Combating Desertification and Improving Local Livelihoods through the GGWI in the Sahel Region: The Example of Senegal

The Great Green Wall Initiative (GGWI) has an overall objective of fighting desert encroachment through proven practices of sustainable management of land, and the reinforcement and protection of natural resources and systems of production and transformation, while also ensuring socio-economic development of local communities through multi-purpose activity platforms. The activities described in the present study are designed to accomplish several goals: (1) generate wealth, (2) strengthen access to basic social services, (3) manage the transition to a green economy as a means of creating suitable conditions for the emergence of rural production centers, (4) integrate sustainable development in order to eradicate poverty and food insecurity, and (5) strengthen adaptation and resilience capacities of local populations. The present study was undertaken on the basis of a wide variety of available publications and documentation, including articles and scientific papers, thesis, meeting summaries and reports, concerning the implementation of the Great Green Wall Initiative/GGWI in Senegal.     

Comparison of temperature extremes between Zhongshan Station and Great Wall Station in Antarctica

Although temperature extremes have led to more and more disasters, there are as yet few studies on the extremes and many disagreements on temperature changes in Antarctica. Based on daily minimum, maximum, and mean air temperatures(Tmin, Tmax, Tmean) at Great Wall Station(GW) and Zhongshan Station(ZS), we compared the temperature extremes and revealed a strong warming trend in Tmin, a slight warming trend in Tmean, cooling in Tmax, a decreasing trend in the daily temperature range, and the typical characteristic of coreless winter temperature. There are different seasonal variabilities, with the least in summer. The continentality index and seasonality show that the marine air mass has more effect on GW than ZS. Following the terminology of the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC AR5), we defined nine indices of temperature extremes, based on the Antarctic geographical environment. Extreme-warm days have decreased, while extreme-warm nights have shown a nonsignificant trend. The number of melting days has increased at GW, while little change at ZS. More importantly, we have found inverse variations in temperature patterns between the two stations, which need further investigation into the dynamics of climate change in Antarctica.     

南极长城站和中山站降水形态变化特征的研究

利用南极长城站1985—2015年和中山站1989—2015年的天气现象记录和日平均气温资料,分析两站降水、降雨和降雪日数的长期变化特征及其变化趋势,并讨论了长城站降水形态变化与当地气温和阿蒙森低压变化的联系。结果表明：长城站降水日数较多,年总降水日数为236~343 d,有增加的趋势,变化速率为4.51 d/10a;其中降雨日数为74~185 d,降雪日数为157~282 d,增加的速率分别为2.68 d/10a和1.25 d/10a。而中山站年降水日数较少,年总降水日数为104~173 d,有减小的趋势,变化速率为-1.30 d/10a,中山站全年气温几乎都在0℃以下,降雨稀少,降雪为主要的降水形态。长城站年平均气温和降雨日数与总降水日数的比值（雨日比）显著正相关,在增温速率较大的秋季（3—5月),雨日比也显著增加(4.36%/10a)。降水形态受气温的影响很大,随着气温升高,长城站年降水日数中降雨日数的比重增加。秋季阿蒙森低压经向中心的东移有利于暖湿气流吹向南极半岛,也促进了降雨的发生。     

Long-term monitoring of wall paintings affected by soluble salts

Long-term monitoring of wall paintings in historical monuments aims at clarifying involved decay processes and at the same time controlling effects of interventions for conservation. Monitored decay processes relate to the crystallisation of various salts – particularly of nitronatrite and gypsum – from hygroscopic solutions accumulated in the zone of ground moisture. The salts crystallise in response to climatic variations and other environmental changes. Measures for conservation such as protection from water infiltration, reduction of heating temperature and reduction of surface salt accumulation cause a significant slow-down but not a stop of decay. The particular dynamics and causes of remaining slow decay processes are described on three sites in Switzerland: the convent church of Müstair, the crypt in the cathedral of Basel and the crypt in the Grossmünster church of Zürich.     

Evaluating the influence of mixture composition on the kinetics of salt damage in wall paintings using time lapse video imaging with direct data annotation

This paper presents an examination of the timescale of phase transition behaviour of a series of salts known to cause damage to wall paintings and other cultural property. The rate of deliquescence and crystallisation of single salts (nitromagnesite and halite) under different RH regimes, and the extent to which this was affected when mixed with other salts (niter, nitratite and gypsum), was investigated. The study was conducted using simple conventional techniques (mass measurements over time) and also using an innovative new method: timelapse video imaging with online data annotation. The results demonstrate the synergy gained from combining video imaging with environmental data in reference to time in the study of salt phase changes: where it revealed new information concerning the kinetics of deliquescence and crystallisation. The implications of these results for the implementation of environmental control measures within historic buildings are discussed.

Exploitation or 'Wise Use' of the Coongie Lakes,South Australia: Issues arising from a petroleum exploration proposal

The exploitation of natural resources within areas that are valued for their environmental qualities raises competing emotions. This paper considers a proposal to undertake petroleum exploration in an area of recognised environmental value, namely, the Coongie Lakes of far north-east South Australia. In development cases such as this, the level of inquiry needs to address environmental, social, cultural and economic issues from a range of interest groups; therefore, the process of assessment is a crucial factor in minimising conflict and meeting the wishes of the stakeholders. In the example of Coongie Lakes, the chosen method failed. This paper discusses the perspectives of the major stakeholders, the process of assessment undertaken, and the criticisms directed at this process. The apparent inadequacies of the assessment process undertaken are then highlighted, and an alternative assessment procedure suggested.     

南极长城站酸雨监测的样品采集与分析

进行南极酸性湿沉降（降水ｐＨ值＜５．６）的监测研究是为开展全球环境大气化学动态监测、评价区域环境质量、制定环境标准,研究环境中化学元素的迁移、转化、富集规律,以及南极资源的保护和合理开发利用提供第一手的科学依据。利用１９９８年１～９月在中国南极长城站采集监测的酸雨资料综合分析得出,南极确有酸雨存在,在１０４个水样中,有１９个样品的ｐＨ值小于５．６,占总样品的１８．３％。根据南极环境背景值和出现酸雨时的风向,认为由于大气环流把远离南极的污染源传输到南极上空,遇降水即冲刷降至地面形成酸雨     

长城湾夏季初级生产力及其光量子产值

本文报道了１９９２～１９９３年南极长城湾及其邻近水域夏季初级生产力的水平、同化系数及其分布特征,并对影响水域生产力的主要因素进行了分析。同时对该海区的光量子产值和光利用效率进行了测定,结果表明：长城湾夏季光量子产值的变化范围为１．４７９×１０－２～９．０２８×１０－２ｍｏｌ碳／ｍｏｌ光量子,平均值为４．５５８×１０－２ｍｏｌ碳／ｍｏｌ光量子;浮游植物对光的利用效率为０．７９６×１０－２～１．８２４×１０－２。该海区夏季的光量子产值和光利用效率远高于其他海区。     

沙子口湾海岸侵蚀原因及防治对策研究

通过实测水文资料、岸滩冲淤变化规律和泥沙动态研究沙子口湾近３０ａ来的变化,分析湾顶海滩侵蚀的原因,对现有的海岸工程进行调查,研究海岸防护对策,分析海岸防护工程的可行性。     

围岩蚀变过程中地球化学组份质量迁移计算——以湖南沃溪Au-Sb-W矿床为例

在以往围岩蚀变的质量迁移研究基础上,本文提出了一种判定惰性元素的方法,同时结合等浓度线和加权最小二乘法,给出研究热液围岩蚀变中组分质量迁移的计算方法。在判定惰性元素时,更多地应用了线性回归分析中的方差分析与回归诊断参数与计算方法。这一系列的参数与方法被用于评述沃溪金锑钨矿床褪色化围岩蚀变质量迁移,取得了较好的效果。研究表明,在沃溪矿床围岩蚀变过程中,Ｔｉ表出现了一定的活动性。