published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Urban Planning and Environmental Management / Master / Master of Philosophy

China's Minqin Oasis once welcomed traders along the ancient Silk Road with rivers, lakes, and lush forests, yet today the region's farmland and grassland are increasingly being engulfed by the sands of the Gobi Desert. The severity of this incremental catastrophe for a declining population of 300,000 residents has brought forth a host of recent water policies to include agronomic water conservation through plastic mulch use, computerized regulation and pricing of groundwater, and water diversions from the Yellow River. This study uses a multi-disciplinary and mixed methods approach to better understand farmer perspectives on why they implement certain water and land use practices in agriculture. The world's farmers currently use the majority of the world's available freshwater and arable land. Modern agriculture and its continued intensification also lead to increases in petroleum based inputs such as agrochemicals and agricultural plastics (plasticulture). Despite the large of impact of the decisions made by the world's farmers on natural resources, little research to date has sought to better understand farmers' perceptions and decision-making processes. Plastic film mulch is a technology that has existed since the 1940's and it has been used in places such as rural China for over five decades. This technology conserves a considerable amount of irrigation water and it increases harvests, however, use of plastic for mulch causes waste disposal problems and is an expenditure of petroleum through plastic manufacturing. Without a fundamental understanding of why farmers perceive plastic mulch to be valuable to their households and communities, we may not fully grasp why its global application continues to increase year after year. Moreover, a focused study of plastic mulch use at the local level may also allow researchers and entrepreneurs to develop a suitable alternative mulch that does not consume non-renewable resources or result in detrimental plastic waste after its utility has been exhausted. This study uses household level interviews, surveys, and participant observation to better understand why Minqin County farmers in rural China continue to use plastic mulch and how it may influence their standard of living. / Graduation date: 2013

本文在分析不同改革運動中的成敗關鍵，文中分析日本明治維新、中國大躍進、文化大革命及改革開放中不同經濟因素之相互影響。文中從歷史中歸納出兩種對工業化及經濟發展最重要的因素：農業生產力及教育水平。日本明治維新及中國文化大革命時農業生產力及教育水平不斷上升，導至社會工業化及經濟發展加速；大躍進時則只有教育水平上升，農業生產力提高，故此工業化最後失敗及經濟水平低下。而把這模型套在改革開放亦同樣有效： 在改革開放時，農業生產力、教育水平、工業化及經濟發展四個指標同時上升。 / Inspired by the Meiji Restoration in Japan and Cultural Revolution in China, we constructed a theoretical model that explained economic performance of both historical episodes. We argued that the two elements: agricultural productivity and human capital are vital for industrialization and hence important for economic growth. In Meiji Restoration and Cultural Revolution, agricultural productivity and human capital both increase. The employment share moving from agricultural sector to non-agricultural sector and positive economic growth were recorded during those two periods of time. The model can also be used to explain the post-reform economic performance in China. We also find qualitative evidence that the lack of one element - agricultural productivity - will not contribute to a successful industrialization and may have adverse effect in economic growth. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Cheung, Ting Yuen Terry. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 40-45). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts also in Chinese. / English Abstract --- p.i / Chinese Abstract --- p.ii / Acknowledgement --- p.iii / Chapter I. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter II. --- Historical Facts --- p.7 / Chapter A. --- Two Historical Episodes with Both Elements --- p.7 / Meiji Restoration --- p.7 / Cultural Revolution --- p.11 / Chapter B. --- A Historical Episode Lack of one Element --- p.14 / Chapter C. --- Summary Note and Application --- p.17 / Chapter III. --- Model --- p.19 / Chapter A. --- Model without Capital --- p.19 / The Environment --- p.19 / Optimization --- p.21 / Comparative Statics --- p.25 / Chapter B. --- Model with Capital --- p.28 / Closed Economy --- p.28 / Small Open Economy --- p.34 / Chapter IV. --- Conclusion and Further Research --- p.35 / Remark for Further Research --- p.37 / Reference --- p.39 / Appendix --- p.45

by Mo Pan. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 150-160). / Table of Contents --- p.i / List of Tables --- p.vi / List of Figures --- p.viii / List of Plates --- p.viii / Abstract --- p.ix / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Background of the Three Gorges Dam Project --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Conceptual background of the study --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3 --- Objectives and significance --- p.16 / Chapter 1.4 --- Organization of the thesis --- p.18 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Study Area and Experimental Design / Chapter 2.1 --- Zigui County --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2 --- Geology --- p.21 / Chapter 2.3 --- Climate --- p.22 / Chapter 2.4 --- Soil and vegetation --- p.22 / Chapter 2.5 --- Study area --- p.23 / Chapter 2.6 --- Experimental design --- p.26 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Effect of Integrated Farming Practices on Soil Physical Properties / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.30 / Chapter 3.2 --- Methodology --- p.32 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Sampling methods --- p.32 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Soil texture --- p.33 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Aggregate stability --- p.33 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Statistical analysis --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Effect of integrated farming practices on soil texture --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Effect of integrated farming practices on aggregate stability --- p.37 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.39 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Soil textural change in relation to integrated farming practices and cultivation --- p.40 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Aggregate stability of the newly rehabilitated soils --- p.43 / Chapter 3.5 --- Conclusion --- p.45 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Effect of Integrated Farming Practices on Soil Chemical Properties / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.46 / Chapter 4.2 --- Methodology --- p.48 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Sample treatment --- p.48 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Soil reaction --- p.49 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Organic carbon --- p.49 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) & available nitrogen (NH4-N and N03-N) --- p.50 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Total and available phosphorus --- p.50 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- "Exchangeable K, Ca & Mg" --- p.51 / Chapter 4.3 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.51 / Chapter 4.4 --- Results --- p.52 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Effects of integrated farming practices on soil reaction --- p.52 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Effects of integrated farming practices on soil organic matter --- p.53 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Effects of integrated farming practices on available nitrogen --- p.55 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Effects of integrated farming practices on total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) --- p.57 / Chapter 4.4.5 --- Effects of integrated farming practices on available phosphorus --- p.58 / Chapter 4.4.6 --- Effects of integrated farming practices on total phosphorus --- p.60 / Chapter 4.4.7 --- Effect of integrated farming practices on exchangeable potassium --- p.61 / Chapter 4.4.8 --- Effects of integrated farming practices on exchangeable calcium --- p.63 / Chapter 4.4.9 --- Effects of integrated farming practices on exchangeable magnesium --- p.65 / Chapter 4.5 --- Discussion --- p.66 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- The forgotten importance of pH --- p.67 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- The myth of soil organic matter --- p.70 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- Total Kjeldahl nitrogen and available nitrogen --- p.72 / Chapter 4.5.4 --- Total and available phosphorus --- p.77 / Chapter 4.5.5 --- The myth of exchangeable K and orchard growth --- p.78 / Chapter 4.5 --- Conclusion --- p.81 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Effect of Integrated Farming Practices on Erosion / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.84 / Chapter 5.2 --- Methodology --- p.90 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Rainfall simulation --- p.90 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Measurement of runoff and sediment --- p.92 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Determination of soil volumtric moisture --- p.92 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Statistical analysis --- p.93 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results --- p.93 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- "Effect of low intensity rainfall on time delay, duration, total runoff and mean discharge" --- p.93 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- "Effect of high intensity rainfall on time delay, duration, total runoff and mean discharge" --- p.95 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- "Effect of low intensity rainfall on sediment load, total soil loss and mean sediment loss rate" --- p.97 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- "Effect of high intensity rainfall on sediment load, total soil loss and mean sediment loss rate" --- p.98 / Chapter 5.3.5 --- Effect of hedgerow and farming practices on soil moisture under low intensity rainfall --- p.101 / Chapter 5.4 --- Discussion --- p.102 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- Effect of Vetivergrass hedgerow and integrated farming practices on runoff --- p.102 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- Effect of Vetivergrass hedgerow and integrated farming practices on soil loss --- p.106 / Chapter 5.4.3 --- Effect of Vetivergrass hedgerow and integrated farming practices on soil moisture --- p.110 / Chapter 5.5 --- Conclusion --- p.111 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Crop Productivity: A Production Efficiency Analysis between Integrated Farming Practices and Existing Farming Systems in Zigui County / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.113 / Chapter 6.2 --- Methodology --- p.115 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Wheat and soybean production --- p.115 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Socio-economic survey of agriculture in Zigui County --- p.116 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Production efficiency analysis --- p.118 / Chapter 6.2.4 --- Statistical analysis --- p.119 / Chapter 6.3 --- Results --- p.119 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Effect of integrated farming practices on wheat production --- p.119 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Effect of integrated farming practices on soybean production --- p.120 / Chapter 6.3.3 --- Production efficiency of integrated farming systems (experimental plots) --- p.121 / Chapter 6.3.4 --- Production efficiency of existing systems (agricultural survey) --- p.122 / Chapter 6.5 --- Discussion --- p.124 / Chapter 6.5.1 --- Effect of integrated farming on wheat yield --- p.124 / Chapter 6.5.2 --- Effect of integrated treatments on soybean yield --- p.127 / Chapter 6.5.3 --- Will there be enough food production under integrated farming? --- p.129 / Chapter 6.5.4 --- Production efficiency analysis --- p.132 / Chapter 6.6 --- Conclusion --- p.136 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- Conclusion / Chapter 7.1 --- Summary of findings --- p.138 / Chapter 7.2 --- Implications of the study --- p.140 / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Demonstration farms and application of results to other parts of the TGR --- p.140 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- Commodity agriculture and regional specialization --- p.143 / Chapter 7.3 --- Limitation of the study --- p.145 / Chapter 7.4 --- Suggestion for further studies --- p.147 / Bibliography --- p.150 / Appendix A --- p.161

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Architecture

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Landscape Architecture

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Architecture

This research was based on the implementation analysis of the South Africa-China bilateral agreements, specifically the case of the South African Agricultural Technology Demonstration Centre (SAATDC). In this regard, the researcher was of the view that, with implementation analysis, it is possible to identify the particular circumstances that could affect implementation of a particular policy, both in advance of a policy’s adoption or after it is implemented. This research tracked the implementation of the SAATDC bilateral agreement to examine whether this bilateral agreement was effectively implemented or not. There is a need to translate political commitment into a practical programme for successful implementation. Implementation is one of the major problems confronting developing nations, of which South Africa is one. Furthermore the researcher investigated whether the SAATDC bilateral agreement meets necessary pre-conditions of policy implementation, necessary for successful policy implementation, and examines whether these pre-conditions are adequately addressed in the bilateral policy document.Previous research has shown that once these preconditions are met, the potential for successful implementation of a policy increases. There is a need in South Africa to fully exploit opportunities provided through similar Chinese aid projects for the benefit of local workers such as artisans, engineers and project managers by ensuring that bilateral agreements adequately address factors that could undermine South Africa’s ASGISA and JIPSA objectives regarding skills and technology transfer. It is important to investigate whether the bilateral agreement here makes sufficient provision for adequate involvement of South African engineers, artisans and South African companies in the implementation of such Chinese aid programmes or projects. There is a need to enhance the sophistication of local artisans and engineers as required by the ASGISA and JIPSA strategy and objectives. / Public Administration & Management / M. Admin. (Public Administration)

First, the field survey campaigns have been carried out from March 22, 2007 to December 27, 2007 around 5-15 days in the interval in the study area of Nansha Island. The field work includes the survey of spatial distribution of various land use and crop types and the ground measurements of the crop biophysical parameters (such as the plant height, leave area index, fresh biomass, and plant water content) and the soil parameters (such as the soil water content and surface roughness parameters) of rice field and sugarcane field. And at the same time, the ENVISAT ASAR data were acquired from March 22, 2007 to December 27, 2007 in the interval of 35 days. During the acquisition dates of the ENVISAT ASAR data, the field surveys were also conducted. / Fourth, the sufficient ground measurements and simultaneous C-band HH- and VV-polarized SAR data of sugarcane crop have enriched the knowledge of understanding the temporal radar scatter mechanisms in sugarcane canopies. The C-band VV-polarized radar backscatters are larger than those of HH-polarization during the sugarcane growth cycle, and the difference is around 0.5 dB to 2 dB. The theoretical model MIMICS was adapted in modeling the scattering terms in sugarcane fields to interpret the temporal behavior of radar backscatters. For more robotic operation, the empirical regression models were used in estimation of the sugarcane LAI and fresh biomass, and mapping the sugarcane growth situation. The accuracies of the sugarcane LAI map and Biomass map are 0.74 and 0.70, respectively. / In conclusion, the C-band ENVISAT ASAR data can be efficiently used in the Pearl River Delta to monitor the crop growth, including the crop spatial distribution, crop acreages, and crop growth situation evaluation. The efficient crop growth monitoring program can not only help instruct the flexible farming actions, but also estimate the crop yield production for the decision-making government. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) / Second, field surveys were combined with the ENVISAT ASAR data to map the agricultural area. The analysis of the temporal radar backscatter characteristics of various land cover categories demonstrated that the time series of C-band SAR data is efficient in separating the eight land cover categories (rice paddy, sugarcane, banana, lotus ponds, mangrove wetlands, fish ponds, seawater, and buildings) in the PRD. The decision tree classifier is also approved to work efficiently on satellite SAR images with an overall accuracy of 77% and the Kappa coefficient of 0.74. The acreages of the land cover categories were also derived from the classification result with accuracies from 70% to 90%. / The Pearl River Delta is a typical developing region. It lies in the cloud-prone and rainy area of south China with multi-species of crops cultured in the agriculture areas. With a goal of developing an efficient, timely and accurate crop growth monitoring program in this area, field measurement, satellite SAR remote sensing technique, quantitative analysis of the crop biophysical parameters, and radar backscatter modeling methods have been integrated to study the multi-temporal and multi-polarized SAR data in estimating plant parameters (LAI, fresh biomass) of rice and sugarcane crop, and mapping the agricultural land cover categories of the study area in the PRD. / Third, in the study of rice growth monitoring, the trends of the relationships between C-band radar backscattering coefficients and rice parameters (plant height, LAI, fresh biomass, et al.) are proved to be constant with the reports in previous literatures. It was demonstrated that the differences between HH- and VV-polarized backscatter are not so evident (around 0.5 dB) in rice paddy canopies during the crop growth cycle. Moreover, by inducting a semi-empirical soil surface scattering component, a modified Water Cloud Model was developed to simulate the radar backscatter in rice crop canopies in different ground background situations (water surface, and soil surface) and to estimate the rice LAI and above ground fresh Biomass with reasonable accuracy. The rice growth conditions were displayed by LAI map and Biomass map generated from the model estimation, and the accuracies of the LAI and Biomass level classification are 0.77 and 0.71. / Wang, Dan. / Advisers: Hui Lin; Jin-Song Chen. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-11, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 132-138). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Agricultural development has long been the biggest challenge faced by governments or rulers of many countries and regions, be it in the past or at present. It affects the various political, social and economic development aspects of a country or region. Based on various long-term and short-term social needs, the authorities have attempted to find a suitable balance, searching constantly for feasible methods to manage agriculture, in the hope of harmonising the interests of peasant households, consumers and the ruling class through administrative measures. This has resulted in continuous adjustments in agricultural policies and effectively affected the development of agriculture as well as the well-being of farmers and the general public. / As an entrepot, Hong Kong had very little arable land. The number of people engaged in farming, either directly or indirectly, was dwarfed by the consumer population. How to provide the large population with sufficient food, enabling it to be a driver behind economic development? This question became an important political issue for the Hong Kong colonial government for more than 100 years. Sino-British relations fluctuated considerably after the Second World War and this made agricultural development a thorny problem for the colonial government. In the course of studying 60 years of agricultural development, the most striking impression is that the Hong Kong colonial government was totally involved in agricultural production in the New Territories through the systematic promotion of the cooperative movement involving production, transport and marketing. This had made contribution to Hong Kong's unique political and social environment. / This thesis reconstructs the agricultural history of Hong Kong in the post-war period. It explores the profound influence that the Agricultural Cooperative Movement has on the political ecosystem of the villages in the New Territories, economic efficiency and human relations in rural communities. / 陳煜禮. / 論文(哲學博士)--香港中文大學, 2007. / 參考文獻(p. 226-230). / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-02, Section: A, page: 0713. / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in Chinese and English. / School code: 1307. / Lun wen (zhe xue bo shi)--Xianggang Zhong wen da xue, 2007. / Can kao wen xian (p. 226-230). / Chen Yuli.