Fe^3 在整个研究海域均是从表层向下逐渐递减的，Fe^2 在辽东湾是从表层向下逐渐减小的，而在其他海域是逐渐增加的。沉积物的上层（约50cm厚）Fe^3 含量变化复杂。一些柱状样Fe^2 含量随深度的增加而降低，可能除与沉积物来源有关外，还与“活性铁”的总量有关，“活性铁”含量在垂直方向上随深度而降低。从“活性铁”与Fe^3 /Fe^2 判断，所研究的渤海区沉积环境以弱氧化环境为主，局部地区为还原环境。     

The Danish eulerian hemispheric model — a three-dimensional air pollution model used for the arctic

A three-dimensional Eulerian hemispheric air pollution model, the Danish Eulerian Hemispheric Model (DEHM), is in development at the National Environmental Research Institute (NERI). The model has been used to study long-range transport of air pollution in the Northern Hemisphere. The present version of the model includes long-range transport of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and particulate sulphate (SC₄²⁻. The chemistry in the model is described by a simple linear oxidation of SO₂ to SO₄²⁻, and the wet deposition of SO₂ and SO₄⁻ is estimated based on the amount of precipitation, which is calculated from the contents of liquid cloud water (see Christensen, Air Pollution Modelling and its Applicatioons, Vol. X, pp. 119–127, Vol. XI, pp. 249–256, Plenum press, New York; 1995, Ph.D. thesis, National Environmental Research Institute, Denmark). The model has been used to study the air pollution in the Arctic. Results from yr simulation with an analysis of the results is presented: the model results are verified by comparisons, to measurements not only from the Arctic region but also from Europe and Canada. Some examples of episodes in the Arctic including analysis of the meteorological conditions during the episodes are presented. Finally, the model has been used to estimate the contribution from the different source regions on the northern hemisphere to the Arctic sulphur pollution.     

Investigation of fault position and sources of radon by measurement of 238U decay series radionuclide activity in soil samples

North Derbyshire is designated a Radon Affected Area by the National Radiological Protection Board of Great Britain since more than 1% of the housing stock is estimated to have radon levels in excess of the 200 Bq m-3 Action Level. Enhanced radon emissions associated with geological faults make knowledge of their position important in relation to any potential residential or industrial development. A general survey of radionuclides present in the soils of north Derbyshire and their relationship to the underlying geology highlighted the difficulty of identifying the position of geological faults in the field. Using gamma-ray spectroscopy of soil samples the activity of three 238U decay series radionuclides (226Ra, 214Pb and 214Bi), which were taken as evidence of the presence of 222Rn which occurs in the same decay series, was measured to indicate the position of a fault by enhanced activity. The results also provided some evidence of the source of radon emitted at the fault. A comparison of this methodology with the more conventional soil gas analysis method is made.