State of the climate over the Three Gorges Region of the Yangtze River in 2018

This report provides a summary of the climate, as well as the major weather and climate events,over the Three Gorges Region of the Yangtze River(TGR) in 2018. The annual mean temperature over the TGR in 2018 was 0.2℃ above normal, and precipitation was near normal. Seasonal highlights included a second warmest spring in the 58-year period of records, with abundant rainfall, which resulted in the wettest March on record. Furthermore, this was the fourth-warmest summer on record in the TGR, which contributed a higher-than-normal number of hot days in2018. Precipitation was 17% and 30% less-than-normal in winter and summer, and 40% and 6% above average in spring and autumn, respectively. The annual mean wind speed in the TGR was higher than normal, and the annual mean relative humidity was near normal. The intensity of acid rain was relatively weak, being the second-weakest year since 1999. The major meteorological disaster types in the TGR include heat waves, drought, rainstorms and flooding, freezing rain, and snow. Heat waves occurred early in the summer and persisted for long durations with strong intensities. Long-term precipitation deficits resulted in drought conditions in summer 2018 across most regions of the TGR. Frequent heavy rainfall caused urban waterlogging. The early-year and late-year cold snaps were accompanied by heavy snowfall and rain over some locations across the TGR, which had adverse impacts on transportation, agriculture, electricity, and people’s lives.

Climate observation of the Three Gorges Region of the Yangtze River in 2019

This report provides a broad overview of the climate and the major weather and climate events over the Three Gorges Region of the Yangtze River(TGR)in 2019.The year 2019,a 0.3℃ warmer year than normal,had a colder winter and warmer spring,summer,and autumn.Annual precipitation in 2019 was 13%less than normal.Below average normal rainfall amounts were received in all four seasons,with 28%and 16%less-than-normal in winter and summer,respectively.The annual mean wind speed in the TGR was higher than normal,and relative humidity was near normal for all four seasons.The intensity of acid rain in 2019 was the weakest since 1999.The major climate events and meteorological disasters in the TGR in 2019 included heat waves,drought,and rainstorms.Heat waves occurred frequently and persisted for long durations.Summer and autumn drought occurred in central and eastern regions of the TGR.The autumn rains of West China occurred earlier this year,which brought much more rainfall than normal in central and western regions of the TGR.

State of the climate in the Three Gorges Region of the Yangtze River basin in 2020

In 2020,the average air temperature in the Three Gorges Region(TGR)of the Yangtze River basin was 17.2℃,which was close to normal,there were exceptionally fewer days than normal with high temperatures,and the high-temperature events mainly occurred in August.Meanwhile,the average precipitation was 1530.8 mm,which was a remarkable 29%more than usual,and the second-highest since 1961.The precipitation was obviously above-normal in summer,and the precipitation in both June and July was the second-highest of the same period in history.The average number of rainstorm days was higher than normal,and the second-highest since 1961.The average wind speed in the TGR was apparently higher than normal;the average relative humidity was slightly higher than normal;and there were no instances of acid rain,with the rain acidity showing a significant weakening trend over the previous 15 years.In the summer of 2020,the TGR experienced heavy rainstorms and flood disasters.Analysis shows that the frequent southward movement of cold air and abundant warm water vapor from the southwest were the direct causes of the abnormally high precipitation in the TGR from June to July.After the spring of 2020,the continuously high sea surface temperature in the Indian Ocean led to a continuously strong western Pacific subtropical high and its average location being situated more to the south than normal,which might have been an important cause for the abnormal climate conditions in the Yangtze River basin from June to July.

Geographical Indications and Regional Public Brands of the Whole Rice Industry Chain in the Yangtze River Economic Belt

The Yangtze River Economic Belt is the main rice producing area in China.The rice industry chain is the agricultural pillar industry chain of this economic belt and it is the key to ensuring national food security and promoting comprehensive rural revitalization.This study discusses the entire rice industry chain in the Yangtze River Economic Belt from the national rice production functional zones,agricultural product quality and safety,national famous and excellent new agricultural products,national specialty agricultural products,"China s good grain and oil"products,and national advantageous characteristic industrial clusters.Then,it discusses the geographical indications of rice and its products in this economic belt from geographical indication products,geographical indication trademarks,agricultural geographical indications,geographical indication standards,geographical indication special indications,national geographical indication product protection demonstration zones,and Chinese geographical indication products protected by the European Union.In addition,it analyzes the five main problems between geographical indications and public brands,such as the limited use of geographical indication specific signs and the imperfect intellectual property protection system for geographical indications.Finally,it proposes eight strategies,including promoting the high-quality development of the entire rice industry chain,creating a geographical indication regional public brand for rice and its products,and implementing geographical indication protection projects.

Research on the Development of Cultural Tourism Resources in the Yichang Section of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River

The Yichang section of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River boasts abundant cultural resources and historical heritage.Thorough exploration and development of these cultural tourism resources,combined with the creation of a unique cultural tourism identity for this section,can not only invigorate the development of the region’s tourism industry but also contribute significantly to cultural preservation and transmission.This study examines the development and current state of cultural tourism in the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River,focusing specifically on the Yichang section.Using the SWOT analysis method,it offers an in-depth analysis and proposes suggestions for cultural tourism development in this area,aiming to provide a reference for future tourism development strategies in the region.

Regional Brand and High-quality Development of Fruits in Ethnic Areas of the Yangtze River Economic Belt under the Greater Food Approach

Establishing the Greater Food Approach and promoting the Yangtze River Economic Belt s national major regional development strategy can better support and serve the agricultural power and Chinese-style modernization.This paper introduces the characteristics of fruit industry in 16 autonomous prefectures and 47 autonomous counties under the jurisdiction of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.It studies the intellectual property resources of brand marks from the aspects of geographical indications,collective trademarks,certification trademarks,well-known trademarks in China and national design patents,and analyzes the main problems of brand and high-quality development of fruit industry in these ethnic autonomous areas.Finally,it puts forward some strategies,such as improving the protection of intellectual property rights of geographical indications,using intellectual property rights of brand signs,building modern seed industry upgrading project,drawing lessons from the experience of thousand villages demonstration project,ensuring that large-scale poverty does not occur,and building a diversified food supply system.

Evaluation of Ecological Sustainable Development in the Yangtze River Delta Region Based on Ecological Footprint Theory

The ecological footprint was employed as a quantitative indicator of resource inputs,enabling a detailed account of the structure of biological resources and energy occupancy,as well as the variation of resource productivity in the Yangtze River Delta(YRD)Region.From 2004 to 2018,there were notable variations in the ecological productivity of different types of land on basis of China’s equilibrium factor across the three provinces and one city in the YRD region.Jiangsu Province exhibited the highest ecological productivity of arable land,while Anhui Province exhibited the highest ecological productivity of forest land.Shanghai City exhibited the highest ecological productivity of pasture land,while Zhejiang Province exhibited the highest ecological productivity of water area.In 2018,the proportion of arable land within the total ecological carrying capacity of the YRD region reached 74.35%.Furthermore,the contribution of Jiangsu and Anhui provinces to the YRD’s total ecological carrying capacity was 41.36%and 41.26%,respectively.In the construction of a new development pattern in the YRD region,which is dominated by the domestic cycle as the main body and mutually reinforced by domestic and international double-cycle,the YRD region should combine the utilization of natural forces with innovation in science,technology and cooperation mechanisms.Furthermore,the government should guide the concentration of social capital towards green industries.It is also recommended that the moderate reduction of ecological footprints should be encouraged,and that the security of biological resources and energy,the leadership in the field of cutting-edge science and technology should be ensured in YRD region.This will facilitate the formation of a new development pattern of higher-quality integration at the national level firstly.

Changes in stress within grassland ecosystems in the three counties of the source regions of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers

Based on a database of more than 40 years of second production process and energy flow records for Maduo,Qumalai and Yushu counties,a dynamic model of the stress within grassland ecosys-tems was established using a nonlinear regression method for this source regions of the Yangtze and Yel-low Rivers.The results show that dynamic curves of stress within grassland ecosystems in the three coun-ties were in the shape of an inverted 'U' during the period 1965-2007.It also revealed that the variation in actual amount of livestock inventories reflected the general trends of the stress within the grassland eco-systems in the source regions,although there were many other factors for the increase or reduction in grassland ecosystem stress.

Malaria Transmission Potential in the Three Gorges Reservoir of the Yangtze River, China

Objective To define and evaluate the malaria transmission potential in the Yangtze River, following construction of the Three Gorges Reservoir. Methods Six villages, namely, Kaixian, Fengjie, Wanzhou, Fuling, Yubei, and Zigui were selected for investigating the malaria transmission potential in the reservoir. Transmission potential was estimated by mathematical modeling and evaluation of the local malaria situation. Factors that influenced the transmission potential were analyzed using Poisson regression analysis in combination with Grey Systematic Theory （based on evaluation by the Delphi method）. Results Indirect fluorescent antibody data and the incidence of malaria in the local population were consistent with the malaria transmission potential calculated for the area. Multivariate Poisson regression analysis showed a statistically significant association between the riparian zone and the man‐biting rate. Conclusion The risk of a malaria epidemic can be forecasted using the malaria transmission potential parameters investigated here which was closely correlated with the riparian zone.

Dynamic Analysis of Deformational Structures of the Xianniishan Fault Zone in the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River

Field investigation and laboratory work reveal that inhomogeneity of the deformation of the Xiannushan fault is mainly characterized by lateral zonation, longitudinal segmentation and downward stratification. Based on these results, a 3-D deformational structure model of the fault was established and its geometrical and kinematic characteristics in two main deformational stages i.e. the main Yanshanian and Himalayan were discussed. The directions of principal and the differential stresses in these two stages were determined by using conjugate joints, striations of fault planes and microstructures of the fault zone. The direction of σI is N-S in direction with differential stresses of 150-250 MPa in the Yanshanian, and N70E with a differential stress ranging from 80-120 MPa in the Himalayan.

Provenance of Detrital Magnetites from Quaternary Sediments in the Yichang Area and its Significance to the Birth of the Three Gorges, Yangtze River

Objective In recent years, the birth time and evolution of the Three Gorges, Yangtze River has become a focused topic. Different from previous studies, this study used provenance analysis of Quaternary sediments to discuss this question. Among those minerals in Quaternary sediments, magnetite was rarely studied. This paper presents element geochemistry and backscatter images of detrital magnetites from the Quaternary sediments in the Yichang area of Hubei Province. By discussing the provenance changes of detratic magnetites, we suggested the birth time of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River.

Influence of the Three Gorges Dam on schistosomiasis control in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River

This paper summarizes the factors affecting schistosomiasis transmission in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River before and after the completion of the Three Gorges Dam and analyzes schistosomiasis prevalence trends to provide a basis for the application of the Three Gorges project methodologies in other areas.The Three Gorges Dam has demonstrated a positive effect on schistosomiasis control.Hubei,Hunan,Jiangxi,Anhui,and Jiangsu in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River are currently regions with a high prevalence of schistosomiasis.These five provinces contained 97.62% of known snail areas and 93.66% of calculated schistosomiasis cases with 90.07% of counties (cities,districts) not yet meeting the criteria for schistosomiasis transmission interruption by the end of 2016.After the Three Gorges Dam was built,the prevalence of schistosomiasis in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River decreased.By the end of 2016,the estimated number of cases decreased by 92.75% and the snail habitat areas decreased by 6.56% compared to 2004.No acute schistosomiasis cases have occurred for two consecutive years since 2015.

Movement Properties of Pipe Flow Along Granite Slope of Three Gorges Area of Yangtze River in China

It is well known that, in most cases, soil water doesn't move in the form of laminar flow as described by Darcy law. Only when Reynolds number ( Re ) is no more than 10, does water movement follow Darcy law. A soil profile with 2 9 m long and 2 13 2 60 m deep was excavated on a lower slope located at Zigui County, Hubei Province, China. Field observation found that soil pipes were mainly distributed in the transient layer between horizon B with higher degree of granite weathering and horizon C with lower degree of granite weathering. At the foot of the slope, about 5 7 soil pipes per meter were observed along the vertical direction of the slope. The observed results, obtained by continuous observation of soil pipes and pipe flow processes at granite slope for many rainfall events, indicate that the relationship between velocity of pipe flow and hydraulic gradient along the pipe is parabolic rather than linear. Based on the investigated data of soil, landform, and land use etc., combined with observed data of pipe flow derived from many rainfall events, a pipe flow model was developed. For velocity V p, discharge Q p of pipe flow and radius r of soil pipe, great similarity was found between simulated and observed values. Particularly, the simulated length of soil pipes reflects the great difference among soil pipes as a result of its different position in the soil profile. The length values of 4 soil pipes were estimated to be 98 1%, 27 6%, 11 0% and 3 0% of the longest distance of the catchment, respectively. As a special case of water movement, soil pipe flow follows Darcy Weisbach law. Discharge of pipe flow is much greater than infiltration discharge in common. Only when the depth of groundwater is more than the diameter of soil pipe and water layer submerges soil pipes during rainfall, may pipe flow occur. Under these circumstances, discharge of pipe flow is directly proportional to the depth of groundwater.

Grey Prediction of Seismic Activity in the Three Gorges Area of the Yangtze River

On the basis of historical earthquake data and recent observations, two grey models prediction of the next seismic active period and the maximal magnitude of earthquakes which might occur during that period are constructed on the basis of the grey theory. As predicted by the two models, the next seismic active period would last 79 years, and that the maximal magnitude of earthquakes occurring within the period would not exceed 5.2. These results provide an important basis for the assessment of earthquake risks and reduction of disasters in the Three Gorges area.

The Shizikou Gravitational Gliding Structure in the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River

A study has been made about the structural attribute of the NNW-trendingShizikou linear image belt in the head area of the reservoir of the Yangtze River Gorges and theevaluation of its crustal stability. On the basis of regional geological surveys and by making astructural analysis and a multidisciplinary study, it has been ascertained that the segment withthe best displayed image characteristics is marked by a gravity gliding structure with a multilay-er gliding fold type architecture. This paper also analyzes the medium conditions, slope struc-ture and dynamic setting for the formation of the structure system.

The Three Gorges Area and the Linking of the Upper and Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River

The history of the Yangtze River is constituted by numerous river piracies that enabled the river to extend its drainage system. Two river captures are well recognized: the piracy of the Jinsha River (Jinshajiang) formerly tributary of the Red River at Shigu in Yunnan Province and the Three Gorges area that linked the upper and the middle Yangtze river reaches in Hubei province. The first one is well documented, while the second, because of difficulties to retrieve datable materials and the complexity of the area geomorphology, is still quite unknown. Numerous conflicting hypotheses have been formulated to explain the pattern of river piracy, no agreement exists on the location of the drainage divide and of the point of capture;chronologies extending from the Eocene to the late Quaternary are given. Geomorphic indices can be used to examine the geomorphological and tectonic processes responsible for the development of the drainage basins. In this paper, we analyzed drainage pattern, basin shape, basin asymmetry, stream junction angle to infer the drainage of the paleorivers that were pirated, and to propose a model of the pattern of river capture based on the importance of structure, tectonic and lithological controls in the area. We showed that the Three Gorges area has been very important to the history of the Yangtze river as the piracy of the upper and middle reaches enabled the river to reach its current extend.

Study on Sinking-Sliding Failure Mechanism of Perilous Rock at Wangxia in Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, China

The giant perilous rock at Wangxia (named Wangxia perilous rock) is representative in Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, China, has threatened badly the navigation of the Yangtze River channel for a long period. The giant perilous rock is composed of siliceous limestone and argillaceous limestone, and includes two elements marking by W1 and W2, respectively. The W1 is an isolated pillar while the W2 is in clintheriform. The linking segment of dominant fissure in the W2 is composed by moniliform solution funnels at its back, and the locked segment of the dominant fissure at the base of the W2 is composed by two parts. For the locked part of the dominant fissure of the W2, the upper segment shows the same lithology with the perilous rock and it can be simplified as an elastic medium, for the lower segment composed by argillaceous shale and mudstone can be simplified as a strain-softening medium. Introducing the water-softened function, the constitutive curves with two kinds of medium materials for the locked segment in the dominant fissure of the W2 have been proposed. Based on energy principle, the cusp catastrophe model for perilous rock rupture is built and formulas for the transient elastic and impulsive acceleration and the elastic-impulsive velocity of perilous rock catastrophe rupture have been established. By the calculation, the elastic-impulsive acceleration for the catastrophe rupture of the W2 is 531.4 m/s2, while the average elastic-impulsive velocity is 2.608 m/s. Further, it is deduced that the elastic-impulsive velocity at the base of the W2 is about 5.2 m/s. For the transient ruture of the W2, there is a greater speed difference between the top and the base of the W2, which impels the giant perilous rock to be retroverted sliding rupture, coinciding with the fact. Undoubtedly, studies in this paper must play an important role to analyze the catastrophe rupture mechanism of giant perilous rocks at both banks in Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, China.

Creation of "Regional Characteristic" in Planning and Design of Farmers' Residential Area at the South of Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River

After analysis of location feature of the south of lower reaches of Yangtze River and its construction of urban and rural integration,the paper pointed out harmonious combination between natural and artificial factors had been neglected in planning and design of farmers' residential area at the south of lower reaches of Yangtze River,"regional characteristic" losing,residential area in the form of "city community" and buildings in European style.In view of these problems,relevant planning and design thoughts and methods had been proposed as to how to create "regional characteristic" from the perspective of planning,architecture and landscape design.It discussed with emphasis the importance of construction base type and combination of environment with residential area construction;inspirations and design methods obtained from traditional architectures;and the content of landscape overall planning and specific design.It was hoped to enlighten designers to shoulder social and historical responsibility,make exploration unremittingly,and construct beautiful homelands for people.

REMOTE SESING INVESTIGATION AND APPRAISAL OF LAND USE AND CAPACITY IN THE REGION OF THE YANGTZE RIVER GORGES’PROJECT

The region around the Three Gorges project on the Yangtze River has an area of 62552 square kilometres and population of 20.14 million. It limits a range hetween the sorth-north watersheds and from Yichang of Hubei Province to Jiangjin of Sichuan, including 24 cities and counties-Chongjing, Yichang and Wanxian etc. In this region, relief are mainly hills and middle-low mountains. Remote censing investigation and appraisal of land use and capacity which are two of the major restrict factors for the Three Gorges project have provided related scientific bases for macro-dicision-making of the project.

The Three Gorges of the Yangtze River

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