Risk Map

Background: Accurate information on the geographical distribution of malaria is important for efficient resource allocation. The Lao People's Democratic Republic has experienced a major decline in malaria morbidity and mortality in the past decade. However, efforts to respond effectively to these changes have been impeded by lack of detailed data on malaria distribution. In 2008, a countrywide survey on Plasmodium falciparum diagnosed in health centres and villages was initiated to develop a detailed P. falciparum risk map with the aim to identify priority areas for malaria control, estimate population at risk, and guide resource allocation in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Methods: P. falciparum incidence data were collected from point-referenced villages and health centres for the period 2006-2008 during a country-wide survey between December 2008 and January 2009. Using the highest recorded annual rate, continuous surfaces of P. falciparum incidence were produced by the inverse distance weighted interpolation technique. Results: Incidence rates were obtained from 3,876 villages and 685 health centres. The risk map shows that P. falciparum is highly heterogeneous in the northern and central regions of the country with large areas of no transmission. In the southern part, transmission is pervasive and the risk of P. falciparum is high. It was estimated that 3.4 million people (60% of the population) live at risk of malaria. Conclusions: This paper presents the first comprehensive malaria risk map of the Lao People's Democratic Republic based entirely on empirical data. The estimated population at risk is substantially lower than previous estimates, reflecting the presence of vast areas with focal or no malaria transmission as identified in this study. These findings provide important guidance for malaria control interventions in the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and underline the need for detailed data on malaria to accurately predict risk in countries with heterogeneous transmission.

Background: Accurate information on the geographical distribution of malaria is important for efficient resource allocation. The Lao People's Democratic Republic has experienced a major decline in malaria morbidity and mortality in the past decade. However, efforts to respond effectively to these changes have been impeded by lack of detailed data on malaria distribution. In 2008, a countrywide survey on Plasmodium falciparum diagnosed in health centres and villages was initiated to develop a detailed P. falciparum risk map with the aim to identify priority areas for malaria control, estimate population at risk, and guide resource allocation in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Methods: P. falciparum incidence data were collected from point-referenced villages and health centres for the period 2006-2008 during a country-wide survey between December 2008 and January 2009. Using the highest recorded annual rate, continuous surfaces of P. falciparum incidence were produced by the inverse distance weighted interpolation technique. Results: Incidence rates were obtained from 3,876 villages and 685 health centres. The risk map shows that P. falciparum is highly heterogeneous in the northern and central regions of the country with large areas of no transmission. In the southern part, transmission is pervasive and the risk of P. falciparum is high. It was estimated that 3.4 million people (60% of the population) live at risk of malaria. Conclusions: This paper presents the first comprehensive malaria risk map of the Lao People's Democratic Republic based entirely on empirical data. The estimated population at risk is substantially lower than previous estimates, reflecting the presence of vast areas with focal or no malaria transmission as identified in this study. These findings provide important guidance for malaria control interventions in the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and underline the need for detailed data on malaria to accurately predict risk in countries with heterogeneous transmission.

This paper -focussed on the province of Naples, where many municipalities with a huge demographic and building density are subject to high volcanic risk owing to the presence of the Campi Flegrei (Phlegrean Fields) caldera and the Somma-Vesuvius complex -highlights the methodological-applicative steps leading to the setting up of a multiphase procedure for landscape reconstruction and their evolution analysis. From the operational point of view, the research led to the: (1) digitalisation, georeferencing and comparison of cartographies of different periods of time and recent satellite images; (2) elaboration and publication of a multilayer Story Map; (3) accurate vectorisation of the data of the buildings, for each period of time considered, and the use of kernel density in 2D and 3D; (4) application of the extrusion techniques to the physical aspects and anthropic structures; (5) production of 4D animations and film clips for each period of time considered. A procedure is thus tested made up of preparatory sequences, leading to a GIS modelling aimed at highlighting and quantifying significant problem areas and high exposure situations and at reconstructing the phases which in time have brought about an intense and widespread growth process of the artificial surfaces, considerably altering the features of the landscape and noticeably showing up the risk values. In a context characterised by land use conflicts and anomalous conditions of anthropic congestion, a diagnostic approach through images in 2D, 3D and 4D is used, with the aim to support the prevention and planning of emergencies, process damage scenarios and identify the main intervention orders, raise awareness and educate to risk, making an impact on the collective imagination through the enhancement of specific geotechnological functionalities of great didactic interest.

Patient Safety is a fundamental aim in healthcare, over the last few years, healthcare organisations have been investing considerable resources within risk management, in order to ensure a safer healthcare service and a reduction in adverse effects. Asepeyo is an occupational insurance provider whose main role is dealing with the treatment of occupational accidents and work-related illnesses. It is made up of care centres located throughout the country. The implementation of a Risk Map for care centres is proposed which enables the proactive identification of risks in order to analyse causes and identify improvement in sucesptible areas. A work team is created in each centre in order to analyse the main processes: reception, consultation, emergency room, radiology and rehabilitation; enabling the adaptation of the Risk Map for members of each centre and the participation and involvement of staff in Patient Safety.

Fasciola hepatica (liver fluke) is a physically and economically devastating parasitic trematode whose rise in recent years has been attributed to climate change. Climate has an impact on the free-living stages of the parasite and its intermediate host Lymnaea truncatula, with the interactions between rainfall and temperature having the greatest influence on transmission efficacy. There have been a number of short term climate driven forecasts developed to predict the following season's infection risk, with the Ollerenshaw index being the most widely used. Through the synthesis of a modified Ollerenshaw index with the UKCP09 fine scale climate projection data we have developed long term seasonal risk forecasts up to 2070 at a 25 km square resolution. Additionally UKCIP gridded datasets at 5 km square resolution from 1970-2006 were used to highlight the climate-driven increase to date. The maps show unprecedented levels of future fasciolosis risk in parts of the UK, with risk of serious epidemics in Wales by 2050. The seasonal risk maps demonstrate the possible change in the timing of disease outbreaks due to increased risk from overwintering larvae. Despite an overall long term increase in all regions of the UK, spatio-temporal variation in risk levels is expected. Infection risk will reduce in some areas and fluctuate greatly in others with a predicted decrease in summer infection for parts of the UK due to restricted water availability. This forecast is the first approximation of the potential impacts of climate change on fasciolosis risk in the UK. It can be used as a basis for indicating where active disease surveillance should be targeted and where the development of improved mitigation or adaptation measures is likely to bring the greatest benefits.

The objective of this study was to produce a malaria distribution map that would constitute a useful tool for development and health planners in West Africa. The recently created continental database of malaria survey results (MARA/ARMA 1998) provides the opportunity for producing empirical models and maps of malaria distribution at a regional and eventually at a continental level. This paper reports on the mapping of malaria distribution for sub‐Saharan West Africa based on these data. The strategy was to undertake a spatial statistical analysis of malaria parasite prevalence in relation to those potential bio‐physical environmental factors involved in the distribution of malaria transmission intensity which are readily available at any map location. The resulting model was then used to predict parasite prevalence for the whole of West Africa. We also produced estimates of the proportion of population of each country in the region exposed to various categories of risk to show the i...

Road accidents pose severe and pervasive consequences, especially in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), where both the population and fatal accidents among youth and the elderly are steadily increasing. Therefore, this study aims to develop a model for risky behavior in near-miss incidents among motorcycle riders in Thailand. It intends to compare models between younger and older riders utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM) with a multi-group approach. The data were examined employing modified instruments derived from the Motorcycle Rider Behavior Questionnaire (MRBQ). Samples depicting risky riding behavior were obtained from both younger and older rider groups. Parameter invariance testing revealed differences between the two groups. Control errors notably emerged as the predominant factor contributing to near-miss incidents for both age groups. Speeding was identified as the primary concern for the younger group, while adverse weather conditions were deemed crucial for the older group. Based on this study, policy recommendations endorse the creation of targeted training programs for novice riders, emphasizing adherence to legal speed limits and the adoption of safe riding practices. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of preparing riders, especially those in the older age group, for adverse weather conditions.

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PSW-GTR-221 142 Survival and Chlamydospore Production of Phytophthora ramorum in California Bay Laurel Leaves 1 Elizabeth J. Fichtner 2, David M. Rizzo, 2 Shannon C. Lynch, 2 Jennifer Davidson 3, Gerri Buckles, 4 and Jennifer Parke 4 ...

In semi arid and arid countries, the increase in production needs sometimes using brackish/saline water for irrigation. In Kairouan and Mahdia (Centre of Tunisia), most of the irrigated areas are by pumping ground water from wells and in many cases, water has more than 4 g of salt per liter. To improve farmers' income through using efficiently brackish/saline and rare water, applied research programme was carried out. The methodology adopted was based on selection of six farmers' parcels. Behind water quality and quantity, soil salinity and crop response, the crop cost was studied: initial and final characterization and frequently controlled. Three different water regimes were observed induced three salinity regimes: an exclusively irrigated regime in summer based on using saline water producing continuous accumulation of salts, an irrigated-rained regime in autumn/spring based on alternated saline and fresh water inducing cyclic accumulation and leaching of salts and a rained regime in winter based on fresh water with continuous leaching of salts. At the short term, soil salinity increased under irrigation until equilibrium with the irrigation water quality and decreased by rain which produced an important salts leaching in a very short time. Many tons of salts were added to the initial stock in summer season and most of them are leached to the subsoil under irrigation and by rain in the winter. Salinization affected the deep layer and on the long term, salinization of the aquifer might occur. An important crop yield decrease for the summer crop was obtained but the socio-economic aspect appeared as an important factor conditioning the use of saline water.

The prevalence and intensity of the infection caused by schistosomiasis and geohelmintiasis were studied in relation to irrigated rice cultivation in Côte d'Ivoire. In a cross-sectional study conducted on schistosomiasis in Niakaramandougou, in the savannah (North) area of Côte d'Ivoire, from April to September 2001, the potential importance of soil-transmitted helminth infections was assessed. Villages were classified according to the surrounding inland valleys into two agro-ecosystems: (R2) full or partial water control allowing two rice cycles per year and (R0), the absence of rice growing. Urine and stool samples were collected from children in two villages in the savannah zone. Three hundred and fifty-three (353) children aged 4 to 15 years were examined, of whom 220 were from Kafiné village (R2) and 133 from Pékaha village (R0). The prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium was 10%, and 2.3% in R2 and R0 respectively. S. mansoni prevalence was 29.1% in R2 and 31.6% in R0. Ascariasis lumbricoides (12.3%) and Trichuris trichuira were the only species present in the two agro-ecosystems. Prevalences of S. haematobium adjusted for the effects on the villages were significantly different in the two agro-ecosystems. In savannah rice growing villages, negative binomial regression on the intensity of the infection of S. haematobium showed significant positive relations with the surface of rice cultivated inland valleys, whereas uncultivated inland valleys showed no significant relation. However, S. mansoni infection intensity showed significant negative relations with infection intensity of each agro-ecosystem.

Inconsistency measures have recently been put forward to manage inconsistent knowledge bases in the AI community. For conditional probabilistic logics, rationality postulates and computational complexity have driven the formulation of inconsistency measures. Independently, investigations in formal epistemology have used the betting concept of Dutch book to measure an agent's degree of incoherence. In this paper, we argue for the unsatisfiability of the proposed postulates and put forward alternative ones. Problematic desirable properties are weakened by analyzing the underlying consolidation process. Inconsistency measures suggested in the literature and computable with linear programs are shown to satisfy the postulates. Additionally, it is given a gambling interpretation for these practicable measures, showing they correspond to incoherence measures via Dutch books. Finally, we propose a general linear programming framework, allowing for confidence factors and encompassing measures from both communities that satisfy the reconciled postulates.

The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. While the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication, neither the authors nor the editors nor the publisher can accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may be made. The publisher makes no warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein.

Chemical terrorism represents a problematic area with increasing importance. This type of terrorism uses chemical substances as a tool of the violence and it is real and major threat of contemporary civilization. The consequences of chemical terrorism have a wide extent of negative impacts. Primarily, chemical terrorism can cause damage to all components of the environment. Secondly, damages with direct or indirect impact to the health and human life is highly probable. Finally, reduction of basic human freedom including restrictions or aggravation of ecosystem services and causing fear and panic the population. Significance of this issue underscored by the current trend in the expansion of residential areas closer to facilities treating chemicals. Measures to ensure preparedness against chemical terrorism are not sufficiently developed nowadays. For this purpose, the article summarizes the basic ideas for creating a systematic approach to protecting against chemical terrorism in re...

One of present questions in the context of natural and technological risk mapping, which become important in last years, is analysis and assessment of selected types of multirisks. It results from relevant R&D projetcs and also from international workshops and conferences. From various surveys and presented activities it is evident existence a lot of data and methodological approaches for single

Risk maps are spatial models of environmental hazards such as predation on livestock. We tested the long-term validity of a published risk map built from locations where Wisconsin wolves attacked livestock from 1999-2006. Using data collected after model construction, we verified the predictive accuracy of the risk map exceeded 91% for the period 2007-2011. Predictive power lasting 5 years or more substantiates the claim that risk maps are both valid and verified tools for anticipating spatial hazards. Classification errors coincided with verifier uncertainty about which wolves might be responsible. Perceived threats by wolves to domestic animals were not as well predicted (82%) as verified attacks had been and errors in classification coincided with incidents involved domestic animals other than bovids and verifier uncertainty about which wolves were involved. We recommend risk maps be used to target interventions selectively at high-risk sites.

Prediction of a spatial process using a "big dataset" has become a topical area of research over the last decade. The available solutions often involve placing strong assumptions on the error process associated with the data. Specifically, it has typically been assumed that the data are equal to the spatial process of principal interest plus a mutually independent error process. This is done to avoid modeling confounded cross-covariances between the signal and noise within an additive model. In this article, we consider an alternative latent process modeling schematic where it is assumed that the error process is spatially correlated and correlated with the latent process of interest. We show that such error process dependencies allow one to obtain precise predictions, and avoids confounded error covariances within the expression of the marginal distribution of the data. We refer to these covariances as "non-confounded discrepancy error covariances." Additionally, a "process augmentation" technique is developed to aid in computation. Demonstrations are provided through simulated examples and through an application using a large dataset consisting of the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year period estimates of median household income on census tracts.

Climate change is intensifying the global burden of vector-borne diseases (VBDs) such as malaria, dengue, Zika, and West Nile virus by altering vector habitats, expanding transmission zones, and increasing outbreak frequency. This review examines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the prediction and management of climate-driven VBD outbreaks. It begins by outlining the ecological impact of rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events on vector populations. The paper then explores AI's role in public health surveillance, focusing on machine learning and deep learning models-including Random Forests, LSTMs, and CNNs-that integrate climate, environmental, and epidemiological data to improve forecasting accuracy. Real-world applications demonstrate AI's capacity to outperform traditional models by identifying disease hotspots and enabling timely, targeted interventions. The review also highlights how AI-assisted simulations can project future VBD risks under various climate scenarios, supporting proactive planning and resource allocation. Further, it emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and policy frameworks to ensure the ethical, equitable, and transparent use of AI in health systems. Challenges such as data quality, model interpretability, and regional disparities are discussed, along with emerging trends like federated learning and real-time AI dashboards. Ultimately, this paper underscores the potential of AI to enhance global health resilience by enabling adaptive, climate-smart approaches to infectious disease surveillance and control.

A recent study and the digitalization of historical centres have developed a completely new strategy for the conservation management of urban buildings through the 'Risk Map' of MiBAC. Issues, aims and structure of the Territory Information System (TIS) have been wholly outlined in a dedicated book that describes the structure of the system, also following a historical framing of the debate and the previous experiences. The elaboration of a dedicated ontology adds the opportunity to make the same data available to other kind of software, beginning from HBIM Systems. This aim is pursued developing a special extension of CIDOC-CRM, an already consolidated ontology initially dedicated to the conservation issue of museums. The work has firstly considered the field of architectural conservation and recently further developed addressing historical centres. In this way, a synthetic description of the buildings, including the main features together with vulnerability and transformation index, will allow, through the 3D representation of the town, a stable monitoring of the urban tissue, constantly up to date with the new data deriving from the interventions gradually realized.

The paper presents an analysis of a rapid atmospheric process which in the beginning of December of 2013 moved over Europe from NNW in the form of a deep cyclone. The analysis aim is to verify the Weather Research & Forecasting Model results of daily numerical weather forecasts of extremely dynamic atmospheric processes. The applied spatial resolution of the computational grid of 36.3 km does not reveal the sub-grid processes. In case of the Xaver cyclone development and movement, the spatial step may be of significant importance. It is planned to analyze the case using data computed at better resolutions.

The Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other research, predict a significant future increase in the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events in many regions. This increase runoff and soil erosion, and reduce agricultural productivity, as well as increasing risks of flood damage to crops and infrastructure. Implementing adaptation measures and improved land

Risk maps are valuable tools because they provide a visualization of the spatial distribution of fire risk. There are several techniques for modeling the fire hazard in natural environments. Recently, methods based on fuzzy sets theory have been successfully incorporated into decision support mechanisms. In this context, the aim of this work is to develop a fuzzy fire risk map for the Cerrado State Park in Jaguariaíva located in the state of Parana/Brazil. Through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) were generated weights for the variables of the fire hazard equation. The fuzzyfication of this variables were done before they could being integrated to generate the fuzzy fire risk map. The use of AHP technique combined with fuzzyfication was satisfactory to the spatial assessment of risk. The risk map showed no rigid boundaries between classes, providing a better visualization and precision of the spatial distribution of risk.

Cost performance of a project is usually a particularly important consideration for the construction parties. Often, Cost overrun is one of the most recurring problems in the construction industry and it has an adverse impact on project success in terms of time, cost, quality and safety. This study is conducted to investigate the cost overrun in construction projects in Saudi Arabia in order to identify the causes of cost overrun and their importance according to contractors through a questionnaire survey. A questionnaire survey was undertaken of 43 contractors working on construction projects in the Northern Province of Saudi Arabia. 34 cost overrun causes were identified through literature review. The study concluded that the top cost overrun causes in construction projects in Saudi Arabia from contractors' perspective are: bid award for lowest price, frequent changes in design, improper planning, long period between design and time of implementation, and payments delay.

Considering the geographical location of Sri Lanka and the undersea earthquake prone regions in the world, it is clear that the country is exposed to tsunamis generated along the Sunda Trench located to the East, as indicated by the Indian Ocean Tsunami (IOT) in 2004 and subsequent tsunami alerts. Due to the IOT, more than two thirds of the coastline in Sri Lanka in the northern, eastern, southern as well as relatively sheltered western areas were subjected to inundation. However, it was clear in the aftermath of the tsunami, that the degree of damage along the coastal belt was not uniform, with some areas suffering severe damage and other areas suffering a lesser extent of damage, while in certain other areas, often not far away, there was no damage at all. The level of exposure of coastal areas thus exhibited a considerable variation even along a short stretch of the coastline. In view of these circumstances, it is important to assess the risk of potential tsunamis in order to dev...

Bluetongue is a non-contagious viral disease affecting small ruminants and cattle that can cause severe economic losses in the livestock sector. The virus is transmitted by certain species of the genus Culicoides and consequently, understanding their distribution is essential to enable the identification of high-risk transmission areas. In this work we use bioclimatic and environmental variables to predict vector abundance, and estimate spatial variations in the basic reproductive ratio  R0. The resulting estimates were combined with livestock mobility and serological data to assess the risk of Bluetongue outbreaks in Senegal. The results show an increasing abundance of C. imicola, C. oxystoma, C. enderleini, and C. miombo from north to south. R0 < 1 for most areas of Senegal, whilst southern (Casamance) and southeastern (Kedougou and part of Tambacounda) agro-pastoral areas have the highest risk of outbreak (R0 = 2.7 and 2.9, respectively). The next higher risk areas are in the ...

El Niño/Southern Oscillation related climate anomalies were analyzed by using a combination of satellite measurements of elevated sea-surface temperatures and subsequent elevated rainfall and satellite-derived normalized difference vegetation index data. A Rift Valley fever (RVF) risk mapping model using these climate data predicted areas where outbreaks of RVF in humans and animals were expected and occurred in the Horn of Africa from December 2006 to May 2007. The predictions were subsequently confirmed by entomological and epidemiological field investigations of virus activity in the areas identified as at risk. Accurate spatial and temporal predictions of disease activity, as it occurred first in southern Somalia and then through much of Kenya before affecting northern Tanzania, provided a 2 to 6 week period of warning for the Horn of Africa that facilitated disease outbreak response and mitigation activities. To our knowledge, this is the first prospective prediction of a RVF o...

Summer frosts occur frequently on the Bolivian Altiplano (4000 m) and cause severe damage to potato and quinua crops. A regional statistical study of frost risks must combine meteorological data with satellite data. In this work, a new method is developed to use NOAA satellite temperatures together with local minimum air temperature data. This method enables point meteorological data (with important historical records) to be combined with satellite data (spatially extended but with poor temporal coverage). The method involves several stages including a classi®cation of the Altiplano based on the meteorological stations, a calculation of minimum temperatures over the whole Altiplano for several years of data, and ®nally the computation of minimum temperatures and frost risk percentage maps. The precision obtained in the resulting synthesis images is 0.88C for the average minimum temperatures and 9% for frost risk maps.

Malaria is one of the killer human diseases caused by protozoan parasites from plasmodium family which foremost transmitted by the bite of the female Anopheles species of Mosquito. Ethiopian lowland areas are favorable for mosquito breeding and malaria transmission due to their tropical location and environmental factors. The current study was aimed to analyze the malaria hazard and risk areas in the case of Kebridahar and Sheykosh districts of Korahey zone by using GIS and RS technique. In order to achieve the study objective, different data’s such as satellite images, digital elevation model, topographic map, study area shape file and the environmental factors like temperature, elevation, slope, soil, land use land cover and proximity to pond water site were used as an input data for the analysis. Weight was assigned for these parameters by pairwise comparison method and weighted overlay was used in Arc GIS spatial analyst tools to produce the final malaria hard and risk map of th...

El equipo de investigación al que la becaria se incorpora, indaga el patrimonio cultural del noreste de Santa Cruz. Su plan de formación buscaba vincular el objeto de análisis con la Tecnicatura Universitaria en Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo que la alumna estudia. Resultó prioritario trabajar en el análisis de las condiciones propias de desempeño del equipo de investigación en relación a la seguridad, con el anhelo de contribuir al desarrollo de un sistema de gestión de Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional –recientemente iniciado- para posteriormente, adaptarlo a los diversos sitios y lugares de patrimonio cultural regionales.

In Hungary, fractional characterisations of trans-border surface waters and actual high resolution maps are not available at present. At the same time these are needed for the evaluation of contaminant transmission and the determination of ecological water quality requirement. In our research, the digital riverbed model of Berettyó was prepared, which is one of the transborder rivers of Hungary. By means of this model the hydraulic parameters were calculated under different boundary conditions (water level, discharge) and the transmission processes were modelled. As results the conceptual model and the water quality risk map were prepared for the Hungarian section of Berettyó River. This map provides solid basis for decision-makers to estimate the consequences of any pollution event in all river section.

The Tropical Pacific Coastal Region of the Chiapas State is one of the most affected areas by accelerating water erosion in Mexico. Governmental Institutions like the National Water Commission (CNA) are requiring reliable information on the reasons and principal sources of growing sediment transport downstream to the lower parts of the watersheds. Two erosion studies based on the USLE carried out in1997 led to extremely different results for estimated soil loss amounts at the different parts of the watersheds. A careful analysis and comparison of the basis for C-, K- and R-factor calculation at each study detected the main reasons for the differences. To improve the information of soil erosion related to principal agricultural production systems and provide a better data basis for the application of the USLE at the zone, in 1999 a Soil Erosion Monitoring Project was started.

per aver creduto nella necessità di questo tipo di studi come passo propedeutico-preliminare per la modellizzazione numerica degli acquiferi e come strumento tecnico-conoscitivo per la gestione e la salvaguardia delle risorse idriche sotterranee. Si ringraziano inoltre tutti coloro che hanno gentilmente fornito i dati geologici, idrogeologici e idrogeochimici in base ai quali è stato possibile portare a compimento questo studio, ossia (in ordine alfabetico): il Dott. MICHeLe AMBroSIo dell'AF Geoscience and tecnology Consulting, il Dott. Geol.

This paper reviews different approaches of collaboration with the Civil Protection across Europe, from the ex-perience of the author. The first contact came working as a research assistant at the Universität Karlsruhe (TH), Germany, in frame of the SFB (Collaborative Research ...

Aim of study: Forest fuels are very critical for fire behavior models and hazard maps. Relationship among wind speed, fuel moisture content, slope, and fuel type directs us to predict fire behavior of a given region. For this study, we evaluated fire behavior parameters such as fireline intensity and rate of fire spread using the fuel moisture content, slope, fuel load, and wind speed for the Bayam Forest District with the help of remote sensing techniques and FlamMap software.Area of study: The study area is located in Bayam Forest District in the city of Taskopru, Kastamonu, a Western Black Sea region of Turkey.Material and Methods: In order to estimate and map forest fuel load of the study area, fuel models were developed using the parameters of the average vegetation height, 1-hr, 10-hr, and 100-hr fuel load, foliage, total fuel load, litter load and litter depth. Three basic fire descriptors (fireline intensity, rate of fire spread, and flame length) were calculated using FlamM...

A stream sediment survey carried out in southern Iglesiente, southwestern Sardinia, comprised 249 samples which were analysed for 35 elements. The data from 83 samples derived from a previous survey by Ente Minerario Sardo were also used. Maps showing element distribution were created using the GIS program Arc View 3.1. For the compilation of potential risk maps, the regional distribution of the elements has been reclassified using as thresholds the Italian intervention criteria for residential=recreational and commercial=industrial land use. The main concentrations of heavy elements mainly follow the carbonate lithologies, hosting most of the ore deposits of Mississippi Valley and Sedimentary Exhalative types. Fairly high contents of Pb, Zn, Cd, and As are reflected in the stream sediments sampled along the carbonate ridges bordering the mining district along the Iglesias syncline. Treatment plants, tailings and dumps are also located in this area. Another area with high metal values is the swampy river mouth of Rio Sa Masa, near Gonnesa, draining not only the main mining sites of the Iglesias syncline, but also the small industrial areas around the town of Iglesias and a few villages. Potential risk maps have been compiled for four elements: Zn, Pb, Cd and As. Among those, the state of geochemical pollution is very serious for Cd, Pb, and Zn, which are the main elements contained in the stratabound orebodies, but less so for As. If even only partly transferred to the soils, the concentration in these elements should limit any further development in this area, unless remediation is carried out.

Recent emergency situations such as large fires (in cities, forests), flooding, terrorist attacks, road-side emergency, etc, have shown the indispensable need of a geoinformation in reliable systems to help rescue operations. Specialised systems are necessary not only for rescue teams but also for ordinary people in/around the area with emergency occurrences. The presented framework for the use of geo-information in emergency response is motivated by fast developments in hand-held industry and maturing 3D GIS. Presently, almost everyone possesses a handheld device. A process of convergence is observed overall: Cell phones incorporate functionality, which was the domain of ultra-portable computers, while later ones are updated with communication abilities. GIS are in growing expansion and changing nature. The third dimension is getting increasingly familiar. Many GIS vendors already provide extended 3D visualisation although spatial analysis is still in the 2D domain. The traditional stand-alone, desktop GIS evolve into a complex system architecture in which DBMS play the critical role of a container of administrative, geometric and multimedia data. This paper promotes wider utilisation of 3D geo-information in an integrated system for different types of users (working in different environments) and decision-makers in the response phase. The paper is organized in three general sections. The first section discusses requirement for such a system taking into account different factors. The second section outlines the proposed system architecture. The third section provides an elaborated discussion on needed research and developments.

The current work presents the vulnerability pesticide DRASTIC besides hazard and risk assessments
for Basara basin within the Sulaimani city, Iraq. The vulnerability plot of groundwater from various
aquifer systems, (Karstic-fissured, Complex aquifer, Alluvium), was made using the DRASTIC model
established based on the pesticide DRASTIC index. For the validation process, a total numbers of
118 Nitrate (NO3-N) samples were attained from water wells and springs. Pearson correlation factor
(r), and R square (R2) relations between DRASTIC index and nitrate concentration were plotted for
both generic DRASTIC, and Pesticide DRASTIC. The results confirmed that the intrinsic vulnerability
based on Pesticide DRASTIC are more relevant than the generic DRASTIC method. The Vulnerability
Pesticide DRASTIC index was combined with hazard map to produce Risk Intensity Index (RII) map
(based on the European approach method (COST Action 620) for assessing actual aquifer
vulnerability and groundwater pollution risk assessment and achieving more accurate results. The
Hazard map includes 26 hazard sorts of point, line, and polygons. Their proportions, sizes, and
degrees of harmfulness vary significantly from one location to another. Effects of the risk intensity
map categorized the region into five groups. The majority of the area of interest showed no or very
low and low-risk levels, while the high and moderate risk levels covered small parts of the studied
area. Results of the risk intensity map divided the area from largest to smallest into ‘‘No or very low
with (51.66%), Low (24.36 %), Moderate (17.38%), Very high (4.63%), and High (1.98 %)’’ of the risk
zones. In contrast, the occupied area from the pesticide DRASTIC model showed ‘‘No or very low
(9.26%), Low (14.84%), Moderate (30.81%), Very high (8.32%), and High (36.77%)’’respectively.

Characterizing wildfire regimes where wildfires are uncommon is challenged by a lack of empirical information. Moreover, climate change is projected to lead to increasingly frequent wildfires and additional annual area burned in forests historically characterized by long fire return intervals. Western Oregon and Washington, USA (westside) have experienced few large wildfires (fires greater than 100 hectares) the past century and are characterized to infrequent large fires with return intervals greater than 500 years. We evaluated impacts of climate change on wildfire hazard in a major urban watershed outside Portland, OR, USA. We simulated wildfire occurrence and fire regime characteristics under contemporary conditions (1992-2015) and four mid-century (2040-2069) scenarios using Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5. Simulated mid-century fire seasons expanded in most scenarios, in some cases by nearly two months. In all scenarios, average fire size and frequency projections increased significantly. Fire regime characteristics under the hottest and driest mid-century scenarios illustrate novel disturbance regimes which could result in permanent changes to forest structure and composition and the provision of ecosystem services. Managers and planners can use the range of modeled outputs and simulation results to inform robust strategies for climate adaptation and risk mitigation.

The European COST action 620 proposed a comprehensive approach to karst groundwater protection, comprising methods of intrinsic and specific vulnerability mapping, validation of vulnerability maps, hazard and risk mapping. This paper presents the first application of all components of this Pan-European Approach to the Sierra de Lı ´bar, a karst hydrogeology system in Andalusia, Spain. The intrinsic vulnerability maps take into account the hydrogeological characteristics of the area but are independent from specific contaminant properties. Two specific vulnerability maps were prepared for faecal coliforms and BTEX. These maps take into account the specific properties of these two groups of contaminants and their interaction with the karst hydrogeological system. The vulnerability assessment was validated by means of tracing tests, hydrological, hydrochemical and isotope methods. The hazard map shows the localization of potential contamination sources resulting from human activities, and evaluates those according to their dangerousness. The risk of groundwater contamination depends on the hazards and the vulnerability of the aquifer system. The risk map for the Sierra de Lı ´bar was thus created by overlaying the hazard and vulnerability maps.

In this study, a groundwater flow model of this aquifer is developed. The model simulates an average steady-state condition for the year 1992, when an extensive field study was undertaken, in which 238 wells were visited in the study area. The model simulates ...

Acid sulfate soils occur in dynamic and geomorphologically complex inland and coastal landscapes that are inherently susceptible to natural and human induced changes. These changes can lead to environmental degradation and loss of infrastructure through acidification of soil and water and metal mobilisation. This study has identified and described the interrelationships between acid sulfate soil materials and their geomorphic environment, composition (pedology, mineralogy), redox status and geochemistry, and potential environmental hazards, within a complex estuarine landscape in the Barker Inlet region, north of Adelaide, South Australia. For this purpose two study sites were chosen within Barker Inlet, namely Gillman and St Kilda. 3.5. Land Use 3.6. Summary 4. Field and laboratory methods: conceptual models and mapping 4.1. Field investigations 4.2. Soil descriptions 4.3. Soil sampling and analysis 4.4. Acid sulfate soil analyses 4.4.1. Soil sample preparation 4.4.2. Methodologies used to assess acid sulfate soil properties 4.5. Spatial and temporal variability 4.5.1. Soil-regolith models 4.6. Soil map units 5. Soil Morphology, properties and classification for the intertidal St Kilda floodplain 5.1. Introduction 5.2. Descriptive soil-regolith toposequence process model with strong tidal influence 5.2.1. St Kilda Focus area A with strong tidal influence 5.2.2. St Kilda Focus area B-on an elevated, bare, shell grit chenier ridgeline 5.2.3. St Kilda Focus area C comprising a scalped depression with intertidal samphire shrublands and mangrove woodlands 5.3. Summary 6. Soil morphology and acid sulfate soil characterisation of the Gillman study site 6.1. Descriptive soil toposequence process models for a drained supratidal landscape 6.1.1. Gillman Focus area A 6.1.2. Gillman Focus area B 6.1.3. Gillman Focus area C 6.2. Summary-Gillman study site 7. Mapping 7.1. Soil-landscape maps 7.2. Acid sulfate soil hazards 7.3. Spatial distribution of acid sulfate soil materials in tidal areas 7.3.1. Acid-base characteristics of tidal soils at St Kilda study site 7.3.2. Acid-base characteristics of tidal areas at Gillman study site 7.4. Spatial distribution of acid sulfate soil materials in non-tidal areas at Gillman 7.5. Hazards 7.6. Geomorphic control on the development and distribution of acidity in the Gillman landscape 7.7.

A framework for a process-based salinisation risk assessment methodology is proposed that allows separation and mapping of areas prone to primary salinisation, such as seawater intrusion, agrochemical pollution or geogenic contamination and secondary salinisation derived from irrigationinduced solute recycling. By adaptation of the boundary conditions, the bulk salinity distribution is decomposed into components derived from the different salinisation processes. To obtain the respective risk index distributions, both the 'present state' and salinisation potentials (steady state salinity distributions) have to be simulated. The respective salinisation risk indices are defined as the potential of further salinisation induced by the respective salinisation process and are obtained by deducting the components of the 'present state' salinity distributions from the respective salinisation potentials. The risk index distribution maps are then overlaid with a defined threshold salinity, revealing areas requiring remediation or conservation measures. The risk index distributions are strictly related to a given exploitation scheme. Modification of an exploitation scheme leads therefore to modified risk index distributions which highlight areas that will suffer further salinisation from areas for which the modified exploitation scheme will have a remediating effect. The risk maps obtained for a real case site (Akrotiri aquifer, Southern Cyprus) are then presented, revealing the outcomes of the approach, as well as its limitations.