Trends in anecdotal fox sightings in Tasmania accounted for by psychological factors

There has been little evaluation of anecdotal sightings as a means to confirm new incursions of invasive species. This paper explores the potential for equivocal information communicated by the media to account for patterns of anecdotal reports. In 2001, it was widely reported that red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) had been deliberately released in the island state of Tasmania (Australia), although this claim was later revealed to be baseless. Regardless, by 2013 a total of 3153 anecdotal fox sightings had been reported by members of the public, which implied their distribution was wide. For each month in 2001–2003, we defined a monthly media index (MMI) of fox‐related media coverage, an index of their relative seasonal abundance (abundance), and a factor denoting claims of fox evidence (claimed evidence) regardless of its evidentiary quality. We fitted a generalized linear model with Poisson error for monthly totals of anecdotal sightings with factors of year and claimed evidence and covariates of MMI, abundance, and hours of darkness. The collective effect of psychological factors (MMI, claimed evidence, and year) relative to biophysical factors (photoperiod and abundance) was highly significant (χ² = 122.1, df = 6, p < 0.0001), whereas anticipated changes in abundance had no significant influence on reported sightings (p = 0.15). An annual index of fox media from 2001 to 2010 was strongly associated with the yearly tally of anecdotal sightings (p = 0.018). The odds ratio of sightings ranked as reliable by the fox eradication program in any year decreased exponentially at a rate of 0.00643 as the total number of sightings increased (p < 0.0001) and was indicative of an observer‐expectancy bias. Our results suggest anecdotal sightings are highly susceptible to cognitive biases and when used to qualify and quantify species presence can contribute to flawed risk assessments.     

Costs of Integrating Economics and Conservation Planning

Abstract: Recent literature on systematic conservation planning has focused strongly on economics. It is a necessary component of efficient conservation planning because the question is about effective resource allocation. Nevertheless, there is an increasing tendency toward economic factors overriding biological considerations. Focusing too narrowly on economic cost may lead us back toward solutions resembling those obtained by opportunistic choice of areas, the avoidance of which was the motivation for development of systematic approaches. Moreover, there are many overlooked difficulties in incorporating economic considerations reliably into conservation planning because available economic data and the free market are complex. For instance, economies based on free markets tend to be shortsighted, whereas biodiversity conservation aims far into the future. Although economic data are necessary, they should not be relied on too heavily or considered separately from other sociopolitical factors. We suggest focusing on development of more‐comprehensive ecological‐economic modeling, while not forgetting the importance of purely biological analyses that are needed as a point of reference for evaluating conservation outcomes.     

基于离线采集模式的高低温低气压试验箱校准技术的研究

针对高低温低气压箱校准技术展开研究,分析了传统校准方案的不足之处,提出了一种基于离线采集模式的高低温低气压试验箱温度、压力校准方案,并结合虚拟仪器、数据库与MATLAB,完成了该方案的设计与实现。最后通过实验验证了该方案的可靠性与可行性,并应用到环境与可靠性工作中。     

Unveiling soil degradation and desertification risk in the Mediterranean basin: a data mining analysis of the relationships between biophysical and socioeconomic factors in agro-forest landscapes

Soil degradation and desertification processes in the Mediterranean basin reflect the interplay between environmental and socioeconomic drivers. An approach to evaluate comparatively the multiple relationships between biophysical variables and socioeconomic factors is illustrated in the present study using the data collected from 586 field sites located in five Mediterranean areas (Spain, Greece, Turkey, Tunisia and Morocco). A total of 47 variables were chosen to illustrate land-use, farm characteristics, population pressure, tourism development, rainfall regime, water availability, soil properties and vegetation cover, among others. A data mining approach incorporating non-parametric inference, principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering was developed to identify candidate syndromes of soil degradation and desertification risk. While field sites in the same study area showed a substantial similarity, the multivariate relationship among variables diverged among study areas. Data mining techniques proved to be a practical tool to identify spatial determinants of soil degradation and desertification risk. Our findings identify the contrasting spatial patterns for biophysical and socioeconomic variables, in turn associated with different responses to land degradation.     

考虑环境适应性和环境防护的火灾黑匣子设计

目的为了清楚记录火灾事故过程,便于灾后调查分析及预防火灾。方法对火灾现场的环境条件及其复杂性进行研究,并在此基础上,提出考虑环境适应性和环境防护的火灾黑匣子系统的设计思路,进行初步设计。结果火灾黑匣子的外部防护壳体采用了高强度的合金材料,确保了外壳具有较高的硬度和强度,保证了抗电磁干扰能力。内部是主要由二氧化硅凝聚物和石棉粉组成的多重复合结构,具有较好的抗高温火烧性能。结论该设计下的黑匣子实现了对日常使用和恶劣火场环境下的火灾数据的记录、存储与再现的问题。     

基于实测资料海洋内孤立波诊断模型设计

目的基于实测的海洋资料,研究设计海洋内孤立波诊断模型。方法首先对实测的ADCP海洋资料和温度链资料进行质量控制处理,然后利用海洋内波动力学理论和诊断分析技术,建立提取海洋内波特征的诊断模型。结果成功设计了能够提取海洋内波振幅、内波周期、变差流矢量时间序列、内波波致流和内波传播方向的诊断模型。结论该诊断模型通过实测的温度链、潜标、ADCP等连续观测的海洋资料,可诊断出海洋内波周期、内波振幅等特征要素,为实施海洋水文气象保障提供了重要技术手段。     

环境试验数据资源建设的思考

从环境试验数据的内涵着手,阐述了环境试验数据的类型及资源建设的范围。分析了环境试验数据的作用及资源建设的重大意义,并进一步对环境试验数据资源建设的国内外现状进行了分析研究,通过国内外对比分析,找出了我国在环境试验数据资源建设方面存在的差距和问题,提出了我国今后在环境试验数据资源建设方面的目标和发展方向。     

现场监测数据审核方法及异常数据的判别研究

现场监测数据审核是整个环境监测质量管理中的重要一环,关系到监测数据的真实、公正、有效.现场监测原始记录准确完整的填写是数据审核的前提条件,文章论述了原始记录的填写要求及填写方法.针对审核过程中遇到异常数据的具体问题加以判别,分析原始记录的完整性、计算公式的准确性在现场监测数据审核工作中的作用.结合实际工作,通过对环境监测数据相关性、逻辑性进行研究,分析了现场监测数据审核过程中应注意的问题及异常数据的产生原因,并提出了相应的解决方法.     

本底大气CO2观测分析过程中QA/QC方法的建立与评估

建立科学规范的本底大气CO2采样观测分析过程中的质量保证与质量控制方法,是实现该数据资源同化和共享的基础.本研究以中国气象局温室气体网络化采样观测经验为基础,以便携式采样观测、波长扫描-光腔衰荡(WS-CRDS)分析技术为例,系统介绍了我国青海瓦里关全球本底站大气中CO2采样观测过程中的质量保证措施,样品分析过程中的玻璃瓶质量保证措施和样品分析过程中的系统质量控制方法、数据处理过程中的校正方法、数据分级质量标记和数据拟合插补方法等;并重点对该方法中几个关键步骤进行了评估验证;最后,应用本研究方法,对我国3个区域大气本底站CO2的采样观测数据进行了处理和浓度变化特征分析,说明本研究方法也可以较好地捕捉区域和局地环境因素影响对观测结果的影响,并客观、准确地反映该区域的自然和人为活动特征.