Human spaceflight in the UK: the cost of non-participation

Human space exploration is not considered a strategic priority in the United Kingdom at present. However the UK would benefit from participating in human spaceflight, for both scientific and social reasons. From the point of view of medical science there are many parallels between the physiology of spaceflight and terrestrial disease processes, and studies of the response of astronauts to long-duration spaceflight can therefore help in the development of therapeutic strategies on Earth. On the social side, human spaceflight is an attractive vehicle for stimulating the interest of young people in science and engineering, something that must be of value for an aspiring ‘knowledge-based’ economy.     

Models in geography revisited

Agent based models (ABMs) have many applications, and illustrate a rapidly developing field of enquiry, spanning both the physical-mathematical and human-social sciences. ABMs are seen as most appropriate in situations where decisions or actions are distributed around particular locations, and in which structure is viewed as emergent from the interaction between individuals. ABMs may be used either as representational devices, to reproduce the patterns observed or desired in the system of interest, or as foundational tools contributing to the development of social or economic theory. The role and status of models and modelling is itself an instantiation of a wider debate concerning representation and explanation. Today, a case can be made that the nature of explanation and the use of scientific interpretation reflect much less definite and exclusive positions and permit more diverse approaches than hitherto. The underlying proposition of this commentary is, therefore, that the time is right for a positive application of ABMs within the discipline of geography, and for a rediscovery and reappraisal of the richness and depth of insight in the model-building enterprise more generally. First, the context for ABM development and application is set with reference to the agency-structure debate. Second, some aspects of the heritage of models in geography is presented, based upon reviews of two benchmark publications bearing that title. Next, some of the most significant characteristics, uses, potentials and limitations of ABMs, are reviewed. Finally, some constructive ways forward are suggested, as informed by theory and method from the interpretative social sciences.     

Marine Ecology - A Century of Changes

Abstract. The major changes within the concepts of marine ecology are investigated, with the aim to design this new journal's scientific format. Four phases of marine sciences are distinguished: the phase of seafarers, of oceanographic expeditions, of marine stations, and of field research. The changes in the latter two are discussed in detail. The changes are described as occurring along three axes. First, as a movement towards the object; accomplished by fieldwork, scientific diving, remote controlled equipment, and by underwater experimentation. Second, the cooperation between several disciplines that led towards bridging gaps. And lastly, how the discovery of unifying principles in ecology (the development of an ecological theory) led the approach in marine ecology towards increasing complexity.     

地球信息科学的研究与发展

信息时代的召唤,地球信息科学应运而生.经过10a左右的发展,地理信息科学已见雏形.总结了10a来地球信息科学的研究结果,并介绍了地球信息科学的研究内容和发展前景.     

数字地球与海洋科学的发展

本文从数字地球的概念出发，根据海洋科学的发展要求，详细论述了数字地球与海洋科学的发展关键。并提出了海洋科学的新的发展战略和配套技术的开发研究理论，从而为我国海洋事业的发展和数字地球的建立有一个协调和统一的认识观点。     

南极中山站大气气溶胶的化学组成及其来源的判别

从1998年3月7日至1999年11月23日历时21个月，在南极中山站连续采集89个海洋气溶胶样品，本文提供全部样品的13种化学元素Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Fe、Al、Mn、Cr、V、K、Na、Ca、Mg含量的实测值．研究表明中山站气溶胶化学成份的含量具有季节性变化的特征．通过相关分析、因子分析、富集因子等方法判别不同时间段中山站气溶胶化学成份的来源。     

中国西部环境与生态科学数据中心：面向西部环境与生态科学的数据集成与共享

国家自然科学基金委员会“中国西部环境与生态科学研究计划”自2001年启动以来,有力地推动了西部区域环境演化、陆地生态过程和人类活动对环境的影响等方面的研究,积累了丰富的基础数据。国家自然科学基金委员会“中国西部环境与生态科学数据中心”承担“西部计划”项目数据产出的收集、管理、集成,并面向西部环境与生态科学的各个领域提供科学数据服务。“西部数据中心”的总体框架是以“西部计划”和地球系统科学发展的科学需求为导向,建成以数据共享、知识积累、合作交流和数据科学为主要内容的集成平台,为“西部计划”多学科的交叉研究和成果的综合集成及地球科学发展的长远目标服务。以共建共享的指导思想集成针对西部环境与生态现状与变化的基础背景数据、环境与生态观测数据、模型数据集、数据工具及数据文档;并以完全与开放的数据共享原则为用户提供推送式数据服务。目前,“西部数据中心”已完成了数据共享平台、知识积累平台与合作交流平台的开发和集成,初步形成了科学数据平台,整理并发布了大量的西部环境生态科学所需的关键数据集。     

科技进步与金属矿产资源供应——兼论我国可持续发展的资源基础

科技进步为金属矿产资源的勘查开发、获取供应提供理论指导和技术支持,并在很大程度上决定着地矿产业的可持续发展。在21世纪绿色矿业的崛起和新的循环经济模式下矿业文明的振兴更是离不开现代科学技术,二者相辅相成,这对巩固我国可持续发展的资源基础意义重大。对于我国的资源开发供应,资源保障是前提基础,科学技术是方法手段,环境效益是发展目标,三者应协同推进,不可偏废。     

发挥自身优势 扩大经营 走探采一体化道路

煤炭地质勘查单位,通过几十年的艰苦奋斗,不仅为国家找出了大量的煤炭资源,同时也积累了丰富的管理、施工和技术工作经验,以及大量的地质资料。应该发挥自身优势,充分利用大量的以往地质资料,结合新的找矿理论和先进的地面勘查手段,加大人才培养和引进力度,逐步提升专业技术人员的学识和科技水平,加强基础地质工作,不断寻找新的工作靶区,把握住煤炭勘查市场的主动权。抓住机遇,做好资金积累,加强资本运做,充分利用已有探矿权,走探采一体化道路,做精做强到做大地勘单位,是生存和发展的良好出路。     

Geography (or geographers) and earth system science

A response to Pitman’s recent arguments regarding a perceived invasion of geographers’ territory within the academic division of labour by earth system science. Geography is not the grand synthesiser, the only discipline which can explain the big picture, and arrogant claims that it is are counter-productive, both within and outwith the discipline. Geographers should just get on with what they are doing—well.