Assessment of land degradation in Inner Mongolia between 2000 and 2020 based on remote sensing data

Achieving land degradation neutrality(LDN)worldwide is a significant target of the Sustainable Development Goal(SDG15.3).Inner Mongolia,as a typical dryland region in northern China,has carried out several large-scale ecological restoration programs to combat land degradation.However,there is a lack of comprehensive assess-ment of its land degradation situation after ecological programs implementation,which is of great significance to supporting SDG15.3 in China.This study analyzed the land degradation situation using the improved SDG15.3.1 calculation framework based on fine resolution data in Inner Mongolia from 2000 to 2020,and finally compre-hensively evaluated the land status of the whole region and those subject to ecological programs.The results show that net land restoration proportion of various ecological project regions and whole region continues to increase.The scope of the Grain for Green Program(GGP)had the largest proportion of net land restoration while the Natural Reserve Program(NRP)had the lowest proportion from 2000 to 2020.The net land restoration area of Inner Mongolia during 2000-2010 and 2010-2020 was 35,800 km 2 and 65,300 km 2,respectively.Overall,Inner Mongolia has achieved statistically zero growth in land degradation under the governance of ecological restora-tion programs.Therefore,reasonable planning,well monitoring,and timely assessment of ecological restoration programs are crucial to support SDG15.3.

Enhanced soil moisture improves vegetation growth in an arid grassland of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China

Climate change impacts on grasslands that cover a quarter of the global land area, have become unprecedented during the 21~(st) century. One of the important ecological realms, arid grasslands of northern China, which occupy more than 70% of the region's land area. However, the impact of climate change on vegetation growth in these arid grasslands is not consistent and lacks corresponding quantitative research. In this study, NDVI(normalized difference vegetation index) and climate factors including temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, soil moisture, and meteorological drought were analyzed to explore the determinants of changes in grassland greenness in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region(northern China) during 1982–2016. The results showed that grasslands in Inner Mongolia witnessed an obvious trend of seasonal greening during the study period. Two prominent climatic factors,precipitation and soil moisture accounted for approximately 33% and 27% of grassland NDVI trends in the region based on multiple linear regression and boosted regression tree methods. This finding highlights the impact of water constraints to vegetation growth in Inner Mongolia's grasslands. The dominant role of precipitation in regulating grassland NDVI trends in Inner Mongolia significantly weakened from 1982 to 1996, and the role of soil moisture strengthened after 1996. Our findings emphasize the enhanced importance of soil moisture in driving vegetation growth in arid grasslands of Inner Mongolia, which should be thoroughly investigated in the future.

Responses of vegetation yield to precipitation and reference evapotranspiration in a desert steppe in Inner Mongolia,China

Drought,which restricts the sustainable development of agriculture,ecological health,and social economy,is affected by a variety of factors.It is widely accepted that a single variable cannot fully reflect the characteristics of drought events.Studying precipitation,reference evapotranspiration(ET_(0)),and vegetation yield can derive information to help conserve water resources in grassland ecosystems in arid and semi-arid regions.In this study,the interactions of precipitation,ET_(0),and vegetation yield in Darhan Muminggan Joint Banner(DMJB),a desert steppe in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,China were explored using two-dimensional(2D)and three-dimensional(3D)joint distribution models.Three types of Copula functions were applied to quantitatively analyze the joint distribution probability of different combinations of precipitation,ET_(0),and vegetation yield.For the precipitation–ET_(0)dry–wet type,the 2D joint distribution probability with precipitation≤245.69 mm/a or ET_(0)≥959.20 mm/a in DMJB was approximately 0.60,while the joint distribution probability with precipitation≤245.69 mm/a and ET_(0)≥959.20 mm/a was approximately 0.20.Correspondingly,the joint return period that at least one of the two events(precipitation was dry or ET_(0)was wet)occurred was 2 a,and the co-occurrence return period that both events(precipitation was dry and ET_(0)was wet)occurred was 5 a.Under this condition,the interval between dry and wet events would be short,the water supply and demand were unbalanced,and the water demand of vegetation would not be met.In addition,when precipitation remained stable and ET_(0)increased,the 3D joint distribution probability that vegetation yield would decrease due to water shortage in the precipitation–ET_(0)dry–wet years could reach up to 0.60–0.70.In future work,irrigation activities and water allocation criteria need to be implemented to increase vegetation yield and the safety of water resources in the desert steppe of Inner Mongolia.

Spatial changes and driving factors of lake water quality in Inner Mongolia, China

Lakes play important roles in sustaining the ecosystem and economic development in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China,but the spatial patterns and driving mechanisms of water quality in lakes so far remain unclear.This study aimed to identify the spatial changes in water quality and the driving factors of seven lakes(Juyanhai Lake,Ulansuhai Lake,Hongjiannao Lake,Daihai Lake,Chagannaoer Lake,Hulun Lake,and Wulannuoer Lake)across the longitudinal axis(from the west to the east)of Inner Mongolia.Large-scale research was conducted using the comprehensive trophic level index(TLI(Σ)),multivariate statistics,and spatial analysis methods.The results showed that most lakes in Inner Mongolia were weakly alkaline.Total dissolved solids and salinity of lake water showed obvious zonation characteristics.Nitrogen and phosphorus were identified as the main pollutants in lakes,with high average concentrations of total nitrogen and total phosphorus being of 4.05 and 0.21 mg/L,respectively.The values of TLI(Σ)ranged from 49.14 to 71.77,indicating varying degrees of lake eutrophication,and phosphorus was the main driver of lake eutrophication.The lakes of Inner Mongolia could be categorized into lakes to the west of Daihai Lake and lakes to the east of Daihai Lake in terms of salinity and TLI(Σ).The salinity levels of lakes to the west of Daihai Lake exceeded those of lakes to the east of Daihai Lake,whereas the opposite trend was observed for lake trophic level.The intensity and mode of anthropogenic activities were the driving factors of the spatial patterns of lake water quality.It is recommended to control the impact of anthropogenic activities on the water quality of lakes in Inner Mongolia to improve lake ecological environment.These findings provide a more thorough understanding of the driving mechanism of the spatial patterns of water quality in lakes of Inner Mongolia,which can be used to develop strategies for lake ecosystem protection and water resources management in this region.

Carboniferous-Permian Stratigraphy and Sedimentary Environment of Southeastern Inner Mongolia,China:Constraints on Final Closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean

In this paper we discuss the timing of final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean based on the field investigations of the Carboniferous-Permian stratigraphic sequences and sedimentary environments in southeastern Inner Mongolia combined with the geology of its neighboring areas. Studies show that during the Carboniferous-Permian in the eastern segment of the Tianshan-Hinggan Orogenic System, there was a giant ENE-NE-trending littoral-neritic to continental sedimentary basin, starting in the west from Ejinqi eastwards through southeastern Inner Mongolia into Jilin and Heilongjiang. The distribution of the Lower Carboniferous in the vast area is sparse. The Late Carboniferous or Permian volcanic-sedimentary rocks always unconformably overlie the Devonian or older units. The Upper Carboniferous-Middle Permian is dominated by llttoral-neritic deposits and the Upper Permian, by continental deposits. The Late Carboniferous-Permian has no trace of subduction-collision orogeny, implying the basin gradually disappeared by shrinking and shallowing. In addition, it is of interest to note that the Ondor Sum and Hegenshan ophiolitic melanges were formed in the pre-Late Silurian and pre-Late Devonian respectively, and the Solonker ophiolitic melange formed in the pre-Late Carboniferous. All the evidence indicates that the eastern segment of the Paleo-Asian Ocean had closed before the Late Carboniferous, and most likely before the latest Devonian （Famennian）.

Zircon U-Pb Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Early Cretaceous Volcanic Rocks from the Manitu Formation in the Hongol Area, Northeastern Inner Mongolia

We undertook zircon U-Pb dating and geochemical analyses of volcanic rocks from the Manitu Formation in the Hongol area, northeastern Inner Mongolia, to determine their age, petrogenesis and sources, which are important for understanding the Late Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the Great Xing＇an Range. The volcanic rocks of the Manitu Formation from the Hongol area consist primarily of trachyandesite, based on their chemical compositions. The zircons from two of these trachyandesites are euhedral-subhedral in shape, display clear oscillatory growth zoning and have high Th/U ratios （0.31- 1.15）, indicating a magmatic origin. The results of LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating indicate that the volcanic rocks from the Manitu Formation in the Hongol area formed during the early Early Cretaceous with ages of 138.9-140.5 Ma. The volcanic rocks are high in alkali （Na2O ＋ K2O = 6.22-8.26 wt%）, potassium （K2O = 2.49-4.58 wt%） and aluminium （Al2O3 = 14.27-15.88 wt%）, whereas they are low in iron （total Fe2O3 = 3.76-6.53 wt%） and titanium （TiO2 = 1.02-1.61 wt%）. These volcanic rocks are obviously enriched in large ion lithophile elements, such as Rb, Ba, Th and U, and light rare earth elements, and are depleted in high field strength elements, such as Nb, Ta and Ti with pronounced negative anomalies. Their Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions show positive εNd（t） （＋0.16%o t0＋1.64%o） and low TDM（t） （694--767 Ma）. The geochemical characteristics of these volcanic rocks suggest that they belong to a shoshonitic series and were likely generated from the partial melting of an enriched lithospheric mantle that was metasomatised by fluids released from a subducted slab during the closure of the Mongol- Okhotsk Ocean. Elemental and isotopic features reveal that fractional crystallization with the removal of ferromagnesian minerals, plagioclase, ilmenite, magnetite and apatite played an important role during the evolution of the magma. These shoshonitic rocks were produced by the partial melting of the enriched lithospheric mantle in an extensional regime, which resulted from the gravitational collapse following the final closure of the Mongoi-Okhotsk Ocean in the Middle-Late Jurassic.

An estimation method of soil wind erosion in Inner Mongolia of China based on geographic information system and remote sensing

Studies of wind erosion based on Geographic Information System（GIS） and Remote Sensing（RS） have not attracted sufficient attention because they are limited by natural and scientific factors.Few studies have been conducted to estimate the intensity of large-scale wind erosion in Inner Mongolia,China.In the present study,a new model based on five factors including the number of snow cover days,soil erodibility,aridity,vegetation index and wind field intensity was developed to quantitatively estimate the amount of wind erosion.The results showed that wind erosion widely existed in Inner Mongolia.It covers an area of approximately 90×104 km2,accounting for 80% of the study region.During 1985–2011,wind erosion has aggravated over the entire region of Inner Mongolia,which was indicated by enlarged zones of erosion at severe,intensive and mild levels.In Inner Mongolia,a distinct spatial differentiation of wind erosion intensity was noted.The distribution of change intensity exhibited a downward trend that decreased from severe increase in the southwest to mild decrease in the northeast of the region.Zones occupied by barren land or sparse vegetation showed the most severe erosion,followed by land occupied by open shrubbery.Grasslands would have the most dramatic potential for changes in the future because these areas showed the largest fluctuation range of change intensity.In addition,a significantly negative relation was noted between change intensity and land slope.The relation between soil type and change intensity differed with the content of Ca CO3 and the surface composition of sandy,loamy and clayey soils with particle sizes of 0–1 cm.The results have certain significance for understanding the mechanism and change process of wind erosion that has occurred during the study period.Therefore,the present study can provide a scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of wind erosion in Inner Mongolia.

Two New Species of Protocedroxylon Gothan(Pinaceae) from the Middle Jurassic of Eastern Inner Mongolia, NE China

Two new coniferous wood taxa, Protocedroxylon zhangii sp. nov. and P. zhalantunense sp. nov., are described from the Middle Jurassic Wanbao Formation in Zhalantun City, Inner Mongolia, NE China. The new discovery represents the first record of petrified wood in the Wanbao Formation, and contributes to further understanding the floral composition, especially that of the forest, of the Wanbao Formation. Anatomically, the two new species are characterized by having a mixed type of radial pitting and Abietineentüpfelung. In extant conifers, Abietineentüpfelung is considered to be characteristic of the wood of Pinaceae. The new discovery further indicates that the first occurrence of Abietineentüpfelung in conifer-like wood should be earlier than the Kimmeridgian. The palaeolatitudinal distribution pattern of Protocedroxylon indicates that the genus is a palaeobiogeographically consistent group, which was probably restricted to wetter and cooler temperate climates. In combination with distinct growth rings, the occurrence of Protocedroxylon suggests that a cool temperate and seasonal climate might have prevailed during the sedimentation period of the Wanbao Formation in eastern Inner Mongolia, NE China. Such a view is also in agreement with the palaeoclimatic conditions indicated by the plant megafossils of the Wanbao Formation.

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.

The Confirmation of the Neoproterozoic Langshan Group in Inner Mongolia and Its Significance

There is a large Mesoproterozoic rift at the northern margin of North China Craton （NCC）, and one of China＇s most important metallogenic belts, the Langshan-Zhaertai Shan-Bayan Obo mesoproterozoic metallogenic belt is just located in this rift. This metallogenic belt contains some large or ultra-large ore deposits, such as the Bayan Obo iron deposits and ultra-large rare earth deposits, and the large Dongshengmiao Cu-Pb-Zn sulphide deposits.

Petrogenesis of Early Permian Intrusive Rocks from Southeastern Inner Mongolia, China: Constraints on the Tectonic Framework of the Southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The late Paleozoic tectonic framework of the southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt is key to restricting the accretion orogeny between the Siberia Craton and the North China Craton. To clarify the framework, petrogenesis of early Permian intrusive rocks from southeastern Inner Mongolia was studied. Zircon U-Pb dating for bojite and syenogranite from Ar-Horqin indicate that they were emplaced at 288–285 Ma. Geochemical data reveal that the bojite is highly magnesian and low-K to middle-K calc-alkaline, with E-MORB-type REE and IAB-like trace element patterns. The syenogranite is a middle-K calc-alkaline fractionated A-type granite and shows oceanic-arc-like trace element patterns, with depleted Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes,(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)I = 0.7032–0.7042, ε_(Nd)(t) = +4.0 to +6.6 and zircon ε_(Hf)(t) = +11.14 to +14.99. This suggests that the bojite was derived from lithospheric mantle metasomatized by subducted slab melt, while the syenogranite originated from very juvenile arc-related lower crust. Usng data from coeval magmatic rocks from Linxi-Ar-Horqin, the Ar-Horqin intra-oceanic arc was reconstructed, i.e., initial transition in 290–280 Ma and mature after 278 Ma. Combined with regional geological and geophysical materials in southeastern Inner Mongolia, an early Permian tectonic framework as ‘one narrow ocean basin of the PAO', ‘two continental marginal arcs on its northern and southern' and ‘one intra-oceanic arc in its southern' is proposed.

Research on the Drought Forecast of Potato in Central Inner Mongolia Based on Precipitation Anomaly

In order to explore the method and index of potato fine drought forecast in central Inner Mongolia,based on the data of potato yield and precipitation in Wuchuan County of Hohhot City,Guyang County of Baotou City,and Chayou Middle Banner of Ulan Qab City from 1979 to 2013,the relationship between precipitation anomaly percentage and meteorological yield during potato growth period in central Inner Mongolia was analyzed by regression analysis.According to the precipitation anomaly percentage meteorological drought index,the light drought,medium drought and heavy drought indexes of the seedling stage and flowering stage in the above-mentioned areas were obtained as follows:-5%--25%,-25%--40%,and<-40%,respectively.The results show that the models are more accurate in determining the yield reduction caused by drought,and can well predict the occurrence of drought.

Petrogenesis of the Shadegai Pluton in Inner Mongolia:Evidence from Petrography,Element Geochemistry and Geochronology

Objective The widely exposed granites in the Wulashan area of Inner Mongolia are an important component of intermediate-acidic magma belt at the northern margin of the North China Craton, and are also a natural laboratory to research the origin of granite bodies. The Shadegai pluton, a representative intrusion, intruded into the Wulashan Group metamorphic rocks, occurring as stock, and was controlled by the Linhe-Jining deep fracture. This pluton is composed of dominant K-feldspar granites and less biotite moyite, with abundant mafic microgranular enclaves （MMEs） dominated by gray black monzonite. Most MMEs have a sharp contact zone with their host granite, and few have a gradual contact relationship. Previous researches have described the characteristics of petrology and chronology of the Shadegai pluton, but few have focused on the characteristics of the petrography,

Molecular Biomarker Characteristics of the Linxi Formation Source Rocks in the Middle-Western Region of Inner Mongolia:New evidence for late-stage tectonic evolution of the Paleo-Asian Ocean

Objective Two important geological issues have long been controversial in the Xing-Meng area of North China. The first concerns the final closure of Paleo-Asian Ocean in Xing-Meng area, and the other concerns the folding and lifting of the Xing-Meng Trough. The focus of thses issues is the Late Permian sedimentary environment, which is generally considered to be either an exclusively continental environment or from the closed inland sea environment in the Early to Middle stage to continental lacustrine environment in the late stage. In recent years, we have successively discovered abundant typical marine fossils （e.g., bryozoans and calcareous algae） in the Upper Permian thick limestone layer from Linxi County and Ar Horqin Banner in eastern region of Inner Mongolia and Jiutain County in Jilin Province. These significant findings have attracted the attention from fellow academics.

Gold Reserves of the Hadamengou Gold Deposit in Inner Mongolia Exceed 130 Tons

The Hadamengou gold deposit, located 15 km west of Baotou city, Inner Mongolia （Fig. 1）, contains deep-seated faults and a large granite body. The deposit is hosted by the Neoarchean Wulashan Group metamorphic strata.

Ore-controlling Characteristics of Synchronous Faults of Dongshengmiao Polymetallic Sulfide Deposits in Inner Mongolia

1 Introduction The Dongshengmiao deposit is a super-large Zn-Pb polymetallic sulfide deposit which occurring in the Langshan-Zhaertaaishan metallogenic belt,and located in the western margin of the North China Platform.The ore-bodies of Dongshengmiao deposits are mainly hosted in the second Formation of Langshan Group.There are some studies on the geological characteristics(Peng et al.,2004),geological and

The Newly Discovered Super-Large Wulashan-Hademengou Gold Metallogenic Belt in Inner Mongolia,China Has Gold Reserves of Over 100 Tons

The Wulashan-Hademengou gold ore district in Baotou city, Inner Mongolia, is a further newly discovered super-large gold metallogenic belt in northern China. The accumulated proven gold metal amount is 84.46 t, with an average grade of 3.53 g/t and a gold metal amount of 63.16 t, with an average grade of 3.30 g/t. The potential reserves are over 100 t.

A Plate-Tectonic Model for the Evolution of the Daqingshan Granulite belt in Inner Mongolia

One of the most important events in the early geological evolutionary history of the Earthwas the wide occurrence of granulite belts at the end of the Archaean in the world, whichmeans a possible transformation of evolution mechanism of the crust. More and more geo-

The New Face of Inner Mongolia

INNERMongoliaAutonomousRegion,thethirdlargestinthecountry,formsChina'snorthernborderandliesonahighlandthatslopestowardsthesouthwest.Itsborderextendsforone-twelfthoftheglobe'scircumference,andtheregionissoextensivethatthesunrisestwohourslaterinthewest...