Environmental Geography Seminar 6/5

Dear all,

Hello!

This is an announcement of the upcoming Environmental Geography Seminar.

Please see all the details carefully below.

【Date】 5th. June. Wed. （Time: 15:00~）

【Place】 D101

【Content】

1. Presenters

i. Liu Weiqi
Title: Flooding Risks: A Comparison of Lay People’s Perceptions and Expert’s Assessments in Switzerland
Journal: Risk Analysis, Volume 26, Issue 4, Pages 971-979
Author: Michael Siegrist & Heinz Gutscher
Year: August 2006.
Abstract:
Experts on the risk of flooding have developed very detailed maps for different parts of Switzerland that indicate the types of damage possible and the probabilities of adverse events. Four categories of risk severity are defined on the maps, ranging from high risk to no risk. Based on these existing maps, we selected respondents for a mail survey, some from areas high in risk and others from low-risk regions. Respondents answered several questions related to flood risk perception and preparedness. Survey results showed that respondents’ risk perceptions were correlated with the experts’ risk assessments. Respondents who lived in areas designated “no risk” by the experts had lower perceptions of risk than respondents who lived in areas with higher levels of designated risk. With regard to concrete prevention behavior, no differences between people living in different risk areas were observed. Survey results further suggest that many inhabitants do not know that flooding maps exist for their region. Results suggest that in some regions people overestimate the risks associated with flooding. Consequently, some people are more afraid of flooding than is justified by the facts. Some people show prevention behavior that most likely is superfluous. However, in other regions people underestimate the risks associated with flooding. These people do not show prevention behavior, and they are not well prepared for an adverse event. Furthermore, results suggest that respondents’ experiences with flooding are positively related to their perceptions of flood risk. Findings of the present study are in line with the availability heuristic.

ii. Ding Manhui
Presenter: Ding Manhui
Title: A study of the stage-discharge relationship of the Okavaiigo River at Mohembo, Botswana
Author: F. T, K. SEFE Department of Environmental Science, University of Botswana, Private Bag 0022, Gaborone, Botswana
Journal: Hydrological Sciences -Journal- des Sciences Hyérohgiques,4t(l) February
Abstract: The stage-discharge relationship or rating curve at a river cross-section is a fondamental technique in hydrology employed for determining discharge from catchments. While river cross-sections are inherently variable, it generally takes quite some time for a change in cross-section to occur. Thus, where good quality data on stage and discharge are available, a stable and representative rating curve may be established. However, all too often, the natural variability is aggravated by data errors of human origin. These measurement errors occur because the routine of periodic flow measurement may be undertaken by illtrained personnel. Such errors resulting from this practice may lead to erroneous estimates of available water resources. This study discusses the derivation of a single rating curve for the Okavango River at Mohembo from measurements containing errors and outliers. It uses data transformation procedures, regression techniques and removal of outliers to derive a useful rating curve from suspect data. Finally, it Investigates the possibility of fitting a stochastic model to the discharge series. The results suggest that it may be possible to estimate missing data with an AR1MÂ model.

iii. Sandy
Title: Tropical cyclone perceptions, impacts and adaptation in the Southwest Pacific: an urban perspective from Fiji, Vanuatu and Tonga
Author: Andrew D. Magee, Danielle C. Verdon-Kidd, Anthony S. Kiem, and Stephen A. Royle
Journal: Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 16, 1091–1105, 2016 www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net/16/1091/2016/ doi:10.5194/nhess-16-1091-2016
Abstract
The destruction caused by tropical cyclone (TC) Pam in March 2015 is considered one of the worst natural disasters in the history of Vanuatu. It has highlighted the need for a better understanding of TC impacts and adaptation in the Southwest Pacific (SWP) region. Therefore, the key aims of this study are to (i) understand local perceptions of TC activity, (ii) investigate impacts of TC activity and (iii) uncover adaptation strategies used to offset the impacts of TCs. To address these aims, a survey (with 130 participants from urban areas) was conducted across three SWP small island states (SISs): Fiji, Vanuatu and Tonga (FVT). It was found that respondents generally had a high level of risk perception and awareness of TCs and the associated physical impacts, but lacked an understanding of the underlying weather conditions. Responses highlighted that current methods of adaptation generally occur at the local level, immediately prior to a TC event (preparation of property, gathering of food, finding a safe place to shelter). However higher level adaptation measures (such as the modification to building structures) may reduce vulnerability further. Finally, we discuss the potential of utilising weather-related traditional knowledge and nontraditional knowledge of empirical and climate-model-based weather forecasts to improve TC outlooks, which would ultimately reduce vulnerability and increase adaptive capacity. Importantly, lessons learned from this study may result in the modification and/or development of existing adaptation strategies.

iv. Zhou Jinghui
Interpretation of Geoheritage for Geotourism –
a Comparison of Chinese geoparks and National Parks in the United States
Fang Ren1, Louis Simonson2, Zhixin Pan2 / e-mail: fren@slu.edu
1 Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA 2 School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
ren, F., simonson, l., & Pan, Z. (2013). interpretation of Geoheritage for Geotourism – a comparison of chinese geoparks and National Parks in the united states. Czech Journal of Tourism, 2(2), 105-125. DOi: 10.2478/cjot-2013-0006.
Abstract
this study presents an interpretation system model of geoheritage to facilitate the understanding of geoscience knowledge by the common lay person. interpretation system construction is crucial to geoparks and is a shared value. the improvement of the effectiveness of geoheritage interpretation is still under exploration. therefore, the interpretation systems of two global geoparks in china are outlined and compared with the interpretation system in Zion National Park in the united states. From lessons and experiences, this paper suggests utilizing geotourism as a complete contextual communication system, in which a geopark (source) delivers information about its uni- que cultural and natural values to target tourists (receivers) through tourism activities (channels). the communica- tion effect of geotourism is monitored by feedback from tourists through the post-travel surveys or activities. We expect that this model will provide a better interpretation of geoheritage with a new perspective.
Keywords
Geotourism, Geopark, Geoheritage, interpretation system, communication channels
JEL classification: I00, I25, Z00 / Accepted: 7 November 2013
https://www.degruyter.com/downloadpdf/j/cjot.2013.2.issue-2/cjot-2013-0006/cjot-2013-0006.pdf
v.

2. Note this:

Please send me the detailed information about your presentation at least 5 days before your turn.

For a paper review: title and author of the paper, journal name, which volume, pages, also the link (if possible) should be provided.

If a paper written in Japanese is going to be presented, please kindly send me the information both in Japanese and English.

【Notice】

※ In case you are absent from the seminar or late for the seminar, please contact Professors or me in advance. Any absence without permission is not allowed;

※ Please be punctual (very important);

※ Please do your full preparation for the seminar;

※ Your active participation is always appreciated;

※ Please feel free to get in touch with me if you have any questions or comments.

Best Regards,

Chang Liang