A pioneering survey of deep-diving and off-shore cetaceans in the northern South China Sea

A pioneering boat-based survey was conducted in 2019, to gather baseline information regarding the presence, composition, relative abundance, and spatial distribution of deep-diving and off-shore cetaceans in the northern South China Sea (SCS). A total of 27 sightings comprising at least 8 cetacean species were recorded during the 13-day survey, including 5 deep-diving species (i.e. Risso's dolphin [Grampus griseus], short-finned pilot whale [Globicephala macrorhynchus], sperm whale [Physeter macrocephalus], Cuvier's beaked whale [Ziphius cavirostris], and an unidentified beaked whale [either the ginkgo-toothed beaked whale, Mesoplodon ginkgodens, or Deraniyagala's beaked whale, Mesoplodon hotaula]), as well as 3 off-shore dolphins (i.e. pantropical spotted dolphin [Stenella attenuate], striped dolphin [Stenella coeruleoalba], and Fraser's dolphin [Lagenodelphis hosei]). With the exception of pantropical spotted dolphins, all other species were sighted and recorded at sea in the northern SCS for the first time. The pantropical spotted dolphin was the most frequently sighted species, comprising 30% of the total sightings. Deep-diving cetaceans were mainly sighted in the northern Xisha Archipelago, whereas off-shore dolphins were distributed across the survey area. The pantropical spotted dolphin was observed in aggregations of more than 100 individuals and nearly all encountered species included calves; these findings suggested that the survey area functions as an important feeding and calving ground for various cetacean species. This pioneering survey provides fundamental information regarding cetacean fauna in the northern SCS and highlights the need to strengthen research and conservation efforts concerning these species.     

Object‐Based Mapping of Karst Rocky Desertification using a Support Vector Machine

Accurate and cost‐effective mapping of karst rocky desertification (KRD) is still a challenge at the regional and national scale. Visual interpretation has been utilised in the majority of studies, while an automated method based on pixel data has been investigated repeatedly. An object‐based method coupling with support vector machine (SVM) was developed and tested using Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) images from three selected counties (Liujiang, Changshun and Zhenyuan) with different karst landscapes in SW China. The method supports a strategy of defining a mapping unit. It combined ETM+ images and ancillary data including elevation, slope and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index images. A sequence of scale parameters estimation, image segmentation, training data sampling, SVM parameters tuning and object classification was performed to achieve the mapping. A quantitative and semi‐automated approach was used to estimate scale parameters for segmenting an object at an optimal scale. We calculated the sum of area‐weighted standard deviation (WS), rate of change for WS, local variance (LV) and rate of change for LV at each scale level, and the threshold of the aforementioned index that indicated the optimal segment level and merge level. The KRD classification results had overall accuracies of 85·50, 84·00 and 84·86 per cent for Liujiang, Changshun and Zhenyuan, respectively, and kappa coefficients are up to 0·8062, 0·7917 and 0·8083, respectively. This approach mapped six classes of KRD and offered a visually appealing presentation. Moreover, it proposed a conceptual and size‐variable object from the classification standard of KRD. The results demonstrate that the application of our method provides an efficient approach for the mapping of KRD. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stress steroid levels and the short-term impact of routine dehorning in female southern white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum)

Rhinoceros populations in Africa are under severe threat as a result of surging poaching rates and risk-mitigation strategies are continuously adapted in an attempt to ensure the survival of the species. This study compared faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) levels of two age classes of limited free-ranging female white rhinos with fGCM levels of adult free-ranging female white rhinos. Subsequently, fGCM alterations in the limited free-ranging animals were monitored following routine dehorning as a measure of the animals’ short-term physiological stress response. Baseline fGCM levels differed significantly between tested groups, with both free-ranging and limited free-ranging adult animals showing significantly higher fGCM levels compared with limited free-ranging juvenile females. In contrast, baseline fGCM levels did not differ significantly between limited free-ranging and free-ranging adult individuals. Routine dehorning procedures resulted in a short-term stress response expressed by a significant increase in fGCM levels 48 h post-dehorning, with stress steroid levels returning to pre-dehorning concentrations 72 h after the procedure.     

Do public attitudes affect conservation effort? Using a questionnaire-based survey to assess perceptions,beliefs and superstitions associated with frogs in South Africa

Globally, amphibians are among the least appreciated vertebrates and are often negatively perceived by the general public. Such attitudes are particularly prevalent in South Africa, where fear, superstitions and myths associated with frogs are pervasive in some cultures. These attitudes could have harmful consequences both for the animals concerned and conservation efforts. This study aimed to investigate attitudes to frogs throughout South Africa across multiple age and ethnic groups. We used a multi-language survey in both hard-copy and online versions. Respondents (n = 2 295) comprised both genders across six age groups and five ethnic groups. A functionalist approach using structural equation modelling was used to assess how liking of frogs and cultural beliefs varied with socio-demographic factors. Attitudes varied significantly between groups, with males more likely to like frogs than females and age and level of education also significantly linked to liking. The influence of cultural beliefs and lack of knowledge also directly influenced negative attitudes towards frogs. More than 60% of respondents expressed an interest in learning more about frogs, indicating an opportunity for improving attitudes through educational outreach. The findings of this study can be used to inform current efforts to protect amphibians in South Africa through social interventions.     

我国棉花生物技术研究进展及发展对策

本文主要回顾近１０年来我国棉花生物技术各领域的研究进展；并针对我国棉花生产的客观要求和未来的发展趋势，从宏观上提出我国棉花生物技术发展对策。     

世界棉花育种科技水平进展与发展对策

９０年代以来，世界棉花育种的特点为：（１）以提高单产为主要目标；（２）以提高纤维品质为主要目标；（３）以保护环境为主要目标。通过不同的育种途径，棉花育种成绩斐然，为人类的发展提供了重要的物质基础。２０００年前，中国棉花育种对策的重点应（１）加强基础研究；（２）改革现行流通体制；（３）改进原棉检测手段；（４）育种目标与市场反馈信息结合。     

华北地区农业用水危机及其出路

华北地区水危机主要是由农业用水引起的。解决华北地区农业用水的根本途径是发展节水农业,节水农业的核心是提高水分利用效率,主要的方法有：水利工程节水、生物技术节水、农作物空间布局的调整、污水资源化、利用地下微成水、水资源价格和水价调节。     

东北地区农机制造业发展目标、基本思路和战略重点

农机制造业在机械工业体系中占有举足轻重的地位,且对于农业现代化的实现有着不可替代的作用.为此,依据东北地区农机制造业的发展现状,提出了东北地区农机制造业的发展目标和基本思路,并指出了下一步发展的战略重点,旨在为振兴东北地区老工业基地和农机制造业的发展提供参考.     

深水网箱网衣破损监测系统设计

针对在深水网箱网衣破损监测研究中出现的问题,提供了一种全新的网箱网衣破损监测方法和监测系统,可在浑水区实时监测网衣情况.系统由单片机、网片检测电路、开关矩阵和GSM手机模块组成.在网衣内编入导线,使网衣成为一种网破传感器.系统将网衣分成多块网片,并对网片进行编码.网片破损处与海水、入海电极形成回路,触发手机模块发出报警短信,指出网箱的编号和网衣破损部位.当系统与网衣出现连接故障时也可触发手机模块发出报警短信,指出故障网箱的编号和故障部位.