美味大餐织出来

＂只要有爱,任何东西都可以用纱线钩织出来：＂这是英国钧织艺术家凯特·詹金斯的＂钩织哲学＂。她将钩织灵感与平日喜欢的美食交织在一起,用精湛的技艺与幽默的表现手法将灵感付诸现实。鱼和薯条、各式寿司、水果拼盘、虾与鸡尾酒、＂电眼＂香肠.长胡须的墨西哥卷……琳琅满目的食物都是凯特一针一线织出来的。每一道美食都呈现出与实际相近的颜色及纹理,虽然无法入口.但被一无二的逗趣巧思让生活增加乐趣!只不过它们的售价并不便宜,比如一道宽60cm、高43cm的＂红鲻鱼薯条套餐＂售价2760英镑,这可比真正的食物要贵得多。

Using agent-based modelling and landscape metrics to assess landscape fragmentation in Iskandar Malaysia

Introduction:Special economic zones(SEZs)emerge as new forces driving Asian economic transformation and triggering rapid landscape fragmentation.It is imperative to map out the present and future spatial patterns of SEZs in order to understand how they undermine sustainability.Drawing from the experience of Iskandar Malaysia,one of the most successful SEZs in Southeast Asia,this study measures how biophysical and cultural landscapes are being affected by the most recent accelerated land development in the area.Methods:With aid of a hybrid model,namely the special economic zone landscape fragmentation measurement(SeLaFragment),which combines Geographic Information System(GIS),FRAGSTATS and NetLogo,the current and future fragmentation dynamics were analysed using land use data of the study area from the beginning of intensive landscape transformation in 2007 until 2010.Iskandar Malaysia’s cultural and biophysical landscapes were extensively fragmented.Results:The analysis showed that urban built-up areas increased from 13%in 2006 to 24%in 2010.Mangrove swamps were the worst affected ecosystem as they lost 20%of their areal coverage between 2006 and 2010.The simulation of the future scenarios suggested that,in the future,fragmentation and landscape homogenisation will intensify and pose more risks to landscape quality,functions and socio-ecological services.Conclusions:It is obvious that rapid landscape fragmentation compromises sustainability of a wide range of ecosystems and their functions and services in and around urban areas.It is difficult to see how existing environmental strategies have been effective in addressing the emerging sustainability challenges of rapid landscape change.The best way to respond to this kind of situation in the SEZs is by focusing on holistic approach to landscape sustainability.

Monitoring the diversity of malaria and dengue vector in Karachi:studying variation of genera and subgenera of mosquitoes under different ecological conditions

Introduction:Karachi,a city of unique terrain and moderate tropical climate,is home to several mosquito species.The geographical distribution and density of these species may vary within the city,owing to their interaction with an ever-increasing population and urban settings.As a consequence,the prevalence of vector-borne diseases is unpredictable within the geographical limits of Karachi city.In this spatiotemporal study,1,156 mosquito samples were collected from 50 study sites with unique ecological characteristics within the city and a taxonomical exercise was conducted to investigate different vector species thriving in different months and seasons of the year.The main genera of mosquitoes were identified and categorized using a pictorial key based on the standard guidelines of the Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit,substantiated with ancillary literature.Results:Three important genera were found in Karachi:Anopheles,Aedes and Culex.Important subgenera were subsequently identified,based on their susceptibility to major vector-borne diseases.January had the highest concentration of adult mosquitoes,as the colder weather conditions were suitable for breeding.May recorded the lowest number,owing to excessively hot weather when most of the breeding pockets had dried out;less vegetation(in pre-monsoon conditions)prevented mosquito growth.Conclusions:Slum areas showed an abundance of malaria and dengue vectors,owing to poor hygiene conditions caused by open sewage drains.Hence,a major precaution is to raise awareness among people about mosquito-borne diseases.The breeding habitats of these vectors should be studied using geospatial technologies to improve spatial and temporal coverage.

Studying the patterns of alien and native floras of some habitats in Srinagar city, Kashmir, India

Introduction:Urban flora is an important component of human-dominated ecosystems that links urban dwellers with nature.This study aims at compiling and analysing the alien and native vascular plant species of some selected habitats in the Srinagar city,Kashmir,India.Methods:Bi-seasonal sampling was employed and each habitat type(viz.,graveyards,grasslands,orchards and wastelands)was sampled at seven different sites.Results:The number of species recorded from graveyards was 96;from grasslands 112;141 from orchards and 110 from wastelands.The level of invasion among habitats varied from 67.27%to 68.75%,with a mean value of 67.86%;out of clubbed species list,64.84%were alien.Asteraceae,Poaceae,Brassicaceae and Fabaceae were the biggest families in all four habitat types.Conclusions:Our research shows that across habitats,alien plant species are the predominant part of their floras.