Island Area Research Articles

Analisis Peningkatan Efektivitas Dalam Perencanaan Pengembangan Pembangunan

Tanjungpinang is the capital city of Riau Islands province, Indonesia and is an autonomous city formed in 2004. The development of Tanjungpinang city, especially in the Dompak Island area which is designated as the center of government of Riau Islands Province, needs to be evaluated. This evaluation is useful for knowing and analyzing the problems that occur on Dompak Island, which will later be made improvement efforts so that the goals that have been set can be achieved properly. This research aims to identify and predict something that will happen and the continued performance carried out on Dompak Island, Riau Islands. The method used in this analysis is to use the literature study method as a data search technique by collecting several references from related books. Implementation of development plans must be done carefully and purposefully. Intensive monitoring and periodic evaluation must be carried out to ensure that development programs can run according to the original plan. In conclusion, the analysis of increasing effectiveness in development planning in the Dompak area of Tanjungpinang is very important. Through identification of the potential and needs of the region, collaboration between various related parties, and careful implementation, development in this area can run better and provide optimal benefits for the local community.

EFFECTIVENESS OF BOOKLET ON HANDLING FALLS ON PARENTS WITH TOODLER CHILDREN IN RIAU ISLANDS AREA

The age period of children 1 to 3 years is called toddler. Toddlers show more advanced motor development and children show more activity skills and develop curiosity, and exploration of objects around them. ). Factors that can cause accidents in toddlers include the presence of objects or materials such as bottles containing medicine, water tubs, and stairs to the 2nd floor. There are potential victims such as toddlers. Favorable environmental conditions include medicine bottles whose lids are not childproof, stairs that are not blocked, tubs filled with water that are more than 2 inches high, and lack of parental vigilance. This study aims to determine the picture of the effectiveness of booklets in parents on the problems of toddlers in island areas. The research method used is a quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental method (Quasi Experiment) type pretest-posttest control group design. The population in this study is tourists visiting Trikora Beach, Bintan Regency, and Riau Islands. The number of samples in this study was 68 people. Data collection techniques in this study were carried out using surveys/ interviews directly with respondents using questionnaires that had been tested for validity. Data analysis consists of univariate analysis and bivariate analysis. The results of the analysis showed that the Bivariate test obtained by Paired t-test 1 simple test was known to have differences in parental knowledge about handling due to the handling of children who fell obtained a P-value of 0.003 (<0.05) then Ho was rejected

Measuring the Multi-Scale Landscape Pattern of China’s Largest Archipelago from a Dual-3D Perspective Based on Remote Sensing

Measuring the landscape pattern from a three-dimensional perspective is of great significance for comprehensively revealing the complex spatial characteristics of island ecosystems. However, the archipelago composed of rocky islands has received little attention as its three-dimensional landscape characteristics are difficult to quantify. This study took the largest archipelago in China, the Zhoushan Archipelago, as the study area and constructed an island landscape pattern evaluation model from a dual-three-dimensional (dual-3D) perspective. The model divided the island into upper and lower layers, namely the surface landscape based on topography and the landscape elements above the surface (i.e., vegetation and buildings), and then evaluated their landscape patterns from a three-dimensional perspective, respectively. The landscape pattern model based on a dual-3D perspective and multiple scales achieved excellent results in the archipelago. First, the island landscape pattern was evaluated from three-dimensional perspectives, including human interference, landscape fragmentation, vegetation space, and building space. Second, landscape indices such as the human interference three-dimensional index (HITI), the landscape fragmentation three-dimensional index (LFTI), the vegetation three-dimensional index (VTI), and the building three-dimensional index (BTI) established at multiple spatial scales revealed spatial heterogeneity within and between islands. Environmental factors such as elevation, slope, and island area exhibited significant correlations with them. There were significant differences in landscape pattern indices between the two-dimensional (2D) and the three-dimensional (3D) perspectives, and high values were mainly distributed in areas with significant topographic changes and larger islands. In addition, as the evaluation unit increased, the landscape indices increased, and HITI became more responsive to the transitions from 2D to 3D, while LFTI was the opposite. Therefore, the multiscale landscape pattern measurement of China’s largest archipelago based on high-resolution remote sensing was carried out from three-dimensional perspectives to accurately reveal the spatial heterogeneity.

Guiding decisions on the future of dams: A GIS database characterizing ecological and social considerations of Dam decisions

In the United States and elsewhere, there are a growing number of dams which have exceeded their design life and will need to be repaired or removed in the coming decades. Most of these dams no longer serve their original purpose and removal can provide ecological benefits and eliminate future maintenance costs and hazards. However, many decision-makers have been ill-prepared by community resistance to proposals to remove dams. Given the number of dam removal initiatives that have failed or been delayed due to community resistance, both ecological and social attributes of dams need to be better mapped and conveyed in understandable ways. The goal of this study was to support future decisions regarding dams by 1) developing a set of metrics to assess the social and ecological dimensions of dams, and 2) using these metrics to develop a GIS database, for the 1000+ dams in the Narragansett Bay/Rhode Island area of southern New England. The database characterizes the ecological benefits of dam removal or modification, in terms of fish passage, and the social dimensions that may need to be considered when engaging a community in discussions about the future of a dam. Our emphasis was on small-head dams (i.e. <5 m tall) which comprise most dams in the study area. We created social value metrics that used GIS data to assess dams and their impoundments for potential benefits to waterfront properties, history, sense-of-place, and recreation. We modeled our ecological metrics and ranking system after the Nature Conservancy's Northeast Aquatic Connectivity study which considered factors relating to river connectivity and watershed quality. We evaluated our social and ecological metrics using case studies of dams in the study area that had been previously removed or modified. We assumed that both sets of dams were ecologically important, but the modified dams had higher social value that prohibited their removal. Dams that had been removed or modified were both ranked as high priority in terms of value for fish passage, particularly for diadromous fish. Dams that were modified to include fish passage had substantially larger impoundments, more waterfront properties, and more features associated with recreational or cultural value (e.g. boating opportunity, visibility, etc.). Our social metrics were consistent with expectations based on the limited case studies (7 removals, 19 modifications) available in the study area. We made the dam assessment metrics readily accessible to stakeholders through an interactive ArcGIS Online web map.

Analysis of the Fauna and Bird Population of Urup Island and Adjacent Water Areas (Greater Kuril Chain)

Analysis of the Fauna and Bird Population of Urup Island and Adjacent Water Areas (Greater Kuril Chain)

Plant species richness hotspots and related drivers across spatial scales in small Mediterranean islands

AbstractSmall islands represent a common feature in the Mediterranean and host a significant fraction of its biodiversity. However, the distribution of plant species richness across spatial scales—from local communities (alpha) to whole islands (gamma)—is largely unknown, and so is the influence of environmental, geographical, and topographical factors. By building upon classic biogeographic theory, we used the species–area relationship and about 4500 vegetation plots in 54 Central Mediterranean small islands to identify hotspots of plant species richness and the underlying spatial determinants across scales. To do so, we fitted and averaged eight species–area models on gamma and alpha richness against island area and plot size, respectively. Based on positive deviations from the fitted curves, we identified 12 islands as cross‐scale hotspots. These islands encompassed around 70% of species and habitat richness, as well as almost 50% of the rarest species in the data set, while occupying less than 40% of the total island surface. By fitting generalized linear mixed models, we found that gamma richness was mainly explained by island area and was weakly related to mean annual temperature (positively) and annual precipitation (negatively). As for alpha richness, after accounting for the idiosyncratic effect of habitats and islands, plot size and gamma richness remained the only significant predictors, showing a positive relationship. This work contributes to the understanding of the patterns and drivers of plant diversity in Central Mediterranean small islands and outlines a useful methodology for the prioritization of conservation efforts.

An Efficient Self-Powered Seawater Desalination System Based on a Wind-Driven Radial-Arrayed Rotary Triboelectric Nanogenerator.

Seawater desalination (SD) is regarded as one of the most effective solutions to the shortage of fresh water in many desert and island areas. However, high energy consumption and environmental pollution impede its development. Herein, a self-powered seawater desalination (SP-SD) system is proposed to reduce energy consumption and environmental pollution by using a wind-driven radial-arrayed rotary triboelectric nanogenerator (RAR-TENG). As expected, the SP-SD unit achieves a high desalination capacity of 10.5 mg/h for the 0.17 M NaCl solution at a rotation speed of 350 rpm with a hydrogen (H2) production rate of 5.6 × 10-4 mL/s, which is superior to most previous reported results. Moreover, the SP-SD system could easily reach a desalination capacity of 2.4 mg/h at a low wind speed of 6 m/s by using natural wind energy. This wind-driven SP-SD system contributes an innovative approach to the field of environmental electrochemistry.

Comparative study on cavernous weathering features formed by coastal processes and acidic alteration: Implications for rounded pits on Martian rocks

Surface images taken by rovers and landers show the existence of rounded pits with diameter of centimeters on Martian rock surfaces. These pits seem to be similar to terrestrial cavernous weathering features, generated by salt weathering (e.g., alveoli), or by stream flow erosion (e.g., potholes), found near coastal areas. Alternatively, if the weathered rocks contained carbonate minerals, the pits might have been formed by acidic weathering. Here, we compare geomorphology of cavernous weathering features formed by coastal processes on Earth and by laboratory experiments simulating acidic weathering of carbonate. Our field observations for coastal areas of the Japanese islands show that a high cavity number density and small cavities characterize cavernous features formed by salt weathering as compared with those formed by stream flow. Our experimental results show that acidic weathering can generate cavernous features, with high number densities and small diameters. Based on principal component analysis, cavernous weathering features formed by salt weathering, stream flow, and acidic alteration can be distinguished mainly by the number density and diameter. By applying our approach to Martian rocks, we find that the morphological characteristics of rounded pits on Jezero Crater rocks are different from the above cavernous weathering features, and that the Martian pits are categorized as being intermediate between cavernous features formed by salt weathering and acidic weathering. If the pits on Jezero Crater rocks were formed by salt weathering, salt weathering on Mars could have been less effective (possibly, due to a difference in water salinity or salt composition) than those found in coastal areas of Earth. Alternatively, these Martian pits might be formed by other processes (e.g., vesicles in volcanic breccia, eolian processes, or freeze-thaw cycles of porewater).

Assessing the Impact of Spatiotemporal Land Cover Changes on the Urban Heat Islands in Developing Cities with Landsat Data: A Case Study in Zhanjiang

Land cover changes (LCCs) due to urbanization cause urban heat islands (UHIs), significantly affecting land surface temperature (LST) through spatiotemporal changes in compositions, parameters, and patterns. Land cover and LST have been studied in various cities; however, indicative research into heterogeneous LCC’s impact on LST in less-developed cities remains incomplete. This study analyzed new Landsat images of Zhanjiang, taken from 2004 to 2022, to determine the impact of three LCC indicators (compositions, parameters, and patterns) on LSTs. The urban thermal field variance index (UTFVI) was used to describe the distribution and variation in LST. We also quantified the cooling or warming benefits of various LCCs. The results indicate that the average temperature in the land urban heat island (SUHI) area rose to 30.6 °C. The average temperature of the SUHI was 3.32 °C higher than that of the non-SUHI area, showing the characteristic of shifting to counties and multi-core development. The LST increases by 0.37–0.67 °C with an increase of 0.1 in the normalized difference building index (NDBI), which is greater than the cooling benefit of the normalized difference of vegetation index (NDVI). The impact of landscape pattern indices on impervious surfaces and water is higher than that on vegetation and cropland, with a rising influence on impervious surfaces and a decreasing impact on water. The predominant cooling patches are vegetation and water, while large areas of impervious surface and cropland aggravate UHIs for industrial and agricultural activities. These findings are intended to guide future urban layouts and planning in less-developed cities, with thermal climate mitigation as a guiding principle.

Analytical estimation of sea-level rise impacts on the freshwater lenses of elliptical islands with sloping shorelines

The vulnerability of island freshwater lenses to rising sea levels has been assessed previously using sharp-interface analytical solutions that consider islands as circular or two-dimensional strips, or the lenses are treated as entirely underlain by seawater. However, many islands do not fit these basic conditions. The current study develops an analytical solution for the freshwater-saltwater interface in elliptical islands where the interface intercepts the aquifer base, and explores (for the first time for island lenses) the applicability of a dispersion correction to the analytical solution. An analysis of the lens response to sea-level rise (SLR) and the accompanying land-surface inundation (LSI) shows that for lenses entirely underlain by seawater, the primary impact of SLR is likely the associated LSI. Counterintuitively, lenses in contact with the aquifer basement may experience an increase in the freshwater volume with SLR, although this requires that LSI is limited (e.g., the shoreline is steep) and the water table is sufficiently deep (below the land surface) to allow it to rise commensurately with SLR. The analysis also shows that as the aspect ratio of the elliptical island increases (i.e., larger values approach strip islands and circular islands have a value of 1), the lens volume decreases (for a given island area). Thus, circular islands have the maximum freshwater storage per island area. Specifically, for typical island aquifer conditions, freshwater storage decreased over 50% as a/b increased from 1 to 10. The results obtained from this study and the new analytical solution are expected to assist in the rapid assessment of the freshwater resources of elliptical-like islands.

Fault structure, seismicity, and magmatism of the Littoral Fault zone, northern South China sea: Insights from high-resolution seismic reflection data

Four destructive M7+ earthquakes and 18 M6+ earthquakes demonstrate that the Littoral Fault Zone (LFZ) is one of the most seismically active regions in the offshore area of South China. However, the location, geometry, and structural characteristics of the LFZ, which spans over 1000 km, have not been properly examined. In this study, we investigate the precise position of the LFZ offshore East Guangdong (EGD) and map the fault structure using recently acquired high-resolution multi-channel seismic (MCS) reflection data. The LFZ consists of an array of normal faults that collectively form a terraced sidewall fault zone linked to the continental rifting of the South China Sea (SCS). This fault zone is approximately 35–75 km wide and runs parallel to the shoreline. The primary faults of the LFZ EGD segment correlate to a high-gravity gradient zone and serve as the northern boundary of the Zhu-I Depression. During the syn-rift phase, the LFZ experienced significant intra-plate deformation, resulting in fault throws of up to 1000 m. This deformation was locally influenced by pre-existing structures, giving rise to a listric geometry at depth. In the post-rift period, the LFZ exhibited inherited activity along its rift-related faults. The presence of growth fault structures suggests that the LFZ remained active throughout the Cenozoic, with numerous active faults extending practically to the seafloor. The negative flower structure confirms the strike-slip character of the LFZ, which is influenced by the modern tectonic stress field. Intense multi-phase Cenozoic magmatism, including igneous intrusion, volcanism, and lava flows, has been detected in the offshore area of Nan'ao Island. The frequent earthquakes in the study area are primarily attributed to far-field stress release resulting from the subduction of the Philippine Sea Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate. Additionally, the intense magmatism weakens crustal structures, further facilitating stress release and the frequent occurrence of earthquakes.

Seroprevalence and transmission of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus in a coastal endemic area in Southeastern China

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a newly emerged tick-borne viral zoonosis and widely prevalent in China, Japan and South Korea. Most reported SFTS cases have been identified in mountainous and hilly areas, with a few in island areas. In this study, we conducted a systematic investigation about natural infection of SFTS virus (SFTSV) among humans, animals and ticks in a coastal endemic prefecture, containing island, plains and mountain settings, in Zhejiang Province, Southeastern China. From July 2020 to June 2021, 1117 participants completed a survey with questionnaire interview and serum testing. Meanwhile, 862 serum samples of domestic animals, 275 spleen tissue samples of wild animals and 829 ticks representing five species (predominantly Haemaphysalis longicornis and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato) were collected. The seroprevalence of anti-SFTSV total antibody and IgM antibody among the participants was 4.8 % (54/1117) and 0.6 % (7/1117), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that living in the island area (OR=2.66; 95 %CI: 1.04–6.80; P = 0.041) was significantly associated with seropositivity of total antibody to SFTSV. Furthermore, a higher seroprevalence was observed in domestic animals (36.1 %), while the SFTSV-RNA infection rate was 0.4 % in wild animals and the minimum infection rate (MIR) was 0.8 % for all tick species combined. The only tick species infected with SFTSV was H. longicornis. The prevalence of SFTSV infection in the island area, manifested by anti-SFTSV total antibody (P = 0.012) and IgM antibody (P = 0.004) among humans, anti-SFTSV total antibody (P<0.001) among domestic animals, and SFTSV-RNA among ticks (P = 0.022), was significantly higher than that in the mountainous area and the plain area. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis showed that SFTSV sequences obtained from ticks in the island area were clustered with reported strains in Japan and South Korea. These results suggest that islands in the study area might be an important natural focus of SFTSV.

Three‐dimensional stratigraphic architecture, secondary pore system development and the Middle Pleistocene transition, Sandy Point area, San Salvador Island, Bahamas

AbstractThe Bahamian Archipelago has been the subject of extensive studies of stratigraphy, carbonate island morphology and diagenetic overprinting for many decades. A recently‐acquired dataset comprised of high‐resolution light detection and ranging, tightly spaced cored boreholes with image logs, thin sections, porosity and permeability measurements, and isotopic geochemical analyses provides a unique opportunity to perform detailed sequence stratigraphic analysis. This multi‐faceted study first establishes a new high‐resolution sequence stratigraphic framework for the Sandy Point area of San Salvador Island, encompassing six unconformity bound sequences (exposure surfaces) representing varying lengths of missing time. The stratigraphically lowest sequence is Late Pliocene in age and is dominated by reef facies capped by an extensive laminar caliche that represents 1.5 million years of exposure. The overlying Early Pleistocene is split into two sequences, EP1 and EP2, which are both dominated by low‐energy subtidal facies. The upper three sequences are tied to the Marine Isotope Stage 11, 9 and 5e interglacials, and are distinctly different in facies composition and architecture, being dominated by higher energy facies distributed in a more complex mosaic. The new stratigraphic framework highlights significant changes in depositional style and facies architecture that can be linked to increasing sea‐level amplitude oscillations and greater climate gradient at the Mid Pleistocene Transition. The well‐constrained framework is then used to provide key context for observed complex diagenetic evolution through repeated sea‐level inundation and subaerial exposure. These results suggest that well‐developed subaerial exposure surfaces drive increases in non‐matrix features in the subsequent stratigraphic package following exposure as the well‐cemented exposure surface acts to concentrate fluid flow and dissolution. Integration of non‐matrix features within this framework highlights the importance of dissolution/cementation patterns on formation of these modified unconformity surfaces for focusing later meteoric diagenesis and creating enhanced fluid flow pathways for continued multicyclic diagenetic events.

Economic Valuation of Mangrove Forest Ecosystem in Waidoba Island, South Kayoa District, South Halmahera Regency

Mangrove Forest ecosystems have distinctive characteristics and forms and have functions and benefits as development resources both as economic resources and ecological resources that have long been felt by the Indonesian people, especially for the people who live around that area. This research aims to identify the types of utilization of mangrove forest ecosystems and to analyze the total economic value of mangrove forest ecosystems in the area of Waidoba Island, South Kayoa District, South Halmahera Regency. The sampling method in this study used a purposive sampling method. Based on the results identification of the benefits and functions of the mangrove forest ecosystem in Waidoba Island area, Kayoa Selatan District, that there were (4) four types of mangrove forest ecosystem benefits, namely (1) direct benefits (2) indirect benefits, (3) optional benefits and (4) benefits of existence. While the results of costs and benefits of the total economic value of mangrove forest ecosystem in Waidoba Island area of South Kayoa District were obtained Rp. Rp.170.520.720.104/year or Rp.418.014.659,-/ha/year. This total economic value was the benefit value of mangrove forest ecosystem that utilized by the community covering an area of 407.93 Ha.

Island biogeography of mixed‐species bird flocks: A gregarious nuclear species influences island area effects

AbstractAimIsland biogeography theory has been extended to include various species interactions, but has yet to consider intraguild mutualisms. We compare species‐area relationships for mixed‐species flocks to those for the entire bird community and determine how ‘nuclear’ species, those important to flock formation or cohesion, which often have functional traits such as intraspecific gregariousness, influence flock species richness. We hypothesized that mixed flocks would only form on large islands where nuclear species are present. On the subset of larger islands, we expected flock species richness to rise with island area, reflecting a larger pool of species.LocationThirty‐one islands of varying area in the reservoir system of Thousand Island Lake, China.TaxonThe resident forest bird community and its subcomponent of flock participants. Similar to elsewhere in southern China, the primary nuclear species was Huet's Fulvetta (Alcippe hueti), which averaged 20 individuals per flock, and led the flocks when present.MethodsBirds were surveyed in the winter of 2017 and the autumn of 2021.ResultsThe probability for a flock to be present, and the species richness of birds per transect, increased with island area, but the species richness of flocks did not. Flocks with Huet's Fulvetta were only found on islands larger than 30 ha. Flocks on smaller islands formed around secondary nuclear species typical of northern Chinese flocks.Main ConclusionGregariousness as a functional trait may make nuclear species more susceptible to disappearing in small fragments, leading to flock collapse. The extreme gregariousness of fulvettas may also act to increase competition in the flocks they lead and limit the flocks' species richness. We encourage further comparisons of the species‐area curves of mixed‐species flocks and whole bird communities to better understand the influence of flocks on community assembly and species diversity.

Deformation Anomalies Accompanying Tsunami Origins near the Japanese Islands

In the paper, we analyze laser strainmeter data for the period from 2014 to 2022 to identify deformation anomalies that led to the generation of tsunamis in the area of the Japanese Islands. It is impossible to determine the main characteristics of a tsunami from the deformation anomaly registered by the laser strainmeter, but it is possible to calculate the seabed displacement in the epicenter of a tsunami formation, which causes the tsunami. We have established that the relationship between the registered deformation anomalies and the seabed displacement in the tsunami source in the area of the Japanese Islands is similar to the same relationships found in other regions of the Earth (Indonesia, Latin America, and the West Coast of North America). This result allows us to assert that such a relationship should be typical of any region of the Earth. The obtained results are aimed at solving the problem of reliable short-term tsunami forecasting, which allows for the avoidance of false alarms that lead to significant socio-economic damage.

Spatial–Temporal Characteristics of Semen Quality in Infertile Men in Wenzhou, China during 2010–2018

Background. Declining semen quality has become one of the most serious public health problems worldwide; however, the spatial–temporal characteristics of semen quality of infertile men remain unknown. Objective. To explore spatial–temporal characteristics of semen quality of infertile men in Wenzhou from 2010 to 2018 and thereby provide a scientific basis for development of strategies to enhance male reproductive health. Methods. We obtained 22,978 semen sample data from 2010 to 2018 from the Reproductive Medicine Center and Urology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University in Wenzhou, China. Linear regression analyses and spatial autocorrelation analyses were used to study spatial–temporal characteristics of semen quality parameters. Results. Overall, from 2010 to 2018, mean values for total sperm number and semen volume showed linear increasing trends, and mean values for total sperm motility showed linear decreasing trend (all P &lt; 0.05 ). Cold spot analyses of progressive sperm motility, total sperm motility, and normal sperm forms were also in main urban area of Wenzhou (Lucheng District, Ouhai District, Longwan District, and Dongtou District) and hot spot were also in nonmain urban area of Wenzhou (mainly including Taishun County, Pingyang County, and Wencheng County). However, hot spot analyses of total sperm number and semen volume were mainly in Dongtou District. Conclusions. The main urban area is the “harder-hit area” of semen quality, while for the islands area is the “high-withdrawal area.” Government departments need to pay more attention to improve male reproductive health in the main urban areas and actively control the potential influencing factors of male reproductive health, such as occupational exposure and life stress. Good environmental quality and plenty of seafood intake may be beneficial to semen quality.

Maritime Network Analysis Based on Geographic Information System for Water Supply Using Shipboard Seawater Desalination System

Small islands are supplied with water from underground sources, simple seawater desalination facilities, or water supply shipment. However, this water supply can be interrupted because of the sudden depletion of groundwater, as groundwater level prediction is inaccurate. Additionally, seawater desalination facilities are difficult to maintain, resulting in frequent breakdowns. When the water tank capacity is below a certain level, island residents contact the water supply shipment manager to request a shipment from land. In Korea, a seawater desalination plant project using ships was newly attempted to solve the water supply problem for island regions. Through this project, an attempt was made to supply water to many island areas suffering water supply disruptions due to drought. The purpose of this study is to compare water supply routes to multiple island regions using existing water supply shipment with desalination plants on ships through network analysis based on a geographic information system. To optimize sailing route, length (m), road connection type, and name of each road section, actual operation data, distance, etc., were set up on a network dataset and analyzed. In addition, the operational model predicted the stability of water supply using the GoldSim simulator. As a result, when sailing on the optimal route based on network analysis, the existing water supply routes could be reduced (2153 km -&gt; 968 km) by more than 55%, and operational costs can be verified to be reduced. Additionally, the validity of the network analysis results was confirmed through actual travel of the representative route.

Density and ecological drivers of free‐ranging cat abundance and activity in Madeira Island, Macaronesia

AbstractMammalian predators introduced to oceanic islands pose a significant threat to biodiversity and have led to numerous extinctions. Free‐ranging cats are particularly problematic due to their predatory habits and negative impact on conservation. However, there is limited information on the ecology and population status of free‐ranging cats in insular ecosystems, where they often represent the apex terrestrial predator. Using a peri‐urban protected area in the subtropical island of Madeira as a case study, we employed camera traps to assess the density of free‐ranging cats and investigate the ecological drivers influencing their abundance and activity in nonurban insular habitats. Based on 582 trapping‐nights, we identified 25 individual cats from 156 cat detections. Spatially explicit capture–recapture models revealed a density of 1.4 cats per km2. Cat activity was positively affected by both the proportion of rocky areas in the landscape and the distance to human resource subsidies, whereas no significant driver was found for abundance. Our results indicate that cats are highly abundant throughout the protected area and suggest that their core home ranges are associated with rocky terrain, away from the most humanized sections of the park. Free‐ranging cats do not appear to heavily rely on anthropogenic food sources, signaling that they may rely mostly on wild prey to fulfill their dietary needs. Their preference for rocky areas could be explained by the increased availability of shelter and prey, such as the Madeira wall lizard (Teira dugesii). Notably, cat abundance and activity were particularly high in the vicinity of the only known breeding colony of the locally threatened Manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) on Madeira Island. Our findings suggest that cats pose a significant threat to the native vertebrate fauna of the protected area and thus their management, particularly during the breeding season of the Manx shearwater, should be considered.

Large Earthquakes Recurrence Time in the Kefalonia Transform Fault Zone (KTFZ), Greece: Results from a physics-based simulator approach

Large earthquakes mean recurrence time (Tr) on specific fault segments is one of the primary input parameters for developing long-term Earthquake Rupture Forecast (ERF) models in a specific time span considering either a time-independent or an elastic rebound motivated renewal assumption. An attempt is made to define Tr on the major fault segments comprised in Kefalonia Transform Fault Zone (KTFZ), which is an active boundary demarcating from the west the area of central Ionian Islands, namely Lefkada and Kefalonia, and is associated with remarkably high seismic activity. Frequent large (Mw ≥ 6.0) earthquakes are reported to have caused severe damage during the last six centuries. Although the number of large earthquakes (including both historical and instrumental) is satisfactory enough for regional hazard studies, their number become very limited when they are subdivided into subsets assigned to specific fault segments. Physics-based earthquake simulators are approaches to overcome recurrence intervals shortage, due to their ability to generate long lasting earthquake catalogs. The application of a physics-based simulatorn the KTFZ, is attemped upon a detailed fault network model and implemented multiple times and with a wide range of input parameters, aiming at the definition of the most representative simulated catalog in respect to the observed regional seismicity. The most representative simulated catalog is finally used for investigating the recurrence behavior of large (Mw ≥ 6.0) earthquakes and assessing whether the renewal model performs better that the Poisson model, after considering both individual and multiple ruptured segments scenarios.