Growth characteristics of multipurpose tree species, crop productivity and soil properties in agroforestry systems under subtropical humid climate in India

Multipurpose tree species （MPTs） were studied in an agroforestry arboretum under subtropical humid climate in Northeast India. Out of 12 MPTs planted under agroforestry systems, Acacia auriculiformis in spacing of 2 m × 2 m （2500 stems·hm^-2） could have the potentiality to meet the timber/fuelwood requirement due to its high wood production of 635 m^3·hm^-2 with mean annual increment （MAI） of 2.54×10^-2 m^3.treel.a^-1 in a short rotation period of 10 years. Thus, A. auriculiformis is a short rotation forest tree species suitable to grow in subtropical humid climate. On the other hand, at 16 years of age, Eucalyptus hybrid and Michelia champaca in spacing of 3 m × 3 m （1111 stems.hm^2） produced appreciably high timber volume of 315 m^3.hm^-2 and 165 m^3.hm^-2 with MAI of 1.77×10^-2 m^3.tree^-1·a^-1 and 0.92×10.2 m^3.tree^-1.a^-1, respectively. At 16 years of age, Gmelina arborea produced a timber volume of 147 m^3.hm^-2 with MAI of 1.47×10^-2 m^3.tree^-1.a^-1 followed by Samania saman （140 m^3.hm^-2）, Albizziaprocera （113 m^3·hm^-2） and Tectona grandis （79 m3.hm^-2） with MAI of 1.40, 1.13 and 0.78 × 10^-2 m^3 .tree^-1a^-1, respectively in 4 m × 4 m spacing （625 stems.hm^-2）. Gliricidia maculata and Leucaena leucocephala could be used as live fences around the farm boundary to supply their N-rich leaves for mulch as well as manure to crops. In agroforestry arboretum, direct seeded upland rice （Oryza sativa - variety, AR-11）, groundnut （Arachis hypogaea - variety, JL-24） and sesamum （Sesamum indicum - variety, B-67） were grown during the initial period upto 8 years of tree establishment. Under other MPTs, there was a reduction in crop productivity as compared to open space. After 8 years of tree establishment, horti-silvi and silvi-pastoral systems were developed and pineapple （Ananas comosus - variety Queen）, turmeric （Curcuma longa -variety RCT -1） and cowpea （Vigna sinensis - variety Pusa Barsati） as forage crop were raised. The productivity of pineapple, turmeric and cowpea was comparatively high under Azadirachta indica. The productivity of horticultural and forage crops in association with trees such as G. arborea, A. procera, S. saman, T. grandis and M. champaca of high timber value could be harnessed as viable agroforestry systems. Changes in soil properties were also monitored. Amelioration of soil acidity, increase in soil organic carbon, and enhanced humification of soil humus, high nutrient availability, low soil erodibility and high surface soil （0-15 cm） moisture availability were noted in soils under MPTs.

Optimisation of the double skin facade in hot and humid climates through altering the design parameter combinations

Architects welcome double skin facade(DSF)due to its aesthetic quality.The first DSF structure was intended to prevent cold weather and strong winds.Nowadays,the application of DSF under different climates has been investigated in many previous studies.Fiowever,little work had been done on the behaviour of DSF in hot and humid climates.Therefore,this paper aimed to extend the application into this specific climate and Guangzhou was selected as the sample city.Both the climate and the design influence the performance of DSF.In this paper,rather than explore how each design parameter influences the performance,the design was evaluated from an overall aspect.The Designbuilder software was used to build the single skin facade(SSF)and double skin facade base model.Annual HVAC energy consumption for both the two models was calculated and compared.An optimisation process was conducted to figure out what kinds of parameter combination could make the design more energy-saving and thermally comfortable.The results indicated that it was possible to design an energy-saving DSF system applied in hot and humid climates compared with the SSF model.The efficiency of the DSF could be further enhanced with a better parameter combination.The optimised options had some features in common,which could provide some inspirations for the application of DSF in hot and humid climates.

Effects of water-cooled cover on physiological and production parameters of farrowing sows under hot and humid climates

The hot and humid climates,as encountered in the southern region of China with the open housing,can adversely impact the sows undergoing heat stress during the most vulnerable period at lactation.Hence,a water-cooled cover system(WCCs)for local cooling has essential practical value to improve productivity.The WCCs was developed for the sow crate of lactating sows separately,which performance was validated with the cooling efficiency in the sow occupied zone(SOZ)and physiological parameters.The results showed that the WCCs for the farrowing sows using aluminium plastic tubes connected in series could reach an appropriate cooling performance in adjacent units.The WCCs could decrease the SOZ air temperature by 3.0-4.5℃under the extremely hot climate when the indoor air temperature was 37℃,and maintain a suitable range(25-30℃)under the typical hot climate(<35℃).The respiration rate and skin temperature of farrowing sows had no significant difference between treatment group(WCC)and control group(sprinkle cooling)when the air temperature was below 30℃,but had a significant difference(p<0.05)when air temperature rose above 30℃.The control sows drank more during hot weather,and the feed intake was significantly lower than the sows with the WCCs(p<0.01).It was concluded that the WCCs could alleviate the heat stress of farrowing sows during typical hot climate.

Armoured mud balls as a result of ephemeral fluvial flood in a humid climate:Modern example from Guizhou Province,South China

Armoured mud balls were observed after rainfall and a short flood in the otherwise dry Xiaohe （small river） valley of Guanling County, Guizhou Province, South China, approximately 30 km southwest of Guanling City. Armoured mud balls are most common in semiarid climates, but rather unusual in a humid climate as in Guizhou. A number of well-rounded mud balls, 2-20 cm in diameter, were found lying on the gravel of the Xiaohe gully floor. The mud balls consist of sticky, light brown and slightly mottled clay without carbonate content. The surfaces of the mud balls were studded with rims of sandor gravel-size limestone clasts, col- lected during bedload transport, as is typical for armoured mud balls. The mud balls originated from alluvial mudstone deposits of the valley floor and cliff that are most likely derived from the weathering and karstification of bedrock limestones. Such mudstones seem to be especially well suited for forming armoured mud balls. As flood events are rather common in the area, the formation of armoured mud balls should be very frequent in the Xiaohe valley and similar valleys nearby, giving the possibility for further and more detailed studies. To the best of our knowledge this is the first description of armoured mud balls in China.

Vegetation-Climate Relationship and Its Application in the Division of Vegetation Zone in China

Distribution of vegetation is closely coupled with climate; the climate controls distribution of vegetation and the vegetation type reflects regional climates. To reveal vegetation_climate relationships is the foundation for understanding the vegetation distribution and theoretically serving vegetation regionalization. Vegetation regionalization is a theoretical integration of vegetation studies and provides a base for physiogeographical regionalization as well as agriculture and forestry regionalization. Based on a brief historical overview on studies of vegetation_climate relationships and vegetation regionalization conducted in China, we review the principles, bases and major schemes of previous vegetation regionalization and discuss on several contentious boundaries of vegetation zones in the present paper. We proposed that, under the circumstances that the primary vegetation has been destroyed in most parts of China, the division of vegetation zones/regions should be based on the distribution of primary and its secondary vegetation types and climatic indices that delimit distribution of the vegetation types. This not only reveals the closed relationship between vegetation and climate, but also is feasible practically. Although there still are divergence of views on the name and their boundaries of the several vegetation zones, it is commonly accepted that there are eight major vegetation regions in China, i.e. cold temperate needleleaf forest region, temperate needleleaf and broadleaf mixed forest region, warm temperate deciduous broadleaf forest region, subtropical evergreen broadleaf forest region, tropical monsoon forest and rain forest region, temperate steppe region, temperate desert region, and Qinghai_Xizang (Tibetan) Plateau high_cold vegetation region. Analyzing characteristics of vegetation and climate of major vegetation boundaries, we suggested that: 1) Qinling Mountain_Huaihe River line is an important arid/humid climatic, but not a thermal climatic boundary, and thus can not also be regarded as the northern limit of the subtropical vegetation zone; 2) the northern limit of subtropical vegetation zone in China is along the northern coast of the Yangtze River, from Hangzhou Bay, via Taihu Lake, Xuancheng and Tongling in Anhui Province, through by southern slope of the Dabie Mountains, to Wuhan and its west, coinciding with a warmth index ( WI ) value of 130-140 ℃·month; 3) the tropical region is limited in a very small area in southeastern Hainan Island and southern edge of Taiwan Island; and 4) considering a significant difference in climates between the southern and northern parts of the warm temperate zone, we suggested that the warm temperate zone in China is divided into two vegetation regions, deciduous broadleaf woodland region and deciduous and evergreen broadleaf mixed forest region, the Qinling Mountain_Huaihe River line being as their boundary. We also claimed that the zonal vegetation in North China is deciduous broadleaf woodland. Finally, we emphasized the importance of dynamic vegetation regionalization linked to climate changes.

Quantitative Analysis of the Outdoor Thermal Comfort in the Hot and Humid Summertime of Shenzhen, China

Outdoor thermal comfort has always been a major issue due to its irreplaceable role in maintaining good health and energy use. Thus,quantitative analysis of outdoor thermal comfort and discussions on influential factors seem very necessary to achieve the climate-conscious urban design. Therefore,an outdoor thermal comfort questionnaire survey and the simultaneous field measurement were conducted in six different places during the hot and humid summertime in Shenzhen. The results show that the overall weather conditions during the investigation can be expressed with high temperature and high humidity with strong solar radiation. The micro-meteorological parameters of six test sites vary greatly due to their different regional spatial layouts.Moderate range of air temperature( Ta) is between 28 to 30 ℃ while that of relative humidity( RH) mainly concentrates in 60%-70% with the thermal sensation votes. The main influential factors impacting outdoor thermal comfort are obtained and Tahas the greatest effect. The overall thermal comfortable ranges in Shenzhen are expressed by the range of 28. 14-32. 83 ℃ of PET and 24. 74-30. 45 ℃ of SET*. With the correlation analysis between the characteristic parameters of regional spatial layout and thermal climate and thermal comfort,it reveals that increasing the coverage ratio of water and green space( S) helps lower Taand increase RH. The global solar radiation( G) has a significant negative correlation with the height of buildings( H) and a positive correlation with sky view factor( SVF). Overall,reasonable configuration of the regional spatial layout contributes to providing a thermal comfortable environment.

Determination of Reference Evapotranspiration Using Penman-Monteith Method in Case of Missing Wind Speed Data under Subhumid Climatic Condition in Hungary

The reference evapotranspiration was calculated using Penman-Monteith method proposed. This method was evaluated on data measured by lysimeter in Szarvas experimental station in Hungary. The results of the two methods were in good agreement. However, this method requires an amount of data which is not available at all sites of meteorological measurement. Therefore it was necessary to investigate which elements influencing evapotranspiration are important and which elements are less important. With the help of investigation was indicated that radiation and vapor pressure deficit play important role in determination of reference evapotranspiration. Taking into account this there was two possibilities to calculate evapotranspiration. One of these is to use Penman-Monteith formula with constant wind speed as advised by Allen. Another one is to neglect wind speed data. Both methods were investigated and the method with constant wind speed was found better in a subhumid climatic condition of Hungary.

Impact of Variegated Temperature, CO<SUB>2</SUB>and Relative Humidity on Survival and Development of Beet Armyworm <i>Spodoptera exigua</i>(Hubner) under Controlled Growth Chamber

Climate change will have a noteworthy bearing on survival, development, and population dynamics of insect pests. Therefore, we contemplated the survival and development of beet army worm, Spodoptera exigua under different temperatures, (15°C, 25°C, 35°C, and 45°C), CO2 (350, 550, 750 ppm) and relative humidity (55%, 65%, 75% and 85%) regimes. Maximum larval and pupal weights were recorded in insects reared at 25°C. The growth of S. exigua was faster at 35°C (larval period 7.4 days and pupal period 4.5 days) than at lower temperatures. At 15°C, the larval period was extended for 61.4 days and there was no adult emergence from the pupae till 90 days. The S. exigua hatchling was absent at 45°C. The larval survival ranged from 31.6% - 57.2%, maximum survival was recorded at 25°C, and minimum at 45°C. The maximum (84.27%) and minimum adult emergence were recorded in insects reared at 25°C and 35°C respectively. Maximum fecundity (384.3 eggs/female) and egg viability (51.97%) were recorded in insects reared at 25°C. Larval and pupal periods increased with an increase in CO2 concentration. The highest pupal weights (128.6 mg/larva) were recorded at 550 ppm. The highest larval survival (73.50%) was recorded at 550 ppm and minimum (37.00%) at 750 ppm CO2. Fecundity was the highest in insects reared at 550 ppm CO2 (657.4 eggs/female), and the lowest at 750 ppm. Maximum larval and pupal weights were recorded in insects reared at 75% relative humidity (RH). The growth rate of S. exigua was faster at 85% RH than at lower RH. The larval survival ranged between 40.0% - 58.5%. Maximum adult emergence (88.91%) was recorded in insects reared at 75% RH and minimum at 85% RH. Maximum fecundity (447.6 eggs/female) and the highest egg viability (72.95%) were recorded in insects reared at 75% and 65% RH respectively. Elevated temperatures and relative moistness will diminish the life cycle, while hoisted CO2 will drag the life expectancy. Therefore, there is a need for thorough assessment of the impact of climatic factors on the population dynamics of insect pests, crop losses, and sustainability of crop production.

Surface Humidity Changes in Different Temporal Scales

As the key driven factor of hydrological cycles and global energy transfer processes, water vapour in the atmosphere is important for observing and understanding climatic system changes. In this study, we utilized the multi-dimensional Kolmogorov-Zurbenko filter (KZ filter) to assimilate a near-global high-resolution (monthly 1°?× 1°?grid) humidity climate observation database that provided consistent humidity estimates from 1973 onwards;then we examined the global humidity movements based on different temporal scales that separated out according to the average spectral features of specific humidity data. Humidity climate components were restored with KZ filters to represent the long-term trends and El Nino-like interannual movements. Movies of thermal maps based on these two climate components were used to visualize the water vapour fluctuation patterns over the Earth. Current results suggest that increases in water vapour are found over a large part of the oceans and the land of Eurasia, and the most confirmed increasing pattern is over the south part of North Atlantic and around the India subcontinent;meanwhile, the surface moisture levels over lands of south hemisphere are becoming less.

THE IMPACTS OF ORBITAL PARAMETERS ON SUMMER PRECIPITATION OVER CHINA IN THE HOLOCENE

The impact of orbital parameters on the climate of China in the Holocene is simulated from 11kaBP to 0kaBP with an interval of 1ka using National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Atmosphere Model version 2 (CAM2). The geographic distributions of summer precipitation around both 9kaBP and 4kaBP were realistically captured by CAM2, compared to the proxy data collected from 80 stations. Among all orbital parameters, the precession plays a major role in computing solar radiation, which dominates the variations of summer precipitation over China during the Holocene. The summers around 9kaBP were the wettest in China. Later on, the precipitation gradually reduced to the minimum around 0kaBP by about 10%. This tremendous change occurred from the Northeast China and the eastern Inner Mongolia extending southwestwards to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, especially over the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Cooling load characteristics of indoor spaces conditioned by decoupled radiant cooling unit with low radiant temperature

Decoupled radiant cooling units(DRCUs)are capable of increasing the cooling capacity without increasing condensation risks even using a much lower cooling temperature than conventional radiant cooling units(CRCUs).However,it is unclear whether DRCUs using low radiant cooling temperature will increase the cooling load of the conditioned indoor spaces.In this study,the cooling load characteristics of a thermal chamber conditioned by a DRCU was investigated through developing a steady-state analysis model suitable for both DRCUs and CRCUs.The total/radiative heat flux,as well as the heat exchange with a thermal manikin and walls were analysed under different surface temperatures of DRCUs.The effect of the emissivity of the thermal chamber’external wall on the cooling load was also investigated.Results indicated that the cooling load under the DRCU was slightly smaller than that under the CRCU when the same operative environment was created.Decreasing the infrared emissivity of the exterior wall’s inner surface could lead to a significant decrease in the cooling load for both the DRCU and CRCU.By decreasing the wall emissivity from 0.9 to 0.1,the total cooling load of the DRCU can be decreased by 8.4%and the heat gain of the exterior wall decreased by 21.6%.This study serves as a reference for developing the analysis model and understanding the load characteristics when DRCUs are used to create the thermal environment for indoor spaces.