Landform Classification for Land Use Planning in Developed Areas: An Example in Segovia Province (Central Spain)

Landform-based physiographic maps, also called land systems inventories, have been widely and successfully used in undeveloped/rural areas in several locations, such as Australia, the western United States, Canada, and the British ex-colonies. This paper presents a case study of their application in a developed semi-urban/suburban area (Segovia, Spain) for land use planning purposes. The paper focuses in the information transfer process, showing how land use decision-makers, such as governments, planners, town managers, etc., can use the information developed from these maps to assist them. The paper also addresses several issues important to the development and use of this information, such as the goals of modern physiography, the types of landform-based mapping products, the problem of data management in developed areas, and the distinctions among data, interpretations, and decisions.     

Estimating dyad association probability under imperfect and heterogeneous detection

In animal behaviour studies, association indices estimate the proportion of time two individuals (i.e. a dyad) spend in association. In terms of dyads, all association indices can be interpreted as estimators of the probability that a dyad is associated. However, traditional indices rely on the assumptions that the probability to detect a particular individual (p) is either approximately one and/or homogeneous between associated and not associated individuals. Based on marked individuals we develop a likelihood based model to estimate the probability a dyad is associated (ψ) accounting for p < 1 and possibly varying between associated and not associated individuals. The proposed likelihood based model allows for both individual and dyadic missing observations. In addition, the model can easily be extended to incorporate covariate information for modeling p and ψ. A simulation study showed that the likelihood based model approach yield reasonably unbiased estimates, even for low and heterogeneous individual detection probabilities, while, in contrast, traditional indices showed moderate to strong biases. The application of the proposed approach is illustrated using a real data set collected from a population of Commerson's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) in Patagonia Argentina. Finally, we discuss possible extensions of the proposed model and its applicability in animal behaviour and ecological studies.     

Preliminary patterns of distribution and abundance of loggerhead sea turtles,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Caretta caretta</Emphasis>, around Columbretes Islands Marine Reserve,Spanish Mediterranean

Aerial surveys were conducted to estimate the abundance and distribution of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) in the Columbretes Islands Marine Reserve and surrounding waters (western Mediterranean). Four surveys were carried out during 2000 and 2001, following the line transect methodology. Loggerheads appeared to be present at high densities in the area throughout the whole year, although density varied between seasons, being more abundant during the spring. Mean density in the study area was 0.322 turtles/km² (range 0.200–0.516) and the mean abundance was 1,324 turtles (range 825–2,124). The turtles were distributed homogeneously throughout the study area, we found no difference in loggerhead density between the water around the reserve and that in the rest of the study area. Current conservation measures planned by the local authorities, which include increasing the area of the reserve, would be very positive for the conservation of this stock.Communicated by S.A. Poulet, Roscoff     

A Methodology for the Evaluation of Water Policies in European Countries

Periodic assessment of progress toward established policy goals is crucial to understanding whether the applied efforts are effective. In Europe, the Water Framework Directive (WFD) adopted in year 2000 set ambitious environmental objectives to be achieved by the end of 2015 through the implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) principles. While at this stage it is premature to measure the impact of this Directive in terms of environmental outcomes, it is nonetheless important to develop indicators in order to monitor whether water management practices throughout Europe are aligning towards IWRM. This article presents the methodological development of the Water and Wetland Index, a comparative water policy assessment by environmental NGOs that was carried out in 2002–2003, and highlights the interest of repeating it in 2015, when the first WFD planning cycle will be completed.     

Effects of tour boats on dolphin activity examined with sensitivity analysis of Markov chains

In Patagonia, Argentina, watching dolphins, especially dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus), is a new tourist activity. Feeding time decreases and time to return to feeding after feeding is abandoned and time it takes a group of dolphins to feed increase in the presence of boats. Such effects on feeding behavior may exert energetic costs on dolphins and thus reduce an individual's survival and reproductive capacity or maybe associated with shifts in distribution. We sought to predict which behavioral changes modify the activity pattern of dolphins the most. We modeled behavioral sequences of dusky dolphins with Markov chains. We calculated transition probabilities from one activity to another and arranged them in a stochastic matrix model. The proportion of time dolphins dedicated to a given activity (activity budget) and the time it took a dolphin to resume that activity after it had been abandoned (recurrence time) were calculated. We used a sensitivity analysis of Markov chains to calculate the sensitivity of the time budget and the activity-resumption time to changes in behavioral transition probabilities. Feeding-time budget was most sensitive to changes in the probability of dolphins switching from traveling to feeding behavior and of maintaining feeding behavior. Thus, an increase in these probabilities would be associated with the largest reduction in the time dedicated to feeding. A reduction in the probability of changing from traveling to feeding would also be associated with the largest increases in the time it takes dolphins to resume feeding. To approach dolphins when they are traveling would not affect behavior less because presence of the boat may keep dolphins from returning to feeding. Our results may help operators of dolphin-watching vessels minimize negative effects on dolphins.     

The Impact of Road Traffic in Madrid Community by Using a Nested Gaussian-Mesoscale Air Quality Model (GAMA)

In this contribution we show the integration of a mesoscale air quality model OPANA with the ISCST3 Gaussian model (EPA) in order to analyze the impact of different emission sources and particularly the traffic emission into the different gridboxes which define the OPANA Eulerian structure. The application is done over the Madrid (Spain) regional area with 80 × 100 km and gridboxes of about 5 km. Thousands of Gaussian runs over interested gridboxes are executed in order to simulate the traffic emissions from each gridbox. Each mobile unit is represented by a Gaussian point emitter. Input meteorological variables for the ISCST3 are taken from the OPANA mesoscale air quality model. Results shows that it is possible to model the impact of traffic emissions over each gridbox. A short comparison with air quality monitoring in each gridbox is also shown.     

Abundance of small cetaceans in waters of the central Spanish Mediterranean

Seasonal aerial surveys were conducted in the waters of the central Spanish Mediterranean from 2001 to 2003 using the line transect sampling methodology to estimate cetacean abundance. The density of the three most abundant species, striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus), was estimated. In the case of the first two species, the density was estimated accounting for the proportion of submerged animals, while for Risso’s dolphin only the surface density could be estimated. The striped dolphin was the most abundant species in the study area with a mean density of 0.489 dolphins km⁻² (95% CI = 0.339–0.705) and a mean abundance of 15,778 dolphins (95% CI = 10,940–22,756). This density is comparable to that obtained in the International Ligurian Sea Cetacean Sanctuary. Striped dolphins were observed throughout the whole year and no seasonal changes in the density were detected. The mean density of bottlenose dolphins was an order of magnitude lower than that of striped dolphins (0.041 dolphins km⁻²; 95% CI = 0.023–0.075) with a mean abundance of 1,333 dolphins (95% CI = 739–2,407). The Risso’s dolphin had a surface estimated density of 0.015 dolphins km⁻² (95% CI = 0.005–0.046) and a mean abundance of 493 dolphins (95% CI = 162–1,498). These results provide valuable biological information useful to develop conservation plans and establish a baseline for future population trend studies.     

Environmental and lifestyle factors for organochlorine exposure among women living in Southern Spain

Southern Spain has the largest area of intensive greenhouse agriculture in Europe, and may constitute a special case of occupational and female exposure, because this type of farming requires considerable pesticide use and employs many women. We measured adipose tissue levels of 14 organochlorine pesticides in 458 women living in this area and analyzed the relationship between pesticide level/presence and sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive history or life-style factors that may influence this exposure. Pesticide presence was determined by gas chromatography with electron-capture detector. All fat samples were positive for 1 residue. DDT or metabolites were found in 98.25%, with mean value of 660 ng g⁻¹ of lipid. p,p′-DDE level was higher in women who were older, with lower educational level or obese. Almost 70% had measurable levels of endosulfan and/or metabolites, with a mean total value of 38.8 ng g⁻¹ of lipid. Endosulfan-I exposure was higher in women with shorter residence in rural settings and more frequent in women with 3 children. 52.62% were exposed to 1 of aldrin–dieldrin–endrin group. Endrin was more frequent in women who were younger, with higher educational level or no agricultural working experience; dieldrin was more frequent in women who were older, with lower educational level or more children. Finally, lindane residues were found in 39.30%. Lindane levels were higher in women who breastfed longer or had more children. Research is required on women occupationally exposed to a selected group of organochlorine pesticides, especially those of reproductive age, as a basis for preventive action.     

Habitat use by dusky dolphin in patagonia: how predictable is their location?

Off Patagonian coasts, Argentina, the dusky dolphin is one of the most common small cetaceans. This species is the aim of newly developed watching activities during summer in Golfo Nuevo. However, the real occurrence and movement pattern are unknown. The objectives of this work were to investigate the predictability of dusky dolphin distribution, group structure and behaviour in the western portion of Golfo Nuevo, with respect to environmental features (bottom depth, bottom slope, distance from shore and substrate). Random transects in the bay were searched by small boat during the summer and autumn of 2001–2004. When a group of dolphins was sighted, estimates of group size, composition (mothers with calves, adults and juveniles only, and mixed groups) and the predominant activity (feeding, travelling, socialising, resting and milling) were recorded and thereafter at 2 min intervals. A grid of 1.5 × 1.5 km was constructed and each cell was characterised by environmental features, Area Use Index (percent of total annual search effort) and Activity Index (predominant behaviour of groups observed in that cell). Mothers with calves and smaller groups and resting behaviour occurred in shallowest waters supporting the idea/hypothesis that movement to shallower water is related to increased safety for individuals. Travelling occurred in the deepest areas with other behaviours observed in intermediate depths. Dolphin distribution within the bay differed significantly between years, but this was not related to any of the factors analysed in this study. Although there was considerable variation between years, in general, dolphins were found in deeper waters further from shore (except for mother–calf groups) and over areas with steeper seafloor gradient. The high variability in the distribution of the animals does not allow for the generation of a simple, area-specific management plan.