Search Results (22)

Exploring the relationship between economic development and environmental protection holds substantial theoretical value for the sustainable progress of minority regions. This paper initially analyzes the overarching mechanisms governing economic growth and climate change challenges in industrial decarbonization toward carbon neutrality. Subsequently, it conducts an empirical analysis utilizing historical economic and environmental data from five provinces to investigate the trajectory of economic development and shifts in environmental quality. The objective of this paper is to flatten the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) in northwest minority areas, ensuring the continuous enhancement of environmental quality and green transformation in tandem with economic growth, thereby forging a low-pollution pathway for sustainable development. It is observed that an EKC characteristic exists between the economy and the environment in these regions, evolving from discoordination to primary coordination. The environment and economic development in ethnic minority areas of China are progressing slowly, and there is an urgent need for sustainable development reforms. The environment and economic development in ethnic minority areas of China from 2003 to 2022 are progressing slowly, and there is an urgent need for sustainable development reforms. During the economic development process, minimizing environmental pollution should be a fundamental prerequisite, with a focus on industrial ecological advancement, intensifying governmental environmental protection measures, and boosting green technological innovation to strive for a flattening of the EKC and advance a trajectory toward sustainable development. Full article

Background: Vietnam is experiencing a significant “double burden” of malnutrition, characterized by the persistent challenge of undernutrition, particularly stunting in ethnic minority and mountainous regions, alongside a rising prevalence of overweight and obesity. Understanding dual nutritional status and its related factors in adolescents from these vulnerable areas is crucial for effective intervention. Objective: The current study explored the nutritional status of ethnic minority secondary school students in some mountainous provinces in the northwest of Vietnam and identified some related factors. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study over six months (June–December 2023), involving 1847 ethnic minority high school students from Son La and Dien Bien provinces, recruited through convenience sampling in primary healthcare settings. Nutritional status was determined using WHO 2006 Child Growth Standards, specifically height-for-age Z-scores (HAZ) and body mass index (BMI)-for-age Z-scores (BAZ). A 4-point scale assessed nutritional practices, including food consumption frequency and eating habits. Results: This study identified a stunting (HAZ < −2 SD) prevalence of 16.7% and wasting (BAZ < −2 SD) of 5.6%; overweight/obesity (BAZ > +1 SD) prevalence was 8.2%. Key factors related to stunting were being male, having more siblings, poor/near-poor household economic status, low maternal education level, and frequent occurrences of gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases. A higher risk of overweight/obesity was associated with consuming more than three meals daily, nocturnal snacking, frequent intake of fried foods, insufficient consumption of vegetables and fruits, and inadequate daily physical activity. Conclusions: Our study shows a comprehensive picture of malnutrition among children in ethnic minority areas. Essential nutritional intervention programs, projects, and models are a top priority to reduce the disease burden for children’s bright future and to enhance socio-economic development in the mountainous regions of Vietnam. Full article

This paper critically examines the consequences of land grabs for livelihoods and agrarian change, based on a case study of rubber plantations in ethnic minorities in the uplands in Northwest Vietnam. Building upon Scoones’ agrarian political economy of livelihood framework, an integrated conceptual framework of a ‘livelihood pathway’ is developed to analyze the impact of rubber plantation land grabs on livelihoods and the agrarian political economy. Drawing on qualitative analysis and survey data from 205 households across six villages inhabited by Thai, Hmong, and Kho Mu communities, this study finds that rubber plantation land grabs have led to differentiated livelihood strategies—ranging from subsistence farming and wage labor to commercial agriculture—shaped by each group’s socioeconomic status, political connections, and access to resources. Consequently, the land grabbing undertaken by a domestic state-owned enterprise has caused the emergence of a set of distinctive livelihood pathways within a complex web of intersections across class and ethnicity in the upland area. This study concludes by arguing that an integrated conceptual framework of a ‘livelihood pathway’ offers a useful tool for analyzing the long-term socio-political consequences of land grabbing in similar contexts across developing countries and beyond. Full article

This study deals with the reconstruction of the paleoenvironment and the paleoclimate situation of the middle–upper Eocene sediments in the northwest Fayum area. The reconstruction is based on comprehensive stratigraphical and geochemical analyses of major oxides and trace elements for selected sediment samples from the Gehannam Formation (Bartonian–Priabonian), the Birket Qarun and the Qasr El Sagha formations (Priabonian). The sedimentological features coupled with paleo-redox trace elemental ratios (Ni/Co, V/Cr, U/Th, V/(V + Ni), and Cu/Zn), paleosalinity (Sr/Ba, Mg/Al ×100, Ca/Al), and paleowater depth (Fe/Mn) proxies, indicate that deposition took place in a shallow marine agitated environment with high oxygen levels. Paleoclimate indicators (Sr/Cu, Rb/Sr, K₂O₃/Al₂O₃, Ga/Rb, C-value, CIA, and CIW) suggest warm and prevailing arid climatic conditions, with minor humid periods at some intervals. The observed low values of the total organic carbon (TOC) are attributed to significant high sediment influx, predominant oxygenated conditions, and poor primary productivity, which is further confirmed by low values of paleoprimary productivity proxies (P, Ni/Al, Cu/Al, P/Al and P/Ti, and Ba_bio ratios). These findings enhance our understanding of the Eocene environments and provide insights into sedimentation processes during this period. Full article

The newly discovered Erdaodianzi gold deposit in southern Jilin Province, Northeast China, is located in the eastern segment of the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC). It is a large-scale gold deposit with reserves of 38.4 tons of gold. Gold mineralization in the ore district primarily occurs in gold-bearing quartz–sulfide veins. The gold ore occurs mainly as vein, veinlet, crumby, and disseminated structures. The hydrothermal process can be divided into three stages: stage I, characterized by quartz, arsenopyrite, and pyrite; stage II, featuring quartz, arsenopyrite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and native gold; and stage III, consisting of quartz, pyrite, sphalerite, galena, electrum (a naturally occurring Au–Ag alloy), and calcite. Electrum and native gold primarily occur within the fissures of the polymetallic sulfides. To determine the enrichment mechanism of the Au element and the genetic types of ore deposits in the Erdaodianzi deposit, sourcing in situ trace element data, element mapping and sulfur isotope analysis were carried out on sphalerites from different stages using LA-ICP-MS. Minor invisible gold, in the form of Au–Ag alloy inclusions, is present within sphalerites, as revealed by time-resolved depth profiles. The LA-ICP-MS trace element data and mapping results indicate that trivalent or quadrivalent cations, such as Sb³⁺ and Te⁴⁺, exhibit a strong correlation with Au. This correlation can be explained by a coupled substitution mechanism, where these cations (Sb³⁺ and Te⁴⁺) replace zinc ions within the mineral structure, resulting in a strong association with Au. Similarly, the element Pb exhibits a close relationship with Au, which can be attributed to the incorporation of tetravalent cations like Te⁴⁺ into the mineral structure. The positive correlation between Hg and Au can be attributed to the formation of vacancies and defects within sphalerite, caused by the aforementioned coupled substitution mechanism. A slight positive relationship between Au and other divalent cations, including Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Cd²⁺, may result from these cations simply replacing Zn within the sphalerite lattice. The crystallization temperatures of the sphalerite, calculated via the Fe/Zn ratio, range from 238 °C to 320 °C. The δ³⁴S values are divided into two intervals: one ranging from −1.99 to −1.12‰ and the other varying from 10.96 to 11.48‰. The sulfur isotopic analysis revealed that the ore-forming materials originated from magmatic rock, with some incorporation of metamorphic rock. Comparative studies of the Erdaodianzi gold deposit and other gold deposits in the Jiapigou–Haigou gold belt have confirmed that they are all mesothermal magmatic–hydrothermal lode gold deposits formed at the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate during the Middle Jurassic. The Jiapigou–Haigou gold belt extends northwest to the Huadian area of Jilin province. This suggests potential for research on gold mineralization in the northwest of the belt and indicates a new direction for further gold prospecting in the region. Full article

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic created many challenges for health services, particularly during lockdown periods. Asthma is one of the most common childhood conditions, and children with asthma are generally cared for in an outpatient setting. In regional Northwest Tasmania, during the COVID-19 lockdowns, asthma and allergy outpatient clinic services were transferred to a virtual platform in the form of telehealth appointments for routine consultations. This study aims to explore the patient and family perspectives of a telehealth outpatient asthma review service in a regional area. Methods: We utilised a mixed-methods approach, interviewing parents and children who attended the clinic via telehealth and collating routine clinical audit data collected during the same period. Results: Sixty-three patient reviews were audited, with a mean age of 9.79 years. Since their last review, 13% visited their GP, 9% presented to the ED, 6% were hospitalised, and 19% had changes in their treatment plan. Interviews highlighted three main themes: (i) telehealth is a convenient strategy for routine asthma and allergy review appointments, (ii) barriers associated with using telehealth are a minor concern for parents of children with asthma and allergy routine appointments, and (iii) shared decision-making between clinicians and parents of children with asthma and allergy around the type of appointment required is valued. Conclusions: We demonstrated that the benefits of telehealth include implementing treatment changes and facilitating access to care for children living in rural and remote areas. Full article

The carbon sequestration capacity of vegetation is the key to the carbon cycle in terrestrial ecosystems. It is significant to analyze the spatiotemporal variation and influencing factors of vegetation carbon sequestration ability to improve territorial carbon sink and optimize its spatial pattern. However, there is a lack of understanding of the impact of environmental conditions and human activity on the vegetation’s carbon sequestration ability, especially in highly urbanized areas. For example, effective vegetation management methods can enhance vegetation Gross Primary Productivity, while emissions of air pollutants like O₃, CO, NO₂, and PM2.5 can suppress it. This paper mainly explores the factors influencing vegetation carbon sequestration capacity across different regions of Beijing. Based on remote sensing data and site observation data, this paper analyzed the spatiotemporal variation trend of Annual Gross Primary Production (AGPP) and the influence of environmental factors and human activity factors on GPP in Beijing from 2000 to 2020 by using the Theil−Sen’s slope estimator, Mann−Kendall trend test, and comparing Geographically Weighted Regression method (GWR) and Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression method (GTWR). GWR is a localized multiple regression technique used to estimate variable relationships that vary spatially. GTWR extends GWR by adding temporal analysis, enabling a comprehensive examination of spatiotemporal data variations. Besides, we used land use cover data to discuss the influence of land use cover change on AGPP. The results showed that the spatial distribution pattern of GPP in Beijing was higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast, and it showed an overall upward trend from 2000 to 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 14.39 g C·m⁻²·a⁻¹. From 2000 to 2020, excluding the core urban areas, the GPP of 95.8% of Beijing increased, and 10.6% of Beijing showed a trend of significant increase, concentrated in Mentougou, Changping, and Miyun. GPP decreased in 4.1% of the regions in Beijing and decreased significantly in 1.4% of the areas within the sixth ring. The areas where AGPP significantly decreased were concentrated in those where land use types were converted to Residential land (impervious land), while AGPP showed an upward trend in other areas. CO and NO₂ are the main driving forces of GPP change in Beijing. O₃ and land surface temperature (LST) also exert certain influences, while the impact of precipitation (PRE) is relatively minor. O₃ and CO have a positive impact on AGPP as a whole, while LST and NO₂ generally exhibit negative impacts. PRE has a positive impact in the central area of Beijing, while it has a negative impact in the peripheral areas. This study further discusses opinions on future urbanization and environmental management policies in Beijing, which will promote the carbon peak and carbon neutrality process of ecological space management in Beijing. Besides, this study was conducted at the urban scale rather than at ecological sites, encompassing a variety of factors that influence vegetation AGPP. Consequently, the results also offer fresh insights into the intricate nexus between human activities, pollutants, and the GPP of vegetation. Full article

Enhancing the livelihood resilience of livestock farmers in the old revolutionary base areas helps them to cope with the increasingly complex external risk shocks of recent years and promotes the sustainable development of regional agriculture. This study is based on survey data from 1047 livestock farmers in the Ningxia and Gansu provinces of the northwest old revolutionary base area. It incorporates the characteristics of livestock farmers and the elements of psychological capital into the sustainable livelihood analysis framework to construct a livelihood resilience index system. After measuring livelihood resilience, this paper uses a general linear regression model and a probit model to explore the impact and mechanism of digital literacy on the livelihood resilience of livestock farmers. The results show the following: (1) digital literacy has a significant positive effect on the livelihood resilience of livestock farmers, and the impact of different dimensions of digital literacy on different dimensions of livelihood resilience also varies. Additionally, this effect also shows the heterogeneity in different village clustering forms and different income groups. In areas inhabited by ethnic minorities and among moderate-income groups, the role of digital literacy on the livelihood resilience of livestock farmers is more significant. (2) The improvement of digital literacy has a significant positive impact on livelihood resilience through three different pathways: the “differential mode of association”, learning channels, and types of income. (3) Digital literacy has led to the psychological aspects of rural hollowing-out problems among livestock farmers, which is particularly evident in families with only one type of caregiving burden (either only left-behind elderly people or only left-behind children). This problem is more evident. Therefore, this paper poses that the advancement of agricultural and rural economic development in China should not only focus on the cultivation of farmers’ digital literacy but also accelerate the construction of digital infrastructure to ensure the long-term effective mechanism of improving digital literacy. At the same time, in the process of promoting digital rural areas, attention should be paid to the psychological isolation issues that the network era brings to farmers. Full article

Low-maturity shale oil predominates in shale oil resources. China’s onshore shale oil, particularly the Cretaceous Nenjiang Formation in the Songliao Basin, holds significant potential for low-maturity shale oil, presenting promising exploration and development prospects. This study delves into the hydrocarbon generation conditions, reservoir characteristics, and oil-bearing property analysis of the mud shale from the Nen-1 and Nen-2 sub-formations of the Nenjiang Formation to pinpoint favorable intervals for shale oil exploration. Through the integration of lithology, pressure, and fracture distribution data in the study area, favorable zones were delineated. The Nen-1 sub-formation is widely distributed in the Changling Depression, with mud shale thickness ranging from 30 to 100 m and a total organic content exceeding 2.0%. Type I kerogen predominated as the source rock, while some samples contained type II kerogen. Organic microcomponents primarily comprised algal bodies, with vitrinite reflectance (R_o) ranging from 0.5% to 0.8%. Compared to Nen-1 shale, Nen-2 shale exhibited less total organic content, kerogen type, and thermal evolution degree, albeit both are conducive to low-maturity shale oil generation. The Nen-1 and Nen-2 sub-formations predominantly consist of clay, quartz, feldspar, calcite, and pyrite minerals, with minor dolomite, siderite, and anhydrite. Hydrocarbons primarily reside in microfractures and micropores, including interlayer micropores, organic matter micropores, intra-cuticle micropores, and intercrystalline microporosity, with interlayer and intra-cuticle micropores being dominant. The free oil content (S₁) in Nen-1 shale ranged from 0.01 mg/g to 5.04 mg/g (average: 1.13 mg/g), while in Nen-2 shale, it ranged from 0.01 mg/g to 3.28 mg/g (average: 0.75 mg/g). The Nen-1 and Nen-2 sub-formations are identified as potential intervals for shale oil exploration. Considering total organic content, oil saturation, vitrinite reflectance, and shale formation thickness in the study area, the favorable zone for low-maturity shale oil generation is primarily situated in the Heidimiao Sub-Depression and its vicinity. The Nen-2 shale-oil-enriched zone is concentrated in the northwest part of the Heidimiao Sub-Depression, while the Nen-1 shale-oil-enriched zone lies in the northeast part. Full article

Absorbing aerosols can absorb solar radiation, affect the atmospheric radiation balance, and further have a profound influence on the global and regional climates. The absorption aerosol optical depth (AAOD) as well as the absorption Angstrom exponent (AAE) across China over 2005–2018 were systematically studied through the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) dataset. The monthly AAOD samples from the OMI generally showed a good correlation (~0.55) compared to the monthly data from AERONET at four typical sites (North: Xianghe, East: Taihu, South: Hongkong Polytechnic Univ; Northwest: Sacol) across China. The ensemble annual average of the OMI AAOD at 388 and 500 nm is 0.046 and 0.022, with minor changes during 2005–2015, and a relatively fast increase after that. The winter and spring seasons depict the maximum mean AAODs, followed by autumn, whereas summer shows minimum levels. On the contrary, the high AAE values appear in summer and low values in winter. The order of the annual average AAOD₅₀₀ from 2005 to 2018 is the Tarim Basin (TB, 0.041) > the Yellow River Basin (YRB, 0.023) > Beijing and Tianjin (BT, 0.026) > the Sichuan Basin (SB, 0.023) > Nanjing and Shanghai (NS, 0.021) > the Pearl River Delta (PRD, 0.017), whereas the AAE_388–500 exhibits the opposite trend except for the TB (3.058). From 2005 to 2018, the AAOD rises by nearly 1.5–2.0 fold in the six typical regions, implying a severe situation of dust and/or BC aerosol pollution in the last several years. The monthly mean AAOD₃₈₈ over the TB, the SB, the YRB, BT, the PRD, and NS is estimated to be smallest at 0.072, 0.024, 0.026, and 0.027 in July, 0.024 in June, and 0.025 in September, respectively, whilst largest in January for NS, the YRB and BT, April for the TB, February for the SB, and March for the PRD with 0.055, 0.077 and 0.067, 0.123, and 0.073 and 0.075, respectively. The monthly averaged AAOD₅₀₀ in each region is consistently about half of the AAOD₃₈₈. The highest AAE appears in June while the lowest values are in December and January, and the daily AAE values in episode days slightly decrease as compared to non-episode days. Our study indicates that northwestern China plays an important role in the overall AAOD as a result of dust aerosols stemming from desert areas. Moreover, the meteorological conditions in winter and early spring are associated with more energy consumption conducive to the accumulation of high black carbon (BC) aerosol pollution, causing high alert levels of AAOD from November to the following March. Full article

A comprehensive understanding of the characteristics and formation mechanisms of groundwater in mining areas is essential for the effective prevention of coal mine water and the rational management of groundwater resources. The objective of this study was to examine the hydrogeochemical characteristics and evolution of Ordovician groundwater in the Zhuozishan coal mine, located in the northwest region of China. A total of 34 groundwater samples were collected for hydrogeochemical analyses and the investigation of their evolution processes, with the aid of a piper trilinear diagram, a Gibbs diagram, and an ion ratio diagram. The results indicate that the concentration of sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), bicarbonate (${\mathrm{HCO}}_3^{-}$), chloride (Cl⁻), sulphate (${\mathrm{SO}}_4^{2-}$), total dissolved solids (TDS), and pH increases from the recharge area to the discharge area, whereas the concentration of calcium (Ca²⁺) and magnesium (Mg²⁺) decreases. The hydrogeochemical characteristics of the runoff from Zhuozishan to Gongdeer coalfield and further southward display a notable north–south directional change. The groundwater process is primarily controlled by rock weathering action and cation exchange, with Na⁺ and K⁺ deriving primarily from cation exchange and only to a minor extent from halite dissolution. In conclusion, the northern part of the coalfield is characterised by a geological structure that creates a retention area with groundwater, resulting in an unordered runoff process with a complex formation mechanism. The middle region is devoid of geological constraints that would alter the flow direction, thus simplifying the process of groundwater formation. In contrast, the southern area experiences an increase in strata depth and fault blocking, which creates a retention zone, thereby rendering the groundwater formation process more complex. This research contributes to the effective management of groundwater resources in this coalfield and other mining sites. Full article

The Shendong Mining Area, being the largest coal base in the world, has significant challenges in the intensive development and utilization of coal resources, as well as the impact of a dry climate, which can have serious negative effects on the growth of flora in the region. Investigating the spatial and temporal patterns of how meteorological drought affects vegetation in the Shendong Mining Area at various time scales can offer a scientific foundation for promoting sustainable development and ecological restoration in the region. This study utilizes the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data from 1986 to 2020 in the Shendong Mining Area. It employs Slope trend analysis, a Mann–Kendall test, a Geographic Detector, and other methods to examine the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of meteorological drought at various time scales. Additionally, the study investigates the influence of these drought patterns on vegetation growth in the Shendong Mining Area. Across the mining area, there was a general decrease in the monthly average SPEI on an annual basis. However, on a seasonal, semi-annual, and annual basis, there was a gradual increase in the annual average SPEI, with a higher rate of increase in the southern region compared to the northern region. When considering the spatial variation trend in different seasons, both positive and negative trends were observed in winter and summer. The negative trend was mainly observed in the western part of the mining area, while the positive trend was observed in the eastern part. In spring, the mining area generally experienced drought, while in autumn, it generally experienced more precipitation. The mining area exhibits a prevailing distribution of vegetation, with a greater extent in the southeast and a lesser extent in the northwest. The vegetation coverage near the mine is insufficient, resulting in a low NDVI value, which makes the area prone to drought. Over the past few years, the mining area has experienced a significant increase in vegetation coverage, indicating successful ecological restoration efforts. Various forms of land use exhibit distinct responses to drought, with forests displaying the most positive correlation and barren land displaying the strongest negative correlation. Various types of landforms exhibit varying responses to drought. Loess ridge and hill landforms demonstrate the most pronounced positive association with monthly-scale SPEI values, whereas alluvial and floodplain landforms display the poorest positive correlation with yearly scale SPEI values. The general findings of this research can be summarized as follows: (1) The mining area exhibits a general pattern of increased humidity, with the pace of humidity increase having intensified in recent times. Seasonal variations exhibit consistent cyclic patterns. (2) There are distinct regional disparities in NDVI values, with a notable peak in the southeast and a decline in the northwest. The majority of the mining area exhibits a positive trend in vegetation recovery. (3) Regional meteorological drought is a significant element that influences changes in vegetation coverage in the Shendong Mining Area. Nevertheless, it displays complexity and is more obviously impacted by other factors at a small scale. (4) It should be noted that forests and barren land exert a more significant influence on SPEI values, despite their relatively lesser spatial coverage. The predominant land use type in most locations is grasslands; however, they have a relatively minor influence on SPEI. (5) A shorter time period, higher elevation, and steeper slope gradient all contribute to a larger correlation with drought. Full article

Northwest Yunnan is nested in the border areas of Tibet, Myanmar, and Southwest China. The religiously and ethnically diverse region has astonishingly seen a lack of “conflict”, as is often assumed in regions of ethnic and religious differences. This paper argues that there is an organic form of pluralism through frequent inter-ethnic and inter-religious marriages, multi-lingual daily interactions, and strategic ethnicity registrations. Ethnic and religious boundaries are made permanently or temporarily permeable through the celebration of boundary-crossing rituals such as weddings and funerals and other shared experiences such as collective labor and migrant work. Despite an increasingly strong push to be integrated into the state power through various top-down developmental projects, minority peoples here still use kinship, collective rituals, and other shared experiences to foster group formation that is fluid, porous, and malleable, instilling empathy and obligation as the basis of this pluralistic borderland society. This organic form of pluralism presents an alternative to the nation as the standard modern form of community. This paper ultimately argues that this specific type of plurality requires us to think beyond the normative liberal notions of religious tolerance and diversity that are still promoted within the frame of the exclusivist nation-state. Full article

The Hengduan Mountains in China are known for their complex geological environment, which leads to frequent geological disasters that pose significant threats to the safety and economic and social development of the local population. In this study, we developed develop a multi-dimensional evaluation index system from the aspects of economy, society, ecology, and infrastructure, and the resilience inference measurement (RIM) model was developed to assess resilience to regional disasters. The clustering evaluation of exposure, damage, and recovery variables in four states was conducted by way of K-means clustering. The results of K-means clustering are confirmed by discriminant analysis, and the disaster resilience index was empirically verified once. At the same time, the obstacle factor was further analyzed with the obstacle degree model. The results indicate that there are 8 susceptible areas, 23 recovering areas, 27 resistant areas, and 7 usurper areas. The classification accuracy of the model is 95.4%. The disaster resilience of high-risk areas was found to be low, with “extremely poor” differentiation, where the majority of the areas had low resilience and only a minority had high resilience. A “high in the southeast and low in the northwest” spatial distribution was observed. High-resilience areas were “dotted” and mainly concentrated in core areas with a high population density and strong economic activity, while low-resilience areas had a pattern of “edge extension” and were mainly distributed in the transition zone between the Qinghai–Tibet and Yunnan Plateaus. There were clear differences in the barriers of disaster resilience among the 65 counties (cities). The economic barrier degree was found to be the largest barrier to disaster resilience, followed by ecological, social, and infrastructure barrier degrees. The main factors affecting the distribution of disaster resilience in the high-risk areas were topographic relief, proportion of female population, cultivated land area, industrial structure, number of industrial enterprises above a designated size, and drainage pipeline density in the built-up area. Additionally, primary barrier factors classify the 65 counties (cities) into three types: economic constraint, natural environment constraint, and population structure constraint. Full article

Shiyang River Watershed is an important ecological barrier and agricultural production area in Northwest China, and the study of soil heavy metal content, distribution, and sources is important for agricultural product safety, pollution control, and ecosystem health. In this paper, 140 soil samples were collected from 28 stations to assess the level of heavy metal (Arsenic (As), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Mercury (Hg), Nickel (Ni), Zinc (Zn)) contamination, pollutant sources and influencing factors of soil in Shiyang River Watershed through determination of the metal contents and statistical analysis. The results indicated that the soils in the study area are typical saline soils in arid zones. The enrichment factors (EF) of As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Pb indicate no contamination, and the EFs of Cd and Hg suggested minor contamination. Although the concentrations of Cd and Hg in soil are lower than others, they are more biotoxic and exhibit a moderate–high ecological risk. The index of geoaccumulation (I_geo) values reflect that most of the stations, especially the three groups of samples from depths of 10–20 cm, 20–40 cm, and 40–80 cm, are below the contamination threshold for all heavy metals. The chemical speciation of heavy metals, principal component analysis, and correlation analysis showed that Cr, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Zn mainly come from the natural accumulation upon weathering of soil-forming matrices. Hg and As mainly come from anthropogenic contributions. The effect of agricultural crop cultivation on soil heavy metal contamination is mainly through farm irrigation and crop–soil interactions, which accelerate the release of heavy metals through the weathering of soil-forming parent material and irrigation, which transports the heavy metals below the surface. The results of this study can provide a scientific basis for the involved authorities to formulate reasonable policies on environmental protection and pollution control. Full article