Spatial Pattern and Development of Protected Areas in the North-south Transitional Zone of China

The north-south transitional zone in China mainly consists of the Qinling-Daba Mountains. It is the most important West-East geo-ecological space in China, containing protected areas vital for biodiversity conservation and ecological security of China. The protection and rational development of its natural habitat is of great significance to China’s ecological security and integration of protected areas based on mountain forest ecosystems on a global scale. In this study, five important types of protected areas in the transitional zone were selected, and their spatial patterns were analysed. Spatial analysis methods, such as kernel density estimation and accessibility analysis, were employed for both point and areal data, and focused on four aspects: land use scale, shift in the centre of gravity, spatial agglomeration, and accessibility. In addition, policy background and evolution of spatial and temporal characteristics of the protected area system in the transitional zone from 1963 to 2017 were also examined. We analysed the characteristics and geographical significance of the West-east corridor using the spatial pattern of the protected area system from the perspective of ecological and economic spaces. We focused on spatial shape, type intersection, and key areas to analyse the spatial overlap of the protected areas. Protected area establishment was divided into three stages: initial(1956–1980), rapid development(1981–2013), and national park transformation(2014–present). These stages reflected the change in the concept of ‘simple protection—sustainable use—integration and upgrade’ for protected areas of China. The spatial centre of gravity of the protection zone system was located in the west Qinling-Daba Mountains, and its high-density core exhibited a relatively stable N-shaped structure composed of four gathering areas. Affected by factors such as geographic environment and socio-economic development density, the average access time for protected areas was high(1.56 h);wetland parks and scenic areas are located closer to the city centre. As the West-east corridor in the transitional zone extends from west to east, there is a clear spatial dislocation between the development of protected areas and the intensity of human activities. During development, differentiated goal orientation should be adopted based on the idea of zoning and classified governance. With the advancement of the construction of protected areas, the spatial overlap of protected areas in the transition zone has become more prominent. At present, the spatially overlapped protected areas in the transitional zone remain prominent, with inclusion overlap being the most common, and forest parks exhibiting the highest probability of overlap with other protected areas, we should focus on in the integration process of the corridor-type ecological space based on the mountain forest ecosystem.

Dynamic Identification and Evolution of Urban-suburban-rural Transition Zones Based on the Blender of Natural and Humanistic Factors: A Case Study of Chengdu, China

Urban-suburban-rural(U-S-R)zones exhibit distinctive transitional characteristics in interaction between human and nature.U-S-R transition zones(U-S-RTZ)are also highlighting the function diversity and landscape heterogeneity across territorial spaces.As a super megacity in western China,Chengdu’s rapid urbanization has driven the evolution of U-S-R spaces,resulting in a sequential structure.To promote the high-quality spatial development of urban-rural region in a structured and efficient manner,it is essential to con-duct a scientific examination of the multidimensional interconnection within the U-S-RTZ framework.By proposing a novel identifica-tion method of U-S-RTZ and taking Chengdu,China as a case study,grounded in a blender of natural and humanistic factors,this study quantitatively delineated and explored the spatial evolutions of U-S-RTZ and stated the optimization orientation and sustainable devel-opment strategies of the production-living-ecological spaces along the U-S-R gradients.The results show that:1)it is suitable for the quantitative analysis of U-S-RTZ by established three-dimensional identification system in this study.2)In 1990-2020,the urban-sub-urban transition zones(U-STZ)in Chengdu have continuously undergone a substantial increase,and the scale of the suburban-rural transition zones(S-RTZ)has continued to expand slightly,while the space of rural-ecological transition zones(R-ETZ)has noticeably compressed.3)The landuse dynamics within U-S-RTZ has gradually increased in 1990-2020.The main direction of landuse transition was from farmland to construction land or woodlands,with the expansion of construction land being the most significant.4)R-ETZ primarily focus on ecological functions,and there is a trade-off relationship between the production-ecological function within the S-RTZ,and in the U-STZ,production-living composite functions are prioritized.This study emphasizes the importance of elastic planning and precise governance within the U-S-RTZ in a rapid urbanization region,particularly highlighting the role of suburbs as landscape corridors and service hubs in urban-rural integration.It elucidates to the practical implications for achieving high-quality development of integrated U-S-R territorial spaces.

Discussion on position of China’s north-south transitional zone by comparative analysis of mountain altitudinal belts

The Qinling Mountains has always been regarded as an essential dividing line between the warm temperate zone and the subtropical zone in eastern China and plays a vital role in the geoecological pattern of China.However,there is controversy about the specific location of this geographical boundary in the academic community.As a product of the combined effects of zonal and non-zonal factors,the mountain altitudinal belts(MABs)can reflect both the horizontal zonality and the vertical zonality of vegetation distribution.Using the MAB information,we can not only profoundly understand the complex mountain system of QinlingDaba Mountains but can also judge its nature as a geographical boundary more scientifically.Therefore,based on the comparative analysis of basal belt,dominant belt characteristics and belt structure characteristics of the MABs in Qinling-Daba Mountains,subtropical and temperate mountains,this paper analyzed the MAB differences and similarities among Qinling-Daba Mountains,subtropical and temperate typical mountains,to reveal the vegetation distribution characteristics in the north-south transitional zone.The results show that:(1)The MABs of the southern part of QinlingDaba Mountains(southern slope of the Daba Mountains)are the same or similar to those of the Subtropical Mountains,and the MABs of the northern part of Qinling-Daba Mountains(northern slope of the Qinling Mountains)are similar to those of the temperate mountains.While it shows obvious transitional characteristics in the vast area between the northern slope of the Daba Mountains and the southern slope of the Qinling Mountains:the basal belts gradually transit from the evergreen broadleaved forest belt(basal belt in subtropical mountains)to the evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest belt,and the dominant belts also transit from the evergreen broad-leaved forest belt to the evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest belt or the deciduous broad-leaved forest belt.(2)The transitional zone between the subtropical zone and the warm temperate zone is located between the northern slope of the Daba Mountains and the southern slope of the Qinling Mountains.The southern boundary of the transitional zone is along the northern slope of Shennongjia Mountain-the northern slope of Micang Mountain-Baishuijiang Nature Reserve,and the northern boundary is along the southern slope of Funiu Mountain-the southern slope of Taibai Mountain-Lianhua Mountain.Additionally,in the transitional zone,the average temperature in January is between-5°C and 1°C,the annual average temperature is between 10°C and 13°C except Hanzhong Basin and Hanshui Valley,and the accumulated temperature above 10°C ranges from 2000°C to 4000°C,the annual rainfall is about 800-1000 mm.The results provide a scientific basis for revealing the characteristics of China’s north-south transitional zone and scientific division of the boundary between the subtropical zone and warm temperate zone in China.

Influence of Evaporating Under the Clouds on the Precipitation Stable Isotope in the Transition Zone Between Tibetan Plateau and Arid Region of China

Consideration of stable isotopes in precipitation is valuable for investigating hydrological processes.Therefore,correcting the measured isotopic composition of precipitation under below-cloud evaporation is necessary.An accurate description of the underlying processes affecting stable isotopic composition of precipitation could help improve our understanding of the water cycle.The transitivity between monsoonal and arid climates was reflected by the evaporation rate of falling raindrops in precipitation in the Qilian Mountains,a typical transition zone between Tibetan Plateau and arid region of China.Considering 1310 precipitation event-scale samples,based on stable isotope analysis method,the mean below-cloud evaporation rate(f)in the study area was measured as 12.00%during the summer half-year(May-October).The evaporation rate on the northern slopes(12.70%)of the Qilian Mountains in China was significantly higher than that on the southern slopes(9.98%).The transition between monsoonal and arid climates was reflected in the evaporation rate of falling raindrops during precipitation in the Qilian Mountains of China.Below-cloud evaporation contributed to a noticeable enrichment of stable isotopes in the precipitation in the study area.The monthly precipitationδ^(18)O enrichment rate in the Qilian Mountains of China from May to October was 29.18%,23.35%,25.60%,22.99%,31.64%,and 14.72%,respectively.For every 1.00%increase in the evaporation rate of raindrops in Qilian Mountains of China,the changes in the concentration of oxygen isotopes from the bottom of the clouds to the ground increased by 0.92‰;however,with an evaporation rate of<5.00%,for every 1.00%increase in the evaporation rate of raindrops the changes in the concentration of oxygen isotopes from the bottom of the clouds to the ground increased by 1.00‰could also be observed.Furthermore,altitude was an important factor affecting below-cloud evaporation in the study area.

THE POSSIBILITIES AND REALITIES ON THE REMANAGEMENT OF DESERTIFIED LANDS IN THE TRANSITIONAL ZONE BETWEEN THE DRY-FARMING AREA AND THE GRAZING AREA IN NORTH CHINA

The desertification process is rapidly developing at present and 61.5% of the land area in the zone are already desertified.Among the desertified lands, 26.9% are seriously desertified, 25% most seriously desertified and 47.4% are the lands where desertification is under way. They are caused by over-reclamation for farming, over-grazing, unreasonable collection of firewood,the destruction of vegetation and the misuse of water resources. Under the ecological environment in semi-arid zone,the degraded environment process possesses the ability of restoring to its original status as soon as the interruption of excessive human activities are eliminated. The fencing- and-self-cultivating method is an effective measure adopted universally in semi-arid zone to cure the desertified lands.The desertified lands can be readjusted and controlled easily if other controlling measures are supplemented. The fundamental ways to control desertification are to utilize rationally the resources, to readjust the existing

Response of Vegetation Cover to Climate Change and Influence of Dusty Weather in the Desertloess Transitional Zone of China

[Objective]This study aimed to analyze the relationships of the normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI)(1981-2006)in the desert-loess transitional zone of China with precipitation and temperature.[Method]The average method and the correlation function were applied in this study.[Result]The results indicated that during the growing season NDVI was positively correlated with precipitation in the current month,last month and the month before last,especially the last month.NDVI mostly negatively correlated with temperature,especially the temperature in the last month,which shows that the higher temperature,the more adverse the conditions for vegetation growth.[Conclusion]NDVI from August to October clearly is one of the significant factors influencing dust storm weather in spring of the next year.

Imaging mantle transition zone discontinuities in southwest China from dense array ambient noise interferometry

Body waves retrieved from ambient noise cross-correlation functions（NCFs） have been reported by more and more recent studies in addition to the dominant recovered surface waves. And one of important applications of these recovered body waves is to investigate the structure of discontinuities within the mantle transition zone（MTZ）. In this study, clear body wave phases reflected from the MTZ discontinuities at 410 km and 660 km have been observed on the NCFs in the frequency band of 0.1–0.2 Hz from a dense regional seismic array in southwest China. The original timedomain reflected signals in the NCFs were first converted to the depth-domain NCFs based on a velocity model before they were further stacked spatially within different bins. Then the depth-domain NCFs were stacked to investigate the lateral variations of the MTZ discontinuities, that is, the 410-km and 660-km discontinuities. Our results exhibit a simple and lateral coherent P;P phase and a much more complicated P;P phase along two profiles, which are in good agreement with mineralogical prediction and recent receiver function studies in the same area. This interferometric method can provide stable reflected body wave phases mainly in the frequency band 0.1–0.2 Hz due to the secondary microseism noise, which can be potentially used for high-resolution mantle interface imaging. This approach is also a good complement to traditional imaging methods, such as receiver function imaging.

Numerical Experiments for the influence of the Transition Zone Migration on Summer Climate in North China

As the position of the transition zone changes obviously, that is, as the transition zone migrates to the north or the south from present position, it affects water or heat balance between the land and the atmosphere in a considerable degree and has a profound influence on climate in North China. The experiment results in this paper indicate whether in the dry case or in the wet case of the large-scale climatological background field, the surface air temperature in a wide range of the transition zone migration and its surrounding decreases as the transition zone migrates northward. Moreover, the net upward fluxes of the surface long wave radiation and the sensible heat decrease, and the evaporation to the atmosphere increases. As the transition zone migrates southward, the results are opposite. This kind of significant thermal forcing between the land and the atmosphere can excite secondary circulation or circulation cells, which interact with the large-scale circulation systems, changing the atmospheric motion, affecting the water vapor transportation and consequently having an effect on the precipitation.

Geochemistry and Petrogenesis of Volcanic Rocks from the Continent-Ocean Transition Zone in Northern South China Sea and Their Tectonic Implications

Miocene–Pliocene(22–5 Myr) volcanism and associated seamounts are abundant in the continent-ocean transition(COT) zone in the margin of the north South China Sea(SCS). The petrogenesis of volcanic rocks from these seamounts and regional tectonic evolution of COT zone are poorly known. In this paper, we obtained whole-rock major and trace element compositions and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic data for these volcanic rocks from the Puyuan and Beipo seamounts within COT zone, in northeastern SCS. Based on the geochemical analyses, the volcanic rocks are classified as alkaline ocean island basalts(OIB) and enriched mid-ocean ridge basalts(E-MORB). The OIBs from the Puyuan seamount are alkaline trachybasalts and tephrites that show enrichment of the light rare earth elements(LREE) relative to heavy rare earth elements(HREE) and more radiogenic Sr-Nd isotopic compositions, and have significant ‘Dupal isotopic anomaly'. In contrast, the E-MORBs from the Beipo seamount are tholeiitic basalts that have less enrichment in LREE and less radiogenic Sr-Nd isotopic compositions than the counterparts from the Puyuan seamount. Petrological and geochemical differences between the OIBs and MORBs from these two seamounts can be explained by different mantle sources and tectonic evolution stages of the COT zone. Syn-spreading OIB type basalts from the Puyuan seamount were derived from an isotopically ‘enriched', and garnet facies-dominated pyroxenitic mantle transferred by the Hainan mantle plume. In contrast, post-spreading E-MORB type basalts from the Beipo seamount are considered to be derived from the melting of isotopically ‘depleted' pyroxenite mantle triggered by lithosphere bending and subsequent post-rifting at the lower continental slope of the northern margin.

Ocean-continent Transition to Suprasubduction Zone Origin of the Western Yarlung Zangbo Ophiolites in SW Tibet, China: Multi-stage, Transient Evolution of the Neotethyan Oceanic Lithosphere

The ophiolites that crop out discontinuously along the;000 km Yarlung Zangbo Suture zone（YZSZ）between the Nanga Parbat and Namche Barwa syntaxes in southern Tibet represent the remnants of Neotethyan oceanic lithosphere（Fig.1a）.We have investigated the internal structure and the geochemical makeup of mafic-ultramafic rock assemblages that are exposed in the westernmost segment of the YZSZ where the suture zone architecture displays two distinct sub-belts of ophiolitic and mélange units separated by a continental Zhongba terrane（Fig.1b）.These two sub-belts include the Daba–Xiugugabu in the south（Southern sub-belt,SSB）and the Dajiweng–Saga in the north（Northern sub-belt,NSB）.We present new structural,geochemical,geochronological data from upper mantle peridotites and mafic dike intrusions occurring in these two sub-belts and discuss their tectonomagmatic origin.In-situ analysis of zircon grains obtained from mafic dikes within the Baer,Cuobuzha and Jianabeng massifs in the NSB,and within the Dongbo,Purang,Xiugugabu,Zhaga and Zhongba in the SSB have yielded crystallization ages ranging between130 and 122 Ma.Dike rocks in both sub-belts show N-MORB REE patterns and negative Nb,Ta and Ti anomalies,reminiscent of those documented from SSZ ophiolites.*Harzburgitic host rocks of the mafic dike intrusionsmainly display geochemical compositions of abyssal peridotites（Fig.2）,with the exception of the Dajiweng harzburgites,which show the geochemical signatures of forearc peridotites（Lian et al.,2016）.Extrusive rocks that are spatially associated with these peridotite massifs in both sub-belts also have varying compositional and geochemical features.Tithonian to Valanginian（150–135 Ma）basaltic rocks in the Dongbo massif have OIB-like geochemistry and 138 Ma basaltic lavas in the Purang massif have EMORB-like geochemistry（Liu et al.,2015）.Tuffaceous rocks in the Dajiweng massif are140 Ma in age and show OIB-like geochemistry.We interpret these age and geochemical data to reflect a rifted continental margin origin of the extrusive rock units in both sub-belts.These data and structural observations show that the western Yarluang Zangbo ophiolites represent fragments of an Ocean-Continent Transition（OCT）peridotites altered by fluids in an initial supersubduction setting.We infer that mafic-ultramafic rock assemblages exposed in the SSB and NSB initially formed in an ocean–continent transition zone（OCTZ）during the late Jurassic,and that they were subsequently emplaced in the forearc setting of an intraoceanic subduction zone within a Neotethyan seaway during 130 to 122 Ma.The NSB and SSB are hence part of a single,S-directed nappe sheet derived from a Neotethyan seaway located north of the Zhongba terrane.

Structure of the mantle transition zone in the central and western parts of the North China Craton using the receiver function 3D Kirchhoff migration method

Using data from the regional broadband dense temporary array deployed by the ChinArray project,we applied the three-dimensional(3D)Kirchhoff migration method of the teleseismic P-wave receiver function to investigate discontinuity structures of the mantle transition zone(MTZ)in the central and western parts of the North China Craton(NCC)using a highresolution 3D velocity model of the East Asian region.The results show that the 410-km discontinuity beneath the Datong Volcano is depressed by~10 km,indicating the presence of a high-temperature anomaly near the depth of 410 km,which is likely related to small-scale mantle upwelling caused by the dehydration of the stagnant Pacific Plate in the MTZ.The upwelling of hot material provides a heat source for surface magmatic activity.Beneath the Bohai Bay Basin,significant subsidence of the 660-km discontinuity is observed,and the transition zone here is extensively thickened.It’s suggested that the anomalies in this region are related to the stagnation of the Pacific slab in the MTZ.Although the thickness of the transition zone west of the North-South Gravity Lineament appears normal,we propose that the subducting front of the Pacific slab did not cross the gravity lineament in the NCC.In comparison,the small-scale subsidence of the 660-km discontinuity and the thickening of the MTZ observed north of the Hannuoba Volcano likely indicate that the slab crossed the gravity lineament at its turning point and remained in the MTZ.Furthermore,a local thickening of the MTZ is observed in the Dabie orogenic belt of the Qinling Mountains.This is believed to be a combined effect of lithospheric delamination into the transition zone in the lower Yangtze region and the stagnation of the Pacific Plate.

Determination of 3-D Velocity Anomalies of the Nanbei Tectonic Zone of China Based on Local Earthquakes

: In this paper, 3-D velocity images of the crust and upper mantle beneath the Nanbei tectonic zone of China are constructed using P-wave travel time residuals of earthquakes, with the data supplied by China's seismic networks and the International Seismic Centre.

南海北部水合物区HD109站位沉积物及孔隙水特征对甲烷渗漏的响应:来自元素和钡同位素的记录

甲烷渗漏活动及甲烷厌氧氧化作用(AOM)不仅导致特定自生矿物的形成,更会引起沉积物-孔隙水体系中元素和同位素组成的变化。本研究对南海北部水合物赋存区HD109站位开展了沉积物-孔隙水的Ba同位素及微量元素特征研究,综合分析了沉积物-孔隙水的氧化还原敏感元素(Mo、U)、Ba及Ba同位素特征对古今硫酸盐-甲烷转换带(SMTZ)及甲烷渗漏事件的指示。HD109站位孔隙水元素变化特征显示了清晰的地球化学分带,由上至下包括Fe-Mn还原带、硫酸盐还原带和硫酸盐-甲烷过渡带。沉积物Ba元素特征显示现今SMTZ上方有较为明显的钡峰(Ba/Al高值)发育,沉积物浅部Mo、U富集层位及相邻层位Ba/Al值特征综合指示了浅部古钡峰及古SMTZ的存在,代表沉积历史上甲烷渗漏通量较高事件。孔隙水δ^(138/134)Ba值普遍高于海洋颗粒钡及碎屑钡的δ^(138/134)Ba值,反映了沉积物中成岩重晶石溶解的贡献,其中,现代钡峰附近孔隙水具有明显的δ^(138/134)Ba峰值,显示孔隙水δ^(138/134)Ba对自生重晶石沉淀过程有较显著的响应。

Distribution patterns of SOC/TN content and their relationship with topography,vegetation and climatic factors in China’s north-south transitional zone

The spatial distributions and variation mechanism of key soil indices in the Qinling-Daba Mountains are important indicators for the identification of the transitional effect and regional characteristics of the north–south transitional zone in China.This manuscript analyzes the spatial variations in soil organic carbon(SOC)and total nitrogen(TN)and corresponding relationships with major geographical factors based on spatial analysis and geostatistics considering data obtained from the Second National Soil Survey.The results indicate that the spatial distributions of the SOC and TN contents are consistent,and three high-content areas,one secondary high-content area and one low-content area are observed.High content values are located in the high-altitude regions of the Qinling-Daba Mountains and mountainous areas to the west of the Jialing River,the low-content area occurs on the north slope of the Qinling Mountains,and the secondary high-content area mainly encompasses both sides of the Hanjiang River and regions in the Qinling-Daba Mountains at altitudes below 1000 m.The SOC and TN contents vary between the above two ranges,with the gradual increase in content revealing a horn-shaped pattern.Considering the spatial variations and functions of vegetation,topography and climate factors,it is found that the SOC/TN range in the secondary high-content area remains consistent along the 1000 m contour line,the upper limit of the transitional mountain altitudinal belt,the 0℃isotherm line in January and the 24℃isotherm line in July.This region constitutes the main body of the transitional zone between the subtropical and warm temperate zones,and the northern boundary is roughly distributed along the Dujiangyan-Maoxian-Pingwu-Wenxian line to the west of the Jialing River and the 1000 m contour line on the southern slope of the Qinling Mountains,while the southern boundary occurs along the Dujiangyan-Beichuan-Qingchuan line to the west of the Jialing River and the 1000 m contour line on the northern slope of the Daba Mountains.SOC/TN spatial variation provides a reference for the demarcation of the subtropical and warm temperate zones,and further identification of the soil processes and ecological effects in typical regions can help reveal multidimensional transitional characteristics and variation mechanisms.

华南地区地幔过渡带结构及其动力学意义

华南地区同时受特提斯构造域和太平洋构造域影响,是研究板块相互作用的最佳场所之一.为研究华南地区深部动力学过程,本文基于国家固定台网30°N以南的宽频带台站数据,利用接收函数方法开展了华南地区地幔过渡带结构研究,并结合已有地质、地球物理资料,讨论了华南地区深部构造单元划分及其浅部构造响应.研究结果表明:(1)扬子克拉通下方地幔过渡带结构接近全球平均水平,相对稳定;(2)海南岛地区地幔过渡带厚度偏薄,且410-km和660-km界面分别显著下沉和上升,可能与海南地幔柱密切相关;(3)太平洋构造域和特提斯构造域深部构造边界显著,青藏高原东南缘主要受特提斯构造域影响,其地幔过渡带中可能残留有拆沉的岩石圈板片;(4)雪峰山以东地区的地幔过渡带主要受太平洋构造域影响,但南北也存在局部差异,南部华夏地块下方可能不存在滞留板片,太平洋板块的俯冲、后撤与东南沿海地区地壳减薄和大规模出露的中-新生代岩浆岩密切相关.

Impacts of land-use and climate changes on ecosystem productivity and carbon cycle in the cropping-grazing transitional zone in China

The impact of land-use/land-cover and climate changes on ecosystem productivity and carbon cycle is one of the most important issues in global change studies.In the past 20 years,the climate and land-use in China have changed significantly and have had important ecological consequences,especially in ecologically sensitive regions,e.g.the cropping-grazing transition zone(CGTZ).Here we present a study that used a process-based ecosystem model and data of land-use changes based on remote sensing and of climate change at high spatial and temporal resolution to estimate the impacts of land-use and climate changes on net primary productivity(NPP),vegetation carbon storage,soil heterotrophic respiration(HR),carbon storage and net ecosystem productivity(NEP)in the CGTZ of China.The results show that the warming and decreases in precipitation in CGTZ reduced NPP by 3.4%,increased HR by 4.3%,and re-duced annual mean total NEP by 33.7Tg from the 1980s to the 1990s.Although carbon storage in vegetation and soil was increasing because the mean NPP for the period was higher than HR,the decreasing NEP indicate that climate change reduced the carbon uptake rate.However,land-use changes in this zone caused increases in NPP by 3.8%,vegetation carbon storage by 2.4%,and annual total NEP by 0.59Tg.The land-use changes enhanced ecosystem carbon up-take,but not enough to offset the negative effect of the climate change.The climate change had greater impacts than the land-use change for the whole CGTZ zone,but had smaller impacts than the land-use change in the regions where it occurred.

Vegetation Change and Soil Nutrient Distribution along an Oasis-Desert Transitional Zone in Northwestern China

Many studies have focused on soil nutrient heterogeneity and islands of fertility in arid ecosystems. However, few have been conducted on an oasis-desert transitional zone where there is a vegetation pattern changing from shrubs to annual herbs. The goal of the present study was to understand vegetation and soil nutrient heterogenity along an oasis-desert transitional zone in northwestern China. Three replicated sampling belts were selected at 200 m intervals along the transitional zone. Twenty-one quadrats （10 x 10m） at 50m intervals were located along each sampling belt. The vegetation cover was estimated through the quadrats, where both the soil under the canopy and the open soil were sampled simultaneously. The dominated shrub was Haloxylon ammodendron in the areas close to the oasis and Nitraria tangutorum dominated the areas close to the desert. In general, along the transitional zone the vegetation cover decreased within 660 m, increased above 660 m and decreased again above 1 020 m （close to the desert）. The soil nutrients （organic matter, total N, NO3^- and NH4^＋） showed significant differences along the zone. The soil nutrients except the soil NH4^＋ under the canopy were higher than those in open soil, confirming ＂islands of fertility＂ or nutrient enrichment. Only a slight downward trend of the level of ＂islands of fertility＂ for soil organic matter appeared in the area within 900 m. Soil organic matter both under canopy and in interspace showed a positive correlation with the total vegetation cover, however, there was no significant correlation between the other soil nutrients and the total vegetation cover. We also analyzed the relationship between the shrubs and annuals and the soil nutrients along the zone. Similarly, there was no significant correlation between them, except soil organic matter with the annuals. The results implied that annual plants played an important role in soil nutrient enrichment in arid ecosystem.

Crust and upper mantle structures beneath Northeast China from receiver function studies

P-wave and S-wave receiver function analyses have been performed along a profile consisted of 27 broadband seismic stations to image the crustal and upper mantle discontinuities across Northeast China. The results show that the average Moho depth varies from about 37 km beneath the Daxing＇anling orogenic belt in the west to about 33 km beneath the Songliao Basin, and to about 35 km beneath the Changbai mountain region in the east. Our results reveal that the Moho is generally flat beneath the Daxing＇anling region and a remarkable Moho offset （about 4 km） exists beneath the basin-mountain boundary, the Daxing＇anling-Taihang Gravity Line. Beneath the Tanlu faults zone, which seperates the Songliao Basin and Changbai region, the Moho is uplift and the crustal thick- ness changes rapidly. We interpret this feature as that the Tanlu faults might deeply penetrate into the upper mantle, and facilitate the mantle upwelling along the faults during the Cenozoic era. The average depth of the lithosphereasthenosphere boundary （LAB） is - 80 km along the profile which is thinner than an average thickness of a continental lithosphere. The LAB shows an arc-like shape in the basin, with the shallowest part approximately beneath the center of the basin. The uplift LAB beneath the basin might be related to the extensive lithospheric stretching in the Mesozoic. In the mantle transition zone, a structurally complicated 660 km discontinuity with a maximum 35 km depression beneath the Changbai region is observed. The 35 km depression is roughly coincident with the location of the stagnant western pacific slab on top of the 660 km discontinuity revealed by the recent P wave tomography.

Impacts of Recent Climate Change on Dry-Land Crop Water Consumption in the Northern Agro-Pastoral Transitional Zone of China

Climate change has substantially impacted crop growth and development in the northern agro-pastoral transitional zone. Examination of the response of crop water consumption to climate change may provide a guide for adapting local agricultural production and ecological construction to new realities. The water consumption of three local crops （wheat, naked oats, and potatoes） is examined for Wuchuan County in the northern agro-pastoral transitional zone of China using meteorological data from 1960 to 2007 and soil moisture data from 1983 to 2007. The relationships between climate change and the crop water consumption are discussed. The results show that Wuchuan experienced both a warming trend and a reduction of precipitation between 1960 and 2007. The annual mean surface air temperature increased at a rate of 0.04℃ yr-1 and the annual precipitation decreased at a rate of 0.7 mm yr-1 . Both trends are particularly pronounced between 1983 and 2007, with an increase in annual mean temperature of 0.09℃ yr-1 and a decrease in annual mean precipitation of 2.1 mm yr-1 . Crop water consumption decreased between 1983 and 2007 for wheat （1.65 mm yr-1 ）, naked oats （2.04 mm yr-1 ）, and potatoes （3.85 mm yr-1 ）. Potatoes and naked oats consume more water than wheat. Climate change has significantly impacted crop water consumption. Water consumption and rainfall during the growing season are positively correlated, while water consumption and active accumulated temperature are negatively correlated. Compared to precipitation, accumulated temperature has little impact on crop water consumption. Recent climate change has been detrimental for crop production in Wuchuan County. Adaptation to climate change should include efforts to breed drought-resistant crops and to develop drought-resistant cultivation techniques.

2-D P-wave velocity structure in the mideast segment of Zhangjiakou-Bohai tectonic zone: Anxin-Xianghe-Kuancheng DSS profile

In order to get the 3-D fine velocity structure in the Capital-circle area of China, 6 explosions, ranging from 1800 to 2500 kg, were conducted and recorded by an array of 240 seismographs. A reflection/refraction survey was carried out along the profile extending from Anxin county, Hebei Province northeastward to Yanshan Mountains, crossing the Zhangjiakou-Bohai tectonic zone. The 2-D velocity structure of P wave was imaging along the profile. The results show that abnormality exists in the deep structure of the Zhangjiakou-Bohai tectonic zone: The base- ment is significantly depressed, the interfaces and Moho are uplifted, and a strong velocity gradient layer is existed above the Moho that may be dislocated by deep fault. The crust of Huabei basin is thin and low velocity body ex- ists in the crust. The Yanshan Mountains′ crust is thick, the layers in the crust are quite clear and the velocity in the layer is homogeneous. Huabei basin differs from Yanshan Mountains in structure.