Fuzzy experts on recreational vessels, a risk modelling approach for marine invasions

Understanding risks from the human-mediated spread of non-indigenous species (NIS) is a critical component of marine biosecurity management programmes. Recreational boating is well-recognised as a NIS pathway, especially at a regional scale. Assessment of risks from this pathway is therefore desirable for coastal environments where recreational boating occurs. However, formal or quantitative risk assessment for the recreational vessel pathway is often hampered by lack of data, hence often relies on expert opinion. The use of expert opinion itself is sometimes limited by its inherent vagueness, which can be an important source of uncertainty that reduces the validity and applicability of the assessment. Fuzzy logic, specifically interval type-2 fuzzy logic, is able to model and propagate this type of uncertainty, and is a useful technique in risk assessment where expert opinion is relied upon. The present paper describes the implementation of a NIS fuzzy expert system (FES) for assessing the risk of invasion in marine environments via recreational vessels. The FES was based on expert opinion gathered through systematic elicitation exercises, designed to acknowledge important uncertainty sources (e.g., underspecificity and ambiguity). The FES, using interval type-2 fuzzy logic, calculated an invasion risk value (integrating NIS infection and detection probabilities) for a range of invasion scenarios. These scenarios were defined by all possible combinations of two vessel types (moored and trailered), five vessel components (hull, deck, internal spaces, anchor, fishing gear), two infection modes (fouling, water/sediment retention) and six frequently visited marine habitats (marina, mooring, farm, ramp, wharf, anchorage). Although invasion risk values determined using the FES approach was scenario-specific, general patterns were identified. Moored vessels consistently showed higher invasion risk values than trailered vessels. Invasion risk values were higher for anchorages, moorings and wharves. Similarly, hull-fouling was revealed as the highest infection risk mode after pooling results across all habitats. The NIS fuzzy expert system presented here appears as a valuable prioritising and decision-making tool for NIS research, prevention and control activities. Its easy implementation and wide applicability should encourage the development and application of this type of system as an integral part of biosecurity, and other environmental management plans.     

Modelling algal blooms in the Dutch coastal waters by integrated numerical and fuzzy cellular automata approaches

In this paper, an integrated numerical and fuzzy cellular automata model was developed to predict possible algal blooms in Dutch coastal waters basing on the irradiance, nutrients and neighbourhood conditions. The numerical module used Delft3D-WAQ to compute the abiotic conditions, and fuzzy cellular automata approach was applied to predict the algal biomass that was indicated by chlorophyll a concentration. The simulated results of year 1995 were compared with that from BLOOM II model, and the advantages, disadvantages as well as future improvement were presented. In general, through this study, it is seen that the integrated modelling deserves more research inputs because: (1) the hydrodynamic processes and nutrients concentrations can be simulated in details by numerical method; (2) the irregular and sparse water quality and biological data, and the empirical knowledge from experts can be explored by the fuzzy logic technique; (3) the spatial heterogeneity, local interactions and the emerge of patchiness could be well captured through the cellular automata paradigm.     

Comparison of models of simazine transport and fate in the subsurface environment in a citrus farm

Contamination of groundwater by agrochemicals is now widely recognized as an extremely important environmental problem. Modern agricultural practices involve the combined use of irrigation with the application of large amounts of agrochemicals to maximize crop yield. Due to flood irrigation and natural runoff, agricultural activities might generate soil, surface water and groundwater contamination problems and leaching of pesticides. Modeling of the transport and fate of pesticides, such as simazine, may help understand the long-term potential risk to the subsurface environment. This paper illustrates a comparative study via the use of three different pesticide transport simulation models and the applicability of those models in determining the groundwater vulnerability to pesticides contamination in a citrus orchard located at the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV). The three models used in the study are the pesticide root zone model-3 (PRZM-3), the pesticide analytical model (PESTAN) and integrated pesticide transport modeling (IPTM). The concentration values obtained from all three models are in agreement, and they show a decreasing trend from the surface through the vadose zone. The problem is how to use this information and, specifically, how to combine the testimony of a number of experts into a single useful judgment. With the aid of the fuzzy multiattribute decision making method, PRZM-3 is deemed as the most promising one for such precision farming applications.     

模糊数学对水源水质进行分析的应用实例

以某取水河道的某一次监测结果为例子,以GB 3838-2002《地表水环境质量标准》为依据,探讨运用模糊数学对水源水进行分析的方法,绘制圆形比例图,显示各种污染物对水源水质"贡献",从而列出风险污染物清单,以便在工程中采用适当的处理工艺.     

模糊识别在水质综合评价中的应用

应用模糊数学方法对水质进行综合评价,其关键问题是如何合理地确定各评价指标的权重．将最优权法引入模糊评价以确定各评价指标的权系数．通过求解权向量的最优解来确定各指标权重,可避免确定评价指标权重的主观任意性,增加评价结果的分辨性．实例计算与结果对比表明,该方法克服了各指标的权系数随实测样本的不同而变化和评价结果分辨性差的缺点,提高了模型的通用性和评价结果的可比性,同时也简化了多次重复确定权系数的工作量．     

一种HSI空间基于模糊聚类的火灾彩色图像分割算法

针对通用模糊聚类算法进行彩色图像分割存在对初值敏感,迭代过程耗时等问题,在HSI空间结合火焰图像分布特征,采用平均值法进行初值优选,构造抑制算子和抑制因数对火焰无关区域S和I分量进行有效抑制,采用直方图聚类后进行数据融合等方式,最终实现彩色火灾图像分割。实验表明,该算法提高了彩色火灾图像分割的准确性和收敛速度。     

应用模糊论方法学优化交通噪声布点

本文应用模糊论方法学以及聚类分析、贴近度计算,择近原理等数学手段,把沈阳市原有的48条干线优化成12条监测干线.经 F 检验、T 检验及其它各种误差检验,证明了优化结果具有较高精度,满足了国家城市环境质量综合整治定量考核及监测规范的要求,为城市交通噪声监测布点优化,提供了借鉴及参考.     

大气功能区划分的模糊综合评价法

文章分析了大气环境功能区的重要作用以及目前功能分区方法中存在的问题，探讨了功能分区中正确考虑风的向影响的原则，剖析了模糊数学理论进行了功能分区的必要性。最后，提出了综合考虑社会功能，气候地理特征及环境现状的定量划分功能区的模糊综合评价法，阐述了这一方法的具体步骤，并将之应用于一案例中。     

Modelling spatial distribution of hard bottom benthic communities and their functional response to environmental parameters

In this study we analyzed and modelled spatial distribution of hard bottom benthic communities in the Lagoon of Venice, and used the model to derive functional response of these communities to changing environmental conditions.     

城市生活垃圾场处理技术模糊综合评价

通过对一个待建的城市生活垃圾场处理技术的综合分析，建立一个相对完整的指标体系，然后用模糊数学的方法，对指标体系进行量化、归一化，得到一个通用的评价模型，并运用此模型对该垃圾的垃圾处理方式进行评价，最后提出卫生填埋是当前较为合理的处理方式。