Water quality is highly dependent on the landscape characteristics. In this study, we investigated the relationships between water quality and landscape pattern (composition and configuration) in Huzhou City, China. The water quality variables, including pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD_Mn), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), NH₃-N, petroleum, dissolved total phosphorus (DTP), and total nitrogen (TN) in low water, normal water and flood periods were identified by investigating 34 sampling sites in Huzhou City during the period from 2001 to 2007. Landscape composition and landscape configuration metrics were calculated for different scales. It was found that scales and seasons both play important role when analyzing the relationships between landscape characteristics of different land use types. The results implied that some water quality parameters such as COD_Mn, petroleum are more polluted in flood period than the other two seasons at different scales, while DTP and TN are more polluted in low water period. Influences of different landscape metrics on water quality should operate at different spatial scales. The results shown in this paper will effectively provide scientific basis for the policy making in sustainable development of water environment.

Global warming is a serious environmental problem facing the world in the 21st century. Carbon dioxide, an important greenhouse gas, is the driver of global warming. Rapid urbanization has not only improved the quality of life, but has also led to radical increases in carbon emissions. In order to achieve a win-win situation between urbanization and carbon emissions reduction, research on the decoupling relationship between urbanization and carbon emissions has great significance, especially in Africa, where urbanization is advancing rapidly. This study explores the decoupling relationship between different types of urbanization (demographic urbanization, spatial urbanization, economic urbanization, social urbanization) and carbon emissions in Africa. The results show that the decoupling relationship between demographic urbanization and carbon emissions is similar to the decoupling relationship between spatial urbanization and carbon emissions. The decoupling relationship between economic urbanization and carbon emissions is similar to the decoupling relationship between social urbanization and carbon emissions. Only 4 of the 33 African countries studied have achieved the decoupling of four types of urbanization from carbon emissions in the long period (2000–2018). These findings can provide some guidance for the sustainable development of Africa.

Taxis have always been an important part of the urban transportation system in metropolises since they can meet many demands and greatly improve travel efficiency. This article explores the distributions of hot spot destinations of taxi, land surface temperature data, and visible infrared imaging radiometer (VIIRS) nighttime light data in Beijing, Shanghai, and Wuhan. This article further selects point of interests (POIs) that are very close to taxi ridership patterns. This article finally uses a geographically weighted regression model to examine the relationship between population flow by taxi and urban vitality, which is represented by land surface temperature, nighttime light data, and influential POIs. The results suggest that urban structure has an impact on the distribution of drop-off points and nighttime light. The implementation of the relevant policies is revealed to have a certain influence on the alleviation of the urban thermal environment. Traffic stations and financial facilities contribute to an increase in travel, and their influences vary spatially. Similarly, the relationships between the drop-off points and LST and NTL vary spatially. This article aids in understanding population flow and urban vitality development. In addition, this article provides valuable results for policy-makers to promote urban vitality development.