International Students’ Feeling of Shame in the Higher Education: An Intersectional Analysis of Their Racialised, Gendered and Classed Experiences in the UK Universities

The literature on international students’ experiences frequently depicts them within a ‘deficient’ framework, highlighting their perceived lack of essential skills for managing their studies. Moreover, international students’ emotional experiences are often construed as personal and psychological attributes, with their emotions viewed as transient and pathological phases that they will eventually overcome to assimilate into the local context. However, there exists a dearth of literature investigating international students’ experiences from a sociological perspective, particularly concerning their emotional experiences within the broader social and political milieu. Utilizing a longitudinal research design to monitor 25 Chinese international postgraduates from multiple universities in London and Glasgow over the course of one year, this study illuminates the racialised, classed, and gendered dimensions of international students’ experiences in UK higher education through an exploration of their feelings of shame. Drawing on the research findings, it is evident that power relations operate insidiously and covertly to systematically frame international students’ experiences as personal or cultural ‘deficiency’. This process represents a form of misrecognition, which manifests in racialised, gendered, and classed feelings of shame, experienced at the personal level as insecurity, ‘stupidity’, exclusion, and self-doubt. Consequently, social and cultural inequalities within higher education are often situated at the individual level.

How Sense of Ritual in Tourism Impacts Tourists’Co-Creation of Tourism Experience Values:A Study Based on the Theory of Value Co-Creation

Establishing a sense of ritual within tourism consumption scenarios offers tourists the opportunity for interactive engagement.Drawing upon the value co-creation theory,this study constructed an influence mechanism model to examine tourists'active engagement in the process of co-creating tourism experience values.It employed Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling(PLS-SEM)to empirically test the proposed hypotheses.The findings demonstrate that the model constructed in the present study exhibits robust reliability,validity,and explanatory power.The perception of the sense of ritual in tourism exerts a significant positive influence on tourists’co-creation of tourism experience values,thereby significantly enhancing both the communitas and flow experienced by tourists during their travels.Moreover,such communitas and flow can mediate the influence of the sense of ritual in tourism on tourists’co-creation of tourism experience values.This study contributes to advancing the current research on tourists’co-creation of tourism experience values and the sense of ritual in tourism,thereby providing theoretical foundations for cultivating a sense of ritual within tourism consumption scenarios.

基于WOFOST模型与遥感数据同化的县级尺度玉米估产研究

区域尺度的作物生长动态监测和产量预测对于保障粮食安全和农业政策的制定具有重要参考依据。遥感数据同化应用极大提高了作物估产的时效性和精度。为及时、准确地实现县级尺度粮食产量的估测,以及提升产量估测的精度,以辽宁省铁岭县为研究区,采用WOFOST(world food studies)模型与遥感同化相结合的方法对铁岭县玉米进行估产研究。通过采用扩展傅里叶幅度敏感性检验算法(extened Fourier amplitude sensitivity test,EFAST)敏感性分析方法实现玉米估产敏感性参数的分析,以及本地化;通过采用参数自动率定程序PEST(parameter estimation)实现参数的优化,验证结果为采样点产量的平均误差为852.39 kg·hm^(-2),模型模拟的精度达到92.82%。为进一步提高和优化模型估产精度,将遥感反演得到的叶面积指数采用集合卡尔曼滤波算法与模型模拟的叶面积指数进行数据同化,平均误差从同化前的852.39 kg·hm^(-2)降低为435.01 kg·hm^(-2),估产精度从92.82%提高到96.33%,有效提高了WOFOST模型估产的精度。结果表明:水分对玉米的生长发育限制并不大,其产量形成主要受光温影响,对温度、光能利用效率和最大同化速率有关的参数具有较高的敏感性;优化后的模型能够较好模拟铁岭县玉米生长发育情况,产量验证表明优化后的模型模拟的效果较好,但仍存在一定的误差;比值植被指数与叶面积指数的相关性最高,反演模型精度较好,反演结果表明叶面积指数在抽雄吐丝期差距较大,而在成熟期的差距不大;经过作物模型与遥感数据同化之后,估产的精度得到明显提高,说明遥感与作物模型同化是一种有效地提高作物估产和产量预测精度的方法。

智能反射面辅助的OFDM系统稀疏信道估计研究

针对智能反射面(IRS)辅助的宽带正交频分复用(OFDM)系统的信道估计,当前大多数研究都是基于单符号全导频设置,且级联信道系数过多会导致导频开销较大。为此,提出了一种基于时域-角域块稀疏的两阶段信道估计方案。首先,通过分析信道在时域和角域上存在的共同稀疏特性,将级联信道矩阵转换为时域-角域上的块稀疏表示,并将信道估计问题转换为块稀疏矩阵恢复问题。其次,考虑传输导频限制和时域-角域块稀疏特性,提出了一种两阶段稀疏信道估计方案对级联信道进行稀疏恢复。仿真结果表明,相比另外三种基准方案,该方案可以使用较少的导频获得更优的信道估计性能,有效减少了导频开销,且估计准确度更高。

头颈联合3D-TOF-MRA人工智能辅助压缩感知序列的优化

目的通过比较施加不同加速因子(acceleration factors,AF)的并行采集(parallel imaging,PI)、压缩感知(compressed sensing,CS)、人工智能-压缩感知(artificial intelligence compressed sensing,ACS)技术的头颈联合三维时间飞跃法磁共振血管成像(three-dimensional time-of-fight magnetic resonance angiography,3D-TOF-MRA)的图像质量,选取优化序列。材料与方法前瞻性招募24例健康志愿者,以PI的AF为3(PI 3)、CS的AF分别为4和6(CS 4、CS 6)以及ACS的AF分别为4、6、8、10(ACS 4、ACS 6、ACS 8、ACS 10)进行头颈联合3D-TOF-MRA扫描。扫描时间:PI 3=8 min 40 s;CS 4=6 min 38 s;CS 6=4 min 9 s;ACS 4=5 min 24 s;ACS 6=4 min 30 s;ACS 8=4 min 13 s;ACS 10=3 min 24 s。分别在双侧大脑中动脉(middle cerebral artery,MCA)M1段、双侧颈内动脉(internal carotid artery,ICA)C4段、颈动脉分叉处下5个层面的双侧颈总动脉(common carotid artery,CCA)以及MCA及ICA同一层面的颞叶白质,CCA同一层面的胸锁乳突肌作为背景区域勾画感兴趣区(regions of interest,ROI),记录信号强度(signal intensity,SI)及标准差(standard deviation,SD),从而计算信噪比(signal-to-noise ratio,SNR)与对比噪声比(contrast-to-noise ratio,CNR)。采用四分法和五分法分别对整体图像质量以及颅内动脉、颈部大动脉进行评分。以组内相关系数(intra-class correlation coefficient,ICC)比较两名放射医师之间及同一名放射医师内客观评价结果的一致性,Kappa检验比较两名放射医师之间及同一名放射医师内主观评价结果的一致性,若一致性良好,则选取其中一位医师的客观评分及主观评分进行后续统计分析。采用单因素方差分析或Kruskal-Wallis检验对客观评分以及主观评分进行总体差异比较,若差异具有统计学意义则进行两两比较。结果与PI技术比较显示,ACS 4~ACS 8的SNR_(L-MCA),ACS 8、ACS 10的CNR_(L-MCA),ACS 4、ACS 6、ACS 10的CNR_(R-MCA),ACS 4~ACS 10的SNR_(R-MCA)、SNR_(L-CCA)、CNR_(L-CCA),ACS 6~ACS 10的SNR_(R-CCA)、CNR_(R-CCA)均高于PI 3,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。与CS技术比较显示,ACS 4~ACS 10的SNR_(R-MCA)、CNR_(L-MCA)及CNR_(R-MCA),ACS 4~ACS 8的SNR_(L-MCA)、SNR_(L-CCA)、SNR_(R-CCA)、CNR_(L-CCA)、CNR_(R-CCA)与CS 4差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),ACS 4~ACS 10的SNR_(L-MCA)、SNR_(R-MCA)、CNR_(L-MCA)、CNR_(R-MCA)、SNR_(L-ICA)、SNR_(R-ICA)、CNR_(L-ICA)、SNR_(L-CCA)、SNR_(R-CCA)、CNR_(L-CCA)、CNR_(R-CCA)与CS 6差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),均优于CS 4、CS 6。ACS技术之间两两比较,ACS 8的SNR_(L-MCA)高于ACS 10(P<0.05),ACS 8、ACS 10的SNR_(R-CCA)、CNR_(R-CCA)均高于ACS 4(P<0.05),其余差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。除颈部大动脉图像外,主观评分统计结果均为ACS 4~ACS 10与CS 6差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),优于CS 6。结论与PI及CS技术相比,ACS技术拥有更短的扫描时间,更好的图像质量。ACS 8为最优序列,扫描时间比PI 3缩短51%。

Remote sensing of air pollution incorporating integrated-path differential-absorption and coherent-Doppler lidar

An innovative complex lidar system deployed on an airborne rotorcraft platform for remote sensing of atmospheric pollution is proposed and demonstrated.The system incorporates integrated-path differential absorption lidar(DIAL) and coherent-doppler lidar(CDL) techniques using a dual tunable TEA CO_(2)laser in the 9—11 μm band and a 1.55 μm fiber laser.By combining the principles of differential absorption detection and pulsed coherent detection,the system enables agile and remote sensing of atmospheric pollution.Extensive static tests validate the system’s real-time detection capabilities,including the measurement of concentration-path-length product(CL),front distance,and path wind speed of air pollution plumes over long distances exceeding 4 km.Flight experiments is conducted with the helicopter.Scanning of the pollutant concentration and the wind field is carried out in an approximately 1 km slant range over scanning angle ranges from 45°to 65°,with a radial resolution of 30 m and10 s.The test results demonstrate the system’s ability to spatially map atmospheric pollution plumes and predict their motion and dispersion patterns,thereby ensuring the protection of public safety.

Variation in the surface heat flux on the north and south slopes of Mount Qomolangma

The distinctive conditions present on the north and south slopes of Mount Qomolangma,along with the intricate variations in the underlying surfaces,result in notable variations in the surface energy flux patterns of the two slopes.In this paper,data from TESEBS(Topographical Enhanced Surface Energy Balance System),remote sensing data from eight cloud-free scenarios,and observational data from nine stations are utilized to examine the fluctuations in the surface heat flux on both slopes.The inclusion of MCD43A3 satellite data enhances the surface albedo,contributing to more accurate simulation outcomes.The model results are validated using observational data.The RMSEs of the net radiation,ground heat,sensible heat,and latent heat flux are 40.73,17.09,33.26,and 30.91 W m^(−2),respectively.The net radiation flux is greater on the south slope and exhibits a rapid decline from summer to autumn.Due to the influence of the monsoon,on the north slope,the maximum sensible heat flux occurs in the pre-monsoon period in summer and the maximum latent heat flux occurs during the monsoon.The south slope experiences the highest latent heat flux in summer.The dominant flux on the north slope is sensible heat,while it is latent heat on the south slope.The seasonal variations in the ground heat flux are more pronounced on the south slope than on the north slope.Except in summer,the ground heat flux on the north slope surpasses that on the south slope.

Characterization and spatial analysis of coseismic landslides triggered by the Luding Ms 6.8 earthquake in the Xianshuihe fault zone, Southwest China

On September 5, 2022, a magnitude Ms 6.8 earthquake occurred along the Moxi fault in the southern part of the Xianshuihe fault zone located in the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau,resulting in severe damage and substantial economic loss. In this study, we established a coseismic landslide database triggered by Luding Ms 6.8 earthquake, which includes 4794 landslides with a total area of 46.79 km^(2). The coseismic landslides primarily consisted of medium and small-sized landslides, characterized by shallow surface sliding. Some exhibited characteristics of high-position initiation resulted in the obstruction or partial obstruction of rivers, leading to the formation of dammed lakes. Our research found that the coseismic landslides were predominantly observed on slopes ranging from 30° to 50°, occurring at between 1000 m and 2500 m, with slope aspects varying from 90° to 180°. Landslides were also highly developed in granitic bodies that had experienced structural fracturing and strong-tomoderate weathering. Coseismic landslides concentrated within a 6 km range on both sides of the Xianshuihe and Daduhe fault zones. The area and number of coseismic landslides exhibited a negative correlation with the distance to fault lines, road networks, and river systems, as they were influenced by fault activity, road excavation, and river erosion. The coseismic landslides were mainly distributed in the southeastern region of the epicenter, exhibiting relatively concentrated patterns within the IX-degree zones such as Moxi Town, Wandong River basin, Detuo Town to Wanggangping Township. Our research findings provide important data on the coseismic landslides triggered by the Luding Ms 6.8 earthquake and reveal the spatial distribution patterns of these landslides. These findings can serve as important references for risk mitigation, reconstruction planning, and regional earthquake disaster research in the earthquake-affected area.

Comparative study of self-compassion and sense of coherence in nurses of psychiatric hospitals

Objective:Nurses,due to the nature of their job,are subjected to various forms of stress and physical and psychological injuries.Self-compassion and a sense of coherence have attracted much attention in research in recent years as having high potential for improving the health and performance of people in the workplace.The present study aimed to compare self-compassion and the sense of coherence in nurses working in psychiatric hospitals and other hospitals of Kerman University of Medical Sciences.Methods:The present study was a descriptive-comparative study of applied type conducted on 100 nurses of Shahid Beheshti Psychiatric Hospital in Kerman by the census method and 100 nurses of other hospitals of Kerman University of Medical Sciences by the stratified random sampling method.The instruments included the self-compassion questionnaire and the sense of coherence questionnaire.Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software.Results:The results of the present study showed that self-compassion and sense of coherence were higher in psychiatric nurses(39.35±7.7 and 53.02±8.01)than among other nurses(36.03±5.81 and 49.76±6.30).There was a direct and moderate relationship between a sense of coherence and self-compassion(P-value<0.005).The higher the score of compassion for oneself,the higher was the score of sense of coherence.Furthermore,the sense of coherence had a direct and weak relationship with all dimensions of self-compassion,except for the extreme imitation dimension,which showed a direct and moderate relationship to other dimensions(P-value<0.001).Conclusions:Self-compassion and a sense of coherence,as a form of self-communication,increase nurses’satisfaction and reduce nurses’job stress and,as a result,job performance is improved.

WHY PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT SENSE:THE PAST,PRESENT AND POTENTIAL FUTURE OF THE PPP PARADIGM IN LANGUAGE TEACHER EDUCATION

Introduction Among,the many lesson planning paradigms usedin English language teacher education over the last 40 years,PPP has proven to be one of the mostpopular and most durable(see Figure 1)despite regular criticism in literature emanating from the Anglophone,centre,of ELT theory.After presenting a brief history of the paradigm andoutlining the main criticisms directed at PPP,especially in the 1990s,I discuss some important rescarch findings from SLA studics sincc the turn of the century that lend support to PPP-typelesson structures.

Preventing Health Anxiety:The Role of Self-Evaluation,Sense of Coherence,Self-Rated Health and Perceived Social Support

Background:Components of Self,completed with the perceived social support determine the individual differences in theevaluation of a stressor and the behavioral responses toward it,such as health-related anxiety.The study set as a goal theanalysis of associations between the components of Self,such as self-evaluation,sense of coherence,perceived social support,and reported health-related anxiety in an adult sample.Methods:147 adults from the 18–73 age group(mean age 37.5)voluntarily completed the questionnaire through Qualtrics online platform containing the Short Health Anxiety Inventory,Core Self-Evaluation Scale,Social Support Assessing Scale,and one Health Self-Evaluation Item.Results:ANOVA foundrelevant differences in total scores and subscales’scores of the health anxiety scale depending on the positive self-evaluation.Linear regression shows that the analyzed variables were responsible for the prediction of a higher value on the“Perceivedprobability of becoming ill”subscale in a proportion of 45.6%and for the“Perceived consequence of illness”subscale in aproportion of 20.2%The predictive value of the linear regression model for the total score on the health anxiety scale was46.3%.Our findings show that negative Core Self-Evaluation is linked with perceived health anxiety.Conclusions:Selfevaluation,sense of coherence and perceived social support influence the perceived health and can explain the differences inthe reported health-related anxiety.

Preparation of single atom catalysts for high sensitive gas sensing

Single atom catalysts(SACs)have garnered significant attention in the field of catalysis over the past decade due to their exceptional atom utilization efficiency and distinct physical and chemical properties.For the semiconductor-based electrical gas sensor,the core is the catalysis process of target gas molecules on the sensitive materials.In this context,the SACs offer great potential for highly sensitive and selective gas sensing,however,only some of the bubbles come to the surface.To facilitate practical applications,we present a comprehensive review of the preparation strategies for SACs,with a focus on overcoming the challenges of aggregation and low loading.Extensive research efforts have been devoted to investigating the gas sensing mechanism,exploring sensitive materials,optimizing device structures,and refining signal post-processing techniques.Finally,the challenges and future perspectives on the SACs based gas sensing are presented.

Fracture network characterisation of the Balmuccia peridotite using drone-based photogrammetry,implications for active-seismic site survey for scientific drilling

The presence of discontinuities(e.g.faults,fractures,veins,layering)in crystalline rocks can be challenging for seismic interpretations because the wide range of their size,orientation,and intensity,which controls the mechanical properties of the rock and elastic wave propagation,resulting in equally varying seismic responses at different scales.The geometrical characterisation of adjacent outcrop discontinuity networks allows a better understanding of the nature of the subsurface rocks and aids seismic interpretation.In this study,we characterise the discontinuity network of the Balmuccia peridotite(BP)in the IvreaeVerbano Zone(IVZ),northwestern Italy.This geological body is the focus of the Drilling the Ivrea eVerbano zonE(DIVE),an international continental scientific drilling project,and two active seismic surveys,SEismic imaging of the Ivrea ZonE(SEIZE)and high-resolution SEIZE(Hi-SEIZE),which aim to resolve the subsurface structure of the DIVE drilling target through high-resolution seismic imaging.For fracture characterisation,we developed two drone-based digital outcrop models(DOMs)at two different resolutions(10^(-3)-10 m and 10^(-1)-10^(3)m),which allowed us to quantitatively characterise the orientation,size,and intensity of the main rock discontinuities.These properties affect the seismic velocity and consequently the interpretation of the seismic data.We found that(i)the outcropping BP discontinuity network is represented by three more sets of fractures with respect to those reported in the literature;(ii)the discontinuity sizes follow a power-law distribution,indicating similarity across scales,and(iii)discontinuity intensity is not uniformly distributed along the outcrop.Our results help to explain the seismic behaviour of the BP detected by the SEIZE survey,suggesting that the low P-wave velocities observed can be related to the discontinuity network,and provide the basic topological parameters(orientation,density,distribution,and aperture)of the fracture network unique to the BP.These,in turn,can be used for interpretation of the Hi-SEIZE seismic survey and forward modelling of the seismic response.

Microarrow sensor array with enhanced skin adhesion for transdermal continuous monitoring of glucose and reactive oxygen species

Conventional blood sampling for glucose detection is prone to cause pain and fails to continuously record glucose fluctuations in vivo.Continuous glucose monitoring based on implantable electrodes could induce pain and potential tissue inflammation,and the presence of reactive oxygen species(ROS)due to inflammationmay affect glucose detection.Microneedle technology is less invasive,yet microneedle adhesion with skin tissue is limited.In this work,we developed a microarrow sensor array(MASA),which provided enhanced skin surface adhesion and enabled simultaneous detection of glucose and H_(2)O_(2)(representative of ROS)in interstitial fluid in vivo.The microarrows fabricated via laser micromachining were modified with functional coating and integrated into a patch of a three-dimensional(3D)microneedle array.Due to the arrow tip mechanically interlocking with the tissue,the microarrow array could better adhere to the skin surface after penetration into skin.The MASA was demonstrated to provide continuous in vivo monitoring of glucose and H_(2)O_(2) concentrations,with the detection of H_(2)O_(2) providing a valuable reference for assessing the inflammation state.Finally,the MASA was integrated into a monitoring system using custom circuitry.This work provides a promising tool for the stable and reliable monitoring of blood glucose in diabetic patients.

基于OFDM索引调制的海上通信感知一体化方法

通信感知一体化(ISAC)技术因其同时具备信息传输和目标探测功能,未来将成为海上无人平台协同作业的关键。为解决海洋通信感知一体化系统通信效率低、感知复杂度高等挑战,提出了一种基于正交频分复用索引调制(OFDM-IM)的ISAC方法。该方法通过在发射端选择性激活子载波来提高一体化信号的频谱效率并降低系统能耗,在通信接收端使用对数似然比检测方法,对子载波索引所携带的信息进行解调。在感知接收端,提取激活子载波的回波信息,接着在分布式压缩感知的框架内对目标的目标距离进行估计,最后根据距离估计的支撑集提取对应的回波信号,从而实现目标速度估计。仿真结果表明,该方法能够有效实现高可靠的通信解调,以及目标距离和速度的低复杂度准确估计。

Remote sensing of quality traits in cereal and arable production systems:A review

Cereal is an essential source of calories and protein for the global population.Accurately predicting cereal quality before harvest is highly desirable in order to optimise management for farmers,grading harvest and categorised storage for enterprises,future trading prices,and policy planning.The use of remote sensing data with extensive spatial coverage demonstrates some potential in predicting crop quality traits.Many studies have also proposed models and methods for predicting such traits based on multiplatform remote sensing data.In this paper,the key quality traits that are of interest to producers and consumers are introduced.The literature related to grain quality prediction was analyzed in detail,and a review was conducted on remote sensing platforms,commonly used methods,potential gaps,and future trends in crop quality prediction.This review recommends new research directions that go beyond the traditional methods and discusses grain quality retrieval and the associated challenges from the perspective of remote sensing data.

Using ontology and rules to retrieve the semantics of disaster remote sensing data

Remote sensing data plays an important role in natural disaster management.However,with the increase of the variety and quantity of remote sensors,the problem of“knowledge barriers”arises when data users in disaster field retrieve remote sensing data.To improve this problem,this paper proposes an ontology and rule based retrieval(ORR)method to retrieve disaster remote sensing data,and this method introduces ontology technology to express earthquake disaster and remote sensing knowledge,on this basis,and realizes the task suitability reasoning of earthquake disaster remote sensing data,mining the semantic relationship between remote sensing metadata and disasters.The prototype system is built according to the ORR method,which is compared with the traditional method,using the ORR method to retrieve disaster remote sensing data can reduce the knowledge requirements of data users in the retrieval process and improve data retrieval efficiency.

Responses of Annual Variability of Vegetation NPP to Climate Variables Using Satellite Techniques in Gadarif State, Sudan

Plants play an essential role in matter and energy transformations and are key messengers in the carbon and energy cycle. Net primary productivity (NPP) reflects the capability of plants to transform solar energy into photosynthesis. It is very sensible for factors affecting on vegetation variability such as climate, soils, plant characteristics and human activities. So, it can be used as an indicator of actual and potential trend of vegetation. In this study we used the actual NPP which was derived from MODIS to assess the response of NPP to climate variables in Gadarif State, from 2000 to 2010. The correlations between NPP and climate variables (temperature and precipitation) are calculated using Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient and ordinary least squares regression. The main results show the following 1) the correlation Coefficient between NPP and mean annual temperature is Somewhat negative for Feshaga, Rahd, Gadarif and Galabat areas and weakly negative in Faw area;2) the correlation Coefficient between NPP and annual total precipitation is weakly negative in Faw, Rahd and Galabat areas and somewhat negative in Galabat and Rahd areas. This study demonstrated that the correlation analysis between NPP and climate variables (precipitation and temperature) gives reliably result of NPP responses to climate variables that is clearly in a very large scale of study area.

Socio-Spatial Dynamics of Land in Southwest Niger: The Case of the Commune of Gothèye

In south-west Niger, ecosystems are losing several hectares of their surface area every year due to internally displaced persons and refugees. The commune of Gothèye is not immune to this situation. The aim of this research is to assess the impact of displaced persons and refugees on socio-spatio-temporal dynamics of ecosystems using Landsat images. To achieve this, Landsat TM, Landsat ETM+ and OLI 8 satellite images from September and March were used (2010 to 2024). Operations on Envi 5.3, field validation output and finally mapping on ArcGIS were the steps involved. Discrimination is significant, with kappa coefficients of 0.97, 0.96, 0.86 and 0.85. The results obtained indicate a degradation of natural ecosystems, reflected in a change in landscape structure, with a marked reduction in the quantity and quality of ecosystem goods. Analysis of the evolution of land use showed that 31% of the land remained in its initial state (unchanged), 69% underwent modifications, and 11% was converted to cropland. Over these fourteen years, the study area has undergone changes in land use patterns, which have resulted in a modification of landscape structure, with a marked decline in the quantity and quality of ecosystem services.

Determining the planting year of navel orange trees in mountainous and hilly areas of southern China:a remote sensing based method

Remote sensing has demonstrated validity in determining the planting year of deciduous fruit trees;however,its effectiveness in ascertaining the planting year of evergreen fruit trees remains unverified.Furthermore,the sources of error associated with using remote sensing to determine the planting year of fruit trees remain unclear.This study investigates several cultivated sweet orange(Citrus sinensis)varieties,which are extensively cultivated throughout subtropical China.We analyzed Landsat time series data from 132 navel orange orchards in Gannan,covering the period from 1993 to 2021.For each orchard,Google Earth Engine was employed to extract three vegetation indices—Enhanced Vegetation Index(EVI),Normalized Difference Vegetation Index(NDVI),and Normalized Burn Ratio(NBR)—for each available date,thereby generating three distinct vegetation index time series.The planting year of navel orange trees was identified based on abrupt changes observed in these time series.The principal sources of error in determining the planting year were investigated using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test,Spearman's correlation analysis,and Kruskal-Wallis H test.Key findings include:(1)Following the planting of navel orange trees,EVI,NDVI,and NBR exhibited fluctuations and a gradual increase over time,peaking approximately 10 to 15 years later.(2)The vegetation index time series derived from Landsat imagery effectively determined the planting year of evergreen navel orange trees in orchards,even within highly fragmented landscapes.Among these indices,NDVI and NBR time series outperformed the EVI time series.Specifically,the average determination errors for EVI,NDVI,and NBR time series were 6.4,1.8,and 2.8 years,respectively.(3)Major sources of error included the methods used to construct the time series,the selection of vegetation indices,and the orchard management practices.Overall,this study provides a viable method for determining the planting year of evergreen navel orange trees in fragmented landscapes and offers insights into factors contributing to uncertainty in planting year determination.