Changes in the spatial scale of Beijing UHI and urban development

The seasonal and interannual variations of Beijing urban heat island (UHI) are investigated in this paper using the temperature data from 1960 to 2000 at 20 meteorological stations in the Beijing region, and then the relationship between the intensity and spatial scale of UHI and Beijing urbanization indices is analyzed and discussed. Main conclusions are the followings. First, Beijing UHI shows obvious seasonal variations, and it is strongest in winter, next in spring and autumn, and least in summer. The seasonal variation of the UHI mainly occurs in the urban area. The UHI intensity at the center of Beijing is more than 0.8℃ in winter, and only 0.5℃ in summer. Second, the intensity of Beijing HUI exhibits a clear interannual warming trend with its mean growth rate (MGR) being 0.3088℃/10 a. The MGR of HUI is largest in winter, next in spring and autumn, and least in summer, and the urban temperature increase makes a major contribution to the growth of HUI intensity. Third, since the Reform and Opening, the urbanization indices have grown several ten times or even one hundred times, the intensity of HUI has increased dramatically, and its spatial scale also expanded distinctively along with the expansion of urban architectural complexes. Fourth, the interannual variation of urbanization indices is very similar with that of HUI intensity, and their linear correlation coefficients are significant at a more than 0.001 confidence level.     

三峡水库区巫山新县城库岸综合治理设计回顾

三峡水库区巫山新县域库岸综合治理工程范围内涉及到滑坡、泥石流、塌岸等多种地质灾害。治理工程综合运用了多种技术与结构措拖，工程的复杂性和典型性在整个三峡库区具有极强的代表意义。笔者对整个治理方案的布置情况进行了归纳总结，并以翔实的第一手资料对治理工程设计过程中出现的几种典型问题一一进行了分析与论述．提出了相应的解决方案与合理化建议。结论认为，库岸综合治理工作，必须根据不同的地形特征，结合城区总体布局及沿线市政工程建设，综合考虑，有机结合，做到治理和利用相结合，最大限度地改善新城建设用地环境和城市生态环境。设计人员必须依照现场实际条件进行动态设计，确保工程方案合理、可靠、经济。文中讨论的问题和实践经检对同类工程具有一定的借鉴意义。     

Correlation Fractal and Multifractal Characteristics of Seismic Activity in the Taiwan Area, China

Based on the analysis of newly collected data of plate tectonics, distribution of active faults and crustal deformation, the Taiwan area is divided into two seismic regions and six seismic belts. Then, correlation fractal dimensions of all the regions and belts are calculated, and the fractal characteristics of hypocenteral distribution can be quantitatively analyzed. Finally, multifractal dimensions Dq and f(α) are calculated by using the earthquake catalog of the past 11 years in the Taiwan area. This study indicates that (1) there exists a favorable corresponding relationship between spatial images of seismic activity described with correlation fractal dimension analysis and tectonic settings; (2) the temporal structure of earthquakes is not single but multifractal fractal, and the pattern of Dq variation with time is a good indicator for predicting strong earthquake events.     

Environmental variables related to wheat yields in the semiarid pampa region of Argentina

The current paper analyses various environmental parameters in relation to wheat yields in Bordenave, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The variables used are: precipitation (ppt), maximum (Tx) and minimum temperature (Tmi) as well as those obtained by applying the Palmer model. Decadic and phenological scales are used for data corresponding to the period 1977–2000. The stepwise method is used to obtain a multi-variate equation to calculate yield taking into account environmental variables only. For a five variates model the coefficient of determination, R² equals 95.79% and the standard error of estimation is 129.0 kg ha⁻¹. In the sample yields, the incidence of total variability for thermal variables is 42.7% and for hydrological variables, 53%. The value and sign of the correlation coefficients were analysed throughout the cultivation cycle. The α coefficient is mainly responsible for yield variance during tillering and stem elongation. There is good correlation with the values of Palmer's Drought Severity Index (PDSI) for the flowering and grain filling stages.     

Climatic response of thick leaf spruce (Picea crassifolia) tree-ring width at different elevations over Qilian Mountains, northwestern China

Tree-ring cores of thick leaf spruce (Picea crassifolia) taken from four sites at different elevations, in the middle of the Qilian Mountains, in the arid and semi-arid region of northwestern China, were used to develop four tree-ring width chronologies using standard dendrochronological methods. Results indicate that with increasing altitude the chronologies’ year-to-year variations decreased. Hence, the sensitivity of the tree-ring chronologies to climate decreases with altitude. Further analysis showed that the significant limiting factor on tree growth is spring precipitation. Measurements of stomata density and leaf dry weight suggest the species’ ecological adaptation strategy changes with elevation. At high elevation the metabolic rate of thick leaf spruce decreases, thus showing the effect of the climate.     

Land degradation in the source region of the Yellow River, northeast Qinghai-Xizang Plateau: classification and evaluation

Land degradation imposes a great threat to the world. It is not merely an environmental issue, but also a social and economic problem. Land desertification is among the main aspects of environment changes in the source region of the Yellow River. Previous studies focused on water resource utilization and soil erosion, but land degradation in the source region of the Yellow River even the whole Qinghai-Xizang Plateau received little attention. Based on the data obtained by field investigation and TM satellite images of 2000, this study provides the classification and evaluation information of the land degradation in the source region of the Yellow River. There are six types of land degradation in this region: water erosion in the northern mountains around the Gonghe Basin, sandy desertification in the Gonghe Basin and Upland Plain Area, aridization in the lower reaches, salinization in the Gonghe Basin, vegetation degradation in the intramontance basin and freezing and thawing erosion in the high mountains. The total degraded area is 34,429.6 km², making up 37.5% of the land in the study area. Finally, land degradation in the source region of the Yellow River was evaluated according to changes in the physical structure and chemical component of soils, land productivity, secondary soil salt and water conditions.     

浙江杭州地区孝丰-三门湾断裂晚第四纪活动性研究

北西走向的孝丰—三门湾断裂是浙北地区一条重要的断裂。该断裂第四纪以来表现为左旋走滑,并水平断错了北东走向的萧山—球川断裂和东西走向的昌化—普陀断裂。这三条断裂交汇于杭州地区并造成了钱塘江的拐弯。在孝丰—三门湾断裂与北东走向断裂的交汇处曾有多次地震发生。通过在孝丰—三门湾断裂（杭州段）上布设的4 个探槽,发现该断裂附近存在一系列近于东西走向及北东走向的晚更新世活动断裂。这些断层活动可能是由孝丰—三门湾主干断裂的活动引起的,并调节着孝丰—三门湾主干断裂的活动,减弱断裂附近应力,降低区域地震危害性。采用了光释光（OSL）测年方法来限定断层活动时代,并采用孢粉测年对OSL 年龄进行验证。依据OSL 年龄,探槽所揭露的断层活动均发生距今1.65 万年之前,存在两次断层活动,分别发生于1.65~1.97 万年和4.2~5.12 万年。孝丰—三门湾断裂在晚更新世有所活动的认识对于杭州地区乃至整个浙北地区未来的地震危险性评价具有重要的意义。     

西北干旱区地气温差季节和年际变化特征的分析

利用西北干旱区49个气象站1961—2000年0 cm地温和气温月平均资料,采用逐级归并法、小波分析、经验正交函数(EOF)、旋转经验正交函数(REOF)方法,分析了西北干旱区地气温差的时空演变特征、气候突变和周期振荡。结果表明:西北干旱区地气温差可分为12月~2月、3月、4~6月、7~10月和11月5类,11月和12月~2月呈下降趋势,3月、4~6月和7~10月呈上升趋势,12月~2月下降幅度较大,4~6月上升幅度最大;地气温差受大尺度气候异常的影响,第一载荷向量反映了全区一致的性质;北疆区和内蒙区有异常变化存在;3月和11月的突变点为1977年,12月~2月、4~6月和7~10月的突变点为1981年;周期振荡主要以3~6年为主。     

论山西褐土区农田土壤干燥化问题

以山西褐土区离石、忻州、太原、寿阳、临猗等地玉米、小麦农田为主要研究对象,选取5个代表性样点12个剖面采集0~600cm深度土壤样品,研究分析不同季节土壤垂直剖面水分状况。结果表明,该区玉米、小麦等农田中普遍存在土壤干层,轻度和中度干层都有显现;季节性干层的存在是该地区农作物易于发生干旱灾害的主要原因;晋中玉米地轻度干层发育到了600cm以下;晋南由于长期气候干旱,导致干燥化程度加重,轻度土壤干燥化也已发育到了600cm;晋西玉米地400cm接近轻度干化,晋北玉米地轻度干层也已达到600cm深度。农田季节性干层、深层土壤干层的出现严重影响了农田土壤的水循环;降水量少是本区农田干层产生的主要原因,但农田生产力提高、植被密度和蒸发对临时性干层形成的影响也不可忽视;选择低耗水、深根系的旱地作物,同时合理密植、有条件的地方实施灌溉等都是减缓农田干层的有效途径。