Temperature and Precipitation Suitability Evaluation for the Winter Wheat and Summer Maize Cropping System in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of China

The Huang-Huai-Hai Plain is the most important winter wheat and maize production region in China.In response to the increasing population pressure,the Chinese authorities strongly invested in improving the irrigation systems and increasing ground and surface water exploitation within the plain to increase the crop productivity.This resulted in a reduction of water resource availability and in turn indirectly affected the suitability of various agricultural ecosystems in the plain.The main purpose of this study was to review the suitability of temperature and precipitation for the winter wheat and summer maize cropping system in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain,in order to provide a preliminary irrigation scheme.This analysis provides a first attempt to enhance the water resource management as well as to increase the water use efficiency.For this aim,a GIS-based multicriteria analysis procedure has been developed consisting of（1） definition of objectives（evaluated entities） and database building;（2） definition of evaluation criteria;（3） standardization of the criteria;（4） combination of the criteria;（5） classification of the objectives;and（6） integration of the objectives.The land suitability classification maps were transformed into maps of required irrigation amounts for each growing stage of the winter wheat and summer maize cropping system.The study also exemplified the limitations and proposed future research activities that will improve the detail and accuracy of the evaluation results.

Acid and Alkali Buffer Capacity of Typical Fluvor-Aquic Soil in Huang-Huai-Hai Plain

Soil acid and alkali buffer capacity, as a major indicator for evaluating its vulnerability and resistibility to acidification and alkalization, is an important factor affecting the sustainable agriculture, through knowledge on which soil acidification process can be predicted and modified. In this study, titration curve method was adopted to investigate the pH buffer capacity （pHBC） of fluvor-aquic soil, and separate titration curves were established by adding incremental amounts of either standardized hydrochloric acid （HC1） （0.12 mol L^-1） or sodium hydroxide （NaOH） （0.10 mol L^-1） to soil suspended in deionized water （soil：solution = 1：5）. Soil pH was measured after 7 d resuspension and isothermal equilibrium （T = 25℃）. Linear regressions were fitted to the linear portion of each titration curve and the slopes of these lines were derived as the soil pHBC. The results showed that significant correlations between the amounts of adding acid or alkali and each pH change were presented, and titration curve method was feasible for measurement of pHBC on typical fluvor-aquic soil in Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, and the coefficients of determination were higher than the similar researches on acid soil （R^2 = 0.96）. The slope-derived pHBC of acid and alkali were 158.71 and 25.02 mmol kg^-1, respectively. According to the classification of soil buffer systems, the soil tested belongs to the calcium carbonate buffer system, carbonates contribute the most to pHBC, and the contribution of soil organic matter relatively less than it.

Proton accumulation accelerated by heavy chemical nitrogen fertilization and its long-term impact on acidifying rate in a typical arable soil in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain

Cropland productivity has been significantly impacted by soil acidification resulted from nitrogen （N） fertilization, especially as a result of excess ammoniacal N input. With decades＇ intensive agricultural cultivation and heavy chemical N input in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, the impact extent of induced proton input on soil pH in the long term was not yet clear. In this study, acidification rates of different soil layers in the soil profile （0-120 cm） were calculated by pH buffer capacity （pHBC） and net input of protons due to chemical N incorporation. Topsoil （0-20 cm） pH changes of a long-term fertilization field （from 1989） were determined to validate the predicted values. The results showed that the acid and alkali buffer capacities varied significantly in the soil profile, averaged 692 and 39.8 mmolc kg-1 pH-1, respectively. A significant （P〈0.05） correlation was found between pHRC and the content of calcium carbonate. Based on the commonly used application rate of urea （500 kg N ha-1 yr-1）, the induced proton input in this region was predicted to be 16.1 kmol ha-1 yr-1, and nitrification and plant uptake of nitrate were the most important mechanisms for proton producing and consuming, respectively. The acidification rate of topsoil （0-20 cm） was estimated to be 0.01 unit pH yr-1 at the assumed N fertilization level. From 1989 to 2009, topsoil pH （0-20 cm） of the long-term fertilization field decreased from 8.65 to 8.50 for the PK （phosphorus, 150 kg P205 ha-1 yr-1; potassium, 300 kg K20 ha-1 yr-1; without N fertilization）, and 8.30 for NPK （nitrogen, 300 kg N ha-1 yr-1; phosphorus, 150 kg P2Os ha-1 yr-1; potassium, 300 kg K20 ha -1 yr-1）, respectively. Therefore, the apparent soil acidification rate induced by N fertilization equaled to 0.01 unit pH yr-1, which can be a reference to the estimated result, considering the effect of atmospheric N deposition, crop biomass, field management and plant uptake of other nutrients and cations. As protons could be consumed by some field practices, such as stubble return and coupled water and nutrient management, soil pH would maintain relatively stable if proper management practices can be adopted in this region.

Water consumption in summer maize and winter wheat cropping system based on SEBAL model in Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, China

Crop consumptive water use is recognized as a key element to understand regional water management performance. This study documents an attempt to apply a regional evapotranspiration model（SEBAL） and crop information for assessment of regional crop（summer maize and winter wheat） actual evapotranspiration（ET a） in Huang-Huai-Hai（3H） Plain, China. The average seasonal ET a of summer maize and winter wheat were 354.8 and 521.5 mm respectively in 3H Plain. A high-ET a belt of summer maize occurs in piedmont plain, while a low ET a area was found in the hill-irrigable land and dry land area. For winter wheat, a high-ET a area was located in the middle part of 3H Plain, including low plain-hydropenia irrigable land and dry land, hill-irrigable land and dry land, and basin-irrigable land and dry land. Spatial analysis demonstrated a linear relationship between crop ET a, normalized difference vegetation index（NDVI）, and the land surface temperature（LST）. A stronger relationship between ET a and NDVI was found in the metaphase and last phase than other crop growing phase, as indicated by higher correlation coefficient values. Additionally, higher correlation coefficients were detected between ET a and LST than that between ET a and NDVI, and this significant relationship ran through the entire crop growing season. ET a in the summer maize growing season showed a significant relationship with longitude, while ET a in the winter wheat growing season showed a significant relationship with latitude. The results of this study will serve as baseline information for water resources management of 3H Plain.

Effect of water fluctuation on agricultural production in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, China

The biggest load of water resources for agricultural economy in the Huang-Huai Plainwill only arcount for 67.1 % of the forecasted irrigated area in 2010. The irrigated area and thequantity of water diverting from the Huanghe River was 2.2 million hm2 and 10.8 billion m3respectively in the lowe reaches of the river in the 1990s. The annual amount of yield increase forgrain is 6.3 billion kg calculated by converting and the annual benefit of yield-increase is 4.4 billionRMB yuan in the irrigated area of the region. The daily economic losses of industry and agricultureby absence of flow in the area in the 1990s is 44. 1 million RMB yuan. The annual water quantity willbe increased by 9.9 billion m3 after diverting water from the Huanghe River and 12.6 billion m3 afterdiverting water from the Changjiang River respectively in the plain in 2010.

The impacts of climate change on wheat yield in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of China using DSSAT-CERES-Wheat model under different climate scenarios

Climate change has been documented as a major threat to current agricultural strategies.Progress in understanding the impact of climate change on crop yield is essential for agricultural climate adaptation,especially for the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain(3H Plain)of China which is an area known to be vulnerable to global warming.In this study,the impacts of climate change on winter wheat(Triticum aestivum L.)yield between the baseline period(1981–2010)and two Representative Concentration Pathways(RCP8.5 and RCP4.5)were simulated for the short-term(2010–2039),the medium-term(2040–2069)and the long-term(2070–2099)in the 3H Plain,by considering the relative contributions of changes in temperature,solar radiation and precipitation using the DSSAT-CERES-Wheat model.Results indicated that the maximum and minimum temperatures(TMAX and TMIN),solar radiation(SRAD),and precipitation(PREP)during the winter wheat season increased under these two RCPs.Yield analysis found that wheat yield increased with the increase in SRAD,PREP and CO2 concentration,but decreased with an increase in temperature.Increasing precipitation contributes the most to the total impact,increasing wheat yield by 9.53,6.62 and 23.73%for the three terms of future climate under RCP4.5 scenario,and 11.74,16.38 and 27.78%for the three terms of future climate under RCP8.5 scenario.However,as increases in temperature bring higher evapotranspiration,which further aggravated water deficits,the supposed negative effect of increasing thermal resources decreased wheat yield by 1.92,4.08 and 5.24%for the three terms of future climate under RCP4.5 scenario,and 3.64,5.87 and 5.81%for the three terms of future climate under RCP8.5 scenario with clearly larger decreases in RCP8.5.Counterintuitively,the impacts in southern sub-regions were positive,but they were all negative in the remaining sub-regions.Our analysis demonstrated that in the 3H Plain,which is a part of the mid-high latitude region,the effects of increasing thermal resources were counteracted by the aggravated water deficits caused by the increase in temperature.

Effects of subsoiling depth,period interval and combined tillage practice on soil properties and yield in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain,China

Compact!on layers are widely distributed in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain,China,which restrict root growth and reduce yields.The adoption of subsoiling has been recommended to disrupt compacted soil layers and create a reasonable soil structure for crop development.In this paper,the effects of subsoiling depth(30,35 and 40 cm),period interval(2 or 3 years)and combined pre-sowing tillage practice(rotary cultivation or ploughing)on soil condition improvement was studied on a tidal soil in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain.Seve n tillage patter ns were desig ned by combini ng differe nt subsoili ng depths,period intervals and pre-sowing.The evaluation indicators for soil condition improvement were as follows:thickness of the plough layer and hard pan,soil bulk density,cone index,soil three-phase R values,alkali nitrogen content,crop yield,and economic ben efits.The results showed that subsoiling can sign ificantly improve the soil structure and physical properties.In all subsoiling treatments,the depth of 35 or 40 cm at a 2-year interval was the most significant.The thickness of the plough layer in creased from 13.67 cm before the test to 21.54-23.45 cm in 2018.The thick ness of the hard pan decreased from 17.68 cm before the test to 12.09-12.76 cm in 2018,a decrease of about 40.07%.However,the subsoiling combined presowing tillage practice,that is,rotary cultivation or ploughing,was not significant for soil structure and physical properties.For all subsoiling treatments,the soil bulk density,cone index and soil three-phase R values of the 15-25 cm soil layer were significantly lower compared to single rotary cultivation.Subsoiling was observed to increase the soil alkaline nitrogen and water conte nts.The tillage patter ns that had subsoiling at the depth of 35-40 cm at a 2-year in terval combi ned with rotary cultivation had the highest alkali nitrogen and water contents,which increased by 31.08-34.23%compared with that of the single rotary cultivati on.Subsoiling can sign ifica ntly in crease the yield both of wheat and corn,as well as the economic ben efits.The treatment of subsoili ng at the depth of 35 cm at an interval of 2 years com bined with rotary cultivation had the highest ann ual yield and economic benefits.For this treatme nt,the arinual yield and economic ben efits in creased by 14.55 and 62.87%in 2018,respectively.In con clusi on,the tillage patter ns that involved subsoili ng at a depth of 35 cm at a 2-year interval along with rotary cultivation are suitable for the Huang?Huai-Hai Plain.

Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Reference Evapotranspiration and Its Sensitivity Coefficients to Climate Factors in Huang-Huai-Hai Plain,China

Climate change will have important implications in water shore regions,such as Huang-Huai-Hai（3H） plain,where expected warmer and drier conditions might augment crop water demand.Sensitivity analysis is important in understanding the relative importance of climatic variables to the variation in reference evapotranspiration（ET 0）.In this study,the 51-yr ET 0 during winter wheat and summer maize growing season were calculated from a data set of daily climate variables in 40 meteorological stations.Sensitivity maps for key climate variables were estimated according to Kriging method and the spatial pattern of sensitivity coefficients for these key variables was plotted.In addition,the slopes of the linear regression lines for sensitivity coefficients were obtained.Results showed that ET 0 during winter wheat growing season accounted for the largest proportion of annual ET 0,due to its long phenological days,while ET 0 was detected to decrease significantly with the magnitude of 0.5 mm yr-1in summer maize growing season.Solar radiation is considered to be the most sensitive and primarily controlling variable for negative trend in ET 0 for summer maize season,and higher sensitive coefficient value of ET 0 to solar radiation and temperature were detected in east part and southwest part of 3H plain respectively.Relative humidity was demonstrated as the most sensitive factor for ET 0 in winter wheat growing season and declining relativity humidity also primarily controlled a negative trend in ET 0,furthermore the sensitivity coefficient to relative humidity increased from west to southeast.The eight sensitivity centrals were all found located in Shandong Province.These ET 0 along with its sensitivity maps under winter wheat-summer maize rotation system can be applied to predict the agricultural water demand and will assist water resources planning and management for this region.

Effects of meteorological factors on different grades of winter wheat growth in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, China

The sown area of winter wheat in the Huang-Huai-Hai（HHH） Plain accounts for over 65% of the total sown area of winter wheat in China. Thus, it is important to monitor the winter wheat growth condition and reveal the main factors that influence its dynamics. This study assessed the winter wheat growth condition based on remote sensing data, and investigated the correlations between different grades of winter wheat growth and major meteorological factors corresponding. First, winter wheat growth condition from sowing until maturity stage during 2011–2012 were assessed based on moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer（MODIS） normalized difference vegetation index（NDVI） time-series dataset. Next, correlation analysis and geographical information system（GIS） spatial analysis methods were used to analyze the lag correlations between different grades of winter wheat growth in each phenophase and the meteorological factors that corresponded to the phenophases. The results showed that the winter wheat growth conditions varied over time and space in the study area. Irrespective of the grades of winter wheat growth, the correlation coefficients between the winter wheat growth condition and the cumulative precipitation were higher than zero lag（synchronous precipitation） and one lag（pre-phenophase precipitation） based on the average values of seven phenophases. This showed that the cumulative precipitation during the entire growing season had a greater effect on winter wheat growth than the synchronous precipitation and the pre-phenophase precipitation. The effects of temperature on winter wheat growth varied according to different grades of winter wheat growth based on the average values of seven phenophases. Winter wheat with a better-than-average growth condition had a stronger correlation with synchronous temperature, winter wheat with a normal growth condition had a stronger correlation with the cumulative temperature, and winter wheat with a worse-than-average growth condition had a stronger correlation with the pre-phenophase temperature. This study may facilitate a better understanding of the quantitative correlations between different grades of crop growth and meteorological factors, and the adjustment of field management measures to ensure a high crop yield.

A Study on the Driving Factors of Food Production in Huang-Huai-Hai Plain Based on Path Analysis

The effects of 14 factors on food production in Huang-Huai-Hai Plain are analyzed by path analysis in this paper,and then the linear regression models of them are established by SPSS software. The results show that electricity consumption for agriculture,growing area of crops,the affected area,annual average temperature and arable land area at the end of the year have great effects on food production. Finally some recommendations are put forward to improve the food production in Huang-Huai-Hai Plain such as improving the level of agricultural mechanization,stabilizing food production,preventing natural disasters and increasing the effective irrigation area.

Gravity-Driven Listric Growth Fault and Sedimentation in the Lagoa do Peixe, Rio Grande do Sul Coastal Plain, Brazil

High frequency, high resolution GPR surveys are successfully applied to investigate near-surface stratification architecture of sedimentary units in coastal plains and to define their depositional conditions. However, low frequency GPR surveys to investigate fault-related depositional systems at greater depths are scarce. This survey was designed investigate a > 100 km long linear escarpment that controls the northwest margin of the Lagoa do Peixe, an important lagoon in Rio Grande do Sul Coastal Plain (RGSCP, Brazil). The traditional approach points that RGSCP was developed by juxtaposition of four lagoons/barrier systems as consequence of sea level changes;no deformational structure is admitted to exist before. The low frequency GPR (50 MHz, RTA antenna) and geological surveys carried out in the RGSCP showed the existence of a large, gravity-driven listric growth fault controlling the Lagoa do Peixe escarpment and hangingwall sedimentation. The radargrams in four subareas along the Lagoa do Peixe Growth Fault could be interpreted following the seismic expression of rift-related depositional systems. The radargrams enabled to distinguish three main lagoonal deposition radarfacies. The lower lagoonal radarfacies is a convex upward unit, thicker close to growth fault;the radarfacies geometry indicates that fault displacement rate surpasses the sedimentation rate, and its upper stratum is aged ~3500 l4C years BP. The second lagoonal radarfacies is a triangular wedge restricted to the lagoon depocenter, whose geometry indicates that fault displacement and the sedimentation rates kept pace. The upper lagoonal radarfacies is being deposited since 1060 ± 70 l4C years BP, under sedimentation rate higher than fault displacement rate. The results indicate that low frequency GPR surveys can help in investigating fault-related depositional systems in coastal zones. They also point to a new approach in dealing with RGSCP stratigraphy.

Weathering and accumulation of trace elements in the soils of the Porali Plain, Balochistan: repercussions in agriculture

This study is thefirst attempt to assess the nature of the soil,especially on the western side of the Porali Plain in Balochistan;a new emerging agriculture hub,using weathering and pollution indices supplemented by multi-variate analysis based on geochemical data.The outcomes of this study are expected to help farmers in soil manage-ment and selecting suitable crops for the region.Twenty-five soil samples were collected,mainly from the arable land of the Porali Plain.After drying and coning-quarter-ing,soil samples were analyzed for major and trace ele-ments using the XRF technique;sieving and hydrometric methods were employed for granulometric analysis.Esti-mated data were analyzed using Excel,SPSS,and Surfer software to calculate various indices,correlation matrix,and spatial distribution.The granulometric analysis showed that 76%of the samples belonged to loam types of soil,12%to sand type,and 8%to silt type.Weathering indices:CIA,CIW,PIA,PWI,WIP,CIX,and ICV were calculated to infer the level of alteration.These indices reflect mod-erate to intense weathering;supported by K_(2)O/AI_(2)O_(3),Rb/K_(2)O,Rb/Ti,and Rb/Sr ratios.Assessment of the geo-ac-cumulation and Nemerow Pollution indices pinpoint rela-tively high concentrations of Pb,Ni,and Cr concentration in the soils.The correlation matrix and Principal Compo-nent Analysis show that the soil in this study area is mainly derived from the weathering of igneous rocks of Bela Ophiolite(Cretaceous age)and Jurassic sedimentary rocks of Mor Range having SEDEX/MVT type mineralization.Weathering may result in the undesirable accumulation of certain trace elements which adversely affects crops.

Analysis on the turning point of dynamic in-plane compressive strength for a plain weave composite

Experimental investigations on dynamic in-plane compressive behavior of a plain weave composite were performed using the split Hopkinson pressure bar. A quantitative criterion for calculating the constant strain rate of composites was established. Then the upper limit of strain rate, restricted by stress equilibrium and constant loading rate, was rationally estimated and confirmed by tests. Within the achievable range of 0.001/s-895/s, it was found that the strength increased first and subsequently decreased as the strain rate increased. This feature was also reflected by the turning point(579/s) of the bilinear model for strength prediction. The transition in failure mechanism, from local opening damage to completely splitting destruction, was mainly responsible for such strain rate effects. And three major failure modes were summarized under microscopic observations: fiber fracture, inter-fiber fracture, and interface delamination. Finally, by introducing a nonlinear damage variable, a simplified ZWT model was developed to characterize the dynamic mechanical response. Excellent agreement was shown between the experimental and simulated results.

Improved simulation of winter wheat yield in North China Plain by using PRYM-Wheat integrated dry matter distribution coefficient

The accurate simulation of regional-scale winter wheat yield is important for national food security and the balance of grain supply and demand in China.Presently,most remote sensing process models use the“biomass×harvest index(HI)”method to simulate regional-scale winter wheat yield.However,spatiotemporal differences in HI contribute to inaccuracies in yield simulation at the regional scale.Time-series dry matter partition coefficients(Fr)can dynamically reflect the dry matter partition of winter wheat.In this study,Fr equations were fitted for each organ of winter wheat using site-scale data.These equations were then coupled into a process-based and remote sensingdriven crop yield model for wheat(PRYM-Wheat)to improve the regional simulation of winter wheat yield over the North China Plain(NCP).The improved PRYM-Wheat model integrated with the fitted Fr equations(PRYM-Wheat-Fr)was validated using data obtained from provincial yearbooks.A 3-year(2000-2002)averaged validation showed that PRYM-Wheat-Fr had a higher coefficient of determination(R^(2)=0.55)and lower root mean square error(RMSE=0.94 t ha^(-1))than PRYM-Wheat with a stable HI(abbreviated as PRYM-Wheat-HI),which had R^(2) and RMSE values of 0.30 and 1.62 t ha^(-1),respectively.The PRYM-Wheat-Fr model also performed better than PRYM-Wheat-HI for simulating yield in verification years(2013-2015).In conclusion,the PRYM-Wheat-Fr model exhibited a better accuracy than the original PRYM-Wheat model,making it a useful tool for the simulation of regional winter wheat yield.

New Rural Community Construction or Retention Development:A Comparative Analysis of Rural Settlement Transition Mechanism in Plain Agriculture Area of China Based on Actor Network Theory

It is an important way to realize rural revitalization and sustainable development to guide rural settlement transition(RST)in an appropriate way.This paper uses actor network theory(ANT)to construct a theoretical framework for the study of RST.Taking two typical villages with different transition paths in rural areas of North China Plain as examples,this paper reveals the mechanism of RST and makes a comparative analysis.The results show that:1)after identifying problems and obligatory passage point,key actors recruit heterogeneous actors into the actor network by entrusting them with common interests,and realize RST under the system operation.2)Rural settlements under different transition paths have similarities in the problems to be solved,collective actions and policy factors,but there are differences in the transition process,mechanism and effect.The actor network and mechanism of RST through the path of new rural community construction are more complex and the transition effect is more thorough.In contrast,the degree of RST of retention development path is limited if there is no resource and location advantage.3)Based on the applicable conditions of different paths,this paper designs a logical framework of‘Situation-Structure-Behavior-Result’to scientifically guide the identification of RST paths under the background of rural revitalization.

Integration of Multiple Spectral Data via a Logistic Regression Algorithm for Detection of Crop Residue Burned Areas:A Case Study of Songnen Plain,Northeast China

The burning of crop residues in fields is a significant global biomass burning activity which is a key element of the terrestrial carbon cycle,and an important source of atmospheric trace gasses and aerosols.Accurate estimation of cropland burned area is both crucial and challenging,especially for the small and fragmented burned scars in China.Here we developed an automated burned area mapping algorithm that was implemented using Sentinel-2 Multi Spectral Instrument(MSI)data and its effectiveness was tested taking Songnen Plain,Northeast China as a case using satellite image of 2020.We employed a logistic regression method for integrating multiple spectral data into a synthetic indicator,and compared the results with manually interpreted burned area reference maps and the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS)MCD64A1 burned area product.The overall accuracy of the single variable logistic regression was 77.38%to 86.90%and 73.47%to 97.14%for the 52TCQ and 51TYM cases,respectively.In comparison,the accuracy of the burned area map was improved to 87.14%and 98.33%for the 52TCQ and 51TYM cases,respectively by multiple variable logistic regression of Sentind-2 images.The balance of omission error and commission error was also improved.The integration of multiple spectral data combined with a logistic regression method proves to be effective for burned area detection,offering a highly automated process with an automatic threshold determination mechanism.This method exhibits excellent extensibility and flexibility taking the image tile as the operating unit.It is suitable for burned area detection at a regional scale and can also be implemented with other satellite data.

Translation Strategies of Red Tourism Terms in the Central Plains-Taking Red Central Plains as an Example

In recent years,the Red Tourism in Central Plains has gradually become a new type of thematic tourism form,which is an important carrier to carry out patriotism and revolutionary traditional education and carry forward the national spirit.The translation of red tourism publicity is an important window for spreading Chinese culture,and the translation of professional terms is an important link in the red tourism publicity.How to spread the red culture of the Central Plains,glow the charm of the Central Plains culture,enhance the influence of the Central Plains culture,and spread the Central Plains culture to the world has become the mission of every child of the Central Plains.This paper adopts the case analysis method,combined with the specific and typical cases in“Red Central Plains”,and uses different translation strategies and methods to explore the difficulties and solutions of the translation of terms in the red tourism text.

Soil Organic Carbon Stock Variation under Different Soil Types and Land Uses in the Sub-Humid Noun Plain, Western Cameroon

This study was conducted to assess the current stock of soil organic carbon under different agricultural land uses, soil types and soil depths in the Noun plain in western Cameroon. Three sites were selected for the study, namely Mangoum, Makeka and Fossang, representative of the three dominant soil types of the noun plain (Andosols, Acrisols and Ferralsols). Three land uses were selected per site including natural vegetation, agroforest and crop field. Soil was sampled at three depths;0 - 20 cm, 20 - 40 cm, and 40 - 60 cm. Analysis of variance showed that soil type did not significantly influence carbon storage, but rather land uses and soil depth. SOCS decreased significantly with depth in all the sites, with an average stock of 66.3 ± 15.8 tC/ha at 0 - 20 cm, compared to an average stock of 33.3 ± 7.4 tC/ha at 40 - 60 cm. SOCS was significantly highest in the natural formation with 57.2 ± 19.7 tC/ha, and lowest in cultivated fields, at 37.7 ± 10.6 tC/ha. Andosols, with their high content of coarse fragments, stored less organic carbon than Ferralsols and Acrisols.

Tensile Mechanical Behavior and Failure Mechanism of a Plain-Woven SiCf/SiC Composites at Room and Elevated Temperatures

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are the preferred materials for solving advanced aerospace high-temperature structural components;it has the comprehensive advantages of higher temperature (~1500˚C) and low density. In service environments, CMCs exhibit complex damage mechanisms and failure modes, which are affected by constituent materials, meso-architecture and inhere defects. In this paper, the in-plane tensile mechanical behavior of a plain-woven SiCf/SiC composite at room and elevated temperatures was investigated, and the factors affecting the tensile strength of the material were discussed in depth. The results show that the tensile modulus and strength of SiCf/SiC composites at high temperature are lower, but the fracture strain increases and the toughness of the composites is enhanced;the stitching holes significantly weaken the tensile strength of the material, resulting in the material is easy to break at the cross-section with stitching holes.

Modelling the crop yield gap with a remote sensing-based process model:A case study of winter wheat in the North China Plain

Understanding the spatial distribution of the crop yield gap(YG)is essential for improving crop yields.Recent studies have typically focused on the site scale,which may lead to considerable uncertainties when scaled to the regional scale.To mitigate this issue,this study used a process-based and remote sensing driven crop yield model for winter wheat(PRYM-Wheat),which was derived from the boreal ecosystem productivity simulator(BEPS),to simulate the YG of winter wheat in the North China Plain from 2015 to 2019.Yield validation based on statistical yield data revealed good performance of the PRYM-Wheat Model in simulating winter wheat actual yield(Ya).The distribution of Ya across the North China Plain showed great heterogeneity,decreasing from southeast to northwest.The remote sensing-estimated results show that the average YG of the study area was 6400.6 kg ha^(–1).The YG of Jiangsu Province was the largest,at7307.4 kg ha^(–1),while the YG of Anhui Province was the smallest,at 5842.1 kg ha^(–1).An analysis of the responses of YG to environmental factors showed no obvious correlation between YG and precipitation,but there was a weak negative correlation between YG and accumulated temperature.In addition,the YG was positively correlated with elevation.In general,studying the specific features of the YG can provide directions for increasing crop yields in the future.