Assessment of land degradation in Inner Mongolia between 2000 and 2020 based on remote sensing data

Achieving land degradation neutrality(LDN)worldwide is a significant target of the Sustainable Development Goal(SDG15.3).Inner Mongolia,as a typical dryland region in northern China,has carried out several large-scale ecological restoration programs to combat land degradation.However,there is a lack of comprehensive assess-ment of its land degradation situation after ecological programs implementation,which is of great significance to supporting SDG15.3 in China.This study analyzed the land degradation situation using the improved SDG15.3.1 calculation framework based on fine resolution data in Inner Mongolia from 2000 to 2020,and finally compre-hensively evaluated the land status of the whole region and those subject to ecological programs.The results show that net land restoration proportion of various ecological project regions and whole region continues to increase.The scope of the Grain for Green Program(GGP)had the largest proportion of net land restoration while the Natural Reserve Program(NRP)had the lowest proportion from 2000 to 2020.The net land restoration area of Inner Mongolia during 2000-2010 and 2010-2020 was 35,800 km 2 and 65,300 km 2,respectively.Overall,Inner Mongolia has achieved statistically zero growth in land degradation under the governance of ecological restora-tion programs.Therefore,reasonable planning,well monitoring,and timely assessment of ecological restoration programs are crucial to support SDG15.3.

Enhanced soil moisture improves vegetation growth in an arid grassland of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China

Climate change impacts on grasslands that cover a quarter of the global land area, have become unprecedented during the 21~(st) century. One of the important ecological realms, arid grasslands of northern China, which occupy more than 70% of the region's land area. However, the impact of climate change on vegetation growth in these arid grasslands is not consistent and lacks corresponding quantitative research. In this study, NDVI(normalized difference vegetation index) and climate factors including temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, soil moisture, and meteorological drought were analyzed to explore the determinants of changes in grassland greenness in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region(northern China) during 1982–2016. The results showed that grasslands in Inner Mongolia witnessed an obvious trend of seasonal greening during the study period. Two prominent climatic factors,precipitation and soil moisture accounted for approximately 33% and 27% of grassland NDVI trends in the region based on multiple linear regression and boosted regression tree methods. This finding highlights the impact of water constraints to vegetation growth in Inner Mongolia's grasslands. The dominant role of precipitation in regulating grassland NDVI trends in Inner Mongolia significantly weakened from 1982 to 1996, and the role of soil moisture strengthened after 1996. Our findings emphasize the enhanced importance of soil moisture in driving vegetation growth in arid grasslands of Inner Mongolia, which should be thoroughly investigated in the future.

Responses of vegetation yield to precipitation and reference evapotranspiration in a desert steppe in Inner Mongolia,China

Drought,which restricts the sustainable development of agriculture,ecological health,and social economy,is affected by a variety of factors.It is widely accepted that a single variable cannot fully reflect the characteristics of drought events.Studying precipitation,reference evapotranspiration(ET_(0)),and vegetation yield can derive information to help conserve water resources in grassland ecosystems in arid and semi-arid regions.In this study,the interactions of precipitation,ET_(0),and vegetation yield in Darhan Muminggan Joint Banner(DMJB),a desert steppe in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,China were explored using two-dimensional(2D)and three-dimensional(3D)joint distribution models.Three types of Copula functions were applied to quantitatively analyze the joint distribution probability of different combinations of precipitation,ET_(0),and vegetation yield.For the precipitation–ET_(0)dry–wet type,the 2D joint distribution probability with precipitation≤245.69 mm/a or ET_(0)≥959.20 mm/a in DMJB was approximately 0.60,while the joint distribution probability with precipitation≤245.69 mm/a and ET_(0)≥959.20 mm/a was approximately 0.20.Correspondingly,the joint return period that at least one of the two events(precipitation was dry or ET_(0)was wet)occurred was 2 a,and the co-occurrence return period that both events(precipitation was dry and ET_(0)was wet)occurred was 5 a.Under this condition,the interval between dry and wet events would be short,the water supply and demand were unbalanced,and the water demand of vegetation would not be met.In addition,when precipitation remained stable and ET_(0)increased,the 3D joint distribution probability that vegetation yield would decrease due to water shortage in the precipitation–ET_(0)dry–wet years could reach up to 0.60–0.70.In future work,irrigation activities and water allocation criteria need to be implemented to increase vegetation yield and the safety of water resources in the desert steppe of Inner Mongolia.

Spatial changes and driving factors of lake water quality in Inner Mongolia, China

Lakes play important roles in sustaining the ecosystem and economic development in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China,but the spatial patterns and driving mechanisms of water quality in lakes so far remain unclear.This study aimed to identify the spatial changes in water quality and the driving factors of seven lakes(Juyanhai Lake,Ulansuhai Lake,Hongjiannao Lake,Daihai Lake,Chagannaoer Lake,Hulun Lake,and Wulannuoer Lake)across the longitudinal axis(from the west to the east)of Inner Mongolia.Large-scale research was conducted using the comprehensive trophic level index(TLI(Σ)),multivariate statistics,and spatial analysis methods.The results showed that most lakes in Inner Mongolia were weakly alkaline.Total dissolved solids and salinity of lake water showed obvious zonation characteristics.Nitrogen and phosphorus were identified as the main pollutants in lakes,with high average concentrations of total nitrogen and total phosphorus being of 4.05 and 0.21 mg/L,respectively.The values of TLI(Σ)ranged from 49.14 to 71.77,indicating varying degrees of lake eutrophication,and phosphorus was the main driver of lake eutrophication.The lakes of Inner Mongolia could be categorized into lakes to the west of Daihai Lake and lakes to the east of Daihai Lake in terms of salinity and TLI(Σ).The salinity levels of lakes to the west of Daihai Lake exceeded those of lakes to the east of Daihai Lake,whereas the opposite trend was observed for lake trophic level.The intensity and mode of anthropogenic activities were the driving factors of the spatial patterns of lake water quality.It is recommended to control the impact of anthropogenic activities on the water quality of lakes in Inner Mongolia to improve lake ecological environment.These findings provide a more thorough understanding of the driving mechanism of the spatial patterns of water quality in lakes of Inner Mongolia,which can be used to develop strategies for lake ecosystem protection and water resources management in this region.

Unintentional Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Outbreak from 2 to 9 October 2019 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Carbon monoxide poisoning (COP) from 2 to 9 October 2019 was a major public health concern in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, after a transition from consumption of raw coal to upgraded briquette fuel. During the period, a total of 186 residents, which is 16 times more than the previous years, were exposed to COP and 6 persons died at home. We conduct a cross-sectional study by using registration data and medical history of all hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of COP from 2 to 9 October 2019 and had an in-depth interview. 144 (77.4%) people from 85 households registered as potential cases and 124 (86.1%) people were diagnosed with COP. All households used upgraded briquettes, and 41 households (48.2%) used them for the first time. In 50% of cases, the stove was broken, the chimney was short, not heated, and the clay joint connecting the wall stove was broken. The majority of interviewees were unaware of COP and improperly used briquettes, and the safety of chimneys and stoves was insufficient which caused unintentional COP. It is necessary to provide information to the local population about the potential risks of COP, install CO alarms in households, and educate the population. In further, a well-established poisoning surveillance system is an important aspect of public health emergency preparedness in Mongolia.

An Analysis of the Current State of Civil Society Participation in Ensuring the National Security of Mongolia

In this article, the researchers tried to evaluate the contribution of civil society to Mongolian democracy and the problems faced by civil society. In addition, the article aimed to determine the unique national criteria of Mongolian democracy and the need to create an organization to monitor the process of democracy. The process of identifying important documents and ideals for the development of Mongolian civil society today is still in its early stages. It can be said that the approval of the democratic constitution and the first free and fair parliamentary elections as a country that has newly and restored democracy became another impetus for the creation of a new type of citizen organization. It is characterized by trying to study the changes that have occurred since this historical period at the intersection of political science and security studies. One of the most important issues today is to find out how many non-governmental and civil society organizations exist in Mongolia today, which are Western-oriented, focused on specific issues, have their own position and opinion, are specialized, and are capable of influencing government policy. On the other hand, in this article, we emphasize whether non-governmental and civil society organizations, which aim to hold the government accountable, and carry out influence and control activities, are fully developed.

The Influence of Plant Diversity and Functional Composition on Ecosystem Stability of Four Stipa Communities in the Inner Mongolia Plateau

The main purpose of this study was to examine the effects of plant species diversity and functional composition (the identity of the plant functional groups) on ecosystem stability of Stipa, communities in the Inner Mongolia Plateau. The research work was based on a 12-year study (from 1984 to 1995) of species abundance, diversity, and primary productivity of four Stipa communities, i.e. S. baicalensis Roshev., S. grandis P. Smirn., S, krylovii Roshev., and S. klemenzii Roshev. respectively. The Shnnon-Wiener index was used as a measurement of plant diversity, while functional composition was used to differentiate the functional groups that were included in the communities. The plant species of four Stipa communities were classified into functional groups based on the differences in life forms and ecological groups, which influence their performance in resource requirements, seasonality of growth, tolerance to water stress, and life history. Plant species were classified into five functional groups based on their differences in life form, shrubs and half shrubs, perennial bunch grasses, perennial rhizome grasses, forbs, annuals and biennials. Based on their differences in water requirement these species were classified into four functional groups: xerads, intermediate xerads, intermediate mesophytes, and mesophytes. The results showed: 1) Plant species diversity stabilized ecosystem processes. Shannon-Wiener index were 2.401 4, 2.172 0, 1.624 8, 0.354 3 from S. baicalensis community to S. grandis, S. krylovii and S. klemenzii community, respectively. The dynamics of the aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) for a 12-year's period showed a reverse pattern, the coefficients of variation of the four communities were 21.94%, 20.63%, 29.21% and 39.72% respectively. 2) The Life form functional group component of diversity was a greater determinant of the ecosystem processes than the species component of diversity. The effects of perennial bunch grasses, perennial rhizome grasses and forbs on community stability were highly significant. 3) The ecological group component of diversity was also a great determinant of the ecosystem processes. The effects of xerads, intermediate xerads, and mesophytes on community stability were also very strong.

Temporal-spatial Changes in Inner Mongolian Grassland Degradation during Past Three Decades

[Objective] This study aimed to analyze the temporal-spatial variation of Inner Mongolian grassland degradation during past three decades. [Method] The dis- tribution characteristics of grassland were described by land use types supervised classification with TM/ETM. Then, temporal-spatial changes of grassland coverage were quantified by the mean of maximum vegetation coverage in last 30 years. Lastly, the grassland degradation reasons were explored through statistic analysis between the grassland coverage and precipitation, temperature and grazing intensity. [Result] The grassland degradation index of Inner Mongolia was increased from 1.38 to 1.68, and the smallest was 1.28 in 2005s. Grassland degradation and improve- ment were concurrent after 1980s, but grassland degradation was the major change trend for Inner Mongolia grassland. The area of grassland degradation was enlarged from 18.08×10^4 km2 in 1980s to 22.47×10^4 km2 in 2010s on the whole and distribu- tion range was shifted from central-eastern to west in Inner Mongolia that mainly distributed on Hulun Buir and Xilin Gol grassland in 1980s and Ordos and Alax grassland in 2010s. The grassland area of degradation had a rising trend form 1980s to 1995s, then reduced to 10.8x104 km2 in 2005s, and decreased in 2010s, which mainly speared in the west of Xilin Gol grassland. [Conclusion] Inner Mongo-lian grassland degradation were become more seriously in last 30 years because that temperature, precipitation and graze intensities change, which not performance on decreasing coverage but grassland areas.

Genetic Analysis on the Lambing Effects of Ewe Inner Mongolia Cashmere Goat

[Objective] The aim of this study was to explore the genetic law of litter size of Inner Mongolia Cashmere Goat.[Method] A total of 22 721 litter records from 3 044 mothers were statistically analyzed.[Result] As shown by the least square variance analysis,the sex,parity and birth type had significant effect on lamb birth weight.As indicated by restricted maximum likelihood method,the parity,population and maternal effect influenced litter size significantly.The birth weight heritability of single lamb,twins and total was 0.16,0.40 and 0.17,respectively.[Conclusion] The study provided a certain basis for the establishment of Inner Mongolia Cashmere Goat line with superior reproductive performance.

Storage of biomass and net primary productivity in desert shrubland of Artemisia ordosica on Ordos Plateau of Inner Mongolia, China

Biomass and net primary productivity （NPP） are two important parameters in determining ecosystem carbon pool and carbon sequestration. The biomass storage and NPP in desert shrubland of Artemisia ordosica on Ordos Plateau were investigated with method of harvesting standard size shrub in the growing season （June-October） of 2006. Results indicated that above- and belowground biomass of the same size shrubs showed no significant variation in the growing season （p〉0.1）, but annual biomass varied significantly （p〈 0.01）. In the A. ordosica community, shrub biomass storage was 699.76-1246.40 g.m^-2 and annual aboveground NPP was 224.09 g-m^-2·a^-1. Moreover, shrub biomass and NPP were closely related with shrub dimensions （cover and height） and could be well predicted by shrub volume using power regression.

Analysis of Heavy Metal Content in Food Crops Planted Along the Shaanxi Inner Mongolia Expressway

To understand the effect of the running of Shaanxi Inner Mongolia Expressway on food crops planted along the sides, we determined the heavy metal contents(Zn, Pb, Cu and Cb) in the digestion solutions of the root, stem and leaf from rice and corn. The results showed that highway promoted the accumulation of heavy metal elements in corn and rice. Compared with the CKs(crops produced where no highway extend), contents of heavy metal elements in two crops tested from two sampling sites were both over standard. This indicates that food crops planted within 100 m away from the highway are been polluted by heavy metals, which is directly related with the running of Shaanxi Inner Mongolia Expressway. Based on this, the areas within 100 m away from the highway are not suggested to cultivate food crops.

Relationships between bird communities and vegetation structure in Honghuaerji, northern Inner Mongolia

The survey on bird communities was conducted by the belt-style method in six different sample plots in the Honghua抏rji Forests area in the northern Inner Mongolia in June 2001 and totally 28 bird species were recorded. Vegetation investigation was carried out in five 10 m×10 m quadrats at each plot. The asymptotic regression function formulae were adopted to identify the relationships between the vegetation coverage and the numbers of bird species and individuals. The analytical results showed that the changes of species number and density of bird as well as the formation of bird communities follow the changes of forest type and the total foliage. Both the number of bird species and their density decreased with the de-crease of total foliage. The similarity of bird community was very low at the breeding time. In the same classification of cluster, no similarity was higher than 0.65, which indicated that the composition of species had a great difference between all the bird communities. The bird breeding density was closely related to forest growth stage. From the bare grassland ecosystem to cli-max ecosystem, the density of bird species showed a gradually increasing trend.

New ratite eggshell material from the Miocene of Inner Mongolia,China

Some Miocene ratite eggshell fragments from Gashunyinadege (about 17.5 Ma) and Baogedawula (7.11 ± 0.48 Ma), Inner Mongolia, China, are described. The outer surfaces of eggshell fragments from Gashunyinadege are smooth with a sting pore pattern, while their entire thickness is around 2.12 mm. In a cross-sectional view, the surface crystal layer is very thin and the ratio of cone layer to the those from Gashunyinadege, but seem much thinner and have a lower pore density. Both characteristics fit aepyornithid-type eggshells, implying that the distribution of aepyornithid-type eggshells can be extended to East Asia. The sediments at Gashunyinadege date to approximately 17.5 Ma, implying that the specimens from this locality are relatively early examples of aepyornithid-type eggshells. Aepyornithidtype eggshells seem to have appeared in Eurasia much earlier than struthionid-type eggshells. The faunal compositions in the two localities reflect gradual drying of the Mongolian plateau during the Miocene. A reduction in the number of pores 10 Ma ago, probably occurred in response to this drying process.

Preview of the No.1148 Ramsar Site on the Ordos upland of western Inner Mongolia

The Taolimiao-Alashan Nur (T-A Nur), of about 10 km2 a brackish lake located on the Ordos upland of western Inner Mongolia, northern China, used to

Interconnectivity in the Region of Eurasia:Mongolia’s Presence in the SCO(Shanghai Cooperation Organization)

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO)was formed in 2001 after breakdown of the socialist system and the Soviet Union as a new form of cooperation between former socialist countries in Eurasian region.Mongolia joined the SCO in 2005 with an observer member status.Since 2007,Presidents of Mongolia began to participate every year to the Summit of the heads of SCO member states.By the initiative of Mongolian President,in 2014 the tripartite format of the meetings of the leaders of three countries:Russia,China,and Mongolia were established.In June 2016,during the third meeting of the leaders of Russia,China,and Mongolia in Tashkent(Uzbekistan),“The Russia-China-Mongolia Economic Corridor Program”document was signed.This program is aiming to develop the infrastructure of three countries,ensuring the competitiveness of products on the world market,and strengthening the Eurasian integration.The content of this program is combining the main ideas of Chinese“Belt-Road”megaproject,Russian initiative for developing of Eurasian economic integration and Mongolian“Steppe Road”project.The main goal of the“Steppe Road”initiative is to involve Mongolia to become the transit territory for transportation of natural gas,oil,and other products between Russia and China.In conclusion,the author gives some comments regarding the issue of full membership status of Mongolia to the international organization—SCO.

The China and Mongolia Cultural Communication Status Quo and Development Trend in the Context of the Construction of the China–Mongolia–Russia Economic Corridor

As a part of the"The Belt and Road"initiative,the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor is a tailored mode of regional cooperation,combined with the construction of the Russia Eurasia Channel and the Mongolia Grassland Road.This paper analyses the Chinese and Mongolian cultural communication status quo and development trend in the Context of the construction of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor.It then proposes that the two countries make great efforts in following three aspects to create new prosperity for China-Mongolia cultural communication and cooperation:strengthening the folk cultural communication and cooperation by consolidating its folk communication basis,vigorously promoting folk cultural diplomacy and improving the level of folk cultural communications,and consolidating the existing cooperation and creating new cultural communication through this cooperation mechanism.

Survey data analysis of the related risk factors of echinococcosis in Inner Mongolia of China and Mongolia

Objective:The aim of the study is to analyze the risk factors of hepatic echinococcosis in mass epidemiological studies in Inner Mongolia of China and Mongolia and provide a basis for related authorities to make appropriate preventive measures.Methods:Eight areas in Inner Mongolia and Zamyn-Üüd region of Mongolia were selected as epidemiological fields.By distributing epidemiological questionnaires to local residents and performing serological examinations and abdominal ultrasound examinations,the data results were collected and analyzed to obtain the risk factors.Results:In this research,there were 7,373 cases of valid data in the area of Inner Mongolia and 1,500 cases in the area of Mongolia.The mean age of the whole survey samples was 52.86±13.90,and the ratio of the female(58.35%)was much higher than that of the male(41.65%).Both univariate analysis and multivariate analysis in this study showed that the female(14.7%)had a higher risk of hepatic echinococcosis than the male(10.9%).From the perspective of profession,children,educators and medical personnel had a lower incidence,herdsmen had the highest positive rate of the disease(15.8%).Living in pastoral areas,having been to pastoral areas,eating uncooked food and drinking unboiled water,raising dogs and surrounding activities of foxes and voles can also increase the risk of positivity.Conclusions:Our findings demonstrate that the most important risk factor of hepatic echinoccosis is unhealthy lifestyles and customs in farmers and herdsmen.It is possible to provide a basis for related authorities to make effective protective measures aiming at hepatic echinococcosis.

Analysis on Climate Change Features of East of Inner Mongolia in Recent 40 Years

The trend analysis method was adopted to study the spatial distribution and change trend of temperature,rain,rain days,extreme rain case and extreme temperature based on meteorology data of 48 ground stations in east of Inner Mongolia from 1951 to 2005.The results showed that temperature of east of Inner Mongolia was improving,and improving degree of extremely minimum temperature was higher than extremely maximum one.Rain of east of Hulunbuir and southwest of Chifeng was more markedly improving and was most markedly decreasing in Tongliao.Rain days were decreasing at majority area,while increasing at southwest,east and north of Hulunbuir.The one which was above 25 mm showed an increasing tendency.

Radiometric Dating of Ignimbrite from Inner Mongolia Provides no Indication of a Post-Middle Jurassic Age for the Daohugou Beds

Lacustrine deposits exposed at Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China, have yielded superbly preserved vertebrate fossils. The fossil beds were first misinterpreted as of Early Cretaceous age, based on alleged occurrences of key fossils of the Jehol Biota. Compelling evidence revealed by more rigorous research involving regional biostratigraphy, radiometric dating, and paleontology supports the Middle Jurassic age of the fossil beds. Despite the awesome evidence for the Middle Jurassic age of the Daohugou beds, the age dispute has been resurrected recently by invoking an overturned stratigraphic sequence. A careful review of the data, however, found no evidence that this sequence has been overturned. In addition, many of the assumptions, on which the conjecture of the fossil beds being post- Middle Jurassic is imprudently based, are self-contradictory or otherwise misleading. Thus, the post- Middle Jurassic age of the Daohugou beds as an unfounded conclusion can readily be dismissed.

Carboniferous-Permian Stratigraphy and Sedimentary Environment of Southeastern Inner Mongolia,China:Constraints on Final Closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean

In this paper we discuss the timing of final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean based on the field investigations of the Carboniferous-Permian stratigraphic sequences and sedimentary environments in southeastern Inner Mongolia combined with the geology of its neighboring areas. Studies show that during the Carboniferous-Permian in the eastern segment of the Tianshan-Hinggan Orogenic System, there was a giant ENE-NE-trending littoral-neritic to continental sedimentary basin, starting in the west from Ejinqi eastwards through southeastern Inner Mongolia into Jilin and Heilongjiang. The distribution of the Lower Carboniferous in the vast area is sparse. The Late Carboniferous or Permian volcanic-sedimentary rocks always unconformably overlie the Devonian or older units. The Upper Carboniferous-Middle Permian is dominated by llttoral-neritic deposits and the Upper Permian, by continental deposits. The Late Carboniferous-Permian has no trace of subduction-collision orogeny, implying the basin gradually disappeared by shrinking and shallowing. In addition, it is of interest to note that the Ondor Sum and Hegenshan ophiolitic melanges were formed in the pre-Late Silurian and pre-Late Devonian respectively, and the Solonker ophiolitic melange formed in the pre-Late Carboniferous. All the evidence indicates that the eastern segment of the Paleo-Asian Ocean had closed before the Late Carboniferous, and most likely before the latest Devonian （Famennian）.