Spatial-temporal heterogeneity and controlling factors of evapotranspiration in Nujiang River Basin based on Variable Infiltration Capacity(VIC)model

Land surface evapotranspiration(ET)is a critical component in the hydrological cycle but has not well been understood in data-scarce areas especially in river basins,like Nujiang River(NRB)which is characterized by large elevation gradient and different vegetation zones with complex processes of water and energy exchange.The quality of ET from optical remote sensing is constrained by cloud cover which is common in the NRB in the monsoon seasons.To understand factors controlling the spatial-temporal heterogeneity of ET in NRB,we employed the Variable Infiltration Capacity(VIC)hydrological model by parameter optimization with support of quality controlled remote sensing ET product and observed river runoff series in the river.The modeled ET has increased during 1984-2018,which might be one of the reasons for the runoff decrease but precipitation increase in the same period.ET increase and runoff decrease tended to be quicker within altitudinal band of 2000-4000 m than in other areas in NRB.We observed that ET variation in different climatic zones were controlled by different factors.ET is generally positively correlated with precipitation,temperature,and shortwave radiation but negatively with relative humidity.In the Tundra Climate(Et)zone in the upper reach of NRB,ET is controlled by precipitation,while it is controlled by shortwave radiation in the snow climate with dry winter(Dw)zone.ET increase is influenced by the increase of temperature,wind speed,and shortwave radiation in the middle and downstream of NRB with warm temperate climate,fully humid(Cf)and warm temperate climate with dry winter(Cw).

Layer chicken microbiota:a comprehensive analysis of spatial and temporal dynamics across all major gut sections

Background The gut microbiota influences chicken health,welfare,and productivity.A diverse and balanced microbiota has been associated with improved growth,efficient feed utilisation,a well-developed immune system,disease resistance,and stress tolerance in chickens.Previous studies on chicken gut microbiota have predominantly focused on broiler chickens and have usually been limited to one or two sections of the digestive system,under con-trolled research environments,and often sampled at a single time point.To extend these studies,this investigation examined the microbiota of commercially raised layer chickens across all major gut sections of the digestive system and with regular sampling from rearing to the end of production at 80 weeks.The aim was to build a detailed picture of microbiota development across the entire digestive system of layer chickens and study spatial and temporal dynamics.Results The taxonomic composition of gut microbiota differed significantly between birds in the rearing and pro-duction stages,indicating a shift after laying onset.Similar microbiota compositions were observed between proven-triculus and gizzard,as well as between jejunum and ileum,likely due to their anatomical proximity.Lactobacil-lus dominated the upper gut in pullets and the lower gut in older birds.The oesophagus had a high proportion of Proteobacteria,including opportunistic pathogens such as Gallibacterium.Relative abundance of Gallibacterium increased after peak production in multiple gut sections.Aeriscardovia was enriched in the late-lay phase compared to younger birds in multiple gut sections.Age influenced microbial richness and diversity in different organs.The upper gut showed decreased diversity over time,possibly influenced by dietary changes,while the lower gut,specifi-cally cecum and colon,displayed increased richness as birds matured.However,age-related changes were inconsist-ent across all organs,suggesting the influence of organ-specific factors in microbiota maturation.Conclusion Addressing a gap in previous research,this study explored the microbiota across all major gut sections and tracked their dynamics from rearing to the end of the production cycle in commercially raised layer chickens.This study provides a comprehensive understanding of microbiota structure and development which help to develop targeted strategies to optimise gut health and overall productivity in poultry production.

Spatial and temporal variations of water quality in Cao-E River of eastern China

Evaluation and analysis of water quality variations were performed with integrated consideration of water quality parameters, hydrological-meteorologic and anthropogenic factors in Cao-E River, Zhejiang Province of China. Cao-E River system has been polluted and the water quality of some reaches are inferior to Grade V according to National Surface Water Quality Standard of China （GB2002）. However, mainly polluted indices of each tributary and mainstream are different. Total nitrogen （TN） and total phosphorus （TP） in the water are the main polluted indices for mainstream that varies from 1.52 to 45.85 mg/L and 0.02 to 4.02 mg/L, respectively. TN is the main polluted indices for Sub-watershed Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅳ and Ⅴ（0.76 to 18.27 mg/L）. BOD5 （0.36 to 289.5 mg/L）, CODMn （0.47 to 78.86 mg/L）, TN （0.74 to 31.09 mg/L） and TP （0 to 3.75 mg/L） are the main polluted indices for Sub-watershed Ⅲ. There are tow pollution types along the river including nonpoint source pollution and point source pollution types. Remarkably temporal variations with a few spatial variations occur in nonpoint pollution type reaches （including mainstream, Sub-watershed Ⅰ and Ⅱ） that mainly drained by arable field and/or dispersive rural dwelling district, and the maximum pollutant concentration appears in flooding seasons. It implied that the runoff increases the pollutant concentration of the water in the nonpoint pollution type reaches. On the other hand, remarkably spatial variations occur in the point pollution type reaches （include Sub-watershed Ⅲ, Ⅳ and Ⅴ） and the maximum pollutant concentration appears in urban reaches. The runoff always decreases the pollutant concentration of the river water in the seriously polluted reaches that drained by industrial point sewage. But for the point pollution reaches resulted from centralized town domestic sewage pipeline and from frequent shipping and digging sands, rainfall always increased the concentration of pollutant （TN） in the river water too. Pollution controls were respectively suggested for these tow types according to different pollution causes.

Temporal and Spatial Variations in the Climate Controls of Vegetation Dynamics on the Tibetan Plateau during 1982–2011

The ecosystem of the Tibetan Plateau is highly susceptible to climate change. Currently, there is little discussion on the temporal changes in the link between climatic factors and vegetation dynamics in this region under the changing climate.By employing Normalized Difference Vegetation Index data, the Climatic Research Unit temperature and precipitation data,and the in-situ meteorological observations, we report the temporal and spatial variations in the relationships between the vegetation dynamics and climatic factors on the Plateau over the past three decades. The results show that from the early 1980s to the mid-1990s, vegetation dynamics in the central and southeastern part of the Plateau appears to show a closer relationship with precipitation prior to the growing season than that of temperature. From the mid-1990s, the temperature rise seems to be the key climatic factor correlating vegetation growth in this region. The effects of increasing temperature on vegetation are spatially variable across the Plateau: it has negative impacts on vegetation activity in the southwestern and northeastern part of the Plateau, and positive impacts in the central and southeastern Plateau. In the context of global warming, the changing climate condition(increasing precipitation and significant rising temperature) might be the potential contributor to the shift in the climatic controls on vegetation dynamics in the central and southeastern Plateau.

Temporal and spatial variations of δ^18O in precipitation of the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin

This paper reveals the temporal and spatial variations of stable isotope in precipitation of the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin based on the variations of δ^18O in precipitation at four stations （Lhaze, Nugesha, Yangcun and Nuxia） in 2005. The results show that δ^18O of precipitation has distinct seasonal changes in the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin. The higher value of δ^18O occurs in spring prior to monsoon precipitation, and the lower value occurs during monsoon precipitation. From the spatial variations, with the altitude-effect and rainout process during moisture transport along the Yarlung Zangbo River Valley, δ^18O of precipitation is gradually depleted. Thus, δ^18O of precipitation decreases gradually from the downstream to the upstream, and the lapse rate of δ^18O in precipitation is approximately 0.34‰/100m and 0.7%J‰/100km for the two reasons. During monsoon precipitation, spatial variation of δ^18O in precipitation is dominated by the amount effect in the large scale synoptic condition.

Analysis on Temporal and Spatial Variation Characteristics of Potential Evapotranspiration in Guizhou Province

[Objective] The aim was to analyze temporal and spatial variation charac- teristics of potential evapotranspiration in Guizhou Province. [Method] According to information from 19 meteorological stations of Guizhou Province from 1960 to 2007, with the formulas of optimizational Penman-Monteith and SEBAL net radiation mod- el, the reference crop evapotranspiration ETo was calculated. Also with the spatial interpolation method of Arcgis 9.3, climate tendency rate statistics, K-M test, wavelet analysis and so on, the related regional differentiation and spatial and temporal change characteristics between meteorological factors from each monitoring station and ETo were analyzed. [Result] The results show that the correlation of potential evapotranspiration and meteorological factors in Guizhou Province demonstrates re- gional differentiation; there was no direct connection between the correlation of po- tential evapotranspiration and meteorological factors and the amount of meteorologi- cal factors in the year; there were 3 cycles in potential evapotranspiration, namely, 1 year, 5 years and 10 years, with 3 mutation points, respectively, in 1965, 1984 and 1999, mainly affected by air temperature, precipitation and solar radiation. [Conclusion] The research is of great significance in developing irrigation approach- es, adjusting agricultural structure and ecological construction.

Spatial and Temporal Variations of Pneumoconiosis in the Pearl River Delta Region in 2006–2015

Pneumoconiosis is a restrictive lung disease mostly caused by occupational exposure to dust,including silica dust,asbestos,and other fibers.Inhalable particles smaller than 10μm can enter the bronchioles,injure lung cells,and induce lung fibrosis.This hard-to-cure disease places a substantial burden on patients and society[1].

Spatial and temporal variations in pH and total alkalinity at the beginning of the rainy season in the Changjiang Estuary, China

The results of field observation carried out in May 2003 were used to examine pH and total alkalinity behaviors in the Changjiang Estuary. It was showed that pH and total alkalinity took on clear spatial variations in values with the minima in the low salinity region. Like salinity, transect distributions of pH and total alkalinity （TA） in a downriver direction had a sharp gradient each. These gradients appeared in such a sequence that the TA gradient was earlier than salinity and pH gradients, and the salinity gradient was earlier than the pH gradient. These distribution characteristics seemed to be strongly influenced by the mixing process of freshwater and seawater, for both pH and total alkalinity had significant linear relationships with salinity and temperature. For pH, phytoplankton activities also had a significant impact upon its spatial distribution. During a period of 48 h, pH and total alkalinity changed within wide ranges for every layer of the two anchor stations, namely, Stas 13 and 20, which were located at the mixed water mass and seawater mass, respectively. For both Stas 13 and 20, pH and TA fluctuation of every layer could be very wide during a 4 h period. As a whole, the data of the two anchor stations showed that neither variations in salinity and temperature nor phytoplankton activities were the main factors strongly influencing the total alkalinity temporal variability on a small time scale. The data of Sta. 20 implied that both salinity variation and phytoplankton activities had a significant influence on pH temporal variability, but the same conclusion could not be drawn from the data of Sta. 13.

Spatial and temporal variations of Synechococcus and picoeukaryotes in the Taiwan Strait,China

The size-fractionated phytoplankton biomass, and the spatial and temporal variations in abundance of Synechococcus (SYN) and picoeukaryotes (PEUK) were measured in the Taiwan Strait during three cruises (August 1997, February-March 1998, and August 1998). The results show that picophytoplankton and nanophytoplankton dominate the phytoplankton biomass, in average of 38% and 40%, respectively. SYN and PEUK varied over time in abundance and carbon biomass, greater in summer than in winter, in range of (7.70–209.2)×106 and (0.75–15.4)×106 cells/cm2 in the abundance, and 1.93–52.3 and 1.57–32.4 μgC/cm2 in the carbon biomass, for SYN and PEUK, respectively. The horizontal distributions of both groups were diurnal but heterogeneous in abundance, depending on the groups and layer of depths. Temperature is the key controlling factor for picophytoplankton distribution (especially in winter) in the Strait.

Spatial-temporal dynamics of desert vegetation and its responses to climatic variations over the last three decades:a case study of Hexi region in Northwest China

Analysis of spatial-temporal variations of desert vegetation under the background of climate changes can provide references for ecological restoration in arid and semi-arid areas. In this study, we used the Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies （GIMMS） NDVI data from 1982 to 2006 and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer （MODIS） NDVI data from 2000 to 2013 to reveal the dynamics of desert vegetation in Hexi region of Northwest China over the past three decades. We also used the annual temperature and precipitation data acquired from the Chinese meteorological stations to analyze the response of desert vegetation to climatic variations. The average value of NDVImax （the maximum NDVI during the growing season） for desert vegetation in Hexi region increased at the rate of 0.65x10-3/a （P〈0.05） from 1982 to 2013, and the significant increases of NDVImax mainly appeared in the typical desert vegetation areas. Vegetation was significantly improved in the lower reaches of Shule and Shiyang river basins, and the weighted mean center of desert vegetation mainly shifted toward the lower reaches of the two basins. Almost 95.32% of the total desert vegetation area showed positive correlation between NDVImax and annual precipitation, indicating that precipitation is the key factor for desert vegetation growth in the entire study area. Moreover, the areas with non-significant positive correlation between NDVImax and annual precipitation mainly located in the lower reaches of Shiyang and Shule river basins, this may be due to human activities. Only 7.64% of the desert vegetation showed significant positive correlation between NDVImax and annual precipitation in the Shule River Basin （an extremely arid area）, indicating that precipitation is not the most important factor for vegetation growth in this basin, and further studies are needed to investigate the mechanism for this phenomenon.

Temporal and spatial variations of the Huanghe River mouth bars

On the basis of the bathymetric records of 371 survey sections in the present Huanghe mouth area from 1996 to 2001, the temporal and spatial variations of the Huanghe mouth bars were studied by using GIS technology. The variation of the mouth bars is closely related to the water and sediment discharges from the Huanghe River to the sea that has been decreasing drastically in recent years, and to coastal hydrodynamic regimes. The characteristics of the mouth bars are unique in contrast with those of other estuaries in the world. (1) The mouth bars of the Huanghe River consist of many small sandbars. Usually the sandbars are of ellipse-shape with the long axis of about 1~6 km, and short axis of about 1~4 km. The long axis is parallel to the principal direction of tidal current, and the short axis is variable, depending on the local dynamics. The crest of the sandbars is only about 0.4 m below the water surface at low tide. They are distributed within an area of 20 km2, not far from the river mouth area. The present mouth bars are in small-medium size, quite different from the large one formed during the 1970s and 1980s, when the river sediment discharge was several times larger than that after 1996. (2) The scale of a river mouth bar is related to the river discharge of that year. In 1997 sediment discharge from the Huanghe River was 42 Mt, and the mouth bar consisted of several small scattered sandbars. In 1998 the size of mouth bars was much larger than that in 1997, as the sediment discharge from the Huanghe River increased to 363 Mt. Variation of the mouth bars largely depends on the sediment discharge with a correlation coefficient of 0.78. The calculation of the volume of the mouth bar area shows that about 30%~40% of the river's into-sea sediment is deposited in the mouth bar area. (3) Compared with other large estuaries in the world, the Huanghe mouth bars have three unique features in responding to its high sediment concentration: small size, steep slope gradient and shallow crest depth.

Analysis on temporal and spatial variations of groundwater hydrochemical characteristics in the past decade in southern plain of Beijing, China

Groundwater utilization and protection are crucial for sustainable urban development. This is especially true for Beijing, where groundwater is an important source for urban water supply. In this study, statistical methods, including descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, principal component analysis, and Piper-Tri-linear diagram, were used in analyzing the temporal and spatial variations of the hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater based on monitored data from the southern plain of Beijing, China. Results indicated consistent changes of groundwater's hydrochemical characteristics in different aquifers in the study area. The percentage of HCO_3^-in total anion increased significantly in the groundwater, and hydrochemical water type evolved gradually from Ca-Mg-Cl-SO_4 based to Ca-Mg-HCO_3 based from period 2005-2007 to period 2013-2015. In shallow groundwater, the concentration of Na^+, Ca^(2+), SO_4^(2-), HCO_3^-, and total dissolved solids(TDS) increased from period 2005-2007 to period 2013-2015, and the greatest change came from HCO_3^-, rising from 428.93 to 528.96 mgL^(-1). The changes of main ionic concentrations in the deep groundwater were consistent with those in the shallow groundwater for both periods. However, the variations in deep groundwater were less than those in shallow groundwater. The temporal and spatial variations of hydrochemical characteristics reflect the groundwater quality in the study area. This study could facilitate decision-making process on the protection of groundwater resources to ensure its sustainable utilization.

Investigating spatial and temporal variations of soil moisture content in an arid mining area using an improved thermal inertia model

Mining operations can usually lead to environmental deteriorations. Underground mining activities could cause an extensive decrease in groundwater level and thus a dramatic variation in soil moisture content（SMC）. In this study, the spatial and temporal variations of SMC from 2001 to 2015 at two spatial scales（i.e., the Shendong coal mining area and the Daliuta Coal Mine） were analyzed using an improved thermal inertia model with a long-term series of Landsat TM/OLI（TM=Thematic Mapper and OLI=Operational Land Imager） data. Our results show that at large spatial scale（the Shendong coal mining area）, underground mining activities had insignificant negative impacts on SMC and that at small spatial scale（the Daliuta Coal Mine）, underground mining activities had significant negative impacts on SMC. Trend analysis of SMC demonstrated that areas with decreasing trend of SMC were mainly distributed in the mined area, indicating that underground mining is a primary cause for the drying trend in the mining region in this arid environment.

Temporal and Spatial Seasonal Variations in Quality of Gravity Flow Water in Kyanamira Sub-County, Kabale District, Uganda

The study was designed to investigate temporal and spatial seasonal variations in quality properties of gravity flow water samples collected from Kigata, Kacuro, Kihanga, Kitibya and Kanjobe located in Kyanamira Sub-County, Kabale District, Uganda. Physical, chemical and biological parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, turbidity, colour and total suspended solids, total hardness, total alkalinity, chloride, fluoride, nitrates-N, nitrites-N, ammonium-N, sulphates, total phosphate, sodium, calcium, magnesium and some heavy metals were analyzed. Total iron, lead, chromium, copper, zinc, manganese and cadmium were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Two of the basic biological parameters for drinking water such as faecal coliforms and salmonella were analyzed by incubation followed by counting colony forming units (CFUs). Statistical presentations of data including cluster analysis, dendrograms and principal component analysis were used with the assistance of PAST software. Temperature, pH, TDS dissolved oxygen, cations, anions (chemical parameters) and salmonella, faecal coliforms were the major contributing parameters to gravity flow water’s quality variations during both seasons. Values of pH ranged between 3.78 and 4.84 from March to August in all study sites and they were consistently below the WHO permissible pH range of 6.5 - 8.5. Total suspended solids ranged between 0.66 and 2.17 mg·L-1 and were above the recommended WHO limit of zero value in all study sites. Salmonella and faecal coliforms colonies were present in scaring numbers in the wet season. In March, salmonella counts at Kacuro (14 CFU) and Kanjobe (128 CFU) while faecal coliforms counts at Kacuro (515 CFU) and Kanjobe (228 CFU). The findings of this study call for special attention when using gravity flow water.

Assessment of Spatial and Temporal Variations of Water Quality for Future Mariculture Operation in Ambong Bay, Sabah, Malaysia

Study was conducted with the aim to understand the temporal and spatial variations of water quality parameters (temperature, salinity, pH, DO, TSS, NO3-, NO2-, NH3-N and PO4-P, and phytoplankton cell density) in Ambong Bay, Sabah, Malaysia in order to provide reference for future mariculture development in the bay. Samplings were carried out once a month in two stations (coastal and open sea) within the bay for 12 months period from September 2015 to August 2016. Results showed that there were significant differences in pH and NO2- when compared spatially, whereas salinity, DO, TSS, phytoplankton cell density, NO3-, NH3-N, and PO4-P were temporally significant. The fermentation processes by anaerobic bacteria, organic acids from decaying vegetation and acidic clays in the mangrove soils might explain the significant spatial differences in pH and NO2-. The bay was dominated by dinoflagellate, Prorocentrum spp. (mean abundance of 16.23% and 24.44%, respectively) a potentially toxic algae species. Correlation matrix showed that NH3-N was positively correlated with PO4-P (r = 0.475, p < 0.05) but negatively correlated with salinity (r = –0.517, p < 0.01). Besides, salinity was positively correlated with DO (r = 0.505, p < 0.05) and TSS (r = 0.408, p < 0.05). In addition, DO and TSS were also positively correlated (r = 0.451, p < 0.05). Phytoplankton cell density was positively correlated with TSS (r = 0.644, p < 0.01). In general, the water quality in Ambong Bay is within the standard values permitted by the Malaysia Marine Water Quality standard for marine life, fisheries, coral reefs, recreational and mariculture (Class 2), except for NO3-. In conclusion, any mariculture operation to take place in Ambong Bay in the near future should take the temporal variation of the water quality into account. Moreover, effects of toxic phytoplankton to culture fishes should also be taken care and monitored frequently.

SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL VARIATIONS OF EVAPORATION OVER SOUTH CHINA IN AUTUMN

The spatial and temporal variations of the instrument-based evaporation and actual evaporation in autumn during a 45-year period from 1960 to 2004 are studied using the observation data from 66 stations over South China. The results reveal that there are two main anomalous centers of the instrument-based evaporation in autumn in the central and northwestern parts of South China respectively. The instrument-based evaporation over the central part of South China in autumn experiences not only a decreasing trend but also a main interdecadal variation. The solar radiation is best correlated with the instrument-based evaporation among all affecting factors. For the actual evaporation, two main anomalous centers are located at the central and western parts of the South China respectively. The actual evaporation over the two regions illustrates an interannual variation. Among the affecting factors, precipitation is the most remarkable. The actual evaporation is usually 40 percent of the instrument-based one, and the overall rate has a slightly increasing trend from the southern part to the northern part of the South China in autumn.

Spatial and Temporal Variations of Blocking and Cyclogenesis in the 1978 / 79 Winter

Complex empirical orthogonal function (CEOF) and Fourier analyses are applied to 500 hPa geopotential height anomaly for two selected latitude belts in the Northern Hemisphere from Dec 1978 through Feb 1979 based on the ECMWF FGGE Hl-b data. The positive anomalies in the three leading CEOFs for the high-latitude belt mainly show the preferred locations for blocking activity in the North Atlantic, the North Pacific and to the west of the Ural Mountains. The negative anomalies in the three leading CEOFs for the mid-latitude belt mainly show the preferred locations for cyclogenesis in the east coasts of Asia and North America, and the Mediterranean; weak cyclogenesis is also seen in the western United States and off the coasts of Spain and Morocco. The travelling components of the positive anomalies in the high-latitude belt mainly propagate westward, weakening as approaching the east side of some mountain chains while intensifying to the west side. On the contrary, the travelling components of the negative anomalies in the mid-latitude belt mainly propagate eastward, intensifying over the lee side of mountain and/or approaching the east coasts of the two continents. These preferred locations for blocking and cyclogenesis are basically consistent with the climatological results, and related to some teleconnection patterns found earlier.The temporal variation of blocking highs seems to relate with the vacillation of the potential vorticity (PV) index defined by Weng (1992). There are two build-up stages of the PV index during the winter. Each build-up stage corresponds to a westward propagation of a large-scale positive anomaly in the high-latitude belt, resulting in the occurrence of a series of blocking highs over the western Eurasia, Scandinavia, Greenland and the Pacific. In general, the temporal variation of cyclogenesis is less reflected by the PV index than blocking highs. The duration of a PV index cycle of build-up and break-down is about 30-50 days. Within this low-frequency envelope, there is a global quasi-two-week vacillation of the PV index, reflecting one of the preferred time scales of mid-latitude cyclone and anticyclone activity in some preferred locations during the 1978 / 79 winter.

Eff ects of environmental factors on the temporal and spatial variations in branch and leaf CO_(2)effl ux of Larix gmelinii var.principis-rupprechtii Mayr

The CO_(2)effl ux of branches and leaves plays an important role in ecosystem carbon balance.Using a carbon fl ux system,the effl ux of Larix gmelinii var.principisrupprechtii(Dahurian larch)was investigated in 27 years(immature),31 years(near-mature),and 47 years(mature)stands at diurnal,seasonal,and spatial scales(direction and height)as well as its connection with environmental factors from May to October 2020.Diurnal variation in effl ux was a single peak,and the maximum occurring between 14:00 and 16:00.Seasonal variation also exhibited a single peak,with the maximum in late July and the minimum in early October.From May to September,effl ux on the south side was the largest among the three stands,and mean values on the south side of 27 year-old,31 year-old,and 47 year-old trees were 0.50,0.97 and 1.05μmol·m^(–2)·s^(–1),respectively.The minimum occurred on the north side.Except for the maximum in July and September in the 27 year-old stand in the middle of the canopy,the maximum effl ux in the upper canopy,and the means in the 27 year-old,31 year-old,and 47 year-old stands were 0.49,0.96 and 1.04μmol·m^(-2)·s^(-1),respectively;the minimum occurred in the lower canopy.Temperatures and relative humidity infl uenced seasonal variations in effl ux.Seasonal variation in temperature sensitivity coeffi cient(Q 10)was opposite that of temperature,increasing with decreasing temperature.At the spatial scale,maximum Q 10 occurred in the mid canopy.With the effl ux and temperature data in diff erent locations,it is possible to better estimate effl ux variations in each stand.

Temporal and spatial variations of carbon isotope signature reveal substantial contribution of bracts and internode assimilates to grain filling of japonica rice

Carbon isotope composition(δ^(13)C)of a plant organ is an inherent signature reflecting its physiological property,and thus is used as an integrative index in crop breeding.It is also a non-intrusive method for quantifying the relative contribution of different source organs to grain filling in cereals.Using the samples collected from two-year field and pot experiments with two nitrogen(N)fertilization treatments,we investigated the temporal and spatial variations of δ^(13)C in source organs of leaf,sheath,internode,and bracts,and in sink organ grain.Constitutive nature of δ^(13)C was uncovered,with an order of leaf(−27.84‰)<grain(−27.82‰)<sheath(−27.24‰)<bracts(−26.81‰)<internode(−25.67‰).For different positions of individual organs within the plant,δ^(13)C of the leaf and sheath presented a diminishing trend from the top(flag leaf and its sheath)to the bottom(the last leaf in reverse order and its sheath).No obvious pattern was found for the internode.For temporal variations, δ^(13)C of the leaf and sheath had a peak(the most negative)at 10 days after anthesis(DAA),whereas that of the bracts showed a marked increase at the time point of anthesis,implying a transformation from sink to source organ.By comparing the δ^(13)C in its natural abundance in the water-soluble fractions of the sheath,internode,and bracts with the δ^(13)C in mature grains,the relative contribution of these organs to grain filling was assessed.With reference to the leaf,the internode accounted for as high as 32.64%and 42.56%at 10 DAA and 20 DAA,respectively.Meanwhile,bracts presented a larger contribution than the internode,with superior bracts being higher than inferior bracts.In addition,N topdressing reduced the contribution of the internode and bracts.Our findings clearly proved the actual significance of non-foliar organs of the internode and bracts for rice yield formation,thus extending our basic knowledge of source and sink relations.

Temporal and Spatial Variation Characteristics of Precipitation during Crop Growing Season in Northeast China

[Objective] The aims were to understand variation characteristics of water resources and provide theoretical guidance for the formulation of agricultural irrigation methods.[Method] Taking the precipitation records during crop growing season（from April to September）observed by 177 weather stations from 1971 to 2008 in the three provinces of Northeast China（Heilongjiang,Jilin and Liaoning）as research data,annual change and spatial distribution characteristics of precipitation during crop growing season were analyzed by means of small grid interpolation and climatic trend rate.[Result] The precipitation during crop growing season general exhibited the decreasing trend and the precipitation trend rate was-8.6 mm/10a in Northeast China.In addition,there was lack of rain from 1971 to 1980 and relatively abundant of rain during 1981 and 1990 respectively.Moreover,the precipitation obviously exhibited decreasing trend from 1991 to 2008.But the decreasing trend was inconsistent in spatial distributions,that was,the precipitation slightly increased in relatively rainless areas and obviously decreased in relatively rainy areas.[Conclusion] The areas with obvious decreasing trend of precipitation during crop growing season are the main grain producing zones in Northeast China,so the problem of food production security caused by the precipitation changes should be paid enough attention.