Using geospatial technology to strengthen data systems in developing countries: the case of agricultural statistics in India

Despite significant progress in the development of quantitative geography techniques and methods and a general recognition of the need to improve the quality of geographic data, few studies have exploited the potential of geospatial tools to augment the quality of available data methods in developing countries. This paper uses data from an extensive deployment of geospatial technology in India to compare crop areas estimated using geospatial technology to crop areas estimated by conventional methods and assess the differences between the methods. The results presented here show that crop area estimates based on geospatial technology generally exceed the estimates obtained using conventional methods. This suggests that conventional methods are unable to respond quickly to changes in cropping patterns and therefore do not accurately record the area under high-value cash crops. This finding has wider implications for commercializing agriculture and the delivery of farm credit and insurance services in developing countries. Significant data errors found in the conventional methods could affect critical policy interventions such as planning for food security. Some research and policy implications are discussed

Abundances of the elements in the solar system

A review of the abundances and condensation temperatures of the elements and their nuclides in the solar nebula and in chondritic meteorites. Abundances of the elements in some neighboring stars are also discussed.Comment: 42 pages, 11 tables, 8 figures, chapter, In Landolt- B\"ornstein, New Series, Vol. VI/4B, Chap. 4.4, J.E. Tr\"umper (ed.), Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer-Verlag, p. 560-63

The Science Case for Io Exploration

Io is a priority destination for solar system exploration, as it is the best natural laboratory to study the intertwined processes of tidal heating, extreme volcanism, and atmosphere-magnetosphere interactions. Io exploration is relevant to understanding terrestrial worlds (including the early Earth), ocean worlds, and exoplanets across the cosmos

Survival and relative frequency of native woody species and their specialist Lepidoptera on Coll, Inner Hebrides, two millennia after deforestation

The Hebridean island of Coll has almost certainly been predominantly treeless for at least two millennia; it was certainly largely deforested when the first surviving written description of the island was made in the sixteenth century. A survey of the surviving native trees, shrubs and lianes carried out between 1997 and 2011 showed that only Salix aurita is present in any quantity, with all other species being reduced to small, relict stands or scattered individuals. Juniperus communis (at least 650 bushes), Populus tremula (450 trees) and Sorbus aucuparia (121 trees) are the commonest of these species and represent contrasting strategies, with P. tremula present as long-lived suckering clones and the others as freely seeding but probably short-lived individuals. Betula pubescens (42 trees), Hedera helix (50 plants), Corylus avellana (17 trees), Quercus spp. (11 trees) and Salix cinerea (4 stands) are the rarest surviving native species. Historical records indicate a decline since the 1930s of Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana and caninoid Rosa species. The commoner native species have the highest representation of the regional species of host-specific Lepidoptera, with Salix aurita supporting 42% of the regional species pool whereas Betula,\ud Corylus, Hedera and Quercus support ,10%. Woody species may become increasingly frequent in the future now that subsidised fencing allows areas to be grazed more selectively and broad-leaved trees are currently being established in plantations from which they may spread

A survey of Diptera on the Isle of Rum

No abstract available

A survey of Diptera on the Isle of Rum

No abstract available