Human impact on beach and foredune vegetation of North Padre Island,Texas

Vehicular and pedestrian traffic decreased top and root production, percent cover, and diversity of vegetation, and modified species composition on beach and foredune areas of Padre Island National Seashore and Nueces County Park. Degradation of vegetal cover was directly related to the type and intensity of traffic; species in heavily trafficked areas represented earlier successional stages than those in comparable undisturbed areas.     

Computer simulation of the cumulative effects of brushland fire-management policies

A mathematical model simulates the cumulative volume of debris produced from brushland watersheds. Application of this model to a 176-km² (0.678 = mi²) watershed along the southern flank of the Central San Gabriel Mountains permits assessment of expected debris production associated with alternative fire-management policies. The political implications of simulated debris production are evaluated through a conceptual model that links interest groups to particular successional stages in brushland watersheds by means of the resources claimed by each group. It is concluded that in theory, a rotation burn policy would provide benefits to more interest groups concerned about southern California's brushland watersheds than does the current fire exclusion policy.This research was supported by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and by the Office of Water Research and Technology, USDI, under the Allotment program of Public Law 88–379, as amended, and by the University of California. Water Resources Center, as a part of Office of Water Research and Technology Project No. A-058-CAL and Water Resources Center Project UCAL-WRC-499. Support was also provided by the California Agricultural Experiment Station, Berkeley, California.     

A quantitative succession model for nine montana forest communities

A quantitative succession model was developed both to meet resource management needs in Montana's Lewis and Clark National Forest and to develop a modeling methodology. It builds upon previous concepts and incudes three new features: quantitative prediction of all tree species and seedlings; quantitative predictions of important understory species; and successional pathways determined by fire intensity and scorch height. The method is described and demonstrated for selected Montana habitat (community) types. It is also available in managerial guidelines and has been programmed as a new module in theforplan simulator. Weaknesses of this and other models are discussed. Conclusions relate succession modeling to resource management needs.     

MANAGEMENT ASPECTS OF CYCLIC STORAGE OF WATER IN AQUIFER SYSTEMS1

ABSTRACT: Most of California's precipitation falls at the wrong place in the wrong season in relation to the water needs. Redistribution and regulation are essential. Aquifer systems – groundwater basins – can provide a share of the future cyclic storage regulation. There are some differences in management concepts in using a full basin in comparison with a partially dewatered basin. Legal, water quality, and physical impacts on aquifer systems, including subsidence, are concerns. Storage may be for the benefit of overlying water users or for distant areas. Extraction during dry periods or recharge methods will require careful planning. Existing rights and uses and equitable treatment of all parties must be assured. Financial compensation may be involved. Changes in methods of operation or degree of self-determination by affected water agencies will require committed watermanship to resolve. Legislation or amendments to organic acts may be needed but much can be accomplished within existing statutes. Environmental impacts which can be avoided by not using large surface storage sites are important. Energy for pumping will be a key consideration. About 40 percent of California is underlain by aquifer systems. This resource offers major potential in overcoming the maldistribution of natural water resources.     

Preliminary Evidence for Pollen as an Indicator of Recent Floodplain Accumulation Rates and Vegetation Changes: The Barmah-Millewa Forest, SE Australia

Eucalyptus forest; and in the composition of understorey herbs, sedges, and grasslands. Pollen concentration and charcoal and organic content also exhibit post-European changes. Thus, pollen analysis provides a technique for determining changes in sediment budgets and identifying major vegetation changes in floodplains.     

ASSESSMENT OF ANTHROPOGENIC LOADS ON LANDSCAPES AS A TOOL TO DETERMINE THE POTENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: CASE STUDY FROM AZERBAIJAN

In order to determine the potential for sustainable regional development of the Caspian coastal zone, a study was made for the Khachmaz–Absheron zone of Azerbaijan. An evaluation was performed to assess the anthropogenic load on landscapes. Using the 8-point scale offered by Isachenko [2001, Ecological Geography of Russia, Saint Petersburg University Press, Saint Petersburg] for the indicators of agricultural, industrial, urban and integral anthropogenic loads, we did a preliminary ranking of the provinces in the Khachmaz–Absheron zone of Azerbaijan for the each indicator taken separately. Vital statistics were used as a supplementary indicator of environmental conditions in the region. By comparing the data for provinces with each other and the data on Azerbaijan average, we have classified the provinces into 4 groups according to specific combinations of the indicators. Each group of provinces has distinctive environmental conditions and features for sustainable development. The classification makes it possible to develop certain recommendations for the regional sustainable development. Measures to be implemented within the Azerbaijan State Program on Social and Economic Development of Regions are also discussed. In the Khachmaz province, production of ecologically pure products is highly recommended. Special attention should be given to the development of tourism and recreational institutions in the Khachmaz, Khizi and Devechi provinces. Recommendations for these provinces include further development of industry on the basis of modern safe technologies. The irrigation and drainage networks should be reconstructed. The reconstruction will make it possible to reduce water loss and to increase the productivity of agriculture. In the Absheron province, Baku and Sumgait cities environmental systems are overloaded, and so the works at highly polluting enterprises must be stopped, the enterprises have to be re-equipped (old filters must be changed first of all) or relocated from the area (a decrease of environmental risk should be in the focus of attention). For improving of air quality, green areas should increase. There is a need to reduce urban traffic density and to reconstruct highways. Use of old vehicles must be forbidden or restricted, and transition to environmentally friendly fuel should be supported in every way possible. It is necessary to bring the waste management system and sanitary landfills up to international standards, and to improve the water supply and sewerage systems.     

基于综采面产尘分布与扩散分析的粉尘防治研究

在对W3709综采工作面产尘特点分析的基础上,将工作面产尘源分为落煤扬尘、落煤冲击产尘及割煤产尘3类。对采煤机顺风割煤与逆风割煤时粉尘运动规律进行了详细的分析,根据工作面产尘特点与粉尘运动规律,提出了包括煤层注水、采煤机割煤产尘治理与控制以及支架处粉尘治理一套完整的综合防尘系统。通过现场应用,工作面粉尘在原有设施降尘基础上降低86%以上,降尘效果良好,有效地解决了该工作面粉尘污染严重的难题。     

综放工作面沿空留巷支护阻力研究

为了计算综放工作面沿空留巷支护阻力,以结构力学理论为基础,分析综放工作面沿空留巷支护阻力计算模型,建立沿空留巷围岩和支护体的结构力学模型,应用超静定结构和静定结构分析支护体与沿空留巷围岩相互作用机制,推导出巷旁支护阻力的计算公式.结果表明,进行沿空留巷支护阻力力学分析时,要考虑顶板极限断裂前和断裂后两种状态下的受力情况,支护阻力与岩层厚度、容重、煤体极限平衡区宽度、跨距、支护体宽度和巷道宽度等因素密切相关.工业性试验表明,该技术的应用是成功而有效的.因此,综放巷内沿空留巷围岩结构力学模型和支护阻力计算公式是合理的,可在类似条件的综放工作面中应用.     

基于探采对比的煤层瓦斯含量分析及预测

针对新建矿井地勘瓦斯含量测值偏低和井下实测瓦斯含量较少的特点,结合工程和科研实践,提出了利用大量的工作面瓦斯涌出量反演煤层原始瓦斯含量技术和基于探采对比的煤层瓦斯含量预测方法。以邹庄井田32煤层为研究对象,在考虑瓦斯抽采情况下计算3204工作面瓦斯涌出量,并反演该工作面煤层原始瓦斯含量。通过对比采掘过程中获得的瓦斯含量和地勘瓦斯含量,得到不同钻孔深度时的地勘瓦斯含量修正系数,并采用瓦斯地质研究方法对32煤层分3个单元进行瓦斯含量预测。结果表明:32煤层瓦斯含量整体呈现"东部大于西部,北部大于南部"的规律,与临近矿井具有相似的瓦斯赋存规律。这表明利用探采对比的方法预测煤层瓦斯含量是可靠的。     

回采工作面瓦斯涌出量遗传投影寻踪回归预测

为快速、准确预测回采工作面瓦斯涌出量,基于投影降维思想,建立一种遗传算法(GA)投影寻踪回归预测方法。选取煤层瓦斯原始含量、埋藏深度、煤层厚度、煤层倾角、工作面长度、推进速度、采出率、临近层瓦斯含量、临近层厚度、临近层层间距、岩层岩性、开采深度作为评价因子,对某矿15个学习样本进行训练,建立GA投影寻踪回归预测模型。利用该矿3个实测样本对模型进行检验,并与主成分分析和BP神经网络方法结果进行对比。研究表明:利用GA投影寻踪回归预测回采工作面瓦斯涌出量,平均误差为3.43%,最大误差为5.7%,精度优于其他2种方法。