Publications
研究成果
Di D., Huang G., Wetland Park management and Nipponia nippon protection in Northwest China
Int. J. of Global Environmental Issues (in press)
Fan, J.; Huang, G.
Are Women More Vulnerable to Flooding Than Men in an Aging Japanese Society? Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20, 1299. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021299
Abstract: It is a well-accepted notion that women are more vulnerable to natural disasters than men, especially in developing countries. However, in developed countries, how women’s empowerment by economic and social development has reduced the gender gap in vulnerability remains insufficiently answered. As Japan passed its golden age, moving into an aging society, a study on how the gender difference in flood vulnerability has evolved can contribute to a better understanding of the types and causes of vulnerability, leading to better flood risk management in a new social context. Following this thinking, the present study conducted a longitudinal analysis using representative flooding cases in Japan over a period of forty years. It found that the women’s fatality rate increased with age much faster than men’s in the 1980s but reversed in a recent major flood disaster. It also revealed that most flood disaster victims were elderly in recent years. These findings suggest that the flood vulnerability at present is more driven by age-related physical ability decline, much less relevant to gender. Based on the results, it proposed a new framework for assessing flood vulnerability in an aging society. Such outcomes can help with the better formulation of flood management policies and probing into solutions.
Zehui Guo, Shujie Sun, Yishan Wang, Jingru Ni, Xuepeng Qian,
Impact of New Energy Vehicle Development on China's Crude Oil Imports: An Empirical Analysis,World Electr. Veh. J. 2023, 14(2), 46;
https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj14020046
Abstract: Breaking the highly oil-dependent energy use structure in the transportation sector will be crucial for China to reduce its dependence on crude oil imports and ensure its energy security, and the development of new energy vehicles is helping to break this dilemma. A time series analysis summarizes the possible relationships between new energy vehicles and crude oil imports, i.e., new energy vehicles, as alternatives to fuel vehicles, will reduce the demand for oil in the transportation sector, which will in turn reduce crude oil imports, and crude oil prices and crude oil production will inhibit crude oil imports. In this empirical study, monthly data from 2015 to 2021 on crude oil imports, the market share of new energy vehicles, crude oil prices, and crude oil production are selected, time-series multiple regression modelling is adopted, and endogeneity is treated using a generalized method of moments (GMM). The regression results show that crude oil imports decrease by one unit for every 16.32% increase in crude oil prices, indicating that price factor is the most influential factor in China’s crude oil imports, while crude oil imports decrease by one unit for every 133.99% increase in crude oil production, indicating that an increase in crude oil production contributes less to the reduction of crude oil imports. One unit of crude oil imports is added for every 15.53% increase in the share of new energy vehicles, indicating that the effect of new energy vehicles on limiting crude oil imports has not yet emerged. Probably due to the fact that new energy vehicles have not yet had a significant impact on fuel vehicles, oil consumption will continue to increase in the short and medium term, with oil for the petrochemical industry becoming the primary driver of this increase. Finally, policy implications are provided from the perspective of crude oil demand, supply, and China’s oil price mechanism.
Wang L., Wang J., Qian X.
Does the bullet train exacerbate urban shrinkage? Lessons from Japan Papers in Regional Science, 102(2), 187-212, 2023.
https://doi.org/10.1111/pirs.12717
Abstract: This paper evaluates the driving forces of urban shrinkage, focusing on transportation infrastructure using a conceptual framework. Employing a difference-in-difference approach, this study explores the impact of the high-speed railway on local shrinkage by focusing on implementing the bullet train in the Kyushu Shinkansen region of Japan. Our results show that after the introduction of the bullet train line, remote peripheral regions suffered population loss while suburban areas near the metropolitan area experienced population growth. Further analysis verifies that the bullet train had a particularly significant negative impact on local employment and establishments in the service sector in remote regions.
Ghabelnezam, E.; Mostafazadeh, R.; Hazbavi, Z.; Huang, G.
Hydrological Drought Severity in Different Return Periods in Rivers of Ardabil Province, Iran. Sustainability 2023, 15, 1993.
https:// doi.org/10.3390/su15031993
Abstract: Hydrological drought (HD) characterization with different return periods is essential to appropriately design the best water management practices. In particular, characterizing the interactive relations of discharge, drought, and return periods using a novel triple diagram can deepen the interpretation of regional droughts, which have not been adequately considered, especially in semiarid areas. Considering the critical role of HD in water exploitation and management in Iran, this study was therefore conducted to analyze the HD in different return periods in rivers of the Ardabil Province (area = 17,953 ㎢). To this end, the streamflow drought index (SDI) was computed using DrinC software at 1-, 3-, and 6-month time scales for 25 hydrometric stations during 1981–2014. Then, the drought severity was evaluated by CumFreq software in different return periods (2, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 years). Finally, the relationship between discharge, SDI, and return periods was analyzed using triple diagram models. The results revealed that the drought events had mild (-1≤SDI≺0) and moderate (-1.5≤SDI≺-1) severity for most study stations in the study area. The mean values of SDI in the 1-, 3-, and 6-month time scales were 1.08, 0.80, and 0.55, respectively. At all study time scales, the drought severity in both rivers with low and high flows increased with increasing return periods. In such a way, the maximum drought severity has been found for rivers with high flow at a 100-year return period. The current results can be considered a screening tool for the distinctive conservation and directive management of watershed resources.
Fan, J., Huang G., Current flood warning system in Japan and its effectiveness in mobilizing evacuation: lessons from case studies.
Journal of Emergency Management, 21 (1), 53-65, 2023
Abstract: An effective flood warning system is crucial for successful flood management. Flood warning systems have been developed in many countries across the world. However, scientific literature on flood warning systems has been mainly focused on technical capacity building, and the effectiveness of warning systems in mobilizing evacuation was much understudied. Japan is a country with a long history of fighting against flood disasters; the evaluation of its practices in providing flood warnings and the effectiveness are certainly important for further flood research development in Japan, and sharing the experience and lessons with the rest of the world will contribute to flood damage reduction on a global scale. Following this line of thinking, this article is intended to present a clear and concise picture of the current flood warning system in Japan, which has been poorly documented up until now. It is also aimed at providing a performance assessment for the flood warning system through case study approach and the use of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) model. Through analyses, the pros and cons of the current flood warning system in Japan are highlighted, and the directions for further development and refinement are explained.
Fan P., Qian X., Wang J., Does gender diversity matter? Female directors and firm carbon emissions in Japan, Pacific-Basin Finance Journal,
Volume 77, 2023, 101931, ISSN 0927-538X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pacfin.2022.101931
Abstract: Research on the impact of corporate board diversity on corporate governance for corporate sustainability development is on the rise. However, studies on the effects of gender diversity on corporate environmental performance are limited to traditional corporate social responsibility reports, disclosures, and ratings. This study, instead, explores such effects, focusing on overall carbon emissions. It employs a novel dataset compiled based on direct overall carbon emissions at the firm level in Japan. Accordingly, firms with female outside directors are more likely to have lower carbon emissions. By contrast, abatement effects are muted if women are appointed as inside directors. The findings are robust to several identification strategies employed to address potential endogeneity issues. The policy implications encourage corporations to strengthen sustainability performance from the governance perspective.
Di D., Huang G.
Isotope analysis reveals differential impacts of artificial and natural afforestation on soil organic carbon dynamics in abandoned farmland
Plant and Soil. 471, 329–342, 2022.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-021-05243-x
Abstract:
Background
A multitude of studies analyzed the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC), but their methodology does not provide sufficient understanding of the differential impact of artificial and natural afforestation on SOC dynamic.
Methods and aims
We investigated the SOC dynamics following artificial (AR) and natural (NQ) afforestation on abandoned farmland (AF) in China’s Loess Plateau in an attempt to evaluate the effects of these afforestation methods. We characterized soil structure and stoichiometry using stable isotope carbon and radiocarbon models. We aim to compare SOC dynamics, clarify SOC sources under different afforestation, examine comparability of the study areas and ascertain how soil aggregate size classes control SOC dynamics.
Results
The 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm SOC stocks were significant higher in NQ than AR and AF. At other depths, there is no significant difference among the three land-use systems. Total topsoil SOC stocks, C:N and C:P of differently sized soil aggregates significantly increased following afforestation. Carbon isotope analysis results indicated that the SOC decomposition rate and the new SOC input rate were lower under NQ than AR.
Conclusions
Afforestation can lead to SOC accumulation in soil depths up to 1m mainly because the topsoil (0-20 cm) changes significantly. SOC resources are mainly from macroaggregate formation provided by fresh plant residues. The comparability of study sites is validated, so the“space-for-time substitution” method is applicable in this study.
Zhenhui Xu, Wei Wang, Kai Zhao, Edyta Dzieminska,
Wenjing Cao, Tielong Shen,
A Feedback Control Scheme for Distributed Energy
System Used Waste Incinerator, Proc. of the International Conference on Electrical, Computer and Energy Technologies (ICECET 2022),
20-22 July 2022, Prague-Czech Republic
Abstract: Focusing on the control problem for a waste incinerator as a benchmark system, this paper chanllenges to keep stable combustion by developing temperature regulation schemes. We propose a control scheme to maintain the temperatures inside the combustion chamber and the furnace at the target temperatures. First, characteristics and transient behaviors of the incinerator are analyzed. Then, based on the analytical model, the linear control laws are developed to achieve the local stabilization of the system. Finally, experiments are conducted on the benchmark of the combustion furnace, and simulation and experimental validations are demonstrated.
Liu H, Huang G (2022) A Study on Nitrate Contents in Vegetables in the
Watershed of Lake Tega in Japan. Int J Earth Environ Sci 7: 198
https://doi.org/10.15344/2456-351X/2022/198
Abstract: In this study, investigations on nitrate contents in vegetables are conducted in the watershed of Lake Tega in Japan. Four groups of vegetables, leafy, brassica, root and tuber, and fruiting, were sampled for testing. Among the four groups of sampled vegetables, nitrate contamination shows a decreasing order from the leafy vegetables, brassica, root and tuber, and fruiting vegetables. A nitrate concentration of 6,300 mg/kg, 4,000 mg/kg and 1,500 mg/kg were found in lettuce, spinach, and Chinese cabbage. The
study focuses on the differences of the nitrate distributions in various crops. Findings from the detailed testing of nitrate distributions in various parts of crops suggests that some portions of vegetables, such as the inner part of Cabbage and turnip, can be considered as much suitable and healthier for young children. The nitrate content of vegetables before and after cooking is very different. After cooking, the nitrate content of vegetables is very much reduced.
鈴木 政史
金融・産業界による脱炭素社会実現に向けた活動：ESG投資の主流化に向けて」『日本の2050年脱炭素シナリオ』 地球環境 Vol.27 No.2. 2022.
Huang, G.; Chen, S.; Wang, J.
Wise Management or Mismatch? Lessons from Japan.
Resources 2022, 11, 73. https://doi.org/10.3390/resources11080073
Abstract: As a precious resource, wetlands support human life in various profound ways, either explicitly or implicitly. However, the values of wetlands have not been sufficiently recognized and greatly appreciated. Their management approaches are often sectoral, and wise use of wetlands is still more of a catchphrase than a well-used management practice. This paper presents a cross-sectoral case study for the evaluation of the primary management practices in a Ramsar-registered wetland in Japan. It employed a literature review, field and laboratory experiments, and a questionnaire survey as well for assessing the wetland conditions and identifying management problems. It revealed that the management of the wetland is still flood regulation–oriented, without sufficient consideration of bird habitats, and the water level drawdown operation for Lake Yanaka inside the wetland may lead to mass fish deaths. Furthermore, the reed burning practice is effective in maintaining the plant structure in the wetland but controversial from different perspectives. Moreover, the questionnaire survey results indicated that the public were not well informed of the wetland conditions and not convinced of the appropriateness of reed burning. Based on these findings, it was concluded that the registration under the Ramsar Convention did not lead to new strategies for the conservation and wise use of the wetland.
Huang G. (2021) Are Cities Safer Than Before? Front. Sustain. Cities 3:713300. doi:10.3389/frsc.2021.713300
Abstract: Cities are built to lead better lives. However, irrational urban development has led in reverse, causing numerous problems. The increase in flood risk in urbanized areas is one of the significant problems. Despite extensive research, numerous engineering projects have been carried out to reduce the risk of flooding, the question “are we safer than before?” remains underexplored. The present work is a case study aimed at providing new evidence of the current state of flood disaster management. It analyzed the relationship between the magnitude of flood and resultant flood fatality and property damage in the target area over a long period of time and found that we are safer now than before in terms of life loss, but not safer than before in terms of flooding impacts on livelihood. Most importantly, it was found that flood risk management in the region continues to be critically dependent on structural measures. Besides, it highlighted a contrast between having a well-developed emergency information delivery system and its ineffectiveness in mobilizing evacuation.
Huang, G., Urban Sustainability at the Cost of Rural Unsustainability. Sustainability 2021, 13, 5466. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13105466
Abstract: Urban sustainability refers to building and maintaining cities that can continue to function without running out of resources. However, growing cities require more land and urban sprawl has transformed surrounding rural areas into urbanized settlements. Furthermore, the prosperity of large cities depends on the supply of both natural and human resources from rural areas, either nearby or remote. On the other hand, the use of resources of rural areas by cities may cause negative externalities to rural areas, affecting their sustainability. Therefore, a critical, but very much neglected issue, is how unban sustainability should be pursued without affecting rural sustainability. In this study, cases in Japan and China were analyzed from resources and population migration perspectives to provide evidence for the possibility that urban sustainability might have been pursued at the cost of rural unsustainability. It was intended to develop a better understanding of urban sustainability through the lens of externalities. Based on the analysis, a new framework for urban sustainability study was proposed, which consists of three new pillars. Namely, externality, vulnerability, and population instability.