ALBERT

Beschreibung: A model combining qualitative and historical quantitative data in an innovative rule-based fuzzy cognitive map framework is used to assess and compare the long-term bioeconomic impact of adopting gear modifications aimed at reducing bycatch in the Portuguese crustacean trawl fishery. The impact of codend-related changes (mesh size and shape) and the introduction of a sorting device (sorting grid system) on the main target crustacean species (deepwater rose shrimp Parapenaeus longirostris and Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus ) and the main fish bycatch species (blue whiting Micromesistius poutassou , horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus , and European hake Merluccius merluccius ) were evaluated. Horse mackerel was the only fish species for which changing codends negatively affected landings per unit of effort by large percentages. The use of a sorting grid system, only evaluated for blue whiting and Norway lobster, led to a strong decrease in landings per unit of effort, especially for the former species. The impact of gear alterations was negligible on fish spawning-stock biomass, but was significant for crustaceans, particularly rose shrimp. A straightforward evaluation of the economic impact (fishers' revenues) of the three bycatch reduction options showed these to be negligible or small.

Beschreibung: Blackspot sea bream ( Pagellus bogaraveo ) is the most important economical resource of Azorean fisheries. Juveniles (age 0 and 1) were detected along island coastlines in nursery grounds that sheltered individuals of up to 13 cm (fork length). Juveniles occurred in coastal areas in all seasons, but higher catch per unit efforts occurred during summer. Larger individuals tended to be caught on the shelves and slopes of the islands and seamounts by the demersal, mixed hook, and line fisheries. Juveniles were exclusively found at inshore areas, while spawners were distributed over offshore areas (islands shelf/slope and seamounts), suggesting an inter-connected cycle of recruitment in coastal areas and ontogenetic migration of juveniles from inshore to offshore areas, while eggs and larvae drift in the opposite direction. Juveniles were found to be targeted by three types of fisheries, amounting to cumulative annual catches of ~36 t. Shore angling was the most important fishing method, followed by bait fishing for tuna and the coastal pelagic live-bait fishery. Fishery managers have enforced several measures to protect juveniles, although our results indicate that effective interdiction of juvenile catch would provide a long-term increase of 15 and 8% in spawning-stock biomass and catch, respectively, as well as ~13% increase in the value of landings. Although this measure could improve the protection of a species in an advanced state of overexploitation, our results showed that a decrease in fishing effort would be necessary to achieve sustainability of the stock.

Beschreibung: 〈span〉〈div〉Abstract〈/div〉One of the major challenges for the moment tensor determination is associated with the relatively low‐magnitude events (Mw∼4) recorded by few regional stations at relatively large distances (300–600 km) and analyzed with standard velocity models of the region. Difficulties arise from the fact that synthetics in standard models (e.g., those routinely used in the location) cannot properly match real waveforms and favor the appearance of unmodeled time shifts and amplitude discrepancies (e.g., if VMs are constructed to minimize location residuals, they are not sensitive to uppermost shallow layers, which are insufficiently sampled by rays if shallow sources are missing). The situation is even worse when real waveforms can be matched but the retrieved focal mechanism is incorrect. This article investigates an alternative methodology that is more robust with respect to inappropriate velocity models: the inversion of waveform envelopes. The method is built on an empirical basis. It studies the effects of velocity models on synthetic waveforms and finds that the information about focal mechanism is encoded in the variation of the envelope shapes and amplitudes among the seismogram components. Besides synthetic tests, the method has been tested on real data comprising two earthquakes in Brazil: the 2010 Mw 4.3 Mara Rosa (MR) and the 2017 Mw 4.3 Maranhão earthquakes. When compared with solutions from previous studies, based on many polarities and 〈span〉ad hoc〈/span〉 path‐specific velocity models, we obtained in both cases the same mechanism with a single 1D model and a single‐station polarity constraint. The envelope inversion is a promising technique that might be useful in similar sparse networks, such as the one in Brazil, where standard waveform inversion, in general, is not fully efficient.〈/span〉

Beschreibung: 〈span〉〈div〉Abstract〈/div〉One of the major challenges for the moment tensor determination is associated with the relatively low‐magnitude events (Mw∼4) recorded by few regional stations at relatively large distances (300–600 km) and analyzed with standard velocity models of the region. Difficulties arise from the fact that synthetics in standard models (e.g., those routinely used in the location) cannot properly match real waveforms and favor the appearance of unmodeled time shifts and amplitude discrepancies (e.g., if VMs are constructed to minimize location residuals, they are not sensitive to uppermost shallow layers, which are insufficiently sampled by rays if shallow sources are missing). The situation is even worse when real waveforms can be matched but the retrieved focal mechanism is incorrect. This article investigates an alternative methodology that is more robust with respect to inappropriate velocity models: the inversion of waveform envelopes. The method is built on an empirical basis. It studies the effects of velocity models on synthetic waveforms and finds that the information about focal mechanism is encoded in the variation of the envelope shapes and amplitudes among the seismogram components. Besides synthetic tests, the method has been tested on real data comprising two earthquakes in Brazil: the 2010 Mw 4.3 Mara Rosa (MR) and the 2017 Mw 4.3 Maranhão earthquakes. When compared with solutions from previous studies, based on many polarities and 〈span〉ad hoc〈/span〉 path‐specific velocity models, we obtained in both cases the same mechanism with a single 1D model and a single‐station polarity constraint. The envelope inversion is a promising technique that might be useful in similar sparse networks, such as the one in Brazil, where standard waveform inversion, in general, is not fully efficient.〈/span〉

Beschreibung: In probabilistic seismic-hazard analysis (PSHA), seismic source zone (SSZ) models are widely used to account for the contribution to the hazard from earthquakes not directly correlated with geological structures. Notwithstanding the impact of SSZ models in PSHA, the theoretical framework underlying SSZ models and the criteria used to delineate the SSZs are seldom explicitly stated and suitably documented. In this paper, we propose a methodological framework to develop and document SSZ models, which includes (1) an assessment of the appropriate scale and degree of stationarity, (2) an assessment of seismicity catalog completeness-related issues, and (3) an evaluation and credibility ranking of physical criteria used to delineate the boundaries of the SSZs. We also emphasize the need for SSZ models to be supported by a comprehensive set of metadata documenting both the unique characteristics of each SSZ and the criteria used to delineate its boundaries. This procedure ensures that the uncertainties in the model can be properly addressed in the PSHA and that the model can be easily updated whenever new data are available. The proposed methodology is illustrated using the SSZ model developed for the Azores–West Iberian region in the context of the Seismic Hazard Harmonization in Europe project (project SHARE) and some of the most relevant SSZs are discussed in detail. Online Material: Tables describing characteristics and boundaries of the seismic source zones.

Beschreibung: Alkaline activation involves a reaction between aluminium silicates and compounds with alkalis or alkaline-earth elements in a caustic environment and under certain thermal and pressure conditions. It has been used in the production of non-structural building materials and in so-called ‘green’ concrete, as products display high mechanical strength, low chemical reactivity and high resistance to fire. Green concrete could be an eco-efficient alternative to concrete made using ordinary Portland cement (OPC), reducing CO2 emissions substantially. The main goal of this work is to test common clays, glass cullet and other industrial wastes as an alternative to the commonly used binders (metakaolin or fly ash) in geopolymers. Optimized formulations show interesting mechanical strength (approaching 20 MPa) after just 48 h of curing. The addition of F-sand as aggregate minimizes the shrinkage upon curing and the amount of activator required, and increases the density/degree of compaction of the bodies, thus improving their mechanical resistance within certain limits. Curing in ambient conditions also has a beneficial affect on the mechanical strength.

Beschreibung: There is increasing interest across Europe in adopting forest management strategies, which promote species and structural diversity through the use of irregular silvicultural systems, an approach often described as continuous cover forestry (CCF). However, there is little information about the proportion of CCF practised across the continent or about the knowledge gaps and other obstacles that limit its use. A survey of respondents in 33 European countries sought to address these issues. The results indicated that the silvicultural systems associated with CCF were single stem, group selection and irregular shelterwood. Rotational forest management (RFM) was more frequent than CCF in about 66 per cent of countries, whereas in 25 per cent the reverse was true. We estimated that between 22 and 30 per cent of European forests are managed through CCF, although good data are lacking. The main knowledge gaps were: uncertainties arising from climate change (e.g. appropriate species choice, carbon storage in CCF), using CCF to increase forest resilience, deployment of mechanized harvesting systems, lack of knowledge about CCF amongst professional foresters and better information on economic implications of this approach. Major obstacles included: little awareness of CCF amongst forest owners, limited competence in CCF within the forestry profession and a scarcity of skilled forest workers to implement this approach, high ungulate populations damaging natural regeneration, a sawmilling sector geared to processing medium-sized logs, subsidy regimes favouring practices associated with RFM and a lack of experience in transforming plantation forests to more diverse structures. Better information on the use of different silvicultural systems is essential to allow policymakers and other stakeholders to monitor progress in diversifying forests. Establishment of a continental network of long-term operational trials (e.g. expanding the existing Association Futaie Irrégulière network) would improve professional understanding of CCF, would demonstrate this approach to forest owners and other stakeholders and could provide a valuable platform for supporting research.