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Measurable Indicators (measurable + indicator)
Selected AbstractsSize distribution approaches for monitoring and conservation of coastal Cymodocea habitatsAQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, Issue 2 2010S. Orfanidis Abstract 1.Cymodocea nodosa's leaf length distribution was studied as an easily measurable indicator to monitor and conserve Macedonian, North Aegean, Greek coastal habitats. 2.Three Cymodocea meadows off the eastern Kavala Gulf coast (Nea Karvali, Erateino, Agiasma), with that of Nea Karvali close to an industrial area being the most degraded, were sampled during the seagrass main growing season in July 2004. Two further meadows, one pristine to less degraded (Brasidas, Gulf of Kavala) and one degraded (Biamyl, Inner Thessaloniki Gulf), were sampled as benchmarks in July 2005. The results were evaluated using Gaussian fit curves, and non-parametric and nested parametric ANOVA on a hierarchy of spatial scales: area (tens of metres), site (hundreds of metres) and meadow (kilometres). 3.Frequency (%) distribution of leaf length values and CymoSkew index variation were best associated with anthropogenic stress. Frequency (%) distribution of adult and intermediate photosynthetic leaf length values revealed a unimodal distribution possible to be fitted, at least at pristine to less degraded meadows, by normal distribution (R2>0.5). 4.Statistically significant variation was estimated for CymoSkew index, a quantitative expression of leaf length asymmetry, on the meadow scale (P<0.001). Biamyl (3.82) and Nea Karvali (3.64) were indicated as heavily degraded meadows, Erateino (2.93) as a degraded meadow, Agiasma (2.18) as a meadow with the first signs of degradation, and Brasidas (1.68) as a pristine to less degraded meadow. These results in combination with other meadow specific biotic parameters were used to suggest a preliminary angiosperm ,Ecological Status Classes' classification scheme useful for the implementation of WFD in the north Aegean Sea. 5.The CymoSkew index seems to respond to lower levels of stress than is needed for other more conservative plant modules and therefore, could be regarded as an early warning indicator of Cymodocea habitat degradation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Development of the Nursing Outcome (NOC) Label: Hyperactivity LevelJOURNAL OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRIC NURSING, Issue 3 2005Carol L. Caldwell MS TOPIC:,Hyperactivity, a persistent, severe pattern of inattention or impulsivity, places children at risk for impaired functioning in many developmental areas. This behavior is characterized by short attention span, low frustration tolerance, impulsivity, distractibility, and increased physical activity. Responses from multiple sources in the child's environment must be monitored to manage childhood hyperactivity. PURPOSE:,Success at school, in peer relationships, and parent-child interactions is frequently affected by hyperactivity. Using a focus group approach, a Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) label, definition, and indicators were developed for Hyperactivity Level. SOURCES:,Review of the literature allowed for a content analysis approach and conceptualization of hyperactivity at several levels. CONCLUSION:,Twenty three (23) measurable indicators were formulated and refined into conceptually and clinically coherent outcomes. Clinical relevance and utility were presented through a case study approach. [source] Interactions between large African browsers and thorny Acacia on a wildlife ranch in KenyaAFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2006Antoni V. Milewski Abstract Some plants respond to browsing with compensatory regrowth of plant tissues and with increased thorn growth. Associations between browsers and their preferred forage were examined through wandering quarter vegetation sampling and observational studies in an effort to understand how some plants respond to browsing by large African herbivores. Acacia seyal (n = 2680) A. drepanolobium (n = 1850), and Balanites glabra (n = 960) were three species of frequently browsed indigenous plants examined on Game Ranching Ltd. in Kenya. There were several statistically significant associations revealed. Individual A. seyal exposed to intensive browser utilization were observed to lose shoot tips, produce long thorns, and have relatively few flowers and fruits. Browser utilization was associated with increased lateral branching in A. drepanolobium and with an increased occurrence of short, thickened spines in B. glabra. Thorns, spines and flowers were measurable indicators of relative browser utilization, and may be useful features to monitor in the management of large African mammals and their prickly forage Résumé Certaines plantes réagissent au pâturage par une repousse du tissu végétal et une croissance accrue d'épines. Les associations entre les animaux et leur nourriture favorite ont été examinées grâce à des échantillonnages de la végétation par quadrats aléatoires, et par des observations spécifiques afin de comprendre comment certaines plantes répondent au broutage par de grands mammifères africains. Acacia seyal (n = 2680), A. drepanolobium (n = 1850) et Balanites glabra (n = 960) sont trois espèces de plantes indigènes fréquemment consommées àGame Ranching Ltd, au Kenya. On y révèle plusieurs associations statistiquement significatives. On y a observé des A. seyal exposés à une consommation intensive perdre l'extrémité des pousses, produire de longues épines et relativement peu de fleurs et de fruits. La consommation par les herbivores était associée à une production accrue de branches latérales chez A. drepanolobium et à la présence accrue de piquants courts et épais chez Balanites glabra. Les piquants, les épines et les fleurs étaient des indicateurs mesurables de la consommation relative par des herbivores, et peuvent être des caractéristiques utiles à surveiller dans le cadre de la gestion des grands mammifères africains et de leur alimentation épineuse. [source] Assessing Effectiveness of National Flood Policy Through Spatiotemporal Monitoring of Socioeconomic Exposure,JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION, Issue 1 2009Lauren A. Patterson Abstract:, After a century of evolving flood policies, there has been a steady increase in flood losses, which has partly been driven by development in flood prone areas. National flood policy was revised in 1994 to focus on limiting and reducing the amount of development inside the 100-year floodplain, with the goal of decreasing flood losses, which can be measured and quantified in terms of population and property value inside the 100-year floodplain. Monitoring changes in these measurable indicators can inform where and how effective national floodplain management strategies have been. National flood policies are restricted to the spatial extent of the 100-year floodplain, thus there are no development regulations to protect against flooding adjacent to this boundary. No consistent monitoring has been undertaken to examine the effect of flood policy on development immediately outside the 100-year floodplain. We developed a standardized methodology, which leveraged national data to quantify changes in population and building tax value (exposure). We applied this approach to counties in North Carolina to assess (1) temporal changes, before and after the 1994 policy and (2) spatial changes, inside and adjacent to the 100-year floodplain. Temporal results indicate the Piedmont and Mountain Region had limited success at reducing exposure within the 100-year floodplain, while the Coastal Plain successfully reduced exposure. Spatially, there was a significant increase in exposure immediately outside the 100-year floodplain throughout North Carolina. The lack of consistent monitoring has resulted in the continuation of this unintended consequence, which could be a significant driver of increased flood losses as any flood even slightly higher than the 100-year floodplain will have a disproportionately large impact since development is outside the legal boundary of national flood policy. 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