Status of and Suggestions for Senior Citizens＇ Participation in Ethnic Tourism： A Case Study of Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan

The participation of ethnic minority communities in the development of local tourism is usual y based on the family unit. Senior citizens can not only provide labor services within their reach, but inherit and defend local culture and landscape, playing an important social role. Their living conditions are tied to the rest of the family, and affect the sustainability of the entire community. Through field visits to ethnic minority communities in Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan, authors of the paper summarized the status and problems of elderly people's participation in tourism development, and put forward specific suggestions.

Effects of Different Organic Residues on Rice Yield and Soil Quality

Calcaric regosols are a valuable land resource, distributed widely across western China. Soil quality has deteriorated considerably in recent years owing to the blind pursuit of economic benefits. A 2-year field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of using spent mushroom compost, leguminous plant (Vicia sepium L.) compost, and a combination of the two (at a 1:1 and 2:1 ratio), on rice yield and soil quality in a suburb of China. Vicia sepium L. composted with spent mushroom compost at a 1:1 ratio produced the highest grain and stover yield, grain and stover phosphorus concentration, and phosphorus uptake of rice; they were 56.5%, 93.2%, 89.3%, 198.6% and 22.2% greater than control soil, respectively. The 2:1 ratio (Vicia sepium L.: spent mushroom compost) produced the highest grain N concentration, stover N concentration, and N uptake; they were 31.6%, 31.4%, and 40.7% higher than control, respectively. Soil physical, chemical, and environmental properties were improved with the application of Vicia sepium L. composted with spent mushroom compost at a 2:1 ratio. In particular, soil water-stable aggregates, organic carbon, particulate organic carbon, total nitrogen, available potassium, and cation exchange capacity increased, whereas bulk density, pH, and phytoavailable heavy metals decreased. This organic treatment is beneficial to improve soil quality indicators, and contribute to soil restoration.

Jiuzhaigou Ecotourism Areal System:Temporal Evolution of Entropic Change

The temporal evolution of entropy of Jiuzhaigou ecotourism areal system has been quantitatively analyzed by using equation of system entropy V = k In M - k In C. The computed entropy for Jiuzhaigou ecotourism areal system for 20 years indicates a negative value during 1986-1996, which implies that the system had remained a healthy state during this period. The system entropy value, however, showed a constant increase since 1996 until it turned to be positive in 2000 when the system became chaotic. After 2000 the entropy value declined until 2003 when it escalated once again. By analyzing the causes and process of entropy change of the system, it is argued that fluctuation of entropy value is due to the overloading of tourist service capacity by tourism activities. It is desired to curb the flow of tourist volume and reinforce conservation efforts as well as, so that an ideal balance between conservation and development could be maintained.