Ionospheric biases correction for coordinates derived from GPS single point positioning

Most GPS users employ low cost receivers. These receivers do not allow users to record the pseudorange that they observe, but the computed coordinates. This work presents an original and simple method to correct ionospheric biases introduced in GPS signals. The originality of this method is based on the fact that no pseudorange is needed to correct the biases, only the calculated coordinates are used. This distinguishes this method from other classic alternatives. This paper evaluates the efficiency of the method with the use of real data

Vectors with autonomy: what distinguishes animal-mediated nutrient transport from abiotic vectors?

Animal movements are important drivers of nutrient redistribution that can affect primary productivity and biodiversity across various spatial scales. Recent work indicates that incorporating these movements into ecosystem models can enhance our ability to predict the spatio-temporal distribution of nutrients. However, the role of animal behaviour in animal-mediated nutrient transport (i.e. active subsidies) remains under-explored. Here we review the current literature on active subsidies to show how the behaviour of active subsidy agents makes them both ecologically important and qualitatively distinct from abiotic processes (i.e. passive subsidies). We first propose that animal movement patterns can create similar ecological effects (i.e. press and pulse disturbances) in recipient ecosystems, which can be equal in magnitude to or greater than those of passive subsidies. We then highlight three key behavioural features distinguishing active subsidies. First, organisms can transport nutrients counter-directionally to abiotic forces and potential energy gradients (e.g. upstream). Second, unlike passive subsidies, organisms respond to the patterns of nutrients that they generate. Third, animal agents interact with each other. The latter two features can form positive- or negative-feedback loops, creating patterns in space or time that can reinforce nutrient hotspots in places of mass aggregations and/or create lasting impacts within ecosystems. Because human-driven changes can affect both the space-use of active subsidy species and their composition at both population (i.e. individual variation) and community levels (i.e. species interactions), predicting patterns in nutrient flows under future modified environmental conditions depends on understanding the behavioural mechanisms that underlie active subsidies and variation among agents' contributions. We conclude by advocating for the integration of animal behaviour, animal movement data, and individual variation into future conservation efforts in order to provide more accurate and realistic assessments of changing ecosystem function

Using Grizzly Bears to Assess Harvest-Ecosystem Tradeoffs in Salmon Fisheries

Using grizzly bears as surrogates for “salmon ecosystem” function, the authors develop a generalizable ecosystem-based management framework that enables decision-makers to quantify ecosystem-harvest tradeoffs between wild and human recipients of natural resources like fish

Predation by Bears Drives Senescence in Natural Populations of Salmon

Classic evolutionary theory predicts that populations experiencing higher rates of environmentally caused (“extrinsic”) mortality should senesce more rapidly, but this theory usually neglects plausible relationships between an individual's senescent condition and its susceptibility to extrinsic mortality. We tested for the evolutionary importance of this condition dependence by comparing senescence rates among natural populations of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) subject to varying degrees of predation by brown bears (Ursus arctos). We related senescence rates in six populations to (1) the overall rate of extrinsic mortality, and (2) the degree of condition dependence in this mortality. Senescence rates were determined by modeling the mortality of individually-tagged breeding salmon at each site. The overall rate of extrinsic mortality was estimated as the long-term average of the annual percentage of salmon killed by bears. The degree of condition dependence was estimated as the extent to which bears killed salmon that exhibited varying degrees of senescence. We found that the degree of condition dependence in extrinsic mortality was very important in driving senescence: populations where bears selectively killed fish showing advanced senescence were those that senesced least rapidly. The overall rate of extrinsic mortality also contributed to among-population variation in senescence-but to a lesser extent. Condition-dependent susceptibility to extrinsic mortality should be incorporated more often into theoretical models and should be explicitly tested in natural populations

The South American K Index: Initial Steps from the Embrace Magnetometer Network

In the present paper we present the first steps given towards the development of the South American K index (Ksa) based on the measurement made by the Embrace Magnetometer Network. We present: (a) a description of the magnetometer and of the network; (b) the procedure used to calibrate the network equipments; (c) the procedure to obtain each station K scale and its corresponding upper limits of ranges for the three-hour-range station K indices (thereafter referred as K9 threshold); and (d) some particularities regarding the Quiet Day Curve (QDC) deviation and its long term variation.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica

Observations of the F-region ionospheric irregularities in the South American sector during the October 2003 "Halloween Storms"

The response of the ionospheric F-region in the South American sector during the super geomagnetic storms on 29 and 30 October 2003 is studied in the present investigation. In this paper, we present ionospheric sounding observations during the period 29-31 October 2003 obtained at Palmas (a near equatorial location) and Sao Jose dos Campos (a location under the southern crest of the equatorial ionospheric anomaly), Brazil, along with observations during the period 27-31 October 2003 from a chain of GPS stations covering the South American sector from Imperatriz, Brazil, to Rio Grande, Argentina. Also, complementary observations that include sequences of all-sky images of the OI 777.4 and 630.0 nm emissions observed at El Leoncito, Argentina, on the nights of 28-29 (geomagnetically quiet night) and 29-30 (geomagnetically disturbed night) October 2003, and ion densities observed in the South American sector by the DMSP F13, F14 and F15 satellites orbiting at about 800 km on 29 and 30 October 2003 are presented. In addition, global TEC maps derived from GPS observations collected from the global GPS network of International GPS Service (IGS) are presented, showing widespread and drastic TEC changes during the different phases of the geomagnetic disturbances. The observations indicate that the equatorial ionospheric irregularities or plasma bubbles extend to the Argentinean station Rawson (geom. Lat. 33.1° S) and map at the magnetic equator at an altitude of about 2500 km.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica

A hypothetico-deductive approach to assessing the social function of chemical signalling in a non-territorial solitary carnivore

The function of chemical signalling in non-territorial solitary carnivores is still relatively unclear. Studies on territorial solitary and social carnivores have highlighted odour capability and utility, however the social function of chemical signalling in wild carnivore populations operating dominance hierarchy social systems has received little attention. We monitored scent marking and investigatory behaviour of wild brown bears Ursus arctos, to test multiple hypotheses relating to the social function of chemical signalling. Camera traps were stationed facing bear ‘marking trees’ to document behaviour by different age sex classes in different seasons. We found evidence to support the hypothesis that adult males utilise chemical signalling to communicate dominance to other males throughout the non-denning period. Adult females did not appear to utilise marking trees to advertise oestrous state during the breeding season. The function of marking by subadult bears is somewhat unclear, but may be related to the behaviour of adult males. Subadults investigated trees more often than they scent marked during the breeding season, which could be a result of an increased risk from adult males. Females with young showed an increase in marking and investigation of trees outside of the breeding season. We propose the hypothesis that females engage their dependent young with marking trees from a young age, at a relatively ‘safe’ time of year. Memory, experience, and learning at a young age, may all contribute towards odour capabilities in adult bears

The Embrace Magnetometer Network for South America: Network Description and Its Qualification

The present work is the first of a two-part paper on the Embrace Magnetometer Network. In this part, we present the new Embrace Magnetometer Network (Embrace MagNet) in South America, which is originally planned to cover most of the eastern portion of the Southern America longitudinal sector by installing and operating fluxgate magnetometer stations. We discuss the purpose and scientific goals of the network, associated with aeronomy and space weather. We provide details on the instrumentation, location of the sensors, sensitivity matching process, gain matching process, and magnetometer installation. In addition, we present and discuss details about the data storage, near-real time display, and availability.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica

The Embrace Magnetometer Network for South America: First Scientific Results

The present work is the second of a two-part paper on the Embrace Magnetometer Network. In this part, we provide some of the first scientific findings that we have already achieved with this network. We identified the diurnal and the seasonal natural variations of the H component. We provided the precise determination of sudden storm commencements and sudden impulse. We showed that the ΔH amplitudes derived from the Embrace MagNet during intense magnetic storm are in very good agreement with the Dst index. We showed that it is possible to investigate the effects on the solar quiet ionospheric current systems as a response to the X-class solar flares occurring during daytime under magnetically quiet conditions.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica

The Macroecology of Sustainability

Global consumption rates of vital resources suggest that we have surpassed the capacity of the Earth to sustain current levels, much less future trajectories of growth in human population and economy