Glacier area change (1993-2019) and its relationship to debris cover, proglacial lakes, and morphological parameters in the Chandra-Bhaga Basin, Western Himalaya, India

Glacier inventories serve as critical baseline data for understanding the impacts of climate change on glaciers.The present study maps the outlines of glaciers in the Chandra-Bhaga Basin(western Himalaya)for the years 1993,2000,2010,and 2019 using Landsat Thematic Mapper(TM),Enhanced Thematic Mapper(ETM),and Operational Land Imager(OLI)datasets.A total of 251 glaciers,each having an area above 0.5 km^(2),were identified,which include 216 clean-ice and 35 debris-covered glaciers.Area changes are estimated for three periods:1993-2000,2000-2010,and 2010-2019.The total glacierized area was 996±62 km^(2) in 1993,which decreased to 973±70 km^(2) in 2019.The mean rate of glacier area loss was higher in the recent decade(2010-2019),at 0.036 km^(2),compared to previous decades(0.029 km^(2) in 2000-2010 and 0.025 km^(2) in 1993-2000).Supraglacial debris cover changes are also mapped over the period of 1993 and 2019.It is found that the supraglacial debris cover increased by 14.12±2.54 km^(2)(15.2%)during 1993-2019.Extensive field surveys on Chhota Shigri,Panchi II,Patsio,Hamtah,Mulkila,and Yoche Lungpa glaciers were carried out to validate the glacier outlines and supraglacial debris cover estimated using satellite datasets.Controls of various morphological parameters on retreat were also analyzed.It is observed that small,clean ice,south oriented glaciers,and glaciers with proglacial lakes are losing area at faster rates than other glaciers in the basin.

Research on the Development of Leisure Agriculture Tourism in the Area around Poyang Lake

Leisure agriculture tourism is the combination of agriculture and tourism,which is an important part of the new rural construction.The area around Poyang Lake is rich in flora and fauna,landscape,agricultural and fishing products,folk and other natural and cultural resources,so it has good infrastructure of leisure agriculture tourism.Under the background of the formal approval of "Planning of eco-economical region in the area of Poyang Lake in Jiangxi Province" by the State Council,which aims to escalate the constructing of Poyang Lake from eco-economical region to national strategic policy,leisure agriculture tourism in the area around Poyang Lake has broad development prospects.This paper discussed the advantages,and disadvantages of the development and management of leisure agriculture tourism in the area around Poyang Lake,and also put forward some suggestions and countermeasures.

Large-scale characteristics of thermokarst lakes across the source area of the Yellow River on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

As significant evidence of permafrost degradation,thermokarst lakes play an important role in the permafrost regions by regulating hydrology,ecology,and biogeochemistry.In the Sources Area of the Yellow River(SAYR),permafrost degradation has accelerated since the 1980s,and numerous thermokarst lakes have been discovered.In this paper,we use Sentinel-2 images to extract thermokarst lake boundaries and perform a regional-scale study on their geometry across the permafrost region in the SAYR.We also explored the spatiotemporal variations and potential drivers from the perspectives of the permafrost,climate,terrain and vegetation conditions.The results showed that there were 47,518 thermokarst lakes in 2021 with a total area of 190.22×106 m^(2),with an average size of 4,003.3 m^(2).The 44,928 ponds(≤10,000 m^(2))predominated the whole lake number(94.1%)but contributed to a small portion of the total lake area(28.8%).With 2,590 features(5.9%),small-sized(10,000 to 100,000 m^(2))and large-sized lakes(>100,000 m^(2))constituted up to 71.2%of the total lake area.Thermokarst lakes developed more significantly in warm permafrost regions than in cold permafrost areas;74.1%of lakes with a total area of 119.6×106 m^(2)(62.9%),were distributed in warm permafrost regions.Most thermokarst lakes were likely to develop within the elevation range of 4,500~4,800 m,on flat terrain(slope<10°),on SE and S aspects and in alpine meadow areas.The thermokarst lakes in the study region experienced significant shrinkage between 1990 and 2021,characterized by obvious lake drainage;the lake numbers decreased by 5418(56.1%),with a decreasing area of 58.63×106 m^(2)(49.0%).This shrinkage of the thermokarst lake area was attributable mainly to the intensified degradation of rich-ice permafrost thawing arising from continued climate warming,despite the wetting climatic trend.

Epidemiology of Low Birth Weight in the Lake Areas of Cotonou (Benin Republic)

Introduction: Low birth weight is a significant public health problem worldwide, particularly in low-and-middle-income countries. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of low birth weight in the lake areas of Cotonou. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study included 931 records of women who gave birth in 2022 in the Cotonou 1-4 health zone. Completed maternity records were included in this study, except for premature births and congenital malformations. Birth weight was the dependent variable. Sociodemographic, obstetrical, preventive care and child-related data were collected using a digitized form. These data were analyzed using SPSS software to determine the prevalence and factors associated with low birth weight using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of low birth weight was 16.30%. Factors related to this prevalence were non-use of mosquito nets during pregnancy (OR = 2.72;CI: 1.275 - 5.805), twin pregnancy (OR = 9.97;CI: 3.869 - 25.696), previous abortion (OR = 1.61;CI: 1.034 - 2.515), low number of pregnancy (OR = 3.97;CI: 1.276 - 12.393), trimester of first antenatal visit (OR = 3.47;CI: 1.821 - 6.638) and birth size less than 45 cm (OR = 5.98;CI: 2.965 - 12.083). Conclusion: The prevalence obtained from this study justifies the need to support pregnant women in this health zone. It is, therefore, essential to strengthen communication and health promotion strategies for women before, during, and after pregnancy.

Analysis of Application Status and Recommendations for Shade-Tolerant Lawns and Ground Cover Plants in the West Lake Scenic Area

Taking 8 parks in Xihu Scenic Area as the survey objects, this study found that there are 77 kinds of shade-tolerant lawns and ground cover plants under the forest in good growth condition, and there are 3 types of application forms: dense forest, sparse forest and forest edge. In response to the existing problems, it is proposed that it is necessary to adhere to principles of ecology, adapt to local conditions and plant suitable varieties in accordance with local conditions, develop and use new varieties of wild shade-tolerant lawns and ground cover plants, and strengthen the promotion of the mixed planting model of shade-tolerant lawns and ground cover plants, so as to provide guidance for the better use of shade-tolerant lawns and ground cover under the forest in the West Lake Scenic Area in the future.

Epidemiology of Low Birth Weight in the Lake Areas of Cotonou (Benin Republic)

Introduction: Low birth weight is a significant public health problem worldwide, particularly in low-and-middle-income countries. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of low birth weight in the lake areas of Cotonou. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study included 931 records of women who gave birth in 2022 in the Cotonou 1-4 health zone. Completed maternity records were included in this study, except for premature births and congenital malformations. Birth weight was the dependent variable. Sociodemographic, obstetrical, preventive care and child-related data were collected using a digitized form. These data were analyzed using SPSS software to determine the prevalence and factors associated with low birth weight using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of low birth weight was 16.30%. Factors related to this prevalence were non-use of mosquito nets during pregnancy (OR = 2.72;CI: 1.275 - 5.805), twin pregnancy (OR = 9.97;CI: 3.869 - 25.696), previous abortion (OR = 1.61;CI: 1.034 - 2.515), low number of pregnancy (OR = 3.97;CI: 1.276 - 12.393), trimester of first antenatal visit (OR = 3.47;CI: 1.821 - 6.638) and birth size less than 45 cm (OR = 5.98;CI: 2.965 - 12.083). Conclusion: The prevalence obtained from this study justifies the need to support pregnant women in this health zone. It is, therefore, essential to strengthen communication and health promotion strategies for women before, during, and after pregnancy.

A multi-scale 3-D crust velocity model in the Hefei-Chao Lake area around the southern segment of Tanlu Fault Zone

Regional high-precision velocity models of the crust are an important foundation for examining seismic activity,seismogenic environments,and disaster distribution characteristics.The Hefei-Chao Lake area contains the main geological units of Hefei Basin,with thick sediments and the Chao Lake depression.Several major concealed faults of the southern NNE-trending Tanlu Fault Zone cross this area.To further explore the underground distribution characteristics of the faults and their tectonic evolutionary relationship with adjacent tectonic units,this study used ambient noise data recorded by a seismic array deployed in Hefei City and Chao Lake,constructing a 3-D velocity model at the depth of 1–8 km.Then a multi-scale high-resolution 3-D velocity model of this area was constructed by this new upper crustal velocity model with the previous middle and lower crustal model.The new model reveals that a high-velocity belt is highly consistent with the strike of the Tanlu Fault Zone,and a low-velocity sedimentary characteristic is consistent with the Hefei Basin and Chao Lake depression.The distribution morphology of high and low velocity bodies shows that the sedimentary pattern of Hefei-Chao Lake area is closely related to the tectonic evolution of the Tanlu Fault Zone since the Mesozoic.This study also identifies multiple low-velocity anomalies in the southeastern Hefei City.We speculate that strong ground motion during the 2009 Feidong earthquake(magnitude of 3.5)was related to amplification by the thick sediments in the Hefei Basin.We also discuss further applications of multi-scale high-resolution models of the shallow layer to strong ground motion simulations in cities and for earthquake disaster assessments.

Study on the Forest Vegetation and Its Water and Soil Conservation Value in Fuxian Lake Drainage Area in Yunnan Province

By using French SPOT5 satellite remote sensing image to contrast on the spot,the forest vegetation in Fuxian Lake basin was categorized into 23 forest types,6 vegetation subtypes,5 vegetation types,and the areas were respectively calculated.The tree species structure and the coverage degree of every kind of forest vegetation were investigated,and the characteristics of forest vegetation were analyzed.The results showed that the soil conservation amount of forest in Fuxian Lake basin was 137.50×106 t/a,and the soil conservation value was 622.30×106 yuan/a.Moreover,the water source conservation value was 506.84×106 yuan/a.

Analysis to the Driving Force Model and Drives Factor on the Utilized Changes of Cultivated Land in Qinghai Lake Area

Using path analysis, correlation analysis, partial correlation analysis and system dynamics method to study the driving force of cultivated land in Qinghai Lake Area, and using gradually regression analysis to establish the driving force model of utilized change of cultivated land. Driving factors, action mechanism and process of utilized change of cultivated land were analyzed, and the differences during all factors were compared. The study provides some decision basis for sustainable utilization and management of land resources in Qinghai Lake Area.

Plant Diversity on the North of East Lake Luoyan Scenic Area in Wuhan Municipality

The research was conducted as per biocenology normal sampling method in the north of East Lake Luoyan Scenic Area and the results showed that of 14 sample plots, there are 62 species in 56 genera in the families of 38, including 32 arbor species, 22 shrub species and 8 herbaceous species. Cinnamomum septentrionale and Cynodondactylon（Linn.） Pers. appeared the most frequently of 64.3%.Margalef＇s index, Shannon-wiener index and Simpson index from high to low were all arbor layershrub layerherbaceous layer, of which arbor layer in green space D kept the highest in terms of Margalef＇s index, and herbaceous layer in the space was the lowest. Besides, herbaceous layers maintained the highest in Pielou＇s index and shrub layer the lowest.

Primary Study on Reasons for the Growth Re-cession of Fragrant Camphor Trees at the West Lake Scenic Area and Diagnosis Procedure

Fragrant camphor tree is the city tree of Hangzhou which takes a large proportion of the ancient trees in Hangzhou City. Recently, with the free open of the attractions around the West Lake and the implementation of the comprehensive pro- ject for protecting the West Lake, a part of ancient fragrant camphor trees are fac- ing problems such as altered living conditons. Some of them are showing a decline in growth vigor or even close to death, which will produce extremely negative influ- ences on the maintaining and sustainable development of the West Lake Scenic Area if without any timely measures for the rescue and rejuvenation of the trees. Therefore, strengthening the protection and management of ancient fragrant camphor trees at the West Lake Scenic Area and carrying out researches on the procedure for diagnosing the reasons for the growth recession of the ancient fragrant camphor trees at the West Lake Scenic Area are of great significance for the future protec- tion and rejuvenation of the ancient trees around the West Lake. The factors influ- encing the growth of ancient trees and indexes for judging the growth condition were listed and the reasons for the growth recession were systematically summa- rized in this paper. In addition, measures for the rejuvenation of the ancient fragrant camphor trees were also simply discussed.

Study on Environmental Capacity and Sustainable Development Strategy of Scenic Areas ——Taking the Scenic Area of Slender West Lake in Yangzhou for an Example

Taking the scenic area of Slender West Lake in Yangzhou for an example, the quantitative evaluation model of environmental capacity and impact factors limiting sustainable development of scenic area were put forward, and targeted control measures were correspondingly proposed.

Runoff Characteristics of Different Stands in Dongjiang Lake Reservoir Area

Different forest stands in the Dongjiang Lake Reservoir area of Zixing were selected as the research objects to study the characteristics of runoff generation in different forest stands.The results showed that there was no significant difference in annual runoff among M3,M1,and M5,and no significant difference between each forest stand and the control.The order was M3(22.75 mm)>M1(21.77 mm)>M5(20.14 mm).Forest vegetation generates less runoff through vegetation restoration compared to the control,indicating that forest vegetation reconstruction and restoration are beneficial for soil and water conservation.

Tourism Development Strategy in Poyang Lake Eco-economic Area from the Perspective of Industrial Cluster

As a regional tourism development strategy, tourism industrial cluster can promote the core competitiveness of tourism industry in advantageous regions and the great-leap-forward development of regions with less-developed tourism industry. The conditions of forming tourism industrial cluster in Poyang Lake Eco-economic Area was analyzed, the development strategies for tourism industry from the perspective of industrial cluster was put forward.

Compilation Mode for the Integrated Planning of Lake Scenic Areas——A Case Study of the Longhu Lake Scenic Area in the Taihang Mountains

In view of lake scenic areas with abundant tourist resources but less-developed economy,contradictions between the urgency of its tourist resource development and complexity of urban-rural planning compilation were analyzed,and also limitations summarized as insufficient time and fund.Statutory planning contents included in the integrated compilation system were elaborated,and compilation of the integrated planning for the Longhe Lake Scenic Area in the Taihang Mountains was taken for example to introduce planning concepts of the compilation technical system.Considering characteristics of the study area,"regionality" was stressed as the foundation of planning compilation,concise,convenient and practical planning compilation contents were advocated and further explained from the perspectives of compiling by layer and category.In view of this,it is necessary to apply integrated compilation mode under certain circumstances,so as to provide a new approach for the planning compilation of other regions in China and enhance economic and social development of local areas.

Eco-compensation effects of the wetland recovery in Dongting Lake area

Eco-compensation is an environmental economic instrument for internalization of external cost. Returning farmland to lake is one of the important parts of restoring wetland ecosystem function in the Yangtze River Valley of China. Whether the project of lake recovery can be successful depends on the compensation to the farmers who have lost their original benefits and contributed to the wetland ecosystem recovery by returning farmland to lake. Aiming at the wetland recovery of the Dongting Lake, the practical implementation of pro- grams of the lake recovery and flood control in this area has been challenged by the heavy task of population resettlement, so it is an ideal area for case studies to reach the academic objectives proposed as the above. Based on field survey and experimentation, this research evaluated the benefit losses of the resettled farmers and the increased values of ecosystem service functions caused by wetland recovery, and furthermore, the value of eco-compensation for relocated farmers was calculated by considering the combination of the farmers＇ compensation appeal. The value of eco-compensation for relocated farmers in the Dongting Lake area was 6084.5 yuan per household by synthetic analysis of the effects on wetland ecosystem restoration. Moreover, this article took Dongting Lake area as a case to study and explore the basic issues of the eco-compensation by returning farmland to lake, that was who should pay, who should be paid, how much the payment was and what the payment means was, which sought the mechanisms of wetland restoration eco-compensation and prompted the people＇s enthusiasms for ecological restoration.

Analysis on the Area of Dongting Lake Before and After Building Three Gorges Dam Based on MODIS Image Sequences

[Objective] This study aimed to analyze the changes in the area of Donting Lake before and after building Three Gorges Dam based on MODIS image sequences. [Method] Based on the MODIS image sequences of 2000-2010, the change in the area of Dongting Lake in dry season and wet season before and after building Three Gorges Dam was analyzed, and the correlation between the change of the lake area in flood season and drought season and the record of Chenglingji Hydrological Observation Station was studied. [Result] The construction of Three Gorges Dam greatly influenced the area of Dongting Lake in dry season and wet season that in dry season, the linear relationship between the lake area and the waterline of Chenglingji was weak, while it was strong in wet season. [Conclusion] This study can estimate the changes of the area of Dongting Lake through the analysis on the waterline changes in Chenglingji, providing basis for the study on the changes in the area of Dongting Lake.

SWOT Analysis of the Tourism Development in Dongping Lake Area of Shandong Province

Dongping Lake,Which has abundant tourism resources and advantages in geography,is one of the important Water Control Projects of South-to-North Water Diversion Project in Northern China.Though it has a wide prospect,the Dongping Lake area is lack of unified plan and management.The result of this study will provide effective solutions to the further development in Dongping Lake based on SWOT method.

Discussion on the Green Tax Stimulation Measure of Nitrogen Fertilizer Non-Point Source Pollution Control-Taking the Dongting Lake Area in China as a Case

A study on designing the tax of nitrogen fertilizer can provide a new method for controlling nitrogen fertilizer non-point source pollution. The tax design of nitrogen fertilizer was discussed by utilizing the external theory and the demand elasticity theory. The results indicated that the coefficient of price elasticity of nitrogen fertilizer demand is -0.21, which instructed that the market demand is in lack of elasticity in the short period and the impact of nitrogen fertilizer manufacturers is subtle. The 11 counties （cities and boroughs） in the Dongting Lake area in China, where the farmland nitrogen application surpassed the average ecological fertilization dosage, is listed to the taxation scope of nitrogen fertilizer tax. The environment loss will reduce 0.07 hundred million RMB yuan and the revenue will increase 0.89 hundred million RMB yuan in the country after levying on nitrogen fertilizer. The loss, which was brought by the decreasing food supplies production, will be 0.58 hundred million RMB yuan and the net social benefit will be 0.38 hundred million RMB yuan following revenue collection. The variation scope of the increasing expenditure of farmers will range from 0.95 to 1.49%. The variation scope of the income of farmers will range from -8.41 to 6.44%. The 5 areas, Yunxi Borough, Junshan Borough, Hanshou County, Jinshi City, and Ziyang Borough, had an increase in food supplies production after the revenue collection. The environment loss will reduce 0.01 hundred million RMB yuan and the revenue will increase 0.16 hundred million RMB yuan in the country after levying on nitrogen fertilizer. The economic benefits, which was brought by the increasing cereals production, will be 0.67 hundred million RMB yuan and the net social benefit will be 0.84 hundred million RMB yuan after revenue collection. The variation scope of the increasing expenditure of farmers will range from 0.95 to 1.06%. The variation scope of the increasing income of farmers will range from 0.69 to 6.44%. Considering the entire social welfare, taxation of nitrogen fertilizer will have more advantages than disadvantages in the Dongting Lake area.

Mapping of moraine dammed glacial lakes and assessment of their areal changes in the central and eastern Himalayas using satellite data

The relatively rapid recession of glaciers in the Himalayas and formation of moraine dammed glacial lakes(MDGLs) in the recent past have increased the risk of glacier lake outburst floods(GLOF) in the countries of Nepal and Bhutan and in the mountainous territory of Sikkim in India. As a product of climate change and global warming, such a risk has not only raised the level of threats to the habitation and infrastructure of the region, but has also contributed to the worsening of the balance of the unique ecosystem that exists in this domain that sustains several of the highest mountain peaks of the world. This study attempts to present an up to date mapping of the MDGLs in the central and eastern Himalayan regions using remote sensing data, with an objective to analyse their surface area variations with time from 1990 through 2015, disaggregated over six episodes. The study also includes the evaluation for susceptibility of MDGLs to GLOF with the least criteria decision analysis(LCDA). Forty two major MDGLs, each having a lake surface area greater than 0.2 km2, that were identified in the Himalayan ranges of Nepal, Bhutan, and Sikkim, have been categorized according to their surface area expansion rates in space and time. The lakes have been identified as located within the elevation range of 3800 m and6800 m above mean sea level(a msl). With a total surface area of 37.9 km2, these MDGLs as a whole were observed to have expanded by an astonishing 43.6% in area over the 25 year period of this study. A factor is introduced to numerically sort the lakes in terms of their relative yearly expansion rates, based on their interpretation of their surface area extents from satellite imageries. Verification of predicted GLOF events in the past using this factor with the limited field data as reported in literature indicates that the present analysis may be considered a sufficiently reliable and rapid technique for assessing the potential bursting susceptibility of the MDGLs. The analysis also indicates that, as of now, there are eight MDGLs in the region which appear to be in highly vulnerable states and have high chances in causing potential GLOF events anytime in the recent future.