DOCSLIB.ORG

Identification and Channel Characteristics of Cetacean Hotspots

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Identification and Channel Characteristics of Cetacean Hotspots Identification and channel characteristics of cetacean hotspots in waterways of the eastern Sundarbans mangrove forest, Bangladesh B rian D. Smith,M.Abdullah A bu D iyan,Rubaiyat M owgli M ansur E lisabeth F ahrni M ansur and B enazir A hmed Abstract Sightings data of two freshwater-dependent ce- Introduction taceans, the Ganges River dolphin Platanista gangetica gangetica and Irrawaddy dolphin Orcaella brevirostris, wo threatened freshwater-dependent cetaceans, the were recorded by captains of three nature tourism vessels TGanges River dolphin or shushuk Platanista gangetica operating in waterways of the eastern Sundarbans man- gangetica and Irrawaddy dolphin or Iraboti Orcaella bre- grove forest, Bangladesh. These data were used to in- virostris, occur in waterways of the Sundarbans mangrove vestigate channel-type preferences and identify cetacean forest, Bangladesh. The Ganges River dolphin is an obligate hotspots according to a scoring system based on group, freshwater species that ranges far upstream in the Ganges– individual and calf encounter rates, the co-occurrence of Brahmaputra–Meghna rivers of Nepal, India and Bangladesh both species, and encounter rates in neighbouring seg- and in the comparatively much smaller Karnaphuli–Sangu ments recorded during monsoon, post-monsoon and dry rivers of southern Bangladesh. The Irrawaddy dolphin occurs seasons. Six 5-km segments were identified for priority in some of Asia’s largest rivers (Mekong, Ayeyarwady and conservation attention from a total of 38 that were Mahakam) and in coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific affected 2002 surveyed on at least three occasions during each season. by freshwater inputs (Smith & Jefferson, ; Smith et al., 2007 An investigation of habitat preferences evaluated 5-km ). The Ganges River and Irrawaddy dolphins are cate- segments that had been surveyed on five or more occasions gorized as Endangered and Vulnerable, respectively, on the 2009 (n 5 69) and assigned them to one of 12 categories defined IUCN Red List (IUCN, ). Both species are threatened in by channel width, sinuosity and the number of large and the Sundarbans by incidental killing in gill nets, destruction of small confluences. Significant differences were found be- fish-spawning habitat through mangrove deforestation, pol- tween observed and expected frequencies of occurrence in lution from large human population centres, the enormous the different segment categories for Ganges River dolphin bycatch of fish fingerlings and crustacean larvae in mosquito groups and individuals and for Irrawaddy dolphin individ- nets, and saline encroachment and excessive sedimentation uals. Both Ganges River and Irrawaddy dolphins selected from declining freshwater supplies and sea-level rise (Reeves 2003 2006 2009 channels with more than two small confluences or at least et al., ;Smithetal., , ). one large confluence. Understanding the preferred habitat The only comprehensive cetacean survey of the Sundar- and identifying hotspots of freshwater-dependent cetaceans bans mangrove forest in Bangladesh was conducted in 2002 1 510 in the Sundarbans is the first step of a planning process for March along , km of waterways. The survey used the potential establishment of a network of protected water- double concurrent counts from independent observer teams 225 ways for these threatened species. to generate abundance estimates of Ganges River dol- phins (CV 5 12.6%) and 451 Irrawaddy dolphins (CV 5 9.6%; Keywords Bangladesh, encounter rate, Ganges River dol- Smith et al., 2006). This survey inspired us and the captains phin, habitat preference, Irrawaddy dolphin, Orcaella of three nature tourism vessels operated by The Guide brevirostris, Platanista gangetica, Sundarbans Tours Ltd in the eastern Sundarbans of Bangladesh to initiate a cetacean monitoring programme. Here we use sightings data recorded during nature tourism cruises from April 2002 to March 2005 to identify hotspots of abundance and investigate channel-type preferences of freshwater- BRIAN D. SMITH* (Corresponding author) Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460, USA. E-mail [email protected] dependent cetaceans. M. ABDULLAH ABU DIYAN, RUBAIYAT MOWGLI MANSUR and ELISABETH FAHRNI MANSUR Bangladesh Cetacean Diversity Project, Khulna, Bangladesh Study area BENAZIR AHMED Department of Zoology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh The eastern Sundarbans is defined by the Bay of Bengal in the south, Mongla Port in the north, Baleswar River in the *Current address: 27/16 Soi Naya, Moo1, Muang, Rawai, Phuket 83130, Thailand east and Passur River in the west. It includes the Sundar- 31 000 Received 8 April 2008. Revision requested 25 June 2008. bans East Sanctuary covering c. , ha of which part Accepted 17 September 2008. was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 ª 2010 Fauna & Flora International, Oryx, 44(2), 241–247 doi:10.1017/S0030605309990159 Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. IP address: 170.106.33.14, on 29 Sep 2021 at 03:52:25, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605309990159 242 B. D. Smith et al. because of its unique and diverse biological character. Major The scoring system used a suite of weighted variables to freshwater inputs to the eastern Sundarbans come from the characterize the relative value of each segment as particu- Baleswar and Passur rivers that fan out into a complex larly important habitat for each species. The system gave (1) network of estuarine waterways ranging from a few metres one point if the encounter rate of groups, individuals or to a few kilometres wide and increase in salinity from north- calves was in the top 20% of all segments (calculated east to south-west (Hussain & Karim, 1994). separately for each species and season and for groups, individuals and calves for a maximum of 18 points), (2) one Methods point if the encounter of groups, individuals or calves was in the top 40% of all segments during all seasons (calculated Sighting network and channel mapping separately for each species and for groups, individuals and calves for a maximum of six points), (3) two points if both 25 During nature tourism cruises conducted between Ganges and Irrawaddy dolphins were recorded in the 2002 31 2005 March and March the captains and crew of segment during all seasons, and (4) two points if both 35 8 the vessels M. V. Aboshar (length m, beam m, height of Ganges and Irrawaddy dolphins were recorded during one 5 265 2 bridge above waterline m and engines hp 3 ), M. V. season (maximum of six points). The top 40% of these 25 6 5 Chhuti (length m, beam . m, height of bridge above scored segments were then shortlisted and each one was 4 2 265 waterline . m and engine hp) and M. L. Bonbibi assigned 0.5 points for each adjacent segment that was also 21 6 (length m, beam m, height of bridge above waterline shortlisted in the top 40% (calculated separately for each 4 5 265 . m and engine hp) recorded observations of season and for all three seasons together for a maximum of cetaceans on a standardized data sheet, in Bengali. four points) and 0.25 points if the segment 5 km away was Sightings were opportunistic and no assumption was made shortlisted in the top 40% (also calculated separately for that all dolphins present were recorded. However, sighting each season and for all three seasons together for a total of 2000 biases (Smith & Reeves, ) were assumed to be consistent. two points), resulting in a grand total of 38 possible points. The data sheet included entry fields for the date, time, species The aim of adjacent segment scores was to reflect the identity, group size, numberofcalvesandgeographical positive value of having a continuous stretch or closely location taken with a global positioning system (GPS). Calves spaced segments of preferred habitat vs isolated patches 1 were defined as animals , m long. Group sizes were with energetically demanding travel distances in between. estimated according to the best estimate of dolphins visible within the channel reach (Smith et al., 2006). The captains and crew were familiar with both cetacean species and Channel-type preferences received training in the use of the GPS, defining groups and To investigate the frequency of dolphin occurrence accord- calves and in completing the data sheets. ing to channel characteristics, values for the mean width, Data were periodically compiled, quality-checked and sinuosity and the number of large and small confluences entered into a spreadsheet. Routes from the vessel logs were were calculated and assigned to each segment. Channel 1 50 000 overlaid on a digitized map derived from : , SPOT width was measured at the beginning, end and middle satellite imagery and divided into channel segments cover- of each segment and then averaged. Segments with a width 5 ing linear km using the geographical information system # 400 m were classified as narrow and segments with 3 3 5 ArcView v. (ESRI, Redlands, USA). Each -km segment a width . 400 m as wide. Sinuosity was calculated by was then assigned a unique identification number and all dividing the length of each segment (i.e. 5 km) by the sightings were matched to the segment number according straight-line distance between the beginning and the end to the location where they occurred. points. Segments with sinuosity values of 1.0–1.49 were 1 5 Scoring system for identifying hotspots classified as straight and segments with a value $ . were classified as sinuous. The number of large (. 400 m) and Hotspots were identified according to a scoring system small (# 400 m) confluences was recorded for each applied to segments surveyed on at least three occasions segment. Each segment was then coded according to the during three seasons: dry (December–March), monsoon composite criteria used by Smith et al. (2009; Table 1). (June–September) and post-monsoon (October–November). Insufficient data were available to include the pre-monsoon Results season (April–May).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Damming the Irrawaddy Contact [email protected]
    Damming the Irrawaddy Contact [email protected] Acknowledgements We would like to thank the donors that supported this report project. We thank DCMF and GGF for support to begin the initial research and writing. We thank BRC for their ongoing support, and E-desk and ERI for their technical assistance. Most importantly we would like to say thanks to our staff and field researchers from the KDNG network, including from the Kachin Environmental Organization and All Kachin Students and Youth Union, and other environmental organizations from Burma that gave us suggestions and advice. Kachin Development Networking Group (KDNG) KDNG is a network of Kachin civil society groups and development organizations inside Kachin State and overseas that was set up in 2004. KDNGs purpose is to effectively work for sustainable development together with locally-based organizations in Kachin State. Its aim is to promote a civil society based on equality and justice for the local people in the struggle for social and political change in Burma.KDNG is a network of Kachin civil society groups and development organizations inside Kachin State and overseas that was set up in 2004. KDNGs purpose is to effectively work for sustainable development together with locally-based organizations in Kachin State. Its aim is to promote a civil society based on equality and justice for the local people in the struggle for social and political change in Burma. Kachin Environmental Organization (KEO) is a member of the KDNG and is the main author of this report. Kachin Environmental Organization The Kachin Environmental Organization (KEO) was formed in April 2004 by Kachin people concerned about environment issues inside Kachin State, especially the rapid loss of natural resources.
    [Show full text]
  • STATUS and CONSERVATION of FRESHWATER POPULATIONS of IRRAWADDY DOLPHINS Edited by Brian D
    WORKING PAPER NO. 31 MAY 2007 STATUS AND CONSERVATION OF FRESHWATER POPULATIONS OF IRRAWADDY DOLPHINS Edited by Brian D. Smith, Robert G. Shore and Alvin Lopez WORKING PAPER NO. 31 MAY 2007 sTATUS AND CONSERVATION OF FRESHWATER POPULATIONS OF IRRAWADDY DOLPHINS Edited by Brian D. Smith, Robert G. Shore and Alvin Lopez WCS Working Papers: ISSN 1530-4426 Copies of the WCS Working Papers are available at http://www.wcs.org/science Cover photographs by: Isabel Beasley (top, Mekong), Danielle Kreb (middle, Mahakam), Brian D. Smith (bottom, Ayeyarwady) Copyright: The contents of this paper are the sole property of the authors and cannot be reproduced without permission of the authors. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) saves wildlife and wild lands around the world. We do this through science, conservation, education, and the man- agement of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flag- ship Bronx Zoo. Together, these activities inspire people to imagine wildlife and humans living together sustainably. WCS believes that this work is essential to the integrity of life on earth. Over the past century, WCS has grown and diversified to include four zoos, an aquarium, over 100 field conservation projects, local and international educa- tion programs, and a wildlife health program. To amplify this dispersed con- servation knowledge, the WCS Institute was established as an internal “think tank” to coordinate WCS expertise for specific conservation opportunities and to analyze conservation and academic trends that provide opportunities to fur- ther conservation effectiveness. The Institute disseminates WCS' conservation work via papers and workshops, adding value to WCS' discoveries and experi- ence by sharing them with partner organizations, policy-makers, and the pub- lic.
    [Show full text]
  • Myitsone Hydroelectric Dam Myanmar
    Myitsone hydroelectric dam Myanmar Sectors: Hydroelectric Power Generation On record This profile is no longer actively maintained, with the information now possibly out of date Send feedback on this profile By: BankTrack Created before Nov 2016 Last update: Oct 12 2016 Contact: Project website Sectors Hydroelectric Power Generation Location About Myitsone hydroelectric dam The Myitsone Hydroelectric Project is the largest of seven dams (total capacity 13,360MW) planned on the headwaters of the Irrawaddy (confluence of Mali Hka, and N’Mai Hka rivers) in Burma. The USD$3.6 billion project is located in an area recognized as one of the world’s eight hotspots of biodiversity, and will submerge “the birthplace of Burma” in local myths, including a number of historical churches and temples, and the sacred banyan tree. There are serious doubts about the quality and independence of the Environmental Impact Assessment for this mega-dam project, as well as concerns regarding the resettlement process and the role of the project in exacerbating the long-standing conflict between the ethnic Kachin people and the military government. Latest developments Project Status Apr 19 2012 What must happen The project must be cancelled because of the local opposition and continued fighting caused by the project in Kachin State. There must be an independent and comprehensive investigation of the environmental and social impacts including downstream impacts, of the remaining 6 dams planned on the headwaters of the Irrawaddy River. Impacts Social and human rights impacts Thousands of people’s livelihoods are directly impacted by the Myitsone project. The government has underreported the number of people directly affected by the dam as few as 2146 people from five villages will be relocated to new homes.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Flows for the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River Basin, Myanmar
    UNESCO-IHE Online Course on Environmental Flows Environmental Flows for the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River Basin, Myanmar Written by Alison Simmance MSc BSc April. 2013 E:[email protected] Environmental Flows for the Ayeyarwady River Basin, A.Simmance Environmental Flows for the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River Basin, Myanmar UNESCO-IHE Online Course on Environmental Flows Citation: Simmance, A. 2013. Environmental Flows for the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River Basin, Myanmar. Unpublished. UNESCO-IHE Online Course on Environmental Flows. Environmental Flows for the Ayeyarwady River Basin, A.Simmance Table of Contents 1. Chapter 1: Introduction to the Ayeyarwady River Basin 2 1.1. Overview- Country Context 2 1.2. Introduction to the Ayeyarwady River Basin 4 1.2.1. Hydrological Characteristics of the Ayeyarwady River Basin 4 1.2.2. Climate 5 1.3. The Ayeyarwady River Basin’s Natural Resources 6 1.3.1. Biodiversity and Conservation 6 1.3.2. Habitats 9 1.3.3. Watersheds and Freshwater Resources 10 1.3.4. Oil and Gas 11 1.3.5. Minerals 11 1.4. Socio-economic Conditions of the Ayeyarwady River Basin 11 1.5. Problems and Issues in the Ayeyarwady River Basin 12 1.5.1. Irrigation and drainage development 13 1.5.2. Hydropower Developments 13 1.5.3. Land-use change and Deforestation 15 1.5.4. Oil and Gas Extraction 16 1.5.5. Mining 16 1.5.6. Climate Change 17 1.5.7. Unsustainable Fishing Practices 18 1.5.8. Biodiversity Loss 18 1.5.9. Conclusions 18 2. Chapter 2: Governance of Natural Resource Management in the Ayeyarwady River Basin 19 2.1.
    [Show full text]
  • Sediment Dispersal and Accumulation Off the Ayeyarwady Delta
    Marine Geology 417 (2019) 106000 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Marine Geology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/margo Sediment dispersal and accumulation off the Ayeyarwady delta – Tectonic and oceanographic controls T ⁎ Steven A. Kuehla, , Joshua Williamsa, J. Paul Liub, Courtney Harrisa, Day Wa Aungc, Danielle Tarpleya, Mary Goodwyna, Yin Yin Ayed a Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, VA, USA b North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA c University of Yangon, Yangon, Myanmar d Mawlamyine University, Mawlamyine, Myanmar ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Editor: Edward Anthony Recent sediment dispersal and accumulation on the Northern Andaman Sea continental shelf, off the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) and Thanlwin (Salween) Rivers, are investigated using seabed, water column, and high-resolution seismic data collected in December 2017. 210Pb and 137Cs derived sediment accumulation rates − are highest (up to 10 cm y 1) in the mid-shelf region of the Martaban Depression, a basin that has formed on the eastern side of the N-S trending Sagaing fault, where rapid progradation of a muddy subaqueous delta is oc- curring. Landward of the zone of highest accumulation, in the shallow Gulf of Martaban, is a highly turbid zone where the seabed is frequently mixed to depths of ~1 m below the sediment water interface. Frequent re- suspension in this area may contribute to the formation of extensive fluid muds in the water column, and consequent re-oxidation of the shallow seabed likely reduces the carbon burial efficiency for an area where the rivers are supplying large amounts of terrestrial carbon to the ocean. Sediment cores from the Gulf of Martban have a distinctive reddish brown coloration, while x-radiographs show sedimentary structures of fine silt la- minations in mud deposits, which indicates strong tidal influences.
    [Show full text]
  • Glacier Changes Between 1976 and 2015 in the Source Area of the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River, Myanmar
    water Article Glacier Changes between 1976 and 2015 in the Source Area of the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River, Myanmar Linda Taft * and Laila Kühle Department of Geography, University of Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 166, 53115 Bonn, Germany; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +49-228-73-1601 Received: 4 September 2018; Accepted: 11 December 2018; Published: 13 December 2018 Abstract: The Ayeyarwady River in Myanmar is one of the largest rivers in Southeast Asia. It is predominantly fed by monsoonal precipitation and, to a lower extent, by meltwater from glaciers located in the Himalaya mountains. Information about the glaciers in its headwater region and glacier changes is scarce. Glaciers, in general, are highly important for the hydrological system and are contributing to river flow, therefore playing a key role in water availability, especially in catchments with (semi-) arid downstream areas as is in parts of Myanmar. This study investigated 130 glaciers in the Ayeyarwady headwaters by analyzing satellite images from Landsat missions between 1976 and 2015. The results of the glacier area and volume change analyses indicate that the glaciers are experiencing unprecedented losses. Over the 39 years, the glaciers lost up to 54.3 ± 7.64% of their area and 60.09 ± 1.56% of their mass and volume. The highest losses occurred in the period 2002–2015, which corresponds to increasing global and local warming. This development will probably have a strong influence on the glaciers’ storage function and will affect the local river runoff in the headwater region. Keywords: glacier change; Myanmar; remote sensing; Landsat; climate change 1.
    [Show full text]
  • The Evolution of the Yarlung Tsangpo–Irrawaddy System and the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis
    Gondwana Research 26 (2014) 112–121 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Gondwana Research journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/gr Large rivers and orogens: The evolution of the Yarlung Tsangpo–Irrawaddy system and the eastern Himalayan syntaxis Ruth A.J. Robinson a,⁎, Cynthia A. Brezina a, Randall R. Parrish b,c, Matt S.A. Horstwood c, Nay Win Oo d, Michael I. Bird a,e, Myint Thein f, Abigail S. Walters a, Grahame J.H. Oliver a, Khin Zaw g a Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9AL, UK b Department of Geology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK c NERC Isotope Geosciences Laboratory, Keyworth, Nottingham, UK d Department of Geography, University of Yangon, Yangon, Myanmar e School of Earth and Environmental Science, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia f Department of Geology, University of Mandalay, Mandalay, Myanmar g CODES ARC Centre of Excellence in Ore Deposits, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia article info abstract Article history: The eastern Himalayan syntaxis has experienced some of the highest rates of deformation and erosion in the Received 10 April 2013 orogen during the Late Cenozoic, and the Yarlung Tsangpo, Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Salween, and Mekong Received in revised form 20 June 2013 rivers are the key erosional systems in that region. The Yarlung Tsangpo drains southern Tibet and the Accepted 1 July 2013 deep Siang River gorge through the eastern Himalayan syntaxis before joining the Brahmaputra in northeast- Available online 18 July 2013 ern India. It has been proposed that the Yarlung Tsangpo drained into other large rivers of southern Asia, such as the Irrawaddy, Salween and Red River.
    [Show full text]
  • Asymmetric Bargaining Between Myanmar and China in the Myitsone Dam Controversy: Social Opposition As David’S Stone Against Goliath Sze Wan Debby CHAN 1
    Asymmetric Bargaining between Myanmar and China in the Myitsone Dam Controversy: Social Opposition as David’s Stone against Goliath Sze Wan Debby CHAN 1 In May 2011, the Sino-Myanmar relations was elevated to a ‘comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership’. Soon after that, the unilateral suspension the China-backed Myitsone Dam by President Thein Sein has redefined the bilateral ties. What made Myanmar renege on its commitment which could entail innumerable compensation? This research employs the two-level game theory in analysing the Myitsone Dam controversy. Based on dozens of interviews conducted in Myanmar, I argue that the halt of the project was not entirely a voluntary defection of the Myanmar government. Amid democratisation in the country, the ‘Save the Ayeyarwady’ campaign against the dam was able to galvanise nationwide support through a series of awareness raising activities in 2011. With the rise of audience cost in Myanmar, China gradually conceded that the quasi-civilian government could no longer ignore societal actors in relation to foreign investment projects. Since 2012, China has been actively engaging with the opposition and civil society organisations in Myanmar. China’s new diplomatic approach reflects the importance of social opposition in the international dispute. The Myitsone Dam case may have a wider application of using social opposition as bargaining resources in asymmetric international negotiations outside the China-Myanmar context. Introduction In face of the popular ‘Save the Ayeyarwady’ campaign against the construction of the China- backed Myitsone hydropower dam, then Myanmar’s 2 President Thein Sein suspended the project during his tenure on 30 September 2011.
    [Show full text]
  • Baseline Assessment Report Geomorphic and Sediment Transport
    BASELINE ASSESSMENT REPORT GEOMORPHIC AND SEDIMENT TRANSPORT Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Hydropower Sector in Myanmar © International Finance Corporation 2017. All rights reserved. 2121 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20433 Internet: www.ifc.org The material in this work is copyrighted. Copying and/or transmitting portions or all of this work without permission may be a violation of applicable law. IFC encourages dissemination of its work and will normally grant permission to reproduce portions of the work promptly, and when the reproduction is for educational and non-commercial purposes, without a fee, subject to such attributions and notices as we may reasonably require. IFC does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the content included in this work, or for the conclusions or judgments described herein, and accepts no responsibility or liability for any omissions or errors (including, without limitation, typographical errors and technical errors) in the content whatsoever or for reliance thereon. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this volume do not necessarily reflect the views of the Executive Directors of The World Bank or the governments they represent. The contents of this work are intended for general informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute legal, securities, or investment advice, an opinion regarding the appropriateness of any investment, or a solicitation of any type.
    [Show full text]
  • Mortality Investigation of the Mekong Irrawaddy River Dolphin (Orcaella Brevirostris) in Cambodia Based on Necropsy Sample Analysis
    MORTALITY INVESTIGATION OF THE MEKONG IRRAWADDY RIVER DOLPHIN (ORCAELLA BREVIROSTRIS) IN CAMBODIA BASED ON NECROPSY SAMPLE ANALYSIS Dr Verné Dove (BVSc hons BAnim SC hons MVS cons med. Dip Cons) WWF Technical Report April 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES.........................................................................................................3 LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...........................................................................................4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (KHMER) .........................................................................5 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (ENGLISH).............................................................12 2. INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................18 3. METHODOLOGY ..............................................................................................20 3.1. Necropsies.........................................................................................................20 3.2. Epidemiology in disease surveillance...............................................................20 3.3. Sample analysis.................................................................................................21 4. RESULTS ............................................................................................................24 4.1. Microbiological Testing at Pasteur Institute.....................................................24
    [Show full text]
  • Recent Evolution of the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) Delta and the Impacts of Anthropogenic Activities: a Review and Remote Sensing Survey
    GEOMOR-107231; No of Pages 23 Geomorphology 365 (2020) 107231 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Geomorphology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/geomorph Recent evolution of the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) Delta and the impacts of anthropogenic activities: A review and remote sensing survey Dan Chen a, Xing Li a,⁎, Yoshiki Saito b,c, J. Paul Liu d, Yuanqiang Duan a, Shu'an Liu a, Lianpeng Zhang a a School of Geography, Geomatics and Planning, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, China b Estuary Research Center (EsReC), Shimane University, 1060, Nishikawatsu-Cho, Matsue 690-8504, Japan c Geological Survey of Japan, AIST, Higashi 1-1-1, Tsukuba 305-8567, Japan d Department of Marine, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA article info abstract Article history: Intensive studies have been conducted globally in the past decades to understand the evolution of several large Received 21 November 2019 deltas. However, despite being one of the largest tropical deltas, the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) Delta has received rel- Received in revised form 28 April 2020 atively little attention from the research community. To reduce this knowledge gap, this study aims to provide a Accepted 28 April 2020 comprehensive assessment of the delta's evolution and identify its influencing factors using remote sensing images Available online 20 May 2020 from 1974 to 2018, published literature and available datasets on the river, and human impacts in its drainage basin. Our results show that 1) Based on the topographic and geomorphological features, the funnel-shaped Irrawaddy Keywords: fl Delta evolution Delta can be divided into two parts: the upper uvial plain and the lower low-lying coastal plain; 2) The past 44- Shoreline change year shoreline changes show that overall accretion of the delta shoreline was at a rate of 10.4 m/year, and approx- Fluvial geomorphology imately 42% of the shoreline was subjected to erosion from 1974 to 2018.
    [Show full text]
  • Slim Chance E Pivotal Role of Air Mobility in the Burma Campaign
    THE 15 DREW PER PA S Slim Chance e Pivotal Role of Air Mobility in the Burma Campaign Derek M. Salmi Lieutenant Colonel, USAF Air University David S. Fadok, Lieutenant General, Commander and President School of Advanced Air and Space Studies Jeffrey J. Smith, Colonel, PhD, Commandant and Dean AIR UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ADVANCED AIR AND SPACE STUDIES Slim Chance The Pivotal Role of Air Mobility in the Burma Campaign Derek M. Salmi Lieutenant Colonel, USAF Drew Paper No. 15 Air University Press Air Force Research Institute Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama Project Editor Published by Air University Press in April 2014 Jeanne K. Shamburger ISBN 978-1-58566-234-0 ISSN 1941-3785 Copy Editor Sandi Davis Cover Art, Book Design, and Illustrations Daniel Armstrong Composition and Prepress Production Nedra O. Looney Print Preparation and Distribution Diane Clark AIR FORCE RESEARCH INSTITUTE AIR UNIVERSITY PRESS Director and Publisher Allen G. Peck Disclaimer Editor in Chief Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied Oreste M. Johnson within are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily repre- sent the official policy or position of the organizations with which Managing Editor they are associated or the views of the School of Advanced Air Demorah Hayes and Space Studies, Air Force Research Institute, Air University, Design and Production Manager United States Air Force, Department of Defense, or any other US Cheryl King government agency. This publication is cleared for public release and unlimited distribution. Air University Press 155 N. Twining St., Bldg. 693 Maxwell AFB, AL 36112-6026 [email protected] http://aupress.au.af.mil http://afri.au.af.mil/ AFRI This Drew Paper and others in the series are available electronically Air Force Research Institute at the AU Press website: http://aupress.au.af.mil.
    [Show full text]