Spatial Use Patterns Research Articles

A spatial-temporal gender and land use analysis of bikeshare ridership: The case study of Baltimore City

Bikeshare programs are growing in popularity across the United States as cities aim to provide an alternative mode of transportation that addresses last-mile needs while promoting recreation and tourism. In fall 2016, Baltimore Bikeshare System (BBS) launched with 20 stations. Using trip data for over 17,000 trips from October to May, this study explores the temporal and spatial patterns of bikeshare use in the city. The current study has two main goals: first, exploring the influence of socio-demographic factors on travel patterns of Baltimore's bikeshare ridership, and second, evaluating possible relationships between gender and land use in terms of origin/destination stations of their trips. The methodology of this study was based on statistical analysis including ANOVA, and binary and multinomial logistic regression models. The results of the study include several findings. First, the travel pattern of riders differs according to the status of their memberships, the day of week, and the land use of where they started and ended their trip. Second, there is a large gender difference among BBS membership users, and males are the dominate users. Finally, females tended to have more recreational trips and start and end their trips from/to the same station when compared to male riders.

The effect of anthropogenic drivers on spatial patterns of mangrove land use on the Amazon coast.

Mangroves play an essential ecological role in the maintenance of the coastal zone and are extremely important for the socioeconomics of coastal communities. However, mangrove ecosystems are impacted by a range of anthropogenic pressures, and the loss of this habitat can be attributed primarily to the human occupation of the coastal zone. In the present study, we analyzed the spatial patterns of land use in the mangrove of the Brazilian Amazon coast, and evaluated the anthropogenic drivers of this impact, using a remote sensing approach. We mapped the road network using RapidEye images, and human settlements using global data. The results of these analyses indicate that the Brazilian Amazon coast has a low population density and low rates of anthropogenic impact in most of the coastal microregions investigated, factors that contribute to the maintenance and conservation of the region’s mangrove. The study also revealed that the paved road network is one of the principal drivers of land use in the mangrove, whereas other factors, such as population density, urban centers, and the number of settlements are much less important. While the region has 2024 km of paved highways, unpaved roads (17,496 km) facilitate access to the mangrove, with approximately 90% of anthropogenic impact being recorded within a 3 km radius of these roads. While the network of paved highways is relatively reduced in extension, preventive measures are urgently required to impede any major shift in the current scenario, caused by the expansion of major development programs. The results of the study indicate that biophysical, economic, and political factors may also contribute to the reduction, stability, and development of one of the world’s largest areas of mangrove forest.

Spatial Use Pattern of Lanting House at Kapuas Riverside in the District of Sintang, West Kalimantan

Houses floatings above water on the banks of the river are the forerunners of settlements that have existed since the past in major rivers such as in the regions of Sumatra, Kalimantan and Papua. People that utilize the potential of rivers will choose to live on those area by built a shelter on water. This dwelling, by local people, is referred to the lanting house. Dwellers will continue to transform the inside of the lanting house to adjust to the needs and to the conditions of the surrounding environment. This adjustment process creates a pattern of spatial use in Lanting houses on the banks of the Kapuas river in Sintang City. This research is classified into basic research with the scope includes a correlation relationship between the use of residential space and variables in the form of occupants and occupancy. The observation method is carried out to obtained data that related to the use of dwelling on the unit space and space layout. As the results of the study, it was found that there was a transformation in the use of inner-space and outer-space. In addition, it was found also a deviation in the pattern of space utilization in the lanting houses in the Kapuas Riverbank in Sintang City. Deviation found as a result of the adaptation process of residents to adapt to environmental conditions. Deviation of functions that occur in lanting house is found in the terrace, living room, family room, and kitchen area. Deviation of function occurs with the addition of new functions. The behavior patterns of the dwellers of the lanting house are influenced to the formation of patterns and floor planning.

Patterns of Abundance, Host Use, and Everglades Virus Infection in Culex (Melanoconion) cedecei Mosquitoes, Florida, USA.

Everglades virus (EVEV), subtype II within the Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus complex, is a mosquitoborne zoonotic pathogen endemic to south Florida, USA. EVEV infection in humans is considered rare, probably because of the sylvatic nature of the vector, the Culex (Melanoconion) cedecei mosquito. The introduction of Cx. panocossa, a tropical vector mosquito of VEE virus subtypes that inhabits urban areas, may increase human EVEV exposure. Field studies investigating spatial and temporal patterns of abundance, host use, and EVEV infection of Cx. cedecei mosquitoes in Everglades National Park found that vector abundance was dynamic across season and region. Rodents, particularly Sigmodon hispidus rats, were primary vertebrate hosts, constituting 77%–100% of Cx. cedecei blood meals. Humans were fed upon at several locations. We detected EVEV infection in Cx. cedecei mosquitoes in lower and upper regions of Everglades National Park only during the wet season, despite an abundance of Cx. cedecei mosquitoes at other sampling times.

Macroecological patterns of mammals across taxonomic, spatial, and temporal scales

The field of macroecology has made many contributions to our understanding of mammalian ecology and evolution through its use of big data and the examination of statistical patterns that emerge. Here, we review the advances in three areas of mammalian macroecology: 1) spatial and temporal patterns of assemblage structure and space use, 2) the processes and constraints underlying the evolution of body size and life history, and 3) advances in understanding and predicting loss of biodiversity. We highlight the important role that studies of mammals have played in the advancement of macroecological theories and patterns, and note that both mammalogy and macroecology are richer because of this linkage.

Mapping access to domestic water supplies from incomplete data in developing countries: An illustrative assessment for Kenya.

Water point mapping databases, generated through surveys of water sources such as wells and boreholes, are now available in many low and middle income countries, but often suffer from incomplete coverage. To address the partial coverage in such databases and gain insights into spatial patterns of water resource use, this study investigated the use of a maximum entropy (MaxEnt) approach to predict the geospatial distribution of drinking-water sources, using two types of unimproved sources in Kenya as illustration. Geographic locations of unprotected dug wells and surface water sources derived from the Water Point Data Exchange (WPDx) database were used as inputs to the MaxEnt model alongside geological/hydrogeological and socio-economic covariates. Predictive performance of the MaxEnt models was high (all > 0.9) based on Area Under the Receiver Operator Curve (AUC), and the predicted spatial distribution of water point was broadly consistent with household use of these unimproved drinking-water sources reported in household survey and census data. In developing countries where geospatial datasets concerning drinking-water sources often have necessarily limited resolution or incomplete spatial coverage, the modelled surface can provide an initial indication of the geography of unimproved drinking-water sources to target unserved populations and assess water source vulnerability to contamination and hazards.

Insular geckos provide experimental evidence on refuge selection priorities by ectotherms

In small sedentary ectotherms, patterns of spatial use result from the interplay between multiple, often conflicting factors, including abiotic and biotic interactions. Evaluating the costs and benefits of these pressures is crucial to make correct behavioural decisions in terms of fitness. The insular São Vicente’s wall gecko Tarentola substituta provides a relatively simple model system to study these questions as it inhabits arid rocky habitats where refuges are limited, density of conspecifics is high, and terrestrial predators are almost absent. In the field, adults tend to find diurnal shelter under mid-sized rocks, frequently in male-female couples, while juveniles occupy small rocks which are thermally suboptimal. A lab experiment was conducted to determine the roles of ecological (shelter size and temperature) and social (conspecifics) factors in refuge selection. Single and pair combinations of geckos of different age and sex classes were allowed to select among four refuges: cold small, hot small, cold large, or hot large rock. Based on previous studies, we hypothesized that larger and thermally buffered rocks would be the preferred refuges, and that adult male-female pairs under the same rock would be more frequent than other combinations.Geckos primarily selected larger shelters, trading off the presence of conspecifics against thermal quality. In social terms, sex, adult condition and size-related disparity shaped the patterns of aggregation, resulting in lower aggregation frequencies between adults and juveniles and even between juveniles of different sizes. These results reasonably match field observations suggesting selection of rocks as diurnal retreats according to their thermal properties, and social aggregations mainly involving adult males and females but not juveniles. Overall, this combined evidence provides insights on the spatial ecology of geckos, and likely other ectotherms, under conditions of low predation, limited resources and high intraspecific competition, such as those prevailing on island systems.

Diversity and spatial use of birds in the Ujung Pangkah coastal area of Gresik Regency, West Java

Birds are fauna that are widely spread from the coast and the sea to the tops of mountains. Spatial use of birds is related to habitat use in accordance with the preferences of each species. Ujung Pangkah is one of the coastal areas in Gresik Regency, East Java and is the estuary of the Bengawan Solo River. This region has extensive mangrove and mudflat habitats. In addition, this region also consists of islands which are formed from sediments of mud which become arising land. Space utilization of birds is closely related to the type of feed, the level of disturbance, and other activities. Ujung Pangkah also serves as a transit area for migratory birds, especially coastal and marine birds. In this study, spatial utilization patterns are needed to map the areas used by birds in their activities. The purpose of this study is to identify and calculate the value of bird diversity and mapping the pattern of spatial use along with the habitat types used. The study was conducted in October - November 2016 in three zones, namely the northern zone, eastern zone and western zone. The investigation was carried out with exploration methods at each observation point. The results showed the diversity of birds in the Ujung Pangkah area consisted of 59 species from 27 families. The species of Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) is a bird that uses the most extensive space and found in all study area. Habitat used is quite diverse that is mudflat, mangroves, ponds and residential areas.

Population connectivity of adfluvial and stream-resident Lahontan cutthroat trout: implications for resilience, management, and restoration

Population connectivity between resident and migratory cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii ssp.) is understudied, but has implications for population viability and management. We examined evidence for stream residency, studied the spatial patterns of stream use by adfluvial and stream-resident trout, and measured migration rates with changing stream depth for Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi) in the Summit Lake Basin, Nevada (USA). Passive integrated transponder technology and a fry trap were used to track fish movements and identify the distribution of resident and adfluvial trout. Stream residents were distributed throughout the network. Adfluvial spawners concentrated in lower reaches, but also migrated up to 12.9 km. Adfluvial juveniles migrated to the lake from lower reaches and from upstream of adfluvial spawners. High stream depths coincided with more adfluvial juveniles migrating to the lake and more adfluvial spawners moving into the stream, which led to more accessing the upper watershed. This work shows that connectivity is central to adfluvial–resident Lahontan cutthrout trout population dynamics and may lead to increased probability of persistence — a characteristic of these isolated, threatened trout populations.

Agriculture, brolgas and Australian sarus cranes on the Atherton Tablelands, Australia

Flocks of brolgas (Antigone rubicunda) and Australian sarus cranes (A. antigone gillae) congregate in cropping areas of the Atherton Tablelands in north Queensland, Australia, during the non-breeding months of May to December each year and sometimes come into conflict with farmers. The central part of the region has been declared a Key Biodiversity Area, largely because it is the only well known non-breeding area for the Australian sarus crane. We investigated spatial and temporal patterns of use of this landscape for foraging by the two species to determine how they might be affected by changes in cropping. Abundances of the species were positively correlated with each other over both time and space. Sarus cranes were nevertheless markedly more abundant on the fertile volcanic soils of the central Tablelands, whilst brolgas were more abundant on a variety of soils in outlying cropping areas close to roost sites, especially in the south-west of the region. Both species used a wide variety of crops and pastures but occurred at highest densities on ploughed land and areas from which crops (especially maize) had been harvested. In addition, brolgas were also strongly associated with early-stage winter cereals with volunteer peanuts from the previous crop. We conclude that maize and peanut crops are important as foraging sites for both species during the non-breeding season, a situation that requires management in the interest of both cranes and farmers, especially as cropping patterns intensify and agricultural technology changes. However, we also note that flocking on the Atherton Tablelands indicates that brolgas and sarus cranes are likely to be adaptable to change and able to take advantage of newly created cropping areas.

Spatial Variations in Utilization of Modern Contraceptives in Ethiopia

Background: Even though modern contraceptives are known to be important for fertility control, utilization of these services varies across different geographical areas. A geographically linked data analysis using population and health facility data is important to investigate and map the use of family planning services. Thus, this study aimed to assess the spatial patterns of modern contraceptive use and to identify its associated factors among married women in Ethiopia. Method: A secondary data analysis of the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey and the 2014 Ethiopian Service Provision Assessment was conducted. A multilevel analysis was conducted to identify the potential factors associated with the use of modern contraceptives among married women in Ethiopia using the SAS GLIMMIX procedure. Furthermore, a spatial analysis was done to identify the potential hot spot areas of modern contraceptive prevalence rates using ArcGIS. Results: Being exposed to family planning messages, having a higher number of living children, husbands'/partners' education level, and wealth were strongly associated with increased use of modern contraceptives. More importantly, a one unit increase in the mean score of health facilities' readiness to provide short-term modern contraceptives in a typical region was associated with a 20 fold increase in the odds of modern contraceptive use. 24.47% of the variation in the use of modern contraception was accounted for by location. Moreover, the spatial analysis found that Addis Ababa and the Amhara region had high clusters of modern contraceptive use rates as compared to clusters of low contraceptive use rates in the Afar and Somali regions. Conclusion: There were significant variations in the use of modern contraceptives across the different regions of Ethiopia. Therefore, regions with low contraceptive rates and high fertility rates should be targeted for scaling up and tailoring of services to the lifestyles of the population of those regions. Funding: Not applicable. Declaration of Interest: The authors declared that they have no competing interests. Ethical Approval: Ethical approval was obtained from the Human Research Ethics Committee, The University of Newcastle. We also got the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) and the Measure DHS program approval to access the datasets.

Mapping Miskitu subsistence land use change in Concejo Territorial Katainasta, Honduras

Understanding the large-scale spatial patterns of natural resource use in indigenous homelands is critical for guaranteeing indigenous peoples’ ancestral land rights, designing effective conservation policies, and promoting good governance in Central America. However, few studies have mapped the diachronic distribution of indigenous communities’ resource use in these areas. Here we present a case study describing the spatial functionality of the Concejo Territorial Katainasta (CTK)--the first indigenous territorial jurisdiction in Honduras to receive an intercommunity land title. Two participatory research mapping (PRM) studies--the first in 1992 and the second in 2014-15--mapped the spatial patterns of Miskitu subsistence activities in CTK. The results were subsequently converted into a geographic information system (GIS) that allowed for spatial and temporal comparisons of Miskitu subsistence livelihoods in CTK before and after the titling process. Here we focus on the spatial parameters of three Miskitu subsistence livelihoods: agriculture, hunting and fishing. Analysis of results suggests that 1) the 2014-15 subsistence use areas for Miskitu communities in CTK have not diverged dramatically from those of the 1992 study, and 2) the new legal boundaries of CTK adequately encompass the subsistence use areas of its constituent communities and recognize the historical overlaps in Miskitu resource use and tenure patterns.

Drivers of daily movement patterns affecting an endangered vulture flight activity

BackgroundThe development of satellite tracking technology enables the gathering of huge amounts of accurate data on animal movements over measured time intervals, to reveal essential information about species’ patterns of spatial use. This information is especially important in optimizing the design of conservation and management strategies for endangered species. In this study, we analysed the main drivers of daily patterns in the flight activity of the threatened Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus. We studied 19 Bearded Vultures tagged with solar-powered GPS transmitters from 2006 to 2016 in the Pyrenees (Spain). We assessed the relative influence of external factors (season and daylight time) and internal factors (sex, breeding season and territorial status) on their daily activity behaviour by computing mean hourly distance travelled, maximum displacement and cumulative distance travelled per hour.ResultsOur findings showed a clear difference in all the estimators between territorial and non-territorial (floating) members of the population, showing that non-territorial individuals spent much longer in flight and travelled larger distances per day. We detected an important influence of daylight time and season on the daily rhythms of Bearded Vultures; flight activity increased during the last three quarters of daylight and was greatest in the spring. Breeding period and sex had also an effect on the maximum displacement and cumulative distance travelled. Individuals flew more during the breeding period and females tended to exhibit greater cumulative and maximum distances per hour than males regardless of breeding season.ConclusionsPyrenean Bearded Vultures flight daily activity was strongly influenced by daylight time, season, and territorial status, while individual sex and breeding season showed a milder effect on the birds’ movement behaviour. This study gives a novel insight into how external factors act as main drivers of the daily flight activity pattern of a long-lived avian scavenger.

Spatial Pattern and Factor Analyses for Forest Sustainable Development Goals within South Korea’s Civilian Control Zone

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer specific guidelines for improving sustainable forest management, especially Goal 15. Goal 15 protects, restores and promotes the sustainable use of land ecosystems, manages forests sustainably, prevents was against desertification, stops and reverses land degradation and prevents biodiversity loss. The Civilian Control Zone (CCZ) south of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea has functioned as a unique biological preserve due to traditional restrictions on human use but is now increasingly threatened by deforestation and development. We used hot spot analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze spatial patterns of forest land use and land cover (LULC) change and variables influencing these changes, within the CCZ. Remote sensing imagery was used to develop land cover classification maps (2010 and 2016) and a GIS database was established for three change factors (topography, accessibility and socioeconomic characteristics). As a result of Hotspot analysis, Hotspots of change were distributed mainly due to agricultural activities and the development of forest and expansion of villages. Subsequent factor analysis revealed that accessibility had greater influence (−0.635) than the other factors. Among the direct factors, change to bare land had the greatest impact (−0.574) on forest change. These results shed light on forest change patterns and causes in the CCZ and provide practical data for efficient forest management in this area with regards to the SDGs.

Effects of urban growth spatial pattern (UGSP) on the land surface temperature (LST): A study in the Po Valley (Italy)

Sealed surfaces greatly influence Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects. In this respect, both the composition and spatial patterns of anthropogenic land use play an important role in local thermal pattern. The urban environments' climate change adaptation strategy needs adequate knowledge systems urban planners can use to organise and design more resistant and resilient urban spaces. This study examined the relationship between Land Surface Temperature (LST) variations and increasing urbanised areas during the period 2001–2011 in the Po Valley, utilising different urban growth spatial patterns (UGSP). Remotely sensed LST data was obtained from MODIS (MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) at a resolution of 1 km/pixel for an 11 year-period, from 2001 to 2011, with urbanisation data from the ISTAT map (nominal scale 1:10,000) respectively for the 2001 and 2011 time sections. The relationship between dependent (mean annual daytime, nighttime and daily values) and independent (urbanised areas) variables were investigated through ANOVA test and post-hoc analysis (p < 0.01) for all defined UGSP. Results showed that there is a decreasing LST range (in all conditions) associated with progressive increase of urbanised areas. Furthermore, clustered patterns urban growth have a statistically significant relationship with daytime, nighttime and daily conditions while dispersed pattern urban growth have the same with nighttime only. The outcomes are helpful for understanding the effects of different UGSP, which have significant implications for urban planning, and identifying the critical territorial sectors in need of sustainable mitigation actions.

Response of arboreal rodents to increased availability of nest substrates in young forests

Many forest-dependent animals require complex branch and bole structural features as substrates for nesting, and these features may take decades or centuries to develop. In young forests, lack of suitable nest substrates may limit occurrence and abundance of arboreal rodents. To test this hypothesis, we measured the response of arboreal rodents to installation of 429 artificial nest platforms at 17 young forest sites in the Coast Range of Oregon, United States. We compared the percentage of 100-m2 plots at sites containing nests before and after installation of nest platforms, and examined 5 a priori hypotheses of spatial patterns of use using logistic regression. One year after installation, we observed a 5.8-fold increase (95% CI = 2.4–9.2) in plots containing nests of red tree voles (Arborimus longicaudus) and a 2.9-fold increase (95% CI = 1.3–4.4) of tree squirrels (Glaucomys oregonensis, Tamiasciurius douglasii). In addition, we captured 37 adult red tree voles (30 females, 7 males). Presence of conspecific nests < 75 m away increased the odds of use by red tree voles but not by tree squirrels. Our results support the hypothesis that lack of suitable nest substrates limits occurrence of red tree voles in young forests, but results were ambiguous for tree squirrels. Increasing the availability of nest substrates via installation of nest platforms may increase abundance of red tree voles in young forests. However, we do not know if this will allow red tree voles to persist in young forests that are subjected to repeated commercial thinning and clear-cut harvesting.

Variability in distribution and use of tuberculosis diagnostic tests in Kenya: a cross-sectional survey

BackgroundGlobally, 40% of all tuberculosis (TB) cases, 65% paediatric cases and 75% multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) cases are missed due to underreporting and/or under diagnosis. A recent Kenyan TB prevalence survey found that a significant number of TB cases are being missed here. Understanding spatial distribution and patterns of use of TB diagnostic tests as per the guidelines could potentially help improve TB case detection by identifying diagnostic gaps.MethodsWe used 2015 Kenya National TB programme data to map TB case notification rates (CNR) in different counties, linked with their capacity to perform diagnostic tests (chest x-rays, smear microscopy, Xpert MTB/RIF®, culture and line probe assay). We then ran hierarchical regression models for adults and children to specifically establish determinants of use of Xpert® (as per Kenyan guidelines) with county and facility as random effects.ResultsIn 2015, 82,313 TB cases were notified and 7.8% were children. The median CNR/100,000 amongst 0-14yr olds was 37.2 (IQR 20.6, 41.0) and 267.4 (IQR 202.6, 338.1) for ≥15yr olds respectively. 4.8% of child TB cases and 12.2% of adult TB cases had an Xpert® test done, with gaps in guideline adherence. There were 2,072 microscopy sites (mean microscopy density 4.46/100,000); 129 Xpert® sites (mean 0.31/100,000); two TB culture laboratories and 304 chest X-ray facilities (mean 0.74/100,000) with variability in spatial distribution across the 47 counties. Retreatment cases (i.e. failures, relapses/recurrences, defaulters) had the highest odds of getting an Xpert® test compared to new/transfer-in patients (AOR 7.81, 95% CI 7.33-8.33). Children had reduced odds of getting an Xpert® (AOR 0.41, CI 0.36-0.47). HIV-positive individuals had nearly twice the odds of getting an Xpert® test (AOR 1.82, CI 1.73-1.92). Private sector and higher-level hospitals had a tendency towards lower odds of use of Xpert®.ConclusionsWe noted under-use and gaps in guideline adherence for Xpert® especially in children. The under-use despite considerable investment undermines cost-effectiveness of Xpert®. Further research is needed to develop strategies enhancing use of diagnostics, including innovations to improve access (e.g. specimen referral) and overcoming local barriers to adoption of guidelines and technologies.

Monitoring and predicting land use and land cover changes using remote sensing and GIS techniques-A case study of a hilly area, Jiangle, China.

Land use and land cover change research has been applied to landslides, erosion, land planning and global change. Based on the CA-Markov model, this study predicts the spatial patterns of land use in 2025 and 2036 based on the dynamic changes in land use patterns using remote sensing and geographic information system. CA-Markov integrates the advantages of cellular automata and Markov chain analysis to predict future land use trends based on studies of land use changes in the past. Based on Landsat 5 TM images from 1992 and 2003 and Landsat 8 OLI images from 2014, this study obtained a land use classification map for each year. Then, the genetic transition probability from 1992 to 2003 was obtained by IDRISI software. Based on the CA-Markov model, a predicted land use map for 2014 was obtained, and it was validated by the actual land use results of 2014 with a Kappa index of 0.8128. Finally, the land use patterns of 2025 and 2036 in Jiangle County were determined. This study can provide suggestions and a basis for urban development planning in Jiangle County.

An Index of Summer Rainfall for Queensland’s Grazing Lands

AbstractA historical rainfall index, relevant to the grazing industries of Queensland, Australia, is described. We refer to our index as the Queensland grazing lands rainfall index (QGLRI), which is a long-term (1890/91–present) time series of austral summer (November–March) rainfall, spatially averaged over a region we define as the Queensland grazing lands region. We argue that our QGLRI better represents historical summer rainfall variability faced by the majority of the grazing industry in Queensland than does area-averaged statewide rainfall. The geographical boundaries of our region were chosen to 1) better represent the spatial patterns of land use, settlement, and livestock densities and 2) coincide with spatial patterns of airmass dominance. The selected region covers 59% of Queensland’s mainland area but carries more than 80% of the state’s livestock. The region’s boundaries also closely match the mean summer location of the boundaries of the “tropical maritime Pacific” air mass. The selected 5-month season (November–March) was chosen based on summer rainfall dominance, seasonal climatic effects restricting pasture and animal growth, and pasture management implications such as burning and the risk of overgrazing. We find that this season also corresponds to the timing of tropical maritime airmass dominance. The remaining regions of Queensland, far-northern and far-western Queensland, also correspond to well-defined dominant air masses, with properties that are markedly different from those of the tropical maritime Pacific air mass. We demonstrate that the rainfall regime in far-northern Queensland makes a strong contribution to statewide totals, resulting in statewide summer rainfall having lower variability than our QGLRI.

Temporal–spatial distributions of water use and productivity of maize in China

AbstractThe present study aim to explore temporal–spatial patterns of water use (WU) efficiency and its influencing factors of maize production in China during 1998–2010. WU and productivity (WP) were quantified by taking irrigation loss into account and the links between WP and nine selected indicators were revealed by the partial least squares regression (PLSR) model. Results showed that national WU and WP in maize production were 138.56 cubic gigametres (Gm3; 0.755 green and 0.245 blue) and 1.079 kg/m3, respectively. WP was enhanced in the present study due to an increase in irrigated crop yield. Provinces located in the middle–lower part of the Yellow River had high proportions of green water and WP, while high proportions of irrigation water and low WP were found in Northwest China. The dosage of pesticides per unit area, relative humidity, average temperature and precipitation were the dominant factors that affected WP. However, the relationships between WP and solar radiation, fertilizer, agricultural machinery power, irrigation proportion and irrigated efficiency were not significant. Findings of the present research may also provide a reference for regional agricultural water management.