Frontier Progress of Landscape Character Assessment in China

The role of Landscape Character Assessment(LCA)at the level of territorial landscape governance spans both natural and social sciences.By analyzing the development history,research distribution,methods and applications of cutting-edge cases of LCA in China,the following conclusions are drawn:①the LCA research in China originated earlier than that in Europe,but has not yet been systematically applied to the implementation of urban and rural planning at all levels;②the fundamental theory of LCA in China has been well constructed,with three main research directions:technologyled,assessment-led,and assessment combined with other theories;③the development of LCA in rural areas is more mature than in urban areas,but the progress of research is uneven across regions;④the current research presents significant“bottom-up”academic characteristics,and there is an urgent need for government decision-making authorities and academia to jointly promote a“top-down”standardized governance mechanism to comprehensively promote the modernization of territorial landscape governance.

Investigation and Aesthetic Assessment of Plant Landscapes in Southwest University of Science and Technology

Through field investigation and comprehensive analysis, this paper classified green space system on campus of Southwest University of Science & Technology into points, lines and surfaces, and used basic theories of ecology, botany, garden aesthetics, and plant landscape assessment to analyze ornamental characteristics, seasonal changes, spatial layers and cultural connotations of its typical plant landscapes, so as to assess campus plant landscape comprehensively in the near future.

THE LANDSCAPE ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTAND PLANNING IN THE CONTROL WATERSHED BY RESERVOIR OF ERLONG MOUNTAIN

Based on the theories of landscape ecology, landscape eco environment in the control watershed by reservoir of Erlong Mountain in Heilongjiang Province was analyzed and assessed by using GIS technique and statistical model of Principal Component Analysis and Spatial Cluster Analysis. It is found that 100.08km2(36%)of the total area is in the state of kilter,85.73km2(31%)of the total area is in the state of general,and 47.26km2(17%)and 15.48km2(16%)is in the relatively poor state and ideal state. According to landscape ecological structure,there are three landscape function areas being planned and designed. 1) Agricultural landscape function area: its developmental direction is tour agriculture and high benefit agriculture. 2) Eco environment protected function area:the direction of development and utilization of this region is to develop vigorously forest for soil and water conservation, and try to increase the rate of vegetation cover. 3) Forest landscape function area: rational cut and utilization of forest resources, space optimization disposal of category of forest, foster of forest and protection of wildwood will become the main development directions for this region. This study trys to provide scientific foundation for ecological restoration of the whole valley and its sustainable development.

Landscape Visual Environment Impact Analysis of Wind Power Project in Plain Region--Case in One Wind Power Farm Project of Zhanjiang

The construction of wind power project is conducive to saving energy,reducing emissions and regulating energy structure. But it inevitably causes some impacts on the environment in the construction process. Because that the height of wind power generator generally exceeds 100 m,and visual range in plain region is farther,it is necessary to scientifically and rationally evaluate and analyze landscape visual environment impact of wind power generator in plain region. One wind power farm project of Zhanjiang is located in typical plain region of Guangdong coast. Referring to traditional analytic method of landscape visual impact and comparing with actual situation for the same kind of project in the region,results show that it is ＂ extremely sensitive＂ area at 0- 2. 5 km from wind power generator, ＂ very sensitive＂ area at 2. 5- 5. 0 km, ＂ sensitive＂ area at 5- 10 km, ＂generally sensitive＂ area at 10- 20 km,and non-sensitive area outside 20 km.

Impacts of tourism development on the physical environment of Mussoorie,a hill station in the lower Himalayan range of India

Tourism in mountainous regions is a significant source of revenue generation. However, it has also been associated with many adverse environmental consequences. This study aims at assessing the negative impacts of the incessant upsurge in tourism development on the physical environment of Mussoorie, a well-known mountain tourist destination in India. The impact indicators for the region were identified and assessed by qualitative and quantitative analysis of field observations. The observations indicated the aggravation of traffic congestion, atmospheric pollution, undisposed solid waste, water scarcity and infrastructure unavailability as the prevalent issues, especially during the peak tourist months. The extent of the consequential damage to the environment was evaluated by conducting an assessment of tourism-induced human disturbance on the natural landscape of the town. Slope, slope aspect, vegetation cover, road network and drainage network were incorporated as thedetermining landscape attributes to prepare thematic maps of landscape quality(perceivable intrinsic properties) and landscape fragility(vulnerability to anthropogenic disturbances) using GIS technique. An absorption capacity map was finally prepared to characterize the study area into regions of different conservation needs. The results identified the need for planning appropriate preservation strategies for different tourist places in the town. The study can be used by the policy makers for implementing the regulatory measures against potential disturbances due to mass-tourism.

Features and values of geological heritage resources in Shunping County,Hebei Province

Hebei Province is rich in geological heritage resources due to its diverse landforms and unique natural conditions.However,detailed investigation and study of the resources are still limited,and a systematic survey conducted on a small scale has not been fully implemented.In this paper,the resource types and characteristics of the geological heritage in Shunping County are systematically discussed,on the basis of field investigation and scientific evaluation.With reference to the existing criteria for geological heritage resources survey,the heritage values and corresponding levels were assessed by using multi-factor quantitative evaluation approach.The results show that there are 33 geological heritage sites in Shunping County,which fall into 3 categories,10 classes and 17 subcategories.Among them,2 heritage sites are above the provincial level,14 heritage sites are at the provincial level and 17 ones are below the level.These heritage sites are not only natural resources with great tourism potential,but also valuable asset in geological research,human history,ecological conservation,scientific education and some other aspects.It is hence of great significance to conduct the scientific and reasonable appraisal for having a better understanding,good protection and development of the geological heritage resources in Hebei Province.

Coastal geomorphic evolution at the Denglou Cape, the Leizhou Peninsula

The Denglou Cape, southwest of the Leizhou Peninsula, is the most typical tropical coast in the continent of China.The coastal geomorphic development basics of the geology and Quaternary environment change are discussed. Aerial photograph interpretation with fieldwork is applied to draw the outlines of geomorphic types. Based on the investigative data, the exogenic forces and marine organism conditions concerning tropical coast development in the area are expounded, and coastal dynamo-deposition geomorphic bodies are analysed, mainly with sea cliff-abrasion platform,barrier-lagoon system, modern beach, coral reef and mangrove tidal flat, and the general process of coastal evolution at this area, as well as coastline changes since middle Holocene transgression.