Why does the Kuroshio northeast of Taiwan shift shelfward in winter?

Observations indicate that off the northeastern coast of Taiwan a branch of the Kuroshio intrudes farther northward in winter onto the shelf of the East China Sea. We demonstrate that this seasonal shift can be explained solely by winter cooling. Cooling produces downslope flux of dense shelf water that is compensated by shelfward intrusion. Parabathic isopycnals steepen eastward in winter and couple with the cross-shelf topographic slope (the “JEBAR” effect) to balance the enhanced intrusion. The downslope flow also increases vortex stretching and decreases the thickness of the inertial boundary layer, resulting in a Kuroshio that shifts closer to the shelf break.     

Analysis of geomorphologic and hydrological characteristics in watershed saturated areas using topographic‐index threshold and geomorphology‐based runoff model

The objective of this paper is to investigate the variation of geomorphology and runoff characteristics in saturated areas under different partial contributing area (PCA) conditions. Geomorphologic information and hydrologic records from two mid‐size watersheds in northern Taiwan were selected for analysis. The PCA ratio in the watershed during a storm was assumed equal to the ratio of the surface‐flow volume to the direct runoff volume from measured hydrologic data. The extents of PCA regions were then determined by using a topographic‐index threshold. Consequently, the geomorphologic factors in saturated and unsaturated areas could be calculated using a digital elevation model, and these factors could then be linked to a geomorphology‐based IUH model for runoff simulation, which can consider both the surface‐ and subsurface‐flow processes in saturated and unsaturated areas, respectively. The results show that geomorphologic characteristics in the saturated areas vary significantly with different PCA ratios especially for higher order streams. A large PCA ratio results in a sharp hydrograph because the quick surface flow dominates the runoff process, whereas the hydrologic response in a low PCA case is dominated by the delayed subsurface flow. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dynamic analysis of sliding structures with unsynchronized support motions

The dynamic analysis of sliding structures is complicated due to the presence of friction. Synchronization of the kinematics of all the isolation bearings is often granted to simplify the task. This, however, may lead to inaccurate prediction of the structural responses under certain circumstances. Stepped structures or continuous bridges with seismic isolation are notable examples where unsynchronized bearing motions are expected. In this paper, a logically simple and numerically efficient procedure is proposed to solve the dynamic problem of sliding systems with unsynchronized support motions. The motion equations for the sliding and non‐sliding modes of the isolated structure are unified into a single equation that is represented as a difference equation in a discrete‐time state‐space form and the base shear forces between the sliding interfaces can be determined through simple matrix algebraic analysis. The responses of the sliding structure can be obtained recursively from the discrete‐time version of the motion equation with constant integration time step even during the transitions between the non‐sliding and sliding phases. Therefore, both accuracy and efficiency in the dynamic analysis of the highly non‐linear system can be enhanced to a large extent. Rigorous assessment of seismic structures with unsynchronized support motions has been carried out for both a stepped structure and a continuous bridge. Effectiveness of friction pendulum bearings for earthquake protection of such structures has been verified. Moreover, evident unsynchronized sliding motions of the friction bearings have been observed, confirming the necessity to deal with each of the bearings independently in the analytical model. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Using differential SAR interferometry to map land subsidence: a case study in the Pingtung Plain of SW Taiwan

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry (InSAR) is a geodetic tool widely applied in the studies of earth-surface deformation. This technique has the benefits of high spatial resolution and centimetre-scale accuracy. Differential SAR interferometry (DInSAR) is used to measure ground deformation with repeat-pass SAR images. This study applied DInSAR and persistent scatterers InSAR (PSInSAR) for detecting land subsidence in the Pingtung Plain, southern Taiwan, between 1995 and 2000. In recent years, serious land subsidence occurred along coastal regions of Taiwan as a consequence of over-pumping of underground water. Results of this study revealed that the critical subsidence region is located on the coast near the estuary of Linpien River. It is also found that subsidence was significantly higher during the dry season than the wet season. The maximum annual subsidence rate of the dry season is up to −11.51 cm/year in critical subsidence region and the vertical land movement rate is much slower during the wet season. The average subsidence rates in wet and dry seasons are −0.31 and −3.37 cm/year, respectively. As a result, the subsidence rate in dry seasons is about 3 cm larger than in wet seasons.     

Fine‐scale spatial variability of throughfall amount and isotopic composition under a hardwood forest canopy

Stable isotopes of water can give clues to the physical processes of forest canopy interception. We examined whether fine‐scale canopy structure is related to throughfall amount and isotopic variation by intensively quantifying both throughfall and canopy structure in a broadleaf, deciduous forest in Louisiana, USA. Local throughfall amount was correlated with canopy structure quantified as distance to the nearest tree, local crown coverage, and local crown length; isotopic composition was also correlated with the same variables but weakly. Spatial patterns of throughfall amount showed some consistency across storms, but spatial patterns of stable isotopes were much weaker and inconsistent. Spatial autocorrelation was consistent in throughfall amount across events, which suggests fixed controls over patterning of throughfall to the forest floor by the canopy. In contrast, lower spatial and temporal autocorrelation in isotopic composition suggested temporally varying controls over patterning, and that routing through the canopy, intra‐storm isotopic variation of rainfall, isotopic exchange, and evaporation interacted to affect the stable isotopic composition. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of basin storage–discharge sensitivity in Taiwan using low‐flow recession analysis

Sensitivity analysis of the hydrological behaviour of basins has mainly focused on the correlation between streamflow and climate, ignoring the uncertainty of future climate and not utilizing complex hydrological models. However, groundwater storage is affected by climatic change and human activities. The streamflow of many basins is primarily sourced from the natural discharge of aquifers in upstream regions. The correlation between streamflow and groundwater storage has not been thoroughly discussed. In this study, the storage–discharge sensitivity of 22 basins in Taiwan was investigated by means of daily streamflow and rainfall data obtained over more than 30 years. The relationship between storage and discharge variance was evaluated using low‐flow recession analysis and a water balance equation that ignores the influence of rainfall and evapotranspiration. Based on the obtained storage–discharge sensitivity, this study explored whether the water storage and discharge behaviour of the studied basins is susceptible to climate change or human activities and discusses the regional differences in storage–discharge sensitivity. The results showed that the average storage–discharge sensitivities were 0.056 and 0.162 mm^?1 in the northern and southern regions of Taiwan, respectively. In the central and eastern regions, the values were both 0.020 mm^?1. The storage–discharge sensitivity was very high in the southern region. The regional differences in storage–discharge sensitivity with similar climate conditions are primarily due to differences in aquifer properties. Based on the recession curve, other factors responsible for these differences include land utilization, land coverage, and rainfall patterns during dry and wet seasons. These factors lead to differences in groundwater recharge and thus to regional differences in storage–discharge sensitivity.     

Investigation of the impacts of vegetation distribution and evaporative cooling on synthetic urban daytime climate using a coupled LES—LSM model

Local flow properties and regional weather or climate are strongly affected by land‐atmosphere interactions of momentum and scalars within the daytime convective boundary layer (CBL). In this study, we investigate the impact of green space scale on the daytime atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) over a synthetic urban domain using a recently developed large‐eddy simulation‐land surface model (LES–LSM) framework. With the use of realistic soundings as initial conditions, a series of numerical experiments over synthetic urban surfaces with varied scale of vegetated area is performed. Simulated micrometeorological properties, surface fluxes, basic CBL characteristics, and cloud distribution are analysed. The results show reference‐level air potential temperature and specific humidity as well as surface fluxes over green space are significantly affected by the scale of green space in the urban domain. The surface organization due to vegetated area scale also has impacts on horizontally averaged scalar and momentum profiles; however, the magnitude in this study is smaller than the results of a previous study using a set of offline surface fluxes as the lower boundary condition for LES. In addition, even though this study only performs a daytime diurnal cycle, the impact of green space scale on cloud distribution in simulations is significant. The cases with more organized green space yield lower‐elevated cumulus cloud and larger‐cloud cover fraction, which impacts the energy budget at the top of boundary layer and, in turn, could lead to additional surface cooling with respect to longer‐term weather and climate. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Using Lego NXT to explore scientific literacy in disaster prevention and rescue systems

This study explores the effectiveness of disaster prevention programs using NXT control techniques. The purpose of the cultivation of scientific literacy is to develop a more rational, scientific perspective on the current social changes and the impact of natural disasters. Using NXT as an effective scientific tool to support science education, we can further explore science education for the development of scientific literacy. The expectation confirmation model and technology acceptance model are used to explain the effect of technology products on the user??s satisfaction and intention. However, for the interpretation of scientific literacy, there is a lack of environmental and cognitive factors. So we combine social cognitive theory with social and scientific theories in our exploration of the use of NXT for the dominant effect of scientific literacy. The results demonstrate that users?? self-efficacy and the ease of use of NXT have low significance on use of scientific tools, but, at the end, it did not affect the user wishes. The interactions of NXT features and climate are the main causes of enhanced user intentions. Therefore, environmental factors are identified as an important reason for the development of scientific literacy. The results of this study on scientific literacy stimulate more directions for discussion.