Intensive Radiosonde Measurements of Summertime Convection over the Inner Mongolia Grassland in 2014:Difference between Shallow Cumulus and Other Conditions

Using radiosonde measurements from 26 July to 30 July 2014 at Baiqi over the Inner Mongolia grassland of China, the vertical structure of shallow cumulus （SCu） clouds and associated environmental conditions were investigated. The cloud base height and the cloud top height of SCu was 3.4 km and 5 km, respectively. The temperature of the SCu layer was less than 0℃. The horizontal advection of specific humidity was smaller than the vertical transport in the atmosphere below 5 km. Above 5 km, the thermodynamic structure of the atmosphere remained stable. At the interface of the cloud layer and free air atmosphere, there was obvious wind shear and a temperature inversion （-2.9~C）. Comparisons of environmental parameters associated with cumulus congestus, rain and clear days, showed that the formation of SCu was characterized by a higher Bowen ratio （high sensible heat flux and low latent heat flux）, which indicated intensive turbulence in the boundary layer. The formation of SCu was associated with the boundary layer height exceeding the lifting condensation level. The maintenance of SCu was likely associated with the lower convective available potential energy, weak wind shear, and weak subsidence of the synoptic system, which did not favor the dramatic vertical development of SCu and thereby the transformation of SCu to cumulus congestus.

Atmospheric deposition of inorganic nitrogen in a semi-arid grassland of Inner Mongolia, China

Due to increasing global demand for crop production and energy use, more and more reactive nitrogen（Nr） has been generated and emitted to the environment. As a result, global atmospheric nitrogen（N） deposition has tripled since the industrial revolution and the ecological environment and human health have been harmed. In this study, we measured dry and wet/bulk N deposition from July 2013 to December 2015 in a semi-arid grassland of Duolun County, Inner Mongolia, China. The samples of dry and wet/bulk N deposition were collected monthly with a DELTA（DEnuder for Long Term Atmospheric sampling） system and with Gradko passive samplers and a precipitation gauge. The measured results show that the annual mean concentrations of NH_3, NO_2, HNO_3, particulate NH_4~＋（pNH_4~＋） and particulate NO_3^-（pNO_3^-） in atmosphere were 2.33, 1.90, 0.18, 1.42 and 0.42 μg N/m3, respectively, and that the annual mean volume-weighted concentrations of NH_4~＋-N and NO_3^--N in precipitation were 2.71 and 1.99 mg N/L, respectively. The concentrations of Nr components（including NH_3, NO_2, HNO_3, p NH_4~＋, pNO_3^-, NH_4~＋-N and NO_3^--N） exhibited different seasonal variations. Specifically, NO_2 and HNO_3 exhibited higher concentrations in autumn than in summer, while the other Nr components（NH_3, pNH_4~＋, pNO_3^-, NH_4~＋-N and NO_3^--N） showed the highest values in summer. Based on measured concentrations of Nr components and their deposition velocities estimated using the GEOS-Chem global atmospheric chemical transport model, the calculated annual mean dry deposition fluxes were 3.17, 1.13, 0.63, 0.91 and 0.36 kg N/（hm^2·a） for NH_3, NO_2, HNO_3, p NH_4~＋ and pNO_3^-, respectively, and the calculated annual mean wet/bulk deposition fluxes were 5.37 and 3.15 kg N/（hm^2·a） for NH_4~＋-N and NO_3^--N, respectively. The estimated annual N deposition（including dry N deposition and wet/bulk N deposition） reached 14.7 kg N/（hm^2·a） in grassland of Duolun County, approaching to the upper limit of the N critical load（10–15 kg N/（hm^2·a））. Dry and wet/bulk deposition fluxes of all Nr components（with an exception of HNO_3） showed similar seasonal variations with the maximum deposition flux in summer and the minimum in winter. Reduced Nr components（e.g., gaseous NH_3 and p NH_4~＋ in atmosphere and NH_4~＋-N in precipitation） dominated the total N deposition at the sampling site（accounted for 64% of the total N deposition）, suggesting that the deposited atmospheric Nr mainly originated from agricultural activities. Considering the projected future increases in crop and livestock production in Inner Mongolia, the ecological and human risks to the negative effects of increased N deposition could be increased if no mitigation measures are taken.

Effects of grazing and climate change on sandy grassland ecosystems in Inner Mongolia

To understand the effects of grazing activities and climate change on sandy grassland ecosystems in northem China, a livestock field grazing and enclosure experiment was conducted from 1992 to 2006 in Horqin Sand Land, Inner Mongolia. The results showed that sustained heavy grazing resulted in serious degradation of the vegetation; moderate grazing can maintain vegetation stabilization; and light grazing can promote rapid restoration of degraded vegetation. The livestock productivity was the highest in the moderate grazing grassland, and sustained heavy grazing resulted in rapid decrease of the livestock productivity. Heavy grazing can cause a retrogressive succession of grassland vegetation, whereas moderate and light grazing may promote progressive succession of plant species. The effects of changing climate on succession processes were not significant in the short term; a warm-humid climate is favorable to restoration of degraded vegetation, whereas a sustained warm-drought climate may result in degradation of grassland vegetation. Heavy livestock grazing should be stopped for the sustainable use of grassland; the proper grazing intensity for sandy grassland is two to three sheep or sheep equivalents per hectare in Inner Mongolia.

CO_2,CH_4 and N_2O flux changes in degraded grassland soil of Inner Mongolia,China

The main purpose of this study was to explore the dynamic changes of greenhouse gas（GHG）from grasslands under different degradation levels during the growing seasons of Inner Mongolia, China.Grassland degradation is associated with the dynamics of GHG fluxes, e.g., CO2, CH4 and N2O fluxes. As one of the global ecological environmental problems, grassland degradation has changed the vegetation productivity as well as the accumulation and decomposition rates of soil organic matter and thus will influence the carbon and nitrogen cycles of ecosystems, which will affect the GHG fluxes between grassland ecosystems and the atmosphere. Therefore, it is necessary to explore how the exchanges of CO2,CH4 and N2O fluxes between soil and atmosphere are influenced by the grassland degradation. We measured the fluxes of CO2, CH4 and N2O in lightly degraded, moderately degraded and severely degraded grasslands in Inner Mongolia of China during the growing seasons from July to September in 2013 and 2014. The typical semi-arid grassland of Inner Mongolia plays a role as the source of atmospheric CO2 and N2O and the sink for CH4. Compared with CO2 fluxes, N2O and CH4 fluxes were relatively low. The exchange of CO2, N2O and CH4 fluxes between the grassland soil and the atmosphere may exclusively depend on the net exchange rate of CO2 in semi-arid grasslands. The greenhouse gases showed a clear seasonal pattern, with the CO2 fluxes of –33.63–386.36 mg/（m·h）, CH4 uptake fluxes of 0.113–0.023 mg/（m·h） and N2O fluxes of –1.68–19.90 μg/（m·h）. Grassland degradation significantly influenced CH4 uptake but had no significant influence on CO2 and N2O emissions. Soil moisture and temperature were positively correlated with CO2 emissions but had no significant effect on N2O fluxes.Soil moisture may be the primary driving factor for CH4 uptake. The research results can be in help to better understand the impact of grassland degradation on the ecological environment.

Further development and sustainable utilization mode of grassland tourism resources： a ease study of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China

Tourism resources are important foundation for the development of tourism industry. Grassland is not only a kind of important resource but also a great attraction to visitors. Therefore, the integrated development and sustainable utilization of grassland tourism resources are of great significance. This paper, based on the analysis of literatures and the current problems existing in grassland tourism, summarizes the speciality of grassland tourism development, deals with the problem of speciality, and raises the modes of regional development, product development and management. This paper takes Inner Mongolia, the famous grassland tourism destination as example and carries out empirical research. Based on the status quo of grassland tourism resources in Inner Mongolia, this study analyzes the character- istics of grassland tourism resources, the necessity and feasibility of integrated development, then proposes the following suggestions: idea for development, mode of development, regional cooperation, tourism products development, espe- cially the three modes of development based on the resources conditions - the mode of relying on market, the mode of combination aggregation and the mode of relying on quality.

Grassland Variation and Its Driving Factors from 2000 to 2016: A Comparative Assessment between Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Inner Mongolia Plateau

The grassland of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and Inner Mongolia Plateau (IMP), accounting for 73.9% of the total grassland area in China, is significant to food and ecological safety. Due to climate change and irrational human activities, grasslands on the two plateaus have severely degraded over recent decades. Understanding the dynamic changes of grassland and its driving forces is necessary to make effective measurements to prevent grassland degradation. Here, we selected the net primary productivity (NPP) as an indicator to quantitatively assess the dynamic variation of grassland and the relative roles of climate change and human activities on QTP and IMP from 2000 to 2016. The results found significant spatial variability of grassland on QTP. 28.3% of the grassland experienced degradation and was mainly distributed in the southern QTP, versus 71.7% of the grassland was restored and mainly distributed in the central and northern QTP. In contrast, grassland on IMP didn’t show significant spatial variability. Most of the grassland on IMP was restored during the study period. Climate change (i.e. increased precipitation) was the dominant factor and could explain 72.8% and 84.4% of the restored grassland in QTP and IMP. Irrational human activities (i.e. overgrazing) were the main driving factors and could explain 72.9% and 100.0% of the degraded grassland on the two plateaus during the study period. Ecological restoration projects were favorable for grassland restoration on the two plateaus, and they contributed to 27.2% and 15.6% of the restored grassland in QTP and IMP, respectively. Therefore, climate changes on IMP were more favorable for grassland restoration, and human activities have a greater impact on the grassland variation on QTP.

The Construction of Tourism Landscapes in Grasslands Based on the Tourist Gaze Theory: A Case Study of Grassland Tourism in Inner Mongolia

Grassland tourism products are deeply loved by tourists because of their natural landscape features and rich ethnic customs. However, the monotony of the grassland landscape is a problem requiring urgent solution for grassland tourism at home and abroad. Based on the theory of the tourist gaze, this study took the grasslands of Inner Mongolia including Xilamuren(Zhaohe) Grassland, Huitengxile(Huitengliang) Grassland, and Gagentala Grassland, Wuzhumuqin Grassland, Huhenuo'er Grassland, Wulanbutong Grassland, and Zhurihe Grassland for example to explore the grassland tourism perception landscape elements under the tourist gaze. Through image content analysis, grassland tourism landscape symbols were collected and refined to generate aggregated concept maps that could explore the relationship between concept elements, and corresponding landscape construction suggestions were proposed.

Effects of grazing and climate change on species diversity in sandy grassland, Inner Mongolia, China

To understand the effects of animal grazing activities and climate change on sandy grassland vegetation in northern China, a field grazing and protected enclosure experiment was conducted from 1992 through 2006 in Horqin Sand Land, Inner Mongolia. The results showed that (1) the grazing was primary responsible for changes of the vegetation richness and diversity in the grazing grassland and that changing climate was the main reason for changes in the species richness and diversity in the grassland protected from grazing; (2) light and moderate grazing can promote restoration of the richness and the diversity in the degraded grassland, and heavy grazing could result in a decrease of the richness and diversity; (3) heavy grazing can result in significant decrease of the perennial diversity, and moderate and light grazing promotes increase of the perennial diversity; the grazing, whether heavy or moderate and light grazing, was beneficial to increase of the annual diversity; (4) heavy grazing was not beneficial to diversity of Graminean and Chenopodiaceae, and moderate and light grazing was favorable the diversity of Compositae and Chenopodiaceae; (5) the warm-humid climate was favorable to increase of the richness and the diversity, and the warm-drought climate could result in decease of the richness and the diversity; (6) increased precipitation was favorable to perennial diversity and the diversity of Graminean, Leguminosae, and Compositae, and decreased precipitation had few effects on the annual diversity and Chenopodiaceae diversity.

High-resolution remote sensing data can predict household poverty in pastoral areas,Inner Mongolia,China

The accurate prediction of poverty is critical to efforts of poverty reduction,and high-resolution remote sensing(HRRS)data have shown great promise for facilitating such prediction.Accordingly,the present study used HRRS with 1 m resolution and 238 households data to evaluate the utility and optimal scale of HRRS data for predicting household poverty in a grassland region of Inner Mongolia,China.The prediction of household poverty was improved by using remote sensing indicators at multiple scales,instead of indicators at a single scale,and a model that combined indicators from four scales(building land,household,neighborhood,and regional)provided the most accurate prediction of household poverty,with testing and training accuracies of 48.57%and 70.83%,respectively.Furthermore,building area was the most efficient indicator of household poverty.When compared to conducting household surveys,the analysis of HRRS data is a cheaper and more time-efficient method for predicting household poverty and,in this case study,it reduced study time and cost by about 75%and 90%,respectively.This study provides the first evaluation of HRRS data for the prediction of household poverty in pastoral areas and thus provides technical support for the identification of poverty in pastoral areas around the world.

Emission characteristics of carbon dioxide in the semiarid Stipa grandis steppe in Inner Mongolia, China

Using the static opaque chamber method, the soil respiration rates （SR） were measured through the continuous experiments in situ in semiarid Stipa grandis steppe in Xilin River Basin of Inner Mongolia, China from June 2001 to June 2003, in parallel, the difference between the SR and the ecosystem respiration rates （TER） were compared. The results indicated that the seasonal variations of the SR and TER were obvious with higher emissions in growing season and a relatively low efflux level in non-growing season, furthermore, the negative effluxes were found in the observation site in winter; the annual CO2 efflux of total ecosystem ranged from 160.5 gC/（m^2·a） to 162.8 gC/（m^2·a） and that of soil ranged from 118.7 gC/（m^2·a） to 152.3 gC/（m^2·a）. The annual SR accounted for about 74.0% to 93.5% of the annual TER, but the results of Analysis of Variance （ANOVA） indicated that the difference between the annual average TER and SR did not reach the significance level of 0.05. The TER was under similar environmental controls as SR, in growing seasons of drought years, the variations of soil moisture at 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm depth could account for 79,1% 95.6% of the changes of the SR and TER, but in non-growing season, more than 75% of the variations of the SR and TER could be explained by the changes of the ground temperature of soil surface layers.

不同草原防火政策下内蒙古草原火灾发生风险及其驱动因素的研究

草原火灾是草原生态系统中重要的干扰因子之一,不同时期的草原防火政策可能会导致草原火灾发生概率及驱动因素发生变化。本研究基于内蒙古1981~2020年草原火灾数据,以新旧《草原防火条例》实施时间(旧《草原防火条例》1993年10月5日颁布并实施,新《草原防火条例》2008年11月19日颁布并于2009年1月1日起实施)为界线,通过随机森林模型分4个时期(1981~2020年、1981~1993年、1994~2008年、2009~2020年)对内蒙古草原火灾发生概率与驱动因素进行比较与分析,并绘制草原火灾风险等级区划图。结果表明:(1)4个时期建模的全样本AUC在0.930~0.940之间,精度优异。(2)在不同时期,气象因素(日平均相对湿度、气温日较差等)始终是影响草原火灾的主导因素,海拔、距火点最近公路距离等因素也是内蒙古草原火灾发生的重要驱动因素;(3)1981~1993年和1981~2020年草原火灾风险区基本相似,中、高、极高草原火灾风险区主要集中在呼伦贝尔市大部分地区和兴安盟北部,1994~2008年中、高、极高草原火灾风险区主要集中在呼伦贝尔市,而2009~2020年中、高、极高草原火灾风险区主要集中在呼伦贝尔市西部、锡林郭勒盟北部、阿拉善盟东南部、乌海市和鄂尔多斯市东部。

氮磷添加对内蒙古温带草原植物功能群氮含量的影响

植物功能群氮含量既是理解氮沉降对生物多样性影响的关键指标,也是生产力过程模型模拟的重要参数,极易受氮素可利用性的影响和磷元素的限制。基于内蒙古温带草原4年氮磷添加试验(N10、N40、P5、P10及其交互,数字代表添加剂量,单位为g m^(-2) a^(-1)),分析氮磷添加对植物群落及三种植物功能群(禾本科、灌木和杂类草)氮含量的影响。结果表明:(1)氮添加显著增加了群落及各功能群的氮含量,同一处理水平下禾本科(N10)和灌木(N10和N40)的氮含量显著高于杂类草,同一功能群不同氮添加剂量间无显著差异;(2)磷添加对群落和三种功能群的氮含量无显著影响;(3)与单独氮添加相比,氮磷同时添加显著增加了群落、禾本科和杂类草氮含量,且高剂量氮磷添加的促进作用更大;(4)与单独氮添加相比,氮磷同时添加显著增加群落和三种功能群磷含量而降低氮磷比,相同处理水平下禾本科和杂类草磷含量增加幅度最大。本研究将为草原生态系统管理和应对全球变化提供科学依据。

2021年内蒙古不同类型草原的土壤养分特征数据集

草原不仅是最大的陆地生态系统,而且也是生物多样性最为丰富的生态资源。草原监测是对草原生产要素及其动态变化进行系统地观测、监测和记录,旨在阐明其联系及发展规律。内蒙古大草原是目前世界上草原类型最多、保存最完整的草原之一,是我国重要的畜牧业生产基地。在草地生态系统中,土壤养分综合反映了土壤的基本属性和本质特征,研究不同草原类型土壤养分变化特征不仅反映植株群落对草原土壤健康的影响情况,同时为土壤、植被恢复形式、速度和方向等提供依据。目前,对土壤养分的研究多见于农业种植区域,草地土壤养分的研究数量较少。以内蒙古草地为例,相关研究主要聚焦于微生物多样性、温室气体等议题而鲜少涉及土壤养分,相关数据供给也非常有限。本数据集针对内蒙古自治区8个不同“区域-草地类型”草地在返青期、旺盛期与枯萎期的有效磷、速效钾、全氮、有机质、全盐以及pH值等土壤养分特征,所涉草地涉及温性草甸草原、荒漠草原、天然草滩、五花草甸草原和人工牧草种植地5种典型草原类型。数据集数据可为草地资源可持续利用研究与实践提供支撑。

2000—2021年锡林郭勒草原生态环境质量变化及其驱动因素

[目的]对内蒙古自治区锡林郭勒盟草原生境质量动态变化及其影响因素进行研究,为该地区生态环境保护政策的制定和高质量发展提供科学理论依据。[方法]利用Google Earth Engine(GEE)平台和MODIS数据构建生态遥感指数(RSEI)评价研究区的生境质量,并运用Moran指数和地理探测器分析遥感生态指数(RSEI)的空间异质性和影响因素。[结果]①2000—2021年研究区的生境质量经历了先恶化后改善的过程。生态环境得到了较大程度的改善,中部的典型草原和东部的草甸草原生境质量较好,而西部的荒漠草原区生境质量较差。②5个年份的全局莫兰指数(global Moran’s I)均大于0.935,表明研究区内RSEI的空间分布呈高度正相关,主要呈现高高和低低聚类分布。③地理探测器结果显示,绿度是影响RSEI的主要因素,模型因子与自然因子之间的交互作用最为显著,其次是模型因子与社会经济因子的耦合。[结论]锡林郭勒盟东部的生境质量高值区应继续加强对生态环境的保护力度,西部的生境质量低值区要注重对荒漠草原的修复与治理,遏制沙漠向东扩张。

我国苜蓿草种植情况及发展困境——基于内蒙古阿鲁科尔沁旗的实地调查

阿鲁科尔沁旗优质牧草种植基地作为内蒙古牧草产业核心地区,在发展牧草种植与相关产业、保护和治理沙地生态、发展畜牧业、增加农牧民收入方面起到了积极作用,但仍面临着发展受制进口种子设备、土地和水资源的制约、优质牧草供需不平衡等困境。通过实地调查发现,应在持续推进牧草产业高质量发展中,充分考虑不同区域自然地理气候条件,合理规划种植规模,从全国范围内优化优质牧草产业布局,以产学研相结合的方式强化牧草“芯片”和设备的攻坚,完善相关主体利益联结机制。

内蒙古中东部地区草原土壤中重金属分布特征及生态风险评价

为探究内蒙古中东部地区草原土壤重金属污染特征及生态风险状况,采集四子王旗、苏尼特右旗、商都、锡林浩特、西乌旗、新巴尔虎左旗、鄂温克族自治旗等地区土壤,对其中重金属元素(Cd、Cr、As、Zn、Pb和Cu)的全量和有效态含量进行测定,运用空间插值法分析内蒙古草原土壤中重金属含量的空间分异特征;同时采用地累积指数法、潜在生态风险指数法和风险评估指数法对重金属元素的生态风险进行了评价.结果表明,内蒙古中东部地区草原土壤全量重金属元素Cr、Cu、Pb的平均含量相对较低,而Cd、As和Zn全量的均值分别是背景值的3.58倍、1.53倍和1.98倍.地累积指数评价结果显示Cd的污染程度最高,其它元素污染程度相对较低.潜在生态风险指数评价结果显示Cd为研究区土壤中最主要的潜在生态危害因子,其次是As,其它元素则处于低生态危害.风险评估指数法结果显示,研究区土壤中有效态重金属占重金属总量的百分含量不到10%,说明研究区土壤中重金属元素的生物可利用性较低,对环境构成的风险也相对较低.综合来看,研究区土壤中Cd元素存在一定的潜在风险,需引起有关部门高度重视,加大监测力度.

2013—2020年内蒙古锡林郭勒草地资源承载力变化

[目的]草地承载能力的高低影响草地利用的可持续性和草地生态系统的安全性。内蒙古锡林郭勒盟作为北方重要生态屏障,研究其草地资源承载能力变化,为区域草地生态安全与可持续利用、生态文明建设提供科学依据。[方法]利用2013,2015,2018和2020年土地利用及其他相关数据,基于三维生态足迹模型、生态赤字(ED)/盈余(ER)和生态压力指数等方法与指标,分析评价内蒙古锡林郭勒盟草地资源承载力状况。[结果]①2013—2020年锡林郭勒盟草地资源生态足迹持续高于生态承载力,总生态足迹与总生态承载力呈现先增后减趋势,7 a内分别下降了2.76%和7.35%;人均生态足迹与人均承载力7 a间变化率分别为-9.62%,-13.19%;生态足迹在空间上呈现出由东向西递减的变化规律,生态承载力东部及北部高于西部及南部;②草地资源生态足迹深度先上升后下降,总体上升4.95%,均大于1,草地生态系统持续处于生态赤字状态,草地生态系统呈现出不可持续性;③4个时期ER/ED均小于0,生态压力指数均大于1,草地生态承载状况多年连续超载,生态安全稳定性持续降低。[结论]锡林郭勒盟所处的干旱半干旱地理位置及其资源禀赋,叠加高强度的人类经济社会活动,导致全盟草地生态承载力降低,生态处于极不安全状态。

草原丝路沿线历史村镇空间特征及演进规律

文章聚焦草原丝绸之路,以张库商道内蒙古段沿线1133个历史村镇为研究对象,探究历史村镇时空分布集聚性与自然环境、古道的耦合关系;总结出军防影响型、寺庙影响型、商贸影响型3类历史村镇的形态、功能特征,并通过区域系统理论分析历史村镇演进的内在驱动因素与外在影响因素,进而得出其演进规律。文章在理论上构建了草原丝路沿线历史村镇的研究框架,为后续沿线历史村镇遗产保护提供基础,为一带一路战略下沿线历史村镇人居环境可持续发展提供理论依据。

2001-2021年内蒙古荒漠草原水分利用效率时空变化特征及影响因素研究

水分利用效率(Water use efficiency,WUE)是表征水碳过程的重要指标,对研究生态脆弱区水碳耦合规律及其响应因素具有重要意义。基于总初级生产力(GPP)、蒸散发(ET)、气温、降水量和土壤水分系统分析了2001—2021年内蒙古荒漠草原WUE的时空变化特征,讨论了影响WUE变化的因素。结果表明:(1)内蒙古荒漠草原2001—2021年WUE平均值0.877 g C·mm^(-1)·m^(-2),空间变化范围在0.35~2.42 g C·mm^(-1)·m^(-2)。(2)预测其未来变化趋势发生转变的区域占比较大(约占69.00%),这些区域WUE未来变化趋势容易逆转。(3)空间上超过60.00%研究区的WUE与降水量、ET、土壤水分呈现正相关,其中降水量与WUE正相关最为明显(正相关区域占比约91.00%,通过显著性检验P<0.05区域占比约30.00%)。(4)WUE与气温总体呈现负相关,负相关区域占比超过60.00%。(5)气候变化在内蒙古荒漠草原WUE变化中起主要作用。内蒙古荒漠草原WUE受多种因素影响,研究结果可为气候变化背景下荒漠草原地区WUE研究提供参考。