Analysis on Dynamic Characteristics of Landscape Patterns in Hailer and around Areas
This paper analyzed the spatial-temporal dynamic changes of landscape patterns in Hailer and around areas. Firstly, landscape patterns types of research area were divided into water, sand, farmland, city and grassland based on remote sensing images of 1986, 1991, 1996 and 2001 and field investigation. Then the grassland was classified into higher coverage grassland, high coverage grassland, medium coverage grassland and low coverage grassland by Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. Finally, the spatial-temporal dynamic changes of above-mentioned eight kinds of landscape patterns were analyzed using landscape ecology principle. The results indicated that human activities intensified significant from 1986 to 2001in research area. The area of grassland landscape decreased quickly, and the fragmentation extent intensified. The dominant landscape in research area changed from higher-high coverage grassland to medium-low coverage grassland. The expansion of sand landscape is obvious in periphery of road, city and farmland. The grassland vegetation degenerated seriously. Fragmentation of city landscape lightened, and city landscape patches tended to decrease and centralized. Economy development pattern of research area is in a stage that is transforming from extensive pattern to intensive urbanization pattern.
Agent-based design research to explore the effectiveness of bottom-up organizational design in shaping sustainable vernacular landscapes: A case in Hailar, China
Abstract Most vernacular landscapes today are under inevitable transformations. To manage these transforming landscapes, previous research has highlighted “bottom-up planning” that integrates local knowledge and willingness into decision-making, and “organizational design” that manipulates the self-organizing process based on local actions. However, indeterminacy exists in the effectiveness of bottom-up organizational design in shaping sustainability at the landscape scale. Addressing this, this paper aims to explore (1) whether bottom-up organizational designs can result in durable and robust improvements in the overall landscape performance, and (2) whether prioritizing local-level willingness or upper-level goals in bottom-up organizational designs can bring about better performance. A case study was carried out in the Hailar District of Hulunbuir (China), a vernacular landscape with significant complexity. The study method involves integrating agent-based modeling and a design research process in three iterative phases: intelligence, design, and choice. In the “intelligence” phase, local knowledge and preferences in land-use activities were identified through interviews and discussions. In the “design” phase, bottom-up processes were designed, scenarios combining different goals were developed, and an agent-based model was constructed. In the “choice” phase, the scenarios were simulated, evaluated with multiple indices, and compared at different time-scales. The results show that bottom-up organizational design based on local knowledge is effective in shaping sustainable transformations of vernacular landscapes; local willingness taking precedence over the government’s goals could result in better overall benefits through appropriate design. Suggestions were made for policy-making to cherish local traditions, recognize informal adaptations, and prioritize local interests.
D'une application pratique des indices bio-météorologiques
Abstract The purpose of the author is to determine statistically in what part of Switzerland maize could be cultivated with certain chance of rentability. The author gives first the method he used for determining the biometeorological index of four species of maize which were selected by the Swiss agronomical research stations. He has considered two possibilities for the growing period: ( a ) raising-ripening (l'approche globale); ( b ) raising-flowering, flowering-ripening (l'approche fractionee). From the biometeorological index, he calculated retrospectively the ripening time of these four species in the years 1901–1965. Assuming a priori that maize should be harvested before October 15th at the latest, he calculated, for a number of meteorological stations, the relative number of years when such conditions were fulfilled. Dividing the country in regions of similar mesoclimates and sorting these stations per region, it is possible to average the maximum altitude where maize can ripen at least 7, 8, 9 and 10 times within 10 years. Finally, taking into account the exposure and ground slope, he draws maps of the theoretically possible extension area, which maps are more reliable and detailed than the ones derived from actual means.