A Model for Simulating Emergent Patterns of Cities and Roads on Real-world Landscapes

Emergence of cities and road networks have characterised human activity and movement over millennia. However, this anthropogenic infrastructure does not develop in isolation, but is deeply embedded in the natural landscape, which strongly influences the resultant spatial patterns. Nevertheless, the precise impact that landscape has on the location, size and connectivity of cities is a long-standing, unresolved problem. To address this issue, we incorporate high-resolution topographic maps into a Turing-like pattern forming system, in which local reinforcement rules result in co-evolving centres of population and transport networks. Using Italy as a case study, we show that the model constrained solely by topography results in an emergent spatial pattern that is consistent with Zipf’s Law and comparable to the census data. Thus, we infer the natural landscape may play a dominant role in establishing the baseline macro-scale population pattern, that is then modified by higher-level historical, socio-economic or cultural factors.

Community composition and status of avifaunal diversity in and around Ottu reservoir of Sirsa, Haryana, India

Assessments of avian communities’ composition in different habitats give an emphasis in monitoring environmental perspective. Depending on specific habitat functioning, their population pattern helps to determine the ecological health of an area. Bird surveys were accomplished on a fortnightly basis from October 2019 to September 2020 using Scan sampling, Point count and Line transect methods for evaluation of species abundance and richness in and around Ottu Reservoir, district Sirsa, Haryana (India). A total of 114 species comprising 91 genera, 47 families and 18 orders were recorded, among which 76 species were resident, 30 winter migrants and 8 summer migrants. Out of reported 114 species of birds, one species was vulnerable, 6 Near-threatened as listed by IUCN. Three bird species were listed under Schedule-I and the remaining species under Schedule-IV of IWPA (1972); six species under appendices of CITES (2012). Species such as Rock dove Columba livia, Lesser Whistling-duck Dendrocygna javanica and Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos with decreasing IUCN population trends were reported abundantly in the study area. Analysis of feeding guilds results revealed that Carnivores as predominated guild due to enriched food material. The presence of diverse plantation, aquatic body, serenity and agricultural fields serve the reservoir as potential habitat for residential and migratory species. Therefore, effective measures must be taken for the conservation of this area as a potential site for avian diversity.

POPULATION PATTERN AND HOUSEHOLD WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN RELATION TO BIO-PHYSICOCHEMICAL WATER QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS IN THE NAGA RIVER

Rapid population growth and urbanization over the years has put pressure on natural resources threatening various fragile ecosystems. Naga river in the Philippines became a mute witness to the adverse effects of human activities on its waters. The present study took into account the waste management practices of households along the Naga river to elucidate its relation to the bio-physicochemical state of the river. The comparative analysis of water quality assessment data indicates that there is an observable deterioration of water quality due to its decreased level of Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and above normal pH level. This can be attributed to the continued practice of the households of throwing and discharging 34% and 78% of their solid and liquid wastes, respectively, directly into the river. However, there is a trend of improvement in the Naga river's water quality in terms of other parameters. The study also revealed that the size of built up areas and the household population along the Naga river is not necessarily proportional. Land use and the large household population along the Naga river was found to have higher adverse impacts on the water quality and current state of the Naga river. KEYWORDS: Naga River, water quality, waste management, community survey

Inventory and characteristics of the small African land snail (SALS) spp in Benin metropolis, Edo State

Six (6) species of small African land snails (SALS) were picked from bushes and home gardens in seven (7) locations in Benin metropolis. The SALS were identified by means of a picture chart and examined for their physical characteristics, shell properties, population pattern and relative abundance during season in the locations. Chemical analysis was performed to determine the proximate and mineral compositions of the SALS and to compare these with those of the common GALS, Achatina marginata. Along with the GALS, the SALS found in the metropolis belong mainly to the genus – Lumicolaria. They are rainy season gastropods; their presence became visible in April; population became significant in May; and then increased significantly to reach their peaks in July; and thereafter reduced significantly in August. There were no differentials respecting relative abundance of various species based on location in Benin metropolis. Instead the different locations sampled, fittingly represented replications of measurements and figures rather than differential biodiversity of snail species. The six species of SALS identified were L. flamnae (black and white), L.numidica, (yellow brown), L.martesiana (brown), L.aethiops (brown), L. feline (white), L.aurora (white and black). Morphologically the SALS measured 5.0 – 7.5cm in length, and 2.0 – 2.1cm in diameter. The number of whorls on shell varied from 6 – 9 between the species. There were variabilities in shell colors, sizes and relative standard live weight of the snails. The SALS and GALS showed similarity in physical characteristics and chemical composition, except in size. This means that SALS, like the GALS, also have high potential food value. Studies on the production and utilization of SALS were thus recommended. Six (6) espèces de petits escargots terrestres africains (le 'SALS') ont été cueillies dans des buissons et des jardins potagers dans sept (7) localités de la métropole du Benin. Les 'SALS' ont été identifiés au moyen d'une carte illustrée et examinés pour leurs caractéristiques physiques, les propriétés de la coquille, la structure de la population et l'abondance relative pendant la saison dans les emplacements. Une analyse chimique a été réalisée pour déterminer les compositions proximales et minérales du 'SALS' et pour les comparer avec celles du 'GALS' commun, Achatinamarginata. Avec les 'GALS', les 'SALS' trouvés dans la métropole appartiennent principalement au genre - Lumicolaria. Ce sont des gastéropodes de saison des pluies; leur présence est devenue visible en avril; la population est devenue importante en mai; puis a augmenté de manière significative pour atteindre leurs sommets en juillet; et par la suite considérablement réduit en août. Il n'y avait pas de différentiels concernant l'abondance relative des diverses espèces en fonction de l'emplacement dans la métropole béninoise. Au lieu de cela, les différents emplacements échantillonnés représentaient de manière appropriée des réplications de mesures et de chiffres plutôt que la biodiversité différentielle des espèces d'escargots. Les six espèces de SALS identifiées étaient L. flamnae (noir et blanc), L.numidica, (jaune brun), L.martesiana (brun), L.aethiops (brun), L. feline (blanc), L.aurora (blanc et noir). Morphologiquement, le SALS mesurait 5.0 à 7.5 cm de longueur et 2.0 à 2.1 cm de diamètre. Le nombre de verticilles sur coquille variait de 6 à 9 entre les espèces. Il y avait des variations dans la couleur de la coquille, la taille et le poids vif standard relatif des escargots. Les 'SALS' et 'GALS' ont montré des similitudes dans les caractéristiques physiques et la composition chimique, sauf en taille. Cela signifie que les 'SALS', comme les 'GALS', ont également une valeur alimentaire potentielle élevée. Des études sur la production et l'utilisation des 'SALS' ont donc été recommandées.

PATRÓN POBLACIONAL PREHISPÁNICO EN MEDIAS AGUAS, VERACRUZ

Medias Aguas se localiza dentro del Istmo de Tehuantepec, entre el océano Pacífico y el Golfo de México, este se inserta en el municipio de Sayula de Alemán, Veracruz, también se localiza entre dos sitios arqueológicos importantes: San Lorenzo y Las Limas, una parte fundamental de esta investigación tuvo como objetivo principal la interpretación de los mecanismos que intervinieron en el surgimiento, evolución y/o desintegración de la complejidad sociopolítica que caracterizaron a las ocupaciones humanas en la región, basándose metodológicamente en el estudio del Patrón de asentamiento regional empleandolas técnicas de campo diseñadas para un reconocimiento sistemático e intensivo de superficie, el cual integra un área de estudio de 200 km² en donde se registraron 124 sitios arqueológicos. PREHISPANIC POPULATION PATTERN IN MEDIAS AGUAS, VERACRUZ ABSTRACTMedias Aguas is located within the Istmo of Tehuantepec, between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, it is inserted in the township from Sayula of Alemán, Veracruz, it is also located between two important archaeological sites: San Lorenzo and The Limas, a part the main objective of this research was to interpret the mechanisms that intervened in the emergence, evolution and / or disintegration of the sociopolitical complexity that characterized human occupations in the region, based methodologically on the study of the regional settlement pattern using the Field techniques designed for a systematic and intensive surface survey, which integrates a 200 km² study area where 124 archaeological sites were recorded. Keywords: Estuaries, settlement pattern, Mask of half waters