Environmental Conditions of Barchan Dune and Barchan Chain-A Case Study from the Hexi Desert Area of Gansu

[Objective] The paper was to discuss why the top of tall barchan dunes and barchan chains widespread in single prevailing wind area had not been leveled by wind erosion. [Method] Based on the preliminary survey of distribution status,the morphological characteristics and environmental conditions of barchan dunes and barchan chains in Hexi desert area of Gansu were investigated in details. The significance of difference between samples and significance of correlation between indicators were examined via variance test. [Result] Barchan dunes and barchan chains in Hexi desert area of Gansu distributed at the leeward direction of desert fringe,generally in patch distribution. The distribution area was gravelly beach or cohesive gravel beach,with broader dune slack; winds in distribution area of barchan dunes and barchan chains blew obviously from one direction,while winds at other directions were light or occasionally strong but with low frequency;the barchan dune in the desert fringe of Hexi desert area of Gansu was relatively tall,while barchan chain was even more taller and larger. Coincidence or separation of the dune peak and the sand ridge might be related to distribution frequency of dominant prevailing wind or wind at opposite direction and the observation seasons.[Conclusion]Studying top stability of barchan dune has an important academic value in revealing blowing sand movement rule at desert fringe,invasion of sand flow,and expansion of desert.

Impact of livelihood diversification of rural households on their ecological footprint in agro-pastoral areas of northern China

Human-environment relationship is a focus of academic researches and an understanding of the rela- tionship is important for making effective policies and decisions. In this study, based on rural household survey data of Taibus Banner, Duolun county and Zhengxiangbai Banner in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region of China, we identified the impact of livelihood diversification on ecosystems in these agro-pastoral areas by using the ecological footprint theory and methodology together with the one-way analysis of variance （ANOVA） and correlation analysis methods. In 2011, the total ecological footprint of consumption （EFC） was 0.665 g hm2, and the total ecological footprint of production （EFP） was 2.045 g hm2, which was more than three times the EFC. The ecological footprint of arable land consumption （EFAC） accounted for a large proportion of the EFC, and the ecological footprint of grassland production （EFGP） occupied a large proportion of the EFP. Both the ecological footprint of grassland consumption （EFGC） and EFGP had a significant positive correlation with the income, indicating that income was mainly depended on livestock production and the households with higher incomes consumed more livestock prod- ucts. The full-time farming households （FTFHs） had the highest EFP, ecological footprint of arable land production （EFAP）, EFGP and EFGC, followed by the part-time farming households （PTFHs） and non-farming households （NFHs）, which indicated that part-time farming and non-farming employment reduced the occupancy and con- sumption of rural households on local ecosystems and natural resources to some extent. When farming households engaged in livestock rearing, both the EFAP and EFAC became smaller, while the EFP, EFC, EFGC and EFGP increased significantly. The differences in ecological footprints among different household groups should be taken into account when making ecosystem conservation policies. Encouraging the laborers who have the advantages of participating in non-farming employment to move out of the rural areas and increasing the diversification of liveli- hoods of rural households are important in reducing the environmental pressures and improving the welfare of households in the study area. Moreover, grassland should be utilized more effectively in the future.

Spatial pattern and mechanisms of farmland abandonment in Agricultural and Pastoral Areas of Qingzang Plateau

With the rapid development of social economy and urban−rural integration,the phenomenon of farmland aban-donment worldwide has proved to be one of the main trends of land use and land cover change(LUCC),and profoundly affected the rural landscape and regional ecological environment.Restricted by the natural environ-ment,economic development and backward agricultural technology,the phenomenon of farmland abandonment is also common in the Qingzang Plateau(QP).Therefore,this paper adopted the spatial autocorrelation method to analyze the spatial pattern of abandonment in the agricultural and pastoral areas of the Qingzang Plateau(APA−QP)in 2017,and the geographically weighted regression(GWR)model to explore the effects of geograph-ical resources,socio-economic development and location conditions on farmland abandonment.This study found that:1)From 2015 to 2017,the abandoned farmland area in the APA−QP was approximately 18.23×10^(4)ha,with an overall abandonment rate of 15.18%.On the whole,it showed the distribution characteristics of“strong in the south and weak in the north,strong in the east and weak in the west”.2)There were positive spatial correlation between both abandoned area and abandonment rate in the APA−QP,showing“concave”and“convex”patterns,respectively,mainly concentrated in the Huang−shui Valley and the Southeast Tibet;while in the western and northern regions,the degree of abandonment was relatively low.3)Farmland abandonment in the APA−QP was mainly driven by the geographical environment changes and farmers’decision−making on farmland utilization.There was significant spatial heterogeneity on farmland abandonment associated with the impact of geographical resources,socio−economics and location conditions.The geographical resource factors had a positive impact on the abandonment,and were strongly constrained by natural geographic conditions such as altitude and slope.The farmland resources in the Qingzang Plateau are limited,but are of strategic significance for the sustainable development of agriculture in the whole Qingzang Plateau.In order to realize the rational distribution of agricul-ture and animal husbandry and the sustainable utilization of farmland resources in the plateau region,land use strategies should be implemented according to regional differences and regional advantages in order to ensure the ecological environment security of Qingzang Plateau.

Vegetation changes in the agricultural-pastoral areas of northern China from 2001 to 2013

Climate change and human activity have resulted in increasing change of vegetation growth globally. Numerous studies have been conducted on extreme climate events and analyses of ecological environment evolution. However, such studies have placed little emphasis on vegetation change and spatial variation in this type of ecotone. Accordingly, this study analyzed the changes in vegetation type and growth using the 16-d composite MOD13A1 product with 1-km resolution and MOD12Q1 product with 1-km resolution. We used the mean, maximum, standard deviation normalized-difference vegetation index（NDVI） values, and the rate of change（ROC） of NDVI value to explain vegetation changes within the studied ecotone. Our results showed that significant vegetation type and growth changes have occurred in the study area. From 2001 to 2013, for example, with the exception of 2001, 2004 and 2009, a certain extent of grassland area was converted to cropland. Drought severity index（DSI） results indicate that there exists drought in 2001, 2004 and 2009. Such temporal changes in cropland and grassland area confirmed the ecological vulnerability of the ecotone. At the same time, vegetation varied spatially from west to east and from south to north. The mean, maximum and standard deviation NDVI values were all sorted in descending order based on differences in latitude and longitude, as follows： NDVI_（2013）〉NDVI_（2009）〉NDVI_（2004）〉NDVI_（2001）

A Study of Siliceous Pneumoconiosis in a Desert Area of Sunan County,Gansu Province,China

Three hundred and ninety five residents in a desert area were examined with chest radiographs and 28 cases with siliceous pneumoconiosis were found. The prevalence of siliceous pneumoconiosis was 7.09%, and that over 40 years of age was 21%. The histological findings of lungs from a camel living in that area for 20 years also confirmed to have siliceous pneumoconiosis.

Livelihood Diversification of Farm Households and Its Impact on Cultivated Land Utilization in Agro-pastoral Ecologically-vulnerable Areas in the Northern China

The relationship between livelihood diversification of farm households and cultivated land utilization has become a core research topic related to global environmental change.Agro-pastoral ecologically-vulnerable areas face challenges such as insufficient ecosystem conservation,low agricultural production,and weak economies.In this study,215 farm households from Zhengxiangbai Banner,Taibus Banner,and Duolun County of Inner Mongolia were surveyed.The sustainable livelihoods framework of the United Kingdom(UK)Department for International Development(DFID)was used to measure the livelihood capital of these farm households.A one-way analysis of variance(ANOVA)was applied to examine the differences in the livelihood capital of different types households,and a correlation analysis was applied to analyze its impact on cultivated land utilization.Results showed that households with non-farming activities accounted for 64.7%of the total surveyed households,and non-farming employment was becoming more prevalent.Physical and financial capital was the driving factors for livelihood diversity.Each livelihood capital had key factors that affected household farmland use behaviors,such as the age of householder,the labor ratio,proportion of income,farmland scale,number of machines,and these had a significantly positive or negative influence on farmland use.Full-time farming households were more likely to transfer the land into cultivation and invest more labor,while non-farming households with high income were likely to transfer farmland out and invest more money to develop efficient farming or improve the employment skills.The results of this study suggest that policymakers need to fully consider livelihood changes of local households.It is effective to strengthen labor training,create farmland market and improve the efficiency of farmland utilization.We hope to achieve a win-win scenario to improve local economies and ecosystem conservation.

Wavelet analysis of spring climate characteristics in arid aeolian area of agro-pastoral ecotone in China

The unique regional climate characteristics are among the main reasons for the frequent wind-sand activity in arid and cold areas in the agro-pastoral ecotone in Inner Mongolia, China. This paper focuses on the time series of temperature and precipitation in spring when sandstorms often occur in the area. Based on meteorological data for a 46-year period from 1959 to 2004, multi-scale variations and abrupt changes in temperature and precipitation were analyzed with the Mexican hat function （MHF） wavelet method, showing the multi-scale variation characteristics of temperature and precipitation, as well as the periods and change points at different time scales. The relationship between temperature and precipitation was obtained using the wavelet analysis method. Obvious staggered features of the variations of spring temperature and precipitation were observed in this agro-pastoral ecotone. The strongest oscillation periods of spring temperature variations were 1 and 22 years, while for precipitation, the strongest oscillation periods of variations were 2, 8, and 22 years. In addition, lower spring temperature corresponded to lower precipitation, whereas higher temperature yielded higher precipitation rate.

Adaptability and Application of Australian Merino Sheep in the Alpine Pastoral Areas

[Objective] The paper was to study the adaptability of Australian Merino sheep in the alpine pastoral areas. [Method]Through introduction of Australian Merino sheep for hybridizing with Gansu alpine fine wool sheep,the improvement effect of offspring was observed. [Result]The introduced Australian Merino sheep had good adaptability in the alpine pastoral areas with good hair quality,strong cold resistance and disease resistance,and they could grow and reproduce healthily in the alpine pastoral areas. The application effect of the ram was outstanding,showing large breeding amount,high conception rate and survival rate.[Conclusion]The improvement effect of offspring of Australian Merino sheep and Gansu alpine fine wool sheep was significant,and the growth performance was improved greatly.

Path of Social Construction in Northwest Sichuan Plateau Pastoral Area

On the basis of main contents of social construction and key points of construction,this paper analyzes features of conditions of northwest Sichuan plateau pastoral area.The social construction at current stage mainly includes social cause in narrow sense,and social management at meso-level.The northwest Sichuan plateau pastoral area is faced with the best policy and development opportunity.However,there are still many weak aspects.Firstly,social structure is not coordinated with economic structure.Secondly,social construction ability of grass-roots government is weak.Thirdly,the ability to respond to public demands is low.Fourthly,there is a big gap in availability of basic public service.Finally,it presents path selection for social construction of northwest Sichuan plateau pastoral area:strengthen social construction ability of grass-roots government;promote social construction with livelihood projects as key projects;boost social construction taking advantage of ecological construction;develop basic public service with the aid of external forces;intensify evaluation system for supervision of social construction works.

Estimation of Economic and Ecological Value of Raising Sheep in Pastoral Area

Tibetan sheep is a unique breed of livestock in Alpine pastoral areas,which is one of the main economic pillars of animal husbandry in pastoral areas,in order to analyze and compare the estimated the economic and ecological benefits of Tibetan sheep under different feeding modes,this paper used a simplified model from multiple angles of animal production,economics and Ecology,The results show that:(i)Under the traditional grazing condition,the annual income of raising one ewe is only 23.4 yuan;(ii)Under the high-efficiency breeding mode,the average income of ewes bred by high-efficiency technology was 168 yuan/(head·year),which was 7 times higher than that of ewes under traditional grazing;each lamb could produce an indirect economic benefit of 500 yuan;(iii)The ecosystem service value affected by each Tibetan sheep through grassland was above 150000 yuan.

Many New Dinosaur Fossil Spots Discovered in the Dunhuang-Yumenguan-Jiuquan Area of Gansu Province, China

Two Mesozoic intramontane basins are developed in the Dunhuang-Yumenguan-Jiuquan area of Gansu Province,China,i.e.,the Gongpoquan Basin（E97°30′-98°10′,N41°30′-41°45′）and the Yujingzi Basin（E98°15′-99°00′,N40°15＇-40°40＇）（Fig.1）.A large number of dinosaurs and other fossils have been discovered in these two basins,which are called dinosaur＇tribes＇by paleontologists.

Research on the Particularity of Poverty in Hulunbeier Pastoral Area and Countermeasures

Pastoral area is a special area in China's rural areas.It has special ecological environment,national culture and geographical location.These special factors also determine the particularity of poverty in pastoral areas.Based on the current situation and particularity of poverty in Hulun Buir pastoral area,this paper analyzes the poverty problem in Hulun Buir pastoral area and provides some suggestions to solve the poverty problem of herdsmen according to the particularity of poverty in pastoral area.

Modern Trend Found in Traditional Lives in Rural/Pastoral Areas

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RECENT TECTONIC DEFORMATION ANOMALY AND EARTHQUAKES IN GANSU-NINGXIA-QINGHAI AREA

By processing and analyzing geodetic data of vertical deformation, fault deformation and horizontal deformation by GPS in Gansu Ningxia Qinghai area and by comparing them with geological structures and many medium to strong earthquake activities in this area, some features of recent tectonic deformation anomaly and the development of medium to strong earthquakes are studied. The results show that: ①Near the main faults tectonic deformations are relatively large. The amount of vertical movement and the deformation status evolve with time. The horizontal movement and deformation show obvious compressional strike slip character. ②The dominant stress of tectonic deformation and seismic development in this area comes from the persistent northeastward compression of Qinghai Tibet block;The time spatial distribution evolution of tectonic deformation and seismic activities are closely related to dynamic evolution of block motion and regional tectonic stress field. ③The abnormal uplift and high gradient deformation belts and remarkable fault deformation anormaly on the borders of regional tectonic blocks are indicators of developing moderate to strong earthquakes but earthquakes may not necessarily take place in the position of maxium deformation, it usually occurred in the region where fault deformation anormaly shows “trend accumulation acceleration turn ” variation character or nearby. On the basis of above study, a preliminary prediction for strong earthquake risk in this area is given.

半城镇化:牧区城镇化的新特点

近年来,随着牧区城镇化进程的加快,在新疆牧区形成了“择新地,建新城”与在经济中心边缘“建新区”两条城镇化路径,成为当代牧区社会文化变迁的新路径。调查发现,牧民选择了“以工为主,以农(牧)为辅”的生计策略,充分调动了城乡资源,实现了在城镇的扎根和发展。牧民的社会关系表现出了城乡“互嵌”的特点,一头已经扎入了城镇社会之中,但另一头尚未从牧区社会中“脱嵌”。文章认为,牧民处于并将长期处于“半城镇化”状态,将对牧区推进乡村振兴、推动城乡融合发展和促进各民族交往交流交融产生深远影响。

内蒙古牧区畜产品销售新渠道建设与优化探究

畜牧业供给侧结构性改革以来,内蒙古按照“稳羊增牛扩猪禽”发展思路,调整优化生产结构和区域布局,聚焦绿色畜产品生产基地建设、优质畜产品有效供给,在畜产品产量继续提升的同时,销售量也持续增加。草原牧区是内蒙古畜产品主要来源地,在保障畜产品安全方面发挥着重要作用。目前牧区畜产品在销售渠道环节存在问题,畜产品的销售渠道不足,可供牧户选择的便捷、稳定、多样化的销售渠道比较少,因而影响了畜产品竞争力和收益的提升。牧区畜产品营销需要更具有针对性,把产地市场与消费地市场紧密结合起来,加快由“运牛羊”向“运肉”转变,缩短流通环节,最大程度降低销售成本。牧区畜产品销售渠道需向多元化、组织化、专业化、规模化、规范化的方向发展。

甘肃中部旱台田地10个饲用玉米品种生产性能及营养品质研究

试验为选出甘肃中部旱台田地适应性强的饲用玉米品种,2022年在甘肃中部旱台田地代表的榆中县引进了10个饲用玉米品种进行筛选试验。试验以主栽品种陇单4号为对照(CK),对引进的9个饲用玉米品种进行了比较试验,对饲用玉米农艺性状、草产量和营养物质进行了测定分析。结果显示,10个饲用玉米品种在甘中部旱台田地春播,均能够适期收获。2022年浩育2号和陇单4号(CK)全年折合鲜草产量较高,分别为40305.36和36638.33 kg/hm^(2),折合干草产量分别为13432.48和11652.11 kg/hm^(2)。10个饲用玉米供试品种中,先玉1483的酸性洗涤纤维含量最低,达到了国家一级青贮玉米标准,但产量过低。研究表明,浩育2号在甘中部旱台田地适应能力最强,产量最高,营养品质较好,达到国家二级青贮玉米标准,是具有推广潜力的饲用玉米品种。

高原牧区不同害鼠胃肠内容物对D型肉毒神经毒素的破坏强度分析

为探明高原牧区不同害鼠胃肠内容物对D型肉毒毒素的破坏强度与害鼠对毒素的敏感性之间的关系,采用霍恩氏法测定了D型肉毒毒素对高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)、高原鼢鼠(Eospalax baileyi)及青海松田鼠(Neodon fuscus)的灌胃半数致死剂量(LD50),并测定3种害鼠胃肠内容物及其上清液与D型肉毒毒素作用后的毒素残留量。结果表明:D型肉毒毒素对高原鼠兔、高原鼢鼠及青海松田鼠的LD50分别为5110、5840、50100 MLD/kg。害鼠胃肠内容物对毒素的破坏强度由高到低依次是青海松田鼠、高原鼢鼠、高原鼠兔。3种害鼠胃肠内容物对D型肉毒毒素的破坏作用存在差异,且LD50与毒素残留量之间呈正相关性。胃肠道环境差异是导致不同害鼠对D型肉毒毒素产生敏感性差异的原因之一,研究结果对今后选育高效、特异性D型肉毒毒素生物灭鼠剂具有指导意义。

内蒙古牧区人居环境适宜性评价——以锡林郭勒盟为例

[目的]科学评价并厘清人居环境适宜性的地域类型及其空间格局,为合理引导聚落与人口布局提供依据。[方法]借助地理空间数据与GIS技术,基于栅格尺度从自然、生态、生产、生活、社会环境层面,选取30项指标开展了锡林郭勒牧区人居环境适宜性评价及其与聚落、人口分布的相关分析。[结果](1)锡林郭勒牧区人居环境适宜性由东向西逐级递减,并以一般适宜区面积最大,宜居水平整体不高,生活环境与生态条件对人居环境的限制作用较强,社会公共服务水平亟待提升。(2)从旗/市来看,人居环境宜居度以东南部的锡林浩特市、西乌珠穆沁旗、东乌珠穆沁旗、正蓝旗较高,西北部的苏尼特左旗、苏尼特右旗、二连浩特市与阿巴嘎旗相对较低;从苏木/镇来看,宜居度较高的一二等苏木/镇占56.94%,宜居度较低的四五等苏木/镇占20.83%。(3)人居环境一般适宜及以上区域内的聚落数量占比达91.34%,人口数量占比为91.28%,聚落与人口分布具有适宜区域指向性。[结论]人居环境的适宜程度从根本上决定着牧区聚落与人口的空间分布,未来需差异化推进聚落重构与生态移民,改善牧区人居环境。