Field Data Collection Research Articles

Active few-shot learning for rare bioacoustic feature annotation

The collection and annotation of bioacoustic data present several challenges to researchers. Bioacoustic monitoring of rare (sparse) or cryptic species generally encounter two main issues. The cost of collecting and processing field data and a lack of labelled datasets for the target species. The detection of invasive species incursions and probability of absence testing is especially challenging due to these species having population densities at or close to zero. We present a methodology specifically designed to aid in the analysis of rare acoustic events within long-term field recordings. This approach combines a wavelet-based segmentation method that automatically extracts transient features from within-field recordings. A few-shot active learning recommender system in a human-in-the-loop process prioritises the annotation of low-certainty samples. This process combines the accuracy of human classification and the speed of computational tools to greatly reduce the presence of non-target features in field recordings. We evaluate this approach using an invasive species identification case study. This methodology achieves a test accuracy of 98.4% as well as 81.2% test accuracy using 2-shot, 2-way prototypical learning without fine-tuning, demonstrating high performance at varying data availability contexts. Active learning using low-certainty samples achieves >90% test accuracy using only 20 training samples compared to 80 samples without active learning. This approach allows users to train custom audio classification models for any application with rare features. The model can be easily exported for use in the field making real-time bioacoustic monitoring of less-vocal species a possibility. All code and data are available at https://github.com/Listening-Lab/Annotator.

ETHNOMATHEMATICS EXPLORATION OF THE ISTIQLAL MOSQUE JAKARTA

Ethnomathematics is a branch of mathematical study that was developed in a cultural context. This research aims to explore the concept of ethnomathematics in the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta. The method used is descriptive exploratory with an ethnographic approach, which aims to explore information thoroughly to describe and analyze cultural elements in society. Data collection techniques include two types, namely library data collection through literature studies and field data collection through observation and documentation. The collected data is then analyzed using the data reduction method, which involves sorting, centralizing, and simplifying information. The results of the study show that the structure and ornaments of the Istiqlal Mosque Jakarta contain various flat and spatial structures, such as half-spheres, tubes, rectangles, and circles. Keywords: Ethnomathematics, Geometry, Istiqlal Mosque Jakarta

Analysis of Micro Hydro Potential as A New Renewable Energy Source

Electricity demand in Indonesia is currently increasing along with population growth, economic growth, and development. This increase can lead to an energy crisis if it is not accompanied by the provision of additional power plants. This study aims to analyze the micro-hydro potential located at Bangkong Waterfall, Kuningan Regency. The research uses a quantitative approach that begins with field surveys and data collection from relevant agencies. Next, the dependable discharge analysis uses the Thiessen polygon method based on rainfall data and watershed area, as well as flow discharge analysis using the rational method. The results of calculations using the Thiessen polygon method and the rational method yield Q80 with a minimum discharge of 0.009 m³/d and a maximum discharge of 1.160 m³/d. For direct discharge analysis, the Float method is used to calibrate the calculation results with field conditions. The direct discharge analysis using the Float method yields 0.32 m³/d. Based on the efficiency considerations of the micro-hydro power plant (MHPP) components such as a head of 20 meters, turbine type efficiency, water density, gravity factor, and flow discharge in the pipe of 0.109 m³/d, the potential power that can be generated at the Bangkong Waterfall micro-hydro power plant is 16,097.23 Watts or 16.097 Kilowatts.

Performance Evaluation of Farm Machinery Utilization Under Custom Hiring Services Managements

Farm machinery hire service is a custom hiring business model managed by farmers’ groups at the farm level. The model is developed to facilitate access to farm machinery by small farmers and derive income (profit) from hiring out machinery services. This research attempts to evaluate the performance of farm machinery hire services in the Indragiri Hulu Region, Riau Province. The field surveys were conducted from September to October 2022 in 11 districts in the province. A total of 11 managers and 22 operators from 11 farm machinery hire service groups were selected purposively and interviewed to collect field data. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and quantitative approaches. The results showed that farm machinery hire service groups manage 3 to 6 types of machines, including hand tractors, mini tractors, water pumps, rice transplanters, combine harvesters, and power threshers. The available farm machines are not sufficient to cover the entire area owned by farm machinery hire service groups. Therefore, most machines must work beyond capacity to achieve the target of covering as wide an area as possible. The machinery hire service was profitable for businesses at the farm level in the region. The results suggest that the number and type of farm machines must be added to increase the working area and make more profit. Keywords: Economic performance, Farm machinery hire services, Performance evaluation, Technical performance, Working area.

Developing a habitat suitability index with field data and hydraulic models

AbstractLinking habitat availability with hydraulic models integrates river engineering in the ecological field. Field observation for species presence and physical habitat availability mapping is inherently limited due to time and access constraints for field data collection. This study leverages hydraulic modeling to supplement larval fish population monitoring data, effectively expanding mapped physical habitat and allowing for monitoring bias analysis. The inundation extents and character of streamflow from hydraulic modeling were used to refine habitat suitability indices relative to total habitat availability from discrete fish monitoring events. Given the flexibility in hydraulic modeling to simulate a range of flows, the habitat suitability index is then translated to an effective habitat curve according to areal inundation and hydrologic frequency. With this framework, forecasting the impacts of long‐term trends, such as geomorphic or hydrologic change, can be reasonably and quantitatively assessed. This manuscript uses a case study of Rio Grande silvery minnow monitoring at restoration sites where the floodplain has been lowered via earthwork. Comparisons are made for habitat suitability indices developed from field observation data alone and field observation supplemented by hydraulic modeling. Known biases of field sampling data (targeting slow, shallow areas where fish are most often found) were confirmed based on simulated hydraulic conditions across entire restoration sites. In the case of Rio Grande silvery minnow, a heavily studied species, such field monitoring biases are an effective use of resources. However, this framework may be helpful for assessing alternative management approaches and monitoring strategies of species that are less studied.

Design of a Stormwater Management System in Lady Irene Campus

This project aimed to design an efficient drainage system for Ndejje University's Lady Irene Campus, addressing issues of erosion and flooding exacerbated by recent construction projects. The goal was to create a hydraulic conveyance system that balances environmental protection with structural integrity and affordability. The project involved field reconnaissance, data collection, and analysis of the campus's landscape, soil types, and development trends to inform the design. Methodologically, the project used GPS surveying to create topographical maps and obtained rainfall data to size drainage facilities using the rational method. The peak runoff was calculated considering land use characteristics, while Manning’s formula was applied to design drainage channels and culverts. The design aimed to ensure high hydraulic capacity and prevent erosion with specific slope and material choices. An Environmental Impact Assessment was conducted, addressing noise, dust, water quality, waste management, and ecological impacts. Mitigation measures were recommended to minimize adverse effects during the construction and operation phases. Despite challenges such as limited access to surveying equipment and data, the project concluded with a comprehensive stormwater management plan. Recommendations include rehabilitating the university’s weather station and establishing a project database to support future planning and research. The project underscores the importance of integrating sustainable practices in urban development to safeguard environmental and infrastructural integrity.

Conservation efforts mitigate effects of human disturbance on ghost crab (Ocypode macrocera) abundance and behavior on a sandy beach in Kuakata, Bangladesh

Protected areas play a crucial role in promoting and conserving species by providing a sanctuary for wildlife and natural habitats. In coastal regions, safeguarding measures become even more significant due to the unique challenges posed by anthropogenic activities. This study focuses on the impact of human activities on beach-dwelling biota, specifically the ghost crab (Ocypode macrocera), and highlights the importance of establishing protected areas to safeguard biodiversity and counteract negative impacts on coastal ecosystems. The study was conducted in Kuakata, the coastal region in Bangladesh, known for its ghost crab population. By comparing protected with non-protected beaches, the study examines the effects of protection status on ghost crab abundance and burrow characteristics. Field observations and data collection reveal that protected beaches harbor a greater abundance of ghost crabs compared to non-protected beaches. However, while protection status significantly improves crab abundance, it does not necessarily increase the mean burrow opening size. Interestingly, protected areas show a higher number of small burrow sizes, indicating that protected beaches not only act as feeding grounds but also serve as breeding and nursery grounds for ghost crabs. These findings illustrate the multifaceted role protected areas play in supporting the entire life cycle of ghost crabs, and underscore the importance of preserving these habitats for the species' long-term survival. It highlights the importance of effective management and conservation measures to preserve the health and integrity of coastal ecosystems. By establishing and managing protected areas appropriately, we can ensure the continued existence and viability of these invaluable habitats. Specific human activities that harm coastal biodiversity can be identified to develop targeted conservation strategies. Through this study, such strategies can be developed which may include measures like restricting beach access during breeding season or implementing sustainable tourism practices to lessen the impact.

Autopilot drone in construction: A proof of concept for handling lightweight instruments and materials

Applications of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in construction have been increased in recent years mainly for purposes of automatically collecting field data. In the market, there is a growing opportunity for using UAVs in material handling. On the other side, vertical transportation in construction sites is a crucial challenge that leads to a drop in productivity efficiency. This paper presents a proof of concept for automating the lifting procedure of lightweight instruments and materials in construction sites. To do so, a platform is developed that could automatically manage material/instrument handling requests via an autopilot drone. The aircraft position is tracked with an onboard GPS module which is not accurate in urban areas. So inaccurate GPS signals could deviate the drone from the predefined path. To tackle this problem, a machine vision algorithm is utilized to calibrate the real-time position of the aircraft. A self-supervised learning algorithm is integrated into the system to handling collision avoidance during the flight. Finally, the developed methods are tested with an UAV in a real world environment to demonstrate the potentials of hiring autopilot drones in construction.

Mapping of flumioxazin tolerance in a snap bean diversity panel leads to the discovery of a master genomic region controlling multiple stress resistance genes.

Effective weed management tools are crucial for maintaining the profitable production of snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Preemergence herbicides help the crop to gain a size advantage over the weeds, but the few preemergence herbicides registered in snap bean have poor waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) control, a major pest in snap bean production. Waterhemp and other difficult-to-control weeds can be managed by flumioxazin, an herbicide that inhibits protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO). However, there is limited knowledge about crop tolerance to this herbicide. We aimed to quantify the degree of snap bean tolerance to flumioxazin and explore the underlying mechanisms. We investigated the genetic basis of herbicide tolerance using genome-wide association mapping approach utilizing field-collected data from a snap bean diversity panel, combined with gene expression data of cultivars with contrasting response. The response to a preemergence application of flumioxazin was measured by assessing plant population density and shoot biomass variables. Snap bean tolerance to flumioxazin is associated with a single genomic location in chromosome 02. Tolerance is influenced by several factors, including those that are indirectly affected by seed size/weight and those that directly impact the herbicide's metabolism and protect the cell from reactive oxygen species-induced damage. Transcriptional profiling and co-expression network analysis identified biological pathways likely involved in flumioxazin tolerance, including oxidoreductase processes and programmed cell death. Transcriptional regulation of genes involved in those processes is possibly orchestrated by a transcription factor located in the region identified in the GWAS analysis. Several entries belonging to the Romano class, including Bush Romano 350, Roma II, and Romano Purpiat presented high levels of tolerance in this study. The alleles identified in the diversity panel that condition snap bean tolerance to flumioxazin shed light on a novel mechanism of herbicide tolerance and can be used in crop improvement.

Digital Fracture Porosity Measurement using Digital Outcrop Modelling (DOM)

Abstract Fracture measurements for porosity calculations often experience problems such as barely accessible locations, limited area coverage, and a long time to carry out field data measurements. Therefore, refined alternative methods are necessary to obtain the most favourable data. This study demonstrates fracture measurements through application of Digital Outcrop Modelling (DOM) using the Structure from Motion (SfM) method to utilize digital photogrammetry techniques. This method was chosen because data collection can be done remotely using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) or digital photogrammetry to obtain point cloud data that is used to perform three-dimensional outcrop modeling. In addition, SfM also produces high-resolution data without the need for experts, is cost-efficient and safer than other methods. Hand-held platform Canon 700D digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera was used in this study to capture data from an area of a square meter located on the riverbed that requires detailed modeling. DOM using SfM is applied to conduct aperture measurements in fractures inside the scan window, later used as data for calculating basement fracture porosity predictions. Field data collection is also carried out to validate data generated by DOM. Calculations achieved from field data and DOM data will be compared to determine differences of the porosity prediction values. Field data collection was carried out on 3 scan windows, each one is an area of 1 m2 and in totals obtained 117 fracture data, consist of 44 extension joints, 34 release joints, 7 shear joints, and 32 non-systematic joints. In this study, 115 photos were taken from scanwindow 1, 162 photos from scanwindow 2, and 158 photos from scanwindow 3 to construct the DOM using agisoft metashape software. The difference in these values can be used as a correction formula or evaluation for further research. The results of measuring basement fracture porosity using data generated by DOM will remain in the range of less than 1%.

Energy consumption and thermal comfort of rock-cut and modern buildings

Energy consumption in the building sector justifies the necessity of knowing the thermal comfort perception of vernacular and modern architectural types, based on which a correct recognition was reached for the design of buildings suitable for the climatic conditions of each region. It should be determined that the different types of modern and traditional architecture are in the comfort level in harsh hot climate conditions and how much energy they consume to reach the comfort level. Despite consideration of energy consumption and thermal comfort in different buildings in Iran, there is no clear framework for evaluating these two parameters in different buildings and comparing them. This research aims to compare the indoor thermal comfort levels of vernacular architectural buildings and modern buildings in Iran's semi-hot and dry climate at the peak of summer heat and determine their energy consumption to reach the comfort level. This study has been accomplished by collecting field data, examining the indoor predicted mean vote (PMV) index of the buildings, and comparing them. It was found that rock-cut architecture buildings are in better thermal comfort conditions without energy consumption due to the use of groundmass temperature and low heat exchanges between the indoors and outdoors because of the thermal phase of the materials and the thickness of its layers. The indoor PMV average of rock-cut buildings in summer is −0.61; in modern buildings, it is 0.77, while these two building complexes are in the same climate and close. Also, the energy consumption to reach the comfort level in rock-cut buildings is zero, while modern buildings consume an average of 7.7 kW of electricity daily. The research results will lead to recognizing and modeling the climate design of vernacular architecture, which can be used in today's architecture to reduce energy consumption.

Facies of Quaternary Sediments In Bunga Village, North Luwuk District, Banggai Regency, Central Sulawesi

Abstract The distribution of Quaternary sedimentary rock deposits in Indonesia is quite extensive, and one of them is in the Quaternary coral reef units, which are evenly distributed along the eastern arm of Sulawesi. The research was conducted in Bunga Village, North Luwuk District, Banggai Regency, Central Sulawesi Province. This research was motivated by the lack of geological data, so the topic of developed facies became an interesting topic to be researched. Data was collected from a cliff at the coordinates 0053′57,57.1″N-122054′43′6″E. Stratigraphic measurements aim to determine the facies, depositional environment, and sedimentation mechanisms developed in the study area. The research was conducted using the method of field data collection and laboratory analysis. Collecting field data was carried out with measured stratigraphic with a 1:100 scale and taking several rock samples. Laboratory analysis was carried out in paleontological and petrographic analysis, which was carried out to determine the composition of the constituent rock and fossil identification, especially foraminifera in thin sections of rock that were selected. Based on the study’s results, the total rock layers measured in the study area were 15 m. Facies found in the stratigraphic path of the study area are floatstone facies, rudstone facies, allochemic sandstone facies, polymict conglomerate facies. The type of deposition environment of limestone and allochemic sandstone in the study area is on the foreslope, while the conglomerate facies is included in the fan delta deposition environment. Overall, the sedimentation dynamics in this area are in a high energy environment, indicating that the facies that developed were deposited with a sediment gravity flow mechanism.The results of the analysis of fossils found Cyclammina cancellata sp., Orbulina universa sp., Globigerina bulloides sp., and Trilobatus immaturus sp., which indicates the limestone in the study area was deposited in the Late Pleistocene to early Holocene.

Characteristics of Dioritic Intrusion at Kaligono Area, Kulon Progo Mountains, Indonesia: A Preliminary Study for Petrogenesis Implications

Abstract This study defines the characteristics of dioritic rock intrusion in the Kaligono area, Kulonprogo Mountains, Indonesia. Previous studies suggest the existence of porphyry deposit system in the mentioned area, hosted by the dioritic intrusion. According to the Geologic Map of Yogyakarta Quadrangle, age of the dioritic intrusion is the Miocene. Study of the intrusion characteristics is very important to gain a better understanding of the geological model associated with the deposit system. This preliminary study focused on determining petrogenesis of the dioritic intrusion. Methods carried out in this study were field data collection, petrographic analysis, and geochemical analysis using ICP-AES (Inductive Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry) and ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) analysis. Petrography analysis showed that igneous rocks in this research area consist of dioritic rock with phorphyritic texture and oscillatory zoning. Based on its geochemical composition, the rock samples can be classified as diorite and granodiorite and calc-alkaline suites. These rocks are enriched in LILEs (Rb, Ba, Sr, and K) and depleted in HFSEs (Nb, Ti, Zr). In addition, REE shows a slight enrichment of light-REE and depletion of HREE. These patterns of the trace elements including REE show a typical pattern of calc alkaline arc. Petrographic observation and geochemical variation indicate that the magma has undergone fractional crystallization.

Analisis Produktivitas Alat Gali Muat dan Alat Angkut Pada Pengupasan Lapisan Tanah Penutup (Overburden) Di Pt. Cahaya Riau Mandiri Kabupaten Lahat Provinsi Sumatera Selatan

PT Cahaya Riau Mandiri is a company engaged in coal mining that operates in Lahat Regency, South Sumatra Province with an open pit mining system. PT Cahaya Riau Mandiri has a production target of 70,000 tons/month in one shift. The purpose of this study is to determine the actual production of excavating and hauling equipment and the compatibility factor in coal mining, knowing the obstacles to effective working time in overcoming work obstacles that can be avoided so that loss time can be reduced and the resulting production can be achieved according to the company's target. The research method used in this research is quantitative and the stages in the preparation of this writing start from literature study, field observation, field data collection, data processing, data analysis, discussion and conclusions and suggestions. Based on the research and calculations that have been carried out, it is obtained that the actual production of the Liugong CLG952E excavator digging and loading equipment is 46. 522, 30 tons / month and the Iveco 682 dump truck conveyance is 44. 525, 25 tons / month with a compatibility factor of 0, 56. The strategy that can be done in increasing production is to improve work barriers, filling factors, tool compatibility and circulation time by using the basic work reference from the company. After improving the work of the Liugong CLG952E excavator and Iveco 682 dump truck transport equipment, the production of the Liugong CLG952E excavator increased from 46. 522, 30 tons / month to 70. 068, 54 tons / month and the Iveco 682 dump truck transport equipment increased from 44. 525, 25 tons / month to 70. 048, 21 tons/month.

Pemberdayaan Penyuluh Agama Islam Dalam Peningkatan Pelayanan Keagamaan Di Kecamatan Simpang Ulim Kabupaten Aceh Timur

This research aims to evaluate the Joint Decree of the Minister of Religion and the Head of the State Civil Service Agency Number 574 of 1999 and Number 178 of 1999 concerning Guidelines for the Implementation of the Functional Position of Religious Counselors and Their Credit Scores. Factors that encourage and hinder Islamic Religious Counselors in carrying out their duties and functions. Assessing the implementation of the duties of Islamic Religious Counselors in the community. This research with a gradual approach was carried out using interview data collection methods, FGDs, and documentation studies. Field data collection was carried out from April to May 2023 in Simpang Ulim District, East Aceh Regency. The research results show that Islamic Religious Counselors understand the contents of Decree Numbers 574 and 178 of 1999, but have not consistently implemented them in their duties. The Indonesian Ministry of Religion's empowerment of extension workers is still very limited so that its human resources are very limited and not very ready when dealing with a more dynamic society. So far, the number of Islamic religious instructors has not been comparable to the population in Simpang Ulim District, East Aceh Regency. Monitoring from the central Ministry of Religion to extension workers and the target community is not carried out so the results cannot be known in the community. Then, the facilities and infrastructure prepared by the government are very limited, thus hampering the performance of extension workers in the field.

The role of health mediation in investigation of Hantavirus cases among informal settlements inhabitants of Cayenne area, French Guiana, 2022-2023.

In 2022, four severe cases of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) were reported in patients from informal settlements around Cayenne, the main city in French Guiana. Regional Health Agency (RHA) was commissioned by the French Public Health Agency to estimate the seroprevalence of Hantavirus infections in the neighborhoods of confirmed cases of HPS. RHA then commissioned the French Red Cross (FRC) mobile public health team, providing support in environmental health issues to the population living in informal settlements by health mediators, to facilitate the investigation. The objective of this study was to describe the health mediators' activities set up to improve the efficiency of the investigation. The health mediators' team was specifically trained by virologist and infectiologist specialized in HPS. They helped the investigating team and health workers at various steps of the investigation. These interventions are then described in the results section. The investigation took place between Nov. 2022 and March 2023 in three neighborhoods. During the pre-investigation activities, the mediators raised awareness about HPS of 343 people, among whom 319 (93%) planned to participate in the investigation. Altogether, 274 people finally participated in the investigation, including, i.e., 30.8% of the estimated population living in the three concerned settlements. The global proportion of patients with positive IgG anti-Hantavirus was 5.1%. The health mediators team supported the following steps: preliminary meetings and training modules, identification of resource persons, field visits and awareness and information campaigns (pre-investigation); on field data collection in informal settlements (per-investigation) and communication of individual results, public feedback meeting (post-investigation). The involvement of mediators was probably a factor in the success of the public health response to socially vulnerable people living in the investigated neighborhoods. The preliminary prevention activities helped to raise awareness of the health risk and to enroll participants. Health mediation and outreach activities seem relevant tools of epidemiological field investigations in diseases affecting inhabitants of informal settlements.

Analisis Interpretasi Pajak Dan Implikasinya Menurut Perspektif Wajib Pajak Orang Pribadi di Fakultas Ekonomi Dan Bisnis Universitas Muslim Nusantara Al-Washliyah Medan

This study seeks to ascertain the perception of Individual Taxpayers on the interpretation of Income Tax, as well as the extent of understanding among Taxpayers at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Al-Washliyah Muslim University, Medan. This study employs descriptive qualitative methodologies, specifically case studies, to gain a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of a specific case. The researcher aims to investigate how Individual Taxpayers at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Al-Washliyah Muslim University Medan interpret taxes and the resulting implications. This research was conducted in the Faculty of Economics and Business, Al-Washliyah Muslim Nusantara University, located in Medan. The number of informants to be interviewed in this research cannot be determined as the sample collection employs a judgment procedure. The data collection methods employed in this research encompass a preliminary survey, a literature review, and field data collection. Qualitative data analysis is conducted through an interactive process that involves data reduction, data presentation, and generating conclusions. The findings of this study indicate that Individual Taxpayers in the Faculty of Economics and Business, Al-Washliyah Muslim Nusantara University, Medan possess a favorable understanding of their responsibility to fulfill their income tax obligations. The comprehension of income tax imposition among individual taxpayers is generally satisfactory, yet there are also persons who express dissent when a portion of their assets is allocated towards tax” payment.

Utilisation of Sentinel-2A Imagery for Estimation of Mangrove Carbon Stock in Mamminasata Area, South Sulawesi

Population growth and land conversion have led to the degradation of mangrove forests on the southern coast of South Sulawesi, especially the Mamminasata area. Reduced mangroves increase carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. However, data on the potential carbon absorption of mangroves is still lacking. To overcome this, remote sensing is used to estimate carbon reserves. This reseach utilises Sentinel-2A imagery to estimate mangrove carbon stocks in Mamminasata. The image processing process includes radiometric correction, atmospheric correction, image classification, and extraction of NDVI values. The NDVI value is used to classify the density of mangroves into sparse, medium, and dense, covering 1,244.75 hectares. Field data collection was carried out through a survey of forest stand measurements. The results of NDVI transformation show a value range of 0.2 to 0.8 for mangrove objects in the Mamminasata area. The NDVI data on the analysed images were then made into three density classes. The rare density class has a carbon value of 3.56 – 21.16 Ton C/ha, the medium density class is between 21.17 – 31.49 Ton C/ha, and the dense density class is between 31.50 – 39.18 Ton C/ha. Regression analysis shows a strong correlation between NDVI and carbon stock (R² = 0.7134). This study confirms the effectiveness of remote sensing in environmental monitoring and mangrove conservation. These findings support conservation efforts and sustainable management policies by highlighting areas with high carbon sequestration potential.

Establishing a Generic Geographic Information Collection Platform for Heterogeneous Data

Geographic information collection platforms are widely used for acquiring geographic information. However, existing geographic information collection platforms have limited adaptability and configurability, negatively affecting their usability. They do not support complete field collection workflows or capture data with complex nested structures. To address these limitations, this paper proposes a generic geographic information collection platform based on a comprehensive XML schema definition and a corresponding XML toolkit. This platform includes professional and non-professional versions of collection software, as well as a management system. Users can configure controls and define nested tables within this platform to collect heterogeneous and complex nested data. Moreover, the platform supports functions such as task assignment, local deployment servers, multitasking parallelism, and summary statistics of heterogeneous data, ensuring complete workflow support for field data collection. The platform has been applied in agriculture, forestry, and related fields. This paper uses the agricultural industry structure survey as a case study. Practical applications and our case study show that this platform can reduce software development costs, lower user knowledge prerequisites, and fulfill 95% of geographic information collection scenarios.

Flexibility in thermal requirements: a comparative analysis of the wide-spread lizard genus Sceloporus.

Adaptation or acclimation of thermal requirements to environmental conditions can reduce thermoregulation costs and increase fitness, especially in ectotherms, which rely heavily on environmental temperatures for thermoregulation. Insight into how thermal niches have shaped thermal requirements across evolutionary history may help predict the survival of species during climate change. The lizard genus Sceloporus has a widespread distribution and inhabits an ample variety of habitats. We evaluated the effects of geographical gradients (i.e. elevation and latitude) and local environmental temperatures on thermal requirements (i.e. preferred body temperature, active body temperature in the field, and critical thermal limits) of Sceloporus species using published and field-collected data and performing phylogenetic comparative analyses. To contrast macro- and micro-evolutional patterns, we also performed intra-specific analyses when sufficient reports existed for a species. We found that preferred body temperature increased with elevation, whereas body temperature in the field decreased with elevation and increased with local environmental temperatures. Critical thermal limits were not related to the geographic gradient or environmental temperatures. The apparent lack of relation of thermal requirements to geographic gradient may increase vulnerability to extinction due to climate change. However, local and temporal variations in thermal landscape determine thermoregulation opportunities and may not be well represented by geographic gradient and mean environmental temperatures. Results showed that Sceloporus lizards are excellent thermoregulators, have wide thermal tolerance ranges, and the preferred temperature was labile. Our results suggest that Sceloporus lizards can adjust to different thermal landscapes, highlighting opportunities for continuous survival in changing thermal environments.