Low-Complexity Filter for Software-Defined Radio by Modulated Interpolated Coefficient Decimated Filter in a Hybrid Farrow.

Realising a low-complexity Farrow channelisation algorithm for multi-standard receivers in software-defined radio is a challenging task. A Farrow filter operates best at low frequencies while its performance degrades towards the Nyquist region. This makes wideband channelisation in software-defined radio a challenging task with high computational complexity. In this paper, a hybrid Farrow algorithm that combines a modulated Farrow filter with a frequency response interpolated coefficient decimated masking filter is proposed for the design of a novel filter with low computational complexity. A design example shows that the HFarrow filter bank achieved multiplier reduction of 50%, 70% and 64%, respectively, in comparison with non-uniform modulated discrete Fourier transform (NU MDFT FB), coefficient decimated filter bank (CD FB) and interpolated coefficient decimated (ICDM) filter algorithms. The HFarrow filter bank is able to provide the same number of sub-band channels as other algorithms such as non-uniform modulated discrete Fourier transform (NU MDFT FB), coefficient decimated filter bank (CD FB) and interpolated coefficient decimated (ICDM) filter algorithms, but with less computational complexity.

Functional trait composition of aquatic plants can serve to disentangle multiple interacting stressors in lowland streams.

Historically, close attention has been paid to negative impacts associated with nutrient loads to streams and rivers, but today hydromorphological alterations are considered increasingly implicated when lowland streams do not achieve good ecological status. Here, we explore if trait-abundance patterns of aquatic plants change along gradients in hydromorphological degradation and eutrophication in lowland stream sites located in Denmark. Specifically, we hypothesised that: i) changes in trait-abundance patterns occur along gradients in hydromorphological degradation and ii) trait-abundance patterns can serve to disentangle effects of eutrophication and hydromorphological degradation in lowland streams reflecting that the mechanisms behind changes differ. We used monitoring data from a total of 147 stream reaches with combined data on aquatic plant species abundance, catchment land use, hydromorphological alterations (i.e. planform, cross section, weed cutting) and water chemistry parameters. Traits related to life form, dispersal, reproduction and survival together with ecological preference values for nutrients and light (Ellenberg N and L) were allocated to 41 species representing 79% of the total species pool. We found clear evidence that habitat degradation (hydromorphological alterations and eutrophication) mediated selective changes in the trait-abundance patterns of the plant community. Specific traits could distinguish hydromorphological degradation (free-floating, surface; anchored floating leaves; anchored heterophylly) from eutrophication (free-floating, submerged; leaf area). We provide a conceptual framework for interpretation of how eutrophication and hydromorphological degradation interact and how this is reflected in trait-abundance patterns in aquatic plant communities in lowland streams. Our findings support the merit of trait-based approaches in biomonitoring as they shed light on mechanisms controlling structural changes under environmental stress. The ability to disentangle several stressors is particularly important in lowland stream environments where several stressors act in concert since the impact of the most important stressor can be targeted first, which is essential to improve the ecological status.

Fish assemblages in streams subject to anthropogenic disturbances along the natchez trace parkway, Mississippi, USA.

A three-year study (July 2000 - June 2003) of fish assemblages was conducted in four tributaries of the Big Black River: Big Bywy, Little Bywy, Middle Bywy and McCurtain creeks that cross the Natchez Trace Parkway, Choctaw County, Mississippi, USA. Little Bywy and Middle Bywy creeks were within watersheds influenced by the lignite mining. Big Bywy and Middle Bywy creeks were historically impacted by channelisation. McCurtain Creek was chosen as a reference (control) stream. Fish were collected using a portable backpack electrofishing unit (Smith-Root Inc., Washington, USA). Insectivorous fish dominated all of the streams. There were no pronounced differences in relative abundances of fishes among the streams (P > 0.05) but fish assemblages fluctuated seasonally. Although there were some differences among streams with regard to individual species, channelisation and lignite mining had no discernable adverse effects on functional components of fish assemblages suggesting that fishes in these systems are euryceous fluvial generalist species adapted to the variable environments of small stream ecosystems.