Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PRECISION AGRICULTURE AS A COMMERCIAL APPLICATION FOR SOLAR-POWERED UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES

The economic potential of UAVs serving as long-duration platforms equipped with high resolution real-time imaging systems is being demonstrated. In September 2002, the UAV Pathfinder-Plus will be used to collect high-spatial resolution, multispectral imagery of the Kauai Coffee Plantation, the largest coffee plantation in the USA. Imagery from two digital camera systems will be analyzed for the mapping of coffee field ripeness, and for the identification of drip irrigation problems and weed proliferation. A payload test was conducted aboard a conventional piloted aircraft during the harvest season in 2001. Use of "off- the-shelf" wireless technology was implemented to remotely control camera operation and downlink imagery in near-real time. Image analysis and the acquisition of ground-based data revealed a positive relationship between brightness of the coffee tree canopy and the harvested yield of ripe coffee cherries.
Biodiversity trends of the meiofaunal and foraminiferal assemblages of Lake Varano (southern Italy)

Abstract In this study, the meiofaunal diversity in Lake Varano (southern Italy) is investigated in detail. Using a statistical approach, these data were coupled with the physicochemical parameters of the bottom water and the sediment characteristics in order to understand the factors influencing meiofaunal biodiversity distribution. The lake is selectively influenced by different factors, namely: organic matter and grain-size, as well as water salinity. Although these assemblages appear to be poorly diversified, the diversity index values are similar to those generally reported in other transitional environments. Relatively higher values of both meiofaunal and benthic foraminiferal diversity were found in front of the Capoiale channel and in the inner part of the lake. The meiofaunal assemblages are mainly dominated by nematodes, copepods, and turbellarians. The benthic foraminiferal assemblages comprise 18 taxa and are mainly represented by calcareous forms, suggesting a relatively low degree of confinement and, consequently, moderately restricted conditions. These assemblages are comparable to the Ammonia assemblages with Haynesina germanica that are characteristic of lagoons along the Mediterranean coasts. On the basis of these findings, coupled with the biotic data, the lake can be regarded as an oligo-mesotrophic environment.
Mulch Tillage: Some Effects on Plant and Soil Properties

The effects of a “double-cut plow” method of mulch tillage on fertility, as measured by soil nitrate-N, soluble nutrients in leaf, grain yields, and nutrient content of the corn plant, and on physical properties of the soil were investigated at Blacksburg, Va. The standard 3-year rotation of corn, small grain, and clover-grass with mulch tillage practice during the corn year was compared with a similar rotation using conventional clean tillage practice. The percentage of N in the corn plant was lower where mulch tillage was used. The differences were significant (5% level) for high yield seasons. Percentage P in the plant was not affected by tillage method. Differences in K content of corn plant between tillage method, although usually large, were inconsistent. In general, soil nitrate-N and soluble N-P-K in leaf tissue were lower during the early part of the growing season under mulch tillage. Significant reduction in yields (19 bu./A.) were obtained from mulch in 1948. This was apparently due to a similar reduction in stand. In 1949 and 1950, with planter modifications which pushed the mulch from the row, comparable yields and stands were obtained. Three-year average yields were: mulch 73 bu. /A. , turn plow 81 bu. /A. The 0–3 inch layer of soil under mulch showed higher aggregation, air space, percent organic matter, and percent total nitrogen than did conventional tillage. There are a number of factors which may affect the availability of nutrients where this tillage method is used. It is believed that the lower N status under mulch was due chiefly to changes in the soil microflora brought about by this tillage.
The isolation and characterisation of bacteria with the potential to degrade waxes that cause water repellency in sandy soils

Water repellency in soils is caused by waxy coatings on particles and can seriously limit agricultural production. Bioremediation of these soils, using wax-degrading bacteria isolated from soils and other sources rich in microorganisms, was investigated. Wool wax, a complex mixture of fatty acids and alcohols, was used to select bacteria capable of metabolising hydrophobic compounds. Of the 37 stable isolates, two-thirds were actinomycetes. These organisms are known for their ability to metabolise a wide range of organic compounds. Degradation of waxes associated with soil particles is facilitated by the production of biosurfactants that emulsify hydrophobic compounds. Measurement of biosurfactant production indicated that those isolates that grew best on hydrocarbon were also the most prolific biosurfactant producers. Inoculation of water-repellent soils, under controlled conditions, with the most efficient wax-degrading bacterial isolates resulted in significant improvements in soil wettability.
Climate change 2001 : mitigation

Summary for policy makers Technical summary Introduction 1. Scope of the report 2. Greenhouse gas emissions: mitigation scenarios and implications 3. Technological and economic potential of GHG emissions reduction 4. Technological and economic potential of options to enhance, maintain and manage biological carbon reservoirs and geo-engineering 5. Barriers, opportunities and market potential of technologies and practices 6. Policies, measures and instruments 7. Costing methodologies for mitigation 8. Global, regional and national costs and ancillary benefits of mitigation 9. Sector costs and ancillary benefits of mitigation 10. Decision making frameworks Index.
Morphology of Piton de la Fournaise basaltic shield volcano (La Réunion Island): Characterization and implication in the volcano evolution

The topography of Piton de la Fournaise volcano (PdF) differs from the classic view of basaltic shield volcanoes as it is characterized by (1) several steep slope zones on its flanks and (2) a large U-shaped caldera, the Enclos-Grand Brule structure (EGBS). Most of these structures were previously interpreted as the scars of lateral landslides, the deposits of which cover the submarine flanks of PdF. We carried out a detailed analysis of the morphology of PdF, which reveals that the steep slope zones form two independent, circumferential structures that continue into the caldera. The development of circumferential steep slopes on volcano flanks may have several origins: constructive, destructive, and deformation processes. We interpret those processes acting on PdF as caused by the spreading of the volcanic edifice above a weak hydrothermal core, leading to outward displacements and a summit extensive stress field. The continuity of the steep slope on both sides of the EGBS escarpments suggests that this structure was not caused by a 4.5 ka old giant landslide as it is usually proposed but is due to a mainly vertical collapse. The recent debris avalanche deposits east of the island indicate that this event likely destabilized part of the submarine flank. We propose that the collapse of the Grand Brule, the lower half of the EGBS, was due to the downward drag related to the dense intrusive complex of the Alizes volcano, which is located 1 km below the Grand Brule. The collapse of the Enclos is interpreted as the consequence of the deformation of the hydrothermal system of the pre-Enclos volcano. Although the continuity of the geological and morphological structures between the Enclos and the Grand Brule suggests a narrow link between these two collapse events, their chronology and relationship are still uncertain. Finally, we hypothesize that the persistence of the NE and SE rift zones during the last 150 ka, despite the large changes of the topography related to the recurrent flank destabilizations, is linked to a deep sources, which can be either underlying crustal faults or the continuous downward subsidence of the Alizes intrusive complex.
Measuring willingness to pay to improve municipal water in southeast Anatolia, Turkey

Increasing demands for water and quality concerns have highlighted the importance of accounting for household perceptions before local municipalities rehabilitate existing water infrastructures and bring them into compliance. We compared different willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) estimates using household surveys in the southern Anatolian region of Turkey. Our study is the first of its kind in Turkey. Biases resulting from sample selection and the endogeneity of explanatory variables were corrected. When compared to a univariate probit model, correction of these biases was shown to result in statistically significant findings through moderate reductions in mean WTP.
Comparison of Soil Nutrient Status in Conventional and Organic Apple Farm

Soil nutrient status in an organic apple farm was evaluated in relation to a conventional farm to better understand the effects of organic farming system on soil fertility. Soil organic matter, total and mineral N, available P, exchangeable cations, and available micronutrients were monitored at depth of 5-20 cm from May to October in 2006. Average soil organic matter content was 63.3 and 31.0 g kg-1 in organic and conventional farm, respectively. Total N content was 3.3 and 1.7 g kg-1 in average for organic and conventional farm, respectively. Ammonium and nitrate N in organic farming were maintained at relatively stable levels, but in the conventional farm the levels were very high in early season due to the chemical fertilizer application. In the organic apple farm, available P content in May was lower than that found in the conventional farm, but during the growing season available P content was continuously increased and in August the content was more than 1000 mg P2O5 kg-1. The organic farm maintained relatively greater exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg levels than the conventional farm. Available Cu, Fe, and Mn contents in the conventional farm were relatively greater than those found in the organic farm. However, available Zn extracted in 0.1 M HCl was much greater in the organic farm. Nutrient levels above crop needs were observed in both conventional and organic apple farm suggesting a more appropriate management of soil nutrients in organic farming to secure its fundamental functions for the sustainable agriculture.
Investigation Of Physico-Chemical Characteristics Of Shallow Aquifer Around Dumpsites: A Case Study Of Kajola, Agbowo Dumpsites, At Ibadan, Oyo State, South Western Nigeria.

Management of solid waste and related environmental impacts presents a challenge to both developing and developed countries. This study is to investigate the physico-chemical properties of shallow aquifer around dumpsites in Kajola, Agbowo at Ibadan. Water samples were obtained from nine randomly selected shallow aquifers around the dumpsite in January (dry season) and May (wet season). The leachate samples were also collected which was used as control. From these samples, pH and conductivity were determined using a pH-conductivity meter, while the concentrations of the heavy metals Fe, Pb and Cu were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Most of the groundwater samples are generally acidic for the dry season with mean pH value of 7.01 which is below the world health organization (WHO) and the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ guidelines for potable water). Water samples from sample W3 has the highest level of DO (4.8mg/L in dry season and 4.2mg/L in wet season). During the rainy season the content of Nitrite shoot up to 1.65mg/L, high level of nitrite is discovered in well W3 showing 0.495mg/L of nitrite exceeding the permissible limit of NSQDW and WHO of 0.2mg/L. The average temperature is 29.4°C for both seasons, while well W8 during dry season has the highest temperature. The effect of excess nitrite is that it causes cyanosis, and asphyxia (blue-baby syndrome) in infants. The result of this study clearly shows a polluted environment and groundwater quality.
O centróide da piscina de água quente do pacífico como um indicador dos fenômenos El Niño e La Niña

The El Nino -La Nina oceanographic phenomena were analized making use of the zonal component of the Pacific warm pool (PAQ) which describes east-west displacements along the intertropical belt of this ocean. We manipulated an ocean surface temperature (TSO) timeseries to classify the PAQ and to estimate its centroid between 1981 and 2003. All the El Nino (1982-83; 1986-87; 1990-95; e 1997-98) and La Nina (1984-85; 1988-89; 1998-2000) episodes described in the academic literature were eminent in the timeserie of the zonal component of the Pacific warm pool (CZPAQ). The most intense El Nino episodes were ranked according to its furthest eastward displacement. The timeserie of the CZPAQ was in phase with both the TSO anomaly and the Southern Oscillation Index. The fluctuations associated to the CZPAQ were illustraded in the spectrum where interannual oscillations associated to the El Nino -La Nina phenomena were observed. Shorter migrations to the west during the La Nina years were notable in comparison to those eastward moviments during the El Nino events. Therefore, the zonal displacements of the PAQ, represented here by the centroid, were presented as having significant worth to indicate the El Nino and La Nina phenomena. The main advantage of this technique is that it depends on a single arbitrary parameter to represent the PAQ, the threshold of the ocean surface temperature in the Pacific Ocean.
Biases in the estimation of transfer function prediction errors

[1] In the quest for more precise sea-surface temperature reconstructions from microfossil assemblages, large modern training sets and new transfer function methods have been developed. Realistic estimates of the predictive power of a transfer function can only be calculated from an independent test set. If the test set is not fully independent, the error estimate will be artificially low. We show that the modern analogue technique using a similarity index (SIMMAX) and the revised analogue method (RAM), both derived from the modern analogue technique, achieve apparently lower root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) by failing to ensure statistical independence of samples during cross validation. We also show that when cross validation is used to select the best artificial neural network or modern analogue model, the RMSEP based on cross validation is lower than that for a fully independent test set.
Chromium Geochemistry of Serpentine Soils

Serpentine soils derived from the weathering of ultramafic rocks, mainly ophiolitic serpentinites, are typically characterized by Cr concentrations in excess of 200 mg kg-1, comparatively higher than non-serpentine soils. We review the chemistry of Cr in serpentine soils and their protoliths, focusing on serpentine soils collected from New Caledonia, Oregon, and California. Overall, serpentine soils are slightly acidic (average pH of ∼6), contain a variety Fe(III) oxides (magnetite and hematite), Fe(III) (oxy)hydroxides, phyllosilicates (serpentine and chlorite), and clays (smectites and vermiculites), and contain concentrations of Cr (> 200 mg kg-1), Ni (> 1,000 mg kg-1), and Mn (> 200 mg kg-1) exceeding values of non-serpentine soils. Although Cr concentrations in serpentine soils have been reported as high as 6 wt% in New Caledonia, Cr values in New Caledonia, Oregon, and California serpentine soils evaluated in this study range from 827 to 9,528 mg kg-1. Chromium(III) is the only valence state observed in the serpentine soil solids; however, Cr(VI) has been identified in New Caledonia and California serpentine soil solutions at concentrations below 30 μM. The enrichment and range of Cr concentrations in serpentine soils are directly related to the presence of Cr-spinels, specifically chromite and Cr-magnetite. These phases are resistant to weathering and are preserved in the soil environment; however, oxidation of Cr(III) from Cr-spinels by high-valent Mn oxides, or other strong oxidants, is a potential source of Cr(VI) identified in serpentine soil solutions. Due to the weathering resistant nature of the Cr-spinels, Cr-bearing silicates including clay minerals, Cr-chlorite, Cr-garnet, Cr-mica, and Cr-epidote are more viable sources of Cr identified in vegetation, soil extractions, soil solutions, and related waters.
Topographic correction of ALOS-PALSAR images using InSAR-derived DEM

Topographic corrections of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images over hilly regions are vital for retrieval of correct backscatter values associated with natural targets. The coarse resolution external digital elevation models (DEM) available for topographic corrections of high resolution SAR images often result into degradation of spatial resolution or improper estimation of backscatter values in SAR images. Also, many a times the external DEMs do not spatially co-register well with the SAR data. The present study showcases the methodology and results of topographic correction of ALOS-PALSAR image using high resolution DEM generated from the same data. High resolution DEMs of Jaipur region, India were generated using multiple pair SAR images acquired from ALOS-PALSAR using interferometric (InSAR) techniques. The DEMs were validated using differential global positioning system measured elevation values as ground control points and were compared with photogrammetric DEM (advanced spaceborne thermal emission and reflection radiometer – ASTER) and SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) DEM. It was observed that ALOS-PALSAR images with optimum baseline parameters produced high resolution DEM with better height accuracy. Finally, the validated DEM was used for topographic correction of ALOS-PALSAR images of the same region and were found to produce better result as compared with ASTER and SRTM-DEM.
Three‐dimensional normal faulting models of the Valles Marineris, Mars, and geodynamic implications

Inversion of Martian topography, using a three-dimensional boundary element model, permits revised estimates of fault dip angle, depth of faulting, paleogeothermal gradient, and extensional strain in the Valles Marineris region. The major normal faults dip at 40°–55° to depths of ∼60–75 km with comparatively small footwall uplifts (<500 m for throws to 10 km), implying that paleogeothermal gradients during faulting were ∼10 K km−1 or less, assuming relatively rapid strain rates appropriate to the extending Martian crust. Accumulation of dip-slip offsets along the main normal faults likely was associated with anticlinal flexure and deformation of preexisting strata within the troughs. The magnitudes of the predicted vertical and horizontal displacements outside the troughs, as well as extensional strains, are spatially variable, depending on both cross- and along-strike position relative to the troughs. The predicted displacements and strains attain maximum values at the troughs and decay to background values at cross-strike distances of ∼250 km, corresponding to 3–4 times the depth of faulting, with an average province-wide strain of 4–15%. By implication, the aggregate strain field surrounding Tharsis is a highly variable spatial and temporal composite of the inhomogeneous strain fields, each associated and scaling in size with an individual graben, from the smallest structures through the largest Valles Marineris troughs.
Preliminary results from a Water Economy and Livelihoods Survey (WELS) in Nigeria and Mali, sub-Saharan Africa : investigating water security across a rainfall transect

A large proportion (47%) of people in sub-Saharan Africa live without access to safe water sources in rural areas (JMP, 2008). The need for sustainable development and management of water resources, particularly groundwater resources, remains a major priority, especially within the context of climate variability, population growth and pressures to increase food production (UN, 2000, Vorosmarty et al., 2000, JMP, 2008, MacDonald and Calow, 2010). In stark contrast to food scarcity, to date little systematic data collection has been done to investigate the role water scarcity has on livelihoods within rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly during droughts or periods of water stress (Calow et al., 2009). A water, livelihoods and economy survey in West Africa was conducted as part of a one year DFID-funded research programme, aimed at improving understanding of the impacts of climate change on groundwater resources and local livelihoods http://www.bgs. ac.uk/GWResilience/. The main purpose of this survey was to investigate the access to and domestic use of a range of water sources (hand pumps, wells, springs, surface water sources and rainwater harvesting) within rural communities across a rainfall transect in sub-Saharan Africa. The seasonal water use and scarcity/stress patterns were investigated for rural communities, located on both sedimentary and basement settings, using community discussions and questionnaires based on a scaled down version of the WELS methodology (Coulter, 2010). Plate 1 shows a WEL survey being carried out in the Minna study area, central Nigeria. The aim of this study is to investigate seasonal access to water supplies, by gathering information on the time taken to collect water, the different sources available at different times of year (wet and dry season) and the geological and hydrogeological conditions at each community. The hypothesis is that having a greater number of groundwater dependent water supplies in a community increases overall security of water access and reduces the time taken to collect water in the dry season. A secondary aim was to test whether a slimmed down WELS methodology based on that described by Coulter and Calow (2011) can be effectively applied to give useful information.
Ecology of southeastern shrub bogs (pocosins) and Carolina bays: a community profile

Shrub bogs of the Southeast occur in areas of poorly developed internal drainage that typically but not always have highly developed organic or peat soils. Pocosins and Carolina bays are types or subclasses of shrub bogs on the coastal plains of the Carolinas and Georgia. They share roughly the same distribution patterns, soil types, floral and faunal species composition and other community attributes, but differ in geological formation. Carolina bays may contain pocosin as well as other communities, but are defined more by their unique elliptical shape and geomorphometry. The pocosin community is largely defined by its vegetation, a combination of a dense shrub understory and a sparser canopy. The community is part of a complex successional sequence of communities (sedge bogs, savannas, cedar bogs, and bay forests) that may be controlled by such factors as fire, hydroperiod, soil type, and peat depth. Pocosins and Carolina bays harbor a number of animal groups and may be locally important in their ecology. Although few species are endemic to these habitats, they may provide important refuges for a number of species. These communities are simultaneously among the least understood and most rapidly disappearing habitats of the Southeast. Forestry and agricultural clearage aremore » current impacts. « less