Economic and equity implications of land-use zoning in suburban agriculture

A cash-flow viability model is used to evaluate the impacts of land-use zoning on farm households in New Jersey. Findings suggest that zoning results in increased production expenses, lower efficiency and profitability, and the devaluation of land assets. Cash flow and economic viability are, thus, reduced. Impacts of zoning on farm incomes, off-farm incomes, revenues from land sales, indebtedness, and farm sizes were not statistically significant. The results suggest that the use of land-use zoning statutes to guarantee the existence of agriculture may not be equitable unless transferable development rights or other methods of compensating farmers for their losses are simultaneously implemented.     

UPLAND SOIL EROSION SIMULATION FOR AGRICULTURAL WATERSHEDS1

ABSTRACT: A soil erosion simulation model that considered the physical conditions of agricultural watersheds and that interfaced with the modified USDAHL-74 watershed hydrology model was developed. The erosion model simulates the detachment and transport of soil particles caused by raindrop impact and overland flow from rill and interrill areas. The model considers temporal and spatial variation of plant residue, crop canopy cover, snow cover, and the moisture content of surface soil as modifying factors of the erosive forces of raindrop impact and overland flow. The hydrology model simulates overland flow and some of the physical parameters that are used in the erosion model. The simulation is executed in the time interval determined by the rainfall rate or snowmelt rate. The erosion model compares the transport capacity of the overland flow and the sediment loaded in the overland flow to determine the fate account for the free soil particles that have already been detached and are readily available to be transported by the overland flow. The model was tested with data from two small agricultural watersheds in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest dryland. The model was calibrated by trial-and-error to determine the coefficients of the model.     

Combating Desertification: Building on Traditional Knowledge Systems of the Thar Desert Communities

The Thar Desert of western India is known for its rich and ancient culture system and traditions. The communities have long been part of the Thar Desert ecosystem and have evolved specific strategies to live in harmony with its hostile environment. This culture has provided several miracle plants of immense food and medicinal value to modern civilisation. The ancient rural livelihood knowledge system reflects time-tested techno-scientific knowledge with a proven track record of sustainability, especially during natural hazards like drought and famines. In addition, several of the traditional skills of local communities in arts and crafts, music and instruments have made modern man aware of the art and techniques of sustainably utilising local biological resources and preserving their biodiversity along with using waste products of the forests, without harming the desert ecosystem. Traditional cultural and socio-religious values are fast dwindling under the impact of materialistic approach, industrialisation and development. This paper endeavours to illustrate the need to assist and propagate indigenous rural livelihood systems rather than mindlessly replace or abandon them as a result of state bureaucracies.     

N2O emissions from agricultural soils in the North China Plain:the effect of chemical nitrogen fertilizer and organic manure

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CURVE NUMBER HYDROLOGY IN WATER QUALITY MODELING: USES,ABUSES, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS1

ABSTRACT: Although the curve number method of the Natural Resources Conservation Service has been used as the foundation of the hydrology algorithms in many nonpoint source water quality models, there are significant problematic issues with the way it has been implemented and interpreted that are not generally recognized. This usage is based on misconceptions about the meaning of the runoff value that the method computes, which is a likely fundamental cause of uncertainty in subsequent erosion and pollutant loading predictions dependent on this value. As a result, there are some major limitations on the conclusions and decisions about the effects of management practices on water quality that can be supported with current nonpoint source water quality models. They also cannot supply the detailed quantitative and spatial information needed to address emerging issues. A key prerequisite for improving model predictions is to improve the hydrologic algorithms contained within them. The use of the curve number method is still appropriate for flood hydrograph engineering applications, but more physically based algorithms that simulate all streamflow generating processes are needed for nonpoint source water quality modeling. Spatially distributed hydrologic modeling has tremendous potential in achieving this goal.     

广西农业干旱及水资源合理开发利用

分析了广西农业干旱形成的原因和干旱的时空分布特征;采用降雨量、受旱面积、有效灌溉面积及年径流量,制定出干旱指数、受旱系数、耕灌比系数和水资源利用系数,并依照上述4项指标将广西划分为3个农业干旱区,对各旱区的气候特点、年径流量和水资源利用情况进行了较为详尽的分析.广西水资源丰富,但利用率较低,因此为了提高广西的水资源利用率,应加强水利建设,推广科学灌溉,加大地下水开采.     

水旱灾害对我国农业及社会经济发展的影响

水旱灾害首先影响到我国农业生产。粮食产量的大幅减产还会波及到整个国民经济及人民生活水平的下降。研究自然灾害不仅要注意因灾损失的自然因素，同时要联系造成灾害的社会、经济、人文因素等诸多方面进行自与非自然因素的综合分析。     

INFILTRATION OF WASTEWATER AND SIMULATED RAINWATER AS AFFECTED BY POLYACRYLAMIDE1

ABSTRACT: Irrigation reduces infiltration rates for subsequent irrigations or rains, thus decreasing the efficiency of water use and impacting watersheds in agricultural areas. Reduced infiltration causes greater runoff with its accompanying erosion, pollution, and sedimentation. Small rates of polyacrylamide (PAM) improve infiltration and reduce erosion on irrigated fields. The effects of PAM on infiltration of rainwater, the longevity of the effects of various rates of PAM, and the effects of repeated or intermittent PAM applications are not understood. This study measured the effects of four PAM application rates (0, 10, 25, and 40 ppm) on the subsequent infiltration of wastewater or simulated rainwater for seven weeks following the initial treatments. Also, effects of repeated and intermittent PAM applications on infiltration were determined. Hydraulic conductivity was determined for each soil column using the falling head method. Two soil types from the coastal plain of south Texas were tested — a soil high in clay (Victoria) and a sandy loam (Willacy). Effects of PAM rates were significant, but effects of water type were not (P > 0.05). Benefits from single PAM applications disappeared within two weeks. Water enriched with PAM is so viscous and infiltrates so slowly that applying PAM in every irrigation event may not be feasible. However, repeating PAM applications every two weeks maintained high infiltration rates on the alternate weeks. This intermittent application of PAM may be a practical approach for improving infiltration rates on irrigated lands.     

湖南省农业生态环境现状分析及应对措施

湖南省正处在经济快速发展时期,协调经济、社会、资源、环境保护之间的关系,保证区域农业和农村经济可持续发展,是迫切需要解决的根本问题之一。本文指出了目前湖南主要面临着农业资源减少、水土流失严重、农业生态环境污染加剧、农业环境污染事故频繁发生和农产品质量下降等农业生态环境问题,从群众认识、环境管理、资金投入等方面,分析了造成湖南农业生态环境污染和破坏的原因,简要介绍了国际上农业环境保护的先进经验和发展趋势,提出了解决湖南省农业生态环境问题的应对措施。     

Swiss Market for Meat from Animal-Friendly Production – Responses of Public and Private Actors in Switzerland

Animal welfare is an importantsocietal issue in Switzerland. Policy makershave responded with a strict legislation onanimal protection and with two programs topromote animal friendly husbandry. Alsoprivate actors in the meat industry initiatedprograms for animal friendly meat productionto meet consumers' expectations. Labeled meathas a market share of over 20%. Depending onthe stakeholders responsible for the labels,their objectives vary. While retailers want toattract consumers with meat produced in ananimal friendly and environmentally compatiblemanner and with products of consistently goodsensory quality, producers want to keep marketshares and increase their revenues.