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Finding harmony between the environment and humanity: an introduction to the thematic issue of the Silk Road

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Abstract

The Silk Road initiative is both exciting and controversial, as it may bring environmental degradation and water resources concerns, and at the same time it promotes swift economic growth in poverty-stricken areas along the Silk Road. Finding a balance between environmental protection and economic growth is the motivation for publishing this thematic issue. The Guest Editors introduce the background of the Silk Road in this editorial and the papers included in this thematic issue. These studies represent only some preliminary efforts toward establishing the harmonious relationships required to address these issues and to encourage further investigations.

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Acknowledgements

Sincere thanks are extended to the editorial staff of Environmental Earth Sciences, especially to Dr. James LaMoreaux, Editor-in-Chief. Without his generous support, this thematic issue would have never been published. Dr. LaMoreaux also handled the leading guest editor’s papers in the peer-review process and that effort is very much appreciated. The scientists who acted as volunteer reviewers are sincerely acknowledged for their constructive comments on the manuscripts and the authors are also acknowledged for their contributions to this thematic issue.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region of the Ministry of Education, Chang’an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi’an, 710054, China

    Peiyue Li & Hui Qian

  2. School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Chang’an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi’an, 710054, China

    Peiyue Li & Hui Qian

  3. ERT, Inc., 4890 University Square, Huntsville, AL, 35816, USA

    Wanfang Zhou

Authors
  1. Peiyue Li
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  2. Hui Qian
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  3. Wanfang Zhou
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peiyue Li.

Additional information

This article is a part of a Topical Collection in Environmental Earth Sciences on “Advances of Research in Soil, Water, Environment, and Geologic Hazards Along the Silk Road” guest edited by Drs. Peiyue Li, Hui Qian and Wanfang Zhou.

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Li, P., Qian, H. & Zhou, W. Finding harmony between the environment and humanity: an introduction to the thematic issue of the Silk Road. Environ Earth Sci 76, 105 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-017-6428-9

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