Top Of Hill Research Articles

Regional Mapping and Spatial Distribution Analysis of Canopy Palms in an Amazon Forest Using Deep Learning and VHR Images

Mapping plant species at the regional scale to provide information for ecologists and forest managers is a challenge for the remote sensing community. Here, we use a deep learning algorithm called U-net and very high-resolution multispectral images (0.5 m) from GeoEye satellite to identify, segment and map canopy palms over ∼3000 km 2 of Amazonian forest. The map was used to analyse the spatial distribution of canopy palm trees and its relation to human disturbance and edaphic conditions. The overall accuracy of the map was 95.5% and the F1-score was 0.7. Canopy palm trees covered 6.4% of the forest canopy and were distributed in more than two million patches that can represent one or more individuals. The density of canopy palms is affected by human disturbance. The post-disturbance density in secondary forests seems to be related to the type of disturbance, being higher in abandoned pasture areas and lower in forests that have been cut once and abandoned. Additionally, analysis of palm trees’ distribution shows that their abundance is controlled naturally by local soil water content, avoiding both flooded and waterlogged areas near rivers and dry areas on the top of the hills. They show two preferential habitats, in the low elevation above the large rivers, and in the slope directly below the hill tops. Overall, their distribution over the region indicates a relatively pristine landscape, albeit within a forest that is critically endangered because of its location between two deforestation fronts and because of illegal cutting. New tree species distribution data, such as the map of all adult canopy palms produced in this work, are urgently needed to support Amazon species inventory and to understand their distribution and diversity.

Changing Living Pattern Among Baigas of Central India

Baigas are followers of one of the very ancient cultural tradition and clam themselves as first human on earth. A significant part of their culture is lost or changed due to impact of migration, acculturation, development and change with time and space. The people who are living near the urban centers and have frequent interactions with the other communities, or their children attending to schools and they have made links with the outsiders, look a bit different from their Baiga brethren living on the hill tops and in remote forest tracts. This paper deals with the culture, life style and cultural change among the Baigs of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh in my area of study.

What factors influence the occurrence of Cubitermes pallidiceps in miombo woodlands in southwestern Burundi?

In Africa, not only large number of termite species remain to be described, but also ecological studies on the termite fauna of the continent are scarce. For instance, the mechanisms underlying termite mounds distribution in ecosystems stay poorly known. The main goal of this study was to assess what determines the distribution of soil-feeding termites playing an important role in the recycling of organic matter. The case of Cubitermes pallidiceps (Sjöstedt) (Isoptera: Cubitermitinae) was taken as a model. In Rumonge Forest, a woodland miombo of 600 ha in southwestern Burundi, we collected soil samples and data on tree density and diameter in 18 sites, six of which were home to mounds of C. pallidiceps. Multiple logistic regressions were used to evaluate the influence of soil properties and elevation on the occurrence of C. pallidiceps. Spatial autocorrelation structure in the model residuals was corrected by the integration of selected spatial predictors generated with the Moran’s eigenvectors maps (MEM) method. C. pallidiceps was present in areas where the tree density was low, therefore with a more opened canopy, probably to avoid fires. Those areas would also provide it a favourable microclimate through direct solar radiation. It was absent in stony places such as hill tops, probably because of food limitation. Soil with high sand content and the highest measured clay content seemed to favour Cubitermes occurrence. Its distribution was also influenced by undetermined spatially structured variables, which could correspond to unmeasured environmental variables such as soil nutrient or toxic elements, or variables related to dispersal abilities or biotic interactions with other species. Our results suggested that soil termites would have evolved in miombo ecosystems to avoid areas with a high physiological and physical cost. Understanding ecological adaptation of soil termites in this stressful environment is important for restoration and management of their habitats.

Pattern of Diversity and Regeneration Potential along Altitudinal Gradient in Selected Forest Stands of Kumaun Himalaya

Forest diversity is the main source of livelihood of the people living in the Kumaun Himalaya, and vegetation diversity of forest depends on the several climatic, and topographic factors. The aim of the present study is to investigate altitudinal gradient in species composition, diversity, species richness and regeneration potential with special reference to density, frequency, species diversity and concentration of dominance. The study was conducted in selected forest stands of Almora Forest Division in the Kumaun Himalaya, along elevation gradient of 1200-1950m altitude in three altitudinal gradients i.e. hill base (Vishwanath) hill slope (Palna) and hill top (Banari Devi). Pinus roxburghii was the most dominant species in hill base and hill slope while Quercus leucotrichophora was the dominated species in hill top. In different layers, density varied from 472 to 1194 ind/ha (tree layer), 49-560 ind/ha (sapling) and 350-1428 ind/ha (seedlings). The species diversity ranges from 1.26 to 2.99 for trees, 0.89 to 3.03 for sapling and 0.60 to 1.48 for seedlings. The maximum density of trees was recorded in the hill top while it was found minimum in hill base of study sites. The total basal area was found ranges from 27.95-54.87 m 2 /ha for tree layer and 0.23-0.40 m 2 /ha for sapling. On the basis of density of seedlings, saplings and trees, the regeneration potential in all three altitude was fair.

Forming topography in granulite terrains: Evaluating the role of chemical weathering

Granulite terrains have gently undulating topography, with charnockites and khondalites forming hillocks within low-lying areas comprising quartzofeldspathic gneisses (QFG). Petrographic, XRD and spectroscopic studies reveal that QFGs and charnockites show minimal clay mineral formation, indicating their resistance to chemical weathering. In contrast, khondalites weather progressively to form a variety of clay minerals, the proportion of which increases with elevation, ultimately stabilizing bauxite on hill-tops. Geochemical modelling indicates that this weathering pattern in khondalites can develop under open system conditions prevailing on hill tops and slopes, as rainwater is not retained within the system. This implies that the khondalite hills existed before bauxite formation. Since khondalite hills occur within more resistant but low-lying QFG, the present granulite terrain topography was not shaped by chemical weathering. Rather, mechanical weathering or neo-tectonic activity may be responsible for topography formation in stable granulite terrains.

The granite-related, high-tonnage Sn-Li deposit of Argemela, central Portugal

The Argemela Sn-Li quartz vein stockwork, east of the Panasqueira tungsten mine, is hosted in Cambrian slates and greywacke. An underlying Variscan granitic cupola is inferred from spotted slates and albitic microgranite dykes, the last including a thick modified albitic microgranite, enriched in F and Li, exposed some 500 m away, on the hill top. Inferred resources for shallowest deposit portion are 20.1 million tonnes (Mt) at 0.1-0.2% Sn, 0.2% Li and 0.1% (estimate) Rb, but the 650-m vertical-extent of the deposit suggests a resource of >200 Mt (with identical grades). The hydrothermal paragenetic sequence is amblygonite-montebrasite (mostly montebrasite) (Stage I)–quartz I-II–cassiterite (with columbite-tantalite inclusions)─arsenopyrite I─carbonate I-white mica I ─chlorite I–fluorite–apatite–rutile (Stage II)– white mica II–molybdenite– tourmaline– carbonate II-quartz III–arsenopyrite II–sphalerite–stannite–chalcopyrite–pyrite– pyrrhotite-chlorite II (Stage III)–covellite– vivianite–goethite/lepidocrocite (Stage IV). Amblygonite-montebrasite is the main Li carrier; Sn is evenly distributed between cassiterite and stannite; Rb is mostly in white mica (with 0.25-1.23 wt % Rb2O in the hill-top albitic microgranite). Primary aqueous, 1-3 um-wide fluid inclusions in the deposit in quartz I, carbonate I, apatite and cassiterite growth zones yield overall salinities and homogenisation temperatures of 7.2-19.1 wt % NaCl equiv. and 290-360ºC, respectively. The trace concentrations (electronic microprobe analysis) in quartz vein cassiterite reach 1.95 wt % Nb, 0.39 wt % Fe, 0.13 wt % Ti, and low/negligible values of Sb, Zn, As, Ag and Bi showing its granite-hydrothermal affiliation. Fe-poor and Fe-rich sphalerite (lower-intermediate and upper deposit parts) contain 1.0-1.6 and 7.9-9.4 wt % Fe, 64.3-66.0 and 55.9-57.2 wt % Zn, 0.4-0.5 and 0.9-1.1 wt % Cd, respectively. The sphalerite-stannite geothermometer yields temperatures of 245-297ºC. Following higher temperature amblygonite-montebrasite deposition (Stage I), hydrothermal fluids (aCl-=0.25 m), related to the hidden granitic cupola, at a mean pressure-corrected (50 MPa) temperature of 350ºC, were responsible for Stage II minerals deposition. Calculated cassiterite deposition from Sn chloride complexes occurred likewise, from probable magmatic-hydrothermal fluids, at fO2 = 10-34 -10-32 atm and pH=3.5-4. Cassiterite deposition mechanisms were oxidation, mixing, neutralisation, possible aCl- increase, and cooling. Later Fe-poor sphalerite (+kesterite/ferrokesterite) and Fe-rich sphalerite (+stannite) deposited at higher and lower fS2, respectively, the latter probably at a higher fO2 (Stage III). The uniqueness of Argemela system with abundant amblygonite-montebrasite in hydrothermal quartz tin veins may be related to an extreme fractionated F-, Li- and P-rich granitic magma. After the emplacement of the granite/albitic microgranite dykes, an emerging pegmatitic fluid was unable, possibly due to insufficient depth, to form pegmatites but only modified the hill-top albitic microgranite. As a consequence, the system, where mixing of high- and low-salinity magmatic fluids probably occurred, remained very enriched in F, Li and P and by the time the hydrothermal stockwork developed amblygonite-montebrasite (Stage I) was the first mineral to deposit abundantly before Stage II minerals deposition in those Argemela Sn-Li quartz veins.

Monitoring-based investigation of Cambisols moisture regimes for areas in autonomous relief positions

In 2012 - 2018 water regime monitoring was carried out at two areas of Cambisols (non-gleyic and Gleyic) in autonomous relief positions (hill tops) of the Sambian hilly moraine plain (Kaliningrad region). Differences between soils in duration of the desiccation period (moisture content < lento-capillary point) and overmoistening period (moisture content > field capacity) in the 0 - 20 cm and 0 - 100 cm layers are established. Formation of zones with critical air supply (aeration porosity below 10%) has been studied.

Seismic response of cracking features in Jubao Mountain during the aftershocks of Jiuzhaigou Ms7.0 earthquake

Jiuzhaigou is a world-heritage site located in the plateau area of Northwest Sichuan Province, China. Serious slope failures in the epicentral area were triggered by the Ms7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquake occurred on August 8, 2017. The source areas of the hazards are usually concentrated near ridge crests, revealing the possible occurrence of ground motion amplification phenomena. To explore the role of the amplification of ground motions in the formation of earthquake-triggered slope failures, two seismometers were installed, on the next day after the main shock, at the bottom of the slope of Jubao Mountain near the seismogenic fault. The two monitoring sites are located at elevations of 1414 m (J1) and 1551 m (J2, the top of the mountain). Five aftershocks were recorded by the monitoring instruments. We compared the mean levels of the peak ground acceleration (PGA) observed at different locations, and investigated the directional variations in the shaking energy by analyzing the polar diagrams of the Arias intensity (Ia). Then, in order to identify the directional resonance phenomenon and their frequencies and amplification coefficients, we examined the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) and the standard spectral ratio (SSR). Polar diagrams of the Arias intensity (Ia) indicated that the site response of Jubao Mountain showed a pronounced directivity (in the EW direction) with shaking maxima near the hill top oriented orthogonally to the elongation of the relief. We observed an obvious resonance phenomenon at site J2 at relatively low frequencies (2.5–9 Hz) and very weak spectral amplifications at site J1 at high frequencies (5–15 Hz), which suggested that the predominant frequency of monitoring site J2 was obviously attenuated and that the difference in the spectra was related to the influences of the local-scale site conditions of the whole mountain. The results of spectral ratio analyses (HVSR and SSR) showed that the direction of resonance was concentrated around an EW orientation, and the amplification factors near the hill top were larger than 2. It suggests that geologic factors also play a significant role in the anisotropic amplifications affecting the tops of slopes besides the topographic effects.

Calculation of the number of peaks in The Gunung Sewu area using DEMNAS, focal maximum function and slope position classification method

Thousand Hills (Gunung Sewu) is a karst area in the southern Java island, stretches 85 km east to west covering around 1,300 km2 and formed by thousands of conical hills. This research aims to calculate the number of peaks in the Gunung Sewu area using focal maximum function and slope position classification. The data for the calculation was the Indonesian national DEM (DEMNAS). It was used in its original spatial resolution at 8.25 m, and the resampled version at 10 m and 16.5 m. The processing consists of detection of peaks, selection of top of hills, and evaluation. Twenty four combinations of window types and size and spatial resolution of DEMNAS were evaluated. The accuracy of the calculation was assessed using ten test areas with 1,576 hills digitized manually. The best function to detect the peaks is a rectangle type window with a width of three pixels with a spatial resolution at 8.25 m. Types of hills can be identified: conical and polygonal hills. The calculation found that there are 27,773 regional peaks, or hills, in the Thousand Hills area. The results were tested using a confusion matrix with overall accuracy is 86.2%.

Flora Diversity and Distribution in Falgore Game Reserve, Kano State, Nigeria

The diversity and distribution of tropical vegetation becomes more important in the face of the ever increasing threats to the tropical ecosystems. This study was carried out to examine the variations in composition and diversity characteristics of the flora species of Falgore Game Reserve in Kano State, Nigeria, with a view to promoting sustainable conservation and management of the game reserve. The study area was stratified into four topographic locations, namely: hill top, sloppy area, level ground and the riparian forest. A one kilometer line transect perpendicular to a baseline (an established tract/road) was laid in each of the four study locations. 50m × 50m sampling plots were systematically established at a predetermined interval of 200m on both sides of the transect; given a total of ten sampling plots in each study site, and a total of forty (40) plots for the study. The 50m× 50m sampling plots were used for the assessment of woody plants species (trees, saplings and shrubs). One meter squarewas used for the assessment of the herbaceous layer (Herbs and Grasses). Plant Species diversity and distribution were estimated using species richness (D), species diversity (H′) and species evenness (E). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at p&lt; 0.05. A total of 3,231.2 individuals/ha distributed in 23 families, 44 genera and 53 species were recorded in the study. Thirty six (36) species (67.9%) were trees, 7 species (13.2%) were shrubs, and 10 species (18.8%) were saplings while 10 species (18%) were herbs. The highest tree species diversity (H′= 2.5) was recorded at the level ground while the least was recorded at the sloppy area, (H1= 2.1). The highest diversity for Shrubs (H1= 1.23) was recorded at the sloppy area while the least (H1 = 0.09) was recorded at the level ground. The highest species diversity of Saplings, (H′= 1.92) was recorded at the level ground while the least (H′ = 1.12) was recorded in the riparian forest. The highest mean value for tree height (14.8m) was recorded at riparian forest while the lowest (10.5m) was recorded at hill top. Findings of this study showed that land use types in association with environmental factors have substantial influences on the density and morphological characteristics of plant species in Falgore Game Reserve.

Prediction of Air Temperature in the Polish Western Carpathian Mountains with the ALADIN-HIRLAM Numerical Weather Prediction System

Prediction of spatial and temporal variability of air temperature in areas with complex topography is still a challenge for numerical weather prediction models. Simulation of atmosphere over complex terrain requires dense and accurate horizontal and vertical grids. In this study, verification results of three configurations of the Aire Limitée Adaptation Dynamique Développement International High-Resolution Limited Area Model (ALADIN-HIRLAM) numerical weather prediction (NWP) system, using two different horizontal and vertical resolutions and applied to the Polish Western Carpathian Mountains, are presented. One model of the ALADIN-HIRLAM NWP system is tested in two horizontal and vertical resolutions. Predicted air temperatures are compared with observations from stations located in different orographies. A comparison of model results with observations was conducted for three cold season intervals in 2017 and 2018. Statistical validation of model output demonstrates better model representativeness for stations located on hill and mountain tops compared to locations in valley bottoms. A comparison of results for two topography representations (2 × 2 km and 1 × 1 km) showed no statistically significant differences of root mean square error (RMSE) and bias between model results and observations.

Post fire regeneration of indigenous plant species in the Pugu Forest Reserve, Tanzania

Pugu Forest Reserve is part of the Coastal Forests of Eastern Africa Hotspot, recognized as one among the 34 global biodiversity hotspots. Fire unselectively devastated many favorable habitats and directly killed a substantial number of plant species in 2008 in the northern part of the Pugu Forest Reserve. The aim of the study was to assess natural regeneration of indigenous plant species five years after that fire. Sampling was performed using a nested plot design along three transects established among the topographic positions of hill tops, hill slopes and valley bottom. It documented 116 indigenous plant species from 46 families that had successfully regenerated in the burnt area. The stem densities of woody plant species differed significantly among the three topographic positions. The results of this study indicate higher densities of coppiced trees, sprouts, and seedlings on ridge tops versus hill slopes and valley bottoms. The species Garcinia acutifolia, Fernandoa magnifica, Rothmannia macrosiphon, Baphia puguensis and Uvaria decidua were among the threatened plant species under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List that failed to regenerate in the ridge tops. The impacts of the fire modified the natural habitat characteristics of the forest, causing some plant species to shift their normal distribution ranges. This study concludes that the forest recovery observed following the 2008 fire highlights the importance of fire suppression in effective conservation management strategies of the Pugu Forest Reserve.

Effect of Topography on Characteristics, Fertility Status and Classification of the Soils of Almora District in Uttarakhand

Topographic position is one of the most dominant factors that govern soil development in the hilly areas. Ten soil profiles representing different landform units i.e. hill top, side slope, broad valley and narrow valley terraces were chosen to investigate the soil morphological, physical and chemical characteristics and their relationships with topography in Almora district of Uttarakhand. Soil properties varied remarkably among the studied profiles. The soils were moderately shallow to very deep in depth (32–160 cm), nonsaline (EC 0.03–0.45 dS m−1), acidic in nature (pH 5.1–6.6), low to high in organic carbon (OC) (0.03–2.91%) with low to moderate CEC [1.6–19.4 cmol(p+)kg−1]. Base saturation ranged from 45.9 to 75.1% in which calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) were the dominant cations on exchangeable sites followed by potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+). The studied soils were dominated by silt fraction followed by clay, except in Dhamas (P4), Dhaili (P5) and Kosi (P10) which showed high sand content. Hill top profiles showed the highest OC. The upper soil layers of hill top and broad valley terrace profiles showed higher availability of soil macronutrients, whereas micronutrients were higher than agronomic critical limits in all profiles. Three soil profiles were classified as Entisols and keyed out as Typic Udifluvents (Kosi), Lithic Udorthents (Dhamas) and Typic Udorthents (Dhaili). Majkhali (P7) soils were placed under Inceptisol soil order and were classified as Dystric Eutrudepts. The remaining soils were placed under Alfisol soil order and keyed out as Hapludalf at great group level. Among the Alfisols, Someshwar (P9) was classified as Oxyaquick Hapludalfs, Sitlakhet (P1) was classified as Ultic Hapludalfs, Salla Routela (P2) and Chaubattia (P3) were classified as Mollic Hapludalfs, while Kausani (P6) and Hawalbagh (P8) soils were keyed out as Typic Hapludalfs. The soils in Almora district of Uttarakhand exhibited wide variations with topographic positions and proper soil management will help in maintaining sustainable production of this area.

Characterization and Classification of the Soils of Buraka Micro-Watershed in Haryana for Integrated Development

A detailed soil survey was undertaken to characterize and classify the soils of Buraka micro-watershed in Mewat region using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Based on interpretation of remote sensing image data and ground truth verification, seven physiographies viz., Aravalli hill tops, side slopes, inter-hill basin, upper piedmonts, middle piedmonts, lower piedmonts and stream terraces were identified. On the basis of field study and laboratory characterization, ten soils (Buraka A to Buraka J) were identified in the watershed area. They were classified as per soil taxonomy and categorized under different land capability and irrigability subclasses as per their limitations and potentials. The study showed that Buraka A, B, C, E, H and J soils belonged to Entisols covering 305.80 ha (56.4%) area, whereas Buraka D, F, G and I soils belonged to Inceptisols covering 206.70 ha (38.10%) area. Buraka C, E, H and J soils were loamy sand to sand in texture, very low in organic carbon (OC) content (0.4–1.8 g kg−1) and very low in CEC [0.77–3.75 cmol(p+)kg−1] and rated under land capability subclasses IIIse, IVes and irrigability subclasses 3st and 4st, respectively. Buraka D, F, G and I soils were sandy loam in texture, low to medium in OC content (1.9–5.7 g kg−1) and low in CEC [3.05–6.18 cmol(p+)kg−1] and rated as land capability subclasses IIIs, IIIes and irrigability subclasses 2s and 2st, respectively. Buraka A and B soils occuring on Aravalli hills were shallow in depth, loamy skeletal in texture with moderate to strong stoniness and rockiness and prone to severe erosion. They were rated under land capability subclasses VIes, VIIes and irrigability subclass 6st, respectively. The watershed area suffers from various constraints affecting crop productivity. Hence, proper soil and water conservation measures along with good agronomic practices may be adopted for enhancing productivity. The hilly areas may be brought under grasslands and forestry to protect from erosion and improve soil quality.

Identification and analysis of topographic features of Aizawl City

Geomorphology is the scientific study of the earth surface. It has been described as the earthshape-science which is concerned primarily with the form of the earth. Geomorphology was considered as the study of various types of landforms and their origins. It is the study of the landforms, their description and interpretation. It is important not only as an academic discipline but it has more practical applications in the various fields. Geomorphology is the study of the relationship between geological structures and the landscape surface features as well as the processes which change the features by erosion and deposition. Regarding the State of Mizoram, as the terrain is very immature in response to recent tectonism, topographical features show prominent reliefs. The major geomorphic elements observed in the area are topographic highs and depressions, flats and slopes sculptured on the topographic surface in a linear fashion. In Mizoram the topographic depressions are in all cases in accordance with the normal first order structural elements, but the topographic highs are recorded both in the structural highs and depressions. Relief features of the State is imparted by roughly north-south trending steep, mostly anticlinal, longitudinal, parallel to sub-parallel hill ranges and synclinal narrow valleys with series of parallel hummocks or topographic highs. In general, the western limbs of the anticlines are steeper than the western limbs. Faulting in many cases, produced steep fault scarps, especially along the steep dipping fault planes. The other geomorphic elements are the high dissected ridges with the formation of deep gorges, spurs, keels and cols, which developed due to intense erosion. The difference of elevation between valley floors and hill tops greatly varies from west to east and the steep hill ranges are more towards east than to west.

Buddha Bihar (Kiyang) based traditional model for tree diversity conservation in Rangamati Hills, Bangladesh

This paper describes Buddha Bihar (Kiyang) based biodiversity conservation of Nirbanpur in Rangamati Hill District of Bangladesh. Rangamati is the native of the tribal people specially the Chakma and they are the followers of the Bhudda religion. This Bihar comprised of 300 acres of hilly land and maintaining natural patches having 76 indigenous tree species. Most of the tribal people of this district belong to Buddha religion and they strongly believe in the biodiversity conservation around their religious institute and most of them are situated at hill top of the deep forest areas. This institution is maintained by the religious leaders locally called as Bantheya and the local community people have great respect for them. Most of the Bantheyas are conserving biodiversity in traditional way which is unique model for local level biodiversity conservation and local people also consider these plants as taboos or secrete trees. Bihar management committee maintains some traditional rules in plant conservation, but now they are leaned towards commercial plantation. BFRI scientists try to motivate them towards plantation indigenous species by awareness meeting. The seedlings of 32 indigenous tree species were planted in the Bihar area which has enhanced the diversity of flora and fauna. A biodiversity conservation model having four pillars has been developed on consultation with the community and religion leaders. The theme of pillars are land tenure, traditional knowledge, awareness and support. Bihar based biodiversity conservation effort has created a new avenue for wildlife and bird conservation. A list of existing plants species around Nirbanpur Bihararea has been given.J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2018, 4(1): 27-34

Current gust forecasting techniques, developments and challenges

Abstract. Gusts represent the component of wind most likely to be associated with serious hazards and structural damage, representing short-lived extremes within the spectrum of wind variation. Of interest both for short range forecasting and for climatological and risk studies, this is also reflected in the variety of methods used to predict gusts based on various static and dynamical factors of the landscape and atmosphere. The evolution of Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models has delivered huge benefits from increasingly accurate forecasts of mean near-surface wind, with which gusts broadly scale. Techniques for forecasting gusts rely on parametrizations based on a physical understanding of boundary layer turbulence, applied to NWP model fields, or statistical models and machine learning approaches trained using observations, each of which brings advantages and disadvantages. Major shifts in the nature of the information available from NWP models are underway with the advent of ever-finer resolution and ensembles increasingly employed at the regional scale. Increases in the resolution of operational NWP models mean that phenomena traditionally posing a challenge for gust forecasting, such as convective cells, sting jets and mountain lee waves may now be at least partially represented in the model fields. This advance brings with it significant new questions and challenges, such as concerning: the ability of traditional gust prediction formulations to continue to perform as phenomena associated with gusty conditions become increasingly resolved; the extent to which differences in the behaviour of turbulence associated with each phenomenon need to be accommodated in future gust prediction methods. A similar challenge emerges from the increasing, but still partial resolution of terrain detail in NWP models; the speed-up of the mean wind over resolved hill tops may be realistic, but may have negative impacts on the performance of gust forecasting using current methods. The transition to probabilistic prediction using ensembles at the regional level means that considerations such as these must also be carried through to the aggregation and post-processing of ensemble members to produce the final forecast. These issues and their implications are discussed.

IV. Catholic Thresholds, Spatial Contests, and the “Crisis in the Church”

In Washington, DC, at the top of the long hill up Wisconsin Avenue where Massachusetts Avenue crosses Thirty-Fourth Street, there has been for a long time a fixture on the landscape. An old man, life scarred and perhaps homeless, perhaps schizophrenic, holds a big homemade sign that reads “Vatican Protects Pedophiles Worldwide.”

Koli Calling 2017 conference report

The Koli Calling International Conference on Computing Education Research is a single-track conference dedicated to publishing high quality work in all areas of teaching and learning in the computing disciplines. The 17th Koli Calling was held in November 2017, as per tradition, in the Koli National Park in Finland, organized by the University of Eastern Finland and the University of Warwick, UK. At the time of the conference every year, the national park is filled with white beautiful snow adding a mystical character to the iconic panoramic view from top of the Ukko-Koli hill. The quietly cold temperatures of the season are perfectly balanced by the lively and warm atmosphere of the conference.

A SIMULATION STUDY OF SLOPE STABILITY AFFECTED BY CONSTRUCTION OF NEW BUILDINGS AT UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA, SKUDAI

Landslide occurrences had caused failure of sheet pile wall located about 6 m from Bangunan Tambahan, Fakulti Kejuruteraan Mekanikal (FKM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in Skudai, Johor. With the aim of investigating cause(s) of the failure, the slope stability conditions prior and after construction were simulated using SLOPE/W Version 3.03. The results showed that effects of load of a newly filled water tank sited on the top of slope contributed to subsident of the slope surface within the vicinity by creating tension cracks near its raft footing. The slope became more unstable as the soil moisture or pore-water pressure increased due to infiltration of rainwater. This has reduced the shear strength, in particular the cohesion value, c. The simulation also confirmed the hyphothesis that the global soil mass movement started from the hill top where the water tank was located toward the installed sheet pile. The combined mobilized shear force and lateral pressure of the global slope was about 8 times the strength of the sheet pile. The associated stresses are found to be related to the formation of the heave pushing up the soil at the toe of slope and soil under the road pavement adjacent to the new laboratory buildings.