中蒙边境地区草原火时空分布特征分析

草原火灾是中蒙两国共同遭受的比较严重的自然灾害之一。针对中蒙边境地区的草原火灾,以内蒙古东乌珠穆沁旗及接壤的蒙古国三个苏木为研究区,采用2000-2014年的MCD45A火烧迹地产品,利用GIS空间分析方法对中蒙边境地区草原火的时空分布特征进行分析研究。研究结果表明:近15年研究区过火迹地空间分布广泛,而研究区总过火面积的95%分布在蒙古国境内。每个像元上的过火频次较高,最高在蒙古国的哈拉哈郭勒苏木境内,过火频次达到15年内同一个像元上发生7次。而中国的东乌珠穆沁旗境内却没有该现象。研究区过火面积的年际变化表明,2000-2008年呈减少趋势,2008-2014年呈增加趋势。由旬变化可知,4-6月是蒙古国过火面积最大的月份,而10月至来年4月是东乌珠穆沁旗过火面积最大的月份。     

基于历史资料的中国北方草原火灾风险评价

根据我国北方草原区各省、自治区1991—2005年的草原火灾资料，利用信息扩散理论和风险矩阵对我国北方草原区的草原火灾风险进行了计算，给出了我国北方各草原区的草原火灾年发生次数和草原火灾年受灾率在各个风险水平下的风险值，定量地评价了我国北方草原区的草原火灾风险。并给出几个重要风险水平下草原火灾风险的空间分布趋势和综合指标下的我国草原火灾风险空间分布趋势。     

基于Sentinel-2数据的火烧迹地提取研究

昆明为云南省的政治经济文化中心,森林火灾多发给人民生产生活带来了极大的威胁。准确提取火烧迹地有利于掌握林火规律,加强森林火险区划,通过合理配备资源提高森林防火效率。以昆明地区2016—2020年Sentinel-2数据、高温火点数据和土地利用分类数据为基础,基于差分归一化火烧比率(dNBR)提取该地区火烧迹地面积,并对其空间分布特征进行分析。结果表明：土地利用数据有利于提高火烧迹地提取效率,但高温火点数据错漏较多,对火烧迹地提取贡献不大。Sentinel-2数据与dNBR指数的结合在单火场可以达到平均89%以上的提取精度,有较高适用性。昆明地区火灾高发区为安宁市、晋宁区等地,过火区域集中在高程1 700～2 300 m、坡度6°～25°的林地耕地混杂地区,阴坡过火面积略大于阳坡。     

锡盟沙尘暴的时空分布及其与气候因子的关系

利用内蒙古锡林郭勒盟15个气象站30年(1971-2000年)的沙尘暴观测资料,分析了沙尘暴发生日数的时空分布以及气候因子对沙尘暴日数的影响.结果表明,锡盟的中西部是沙尘暴的易发区,其中苏尼特右旗及朱日和是沙尘暴的高值区;从单站的沙尘暴日数来看,沙尘暴的发生时间有明显的日变化和季节差异,30年间除朱日和站沙尘暴年际变化趋势不明显外,其它两站的沙尘暴日数均有显著的下降趋势;沙尘暴的年代际变化也呈减少的趋势.大风对沙尘暴发生次数的影响最为显著,单站的相关系数在0.60以上(通过0.05显著性检验);平均气温日较差与沙尘暴日数也呈显著正相关;其中锡林浩特站的年均气温及冬春季平均气温与沙尘暴日数有显著负相关;降水量对沙尘暴的发生次数有一定的影响,尤其是前期降水量与次年沙尘暴的发生有较好的负相关.     

云南滑坡泥石流灾害及其与降水特征的关系

利用2001-2005年云南滑坡泥石流灾害资料,分析了近5年来云南滑坡泥石流分布与演变的特点及其与云南降水、大雨、暴雨之间的关系.研究结果表明,在该时段云南滑坡泥石流灾害总体分布表现出西多东少,西北多东南少的趋势;滑坡泥石流灾害高发区与暴雨中心有很好的对应关系,其活动存在明显的年际变化特点,并且各个区域又有自身的演变规律.在时空分布上滇西北及滇西南是活动最频繁的区域;滑坡泥石流灾害具有明显的月际变化特征,高峰期集中在6-8月;滑坡泥石流灾害发生次数与年降水量、年暴雨次数及年大雨次数有着很好的对应关系;大气环流异常对滑坡泥石流灾害发生数量也有着明显的影响.     

云南春末夏初干旱的气候特征

利用云南124个测站1961-2005年4-5月的月降水量及气温资料,采用EOF方法及离散功率谱方法,分析了云南4-5月的降水总量及平均气温的时空变化特征及其变化周期,得到了如下结论:(1)降水场与温度场具有相似的空间分布特征,全省一致性分布型.这种分布型存在明显的年际变化特征,500hPa环流差异明显.(2)全省平均降水量与平均温度具有明显的年际变化特征.1963年是近45年中的降水最少年,2004年则是降水最多年.1969年是近45年平均气温最高年,1990年则是气温最低年.(3)全省平均降水量与平均温度也具有明显的年代际变化特征.20世纪60和90年代高温低湿;70和80年代低温高湿;2001年以后转入高温高湿.2005年春末夏初的干旱就是发生在高温高湿气候背景下的较为异常的气候事件.(4)降水量存在明显的2～3年左右的年际变化周期,同时也存在明显的15年的年代际变化周期.平均气温2～5年左右的年际变化较为明显,而较长时间的年代际变化周期较弱.     

人员密集场所火灾逃生办法

2011年刚刚来到,我国就已发生多起人员密集场所火灾:1月14日上午9时41分广东潮州一市场发生火灾,过火面积约3000平方米。1月17日11时35分,鸡西市新玛特中心店发生火灾,经初步调查,此次过火面积1591平方米。1月17日晚上10时30分左右,武汉市侨康综合商场发生火灾,过火面积900平方米,死亡人数14人。1月20日12时26分,湘潭市新康星百货商场突发火灾,紧急疏散300人。据统计资料显示,人员密集场所火灾隐患是造成群死群伤重特大恶性火灾事故的主要原因之一,应引起我们的高度重视。     

青藏高原冬、春季沙尘暴频次时空分布特征及其环流背景

利用1961-2002年青藏高原29个气象台站的沙尘天气资料,分析了冬、春季沙尘暴频次的时空分布和变化,并结合欧洲中心再分析资料的200 hPa高度场数据,分析了冬、春季沙尘暴异常年份对应的环流特征。结果表明:青藏高原的沙尘暴主要集中发生在12月至次年5月,1961-2002年间其发生频次呈显著减少的趋势;阿里高原、柴达木盆地、三江源区和雅鲁藏布江中游地区为沙尘暴的高发区域;沙尘暴高发中心随季节的推移由藏南逐渐北移至羌塘高原及塔里木盆地;冬、春两季200 hPa高度场在沙尘暴强年均表现出纬向西风气流增强,传输到地面的能量增加,利于沙尘暴天气的形成,而在沙尘暴弱年均表现为经向环流增强,阻碍了能量的向下传输,不利于大风天气的形成。     

基于CI和强度分析方法的四川冬春季干旱事件变化特征

区域气象干旱动态变化过程和转换规律的研究对灾害预警与应对有重大意义。利用1985-2015年四川30个气象站点逐日20-20时降水量、平均气温资料,采用综合气象干旱指数(CI)与intensity analysis等方法,从干旱事件频次、干旱等级变化强度和干旱等级转换三个方面,分析了近30年四川冬春季干旱事件的变化特征,结果表明:1985年冬-2015年春四川冬春季干旱事件发生频率高、持续时间长、强度大;区域性干旱事件发生率高达77.78%,4月发生区域性干旱事件的频次最高;1985年冬-2015年春四川冬春季干旱等级变化强度表现出"快-慢-快"的变化特征;其中,2005年冬-2015年春较往年有变干趋势;1985年冬-2015年春四川冬春季干旱等级转换较活跃,各干旱等级的转换速率不尽相同,主要集中在轻旱、中旱、重旱三个等级,且有增加趋势。     

山西省春旱趋势及对农业的影响

利用山西省53个气象站1956—2005年的春季逐月平均气温和降水量资料，计算了春季大气干旱指数序列，分析了山西省春季干旱化趋势。结果表明，山西省春季明显向干旱化发展；在气温和降水两个因素中，气温的升高对干旱化的作用更大；春季干旱化对农业生产极为不利，对这种形势应予以足够的关注。     

Cholera in Sudan: An account of an epidemic in a refugee camp in eastern Sudan, May-June 1985

In 1985 cholera has been a serious problem in the horn of Africa, particularly affecting the many famine victims and refugees in that region. In this paper the history of cholera in Africa is briefly summarized, as is the background to the current refugee situation in eastern Sudan. A cholera epidemic involving 1,175 cases in two adjacent refugee camps in eastern Sudan is described. In this epidemic there were thirteen inpatient deaths and thirty-eight known home deaths from cholera. The management of the epidemic is described in detail. Overall an average of 8 1. of intravenous fluid was used per case, a higher figure than was anticipated, probably because of the unexpected degree of vomiting and the shortage of trained nursing staff.
The relationship between cholera and malnutrition is explored and hypochlorhydria is suggested as the main reason for the increased susceptibility to cholera among malnourished populations. It was observed that severely malnourished adults and children appeared to nave less severe diarrhoea with their cholera, presumably because of reduced mucosal surface area and poor enterocyte function. Finally possible means of aborting cholera epidemics are discussed.     

A retrospective statistical review of deaths owing to migration through the southeasternmost land borders of the European Union,Greece 2000–14

The land borders of Evros, Greece, have been a common entry point for undocumented migrants on their way to Europe through Turkey. Adverse conditions, however, have resulted in many human casualties over the years. On the Greek side, 334 cadavers were retrieved between 2000 and 2014. This study provides a detailed forensic account of the humanitarian disaster in Evros to create an official scientific record of the situation. It showcases the gravity of the global issue of migration relating to health and mortality, and encourages communication and continual improvement of the approach and patterns of practices surrounding the subject. A retrospective statistical research review was conducted of border‐related fatalities between 2000 and 2014, assessing the age and gender of victims, the cause of death, the location of bodies, identification rates, and country of origin. Age ranged generally from 24 to 29 years, but infants and children were among the deceased.     

Complexity,continuity and change: livelihood resilience in the Darfur region of Sudan

Darfur farming and pastoralist livelihoods are both adaptations to the environmental variability that characterises the region. This article describes this adaptation and the longer‐term transformation of these specialised livelihoods from the perspective of local communities. Over several decades farmers and herders have experienced a continuous stream of climate, conflict and other shocks, which, combined with wider processes of change, have transformed livelihoods and undermined livelihood institutions. Their well‐rehearsed specialist strategies are now combined with new strategies to cope. These responses help people get by in the short term but risk antagonising not only their specialist strategies but also those of others. A combination of factors has undermined the former integration between farming and pastoralism and their livelihood institutions. Efforts to build resilience in similar contexts must take a long‐term view of livelihood adaptation as a specialisation, and consider the implications of new strategies for the continuity and integration of livelihood specialisations.     

The cultural politics of mining and natural disaster in Indonesia: by fire and sword

Natural disasters are inevitably the outcome of cultural agonisms. The cultural politics of natural disasters are shaped by competing claims and conceptions of ‘nature’. Recent disasters in Indonesia are directly linked to these contending conceptions and the ways in which different social groups imagine risk and reward. The Sidoarjo volcanic mudflow of 2006 represents a volatile and violent exemplar of contending cultural and economic claims. Like other disasters in Indonesia and elsewhere in the developing world, this ‘natural’ disaster is characterised by differing conceptions of ‘nature’ as cultural tradition, divine force, and natural resource. A new extractive project in East Java is exhibiting similar economic and cultural agonisms, particularly around the notion of development, environment, self‐determination, and tradition. This paper examines the ‘disputes over meaning’ associated with natural disasters in contemporary societies, and the ways in which they are related to human culture, social organisation, and hierarchical systems of violence.     

Reflections on 40 years of Disasters, 1977–2017

This reflection, based on a keynote address to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of Disasters on 14 September 2017, begins by considering some of the prevailing assumptions that existed at the time of the journal's creation. Next is a summary of significant milestones during the past 40 years, covering major global trends, changing disaster impacts, and key developments in disaster risk management. Contrasting approaches in the first and fourth decade of the journal's history are then followed by examples of changes in terminology in the disaster field as an indication of shifting values. The paper goes on to explore the context of 2017, with observations of problem areas such as the loss of knowledge, failures to tackle the root causes of disasters, shortfalls in international assistance, and some negative attitudes. It closes by evaluating some current positive occurrences, including a reduction in casualties, sharing of experience, technological advances, and dramatic improvements in disaster warning.     

Risk communication in emergency response to a simulated extreme flood

Risk communication in flood incident management can be improved through developing hydrometeorological and engineering models used as tools for communicating risk between scientists and emergency management professionals. A range of such models and tools was evaluated by participating flood emergency managers during a 4-day, real-time simulation of an extreme event in the Thamesmead area in the Thames estuary close to London, England. Emergency managers have different communication needs and value new tools differently, but the indications are that a range of new tools could be beneficial in flood incident management. Provided they are communicated large model uncertainties are not necessarily unwelcome among flood emergency managers. Even so they are cautious about sharing the ownership of weather and flood modelling uncertainties.     

Fiji, land of tropical cyclones and hurricanes: A case study of agricultural rehabilitation

Tropical cyclones and hurricanes have a severe impact on the social and economic activities of affected communities. For small island nations in the Pacific region, the effects can be devastating because of their smallness. FQi and several other countries in the region are vulnerable to such disasters as they are situated in the zone where cyclones occur frequently.
During the last decade, the frequency of natural disasters and their adverse impact on die economic and social development of small nations like Fiji, has aroused awareness mat relief efforts must go beyond immediate "mopping up" operations to those which contribute to attaining longer term benefits through reconstruction and rehabilitation.
The paper outlines the 1985 agricultural rehabilitation program and discusses related issues and problems.     

Tsunami survivors' perspectives on vulnerability and vulnerability reduction: evidence from Koh Phi Phi Don and Khao Lak, Thailand

This paper presents the results of primary research with 40 survivors of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami in two communities: Khao Lak (n=20) and Koh Phi Phi Don (n=20), Thailand. It traces tsunami survivors' perceptions of vulnerability, determines whether residents felt that the tsunami affected different communities differently, identifies the populations and sub-community groups that survivors distinguished as being more vulnerable than others, highlights community-generated ideas about vulnerability reduction, and pinpoints a range of additional vulnerability reduction actions. Tsunami survivors most consistently identified the 'most vulnerable' community sub-populations as women, children, the elderly, foreigners, and the poor. In Khao Lak, however, respondents added 'Burmese migrants' to this list, whereas in Koh Phi Phi Don, they added 'Thai Muslims'. Results suggest that the two case study communities, both small, coastal, tourism-dominated communities no more than 100 kilometres apart, have differing vulnerable sub-groups and environmental vulnerabilities, requiring different post-disaster vulnerability reduction efforts.     

The ethical contours of research in crisis settings: five practical considerations for academic institutional review boards and researchers

The number of research studies in the humanitarian field is rising. It is imperative, therefore, that institutional review boards (IRBs) consider carefully the additional risks present in crisis contexts to ensure that the highest ethical standards are upheld. Ethical guidelines should represent better the specific issues inherent to research among populations grappling with armed conflict, disasters triggered by natural hazards, or health‐related emergencies. This paper seeks to describe five issues particular to humanitarian settings that IRBs should deliberate and on which they should provide recommendations to overcome associated challenges: staged reviews of protocols in acute emergencies; flexible reviews of modification requests; addressing violence and the traumatic experiences of participants; difficulties in attaining meaningful informed consent among populations dependent on aid; and ensuring reviews are knowledgeable of populations' needs. Considering these matters when reviewing protocols will yield more ethically sound research in humanitarian settings and hold researchers accountable to appropriate ethical standards.