Impact of climate change and human activities on the spatiotemporal dynamics of surface water area in Gansu Province, China

Understanding the dynamics of surface water area and their drivers is crucial for human survival and ecosystem stability in inland arid and semi-arid areas.This study took Gansu Province,China,a typical area with complex terrain and variable climate,as the research subject.Based on Google Earth Engine,we used Landsat data and the Open-surface Water Detection Method with Enhanced Impurity Control method to monitor the spatiotemporal dynamics of surface water area in Gansu Province from 1985 to 2022,and quantitatively analyzed the main causes of regional differences in surface water area.The findings revealed that surface water area in Gansu Province expanded by 406.88 km2 from 1985 to 2022.Seasonal surface water area exhibited significant fluctuations,while permanent surface water area showed a steady increase.Notably,terrestrial water storage exhibited a trend of first decreasing and then increasing,correlated with the dynamics of surface water area.Climate change and human activities jointly affected surface hydrological processes,with the impact of climate change being slightly higher than that of human activities.Spatially,climate change affected the'source'of surface water to a greater extent,while human activities tended to affect the'destination'of surface water.Challenges of surface water resources faced by inland arid and semi-arid areas like Gansu Province are multifaceted.Therefore,we summarized the surface hydrology patterns typical in inland arid and semi-arid areas and tailored surface water'supply-demand'balance strategies.The study not only sheds light on the dynamics of surface water area in Gansu Province,but also offers valuable insights for ecological protection and surface water resource management in inland arid and semi-arid areas facing water scarcity.

Study on the Forest Vegetation and Its Water and Soil Conservation Value in Fuxian Lake Drainage Area in Yunnan Province

By using French SPOT5 satellite remote sensing image to contrast on the spot,the forest vegetation in Fuxian Lake basin was categorized into 23 forest types,6 vegetation subtypes,5 vegetation types,and the areas were respectively calculated.The tree species structure and the coverage degree of every kind of forest vegetation were investigated,and the characteristics of forest vegetation were analyzed.The results showed that the soil conservation amount of forest in Fuxian Lake basin was 137.50×106 t/a,and the soil conservation value was 622.30×106 yuan/a.Moreover,the water source conservation value was 506.84×106 yuan/a.

Species- and Habitat-variability of Photosynthesis, Transpiration and Water Use Efficiency of Different Plant Species in Maowusu Sand Area

Photosynthesis ( P n ), transpiration ( E ) and water use efficiency ( WUE ) of more than 66 arid sand species from different environmental habitats, shifting sand dune, fixed sand dune, lowland and wetland in the Maowusu Sand Area were analyzed and the relation among these characteristics and the resource utilization efficiency, taxonomic categories and growth forms of the species were assessed. The results showed that species from Chenopodiaceae, Gramineae, Leguminosae which possessed the C 4 photosynthesis pathway, or C 3 pathway and also with nitrogen_fixation capacities had higher or the highest P n values, i.e., 20～30 μmol CO 2·m -2 ·s -1 , while that of evergreen shrub of Pinaceae had the lowest P n values, i.e., 0～5 μmol CO 2·m -2 ·s -1 . Those species from Compositae, Scrophulariaceae, and Gramineae with C 3 pathway but no N_fixation capacity had the highest E rates, i.e., 20～30 mmol H 2O·m -2 ·s -1 and again the evergreen shrub together with some species from Salicaceae and Compositae had the lowest E rates, i.e., 0～5 mmol H 2O·m -2 ·s -1 . Species from Leguminosae, Gramineae and Chenopodiaceae with C 4 pathway or C 3 pathway with N_fixation capacity, both shrubs and grasses, generally had higher WUE . However, even the physiological traits of the same species were habitat_ and season_specific. The values of both P n and E in late summer were much higher than those in early summer, with average increases of 26%, 40% respectively in the four habitats. WUE in late summer was, however, 12% lower. Generally, when the environments became drier as a result of habitats changed, i.e., in the order of wetland, lowland, fixed sand dune and shifting sand dune, P n and E decreased but WUE increased.

Effects of Combined Application of Water Retaining Agents and Organic Materials on Water Holding Characteristics of Yellow Brown Soils in Hilly Areas

[Objective] The aim was to reduce fertilizer and water losses caused by surface runoffs in rainy season and provide scientific references for soil moisture in arid season. [Method] The application proportion of complex water-holding organic materials was determined by multi-factor mixture experiment and the curve changes of soil moisture characters were tested to analyze water-holding capacity and water availability of soils. [Result] The initial moisture content of soil with different mixture proportions improved in varying degrees. For example, when water-retention agents reached 0.4% and 0.6% of soil weight, soil moisture contents were 69.0% and70.5%, respectively, which showed significant differences with the control（S0.0）. Soil dehydration terms in different treatments all extended, prolonging in the range of4.6-14 d. [Conclusion] The applications of water-retention agent and organic material would improve water-holding capacity of hills and low mountains, and initial moisture content and dehydration cycle tend to be volatile upon mixture proportion. Therefore,it is necessary to adjust soil fertility, crop species, and irrigation to meet crop demands on fertilizer and water.

Effect of Irrigation on Groundwater Dynamic Change in the Typical Irrigated Area of Qinghai Province

Under the influence of the natural and human factors, water table of irri- gated area Changes frequently, but it is mainly affected by irrigation water infiltration replenishment during the irrigation. 5 groundwater observation wells were constructed in experimental plot of the Daxia irrigated area to carry out the experiment of the effect of irrigation on groundwater dynamic change in this research. The results showed that the groundwater stage dynarnic change rule of spring and seedling irri- gation stage in the typical plot was fit to the hydrological geology condition of grade- I terrace of Huangshui river valley. On the whole, lateral canal water direction formed a line effect. The No. 1 and No. 2 observation well were the closest to the lateral canal, which received more supplies, and the water level was the highest; the No, 3 observation well took the second place; The No. 4 and No. 5 observation well accepted least supplies, and the water level was the lowest. The rangeability of water table of spring irrigation period was significantly higher than that of seedling irrigation period, this is mainly due to the difference value of intake water volume and drainage water volume of spring irrigation phase was significantly higher than the seedling irrigation phase.

Cause of over Water Quality Standard and Control Measures of State-controlled Sections in Northern Water-deficient Area of Jiangsu

Taking state-controlled section of Xuzhou Peiyan river as an example,the current water quality was monitored,and the cause of over water quality standard was analyzed.The results showed that the pollutants of Peiyan river were mainly from the urban river segment,and the immediate cause of over standard was tributary pollutants in urban river segment with the runoff into rivers.So we should strengthen the maintenance of drainage control and gate-han,accelerate the construction of urban wastewater treatment facilities and supporting pipe network,promote rural decentralized sewage treatment,prevent and control livestock and poultry pollution,pesticides and fertilizers pollution,and intercept non-point source pollution by using eco-technology.

Nitrate Nitrogen Content Characteristics in Groundwater of Typical Planting Areas in Liao River Basin

The contents of nitrate nitrogen（NO-3-N） in underground water from typical planting areas in Liao river basin were analyzed, so as to provide theoretical basis for rational fertilization and effectively prevent the NO-3-N content from exceeding standard. The results showed that difference of the contents of NO-3-N in groundwater from different typical planting areas was significant. The highest content of NO-3-N in underground water was 37.4 mg/L from flower-growing region, then 22. 3 mg/L from maize-growing region, 21.9 mg/L from vegetable-growing region, and the lowest content of NO-3-N in underground water was 19.2 mg/L from rice-growing region. Except rice-growing region, the contents of NO-3-N in underground water of the samples in all planting areas were exceeding standard limit; potential health risk still existed in rice-growing region. Accordingly 12.5%-87.5%, 9.4%-75.5%, 17.9%-58.9% and 21.4%-96.0% of the samples were exceeding standard limit in maize growing region, rice-growing region, vegetable-growing region and flower-growing region. The contents of NO-3-N in under-groundwater before the rainy season was higher than that of NO-3-N in under-groundwater after the rainy season at the same depth of the well.

Climate Characteristics in Three Gorges Reservoir Area after Water Storage and Its Impact on the Production Potential

Based on the meteorological data from 33 stations of Three Gorges Reservoir from 1960 to 2008,climate yield of rice,corn and winter wheat and the changes of climatic potential productivity after water storage in Three Gorges Reservoir were calculated by the dynamic statistic model of crop growth.The results showed that the temperature in Three Gorges Reservoir was fluctuant decreased before late 1980s,and warmed rapidly after the late 1980s.The precipitation had little change before the late 1990s and had a slight decrease after the late 1990s.Sunshine hours were more in 1960s and 1970s,and then it changed little after 1980s.After water storage,the temperature increased in Three Gorges Reservoir as a whole.The precipitation decreased in the south of Three Gorges Reservoir,while it increased in the northwest of Three Gorges Reservoir.The sunshine hours were reduced except that in the vicinity of Dianjiang.After water storage,climatic potential productivity of rice decreased in the northwest and the northeast,while it increased in the south of Three Gorges Reservoir.The climatic potential productivity of corn decreased in the northeast and the southwest,but increased in the rest of Three Gorges Reservoir.The climatic potential productivity of winter wheat increased almost in total.

Influential Factors of Water Productivity of Maize in Oasis of Arid Areas——A Case Study of Linze County

[Objective] The aim was to research influential factors of water productivity of maize in oasis in arid areas. [Method] In middle reach of Heihe River in Linze County of Zhangye City, maize, a major crop in irrigated area in the oasis, was studied and nine influential factors were chosen through grey relation analysis. [Result] According to grey relation analysis, top five factors influencing water produc- tivity of maize during 1995-2009 were as follows： applied quantity of chemical fertil- izers〉labour input〉seeds〉mulch amount〉pesticide amount, which indicated that controllable factors, instead of uncontrollable ones, dominate in influence of water productivity of maize in oasis in arid areas. [Conclusion] With water resource limited, investment of controllable factors in high-efficient agricultural production should be the major strategy to improve water productivity of maize in oasis of arid areas.

Study on Relative Soil and Water Conservation Benefits of Ridge Tillage in Different Terrain Conditions in the Black Soil Area of Northeast China

Ridge tillage, which is a very common and important tillage measure in the black soil area of northeast China, has some soil and water conservation bene- fits, but has little attention. It is very important to explore the spatial distribution of the ridge direction of the arable land and its soil and water conservation benefits in different terrain conditions in the black soil area. So Binxian County of Heilongjiang Province was selected as the study area, and 168 field investigation units were ex- tracted by stratified sampling method and investigated. According to equations of slope gradient factor and slope gradient in ridge direction, and based on the soft- ware of Arcmap, SPSS and Excel, the investigation data of soil and water loss in Binxian County were analyzed and counted, The results show that in plain, hilly and mountainous areas, the average ground slope gradients are 1.92°, 6.20° and 8.27° respectively, and the average slope gradients along ridge direction are 1.33°, 4.52°and 6.45° respectively, which account for about 70%, 73% and 78% of the average ground slope gradients in the same terrain condition; the relative quantities of soil erosion in the present ridge tillage condition account for about 55%, 69% and 67% respectively of that in down-slope ridge tillage conditions, so the present ridge tillage has obviously relative soil and water conservation benefits. Based on these results, the reasons of the present ridge tillage status were analyzed, and some reform measures were proposed. The results could not only help to comprehend the spatial distribution and soil and water conservation benefits of ridge tillage in the black soil area of Northeast China, but also provide scientific references for the layout of local soil and water conservation measures.

Improvement Design of Waterfront Landscape—With the Yellow River Scenic Area in Zhengzhou City as a Study Case

From the perspective of "human", this study focuses on the feeling of people in a certain region about the waterfront environment, by combining with theories in landscape architecture, environmental psychology and other interdisciplines, in view of present situation of waterfront landscapes in the Yellow River Scenic Area of Zhengzhou City, tries to find new approaches for waterfront landscape design and development based on landscape design principles and exploration of the human's nature of loving water and the interaction between tourists and waterfront landscapes.

Systematic Study on Semiotic Landscape Elements in Ancient Water Towns in South Yangtze River Area

Based on basic concepts of semiotics,component types of the semiotic landscape element system in ancient water towns in south Yangtze River area were analyzed as well as their roles in constructing the overall image of ancient water towns in this area,and their realistic significance in the present landscape construction in China was discussed.

Three-year Variations of Water, Energy and CO_2 Fluxes of Cropland and Degraded Grassland Surfaces in a Semi-arid Area of Northeastern China

Based on 3 years （2003-05） of the eddy covariance （EC） observations on degraded grassland and cropland surfaces in a semi-arid area of Tongyu （44°25′N, 122°52′E, 184 m a.s.1.）, Northeast China, seasonal and annual variations of water, energy and CO2 fluxes have been investigated. The soil moisture in the thin soil layer （at 0.05, 0.10 and 0.20 m） clearly indicates the pronounced annual wet-dry cycle; the annual cycle is divided into the wet （growing season） and dry seasons （non-growing season）. During the growing season （from May to September）, the sensible and latent heat fluxes showed a linear dependence on the global solar radiation. However, in the non-growing season, the latent heat flux was always less than 50 W m^-2, while the available energy was dissipated as sensible, rather than latent heat flux. During the growing season in 2003-05, the daily average sensible and latent heat fluxes were larger on the cropland surface than on the degraded grassland surface. The cropland ecosystem absorbed more CO2 than the degraded grassland ecosystem in the growing season in 2003-05. The total evapotranspiration on the cropland was more than the total precipitation, while the total evapotranspiration on the degraded grassland was almost the same as the total annual precipitation in the growing season. The soil moisture had a good correlation with the rainfall in the growing season. Precipitation in the growing season is an important factor on the water and carbon budget in the semi-arid area.

SALINE WATER INTRUSION AND ITS INFLUENCE IN THE LAIZHOU AREA

The current salinization of groundwater in the Laizhou area is controlled by three main factors:surge of the sea and inland residual seaweter seepage, original saline water deposited in marine sediment and excessive extraction of the coastal area groundwater. The saliniation of groundwater have obviously affected the local economy and human health.

Relationship of 2 100-2 300 nm Spectral Characteristics of Wheat Canopy to Leaf Area Index and Leaf N as Affected by Leaf Water Content

The effects of leaf water status in a wheat canopy on the accuracy of estimating leaf area index (LAI) and N were determined in this study using extracted spectral characteristics in the 2 000-2 300 nm region of the short wave infrared (SWI) band. A newly defined spectral index, relative adsorptive index in the 2000-2300 nm region (RAI2000-2300), which can be calculated by RAI2000-2300 = (R2224 - R2054) (R2224 + R2054)-1 with R being the reflectance at 2224 or 2054 nm, was utilized. This spectral index, RAI2000-2300, was significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with green LAI and leaf N concentration and proved to be potentially valuable for monitoring plant green LAI and leaf N at the field canopy scale. Moreover, plant LAI could be monitored more easily and more successfully than plant leaf N. The study also showed that leaf water had a strong masking effect on the 2 000-2 300 nm spectral characteristics and both the coefficient between RAI2000-2300 and green LAI and that between RAI2000-2300 and leaf N content decreased as leaf water content increased.

Connotation and principles of ecological compensation in water source reserve areas based on the theory of externality

Understanding the connotation and principles of ecological compensation in water source reserve areas is the basis and guarantee for establishing and improving the ecological compensation mechanism of water source reserve areas.First,this paper reviews the three stages of ecological compensation research progress.Based on the review,using the theory of externality,the ecological environment system of water source reserve areas is then analyzed.This paper argues that the connotation of ecological compensation in water source reserve areas is a kind of institutional arrangement,which is designed to internalize externalities.Finally,based on the understanding of the connotation of ecological compensation in water source reserve areas,five principles for establishing and improving the ecological compensation mechanism are proposed,including the principle of fairness and justice,the principle of equivalence of equality and responsibility,the principle of flexibility and effectiveness,the principle of "earmark funds,and implementation by law," and the principle of government compensation supplemented with market compensation.

GSPAC water movement in extremely dry area

Under an extremely arid condition,a PVC greenhouse was built on the top of Mogao Grottoes in gobi area.The results of 235-day constant extraction of condensed water on the greenhouse film and soil water content showed that 2.1 g/（m2·d） groundwater moved up and exported into the soil,and a phreatic water evaporation existed in the extreme dry area where the groundwater is buried deeper than 200 m.After a prolonged export,the soil water content in the greenhouse was not lower but obviously higher than the original control ones.According to the monitored parameters including relative humidity and absolute humidity of soil,and temperature outside and inside the greenhouse,it was found that there is the available condition and mechanism for the upward movement of groundwater,and also it can be sure that the exported water was not from the soil and atmosphere outside the greenhouse.Phreatic water,an important source for soil water,interacts with atmosphere moisture via soil respiration.Soil salinity also has important effects on soil water movement and spatial-temporal heterogeneity.The extremely dry climate,terrestrial heat and change of upper soil temperature are the fundamental driving forces of water transportation and phreatic water evaporation in the Groundwater-Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum（GSPAC） system.

Groundwater resources in karst area in Southern China and sustainable utilization pattern

Occurrence conditions of groundwater in southern karst area are complicated. The water-bearing media in the karst have multiplicity, and the groundwater is hosted in holes, gaps, seams, pipes and caves. The karst water shows heterogeneity where fast and slow flow coexist, and the Darcy and non-Darcy flow coexist, and the liquid flow, the gas flow and solid flow coexist. The evaluation and investigation indicates that the mineable resource of karst groundwater is about 53.44 billion m^3/y, and the current exploitation quantity is merely 6.565 billion m^3/year. The exploitation and utilization potential is gigantic. In the region there are altogether 2 763 karst subterranean rivers with a total length of 12 687 km. The dry season runoff volume equals to 47 billion m^3/year. At present the exploitation is only 10%. Four effective utilization models of karst groundwater resources have been put forward.(1) The karst hills-depression zone formed the surface-underground united reservoir. By digging tunnels, water diversion irrigation and generating electricity, the ecological economy is developed.(2) In the deep-cut peak cluster depression area, by using the high-part Epikarst spring and constructing the regulation and storage water tank, the stereo ecological agriculture is developed.(3) In the karst peak forest plain and hilly-gully area, the pump-type underground regulating reservoir is constructed and the water-saving ecological agriculture is strengthened.(4) In the fault basin region with the surrounding groundwater runoff belting beam backwater, the water resources are jointly controlled to develop a fruit crop base within the basin.

Effects of Land Management Practices on Soil Water in Southwestern Mountainous Area, China

The effects of selected land management practices （cross-sloping tillage, ridge culture, organic manure, and straw mulch） on soil water conservation in a southwestern mountainous area, China, were studied during November 2002 to November 2004. The experimental field is divided into three parts based on soil layer depths, 0-60 cm （part Ⅰ）, 0-40 cm （part Ⅱ）, and 0- 20 cm （part Ⅲ）, and they all had the same slope azimuth （SE）, slope （10°）, and slope type （linear）. The experimental plots were subjected to the following treatments： cross-sloping tillage （CST）; cross-sloping tillage with organic manure （CST/ OM）; cross-sloping tillage with straw mulch （CST/SM）; contour ridge culture （CRC）; contour ridge culture with organic manure （CRC/OM）; and contour ridge culture with straw mulch （CRC/SM）, to identify the effects of management practices on soil water. Water contents were determined for soil samples collected, using a 2.2 cm diameter manual probe. Soil water was monitored once every five days from Nov. 20, 2002 to Nov. 20, 2004. The results indicated that, in the study stages, an integration of rainfall, evaporative losses, and crop transcription controlled the basic tendencies of profile （mean） soil water, while land management practices, to a certain extent, only modified its amount, distribution, and routing. Moreover, these modifications also mainly focused on the first 20 cm depth of topsoil layer. When each management practice was compared with control treatment, season changes of profile （mean） soil water were pronounced, while interannual changes among them were not significant. More comparisons indicated that, in the study stages, contour ridge culture had better effects than cross-sloping tillage. And under the same tillage, the combination of organic manure could achieve more than straw mulch. These management practices should be recommended considering the effectiveness of soil and water management techniques in the southwestern mountainous area, China.

Spatiotemporal features of soil and water loss in Three Gorges Reservoir Area of Chongqing

Soil and water loss has been the most serious eco-environmental problem in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area of Chongqing.In this paper the authors studied the spatiotemporal features of soil and water loss from 1999 to 2004 based on RS and GIS techniques.The results showed that:(1) The soil and water loss area decreased from 1999 to 2004.(2) Soil and water loss mainly exists in purple soil,yellow soil,limestone soil,paddy soil and yellow brown soil distributed areas.(3) The dry slope land and sparse woodland that are intensively influenced by human activities experienced most serious soil and water loss.(4) Soil and water loss in the study area indicated an obvious vertical differentiation characteristic.(5) There is a significant correlation between soil and water loss and slope.(6) There is no obvious correlation between soil and water loss and aspect.(7) Soil and water loss mainly exists in the values of R between 300 and 340 distribution area.The very-high soil and water loss has obvious correlation with R.