Chinese public policy on fisheries subsidies: Reconciling trade,environmental and food security stakes

This article provides a historical account of Chinese public policy on fisheries subsidies, and a discussion of problems and limitations resulting from the World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha Round fisheries subsidies negotiation. By analyzing subsidization trends and applying a proportional assessment of subsidized areas, the article tracks the evolvement of Chinese fishery policy objective and priorities. Chinese fishery is not historically significantly subsidized in light of its relatively market-oriented structure and a sustained momentum in reducing marine capture capacity. However, due to the commitment to encouraging qualitative growth and to satisfying a rising domestic demand for fish, the government seeks for adequate policy space to employ fuel, distant water fisheries, infrastructure and various ‘green light’ subsidies. Whether or not such a claim can be accepted as a developmental right not an exception remains to be answered by the revision of current negotiation draft.     

Deposition of trace substances via cloud interception on a coniferous forest at Kleiner Feldberg

A resistance model to calculate the deposition of cloud droplets on a coniferous forest and some improved parameterizations of the indispensable input parameters are described. The deposition model is adapted to the coniferous forest at the Kleiner Feldberg site and verified by the data of a drip water monitoring station below the forest canopy. The measurements of liqud water content, wind speed and trace substance compounds in cloud water of the Ground-based Cloud Experiment (GCE) at Kleiner Feldberg in 1990 are used to calculate the cloud water deposition fluxes and the deposition of trace substances via cloud water interception. The calculated deposition of trace substances via cloud water interceptions is three to six times higher than via rain during the experiment. On a long term data basis the yearly amount of cloud water deposition is 180 mm year^–1 at Kleiner Feldberg site (840 m a.s.l.) while the precipitation amount is 1030 mm year^–1. Due to higher trace substance concentrations in cloud water compared to rain the ionic deposition via cloud water interception and via precipitation were assessed to be of comparable magnitude.     

丘陵区典型小流域地下水化学特征与补给来源分析

川中紫色土丘陵区频发的季节性干旱严重制约区域农村经济和社会可持续发展。地下水是丘陵区农村居民饮用和灌溉的主要水源,但迄今该区域地下水补给循环过程的相关研究报道极少。本研究选取盐亭大兴小流域(480 hm 2)为典型小流域进行综合水文观测与取样,比较了小流域内浅层地下水(2口泉水、14口井水)在不同覆被条件下雨季和旱季的水化学特征(包括D、 18 O)及水岩作用过程,并通过氯离子平衡法和二元混合模型法对比分析区域降水补给地下水规律。结果表明:(1)研究区内浅层地下水水化学类型为HCO 3 ·SO 4-Ca,主要控制因素为岩石风化水解;(2)由地下水同位素峰值响应特征可知该区域浅层地下水对雨季降水补给响应时间约为50~ 85 d;雨季浅层地下水交换作用比旱季强烈;(3)氯离子平衡法受人为干扰较大,计算结果可能偏小,二元混合模型法未包含更多水源,计算结果可能偏大;(4)优化估算结果表明浅层地下水全年接受降水补给率在12%~38%间变化,雨季单次降水补给地下水比例在4.3%~58.0%间变化。本研究通过揭示丘陵区浅层地下水水化学性质变化规律,初步估算了浅层地下水补给来源及比例,可为区域地下水资源评估提供科学基础。     

Causes and effects of spatial and temporal variations of cold period in Chinese oases between 1960 and 2014

Based on daily average temperatures and observation data from 74 meteorological stations in Chinese oases, we calculate five-day (pentad) average temperature ≤0°C for the start and end pentad as well as pentads of cold period using linear regression analysis, nonparametric Mann-Kendall tests, the Morlet wavelet power spectrum, and correlation analysis. We also analyze spatial and temporal variations and their effects on the start and end pentad as well as pentads of cold period in Chinese oases. Results show that over the last 55 years, the start pentad of cold period has been postponed while the end pentad has been advanced. Overall, the pentads have gradually shortened over time at trend rates that are 0.3 p/10a,–0.27 p/10a, and–0.58 p/10a, respectively. Spatial differences are significant, especially for the Qaidam Basin oasis where the start pentad is the earliest, the end pentad is the latest, and the trend of change is most obvious. Mutation points for the start and end pentad as well as pentads of cold period were observed in 1990, 1998, and 1994, respectively. Of these, the start pentad and pentads of cold period show a periodic cycle, related to atmospheric circulation and El Nino events, while the end pentad exhibits a periodic cycle, related to solar activity. The Tibetan Plateau index (TPI), the Asian polar vortex area index (APVAI), and carbon dioxide emissions (CDE) are the main factors affecting cold period in the study area, whereas the South Asian summer monsoon (SASM) index exerts the greatest effect on the Qaidam Basin oasis. The start and end pentad as well as pentads of cold period increase in concert with latitude, longitude, and altitude; in response to these changes, the start pentad is advanced, the end pentad is postponed, and pentads of cold period are gradually extended. Results show that change in latitude is most significant. Overall, the start and end pentad as well as pentads of cold period show clear responses to regional warming, but there are different effects on each.     

沙地果树节水渗灌技术的试验研究

果树渗灌是灌溉水通过特殊的透性材料持续缓慢地渗入并浸润土壤，借助土壤毛管水运动原理向果树根系供水。干旱地区沙地渗灌能有效地减少地表蒸发、避免无效渗漏造成的水分损失，提高灌溉水利用率，从而达到节水的目的。在沙地果园采用节水渗灌技术，比传统的大水漫灌和沟灌方式分别节水８３．１％和６３．１％。     

1961-2004年乌鲁木齐城市化过程中的冷化效应

利用乌鲁木齐和达坂城1961-2000年月平均气温,2001-2004年月平均最低气温和月平均最高气温资料,分析了乌鲁木齐和达坂城两地平均温Tm、平均最高温Tmax、平均最低温Tmin及其对应值的差值(ΔTu-rm、ΔTu-rmax、ΔTu-rmin)随时间的变化趋势特征。结果表明,乌鲁木齐城市化过程中冷化效应和热岛效应同时存在。近40多年来,乌鲁木齐年Tmm、Tmax有微弱的下降趋势,春季、夏季Tm、Tmax、Tmin和秋季Tm、Tmax均呈下降趋势,以夏季最为显著,而冬季Tm、Tmax、Tmin呈上升趋势;乌鲁木齐和达坂城之间年、春季、夏季和秋季ΔTu-rm、ΔTu-rmax、ΔTu-rmin均呈显著的下降趋势,冬季气温差值显著上升。降水量的增加、城市绿化和城市灌溉面积的增大,可能对乌鲁木齐城市化过程中的气候冷化产生了影响。     

The place of rural, remote and least-wealthy small islands in international water development: the nexus of geography–technology sustainability in Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia

Many least-wealthy, rural, remote and resource-poor small island communities are unlikely to benefit from high-profile global water improvement initiatives. Their small landmasses, geologic composition, geography, social and technological isolation, colonial history, and weak educational and financial resources constitute significant barriers to improving access to safe drinking water. This paper discusses the relatively unique position of such island societies in the international community, providing a case study of the Federated States of Micronesia that integrates data and information pertaining to water resources management and governance, spanning from the island village to national scale. A vision is offered regarding the interaction between small island human and biophysical water systems, manifesting ways to pursue water resource development to improve public health which are constructed to be economically, physically and culturally sustainable.     

MODELLING LONG‐TERM SUMMER AND WINTER BALANCES AND THE CLIMATE SENSITIVITY OF STORBREEN,NORWAY

Measurements of winter balance (b_w) and summer balance (b_s) have been carried out at Storbreen since 1949. Here we apply a simple mass balance model to study the climate sensitivity and to reconstruct the mass balance series priorto 1949. The model is calibrated and validated with data from an automatic weather station (AWS) operating in the ablation zone of Storbreen since 2001. Regression analysis revealed that b_w was best modelled using precipitation data southwest of the glacier. Results from the model compared well with reported mass balance values for the period 1949–2006, obtained correlations (r) for b_w and b_s varied between 0.83 and 0.87 depending on model set up. Reconstruction of the mass balance series for the period 1924/1925–1948/1949 suggested a cumulative mass deficit of c. 30 m w.e. mainly due to highly negative summer balances, but also lower b_wthan the average for 1949–2006. Calculated change in specific mass balance for a ±1°C change in air temperature was ±0.55 m w.e., whereas a ±10 % increase in precipitation represented a change of ±0.20 m w.e. Model results further indicated that for a 2°C warming, the ablation season will be extended by c. 30 days and that the period of ice melt at the AWS location will increase from c. 40 to c. 80 days.     

新疆塔里木河流域水资源承载力评价研究

结合塔里木河2002年自然、社会和经济以及水资源资料,选取了耕地灌溉率、水资源利用率、供水模数、需水模数、人均供水量、生态用水率6个主要因素作为评价因素,应用模糊综合评判模型对塔里木河流域水资源承载能力进行了评价研究。结果表明,流域水资源开发利用已经达到相当规模,在现有经济技术条件下,该地区的水资源承载潜力已相对较小,水资源供需矛盾突出,应由耗水型经济结构向节水型经济结构转变,加强水资源的综合管理,以便科学、合理地利用流域内有限的水资源。