Andrey N. Petrov

One Hundred Years of Dasymetric Mapping: Back to the Origin

Abstract Paying the tribute to the 100 years anniversary of dasymetric mapping, this paper aims to provide a detailed inquiry into historical beginnings of this cartographic technique by working with literature and archival sources, primarily with the writings of the method’s inventor, Benjamin Semenov-Tian-Shansky. The paper confirms that the dasymetric method was first proposed in 1911 and its first cartographic products appeared in 1919. The paper reviews and discusses the dasymetric technique used by Semenov-Tian-Shansky in the 1920s to produce the ‘Dasymetric Map of European Russia’ that, perhaps, still remains one of the most extensive dasymetric mapping projects in the history of cartography. This research will help to continue reconstructing the history of dasymetric mapping and will aid in better understanding of the original technique itself and its relations with later achievements in cartography and GIScience.

Setting the Record Straight: On the Russian Origins of Dasymetric Mapping

A growing volume of dasymetric mapping research poses a very important and still unanswered question about the historical origins of this method. Conflicting versions offered in the literature propagate confusion among researchers. This article attempts to clarify who invented the dasymetric mapping method and first published dasymetric maps, as well as when this took place. Evidence presented in this article suggests that the Russian geographer Benjamin Semenov-Tian-Shansky must be considered the originator and first practitioner of modern dasymetric mapping. He developed this technique in 1911 and published a substantial number of maps in the 1920s. Reviews and descriptions of Semenov-Tian-Shanskys works in English appeared in the Geographical Review a decade before the frequently cited article by John Wright was published in the same journal.

Post-staple bust: modeling economic effects of mine closures and post-mine demographic shifts in an arctic economy (Yukon)

Abstract This study uses input–output (IO) and demoeconomic modeling in order to simulate direct, indirect, and induced effects of mass mine closures and subsequent population change in Yukon during the cyclical economic crisis of the late 1990s. The goal is to further the knowledge of the anatomy of resource downturn and, more importantly, its extended implications in an arctic economy. Contrary to the stylized representations, the paper argues that Yukons economy is particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in population number and structure, in addition to the resource sector itself. Specifically, the major impact of a resource downturn on regional economy is found in induced effects related to demographic shifts (aging and depopulation) in the household sector followed by changes in consumption. This article demonstrates that high-tech and high-salary industries, and services (most favorable for the future of the region) suffer the most from population loss and aging. To trace these impacts the study utilizes several variants of single-region IO models, including extended demoeconomic IO model known as the Batey–Madden or Type IV framework. In our formulation, this model emphasizes age-specific consumption and is designed to track induced changes in sectoral gross outputs resulting from income and demographic shifts.

Creative Alaska: creative capital and economic development opportunities in Alaska

The flaws of the 20th century–type development ‘mega–projects’ in the circumpolar North prompt Arctic regions actively to search for alternative strategies of regional development that break away from resource–dependency and reconcile local (traditional) societies with the realities of post–Fordism and globalisation. This paper presents a study that focuses on the notion of creative capital (CC) and assesses its ability to foster economic development in Alaska. The findings suggest that some characteristics of the CC observed in Alaskan communities are similar to those found in southern regions, whereas others are distinct (but similar to those in the Canadian North). In Alaska, the synergy between cultural economy, entrepreneurship and leadership appear to be more important in characterising creative capacities than formal education. The geographical distribution of the CC is uneven and heavily clustered in economically, geographically and politically privileged northern urban centres. However, some remote regions also demonstrate considerable levels of creative potential, in particular associated with the aboriginal cultural capital (artists, crafters, etc.). A number of Alaskan regions, creative ‘hot spots’, could become places that can benefit from alternative strategies of regional development based on CC, knowledge–based and cultural economies.

Revising the Harris-Todaro framework to model labour migration from the Canadian Northern frontier

The Harris-Todaro model of labour migration was developed almost four decades ago, and since has become a classic method of migration analysis in less developed countries. This paper explores the applicability of the Harris-Todaro (HT) framework outside its traditional use, by modelling frontier-metropolis migration in Canada. If appropriate, the framework can potentially be used in other countries with similar regional dichotomies, such as Russia and Australia. The paper argues that the HT model is generally applicable in the context of migration from the resource frontier to large metropolitan areas of the Canadian south, although it requires several modifications. The classic HT model is extended to account for northern labour-force heterogeneity (Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal), the possibility of having or losing jobs in the declining and undiversified frontier economy, and living cost differentials. Further analysis is focused on Aboriginal migration from isolated northern communities. The plausibility of the modified HT model is demonstrated using an empirical test, in which the model is used to assess migration probabilities of Aboriginal labour migrants. These new insights into the mechanisms of frontier-metropolis migration could provide a better basis for developing planning strategies, aimed to sustain human capital in the Canadian North, and for optimizing welfare policies both in the North and in the South.

Lost Generations? Indigenous Population of the Russian North in the Post-Soviet Era

This paper discusses key findings concerning population dynamic of the Indigenous minorities living in the Russian North during the post-Soviet period, highlighted by the 2002 Census. The paper places recent demographic trends into the context of past and current economic, social and institutional changes. It also provides comparisons with Indigenous population dynamics in other parts of the Arctic. Although most Indigenous peoples of the Russian North were growing numerically, they still experienced effects of Russia’s economic crisis, primarily reflected in rapidly falling fertility and rising mortality in the middle-age cohorts. In addition, both the ethnic drift and legal changes seriously contributed to the population dynamic.

The Effect of Spatial Resolution of Remotely Sensed Data in Dasymetric Mapping of Residential Areas

This study explores the effect of spatial resolution on outcomes of dasymetric mapping using remotely sensed data, particularly the 30 m multispectral (MS) and 15 m panchromatic (PAN) spatial resolutions of Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM), 15 m of ASTER, and 1 m of airborne color infrared (CIR) imagery for Black Hawk County, Iowa. These images were classified to produce urban land cover maps. Then, dasymetric maps for population density were developed using residential areas derived from remotely sensed data and various GIS layers. The effect of spatial resolution on dasymetric maps was evaluated using traditional choropleth maps and a differentiation matrix. The accuracy of dasymetric maps with different spatial resolutions was assessed using highly detailed population density maps generated from the residential building footprints. The analysis demonstrates that dasymetric maps with higher spatial resolution tend to exhibit higher levels of accuracy. However, with higher spatial resolution data, factors such as spectral resolution and shadow effects should be considered for dasymetric mapping.

Quantifying spatiotemporal dynamics of agricultural landscapes using remotely sensed data and landscape metrics

This study focuses on the spatiotemporal dynamics of agricultural lands and differences in rapidly developing urban and declining rural counties in Iowa, USA between 1984 and 2000. The study presents an analysis of land-cover maps derived from Landsat TM and ETM+ satellite imagery and different landscape metrics using FRAGSTATS and IDRISI software. The study provides evidence of both loss of croplands and change in fragmentation between 1984 and 2000. Fragmentation in agriculture-dominated areas increased with the development of urban centres and diversification of land uses. Fragmentation of landscapes, including agricultural land, was found to be higher in the urbanized counties, but was stable or even declined over time in these counties. In contrast, in the context of remote rural areas, agricultural landscapes experienced rapid increase in fragmentation and farmland loss. The urban–rural gradient analysis used in this study showed that the highest fragmentation occurred on the city edges. These findings suggest that farmland fragmentation is a complex process associated with socio-economic trends at regional and local scales. In addition, socio-economic determinants of landscape fragmentation differ between areas with diverging development trajectories. Intensive cropland fragmentation in remote agricultural regions, detected by this research, should be further studied and its possible effects on both agricultural productivity and biodiversity should be carefully considered.

Monitoring and Modeling Cropland Loss in Rapidly Growing Urban and Depopulating Rural Counties Using Remotely Sensed Data and GIS

Abstract Iowa is the leading agricultural state in the USA. Increasing suburban and rural development as well as industrial and commercial growth threaten Iowas unique farmlands and cause their rapid conversion into other land uses. Thus, detecting spatial patterns of cropland loss and predicting future loss are important issues for better agricultural planning and management. This study provides a unique approach for monitoring and modeling cropland loss in Iowa, focusing on differences between rapidly growing urban counties and rural depopulating counties. The monitoring of farmland loss is based on classified 1984, 1992, and 2000 two‐season Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) satellite imagery. The modeling approach used joint cellular automata ‐ Markov simulation procedures to predict cropland loss for 2008 and 2016. Mapping of cropland dynamics, using remotely sensed data in urban and rural counties between 1984 and 2000, revealed that there was a significant decline of croplands in Iowa. The simulation of land cover changes for 2008 and 2016 showed continuing decline of croplands in both urban and rural counties. The results of the study can be used by local planners and managers for the development and application of sustainable agriculture practices in Iowa.

Arctic sustainability research: toward a new agenda

ABSTRACT The Arctic is among the world’s regions most affected by ongoing and increasing cultural, socio-economic, environmental and climatic changes. Over the last two decades, scholars, policymakers, extractive industries, local, regional and national governments, intergovernmental forums, and non-governmental organizations have turned their attention to the Arctic, its peoples and resources, and to challenges and benefits of impending transformations. The International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP) has now transpired three times, most recently in April 2015 with ICARP III. Arctic sustainability is an issue of increasing concern within the Arctic and beyond it, including in ICARP endeavors. This paper reports some of the key findings of a white paper prepared by an international and interdisciplinary team as part of the ICARP-III process, with support from the International Arctic Science Committee Social and Human Sciences Working Group, the International Arctic Social Sciences Association and the Arctic-FROST research coordination network. Input was solicited through sharing the initial draft with a broader network of researchers, including discussion and feedback at several academic and community venues. This paper presents a progress report on Arctic sustainability research, identifies related knowledge gaps and provides recommendations for prioritizing research for the next decade.