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International Journal
of Ecology &
Development |
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ISSN 0972-9984 ( Print
); ISSN 0973-7308 (Online) |
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Abstract |
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Volume 7 |
No. S07 |
Summer
2007 |
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Application
of Artificial Neural Network-Based Approach for Calculating Dissolved Oxygen
Profiles in Kapulukaya Dam Reservoir İlhami Tüzün1, Selçuk Soyupak2, Özlem İnce1 and Gökben
Başaran1 1Kırıkkale
University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology, 71450, Yahşihan,
Kırıkkale, Turkey 2Atilim
University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Civil
Engineering, Kızılcaşar Köyü, İncek, Ankara,
06836, Turkey ABSTRACT An Artificial Neural Network (ANN) modelling
approach has been shown to be successful in calculating time and space dependent dissolved oxygen (DO)
concentration profiles in Kapulukaya Dam Reservoir
using limited number of input variables. The variation of inflow to the
reservoir with respect to time was significantly high. The reservoir
operational levels were relatively stable. The Levenberg-Marquardt
algorithm was adopted during training. Pre-processing before training and
post processing after simulation steps were the treatments applied to raw
data and predictions respectively. Different configurations of Multilayer perceptron neural networks were designed by selecting
different combinations of number of hidden layers (single and double) and
number of neurons within each of the hidden layers. Generalisation was improved and over-fitting
problems were eliminated: Early stopping method was applied for improving
generalisation. The conventional model criteria of correlation
coefficient (R) and mean square errors (MSE) were adopted to compare model
performances. The correlation
coefficients between neural network estimates and field measurements were as
high as 0.96 for daily and monthly data respectively with experiments that
involve double layer neural network structure with 31 neurons within each
hidden layer. The study results revealed that the data sizes effect model
performances up to a certain level. Key Words: Dissolved
oxygen, Neural networks, Reservoirs, Water quality modeling, Levenberg-Marquardt
algorithm, Generalisation Mathematics subject Classification
Number: 93A30, 62M45 Journal of Economic Literature
(JEL) Classification: Q57 |
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Measuring Landscape Parameters: Fragmentation, Disturbance and
Biological Richness in Baratang Islands (Andaman)
for estimating Landscape Structure, Human and Environment Interlinkages *International Water
Management Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka **National Remote
Sensing Agency, Hyderabad, India Abstract In order to bring sustainable resource conservation and management of
the landscape and the environment, it is essential to adopt rapid assessment
approach for managing ecosystem and biodiversity. The efforts to arrest the
process of degradation and species loss due to anthropogenic interference
requires specialized solutions and an understanding of ecological processes.
Landscape analysis in Baratang Islands was carried
out to understand the structure and review the fragmentation zones,
disturbance regimes and biological richness based on the biodiversity
characterization model (SPLAM). It has generated compatible set of spatial
database and maps, which offer great potential for survey, and assessment of
resources. Characterization of degree of fragmentation provides reliable information
on the biodiversity distribution pattern. The fragmentation
analysis in Baratang Islands is the representation
of anthropogenic activities and the measure of forest-non-forest. The results
highlight interesting patterns in terms of intact and fragmented patches and
explore the trends in landscape features. Understanding the distribution of
biodiversity rich zones in the isles and documenting the process of human
interference is another important aspect of the study. The landscape-derived
input affords information on causal agents of disturbance and highlights
fragmented habitats requiring immediate priority. The study provides
significant inputs for biodiversity monitoring and conservation planning. Keywords: Baratang
Islands, Andaman, Conservation, Fragmentation, Disturbance and Biological
Richness Mathematics subject Classification
Number: 00A06 Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) Classification:
C02 |
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Structural Analysis of the Impacts of Deregulation on the Amount and
Efficiency of Energy Consumption Yohannes K.G. Mariam Washington Utilities & Transportation
Commission (WUTC) 1300 S. Evergreen Park Drive Olympia, WA 98502, USA ABSTRACT There have
been significant changes in the energy sector since the early 80's. These changes in part caused by federal or
state level polices, were intended to either protect consumers, the
environment or promote economic growth. Regardless of the reasons for the
implementation of initiatives or policies, deregulation and restructuring of
the energy sector is being pursued by several states. International forces
that govern the supply and demand of global energy also influence the
domestic structural changes. Structural analysis is useful to compare
important parameters between two time periods to infer whether or not the
implementation of policies and regulations have resulted in significant
changes. The findings from this kind of analysis will assist in strengthening
or re-defining previously implemented policies. Analysis of the impact of
policies on amount and efficiency of energy consumption is important for the
following reasons: i) appropriate remedial measures
could be put in place to minimize the impact of emissions and wastes that
originates from the consumption of energy, ii) plans could be designed to
promote and implement sustainable consumption of energy because it is the
most important driving force of the economy and it greatly impacts the
survival of human beings. The results from this kind of study, therefore, are
useful for private and public policies making that are intended to balance
economic growth with environmental and human health. Key
words: data envelopment analysis; linear
programming; policy; environment; economic growth; regulation; energy;
structural changes; efficiency; emissions; environmental and human health Mathematics Subject Classification Number (MSC): 90B10, 90B30, 90C05, 91B76, 91B82, 91B84, 37M10,
49M37 JEL Classification Number: C22, C32, C61, L43, L51, L94, L95, Q53, Q54, Q56, Q57 |
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Sea-breeze
Convergence and Convection over Chennai, India Vinod Kumar 1, A. Chandrasekar 1 and R. Suresh 2 1 Department of Physics
& Meteorology, Indian Institute of
Technology, Kharagpur, India 2 Airport Meteorological
Office, India Meteorological Department, Meenambakkam, Chennai, India ABSTRACT
Sea-breeze
circulations as well as associated convergence over Chennai (13.0oN
/ 80.18oE), India are being investigated in this study
numerically. The Doppler weather radar (DWR) indicates a clear case of sea-
breeze convergence and associated convection over Chennai on 28 June 2003.
First the RAMS model is utilized in the horizontal homogeneous mode to
simulate the sea-breeze circulation, resultant convection and associated
precipitation. Subsequently, the MM5 model is used to simulate the same
sea-breeze event by utilizing the limited area model (LAM) analysis of India
Meteorological Department (IMD) and employing a system of two nested domains
and use of four-dimensional data assimilation (FDDA). The results of both the
RAMS and MM5 simulations are compared with DWR and rainfall observations from
IMD. The results indicate that the sea-breeze front is well simulated by the
RAMS model despite using it in the horizontal homogeneous mode. Although the
arrival of the sea-breeze front as simulated by the RAMS model is late, the
changeover to south easterlies at low levels is well simulated. The MM5
simulation shows a slight early arrival of the sea-breeze front as compared
to the DWR observations. The MM5 results show that the PBL height, water
vapor mixing ratio as well as vertical velocity over Chennai are well
simulated. The 24-hr accumulated precipitation from the MM5 model shows
intense maximum rainfall centered over Chennai while the RAMS model fails to
simulate the same. The better rainfall simulation of the MM5 model is due to
higher horizontal resolution, utilization of three-dimensional analysis and
use of FDDA.
Keywords: Sea
breeze, MM5, RAMS, IMD, Chennai, DWR
The Mathematics Subject Classification Number: 86A10 Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) Classification Number: Q54, Q59 |
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Natural and Anthropogenic Parameters Influencing Sea Level Rise (SLR) A. Melloul and M. Collin Hydrological
Service; P.O. Box 36118, IL-91 360
Jerusalem, ISRAEL ABSTRACT This study focuses on the key natural and anthropogenic parameters due
to global warming that can directly and indirectly contribute to changes in
sea level throughout the world. These on-going and long term variations in
sea level can be disturbed by sudden and ephemeral events that can permentally alter coastal geometry, with consequent
impact on sea level rise (SLR). SLR appears
to be a global trend, in some cases involving dozens of cms,
over recent decades. One of the main objectives of this paper is to highlight
short-term natural and anthopogenic factors, and assess
their contribution to SLR of long-term components involved. To demonstrate
the application of this approach, Israels Mediterraneean
coast has been selected as a specific area to be compared to the global
situation. This approach can be helpful for future long-term planning activities
to mitigate anthropogenic and natural effects that could influence SLR. Keywords:
Sea level rise (SLR); tsunami; hurricane; coastal
aquifer; seawater intrusion; natural effects, anthropogenic effects. Mathematics subject Classification Number: 00A05 JEL Classification: Q53, Q54, Q56, Q23, Q24, Q25, R11, R23 |
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Valuation of Use Value of Forest Resources: Application of Contingent
Valuation Vidhyavathi A.1 and Swaminathan L. P.2 1Regional Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural
University, Paiyur 635 112, Tamil Nadu,
India. 2Department of Agricultural Economics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-3,Tamil Nadu, India. ABSTRACT Continued
agricultural growth is a necessity, not an option, for most developing
countries. Therefore agricultural growth must be based on a sustainable basis
so as not to jeopardize the underlying base of natural resources. In the present study an attempt has been
made to valuate use value of forest resources of a sample area viz., Coimbatore district in Tamil Nadu
State of India. The specific
objective of the study was to asses the willingness to pay for conservation
and improvement of forest resources.
The composite error model, the truncated normal tobit
model was used to study the household variables influencing Willingness To
Pay. Primary data was collected from
150 tribal households selected from 18 villages. Their main source of income was from other
subsidiary occupation and 31.88 per cent of annual household income was from
forestry. Out of total sample
households, 90 per cent of them were willing to pay for conservation. The sample households were willing to pay
Rs.734.41/household/year towards creation and protection of forest resources
in the district. The results of the
composite error model showed that the WTP expressed by household was
influenced by household income from outside, distance traveled and perception
of forest degradation. The comparison
of WTP by divisions indicates that there are significant differences. An important policy implication of these
results is the need to consider the household and division specific factors
when designing and implementing afforestation
projects. Key words: Forest resources, use value, willingness to pay, contingent
valuation, truncated normal tobit model. Mathematics Subject Classification: 62J99 Journal
Literature (JEL) Classification Number: Q23 |
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Determination of Communitys Perception over the Current
Status of Wood Energy: A Case of Matengo
Highlands in Tanzania
C. P. I. Mahonge and J. V. Nsenga
Sokoine University of Agriculture Centre for sustainable
Rural Development
P.O. Box 3035 Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro,
Tanzania
ABSTRACT
Communitys perception over status of wood energy
was determined in Matengo
Highlands, Tanzania. Data was collected from a sample of women using
semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and
Statistical Package for Social Science software. Results indicated that the
source of energy for 88.2% of respondents was firewood, while 11.8% use both
firewood and charcoal. About 57% of respondents said firewood was not as
available today as compared to the past decade while for 31.6% the
accessibility is the same today as that of the past decade. For sustainable
utilization, respondents said, the community should plant trees and adopt
improved firewood stoves technology. It was recommended that strengthening of
woodlots and agroforestry systems is significant
for sustainable utilization of wood energy. Also, training the community on
appropriate areas to plant exotic tree species is imperative to avoid
possible negative impacts to the environment. Alongside exotic trees, the
community should be encouraged to plant indigenous trees for procuring wood
energy benefits in short run, and environmental conservation in long run.
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