Selection of indicator species for State of the Environment reporting: A case study from New Zealand

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne M. Hoare ◽  
Colin F. J. O’Donnell ◽  
Elaine F. Wright
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Indicator Species ◽  
Species Concepts ◽  
Monitoring Data ◽  
Environmental Reporting ◽  
Environmental Attributes ◽  
State Of The Environment ◽  
Selection Of

Indicator species approaches are widely used in conservation as a shortcut to measuring attributes of species and ecosystems. A variety of indicator species concepts are in use and are applicable to a range of situations. Indicator species are increasingly being used in environmental reporting to evaluate trends in environmental attributes quantitatively. We use the most recent State of the Environment report from New Zealand as a case study to evaluate: (1) how indicator species concepts are being applied to environmental reporting and (2) the selection of individual species as indicators. At present indicator species used in environmental reporting in New Zealand reflect biases in national monitoring data towards forest-dwelling, terrestrial vertebrates that are vulnerable to predation by introduced mammals. Scientific literature generally supports links between selected taxa and the aspect of ecosystem health they are purported to indicate, but their roles as long-term indicators of environmental health have yet to be evaluated. A primary goal of State of the Environment reporting is to set a benchmark against which environmental outcomes can be monitored over time; thus it is recognized that taxa reported should represent a broader range of environmental attributes. However, selection of taxa for environmental reporting is severely constrained by limited national species monitoring data. A strategic approach to national measurement, storage and analysis of long-term monitoring data is required to support selection of representative species for environmental reporting. We support current initiatives to select taxa for future measurement and reporting in an objective, transparent manner and recommend that they encompass representation of: (1) taxonomic diversity, (2) ecosystem types, (3) key environmental pressures and (4) threat status.

scholarly journals Simulated Fishing to Untangle Catchability and Availability in Fish Abundance Monitoring

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Tobias ◽  
Keyword(s):  
San Francisco ◽  
Water Clarity ◽  
Ecological Monitoring ◽  
Monitoring Data ◽  
Delta Smelt ◽  
Individual Based Simulation ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
True Population

In fisheries monitoring, catch is assumed to be a product of fishing intensity, catchability, and availability, where availability is defined as the number or biomass of fish present and catchability refers to the relationship between catch rate and the true population. Ecological monitoring programs use catch per unit of effort (CPUE) to standardize catch and monitor changes in fish populations; however, CPUE is proportional to the portion of the population that is vulnerable to the type of gear used in sampling, which is not necessarily the entire population. Programs often deal with this problem by assuming that catchability is constant, but if catchability is not constant, it is not possible to separate the effects of catchability and population size using monitoring data alone. This study uses individual-based simulation to separate the effects of changing environmental conditions on catchability and availability in environmental monitoring data. The simulation combines a module for sampling conditions with a module for individual fish behavior to estimate the proportion of available fish that would escape from the sample. The method is applied to the case study of the well monitored fish species Delta Smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) in the San Francisco Estuary, where it has been hypothesized that changing water clarity may affect catchability for long-term monitoring studies. Results of this study indicate that given constraints on Delta Smelt swimming ability, it is unlikely that the apparent declines in Delta Smelt abundance are the result of changing water clarity affecting catchability.

scholarly journals Simulated Fishing to Untangle Catchability and Availability in Fish Abundance Monitoring

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Tobias
Keyword(s):  
San Francisco ◽  
Water Clarity ◽  
Ecological Monitoring ◽  
Monitoring Data ◽  
Delta Smelt ◽  
Individual Based Simulation ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
True Population

In fisheries monitoring, catch is assumed to be a product of fishing intensity, catchability, and availability, where availability is defined as the number or biomass of fish present and catchability refers to the relationship between catch rate and the true population. Ecological monitoring programs use catch per unit of effort (CPUE) to standardize catch and monitor changes in fish populations; however, CPUE is proportional to the portion of the population that is vulnerable to the type of gear that is used in sampling, which is not necessarily the entire population. Programs often deal with this problem by assuming that catchability is constant, but if catchability is not constant, it is not possible to separate the effects of catchability and population size using monitoring data alone. This study uses individual-based simulation to separate the effects of changing environmental conditions on catchability and availability in environmental monitoring data. The simulation combines a module for sampling conditions with a module for individual fish behavior to estimate the proportion of available fish that would escape from the sample. The method is applied to the case study of the well-monitored fish species Delta Smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) in the San Francisco Estuary, where it has been hypothesized that changing water clarity may affect catchability for long-term monitoring studies. Results of this study indicate that given constraints on Delta Smelt swimming ability, it is unlikely that the apparent declines in Delta Smelt abundance are due to an effect of changing water clarity on catchability.

scholarly journals Kia kaua te reo e rite ki te moa, ka ngaro: do not let the language suffer the same fate as the moa

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (162) ◽  
pp. 20190526
Author(s):  
Tessa Barrett-Walker ◽  
Michael J. Plank ◽  
Rachael Ka'ai-Mahuta ◽  
Daniel Hikuroa ◽  
Alex James
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Endangered Languages ◽  
Endangered Language ◽  
Learning Rates ◽  
Welsh Language ◽  
Using Data

More than a third of the world's languages are currently classified as endangered and more than half are expected to go extinct by 2100. Strategies aimed at revitalizing endangered languages have been implemented in numerous countries, with varying degrees of success. Here, we develop a new model regarding language transmission by dividing the population into defined proficiency categories and dynamically quantifying transition rates between categories. The model can predict changes in proficiency levels over time and, ultimately, whether a given endangered language is on a long-term trajectory towards extinction or recovery. We calibrate the model using data from Wales and show that the model predicts that the Welsh language will thrive in the long term. We then apply the model to te reo Māori, the indigenous language of New Zealand, as a case study. Initial conditions for this model are estimated using New Zealand census data. We modify the model to describe a country, such as New Zealand, where the endangered language is associated with a particular subpopulation representing the indigenous people. We conclude that, with current learning rates, te reo Māori is on a pathway towards extinction, but identify strategies that could help restore it to an upward trajectory.

Biodiversity: Implementation of the 1992 CBD in Malaysia†

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 273-308
Author(s):  
Tanya Marie Lopez ◽  
Rajesvaran Nagarajan ◽  
Sobana Swarta Thevi
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Winter Temperatures ◽  
The World ◽  
State Of The Environment ◽  
Mother Earth

Of late, particularly since the inception of the Convention on Biological Diversity (“CBD”), there has been some recognition of the relevance of biological resources and the need to protect and conserve these resources for the benefit of humankind. Natural disasters which have been occurring around the world, such as the recent earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, the 2009 earthquake in Haiti, the floods in Pakistan and the mystery surrounding the fallen dead birds from the sky en masse in Arkansas have raised concerns on the state of the environment in which we live in today. The resultant long-term effects of such natural disasters is colossal to the inhabitants of mother Earth although those who are not directly affected by such disasters are rarely of the view that they have, in some way, contributed to the happenings of such disasters. In Europe and parts of America, winter temperatures plummeted towards the end of 2010 recording some of the lowest temperatures in history whilst in the southern hemisphere, cyclones and floods have plagued Australia thereby giving rise to prophecies that perhaps, the world may be coming to an end.

scholarly journals Kia kaua te reo e rite ki te moa, ka ngaro: Do not let the language suffer the same fate as the moa

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tessa Barrett-Walker ◽  
Michael J. Plank ◽  
Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta ◽  
Daniel Hikuroa ◽  
Alex James
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Endangered Languages ◽  
Endangered Language ◽  
Learning Rates ◽  
Welsh Language ◽  
Using Data

AbstractMore than a third of the world’s languages are currently classified as endangered and more than half are expected to go extinct by 2100. Strategies aimed at revitalising endangered languages have been implemented in numerous countries, with varying degrees of success. Here, we develop a new model regarding language transmission by dividing the population into defined proficiency categories and dynamically quantifying transition rates between categories. The model can predict changes in proficiency levels over time and, ultimately, whether a given endangered language is on a long-term trajectory towards extinction or recovery. We calibrate the model using data from Wales and show that the model predicts that the Welsh language will thrive in the long term. We then apply the model to te reo Māori, the Indigenous language of New Zealand, as a case study. Initial conditions for this model are estimated using New Zealand census data. We modify the model to describe a country, such as New Zealand, where the endangered language is associated with a particular subpopulation representing the Indigenous People. We conclude that, with current learning rates, te reo Māori is on a pathway towards extinction, but identify strategies that could help restore it to an upward trajectory.

scholarly journals Teaching journalism in Oman: Reflections after the Arab Spring

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan O'Rourke
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
English Language ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
The Arab Spring ◽  
Ministry Of Higher Education

Between 2005–2011, the New Zealand Tertiary Education Consortium (NZTEC) was contracted to the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) in the Sultanate of Oman. This long-term, long-distance off-shore education contract committed four New Zealand universities to providing degrees in four discipline areas (as well as English language support) within the Omani Colleges of Applied Science. As part of this process, AUT University’s Bachelor of Communication Studies was redeveloped for delivery in Oman. This case study will focus on the Journalism major and in particular the nature of the courses within this major, the difficulties encountered in re-developing them and the challenge of delivering them under these particular circumstances in this particular time frame. The wider picture of the type of journalism practised in Oman; what is expected of—or indeed possible for― journalists in that society; and journalism as a force for democracy in Arab countries will also be briefly discussed.

A case study of PavMD a new tool to identify good performing pavements in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacobus Daniel van der Walt ◽  
Eric Scheepbouwer ◽  
Bryan Pidwerbesky ◽  
Brian Guo ◽  
Max Ferguson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Performance Measures ◽  
Data Structures ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Pavement Performance ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Additional Value

With the advancement of digital technology, the collection of pavement performance data has become commonplace. The improvement of tools to extract useful information from pavement databases has become a priority to justify expenditures. This paper presents a case study of PaveMD, a tool that integrates multi-dimensional data structures with a data-driven fuzzy approach to identify good performing pavement sections. Combining this tool with an innovative paradigm where the focus is on repeating success can bring additional value to existing pavement databases. The case study shows that PaveMD can identify pavement sections that are performing well by comparing performance measures for the New Zealand context. In this paper, PaveMD's development is described, and its implementation is showcased using data from the New Zealand Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) database. It is recommended that this approach be further developed and extended to other infrastructure databases internationally.

Decision-Making for the Selection of Suppliers Based on the Process Quality Assessment

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (06) ◽  
pp. 2050016
Author(s):  
Kuen-Suan Chen ◽  
Chiao-Tzu Huang ◽  
Tsang-Chuan Chang
Keyword(s):  
Supplier Selection ◽  
Pairwise Comparison ◽  
Process Quality ◽  
Index Formula ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Sample Data ◽  
Index Estimation ◽  
Selection Of

Supplier selection is a practical problem in supply chain management and quality is the most important criterion in supplier selection. In this study, we developed a supplier selection model based on process quality, in which the Six Sigma quality index [Formula: see text] is used as a tool to assess the process quality provided by suppliers. Note that index estimation based on sample data is prone to uncertainty in the assessment of process quality. Therefore, we derived the confidence interval of [Formula: see text] via mathematical programming to reduce the likelihood of assessment miscalculations, and then used this interval to perform a pairwise comparison of suppliers. Our goal was to identify criteria that can be used to select the optimal suppliers for long-term collaborations and sustainable partnerships. A case study is also presented to demonstrate the practical implementation of the proposed method.

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