Comparison of microhabitat use in young regrowth and unlogged forest by the eastern pygmy-possum (Cercartetus nanus)

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley Law ◽  
Mark Chidel ◽  
Alf Britton ◽  
Caragh Threlfall
Keyword(s):  
Ground Level ◽  
Selective Logging ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Random Line ◽  
Sclerophyll Forest ◽  
Line Tracking ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Cercartetus Nanus ◽  
Regrowth Forest

We describe microhabitat use and response to disturbance by the eastern pygmy-possum (Cercartetus nanus) in heathy dry sclerophyll forest using spool-and-line-tracking. We compared unlogged forest with forest regenerating four years after selective logging. Structural and floristic attributes were scored along spool lines and compared with a random line for each possum. We found that possums (n = 23) selected areas based on both structural and floristic attributes. Possums selected dense understorey, especially that comprising flowering hairpin banksia (Banksia spinulosa) and Gymea lily (Doryanthes excelsa). Fallen logs were not selected by nocturnally active possums. Spool lines in regrowth forest had less eucalypt cover and more understorey cover (e.g. D. excelsa and B. spinulosa) than unlogged forest. Conversely, cover of Banksia serrata was less in regrowth than unlogged forest. Spool lines were commonly found both at ground level (mean = 52–57% of lengths) and above the ground (43–48% of lengths). There was no difference in the mean spool height between the logging treatments (regrowth: 0.47 ± 0.14 m; unlogged: 0.49 ± 0.10 m; ± s.e.). Overall, our results suggest that the dense, flowering understorey that regenerates after selective logging is suitable for use and is the primary attribute selected by active pygmy-possums.

scholarly journals High Terrestrial Radiation Level in an Active Tin-Mine at Jos South, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 435-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Atipo ◽  
O. Olarinoye ◽  
B. Awojoyogbe ◽  
M. Kolo
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Radiation ◽  
Dose Rate ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Absorbed Dose ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Absorbed Dose Rate ◽  
Lifetime Cancer Risk ◽  
Radiation Level ◽  
Background Gamma Radiation ◽  
The Mean

Mineral mining and milling can be a source of national economic and technological development. However, mining of minerals has been confirmed to disturb the natural distribution of radioisotopes in the soil, air and water bodies in the biota. In an attempt to evaluate the radiological burden resulting from tin mining activities at Rayfield-Du area of Jos, the background gamma-radiation level in the mine was measured via a well calibratedhand-held dosimeter placed at 1 m above ground level. The mean absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose rate and excess lifetime cancer risk for the mine was 0.83 μSvh-1; 1.44 mSv-1 and 0.005 respectively. Generally, dose rates were higher in the mine pits and processing areas as compared to administrative areas of the mine. The mean measured dose rate and calculated dose parameters for the mine were all high when compared to the regulatory limit for public exposure. The potential of developing radiation-induced health defects as a result of high radiation absorbed dose rate by the miners and dwellers around the mine is highly probable.  Keywords: Gamma-radiation; mine; absorbed dose rate; radiation exposure.

scholarly journals Observation of sensible and latent heat flux profiles with lidar

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3221-3233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Behrendt ◽  
Volker Wulfmeyer ◽  
Christoph Senff ◽  
Shravan Kumar Muppa ◽  
Florian Späth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Heat Flux ◽  
Latent Heat ◽  
Latent Heat Flux ◽  
Sensible Heat Flux ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Sensible Heat ◽  
Flux Divergence ◽  
Convective Boundary ◽  
The Mean

Abstract. We present the first measurement of the sensible heat flux (H) profile in the convective boundary layer (CBL) derived from the covariance of collocated vertical-pointing temperature rotational Raman lidar and Doppler wind lidar measurements. The uncertainties of the H measurements due to instrumental noise and limited sampling are also derived and discussed. Simultaneous measurements of the latent heat flux profile (L) and other turbulent variables were obtained with the combination of water-vapor differential absorption lidar (WVDIAL) and Doppler lidar. The case study uses a measurement example from the HOPE (HD(CP)2 Observational Prototype Experiment) campaign, which took place in western Germany in 2013 and presents a cloud-free well-developed quasi-stationary CBL. The mean boundary layer height zi was at 1230 m above ground level. The results show – as expected – positive values of H in the middle of the CBL. A maximum of (182±32) W m−2, with the second number for the noise uncertainty, is found at 0.5 zi. At about 0.7 zi, H changes sign to negative values above. The entrainment flux was (-62±27) W m−2. The mean sensible heat flux divergence in the observed part of the CBL above 0.3 zi was −0.28 W m−3, which corresponds to a warming of 0.83 K h−1. The L profile shows a slight positive mean flux divergence of 0.12 W m−3 and an entrainment flux of (214±36) W m−2. The combination of H and L profiles in combination with variance and other turbulent parameters is very valuable for the evaluation of large-eddy simulation (LES) results and the further improvement and validation of turbulence parameterization schemes.

scholarly journals Boundary layer evolution over the central Himalayas from radio wind profiler and model simulations

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (16) ◽  
pp. 10559-10572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narendra Singh ◽  
Raman Solanki ◽  
Narendra Ojha ◽  
Ruud H. H. Janssen ◽  
Andrea Pozzer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Mixed Layer ◽  
Surface Ozone ◽  
Wrf Model ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Wind Profiler ◽  
Pollution Transport ◽  
Local Boundary ◽  
The Mean

Abstract. We investigate the time evolution of the Local Boundary Layer (LBL) for the first time over a mountain ridge at Nainital (79.5° E, 29.4° N, 1958 m a.m.s.l.) in the central Himalayan region, using a radar wind profiler (RWP) during November 2011 to March 2012, as a part of the Ganges Valley Aerosol Experiment (GVAX). We restrict our analysis to clear–sunny days, resulting in a total of 78 days of observations. The standard criterion of the peak in the signal-to-noise ratio (S ∕ N) profile was found to be inadequate in the characterization of mixed layer (ML) top at this site. Therefore, we implemented a criterion of S ∕ N > 6 dB for the characterization of the ML and the resulting estimations are shown to be in agreement with radiosonde measurements over this site. The daytime average (05:00–10:00 UTC) observed boundary layer height ranges from 440 ± 197 m in November (late autumn) to 766 ± 317 m above ground level (a.g.l.) in March (early spring). The observations revealed a pronounced impact of mountain topography on the LBL dynamics during March, when strong winds (> 5.6 m s−1) lead to LBL heights of 650 m during nighttime. The measurements are further utilized to evaluate simulations from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. WRF simulations captured the day-to-day variations up to an extent (r2 = 0.5), as well as the mean diurnal variations (within 1σ variability). The mean biases in the daytime average LBL height vary from −7 % (January) to +30 % (February) between model and observations, except during March (+76 %). Sensitivity simulations using a mixed layer model (MXL/MESSy) indicated that the springtime overestimation of LBL would lead to a minor uncertainty in simulated surface ozone concentrations. However, it would lead to a significant overestimation of the dilution of black carbon aerosols at this site. Our work fills a gap in observations of local boundary layer over this complex terrain in the Himalayas, and highlights the need for year-long simultaneous measurements of boundary layer dynamics and air quality to better understand the role of lower tropospheric dynamics in pollution transport.

The herbage intake of cattle grazing lucerne and cocksfoot pastures

1963 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. E. Alder ◽  
D. J. Minson
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Sampling Methods ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Cattle Grazing ◽  
Chromic Oxide ◽  
Grazing Experiment ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
The Mean

1. From 1955 to 1957 a cattle grazing experiment was carried out on lucerne and cocksfoot pastures. Hereford-cross steers were used. Results obtained on the assessment of herbage intake either by the use of chromic oxide and faecal index methods or by herbage sampling are presented here.2. Except in 1955, when techniques were being developed, the digestibility of the herbage on offer to the bullocks was estimated by cold storing herbage, cut with an Allen Autoscythe and later feeding it to sheep in indoor digestion trials. The in vitro digestibility of herbage samples cut in 1955 and 1956 was also determined.3. In 1956 the mean intake of organic matter (lb.) per 100 lb. live weight by faecal methods was 2·38, 2·07, 2·20 and 2·29 on pastures of lucerne, cocksfoot, lucerne/cocksfoot (broadcast) and lucerne/cocksfoot (alternate 1 ft. drills), respectively, and 1·99, 1·76, 2·02 and 1·97, respectively, in 1957.4. In 1956 the mean intake of organic matter (lb.) per 100 lb. live weight by herbage sampling methods was 2·14, 1·70, 2·11 and 1·99 on the same pastures of lucerne, cocksfoot, lucerne/cocksfoot (broadcast) and lucerne/cocksfoot (drills), respectively, and 2·49, 1·32, 2·35 and 2·03, respectively, in 1957. The modified Tarpen trimmer, cutting to within 1 in. of the ground was used for sampling in 1956 and the Allen Autoscythe cutting to within 2 or 3 in. of ground level in 1957.5. Detailed botanical separation of herbage samples showed that the bullocks were selecting the more digestible parts of the plants; the top 4 in. of lucerne and the ends of leaves and stems of cocksfoot. This and other factors which could affect the estimates of digestibility of herbage eaten by the cattle are discussed together with possible sources of error in the herbage sampling methods.

Climate and intraannual density fluctuations in Pinus pinaster subsp. mesogeensis in Spanish woodlands

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 1557-1565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stella Bogino ◽  
Felipe Bravo
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Pinaster ◽  
Radial Growth ◽  
Sampling Site ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Density Fluctuations ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
East Central ◽  
Cambial Age ◽  
The Mean

Intraannual features or anomalies in the tree rings of woody species may provided useful information for ecological and climatological studies. The frequency of intraannual density fluctuations (IADFs), differences in IADFs according to the cambial age, changes in IADFs in the last century, and relationships of IADFs to radial growth and climate were analyzed in five stands of Pinus pinaster subsp. mesogeensis (Fieschi & Gaussen) Silba in east-central Spain. Standard dendrochronological techniques were used. Two cores were extracted 1.30 m above ground level from 15 dominant and codominant trees at each sampling site. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation, and logistic regression. Results showed that (i) the mean frequency of IADFs was higher in younger than older trees; (ii) the frequency of IADFs increased from the 1940s to the present; (iii) radial growth was negatively correlated with the presence of IADFs; and (iv) density fluctuations may be predicted by using a logistic model, with monthly rainfall and temperature as independent variables. Studies of intraannual features or anomalies in radial growth may be useful for ecological and climatological applications under forecasted climate change scenarios.

The Shear Layer above and in Urban Canopies

2007 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 368-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Huq ◽  
Louis A. White ◽  
Alejandro Carrillo ◽  
Jose Redondo ◽  
Seshu Dharmavaram ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Urban Canopy ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Shear Layers ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Building Height ◽  
The Mean

Abstract The nature and role of the shear layer, which occurs at the level of the average building height in urban canopies, are poorly understood. Velocity data are analyzed to determine the characteristics of the shear layer of the urban canopy, defined as the broad, linear segment of the mean velocity profile in a region of high shear. Particle image velocimetry measurements in a water tunnel were undertaken to resolve velocity profiles for urban canopies of two geometries typical of Los Angeles, California, and New York City, New York, for which the aspect ratios (average building height-to-width ratio) H/wb are 1 and 3, respectively. The shear layers evolve with distance differently: For H/wb = 1 the urban canopy shear layer extends quickly from above the building height to ground level, whereas for H/wb = 3 the urban canopy shear layer remains elevated at the vicinity of the building height, only reaching to a depth of z/H ∼ 0.5 far downstream. Profiles of the mean velocity gradient also differ from each other for urban canopies associated with H/wb of 1 or 3. Values of shear dU/dz increase toward ground level for an urban canopy associated with H/wb = 1. For an urban canopy associated with H/wb = 3, localized peaks of shear dU/dz exist at the building height and at ground level, with values of shear decreasing to zero at building midheight and far above the building height. A consequence of the different forms of the shear layers of the two urban canopies is that the ground-level dispersion coefficient is likely to be greater for urban canopies associated with H/wb = 1 than for those associated with H/wb = 3 because of an increased ventilation and exchange mechanism for cities such as Los Angeles relative to cities such as New York City that possess urban canyons.

ATMOSPHERIC CONTRIBUTION TO THE DIURNAL VARIATION OF THE COSMIC-RAY MESON INTENSITY AT DEEP RIVER

1966 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 1329-1347 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Bercovitch
Keyword(s):  
Diurnal Variation ◽  
Neutron Monitor ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Barometric Pressure ◽  
Atmospheric Temperature ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Variation Vector ◽  
Best Fit ◽  
Ground Level Air

We have established the correlation between the atmospheric temperature contribution to the diurnal variation observed by a meson monitor at Deep River and the diurnal variation of two easily and continuously observable atmospheric variables, the ground-level air temperature and the barometric pressure. The atmospheric meson diurnal variation vector is taken to be, on a statistical basis, A = M−RN, where M and N represent the observed meson-monitor and neutron-monitor diurnal variations and R is the factor of proportionality between the meson and neutron monitor responses to the primary anisotropy. It is found that A is proportional in amplitude to T, the ground-level temperature diurnal variation, and, further, that T and the barometric-pressure diurnal variation P are proportional in amplitude. The "best-fit" representation of A in terms of T and P is determined by minimizing the mean-square deviation between the daily vectors RN and (M−A). Where A = CtT + CpP, the best fit occurs when Ct = −0.0052%/ °C, Cp = 0.038%/mb, R = 0.47, and the phase of T is shifted by + 1.0 hour. These values apply to Deep River, where the original hourly meson data have been barometer-corrected using a coefficient of 0.16%/mb.

scholarly journals Reproductive ecology of the Beal’s-eyed turtle (Sacalia bealei)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liu Lin ◽  
Qing Ru Hu ◽  
Jonathan Julio Fong ◽  
Jiang Bo Yang ◽  
Zhong Dong Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Ecology ◽  
Carapace Width ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Southeastern China ◽  
Mean Width ◽  
Baseline Information ◽  
Conservation Plan ◽  
Line Tracking ◽  
The Mean

The Beal’s-eyed turtle (Sacalia bealei) is endemic to southeastern China and endangered due to poaching and habitat loss. Knowledge of S. bealei ecology is lacking and this study provides baseline information of its reproduction in a natural environment. We studied the reproductive ecology of S. bealei using X-ray, spool-and-line tracking, and direct observation. Six nesting females were successfully tracked and their nesting behaviors were documented in detail. Females produced only one clutch per year, with a mean clutch size of 2.2 eggs (range 1–3). The white, hard-shelled eggs were ellipsoidal with a mean length of 45.50 mm, a mean width of 23.20 mm, and mean weight of 14.8 g. The relative clutch mass (RCM) was 9.47%, while the relative egg mass (REM) was 4.60%. The mean incubation period was 94.7 days with a mean nest temperature of 25.08°C. Hatchlings had a mean weight of 9.7 g, carapace length of 40.1 mm, carapace width of 33.3 mm, carapace height of 17.4 mm, plastron length of 31.6 mm, and plastron width of 25.4 mm. The results of this study provide important information to formulate conservation plan and ex-situ breeding for this endangered species.

IMPACT ON ABSORBED DOSE RATE IN AIR IN KANTO REGION BY FUKUSHIMA DAIICHI NUCLEAR POWER PLANT ACCIDENT

2019 ◽  
Vol 184 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 500-503
Author(s):  
K Inoue ◽  
M Arai ◽  
H Tsuruoka ◽  
K Saito ◽  
M Fujisawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dose Rate ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Absorbed Dose ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Absorbed Dose Rate ◽  
Artificial Radionuclides ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Absorbed Dose Rates ◽  
Kanto Region

Abstract Absorbed dose rates in air were measured for the whole area of the Kanto region in 2015, 2016 and 2017 (n = 31 147). The mean absorbed dose rates in air for each prefecture measured by car-borne surveys were from 44 to 67 nGy h−1 (13–289 nGy h−1). The absorbed dose rate in air from artificial radionuclides (134Cs + 137Cs) measured by fixed-point observation (n = 507) was from 1 to 14 nGy h−1 (0–105 nGy h−1), and meaning that the contribution ratios of 134Cs and 137Cs were 3–22%. The deposited location of artificial radionuclides was less than 1000 m from ground level and depended on the topography, wind direction and precipitation field.

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