Diurnal Variations in the Characteristics of Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Activity in the Great Lakes Region of the United States

Cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning observations for the warm seasons (May-September) of 1989 and 1990 were analyzed for the Great Lakes region in order to assess the diurnal variations in the lightning characteristics. Several parameters, including flash rate, the spatial extent of lightning activity, first stroke peak current, and the percentage of positive flashes, varied markedly over the course of the day. In contrast, other parameters, such as the frequency of lightning periods and the multiplicity of both negative and positive CG flashes, displayed little diurnal variation. A large degree of intraseasonal (i.e., month-to-month) variation was observed in the diurnal patterns for several of the lightning parameters.     

Diurnal Variations in the Characteristics of Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Activity in the Great Lakes Region of the United States

Cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning observations for the warm seasons (May-September) of 1989 and 1990 were analyzed for the Great Lakes region in order to assess the diurnal variations in the lightning characteristics. Several parameters, including flash rate, the spatial extent of lightning activity, first stroke peak current, and the percentage of positive flashes, varied markedly over the course of the day. In contrast, other parameters, such as the frequency of lightning periods and the multiplicity of both negative and positive CG flashes, displayed little diurnal variation. A large degree of intraseasonal (i.e., month-to-month) variation was observed in the diurnal patterns for several of the lightning parameters.     

Cloud-to-ground lightning signatures of long-lived tornadic supercells on 27–28 April 2011

This study integrates past research methodologies, data from the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN), and geographic information system techniques to assess the lightning and severe weather hazard relationship for the 27–28 April 2011 United States tornado outbreak. NLDN and Doppler radar data are used to examine the cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning characteristics associated with seven supercell thunderstorms that produced long-track, significant and/or violent tornadoes. Analyses indicate that CG lightning flashes alone do not provide enough information for the detection of a lightning jump prior to tornadogenesis. All seven supercells were dominated by negative-polarity CG lightning flashes; which is expected due to the geographic location and elevated low-level moisture found in the outbreak environment. The correlation between low-level mesocyclone strength and total CG lightning flash rate was varied and inconsistent among all storms despite their formation and sustenance in similar environmental and geographic space. Additional case studies, as well as climatological approaches, are required to discover if the varying lightning–tornado relationships found in this study are consistent with other tornadic environments.     

An algorithm for converting weather radar data into GIS polygons and its application in severe weather warning systems

An algorithm was developed for converting radar data from matrix format into polygons that can be easily visualized, processed, and analyzed using Geographic Information Systems. Spatial operators can be used to overlap radar polygons with land surface features represented by points, lines, and polygons to meet the demands of severe weather identification and tracking and risk recognition. Application and testing of the algorithm demonstrate that the converted radar polygons are suitable for use in weather modification, risk assessments of flash floods in urban areas, and the identification of lightning activity for lightning risk recognition, all of which are essential in real-time severe weather monitoring and warning.     

Locating Convection in Landfalling Tropical Cyclones: A Gis-Based Analysis of Radar Reflectivities and Comparison to Lightning-Based Observations

Researchers have utilized radar reflectivity returns and lightning flashes separately and together to locate convection with tropical cyclones (TCs). Most studies utilizing both datasets have examined TCs over the ocean, while landfall observations have been limited to a few TCs. This study employs a GIS to delineate regions of high radar reflectivity values within 45 landfalling TCs. The percentage of convective regions contained within each quadrant placed relative to storm motion and deep-layer vertical wind shear is calculated. These percentages are then compared to those from previous studies of quadrant-based lightning flash locations. Results indicate that the GIS-based radar analysis may be identifying TC regions that are electrically active. Both the radar- and lightning-based analyses show that convection shifts from the right to the front of the storm as forward velocity increases. Convection is located left of the shear vector when storm motion is 45-135° counterclockwise from the shear vector, and downshear when shear-minus-motion angles are 315-45°. Additionally, storms that became extratropical within 72 hours of landfall had more convection forward of the circulation center and left of the shear vector, and may produce less lightning than the remaining TCs.     

Monitoring land changes in an urban area using satellite imagery,GIS and landscape metrics

Monitoring land changes is an important activity in landscape planning and resource management. In this study, we analyze urban land changes in Atlanta metropolitan area through the combined use of satellite imagery, geographic information systems (GIS), and landscape metrics. The study site is a fast-growing large metropolis in the United States, which contains a mosaic of complex landscape types. Our method consisted of two major components: remote sensing-based land classification and GIS-based land change analysis. Specifically, we adopted a stratified image classification strategy combined with a GIS-based spatial reclassification procedure to map land classes from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) scenes acquired in two different years. Then, we analyzed the spatial variation and expansion of urban land changes across the entire metropolitan area through post classification change detection and a variety of GIS-based operations. We further examined the size, pattern, and nature of land changes using landscape metrics to examine the size, pattern, and nature of land changes. This study has demonstrated the usefulness of integrating remote sensing with GIS and landscape metrics in land change analysis that allows the characterization of spatial patterns and helps reveal the underlying processes of urban land changes. Our results indicate a transition of urbanization patterns in the study site with a limited outward expansion despite the dominant suburbanization process.     

The Impacts of Three-Dimensional Surface Characteristics on Urban Heat Islands over the Diurnal Cycle

This study explores the spatial effects of two- and three-dimensional (2-D, 3-D) urban features in the formation of daytime and nighttime surface urban heat islands (SUHIs) with the help of satellite imagery and LiDAR. Spatially rectified statistical models are used to estimate parameters and understand the spatial spillover effects of urban drivers of SUHIs. In addition, nonlinear relationships among surface temperatures and urban features were included to improve the model fit. The empirical evidence from this study of Atlanta, Georgia, suggests that urban drivers of SUHIs exhibit different and contrasting effects depending on the time of day and their 3-D geometries. The study informs SUHI mitigation efforts by demonstrating that land use policies need to consider the differential effects of land use drivers over the diurnal cycle.     

新型城镇化与土地集约利用的时空演变及关系

提升城镇土地利用效率是推进新型城镇化的主要内容。在准确识别新型城镇化影响土地集约利用的机理基础上,运用两步全局主成分分析法和空间面板计量经济学模型,探讨了2006-2011年新型城镇化与土地集约利用的时空演化特征,并揭示两变量间的关系。研究表明：① 总体上两变量呈平稳上升态势且地区间差距趋于收敛。② 东、中、西内部和三大地带间的差距特征各异,且东部、西部省际差距和三大地带间的差距均分别是两变量总体差距的主要成因;空间演化趋势表明,两变量表现出显著的地理集聚现象和增量集聚特征,且空间格局具有较大的相似性和集聚演化趋势的同步性;新型城镇化空间格局呈现出“三纵两横”的地理特征,而土地集约利用空间分布则呈自东向内陆地区的梯度集聚之势。③ 城镇土地集约利用具有较为显著的正空间相关性且呈递增之势,无论全国层面还是分地区层面,新型城镇化对土地集约利用均有显著的正向影响。     

评析西方城市土地利用的理论研究

综述了西方城市土地利用理论研究的最新进展,较深入地评析了各种研究方法与理论派系的独到功力及其局限性。并结合中国城市土地利用的研究进展,提出今后应加强城市土地利用区位经济的理论与实证研究及城市土地开发过程的政治经济分析     

The Fundamental Challenge in Measuring Sprawl: Which Land Should Be Considered?*

Lack of agreement on how to define and measure sprawl has hampered development of policy related to its causes and consequences. We question previous work for two reasons: the use of study areas that overbound or underbound sprawl landscapes, and the failure to account for land unavailable for development. We formulate “extended urban areas,” based on housing density and commuting patterns and argue that they represent a preferable geographic basis for measuring sprawl. We operationalize with satellite imagery a way for measuring land unavailable for development in these areas. We then compute five measures of urban development using the National Land Cover Data Base and decennial census data to assess the extent of sprawl in the extended urban areas of Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Los Angeles, and Washington. Our sensitivity analyses reveal that the measurement of sprawl critically depends on which land area forms the basis of the analysis, and, to a lesser degree, how one accounts for land unavailable for development.     

Sustainable for whom? Green urban development,environmental gentrification,and the Atlanta Beltline

Large-scale, sustainable urban development projects can transform surrounding neighborhoods. Without precautionary policies, environmental amenities produced by these projects, such as parks, trails, walkability, and higher-density development, tend to result in higher land and housing costs. This will make it harder for a low- and moderate-income households to live near the projects, and neighborhoods are likely to become increasingly affluent. The Atlanta Beltline will ultimately connect 45 Atlanta neighborhoods via a 22-mile loop of trails, parks, and eventually a streetcar, all of which follow abandoned railroad tracks. This paper examines the effect of the Beltline on housing values within one half mile. From 2011 to 2015, depending on the segment of the Beltline, values rose between 17.9 percent and 26.6 percent more for homes within a half-mile of the Beltline than elsewhere. The implications for housing affordability and neighborhood change of projects like the Beltline, and associated policy questions, are addressed.     

Scenarios on future land changes in the West African Sahel

In an attempt to anticipate possible futures of drylands of West Africa in the face of rapid socio-economic and environmental changes, we developed four scenarios based on recent survey data, the literature and our knowledge of the region. The four scenarios are inspired by those developed by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment: (1) ‘downward spiral’ characterized by rapid climate change, expansion of agriculture and chaotic urban growth; (2) ‘integrated economy’ with integrated land management, food production for local markets and rural–urban exchanges; (3) ‘open doors’ characterized by large-scale out-migrations, land grabbing by foreign companies and development aid and (4) ‘climate change mitigation’ with an increase in biofuel crops, land management for carbon capture and development of off-farm activities. We conclude that the Sahel region is most likely moving away from being a highly climate-dependent region based on agriculture towards a more open and diversified economy. West African countries have to find a balance between the new opportunities and risks created by economic globalization.     

中国城市土地城市化水平与进程的空间评价

土地城市化在中国快速而持续的城市化进程中扮演的支撑与制约角色越来越明显,但目前对土地城市化水平的测度框架依然没有明确统一的认识。基于此,提出了一种可供参考的土地城市化率的概念与测度方法,并确定其阈值。以中国656个城市的城区为研究单元,以2000年和2010年城市建设用地面积为基本数据,采用城市建设用地面积、土地城市化率、城市土地扩展面积和城市土地扩展速度分别评价了中国城市的土地城市化规模、水平、绝对进程和相对进程的空间分异格局。并分析了九大类城市建设用地类型对土地城市化进程的贡献率。结果表明：① 近10年来,中国城市总体土地城市化率提高近一倍,由“金字塔式”等级分布逐渐转为“钥匙式”的分布格局;东部地区城市建设用地规模较大,但城区面积更大,使其土地城市化率的数值较低。② 省会城市和沿海城市群的城市土地扩展面积最大,呈现出行政等级式分异和空间集聚式分异的空间格局;城市土地扩展速度呈现出沿海城市群与其他城市分异的空间格局。规模越大的城市,土地城市化进程越明显。③ 近10年来中国土地城市化进程的两大核心用地增长类型是居住用地和工业用地;规模越大的城市,工业用地增长的驱动作用越显著;中西部地区和中小规模城市以居住用地增长为核心,沿海城市群和重要交通轴线城市以工业用地增长为主。     

区域城镇化进程中的土地利用问题研究——以长沙县为例

从县域城镇化发展进程出发,以长沙县为例,研究探讨了城镇化进程与土地利用之间的内在关系,对区域总体用地结构、城镇内部土地利用、用地效率等方面进行了分析。在此基础上,探讨了城镇化进程中存在的土地利用问题,并从科学编制城镇用地规划和强化用地管理等方面提出了协调城镇化发展与土地利用的对策,为合理调控城镇发展与用地,以及社会主义新农村建设提供参考。     

中国人口与土地城镇化时空耦合特征及驱动机制

城镇化是现代化的必然趋势,城镇人口与土地利用的合理匹配成为新型城镇化的重要前提。本文以中国636个建制市为研究对象,构建了人口城镇化与土地城镇化耦合发展关系指数,据此划分其耦合类型。借助Kernel Density工具,分析了中国城镇化发展的宏观格局、人口与土地城镇化耦合变化态势,诠释了这些耦合特征形成的原因及其内在驱动机制。结果表明：① 2006-2014年中国城市建设用地年均增长率是城镇常住人口年均增长率的1.65倍,土地城镇化远快于人口城镇化;② 市域人口与土地城镇化发展的空间依赖性较强,人口向城市集聚的密度重心呈现逐渐西移的趋势;③ 城市建成区快速扩展,城市人均建设用地面积普遍超标,其中42%的城市现状人均用地是标准值的5倍以上;④ 人口与土地城镇化耦合失调类型的城市空间分布相对集中,且“同增失调”现象较为普遍,主要城市群外围地区的失调问题较中心地区更为严重;⑤ 人口与土地城镇化耦合发展程度受到经济发展水平、城市性质、人口规模、政府决策行为、地理区位条件和地区内部差距等要素的综合影响,不同要素的作用机理和效应存在明显差异。新时期城镇人口与土地利用管理应当注重新常态、新趋势的系统诊断和动能转化的综合分析,为新型城镇化、城乡融合发展与乡村振兴决策提供科学依据。     

南京市主城区住宅地价的时空演变

城市地价在空间、时间分布上具有较强的关联性和特殊性,随着城市建设的快速发展和土地市场的不断发育,城市地价的时空变化日趋复杂。本文以南京市主城区为例,基于城市地价动态监测数据,运用统计分析方法和克里金插值方法,研究城市住宅地价时空演变特征。研究表明:从宏观上讲,地价时间上演变受宏观经济影响较大,大的经济形势、房地产市场的变动,对地价变化影响显著。从中观上讲,地价空间上演变主要体现在城市内部的区位条件、交通条件、城市规划、公用设施状况和环境条件等的影响。上述两者共同作用于地价的变化,并且两者相互关联、密不可分。通过城市地价的时空演变研究,以期快速、直观、准确地反映城市地价变化,为城市地价的宏观调控、合理利用土地资源提供参考。     

Observing Metropolitan Atlanta,Georgia: Using an urban field study to enhance student experiences and instructor knowledge in urban geography

Abstract

In urban geography courses, knowledge of a local area is especially useful for demonstrating geographic principles. These classroom examples are further enhanced when students conduct their own field observations, with direction from the instructor. This paper describes a field study of the metropolitan Atlanta area that is used in an intermediate geography class, in which students compare their observations of Atlanta with urban geography models and theories. I argue that the preparation of the project, and the completion of it by students, represents a valuable firsthand observation experience for both the instructor and the students.     

圣彼得堡土地利用格局现状特征及形成机制

以圣彼得堡市为例,依据1948、1987和2016年土地利用数据计算居住、工业和商业用地的区位熵值并分析其变化,基于统计小区、圈层式及扇形分布3个视角,运用GIS分析计划与市场经济影响下的城市用地空间分布特征。研究结果表明,居住、工业和商业用地的空间分布规律不同：① 3类用地在城市整体空间分布中均表现出一定的分散特征,其中,居住用地空间分布表现最为分散,工业用地呈现出分区域性布局特征,相比而言商业用地空间聚集程度最高;② 商业用地在核心圈层处于主导地位,工业用地在老城区圈层为主导地位,居住用地在近郊区圈层为主导地位,远郊区圈层仍处于初步发展阶段,城市景观发展尚未成熟;③ 对比圈层式和象限式结构各类用地区位熵值分布结果,提出圣彼得堡市3类用地空间分布扇形结构特征明显,说明沿主要交通线路是现代城市用地空间扩展主要方式,其中工业用地在城市空间分布中占据更为有利的交通区位优势,居住用地次之,商业用地在城市中心区域中分布不足。圣彼得堡城市用地空间分布形成主要机制总结为以下5个方面：前苏联时期城市用地空间结构主要框架的保持;行政区划调整为城市用地结构改善提供了路径;市场经济下住房体制改革推进了城市居住郊区化;土地市场对土地功能置换进程作用较弱;产业转型缓慢导致老城区仍主要为生产中心。     

撤县(市)设区对城市空间扩展的影响机理——以杭州市为例

城镇化的持续推进对城市空间扩展产生了新的需求,撤县（市）设区是中国城市市辖区实现扩容提质的主要手段之一。以杭州为例,定量测度撤县（市）设区后杭州城区空间扩展的时空特征及其各方面的影响,并探讨了这一区划调整对城市空间扩展影响的作用机理。研究发现：通过撤县（市）设区,杭州城区的建设用地东扩趋势明显,萧山和余杭两区的建设用地新增面积和扩展速度均高于平均水平,且两地建设用地空间存在多中心集聚特征,成为新一轮的杭州建设用地扩展高密度区,城市功能不断凸显。总体来看,撤县（市）设区对城市空间的影响是间接的,具有一定的滞后性,通过引导城市空间扩展的主要方向,实现中心城市人口和产业向新设市辖区的转移和集聚,提供城市空间扩展的载体。撤县（市）设区后需要通过后续的城市规划修编、土地性质和权限调整、生产要素集聚与空间重组等路径,对城市空间扩张与空间演变产生直接影响。     

东中部地区城市人口、经济与城市建设用地的非均衡与协调性分析

基于2000、2015年中国东中部地区261个地级市统计与土地利用数据,运用空间自相关模型,变异系数和三元协调度模型分析其城市人口、GDP和城市建设用地的空间集聚态势和非均衡变化过程,揭示人口城市化与土地城市化的协调程度。结果显示：（1）城市人口、GDP和建设用地的Moran’s I指数均为正值且2015年的值大于2000年的值,显示出明显的空间集聚特征,且在2000—2015年集聚特征不断加强;（2）城市人口密度和人均GDP的变异系数分别从2000年的1.38和0.91下降到2015年的0.96和0.70,地均GDP从1.32上升到1.77,表明城市人口密度和地均GDP的差异在逐步减小,但地均GDP的不均衡性却在增大;（3）2015年,共有171个地级市城市用地规模增长弹性系数小于1.12且人均城市用地小于115m²,但有104个地级市地均GDP在1000元/m²以下,表明虽然绝大部分地级市城市化规模和速率都在可控范围之内,城市用地经济产出仍然相对较低;（4）90%以上地级市的城市人口、GDP和城市建设用地三者在两个研究时间段内处于协调发展状态。