Climate state of the Three Gorges Region in the Yangtze River basin in 2022–2023

Based on daily observation data of the Three Gorges Region(TGR)of the Yangtze River basin and global reanalysis data,the climate characteristics,climate events,and meteorological disasters of the TGR in 2022 and 2023 were analyzed.For the TGR,the average annual temperature for 2022 and 2023 was 0.8℃ and 0.4℃ higher than normal,respectively,making them the two warmest years in the past decade.In 2022,the TGR experienced its warmest summer on record.The average air temperature was 2.4℃ higher than the average,and there were 24.8 days of above-average high temperature days during summer.Rainfall in the TGR varied significantly between 2022 and 2023.Annual rainfall was 18.4%below normal and drier than normal in most parts of the region.In contrast,the precipitation in 2023 was considerably higher than the long-term average,and above normal for almost the entire year.The average wind speed exhibited minimal variation between the two years.However,the number of foggy days and relative humidity increased in 2023 compared to 2022.In 2022–2023,the TGR mainly experienced meteorological disasters such as extreme high temperatures,regional heavy rain and flooding,overcast rain,and inverted spring chill.Analysis indicates that the abnormal western Pacific subtropical high and the abnormal persistence of the eastward-shifted South Asian high were the two important drivers of the durative enhancement of record-breaking high temperature in the summer of 2022.

Detection of Acid Rain Stress Effect on Plant Using Hyperspectral Data in Three Gorges Region,China

This paper aims to use hyperspectral data to detect the spectral change caused by acid stress to a native forest type in the Three Gorges region of China. For this purpose, a ground-based hyperspectral experiment was conducted at the Three Gorges region to detect acid deposition that caused Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) forest degra-dation. Continuum removal method was used to isolate wavebands more responsive to stress in wavelengths 450-750nm. The differences in chlorophyll concentrations and needle thickness caused by acidic stress are found to be explicable to the different spectral reflectance patterns in the visible and near-infrared wavelengths. Two new chlorotic indices were utilized to explain the stress-caused leaf chlorosis. The comparison of simulated vegetation indices and principal component analysis (PCA) results suggests that it would be possible to monitor acid rain stress effect on forest ecosystem from some wider spectral regions.

Micromorphology of landslide soil Case study on the Jibazi landslide in Yunyang in the Three Gorges Region, China

Abstract： Landslide is one of natural catastrophes affecting national economy and people＇s livelihood. There are many reports on the forming mechanism and control of landslide, but the studies on micromorphology of landslide soil are few. There are many potential landslides in the Three Gorges Region in China. In this paper, the micromorphologic features of the Jibazi landslide soil in Yunyang in the Three Gorges Region of the Yangtze River were studied using routine methods, that is, soil micromorphology, X-ray diffraetometer and scanning electron microscope. The main conclusions are as follow： （1） The basic micromorphologic characteristics of the landslide soil are that the fine soil particles are commonly cohesive matrix, finer and lower content of skeleton grains, the microstructures are mainly types of phenocrystal gelatinization, densely chap and fissure structure. As a result, these micromorphologic features affect the discharging of soil water, favor the movement of landslide body and provide an internal basis of materials for the formation of landslide. （2） The concept on the forming material of landslide was proposed, and types of optical beamed clay aggregates, Fe-Mn isolates and glassy material were found in landslide-belt soil, which were remarkably different from the natural soil formation, and had some scientific significance in analyzing the forming mechanism of landslide and distinguishing me landslide-belt soil. （3） Some special micromorphologic and sub-micromorphologic characteristics, such as fingerprint microstructure, clay beamed bedding microstructure, oppressive microstructure, moulage microstructure and extending hole microstncture, could bring useful micromorphologic evidences for the observation and forecasting of landslide. The results mentioned above will bring helpful micromorphologic evidences for distinguishing slide soil, analyzing the formation mechanism of landslide, and monitoring and forecasting the occurrence of landslide.

Climate observation of the Three Gorges Region of the Yangtze River in 2019

This report provides a broad overview of the climate and the major weather and climate events over the Three Gorges Region of the Yangtze River(TGR)in 2019.The year 2019,a 0.3℃ warmer year than normal,had a colder winter and warmer spring,summer,and autumn.Annual precipitation in 2019 was 13%less than normal.Below average normal rainfall amounts were received in all four seasons,with 28%and 16%less-than-normal in winter and summer,respectively.The annual mean wind speed in the TGR was higher than normal,and relative humidity was near normal for all four seasons.The intensity of acid rain in 2019 was the weakest since 1999.The major climate events and meteorological disasters in the TGR in 2019 included heat waves,drought,and rainstorms.Heat waves occurred frequently and persisted for long durations.Summer and autumn drought occurred in central and eastern regions of the TGR.The autumn rains of West China occurred earlier this year,which brought much more rainfall than normal in central and western regions of the TGR.

State of the climate over the Three Gorges Region of the Yangtze River in 2018

This report provides a summary of the climate, as well as the major weather and climate events,over the Three Gorges Region of the Yangtze River(TGR) in 2018. The annual mean temperature over the TGR in 2018 was 0.2℃ above normal, and precipitation was near normal. Seasonal highlights included a second warmest spring in the 58-year period of records, with abundant rainfall, which resulted in the wettest March on record. Furthermore, this was the fourth-warmest summer on record in the TGR, which contributed a higher-than-normal number of hot days in2018. Precipitation was 17% and 30% less-than-normal in winter and summer, and 40% and 6% above average in spring and autumn, respectively. The annual mean wind speed in the TGR was higher than normal, and the annual mean relative humidity was near normal. The intensity of acid rain was relatively weak, being the second-weakest year since 1999. The major meteorological disaster types in the TGR include heat waves, drought, rainstorms and flooding, freezing rain, and snow. Heat waves occurred early in the summer and persisted for long durations with strong intensities. Long-term precipitation deficits resulted in drought conditions in summer 2018 across most regions of the TGR. Frequent heavy rainfall caused urban waterlogging. The early-year and late-year cold snaps were accompanied by heavy snowfall and rain over some locations across the TGR, which had adverse impacts on transportation, agriculture, electricity, and people’s lives.

State of the climate in the Three Gorges Region of the Yangtze River basin in 2020

In 2020,the average air temperature in the Three Gorges Region(TGR)of the Yangtze River basin was 17.2℃,which was close to normal,there were exceptionally fewer days than normal with high temperatures,and the high-temperature events mainly occurred in August.Meanwhile,the average precipitation was 1530.8 mm,which was a remarkable 29%more than usual,and the second-highest since 1961.The precipitation was obviously above-normal in summer,and the precipitation in both June and July was the second-highest of the same period in history.The average number of rainstorm days was higher than normal,and the second-highest since 1961.The average wind speed in the TGR was apparently higher than normal;the average relative humidity was slightly higher than normal;and there were no instances of acid rain,with the rain acidity showing a significant weakening trend over the previous 15 years.In the summer of 2020,the TGR experienced heavy rainstorms and flood disasters.Analysis shows that the frequent southward movement of cold air and abundant warm water vapor from the southwest were the direct causes of the abnormally high precipitation in the TGR from June to July.After the spring of 2020,the continuously high sea surface temperature in the Indian Ocean led to a continuously strong western Pacific subtropical high and its average location being situated more to the south than normal,which might have been an important cause for the abnormal climate conditions in the Yangtze River basin from June to July.

Analysis of climatic features and major meteorological disasters over the Three Gorges Region of the Yangtze River Basin in 2021

Based on daily observation data in the Three Gorges Region(TGR)of the Yangtze River Basin and global reanalysis data,the authors analyzed the climate characteristics and associated temporal variations in the main meteorological factors in 2021,as well as the year’s climatic events and meteorological disasters.The 2021 average temperature was 0.2℃above the 1991-2020 average and the 13 th-warmest year since 1961.Seasonally,winter and autumn were both warmer than usual.The annual mean precipitation was 12.8%above normal,and most regions experienced abundant rainfall throughout the year.The seasonal variation in precipitation was significant and the TGR had a wetter-than-normal spring and summer.The number of rainstorm days was higher than normal;the wind speed was above normal;and the relative humidity was higher than normal.In terms of rain acidity,2021 was tied with 2020 as the lowest since 1999.From mid-September to early October 2021,the TGR experienced exceptional high-temperature weather,which was driven by abnormal activity of mid-and high-latitude atmospheric circulation over the Eurasian continent and the western Pacific subtropical high(WPSH).In addition,a strong blocking high over the Ural Mountains accompanied by intense mid-latitude westerly winds prevented cyclonic disturbances from extending to the subtropical region.As a result,under the combined effect of the weaker-than-normal cold-air activities and the anomalous WPSH,the TGR experienced extreme high-temperature weather during early autumn 2021.

A Preliminary Study on Traditional Level-trench Method to Prevent Rill Initiation in the Three Gorges Region,China

The level-trench method is a traditional tillage operation to develop a drainage system on slope land in the Three Gorges region. Before crops are planted, farmers prepare the land with level trenches spaced 3-1o m apart, depending on the slope gradient： steeper slopes require shorter distances. Little scientific analysis has been done on the use of traditional level trenches for soil conservation. We conducted a field investigation and simulation experiments, and present a comparison between the spacing of level trenches and the slope length required for rill initiation. The results indicate that the spacing of level trenches in farmland is close to the slope length required for rill initiation in the experimental plots, and regression models of trench spacing with the gradient and the slope length required for rill initiation with the gradient have similar formats; the coefficients of determination （R2） for the two equations are 0.99 and 0.88, respectively. There were some differences between the field survey and experiments, but we conclude that the traditional level-trench method has an important role in preventing rill initiation.

Study on the causes and countermeasures for the dislocation of industrial structure in Three Gorges Region

In this paper, the dislocation of industrial structure refers to the inconsisency benveen employment structure and output structure in three industrles. Dnring the past over ten years, with the development of the Three Gorges regional social and economic, the industrial structure has optimized and upgraded constantly. However, for kinds of reasons, employment structure transference has lagged far behind output structure transference. In This paper, we try to analyze the causes of dislocation of the Three Gorges Regional industrial structure in analytical method of dislocation of industrial structure, and put forward the fundamental measures to optimize industrial stracture and promote sustainable development of the regional economy.

A disposal strategy of industrial hazardous wastes in the Three Gorges Region

A large quantity of industrial hazardous wastes (IHWs) accumulates in the Three Gorges Region. This study found that approximately 15 000 t IHWs were piled in the region by October 2001. These IHWs came from various sources and were complex in composition, mostly toxic and difficult to be disposed. IHW is regarded as a potential threat to the ecological environment, water resources and survival of local residents. It is important and indispensable to dispose the waste properly. To meet the regulation requirements on the disposal of IHWs and to minimize environmental effects on the Three Gorges Region, a disposal strategy is proposed, according to which approximately 600 t of the IHWs can be disposed by chemical stabilization, incineration and other treatment measures, and the rest need be stockpiled in safe and reliable places situated above the 177 m impoundment line of the Three Gorges dam.

Research on the human resource development of the Three Gorges Region,China

The Three Gorgers＇ Region （TGR） is an economic region of China, and lies in the western part of Yangtze economic belt. It takes the Three Gorges Project as leading. Chongqing and Yichang City as main body, the Three Gorges Reservoir as ligament. It covers about 700 km of the Yangtze River valley from Chongqing to Yichang, including Chongqing City, Yichang City and Enshi District of Hubei Province. Since the construction of Three Gorges Project and establishment of Chongqing as municipality directly under the Central Government. the regional economy, culture, education, technology, etc., all developed harmoniously and rapidly, and the diathesis of the rgional human resources also got an exaltation. While compared with the eastern region of China. the economy, science and technology in this region still fall behind, and the current situation is of no optimism. Based on the theory of human resources development, this paper analyzes current situation and problems in the human resources development oJ the TGR, and puts forward the countermeasures such as planning human resources development program based on ＂anaphase support＂policy,developing echucation and training husiness,reasonably organizing labor export,etc.

Temporal and Spatial Conversion Analysis of Soil Erosion in the Three Gorges Region Based on RS and GIS Technique——A Case Study in Kaixian County

In this paper, Kaixian County, situated in the hinterland of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region, was selected for the case study. Factors of soil erosion were obtained based on the technique of remote sensing （RS） and geographic information system （GIS）. Combining with field survey, soil erosion data in the years of 1988, 2000 and 2004 which covered the period from the beginning of the Three Gorges Reservoir Project to nowadays were investigated through the judgment model established on soil erosion intensity. With the function of spatial analysis in the geographic information system, the analysis and appraisal of dynamic soil erosion changes were carried out, and the spatial characteristics of the vicious change were highlighted, and the main causes of the vicious change of soil erosion were explored.

The fine velocity structure of sediment－base－ment layer in the Three－GorgesRegionoftheChangjiangRiver（YangtzeRiver）

In this paper, the study on the fine velocity structure of sedimental and basement layers along 4 deep seismic sounding profiles in the Three Gorges Region of the Changjiang River (Yangtze River) are presented. The velocity of sedimental cover is larger in hills of western Hubei in the western profiles, the total thickness is about 0～0.3 km. However, it becomes thick in southern part of Zigui basin and Zushui river valley, about 5.0 km and 4.0 km thick respectively. The sedimental cover is very thick in Jianghan plains in the eastern profiles, about 5～8 km, and the velocity is lower. The velocity of basemental plane is greater than 6.0 km/s over the whole region. An interface can be divided within the sedimental layer, it is about 3～4 km deep in Jianghan plains, while it approximates to surface in other regions. The profiles are cut by faults in many positions. Where the faults pass, the velocity isopleth varies sharply, and the velocity is obviously low. The basement layer is characterized by high velocity and low gradient, there exist 3 high velocity anomalous zones within the layer, which are located at the west, south and east of Huangling Anticlinorium respectively. They are the upwelling materials of basalt magma with high velocity from deep crust. Perhaps, this process took place before formation of Huangling Anticlinorium. Its action produces the significant variation of basement plane depth and the correspondent development and action of faults.

Plankton community composition in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region revealed by PCR-DGGE and its relationships with environmental factors

To explore the relationships between community composition and the environment in a reservoir ecosystem, plankton communities from the Three Gorges Reservoir Region were studied by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis fingerprinting. Bacterial and eukaryotic operational taxonomic units （OTUs）, generated by DGGE analysis of the PCR-amplified 16S and 18S rRNA genes, were used as surrogates for the dominant ＂biodiversity units＂. OTU composition among the sites was heterogeneous; 46.7% of the total bacterial OTUs （45） and 64.1% of the eukaryotic OTUs （39） were identified in less than half of the sampling sites. Unweighted pair group method with arithmetic averages （UPGMA） clustering of the OTUs suggested that the plankton communities in the Xiangxi Rive sites were not always significantly different from those from the Yangtze River sites, despite clear differences in their environmental characterizations. Canonical correspondence analysis （CCA） was applied to further investigate the relationships between OTU composition and the environmental factors. The first two CCA ordination axes suggested that the bacterial community composition was primarily correlated with the variables of NO3^--N, dissolved oxygen （DO）, and SiO3^2--Si, whereas, the eukaryotic community was mainly correlated with the concentrations of DO, PO4^3--P, and SiO3^2--Si.

Using ^(137)Cs Tracing Methods to Estimate Soil Redistribution Rates and to Construct a Sediment Budget for a Small Agricultural Catchment in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region,China

Soil erosion and associated off-site sedimentation are threatening the sustainable use of the Three Gorges Dam. To initiate management intervention to reduce sediment yields, there is an increasing need for reliable information on soil erosion in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region （TGRR）. The purpose of this study is to use 137Cs tracing methods to construct a sediment budget for a small agricultural catchment in the TGRR. Cores were taken from a pond and from paddy fields, for laTCs measurements. The results show that the average sedimentation rate in the pond since 1963 is 1.50 g cm-2 yr-1 and the corresponding amount of sediment deposited is 1,553 t. The surface erosion rate for the sloping cultivated lands and the sedimentation rate in the paddy fields were estimated to be 3,770 t km-2 yr-1 and 2,600 t km-2 yr^1 respectively. Based on the estimated erosion and deposition rates, and the area of each unit, the post 197o sediment budget for the catchment has been constructed. A sediment delivery ratio of 0.5 has been estimated for the past 42 years. The data indicate that the sloping cultivated lands are the primary sediment source areas, and that the paddy fields are deposition zones. The typical land use pattern （with the upper parts characterized by sloping cultivated land and the lower parts by paddy fields） plays an important role in reducing sediment yield from agricultural catchments in the TGRR. A 137Cs profile for the sediment deposited in a pond is shownto provide an effective means of estimating the land surface erosion rate in the upstream catchment.

Evapotranspiration and humidity variations in response to land cover conversions in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region

A new land cover classification system was established for the Three Gorges Reservoir Region(TGRR) after considering the continuity of inundation and the natural characteristics of land cover. The potential evapotranspiration(PET) was predicted using a modified Penman-Monteith(P-M) model. The region's ratio of precipitation to evapotranspiration was calculated as the humidity index(HI). The data obtained was used to analyze climatic responses to land cover conversions from the perspectives of evapotranspiration and humidity variations. The results show that, from 1997 to 2009, the average annual PET increased in the early years and decreased later. In terms of overall spatial distribution, a significant reciprocal relationship appeared between annual PET and annual HI. In 1997,the annual PET was higher in the lower reaches than in the upper reaches of the TGRR, but the areas with high PET shifted substantially westward by 2003. The annual PET continued to increase in 2006, but the areas with high PET shrank by 2009. In contrast, the annual HI showed varying degrees of localized spatial variability. Over the three periods, the dominantforms of land cover conversions occurred from evergreen cover to seasonal green cover, from seasonal green cover to evergreen cover, and from seasonal green cover to seasonally inundated areas, respectively. These accounted for 48.0%, 38.4%, and 23.8% of the total areas of converted land covers in the three periods, respectively. During the period between 1997 and 2003, the main forms of land cover conversions resulted in both positive and negative growths in the average annual PET, while all of them pushed down the average annual HI. From 2003 to 2006, the reservoir region experienced neither a decrease in the annual PET nor an increase in the annual HI. The period between 2006 and 2009 saw a consistent downward trend in the annual PET and a consistent upward trend in the annual HI.

Soil Geochemistry Changes Induced by a Foreign Soil Reconstruction Project in Three Gorges Reservoir Region of China

Fertile topsoil was added onto the surface of barren slope land in Three Gorges Reservoir region of China in an anthropogenic process known as the foreign soil reconstruction project. The main goal of this paper was to reveal the influence of anthropogenic activities on pedogenic processes and soil classifications. Chemical weathering indices and comparative analysis were applied to discuss changes in geochemical compositions and weathering features of purplish soils(Cambisols) before and after the project. Results showed that:(1) The foreign soil reconstruction project slightly altered the major element composition of topsoil and improved the soil structure. Although the distributions of major elements in the original topsoil, original subsoil, foreign topsoil and newly constructed topsoil were all similar to that in upper continental crust, newly constructed topsoil was the most similar soil.(2) The chemical index of alteration was more sensitive than the weathering index of Parker at indicating chemical weathering status of purplish soil. The chemical weathering status of newly constructed topsoil was higher than that of the original topsoil and lower than that of foreign topsoil.(3) Anthropogenic activities may provide a promising new thought for the anthropogenic soil classification system. The scope and subgroups of Anthrosols should be extended and strengthened. Or there may be a need to combine Anthrosols and Technosols orders to create a new soil order. The results may be used for optimizing soil mellowing engineering activities and enriching the soil classification system.

Ecological Approaches to Urban Migration of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region

With the approach of the second water storage of the Three Gorges Project, urban migration has become a great concern. However, being influenced by economical, social or other factors, ecological problems have apparently become pressing. All these problems are exerting great impact upon the speed and quality of new city’s or town’s construction. By means of ecology, urban ecology, landscape ecology, human settlement science as well as the principle of sustainable development, this paper analyzes the ecological problems in urban migration, and the corresponding approaches in order to promote ecological environment construction of new cities and give an impetus to sustainable development of the whole human settlements in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region.

A Study of Soil Nutrients in the Terrace Field Changed from Mountain Slope in Three Gorges Reservoir Region

In order to accurately grasp the soil fertility in Three Gorges Reservoir Region after changing mountain slope into terrace field,we take Wushan County for example,and use the spatio-temporal substitution method to analyze the soil nutrient status and trend about the terrace field changed from mountain slope under different length of implementation.The results show that the soil fertility is generally low in the study area,and according to the soil nutrient grading standards in the second national land survey,the average content of total nitrogen,available potassium,organic matter and available phosphorus reaches Standard III,Standard III,Standard IV and Standard V,respectively,and the spatial heterogeneity of soil nutrients is small.Compared to the sloping land,the terrace field changed from mountain slope has increasing soil nutrients on the whole with the length of farming.The mean of various indicators about soil nutrients in the terrace field changed from mountain slope for 2 years is lower than in the sloping land,and there is the biggest difference in soil fertility,while the mean of various indicators about soil nutrients in the terrace field changed from mountain slope for 14 years shows a linear upward trend,and the difference in soil fertility decreases.

Research of Cultivation Technology of Auricularia auricula-judae in Forest Lands in The Three Gorges in Chongqing

[Objective] The aim was to help farmers in poverty-stricken area in Three Gorges Reservoir Region to get rid of poverty and become better off.[Method] The cultivation experiment of Auricularia auricula-judae with basswoods was conducted in Guocun town,Wanzhou district in Three Gorges Reservoir Region and new technologies were concluded in terms of selection of cultivation site,preparation of mushroom materials,cultivation technology and management to guide cultivation of Auricularia auricula-judae.[Result] The research broadens a new way for starveling farmer to be better off.[Conclusion] The research provides references for under-forest economy in surrounding forests.