Study on the Climate Changes Characteristics in the Hilly Region of the Loess Plateau and Its Influence on Agricultural Production

[Objective] The aim was to study the climate changes characteristics in the hilly region of the loess plateau and its influence on agricultural production.[Method] Taking Yan’an City as an example,and by dint of temperature and precipitation in nine meteorological stations from 1957 to 2007 and accumulated anomaly curve,linear regression and relevant analysis,the climate changes characteristics in 51 years in Yan’an were expounded.The climate changes in the hilly region of the loess plateau were studied and its influences on agricultural production were concluded.[Result] The characteristics of climate changes in the hilly region were as follow:high temperature in winter and warm winter trend was clearly;the temperature in spring enhanced fast and the drought disaster was increasing worse;rainy days occurred now and then in autumn.The climate changes had different levels of influences on agricultural production in Yan’an City.Because of rising temperature in winter,facility agriculture was vigorously developed and the apple range expanded;in the meantime,because of rising temperature in spring,drought was worsen and sowing in spring can not proceed;constant rain in autumn damaged the quality of date.[Conclusion] The study provided theoretical basis for the regional agricultural production and agricultural structure adjustment.

Regional differences in gully network connectivity based on graph theory:a case study on the Loess Plateau,China

Material exchange frequently occurs in gullies,and thus the relationship between a gullynetwork structure and sediment transport potential has attracted considerable interest.However,previous researches ignored the difficulty of material transport from sources to sinks,and did not quantify the connectivity of a network structure.In this study,we used a graph model structure to model gully networks of six typical sample areas in the Loess Plateau of China and quantified gully network connectivity using four indexes:average node strength,accessibility from sources to sinks,potential flow,and network structural connectivity index.Results show that:(1)Reflected by different quantitative indexes,the trends of gully network connectivity in different regions are similar.From north to south,the connectivity of a sample area first increases and then decreases.(2)The more mature gullies have stronger network connectivity.Small resistance is conducive to material transport in the gullies.(3)The node connectivity index of the gully network shows a significant aggregation distribution in space,and node connectivity on the main channel is often stronger than that on the branch trench.These results not only deepen the understanding of the process and mechanism of loess gully geomorphic development and evolution but also provide a reference for geomorphic studies.

Land-use changes in the small watershed of the Loess Plateau,hilly-gully region, China

As more and more farmland is converted to forestry, the need for effective decision support regarding the use of land in the fragile ecological environment of the Loess Plateau hilly-gully area. The Luoyugou watershed was chosen as the study area to calculate the single dynamic degree, integrated dynamic degree, and change indexes of land use, as well as the land-use type transition matrix. This was done by interpreting the TM and SPOT images of the Luoyugou watershed in 1986, 1995, and2004 and making statistical analysis. The results of ou statistical analysis show that the conversion of slope farm land to terrace and forest land plays a dominant role in land-use changes in the Luoyugou watershed from 1986 to2004. The land-use changes are mainly driven by popula tion growth, socio-economic development, consume spending, and investment in forest ecology.

Dynamic Land Use /Cover Change and Analysis of Landscape Pattern in the Hilly and Gully Region of Loess Plateau: A Case Study of Pengyang County in Southern Ningxia

The quantitative evaluation on land use /cover change as well as its influence on landscape pattern under the background of returning grain plots to forestry is significant to the sustainable utilization of land resources and ecological environment reconstruction in the southern Ningxia.Based on multi-temporal remote sensing data from four periods of Landsat TM /ETM,and combination of ecological quantity analytical method with GIS,the change of land use /cover and landscape pattern in Pengyang County of Ningxia Province were analyzed.The conclusions showed that the amount of each land use type was changed with different degrees,the area of forest /grass land increased,while farmland and unused land decreased.The change of landscape pattern was characterized as that the degree of landscape fragmentation,mixed distribution of patches,diversity index and evenness index increased gradually and then decreased,the connectivity between patches decreased gradually and then increased,and landscape shape presented irregular.

Response of soil respiration to environmental and photosynthetic factors in different subalpine forest-cover types in a loess alpine hilly region

Soil respiration(Rs)is important for transport-ing or fixing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere,and even diminutive variations can profoundly influence the carbon cycle.However,the R_(s) dynamics in a loess alpine hilly region with representative sensitivity to climate change and fragile ecology remains poorly understood.This study investigated the correlation and degree of control between R_(s) and its photosynthetic and environmental factors in five subalpine forest cover types.We examined the correlations between R_(s) and variables temperature(T_(10)) and soil moisture content at 10 cm depth(W_(10)),net photosynthetic rate(P_(n))and soil properties to establish multiple models,and the variables were measured for diurnal and monthly vari-ations from September 2018 to August 2019.The results showed that soil physical factors are not the main drivers of R_(s) dynamics at the diel scale;however,the trend in the monthly variation in R_(s) was consistent with that of T_(10)and P_(n).Further,R_(s) was significantly affected by pH,providing further evidence that coniferous forest leaves contribute to soil acidification,thus reducing R_(s).Significant exponential and linear correlations were established between R_(s) and T_(10)and W_(10),respectively,and R_(s) was positively correlated with P_(n).Accordingly,we established a two-factor model and a three-factor model,and the correlation coefficients(R_(2))was improved to different degrees compared with models based only on T_(10) and W_(10).Moreover,temperature sensitivity(Q_(10))was the highest in the secondary forest and lowest in the Larix principis-rupprechtii forest.Our findings suggest that the control of R_(s) by the environment(moisture and tempera-ture)and photosynthesis,which are interactive or comple-mentary effects,may influence spatial and temporal homeo-stasis in the region and showed that the models appropriately described the dynamic variation in R_(s) and the carbon cycle in different forest covers.In addition,total phosphorus(TP)and total potassium(TK)significantly affected the dynamic changes in R_(s).In summary,interannual and seasonal variations in forest R_(s) at multiple scales and the response forces of related ecophysiological factors,especially the interactive driving effects of soil temperature,soil moisture and photo-synthesis,were clarified,thus representing an important step in predicting the impact of climate change and formulating forest carbon management policies.

Spatial variability of leaf wetness under different soil water conditions in rainfed jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) in the loess hilly region, China

Leaf wetness provides a wide range of benefits not only to leaves,but also to ecosystems and communities.It regulates canopy eco-hydrological processes and drives spatial differences in hydrological flux.In spite of these functions,little remains known about the spatial distribution of leaf wetness under different soil water conditions.Leaf wetness measurements at the top(180 cm),middle(135 cm),and bottom(85 cm)of the canopy positions of rainfed jujube(Ziziphus jujuba Mill.)in the Chinese loess hilly region were obtained along with meteorological and soil water conditions during the growing seasons in 2019 and 2020.Under soil water non-deficit condition,the frequency of occurrence of leaf wetness was 5.45%higher at the top than at the middle and bottom of the canopy positions.The frequency of occurrence of leaf wetness at the top,middle and bottom of the canopy positions was over 80%at 17:00‒18:00(LST).However,the occurrence of leaf wetness at the top was earlier than those at the middle and bottom of the canopy positions.Correspondingly,leaf drying at the top was also latter than those at the middle and bottom of the canopy positions.Leaf wetness duration at the middle was similar to that at the bottom of the canopy position,but about 1.46-3.01 h less than that at the top.Under soil water deficit condition,the frequency of occurrence of leaf wetness(4.92%-45.45%)followed the order of top>middle>bottom of the canopy position.As the onset of leaf wetness was delayed,the onset of wet leaf drying was advanced and the leaf wetness duration was shortened.Leaf wetness duration at the top was linearly related(R^(2)>0.70)to those at the middle and bottom of the canopy positions under different soil water conditions.In conclusion,the hydrological processes at canopy surfaces of rainfed jujube depended on the position of leaves,thus adjusting canopy structure to redistribute hydrological process is a way to meet the water need of jujube.

De-farming and Ecological Restoration in the Loess Hilly-gully Region in Northern China

De-farming has been a powerful measure taken by the central and local governments of China for ecological restoration in the loess hilly-gully region since 2000. In years past, aid-based de-farming pattern was far and wide popularized in the region and terrace-based de-farming pattern demonstrated in a few small watersheds was also rather effective for ecological restoration. After summing up the features of three patterns (aid-based de-farming slope farmland more than 25°(AD25), aid-based de-farming slope farmland more than 15° (AD15) and terrace-based de-farming (TD)), this paper analyzed the regional difference of these patterns in de-farming area, ecological restoration, investment demand and so on. The results show that there are two crucial areas in the loess hilly-gully region for ecological restoration at the moment, the policies adaptation to the different areas should be constituted as soon as possible and the limited fund should be devoted to the two crucial areas.

A comparison between different ecological de-farming modes in the loess hilly-gully region in China

The eco-environmental restoration has been a chief task of the western development strategies carried out by the central and local governments of China since the late 1990s, and the ecological de-farming has been regarded as a powerful measure for the ecological restoration in the Loess Plateau and the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. "Relieving and de-farming" (RD) and "rebuilding terrace and de-farming" (RTD) are two more mature ones among various de-farming modes. Taking the loess hilly-gully region as a case, this paper summarized the basic characteristics of RD and RTD modes, calculated the sizes of de-farming slope farmland, rebuilt terraces, enlarged garden plots and restored vegetation, and compared the differences of two modes in terms of de-farming area, ecological reestablishment index, investment demand amount and benefits. The results showed that RTD mode has many advantages, including suitable investment, sufficient grain supply and great benefits, and will be the best ecological reestablishment mode in the loess hilly-gully region, and RD mode which is being carried out in this region should be replaced by RTD mode as soon as possible.

Research on the Development Model of Ecological Agriculture in Loess Hilly-Gully Region of Northern Shannxi, China

On the Loess Plateau of China, facing the vulnerable environment, local people have to try their best to guarantee the security of food, and at the same time, to control the most serious soil erosion in the world. The paper introduces two typical models of ecological agriculture: ecological agriculture with commodity and agriculture with soil and water conservation. According to the local natural condition, the model of eco-agriculture with commodity could be characterized by the structure of “agriculture-byproduct”, “agriculture-fruit” or “agriculture-forestry-husbandry”. The development of agriculture with soil and water conservation has decreased the soil erosion rate from 12, 184 ton/kin^2 in 1980 to 458.4 ton/kin^2 in 1999, while the farmers' income has increasingly risen. Analyses on the two models' benefits both in terms of ecological and agricultural economy show that there is a great possibility to construct or restore good eco-environment with comprehensive control in the hilly-gully area of north Shannxi. Further more, the paper points out the potential problems of foodstuff production and stockbreeding development in forming ecological agriculture and eco-environmental restoration.

Autumn Daily Characteristics of Land Surface Heat and Water Exchange over the Loess Plateau Mesa in China

The Loess Plateau, located in northern China, has a significant impact on the climate and ecosystem evolvement over the East Asian continent. In this paper, the preliminary autumn daily characteristics of land surface energy and water exchange over the Chinese Loess Plateau mesa region are evaluated by using data collected during the Loess Plateau land-atmosphere interaction pilot experiment （LOPEX04）, which was conducted from 25 August to 12 September 2004 near Pingliang city, Gansu Province of China. The experiment was carried out in a region with a typical landscape of the Chinese Loess Plateau, known as ＂loess mesa＂. The experiment＇s field land utilizations were cornfield and fallow farmland, with the fallow field later used for rotating winter wheat. The autumn daily characteristics of heat and water exchange evidently differed between the mesa cornfield and fallow, and the imbalance term of the surface energy was large. This is discussed in terms of sampling errors in the flux observations-footprint; energy storage terms of soil and vegetation layers; contribution from air advections; and low and high frequency loss of turbulent fluxes and instruments bias. Comparison of energy components between the mesa cornfield and the lowland cornfield did not reveal any obvious difference. Inadequacies of the field observation equipment and experimental design emerged during the study, and some new research topics have emerged from this pilot experiment for future investigation.

The effects of land use and its patterns on soil properties in a small catchment of the Loess Plateau

Due to relatively strong human activities in the hilly area of Loess Plateau, the natural vegetation has been destroyed, and landscape pattern based on agricultural land matrix was land use mosaic composing of shrub land, grassland, woodland and orchard. This pattern has an important effect on soil moisture and soil nutrients. The Danangou catchment, a typical small catchment, was selected to study the effects of land use and its patterns on soil moisture and nutrients in this paper. The results are as follows: The comparisons of soil moisture among seven land uses for wet year and dry year were performed: (1) the average of soil moisture content for whole catchment was 12.11% in wet year, while it was 9.37% in dry year; (2) soil moisture among seven land uses was significantly different in dry year, but not in wet year; (3) from wet year to dry year, the profile type of soil moisture changed from decreasing type to fluctuation-type and from fluctuant type to increasing type; (4) the increasing trend in soil moisture from the top to foot of hillslope occurred in simple land use along slope, while complicated distribution of soil moisture was observed in multiple land uses along slope. The relationships between soil nutrients and land uses and landscape positions were analysed: (1) five nutrient contents of soil organic matter (SOM), total N (TN), available N (AN), total P (TP) and available P (AP) in hilly area were lower than that in other areas. SOM content was less than 1%, TN content less than 0.07%, and TP content between 0.05% and 0.06%; (2) SOM and TN contents in woodland, shrub land and grassland were significantly higher than that in fallow land and cropland, and higher level in soil fertility was found in crop-fruit intercropping land among croplands; (3) soil nutrient distribution and responses to landscape positions were variable depending on slope and the location of land use types.

Can the Grain-for-Green Program Really Ensure a Low Sediment Load on the Chinese Loess Plateau?

The Chinese Loess Plateau is the most seriously eroded area in the world and contributes the vast majority of the sediment that goes into the Yellow River.Since the 1950s,progressive soil and water conservation measures have been implemented—in particular,large-scale ecological restoration has been ongoing since 1999—resulting in a significant reduction of the sediment load.However,the mechanism of the sediment transport dynamics is not fully understood due to multiple and complicated influencing factors including climate change and human activities(e.g.,ecological restoration).A challenging question,then,arises:Is the current low sediment level a“new normal”in this era and in the future?To address this question,we selected a typical loess hilly region where considerable ecological restoration has been implemented,and which is regarded as the site of the first and most representative Grainfor-Green program in the Loess Plateau.We investigated the evolution of discharge–sediment relationships in the past decades(1960–2010)and their association with the soil and water conservation measures in this area.The results showed that there was a distinct change in the regression parameters of the commonly used annual discharge–sediment regression equation—a continuously increasing trend of parameter b and a decreasing trend of parameter a,accompanying the ecological restoration.The increase in exponent b(i.e.,a steeper slope)implies a potential lower sediment load resulting from low discharge and a potential higher sediment load resulting from large discharge.This finding may question the new normal of a low sediment level and implies the potential risk of a large sediment load during extremely wet years.

Quantitative analysis of the dynamic change and spatial differences of the ecological security: a case study of Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi Province

Using the theory and method of the ecological footprint, and combining the changes of regional land use, resource environment, population, society and economy, this paper calculated the ecological footprint, ecological carrying capacity and ecological surplus/loss in 1986-2002 on the Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi Province. What is more, this paper has put forward the concept of ecological pressure index, set up ecological pressure index models, and ecological security grading systems, and the prediction models of different ecological footprints, ecological carrying capacity, ecological surplus and ecological safety change, and also has assessed the ecological footprint demands of 10,000 yuan GDE The results of this study are as follows： （1） the ecological carrying capacity in northern Shaanxi shows a decreasing trend, the difference of reducing range is the fastest; （2） the ecological footprint appears an increasing trend; （3） ecological pressure index rose to 0.91 from 0.44 during 1986-2002 on the Loess Plateau of northern Shaanxi with an increase of 47%; and （4） the ecological security in the study area is in a critical state, and the ecological oressure index has been increasing rapidlv.

Dynamic Analysis of Supply and Demand Coupling of Ecosystem Services in Loess Hilly Region:A Case Study of Lanzhou,China

The relationship between the supply and demand for ecosystem services(ESs)is a key issue for the rational allocation of natural resources and optimisation of sustainable development capacity.This paper investigateed the dynamic evolution features of supply and demand of four ESs in Lanzhou of China,namely,water supply,food supply,carbon fixation and soil retention services.The crosssectional data of 2005 and 2017 were used for calculating ESs value and its supply and demand through ArcGIS software,InVEST model,elastic coefficient model and coupling coordination model.Results showed that:1)from 2005 to 2017,the supply of water supply services increased,the demand of soil retention services decreased,and the supply and demand of food supply and carbon fixation services increased.The high-value areas of service supply were mainly distributed in the rocky mountain areas in the southeast and northwest with high vegetation coverage,while the high-value areas of demand were mainly distributed in the urban areas and surrounding areas with high population density.2)There were five different types of coupling relations.Water supply service was dominated by a negative coupling type D,which means that the decrease in demand for ESs has had a positive response on the supply of ESs.Negative coupling type C was the main type of food supply and carbon fixation services,which means that the increase in demand for ESs has had a negative response on the supply of ESs.All three services were supplemented by a positive coupling type A,which means that the increase in demand for ESs has had a positive response on the supply of ESs.Soil retention service generally exhibits a positive coupling type B,which means that the decrease in demand for ESs has had a negative response on the supply of ESs.3)Over the past 12 yr,the coordination degree of supply and demand of water supply,food supply and soil retention services decreased,and the coordination degree of carbon fixation service increased.Various types of ES had a low degree of coupling and coordination,showing different characteristics of temporal and spatial evolution.The areas with imbalanced ESs supply and demand were mainly distributed in urban areas dominated by construction land.The research results are valuable to the optimisation of urban and rural ecological environments and the sustainable development of territory space under the framework of ecological civilisation,including similar ecologically vulnerable areas in other developing countries.

Effect of Root Architecture on Structural Stability and Erodibility of Topsoils during Concentrated Flow in Hilly Loess Plateau

Traditional vegetation techniques for the control of concentrated flow erosion are widely recognized, whereas only a few studies have experimentally investigated the impacts of belowground roots on the erodibility of topsoils in semi-arid areas. To quantify the effects of root architectures on soil erodibility and its relevant structural properties, simulated flow experiments were conducted at six-week intervals from 18 July to 20 October in 2012 in the hilly Loess Plateau. Five treatments were: 1) bare(control), 2) purple alfalfa(Medicago sativa), representing tap roots(T), 3) switchgrass(Panicum virgatum), representing fibrous roots(F), 4) purple alfalfa and switchgrass, representing both tap and fibrous roots(T + F), and 5) natural recovery(N). For each treatment, soil structural properties and root characteristics were measured at an interval of six weeks. Soil anti-scouribility was calculated. Results showed that grass planting slightly reduced soil bulk density, but increased soil aggregate content by 19.1%, 10.6%, 28.5%, and 41.2% in the treatments T, F, T + F, and N, respectively. Soil shear strength(cohesion and angle of internal friction(φ)) significantly increased after the grass was planted. As roots grew, soil cohesion increased by 115.2%–135.5%, while soil disintegration rate decreased by 39.0%–58.1% in the 21 th week compared with the recorded value in the 9th week. Meanwhile, root density and root surface area density increased by 64.0%–104.7% and 75.9%–157.1%, respectively. No significant differences in soil anti-scouribility were observed between the treatments of T and F or of T + F and N, but the treatments of T + F and N performed more effectively than T or F treatment alone in retarding concentrated flow. Soil aggregation and root surface-area density explained the observed soil anti-scouribility during concentrated flow well for the different treatments. This result proved that the restoration of natural vegetation might be the most appropriate strategy in soil reinforcement in the hilly Loess Plateau.

Study on Rural Domestic Waste Treatment in Loess Plateau Region——Taking Longfang Town in Shaanxi Province as Example

With the continuous development of economy and changes in people’s lifestyle,rural domestic waste brought about serious harm to water,air,human health,ecological landscape and so forth.In this paper,taking Longfang Town in Loess Plateau region as example,the source,amount and harms of rural domestic waste were analyzed firstly,as well as the current situation and existing problems of treatment,and then a suitable waste disposal technology for the town was chosen,finally the reasonable treatment methods combining new countryside and non-new countryside with township was summed up,so as to realize the reduction,harmless and resource treatment of rural domestic waste.

Effects of Plant Community Type on Soil Methane Flux in Semiarid Loess Hilly Region,Central Gansu Province,China

Methane(CH_(4))is an important greenhouse gas second only to CO_(2)in terms of its greenhouse effect.Vegetation plays an important role in controlling soil CH_(4)fluxes,but the spatial variability of soil CH_(4)fluxes during vegetation restoration in Loess Hilly Region(LHR)is not fully understood.The effects of different plant community types[Medicago sativa grassland(MS);Xanthoceras sorbifolium forestland(XS);Caragana korshinskii bushland(CK);Hippophae rhamnoides shrubland(HR);and Stipa bungeana grassland(SB)]on soil CH_(4)flux in LHR were studied via the static chamber technique.The results showed that the five plant community types were sinks of soil CH_(4)in LHR,the plant community type significantly affected the soil CH_(4)flux,and the average CH_(4)uptake from high to low was in SB,HR,CK,MS,and XS.During the whole study period,the soil CH_(4)flux showed similar interannual variation.The maximum absorption of soil CH_(4)appeared in the growing season,while the minimum appeared in winter.Soil CH_(4)uptake was positively correlated with soil temperature and soil moisture.Soil temperature and moisture are important controlling factors for the temporal variability of soil CH_(4)flux.In LHR,the Stipa bungeana grassland is the more suitable plant community type for reducing soil CH_(4)emissions.In the process of vegetation restoration in LHR,the soil CH_(4)absorption potential of different plant community types should be considered,ecological benefits should be taken into account,and vegetation more suitable for mitigating the greenhouse effect should be selected.

A GIS-based Modeling Approach for Fast Assessment of Soil Erosion by Water at Regional Scale, Loess Plateau of China

The objective of this study is to develop a unique modeling approach for fast assessment of massive soil erosion by water at a regional scale in the Loess Plateau, China. This approach relies on an understanding of both regional patterns of soil loss and its impact factors in the plateau area. Based on the regional characteristics of pre- cipitation, vegetation and land form, and with the use of Landsat TM and ground investigation data, the entire Loess Plateau was first divided into 3 380 Fundamental Assessment Units (FAUs) to adapt to this regional modeling and fast assessment. A set of easily available parameters reflecting relevant water erosion factors at a regional scale was then developed, in which dynamic and static factors were discriminated. ArcInfo GIS was used to integrate all es- sential data into a central database. A resulting mathematical model was established to link the sediment yields and the selected variables on the basis of FAUs through overlay in GIS and multiple regression analyses. The sensitivity analyses and validation results show that this approach works effectively in assessing large area soil erosion, and also helps to understand the regional associations of erosion and its impact factors, and thus might significantly contribute to planning and policymaking for a large area erosion control in the Loess Plateau.

ECO-ENVIRONMENT CHANGE AND SOIL EROSION PROCESS IN THE RECLAIMED FORESTLAND OF THE LOESS PLATEAU

Serious soil erosion has made the eco-environment fragile in the Loess Plateau. Based on the 10-year data observed from 1989 to 1998 in the Ziwuling Survey Station in loess hilly region, the eco-environment change and soil erosion process in reclaimed forestland were studied in this paper. The results showed that the intensity of man-made soil erosion caused by forestland reclamation was 1000 times more than that of the natural erosion. From the analysis of soil physical and mechanical properties, in the 10th year after forestland was reclaimed, the clay content and physical clay content decreased 2.74 percentage point and 3.01 percentage point respectively, the >0.25mm waterstable aggregate content decreased 31.59 percentage point, the soil bulk density increased and soil shear strength decreased, all of which were easier to cause soil erosion. The correlation analysis showed that >0.25mm waterstable aggregate content was the key factor affecting soil erosion, and the secondary factors were soil coarse grain and soil shear strength. The relation between the >0.25mm waterstable aggregate content, the soil sheer strength and the soil erosion intensity were analyzed, which showed that the first year and the seventh erosion year were the turn years of the soil erosion intensity after the forestland was reclaimed, revealed that the change of eco-environment was the main cause to accelerate soil erosion, and the worse environment caused soil erosion to be serious rapidly.

Dynamic Simulation of Land Use in the Southern Loess Plateau

To study the dynamic changes of land use and predict the future land use scenarios based on the current land use,this paper uses Cellular Automata- Markov( CA- Markov) model to simulate the landscape pattern in 2030. The results show that in the study area during the period 1980- 2005,grassland and construction land increased,and woodland increased slightly; waters and unused land decreased,and arable land underwent dramatic changes. The simulation precision of CA- Markov model is 87. 28%,indicating that the use of it for simulation is reliable. The land use of the study area will be changed greatly in the future. This method provides a reference for the regions to carry out land prediction,and the research results can provide a basis for the study of optimization of land.