Why is Shirase Glacier turning its flow direction eastward?

We applied an image correlation method to Japanese Earth Resources Satellite-1 (JERS-1) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data obtained from 1996 to 1998 to examine flow velocity within Shirase Glacier, Antarctica. From the grounding line to the downstream region of the glacier, the obtained ice-flow velocity was systematically higher on the western streamline than the eastern. The differences between the two streamlines were 0.31 km/a in 1996 and 0.37 km/a in 1998, significantly larger than the error estimate of 0.03 km/a. The direction of ice flow was about 312° at the grounding line and changed to 327° at 10 km, 346° at 20 km and 2° at 30 km downstream from the grounding line. The total accumulated deflection is 50° to the east. Under the assumption of the conservation of ice mass across the glacier, the observed eastward change in flow direction can be explained by an asymmetric deepening of bedrock topography, that is, across the 8 km width of the glacier, the eastern side is 50 m (10%) deeper than the western side. This eastward turning of flow direction appears to be accelerated by tributary inlets, that flow to the north and northeast at 60–75% of the velocity of inlets on the western streamline.     

Book Review

In this paper, we examine the applicability of spatial optimization as a generative modelling technique for sustainable land‐use allocation. Specifically, we test whether spatial optimization can be used to generate a number of compromise spatial alternatives that are both feasible and different from each other. We present a new spatial multiobjective optimization model, which encourages efficient utilization of urban space through infill development, compatibility of adjacent land uses, and defensible redevelopment. The model uses a density‐based design constraint developed by the authors. The constraint imposes a predefined level of consistent neighbourhood development to promote contiguity and compactness of urban areas. First, the model is tested on a hypothetical example. Further, we demonstrate a real‐world application of the model to land‐use planning in Chelan, a small environmental amenity town in the north‐central region of the State of Washington, USA. The results indicate that spatial optimization is a promising method for generating land‐use alternatives for further consideration in spatial decision‐making.     

基于批判地缘政治学视角解读经典地缘政治理论

大国间的争霸与兴衰更替,无不受地缘法则的支配。地理学者应紧跟时代的步伐,准确把握国家利益之所在,抓住机遇为民族伟大复兴做出贡献。但是,缺乏对地缘政治学的历史和哲学的批判将不能准确理解和有效实践地缘政治理论。本文简要介绍了批判地缘政治学的发展,总结了批判地缘政治学的3个特点,据此对4个经典地缘政治理论进行了解读。为了简化解读过程,首先提出了一个解读4个经典地缘政治理论的分析框架;其次根据这个分析框架重点解读了麦金德的"历史的地理枢纽";最后对4个经典地缘政治理论进行了批判性总结。通过批判性解读,得出经典地缘政治理论既有科学性一面,也有假说性和理念性的一面。经典地缘政治理论构建是基于国际地缘格局、国家利益空间分布、国家间空间冲突而构建的,并展现了理论建构者的身份,体现了地缘政治理论的历史性、社会性、情境性和地理知识—权力结构。     

莒县土地整治和占补平衡工作的探讨

通过对低效利用、不合理利用、未利用土地进行田、水、路、林、村整治挖潜,切实提高土地利用效率;通过农村建设用地挖潜利用规划,出台了专门的规范性文件,建立了专门的土地整治资金筹措机制;充分尊重群众意见,对安置区新房建设实行因地制宜、统一配套等手段,使土地综合整治在基层扎扎实实开展起来,有效地服务了新农村建设,增加了建设用地指标,保障地方经济社会发展,保护了有限的耕地资源,统筹了城乡土地配置,确保了全县耕地总量动态平衡。     

浅谈全国第二次土地调查项目的几个关键环节

介绍了全国第二次土地调查项目中调绘底图生产、土地调查、田坎系数测定、农村宅基地调查等关键环节,结合实际生产,分析了各环节的重要性及实施情况。     

土地利用分类及其影响因素研究

土地利用分类是研究土地利用的最基础工作，它直接影响着土地利用的科研与实践，本文在全面研究土地利用分类理论与方法的基础上，比较且说明了当前国内外土地利用分类的优劣。并提出多层统一标准的系统分类设想。     

自贡青岩洞水温映震效能分析

2008年汶川8.0级地震后,通过自贡及邻近区一系列中小地震的检验,证明自贡青岩洞水温观测点是一个难得的敏感点。自贡青岩洞水温观测值在长宁震群、自贡威远间地震、自贡隆昌间的3至4级震例中均出现了超过年变基础之上的短临趋势异常或短临突跳异常现象,其异常幅度均超过年平均值0.5倍均方差以上,特征明显,对应率高,有利于对地震震中位置和时间的判断。地震映震敏感区主要沿华蓥山断裂带西南段至川滇交界处东侧分布。井孔具有有效监控自贡东部、南部及华蓥山断裂带中南段地区5级以上中强地震及川滇交界处东部沿线地区6.5级以上破坏性地震的监控能力,配合其他观测手段可以提高短临预测预报效能。     

A multidisciplinary multi-scale framework for assessing vulnerabilities to global change

Terrestrial ecosystems provide a number of vital services for people and society, such as food, fibre, water resources, carbon sequestration, and recreation. The future capability of ecosystems to provide these services is determined by changes in socio-economic factors, land use, atmospheric composition, and climate. Most impact assessments do not quantify the vulnerability of ecosystems and ecosystem services under such environmental change. They cannot answer important policy-relevant questions such as 'Which are the main regions or sectors that are most vulnerable to global change?’ 'How do the vulnerabilities of two regions compare?’ 'Which scenario is the least harmful for a sector?’This paper describes a new approach to vulnerability assessment developed by the Advanced Terrestrial Ecosystem Analysis and Modelling (ATEAM) project. Different ecosystem models, covering biodiversity, agriculture, forestry, hydrology, and carbon sequestration are fed with the same Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scenarios based on the Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES). Each model gives insights into specific ecosystems, as in traditional impact assessments. Moreover, by integrating the results in a vulnerability assessment, the policy-relevant questions listed above can also be addressed. A statistically derived European environmental stratification forms a key element in the vulnerability assessment. By linking it to other quantitative environmental stratifications, comparisons can be made using data from different assessments and spatial scales.     

Field Placement and Evaluation of Stabilized Dredged Material (SDM) from the New York/New Jersey Harbor

Since the 1997 local ban on ocean dumping of dredged sediments, the States of New York and New Jersey have pursued a policy of environmentally sound solutions to the management of dredged material, including beneficial use of stabilized dredged material (SDM) in transportation applications. A pilot study was initiated in 1998 to evaluate the use of SDM in the construction of highway embankments. Utilizing 80,000 cubic yards of dredged material, two embankments were constructed from SDM on a commercial development area adjacent to the Harbor. Geotechnical properties and handling of SDM were evaluated both during and one year post - construction. This article presents the evaluation of the embankments themselves, including constructability and performance. The results demonstrate that SDM satisfies most of the geotechnical criteria for fill construction, except those for durability, requiring proper coverage and protection similar to that provided for fills constructed on cohesive soils. This same characteristic precludes long term stockpiling of SDM prior to final placement, limiting applications to those that have schedules overlapping with dredging projects. Increased costs for the use of SDM can be as high as $8 per cubic yard over traditional fills; however, this cost may be recouped through management fees collected from dredging projects.