Sea level change along the coast of China relative to the isostatic datum

On the basis of the analyses of significant periods for the sea level observation data taken from recent several decades at 12 tide stations, the monthly mean sea level observations are fitted by a model of linear trend of sea level change superimposed with several variations of different fixed periods. The trends of sea level relative changes and their errors are estimated by the LS method. The results are reduced to the isostatic datum proposed and established in the paper (Huang et al. , 1991, Seismology and Geology , 1, 1-15). The trends of sea level changes in the near future along the coast of China are studied. It is pointed out that the general trend of the sea level change along the coast of China is going up slowly and the rate of the change is not the same in different segments of the coasts. In a few segments, the sea level is even relatively going down. The numerical results given in this paper provide a basis for the predictions of the future sea level changes and their effects.

Evaluation of the geopotential value W_0^(LVD) of China

Estimation of the zero-height geopotential value W_0^（LVD） for the CVD（China Vertical Datum） plays a fundamental role in the connection of traditional height reference systems into a global height system.Estimation the W_0^（LVD） of China is based on the computation of the mean geopotential offset between the value W_0= 62636856.0 m^2 s^（-2）, selected as reference in this study, and the unknown geopotential value W_0^（LVD）. This estimation is based on the combination of ellipsoidal heights, levelled heights（referring to the CVD）, and some physical parameters, such as geopotential values, gravity values, and geoid undulations.The geoid undulations derived from the GGM（Global Geopotential Models）. This combination is performed through three approaches： The first one is based on the theory of Molodensky, and the second one compares levelled heights and geopotential values derived from the GGMs, while the third one analyses the differences between GPS/Levelling and GGMs geoid undulations. The approaches are evaluated at 65 benchmarks（BMs） covered around Qingdao where the tide gauge is used to observe the local mean sea level of China. The results from three approaches are very similar. Furthermore, the W_0^（LVD）determined for the China local vertical datum was 62636852.9462 m^2 s^（-2）, indicates a bias of about3.0538 m^2/s^（-2） compared to the conventional value of 62636856.0 m^2 s^（-2）.

An approach to the design principles for indicator system of desertification degree

From the analysis on the problem of selection, data acquisition, quantification and accuracy check in the indicators to desertification degree both at home and abroad, one might conclude that in the existing assessment of desertification degree there is a prevailing tendency which is the substitution of absolute landscape for relative land degradation, namely, assessment of desertification degree is that of absolute landscape state to some extent. As a result the reassessment accuracy of desertification scope, damaging degree and control effect are affected. The regaining and establishment of the initial and final ecological datum level of land degradation are the prerequisite to the establishment of normal scientific indicator system. From the viewpoint of this three design principles of indicators to the desertification degree are put forward: the zonal principle of indicator systems decided by the ecological datum level corresponding to their bioclimatic zones, the hierarchical principle of indicator systems decided by different spatial scales and the resolutions of different sensors and principle of landscape types based on the 3S as core-indicator.