The Research of Impact of Returning Cultivated Land to Forests in Poverty Areas around Beijing-Tianjin on Local Economy——A Case of Shunping County in Hebei Province, China

Taking Shunping County of Hebei Province as an example,according to the relevant survey data in the year 2008 after returning cultivated land and data in the year 2001 before returning cultivated land, the thesis analyzes the impact of implementation of project of returning cultivated land to forests on local land use structure, three industrial added value and famers' per capita income. The results show that returning cultivated land has played a certain positive role on the local economic development and the improvement of people's life level.However, there are also some shortcomings: although famers' income is increasing with low growth rate, a large portion of famers still have not shaken off poverty; the farmers depends on subsidies greatly and the compensation mechanism of returning cultivated land is not considered well. China should further perfect the ecological compensation plan, and build rational ecological compensation mechanism in order to make the areas of returning cultivated land have self-blood-producing function; Shunping County should make full use of the location advantage in areas around Beijing-Tianjin, develop deep processing based on fruit trees industry, strengthen farmers' skill training, and increase input in the agricultural infrastructure construction to propel the sustainable development of agriculture.

Change of Soil Organic Carbon after Cropland Afforestation in ′Beijing-Tianjin Sandstorm Source Control′ Program Area in China

Land use change is one of the major factors that affect soil organic carbon （SOC） variation and global carbon balance. However, the effects of land use change on SOC are always variable. In this study, using a series of paired-field experiments, we estimated the effects of revegetation types and environmental conditions on SOC stock and vertical distribution after replacement of cropland with poplar （Populus tomentosa） and korshinsk peashrub （Caragana korshinskt＇i） in three climate regions （Chifeng City, Fengning City and Datong City of the ＇Beijing-Tianjin Sandstorm Source Control＇ （BTSSC） program area. The results show that SOC sequestration rate ranges from 0.15 Mg/（ha-yr） to 3.76 Mg/（ha-yr） in the soil layer of 0-100 cm in early stage after cropland afforestation in the BTSSC program area. The SOC accumulation rates are the highest in Fengning for both the two vegetation types. Compared to C. korshinskii, P tomentosa has greater effects on SOC accumulation in the three climate regions, but significantly greater effect only appears in Datong. The SOC density increases by 20%-111% and 15%-59% for P. tomentosa and 9%-63% and 0-73% for C. korshinskii in the 0-20 cm and 20-100 cm soil layers, respectively. Our results indicate that cropland afforestation not only affects SOC stock in the topsoil, but also has some effects on subsoil carbon. However, the effect of cropland afforestation on SOC accumulation varied with climate regions and revegetation types. Considering the large area of revegetation and relatively high SOC accumulation rate, SOC sequestration in the BTSSC program should contribute significantly to decrease the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere.

Cassini Growth of Population Between Two Metropolitan Cities——A Case Study of Beijing-Tianjin Region,China

The existing models of population distribution often focus on the region with a single city or even multiple centers, and lack the detailed explorations of the common and special type of urbanization areas with two centers. Taking Beijing-Tianjin region of China, which is a distinct dual-nuclei metropolitan area in the world, as an example and choosing Landsat-5 TM image in 2005, population, etc. as the data, this paper devotes to comprehending and illustrating a model of Cassini growth of population between the two metropolitan cities through the research of spatial population distribution pattern, aided with RS and GIS techniques. Main technical processes include Kriging interpolation of the population data and character simulation of the Cassini ovals. According to the calculation of a/b, a key characteristic index of Cassini growth model, the spatial structures of population distribution were given. When a/b〈 1, it is a curve with two separated loops with a population density more than 3000 persons/km^2. When a/b=1, it is a lemniscate curve with a population density about 3000 persons/km^2. When 1〈a/b〈 √2, it is a dog-bone shaped concave curve with a population density between 500-3000 persons/km^2. When a/b= √2, it is an oblate curve with a population density about 500 persons/km^2. When a/b〉 √2, there is an oval-shaped convex curve with a population density less than 500 persons/km^2. The results show that owing to the combined action and influence of the regional dual-nuclei, the population distribution of Beijing-Tianjin region is in accord with Cassini model significantly. Therefore, there is Cassini growth of population between the two metropolitan cities in Beijing-Tianjin region. In addition, the process of Cassini growth has extraordinarily instructive significance for judging the development stages of the dual-nuclei metropolitan areas.

Did Ecological Engineering Projects Have a Significant Effect on Large-scale Vegetation Restoration in Beijing-Tianjin Sand Source Region, China？ A Remote Sensing Approach

Aiming for the restoration of degraded ecosystems, many ecological engineering projects have been implemented around the world. This study investigates the ecological engineering project effectiveness on vegetation restoration in the Beijing-Tianjin Sand Source Region(BTSSR) from 2000 to 2010 based on the rain use efficiency(RUE) trend in relation to the land cover. More than half of the BTSSR experienced a vegetation productivity increase from 2000 to 2010, with the increasing intensity being sensitive to the indicators chosen. A clear tendency towards smaller increasing areas was shown when using the net primary productivity(NPP, 51.30%) instead of the accumulated normalized difference vegetation index(59.30%). The short-term variation in the precipitation and intra-seasonal precipitation distribution had a great impact on the remote sensing-based vegetation productivity. However, the residual trends method(RESTREND) effectively eliminated this correlation, while incorporating the variance and skewness of the precipitation distribution increased the models′ ability to explain the vegetation productivity variation. The RUE combined with land cover dynamics was valid for the effectiveness assessment of the ecological engineering projects on vegetation restoration. Particularly, the result based on growing season accumulated normalized difference vegetation index(ΣNDVI) residuals was the most effective, showing that 47.39% of the BTSSR experienced vegetation restoration from 2000 to 2010. The effectiveness of the ecological engineering projects differed for each subarea and was proportional to the strength of ecological engineering. The water erosion region dominated by woodland showed the best restoration, followed by the wind-water erosion crisscross regions, while the wind erosion regions dominated by grassland showed the worst effect. Seriously degraded regions still cover more area in the BTSSR than restored regions. Therefore, more future effort should be put in restoring degraded land.

Useful Precursor Weather Conditions for Hail-Event Forecasting in the Beijing-Tianjin Region

Hail is one of the important weather disasters that affects the Beijing-Tianjin(BT) region.To better understand and to improve the forecasting of hail events over the BT region,the precursor weather conditions for hail based on 30 previous hail events were derived.It was found that the high-level trough and low-level cold front over the Mongolian region,the accumulated convective available potential energy,the decrease of the height of the 0℃-isotherm in the morning,and the persistence and intensification of these factors from morning to afternoon are valuable clues for forecasting the occurrence of hail events over the BT region.

Evaluation and Selection of Introduced Tree Species in the Beijing-Tianjin Corridor

Based on the extensive analysis of natural and social conditions,regional development,and characteristics of tree species in the Beijing-Tianjin corridor,a comprehensive evaluation index system that consists of A,B,C,D layers was established for introduced tree species.Nine local representative introduced tree species were evaluated using the analytic hierarchy process(AHP).The results showed that Platanus orientalis,Quercus mongolicus,and Zizyphusjujube performed better comprehensively and were recommended as the dominant introduced tree species in the Beijing-Tianjin corridor.Other representative introduced tree species should be appropriately developed in the region.Main factors that should be taken into account for introduced tree species including drought tolerance,wintering habit,growth rate,leanness tolerance,pollution tolerance,saline tolerance,and disease resistance.

Response of Vegetation Cover Change to Drought at Different Time-scales in the Beijing-Tianjin Sandstorm Source Region,China

Dominated by an arid and semiarid continental climate,the Beijing-Tianjin Sandstorm Source Region(BTSSR)is a typical ecologically fragile region with frequently occurring droughts.To provide information for regional vegetation protection and drought prevention,we assessed the relations between vegetation cover change(measured by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index,NDVI)and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index(SPEI)at different time-scales,in different growth stages,in different subregions and for different vegetation types based on the Pearson's correlation coefficient in the BTSSR from 2000 to 2017.Results showed that 88.19%of the vegetated areas experienced increased NDVI in the growing season;48.3%of the vegetated areas experi-enced significantly increased NDVI(P<0.05)and were mainly in the south of the BTSSR.During the growing season,a wetter climate contributed to the increased vegetation cover from 2000 to 2017,and NDVI anomalies were closely related to SPEI.The maximum correlation coefficient in the growing season(Rmax)was significantly positive(P<0.05)in 97.84%of the total vegetated areas.In the vegetated areas with significantly positive Rmax,pixels with short time-scales(1-3 mon)accounted for the largest proportion(33.9%).The sensitivity of vegetation to the impact of drought rose first and then decreased in the growing season,with a peak in July.Compared with two subregions in the south,subregions in the north of the BTSSR were more sensitive to the impacts of drought variations,especially in the Xilingol Plateau and Wuzhumuqin Basin.All four major vegetation types were sensitive to the effects of drought variations,especially grasslands.The time-scales of the most impacting droughts varied with growth stages,regions,and vegetation types.These results can help us understand the relations between vegetation and droughts,which are important for ecological restoration and drought prevention.

Detecting spatio-temporal changes of arable land and construction land in the Beijing-Tianjin corridor during 2000–2015

Rapid peri-urbanization has become a new challenge for sustainable urban-rural development worldwide. To clarify how unprecedented urban sprawl at the metropolitan fringe impacts urban-rural landscape, this study took the Beijing-Tianjin corridor of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei metropolitan area, one of the largest urban clusters in China, as a typical example. By using Landsat-based landscape metrics and a practical methodology, we investigated the landscape changes and discussed the potential reasons in the context of rapid peri-urbanization of China. Specifically, multi-temporal land use maps derived from Landsat images were used to calculate landscape metrics and analyze their characteristics along the urban-rural gradients. The practical methodology was used to monitor spatio-temporal characteristics of landscape change in large metropolitan areas. The results showed that landscape patterns in the area had changed greatly from 2000 to 2015 with characteristics of construction land sprawl and arable land shrinkage. The intensity and scale of landscape changes varied along the urban-rural gradients. Sampled plots in urbanized areas and rural areas demonstrated distinguishable landscape patterns and significant differences. Urban areas had more heterogeneous and fragmented landscapes than rural areas. Peri-urban areas in general experienced higher levels of land diversification than rural areas. Rural residential land appeared to be more aggregated near Beijing and Tianjin cities. Besides, our findings also indicated that urban expansion was largely responsible for landscape patterns.The findings of this study potentially provide strategical insights into landscape planning around mega cities and sustainable coordinated urban-rural development.

Spatiotemporal changes in terrestrial water storage in the Beijing-Tianjin Sandstorm Source Region from GRACE satellites

The Sandstorm Source Control Project in and around the Beijing-Tianjin region was one of the most important ecological projects in China.Terrestrial water storage(TWS)has important impacts on the ecological construction,agriculture,industry,and resident's lives.Based on the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment(GRACE)data,meteorological and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS)data,etc.,this paper analyzed spatiotemporal characteristics of TWS,groundwater storage,and precipitation,and explored the influencing factors of regional TWS combined with land use and land cover(LULC),social and economic data.The most important results were as follows:(1)From 2003 to 2016,TWS in the Beijing-Tianjin Sandstorm Source Region showed a decreasing trend with a rate of 3.14 mm yr-1.(2)The TWS decline was caused mainly by groundwater overexploitation,but not pre-cipitation variation.(3)Spatiotemporal variations of TWS were related to LULC.The area with the most serious decrease of TWS was mainly located in the southwestern part of the region,where farmland percentage and population density were greater.(4)Reducing the percent of farmland and tree planting,and adding the shrub and grass planting,could be a viable choice for the Beijing-Tianjin Sandstorm Source Control Project.These results provide a scientific basis for regional water resource and ecological management.

Soil organic carbon dynamics in Xilingol grassland of northern China induced by the Beijing-Tianjin Sand Source Control Program

To mitigate impacts of sandstorms on northern China, the Chinese government launched the Beijing- Tianjin Sand Source Control Program （BTSSCP） in 2000. The associated practices （i.e., cultivation, enclosure, and aerial seeding） were expected to greatly enhance grassland carbon sequestration. However, the BTSSCP-induced soil organic carbon （SOC） dynamics remain elusive at a regional level. Using the Xilingol League in Inner Mongolia for a case study, we examined the impacts from 2000 to 2006 of the BTSSCP on SOC stocks using the IPCC carbon budget inventory method. Results indicated that over all practices SOC storage increased by 1.7%, but there were large differences between practices. SOC increased most rapidly at the rate of 0.3 Mg C.ha-1 ＂yr-1 under cultivation, but decreased signifi- cantly under aerial seeding with moderate or heavy grazing （0.3 vs.0.6 Mg C-ha-I .yr-1）. SOC increases varied slightly for grassland types, ranging from 0.10 Mg C-ha-1 .yr-a for temperate desert steppe to 0.16 Mg C.ha-l.yr-1 for temperate meadow steppe and lowland meadow. The overall economic benefits of the SOC sink were estimated to be 4.0 million CNY. Aerial seeding with no grazing was found to be the most cost-effective practice. Finally, we indicated that at least 55.5 years （shortest for cultivation） were needed for the grasslands to reach their potential carbon stocks. Our findings highlight the importance and effectiveness of BTSSCP in promoting terrestrial carbon sequestration which may help mitigate climate change, and further stress the need for more attention to the effective- ness of specific practices.

Field acoustic measurements of high-speed train sound along BTIR

In this paper,single-point field measurements of noise radiated from high-speed trains were performed at two sites along Beijing-Tianjin intercity railway(BTIR),aiming at acquiring the realistic acoustic data for validation and verification of physical model and computational prediction.The measurements showed that A-weighted sound pressure levels(SPLs) were between 80 and 87 dBA as trains passed.The maximum noise occurred at the moment when the pantograph arrived,suggesting that pantograph noise was one of the most significant sources.Sound radiated from high-speed trains of BTIR was a typical broadband spectrum with most acoustic power restricted in the range of medium-high frequency from about 400 Hz to 5 kHz.Aerodynamic noise was shown to be the dominant one over other acoustic sources for high-speed trains.

Examining the efficacy of revegetation practices in ecosystem restoration programs:insights from a hotspot of sandstorm in northern China

Retrospectively evaluating the efficacy of revegetation practices is helpful in planning and imple-menting future ecosystem restoration programs(ERP).Having a good understanding of how human activities can affect vegetation cover,both before and after ERP,is particularly important in sandstorm hotspot areas.The Beijing-Tianjin Sandstorm Source Region(BTSSR)is one such area.We conducted an investigation into vegetation dynamics within the BTSSR.This was done using remote sensing data in conjunction with climate data sets and land use data spanning the 1982-2014 period.The relationships between climatic factors(such as precipitation and temperature),and vegetative change were modeled using a neural network method.By a process of residual analysis,the proportions of human-induced vegetative change both before and after the ERP were established.Our results show that:1)before the ERP(1982-2000),40.96%of the study area exhibited significantly progressive vegetation changes(p<0.05).This proportion decreased to encom-pass only 20.23%of the study area in the period following the ERP(2001-2014).2)89.55%of the study area showed signs of human-induced vegetation degradation before the ERP.Between 2001 and 2014 however,following ERP,this figure fell to only 27.78%.3)ERP implementation led to visible improvements in vegetative conditions within the BTSSR,especially in areas where ecological restoration measures were directly and anthropogenically applied.These results highlight the benefits that positive human action(i.e.,revegetation initiatives implemented under the framework of an ERP)have brought to the BTSSR.