Establishing eutrophication assessment standards for four lake regions, China

The trophic status assessment of lakes in different lake regions may provide important and fundamental information for lake trophic state classification and eutrophication control. In this study, a region-specific lake eutrophication assessment standard was established through a frequency distribution method based on chlorophyll-a concentration. The assessment standards under the oligotrophic state for lakes in the Eastern plain, Yungui Plateau, Northeast Plain and Mountain Mongolia-Xinjiang regions are total phosphorus of 0.068, 0.005, 0.011, 0.005 mg/L; total nitrogen of 1.00, 0.16, 0.37, 0.60 mg/L; Secchi depth of 0.60, 8.00, 1.55, 3.00 m; and CODMn of 2.24, 1.00, 5.1 l, 4.00 mg/L, respectively. Moreover, a region-specific comprehensive trophic level index was developed to provide an understandable assessment method for the public. The results indicated that the frequency distribution analysis based on chlorophyll-a combined with trophic level index provided a useful metric for the assessment of the lake trophic status. In addition, the difference of eutrophication assessment standards in different lake regions was analyzed, which suggested that the sensitivities of algae to nutrients and the assessment standard of trophic status possessed significant regional differences for the four lake ecoregions. Lake eutrophication assessment standards would contribute to maximizing the effectiveness of future management strategies, to control and minimize lake eutrophication problems.

Tracing the Provenance of the Huguangyan Maar Lake Sediments in Coastal Regions of South China

The Huguangyan Maar Lake（HML）（21°9＇N,110°17＇E）,situated on the Leizhou Peninsula in the southernmost of China's Mainland,is the deepest recent crater lake among the identified volcanic structures in the Leiqiong Volcanic Field.The bi-lobate lake.

Study on Regionalization of High Efficiency Eco-agriculture in Eco-economic Zone of Poyang Lake

The high efficient eco-agricultural zone in Eco-economic Region of Poyang Lake was divided into three different areas. 12 indicators including per capita cultivated land,forest coverage,comprehensive utilization rate of straw,the ratio of the effective irrigation area to the arable land,amount of pesticide usage per unit area of arable land,the output value ratio of planting industry,the output value ratio of forestry and fruit industry,the output value ratio of stock farming,the output value ratio of fishery,the proportion of sown area of crop,proportion of sown area of oil plants and the proportion of sown area of vegetable were screened to construct the indicator system of regionalization of high efficient eco-agriculture. The average index values of the high efficient eco-agricultural regionalization of three regions were obtained,the development direction of the efficient eco-agriculture construction of three areas were analyzed according to the natural resources characteristics f eco-agricultural and requirements of high efficient eco-agricultural development of the regions.

Assessment of Nitrogen Pollutant Sources in Surface Waters of Taihu Lake Region

The nitrogen （N） pollution status of the 12 most important rivers in Changshu, Taihu Lake region was investigated. Water samples were collected from depths of 0.5-1.0 m with the aid of the global positioning system （GPS）. The seasonal variations in the concentrations of different N components in the rivers were measured. Using tension-free monolith lysimeters and ^15N-labeled fertilizer, field experiments were carried out in this region to determine variations of iSN abundance of NO3^- in the leachate during the rice and wheat growing seasons, respectively. Results showed that the main source of N pollution of surface waters in the Taihu Lake region was not the N fertilizer applied in the farmland but the urban domestic sewage and rural human and animal excreta directly discharged into the water bodies without treatment. Atmospheric dry and wet N deposition was another evident source of N pollutant of the surface waters. In conclusion, it would not be correct to attribute the N applied to farmlands as the source of N pollution of the surface waters in this region.

Residual Levels and New Inputs of Chlorinated POPs in Agricultural Soils from Taihu Lake Region

Selected persistent organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), including 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) and its principal metabolites 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)e- thane (DDD), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and its isomers (α-,β-, γ-, and δ-HCH), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), endo- sulfan, dieldrin, and endrin were quantified to determine current levels of organochlorine pesticides, to assess the eco- toxicological potential, and to distin…

Beta-Glucosidase Activity in Paddy Soils of the Taihu Lake Region, China

The profile distribution of β-gulcosidase activity in twelve typical paddy soil profiles with high productivity in the Taihu Lake region of China were investigated. Activities of β-gulcosidase in the plow layers were in the range of 52.68- 137.02μg PNP g^-1 soil h^-1 with a mean of 89.22μg PNP g^-1 soil h^-1. However, most plow layers ranged from 70 to 110 μg PNP g^-1 soil h^-1. The profile distribution of β-gulcosidase activity in the 12 soil profiles decreased rapidly with soil depth, with activity at the 60 cm depth only about 10% of that in the surface layers （0-15 cm or 0-20 cm）. In these soil profiles, β-gulcosidase activity was significantly positively correlated with soll organic carbon and arylsulphatase activity. Meanwhile, a significantly negative correlation was shown between β-gulcosidase activity and soil pH.

Farmers＇ vulnerability to flood risk： A case study in the Poyang Lake Region

This paper quantitatively explores farmers＇ vulnerability to flood in the Poyang Lake Region （PLR） with the supports of GIS spatial functions. The analysis consists of three major steps, which is based on the spatial unit of township. Firstly, the spatial extent and characteristics of flood risk areas were determined using a digital elevation model （DEM） derived from the 1：50,000 topographic map. Secondly, for each of the township, six indices indicating the economic activities of local farmers were calculated. These indices are： rural population proportion, cultivated land proportion, GDP per unit area, employment proportion of primary industry, net rural income per capita and agricultural income proportion. These six indices were then normalized and used for later vulnerability assessment. Thirdly, the normalized indices （as GIS data layers） were overlaid with the flood risk areas to produce the risk coefficient for each township and to calculate the overall vulnerability for each township. The analysis results show that in the PLR there are high flood risk areas where the farmers＇ livings are seriously influenced or threatened. About 55.56% of the total 180 townships in the flood risk areas have a high degree of flood vulnerability. The townships under flood risk are mainly distributed in the areas around the Poyang Lake and the areas along the ＂five rivers＂.

Groundwater contributions in water-salt balances of the lakes in the Badain Jaran Desert,China

Groundwater-fed lakes are essential for the ecology in arid and semiarid regions.As a typical arid region,the Badain Jaran Desert （BJD） is famous in the world for the presence of a large number of groundwater-fed saline lakes among the mega dunes.Based on the up to date geological surveys and observations,this study analyzed the groundwater contributions in water-salt balances of the lakes in the desert.We found different types of springs,including the sublacustrine springs that indicate an upward flow of groundwater under the lakebed.A simplified water balance model was developed to analyze the seasonal variations of water level in the Sumu Barun Jaran Lake,which revealed an approximately steady groundwater discharge in the lake and explained why the amplitude of seasonal changes in lake level is less than 0.5 m.In addition,a salt balance model was developed to evaluate the salt accumulations in the groundwater-fed lakes.The relative salt accumulation time is 800–7,000 years in typical saline lakes,which were estimated from the concentration of Cl-,indicating a long history evolution for the lakes in the BJD.Further researches are recommended to provide comprehensive investigations on the interactions between the lakes and groundwater in the BJD.

Research on the Variation of Population Distribution and Its Characteristics Based on Spatial Autocorrelation Method: A Case Study of Poyang Lake Region in Jiangxi Province

According to Statistical Yearbook of Jiangxi Province(2001～2006),We analyze the time-space variation of population distribution of Poyang Lake region from the two points of view.The former is quality of population,which involves culture structure,occupational structure,age structure and sex structure of population.The latter is quantity of population,which only involves the amount of population.Furthermore,we can reveal the internal relations and action mechanism of variation of population distribution by analyzing the regional economic development,population urbanization,land use and ecological landscape of Poyang Lake region.It is important to provide help for region planning,ecological landscape planning and environmental protection by correct understanding the man-land relationship of natural-human ecosystem in Poyang Lake region.

Research Progresses on Diversity of Quality Traits of Rice Landraces in Taihu Lake Region

It has a long history of rice cultivating in Taihu Lake region, with abounds rice landraces resources. The research on the genetic diversity of rice landraces resources can provide some reference for the protection and utilization of high-quality germplasm resources and breeding of new varieties. In this study, we reviewed the concepts of genetic diversity, research methods, genetic diversity of quality traits of rice landraces in Taihu Lake region and summarized the relevant utilization value of the rice landraces from Taihu Lake region.

Phosphorus losses via surface runoff in rice-wheat cropping systems as impacted by rainfall regimes and fertilizer applications

Phosphorus（P） losses from agricultural soils contribute to eutrophication of surface waters. This field plot study investigated effects of rainfall regimes and P applications on P loss by surface runoff from rice（Oryza sativa L.） and wheat（Triticum aestivum L.） cropping systems in Lake Taihu region, China. The study was conducted on two types of paddy soils（Hydromorphic at Anzhen site, Wuxi City, and Degleyed at Xinzhuang site, Changshu City, Jiangsu Province） with different P status, and it covered 3 years with low, high and normal rainfall regimes. Four rates of mineral P fertilizer, i.e., no P（control）, 30 kg P ha^（–1） for rice and 20 kg P ha^（–1） for wheat（P_（30＋20））, 75 plus 40（P_（75＋40））, and 150 plus 80（P_（150＋80））, were applied as treatments. Runoff water from individual plots and runoff events was recorded and analyzed for total P and dissolved reactive P concentrations. Losses of total P and dissolved reactive P significantly increased with rainfall depth and P rates（P〈0.0001）. Annual total P losses ranged from 0.36–0.92 kg ha^–1 in control to 1.13–4.67 kg ha^–1 in P150＋80 at Anzhen, and correspondingly from 0.36–0.48 kg h^–1 to 1.26–1.88 kg ha^–1 at Xinzhuang, with 16–49% of total P as dissolved reactive P. In particular, large amounts of P were lost during heavy rainfall events that occurred shortly after P applications at Anzhen. On average of all P treatments, rice growing season constituted 37–86% of annual total P loss at Anzhen and 28–44% of that at Xinzhuang. In both crop seasons, P concentrations peaked in the first runoff events and decreased with time. During rice growing season, runoff P concentrations positively correlated（P〈0.0001） with P concentrations in field ponding water that was intentionally enclosed by construction of field bund. The relative high P loss during wheat growing season at Xinzhuang was due to high soil P status. In conclusion, P should be applied at rates balancing crop removal（20–30 kg P ha^–1 in this study） and at time excluding heavy rains. Moreover, irrigation and drainage water should be appropriately managed to reduce runoff P losses from rice-wheat cropping systems.

Eden in the Xinjiang Mountains

Nature's greatest splendors are often secreted in the remotest of spots. This is certainly true of Kanas Lake, deep in the Altay Mountains of northern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This area of sublime, and as yet unsullied, natural beauty is home to 2,000 people of the Tuwa ethnic minority. The ancestry of these herder-hunters is unclear. Certain anthropologists believe that they are descended from Genghis Khan's "Mongol hordes" that swept through on their 13th century rampage of Central Asia and Europe. Others argue that they are the posterity of Siberian migrants, and cousins to the Tuvan people of Russia.

Changes in rice cropping systems in the Poyang Lake Region, China during 2004-2010

Rice cropping systems not only characterize comprehensive utilization intensity of agricultural resources but also serve as the basis to enhance the provision services of agro-ecosystems. Yet, it is always affected by external factors, like agricultural policies. Since 2004, seven consecutive No.1 Central Documents issued by the Central Government have focused on agricultural development in China. So far, few studies have investigated the effects of these policies on the rice cropping systems. In this study, based upon the long-term field survey information on paddy rice fields, we proposed a method to discriminate the rice cropping systems with Landsat data and quantified the spatial variations of rice cropping systems in the Poyang Lake Region （PLR）, China. The results revealed that： （1） from 2004 to 2010, the decrement of paddy rice field was 46.76 km2 due to the land use change. （2） The temporal dynamics of NDVI derived from Landsat historical images could well characterize the temporal development of paddy rice fields. NDVI curves of single cropping rice fields showed one peak, while NDVI curves of double cropping rice fields displayed two peaks annually. NDVI of fallow field fluctuated between 0.15 and 0.40. NDVI of the flooded field during the transplanting period was relatively low, about 0.20±0.05, while NDVI during the period of panicle initiation to heading reached the highest level （above 0.80）. Then, several temporal windows were determined based upon the NDVI variations of different rice cropping systems. （3） With the spatial pattern of paddy rice field and the NDVI threshold within optimum temporal windows, the spatial variation of rice cropping systems was very obvious, with an increased multiple cropping index of rice about 20.2% from 2004 to 2010. The result indicates that agricultural policies have greatly enhanced the food provision services in the PLR, China.

Farmer-based Rice Cropping Systems in the Poyang Lake Region, China: Analysis of Characteristics and Policy Implications

This paper examines the spatial characteristics of farmer/household behaviors in regional rice cropping systems(RCS), and the results provide necessary information for developing strategies that will maintain regional food security. Through field study and statistical analysis based on 402 households questionnaires finished in 2014-2015 in the Poyang Lake Region(PLR) of China, we arrived at two main conclusions. First, single-and double cropping rice were found across the study area, but showed a general distribution trend, with double cropping rice in the southeast part(especially in Jinxian county) and single cropping rice in the northwest(particularly in De’an county). Second, the household decisions concerning RCS varied in different parts of the PLR, but double cropping was the dominant type, with about 63.57% of the respondent households in the PLR cultivating double cropping rice. However, the multiple-cropping index of paddy rice was only 1.55. About 3% of interviewed households had altered their RCS during this period. Based on these findings, the local governments should guide farmers’ paddy field cultivation behaviors by increasing the comparative efficiency of rice production, promoting appropriate scale operations and land conversion, as well as optimizing rice growing conditions to improve the multiple cropping index and enhance food provision. Finally, land-use efficiency and more sustainable use of land resources should be improved.

A COUPLED 1-D AND 2-D CHANNEL NETWORK MATHEMATICAL MODEL USED FOR FLOW CALCULATIONS IN THE MIDDLE REACHES OF THE YANGTZE RIVER

A coupled one-dimensional （1-D） and two-dimensional （2-D） channel network mathematical model is proposed for flow calculations at nodes in a channel network system in this article. For the 1-D model, the finite difference method is used to discretize the Saint-Venant equations in all channels of a looped network. The Alternating Direction Implicit （ADI） method is adopted for the 2-D model at the nodes. In the coupled model, the 1-D model provides a good approximation with small computational effort, while the 2-D model is applied for complex topography to achieve a high accuracy. An Artificial Neural Network （ANN.） method is used for the data exchange and the connectivity between the 1-D and 2-D models. The coupled model is applied to the Jingjiang-Dongting Lake region, to simulate the tremendous looped channel network system, and the results are compared with field data. The good agreement shows that the coupled hydraulic model is more effective than the conventional 1-D model.

Radial variations in xylem sap flux in a temperate red pine plantation forest

Background:Scaling sap flux measurements to whole-tree water use or stand-level transpiration is often done using measurements conducted at a single point in the sapwood of the tree and has the potential to cause significant errors.Previous studies have shown that much of this uncertainty is related to(i)measurement of sapwood area and(ii)variations in sap flow at different depths within the tree sapwood.Results:This study measured sap flux density at three depth intervals in the sapwood of 88-year-old red pine(Pinus resinosa)trees to more accurately estimate water-use at the tree-and stand-level in a plantation forest near Lake Erie in Southern Ontario,Canada.Results showed that most of the water transport(65%)occurred in the outermost sapwood,while only 26%and 9%of water was transported in the middle and innermost depths of sapwood,respectively.Conclusions:These results suggest that failing to consider radial variations in sap flux density within trees can lead to an overestimation of transpiration by as much as 81%,which may cause large uncertainties in water budgets at the ecosystem and catchment scale.This study will help to improve our understanding of water use dynamics and reduce uncertainties in sap flow measurements in the temperate pine forest ecosystems in the Great Lakes region and help in protecting these forests in the face of climate change.

Using Weights of Evidence in the Spatial Relation Between Infected Snails and Geographic Factors

Schistosomiasis is a serious public health problem in the middle-lower Yangtze River Basin in China. Study of spatial variation of snail distribution that is related to microgeographic factors can help to choose pertinent measures for snail extinguishment and environment rebuilding. This paper studied the theoretical architecture of weights-of-evidence approach. The case study was made for spatial relation between the occurrence of infected snails and geographic factor combinations in Waijiazhou marshland of Poyang Lake region in China. The multievidence data came from the geographical factor combinations by crossing operation of vegetation coverage grade layer, cattle route distance grade layer, and special environment layer (181 combinations in total) in GIS. The calculation of weight contrast index shows that high vegetation coverage, cattle route distance of <45 meters, and special geographic factor "ground depression" had direct spatial relation with the occurrence of infected snails. The verification by crossing operation in GIS indicated 72.45% of the infected snails concentrated on the areas of positive weight contrast index (sequenced in an order of weight contrast index from high to low), demonstrating the high efficiency of the model established in finding infected snails according to the geographic factor combinations that can be explicitly discerned in the study area.

Effects of variable retention harvesting on canopy transpiration in a red pine plantation forest

Background:Variable Retention Harvesting(VRH)is a forest management practice applied to enhance forest growth,improve biodiversity,preserve ecosystem function and provide economic revenue from harvested timber.There are many different forms and compositions in which VRH is applied in forest ecosystems.In this study,the impacts of four different VRH treatments on transpiration were evaluated in an 83-year-old red pine(Pinus Pinus resinosa)plantation forest in the Great Lakes region in Canada.These VRH treatments included 55%aggregated crown retention(55A),55%dispersed crown retention(55D),33%aggregated crown retention(33A),33%dispersed crown retention(33D)and unharvested control(CN)plot.These VRH treatments were implemented in 1-ha plots in the winter of 2014,while sap flow measurements were conducted from 2018 to 2020.Results:Study results showed that tree-level transpiration was highest among trees in the 55D treatment,followed by 33D,55A,33A and CN plots.We found that photosynthetically active radiation(PAR)and vapor pressure deficit(VPD)were major controls or drivers of transpiration in all VRH treatments.Our study suggests that dispersed or distributed retention of 55%basal area(55D)is the ideal forest management technique to enhance transpiration and forest growth.Conclusions:This study will help researchers,forest managers and decision-makers to improve their understanding of water cycling in forest ecosystem and adopt the best forest management regimes to enhance forest growth,health and resiliency to climate change.

Spatiotemporal analysis of land use/cover changes in Nanchang area, China

Based on remote sensing and Geographic Information System techniques,multi-temporal Landsat data were used to monitor land use/cover changes(LUCC)in the Nanchang area during 1989–2010.Quantitative and spatiotemporal indicators derived from the transition matrix for overall changes,intensity analysis for inter-category transitions,and spatiotemporal analysis of intra-category variations were constructed to analyze the spatiotemporal LUCC evolution.The study results show that urban and industrial land rapidly and continually expanded.The spatial extent of rural settlements shrunk while their distribution density increased.Cultivated land showed a tendency of spatially continuous loss and fragmented distribution,whereas the spatial pattern of forest tended to concentrate.The extents of ponds and reservoirs remained stable,but spatial changes were obvious.Rivers and bottomlands decreased significantly and tended toward fragmentation.The overall LUCC pattern showed that construction land rapidly sprawled while cultivated land decreased substantially,indicating an acceler-ating stage of urbanization and industrialization.Although rigid land requirements for urbanization had to be satisfied,land development and consolidation across forests and water body areas,as well as adjustment of agricultural structure,laid the foundation for a transition toward intensive land use in the Nanchang area.