Fine-resolution mapping of wildfire fuel types for Canada: Fuzzy logic modeling for an Alberta pilot area

The Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (CFFDRS) is used daily across Canada for evaluating forest fire danger. Fuel-type information is one of the inputs required by the models used in the CFFDRS. In this project, three fuel-type maps with a 25 m resolution were produced for a pilot study area located in Alberta using land cover only; land cover and biomass; and, land cover, biomass and leaf area index data derived from satellite imagery. The relationships between inputs and fuel types were determined mainly by the opinions of forest fire scientists and incorporated into a computer program using fuzzy set methodology. Not all the CFFDRS fuel types could be distinguished using these inputs; three of the coniferous types had to be grouped into one common fuel type. Overall accuracy was between 74 and 83% based on ground-truth comparisons. The most accurate map resulted from land cover and biomass data. Detailed accuracy assessment indicated that the overall accuracy increased up to 86% if ambiguous fuel type identification was considered. No combination of inputs was able to define a fuel type with absolute certainty, which is a reflection of differing expert opinions and the small number of inputs used to produce the maps.     

Indigenous Systems of Forest Classification: Understanding Land Use Patterns and the Role of NTFPs in Shifting Cultivators’ Subsistence Economies

This article discusses the system of classification of forest types used by the Pwo Karen in Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary in western Thailand and the role of nontimber forest products (NTFPs), focusing on wild food plants, in Karen livelihoods. The article argues that the Pwo Karen have two methods of forest classification, closely related to their swidden farming practices. The first is used for forest land that has been, or can be, swiddened, and classifies forest types according to growth conditions. The second system is used for land that is not suitable for cultivation and looks at soil properties and slope. The article estimates the relative importance of each forest type in what concerns the collection of wild food plants. A total of 134 wild food plant species were recorded in December 2004. They account for some 80–90% of the amount of edible plants consumed by the Pwo Karen, and have a base value of Baht 11,505 per year, comparable to the cash incomes of many households. The article argues that the Pwo Karen reliance on NTFPs has influenced their land-use and forest management practices. However, by restricting the length of the fallow period, the Thai government has caused ecological changes that are challenging the ability of the Karen to remain subsistence oriented. By ignoring shifting cultivators’ dependence on such products, the involvement of governments in forest management, especially through restrictions imposed on swidden farming practices, is likely to have a considerable impact on the livelihood strategies of these communities.     

河流型饮用水水源保护区划分比较

比较分析了国内外河流型水源保护区划分的原则、方法和标准,例证了我国不同省份的划分实践。指出,我国各省多采用经验值划分水源保护区范围,部分省份划分方案久未更新,没有充分发挥保护区的作用。提出,应进一步细化水源保护区划分规范指导要求,及时修订省级水源保护区划分方案,并借鉴国外水源保护区划分经验,通过调整水质标准、重视公众参与、利用地理信息系统等方式划分水源保护区,从源头上预防水源污染,降低饮用水公共风险,保障饮用水安全。     

上甸子区域本底站大气痕量活性气体的变化规律

利用TE公司C系列气体监测仪,于2005年1月1日-12月31日,在北京上甸子区域大气本底站连续观测SO2,CO,NO-NO2-NOx和O3的浓度.分析了晴天、雨天、霾天和沙尘天气条件下,不同气体的变化特征及影响因素.结果表明:(1)痕量活性气体在不同天气条件下具有不同的浓度及日变化特征,晴天和雨天日变化最小,而霾天日变化最大;(2)风向和风速是影响上甸子气体浓度变化的重要因素,同时,夏季降水对SO2和NOx的去除作用较为明显;(3)上甸子O3白天最大值与夜间最小值的比值低于4,远低于城区,不利于光化学污染的形成.     

江西灾害性强雷电天气的雷达回波特征

使用常规地面报表A0资料、多普勒天气雷达资料,以及雷电数据和卫星云图等资料,进行了雷电和雷暴日的分布特征统计分析,重点对灾害性强雷电天气的雷达回波特征进行个例分析,以了解雷电和雷暴天气的活动规律和强雷电的雷达回波特征,提高预警预报的能力.结果表明:(1)雷电和雷暴天气具有明显的季节变化与日变化特征,每年2-5月集中在8-20时,6-9月集中在11-20时;(2)强雷电天气在雷达回波上表现为南北走向的回波带结构,当回波强度≥50dBZ、回波出现不断合并现象、强回波水平尺度较大、具有"指状"或"弓状"回波结构,以及出现陡直"零值线"和VIL超过50 kg/m2时,最易发生强雷电天气;(3)有时局部强单体凭着自身的发展,当强度≥50dBZ和VIL超过50 kg/m2时,也有可能出现局地强雷电天气.     

Transformations of particles, metal elements and natural organic matter in different water treatment processes

Characterizing natural organic matter （NOM）, particles and elements in different water treatment processes can give a useful information to optimize water treatment operations. In this article, transformations of particles, metal elements and NOM in a pilot-scale water treatment plant were investigated by laser light granularity system, particle counter, glass-fiber membrane filtration, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy, ultra filtration and resin absorbents fractionation. The results showed that particles, NOM and trihalomethane formation precursors were removed synergistically by sequential treatment of different processes. Preozonation markedly changed the polarity and molecular weight of NOM, and it could be conducive to the following coagulation process through destabilizing particles and colloids; mid-ozonation enhanced the subsequent granular activated carbon （GAC） filtration process by decreasing molecular weight of organic matters. Coagulation-flotation and GAC were more efficient in removing fixed suspended solids and larger particles; while sand-filtration was more efficient in removing volatile suspended solids and smaller particles. Flotation performed better than sedimentation in terms of particle and NOM removal. The type of coagulant could greatly affect the performance of coagulation-flotation. Pre-hydrolyzed composite coagulant （HPAC） was superior to FeCl3 concerning the removals of hydrophobic dissolved organic carbon and volatile suspended solids. The leakages of flocs from sand-filtration and microorganisms from GAC should be mitigated to ensure the reliability of the whole treatment system.     

Characterizing ionic species in PM2:5 and PM10 in four Pearl River Delta cities, South China

PM_(2.5)and PM_(10)samples were collected at four major cities in the Pearl River Delta(PRD),South China,during winter and summer in 2002.Six water-soluble ions,Na~ ,NH_4~ ,K~ ,Cl~-,NO_3~- and SO_4~(2-)were measured using ion chromatography.On average,ionic species accounted for 53.3% and 40.5% for PM_(2.5)and PM_(10),respectively in winter and 39.4% and 35.2%,respectively in summer. Secondary ions such as sulfate,nitrate and ammonium accounted for the major part of the total ionic species.Sulfate was the most abundant species followed by nitrate.Overall,a regional pollution tendency was shown that there were higher concentrations of sulfate, nitrate and ammonium in Guangzhou City than those in the other PRD cities.Significant seasonal variations were also observed with higher levels of species in winter but lower in summer.The Asian monsoon system was favorable for removal and diffusion of air pollutants in PRD in summer while highly loading of local industrial emissions tended to deteriorate the air quality as well.NO_3~-/SO_4~(2-) ratio indicated that mobile sources have considerably contribution to the urban aerosol,and stationary sources should not be neglected. Besides the primary emissions,complex atmospheric reactions under favorable weather conditions should be paid more attention for the control of primary emission in the PRD region.     

南方冰冻雨雪灾害年的环流及气象要素异常的统计分析

利用NCEP/NCAR的2.5°×2.5°格点的逐日再分析资料,通过分析我国南方19个冰冻雨雪灾害年的36个冰冻雨雪天气个例的环流形势,总结了发生冰冻雨雪天气的4种天气类型:北脊南槽型、乌山脊型、横槽南支型和高纬低涡型,后两种天气类型持续时间长、影响范围广,极易造成南方严重的持续冰冻雨雪灾害;进一步分析南方持续冰雪天气的物理量场和要素场特征,结果表明,对流层低层850~700 hPa辐合中心较垂直上升速度中心提前1~2 d出现,预示低温雨雪增强;冻雨严重年份在700 hPa维持大于0℃的融化层,南支槽前的西南急流为雨雪天气提供了水汽和热量输送,这种配置利于冻雨天气的发展和维持。天气类型的建立及气象要素的统计有利于为南方冰雪灾害天气预测预警服务。     

气候移民的概念与类型探析

气候变化问题、气候变化及其不利影响所导致的现实或潜在的大量气候移民已成为21世纪人类社会面临的严峻挑战,是现阶段人类社会普遍关注的核心问题之一。通过对社会发展进程中各种主客观因素叠加作用导致的渐变缓发性气候风险、极端突变灾害性气候风险等诸种气候变化现象所导致的气候移民问题的剖析,结合已有的研究文献对历史、现实条件下气候变化导致的气候移民产生的机理与逻辑展开分析,以把握其演变发展趋势。从而对气候移民进行概念上的辨析、梳理和界定,以揭示气候移民的实体内涵、本质特点与根本属性;并依据移民的迁移意愿、迁移时限长短、迁移的空间区域和距离远近、导致气候移民的不同致因对其进行类型上的划分与归类,以期加深我们对气候移民问题的深入理解与认知,更好把握气候移民问题产生的本质与演变发展规律。从而为有效破解各种气候变化现象导致的气候移民难题,化解气候移民面临的各种社会风险,促进社会的良性运行与协调发展做出初步探索。     

江苏苏中3市的沿江岸线资源开发利用变化及驱动因素

长江是我国重要的黄金水道,其岸线资源有着丰富的开发利用价值。近年来,苏中地区长江岸线资源利用发展迅速。因此,选取苏中扬州、泰州、南通3市为研究对象,基于2002年和2008年的长江岸线利用状况数据,对比分析了3市岸线发展变化的规律。研究表明:2002年以来,苏中3市的岸线利用率大幅提高;新增岸线中工业岸线占比最大,港口岸线和生活服务岸线次之;工业岸线和生活服务岸线的增幅最为显著;各类型岸线的增加主要来源于未利用岸线,已有岸线类型的转换主要流向工业岸线和未利用岸线。港口建设需求、沿江基础工业化进程加快、港产城融合发展、规划和政策引导等是岸线利用变化的重要驱动力。