Residential energy consumption and associated carbon emission in forest rural area in China: A case study in Weichang County

Rural energy consumption in China has increased dramatically in the last decades, and has become a significant contributor of carbon emissions. Yet there is limited data on energy consumption patterns and their evolution in forest rural areas of China. In order to bridge this gap, we report the findings of field surveys in forest villages in Weichang County as a case study of rural energy consumption in northern China. We found that the residential energy consumption per household is 3313 kgce yr-1(kilogram standard coal equivalent per year), with energy content of 9.7 × 107 kJ yr-1, including 1783 kgce yr-1 from coal, 1386 kgce yr-1 from fuel wood, 96 kgce yr-1 from electricity, and 49 kgce yr-1 from LPG. Per capita consumption is 909 kgce yr-1 and its energy content is 2.7 × 107 kJ yr-1. Due to a total energy utilization efficiency of 24.6%, all the consumed energy can only supply about 2.4 × 107 kJ yr-1 of efficient energy content. Secondly, household energy consumption is partitioned into 2614 kgce yr-1 for heating, 616 kgce yr-1 for cooking, and 117 kgce yr-1 for home appliances. Thirdly, the associated carbon emissions per household are 2556 kgC yr-1, including1022 kgC yr-1 from unutilized fuel wood(90% of the total fuel wood). The rest of emissions come from the use of electricity(212 kgC yr-1), coal(1301 kgC yr-1) and LPG(21 kgC yr-1). Fourthly, local climate, family size and household income have strong influences on rural residential energy consumption. Changes in storage and utilization practices of fuel can lead to the 10%-30% increase in the efficiency of fuel wood use, leading to reduced energy consumption by 924 kgce yr-1 per household(27.9% reduction) and 901 kgC yr-1 of carbon emissions(35.3% reduction).     

Current situation and influencing factors of pluriactivity in mountainous and hilly rural areas of Sichuan province, China

In this study,the current situation of pluriactivity in mountainous and hilly rural areas of Sichuan province was analyzed using representative sample survey data and natural factor data calculated based on 30 m-resolution DEM and GIS.Moreover,using logistic regression model,a quantitative analysis was conducted on factors influencing pluriactivity in terms of individuals,households,communities and natural environmental conditions.The results showed that,(1) only 17.77% of rural laborers in mountainous and hilly areas of Sichuan province were engaged in pluriactivity.Geographically,pluriactivity was mainly chosen according to the "proximity principle",and was concentrated in construction and service industries;(2) the following factors have a significant influence on whether rural laborers in hilly areas engage in pluriactivity:gender,number of years of education,marriage,number of laborers and time to towns.Those with little influence include:age,health,family size,arable land per capita and per capita income,whether there are elderly people over 75 years and children less than 3 years.According to the main factors affecting pluriactivity,the government should enhance vocational skills training for rural laborers in mountainous and hilly areas,especially for female laborers,further improve transport accessibility and encourage rural laborers,especially female laborers to move into pluriactivity to increase the income of farm households.     

SUSTAINABLE RURAL LIVELIHOOD AND ECOLOGICAL SHELTER CONSTRUCTION IN UPPER REACHES OF CHANGJIANG RIVER ——Case Study of Zhaotong of Yunnan Province

1INTRODUCTION Ecological shelter construction (ESC) in the upper reaches of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River has been an important component of Development Program of West- ern China. In recent years, most of the literatures dis- cussing the meanings and goals of ESC have been fo- cused on the macro-level, and the scholars have concep- tualized it as a comprehensive strategy to promote the sustainable development of regional economy, society and environment, in which forestry's construc…     

Geography and Rural Household Income： A Village Level Study in Henan Province, China

This study uses the data from a sample survey conducted in April 2007 on 1 251 rural households in 11 villages of Henan Province, the largest less developed agricultural province in China, to examine how geography affects rural household income (RHI). The quantitative analysis indicates following results. 1) The significance of the traditional geographical factors reduces as RHI rank increases. 2) The landform does not affect the RHI significantly. The per capita income of rural household in a plain area is lower than that in a mountainous area. And 3) the capital endowment and status of non-farm economic activities contribute to the increase of RHI. But the probability and intensity of non-farm economic activities of rural households in urban outskirts villages are higher than that in non-urban outskirts villages. Based on the results, the paper further concludes that geography still plays a significant role in rural development, but it is changing over time. The agricultural resources (such as per capita arable land) significantly affect RHI with the relatively lower income level, while the geographical location shows a more significant impact on RHI with the relatively high income level. Along with economic development, the proximity replaces the traditional geographical factors such as landform and physical resources as the major determining factor in RHI.     

Spatial and temporal variability of farm size in China in context of rapid urbanization

During the last 30 years,China has witnessed rapid economic growth and dramatic urbanization,with about 1.2 × 107rural people migrating annually into urban areas.Meanwhile,especially since 1995,the rural population has been declining,which is closely linked to land circulation and the increase in farm size in many villages.Increasing scale of farming operations is often regarded as a key to avoiding the abandonment of farmland and to increasing the income of rural farmers.However,until now,there has been little research on the spatial and temporal variability of farm size at the national level in China.Using data from the national agricultural census and rural household surveys,this study examines the characteristics of land use circulation and the consequent changes in the area of farmland per household.The results show that: 1) 12.2% of rural households were involved in land circulation at the national level.The highest amounts of land circulation have occurred in those provinces where the farmland per capita is more than 0.2 ha or less than 0.1 ha;2) over 80% of households operate less than 0.6 ha of farmland;3) the proportion of mid-sized farms(between 0.2 ha and 0.6 ha per household) has decreased while the smallest and the largest farms have increased.This bears some similarity with the phenomenon known as the ′disappearing middle′,referring to the changes in farm size.This study establishes a framework for interpreting the factors affecting the changes in farm size in China,which include two promoting factors(urbanization and agriculture) and four hindering factors(agricultual land system,household registration,stable clan system,and farmland loss).     

Changes in Agricultural System as Farmers Adapt to Economic-Social and Climatic Changes in the Min Upriver Rural Areas in Western Sichuan,Southwestern China

Rapid economic growth in China has brought about great economic-social changes in rural areas, having considerable impact on the society in economy and environment. With a per capita possession of about 0.08 ha of cropland, Chinese farmers in rural areas adopt various ways in response to these changes in a bit to maintain their livelihood, wherein the agricultural system is facing one more options possible. To understand how rural communities have used different mechanisms to adapt to the economic and natural changes, we joined a survey in dry valleys of the Min upriver area under Maoxian county of western Sichuan province, southwestern China and visited the local people. Changes in the main crop cultivation have shown up an important means to keep up their household income. Farm households start seeking economic growth through diversified cultivating of cereal and economic crops in five lines, namely cereal, apple monoculture, apple and vegetables, plum and vegetables, mixed fruits and vegetables. These new lines mirror farmers’ flexibility to cope with today’s economic-social and climatic changes. The farming operation has changed all the more from a subsistence on grain to special agricultural products. Economic reforms in the early 1980 s motivated theprogress first in conversion of production from grain to fruits, and the desire to increase family income turned out to be an impetus for the subsequent events. At present, more farmers moving out of the rural areas, uneasy availability of labor force, increased opportunity cost of labors and their wages, increased farm size, and the urgent demand for the agricultural labor force, all these combine into the trend of the agricultural system of China on facing further economic-social reforms and reconstruction of the countryside across China.     

宅基地流转农户行为影响因素的实证研究——基于广东省19个县市34个行政村的抽样调查

宅基地流转是提高农村宅基地资源有效配置的途径之一.以广东省为例,在对19个县(市、区)34个行政村544户农户抽样调查的基础上,运用 Logistic 回归模型,定量分析广东省不同区域类别下农户宅基地流转的主要影响因素及其影响程度.研究表明:广东省省域59.33%的农户发生宅基地流转,而珠江三角洲地区和粤东地区的比例分别高达67.42%和62.5%,粤西地区和粤北地区的比例分别为59.26%和43.04%;不同区域类别下农户宅基地流转的主要影响因素有明显差异;农户家庭年纯收入和宅基地面积因子是影响广东省宅基地流转的最重要因素.针对研究结果,提出了相应促进宅基地资源更有效配置的政策建议     

Gradient effect on farmers’ income in the mountain areas and its implication for poverty alleviation strategies: Empirical analysis from the upper reach of Minjiang River, China

Using four types of settlements in the upper reach of Minjiang River as case,we establish structural models in farmers’ income of different settlement patterns based on rural household panel data to reveal the gradient effect on farmers’ income and determinants.The results indicate that:(1) except the resettlement area,the incomes for farmers living in river valley,semi-mountain,and high-mountain settlements present a decreasing trend with the elevation increasing;on the contrary,their nonfarm earnings show an increasing trend with the elevation decreasing;(2) from the effect on farmers’ income,there is a common feature that the nonfarm earnings and farming incomes have significant positive effects,and family size and productive expenditure have significant negative effects.One exception to this is the productive expenditure,which becomes insignificant in the model of resettlement area;(3) from the way of increasing farmers’ income and alleviating poverty,there are great differences for four types of settlements in mountain areas,however,the improvement of agricultural product sales,agricultural production subsidies,the expansion for nonfarm employment,and the control of the family’s size are the most effective approaches for poverty alleviation.     

Quantification of restricting factors of agricultural development in Min County of Gansu,China

Agricultural development in povertystricken areas is a major problem affecting agricultural modernization in China. This study discusses the restrictive factors affecting agricultural development in impoverished areas in China. A typical impoverished mountainous area, Min County,was selected for a case study. A regression analysis on the factors and characteristics of agricultural development in Min County between 1982 and 2017 was performed in this study. Taking agricultural output as the dependent variable, we selected nine main inputs of agricultural production in impoverished mountainous areas as the independent variables. Ridge regression analysis was carried out by testing for unit root and co-integration to verify the equilibrium relationship of the data. The results showed that the real Gross domestic product(GDP)per capita, the non-grain area ratio, the proportion of government expenditure on agriculture support to total expenditure, and the amount of chemical fertilizer applied in unit cultivated land area were the four most significant factors. The proportion of government expenditure on agriculture support to total expenditure was a negative influence, whereas the other three significant factors had a positive influence on agricultural output. This study highlights about the most significant factors affecting the agricultural development of impoverished mountainous regions in China.     

A transition from wood fuel to LPG and its impact on energy conservation and health in the Central Himalayas, India

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impacts of the transition from wood fuel to Liquefied Petroleum Gas(LPG) from energy use and health perspectives along an altitudinal gradient(viz.,lower altitude;middle altitude;and higher altitude) of the Central Himalayas.Empirical field study and questionnaire based survey was conducted forobtaining the data.A total of 20 households from each altitude were selected for obtaining reliable information on the actual quantity of fuelwood consumed.Of the 20 households,five households each based on the family size i.e.,small families(<4 members),medium(5-8 members) and large(>9 members) from all the altitudinal regions were selected.This was followed by an administration of a questionnaire on the quantity of fuelwood consumed.After the completion of the questionnaire survey,the data was validated using a weighted survey for the randomly selected households for obtaining precise information on the actual quantity of fuelwood consumed.Energy analysis is done with respect to the time spent on fuelwood collection and energy value of burning of per kg of fuelwood.Study indicates that declining biomass requirement from forests contributes significantly towards energy conservation,also has positive impact on human health.Per capita annual energy expenditure on collection of fuelwood is 752 MJ which is higher than any other activity in villages of Central Himalaya.The LPG substitution has contributed to energy saving which is equivalent to 2976-3,742 MJ per capita per year in middle and lower altitudes respectively.In the higher altitude the energy saving is calculated to be about 257 MJ per capita per year.Replacing fuelwood with LPG has made positive impact on society in terms of improving the health while reducing diseases that are caused due to indoor air pollution.     

基于ECM模型的成都市城镇居民收入与消费问题的实证研究

利用成都市1978—2007年度的城镇居民可支配收入和人均消费支出数据,构建误差修正模型进行了实证研究,结果显示：成都市城镇居民人均消费支出和可支配收入两变量存在协整关系;人均可支配收入是影响消费支出最根本的原因;由于误差修正系数为负数,符合反向修正机制,使得短期的消费政策无效。因此,长期来看,政府必须采取有效措施提高居民的可支配收入,优化供给和消费结构,才能实现扩大内需的政策目标。     

Analyzing land-use change in farming-pastoral transitional region using autologistic model and household survey approach

Land change science （LCS） strives to understand and model land-use change, which will further advance the understanding of multiple issues in the socio-ecological systems. Based on GIS/RS techniques, autologistic model, and household survey method, this study investigated major land use changes and their causes from 1978 to 2008 in Uxin Banner （county-level）, Inner Mongolia in China and then developed an understanding of the relationships between household livelihood and land-use pattern. Results showed that cultivated land increased from 1988 to 2000, and leveled offafter 2000. Built-up land increased stably for the period 1978 2008. The change of grassland and bare land differed among the three periods. From 1978 to 1988, grassland increased by 23.3%, and bare land decreased by 20.48%. From 1988 to 2000, bare land expanded by 1.7%, but grassland declined by 1.3%. From 2000 to 2008, an increase in grassland area by 1.8% was observed, but a decrease in bare land area by 9.0% was witnessed. The autologistic models performed better than logistic models as indicated by lower Akaike Information Criterion （AIC） values. Factors associated with human activities significantly correlated with the change of cultivated land, forest land, grassland, and built-up land. The produce prices and extensive cultivated land use are major issues in the farming area. This study suggests that completing land circulation systems and maintaining the stability of price are effective solutions. By contrast, reclamation and overgrazing are major concerns in the pastoral areas. Implementing environmental policies effectively, transferring population out of rural pastoral areas, and developing modem animal husbandry are effective ways to address these issues.     

Cropland physical disturbance intensity: plot-scale measurement and its application for soil erosion reduction in mountainous areas

Various kinds of human disturbances on cropland are the main reasons for soil erosion and land degradation. Farming practices in mountainous areas vary greatly among cropland plots because of the heterogeneity of biophysical conditions and differences in farmers’ management behavior. The main purpose of this paper is to develop a composite index of cropland physical disturbance intensity (CLDI) to reflect the plot-scale discrepancy of potential soil erosion in mountainous areas. The study was based on both plot survey and household interview data, collected from six typical catchments in mountainous areas of southwestern China. Four kinds of physical disturbance practices and two kinds of conservation practices during one crop rotation period were synthesized to develop the CLDI index. The rough set theory was referenced to avoid subjectivity during weight allocation. The results show that conventional tillage, deep fertilization, and manual weeding are the main causes of cropland soil erosion, whereas manure application in combination with seasonal fallow reduces soil erosion. Different crop types as well as cropland location factors determine the spatial pattern of CLDI. Crop rotation modes with major crops of tobacco and maize resulted in a maximal CLDI, and cropland plots with a distance radius of 150 meters away from households received the most intensive physical disturbance. These results are critical to help better protect rural environments in mountainous areas. Based on the results, methods to reduce cropland soil erosion are suggested.     

井工煤矿生态恢复治理工作中存在的问题探讨

井工煤矿对生态系统的影响和破坏主要为采空区导致地表变形、地面塌陷、地裂缝等地质灾害,地下水系统破坏和"三废"排放等。该文认为人们对矿区生产及闭坑后地下水污染对农业的危害未能引起足够的重视,急需强行关闭用作灌溉的污染水井,然后需要进行监测、封堵、治污等工作,逐渐提高矿区地下水质量;认为煤矿高岩温岩体作为地热能的主要赋存体,具有较好的热导率,通过水源热泵系统提取循环水中的热量,可以将采空区周边的地温能加以提取利用,让煤矿在生产及闭坑后均能产生地热能源;认为制约煤矿采空塌陷积水区治理的关键问题是解决充填积水区和井下采空区填充物问题,提出改造鲁南运河,将黄河泥沙输送到济宁及周边矿区;认为治理历史遗留矸石山的关键问题是爆破削坡过程中发生崩塌、滑坡、扬尘等灾害,可以利用高压水枪,配合破岩机和挖掘机联合作业来解决。     

Shifting cultivation in Mizoram,India: An empirical study of its economic implications

Shifting cultivation is the major occupation and the main source of income of the marginal farmers(Jhumias) in Mizoram. At present, net area sown in Mizoram State is only 5.5%, of which, 16.9% area is devoted to shifting cultivation. Meanwhile, about 54% people, living in the rural areas, are engaged in practicing it. This paper examines economic implications of shifting cultivation in Mizoram, the eastern extension of the Himalaya. A total of 16 villages from eight districts(two villages from each district), were selected for case study, based on their location and distance from the district's headquarter. Household level survey was conducted and a purposive random sampling method was employed to select households with 34.2% sampling size. The case study reveals that production and yield of the principal crops grown under shifting cultivation has decreased during the last 17 years(2000-2017), whereas, there is a slight increase in area sown. It further shows that although, a large group of Jhumias are practicing shifting cultivation and growing subsistence cereals, yet, their economic viability is significantly less than cash crops. As a result, a large section of people in rural areas are living below poverty line. The study suggests that for sustainable livelihood, cash crops can replace subsistence crops and shifting cultivation can be converted into permanent cultivation through terracing the Jhum plots.     

Analysis on poverty in mountain areas based on off-farm industries

This paper reveals that agricultural growth trend in China is strongly correlated with the growth of off-farm industries-the curve of net income from off-farm industries reflects the general characteristics of net income of households. That means the increase of net income of farm households is chiefly from off-farm industries,more than from agriculture. The authors therefore conclude that the “poverty“ in mountain areas or the gap between mountain areas and plain areas lies in the underdevelopment of off-farm industries in mountain areas. Finally, the authors make suggestions of strategic adjustment of economic structure: 1) present situation of mountain areas in China should be fully considered; 2) a full industrial system is not our desire; 3) advantageous industries should be promoted to create famous products; 4) industrialization and urbanization in mountain areas should be promoted and so on.     

福州土地利用变化及其驱动力多元综合分析

运用地球信息技术对福州土地利用变化特征和驱动力进行了深入分析。主要以TM数据作为信息源获取两时相土地利用状况及其变化信息:用GPS快速提供变化区准确的空间位置信息和野外调查时的快速定位;并利用GIS对多种数据进行处理、集成管理、空间统计和相关分析;对土地利用变化驱动力进一步研究。     

基于开源大数据的北京地区餐饮业空间分布格局

基于大数据进行城市服务设施空间格局分析已成为一种新的研究热点,而餐饮业是城市服务业的典型代表,因此通过开源大数据对城市餐饮业的空间布局进行研究具有重要的意义。本文以北京地区作为研究区,采用网络爬虫技术获取大众点评上153 895家餐饮店数据,引入基于密度的CFSFDP聚类算法从空间分布密集度和人均消费等级方面对餐饮业背后蕴含的地理聚集特征进行分析。研究发现：① 北京地区餐饮店总体呈现多中心的空间分布特征,其集聚程度以主城区为核心向外逐级递减,并明显表现出围绕重要商圈、旅游景点和住宅区进行布局以及沿交通轴线扩展的趋势;② 不同人均消费水平的餐饮店呈现等级体系特征,即高档餐馆少而集聚,中低档餐馆多而散的分布特点;③ 餐馆分布密集程度和定价表现出接近市场和消费者的特征。同时,本文综合空间集聚特征和消费水平2项指标对影响餐饮店集群空间分布格局的因素进行了分析,以期为政府规划部门进行城市商业空间布局研究提供借鉴。     

湖北省农村居民点用地整理适宜性评价及分区

本农村居民点用地整理是我国新农村建设的重要内容。以湖北省农村居民点为研究区域,从农村居民点用地整理潜力、整理能力和整理迫切度3个方面选取10个指标,构建了农村居民点用地整理适宜性评价体系,利用熵值法结合专家打分法确定权重并计算农村居民点整理综合分值,进一步结合人均居民点面积现状和评价结果将研究区划分为五类整理区。该研究可以为制定农村居民点用地整理规划、遴选土地整理项目提供决策依据,有助于推进农村居民点用地整理工作的有序进行以及社会主义新农村的建设。     

Analyzing Influencing Factors of Rural Poverty in Typical Poverty Areas of Hainan Province: A Case Study of Lingao County

Rural poverty and poverty reduction are not only the focal issues that have attracted worldwide attention, but also the vital issues on people’s livelihood that has attached great importance and aimed to be solved by the central and local governments of China. Based on the survey data of 354 farming households, this paper, taking the national poverty county of Lingao County, Hainan Province for an example, examined the characteristics of rural poverty of the county. Moreover, this paper established the spatial lag model (SLM) from five dimensions, namely, status of the household head, household structure, health status, income composition and traffic accessibility, to analyze the main influencing factors of rural poverty according to the values of Moran’s I and the diagnosis of spatial dependence of the OLS model. It is found that the poor farming households gathered mainly in five towns in the north and southwest of the county, and the rural poverty have the characteristics of low educational level of the heads, more minor children, high population of farming peasants, high incidence of disease and low proportion of household wage-equivalent income. The results also showed that the variables such as the number of minor children, the number of migrant worker, the number of farming peasants and the proportion of wage-equivalent income have significant effectiveness on rural poverty, while the status of the household head, health status and traffic accessibility have little influence. It is an important way to realize the goal of poverty alleviation by controlling the number of farmers’ fertility, strengthening the vocational skills training of farmers, vigorously developing specialization and large-scale agriculture and increasing the employment opportunities of farmers.