Towards an automated approach for monitoring vegetation green-up dynamics using vehicle dashcams in urban environments

Phenological events are highly sensitive to climatic variation, and temporal phenological shifts have significant impact on ecosystem function. Vegetation in urban environments holds significant value in providing ecosystem services, of which will become increasingly important as urban populations grow. Insights into vegetation phenological transitions have typically long been monitored through satellite imaging analysis and ground-based field measurements, but these methods are limited by financial costs and coarse resolutions, both spatially and temporally. Despite an increase in the growth of fixed digital camera networks for monitoring vegetation phenology, there still exists a data gap in urban settings. Findings of this study showcased that time series imagery of street level trees in urban environments is obtainable from vehicle dashcams. The YOLOv3 deep learning algorithm demonstrated suitability for automating stages of processing towards deriving a greenness metric. However, further work is required to determine an optimum sized detector training dataset, which also proportionally represents trees across the phenological cycle. Questions remain as to how error caused by scene illuminance variation can be mitigated and as to how full automation from raw data to the final green-up metric can be reached

Using the repertory grid and laddering technique to determine the user's evaluative model of search engines

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to explore a method for the determination of users' representations of search engines, formed during their interaction with these systems. Determines the extent to which these elicited “mental models” indicate the system aspects of importance to the user and from this their evaluative view of these tools. Design/methodology/approach – The repertory grid technique is used to elicit a set of constructs that define facets within the mental model of an individual. A related technique of laddering then considers each of the user's constructs to determine the reasons for its importance within the user's mental model. Findings – The model derived from the qualitative data comprises three hierarchical strata and conveys the interrelations between basic system description, evaluative description, and the key evaluations of ease, efficiency, effort and effectiveness. Two additional layers relating to the perceived process and the experience of emotion are also discussed. Research limitations/implications – Ten participants is considered to be optimum for obtaining constructs in a repertory grid, but limits the findings to the context of the user group and the systems used in this study. Originality/value – The methodology has not previously been used to determine mental models of search engines and from these to understand users' evaluative view of systems. The resulting model of key evaluations with the conjunctions of procedural elements suggests a framework for further research to evaluate search engines from the user perspective

Understanding the prevalence of bear part consumption in Cambodia:A comparison of specialised questioning techniques

The trade in bear parts for medicine and for status is a conservation challenge throughout Asia. The Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) and the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) are endemic to this region, and populations are estimated to have declined throughout their ranges due to widespread illegal killing of bears and trade in parts, combined with loss of habitat. Previous studies have indicated that legislation alone is insufficient to prevent illegal hunting and trade, indicating instead a need to address demand for bear parts and products. We conducted mixed-method surveys in Cambodia to understand the key motivators for individuals to consume bear parts, and to understand whether specialised questioning techniques are applicable in this context. Bear part use is illegal in Cambodia and may therefore be considered a sensitive behaviour, in that individuals may be reluctant to admit to it. To counteract possible biases, four specialised questioning techniques were used in this study: randomised response technique (RRT), unmatched count technique (UCT), nominative technique (NT), and false consensus bias (FCB). All four methods serve to shield a respondent’s admittance of a sensitive behaviour from the interviewer. The results presented here show that great variability exists in anonymous methods’ efficacy in certain contexts. However, the results overall indicate that individuals in Cambodia are under-reporting their consumption of bear parts when directly asked, and that the prevalence of bear part use in Cambodia may be as high as 15% of the population, representing a significant conservation challenge

Understanding the prevalence of bear part consumption in Cambodia:A comparison of specialised questioning techniques

<div><p>The trade in bear parts for medicine and for status is a conservation challenge throughout Asia. The Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) and the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) are endemic to this region, and populations are estimated to have declined throughout their ranges due to widespread illegal killing of bears and trade in parts, combined with loss of habitat. Previous studies have indicated that legislation alone is insufficient to prevent illegal hunting and trade, indicating instead a need to address demand for bear parts and products. We conducted mixed-method surveys in Cambodia to understand the key motivators for individuals to consume bear parts, and to understand whether specialised questioning techniques are applicable in this context. Bear part use is illegal in Cambodia and may therefore be considered a sensitive behaviour, in that individuals may be reluctant to admit to it. To counteract possible biases, four specialised questioning techniques were used in this study: randomised response technique (RRT), unmatched count technique (UCT), nominative technique (NT), and false consensus bias (FCB). All four methods serve to shield a respondent’s admittance of a sensitive behaviour from the interviewer. The results presented here show that great variability exists in anonymous methods’ efficacy in certain contexts. However, the results overall indicate that individuals in Cambodia are under-reporting their consumption of bear parts when directly asked, and that the prevalence of bear part use in Cambodia may be as high as 15% of the population, representing a significant conservation challenge.</p></div

Quantification of rill erosion using field measurements and remote sensing techniques

This research examines the use of remote sensing techniques to quantify rill erosion in two agricultural fields in the Lower Fraser Valley. Soil erosion during the winter is particularly problematic in some of the sloping soils developed from loess over glacio-marine parent materials. New techniques are needed to quantify rill erosion on a timely basis, and this research focuses on measuring the extent and rate of rill erosion from field and aerial photograph measurements. A model which used rill measurements as input, was used to determine the rill plan areas, rill volumes, and thus rill erosion rates in the test area. Using field rillometer measurements of rills as input into the model resulted in a soil loss estimate of 49m³ /ha/yr or 38.4 t/ha/yr for the test site. This soil loss estimate is deemed to be more reliable than erosion plot and Universal Soil Loss Equation estimates of soil loss for the test area. The rill volume and plan area of three main rills, using three different rill measurement methods for input into the model, were compared. Using field measuring tape measurements of rills as input into the model, resulted in a soil loss estimate which was 16 % greater than the estimate from rillometer measurements. Using photo rill width measurements and an estimation of rill depths and bottom widths from field data as model input, resulted in a soil loss estimate which was 22 % less than the estimate from rillometer measurements. Spectral reflection measurements made in rill, interrill and depositional areas were found to be significantly different, confirming that rill erosion could be assessed in a quantitative manner using digital image analysis techniques. The spectral separation was largely due to differences in organic matter, surface roughness and imaging geometry. The latter is of particular importance in creating darker shadowed rill sides opposite bright sun-facing rill sides within a single rill. A maximum likelihood classifier, used as part of the computer based image analysis, determined the rill plan area for a sample area to be 9 % less than the rill plan area obtained from the model using rillometer input. This indicates the potential of digital analysis to quickly determine the plan area of larger rills. Digital elevation and moisture content data confirmed that the topographic shape of the field is important in determining the spatial pattern of rill formation. The combination of such data with image analysis and geographic information systems (GIS) have great potential in the timely quantification of erosion in the future.Land and Food Systems, Faculty ofGraduat

Towards an automated approach for monitoring vegetation green-up dynamics using vehicle dashcams in urban environments

Phenological events are highly sensitive to climatic variation, and temporal phenological shifts have significant impact on ecosystem function. Vegetation in urban environments holds significant value in providing ecosystem services, of which will become increasingly important as urban populations grow. Insights into vegetation phenological transitions have typically long been monitored through satellite imaging analysis and ground-based field measurements, but these methods are limited by financial costs and coarse resolutions, both spatially and temporally. Despite an increase in the growth of fixed digital camera networks for monitoring vegetation phenology, there still exists a data gap in urban settings. Findings of this study showcased that time series imagery of street level trees in urban environments is obtainable from vehicle dashcams. The YOLOv3 deep learning algorithm demonstrated suitability for automating stages of processing towards deriving a greenness metric. However, further work is required to determine an optimum sized detector training dataset, which also proportionally represents trees across the phenological cycle. Questions remain as to how error caused by scene illuminance variation can be mitigated and as to how full automation from raw data to the final green-up metric can be reached

Mental models of Internet search engines : eliciting user perceptions through repertory grid technique

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

The disconnected church: a critical examination of the communication of the Christian church in New Zealand

The purpose of my research is to investigate if and why some people outside of the church do not see relevance in the church, and to investigate if and why the church does not see relevance in the point of view of these people outside of the church. This research project will explore the possibility that this is an instance of two separate groups of people who think they have the same concept in mind when they use the word “church” but may in fact hold entirely different ideas about what “church” is. In other words this research investigates the issues around communication and the church, and is therefore situated in the communication problem. My research is based on the proposition that the Christian church in New Zealand is maladapted to contemporary society. By maladaptation I mean, specifically, that the church is failing to meet its own claim to be relevant, is failing to connect individual’s spirituality with their profane daily lives, and exhibits a diminishing capacity to manifest good in the world. The purpose of this research is to use basic communication theory as the lens to identify and then prove this maladaptation, by first, in stage 1, seeking to discover how some people outside the church perceive the church. I let the framework of critical studies guide my use of qualitative data gathering through in-depth semi-structured interviewing of people who have never had anything to do with the church, people I define as not being Christianised. In order to narrow down my sample group, I interviewed people who self-defined themselves as being spiritual. Through the process of thematic analysis nine “perceptions” of the church were uncovered, which were overwhelmingly negative. In stage 2, I presented these nine perceptions to a selection of church leaders through the process of focus groups, in order to discover their reaction to how some people outside of the church perceive the church. This identified a massive gap, or disconnect, in the way the people in each of these two research stages view themselves and each other. The church representatives in stage 2 expose strong ingroup tendencies which may be negatively affecting the communication and work of the church. They also expressed the difficulty they face as they identify as Christians in New Zealand. I suggest two new labels to define the church and its communication (mission) connection within society: firstly, the “disconnected church” which through its modus operandi fosters the historical connection to the past era and attitude I define as Christendom. A disconnected church (and disconnected Christians) struggle with the realities of how hard it actually is to be Christian, but they do not embrace the fact that many of the difficulties experienced through a negative response from society might actually be the result of how the church and Christians are being Christian. My second new label is the “connected church”, which describes a church through which its modus operandi shows evidence of understanding and appreciation of the current context it finds itself in. It therefore lives with the tension of both holding cultural change loosely enough to be able to evolve with changes such as leadership structures, community values, and philosophical influences such as post-modernity, as well as retaining theological and spiritual integrity in the essence of being Christian