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To purchase or authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1477-8947.2008.00212.x Byline: Shahriar M. Wahid (1), Mukand S. Babel (1), Ashim Das Gupta (1), Jayant K. Routray (2), Roberto S. Clemente (1) Keywords: Land degradation; Land use; GIS; Logistic regression; Watershed management; Thailand Abstract: Abstract In this contemporary interpretation of the widespread land degradation problem in Southeast Asia, it is hypothesized that spatial interplay of environmental and socioeconomic predictors determines the occurrence of land degradation. Village surveys, remote sensing and spatial auto-logistic modelling of the relationship between degradation and land use dynamics in Lam Phra Phloeng watershed of Thailand enabled 80.2% of land to be classified correctly in terms of the presence or absence of erosion and explained 53.2% of the total variation. Cultivation and dependence on agriculture for livelihood positively and significantly affect degradation. Lack of access to institutional credit and land titles significantly increased the probability of occurrence of degradation. On the other hand, education and social cohesion are negatively associated with the occurrence of degradation. The Relative Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was used to measures the performance of the model. The calculated area under the curve (0.879) suggests that significant predictor variables in the model can be confidently used to forecast the likelihood of occurrence of degradation and thus to identify priority areas for intervention. Policies to reduce land degradation should include measures to reduce pressure on the land, including alternative income sources. Policies could mobilize capital to invest in encouraging nature-based tourism and other off-farm income options. Author Affiliation: (1)Water Engineering and Management, Asian Institute of Technology, Pathumthan, Thailand (2)Regional and Rural Development Planning, Asian Institute of Technology, Pathumthan, Thailand

School safety within and outside the schools is a priority for school heads, teacher education administrators and the governments around the globe. In China, despite several policy instruments, rules and regulations, school safety is often questioned and highlighted in the print and TV media. There is a need to address the issues associated with school safety and provide improved educational environments for male and female students in rural and urban areas. This paper uses 12 indicators to assess the safety status in schools in a remote province of Gansu, China and provide a comparative perspective between urban and rural schools and along gender lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efforts of Nongovernmental organizations in decreasing poverty in Bangladesh rural regions are presented.

This study is conducted in ethnic plateau of Deqin County of Yunnan Province, China, to understand the multidimensional poverty status using the Alkire–Foster Method with contextualized indicators linked to the dimensions of Education, Health, Living Conditions, Assets, and Social Relations. Using data gathered from 647 households in eight townships, the multidimensional poverty index (MPI) is calculated. Generally, Assets and Living Conditions are the two dimensions lacking in most households. This research takes the perception of the household into account, and compares the MPI results with the household self-assessment results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article attempts to determine the effect of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) on rural community sustainability by comparing digital literacy, degree of community economic vitality, and online activities between villages with well-equipped ICT infrastructure and typical villages. Digital literacy was measured with a weighted personal informatization index. Community economic vitality was analyzed with annual income and economic opportunity. Community online activities were examined with three themes: media utilization status, online activity, and degree of online participation in community issues. The results show that ICT infrastructure improved digital literacy and invigorated community economy and community activities. Nevertheless, this study exposed a few problems. These include (1) inefficiencies to enhance individuals' ability to use computer hardware and software, and (2) reduced income levels below average national farm household income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flood disasters and its consequent damages are on the rise globally. Pakistan has been experiencing an increase in flood frequency and severity along with resultant damages in the past. In addition to the regular practices of loss and damage estimation, current focus is on risk assessment of hazard-prone communities. Risk measurement is complex as scholars engaged in disaster science and management use different quantitative models with diverse interpretations. This study tries to provide clarity in conceptualizing disaster risk and proposes a risk assessment methodology with constituent components such as hazard, vulnerability (exposure and sensitivity) and coping/adaptive capacity. Three communities from different urban centers in Pakistan have been selected based on high flood frequency and intensity. A primary survey was conducted in selected urban communities to capture data on a number of variables relating to flood hazard, vulnerability and capacity to compute flood risk index. Households were categorized into different risk levels, such as can manage risk, can survive and cope, and cannot cope. It was found that risk levels varied significantly across the households of the three communities. Metropolitan city was found to be highly vulnerable as compared to smaller cities due to weak capacity. Households living in medium town had devised coping mechanisms to manage risk. The proposed methodology is tested and found operational for risk assessment of flood-prone areas and communities irrespective of locations and countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]