New measures for assessing model equilibrium and prediction mismatch in species distribution models

Models based on species distributions are widely used and serve important purposes in ecology, biogeography and conservation. Their continuous predictions of environmental suitability are commonly converted into a binary classification of predicted (or potential) presences and absences, whose accuracy is then evaluated through a number of measures that have been the subject of recent reviews. We propose four additional measures that analyse observation-prediction mismatch from a different angle – namely, from the perspective of the predicted rather than the observed area – and add to the existing toolset of model evaluation methods. We explain how these measures can complete the view provided by the existing measures, allowing further insights into distribution model predictions. We also describe how they can be particularly useful when using models to forecast the spread of diseases or of invasive species and to predict modifications in species’ distributions under climate and land-use change

Relatório da prática de ensino supervisionada em ensino de artes visuais no 3º ciclo do ensino básico e no ensino secundário

Este relatório foi elaborado no âmbito do mestrado em Ensino de Artes Visuais no 3.° Ciclo do Ensino Básico e no Secundário, na Universidade de Évora (UE). Reporta-se à unidade curricular Prática de Ensino Supervisionada (PES) realizada nas Escolas EBI André de Resende e na Escola Secundária Gabriel Pereira, em Évora, no ano lectivo 2009-201O. O Prof. Doutor Leonardo Charréu (UE), orientador científico, os professores orientadores cooperantes Paulo Matias e Carlos Guerra, constituíram o apoio ao núcleo de estágio das alunas Cristina Malta e Ana Sofia Henriques (autora deste relatório). O Prof. Doutor Leonardo Charréu assistiu a quatro aulas nas disciplinas de Educação Visual e Desenho A. O relatório da PES relata os objectivos de trabalho, planificações, metodologias e instrumentos de avaliação nas disciplinas de Educação Visual e Desenho A e nas actividades extracurriculares realizadas. Teve como intuito, também, elaborar uma análise reflexiva do trabalho desenvolvido na aprendizagem da PES. ABSTRACT: This report was developed during the Master in Visual Arts Teaching in the 3 rd Basic Cycle and Secondary Education at the Évora University. The Supervised Teaching Practice unit (referred under de Portuguese acronym PES) was completed at the EBI André de Resende School and at the Secondary School Gabriel Pereira, in Évora, in 2009-2010. The Professor Leonardo Charréu (UE), Scientific Supervisor and the teachers/local supervisors Paulo Matias and Carlos Guerra, supported the internship of the master students Cristina Malta and Ana Sofia Henriques. Professor Leonardo Charréu observed four lessons in Visual Education and Drawing A disciplines. The PES report describes the work objectives, planning, methodologies, and evaluation methods in the Visual Education and Drawing A subjects and the extra-curricular activities. The objective was also to develop a reflective analysis of the work made during the entire learning period of PES.

Evaluation of frozen ground conditions along a coastal topographic gradient at Byers Peninsula (Livingston Island, Antarctica) by geophysical and geoecological methods

Geophysical surveying and geoelectricalmethods are effective to study permafrost distribution and conditions in polar environments. Geoelectrical methods are particularly suited to study the spatial distribution of permafrost because of its high electrical resistivity in comparison with that of soil or rock above 0 °C. In the South Shetland Islands permafrost is considered to be discontinuous up to elevations of 20–40ma.s.l., changing to continuous at higher altitudes. There are no specific data about the distribution of permafrost in Byers Peninsula, in Livingston Island, which is the largest ice-free area in the South Shetland Islands. With the purpose of better understanding the occurrence of permanent frozen conditions in this area, a geophysical survey using an electrical resistivity tomography (ERT)methodologywas conducted during the January 2015 field season, combined with geomorphological and ecological studies. Three overlapping electrical resistivity tomographies of 78meach were done along the same profile which ran from the coast to the highest raised beaches. The three electrical resistivity tomographies are combined in an electrical resistivitymodel which represents the distribution of the electrical resistivity of the ground to depths of about 13malong 158m. Several patches of high electrical resistivity were found, and interpreted as patches of sporadic permafrost. The lower limits of sporadic to discontinuous permafrost in the area are confirmed by the presence of permafrost-related landforms nearby. There is a close correspondence between moss patches and permafrost patches along the geoelectrical transect.