Spatial and Temporal Differences of Climate Suitability of Ice and Snow Sports in Major Ski Tourism Destinations in China

Ice and snow tourism in China has grown significantly since the country successfully hosted the Beijing Winter Olympics.Climatic conditions profoundly impact the development of ice and snow tourism;however,most studies have focused on constructing different climate suitability indicators for ice and snow tourism to evaluate individual regions,lacking horizontal comparative studies across multiple regions.This study aims to enrich the connotation of climate suitability for ice and snow sports,establish an evaluation model based on snowfall amount,temperature,and wind speed,and use daily meteorological data from 1991 to 2021 to horizontally compare the climate suitability for ice and snow sports in major ski tourism destinations in China.This study boasts four major findings:1)the average ice and snow sports climate index of each region decreases over time,and the overall suitability of the climate for ice and snow sports is reducing;2)northern Xinjiang exhibits the most evident regional differentiation from‘very suitable’to‘generally suitable’;3)the spatial zoning of climate suitability for ice and snow sports exhibits heterogeneity,as northern Xinjiang is divided into two‘suitable and above’zones with rotating empirical orthogonal function(REOF).Correspondingly,the four provinces of Hebei,Heilongjiang,Jilin,and Liaoning are divided into three‘generally suitable and above’zones;4)snowfall amount is the main factor affecting the climate suitability of ice and snow sports in the major ski tourist destinations in China.

Climate Suitability Assessment of Human Settlements for Regions along the Belt and Road

Climate is one important environmental variable that affects human life.As the regions along the Belt and Road(B&R)encompass vast territories and large populations,it is significant to assess climate suitability for human settlements,which will influence the migration of various surrounding countries.We selected seven regions including 65 countries along the B&R for the research area and adopted the temperature-humidity index(THI),to assess the climate suitability.We analyzed the spatial characteristics of THI and the correlation between population distribution and THI,the results of which enabled us to adjust the THI classification criteria.We finally assessed the climate suitability of each region.The results reveal that outside the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,the THI values generally tend to decrease from west to east as longitude increases and downward with increasing latitude.The population distribution is significantly correlated with the THI.Regions with relative suitable climate,including high suitability areas(HASs),moderately suitable areas(MSAs)and low suitability areas(LSAs),account for 50.62%of the total area and encompass in excess of 90%of total population.These areas are widely distributed in the southern regions of 45°N latitude,again with the exception of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.Critical suitable area includes 19.48%of the entire area and 8.98%of total population.The non-suitable area accounts for less than 30%of total area,concentrated in the cold high-latitude and high-altitude areas.

Meticulous Regionalization of Climate Suitability about Spring Potato Planting in Western Guizhou Based on GIS

[Objective] The study aimed to carry out the regionalization of climate suitability about spring potato planting in Western Guizhou on the basis of GIS technology. [Method] Based on the climatic data of 15 meteorological stations in Western Guizhou during the growing period of spring potato from March to August in 1978-2010, the regionalization indicators of climate suitability about spring potato planting were determined according to the correlation between climatic factors and meteorological yield of spring potato. Afterwards, on the basis of climitic data and corresponding basic geographical information like longitude, latitude, altitude, slope and aspect, the spatial analysis models of division indicators about spring potato planting in Western Guizhou were established by using GIS spatial overlay analysis and used to carry out the township-level regionalization of climate suitability about spring potato planting in Western Guizhou with 100 m×100 m grids. [Result] Based on the relationship between meteorological yield of spring potato and climatic factors in Western Guizhou from 1978 to 2010, eight climatic division indicators, including altitude, average temperature,>10 ℃ active accumulated temperature, precipitation and sunshine hours in the growth stage, average temperature in July, average temperature difference between day and night from July to August, and precipitation from May to July, were chosen for spring potato planting, and each indicator had three levels, namely the most suitable, suitable and sub-suitable. Meanwhile, Western Guizhou was grouped into three areas according to these indicators, including the most suitable area, suitable area and sub-suitable area, and their area accounted for 52%, 45% and 3% of total area of the whole province respectively. [Conclusion] The research could provide scientific references for the production layout and species selection of spring potato in Western Guizhou.

Evaluation on Climate Suitability in Main Growth Stages of Zhaotong Apple in Recent 60 Years

Based on daily average temperature,precipitation and sunshine hours during 1961-2018 from two meteorological stations of Zhaoyang District and Ludian County at Zhaolubazi,Zhaotong City,Yunnan Province,using the freezing injury index at flowering stage(Ha),climatic suitability index during expansion period(Pa),climatic suitability index during coloring period(Dy)and climatic suitability index during fruit growing period(Si),etc.,the climatic suitability of Zhaotong apple during the main growth stages was evaluated.The results showed that the annual average temperature was 11.8-12.3℃at Zhaolu Bazi in recent 60 years,and the climate was the most suitable for Fuji apple planting both in the south and north;the average annual precipitation was 674.8-852.6 mm,and the climate was suitable in the north and sub-suitable in the south;the annual average sunshine hours was between 1845.4 and 1851.1 h,and the climate was sub-suitable in both areas.The Ha was between 0.42-0.50,serious in the north and moderate in the south;the Pa was between 0.92 and 1.02,and both the south and the north were suitable areas;the Dy was between 0.95 and 1.00,and the climate in the south was suitable,while it was sub-suitable in the north;the Si was between 1.38 and 1.59,and the climate was suitable in the south and sub-suitable in the north.There was a 4-year cycle in the interannual variation of Ha,Pa,Dy and Si.After the 1980s,the Ha decreased by 0.56-0.59,the Pa,Dy and Si respectively increased by 0.10-0.16,0.14-0.15 and 0.78-0.84 with the temperature rise,and the changes of these four indexes were all favorable for Fuji apple's fruits growth.It can be seen that under the background of the global warming,the climatic conditions in Zhaolu Bazi are becoming more and more favorable for popularizing the planting of Fuji apple.

Climate Suitability of Schima superba in Subtropical Zone of China under Future Climate Scenario

[ Objective] The research aimed to study climate suitability of S. superba in subtropical zone of China under future climate scenario and response of its regional distribution on climate change. [ Metbed] Based on climate- vegetation related Kira model, Holdridge model and ecological suitability theory, climate suitability model of S. superba was established by using fuzzy mathematics. Based on the daily meteorological data at 246 stations of the subtropical zone from 1960 to 2005, by using spatial interpolation method, suitability of S. superba on temperature, precipitation, po- tential evapotranspiration rate was analyzed. According to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change （IPCC） Special Report on Emissions Sce- nario （SRES）, future scenario simulation result was used. Under IPCC A2 scenario, climate suitability of S. superba and its change were studied in subtropical zone of China under future climate scenario. Climate suitability of S. superba in future was classified. [ Result] Under future climate scenario, climate suitability of S. superba was stronger in most of areas in Hunan, north Guangdong, northeast Guangxi and east coast of Zhe- jiang. It was suitable for growth of S. superba in central Guangxi, east Guizhou, central Jiangxi and Fuzhou. Growth suitability of S. superba was still lower in the north of Gongshan - Weixi - Lijiang - Yuanjiang - Huize - Leibo - Emei - Neijiang - Nanchong - Bazhong - Zhongxiang - zaoyang - Xinyang -Lu＇an -Chuzhou -Gaoyou -Taitong. Climate suitability in west Yunnan and Sichuan had big change. Future climate suitability change of S. superba was greatly affected by temperature and potential evapotranspiration rate. [ Conclusion] Future climate suitability decreased toward west and north from Hunan. The climate suitability had a decline trend as time went by under future climate scenario. The research provided theoretical basis for studying geographic distribution of the vegetation population.

Assessment of Climate for Agricultural Suitability and Optimal Allocation of Agricultural Production in the Guanzhong Region, Shaanxi Province

Based on spatial climatic data of agriculture and the experiment data, the models of agro-ecological assessment of climate for agricultural suitability in this study were developed using the fuzzy mathematical method. Three coefficients, in- cluding the resource coefficient （Cr）, the efficiency coefficient （Ce）, and the utility co- efficient （K）, were used in the models, which were calculated based on temperature, moisture, and sunshine duration data of Guanzhong region, Shaanxi Province. The results indicated that resource coefficient was higher in west of the region than that in east, and higher in south （especially in the Central Shaanxi Plain） than that in the Weibei plateau. The value of Cr changed from 6.5 to 9.2 from north to plain area. Spatial change of efficiency coefficient was obvious, lower in the northeast than in the central plain, and the value of Ce changed from 2.3 to 6.5 from the northeast to the central plain. As for utility coefficient, it was lower in northeastern part of the Weibei plateau and in southern mountain areas than that in the central plain, showing significant latitudinal zonality. Furthermore, the value of K increased from 0.35 to 0.78 from northeast to the central plain, and decreased from 0.78 to 0.53 from the central plain to southern mountain areas. These indicated that climate resource in the central plain region was more abundant and potential, compared with other regions. GuanZhong region was classified into three larger agricultural zones and three small independent zones, according to agro-ecological assessment. Light, heat and water resources should be made use of in an efficient way in spatial allo- cation of agricultural production. For example, water facilities should also be im- proved in Weibei plateau region where highly-qualified fruit should be enhanced and fruit processing industrial chain should be shaped. Large-scale production area of wheat should be increased in central irrigation region and more vegetable bases should be developed around large and medium-scale cities. Thanks for outstanding water conservation function, the three-dimensional agriculture including medicine and other sideline production should be developed in Qinling Mountains and the special- ized commercial agriculture should be accelerated in independent small zones, ac- cording to local conditions. In the research, different crop varieties were developed in corresponding regions as per current eco-climatic conditions.

Assessment of Climate Suitability for Human Settlements in Tibet,China

Climate is an important factor that affects the livability of a region.The climate suitability of a region’s environment for human settlement profoundly affects the regional socio-economic development and the population distribution.Tibet is an area that is sensitive to climate change.Given the impact of global climate change,the climate suitability of Tibet has undergone significant changes.In this study,the temperature humidity index(THI)values for Tibet were calculated,and the relationships between the population distribution and the THI were analyzed quantitatively.In this way,the zoning standards for climate suitability in Tibet were determined such that the climate suitability could be evaluated.The results show that the average annual temperature in the southeast of Tibet,where the population was densely distributed,was relatively high.The mean annual relative humidity showed a trend of gradually decreasing from south to north.Regions with a suitable climate,including the high suitability areas(HSAs),the moderately suitable areas(MSAs)and the low suitability areas(LSAs),accounted for only 7.90%of the total area but accommodated over 40%of the total population.The critically suitable areas(CSAs)accounted for 37.81%of the land area and 48.24%of the total population.Non-suitable areas(NSAs)were widely distributed in Tibet and accounted for 54.29%of the total area and 11.33%of the total population.The results of this study may provide a reference for guiding the reasonable distribution of population and promoting the optimization of the spatial planning in Tibet.

Phylogenetic conservatism in threatened species responses to climate change differs between functional types in the Gongga Mountains of China

Climate change has become one of the most critical threats to global biodiversity.However,whether phylogenetically related species respond to climate change in similar ways remains controversial.The answer to this question is crucial for understanding the impacts of climate change and the conservation on the tree of life.By integrating species distribution models with a molecular phylogeny of 50 threatened plant species from one of the global biodiversity hotspots,Gongga Mountains(Mt.Gongga)in southwest China,we evaluated the responses of threatened plant species to future climate change,and estimated whether species responses are phylogenetically conserved.Phylogenetic reconstruction was used to calculate the phylogenetic distance and null model to verify the reliability of the results.We found that correlations between responses of different species to future climate change decreased with the increase in their phylogenetic distance in the monocotyledonous or herbaceous species,but not in the dicotyledonous and woody species.Our results suggested that the responses of herbaceous and monocotyledonous threatened species in Mt.Gongga to future climate change tend to be phylogenetically conserved,while the responses of woody and dicotyledonous threatened species are not.Our study provides evidence for the existence of phylogenetically non-random extinction in the monocotyledonous herbs in Mt.Gongga and highlights the importance of integrating phylogenetic information and evolutionary history into conservation planning.We also provide theoretical basis and technical support for designing effective conservation schemes for the protection of biodiversity under anthropogenic climate change.

Effects of Climatic Suitability on Clamworm Breeding along Jiangsu Coast of China

Data were collected by clamworm breeding and investigation and then analyzed to understand the changes in salinity and pH value caused by rainfall as well as climatic suitability along Jiangsu coast of China. The main climatic factors affecting clamworm breeding included water temperature, strong wind and heavy rainfall. The period with air temperature stable above 14 ℃ was suitable for clamworm breeding, and it was from eady Apr. to mid-Nov, along Jiangsu coast. The period with air temperature stable above 30 ℃ in summer was unsuitable for clamworm breeding, and it was from mid-Jul, to late Jul. along Jiangsu coast. During the suitable period for clamworm breeding, the annual days of strong wind and those of heavy rainfall were 4.3 - 39.2 and 2.9 - 4.0 d, respectively. The effects of rainfall （or water exchange） on pH values were determined by the proportion of rainfall （or water exchange） in total pond water and the difference between their pH values. The climate along Jiangsu coast was suitable for clamworm breeding, and the climatic suitability decreased successively in Qidong, Lusi, Ganyu, Rudong, Dafeng, Sheyang, Yanweigang, and Western Liandao. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the effects of severe weather, forecast disastrous weather and formulate rational measurements for flood control and disaster relief.

Potential impacts of climate change on Welwitschia mirabilis populations in the Namib Desert,southern Africa

Climate change is threatening natural ecosystems in the Earth, and arid regions of southern Africa are particularly exposed to further drying. Welwitschia mirabilis Hook. （Welwitschiaceae） is an unusual gymnosperm tree that is recognized as an icon of the Namib Desert, southern Africa. Many aspects of its biology were investigated in the past, with a special emphasis for its physiology and adaptations, but nothing is known about its potential sensitivity to current climate changes. In this study, we adopted an approach based on distribution data for W. mirabilis and ecological niche models for clarifying the species-climate interactions and for predicting the potential impacts of climate change on W. mirabilis populations in three well-separated sub-ranges （northern, southern and central） in northwestern Namibia, southern Africa. We evidenced that the populations occurring in the northern sub-range have peculiar climatic exigencies compared with those in the central and southern sub-ranges and are particularly exposed to the impact of climate change, which will consist of a substantial increase in temperature across the region. These impacts could be represented by demographic changes that should be detected and monitored detailedly to plan efficient measures for managing populations of this important species on the long-term scale.

Changes of citrus climate risk in subtropics of China

Based on the citrus temperature, precipitation, sunlight and climate risk degree, the article divides subtropics of China into three types： the low risk region, the moderate risk region and the high risk region. The citrus temperature risk increases with increasing latitude （except for the western mountainous area of subtropics of China）. The citrus precipitation risk in the central part of subtropics of China is higher than that in the northern and western parts. The distributions of citrus sunlight risk are not consistent to those of the citrus precipitation risk. The citrus climate risk is mainly influenced by temperature. There is latitudinal zonal law for the distribution of the climate risk, that is, the climate risk increases with increasing latitude At the same time the climate risk in mountainous area is high and that in eastern plain area is low. There are differences in the temporal and spatial changes of the citrus climate. In recent 46 years, the citrus climate risk presents a gradual increasing trend in subtropics of China, especially it has been increasing fast since the 1980s. Because of the global warming, the low risk region in the eastern and southern parts has a gradual decreasing trend, however, the high risk region in the northern and western parts has an increasing trend and the high risk region has been extending eastward and southward. The article analyses the distribution of the citrus climate risk degree of reduction rates of 〉10%, 〉20% and 〉30% in subtropics of China, and studies their changes in different time periods. Results show that the risk is increasing from southeast to northwest.

Evaluation of Agricultural Climatic Resource Utilization During Spring Maize Cultivation in Northeast China Under Climate Change

Agricultural climatic resources （such as light,temperature,and water） are environmental factors that affect crop productivity.Predicting the effects of climate change on agricultural climatic resource utilization can provide a theoretical basis for adapting agricultural practices and distributions of agricultural production.This study investigates these effects under the IPCC （Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change） scenario A1B using daily data from the high-resolution RegCM3 （0.25° ×0.25°） during 1951-2100.Model outputs are adjusted using corrections derived from daily observational data taken at 101 meteorological stations in Northeast China between 1971 and 2000.Agricultural climatic suitability theory is used to assess demand for agricultural climatic resources in Northeast China during the cultivation of spring maize.Three indices,i.e.,an average resource suitability index （Isr）,an average efficacy suitability index （Ise）,and an average resource utilization index （K）,are defined to quantitatively evaluate the effects of climate change on climatic resource utilization between 1951 and 2100.These indices change significantly in both temporal and spatial dimensions in Northeast China under global warming.All three indices are projected to decrease in Liaoning Province from 1951 to 2100,with particularly sharp declines in Isr,Ise,and K after 2030,2021,and 2011,respectively.In Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces,Isr is projected to increase slightly after 2011,while Ise increases slightly and K decreases slightly after 2030.The spatial maxima of all three indices are projected to shift northeastward.Overall,warming of the climate in Northeast China is expected to negatively impact spring maize production,especially in Liaoning Province.Spring maize cultivation will likely need to shift northward and expand eastward to make efficient use of future agricultural climatic resources.

Climatic suitability and spatial distribution for summer maize cultivation in China at 1.5 and 2.0 °C global warming

Evaluating climatic suitability of crop cultivation lays a foundation for agriculture coping with climate change scientifically. Herein, we analyse changes in the climatically suitable distribution of summer maize cultivation in China at 1.5℃(GW1.5) and 2.0℃(GW2.0) global warming in the future according to the temperature control targets set by the Paris Agreement. Compared with the reference period (1971- 2000), the summer maize cultivation climatically suitable region (CSR) in China mainly shifts eastwards, and its acreage significantly decreases at both GW1.5 and GW2.0. Despite no dramatic changes in the CSR spatial pattern, there are considerable decreases in the acreages of optimum and suitable regions (the core of the main producing region), indicating that half-a-degree more global warming is unfavourable for summer maize production in China's main producing region. When the global warming threshold increases from GW1.5 to GW2.0, the centres-of-gravity of optimum areas shift northeastward under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, the centres-of-gravity of both suitable and less suitable areas shift northwestward, though the northward trend is more prominent for the less suitable areas, and the centre-of-gravity of unsuitable areas shifts southeastward. Generally, half-a-degree more global warming drives the cultivable areas of summer maize to shift northward in China, while the west region shows a certain potential for expansion of summer maize cultivation.

The failed invasion of Harmonia axyridis in the Azores, Portugal: Climatic restriction or wrong population origin?

We tested two questions:(i)whether the climatic conditions of the Azorean Islands in Portugal may have restricted the invasion of Harmonia axyridis across this archipelago and(ii)determine what population of this species could have a higher probability of invading the islands.We used MaxEnt to project the climate requirements of different H.axyridis populations from three regions of the world,and the potential global niche of the species in the Azorean islands.Then we assessed the suitability of the islands for each of the three H.axyridis populations and global potential niche through histograms analysis,Principal Component Analysis(PCA)of climate variables,and a variable-by-variable assessment of the suitability response curves compared with the climatic conditions of the Azores.Climatic conditions of the Azores are less suitable for the U.S.and native Asian populations of H.axyridis,and more suitable for European populations and the global potential niche.The PCA showed that the climatic conditions of the islands differed from the climatic requirements of H.axyridis.This difference is mainly explained by precipitation of the wettest month,isothermality,and the minimum temperature of the coldest month.We concluded that the climatic conditions of the Azores could have influenced the establishment and spread of H.axyridis on these islands from Europe.Our results showed that abiotic resistance represented by the climate of the potentially colonizable zones could hinder the establishment of invasive insects,but it could vary depending of the origin of the colonizing population.