A computational scaling analysis of multiobjective evolutionary algorithms in long-term groundwater monitoring applications

This study contributes a detailed assessment of how increasing problem sizes (measured in terms of the number of decision variables being considered) impacts the computational complexity of using multiple objective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs) to solve long-term groundwater monitoring (LTM) applications. The epsilon-dominance non-dominated sorted genetic algorithm II (ε-NSGAII), which has been shown to be an efficient and reliable MOEA, was chosen for the computational scaling study. Four design objectives were chosen for the analysis: (i) sampling cost, (ii) contaminant concentration estimation error, (iii) local uncertainty, and (iv) contaminant mass estimation error. The true Pareto-optimal solution set was generated for 18–25 well LTM test cases in order to provide for rigorous algorithm performance assessment for problems of increasing size. Results of the study indicate that the ε-NSGAII exhibits quadratic computational scaling with increasing LTM problem size. However, if the user is willing to accept an approximation to the Pareto-optimal solution set, ε-dominance can be used to reduce the computational scaling of MOEAs to be linear with increasing problem sizes. This study provides a basis for advancing the size and scope of water resources problems that can be effectively solved using MOEAs.     

Damming Knowledge Flows: POWER as a Constraint on Knowledge Pluralism in River Flow Decision-making in the Saskatchewan River Delta

Rivers and dams are increasingly contested venues where knowledge pluralism is critical for effective governance. To navigate change, decision-makers can adopt culturally-sensitive interventions to address the needs of diverse stakeholders and rights holders. Calls for Indigenous flows have become important as dam operators seek to renew their legal and social licenses to operate. Knowledge pluralism is needed to enhance decision-making about flows that better address complexity and change to Indigenous livelihoods and cultural practices. However, leveraging diverse knowledge types to inform these interventions is not simply a matter of changing management practice. Power relations can constrain knowledge pluralism. We contribute an empirical example that links power in a decision-making process about a dam in Saskatchewan, Canada, to the losses experienced by downstream Indigenous communities. This paper operationalizes power to illustrate its methodological utility and documents the interconnected losses, experienced by resources users, resultant from the marginalization of Indigenous knowledge.     

Improved hydrograph prediction through subsurface characterization: conditional stochastic hillslope simulations

Subsurface heterogeneity is one of the largest sources of uncertainty associated with saturated hydraulic conductivity. Recent work has demonstrated that uncertainty in hydraulic conductivity can impart significant uncertainty in runoff generation processes and surface-water flow. Here, the role of site characterization in reducing hydrograph prediction bias and uncertainty is demonstrated. A fully integrated hydrologic model is used to conduct two sets of stochastic, transient simulation experiments comprising different overland flow mechanisms: Dunne and Hortonian. Conditioning hydraulic conductivity fields using values drawn from a simulated synthetic control case are shown to reduce both mean bias and variance in an ensemble of conditional hydrograph predictions when compared with the control case. The ensemble simulations show a greater reduction in uncertainty in the hydrographs for Hortonian flow. The conditional simulations predict surface ponding and surface pressure distributions with reduced mean error and reduced root mean square error compared with unconditional simulations. Uncertainty reduction in Hortonian and Dunne flow cases demonstrates different temporal signals, with more substantial reduction achieved for Hortonian flow.     

珠峰地区积雪变化与气候变化的关系

根据三次Landsat遥感数据,应用GIS空间分析方法,分析了1975-2000年珠峰地区定日县常年积雪变化特征,并探讨其与气候变化之间的关系。结果表明,1975-2000年间定日县内常年积雪总计减少了7.49％,减少面积为105.35 km2,主要发生在珠峰及其周围高大山体常年积雪覆盖的边缘地区,其中,海拔5 000～6 000 m之间减少最多,占减少总面积的70％左右。气温和降水量变化是导致常年积雪变化的主要因素,特别是在全球变暖的大背景下,珠峰地区的气温上升趋势是其主要驱动因子。气温升高导致珠峰及周围高大山脉边缘的冰川和常年积雪不断消融,加上1980年代的降水量相对较少,使得1975-1992年常年积雪面积不断减少;但1990年代后期降水量增加显著,研究区东南部海拔相对较低的区域有较多的积雪累积,1993-2000年常年积雪面积略有增加。     

Variations of the Surface Wettability Index over the Tibetan Plateau During 1971-2005

Based on 1971-2005 monthly mean maximum/minimum temperature,wind speed,relative humidity,sunshine duration,and precipitation data at 25 stations over the Tibetan Plateau,a study of the largest potential evapotranspiration(LPE)is performed by using the Penman-Monteith model.The surface wettability index(SWI)is calculated and examined,together with its space distribution,interannual and seasonal variations,as well as associated causes.The results suggest that the annual area rainfall exhibits a pronounced increasing trend at 15.0 mm per decade; the annual LPE shows a different-degree decrease at-4.6-71.6 mm/10 yr.In the southwestern Ngari prefecture and Nyalam county,the annual SWI displays insignificant decline trends compared to increasing trends in other areas of Tibet(0.02-0.09 per decade).For Tibet,on average,the SWI experiences a noticeable rise at 0.04/10 yr,particularly in 1981-2005.On a seasonal basis,the SWI shows increasing trends,especially in summer.In the 1970s-1980s,the interannual variation is characterized mainly by lower temperature and lower humidity.From the 1990s,air temperature keeps on rising,leading to an appreciable increase in SWI,displayed as a type of warm and humid climate.The salient increases(decrease)of precipitation and relative humidity(mean temperature daily range)are the principal causes of the greatly enhanced SWI in the region.The pronounced decrease in mean wind and sunshine duration also plays an active role.     

盐生植物萌发期对盐胁迫的适应研究进展

目前我国盐渍土地面积较大,尤其是青藏高原的盐渍地,常伴有干旱、半干旱的生境,导致植物不易生长,生态环境相对恶劣,这种生态现状亟待解决。盐生植物具有一定的耐盐性和耐旱性,是改善盐渍地的首选植物,种子的活力决定了种子萌发的情况,多数学者为改善严峻的生态环境开始了盐生植物引种的研究。测定种子活力有直接方法和间接方法,大多数学者采用的是直接方法,即在实验室模拟一定条件直接测定萌发率。简述了盐生植物的概况、制造胁迫的主要方法以及检测种子活力的指标,综述了近年来不同学者对盐爪爪、白刺等具有代表性的22种盐生植物在种子萌发期的耐盐性以及抗旱性的相关研究,为改善盐渍地的生态环境、提升盐渍地的生产量提供了理论基础。