Predator-prey relations and density estimation based on camera trap data in Bükk National Park, Hungary

Tese de mestrado, Biologia da Conservação, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 2020Large carnivores are recovering in many regions of Europe, which generates many conflicts with different stakeholders. Bükk National Park in Hungary is a suitable area to study the effects of the natural return of the wolf (Canis lupus) on local wildlife. Wolf and ungulate densities, and the effect of wolf presence on its prey species, are often highlighted by local practitioners. One way to determine whether the wolf’s prey, such as red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), and a potential competitor, as the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), are adapted to the presence of the wolf, is to analyse the overlap of activity periods using camera trap data. In order to have reliable population densities, Random Encounter Model (REM) was used to estimate prey and predator population densities from camera trap data without individual recognition. According to the study results, wolf has adapted its activity to the daily cycles of its main prey species, however at certain sensitive seasons of the year (e.g. rutting period or when young is born), wild boars and roe deer might use temporal segregation as a measure to avoid encounters with wolves. Wild boars showed the least overlap (Δ=0.5) at the time of gestation and when piglets are born. Second lowest overlap was between wolf and roe deer at rutting period (Δ=0.64), while interestingly, at its rutting period, red deer showed high overlap with wolves (Δ=0.79). Camera trap-based population density estimations are similar to the National Park’s STR marker-based genetic references from the area (STRn=14 while ̅=16 individuals; ̅̅̅̅= 1.28 individuals), thus REM can be recommended to complement existing wildlife monitoring strategies in order to cross-check data from used methods (like visual observations, STR marker-based genetic analysis) and have a more reliable and cost-effective result in the end.No presente, as populações de grandes carnívoros estão a recuperar em muitas regiões da Europa o que tem conduzido ao recrudescer dos conflitos com o homem. Os conflitos entre humanos e animais selvagens estão relacionados com a predação e em fortes preconceitos e crenças, e a resolução dos mesmos deve basear-se em dados científicos robustos. O Parque Nacional de Bükk, na Hungria, onde o lobo (Canis lupus) está a regressar por processos naturais, é uma área adequada para estudar os efeitos do retorno desta espécie nas populações locais de ungulados selvagens e mesocarnívoros. Investigar o efeito da presença do lobo nas suas presas naturais é um dos objetivos do parque nacional. Para analisar se as presas do lobo, como o veado (Cervus elaphus), o corço (Capreolus capreolus), o javali (Sus scrofa) e a raposa (Vulpes vulpes), estão a responder à presença do predador, determinou-se a sobreposição dos períodos de atividade do predador versus o das presas. Complementarmente estimaram-se as densidades populacionais deste carnívoro e das suas presas silvestres, recorrendo a Modelos de Encontros Aleatórios (REM- Random Encounter Models). Em ambas as análises, utilizaram-se dados obtidos com recurso à armadilhagem fotográfica, sem reconhecimento individual. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, o lobo adaptou a sua atividade aos ciclos diários da atividade das suas principais presas; no entanto, em certas estações do ano (por exemplo, o período de cio ou dos nascimentos), javalis e veados aparentam recorrer a uma segregação temporal para evitar encontros com os lobos. Os javalis mostraram a menor sobreposição (Δ=0,5) durante o período de gestação e nascimentos. A segunda menor sobreposição observada, foi entre o lobo e o corço no período de cio deste (Δ=0,64). No período do cio do veado, esta espécie apresentou uma elevada sobreposição de atividade com os lobos (Δ=0,79). As estimativas das densidades populacionais das espécies em questão no Parque Nacional de Bukk, obtidas com a armadilhagem fotográfica, são semelhantes às obtidas por outros autores com recurso a marcadores genéticos de microssatélites (Short Tandem Repeat - STRn=14 enquanto ̅=16 indivíduos; =1,28 indivíduos). Assim, sugerimos a utilização de modelos REM para complementar as estratégias de monitorização da vida selvagem existentes (observações diretas, análises genéticas) por forma a obterem-se resultados mais robustos

Managing urban dynamics in old industrial cities - Lessons learned on revitalising inner-city industrial sites in six European case studies

For many European cities structural economic changes have a tremendous impact on the city's image, labour force and the spatial and (socio-) economic framework. City administrations are struggling with industries becoming obsolete or moving elsewhere and leaving derelict and often contaminated sites in the core of the city. The cities have to cope with the consequences, such as social decay, joblessness and environmental contamination. Revitalising derelict inner city sites is essential for a sustainable urban development, because it improves the image of the site and its neighbourhoods, it helps reduce sprawl on the urban fringe and it enhances environmental quality. Although cities could derive multiple benefits from reusing those sites, a revitalisation is afflicted with many risks and uncertainties and therefore represents a major challenge for a city. This paper presents experiences gained and lessons learned in six different revitalisation case studies in Gothenburg (S), Liverpool (GB), Lisbon (P), Berlin (D), Steyr (A) and Barcelona (ES). The research was conducted within the EU project MASURIN (Management of Sustainable Revitalisation of Urban Industrial Sites, EVK4-CT-2001-00054). The cases researched demonstrate that certain key factors and approaches need to be in place that allow cities to redevelop old industrial sites in a sustainable manner. In complex systems such as cities local circumstances, stakeholders' views and the types of organisations involved play a major role. The cases illustrate that open communication, trust and cooperation between public and private stakeholders accelerate the revitalisation process and lead to a balanced and mutually accepted outcome. Following a holistic concept and a vision, but staying flexible throughout the process helps create resilient structures, which strengthen the urban fabric and essentially contribute to a sustainable development of the whole city

Moops: A web implementation of the Personal Software Process reporting system

The purpose of Moops is to bridge the gap between PSP Scriber, geared very specifically to the CSCI655 class, and other available PSP implications which are so general they are difficult to use immediately without valuable time spent learning the software. Moops is a PHP/MySQL based web application designed to provide the students taking the CSCI655 graduate software engineering course at CSUSB with an intuitive, easy to use tool to implement the Personal Software Process (PSP). Moops eliminates the possibility of errors in calculations by completing all calculations for the user

Innovative Approaches to Integrative Energy Planning – Experiences and Results from the EU Project Urban Learning

Many cities in Europe and worldwide are searching for answers and effective approaches to the challenges of implementing ambitious climate objectives in liberalised energy markets while having to accomodate growing populations. Providing new infrastructure, jobs and affordable housing for city dwellers in urban areas offers unique chances for introducing renewables and largely decarbonised energy systems. At the same time, cities struggle with high building costs, urban planning approaches that only partially factor in energy planning as well as governance systems that would require much more collaboration and cooperation between key stakeholders involved in urban energy planning. The EU project Urban Learning (March 2015 – November 2017) involved seven capital cities across Europe (Vienna, Berlin, Paris, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Warsaw and Zagreb) as well as the City of Zaanstad (NL) and focused on enhancing their capacity to work towards integrative energy planning through improved governance processes. All cities concentrated their efforts on improving governance processes in new development and transformation areas to fulfill their commitments for reducing the consumption of fossil fuels and to respond to the immediate pressure of population growth. The consortium analysed innovative technical solutions and their implications for planning processes, evaluated existing instruments and tools and explored ways to develop governance solutions that contribute to more effective integrative energy planning. In order to improve communication and interdepartmental exchange between key stakeholders from e.g. planning, sustainability or environmental departments, each partner city installed a so called Local Working Group. Intrinsic to the project design was a strong emphasis on learning from each other and on exchanging insights, barriers and lessons learned regularly between members of the consortium, with local working group members and with other associated cities from all partner countries throughout the entire project period. After 33 months of collaboration, a number of insights and results surfaced that can be passed on to other cities facing similar hurdles and wanting to improve their own (integrative) energy planning practices and capacities. Without a clear legal base and strategy for energy planning, integrating energy and urban planning will not work. Clear, long-term decarbonisation strategies further support cities’ paths toward achieving more integrated energy planning. It also showed that more awareness is required about the need for public energy planning competences in city administrations and beyond. A key success factor includes a constantly high level of cooperation and collaboration among and across city departments and with stakeholders such as energy system operators, energy suppliers, developers and planners. This paper describes lessons learned, insights and results from the Urban Learning project highlighting concrete examples from different partner cities

The concept of information poverty and how to measure it in the Latin American context

The construction of the information society must be complemented with pro-poor vision and policies. For this reason, this paper defines the concept of information and communication poverty, introduces the criteria of poverty line location for its identification, and suggests computation for the economic cost of reaching such a line for its aggregate measurement. In this process, the structural and technological restrictions faced by a society are acknowledged, and the way they affect and are affected by the concept of information and communication poverty is discussed. This research study examines these issues conceptually, in order to contribute to the study regarding magnitude, depth and characteristics of information and communication poverty, as well as to identify some of its implications for drafting public policies

Estudios acerca de índices de Competitividad Global

En general para la confección de los distintos índices globales de competitividad se homogeneizarán parámetros con el fin de hacer comparables las características de cada país y así establecer un orden. Al momento existe una vasta literatura acerca de la competitividad entre naciones y la trascendencia e impacto de los diferentes índices en las naciones toma cada vez más relevancia, atacando la problemática de las naciones de ubicarse en el mercado global. El presente trabajo buscara ahondar en la temática mediante el análisis de autores que ya incursionaron en críticas, consideraciones y las utilidades de los índices actuales. Principalmente el trabajo analiza el Índice de Competitividad Global realizado todos los años por el Foro Económico Mundial. La utilidad de la medición de la competitividad en las naciones es una información muy útil, tanto para naciones, como para empresas, sin embargo tal como se desarrolla en la actualidad existen condicionantes a tener en cuenta, entre esto surgen la forma en que se confeccionan los índices y su correlato con la realidad. La metodología empleada para realizarlo toma especial relevancia y se intenta analizar en detalle la confección del mismo. A lo largo del trabajo es un tema transversal con permanentes referencias a estos temas. La utilidad y reflejo de la realidad es fundamental para que el índice tenga sentido. La correlación con el grado de apertura e inserción en el mundo es un punto a tener en cuenta, tomando relevancia los cambios que el propio índice muestraPor motivos relacionados con los derechos de autor este documento solo puede ser consultado en la Biblioteca Di Tella. Para reservar una cita podés ponerte en contacto con [email protected]. Si sos el autor de esta tesis y querés autorizar su publicación en este repositorio, podés ponerte en contacto con [email protected]

Drying of willow biomass in supply chains

The drying process of willow ( Salix viminalis ) in biomass supply chains to energy plants is quantitatively described. Drying at particle level was modelled for chips and stems by a diffusion equation linked to the mass transfer of moisture to the air. Drying at bulk level is described by a deep bed model, which accounted for the moisture and temperature gradients of wood and air therein. Experimental validation showed that the deep bed model adequately described forced convective drying (with ambient air) of a willow chip bed, and natural wind drying of willow stems in large piles.The technical possibilities and costs of drying of chips, using farm facilities for potatoes, were assessed. March to September turned out to be the most suitable period. Compared to harvest costs, forced convective drying was a considerable cost factor. For stems, statistical analysis of experimental data showed that a pile dried uniformly, except for the top layer. Pile coverage had no long term effect on the moisture content. Within a single stem, the moisture content was largely uniform. During open storage from harvest (December-April) until August, the moisture content could be reduced to close to that of the equilibrium moisture content.Experiments and model calculations showed that chunks could be dried relatively quickly by forced convective drying, and very cheaply by natural wind drying. A model was developed to optimize supply chains by Dynamic Programming, which proved to be useful in deriving supply strategies. The natural wind drying time, required to achieve the correct moisture content, specified by the energy plant for chunks and stems, was a decisive factor in the design of supply chains.</p