Environmental DNA illuminates the dark diversity of sharks

In the era of “Anthropocene defaunation,” large species are often no longer detected in habitats where they formerly occurred. However, it is unclear whether this apparent missing, or “dark,” diversity of megafauna results from local species extirpations or from failure to detect elusive remaining individuals. We find that despite two orders of magnitude less sampling effort, environmental DNA (eDNA) detects 44% more shark species than traditional underwater visual censuses and baited videos across the New Caledonian archipelago (south-western Pacific). Furthermore, eDNA analysis reveals the presence of previously unobserved shark species in human-impacted areas. Overall, our results highlight a greater prevalence of sharks than described by traditional survey methods in both impacted and wilderness areas. This indicates an urgent need for large-scale eDNA assessments to improve monitoring of threatened and elusive megafauna. Finally, our findings emphasize the need for conservation efforts specifically geared toward the protection of elusive, residual populations

Utiliser les technologies de l'information et de la communication afin d'améliorer la réussite collégiale des étudiants ayant des troubles d'apprentissage

Disponible en anglais dans EDUQ.info sous le titre "Using IT to Improve the Academic Success of College Students with Learning Disabilities"Cet article s’intéresse au rôle que peuvent jouer les technologies de l’information et de la communication (TIC) dans l’amélioration de la réussite des étudiants en situation de handicap au collégial. Les auteurs présentent les TIC dont ont besoin les étudiants aux prises avec des troubles d’apprentissage et rendent compte des suggestions d’amélioration que formulent ces étudiants et divers intervenants, dont ceux des services adaptés, quant à l’usage de ces TIC. Les auteurs communiquent enfin leurs recommandations pour que l’utilisation que l’on fait des TIC dans les collèges favorise la réussite scolaire

Using IT to Improve the Academic Success of College Students with Learning Disabilities

Disponible en français dans EDUQ.info sous le titre "Utiliser les technologies de l'information et de la communication afin d'améliorer la réussite collégiale des étudiants ayant des troubles d'apprentissage"This article explores the role that IT can play in improving the academic success of learning-disabled college students. The authors discuss the IT required by students dealing with learning disabilities, as well as suggestions for improvement on IT use voiced by these students and other stakeholders (including those providing special-needs services). They conclude with recommendations on how to ensure that IT use in colleges promotes academic success

Étudiant(e)s de niveau collégial ayant des incapacités College students with disabilities

"La présente recherche a été subventionnée par le Ministère de l'éducation dans le cadre du Programme d'aide à la recherche sur l'enseignement et l'apprentissage (PAREA)"Titre de l'écran-titre (visionné le 8 déc. 2006)Également disponible en version papierBibliogr

Les cégépiens ayant des troubles d'apprentissage face aux TIC

Rapport final présenté au Fonds de recherche du Québec - Société et culture (FRQSC) et le ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport (MELS)Également disponible en version papier.Titre de l'écran-titre (visionné le 10 oct. 2012

Drivers of reef shark abundance and biomass in the Solomon Islands

Remote island nations face a number of challenges in addressing concerns about shark population status, including access to rigorously collected data and resources to manage fisheries. At present, very little data are available on shark populations in the Solomon Islands and scientific surveys to document shark and ray diversity and distribution have not been completed. We aimed to provide a baseline of the relative abundance and diversity of reef sharks and rays and assess the major drivers of reef shark abundance/biomass in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands using stereo baited remote underwater video. On average reef sharks were more abundant than in surrounding countries such as Fiji and Indonesia, yet below that of remote islands without historical fishing pressure, suggesting populations are relatively healthy but not pristine. We also assessed the influence of location, habitat type/complexity, depth and prey biomass on reef shark abundance and biomass. Location was the most important factor driving reef shark abundance and biomass with two times the abundance and a 43% greater biomass of reef sharks in the more remote locations, suggesting fishing may be impacting sharks in some areas. Our results give a much needed baseline and suggest that reef shark populations are still relatively unexploited, providing an opportunity for improved management of sharks and rays in the Solomon Islands

Toward Sustainable Environmental Quality : Priority Research Questions for Asia

Environmental and human health challenges are pronounced in Asia, an exceptionally diverse and complex region where influences of global megatrends are extensive and numerous stresses to environmental quality exist. Identifying priorities necessary to engage grand challenges can be facilitated through horizon scanning exercises, and to this end we identified and examined 23 priority research questions needed to advance toward more sustainable environmental quality in Asia, as part of the Global Horizon Scanning Project. Advances in environmental toxicology, environmental chemistry, biological monitoring, and risk-assessment methodologies are necessary to address the adverse impacts of environmental stressors on ecosystem services and biodiversity, with Asia being home to numerous biodiversity hotspots. Intersections of the food–energy–water nexus are profound in Asia; innovative and aggressive technologies are necessary to provide clean water, ensure food safety, and stimulate energy efficiency, while improving ecological integrity and addressing legacy and emerging threats to public health and the environment, particularly with increased aquaculture production. Asia is the largest chemical-producing continent globally. Accordingly, sustainable and green chemistry and engineering present decided opportunities to stimulate innovation and realize a number of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Engaging the priority research questions identified herein will require transdisciplinary coordination through existing and nontraditional partnerships within and among countries and sectors. Answering these questions will not be easy but is necessary to achieve more sustainable environmental quality in Asia. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1485–1505