Dataset Information

Inaccessible rocky cliffs: An optimized method for plant data collection in extreme environments.

ABSTRACT: Counts are normally used to assess the densities of plants. However, due to the physical characteristics of these sites, habitats and species associated with inaccessible rocky cliffs and other extreme environments pose additional challenges. It is therefore necessary to apply changes to the usual data collection methods. This system allows population sizes to be estimated from an incomplete data collection. This is important because when data collection sites are inaccessible, the fieldwork cannot be carried out within the time that is normally allocated. Furthermore, the minimum sampling effort involved enables economic resources to be saved. This method allows the time spent and the material, methodological and human resources used to be reduced while simultaneously allowing the highest level of accuracy to be maintained. •The minimum effort needed to carry out data collection of plants on vertical walls and other difficult-to-access environments is calculated.•The proposed method is based on the search for the theoretical distribution function with a better adjustment to the actual distribution of the studied species.•This system allows to reduce the necessary resources, while the maximum accuracy is maintained in the calculations.

SUBMITTER: Alfaro-Saiz E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6541732 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Inaccessible rocky cliffs: An optimized method for plant data collection in extreme environments.

Alfaro-Saiz Estrella E Granda Víctor V Rodríguez Alberto A Alonso-Redondo Raquel R García-González Marta Eva ME

MethodsX 20190522

Counts are normally used to assess the densities of plants. However, due to the physical characteristics of these sites, habitats and species associated with inaccessible rocky cliffs and other extreme environments pose additional challenges. It is therefore necessary to apply changes to the usual data collection methods. This system allows population sizes to be estimated from an incomplete data collection. This is important because when data collection sites are inaccessible, the fieldwork can ...[more]

PMID: 31193766

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Project description:BackgroundThe ubiquitous use of mobile phones in sending and receiving text messages has become a norm for young people. Undeniably, text messaging has become a new and important communication medium not only in the social realm but in education as well. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of using text messaging as a means to collect data for a medical research project.A cross sectional study was carried out during a double blind, randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of a probiotic in the management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The study aim was to assess the response rate of weekly symptom reports via Short Message Service (SMS). The subjects were undergraduates in a private medical university in Malaysia. They were identified through a previous university wide study as suffering from IBS based on Rome III criteria. The subjects were randomly assigned to either the treatment arm receiving a daily probiotic, or the placebo arm. They were required to score their symptoms using eight-item-questionnaires at baseline, and thereafter weekly, for a total of 8 weeks. All subjects were given the choice to communicate their symptom scores by text messaging via mobile phones or by email. SMS text messages were sent to remind trial subjects to attend face-to-face visits and to complete a paper based 34-item-questionnaires on IBS quality of life assessment at baseline and at end of 8 weeks.FindingsThe response rate of weekly symptom scores via Short Message Service (SMS) from a total of 38 subjects was 100%. Through the study, 342 reports were submitted: 33.3% of these were received on the due date without reminder, 60.0% one day after the deadline, after a single reminder, 6.1% 2-3 days after the deadline, after 2-3 reminders and 0.6% 5 days after the deadline, after SMS, phone reminder and face-to-face encounter. All SMS symptom reports, whether on time or late, were complete. With the help of SMS reminder, all trial subjects completed the paper based IBS quality of life assessment at baseline and at end of study.ConclusionsThis study found using text messaging via mobile phone an excellent instrument for collecting weekly symptom reports in response to trial medication, reminding trial subjects to attend face to face visits and completing more complex paper based evaluation. The 100% response rate of weekly symptom reports was facilitated by using simple number codes for SMS submission.Trial registrationNot appropriate.

Project description:Rock climbing is among the outdoor activities that have undergone the highest growth since the second half of the 20th century. As a result, cliff habitats, historically one of the least disturbed by human colonization worldwide, are facing more intense human pressure than ever before. However, there is little data on the impact of this activity in plant-communities, and such information is indispensable for adequate manager decision-making. The goal of this study was to determine the impact of rock climbing on plant communities in terms of cover, richness, and composition in relation to climbing intensity on typical Mediterranean limestone cliffs. Three rock-climbing sites were selected in the Baetic range (SE Spain), corresponding to qualitative categories of climbing frequentation: i)"low" (low frequentation with intermittent climbing), ii)"medium" (high frequentation without overcrowding), and iii) "high" (high frequentation with overcrowding). Within each site, we selected climbing routes and adjacent areas free of climbing, then we carried out a photoplot-based sampling by rappelling. We analysed the images to calculate: richness, species cover, and total cover. This study shows that rock climbing negatively affected the cliff plant community at all three study sites. A significant decrease in plant cover, species richness and a shift in the community composition were recorded for climbed areas, the cover being the variable most sensitive to rock climbing. Impact observed proved to be related to the frequentation level. Low-frequentation sites, with usually more specialized climbers, underwent relatively mild damages, whereas at high frequentation sites the impact was severe and the conservation of the species, especially rare ones, became jeopardized. Our study is the first one available to investigate climbing impact on plant communities in Mediterranean areas, but more research on the impact of rock climbing is needed to assess the regulation of this activity. Regarding management guidelines, we propose a management guideline protocol to evaluate climbing routes and design: i) "Sites free of climbing", ii) "Strictly regulated climbing routes", iii) "Mildly regulated climbing routes", or iv) "Free climbing routes".

Dataset Information

Inaccessible rocky cliffs: An optimized method for plant data collection in extreme environments.

Publications

Inaccessible rocky cliffs: An optimized method for plant data collection in extreme environments.

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