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.
GIS Based Spatialization of Population Census Data in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
In the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, correlation ratios between p opulation density and percentages of arable land and city and town us ed land at county level reach 0.90 and 0.85 respectively. In Qinghai p rovince, there exists a logarithmic correlation of ratio =-0.86 between population density and average territorial elevation at county level. There is a correlation of ratio = 0.82 between population density and main highway density at county level. Correlation ratios between populatio n density and densities of city and town residential areas, township reside ntial areas and village residential areas reach 0.82, 0.87 and 0.92 resp ectively. Density of residential areas drops along with increasing of distance to rivers. Therefore, territorial elevation, land use, road and r iver system are the main factors affecting distribution of population in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Residential areas are an important indica tor to distribution of population. Weight values of affecting factors are assigned objectively and multiple sources data fusion technology is applied to spatialize population census data. There is a correlation of ratio 0.80 between the population density generated by data fusion and actual population at county level, and ratio 0.75 at township level. The finally generated grid population density not only keeps consistence with statis tical population data at county level but also reflects changes of population d istribution inside each county.