Influencing factors of households disadvantaged in post-earthquake life recovery: a case study of the Wenchuan earthquake in China

Natural Hazards - Post-disaster recovery plans and policies can be better made after understanding which households are in the greatest need of help and support in post-disaster life recovery. In...     

Ageing,migration and familial support in rural China

Accelerated by economic reforms, a large scale migration of younger workers from rural to urban China has taken place since the 1990s. This has separated many adult children from their ageing parents and imposed significant challenges on traditional patterns of familial support for rural older people. These challenges are augmented by the fact that in rural China the elderly have been deprived a state pension and other welfare provisions available to urban residents.Drawing upon qualitative data from a project on ageing in rural China, this article examines the agency of older people and their families in responding to geographical separation resulting from the migration of the economically active to the cities. Through 32 life history interviews with multiple generations of nine households in one rural village, this article sheds light on the resilience and flexibility of rural households which have experienced migration and highlights the webs of interdependence that feature in the daily strategies of householding. It shows how members of the household across different geographical locations worked together to build and maintain the collective welfare of the family. In particular, this article argues that it would be over simplistic to suggest that migration is always detrimental to the older generation who stay behind. Contrary to assumptions in some migration studies and ageing literature in China, it shows that it is the breakdown of the webs of interdependence and reciprocity rather than the event of migration that will have inevitable negative effects upon old age care for the seniors in the household. Further, while highlighting the significance of householding, this article reveals the internal dynamics within a household. It identifies the role of gender in daily householding and suggests that the caring, supportive and kin-keeping roles performed mainly by women played a critical role in ensuring social and physical reproduction across generations. The article finds that while daughters took over some responsibilities which were traditionally expected from their brothers and sisters-in-law in old age support, the persistence of gendered practices and traditions in rural villages allowed sons more symbolic status and material benefits.     

Fractured-karst spring-flow protections: a case study in Jinan, China

Jinan Springs are an important historical heritage in China and have been well known for hundreds of years. Over-abstraction of groundwater in the Jinan area has seriously endangered the hydrological system of the springs, which have stopped flowing for significant periods of time in recent years. A three-dimensional finite-element model programmed primarily at the Hefei University of Technology has been developed to simulate groundwater level change in the large fractured-karst aquifer system in the Jinan Springs field. Various spring protection plans have been explored and their effects on the water table analyzed and compared. It was found that the present rate of groundwater withdrawal from the fractured-karst system in this area was inappropriate for spring protection. The simulated results suggest that decreasing the rate of groundwater pumping from 6.9×10⁵ to 2.7×10⁵ m³/day is needed to protect spring flows. Additional water resource requirements in that area may be met by use of surface water and recycled waste water.     

Assessment of food security situation of the rural households: the case of Boricha Woreda of Sidama Zone,Ethiopia

GeoJournal - Identifying food security situation of a population or its subgroup that pursue its livelihoods under ongoing climatic change is of paramount policy importance. Since recent past,...     

柱状岩体崩塌动力特征与破碎规律

柱状岩体崩塌具有分布范围广、破坏能力强、影响范围大的特点。2004年8月12号,重庆甑子岩W12危岩体发生崩塌,崩塌体运动距离约600 m,形成显著超前空气冲击效应,激起浮尘高度约150 m。文章基于MatDEM离散元软件对甑子岩崩塌动力特征与破碎规律进行了研究,建立了按照实际节理分布的崩塌模型,实现了崩塌全过程的模拟,并结合影像资料验证了模型的有效性,在此基础上对MatDEM进行二次开发,统计分析了崩塌过程中岩块粒径演化规律,确定了崩塌过程中的四个显著颗粒破碎时刻,分别为崩塌源区底部岩体受压破碎、中上部岩体撞击低速三角区、中部岩体撞击斜坡地面与上部岩体撞击斜坡地面。引入分形维数与双参数Weibull分布模型分析了崩塌前后颗粒破碎规律,结果显示崩塌后颗粒破碎明显,细粒颗粒占比显著增加。文章为岩体崩塌的动力特征与破碎规律的研究提供了依据。     

Interregional migration in socialist countries: the case of China

This paper analyzes changing interregional migration in China and reveals that the recent eastward migration reverses patterns of migration under Mao. It finds that investment variables are more important than the conventional variables of income and job opportunities in determining China's recent interregional migration. It suggests that both state policy and the global force influence interregional migration, challenging the popular view that the socialist state is the only critical determinant. This paper also criticizes Mao's approach to interregional migration and discusses the impact of migration on development.     

Waterlogging induced loss and damage assessment of urban households in the monsoon period: a case study of Dhaka,Bangladesh

Natural Hazards - Every monsoon period, the households in Dhaka face extensive waterlogging in their localities. This recrudescing event leads to tangible and intangible losses in the lives of...     

Roof aquifer water abundance evaluation: a case study in Taigemiao,China

To ensure safe mining of the Taigemiao no. 3 mine field in Inner Mongolia, China, it is very important to make clear the roof aquifer water abundance distribution feature. On the basis of collecting the main controlling factors of aquifer water abundance from the geological and hydrogeological prospecting data of the study area, the no. 2 coal seam roof aquifer water abundance of Taigemiao no. 3 mine field was analyzed and evaluated using three methods. The first method is analytic hierarchy process (AHP)-type water-richness index method (AHP-type WIM) which is commonly used. But AHP is relatively subjective, so we trying to use a more objective method which is weighed gray relational degree method (WGRDM); this method mainly used pure data analyzing, it is better than AHP-type WIM but still not perfect, so the comprehensive weighted method (CWM) is put forward by adopting the advantage of the former two methods. In order to assess the accuracy rate of the three methods quantificationally, the evaluation results of the three methods are compared respectively with the measured unit water inflow which can directly reflect the aquifer water abundance, which shows that the WGRDM is more accurate than AHP-type WIM, and the CWM is more scientific and accurate in both weight calculation and water abundance grading. The superiority of CWM is more obvious when there are too many evaluation factors.     

The lived experience of preparing for earthquakes in households: a phenomenological psychological study

Natural Hazards - This phenomenological study aimed to explore the lived experiences of households after the installation of seismic hazard mitigation measures. Unlike studies aimed at identifying...     

乡村地质调查路径与支撑作用：以江苏仪征月塘为例

乡村综合地质调查是服务乡村振兴战略的基础工作。以江苏仪征月塘为例,结合乡村发展规划与需求,在研究区开展了国土空间利用现状调查、水土环境地质调查、特色自然资源调查、工程地质调查等综合地质调查工作,为乡村农田建设、特色自然资源开发利用、地质环境保护等提供地质依据与支撑,探索乡村地质调查路径,为今后构建乡村地质调查工作体系提供思路,延伸地质工作服务领域。     

Retailing in rural areas: A case study in Norfolk

In Britain the decline of facilities in rural settlements in the face of increasing urban dependence is becoming a major policy issue; despite high mobility, many people still lack access to essential facilities. This paper is based on fieldwork carried out mostly during 1976 in two rural areas of Norfolk, as part of a Government-sponsored study of rural transport and accessibility. It looks first at the pattern of shops and their location related to parish size, and then discusses levels of use in comparison with urban facilities, drawing on household activity surveys. The paper then analyses in depth the ownership and operation of village shops, using the results of a survey carried out among the proprietors of the shops in the two study areas, and also considers the issues that concern shopkeepers and villagers. Finally it notes changes over the past two years in the pattern of facilities and discusses the case of two villages. The implications for rural planning are examined, and the author concludes that development of rural settlements must be based on sensitive and local understanding, rather than directive blanket policies, if reasonable access to shops and similar facilities is to be retained.     

A generic decision model for developing concentrated rural settlement in post-disaster reconstruction: a China study

The increasing impacts of natural disasters on disadvantaged rural areas, especially in developing countries, have led to concerns regarding post-disaster rural settlement reconstruction. Various approaches, including resettlement and in-situ reconstruction, have been adopted, both of which disregard changing the pattern of dispersed settlement in villages. Against a pattern of dispersed settlement, developing a concentrated rural settlement (CRS) within a village is argued to enable the resilience of rural villages and provide a basis for sustainable development after a disaster. Nevertheless, this has received little attention when determining a plan of actions for post-disaster reconstruction. No specific guidelines can be referenced when developing CRS in post-disaster reconstruction due to the lack of a generic decision model. Therefore, this study examines the process of developing CRS in post-disaster reconstruction by mapping four cases selected in Dujiangyan, China, after the 5.12 Sichuan Earthquake in 2008. The examination leads to establishing a generic decision model for developing CRS in post-disaster reconstruction, which incorporates all the proficiencies embodied in the existing practices. This model provides an alternative tool for planning CRS in post-disaster reconstruction. It can also serve as a vehicle for identifying both effective practices and weak areas by comparing varying cases.     

Spatial distribution of heavy metals in soils: a case study of Changxing,China

Six hundred and sixty-five soil samples were taken from Changxing County in Zhejiang Province, China, to characterize the spatial variability of Hg Cd, Pb, Cu, As and Cr. The geostatistics and geographic information system (GIS) techniques were applied, and the ordinary kriging and lognormal kriging were used to map the spatial patterns of the six heavy metals. Hg, Pb, Cu and As were fitted to the spherical model with a range of 85.75, 82.32, 86.10, and 23.17 km, respectively. Cr was fitted to the exponential model with a range of 6.27 km, and Cd was fitted to the linear model with a range of 37.66 km. Both Pb and Cu had strong spatial dependence due to the effects of natural factors including parent material, topography and soil type. Hg, Cd, Cr and As had, however, moderate spatial dependence, indicating an involvement of human factors. Meanwhile, based on the comparison between the original data and the guide values of the six metals, the disjunctive kriging technique was used to quantify their pollution risks. The results showed that only Cd and Hg exhibited pollution risks in the study area. The pollution source evaluated was closely corresponded with the real discharge of industrial production and the application of organomercury pesticides. The results of this study provide insight into risk assessment of environmental pollution and decision making for agricultural production and industrial adjustment of building materials.     

Risk analysis for drought hazard in China: a case study in Huaibei Plain

In recent decades, risk management is significant to mitigate the severe status caused by droughts. As one of the primary components in risk analysis, drought hazard analysis is basic but important. In this paper, the framework of drought risk analysis and the methodology for drought hazard analysis are presented, and Huaibei Plain of China is chosen as the study area. The whole study region is divided into three parts (northern, central, and southern) by geographical factors, and a developed index named drought comprehensive Z index (DCZI) containing hydrological and meteorological factors is employed for drought hazard analysis in each area. By comparison, it implicates that DCZI is applicable for Huaibei Plain and indicates drought extent more objectively. Moreover, the results of drought hazard analysis reflect that the northern area is affected by droughts more seriously. As for the whole region, there is a great probability of severe drought. Finally, some policy recommendations on drought management are also made.     

Suitability analysis for topographic factors in loess landslide research: a case study of Gangu County,China

Loess Plateau is one of the ecologically fragile regions in China. It is one of the slippery strata of which landslides often developed. The formation and development of landslides are mainly affected by various natural environments, triggering factors, the vulnerability of landslide-bearing bodies, and topography has a controlling effect on landslides and determines landslide distribution. As important environmental elements, the selection and reclassification of topographic factors are the basis for loess landslide vulnerability map. In this study, our research suggests an effective workflow to select and analyze the topographic factors in the loess landslides. Nine hazard-formative environmental factors [e.g., slope, aspect, slope shape (SS), slope of slope (SOS), slope of aspect (SOA), surface amplitude (SA), surface roughness (SR), incision depth (ID) and elevation variation coefficient (EVC)] are prepared for landslide suitability analysis. The models of certainty factor, sensitivity index and correlation coefficient are combined to select and analyze the suitability of these factors. Four topographic factors (i.e., slope, SOS, SS and SR) were ultimately selected to carry out the landslide vulnerability mapping with other factors. Our results showed that most of the landslides were located in medium and high classes and accounting for 75.3%, and these places also coincided with higher economies and intense human activities. Our research also suggested that in situ measurements are necessary to determine how to reclassify these topographic factors and how many grades these topographic factors divided, which would further improve the reliability of landslide vulnerability map for the decision makers to deal with the possible future landslides in terms of safety and human activities.     

Method study on relative assessment for ecosystem service: a case of green space in Beijing, China

Ecosystem service assessment methods are commonly based on converting absolute service values into a monetary or energy equivalent. However, the absolute assessment value is always much higher than market price and dramatically different by different estimators. In fact, the purpose of regional ecosystem service assessments is mainly to recognize the superiority and vulnerability of the local ecosystems and explore the potential for ecological construction. Therefore, this study promotes the concept of the ideal forest equivalent and uses it as a reference point to measure the relative value of ecosystem service. A case study of Beijing was conducted ecosystem service using this relative assessment method on the support of geographic information systems (GIS) software platform. The basic data included remote sensing data, digital elevation map (DEM), a land use map, socioeconomic statistics, and climate data. The assessment results were as follows: (1) the ecosystem service for the Beijing green space was 555,234 ideal forest equivalents, which correspond to 36.38 % of the ideal forest cover in the area; (2) forest exhibited the largest proportion of service functions, which was followed by wetlands, gardens and farmland; (3) the distribution rule of comprehensive ecosystem service value was indicated; and (4) the Beijing region has the potential to improve and increase green space service functions. Finally, the results of this study recommend relevant countermeasures to ecological construction.     

基于GIS和本底因素贡献权重模型的区域滑坡危险性评价——以重庆万州为例

滑坡危险性评价是滑坡风险管理的重要内容和基础,其结果的好坏直接影响到管理的成效.在目前全国还没有统一评价方法和体系的情况下,以重庆市万州区为研究区域,利用一种物理意义明确并且易于操作的评价模型--本底因素贡献权重模型,在GIS软件中进行滑坡危险性评价.经过检验符合实际情况:高危险度区占全区面积的22.3%:中危险度区占全区面积的40.7%;低危险度区占全区面积的37.0%;高、中危险度区所包含的滑坡个数占到全区滑坡总数的77.6%.     

Applying fuzzy logic to open data for sustainable development decision-making: a case study of the planned city Amaravati

Surf zone injuries (SZIs) are common worldwide, yet limited data are available for many geographical regions, including Europe. This study provides the first preliminary overview of SZIs along approximately 230 km of hazardous surf beaches in SW France during the summer season. A total of 2523 SZIs over 186 sample days during the summers of 2007, 2009 and 2015 were analysed. Documented injury data included date and time; beach location; flag colour; outside/inside of the bathing zone; age, gender, country and home postal code of the victim; activity; cause of injury; injury type and severity. Injuries sustained ranged from mild contusion to fatal drowning, including severe spinal injuries, wounds and luxation. While the most severe injuries (drowning) were related to rip currents, a large number of SZIs occurred as a result of shore-break waves (44.6%; n = 1125) and surfing activity (31.0%; n = 783) primarily inside and outside of lifeguard-patrolled bathing zones, respectively. Victims were primarily French living more than 40 km from the beach (75.9% of the reported addresses; n = 1729), although a substantial number of victims originated from Europe (14.7% of the addresses reported; n = 335), including the Netherlands (44.2%; n = 148), Germany (26.3%; n = 88) and Belgium (12.5%; n = 49). The predominant age group involved in the incidents was between 10 and 25 years (54.5%; n = 1376) followed by between 35 and 50 years (22.6%; n = 570), with the majority of SZIs involving males (69.6%, n = 1617). Despite the large predominance (74.1%; n = 33) of males involved in the most severe drowning incidents, all of which occurred outside the bathing zone, a surprisingly large proportion of females (48.0%; n = 133) experienced milder drowning incidents involving only minor to moderate respiratory impairment, peaking at 58.2% (n = 85) within the age group 10–25. The spine/cervical injury population is very young, with 58.5% (n = 313) within the age group 10–20. Specific injuries tended to occur in clusters (e.g. rip-current drowning or shore-break injury) with particular days prone to rip-current drowning or hazardous shore-break waves, suggesting the potential to predict the level of risk to beachgoers based on basic weather and marine conditions. This study calls for increased social-based beach safety research in France and the development of more effective public awareness campaigns to highlight the surf zone hazards, even within a supervised bathing zone. These campaigns should be targeted towards young males and females, in order to reduce the number of injuries and drownings occurring on beaches in SW France.     

搬迁农户生计策略与土地利用行为耦合协调度分析--以贵州省习水县为例

易地扶贫搬迁改变了搬迁农户生计策略,同时影响了其土地利用行为,二者之间的耦合协调度直接影响着农户的可持续生计。本文以贵州省习水县易地搬迁农户调研数据为基础,构建以农户生计策略和土地利用行为为子系统的耦合协调度模型,分析2个子系统之间的耦合关系和耦合协调关系。研究表明:纯农型农户、农兼型农户、兼农型农户生计策略与土地利用行为之间的耦合度值介于0.4~0.5之间,水平较低,处于拮抗状态;不同类型农户生计策略与土地利用行为系统耦合协调度值均处于0.39~0.49之间,处于濒临失调阶段,存在较大优化空间;传统的农业生产形式对于改善农户生计无明显效果,引导农户向专业农业型农户转变对于促进移民安置区“人地系统”协调发展大有裨益。研究结果可为农户生计与土地利用的可持续发展提供理论依据。