Physicochemical water quality parameters in typical rice-crayfish integrated systems(RCIS)in China

To determine the variation of water quality in rice-crayfish(Procambarus clarkii)integrated systems(RCIS)in China,eleven water quality parameters were measured monthly in a typical RCIS located in Qianjiang City(Hubei Province)from July 2014 to June 2015,the parameters were analyzed with principal component analysis(PCA)and compared between the trenches and rice areas during the rice fallow period(Nov-May).The trench and rice area comprehensive results showed that pH(7.48-8.68),NH_(4)^(+)-N(0.2-1.09 mg/L),NO_(2)^(-)-N(<0.052 mg/L)and conductivity(435-951μS/cm)were within the suitable ranges for P.clarkii and that turbidity(TU)was high during the crayfish harvesting and rice planting season.Annual averages of total nitrogen(TN),total phosphorus(TP),permanganate index(CODMn),and chlorophyll a(Chl.a)content were<2(except in Nov-Dec),0.25,10 mg/L,and 50 mg/m^(3)(especially in Nov-May,<10 mg/m^(3)),respectively.Dissolved oxygen(DO)was below 4 mg/L in Mar-Sep,with a minimum of~1 mg/L,and much higher in Oct-Feb.The maximum and minimum monthly average water temperature(WT)were 31.4°C in July and 5.7°C in December,while the maximum and minimum instantaneous WT were 39.7°C and 2.5°C,respectively.PCA analysis showed that the first three axes,which were mainly correlated with DO,WT and nutrient level,described most information of the parameters,and parameters showed seasonal changes.Some differences were observed in water parameters between the trenches and rice areas,i.e.,trenches generally had higher TU,WT and DO,and lower TN,TP and CODMn,although no significant differences were found in some months and some parameters.The study revealed relatively low water nutrient level,probable extreme WT and DO level in some seasons,and certain differences between the trenches and rice areas in typical CRIS in China.Accordingly,some measures should be taken to improve the negative parameters:1)enhance the water fertility;2)increase DO,especially in Mar-Sep;3)increase the trench and water depth to avoid extreme WT.And water quality management should be addressed in both trenches and rice areas.

Review of the achievement of ssop and its inspiration for future regional cooperation

Countries in Asia and the Pacific are more prone to natural disasters than those in other parts of the world.Because of this,there is an urgent need to continue developing effective,end-to-end early warning systems that lead to an effective response by emergency managers and people at risk.ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee(TC),in cooperation with WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones(PTC),conducted a regional cooperation project on Synergized Standard Operating Procedures for Coastal Multi-Hazards Early Warning System(SSOP)with fund support from ESCAP Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Tsunami,Disaster and Climate Preparedness in Indian Ocean and South East Asia.SSOP project was conducted successfully and achieved its proposed goals.Its results and achievements greatly benefit the Members not only in the region but also in all other regions of WMO.The paper reviewed its implementation process,strategy and activities;briefed its main achievements including SSOP Manual,capacity building and cooperation mechanism between TC and PTC;summarized the experiences and lessons from project implementation;and highlighted its sustainability.The paper also suggested the approaches to enhance the sustainability of SSOP results and the cooperation between two regional bodies TC and PTC.

THE CHRONICLE OF EVENTS OF THE ESCAP/WMO TYPHOON COMMITTEE FROM 1968 TO 2017

Years Significant EventsTC Chair/Vice Chair1968UN ESCAP at its 24th Session at Canberra in April 1968,WMO Executive Committee at its 20th Session in 1968 endorsed the establishment of the Typhoon Committee in accordance with the Statute.The Typhoon Committee was organized by the Governments of China;Hong Kong,China;Japan;Republic of Korea;Laos;the Philippines and Thailand as 7 founder Members,with ESCAP and WMO as ex-officio Members.Vice-Adm Sanit Vesa Rajananda,Thailand/Dr.Roman L.Kintanar Philippines.

Impact-based forecasting for improving the capacity of typhoon-related disaster risk reduction in typhoon committee region

The two most common types of disasters caused by natural hazards in the Asia-Pacific region are floods and storms,many of them associated with typhoon(tropical cyclone)related impacts.To improve the capacity of typhoon-related disaster risk reduction so as to maximum reduce the losses of people’s life and properties,the decision makers and the public are imminently demanding the information of the targeted impact caused by typhoon.As the front line in hydro-meteorological disaster prevention and mitigation against the typhoon-related disasters,National Meteorological and Hydrological Services(NMHSs)in TC Members have recognized that forecasting impact became more important than forecasting pure causing-disaster elements.Impact-based forecasting signals an evolution from“what the weather will be”to“what the weather will do”.Many things change as impact based forecasts evolve from previous weather forecasts.To enhance impact-based typhoon forecasting,the Typhoon Committee added it into the new updated Strategic Plan 2022–2026.This paper briefed generally the concept of impact based forecasting,introduced the implementation and progresses on typhoon impact based forecasting in TC Members in recent years,and initially discussed the measures and direction for enhancement of impact-based typhoon forecasting and early warning services in future.

REVIEW OF ESCAP/WMO TYPHOON COMMITTEE DEVELOPMENT IN PAST 50 YEARS

The ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee(TC) is an intergovernmental regional organization, established by Governments of ESCAP Member Countries(or Member Territory) under the joint auspices of ESCAP and WMO in 1968 to minimize the typhoon-related disaster risk reduction and damage mitigation in the region and to facilities closer regional and international cooperation. As of 2017, there are 14 Members. The Typhoon Committee has been repeatedly recognized as an outstanding regional body who has integrated the actions and plans of the meteorological, hydrological, and disaster risk reduction(DRR) components to produce meaningful results. Its work is primarily centered on reduction the damage caused by typhoons and floods, and focus on the following: 1) review the progress made in the various fields of typhoon damage prevention; 2) recommend the participating governments on plans and measures the improvement of community preparedness and disaster prevention; 3) promote the interested Governments and other interested organization for the coordination of research on typhoons; and 4) provide financial and technical support for plans and programs upon request. The paper reviewed the development of the Committee in the past 50 years in the aspects of establishment; membership, secretariat and programme components; strategic plan; and cooperative mechanism. The paper also states the areas of technical activities to be enhanced in the region and the proposals to enhance the Typhoon Committee's regional and international collaboration mechanism on typhoon-related disaster risk reduction and damage mitigation.