Geography and Sustainability:Message from Editor-in-Chief

We,Faculty of Geographical Science,Beijing Normal University,are pleased to announce the launch of Geography and Sustainability(GeoSus,ISSN2096-7438).GeoSus is an international,peer-reviewed,open access journal.It publishes original and significant,cutting-edge research related to geography and sustainability,encourages wider analysis and innovative thinking about global or regional sustainability through the bridging and synthesis of physical geography,human geography,ecology,hydrology,atmospheric,climate and social sciences.     

Environmental quality indicators: where to from here?

Environmental or land quality indicators are being developed internationally as a means whereby the ‘State of the Environment’ (SoE) can be assessed and trends monitored. In Australia, the use of indicators in SoE reporting is in its early stages of development. Indicators have been developed, in relation to agriculture, for flora and fauna, soil, chemical contamination, surface waters and groundwater. Internationally, the World Bank has listed ‘indicators of pressure’ on the land, ‘indicators of state and impact’, and ‘indicators of response’ for each of seven major issues of land degradation. Late in 1996, an ‘indicators of catchment health’ workshop in Australia identified a relatively small number of key indicators relating to farm productivity, soil health, water quality and ‘landscape integrity’, later adding social indicators, and also distinguishing between indicators at farm and catchment scales. A broad range of other indicators was also considered by various participants in the workshop, which concluded by supporting a nationally co‐ordinated effort and the establishment of a national steering committee. Although most indicators are static measures, those from which predictions can be made require a greater emphasis on the functioning of the system. This implies that indicators are only one aspect of system modelling, and that environmental or land assessment needs to progress further than the search for quality indicators. Since this involves both biophysical and human processes, geographers should be playing a central role.     

Will the Russians return from the near abroad?

The author "examines a range of issues surrounding the involuntary migration of Russian populations from the non-Russian republics of the former USSR. Among the questions addressed are possible magnitudes of in-migration into Russia (with special attention paid to conditions in one of the major source regions, Central Asia), attitudes in Russia regarding appropriate policy with respect to treatment of co-nationals in the near abroad and whether their return to Russia would have a positive or negative impact, and conditions in areas of Russia that presently are absorbing the greatest numbers of migrants. The assertion that Russian policy should seek aggressively to prevent the out-migration of Russian populations [from] the near abroad is assessed critically."     

Determinants of microregional agricultural labour productivity – Evidence from Czechia

In this paper we aimed to explain differences in agricultural labour productivity at microregional level. We tested the effects of three major independent variables – farmland fragmentation, urbanization economies and farm size structure with particular emphasis on the relationship between land-use fragmentation and microregional differences in agricultural labour productivity. Our principal question therefore was if higher agricultural labour productivity at microregional level is associated with internal scale economies resulting from large average farm size (in terms of employment), proximity to large cities as a proxy for urbanization economies and lower levels of land-use fragmentation. We also asked if productivity gains from large average size of plots is higher than potential losses resulting from land tenure (tenants are generally less productive than farmland owners). Drawing on a case study of Czechia – a country with extremely fragmented farmland ownership, but the largest average size of plots in the EU and a strong role of farmland rental market – we confirmed our initial expectation that land-use fragmentation affects negatively microregional agricultural labour productivity. Larger average size of plots is positively related to microregional agricultural labour productivity despite potentially negative effects of land tenure. At the same time, no significant effects of urbanization economies and farm size structure were documented.     

Gentrification in the American heartland? Evidence from Oklahoma City

Past research on gentrification has focused overwhelmingly on older, postindustrial cities, bypassing urban areas with other morphologies and demographic characteristics. In this paper, we address this gap by applying the analytical tools used to examine gentrification in postindustrial cities to a less conventional setting: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, a younger, sprawling, mid-sized American city. In 1993, voters passed a sales tax initiative designed to transform Bricktown, a depopulated rail and manufacturing neighborhood near the city’s center. This study examines the subsequent physical and cultural makeover of the area surrounding Bricktown by analyzing traditional gentrification variables, like income, household size, property values, and education. To these indicators, we add several additional variables, including business and restaurant types, which help illustrate shifting consumer preferences and the spatial change in businesses aimed at people in different income brackets.     

A ~ 40-year paleoenvironmental record from the Swan Oxbow,Yangtze River,China, inferred from testate amoebae and sedimentary pigments

Journal of Paleolimnology - We present a?~?40–year record of environmental change in the Swan Oxbow, Yangtze River, China, inferred from testate amoeba and sedimentary pigment...     

Governing Large Carnivores—Comparative Insights from Three Different Countries

The governance of large carnivores is often surrounded by conflicts. Along with the difficulties of governing large carnivores through centralized, top-down governing and a general shift towards participatory approaches in natural resource governance, this has led many countries to establish various collaborative measures in large carnivore governance – often presented as a catch-all solution to problems of legitimacy, democratic deficit and effectiveness. However, the field of large carnivore governance currently lacks a coherent understanding of strengths and weaknesses of different kinds of collaborative arrangements. In this paper, we address this knowledge gap. Using the framework of modes of governance to categorize and compare the governance of large carnivores in Norway, Sweden and Finland, we discuss the potential and limitations of various governance modes and identify gaps in contemporary research literature. The main conclusion is that all three governance systems need to incorporate more interactive governance elements.     

Becoming a creative city: perspectives from Augustus’ Rome

The creative city discourse has been shaping cultural policy worldwide. Among the multifaceted goals highlighted by scholars, one aspect that is not thoroughly emphasized is the understanding of creative cities in terms of culture-centric approaches to foster city cohesion. In this paper, I study the value of focusing the idea of the creative city to integrate diverse communities in a historic context: the city of Rome during the reign of Augustus. The aim is to provide a broader historic frame of reference to better articulate the function of the creative city discourse. Through the analysis of primary and secondary literature in Ancient Studies, I highlight three aspects of Augustus’ remaking of Rome: integration, spectacles, and beauty. From these aspects, what emerges is the idea of a creative city as a vital and spectacular place that offers access to arts and culture involving the diversity of the population, presenting a wide range of art forms, and enhancing the beauty of the built space.     

Forest phenological patterns of Northeas China inferred from MODIS data

The role of remote sensing in phenological studies is increasingly regarded as a key to understand large area seasonal phenomena. This paper describes the application of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) time series data for forest phenological patterns. The forest phenological phase of Northeast China (NE China) and its spatial characteristics were inferred using 1-km 10-day MODIS normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) datasets of 2002. The threshold-based method was used to estimate three key forest phenological variables, which are the start of growing season (SOS), the end of growing season (EOS) and growing season length (GSL).Then the spatial patterns of forest phenological variables of NE China were mapped and analyzed. The derived phenological variables were validated by the field observed data from published papers in the same study area. Results indicate that forest phenological phase from MODIS data is comparable with the observed data. As the derived forest phenological pattern is related to forest type distribution, it is helpful to discriminate between forest types.     

Palaeoecology of Holocene peat deposits from Nordvestø, north-west Greenland

Two extensive peat deposits on Nordvestø, between Greenland and Canada, were examined for macroscopic remains of plants and animals. One of the peat deposits accumulated during the period from c. 7,100 to 5,100 cal. years BP. This peat is guanogenic and completely dominated by the coprophilous bryophyte Aplodon wormskioldii, and also contains frequent remains of feathers. The peat formed close to a large former sea bird colony, probably a puffin (Fratercula arctica) colony. Puffins are now rare in the region, but the population may have been larger during the mid Holocene, when the sea was ice-free for a longer period than at present. The other peat deposit is dated to c. 9,300–7,400 cal. years BP, it is minerogenic and the macrofossils reflect deposition in a shallow, richly vegetated pond. This peat formed during warmer summers than at present.     

A 16-ka lake-level record inferred from macrofossils in a sediment core from Genggahai Lake, northeastern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (China)

Genggahai Lake, a small, shallow water body on the northeastern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, is presently occupied by dense aquatic vegetation. The distribution of macrophytes is strongly associated with water depth. Macrofossils from a 7.82-m sediment core indicate that the dominant taxa in past aquatic plant communities were almost the same as those that dominate the lake today. In combination with sediment geochemical variables TOC, TN, and δ¹³C_bulk-org, macrofossil assemblages (aquatic plant remains, stem encrustations, and mollusc shells) were employed to reconstruct lake-level fluctuations over the past 16 ka. The lake formed or refilled at 15.3 cal ka and sustained a low level until 11.4 cal ka. From 11.4 to 6.3 cal ka, a remarkably high level was punctuated by a period of relatively low level between 9.2 and 7.4 cal ka. Stepwise drops in lake level occurred from 6.3 to 5.5 cal ka. Water level was characterized by more frequent fluctuations between 5.5 and 4.1 cal ka. Low level persisted from 4.1 to 2.1 cal ka and from 1.6 to 0.3 cal ka. Short-lived episodes of high water level were centered around 1.8 cal ka and since 0.3 cal ka. The lake-level history of Genggahai Lake appears to be largely consistent with the Asian monsoon records from nearby and distant locations. Our preliminary results suggest that monsoon variability on centennial to millennial timescales was superimposed on the long-term pattern of the Asian monsoon, modulated by orbitally induced summer insolation, and that the Asian monsoon may play an important role in water balance in marginal regions.     

Climate changes during the last glacial termination inferred from diatom-based temperatures and pollen in a sediment core from Längsee (Austria)

A sediment core section from Längsee, a small meromictic lake in the southern Alpine lowland (Carinthia, Austria) close to the Würmian ice margin, was investigated by means of diatoms and pollen. The main aims of the study were to reconstruct water temperature as a signal of climate change during the last glacial termination, compare the aquatic and terrestrial response to the changing climate, and place our findings into a climatic frame on the northern hemispheric scale. A calibration data set (ALPS06) of 116 lakes was constructed using data from newly studied lakes and from two previously published data sets and we established a transfer function for predicting summer epilimnetic water temperatures (SEWT). A locally weighted weighted average regression and calibration model (R _jack ²  = 0.89; RSMEP = 1.82°C) was applied to the fossil diatom assemblages in order to reconstruct SEWT. Three major sections were distinguished in the time window of approximately 19–13 cal ka BP, which fitted well with the oxygen isotope curve and the isotope-event stratigraphy from the Greenland ice-core GRIP. The first section was a warming period (SEWT range from 11.6 to 18.0°C; average 15.8°C = ca. 6°C below present) called the Längsee oscillation, which probably correlates with the warmer sub-section (GS-2b) of the Greenland Stadial 2. The subsequent section represents a climate cooling, called the Längsee cold period (SEWT range between 10.6 and 15.9°C; average 12.9°C), which probably corresponds with the sub-section GS-2a of the Greenland Stadial 2, the Heinrich 1 cold event of the North Atlantic, and partially the Gschnitz Stadial in the Alps. The Längsee cold period shows a tri-partition: Two colder phases are separated by a warmer inter-phase. The passive ordination of the core sample scores along maximum water depth indicated that the Längsee cold period was drier than the Längsee oscillation. Strong short-term fluctuations during the Längsee oscillation and the Längsee cold period indicate climate instability. The third section represented climate warming during the Längsee late glacial interstadial (=Greenland Interstadial 1, GI-1) with an average SEWT of 17.5°C. From the minor climatic fluctuations during this interstadial, mainly indicated by pollen, the fluctuation most likely related to the Gerzensee oscillation showed a SEWT decline. During the early immigration and expansion period of shrubs and trees, aquatic and terrestrial records showed distinct discrepancies that might have arose because of time lags in response and differences in sensitivity.     

Pollution history from 256 BC to AD 2005 inferred from the accumulation of elements in a varve record of Lake Korttajärvi in Finland

In order to assess the importance of different pollution sources for the increase in element concentration and accumulation, historical changes in selected elements were studied in the annually laminated sediment of Lake Korttajärvi in Central Finland (62°20′N; 25°41′E). The sediment chronology based on varve counting (256 BC to AD 2005) provided a unique opportunity to explore and date signals of metal emissions, including the ancient metallurgical activities of the Roman Empire at the beginning of the Current Era. Records of this kind are mostly lacking in Finland and northernmost Europe. The stratigraphic sequence of element concentrations did not reflect any major changes in the lake, but changes in element accumulation rates provided distinct pollution signals caused by airborne fallout, catchment erosion, and to some extent municipal wastewater loading. The maximum bulk sedimentation recorded in the twentieth century was 11-fold and organic sedimentation 4-fold higher than the mean background sedimentation rate (256 BC to AD 1019). The increase in the accumulation rates of the majority of the elements, such as Cd, Sn, Pb, Si, Ni, B, Cu, Zn, Sr, Na, K, Sb, Ca, Cr, U and Mg, in descending order, was at least equal to that of bulk sedimentation or much greater, especially for Cd, Sn, and Pb. Changes in the accumulation of Co, Fe, Mn, Mo and As were small and mainly followed those of organic sedimentation. The earliest pollution signals were those of Pb recorded in AD 1055–1141. A weak signal of Pb pollution from the Roman Era was detected in metal concentrations, but this could not be confirmed by the accumulation rate data for Pb.     

Suspended Sediment Yield from the Ansager Å river basin,Denmark

Geografisk Tidsskrift, Danish Journal of Geography 98: 38–45.

Water samples have been collected since 1969, at the Lavborg Bridge gauging station, on the river Ansager Å in South-West Jutland. Different regression equations of concentration versus discharge have been tested. The regression equations are used together with daily discharges to compute the daily suspended loads. Comparisons between measured and computedloads for different periods when water samples were taken twice a day suggest that the 25 computed annual load values have an uncertainty of less than ± 10%. The variation in annual loads shown is therefore significant and probably caused by increased rainfall in the eigthies. The average total suspended sediment yield for the 25 year period was 7 t/km²/year, of which the organic load contributed 3.2 t/km²/year.     

Glacial changes in the Gangdisê Mountains from 1970 to 2016

Based on the revised First Chinese Glacier Inventory(FCGI), the Second Chinese Glacier Inventory(SCGI) and Landsat OLI images for 2015–2016, we analyzed the spatial-temporal variation characteristics of glaciers in the Gangdisê Mountains from 1970 to 2016. The results showed that there were 3953 glaciers with a total area of 1306.45 km~2 and ice volume of ～58.16 km~3 in the Gangdisê Mountains in 2015–2016. Glaciers with sizes of 0.1–5 km~2 and 0.5 km~2 accounted for the largest area and the most amounts of glaciers in the Gangdisê Mountains, respectively. Over the past five decades, the area of glaciers in the Gangdisê Mountains decreased by 854.05 km~2(-1.09%·a~(-1)), accounting for 39.53% of the total glacier area in 1970. The increase in temperature during the ablation period was the most important cause for glacier retreat. Compared to other mountains in western China, the Gangdisê Mountains have experienced the strongest glacial retreat, and the rate of recession has increased in recent years. The decrease of glacier area was mainly concentrated at elevations of 5600–6100 m, and no change in glacier area was observed at elevations above 6500 m. The number and area of glaciers decreased in all orientations in the Gangdisê Mountains except for south-and southeast-oriented glaciers. Among them, north-oriented glaciers suffered the largest loss of glacier area, while glacier retreat saw the fastest in northwest-oriented glaciers. The rate of glacier retreat increased from west to east in the Gangdisê Mountains. The relative rate of glacier area change was the highest in the eastern section of the Gangdisê Mountains(-1.72%·a~(-1)), followed by the middle section(-1.67%·a~(-1)) and the western section(–0.83%·a~(-1)).     

Glaciochemical records from Naimona’Nyi ice core in the Himalayas

Chemical records in ice and snow from polar ice sheets or mountain glacier can provide information about atmospheric composition, climate and environmental changes. Using glaciochemical records, the source of dust and moisture, and changes of atmospheric …     

Trump's America or the People's America? A View from the Periphery

My overarching argument in this article is that the United States is no different than any other country in the world in that its population has elected good leaders and bad. As in other places, global and national neoliberal economic reforms have affected the U.S. economy, hallowing out the manufacturing sector, shrinking government and social safety nets, and fostering income inequality. This has left various U.S. publics struggling to make ends meet and vulnerable to demagoguery. Although the country prides itself on the strength of its institutions, institutions are no more than social contracts that need to be assiduously maintained by civil society. Although there is a strong “ivory tower” tradition in U.S. academe, the republic needs scholars—acting as public intellectuals—to fully participate in civic debates if it is to have a sufficiently robust civil society that maintains and defends its democracy and institutions. This article is divided into three sections. First, I briefly review the Trump administration's proposals for international development and diplomacy, giving particular attention to these issues in the African context. Second, I present an argument for why the United States needs public intellectuals now more than ever. Third, I share some concrete advice on how geographers might better connect with various publics.