Analysis of Coupling between Soil and Water Conservation and Economic-social Development

Abstract

The coupling relation exists in water and soil conservation and economic-social development. The article analyses the relation of soil and water conservation and economic-social development stages as well as the coupling analytical method. Then calculates the expecting income by dispersing Markov decision and calculates the correlation coefficient and the relationship degree. The article obtains the relationship of soil and water conservation investments and all kinds of incomes. Finally, it analyzes the important meaning in socio-economic development of water and soil conservation.     

Toward Water Conservation Society: the Connotation and Assessment Indication System

Abstract

Water saving and developing water conservation society are the two key strategies both for wise water allocation and sustainable utilization. The paper analyses the connotation of water saving and water conservation society. Essentially, water saving means freeing up water from non-beneficial uses and providing it to some more productive uses. Basic principles for setting indicator are presented by providing efficient use of water, considering social issues and ecological protection. An integrated assessing water saving system aiming at more sustainable and efficient consumption is given considering unbalanced social and economic development in regions and basins. The hierarchy Indicator system provides qualified tools to the practice of water conservation and evaluates the value for water conservation society construction.     

Analysis of the Capacity of Wellspring Conservation in Limestone Areas of Jinan

Spring water in the city of Jinan comes from the limestone areas. Understanding the capacity of wellspring conservation is a critical point to resume the perennial spewing of the spring water. The vegetation, soil, and other natural and human aspects related to the conservation are studied by using the methods of geographic information systems （GIS）, remote sensing （RS）, and field investigation. In the end, suggestions for administration and planning as well as countermeasures are put forward.     

The Conservation Status and Conservation Strategy of Picea neoveitchii

Abstract

Picea neoveitchii is an endemic species in China. It had been listed as an endangered species in red data books. It scatters in several locations of south slope of the Qinling Mountain of China. Upon reviewing the related literature, discussing with leading scholars on gymnosperm, ecology and plant conservation, the field survey was carried out in four locations. There are eleven mature individuals and two seedlings surviving in its natural habitats. With the survey of quadrat method in four locations, related community index were calculated such as relative important value (RIV), species richness, similarity index, diversity index and evenness index etc. The community could be sorted and characterized as three groups based on the community parameters. The analysis of vegetation table elucidates that Picea neoveitchii is a dominant species with low grouping rate in most surveyed sites.

The RAPD analysis shows target species has intraspecific genetic variability. The estimation of Shannon's phenotypic diversity index (Ho) also explains the difference of genetic variations of different locations.

Due to the lack of enough knowledge and professional guide of conservation biological perspective, Picea neoveitchii had been clear-cut for timber production. The extent of occurrence and area of occupancy declined rapidly from 1950s to 1990s. According to the Conservation Category guideline proposed by the World Conservation Union, the conservation status of Picea neoveitchii was reevaluated as Critically Endangered (CR) B2b C2a D. Upon research in areas of ecology, molecular biology, cluster analysis of environmental parameters, a practical conservation strategy is recommended in this research.     

Running Out of Water! Developing a Message Typology and Evaluating Message Effects on Attitude Toward Water Conservation

In three phases, this study identifies and evaluates the major messages being used in communication campaigns focused on the ongoing drought in California. A literature review in Phase 1 resulted in a typology of 12 message strategies. Following this typology, trained coders in Phase 2 evaluated water conservation messages (N?=?100) to determine whether each message utilized one or multiple strategies. The results revealed various frequencies of strategy application; and a correlational analysis rendered a pattern of strategy use in combinations. Phase 3 focused on a controlled message experiment applying the three most relevant strategies: conservation tips, loss aversion, and evidence of drought. Analysing data sampled from California residents (N?=?180), conservation messages, regardless of the strategy, led to attitude change in a negative direction. Additional analyses revealed interesting patterns of combinatorial strategy effects. The results call for a re-examination of message strategies as they may lead to several unfavourable outcomes.     

“5·12”汶川地震极重灾区生态服务功能恢复总体评估

2008年"5·12"汶川特大地震,对生态系统造成巨大威胁。为了解汶川地震灾区生态恢复总体状况,以期为灾区中长期生态恢复跟踪监测、生态恢复措施的制定和调整提供决策支持,分别以2007年、2009年、2013年代表地震前、地震后以及恢复期3个时期,采用土壤侵蚀敏感性、林冠截留量、生境适宜性等指标,分别评估了汶川地震极重灾区10个县市水土保持功能、水源涵养功能、生物多样性保护功能的状况及变化动态。结果表明:研究区的水土保持功能、水源涵养功能,以及生物多样性保护功能在震后遭到了严重破坏。总体来说5a后,区域生态服务功能得到了一定程度的恢复,但未达到震前水平。在极重灾区10个县市中,地理上位于中南部的6个县市(汶川、都江堰、什邡、彭州、绵竹、安县)在地震中总体受损程度较大。6个县市处于中国西部泥石流、滑坡的活跃区,震后因降雨诱发滑坡泥石流,导致了龙门山、茶坪山局部区域的水土保持功能、水源涵养功能、生物多样性保护功能在恢复期进一步下降,甚至低于震后。其中汶川县草坡乡、银杏乡、耿达乡、卧龙镇、三江乡有较大范围的功能下降,另外,都江堰市、彭州市、什邡市、绵竹市、安县等也分别有较大面积的功能下降区。区域生态服务功能在未来10a内,有可能进一步恶化。灾后重建一定程度上改善了区域生态功能状况,加快了生态功能恢复进程。但是,也存在对生态服务功能的恢复与维持重视不足等问题。部分灾后重建项目的实施,甚至又导致局部地区出现生态服务功能的退化。建议(1)加强汶川地震极重灾区中长期生态恢复遥感及地面监测、评估,进行生态服务功能恢复效应评估;(2)加强干旱河谷、龙门山及茶坪山等重点区域的生态修复。     

Formation Process and Amelioration of the Loess Plateau in China

Abstract

Based on the formation process of the Loess Plateau, the characteristics comparison between loess and ancient soil and the located materials of spore- pollen, ancient stone artifact, history, geography and soil erosion, the analysis reveals that the present state serious soil erosion in Loess Plateau, instead of being a natural geologic course, is a consequence of destruction of vegetation, irrational land utilization and the direct destruction of soil permeability and anti-erosion ability, esp. anti-scourability. The water and soil conservation measures, with the twenty-eight-word amelioration principle as the core, are the basis for exploiting and improving water and soil resources of the Loess Plateau so as to harness the Huanghe (the Yellow River).     

Watershed development in India. 1. Biophysical and societal impacts

This paper recommends a revision of watershed development policy in India in relation to the planning of development interventions involving agricultural intensification and rainwater harvesting following biophysical and societal impact studies carried out on two watershed development projects in Karnataka. A need for changes in policy has arisen in response to progressive catchments closure at the basin level and declining volumes of water flowing into village level reservoirs (known locally as tanks). Flow reductions have occurred largely as a result of increased agricultural intensification over the past 10–15 years. Field levelling, field bund construction, soil water conservation measures, farm ponds, the increase in areas under horticulture and forestry and the increased abstraction and use of groundwater for irrigation are all contributing factors to reduced flows. Planning methodologies and approaches, which may have been appropriate 20 years ago for planning water harvesting within watershed development projects, are no longer appropriate today. New planning approaches are required which (1) take account of these changed flow conditions and (2) are also able to take account of externalities, which occur when actions of some affect the livelihoods of others who have no control or influence over such activities and which (3) contribute to the maintenance of agreed minimum downstream flows for environmental and other purposes.

Runoff variation affected by precipitation change and human activity in Hailiutu River basin,China

For recent years, runoff generation and hydrological processes in Hailiutu River basin have been greatly changed by climate change and human activity, especially water and soil conservation construction. In this study, the trends in precipitation, evapotranspiration (ET) and river runoff as well as the effects of precipitation change and human activity on runoff variation have been studied. The results showed that during 1960–2000, annual precipitation and river runoff, monthly precipitation and ET in September and October as well as monthly runoff in all months showed a significant decrease. In addition, peak flow and base flow had a large decrease. Under the joint influence of precipitation change and human activity, the mean annual runoff decreased by 35 million m³ from the baseline period (1960–1985) to the change period (1986–2000), which accounted for 60.9% and 39.1% of the total runoff decrease, respectively. Precipitation change played a primary role in the decrease of annual runoff whereas human activity, particularly water and soil conservation construction, also had remarkable impacts on runoff variation.     

Environmental and economic benefit of recycling model of packaging waste: a case study on aluminum

Abstract

In order to achieve sustainable utilization of natural resources, save energy and protect environment and ecosystem, it is important for a region or a nation to develop and implement a viable waste recycling model from both theoretical and practical point of view. Some packaging recycling models operated in developed countries are introduced in this article. Aluminium can recovery and recycling is emphasized. Cost effective, economic and environmental benefit of different models are compared and analyzed. The result shows that all recycling models have their characteristics due to the initial purpose of recovery and the situation of the implementing country. However, all the models contribute to the reduction of municipal solid waste disposal and resources conservation.     

Perceived Collective Efficacy and Trust in Government Influence Public Engagement with Climate Change-Related Water Conservation Policies

Water insecurity, induced or intensified due to climate change, has emerged as a key policy challenge in poor and developing countries such as India. Drawing on social cognitive theory, this paper examines the role of perceived collective efficacy—people's shared beliefs about their group's capabilities to accomplish collective tasks—and trust in government as factors influencing Indians' engagement with government water conservation policies. Using a national survey of Indians (N = 4031), we found that individuals with high levels of perceived collective efficacy and trust in government are more likely to support government water conservation policies. Moreover, for individuals with low trust in government, higher collective efficacy is associated with greater policy support. Perceived collective efficacy is also associated with activist behaviours, while distrust is not. Increasing collective efficacy beliefs, for example through mass media channels and targeted campaigns, could help increase citizens' engagement with climate change adaptation policies.     

Media Representations of Water Issues as Health Risks

ABSTRACT

Water is a critical natural resource for sustaining human life. Media representations are a factor in the formation of public risk perceptions and could influence water conservation and health promotion behaviors. The objective of this research is to identify how newspaper media in four Western U.S. states frame the public health risks associated with water resources. Researchers conducted a content analysis of 326 newspaper articles from eight major newspapers focusing on water resource issues published during a three-year period between January 2012 and December 2014. Results indicate that health risks associated with water are seldom mentioned, and that the risks most frequently covered with regard to water resources are those with direct and immediate impacts to area residents. Findings suggest that media coverage may not be consistent with the nature of health impacts associated with water, which often are long-term.     

Systematic Contradiction Between Heritage Conservation and Tourism Development: Cleaning the Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu

Abstract

In recent years, with the rapid development of the tourist industry, world heritage sites become more and more popular among tourists from home and abroad. Therefore, heritage tourism has become a new hotspot. However, while world heritage sites are making obvious economic benefit from tourism, they also bring various problems and contradictions, of which the most troublesome one is the contradiction between heritage conservation and tourism development. To discuss and analyze the root and the essence of the above contradiction and find a way to bring about harmony between them is an important program faced by our national heritage management practice and academic research. Based on the case of cleaning the Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu, this paper analyzes the reasons why our national world cultural heritage sites bring about the above contradiction in the process of tourism development and points out that the improper system and stakeholders' benefit imbroglio are respectively the root and the essence of the contraction. Then, it also puts forward corresponding solutions.     

秦岭自然保护区群保护成本计量研究

秦岭自然保护区群在我国生物多样性保护方面发挥了重要作用,学术界一直缺乏保护成本计量的研究。本研究在界定秦岭自然保护区群成本的概念及分析其内涵的基础上,综合运用专家咨询法及文献参考方法,建立了秦岭自然保护区群保护成本计量指标体系,利用市场价值法、等效替代法以及机会成本法等方法,对秦岭自然保护区群保护生物多样性的投入进行了成本计量及分析。结果表明:秦岭自然保护区群在保护生物多样性投入方面,总货币量约29.72亿元人民币,其中直接保护成本为2.59亿元;间接保护成本为2.00亿元;与周边区域密切相关的机会成本为25.13亿元。其中,机会成本的计量模型多样化,在学术界存在较多争议,但是,最终每种模型都能反映出机会成本的内涵的货币量,可以表达出我国政府为建立秦岭自然保护区群而付出的无形代价。     

浙北山区土地利用与生态保护的冲突与协调机制研究冲突与协调机制研究——以天目山自然保护区为例

如何既注重生态环境的保护又满足区域经济、社会发展对土地利用的要求，成为当前我国不少地区土地利用中的一个重大课题。位于太湖流域和钱塘江流域源头的浙北天目山区，在土地利用与生态保护之间存在着多种矛盾。通过对浙北天目山地区生态保护与其他土地利用冲突及其协调的机理分析，试图寻找太湖流域上游山区生态保护与土地利用相协调的可选途径，探索自然保护区有效管护与当地经济发展、农民增收相结合的良性发展机制，并提出解决这些冲突的办法：修正保护目标，调整保护政策；建立合理的补偿机制；在不同的功能区施行不同的土地政策；把生态旅游作为解决土地利用冲突的突破口；探索社区共管模式，力争在扩大社区参与的前提下，实现保护区资源的可持续利用。     

云南省高原典型森林植被涵养水源功能研究

利用水量平衡原理对云南省高原3种典型森林植被的林冠截留、枯落物持水和土壤蓄水能力进行比较研究。结果表明:土壤蓄水是森林发挥涵养水源功能的最主要途径;从林冠截留量和截留率两个指标来看,林冠截水能力排序为高山松林(209.87 t/hm²、28.87%)>白桦林(194.17 t/hm²、19.82%)>川滇高山栎灌丛(111.78 t/hm²、16.32%);对于枯落物持水能力:最大持水量排序为高山松林(35.79 t/hm²)>白桦林(24.52 t/hm²)>川滇高山栎灌丛(18.49 t/hm²);最大持水率排序为川滇高山栎灌丛(177.42%)>白桦林(152.08%)>高山松林(138.48%);土壤蓄水能力排序为川滇高山栎灌丛(673.19 t/(hm²·a))>高山松林(610 t/(hm²·a))>白桦林(549.84 t/(hm²·a));在同一森林单位面积上,涵养水源能力排序为高山松林(855.66 t/hm²)>川滇高山栎灌丛(803.46 t/hm²)>白桦林(768.53 t/hm²)。研究可为森林生态效益核算和管理奠定基础,且对制定适应气候变化的策略有着科学指导意义。     

Toward Water Conservation Society:the Connotationand Assessment Indication System

Water saving and developing water conservation society are the two key strategies both for wise water allocation and sustainable utilization. The paper analyses the connotation of water saving and water conservation society. Essentially, water saving means freeing up water from non-beneficial uses and providing it to some more productive uses. Basic principles for setting indicator are presented by providing efficient use of water, considering social issues and ecological protection. An integrated assessing water saving system aiming at more sustainable and efficient consumption is given considering unbalanced social and economic development in regions and basins. The hierarchy indicator system provides qualified tools to the practice of water conservation and evaluates the value for water conservation society construction.     

Residents’ Attitudes Towards Tourism in a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems Pilot Site: a Case Study in China

Abstract

Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) is a wide program to promote the conservation and adaptive management of such systems and their associated landscapes, biodiversity, knowledge systems and cultures. Rice-Fish Systems (RFS) in Longxian village of China, as a traditional agricultural system, was selected as one of the five pilot sites of GIAHS in 2005. Researchers have paid more attention to the dynamic conservation and adaptive management of RFS because it is under severe threats from global development challenges. Tourism is suggested to be brought into the RFS conservation program as an alternative industry. This paper presents a comparative study of residents in three types of farm household in Longxian, seeking attitudes to the RFS conservation and tourism development and ways in which such information may guide future strategies. Results show residents, belonging to the household type in which most family members are abroad, have the most positive attitudes to RFS conservation and tourism development; while residents, as other household type in which less than 50% of family members are abroad, are the least sensitive group in these three household types, due to the motivation of moving abroad weakening their enthusiasm to participate in the local activities. Implications are discussed in the context of how resident attitudes will affect the future management of GIAHS conservation and tourism development, and then measures are put forward to foster tourism cooperation and multistakeholders process establishment.