全球干旱/半干旱区年代尺度干湿变化研究的进展及思考

干旱/半干旱区气候变化研究一直是广泛关注的前沿科学问题,尤其是气候干湿变化规律及未来的发展趋势。过去大量的研究揭示了全球不同干旱/半干旱区的干湿变化事实和机理,取得了一系列重要进展,IPCC第6次评估报告明确指出未来全球干旱化将加剧,但也存在诸多问题没有得到一致的认识。本文将对全球变暖背景下有关干旱/半干旱区年代尺度干湿变化,特别是年代尺度干旱研究进行梳理,系统评述当前相关研究的现状并提出干旱/半干旱区研究所面临的关键科学问题。

关于我国北方干旱化及其转折性变化

过去半个世纪,中国经历了北方的"西湿东干"和东部的"南涝北旱"的降水分布格局。近十几年来,这种降水长期变化的分布格局是维持还是发生了变化?针对这个问题,本文基于年降水观测数据、自矫正的帕尔默干旱指数sc PDSI、地表湿润指数SWI及GRACE(Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment)卫星数据反演的陆地水储量(TWS)对中国区域干旱化问题进行了再分析。结果表明,近16年(2001~2016年),中国东部地区(100°E以东)"南涝北旱"的格局正在发生显著的变化,长江上中游及江淮流域已转为显著的干旱化趋势,而华北地区的降水已转为增加趋势,东部"南旱北涝"的格局基本形成;北方过去的"西湿东干"也转变为"西干东湿"的空间分布特征。显然,中国区域的降水格局在2001年后发生了明显的年代尺度转折性变化,两种常用干旱指数sc PDSI和SWI的分析也证明了这一点。但GRACE的陆地水储量(TWS)的分析却显示,最近16年来,中国东部"南涝北旱"的格局仍未发生变化,北方大部分地区仍然处于干旱化的时段,且有加剧的趋势,其原因有待于进一步研究。

一个引入近地层的区域气候模式

把近地层引入到ＮＣＡＲ的区域气候模式ＲｅｇＣＭ２中（简称为ＲＣＭＣ１），用该模式及 １９９１年梅雨期间的观测资料作了３组模拟试验，并同实况进行了比较。结果表明，在区域气候模式中引入近地层后，能够更合理的模拟出地表及植被同大气之间的感热和潜热通量输送，从而改善模式模拟的月降水及月平均地面温度的分布。１０层的ＲＣＭＣ１比１８层ＲＣＭ具有更优的模拟气候的能力，且一个模式天的计算量节省 ２２７ｓ。

季风亚洲区域集成研究国际计划(MAIRS)10年回顾

季风亚洲区域集成研究(Monsoon Asia Integrated Regional Study,简称MAIRS)是国际全球变化研究计划(GEC)和地球系统科学联盟(ESSP)的一个子计划,是全球变化邻域第一个由中国科学家提出,并组织实施的国际计划,历时10余年。MAIRS明确提出:不同于过去和正在进行的任何一个关于季风的研究计划,MAIRS研究的主题是人类与季风系统的相互作用。本文从四个方面回顾了这个计划的历程:(1)2003~2006年的可行性研究。包括区域集成研究概念的提出、亚洲区域全球变化研究的快速评估、以及在此基础上确定MAIRS的总体科学目标和起草MAIRS的科学计划。(2)2006年正式发布的MAIRS科学计划的主要内容。包括季风亚洲区域面临的环境变化和研究挑战、集成研究的科学问题、四个最脆弱区域的确定以及计划执行的方法和手段等。(3)2006~2016年MAIRS计划的执行情况。包括组织结构、科学活动、研究项目和成果、以及国际合作网络的建立。(4)MAIRS的国际影响和未来发展。MAIRS与未来地球国际计划(Future Earth)。

The Role of Land-sea Distribution and Orography in the Asian Monsoon. Part II： Orography

The role of various mountains in the Asian monsoon system is investigated by AGCM simulations with different mountains. The comparison of the simulation with Asian mountains （MAsia run） with the simulation without mountains （NM run） reveals that the presence of the Asian mountains results in a stronger South Asian summer monsoon （SASM）, characterized by enhanced lower-tropospheric westerly winds, uppertropospheric easterly winds, and stronger water vapor convergence. In East Asia, the southerly winds and water vapor convergence are significantly strengthened in association with the intensified zonal pressure gradient between the East Asian continent and the Pacific Ocean. Both the dynamical and thermodynamic forcing of the Tibetan Plateau play important role in strengthening the Asian summer monsoon. In winter, the presence of Asian mountains significantly strengthens the continental high, which leads to a stronger Asian winter monsoon. The presence of African-Arabian mountains helps to intensify the exchange of mass between the Southern Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere by strengthening the cross equatorial flows in the lower and upper troposphere over East Africa. Asian mountains also play a crucial role in the seasonal evolution of Asian monsoons. In comparison with the NM run, the earlier onset and later withdrawal of lower-tropospheric westerly winds can be found over South Asia in the MAsia run, indicating a longer SASM period. The African-Arabian mountains also moderately contribute to the seasonal variation of the South Asian monsoon. In East Asia, the clear southto-north march of the southerly winds and subtropical rainfall starts to occur in early summer when the effects of Asian mountains are considered.

Global and Regional Impacts of Vegetation on the Hydrological Cycle and Energy Budget as Represented by the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM3)

The effects of vegetation and its seasonal variation on energy and the hydrological cycle were examined using a state-of-the-art Community Atmosphere Model (CAM3). Three 15-year numerical experiments were completed: the first with realistic vegetation characteristics varying monthly (VEG run), the second without vegetation over land (NOVEG run), and the third with the vegetation characteristics held at their annual mean values (VEGMEAN run). In these models, the hydrological cycle and land surface energy budget were widely affected by vegetation. Global-and annual-mean evapotranspiration significantly increased by 11.8% in the VEG run compared with the NOVEG run, while runoff decreased by 13.2% when the realistic vegetation is incorporated. Vegetation plays different roles in different regions. In tropical Asia, vegetation-induced cooling of the land surface plays a crucial role in decreasing tropical precipitation. In middle latitudes and the Amazon region, however, the vegetation-induced increase of evapotranspiration plays a more important role in increasing precipitation. The seasonal variation of vegetation also shows clear influences on the hydrological cycle and energy budget. In the boreal midhigh latitudes where vegetation shows a strong seasonal cycle, evapotranspiration and precipitation are higher in the summer in the VEG run than in the VEGMEAN run.

Performance of Convective Parameterization Schemes in Asia Using RegCM:Simulations in Three Typical Regions for the Period 1998–2002

This study discusses the sensitivity of convective parameterization schemes（CPSs） in the Regional Climate Model（version 4.3）（Reg CM4.3） over East/South Asia. The simulations using different CPSs in Reg CM are compared to discover a suitable scheme for this region, as the performance of different schemes is greatly influenced by region and seasonality. Over Southeast China and the Bay of Bengal, the Grell scheme exhibits the lowest RMSEs of summer precipitation compared to observed data. Moreover, the Emanuel over land and Grell over ocean（ELGO） scheme enhances the simulation, in comparison with any single CPS（Grell/Emanuel） over Western Ghats, Sri Lanka, and Southeast India. Over the Huang–Huai–Hai Plain（3H） and Tibetan Plateau（TP） regions of China, the Tiedtke scheme simulates the more reasonable summer precipitation with high correlation coefficient and comparable amplitude. Especially, it reproduces a minimum convective precipitation bias of 8 mm d^-1and the lowest RMSEs throughout the year over East/South Asia. Furthermore, for seasonal variation of precipitation, the Tiedtke scheme results are closer to the observed data over the 3H and TP regions. However, none of the CPSs is able to simulate the seasonal variation over North Pakistan（NP）. In comparison with previous research, the results of this study support the Grell scheme over South Asia. However, the Tiedtke scheme shows superiority for the 3H, TP and NP regions. The thicker PBL, less surface latent heat flux, the unique ability of deep convection and the entrainment process in the Tiedtke scheme are responsible for reducing the wet bias.

加速发展地球系统科学,为人类社会可持续发展提供科学支撑

全球气候变暖带来的极端天气、气候事件频发和加剧等环境问题,已经对人类社会可持续发展构成严重威胁。地球气候和环境变化是地球系统的整体行为,科学应对全球气候变化的根本途径就是加速发展地球系统科学。地球系统科学已经成为当代最有挑战性的前沿科学领域之一,被称为“第二次哥白尼革命”。16世纪哥白尼提出的“日心地动学说”,推翻了以地球为中心的宇宙观,确立了地球在宇宙空间的正确地位,引起的不仅是天文学领域的革命,也是地球科学的革命,并且推动新物理学的诞生,被称为“哥白尼革命”。

黄河流域气候与水文变化的现状及思考

黄河是中华民族的母亲河,孕育了博大精深的中华文明。同时,流域频发的水旱灾害也给黄河两岸的人民群众带来了深重的灾难。当前,由于全球增暖和人类活动加剧的影响,黄河流域气候及水文过程发生了显著的变化,流域整体气候的暖干化和人类用水的不断增加使得黄河流域的水文干旱不断加剧。“退耕还林还草”政策的实施使得黄土高原的植被覆盖得到极大改善,有效地抑制了严重的水土流失,但同时也导致该地区土壤的干化和干土层的加厚,这些是黄河流域生态保护和高质量发展面临的重大问题,也是涉及气候-水-生态-人类社会如何协同发展的基础科学问题。

Advances in studying interactions between aerosols and monsoon in China

Scientific issues relevant to interactions between aerosols and the Asian monsoon climate were discussed and evaluated at the 33 rd "Forum of Science and Technology Frontiers" sponsored by the Department of Earth Sciences at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Major results are summarized in this paper. The East Asian monsoon directly affects aerosol transport and provides a favorable background circulation for the occurrence and development of persistent fog-haze weather. Spatial features of aerosol transport and distribution are also influenced by the East Asian monsoon on seasonal, inter-annual, and decadal scales. High moisture levels in monsoon regions also affect aerosol optical and radiative properties. Observation analyses indicate that cloud physical properties and precipitation are significantly affected by aerosols in China with aerosols likely suppressing local light and moderate rainfall, and intensifying heavy rainfall in southeast coastal regions. However, the detailed mechanisms behind this pattern still need further exploration. The decadal variation in the East Asian monsoon strongly affects aerosol concentrations and their spatial patterns. The weakening monsoon circulation in recent decades has likely helped to increase regional aerosol concentrations. The substantial increase in Chinese air pollutants has likely decreased the temperature difference between land and sea, which favors intensification of the weakening monsoon circulation. Constructive suggestions regarding future studies on aerosols and monsoons were proposed in this forum and key uncertain issues were also discussed.

Global aridification in the second half of the 20th century and its relationship to large-scale climate background

The variation in surface wetness index (SWI), which was derived from global gridded monthly precipi- tation and monthly mean surface air temperature datasets of Climatic Research Unit (CRU), from 1951― 2002 over global land was analyzed in this paper. The characteristics of the SWI variation in global continents, such as North America, South America, Eurasia, Africa, and Australia, were compared. In addition, the correlation between the SWI variation of each continent (or across the globe) and the large-scale background closely related to SST variations, which affects climate change, was analyzed. The results indicate that the SWI variation shows distinct regional characteristics in the second half of the 20th century under global warming. A drying trend in the last 52 years occurred in Africa, Eurasia, Australia and South America, most obviously in Africa and Eurasia. North America shows a wetting trend after 1976. A 30-year period of dry-wet oscillation is found in South America and Australia; the latest is in a drying period in two regions. The results also revealed that global warming has changed the dry-wet pattern of the global land. South America and Australia have a drying trend despite in- creases in precipitation. This indicates that increases in surface air temperature cannot be ignored in aridification studies. Global dry-wet variation is closely related to large-scale SST variations: the drying trend in Africa and Eurasia and the wetting trend in North America are correlated with Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO); the interdecadal oscillation of SWI in South America and Australia is consistent with the interdecadal variation in Southern Oscillation Index (SOI).

Change of precipitation intensity spectra at different spatial scales under warming conditions

The long-term change of the whole spectra of precipitation intensity in China is examined using observed daily data recorded at 477 surface stations for the period from 1961 to 2008. The results show a spatially coherent decrease of trace precipitation despite different reduction magnitudes among the regions. For measurable precipitation, significant regional and seasonal characteristics are observed. In autumn, the whole measurable precipitation decreased over Eastern China (east of 98°E). In summer and winter, a significant increase of heavy precipitation and decrease of light precipitation are detected south of Eastern China. In Western China, measurable precipitation is found to have increased in all four seasons. Composite analysis reveals a quasi-linear relationship between increasing surface temperature and precipitation on a global scale. The responses of precipitation at different intensities to the increased temperature are distinct, with a significant spectra-shifting from light to heavy precipitation. Compared with precipitation over the ocean, the amplification of heavy precipitation over land is relatively less, most likely constrained by the limited water supply. The response of regional precipitation to global warming shows greater uncertainties compared with those on the global scale, perhaps due to interference by more complex topography and land cover, as well as human activities, among other factors.

Projection of global mean surface air temperature changes in next 40 years: Uncertainties of climate models and an alternative approach

The Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) of the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that the climate projection using climate models that took account of both human and natural factors provided credible quantitative estimates of future climate change; however, the mismatches between the IPCC AR4 model ensembles and the observations, especially the multi-decadal variability (MDV), have cast shadows on the confidence of the model-based decadal projections of future cli mate. This paper reports an evaluation of many individual runs of AR4 models in the simulation of past global mean tempera ture. We find that most of the individual model runs fail to reproduce the MDV of past climate, which may have led to the overestimation of the projection of global warming for the next 40 years or so. Based on such an evaluation, we propose an al ternative approach, in which the MDV signal is taken into account, to project the global mean temperature for the next 40 years and obtain that the global warming during 2011–2050 could be much smaller than the AR4 projection.

Climatic changes in the Twenty-four Solar Terms during 1960-2008

The temperature thresholds and timings of the 24 climatic Solar Terms in China are determined from a homogenized dataset of the surface air temperature recorded at 549 meteorological stations for the period 1960-2008 employing the ensemble empirical mode decomposition method.Changes in the mean temperature and timing of the climatic solar terms are illustrated.The results show that in terms of the mean situation over China,the number of cold days such as those of Slight Cold and Great Cold has decreased,especially by 56.8% for Great Cold in the last 10 years(1998-2007) compared with in the 1960s.The number of hot days like those of Great Heat has increased by 81.4% in the last 10 years compared with in the 1960s.The timings of the climatic Solar Terms during the warming period(around spring) in the seasonal cycle have advanced significantly by more than 6 d,especially by 15 d for Rain Water,while those during the cooling period(around autumn) have delayed significantly by 5-6 d.These characteristics are mainly due to a warming shift of the whole seasonal cycle under global warming.However,the warming shift affects the different Solar Terms to various extents,more prominently in the spring than in the autumn.The warming tendencies for Rain Water,the Beginning of Spring,and the Waking of Insects are the largest,2.43?C,2.37?C,and 2.21?C,respectively,for the period 1961-2007 in China as a whole.Four particular phenology-related climatic Solar Terms,namely the Waking of Insects,Pure Brightness,Grain Full,and Grain in Ear,are found to have advanced almost everywhere.In semi-arid zones in northern China,advances of the timings of these four climatic Solar Terms are significant,12-16,4-8,4-8,and 8-12 d,respectively,for the period 1961-2007.These quantitative results provide a scientific base for climate change adaptation,especially in terms of agricultural planning and energy-saving management throughout a year.