Scale Of Province Research Articles

Variable synchrony in insect outbreak cycling across a forest landscape gradient: multi-scale evidence from trembling aspen in Alberta

Using multi-scale trembling aspen tree-ring width data from Alberta, we show that scaling has a profound influence on dendroecological inferencing. At all scales of sampling, there is a significant climatological signal whose strength is nevertheless superseded by the pervasive effect of insect herbivory. At the smallest spatial scale, 20 km × 20 km, we demonstrate a quasi-periodic pattern of sharp growth reductions and the existence of negative spatial correlations among successive outbreaks. At the intermediate spatial scale of 20 km × 80 km, we show that the period 1930–1963 was marked by extremely low correlations in aspen ring widths, with much higher correlations occurring both before and after, despite high variance in precipitation that might have caused ring widths to correlate under moisture limitation. At the largest spatial scale of the entire province, aspen ring widths in the boreal forest became decorrelated abruptly in 1916, after cycling synchronously for the previous 80 years. This occurred despite a warming climate that heightened moisture limitation. Something in the environment prevents some outbreak cycles from rising to maximum intensity and from spreading to maximum extent. This appears to be the key to better predictability and management of forest insects and forests at short and long time-scales.

The Current Status of Secondary School Teacher’s Perception of Happiness in Nam Dinh Province during the Implementation Period of the 2018 General Education Program

In the current context of a major revolution in the Vietnamese education system, teachers’ perception of happiness makes an important criterion in evaluating effectiveness of the changes made to educational programs. The initial investigation of the positive effects of this renovation was conducted on the scale of Nam Dinh province and the results show multidimensional sources of information. In addition to positive information, there is still information that raises many questions for leaders to pay attention to. The outcome of the investigation suggests the evaluation of “The job is meaningful” is 3.10 out of 5 points, which is the lowest in assessment criteria. Meanwhile, the rates for “Completely disbelieve” and “Slightly disbelieve” in happiness of their profession in the future take up a large proportion (24.4%). However, other criteria namely “Being satisfied with current position” and “Feeling motivated with the job” received higher evaluation scores, respectively 4.05/5 points and 4.11/5 points. Via the results of the research, the author is looking forward to appropriate actions taken by the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam with a view to enhancing the perception of happiness among teachers.

A new 1.32 Ga Tianshui mafic sill in the Liaodong area and its relations to the Yanliao large igneous province in the northern North China Craton

A new 1.32 Ga Tianshui mafic sill was identified in the Liaodong area, which enlarges the scale of the Yanliao large igneous province (LIP, extending >600 km) in the North China Craton. It intrudes concordantly into limestone layers and is overlain by Neoproterozoic strata. SIMS baddeleyite Pb-Pb dating on two coarse-grained gabbros yields weighted mean 207Pb/206Pb ages of 1324 ± 2 Ma (n = 20, MSDW = 1.5) and 1326 ± 5 Ma (n = 9, MSDW = 1.3), similar to those of mafic sills in the Yanliao LIP. The Tianshui mafic sill shows a similar E-MORB geochemical character as the mafic sills in the Yanliao LIP, including tholeiitic composition, enriched light rare earth elements (La/YbN = 2.45–3.77), and large ion lithophile elements, but depleted high field strength elements, positive baddeleyite εHft values of 3.59–10.96, with a peak of 6.07, and negative whole-rock εNdt values of −1.8 to −0.6, with an average of −1.3, indicative of an enriched mantle source. The host limestone layers are 800 m thick and possibly contemporaneous with the Mesoproterozoic Gaoyuzhuang Formation of the Liaoxi area. The 1.32 Ga Yanliao mafic sills underwent extensive crystallization differentiation controlled by olivine, clinopyroxene, and plagioclase. They were generated at a high primary temperature of ∼1550 °C and crystallized at ∼1140 °C at 0.24 kbar, which could be related to the mantle plume magmatism.

Cereal Yield Forecasting with Satellite Drought-Based Indices, Weather Data and Regional Climate Indices Using Machine Learning in Morocco

Accurate seasonal forecasting of cereal yields is an important decision support tool for countries, such as Morocco, that are not self-sufficient in order to predict, as early as possible, importation needs. This study aims to develop an early forecasting model of cereal yields (soft wheat, barley and durum wheat) at the scale of the agricultural province considering the 15 most productive over 2000–2017 (i.e., 15 × 18 = 270 yields values). To this objective, we built on previous works that showed a tight linkage between cereal yields and various datasets including weather data (rainfall and air temperature), regional climate indices (North Atlantic Oscillation in particular), and drought indices derived from satellite observations in different wavelengths. The combination of the latter three data sets is assessed to predict cereal yields using linear (Multiple Linear Regression, MLR) and non-linear (Support Vector Machine, SVM; Random Forest, RF, and eXtreme Gradient Boost, XGBoost) machine learning algorithms. The calibration of the algorithmic parameters of the different approaches are carried out using a 5-fold cross validation technique and a leave-one-out method is implemented for model validation. The statistical metrics of the models are first analyzed as a function of the input datasets that are used, and as a function of the lead times, from 4 months to 2 months before harvest. The results show that combining data from multiple sources outperformed models based on one dataset only. In addition, the satellite drought indices are a major source of information for cereal prediction when the forecasting is carried out close to harvest (2 months before), while weather data and, to a lesser extent, climate indices, are key variables for earlier predictions. The best models can accurately predict yield in January (4 months before harvest) with an R2 = 0.88 and RMSE around 0.22 t. ha−1. The XGBoost method exhibited the best metrics. Finally, training a specific model separately for each group of provinces, instead of one global model, improved the prediction performance by reducing the RMSE by 10% to 35% depending on the provinces. In conclusion, the results of this study pointed out that combining remote sensing drought indices with climate and weather variables using a machine learning technique is a promising approach for cereal yield forecasting.

FEATURES OF SIMBIRSK BOLSHEVIKS’ WORK AMONG THE CHUVASH POPULATION (1918–1920)

The article deals with the problems of creation and activity of the Chuvash national section in 1918–1920 in Simbirsk. The analysis of document kept at the State Archives of Modern History of Ulyanovsk region is indicative of the national rise of the Chuvash people after the February Revolution of 1917; it shows a high level of education among the Chuvash communists. The work experience of Chuvash Bolsheviks among the population is analyzed. Errors and achievements of propaganda work among the Chuvash population of the province are shown. In Simbirsk province 250 thousand Chuvash lived, and Simbirsk was a recognized Chuvash cultural and educational center. From 1868 the Chuvash Teacher Seminary worked in the town, which launched the beginning of national intelligentsia formation. Graduates and students of the seminary (27 persons) became members of the Chuvash section of the RCP(b), setting the task of conducting propaganda and campaigning among the Chuvash population in their native language.
 
 The members of the section were young, energetic and fairly well educated. They were able to deploy the work on the scale of the whole province but they made mistakes: they put emphasis on the printed word. Most of the peasants were illiterate. Neither the calls of the Chuvash communists to create collective farms caused their sympathy. The members of the section found the right path to the masses. They noticed a passionate interest of the Chuvash population in art. Since the autumn 1919 all the public speakings of activists were accompanied by performances and singing of national choirs. Success was not long in coming.

Pattern-based, multi-scale segmentation and regionalization of EOSD land cover

The Earth Observation for Sustainable Development of Forests (EOSD) map is a 25m resolution thematic map of Canadian forests. Because of its large spatial extent and relatively high resolution the EOSD is difficult to analyze using standard GIS methods. In this paper we propose multi-scale segmentation and regionalization of EOSD as new methods for analyzing EOSD on large spatial scales. Segments, which we refer to as forest land units (FLUs), are delineated as tracts of forest characterized by cohesive patterns of EOSD categories; we delineated from 727 to 91,885 FLUs within the spatial extent of EOSD depending on the selected scale of a pattern. Pattern of EOSD's categories within each FLU is described by 1037 landscape metrics. A shapefile containing boundaries of all FLUs together with an attribute table listing landscape metrics make up an SQL-searchable spatial database providing detailed information on composition and pattern of land cover types in Canadian forest. Shapefile format and extensive attribute table pertaining to the entire legend of EOSD are designed to facilitate broad range of investigations in which assessment of composition and pattern of forest over large areas is needed. We calculated four such databases using different spatial scales of pattern. We illustrate the use of FLU database for producing forest regionalization maps of two Canadian provinces, Quebec and Ontario. Such maps capture the broad scale variability of forest at the spatial scale of the entire province. We also demonstrate how FLU database can be used to map variability of landscape metrics, and thus the character of landscape, over the entire Canada.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COHESION POLICY IN RURAL AREAS OF DOLNOŚLĄSKIE REGION

The aim of this paper is to present the implementation of cohesion policy in rural areas on the example of Dolnośląskie voivodeship, based on an assessment of the direction and scale of funding for rural areas under two operational programs, the Rural Development Programme for 2007-2013 and the Regional Operational Programme of Lower Silesia Voivodeship 2007-2013. In the present study, expert-based, documentary, and k-means clustering methods were used. Studies indicate that in 2007-2013 the majority of investments from the RDP were related to improving the quality of life of rural residents. The amount of support, both in total and per capita, varied widely. Most municipalities received this support at the lowest level available on the scale of the whole province. Support for investments in rural areas of the ROP of Dolnośląskie voivodeship 2007-2013 was primarily related to the improvement of transport conditions and environmental protection projects.

Operational efficiency and sustainability of vector control of malaria and dengue: descriptive case studies from the Philippines

BackgroundAnalysis is lacking on the management of vector control systems in disease-endemic countries with respect to the efficiency and sustainability of operations.MethodsThree locations were selected, at the scale of province, municipality and barangay (i.e. village). Data on disease incidence, programme activities, and programme management were collected on-site through meetings and focus group discussions.ResultsAdaptation of disease control strategies to the epidemiological situation per barangay, through micro-stratification, brings gains in efficiency, but should be accompanied by further capacity building on local situational analysis for better selection and targeting of vector control interventions within the barangay. An integrated approach to vector control, aiming to improve the rational use of resources, was evident with a multi-disease strategy for detection and response, and by the use of combinations of vector control methods. Collaboration within the health sector was apparent from the involvement of barangay health workers, re-orientation of job descriptions and the creation of a disease surveillance unit. The engagement of barangay leaders and use of existing community structures helped mobilize local resources and voluntary services for vector control. In one location, local authorities and the community were involved in the planning, implementation and evaluation of malaria control, which triggered local programme ownership.ConclusionsStrategies that contributed to an improved efficiency and sustainability of vector control operations were: micro-stratification, integration of vector control within the health sector, a multi-disease approach, involvement of local authorities, and empowerment of communities. Capacity building on situational analysis and vector surveillance should be addressed through national policy and guidelines.

Research of Ecological Footprint Application in Foreign and China

Ecological footprint model is the main method of evaluating ecological carrying capacity and currently the model has been widely used in foreign and China. According to three scale of global, nation and urban, the study cases of ecological application model application in foreign countries are introduced and according to three scale of China and province, city and county ,the study cases of ecological footprint model are described in China. Those study cases provide references for the application of ecological footprint model in Chinese small areas.

Petrology, age, and polychronous sources of the initial magmatism of the Imandra-Varzuga paleorift, Fennoscandian shield

This paper reports new geochemical and isotope data on the volcanogenic complexes of the Arvarench sequence of the Imandra-Varzuga paleorift structure of the Fennoscandian shield. It was established that these complexes are made up of komatiites, basalts, high-Mg andesites, and dacites and occupy a Sumian chronostratigraphic position with U-Pb (SHRIMP) age of 2429 ± 6.6 Ma in the regional Early Precambrian stratigraphic scale of the Kola-Norwegian province of the Fennoscandian shield, thus constraining the Sumian Subhorizon of the Lower Karelian Complex of the Northeastern Fennoscandian shield within 2450–2430 Ma. The high negative eNd, LREE enrichment, and the presence of different-age Archean zircons with REE patterns indicative of disequilibrium crystallization suggest that the parental dacitic melts were derived by anatectic melting of polychronous (3.2, 2.9, 2.8, 2.7 Ga) lithological complexes of the Archean continental crust of the Kola-Norwegian province of the Fennoscandian shield. Numerical petrological-geochemical modeling of generation and evolution of primary melts of the metavolcanic rocks made it possible to establish that the isotope-geochemical peculiarities of the komatiites, basalts, and basaltic andesites can be best described by fractional crystallization of primary komatiite melt contaminated by ∼ 2% of the Archean crustal material of tonalitic composition. The mantle protolith of primary melt in terms of its isotope-geochemical parameters was similar to the “enriched” mantle source of the Paleoproterozoic (2430–2450 Ma) mafic-ultramafic layered intrusions of the Kola-Norwegian province and Sumian metavolcanic rocks of the Fennoscandian shield. The high-Mg andesites of the Arvarench sequence were derived by fractionation of crustally contaminated (∼ 2%) magnesian basalts with elevated Al content (Al2O3 ∼ 15.6 wt %) in equilibrium with 40–50% Cpx40-Ol20-Opx10-Pl10-Mag20 assemblage at P < 1 GPa. Obtained isotope-geochemical data and modeling results could be interpreted by off-subduction geodynamic model of the evolution of mantle plume and its interaction with the Archean continental lithosphere at the early stage of intracratonic rifting.

Shear-wave splitting, lithospheric anisotropy, and mantle deformation beneath the Arabia–Eurasia collision zone in Iran

Records of core-refracted phases from permanent and temporary seismological stations are analysed to provide a map of seismic anisotropy covering most tectonic provinces of Iran. Anisotropy is coherent at the scale of a single province, but it differs from one province to another. No significant shear-wave splitting is observed in the mountain ranges of Zagros, Alborz, and Kopeh-Dagh. Anisotropy with average time lags of 1.1 ± 0.3 s between fast and slow shear-waves with axes of the faster polarization oriented mostly NW–SE is observed in Central Iran, but the faster orientation is NE–SW in NE Iran. The orientations of fast axes do not coincide with the directions of absolute plate motion in the no-net rotation frame or in the hot-spot frame, suggesting that the observed anisotropy cannot be explained by a simple model of asthenospheric flow. The heterogeneous orientation of fast axes with differences in length scales of a few hundreds km suggests that the anisotropy originates in the lithospheric mantle. In the area where strike-slip shear dominates, the fast axes lie approximately parallel to the orientations of maximum shear estimated from GPS measurements, either with right-lateral shear associated with the NS-trending right-lateral faults in Central Iran, or left-lateral shear associated with EW-trending left-lateral faults in Northeast Iran. In the mountain belts, the null measurements may be related to horizontal shortening and thickening by pure shear, as proposed from synthetic models of olivine fabric which both imply a large amount of vertical strain, not seen by SKS splitting. Our data therefore do not agree with previous explanations of shear-wave splitting in the neighbouring regions of Eastern Anatolia and Saudi Arabia in terms of simple asthenospheric flow. They rather support the view that Iran deforms over a broad area, with vertically-coherent deformation at a lithospheric scale, that includes both shear between blocks in Central Iran and shortening at the mountain belts.

Links between topography, erosion, rheological heterogeneity, and deformation in contractional settings: Insights from the central Andes

Orogenic structure in the central Andes (15°S–34°S) systematically varies with mean annual precipitation, suggesting that erosional processes may be coupled to tectonic processes. We explore the range of possible interactions between deformation, erosional processes, changing geodynamic conditions, and preexisting geologic structures to assess the relative importance of each. Our review and synthesis indicates that the pre-orogenic geologic history and changing geodynamic conditions leave a lasting imprint on the modern structure of the mountain belt. In contrast, changes in precipitation that result from regional-scale atmospheric and oceanic circulation interact with local topography to control the climatic zoning across the central Andes. Changes in erosion, which likely correspond to changes in climate, rock uplift rate, and the exposure of different lithologies, may in turn affect the tectonic development of the region at the scale of each morphotectonic province. In this view, geologic and geodynamic factors set the stage for the nature and strength of coupling between erosional processes, tectonic deformation, and mountain belt structure in the different parts of the central Andes.

The paleoproterozoic Ghanaian province: Geodynamic model and ore controls, including regional stress modeling

The paleoproterozoic Ghanaian province: Geodynamic model and ore controls, including regional stress modeling

HISTORICAL RANGE OF VARIABILITY IN LANDSCAPE STRUCTURE: A SIMULATION STUDY IN OREGON, USA

2 Pacific Northwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 USA Abstract. We estimated the historical range of variability (HRV) of forest landscape structure under natural disturbance regimes at the scale of a physiographic province (Oregon Coast Range, 2 million ha) and evaluated the similarity to HRV of current and future landscapes under alternative management scenarios. We used a stochastic fire simulation model to simulate presettlement landscapes and quantified the HRV of landscape structure using multivariate analysis of landscape metrics. We examined two alternative policy sce- narios simulated by two spatially explicit simulation models: (1) current management pol- icies for 100 years into the future and (2) the wildfire scenario with no active management until it reached the HRV. The simulation results indicated that historical landscapes of the province were dynamic, composed of patches of various sizes and age classes ranging from 0 to .800 years including numerous, small, unburned forest islands. The current landscape was outside the HRV. The landscape did not return to the HRV in the 100 years under either scenario, largely because of lack of old-growth forests and the abundance of young forests. Under the current policy scenario, development of landscape structure was limited by the spatial arrangement of different ownerships and the highly contrasting management regimes among ownerships. As a result, the vegetation pattern after 100 years reflected the ownership pattern. Sur- prisingly, the wildfire scenario initially moved the landscape away from the HRV during the first 100 years, after which it moved toward the HRV, but it required many more centuries to reach it. Extensive forest management and human-caused fires in the 20th century have left legacies on the landscape that could take centuries to be obliterated by wildfire. Departure from the HRV can serve as an indicator of landscape conditions, but results depend on scale and quantification of landscape heterogeneity. The direct application of the concept of HRV to forest policy and management in large landscapes is often limited since not all ownerships may have ecological goals and future climate change is anticipated. Natural disturbance-based management at large scales would not show the projected effects on landscape structure within a typical policy time frame in highly managed landscapes.

40Ar/39Ar geochronology and structural data from the giant Okavango and related mafic dyke swarms, Karoo igneous province, northern Botswana

In NE Botswana, the Karoo dykes include a major N110° dyke swarm known as the Okavango giant dyke swarm (ODS/N110°) and a second smaller set of N70° dykes belonging to the Sabi-Limpopo dyke swarm (SLDS/N70°). New 40Ar/39Ar plagioclase dating of Karoo dolerites of the giant ODS/N110° and the SLDS/N70° in NE Botswana yield plateau ages between 179.6±1.2 and 178.4±1.1 Ma. Our data are concordant with previous 40Ar/39Ar ages for Northern Karoo dykes and lava flows exposed in western Zimbabwe. The data are tightly clustered, indicating a short-lived (179–181 Ma) flood basalt magmatism in this region. The new radiometric dates allow the definition of a diachronous Jurassic flood basalt activity in southern Africa. A significant south to north younging at the scale of the Karoo igneous province correlates with a chemical zonation from low-Ti (south) to high-Ti (north) mafic rocks. Structural measurements on the ODS/N110° and SLDS/N70° Karoo dykes of NE Botswana suggest that: (1) most of the host fractures are inherited Precambrian structures; (2) dyke emplacement occurred under unidirectional tensional stresses; (3) significant syn- and post-volcanic extensional tectonics are lacking. Combined with regional geology, these geochronological and structural data do not confirm unambiguously the triple-junction hypothesis usually put forward to support a mantle plume model for the evolution of the Karoo igneous province, prior to Gondwana breakup.

Spectres Raman des opales: aspect diagnostique et aide à la classification

Raman spectroscopy provides structural data useful for opal classification. Because it is sensitive to short-range order and the material water content, this non-destructive method offers more information than the classical classification of Jones and Segnit (1971), based on X-ray diffraction. The position of the apparent maximum of the main Raman band at low wavenumbers can be used to classify opals on the basis of their degree of crystallinity. The most amorphous opals (those from Australia in our study) have a maximum beyond 400 cm (super -1) , the best crystallized ones (those from Mexico in our study) around 325 cm (super -1) . Brazilian opals occupy an intermediate position. Two preliminary results need to be verified on a much larger sampling including all types of known opal deposits: the position of the various bands of Raman spectrum seems to be characteristic of the geographical origin of the sample (at the scale of the geological province), and also of the type of geological origin (volcanic versus sedimentary).

Tectonics of the Bay of Bengal: new insights from satellite-gravity and ship-borne geophysical data

Recently released satellite-derived free air gravity anomalies and the existing ship-board geophysical data provide new insights into the tectonics of the Bay of Bengal with respect to the structure and regional extension of the buried 85°E ridge and the tectonics of the Eastern Continental Margin of India (ECMI). The 85°E ridge can be visualized extending inland via the Mahanadi basin volcanics to the Rajmahal Traps. A large volcanic province in eastern India encompassing the Rajmahal and Sylhet Traps and volcanics in the Bengal and Mahanadi basins, almost on the scale of the Deccan volcanic province along the west coast, can be envisaged taking into account the occurrences of intrusive and extrusive rocks around the age of 117 Ma. The 85°E ridge represents the deep-ocean volcanic trace of this magmatic activity. Towards the south, the ridge continues in an arcuate manner to the Afanasy–Nikitin seamount at equatorial latitudes in the central Indian Ocean. Gravity models of the ridge are indicative of hotspot-related crustal underplating processes beneath the ridge. The ECMI can be divided into a southern transform and northern rifted segments on the basis of gravity and bathymetry data, which bear similarities with the conjugate East Antarctica margin.

Occurrence of Boron-Rich Potassic Melts in the Vulsini Volcanic District, Italy: Evidence From Melt Inclusions

Boron was analyzed by nuclear microanalysis technique, using the 11B(p, α) 8Be reaction, in potassic to highly potassic melts (Mg# [Mg 2+/(Mg 2++ Fe 2+)] > 0.70) trapped as melt inclusions in olivine (Fo 91.7–90.5) phenocrysts from the Vulsini Volcanic District (northwestern Roman Province, Italy). These data evidence unusual B concentrations from 60 to 100 ppm, up to five times higher than any documented values in primitive subduction-related magmas. The melt inclusions display variable concentrations in B, K, Sr, and F, with constant ratios between elements, for a single volcanic event, that strongly suggest variations of the extents of batch partial melting of a mantle source enriched in B, K, Sr, and F. Conversely B/K and B/Cl ratios in potassic magmas (Mg# > 0.70), as exemplified by melt inclusions in olivine (Fo > 90), are variable on the scale of the whole Roman Province. These variations cannot be explained by either fractional crystallization or differing extents of the mantle source melting alone. This is also supported by the range in Th/Ta ratios (52–10) of the whole rock samples. Variability of the B/K or B/Cl ratios cannot be related to a single-stage metasomatism event. The data indicate the possible occurrence of B-rich contaminant and/or high inputs of subducted-derived components in the mantle wedge beneath the Vulsini area, within the peculiar geodynamic setting of the northern part of the Apenninic arc. In addition, by determining boron concentrations using nuclear microanalysis involving the 11B (p, α) 8Be nuclear reaction, we have illustrated the sensitivity of the nuclear reactions in the analysis of the light elements.