The influence of wildfire boundary delineation on our understanding of burning patterns in the Alberta foothills1This article is one of a selection of papers from the 7th International Conference on Disturbance Dynamics in Boreal Forests.

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 1253-1263 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Andison

Under the auspices of ecosystem-based management, historical disturbance patterns are promoted as a means of providing benchmarks for ecosystem sustainability. The associated research in support of this strategy in the boreal forest has substantially increased our understanding of frequencies, sizes, shapes, and severities of wildfires. However, despite the fact that different spatial definitions of wildfires exist in both research and practice, we have not considered the significance or impact of those differences on observed patterns. This study addresses this gap by conducting a sensitivity analysis on the influence of 11 spatial definitions of a wildfire on six pattern metrics for 24 wildfires in the Foothills Natural Region of Alberta. The results suggest that all pattern metrics were sensitive to changes to wildfire delineation, but in particular the total amount of remnants, wildfire shape, and the relationship between pre-burn fuel types and the probability of burning. The results also suggest that simple mortality maps do not necessarily identify multiple disturbed patches within wildfires, an attribute undocumented by previous research. These pattern differences potentially correspond to some fundamental differences in perception of how and why wildfires burn and our understanding of the associated processes and biological responses.

2010 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 139 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Neil Dawson ◽  
Audrey J. Magoun ◽  
Jeff Bowman ◽  
Justina C. Ray

We conducted the first radio-telemetry study of Wolverines in northwestern Ontario during the winter of 2003-2004 to determine whether home ranges and movements of Wolverines in lowland boreal forest were typical of this species in other ecosystems and to describe reproductive den sites in this habitat type. Seven Wolverines (3 M, 4 F) were radio-tagged and monitored for 31 to 269 (Mean ± SE = 153 ± 35) days using a combination of remotely monitored Argos satellite and conventional aerial telemetry. Male and female 95% minimum convex polygon (MCP) home ranges (±SE) during December to October were 2,563 (796) km2 and 428 (118) km2, respectively, for combined VHF and Argos locations. A lactating female had a 95% MCP home range of 262 km2. The den site for this female included large boulders and downed trees, similar to dens described for this species in montane ecosystems. Boulder complexes and downed trees may be critical features of wolverine dens in lowland boreal forests. Mean road densities (± SE) within 95% MCP and 50% MCP home ranges were 0.43 (0.13) and 0.33 (0.23) km/km2, respectively, and our results suggest that road densities may affect selection of home ranges by Wolverines. The Wolverine population was a resident, reproductive population. Erratum for table included.


2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen A. Murphy ◽  
Joel H. Reynolds ◽  
John M. Koltun

During the 2004 fire season ~6.6 million acres (~2.7 million ha) burned across Alaska. Nearly 2 million of these were on National Wildlife Refuge System lands inaccessible from the state’s limited road system. Many fires burned through September, driven by unusually warm and dry temperatures throughout the summer. Using several fires from this season, we assessed the national burn severity methodology’s performance on refuge lands. Six fires, spanning 814 489 acres (329 613 ha), were sampled on five boreal forest refuges. In total, 347 sites were sampled for vegetation composition and ground-based burn severity estimates following the national protocols. The relationship between the differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR) and composite burn index (CBI) was unexpectedly weak (R2adjusted, 0.11–0.64). The weak relationship was not a result of data or image processing errors, nor of any biotic or abiotic confounding variable. The inconsistent results, and dNBR’s limited ability to discern the ecologically significant differences within moderate and high severity burn sites, indicate that the current methodology does not satisfy key Alaskan boreal forest management objectives.


2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 1306-1315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn Belien ◽  
Sergio Rossi ◽  
Hubert Morin ◽  
Annie Deslauriers

The predicted climate warming and more frequent and longer droughts are expected to produce potentially severe water stresses in the boreal forest. The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of a summer drought on xylem phenology and anatomy of mature black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) trees in their natural environment. The trees were excluded from rain during June–September 2010 by the installation of under-canopy roofs in four sites of the boreal forest of Quebec. Xylem phenology, stem radius variations, and physiological traits of treated and control trees were monitored at short time resolution. At the end of the growth season, cell characteristics were measured. The rain exclusion reduced the cell area of the xylem, but no significant change was observed in cell wall thickness, cell production, or phenology. Stem radius variations of the treated trees were lower but followed the same pattern as the control. After removal of the exclusion, trees and soil quickly recovered their normal water status. One summer of drought led to the formation of smaller tracheids but showed that black spruce is resistant to this rain exclusion treatment. This is likely due to the ability to collect water from sources other than the superficial soil horizon.


The Auk ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 120 (2) ◽  
pp. 505-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Nappi ◽  
Pierre Drapeau ◽  
Jean-François Giroux ◽  
Jean-Pierre L. Savard

Abstract We studied snag use for foraging by Black-backed Woodpeckers (Picoides arcticus) one year after a fire in an eastern black spruce (Picea mariana) boreal forest in Quebec, Canada. We searched for signs of foraging (bark flaking and excavation holes) by Black-backed Woodpeckers on 6,536 snags sampled in 56 plots located in portions of the burned forest that had not been salvage logged. A logistic regression model was developed based on the presence or absence of foraging signs. Results showed that Black-backed Woodpeckers used larger snags that were less deteriorated by fire (qualified as high-quality snags). Direct field observations of individuals foraging on 119 snags also indicated that used snags corresponded to those of high predicted quality. Finally, we assessed the relationship between food availability and snag characteristics by measuring the density of wood-boring beetle larvae holes on 30 snags of different size and deterioration classes. High-quality snags contained higher prey densities (wood-boring beetle holes) than smaller and more deteriorated snags. We recommend that forest blocks characterized by large and less deteriorated trees be preserved from salvage logging in recently burned boreal forests in northeastern North America.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengda Zhang ◽  
Chenjing Zhou ◽  
Tian-tian Zhang ◽  
Yan Han

Selecting check index quantitatively is the core of the calibration of micro traffic simulation parameters at signal intersection. Five indexes in the node (intersection) module of VISSIM were selected as the check index set. Twelve simulation parameters in the core module were selected as the simulation parameters set. Optimal process of parameter calibration was proposed and model of the intersection of Huangcun west street and Xinghua street in Beijing was built in VISSIM to verify it. The sensitivity analysis between each check index and simulation parameter in their own set was conducted respectively. Sensitive parameter sets of different check indices were obtained and compared. The results show that different indexes have different size of set, and average vehicle delay's is maximum, so it's necessary to select index quantitatively. The results can provide references for scientific selection of the check indexes and improve the study efficiency of parameter calibration.


Author(s):  
А. I. Grabovets ◽  
V. P. Kadushkina ◽  
S. А. Kovalenko

With the growing aridity of the climate on the Don, it became necessary to improve the methodology for conducting the  breeding of spring durum wheat. The main method of obtaining the source material remains intraspecific step hybridization. Crossings were performed between genetically distant forms, differing in origin and required traits and properties. The use of chemical mutagenesis was a productive way to change the heredity of genotypes in terms of drought tolerance. When breeding for productivity, both in dry years of research and in favorable years, the most objective markers were identified — the size of the aerial mass, the mass of grain per plant, spike, and harvest index. The magnitude of the correlation coefficients between the yield per unit area and the elements of its structure is established. It was most closely associated with them in dry years, while in wet years it decreased. Power the correlation of the characteristics of the pair - the grain yield per square meter - the aboveground biomass averaged r = 0.73, and in dry years it was higher (0.91) than in favorable ones (0.61 - 0.70) , between the harvest and the harvest index - r = 0.81 (on average). In dry years, the correlation coefficient increased to 0.92. Research data confirms the greatest importance of the mass of grain from one ear and the plant in the formation of grain yield per unit area in both dry and wet years. In dry years, the correlation coefficient between yield and grain mass per plant was on average r = 0.80; in favorable years, r = 0.69. The relationship between yield and grain mass from the ear was greater — r = 0.84 and r = 0.82, respectively. Consequently, the breeding significance of the aboveground mass and the productivity of the ear, as a criterion for the selection of the crop, especially increases in the dry years. They were basic in the selection.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
Muhammad Abi Berkah Nadi

Radin Inten II Airport is a national flight in Lampung Province. In this study using the technical analysis stated preference which is the approach by conveying the choice statement in the form of hypotheses to be assessed by the respondent. By using these techniques the researcher can fully control the hypothesized factors. To determine utility function for model forecasting in fulfilling request of traveler is used regression analysis with SPSS program. The analysis results obtained that the passengers of the dominant airport in the selection of modes of cost attributes than on other attributes. From the result of regression analysis, the influence of independent variable to the highest dependent variable is when the five attributes are used together with the R square value of 8.8%. The relationship between cost, time, headway, time acces and service with the selection of modes, the provision that states whether or not there is a decision. The significance of α = 0.05 with chi-square. And the result of Crame's V test average of 0.298 is around the middle, then the relationship is moderate enough.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 429-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nishant Verma ◽  
S. Natasha Beretvas ◽  
Belen Pascual ◽  
Joseph C. Masdeu ◽  
Mia K. Markey ◽  
...  

Background: Combining optimized cognitive (Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale- Cognitive subscale, ADAS-Cog) and atrophy markers of Alzheimer's disease for tracking progression in clinical trials may provide greater sensitivity than currently used methods, which have yielded negative results in multiple recent trials. Furthermore, it is critical to clarify the relationship among the subcomponents yielded by cognitive and imaging testing, to address the symptomatic and anatomical variability of Alzheimer's disease. Method: Using latent variable analysis, we thoroughly investigated the relationship between cognitive impairment, as assessed on the ADAS-Cog, and cerebral atrophy. A biomarker was developed for Alzheimer's clinical trials that combines cognitive and atrophy markers. Results: Atrophy within specific brain regions was found to be closely related with impairment in cognitive domains of memory, language, and praxis. The proposed biomarker showed significantly better sensitivity in tracking progression of cognitive impairment than the ADAS-Cog in simulated trials and a real world problem. The biomarker also improved the selection of MCI patients (78.8±4.9% specificity at 80% sensitivity) that will evolve to Alzheimer's disease for clinical trials. Conclusion: The proposed biomarker provides a boost to the efficacy of clinical trials focused in the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage by significantly improving the sensitivity to detect treatment effects and improving the selection of MCI patients that will evolve to Alzheimer’s disease.


Author(s):  
A. A. Sheptulin ◽  
O. A. Storonova

Aim of review. Interpretation of published evidence on the relationship between the excessive belching syndrome and functional dyspepsia (FD) and their management in patient care.Key points. According to the Rome IV criteria of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID), excessive belching in the absence of other dyspeptic symptoms is to be considered a manifestation of the excessive belching syndrome, which can be of gastric or supragastric nature. Combination of high-resolution manometry and impedancemetry allows an accurate diagnosis of belching and selection of optimal treatment strategy. Belching complicated by other symptoms of dyspepsia is to be considered yet another FD symptom according to the Rome IV criteria of FGID. Prokinetics are recommended to relieve belching in such cases.Conclusion. Understanding the relationship between the excessive belching syndrome and FD requires further research.


Author(s):  
Jens K. Roehrich ◽  
Beverly B. Tyler ◽  
Jas Kalra ◽  
Brian Squire

Contracts are a formal mode of governing interorganizational relationships. They specify the terms and conditions of the agreement between two parties, interpret and adapt the relevant legal and industrial norms, serve as framing devices, and establish the rules and norms underpinning the relationship. The objective of this chapter is to synthesize the extant literature on interorganizational contracting to guide future research and practice. This chapter focuses on the three phases of contracting: (1) designing the contracting portfolio; (2) negotiating initial contracts; and (3) managing the relationship using contracts. The chapter explores the key decisions in each phase and the criteria involved in making these decisions. In doing so, it draws on existing research and theoretical frameworks that have contributed to the development of the contracting literature. The chapter also identifies some important and interesting directions for future contracting research and offers suggestions regarding how selected theoretical lenses might guide these endeavors. The principal conclusion is that while the existing research has primarily focused on the structural issues guiding contracting design, a more processual, social, and behavioral focus is required in future developments of the contracting literature.


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