Urban Spatial Form Optimization Strategies Based on the Principle of Climate Adaptability of Regional Architecture: A Case Study of Traditional Cave Dwelling Villages in Northern Shaanxi Province

A multitude of climate-adaptive design approaches are embedded in regional architecture,which have a positive impact on addressing the deformed development of urban spatial patterns and the dual challenges of climate and resources.This paper examines the principles of climate adaptability embedded in the site layout and spatial organization characteristics of traditional cave dwelling villages in northern Shaanxi Province.The extracted climate adaptability principles are summarized,and the resulting design strategies that are well-suited to the contemporary urban space form are presented.Through analysis,it can be observed that traditional cave dwelling villages in northern Shaanxi are predominantly situated on south-facing slopes in proximity to water at low altitudes.These villages are characterized by compact building groups and east-west development,which is constrained by the elements of mountains and rivers.A two-level street system is generated,comprising streets parallel to the contour line and roadways perpendicular to the contour line.This results in the formation of a courtyard form enclosed by mountains.Such site layout and spatial organization exhibit excellent climate adaptability with regard to heat,ventilation,and wind storage.In light of the aforementioned considerations,the following urban spatial form design strategies are put forth:①the topographic height difference can be exploited to obtain sufficient sunshine;②the group shape can be optimized in order to reduce building energy consumption;③the best orientation of the building can be chosen to take account of both winter and summer conditions;④the height and length can be combined in order to form natural masking;⑤the D/H ratio of streets and roadways should be controlled to achieve a balance between heat gain and cooling of groups;⑥vents should be set appropriately to optimize group ventilation;⑦climate buffers should be established to increase the level of climate response.

Changes in Ecosystem Service Values on the Loess Plateau in Northern Shaanxi Province,China

The Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi Province of China covers Yulin, Yan＇an, and Tongchuan cities mainly. The kind of physiognomy is complicated and various, including the transitional region of the sand and wind, the hilly-gully fragile region, the pimple mound region from North to South. Large-scale land reclamation projects that are severely affecting these ecosystems have been implemented. In this paper, we reported an investigation to the changes in land use and ecosystem services on the Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi Province from 1978 to 2000. We used three LANDSAT TM and/or ETM data sets to estimate the changes in the size of five land-cover/land-use categories, and we also used previously published value coefficients to estimate the changes in the value of ecosystem services delivered by each land category. Finally, we ranked the contribution of various ecosystem functions to the overall value of the ecosystem services, we have estimated that the annual value of the ecosystem services is 56.95 billon RMB yuan in the Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi Province in 2000. In the region, from 1978 to 2000, the economic value of the fixing carbon was higher, the economic value of water conservation was the lowest, but the economic value of the NPP, fixing carbon, and supplying oxygen accounted for above ninety percent of the total value, obviously the vegetation created the biggest ecosystem service value. We can conclude that future land-use policy formulation should give precedence to the conservation of these ecosystems over uncontrolled reclamation, and that further land reclamation should be based on rigorous environmental impact analyses.

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.

Oil／Gas Accumulation Characteristics and Exploration Methods of the Deltaic Lithologic Reservoirs in Northern Shaanxi Area

There are large deltaic systems in the Triassic Yanchang Formation in the northern Shaanxi area of the Ordos Basin, and developed two sets of good source-reservoir-caprock assemblages and many sets of oil-bearing beds. Exploration experience demonstrates that the formation and distribution of the reservoir were controlled by the generative depression of the Yanchang Formation, and deltaic reservoir sand body is the material basis for large-scale oilfields. In addition, secondary laumontite in a low permeable area was dissolved and then a high permeable area was formed. The updip lithologic variety of reservoir sand bodies is favorable to the formation of subtle lithologic traps, and the deltaic reservoirs are characterized by large multi-beds of oil-generation and abundant hydrocarbon resources. In this paper, the petroleum geologic settings of the studied area are analyzed, and the accumulation characteristics and exploration methods of lithologic reservoirs are summarized. It is of theoretical significance for the study of the exploration theories of lithologic reservoirs, and also expedites the exploration steps of deltaic reservoirs in the northern Shaanxi area.

Division of diagenesis reservoir facies and its control——Case study of Chang-3 reservoir in Yangchang formation of Fuxian exploration area in northern Shaanxi

By dividing the diagenetic reservoir facies and studying its distribution,we can effectively evaluate reservoirs.Using an analytical method for mutual relationships among diagenesis of reservoirs,structural characteristics and the origin of types of sand,we classified the diagenetic reservoir of the Yanchang formation Chang-3 oil layer into different types and analyzed the factors controlling this high quality reservoir.The results show that:1) the catagenesis of the Chang-3 oil layer in the Fuxian region is complex and variable;2) mechanical compaction,pressure solutions and cementation of all kinds of authogenous minerals decreases porosity by 28.13% and 3) corrosion increases porosity by 3.39%.Cementation and corrosion of laumontite is a kind of catagenesis which makes this region different from other exploratory regions.The original amount and rate of corrosion of laumontite are the main factors for the increase in laumontite porosity.The Chang-3 oil layer developed four kinds of diagenetic reservoir facies,of which the weak compaction facies,i.e.,laumontite corrosion and overgrowth,of the original pore reservoir facies has the most promising diagenesis.Its distribution is controlled by a sedimentary facies zone and is widely developed in the original truncated tributary channel facies belt of the delta plain.The development of this high quality reservoir is controlled by the distribution of sedimentary sand bodies and secondarily-eroded porosity of laumontite in the Chang-3 oil layer of the Fuxian exploratory region.

Existing Problems in Energy Exploitation and Eco-environment Sustainable Development and Their Countermeasures in Northern Shaanxi

The exploitation of coal, petroleum and natural gas in northern Shaanxi not only promoted the rapid development of economy, but also brought about enormous pressure to fragile ecology and resulted to severe water pollution, water and soil loss, vegetation destruction and other ecological environmental problems, so many countermeasures were put forward according to these problems, such as greatly developing circular economy, conducting cleaner production in petroleum enterprises, continuously renewing mining technology and so on.

Construction of Monastery Garden Landscapes in Northern Shaanxi Province of China

In view of the present construction of monastery garden landscapes in northern Shaanxi,landscape features were pointed out as:harsh natural environment of monastery garden,dual functions of religion and tourism,large spatial capacity of architectural complex,long history and profound cultures,and also working as botanic gardens.Problems in these monastery gardens were proposed as:poor overall landscaping design,insufficient plants of religious cultures,lacking in artistic plant furnishings showing ornamental effects and seasonal aspects of plants,plant furnishings failed to show cultural characteristics of northern Shaanxi,poor diversity and improper ratio of plant furnishings,attaching insufficient importance to vertical greening,similar plant communities.On the basis of investigating characteristics and problems of monastery garden landscapes in northern Shaanxi,layouts and plant furnishings of incense roads,religious sectors and living sectors in those gardens were analyzed,suitable plant species were given as references,so as to explore new landscape modes of "human-nature oneness" and provide useful experience for the landscape construction of monastery gardens in Shaanxi.

The Extension Methods and Fecision-making Analysis on the Planting Dtructure of Dlope Garmland in Northern Shaanxi

Based on the resent research about the planting structure of slope farmland in northern Shaanxi,in order to increase the native's income,we use the theory of the extension methods to analyze the planting structure of slope farmland,so that we can get the extensive strategy,and put them into use for planting of slope farmland to make the native's income higher.

Potash–Forming Regularity of the Ordovician Marine Northern Shaanxi Salt Basin: Insight from Review and Prospect of the Deep Geology of the Ordos Basin

The Ordovician Northern Shaanxi Salt Basin （ONSSB）, located in the east-central Ordos Basin, western North China Craton （NCC）, is one of the largest marine salt basins yet discovered in China. A huge amount of halite deposited in the Mid-Ordovician Majiagou Formation, and potash- containing indication and local thin layer of potash seam were discovered in O2m^65 （6th submember, 5th member of the Majiagou Formation）. This makes ONSSB a rare Ordovician potash-containing basin in the world, and brings new hope for prospecting marine solid potash in this basin. However, several primary scientific problems, such as the coupling relationship between ONSSB and the continent nucleus, how the high-precision basement fold controls the ONSSB, and how the basement faults and relief control ONSSB, are still unclear due to the limitations of the knowledge about the basement of the Ordos Basin. This has become a barrier for understanding the potash-forming regularity in the continental nucleus （CN） area in marine salt basin in China. Up to now, the material accumulation has provided ripe conditions for the answers to these questions. Latest zircon U-Pb ages for the basement samples beneath the Ordos Basin reveal that there exists a continental nucleus （Yi-Meng CN） beneath the northern Ordos Basin. And this brings light into the fact that the ONSSB lies not overlying on the Yi- Meng CN but to south Yi-Meng CN. Both do not have superimposed relationship in space. And borehole penetrating into the basement reached Palaeoproterozoic meta-sedimentary rocks, which suggests the ONSSB is situated in the accretion belt of Yi-Meng CN during geological history. Basement relief beneath the ONSSB area revealed by seismic tomography and aeromagnetic anomaly confirms the existence of basement uplift and faults, which provides tectonic setting for sedimentary center migration of the ONSSB. Comparative research with various data sources indicates that the expanding strata in the ONSSB adopted the shape of the basement folds. We found that the orientations of the potash sags showed high correlation with those of several basement and sedimentary cover faults in the ONSSB. The secondary depressions are also controlled by the faults. Comparative research between all the global salt basins and continental nuclei distribution suggests that distribution of the former is controlled by the latter, and almost all the salt basins developed in or at the margin of the continental nucleus area. The nature of the tectonie basement exerts a key controlling effect on potash basin formation. And on this basis we analyzed in detail the geological conditions of salt-forming and potash-forming in the ONSSB.

Discovery of Marine-terrestrial Transitional Facies Shale Gas in Taiyuan Formation of Zhenjia 1 Well,Northern Shaanxi,Ordos basin

Objective At present, there is controversy regarding the existence of marine-terrestrial transitional facies that can act as a source of shale gas. This detailed study of Carboniferous-Permian age geological data from the northern Shaanxi area （China） provides new insight for this type of shale gas. In addition, a new deposition and accumulation pattern for this type of shale gas is established.

Change Characteristics and Cause Analysis of Summer Precipitation Anomaly in Loess Plateau of Northern Shaanxi Province

[ Objective] The research aimed to study change characteristics and formation cause of summer precipitation abnormality in Loess Plateau of northern Shaanxi Province. [ Method] Based on summer precipitation data at 15 observation stations in Loess Plateau of northern Shaanxi Province and NCEP/NCAR dataset from 1961 to 2008, change characteristics of summer precipitation in the region were investigated by using linear trend estimation and composite analysis. [Result] Summer rainfall had decrease trend in most parts of northem Shaanxi Province, but had increase trend in western and southern regions. The interannual and interdecadal variations were obvious. It had a large amount of precipitation from the mid- 1970s to the mid-1990s, while summer rainfall had decrease trend after the mid-1990s and increase trend in recent years. In wet years, it was a large positive anomaly zone from western Ural Mountains to northem Lake Baikal at middle and high latitudes, indicating that there was a blocking high over the Ural Mountains, while it was negative anomaly zone from northern Okhotsk Sea to Lake Baikal. From Northwest Pacific Ocean to Bo- hal Sea Bay and North China, it was a wide range of significant positive anomaly zone, which was favorable for Westem Pacific subtropical high ex- tending westward and northward. The analysis in dry years showed opposite circulation configuration. It was ＂ -, ＋, -＂ wave train distribution in middle and high latitudes and positive anomaly zone along the Sea of Okhotsk. Western Pacific subtropical high was also by south and east. Major water vapor was from southeast direction in wet years, and abundant water vapor caused more summer rainfall in northern Shaanxi. In dry years, water vapor was from westerly tuming southerly flow. It was weaker and by east. [ Conclusion] The research provided reference for reasonable utilization of summer precipitation in the zone.

Characteristics and evolution of lacustrine turbidite of Chang-7 Member of Yanchang Formation in northern Shaanxi

Lacustrine turbidite of Chang-7 Member in the studied area consists of sihstone and fine sandstone with respect to grain size, which is feldspathic lithie sandstone, syrosem arkose and arkose with respect to mineral constitution affected by provenance. There are such apparent signatures as lithology, sedimentary structure, sedimentary sequence and well logs, to recognize turbidite. During the paleogeographic evolution of Chang-7 Member, lake basin and deep lake are both at their maximum extent during Chang-73 stage, resulting in the deposition of Zhangjiatan shale with widespread extent and of turbidite with fragmental-like. Deep lake line is gradually moving toward lake center and turbidite sand bodies are gradually turning better with better lateral continuity, connectivity and more thickness, from stages of Chang-73, Chang-72 and Chang-7t, which can be favorable reservoir in deep-water.

HUMAN IMPACT ON SOIL EROSION AND SEDIMENT YIELD IN NORTHERN SHAANXI, CHINA

Soil erosion in northern Shaanxi region has been greatly affected by human activities. On the one hand, newly occurred soil and water loss has been observed due to accelerated soil erosion caused by irrational human economic activities such as excessive reclamation, mining, etc.. On the other hand, great economic, social and ecological benefits have been brought into play due to vast amount of sediment trapping in watershed management as a result of adoption of engineering measures like silt arrester and horizontal terracing and of biological measures like afforestation and grass planting.

Evaluation of groundwater geochemical characteristics and quality in the central and Northern Shaanxi Province,China

Groundwater is of vital importance to many aspects of ecosystem services,especially in the central and northern Shaanxi Provence,China,-an area covered by loess deposits and short of water resources.We studied the solute geochemistry and water quality of groundwater in this area to improve the understanding of hydrogeochemical processes in loess deposits area.The results showed that the average pH of groundwaters was 8.03±0.36(1 SD)with large ranges(324-83,379 mg/L)of the total dissolved solids(TDS).The cations and anions followed the order of Na^+>Ca^2+>Mg^2+>K^+>SiO2 and HCO3>Cl^->SO4^2->F^->NO3^-.Most groundwater samples show the HCO3^--Na^+-Ca^2+water type and a small number of samples the Na^+-Cl^-type.Irrigation water quality assessments showed that 40%of the groundwater has good water quality,42%moderate water quality,and 18%(the upper reaches of Wuding River and Wei River)poor water quality with very high salinity.About 40%of groundwater samples were not suitable for drinking due to the high TDS,fluoride,sulfide,and chloride.Gibbs plot and stoichiometry analysis showed that carbonate weathering is the main source of groundwater chemistry in central Shaanxi Province while evaporite dissolution dominates in northern Shaanxi Provence.The loess weathering significantly influences the dissolved solutes of groundwater in the Loess Plateau.The ion-exchange between Mg^2+and Ca^2+in groundwater and Na^+in clay minerals and the deposition of carbonate minerals increased Na^+but decreased the Ca^2+in groundwater.Our research results improve our understanding of hydrogeochemical processes that affect the solutes chemistry of groundwater in the loess area and provide essential data to the global groundwater database.

Hydrogen and Oxygen Isotopes of Fluid Inclusion in Halite,Northern Shaanxi Salt Basin China

The Ordovician was an important transitional period for global climate and organic evolution,the global was in the flood and glacial,Onganism was extinction(Zhan,2007;Trotter et al.,2008;Axel et al.,2010).Under the influence

Cropland Dynamics and Their Influence on the Productivity in Northern Shaanxi,China,for the Past 20 Years:Based on Remotely Sensed Data

In this paper,we mainly focused our research on northern Shaanxi district,which is a pilot area of the Grain for Green Project.We compared the spatial distribution patterns of croplands and their productivity for the past 20 years（from the end of the 1980 s to 2010）.Cropland dynamics for the past 20 years were interpreted from medium- and high-resolution remote sensing images（Landsat TM/ETM＋）.In addition,using the GLO-PEM and AGRO-VPM models with a medium resolution and long time series remote sensing dataset（AVHRR/MODIS）,net primary productivity（NPP） and its relationship with cropland were estimated.Finally,the effect of cropland change on productivity was analyzed.The results show that during the first decade of the research period,cropland area and productivity in northern Shaanxi experienced a small boost,while in the latter decade,both cropland area and NPP were significantly reduced.The main cause of the increase in cropland was the reclamation of large area of grassland and unutilized land to meet the food demands of the local population as well as to compensate for the occupation of urban constructions.While the main cause of the decrease in cropland was the implementation of the Grain for Green Project.In addition,urbanization was also a key factor.Overall,during the past 20 years,the total area of cropland in northern Shaanxi decreased by 42.56%,and cropland NPP dropped by 41.90%.This study is of great importance for the assessment of regional cropland security,food security and scientific planning of regional land use.

Spatio-temporal characteristics of soil protection efforts of the Grain for Green Project in northern Shaanxi Province

This paper looks at the Green for Grain Project in northern Shaanxi Province.Based on remote sensing monitoring data,this study analyzes the locations of arable land in northern Shaanxi in the years 2000,2010 and 2013 as well as spatio-temporal changes over that period,and then incorporates data on the distribution of terraced fields to improve the input parameters of a RUSLE model and simulate and generate raster data on soil erosion for northern Shaanxi at different stages with a accuracy verification.Finally,combined with the dataset of farmland change,compared and analyzed the characteristics of soil erosion change in the converted farmland to forest(grassland)and the unconverted farmland in northern Shaanxi,so as to determine the project’s impact on soil erosion over time across the region.The results show that between 2000 and 2010,the soil erosion modulus of repurposed farmland in northern Shaanxi decreased 22.7 t/ha,equivalent to 47.08%of the soil erosion modulus of repurposed farmland in 2000.In the same period,the soil erosion modulus of non-repurposed farmland fell 10.99 t/ha,equivalent to 28.6%of the soil erosion modulus of non-repurposed farmland in 2000.The soil erosion modulus for all types of land in northern Shaanxi decreased by an average of 14.51 t/ha between 2000 and 2010,equivalent to 41.87%of the soil erosion modulus for the entire region in 2000.This suggests that the Green for Grain Project effectively reduced the soil erosion modulus,thus helping to protect the soil.In particular,arable land that was turned into forest and grassland reduced erosion most noticeably and contributed most to soil conservation.Nevertheless,in the period 2010 to 2013,which was a period of consolidation of the Green for Grain Project,the soil erosion modulus and change in volume of soil erosion in northern Shaanxi were significantly lower than in the previous decade.

The subsistence patterns of the Shengedaliang site(-4,000 yr BP)revealed by stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in northern Shaanxi,China

In order to explore subsistence patterns in northern Shaanxi Province around 4,000 yr BP,28 human and 24 animal bones from the Shengedaliang site were sampled for stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratio analysis.The results show that most people primarily subsisted on C_4 resources,e.g.millet and millet-related animal products,despite the fact that there was some intake of C_3 plants by some individuals.Stable nitrogen isotope values indicate that there were differences in meat consumption between individuals at the site.Pigs were mainly foddered with millet and millet byproducts,as well as some cattle,according to their highδ^(13)C values.However,most cattle and the sheep/goats consumed wild C_3 plants at Shengedaliang.Our above findings indicates that subsistence patterns in northern Shaanxi around 4,000 yr BP were characterized by millet farming,while the grassland animal husbandry,e.g.cattle and sheep/goats raising,displayed very little contribution to local economy.The intensive millet farming in northern Shaanxi provided enough food for population growth,ensured the accumulation of wealth,and consequently accelerated social differentiation and complexity.

Study on Development Countermeasures of Cave Dwellings in Northern Area of Shaanxi Province in China

In view of traditional house in northern area of Shaanxi Province which was cave dwelling,based on cave dwelling and its development environment,the paper had analyzed architectural characteristics and use value of cave dwelling and its development in northern Shaanxi,and then pointed out that cave dwelling development had been reduced into an awkward situation.By using SWOT analysis method,the strengths,weaknesses,opportunities and threats of cave dwellings had been summarized.In terms of strengths,cave dwelling had ecological advantage as native architecture,was constructed based on local conditions,could solve land,energy and environment problems on Loess Plateau,and abounded in aesthetic value of native feature.In terms of weaknesses,village layout lacked of integrity,transportation was not convenient,indoor ventilation and lighting were insufficient,and pattern and space were simplified and stereotyped.In terms of opportunities,it stressed architectural ecology having received more and more attention in the world,and exploration and application of underground civil architecture.In terms of threats,it lied in construction technology of cave dwelling,contradiction between cave dwelling and urbanization and between cave dwelling and modern life,and management mode of restricted type.On this basis,it suggested that cave dwelling development in northern Shaanxi should transform people's traditio-nal concept through correct guidance of public voice;strive to eliminate weakness of cave dwelling;improve cave environment by enhancing infrastructure construction;develop characteristic cave dwelling cultural tourism in northern Shaanxi,and construct new socialist countryside of northern Shaanxi character.