Site Quality Research Articles

Patients With Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries Obtain Information Regarding Diagnosis, Management, and Recovery from Low-Quality Online Resources

ABSTRACT Objectives This study investigates the most common online patient questions pertaining to posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries and the quality of the websites providing information. Methods Four PCL search queries were entered into the Google Web Search. Questions under the ‘People also ask’ tab were expanded in order and 100 results for each query were included (400 total). Questions were categorized based on Rothwell’s Classification of Questions (Fact, Policy, Value). Websites were categorized by source (Academic, Commercial, Government, Medical Practice, Single Surgeon Personal, Social Media). Website quality was evaluated based on the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Benchmark Criteria. Pearson’s chi-squared was used to assess categorical data. Cohen’s kappa was used to assess inter-rater reliability. Results Most questions fell into the Rothwell Fact category (54.3%). The most common question topics were Diagnosis/Evaluation (18.0%), Indications/Management (15.5%), and Timeline of Recovery (15.3%). The least common question topics were Technical Details of Procedure (1.5%), Cost (0.5%), and Longevity (0.5%). The most common websites were Medical Practice (31.8%) and Commercial (24.3%), while the least common were Government (8.5%) and Social Media (1.5%). The average JAMA score for websites was 1.49 ± 1.36. Government websites had the highest JAMA score (3.00 ± 1.26) and constituted 42.5% of all websites with a score of 4/4. Comparatively, Single Surgeon Personal websites had the lowest JAMA score (0.76 ± 0.87, range [0–2]). PubMed articles constituted 70.6% (24/34) of Government websites, 70.8% (17/24) had a JAMA score of 4 and 20.8% (5/24) had a score of 3. Conclusion Patients search the internet for information regarding diagnosis, treatment, and recovery of PCL injuries and are less interested in the details of the procedure, cost, and longevity of treatment. The low JAMA score reflects the heterogenous quality and transparency of online information. Physicians can use this information to help guide patient expectations pre- and post-operatively.

The Relationship between Website Quality, Electronic Word-of-Mouth and Purchasing Decision through Trust as Intervening Variable in Megabangunkontruksi.com Website

This research aims to determine the influence of website quality and electronic word of mouth on purchasing decisions through trust in the megabangunbangun.com website. The population used in this research were all consumers who made product purchase transactions provided on the megabangunbangun.com website during the research. The method used to take samples is a probability sampling method, which provides an equal chance for the population of each study to become the sample. The sampling technique uses simple random sampling carried out randomly according to known population characteristics. The number of participants in this study was 125. Model and data collection using questionnaires. The analysis method used is the SEM-PLS approach. The research results found that (1) website quality does not have a significant and positive effect on purchasing decisions, (2) electronic word of mouth does not have a significant and positive effect on purchasing decisions, (3) website quality has a significant and positive effect on trust, (4) electronic word of mouth has a significant and positive effect on trust, (5) trust has a significant and positive effect on purchasing decisions, (6) website quality has a significant and positive effect on purchasing decisions through trust, (7) electronic word of mouth has a significant and positive effect on decisions purchasing through trust, (8) website quality is the variable that has the most dominant influence in this research.

Analisis Kualitas Website Menggunakan Model Webqual 4.0

The rapid development of technology and communication has had a major influence on human life, making it easier to access information such as websites. The role of a website is very important for success, especially in higher education. Based on this, Nahdaltul Ulama Sunan Giri Bojonegoro University built a student credit point system (SPEKMA) where this system is able to make it easier to save credit point values ​​for each activity that is determined based on an assessment of the achievements and activities that have been achieved by a student. The aim of this research is to determine the quality of the student credit points system (SPEKMA) website using the Webqual 4.0 model and Importance Performance Analysis (IPA). This research uses Webqual as the basis for creating a questionnaire and Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) as an analytical tool in the form of Gap Analysis and Cartesian quadrants. This research used proportionate stratified random sampling with a total of 91 respondents who were active students at Nahdaltul Ulama Sunan Giri University, Bojonegoro. Based on the results obtained, it shows that the overall quality of the SPEKMA website of Nahdlatul Ulama Sunan Giri Bojonegoro University is not quite in line with user expectations. This is evident from the calculation results that the information quality variable results in a negative GAP gap (where the average importance value is greater than the average performance) with an average importance value of 4.12, an average performance value of 4.08. There are indicators that do not meet the interests and expectations of users.

Websites Optimization Metrics: A Systematic Literature Review

Websites play an important role in government, educational and commercial organizations. In the field of education, using websites of universities has been increased and because of that it has been importance to ensure that the universities have an effective websites. Various metrics have been used to evaluate the performance of websites. All these metrics affect the performance and quality of website . This paper presented a systematic literature review SLR to get an overview about the current studies of distinct criteria for performance evaluating the websites and each criteria is explored briefly to give the basic idea behind it. In general, the paper’s objective is to give an up-to-date introduction and short review of these criteria . A Systematic literature review is implemented according to the guidelines of performing a SLR in software engineering. The study was based on a comprehensive set of papers gathered from the online libraries published within time span 2010 to 2022 . The results from this SLR include information about the criteria for evaluating the performance of the multi-level web according to previous research, which was divided into applicable sub-criteria, and then the latter was divided into measurable indicators. within a specific period that can help researchers in this field through providing an overview of the current researches in this area. Furthermore, it may serve as a first step towards a great explanation of the topic with the help of SLR

Estimating Kappa within a Low-Seismicity Region in Northern New Mexico Using Data Recorded by the Los Alamos Seismic Network

ABSTRACT We quantify the total attenuation, κ, and the attenuation component due to near-surface site effects, κ0, in a region in northern New Mexico using data recorded by the Los Alamos Seismic Network. The area is characterized by low seismicity, where most of the well-recorded earthquakes have magnitudes between 1 and 2. This magnitude range poses a challenge for commonly used kappa methods because the high-frequency attenuation cannot be confidently isolated from the bandwidth in which the corner frequency roll-off occurs. We determine through synthetic experiments that estimates of κ within this range have quantifiable biases that depend on source (corner frequency), site (κ magnitude), and data quality characteristics (fitting bandwidth), which can be used to correct estimated κ from three commonly used kappa methods. Using 412 recorded earthquakes, we show that a bias correction results in κ distributions and κ0 estimates that are more consistent between the three methods, suggesting that the bias correction results in κ values with higher fidelity. Using the bias-corrected κ, we find κ0 between 0.038 and 0.049 s within the Valles Caldera and between 0.026 and 0.066 s on Los Alamos National Laboratory property, values near those commonly used in the western United States. We find that a main limitation in the quality of κ0 is the small number of usable waveforms at some stations, which will to improve as more earthquakes are recorded. This contrasts with other aspects, such as fitting bandwidth and source and path variability, which are unlikely to change in the future and will ultimately be the limiting factor in κ0 resolution. Overall, our results suggest that the bias-correction scheme presented here could potentially be used in other regions where small-magnitude earthquakes are prevalent. However, future work should look to verify that bias-corrected κ estimates show consistency with those retrieved from higher magnitude earthquakes.

Advancing environmental monitoring across the water continuum combining biomarker analysis in multiple sentinel species: A case study in the Seine-Normandie Basin (France)

Nowadays, biomarkers are recognized as valuable tools to complement chemical and ecological assessments in biomonitoring programs. They provide insights into the effects of contaminant exposures on individuals and establish connections between environmental pressure and biological response at higher levels. In the last decade, strong improvements in the design of experimental protocols and the result interpretation facilitated the use of biomarker across wide geographical areas, including aquatic continua. Notably, the statistical establishment of reference values and thresholds enabled the discrimination of contamination effects in environmental conditions, allowed interspecies comparisons, and eliminated the need of a reference site.The aim of this work was to study freshwater-estuarine-coastal water continua by applying biomarker measurements in multi-species caged organisms. During two campaigns, eight sentinel species, encompassing fish, mollusks, and crustaceans, were deployed to cover 25 sites from rivers to the sea. As much as possible, a common methodology was employed for biomarker measurements (DNA damage and phagocytosis efficiency) and data interpretation based on guidelines established using reference values and induction/inhibition thresholds (establishment of three effect levels).The methodology was successfully implemented and allowed us to assess the environmental quality. Employing multiple species per site enhances confidence in observed trends. The results highlight the feasibility of integrating biomarker-based environmental monitoring programs across a continuum scale. Biomarker results align with Water Framework Directive indicators in cases of poor site quality. Additionally, when discrepancies arise between chemical and ecological statuses, biomarker findings offer a comprehensive perspective to elucidate the disparities. Presented as a pilot project, this work contributes to gain insights into current biomonitoring needs, providing new questions and perspectives.

Site Quality Models and Fuel Load Dynamic Equation Systems Disaggregated by Size Fractions and Vegetative States in Gorse and High Heath Shrublands in Galicia (NW Spain)

Compatible model systems were developed for estimating fuel load dynamics in Ulex europaeus (gorse) and in Erica australis (Spanish heath) dominated shrub communities at stand level. The models were based on intensive, detailed destructive field sampling and were fitted simultaneously to fulfill the additivity principle. The models enable, for the first time, estimation of the biomass dynamics of the total shrub layer, size fractions and vegetative stage, with reasonably good accuracy. The approach used addresses the high variability in shrub biomass estimates by using a site index (SI) based on biomass levels at a reference age of 10 years. Analysis of the effect of climatic variables on site index confirmed the preference of gorse for mild temperatures and the ability of high heath communities to tolerate a wider range of temperatures. In the gorse communities, SI tended to increase as summer rainfall and the mean temperature of the coldest month increased. However, in the heath communities, no relationships were observed between SI and any of the climatic variables analyzed. The study findings may be useful for assessing and monitoring fuel hazards, updating fuel mapping, planning and implementing fuel reduction treatments and predicting fire behavior, among other important ecological and biomass use-related applications.

Microhabitat humidity rather than food availability drives thermo‐hydroregulation responses to drought in a lizard

The regulation of energy, water and thermal balance involves integrated processes that should drive ecological responses of ectotherms to climate change. Functional tradeoffs between thermoregulation and hydroregulation are exacerbated during hot or dry spells, but how microhabitat hydric properties and trophic resource availability influence these tradeoffs remains unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of microhabitat humidity and food availability on thermo‐hydroregulation strategies in the ground‐dwelling common lizard Zootoca vivipara during a simulated hot and dry spell event. We exposed lizards to a five‐day long acute water restriction in hot conditions in the laboratory and manipulated hydric quality of the retreat site (wet or dry shelter) as well as food availability (ad libitum food or food deprivation). Water restriction and food deprivation caused physiological responses such as muscle catabolism and mobilization of caudal energy reserves. Lizards also developed behavioural strategies to conserve water or energy via decreased thermoregulation effort, higher shelter use and increased eye closure behaviours through time. These physiological and behavioural changes were importantly buffered by the presence of a wet shelter but not by food availability. A wet retreat site reduced the behavioural conflicts between thermoregulation and hydroregulation, allowed lizards to maintain a better condition and reduced physiological dehydration. Instead, food intake did not play a major role in the regulation of hydration state and increased behavioural conflicts between thermoregulation and hydroregulation. A better consideration of thermo‐hydroregulation behaviours and microhabitat hydric quality is required to address ectotherm responses to future climate change.

Assessment of UNESCO Global Geoparks websites for a public geocommunication

This study proposed a semi-quantitative methodology for assessing the quality of the UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) websites. The study was based on mixed indicators (binary and ordinal) which were grouped into five dimensions (presentation, content, interactivity, usability, and special UNESCO information) and combined with multivariate assessment using Principal Component Analysis and the application of the focus group technique using Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis to propose geocommunication strategies. The evaluation matrix, comprising 36 indicators, defined three levels of development (“high”, “moderate”, and “emergent”) and was useful for monitoring website quality and enhancing its territorial value for geotourism, geoconservation, and geoeducation. The results from 156 websites showed a predominance of “moderate development” scores (52.56%) and highlighted positive indicators, such as contact information, geotourism details, mobile compatibility, news, and the UGGp logo. This study also presented the potential of immersive technologies, such as virtual reality and 3D tours, for disseminating geoeducational content. However, there was room for the improvement in interaction and information standardization on UGGp web platforms to ensure effective communication that enriches the user experience.

Quality and Readability Assessment of Web-based Arabic Health Information on Early Childhood Caries.

Patients are increasingly using the internet for searching health-related information. However, the quality and readability of the information available on the internet need to be assessed. To date, no study has assessed the quality and readability of web-based Arabic health information on early childhood caries. To evaluate the quality and readability of patient-oriented online Arabic health information regarding early childhood caries. For this infodemiological study, the Google and Yahoo search engines were searched using specific Arabic terms for early childhood caries, and the top 100 searches from both search engines were considered. Eligible websites were categorized in terms of affiliation as commercial, health portal, dental practice, professional, and journalism. The quality of the websites was assessed using the QUality Evaluation Scoring Tool (QUEST), and readability using the Gunning Fog index (GFI). A total of 140 websites were included after applying the exclusion criteria, of which 50.7% websites were of journalism. The majority of the websites (70%) had an overall low-quality level, with a QUEST score <10. The quality of websites retrieved from Google searches was of significantly higher quality than those from Yahoo (P < 0.0001). More than half (51.4%) of the websites had good readability, with a GFI score ≤8. Journalism websites had a significantly higher proportion of websites with poor readability level (62%) compared with other affiliations (P = 0.0072). The web-based Arabic information regarding early childhood caries is currently of low quality and moderate readability level, thereby indicating a need for improving such patient-facing content.

Website Quality Measurement of Educational Government Agency in Indonesia using Modified WebQual 4.0

This study aims to evaluate the quality of the Region III Higher Education Service Institution (RHSI3) website using the modified WebQual 4.0. This evaluation needs to be carried out to find out things that need to be improved on the website so that it can satisfy its users. Based on the evaluation results, it can be seen that the overall average score of the RHSI3 website measurement is 568.50 with an interpretation of 69.33%, so it is included in the Good criteria. There are six indicators that get a score above the average while there are four indicators that get a score below the average. The indicator that gets the highest score is the indicator about the simplicity of learning to operate the RHSI3 website. This indicator gets a score of 808 with an interpretation of 98.58%, so it is included in the Excellent criteria. The indicator that gets the lowest score is whether the website provides a space for the community. The indicator only gets a score of 216 with an interpretation of 26.34%, so it is included in the Bad criteria. To improve the quality of the website, it is necessary to improve several indicators that get a low score interpretation value, i.e., providing detailed information, a space for the community, and making it easier to communicate with organizations. From an academic point of view, this study contributes to the modifications of WebQual 4.0 as well as gives examples of how to use it. From a practical point of view, the results of this study can be a reference for RHSI3 website managers regarding things that need to be considered and improved to make their website quality better.

Exploring the interplay between website quality and consumer purchase behavior in e-commerce after the COVID-19 pandemic: A study of Shopee Vietnam

Vietnam is recognized for its significant growth in e-commerce. Shopee has become the leading e-commerce platform in Vietnam in terms of revenue and market share. However, Shopee Vietnam faces several challenges, including how customers perceive its services. There is also a lack of academic studies on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected consumer buying habits, especially in relation to Shopee Vietnam. This research looks into how the quality of Shopee's website - including its system, information, and service quality - affects customer buying behavior. The study uses a theoretical framework and tests ten hypotheses using a quantitative approach. Data was collected from 309 Shopee users through a questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS and AMOS 22.0 software. The results show that only information quality and system quality significantly influence customer buying behavior, with service quality having no notable effect. Information quality is the most influential factor. The study concludes that customers view Shopee.vn not just as a place to buy, sell, and ship goods but also as a source of information for searching, exploring, and comparing data.

A Study on the Impact of Digital Transformation in the Banking Sector on Customer’s Experience

The bank sector underwent enormous transformation with looming of digital technologies, fundamentally reshaping the delivery of financial services and experienced by customers. The current trends in digital banking are cloud computing, digitalization, real time payments, automation and like this. In India’s banking sector, digital payment is predicted to increase to $135.2 billion in 2023 and growing at a CAGR of 12.7% from 2020 to 2025.This paper aims to find the impact of digital transformation on customer experience within the banking industry. Furthermore, the paper analyses how digital transformation initiatives, such as mobile banking apps, peer-to-peer payments apps, AI-powered chatbots, and blockchain have revolutionized the way customers interact with banks. It explores the way technologies have enhanced the speed and efficiency of transaction, and account management processes, and enable personalised services tailored to individual customer’s needs. This paper focuses on Tirunelveli district respondents who are the users of digital banking. The variables are service quality (website organisation, reliability, responsiveness, user friendly, personal need, efficiency) and relationship quality (digital commitment, digital trust, digital satisfaction, digital loyalty). The primary data was collected with a structured questionnaire from 350 respondents. Chi square analysis done with the help of SPSS software. This research helped in better understanding of the customer's experience in advanced technologies. The findings shows that there is no association between relationship quality and demographic factors. The service quality differs from each bank with respect to website organization, efficiency, personal need, reliability and user friendly.

IMPACT OF DIGITAL MARKETING ON THE PERFORMANCE OF COMPANIES IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR OF SERBIA

This paper explores the impact of digital marketing on the business operations of companies in the agricultural sector of Serbia. Accordingly, the research objective is to determine critical success factors of digital marketing channels in companies within this sector. Given the stated research objective, the following general hypothesis has been formulated: digital marketing channels such as effective presence on social media, website quality, online sales and search engine optimization have a significant positive impact on the business performance of companies in the agricultural sector in Serbia. Successful implementation of these types of digital marketing channels by companies is expected to lead to increased visibility, engagement of the target audience, and improved sales. Consequently, the results of empirical research provide more insightful perspectives on the state of this field, identifying specific aspects of digital marketing that significantly contribute to the business performance of companies in the agricultural sector of Serbia.

ANALYSIS OF THE QUALITY OF THE ZETA SCARVES WEBSITE USING THE WEBQUAL 4.0 METHOD

This research aims to analyze the quality of the Zeta Scarves website using the WebQual method. The study focuses on three dimensions of website quality: usability, information quality, and service interaction. The data were collected through an online questionnaire distributed to users of the Zeta Scarves website. A total of 296 respondents participated in the study. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the WebQual index. The results showed that the Zeta Scarves website received high scores in all dimensions of website quality. The usability dimension, which measures the ease of use and navigation, received a score of 4. The information quality dimension, which assesses the accuracy and relevance of the provided information, received a score of 3,9. The service interaction dimension, which evaluates the customer service and interaction features, received a score of 3,9. Based on the analysis, it can be concluded that the Zeta Scarves website has achieved a high level of quality, as perceived by the users. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for Zeta Scarves in enhancing their website to further improve customer satisfaction and strengthen their competitive position in the online fashion industry

Exploring Cultural Losses in the Tourism Website Translation: A Case Study of Trip.com

The relentless growth of the tourism sector is fostering an increasingly pronounced demand for the translation of tourism websites. Nevertheless, the translation quality of tourism websites has garnered criticism attributed to inaccuracies in translating cultural references, leading to potential cultural losses in conveying cultural references. Despite the growing demand for accurate translation, a lack of research exists to address cultural losses and in the translation of Chinese cultural references into English. This study investigates the categories of cultural losses in the cultural references’ translation on tourism websites; specifically, Trip.com was selected as the case. Moreover, this study examines how the overall translation method, at a macro-level, is influenced by the specific translation strategies identified at a micro-level and how this, in turn, impacts cultural nuances and potential losses. The current study adopted a qualitative approach and unveiled five distinct categories of cultural losses encompassing historical background, rhetorical devices, local customs, religion, and aesthetic images. The findings revealed that foreignization emerged as the prevailing macro-level translation method, significantly influencing the incurred cultural losses within the context of cultural references. This study’s findings emphasized the necessity of addressing cultural losses in cultural references’ translation on tourism websites. The identified cultural losses and the dominance of foreignization highlight the imperative for nuanced translation strategies. This study shed light on the equilibrium between cultural preservation and effective communication. By striking this equilibrium, the tourism industry can effectively accomplish its objective of nurturing profound cross-cultural interactions that resonate with a diverse global audience.

Moderate-severity silvicultural methods generate better forest reorganization than other silvicultural methods in temperate rainforests four decades after implementation

Silvicultural regeneration methods promote regeneration of new tree cohorts following the harvest of mature trees and include a gradient of options from cutting all (clearcuts) or some (selection cuts) trees resulting in even- or uneven-aged forests. For forest managers and landowners, it is essential to have the best possible information on how forests reorganize following these different methods. Forest development, composition and growth are dependent on site quality and harvest type. In this study we evaluated two even-aged (clearcut (CC), seed-tree cut (STC)), one two-aged cut (extended irregular shelterwood (ISC)), one uneven-aged (single-tree selection cut (SC)), and an unmanaged control (CON), four decades after harvest implementation in old-growth Evergreen temperate rainforests above 500 m a.s.l. in the Coastal Range of south-central Chile. These forests grow on poor-quality sites due to old and shallow soil conditions and were dominated by late-successional species and a thick understory with the bamboo Chusquea machrostachya at the time of harvest implementation. Compositional and structural conditions reflected the type of harvests, with even- and two-aged methods largely similar to one another and the SC and the OG having very similar characteristics, which is likely a consequence of the very light severity of the SC. Tree species composition in even-aged harvests was dominated by shade midtolerant species of high timber value, although short-lived pioneer species of the Proteaceae family were also abundant, especially in ISC. The ISC had the greatest homogeneity in all stand variables (tree density, basal area, volume, and quadratic stand diameter), and since it was a two-layered forest, had basal areas and volumes close to the SC and OG, and a rotated-sigmoid diameter distribution (different to all other treatments). Height of the new cohort in the ISC was significantly taller than in the CC and the STC for most species’ groups, suggesting that the cut plus the residual canopy of ISC diminished the initial cover of the bamboo C. macrostachya and competition for regeneration. Only diameter growth of trees of all shade tolerances was lower in ISC, but diameter growth patterns were similar to CC and STC, with increasing growth during the first two-three decades followed by a decline. Based on these findings, we conclude that silvicultural methods of intermediate harvesting severity, especially ISC, provide the best ecological and economic option in these poor-quality sites given rapid reorganization following their implementation, while maintaining a relatively complex vertical structure, high tree species diversity, and a growing stock dominated by tree species of high timber value.

Influence of website quality on online impulse buying behaviour: a systematic review of literature

PurposeOnline impulsive purchasing is growing exponentially, and website-related factors play a substantial role in this phenomenon. This study provides a comprehensive and integrative framework encompassing a variety of website-related factors influencing impulsive purchase behaviour.Design/methodology/approachThe study is a systematic literature review, which includes literature search from two prominent databases. This article consolidates the results of 60 relevant research papers, and thematic analysis is performed on various website-related aspects classified into five research topics.FindingsThe different website qualities have been classified into broad themes and their role in online impulse buying has been explored. The antecedents, moderators, mediators, and outcomes are portrayed in an integrated research framework. Possible research gaps have been identified, and a future research agenda has been proposed, representing potential research areas.Research limitations/implicationsAs we have included only studies published in the English language, this review may be limited by language bias. Relevant research published in other languages might have been excluded.Practical implicationsThis literature review may provide management insights to marketers and practitioners managing online retail websites. To sustain an online business in the long term, it is critical for online retailers to have a thorough understanding of all conceivable website stimuli and develop them in a way that compels consumers to make impulsive purchases.Originality/valueThis study represents an original contribution to the realm of systematic literature reviews. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first SLR that elaborately delineates the influence of website-related factors on online impulse buying behaviour.

Equilibrium population dynamics of site-dependent species

Adults of site-dependent species require a discrete structure, e.g., a cavity, for breeding, which they are unable to construct and must locate and occupy. The environment provides only a limited number of such sites, which may vary in overall quality due to their environmental context. Heterogeneity of site quality can result in population equilibrium, often construed as source-sink dynamics. Rodenhouse et al. (Ecology 78:2025-2042, 1997) proposed a mechanism of site-dependent equilibrium that they claimed was more general than source-sink dynamics. After defining notions of source and sink, I use explicit dynamical models for a site-dependent population, based on the life history of golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), with two levels of site quality, to investigate the existence of population equilibria under several scenarios: source-source, source-sink, and source-floater. The life history traits I employ are not overly restrictive and serve the purpose only of providing models explicit enough to be treated analytically. I use a generalized notion of “golden eagle” since site dependency is often discussed in the literature on raptors, and I have exploited details from Hunt et al. (PLoS ONE 12:e0172232, 2017) for numerical simulations. The crucial features of the modeling, however, are those of site dependency. The modeling emphasizes that equilibrium results from the limited supply of source sites and that vital rates averaged across site qualities do not provide a compelling explanation of equilibria, contra Rodenhouse et al. Counterintuitively, equilibria are theoretically possible, even when both site qualities are intrinsically source sites.

Remote Sensing Ecological Quality and Its Response to the Rocky Desertification in the World Heritage Karst Sites

Clarifying the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of the ecological environment quality of World Heritage Karst Sites (WHKSs) and its response to different rocky desertification grades at spatial scales is crucial for the monitoring and protection of WHKSs as well as the implementation of ecological and environmental policies in karst regions. The ecological evaluation model of Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) was used to evaluate the ecological environment of Libo–Huanjiang World Heritage Karst site and Shibing World Heritage Karst site, and then the spatial autocorrelation and geo-detection model was used to further analyze the ecological environment, and final spatial overlay of RSEI and rocky desertification by year to analyze the linkage relationship between RSEI and rocky desertification. The results showed that (1) in the three-phase ecological environmental quality evaluation of the two heritage sites, the RSEI in 2010, 2016, and 2022 reached 0.60, 0.67, and 0.64 for the Libo–Huanjiang heritage site, and RSEI in 2010, 2016, and 2022 for the Shibing heritage site reached 0.60, 0.74, and 0.70, respectively; (2) the RSEI of both heritage sites show a gradually increasing positive spatial correlation, and has significant spatial aggregation characteristics, with both heritage sites dominated by the high-high and low-low spatial aggregation categories; (3) both heritage sites have the highest degree of explanation of changes in ecological quality by the NDBSI factor, indicating that this factor plays a key role in changes in ecological quality at heritage sites; (4) the response of the RSEI mean value of Libo–Huanjiang in each grade of rocky desertification area is, from high to low, no rocky desertification, non-karst, potential rocky desertification, mild rocky desertification, moderate rocky desertification, intensive rocky desertification, and extreme intensity rocky desertification, and the response of the RSEI mean value of Shibing is, from high to low, non-karst, no rocky desertification, potential rocky desertification, mild rocky desertification, and moderate rocky desertification. The spatial superposition analysis of the RSEI index and rocky desertification index can quantitatively study the changing status of the ecological environment in different rocky desertification areas, and the results of the study can provide theoretical references for the environmental monitoring and the prevention and control of rocky desertification in the karst areas and WHKSs.