Land degradation, government subsidy, and smallholders' conservation decision: the case of the loess plateau in China

Land degradation is one of the severe environmental problems in China. In order to combat land degradation, a soil conservation program was introduced since 2000 to reduce soil erosion by converting slope-cultivated land into forestry and pasture. This paper represents the first systematic attempt to investigate the impact of the soil conservation program on land degradation in the loess plateau. The results indicate that the soil conservation program to convert slope fields into forest or pasture is an effective way to combat soil erosion. However, a subsidy that is higher than profit of land use activity of slope fields before their conversion into forest and pasture is needed to encourage farmers to join the conservation program. A policy measure to encourage and assist farmers to develop sedentary livestock by using crops produced from fields as well as fodder and forage grass from the converted slope fields might contribute to combat soil erosion. Increase in off-farm job opportunities may encourage     

Adoption of Soil Health Improvement Strategies by Australian Farmers: I. Attitudes,Management and Extension Implications

Abstract

Purpose: There is inconsistency in the design, understanding, implementation and monitoring of soil health programmes. Despite mounting scientific evidence for the credibility of certain soil health indicators, an increase in the reporting of programme benefits, and progress in communicating these benefits, many farmers remain hesitant to implement structured management plans and strategies tailored to address soil health. The purpose of this research is to investigate the proportion of Lachlan and Macquarie Valley landholders who implement a structured soil health programme and to better understand the role of extension in the management of these.

Design: Non-parametric analysis of a mail-based survey supported with content analysis of landholder comments was used.

Findings: Results suggests that the overall landholder attitude towards soil health management is positive, although soil health management programmes are often inconsistent, unstructured, or ad hoc. Ongoing communication between landholders, agronomists, extension agencies and scientists is shown to be vital in the adoption of soil health management programmes.

Practical implication: By understanding landholder attitudes and management practices, as well as the role of extension, extension efforts can become more targeted and effective.

Value: This article shows that soil health management is a primary focus of Australian farmers and elucidates the importance of extension efforts in management and planning. Areas where extension should be focussed are identified.     

对高职“建筑力学”课程教学的几点思考

根据高职"建筑力学"课程的特点,针对目前该课程教学普遍存在教学内容多、课时紧、实践课安排欠合理等问题,提出了教学上应以"必须、够用"来规范教学内容,以"应用"为目的;合理安排大纲中的实践课以及采用传统教学手段与多媒体教学手段相结合的方式。同时作为教师应研究学情,努力调动学生的学习兴趣。     

Visualization and its role in students’ assessment of scientific explanations

It is argued that an important first stage in students’ assessment of scientific explanations is that of visualization. A test of visualization is developed and the results for students in their first year of university education are presented. Certain characteristics of defective visualization and the circumstances in which blocks to satisfactory explanation assessment are created emerge rather clearly.

     

Can more become less? Effects of an intensive assessment environment on students’ learning performance

Online interactive systems offer the beguiling prospect of an improved environment for learning at minimum extra cost. We have developed online interactive tutorials that adapt the learning environment to the current learning status of each individual student. These Adaptive Tutorials (ATs) modify the tasks given to each student according to their previous responses. Feedback, assessment and remediation are also adapted. Over a three-year period we progressively blended ATs into notoriously challenging courses in introductory Engineering Mechanics. We assessed the impact of this initiative by reviewing three lines of data: (i) the built-in diagnostics of the system, (ii) changes in student grades from year-to-year and (iii) supplementary surveys. Generally, students liked the new blended system and grades improved. Detailed analysis revealed nuances in the measures of student learning, such as differences between high-performing and low-performing students. With these insights we are able to further adapt the system to meet the learning needs of our students.     

蚯蚓对温室土壤中不同微生物类群数量的影响

为了揭示蚯蚓活动对温室土壤中不同微生物类群数量的影响,对接种蚯蚓的温室土壤和露地土壤中微生物的数量进行了初步研究.结果表明:接种蚯蚓显著提高了温室土壤中不同微生物类群的数量.与未接种蚯蚓的处理比较,12月时,温室土壤中细菌增加了24.53%,放线菌增加了39.46%,真菌增加了29.71%,总量增加了25.81%;露地土壤中细菌增加了18.18%,放线菌增加了29.45%,真菌增加了16.24%,总量增加了21.14%.4月时,温室土壤中细菌增加了42.71%,放线菌增加了39.08%,真菌增加了36.92%,总量增加了42.53%;露地土壤中细菌增加了33.69%,放线菌增加了22.29%,真菌增加了20.71%,总量增加了32.73%.接种蚯蚓的温室土壤中不同微生物类群数量的增幅均高于接种蚯蚓的露地土壤.其中4月时接种蚯蚓后的温室土壤的细菌增加量高于其他处理.     

浅谈降低接地装置接地电阻的几种措施

根据通信电力网中接地引起的电网事故,就降低接地装置的接地电阻进行了探讨,并提出了建设性意见.     

土钉墙支护结构的工程实例

土钉墙支护结构是我国目前最常采用的支护形式。土钉墙具有技术性可靠、施工简单和造价低等优点,在深基坑支护工程中被广泛应用。在此,结合工程实例,介绍土钉墙支护施工技术。     

精品中文科技期刊发展之路——以《岩石力学与工程学报》为例

【目的】回顾创办精品科技期刊的发展历程,分享和展望中文科技期刊的精品之路。【方法】 统计和分析《岩石力学与工程学报》历年特别是近10年发表较高水平的文章数与被引用情况、论文构成、发表论文Top 30单位与高被引论文前92名作者、办刊特点。【结果】分析表明设立“陈宗基讲座”引领岩土工程学科发展,本刊总被引频次和影响因子等各项指标提升明显。在此基础上进一步深化并拓展中文精品科技期刊的办刊思路。【结论】创精品科技期刊应该花大力气组约高水平稿件、注重严把审稿质量关、培养一流编辑将才和细化服务功能。     

土壤NH_4~+吸附特性的研究

研究结果表明,在NH4+加入量较低时,随着NH4+加入量的增加,土壤对NH4+的吸附量呈线性增加,但NH4+的吸附率呈下降趋势;三种土壤对NH4+吸附量大小顺序为们土＞黄褐土＞水稻土．