Evaluation of the water conservation function in the Ili River Delta of Central Asia based on the InVEST model

The Ili River Delta(IRD)is an ecological security barrier for the Lake Balkhash and an important water conservation area in Central Asia.In this study,we selected the IRD as a typical research area,and simulated the water yield and water conservation from 1975 to 2020 using the water yield module of the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs(InVEST)model.We further analyzed the temporal and spatial variations in the water yield and water conservation in the IRD from 1975 to 2020,and investigated the main driving factors(precipitation,potential evapotranspiration,land use/land cover change,and inflow from the Ili River)of the water conservation variation based on the linear regression,piecewise linear regression,and Pearson's correlation coefficient analyses.The results indicated that from 1975 to 2020,the water yield and water conservation in the IRD showed a decreasing trend,and the spatial distribution pattern was"high in the east and low in the west";overall,the water conservation of all land use types decreased slightly.The water conservation volume of grassland was the most reduced,although the area of grassland increased owing to the increased inflow from the Ili River.At the same time,the increased inflow has led to the expansion of wetland areas,the improvement of vegetation growth,and the increase of regional evapotranspiration,thus resulting in an overall reduction in the water conservation.The water conservation depth and precipitation had similar spatial distribution patterns;the change in climate factors was the main reason for the decline in the water conservation function in the delta.The reservoir in the upper reaches of the IRD regulated runoff into the Lake Balkhash,promoted vegetation restoration,and had a positive effect on the water conservation;however,this positive effect cannot offset the negative effect of enhanced evapotranspiration.These results provide a reference for the rational allocation of water resources and ecosystem protection in the IRD.

Quantitative Assessment of the Relative Contributions of Climate and Human Factors to Net Primary Productivity in the Ili River Basin of China and Kazakhstan

It is necessary to quantitatively study the relationship between climate and human factors on net primary productivity(NPP)inorder to understand the driving mechanism of NPP and prevent desertification.This study investigated the spatial and temporal differentiation features of actual net primary productivity(ANPP)in the Ili River Basin,a transboundary river between China and Kazakhstan,as well as the proportional contributions of climate and human causes to ANPP variation.Additionally,we analyzed the pixel-scale relationship between ANPP and significant climatic parameters.ANPP in the Ili River Basin increased from 2001 to 2020 and was lower in the northeast and higher in the southwest;furthermore,it was distributed in a ring around the Tianshan Mountains.In the vegetation improvement zone,human activities were the dominant driving force,whereas in the degraded zone,climate change was the primary major driving force.The correlation coefficients of ANPP with precipitation and temperature were 0.322 and 0.098,respectively.In most areas,there was a positive relationship between vegetation change,temperature and precipitation.During 2001 to 2020,the basin’s climatic change trend was warm and humid,which promoted vegetation growth.One of the driving factors in the vegetation improvement area was moderate grazing by livestock.

Threats and Avoidance Measures of Frost Damage of‘Shushanggan’Apricot in the Ili River Valley

[Objectives]To explore the threat factors of frost damage to‘Shushanggan’Apricot in the Ili River Valley,and to provide measures for avoiding frost damage.[Methods]Based on the meteorological data of the Ili River Valley counties and cities during the 12 years from 2010 to 2021 and using the critical low temperature of‘Shushanggan’Apricot as the main factor,we comprehensively analyzed the threats of low temperature in winter in January and late frost in April in spring in the Ili River Valley.[Results]During the 12 years,there were 4 years of low temperature below the critical(-26—-28℃)of‘Shushanggan’Apricot in the Ili River Valley counties and cities in January,accounting for 33.3%,and a total of 59 d.The frequency of occurrence was:Nilka County>Qapqal County>Yining City>Gongliu County>Huocheng County>Khorgos City>Yining County>Tekes County>Xinyuan County.In April,there were 9 years with a low temperature below the critical temperature(-0.6℃)flowering and fruit setting of‘Shushanggan’Apricot,accounting for 75%,and a total of 134 d.The frequency of occurrence was:Nilka County>Tekes County>Gongliu County>Yining County>Huocheng County>Khorgos City>Xinyuan County>Yining City>Qapqal County.The low temperature threats of‘Shushanggan’Apricot suitable cultivation areas were ranked as follows:Nilka County>Gongliu County>Tekes County>Qapqal County>Huocheng County>Yining City>Yining County>Khorgos City>Xinyuan County.Combined with the observation and survey of frost damage on the spot,we comprehensively analyzed and evaluated the cultivation area of‘Shushanggan’Apricot in the Ili River Valley:three counties(Nilka County,Gongliu County,and Tekes County)in the eastern region,except Xinyuan County,suffered frequent late frost damage,are suitable areas for the cultivation of‘Shushanggan’Apricot;three counties and two cities in the western region(Qapqal County,Huocheng County,Yining City,Yining County,Khorgos City)and Xinyuan County in the eastern region are suitable areas for‘Shushanggan’Apricot.The inversion zone at an altitude of 820-1100 in the valley is the superior area for‘Shushanggan’Apricot.[Conclusions]We explored the suitable areas in the origin area of‘Shushanggan’Apricot,and came up with measures to avoid frost damage,to provide a reference for the development of‘Shushanggan’Apricot.

Impact of land use/cover changes on carbon storage in a river valley in arid areas of Northwest China

Soil carbon pools could become a CO_2 source or sink, depending on the directions of land use/cover changes. A slight change of soil carbon will inevitably affect the atmospheric CO_2 concentration and consequently the climate. Based on the data from 127 soil sample sites, 48 vegetation survey plots, and Landsat TM images, we analyzed the land use/cover changes, estimated soil organic carbon（SOC） storage and vegetation carbon storage of grassland, and discussed the impact of grassland changes on carbon storage during 2000 to 2013 in the Ili River Valley of Northwest China. The results indicate that the areal extents of forestland, shrubland, moderate-coverage grassland（MCG）, and the waterbody（including glaciers） decreased while the areal extents of high-coverage grassland（HCG）,low-coverage grassland（LCG）, residential and industrial land, and cultivated land increased. The grassland SOC density in 0–100 cm depth varied with the coverage in a descending order of HCG〉MCG〉LCG.The regional grassland SOC storage in the depth of 0–100 cm in 2013 increased by 0.25×1011 kg compared with that in 2000. The regional vegetation carbon storage（S_（rvc）） of grassland was 5.27×10~9 kg in2013 and decreased by 15.7% compared to that in 2000. The vegetation carbon reserves of the under-ground parts of vegetation（S_（ruvb）） in 2013 was 0.68×10~9 kg and increased by approximately 19.01%compared to that in 2000. This research can improve our understanding about the impact of land use/cover changes on the carbon storage in arid areas of Northwest China.

伊犁河谷冬小麦-夏大豆轮作体系土壤氨挥发对氮肥的响应

为探讨伊犁河谷冬小麦-夏大豆轮作体系周年施氮对农田土壤氨挥发损失的影响,于2016年10月～2017年10月采用田间原位密闭法,在滴灌施肥条件下,对冬小麦-夏大豆轮作体系中前茬麦季与后作大豆季不同施氮量组合下(麦季施氮量分别为0、104、173、242kg/hm^2,分别标记为WN0、WN1、WN2、WN3;大豆季施氮量分别为0、69、138kg/hm^2,分别标记为SN0、SN1、SN2)土壤氨挥发损失规律进行研究。结果表明,在不同施肥期施肥后均会发生氨挥发,且主要发生在施肥后2周之内,氨挥发速率及氨挥发积累量均随施氮量的增加而增加。在施肥后2～4d氨挥发速率达到峰值,麦季基肥、拔节期追肥、抽穗期追肥及大豆季始花期追肥后最大氨挥发速率分别为0.58、0.85、0.56、0.81kg/(hm^2·d),而各施肥期施肥后的土壤氨挥发积累量分别为5.20～8.18、4.86～14.24、3.53～11.98、3.84～14.12kg/hm^2,体系中尿素的氨挥发损失总量在22.23～48.52kg/hm^2,相当于周年施氮量的6.95%～8.18%。氨挥发主要发生在冬小麦季追肥和夏大豆追肥期,在后作大豆季上,氨挥发主要取决于大豆当季施肥量。夏大豆当季施氮量越高,氨挥发速率及氨挥发累积量越大,前茬麦季的施氮水平高低对夏大豆当季土壤氨挥发速率及氨挥发累积量无影响。

伊犁河流域土壤侵蚀评价指标体系研究

伊犁河流域土地资源开发对新疆农业发展,农业结构战略调整和布局,以及国家的粮食安全、边疆繁荣稳定等具有重大的战略意义。随着新疆伊犁河流域水土资源可持续开发利用关键技术与示范研究工作的开展,需要对该流域土壤侵蚀现状、变化及其趋势作出详细的评价及分析。基于伊犁河流域的土壤侵蚀发生特征,综合应用了广义归纳法、德尔菲法等系统工程方法及统计学的相关方法,建立了一套适用于该流域土壤侵蚀退化的评价指标体系,为确保伊犁河流域生态安全提供评价依据。

Spatiotemporal characteristics of cultural sites and their driving forces in the Ili River Valley during historical periods

This study applies ArcGIS to analyze the spatiotemporal distribution of cultural sites in the Ill River Valley in northwestern China. It explores relationships between the sites＇ spatiotemporal evolutionary characteristics, human history, and the natural environment. The results indicate that the numbers and proportions of the sites, and the frequency of their oc- currence, exhibited an inverted V-shaped change trend during six historical periods. The ＂high in the east and low in the west＂ spatial distribution pattern of the first three periods shifted to the one the ＂high in the west and low in the east＂ during the latter three periods, demonstrating a change in the spatial center of gravity of human activities. The sites were mainly distributed on slopes of grades 1-5, with their proportions increasing from 75% during the Spring and Autumn Period （770 BC-476 BC）-Qin Dynasty （221 BC-207 BC） to 93.75% during the Qing Dynasty-Modern period. The concentrated distribution of site elevations shifted from grades 4-8 during the Spring and Autumn Period-Qin Dynasty, and the Western Han （206 BC-8）-Southern and Northern Dynasties （420-589）, to grades 1-4 during the latter three periods. The number of sites showed a shifting trend from high-elevation mountains and hills to low-elevation plains, and from high slopes to low slopes. In particular, the sites exhibited a special ＂moist＂ evolutionary pattern of migration from middle and upstream areas to downstream areas, as opposed to the migration pattern of sites located in typical arid areas. The study also considered factors influencing the distribution and spatiotemporal evolution of cultural sites, notably, human factors and natural factors.

Distribution of soil organic carbon under different vegetation zones in the Ili River Valley, Xinjiang

We analyzed and estimated the distribution and reserves of soil organic carbon under nine different vegetation conditions including alpine meadow, meadow steppe, typical steppe, desert steppe, and temperate coniferous forest and so on, in the Ill River valley, Xin- jiang according to data from field investigations and laboratory analyses in 2008 and 2009. The study results show that the soil organic carbon content in the Ili River valley varies with the type of vegetation. In the 0-50 cm soil horizon, the soil organic carbon content is the highest under the vegetation types of alpine meadow and meadow steppe, slightly lower under temperate coniferous forest and typical steppe, and the lowest under the intrazonal vegetation and desert vegetation types. The soil organic carbon content shows basically a tendency to decrease as soil depth increases under various vegetation types except in the case of the intrazonal vegetation. Similarly, the soil organic carbon density is the highest and varies little under the vegetation types of alpine meadow, meadow steppe and temperate coniferous forest, and is the lowest under the desert vegetation type. Both the soil organic carbon content and density in the topsoil of meadows in the Ili River valley are high, so pro- tecting meadows in the Ili River valley, and especially their topsoil, should be a priority so that the potential of change in soil organic carbon in the shallow soil horizon is reduced, and this means maintenance of the stability of the soil carbon pool.

Extensive genetic divergence among Diptychus maculatus populations in northwest China

D. maculates is a kind of specialized Schizothoracinae fish has been locally listed as a protected animal in Xinjiang Province,China. Ili River located in north of Tianshan Mountain and Tarim River located in north of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau were two main distribution areas of this fish. To investigate the genetic diversity and genetic structure of D. maculates,four populations from Tarim River system and two populations from Ili River system were collected in this study. A 570-bp sequence of the control region was obtained for 105 specimens. Twenty-four haplotypes were detected from six populations,only Kunes River population and Kashi River population shared haplotypes with each other. For all the populations examined,the haplotype diversity(h) was 0.904 8±0.012 6,nucleotide diversity(π) was 0.027 9±0.013 9,and the average number of pairwise nucleotide differences(k) was 15.878 3±7.139 1. The analysis of molecular variance(AMOVA) showed that 86.31% of the total genetic variation was apportioned among populations,and the variation within sampled populations was 13.69%. Genetic differences among sampled populations were highly significant. F st statistical test indicated that all populations were significantly divergent from each other(P <0.01). The largest F st value was between Yurungkash River population and Muzat River population,while the smallest F st value was between Kunes River population and Kashi River population. NJ phylogenetic tree of D-loop haplotypes revealed two main clades. The neutrality test and mismatch distribution analysis suggested that the fish had went through a recent population expansion. The uplift of Tianshan Mountain and movement of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau might contribute to the wide genetic divergence of D. maculates in northwest China.

Geostatistical analysis of variations in soil salinity in a typical irrigation area in Xinjiang, northwest China

Characterizing spatial and temporal variability of soil salinity is tremendously important for a variety of agronomic and environmental concerns in arid irrigation areas. This paper reviews the characteristics and spatial and temporal variations of soil salinization in the Ili River Irrigation Area by applying a geostatistical approach. Results showed that: (1) the soil salinity varied widely, with maximum value of 28.10 g/kg and minimum value of 0.10 g/kg, and was distributed mainly at the surface soil layer. Anions were mainly SO42- and Cl-, while cations were mainly Na+ and Ca2+; (2) the abundance of salinity of the root zone soil layer for different land use types was in the following order: grassland > cropland > forestland. The abundance of salinity of root zone soil layers for different periods was in the following order: March > June > September; (3) the spherical model was the most suitable variogram model to describe the salinity of the 0-3 cm and 3-20 cm soil layers in March and June, and the 3-20 cm soil layer in September, while the exponential model was the most suitable variogram model to describe the salinity of the 0-3 cm soil layer in September. Relatively strong spatial and temporal structure existed for soil salinity due to lower nugget effects; and (4) the maps of kriged soil salinity showed that higher soil salinity was distributed in the central parts of the study area and lower soil salinity was distributed in the marginal parts. Soil salinity tended to increase from the marginal parts to the central parts across the study area. Applying the kriging method is very helpful in detecting the problematic areas and is a good tool for soil resources management. Managing efforts on the appropriate use of soil and water resources in such areas is very important for sustainable agriculture, and more attention should be paid to these areas to prevent future problems.