Protracted Environmental Issues on a Proposed Titanium Minerals Development in Kenya's South Coast

This study takes cognizance of the fact that the TIOMIN (TIOMIN Resources Inc. of Canada) project has resulted in controversy over its handling of environmental issues and especially the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The authors address many of the protracted issues that have slowed the development of the mining project in Kwale. The main emphasis is on the impacts of the mining and mineral separation processes on the environment, including the governing legislation, the role of consultation and public participation, and socioeconomic issues. In their public documents TIOMIN has specified neither the type of minerals it wants to extract from the area nor their chemical composition. It is well known, however that the titanium minerals and zircon targeted have impurities of iron, thorium and uranium. In the absence of an Environmental Management Plan, the effects of stockpiling radioactive wastes and other impurities that could possibly lead to environmental degradation in both the terrestrial and marine environments have not been publically addressed. The measures proposed to mitigate ecological damage as a result of the establishment of a minerals processing plant in the area seem inadequate. Pollution resulting from accidental spillage or breakage could have significant impact on marine life and residents living near the mining site. Other issues that have not been addressed satisfactorily pertain to the use of surface and underground water. The area already faces a huge water deficit and the calculations presented on aquifer recharge and stream flow rates do not indicate the large quantities of water that would be required in the mineral processing plant. The project, if approved in its present state, risks violation of international conventions. Furthermore, it could cause a conflict between Kenya and Tanzania in the event of an oil spill at the proposed ship loading facility at Shimoni. The proposed mining area includes the district's most fertile land, is home to many fisherfolk and is a major tourist destination. An analysis of the effects of this project on other available opportunities must be thoroughly understood to ascertain the economic and environmental benefits and costs of the mining venture. The proposed compensation rate of $1,000 per acre, for resettlement for example, appears to be grossly inadequate. Compensation should take into account family size and structure family assets and the cost of relocation.     

The Effect of the Introduction of the American Species Marenzelleria viridis (Polychaeta; Spionidae) on the Benthic Ecosystem of Vistula Lagoon

Abstract. In the late 1980s, a radical change in the macrozoobenthos composition occurred in the Vistula Lagoon, an oligohaline and silted water basin. This structural change is a result of the mass appearance of the very strongly euryhaline spionid polychaete Marenzelleria viridis Verrill, a newcomer from North American estuaries. It considerably reduced the previous bottom macrofauna, which was composed mainly of Chironornidae larvae and oligochaetes.
The penetration depth of the macrozoobenthos into the sediments and its total biomass increased in the last years, which enhanced the organic matter displacement in sediment layers of a greater thickness. The previous bottom dwellers inhabited mainly the most superficial sediment layer, whereas the new polychaete immigrant can penetrate down to a depth of 20–40 cm.     

河西走廊疏勒河流域地质灾害危险性现状评估方法的应用——以甘肃省河西走廊(疏勒河)农业灌溉暨移民安置综合开发建设项目8个移民社区及配套工程建设为例

依据“建设用地地质灾害危险性评估技术要求”、利用野外踏勘及相关资料,对“甘肃省河西走廊（疏勒河）农业灌溉暨移民安置综合开发建设项目8个移民社区及配套工程”进行地质灾害危险性现状评估。结果认为：评估区发育和分布的地质灾害类型有土壤盐渍化、风蚀沙埋和洪水冲蚀。现状评估结果：土壤盐渍化和洪水冲蚀危险性均小;风蚀沙埋有1处危险性中等,其它危险性小。     

连片特困地区易地扶贫移民生计恢复力评估

借鉴社会—生态系统研究领域的恢复力概念,结合可持续生计分析框架和基于资本的评估方法,构建易地扶贫移民生计恢复力评价指标体系。运用陕南安康市3个区县的657份农户实地调研数据,采用因子分析方法和多元线性回归模型,从微观农户视角实证分析和评估易地扶贫移民的生计恢复力及其影响因素。结果表明：易地搬迁农户物质、社会资本分布不均衡,不同搬迁类型和时间对农户生计资本分化产生作用。物质、金融和社会资本积累水平以及环境、健康服务可及性等均是搬迁户提升生计恢复力的前提和基础,而搬迁类型对移民生计恢复力表现出显著的负向作用。建议政府充分发挥政策优势,针对不同搬迁类型和时间移民进行精准帮扶,着力解决搬迁户生计资本的薄弱环节,不断提升其生计恢复潜力。     

Hispanic Immigrants' Vulnerabilities to Flood and Hurricane Hazards in Two United States Metropolitan Areas

Research reveals that disasters are disproportionately debilitating for marginalized social groups. Numerous studies have examined racial/ethnic dimensions of disaster vulnerability, but few have focused on Hispanic immigrants. More research on Hispanic immigrants is needed, since they constitute a major component of the Hispanic population—the largest and fastest‐growing minority group in the U.S.—and because they experience distinctive cultural and immigration status disadvantages. We examine the flood/hurricane vulnerabilities of Hispanic immigrants in comparison to U.S.–born Hispanics and non‐Hispanic whites. Using mixed methods to analyze data from 429 surveys and 31 interviews with residents living in flood zones, we examine differences in self‐protective action, risk perception, and hazard knowledge between the three groups in Houston and Miami. Hispanic immigrants exhibited lower levels of self‐protection and hazard knowledge, and higher perceptions of risk, which reflects their heightened vulnerability. Risk‐reduction programs should target the particular vulnerabilities of Hispanic immigrants, and future studies should examine their vulnerabilities in other contexts.     

搬迁农户生计策略与土地利用行为耦合协调度分析--以贵州省习水县为例

易地扶贫搬迁改变了搬迁农户生计策略,同时影响了其土地利用行为,二者之间的耦合协调度直接影响着农户的可持续生计。本文以贵州省习水县易地搬迁农户调研数据为基础,构建以农户生计策略和土地利用行为为子系统的耦合协调度模型,分析2个子系统之间的耦合关系和耦合协调关系。研究表明:纯农型农户、农兼型农户、兼农型农户生计策略与土地利用行为之间的耦合度值介于0.4~0.5之间,水平较低,处于拮抗状态;不同类型农户生计策略与土地利用行为系统耦合协调度值均处于0.39~0.49之间,处于濒临失调阶段,存在较大优化空间;传统的农业生产形式对于改善农户生计无明显效果,引导农户向专业农业型农户转变对于促进移民安置区“人地系统”协调发展大有裨益。研究结果可为农户生计与土地利用的可持续发展提供理论依据。     

怒江六库水电站建设移民搬迁地的GIS分析选择

云南水能资源丰富,是我国重要的水电基地,水电开发具有综合效益好、比较成本低的显著特点,可极大地拉动当地的经济社会发展。电站建设涉及面广,需要解决的问题多,移民就是其中历来困扰水电开发建设的难题之一,移民搬迁贯穿于电站建设全过程,是水电开发不可分割的重要组成部分。随着社会的进步,以人为本观念的渗透,科学、有效地为水电开发移民选择理想的安置地,让移民真正从水电开发中受益已显得越来越重要。本文以拟建的怒江流域梯级电站中的六库电站为例,探讨采用GIS的空间叠置分析、缓冲区分析、网络分析等空间分析技术为移民寻找适宜居住的最佳搬迁地。安置区的选择,我们主要考虑以下因素:(1)靠近集镇或主要交通线,便于各类配套实施的建设及对外交往;(2)充裕的适宜开发的土地资源和水源条件;(3)坡度小于25度的区域;(4)安置区最好在本县,与所在区域居民语言相通,传统习俗相近便于沟通交流,有认同感;(5)安置区选择与自然保护区、国家重点建设规划用地不冲突。     

三峡库区部分县移民迁建工程中的地质问题与建议

巴东、巫山、奉节三县新址建设引发出一系列地质问题,主要有：（１）对一些基本地质问题认识尚不够统一;（２）施工过程中人为引起大量岩体稳定性问题;（３）对未来水库蓄水引起的问题的预测和防护工程的配套建设,还没有引起足够重视和采取相应的措施。为此建议：（１）进一步开展必要的研究工作;（２）加强迁建地质技术管理工作。     

云南高山峡谷区大型水电站建设开发性移民研究--以漫湾、大朝山电站为例

根据漫湾、大朝山电站移民安置的经验和教训,在云南省高山峡谷区建大型水电站,开发性移民主要应做到：移民安置必须和国民经济与社会发展结合起来,应尽量外迁农业安置：补偿和开发扶持相结合;正确选择移民安置区;合理确定移民的土地,给移民提供生产基地;统一规划建设适用坚固的住房和生产生活配套设施;为移民发展生产提供技术支持;引导和帮助移民进行生态环境保护和建设;建立统一有效的移民管理体制,实现依法移民。     

‘Ageing out of place’: Experiences of resettlement and belonging among older Bhutanese refugees in New Zealand

Previous research has suggested that older refugees are particularly vulnerable to the stresses of resettlement in developed countries. However, to date the voices of older refugees have largely been missing from the body of refugee resettlement research. Using in‐depth interviews and thematic analysis, this paper explores the personal resettlement experiences of three former refugee elders from the Bhutanese community in Palmerston North. The findings suggest that culture, religion and social connections are of vital importance to the well‐being of these Bhutanese elders and their ability to foster a sense of self and place in a foreign land.