Launched in 2002, the Beiing–Tianjin Sand Source Control Project (BTSSCP) is an ecological restoration project intended to prevent desertification in China. Evidence from multiple sources has confirmed increases in v...Launched in 2002, the Beiing–Tianjin Sand Source Control Project (BTSSCP) is an ecological restoration project intended to prevent desertification in China. Evidence from multiple sources has confirmed increases in vegetation growth in the BTSSCP region since the initiation of this project. Precipitation and essential climate variable-soil moisture (ECV-SM) conditions are typically considered to be the main drivers of vegetation growth in this region. Although many studies have investigated the inter-annual variations of vegetation growth, few concerns have been focused on the annual and seasonal variations of vegetation growth and their climatic drivers, which are crucial for understanding the relationships among the climate, vegetation, and human activities at the regional scale. Based on the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) derived from MODIS and the corresponding climatic data, we explored the responses of vegetation growth to climatic factors at annual and seasonal scales in the BTSSCP region during the period 2000–2014. Over the study region as a whole, NDVI generally increased from 2000 to 2014, at a rate of 0.002/a. Vegetation growth is stimulated mainly by the elevated temperature in spring, whereas precipitation is the leading driver of summer greening. In autumn, positive effects of both temperature and precipitation on vegetation growth were observed. The warming in spring promotes vegetation growth but reduces ECV-SM. Summer greening has a strong cooling effect on land surface temperature. These results indicate that the ecological and environmental consequences of ecological restoration projects should be comprehensively evaluated.展开更多
Precipitation chemistry analysis is essential to evaluate the atmospheric environmental quality and identify the sources of atmospheric pollutants. In this study, we collected a total of 480 precipitation samples at 6...Precipitation chemistry analysis is essential to evaluate the atmospheric environmental quality and identify the sources of atmospheric pollutants. In this study, we collected a total of 480 precipitation samples at 6 sampling sites in the northern and southern slopes of Wushaoling Mountain from May 2013 to July 2014 to analyze the chemical characteristics of precipitation and to identify the main sources of ions in precipitation. Furthermore, we also explored the indicative significance for sand dust events in the northern and southern slopes of Wushaoling Mountain based on the precipitation chemistry analysis.During the sampling period(from May 2013 to July 2014), the p H values, EC(electrical conductivity)values and concentrations of cations(Ca^(2+), Mg^(2+), Na~+, K~+ and NH_4~+) and anions(SO_4^(2–), NO_3~–, Cl~–, NO_2~– and F~–) in precipitation were different in the northern and southern slopes at daily and seasonal time scales, with most of the values being higher in the northern slope than in the southern slope. The chemical type of precipitation in the southern and northern slopes was the same, i.e.,SO_4^(2–)-Ca^(2+)-NO_3~–-Na~+. The concentrations of ions in precipitation were mainly controlled by terrigenous material and anthropogenic activities(with an exception of Cl~–). The concentration of Cl~– in precipitation was mainly controlled by the sea salt fraction. The concentrations of Na+ and Cl~– showed an increasing trend after the occurrence of sand dust events both in the northern and southern slopes. In addition, after the occurrence of sand dust events, the concentrations of K~+, Mg^(2+), SO_4^(2–), NO_3~– and Ca^(2+) showed an increasing trend in the southern slope and a decreasing trend in the northern slope. It is our hope that the results may be helpful to further understand the atmospheric pollution caused by sand dust events in the Wushaoling Mountain and can also provide a scientific basis for the effective prevention of atmospheric pollution.展开更多
By wind tunnel experiment, we studied the deflation rates of 8 different clastic sediments in the arid regions of China, discussed the sources of aeolian sand and their influence on the development of sand dunes and f...By wind tunnel experiment, we studied the deflation rates of 8 different clastic sediments in the arid regions of China, discussed the sources of aeolian sand and their influence on the development of sand dunes and formation of sand deserts from the view of dynamics of wind erosion. The average deflation rates of 8 typical clastic sediments in the arid regions of China can be arranged in the order of lacustrine sand 〉 alluvial sand 〉 weathered sandstone and shale 〉 pluvial sediments 〉 fluvioglacial sand 〉 weathered granite 〉 slope deposit 〉 glacial sediments. The deflation rates exhibited strong positive correlations with the erodible particle (0.063 2mm) content and sorting features. In contrast, the deflation rates had obvious negative correlations with the contents of silt clay (〈0.063 mm) and gravel (〉2 mm). According to the deflation rates, the 8 typical clastic sediments can be divided into four categories: (1) lacustrine and alluvial sand, which are readily prone to wind erosion, assumed to be the main source of aeolian sand; (2) weathered sandstone and shale, pluvial sediments and fluvioglacial sand with considerable deflation rates, might be the secondary source of aeolian sand; (3) weathered granite and slope deposit having the lower deflation rates, could supply a little aeolian sand; and (4) glacial sediments with a strong anti-erodibility, could hardly offer any aeolian sand. In addition to the strong wind conditions, the exposure of extensive lacustrine sand induced by the desiccation of inland lake basin, as well as the pre-sorting of clastic sediments by flowing water should be the key factors influencing the development of sand deserts in China. The possible reason the sand deserts in China being mostly distributed around the inland lake basins and along riverbanks could be better understood through sand source analysis.展开更多
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 ae...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.展开更多
We summarize in this overview achievements in current research frontiers in Asian sand dust with emphasis on the method for sand dust research, the sources of sand dust aerosols, emission of sand dust, mechanism of sa...We summarize in this overview achievements in current research frontiers in Asian sand dust with emphasis on the method for sand dust research, the sources of sand dust aerosols, emission of sand dust, mechanism of sand dust weather, chemical transformation during transport, and influences on climatic environment and oceans. Our main results show that most of Asian sand dust comes from Mongolia, the Gobi Desert, arid and semiarid desert areas in northwest China, which is divided into initial sources and enhanced sources. Half of the global production of dust originates from Asian dust source regions. Asian dust weather is so immense that it can cover a 5-?-day journey from the sources to the Korean Peninsula, Japan Islands, and the Pacific Ocean to even impact North America. Asian dust weather plays an active role in the hiogeochemical cycles of trace elements in the mid-latitude Northern Hemisphere.展开更多
Even though the biological crusts are critical to dust emissions,no sand and dust forecast model have considered the impacts of the biological crust in dust emission scheme.This situation mainly comes from two scienti...Even though the biological crusts are critical to dust emissions,no sand and dust forecast model have considered the impacts of the biological crust in dust emission scheme.This situation mainly comes from two scientific difficulties:there is no large scale regional biological crust data available that can be used in the forecast model;there is no quantification of how biological crusts impact on sand emission.In this way,we studied the distribution of biological soil crust in sand and dust storm source areas of Central and East Asia using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer satellite surface reflectance data collected in 2000—2019 to determine its potential impact on dust emission according to two empirical schemes.We further evaluated the relationships between soil crust coverage,roughness length,and dust emission to study SDS source areas.We found that biological crust is widely distributed in SDS source areas of Central and East Asia,with coverage rates of 19.8%in Central Asian deserts,23.1%in the Gobi Desert,and 17.3%—32.8%in Chinese deserts(p>0.05).Cyanobacteria and lichen coverage has increased in Chinese deserts,reflecting the recent impacts of the Project of Returning Farmland to Grassland and Farmland to Forests.However,biological soil crust coverage has not increased in Central Asian deserts or the Gobi Desert,and that in Central Asian deserts continues to decrease,demonstrating the complexity of the combined effects of human activities and climate change on its distribution.Biological soil crust increased the roughness length of Central and East Asian SDS source areas by 0.14—0.62 mm.The suppression of dust emission due to biological soil crust did not change among years during the study period.The horizontal and vertical dust flux inhibition coefficient(DFIC)were 2.0—11.0 and 1.7—2.9(p>0.05),respectively,clearly showing a suppressive effect.Improvement of the ecological environment in some deserts can lead to the ability of these crusts to inhibit dust erosion errors that must be considered in the dust emission scheme for areas where crust coverage has improved.展开更多
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31560135, 41361100)the Discipline Construction Fund Project of Gansu Agricultural University (GAU-XKJS-2018-104, GAU-XKJS-2018-108)the Gansu Science and Technology Support Program (1604FKCA088)
文摘Launched in 2002, the Beiing–Tianjin Sand Source Control Project (BTSSCP) is an ecological restoration project intended to prevent desertification in China. Evidence from multiple sources has confirmed increases in vegetation growth in the BTSSCP region since the initiation of this project. Precipitation and essential climate variable-soil moisture (ECV-SM) conditions are typically considered to be the main drivers of vegetation growth in this region. Although many studies have investigated the inter-annual variations of vegetation growth, few concerns have been focused on the annual and seasonal variations of vegetation growth and their climatic drivers, which are crucial for understanding the relationships among the climate, vegetation, and human activities at the regional scale. Based on the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) derived from MODIS and the corresponding climatic data, we explored the responses of vegetation growth to climatic factors at annual and seasonal scales in the BTSSCP region during the period 2000–2014. Over the study region as a whole, NDVI generally increased from 2000 to 2014, at a rate of 0.002/a. Vegetation growth is stimulated mainly by the elevated temperature in spring, whereas precipitation is the leading driver of summer greening. In autumn, positive effects of both temperature and precipitation on vegetation growth were observed. The warming in spring promotes vegetation growth but reduces ECV-SM. Summer greening has a strong cooling effect on land surface temperature. These results indicate that the ecological and environmental consequences of ecological restoration projects should be comprehensively evaluated.
基金supported by the Gansu Province Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (1506RJDA282)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41271039, 91547102)+2 种基金the Open Foundation of MOE Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental System of Lanzhou Universitythe Open Foundation from State Key Laboratory (SKLFSE201403)the West Light Program for Talent Cultivation of Chinese Academy of Sciences
文摘Precipitation chemistry analysis is essential to evaluate the atmospheric environmental quality and identify the sources of atmospheric pollutants. In this study, we collected a total of 480 precipitation samples at 6 sampling sites in the northern and southern slopes of Wushaoling Mountain from May 2013 to July 2014 to analyze the chemical characteristics of precipitation and to identify the main sources of ions in precipitation. Furthermore, we also explored the indicative significance for sand dust events in the northern and southern slopes of Wushaoling Mountain based on the precipitation chemistry analysis.During the sampling period(from May 2013 to July 2014), the p H values, EC(electrical conductivity)values and concentrations of cations(Ca^(2+), Mg^(2+), Na~+, K~+ and NH_4~+) and anions(SO_4^(2–), NO_3~–, Cl~–, NO_2~– and F~–) in precipitation were different in the northern and southern slopes at daily and seasonal time scales, with most of the values being higher in the northern slope than in the southern slope. The chemical type of precipitation in the southern and northern slopes was the same, i.e.,SO_4^(2–)-Ca^(2+)-NO_3~–-Na~+. The concentrations of ions in precipitation were mainly controlled by terrigenous material and anthropogenic activities(with an exception of Cl~–). The concentration of Cl~– in precipitation was mainly controlled by the sea salt fraction. The concentrations of Na+ and Cl~– showed an increasing trend after the occurrence of sand dust events both in the northern and southern slopes. In addition, after the occurrence of sand dust events, the concentrations of K~+, Mg^(2+), SO_4^(2–), NO_3~– and Ca^(2+) showed an increasing trend in the southern slope and a decreasing trend in the northern slope. It is our hope that the results may be helpful to further understand the atmospheric pollution caused by sand dust events in the Wushaoling Mountain and can also provide a scientific basis for the effective prevention of atmospheric pollution.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.40471014 The Ministry of Science and Technology, No.2005BA517A-11
文摘By wind tunnel experiment, we studied the deflation rates of 8 different clastic sediments in the arid regions of China, discussed the sources of aeolian sand and their influence on the development of sand dunes and formation of sand deserts from the view of dynamics of wind erosion. The average deflation rates of 8 typical clastic sediments in the arid regions of China can be arranged in the order of lacustrine sand 〉 alluvial sand 〉 weathered sandstone and shale 〉 pluvial sediments 〉 fluvioglacial sand 〉 weathered granite 〉 slope deposit 〉 glacial sediments. The deflation rates exhibited strong positive correlations with the erodible particle (0.063 2mm) content and sorting features. In contrast, the deflation rates had obvious negative correlations with the contents of silt clay (〈0.063 mm) and gravel (〉2 mm). According to the deflation rates, the 8 typical clastic sediments can be divided into four categories: (1) lacustrine and alluvial sand, which are readily prone to wind erosion, assumed to be the main source of aeolian sand; (2) weathered sandstone and shale, pluvial sediments and fluvioglacial sand with considerable deflation rates, might be the secondary source of aeolian sand; (3) weathered granite and slope deposit having the lower deflation rates, could supply a little aeolian sand; and (4) glacial sediments with a strong anti-erodibility, could hardly offer any aeolian sand. In addition to the strong wind conditions, the exposure of extensive lacustrine sand induced by the desiccation of inland lake basin, as well as the pre-sorting of clastic sediments by flowing water should be the key factors influencing the development of sand deserts in China. The possible reason the sand deserts in China being mostly distributed around the inland lake basins and along riverbanks could be better understood through sand source analysis.
文摘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.
基金supported by the National Science Foundation for Post-doctoral Scientists of China(Grant No.20070420419)Central research institutes of basic research and public service special operations,Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences(2007KYYW17,2008KYYW01)the National High-Tech Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2006AA06A307)
文摘We summarize in this overview achievements in current research frontiers in Asian sand dust with emphasis on the method for sand dust research, the sources of sand dust aerosols, emission of sand dust, mechanism of sand dust weather, chemical transformation during transport, and influences on climatic environment and oceans. Our main results show that most of Asian sand dust comes from Mongolia, the Gobi Desert, arid and semiarid desert areas in northwest China, which is divided into initial sources and enhanced sources. Half of the global production of dust originates from Asian dust source regions. Asian dust weather is so immense that it can cover a 5-?-day journey from the sources to the Korean Peninsula, Japan Islands, and the Pacific Ocean to even impact North America. Asian dust weather plays an active role in the hiogeochemical cycles of trace elements in the mid-latitude Northern Hemisphere.
基金supported by the National Key Project of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China(2019YFC0214601)Foundation for Development of Science and Technology of Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences(2018KJ048,2017Z01).
文摘Even though the biological crusts are critical to dust emissions,no sand and dust forecast model have considered the impacts of the biological crust in dust emission scheme.This situation mainly comes from two scientific difficulties:there is no large scale regional biological crust data available that can be used in the forecast model;there is no quantification of how biological crusts impact on sand emission.In this way,we studied the distribution of biological soil crust in sand and dust storm source areas of Central and East Asia using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer satellite surface reflectance data collected in 2000—2019 to determine its potential impact on dust emission according to two empirical schemes.We further evaluated the relationships between soil crust coverage,roughness length,and dust emission to study SDS source areas.We found that biological crust is widely distributed in SDS source areas of Central and East Asia,with coverage rates of 19.8%in Central Asian deserts,23.1%in the Gobi Desert,and 17.3%—32.8%in Chinese deserts(p>0.05).Cyanobacteria and lichen coverage has increased in Chinese deserts,reflecting the recent impacts of the Project of Returning Farmland to Grassland and Farmland to Forests.However,biological soil crust coverage has not increased in Central Asian deserts or the Gobi Desert,and that in Central Asian deserts continues to decrease,demonstrating the complexity of the combined effects of human activities and climate change on its distribution.Biological soil crust increased the roughness length of Central and East Asian SDS source areas by 0.14—0.62 mm.The suppression of dust emission due to biological soil crust did not change among years during the study period.The horizontal and vertical dust flux inhibition coefficient(DFIC)were 2.0—11.0 and 1.7—2.9(p>0.05),respectively,clearly showing a suppressive effect.Improvement of the ecological environment in some deserts can lead to the ability of these crusts to inhibit dust erosion errors that must be considered in the dust emission scheme for areas where crust coverage has improved.