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Estimating key state variables such as abundance, survival, and recruitment of wild populations, and their interaction with local conditions such as precipitation, is essential for state‐dependent decision making and management. Estimation of state variables remains challenging, especially in species such as mountain ungulates inhabiting rugged and remote terrains. Camera traps present a technological advance that can mitigate some of the challenges in state estimation and can be used to enhance existing methods. Here, we combined camera traps, individual markings, and GPS tracking to estimate abundance and survival for the threatened Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana) population of the Judean Desert, Israel. Since precipitation is a key determinant for recruitment in desert ungulates, we complemented our estimates with kid‐female ratios and regional precipitation records. Between 2016 and 2019, we individually marked 48 ibex of which 38 were also fitted with GPS collars within the Judean Desert. We performed 6 days of camera‐trap surveys each year to estimate abundance for the north Judean Desert population using mark‐resight in a robust‐design framework. Weight‐averaged abundance estimates for 2017–2019, respectively, were as follows: N¯ˆ $\hat{\bar{N}}$ = 267 (95% CI = 117–418, SE = 51.27), 201 (95% CI = 115–288, SE = 36.85), and 226 (95% CI = 154–299, SE = 36.94) for females, and N¯ˆ $\hat{\bar{N}}$ = 291 (95% CI = 154–299, SE = 36.94), 160 (95% CI = 108–212, SE = 25.19), and 283 (95% CI = 181–384, SE = 29.76) for males. By augmenting data from telemetry with camera traps, we estimated survival via known fates for the entire Judean Desert (north, mid, and south populations). Weight‐averaged survival estimates for 2016–2019, respectively, were: S¯ˆ $\hat{\bar{S}}$ = 0.99 (95% CI = 0.97–1.00, SE = 0.012), 0.90 (95% CI = 0.24–0.99, SE = 0.153), 0.87 (95% CI = 0.62–0.97, SE = 0.081), and 0.88 (95% CI = 0.69–0.96, SE = 0.062) for females, and S¯ˆ $\hat{\bar{S}}$ = 0.77 (95% CI = 0.26–0.97, SE = 0.203), 0.64 (95% CI = 0.33–0.86, SE = 0.151), 0.85 (95% CI = 0.60–0.96, SE = 0.087), and 0.88 (95% CI = 0.69–0.96, SE = 0.062) for males. The interannual trends of abundance and survival estimates corresponded with observed kid‐female ratios and the regional precipitation records, reflecting a population decline following 2017's drought and an increase following the increased precipitation in 2018. Our findings substantiate the efficacy of using camera traps to estimate Nubian ibex's key state variables, as well as detecting population trends driven by environmental conditions. Despite being costly, the capacity of statistically‐robust methods to estimate key state variables is indispensable, and camera traps make similar methods increasingly more feasible in remote and inaccessible populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Water Poverty Index (WPI) standardizes water scarcity diagnostics by considering natural, environmental, and socioeconomic factors which reduce, facilitate, or prevent water access. To integrate these factors, the WPI includes five components: resource, environment (negatively affected by development), capacity, access, and use (positively affected by development). Nevertheless, the place granted to hydrological factors is questioned, and many studies insist on the problematic correlation of WPI with the well-known Human Development Index (HDI). Calculating WPI in the socially heterogeneous and semi-arid context of the State of Chihuahua (Mexico), adapting traditional methodology thanks to geographic information systems (GIS) tools and the corresponding databases, allows discussion of those points. This study uses multi-criteria evaluations from TerrSet software to calculate WPI while preserving specific data precision. In this process, scale calculation and indicator normalization are adapted through raster maps and fuzzy techniques to valorize specific hydrological data. This opens interesting discussions for multidimensional water scarcity diagnostics, since they increase the visibility of diverse water scarcity issues in WPI results. In fact, concentrating socioeconomic factors in corresponding components and valuing GIS alternatives provides a diagnostic different from the HDI and sensitive to hydrological factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several catchment-based water planning processes are currently underway in Australia, with the Water Reform Agreement of 1994 providing the legislative umbrella. This paper presents the results of a case study conducted in the joint catchment of the Diamantina and Georgina rivers, located in the remote central-west part of the state of Queensland. The paper investigates the new water planning processes from the perspective of the design principles for the robust institutions, while taking into account the specifics of the social and ecological environment they will need to operate in. The analysis uses both the actual plans as well as stakeholders' perceptions of the planning process. The analysis found that four of the design principles for robust institutions: clearly defined boundaries, collective choice arrangements, gradual sanctioning and nested enterprises; were well covered in the planning process. However, the principles of: equivalence between costs and benefits; conflict resolution mechanisms; recognition of right to organise; and monitoring; were not clearly or sufficiently addressed in the Plans and have resulted in significant concerns by stakeholders interviewed. The paper discusses the implications of the findings for other water planning processes located in remote and desert regions in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines fifty species of Opuntioideae to understand the range of anatomical variation occurring in this subfamily, the characteristics of the plants that share with other desert-adapted plants and phylogenetic relationships within Cactaceae. A persistent epidermis, a thickened cortex and a palisade cortex are universally present in stem-photosynthetic, stem-succulent plants. Opuntioideae and Cactoideae have a multiseriate hypodermis with extremely thick walls and crystals. Features common to Pereskia, Cactoideae and Opuntioideae, which may be relictual in the family include a tendency to form multiple epidermis, mucilage cells and an unvascularized cortex.

A native tree shows great promise as a bulwark against the desert spreading over the dried-up sea bed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

He said he got the idea from TV survival expert Bear Grylls [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An entire city for the sole purpose of experimentation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Edward Abbey knew how quickly little streams converge into a wall of water [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Nevada lawmakers shut down a loophole [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Her husband died before they were rescued [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A look at the western landscape before the Interstate Highway System brought cars full of tourists [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Discusses the adaptive tactics of snakes in the Namib Desert in southern Africa. Formation of the Namib; Adaptation of all forms of life to the desert's harsh climate; Locomotion of the desert side-winding adder; How burrowing enables the snake to hide from predators and still watch for prey.

New images added to Google Street View include 360-degree views of Egypt [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]