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China's 'Mountain-Moving' Project

From www.guardian.co.uk - December 11, 2012 11:51 PM
A promotional video shows planned development of a state-level development zone by government of Lanzhou, a provincial capital in China's arid northwest...


The Lanzhou province is lightly populated mainly due to it's semi-arid climate and rugged topography.  The goal is make a 500 square mile area (currently with 100,000 people) into a city with over 1 million people by 2030.  To make this new metropolis, developers are planning to literally remove mountains to create a more 'ideal' urban environment.  This makes some of the most ambitious environmental modification projects seem tame.  For more read, the accompanying article from the Guardian.  


Questions to Ponder: What potential environmental impacts come from this scale of modification?  How will this massive influx of the population impact the region?  Could this type of project happen in other part of the world? 


Tags: environment, urban ecology, planning, environment modify, China.


Via Seth Dixon
Elizabeth Allen's insight:

The developer is claiming this will be "protective development." I am not sure if I buy that.  They are moving mountains- which means everything that comes with that, wildlife, trees, etc...  And they are building an airport and an oil refinery (amongst other things)..  Urbanizing can be great for the economy- but at what cost.   Elizabeth Allen

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Elizabeth Allen's comment, December 11, 2012 11:51 PM
The developer is claiming this will be "protective development." I am not sure if I buy that. They are moving mountains- which means everything that comes with that, wildlife, trees, etc... And they are building an airport and an oil refinery (amongst other things).. Urbanizing can be great for the economy- but at what cost.
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Penguins from Space: New Technology can aid in the Prevention of Extinction

Penguins from Space: New Technology can aid in the Prevention of Extinction | Geography 400 at ric | Scoop.it
From www.scientificamerican.com - December 6, 2012 3:15 PM

High-resolution imaging has allowed scientists to produce the first full count of Antarctica's emperor penguins...

 

Before this, there was no way to to gather reliable penguin statistics.  Geospatial technologies are now providing us the tools to teach us more about the biogeography of penguins.  The applications of geospatial technologies are endless.

 

Modern technology is helping scientists have a better understanding of certain animals and how they adapt to climate. Scientists are using VHR satellite images to study emperor penguins in Antarctica. This technique allows for a more accurate population count and scientists can monitor population patterns.  With this less expensive and more efficient technique, scientists are able to have a better understanding of the species and changes that may affect the animal.  The VHR satellite technique is helping biologists and ecologists study other animals as well, such as, the seal population.  These studies help reveal how variations in climate may affect a given animal.  This technique will help scientists monitor population patterns.  If scientists see populations decline, they can then look into solutions to prevent extinction.  Elizabeth Allen

  


Via Seth Dixon
Elizabeth Allen's comment, December 6, 2012 3:09 PM
Modern technology is helping scientists have a better understanding of certain animals and how they adapt to climate. Scientists are using VHR satellite images to study emperor penguins in Antarctica. This technique allows for a more accurate population count and scientists can monitor population patterns.
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