CTFS-Forestgeo: a Worldwide Network Monitoring Forests in an Era of Global Change
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
North America Land Cover Characteristics Data Base Version 2.0
North America Land Cover Characteristics Data Base Version 2.0 PLEASE NOTE: This is the Version 2.0 release of the North America land cover characteristics data base. The land cover information has been updated from Version 1.2. Please read section 5.0 for information about the revision process and what changes have been made to the data. Table of Contents 1.0 Data Description ....................................................................................................................... 1 2.0 Geometric Characteristics ......................................................................................................... 2 2.1 Interrupted Goode Homolosine Projection Parameters .............................................. 2 2.2 Lambert Azimuthal Equal Area Projection Parameters ............................................... 3 3.0 Derived Data Sets ..................................................................................................................... 3 3.1 North America Seasonal Land Cover Regions Legend .............................................. 3 3.2 Global Ecosystems Legend ............................................................................................. 9 3.3 IGBP Land Cover Legend .............................................................................................. 12 3.4 USGS Land Use/Land Cover System Legend (Modified Level 2) ........................... 13 3.5 Simple Biosphere Model Legend .................................................................................. 14 3.6 -
Malaysia's China Policy in the Post-Mahathir
The RSIS Working Paper series presents papers in a preliminary form and serves to stimulate comment and discussion. The views expressed are entirely the author’s own and not that of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. If you have any comments, please send them to the following email address: [email protected] Unsubscribing If you no longer want to receive RSIS Working Papers, please click on “Unsubscribe.” to be removed from the list. No. 244 Malaysia’s China Policy in the Post-Mahathir Era: A Neoclassical Realist Explanation KUIK Cheng-Chwee S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies Singapore 30 July 2012 About RSIS The S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) was established in January 2007 as an autonomous School within the Nanyang Technological University. Known earlier as the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies when it was established in July 1996, RSIS’ mission is to be a leading research and graduate teaching institution in strategic and international affairs in the Asia Pacific. To accomplish this mission, it will: Provide a rigorous professional graduate education with a strong practical emphasis, Conduct policy-relevant research in defence, national security, international relations, strategic studies and diplomacy, Foster a global network of like-minded professional schools. GRADUATE EDUCATION IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS RSIS offers a challenging graduate education in international affairs, taught by an international faculty of leading thinkers and practitioners. The Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree programmes in Strategic Studies, International Relations and International Political Economy are distinguished by their focus on the Asia Pacific, the professional practice of international affairs, and the cultivation of academic depth. -
Deciduousness in a Seasonal Tropical Forest in Western Thailand: Interannual and Intraspecific Variation in Timing, Duration and Environmental Cues
Oecologia (2008) 155:571–582 DOI 10.1007/s00442-007-0938-1 ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGY - ORIGINAL PAPER Deciduousness in a seasonal tropical forest in western Thailand: interannual and intraspecific variation in timing, duration and environmental cues Laura J. Williams Æ Sarayudh Bunyavejchewin Æ Patrick J. Baker Received: 20 February 2007 / Accepted: 3 December 2007 / Published online: 10 January 2008 Ó Springer-Verlag 2007 Abstract Seasonal tropical forests exhibit a great diver- the timing of leaf flushing varied among species, most sity of leaf exchange patterns. Within these forests variation (*70%) flushed during the dry season. Leaf flushing was in the timing and intensity of leaf exchange may occur associated with changes in photoperiod in some species and within and among individual trees and species, as well as the timing of rainfall in other species. However, more than a from year to year. Understanding what generates this third of species showed no clear association with either diversity of phenological behaviour requires a mechanistic photoperiod or rainfall, despite the considerable length and model that incorporates rate-limiting physiological condi- depth of the dataset. Further progress in resolving the tions, environmental cues, and their interactions. In this underlying internal and external mechanisms controlling study we examined long-term patterns of leaf flushing for a leaf exchange will require targeting these species for large proportion of the hundreds of tree species that co- detailed physiological and microclimatic studies. occur in a seasonal tropical forest community in western Thailand. We used the data to examine community-wide Keywords Dry season flushing Á Huai Kha Khaeng Á variation in deciduousness and tested competing hypotheses Southeast Asia Á Tropical tree phenology regarding the timing and triggers of leaf flushing in seasonal tropical forests. -
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
ISSUE 1 · 2018 TECHNOLOGY TODAY Highlighting Raytheon’s Engineering & Technology Innovations SPOTLIGHT EYE ON TECHNOLOGY SPECIAL INTEREST Artificial Intelligence Mechanical the invention engine Raytheon receives the 10 millionth and Machine Learning Modular Open Systems U.S. Patent in history at raytheon Architectures Discussing industry shifts toward open standards designs A MESSAGE FROM Welcome to the newly formatted Technology Today magazine. MARK E. While the layout has been updated, the content remains focused on critical Raytheon engineering and technology developments. This edition features Raytheon’s advances in Artificial Intelligence RUSSELL and Machine Learning. Commercial applications of AI and ML — including facial recognition technology for mobile phones and social applications, virtual personal assistants, and mapping service applications that predict traffic congestion Technology Today is published by the Office of — are becoming ubiquitous in today’s society. Furthermore, ML design Engineering, Technology and Mission Assurance. tools provide developers the ability to create and test their own ML-based applications without requiring expertise in the underlying complex VICE PRESIDENT mathematics and computer science. Additionally, in its 2018 National Mark E. Russell Defense Strategy, the United States Department of Defense has recognized the importance of AI and ML as an enabler for maintaining CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER Bill Kiczuk competitive military advantage. MANAGING EDITORS Raytheon understands the importance of these technologies and Tony Pandiscio is applying AI and ML to solutions where they provide benefit to our Tony Curreri customers, such as in areas of predictive equipment maintenance, SENIOR EDITORS language classification of handwriting, and automatic target recognition. Corey Daniels Not only does ML improve Raytheon products, it also can enhance Eve Hofert our business operations and manufacturing efficiencies by identifying DESIGN, PHOTOGRAPHY AND WEB complex patterns in historical data that result in process improvements. -
Global Change Effects on Humid Tropical Forests
PUBLICATIONS Reviews of Geophysics REVIEW ARTICLE Global change effects on humid tropical forests: Evidence 10.1002/2015RG000510 for biogeochemical and biodiversity shifts Key Points: at an ecosystem scale • Negative effects of all global change factors were found for humid tropical Daniela F. Cusack1, Jason Karpman2, Daniel Ashdown1, Qian Cao1, Mark Ciochina1, Sarah Halterman1, forest biogeochemical processes 1 1 • All global change factors except Scott Lydon , and Avishesh Neupane carbon dioxide fertilization are likely 1 2 to promote warming and/or Department of Geography, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA, Department of Urban Planning, greenhouse gas emissions University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA • Effects of drying and deforestation are relatively clear; effects of CO2 fertilization and N deposition are Abstract Government and international agencies have highlighted the need to focus global change less certain research efforts on tropical ecosystems. However, no recent comprehensive review exists synthesizing humid tropical forest responses across global change factors, including warming, decreased precipitation, Supporting Information: carbon dioxide fertilization, nitrogen deposition, and land use/land cover changes. This paper assesses • Supporting Information S1 fi • Table S1 research across spatial and temporal scales for the tropics, including modeling, eld, and controlled laboratory studies. The review aims to (1) provide a broad understanding of how a suite of global change Correspondence to: factors are altering humid tropical forest ecosystem properties and biogeochemical processes; (2) assess D. F. Cusack, spatial variability in responses to global change factors among humid tropical regions; (3) synthesize results [email protected] from across humid tropical regions to identify emergent trends in ecosystem responses; (4) identify research and management priorities for the humid tropics in the context of global change. -
The History of Implementation of Pilgrimage in the Pagan Era
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences 2017, Vol. 7, No. 12 ISSN: 2222-6990 The History of Implementation of Pilgrimage in the Pagan Era 1Rizalman Muhammad, 2Faiz Hakimi Mat Idris, 3Kamaliah Salleh, 2Ahmad Zahid Salleh, 2Mohamad Zaidin Mohamad 1Institut Pendidikan Guru, Ipoh Campus, Malaysia 2Faculty of Islamic Contemporary Studies, UniSZA, Malaysia 3Faculty of Law, Accountancy & International Relations, UniSZA, Malaysia Email: [email protected] DOI: 10.6007/IJARBSS/v7-i12/3636 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v7-i12/3636 Abstract The first pilgrimage performed by the Prophet Abraham which was in the 20th century BC had eventually been mixed with polytheism and heresy elements before Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was sent to this world. In this regard, this article aims to reveal the ritual of the hajj in the ancient Arab society which is different from the current practice of Muslims nowadays. This article is a qualitative study using content analysis. The finding reveals that although Arab community remained to believe in Allah, but in view to the long gap between the two ages of Prophet Abraham and Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.), they had mixed up the implementation of a true and wrong rituals in their pilgrimage. Keywords: Pilgrimage, Pagan Arabs, Kaaba, Mecca Introduction The term Jahiliyyah is derived from jahl which connotes a description of pre-Islamic Arab society who were ignorance of the God, the prophets, the way of life, and who were also arrogantly and imperiously proud of their lineage (Ibn Manzur n.d.). It was a dark age of the Arab history with the absence of divine light to guide their faith, and their lives were fully deviated and strayed from the religious method. -
Tree Community Phenodynamics and Its Relationship with Climatic Conditions in a Lowland Tropical Rainforest
Article Tree Community Phenodynamics and Its Relationship with Climatic Conditions in a Lowland Tropical Rainforest Jakeline P. A. Pires 1, Nicholas A. C. Marino 2, Ary G. Silva 3, Pablo J. F. P. Rodrigues 4 and Leandro Freitas 4,* 1 Departamento de Biologia, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Marquês de São Vicente 225, Rio de Janeiro 22451-900, RJ, Brazil; [email protected] 2 Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro CP 68020, RJ, Brazil; [email protected] 3 Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia de Ecossistemas, Universidade Vila Velha, Rua Comissário José Dantas de Melo 21, Vila Velha 29102-770, ES, Brazil; [email protected] 4 Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Pacheco Leão, 915, Rio de Janeiro 22460-030, RJ, Brazil; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 18 October 2017; Accepted: 25 February 2018; Published: 2 March 2018 Abstract: The timing, duration, magnitude and synchronicity of plant life cycles are fundamental aspects of community dynamics and ecosystem functioning, and information on phenodynamics is essential for accurate vegetation classification and modeling. Here, we recorded the vegetative and reproductive phenodynamics of 479 individuals belonging to 182 tree species monthly over two years in a lowland Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil, and assessed the relationship between local climatic conditions and the occurrence and intensity of phenophases. We found a constant but low intensity of occurrence of both leaf fall and leaf flush with respect to canopy cover, resulting in an evergreen cover throughout the year. -
Structural Dynamics of a Natural Mixed Deciduous Forest in Western Thailand
Journal of Vegetation Science 10: 777-786, 1999 © IAVS; Opulus Press Uppsala. Printed in Sweden - Structural dynamics of a natural mixed deciduous forest in Thailand - 777 Structural dynamics of a natural mixed deciduous forest in western Thailand Marod, Dokrak1,2*, Kutintara, Utis1, Yarwudhi, Chanchai1, Tanaka, Hiroshi3 & Nakashisuka, Tohru2 1Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand; 2Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Otsu, 520-01 Japan; 3Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Tsukuba 305 Japan; *Corresponding author; Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Otsu, 520-01 Japan; Fax +8177549 8201; E-mail [email protected] Abstract. Structural dynamics of a natural tropical seasonal – Their ecological characteristics, structure and dynamics mixed deciduous – forest were studied over a 4-yr period at may differ largely from those of tropical rain forests Mae Klong Watershed Research Station, Kanchanaburi Prov- (Murphy & Lugo 1986; Mooney et al. 1995; Gerhardt & ince, western Thailand, with particular reference to the role of Hytteborn 1992). In addition, they have a long history of forest fires and undergrowth bamboos. All trees > 5 cm DBH disturbance from frequent fires and human activities in a permanent plot of 200 m × 200 m were censused every two years from 1992 to 1996. The forest was characterized by a (Mueller-Dombois & Goldammer 1990; Murphy & Lugo low stem density and basal area and relatively high species 1986). Despite the large areas covered and uniqueness diversity. Both the bamboo undergrowth and frequent forest of the forest, little attention has been given to this fires could be dominant factors that prevent continuous regen- diverse ecosystem compared to tropical rain forests and eration. -
Astro Case Study
Case Study ASTRO RADIO: VIRTUAL CONSOLE TECHNOLOGY MALAYSIA’S LARGEST BROADCASTER REINVENTS RADIO STUDIOS WITH LAWO VIRTUAL MIXING Case Study VIRTUAL MIXING AT ASTRO RADIO “A RADICAL RE-IMAGINING OF WHAT AN ON-AIR STUDIO COULD LOOK LIKE.” Astro Radio, headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, has become one of Southeast Asia‘s most influential broadcasters since their inception in 1996. With 11 radio formats in multiple languages, including the popular Era, Sinar, Gegar, My, Hitz and other channels, Astro Radio reaches over 15.8 million listeners every week in Malaysia alone. Astro began operations in 1996 and immediately became known for their technological excellence, employing a cutting-edge audio routing system and digital broadcast consoles custom manufactured to meet their technical requirements. But by 2006, Astro needed more capabilities and simpler studio workflows, so that on-air talent could focus on content creation rather than technical duties. “Around 2015, we picked up on the touchscreen trend,” says Bala Murali Subramaney, Astro Radio’s Chief Technology Officer. “We envisioned a full-blown radio broadcast console - on a touchscreen. Not a ‘lite’ console with only some console features nor a touchscreen with a console ‘simulation’.” Astro Radio Broadcast Center, Kuala Lumpur The virtual console Astro engineers envisioned would be a true radio broadcast console, with all the features and functionalities of the professional broadcast consoles they relied on. “We took the best features of our first console, analyzed common operator mistakes and asked for improvement suggestions, then we condensed this data into a comprehensive document and presented it as our mandate to Lawo – whose response was the Zirkon-2s modular broadcast console,” says Bala. -
Mesobrowser Abundance and Effects on Woody Plants in Savannas David J
551 16 Mesobrowser Abundance and Effects on Woody Plants in Savannas David J. Augustine1, Peter Frank Scogings2, and Mahesh Sankaran3,4 1 Rangeland Resources Research Unit, US Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service, Fort Collins, CO, USA 2 School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu‐Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa 3 National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India 4 School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK 16.1 Introduction Savannas, as defined in Chapter 1, are any formation with a C4 grass understory and a woody canopy layer that has not reached a closed canopy state (Ratnam et al. 2011). Climate, soils, fire, and herbivory are widely recognized as four key drivers of the structure, composition, and functioning of savanna ecosystems. The relative role of these factors, and how they interact at varying spatial and temporal scales, has been the subject of an immense body of ecological literature. Continental‐scale syntheses focused on these drivers show that climate and soils are primary determinants of woody vegetation abundance and species composition in savannas (Sankaran et al. 2008; Lehmann et al. 2014). However, at local spatial scales, fire and herbivory can regulate woody plant abundance below climatically determined maxima and alter plant growth rates, size class distributions, and community composition (e.g. Sankaran et al. 2013; Scholtz et al. 2014). Fire is well known to shape woody vegetation structure and composition in savannas worldwide (Lehmann et al. 2014), while less is known about the role of herbi- vores and the complex suite of factors that can regulate herbivore abundance and plant defenses (Chapter 15). -
Model of the Seasonal and Perennial Carbon Dynamics in Deciduous-Type Forests Controlled by Climatic Variables
Ecological Modelling, 49 (1989) 101-124 101 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam - Printed in The Netherlands MODEL OF THE SEASONAL AND PERENNIAL CARBON DYNAMICS IN DECIDUOUS-TYPE FORESTS CONTROLLED BY CLIMATIC VARIABLES A. JANECEK, G. BENDEROTH, M.K.B. LUDEKE, J. KINDERMANN and G.H. KOHLMAIER lnstitut pftr Physikalische und Theoretische Chemie, Johann Wolfgang Goethe Unioersitiit Frankfurt, Niederurseler Han~ 6000 Frankfurt 50 (Federal Republic of Germany) (Accepted 24 May 1989) ABSTRACT Janacek, A., Benderoth, G., Liideke, M.K.B., Kindermann, J. and Kohlmaier, G.H., 1989. Model of the seasonal and perennial carbon dynamics in deciduous-type forests controlled by climatic variables. Ecol. Modelling, 49: 101-124. A model of the seasonal and long-term carbon dynamics of temperature deciduous forests and tropical broadleaved evergreen forests in response to variations of the climatic parame- ters light intensity and air temperature, is proposed in order to be able to assess the influence of (future) climatic change on vegetation. The driving variables operate upon carbon assimilation and respiration of a two-compartment model of living biomass. The model allocation of assimilates depends on the developmental stage of the living biomass and on the climatic variables, without prescribing the time course of the phenophases explicitly. Almost all model parameters can be interpreted in terms of measurable physiological/ecological quantities, restricting the parameter values to a limited range. Measured growth dynamics and annual CO 2 fluxes for a non-seasonal tropical forest and two different temperate deciduous forest stands are reproduced satisfactorily. 1. INTRODUCTION Global warming as a consequence of anthropogenic emissions of CO 2 and other trace gases seems almost inevitable. -
Summary Report October
SSuurruuhhaannjjjaayyaa KKoommuunniiikkaassiii ddaann MMuulllttiiimmeeddiiiaa MMaalllaayyssiiiaa MMaalllaayyssiiiaann CCoommmmuunniiiccaatttiiioonnss aanndd MMuullltttiiimmeeddiiiaa CCoommmmiiissssiiioonn SSuummmmaarryy RReeppoorrtt CCOONNSSUUMMEERR SSAATTIISSFFAACCTTIIOONN SSUURRVVEEYY ((CCSSSS)) WWAAVVEE 66 OOccttoobbeerr –– NNoovveemmbbeerr 22000033 TABLE OF CONTENT 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................. 1 1.1 Telecommunications Study........................................ 2 1.2 Media Study .............................................................. 2 1.3 Postal study.............................................................. 2 1.4 Courier study............................................................. 2 2. WAVE 6 - SAMPLING AND METHODOLOGY ................... 3 2.1 Telecommunications (Individual Study).................... 3 2.2 Telecommunications (Commercial Study) ................. 3 2.3 Media (Individual study) ........................................... 4 2.4 Postal (Individual study) .......................................... 4 2.5 Courier (Commercial Study ) ..................................... 4 3. SUMMARY - CONSUMER SATISFACTION INDEX ........... 5 4. FINDINGS - TELECOMMUNICATIONS STUDY ................ 7 4.1 Fixed Line Telephone - Individual Study.................... 7 4.2 Mobile Telephone – Individual Study......................... 7 4.3 Internet Access – Individual Study ........................... 8 4.4 Other Findings..........................................................