The geographical characteristics of Nansha Islands in the South China Sea

As is well-known, Nansha Islands in the South China Sea(SCS) are of important strategic position and invaluable ecological value. Therefore, many attentions are paid to either the political and legal aspects of exposed features that matter in the maritime delimitation, or the physical and geographical characteristics of coral reefs that are the predominant structures of these islands. However, it seems that they consistently lose the connection of sciences and humanities in the research of Nansha Islands in the SCS. In this study, we carry out a combinative research, based on remote sensing data using satellite imagery analysis together with historical materials using literature investigation, so as to reconsider to the geographical characteristics of Nansha Islands from a standpoint of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea(UNCLOS). After thoroughly appraising the statuses of these newly formed sand cays, several high tide features of Nansha Islands are identified. By means of the comparison of satellite images coupled with reference to nautical charting and sailing directions during different time periods, we can conclude that the statuses of these high tide features formed on reef platforms are relatively stable due to the growth of reef-building organisms although their migration patterns are subject to external disturbances, and hence the cursory judgment pursuant to the relevant provisions of the UNCLOS about whether a coral reef belongs to a low tide elevation only based on outdated references or ex parte evidences is not reliable. Moreover, it is accordingly justified to improve further development and perfection of the maritime legislation by eliminating such ambiguities with the growth of coral reefs and the evolution of sand cays being both taken into account.

Geographical Indication Characteristics,Unique Production Methods and Industrial Development Measures of Zhuanbu Strawberry

This article describes the geographical indication characteristics of Zhuanbu strawberry,a special product of Yinan County,Shandong Province,a national geographical indication agricultural product,including specific production area,unique production environment,rich human history and unique product quality,summarizes the unique production method of Zhuanbu strawberry from selection of production area and varieties,production management,timely harvesting and other aspects,and puts forward corresponding industrial development measures,in order to maintain the brand of Zhuanbu strawberry to the greatest extent and further improve the brand awareness and market competitiveness of Zhuanbu strawberry.

Geographic modeling and simulation systems for geographic research in the new era: Some thoughts on their development and construction

Regionality,comprehensiveness,and complexity are regarded as the basic characteristics of geography.The exploration of their core connotations is an essential way to achieve breakthroughs in geography in the new era.This paper focuses on the important method in geographic research:Geographic modeling and simulation.First,we clarify the research requirements of the said three characteristics of geography and its potential to address geo-problems in the new era.Then,the supporting capabilities of the existing geographic modeling and simulation systems for geographic research are summarized from three perspectives:Model resources,modeling processes,and operational architecture.Finally,we discern avenues for future research of geographic modeling and simulation systems for the study of regional,comprehensive and complex characteristics of geography.Based on these analyses,we propose implementation architecture of geographic modeling and simulation systems and discuss the module composition and functional realization,which could provide theoretical and technical support for geographic modeling and simulation systems to better serve the development of geography in the new era.

Core or edge? Revisiting GIScience from the geography-discipline perspective

As an inter-disciplinary area between geography and computer sciences, geographical information science(GIScience) inherits the spatial analysis tradition of the former. Together with other branches of information geography, it seeks the balance between universality and particularity of geographical laws by combining methods from neighboring disciplines(such as big data and artificial intelligence) with the special nature of geographical spaces. Meanwhile, at the core position of the geography discipline, GIScience makes geography stronger from two directions: "strengthening the theoretical foundation" and "improving technology and promoting the practical applications".