Modelling directional spatial processes in ecological data

Distributions of species, animals or plants, terrestrial or aquatic, are influenced by numerous factors such as physical and biogeographical gradients. Dominant wind and current directions cause the appearance of gradients in physical conditions whereas biogeographical gradients can be the result of historical events (e.g. glaciations). No spatial modelling technique has been developed to this day that considers the direction of an asymmetric process controlling species distributions along a gradient or network. This paper presents a new method that can model species spatial distributions generated by a hypothesized asymmetric, directional physical process. This method is an eigenfunction-based spatial filtering technique that offers as much flexibility as the Moran's eigenvector maps (MEM) framework; it is called asymmetric eigenvector maps (AEM) modelling. Information needed to construct eigenfunctions through the AEM framework are the spatial coordinates of the sampling or experimental sites, a connexion diagram linking the sites to one another, prior information about the direction of the hypothesized asymmetric process influencing the response variable(s), and optionally, weights attached to the edges (links). To illustrate how this new method works, AEM is compared to MEM analysis through simulations and in the analysis of an ecological example where a known asymmetric forcing is present. The ecological example reanalyses the dietary habits of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) sampled in 42 lakes of the Mastigouche Reserve, Québec.     

GIS-based modeling of the geographic distribution of Quercus emoryi Torr. (Fagaceae) in México and identification of significant environmental factors influencing the species’ distribution

The greatest concentration of oak species in the world is believed to be found in Mexico. These species are potentially useful for reforestation because of their capacity to adapt to diverse environments. Knowledge of their geographic distribution and of species–environment relations is essential for decision-making in the management and conservation of natural resources. The objectives of this study were to develop a model of the distribution of Quercus emoryi Torr. in Mexico, using geographic information systems and data layers of climatic and other variables, and to determine the variables that significantly influence the distribution of the species. The study consisted of the following steps: (A) selection of the target species from a botanical scientific collection, (B) characterization of the collecting sites using images with values or categories of the variables, (C) model building with the overlay of images that meet the habitat conditions determined from the characterization of sites, (D) model validation with independent data in order to determine the precision of the model, (E) model calibration through adjustment of the intervals of some variables, and (F) sensitivity analysis using precision and concordance non-parametric statistics applied to pairs of images. Results show that the intervals of the variables that best describe the species’ habitat are the following: altitude from 1650 to 2750 amsl, slope from 0 to 66°; average minimum temperature of January from −12 to −3 °C; mean temperature of June from 11 to 25 °C; mean annual precipitation from 218 to 1225 mm; soil units: lithosol, eutric cambisol, haplic phaeozem, chromic luvisol, rendzina, luvic xerosol, mollic planosol, pellic vertisol, eutric regosol; type of vegetation: oak forest, oak–pine forest, pine forest, pine–oak forest, juniperus forest, low open forest, natural grassland and chaparral. The resulting model of the geographic distribution of Quercus emoryi in Mexico had the following values for non-parametric statistics of precision and agreement: Kappa index of 0.613 and 0.788, overall accuracy of 0.806 and 0.894, sensitivity of 0.650 and 0.825, specificity of 0.963, positive predictive value of 0.945 and 0.957 and negative predictive value of 0.733 and 0.846. Results indicate that the variable average minimum temperature of January, with a maximum value of −3 °C, is an important factor in limiting the species’ distribution.     

基于层次分析（AHP）的山东林火风险区划研究

利用RS和GIS构建山东森林火险区划模型,模型采取4类指标:第一类是森林火灾发生和蔓延的气象条件,选用代表干湿状态的多年近地面平均气温和近地面空气比湿;第二类是森林燃烧物质基础,林火行为主体的森林植被类型和植被覆盖度;第三类是高程、坡度和坡向等森林火灾发生和蔓延的地形条件;第四类是距居民点距离、距道路距离和人口素质(农民纯收入指数)等火源条件。分析2001-2010年10年间各类指标因子与火点分布关系,利用层次分析法(AHP)确定火险因子权重构建了山东林火风险区划,用2011-2012年火烧迹地信息进行验证,其中火点落在大于或高于三级占到了95%以上。     

基于DEM的SAR图像洪水水体的提取

星载雷达遥感已广泛应用于洪水灾害的监测和评估中。但是由于其阴影与水体严重混淆 ,使得从雷达图像中提取洪水水体较为困难。为此 ,本文探讨了在地形数据的支持下 ,实现星载SAR图像洪水水体半自动提取的方法。主要包括以下几步 :首先 ,对雷达图像进行滤波处理 ,并将其与地形数据匹配 ,从雷达图像中提取出初步的洪水水体范围 ;其次 ,利用地形数据生成DEM ,并根据雷达图像的成像参数和DEM生成相应的模拟雷达图像 ;最后 ,利用模拟雷达图像上的阴影 ,剔除被误提为洪水水体的阴影 ,从而实现洪水水体的准确提取。研究表明 ,该方法能有效地、半自动地将星载雷达图像上的洪水水体提取出来 ;同时 ,该方法可以用于多种星载多模式的雷达图像的洪水水体的识别提取 ,尤其对含山区的大范围洪水水体的半自动提取 ,更为适用。     

Multiscale Drivers of Water Chemistry of Boreal Lakes and Streams

The variability in surface water chemistry within and between aquatic ecosystems is regulated by many factors operating at several spatial and temporal scales. The importance of geographic, regional-, and local-scale factors as drivers of the natural variability of three water chemistry variables representing buffering capacity and the importance of weathering (acid neutralizing capacity, ANC), nutrient concentration (total phosphorus, TP), and importance of allochthonous inputs (total organic carbon, TOC) were studied in boreal streams and lakes using a method of variance decomposition. Partial redundancy analysis (pRDA) of ANC, TP, and TOC and 38 environmental variables in 361 lakes and 390 streams showed the importance of the interaction between geographic position and regional-scale variables. Geographic position and regional-scale factors combined explained 15.3% (streams) and 10.6% (lakes) of the variation in ANC, TP, and TOC. The unique variance explained by geographic, regional, and local-scale variables alone was <10%. The largest amount of variance was explained by the pure effect of regional-scale variables (9.9% for streams and 7.8% for lakes), followed by local-scale variables (2.9% and 5.8%) and geographic position (1.8% and 3.7%). The combined effect of geographic position, regional-, and local-scale variables accounted for between 30.3% (lakes) and 39.9% (streams) of the variance in surface water chemistry. These findings lend support to the conjecture that lakes and streams are intimately linked to their catchments and have important implications regarding conservation and restoration (management) endeavors.     

Identifying Potential Conflict Associated with Oil and Gas Exploration in Texas State Coastal Waters: A Multicriteria Spatial Analysis

Recent interest in expanding offshore oil production within waters of the United States has been met with opposition by groups concerned with recreational, environmental, and aesthetic values associated with the coastal zone. Although the proposition of new oil platforms off the coast has generated conflict over how coastal resources should be utilized, little research has been conducted on where these user conflicts might be most intense and which sites might be most suitable for locating oil production facilities in light of the multiple, and often times, competing interests. In this article, we develop a multiple-criteria spatial decision support tool that identifies the potential degree of conflict associated with oil and gas production activities for existing lease tracts in the coastal margin of Texas. We use geographic information systems to measure and map a range of potentially competing representative values impacted by establishing energy extraction infrastructure and then spatially identify which leased tracts are the least contentious sites for oil and gas production in Texas state waters. Visual and statistical results indicate that oil and gas lease blocks within the study area vary in their potential to generate conflict among multiple stakeholders.     

大渡河上游某水电站库区滑坡的危险性评价

大渡河上游某拟建水电站突出的工程地质问题之一为库区内2个大型滑坡的稳定性。通过对滑坡的工程地质条件、变形特征、影响因素及成因机制分析,在定性分析的基础上,选择代表性剖面,分多种工况条件,利用极限平衡法对滑坡整体稳定性进行了定量计算。并在此基础上采用能量法、美国土木工程学会建议法和水科院经验公式法对局部滑体的滑动速度和产生的涌浪高度进行了预测计算和分析,由此得出滑坡对大坝安全运营和库区居民的危害程度的危险性评价。     

有害气体突发性环境污染事故隐患的风险性评价方法探讨

对有害气体的突发性环境污染事故隐患(以下简称隐患)的风险性,提出从危害度和危险度两个方面进行评价的方法。其中危害度的评价是利用环境预测与评价中的方法,预测在发生事故时,有害气体散逸到人群暴露处的最大浓度。同时结合有害气体对人体产生影响健康、损害机体和危及生命3个程度的浓度,来确定企业的危害度。对于危险度的评价,则分别采甩安全管理的方法和可靠性分析的方法来定量企业的安全管理水平和隐患所用设备的不可靠性。并结合劳动安全评价的有关理论,计算被评价隐患的危险指数。利用数学统计的方法,确定隐患的安全界限标准。通过与该标准比较,判定隐患处于何种状态。并估计其转化成事故的危险程度。     

ARC/INFO对外部数据库的动态访问

利用ARC/INFO的DATABASEINTEGRATOR模块功能,实现了在ARC/INFO环境对外部数据库的动态访问?该文就动态连接?访问外部库的条件和方法进行了论述?      

Relationships Between Landscape Characteristics and Nonpoint Source Pollution Inputs to Coastal Estuaries

The model can help in examining the relative sensitivity of water-quality variables to alterations in land use made at varying distances from the stream channel. The model also shows the importance of streamside management zones, which are key to maintenance of stream water quality. The linkage model can be considered a first step in the integration of GIS and ecological models. The model can then be used by local and regional land managers in the formulation of plans for watershed-level management.