On coordinated development of oasis and environment in arid area

1 Formation and evolution of oasisBoth physical environment and human activities influence the formation and evolution of oasis. Natural oasis is a kind of ecological landscape formed mainly by water without human intervention. Its prosperity and adversity primarily depends on the flow direction and discharge of a river. With the increment of intensity of human activities, however, great changes have taken place in oasis in arid area. The evolution of oasis has been transformed from the contr…     

On coordinated development of oasis and environment in arid area

Based upon the formation and evolution of oasis and the factors restricting the coordinated development of oasis economy and environment, this paper presents a goal of the development in coordination. It suggests that the sustainable survival and development of oasis could be ensured only if the oasis-desert and water source ecology are managed in a combined way to form a macro system. In light with the above mentioned, the approach to the development of economy and environment of oasis in arid area should depend upon the establishment of an oasis ecological and economic system, which suits the arid environment and promotes the efficiency of resource configuration, stabilizes economic increment and benefits ecological development.     

Land-use planning in China:Past,present, and future

Under the framework of ecological civilisation, the formulation of territorial spatial planning(TSP) and improvement of spatial governance systems are of great practical significance. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, land-use planning(LUP) has experienced profound changes, and tremendous research efforts have been made in that field. However, systematic studies on LUP history are scarce.To bridge the existing gap, this study traced back to the emergence of LUP, described its...     

A review of the ecohydrology discipline: Progress,challenges, and future directions in China

In recent decades,the ecohydrology discipline was developed to provide theoretical and technical foundations for the protection and restoration of complex ecological systems(e.g.,mountains,rivers,forests,farmlands,and lakes),and to further ecological civilization construction and green development in China.In this study,the progress and challenges of the ecohydrology discipline are elaborated,and the future development directions are pro-posed according to international scientific frontiers and national ecological civilization con-struction demands.Overall,the main discipline directions are to develop new ecohydrological monitoring methods,to comprehensively understand ecohydrological mechanisms and their basic theories,to promote integration of multi-scale and multi-variable models by considering both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems,and to encourage multidisciplinary integration,par-ticularly with the social sciences.Furthermore,the future research interests in China include:combining multi-source information,constructing comprehensive monitoring systems,study-ing spatiotemporal patterns of key ecohydrological variables and their variation characteris-tics,developing integrated models of ecological,hydrological,and economic processes,es-timating their uncertainty;and conducting interdisciplinary studies that include the natural and social sciences.The application prospects in China are further explored for a variety of eco-systems,including forests,grasslands,rivers,lakes,wetlands,farmlands,and cities.This study will provide a reference to support the development of the ecohydrology discipline in China,and will provide a solid theoretical and technical foundation for the implementation of national ecological civilization construction.     

基于资源环境承载力的干旱区乡村振兴路径研究——以宁夏为例

资源环境承载力是限制旱区区域社会经济发展的重要因素,厘清资源环境承载力状态,探究典型地区乡村振兴的资源环境分布特征及问题所在,是新时期旱区科学实施乡村振兴的基础。以宁夏为例,基于资源环境承载力PS-DR-DP(压力-支撑力;破坏力-恢复力;退化力-提升力)正六边形相互作用力模型以及3对相互作用力内部的协调发展状况研究,探究干旱地区实现乡村振兴的路径。结果表明:宁夏资源环境承载力较弱,3对相互作用力内部协调发展度在各县域有明显的差异,北部沿黄灌区承载力高于南部山区承载力,资源型城市生态环境破坏严重,总体上宁夏全区资源环境承载力的发展度都较低。针对每个区域资源环境承载力的优势和劣势,将宁夏分为高承载-集聚提升区、高承载-特色保护区、中承载-生态恢复区和低承载-生态保育区4个区域。实现乡村振兴战略不仅要在宏观层面上谋划振兴路径,还要根据各区域的资源环境承载能力进行调控以促进乡村地区社会经济可持续发展。     

Land changes in Slovakia: Past processes and future directions

The aim of this study is to bring a unique overview of past, current and plausible future land use development in Slovakia. The study assessed land change processes and their spatial determinants related to the most significant socio-political periods that have shaped the former socialist country over the past 30 years, namely, socialism (1980–1990), postsocialism (1990–2000), EU accession (2000–2006), EU membership (2006–2012). Using boosted regression trees, the impact of different biophysical, socioeconomic, policy and distance-based factors was evaluated on land transitions, categorised as urbanisation, agricultural intensification and extensification, afforestation, deforestation and forest disturbance (natural and management-induced). Results show significant shifts in the landscape management associated with the institutional changes, especially in the postsocialist period.Agricultural intensification, which dominated the socialist period, was in subsequent periods substituted by afforestation and agricultural extensification. High relative annual rates of forest disturbance have dominated land-use change over the past 30 years, while deforestation was a minor land-use change during the late socialist period. Urbanisation has played a significant role and changed considerably through the studied periods: high urbanisation rates under socialism, a massive decline in the postsocialism and EU accession periods and increasingly high urbanisation rates during the EU membership period.Taking into account national and international (EU related) demands, we assessed land use development for 2040 within five different future land use scenarios. These scenarios were characterised as either extensions of current development trends, or as developments along axes that target globalisation or regionalisation, and more or less intervention. Results show that afforestation is by far the land-change process that will have the greatest impact on future Slovakian landscapes, mostly in rural areas. Among changes in agriculture, all scenarios uniformly suggest that extensification will exceed intensification mostly at the cost of arable land. In addition, urban areas will expand at the expense of arable land, particularly in the accessible city hinterlands.     

Climate in the Monte Desert: Past trends,present conditions,and future projections

This paper documents the main features of climate and climate variability across the Monte Desert for the Last Glacial Maximum, the Glacial–Interglacial transition, and the Holocene on the basis of proxy records and for the 20th century using instrumental observations. The climate in the Monte is determined by interactions between regional physiography and atmospheric circulation in the 25–45°S sectors of South America. Although arid and semi-arid conditions prevail across the Monte, its large latitudinal extent and complex topography introduce many particularities at local scales. Paleoclimatic records and model simulations of past climates suggest significant variations in the atmospheric circulation, temperature and rainfall patterns since the Last Glacial Maximum. High-resolution proxy records east of the Andes support the existence of complex climatic patterns with similar temperature changes across the whole region but opposite precipitation variations between subtropical and mid-latitude sectors in the Monte during the past millennium.The present-day climate is depicted in terms of the space and time variability of the near-surface temperature, rainfall and tropospheric wind patterns. Uneven temperature trends over the Monte were recorded for two separate (1920–44 and 1977–2001) global warming periods in the 20th century. Additional warming evidence in the region is provided by extreme temperature records. The non-homogeneous regional pattern of precipitation shows a positive long-term increase between 30 and 40°S during the interval 1985–2001. Ensemble of climate experiments accomplished with general circulation models provide the most likely changes in temperature and rainfall to occur by the end of this century in relation to present climate. Temperature increases, larger in summer than in winter, will be concurrent with more abundant precipitations in summer, but almost no changes or even small reductions in winter across the Monte.     

Does land use matter in an arid Environment? A case study from the Hoanib River catchment, north-western Namibia

The effect of intensive grazing and browsing of domestic stock and wildlife on the number of species and abundance of vegetation was investigated in the Hoanib River catchment, north-western Namibia. The seasonal abundance of ground cover, bare earth, canopy cover, annual grass, perennial grass and annual forbs were measured in each of the focus-study areas. In three of the focus areas where the ranges of both domestic stock and wildlife were restricted either by fencing or water availability, impact on the vegetation was greatest. The final focus area was a more ‘open range’ system that allowed for the free movement of wildlife. Under these conditions the species abundance and availability of browsing and grazing was greater than the other focus areas during both the wet and dry seasons. However, very little difference in abundance and availability of vegetation was observed between focus areas in both seasons regardless of landuse. There is generally a low abundance of perennial grasses and browse species affording the ecosystem little resistance and resilience to disturbance caused by grazing and drought.     

Influence of environmental factors on a population of goitred gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa subgutturosaGüldenstaedt, 1780) in semi-wild conditions in an arid environment: a preliminary study

A population of goitred gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa subgutturosaGüldenstaedt, 1780) has been created and maintained in the Bukhara Breeding Centre, Uzbekistan since 1977. Population dynamics and range usage have been analysed for the period from 1978 to 1995. In 1989 the population in 5126 ha of the reserve peaked at 1224; in 1995 it was 580. Breeding success was correlated with meteorological conditions and was density-dependent. Changes of plant associations, connected with the gazelles population growth, are discussed.     

Past imperfect, future tense: Archaeology and development

Archaeological sites are valuable nonrenewable resources and they are being destroyed rapidly by modern development projects of all kinds, worldwide. The contextual information in these sites could tell surprising and valuable stories of human behavior over an enormous sweep of time and might contribute to a better future. Archaeologists’ experience of site destruction and their recent efforts to work with local communities toward alternatives to site destruction may offer examples for others concerned with the treatment of nonrenewable resources     

Physical, chemical and faunal characteristics of a perennial stream in arid northern Oman

A study of a 1·5 km stretch of a perennial stream in arid northern Oman describes the physical, chemical and faunal characteristics of riffles, runs and pools. Air temperature seems to influence invertebrate recruitment. Flooding is the most important catastrophic event that alters the physical and chemical environment. Current velocity and substrate composition are also probable factors affecting the community structure. All other chemical conditions except nitrate (–N) were significantly similar in all biotopes. Three vertebrate and 33 invertebrate taxa were recorded. The low faunal diversity is a reflection of a physically controlled system.     

Land degradation in north-western Jordan: causes and processes

Improper farming practices, overgrazing, the conversion of rangelands to croplands in marginal areas and uncontrolled expansion of urban and rural settlement at the cost of cultivable land are among the major causes of land degradation in north-western Jordan. The purpose of this study was to discuss the major causes of land degradation in the area.Six sites receiving different amounts of annual precipitation and with different vegetation types were selected to represent the major agricultural areas in north-western Jordan. The major soil properties that can be linked to land degradation were studied.Desertification in north-western Jordan is taking place through loss of soil fertility and productivity, overgrazing and water and wind erosion. Erosion by wind and water is considered the major cause of land degradation in the area. The soils contain little organic matter and their alkaline reactions reduce the availability of phosphorous and macronutrients and consequently lead to very low crop yields.     

Current situation, problems and rational utilization of water resources in arid north-western China

From an analysis of the current situation of water resources and its development and utilization in arid areas of north-western China, the authors conclude that some major problems still exist, such as inadequate amounts, unbalanced distribution, serious wastage and a deteriorated water environment. Measures to solve these problems include strengthening management, enhancing scientific and technological levels in the utilization of water resources, and strengthening protection of water resources and the environment. Besides this, the fundamental and important measure is to strengthen studies of water-saving techniques, as discussed in the paper.     

干旱半干旱区城市生态效率时空演变及区域差异分析

研究西北干旱半干旱区城市生态效率,对其经济、资源、环境的协调统一以及生态文明建设的推进具有重要的现实意义。以西北干旱半干旱区38个城市为研究对象,运用三阶段DEA方法客观地测度了各城市2005—2016年生态效率,同时运用ESDA方法全面分析了生态效率的区域差异。结果显示:干旱半干旱区城市生态效率普遍较低,并呈现正向全局空间自相关关系;热点区域主要以乌鲁木齐、克拉玛依等为中心,冷点区域主要以平凉、固原等为中心,热点区域数量呈现先增后减再增的N形变动趋势,冷点区域数量则呈现先减后增再减的倒N形变动趋势。     

语义引导的图标式地理概念建模环境初探

以地理问题求解和地理科学研究环境建设的实际需求为引导,针对当前地理建模过程中存在的建模思想难以交流与重用、建模方式复杂、多领域专家协同建模困难等问题,研究地理概念建模过程中地理概念场景、概念实体及其相互作用关系的表达与元数据描述方法,利用空间数据表达规范与地理模型元数据表达规范逐步引导数据与模型的选择与匹配,构建地理概念模型,并在此基础上提出一种可视化、引导式的面向地理问题表达的概念建模方法,为地理研究提供一个语义引导的图标式地理概念建模环境。     

干旱区绿洲土壤盐渍化分析评价

内蒙古阿拉善左旗贺兰山西侧是我国典型的干旱区,土壤盐渍化现象严重.因此,本次研究对该区存在的土壤盐渍化生态环境地质问题进行评价,分析了土壤盐渍化影响因素,提出了盐渍化防治措施.结果表明:(1)研究区内盐渍化土壤占全区面积的32%,且pH值高,碱化度大,具有盐化与碱化同时进行的双重特性;(2)土壤可溶性离子组成以Na+和SO42-、Cl-离子为主,Na2SO4和NaCl是造成该土壤碱化和性质恶化的主要因素;(3)土壤盐分季节变化明显;(4)土壤盐渍化的形成原因主要是残余积盐和灌溉的影响;(5)在改良利用方面,应在综合规划与合理布局的基础上.因地制宜的发展农林牧业,尽快停止使用不符合标准的水进行灌溉,防止生态环境遭受破坏与盐溃化加剧,已垦的盐渍土耕地,尤应重视土壤培肥.     

Warming effect of desert and its impact on oasis heat resources and agricultural productivity in arid land, China

This paper provides a positive view of the desert, in terms of the warming effect of deserts on oases and the impact of heat resources and agricultural production. We use data from experimental sites in the Manas River Basin in China to characterize these relationships. We note that the warming effect of the desert was found to be significant but gradually reduced with increased distance of the oasis from the desert. The range of warming effect is about 100 km, and the improvement in temperature is about 1.8 °C. Due to this warming effect, the desert serves as the second heat source for the oasis, which represents one important aspect of the ecologic value of the desert. Our results also show the warming effect has a strong spatial impact on agricultural productivity. Crop productivity fell by about 49 kg/ha with every 10 km increase in distance away from the desert. Our results imply that crop suitability must correspond to the warming effect of the desert. More efficient use of heat resources can contribute towards achieving potential productivity.     

干旱区工业共生网络优化研究——以新疆石河子市为例

立足资源和环境约束,对干旱区工业共生过程中链条的设计、水资源的优化利用进行了定性探讨,提出两个观点:干旱区需在确定支柱产业和重点行业的基础上再进行纵向主导产业链与横向耦合共生链的设计;通过促进农业节水用于工业、工业共生反哺农业、提高工业重复用水率来解决工业用水不足的矛盾。继而运用模糊数学建立了多目标模糊优化模型,对共生网络的优化进行了定量研究。所建模型以共生网络经济效益、社会效益、资源效益和环境效益的综合最优作为目标函数,以非线性的相对优属度作为权重系数,将资源瓶颈、环境污染排放总量控制目标等作为约束条件,来求解多目标问题,既科学表达了共生系统的复杂性,又充分体现了工业共生追求经济-环境双赢的内涵。实例应用则表明以上思路、模型与方法具有理论价值和实践意义。     

基于空间PCA的兰州市热环境人文驱动因素分析

在城市化过程中,人类社会、经济活动的加剧使城市地表热力景观呈现出高度的空间异质性。目前对城市热环境形成、演变的驱动机制、热岛效应与地表覆被变化的定量关系研究大多还是从对某些影响因子的测定入手,缺乏对区域热环境系统全面、综合的评价与分析。利用多源空间数据,以干旱区河谷型城市兰州为研究对象,在探讨热环境的空间格局基础上,运用空间主成分分析方法替代传统的多准则判断方法,分析了人类活动对城市热环境的影响特征。结果表明:兰州市人类活动对热环境的影响因子可以归纳为4种相对独立的基本要素,即景观格局、工业布局、城市建筑以及地表覆盖。影响兰州市中心城区热环境的最核心要素是景观格局,四个因子的线性模型较好地模拟了热环境的空间变化,定量揭示了兰州中心城区人类活动对热环境的影响机制。     

西北干旱区不稳定耕地概念与分类研究——以新疆昌吉州为例

厘清西北干旱区不稳定耕地的资源清单对于维持区域生态平衡至关重要.当前,全国对不稳定耕地的定义和分类比较笼统,难以突出西北干旱区不稳定耕地的特征.本文阐明了西北干旱区不稳定耕地的概念,并根据不稳定因素构建了分类体系.同时以昌吉州为例,分析不稳定耕地的数量、质量与空间分布.结果表明:①昌吉州不稳定耕地面积为14.56万hm...