Non-volant modes of migration in terrestrial arthropods

Animal migration is often defined in terms appropriate only to the ‘to-and-fro’ movements of large, charismatic (and often vertebrate) species. However, like other important biological processes, the definition should apply over as broad a taxonomic range as possible in order to be intellectually satisfying. Here we illustrate the process of migration in insects and other terrestrial arthropods (e.g. arachnids, myriapods, and non-insect hexapods) but provide a different perspective by excluding the ‘typical’ mode of migration in insects, i.e. flapping flight. Instead, we review non-volant migratory movements, including: aerial migration by wingless species, pedestrian and waterborne migration, and phoresy. This reveals some fascinating and sometimes bizarre morphological and behavioural adaptations to facilitate movement. We also outline some innovative modelling approaches exploring the interactions between atmospheric transport processes and biological factors affecting the ‘dispersal kernels’ of wingless arthropods

Bobby Fischer in Socio-Cultural Perspective: Application of Hiller’s (2011) Multi-Layered Chronological Chart Methodology

This article presents a case study application of Hiller’s (2011) Multi - Layered Chronological Chart (MLCC) methodology to the life story of former World Chess Champion Bobby Fischer. Designed for use in qualitative biographical studies, the MLCC is adapted here for psychobiographical research. In 1972, Fischer became an American Cold War hero as he wrestled the World Chess Championship from a half century of Soviet domination. His rapid rise to world fame was followed by infamy as Fischer abandoned competitive chess, grew increasingly Anti - Semitic and Anti - American, became a fugitive from U.S. justice, and died in relative isolation in Reykjavik, Iceland. Fischer remains one of the more enigmatic personalities of the 20th century and many questions remain regarding his psychological health. The MLCC method is used to contextualize Fischer’s life in nine key topical domains across five developmental life stages. The value of the MLCC methodology to psychobiographical research is highlighted and suggestions for advancing this methodology are put forth

The Impact of Surf Breaks on Home Prices in Santa Cruz, CA

The growing field of “surfonomics” attempts to document surfing’s economic contribution to local and regional communities, as well the consumer surplus surf breaks provide to millions of surfers. To date, no research has examined the extent to which the value of surf breaks is capitalized into home prices. This study uses the hedonic price method with data from three distinct beach-adjacent neighborhoods in Santa Cruz, CA to estimate whether proximity to surf breaks leads to higher home values. We find that after controlling for proximity to the beach, ocean views, the specific characteristics of the homes, and neighborhood effects, that proximity to surf breaks is a statistically significant contributor to overall home value. A home that is right next to a surf break is valued at approximately $106,000 more than an equivalent home a mile away

Windborne migration of Auchenorrhyncha (Hemiptera) over Britain

Planthoppers (Delphacidae), leafhoppers (Cicadellidae) and froghoppers (Aphrophoridae) (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha) caught during day and night sampling at a height of 200 m above ground at Cardington, Bedfordshire, UK, during eight summers (between 1999 and 2007) were consolidated with high-altitude catches made over England in the 1930s. Comparisons were made with other auchenorrhynchan trapping results from northwest Europe, which were indicative of migration. The migratory abilities in the species concerned were then interpreted in terms of various life-history traits or ecological characteristics, such as ontogenetic, diel and seasonal flight patterns, voltinism, habitat preferences, and host plant affinity. In contrast to some other areas of the world (North America, East Asia), the migratory abilities of most Auchenorrhyncha species in northwest Europe is poorly understood, and thus the present study draws together, and complements, fragmentary information on this topic as a basis for further research

Displacement, Identity and Belonging for Ibyangin: The Personal Journey of Transracial Korean-Born Adoptees

The present study examined the lived experience (erlebnis) of adult transracial, Korean-born adoptees (Ibyangin; Yngvesson & Coutin, 2006) raised in the United States by White families. Long interviews (McCracken, 1988) were conducted with fourteen young adult (age 26-30) Korean-born adoptees in-person or by phone. The study was anchored in the constructivist-interpretivist research paradigm (Ponterotto, 2005) and utilized the phenomenological inquiry model (Moustakas, 1994) to explore the essence of the international transracial adoption experience. Two major clusters of meaning with additional subthemes were related to a) identity development, and b) decision to return to Korea. Limitations of the study are reviewed, implications for follow-up research are presented, and clinical applications are addressed

High-altitude migration of Heteroptera in Britain

Heteroptera caught during day and night sampling at a height of 200 m above ground at Cardington, Bedfordshire, UK, during eight summers (1999, 2000, and 2002-2007) were compared to high-altitude catches made over the UK and North Sea from the 1930s to the 1950s. The height of these captures indicates that individuals were engaged in windborne migration over distances of at least several kilometres and probably tens of kilometres. This conclusion is generally supported by what is known of the species' ecologies, which reflect the view that the level of dispersiveness is associated with the exploitation of temporary habitats or resources. The seasonal timing of the heteropteran migrations is interpreted in terms of the breeding/overwintering cycles of the species concerned

Geochemical impact of urban development on fragile freshwater wetlands

Urbanization is associated with increased cover of impervious surfaces, which poses significant challenges to freshwater ecosystems globally. Implications of catchment urbanization include altered natural hydrology, erosion, weed invasions and modified water chemistry. Blue Mountains Upland Swamps are sensitive freshwater ecosystems located in the Blue Mountains region in south-eastern Australia. They have high conservation value as they are located within a World Heritage Area, are a listed 'endangered ecological community' in Australia and contain endemic and endangered flora and fauna. Water chemistry was assessed in four naturally vegetated and four urban swamps. Urban swamps had higher impervious cover and modified water chemistry, with elevated pH, electrical conductivity and major ions compared to non-urban swamps. Water in urban swamps had elevated calcium, potassium and bicarbonate compared to non-urban catchments, by 19.8, 5.2 and 10.3 times respectively. Although further research is needed, we hypothesize that common concrete materials, particularly drainage infrastructure, strongly influenced differences between urban and nonurban catchments. This adds to growing international research highlighting the potential role of concrete in modifying urban water chemistry due to gradual dissolution and mobilization of ions. In an increasingly urban world, consideration of the ecological consequences of urbanization is required to guide future management approaches

What systems are essential to achieving the sustainable development goals and what will it take to marshal them?

The sustainable development goal (SDG) for health is linked to 67 indicators, eight times more than their predecessor, the Millenium Development Goals. In many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the information infrastructure is not yet able to collect and use the data needed for the indicators. As they seek to be responsive to the SDG agenda, LMICs must not lose sight of their local data needs; they should be cautious about embracing untested electronic technologies for data collection, analysis, and use; carefully balance the care provision and data collection responsibilities of care providers; and use evidence of what works in strengthening their health information systems (HIS). While attending to these concerns, countries can look for instances in which SDG indicators are in sync with their own HIS goals