Past Censuses Research Articles

Invasive black rats menacing endangered lizards

Despite the pernicious impacts that invasive black rats Rattus rattus have on island ecosystems, little is known about their effect upon insular reptiles, which are a highly vulnerable but pivotal element of island biota. To bring to light these effects, we evaluated the threat posed by R. rattus on the critically endangered Canarian spotted lizard Gallotia intermedia by analyzing its frequency of occurrence on rat feces, estimating rat abundance and density, and correlating these parameters with previous lizard censuses. We genetically detected that 14.96% of all rat feces contained G. intermedia, with 27.27% of individual R. rattus consuming this lizard. Rat density varied from 0.740 ± 0.474 to 2.183 ± 1.137 rats/ha and was correlated with larger declines of G. intermedia between past censuses and those of 2019. These results confirm for the first time that R. rattus consumes and impacts this endemic and endangered lizard species. From a broader perspective, this is one of the first studies detecting rat impact on a large-sized reptile, which calls for further attention to the interaction between invasive rats and a highly vulnerable but essential component of island ecosystems.

Temporal-Like Bivariate Fay-Herriot Model: Leveraging Past Responses and Advanced Preprocessing for Enhanced Small Area Estimation of Growing Stock Volume

Forest inventories are crucial for effective ecosystem management but often lack precision for smaller geographical units due to limited sample sizes. This study introduces an enhanced temporal-like bivariate Fay-Herriot model, improving upon its univariate counterpart. The model incorporates field data and auxiliary data, including canopy height metrics from WorldView stereo-imagery and past census data, sourced from the University Forest of Pertouli in Central Greece. The model aims to estimate the growing stock volume for 2008 and 2018, focusing on enhancing the precision of the 2018 estimates. The 2008 dependent variable is used as auxiliary information by the model for more reliable 2018 small area estimates. A novel preprocessing pipeline is also introduced, which includes outlier identification, cluster analysis, and variance smoothing. Compared to direct estimates and the standard univariate Fay-Herriot model, our bivariate approach shows a percentage variance reduction of 96.58% and 13.52%, respectively. The methodology not only offers more reliable estimates with reduced variance and bias but also contributes to more accurate decision-making for sustainable forest management.

The impact of immigration on the employment dynamics of European regions

This paper provides the first evidence on the regional impact of immigration on native employment in a cross-country framework. By exploiting the richness of the European Labour Force Surveys and past censuses, we show that the rise in the share of immigrants across European regions over the 2010-2019 period had a modest impact on the employment-to-population rate of natives. However, the effects are highly uneven across regions and workers, and over time. First, the short-run estimates show adverse employment effects in response to immigration, while these effects disappear in the longer run. Second, low-educated native workers experience employment losses due to immigration, whereas high-educated ones are more likely to experience employment gains. Third, the presence of institutions that provide employment protection and high coverage of collective wage agreements exert a protective effect on native employment. Finally, economically dynamic regions can better absorb immigrant workers, resulting in little or no effect on the native workforce.JEL codes: F22, J21, J61

ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКИЕ И СТРУКТУРНЫЕ ИЗМЕНЕНИЯ В СЕЛЬСКОХОЗЯЙСТВЕННОМ ПРОИЗВОДСТВЕ РОССИИ ЗА ПЕРИОД С 2006 ПО 2016 ГОД (по данным сельскохозяйственных переписей)

Many government decisions require accurate quantitative assessments of the parameters of the processes taking place in the country. This makes statistical observations the main source of analysis and evaluation. This article discusses the importance of conducting regular agricultural censuses and the need to include economic indicators in questionnaires to obtain information about the state of agriculture, as well as methodological issues of analyzing the development of agriculture based on agricultural censuses. The main goal is to assess the structural changes that occurred in the Russian agriculture in the period 2006-2016, based on the calculated indicator of standardized revenue. The paper calculates the cost of production volumes in 2006 and 2016 based on the data of past censuses, which allowed us to clarify the results of the industry development by comparing the results with planned and reported indicators. The analysis of structural changes in agriculture and its branches is presented.

Analyzing the Educational Attainment of People in Nepal from Gender Perspective

Education is a key tool for human civilization but many people are deprived of it and do not have equal chance to achieve it from gender point of view in society, though everyone has an equal right to get it. In this context, this study tries to explore the literacy status, educational attainment. The major concern of preparing this article was to study this issue extracting the data from two immediate past censuses of Nepal and analysing them by using the Microsoft Excel programme. Humanities and Arts, Business and Administration, Education, Science, and Social and Behavioural Science are supposed to be more selected subjects of study for both males and females at the national level. More gender gap in terms of literacy and level of education seems to occur though the level of education increases in all provinces.

Behind the Scenes of Hollywood: An Archaeology of Reproductive Oppression at the Intersections

ABSTRACTReproductive oppression is the control and exploitation of women, girls, and individuals through our bodies, sexuality, labor, and reproduction. This archaeological research utilizes intersectionality and praxis as analytic tools to uncover reproductive oppression in the past and embolden reproductive justice in the present. At the nineteenth‐century Hollywood Plantation in southeastern Arkansas, the materiality of the past—census records, medicine bottles, toys, and grave markers—provides a lens onto the deep history of reproductive oppression and the ways people responded to it. By situating individuals and artifacts at the intersections, I interpret various artifacts from differing positionalities, focusing and refocusing the lens on all of the women who lived and worked in the house to understand the ways reproduction shaped their lives over time and to draw connections between the control over Black women's bodies exercised by slaveholders and the contemporary trend to limit women's control of their reproductive health. [historical archaeology, reproductive oppression, intersectionality, praxis, Arkansas]

Detecting the drivers of functional diversity in a local lichen flora: a case study on the extinct volcano of Roccamonfina (southern Italy).

Current strategies for conservation reportedly suffer from an inadequate awareness of the drivers affecting lichen diversity, pointing to the need to fully develop a functional approach to lichen ecology. This study is an attempt to detect the drivers affecting functional diversity in the lichen flora of a volcanic Mediterranean area. Data on epiphytic lichen distribution were correlated with information coming from a GIS analysis. Species richness, functional diversity and indicator values of lichens species were analyzed as a function of altitude, bioclimatic patterns and land use patterns. Both taxonomic and functional diversity were found to increase with altitude, peaking at 600m a.s.l. and slightly decreasing at higher elevations. A filtering effect of altitude on lichen growth-forms was detected at increasing altitude, with foliose isidiate lichens replacing crustose lichens with sexual reproduction, cyanobacteria replacing Trentepohlia as photobiont, and oligotrophic species linked to partially shaded environments gradually replacing species indicating eutrophic conditions. Forest stations impacted by low impact traditional agriculture tended to express higher lichen diversity compared to either undisturbed broadleaved forests or intensive orchards. These data demonstrate the need to integrate traditional low-impact agricultural practices in protected areas. Moreover, they provide the evidence that reanalyzing past and recent lichenological censuses with the proposed analytical tools may help previewing and driving the evolution of endangered ecosystems.

ETHNOLINGUISTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF UDMURT REPUBLIC RESIDENTS (ACCORDING TO POPULATION CENSUSES)

The article indicates the ethnolinguistic characteristics of the people of the Udmurt Republic based on the censuses information. It is known that in countries with a multi-ethnic composition of the population, language problems remain one of the most delicate and painful. In the Udmurt Republic, issues related to language policy, preservation and development of the Udmurt language, and the teaching of native languages in educational institutions hold relevance in academic literature and the media, and are discussed at scientific events, in government bodies, and national-cultural organizations. Meanwhile, in the post-Soviet period, censuses are the only source that can reliably determine the number of speakers of different languages. According to the author, due to a number of reasons, inaccuracies were made when collecting information on the linguistic characteristics of Russian citizens during the 2010 census. Therefore, in anticipation of the All-Russian Population Census 2020, it is necessary to analyze once again the experience of conducting and the results of past censuses in order to collect high-quality, reliable ethnolinguistic information. In our opinion, the experience of the 2015 micro-census is especially useful when new questionnaires and methods for collecting information have been tested. The author believes that part of the “ethnic and linguistic problems” can be resolved by giving citizens the right to indicate complex (dual) ethnicity and two native languages during the census.

Fertility of Aboriginal People in Canada: An Overview of Trends at the Turn of the 21st Century

This paper aims to give an overview of trends regarding the fertility of Aboriginal people in Canada at the turn of the 21st century (mostly between 1996 and 2011). Total fertility rates and fertility rates by age group are presented for the Aboriginal population as a whole, but also for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit, as well as for the population with Registered Indian status, using various data sources (past censuses, National Household Survey, vital statistics, and Indian Register). Results of a multivariate analysis are presented. This multivariate analysis is conducted in order to improve our understanding of the dynamic behind the fertility behaviour of the Aboriginal population.

The impact of limiting long term illness on internal migration in England and Wales: New evidence from census microdata

Previous research has suggested that poor health is associated with reduced migration; this knowledge stems from models based on past censuses, or longitudinal studies which imply that the factors influencing migration are the same between those in good and poor health. This paper addresses these issues by utilising health-stratified analyses on the 2011 Census Individual Secure Sample for England and Wales. Multilevel models predict the odds of moving for working age adults, controlling for key predictors of migration, estimating the effect of health status on the odds of moving and the destination-specific variance in migration. We find that those in poor health are less likely to move, after controlling for individual level characteristics. In contrast with expectations, economic inactivity, marriage and being in African, Caribbean, Black, Other or Mixed ethnic groups were not significant predictors of migration among the unhealthy sample, but were for the healthy sample. We conclude that migration is health-selective and propose implications for understanding area level concentrations of poor health in England and Wales.

Study of Habitat Patterns of Captive Animals in the Assam State Zoo

Conservation of animal species is very important to recover the loss which occurred in the past. Zoo provides the better place for ex-situ conservation of threatened animal species. The artificial habitat in zoo should resemble with that of natural habitat so that animal will not face difficulty in adapting to that place. Generally, habitat means the place where an organism lives but that habitat must be provided with all the basic requirements like proper food, cleanliness, proper size of the enclosure, proper breeding sites, etc. Key-wordsHabitat, Breeding, Behaviour, Space -------------------------------------------------IJLSSR----------------------------------------------INTRODUCTION Every individual have an equal right to live freely in the surroundings. In addition to human beings, animal too have that have right to live freely in their original habitat (Wild) and can move freely inside the forest. Due to poaching, forest destruction, environmental condition etc. the number of animals declining as time passes. However it is true that if extinction of animals continues, there will be nothing for the future generation. For exampleIndian One Horned Rhino, Royal Bengal Tiger, Pygmy Hog etc. are in a threatened category. The present census of these animals is very less as compare to that of past census. Therefore, now a day’s proper conservation of animal is very important in the artificial habitat. Zoo is the better place for their conservation as it can conserve large number of different animal species at a time.The zoos have historically been identified as sites for the entertainment of general public and continue to be dependenton the revenue through visitors. Contemporarily, zoos are now defined as active sites for wildlife conservation. They now act as sites for conservation, education, research and entertainment. [1] The animals which are kept in zoo have lost their original habitat. Normally the animals kept in captive conditions but in Assam State Zoo shows some exception of it. Access this article online Quick Response Code: Website:

Challenges of National Population Census and Sustainable Development in Nigera : A Theoretical Exposition

Population census undoubtedly is an important issue of concern in Nigeria. This is so because population, in terms of its size, and composition, has far-reaching implications for change, development and the quality of life in society. Since after the first census was undertaken in Nigeria, census exercises have triggered political, social, ethnic, religious controversies, geopolitical distrust and disputes that negatively affect nation building and sustainable development in the country. The sociopolitical environments around past census exercises in Nigeria are theoretically analyzed in this paper. Suggestions are offered on how to reduce negative perceptions for national census exercises in the future. It is recommended among other things that the National Population Commission (NPC) should rise to the occasion by ensuring that census data in Nigeria is not only accurate but a credible tool in National transformation and development.

Refining perception-based farmer typologies with the analysis of past census data

Perception-based typologies have been used to explore the decision making process of farmers and to inform policy design. These typologies have been criticised, however, for not fully capturing true farmer behaviour, and are consequently limited for supporting policy formulation. We present a method that develops a typology, using a social survey approach based on how farmers perceive their environment (e.g. birds and agri-environmental schemes). We then apply time-series census data on past farm strategies (i.e. land use allocation, management style and participation into agri-environmental schemes) to refine these typologies. Consequently, this offers an approach to improving the profiling of farmer types, and strengthens the validity of input into future agricultural policies. While the social survey highlights a certain degree of awareness towards birds with respect to farmer types, the analysis of past farm strategies indicated that farmers did not entirely follow their stated objectives. External factors such as input and output price signals and subsidy levels had a stronger influence on their strategies rather than stated environmental and social issues. Consequently, the refining of farmer types using this approach would aid the design of policy instruments, which integrate ecological issues within planning.

The world status and population trends of the Great Bustard (Otis tarda): 2010 update

The Great Bustard (<i>Otis tarda</i>) world population is estimated to be 44100-57000 individuals in 2010, of which about 57-70% occur in Spain, 15-25% in European Russia, 4-10% in China, Mongolia and south-eastern Russia, 3-4% in Portugal, 3% in Hungary, 1-2% in Turkey, and smaller numbers in ten other countries. The reliability of current censuses and estimates may be described as high for a large fraction of the world population (67-75%), and low for the remaining 25-33% (including Russia, Mongolia, China, Turkey, Ukraine, Iran and Kazakhstan). In spite of continued declines reported for some countries (e.g., Turkey, Iran, China), the present survey suggests that total numbers have not significantly decreased worldwide during the last decade, as opposed to the globally declining trend currently assumed. This is due to a large fraction of the world total living in countries whose overall surveys are apparently stable (e.g., Spain, Portugal), after a noticeable recovery during the last few decades once the hunting ban was established. Only 6-10% of the world total is apparently still decreasing, mostly due to agricultural intensification, other causes of habitat degradation, and locally, also illegal hunting and collision with power lines. A small fraction of the world population (3-4%), is clearly (Germany, Austria) or apparently (Hungary) increasing, due to management and conservation measures. Finally, 19-22% of the world total has an uncertain status, due to inaccurate current or past censuses which prevent establishing reliable population trends. We recommend 1) keeping conservation efforts and the species' protection status worldwide, and 2) carrying out urgently nation-wide surveys in countries with low quality estimates, in order to confirm world numbers and trends.

The Impact of Cell Adjustment on the Analysis of Aggregate Census Data

Cell adjustment involves the random perturbation of tabular counts by statistical agencies, prior to publication, in order to minimise the risks of disclosing confidential information about individual survey respondents. A variety of cell adjustment regimes have been applied to past and present census outputs. For each a method of estimating the confidence interval associated with the aggregation of potentially perturbed counts is presented. In this paper I also investigate the impact that alternative cell adjustment regimes have on a variety of standard user analyses—ranging from the summation of cell counts through to the ranking of areas and the fitting of multivariate regression models—including, in addition, the effects of geographical aggregation. The conclusion of the paper is that the choice recently offered to UK census users between the current methods of cell adjustment adopted in New Zealand and those adopted in Australia is finely balanced and analysis specific. What is clear is that both methods have a significant adverse impact on a range of analyses—in particular, the ranking of areas. In consequence, a case is advanced for abandoning cell adjustment, or, at the very least, for publishing independently adjusted counts for all table marginals. Finally, advice is offered to users on minimising the impact of cell adjustment on their analyses.

Using SimBritain to Model the Geographical Impact of National Government Policies

In this article, we use a dynamic spatial microsimulation model of Britain for the analysis of the geographical impact of policies that have been implemented in Britain in the last 10 years. In particular, we show how spatial microsimulation can be used to estimate the geographical and socio‐economic impact of the following policy developments: introduction of the minimum wage, winter fuel payments, working families tax credits, and new child and working credits. This analysis is carried out with the use of the SimBritain model, which is a product of a 3‐year research project aimed at dynamically simulating urban and regional populations in Britain. SimBritain projections are based on a method that uses small area data from past Censuses of the British population in order to estimate small‐area data for 2001, 2011, and 2021.

Structure of an otter ( Lutra lutra) population in Germany – results of DNA and hormone analyses from faecal samples

Population size, one of the basic biological parameters is particularly difficult to estimate for nocturnal animals with cryptic life style and little individual distinctiveness like Eurasian otters ( Lutra lutra). Because telemetric methods often fail and also expose the animals to a high risk of injuries and even mortality, we analysed DNA and hormones of spraints to obtain data on population density and structure of free-living otters in a Nature Park in north-eastern Germany. We were able to assign 53 different individual profiles from faecal samples and obtained six more profiles from animals found dead inside the park. The total population estimate ( n = 59 ) consisted of at least 32 males and 27 females; 33 animals were adult, 23 younger than 2 years (three of unknown age). Marking points were frequented by up to 12 individuals. Estimated density was one animal per 4.7 km of shoreline. The genotypically estimated total population size was more than 2.5 times as high as estimated in the past census. The method was also suited to compare otter population densities in different areas or at different times in the same area.

Census in Nigeria: The Politics and the Imperative of Depoliticization

Abstract This paper demonstrates that the persistent (mis)management of census is a key variable in the pattern of political instability and diminishing capacity that have defined the Nigerian State since it attained relative political independence in 1960. With roots in the highly exploitative and manipulative colonial enterprise, the crises of census in Nigeria continue to be sustained in contemporary times by the inherited contradictions that define the nation's political economy. Thus every past census in Nigeria has been a victim of intense elite contestation for power and resources, and therefore rather than enhance the planning and development process of the country, has further impaired it. The paper argues that any census, the scheduled 2005 edition inclusive, conducted in the context of extant hotly-disputed and largely illegitimate State structure, will not be able to accomplish its set objectives; with the decision by the Nigerian State to deny rather than come to terms with Nigerians' primary forms of identity, ethnic and religious, set to further erode rather than enhance the integrity of the exercise. It concludes that census will stop being inverted in its role in Nigeria only when the governance structure becomes wholly decentralized, the federating units become truly so, and census as an exercise becomes wholly de-politicized.

Land use change and the multifunctional role of agriculture: a spatial prediction model in an Italian rural area

Land use and cover change are very complex phenomena, based on relationships among environmental, social and economic factors. Moreover, its analysis could be highly valuable for predicting the effects of land use change and for planning a policy intervention able to steer agricultural activities towards sustainability. We implemented a spatial prediction model of agricultural land use changes using a Bayesian-based procedure (Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence). This model focuses on the probability maps of changing in a Tuscan area, as derived from the land use change tendency shown in Corine Land Cover (CLC) 1990 and CLC 2000. The social characteristics of the farmer (age, educational level), farming system and farm structure characteristics based on past agricultural census data are taken into consideration. The multifunctional contribution each land covers option is then derived.

“Татарская Проблема” во всероссийской переписи населения

SUMMARY: This article, written by a member of the Commission responsible for the composition of the list of nationalities for the recent Russian census, explores the “Tatar problem” that emerged during the process of census preparation and organization. The author gives a historical outline of the Russian censuses, particularly focusing on classification of ethnic groups. His main interest is to follow the historical life of the term “Tatar” in Russian censuses. Citing norms of the constitution that guarantee freedom of ethnic identification as well as scholarly and administrative practices of the past censuses, Sokolovsky argues in favor of the recent census classification, which provides space for such nationalities and ethnic groups as kriashen . This classification, which allegedly undermined the unity of the Tatar nation, was debated by mass media and authorities in Tatarstan. The author sees the interest of ethnocratic politicians behind the attempt to include kriashens and other ethnic groups into the Tatar nation and thus increase the numbers of the titular nationality population. Such an increase would legitimate the overrepresentation of ethnic Tatars in republican institutions.