Testing the strengths of relationships between otter populations, fish and macroinvertebrate communities as well as habitat conditions across three Korean rivers by inferential modelling based on the hybrid evolutionary algorithm HEA

The Eurasian otter Lutra lutra is semi-aquatic carnivore and apex predator in aquatic systems. Since Korean government has implemented comprehensive clean water plans (1989 ~ 1997), improved aquatic food-web structure sustains otter population recovery. In this study, using hybrid evolutionary algorithm (HEA), we would demonstrate the influential food chains to the otter populations. We used 22 chains of the food-web structures (11 water qualities measurements (BOD, NH3N, NO3N, TN, PO4P, TP, water temperature, dissolved oxygen (mg/l), pH, conductivity, and turbidity), Diatom, chlorophyll a, five Macro-Benthic Invertebrates categories (Mollusca, Anthropoda, Annelida, Nematomorpha, and Platyhelminthes), and four fish categories (benthivore, herbivore, planktivore, and piscivores)). According to the 22 chains, we investigated spraint densities (no. spraint per 600m) as otter population indices at 250 sites in Nakdong River basin (NR, 2014-2016, three years), 92 sites in Youngsan River basins (YR, 2016), and 83 sites in Seumjin River basin (SR, 2016). In NR of 2014, otter populations seemingly affected by both micro-invertebrates (r^2 = 0.32) and fish densities (r2 = 0.31). However, overall of NR (2014-16), otter populations have been more precisely expected by fish densities (r^2 = 0.41), other than water quality measurements (r^2 = 0.37), and macro-invertebrates (r^2 = 0.32). In Seumjin and Youngsan River basins, otter populations were more explained by macro-invertebrate (r^2 = 0.40), than fish (r^2 = 0.26) and water qualities measurements (r^2 = 0.28). Different river basins and years showed the different thresholds of different food chains. We concluded that otter population status could result in different sensitivity of chain of food-web structures

Stream biomonitoring using macroinvertebrates around the globe: a comparison of large-scale programs

Water quality agencies and scientists are increasingly adopting standardized sampling methodologies because of the challenges associated with interpreting data derived from dissimilar protocols. Here, we compare 13 protocols for monitoring streams from different regions and countries around the globe. Despite the spatially diverse range of countries assessed, many aspects of bioassessment structure and protocols were similar, thereby providing evidence of key characteristics that might be incorporated in a global sampling methodology. Similarities were found regarding sampler type, mesh size, sampling period, subsampling methods, and taxonomic resolution. Consistent field and laboratory methods are essential for merging data sets collected by multiple institutions to enable large-scale comparisons. We discuss the similarities and differences among protocols and present current trends and future recommendations for monitoring programs, especially for regions where large-scale protocols do not yet exist. We summarize the current state in one of these regions, Latin America, and comment on the possible development path for these techniques in this region. We conclude that several aspects of stream biomonitoring need additional performance evaluation (accuracy, precision, discriminatory power, relative costs), particularly when comparing targeted habitat (only the commonest habitat type) versus site-wide sampling (multiple habitat types), appropriate levels of sampling and processing effort, and standardized indicators to resolve dissimilarities among biomonitoring methods. Global issues such as climate change are creating an environment where there is an increasing need to have universally consistent data collection, processing and storage to enable large-scale trend analysis. Biomonitoring programs following standardized methods could aid international data sharing and interpretation.Keywords: Subsampling taxonomic resolution, Biomonitoring protocols, River management, Standardization, Biological assessmen

Ecological Integrative Systems in Linking Sciences and Societies --Social Consilience Based on Information Provision and Ecological Efficiency Appreciation

2017-09-19本文ファイル差し替えDue to unprecedented economic growth and human aggregation, disturbances are ubiquitous across life system hierarchy from genes to ecosystem including living modified organisms, for instance, tolerance to extreme environment, pest/disease eruption, biodiversity loss, stability/safety problems at the levels of genes, individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems, respectively. Ecological sciences enter a new phase due to urgency of ecosystem stability in parallel with rapid development of information and communication techniques at the same time. A key concept for solving complex ecological problems is "integration" by utilizing four components that have been already ready for establishing the system: gene information, mathematical biology, mobile sensor networks, and modelling techniques. All components of systems could be combined in a most optimal way to achieve the unified goal, sustainability (e.g., safety, stability, efficiency) of ecosystems. Multi-disciplines are involved in pursuing ecological projects and could be divided into ecological contents (ecosystems, taxa, and size) and connection to humans (academic fields and human involvements). In acquiring information on ecological contents effectively, surveys/experiments could be conducted by utilizing mesocosms and mobile sensor networks. A structure property residing in interplay between social pressure and disturbance in ecosystems could be a basis for social concerns caring more about the public property than private property. Based on suitable information provision and appreciating ecological efficiency, altruistic feedbacks by humans could be arisen to resolve the tragedy of the common consequently in human societies

A systems approach utilizing simulation modeling for the management of the lawn armyworm, Spodoptera mauritia acronyctoides (Guenée) (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae), with its nuclear polyhedrosis virus

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1982.Bibliography: leaves 242-245.Microfiche.xiii, 245 leaves, bound ill. 29 c

Evidence for the Stepwise Behavioral Response Model (SBRM): The effects of Carbamate Pesticides on medaka (Oryzias latipes) in an online monitoring system

The Stepwise Behavioral Response Model (SBRM), which is a conceptual model, postulated that an organism displays a time-dependent sequence of compensatory Stepwise Behavioral Response (SBR) during exposure to pollutants above their respective thresholds of resistance. In order to prove the model, in this study, the behavioral responses (BRs) of medaka (Oryzias latipes) in the exposure of Arprocarb (A), Carbofuran (C) and Methomyl (M) were analyzed in an online monitoring system (OMS). The Self-Organizing Map (SOM) was utilized for patterning the obtained behavioral data in 0.1 TU (Toxic Unit), 1 TU, 2 TU, 5 TU, 10 TU and 20 TU treatments with control. Some differences among different Carbamate Pesticides (CPs) were observed in different concentrations and the profiles of behavior strength (BS) on SOM were variable depending upon levels of concentration. The time of the first significant decrease of BS (SD-BS) was in inverse ratio to the CP concentrations. Movement behavior showed by medaka mainly included No effect, Stimulation, Acclimation, Adjustment (Readjustment) and Toxic effect, which proved SBRM as a time-dependence model based on the time series BS data. Meanwhile, it was found that SBRM showed evident stress-dependence. Therefore, it was concluded that medaka SBR was both stress-dependent and time-dependent, which supported and developed SBRM, and data mining by SOM could be efficiently used to illustrate the behavioral processes and to monitor toxic chemicals in the environment. Crown Copyright (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved