On the effect of mid-air collisions on aeolian saltation

The effect of mid-air collisions on aeolian saltation is investigated using concentration profiles and grain velocities predicted by a numerical saltation model. The probability of a mid-air collision is found to be greater at high wind speeds. It is also found that mid-air collisions tend to reduce the number of grain/bed impacts and thus reduce the number of ejecta near the bed; this, in turn, reduces the intensity of mid-air collisions. It is suggested that this feed-back mechanism significantly influences transport rates at high wind speeds.     

The Effects of GPS Carrier Phase Ambiguity Resolution on Jason-1

We have used GPS carrier phase integer ambiguity resolution to investigate improvements in the orbit determination for the Jason-1 satellite altimeter mission. The technique has been implemented in the GIPSY orbit determination software developed by JPL. The radial accuracy of the Jason-1 orbits is already near 1 cm, and thus it is difficult to detect the improvements gained when the carrier phase ambiguities are resolved. Nevertheless, each of the metrics we use to evaluate the orbit accuracy (orbit overlaps, orbit comparisons, satellite laser ranging residuals, altimeter crossover residuals, orbit centering) show modest improvement when the ambiguities are resolved. We conservatively estimate the improvement in the radial orbit accuracy is at the 10–20% level.     

An information systems approach to the preservation of biological diversity

Abstract

Although biological diversity has emerged in the 1980s as a major scientific and political issue, efforts at scientific assessment have been hampered by the lack of cohesive sets of data. We describe, in concept, a comprehensive national diversity information system, using geographical information system (GIS) techniques to organize existing data and improve spatial aspects of the assessment. One potential GIS analysis, to identify gaps in the network of nature reserves for California, is discussed in greater detail. By employing an information systems approach, available data can be used more effectively and better management strategies can be formulated.     

Responsible Geographies: Co-oreating Knowledge in Aotearoa

We examine in this paper the potential for (reforming the relations of social scientific research in Aotearoa. Drawing upon our experience of undertaking historical geographical research with and for Ngati-Toa Rangatira, we argue for the need to develop responsible geographies in Aotearoa. We suggest that the metaphors of ‘crossing borders’ and ‘building structures’ might offer one route into the development of such a responsible geography.     

Age and extent of the Scandinavian ice sheet in northwest Russia

The last glacial maximum (LGM) of the Scandinavian ice sheet in the Arkhangelsk region has been identified morphologically as ridges and hummocks in an otherwise flat topography. Stratigraphically the limit is marked by the presence of till above Mikhulinian (last interglacial) sediments inside the ridges and by the absence of till outside the ridges. During the LGM, ice flowed into the region from the north and northwest forming a lobe in the Dvina-Vaga depression. The continuation northward, northeast of Arkhangelsk, is still somewhat uncertain, but evidence suggests that the outer margin of the Scandinavian ice sheet was situated in the Mezen drainage basin. Luminescence and radiocarbon dates suggest that the maximum position was attained after some 17 ka ago, and that deglaciation started close to 15 ka ago. This age for the maximum position is younger than the maximum position in the western peripheral areas of the Scandinavian ice sheet. This may be accounted for by initial ice build-up in the west followed by a successive migration of the ice divide(s) to the east as ice growth continued. Deglaciation was either by lateral retreat or isolation of dead ice masses causing areal downwasting.     

The Recreational Value of In-Stream Flows

The decision in 1988 by the Rangitikei-Wanganui Catchment Board to allocate flows away from use for electricity generation into recreation use brought into focus the conflict between market and non-market valuation of river uses. The travel cost method (TCM) of non-market valuation is used to estimate the in-stream recreation values of the Upper Wanganui and Whakapapa rivers.