Relief assistance to 1998 flood victims: a comparison of the performance of the government and NGOs

With increasing support from the international community, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have played an important role in Bangladesh since the early 1970s in providing emergency assistance to disaster victims. After observing widespread corruption and misuse of relief aid by the Bangladesh government in 1974 and subsequent years, external sources began to channellize emergency assistance to the victims through NGOs. Realizing that NGOs were usurping its authority over external disaster assistance, the government looked for opportunities to demonstrate its ability to deliver services to victims. An opportunity came in July 1998 when Bangladesh experienced a devastating flood. Using data collected from 348 households in 11 villages, this paper compares support received by the respondents from the Bangladesh government and NGOs during and immediately after the flood. Respondent opinions regarding emergency relief distribution suggest that both sources performed satisfactorily and an overwhelming majority of them thought that the government performed better than it had previously in distributing relief assistance to flood victims. Following an analysis of the survey data, this paper discusses the policy implications for future disaster assistance efforts in Bangladesh and elsewhere.     

Coping with the 1996 Tornado in Tangail,Bangladesh: An Analysis of Field Data

On May 13, 1996, a disastrous tornado hit the Tangail district of Bangladesh, killing more than 700 people and causing extensive damage to homes, crops, and livestock. This paper explores and analyzes how tornado victims adjusted to this destruction. Data collected from two study sites show that victims received emergency assistance from people both in neighboring areas and from more distant areas, as well as from government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). At both sites, NGOs played the leading role in minimizing the hardships of victims through extraordinary disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts. Because of the extensive support received, the tornado victims were able to return to their “normal” lives very quickly. This study concludes with several recommendations to help cope with future tornado disasters.     

Coping with the 1996 Tornado in Tangail,Bangladesh: An Analysis of Field Data

On May 13, 1996, a disastrous tornado hit the Tangail district of Bangladesh, killing more than 700 people and causing extensive damage to homes, crops, and livestock. This paper explores and analyzes how tornado victims adjusted to this destruction. Data collected from two study sites show that victims received emergency assistance from people both in neighboring areas and from more distant areas, as well as from government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). At both sites, NGOs played the leading role in minimizing the hardships of victims through extraordinary disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts. Because of the extensive support received, the tornado victims were able to return to their “normal” lives very quickly. This study concludes with several recommendations to help cope with future tornado disasters.     

Invasive Saltcedar (Tamarix): Its Spread from the American Southwest to the Northern Great Plains

The advance of saltcedar from the American southwest to Montana between the mid-19th and mid-20th centuries crossed the Continental Divide—a major topographic and climatic barrier to natural dispersal by southern plants. Interviews, archival information, and field observations are used to explain this advance. According to archival documents, saltcedar was planted in communities adjacent to the Bighorn River in central Wyoming as part of urban beautification projects in 1936. Bureau of Reclamation reports describe tree plantings for erosion control between 1940 and 1953 within the Riverton Irrigation Project in the Wind-Bighorn River watershed. These introductions were followed by rapid natural dispersal northward by water and wind through the Wind/Bighorn system and into the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers in Montana before closure of Boysen and Bighorn dams in 1951 and 1967. Construction equipment and ornamental plantings further transported saltcedar to the Fort Peck Reservoir and the Musselshell River. We conclude that, without control at its advancing fronts, a complete ban of its sale, and removal of existing ornamental and erosion control trees, saltcedar will invade most suitable sites in the Missouri watershed and disperse northwards into western Canada.     

An Assessment of the Use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in Teaching Geography in Singapore Schools

Abstract

In 1998, geographical information systems (GIS) were introduced to secondary schools in Singapore as a tool for teaching geography at the secondary and junior college levels. However, general observations and feedback from school teachers suggested that only a small number of secondary schools and junior colleges in Singapore were actually using GIS to support the teaching and learning of geography. The present research study was designed to establish the level of GIS usage and to investigate the reasons for the slow integration of GIS in the Singapore secondary schools. This article presents the findings of this research and provides some insight into the use of GIS in Singapore secondary schools.     

The Dynamics of Chironomidae (Insecta: Diptera) Assemblages in Response to Environmental Change during the past 700 years on Svalbard

The impact of recent natural and human-induced environmental change on chironomid faunas on Svalbard has been investigated. The modern chironomid fauna was studied from surface-sediment samples collected from 23 lakes in western Svalbard. A total of 18 taxa was found, of which three had not been recorded previously from Svalbard. The influence of water chemistry and physical variables on the distribution and abundance of the modern chironomid assemblages was investigated using correspondence analysis and multiple regression. The chironomid assemblages fall into four groups, which are primarily influenced by pH, nutrient concentrations, water temperature, and water depth. Sediment cores were taken from three lakes to investigate changes in chironomid assemblages over the last 700 years. At two of the sites there is evidence for a response to regional climatic change occurring about 200 years ago and may have been associated with the ‘Little Ice Age’. At the third site there is a response to local catchment changes, probably brought about, initially, by the establishment of a human settlement close to the lake 70 years ago, and subsequently, as a result of the abandonment of this settlement in 1988.     

Oil- and gas-resource assessment in certain South American Basins—An application of ARDS (Ver. 5.0) to complex exploration and discovery histories

The modified Arps-Roberts Discovery Process Modeling System [ARDS (Ver. 4.01)] has recently been upgraded [ARDS (Ver. 5.0)] and applied to a wide variety of field discovery and wildcat drilling data with differing characteristics. ARDS is designed to forecast the number and sizes of undiscovered fields in an exploration play or basin by using historical drilling and discovery data. Fields used as input may be grown or ungrown. Two models for field growth—one offshore and the other onshore—have been implemented (Schuenemeyer and Drew, 1996). Uncertainty attributable to field growth is estimated via simulation. This upgrade of ARDS has been designed to handle situations when the data cannot be partitioned into homogeneous regions, but where estimation of the number of remaining oil and gas fields is still meaningful. In this upgrade of ARDS, many restrictions, which include those on the number of fields and wildcat wells required to forecast the size distribution of the oil and gas fields that remain to be discovered in an exploration play, a basin, or other target area, have been removed. In addition, flexibility has been gained by reforming the criteria for convergence of the model. In all, 32 basins and subbasins in South America were examined, 18 of which had sufficient data to be amenable to forecasting the field-size distribution of undiscovered oil and gas resources directly by using the Petroconsultants Inc. (1993) field discovery and wildcat drilling data. Overall, ARDS (Ver. 5.0) performed well in estimating the field-size distribution of undiscovered oil and gas resources in the 18 basins and subbasins. The aggregate volume of undiscovered petroleum resources was characterized by using histograms of the distribution of resources and the following five statistics: the mean, the 80% trimmed mean, and the 10,50 (median), and 90 quantiles. More than 38 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) in fields that contain more than one million BOE individually were forecast as remaining to be discovered. The largest basin, the Campos (Brazil), is forecast to contain nearly 10 billion BOE undiscovered resources. The East Venezuela Basin (excluding the Furrial Trend) is forecast to contain about 8 billion BOE; the Austral-Magallanes Basin (Argentina and Chile), about 7 billion BOE; and the Napo (Colombia and Ecuador) and the Neuquen (Argentina) Basins, between 3 billion and 4 billion BOE. A subset of these basins that illustrate the increased flexibility of ARDS are discussed.     

长江宜昌-武汉河段泥沙年冲淤量对水沙变化的响应

运用泥沙收支平衡 (Sediment budget) 的概念确定长江中游宜昌-武汉河段的泥沙冲淤量,并运用数理统计方法,研究了泥沙冲淤过程对水沙变化的响应。研究表明,所研究河段的输沙具有“多来多排”的特性,在平均的意义上,年输入沙量为年输出沙量的1.1345倍,由此求得总净来沙中有11.85%淤积在河道中。河段出口输出沙量随时间而增大,大致在1980年达到峰值,然后再减小。1980年以前河段出口输出沙量的增大,与3口分沙减少 (等价于河段净来沙增多) 和下荆江人工裁弯 (使河道输沙能力增大,因而可以将更多的泥沙输送到河段出口以下) 有关,1980年以后的减少,则与宜昌站来沙量的显著减少有关。建立了1980~1997年间宜昌-汉口#河段年冲淤量与宜昌站年来沙量之间的回归方程,通过该方程估算出使宜昌-汉口河段不淤的宜昌站临界来沙量为3亿t/a。为了定量评价宜昌站的来水量和来沙量以及3口分水比和分沙比、宜昌站洪峰流量的变化对于河段冲淤量的相对贡献,我们以1980~1997年和1955~1997年两个时间系列的数据分别建立了多元回归方程。1980~1997年间的方程表明,宜昌站的来水量和来沙量以及3口分水比和分沙比、宜昌站洪峰流量的变化对宜昌-汉口河段年冲淤量的贡献率分别为6.23%、31.56%、25.77%、32.71%和3.73%。     

18世纪以来塔里木河干流河道变化及其与人类活动的关系

 塔里木河是南疆主要的经济生活水源,其河道变化会引起绿洲变化,从而导致人类活动发生变化。学者虽对历史时期的塔河变化有研究,但对18世纪以来的河道变化缺乏细致的研究,这一时期是人类活动对环境影响日益增多的时期。在野外考察基础上,借助历史文献、历史地图对塔河干流沙雅以上和以下段分别进行研究,结果显示,18世纪20年代,塔河干流分南河、北河; 18世纪50年代,南河与北河合为一条,沿北河位置行水; 至19世纪10年代,塔河干流南移,在南河(即大干河)位置行水; 以后至20世纪10年代,沙雅及其以上河段再次北移,沿北河位置行水,以下河段仍沿南河位置行水,称叶尔羌河或塔里木河。至迟在40年代中期,沙雅以下河段向北迁移,沿渭干河行水,形成现代塔里木河河道。20世纪以前河道变化主要受自然气候变化所导致的河水量变化及河流自身运行规律影响比较大,在河道淤积基础上,水量变化是河流改道的主要原因; 以后受人类农业生产的影响日益加大。     

An introduction to the classification of the physiognomic landscape types: methodology and results of testing in the area of Kazimierz Landscape Park (Poland)

The publication of the European Landscape Convention (2000) had a stimulating effect on the development of both new systems of landscape classification and new methods of their evaluation and mapping. As an example, a new classification of physiognomic landscape types was developed in Poland in 2014. The objectives of the paper are to (1) popularize, on the international scale, the classification of physiognomic landscape types in a new, improved version, (2) present the original method of physiognomic landscape types mapping with the use of the system of basic landscape units, and (3) present the results of testing of the method in the area of the Kazimierz Landscape Park, Poland. In the area of the Kazimierz Landscape Park, 491 basic landscape units were delimited, within which, on the basis of the leading traits of land relief and cover forms, the physiognomic landscape types were identified. Maps of this type can be important tools in implementing the recommendations of the European Landscape Convention. The total number of physiognomic landscape types identified within a specific area can be one of the key indicators of landscape diversity.     

An Evaluation of the Tourist Potential of the Climate in Catalonia (Spain): A Regional Study

The many links that exist between tourism and the atmospheric elements point to the need to evaluate the potential of the climate as a resource. This study of the spatial and temporal variations of the climate—tourist potential in Catalonia (Spain) is based on the classification of daily weather situations according to the main combinations of climatic variables in the study area, and is adjusted to reflect bioclimatic criteria and tourist perceptions. The results of the study reveal major differences in the climate—tourist aptitudes of the region and, in general, a high tourist potential. However, given that the climate is not the sole factor intervening in the temporal and spatial distribution of tourist activities in Catalonia, it is apparent that the tourist aptitudes of the Catalan climates are not fully exploited by planning in this sector; thus, the periods of the year and areas identified as being climatically suitable for recreational activities are greater than the actual periods and area dedicated to tourism.     

Imag(in)ing 'homeless places': using auto-photography to (re)examine the geographies of homelessness

Despite its growing popularity as a method across the social sciences, the methodological literature on auto-photography is remarkably sparse. In an effort to begin redressing this gap, this paper provides an account of the ways in which auto-photography was used to complement other research methods in a (re)examination of the geographies of homelessness. It describes how auto-photography illuminated 'hidden' spaces that do not typically feature in public (or academic) imaginations of homelessness, and provided more nuanced understandings of the use, meanings and dynamics associated with other, apparently already 'known' spaces. It concludes that whilst auto-photography presents a number of logistical and ethical challenges – particularly when used with such a vulnerable group – it is nevertheless a powerful heuristic tool.     

Assessment of iron(II) binding by a cryptoendolithic bacterial community: Implications for iron cycling in the Jurassic Navajo Sandstone

Previous work showed the cryptoendolithic microbial communities of the Colorado Plateau act to harden the surfaces of Jurassic Navajo Sandstone outcrops via the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). It is our hypothesis that EPS produced in these systems serve to trap ions and maintain hydration. EPS isolated from in vitro and in vivo biofilms bind 200–600 nmol of ferrous iron per 10 g of biofilm sample. Initial characterizations of the EPS used preparations from two distinct microbial cultures grown in semi-submerged conditions with EPS harvested from approximately one-half of each culture immediately, the remaining biofilm was allowed to dry before the EPS was harvested. Analysis of ferrous iron binding of the four preparations showed that the culture dominated with non-filamentous cells only produced a chelating moiety after desiccation. Conversely, the second culture dominated by filamentous cells produced a ferrous iron binding activity when semi-submerged. Biochemical characterization showed that the extracted EPS was acidic, containing 37% uronic acid. Neither the EPS nor the biofilms had the ability to retain water though an increase in the rate of water loss was noted. We conclude that EPS produced by these communities are involved in nutrient capture as well as stabilization.     

Transverse fault zones of subtle geomorphic signature in northern Evia island (central Greece extensional province): An introduction to the Quaternary Nileas graben

Reconnaissance level geomorphological observations in the northern part of Evia (Euboea) Island, suggest that a major topographic feature, the 17 km long and 15 km wide Nileas depression (NDpr), corresponds to a previously undetected graben structure, bounded by fault zones of ENE–WSW to NE–SW general strike. These fault zones have been active in the Quaternary, since they affect the Neogene deposits of the Limni–Histiaia basin. They strike transverse to the NW–SE active fault zones that bound northern Evia in the specific area and are characterised along most of their length by subtle geomorphic signatures in areas of extensive forest cover and poor exposure.The NDpr was formed during the Early–Middle Quaternary, after the deposition of the Neogene basin fill. During the Middle–Late Quaternary, the NW–SE fault zones that bound northern Evia have been the main active structures, truncating and uplifting the NDpr to a perched position in relation to the northern Gulf of Evia graben and the submarine basin on the Aegean side of the island. The present-day morphology of the NDpr, with an interior (floor) comprised of Middle Pleistocene erosional surfaces extensively dissected by drainages, was shaped by erosion during this uplift. Judging from their geomorphic signatures, the fault zones that bound the NDpr must have been characterised by low or very low rates of activity during the Late Quaternary. Yet, that they may still be accommodating strain today is suggested by moderate earthquakes that have been recorded within the NDpr.The fault zone at the SE flank of the NDpr (Prokopi–Pelion fault zone) may be very important in terms of earthquake segmentation of the active NW–SE Dirfys fault zone that controls the Aegean coast of northern Evia, given that the intersection between the two presents striking morpho-structural similarities with the intersection of two fault zones with the same directions on the mainland (the Atalanti and Hyampolis fault zones), which is known to have acted as a barrier to the propagation of the Atalanti earthquake ruptures in 1894.     

New Early Cretaceous palaeomagnetic pole from Córdoba Province (Argentina): revision of previous studies and implications for the South American database

A continental sequence of red beds and interbedded basaltic layers crops out in the Sierra Chica of Córdoba Province, Argentina (31.5°S, 64.4°W). This succession was deposited in a half-graben basin during the Early Cretaceous. We have carried out a palaeomagnetic survey on outcrops of this basin (147 sites in seven localities). From an analysis of IRM acquisition curves and detailed demagnetization behaviour, three different magnetic components are identified in the volcanic rocks: components A, B and X are carried by single- or pseudo-single-domain (titano) magnetite, haematite and multidomain magnetite, respectively. Component A is interpreted as a primary component of magnetization because it passes conglomerate, contact, tilt and reversal tests. The carrier of the primary magnetization, fine-grained (titano)magnetite, is present in basalts with a high degree of deuteric oxidation. This kind of oxidation is interpreted to have occurred during cooling. Components B and X are discarded because they are interpreted as recent magnetizations. In the sedimentary rocks, haematite and magnetite are identified as the carriers of remanence. Both minerals carry the same component, which passes a reversal test. The calculated palaeomagnetic pole, based on 55 sites, is Lat. 86.0°S, Long. 75.9°E ( A ₉₅=3.3, K =35). This palaeomagnetic pole supersedes four with anomalous positions reported in previous papers.     

The PIRLA project (Paleoecological Investigation of Recent Lake Acidification): an introduction to the synthesis of the project

Collected sets of papers synthesizing data derived from the PIRLA project (Paleoecological Investigation of Recent Lake Acidification) will appear in coming issues of the Journal of Paleolimnology. This paper is designed to highlight these forthcoming papers, review the development and objectives of PIRLA, and acknowledge the many who have supported PIRLA in so many crucial ways.This is the first of a series of papers to be published by this journal which is a contribution of the Paleoecological Investigation of Recent Lake Acidification (PIRLA) project. Drs. D.F. Charles and D.R. Whitehead are guest editors for this series.     

An Arthrobacter strain isolated from desert soils in the region of Shule River (China) can convert cellulose to potential biofuels

In this study, an Arthrobacter strain from desert soils in the Shule River Valley was isolated, China, which has a strong ability to convert cellulose to potential biofuel. In total, from five soil sample sites, six strains were isolated that grew well on CMC-Agar medium, with colony diameters ranging from 3~4 mm, among them, one strain had a strong ability to produce biofuels. Based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses, the isolate was identified as Arthrobacter nitroguajacolicus strain SLP1. The chemical properties of the biofuel extracted from the fermentation broth of strain SLP1 were analysed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. A total of 41 kinds of carbon compounds were identified, of those,five were detected at peak concentration and the carbon numbers ranged from C16–C22, which can be classified as alkanes,alkenes, and alcohols. Furthermore, biofuel-producing ability of strain SLP1 was enhanced using NTG mutagen. In a total of 94 mutant strains, four show the most enhanced biofuel production relative to the original strain. Biofuel production conditions were optimized by growing the four mutant strains on LB-Agar and SS-Agar medium.     

Amplifying (or Reversing) the Territorial Disparities in Land Vulnerability to Soil Degradation: The Case of Italy

This article analyzes the territorial disparities in the level of land vulnerability (TDLV) to soil degradation caused by five processes (soil erosion, salinization, sealing, contamination, and compaction) as well as by climate variations in Italy in 1990 and 2000. The analysis reveals, for each soil degradation process, a typical spatial distribution across Italy. Three processes (soil salinization, compaction, and sealing) contribute significantly to the increase in land vulnerability, which is mainly concentrated in risky areas. The observed disparities highlight a growing environmental divide between northern Italy (an economically developed region, not at risk of desertification) and southern Italy and the two main islands (dry, disadvantaged regions at risk of desertification). The knowledge of such a territorial divide and of the underlying soil degradation processes is regarded as important for environmental policies at the country and regional scales aimed at sustaining the economic and socioenvironmental cohesion between areas that are either vulnerable or nonvulnerable to soil degradation. The proposed approach should be seen as part of a decision-making tool informing policies and supporting the design of management solutions, hopefully reversing disparities in land vulnerability to soil degradation.