Livelihoods and co-management in the Tam Giang lagoon,Vietnam

The Tam Giang – Cau Hai lagoon is a microcosm of the complex social-ecological challenges experienced in similar systems throughout Southeast Asia. Intensification and rapid change in livelihood strategies (production and gear type) have increased conflict and placed a significant strain on aquatic resources in the lagoon. Such changes are compounded by near-shore agricultural development and urbanization. In the long-term, resolving livelihood conflicts and sustaining ecosystems will require a shift in the planning and management model from one that is top-down and enforcement driven, to one involving greater decision making and management authority at the local level. Drawing on experiences with a long-term action research process in the lagoon, this paper examines the challenges and opportunities of implementing a co-management approach. Of particular focus is the growing recognition among authorities of the value of engaging local fishers and fish farmers in participatory process to resolve complex livelihood challenges, and the development of local management bodies (newly formed Fishing Associations) as a basis for emerging co-management of aquatic resources.     

A three-layered spectral model with application to wind-induced motion in the presence of stratification and a bottom slope

The main features of a new three-dimensional spectral model for the motion of a stratified sea are described. The model is applied to determine wind-induced elevations and currents over an idealised shelf-edge slope during the summer season of thermal stratification. A wind stress field spanning the slope is applied in the form of a rectangular pulse through time, the direction of the stress being parallel to the shelf edge. It is shown that strong vertical motion occurs near the top of the slope in the wind region; inertial currents are excited. Outside the wind region, long-period waves trapped over the slope and propagating along it may be identified.     

A shallow seismic refraction study of the Versailles cryptoexplosion structure,central Kentucky

Abstract— The Versailles cryptoexplosion structure, located in central Kentucky, contains a partially brecciated central uplift and a boundary marked by arcuate faulting. Seismic refraction data were used to divide the structure into distinct units on the basis of velocity. A zone of brecciated material shows a decrease in velocity compared with surrounding rocks. Locally thickened strata are present on the flanks of the central uplift. An increase of the bedrock velocity in the area surrounding the structure suggests localized dolomization of fractured bedrock, and a plug of fractured strata near the base of the brecciation appears to be uplifted. Based on the geometry of deformation seen in known impact structures, and the integration of this study with previous geological and geophysical work in the area, it is suggested that our results support the interpretation of the Versailles structure as an eroded astrobleme (Black, 1964b; Seeger, 1972).     

Annual variation of sporadic radar meteor rates

The activity of sporadic meteors has been measured from 2002 to 2005 with the Canadian Meteor Orbit Radar. Single-station data at 29.85 MHz have been used to find the positions of the five sporadic sources visible from the Northern hemisphere, and the activity measured for each source has been corrected for observing biases. Relative fluxes and the annual variation of each source are well determined. The variations in activity are of great interest in determining the history and origin of the sporadic meteoroid population.     

Spectral analysis of water vapour in cool stars

M-star spectra, at wavelengths beyond 1.35 μm, are dominated by water vapour, yet terrestrial water vapour makes it notoriously difficult to obtain accurate measurement from ground-based observations. We have used the short-wavelength spectrometer on the Infrared Space Observatory at four wavelength settings to cover the  2.5–3.0 μm  region for a range of M stars. The observations show a good match with previous ground-based observations and with synthetic spectra based on the Partridge & Schwenke line list, although not with the SCAN line list. We have used a least-squared minimization technique to systematically find best-fitting parameters for the sample of stars. The temperatures that we find indicate a relatively hot temperature scale for M dwarfs. We consider that this could be a consequence of problems with the Partridge & Schwenke line list which leads to synthetic spectra predicting water bands that are too strong for a given temperature. Such problems need to be solved in the next generation of water vapour line lists, which will extend the calculation of water vapour to higher energy levels with the good convergence necessary for reliable modelling of hot water vapour. Then water bands can assume their natural role as the primary tool for the spectroscopic analysis of M stars.     

Decision-support Systems: Do they have a Future in Estuarine Management?

Estuaries are highly complex ecosystems. Consequently they present daunting challenges to planners and regulators responsible for devising ‘ sustainable development ’ strategies or for taking rapid decisions with respect to ‘ crisis management ’. Over the lifetime of the Estuarine and Coastal Sciences Association, there have been significant developments in both the range and sophistication of the tools available to assist with these tasks. Indeed, managers are now faced with a confusing plethora of possibilities that may, or may not, help in achieving the optimum solution to a given problem.Typical problems confronting managers and the systems available to resolve the issues are considered. By way of illustration, we present some examples based on our experience over the last 25 years in the Mersey Estuary (which has seen dramatic improvements in water quality and a number of major proposed developments), from the Ribble Estuary and from along the north-west coast of the U.K.     

Use of GIS and dasymetric mapping for estimating tsunami-affected population to facilitate humanitarian relief logistics: a case study from Phuket,Thailand

Natural Hazards - The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami led to improvements in Thailand’s early warning systems and evacuation procedures. However, there was no consideration of better aid delivery,...