<span style="font-family:Verdana;">Riparian forests ecosystems play significant role in biodiversity conservation and provision of ecosystem goods and services which support local livelihoods. However,...<span style="font-family:Verdana;">Riparian forests ecosystems play significant role in biodiversity conservation and provision of ecosystem goods and services which support local livelihoods. However, riparian ecosystems are threatened by degradation attributed to anthropogenic activities. Understanding the interaction between anthropogenic activities and socio-economic factors, and their associated impact on riparian degradation is essential for designing appropriate management strategies for these ecosystems. This study assessed the socio-economic factors that drive degradation and their implication on conservation of River Lumi riparian ecosystem. Semi-structured questionnaires, Focus Group Discussion (FGDs) and key informant interviews were used to collect the data. The findings indicate that crop farming and livestock production were the main sources of livelihood practiced by 84% and 70% of the households respectively. Consequently, agricultural intensification resulting from increased demand for agricultural commodities (33%), over-grazing coupled with influx of livestock from private ranches and neighbouring pastoralist Maasai community (20%), and deforestation fuelled by population increase (17%) were the main drivers of degradation in River Lumi riparian ecosystem. The findings indicate that about 91% of the adjacent communities are dependent on River Lumi for their sustenance and their livelihoods will be affected by continued degradation of the riparian ecosystem;thus there is need for development of appropriate management strategies including sustainable livelihood systems to conserve River Lumi riparian ecosystem.</span>展开更多
We investigate the Luminosity Function （LF） of the cluster of galaxies Abell 566. The photometric data of 15 intermediate-bands are obtained from the Beijing-Arizona- Taiwan-Connecticut （BATC） photometric sky surv...We investigate the Luminosity Function （LF） of the cluster of galaxies Abell 566. The photometric data of 15 intermediate-bands are obtained from the Beijing-Arizona- Taiwan-Connecticut （BATC） photometric sky survey. For each of the 15 wavebands, the LF of cluster galaxies is well modelled by the Schechter function, with characteristic luminosities from -18.0 to -21.9 magnitude, from the α- to the p-band. Morphological dependence of the LF is investigated by separating the cluster members into ＇red＇ and ＇blue＇ subsamples. It is clear that late type galaxies have a steeper shape of LF than the early type galaxies. We also divided the sample galaxies by their local environment. It was found that galaxies in the sparser region have steeper shape of LF than galaxies in the denser region. Combining the results of morphological and environmental dependence of LFs, we show that Abell 566 is a well relaxed cluster with positive evidence of galaxy interaction and merger, and excess number of bright early type galaxies located in its denser region.展开更多
Riparian forests minimize impacts of land degradation on stream ecosystems and provide direct and indirect benefits to people. However, these ecosystems are threatened by degradation and deforestation attributed to la...Riparian forests minimize impacts of land degradation on stream ecosystems and provide direct and indirect benefits to people. However, these ecosystems are threatened by degradation and deforestation attributed to land use changes. River Lumi riparian ecosystem in Taita Taveta County in Kenya has experienced rapid and extensive land use changes over the past three decades in response to economic, institutional and demographic factors. There is growing concern of riparian degradation attributed to land use change with far reaching implications on local livelihoods. A study was conducted to examine the patterns </span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">of land use and land cover change</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> along River Lumi riparian ecosystem between 1987 and 2019. The aim of the study was to ascertain the impacts of land use and land cover change on local livelihoods. Landsat images were used to assess land use and land cover change while socio-economic data was collected from 353 households in Njukini, Chala and Mboghoni located in the upper, middle and lower sections of River Lumi ecosystem respectively. Research evidence authenticated that the area under farmlands, settlement and water body increased by 20.5%, 112.1% and 2.3% respectively between 1987 and 2019 while area under forest patches, grazing land and riverine vegetation decreased by 52.7%, 3.0%, and 36.6% respectively. </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The increase in population in surrounding areas coupled with encroachment of the riparian areas for crop farming and livestock grazing resulted to loss of riparian forest patches/vegetation and associated biodiversity with negative implications on household livelihoods. The implication of these results is the need for land use regulations and management interventions at the County level to arrest further encroachment of River Lumi riparian ecosystem and consequent loss of biodiversity and livelihoods.展开更多
Silicon dominates the electronic industry, but its poor optical properties mean that it is not preferred for photonic applications. Visible photoluminescence （PL） was observed from porous Si at room temperature in 1...Silicon dominates the electronic industry, but its poor optical properties mean that it is not preferred for photonic applications. Visible photoluminescence （PL） was observed from porous Si at room temperature in 1990, but the origin of these light emissions is still not fully understood. This paper reports that an Si nanocrystal, silicon nanoporous pillar array （Si-NPA） with strong visible PL has been prepared on a Si wafer substrate by the hydrothermal etching method. After annealing in 02 atmosphere, the hydride coverage of the Si pillar internal surface is replaced by an oxide layer, which comprises of a great quantity of Si nanocrystal （nc-Si） particles and each of them axe encapsulated by an Si oxide layer. Meanwhile a transition from efficient triple-peak PL bands from blue to red before annealing to strong double-peak blue PL bands after annealing is observed. Comparison of the structural, absorption and luminescence characteristics of the as-prepared and oxidized samples provides evidence for two competitive transition processes, the band-to-band recombination of the quantum confinement effect of nc-Si and the radiative recombination of excitons from the luminescent centres located at the surface of nc-Si units or in the Si oxide layers that cover the nc-Si units because of the different oxidation degrees. The sizes of nc-Si and the quality of the Si oxide surface are two major factors affecting two competitive processes. The smaller the size of nc-Si is and the stronger the oxidation degree of Si oxide layer is, the more beneficial for the luminescent centre recombination process to surpass the quantum confinement process is. The clarification on the origin of the photons may be important for the Si nanoporous pillar array to control both the PL band positions and the relative intensities according to future device requirements and further fabrication of optoelectronic nanodevices.展开更多
文摘<span style="font-family:Verdana;">Riparian forests ecosystems play significant role in biodiversity conservation and provision of ecosystem goods and services which support local livelihoods. However, riparian ecosystems are threatened by degradation attributed to anthropogenic activities. Understanding the interaction between anthropogenic activities and socio-economic factors, and their associated impact on riparian degradation is essential for designing appropriate management strategies for these ecosystems. This study assessed the socio-economic factors that drive degradation and their implication on conservation of River Lumi riparian ecosystem. Semi-structured questionnaires, Focus Group Discussion (FGDs) and key informant interviews were used to collect the data. The findings indicate that crop farming and livestock production were the main sources of livelihood practiced by 84% and 70% of the households respectively. Consequently, agricultural intensification resulting from increased demand for agricultural commodities (33%), over-grazing coupled with influx of livestock from private ranches and neighbouring pastoralist Maasai community (20%), and deforestation fuelled by population increase (17%) were the main drivers of degradation in River Lumi riparian ecosystem. The findings indicate that about 91% of the adjacent communities are dependent on River Lumi for their sustenance and their livelihoods will be affected by continued degradation of the riparian ecosystem;thus there is need for development of appropriate management strategies including sustainable livelihood systems to conserve River Lumi riparian ecosystem.</span>
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
文摘We investigate the Luminosity Function （LF） of the cluster of galaxies Abell 566. The photometric data of 15 intermediate-bands are obtained from the Beijing-Arizona- Taiwan-Connecticut （BATC） photometric sky survey. For each of the 15 wavebands, the LF of cluster galaxies is well modelled by the Schechter function, with characteristic luminosities from -18.0 to -21.9 magnitude, from the α- to the p-band. Morphological dependence of the LF is investigated by separating the cluster members into ＇red＇ and ＇blue＇ subsamples. It is clear that late type galaxies have a steeper shape of LF than the early type galaxies. We also divided the sample galaxies by their local environment. It was found that galaxies in the sparser region have steeper shape of LF than galaxies in the denser region. Combining the results of morphological and environmental dependence of LFs, we show that Abell 566 is a well relaxed cluster with positive evidence of galaxy interaction and merger, and excess number of bright early type galaxies located in its denser region.
文摘Riparian forests minimize impacts of land degradation on stream ecosystems and provide direct and indirect benefits to people. However, these ecosystems are threatened by degradation and deforestation attributed to land use changes. River Lumi riparian ecosystem in Taita Taveta County in Kenya has experienced rapid and extensive land use changes over the past three decades in response to economic, institutional and demographic factors. There is growing concern of riparian degradation attributed to land use change with far reaching implications on local livelihoods. A study was conducted to examine the patterns </span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">of land use and land cover change</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> along River Lumi riparian ecosystem between 1987 and 2019. The aim of the study was to ascertain the impacts of land use and land cover change on local livelihoods. Landsat images were used to assess land use and land cover change while socio-economic data was collected from 353 households in Njukini, Chala and Mboghoni located in the upper, middle and lower sections of River Lumi ecosystem respectively. Research evidence authenticated that the area under farmlands, settlement and water body increased by 20.5%, 112.1% and 2.3% respectively between 1987 and 2019 while area under forest patches, grazing land and riverine vegetation decreased by 52.7%, 3.0%, and 36.6% respectively. </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The increase in population in surrounding areas coupled with encroachment of the riparian areas for crop farming and livestock grazing resulted to loss of riparian forest patches/vegetation and associated biodiversity with negative implications on household livelihoods. The implication of these results is the need for land use regulations and management interventions at the County level to arrest further encroachment of River Lumi riparian ecosystem and consequent loss of biodiversity and livelihoods.
基金supported by the Doctoral Fund of the Ministry of Education of China (Grant No. 20090010120014)the Beijing Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. 1103033)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
文摘Silicon dominates the electronic industry, but its poor optical properties mean that it is not preferred for photonic applications. Visible photoluminescence （PL） was observed from porous Si at room temperature in 1990, but the origin of these light emissions is still not fully understood. This paper reports that an Si nanocrystal, silicon nanoporous pillar array （Si-NPA） with strong visible PL has been prepared on a Si wafer substrate by the hydrothermal etching method. After annealing in 02 atmosphere, the hydride coverage of the Si pillar internal surface is replaced by an oxide layer, which comprises of a great quantity of Si nanocrystal （nc-Si） particles and each of them axe encapsulated by an Si oxide layer. Meanwhile a transition from efficient triple-peak PL bands from blue to red before annealing to strong double-peak blue PL bands after annealing is observed. Comparison of the structural, absorption and luminescence characteristics of the as-prepared and oxidized samples provides evidence for two competitive transition processes, the band-to-band recombination of the quantum confinement effect of nc-Si and the radiative recombination of excitons from the luminescent centres located at the surface of nc-Si units or in the Si oxide layers that cover the nc-Si units because of the different oxidation degrees. The sizes of nc-Si and the quality of the Si oxide surface are two major factors affecting two competitive processes. The smaller the size of nc-Si is and the stronger the oxidation degree of Si oxide layer is, the more beneficial for the luminescent centre recombination process to surpass the quantum confinement process is. The clarification on the origin of the photons may be important for the Si nanoporous pillar array to control both the PL band positions and the relative intensities according to future device requirements and further fabrication of optoelectronic nanodevices.
