Evolution of fluid flow and heat distribution over geological time scales at the margin of unconfined and confined carbonate sequences - A numerical investigation based on the Buda Thermal Karst analogue

Hydrogeological processes acting at the margins of confined and unconfined thick carbonate sequences are particularly interesting due to a complex system evolution including partial uplift of fully confined carbonate systems and subsequent erosion of cover layers. We provide insights into this evolution by simulating coupled density-dependent fluid flow and heat transport based on the Buda Thermal Karst (BTK) system (Hungary) in a 2D vertical plane. Applying an equivalent porous medium (EPM) approach using the Heatflow-Smoker finite element model, scenario modelling of three evolutionary steps was carried out between the fully-confined carbonate stage through to partly and completely unconfined conditions over the western ridge. The numerical simulations were used to derive the main evolutionary characteristics of groundwater flow and heat transport patterns for the unconfined and confined parts of the hydrogeologic system. The initial fully-confined state led to the development of thermal convection cells due to the insulating role of the low-permeability confining layer, which facilitates buoyancy-driven flow by restricting the dissipation of heat. Over geological time, these cells were gradually overprinted by gravity-driven flow and thermal advection due to uplift of the west ridge. The limited thickness of the cover allowed sufficient water infiltration into the system, which led to increased cooling. Further uplifting led to a prevalence of gravity-driven groundwater flow. The results highlight the critical role of confining formations on flow patterns, and their effect on heat distribution and dissipation over geological time scales. The results have important implications for heat accumulation as well as for the development of a deep geothermal energy potential in confined carbonates.     

A regulation-based classification system for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a global conservation and management tool to enhance the resilience of linked social-ecological systems with the aim of conserving biodiversity and providing ecosystem services for sustainable use. However, MPAs implemented worldwide include a large variety of zoning and management schemes from single to multiple-zoning and from no-take to multiple-use areas. The current IUCN categorisation of MPAs is based on management objectives which many times have a significant mismatch to regulations causing a strong uncertainty when evaluating global MPAs effectiveness. A novel global classification system for MPAs based on regulations of uses as an alternative or complementing the current IUCN system of categories is presented. Scores for uses weighted by their potential impact on biodiversity were built. Each zone within a MPA was scored and an MPA index integrates the zone scores. This system classifies MPAs as well as each MPA zone individually, is globally applicable and unambiguously discriminates the impacts of uses.     

The negotiations for a binding instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond national jurisdiction

The conservation of marine biological diversity has been identified as a crucial issue in need of legal regulation. The UNCLOS does not sufficiently address all issues relevant to viably conserve biological diversity. Legal developments concerning marine genetic resources, area-based management tools such as marine protected areas, environmental impact assessment and capacity building are being discussed as elements of a new implementing agreement. In particular, more precise legal rules concerning marine protected areas beyond national jurisdiction are needed to supplement the frame left by UNCLOS. As concerns the issue of access to genetic resources and the sharing of benefits the UNCLOS regime has gaps because the relevant activities had not been foreseen at the time of the convention's adoption. Divergent views exist as to whether the concept of the common heritage of mankind should be extended to genetic resources.     

Monitoring the recovery of a previously exploited surf-zone fish community in the St Lucia Marine Reserve,South Africa,using a no-take sanctuary area as a benchmark

Limiting accessibility to a fishing area can reduce fishing effort effectively and may therefore promote local recovery of depleted stocks. In January 2002, beach driving was banned in South Africa, thereby reducing angler access to large areas of the coastline, particularly in less-developed areas. In November 2001 a project had been established in the St Lucia Marine Reserve, on the east coast of South Africa, to compare surf-zone fish populations inside a no-take sanctuary zone with those in an adjacent exploited area. Subsequent to the ban, the aim of the project was adapted such that surf-zone fish populations were monitored for potential recovery in what had been the exploited area, located to the north of Cape Vidal, which anglers could no longer access easily, because of the prohibition on beach driving. Standardised research fishing was conducted at two sites in the previously exploited area and two sites in the no-take sanctuary. Conventional stock-status indicators showed evidence of recovery in the four most common species caught in the previously exploited area, in terms of both abundance and biomass. Generalised additive mixed models were used to account for the influence of targeting specific species; however, subtle differences in habitat between the sampling sites, improved angling skill over time, variability in recruitment, and differential species-specific responses complicated interpretation of results. The implications of the findings are discussed in terms of the future monitoring and management of marine protected areas both within the St Lucia Marine Reserve and farther afield.     

超大海洋保护区建设利弊分析

近年来,海洋保护区被不断的"巨型化",这一方面显示了国际社会对海洋保护的重视;另一方面,这股建设超大海洋保护区的浪潮也受到了很多科学工作者的质疑和批判。文章通过分析整理国内外相关文献,结合目前全球几个著名的超大海洋保护区案例,评价建设超大海洋保护区的利弊,并总结出我国海洋保护区建设可借鉴的经验。     

贵州猫场超大型铝土矿床成因浅析

猫场铝土矿床位于大威岭背斜北东端猫场穹窿背斜。由于寒武系碳酸盐岩古喀斯特侵蚀面,经长期风化溶蚀淋滤作用,在古喀斯特正地形上先形成粘土层,粘土层进一步风化溶蚀经脱硅、脱铁形成三水铝石的矿源层,而古喀斯特负地形则为铝土矿的沉积提供了充足的场所。本文通过对含矿岩系的特征分析,结合沉积相与古地理环境等研究,揭示了猫场铝土矿床的形成严格受大地构造和古喀斯特地形的控制。     

Mapping rice-fallow cropland areas for short-season grain legumes intensification in South Asia using MODIS 250 m time-series data

The goal of this study was to map rainfed and irrigated rice-fallow cropland areas across South Asia, using MODIS 250?m time-series data and identify where the farming system may be intensified by the inclusion of a short-season crop during the fallow period. Rice-fallow cropland areas are those areas where rice is grown during the kharif growing season (June–October), followed by a fallow during the rabi season (November–February). These cropland areas are not suitable for growing rabi-season rice due to their high water needs, but are suitable for a short -season (≤3 months), low water-consuming grain legumes such as chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), black gram, green gram, and lentils. Intensification (double-cropping) in this manner can improve smallholder farmer’s incomes and soil health via rich nitrogen-fixation legume crops as well as address food security challenges of ballooning populations without having to expand croplands. Several grain legumes, primarily chickpea, are increasingly grown across Asia as a source of income for smallholder farmers and at the same time providing rich and cheap source of protein that can improve the nutritional quality of diets in the region. The suitability of rainfed and irrigated rice-fallow croplands for grain legume cultivation across South Asia were defined by these identifiers: (a) rice crop is grown during the primary (kharif) crop growing season or during the north-west monsoon season (June–October); (b) same croplands are left fallow during the second (rabi) season or during the south-east monsoon season (November–February); and (c) ability to support low water-consuming, short-growing season (≤3 months) grain legumes (chickpea, black gram, green gram, and lentils) during rabi season. Existing irrigated or rainfed crops such as rice or wheat that were grown during kharif were not considered suitable for growing during the rabi season, because the moisture/water demand of these crops is too high. The study established cropland classes based on the every 16-day 250?m normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) time series for one year (June 2010–May 2011) of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, using spectral matching techniques (SMTs), and extensive field knowledge. Map accuracy was evaluated based on independent ground survey data as well as compared with available sub-national level statistics. The producers’ and users’ accuracies of the cropland fallow classes were between 75% and 82%. The overall accuracy and the kappa coefficient estimated for rice classes were 82% and 0.79, respectively. The analysis estimated approximately 22.3?Mha of suitable rice-fallow areas in South Asia, with 88.3% in India, 0.5% in Pakistan, 1.1% in Sri Lanka, 8.7% in Bangladesh, 1.4% in Nepal, and 0.02% in Bhutan. Decision-makers can target these areas for sustainable intensification of short-duration grain legumes.     

地表覆盖时空分布定量分析与生态荷载评价——以若尔盖湿地国家级自然保护区为例

对若尔盖湿地国家级自然保护区地表覆盖的空间分布格局、变化幅度、主要地类的变化原因以及生态环境状况进行综合分析。研究结果表明:2010、2014年保护区地表覆盖类型主要为草地,占总面积95%以上;过度放牧、鼠虫害、旅游、挖药等多重因素影响,致使保护区地表覆盖类型之间转移较为频繁。目前,保护区人均生态足迹明显小于人均生态承载力,发展处于一种相对可持续的状态。     

贵州织金洞世界地质公园喀斯特景观特征及其形成演化分析

织金洞世界地质公园,位于贵州高原西部,园区内喀斯特景观总体可概括为洞穴、峡谷、天生桥、天坑、高峰丛、丘陵、单面山与象形山、水文遗迹等8大类,它们以下三叠统海相碳酸盐岩为物质基础,有序、集中分布于织金洞、绮结河、东风湖三片相对独立,却又以绮结河为纽带紧密相连的喀斯特区域内,共同构成一个以洞穴、峡谷、天生桥、天坑为核心,形态雄伟、典型、优美、珍稀的高原喀斯特景观群。同时在对公园岩溶景观特征及区域地质背景进行分析和研究的基础上,系统研究和探讨了织金喀斯特,及织金洞、绮结河、东风湖三大地貌单元的形成演化过程,并认为它们的发育模式由地下喀斯特逐渐过渡至地表喀斯特,系统完整地纪录了贵州高原喀斯特的演化历程。     

都市区视角下长江中游城市群发展的思考

本文首先对都市区、城市群概念、标准进行界定,并将城市群建立在都市区基础上,从而为城市群的认定划分提供了具体的指标依据;进而用近两次人口普查和2011年区域经济统计年鉴数据,对社会经济意义上的长江中游地区湖北、湖南、江西、安徽四省进行实证研究。结果表明,2010年长江中游地区共有都市区22个,比2000年新增2个;长江中游城市群由四省内部相对独立的四个小城市群,沿东北-西南和西北-东南十字形轴向组合而成。最后根据长江中游城市群大分散、小集中的特点和区位价值的提升等提出四点发展建议。