Effect of Climatic Factors on the Radial Growth of Teak （Tectona grandis L.F.） in Parakou and Tchaourou Districts in Northern Benin

Climatic factor＇s effect was studied on the radial growth of teak （Tectona grandis L.F.） by using the stem analysis of 36 trees distributed in 6 plantations in Parakou and Tchaourou districts in northern Benin. The results showed that the plantations of Parakou were in general more productive than those of Tchaourou. The annual average growth was estimated in the first five years at 0.86 cm/year for Parakou and 0.76 cm/year at Tchaourou. The analysis of the radial growth showed that a significant percentage of the variance was allotted to the growth model. It follows that a big part of the ring width was predetermined before the intervention of the other factors, in particular the climatic conditions. The percentage of the variance related to the climatic conditions was thus more reduced for the plantations of Tchaourou than those of Parakou. The radial growth was influenced by the conditions of humidity （evapotranspiration, humidity and rain） of February to May on the one hand and those from August to October on the other hand.

Improved Charcoal Production for Environment and Economics of Blacksmiths： Evidence from Nepal

Blacksmiths in Nepal are marginalized and disadvantaged occupational caste, however, very popular for their handicraft works mainly in making iron tools and equipments. With the advancement of technology, there have been many innovative technologies in many other sectors, but blacksmiths in Nepal are still dependent on their indigenous and conventional practices which have direct negative consequences for environment, biodiversity conservation and health. Recently, improved charcoal production technology has been implemented among the 77 blacksmith households in Sindhupalchowk district as a pilot project. However, there is little research about the impact of improved charcoal production on forest resources conservation and people＇s livelihoods. This study therefore made an effort to explore the impact of improved charcoal production technology and firewood consumption on conserving the environment and promoting sustainable livelihood of marginalized households in rural areas of Nepal. Findings of the study revealed that improved charcoal production technology has positive impacts on forest tree conservation by reducing the fuel wood consumption up to 40% with 60% energy efficiency as compared to the traditional system. The improved charcoal production pilot project has reduced annual CO2, CH4 and CO emissions in the study area by 2.4-3.1, 3.3-4.3 and 2.6-3.5 tons, respectively. Furthermore, improved charcoal production system increases blacksmiths＇ welfare through generating social, human and economic capital and quality attributes like environmental sustainability. Introducing improved charcoal production and controlling heavy firewood collection at rural villages of Nepal will help to increase carbon sequestration and reduce the sources of carbon emission in context of global climate change.

The possibilities of entering new markets for Romanian companies from wood manufacturing industries

Romania has the potential of resources, labor and real capacity to adapt to the gait of a global economic competition. But it required a long term policy and environment which could support this potential value. If not, we will risk turning into a consumer economy, consumption will not be funded on internal production and become supplier of labor services for peripheral. In the context of economic crisis, Romanian furniture retains its significant competitive advantages, including the price in export markets. The most important markets for exporters of furniture from Romania are Ukraine and Russia, markets with great potential, but affected by problems such as devaluing local currencies, and recently, imposing new duties.

Evolution Stages of Oasis Economy and Its Dependence on Natural Resources in Tarim River Basin

This paper examines spatio-temporal characteristics of an oasis economy and its relationship with water and mineral resources in the Tarim River Basin from 1965 to 2005. A spatial autocorrelation model, the center of gravity model, and index system of the regional central city are used to probe the evolution laws of spatial structure of oasis economy. The study finds that: 1) The economic centre of gravity, whose variation track during this period follows linear rate law, was moving from headstream to middle reaches of the Tarim River. 2) Positive spatial autocorrelation which showed a waving and ascending trend of regional economy was significant and the neighbor effect of regional economic growth was strengthened continuously. 3) The regional economic centre was located in Hotan City before 1980, moved to Aksu City during the 1980s and to Korla City after 1990. We conclude that above all, during the recent four decades the evolution of the oasis economy in this region has gone through three stages: a traditional agriculture stage (before 1980), oasis agriculture and agricultural product processing stage (1980–1990) and oasis energy industry stage (after 1990). Furthermore, the dependence degree of the oasis economy on natural resources in different stages are studied by using dominance index, regression model, and grey relation method, which shows that an oasis econ- omy highly depends on water resources in the oasis agriculture and agricultural product processing stage while it de- pends more on mineral resources such as oil and natural gas during the oasis energy industry stage.

Research of Chinese law not defining the ownership of Natural Resources --Explore recent Chinese ＂ebony＂ ownership disputes Case

Recently, the domestic natural resources ownership dispute with gloomy wood （ebony） as the representative is one after another. With China＇ s urbanization process and development of economic construction, one can imagine that such disputes may be intensified. Chinese law has not been clearly defined How to solve the dispute over the ownership of natural resources, which become difficult problems of China＇ s current judicial practice. Doctrinal, we can cut from typical cases of ebony ownership disputes, combined with the relevant provisions of civil law, property law, land law, etc., to build ＂ do the right ＂ mechanism of Chinese law＇ s not defining the categories of natural resources to provide guidelines and referees for judicial practice and similar mystery.

数学教学中的逻辑教学问题

本文论述了逻辑教学的意义,数学教学与逻辑教学的关系,分析研究了传统的中学数学教学在训练和培养学生逻辑思维能力方面的不足,探讨了改革中学数学教学的途径.

Cassava Production in NigeriamAn Application of Mechanization Levels

Cassava （Manihot esculenta Crantz） is globally known for its versatility. Its demand in the global market has increased in recent times. Many scholars have opined that the development of this root crop will boost rural economy especially in developing economies. This study investigates the production of cassava in Nigeria using different mechanization levels, which include： Hand Tools Technology （HTT）, Draught Animal Technology （DAT） and Engine Powered Technology （EPT）. These levels are classified into, low level mechanization, fair level mechanization and high level mechanization. The results show that the level of mechanization was high, only in land preparation while spraying, stem-cutting and weeding have low mechanization level. This shows that there are many unacceptable machines and suggests that efforts should be made to encourage cassava production considering the high economic, social and medical importance.

Effect of Seed Sizes on the Growth and Establishment of Seedlings of Sheanut Tree （Vitellaria paradoxa）

Seed size can influence germination, emergence and further development of plants to produce high yield. Therefore, pot trial was conducted to assess the effects of seed sizes on growth and establishment of sheanut tree seedlings （Vitellaria paradoxa） in tlae southern Guinea savanna of Nigeria. Seedlings produced from large sized seed had higher germination （80%） than those from medium （70%） and small （65%） sized seeds. Number of days to emergence of seedling from large-sized seed planting was 30 days, 49 days for small- and medium-sized seeds. Large sized seeds had higher N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents compared with small and medium sized seeds. Generally, seedlings from large sized seeds had about 1.5 times more leaves than medium sized seeds and about 2 times more leaves than small sized seeds at 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 weeks after planting （WAP）. Seedlings from large sized seeds were taller and had larger stem girth （at 16WAP） than those from medium sized seeds. Variations in seedling growth from seed sizes could be of operational importance in nursery management as seeds can be sown according to size to improve uniformity. However, further studies to ascertain if the superior growth of seedlings from large sized seeds will lead to higher yield is recommended.

苏尼特王府

苏尼特王府始建于清朝同治年间,即公元1863年。由蒙古王爷那木济勒旺楚克承袭锡林郭勒盟盟长而建造。这是一座既有藏传佛教建筑风格又有清朝末年汉族宫廷建筑风格的建筑群。

Economic Contribution of Forestry Sector to National Economy in Nepal

Forests are major sources of energy,timber and non-timber forest products,medicinal and aromatic plants,hydrological functions,biodiversity conservation,and also fundamental sources of revenue collection to the nation.Studies indicate that forests could significantly enhance economic growth and create employment opportunities for local communities under intensive management.This paper aims to predict the contribution of the forest sector to the national economy.The economic facets of forestry considered in this paper are revenue generated from timber,non-timber forest products(NTFPs)and medicinal and aromatic plants(MAPs),and protected areas.The ARIMA model was used to forecast the economic contribution of the forestry sector.The study found that the total revenue generated from the selling of timber and fuelwood(USD 50.19 million)was higher than the total revenue collected from protected areas(USD 37.58 million)and NTFPs/MAPs(USD 6.9 million)in the past 15 years.The model projected that the mean revenue for the timber and fuelwood sale will USD 3.5 million for the next ten years.Similarly,the mean revenue will be generated about USD 0.5 million and USD 6.2 million from NTFPs/MAPs and protected areas,respectively,for the next ten years.The study limits to take account the in-kind use of forest products such as timber,fodder,fuelwood,etc.,as used by community people within a forest users’groups.Thus,practicing sustainable forest management,enabling policy documents,establishing forest-based industries,establishing forestry nurseries,conducting agroforestry practices,and tenure security could enhance the forestry sector’s economic aspects.

Influences and drivers of woody debris movement in urban watercourses

It is recognised that the blockage of culverts by woody debris can result in an increased risk of infrastructure damage and flooding.To date,debris transport analysis has focused on regional fluvial systems and large woody debris,both in flume and field experiments.Given the social and economic risk associated with urban flooding,and as urban drainage design shifts away from subsurface piped network reliance,there is an increasing need to understand debris movement in urban watercourses.The prediction of urban watercourse small woody debris(SWD)movement,both quantity and risk,has undergone only limited analysis predominantly due to lack of field data.This paper describes the development of a methodology to enable the collection of accurate and meaningful SWD residency and transportation data from watercourses.The presented research examines the limitations and effective function of PIT tag technology to collect SWD transport data in the field appropriate for risk and prediction analysis.Passive integrated transponder(PIT)technology provides a method to collect debris transport data within the urban environment.In this study,the tags are installed within small woody debris and released at known locations into a small urban natural watercourse enabling monitoring of movement and travel time.SWD velocity and detention are collated with solute time of travel,watercourse and point flow characteristics to identify the relationships between these key variables.The work presented tests three hypotheses:firstly,that the potential for unobstructed or un-detained SWD movement increases with flow velocity and water level.Secondly,that SWD travel distance,and the resistance forces along this travel path,influence SWD transport potential.Thirdly,the relationship between SWD and channel dimensions is examined with the aim of advancing representative debris transport prediction modelling.