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Several studies have examined the potential impacts of climate change on the abundance and distribution of Antarctic penguin species, particularly in the genus Pygoscelis. However, less attention has been given to traditionally sub-Antarctic penguin species. The Macaroni Penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) is one such sub-Antarctic species whose presence in Antarctica has historically been restricted to colonies on the South Shetland Islands and adjacent islands, but their status in the region has not been updated in decades. We compiled census data on all known Macaroni Penguin breeding colonies in the Antarctic Peninsula region in order to estimate the total Antarctic population. We estimate a population of 8053 breeding pairs for the region, which represents an approximately 10.7% increase since the last regional census in 1993. We identify local population changes at different colonies in comparison to historical census data. We also identify vagrant sightings in the region, as they may reflect prospecting of new breeding habitat, especially as ice-free areas continue to expand due to climate change. Our assessment identifies the South Shetland Islands and South Orkney Islands as notable data gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo) breeding in lowland forests in the trans-border area between western Slovakia, eastern Austria, and southern Moravia. The research provides new information on the reuse of nests by eagle owls and presents initial insights into population density and trends of eagle owls in the March-Thaya floodplains. Our 19-year monitoring has shown that the eagle owl has become a widespread breeder over the study area, with an increasing population trend. A total of 151 breeding attempts by eagle owls have been identified, occupying 82 natural nests (originally built by at least nine species of birds) and 12 artificial nests. With an average of 6.2 active nests per 100 km2 and a maximum of 17 active nests found in 2021 (~10.6 pairs per 100 km2), our findings represent one of the highest eagle owl breeding densities found, especially in comparison with core populations nesting in the mountains (the Carpathians, north-eastern Alps and the Bohemian Massif). Regarding the dynamics of nest reuse, our results reveal that only a third of nests used by eagle owls were reused by other raptors or storks (Ciconia sp.). Almost 50% of the natural nests in which eagle owl bred, subsequently disintegrated after the owlets had fledged. Lastly, black stork (Ciconia nigra) nests re-used by eagle owls were twice as likely to have disintegrated after the owlets had fledged than nests built by other bird species. Our results suggest that black stork nests in the March and Thaya floodplain forests are most susceptible to destruction.

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In Iran, a number of studies have been conducted on population policies in recent years. By examining these studies, it is evident that no review study has examined these studies and provided a clearer picture of the state of population policy studies. Most of the articles were written in documentary and descriptive form and in some periods (2010 and 2015) were more published, which can be caused by the persuasion of researchers through some factors such as the desire of politicians to change the population policy and also communicating the general policies of the population. The conflict of opinions in population policy approaches in Iran is evident, most of the studies have agreed to increase the population policy in the target period. Analyzing the reason for this difference of opinion, the discourse of each of these approaches, and conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses about population policies as well as designing the optimal model of population policy-making in can be suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

يهدف البحث إلي رصد القضية السكانية وتداعياتها ، من حيث رصد أسباب الزيادة السكانية ، وبيان مخاطر المشكلات الاجتماعية المصاحبة لها ، ثم تقديم أنسب الحلول للتخفيف عنها ، وذلك باعتبار أن الزيادة السكانية من أهم التحديات التى تواجهها الحكومة المصرية خلال مرحلة بناء الجمهورية الجديدة – مصر ، وتحقيق أهداف التنمية المستدامة بأبعادها المختلفة أو منظورها الشمولى ( البشرية والاجتماعية والاقتصادية والبيئية ) ، وخاصة فى الفترة مابعد ثورة يونيو 2.13م ، ويهدف البحث أيضا إلى بيان أدوار الجامعات المصرية – جامعة الزقازيق كتنظيم اجتماعى خدمى نموذجا ، وذلك من خلال رؤية الشباب الجامعي بكلية الآداب جامعة الزقازيق نحو مواجهتها أو التخفيف عن مخاطرهاعلى مستقبلهم المهنى والأسرى هذا من ناحية ، وعلى مسار التتنمية المستدامة بمنظورها الشمولى بالجمهورية الجديدة – مصر. واعتمدت على نظرية الدور ، واستخدمت الأسلوب الوصفي والأسلوب الاحصائي ، والاستبار ، والمقابلات الفردية والجماعية مع أفراد العينة من طلاب أقسام كلية الاداب بجامعة الزقازيق . والتى بلغت (5..) مفردة. وتوصلت الدراسة إلى أن الزيادة السكانية تعرقل جهود الحكومة المصرية فى عملية التنمية المستدامة التى تستهدف تغيير حياة المواطن المصرى إلى الأفضل ، وأن هناك ترابطا وثيقا بين مجموعة من الأسباب المؤدية إلى الزيادة السكانية ، فهناك أسباب اقتصادية ، وأسباب ثقافية واجتماعية ، وديموجرافية ، وهناك أسباب أخرى لا تقل أهمية ، فمنها الأسباب التخطيطية ، ومنها الأسباب الدينية. وإن للجامعة وللشباب الجامعى دوراً مهماً فى دراسة وتشخيص أسباب الزيادة السكانية ، ومواجهتها علميا ، وبحثياً ، ومجتمعياً.Abstract The research aims to monitor the population issue and its repercussions, in terms of monitoring the causes of the population increase, and clarifying the risks of the accompanying social problems, and then providing the most appropriate solutions to mitigate them. It is worth mentioning that population increase is one of the most important challenges faced by the Egyptian government, and the achievement of sustainable development goals in its various dimensions or its holistic perspective (human, social, economic and environmental), especially in the period after the June 2.13 revolution. Mitigating its risks on their professional and family future on the one hand, and on the path of sustainable development with its holistic perspective in the new republic - Egypt. The research used the descriptive method, the statistical method, the questionnaire, and individual and group interviews with the students of the Faculty of Arts. The current study was applied to a sample of (5..) students from the departments of the Faculty of Arts at Zagazig University.The study concluded that the population increase impedes the efforts of the Egyptian government in the process of sustainable development that aims to change the life of the Egyptian citizen for the better, and that there is a close interrelationship between a group of reasons leading to the population increase, there are economic reasons, cultural, social, and demographic reasons, and there are other reasons not less Important, including planning reasons, including religious reasons. The university and university youth (students) have an important role in studying and diagnosing the causes of population increase, and confronting them scientifically, research and socially.

Hummingbirds are nectarivorous birds with a very fast metabolism, which requires constant access to resources. In cities, resources have distinct abundances and availability from natural environments, which leads to the exclusion of some species. However, other species may increase in abundance within cities, causing a process of biotic homogenization. In this work we evaluated whether the abundance of five resident hummingbird species has increased in Mexico City over the last decade. Additionally, we evaluated whether these hummingbirds used feeders throughout the year. Finally, we determined the reproductive season of hummingbirds and evaluated whether it is longer in Mexico City than in non-urban locations. Our results indicate that during the last decade, the abundance of Berylline Hummingbird and Broad-billed Hummingbird has increased in Mexico City. Both species take advantage of the feeders throughout the year. This constant availability of resources has allowed both species to extend their breeding season, leading to constantly increasing abundance. One way to avoid biotic homogenization in cities is to implement conservation strategies that include variations in the availability and abundance of native floral resources such as pollinator gardens, rather than constantly available artificial resources like feeders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article deals with the first documented and successful breeding of White-tailed Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) in Turiec and Liptov regions in northern Slovakia. In the Turiec Basin, two different breeding attempts were observed in 2020 and 2021. The two nests of the one pair were located on different trees of the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and in total four eaglets fledged. In the Liptov Basin, one pair bred successfully on a European larch (Larix decidua) in 2021, and brought up one eaglet. All these breeding attempts were successful thanks to regular monitoring of localities, strengthening of unstable nests, guarding against man-induced disturbance and possible tree felling, and by declaration of a protection zone.

The increase of carbon emissions accelerates global warming and causes environmental problems. Therefore, research on emission peak and carbon neutrality is of broad interest. In this paper, based on the relationships among carbon emissions, carbon absorption and urban population growth, a delayed differential equations model is established. Then, we analyze the existence and stability of a positive equilibrium point of the system and substitute the data for simulations. Eventually, according to theoretical analysis and numerical simulations, some suggestions for China to achieve the goal of emission peak and carbon neutrality are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using 16 STR markers, the genetic structure of sable populations in the north of the Central Siberian Plateau and the right bank of the Lena River was studied. They were from typical taiga habitats and atypical tundra habitats directly adjacent to the coast of the Arctic Ocean. At present, the species is in the stage of settlement; in recent years, the sable has penetrated deeply into the tundra zone. Since 2000, an increase in the number of sable and an increase in migratory activity have been recorded in this region; in connection with this, the level of differentiation between the "historical" sable populations has been studied. Data on the geographical distribution of sable genotypes show that groups related to the Olenek sable population inhabit the tundra zone. Evidence of the formation of a sable subpopulation structure in a new habitat has been revealed. Another conclusion: the "historical" populations of the Central Siberian Plateau did not undergo a restructuring of the genetic structure under the influence of migration flows and are significantly genetically differentiated. The appearance of sables in the tundra indicates the active development of new territories that were not previously typical of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring population trends of alien species is pivotal to design effective management plans to preserve native biodiversity, particularly urban areas, where most populations of alien birds are established. Urban wildlife rescue centers, with personnel trained to record species, age and sex of each individual brought by the public, may represent a reliable citizen-science based method to estimate both local changes in alien species phenology and population trends. In this work, we analysed records of monk and ring-necked parakeets by comparing rescue records in the urban area of Rome from the last 15 years. We also tested whether breeding phenology of alien parakeets showed any changes since the start of the invasion processes. We recorded a strong correlation between the number of rescued parakeets and their population trends, thus confirming the importance of wildlife rescue centers in monitoring populations of alien species in urban areas. We also observed a shift in the breeding phenology of these parakeet species. The hatching peak for ring-necked parakeet occurred in early spring, in line with previous studies on the reproduction of this species, but with a slight increase in the number of months with evidence of breeding in the last years. As to the monk parakeet, our findings support the expansion of its reproductive season between 2006 and 2020 in Rome, with chicks currently being observed for seven months a year. Therefore, data collected through wildlife rescue centers may help improving models of population growth of alien species established in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We do not pretend to be exhaustive on the investigated subject, not even one volume would be enough. In this paper we want to present some reflections on the energy, environmental and climatic problems of our time (in particular those less studied), starting from the knowledge of the past. The contribution provided by non-renewable energy sources to the development of our civilization is analyzed, underlining that their replacement is not feasible in a short time in order not to cause a drastic shortage of the resources necessary for a still growing world population. The difference between environmental and climatic problems and the need to deepen knowledge of the latter ones is emphasized, in order to better understand their causes, predict future developments and take preventive actions to reduce their impact on our environment and our lives. Finally, mention is made of the need to establish priorities in addressing the great problems of our time, in a global vision of human society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canidae is a species-rich, abundant, and widespread family. Several wild canid species, in particular, have shown a significant range expansion and increased abundance in the last few decades or even in the last century. The grey wolf (Canis lupus), coyote (Canis latrans), and the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) are resident on whole continents or even on multiple continents. Although canids share common behavioural and ecological characteristics, the combination of species-specific elements contributes to their success. This review investigated which factors have contributed mainly to the expansion of the grey wolf, coyote, and red fox. Analysis of the literature review shows that the grey wolf has benefitted from legal protection, reintroduction programs, and the ability to colonise areas naturally because of its particular social system, early reproduction, high fecundity, and rapid physical development. As a meso-carnivore, the coyote has shown a rapid spread after the extermination of apex predators in several regions in North America. Along with changes in land use, their high adaptability and hybridisation with wolves have all contributed to their prolonged success. The red fox has shown the largest expansion among canids even though it is a solitary species. Their morphological, reproductive and behavioural traits have facilitated their expansion to all corners of the world. Moreover, the species benefitted from human-caused changes like land conversion and the almost complete eradication of rabies in Europe. Overall, it is crucial to change management policies for grey wolves and increase control measures to regulate the three species and mitigate (potential) humancarnivore conflicts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a synthesis related to the assessment of climate change and its impacts on productivity of staple crops in Papua New Guinea (PNG), paying close attention to the change in population in the next 80 years. As much as the changes in the climatic and environmental factors will affect agriculture, evidence available in the literature show increase in global and local population will put additional pressure on agriculture by competing with available land and other resources that support agricultural productivity. The developing and underdeveloped countries are considered to be largely vulnerable as more than 85% of the people depend on subsistence agriculture for rural livelihood. This synthesis showed more than 60–85% of the rural people in PNG depend on sweet potato, banana, Colocasia taro, and greater yam. Projection of the population showed there will be 22–31 million people by 2100 and will depend on narrow staple-based subsistence agriculture. The population projected means the density will be 42 people per km2, putting more pressure on limited land available. When that happens, PNG will not be prepared to mitigate, be resilient and adapt because of poor infrastructure, no development plans and lack of post-harvest technologies for loss management of the staples, most of which are root and tuber crops.

The ruddy shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) is a species of great conservation importance within its European breeding grounds. Tadorna ferruginea is included in the Red Data Book of Bulgaria (2015) in the category “Critically Endangered”. The species is qualified as “Near Threatened” in EU27 countries as a whole. Recent data from the Balkan parts of the species range indicate its considerable enlargement. During the last 10-year period, the presence status of the ruddy shelduck during winter changed from incidentally wintering in low numbers to regular and even locally abundant wintering species. The numbers of T. ferruginea migrating over the Eastern Balkans increased substantially, especially during autumn. The reasons of these expansion of the species are discussed.

A population of Mainland Dusky Antechinus Antechinus mimetes mimetes increased significantly following wildfire in an isolated 44.7 ha native vegetation block in the Latrobe Valley, Victoria. Five years of post-fire dense regrowth on the edge of Damp Forest provided ideal habitat for this dasyurid marsupial. Although the largest part of the block was severely burnt, some unburnt areas survived, providing refugia for small mammals. This result provides evidence that mammal populations can survive wildfire provided that sufficient unburnt areas remain. It also shows that small, isolated blocks of native vegetation can play an important role in maintaining biodiversity, especially in highly fragmented landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The increase of carbon emissions accelerates global warming and causes environmental problems. Therefore, research on emission peak and carbon neutrality is of broad interest. In this paper, based on the relationships among carbon emissions, carbon absorption and urban population growth, a delayed differential equations model is established. Then, we analyze the existence and stability of a positive equilibrium point of the system and substitute the data for simulations. Eventually, according to theoretical analysis and numerical simulations, some suggestions for China to achieve the goal of emission peak and carbon neutrality are given.

THE COASTAL AREAS of the island of Gotland in the center of the Baltic Sea is an important wintering site for waterbirds in Sweden. Gotland offers extensive areas of shallow feeding grounds and, due to its location, some open waters remain available even during harsh winters. Wintering waterbirds have been counted annually on the island since the start of the international waterbird counts in 1967, with full coverage of all the inshore areas around the main island obtained during the years 1969-1978 and 2013-2020. Between these two periods, the mean total number of wintering waterbirds increased from 32,000 to 111,500. The most numerous species were Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula, and Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula. Some species such as Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope, Eurasian Teal Anas crecca, and Gadwall Mareca strepera started to winter during the second period. Marked increases were also found for Smew Mergellus albellus and Greater Scaup Aythya marila, likely related to progressively milder winters in recent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Oral diseases and their impact on health and quality of life have now evolved into a polarized epidemiological state in which their incidence is especially affecting the most vulnerable in the population: the elderly, especially those with low incomes economical. On the other hand, the noticeable increase observed in the proportion of older adults in developing countries such as Iraq during the last decades. Such a high proportion of older adults is causing an increase in their stomatological care needs that necessitate dentists to know precisely both the etiological factors, such as the pathogenesis and factors that determine the specificity of oral disorders at this stage of life. Only with this knowledge will professionals be able to face these patients with a modern dentistry based on prevention. The objective of the study was to show the impact of oral health on the quality of life of older adults in Iraq. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Iraqi adults focused on demographic characteristics factors, lifestyle, the Geriatric Oral Health Index, and Oral Health Diagnosis. Data were evaluated using ratios, the Chi-square analysis for the correlation among factors and odds ratios to verify statistical significance at P ≤ 0.05. Results: This research confirms the impact of oral health on the quality of life of older adults in Iraq. Endodontic problems compromise the quality of life of older adults. Conclusion: Oral health problems, especially those of traumatic, endodontic, and periodontal origin, negatively affect the quality of life of older adults in Iraq.

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Identifying resources driving long-term trends in predators is important to understand ecosystem changes and to manage populations in the context of conservation or control. The arctic fox population in Iceland has increased steadily over a period of 30 years, an increase that has been attributed to an overall increase in food abundance. We hypothesized that increasing populations of geese or seabirds were driving this growth. We analyzed stable isotopes in a long-term series of collagen samples to determine the role of these different resources. The isotopic signatures of arctic foxes differed consistently between coastal and inland habitats. While δ15N displayed a non-linear change over time with a slight increase in the first part of the period followed by a decline in both habitats, δ13C was stable. Stable isotope mixing models suggested that marine resources and rock ptarmigan were the most important dietary sources, with marine resources dominating in coastal habitats and rock ptarmigan being more important inland. Our results suggest that seabirds may have been driving the arctic fox population increase. The rapidly increasing populations of breeding geese seem to have played a minor role in arctic fox population growth, as rock ptarmigan was the most important terrestrial resource despite a considerable decrease in their abundance during recent decades. This study shows that a long-term population trend in a generalist predator may have occurred without a pronounced change in main dietary resources, despite ongoing structural changes in the food web, where one species of herbivorous birds increased and another decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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One of the issues that plays a significant role in the progress and development of each country is the matter of population and its growth. But unfortunately in recent years in our country, the rate of fertility and population growth has decreased noticeably due to exploitation strategies. We can predict that in near future, our society has to deal with senescence. Some theorists believe that we should consider the development of population and its quality more seriously by regarding the facilities, capacities and religious, social, cultural and economic factors.What we conclude from Quran verses and Islamic traditional sources, is an emphasis on the growth of population in all times and this emphasis is not limited to the time when Muslims are in minority. Because the mentioned statements in traditions are regarded as a true proposition and permanent policy of Islam, so as the early decree says, generation reproduction and population growth is the matter which Ahl-al-beit have much recommended. Of course the decree of generation reproduction is general for all Muslims in all temporal and spatial situations (the early decree).

All long‐distance migrants must cope with changing environments, but species differ greatly in how they do so. In some species, individuals might be able to adjust by learning from individual experiences and by copying others. This could greatly speed up the process of adjustment, but evidence from the wild is scarce. Here, we investigated the processes by which a rapidly growing population of barnacle geese (Branta leucopsis) responded to strong environmental changes on spring‐staging areas in Norway. One area, Helgeland, has been the traditional site. Since the mid‐1990s, an increasing number of geese stage in another area 250 km further north, Vesterålen. We collected data on goose numbers and weather conditions from 1975 to 2017 to explore the extent to which the increase in population size and a warmer climate contributed to this change in staging area use. During the study period, the estimated onset of grass growth advanced on average by 0.54 days/year in each of the two areas. The total production of digestible biomass for barnacle geese during the staging period increased in Vesterålen but remained stable in Helgeland. The goose population has doubled in size during the past 25 years, with most of the growth being accommodated in Vesterålen. The observations suggest that this dramatic increase would not have happened without higher temperatures in Vesterålen. Records of individually marked geese indicate that from the initial years of colonization onwards, especially young geese tended to switch to Vesterålen, thereby predominating in the flocks at Vesterålen. Older birds had a lower probability of switching to Vesterålen, but over the years, the probability increased for all ages. Our findings suggest that barnacle geese integrate socially learned behaviour with adjustments to individual experiences, allowing the population to respond rapidly and accurately to global change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early detection of biological invasions is necessary to enable successful management responses, such as containment and eradication. Several nations operate risk-based surveillance systems for early detection and proof of freedom from economically damaging pests and diseases. Identifying the best times of year to deploy and remove surveillance traps is important for maximising the probability of detection while minimising the economic costs of large-scale trapping. We modelled seasonal population dynamics to identify which days of the year contribute most to surveillance sensitivity and therefore the appropriate trapping period, and applied this to trapping for fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in New Zealand. Optimum trapping periods were defined as the minimum contiguous dates which would give a specific proportion (80%, 90%, 95%, or 99%) of the probability of detection compared to year-round trapping. Seasonal dynamics were based on an empirical model for the effect of temperature on population increase and decline, fitted to published data from around the world. The model suggested Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) should be trapped in the upper half of the North Island from at least November through May. Additional trapping in October and June may be warranted in the far north. Favourable microclimates or climate change to 2040 may allow Medfly populations to establish as far south as Christchurch and Alexandra, where trapping should run from mid December to early May. Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) and oriental fruit fly were unlikely to establish south of Napier and optimum trapping times for these species are approximately mid November through May. Climate change under moderate scenarios is unlikely to significantly alter the optimum trapping periods until at least 2040. The results were not sensitive to assumptions about trap efficacy and founder population size. However, they are based on simplified relationships between the intrinsic rate of increase and temperature. This approach is applicable to any invasive species with seasonal variation in surveillance efficacy. In response to this work, New Zealand's biosecurity authority has changed the seasonal timing of their fruit fly trapping to optimise detection efficacy. Image 1 • We modelled the optimal seasonal deployment of biosecurity surveillance traps. • This approach was applied for the detection of invasive fruit flies in New Zealand. • The optimal trapping season varied by location and with climate change. • The results were insensitive to estimated trap efficacy or founder population size. • New Zealand has changed its fruit fly trap timing to optimise detection efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The invasive species Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) represents a serious problem in Europe and America for the production of a wide variety of small fruits. Originally endemic to Southeast Asia, it is able to attack healthy ripening fruit where females lay eggs with its serrated ovipositor. The main factor determining population increase of this fly is temperature. Different studies have focused on the effect of this factor on reproduction of American and Asian populations. However, no comprehensive study has been conducted to date on European populations. The effect of eight constant temperatures (13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 27, 29 and 30 °C) on reproduction, adult survival and life table parameters of a Spanish population was modelled. The highest fecundity (341.3 eggs/female) and daily fecundity (11.6 eggs/female/day) were obtained at 22 °C. Egg laying decreased below and above this temperature until the lowest values were obtained at extreme temperatures. Conversely, decreasing values of oviposition period and adult longevity were registered for increasing temperatures. A non-linear Briere model predicted at 9.8 and 30.6 °C the lower and upper thresholds for population increase, determining a wider range than that previously reported for this species. The predicted optimum temperature for population increase was 25.3 °C. The intrinsic rates of population increase obtained are among the highest described for this fly. These results could be an additional tool to be included into demographic models to predict population dynamics of this pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sub-Antarctic fur seal, Arctocephalus tropicalis, pups were counted on some of the beaches on all four Tristan da Cunha (TdC) islands, in January 2017, to determine the status of the population, in the face of climate change that is magnified in polar regions. Compared to counts done 40 years earlier on Gough, the breeding population increased markedly on some beaches, although negligibly on the largely open boulder beaches on the leeward northeastern sector of the island. Similarly, on the northern group of the TdC islands, the breeding population had increased markedly (including the very first pup counts at Inaccessible and Nightingale), despite fur seal females currently selecting only certain beaches for pupping (at Inaccessible and Tristan). At Tristan da Cunha, only one small breeding colony occurs which is remote from the human settlement, probably the result of anthropogenic disturbance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livestock management includes the systems of maintenance, reproduction, and waste utilization. This study aims to examine the potential of feed sources for ruminants (cows and buffaloes) and efforts to maintain continuous feed availability associated with ruminant livestock development strategies. The data used were primary and secondary data of feed sources. Furthermore, the variables observed include cattle and buffalo population, agricultural waste production, digested dry matter (DDM), and carrying capacity. The results showed that Seruway sub-district had the highest population of cattle with 8,378 cows (4,933 ST) or 20.35% while Karang Baru sub-district had the highest population of 70 buffalo (34 ST) or 40.23%. Meanwhile, Manyak Payed sub-district produced the highest agricultural waste with 5,029.32 DDM tons/year while the low district was Kuala Simpang city. Moreover, the commodity that produces the highest agricultural waste is rice which is scattered in all districts with a total of 19,370.65 DDM tons/year. Although the cassava plant was not in all districts, it has the potential of producing 48,154.5 tons/year DDM. Furthermore, the sub-district with a great opportunity was Karang Baru which produces an unutilized potential of 2,718.23 tons/year and a carrying capacity of 2,384.41 (ST/year). This showed that Kejuruan Muda subdistrict has insufficient agricultural waste for cattle and buffalo, therefore, breeders in this sub-district get feed from the plantation and other wastes. Based on the results, Aceh Tamiang district has the potential to increase the ruminants population by utilizing forage feed from agricultural waste.

Intense coastal resource exploitation is an important topic, and large South African west coast shell middens (megamiddens) are an example of it. Parkington et al. (2020) attempt to explain them, but they fail dismally in doing so by using biased observations and championing field processing and transport as single explanations. Here, their flawed proposal is contrasted with much ignored published data, revealing a unique and dynamic interplay of factors resulting from settlement and foraging decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current estimates of Amish population growth often cite a “doubling time” figure, but fail to substantiate the source from which the estimate was derived. As well, some estimates of population increase, such as by the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College, use net change in the number of church districts as a proxy to determine population change, rather than a more precise counting up of children and adults. Unfortunately, a direct “head count” of the Amish, and changes in this count overtime to create a doubling time estimate, would be very daunting, Until there is a valid database from which this can be accomplished, an alternative is to calculate doubling time based on net change in the number of households in various Amish settlements from one year to the next. In this article, end-of-year statistics submitted by scribes from hundreds of Amish settlements to a monthly periodical known as The Diary are used to estimate doubling time. Five time periods, each representing consecutive years from 2009 through 2014 for which the number of households for the same settlement is reported, are used to create a doubling time estimate. Altogether, there were 673 data-points for which consecutive year information about the same settlement was available. The article discusses possible limitations to using The Diary and households to calculate a doubling time, as well as the possible uses of an accurate doubling time estimate for research and application.

Land cover is the physical and biological cover of the surface whereas land use covers the results of human activities for the exploitation of it. The land cover and landuse change is caused by both, natural and anthropogenic factors. The objective of this study was to detect land cover/use changes in Infraz Watershed. The study has used ArcGIS10 and ERDAS IMAGINE10, landsat images of 1973, 1986, 1995 and 2011 and socio-economic data to analyze land cover and landuse changes of Infraz watershed. The study has found that due to the population increase and improper agricultural activity bush and wetlands have declined where as farm and settlement lands expanded between the study years. About 1044 wetlands and 6338.7 ha of bush lands were lost and converted to cultivated and farm lands, grass lands and forest covers which were increased by 6685.3, 357.7 and 338.3 ha between the study periods respectively. There is an urgent need to limit the population growth rate and implementing land use policy in the Infraz watershed.

The paper studies population dynamics of 75 regional centers and secondary cities in the Russia's regions. The information base for the analysis was population census data from 1959 to 2010 and the current population accounting for 2011-2017. In the vast majority of regions, the center dominates over the secondary city significantly. This manifests itself both in the absolute parameters of the population and in the share of centers and secondary cities in the populations of their regions. In 31 Russian regions, the share of the center by 2002 had already reached 35% and continued to grow. After 15 years, it exceeded 45% in 13 regions. The upper limit of the possible population concentration in the regional center has not yet been revealed. Over time, the prevalence of centers over secondary cities has been increasing. The analysis showed that the possibilities of population increase in secondary cities depend on the size of said population: among secondary cities with a population greater than 250 000, they continue to increase; among secondary small cities, the share between depopulating and growing cities hardly changes at all. Thus, trends towards centrism in the regions prevail over polycentricity. The population is increasingly concentrated at separate points, vested with power. These processes are based on historical and evolutionary (history of settlement, development, and urbanization), functional-economic, administrative-territorial, and demographic determinants. Recently, an increasingly important factor contributing to population concentration is the institutional factor (associated with the execution of capital functions by regional centers and reducing the costs of business and consumers). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The snake pipefish, Entelurus aequoreus, is a widespread marine species occurring in pelagic and coastal environments in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. Recently, the snake pipefish underwent a short-lived, yet substantial, increase in abundance and range expansion into arctic waters. However, little is known about the species'population structure or if different ecotypes contributed to this outbreak. Specimens (n=178) were sampled from 25 locations from six regions spanning 1.9 million km2. A fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and control region was used to assess population structure and genetic diversity. Both loci showed high haplotype diversity (Hd) and low nucleotide diversity (π) over all sampled locations. A genetic signature of population expansion was evident through mismatch distributions and tests for recent population expansion (Fu's Fs, Tajima's D and R2). Effective population size analyses (Bayesian skyline plot) suggest an expansion 50-100 thousand years before present. However, we found neither significant population differentiation (analysis of molecular variance) among regions nor evidence of genetically distinct ecotypes. This lack of structure is probably due to a pelagic life style, fast development and long distance dispersal aided by ocean currents. Our work highlights the need for further research to better understand the recent outbreak and how this species may respond to future environmental challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]