Boundary Delimitation Research Articles

Why Joint Development Agreement Is the Preferred Model for Settling the Kenya–Somalia Maritime Boundary Dispute

ABSTRACTThis policy brief delves into the procedures surrounding maritime zone disputes under UNCLOS and assesses their efficacy in settling prolonged maritime disputes that involve straddling natural resources and livelihoods in the context of Kenya–Somalia. Given the rise in maritime border disputes across Africa, the brief further examines the use of joint development agreements (JDAs) as a temporary measure for resolving such disputes. It analyzes the challenges associated with using JDAs to address maritime boundary delimitations, their impact on peace and security, and their relationship with local contexts, particularly concerning straddling natural resources and livelihoods. Ultimately, the brief aims to offer practical recommendations for resolving prolonged maritime disputes between neighboring states in Africa, with an emphasis on Kenya and Somalia.

Organisms with high dispersal ability as a proxy for biogeographical characterisation of the Mediterranean biome

The Mediterranean biome offers a diverse range of habitats, particularly rocky environments, known for their long-term stability and persistence. Adapted to these rocky surfaces, chasmophytes thrive in this region, benefiting from reduced competition and human interference. The distribution of stress-tolerant cryptogams with generally broad niches represents a significant gap in the biogeography of the region. This study investigates whether complex symbiotic organisms with a potential for long-distance dispersal could serve as biogeographic indicators for delimitation of the Mediterranean biome's boundaries. Through comprehensive chorology data research, saxicolous lichen congeners of the genus Solenopsora were mapped across the Mediterranean Basin as a model area. Environmental predictors (climate and geology) were employed to predict suitable habitats, shedding light on the lichens' ecological niches. Habitat suitability models consistently aligned with the Mediterranean's geographical area, indicating a tight link between lichen distribution and Mediterranean climate classification. While climate change may pose vulnerabilities, no significant range shifts beyond the latitudinal limit of the Mediterranean were predicted. Despite overlapping climatic niches, differences in microhabitat preferences in terms of insolation were observed among studied taxa. Vulnerable regions with potential habitat decreases were identified under future scenarios, emphasizing the importance of environmental heterogeneity in securing local species persistence. This study supports the hypothesis that these lichen symbiotic systems are restricted to the Mediterranean Basin, highlighting their potential to reflect Mediterranean climate, environmental stability, and indicate the boundaries of the Mediterranean biome. Our investigation demonstrates that collection-based research can yield significant contributions to current biogeography.

Grey Areas in Maritime Delimitation

Abstract This article considers some recent jurisprudence in maritime boundary delimitation that results in the creation of ‘grey areas’. Such grey areas have generated uncertainty in practice, specifically concerning claims to entitlements and the rights that States may exercise in such areas. The article reviews the two Bay of Bengal cases (International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea 2012 and the Annex VII Tribunal 2014) and two cases before the International Court of Justice (Somalia v. Kenya 2021; Nicaragua v. Colombia 2023), indicating the need for delimitation of maritime areas and legal rights to reflect the ‘physical reality at the time of delimitation’.

Eastern Mediterranean Maritime Boundary Delimitation: The Claims of the State of Palestine under UNCLOS

The 2015 accession of Palestine to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) has implications for the rights and obligations of Eastern Mediterranean States. Palestine’s maritime entitlements under UNCLOS are almost two and a half times the land area of Gaza in the form of a territorial sea. Palestine’s maritime sovereign rights may extend up to 200 NM offshore Gaza within the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf with tremendous economic potential. This article examines Palestine maritime claims under UNCLOS and the corresponding delimitation process. It argues that the application of UNCLOS in the East Mediterranean region may contribute to an equitable settlement of the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Maritime Boundaries after Delimitation

Abstract Legal scholars who have researched delimitation of maritime boundaries have generally restricted their inquiry to the stage leading to the drawing of the line and its incorporation into a treaty or judicial decision. This approach, however, cannot account for the fact that, sometimes, treaties and decisions will not be applied and may be contested by one or both parties to the boundary dispute. This article starts an inquiry into maritime boundaries after delimitation, examining the rules that may apply and drawing conclusions not only on the need to develop further rules addressing consequent stages, but also to probably think again the existing rules concerning the previous stages.

Contrast-enhanced US in Renal Transplant Complications: Overview and Imaging Features.

Renal transplant is the first-line treatment of end-stage renal disease. The increasing number of transplants performed every year has led to a larger population of transplant patients. Complications may arise during the perioperative and postoperative periods, and imaging plays a key role in this scenario. Contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) is a safe tool that adds additional value to US. Contrast agents are usually administered intravenously, but urinary tract anatomy and complications such as stenosis or leak can be studied using intracavitary administration of contrast agents. Assessment of the graft and iliac vessels with CEUS is particularly helpful in identifying vascular and parenchymal complications, such as arterial or venous thrombosis and stenosis, acute tubular injury, or cortical necrosis, which can lead to graft loss. Furthermore, infectious and malignant graft involvement can be accurately studied with CEUS, which can help in detection of renal abscesses and in the differentiation between benign and malignant disease. CEUS is also useful in interventional procedures, helping to guide percutaneous aspiration of collections with better delimitation of the graft boundaries and to guide renal graft biopsies by avoiding avascular areas. Potential postprocedural vascular complications, such as pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula, or active bleeding, are identified with CEUS. In addition, newer quantification tools such as CEUS perfusion are promising, but further studies are needed to approve its use for clinical purposes. ©RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article.

Faktor Keberhasilan Delimitasi Batas Zona Ekonomi Eksklusif (ZEE) antara Indonesia dan Filipina

This paper discusses factors underlying the success of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) boundary delimitation between Indonesia and the Philippines. This paper uses issue-level approach from the literature on territorial disputes which focus on the interaction between territoriality and visibility factors in shaping the dynamics of territorial disputes. According to this approach, disputes over territory that is not salient in terms of its tangible/intangible value but is visible to domestic audience are more likely to be settled peacefully because the government is likely to face pressure from the domestic audience to settle the dispute and the low salience of the territory increase the possibility for peaceful settlement. This paper found that this also applies in the case of Indonesia and the Philippines. The undelimited EEZ between Indonesia and the Philippines is not salient but the increase visibility of this issue contributes to the immediate completion of boundary delimitation between the two countries peacefully.

Law of the Sea Dispute Settlement in the Eastern Mediterranean with Particular Reference to the Delimitation of Palestine’s Maritime Boundaries: Negotiation, Conciliation, Arbitration, or Adjudication?

Abstract Palestine currently holds contractual relations with 167 States under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. unclos’s dispute settlement mechanisms might vary depending on the process States have opted for. In order to pick a preferred mechanism, a State Party should deposit a declaration with the UN Secretary-General. As it did not file any such declaration, Palestine is deemed to have accepted arbitration by default. However, Palestine can still deposit a declaration to choose other procedures and therefore open the possibility to resort to the International Court of Justice, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, or a special arbitration. Yet, the neighboring States have different approaches. While Egypt has cast opposition to arbitration regarding boundary delimitation, Israel is not a Party to unclos and does not recognize its settlement mechanisms. How can disputes be resolved? Would conciliation work? What are exit channels? This article answers such questions.

New shortcut for boundary delimitation and functional zoning of national parks based on keystone species in China: A case study of kunlun mountains national park

National parks in China play a vital role in preserving biodiversity, protecting endangered species, maintaining ecological balance, and promoting sustainable development amid global biodiversity decline. Boundary delimitation and functional zoning within these parks are crucial for preserving ecosystem integrity and species diversity. In the case study of Kunlun Mountains National Park (KMNP, Qinghai section), an extensive wildlife background survey yielded 4,523 occurrence records (3,921 after optimization) for 16 nationally protected wildlife species. Using the ecological niche model, this study aimed to explore the boundary range, functional zoning, and protection gap areas within KMNP by simulating the suitable spatial distribution of wildlife species, taking into account their protection and endangered statuses. The findings indicated that the primary habitat for key protected species in KMNP mainly occupied meadow and steppe in terms of vegetation types, along with grassland and unused land in terms of land use types, with average annual precipitation from 200 mm to 400 mm, elevations ranging from 4,100 m to 4,700 m, and average annual temperatures from −4.5℃ to −2℃. The suitable distribution of different wildlife species in the Kunlun Mountains area showed variations, mainly concentrated in the southwestern, central, and southeastern regions. The optimized KMNP covered around 49,800 km2, a 16.3 % reduction from the selected area, with the core protection zone at 16,300 km2 and the general control zone at 33,200 km2. The suitability of 93.75 % (15/16) species within the core protection area of KMNP was higher comparing to the optimized area, selected area, and Mangya-Golmud-Dulan area, indicating that the boundary delimitation and functional zoning of KMNP were highly rational. The boundary range and functional zoning method developed in this study provide a crucial scientific foundation for KMNP's conservation and management, and valuable guidance for national park construction, ecosystem preservation, biodiversity conservation, and the promotion of key species' reproduction and survival on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with promising future applications.

Indonesia vs. Malaysia: The Battle for Border Territory Resolved

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the resolution of the longstanding border dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia. The study delves into the complex dynamics of this conflict, offering insights into its historical context, the key issues at stake, and the eventual resolution reached between the two nations. The Indonesia-Malaysia border dispute has been a contentious issue for decades, marked by conflicting territorial claims and occasional tensions between the two neighboring countries. Rooted in historical and geopolitical factors, the dispute has encompassed various regions along the land border, including areas rich in natural resources and strategic importance. This paper examines the factors that fueled the dispute, ranging from historical grievances to economic interests and geopolitical considerations. It explores how these factors influenced the negotiation process and shaped the positions of both Indonesia and Malaysia. Central to the analysis is the discussion of the diplomatic efforts and mechanisms employed to address the dispute. From bilateral negotiations to third-party mediation, the paper evaluates the effectiveness of different approaches in facilitating dialogue and fostering cooperation between the two nations. Furthermore, the paper highlights the role of international law and norms in guiding the resolution process. It assesses how principles of territorial sovereignty, boundary delimitation, and peaceful dispute resolution were applied in reaching a mutually acceptable agreement. Finally, the study discusses the outcome of the resolution and its implications for Indonesia, Malaysia, and the broader region. It examines the terms of the agreement, including any concessions made by either party, and considers the potential impact on bilateral relations, economic development, and regional stability. By providing a nuanced analysis of the Indonesia-Malaysia border dispute and its resolution, this paper contributes to a deeper understanding of interstate conflicts and the mechanisms available for their peaceful resolution in Southeast Asia.

An integrative delimitation of the species boundaries within one hornbeam species complex (Betulaceae: Carpinus)

AbstractBoth hybridization and intraspecific morphological variation across environmental gradients complicate species delineation. We aimed to discern both possibilities that may blur species boundaries in the Carpinus viminea–Carpinus laxiflora–Carpinus londoniana species complex. We conducted statistical analyses on 535 specimens encompassing the entire distribution of this species complex to identify phenotypic clusters. Additionally, we analyzed genetic divergence and probable hybridization between clusters using 76 individuals from 37 populations. Based on phenotypic and genetic clusters, we tentatively recognized four species: C. viminea, C. fargesii, C. laxiflora, and C. londoniana. Except for rare overlapping distributions between C. fargesii and C. londoniana, the redefined four species are mostly allopatric to each another based on their distributions. The morphological delimitation, species boundary and distribution of each species differ distinctly from past taxonomic treatments. For example, specimens previously identified under C. viminea, in fact, belong to three different species. Hybrids between C. fargesii and C. londoniana exhibit morphological traits similar to C. viminea, thereby contributing to difficulties in determining species boundaries and outlining species distributions. These findings suggest that local selection and geographical isolation may together have promoted both phenotypic and genetic divergences within this species complex. However, interspecific hybridization blurs species boundaries by producing hybrids with phenotypic similarity in addition to intraspecific variation. This study emphasizes the importance of statistical analyses of population‐level morphological and genetic variations across major distributional ranges for an integrative delimitation of species boundaries and the identification of hybridization and hybrids.

Tree ring segmentation using UNEt TRansformer neural network on stained microsections for quantitative wood anatomy.

Forests are critical in the terrestrial carbon cycle, and the knowledge of their response to ongoing climate change will be crucial for determining future carbon fluxes and climate trajectories. In areas with contrasting seasons, trees form discrete annual rings that can be assigned to calendar years, allowing to extract valuable information about how trees respond to the environment. The anatomical structure of wood provides highly-resolved information about the reaction and adaptation of trees to climate. Quantitative wood anatomy helps to retrieve this information by measuring wood at the cellular level using high-resolution images of wood micro-sections. However, whereas large advances have been made in identifying cellular structures, obtaining meaningful cellular information is still hampered by the correct annual tree ring delimitation on the images. This is a time-consuming task that requires experienced operators to manually delimit ring boundaries. Classic methods of automatic segmentation based on pixel values are being replaced by new approaches using neural networks which are capable of distinguishing structures, even when demarcations require a high level of expertise. Although neural networks have been used for tree ring segmentation on macroscopic images of wood, the complexity of cell patterns in stained microsections of broadleaved species requires adaptive models to accurately accomplish this task. We present an automatic tree ring boundary delineation using neural networks on stained cross-sectional microsection images from beech cores. We trained a UNETR, a combined neural network of UNET and the attention mechanisms of Visual Transformers, to automatically segment annual ring boundaries. Its accuracy was evaluated considering discrepancies with manual segmentation and the consequences of disparity for the goals of quantitative wood anatomy analyses. In most cases (91.8%), automatic segmentation matched or improved manual segmentation, and the rate of vessels assignment to annual rings was similar between the two categories, even when manual segmentation was considered better. The application of convolutional neural networks-based models outperforms human operator segmentations when confronting ring boundary delimitation using specific parameters for quantitative wood anatomy analysis. Current advances on segmentation models may reduce the cost of massive and accurate data collection for quantitative wood anatomy.

Urban Interior Boundaries Delimitation Respecting to Human Mobility

Urban Interior Boundaries Delimitation Respecting to Human Mobility

Integration of AWEI and Otsu Threshold Algorithms for Maritime Boundary Delimitation: A Case Study of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict in the Sea of Azov

Since the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, Russia and Ukraine, newly independent, face complexities concerning the legal status and demarcation of the Sea of Azov. Spanning approximately 37,600 km2 with a maximum depth of 14 meters, this sea holds pivotal resources such as fish, gas, and oil, serving as a significant dividing point between these nations. Maritime boundary delineation, often set at 12 nautical miles from the baseline, is complex due to the sea's intricate coastline and small islands. Some coastal areas have distances less than 24 nautical miles, causing boundary overlaps. Russia and Ukraine have cited UNCLOS Article 298, exempting UNCLOS dispute resolution for the Sea of Azov's demarcation. This study aims to assess the AWEI and Otsu thresholding algorithms' efficacy in defining the maritime boundary between Russia and Ukraine in the Sea of Azov, utilizing 'LANDSAT/LC08/C02/T1_L2' data. It also aims to comprehend the geopolitical and conflict resolution implications of delineating maritime boundaries aligned with UNCLOS 1982 for both countries and wider regions. The AWEI algorithm consistently maps coastlines, while Otsu thresholding facilitates automated image segmentation, yielding 117 base points covering 13,331 km2 (Russia) and 21,749 km2 (Ukraine) within the EEZ, based on equidistant and median base point analysis.

Diaporthe species on palms – integrative taxonomic approach for species boundaries delimitation in the genus Diaporthe, with the description of D. pygmaeae sp. nov.

The application of traditional morphological and ecological species concepts to closely related, asexual fungal taxa is challenging due to the lack of distinctive morphological characters and frequent cosmopolitan and plurivorous behaviour. As a result, multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) has become a powerful and widely used tool to recognise and delimit independent evolutionary lineages (IEL) in fungi. However, MLSA can mask discordances in individual gene trees and lead to misinterpretation of speciation events. This phenomenon has been extensively documented in Diaporthe, and species identifications in this genus remains an ongoing challenge. However, the accurate delimitation of Diaporthe species is critical as the genus encompasses several cosmopolitan pathogens that cause serious diseases on many economically important plant hosts. In this regard, following a survey of palm leaf spotting fungi in Lisbon, Portugal, Diaporthe species occurring on Arecaceae hosts were used as a case study to implement an integrative taxonomic approach for a reliable species identification in the genus. Molecular analyses based on the genealogical concordance phylogenetic species recognition (GCPSR) and DNA-based species delimitation methods revealed that speciation events in the genus have been highly overestimated. Most IEL identified by the GCPSR were also recognised by Poisson tree processes (PTP) coalescent-based methods, which indicated that phylogenetic lineages in Diaporthe are likely influenced by incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) and reticulation events. Furthermore, the recognition of genetic recombination signals and the evaluation of genetic variability based on sequence polymorphisms reinforced these hypotheses. New clues towards the intraspecific variation in the common loci used for phylogenetic inference of Diaporthe species are discussed. These results demonstrate that intraspecific variability has often been used as an indicator to introduce new species in Diaporthe, which has led to a proliferation of species names in the genus. Based on these data, 53 species are reduced to synonymy with 18 existing Diaporthe species, and a new species, D. pygmaeae, is introduced. Thirteen new plant host-fungus associations are reported, all of which represent new host family records for Arecaceae. This study has recognised and resolved a total of 14 valid Diaporthe species associated with Arecaceae hosts worldwide, some of which are associated with disease symptoms. This illustrates the need for more systematic research to examine the complex of Diaporthe taxa associated with palms and determine their potential pathogenicity. By implementing a more rational framework for future studies on species delimitation in Diaporthe, this study provides a solid foundation to stabilise the taxonomy of species in the genus. Guidelines for species recognition, definition and identification in Diaporthe are included.

When colors mislead: Genomics and bioacoustics prompt re-classification of Asian flycatcher radiation (Aves: Niltavinae)

Traditional classification of many animals, including birds, has been highly dependent on external morphological characters like plumage coloration. However, both bioacoustics and genetic or genomic data have revolutionized our understanding of the relationships of certain lineages and led to sweeping taxonomic re-organizations. In this study, we present a case of erroneous delimitation of genus boundaries in the species-rich flycatcher subfamily Niltavinae. Genera within this subfamily have historically been delineated based on blue versus brown male body plumage until recent studies based on a few mitochondrial and nuclear loci unearthed several cases of generic misclassification. Here we use extensive bioacoustic data from 43 species and genomic data from 28 species for a fundamental reclassification of species in the Niltavinae. Our study reveals that song is an important trait to classify these birds even at the genus level, whereas plumage traits exhibit ample convergence and have led to numerous historic misattributions. Our taxonomic re-organization leads to new biogeographic limits of major genera, such that the genus Cyornis now only extends as far east as the islands of Sulawesi, Sula, and Banggai, whereas Eumyias is redefined to extend far beyond Wallace’s Line to the islands of Seram and Timor. Our conclusions advise against an over-reliance on morphological traits and underscore the importance of integrative datasets.

New Challenges on the Maritime Boundaries Delimitation Dispute Between Greece and Albania in the Corfu Channel

The Albanian-Greek maritime border in the Straits of Corfu region and the Ionian Sea reflects a complicated geographical, historical, and political reality, which constitutes a special characteristic of the Balkan Peninsula coastal region as a whole. For many centuries, the navigational routes of the Strait of Otranto and the Corfu Channel were characterized as important strategic, military, and commercial seaways for the ancient peoples of the region. In this respect, even though the Albanian-Greek southern border region has been at the center of conflicts and disagreements between these countries for many years, the problem is not thought to be completely related to the specific delimitation of the maritime borderline. The interstate maritime boundary is official and internationally recognized and is shown on all official political maps as an international borderline. The Albanian-Greek borderline is a product that came as a result of the Balkan Wars and the First World War, in which there was a great involvement and influence of the Great Powers’ diplomacy. Nowadays, the possibility of Albania-Greece interstate conflicts over the southern border area and maritime borders exists. In this context, ethnographic complexity is considered problematic due to the existence of the Greek minority in Albania, as well as Albanian immigrants living in Greece. On the other hand, the natural resources that possess the maritime regions of the Corfu Channel and the Ionian Sea are another reason for the dispute over the maritime border. However, according to US security institutions, these cross-border disputes between these states may only remain at the political level and not degrade further.

Bibliometric Analysis of Five Decades Research Progress on Boundary Delimitation

Boundary delimitation (BD) is essential for determining and identifying boundaries between different regions. To thoroughly understand boundary delimitation (BD) and the current research focus, this research uses a bibliometric analysis method to evaluate the most relevant themes related to BD from 1972 to 2022. This study uses the keyword "boundary delimitation" as input and relies on the Scopus database as the ideal data source for this study. To analyze the data, VOSviewer software was used to visualize a network of authors, countries, journals, and keywords. On June 8, 2023, an analysis of 611 documents from various types of scientific papers was carried out. The research findings show that in the last 24 years, there has been a significant increase in the number of publications discussing boundary delimitation (BD). The United States is a leader in BD research, with the world's most significant contribution to publications. The Journal of the Geography of Exclusion is one of the leading journals in BD publications. Keyword analysis shows that studies of BD in the last five decades have focused on topics such as maritime boundaries, the law of the sea, territory purchasing methodologies, Eurasia, and China.

The use of old demarcations to recover vanished landscapes: a case study in Doñana (SW Spain)

This study emphasises the value of surveys, demarcations, and boundary delimitations in uncovering vanished landscapes and understanding the origins of present ecosystems, with a particular focus on Doñana, Spain. A 1661 delimitation was examined providing detailed information on the state of vegetation and ecosystems at the time it was conducted, as well as the processes and disappearance of elements now buried under the mobile dunes. This information was combined with historical maps and documents to gain a better understanding of the area’s ecological history. The demarcation revealed previously unknown aspects, such as the penetration point of the mobile dunes, some vanished ponds, and the drainage of the Santa Olalla pond towards the sea. It also revealed lost and relocated place names, shedding light on their significance through additional historical research and fieldwork. The findings highlight the importance of demarcations in reconstructing vanished landscapes and understanding the genesis of current ecosystems.

DISPUTE SETTLEMENT MECHANISMS UNDER THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA 1982: THE WAY FORWARD FOR MALDIVES

The maritime boundary delimitation judgment by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea between Mauritius and the Maldives was the first Maldivian dispute settled at an international court or tribunal. Regrettably, misinterpretation and misinformation regarding international laws and the Maldivian domestic laws related to the dispute became prevalent among the Maldivian community. One of the core concerns that need to be addressed is how Maldives got subjected to a legally binding dispute settlement mechanism concerning a dispute that was initially regarding the sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago between two other States, namely: Mauritius and the United Kingdom. Additionally, it is important to determine whether Maldives has any other legal means to safeguard its maritime zones from future maritime disputes. The main objective of this paper is to explore the dispute settlement mechanisms under Part XV of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOSC) and determine how these provisions can be utilised to safeguard the Maldivian maritime zones. This research is primarily a doctrinal legal research. Firstly, the article outlines the provisions under Part XV of the LOSC whilst exploring its drafting history. Next, the article analyses the optional exception on maritime delimitation under LOSC Article 298(1)(a) and its significance to the Maldivian situation. It suggests that considering the undelimited outer continental shelves of Maldives, Maldives should consider declaring an optional exception under LOSC Article 298(1)(a). The article concludes that optional declarations serve as safeguards against premature and costly dispute resolution.