The past is the key to the future

A new major frontier of geological research, which was initiated in the 1970's, involves predicting future geologic trends or events through study of the present and past, rather than trying to understand the past, often using what one knows about the present. Like most scientific frontiers, this one began from practical considerations—environmental concerns. The lack of formal recognition of this frontier results from fragmentation among many Federal agencies and highly focused mission-oriented programs (e.g., earthquake prediction, CO₂, nuclear-energy safety, etc.). Most programs aim to predict only the next 50–100 years, but much longer periods of the past need to be studied to do this. Nuclear-waste disposal has sometimes been considered in terms of the next million years, a period of time permitting significant and broad geologic changes. Decreasing public interest in environmental concerns relegates many questions from the realm of applied research back to that of basic research. Most of these questions are so fascinating, however, that the frontier is still worth pursuing. Such questions include whether a phenomenon will or will not take place and the rates at which it can develop (e.g., how fast do rifts form, how fast can a caldera event begin, and how quickly can a glacial maximum arrive?). Common elements of all studies include the historic record, trends in the Quaternary, analogues in various periods of the geologic time scale, and allowance for phenomena never experienced before. Other examples of studies include the Cretaceous as a period of a climatic extreme, an especially interesting time period; establishing the amount of paleocloudiness, a particularly challenging and important research area; acid rain as a possible new phenomenon. Geochemistry has much to contribute to this frontier science.     

Geography in Australian education

Geography in Australia has a heritage that is strongly British, but more recently has been influenced from other parts of the world, such as North America and New Zealand. Its popularity has fluctuated and it is now under threat as a separate subject in the compulsory years of schooling. In higher education, geography has retrieved lost ground to be a popular area of study, but not a research area in the current national priorities. Geography plays a focal role in the general education of Australians. It is a medium for education involving the education of people, about, in, and for the society and environment in which they live. Through education, geography will enable people to explore their life-roles as learners, social beings, recreators, producers, consumers and citizens. It will develop in people distinctive knowledge, thinking processes, attitudes and values, and encourage participation in social and environmental actions. Teachers in secondary and higher education have differing and distinctive roles. Being a geographer in Australia does have benefits including: working in an identifiable area of knowledge maintaining a bridge across the physical and social sciences; the promotion of inquiry approaches and as a focus for the various adjectival educations that have emerged. These are tempered by challenges such as: threats from emerging disciplines, current national research priorities and the movement to social science education. Therefore, promotion of geography in Australia needs to be much more forceful than it has until now. The work of groups such as the Institute of Australian Geographers and the Australian Geography Teachers' Association needs to be co-ordinated more closely to develop a strong lobby for geography in Australian education.     

Third world settlement frontiers: modest population absorbers

Conclusions This study concludes that a relatively small part of the Third World's increasing populations may be absorbed in their frontiers. Throuh the 49 locations are scattered throughout that world three characteristics are emphasized: 1) these are the principal regions where studies of population absorption potential should be initiated before any new settling is undertaken, 2) the frontiers are not as convenient to areas of world population pressure as is desirable, and 3) what are mapped as areas may turn out to be a series of spots requiring considerable detailed planning at local levels.Overall there is reason for some encouragement. Frontiering could be executed now with degrees of success if proper respect is paid the complexity of the task and to previous experience. It is suggested that a contemporary planner of new settling is wiser to elect areas where the process may build on an existing minimal geographic base of settlers and transportation so as to start relatively quickly and be at least partly commercial. Frontiers these days are unlikely to take as long to develop as they did 25 or 50 years ago. Nor should they. Moreover, the drive to raise world standards of living is calling for a new order of economies and one corollary is apparent: frontiers for subsistence living have minimal value now and in the future and should be short-lived, if existent at all. But, most important, the frontiers provide the possibility of meeting a part of a burgeoning problem in a way that is familiar to the people and that could be efficient.     

Disposable Ordos: The making of an energy resource frontier in western China

China’s economic growth in recent decades has been accompanied by vigorous growth in energy production and consumption. This article analyzes geographical shifts in the production of energy resources using a relational frontier concept. The frontier concept is deployed to examine the forces driving energy resource production to territories in China’s west. Through an understanding of frontiers as peculiar places shaped by flows of capital and contingent socio-economic conditions, this study underscores the both the contributions of national-level energy policy and local political-economy in bringing about a pronounced shift in the distribution of energy resource supply whereby the country’s west is increasingly recast as a production zone for energy and the east as a consumption zone. A case study of coal production in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region’s Ordos Municipality in the 2000s details the unfolding of frontier processes for this key energy resource.     

Place-making at the frontier of Brazilian agribusiness

The intricacies of one of the most relevant agribusiness frontiers in the world today—the north of the State of Mato Grosso, in the southern section of the Amazon, Brazil—are considered through a critical examination of place-making. Vast areas of Amazon rainforest and savannah vegetation were converted there, since the 1970s, into places of intensive soybean farming, basically to fulfil exogenous demands for land and agriculture production. The present assessment goes beyond the configuration of new places at the agricultural frontier, and starts with a qualitative intellectual jump: from place-making on the frontier to place-making as an ontological frontier in itself. It means that, instead of merely studying the frontier as a constellation of interconnected places, we examine the politicised genesis of the emerging places and their trajectory under fierce socio-ecological disputes. The consideration of almost five decades of intense historic-geographical change reveals an intriguing dialectics of displacement (of previous socio-ecological systems, particularly affecting squatters and indigenous groups, in order to create opportunities for migrants and companies), replacement (of the majority of disadvantaged farmers and poor migrants, leading to land concentration, widespread financialisation and the decisive influence of transnational corporations) and misplacement (which is the synthesis of displacement and replacement, demonstrated by mounting risks and a pervasive sentiment of maelstrom). Overall, there was nothing inevitable in the process of rural and regional development, but the problems, conflicts and injustices that characterise its turbulent geographical trajectory were all more or less visible from the outset.     

值得重视的海域海相油气勘探

当前我国海域油气的勘探领域和勘探层位大部分局限于新生界,而对古生代海相地台沉积、特提斯海相沉积、南海生物礁、南海和冲绳等深水盆地领域的勘探涉足不深。通过海域海相油气的地质调查与研究以及新区评价,认为在我国海域拓宽找油的战略选区,力争海域海相油气勘探获得突破、发现储量规模大的整装油田是有可能的。     

巴颜喀拉三叠纪沉积盆地岩相与古地理——以阿坝-若尔盖盆地为例

以阿坝－若尔盖盆地岩相与古地理研究为例,并结合区域上有关资料,认为巴颜喀拉三叠纪沉积盆地发育有世界上罕见的巨型浊流沉积,主要由一套大陆斜坡浊积扇相组合与深海盆地相组合等构成,而斜坡浊积扇,深海盆地的形成一发展和海平面的下降期与上升存在着对应关系,发育一系列叠复的浊积扇舌状体;浊流沉积物在陆源碎屑为主,伴有火山物质和碳酸盐岩的混合源型,物源主要来自北西侧与北侧的浅变质岩区;盆地属多阶段、多物源,不同     

中美地理学近百年发展脉络的比较研究——基于《地理学报》和Annals of the Association of American

基于《地理学报》和Annals of the Association of American Geographers学术论文的统计,对比近百年中美两国地理学的发展脉络,着重从总体特征、重点研究内容及其变化、理论—实践关系三方面对比异同,获得经验和借鉴。美国地理学经过初期发展、高速发展后,目前进入持续发展阶段;中国地理学在曲折中崛起,目前正处在高速发展时期。美国地理学中人文地理学一直居主导地位,中国则从重视自然地理开始逐渐向自然、人文、方法三足鼎立方向迈进;美国地理学家非常重视微观、中观实践,但在国家宏观决策中远没有中国地理学家发挥作用更直接。美国地理学研究水平高于中国,但这种差距正在缩小,研究方向的变化相差3~5年。世界地理研究中心有向亚太地区、向中国转移的可能,中国地理学家要勇于创建具有中国特色的地理学派。     

渝东南岩溶石山地区石漠化遥感调查及发展趋势分析

渝东南岩溶石山地区属石漠化多发地区。经遥感调查,石漠化遥感图斑共计173个,面积744.71km2,约占岩溶石山总面积的4.54%.石漠化的范围和程度与区域地貌、地质环境密切相关。石漠化严重或较严重地段都是人类生息和经济活动频繁的地区。20世纪60年代~80年代,区内石漠化范围变化不大;90年代以来,以封山育林、退耕还林,石漠化范围逐步缩小。      

Actor and frontier types in the Brazilian Amazon: Assessing interactions and outcomes associated with frontier expansion

This paper analyzes frontier expansion in the Brazilian Amazon as a process that depends on multiple exogenous and endogenous factors operating at diverse scales, but whose trajectory depends on the dominant actor type (smallholders or medium- or large-scale landholders) occupying the frontier landscape. Despite the broad growing trend of pasture expansion for adoption of cattle ranching as the main land use associated with frontier expansion, some differences persist across actor types. In relative terms, medium- and large-scale landholders place most of their cleared forestland under pasture, and in absolute terms, largeholders have deforested more than smallholders because they hold larger tracts of land. Recently, however, deforestation activity has been increasing in frontiers occupied by smallholders who tend to convert a greater proportion of the forestland in their landholdings to agricultural land uses than larger-scale landholders, mainly to expand cattle ranching operations. Furthermore, smallholders tend to maintain higher cattle stocking rates than medium- and large-scale landholders, which tend to adopt extensive systems of cattle production. Both economic and human development indices in each frontier type vary according to actor type. While in absolute terms, higher per capita agricultural income levels are found in frontiers where largeholders predominate, the corresponding incomes are higher in smallholder frontiers when prorated by unit of land under crops and pasture. In addition, the Human Development Index is higher in frontiers with greater presence of large-scale landholdings.     

The human resources of Eastern Europe: A preliminary discussion

Human capital was crucial for development under central planning, but transition states finding their way in a global world must also rely heavily on human assets. Investors are much concerned about the quality and adaptability of labour, as well as transport, business services (including assistance from national and local government) and political stability. Since Eastern Europe is not making full use of its substantial human resources, this collection examines different aspects of a complex issue. while civil society is being reconstructed, the growth and efficiency of labour markets in constrained by poor demographic performance, restrained migration, problems of cohesion among ethnic minorities and high levels of stress. The focus then moves to economic diversification through endogenous potentials, regional and local development and cross-border development. Finally, it is suggested that human resources can best be harnessed under conditions of sustainability and that substantial progress is being made to safeguard the environment of the region in terms of pollution control and conservation of cultural landscapes. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Cross-border conservation in East Central Europe: The Danube-Carpathian complex and the contribution of the World Wide Fund for Nature

Cross-border cooperation in environmental matters has become much more evident since 1989 because open frontiers facilitate contact while common tasks emerge as protected areas in frontier zones lose their isolation. Pollution hazards have been discussed more openly since 1989 while further stimuli arise from the harmonisation process in the run-up to EU enlargement and the finance available from Brussels and other international donors to solve pollution problems and create international ecological networks. The paper examines the progress made in the Danube Valley and the Carpathians which together constitute the core of East Central Europe. Particular attention is paid to the role of environmental non-governmental organisations (ENGOs) – and especially the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) – in the progress of conservation. Along with the World Conservation Union (IUCN), WWF has demonstrated the value of floodplain wetlands and ensured that wetland restoration is an important part of the Strategic Action Plan for the Danube. And by involving local ENGOs in specific projects the role of the non-governmental sector in environment matters is enhanced. Also, with momentum growing for a pan-European ecological network ('Natura 2000'), WWF has attracted the support of international donors for a ecoregion-based conservation (ERBC) in the Carpathians where priority areas have now been identified. Ecological and diplomatic capacities are thus deployed to maximise the scope for biodiversity conservation commensurate with sustainable socio-economic development. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

西太平洋——我国深海科学研究的优先战略选区

西太平洋是我国实施由浅海向深海发展战略的必经之地.从国家需求的角度来看,西太平洋海底资源丰富、海洋环境复杂,是维护国家权益的焦点、保障国防安全的屏障;从科学前沿的角度来看,西太平洋发育有独特的沟弧盆构造体系和弧后盆地热液系统,存有海底板块运动的遗迹和众多海山生态系统,更是"大洋传送带"冷暖水系的转换区.科学有序地进入西...     

A tale of two roads: Land tenure, poverty, and politics on the Guatemalan frontier

Agricultural frontiers are hot spots for the most dramatic land cover change in the history of humankind: forest conversion to agriculture. They are also areas of unusually rapid population growth and acute poverty, with scant access to public services and infrastructure. Although a large body of literature explores the determinants of land cover change on the frontier, one issue that has been largely unstudied is that of frontier political and socio-economic development. This paper reports on data from 28 communities along an agricultural frontier in a core conservation zone of the Maya Biosphere Reserve (MBR), where the predominant land tenure systems at the community level appear to be related not only to land use, but also to political organization and human development indicators.     

生态足迹评介及国际研究前沿

生态足迹评价方法是评估可持续发展的一个全球可比的、可测度的直观且综合的指标,有明显的政策含义,是迄今提出的评估可持续发展的众多指标中最受生态经济学界关注、推崇和广泛应用的一个指标。评介了生态足迹方法模型的优缺点,综述了国际上生态足迹研究的最新进展及研究前沿,指出了国内围绕生态足迹研究应该尽快开展的工作：①生态足迹方法模型的改进及应用研究;②丰富生态足迹方法模型携带的信息量和政策内涵;③社会经济系统新陈代谢以及人类对初级生产力的占用研究;④消费模式与全球资源和环境的压力的关系;⑤物质流核算帐户研究和生态包袱分析研究。     

古地震学:活动断裂强震复发规律的研究

古地震学是活动构造学、地震地质学和构造地貌学相结合的一个分支学科,它以野外工作为基础,以史前地震的发生位置、时间及震级为研究目标,其核心是古地震事件变形的地层和地貌证据.古地震学通过运用沉积地层学、地貌学和构造地质学等研究中常用的方法和手段来识别第四纪沉积中保存的史前强震的证据并对其进行准确年代测定,弥补了历史地震和仪...     

European capital cities as political frontiers

The capital is the centre of the established order but it always had to accept a relatively uncontrollable world of individuals redefining urban space in their own way or pioneering new means of support. As their existence is both a political nuisance and a foreshadowing of institutional changes (sometimes revolutionary) of nation-wide importance, I call such ways of life political frontiers. One may wonder what will become of political frontiers in the information society (or postmodern society) that, apart from borderless, has been described as society without a centre as well. Actually information society is the prototype of a frontier society with self-responsible groups and individuals. However, capitals – even stripped of their governmental functions – may offer a symbolical environment (a condensation of space and time) that precisely satisfies the wants of those who wish to politicise a way of life. Niches for pioneering behaviour may get dispersed over a wider territory but new types of political activity will gravitate to the capital even if the capital's official political status has dwindled.     

多能源矿产共存成藏（矿）机理和富集规律的研究——能源领域研究的新趋势

简要介绍了国内外有关同盆共存的多能源成藏机理、富集规律的研究现状和发展趋势。从国家能源安全和科学研究的现实需要两方面论述了我国开展多能源同盆共存的成藏饥理和富集规律研究的必要性与迫切性，并着重介绍了各种有机能源和铀之间可能存在的某种成生联系及其某种相互依存成藏关系。并指出，多种重要能源矿产共存富集、成藏（矿)及其成因联系和分布规律，已成为一个处于科学前沿、体现多学科交叉和综合的重大基础性科学问题，是今后能源学科的发展趋势和前沿研究的一个重要方向。     

我国海洋科学发展现状与未来展望

海洋是生命的摇篮、资源的宝库和国家安全的屏障,是未来人类可持续发展的重要战略空间。到目前为止,广袤深邃的海洋只有5%的区域被人类探索,加快海洋科技创新、提高海洋资源开发能力、保护海洋生态环境是实现“关心海洋、认识海洋、经略海洋”的根本,事关国家发展的命脉。海洋问题的复杂性使其无法通过单一学科的研究得以解决。目前,我国海洋科学的研究已逐步从过去的跟跑阶段进入并跑阶段,但原始创新能力明显不足。本文回顾分析了我国海洋科学领域的研究进展与发展态势,对标找出与世界先进国家的差距,展望了今后的发展方向,指出围绕海洋多尺度相互作用与气候变化、健康海洋、海洋生命过程、跨圈层流固耦合、快速变化的极地系统、海岸带可持续发展等重大科学前沿,加强顶层设计和战略布局,开展跨尺度、跨圈层的多学科交叉研究,组织并发起我国主导的国际大科学计划,从而显著提升我国在海洋科学研究领域的国际影响力,切实提高保障国家安全和服务社会经济发展需求的能力,为建设海洋强国、构建人类命运共同体提供重要科技支撑。     

Geological investigations at a high altitude, remote coal mine on the Northwest Pakistan and Afghanistan frontier, Karakoram Himalaya

The Northwest Pakistan and Afghanistan frontier is located one of the most remote, inaccessible, and inhospitable part of the Himalayan orogenic belt. In this region, two of the world's largest and most distinct mountain belts intersect; the Karakoram Himalaya (mainly in Pakistan) and the Hindu Kush (mainly in Afghanistan). Located at high altitude, in a remote part of Northwest Pakistan, close to the border with Afghanistan, tribal villagers began excavating a series of adits into the steep mountain slopes, beneath glaciers, to extract valuable coal and carbonaceous shale resources. These were discovered in 1996, by the villagers, whilst hunting, and may represent some of the highest mine workings in the world. Small-scale mining operations subsequently developed using rudimentary mining methods and the mine became known as the Reshit or Pamir Coal Mine.The coal deposits are sedimentary, highly disturbed and tectonised, having been subjected to multiple phases of orogenic crustal deformation. The coal occurs as discrete lenses, several tens of metres in their lateral dimension, between steeply dipping, overturned and thrusted limestone beds of Jurassic age. The coal provided a vital, alternative source of fuel for the villagers since the local, traditional fuel supply was wood, which had become severely depleted, and imports of kerosene from neighbouring China and Afghanistan were too expensive.The mining operations experienced severe problems. These included several collapses of mine entrances, the failure of the adits to intersect the coal-bearing zones, the potential threat of geological hazards, mining-induced hazards and harsh high-altitude operating conditions, particularly during the winter months. International aid was provided to assist the villagers and a geological investigation was commissioned to investigate the problems at the mine.The geology of Karakoram Himalaya is relatively poorly understood. Until recently the region was restricted to foreign visitors and large areas of this mountain belt are virtually unmapped. Existing geological and topographic maps are difficult to obtain or are unavailable due to the close proximity of political frontiers, national borders and security reasons. The mineral resource potential of this region is virtually unknown. Few western geologists have visited this area due to its inaccessibility and political constraints, being situated close the frontiers with China, Afghanistan, and the disputed Pakistan and India territory of Kashmir.The Pakistan and Afghanistan border, is once again, now closed to foreign visitors. The objectives of this paper are to document the occurrence of coal and carbonaceous shale, at high altitude, in the Karakoram Himalaya and to provide details on the geology, geological hazards, reserves and labour-intensive mining operations. These observations and information may provide the basis for future mineral exploration, mining-geology, mining-engineering, feasibility studies and engineering geological investigation in the Karakoram Himalaya.