Although about two-thirds of Nepalese families depend on agriculture as their major source of income, the agriculture is mostly rain-fed and it has been adversely affected by water hazards and the subsequent degradati...Although about two-thirds of Nepalese families depend on agriculture as their major source of income, the agriculture is mostly rain-fed and it has been adversely affected by water hazards and the subsequent degradation of resources. Based on case studies from three different geographical regions in Nepal, this research examines how environmental factors cause decreasing crop production and push people to abandon agriculture and accept emigration for employment. The research findings suggest a chain of push factors starting from drought or erratic rainfall causing water hazards, which impacts on depletion of crops and livestock, losses in income and employment and increased human mobility and emigration. The paper argues that the Government of Nepal and development partners can be more effective in enabling agrarian families to cope with the water hazards and shocks by formulating pro-poor mitigation and adaptation policies and strategies,focusing both on ‘rapid-onset' and ‘slow-onset' water hazards.展开更多
We investigated the quantity and quality 0f fallen l0gs in different Tsuga l0ngibracteata f0rest c0mmunities in the Tianba0yan Nati0nal Nature Reserve. We used redundancy analysis t0 determine the spatial distributi0n...We investigated the quantity and quality 0f fallen l0gs in different Tsuga l0ngibracteata f0rest c0mmunities in the Tianba0yan Nati0nal Nature Reserve. We used redundancy analysis t0 determine the spatial distributi0n 0f fallen l0gs in the different f0rest c0mmunities and t0 analyze the relati0nships am0ng stand structure, t0p0graphic fact0rs and human disturbance. The v0lume, c0vered area, mean l0g length and number 0f fallen l0gs differed significantly am0ng f0rest types (P 〈 0.05), but mean diameter at breast height sh0wed n0 significant difference (P 〉 0.05). The l0g v0lume and c0vered area in different f0rest types sh0wed the f0ll0wing trend: T. l0ngibracteata pure f0rest 〈 T. l0ngibracteata + Olig0staehyum scabrifl0rur 〈 T. l0ngibraeteata + hardw00d 〈 Rh0d0dendr0n simiarum + T. l0ngibraeteata 〈 T. l0ngibraeteata + Phyll0stachys heter0cycla pubescens. The spatial distributi0n patterns 0f l0gs quantity and quality indicated that l0g v0lume and c0vered area were str0ngly affected by envir0nmental fact0rs in the f0ll0wing 0rder: human disturbance 〉 elevati0n 〉 sl0pe p0siti0n 〉 b0le height 〉 tree height 〉 sl0pe aspect 〉 density 〉 basal area 〉 sl0pe gradient. The relative c0ntributi0n 0f envir0nmental variables 0n the t0tal variance was t0p0graphy (76%) 〉 disturbance (42%) 〉 stand structure (35%). T0p0graphy and disturbance c0mbined explained 8.2% 0f the variance. Fallen l0~s auantitv and aualitvwere negatively related t0 elevati0n and sl0pe p0siti0n, and p0sitively ass0ciated t0 human disturbance. The l0g v0lume decreased fr0m n0rthern t0 s0uthern sl0pes. Envir0nmental fact0rs had the highest impact 0n class I (slightly decayed), and l0west impact 0n class V (highly decayed).展开更多
The growth of regional economy in China was stable with a slight decline in2013.Growths in major economic indicators,namely the industrial added value,the total fixed asset investment,the total retail sales of consume...The growth of regional economy in China was stable with a slight decline in2013.Growths in major economic indicators,namely the industrial added value,the total fixed asset investment,the total retail sales of consumer goods,and the total volume of import and export trade differ across the eastern,central,western and northeastern regions,but the overall difference is small.The regional economic development still faces certain problems,such as unbalanced development among regions,insufficient implementation of development planning,lack of in-depth regional cooperation,irrational competition of development of new zones,and uncoordinated policies on ecological progress from different government authorities.This paper suggests that China should formulate zoning policies and supporting measures to accelerate the development of key economic belts,promote new urbanization,transform the old industrial bases,strengthen joint prevention of regional environmental pollution and promote the opening up of the inland areas to the western regions.展开更多
In this paper we analyze the characteristics of the so-called rare earth elements (REEs) and its industrial applications. We present the policy, or lack thereof, in the countries in the Pacific Rim for its mining an...In this paper we analyze the characteristics of the so-called rare earth elements (REEs) and its industrial applications. We present the policy, or lack thereof, in the countries in the Pacific Rim for its mining and commerce, and the current and future weight that rare earth minerals will have in international trade. The technological revolution experienced over the last 25 years, has brought the REEs to the public's attention for being instrumental in obtaining catalysts, lasers and optical fiber, luminescent substances and LEDs, superconductors, permanent magnets, batteries and ultra-capacitors. China's leading position as the supplier of these minerals worldwide, and its recent export restriction policy for domestic industrial activities have driven up international prices. Price increase for REEs is leading to the need for both recycling and its replacement. It has also led other countries in the Asia Pacific Rim to prospect new potential sites on their own territories, or even to restart operations in deposits that had been previously abandoned. Those strategies will likely gain greater importance as environmental pollution problems associated with the exploitation, processing, and recovery of REEs increase.展开更多
This paper investigates the regional distribution and pollution of energyintensive industries in China. Through the analysis of provincial panel data collected during 1998-2008, this work estimates the drivers of poll...This paper investigates the regional distribution and pollution of energyintensive industries in China. Through the analysis of provincial panel data collected during 1998-2008, this work estimates the drivers of pollution in 30 of China's provincial-level divisions. The paper concludes that while China's energy-intensive industries are heavily distributed in eastern and central China, the speed of development toward central and western China has, in recent years, risen continuously. Industries located in eastern China do, however, remain the primary polluters in the country. Notably, regional agglomeration of energy-intensive industries plays a positive role in energy conservation and pollution control in China. This paper also finds that patterns of pollution in China follow the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) with strong inter-provincial discrepancies.展开更多
This paper aims to mitigate the impacts of subsurface drainage system in Ibshan, Egypt on the environment. For studying and analyzing these impacts, data are collected concerning before and after the installation of t...This paper aims to mitigate the impacts of subsurface drainage system in Ibshan, Egypt on the environment. For studying and analyzing these impacts, data are collected concerning before and after the installation of the subsurface drainage system. The environmental impacts are set to be crops yields, salinity, and water table depth. Concerning crops yields, five crops are identified to study the effect of the subsurface drainage system on their productivity. Regarding salinity, the saline areas are investigated pre and post the subsurface drainage system. For the water table depth, the ground water table depths are reviewed before and after the subsurface drainage system. Also, the DRA1NMOD-S computer program is employed to determine the effect of the subsurface drainage system on the water table depth. It is concluded that the environmental impacts of the subsurface drainage system in Ibshan area are very good. The yields of five crops increased from 7% to 38%, 16.4% of saline areas are improved, and the ground water table depth is reduced by 10%. Also, an equation is obtained to predict the percentage decrease of ground water table depth according to the laterals spacing of the subsurface drainage system.展开更多
文摘Although about two-thirds of Nepalese families depend on agriculture as their major source of income, the agriculture is mostly rain-fed and it has been adversely affected by water hazards and the subsequent degradation of resources. Based on case studies from three different geographical regions in Nepal, this research examines how environmental factors cause decreasing crop production and push people to abandon agriculture and accept emigration for employment. The research findings suggest a chain of push factors starting from drought or erratic rainfall causing water hazards, which impacts on depletion of crops and livestock, losses in income and employment and increased human mobility and emigration. The paper argues that the Government of Nepal and development partners can be more effective in enabling agrarian families to cope with the water hazards and shocks by formulating pro-poor mitigation and adaptation policies and strategies,focusing both on ‘rapid-onset' and ‘slow-onset' water hazards.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.31370624)the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education (Grant No. 20103515110005)the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian, China (Grant No. 2011J01071)
文摘We investigated the quantity and quality 0f fallen l0gs in different Tsuga l0ngibracteata f0rest c0mmunities in the Tianba0yan Nati0nal Nature Reserve. We used redundancy analysis t0 determine the spatial distributi0n 0f fallen l0gs in the different f0rest c0mmunities and t0 analyze the relati0nships am0ng stand structure, t0p0graphic fact0rs and human disturbance. The v0lume, c0vered area, mean l0g length and number 0f fallen l0gs differed significantly am0ng f0rest types (P 〈 0.05), but mean diameter at breast height sh0wed n0 significant difference (P 〉 0.05). The l0g v0lume and c0vered area in different f0rest types sh0wed the f0ll0wing trend: T. l0ngibracteata pure f0rest 〈 T. l0ngibracteata + Olig0staehyum scabrifl0rur 〈 T. l0ngibraeteata + hardw00d 〈 Rh0d0dendr0n simiarum + T. l0ngibraeteata 〈 T. l0ngibraeteata + Phyll0stachys heter0cycla pubescens. The spatial distributi0n patterns 0f l0gs quantity and quality indicated that l0g v0lume and c0vered area were str0ngly affected by envir0nmental fact0rs in the f0ll0wing 0rder: human disturbance 〉 elevati0n 〉 sl0pe p0siti0n 〉 b0le height 〉 tree height 〉 sl0pe aspect 〉 density 〉 basal area 〉 sl0pe gradient. The relative c0ntributi0n 0f envir0nmental variables 0n the t0tal variance was t0p0graphy (76%) 〉 disturbance (42%) 〉 stand structure (35%). T0p0graphy and disturbance c0mbined explained 8.2% 0f the variance. Fallen l0~s auantitv and aualitvwere negatively related t0 elevati0n and sl0pe p0siti0n, and p0sitively ass0ciated t0 human disturbance. The l0g v0lume decreased fr0m n0rthern t0 s0uthern sl0pes. Envir0nmental fact0rs had the highest impact 0n class I (slightly decayed), and l0west impact 0n class V (highly decayed).
文摘The growth of regional economy in China was stable with a slight decline in2013.Growths in major economic indicators,namely the industrial added value,the total fixed asset investment,the total retail sales of consumer goods,and the total volume of import and export trade differ across the eastern,central,western and northeastern regions,but the overall difference is small.The regional economic development still faces certain problems,such as unbalanced development among regions,insufficient implementation of development planning,lack of in-depth regional cooperation,irrational competition of development of new zones,and uncoordinated policies on ecological progress from different government authorities.This paper suggests that China should formulate zoning policies and supporting measures to accelerate the development of key economic belts,promote new urbanization,transform the old industrial bases,strengthen joint prevention of regional environmental pollution and promote the opening up of the inland areas to the western regions.
文摘In this paper we analyze the characteristics of the so-called rare earth elements (REEs) and its industrial applications. We present the policy, or lack thereof, in the countries in the Pacific Rim for its mining and commerce, and the current and future weight that rare earth minerals will have in international trade. The technological revolution experienced over the last 25 years, has brought the REEs to the public's attention for being instrumental in obtaining catalysts, lasers and optical fiber, luminescent substances and LEDs, superconductors, permanent magnets, batteries and ultra-capacitors. China's leading position as the supplier of these minerals worldwide, and its recent export restriction policy for domestic industrial activities have driven up international prices. Price increase for REEs is leading to the need for both recycling and its replacement. It has also led other countries in the Asia Pacific Rim to prospect new potential sites on their own territories, or even to restart operations in deposits that had been previously abandoned. Those strategies will likely gain greater importance as environmental pollution problems associated with the exploitation, processing, and recovery of REEs increase.
基金This paper was made possible by grants from the Modern Business Research Center of Zhejiang Gongshang University, Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation.
文摘This paper investigates the regional distribution and pollution of energyintensive industries in China. Through the analysis of provincial panel data collected during 1998-2008, this work estimates the drivers of pollution in 30 of China's provincial-level divisions. The paper concludes that while China's energy-intensive industries are heavily distributed in eastern and central China, the speed of development toward central and western China has, in recent years, risen continuously. Industries located in eastern China do, however, remain the primary polluters in the country. Notably, regional agglomeration of energy-intensive industries plays a positive role in energy conservation and pollution control in China. This paper also finds that patterns of pollution in China follow the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) with strong inter-provincial discrepancies.
文摘This paper aims to mitigate the impacts of subsurface drainage system in Ibshan, Egypt on the environment. For studying and analyzing these impacts, data are collected concerning before and after the installation of the subsurface drainage system. The environmental impacts are set to be crops yields, salinity, and water table depth. Concerning crops yields, five crops are identified to study the effect of the subsurface drainage system on their productivity. Regarding salinity, the saline areas are investigated pre and post the subsurface drainage system. For the water table depth, the ground water table depths are reviewed before and after the subsurface drainage system. Also, the DRA1NMOD-S computer program is employed to determine the effect of the subsurface drainage system on the water table depth. It is concluded that the environmental impacts of the subsurface drainage system in Ibshan area are very good. The yields of five crops increased from 7% to 38%, 16.4% of saline areas are improved, and the ground water table depth is reduced by 10%. Also, an equation is obtained to predict the percentage decrease of ground water table depth according to the laterals spacing of the subsurface drainage system.