The Dynamics of Rural Vulnerability to Global Change: The Case of southern Africa

Research on the agricultural impacts of global change frequently emphasizesthe physical and socioeconomic impacts of climate change, yet globalchanges associated with the internationalization of economic activity mayalso have significant impacts on food systems. Together, climate change andglobalization are exposing farmers to new and unfamiliar conditions.Although some farmers may be in a position to take advantage of thesechanges, many more are facing increased vulnerability, particularly in thedeveloping world. This paper considers the dynamics of agriculturalvulnerability to global change through the example of southern Africa. Wedemonstrate that the combination of global and national economic changesis altering the context under which southern African farmers cope withclimate variability and adapt to long-term change. We find that farmers whoformerly had difficulty adapting to climatic variability may become lessvulnerable to drought-related food shortages as the result of tradeliberalization. At the same time, however, removal of national credit andsubsidies may constrain or limit adaptation strategies of other farmers,leaving them more vulnerable to climate variability and change.     

Impact of Climate Change on Possible Scenarios for Egyptian Agriculture in the Future

If no timely measures are taken to adapt Egyptian agriculture to possible climate warming, the effects may be negative and serious. Egypt appears to be particularly vulnerable to climate change because of its dependence on the Nile River as the primary water source, its large traditional agricultural base, and its long coastline, already undergoing both intensifying development and erosion. A simulation study characterized potential yield and water use efficiency decreases on two reference crops in the main agricultural regions with possible future climatic variation, even when the beneficial effects of increased CO₂ were taken into account. On-farm adaptation techniques which imply no additional cost to the agricultural system, did not compensate for the yield losses with the warmer climate or improve the crop water-use efficiency. Economic adjustments such as the improvement of the overall water-use efficiency of the agricultural system, soil drainage and conservation, land management, and crop alternatives are essential. If appropriate measures are taken, negative effects of climate change in agricultural production and other major resource sectors (water and land) may be lessened. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

金华市石门农场生态农业建设及其效益分析

金华市石门农场自１９８６年起进行生态实验区建设，将饲养、种植、加工三个子系统有机结合成一个整体，形成以种植业为基础，饲养业为中心，沼气为纽带的能量、物质循环利用的复合型结构，取得了较好的经济和生态效益。从而提出了江南低丘红壤区生态农业建设的一种模式。     

持续农业内涵的目标界定

本文试用持续农业的目标来界定持续农业的内涵。持续农业就是具有农业生产可持续性、经济可持续性、生态可持续性和农村社会可持续性的农业。首先分别阐述了持续农业的４个目标，然后就目标之间的相关与独立关系、轻重缓急关系做了分析     

草地生态农业与产品革新是西北地区农业的出路

针对西北地区农业越来越依赖化肥、农药来提高产量以及污染问题日趋严重的现状 ,提出将发展草地生态农业与革新产品作为该地区农业可持续发展的出路。建议先主抓多途径开辟有机肥源 ,大田作物资源化增值 ,快速解决奶牛牛源与增加系统生物多样性 4项 ,可改善生态环境 ,使农民增收 ,将农业生态系统导入良性循环     

专家系统及其在农业与自然资源管理中的应用

阐述了专家系统的概念及其与传统程序、其它计算机辅助决策的区别，综述了专家系统在农业与自然资源管理中的应用现状及其日益重要的作用，探讨了农业专家系统的发展趋向。     

土壤学与广东持续农业的发展

持续农业是关于建立资源、生态、地力、经济效益等各个方面均可持续发展的农业制度的一种思想．水土流失、土地退化、耕地锐减、环境污染，制约着广东农业的持续发展．土壤学应围绕持续农业开展研究工作．目前应加强土壤生态环境的保护，防治土地退化，提高土壤肥力，保证耕地生产力的持续发展．应开展土壤资源的动态变化研究，为合理开发和利用土壤资源提供科学依据．     

农业生产活动对鄱阳湖区生态环境的影响

鄱阳湖区是江西省重要商品粮基地，但其生态环境也有较为脆弱的一面。某些违反生态规律的农业生产活动导致该区生态环境的恶化。本文从围湖造田、湖区传统耕作制度、乡镇企业发展及农民环境意识淡薄等方面分析了它们对湖区生态环境的影响，并提出几点治理意见。     

关于农业污染信访举报案件的综合处理思考

揭示了农业污染纠纷的内涵，提出了处理农业污染纠纷的5个“支撑点”：认真接访，搜集证据；运用农业技术理性界定；运用监测数据科学鉴证；运用因果关系逻辑推定；强化环境管理，疏通综合处理渠道等。     

农业可持续发展的新模式：资源循环型农业

阐述了资源循环型农业的基本概念及其特征,根据循环经济的相关理论和国内外农业发展的实际情况,指出中国农业应在生态农业的基础上,朝着资源循环型农业的目标发展。