Spatiotemporal variability of rain-on-snow events in the arid region of Northwest China

Rain-on-snow(ROS)events involve rainfall on snow surfaces,and the occurrence of ROS events can exacerbate water scarcity and ecosystem vulnerability in the arid region of Northwest China(ARNC).In this study,using daily snow depth data and daily meteorological data from 68 meteorological stations provided by the China Meteorological Administration National Meteorological Information Centre,we investigated the spatiotemporal variability of ROS events in the ARNC from 1978 to 2015 and examined the factors affecting these events and possible changes of future ROS events in the ARNC.The results showed that ROS events in the ARNC mainly occurred from October to May of the following year and were largely distributed in the Qilian Mountains,Tianshan Mountains,Ili River Valley,Tacheng Prefecture,and Altay Prefecture,with the Ili River Valley,Tacheng City,and Altay Mountains exhibiting the most occurrences.Based on the intensity of ROS events,the areas with the highest risk of flooding resulting from ROS events in the ARNC were the Tianshan Mountains,Ili River Valley,Tacheng City,and Altay Mountains.The number and intensity of ROS events in the ARNC largely increased from 1978 to 2015,mainly influenced by air temperature and the number of rainfall days.However,due to the snowpack abundance in areas experiencing frequent ROS events in the ARNC,snowpack changes exerted slight impact on ROS events,which is a temporary phenomenon.Furthermore,elevation imposed lesser impact on ROS events in the ARNC than other factors.In the ARNC,the start time of rainfall and the end time of snowpack gradually advanced from the spring of the current year to the winter of the previous year,while the end time of rainfall and the start time of snowpack gradually delayed from autumn to winter.This may lead to more ROS events in winter in the future.These results could provide a sound basis for managing water resources and mitigating related disasters caused by ROS events in the ARNC.

Hydrological and water cycle processes of inland river basins in the arid region of Northwest China

The increasing shortage in water resources is a key factor affecting sustainable socio-economic development in the arid region of Northwest China(ARNC). Water shortages also affect the stability of the region's oasis ecosystem. This paper summarizes the hydrological processes and water cycle of inland river basins in the ARNC, focusing on the following aspects: the spatial-temporal features of water resources(including air water vapor resources, runoff, and glacial meltwater) and their driving forces; the characteristics of streamflow composition in the inland river basins; the characteristics and main controlling factors of baseflow in the inland rivers; and anticipated future changes in hydrological processes and water resources. The results indicate that:(1) although the runoff in most inland rivers in the ARNC showed a significant increasing trend, both the glaciated area and glacial ice reserves have been reduced in the mountains;(2) snow melt and glacier melt are extremely important hydrological processes in the ARNC, especially in the Kunlun and Tianshan mountains;(3) baseflow in the inland rivers of the ARNC is the result of climate change and human activities, with the main driving factors being the reduction in forest area and the over-exploitation and utilization of groundwater in the river basins; and(4) the contradictions among water resources, ecology and economy will further increase in the future. The findings of this study might also help strengthen the ecological, economic and social sustainable development in the study region.

Analysis on the Correlated Characteristics between Spring Precipitation in the Arid Region of Northwest China and Global Sea Surface Temperature

[Objective] The research aimed to study the correlated characteristics between spring precipitation in the arid region of Northwest China and global sea surface temperature. [Method] Based on GPCP global monthly precipitation data and NOAA ERSST sea surface temperature data during 1979-2008, the precipitation characteristics in the arid region of Northwest China in 30 years and its correlated distribution characteristics with the global sea surface temperature were analyzed by using the correlation and composite analysis methods. [Result] Spring rainfall presented the fluctuation increasing in the arid region of Northwest China during 1979-2008. The sea surface temperature of Indian Ocean in 15° S-22° N, 45°-105° E had the continuous influence on spring precipitation in the arid region of Northwest China. It could be as a stable factor for forecasting spring precipitation in the arid region zone of Northwest China. When the sea surface temperature was higher in Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, maybe spring precipitation in the arid region of Northwest China was more. If the sea surface temperature in the equatorial Eastern Pacific Ocean in prior summer, autumn and winter was higher, it was favorable for spring precipitation in the arid region of Northwest China in the next year. The sea surface temperature field in Arabian Sea, Central Indian Ocean and Western Pacific Ocean was the key factor which affected spring precipitation in the arid region of Northwest China. [Conclusion] The research provided the theory basis for the prediction and forecast of precipitation in the arid region.

Mutual optimization of water utilization structure and industrial structure in arid inland river basins of Northwest China

Water is a key restricting factor of the economic development and eco-environmental protection in arid inland river basins of Northwest China. Although water supplies are short, the water utilization structure and the corresponding industrial structure are unbalanced. We constructed a System Dynamic Model for mutual optimization based on the mechanism of their interaction. This model is applied to the Heihe River Basin where the share of limited water resources among ecosystem, production and human living is optimized. Results show that, by mutual optimization, the water utilization structure and the industrial structures fit in with each other. And the relationships between the upper, middle and lower reaches of the Heihe River Basin can be harmonized. Mutual benefits of ecology, society and economy can be reached, and a sustainable ecology-production-living system can be obtained. This study gives a new insight and method for the sustainable utilization of water resources in arid inland river basins.

Toxic metal enrichment characteristics and sources of arid urban surface soil in Yinchuan City, China

To investigate the environmental quality of the urban surface soil in Yinchuan City, the capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region （Ningxia）, China, we sampled surface soil and measured the concentrations of 8 toxic metals （Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, Co, Bi, Ni and V） using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The enrichment characteristics and sources of these toxic metals in the soil were analyzed by the enrichment factor （EF） and multivariate statistical analysis. The results showed that the mean concentrations of these toxic metals in the soil samples were 25.0, 109.1, 16.8, 26.0, 37.2, 2.7, 25.3 and 59.9 mg/kg for Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, Co, Bi, Ni and V, respectively, which were 1.2, 1.8, 0.8, 0.4, 3.2, 8.7, 0.7 and 0.8 times of the corresponding background values of Ningxia soil, respectively. The variations of Pb, Zn, Co, Bi and Ni concentrations in the surface soil of Yinchuan were larger than those of the other metals. Our results also showed that the toxic metals investigated in the soil had different enrichment levels. Both Co and Bi were significantly enriched, whereas Cr was only moderately enriched in the soil. There was a deficiency or minimal enrichment of the other toxic metals in the soil. Source analysis results based on the concentration, enrichment characteristics and multivariate statistical analysis indicated that Cr, V and Ni originated from a combination of fossil fuel combustion, traffic pollution and natural occurrence. Pb, Cu and Zn were predominantly derived from natural and traffic sources, while Co and Bi primarily originated from construction sources.

2005-2020年亚洲中部干旱区生态站月潜在蒸散量数据集

潜在蒸散表征大气蒸发能力,是衡量区域蒸发能力的重要指标,也是评价气候干旱程度变化、水资源供需平衡、植被耗水量等的关键参数。在收集中亚生态系统监测网络12个生态站和中国生态系统研究网络(CERN)11个位于西北干旱区生态站的气象观测数据基础上,经过数据质量控制与插补,采用Penman-Monteith模型计算潜在蒸散量,生成了2005-2020年亚洲中部干旱区生态站月潜在蒸散量数据集。本数据集时间序列较长、覆盖多种生态系统类型,可作为亚洲中部干旱问题研究的基础数据、模型输入数据、模拟结果验证数据等,也可为该区域水资源的合理开发与利用、生态环境保护等方面研究提供数据支撑。

2005-2020年中国西北干旱区典型生态系统土壤有机碳密度数据集

土壤有机碳库是陆地生态系统碳库中最大、最为活跃的部分,在全球碳循环过程和全球气候变化中起着重要的作用。中国西北旱区位于欧亚大陆的腹地,生态系统极其脆弱,对气候变化的响应也极为敏感,是近年来众多学者关注的热点地区,土壤有机碳储量估算以及空间分布特征日益成为该区域的研究焦点之一,但是数据共享不足与实测数据相对缺乏是造成研究结果不确定性的重要因素。在收集中国生态系统研究网络(CERN)位于中国西北六省区的农田、荒漠、草地生态系统野外科学观测研究站土壤长期观测数据的基础上,通过筛选、质量控制后,采用有机碳估算模型计算生成了中国西北干旱区典型生态系统土壤有机碳密度数据集。本数据集涵盖了11个站点2005-2020年各类长期观测样地的表层(0-20 cm)和剖面分层土壤有机碳密度数据,以期为中国西北干旱区土壤碳储量估算和碳循环过程研究提供有价值的实测数据。

基于生境及其植被特征的西北干旱半干旱区城市绿地生态设计途径

【目的】在地域自然资源的约束及可持续城市绿地建设的现实诉求下,探索能够指导西北干旱半干旱区城市绿地生态设计实践的方法策略,为该地区建立人工干预下的新城市生态过程提供支持。【方法】分别从中、小尺度对城市生境的异质性特征进行认知,并对其与城市绿地设计层级、内容的匹配性关系进行分析。【结果】构建出中小尺度城市绿地生态设计框架,并针对西北干旱半干旱区城市绿地建设,划分出4种典型城市绿地生态设计类型及其生态设计分区,提出相应的场地生境多样性优化设计、植物群落多样性设计和科普展示系统设计策略。【结论】将中、小尺度城市生境及其植被特征的形成与维持机制转化为城市绿地生态设计途径,可为西北干旱半干旱区城市绿地生态建设提供理论支持和技术指导。

西北干旱区荒漠植物叶片和细根碳、氮、磷化学计量特征

植物的叶片和细根是植物地上部分和地下部分最重要的营养器官,其碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)化学计量特征反映了植物的养分限制状况及叶片与细根间的协同作用,开展叶片与细根化学计量关系的研究,对认识植物养分利用策略及元素间平衡关系有重要意义。对西北干旱区21种荒漠植物叶片与细根C、N、P含量进行了测定,分析了C、N、P含量及其计量比在不同生活型及不同器官间的关系。结果表明:1)西北干旱区荒漠植物叶片与细根C含量相对稳定,叶N、P含量高于细根,说明在干旱生境中,植物对养分的分配侧重于地上部分,以完成其正常的生命活动;叶片与细根的N∶P无显著差异,有明显的保守性,表明植物地上与地下部分养分吸收策略与分配规律具有一致性;2)不同生活型植物叶片和细根的C、N、P含量及C∶N、C∶P存在显著差异,灌木与禾草具有较高的C∶N和C∶P,杂类草具有较高的N、P含量,说明灌木与禾草倾向于保守型养分适应策略,杂类草倾向于快速生长的资源竞争策略;3)21种荒漠植物叶片与细根N、P含量间均存在显著的正相关关系,表明西北干旱区荒漠植物体内N、P元素间存在相互作用;4)植物叶片与细根间C、N、P含量及C∶N、C∶P存在等速生长关系,表明植物光合产物和养分在地上与地下部分间的分配具有平行的比例关系,但这种关系受生活型影响。上述结果表明西北干旱区不同生活型植物在恶劣生境中存在不同的养分适应策略,且地上与地下部分的养分利用策略及分配规律存在协同作用,这为进一步认识西北干旱区荒漠植物的养分利用策略提供了试验基础。

多源遥感降水产品在西北干旱区的气象干旱性能评估

多源遥感降水产品在气象站点稀少或分布不均地区的干旱监测方面,发挥着至关重要的作用,比如地处中国西北的干旱区。选择5套典型遥感降水产品(PERSIANN、CHIRPS、CMORPH、TMPA和MSWEP),基于标准化降水蒸散指数(SPEI),评估了降水产品在3种时间尺度的气象干旱性能;通过游程理论识别干旱事件,阐释了遥感降水产品捕获干旱事件的能力。研究表明:(1)在西北干旱区,5套遥感降水产品均能较好地捕捉多年平均降水量的空间分布格局,但却难以准确地捕捉降水的变化趋势。(2)在捕获SPEI性能方面,MSWEP最优,其次为TMPA、PERSIANN和CHIRPS,CMORPH表现最差。1个月尺度(SPEI1)是遥感降水产品识别气象干旱的最佳时间尺度。(3)在刻画干旱事件的特性方面,CHIRPS对干旱事件数量的识别能力最佳,PERSIANN最差;MSWEP和TMPA表征干旱严重性最好,CHIRPS较差;除CMORPH外,其余4套产品均能较好地捕获干旱事件的强度和极值。综上所述,虽然5套遥感降水产品整体上可较好地捕获西北干旱区的干旱特征,但由于受降水产品反演算法、地形复杂性以及地面验证站点疏密程度的影响,较难以找到一种降水产品在捕获干旱特性所有方面均表现最优。研究成果可为区域气象干旱监测最佳降水产品的选择,以及遥感降水产品在极端干旱环境反演算法的改进方面提供参考。

我国西北干旱区绿洲城市热岛效应研究进展

了解中国西北干旱区绿洲城市热岛效应研究进展有利于绿洲城市的可持续发展,同时为后期学者的研究方向提供参考。从中国知网学术期刊(网络版)数据库和Web of Science核心库检索并筛选了1990—2022年发表的相关论文共67篇,利用Origin 2021软件对年度发文量、机构、主要研究内容进行统计和分析,采用CiteSpace 5.8对作者和关键词进行共现聚类。结果表明:干旱区城市热岛效应的论文数量整体偏少,近年呈缓慢上升趋势,被引频次总体不高;研究尺度以城市尺度为主,研究区多集中在乌鲁木齐市。早期多使用地面气象站观测法,近年来以遥感监测法为主,模型预测法与移动样带测量法在干旱区内应用较少;研究热点是城市热岛效应的影响因素和变化过程,城市热岛效应的缓解策略尚未引起重视。未来应该在多个尺度与多个绿洲城市开展研究,并更加关注城市热岛的缓解策略。

1981—2019年西北干旱区暖湿化分析

[目的]探究我国西北干旱区20世纪80年代以来的暖湿气候变化情况。[方法]利用国家气象数据中心发布的1981—2019年0.5°×0.5°气温和降水量月值格点资料,采用线性倾向率、Mann-Kendall检验、累积距平法,对近39年来该地区气温和降水时空演变特征进行研究。[结果]近39年来西北干旱区平均气温呈现显著上升趋势,气温倾向率为0.377℃/10 a(P<0.01),天山亚区增温趋势最大;各季节平均气温均呈显著增高趋势,春季增温趋势最大,冬季增温趋势最小,气温倾向率仅为0.121℃/10 a(P>0.05);年平均气温在1997年发生增温突变,进入21世纪增温趋势减缓。西北干旱区年降水量整体呈增加趋势,降水量倾向率为9.509 mm/10a(P<0.01),天山亚区增湿趋势最大,降水量倾向率为25.673 mm/10 a(P<0.01);四季均呈降水量增加趋势,夏季增加趋势最大,冬季降水量增加趋势相对较小;年降水量在2001年发生突变,降水量增加趋势明显。[结论]西北干旱区整体处于暖湿阶段,尤其天山亚区暖湿化最显著。

西北干旱区气候变化对灌溉春玉米生产的影响

基于河西走廊中部1984-2022年灌溉春玉米定位观测试验,结合同期气象资料,采用线性回归、相关分析和M-K突变检验等方法,分析气候变化对西北干旱区灌溉春玉米生育期和产量的影响。结果表明:春玉米全生育期平均气温以0.76℃·10a^(-1)的速率呈极显著上升趋势(P<0.01)。≥10℃活动积温呈显著增加趋势,平均每10a增加135.80℃·d。全生育期降水量增加趋势不显著,但乳熟-成熟期以4.50mm·10a^(-1)的速率显著增加(P<0.05)。1984-2004年日照时数以126.88h·10a^(-1)的速率显著增多,近19a以109.38h·10a^(-1)的速率显著减少。1984-2004年春玉米生长期长度以9.86d·10a^(-1)的速率显著延长,近19a以7.39d·10a^(-1)的速率显著缩短。播种-出苗期和七叶-拔节期长度与气温呈显著负相关;播种-出苗期、三叶-七叶期和吐丝-乳熟期长度与降水量呈显著正相关;各生育期长度均与日照时数呈显著正相关。研究期内春玉米产量呈波动变化,气候产量与全生育期内降水量呈显著负相关。综上所述,西北干旱区气候变化对当前灌溉方式下的春玉米生产不利。

中国西北旱区砂田表层土壤养分效应对连作响应的整合分析

为明确砂田表层土壤养分对连作的响应规律,深入揭示砂田性能逐年退化机理,文章基于国内外已发表的16篇相关文献的586组有效数据,借助Meta-analysis方法进行整合定量研究,定量分析覆砂1—3年农田与其他连作年限砂田(4—6年、7—9年、10—12年、13—15年、16—20年)在表层土壤水分状况(SWC)、养分特性(有机质SOM、全氮TN、全磷TP、全钾TK、碱解氮AN、速效磷AP、速效钾AK、全盐TSS)和酸碱环境(pH)方面的差异效应,系统阐释砂田表层土壤养分特性逐年变异的发生路径及驱动因素,进而综合评估其肥力水平。结果表明:伴随种植年限的增加,砂田表层土壤水分储量和养分强度整体呈现下降态势(P<0.05),4—20年的土壤SWC、SOM、TN、TP、TK、AN、AP、AK含量分别较1—3年减少39.06%、14.21%、14.96%、10.06%、8.20%、15.87%、37.01%、18.60%(P<0.05)。表层土壤SOM、TN、TP、TK、AN、AP、AK主要于10—12年开始大幅流失(P<0.05),而4—6年土壤SOM、TP、TK、AK含量的相对变化则不显著(P>0.05)。砂田在耕作12年内具有显著压盐效果,12年以后的表层土壤TSS含量则开始呈现逐年增加的发展趋向(P<0.05),其土壤pH整体增加1.29%(P<0.05)。连作年限是砂田表层土壤TN、TP和AK变异的关键因子;SWC则为土壤SOM、AP和TSS演化的主导要素。总体而言,砂田在连作10年左右即可出现明显的养分亏缺状态。因此,亟需提出科学合理的农田管理措施,以有效提升退化砂田的土壤肥力水平。

加气对西北旱区膜下滴灌棉花光合及水分利用效率的影响

为探明西北旱区滴灌棉花适宜的加气灌溉模式,试验以不加气灌溉为对照(CK),设置5个加气灌溉处理:苗期加气(AS)、蕾期加气(AB)、花铃期加气(AF)、蕾期加气+花铃期加气(ABF)、苗期加气+蕾期加气+花铃期加气(AW);研究了不同生育期加气灌溉对西北旱区棉花光合作用及水分利用效率的影响.结果表明,与CK相比,所有加气处理的光合特性及地上部生物量都显著提高,其中处理AW较CK的净光合速率显著增加22.68%,蒸腾速率显著增加41.19%,气孔导度显著增加33.42%,胞间CO 2浓度显著降低16.22%;花铃期加气灌溉使西北旱区棉花地上部茎、叶、蕾/铃干物质累积量分别显著增加29.26%,11.15%和33.41%.不同生育期加气灌溉下,棉花光合特性、地上部生物量以及产量最优的处理为AW和AF,且差异不具有统计学意义;但是处理AF的水分利用效率最高,为1.51 kg/m 3,显著高于处理AW.因此,从高效节水增产的角度考虑,在棉花花铃期进行加气(AF)可作为西北旱区膜下滴灌棉花的最佳加气灌溉模式.

A 1000-year chironomid-based salinity reconstruction from varved sediments of Sugan Lake,Qaidam Basin,arid Northwest China,and its palaeoclimatic significance

A 1000-year high-resolution(～10 years) chironomid record from varved sediments of Sugan Lake,Qaidam Basin on the northern Tibetan Plateau,is presented.The chironomid assemblages are mainly composed of the relatively high-saline-water taxa Psectrocladius barbimanus-type and Orthocladius/Cricotopus,and the relatively low-saline-water taxa Procladius and Psectrocladius sordidellus-type.Variations in the chironomid fauna and inferred salinities suggest that over the last millennium,the Sugan Lake catchment has alternated between contrasting climatic conditions,having a dry climate during the period 990―1550 AD,a relatively humid climate during the Little Ice Age(LIA)(1550―1840 AD),and a dry climate again from 1840 AD onwards.At the decadal to centennial scale,a wet event around 1200―1230 AD,interrupting the generally arid period(990―1550 AD),and a dry event around 1590―1700 AD,punctuating the generally humid period(1550―1840 AD),are clearly documented.Trends in the chironomid-based salinity time series indicate a highly unstable climate during the LIA when salinity fluctuations were of greater magnitude and higher frequency.The effective moisture evolution in the Sugan Lake catchment during the last millennium reconstructed by chironomid analysis is in broad agreement with previous palaeo-moisture data derived from other sites in arid Northwest China(ANC).The LIA,characterized by generally humid conditions over the west-erly-dominated ANC was distinctly different from that in monsoonal China,implying an "out-of-phase" relationship between moisture evolution in these two regions during the past 1000 years.

Climatic Warming and Humidification in the Arid Region of Northwest China: Multi-Scale Characteristics and Impacts on Ecological Vegetation

The climatic warming and humidification observed in the arid region of Northwest China(ARNC) and their impacts on the ecological environment have become an issue of concern. The associated multi-scale characteristics and environmental responses are currently poorly understood. Using data from satellite remote sensing, field observations, and the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6, this paper systematically analyzes the process and scale characteristics of the climatic warming and humidification in the ARNC and their impacts on ecological vegetation. The results show that not only have temperature and precipitation increased significantly in the ARNC over the past 60 years, but the increasing trend of precipitation is also obviously intensifying. The dryness index, which comprehensively considers the effects of precipitation and temperature, has clearly decreased, and the trend in humidification has increased. Spatially, the trend of temperature increase has occurred over the entire region, while 93.4% of the region has experienced an increase in precipitation, suggesting a spatially consistent climatic warming and humidification throughout the ARNC. Long-term trends and interannual changes in temperature and precipitation dominate the changes in climatic warming and humidification. Compared to interannual variations in temperature, the trend change of temperature contributes more to the overall temperature change. However, the contribution of interannual variations in precipitation is greater than that of the precipitation trend to the overall precipitation change. The current climatic warming and humidification generally promote the growth of ecological vegetation. Since the 1980 s,82.4% of the regional vegetation has thrived. The vegetation index has a significant positive correlation with precipitation and temperature. However, it responds more significantly to interannual precipitation variation, although the vegetation response varies significantly under different types of land use. The warming and humidification of the climate in the ARNC are probably related to intensifications of the westerly wind circulation and ascending air motions.They are expected to continue in the future, although the strength of the changes will probably be insufficient to significantly change the basic climate pattern in the ARNC. The results of this study provide helpful information for decision making related to China's "Belt and Road" development strategies.

Water resource formation and conversion and water security in arid region of Northwest China

Climate change and water resource issues are global problems of common concern to the international community, and they are major bottlenecks affecting the eco-environment and sustainable socio-economic development in the arid region of Northwest China. On the basis of results from previous studies, this paper points out that the unique landscape of Northwest China increases the complexity and uncertainty of the climate system. This paper analyzes the key constraints on socio-economic development and ecological security in the region, discusses the impact of climate change on water resources in Northwest China, identifies common themes and the main problems present in research on climate change and water resources in the arid northwest region, and finally, based on the importance and urgency of conducting research on the region＇s water resources, proposes scientific problems that need to be addressed： first, the impact of climate change on the formation, conversion and future trends of water resources in the region; second, bidirectional coupling of high-resolution regional climate models and water cycle models of arid region land surface patterns; third, the impact of climate change and human activities on water resources of the arid northwest region. Through consideration and discussion of the above, this paper seeks to further clarify specific areas of research on pressing issues related to climate change and water resources in Northwest China, so as to establish a solid scientific basis for significantly enhancing our ability to respond to climate change and water shortages.

Response of runoff to change of atmospheric 0℃ level height in summer in arid region of Northwest China

Based on the daily observed data from eight sounding stations and the daily mountain runoff data from nine rivers in summer from 1960 to 2009 in four typical study areas located in arid region of Northwest China(ARNC),the change trends,abrupt change points,and their significance of runoff and 0℃ level height(FLH) were analyzed in ARNC in the last 50 years by using Mann-Kendall(MK) nonparametric test,and the quantitative relationship between runoff and FLH in summer was also analyzed with the linear regression and elastic coefficient methods.The results are indicated as follows:(1) in recent 50 years,there is a similar changing trend between the summer runoff and FLH in ARNC and each region has its own unique feature.The summer runoff has been significantly ascending in the Tianshan Mountains and on the northern slope of the Qilian Mountains(NSQM) compared to that of the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains(NSKM).Likewise,the FLH has been taking on a markedly rising trend on the northern slopes of the Tianshan and Qilian Mountains(NSTM and NSQM) in comparison with the southern slope of the Tianshan Mountains(SSTM).However,the FLH on NSKM has been decreasing with the speed of 2.33 m every year.(2) Abrupt change analysis indicates that the period of abrupt change happened for summer runoff and FLH is totally different among the four typical study regions,and even in same region.(3) There is a positive significant relation between the summer runoff and FLH in ARNC(NSQM P <0.05;other three regions P <0.01).Therefore,the ascending and descending of the summer FLH is a vital factor inducing the change of summer runoff in ARNC.(4) The elastic coefficient of summer runoff to the change of summer FLH on NSKM,NSTM,NSQM,and SSTM are 7.19,3.80,2.79,and 6.63,respectively,which indicates that there exists the regional difference in the sensibility of summer runoff to the change of summer FLH in ARNC.The distinct proportion of glacial meltwater runoff is an important cause resulting in the regional difference of sensibility.

A data envelopment analysis of agricultural technical efficiency of Northwest Arid Areas in China

Severe resource shortage and waste of resource in agricultural production make it necessary to assess efficiency to increase productivity with high efficiency and ensure sustainable agricultural development. This paper adopted an input-oriented data envelopment analysis(DEA) method with the assumption of variable returns to scale to evaluate agricultural production efficiency of 100 major irrigation districts in Northwest China in 2010.Major findings of this paper were as follows: firstly, the average value of total technical efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency of those irrigation districts in Northwest China were 0.770, 0.825 and 0.931,respectively; secondly, 30% of irrigation districts were technically efficient, while 42% and 32% of them showed pure technical and scale efficiency respectively. Among inefficient decision-making units, total technical efficiency score varied from 0.313 to 0.966, showing significant geographical differences, but geographical differences of pure technical efficiency was more consistent with that of total technical efficiency; thirdly, input redundancy was evident. Inputs of agricultural population, irrigation area,green water, blue water, consumption of fertilizer and agricultural machinery could be reduced by 34.88%,40.19%, 43.85%, 47.10%, 41.53% and 42.21% respectively without reducing agricultural outputs. Furthermore,irrigation area, green water and blue water had relatively high slack movement though Northwest China which is short of water resources. Based on these results, this paper drew the following conclusions: First, there is huge potential for Northwest China to improve its agricultural production efficiency, and agro-technology not input scale had greater influence on improvement. Second, farmers needed proper guidance in order to reduce agricultural inputs and it is time to centralize agricultural management for overall agricultural inputs regulation and control.