Deducing Space From Time Modelling the Distribution of Invasive Species Under Climate and Land Use Change Scenarios

Invasive plant species represent a serious threat to biodiversity, precipitating a sustained global effort to eradicate or at least control the spread of this phenomenon. Current distribution ranges of many invasive species are likely to be modified by climate and land use change. This thesis presents a series of papers that aims at mapping the current distribution and predicting the potential future distribution of Rhododendron ponticum L. (family: Ericaceae). The series of papers aims to determine, a) the most important abiotic (environmental) factors affecting the distribution of R. ponticum in the UK, focussing on Wales as a case study, b) whether the niche of this species has shifted or remained conserved in the UK (compared to its native range), c) the selection of optimum modelling parameters for correlative species distribution model, d) future land use and land cover change maps for the study area and finally, e) assessing the combined effects of land use and climate change on potential future distribution of R. ponticum in the UK. The main results suggest that land cover and topography are critical in limiting the distribution of this invasive plant. Furthermore, ecological niche of R. ponticum has shifted in the UK compared to the Iberian Peninsula (native range), arguably due to hybridization. Model performance in the training areas improve with decreasing grain size of predictors (50 m > 300m > 1 km). However, model transferability requires optimum grain size which should be determined by testing a range of grain sizes. In most of the future land use and climate change scenarios, invasiveness of R. ponticum is likely to decrease by as much as 40 % of the currently invaded area. The results highlight the importance of considering a range of land use and climate change scenarios and including regional policy-based land use change projections to test the potential of invasive species to expand or retreat in future. Eastern belt and south western parts of Wales are vulnerable to future invasion of R. ponticum because of possible increase in temperature and forest cover under future scenarios. Invasion risk maps produced in this study could guide pre-emptive management strategies

Species distribution model transferability and model grain size – finer may not always be better

Species distribution models have been used to predict the distribution of invasive species for conservation planning. Understanding spatial transferability of niche predictions is critical to promote species-habitat conservation and forecasting areas vulnerable to invasion. Grain size of predictor variables is an important factor affecting the accuracy and transferability of species distribution models. Choice of grain size is often dependent on the type of predictor variables used and the selection of predictors sometimes rely on data availability. This study employed the MAXENT species distribution model to investigate the effect of the grain size on model transferability for an invasive plant species. We modelled the distribution of Rhododendron ponticum in Wales, U.K. and tested model performance and transferability by varying grain size (50 m, 300 m, and 1 km). MAXENT-based models are sensitive to grain size and selection of variables. We found that over-reliance on the commonly used bioclimatic variables may lead to less accurate models as it often compromises the finer grain size of biophysical variables which may be more important determinants of species distribution at small spatial scales. Model accuracy is likely to increase with decreasing grain size. However, successful model transferability may require optimization of model grain size

Professional Stressors and Coping Strategies Among Nurses

Stress affects the work life balance and quality, which is also inclusive of happiness, interpersonal relations and family related life. Additionally, it argued that stress may also result in unnecessary work absenteeism, high level of turnover, early retirement from the job, low efficiency and effectiveness, and also the low quality of products and services (European Foundation for the Improve­ment of Living and Working Conditions, 2014; (Jacobs et al., 2018). In health sector nurses are facing the high level of stress, highly disturbed work life balance etc. Previous studies suggest that nurses which do experience high level of work-related stress, such kind of higher degree stress can endanger their health and lives of the patients, (Phillips, Hall, Elmitt, Bookallil, & Douglas, 2017). A Quantitative descriptive cross-sectional design was used in this study. Findings of this study showed that respondent’s experienced high level stress from the stressors at work, with the highest level of stress obtained from work organizational issues was the greatest stressor for the respondents. Work related stress is linked to the unease, nervousness, depression, and restlessness. The present study also showed that ‘‘relational issues’’ caused low level stress for the nurses. The study concludes that organizational issues are more important cause of work related stress. The convenient sampling method was use to select the respondents. Sample size of this study was 175 Nurses. Keywords: Stressors; stress; coping strategies

Linking social perception and provision of ecosystem services in a sprawling urban landscape: a case study of Multan, Pakistan

Urban sprawl causes changes in land use and a decline in many ecosystem services. Understanding the spatial patterns of sprawl and exploration of citizens’ perception towards the sporadic urban expansion and its impacts on an ecosystem to deliver services can help to guide land use planning and the conservation of the urban ecosystem. Here, we spatially examined land use changes in Multan, Pakistan, and investigated public perception about urban sprawl and its impacts on the quality and provision of ecosystem services, using a survey instrument. The spatial analysis of the historical land cover of Multan indicated an exponential expansion of the city in the last decade. Large areas of natural vegetation and agricultural land were converted to urban settlements in the past two decades. The citizens of Multan believe that the quality and provision of ecosystem services have declined in the recent past and strongly correlate the deteriorating ecosystem services with urban sprawl. Education and income levels of the respondents are the strongest predictors of urban ecosystem health literacy. Citizens associated with laborious outdoor jobs are more sensitive to the changes in ecosystem services. We concluded that the rapidly expanding cities, especially in the tropical arid zones, need to be prioritized for an increase in vegetation cover, and economically vulnerable settlements in these cities should be emphasized in climate change mitigation campaigns

Valuing the invaluable: park visitors' perceived importance and willingness to pay for urban park trees in Pakistan

In complex urban systems, urban parks are rare hot spots of nature, responsible for delivering a range of ecosystem services. Trees are critically important components of urban parks that provide many benefits, and, at the same time, face challenges such as lack of funds, mismanagement, climate change, pests, and diseases. There is a growing need to increase the urban tree cover to sustain urban ecosystems. Successful policymaking requires engagement with all stakeholders, especially park users. An understanding of how people's perceptions of the benefits and challenges faced by urban park trees is pivotal to making decisions that have long-standing support. We surveyed 521 park visitors in Multan, Pakistan, to assess their valuation of urban park trees, their understanding of the challenges faced by trees, and their willingness to pay (WTP) for increasing tree cover in urban parks. We found that people widely appreciated the ecosystem services provided by park trees. Provision of oxygen, shade, and clean air was considered the greatest benefits while cutting down, lack of space, and urbanization were perceived as the biggest challenges to trees. Respondents showed a WTP and believed in government–public cooperation for increasing tree cover. Income, age, and education were significant predictors of WTP. The study reflects findings in other development and geography contexts and highlights the need for broader dissemination of information on critical threats to park trees and underlines the potential for engaging locally to maximize effectively in the management of park trees

ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES OF NURSES REGARDING THE PREVENTION OF INFECTION IN BURN PATIENT IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL LAHORE

Introduction: Burn wound infection are one of the most significant and possibly genuine complications that happen in the intense period following injury. Roughly 180,000 expiries happen due to burn each year evaluated by world health organization in 2018. Reducing the spread of disease and human care services related burn infection in the burn unit of public hospital. WHO has revealed a lot higher occurrence in Pakistan roughly 1388/100000 yearly when contrasted with worldwide frequency of 110/100000 for every annum Implementation of rules will lessen the rate pace of burn wound contamination in the burn unit. Methodology: quantitative observational descriptive study design was used to assess the nurses’ knowledge and practices regarding prevention of infection in burn patient. In order to assess nurses practiced, data was collected through the standardized checklist and questionnaire regarding prevention of infection in burn patient. The checklist and questionnaire consist of 55 items. Results: The findings of this study revealed that there are poor knowledge and practices of nurses regarding prevention of infection in burn patient. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, it is concluded that nurses working in burn units of hospital of Lahore, Punjab region have low knowledge and practices regarding prevention of Infections among burn patients. Therefore, hospitals are required to organize adequate trainings and to develop unit specific clinical infection control guidelines and protocols Key words: Infection, Practice, Knowledge, Burn, Patient. DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/74-11 Publication date:May 31st 202

The return of wooded landscapes in Wales: an exploration of possible post-Brexit futures

Changes in agricultural policy may have a rapid impact even on landscapes which have taken millennia to form. Here we explore the potential impact of the UK leaving the EU as a catalyst for profound changes in the pastoral landscapes of Wales. Impending change of the trading regime governing agricultural produce, concurrent with public pressure to use agricultural subsidies for environmental goals, may lead to unforeseen consequences for the Welsh natural environment. We employ a combination of change demand modelling and a ‘story and simulation approach’ to project the effect of five hypothetical plausible scenarios on land use and land use change in Wales by 2030. We show that the most extreme trade scenario would result in a significant expansion of broadleaf woodland across much of Wales. By contrast, the ‘green futures’ scenario introduced to supersede the Common Agricultural Policy, results in significant expansion of woodland but not at the level seen with the more extreme trade scenarios

Corruption in Health Sector

Corruption has profound roots in each field in Pakistan. We are on the whole exceptionally mindful of the corruption that keeps running into billions of rupees; however it is the little scale defilement that we don't pay heed, which is gradually spreading its limbs in the public arena. There is expanding interest in health policymaker, organizer and contributors in how debasement influence human services survey and results and what should be possible to battle defilement in health care division. Attempts to explain the peril of abuse of depended control for private increment have reviewed the associations among debasement and various pieces of the board, financing and organization. Direct analysts and anthropologists moreover pointed the individual and social characteristics which sway the lead of government master and client this article present a comprehensives structure for depicting and assessing how openings, weight and legitimization sway defilement in medicinal services area. It is in like manner discusses execution for mediation. Keywords: corruption, health sector DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/68-14 Publication date: November 30th 201

Linking pattern to process: intensity analysis of land-change dynamics in Ghana as correlated to past socioeconomic and policy contexts

Spatio-temporal analysis of transitions in land cover is critical to understanding many ecological challenges, especially in environmentally vulnerable regions. For instance, in Sub-Saharan Africa, large-scale cropland expansion is expected due to the increasing demand for fuel, food, and fibre. Clearing land for cropland expansion is a driving factor in the degradation of natural ecosystems. We present a spatio-temporal analysis of land-cover change in Ghana’s Northern, Upper East, and Upper West provinces using Intensity Analysis on the periods from 1992 to 2003 and 2003 to 2015. The objectives of this study were to determine whether the intensity of land-use and land-cover (LULC) change is consistent between the two periods and to investigate the direction and extent of change for different LULC categories in northern Ghana. The methodology measures land-cover changes at the interval, category, and transition levels. The results suggest that the annual rate of land change was higher between 1992 and 2003 compared to that between 2003 and 2015. Furthermore, the category-level analysis reveals that the gains in the arable land and tree/forest-cover classes during both time intervals were higher than the uniform intensity. The transition-level analysis results indicate that most of the gains in arable land and tree/forest-cover came at the cost of semi-arid shrublands during both periods. There is also evidence of local increases in forest-cover, likely linked to afforestation policies established by the Ghanian government; however, overall, there has been a loss of natural habitat. The study provides data to improve our understanding of the magnitude and direction of land-cover change, essential for the development of policies designed to mitigate the impact of land-cover change on the livelihoods of local people and the environment at the national and sub-national levels

Drivers of farmers’ intention to adopt integrated pest management: a case study of vegetable farmers in Pakistan

Abstract: Integrated pest management adoption is quite low around the globe, particularly in developing countries, due to different factors. Here, we examine the factors affecting the intention of Pakistani farmers to adopt integrated pest management practices in vegetable production using a structured questionnaire. We interviewed 301 vegetable growers in Multan, Pakistan. The reliability and validity of the data, along with the underlying relationship between the observed variables, were identified through exploratory factor analysis. The majority of the farmers (79.4%) relied on pesticides for pest control. More than four out of 10 of the respondents (43.8%) reported that okra received the highest application of pesticides followed by potato (24.5%) and cauliflower (17.9%). Integrated pest management was currently non‐existent among the vegetable growers of the study area. The latent factors—“knowledge of the adverse effects of pesticide,” “belief in the efficacy of non‐chemical pest control measures,” “perceived barriers to the adoption of integrated pest management,” “progressive farming approach,” and “intention to adopt integrated pest management”—were subsequently confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis. The structural equation model suggested that the intention to adopt integrated pest management is significantly affected by farmers’ knowledge of the adverse effects of pesticides (β = 0.274, z‐value = 3.082, P = 0.002). An increase in farmers’ awareness of the harmful effects of pesticides could lead to integrated pest management adoption for pest control. The scale for intention to adopt integrated pest management developed in this study can be used in future studies and provide valuable insights to the policymakers for devising integrated pest management adoption campaigns in the study area