Drivers of spatial structure in thinned forests

Background:As is widely known,an increasing number of forest areas were managed to preserve and enhance the health of forest ecosystems.However,previous research on forest management has often overlooked the importance of structure-based.Aims:Our objectives were to define the direction of structure-based forest management.Subsequently,we investigated the relationships between forest structure and the regeneration,growth,and mortality of trees under different thinning treatments.Ultimately,the drivers of forest structural change were explored.Methods:On the basis of 92 sites selected from northeastern China,with different recovery time (from 1 to 15years) and different thinning intensities (0–59.9%) since the last thinning.Principal component analysis (PCA)identified relationships among factors determining forest spatial structure.The structural equation model (SEM)was used to analyze the driving factors behind the changes in forest spatial structure after thinning.Results:Light thinning (0–20%trees removed) promoted forest regeneration,and heavy thinning (over 35% of trees removed) facilitated forest growth.However,only moderate thinning (20%–35%trees removed) created a reasonable spatial structure.While dead trees were clustered,and they were hardly affected by thinning intensity.Additionally,thinning intensity,recovery time,and altitude indirectly improve the spatial structure of the forest by influencing diameter at breast height (DBH) and canopy area.Conclusion:Creating larger DBH and canopy area through thinning will promote the formation of complex forest structures,which cultivates healthy and stable forests.

The Study on the Evolution of Urban Spatial Structure in Zhuhai City Based on Spatial Syntax

With the deepening of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area strategy and the accelerated integration and development of the east and west sides of the Pearl River Estuary,Zhuhai’s hub position is becoming more and more prominent.The city of Zhuhai has a dense water network and is divided into two urban areas,the east and the west,under the influence of the Mordor Gate waterway.Based on the theory of spatial syntax,this paper carries out an analytical study on the urban spatial structure of Zhuhai,identifies the distribution characteristics of urban POIs,and provides theoretical support for the urban development of Zhuhai.

A novel model to evaluate spatial structure in thinned conifer-broadleaved mixed natural forests

In order to ensure the effective analysis and reconstruction of forests,it is key to ensure the quantitative description of their spatial structure.In this paper,a distance model for the optimal stand spatial structure based on weighted Voronoi diagrams is proposed.In particular,we provide a novel methodological model for the comprehensive evaluation of the spatial structure of forest stands in natural mixed conifer-broadleaved forests and the formulation of management decision plans.The applicability of the rank evaluation and the optimal solution distance model are compared and assessed for different standard sample plots of natural mixed conifer-broadleaved forests.The effect of crown width on the spatial structure unit of the trees is observed to be higher than that of the diameter at breast height.Moreover,the influence of crown length is greater than that of tree height.There are nine possible spatial structure units determined by the weighted Voronoi diagram for the number of neighboring trees in the central tree,with an average intersection of neighboring crowns reaching 80%.The rank rating of natural forest sample plots is correlated with the optimal solution distance model,and their results are generally consistent for natural forests.However,the rank rating is not able to provide a quantitative assessment.The optimal solution distance model is observed to be more comprehensive than traditional methods for the evaluation of the spatial structure of forest stands.It can effectively reflect the trends in realistic stand spatial structure factors close to or far from the ideal structure point,and accurately assesses the forest spatial structure.The proposed optimal solution distance model improves the integrated evaluation of the spatial structure of forest stands and provides solid theoretical and technical support for sustainable forest management.

Identifying the Spatial Structure of Black Hole and Tropical Cyclone Based on a Theoretical Analysis of Orthogonal Interaction

Black holes are recognized by Newton’s gravitational theory and Einstein’s general relativity, but there is still a lack of understanding the spatial structure of events, especially the nature of event horizon. In this paper, a theoretical analysis is used to compare the structures of tropical cyclone in the atmosphere and black hole in the astronomy so that five results are: 1) Both of them share the similar spatial structure, with tropical cyclone and black hole having the outflow cloud shield and the horizon sphere in the central part, respectively, while four spiral material bands exist in the rotating plane around them;2) In theoretically, the energy density formed by the orthogonal interaction of the four spiral material bands is as times as the total kinetic energy of the head-on interaction;3) This region of high energy density can lead to the conversion from mass to energy and the creation of new physical states of matter, which is a black hole event;4) The outer horizon of a black hole is the outermost interface of events, or the orthogonal interaction interface of particles;5) High-speed plasma jets extended at the poles of the black hole are directly associated with the shear stress of orthogonal interaction.

Spatial structure evolution of overlying strata and inducing mechanism of rockburst in coal mine

Spatial structure of overlying strata existed and evolved dynamically with the exploitation scope （boundary conditions） changes in coal mines and to induce rockburst. Based on the“key strata”theory, the integrated spatial structure of overlying strata was put forward, which was composed of “O-X” structure in the plane section and “F” structure in the vertical section. The formation and ongoing instability of the“O-X”and“F”structures were called as dynamic evolution cycle of the overlying strata. Three basic categories of “O-X”, “F” and “T” structures were defined, and the strata behaviors of each spatial structure were analyzed. According to energy theory, mechanism of rockburst induced by spatial structure instability was discussed. The research expanded the scope of traditional ground pressure theory and provided a guide for the prevention of rockburst and mining tremors induced by structure instability of overlying

SPATIAL STRUCTURE EVOLUTION OF SYSTEM OF RECREATION BUSINESS DISTRICT——A Case of Suzhou City

The growing attention on urban tourism was very widespread. There are two angles to study urban tourism: supply-side and demand-side. And the supply-side of the tourism remains very important. The RBD (Recreation Business District) is a useful framework to understand the components of urban tourism and how they fit together. The paper begins with a review on the RBD and the spatial structure of tourism in urban areas and then attempts to develop a more general understanding of the spatial structure evolution of RBDs in a tourist-historic city-Suzhou. The spatial structures and functions of the RBDs in Suzhou are examined, based on field observations, interviews with city officials and industry leaders, and a review of available documents. The urban tourism of Suzhou has developed in a range of contexts, that various types of RBDs have emerged as a result of different urban development strategies. The spatial structure has evolved from the past "Single-cored Structure" to "Double-cored Structure" at present, and then to "Chain Structure" in the future. The spatial form and evolution of RBD in Suzhou are closely relative with its urban spatial expansion. Urban area dispersal is the prerequisite of the emergence of the RBD. Planning and constructing the RBD becomes a new impetus to urban growth or renewal. Finally, a number of strategies for planning and developing the RBD in Suzhou are suggested. The different RBDs should adopt different strategies. Intensification can be the possible strategy for the RBDs in the ancient city. Accreting with the urban theme park or engrafting on the Jinji Lake is suggested respectively for the RBD in the Suzhou New District and the Suzhou Industrial Park.

Stability of Spatial Structure of Urban Agglomeration in China Based on Central Place Theory

This paper brings forward the concept of stability of the spatial structure of urban agglomeration(UA)based on Central Place Theory by introducing centrality index and fractal theory.Before assessment,K=4 is selected as parameter to calculate centrality index and fractal dimension(K represents the quantitive relationship between city and the counties in Central Place Theory),and then found the number of nodes,the type of spatial structure,the spatial allocation of nodes with different hierarchy affecting the stability of spatial structure.According to spatial contact direction and the level of stability,UAs in China are classified into five types.Finally,it is posed as a further question that how to use hierarchical relation K=6 and K=7 in central place system to coordinate with the assessment of stability of soatial structure is brought forward.

Anomaly Models of Spatial Structures for Copper-Molybdenum Ore Deposits and their Application

This paper discusses the enrichment and depletion regularities for porphyry coppermolybdenum ore deposits in different regions and varied deposit genetic types in the same area, taking three porphyry copper-molybdenum ore deposits （i.e., the Chengmenshan in Jiangxi, Wunugetushan in Inner Mongolia, Baishantang in Gansu） and two copper deposits in Gansu Province （the Huitongshan skarn deposit and Gongpoquan composite deposit） as case studies. The results show that porphyry Cu-Mo deposits or skarn copper deposits include both enrichment of the ore-forming elements and associated elements, and depletion of some lithophile dispersed elements, rare earth elements （REE） and some major elements. And the depleted elements vary with deposits, having generality and their own features. On a deposit scale, the positive anomalies of enriched elements and negative anomalies of depleted elements follow in a sequence to comprise regular anomaly models of spatial structures. The exploration in the Tongchang deposit in Jiangxi and Huitongshan deposit in Gansu suggests that anomaly models play a key role in the identification of mineral occurrences and deposits compared to one single enriched element anomaly. And the anomaly models exert a critical effect on the optimization of prospecting targets and their potential evaluation.

Spatial Structure,Hierarchy and Formation Mechanisms of Scientific Collaboration Networks:Evidence of the Belt and Road Regions

Scientific collaboration has become an important part of the people-to-people exchanges in the Belt and Road initiative,and remarkable progress has been made since 2013.Taking the 65 countries along the Belt and Road(BRI countries)as the research areas and using collaborated Web of Science(WOS)core collection papers to construct an international scientific collaboration matrix,the paper explores the spatial structure,hierarchy and formation mechanisms of scientific collaboration networks of 65 countries along the Belt and Road.The results show that:1)Beyond the Belt and Road regions(BRI regions),Central&Eastern Europe,China and West Asia&North Africa have formed a situation in which they all have the most external links with other countries beyond BRI regions.China has the dominant role over other BRI countries in generating scientific links.The overall spatial structure has changed to a skeleton structure consisting of many dense regions,such as Europe,North America,East Asia and Oceania.2)Within the Belt and Road regions,Central&Eastern Europe has become the largest collaboration partner with other sub-regions in BRI countries.The spatial structure of scientific collaboration networks has transformed from the‘dual core’composed of China and the Central&Eastern Europe region,to the‘multi-polarization’composed of‘one zone and multi-points’.3)The hierarchical structure of scientific collaboration networks presents a typical‘core-periphery’structure,and changes from‘single core’to‘double cores’.4)Among the formation mechanisms of scientific collaboration networks,scientific research strength and social proximity play the most important roles,while geographical distance gradually weakens the hindrance to scientific collaboration.

An experimental study of the spatial structures of the instabilities of longshore currents on plane beaches

A laboratory experiment on alongshore currents is conducted for two plane beaches with slopes 1：40 and 1：i00 to investigate the instability of alongshore currents. The dye release experiment is also performed synchronously in surf zone. Complicated and strongly unstable motions of alongshore currents are observed in the experiment. To examine the spatial and temporal variations of the shear instabilities of longshore clearly, dye batches are released in surf zone. The deformation of the dye patch is observed efficiently and effectively with charge coupled device （CCD） system. Some essential characteristics of the shear instability are validated from the results of image analyses of the temporal variation of the dye patch. The influences of alongshore currents, Stokes drift, large-scale vorticity and the shear instabilities on the transport of dye are analyzed using the collected images. The spatial structure of the instabilities of longshore currents is studied by analyzing collected images of the dye patch. And the phase velocity of the meandering movements is obtained through measuring the movement distances of the oscillations of dye patch in alongshore direction with time. The results suggest that the propagation speed of the shear instability is approximately 5070 7570 of maximum of mean alongshore currents for irregular and regular waves. The calculated propagation speed using a linear instability analysis theory is compared with the experimental results. The comparison shows agreements between them.

Influencing Factors for Formation of Urban and Rural Spatial Structure in Metropolis Fringe Area——Taking Shuangliu County of Chengdu in China as a Case

With rapid urbanization process, the pace of urban sprawl has been quickened and most metropolises have ex-perienced expansions in leaps and bounds in suburbanization, which has greatly changed the urban and rural spatial struc-ture of the metropolis fringe area. In this paper, Shuangliu County is taken as a case, since it is a typical fringe area of Chengdu Metropolis. Based on Landsat TM images of Chengdu City and Shuangliu County obtained in 1985, 2000 and 2004, characteristics of urban and rural spatial structure in Shuangliu County were analyzed, such as core-periphery spa-tial structure and some obvious integration trends. Then the influencing factors for the formation of urban and rural spatial structure were identified, including some natural, social, economic and political factors. According to the discussion of this paper, Shuangliu County is undergoing a key transition and reform period. Its formation of urban and rural spatial structure was affected not only by such common factors as the location, natural background, industrial transition, migra-tion, etc., but also by some unique factors such as city planning and policy guidance, which played an important role in accelerating its uneven spatial structure. The understanding of the role of the influencing factors would be useful for car-rying out spatial management and development planning of metropolis fringe area.

Spatial structure and seasonal changes of nekton assemblages in the Taiwan Strait

The Taiwan Strait is a transition zone between the East China Sea and the South China Sea with unique hydrology and a geographical environment that creates special marine community features.To analyze the spatial structure and seasonal changes of the nekton assemblages in the Taiwan Strait,seasonal experimental trawl surveys were conducted during 2006-2007.The results showed that there were two assemblages in the area with different sets of species,and the average similarity within each group varies between 39.38% and 74.20%.By using multivariate statistical analysis and analyzing the distribution of dominant species,we found that the structures of the assemblages had obvious seasonal variation.The middle region from the Putian transect to the Xiamen transect could be considered a mixing area for the two assemblages.The analysis of the relationship between species assemblages and environmental factors indicated that temperature was the most important factor affecting the community structure in cold seasons,and 22.5°C and 17°C could be considered dividing lines for spring and winter,respectively.In warm seasons,the most important factor was water depth,but the relationship with depth was not as significant,with a correlation between 0.264 and 0.399.The seasonal changes of nekton assemblages basically reflected the dynamic currents in the Taiwan Strait.The south coastal assemblage extended to nearly the entire area of the Taiwan Strait along with a strong and intense warm current that shrinks in spring and winter when the southward intrusion of the cold Zhejiang-Fujian coastal current becomes stronger.The impact of shortterm and long-term environmental changes,such as extreme weather,global warming and human activity on nekton assemblages,had been recognized but need further research.Our study on nekton assemblages could be used as a baseline for measuring future changes.

Nonlinearity Modulating Intensities and Spatial Structures of Central Pacific and Eastern Pacific El Nio Events

This paper compares data from linearized and nonlinear Zebiak-Cane model, as constrained by observed sea surface temperature anomaly （SSTA）, in simulating central Pacific （CP） and eastern Pacific （EP） E1 Nino. The difference between the temperature advections （determined by subtracting those of the linearized model from those of the nonlinear model）, referred to here as the nonlinearly induced temperature advection change （NTA）, is analyzed. The results demonstrate that the NTA records warming in the central equatorial Pacific during CP E1 Nino and makes fewer contributions to the structural distinctions of the CP E1 Nino, whereas it records warming in the eastern equatorial Pacific during EP E1 Nino, and thus significantly promotes EP E1 Nino during E1 Nino-type selection. The NTA for CP and EP E1 Nino varies in its amplitude, and is smaller in CP E1 Nino than it is in EP E1 Nino. These results demonstrate that CP E1 Nino are weakly modulated by small intensities of NTA, and may be controlled by weak nonlinearity; whereas, EP E1 Nino are significantly enhanced by large amplitudes of NTA, and are therefore likely to be modulated by relatively strong nonlinearity. These data could explain why CP E1 Nino are weaker than EP E1 Nino. Because the NTA for CP and EP E1 Nino differs in spatial structures and intensities, as well as their roles within different E1 Nino modes, the diversity of E1 Nino may be closely related to changes in the nonlinear characteristics of the tropical Pacific.

Spectrum spatial structure characteristic analysis of remote sensing alteration information and interference factors

Based on the statistical characteristics of remote sensing data, the spatial geometric structure characteristics of spectral data and distribution of background, interference and alteration information in characteristic space were researched through the analysis of two-dimensional and three-dimensional scatter diagrams. The results indicate that the hyper-space of remote sensing multi-data aggregation belongs to low-dimensional geometric structure, i.e. hyperplane form, and anomalous point groups including alteration information usually dissociate out of hyperplane. Scatter diagrams of remote sensing data band are mainly presented as two distribution forms of single-ellipse and dual-ellipse. Clarifying the relations of three objects of background, disturbance and alteration information in remote sensing images provides an important technical thought and guidance for accurately detecting and extracting remote sensing alteration information.

Spatial Structure of Central Places in Jilin Central Urban Agglomeration, Jilin Province, China

Using the radius of gyration from fractal theory, this paper describes the calculation of fractal dimensions for the four tiers of central places in the Jilin Central Urban Agglomeration(JCUA), Jilin Province, China and the structural characteristics of each tier: 1) the 1st tier central place, Changchun Proper(not including Shuangyang District), provides the most service functions and has the most stable primate position; 2) the 2nd tier central places, Jilin Proper, Siping Proper, Liaoyuan Proper and Songyuan Proper have unclear statuses and do not provide certain functions; 3) the 3rd tier central places comprise 23 county-level cities, counties and urban districts(including Shuangyang District of Changchun), exhibiting a dense spatial structure that agrees with theory; 4) the 4th tier contains the largest number of central places(248 designated towns), but they are loosely distributed. In this study, a spatial image of the JCUA was created, based on vectorized data of the urban settlement distribution, which was then modified and abstracted to create a hexagonal network covering the JCUA. Compared to the traditional central place model, the modified spatial image conforms to the K = 3 principle. In reality, however, the growth of some 3rd tier central places should be increased with the cities being upgraded to the 2nd tier so as to overcome that tier′s functional deficiency. The loose distribution in the 4th tier should also be changed. This apparent anomaly can be explained by the fact that the classic hexagon model used to describe the way market areas layout does not exist in the real world. However, this should not be viewed as an obstacle to using central place theory. If its assumptions are properly applied, it can still assist research into the spatial structure of regions.

Study on Spatial Structure of Traditional Villages from the Perspective of Clanism

"China's deep-rooted family culture and the resulting family spirit is one of the basic characteristics of Chinese society that differs from western society," said by Chinese sociologist Fei Xiaotong. German sociologist Max Weber defi nes Chinese society as "family structure society"[1]. And sociologist Fei Zhengqing believes that the villages in China are organized by families. In sociological studies, the traditional villages are divided into three types: single-clan villages with only one dominating family, main-clan villages which are mainly composed of several families, and multi-clan villages where some coequal families live together[2]. The authors believe that traditional villages are organized social communities with kinship as a link. They are products of the family system. There is a close connection between a village's family composition and its space construction. Single-clan village is an introverted spatial organization mode entirely based on kinship, ancestral hall is located in the center and the whole spatial structure grows toward it. Main-clan village is a decentralized family aggregate based on the ties of blood as well as region. And the organization of its village space depends on temples and pavilions where families enshrine and worship ancestors and gods. It owns obvious features of collage and collaboration. M ulticlan village is a collaborative and extroverted complex spatial system led by relationship of colleagues, where large public buildings are taken as the core to organize commercial activities. Its form is similar to the form of small towns. Taking sociological term "family" as the starting point and cases of national historic cultural villages including Hong Village, Zhuge Village, Zoumatang Village, Suzhuang Village and Guoyu Village into further study, this article analyses the correlation between kinship composition and spatial form of villages, tries to reveal the essential structure of traditional space of villages and to provide a new perspective on spatial study as well as basis for preservation of traditional villages.

EVOLVEMENT OF URBAN SPATIAL STRUCTURE AND MAIN DRIVES IN WUXI, CHINA

With the quick development of urbanization, urban expansion has been paid more and more attention to by researchers from westem countries and China. Here Wuxi City of China is selected as a case study. Located in the core-area of Changjiang （Yangtze） River Delta, as the sources of Chinese township enterprise, Wu culture, and national industry, Wuxi has experienced great change in the urban spatial structure, especially in the land use structure, and urban shape and scale. The ratio of industrial land was about one-third of the construction land in 2003. Residential and public infrastructure land had decreased a little from 1956 to 2003, but it remains to be the main construction land at present. Green land has increased at the highest speed due to the demand of sustainable development. After the reform and opening to the outside world, this kind of evolvement of urban spatial expansion is helpful for sustainable development. Economic development, transportation, and administrative planning are the main reasons for these changes. During different periods, the main drives are different. Economic development is the basic factor that influences urban expansion. Transportation influences urban evolvement in different times, but now the importance is not as great as 30 years ago, because administrative force plays an important function in urban planning of China and influences urban evolvement.

Study on urban spatial structure and morphology of Guangzhou-Foshan metropolitan coordinating region compared with Randstad,Netherlands

In recent years,regional integration of Chinese cities has gradually developed.Meanwhile,metropolitan areas and urban agglomerations have taken shape.On the one hand,the development of the metropolitan area has brought about urban spatial expansion,as well as population and economic growth.On the other hand,it has led to problems such as the urban sprawl and suburbanization,increasing pressure on environmental resources,and the decline of urban central areas.Under this background,the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Plan Outline proposes to accelerate the integration of Guangzhou-Foshan(Guang Fo)Metropolitan Coordinating Region(MCR),and to construct a networked space pattern driven by urban poles and shafts.Based on the academic research of Metropolitan Coordinating Region(MCR),as well as the theory of urban spatial structure and morphology,this study focus on urban spatial patterns and elements in different scales,from two individual cites(Guangzhou and Foshan),Guang Fo MCR,to Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao(GHM)Greater Bay Area.With GIS and the mapping method,the spatial elements such as green space,water system,built-up area,road network,rail transit network and main pivot points of the Guang Fo MCR are classified,laid out individually and again overlaid in order to figure out the relationship of these elements.At the same time,through the comparative case study of the Randstad MCR in the Netherlands,the enlightenment of solving the development problem of MCR is hopefully to be obtained.As delta cities,the Guang Fo MCR is cut by the multi-channel water network,while the urban built-up area is concentrated in the middle of the MCR and spread out along the traffic corridor to the suburban district.The traffic structure of the Guang Fo MCR is characterized by the outward radiation of the central area of Guangzhou and Foshan.Simultaneously,the traffic connection between Guangzhou and Foshan is relatively weak.Compared with the polycentric spatial structure,which is called Decentralized Compact pattern of Randstad MCR,the Guang Fo MCR presents a city form with little hierarchy but homogeneity,and its urban space is disorderly spread.The bluegreen system of water and vegetation is fragmented because of the urban invasion in Guang Fo MCR,while the green heart in central Randstad is well preserved.As a result,it is well advised to explore a more resilient and ecological urban development in Guang Fo MCR.

FRACTAL ANALYSIS APPLIED TO SPATIAL STRUCTURE OF CHINA'S VEGETATION

Based on the fractal theory, the spatial structure of China＇s vegetation has been analyzed quantitatively in this paper. Some conclusions are drawn as the following. 1） The relationships between size and frequency of patch area and patch shape index exist objectively for China＇s vegetation. 2） The relationships between perimeter and area exist objectively for China＇s vegetation. 3） The fractal dimension of evergreen needleleaf forests on mountains in subtropical and tropical zones is the largest, while the smallest for deciduous broadleafand evergreen needleleaf mixed forests in temperate zone, reflecting the most complex spatial structure for evergreen needleleaf forests on mountains in subtropical and tropical zones and the simplest for deciduous broadleaf and evergreen needleleaf mixed forests in temperate zone. 4） The fractal dimensions of China＇s vegetation types tend to decrease from thc subtropics to both sides. 5） The stability of spatial structure of deciduous broadleaf and evergreen needleleaf mixed forests in temperate zone is the largest, while the smallest for double-cropping rice, or double-cropping rice and temperate-like grain, and tropical evergreen economic tree plantations and orchards, reflecting the steadiest for deciduous broadleaf and evergreen needleleaf mixed forests in temperate zone and the most unstable for double-cropping rice, or double-cropping rice and temperate-like grain, and tropical evergreen economic tree plantations and orchards in spatial structure. 6） The stability of spatial structure of China＇s vegetation tends to decrease from the temperate zone to both sides, it is significantly pertinent to understand the formation, evolution, dynamics and complexity rule of ecosystem of vegetation.

Seismic response of large-span spatial structures under multi-support and multidimensional excitations including rotational components

To achieve rational and precise seismic response predictions of large span spatial structures(LSSSs),the inherent non-uniformity and multidimensionality characteristics of earthquake ground motions should be properly taken into consideration.However,due to the limitations of available earthquake stations to record seismic rotational components,the effects of rocking and torsional earthquake components are commonly neglected in the seismic analyses of LSSSs.In this study,a newly developed method to extract the rocking and torsion components at any point along the area of a deployed dense array from the translational earthquake recordings is applied to obtain the rotational seismic inputs for a LSSS.The numerical model of an actual LSSS,the Dalian International Conference Center(DICC),is developed to study the influences of multi-support and multidimensional excitations on the seismic responses of LSSSs.The numerical results reveal that the non-uniformity and multidimensionality of ground motion input can considerably affect the dynamic response of the DICC.The specific degree of influence on the overall and local structural displacements,deformations and forces are comprehensively investigated and discussed.