Interactive Effect and Spatial Characteristics of Agricultural Development Level and Transport Superiority Degree in Main Grain-producing Areas of the Central Jilin Province,China

To investigate the spatial synergy between agricultural development level and transport superiority degree in grain-producing areas of the central Jilin Province and the driving mechanism between them,22 counties in the central Jilin Province were used as the research units to calculate agricultural development level and transport superiority degree using the entropy weighting method,weighted travel time and raster cost distance.The spatial econometric model was used to analyze the mechanism of the mutual influence between the two.The main conclusions are as follows.1)Agricultural development level around Changchun,the provincial capital city,and in the areas of Changchun-Jilin and Changchun-Gongzhuling is high,whereas the development level of the counties in the southwest is low.2)Transport superiority degree of each county has improved,the overall connectivity of the road networks has been optimized,and the level of transportation accessibility has shown the development trend of‘centralization’,exhibiting the characteristics of proximity diffusion.3)Locally,there is spatial heterogeneity in the mutual driving effects of the two,with six main patterns.4)The theoretical conditions of von Thunen’s agricultural location have changed under the conditions of market economy due to the improvement of the transport networks,the new model of agricultural development,and the changes of the market system.

Measurement of Grain Production Efficiency in Main Grain-producing Areas and Analysis of Inter-provincial Differences--A Study Based on Super-SBM Model and Malmquist Index

China's food security mainly depends on the core areas of food production.Under the dual constraints of resource scarcity and environmental degradation,improving the grain production efficiency of the main grain-producing areas has become the fundamental way to strengthen the grain production capacity and improve the national food security capability,and to improve the efficiency of grain production in major grain-producing areas requires empirical support.This paper used the Super SBM model and the Malmquist index to measure the grain production efficiency of the main grain-producing areas from 2001 to 2020 from both static and dynamic perspectives,and compared the differences in grain production efficiency among different soil types and different provinces(autonomous regions)in the main grain-producing areas.The results showed that from 2001 to 2020,the grain production in the main grain-producing areas was in a relatively ineffective state,and the differences in grain production efficiency among different soil types and different provinces(autonomous regions)in the main grain-producing areas were obvious.The order of grain production efficiency in different soil types was black soil region>red-yellow soil region>paddy soil region>fluvo-aquic soil region,and the order of grain production efficiency of the provinces(autonomous regions)in the main grain-producing areas was Jilin>Heilongjiang>Inner Mongolia>Jiangxi>Hunan>Sichuan>Hubei>Jiangsu>Liaoning>Henan>Anhui>Shandong>Hebei.From 2001 to 2020,the total factor productivity of grain in the main grain-producing areas increased,but due to the trade-off between the technological progress and the growth of technical efficiency,the increase in the total factor productivity of grain in the main grain-producing areas was small,and the growth mainly came from the increase of input factors in this period.The total factor productivity of grain in Hebei,Heilongjiang,Liaoning,Jilin,Inner Mongolia,Shandong,Jiangsu,Henan and Anhui increased,but the increase was small,while the total factor productivity of grain in Jiangxi,Sichuan,Hunan and Hubei provinces declined.

Variation Character of Grain Yield per Unit Area in Main Grain-producing Area of Northeast China

Based on the surveys and the statistic data during 1980-2003, the variation character of grain yield per unit area in Northeast China and its main factors have been discussed by the methods of statistics and grey correlation analysis. The results show that: 1) the grain yield per unit area has been taking on an increasing trend in the recent 20 years. It increased from 2519.80kg/ha in 1980 to 4216.11kg/ha in 2003, with an increasing rate of 67.32%; 2) the variation of grain yield per unit area is considerably prominent and its range is also very great, with the maximal increase rate of 42.59% and maximal decrease rate of 21.13%, respectively, which are far above the whole Chinese average level; 3) the variation of main crops' yield per unit area is remarkable, which takes on the character that the yield of corn is much higher than that of soybean and rice; and 4) the grey correlation analysis shows that the most important factors impacting the variation of grain yield per unit area are the total power of agricultural machinery, the consumption of chemical fertilizer and effective irrigated area. However, the influence of natural disaster and income level should not be ignored. Effective ways to improve grain yield per unit area are to construct farmland improvement groundwork, reclaim the middle- and low-yield farmland, etc.

Continental reconstruction and metallogeny of the Circum-Junggar areas and termination of the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Continental reconstructions in Central Asia are represented by orogenesis along some large orogenic belts in the Altaid collage （Fig. 1 ） or Central Asian Orogenic Belt （CAOB）, which separate the East European and Siberian cratons to the north from the Tarim and North China cratons to the south （$eng0r et al,, 1993; Jahn et al., 2004; Windley et al., 2007; Qu et al., 2008; Xiao et al., 2010; Xiao and Santosh, 2014）. The Altaid Collage was characterized by complex long tectonic and structural evolution from at least ca. 1.0 Ga to late Paleozoic-early Mesozoic with considerable continental growth （Khain et al., 2002; Jahn et al., 2004; Xiao et al., 2009, 2014; KrOner et al., 2014）, followed by Cenozoic intracontinental evolution related to far-field effect of the collision of the In- dian Plate to the Eurasian Accompanying with these complex world-class ore deposits developed 2001; Goldfarb et al., 2003, 2014）. Plate （Cunningham, 2005）. geodynamic evolutions, many （Qin, 2000; Yakubchuk et al,2001; Goldfarb et al., 2003, 2014）.

Central nervous injury risk factors after endovascular repair of a thoracic aortic aneurysm with type B aortic dissection

Aortic dissection is the deadliest disease of the cardiovascular system.Type B aortic dissection accounts for 30%-60%of aortic dissections and is mainly treated by endovascular repair of thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair(TEVAR).However,patients are prone to various complications after surgery,with central nervous system injury being the most common,which seriously affects their prognosis and increases the risk of disability and death.Therefore,exploring the risk factors of central nervous system injury after TEVAR can provide a basis for its prevention and control.AIM To investigate the risk factors for central nervous system injury after the repair of a thoracic endovascular aneurysm with type B aortic dissection.METHODS We enrolled 306 patients with type B aortic dissection who underwent TEVAR at our hospital between December 2019 and October 2022.The patients were categorized into injury(n=159)and non-injury(n=147)groups based on central nervous system injury following surgery.The risk factors for central nervous system injury after TEVAR for type B aortic dissection were screened by comparing the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed.RESULTS The Association between age,history of hypertension,blood pH value,surgery,mechanical ventilation,intensive care unit stay,postoperative recovery times on the first day after surgery,and arterial partial pressure of oxygen on the first day after surgery differed substantially(P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age,surgery time,history of hypertension,duration of mechanical ventilation,and intensive care unit stay were independent risk factors for central nervous system injury after TEVAR of type B aortic dissection(P<0.05).CONCLUSION For high-risk patients with central nervous system injury after TEVAR of type B aortic dissection,early intervention measures should be implemented to lower the risk of neurological discomfort following surgery in high-risk patients with central nervous system injury after TEVAR for type B aortic dissection.

Spatial and Temporal Distributions of Soil Organic Matter in the Mixed Plantations of Alder and Cypress in the Hilly Areas of Central Sichuan Basin

The investigation was conducted on the spatial and temporal distributions of soil organic mater （SOM） in the mixed plantations of alder （Aluns crernastogyne） and cypress （Cupressus funebris ） （MPAC）, which distributed in the hilly areas of central Sichuan Basin （HACSB）. The results show that： （1） the spatial distribution of SOM among different sites at the same age are not significant before 15-year-old, but significant at 20-year-old, and not significant again after 25-year-old; （2） the SOM contents in 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm layers increase sharply from 10- to 15-year-old, and decline gradually from 15- to 30- year-old; the SOM contents of the 30-year-old PCP were 80. 38% and 78.42% higher than that of the 10-year-old, but 29.16% and 53.37% lower than that of 15-year-old in the 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm layers, respectively. The decrease of SOM contents would lead to the degradation of soil fertility and the decline of forest productivity.

Ecological Function Value of Tropical Forests in the Central Mountainous Areas of Hainan Island

The integrated value of the ecological function of tropical forests in the central mountainous areas of Hainan Island was 33.064 8 billion yuan/a in 2010(soil improvement,soil consolidation,soil nutrient maintenance,water storage and moisture regulation,water purification,carbon sequestration,oxygen releasing,air purification,biodiversity conservation,eco-tourism),equivalent to 16.1%of GDP in Hainan Province this year(205.212 billion yuan).The tropical forests in the central mountainous areas of Hainan Island make great contribution to Hainan Island's ecology,and play an important role in maintaining the stability of the ecological environment in Hainan Island.Through the understanding of major ecological function value of tropical forests,it is necessary to make people cherish the tropical forests in the central ecological function conservation areas of Hainan Province,and spontaneously throw themselves into the ecological environment protection and construction,to promote the rapid and sustainable development of construction in Hainan Province as an international tourism island.

Assessing Spatio-temporal Characteristics of Water Storage Changes in the Mountainous Areas of Central Asia Based on GRACE

The mountainous areas of Central Asia provide substantial water resources, and studying change in water storage and the impacts of precipitation and snow cover in the mountain ranges of Central Asia is of the greatest importance for understanding regional water shortages and the main factors. Data from the GRACE （Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment） satellites, precipitation prod- ucts and snow-covered area data were used to analyze the spatio-temporal characteristics of water storage changes and the effects of precipitation and snow cover from April 2002 to December 2013. The results were computed for each mountain ranges, and the follow- ing conclusions were drawn. The water storage in the mountainous areas of Central Asia as a whole increases in summer and winter, whereas it decreases in autumn. The water storage is affected by precipitation to some extent and some areas exhibit hysteresis. The area of positive water storage changes moves from west to east over the course of the year. The water storage declined during the period 2002-2004. It then returned to a higher level in 2005-2006 and featured lower levels in 2007-009 Subsequently, the water storage increased gradually from 2010 to 2013. The Eastern Tianshan Mountains and Western Tianshan Mountain subzones examined in this study display similar tendencies, and the trends observed in the Karakorum Mountains and the Kunlun Mountains are also similar. However, the Eastern Tianshan Mountains and Western Tianshan Mountains were influenced by precipitation to a greater degree than the latter two ranges. The water storage in Qilian Mountains showed a pronounced increasing trend, and this range is the most strongly affected by precipitation. Based on an analysis of all investigated subzones, precipitation has the greatest influence on total water storage relative to the snow covered area in some areas of Central Asia. The results obtained from this study will be of value for scientists stud- ying the mechanisms that influence changes in water storage in Central Asia.

Relation between Economic Development Level and Resource and Environment Carrying Capacity of Central Area of Yunnan Province Based on Decoupling Analysis

Based on the decoupiing theory and method, an indicator system was built for the relation between economic development level and resource and environment carrying capacity. And the study was carried out on decoupling degree and temporal changes of economic development level and resource and environment carrying ca- pacity in the central area of Yunnan Province. Results indicated that （i） the economic development level and resource and environment carrying capacity in the central area of Yunnan Province mainly experienced strong decoupling, weak decoupling, and ex- pansive negative coupling, and in general it was strong decoupling, and it took on re- verse ＂N＂ in temporal changes. （ii） Change rate of economic development level in the central area of Yunnan Province was greater than zero, but the amplitude of change was not large, while the change rate of resource and environment carrying capacity was negative in 2007-2008, and it was positive in the rest years; from 2007, it took on gradual expansion trend, and scissors difference gradually increased after experi- encing reverse ＂V＂ change. （iii） The strong decoupling was the main situation and it reached the peak value in T5 period and T6 pedod.

The Study on Innovation Model Characteristics and Function Enhancement of “Leading Grain Enterprises+Farmers” in New Circumstances——an Investigation and Analysis on Major Grainproducing Areas in Hubei Province

ln the context of comprehensively deepening the reform, and integration of three The first, second and third industry sectors in rural areas, the research took major grain-producing areas in Hubei as an example, analyzed dominant grain in-dustrialization models “leading grain enterprises＋farmers”, and revealed its character-istics, advantages, and approaches for function reinforcement. The research is so meaningful, practical y or in future.

Petrogenesis and Tectonics of the Naruo Porphyry Cu(Au) Deposit Related Intrusion in the Duolong Area,Central Tibet

The Duolong area is the most important part of the Western Bangong-Nujiang Suture Zone porphyry Cu（Au） metallogenic belt, in Tibet, China. Here new detailed data are presented from LAICP-MS zircon U-Pb, whole-rock geochemical, and in-situ zircon Hf isotope analyses for igneous rocks in the large Naruo deposit（2.51 Mt of Cu and 82 t of Au） which is located ~2 km NE of the Duolong（Duobuza and Bolong） super-large gold-rich porphyry copper deposit. We integrated our results with previous research of other porphyry deposits in the Duolong area and have identified the timing, geodynamic setting, and petrogenesis of the mineralization-associated magmatic events. Based on the measurements, the Duolong area porphyry Cu（Au） deposit formations are associated with Early Cretaceous intermediate-felsic magmatism, which is consistent with U-Pb zircon ages of 120 Ma. All the main intrusive rocks in the ore-concentrated area have similar lithogeochemical characteristics; they show a relative enrichment in both light rare earth elements（LREEs） and large-ion lithophile elements（LILEs： Rb, Ba, K, etc.） and relative depletion in both heavy rare earth elements（HREEs） and high field strength elements（HFSEs： Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, etc.）. Moreover, the granite porphyry shows positive εHf（t） values between 1.38–7.37 suggesting that magmas were potentially derived from the partial melting of a depleted mantle wedge that had been metasomatized by subducted slab-derived fluids or melts. This paper points out that the formation of the porphyry-epithermal Cu（Au） deposit in the Duolong area was dominated by northward subduction of the Bangongco Tethys Plate beneath the Qiangtang block in the Early Cretaceous（124–114 Ma）, when the subducted oceanic crust reached 50–70 km underground and generated different degrees of phase transformation, which lead to a melt produced by dehydration of amphibole minerals, a metasomatized mantle wedge, and induced mantle partial melting that produced the magma. Those deposits occurred in a continental arc tectonic setting, which is similar to the continental margin arc environment of the ocean-continent subduction setting of the Andes metallogenic belt in South America.

Early-Middle Paleozoic Andes-type Continental Margin in the Chifeng Area, Inner Mongolia: Framework, Geochronology and Geochemistry and Implications for Tectonic Evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Three tectonic units have been recognized in the Chifeng area, Inner Mongolia, from north to south, including the Qiganmiao accretionary prism, Jiefangyingzi arc belt and Sidaozhangpeng molasse basin, which formed an Andeantype active continent margin during the early to middle Paleozoic. The Qiganmiao accretionary prism is characterized by a mélange that consists of gabbro, two-mica quartz schist and basic volcanic rock blocks and heterogeneously deformed marble matrix. Two zircon U-Pb ages of 446.0±6.3 Ma and 1104±27 Ma have been acquired and been interpreted as the metamorphic and forming ages for the gabbro and two-mica quartz schist, respectively. The prism formed during the early to middle Paleozoic southward subduction of the Paleo Asian Ocean(PAO) and represents a suture between the North China craton(NCC) and Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB). The Jiefangyingzi arc belt consists of pluton complex and volcanic rocks of the Xibiehe and Badangshan Formations, and Geochronology analysis indicates that the development of it can be divided into two stages. The first stage is represented by the Xibiehe Formation volcanic rocks, which belong to the subalkaline series, enriched LREE and LILE and depleted HFSE, with negative Eu anomalies, and plot in the volcanic arc field in discrimination diagrams. These characters indicate that the Xibiehe Formation results from to the continental arc magmatic activity related to the subduction of the PAO during 400–420 Ma. Magmatism of the second stage in 380–390 Ma consists of the Badangshan Formation volcanic rocks. Geochemistry analysis reveals that rhyolite, basaltic andesite and basalt of the Badangshan Formation were developed in continental margin arc setting. Moreover, the basaltic andesite and basalt display positive Sr anomalies, and the basalt have very low Nb/La values, suggesting that fluid is involved in magma evolution and the basalts were contaminated by continental crust. The sequence of Sidaozhangpeng molasse basin is characterized by proximity, coarseness and large thickness, similar to the proximity molasses basin. According to our field investigation, geochronological and geochemical data, combined with previous research in this area, a tectonic evolutionary model for Andes-type active continental margin of the CAOB has been proposed, including a development of the subduction-free PAO before 446 Ma, a subduction of the PAO and arc-related magmatism during 446–380 Ma, and formation of a molasse basin during 380–360 Ma.

Burial fluxes and sources of organic carbon in sediments of the central Yellow Sea mud area over the past 200 years

Long-term changes of composition, sources and burial fluxes of TOC （total organic carbon） in sediments of the central Yellow Sea mud area and their possible affecting factors are discussed in this paper. Firstly, similarity analysis is employed to confirm that the carbon burial features resulted from two collected cores are typical in the central Yellow Sea mud area where YSWC （Yellow Sea Warm Current） is prevalent. On this basis, the burial flux of TOC here was considered to be 235.5-488.4 pmol/（cm^2.a） since the first industrial revolution, accounting for about 70%-90% among burial fluxes of TC （total carbon） in the sediments. Compared TOC/TC ratio in the two cores with that in other marine sediments worldwide, we suggest that the growth of calcareous/non-calcareous organisms and dissolution of IC （inorganic carbon） are important factors controlling the TOC/TC ratio in sediment. Results of two-end mixed model based on fi13C data indicate that marine-derived organic carbon （OCa） is the main part among total burial organic carbon which accounts for a ratio over 85%. Due to the high TOC/TC ratio in the two cores, TC in the sediments also mainly exists as OCa, and the proportion of OCa is about 60%-80%. Away from the shore and relatively high primary production in upper waters are the main reasons that OCa is predominant among all burial OC in sediments of the central Yellow Sea mud area. Burial of OC in this mud area is probably mainly influenced by the human activities. Although the economic development during the late 19th century caused by the first industrial revolution in China did not obviously increase the TOC burial fluxes in the sediments, the rise of industry and agriculture after the founding of new China has clearly increased the TOC burial flux since 1950s. Otherwise, we also realize that among TC burial fluxes, TIC account for about 10%-30% in sediments of the central Yellow Sea mud area, so its burial could not be simply ignored here. Distinct from TOC burial, long-term TIC burial fluxes variations relate with climate changes more closely： the East Asian summer monsoon may influence the strength of the Huanghe River （Yellow River） flood, which could further affect the transport of terrestrial IC from land to the central Yellow Sea as well as the burial of these IC in the sediments.

Geochemical characteristics of soil selenium and evaluation of Serich land resources in the central area of Guiyang City,China

Based on the results of multipurpose regional geochemical surveys of the Guizhou Province, geochemical characteristics of soil Se and Se-rich land resources in the central area of Guiyang City were studied and evaluated.Major conclusions are as follows:(1) the Se content in surface soil of the central area of Guiyang City was 0.17–2.89 mg kg^(-1), and the average was 0.78 mg kg^(-1), which were respectively 2.6 and 3.9 times of the national background value of soil and the world background value of soil.The Se content in deep soil was 0.11–1.48 mg kg^(-1), and the average was 0.44 mg kg^(-1), which were respectively 1.5 and2.2 times of the national background value of soil and the world background value of soil. The soil Se content decreased with the increase in the soil depth on the vertical profile, and the surface soil had a higher Se content.(2)Distribution of Se content was mainly affected by parent material, physicochemical properties of soil and other components, soil type, and land use type. Parent material played a key role, as the soil Se content was mainly originated from parent rock and increased with the background value of Se in parent rock, physicochemical properties of soil and other components had certain influences upon the Se content. Se was shown to have a significant linear positive correlation with S and organic carbon but no significant correlation with p H value. Se content varied with different types of soil as follows: skeleton soil > yellow soil > paddy soil > limestone soil > purple soil. Land use type also hadcertain influences upon the soil Se content as follows: dry land > construction land > garden plot > grassland =garden plot > forest land.(3) Taking 0.4 mg kg^(-1)B x(Se) <3.0 mg kg^(-1) as the standard for Se-rich soil, Se-rich soil of the study area covered an area of 2224 km^2 and 92.5% of the total area; the remaining is general soil. The study area had no Se-excess soil. Therefore, the central area of Guiyang City has a high proportion of Se-rich land, a large area of Serich land resources, and a moderate selenium enrichment strength, which have been rarely seen anywhere and provide advantageous resources for the development of Se-rich featured agriculture.

Vertical Differential Structural Deformation of the Main Strike-slip Fault Zones in the Shunbei Area,Central Tarim Basin:Structural Characteristics,Deformation Mechanisms,and Hydrocarbon Accumulation Significance

Vertical differential structural deformation(VDSD),one of the most significant structural characteristics of strike-slip fault zones(SSFZs)in the Shunbei area,is crucial for understanding deformation in the SSFZ and its hydrocarbon accumulation significance.Based on drilling data and high-precision 3-D seismic data,we analyzed the geometric and kinematic characteristics of the SSFZs in the Shunbei area.Coupled with the stratification of the rock mechanism,the structural deformations of these SSFZs in different formations were differentiated and divided into four deformation layers.According to comprehensive structural interpretations and comparisons,three integrated 3-D structural models could describe the VDSD of these SSFZs.The time-space coupling of the material basis(rock mechanism stratification),changing dynamic conditions(e.g.,changing stress-strain states),and special deformation mechanism of the en echelon normal fault array uniformly controlled the formation of the VDSD in the SSFZs of the Shunbei area.The VDSD of the SSFZs in this area controlled the entire hydrocarbon accumulation process.Multi-stage structural superimposing deformation influenced the hydrocarbon migration,accumulation,distribution,preservation,and secondary adjustments.

Road Centrality and Landscape Spatial Patterns in Wuhan Metropolitan Area,China

Road network is a corridor system that interacts with surrounding landscapes,and understanding their interaction helps to develop an optimal plan for sustainable transportation and land use.This study investigates the relationships between road centrality and landscape patterns in the Wuhan Metropolitan Area,China.The densities of centrality measures,including closeness,betweenness,and straightness,are calculated by kernel density estimation(KDE).The landscape patterns are characterized by four landscape metrics,including percentage of landscape(PLAND),Shannon′s diversity index(SHDI),mean patch size(MPS),and mean shape index(MSI).Spearman rank correlation analysis is then used to quantify their relationships at both landscape and class levels.The results show that the centrality measures can reflect the hierarchy of road network as they associate with road grade.Further analysis exhibit that as centrality densities increase,the whole landscape becomes more fragmented and regular.At the class level,the forest gradually decreases and becomes fragmented,while the construction land increases and turns to more compact.Therefore,these findings indicate that the ability and potential applications of centrality densities estimated by KDE in quantifying the relationships between roads and landscapes,can provide detailed information and valuable guidance for transportation and land-use planning as well as a new insight into ecological effects of roads.

Effects of Land Use Change on Eco-environment in Hilly Area of Central Sichuan Basin——A Case Study of Yanting County, Sichuan Province

With the artificial alder and cypress mixed forest being planted, there has been a marked land use change since 1970s' in Hilly Area of Central Sichuan Basin, China. Data from meteorological observations or posts operated over long time, measurement and calculation of NPP (net primary production) and biomass of biological community, and analysis of soil organic matter content show that the artificial alder and cypress mixed forest has outstanding eco-environmental effect: adjusting local climate, raising soil fertility, alleviating menace of drought, and raising NPP and biomass of biological community. It is very beneficial for improving ecological environment to afforest artificial alder and cypress mixed forest in populous Hilly Area of Central Sichuan Basin, China. Key Words: land use/land cover change (LUCC); eco-environmental effect; Hilly Area of Central Sichuan Basin; the artificial alder and cypress mixed forest

Correlates of avifaunal diversity along the elevational gradient of Mardi Himal in Annapurna Conservation Area,Central Nepal

Background:Patterns of biological diversity and richness can vary along the elevational gradients among mountain systems making it difficult to conclude the general pattern.The drivers of such pattern are also poorly known in the southern flank of the Himalaya due to limited studies.Therefore,we assessed the species richness,seasonal patterns and drivers of avian diversity along an elevational gradient on Mardi Himal trekking trail,a newly open tourist route in Annapurna Conservation Area of the central Himalaya.Methods:Two surveys(winter and summer seasons of 2019)were conducted from the bank of Seti-Gandaki River confluence(1030 m above sea level,asl)up to the Low Camp(3050 m asl)of the Mardi Himal.The point count method was employed in every 100 m rise in the elevation.Diversity indices were calculated and bird abundance data on species,sites,seasons and environmental variables were analyzed.Generalized linear model,polynomial regression and ordinary least square regression were performed to examine the importance of environmental factors in shaping the avian richness pattern.Results:A total of 673 individuals of birds belonging to 112 species,of which 72 in winter and 80 in summer,were recorded.We observed a hump-shaped pattern of the overall species richness along the elevational gradient.The richness pattern remained consistent even when explored by season,for winter and summer separately.Diversity indices were found higher during the summer.Elevation and mean monthly temperature in both seasons showed non-linear relation with avian species richness.Precipitation exhibited positive association in summer whereas the same in winter was negatively correlated with avian species richness.Distance to the nearest water source and the nearest human settlement were negatively correlated with the richness of birds.Small-ranged and insectivorous birds were under the strong influence of gradients on climatic variables like temperature and precipitation.Conclusions:We conclude that the combined effects of multiple factors such as area,gradients of climate(i.e.temperature and precipitation),resource availability and disturbance play an important role in bird diversity and richness pattern along an elevational gradient of a montane environment in Mardi Himal.

The difference analysis of physical-mechanical properties of sediments in the central South Yellow Sea and Zhe-Min coastal area in China

The difference analysis of physical-mechanical properties of muddy sediments is made in the central South Yellow Sea and the Zhe-Min（Zhejiang Province to Fujian Province of China） coastal area. The results show that sediments in the two regions are both dominated by mud. There are perfect negative power function correlations between the water content and the density, the compression coefficient and the compression modulus; a good positive power function correlation between the liquid limit and the plastic limit, a perfect positive linear correlation between the water content and the void ratio, and a perfect polynomial function correlation between the miniature vane shear strength and the pocket penetration resistance. In general, compared with sediments in the Zhe-Min coastal area, sediments in the central South Yellow Sea possess high water content, high void ratio,low density, high plasticity, high compressibility, low shear strength. The causes of the differences between physical-mechanical properties of sediments are analyzed from the topographic features, material sources,hydrodynamic conditions, deposition rate, and material composition. Compared with the Zhe-Min coastal area,the central South Yellow Sea is far from the Mainland and low-lying; has poor hydrodynamic condition; the materials diffused to the area are less and dominated by fine clay, have the high content of smectite and organic matters. These factors lead to sediments of the central South Yellow Sea has the higher water content, the higher plasticity, the lower density, and the lower strength than sediments in the Zhe-Min coastal area.

Spacial organization on the rural settlements in plain areas—taking Pinghu city in Zhejiang of China as an example

This paper analyses the spacial distribution, quantity-scale, function-structure and facilities from the angle of spacial organizational optimizing theory and sustainable development thought. The authors point out the distributional principles of rural settlements in plain areas, and put forward planning and distribution of various levels of rural settlements (central villages, basic villages and natural villages).