Rock mechanical characteristics and landscape evolutionary mechanism of the slit-type Danxia landform on the Chinese Loess Plateau

Since 2015,the newly discovered slit-type Danxia landform on the Chinese Loess Plateau has become a hot topic in the field of geomorphology worldwide.However,the relationships among its formation,evolutionary mechanism,and mechanical characteristics of its strata and rocks are not clear.In this paper,the Ganquan canyon group is used as the research object.Basic physical and mechanical indices of sandstone in the Ganquan canyon group were measured through field investigation and indoor experiments,and the deterioration trends for the mechanical parameters of sandstone in this area under the action of infiltration,acid dry-wet cycles,and freeze-thaw cycles were revealed.Lastly,the formation and evolutionary mechanism of the slit-type Danxia landform were discussed.The results showed that:(1)The sandstone in the canyon group had a low cementation degree and weak cohesive force,which was easily weakened under the action of water,resulting in a decrease in compressive strength and elastic modulus.(2)Acidic dry-wet cycles caused the mineral composition of the sandstone to be dissolved,and the micropores continued to grow and develop until new cracks were produced.Macroscopically,the compressive strength and elastic modulus of sandstone were greatly reduced,and this damage was cumulative and staged.The greater the acidity,the greater the damage.(3)As the number of freeze-thaw cycles increased,the uniaxial compressive strength and elastic modulus of the sandstone decreased continuously.During the freeze-thaw cycle process,the growth and development of cracks were primarily in fracture mode and usually developed along parallel bedding positions.(4)The interaction of tectonic activity and lithology with different weathering processes was a key factor in the formation and evolution of the slit-type Danxia landform.In conclusion,the intricate process of weathering influenced by historical climatic fluctuations has been pivotal in shaping the topography of Danxia landform.

Coupling Coordination Analysis of Cropland Intensification and Agroecosystem Services:Evidence from Loess Plateau in Shaanxi Province,China

One of the greatest challenges in the agroecosystem is to improve cropland intensification while preserving agroecosystem services.While many studies have investigated the effect of cropland intensification on agroecosystem service,the interactive coupling and coordination among these factors remain largely unexplored.In view of this,this study performed a case study of the Loess Plateau in Shaanxi Province,China and constructed comprehensive evaluation models to quantify the cropland intensification and agroecosystem service in this area.Balance analysis and the coupling coordination degree model were used to evaluate the interactive relationship between cropland intensification and agroecosystem service,and statistical analysis and spatial autocorrelation were used to analyze the spatial characteristics and potential mechanism of the coupling coordination.Results show that both the cropland intensification and agroecosystem service in the study area were relatively low yet gradually increased from 2000 to 2020.Agroecosystem service lag was identified as the dominant unbalanced development type.Improving the supply capacity of agroecosystem services plays a key role in the balanced development of cropland in the Loess Plateau.The coupling coordination degree between cropland intensification and agroecosystem service ranges from basic coordination to serious incoordination.Therefore,cropland intensification practices in the area should be optimized to enhance this coordination degree.An upward trend was also observed in the coupling coordination degree from2000 to 2020.The withdrawal of marginal cropland in the Grain for Green program is one of the most important reasons for this trend,especially for the northern region.Around 83.6%of the high-high clusters are concentrated in the southern region of the Loess Plateau,whereas 70.5%of the low-low clusters are distributed in the northern region.These clustering characteristics are mainly attributed to the environmental suitability of these areas for agriculture and their degree of economic development.

Spatiotemporal variations in ecosystem services and their trade-offs and synergies against the background of the gully control and land consolidation project on the Loess Plateau,China

Studying the spatiotemporal variations in ecosystem services and their interrelationships on the Loess Plateau against the background of the gully control and land consolidation(GCLC)project has significant implications for ecological protection and quality development of the Yellow River Basin.Therefore,in this study,we took Yan'an City,Shaanxi Province of China,as the study area,selected four typical ecosystem services,including soil conservation service,water yield service,carbon storage service,and habitat quality service,and quantitatively evaluated the spatiotemporal variation characteristics and trade-offs and synergies of ecosystem services from 2010 to 2018 using the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs(InVEST)model.We also analysed the relationship between the GCLC project and regional ecosystem service changes in various regions(including 1 city,2 districts,and 10 counties)of Yan'an City and proposed a coordinated development strategy between the GCLC project and the ecological environment.The results showed that,from 2010 to 2018,soil conservation service decreased by 7.76%,while the other three ecosystem services changed relatively little,with water yield service increasing by 0.56% and carbon storage service and habitat quality service decreasing by 0.16% and 0.14%,respectively.The ecological environment of Yan'an City developed in a balanced way between 2010 and 2018,and the four ecosystem services showed synergistic relationships,among which the synergistic relationships between soil conservation service and water yield service and between carbon storage service and habitat quality service were significant.The GCLC project had a negative impact on the ecosystem services of Yan'an City,and the impact on carbon storage service was more significant.This study provides a theoretical basis for the scientific evaluation of the ecological benefits of the GCLC project and the realization of a win-win situation between food security and ecological security.

Optimization of water-urban-agricultural-ecological land use pattern:A case study of Guanzhong Basin in the southern Loess Plateau of Shaanxi Province,China

Extensive land use will cause many environmental problems.It is an urgent task to improve land use efficiency and optimize land use patterns.In recent years,due to the flow decrease,the Guanzhong Basin in Shaanxi Province is confronted with the problem of insufficient water resources reserve.Based on the Coupled Ground-Water and Surface-Water Flow Model(GSFLOW),this paper evaluates the response of water resources in the basin to changes in land use patterns,optimizes the land use pattern,improves the ecological and economic benefits,and the efficiency of various spatial development,providing a reference for ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin.The research shows that the land use pattern in the Guanzhong Basin should be further optimized.Under the condition of considering ecological and economic development,the percentage change of the optimum area of farmland,forest,grassland,water area,and urban area compared with the current land use area ratio is+2.3,+2.4,-6.1,+0.2,and+1.6,respectively.The economic and ecological value of land increases by14.1%and 3.1%,respectively,and the number of water resources can increase by 2.5%.

Assessment of natural and anthropogenic impacts on terrestrial water storage in the Loess Plateau based on different types of GRACE/GRACE-FO solutions

Changes in water resource storage are inevitable due to climate change and human activities,thus understanding alterations in water storage within a specific region is imperative for the planning and management of water resources.Data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment(GRACE)satellite mission are extensively employed to analyze large-scale total terrestrial water storage anomalies(TWSA).In this study,we derived a more reliable TWSA using different types of GRACE gravity models,which served as the basis for evaluating spatial and temporal variations in total terrestrial water storage and its hydrological components(soil moisture and groundwater)across the Loess Plateau.Additionally,we analyzed the impact of natural and anthropogenic influences on water storage in the Loess Plateau,categorizing them into primary and secondary influences,utilizing data on climate and human activities.The findings revealed a declining trend in the overall TWSA of the Loess Plateau,with a rate of decrease at-0.65±0.05 cm/yr from 2003 to 2020(P<0.01).As the direct factors affecting TWSA,soil moisture dominated the change of TWSA before 2009,and groundwater dominated the change of TWSA after 2009.Spatially,there was variability in the changes of TWSA in the Loess Plateau.More in-depth studies showed that soil moisture changes in the study area were primarily driven by evapotranspiration and temperature,with precipitation and vegetation cover status playing a secondary role.Human activities had a secondary effect on soil moisture in some sub-regions.Population change and agricultural development were major factors in altering groundwater storage in the study area.Other than that,groundwater was influenced by natural factors to a limited extent.These findings provided valuable insights for local governments to implement proactive water management policies.

Optimized nitrogen application for maximizing yield and minimizing nitrogen loss in film mulching spring maize production on the Loess Plateau,China

Excessive use of N fertilizers(driven by high-yield goals)and its consequent environmental problems are becoming increasingly acute in agricultural systems.A 2-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of three N application methods(application of solid granular urea once(OF)or twice(TF),application of solid granular urea mixed with controlled-release urea once(MF),and six N rates(0,60,120,180,240,and 300 kg N ha^(-1))on maize yield,economic benefits,N use efficiency,and soil N balance in the maize(Zea mays L.)film mulching system on the Loess Plateau,China.The grain yield and economic return of maize were significantly affected by the N rate and application method.Compared with the OF treatment,the MF treatment not only increased the maize yield(increased by 9.0-16.7%)but also improved the economic return(increased by 10.9-25.8%).The agronomic N use efficiency(NAE),N partial factor productivity(NPFP)and recovery N efficiency(NRE)were significantly improved by 19.3-66.7,9.0-16.7 and 40.2-71.5%,respectively,compared with the OF treatment.The economic optimal N rate(EONR)of the OF,TF,and MF was 145.6,147.2,and 144.9 kg ha^(-1) in 2019,and 206.4,186.4,and 146.0 kg ha^(-1) in 2020,respectively.The apparent soil N loss at EONR of the OF,TF,and MF were 97.1-100.5,78.5-79.3,and 50.5-68.1 kg ha^(-1),respectively.These results support MF as a one-time N application method for delivering high yields and economic benefits,with low N input requirements within film mulching spring maize system on the Loess Plateau.

Response of soil nutrients to terracing and environmental factors in the Loess Plateau of China

Terracing is a widely adopted agricultural practice in mountainous regions around the world that aims to conserve soil and water resources.Soil nutrients play a crucial role in determining soil quality,particularly in landscapes prone to drought.They are influenced by factors such as land-use type,slope aspect,and altitude.In this study,we sought to examine the impact of terracing on soil nutrients(soil organic content(SOC),total nitrogen(TN),nitrate-nitrogen(NO_(3)^(-)-N),ammonium nitrogen(NH_(4)^(+)-N),total phosphorus(TP),available phosphorus(AP),total potassium(TK),and available potassium(AK))and how they vary with environmental factors in the Chinese Loess Plateau.During the growing season,we collected 540 soil samples from the 0 to 100 cm soil layer across five major land-use types,different slope aspects,and varying altitudes.Additionally,a meta-analysis of literature data further corroborated the effective accumulation of soil nutrients through terracing in the Loess Plateau.Our findings are as follows:(1)Terraced fields,regardless of land-use type,showed a significant improvement in SOC and TN content.(2)Soil nutrient contents within terraced fields were predominantly higher on sunny slopes.(3)Terraces at lower altitudes are characterized by elevated SOC concentrations.(4)A meta-analysis of literature data pertaining to terracing and soil nutrients in this region confirmed the effective accumulation of soil nutri-ents through terracing.The elucidated outcomes of this study offer a profound theoretical underpinning for the accurate planning and management of terraces,the scientific utilization of land resources,and the enhancement of land productivity.

Subsurface multi-physical characterization of mountain excavation and city construction in loess plateau with a fiber-optic sensing system

Mountain excavation and city construction(MECC)projects being launched in the Loess Plateau in China involve the creation of large-scale artificial land.Understanding the subsurface evolution characteristics of the artificial land is essential,yet challenging.Here,we use an improved fiber-optic monitoring system for its subsurface multi-physical characterization.The system enables us to gather spatiotemporal distribution of various parameters,including strata deformation,temperature,and moisture.Yan’an New District was selected as a case study to conduct refined in-situ monitoring through a 77 m-deep borehole and a 30 m-long trench.Findings reveal that the ground settlement involves both the deformation of the filling loess and the underlying intact loess.Notably,the filling loess exhibits a stronger creep capability compared to underlying intact loess.The deformation along the profile is unevenly distributed,with a positive correlation with soil moisture.Water accumulation has been observed at the interface between the filling loess and the underlying intact loess,leading to a significant deformation.Moreover,the temperature and moisture in the filling loess have reached a new equilibrium state,with their depths influenced by atmospheric conditions measuring at 31 m and 26 m,respectively.The refined investigation allows us to identify critical layers that matter the sustainable development of newly created urban areas,and provide improved insights into the evolution mechanisms of land creation.

Mechanism underlying the uprooting of taproot-type shrub species in the loess area of northeastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, China

Characteristics of root pullout resistance determine the capacity to withstand uprooting and the slope protection ability of plants.However,mechanism underlying the uprooting of taproot-type shrub species in the loess area of northeastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau,China remains unclear.In this study,a common taproot-type shrub,Caragana korshinskii Kom.,in northeastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau was selected as the research material.Mechanism of root-soil interaction of vertical root of C.korshinskii was investigated via a combination of a single-root pullout test and numerical simulation analysis.The results indicated that,when pulling vertically,axial force of the roots decreased with an increase in buried depth,whereas shear stress at root-soil interface initially increased and then decreased as burial depths increased.At the same buried depth,both axial force and shear stress of the roots increased with the increase in pullout force.Shear stress and plastic zone of the soil surrounding the root were symmetrically distributed along the root system.Plastic zone was located close to the surface and was caused primarily by tensile failure.In nonvertical pulling,symmetry of shear stress and plastic zone of the soil surrounding the root was disrupted.We observed larger shear stress and plastic zones on the side facing the direction of root deflection.Plastic zone included both shear and tensile failure.Axial force of the root system near the surface decreased as deflection angle of the pullout force increased.When different rainfall infiltration depths had the same vertical pulling force,root axial force decreased with the increase of rainfall infiltration depth and total root displacement increased.During rainfall infiltration,shear stress and plastic zone of the soil surrounding the root were prone to propagating deeper into the soil.These findings provide a foundation for further investigation of soil reinforcement and slope protection mechanisms of taproot-type shrub species in the loess area of northeastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and similar areas.

Geochemical characteristics and environmental implications of loess sequences in the Loess Plateau

The major,trace,and rare earth elements of the Duanjiapo(DJP)section in the south of the Loess Plateau,the Jiaxian(JX)section in the north,and the Jiuzhoutai(JZT)section in the west are studied.The results show that the main elemental characteristics of loess in three profiles are consistent with the upper continental crust(UCC).In terms of trace elements,Th,Nb,Zr,Hf,Y,Cs,W,Cr,V,Li,and Pb show relative enrichment compared with UCC;Rb,Ba,Sr and Be exhibit relative depletion.The average ofΣREE is 171.91ppm with a negative anomaly forδEu and essentially no anomaly forδCe.The results of K_(2)O/Na_(2)O,Rb/Sr ratios,as well as the leaching co-efficient from three profiles,indicate DJP>JX>JZT,suggesting that DJP experiences the strongest weathering leaching effect.The chemical index of alteration(CIA)reveals that all three profiles of loess are in the primary stage of Ca and Na depletion.DJP is generally in the early to moderate stage of chemical weathering,while JX and JZT are both in the early stage.

Species composition and influencing factors of understory woody species in Robinia pseudoacacia plantations on the Loess Plateau

Black locust(Robinia pseudoacacia L.)plantations have contributed significantly to soil and water conservation and ecological reconstruction on China’s Loess Plateau.Understanding the impact of stand and environment on species composition of understory woody plants will improve the stability of existing black locust plantations.Ten stands were selected in second-generation black locust plantations in tableland and gully areas of the Loess Plateau.The number of understory tree species in the tablelands was significantly lower than in the gully stands.Regenerated black locust(19.76%)and Rubus corchorifolius L.f.(64.85%)were the most abundant understory tree and shrub species,respectively,in the tableland stands;Broussonetia papyrifera(L.)L’Hér.ex Vent.(6.77%)and Acanthopanax senticosus(Rupr.Maxim.)Harms.(37.22%)were most abundant in the gully stands.Species richness(S),Shannon diversity(H),and evenness index(J)of the understory plants were significantly lower in the tableland stands than in the gully stands.More diverse understory species and community structures occurred in the gully stands.Differences in species diversity among landform positions may be attributed to differences in soil moisture.In addition,77.57%of the variation in understory species composition was explained,among which shrub and herb coverage,stand age,leaf area index,slope and total soil phosphorus in the 10-20 cm layer were the main factors.Soil organic carbon and total potassium significantly impacted S,H and J.Considering the environmental conditions and the biological characteristics of the plants investigated,R.corchorifolius should be given priority in the development of tableland stands,while B.papyrifera and Celtis sinensis Pers.should form mixed forests with black locust in gully stands.This management could promote biodiversity and stability of the existing black locust plantations but also optimize regional landscape patterns.

Soil erosion and its causes in high-filling body:A case study of a valley area on the Loess Plateau,China

Large-scale land consolidation projects(LCPs)have been carried out on the Loess Plateau to increase the area of agriculture land.The newly created land is prone to soil erosion under the effects of water and gravity.Taking a typical high-filling body(HFB)formed by LCPs in Yan’an,China as the subject,this study comprehensively investigated the types and causes of soil erosion with multiple methods of field investigation,on-site monitoring and laboratory tests.Results showed that the HFB presented a composite pattern of soil erosion with multiple types mainly including underground erosion,mixed water-gravity erosion,seepage erosion,and scouring erosion.The type of erosion varied spatially in different parts of the HFB depending on the dominant factors,mainly including the groundwater state,rainfall,runoff,gravity action,topography,and soil erodibility.The underground erosion mainly occurred at the positions with higher groundwater level and larger hydraulic gradient,while scouring erosion mainly occurred at the positions with extensive interactions of surface runoff,channel slope gradient and soil properties.And near the leading edge of the top of the slope,a band of mixed watergravity erosion occurred owing to the effects of water and gravity.In addition,nearly saturated soils at the toe of HFB displayed groundwater exfiltration and slope-face slumping.Based on our findings on the causes and variation of soil erosion for the HFB,we proposed the following erosion prevention and control measures to protect the LCPs on the Loess Plateau:to construct drainage ditches and blind ditches to form a complete drainage system,plant alfalfa on the top platform to increase rainfall interception and reduce surface runoff,set seepage ditches and plant deep-rooted plants at the toe of the slope to improve slope toe stability,monitor groundwater level and slope deformation to learn the erosion dynamics and slope stability,and optimize the geometry of HFB such as the slope gradient and slope steps to reduce soil erosion.

Dynamic Modeling Framework of Sediment Trapped by Check-Dam Networks:A Case Study of a Typical Watershed on the Chinese Loess Plateau

Check-dam construction is an effective and widely used method for sediment trapping in the Yellow River Basin and other places over the world that are prone to severe soil erosion.Quantitative estimations of the dynamic sediment trapped by check dams are necessary for evaluating the effects of check dams and planning the construction of new ones.In this study,we propose a new framework,named soil and water assessment tool(SWAT)–dynamic check dam(DCDam),for modeling the sediment trapped by check dams dynamically,by integrating the widely utilized SWAT model and a newly developed module called DCDam.We then applied this framework to a typical loess watershed,the Yan River Basin,to assess the time-varying effects of check-dam networks over the past 60 years(1957–2016).The DCDam module generated a specific check-dam network to conceptualize the complex connections at each time step(monthly).In addition,the streamflow and sediment load simulated by using the SWAT model were employed to force the sediment routing in the check-dam network.The evaluation results revealed that the SWAT-DCDam framework performed satisfactorily,with an overestimation of 11.50%,in simulating sediment trapped by check dams,when compared with a field survey of the accumulated sediment deposition.For the Yan River Basin,our results indicated that the designed structural parameters of check dams have evolved over the past 60 years,with higher dams(37.14%and 9.22%increase for large dams and medium dams,respectively)but smaller controlled areas(46.03%and 10.56%decrease for large dams and medium dams,respectively)in recent years.Sediment retained by check dams contributed to approximately 15.00%of the total sediment load reduction in the Yan River during 1970–2016.Thus,our developed framework can be a promising tool for evaluating check-dam effects,and this study can provide valuable information and support to decision-making for soil and water conservation and check-dam planning and management.

Regulation of vegetation pattern on the hydrodynamic processes of erosion on hillslope in Loess Plateau,China

As vegetation are closely related to soil erosion,hydrodynamic parameter changes under various vegetation pattern conditions can be used as an important basis for the research of the soil erosion mechanism.Through upstream water inflow experiments conducted on a loess hillslope,how the vegetation pattern influences the hydrodynamic processes of sediment transport was analyzed.The results show that the placement of a grass strip on the lower upslope can effectively reduce runoff erosion by 69%,relying on the efficiency of regulated hydrodynamic process.The effective location of grass strip for hillslope alleviating erosion is on the lower part of the upslope,mainly due to the grass strip measure used to regulate the hydrodynamic system.As a result,the underlying surface runoff resistance is increased by 5 times,runoff shear stress is decreased by more than 90%,and runoff power decreased by over 92%.The measure greatly separates the scouring energy of surface runoff that acts on the slope soil.Therefore,the use of grass strips effectively decreases the energy of runoff flowing along the slope,eliminating soil erosion to a great extent and thereby achieving a better regulation of hydrodynamic processe.

Review on the fully mulched ridge–furrow system for sustainable maize production on the semi-arid Loess Plateau

The fully mulched ridge–furrow(FMRF) system has been widely used on the semi-arid Loess Plateau of China due to its high maize(Zea mays L.) productivity and rainfall use efficiency. However, high outputs under this system led to a depletion of soil moisture and soil nutrients, which reduces its sustainability in the long run. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the system for the sustainable development of agriculture. The development, yield-increasing mechanisms,negative impacts, optimization, and their relations in the FMRF system are reviewed in this paper. We suggest using grain and forage maize varieties instead of regular maize;mulching plastic film in autumn or leaving the mulch after maize harvesting until the next spring, and then removing the old film and mulching new film;combining reduced/notillage with straw return;utilizing crop rotation or intercropping with winter canola(Brassica campestris L.), millet(Setaria italica), or oilseed flax(Linum usitatissimum L.);reducing nitrogen fertilizer and partially replacing chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer;using biodegradable or weather-resistant film;and implementing mechanized production. These integrations help to establish an environmentally friendly, high quality, and sustainable agricultural system, promote highquality development of dryland farming, and create new opportunities for agricultural development in the semi-arid Loess Plateau.

Check dam extraction from remote sensing images using deep learning and geospatial analysis:A case study in the Yanhe River Basin of the Loess Plateau,China

Check dams are widely used on the Loess Plateau in China to control soil and water losses,develop agricultural land,and improve watershed ecology.Detailed information on the number and spatial distribution of check dams is critical for quantitatively evaluating hydrological and ecological effects and planning the construction of new dams.Thus,this study developed a check dam detection framework for broad areas from high-resolution remote sensing images using an ensemble approach of deep learning and geospatial analysis.First,we made a sample dataset of check dams using GaoFen-2(GF-2)and Google Earth images.Next,we evaluated five popular deep-learning-based object detectors,including Faster R-CNN,You Only Look Once(version 3)(YOLOv3),Cascade R-CNN,YOLOX,and VarifocalNet(VFNet),to identify the best one for check dam detection.Finally,we analyzed the location characteristics of the check dams and used geographical constraints to optimize the detection results.Precision,recall,average precision at intersection over union(IoU)threshold of 0.50(AP_(50)),IoU threshold of 0.75(AP_(75)),and average value for 10 IoU thresholds ranging from 0.50-0.95 with a 0.05 step(AP_(50-95)),and inference time were used to evaluate model performance.All the five deep learning networks could identify check dams quickly and accurately,with AP_(50-95),AP_(50),and AP_(75)values higher than 60.0%,90.0%,and 70.0%,respectively,except for YOLOv3.The VFNet had the best performance,followed by YOLOX.The proposed framework was tested in the Yanhe River Basin and yielded promising results,with a recall rate of 87.0%for 521 check dams.Furthermore,the geographic analysis deleted about 50%of the false detection boxes,increasing the identification accuracy of check dams from 78.6%to 87.6%.Simultaneously,this framework recognized 568 recently constructed check dams and small check dams not recorded in the known check dam survey datasets.The extraction results will support efficient watershed management and guide future studies on soil erosion in the Loess Plateau.

Sediment sources and their impacts on a check dam-controlled watershed, Loess Plateau, China

Soil erosion is a major issue in Loess Plateau,China,and quantitative analyses of sediment sources are crucial for soil erosion control.In this study,a combination of flood couplet analysis and composite fingerprint identification was used for historical reconstructions of soil erosion in sediment source areas in Loess Plateau.Each flood couplet was constructed based on sediment 137Cs activity,and past soil erosion was calculated using soil bulk density and storage capacity curves.The contribution rates of the sediment sources were calculated using the fingerprinting method,and the amount of erosion in the sediment source areas was estimated.The best fingerprint combination(Cr,Ni,V,and TOC)enabled a 97.2%recognition of sediment sources from 29 flood events(1956–1990)in the Loess Plateau.The contribution rates of gullies,farmland,grassland,and shrubland were 44.89%,26.38%,10.49%,and 18.24%,respectively.These four land use types contributed 1,227,751,512,and 279 tons of sediments,respectively.Re-vegetation decreased soil erosion(1966–1983),whereas deforestation increased soil erosion(1956–1965 and 1984–1990).Rational soil and water conservation measures on slopes and check dam construction in gullies are therefore suggested to mitigate erosion.

Estimating Monthly Surface Air Temperature Using MODIS LST Data and an Artificial Neural Network in the Loess Plateau, China

Air temperature(Ta)datasets with high spatial and temporal resolutions are needed in a wide range of applications,such as hydrology,ecology,agriculture,and climate change studies.Nonetheless,the density of weather station networks is insufficient,especially in sparsely populated regions,greatly limiting the accuracy of estimates of spatially distributed Ta.Due to their continuous spatial coverage,remotely sensed land surface temperature(LST)data provide the possibility of exploring spatial estimates of Ta.However,because of the complex interaction of land and climate,retrieval of Ta from the LST is still far from straightforward.The estimation accuracy varies greatly depending on the model,particularly for maximum Ta.This study estimated monthly average daily minimum temperature(Tmin),average daily maximum temperature(Tmax)and average daily mean temperature(Tmean)over the Loess Plateau in China based on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS)LST data(MYD11A2)and some auxiliary data using an artificial neural network(ANN)model.The data from 2003 to 2010 were used to train the ANN models,while 2011 to 2012 weather station temperatures were used to test the trained model.The results showed that the nighttime LST and mean LST provide good estimates of Tmin and Tmean,with root mean square errors(RMSEs)of 1.04℃ and 1.01℃,respectively.Moreover,the best RMSE of Tmax estimation was 1.27℃.Compared with the other two published Ta gridded datasets,the produced 1 km×1 km dataset accurately captured both the temporal and spatial patterns of Ta.The RMSE of Tmin estimation was more sensitive to elevation,while that of Tmax was more sensitive to month.Except for land cover type as the input variable,which reduced the RMSE by approximately 0.01℃,the other vegetation-related variables did not improve the performance of the model.The results of this study indicated that ANN,a type of machine learning method,is effective for long-term and large-scale Ta estimation.

Leaf C:N:P stoichiometric homeostasis of a Robinia pseudoacacia plantation on the Loess Plateau

Homeostasis is the adaptability of a species to a changing environment.However,the ecological stoichiometric homeostasis of Robinia pseudoacacia L.in diff erent climatic regions is poorly understood but could provide insights into its adaptability in the loess hilly region.This study sampled 20 year-old R.pseudoacacia plantations at 10 sites along a north–south transect on the Loess Plateau.Variations in the ecological stoichiometric characteristics of leaf and soil carbon,nitrogen,and phosphorus were analysed and homeostatic characteristics of leaf ecological stoichiometric parameters in diff erent climates were identifi ed.Factors aff ecting leaf stoichiometry were assessed.The results show that R.pseudoacacia leaves were rich in nitrogen and defi cient in phosphorous during tree growth and development.Nitrogen and phosphorous levels in the soils of the loess region were lower than the average in soils in the rest of China.All ecological stoichiometric parameters of R.pseudoacacia leaves in two diff erent climates were considered“strictly homeostasis”.Precipitation,available phosphorus,and soil C:P were the main factors aff ecting the variation of C:N:P stoichiometry of R.pseudoacacia leaves.R.pseudoacacia in the loess hilly region has strong ecologically homeostatic characteristics and suggests that it is well-adapted to the area.

Temporal and spatial variation characteristics of extreme precipitation on the Loess Plateau of China facing the precipitation process

The preceding and succeeding precipitation(PSP)often act together with extreme precipitation(EP),in turn,causing floods,which is an objective component that is often overlooked with regard to summer flood hazards in the arid region of Northwest China.In this study,event-based extreme precipitation(EEP)was defined as continuous precipitation that includes at least one day of EP.We analyzed the spatiotemporal variation characteristics of four EEP types(front EEP,late EEP,balanced EEP,and single day EEP)across the Loess Plateau(LP)based on data acquired from 87 meteorological stations from 1960 to 2019.Precipitation on the LP basically maintained a spatial pattern of"low in the northwest region and high in the southeast region",and EP over the last 10 a increased significantly.The cumulative precipitation percentage of single day EEP was 34%and was dominant for 60 a,while the cumulative precipitation percentage of front,late,and balanced EEP types associated with PSP accounted for 66%,which confirms to the connotation of EEP.The cumulative frequencies of front and late EEP types were 23%and 21%,respectively,while the cumulative frequency of balanced EEP had the lowest value at only 13%.Moreover,global warming could lead to more single day EEP across the LP,and continuous EEP could increase in the northwestern region and decrease in the eastern region in the future.The concept of process-oriented EP could facilitate further exploration of disaster-causing processes associated with different types of EP,and provide a theoretical basis for deriving precipitation disaster chains and construction of disaster cluster characteristics.