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Geological hazards in Xinxian County, Xinyang City, Henan Province, are characterized by their small scale, wide distribution, and significant influence from regional tectonics. This study focuses on collapses and landslide hazards within the area, selecting twelve evaluation factors: aspect, slope shape, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), topographic relief, distance from geological structure, slope, distance from roads, land use cover type, area of land change (2012–2022), average annual rainfall (2012–2022), and river network density. Utilizing data from historical disaster sites across the region, the information quantity method and hierarchical analysis method are employed to ascertain the information quantity and weight of each factor. Subsequently, a random forest model is applied to perform susceptibility zoning of geological hazards in Xinxian County and to examine the characteristics of these geological disasters. The results show that in the study area, the primary factors influencing the development of geohazards are the distance from roads, rock groups, and distance from geological structure areas. A comparison of the susceptibility results obtained through two methods, the analytic hierarchy process information quantity method and the random forests model, reveals that the former exhibits a higher accuracy. This model categorizes the geohazard susceptibility in the study area into four levels: low, medium, high, and very high. Notably, the areas of very high and high susceptibility together cover 559.17 km2, constituting 35.99% of the study area's total area, and encompass 57 disaster sites, which represent 72.15% of all disaster sites. Geological hazards in Xinxian County frequently manifest on steep canyon inclines, along the curved and concave banks of mountain rivers, within watershed regions, on gully inclines, atop steep cliffs, and on artificially created slopes, among other sites. Areas with very high and high vulnerability to these hazards are mainly concentrated near the county's geological formations. The gneiss formations are widely exposed in Xinxian County, and the gneisses' strength is significantly changed under weathering, which makes the properties of the different degrees of weathering of the rock and soil bodies play a decisive role in the stability of the slopes. This paper provides a basis for evaluating and preventing geologic hazards in the Dabie mountainous area of the South Henan Province, and the spatial planning of the national territory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of carbon neutrality, the phase-out of coal from the energy structure has resulted in numerous old coal mines that possess abundant underground space resources suitable for underground pumped hydroelectric energy storage (UPHES). Site selection and estimation of potential are critical to the planning and implementation of UPHES in old coal mines. This paper introduces a two-step site selection concept, including a screening assessment followed by a comprehensive assessment, to determine suitable locations for UPHES. The screening indicators in the screening assessment comprise geological features, mine water disasters, and minimum installed capacity, while the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is applied in the comprehensive assessment. Additionally, coal mines in Henan Province are preliminarily screened through the screening assessment and the potential for UPHES is thoroughly investigated. The estimated volume of the drifts and shafts in old coal mines is approximately 1.35 × 107 m3, while in producing coal mines, it is around 2.96 × 107 m3. Furthermore, the corresponding annual potential for UPHES is 1468.9 GWh and 3226.3 GWh, respectively. By consuming surplus wind and solar power, UPHES is able to reduce 4.68 × 105 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The study provides preliminary guidance for policy-makers in developing UPHES in old coal mines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flood hazards resulting from short-term severe precipitation have caused serious social and economic losses and have posed extraordinary threats to the safety of lives and property. Vulnerability, which reflects the degree of the adverse impact of flooding on a city, the sensitivity of the environment, and the extent to which rescues are possible during flooding, is one of the significant factors of the disaster risk assessment. Because of this, this paper proposes an Environmental Vulnerability Analysis Model (EVAM), based on comprehensively evaluating multi-source remote sensing data. The EVAM includes a two-stage, short-term flood vulnerability assessment. In the first stage, the flood's areal extension and land-use classification are extracted, based on the U-NET++ network, using multi-source satellite remote sensing images. The results from the first stage are used in the second stage of vulnerability assessment. In the second stage, combining multi-source data with associated feature extraction results establishes the Exposure–Sensitivity–Adaptive capacity framework. The short-term flood vulnerability index is leveraged through the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the entropy method is calculated for an environmental vulnerability evaluation. This novel proposed framework for short-term flood vulnerability evaluation is demonstrated for the Henan Province. The experimental results show that the proportion of vulnerable cities in the Henan Province ranging from high to low is 22.22%, 22.22%, 38.89%, and 16.67%, respectively. The relevant conclusions can provide a scientific basis for regional flood control and risk management as well as corresponding data support for post-disaster reconstruction in disaster regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The water resource carrying capacity (WRCC) is a carrying capacity of natural resources. It affects the application and expansion of the carrying capacity of water resources. This subject involves various elements, such as water resources, the ecological environment system, humans and their economic and social systems, and a wider range of biological groups and their survival needs. Based on the objective recognition of the complex relationship between the water resource system, ecological environment system, and economic and social system, the support scale of water resources and the ecological environment for economic and social development is studied. Current research on the carrying capacity of water resources has mostly shifted from the previously limited support capacity of water resources to include factors such as the population, economy, and ecology, establishing the internal relationships between the economics, water resources, and ecological environment. This reflects the comprehensive carrying capacity of the entire region (or river basin) of water resources and the ecological environment system on an overall economic and social scale. Based on the conceptual connotation of the WRCC and the actual problems facing water resources in Henan Province, the paper uses a system dynamics method to develop information feedback between the four subsystems of Henan Province: economic, population, water resource, and water environment subsystems. The index system of the WRCC in Henan Province is also determined. The weight of each index is comprehensively determined by a combination weighting method of the analytic hierarchy process and an entropy weight method, and then a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method is used to evaluate the WRCC of Henan Province under four different development models. The validation period of the model is 2010–2020, and the forecast period is 2021–2030. The results indicate that during the period 2021–2030, the WRCC of Henan Province showed a slight upward trend overall under the four models, but the increase rates were different under the different models. Among the four models, the comprehensive model's benefit was the best, which not only maintained the healthy and stable development of the economy and society but also improved the pressure on the water resources and the quality of the water environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combined weight method (CWM) for comprehensive water resources carrying capacity evaluation is proposed in this paper to evaluate the regional water resources carrying capacity. Firstly, the accelerating genetic algorithm based on analytic hierarchy process (AGA-AHP) method is improved to optimize the expert evaluation matrix and determine the subjective weight, in which entropy weight method is used to determine objective weight, and the combined weight formula is put forward to get the combined weight of evaluation index. Secondly, the certainty degree is calculated by using the multi-dimensional normal cloud model. The obstacle factors of evaluation index are diagnosed. Finally, taking Henan Province as an example, the regional water resources carrying capacity is evaluated by using CWM method. The comparison between single cloud model, AHP-TOPSIS and CWM is made. It is proved that CWM method takes the fuzziness and randomness into account in the evaluation process, and the efficient and intuitive results can be obtained through evaluation. The obstacle degree and the time changing pattern of the index can be clearly diagnosed, which can provide a new idea for the evaluation method of water resources carrying capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floods are among the most serious natural disasters worldwide; they cause enormous crop losses every year and threaten world food security. Many studies have focused on flood impact assessments for administrative districts, but fewer have focused on postdisaster impact assessments for specific crops. Therefore, this study used remote sensing data, including the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), elevation data, slope data, and precipitation data, combined with crop growth period data to construct a crop flood damage assessment index (CFAI). First, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to assign weights to the impact parameters; then, the Weighted Composite Score Method was used to calculate the CFAI; and finally, the impact was classified as sub-slight, slight, moderate, sub-severe, or severe based on the magnitude of the CFAI. This method was used for the Missouri River floods of 2019 in the United States and the Henan flood of 2021 in China. Due to the lack of measured data, the disaster vegetation damage index (DVDI) was used to compare the results. Compared with the DVDI, the CFAI underestimated the evaluation results. The CFAI can respond well to the degree of crop impact after flooding, providing new ideas and reference standards for agriculture-related departments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of global economy and society, water shortage has become a crucial limitation to the growth of many cities. The agricultural water resources carrying capacity (AWRCC) is a key indicator to judge the sustainable development of agriculture. It is necessary to quantificationally evaluate AWRCC to ensure safety of regional economic development and human being's living demand. To reasonably quantify AWRCC, this paper constructs an agricultural water resources evaluation system. CRITIC (CRiteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation) is introduced, and its combination with analytic hierarchy process (AHP) solves the subjectivity and randomness of weight determination. Based on the definition of AWRCC and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE), we construct support index (CCS), pressure index (CCP) and carrying capacity index (CCI) to describe the spatio-temporal variation of AWRCC in Henan Province. Applying sensitivity and correlation analyses into the AWRCC evaluation demonstrates practicality and rationality of results. It eventually provides corresponding suggestions to each city group with diverse carrying capacities. Main conclusions are as follow: (1) The per capita water consumption and agricultural water utilization rate in Henan trended to decrease yearly. The irrigation rate of cropland and the proportion of water-saving irrigation of cropland increased to a varying extent. Water resources utilization rate, cropland irrigation rate, proportion of water-saving irrigation in cropland, grain yield per unit cropland, and wetland proportion were relatively sensitive indicators and they were higher correlated with AWRCC. (2) During 2010–2020, although the agricultural water resources have been overloaded in Henan, AWRCC exhibited a slight enhancement on the temporal scale. On spatial scale, the central region had a stronger AWRCC than the surrounding cities, while the southwest region was relatively weaker, and the AWRCC of the eastern region continued to enhance. (3) According to the tertiary characteristics and spatio-temporal variation of AWRCC, cities of Henan can be roughly divided into four groups and some proposals were proposed individually to enhance the carrying capacity. The conclusion of this paper is helpful to understand the current situation of agricultural water resources in Henan and can provide a reference for the sustainable development of AWRCC. [Display omitted] • CRITIC combined with AHP solves the subjectivity of weight determination. • Spatio-temporal variation characteristics of AWRCC in Henan were analyzed. • Sensitivity and correlation analysis are used to detect AWRCC sensitive indicators. • Proposals were suggested respectively for cities with diverse AWRCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating the assessing results’ rationality for farmland quality (FQ) is usually qualitative and based on farmers and experts’ perceptions of soil quality and crop yield. Its quantitative checking still remains difficult and is likely ignored. In this paper, FQ in Xiuwu County, the Northwest Henan Province, China was evaluated by the gray relational analysis (GRA) method and the traditional analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method. The consistency rate of two results was analysed. Research focused on proposing one method of testing the evaluation results’ rationality for FQ based on the crop yield. Firstly generating a grade map of crop yield and overlying it with the FQ evaluation maps. Then analysing their consistency rate for each grade in the same spatial position. Finally examining the consistency effects and allowing for a decision on adopting the results. The results showed that the area rate consistency and matching evaluation unit numbers between the two methods were 84.68% and 87.29%, respectively, and the space distribution was approximately equal. The area consistency rates between crop yield level and FQ evaluation levels by GRA and AHP were 78.15% and 74.29%, respectively. Therefore, the verifying effects of GRA and AHP were near, good and acceptable, and the FQ results from both could reflect the crop yield levels. The evaluation results by GCA, as a whole, were slightly more rational than that by AHP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several deficiencies exist in the present evaluation of land reclamation quality in mining areas. These include the absence of an established set of evaluation index systems and standard acceptance criteria, as well as the use of traditional sampling techniques, which are costly and in efficiency, and time-consuming. Compared with the traditional sampling survey methods, remote sensing has the advantages of a wide detection range, diverse information collection, multiple data-acquiring strategies, high speed, and short cycle. In this study, we used the Xinzhuang coal mining field in Yongcheng, Henan Province as an example to extract information and invert surface parameters using remote sensing techniques, based on national and local reclamation regulations and standards. Subsequently, using remote sensing, we constructed an index system for evaluating land reclamation quality in three aspects: reclaiming project quality, soil quality, and ecological benefits. Through the grading standards of evaluation indicators and quantitative remote sensing models, we determined the extracted information on the area of indicators, roads, ditches, soil moisture, organic matter, and ecological benefits after reclamation. Based on this, we established a quality evaluation model for mining land reclamation using an improved index and method. The evaluation units were divided, and the weight of the evaluation index was determined using the analytic hierarchy process and data envelopment analysis (AHP–DEA) method. The land reclamation quality in the study area was comprehensively evaluated, field accuracy was verified, and the results were analyzed. The results show that, except for the removal of roads, houses, and fishponds in the study area, all 13 evaluation units achieved a score of 60 points or higher. The quality of reclamation met the standards, and the evaluation results were consistent with the conclusions of the field investigation and project acceptance report, demonstrating the reliability and feasibility of the method developed in this study. The research results will provide technical support for the scientific evaluation of land reclamation quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both the natural and social water cycles form part of the regional water cycle, and the assessment of the health of the social water cycle provides useful recommendations for resource allocation, urban planning, and development. The Zheng-Bian-Luo region (Zhengzhou, Kaifeng, Luoyang city cluster in China) is used as an example in this study. The three-level "goal criterion index" is used to develop a water cycle index system based on deeper knowledge of the notion of the social water cycle. The system has four criterion layers that measure water quantity, utility, quality, and ecology, in addition to 22 index levels regarding the total water resources and drinking water compliance rate. By using this as a foundation, the minimum information entropy principle was applied to couple AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) and EFAST (Extended Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Analysis) in order to calculate the comprehensive weights of the evaluation indicators and build a VIKOR (Intuitionistic Fuzzy Multi-attribute Decision Making Method) model of the relative preference relationship of the fused weights. This model was then compared to the conventional VIKOR model and the FCE (Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation Method) method in order to reflect on the objectivity of the evaluation results. The primary barriers preventing the improvement of water cycle health in the Zheng-Bian-Luo region were determined in this study by using the barrier degree model. The findings demonstrate that over the past 11 years, the overall water cycle health in the Zheng-Bian-Luo region has developed toward a healthy trend and that the water cycle health level in the region has gradually improved from the initial sub-pathological state to a healthy state. The results also demonstrate compliance with domestic drinking water sources, comprehensive water consumption per capita, the water consumption of CNY 10,000 of industrial-added value, the water consumption of CNY 10,000 of GDP, and the water consumption of CNY 10,000 for water. The primary barrier to the Zheng-Bian-Luo region's improvement in water health is the water consumption ratio. The findings of this study can serve as a scientific foundation for creating a balanced urban water cycle and achieving long-term development in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Real estate has always been a key industry associated with China's economic and social development, and the real estate market has fluctuated violently in recent years. An objective and accurate evaluation of Chinese residents' willingness to purchase housing provides a foundation for the sustainable development of the real estate industry. Accordingly, an evaluation index system and an evaluation model of Chinese residents' willingness to buy housing were established in this study. First, the influencing factors of Chinese residents' willingness to buy housing were systematically analyzed using Perceived Value Theory. Subsequently, the Continuous Ordered Weighted Averaging was used to assign weights to the selected index system, with smaller expert weights assigned to extreme expert opinions to reduce the subjectivity of the weight calculation results. Ultimately, an evaluation model based on the Extension Cloud Model was constructed. Residents of Nanyang City, Henan Province, China, were selected to find some distinctive conclusions. The empirical study showed that Nanyang residents were hesitant about the purchase intention of the case in April 2021, but quickly became resolute in not buying. Owing to the abrupt change in the real estate industry in China, perceived risk has become the most important risk factor. Several methods have been suggested to improve Chinese residents' willingness to buy housing. Compared with the Analytic Hierarchy Process, the Entropy Weight Method, the fuzzy mathematics, and the grey cluster analysis, it was proved that the proposed model was more effective and advanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is rich in mineral resources with many points and broad faces in metal and nonmetal mines. However, numerous goafs are formed due to backward mining technology, low intensification degree, incomplete safety precautions, and the excessive exploitation of mineral resources, thus leading to severe environmental disruption. Accidents, like goaf collapse, are major geological disasters in mine production, and goaf stability evaluation is of great importance for reducing natural disasters in goafs and implementing environmental protection. The hazard types of environmental disruption caused by mine goafs were first analyzed in this study. Then, an influence factor index system of goaf stability was established, and a case study of a mine goaf in Henan Province was conducted using an analytic hierarchy process (AHP)-based fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model. Results show that the hazards of environmental disruption in mine goafs are manifested in the structural failure of surrounding buildings, massive water and soil loss, the exhaustion of water resources, the degradation of soil quality, and the remarkable reduction of overlying animals and plants. Technical factors exert the maximum influence on underground goaf stability with the total weight value reaching 72.42%, and the influence weight of goaf span on goaf stability reaches 21.43%, followed by goaf area and pillar distribution with influence weights of 18.58% and 11.17%, respectively. Through fuzzy AHP-based comprehensive evaluation and calculation, the goaf stability of the Henan Sandaozhuang open-pit mine in the case study belongs to grade (ordinary), that is, the goaf stability is in the ordinary state, and the evaluation result reflects the reality. The study results have improved the reasonable stability and safety management scheme for complex multi-layer goaf and solved complex goaf hazards faced by Gaofeng mining area, so they will be of general significance for the environmental governance of other underground mine goafs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional cement building generates abundant construction wastes during construction and waste transportation. Thus, it incurs high building resource consumption, low building efficiency, and frequent occurrence of safety accidents, which result in relatively low utilization ratio of building resources and relatively serious environmental pollution pressure. A prefabricated building can save building materials and energies and decrease construction waste emission; it is also an essential choice when the construction industry develops to a high level in a country. A case study based on a residential project in Henan Province, China was carried out. Firstly, studies concerning the environmental benefits of prefabricated building in foreign developed countries were reviewed. Second, the types of environmental damage from cement building were summarized. Third, an evaluation index system of environmental benefits of the prefabricated building was established. Finally, environmental benefit scores in the case study were calculated using the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method based on the analytic hierarchy process. Results demonstrated that prefabricated building is extensively applied in Europe. Traditional cement buildings bring various types of environmental pollution, including water, solid waste, and dust pollutions and vegetation damage. In a case study, the environmental benefits of the prefabricated building are assessed at a good level close to excellent. Environmental benefits of the prefabricated building can be improved by encouraging real estate developers to adopt prefabricated building. In this manner, the installation efficiency of mechanical devices and construction efficiency can be increased, and the construction safety of projects can be improved. Research conclusions can provide references not only for the government to formulate policies in favour of prefabricated building development and measures for reducing environmental pollutions but also for the construction industry to enrich benefit evaluation systems for prefabricated building projects. This study is highly important in the realization of green sustainable development in the construction industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various problems of traditional cast-in-place buildings, such as heavy energy consumption, severe environmental pollution, and low labour productivity, have hindered the development of the construction industry. Prefabricated buildings have a direct bearing on national economic development and transformation of people’s lifestyle because of their high economic, environmental, social, and safety benefits. The technological research and development level for prefabricated buildings and system policies in China are still in the initial stage, and the environmental performance and influencing factors of prefabricated buildings limit their large-scale implementation. The literature in developed countries regarding the environmental performance and influencing factors of prefabricated buildings was first reviewed in this study. Community A in Zhengzhou City, Henan Province was used as the case study. AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) was applied to measure the factors influencing the environmental performance of prefabricated buildings, and policy suggestions were proposed to improve their environmental performance. Results indicate that developed countries tend to construct prefabricated buildings in large areas because of their remarkable economic, environmental, social, and safety benefits. Measurement results of Community A in Zhengzhou City, Henan Province show that the main environmental pollution factor of prefabricated buildings is waste discharge, accounting for 40%, followed by noise pollution, energy consumption, and dust pollution. The environmental performance of prefabricated buildings can be improved by promoting their development, reducing their environmental pollution, establishing a standard prefabricated concrete system, enhancing the environmental standards for buildings, expanding the application scope of prefabricated concrete, encouraging environmental technology innovation of buildings, cultivating prefabricated building bases, and strengthening environmental governance of construction sites. The findings will serve as reference in determining the main factors influencing the environmental performance of prefabricated buildings, establishing an evaluation system for the environmental benefits of prefabricated buildings, promoting their improvement and optimized development, and enriching and perfecting an evaluation research system for their comprehensive benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]