An interpretation of the Nusselt-Rayleigh number relationship for convection in a spherical shell

Recent studies on the relationship between the Nusselt ( Nu ) and Rayleigh ( Ra ) numbers for base-heated convection in a spherical shell with a constant viscosity show that the power-law index is around 1/4, which is different from the value of 1/3 predicted by a simple boundary layer theory. We show that such a difference may be caused by the flow pattern due to the geometry. The flow pattern of the convection in a spherical shell at relatively low Ra , at least, less than 10⁶, is characterized by narrow upwelling and broad downwelling, which is similar to the opposite flow pattern of internally heated convection. Convection in the internally heated case predicts the power-law index of 1/4. We demonstrate this relationship based on the concept of 'local' Rayleigh ( Ra1 ) and Nusselt ( Nu1 ) numbers     

The role of biomorphodynamics in estuarine evolution in New Zealand

Abstract:   Biomorphodynamic interactions, the feedback loops that operate between physical processes, biology and morphology, affect the long-term evolution of estuaries. This paper outlines how consideration of such interactions and implementation through innovative modelling techniques can become the next crucial step needed to advance understanding of estuarine evolution.     

The role of lead firms in cluster evolution: The case of the Manchester television cluster

ABSTRACT

The author utilizes recent work in evolutionary economic geography to examine the television cluster in Manchester, UK. A path dependency approach is used to trace the evolutionary phases of the cluster, and to reveal the shifting dynamics of the cluster and the role of key actors. The article focuses on the role of two lead firms – the BBC and Granada. Based on qualitative interview and participant observation data, supplemented with contextual quantitative data collection, the study presents the results of longitudinal research conducted between 2000 and 2014. The author finds that the role of lead firms varied according to the evolutionary phase of the cluster. The role of the broadcasters was most significant during the emergence and growth of the cluster. Both the lead firm and the cluster have been impacted by exogenous factors, particularly regulatory changes. A key trigger point in 2003 led to the evolutionary trajectory of the cluster shifting into decline and stagnation.     

深圳市近20年城市景观格局演变及其驱动因素

基于深圳市1996—2015年土地利用数据,利用景观指数、景观转移矩阵和景观扩张指数等方法探究了深圳市近20年景观格局时空变化、主要景观类型转移和建筑用地扩张模式,最后使用Binary Logit模型考察了市级和区级建筑用地景观扩张的主要驱动因素。结果表明：① 1996—2015年,深圳市建筑用地景观优势性逐步增强,面积增加15.81%,以蔓延式（61.9%）和填充式（36.27%）扩张为主;② 1996—2006年为城市化快速扩张期,建筑用地扩张呈集中开发形态,景观多样性和均匀性增加,城市扩张中心略微向北部和东部移动,2006—2015为城市化低速过渡期,景观破碎化加剧,城市扩张重心向北部和西部偏移;③ 在市级尺度上,GDP密度和人口密度对建筑用地景观扩张有显著正影响,生态控制线、高程、坡度和至道路的距离有着显著负影响。每单位生态控制线范围、坡度的增加分别将使建筑用地景观扩张的机会比率将平均减少到原来0.8168倍、0.8841倍。各驱动因素表现出区域和尺度差异性,GDP对宝安区、南山区和坪山区,人口增长对宝安区、龙华区,以及交通可达性对大鹏新区、龙岗区驱动分别最为突出。研究结果可以为中国城市快速扩张过程中的景观格局变化提供科学实践。     

Driving forces of tropical deforestation: The role of remote sensing and spatial models

Remote sensing technologies are increasingly used to monitor landscape change in many parts of the world. While the availability of extensive and timely imagery from various satellite sensors can aid in identifying the rates and patterns of deforestation, modelling techniques can evaluate the socioeconomic and biophysical forces driving deforestation processes. This paper briefly reviews some emerging spatial methodologies aimed at identifying driving forces of land use change and applies one such methodology to understand deforestation in Mexico. Satellite image classification, change analysis and econometric modelling are used to identify the rates, hotspots and drivers of deforestation in a case study of the southern Yucatán peninsular region, an enumerated global hotspot of biodiversity and tropical deforestation. In particular, the relative roles of biophysical and socioeconomic factors in driving regional deforestation rates are evaluated. Such methodological approaches can be applied to other regions of the forested tropics and contribute insights to conservation planning and policy.     

The evolution and enlightenment of water resources accounting from accounts to balance sheet

The Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has proposed an important national strategic decision:to explore and establish the balance sheet of natural resources,to implement leaders' of-office auditing system about natural resources assets.Water is one of the most essential nature resources of human beings;water resources accounting,as an important water resources management tool,is an essential part of compiling the natural resources balance sheet.In this paper,we provide a summary of the historic evolution of water resources accounting and analyze its application in some typical countries.Although water resources accounting and water resources balance sheet reflect different implications and focus,both require water resources accounts as the basis in system establishment.     

中印对尼泊尔地缘影响力的演变分析

尼泊尔在地理位置上处于中国和印度包围之中,由于历史原因,其经济、政治、军事等长期受到制约。随着中国“一带一路”倡议的推进和中印近年来领土和国际政治问题的冲突与分歧,尼泊尔正在成为中印新的角力场。本文首先通过构建地缘影响力模型进行演变格局分析与趋势预测,并加入世界环境和区域环境两方面影响因素,运用定性与定量分析结合的方法,预测中、尼、印三国未来战略行动方向。综合以上分析发现：1）2000年—2016年,中国对尼泊尔地缘影响力较于印度对于尼泊尔地缘影响力上升趋势明显,预计在2022年至2023年中、印对尼泊尔地缘影响力达到平衡。2）硬实力是中国对尼泊尔地缘影响力上升的关键因素;软实力和交流互动力是未来中国增强在尼泊尔地缘影响力的发展因素;地理环境是中国对尼泊尔地缘影响力发展的制约因素。3）未来中国将继续实施积极性合作战略,印度形成对中国遏制性防范战略,尼泊尔维持被动性中印平衡战略。     

A geochronological approach to understanding the role of solar activity on Holocene glacier length variability in the Swiss Alps

We present a radiocarbon data set of 71 samples of wood and peat material that melted out or sheared out from underneath eight presentday mid‐latitude glaciers in the Central Swiss Alps. Results indicated that in the past several glaciers have been repeatedly less extensive than they were in the 1990s. The periods when glaciers had a smaller volume and shorter length persisted between 320 and 2500 years. This data set provides greater insight into glacier variability than previously possible, especially for the early and middle Holocene. The radiocarbon‐dated periods defined with less extensive glaciers coincide with periods of reduced radio‐production, pointing to a connection between solar activity and glacier melting processes. Measured long‐term series of glacier length variations show significant correlation with the total solar irradiance. Incoming solar irradiance and changing albedo can account for a direct forcing of the glacier mass balances. Long‐term investigations of atmospheric processes that are in interaction with changing solar activity are needed in order to understand the feedback mechanisms with glacier mass balances.     

隋朝至1949年山东省沂水县农村居民点的时空格局及驱动力

以山东省沂水县为例,综合历史资料、GIS与定量分析法,以农村居民点建村的时间、所处的地貌类型以及建村时的农户来源地3个指标,系统考察隋朝至1949年农村居民点的时空格局变化及驱动力。结果表明：沂水县1949年的1484个农村居民点,最早建村于隋朝。随着时间的推移,农村居民点建村速率先快后慢,呈倒“U”型演变,明朝建村速率最快。同时,每个朝代初期建村速率较快,后期较慢;随着时间的推移,沂水县农村居民点建村速率快于县域整体农村居民点建村速率的地貌类型沿着平原—丘陵—山地的地貌格局演进,建村时的农户来源地沿着省外—县外—县内的地域格局演进。驱动力研究认为,人地关系状况是影响农村居民点时间格局变化的主导驱动力,战争、政策及气候灾害等通过影响人地关系状况,影响着农村居民点短时间尺度的格局变化;耕地资源禀赋是农村居民点空间格局变化的主导驱动力,农户建村首先选择耕地资源禀赋优越的平原,随着人地矛盾增加,逐步向丘陵和山地转移。     

Deep seismic reflection evidence for the role of extension in the evolution of continental crust

Summary. Deep seismic reflection profiling, as well as geologic studies, indicate that extensional basins are a common feature of continental crust. The wide-spread occurrence of extensional basins, combined with published models on the effects of extension on lower crustal rocks, suggests that extensional processes play an important role in the evolution of continental crust. Extension is now recognized to have been the last major tectonic event to affect approximately 50% of the United States. This observation and (he preservation of extensional features in areas which have experienced subsequent episodes of compression, suggests that extensional processes may lead to a strengthening of continental crust. In areas of active extension such as the western United States, seismic and petrologic data, as well as theoretical modeling of heat flow data, suggests that the lower crust may be predominantly intrusive igneous material emplaced during extension and that the present Mohorovicic discontinuity formed during extension. Although the interpretation of the various data is somewhat speculative, we suggest that the volume of continental material in some areas has doubled as a result of extension. Thus, extension may result in the addition of a significant amount of new material to the continents.     

基于信息熵的兰州市用地结构动态演变及其驱动力

在GIS技术支持下,以兰州市建成区1959-2004年城市用地结构及相关经济社会统计数据为基础,借助系统论中的信息熵原理,揭示了兰州市建成区用地结构动态演变特征,阐述了影响建成区用地结构动态演变的主要自然、政策、经济社会和城市规划等驱动力,最后利用主成分和多元线性回归相结合的分析方法,对该区用地结构动态演变的经济社会主要驱动因子进行了分析与探讨。研究表明:该区用地结构动态演变的信息熵H经历了三个阶段:1959-1979年持续下降阶段与1979-2001年剧烈上升后缓慢增长阶段,以及2001-2004年急速回落阶段;均衡度在持续下降,稳定上升之后,在后期有所回落,优势度相反;用地结构无序化的剧烈变化期位于1979-1989年间,之后至2001年,无序化进程缓慢;影响兰州市建成区用地结构动态演变的主要经济社会驱动力为:城市经济社会发展阶段和城市建设投资规模、人口增长及就业状况和产业结构比例、城市建设水平等等,其中前两者影响更为明显。     

我国现阶段土地利用变化驱动力的宏观分析

土地利用的基本竞争模型是土地利用类型变化驱动力分析的理论基础。把握土地利用个体目标和社会目标的关系,尤其是它们之间的矛盾及其地区差异,是进行土地利用变化驱动力宏观分析的有效途径。工业化城市化与粮食安全之间的矛盾、农业发展与生态环境保护之间的矛盾是现阶段我国土地利用变化的基本矛盾。土地利用变化的驱动力在空间上表现出较大的差异。本文选取11项自然和社会经济指标,分省份计算了驱动力指数。结果表明:西部地区以生存型经济福利驱动和环境安全驱动为主,而东部地区以比较经济福利驱动和食物安全驱动为主