Energy needs,tasks and resources in the Sahel: Relevance to woodstoves programmes

This article reviews the wood fuels situation in the Sahel and the findings of various needs assessment methodologies, especially as these are relevant to the numerous programmes to introduce improved cooking technologies in the region. Most people in West Africa, especially in poor and rural areas, rely primarily on wood fuels and crop wastes for energy needs, with devastating environmental consequences. Most wood is used in cooking. The quantity of fuel used depends on the type of fireplace, utensils used, how and when food is prepared, food preparation methods, types of fuels, how fuelwood is collected, and special customs surrounding the family fire — all of which are intimately associated with the economic, cultural and social fabric of Sahelian societies. Conventional fuel consumption and resource surveys have yielded useful information about quantitative energy needs in the Sahel, but increasingly sociocultural studies are being used to ensure that stove designs will meet the needs of the end-user. Economic analssis is also necessary to establish the dimensions of wood scarcity, to assess the financial attractiveness to consumers of alternative fuels and stoves, and in evaluating the costs and benefits to society of proposed national woodstoves programmes.     

The Fuelwood Crisis in Southern Africa — Relating Fuelwood Use to Livelihoods in a Rural Village

The aim of the paper is to examine wood as a source of fuel energy in rural South Africa and factors influencing its usage. The analysis is based on household profiles and characteristics (e.g., gender, caste, population and income) in a livelihood framework. Fuelwood consumption was estimated to be 692 kg/capita, and 4343 kg/user household per annum, valued at $311 per household. Consumption was modelled in relation to informal and formal cash incomes, and population of children, female and male adults. However, only the population of female adults could significantly influence consumption of fuelwood. This implied that where there were more women in a household, consumption was likely to be high. This might be due to the majority of women doing the cooking and heating in the household. Any change in the value of cash income of households had no significant impacts on fuelwood consumed. Cash incomes might therefore not be strong determinants of the types of energy used by rural households. The average quantity of wood consumed for fuel energy in summer was not significantly different from consumption in winter. Some households perpetually used more wood than others. The study further showed that harvesting of wood for fuel energy is not opportunistic, but requires reallocation of time for other livelihood activities in times of shortage. The fuelwood crisis is not simple and not only about shortage of fuelwood and/or population growth but linked to household profiles and other livelihood strategies and subsequently vulnerability of households. These would require thorough investigation and understanding in relation to precise demand and supply data for fuelwood before the fuelwood problem can be sufficiently managed. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Is there a fuelwood crisis in rural Mali?

The study takes a conventional supply and demand approach to the study of fuelwood use. It compares estimated wood production in West African bush and forest formations based on an available equation using rainfall data with own collected data on local wood consumption in a village in southern Mali. To allow comparison, data from 49 other villages in the same area are analysed. This study, toget her with an earlier study in northern Mali, indicates that locally induced deforestation caused by fuelwood use does not represent an immediate problem in rural Mali. Local use of fuelwood does not seem to be exceeding forest regeneration. However, where there is external pressure on the forest represented by commercial exploitation of wood for sale in the urban centres, fuelwood depletion might occur.     

近10年来沙漠-黄土边界带荒漠化土地动态分析--以陕北榆林地区为例

沙漠-黄土边界带生态环境脆弱,对气候变化和人类活动反应敏感。近10年来,榆林地区由于重视沙漠化的防治工作,沙漠化出现逆转态势,但是其潜在威胁不容忽视。水蚀荒漠化状况依然比较严重。应当进行积极有效的防治。荒漠化是一个自然过程。荒漠化加速发展是在脆弱的生态环境基础上,由于人类不合理的土地和水资源利用方式而诱发的。应当处理好人口、资源和环境三者之间的关系,走社会经济可持续发展之路。     

Desertification in the Butana

Within the project Morphodynamic Processes and Desertification of the Academy of Sciences in Göttingen, research has been carried out on the desertification of the Butana region in the Sahel of the Rep. of Sudan. The abolition of traditional rights of land use, with the resulting disorganized utilization of grazing lands and the self-generated sedentarization of many formerly nomadic groups, has led to a rapid desertification of the Butana, which was further accelerated by the droughts of the eighties. The combination of substratum and climatic conditions has diversified the extent of site degradation, with an accelerated development of dunes and badlands taking place due to severe vegetation transformation in areas with permanent water supply or with sandy soils.     

关于喀斯特石漠化类型划分问题的探讨

喀斯特石漠化是一种比较特殊的荒漠化类型,我国石漠化研究时间短、涉及学科多、跨部门、跨行业,目前还存在诸多的问题和难点有待进一步深入研究。文章简述了石漠化的发展与研究历程,列举了对喀斯特石漠化科学内涵的代表性观点。针对喀斯特石漠化类型划分问题,综述了目前的分类评价研究现状与进展,指出了其中存在的问题与不足,认为这从一定程度上制约了理论研究以及实践应用的发展。喀斯特石漠化类型的划分应以其成因为基础,体现导致石漠化的根本及内在因素,区别出自然石漠化以及人为石漠化,并能够为石漠化地区生态系统的恢复与重建提供科学依据。     

Comparative studies of the distribution characteristics of rocky desertification and land use/land cover classes in typical areas of Guizhou province, China

The Huajiang and Hongfenghu demonstration areas represent typical karst landforms and rocky desertification landscapes in Guizhou, China. These were selected for a comparison of rocky desertification and land use cover. Based mainly on 5 m resolution Spot 5, remote sensing images, topographic maps (1:10,000) and land use maps, the intensity and extent of rocky desertification, and slope characteristics of the two areas were interpreted. Spatial overlay analysis was used to compare the land use/land cover (LULC) and rocky desertification within each. The results were compared using the concepts of rocky desertification occurrence (RDO) among LULC classes and the structure value of desertification land (SVDL). The results demonstrated that (1) the landforms and extent of rocky desertification in the two areas are significantly different and the proportion of very steep slopes is one of the reasons leading to large areas of rocky desertification; (2) the RDO and SVDL show significant differences between the two areas; also rocky desertification intensity in various LULC classes cannot be measured in terms of RDO. High RDO may occur in low-intensity desertification land, and vice versa; (3) the structural characteristics of rocky desertification among various LULC are consistent among the woodland, “bare land” and “other grassland” land use classes in the two areas, but sequence slight > moderate > intense is not consistent between the areas. For the rocky desertification control, the present authors consider that the spatial distribution differences of rocky desertification and LULC among areas with different landform types area combined with the intensity of rocky desertification should be used in designing appropriate measures for control of desertification and rehabilitation of land.     

Drought in the Sahel

The Sahel region of West Africa is well known as a region of environmental degradation. The reported incidence of desertification has been challenged but persistent and widespread drought is still widely accepted. Drought, defined solely as a function of rainfall, is believed to have commenced in the early 1970s and continued through to the present. It is usually defined as a meteorological phenomenon and standardised rainfall anomalies are employed to indicate the severity of negative departures from the ‘norm’. There are several difficulties with this approach. The period of standardising rainfall has changed from 1931–1960 to 1961–1990 but the impacts on drought occurrence have not been fully determined. The spatial aggregation of rainfall anomalies may mask important local variation and the purely statistical approach to defining drought takes little account of human impact. The first two issues, averaging period and spatial aggregation, are investigated through an analysis of rainfalls in Continental Sahel (Bukina Faso, Mali and Niger). A new classification of drought classes is suggested. Despite the clear evidence of negative rainfall anomalies for rainfalls aggregated across the Sahel region, it is found that the averaging period has a significant impact on our perceptions of the occurrence of what can be considered to be meteorological drought according to the definition employed and that there is significant spatial variation. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

基于Logistic-CA-Markov模型的石漠化空间变化规律研究

为了揭示岩溶地区石漠化发生、发展的一般规律,文章以贵州省六枝特区为例,获取了1990、2000、2010年石漠化数据。利用Logistic-CA-Markov模型探讨石漠化发生的驱动因子及各类型间的转移情况,并在两种情景模式下对研究区2020年石漠化空间分布进行模拟。结果表明:（1）利用Logistic模型回归分析石漠化驱动因子,能够较好的反映其分布状况,CA-Markov耦合模型模拟石漠化空间分布,精度达到理论要求。（2)无石漠化、潜在石漠化、轻度石漠化、中度石漠化演变过程中受人为因素影响大于自然因素,而强度和极强度石漠化则相反。（3）在现有石漠化演化速率情景下,各等级石漠化的演变轨迹为修复与恶化并存模式,最突出的是潜在和轻度石漠化。（4）在喀斯特山地生态产业修复和封山育林结合情景下,石漠化修复与恶化并存的双重轨迹模式改为以修复为主的单一轨迹模式,其中轻度和中度石漠化治理效果最为突出。因此石漠化治理措施重点应针对轻度和中度石漠化分布区,注重协调人地矛盾,防止利用过程中返回式演变。      

我国南方岩溶山区石漠化基本问题研究进展

通过参考国内研究的相关文献,运用比较分析方法,从岩溶石漠化概念的内涵、分布格局和量化分级、成因分析和演化过程、综合治理和效益评价等基本问题回顾了我国南方岩溶山区石漠化研究进展:岩溶石漠化的概念和成因已取得了较为一致的认识;石漠化等级评价指标相差甚远,需要建立统一调查研究方法、分级标准和评价指标体系;已探索出了一些较好的治理模式和方法,但治理建设仍然存在很大困难;目前没有成熟的石漠化治理效益评价体系和方法,严重影响了石漠化治理措施的修订和完善。指出了我国岩溶石漠化问题研究应从如下几方面加强:不断创新岩溶石漠化的研究方法;把握岩溶石漠化与人类活动相互作用关系;深入开展岩溶石漠化过程模拟与调控研究;推广和完善岩溶石漠化综合治理技术和模式;重视地球系统科学在岩溶石漠化研究中的运用。在岩溶石漠化与人类活动相互作用关系方面,特别要注意加强石漠化地区土地的生产力和人口承载力的定量研究;实施岩溶山区人类经济活动影响预报和经济社会后果预报,建立岩溶山区生态安全监控预警系统;加强不同时空尺度下岩溶石漠化人文驱动机制研究;确定自然因素和人文作用对石漠化过程的正负面影响和各自的贡献率,建立相应的概念模型和数学模型等。      

基于RS和GIS的南汀河流域石漠化评价

以南汀河流域ETM、DEM和地质岩性数据为基础数据,应用遥感和地理信息技术提取了石漠化评价因子,构建石漠化评价指标并对石漠化强度进行评价。运用空间叠加分析和统计分析方法对石漠化信息进行分析,得到流域岩溶区石漠化强度分级特征,利用土地利用数据及石漠化信息与土地利用/覆盖类型的相关关系以分析土地利用方式对石漠化的影响。结果表明（1）研究区石漠化强度为:中度石漠化>轻度石漠化>潜在石漠化>强度石漠化>无石漠化>极强度石漠化。（2）强度石漠化区和极强度石漠化区主要分布在以耕地和疏林地为主要覆盖类型的区域。说明了造成石漠化的因素除裸岩率、植被、坡度、岩性等主要影响因子外,人们利用土地的方式对石漠化也具有很大促进作用。      

Changes in soil organic carbon and its active fractions in different desertification stages of alpine-cold grassland in the eastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

In recent years, the desertification of alpine-cold grasslands has become increasingly serious in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau in China, but it has not received the same amount of attention as has desertification in (semi)arid areas. Little is thus known about the change in soil organic carbon (SOC) during alpine-cold grassland desertification. To quantify the impacts of desertification on vegetation, SOC and its active fractions in alpine-cold grasslands, areas of light desertified grassland, medium desertified grassland, heavy desertified grassland, serious desertified grassland, and nondesertified grassland were selected as experimental sites in the eastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau in China. The species number, height and coverage of vegetation were surveyed, and the soil particle fractions, SOC and SOC active fractions (including dissolved organic carbon (DOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and labile organic carbon (LOC) were measured to a depth of 0–100 cm. The results showed that alpine-cold grassland desertification resulted in a significant reduction in vegetation cover, plant biomass, fine soil particles, SOC, DOC, LOC and MBC. The decreases in DOC, LOC and MBC were more rapid and apparent than were those in SOC, and the decrease in MBC was the most obvious among them. The rates of reduction in SOC concentrations accelerated as desertification progressed; most of the SOC was lost in the middle and later desertification stages, with lower losses during early desertification. The results indicate that active SOC fractions, particularly MBC, are more sensitive to desertification and can be used as sensitive indicators of desertification. Efforts to limit desertification and reduce SOC loss in alpine-cold grasslands should focus on early desertification stages and adopt strategies to prevent overgrazing and control the erosion of soil by wind.     

生态功能优先背景下的西南岩溶区石漠化治理问题

文章分析了现有石漠化治理模式、物种选择、石漠化治理综合效益评估、消除贫困等方面存在的不足,并结合国家对西南岩溶石漠化区主体生态功能的定位,对未来石漠化治理过程中的几个关键问题进行了探讨,认为未来石漠化治理要更有效地兼顾生态与经济效益,提高生态补偿标准,完善生态补偿体制,促进石漠化区农村人口的城镇化转移,减少人口压力,消除农户破坏环境的驱动因素,促进石漠化治理成效的长期可持续发展,以保证西南岩溶石漠化区水土保持和生物多样性维护主体生态功能的实现。      

Desertification and erosion sensitivity. A case study in southern Italy: the Tusciano River catchment

The ESAs (Environmentally sensitive areas) procedure was recently developed in the framework of MEDALUS European project to identify desertification-sensitive areas and used in many Mediterranean countries (Greece, Portugal, Italy, Egypt). The identification of areas sensitive to desertification by using the ESAs model was carried out in the Tusciano River basin (261 km²) located in southern Italy (Campania region). All data characterizing the four groups of parameters related to soil quality, climate quality, vegetation quality and management quality were introduced in a geographical database, and superimposed using a GIS. A sensitivity analysis highlighted the impact of desertification on the river Tusciano catchment, highly diversified in terms of morphological, geological, climatic and land use features. The results of the ESAs model, showing that more than half of the area is sensitive to desertification, were compared with those related to soil loss, achieved by Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, based approximately on the same environmental factors. Nevertheless, ESAs procedure considers a wider range of parameters, allowing to characterize in greater detail the catchment in terms of climate, geomorphology, vegetation cover and socio-economic features. The drawn map therefore characterizes the sensitivity to erosion/desertification of the Tusciano catchment and can be regarded as a synthesis-sensitivity map, showing the areas with higher vulnerability on which mitigation measures should be focused.     

Sahel气候与环境变化研究进展

对 Sahel地区气候及环境变化的研究 ,对理解和加强我国干旱半干旱地区许多相关问题有较好的借鉴意义。Sahel地区的干旱化持续了近 30年 ,虽然 1 999年降水出现了自 1 968年以来的最高值 ,但整个 90年代降水仍然偏低。造成 Sahel降水波动的因素包括大西洋海表温度、陆面反馈、全球变暖等。其中海洋的影响起重要作用 ,在某些年份里土壤水分可能会起到比较大的作用 ,而大气内部的动力作用则可能没有明显影响 ,从大尺度看人类活动对此地区整体环境和气候的变化贡献不大。     

Development and the fuelwood situation in Nigeria

Fuelwood cutting, collection, and distribution is one the most widespread industries in Nigeria, but there is increasing evidence that it is dependent on a dwindling resource. The use of this resource is highly localised since, with certain exceptions, fuelwood cannot be transported economically for any great distance. The future of the fuelwood industry therefore depends as much on the question of accessibility to population as on the growth of suitable trees. An important factor is rapid urbanization, combined with high rates of population increase. Fuelwood supply areas are extremely concentrated around large cities and exhibit a supply gradient with distance. Tree selection, pollarding, and a relationship to fallow agricultural land are important ecological features. Relatively high costs of energy substitutes or reluctance to use them have encouraged a rising demand for fuelwood, pushing the limits of collection outward from market centres and bringing serious reduction or even elimination of supply from nearby locations.     

毛乌素沙地东南部边缘不同地质成因类型土地沙漠化粒度特征及其地质意义

首次对毛乌素沙地东南部边缘沙漠—黄土地带的土地沙漠化进行系统的地质学分类,提出了沙地内部就地起沙型沙漠化、河流谷地就地起沙型沙漠化、风化残积就地起沙型沙漠化和风沙侵入型沙漠化等四种土地沙漠化类型。通过深入分析不同地质成因类型土地沙漠化的粒度特征,探讨了不同地质作用对土地沙漠化的贡献及其对土地沙漠化防治方面的重要意义。研究表明,研究区的土地沙漠化以就地起沙型为主,河流的水力搬运是沙漠化物质搬运的主要途径,风力作用则是对河流湖泊沉积物的进一步分选和再沉积。最后,提出了不同类型的土地沙漠化防治对策建议。     

沙质荒漠化的遥感监测与评估──以中国北方沙质荒漠化区内的实践为例

土地荒漠化已成为受其影响地区经济发展和环境保护的一个重要障碍,及时了解其过程、现状和发展趋势,对确定荒漠化防治的战略和措施均有重要意义。本文以我国北方沙质荒漠化为研究对象,对其开展了遥感监测和评估及其方法论的研究。结果表明,在沙质荒漠化土地程度分级和遥感监测判别指标体系确立后,采用合适的方法可以在短时间内完成大范围的动态监测,使对土地沙质荒漠化的定量评价成为可能。     

基于Logistic-ISM模型的喀斯特地区农户石漠化治理行为影响因素及调控研究

喀斯特地区农户的石漠化治理行为对保障我国长江、珠江流域生态安全极为重要。为了深入了解农户石漠化治理行为的影响因素,促进石漠化治理政策的落实和治理工作的有效开发,本文选取了贵州省3个典型的石漠化县,晴隆县、关岭县、 黔西县为研究区,应用参与性农户评估法对437位农户开展治理行为调查。以调查数据为基础,结合运用Logistic回归模型与ISM分析方法研究农户石漠化治理行为的主要影响因素及其层次结构,实现对石漠化治理行为的剖析。分析结果显示:距最近乡集镇距离、是否自愿选择技术、接触信息次数、交流信息次数是表层直接影响因素,石漠化面积是中层间接因素,家庭农业收入、是否有科研治理项目、专家走访次数是深层根源因素。因此,农户农业收入低、资金投入匮乏和石漠化治理相关技术缺乏是导致农户石漠化治理积极性不够的根本原因。建议多渠道增加农民收入,以推动农户参与石漠化治理的积极性;改善农村基础设施条件以降低石漠化治理的成本;完善石漠化治理技术推广体系,提高农户石漠化治理技能。      

近10年西藏高原土地沙漠化动态变化与发展态势

依据生态基准面的理论制定了西藏高原沙漠化土地分类分级体系。运用遥感、野外调查与 GIS等方法,对20世纪90年代沙漠化动态变化进行了研究,研究结果表明：西藏高原沙漠化扩大 2151．68km 2,升级率达 2．3％,动态度为 0．154％,沙漠化程度明显加重,形成沙漠化发展、稳定及逆转三种类型区。高原沙漠化发展演化的内在驱动力是以气候为主的自然因素,外在驱动力则是人为的"三滥"活动。预测到2005年、2010年沙漠化仍将缓慢发展。西藏高原是我国沙漠化正在发展-强烈发展的区域,发展态势严峻。高原沙漠化防治的基本策略应是全面保护、综合治理、适度开发、协调发展。