Journal of Environmental Sciences - Volume 15, issue 2

Authors: Xiao, Du-ning | Fu, Bo-jie | Nakagoshi, Nobukazu | Li, Xiu-zhen | Chen, Li-ding

Article Type: Other

Keywords:

Citation: Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 145-145, 2003

Authors: Xiao, Du-ning | Wang, Xian-li | Li, Xiu-zhen | Pei, Tie-fan | Zhao, Yi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The function of estuary wetland on hydrological adjustment and flooding control is studied in this paper. It is estimated that the evapotranspiration in the reed field during growth season(June to October) is 722.9 mm, which is 37.5% higher than large water body (E601: 525.9 mm). The water replacement rate in the reed field can reach 95% only when the rains continuously for 11 days and the precipitation reached 912 mm. For the water balance in the paddy field, the total water requirement ranges between 1920 and 1860 mm, among which, 31% is from precipitation, and the left is provided by …reservoirs. The water usage efficiency is 0.35 at present productivity. Based on the landscape characteristics and functionalities on flooding control, 5 functional zones are designed for the Liaohe Delta: key protected area; underground storage area; flooding discharge area; flood diversion area in emergency; and flood control drainage area. Show more

Keywords: hydrological adjustment, flood control, water replacement, water balance, landscape planning

Citation: Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 146-151, 2003

Authors: Yunus, Ahmad Jailani Muhamed | Nakagoshi, Nobukazu | Salleh, Khairulmaini Osman

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study investigate the relationships between geomorphometric properties and the minimum low flow discharge of undisturbed drainage basins in the Taman Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam Forest Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia. The drainage basins selected were third-order basins so as to facilitate a common base for sampling and performing an unbiased statistical analyses. Three levels of relationships were observed in the study. Significant relationships existed between the geomorphometric properties as shown by the correlation network analysis; secondly, individual geomorphometric properties were observed to influence minimum flow discharge; and finally, the multiple regression model set up showed that minimum flow discharge (Q min) …was dependent of basin area (AU), stream length (LS), maximum relief (H max), average relief (HAV) and stream frequency (SF). These findings further enforced other studies of this nature that drainage basins were dynamic and functional entities whose operations were governed by complex interrelationships occurring within the basins. Changes to any of the geomorphometric properties would influence their role as basin regulators thus influencing a change in basin response. In the case of the basin's minimum low flow, a change in any of the properties considered in the regression model influenced the "time to peak" of flow. A shorter time period would mean higher discharge, which is generally considered the prerequisite to flooding. This research also conclude that the role of geomorphometric properties to control the water supply within the stream through out the year even though during the drought and less precipitations months. Drainage basins are sensitive entities and any deteriorations involve will generate reciprocals and response to the water supply as well as the habitat within the areas. Show more

Keywords: geomorphometric, minimum low flow discharge, regression model, third-order drainage basins

Citation: Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 149-262, 2003

Authors: Zonneveld, Isaak

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study includes some aspects of the shift in the Dutch attitude in relation to water during the past millennia from defense to attack to keeping the balance ("co-evolution"). It has a special focus on the freshwater tidal part, which embraces the largest seaport of the world: Rotterdam, as well as the largest national park of the Netherlands. It reports especially about a young mans endeavor in half a century real time monitoring of some land(scape) units with simple means.

Keywords: landscape, Dutch Estuary, low budget method, landscape monitoring

Citation: Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 152-154, 2003

Authors: Guan, Dong-sheng | Chen, Yu-juan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The plant biomass and net primary production (NPP) of urban vegetation in Guangzhou were estimated by dimension analysis, tree truck volume, and harvest methods as well as relationship between biomass and NPP and so on. The biomass and NPP were respectively 2875150t and 1058122 t/a. They were respectively 392495t and 64948 t/a in the built-up area and 2482655t and 993147 t/a in the unbuilt-up area. It would make plant biomass, especially NPP decline obviously, if the unbuilt-up area were changed to the built-up area. The carbon content of plant was 1328649 for the total and 13.78 t/hm2 for the mean, …and amounts of carbon fixed and oxygen made by urban vegetation were respectively 4.80 t/(hm2·a) and 12.79 t/(hm2·a) for the mean and 462624 t/a and 1232430 t/a for the total, which were equal to 1.45 times and 1.04 times of those by human breathing. However, they were only equal to 7.61% and 4.97% of amount of carbon released and oxygen consumption in urban Guangzhou. The biomass and NPP of urban vegetation in Guangzhou only corresponded to 7.8% and 47.3% of those of southern subtropical evergreen broad-leaf forest in Dinghu Mountain. Therefore, the roles of Guangzhou urban vegetation in balance of carbon and oxygen would be increased greatly if it could be conserved and improved in some way. Show more

Keywords: urban vegetation, carbon, oxygen, balance, Guangzhou

Citation: Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 155-159, 2003

Authors: Nakagoshi, Nobukazu | Inoue, Masahito

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The objective of this study was to elucidate characteristics associated with rivers by classification of major rivers in Japan into several types based on riparian conditions. As the results of principal component analysis (PCA) with use of parameters reflecting forms and artificial alterations of respective rivers, four major components such as "comprehensive riparian size", "intactness of water front", "continuity of streams" and "simplicity of landform in river basin" were extracted. Subsequently, cluster analysis was performed based on principal component scores, leading to successful classification of major rivers into 6 types. These findings disclosed that (1) the extracted principal components provide …effective viewpoint for classification of rivers; (2) distribution of respective classes indicates area properties; and (3) the employed quantitative procedures were found effective for classification of major rivers. Show more

Keywords: river system, landscape ecological aspect, Japan

Citation: Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 160-166, 2003

Authors: Fu, Bo-jie | Liu, Shi-liang | Lu, Yi-he | Chen, Li-ding | Ma, Ke-ming | Liu, Guo-hua

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Soil quality is one of the most important environmental factors in sustaining the global biosphere and developing sustainable agricultural practices. A study was initiated in Wolong Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, China to elucidate the soil quality changes of natural secondary succession, forest planting and agricultural practices after deforestation in the humid mountainous region. The soil qualities of six land use types (natural forestland, grassland, shrub land, secondary forestland, cultivated land and reforested land) were compared using two quantitative methods: the integrated soil quality index (QI) and soil deterioration index (DI). The QI values of natural forestland, grassland, shrub land, secondary …forestland, cultivated land, reforested land were 0.8039, 0.3277, 0.9127, 0.6881, 0.0285 and 0.3183, respectively. The DI values were 0%, −14%, 12%, 1%, −26% and −18% respectively. Both indexes suggested that shrub land can restore soil properties. To compare the two methods more directly, a deduced index QI' based on QI value was developed. The results showed that DI and QI' had a very high linear correlation coefficient (r=0.9775) despite the values were different. Both methods were efficient in evaluating the soil quality levels and DI was a more simple way in soil quality assessment, while QI could show more ecological meanings. Show more

Keywords: land use, deforestation, soil quality, quantitative methods, comprehensive evaluation, Wolong

Citation: Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 167-172, 2003

Authors: Jongman, Rob H.G.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The paper gives an overview of approaches towards ecological networks throughout Europe. It does not intend to present a complete picture, but to highlight common developments within countries and regions and show common principles and differences between countries and regions that have to be taken into account when developing a joint European initiative. Countries or regions that have not been included can be active in the same way, but information was not accessible to the authors for different reasons. This overview shows the comparable trends in decline of landscapes and the diversity in approaches to biodiversity conservation and nature conservation …planning. Understanding the differences and common issues are of utmost importance to generalise common principles and to understand the way neighbours and other European partners approach problems. Show more

Keywords: ecological networks, greenways, biodiversity, land use change, homogenisation fragmentation

Citation: Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 173-181, 2003

Authors: Chang, Yu | Bu, Ren-cang | Hu, Yuan-man | Xu, Chong-gang | Wang, Qing-li

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Boundaries between different forest types in Changbai Mountain Eastern China are results from complex interactions between forest ecosystems, topography, and geomorphology. Detecting and quantifying the transitional zones are highly important since high environmental heterogeneity and biodiversity are often found within these zones. In this study, we used GIS and multivariate statistics techniques (PCA and MSWA) to analyze data from Landsat TM satellite imageries and quantitatively determined the positions and widths of the landscape boundary between mountain birch and evergreen coniferous forests in the northern slope of Changbai Mountain. The results showed that the widths of the landscape boundary ranges from …30–50 m while using the MSWA or/and PC method. Such detected widths are consistent with field transect data that suggests a 50 m transitional zone width. The results further suggest that TM data can be used in combination with GIS and statistical techniques in determining forest landscape boundaries; MSWA is more reliable than PCA, while PCA can also be used to determine the landscape boundary when transects are properly located. Show more

Keywords: Changbai Mountain, forest landscape boundary, PCA & MSWA

Citation: Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 182-186, 2003

Authors: Brandt, Jesper

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: New methods in landscape ecology to study the link between landscape heterogeneity and landscape functionality are needed. Heterogeneity is a basic characteristic of landscape, and landscape function is the capacity to change the structural heterogeneity of a landscape system. In most developed countries the industrialisation of agriculture has in general resulted in a change of agricultural landscapes from a small-grained heterogeneous pattern towards more monotonous and monofunctional landscapes. During the 1990's this trends seems to have changed due to a diversification of rural land use and new trends in urbanisation. Weather these phases of landscape development should be expected in …developing countries is a totally open question. Dealing with the study of multifunctionality of landscapes it is proposed to distinguish between ecological functionality of landscape ecosystems, functionality pertaining to land use and social functionality. Further, the relation between function, space and scale is important by the determination of spatial and time segregation as well as spatial and time integration of multifunctionality in landscapes. Show more

Keywords: landscape heterogeneity, monotonisation, multifunctionality, spatial segregation, time segregation, landscape development

Citation: Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 187-192, 2003