Creating a regional geography of Britain through the spatial analysis of surnames

This paper undertakes the largest ever quantitative analysis of the distribution of surnames in Great Britain, in order to identify ‘surname regions’. Our empirical analysis uses hierarchical clustering and multidimensional scaling in a computationally intensive analysis of a near complete individual population register of Great Britain. The outcome of this classification is an inductive partitioning of space which, we suggest, reveals a unique and authoritative regional geography that is of use in improving our understanding of population dynamics, as well as of historic and contemporary migration.     

Subject of study in complex physical geography (Landscape geography)

Complex physical geography (landscape geography) is a science of the structure of the natural environment treated as a whole composed of interconnected and interacting components. The research object of complex physical geography is the Earth's surface understood as a three-dimensional layer including lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere as well as the biosphere which develops within the former three. Among different terms employed to define the external cover of the earth the best one seems to be epigeosphere (A.G. Isachenko 1965). Landscape as a scientific term is ambiguous and can be well replaced with the term geocomplex. Geocomplex is a relatively closed sector of nature which constitutes a whole due to the processes occuring within it and interdependences of geocomponents of which it is composed (H. Barsch 1968). There are homogeneous (topological) and heterogeneous (chorological) geocomplexes. Every geocomplex is characterized by its structure and manner of functioning. The objective existence of geocomplexes cannot be doubted.     

Ecological and spatial traditions in geography,and the study of environmental problems

The author outlines the relationships between geography and the study of environmental problems. After WW II when these problems were growing in number and complexity, many geographers turned to the quantitative study of spatial relations and processes, neglecting the ecological aspects of human life on earth. However, recently human and physical geography are turning again to an ecological point of view. In the study of environmental problems, a synthesis of the spatial and the ecological traditions in geography is possible. The spatial aspects of environmental problems and environmental management in a systems-theory framework are the central points in the contribution of geography to an interdisciplinary environmental science.     

Employment in retailing: A case study of employment in suburban shopping centres

There have been many studies of the retail industry in recent years, and of the impact that retailing has had on the spatial arrangement of urban areas and on consumer behaviour. Little attention has been paid, however, to employment in retailing, which is disturbing in view of its growing importance and its rapidly changing nature and composition. This paper examines the nature of the broad structural changes within the industry, and investigates their spatial consequences through a case study of employment generation within a system of suburban retail centres in Canberra, Australia. It is shown that the evolution of suburban centres, particularly those of a regional variety, has had an important and enriching impact on the suburban labour market. The regional centres are also seen to be the focus of the major structural employment changes currently affecting the retail industry. This has some important implications for urban planning.     

Beyond geography: The geography of the beyond in ancient Japan

This paper is a review of the literature on the world-view of the ancient cosmography of Japan. It explores the structure of cosmographical space as it was conceived, through archaeological evidence, historical written records and comparative study of primitive religion. It then goes on to examine in some detail the landscape of that world-view, which reflected the actual physiography of Japan, only in mirror-image. It is argued that several aspects of the ancient world-view continue to influence not only some Japanese customs, but also play an underestimated role in determining some important aspects of land use in modern Japan, particularly that associated with mountains and Shint shrines.     

Bringing geography to the community: community-based learning and the geography classroom

Community-based learning is a pedagogical technique designed to bring students out of the classroom and into their communities. Students typically pair with local nonprofit organizations to complete work which ties into their scholarship. Faculty, students, and community members can all benefit from these partnerships, and university-community relations are strengthened by them. These connections deepen the educational experience and improve student success and retention, and build civic engagement skills that benefit the university community and the student’s home community (Strait, Turk, and Nordyke in: JR Strait, K Nordyke (eds), Pedagogy Of Civic Engagement, High-Impact Practices, and e-Service- L Earning, Stylus Publishing, Virginian, 2015; Bednarz in Journal of Geography in Higher Education 32:87–100, 2008; Mohan in Journal of Geography in Higher Education 19:129–142, 1995). Spatial citizenship, while vital to such engagement and to effective community participation, is seldom taught in traditional pedagogy (Kanwischer, Schulze, and Gryl in: Thomas Jekel, Adrijana Car, Josef Strobl, and Gerald Griesebner (eds), Spatial citizenship—dimensions of a curriculum, Wichmann Verlag, Berlin, 2012). Connecting place to pedagogy with spatially-enabled learning helps students investigate complex global concepts at a manageable local scale. Geography is an intrinsic part of scholarship, to varying degrees, and spatial thinking can bring added dimension and value to the educational process (Vogler in: Thomas Jekel, Adrijana Car, Josef Strobl, and Gerald Griesebner (eds), Wichmann Verlag, Berlin, 2012). The intersectionalities which exist within the community, when examined with a spatial lens, are the core of community geography, a praxis-focused method of engaged scholarship (Shannon in Progress in Human Geography, 10.1177/0309132520961468, 2020). Community-based learning is not clearly defined, yet some established models exist. Place-based learning communities move cohorts of students through a curriculum that is centered on local community issues, with the community as both laboratory and lens, and building place attachment (Schweizer, Davis, and Thompson in Environmental Communication 7:42–62, 2013). Service learning, while less clearly defined, typically involves direct work with community organizations, identifying, investigating, and contributing to solutions for local issues (Strait, Turk, and Nordyke in: JR Strait, K Nordyke (eds), Pedagogy Of Civic Engagement, High-Impact Practices, and e-Service- L Earning, Stylus Publishing, Virginian, 2015; Cal Corps Public Service in Designing Community-Based Courses, 1–45, 2015). Built around the concept of place, the added dimension of improved spatial citizenship benefits both community and students. This paper will review community-based learning as practiced through upper-division service learning courses in geography at two universities, and the development of a new course, as methods of engagement with local communities through a spatial lens.

     

Spatial imaginary and geography: A plea for the geography of representations

After twenty years of work on the geography of representations, how is it still possible to define geography as “the science of space”, ie as direct knowledge of material reality? This conception of the discipline — based on Cartesian precepts of evidence (eg the observer's independent certainty), reductionism (ie a disaggregation into sets of simple elements), causality (ie the presupposition of a linear linkage between cause and effect) and exhaustiveness (ie the certainty that nothing essential has been omitted) — has been thrown into question by the geography of representations' holistic approach. How can our scientific practices be separated from our interior existence with its affective and emotional aspects? Is not scientific action an extension of being? Mustn't the geographer, above and beyond the observation of concrete phenomena, also understand the subtle and complex — at times random and hidden — links which unite human beings and their life-space, be it from the viewpoint of the poet, or of all those who take alternative approaches to geography? What I would like to demonstrate is (1) how in an historically and socially given environment, the individual constructs his own reality in linking together the structural, functional and symbolic; (2) how the representation of the landscape is related to our existential experience; and (3) how the imaginary and the real are connected in each place.     

The geography of defence — developing themes of study

Greater access to information after the Post-Cold War period gives researchers new opportunities to study the environmental, economic and social impacts of military defence. Changing political and economic circumstances are influencing the distribution of military facilities and defence industries in developed countries. The paper illustrates these developments and looks at the contribution to change made by pressure groups end at examples from the UK defence sector. Defence forces are reacting to criticism about negative impacts through a variety of measures including environmental training, site remediation and the use of simulation technology. A framework for further research is presented and many references cited.     

Kuwaiti national assembly — 1992 a study in electoral geography

The study of electoral geography in Kuwait has proven to be an interesting field for its reflection of a regional and national democratic approach in governing the state. The first consultative council was established in 1920, to be followed by the first legislative council in 1938 formed by means of elections. These two councils gave way to the first formation of a state parliament in 1963. Its history was faltered a number of times firstly in 1976 and secondly in 1986.Following the liberation, Kuwait restored its parliamentary life and elections took place on October, 5th 1992. Elections results were different to those of the previous ones where tribalism and sectarianism (Sunnis vis-a-vis Shiites) had little effect on the final results of the votes. Nevertheless, religious fundamentalist movements succeeded in winning more seats than in the past.Kuwaitis in general have become convinced that democracy is the right path for ruling the country, therefore Kuwaitis are very eager to see the success of their parliamentary experience not just for them but for the sake of the entire Gulf region.     

IGU study group historical geography of global environmental change

The International Geographical Union Reports

IGU study group historical geography of global environmental change     

A PDF-based analysis of the spatial structure of retailing

The present paper proposes a new method for analyzing the spatial structure of retailing, using microscale locational data of individual retail stores. The method is based on the probability density function (PDF) of stores estimated from their locational data, and consequently it is applicable to both micro- and macro-scale retail analyses. The PDF approach provides a set of quantitative methods that permit us (1) to measure the degree of agglomeration, (2) to classify spatial patterns of store location, (3) to analyze the relationship between the size and function of retail agglomerations, and (4) to analyze the spatial structure of retail agglomeration. An empirical study is performed to test the validity of the method, and some empirical findings are shown. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

灌溉水文学及其研究进展

由于灌区下垫面性质的空间变异性和人类活动对水分循环的影响,灌区呈现出与自然流域不同的水文特征。在不同尺度水文特征的研究中,人们注意到灌溉排水与水文学的联系,并提出了灌溉水文学的概念。近年来,灌溉对灌区水文的影响及节水灌溉的尺度效应等研究,逐渐丰富了灌溉水文学的研究内容,灌溉水文学研究的重要性日渐突出。本文在分析灌区水文现象、水分循环及灌溉对灌区水分循环影响的基础上,阐述了不同学者对灌溉水文学概念的理解,在总结国内外灌溉水文学及相关领域研究进展的基础上,提出了灌溉水文的研究重点及其发展趋势。并提出,灌区水文观测和灌区信息的准确获取是灌溉水文学的研究基础,针对灌区特点而开发的数值模拟和灌区分布式水文模型是主要研究手段,尺度效应和尺度转换是研究的难点。     

多硅白云母地质压力计的研究进展

白云母是变质岩中分布最广泛的矿物之一,在大多数矿物组合中白云母的Si含量随着变质作用压力的增加而增加,可作为地质压力计。对KMASH体系3个有限组合中多硅白云母的Si含量与温压条件关系的实验研究结果表明,多硅白云母Si含量地质压力计明显与矿物组合有关。因此,不能把这些实验结果简单地外延到矿物组合不同的天然岩石中。在KMASH体系的温压视剖面图上模拟白云母的Si含量等值线与质量较好的实验结果非常接近,由此可以把这种方法推广到KFMASH或更复杂的体系中。在利用多硅白云母Si的含量确定天然矿物组合的变质作用压力时,最好利用视剖面图的方法。