Landscapes,land covers and linear features in a river catchment in Northern England

A national land classification developed by the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology (ITE) was used to stratify a sample‐based survey of land cover and linear boundary features within the catchment of the River Tyne, Northern England. A total of 115 1‐km grid‐squares from four land classes representative of Lowland Pastoral, Lowland Arable, Marginal Upland and Upland landscapes were surveyed in the field. The land classes are described with an emphasis on the variability of land cover types and linear features. Considerable variation between squares of the same land class was observed, but statistically significant differences between the land classes were identified. Variation in the lengths of linear features was related to the land cover compositions of sample squares. The origins of the intra‐land class variation and the application of the ITE land classification in large‐scale surveys are discussed.     

Multivariate land class and land cover correlations in Northern Ireland

Comparison of the scaled hierarchical structure of a multivariate land classification of Northern Ireland, with land class ordinations based on field-derived land cover, has been made. Land class distribution on the land cover ordination was reflected in the hierarchical structure of the land classification. This correlation contributes to a validation of the land classification as a sample stratification for landscape ecological survey.Land class ordination gave insight into the distribution of ecological resources in the landscape. Upland land classes showed the greatest degree of separation, indicating a greater heterogeneity of land cover compared with the lowlands. The lowland land classes showed much less spatial separation on the ordination, a characteristic that probably relates to agricultural intensification.The distribution of the lowland land classes on the ordination was correlated with climatic, geological and landform gradients. This indicates regional differences in the farmed landscape and demonstrates the value of the land classification for stratifying landscape ecological survey and developing countryside management strategies.     

Regional lead isotope study of a polluted river catchment: River Wear, Northern England, UK

High precision, lead isotope analyses of archived stream sediments from the River Wear catchment, northeast England (1986-88), provide evidence for three main sources of anthropogenic lead pollution; lead mining, industrial lead emissions and leaded petrol. In the upper catchment, pollution is totally controlled and dominated by large lead discharges from historic mining centres in the North Pennine Orefield (²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ratios range from 2.0744-2.0954 and 0.8413-0.8554 respectively). In the lower catchment, co-extensive with the Durham Coalfield and areas of high population density, pollution levels are lower and regionally more uniform. Isotope ratios are systematically higher than in the upper catchment (²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ratios range from 2.0856-2.1397 and 0.8554-0.8896 respectively) and far exceed values determined for the geogenic regional background. Here, the pollution is characterised by the atmospheric deposition of industrial lead and petrol lead. Lead derived from the combustion of coal, although present, is masked by the other two sources. Recent sediments from the main channel of the River Wear are isotopically indistinguishable from older, low order stream sediments of the North Pennine Orefield, indicating that contamination of the river by lead mining waste (up to several 1000 mg/kg Pb at some locations) continues to pose an environmental problem; a pattern that can be traced all the way to the tidal reach. Using within-catchment isotope variation and sediment lead concentrations, estimates can be made of the discharges from discrete mines or groups of mines to the overall level of lead pollution in the River Wear. As well as providing information pertinent to source apportionment and on-going catchment remediation measures, the database is a valuable resource for epidemiologists concerned with the health risks posed by environmental lead.     

Effects of land use change on hydrological cycle from forest to upland field in a catchment,Japan

Understanding the effects of land use change on the hydrological cycle is very important for development of sustainable water resource in an upland field catchment. In this study, soil and hydrological properties in an upland field catchment, which was reclaimed partially from a forest catchment, were compared with another forest catchment. The soil properties of surface and subsurface layers were investigated in the two catchments. The soil was compacted and water-holding capacity of soil in the upland field catchment became smaller after the reclamation from forest to upland field, which decreased infiltration rate and water storage in the soil layers. We found that peak discharge and direct runoff in the upland field catchment increased compared with the forest catchment. Annual evapotranspiration from the upland field catchment tended to be lower due to the change in vegetation type and soil properties. Furthermore, a semi-distributed hydrological model was applied in the upland field catchment to understand the integrated effects of reclamation on the hydrological cycle. The model parameters, which were determined using a nonlinear optimization technique—the Shuffled Complex Evolution method (SCE), were compared between the two catchments. The Nash and Sutcliffe coefficient was used to evaluate the model performance. The simulated results indicated that evapotranspiration was decreased and change in discharge was more obvious in the surface layer. We considered that declined infiltration and water storage and increased peak discharge and direct runoff have a negative impact on water resources in the upland field catchment. This study will provide information for forest managers in planning and making decisions for land and water resource management.     

GPS技术在土地开发整理工程中的应用

以晋城市土地开发整理测量工作为例,介绍了GPS技术在土地开发整理测绘中的具体应用,阐述了GPS控制测量的步骤及注意事项,以期为今后土地测绘工作提供指导。     

A study on pesticide runoff from paddy fields to a river in rural region--1: field survey of pesticide runoff in the Kozakura River, Japan

Runoff characteristics of nine kinds of herbicides from paddy fields were surveyed in the Kozakura River, that is one of the tributaries flowing into the Lake of Kasumigaura, over a period of 23 April to 30 June (before and after rice transplantation) of year. The flow rates of river water and the concentrations of herbicides in the river water were measured every day in May and every 2 days in April and June at six survey sites along the river. The runoff characteristics of herbicides were elucidated by taking account of the rainfall data, the detailed application data (application date and quantities of herbicides applied to each paddy field in a region), and their physico-chemical properties. The runoff rates (the runoff/application amounts ratio) were calculated for each herbicide, resulting in the range of 8.2-22.4%. The runoff rates were correlated fairly well with octanol-water partition coefficient, logP(ow), rather than with water solubility of herbicides.     

Land use/cover dynamics and their effects in the Gerado catchment,northeastern Ethiopia

This paper analyses the land use/cover dynamics of land degradation through the interpretation of aerial photographs (1958 and 1980) and 2006 SPOT-5 satellite image of the Gerado catchment. Other, non-visual data were gathered from personal interview and focus group discussions conducted in 2010 and 2011 with local elders, farmers and development (agricultural extension) agents. The results identified the presence of cultivated and rural settlement land, shrubland, woodland, bare land, grassland, urban built up area and forest. Throughout the period 1958–2006, urban built-up area, forest and cultivated and rural settlement land expanded at an average rate of 6.85%, 1.85% and 0.14% per year at the expense of shrub, wood and grasslands, which declined by 0.77%, 0.21%, 0.65% per year, respectively. The land use/cover dynamics of 1958–2006 resulted in the reduction/loss of biodiversity, occurrence of high soil erosion and ramification of gullies. The triggers for these changes were population growth, land cultivation, expansion of farmland, inappropriate land management, civil war and fuel wood demand. These led to further land degradation and more food insecurity among many farming households. Land resources have to be used according to their suitability. Thus, the exposed and steep mountains of the area have to be protected from cultivation and should be re-afforested. The paper discusses other implications for management and policy formulation also.     

Climate,land use and hydrologic sensitivities of stormwater quantity and quality in a complex coastal-urban watershed

We determined reference hydro-climatic and land use/cover sensitivities of stormwater runoff and quality in the Miami River Basin of Florida by developing a dynamic rainfall-runoff model with the EPA Storm Water Management Model. Potential storm runoff in the complex coastal-urban basin exhibited high and notably different seasonal sensitivities to rainfall; with stronger responses in the drier early winter and wetter late summer months. Basin runoff and pollutant loads showed moderate sensitivities to the hydrologic and land cover parameters; imperviousness and roughness exhibited more dominant influence than slope. Sensitivity to potential changes in land use patterns was relatively low. The changes in runoff and pollutants under simultaneous hydro-climatic or climate-land use perturbations were notably different than the summations of their individual contributions. The quantified sensitivities can be useful for appropriate management of stormwater quantity and quality in complex urban basins under a changing climate, land use/cover, and hydrology around the world.     

River sediments provide a link between catchment pressures and ecological status in a mixed land use Scottish River system

This study evaluates water quality, suspended and bed sediment, ecological and catchment land use data for 13 catchments of the mixed land use River Dee, NE Scotland, where pollution point sources are limited. Samples were collected at key times of biological activity (early and late summers). Mean river water concentrations were smaller in main stem and upland sites and greater in tributaries where agricultural pressures were greater and were 2-41 microgPO(4)-Pl(-1), 8-58 microg total dissolved Pl(-1) and 1-6 mg l(-1) of suspended particulate matter (SPM). SPM was 7-372 times enriched in biologically available P (BAP; determined using an FeO paper strip method) and 2-122 times in organic C relative to bed sediments. Ratios in river water concentrations of BAP attributed to the SPM (0.1-1.0 microgPl(-1)) to PO(4)-P had the greatest range at baseflow (0.01-0.80) with larger values for low land use intensity catchments. During May chlorophyll a concentrations were related to SPM BAP (p<0.001), but later in summer to PO(4)-P, and there was a corresponding change in the organic composition of SPM observed by IR spectroscopy. SPM concentrations and SPM BAP were better related to intensive grassland land use (p<0.001) than was PO(4)-P concentration (p<0.01) and also predicted abundances of filter feeding macroinvertebrates (p<0.001). Within this river system SPM quantity and composition proved to be an indicator of river biogeochemical functioning and requires further investigation as a potentially sensitive monitoring tool and to increase our understanding of chemical ecological links.     

Land,property rights,and planning in Japan: institutional design and institutional change in land management

Although clearly a key institutional framework that structures planning systems, there has been remarkably little attention by planning historians to the comparative study of institutions of property rights in land as a factor shaping approaches to urban planning. Conversely, planning has clearly functioned as a key site of institutional innovation shaping the evolution of property rights. This relationship between planning and property rights deserves greater attention. Although property rights are often entrenched in written constitutions as is the case in both Japan and the USA, and do exhibit considerable continuity over time, they are in fact seldom static, being subject to evolving interpretations and constraints. This paper employs a historical institutionalist approach in the examination of the evolution of institutions of property rights in Japan during the modern period, from just before the Meiji Revolution of 1867–1868 to the early twenty‐first century. The paper shows that the strong protection of landed property rights in Japan is a product of the Meiji period, not the post‐Second World War occupation, and argues that institutional choices in framing landed property rights have multiple and varied long‐term impacts that may have little to do with the original policy goals.     

甘肃花牛山—柳园地区航磁异常特征研究与找矿

通过对甘肃花牛山—柳园地区3幅图1∶5万航磁数据的处理,推测区内断裂分布特征,解译航磁异常引起原因,完善北山地区磁异常特征研究工作。结合地质资料、已知矿点等信息,根据磁法推断解译成果圈定2处有利区带,为后续找矿工作提供参考。     

Toward a land zoning negotiation support platform: “Tips and tricks” for participatory land use planning in Laos

Managing complex landscape mosaics in areas dominated by poverty often requires addressing conflicting objectives and managing trade-offs, such as that between maintaining/enhancing ecological functions and improving livelihoods. Laos, like many other developing countries dependent on agriculture and natural resources for the subsistence of a mostly rural population, has used land use planning (LUP) as a core policy instrument to achieve sustainable development. However, previous reviews of LUP implementation showed large discrepancies between policies and practices and between the intended goals and actual outcomes. There is a need for increased participation, improved integration of scales, harmonization of superimposed plans, and enhanced coordination between implementing agencies and other stakeholders. Consequently, former normative approaches to LUP have been gradually replaced (at least on paper) by a new paradigm. Participatory land use planning (PLUP) has recently become a central element of donor-supported programs in developing countries. However, despite the good intentions of PLUP principles, implementation remains entangled with confused practical issues that compromise effective participation. As an alternative to complex, technologically sophisticated LUP models that local stakeholders cannot use or replicate, a communication platform supporting negotiations among multiple stakeholder groups was tested in a village cluster in Luang Prabang Province in northern Laos. This innovative approach, based on a combination of role-playing games, participatory 3D modeling, GIS, and socioeconomic and environmental impact assessment, allows stakeholders to collectively explore the consequences of land use decisions and choose between alternative future landscapes.     

Accumulation and wash-off characteristics of surface pollutant and identification of risk areas on urban land uses in a lakeside city,Wuxi, China

ABSTRACT

This paper selected administration and public services, residential areas, roads, green space, parking areas, industrial areas and commercial and business facilities in Wuxi city, China, to analyze the characteristics of pollution accumulation, wash-off and potential risk areas of pollutants over different urban land uses and pavement surface materials. Results showed that green space, residential areas and roads sequestrated higher pollutants than that of other land uses. Materials of masonry and cement pavement accumulated higher pollutant concentration than that on the marble and asphalt pavement. The potential risk areas of non-point source pollution were located in the old residential areas in the downtown region. The results of wash-off simulation showed that the first flushing effect was obvious during the initial period of rainfall. Eighty percent of the accumulative total nitrogen or total suspended solid could be washed-off during the first 25.6–50.2% period of the rainfall events.     

Changes in farming system and population as drivers of land cover and landscape dynamics: The case of enclosed and semi-openfield systems in Northern Galicia (Spain)

In this study, we aimed to document the changes in the bocage and semi-openfield landscapes of Northern Galicia from the second half of the 20th century and analyse the factors driving landscape changes. In particular, we examined (1) the dynamics of the field systems characteristics in these landscapes and (2) the interrelations with changes in dominant land cover, population and farming systems (in terms of productive structure, land use system and farming practices) dynamics. The picture of the1950s showed mainly semi-openfield field systems and nucleated villages that extended through valleys in the lowland, with banks in rough coastline sectors. In the highlands we found enclosed fields and scattered hamlets interspersed within large extensions of scrubland. In between both systems, a transitional area with mixed characteristics appeared. In 2000, the transitional area expanded from the former semi-openfields and banks areas, while the highlands still retain the enclosed character. The dominant land cover has experienced significant changes throughout the area, following an increase in woodland. A reorientation of the farming system was observed, a shift in which cropland lost importance with regard to grassland, the use of scrubland became marginal and forestry increased. The decrease in the number of farms and livestock shows decline in agricultural activity. This can be closely related to changes in dominant land cover and cropping patterns. Despite recent changes, this area still retains characteristic features of traditional landscapes such as the spatial pattern of field systems and ancestral cultural practices (e.g. extensive grazing of the scrubland).     

Use of iron-based technologies in contaminated land and groundwater remediation: a review

Reactions involving iron play a major role in the environmental cycling of a wide range of important organic, inorganic and radioactive contaminants. Consequently, a range of environmental clean-up technologies have been proposed or developed which utilise iron chemistry to remediate contaminated land and surface and subsurface waters, e.g. the use of injected zero zero-valent iron nanoparticles to remediate organic contaminant plumes; the generation of iron oxyhydroxide-based substrates for arsenic removal from contaminated waters; etc. This paper reviews some of the latest iron-based technologies in contaminated land and groundwater remediation, their current state of development, and their potential applications and limitations.     

澳大利亚新南威尔士州新英格兰造山带金、铜多金属矿地质找矿进展

新英格兰造山带为东澳地区重要的矿产省之一,具有良好的金属矿产成矿潜力。文章在总结新英格兰造山带区域地质背景、构造演化特征及区域矿产分布特征的基础上,初步探讨了在澳洲流行的金矿成矿模式的理论构成,总结了其基本找矿思路,并据此举例分析了找矿方法技术的进展。希望借此能在某种程度上拓广国内地质找矿人员的思路,为国内地质队伍在澳洲或者国内实现类似矿产找矿突破提供有益的借鉴。     

Topographic heterogeneity,rural labour transfer and cultivated land use: An empirical study of plain and low-hill areas in China

The relationship between rural labour transfer and cultivated land use has always been a hot topic in academic field and government management. Here, by using the large-scale survey data of 1,868 farmers from 37 villages in Jianghan Plain and the low-hill areas in southeastern Hubei province, we investigated the relationship between rural labour force transfer and decision-making in cultivated land use from the perspective of terrain heterogeneity. The findings indicate that under different terrain conditions, there are significant differences in the decision-making of farmers concerning cultivated land use, leading to different land use efficiencies in different areas. Specifically, rural labour force transfer enhances land use efficiency in plain areas; however, it does not affect that in the low-hill areas. In addition, we found that in the plain areas, improving the quality of rural household labour can increase the cultivated land use efficiency, while in low-hill areas, enhancement of geographical accessibility is the key to improving land use efficiency.     

Toward a sustainable land management of vernacular landscape in the highlands of south-western Saudi Arabia: indigenous and statutory experiences

The vernacular landscape of the highlands of south-western Saudi Arabia comprises three distinct elements: natural, agricultural and built. The highlands are currently facing land use planning problems which result in deforestation, despite significant attempts at afforestation by several governmental agencies (especially the Ministry of Agriculture and Water) and by municipal governments in the area. Intentions towards more sustainable forms of land management now characterize official documents. With regard to landscape issues, this is marked by a discourse of sustainable land management and the sponsorship of initiatives addressing the relationship between land management and the environment. This paper demonstrates that the approach to sustainable land management is technical, rational and scientific. A more balanced approach would combine scientific knowledge and practice with traditional expertise.     

Changes in land cover and vegetation carbon stocks in Andalusia, Southern Spain (1956-2007)

Land use has significantly changed during the recent decades at global and local scale, while the importance of ecosystems as sources/sinks of C has been highlighted, emphasizing the global impact of land use changes. Land use changes can increase C loss rates which are extremely difficult to reverse, in the short term, opposite to organic carbon (OC) which accumulates in soil in the long-term. The aim of this research is to improve and test methodologies to assess land cover change (LCC) dynamics and temporal and spatial variability in C stored in vegetation at a wide scale. LCCs between 1956 and 2007 in Andalusia (Southern Spain) were selected for this pilot study, assessed by comparison of spatial data from 1956 to 2007 and were reclassified following land cover flows (LCFs) reported in major areas in Europe. Carbon vegetation densities were related to land cover, and C vegetation stocks for 1956 and 2007 were calculated by multiplying C density for each land cover class with land cover areas. The study area has supported important changes during the studied period with significant consequences for vegetation C stocks, mainly due to afforestation and intensification of agriculture, resulting in a total vegetation C stock of 156.08 Tg in 2007, with an increase of 17.24 Tg since 1956. This study demonstrates the importance of LCC for C sequestration in vegetation from Mediterranean areas, highlighting possible directions for management policies in order to mitigate climate change as well as promoting land conservation. The methodologies and information generated in this project will be a useful basis for designing land management strategies helpful for decision makers.     

土地利用规划与生物多样性--《针对英格兰东南部地区规划和发展部门的生物多样性指南》评介

介绍了<针对英格兰东南部地区规划和发展部门的生物多样性指南>的内容框架,指出了该指南的若干特点,包括:明确地提出了规划系统对生物多样性起着积极的影响;明确提出了一系列重要的英格兰东南部地区土地使用规划的生物多样性原则;明确提出了通过规划系统达到生物多样性行动规划目标的关键.在以上基础上,对该指南进行了初步的评价,并结合于2002年12月发布的<建设部关于加强城市生物多样性保护工作的通知>,进行了相关问题的讨论.