scholarly journals Spatial Heterogeneous of Ecological Vulnerability in Arid and Semi-Arid Area: A Case of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 4401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong Li ◽  
Rui Han ◽  
Qianru Yu ◽  
Shuang Qi ◽  
Luo Guo
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Spatial Heterogeneity ◽  
Arid Area ◽  
Cold Spot ◽  
Arid Areas ◽  
Autonomous Region ◽  
The North ◽  
Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region ◽  
Ecological Vulnerability ◽  
Semi Arid

Ecological vulnerability, as an important evaluation method reflecting regional ecological status and the degree of stability, is the key content in global change and sustainable development. Most studies mainly focus on changes of ecological vulnerability concerning the temporal trend, but rarely take arid and semi-arid areas into consideration to explore the spatial heterogeneity of the ecological vulnerability index (EVI) there. In this study, we selected the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region on the Loess Plateau of China, a typical arid and semi-arid area, as a case to investigate the spatial heterogeneity of the EVI every five years, from 1990 to 2015. Based on remote sensing data, meteorological data, and economic statistical data, this study first evaluated the temporal‒spatial change of ecological vulnerability in the study area by Geo-information Tupu. Further, we explored the spatial heterogeneity of the ecological vulnerability using Getis-Ord Gi*. Results show that: (1) the regions with high ecological vulnerability are mainly concentrated in the north of the study area, which has high levels of economic growth, while the regions with low ecological vulnerability are mainly distributed in the relatively poor regions in the south of the study area. (2) From 1990 to 2015, ecological vulnerability showed an increasing trend in the study area. Additionally, there is significant transformation between different grades of the EVI, where the area of transformation between a slight vulnerability level and a light vulnerability level accounts for 41.56% of the transformation area. (3) Hot-spot areas of the EVI are mainly concentrated in the north of the study area, and cold-spot areas are mainly concentrated in the center and south of the study area. Spatial heterogeneity of ecological vulnerability is significant in the central and southern areas but insignificant in the north of the study area. (4) The grassland area is the main driving factor of the change in ecological vulnerability, which is also affected by both arid and semi-arid climates and ecological projects. This study can provide theoretical references for sustainable development to present feasible suggestions on protection measures and management modes in arid and semi-arid areas.

scholarly journals The problems of overexploitation of aquifers in semi-arid areas: the Murcia Region and the Segura Basin (South-east Spain) case

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 5729-5756 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Rodríguez-Estrella
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Arid Areas ◽  
Karstic Aquifer ◽  
Autonomous Region ◽  
Groundwater Reserves ◽  
One Year ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Overexploited Aquifer ◽  
Poor Management

Abstract. A general analysis of the problems arising from aquifer exploitation in semi-arid areas such as the Autonomous Region of Murcia, which belongs to the Segura Basin is presented, with particular reference to the Ascoy-Sopalmo aquifer, which is the most overexploited aquifer in Spain. It has suffered intense overabstraction over the last forty years, given renewable water resources of 2 Mm3 yr−1 and abstractions amounting to as much as 55 Mm3 yr−1. This has resulted in the drying of springs, continuous drawdown of water levels (5 m yr−1); piezometric drops (over 30 m in one year, as a consequence of it being a karstic aquifer); increase in pumping costs (elevating water from more than 320 m depth); abandoning of wells (45 reduced to 20), diminishing groundwater reserves, and deteriorating water quality (progressing from a mixed sodium bicarbonate-chloride facies to a sodium chloride one). This is a prime example of poor management with disastrous consequences. In this sense, a series of internal measures is proposed to alleviate the overexploitation of this aquifer and of the Segura Basin, with the aim of contributing to a sustainable future.

Evapotranspiration Retrieval in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas

2011 ◽  
Vol 356-360 ◽  
pp. 2307-2311
Author(s):  
Qin Li ◽  
Xi Chen ◽  
An Ming Bao
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Land Surface Temperature ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Arid Area ◽  
Arid Areas ◽  
Evaporative Fraction ◽  
Crop Land ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Tian Shan

A typical arid area in China is the province of Xinjiang. The objective of this paper is to present a description of a method based on the energy balance and evaporative fraction, which is obtained by broadband albedo and land surface temperature, to estimate evapotranspiration (ET) in Arid Areas. In Arid areas, the ET always fluctuates from 0 to 2mm in the most part of region in 2005, especially the Tarim, Junggar and Turpan basins. In the mountain especially Tian-shan mountain and crop land of oasis, ET values rises 6mm.

scholarly journals A Journey to the North-West in Search of Rock Art. Part 2. A Ningxia Sequel

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 147-158
Author(s):  
Andrey V. Varenov ◽  
Maria A. Kudinova
Keyword(s):  
Rock Art ◽  
Art Museum ◽  
Museum Collections ◽  
Autonomous Region ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region

A report on the scientific journey to the Ningxia-Hui Autonomous Region of the PRC in July 2019 is presented. During the journey the authors consulted Chinese rock art specialists, visited the Historical Museum of the Ningxia Province, Museum of Western Xia (Xi Xia), Helankou Rock Art Museum and the Helankou and Damaidi rock art sites in Helan and Zhongwei counties of the Ningxia-Hui Autonomous Region. Brief descriptions of the rock art sites and museum collections are given.

scholarly journals Leptospira Seropositivity in Humans, Livestock and Wild Animals in a Semi-Arid Area of Tanzania

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 696
Author(s):  
Georgies F. Mgode ◽  
Ginethon G. Mhamphi ◽  
Apia W. Massawe ◽  
Robert S. Machang’u
Keyword(s):  
Public Awareness ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Arid Area ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Arid Areas ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Leptospira Serovars ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Semi Arid

Background: Leptospirosis is among the major neglected zoonoses in developing countries. The prevalence of leptospirosis remains underestimated in many African countries because of limited diagnostic facilities. We studied Leptospira seropositivity prevalence in humans, sheep, goats and rodents in a semi-arid region of central Tanzania and compared findings with reports from humid tropical areas. The aims were to establish the disease burden in different settings; understand circulating Leptospira serovars and potential major reservoirs for establishing appropriate control measures. Methods: Humans, sheep, goats, rodents and shrews (insectivores) were sampled from Bahi district, a semi-arid area in central Tanzania. Samples were tested for leptospiral antibodies using microscopic agglutination test (MAT) consisting of Leptospira serovars mainly reported in Tanzania and reference strains. Findings were compared with previous data to determine the disease epidemiological patterns. Results and conclusion: Semi-arid area showed high Leptospira seropositivity prevalence in humans and domestic animals due to intensive human–animal interactions at scarce water points and by flash flooding which occur in the area. Rodent population in the semi-arid areas was relatively low due to flooding. Leptospira seropositivity in rodents was also slightly lower, and the rodents appeared to be prolific breeders, probably as a means to compensate for the lost population during extreme drought as well as during short spells of floods. Intensive human–animal interaction in the semi-arid areas especially, in water sources in valleys where human and animals often meet, likely increased the risk of leptospirosis transmission to rice farmers in the area. Goats and sheep which are kept around homesteads had higher leptospiral antibodies prevalence (62%), nearly double of the 38% reported in same species in humid tropical regions of Tanzania. Livestock, especially goats and sheep, could be the major source of leptospirosis transmission to humans. Vaccination of livestock with vaccines against local Leptospira strains should be encouraged, and rodent control emphasized, as part of a management strategy against leptospirosis. Public awareness of leptospirosis must also be raised and supported by availability of rapid test kits in clinics for preliminary testing of leptospirosis in people with fevers of unknown origin.

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