How changing grain size affects the land surface temperature pattern in rapidly urbanizing area: a case study of the central urban districts of Hangzhou City,China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Urbanization has led to the rapid and large-scale changes in land use and land cover and has affected the spatial distribution of land surface...     

Impact of urbanization trends on production of key staple crops

Urbanization has appropriated millions of hectares of cropland, and this trend will persist as cities continue to expand. We estimate the impact of this conversion as the amount of land needed elsewhere to give the same yield potential as determined by differences in climate and soil properties. Robust spatial upscaling techniques, well-validated crop simulation models, and soil, climate, and cropping system databases are employed with a focus on populous countries with high rates of land conversion. We find that converted cropland is 30–40% more productive than new cropland, which means that projection of food production potential must account for expected cropland loss to urbanization. Policies that protect existing farmland from urbanization would help relieve pressure on expansion of agriculture into natural ecosystems.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13280-021-01674-z.     

Phased and polarized development of ecological quality in the rapidly-urbanized Pearl River Delta,China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Urbanization is one of the most significant human activities in the Anthropocene, with profound impacts on environmental quality. The lack of an...     

Current perspective on wastewater treatment using photobioreactor for Tetraselmis sp.: an emerging and foreseeable sustainable approach

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Urbanization is a revolutionary and necessary step for the development of nations. However, with development emanates its drawback i.e., generation of...     

Urban environment alter the timing of progression of testicular recrudescence in tree sparrow (Passer montanus)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Urbanization is a rapidly growing phenomenon that affects wildlife. Laboratory studies show the effects of night light on the physiology of the...     

Factors affecting urban electricity consumption: a case study in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area using an integrated approach of earth observation data and data analysis

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Urbanization induces shifts in surface environmental factors, including impervious surface expansion, green space loss, and temperature increase in...     

Evaluation of polluted urban river water quality: a case study of the Xunsi River watershed,China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Urbanization has caused severe negative impacts on intra-urban river water bodies. In this paper, 22 physicochemical parameters were measured at 20...     

The impact of urbanization and consumption patterns on China’s black carbon emissions based on input–output analysis and structural decomposition analysis

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Urbanization in China has dramatically increased from 39.10 in 2002 to 58.52% in 2017. Studies have discussed the impacts of urbanization and its...     

Utilization of urban sewage sludge: Chinese perspectives

Purpose

Urbanization and industrialization in China has resulted in a dramatic increase in the volume of wastewater and sewage sludge produced from wastewater treatment plants. Problems associated with sewage sludge have attracted increasing attention from the public and urban planners. How to manage sludge in an economically and environmentally acceptable manner is one of the critical issues that modern societies are facing.

Methods

Sludge treatment systems consist of thickening, dewatering, and several different alternative main treatments (anaerobic digestion, aerobic digestion, drying, composting, and incineration). Agricultural application, landfill, and incineration are the principal disposal methods for sewage sludge in China. However, sewage sludge disposal in the future should focus on resource recovery, reducing environmental impacts and saving economic costs.

Results

The reuse of biosolids in all scenarios can be environmentally beneficial and cost-effective. Anaerobic digestion followed by land application is the preferable options due to low economic and energy costs and material reuse.

Conclusion

It is necessary to formulate a standard suitable for the utilization of sewage sludge in China.     

Goa: tourism,migrations, and ecosystem transformations

This article is based on a larger case study that investigated the role of tourist induced and other population movements in causing coastal ecosystem change in Goa, India. It focuses especially upon agro-ecosystems locally known as khazan lands, and sand dunes, and how they are transformed to accommodate the needs of tourists and tourism. The effects of different forms of tourism upon land cover and land-use change is assessed. The research findings suggest that it is not population movements alone that cause ecosystem changes, but the changes in relations between people and ecosystems. This means that in some cases land cover has not changed as much as land use, and in other cases land cover has changed dramatically. Intermediary influences upon land use and land-cover change are also legal, political, and economic factors, particularly changes in property rights.     

Urbanization-related changes in European aspen (Populus tremula L.): Leaf traits and litter decomposition

We investigated foliar and litter responses of European aspen (Populus tremula L.) to urbanization, including factors such as increased temperature, moisture stress and nitrogen (N) deposition. Leaf samples were collected in 2006-2008 from three urban and three rural forest stands in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, southern Finland, and reciprocal litter transplantations were established between urban and rural sites. Urban leaves exhibited a higher amount of epicuticular waxes and N concentration, and a lower C:N ratio than rural ones, but there was no difference in specific leaf area. Urban litter had a slightly higher N concentration, lower concentrations of lignin and total phenolics, and was more palatable to a macrofaunal decomposer. Moreover, litter decay was faster at the urban site and for urban litter. Urbanization thus resulted in foliar acclimatization in terms of increased amount of epicuticular waxes, as well as in accelerated decomposition of the N-richer leaf litter.     

Urban Transitions: On Urban Resilience and Human-Dominated Ecosystems

Urbanization is a global multidimensional process paired with increasing uncertainty due to climate change, migration of people, and changes in the capacity to sustain ecosystem services. This article lays a foundation for discussing transitions in urban governance, which enable cities to navigate change, build capacity to withstand shocks, and use experimentation and innovation in face of uncertainty. Using the three concrete case cities—New Orleans, Cape Town, and Phoenix—the article analyzes thresholds and cross-scale interactions, and expands the scale at which urban resilience has been discussed by integrating the idea from geography that cities form part of “system of cities” (i.e., they cannot be seen as single entities). Based on this, the article argues that urban governance need to harness social networks of urban innovation to sustain ecosystem services, while nurturing discourses that situate the city as part of regional ecosystems. The article broadens the discussion on urban resilience while challenging resilience theory when addressing human-dominated ecosystems. Practical examples of harnessing urban innovation are presented, paired with an agenda for research and policy.     

Comparison of regional and global land cover products and the implications for biogenic emission modeling

Accurate estimates of biogenic emissions are required for air quality models that support the development of air quality management plans and attainment demonstrations. Land cover characterization is an essential driving input for most biogenic emissions models. This work contrasted the global Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) land cover product against a regional land cover product developed for the Texas Commissions on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) over four climate regions in eastern Texas, where biogenic emissions comprise a large fraction of the total inventory of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and land cover is highly diverse. The Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature (MEGAN) was utilized to investigate the influences of land cover characterization on modeled isoprene and monoterpene emissions through changes in the standard emission potential and emission activity factor, both separately and simultaneously. In Central Texas, forest coverage was significantly lower in the MODIS land cover product relative to the TCEQ data, which resulted in substantially lower estimates of isoprene and monoterpene emissions by as much as 90%. Differences in predicted isoprene and monoterpene emissions associated with variability in land cover characterization were primarily caused by differences in the standard emission potential, which is dependent on plant functional type. Photochemical modeling was conducted to investigate the effects of differences in estimated biogenic emissions associated with land cover characterization on predicted ozone concentrations using the Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions (CAMx). Mean differences in maximum daily average 8-hour (MDA8) ozone concentrations were 2 to 6 ppb with maximum differences exceeding 20 ppb. Continued focus should be on reducing uncertainties in the representation of land cover through field validation.

Implications: Uncertainties in the estimation of biogenic emissions associated with the characterization of land cover in global and regional data products were examined in eastern Texas. Misclassification between trees and low-growing vegetation in central Texas resulted in substantial differences in isoprene and monoterpene emission estimates and predicted ground-level ozone concentrations. Results from this study indicate the importance of land cover validation at regional scales.     

Status and interconnections of selected environmental issues in the global coastal zones

This study focuses on assessing the state of population distribution, land cover distribution, biodiversity hotspots, and protected areas in global coastal zones. The coastal zone is defined as land within 100 km of the coastline. This study attempts to answer such questions as: how crowded are the coastal zones, what is the pattern of land cover distribution in these areas, how much of these areas are designated as protected areas, what is the state of the biodiversity hotspots, and what are the interconnections between people and coastal environment. This study uses globally consistent and comprehensive geospatial datasets based on remote sensing and other sources. The application of Geographic Information System (GIS) layering methods and consistent datasets has made it possible to identify and quantify selected coastal zones environmental issues and their interconnections. It is expected that such information provide a scientific basis for global coastal zones management and assist in policy formulations at the national and international levels.     

土地利用/土地覆被变化对区域生态环境的影响

土地利用／ 土地覆被变化对区域生态环境的影响是土地利用／ 土地覆被变化研究的重要内容。本文分析了土地利用／ 土地覆被变化对区域气候、土壤、水量和水质的影响。土地利用／ 土地覆被变化通过改变地表发射率、温室气体和痕量气体的含量影响区域气候;土地利用／土地覆被变化影响着能量交换、水交换、侵蚀与堆积、生物循环和作物生产等土壤主要生态过程,不同土地利用方式和土地覆被类型的空间组合影响着土壤养分的迁移规律;土地利用／ 土地覆被变化对水质的影响主要是通过非点源污染途径,许多非点源污染来源都同土地利用／土地覆被变化紧密联系。文中还探讨了由于人类不合理的土地利用造成的土壤侵蚀、土地退化、水资源短缺、海水入侵等生态环境问题。     

Effects of land use data on dry deposition in a regional photochemical model for eastern Texas

Land use data are among the inputs used to determine dry deposition velocities for photochemical grid models such as the Comprehensive Air Quality Model with extensions (CAMx) that is currently used for attainment demonstrations and air quality planning by the state of Texas. The sensitivity of dry deposition and O3 mixing ratios to land use classification was investigated by comparing predictions based on default U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) land use data to predictions based on recently compiled land use data that were collected to improve biogenic emissions estimates. Dry deposition of O3 decreased throughout much of eastern Texas, especially in urban areas, with the new land use data. Predicted 1-hr averaged O3 mixing ratios with the new land use data were as much as 11 ppbv greater and 6 ppbv less than predictions based on USGS land use data during the late afternoon. In addition, the area with peak O3 mixing ratios in excess of 100 ppbv increased significantly in urban areas when deposition velocities were calculated based on the new land use data. Finally, more detailed data on land use within urban areas resulted in peak changes in O3 mixing ratios of approximately 2 ppbv. These results indicate the importance of establishing accurate, internally consistent land use data for photochemical modeling in urban areas in Texas. They also indicate the need for field validation of deposition rates in areas experiencing changing land use patterns, such as during urban reforestation programs or residential and commercial development.     

Coupling air quality and land use modeling within an optimization framework

Land use regulations and air quality standards can be effective tools to control air pollution. Atmospheric transport/chemistry simulation models could be used to develop suitable regulations and standards; however, these models are not as efficient as air quality management models developed from embedding governing equations for atmospheric transport/chemistry into an optimization framework. Formulations of two steady-state air quality management models are presented to facilitate the development or evaluation of land use strategies to protect regional air quality from pollution generated from distributed point or nonpoint sources. Both models are linear programs constructed with equations that describe steady-state atmospheric pollutant fate and transport. The first model determines feasible pollutant loading patterns for multiple land use activities to accommodate the greatest regional population. The second model ascertains patterns of expanded land use which have a minimum impact on air quality. The primary goal of this paper is to explain how air pollution and land use modeling may be coupled to create an effective management tool to aid scientists and engineers with decisions affecting air quality and land use. The secondary goal is to show the types of air quality and regulatory information which could be obtained from these models. This latter goal is attained with general conclusions as consequence of applying ‘duality theory.’     

A land use database and examples of biogenic isoprene emission estimates for the state of Texas, USA

Using data from a variety of sources, land use and vegetation in Texas were mapped with a spatial resolution of approximately 1 km. Over 600 classifications were used to characterize the land use and land cover throughout the state and field surveys were performed to assign leaf biomass densities, by species, to the land cover classifications. The total leaf biomass densities associated with these land use classifications ranged from 0 to 556 g/m², with the highest assigned total and oak leaf biomass densities located in central and eastern Texas. The land cover data were used as input to a biogenic emissions model, GLOBEIS2. Estimates of biogenic emissions of isoprene based on GLOBEIS2 and the new land cover data showed significant differences when compared to biogenic isoprene emissions estimated using previous land cover data and emission estimation procedures. For example, for one typical domain in eastern Texas, total daily isoprene emissions increased by 38% with the new modeling tools. These results may ultimately affect the way in which ozone and other photochemical pollutants are modeled and evaluated in the state of Texas.     

Urbanisation-driven land degradation and socioeconomic challenges in peri-urban areas: Insights from Southern Europe

Climate change and landscape transformation have led to rapid expansion of peri-urban areas globally, representing new ‘laboratories’ for the study of human–nature relationships aiming at land degradation management. This paper contributes to the debate on human-driven land degradation processes by highlighting how natural and socioeconomic forces trigger soil depletion and environmental degradation in peri-urban areas. The aim was to classify and synthesise the interactions of urbanisation-driven factors with direct or indirect, on-site or off-site, and short-term or century-scale impacts on land degradation, focussing on Southern Europe as a paradigmatic case to address this issue. Assuming complex and multifaceted interactions among influencing factors, a relevant contribution to land degradation was shown to derive from socioeconomic drivers, the most important of which were population growth and urban sprawl. Viewing peri-urban areas as socio-environmental systems adapting to intense socioeconomic transformations, these factors were identified as forming complex environmental ‘syndromes’ driven by urbanisation. Based on this classification, we suggested three key measures to support future land management in Southern European peri-urban areas.     

贵州土地复垦发展现状及其对策研究

详细分析了贵州省土地复垦的发展现状以及近年来所做的工作及成效,研究了矿山开采等活动对贵州省土地资源造成的破坏及生态危害,提出了具体的土地复垦的技术措施.为了实现能源、环境、社会、人口和经济的可持续发展,土地复垦是必然选择.